At 8 months pregnant, we were able to get our house sold and move into a newly built home that we love! Oh…and I might add that my husband lost his job due to layoffs after we accepted the offer on our home, found a new job that paid more so that the approval process on our new home was never hindered and our baby is here!….our blessing on top of many blessings!

“We felt the effects of the Recession a few years before mainstream media would call it what it was. After purchasing two vehicles in 2003, and building a new home in 2004 we were comfortable (not living outside our means) until things changed drastically. With significant reduction in income and over $60K in debt we struggled to manage credit and utility payments. Together we made a faith decision for me to start my own design and project management company; the income was uncertain at best. Within 2 years, however, things began to shift, and we were able to eliminate all revolving debt, both vehicles payments, AND make significant home improvements. Our mortgage is our only remaining debt. When the economy was at its worst, we moved into our best position. We applied, faith, discipline, hard work, accountability and the principle of sowing and reaping – a failsafe combination.”

Last year and this year I have received a 4% raise each year. I was shocked the second the year when I received the 4% again because of the recession. I am grateful and have plenty of gratitude. Praise God!!!

Exactly this time last year, I applied for the job I have now at a time when finding new employment is virtually impossible regardless of the economy. I claimed this job because it was everything I wanted, plus better benefits and $10K increase. What God has for you, is for you!

Yesterday, somehow, $20,000 of my student loan debt was listed at $0. Today I am putting the finishing touches on my business plan…the location is all picked out…and I am claiming it!!!!!

In the recession, many of my clients were laid off from work which affected my business. I immediately transferred my knowledge to the college arena and began teaching at a four-year college and a community college. In addition, I began to create opportunities for myself, by facilitating free self-esteem workshops for girls and their parents and made money by selling my books. I also began consulting those seeking to become authors and professional speakers. In addition, I found, through talking to my clients, that there was a demand for my work during the summer months and from that, I created a successful 8-week self-esteem summer program for girls, in Queens, NY, which will be used as the model for the forthcoming summer programs for one of the oldest civil rights organizations in the nation. I do not participate in recessions, for when there is the talk of lack, by the masses, therein lies opportunity.

In the beginning of 2009, I was cut to part time employment. I chose not to let this get me down but looked at it as an opportunity to fulfill my dream. I was able to focus more attention on my organization, The Misunderstood Youth Development Center and providing the necessary programming to help our youth continue to make positive decisions. In addition to that, my family and I were still able to take our FIRST family vacation in 15 years. One week of family fun in August 2009, we boarded the Carnival Victory and cruised our way to St. Thomas, Dominica, Barbados, St. Lucia, Antigua and St. Kitts. With saving and very early preparation my employment cut back did not stop our trip.

This recession has been really hard on a lot of folks, but as for me I have been promoted 2x in 2 yrs. I shake my head and wonder how could this happen in such drastic times but it has and I’m grateful. I almost feel like if times were better I would not have been considered for promotion. Not everything nor everyone sinks during rough times… some things and people manage to float to the top.!!! Praise God!!

I was working at Rutgers University in September 2008 when news of the plummeting stock market hit. However, I had had in the works plans to move to a new position as a public relations director in another unit at Rutgers. This was a step up with greater responsibility and increased pay. I had been angling for this job, patiently, for months, and in late October I had a successful interview. I started the job Dec. 1, 2008 making 15 percent more than I had been. This has allowed me to save at a greater rate and pay off my student loans more quickly. (I currently save $600 a month minimum to a money market account.) Also, I was fortunate enough to have generous parents who gave me some money after a successful real estate investment, so I know that I always have at least six months salary on hand. Sometimes I feel bad that I have increased my career and financial picture at the same time that others have suffered, but I am always focused on my career trajectory and I believe that others should not let an economic downturn draw their focus away from what it is they really want to do in life.

I can proudly say my life took a turn for the better when I obtained my license as a Real Estate Agent April of 2009. Starting my new professional career has been a little slow because of the market. I can say that now business is starting to pick up I have one client and will get a land listing soon. I currently live in Texas but I’m originally for Memphis, TN. Being in control of your own career has its benefits. I no longer have to deal with the ups and downs in the corporate world and can work and vacation when I choose. Hey, there are many mornings I wake up never having to dress out of my comfortable nighties!

Short story: After squiring my savings for years I decided to take some and open Robeks Fruit Smoothies & Healthy Eats franchise (www.robeks.com) instead of buying an investment property. Well, after build out and challenges with the landlord, I ended up opening Nov. 2008 when the credit market had all but dried up and at the slowest period of the year for a business such as mine! God blessed me with an SBA loan despite having no entrepreneurial background even in that tough time. And we have blessed the community with a WONDERFUL healthy option to fast foods and continually hear how much people love the product (I have customers who come in multiple times a day – the stuff is addictive). I’ve also been able to employ people at a time when jobs are very, very scarce and not only employee young people but train them on how to be consultants of how food is functional and meet specific individual needs while being delicious!

Over all my financial situation since the economy has crashed has sucked. But despite staying out longer, and making less than half of what I used to make as an over the road truck driver, I am still debt free, and was able to help my sister by paying her mortgage for a year after she lost her job. I attribute this to my low standard of living and the grace of the good Lord. I plan on working through Christmas to attempt to rebuild my emergency fund.

A bleak picture has been painted for graduates these days. You hear the horror stories: many cannot find jobs. Despite this apocalyptic scenario presented by the media, my story was different. I received several long-term job offers after I graduated from Stony Brook University in December 2008. One such offer included work at Barclay’s Capitol, a major investment bank in New York City, even though I was not an economics major in college. Subsequently, I turned down all of these offers because I was headed to William and Mary Law School. In a tough economic climate, why are some students offered jobs and other aren’t? Sure, the graduates who are hired may have better grades, but there are graduates out there who don’t have jobs and were in the top of their class. Because of the sheer competition that is present in the market, job success ultimately comes down to the person’s network and who they know. Being proactive, developing a base of contacts and maintaining a positive outlook on life may make all the difference in your job search. The good news is that networking is easier than ever, thanks to social networking sites such as facebook and linkedin. Despite what the media says, you can find your dream job: you just need to put yourself out there.

Positive financial testimony is that despite the recession and companies cutting back on expenses and laying off employees, I was able to secure 100% sponsorship from my company to go back to school full time and receive my MBA from the University of Texas at Austin. I am graduating in May 2010 with no student loans, and a guaranteed job, so I am very blessed to have this opportunity to further my education and develop skills that will help me personally and professionally.

During the past recession I founded a multimedia entertainment corporation called Sincere Communications Group Inc. (S.C.G.) in the summer of 2008. The company focuses on developing film, and music projects as well as manufacturing and distributing books through the internet and traditional retail outlets. To date I’ve released two novels that I’ve penned (Larceny of The Heart 1 & 2″) and have plans on releasing “Same Blood, Different Veins” by author Frederick Chapple. Owning my own company gives me the freedom and autonomy to employ people from my community and give young writers a shot at achieving their dreams. Hard work really does pay off and persistence overcomes all resistance!
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This recession has mostly been viewed as a true negative but those of us who see this as an opportunity to take advantage of what is available will be better individuals. I am 45 years old and elected to go back to college after 24 years, the struggles and life juggling has been there but I am a much better person because of it. I see the benefit of education so much more than I ever have. I glean from those who offer words of wisdom and use it to my benefit. I admonish everyone to do the same.

With a large student loan debt and some bad spending/saving habits looming in the shadows of my past I made several changes: reduce spending, minimize my lifestyle, prioritize and pay off debts and challenge myself to do better in all areas (spiritually, naturally, financially). I was able to attain two promotions with in my company, negotiate my salary, pay for a major car repair (transmission) and pay off several debts including my vehicle. Still living modestly, I’m living much more happily.

I am not participating in this recession. Nope, not one bit! I am going to manage my family’s finances diligently and stick with an old fashioned financial plan of giving, saving and spending. Nothing fancy there.

I refuse to repeat depressing statistics, instead, I choose to offer hope to others who feel they are being beat up by the current economic conditions. Hope that if they start where they are in their money management or job search they will make it. Hope that ensures them that each day is a new opportunity to look for new answers to their current situation. Hope that encourages them to educate themselves in the areas they are weak in.

So much so that although they may have been adversely affected by the recession, they will decide not to participate either!

For the last five years, my passion for screenwriting has been a hobby. I kept unsuccessfully attempting to break into the film industry. In Michigan, the facts can be discouraging: Michigan is not Hollywood or New York and is in one of the biggest economic downturns in decades while also having one of the highest unemployment rates. But in 2008, Michigan enacted a film tax credit that allowed us to raise substantial funds for a first project. Though my personal finances were devastated by the 2008 economy, I decided to take action and found my own film company. I enlisted the help of friends, family, and film professionals to launch First Element Entertainment and create our first feature-length film, The Art of Power. The project employed over 40 people and is now in post-production. I’m grateful for the doors that have been opened and what we have been able to accomplish.

Written permission to include your short testimony in my book: I hereby grant permission to use the following information in publication.

Growing a business in this economy is possible! In March of 2008 I left my 9 to 5 and shortly thereafter launched Kennedy Consulting. The feedback I received was a combination of “go for it…you can do it” and “are you sure you’re making the right choice”. Needless to say though I knew this was the right choice, I had no idea what steps to take, I just knew that I had to start walking in the direction of my goal-ownership. Since starting this journey I have experienced an amazing outpouring of support from individuals around the country who have been willing to support me in my endeavor through mentorship, passing along a contact and providing invaluable feedback at every level. As a result Kennedy Consulting, is on the verge of becoming one of the top event management and media relations firms on the East Coast. Growing my business in this downturn economy has been good in many ways, not only has it shown me how to be more creative and resourceful but it has allowed me to realize what I am truly capable of with the right support and that is nothing short of greatness.

I LOVE being a cartoonist but I was feeling like a ‘starving artist’. Well, it’s been my experience that when you’re in need of help , that’s when you should help others. I had my chance after my 10 year old niece shared how badly she wanted to visit Paris someday.I too shared that dream and for the next two weeks I worked late at night to take us both there! By the end I had written & illustrated a fantasy book about my niece traveling to Paris, France…..just for her!

Let me sum it up like this: the cost of sharing my talents ( 5-6 hours of burning the midnight oil) Printing and binding a single book ( $16) the look of gratitude and wonder on a little girl’s face after discovering your unique gift to her ( PRICELESS) “The Upside of Recession”

Quite simply, I’ve been lucky in this recession; I haven’t lost my job. However, as the recession took hold, I wondered what I could do to better empower myself, as well as help others?

First, I took a good look at my own marketability. I’m a lawyer. If I had to look for another job today, are my skills flexible enough to find one? I decided I could do better. I enjoyed teaching and often engage in public speaking. I also knew my doctoral degree qualified me for teaching higher education. I networked for many months and secured a part-time evening teaching position at a local university; it makes for very long days, but is a valued opportunity that hones additional skills. I also amplified my participation in professional associations and legislative committees; this expands my experience with public policy—further employment defense against an economic storm.

As for helping others, I maintain a list of acquaintances that have lost jobs and stay on the lookout for relevant opportunities. I also volunteer time to review resumes for optimum content. Based on my years of professional experience both in the trenches and in management, I am also compiling tips to share for career stability and longevity.

From the unavoidable push and pull of economic instability, many of us have ironically found the upside of this recession, namely, empowering ourselves as well as others. I hope in this village, we all continue to persevere.