Lynda Moore says that when you are faced with disaster recovery, you may not need to-do lists, but you can probably use some reassurance and reinforcement that you don't have to face the challenges alone

Mother Nature has moved on, she didn’t care whether you had the flashiest property in the neighbourhood, or the humblest home. She is a great leveller, and no matter what your financial situation, whether you are insured or not, there is the same question, that we don’t always say out loud, but we are thinking: How am I going to pay for this?

Because once the clean-up starts, so does the spending.

Some of it's obvious, repairs, replacements, maybe a night or two away from home. But it’s the sneaky stuff that catches you off guard. The fridge and freezer full of food you had to empty. Replacing your children’s favourite teddy bear right NOW! (the last thing you need is a temper tantrum on top of everything else). The additional power bill from running the dehumidifier. The extra petrol from taking the long way around. Then there’s the days you didn’t work, so your income can be down as well.  Let’s add in the time lag between making a claim for all this stuff and getting paid for it.  No wonder you are feeling stressed, anxious and maybe even angry.

And none of it’s your fault. But here you are; whether you like it or not, you’re picking up the pieces.

On top of being worn out by all the physical aspects of the cleanup, add in the money side of it as well. The mental tally of what’s coming out, what still needs to be paid, and what might not be covered.

You know you’re not the only one in this boat, but it may feel that way, because money is harder to talk about, it isn’t as obvious as the silt that got left behind. You’re not bad with money. You’ve just been hit by something you couldn’t control, and now you’re doing your best to respond.

That’s what this is really about: how we respond — not just to the flood itself, but to the financial fallout that lingers after the water’s gone.

I’m not going to give you a checklist or a to do list (because who needs that right now), but just a few things I’d offer if we were having a cuppa and chatting about money.

Start with where you are

It’s really tempting to ignore the numbers when everything feels a bit overwhelming. But honestly, one of the kindest things you can do for yourself is get a clear picture of what’s going on.

What’s coming in? What’s going out? What are the urgent things, and what can wait?

You don’t have to have all the answers right away, just enough to know what you’re working with. Clarity helps calm the anxiety. And if it still feels like too much to sort alone, ask for help. You’d be surprised how many people will step in if you just say, “Hey, can I talk this through with you?”

There are also local organisations that can help you with the numbers, so reach out to them if it is just too hard for you right now.

Ask before you assume

Whether it’s your bank, your power company, your landlord, or your insurance provider — now’s the time to ask questions. A lot of organisations have support in place for situations just like this, but you have to pick up the phone and ask.

Explain what’s going on. See what your options are. Maybe it’s a payment plan. Maybe it’s a pause. Maybe it’s something else entirely. But don’t assume you’re on your own.

There will be government and local body funds available to assist, so tap into those as well.

Share the load, talk to others in your community, they are in the same situation and will be having the same conversations that you are, help each other out with this aspect of the cleanup as well.

Insurance is not the enemy (but it might be confusing)

If you’ve been through a claim recently, you might be feeling a bit bruised by the whole process. I get it. There’s jargon. There’s paperwork. There are delays. And sometimes it feels like they’re just looking for a reason to say no.

But when the dust settles, take the time to review your cover. Make sure it actually suits your situation, where you live, what you own, what matters most to you. You may even need to change insurer to get cover. If you’re not sure what something means, ask someone who does, Find a reputable broker and let them do the heavy lifting for you. Insurance is there to protect you, not trip you up.

Build your buffer, gently

It feels a bit ironic to talk about emergency funds when you’re already dipping into savings (or running on empty). But here’s the thing: you don’t need a perfect emergency fund. You just need a start.

Even $5 or $10 a week into a separate account can grow over time. And it’s not just about the money, it’s about the peace of mind that comes with knowing you’ve got something set aside, just in case.

Talk about it

Money stress has this sneaky way of making us feel alone. Like everyone else has it figured out, and we’re the only ones quietly panicking behind the scenes.

You’re not.

If you’re feeling the pressure, say so. To a friend, to a partner, to someone who can help. We don’t get extra points for struggling in silence. Sometimes just saying the words out loud takes away half the weight.

Storms will come, we know that now more than ever. And as much as we hope they don’t hit again, we also know they probably will. That’s life in this part of the world.

But every time something like this happens, we get a chance to learn. To prepare a little differently. To look out for each other a little more.

You don’t need to have it all sorted today. But if this last couple of weeks has shaken things up for you, financially or otherwise, maybe it’s a good time to pause, reflect, and make one small change. Even if it’s just opening a savings account, making a call, or asking a question.

It’s not about being perfectly prepared. It’s about being a little more ready next time.

And that, paired with the way we show up for each other, makes all the difference.

*Lynda Moore is a Money Mentalist coach and New Zealand’s only certified New Money Story® mentor. Lynda helps you understand why you do the things you do with your money, when we all know we should spend less than we earn. You can contact her here.