There's plenty of talk about the U.S. unemployment rate. Every day, we hear about plants closing and companies downsizing. Whether you're nervous about the future of your job or you believe you are safe, let me pose a scenario:

Assume for a moment that you received written notice that in six months, you or the major breadwinner in your home would be officially unemployed. Let me outline a six-month disaster preparedness plan:

STASH CASH. Every household needs a pool of money to keep it afloat when the income stream temporarily dries up. That fund needs to be enough to keep all the bills paid and food on the table for at least six months. Start by saving enough to survive for one week. Then make it two and then four, until you've reached that six-month mark.

SPENDING FREEZE. Beginning right now, cut out all spending if it's not necessary to preserve life or to keep you from breaking the law. Start slashing regular expenses like crazy in anticipation of a dry spell. Pay attention to how much you waste. Cut back in every area for the biggest impact on your bottom-line consumption.

REDUCE DEBT. Credit card debt is a heavy burden to carry even during the good times. Make a decision to stop adding to it, and begin paying down your balance rapidly while you have the option. When you go through lean times, you'll be glad you don't have the weight of unsecured debt.

CONSIDER YOUR HEALTH. Once you leave your job, you have five choices on health insurance: You can continue on your current group plan for 18 months and pay the premiums yourself (thanks to COBRA), enroll in your spouse's plan, buy individual insurance, use a state-sponsored plan, or (the worst possible choice) go without. Don't wait to make this decision when you are under duress. Do your homework now so you'll be informed.

START LOOKING. Have any idea where your résumé is? You should keep it handy and current, at home, not on your work computer. Make it your business to know what's going on "out there." Know where you would send your résumé and how you would begin networking to land a new position.

SHIELD YOURSELF. Become one of the employees your company cannot afford to lose. Learn to do more than one job. "Border crossers" are more valuable to a company than those workers who are single task-oriented. If the big bosses count on you, you'll increase your value. Stop watching the clock. Do more than is expected. Make self-discipline and reliability your outstanding qualities. Take on extra work without being asked.

Whether you're nervous about the future of your job or you believe it's rock-solid, start living today as though you've received a six-month notice anyway. You'll enjoy a new sense of preparedness. It's called peace of mind.

Mary Hunt is the founder of DebtProofLiving.com and author of 17 books, including "Debt-Proof Living." You can e-mail her at mary@everydaycheapskate.com, or write to Everyday Cheapskate, P.O. Box 2135, Paramount, CA 90723. To find out more about Mary Hunt and read her past columns, please visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.
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