Common sense approach

Question: What is the best way to handle redundancy?

Answer: Forget tightening the purse strings, drawing up a budget and making sure you've got enough money to pay rent for Christmas and the New Year. Instead, pop to the shops after work and buy yourself a gorgeous new blue military-style jacket with big silver buttons, three new jumpers - all of them blue and exquisite - a green and black stripy scarf, a new black umbrella and six pairs of socks. And a copy of Esquire magazine.

I might end up being homeless as well as jobless over the festive period, but I'll be the best dressed tramp in town.