Get helpful information on managing stress, dealing with loss and getting through tough times here:
Stress Bulletins
Helping Children Manage Stress PM 1660F
All children feel stress from time to time and react differently. Learn how to help your child cope and the possible stressors to watch for.
Managing Stress in Young Families PM 1660B
Young families can learn how to manage spousal and parental relationships, make choices, manage resources, and make healthy decisions regarding diet, stress, and conflict.
Stress for Families with Teens PM 1660C
The teen years bring new stresses for many families. The parent-child relationship is changing and teens want to express and act on their own ideas. Publication helps you manage new conflicts and stressors.
Stress and Decision Making After a Disaster
Caregivers coping with the aftermath of a natural disaster are faced with making important decisions about their loved one's needs. Though you can’t do anything what has happened, you can do something to control your worrying. Here are some simple strategies to reduce stress and anxiety.
The teen years bring new stresses for many families. The parent-child relationship is changing and
All About Stress PM1660A
Unexpected changes impact families with swift and sometimes tragic loss. Readjustment is slow and painful. Learn how to live better with stress by recognizing impacts, choosing responses and building resources.
Coping with Unemployment PM1660I
To cope with unemployment or sudden income loss, you can do specific things to help manage until you find another position or until business picks up.
Using What You Have to Get What You Want PM1660H
Managing resources involves making 6 types of decisions: setting priorities, dealing with unexpected events, assessing resources, planning, carrying out the plan, and evaluating the outcomes.
Loss Bulletins
Job Loss Triggers Grief
Losses of all kinds bring grief. If you have lost your job, you may find yourself dealing with a wide range of unexpected emotions. You may feel hurt and angry, hopeless or even useless. It is easy to understand why being unemployed can be so painful. Losing a job produces grief.
Understanding Men Who Grieve
It is difficult to watch someone you care about grieve and hurt. It is even more difficult and confusing when that person grieves in a way you don’t understand. Sometimes men’s grief differs from women’s. It’s not less effective or less appropriate. It is simply different.
Grief and the Mourning Process
Grief is the physical pain, emotional upset and social loss we feel after the death of a loved one. Mourning is the outward expression of our grief. It is our conscious and unconscious effort to adapt to the loss of someone we love.
Getting Through Tough Times
Looking For A Job GTTT-17
It takes work to get work. The more effort and time you put into exploring the job market, the more likely you will be able to get a job.
Keeping a Roof Overhead GTTT-6
Keeping a roof overhead is an important concern when your family income drops. If you rank your bills in order of priority, chances are housing is at the top of the list. When family income drops, careful planning can help you avoid eviction from your rental unit or the loss of your house.
Bartering GTTT-8
Even when your income drops, you are not without resources. Take stock of all non-money resources you have as a family. Among these assets are time, knowledge, possessions, property and creativity. Swapping resources with others is a time-tested way to stay in control when money is tight.
Meeting Your Insurance Needs GTTT-7
When your income changes, it is very important to review your insurance coverage. A guiding principle should be; how would a change in coverage affect the health and well being of my family?
Deciding Which Bills To Pay First GTTT-4
When you don’t have enough money to cover your family’s basic living expenses and pay all your creditors, you face some difficult financial decisions. Your family should be part of the decision-making process because their cooperation is essential to carry out the plan.
Communicating Under Pressure GTTT-10
How we talk and how we listen are always important, but when the pressure is on they become even more important. Here are specific ways to minimize misunderstandings.
Controlling Stress GTTT-11
Unexpected income changes are among the most stressful events a person can experience. Unemployment, a disaster, divorce or the death of someone you love can be personally devastating and can trigger the same reaction.
Identifying Sources of Support and Friendship GTTT-12
People experiencing tough times report they feel better if they have the support of family and friends. Your informal support networks are the personal ties you have with others. Friends, relatives and other people you turn to for comfort advice or help are your “support system.”
Stretching Your Food Dollar GTTT-3
Grocery shopping can be a real challenge, especially if you are on a limited budget. But because food is a controllable expense, it can be a target for reduced spending when money is tight. By planning ahead and managing your money wisely, you can still serve meals that are appetizing, easily prepared and nutritious.
Setting Spending Priorities GTTT-1
Faced with reduced income or increased expenses, you’ll need to develop a spending plan to help you pay your bills. If your income will be affected for more than a month, adjust your spending habits to maintain control of family finances over an extended period.
Strategies for Spending Less GTTT-2
When your family faces reduced income, take immediate action to stop all excess spending. Whether your situation is temporary or extended, you need to get the most for your money.
Talking with Creditors GTTT-5
When your income drops and you realize you can’t pay all of your bills, it’s important to face your debts and know how to communicate with your creditors.
Making the Most of What You Have GTTT-9
When your family income drops suddenly or expenses unexpected increase, your first concern may be to pay your bills and meet your day-to-day expenses. Instead, look at your total financial picture and determine which assets you might use to meet family obligations.
How You Can Help Mom or Dad GTTT-13
Sometimes through no fault of their own, parents find themselves without a job or with lower incomes. This may mean less money, more stress and schedule changes. Your parents may behave like a different person.
Deciding If Teens Should Work GTTT=14
Encouraging teenage family members to find jobs is one way a family can increase its income during tough times. Many part-time jobs are available that fit into student schedules. Parents and teenagers need to discuss and determine the number of hours that can be worked, how the money will be used, transportation and other issues.
Helping Children Cope GTTT-14
Losing a job or income affects all members of the family. Adults frequently become so preoccupied they forget that tough times have an emotional, as well as a financial, impact on their children.
Living on Less GH3600
Learning how to spend less but still live well takes skill, determination and know-how - but it can be done!
Bouncing Back When Your Income Drops
Overview UI339
Losing your job, being laid off, or having your family income decrease is traumatic. However, you can bounce back and learn valuable skills through the process of finding a new job.
1 - Making Sense of My Losses UI340
Losing a job is one of the most stressful situations anyone can experience. Like all unanticipated transitions, it creates a chain reaction of other changes that increase stress.
2 - Working Together as a Family UI341
Income loss affects every aspect of a family's life. Since the entire family is affected by a parent's job loss, every member of the family needs to know about and be a part of the lifestyle changes needed to cope.
3 - Checking Financial Resources UI342
The loss of income can present your family with a valuable opportunity to make some positive changes such as taking control of your financial resources and review how your family is using its income.
4 - Setting Spending Priorities UI343
A loss of income forces a family to evaluate its spending. Some families can cut expenses without lowering their standard of living or quality of life. Others may have to use their financial assets or have another family member enter the workforce to balance income and expenses.
5 - Paying Creditors and Maintaining Your Financial Reputation UI344
You Must take action before you have trouble repaying bills. by thinking through your options you are more likely to handle the situation in ways that benefit you and your family.
6 - Cutting Corners and Economizing UI345
The effect of less income can be managed by economizing. Keeping a positive attitude and adopting several economizing skills will help improve your family's situation.
7 - Using Community Resources UI346
Many services can help families during times of stress and uncertainty. This publication reviews major resources that may be available.
8 - Finding New Employment UI347
Finding a good job with a future does not mean you just apply for whatever jobs are available. Before you commit to a job search, do some homework.
9 - Getting the Health Care You Need UI373
Obtaining health insurance is an important step in maintaining and protecting your health.
10 - Protecting Retirement Benefits UI374
Sudden unemployment is very stressful for you and your family. Your focus is on coping with life today. but if you had retirement benefits with your job, you may need to move quickly to protect their value.