A quick overview of some aspects of tackling the credit crunch and it's impact on you are covered in the CAOS (Community Action Outreach Services) presentation at Oldham Library on 4th March.  Here are things you can think about to feel more in control of your situation and to move forward to a better future.   Having something to work for and toward, and taking charge of your life are essential to health and well-being, and avoid being dragged down too far.   

Understand your stressors - not just money and employment, but relationships - you get distracted from family members needs which you probably need to also stay on top of, especially with children and partners.   School trips, university or college choices, exam stress and homework for example still need your support.

The enviornment you are in - is it postivie and proactive or negative and depressing?   Exercise is good, both brain and body, and keeping  a business afloat or even starting one up is good for you.    There is positive stress as well as negative remember!  Maybe thinking about part time employment (if you can!) as well the business can help.  

Your self image and confidence are key at this point.  Coming through this recession will have built your resilience - what doesn't kill you makes you stronger is going to be very real right now.   Although we might 'survive' it, it feels negative when in fact, surviving this is like surviving any crisis - once on the other side, you will gain momentum and move forward quickly so for now just maintaining business is great.    You will build skills and experience you wouldnt have the chance to get otherwise - patience, flexibility, adapting to change (at every turn), building support networks and meeting new people - not getting stagnant either!

Making sure that everyone knows who you are and what your aims are is essential - marketing is more important than ever, when people are looking around for the best deal or fulfill new needs.   Communication with your family and friends too, is important.  you need them and they need you.  keep talking, keeping sharing times together and listen to each other.  Their support is essential and will make for a better situation in the future, as well as growing closer through mutual difficulties - but it does take effort and time, even though they may be of a premium at the moment.  Time out is good for you too - having fun, remember your other roles and responsibilities, watching movies, cheap meals out etc. etc.  

Value every moment - live in the moment and build memories.    Be able to say at the end of the day "it was good because ..." (the bad bits might come anyway so make the effort to good times too).

Money saving tips include in store offers or own brand buying; spending time checking out the right insurance for home, car and valuables can save money.    Paying the right bills on time and leaving others for now might be another option, paying the mimimum for now and managing the high interest ones to finish them.

Monitor your spend and cut down on what you can.   You can actually still have 'treats' if you look around, but they can be small or usually irrelevant but you can conciously enjoy them - the taste of an ice cream in winter, a lovely sunset with a coffee beside you, time out with the family where there are deals on for example (Pizza Hut, Kingfisher two for one, cream teas at Christy's or other cafes locally).

There are things you can do if you can stop for a moment and look outside yourself and your situation.   Connecting with people, doing something different and seeing things differently improve your mood and your health and happiness.   

Try something new this week, every day if you can.  

Let me know what you tried, what you enjoyed, what changed for you.

It's good to share expereinces too - and might help someone else improve their life too.

Take care, and have fun!