With each hour, the financial whirlwind feels more like waiting for a Category 5 hurricane to hit land- and from the looks of it, this one will have the impact of Gustav, Hanna, and Ike combined.

Over the past few days, I have received phone calls from friends and colleagues expressing emotions from anger and concern to outright fear and confusion. We have discussed what banks hold our savings accounts, where is it safe to put our money, what impact will this crisis have on our communities, schools, health care, what should we worry about - and the big one - what can we do?

I am by no means a financial expert. I am simply someone who believes asking questions and discussing the situation openly multiplies the power of information - and it is certainly better than keeping our heads buried in the sand

There is not much you can do about the larger national problem, but you take a few concrete actions in our you life.

Your Money

You probably checked out your 401K, TDA, IRA, or other investments and felt a chill this week. Before taking your money out of the market, look at your time horizon. If you are investing for the next 10, 20 or 30 years, selling now could be more detrimental than waiting out the cycle. If you are concerned, contact your broker and talk through your investments. Ask about your exposure and if you should consider some shifts in your allocations. If you are closer to or in retirement this is a necessary call. You need to understand your positions and ability to ride out the coming wave. Knowledge is power. Once you know where you stand you can make informed decisions.

Regardless of your age, the first place you can have an impact is spending. We’ve heard it before - little changes can have a tremendous impact. For example, think about how much you spend on eating out - include coffee, lunches, your 3 pm Snickers fix, dinners, drinks and even bottled water! While you may not have to cut all your tasty treats out, your budget should be the determining factor, not your culinary habits. Where you spend your money is the most powerful place to take control. Convenience and impulse spending are the easiest to recognize. Eliminate ATM fees and that ‘must have’ jacket and you will see the impact of conscious consumption.

If you have planned ahead and have savings enough to cover six-months of expenses, you are in good shape. If not, start saving what you can and make a plan. You will be amazed at the peace of mind it will bring.

Your Account

Check on your accounts. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) insures bank depositors for amounts as much as $100,000 in the event that a bank fails.

Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC) insures brokerage accounts up to $500,000 per account, including up to $100,000 in cash. This insures your account against your brokerage going under, causing stocks and securities to go missing from your account — not because your stocks are losing value.

Most states have Guaranty Funds that cover policyholders in the event that their insurance company fails. While each state’s laws are somewhat different, most states cover as much as $300,000 in death benefits for life insurance, and up to $100,000 in value for annuity contracts.

Your Credit

If you are carrying a balance on high interest rate credit cards, pay it down. Too many people tell me they are paying the minimums on their credit cards and still charging. It weighs you down financially and emotionally. The psychological debt is often worse than the financial burden.

If you have a mortgage and can refinance, this is the time to get a fixed rate. Lenders are going to be scrutinizing applications, so a good credit score will be more important than ever. Call and check out your options.

If you are having trouble paying your mortgage, chances are, in the coming days, there will be more options available to you - schedule your calls today.

Your Job

You may not feel like you have much control over your work situation, however, you can take action. Low morale and fear often takes their toll at work. Maintaining your productivity is vital both in the workplace and in your daily life. Look for possibilities to engage in new projects and network with people in other departments and within your industry. It will keep you informed about opportunities and could just inspire your work.

Even if you are worried about an impending layoff announcement, there are things you can do. Have your resume ready. Fortify your contacts and reach out to people you are out of touch with - communication is key. Layoffs often bring restructuring and opportunities. Who knows, you may find your expertise is needed in your same company in a different job.

If you are self employed, it is time to shore up. Economic fluctuations brings risk and opportunities. Spread out your risk and expand your opportunity. Understanding your client base will help you make crucial decisions. If a sector of your customer base is significantly impacted you may need to shift your focus - although, if you are thinking ahead, you might offer them something of value to maintain their loyalty to your brand. And again, networking is crucial. Linking up with other small business owners and will jump start your creativity and could lead to partnerships or cross promotional opportunities.

Your Life

You will not have control of interest rates, the stock market and so much more. You do have control over how you navigate this rocky road ahead.

You can choose to survey the landscape, determine what you need to know to chart your course, make a plan of action and be ready to take an unexpected turn if need be.

You can keep yourself healthy and take steps to minimize stress.

You can connect with your family, friends and community for support.

You can talk about your fears with the goal of obtaining information and generating options.

You can batten down the hatches and weather the storm knowing the sun is behind the clouds.

Reprinted from Revolution Me!