The Best Work-At-Home Opportunities

May 20, 2016 By Twila Van Leer

How to find a job that will pad your family’s income while you remain at home? There has never been more opportunity, but also there have never been the number of scams. Used to be the best chances lay with stuffing envelopes, now there are dozens of at-home jobs that are just a mouse click away.

Legitimate Or Scam

How do you sort out the legitimate opportunities from those that will end in disaster? With 4,500 to 5,000 ads for in-home jobs screened weekly, The Rate Race Rebellion, which tracks such things, found that there were 30 scams for every legitimate opportunity.

Competition For Job

Who’s your likely competition for the jobs that are available? Durst, whose company Staffcentric LLC develops home-based and virtual career training programs, identifies them as: Parents with small children, military spouses who face moving every few years, retirees and people with disabilities.

Disadvantages

Work-at-home is not particularly an ideal option for parents with small children who are likely to create diversions during the day. Consider deadline-oriented jobs rather than those that demand schedule-oriented work.

Who It Benefits

Social introverts may do very well with at-home work. They prefer interacting with others at a remove, working through email or on the phone, to being obligated to work with a lot of other people directly.

Personal Characteristics

The characteristics that usually are demonstrated by good at-home employees are self-motivation, discipline, well-developed job skills and independence.

Check Your Credit

If you apply for work at home, a prospective employer may check your credit. Check yourself at myBankrate.

Reduces Overhead

From the employer’s perspective, hiring workers who don’t come regularly into the office has some advantages. It reduces overhead and provides access to talented workers who are not available locally but make great telecommuters.

Opportunities Available

Ten job opportunities that now are available to at-home workers include virtual assistants, medical transcriptionists, translators, web developer/designer, call center representatives, tech support, travel agents, teachers, writer/editors or franchise owners. Look at the possibilities, but check with the oversight agencies to be certain you aren’t involving yourself with a scam.

Returning To Work Post-Divorce?

May 15, 2016 By Twila Van Leer

Divorce is a difficult, life-changing event and when a newly single mom must return to work, it can be challenging. She will be competing with people who are more settled and more emotionally secure, including men who often get first dibs on the available jobs in the best of times.

These suggestions may be helpful if you find yourself in this situation:

Don’t Hamper Yourself With Conventional “Realism”

Be open to a wider potential. When people with good intentions come up with discouraging comments about the difficulty of finding jobs “at your age” or predict that your earning ability will have nose-dived, don’t listen. Put up a shield against the negatives and don’t let yourself be boxed into limiting your possibilities before you even get started. Allow yourself to think in terms of success and even happiness.

Starting Over Again May Invite A Whole New Direction

If you were a project manager before marriage, there is no reason to think you can’t look at something different. Reinvent yourself. Write a list of the all the jobs you have ever considered and jobs that other women have that your find attractive and give them some thought. Then follow your heart, even if it means more training.

Beware Of Inner Dialogue That Is Fearful And Cautious

Grabbing the first job that is available is a defeatist approach. Picture yourself as confident and proactive and imagine you have super powers. Have fun with the notion.

Cast The Net Wide

When you are considering college, the advice is to have three tiers of choices: the one you really want, a second choice and a fall-back position if the first two don’t materialize. Approach the job search in the same way. A human resources person may not offer the job you had your heart set on, but might see another opportunity in your resume. Be flexible.

Be Excited

Imagine yourself as a powerful woman who goes after what she wants. Focus on that objective. Expect to be excited and look forward to what will make you happy. Then aim for that goal.

Do The Routine

Study the listings and send resumes. But have other possibilities as well. If there is a business in which you are interested, make an effort to talk with people who work there. Invite a manager to have an informal discussion. Go to job fairs, be creative and keep an open mind.

Don’t Distress Over Resume

A resume is, of course, essential, but don’t fret over it. If you think you need advice, set up an account with Linkedin.com or another aid to the job search. Get your name and a brief description of your work experience into circulation and begin to build contacts.

Don’t Pass Up A Job Opportunity That Calls For Some Skills

Don’t confuse your comfort level with your true ability when it comes to technical skills. If a job description says you have to be Microsoft Word proficient, that doesn’t mean you have to be a genius. You can improve on your base understanding of technology through a little additional training. Cheap or free classes are available through community colleges, public school systems and other resources.

Network Like Crazy

Use your friends and family, professional associations, old co-workers. Use anyone in your acquaintance who might be useful in finding the job you want.

Keep The Vision

It may take longer than you had hoped, but don’t settle for less than you know you are capable of. Stay positive and keep the faith. You can succeed.

Spring Is Great Time To Do Digital Cleaning

May 14, 2016 By Twila Van Leer

Add digital spring cleaning to yearly to do list.

When the spring cleaning mode is upon you, don’t stop with the house, garage and closets. It’s a good time to get rid of digital clutter and assure that you are hacker-safe.

Change Passwords

Look over your passwords and change them if it’s been awhile. Remember that the more complicated and lengthy a password is, the more difficult it will be for an unscrupulous hacker to replicate it. Passwords should contain both letters and numbers.

Don’t Use Family Data For Passwords

Avoid using kids’ birthdates or names or any other reference to family data. Remember the hackers regularly troll for such connections. People still are tempted to use obvious combinations such as Password123, but that’s just making it easy for the hackers. Update software and examine your personal information on devices and online. Passwords, even the tough ones, should be changed every few months. Recycling an old one may seem an easy solution, but the longer it has been around, the easier it will be for the crooks to find it.

Use Different Passwords For Important Accounts

Don’t use the same password for routine family business, such as school sites, etc., as you use for your banking account. Multiple-factor identification that require a second form such as a code texted to your phone, gives extra protection. If it seems that all this is getting too complicated, consider a password management service such as LastPass or DashLane.

Back Up Your Information

Ransomware is one of the latest ploys hackers use. If they are able to lock down your computer, they will threaten to wipe your data unless you pay them not to. The problem often arises from malicious software resulting from clicking on a link in a phishing email or through fake online ads. For a monthly fee, you can back up your data through services such as Carbonite. Mac and Windows PCs have tools for backing up to external drives. The Mac version is Time Machine. Windows 10 has Update & Security and Windows 7 Systems and Security or System and Maintenance. Unplug the drive after each backup to prevent malware creeping into the copies.

Keep Software Up To Date

New versions fix flaws that give hackers entry into your device. This applies not only to operating systems, but to apps such as browsers and media players. Most software now comes with auto-updating features. Get rid of software you aren’t using any longer. Don’t forget your wireless router and the assorted “Internet of things” devices, Consult the manufacturers’ website if you have older equipment that doesn’t automatically update or allow you to do it through a phone app.

Restrict Social Media Accounts

Lock down social media accounts by restricting posts to actual friends. But even if you restrict your audience, just assume that what you are posting will be seen by everyone everywhere. For one thing, employers may be checking Facebook or Twitter for information about a potential employee. Don’t be embarrassed by what you have posted.

Make The Best Deals On Discounts

May 13, 2016 By Twila Van Leer

Learn how to get the best deal at discount stores. — Learn how to get the best deals at discount stores.

Discount stores, such as T.J. Maxx and Nordstrom Rack and others, exist to offer bargains, but a little savvy on your part can multiply the benefit. You can save an average 60 percent on brand name goods, even in season if you follow some simple suggestions,

The discount stores saw a real boom during the Great Recession More than 1,000 stores have been added to the rosters of major providers such as Marshalls, HomeGoods and T.J. Maxx since 2009, bringing the total to more than 4,000.

Sales topping $5 billion in clothing and footwear alone have been reported, a 40 percent increase since 2009, according to RBC Capital Markets, and the figures continue to climb.

Seven Tips To Help You Get In On The Trend

Shop Frequently And Do The Research

At least once a week, check out what’s going on at your favorite discount stores. Have in mind up front what look you are hoping to cultivate. The stores receive new merchandise almost daily.

Time Your Buying

Become acquainted with a favorite clerk or the store manager. Each store has a rhythm as to what merchandise will be featured and when. They will be glad to share that information. Sign up with the store’s Twitter and other social media so you’ll receive alerts. Expect the discount outlets to be a few weeks behind the traditional stores, when they receive what is left from the parent store’s sales. This is especially true of winter holidays.

Sign Up For Loyalty Programs That Offer Extra Savings

At Saks Off, for instance, regular customers get updates and extra savings by signing up for the More program on the website. TJX’s loyalty program sponsors an occasional give-away and some private parties in which you can get first chance at discounted merchandise. The TJX Rewards card offer a $10 added bonus for every $200 you spend.

Look For The Real Thing

More than half of the merchandise offered in the discount outlets is made specifically for the company, many of the items brand name quality. The rest of what you find in the store is excess inventory from brands or full-price retailers. If you see many racks of a specific brand with good variety in sizes, it is likely the goods were created for the chain. Check seams for quality. Some of the outlets don’t buy merchandise made for the off-price stores, offering only items designed for full-price stores or the best of their clearance goods. Macy’s new Backstage products fall into this category.

Study Prices

Don’t rely solely on the manufacturer’s suggested list price. It may be inflated to make the discount look better. Compare prices of the item you want and what they actually sold for on Amazon.com and other websites.

Inspect For Flaws

The off-price stores have largely stopped being outlets for damaged merchandise, but it still pays to look carefully. Check expiration dates for food and beauty products and examine clothing for holes and snags in the material. If you detect a flaw, but think you could live with it, ask for an additional discount.

Stay Reasonable

Faced with racks and racks of items with deep price cuts, don’t be tempted to overspend. Stick to your allotted budget and buy what you really need, not items you merely crave because of the discounted price. A bargain is no bargain if it is never used.

Quit Making Excuses. Be Debt-Free

May 3, 2016 By Twila Van Leer

Quit making excuses when it comes to eliminating debt. — Making excuses only keeps you in debt.

Excuses are one of the most available of commodities. Easy to find. Easy to use. But if they are what’s keeping you from becoming free of debt, ditch them and get on with making your personal finances more healthy.

Sometimes, it’s attitude more than finances that keep you shackled to debt. Some self-examination of your beliefs may convince you that you can do better. Here are five common reasons that people stay debt-bound:

I Deserve It

This attitude leads some people to opt for a pricey vacation or a new car of electronic gadget (on credit, of course) that would require only a swift glance at the budget to see it is clearly out of reason. What you’re really saying is “I deserve to be in debt.” And it’s true. The result, however, is more stress, less savings and planning for retirement.

I Don’t Know Where To Start

If you don’t want to look honestly at your debt and accept responsibility for it, this may be the point at which you stop trying. It can be overwhelming to see what a mess you’ve created. But there are some options to consider. Debt consolidation may give you some more wiggle room. Balance transfer credit cards may offer lower interest. Or go to an expert for help. You have to be willing to face the magnitude of your debt load, but keep always in mind that things will be better if you get a handle on it.

I’ll Deal With It Later

The procrastination approach is just another excuse. Waiting for a better job, for your rich uncle to die and leave you wealthy – whatever allows you to delay the process will do just that – delay the process. This is one of those situations in which there’s no time like the present to act. It falls into the same category as the “I’ll diet next week, as soon as the company party is over” delaying tactic.

I Only Need To Make The Minimum Payment

Paying as much as you possibly can on credit card or other debt is a wise move. They longer it takes to pay off a balance, the more interest you pay and the longer you are burdened with the debt. Don’t look at your monthly statement and focus on the lowest figure that catches your eye. Adding a little extra to each payment, even if it is a small amount, will erase the debt faster. And of course, adding to the balance faster than you pay it off will leave you scrambling forever. You damage not only your current financial state, but may rack up less-than-satisfactory credit reports.

I’m Not Responsible

Placing blame on other people or circumstances, even emergencies, is the ultimate excuse. It allows you to refuse to accept responsibilities for your actions. Emergencies happen to all of us and do, inevitably, require changes in financial arrangements. Many creditors recognize genuine budget stress and will cooperate. But too often, debt is caused by trying to live like an upper-class family on a middle-class paycheck. When you get serious about debt reduction, you may have to steel yourselves to bypass your favorite high-end shopping outlets, avoid friends who tend to encourage free spending, and economize on things like eat-out lunches and high-cost entertainment. The best thing you can do is accept that your debt is your debt and you are responsible for it. Getting control of it may be the best feeling you’ve ever had.