The Economy and Silver Lining Stories

[Kim]

Have you been able to find optimism or silver linings in these dark financial times? Did you manage to learn helpful lessons from a bad belt-tightening situation? How are you coping with the financial challenges you may have faced recently? Lend a hand to your fellow readers and share your top tips for keeping hard times from getting you down. We may include your advice in an upcoming TODAYshow.com feature.
Share your tips for coping in tough times - TODAY Participate- msnbc.com

[Tcheppner]

What I have learned from these times is really how sick with consumerism I had become. Everyone makes it seem so normal to have crredit card debt and be living paycheck to paycheck. Now that I realize that this is not normal I am recovering from my "sickness". I have a long way to go, but everyday that I see improvement in how me and my family spend and use I am less stressed and hopeful. I wish I could turn everything over in a day, but we are taking one day at a time. We are learning to save and how to live without so much shopping. I am down to once a week shopping and have found the free time great for me and my kids. I have also found that I am a much better planner than I ever gave myself credit for. Needless to say I am actually feeling in control and happier.