Robert Pagliarini

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Out of Money, Out of Options, Out of Hope

By Robert Pagliarini | Aug 25, 2009 |

I wrote a post recently titled, “Are the Unemployed Lazy?” and received a heartfelt comment from @AlekKirstein. He shares his situation and his fears. He’s living on the edge, and feels like he is about to fall off at any moment.

Unfortunately, @AlekKirstein is not alone. There are literally millions of hardworking people have become victims of this economic crisis. If you were living on the edge and then, because of a layoff or other event, find yourself pushed over the edge, you must take immediate action. I shared these tips and a few others with @AlekKirstein and I want to share them with you to:

  • Hope for Homeowner’s. Contact your lender to see if they are participating in government-sponsored Hope for Homeowner’s program (www.hud.gov/hopeforhomeowners).
  • HOPE NOW. HOPE NOW is an alliance between HUD approved counseling agents, mortgage companies, investors and other mortgage market participants that provides free foreclosure prevention assistance (www.hopenow.com).
  • MakingHomeAffordable.gov. Easy to use website to determine if you are eligible for loan modification or refinancing (www.makinghomeaffordable.gov).
  • Bankruptcy. Obviously, this is not a first choice, but sometimes it’s the only choice. Don’t expect to get a fair opinion from a bankruptcy attorney or similar service since they have a vested interest in you filing for bankruptcy. If you can scrape together $75 or $100, spend an hour with a fee-only financial advisor who can run some figures and let you know if it makes sense or not. You can find an hourly financial advisor through the Garrett Planning Network at www.garrettplanning.com.
  • Free/Reduced Cost Health Insurance. Did you know that each state has a program that offers free or reduced cost health insurance? If you or your family is uninsured, you are exposing yourself to serious risk. Go to www.insurekidsnow.gov or call 877-KIDS-NOW right now.
  • Free ebook. I wrote an ebook a couple of months ago called Plan Z: How to Survive the 2009 Financial Crisis (and even live a little better). It’s a no-nonsense approach to surviving the next 12 months.  Download Plan Z ebook now for free.

(Cliff image by ino paap, CC 2.0)

 
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    AnitaGen

    11/04/09 | Report as spam

    RE: Out of Money, Out of Options, Out of Hope

    All good advice.

    It's very hard, when things are bad, to believe that they'll
    ever be good again.

    Once upon a time, 30 years ago, I was in a very bad
    relationship and needed to leave -- but didn't know how I
    could. A woman sitting on the steps of the local community
    college (where I was taking a couple of courses) asked me
    what was wrong as I walked by. I told her. She said I could
    come and stay with her and her boyfriend -- who had a gun
    and wasn't afraid to use it, if my violent boyfriend came
    around. ! I took her up on her offer, and escaped to a new
    and better life! My point is 2-fold: 1) you must ask for help.
    2) You must accept that it can come from anywhere.

    Sometimes, what we really need to change is our belief of
    what is possible or valuable to us. Along these lines, I
    recommend reading Creative Visualization by Shakti Gawain
    (which enabled me to find my soul mate, among other
    things), and The 7 Spiritual Laws of Success, which enabled
    me to take the leap to become a self-employed consultant
    almost 10 years ago. When one is able to view the Universe
    as one of abundance, rather than scarcity, things look
    different.

    Finally, for at least 20 years now, I have practiced sending
    myself messages: in hard times I ask my future self for
    messages of hope and encouragement. Likewise -- when
    things are good I remember to send back (to my past self)
    messages of hope and future happiness or success. I swear
    that I hear these, and sometimes, having sent a message
    back -- will recall receiving it.

    Best wishes to those who are having a difficult time now.
    Take care, and try to practice gratitude for what you do
    have. It will help you change your perspective.

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Robert Pagliarini

Robert Pagliarini is the author of the No. 1 bestseller Six-Day Financial Makeover. His second book, Your Other 8 Hours: Get More Time. Get a Life. Get Rich., will be published in January 2010. He has become a familiar face on Good Morning America and has appeared on 20/20, ABC Morning News, NPR’s Marketplace and in The Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, Money Magazine, and many others. Robert is the president of Pacifica Wealth Advisors, Inc., a boutique wealth management firm recently ranked No. 4 in Southern California. He is a Certified Financial Planner and has a master’s degree in financial services.

Robert Pagliarini

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