There’s no end of books, CD’s, DVD’s, and programs on finances.  I could devote a whole blog to that if I wanted, but the main reason you’ll see resources on finances here is because it is indeed such an important part of our everyday lives, especially now, and it has an impact on your survival.  While survival isn’t merely about buying things, like supplies and storage food, that’s an important part of it.  To focus on survival, you need to prioritize areas in your life, including finances.

            Survival doesn’t have to be all “gloom and doom.”  We’ve tried here to emphasize turning negatives into positives wherever possible.  Recently I read a helpful piece in Mary Hunt’s “Everyday Cheapskate” newsletter and want to share the highlights and a couple of my own thoughts with you.  She offered five ways to escape financial “gloom and doom.”.

*   1. Take charge of your thoughts.  Hunt says to choose your thoughts by carefully monitoring what you put into your mind.  Turn off the news and focus on other things.

*   2. Launch into austerity.  If you got word your job would be eliminated in a few months, you’d start saving and cut back on unnecessary spending.  Start putting money into an emergency fund now.  Rework your resume.  Stay calm.  Get the whole family involved in making these changes.

*   3. Pay off debt.  Come up with a plan now.  Don’t wait for credit card rules to change in2010.  I like the advice of another financial counselor who says pay down smallest debts first.  As you get rid of them, you’ll feel a sense of accomplishment and will feel better about paying down those larger bills.

*   4. Keep a balanced perspective.  Here are a couple of points to consider.  While unemployment is rising, it’s not yet as bad as in the Great Depression.  No one has yet lost money in an FDIC insured bank account, as opposed to money lost in risky investments.  I’d add that, if you’ve lost money in a retirement account, don’t lose heart.  You did what you thought was the right thing.

*   5. Love the job you're in.  Become the best employee you can.  Make yourself indispensable.  Do more than is expected.  Arrive first each day and be among the last to leave.  Change your entitlement attitude regarding benefits. Become a giver, not a taker. 

            You can see more of Mary Hunt’s articles here, but I encourage you to get her book, Debt-Proof Living for a more thorough approach to finances.  Hunt was a credit card addict who struggled back from being $100,000 in debt.  Her insights are down to earth.  You can order Debt-Proof Living by first clicking on the logo of the book below, where you’ll be taken to the Amazon.com page featuring her book.  There’s no time like the present to get your financial house in order with insights you can really use.