Are the bankers bad guys? With the looming (or current) money crisis (depending on what’s going on with you and your job and your personal finances) it’s concerning.

• Should you trust your bank?
• Should you hide your funds under your mattress?

What should you do to protect yourself should the economy sink into a bad depression.

There are a lot of people saying you should do three things:

-Emergency Preparedness

-Budgeting

-Increase your income streams

Financial Emergency Preparedness

In terms of emergency preparedness, you should consider stocking up on food and a medical kit and safeguard your family and home the way you would just before a big storm. If you’re always prepared with a stockpile of food and essentials plus emergency money this is wise.

In terms of your financial protection, it’s urgent that you get within your means, esepcially if you fear you or your spouse could be jobless due to the problematic economy. Try to live on one income and save the other. Try to pay off your debts quickly and do your best to live frugally.

Can you trust your bank?

Even if your bank has insurance against your savings (which most countries require your bank does) what will you do if the banks close and money gets tied up in red tape? The insurance might also be capped below the actual worth of your assets.

It’s very wise to keep enough funds on you to take care of your needs temporarily.  Some say you should also invest in gold and silver which could be quickly liquidated as a currency you’ll never find as worthless.

Here are some helpful resources to assist you.  In terms of your future, it’s very wise to do three things:

1. Prepare your home and your finances for an emergency
2. Try to make extra money if your budget is currently tight
3. Get living below your means by paying off your debts and saving money for the future.

Here are some helpful Resources:

Do a money jar / envelope budget to start living within a budget and living on cash instead of credit.

Make some extra money to start paying down debt and develop a financial safety net/rainy day fund.

Online Surveys - Make extra money at home doing online surveys

Online Jobs - Find legit online jobs for extra cash. You spend oodles of time on the web, why not earn from it?

The Rich Jerk - Pay less then $10 to buy into a guaranteed for success online money making program

Blogging To The Bank - Learn to turn online journalling (blogging) into cold, hard, cash.

-