i started off last year losing my job, on Jan 2nd because of a back injury. it really sucked. the year didn't turn out too bad though. i ended up applying for school and started in the fall. what we thought was going to be a horrible year financially and otherwise turned out pretty good....and we've got 2 kids to take care of, so yes, we were stressed.
things will turn around. somehow we did better for ourselves this past year than we did the year before, and with less money also, which we're still trying to figure that one out. hang in there. it'll get better.