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.
