*How Calmly Face Financial Chaos* Shockwaves have rippled across the world recently. Freezes in the global aid industry have left many jobs and livelihoods in turmoil. Fear is taking hold, and the uncertainty is palpable. This isn’t the first time I’ve been in the middle of chaos like this. I still remember one of my earliest assignments, almost ten years ago, working for a pension company. I had to face a group of employees who had just received retrenchment letters—mass layoffs they never saw coming. While my colleagues were there to talk about how to claim their pensions, my job was different. I was there to help them figure out what to do next. I’ll never forget their faces. The shock. The devastation. It was a stark reminder that job security is, and has always been, an illusion. Over the years, I’ve developed a “special set of skills” (yes, a nod to Liam Neeson in Taken) for helping people navigate moments like these. Whether it’s job loss, divorce, or dealing with the estate of a loved one who just passed away, I’ve learned the importance of staying calm and delivering clarity. One of the most critical lessons is this: *Tell The the truth.* In Taken, Bryan Mills doesn’t sugarcoat reality. He tells his daughter that she’s about to be kidnapped—and then gives her clear instructions on what to do. It’s the same in financial crises. Pretending everything will be fine when it’s not doesn’t help anyone. There’s a verse in the Bible: *"No weapon fashioned against me shall prosper." (Isaiah 54:17)* It doesn’t say the weapon won’t be fired; it says the weapon won’t succeed. The bad thing may happen. What matters is how you respond to it. Their hope should not be that the bad thing won't happen their hope should be that they can get through it. When facing financial chaos, the first step is to collect critical data: - Your monthly expenditures: Break them down into essentials (housing, food, transport, and utilities) and non-essentials. - Outstanding obligations: Identify any debts and future obligations, such as school fees. - Your assets: Both liquid (easily converted to cash) and illiquid (long-term or fixed). With this information in hand, we can build a plan for the next 6 to 12 months. The immediate goal is to stabilize your finances: - Create a financial security fund that covers at least 1.25x your essential expenses for 3 to 6 months. - If financial security fund is not possible possible, the pile of cash 1 to 5 years to help you survive to make your next steps - Liquidate assets that are underperforming and redirect funds into stable investments, such as a bond fund. Job loss is deeply unsettling, but it also brings clarity. It forces you to see what truly matters and what doesn’t. It’s a moment to prioritize building assets that generate cash flow and to let go of what’s not working. As your financial advisor, my role is simple: 1. Stay calm. 2. Gather the facts. 3. Give you a clear, actionable roadmap. I’ve sat with countless individuals who were overwhelmed by fear. By the end of our consultations, they left feeling calm—knowing they had a plan and were prepared for what lay ahead. If you’re facing uncertainty or fear losing your job, don’t navigate this alone. Book a consultation, and let’s figure out your next steps together: https://www.zatufinancial.com/services