Managing Money in a Crisis
Disclaimer: "This article is intended for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. The content reflects general financial principles and may not apply to your specific circumstances. Always consider your own financial situation and consult with a qualified professional before making financial decisions."
The first step in taking back control isn’t having more — it’s making the most of what you’ve got.
When crisis hits, most people panic. But panic won’t pay the bills. What you really need is a vantage point — your own watchtower — so you can see clearly instead of scrambling in the dark.
Control Isn’t Linear — It’s Guardrails
Most people think control is about winning or losing. Wrong. Control moves. Every time you cancel a subscription, pause a payment, or cut up a card, you’re not losing freedom — you’re pulling it back from their hands into your own.
That’s why I challenge you to build guardrails, not just “good intentions.” Guardrails like:
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A Crisis Budget: ugly, blunt, but it keeps the lights on.
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Separate accounts: one for bills, one for spending. (No more “oops, the rent money is gone.”)
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48-hour rule: Want to buy it? Wait. If you still want it in two days, decide then. Spoiler: most times, you won’t.
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Creating a support network; Speaking to a friend, a counsellor, a peer, even AI such as Chat gpt
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A commitment to consistency, not perfection.
Your First Step👉
Download the Crisis Budget on our recources page here Template — it’s the first stick on the pyre. Put it in place, light the match, and watch the flame take hold.🔥
The Fiscal Phoenix Challenge
Tonight, write down three things you can do immediately. That’s not just a list — that’s your watchtower, your spark, and your first step toward rising again.
The Watchtower view
I’ve stood in that tower myself, staring down bills I couldn’t afford, fighting the urge to fall back into bad habits. For me, it was gambling. For you, it might be Uber Eats, a “just-this-once” credit card swipe, or pretending the problem doesn’t exist.
Here’s the blunt truth: in a crisis, you don’t need perfect. You need a bare-bones system — the foundation where we can pull back from the crisis at hand and see it from a bigger picture.
Essentials First, Pride Later
Forget the fancy extras. In survival mode, the oxygen mask rule applies:
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Food (real food, not delivery apps disguised as grocery shopping).
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Shelter (mortgage or rent comes first).
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Utilities (you need electricity more than Netflix).
Everything else? Question it. Cut it. Pause it. Burn away the dead branches so the flame can catch. Think of it like an orderly retreat.
Reach out for Support
Remember to reach out and grab any services you may be entitled too as soon as possible, including:
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Crisis payments from Services Australia
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Emergency natural disaster payments
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Health Care subsidies, assistance and payments
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Community Loans such as No Interest Loans Scheme
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Free community Caseworkers including brokerage
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Free community pantries and food assistance
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Free financial and mental health counselling
These services are there for anyone who needs them. Having any form of financial assistance can make a huge difference. So can having extra support.
Phoenix Reset: Ashes to Embers
Most people look at crisis and see only ashes. But I know from experience: ashes still hold embers.
That ember is proof the fire isn’t gone — it’s just waiting for the right fuel. Every tough choice you make — every cut, every guardrail — feeds it. And when you do, the comeback begins.
And dont forget:
3. Complete the challenge ; write down three things you can do immediately. For example, cut an expense, complete a budget, search for assistance in my are