Latest Buy: Nothing, if not with cash! At least until 2015…

So, according to financial expert Suze Orman, who predicted this recession back in October of 2007, things really aren’t going to turn around until 2015. Sounds depressing, but not if you focus on what I consider the most important point of her 5-Step Rescue Plan. I saw her on Oprah this week and was pretty shocked to see Ms. Orman literally on her knees, begging the audience and viewers to consider this, and if you really, really stop and think about this for more than 30 seconds, you will understand why: Look at what you HAVE, not what you HAD.

This is about empowerment, and no one can give that to you but yourself. Not a job, not money, not a spouse or partner, not even a good friend. It only comes from within and it’s about your attitude. Don’t think life is all about attitude? Think about someone you know whose attitude stinks, drives you crazy. Makes a difference, right? You might have thought at some point: “If only this person had a better attitude – s/he has so much potential, is so talented, or good looking, has so much going for her/him.” Now you can say it about yourself.

"If you continuously look in the rearview mirror while you're going forward, you're going to get in an accident. And the victim of that accident is going to be you," says Orman.

If you’re constantly feeling upset, lost, scared, regretful, victimized about your current situation, your lost job, your tanking 401k, your need to eat out less, the collection agencies calling, etc., you have put yourself into an attitude of weakness. Don’t get me wrong. Feelings are valid. Acknowledge them, thank them for stopping by, then choose strength. Seems impossible? Too hard? Start with one little step: start with GRATITUDE. (Oprah’s been singing this song for years and now, more than ever, we need to sing it, too!)

I say, wake up each day and immediately think of -or say OUT LOUD- 10 (or 20!) things you are grateful for. Be grateful for having clean water to take a shower in. A bed (or car, or tent) to have slept in. A sunny day. Your child’s unconditional love. Your ability to walk. The person you can call on the phone, just to whine (and then stop whining). The ability to exercise your body - which is always free. Having an Internet connection, which can take you anywhere in the world. Your vision. Having had a job that gave you skills and experience you can offer to new prospective employers. Then imagine your life without all these things. Could be a lot worse, right? You already have a lot of basic things covered, right?

If you think your life is too miserable to feel gratitude for anything, click here or here. If you don’t think there’s a way to recover from your disastrous situation, click here.

THIS IS NOT A SUGGESTION – it is the best gift you can possibly give to yourself. And it is FREE. Gratitude. For a million little things that make a gigantic difference in your everyday life. 10-20 things every morning; 10-20 before you go to sleep. Or even just 1. Sometimes even just one thing can make all the difference. Like the ability to feel grateful.

Suze’s other key steps (I’m paraphrasing):
1 – Live on half your household income. (Yes, you can!) Do it now and save the rest, so that if you HAVE to do it later, a) you will have learned how, and b) you’ll have some reserves to work with.
2 – Forget the old credit card rules. Don’t use them. Pay in cash. If you have a high balance, pay the minimum and keep any extra cash in reserve. Credit cards can slash or eliminate credit lines at any time.
3 – Get your stimulus due. If you were laid off between 9/1/08, through the end of 2009 and your company provides COBRA health insurance, for nine months you only have to pay 35% of the monthly premium. Also check the stimulus benefits for first-time home buyers and car buyers.
4 – Make your home affordable. Start here, to see what might work for your mortgage situation.