If your income is low and you have few, if any, assets of value, find out if you qualify for Medicaid, the federal/state health insurance pro- gram that is state administered. To check on your eligibility, go to www·familiesusa·org, click on "Consumer Assistance Program Locator", and choose your state. You'll get a link to your state's Medicaid office.

If you don't qualify for Medicaid, you may be able to get health coverage for your children through the federal State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). Go to www·insurekidsnow·gov for information about the program in your state.

Blogs that can help you make every penny count

Blogs can be a great way to find out what other people in your same financial straits are doing to cut back and live on a budget. They can also provide you with moral support and encourage- ment. Here are a few blogs we think are worth a visit: The Budgeting Babe (www·budgeting babe.blogspot.com). This blog claims that it's dedicated to "all of the young work- ing women who want to spend like Carrie in a Jimmy Choo store, but have a budget close to Roseanne . . ."

Everybody Loves Your Money, (www·everybodylovesyourmoney.com). The author of this blog grew up in a family where money was tight. The Frugal Duchess (www·sharonhr·blogspot.com). A Miami Herald per- sonal finance columnist who claims that she has "fine tastes and a small budget" writes this blog. Stop Buying Crap (www·stopbuyingcrap.com). The goal of this blog is to help people stop wasting money.

Bringing in More Bucks

If slashing your spending doesn't free up all the money you need to meet your financial obligations and accelerate the rate at which you pay off your debts, look for ways to increase your household's monthly income. Maybe to improve your financial outlook, you need to work extra hours at your current job (if you're paid by the hour), take a second job, or work as a freelancer. This section discusses the in and outs of each of these income boosters.

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