Don't panic and DON'T BE STUPID

So here's my take on the financial "crisis" in our country.
If anyone has taken Economics 101 there's a few things you hopefully learned. Recessions and Depressions happen when people PANIC and pull all their money out of the banks, stock market, etc. If everyone does this, markets crash, and then we're screwed. So instead of freaking out, just be sure your money is safe.
Another thing from Economics--this is NOT a good time to be pulling your money out of stocks (if you're investing long term). Then you're selling low and buying high. Not the way it's supposed to be done.
So here's a few tips I've gathered from a few sources.

1. Make sure your money is somewhere safe. If it's at a bank make sure it's federally insured. You can go to www.myfdicinsurance.gov, answer a few questions, and see if you're insured. From what I understand, if you have less than $100,000 dollars in a bank, you're insured.
2. If your money is in a credit union, make sure it is insured. It's not federally insured, but there's a company NCUA that insures it. 2% of credit unions don't have this so make sure yours does.
3. PAY DOWN YOUR CREDIT CARD DEBT. Seriously people. Credit cards are from the devil if you don't use them responsibly. Don't put more on the card than you make. Simple as that. If you have a problem doing this, GET RID OF THE CREDIT CARD. Use a debit card, or go to cold hard cash.
4. Don't cancel your health insurance--I said DON'T CANCEL YOUR HEALTH INSURANCE--to save a few $100 a month. One car accident, one malignant tumor, one freaky accident, will absolutely ruin the rest of your life if you don't have health insurance to take care of it. It's not worth the risk (especially if you have kids). One of the number one reasons for people filing bankruptcy is because of a health issue they couldn't pay for because they didn't have insurance. Do anything you have to to keep health insurance.
Also, make sure you have life insurance. Sure you're husband will tease you that you're just going to "off" him, but whatever. Get it anyway. Because you never know. And don't buy whole, just get term. It's way cheaper and it will get you through the years where life insurance is so important. If you want a reference for an awesome life insurance agent who will take care of you and answer all your questions, I know one so e-mail me or call me.
5. Don't stop investing in a 401K. Monthly contributions you put in now will buy more shares and earn your more money in the long run.
6. MOST IMPORTANT--Stop spending what you can't afford. This is why we're in the crisis in the first place. Mortgage companies, banks, and people got greedy and now we're all paying for it.

So. Don't panic. Don't pull all your money out and hide it under your mattress. Everyone needs to settle down and be smart about the money they spend. We'll get through this. Big deep breaths people. And please don't buy into the things the media says. They feed off of crisis and drama. My advice--quit watching the news. There's generally nothing worth watching on there anyway. Except the weather. :)