Play it smart in tough times: you don't need us to tell you that the world's been turned upside down over the past few months. What you do need: a plan for protecting your money, health, and love life. Don't worry--Cosmo's got you covered.(You You You)

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During turbulent periods, it's easy to feel like you have zero control over your future. That's why we've created this crib sheet of info that will help you navigate several arenas of your life through stressful events.

Your Money

Freaked out by the economy? Smart girl. But it turns out that showing shopping restraint can go a long way toward calming your nerves. "Not buying something offers an instant, powerful sense of control," says financial expert Jean Chatzky, author of Make Money, Not Excuses. Track your expenses in a spending diary to reveal places you can cut back. And call your cable company, Internet provider, and gem to see if the deals they're giving new cash-strapped customers can be extended to you.

Your Job

In times like these, you need to become indispensable to the higher-ups. For starters, don't just meet a looming deadline--beat it, and make sure the right people know it. "You can be the hardest-working employee in the world, but if your boss isn't aware of it, you won't net any gains," says workplace expert Patty Sias, PhD. So write e-mails that underscore achievements: The client meeting went well tells your boss that you're nabbing the company an edge. I'm getting you the report ...