Dealing with Lay-offs, Downsizing, and Unemployment
by Jim Garnett, aka Ask Mr. G. (Des Moines, Iowa)
 

"What to do when the well runs dry" The late pop star, Ricky Nelson, used to ask the question in a song, "What you gonna do when the well runs dry?" And his answer was "You're gonna run away and hide!" Although that is what we may feel like doing, that obviously is not the solution to facing such things as unemployment, lay-offs, or downsizing. 

Here are 4 tips that will help.

1. Deal With Reality. Our first response to bad news like this is often "This can't be happening to me!" or "This is not fair!", or "What did I do wrong to deserve this?" or even "Who is going to get me out of this mess?".
These human responses are understandable as we move through the stages of shock, anger, mourning, and acceptance. But sooner than later we must shift gears and deal with the reality of the situation. We must focus on what we need to do to get through the crisis.

2. Discover Your Financial Condition. Many Americans have a false sense of financial security because they believe their financial health is shown by paying their bills on time, having a good credit score, and being able to easily get more credit. Although these are important, they are not necessarily good indicators of one's financial health. The reality of where you are financially can be better determined by looking at these areas.
• Your Cash Flow. This is the difference between what you earn each month and what you spend each month. To discover your cash flow might require tracking your expenses for a month in a pocket journal to see what you are spending and where. This can be a real eye-opener. For many families their cash flow is negative because they spend more than they make. If you fall into this category you must either make more or spend less.
• Your Debts. Make a list of your creditors and find out how much is owed to each. Also tabulate how much payment each one gets monthly and total these. Divide them into unsecured (nothing to repossess) and secured (something to repossess).
• Your Savings. How much money is set aside for emergencies (for most Americans this would be zero!)? If you have not been setting aside savings, begin now - even with a very small amount. The process will become a habit.
• Your Assets. Do an inventory of your assets to see which ones are worth more than you owe on them. If worse comes to worse, these can be turned into money to pay bills. Also check the cash value of insurance policies and the details of borrowing against retirement plans if absolutely necessary.

3. Devise A Plan.
• Get the entire family involved. Kids can learn responsibility from seeing this crisis as a joint family effort. You might be surprised how their help in cutting back serves to encourage everyone.
• Prioritize Bills. A good rule of thumb is to "pay first who can hurt you the most". Secured debts are paid before unsecured.
• Proportion Spending To Income. Avoid the temptation to use credit to live as though there was no crisis. This mistake subtly motivated by pride can literally take years to correct. By determining the "have to spending" from the "want-to spending", you can cut your expenses to a bare minimum.
• Contact Your Creditors. Let them know what is going on with you and keep in touch with them. Document your calls and correspondence.
• Seek The Help Of A Credit Counselor. If you get behind on your bills, a certified credit counselor may be able to help. He can help fine-tune your budget or he may suggest a debt repayment program if applicable. The program can offer valuable creditor concessions which might include lower interest, cessation of late/over-limit fees, and lower payments.

4. Determine Your Perspective. You can choose how you are going to view this situation. A positive perspective will most likely set a positive tone for the entire family.
• Accept the fact that bad things happen to good people. See this as an opportunity for you and your family to learn valuable life lessons. Interestingly enough, we learn more lessons through problems than through prosperity.
• Treat this as a temporary problem. The cuts, the sacrifice, the crisis will not last forever. Determine to do whatever it takes to make it through this short "bump in the road."
• Focus on what you have. Even in the midst of crisis, you are still a rich person. Many people on planet earth would be happy to trade places with you, even the midst of this crisis. And remember that financial things are just stuff. Not life, just details! The things of real value are still intact!