Common Centsability

Since I was a very young girl, my family has owned 2 small businesses. Just a couple of years ago, they finally sold them. My grandparents wanted to enjoy retirement, and it was too much for my dad to handle both alone, and he wanted to be free to travel, since my brother and I both live out of state. Small businesses are taxed way too much, and the forms are very confusing. Outright.com has done a great job of creating an infographic of the 1099K form that helps break it down a bit, so I’d like to share that with you, since I know many of my readers are small business owners too!

S common question that I hear friends ask when they are considering starting a job hunt, is how to make a resume? Sure, they know the basics, and they know how to use a template that they find online, but they don’t know how to personalize it, and make it stand out from others. Some, have been in the same position for a very long time, and need reminders as to what all should be included, and what should be left out. Here are 7 tios on how to make a resume that is effective that I share with friends and family, hopefully they’ll help some of you

• Start with a cover letter that you tailor to each company and position.
• Make sure to include up to date contact information, including cell phone and email address that you check often.
• Make sure to include education experience, and any certifications that you have.
• Make sure your resume has job experience that pertains to WHY you are a good fit for the job.
• Incorporate key words from the job description into your job experience where applicable. This will ensure companies using automated software to pre-screen resumes will pick up on them, and show you are qualified.
• Be sure to get a card, with phone number, address, and email of company contact for follow up when you go in for an interview
• Make sure to send thank you letters after an interview, etc.

I use Google Maps ALL THE TIME because I have a penchant for getting lost. I love that I can put in the address of where I am on my phone or the PC, the address of where I am going, and it will show me how to get there on the map AND step by step instructions. Plus, it will show the shortest route, fastest route, etc. Tell you how many miles, how many minutes, etc. We are planning a long trip soon, and google maps is helping us plan our route so we can schedule gas stops and overnight stops ahead of time

I have also signed up recently to be a secret shopper through a couple of agencies. I went out on two shops last Friday that were about 40 miles from my house. I had other errands out that way, so it wasn’t a big deal to work them into my schedule. Because I’ve never been that far west on the highway, I made sure to Google Maps my destinations before I left, printed out the directions, etc. What I didn’t account for was that it was very windy, and not safe for me to glance the directions as I drove. Fortunately, the car has a USB port that allows me to plug in my phone. I pulled over, plugged in the phone, and was able to access Google Maps on my phone and see it on the screen. Then it called out the directions to me, where to turn and when, etc. For people, such as myself, who are directionally challenged, this is such a time and frustration saver!

Both of the places I was looking for were small town banks. One of them apparently used google maps optimization, because they were very easy to find. When I clicked to find banks in the area, it was at the top of the list. While this was super convenient for my secret shop, I would think it was also very good for their business. When people enter the name of the town and the word bank, being at the top of the list has to help your business. The other bank though, apparently does NOT use google maps marketing. They were not on the list. At all. When I typed in the address, they didn’t even appear, just the name of a similar business down the street. Fortunately, they had good signage because I could see the sign. In today’s current technology era, it seems critical to me that any business would take advantage of these services, many of which are free. In my reports about the shops, I included my thoughts on how easy/difficult the locations were to find, and suggested gently that their marketing people learn or hire someone to help them get placement on Google. Not necessarily even at the top, but just on the list!

On a side note, I also had a specific store that I needed to stop at while I was out. It was the primary reason I’d even scheduled this little trip. I thought I was going to need to drive an additional 30 miles west to get there, but lo and behold, I saw a closer location on my Google Map just one block away from one of my bank stops. I never would’ve driven over to that street if I hadn’t seen it on the map,  but because it was there, in essence it saved me 60 miles worth of driving, and an hour of my time. So yeah, I am a huge fan of google maps now more than ever

I am participating in a blogger campaign by Bucks2Blog and was compensated. However, the views and opinions are my own.

For many people in America who are currently facing financial hardship, they are under an enormous amount of stress and pressure as they determine what bills they are going to be able to pay, and what bills are going to have to remain unpaid. It seems logical to me, that most make sure that their mortgage/rent is paid first, followed by food, utilities, car payment, and insurance. Some of these bills are necessities. Everyone must pay for the basics first, and then pay what they can towards the bills that remain. I would also venture to say that very few of them are enjoying any luxuries, and are eating the lowest cost food items in the market, visiting food pantries, and consuming the least amount of utility usage that they possibly can. Most people WANT to be able to pay all of their bills, if for no other reason than to stop collection harassment for good. No one WANTS to be forced to file for bankruptcy, but unfortunately, sometimes it becomes the necessary option.

Stress from collection harassment can cause mental anguish, and that kind of stress does not help alleviate the financial burden you are already dealing with. Sure, you may have learned a lesson about dealing with credit and won’t make those mistakes again in the future, but you still have to find a way to resolve the situation you currently find yourself in. My first suggestion to those who come to me for advice, is to research what your rights are. Don’t let creditors bully you, and don’t let them tell you things that are untrue. If you educate yourself and know what your rights are, it puts you in a better position to handle your problems. Sometimes creditors are willing to help you if you initiate the call to them, let them know what your situation is, and ask them what options they can work out for you. Not all agents are that helpful though. If you get someone who is rude or nasty, I suggest calling back at a later time. If they still refuse assistance, and times goes on and you still can’t pay, and the situation escalates to you feeling harassed, I strongly encourage you to look into your rights to stop collection harassment California.

Guest post written by Kevin Beach

We got a T1 Line in our office after MONTHS of pleading with my boss. He’s so hardheadedwhen it comes to things and if you suggest something for the office you have to make him think it was his idea all along which is really just stupid if you ask me. I love the man, he’s great to work for, but if he didn’t think of it then it’s not worth his time but he doesn’t even give anything else a chance. Everyone complains about it but you know, in this economy I’m just thankful to have a job, much less a job I really like so I’m not going to be the one who gets caught talking behind his back! I really like working here but if that means I’ve got to put up with a few minor inconveniences then so be it. It’s not worth it to me to have to fight with the boss to get things done. They always get done eventually, anyway, and that’s fast enough for me.

Most students enter college when they are around 18 years of age. They’ve only just reached the age where they can legally negotiate contracts, yet one of the most complex financial processes they’ll ever go through is the Financial Aid process for school. Second only to mortgages, but those usually come much later.

My personal opinion is that high schools should be offering a one semester class or at least seminars on the subject. Ideally students have parents to help them through the maze, but that’s not the case for all students. Student loans are huge commitments that never go away. While they may be the only means for many students to get the educations they need, they must understand exactly how they work, how they are repaid, and what the long term financial implications are. In today’s job market where many graduates are having trouble finding work, the stress compounds exponentially when the time comes to start repayment and they don’t have the income they expected. It is important for them to know what their options are BEFORE they take out the loans. I know no one ever explained this to me. I applied, the school got the money, and when it was time to repay, it was a shocking jolt at the monthly repayment amount.

My advice is to use common sense when applying for these loans. Don’t borrow more than what you need, and educate yourself BEFORE you accept the money.

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