People with serious health issues need support systems in place. Without a Financial, Physical, Emotional, and Spiritual Support Systems most people will fail to recover completely.
Here are the first of the Support Systems to Set up before you NEED THEM.
It is said by the age of 25 an average person knows or has met 2000 people. Your first support tool may sound extreme but it is a tool I have used in many areas of life.
Tool #1: Your Resource List: Your resource list is a written out list of 200 of friends, family members and acquaintances.
Be sure to get as many addresses phone numbers and emails as possible on your list. Having several copies will be important if something happens and you need help.
Tip #1: I encourage you to connect with your resources before you need them. See how they are doing, if they are in need or if there is anything you can do for them. As Guy Kawasaki says, "Help others before you need their help." Knowing who your resources are important to your entire Support System Set up.
A second Tool comes from the fact that without a plan way to many people run into hot water when they lose income, can not work, or an unforseen disaster comes their way. Maxing out credit cards or worse utilizing pay day loans can get people into hot water.
Tool # 2: Your Financial Support System
Tip #2: Start a Health Savings Plan. Talk with financial experts about a Health Savings fund that you could utilize for Specialty treatments. Most Natural Health Sessions and some Specialty Doctors are not covered under even the best insurances.
Tip #3: Utilize Tax Deductions for Medical Expenses, Supplementation, Foods, Conferences, Mileage and more. (talk to a Good Tax Professional ahead of time so you know what counts and what doesn't)
Tip #4: Invest in Wellness Care and Nutritional Supplementation. It has been proven over and over that regular Chiropractic Care, Massage Therapy and Exercise Classes not only can keep your body healthy and happy longer but also can save you lots of money on sick care. Insurance Companies are even offering discounts and kickbacks for those who participate in Wellness Care, Gym Memberships, and even take regular Supplementation.
Remember your HEALTH IS YOUR NUMBER ONE INVESTMENT!
Tip #5: Consider the Good Debt Bad Debt Principal. If you hurt your back and $350 of Chiropractic Care can get you back working in 3 weeks versus 3 months of being out of work wouldn't investing on a credit card the $350 be worth it so you could make back that money quicker vs continue to lose income.
Tip #6: Save some of your PTO (Paid Time off,Vacation or Sick Days) every year from work. Then if something happens it is a little less stressful on everyone and if you don't use them you get more time off in December.
Tip #7) Credit Cards versus Low Interest Person to Person Loan: If it comes to having to use Credit Card debt to pay expenses you would be surprised at how many people out there are willing to offer lower interest loans versus 24% high interest credit cards and even worse Pay Day Loans. Start asking people on your Resource list if before you take on a loan with 24% interest if they would be interested in a 10% loan agreement. I bet you can't get through the first 100 people without finding someone who is willing to do that.
Tip #8: Consider a Home Business Before or After: I always see this fund-raiser or that fund-raiser for individuals who have serious illness and are in financial need. Although I think these things are important for social and community support I don't believe they raise the income a home business could do passively in most cases. A home business either started in their name or something someone ill could work from home who is not receiving disability could significantly change their financial stress.
Tip #9: Financial Understanding: Make sure if you have a spouse that they understand and can take care of the finances if you become disabled. If you are single be sure your have what I call a Financial Proxy (a person you trust and you have clearly explained your financial records or how to access them just in case). Or even a Power of Attorney. Power of Attorney is a legal document giving the authority to act for another person in legal or financial matters.
Tip #10: Savings for a Time like This: Some financial experts say you need at least 3 months of household expenses in your savings others say 6 months and even others say two years. I don't know all I do know is the clients who don't have to worry about their financial status very much when health challenges come are the ones to recover the quickest.
