Economic Anxiety into Action

A few weeks ago as the stock market went through yet another round of dives, a friend of mine got an email from his financial advisor that read, in jest, “I hope you’re not standing near any windows.” He told me about it with a shrug and I agreed, it’s getting pretty scary out there. The issue has continued to inhabit the uneasy consciousness of people of every age from any social and economic background throughout the nation. It has replaced "weather" as the primary discussion topic among strangers. It has dominated nearly every section of every paper or media outlet, so much so that the recent presidential debate which was intended to focus on national security, returned again and again to one looming question: What do we do about the economy?

I don't have any financial advice for you. But I do have an idea for getting through some of the anxiety. Do something. Even if you can’t control whether the Dow rises or falls, you can help keep local individuals and families from hitting point of financial crisis. I don't often (or ever) use this blog as a way to raise money, but I'm making a rare exception today. I'm doing so because I believe that this is one of those times when communities are defined and because I think doing something positive to combat the effects of the uncertain economy might help on some small personal level to temper some of the bad economic news that seems to be everywhere today.

United Way has started a Community Support Fund to provide Massachusetts residents with emergency financial assistance for basic needs, like food, fuel and housing. 100 percent of the funds raised by United Way for the Community Support Fund will be distributed as cash assistance to families and individuals who meet the Fund’s criteria. If you can, please consider contributing to the fund. Any amount would help.

Even if you can't give right now, please tell someone about the fund by passing along this post or the website: www.supportunitedway.org/csf

Finally, if you know someone who may need help this winter, they can dial 2-1-1. MASS 2-1-1 a free and confidential 24-hour hotline for information and referral services. (Also available at 1-877-211-6277)

Thank you!

By the way, if you've passed this along to a friend or reposted it somewhere, leave a comment below to let me know so I can personally thank you!