As of this evening here in the States, our government is at a standstill when it comes to passing laws that will extend unemployment and decrease the taxes for the next year for middle income citizens. Some of you ladies may not think this will affect you but for most of us there will be a pinch somewhere in our financial lives.

If you are unemployed and your benefits will not be extended this could present a very serious situation. I know of many who may loose their homes because of the decrease in assistance. It may mean taking a very low paying job just to bring in some kind of income.

For other women, the tax issue may be the problem. It might mean evaluating whether or not both you and your spouse should work. If you are married and both of you work, it might be time to evaluate whether the cost of child care, gas, clothing, and meals outside of home are worth the income the second income brings in. Many men are choosing to stay home to do the household chores and child care because the wife can make more money.

The bottom line is this. We are all going to have to evaluate where we are financially. Women who are the sole support of themself and their children will be hit harder than those women who share the financial burden with a working partner but between the taxes and the lack of extensions for the unemployed all of us will feel the pain.

Begin now working on your financial plan for the coming year. List your debt and list your income. Brush up that resume and pack away the pride. We may all need to hit the streets doing jobs that we never thought we would just to put the roof over our heads and the food on our tables. Give it some thought anyway.