MoneyLife – Help, Hope & Insight

Who's Hiring?

Everybody's downsizing, right?  Not so, according to CNNMoney.  Here are a few companies that are adding to their payrolls, even as the recession deepens:

• T-Mobile plans to add 2,000 jobs across the country in retail and customer service.
• Safeguard Properties - This company manages foreclosed properties, unfortunately, a growth industry right now. 
• Banfield - A chain of veterinary hospitals that plans to hire 800 vets and 2,000 other office support personnel.
• Microsoft
• Google
• Walgreens
• Adecco
• Borders Books

Let us know if you find any other companies that are hiring!

Get Out There!

If you are, or know, a student who's attending college at a distant location, here are some great web sites that offer travel discounts:

• StudentUniverse.com provides deals on air fares.


• STATravel.com has discount rates on air fare, hostel accomodations and rail fares.


• CampusVisit.com caters to the rail crowd.

Just because the economy has money tight everywhere, students shouldn't have to give up visiting friends and family.  Hope this helps!

Steps to Wise Career Decisions

Nearly 2 million have lost their jobs since the beginning of the recession and some experts believe another 2 million could be unemployed before the end of 2009.

Have you lost your job?  Or maybe thinking about a new career?    Well, being between jobs is scary, but it could also be the best time to figure out how God wants to use you.  Here are 3 steps to help.

1. Make sure you ask God what He wants you to do; ask Him to put you where He wants you to be. Open your heart to God, actively pray, and ask Him to counsel you as you read His word.  Humble yourself and be open to God; He won’t direct you until you do. When you pray that God’s will be done—not yours—you’re totally God’s and ready to embark on an exciting life of faith.
   
2. Abandon the cultural lie that moving up career-wise is always best. Joseph’s path to becoming overseer of Egypt took him through prison.  More isn’t always better, nor is it always God’s will.
   
3. Act on the God-given desires of your heart.  When you hear Him calling you to do something, obey. He wants us to step out in faith.

Psalm 55:22 says, “Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.”

If you need help you discovering the skills and passions God’s given you, check out Career Direct®.

What's In Your Wallet?

Are you still carrying around a walletful of credit cards, or are you using more cash these days?  According to MarketWatch, a growing number of people are using cash to control spending as the recession deepens.

The Federal Reserve reports that consumer credit fell at an annual rate of 3.75% in November.  Meanwhile, Americans increased their savings rate to 2.8% of disposal income.  A year ago it was around 1%.

 

Studies have shown that we spend less when using cash.  So what's in your wallet?  Have you changed your purchasing habits to control your spending?  We'd love to know. 

Shrinking Houses?

The near-collapse of the housing industry in the last year has had a big impact on the kinds of houses builders are putting up these days, according to SmartMoney. Most of the changes are good. Here are some interesting points:

• After a decade of the average new house increasing in size, it’s begun to go down, dropping from around 2600 square feet in 2007 to around 2400 square feet in 2008.
  
• Buyers want smaller houses. According to recent survey by the National Association of Home Builders, Americans would prefer homes around 2,350, which is still smaller than the average size home under construction.
  
• Almost 90 percent of builders surveyed said they plan to build both smaller and cheaper houses in the future. A wise move, since mortgage money will be a lot more difficult to come by in the years ahead.

Buying a house is one of the biggest and most important financial decisions you’ll ever make. You want to do it right the first time. We’ve got a lot of information to help you make a wise decision, according to God’s timeless financial principles. To find out more, click here.

Are you planning on buying a home in 2009? We'd love to hear about it and whether you're having trouble securing a mortgage with the current conditions. Please comment below!

Cutting Prescription Costs

A Kaiser Family Foundation survey shows that 27% of us save money by not filling prescriptions after visiting the doctor.  Being frugal is great, but not if it's hazardous to your health.

SmartMoney has a great article detailing ways to save money on prescription drugs.  Here are a few:

1. Check store promotions. Several of the large grocery chains offer free generic antiobiotics. Some stores offer one month supplies of common drugs for $4, or a 3-month supply for $10.


2. Buy in bulk. This is great if you take medicine for chronic conditions. Many mail order houses now sell 3-month prescriptions for what you’d pay for 2 months worth of medicine at the drug store.


3. Split pills. Ask your doctor to write the prescription for double the dosage you would normally need, then simply cut the pills in half. Most drug stores sell little gadgets that neatly chop pills right down the middle. One drawback: you can’t do this with capsules and time-release medicines. Also, if you’re on an insurance plan, check first to see if pill-splitting is allowed

Do you have any budget stretching ideas? We'd love to hear 'em!

Grocery Secrets

When the economy slides into recession, restaurants suffer more than most industries as consumers prepare more meals at home. That's usually good news for grocery stores, but SmartMoney reports that most major grocery chains are experiencing flat or lower sales numbers.  Consumers are demanding value for their hard earned dollars.

Grocery stores are resorting to some old and new tricks to cut costs.  Look for shrinking product sizes and higher prices on obscure items to make up for bargains on things like milk and bread.

Also, beware of bargain bins at the front of the store where you'll see them as you walk in. They give the impression that lots of things are on sale in the store, but that's probably not the case. 

Protect Your Job

The December jobless numbers are out and they’re not good. Preliminary estimates indicate that nearly 700,000 people lost their jobs last month.

With news like that, you want to do everything you can to hang on to your job. Here are 3 tips to help increase your chances of getting a paycheck in the rocky months ahead, from Fortune Magazine.

1. Set work goals. Establish what you want to accomplish over the next several months, and share those goals with your boss. It’s vital information he needs in case your department’s in the crosshairs for downsizing.


2. Stay positive. Don’t let anxiety affect your interactions with the boss or other employees. Talking too much about layoffs could become a self-fulfilling prophesy.


3. Get with the program.  Make sure your duties are in sync with the company’s larger goals—which usually involve making a profit. Do whatever you can to increase your company’s revenues or cut costs.

Do you have a suggestion for making your job more secure? We'd love to hear about it. Please add your comment below!