Hard times happen to the best of people. The one thing you must keep with you during any hard time is the hope that things can get better. If your hard time includes or is mainly about your finances, it is easy to lose hope and therefore not make a plan. Starting over with finances can give you the level of freedom you need to regain your footing. Here are some steps to help create a plan when you are starting your life over financially. 

Get a brand-new checking account 

When you hit financial troubles, one of the first tell-tale signs is overdrawing your account on a regular basis. This is because some bills will be on auto-pay. If you are over with your bills, you may find that your account doesn't have the money that it is being charged for necessary expenses. This can lead to late bills plus overdraft fees. Start fresh by opening a brand-new checking account. Make sure that the account is free from any fees so that you do not have to worry about being charged for having a low balance. Some accounts will come with overdraft protection or won't allow your account to go into overdraft, which will also save you money in the long run. 

Come clean to family members about your issue

One step to financial freedom is understanding that you must be honest with yourself and those around you about what you can commit to financially. Telling your family about your money hardships will help them to understand that you must sometimes say no to outings or family vacations. By telling family members about your financial hardships, you may find that you have supportive allies. Some family members may be able to assist you monetarily, while others may know where you can get discounted services and items that you may need. 

Create a financial plan

No matter how lofty your future financial goals are, there is a way to get there. The only way that you can be sure to get to your goals is to create a plan and mark off progress. While in the midst of monetary turmoil, create a plan on turning around your finances and making the savings, credit, and ownership goals that you desire. Create logical steps for all of these goals and set a date for achieving each small step. This will keep you on track for turning your finances around and it will give you something to look forward to, which will change your total outlook on your current situation. 

Contact your bank to learn more about financial options, including free checking accounts.