First, just say “no” to fear!  Take control of your financial world and re-work your finances.  Don’t be afraid to reconnoiter with your budget on a regular basis.  But, you must have it in writing and it must be realistic.  Utilize some of the free on-line budget print-outs such as personal monthly budget templates from Microsoft:  http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/templates/TC300027201033.aspx or go to Suze Orman’s budget template at:  http://suzeorman.com/2009actionplan/expensesheet/index.html .  Think through any budget template (or combine them and create your own to give you a truly realistic picture of your finances).  Then, attempt to live below your “means”.  If there are credit issues, contact a good mortgage broker or financial planner and start with a program to repair your credit.  Start a saving program where you “save for a rainy day” just in case it starts “raining harder” (do we need further proof that “rainy days” do come?).  If you have a working budget, good credit and some money to work with; now is the time to make investments.  This too will pass…………….