I’ve added a few more links to the blogroll.

I’m particularly impressed with the blogs Monogamoney and Green Panda Treehouse.

Here are some tips from the latter on what to do in amidst the otherwise stiffling economic news:

1. Do not panic,think positive, and stay united.

Try your best to stay level headed, no matter how extreme the situation may appear. If you’re in a family, work together and come up with a plan that works for you. Set up a budget to guide your spending and saving.

2. Open your mind to additional income sources.

Build up income streams to create a buffer, if you haven’t already, to grow your income over your expenses.

See what works best for you and your circumstances:

• Get a second job
• Babysit or housekeep
• Start a business
• Sell used items on Ebay
• Freelance Your Talents
  
• Put Refund in a savings account as an emergency fund

3. Live within your means—not someone else’s

While you put more money in your bank account, consider ways to cut expenses. Start small and build from there. Avoid comparing yourself with others; it will only make you spend money you do not have.

Try to use deals and savings like:

• Zecco offering free trades in October
• Ways to Lower Your Heating Bills This Winter
• Save Money When Eating Out
• Free Voicemail Options
• Keep a Gasoline Spreadsheet
• Ways to Cut your Health Insurance Costs

4. Be careful with credit cards and reduce debt.

Don’t rely on your credit cards to carry you through this mess. Ask yourself, ‘Can I afford it?’. If you can’t, wait and save. Call your credit card companies to lower your interest rate and to work on a doable payment plan. Use your credit cards wisely.

• Key Steps You Can Take Now To Get Out of Debt
• Understand Your Credit Cards
• Top 5 Credit Card Mistakes
• Cut Up the Credit Cards
• The secrets credit card companies DON’T want you to know

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