Welcome to our Recession Remedy Guide! We all know that 2009 was a pretty miserable year for most of us. But it's 2010, and it's time to turn the page! 

We've searched the web for some great articles, resources and tips to help you have a big bounceback year in 2010. You, your family, and your business deserve it! Take a look below, and check back in the weeks ahead as we find more.  

THE GOOD NEWS!

The economic news is increasingly positive. While our nation still has many challenges ahead, it appears that we're turning the corner.

Payrolls data buoys job creation hopes: "

It tells me the economy and the jobs market have evolved to the point where we are now ready to produce jobs,"

  Economy stronger in February despite snow: Economic activity strengthened modestly across most of the 12 Federal Reserve districts

 

Consumer spending up in February: Both the spending and income figures in Monday's report point to a modest economic recovery. That cheered Wall Street investors.

We're all getting back on the right track: American household wealth jumped in 2009 for the first time since a brutal recession struck the country, underscoring the impact of an economic recovery, data from the central bank showed Thursday.

HOUSEHOLD BUDGETING

One of the big keys to getting your family back on a positive economic track is via good, sound planning. Being able to set an accurate monthly budget -- and to stick to it -- will be a big boost to your household's financial future.

Household budgeting basics: It's funny, we're taught a lot of things in school, but how many of us were taught about the basics of putting together a household budget? 

Household budget worksheet: Here's a great budgeting spreadsheet that you can export into Excel

Making a budget: Here's a five point plan for putting your financial life in order

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Take a look at how the country's households budget 

Finding a tax pro:  Need a good accountant? Here's how to track down a great tax preparer.

BUSINESS TIPS

If you own or manage a small or medium-sized business, you probably faced many challenges in the past year. While you may not be out of the woods yet, the time is now to get your company rolling forward again!

Roadmap for Recovery: Five Ways to Help Your Company Survive Now

Roadmap for Recovery, part two: Five Ways to Come Out on Top

JOB HUNTING ADVICE

Perhaps you lost your job in 2009. Or you're fresh out of school and looking for your first big break. There's a right way and a wrong way to go about a job search. Here are a few thoughts to ponder as you seek employment in the Recovery workplace.

Massachusetts Department of Labor & Workplace Development: A thorough online resource for Bay State workers and job seekers

COBRA: The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) gives workers and their families who lose their health benefits the right to choose to continue group health benefits provided by their group health plan for limited periods of time

Top Ten Resume Tips: A human resources manager at a top architecture firm offers advice on how to put your best foot forward.

Strong post-recession job opportunities: Plan your activities and be ready to take advantage of a strong job climate when it begins. Here are some post-recession job opportunities that project to be numerous and active in the near future.

Beat job hunting pessimism: "...job seekers should not assume that simply because unemployment figures continue to hover in the nine- to 10-percent range that no one is hiring"

 

   Too shy to job hunt?: Like anything else, networking gets easier the more you do it, so the question is how to get started. These seven tips...should get you through your first few calls (or e-mails), which just might give you the confidence to keep going.

GET RID OF YOUR DEBT, PROTECT YOUR CREDIT SCORE

Did you use your credit cards a little too much last year? Or, even worse, miss a few payments? The bad news is, you hurt your credit score. The good news is -- you can Recover with a 2010 of fiscal household responsibility.

How to pay down your debt: Apart from simply calculating the interest you’ll pay, you might also consider psychological motivations that will help you stay the course toward retiring your debt. And there are other approaches that might help you improve your credit score. Here’s a look at several strategies.

The Association of Independent Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies (AICCCA):  A national membership organization, established to promote quality and consistent delivery of credit counseling services.

Protect your credit score: How 13 common actions can affect this important number 

National Foundation for Credit Counseling: The NFCC promotes the national agenda for financially responsible behavior and builds capacity for its members to deliver the highest quality financial education and counseling services.

SELL HIGH, BUY LOW!

In a soft economy, there is one bright side. If you have the necessary funds or credit, there are deals to be had. And even now, a smart consumer can still get a good price on his or her For Sale items if they use patience and smarts.

Secrets of coupon pros: Chances are good you've crossed paths with a serious coupon clipper. She's the one ahead of you in the supermarket checkout line clutching a stack of coupons 2 inches thick. By the time she's done, her cart loaded with hundreds of dollars worth of groceries will cost her just $20.

   Should you haggle?: When shopping or paying for goods and services in the previous six months, 66 percent of consumers tried to negotiate for a better deal at least once, and 88 percent of those negotiators scored a better deal at least once.

Getting a mortgage in 2010:  Home sales have increased, inventory levels are down, and price declines have become less precipitous. Along with more affordable home prices and a tax perk from Uncle Sam, attractive mortgage rates--which remained below 5 percent as of late November--have been a driving force behind this development. The availability of low mortgage rates will play a decisive role in the performance of the 2010 housing market as well. 

 

  Best ways to sell your stuff: When to use auctions, consignment shops, Web sites, or yard sales to turn your unwanted things into needed cash

WOMEN & THE RECOVERY

How this recession has affected women: Explore the impact of the U.S. recession on women, and...gain useful knowledge about women's role in the economy.