Last week I was waiting at a local cash point when the person in front of me had their card declined twice.

Now, I have no idea why this was however it took me back to a time in my life when I had the same issue.

The problem for me all those years ago was no money in the bank. I count myself as lucky though as I knew at the time that it was only a matter of time before my monthly salary would be paid in therefore giving me some available funds.

I have been through several times in my life when I hit a financial crisis.

At times it was indeed the economy’s fault.

I remember an apartment I had going into negative equity back in the 90’s and the mortgage on it becoming so high due to interest rates rising to nine per cent that we had no option but to sell at a loss.

However I have also gone through financial crisis due to my own actions of not planning for the future and spending money when saving would have served me better.

Whatever the reason this person’s card was declined and my heart went out to them.

It may well have been a blip where they had forgotten their pin or like me a couple of days before their salary hit the bank but whatever it was, I know for some that the financial crisis we are in will indeed be in making a trip to the shop or cashpoint painful.

Over the years I have learnt some harsh lessons which thankfully today have served me well.

I have learnt about saving, careful planning, the difference between my wants and my needs, trust me in times gone by I spent on my wants totally ignoring the question, did I need whatever it was I was handing over my hard earned cash for.

It has indeed been a lesson I never want to go through again,, experience, as they say, is a great teacher.

My learnings have enabled me to be able to understand what it is like to be stuck in a financial crisis where seemingly hope is lost which is why today I reach out to help others where I can.

I am no expert but if I can share anything to help others that is my mission.

I also believe that if we can give to others whether it be a donation to a food bank use that odd £1 in your pocket to buy something in the supermarket to drop into their collection point, yes there are still some things under a £1 that others will be grateful for, a toy for a local Christmas collection or even a listening ear, all these will help those who are struggling and will indeed make you feel like a millionaire.

As we approach Christmas if you are struggling, please reach out to someone or an organisation that can help, the Citizens Advice is a great starting point. If you are on the other bench and can afford to give a little something to help others donate to that food bank or check out the Monmouthshire Christmas Wishes page, make a donation for Monmouthshire’s vulnerable children and young people: https://www.monmouthshire.gov.uk/

Whatever you do I can guarantee your kindness will be appreciated by the recipient.

©Beverley Jones

Author of Made it Thru the Rain

www.awakenmentoring.co.uk