Why do I feel angry? The reasons for anger are many and vary from person to person. Perhaps, you feel that you do not get enough credit at work. Maybe, your boss harbors a grudge and seeks every opportunity to reprimand you. Is your relationship stressing you out? Do you suffer from low self-esteem and take it out on your employees? Do you have any unresolved feelings leftover from your childhood?

We feel angry because we have expectations. We expect that we’ll have high-flying careers, empathetic supervisors, competent employees and supportive partners. And then when things don’t go according to our master plan we become frustrated and angry.

How Can I manage my anger?

• Accept the situation that you’re in. Avoidance of accepting circumstances will not help in dealing with reality.
• Try focusing on the positive things in your life like your family and friends, career, talents and your spouse or partner. Remember that you have everything that you need even though you might not have everything you desire.
• Consciously make an effort to stay calm by either tackling the situation later or counting to ten or even twenty before you react.
• Always make it a point never to raise your hand or resort to violence to resolve a problem. Treat others the way you would want them to treat you.
• Expressing feelings in a positive manner paves the path to open communication and alleviates unnecessary stress and anger.
• Deep breathing helps you experience a feeling of calm and serenity.
• Try to postpone thinking of the situation or person that made you angry and do something to distract yourself from negative thoughts. Thinking about the problem some time after it takes place throws a new light altogether.
• Many experts advocate writing your angry thoughts and feelings on paper and then tearing or burning it up. Be as graphic as possible. This will help release your frustration and anger.
• Talk to a friend or a neutral party who does not have anything to do with the problem at hand. Opening up to a close friend helps lightening the moment and putting you in a good mood.
• Attempt to see the humor in the situation. Making light of the situation dilutes the anxiety and pressure associated with it.
• If all else fails, enroll at a local Anger Management Class. Speaking with people facing anger management issues shows that you’re not alone and that there are several people going through the same thing that you are.

Can Emotional Intelligence help to manage my Anger? Developing emotional intelligence is of utmost importance in managing and controlling anger. Many anger management classes teach participants to develop emotional intelligence to deal with anger. Emotional intelligence involves recognizing, understanding and accepting emotions to deal with them in a positive manner. If a person develops a substantial degree of emotional intelligence he can come to terms with anger and control his reactions and responses to it. Emotional intelligence also involves understanding the emotions and feelings of others. The next time you feel angry with someone try to understand what prompts him to behave in a manner that offends you. Comprehending the feelings of others is a stepping stone to achieving emotional intelligence and managing anger.

Anger Management Institute of Texas is a certified Anderson & Anderson ® provider.

Anger Management Classes and Anger Management - Executive Coaching available in Houston, Texas.

Gregory A. Kyles, M.A., LPC, CEAP, CAMF
Director, Anger Management Institute of Texas
Diplomate, President of Texas Chapter
American Association of Anger Management Providers
http://www.ami-tx.com

http://www.ami-tx.org
http://gregorykyles.wordpress.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/gregorykyles
http://www.myspace.com/anger_management_expert

I'm sitting here at work (Hurricaneengineering.com) and wondering if Hurricane Gustav is coming to Galveston.  My company specializes in engineering houses and commercial buildings of all kinds so that them meet the TDI (Texas Department of Insurance) requirements and can withstand a moderate hurricane.  I do a lot of the office duties but focus on the finances and project managment.  Katherine (my wife) is on her way to bring me lunch and then go to her class at College of the Mainland where she is pursuing a Nursing degree.

My business on my mind today are the following:

Ignite - Deregulation of energy that pays its associates for helping others gather customers.

The Spiderweb Marketing System - A FREE online marketing system that packages multiple income opportunities together as one to market online to increase the income potential earned from referals.

Scootersonsale.com - My scooter online store that I'm still developing but its coming along very nicely.

Thanks for reading and have a super Wildkat Day!

(That was what my highschool principal said every day at school after anouncements on the intercom)

1) Get the numbers
The FDIC reported that the number of banks on the “problem bank” list grew to 117 during the second quarter. That’s the highest level since the middle of 2003. There were 90 banks on the problem list in the first quarter of this year. The FDIC chairman also said that list is going to grow. In fact, analysts say that there could be up to 150 bank failures on the horizon. But keep in mind that banks included on the problem list are considered the most likely institutions to fail, although few institutions actually reach that point - just 13 percent of banks on the FDIC's problem list have failed on average.

2) Gauge the risk
Generally small and mid-size banks are more at risk...that's because it may not be able to raise enough money if it's in trouble. If you're looking to park your money somewhere safe, go with larger, more familiar banks. The FDIC doesn't release the names of banks that are in trouble, but you can check the health of your own bank. Check out bankrate.com. This site has a Safe & Sound rating system that can help you get a picture of your bank's health.

3) Know the signs
Pay attention to massive job layoffs or cutback in services at your bank. If your bank doesn't accept new loans submissions that's a red flag. And if you start to see generous CD yields advertised, that could be a sign that the bank is in trouble. That's because banks are trying to entice people to keep their money at the bank. As we've been reporting, if you are within the limits of FDIC-insurance coverage with an FDIC-insured bank, you shouldn't panic. The worst move you could make is pulling your money out of a regulated institution and holding the cash yourself.

For more of Gerri's Top Tips, watch CNN weekdays at 10:15 am Eastern Time.

Insomnia sucks, but I feel like I am accomplishing something the world desperately needs to see accomplished.

Godspeed, Rumer Repair Squad.

Thanks Hannah!

1) Check into health coverage
Full-time students between the ages of 18-23 are usually covered under their parents’ health plan. If your health plan has a network, you’ll want to scout out a doctor near where your child is going to be living. Then you’ll need a referral from your local physician. And if your child is no longer on your plan, most colleges offer limited health insurance plans for students.

2) Revisit car insurance
Basically insurance companies reward you if you don’t drive. Case in point: your children -- if they have a car in their name -- can get a discount on their insurance if they leave their car at home while attending school. But the school must be at least 100 miles away. You’ll also want to notify your insurance company if the car will be garaged in a different location because your premium could go down depending on where your child's college is located.

3) Know the limits
If you have a kid that’ll be living on campus, chances are, your homeowners’ policy will cover most of their possessions. In most cases, your homeowners insurance will cover about 10 percent of property that’s outside the home. And if your kid is going to be living off-campus in an apartment, your homeowners policy won’t be helpful. In this case, you’ll want to look into renters insurance. Rates run about $250 a year for contents of about $15,000.

For more of Gerri's Top Tips, watch CNN weekdays at 10:15 am Eastern Time.

I've had the Big Awakening. An incident yesterday morning has transformed me forever. I am now the Dali Mama.

Ya see, it happened like this. Scurrying thru the house (because I was running behind as usual), I hit my little toe on my right foot on the edge of the stairs. I cursed, jumped around, rubbed my toe, and cursed some more. But, being in a hurry did not allow me to have the time to do what I would normally do which is sit down, feel sorry for myself, and bawl like a big-ass baby. Then, the unthinkable happened. I got up off of the sofa and started down the hallway when I hit the same toe on the same spot of the stairs. This time, I stopped right in my tracks, just frozen like a deer in headlights. I heard a loud masculine voice from above. Ann Coulter???? Nah, no way! It couldn't be......."Bow before me lowly voter!" the voice said. OMG! It was Ann Coulter!

"Ann Coulter, why are talking to me? And, why do you have such a large Adam's apple?" I asked.

"SILENCE, MORTAL!!!!! I have come to give you a purpose in life" , she said. "From now on, you will be known as the DALI MAMA!", Coulter commanded. Either that or she said, "Throw a stone at Barack Obama". It was hard to tell because I was waaaay too focused on the white hot pain shooting from my toe into my foot and moving it's way up my leg.

"Did you say something about Obama or Mama?" I asked. But, she had already left to head to the DNC.

Mama? Obama? Obama-mama? Mama-obmama?

Well, the only thing that I can do is try one and if that doesn't work, do the other. And, since, throwing rocks at Obama could get me some slammer time, I'll do the Dali Mama first.

So, I am here to answer your questions about life, Scary Spice, Big Foot hoax, the ingredients of  head-cheese (lunch meat), etc.

To get things started, I will attempt to answer a couple of the most important questions of all time.

 1. What is the meaning of mmmbop?

A.Sometimes it is difficult to see our own potential. It is strange to wonder how we get to the place we are at in life, and why it is us, and not someone else. Mmmbop is what drives one individual to become successful, and one individual to live in their parents' basement at 35, playing video games, and watching re-runs of Seinfeld. This state of existence is referred to by profound thinks (such as myself, the Dali Mama) as Lllbop, the state that precedes Mmmbop. The individuals who are most at peace with themselves are in the Zzzbop.

Q. Is Chuck Norris human?

A. No. He is SuperHuman with skills bestowed upon him by the ruler of the planet, Kickass.

Q. What makes grey poupon mustard different from regular mustard?

A. It is grey. And, it has poupon in it.

Q.. Who is my baby daddy?

A. I am the Dali Mama. You need Maury Povich.

Q.. What can I do about my husband's disgusting habit of passing gas at the table during holiday dinners?

A. Let this become your mantra, "I can not change another person's actions. I can only change my own reactions." Then, throw a bowl of hot yams at him.

Q. How old is Wayne Newton?

A. 14 1/2 in dog years

Q.Who said, "When I despair, I remember that all through history the ways of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants, and murderers, and for a time they can seem invincible, but in the end they always fall. Think of it--always. "

A. Mahatama Ghandi....or Gary Busey. I get them confused.

Q. Do you unicorns really exist?

A. Of course, silly! They exist in the Land of Fairies and live in Mushroom Stables.

Q.What is Satan's last name?

A. Jones

Since becoming the Dali Lama, I have been in deep study trying to understand life. While doing some research on other profound thinks, I found the following deep meaning statements.

I was sad because I had no shoes until I met a man who had no feet. So I said, "Got any shoes you're not using?"

A lot of people are afraid of heights. I'm afraid of widths.

If girls with large breasts work at Hooters, then do girls with one leg work at IHOP?

If a transvesite goes missing, would youu put their face on a carton of Half and Half?

I asked a chicken why it was crossing the road. It told me it was none of my business.

Nothing is worse than being alone on the evening of the day when one's cow has exploded.

Health nuts are going to feel stupid someday, lying in a hospital dying of nothing.

Now, I must go. The Dali Mama has a busy afternoon. I must practice my yoga while pondering the big question of.....just what was Willis talkin' about?

. Plus, I'm hungry and am really craving some Taco Bell.

Questions for the Dali Mama? Feel free to ask them.

• Increase chewing ability
• Dissipate heat
• Warn predators
• Store water
• Evade reproduction

Check out the bloodshot eyes in the original.

Been too long since the last news post. I mostly blame the death of my laptop at the hands of a jar of peanut butter. It's not a long story, but more fun to leave it ambiguous like that. And now for items I feel deserve attention.

If you havent seen "Dark Knight" yet, you're dead or stupid. I didn't believe the hype either, but after seeing it I have to admit that Heath Ledger plays the best Joker ever. No punches pulled, total anarchy.

This made me happy. A imaginative chef has combined two things I love, coffee and meat, and found a way to combine them. Check it out. I have yet to try out my purchase, waiting until I have the appropriate slab of dead animal.

My good friend Willis visited the past couple of days, so I took my first weekend of the past month, thus explaining the title of this post. We explored NYC and generally hung out. One of the highlights of his visit was our day at the beach, which turned me into a red monster of pain. Wear sunscreen kids, always wear sunscreen.

No new material for the site yet, but I'm still alive and working on it.

Rock on,

Stop Motion é uma técnica de produção visual quadro a quadro, ou seja, fotos que quando colocadas em sequência criam a impressão de movimento. O pai, mãe, tio e avô dessa técnica é o Willis O'brien. E uma de suas mais conhecidas obras: King Kong! Aqui estão algumas referências:

· "Monster of the Past" (O Monstro do Passado) - Willis O'Brien EUA/1923 / tons de sépia e verde - Documentário sobre o mundo de dez milhões de anos atrás quando os répteis gigantes dominavam a Terra.
· "Prehistoric Poultry" (Aves Pré-Históricas) - Willis O'Brien EUA/1917/ P&B / Black & White - A bem-humorada história do Dinirnis, o mais antigo ancestral da moderna galinha.
· "R.F.D 10.000 B.C." - Willis O'Brien EUA/ 1917 / P&B / Black &White - As aventuras e agruras do serviço de correios pré-histórico.
· "The Dinosaur and the Missing Link" (O Dinossauro e o Elo Perdido) - Willis O'Brien EUA/1915-1917 / P&B / Black & White - Primeiro filme de O'Brien no qual o diretor cria os primeiros personagens de animação equipados com esqueleto de metal. Wild Willie, o elo perdido, é o terror dos campos.

1) Know the consequences
A black mark on your credit report is one consequence. This negative mark could stay on your credit score for seven to ten years. And that will lower your credit score, making it harder to secure a loan, apply for a job or get insurance. If you have a government job or a job that requires a high level of security clearance, your position may be in jeopardy. If you have a mortgage or a car loan you will still be responsible for making payments to your creditors even in a bankruptcy, otherwise those assets can be taken away. Most states exempt a certain amount of property that you can hold onto. If you have a bank account, stocks or bonds, CDs or mutual funds, all that can be taken away. However, IRAs, most 401ks, pensions or 529 plans are generally safe from creditors.

2) Gauge your eligibility
If these following scenarios are very familiar to you, it could be a sign that you should consider filing: if most of your debt is from credit cards or medical bills; if your total debt is more than you could pay over 5 years—excluding your mortgage and car loan; you have lawsuits against you or debt collectors are calling you all the time.

3) Know the rules
If you are facing foreclosure, declaring bankruptcy could delay the process. If you file for a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, where your debts are discharged off the bat, you won’t be able to save your home. Chapter 13 allows you to catch up on overdue payments you made before you filed, while keeping up with current payments.

For more of Gerri's Top Tips, watch CNN weekdays at 10:15 am Eastern Time

1) Get the picture
Florida has a state program called Citizens Property Insurance which is a last stop for folks who can’t get private coverage. And state officials are trying to wean people off that program because taxpayers are on the hook for the losses. And there are other problems. Big insurance companies aren’t interested in extending coverage in Florida. State Farm, Allstate and Nationwide, for example, aren’t renewing some policies in high-risk areas. And strapped homeowners are turning to new small insurance upstarts for coverage as state officials try to downsize the Citizens plan.

2) Compare rates
Florida recently unveiled a Web site that helps consumer compare insurance rates throughout the state. That Web site is shopandcomparerates.com. You’ll be able to view a sample of companies and rates for insuring a typical Florida home.

3) Remember flood insurance
Keep in mind that hurricane season doesn’t end until November 30. And make sure you have flood insurance. It’s not part of your homeowner’s policy. Even if you’re not in Fay’s path or you don’t live near a body of water, your home may still be at risk of flooding. Don’t delay if you think you need coverage. There is a waiting period of 30 days until you’re actually covered. To gauge your risk of a flood, go to floodsmart.gov.

For more of Gerri's Top Tips, watch CNN weekdays at 10:15 am Eastern Time.

1) Get the stats
It’s estimated that 100,000-200,000 of would-be borrowers could be turned down this year for student loans. That's because lenders have tightened their standards. Previously if you had a credit score of 620-650, you would be eligible for a loan. But today, you’ll likely need a credit score between 680 and 700 according to Mark Kantrowitz of finaid.org, an online student loan information site.

2) Improve your credit
First, check your credit score at annualcreditreport.com. After that, the student can either opt to become an authorized user on their parent’s credit card or they can have a parent co-sign a credit card with them. This way, the student has the benefit of an older, more established credit history. One note here—you want to make sure the co-signer has a credit score of over 700. Keep in mind that who ever co-signs the credit card is equally responsible for the debt. By using a co-signer you increase your chances of getting a loan with better terms.

3) Know where to go
Make sure you go to Uncle Sam first for money. If you qualify for federal aid, you will get it. Plus, federal student loans have lower interest rates. You may be eligible for up to $31,000 in Stafford loans if you’re a dependent undergrad and $57,500 if you’re an independent undergrad. Your credit won’t be checked for this. If your parents have been denied a PLUS loan, you automatically qualify for more money thorough the Stafford Loan Program. You should also go to your student aid office if you’re having trouble securing a loan. They will know who is lending and who isn’t.

For more of Gerri's Top Tips, watch CNN weekdays at 10:15 am Eastern Time.

Anger ranges from anything between a mild irritation to a full blown temper tantrum. When we are angry we experience a rush of adrenaline to our veins. Certain people also experience a tightening of the jaw, gnashing of teeth and clenching of fists. These are some of our physical responses to anger. Anger, like any other emotion is neither good nor bad. It’s just there and it’s something we need to deal with. The problem occurs when we find it difficult or impossible to manage or regulate our anger.

Being cool and calm when faced with a storm is imperative especially at the workplace. The equations at an office change daily. One day sees you as the blue eyed boy at work. The next day you may be pulled up for something that isn’t your fault. Everyday brings in its wake new challenges and struggles. We get angry because we decide that certain things are unfair. But then not everything in life is fair.

Managing anger is an indicator of your ability to deal with stress and pressure. Employees have lost promotions because they failed to deal with a crisis in a dignified manner. Managers who fly off the handle when faced with a calamity fail to retain their staff. Nobody likes to work in an organization where tempers are on a short fuse and everybody’s screaming all the time. Marriages disintegrate because of anger issues. Domestic violence is on the rise thanks to this most primitive of all human emotions. 

Managing Anger: Desperate situations call for desperate measures. If you find yourself raising your hand each time you feel angry you need to seek help. Now!!!

Managing anger is crucial for your mental and physical well-being. Many experts say that the first step to managing anger is recognizing it as it occurs. When we are angry we need to acknowledge it. Next, we need to understand why we are angry. Is it something that we can control? Has something fallen short of our expectations? Do we feel that something is unfair? Once you take the time to understand the reason for your anger you will be able to see things in a new light. Then all you need to do is to shift the focus away from your anger and concentrate on finding a solution to the problem. By the time you’ve done this you’ll find your anger fading away. What’s more you can give yourself brownie points for tackling the situation without bursting at the seams.

Relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, yoga and meditation have been advocated by many researchers to manage anger. Enrolling in an anger management class is also an option for those who experience violent fits of rage. Expressing feelings and stating needs are good exercises to release pent-up frustrations.

Managing Anger through Assertive Communication: Assertive communication involves sticking to your convictions while communicating without being offensive. When we are angry we say things that we wouldn’t have said otherwise. Many of these things hurt the people who are close to us. You have to learn to convey thoughts without appearing rude and opinionated. Being angry does not give us the right to fire expletives and attack the opposite person. An aggressive communicator will create arguments rather than find solutions. Passive communicators fail to stand up for themselves and come across as weak and timid. An assertive communicator on the other hand will not let himself be bullied nor will bully someone else. Assertiveness is the key to expressing anger in an effective manner. Hence, managing anger through assertive communication has become the need of the hour.

Assertive communication, stress management, anger management, and emotional intelligence skills can be learned in an effective anger management program. Please visit www.ami-tx.com for additional information. 

Anger Management Institute of Texas is a certified Anderson & Anderson ® provider.

Anger Management Classes and Anger Management - Executive Coaching available in Houston, Texas.

Gregory A. Kyles, M.A., LPC, CEAP, CAMF
Director, Anger Management Institute of Texas
Diplomate, President of Texas Chapter
American Association of Anger Management Providers
http://www.ami-tx.com
http://www.ami-tx.org
http://gregorykyles.wordpress.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/gregorykyles
http://www.myspace.com/anger_management_expert

It's hard to tell whether or not I'm fixing her too much... every liquify just feels so right.

It's definitely not as simple as it seems. It's more than just the chin....so much more. Anyway I'm going to go lay down, this much facial reconstruction work has been physically draining.

We hear you Erin. Loud and clear!

1) Get a grip
Don't wait until all those bills start rolling in to figure out just how big of a hole you're in. You can get that info now. Go online and set up an account so you can see what those numbers are. If you have to borrow money to pay off your credit card bills, your credit card spending is out of control. If your monthly debt is between 15 and 20 percent of your income, you have too much debt and you should start paring down your expenses. If that figure is higher than 20 percent, you may need to enlist the help of a professional.

2) Prioritize
Credit card debt is one of the most costly debts you can have. The average interest rate is higher than 14 percent. However, many people may be paying rates as high as 30 percent.
Since credit card debt is so expensive, you'll want to pay it off first. If you only pay the minimum payments, it could take you up to 30 years to pay off that debt. Whenever you can, pay more than the minimum payment.

3) Watch the rewards
A reward card can be a beautiful thing. But remember credit card issuers team up with airlines and retail stores to entice you to spend more. If you carry a balance from month to month, what you pay in interest will likely eat up any benefit from the reward card. And make sure that the reward is worth it. Airline miles aren't always a great deal according to experts.

For more of Gerri's Top Tips, watch CNN weekdays at 10:15 am Eastern Time.

1) Do your homework
If it's electronics you're after, go online and compare what stores are offering. Check out sites like buydig.com or mysimon.com. Some retailers offer less expensive items on their web site rather than in their stores. You can also check out froogle.com and shopzilla.com.

2) Pay less for books
Your textbook bills can cost hundreds of dollars. But you don't have to carry that kind of financial burden. Get textbooks at eBay's half.com. On this site, you can get textbooks from business and economics to philosophy for about $40.

3) Buy in bulk
Buying in bulk at a discount warehouse like Costco or Sams' Club is a great way to save a lot of cash, especially if you have a large family or you can team up with other parents. Go to your school's Parent Teacher Association and see if it's possible to pool buying needs and resources.

For more of Gerri's Top Tips, watch CNN weekdays at 10:15 am Eastern Time.

BDD or body dysmorphic disorder is a psychiatric disorder in which the affected person is excessively concerned about and preoccupied by an imagined or minor defect in his or her physical features.

It is our goal to create a drug that can elicit this disorder in people who need it.

Emotional Intelligence is a relatively new concept in the field of Psychology. It is the ability to recognize, understand and regulate your own emotions and those of others. Some experts say that emotional intelligence is inborn while others believe that it is a trait that can be acquired and developed. Intelligence Quotient (IQ) has always been given significance in judging the brainpower of an individual. However, these days it is increasingly recognized that IQ is not the only criteria to judge performance. A highly intelligent person may not necessarily be adept at handling his emotions and those of others. Emotional Intelligence may make all the difference in the world because it determines the way we conduct ourselves and interact with others.

Emotional Intelligence is critical in the workplace and in personal relationships. Emotions are intangible. Therefore, initially they were not given attention as far as the workplace was concerned. Workers who are balanced emotionally are empathetic, optimistic, have a positive attitude and are not hesitant when it comes to seeking compromise. Good leadership qualities are often associated with a high degree of Emotional Intelligence. To balance the emotions within a group of people from diverse cultures and backgrounds, it is necessary for the management to recognize, understand and empathize with their emotions. To resolve a problem at the workplace, it is observed that Emotional Intelligence is handier as compared to Intelligence Quotient. An employee with high emotional intelligence can control his own emotions and impulses, communicate with others successfully and even dilute tense situations with foresight and tact. Emotional Intelligence is vital for teamwork and team-building.

Countless marriages and relationships break-up due to lack of Emotional Intelligence in one or both the partners. Relationships are like plants. They require nurturing and nourishment to grow. Inattention and indifference kills them. Couples where both partners exhibit a high degree of emotional intelligence have a much better shot at survival. After all, relationships are all about compromises and understanding the emotions of your spouse or partner.  

Emotional Intelligence and Anger Management: Anger is the most human and most destructive of all human emotions. When we are angry we react impulsively and momentarily lose control of our ability to rationalize. When angry some people turn violent and abusive, others become withdrawn and morose. Emotional Intelligence is extremely necessary to recognize, accept and placate anger. If we are unable to manage our anger, we can be seriously harmful to ourselves, our colleagues and society at large. Temper tantrums and fist fights are caused when people our unable to put a lid on their anger and end up taking the law in their own hands. It is necessary to develop Emotional Intelligence to deal with edgy situations and highly charged individuals. Therefore, developing a high level of emotional intelligence is crucial as far as anger management is concerned. Daniel Goleman, the propagator of this concept advocated Self-Awareness, Self-Management, Social Awareness and Relationship Management as the four domains of Emotional Intelligence.

Anger Management Institute of Texas is a certified Anderson & Anderson ® provider.

Anger Management Classes and Anger Management - Executive Coaching available in Houston, Texas.

Gregory A. Kyles, M.A., LPC, CEAP, CAMF
Director, Anger Management Institute of Texas
Diplomate, President of Texas Chapter
American Association of Anger Management Providers
http://www.ami-tx.com
http://www.ami-tx.org
http://gregorykyles.wordpress.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/gregorykyles
http://www.myspace.com/anger_management_expert

1) Cut costs
Start with the fees you can avoid - like bank fees. Find out if you are eligible to join a credit union where the fees and surcharges may be lower. Go to the National Credit Union Association Web site. If you want to avoid balance transfer fees on your credit card, look at your credit card agreement. Look for a reference to a maximum balance transfer fee. If you don't see any dollar amount, call the credit card issuer and get the details. Balance transfer fees can add up to hundreds of dollars.

2) Know where to go
Knowing where to go to get cash in an emergency is half the battle already. If you have enough equity in your home - and that's a big IF nowadays - you may be able to take out a home equity line of credit. You really don't want to tap into your 401(k) too early. You'll be taxed twice since you have to pay back the loan - with interest - and you'll be missing out on your money's ability to compound interest.

3) Keep the faith
Remember, all economies have their ups and downs. And a recession is just part of a cycle.Whatever you do, keep the faith. If you have money in a 401(k) or a mutual fund, keep it there. There are better times ahead.

For more of Gerri's Top Tips, watch CNN weekdays at 10:15 am Eastern Time.