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Know the right thing to say – and do – if your loved one suddenly finds themselves out of work.

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  Step 1: Be reassuring

  Tell your partner that you have their back. Losing a job is frightening; your reassurance that you are in this together will go a long way toward making them feel safer.

• Tip

  Stay away from cliches like, "this will probably turn out to be a blessing in disguise!"

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  Step 2: Allow them time to grieve

  Allow them a few days to wallow in self-pity without passing judgment. Like anyone else who has suffered a loss, someone who has lost their job needs time to grieve.

• Tip

  Encourage your partner to take a few days to regroup before plunging into a job search.

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  Step 3: Review your finances

  Review your finances together to figure out how you can get by on a reduced income for a while. This will help lower both your stress levels.

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  Step 4: Initiate

  Initiate intimacy. Your partner is no doubt feeling a loss of self-esteem; making them feel wanted, attractive, and loved will provide a big ego boost.

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  Step 5: Have some fun

  Find low-cost or free ways for the two of you to spend time together and have fun. It will help both of your moods from sinking.

• Fact

  Four out of five of the 2.4 million Americans who lost their jobs in 2008 were men.