Although being in a committed, bonded relationship can enrich your life, being attached at the hip, unable to function without each other is simply unhealthy. Those who are independent and self reliant typically survive and function better in society than those who are dependent on others for happiness and sustainability. Taking control of basic tasks and life skills will not only help you stay in control of your own life, but will ultimately contribute to making you a happier person. Hers are some basic tips on how to be self relianet.
1. Learn how to manage money What happens to the individual who puts his/her head in the sand when it comes to finances? Typically the individual who allows someone else to manage the money either ends up in debt or with little financial acumen on how to handle finances should that other person no longer handle the job (due to divorce or death). Here are some tips which you can use to prevent that from happening. Get out of debt. Clear the financial cobwebs by cleaning the decks of all debt. In some cases, carrying a mortgage payment can be favorable to your credit rating, however the burden of credit card debt does nothing but provide you with headaches. Create a plan on how you will pay down those credit cards, which could include transferring balances to a lower interest rate card, re-designing your monthly budget to allocate more funds to credit card payments or consolidating cards into one low, interest rate payment. Pay cash instead of using your credit card. While you pay down your credit cards, resist the urge to add more to your running total. The only way you will get out of debt is to squash the amount you’ve generated in the past. While you are paying down debt, if you don’t have cash to cover the costs, skip the purchase. Own a home. Build credit and equity by owning a piece of property if possible. Search for homes or condos within your budget (meaning you don’t want to purchase a piece of property that exceeds 28% of your monthly income). Live within your means. Create a monthly budget and stick to it. If you don’t know where your money goes each month, go through your living expenses (rent/mortgage, utilities, insurance, taxes) along with how often you eat out, what you buy, gas purchases and entertainment expenses. Seeing the expenses as compared to your monthly income on paper may create more of an awareness about what you can and cannot afford. Keep cash on hand at all times. Make it easier to pay with cash by keeping a stash on hand at all times. However, make sure you keep your cash in a safe spot, where no one could swipe it or end up lost.
2. Cook your own meals. Being your own chef has numerous advantages. In addition to lending to being self sufficient, cooking your own meals allows you to save money and eat more healthfully. Take a class or learn online (or from television). If even walking into the kitchen gives you hives, consider taking a class for beginners at a local community college or follow a chef on one of the food network channels. Several celebrity chefs host shows demonstrating easy recipes that can be replaced by even the most apprehensive chef. Ask a relative for help. Not only can you learn cooking basics, learning to cook from a relative provides a bonding experience where you can practice cooking special, family recipes
possibly handed down from generation to generation. Compare and contrast both the health and economic benefits of eating at home. Determine how much it costs to eat out during the week, versus cooking at home. Do you save money and have you noticed your pants becoming a little looser? Plant a garden. A fun way to harbor independence is to grow your own food. A garden provides an inexpensive and interactive way to produce fruits and vegetables on a seasonal basis, which may also provide higher satisfaction when it comes to eating.
3. Master emergency health basics. Knowing what to do in an emergency health situation can help you possibly save a life. Instead of standing by, wringing your hands and hoping emergency rescue gets to you or the person in trouble in time, you can spring into action and do something about it. Take a CPR class. In addition to the Red Cross, community colleges and hospitals offer courses in CPR and first aid. Learn what is necessary during an emergency situation. Would you know what to do if you were camping in the wilderness and a snake bit a friend? Knowing how to tackle the “what if” scenario will help you be the go to person in an emergency. Practice using devices you may not have initial comfort using such as giving injections or an IV. Depending on a health care professional to give an inject or an IV on an ongoing basis may not be very convenient. Learn how to use certain at-home devices in order to be in control of the situation and provide you (or your loved one) with greater independence.
4. Understand basic auto mechanic repair. Don’t be that damsel in distress on the side of the road if your tire blows. Waiting for car trouble help can also put you in a vulnerable position, leaving you open to danger. Learn how to change a tire. Basic tire changes can be performed by anyone with the knowledge and skill. Consult with your vehicle manual and ask a trained professional for a demonstration. Discover how an engine and belts work. Being able to examine and know when a belt is about to blow or if you could be experiencing engine trouble can save you not only time but money. Practice performing a basic oil and fluid change. Vehicle oil and fluids must be changed and topped off on a rotating basis. If you don't have time to get to the auto repair shop, a simple oil change can be performed at home with the right materials and knowledge.
5. Try living off the grid. If you really want to assert your independence, try living off the grid for a while. Save money on energy expenses by living off the land and demonstrate you really can live without assistance. Consider growing all your food. From a garden to foraging for berries and mushrooms, learn about the different types of food you can grow and eat in the wild. Be extremely cautious about eating anything growing in the wild as some plants are poisonous. Explore alternative energy including solar or wind powered. Join the “green” initiative and investigate various alternative energy resources available today. You’ll save money and reduce your carbon footprint by taking a few simple steps. Communicate with friends and loved ones the old fashioned way--in person. Although many friends and family members may have scattered throughout the world, make a concerted effort to see those who live locally face to face (instead of via text or email). Then go old school and hand write and mail a letter to loved ones far away. The time and effort you put into a hand written letter will hold more value than a quick text.
6. Maintain your health. Declare your independence from prescription medication and seeing the doctor for every ache and pain. By simply respecting your body and treating it well, it will repay you ten-fold. Exercise at least five times per week. Keep the blood flowing and tissues healthy by indulging in a little cardio or an-aerobic exercise on a regular basis. You’ll keep your organs in working order and possibly build muscle depending on how hard you hit the gym (or pavement). Eat a clean, healthy diet. Respecting your body means that you fill it with wholesome food, grown from the earth and in its original state. Ditch processed, greasy fast food, packaged chips and sugary foods and drinks in order to nourish and preserve your body. Visit your doctor to detect conditions before they progress or worsen. If you are a “regular” at your physician’s office due to an acutely created, now chronic condition you may see those visits wane if you stick to a healthy diet and exercise routine. However, you should continue to maintain a regular schedule of healthy check ups and routine tests based on your age and risk factors for early detection. Know the signs of certain diseases. Sometimes people become gravely ill because they didn’t realize what a certain ache, pain or symptom could mean. If you know your risk factors and possibly symptoms, you can catch disease before it progresses and reduce the likelihood of complication occurrence.
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