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Like most people, Andrew and I are feeling the financial crunch right now. And like most people, we are also experiencing the stress that comes along with this crunch. It’s so easy to get consumed with writing checks and analyzing your bank account, watching as it gets repeatedly drained and replenished. It’s like a suspenseful movie – an absolute roller coaster of emotion.

Andrew and I both have jobs, thankfully, but even so, it’s very easy to feel frustration when your jobs are in the car industry and the recruiting field. People are not scrambling to buy gas guzzlers and companies don’t have a strong drive to hire executives. But somehow we are making due.

I am sharing this with you with the hopes of raising yours, because you are not alone in the financial chaos, and I’m sure you’re feeling it just as I am. Whether you are single, dating, engaged or married, the current situation is enough to bug anyone out and cause a rift in the normal routine and relationship. It sure has caused one in ours. I am thankful we got married before the meltdown of the economy, otherwise right now I would be at wits end with planning, picking vendors and utilizing my negotiating skills.

Andrew and I find ourselves working longer hours and taking on extra tasks at work that we technically don’t have to do, but do to feel some sort of job security. Our already limited time together is even more limited, but we are making the sacrifices necessary to stay afloat. As the saying goes, you have to roll with the punches and that’s what we are doing.

I keep trying to look forward and somehow envision the light at the end of the tunnel. I am an extremely optimistic person, but even my drive to be positive has been swayed with everything going on right now. Being in a rut and thinking negative thoughts doesn’t really get you very far at all. Trying to put a positive spin on the situation might be a challenge, but if we keep giving the extra effort, it is sure to pay off.

One of the amazing things I’ve discovered in this situation is that what we actually need to get by in life isn’t necessarily extravagant. We have shelter, food, clothing and family. If it came down to it, we would be just fine without expensive gym memberships, beach trips and lavish nights out with friends. I don’t anticipate losing our home or jobs, but even if we did, we have the basics to start again and build another foundation if we had to. Look closely, and I bet you’ll see that you do too.

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