Today's Wall Street Journal reports
"The number of U.S. workers filing new claims for jobless benefits soared past the 600,000 mark last week, reaching its highest level since the 1982 recession in the latest sign that the labor market downturn is deepening." http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123384067190252139.html
Now if that is not enough to wake us up and, as I am in Seattle, "smell the coffee!"
Neither Nancy Pelosi, Barack Obama or anyone else in the world will be lining up to help you!Pay yourself first - save 10% or more in a savings account, buy extra food, pay your rent/mortgage and utilities in that order. Then pay doctors, dentists, credit card companies etc.
If you are willing and able to sell your house, even if at a loss, and get your monthly "nut" down, you should do that as well.
In short, if you are a two income household, start living like a one income household now. If you are a one income household, reduce your expenses by as much as possible. This includes moving to cheaper housing and, dare I say it...cut out the cable TV bill. You can get your news and almost everything else on your PC and share children's movies among your friends.
For all of us who are single mothers, get creative...Can you find another mother with children to share a house and utilities. Single fathers...?
Come on! You can do this! But...you must get proactive!
For those of you who have already lost your job, my thoughts and prayers are with you. Work your network, share this blog and other information sites with your network. Build support around yourself and do not give in to "hiding" or giving up. You can do it!
Until next time -
Cheerfully Back to Basics,
Leslie
