Surviving Our Recession with Sanity

      First, breath and know that so many people are feeling not only a budget crunch, but the probability that they will have to sacrifice something in their lifestyle to the recession Gods.  I know the feeling, week after week, of falling further and further behind and shuffling the bills around.  The "to pay" pile just gets bigger and a nervous kind of body numb comes over you along with a nagging pain in your stomach.  It becomes more and more difficult to stay positive and you can start to cry at the drop of a sippy cup.  Try, try, try your hardest to stay strong and know it is going to be OK.

Be Positive     

     It is important to be aware of your thoughts.  The Law of Attraction is a powerful tool.  It can hurt or help your situation.  It encompasses the thought that we attract whatever we choose to give our attention to, whether wanted or unwanted.  Like attracts like, so if you are focused on your debt, you will create more of it.  It is best to organize your bills in priority...then put them away and only bring them out when you have money to pay them.  It does not help your situation to have a constant visual reminder of your respondsibilities and source of your stress, which builds and begins to affect your life and the lives of those around you.  Don't give your temporary situation that power. 

Take Action

     Be realistic about your situation.  Don't bury your head in the sand.  Things will only get worse if you don't become proactive.  For instance, mortgage companies don't like to deal with accounts that are already too far gone.  It is not good to wait until you are three months late to try to modify your loan.  Research programs on the internet and call your mortgage company to find out what you can qualify for because aid has become available and programs are being formed right now.  Contrary to what is reported in the news, your mortgage company doesn't have to allow you a modification on your loan just because you qualify.  It is a difficult process and requires patience. The same applies to credit cards.  It is most important that you keep in contact with creditors, even if you don't have money for them.  The phone calls border on harassment and just because you talk to them doesn't me you are in the clear from collection, but it is better to communicate your situation than it is to ignore them.  For instance, call your car creditor and tell them your situation.  They have options for you, not miracles, but they might be able to give you a two month extention, for example, so you won't have to pay a payment for two months and maybe catch up on other bills, like utilities.  Utilities are important, especially with children in the home.  If you send the energy company a partial payment because you can't pay in full, they should be able to work with you.  The main idea is to communicate with bill collectors, especially before it is too late.  This is not fun, but it may save headaches of worry in the future.               

Pay it Forward

     The best way to save your sanity during this recession,change your life, and maybe get away from some negative patterns of thought and action is to change your surroundings.  Rid your life of things and people that are holding you back.  Clean out things in your house that you no longer need. Do some major spring cleaning.  Don't think a garage sale will save you from your financial problems.  In fact, bring your stuff to shelters or programs where people need what you are giving away.  It is good karma.  Knowing you did something to help others less fortunate is worth more than 20 bucks in your pocket.  It is true, especially apparent in these hard times, there is always someone less fortunate and we have to help each other.  The universal law of cause and effect states that every action or thought has an effect or consequence.  If the cause is good, the effect will be good.  Change your routines, exercise more, volunteer your time, do something that will take your mind off your problems.  Give yourself the chance to look past yourself and help the greater consciousness of our world.  Learn to meditate.  It helps lower stress levels and creates peace and happiness within.  Whatever you choose to do to personally combat this global financial change, be positive and attract only the best for yourself.