Waking up to find your account wiped out is a heavy blow for anyone. But this is not the end of the story; it’s a new beginning. Some lessons can only be learned through losing money. Here are 30 survival tips that everyone who has been taught by harsh reality knows.

**Survival First, Turning Things Around Second**

You are currently in a difficult period. The most important task at this stage is not to recover quickly, but to absolutely avoid being completely out of the game. Bills need to be paid, rent needs to be covered, food needs to be eaten—if these basic needs cannot be met, even the best plans are just empty talk. Cash flow is the lifeline. Maintaining cash flow means maintaining the chance to survive.

**What’s the value of dignity?**

Many people’s biggest enemy during tough times is actually their own pride. Pride doesn’t bring in cash, and dignity can’t keep you alive. You can choose to lay low temporarily, do some jobs you usually look down on, but you must never let pride cause your cash flow to stop. In survival, flexibility is more important than pride.

**The poorer you are, the more you need to keep track**

When your pockets are empty, every dollar must be spent wisely. Keeping a clear ledger isn’t being stingy; it’s a basic skill for survival. Knowing where your money goes allows you to figure out how to live longer. Once this habit is formed, even when you have money later, you can stay rational.

**Diversify income as insurance**

Relying on a single source of income is too risky. Even during tough times, find ways to develop a second or third income stream. Even if each is small, together they can support your survival space. Walking on multiple legs, the cost of failure is more manageable.

**Think carefully before borrowing money**

When short on cash, it’s easy to have crooked ideas, like trying to turn things around through borrowing. But high-interest loans and online loans often push you deeper into trouble. Unless you have a clear and feasible plan to turn things around, borrowing will only make the situation worse.

**Learning is more valuable than consumption**

Every dollar during tough times should be invested in increasing your abilities. Buying books, learning skills, improving professional capabilities—these investments can indirectly increase your earning potential. Those purely for consumption should be cut now.

**Time is your last asset**

When money is insufficient, time becomes the most valuable thing. Make full use of this period to make yourself more valuable. It’s more important than working hard to earn money; it’s about making yourself worth more.

**Mindset determines your way of living**

This stage is the easiest to fall into despair. But despair solves no problems. Staying clear-headed, rational, and patient are common traits of those who can emerge from difficulties. Give up self-pity and start taking action.