Lately we've all been feeling the pinch of the poor economy and a lot of us have even lost our homes to foreclosure. The good news is that we are not alone. The bad news is, of course, the stress of having to deal with financial woes.

So, how do you make it through tough financial times? This is a question I've addressed many times lately with my life coaching clients and while I think I had good advice to start with, what my clients have been going through recently has helped me explore improved tips for making the best of a tough situation.

I wish I had a magic wand to wave and magically make everything better for everyone, but at the very least I can offer some great tips for making it through a poor economy.

Tips for Making it Through a Poor Economy

1. Hang On! The most important rule is by far to just hang on. I know it seems challenging and sometimes hopeless, but I assure you it is never hopeless. Tough financial times will not last forever, so just take it one day at a time, or hour by hour, if that's what you have to do. Trust me, it will get better.

2. Be Aware of Your Work Ethic. At one time or another, we've all taken our jobs for granted. We don't always work as hard as we could, we show up a few minutes late, we take short cuts, etc. and then we say, "Naw, they wouldn't fire me, they need me to run this place." Well, employees are the only ones who feel the pressure of a poor economy - so do employers, and they will not hesitate to cut anyone who isn't giving 100%.

In tough economic times, you really need the steady paycheck your job brings you. It's already tough enough to make it through the month and jobs are not so ready to come by in a poor economy, so be aware of your work ethic. Do the best you can every minute you're at work. If you want to complain about how miserable your job is, wait until you get in your car at the end of the day and then go into a scream and rant session.

3. Take Control of Your Finances. Yes, it sucks to be on a budget, but it sucks even more to be short on the rent. The bottom line is this - be smart about the money you spend because it can make a huge difference in how you recover from tough financial times.

For instance, if your budget is really tight, going shopping and putting $500 on your credit card for new clothes, isn't the greatest idea. In a poor economy, you could lose your job tomorrow - no notice, no warning. Then what are you going to do about the $500 you owe to Citibank?

Same thing goes for kids. In tough financial times, kids don't understand the concept of not having any money. All they know is that one day they don't get everything they're asking for. It causes confusion and temper tantrums ; ) If you can't afford to treat them to expensive toys, find other ways to reward them. Hugs, kisses and your attention work great.

Find an affordable treat for them, not something that causes you to lose sleep over because you're stressed about paying the credit card bill. Ultimately, kids want love and affection more than they want toys. If they throw a tantrum when they don't get a new toy, it is only because they mistake presents for love.

4. Think Positively. I know, sounds ridiculous but it's true. What you think about literally shapes your world and stressing about money isn't going to help you create financial success. Nor, is it going to help your mental or physical health. Stress causes a bunch of nasty physical ailments like headaches and migraines, panic attacks, insomnia, digestive problems, and just about anything other disease or unexplained ailment. Stress causes negative feelings, and those negative feelings can literally affect your health. There has been lots of research on the topic, and there is an interesting article on this topic on MayoClinic.com.

To get through tough times, you must stay focused on being strong and healthy for you and your family. The minute you begin feeling panic setting in, just do something to pivot your thoughts. Go outside, scream into a pillow, watch a funny video - whatever you can do to switch your panic into "Everything's going to be just fine" pep-talk.

Find something you feel good about and can be grateful for. Your spouse, your family, your kids, your job, your car, your health.....and just focus on really feeling grateful for the good things in your life.

5. Eat Healthy and Get Plenty of Exercise. OK, so the last thing you want to do after a stressful day of dealing with a grumpy boss and demanding creditors is exercise. You want to go home, grab a beer and plop yourself in front of some mindless television. (I think I'll have hot dogs and chili tonight.....) Well, hot dogs and TV go well together, but they will not help you to feel better.

Under times of stress, your body needs your help to stay strong and healthy. You can help it by eating healthy and getting at least 20 minutes of exercise per day. If you don't have the energy to go to the gym, just walk around the neighborhood for 20 minutes.....that will do it. Check out the National Institutes of Health for more information.

Facing tough financial times is never easy, but there are things you can do to help reduce stress, manage your money and stay healthy. The one benefit of facing a poor economy is that it is forcing us to go back to the basics and think about what's really important. Your well-being and the well-being of your family is what's really important.

Stay strong, stay focused - you can do it!