Sometimes the unexpected happens.  You lose a job, your home is devastated by fire, an illness affects a loved one.  Learn more about how to manage your finances during life’s difficult times.  And start planning now so you’ll be prepared. Articles American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 Bankruptcy A Consumer Debt Repayment Strategy Contemplating bankruptcy Debt consolidation Starting Over: Eight Steps for Rebuilding Your Finances Death Social Security survivor's benefits Disaster Preparedness and Recovery 2009 Stimulus Package Be Prepared for a Disaster Disaster Recovery: A Guide to Financial Issues Financial Planning-A Guide to Disaster Preparedness Where to Stash Your Emergency Cash Long-term Disability and Care The fundamentals of disability insurance Understanding long-term care insurance Unemployed COBRA Continuation Coverage Assistance Under the ARRA 2009 COBRA Health Care Subsidy Five Smart Steps to Take if You're Laid Off Health Insurance Options After a Job Loss Preparing for a Job Loss Receiving unemployment benefits Recessionary Survival Links Six Ways to Stretch Your Dollar What to Do When Layoffs Loom You've Just Lost Your Job. Now What? Tools Bankruptcy Credit Assessment Debt Consolidation Calculator Line of Credit Payoff Personal Debt Consolidation Disaster Preparedness and Recovery Disaster checklist Long-term Disability and Care Comparing long-term care insurance policies Disability Insurance Inflation protection options Long Term Care Calculator Should you consider buying long-term care insurance (LTCI)? What to avoid when buying a long-term care insurance policy FAQs Bankruptcy Can I buy a house even though I declared bankruptcy? I can't pay my bills. Should I declare bankruptcy? Whats the difference between Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy? Death How can I find out whether my deceased husband owned any life insurance? My husband just died. Should I accept my daughter's offer to move in with her? My spouse just died. Who do I need to notify? My spouse passed away this year. When I file my taxes, what filing status should I claim? Organizing your finances when your spouse has died The death benefit from insurance on my life will be paid to an irrevocable life insurance trust (ILIT). What if those funds are needed to pay my estate taxes? When I die, is my beneficiary required to take a lump-sum payment of my life insurance death benefit? Long-term Disability and Care Do I need disability insurance? How can I reduce the cost of disability insurance? How do I apply for workers' compensation benefits? How do I get disability benefits from Social Security? If I have long-term disability insurance coverage through my employer, do I need my own policy, too? Will I have to pay life insurance premiums if I become disabled? Medical Crises and Illness Is there any way I can use life insurance to help cover my expenses if I become terminally ill? Should I buy medical payments coverage? Unemployed How can you tell if a website you are accessing is secure and safe to use I'm getting laid off. How am I going to survive financially until I find another job? Why Work with a Financial Professional?

The 360 Degrees of Financial Literacy Web site offers general information for managing personal finances and does not recommend specific financial actions.  For financial advice tailored to your situation, please contact an expert such as a CPA or a personal financial advisor.