Money got you down? These smart suggestions will help you keep calm about your finances.

The worry: If I get laid off, there’s no way I’ll survive financially.

The fix: You’ve probably heard that you should have three to six months’ worth of living expenses stashed away in an emergency fund – which, for most of us, is a daunting task.

But here’s what you may not know about that old chestnut: “This guideline does not mean enough money to live at your current standard,” says Manisha Thakor, co-author of “On My Own Two Feet” (Adams Business; $13). “Those savings need to cover only the essentials – your mortgage or rent, car expenses, utility bills, food, medicine, health insurance and debt payments.”

Even better news: If you are eligible for unemployment after getting laid off, a three-month emergency fund should be enough. So once your savings are on track, relax. (We mean it.)

Nest egg not as large as it should be? Reducing your spending will calm your worries, says Richard Sacket, a New York psychologist who specializes in stress management.

Take a look at everything – yes, every single thing – you spend money on in a month, Thakor suggests. Then eliminate anything discretionary that doesn’t bring you joy, like those pay channels you never watch. Your savings will add up, and you won’t even miss what you got rid of.

The worry: My mortgage and credit-card debt hang over my head 24/7.

The fix: Your mortgage payments should not be more than 33 percent of your gross income. So if your household income is $100,000 a year, your annual payments (including property taxes and home owner’s insurance) should be less than $33,000, or $2,750 a month. If you’re in that ballpark with a fixed mortgage rate of 6 percent or less, stop worrying. If your payments ring in higher or you have a high interest rate, look into refinancing.

“It’s harder to qualify, and the process takes longer than before, but for some, it’s still a viable option,” says Pam Krueger, co-host of “MoneyTrack” on public television.

When it comes to credit-card debt, if you’re strapped with it (and you might be – the average American carries about $6,600 in credit-card debt), lower stress by eliminating what you owe as quickly as possible. Each month, pay double or triple the suggested minimum payment.

If you don’t have the cash, look into transferring your balance to a low-APR card. Even if you’re charged a transfer and annual fee, such cards could cost less in the long run.