Middle Incomer's Guide to Surviving the Economic Downturn

For us, the stark reality of layoffs and recession came just as things were supposedly turning around. Sometime in July of '09, it got personal. The company my husband works for decided to freeze pay, or reduce salaries by 5-10%, and around my company, business started to slow...we went from 6 months of gains to barely breaking-even.

Now we've been poor before, for a few years at a time, and truly the tough part is dealing with the hopelessness, not the poorness. We are fortunate because we do still have money coming in and still have some saved if there's an emergency, but how long will this last? Reading the "8 ways to save" articles on yahoo.com doesn't have much traction because we did all those things years ago.

So, other than going back to Kraft Mac 'n Cheese, Chicken Noodle Soup and Peanut Butter Sandwiches, and wearing more sweaters to stay warm, what can you do when you've done it all?
Well, again, it's about the hopelessness, not just the lack of funds.

My true recommendation to surviving this Economic Mess we've all created and been effected by, is by doing all those things that you-know-you-should-but-you-never-have-time-for. You know what I'm talking about:
1) last will and testament/living will
2)volunteer
3)clean the corners of the floor
4)take time to figure out how to do your own taxes
5)research that idea you had
6)begin eating healthier foods/cook at home
7)workout more/get into shape
8)read
9)get involved in politics
10)meet your neighbors
11)wash your car
12)clean your shower
13)train your dog
14)get to know your kids
15)learn a new skill/or instrument

This list could go on and on, but from someone who spent nearly a year in a wheel chair and 4 1/2 years on crutches, your mind needs to keep working even when you don't have a job. i.e. doing something is always better then doing nothing. And doing something that doesn't cost you money is even better. Whether it's something you love or loathe, it's still good for your psyche.
Happy Thriving!