Here's an article I wrote shortly after coming through a very difficult financial time in our lives several years ago.

Unemployed ... Need I Say More?

by Patsy Norwood ~ (c) 2001 - 2009

With today's economy in a down swing, many families are finding themselves, downsized, out of work, and in more debt than they can handle. Having been unemployed twice in two years we (my family)can certainly sympathize. The good news is, where there is a will there is a way, especially when you involve God. Below we offer a few suggestions on how to make it through this `season' of your lives. We survived it... twice, and so can you!

First and foremost I want to say that God has not forgotten you. He knows your family's situation. It's hard to believe this when bills are due, food needs to be bought, and there is no money. God knows your situation and He has a solution if you will seek
Him. It's probably not the "fix it quick solution" that you had in mind (remember, we've been through this twice in 2 years, I know how you feel and probably what you are thinking), but it is a solution that will meet your needs and allow you to grow spiritually. Remember that all things work together for good to them who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28) .... even loss of income!

While you are praying (I'm assuming you are praying, if not this is a good time to start), seeking, and searching for work (we did all sorts of small jobs for people while we were unemployed: raked leaves, washed windows and anything else that was offered to us that was legal) there are things you can do on the home front to cope and to stretch what income you do have. I've shared some of those things below.

When your creditors call and they will if you are unemployed long enough (unless you have savings to fall back on), be honest with them, most of the time they will work with you. Yes, I know it is not pleasant, but ignoring them will not make them go away. (It was
this experience that made me realize why God warns us about debt. Debt is fine until you can't pay your bills, then it becomes a monster of huge proportions!)

Eliminate what debt you can. Luxuries such as cable, internet service, cell phones, and anything except basic phone service can go ...... if you are unemployed, these items ARE luxuries!

Cook from scratch. No more fast food pickups or shopping the convenience aisles of the grocery store .... think basics and about what you can do with them.

Shop frugally at the grocery store. Take advantage of those loss leaders. Who cares if you've had chicken once already this week ... at 19 cents a pound you can have it again. Chicken can be fixed many ways!

What if during your period of unemployment "little Johnny" needs clothes? First make sure it is a need and not a want and then head out for a Goodwill store praying as you go (yard sales are a good place to shop also). You can find some really good pieces of clothing at really good prices if you're willing to look.

Make do with what you have! This is crucial during this `season.' Waste not, want not falls into the same category. Be frugal and wise. Stop ALL spending regardless of how small the amount. Pennies make nickels, nickels make dimes, and dimes make dollars. Save that small change, you might find that you have enough to buy something that you really need one day.

Stay at home as much as you can. Gasoline is expensive!

This one is really important! Don't turn on each other. Emotions run really high during this time and it is so easy to damage your relationship with your spouse. Talk TOGETHER, pray TOGETHER, and with God, find a solution TOGETHER.

O.K., the unemployment period is over and you finally have a regular income again, but ... it's considerably less than what you had before (this happened to us too). We now shift from basic survival to a whole new lifestyle, one that means living on less. Here are some tips that we used in making the transition and that we still use even today.

Pray! Pray! Pray! Pray before you go shopping, pray for wisdom, and pray for your family as they undergo and adjust to a new lifestyle.

Get on a Budget .... a realistic budget, and stick to it!

Shop frugally for clothes. Remember Goodwill stores, yard sales, and Department store end of season sales.

Shop frugally at the grocery store. Take advantage of the loss leaders and mark downs. Shop at discount chain food stores. Grow a garden and preserve as much of your own food as you can. Speaking of preserving .... when you find those loss leaders at the grocery store, purchase as much of them as your budget allows. If your loss leaders are perishables, can, freeze, or dry them (Don't know how ... it's time to learn! This can save you a lot of money in your new lifestyle. Go to the library and check out a how-to book). If your loss leaders are not perishable, put a date on the can, jar, etc and store them. When you pull them out to use them,use the one with the oldest date.

Eliminate eating out or reserve it for special occasions only.

Don't forget tithing as part of your new life style.

Organize your trips into town. Don't go into town everyday to pick up one or two items. Make a list and get all of your shopping (grocery shopping is not the only thing this pertains to) done at one time. If you run out of something before your next scheduled `shopping day' substitute or do without.

Save! Save! Save! You've just come through one "rainy day," chances are there will be others (not necessarily unemployment). Having some savings can make all the difference inthe world in how you are able to react to your "rainy day."

Pay off your debt as quickly as you can (Remember your debt is what caused so much heartache during your `unemployed' season).

You may need to downsize (sell a vehicle, move to a smaller house, etc.), if so just do it! Get it over with and move on.

Go to the library and check out books on finances and on living frugally. Financial Peace, by Dave Ramsey and The Tightwad Gazette, by Amy Dacyczyn are some good ones.

Involve the whole family. This lifestyle doesn't just affect mom and dad. Talk about it and brain storm together. You'd be surprised how willing the children are to help and sacrifice when they feel that they are part of the team.

Become a money saving sleuth. Search out ways to par your lifestyle down and still feel good about yourselves. It is very possible to be truly happy ... with less!