There was a time in my life when I did not wisely manage my money. I didn’t have much and sometimes charged too much. The government, however, never worries about debt. It simply borrows and prints more money. The so-called stimulus package will put our country in debt for possibly decades to come and, I believe, hurt rather than help the economy.

I am often asked for advice. Here’s my advice on the economy. If you have a job, have a plan in case you lose it. What other job could you do? Could you change careers and be trained for something else? Do you have enough savings to live on for at least six months should you be laid-off?

Have you and your spouse had an honest conversation about money and what are essentials and what are non essentials? Have that conversation now if you haven’t already. And cut back now rather than possibly be forced to later.       

Make a deeper commitment of your life to God and his will for you. He is the great provider, promising never to let the righteous go hungry. He provides all of our needs, not necessarily our wants. In the end, doing all these things will make you better off and rich in what matters most.

Cal Thomas is a nationally syndicated columnist based in Washington, D.C.