When you find out the cost of your addiction, it can be overwhelming. But, unfortunately, it is not just the cost of rehab, but the amount of money you borrowed or on your utilities that are behind.
You may be inclined to think that you will never recover financially; however, that is not the case. You can rebuild your finances after addiction. It just takes a little time, making a budget, and sticking to it.
Build a budget
When you make a budget and stick to it, you will find that you feel accomplished each week and month you stick to it.
Start your budget with the necessary items such as rent, utilities, insurance, and food. Utilities include water, sewer, electricity, heat, garbage, etc. Insurance is needed if you have a car or when you purchase a vehicle.
Second, start a saving account and put a minimum of10% of every check into your savings; as soon as you can, make that 20%. This is emergency money should your car break down, the washer quits, or one of many other scenarios. The only rule is it has to be a real emergency, and the next check, you begin putting that money back with a few extra dollars past what you are putting in each week.
Add to your budget clothes for work. These do not have to be brand new or high-priced clothes; at first, thrift stores are an excellent place to go for clothing, small pieces of furniture, and more. Goodwill and Salvation Army thrift stores are good places to start; they also employ people who are going through recovery.
If possible, when you are first starting out, try to find a sober living home to move into or a roommate or two to share an apartment with; just make sure they are also committed to recovery. If you go the roommate route, write out an agreement that you all sign that states the rent and utility payments. Also, add a pledge to stay sober, and everyone signs it.
Living with a roommate or two can allow all of you to keep each other motivated and accountable for your own recovery.
Budget-friendly things to do
Yes, you are on a budget, so no, you cannot eat out or go to the movies or buy new games or music all the time. So, what can you do?
Here are a few budget-friendly things you can do:
- Hike
- Exercise
- Play a board game, charades, or other games
- Join a support group
- Help out at a soup kitchen
- Swimming
- Bicycle riding
There are many more budget-friendly ideas that you can use to help with your overall physical and mental health and continue your recovery.
449 Recovery will discuss some of these options with their patients as they near completion of the program. In addition, they may be able to refer you to a sober living home as well. 449 Recovery provides resources for the best chance of ongoing sober living.
If you are ready to enter treatment and begin your recovery, contact us today or call 855.435.7449 and learn more about 449 Recovery treatment center.