4 Smart Choices For Tough Times

How To Manage Your Money Freaked out by the economy? Smart girl. But, it turns out that showing shopping restraint can go a long way toward calming your nerves. "Not buying something offers an instant, powerful sense of control," says financial expert Jean Chatzky, author of Make Money, Not Excuses. Track your expenses in a spending diary to reveal places you can cut back. And, call your cable company, internet provider, and gym to see if the deals they're giving new cash-strapped customers can be extended to you. How To Manage Your Job In times like these, you need to become indispensable to the higher-ups. For starters, don't just meet a looming deadline--beat it, and make sure the right people know it. "You can be the hardest-working employee in the world, but if your boss isn't aware of it, you won't net any gains," says workplace expert Patty Sias, PhD. So, write emails that underscore achievements: The client meeting went well tells your boss that you're nabbing the company an edge. I'm getting you the report early so you can prepare for the meeting says that you endeavor to make your boss look good. How To Manage Your Health It's no secret that stress can have a detrimental effect on your well-being. "You can be irritable, distracted, and piling on pounds," says Pamela Peeke, MD, author of Body For Life For Women. Fortunately, you can medicate with movement. When you do physical activity--even a vigorous walk--you increase the production of beta endorphins, chemicals that relax you. So, make it a priority to be active every day. How To Manage Your Relationship When your guy is anxious, it's important to play a supportive role--especially if he's so down that he spends every night in front of the TV. "Acknowledge that it's a tough time, but find activities that get you out of depressing routines," suggests Erik A. Fisher, PhD, co-author of The Art Of Managing Everyday Conflict. Even casually discussing your dream jobs while on a cheap date can act as motivation on your quests to achieve them.