Archive for August, 2009
Posted on August 29, 2009 - by admin
Keeping your Job - Networking Help OOG 52
Out of Gas Newsletter - Issue 52 August 30, 2009
Summer Savings for you.
++ News -
The Cash for Clunkers program is officially over. There is a new program that may help you save money on appliances. Maybe we could call this “Cash for Cooks”.
Starting this fall you can get $200 in rebates for buying Energy Start appliances like washers, dryers, and fridges. I’ll post more details as I hear them.
Links you can Use
Here is a site that although it is still in Beta will be something to keep an eye on.
This site is a place that searches for coupons for all over the internet (and beyond).
Keeping the Job you Have - Offline Networking Tips
1. Be Genuine in relationships that you make. People will know if you’re using them or not. The main thing to remember in forming these relationships is to give as much as you get.
2. As you work to build your network, remember that even people you don’t think would benefit you for a job, may help you out or offer you leads, be a source of great advice.
3. As you find people for your network, make a list with the people’s names, likes, dislikes, birthdays, kids names, etc. The more information you have the better.
4. Give advice for things you may be good at. If someone asks for an opinion. Give them your honest opinion.
5. Be a good friend.
6. If someone gives you advice or a lead. Thank them in person, then follow up with a thank-you note or even a small token of your appreciation.
Next week we’ll talk about some ways to grow your network.
Enjoy your weekend.
Our Next Issues
Keeping the Job you have
Pay your bill off plan.
Posted on August 28, 2009 - by admin
Updates on Fun Things to do for Less Money
Starting today the X-box has decreased in price by $100. The Elite is now priced at $299. The 60 Gig is going to be phased out and will be available for $249.00 whilce supplies last. You can find some additional information about that here.
You can save money on any game system you have by getting together with some friends and “sharing” the games. After all there are only so many times you can play a game before you get tired of it. Figure out the games that you want, split them up, and buy half (or a third or even a fourth). Then play the games for a few weeks and then rotate. One other way to save some cash is to rent the game so that you know that you will enjoy it (before spending money on it).
Football season is FINALLY here. You can catch local high-school games usually for less than 5 bucks or so for a ticket. Fantasy football is a great way to enjoy football with your friends and family. Fox has some unique spins on the game. You can find out more information about that here.
http://msn.foxsports.com/fantasy-football
Have a wonderful Friday.
Posted on August 25, 2009 - by admin
Saving Money at the Auctions
I saw a really nice auction site this week.
Shop Goodwill is a site that auctions off things from Goodwill stores.
They have many different categories for their auctions. When I was checking it out for this article I found a Pentax camera with a high bid of $42.00, Shaq shoes for a size 5 for $5 and a whole lot more.
Prices were much lower than E-Bay. I’m sure that if you were to check out things closer you could find even better bargains. Definitely a site to check out now and perhaps do you holiday shopping (and it’s really not that far away).
Also the sales go to support a good cause. You can find out a little more about that here.
Have a wonderful Tuesday!
Posted on August 22, 2009 - by admin
Keeping the Job you Have - Keeping your options open
Out of Gas Newsletter - Issue 50 August 16, 2009
Summer Savings for you.
++ News -
The Cash for Clunkers program is still going, but not for long (it ends on Monday). Dealers are starting to complain about late payments from Uncle Sam. Some details on that can be found here.
This past week a bill relating to your credit card started.
What you need to know -
The company will need to mail bills out 21 days before the due date.
Changes to your account need to be sent to you 45 days in advance.
You will have the right to reject those changes.
You will have an option to pay off the balance within 5 years at your current rate.
In Feb. comes the one that may help a bit.
Interest rates won’t be allowed to increase UNLESS you have been delinquent. Though I will note if you haven’t had any of your interest rates increased recently then you are very lucky. Seems like everybody is hiking things before FEB… just in case.
Some details on that can be found here.
Links you can Use
We spoke some last week about saving money and going to college.
I would like to add to that by saying Campus books is an excellent resource for selling (and buying) text books.
Keeping the Job you Have - Keeping your options open
I’ll be talking a bit over the next few weeks about some ways to keep your options open (just in case you lose your job).
We’ll talk this week about your building refining your social network.
One of the easiest way to start a network is by using online tools.
Make sure that you have a twitter account / facebook account / linked in account
Make these accounts just for your job / job related things (so don’t include your Aunt Bessie).
Make sure that you highlight things you’re good at. Think of it as a resume, only online. Be careful about things you post (no politics or other violatile subjects). Talk to people that you work with to find out where they work / what they do. Put this in a notebook/ journal / or spreadsheet.
If someone within your network loses their job, then do your best to help them to find one. If you help them, they won’t forget you.
If someone asks a question (and you know the answer / or have a comment) then answer it to the best of your ability.
For your other (normal social pages) take care about things you post / pictures you put up now. If you have something that a potential employer would find offensive, take it down now.
Next week we’ll give you some offline networking tips.
Enjoy your weekend.
Posted on August 21, 2009 - by admin
Cash For Clunkers Update
The Cash for Clunkers Program will be coming to an end on August 24th which is on Monday. So this weekend will be the last one you can take advantage of the program. Note many of the dealers are getting skittish about participating in the program, so do some phone shopping before you drive to their store.
Some details on that can be found here.
I found this site which gives a list of current rebates and incentives offered by dealers.
http://www.automotive.com/new-cars/rebates/index.html
Make sure that you check your local papers, pay attention to the dealership ads on your local tv channels. Don’t be afraid to call the dealership to ask about any ’specials’ they may have.
Have a wonderful Friday.
Posted on August 18, 2009 - by admin
Saving Money on College Expenses
We talked some a while back about saving money on back to school supplies. So what if you’re sending one of your kids to college for the first time or sending them back to school. We all know that is a huge expense. Here is a site that will help you (and them) out.
http://www.collegescholarships.org/student-living/save-money.htm
My favorites from the list are:
Eat Ramen Noodles - I did this while I was going to school… and I survived, so it is possible.
Forget about the TV (and the cable bill) - use your laptop instead.
Spend more time studying.
Take the Bus
Hopefully that will give you some useful tips. Enjoy your Tuesday!
Posted on August 15, 2009 - by admin
Keeping your Job - Part 2 - OOG
Out of Gas Newsletter - Issue 50 August 16, 2009
Summer Savings for you.
++ News -
The Cash for Clunkers program is still going, but some dealerships inventory is getting pretty low.
Links you can Use
If you’re looking for free stuff (coupons / samples / and discounts), make sure to check out.
It’s updated almost daily with new finds.
Keeping the Job you Have
Five ways you can stand out from the crowd, without getting a brown nose.
1. If they call you to come to work on your day off, come in.
2. Arrive on time. Stay until the end of your work day.
3. Don’t take long lunches or breaks.
4. If you’re having a slow day and someone else is getting slammed, ask it they need help.
5. If you can think of a way to improve something within the company, make your suggestion known.
Next time we’ll talk about some ways to keep your options open, for just in case the whole business shuts down.
Our Next Issues
Keeping the Job you have
Pay your bill off plan.
Posted on August 14, 2009 - by admin
Last minute Free Summer Fun
I can’t believe that Summer is almost over. If you want to check out some last minute things to do with your family, then I would suggest that you check out this site.
http://www.free-attractions.com/
It has fun things to do no matter what state you’re in. Just checking out Kentucky it does have a good list.
Any of you who keep up with the blog know that I am a huge football fan and hey football is just around the corner, in fact pre-season for the NFL has started already.
Enjoy your Friday!
Posted on August 11, 2009 - by admin
Saving Money on Computer and Appliance Repairs
Today we’re going to talk a little bit about saving money on Computer and Appliance Repairs.
We all know that keeping things that you have longer is one of the goals of not spending money. So what do you do when something tears up?
For computer problems, my favorite way to solve it is to become friends with the kid that is the tech geek in the neighborhood. Just ask your kids who it is, they’ll know. If that doesn’t work you can always check out this site.
Just use the search box to search for the problem you’re having. You can also just browse the forum to look for your problem (there were almost 5k folks browsing the forums when I looked).
If you’re having trouble with your appliance, a place that I would suggest that you visit is the Repair Clinic.
Click Repair Help - then click on whatever is causing you, your headache.
Have a wonderful Tuesday!
Posted on August 8, 2009 - by admin
Keeping the Job you have
Out of Gas Newsletter - Issue 49 August 8, 2009
Keeping the Job you Have
The first step in making sure that you keep your job is by making yourself indespensible. If the company you are working for is thinking about cutting workers, when they get to your name, the first thought you want your boss to have is we can’t function without him.
Here are five steps to begin that process.
1. Take all the additional training that your company offers.
2. Work on learning additional job skills that complement your job.
3. Volunteer for the jobs that no one wants to do.
4. If your company gets a new piece of equipment (or job) learn everything you can about it.
Think this doesn’t work? My wife has a relative that works in the steel industry. They got a new piece of complicated equipment. He took classes on the equipment, took the manuals home, talked with engineers / repair folks about the equipment. When it broke he helped the mechanics fix it.
Now people from the whole company (not just the plant) come to him with questions. The manufacturer of the equipment has given him a standing offer for a job. The only bad thing is when he goes on vacation, the people he is working for actually miss him. That is what you should strive for.
Next time we’ll talk about some more ways that you can stand out.
Our Next Issues
Keeping the Job you have
Pay your bill off plan.
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