by: Monica Braine

First of all, don’t panic! Our ancestors didn’t survive all of this for us to lose our minds in a consumer driven nightmare of toilet paper and masks. I’ll admit, I bought some toilet paper, but it was because I was low. And I did look for rubbing alcohol because recipes for hand sanitizer call for it along with aloe vera gel. I’ve collected about 4 bottles over the years, I get a sunburn because I think I’m tough and don’t need sunscreen and then end up burnt and cryin around. But I digress. Here are some quick tips for managing through this, whether your job sent you home and won’t pay you or an event like Gathering of Nations was cancelled and you are a vendor.

Tip #1 Continue budgeting your money and adjust accordingly. If you did overspend on groceries or TP, don’t beat yourself up. Groupthink is real. Don’t use this current crisis as an opportunity to throw out your financial goals.

Tip #2 If you are struggling financially, this is the time to reach out to your family and friends and other resources to get you through. Make yourself a list of possible places/people to get/borrow money that aren’t payday or title loans. See if your tribe is doing an advance on a percap, if you get one. Check out a Native CDFI in your area and see if they are lending to individuals. Make sure you are comfortable with the terms and are pretty sure you can pay it back without big penalties. Try to pick up a side hustle through this, selling food and delivering it to people’s houses is a good one right now. If you’re an artist announce a COVID-19 sale. People will sympathize. Johnnie Jae (Otoe-Missouria and Choctaw)  of a Tribe Called Geek paid off over $8460.98 of medical debt by selling designed t-shirts. Artist Weshoyot Alvitre (Tongva) also uses this model with her Tongva t-shirts.

Email us your side hustle and we’ll add it to the list! nativesonabudget@gmail.com

Tip #3 Check on your elders. We already do this, but it’s a good reminder. Some of our elders are already isolated. A good phone call or quick trip to see them if you are able and not sick can go a long way towards helping get through this emotionally. And it will help you get your mind off your own issues. Particularly if you have the habit of buying things when you are stressed. Ask them about the old times, get a language lesson, or catch up on the family gossip.

Tip #4 Brush up on those cooking skills! Eating at home is a great way to save money and avoid public places. It’s a good time to start the 2020 No Eating Out Challenge. Also check out these two talented Native food experts. They have ideas for cooking!

Tip #5 Remember winter always turns to spring. This will pass, hopefully without a too much damage. We are resilient people who have survived a lot. Let’s take care of each other, put aside our squabbles and really try to help each other. Once we get through this, it’s a good time evaluate if you have enough in your emergency fund (or one at all). The goal of Natives on a Budget is to help you manage your finances in a way that isn’t crisis based. We can do this! Shawn and Monica have your back!