Maybe there’s a darn good reason your sense of humor has recently abandoned you!

• Has the financial crisis arrived on your front doorstep?
• Have you found that your cheeks have headed south along with your portfolio?
• Have you regretted the dream home purchase because not only are the kids (and Grands) moving in, but your elderly parents have claimed squatter’s rights over one of your guest rooms as well?
• Does your husband define “helping you” as staying out of your way (and out of the fray?)
• Are you shopping at Target for your wardrobe or find yourself wondering if Avon is still in business?
• Do you wonder if the wine of your youth, Almaden Mountain White Chablis could pass for the Chardonnay you’ve become accustomed to?
• Does that huge SUV sitting in your garage not only make you feel like an environmental pariah, but is impossible to sell now too?
• You need to find a job and your confidence is as low as the recruiter’s age?

As it turns out, your sense of humor is the best defense against the current challenges.  The good news is that we all get to re-visit our youth!!! We get to put ourselves in our 19-year-old shoes to remember how we made it with little money to spare.

Here are a number of resources to help all of us get through this recession, our depression, and come out on top! Invest in yourself and spend some time at the following sites.

Laugh!

Best comedies for women (Wikipedia)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romantic_comedy_film

Sleep!

How to sleep better (Web MD)
http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/guide/sleep-hygiene

Combat Depression!

Depression (as in “Help, I’m depressed!): http://www.helpguide.org/mental/depression_tips.htm

Get inspired!

If you are not one of the millions that have tuned in to the phenomenon of Susan Boyle, and if you’ve ever been tempted to give up on your dreams, turn on your speakers, click on this link and be prepared for a HUGE dose of inspiration. She is a gift… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY&feature=related

Get a Job!

The Job of Finding a Job (Chicago Tribune)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-tue-recession-find-job-jan06,0,6946021.story
How to get a job (Fortune)
http://money.cnn.com/2009/03/27/news/economy/yang_jobhunters.fortune/
How to Get a Job on CraigsList (Guy Kawasaki)
http://blog.guykawasaki.com/2007/08/how-to-get-a-jo.html

How to Get a Job in 2009 (Fast Company)
http://www.fastcompany.com/blog/tom-musbach/control-your-career-destiny/how-get-job-2009

Spend Less!

Living Frugally:
http://www.frugalvillage.com/
http://www.BeingFrugal.net
http://www.moolanomy.com/326/50-frugal-tips-ideas-and-resources/

Recession Guides:

The 50+Fabulous Recession Guide (fashion, money, health, career, fitness, etc.)
http://www.50Fabulous.com

Your 2009 Recession Survival Guide (from US News & World Report): http://www.usnews.com/articles/business/your-money/2008/12/02/your-2009-recession-survival-guide.html?PageNr=1

Recession Survival Guide (iVillage) http://home.ivillage.com/homeoffice/0,,d18zqmwl,00.html

Recession Survival Guide (Chicago Tribune)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/yourmoney/recession/