The financial world seems to go in circles. There will be a few years of good news, followed by a few of bad. From booming economies, to recessions, it is important to be in control of personal and professional finances throughout both the good and bad times. During tough economic periods, it can seem much harder. Whether it’s your own finances or business funds, here are a few ways to keep in control of them when times get hard.

Seek Safe Investments

There are thousands, if not millions, of possible investment opportunities out there. However, if you pick a bad one, you could find finances start dwindling, especially during tough economic times. Whether this is the case, or you just want to keep finances secure in such times, there are many safe investments that can be made.

The likes of gold are common safe investments during times of uncertainty. Even though its value may fall, as a rare precious metal it is bound to bounce back eventually. Government bonds are also popular, along with currencies such as the Swiss franc and Japanese yen.

Sell Invoices

Businesses’ finances can be affected by many factors, such as the upcoming UK/US trade deal. Uncertainty surrounding the UK leaving the EU and its future trade negotiations can lead to tough economic times, especially depending on the result. For businesses, it can have a negative effect, especially if you deal with overseas clients. Selling invoices can be a great way to create a smooth cash flow, especially during these times, as you get the funds owed much quicker. The money can then be used to grow or stabilise the company.

Re-examine Insurance

Being over insured, either as an individual or business, can mean that you are wasting money. During tough times this is not ideal, so it is worth re-examining to ensure that you’re not paying too much. The same can be true for other areas where you may be paying too much, such as with business expenses and more.

Cut Out Nonessentials 

Budgeting is always key to traverse challenging economic times easily. Where possible, planning in advance should be done, by creating a budget and sticking to it. If it’s too late, then working out a budget and which nonessentials can be cut down or out will suffice. For anything that you have to question why it is being paid for, simply cut out.

These tips should help you to remain in control of your personal or business finances during tough economic times.