"No advice here on how to keep the house when you lose your job--no advice on what to do when you have good income, but your credit is overextended. No advice on what to do when you need a car to work, the old one is shot, and you can't get financing for another one--"M. Ted

Fair enough, M. Ted. I'll give it a try.

1. Keeping the house when you've lost your job-

Talk to your mortgage holder right away. Many will work with you. Talk with your bank's Customer Service officers. If you've already been actively working to pay off the loan and to refinance when appropriate you'll be in better shape if you do lose your job. Better yet, also pay off the loan as quickly as you can. Even a small extra payment each month helps, and in troubled times can indicate to the loan holder what a good risk you are. You may be better off selling the house and renting as you pay off your debt. Here are two online sites with information and tools to help with these and other financial planning. There are others out there.

http://www.smartmoney.com/personal-finance/

http://www.crown.org/Tools/

2. Good income, but credit is overextended-

Get help from any of the good financial planning sites (see 2 examples above). Some banks make a practice of helping customers make a financial plan, and many accountants can do that and offer practical advice beyond the basics. The usual recommendations tend to start with an overview of your actual debt, actual income and present savings. Next, make a spending plan/budget (again, the financial planning sites often have tools available). Pay off one debt at a time, starting with small, high interest debt. As you pay off one, add the amount you have been paying to that one to the next one on your list. As you gain control over your total debt, start adding to emergency savings. Three month's expenses is an oft recommended emergency fund amount for which to aim . The key is to stop adding to your debt while reducing current debt and increasing savings.

3. You need a car to work, the old one is dead, can't get financing-

This is where talking to people with know-how and creative approaches to practical problems pays off. There are often pretty good repairable used cars available through automotive repair shops. Talk to your neighbors as well as your co-workers. We sold our extra car to our next-door neighbors for just enough to cover the parts we needed for our most used vehicle. Four years later they're still getting good use from it. Be prepared to ask others for a lift while you're looking for your own car. Talk to community organizations including churches, Lion's Club members, and the like. Offer to trade whatever skills or possessions you can offer for the vehicle, for repairs, for carpooling, etc. You may need to be looking for work nearer home, or you may find it's wise to move closer to your job. We have done all of these.

4. As my husband and I figure out how to cope with what the world throws at us, we're looking for ways to help others in our communities to find the help they need. You might be the one to help someone else deal with something you've already handled. I hope something here is helpful. I'd be happy to respond to a PM if I can offer any encouragement.

Bee, another time I'll make a post regarding gardens and such.