| This article gives helpful tips on managing your bills | | | | unemployment. For a small fee each month, these |
| after a job loss. | | | | programs kick in right away. If you haven't signed |
| Two weeks ago Ryan was laid off from his New | | | | up for one of these programs then the credit |
| York City job. He has a wife and two children to | | | | card companies may be able to offer you a |
| provide for and is doing everything he can to find | | | | reprieve for a month or two while you look for |
| another job or temp job. In the meantime, there | | | | work. Or they may be able to forgive a late |
| are bills to pay, people to feed and kids who just | | | | payment or overdue charge. The most important |
| might need to visit the doctor. He is worried for | | | | thing is to talk to the people to whom you owe |
| the future and is doing everything he can to | | | | money. Most companies are willing to work with |
| stretch the small severance package he received | | | | you on whatever amount you can pay because |
| along with a meager amount in savings. Ryan | | | | they still end up getting the money they're owed. |
| could benefit from the following tips on how to | | | | By taking the time to make a few simple phone |
| effectively manage your bills if you've lost your | | | | calls, you can spend more time looking for |
| job: | | | | another job and less time avoiding creditors. |
| Don't panic, but be realistic | | | | Cut back |
| A crucial mistake many people make is not being | | | | This statement is probably the most unpleasant |
| realistic about their situation. They seem to go | | | | of the three and is the least requires a lot of |
| into a state of denial and continue to spend like | | | | effort. If you're used to hitting your favorite New |
| they did before they lost their job. Or, they hurry | | | | York City restaurant once a week, you need to |
| and buy the things they "think" they need on | | | | consider cutting back to once a month, or not at |
| credit without thinking about how they will pay off | | | | all until your employment situation has changed. |
| their bills in the future. One of the best things you | | | | You also need to take a good, hard look at your |
| can do is talk to a debt counselor right away. A | | | | spending habits and see where you can change |
| debt counselor can review your budget with you | | | | things. Little things can add up such as daily cups |
| and look for ways to cut costs and/or help you | | | | of coffee. If you spend $1.00 a day on your |
| find ways to deal with the bills you already owe, | | | | favorite cuppa, you need to realize that that's |
| such as consolidation. There are many debt | | | | thirty dollars a month that could go somewhere |
| counselors in the greater New York City/New | | | | else like groceries or minimum monthly payments. |
| Jersey area who are willing to help. Also, there are | | | | No one has ever died from not being able to go |
| free services such as American Consumer Credit | | | | to the latest movie or not having the latest |
| Counseling which are just a phone call away. The | | | | gadget. You and/or your children will all become |
| best time to begin this process is immediately | | | | aware of what is truly important in life by learning |
| upon finding out you've lost your job. Waiting until | | | | to live in a more modest way. Let those around |
| the electricity is going to be shut off and creditors | | | | you know of your situation so they won't expect |
| knocking at your door just makes this stressful | | | | whatever contributions you have made to |
| time more stressful. Which leads to number two: | | | | birthdays or other events in the past. |
| Use resources available to you | | | | Finally |
| Many people simply quit opening their bills in a | | | | Realize that more than likely this is a temporary |
| situation like this. They feel like the unknown is | | | | situation. It's not worth ruining your credit or |
| safer than the truth and would rather not have to | | | | taking on large responsibilities at this time. Even |
| manage their bills after a job loss. Don't buy into | | | | once you find a job, it may take you some time |
| that line of thinking. Not only must you open your | | | | to recover financially so working to change your |
| bills and read them carefully, but you need to get | | | | mindset is crucial. Bills are a fact of life, but they |
| to know the people you owe. Often times credit | | | | can be managed effectively with a little effort on |
| card companies have programs you can sign up | | | | your part. |
| for which cover you during times of | | | | |