Job Loss and Lifestyles

It's been many months since I last posted on my blog. I have been at a loss for words about the situation with our economy and the way it is hurting so many precious people out there.

A bit of perspective about job loss:
When we lose our job we might draw unemployment benefits but they do run out and then stark reality sets in. There are NOT a lot of jobs out there and anyone who says there is has not been beating the pavement looking for one lately. The most important thing we can do while looking for a new job is to make DRASTIC changes in our lifestyles. Do without and live within your means in other words. Cut the cable, drop your cell phone if at all possible, eat differently, take this time getting in shape as much as possible because what else is there to do when you are out of work? Take this time you now have on your hands to get yourself "spiritually" fit as well. Make peace with God and yourself and anyone else you need to. Take a walk, think on how much better you have things than the next person because I can promise you that no matter how bad you feel, there is ALWAYS someone else you can look to who has things worse than you. I'm sure you have taken an inventory of all the bills you have to pay and how to adjust and juggle them accordingly. Get odd jobs. Go visit your neighbors and ask if they have anything you can help them get done. In doing this you are NOT asking for a handout. You are merely helping that person out and yourself as well. Remember that if you don't ask, you will never know. It is surprising how losing our jobs will humble us. Remember this, most of our lives are spent earning the almighty dollar, often times we rarely take time to REALLY live because our career consumes so much of our time. But along with a pink slip comes the time you need to get down to basics and reflect on the people and things which are truly most important to you. No matter what job you turn up with, chances are you are going to have to reorder your life and cut back to the bare necessities but this is the good part of losing your job. We don't have to have a cell phone, it is only a form of communication but by no means the only one. Get a land line, after all, we were able to do well with that in the past. Sell that other vehicle. You can only drive one car at a time.

Stop eating out and make simple and less costly meals at home. Buy fresh vegetables instead of those tasty boxed foods we all think we cannot do without.
My friends, I'm not suggesting things that I do not put into practice myself. All these things I have mentioned I have been doing for the past few years. In the months to come, I plan on passing along some tips that I hope will allow you to stretch your dollar further as well.