Job Club: 10 Biggest Job Search Mistakes
The Job Club at ABC.com has this article: 10 Biggest Job Search Mistakes.
A snippet:
Don’t focus on your needs. Too many cover letters and objective statements on resumes focus exclusively on what you, as the job seeker, want. “I want stability, I want growth, I want this much money.” All of that is no doubt very true, but that’s not what any employer wants to hear. If I’m going to hire you, I want to know that you have the ability to bring value to my organization. I need to know that you understand the needs of my company and you have the skills, education, experience and interest to make a positive impact. Hiring decisions are about the company’s needs, not yours. Ultimately you’ll have to decide if it’s what you want, too — of course — but your needs aren’t first and foremost when applying.
Continue reading Job Club: 10 Biggest Job Search Mistakes …
From Monroe on a Budget.
Spending Plan, Budget, Budgets, Budgeting, Household Budget, Household Expenses
Do you have a spending plan? We all have to deal with having just so much money to cover expenses. Without a spending plan, trouble’s brewing.
Continue reading Spending Plan, Budget, Budgets, Budgeting, Household Budget, Household Expenses …
From The Dollar Stretcher Featured Content.
Wisebread: How debt fools people
Wisebread is bringing up some points about debt that are easily overlooked at How debt fools people.
A snippet:
The reality of debt spirals is more insidious. It results from the loss of flexibility when a household incurs a perfectly reasonable amount of debt — or even no debt at all, but some amount of fixed monthly expenses — and then suffers a negative economic event such as a large unplanned expense or a drop in income.
Because that’s the way that debt really works its harm. It’s not that it costs so much money (although it can), nor is it people obligating themselves beyond their means (although some do). It’s that it makes the household finances so much less flexible. It’s not the extra $28, it’s the inability to adapt.
Continue reading Wisebread: How debt fools people …
From Monroe on a Budget.
Wisebread: How debt fools people
Wisebread is bringing up some points about debt that are easily overlooked at How debt fools people.
A snippet:
The reality of debt spirals is more insidious. It results from the loss of flexibility when a household incurs a perfectly reasonable amount of debt — or even no debt at all, but some amount of fixed monthly expenses — and then suffers a negative economic event such as a large unplanned expense or a drop in income.
Because that’s the way that debt really works its harm. It’s not that it costs so much money (although it can), nor is it people obligating themselves beyond their means (although some do). It’s that it makes the household finances so much less flexible. It’s not the extra $28, it’s the inability to adapt.
Continue reading Wisebread: How debt fools people …
From Monroe on a Budget.
Dana Massing: Clipping coupons pays off
Dana Massing has an article at GoErie.com (Erie PA) called Clipping coupons pays off.
I don’t buy something just because I have a coupon for it. However, if there’s a new product I want to try, I’ll often wait until I have a coupon. That way, if I don’t like the product, I haven’t wasted quite as much money.And if a coupon requires me to buy “two or more” of something, I only do it if all the items won’t spoil before I can use them.About a year ago, I began tracking how much I saved with coupons, setting the cash aside for something special. The amount surprised even me.
Continue reading Dana Massing: Clipping coupons pays off …
From Monroe on a Budget.
Start Planning Christmas Gift Shopping – Frugal Challenge
It may seem a bit early to be thinking about shopping for Christmas gifts, but, if you’re like me, trying to save as much money as I possibly can, you should probably start today. Planning a more affordable Christmas this year doesn’t have to mean cutting out all the gifts, decorations, food, and fun. You just need to start early, use your creativity, and base your shopping on good judgment.
Christmas time is supposed to be a time of joy and celebration. If you are burdened with debt because you overspent on gifts, your heart will not be light and full of good cheer. Those expensive gifts can become a burden that strips away the joy of the season.
Let’s look at some basic strategies for slashing the overspending that can occur at Christmas time.
Plan Your Gift Budget – This is so basic you would think that most people already do this, but many don’t, and that is where the trouble starts. Don’t start with a gift list, start with writing down exactly how much you can afford to spend on Christmas gifts this year. Don’t forget that you’ll need to budget for the rest of your Christmas expenses, too. Things like decorations and food need to be budgeted for, so keep the total expense in mind.
Make Your Gift Recipient List – Write down everyone you normally buy a Christmas gift for.
Remove Some People From That List – This may seem a bit difficult, but you are almost guaranteed that after you go through your list, you’ll find someone that you really don’t need to buy a gift for this year. If it makes you more comfortable, just move their names to the bottom of the list so you can remember to do something for them, even if that doesn’t involve buying a gift.
Plan Dollar Amount For Each Recipient – Write a dollar amount behind each name that you now have on your list, then add it up. Are you outside your budget for gifts? You’ll need to go back then and rethink each amount and adjust the figures until it fits within your gift budget.
Make Your Gift List – Now you can go through your list of names and start jotting down ideas for each person. Because you’ve created a budgeted dollar amount for each individual, your ideas now have a limit. The problem most people get into when they shop for gifts is that they create a gift list with gift ideas first instead of dollar amounts first. To save your budget, always start your gift list with the dollar amount to be spent for each gift recipient.
Start Your Shopping Early – Yes, there are some great bargains to be found as you get closer to Christmas, but the panic that sets in usually ends up costing us more than we planned. Last minute shopping narrows your choices.
Re-Think Gift Shopping – Consider more inventive options for at least some of the names on your list. Shop smart and thrifty by looking through bargain basements and resale shops. Yes, even a trip through the second-hand stores may prove to be rewarding. You’ll never know what kind of fun and funky finds you’ll come across. For instance, you might find great vintage jewelry that would be just right for a teenager. You may even stumble upon some antique books. And, what little princess wouldn’t like a big box of sparkly gowns to play dress-up in? You’ll find racks of bejeweled, lacy, and shimmery dresses on the bridal and special events racks in most larger thrift shops. Check it out before you head to the mall.
Homemade Gifts – If you are creative, if you can follow a pattern, if you can cook, or if you just have a desire to make something nice, put your skills to work and make a gift. Something as simple as a pretty jar filled with bath salts can be just the right gift to give a friend in need of a relaxing moment. Gifts made from the heart are always appreciated.
Leave Yourself Off Your Gift List – If you’re tempted to buy yourself stuff while you’re shopping for gifts, you’ll need to give yourself a stern talking to! There are so many lovely things out there in the store aisles and they all seem to be calling your name. That is what is called “marketing to the impulse shopper.” If you have no control, give your list to someone else who has more self-control and is willing to do your shopping for you. Know yourself and avoid this pitfall. Your budget can’t take it!
This is my frugal challenge to you. Hold onto the joy of Christmas gift giving by setting your gift budget within your means. Don’t go into debt in order to give gifts that you cannot afford. Your family and friends would not like it if they knew their gift caused you a hardship.
Continue reading Start Planning Christmas Gift Shopping – Frugal Challenge …
From Hillbilly Housewife Blog.
Personalized weekly specials from Busch’s My Way
Do you shop at a Busch’s Fresh Food Market? There are several Busch’s stores in southeast Michigan including Carleton, Livonia, Ann Arbor and Farmington Hills.
In the grocery ad for Nov. 8-15, the store is introducing its Busch’s My Way program. You sign up and use either a registered bank card or a key tag or tell the clerk your phone number for your purchases to be recorded.
Here’s the explanation from the store’s web site:
The average supermarket stocks more than 30,000 different items but the average family generally purchases less than 2,000 throughout the year. Busch’s has developed a program to help you focus on those 2,000 items to save time and money.
Participation in this program is free. It’s basically a shopper loyalty program. You don’t have to have a card to get sale prices at Busch’s, but this program is intended to make it easier for you to plan your shopping list around the sales.
If you want, you can order the groceries on line and pick them up curbside for a $6.95 fee (Tip to parents of young children: You might save that much money, or more, by purchasing groceries on line and not taking the kids with you into the supermarket. The kids can’t ask for something if they don’t see it.)
Continue reading Personalized weekly specials from Busch’s My Way …
From Monroe on a Budget.
Ten habits for successful tightwads
Frugalitarians have many small habits. Some of these strategies don’t necessarily save much money.
Continue reading Ten habits for successful tightwads …
From Frugal Village.