General

5 Ways To Improve Your Chances Of Finding A Job After College

finding a jobThe main goal of attending college for most students is to enhance job prospects after school, as well as opportunities to find higher-paying jobs. But with the economy in a recession, it seems like no amount of schooling may be enough to ensure job placement. That said, there are definitely steps that students can take to give themselves the best possible chance at nabbing a job (and not the kind where they have to wear a paper hat) following graduation. Here are just a few considerations that should help the average student clear a path for professional success.

Internships. There is practically no better way to improve your appeal to prospective employers than with the experience that comes from an internship. While no company will promise to hire interns when their unpaid tenure is complete, most businesses use internships as a way to find bright new minds in the field, so there’s always the possibility of a job offer. At the very least you’ll be able to add some experience to your résumé, as well as a reference if you leave on good terms. There are internships in mostly all industries, from healthcare to retail. So, after you have completed your internship, they may be able to help you get your foot in the door for Pennsylvania home care jobs, for example, or at least provide you with a way to be noticed by similar businesses.

Continue Reading

Money Saving Tips

How To Save On Moving Expenses

moving costsWhen it’s time to move to another house or even another state, although the transition of entering into a new season of life can definitely be exciting, if there’s one thing that no one really looks forward to (and oftentimes does not budget for either), it would have to be incurring the additional moving expenses. Although it is an “extra bill” that can be a bit of a pain, you can save quite a bit of money by simply preparing ahead of time.

That’s what we’re here for: To provide you with some tips on how you can make moving much less stressful by making it as inexpensive as possible:

Don’t take what you don’t need. The more stuff that you have, the more boxes you will need and ultimately, a larger-sized truck that you will have to get as well. One way to trim down a lot of time and money is by getting rid of what you don’t need. So, go through all of your clothes, books, electronics and all of that stuff that’s been collecting dust in your attic and garage. What you really don’t use much, donate it to Goodwill or hold a yard sale to make a few extra dollars. Oh, and if you realize that some of your furniture is either too large or too dated, get rid of that as well.

Continue Reading

Family

Paying For College – Students Or Parents?

When you’re a parent holding your newborn for the very first time, there are probably a lot of thoughts that run through your mind. One of them just may be that you hope that you’ll be in a position to provide your son or daughter with all that they need in order to be a thriving adult. And, without a doubt, that would have to include sending them off to college.

Of course, when it comes to deciding who should pay for it, it may not be as black-and-white as it might initially appear. On one hand, if you’re in a financial state where you can pay all of their way, it could be a real blessing. On the other, as the price of tuition only continues to increase, that may not be the most realistic route to go. Plus, there’s something to be said for a college student contributing to their own educational future (they tend to appreciate it more when they do).

Continue Reading

Travel & Entertainment

How To Throw An Over The Top Party On A Tight Budget

inexpensive party ideasMost of us can’t afford to go to the extremes of “real housewife” Taylor from Orange County when it comes to throwing lavish birthday parties for our kids, and neither do we enjoy a corporate budget to pay for an evening soiree. But just because you’re working with an extremely limited budget doesn’t mean you can’t go all out for your upcoming celebration. There are plenty of ways to save on the regular party fare, and if you want to go nuts with a bash that none of the attendees are likely to forget, a little creativity and a lot of elbow grease are going to be your budget-friendly strategy. Here are just a few suggestions to help you get started and save along the way.

The simple truth of the matter is that when you’re looking to save money you’re likely going to have to sub in time and effort instead. Don’t want to pay for a catering company? You’ll just have to make the food yourself. Can’t afford professional entertainers? You’d better warm up your vocal cords or learn to juggle. Okay, that might be a bit extreme. But when you’re looking to cut costs at every turn you’re certainly going to have to come up with some creative solutions that will help to keep you from overspending. Luckily, there are options that will allow you to save both time and money.

Continue Reading

General

The Most Affordable Insurance Options For Freelancers

There are many benefits to becoming a freelancer. These days, with unemployment high and the stability of the job market uncertain, contract work offers skilled and knowledgeable job seekers the opportunities to ply their trade, even if only for short-term projects. But of course, most freelancers also enjoy the ability to set a flexible schedule, work from home, skip the daily commute of a nine-to-five, and be the boss. Unfortunately, the life of a freelancer also has a downside. You must motivate yourself to get work done and you’ll frequently have to hustle for clients if you want to pay the bills. In addition, although you receive a higher pay rate than you might as a regular employee, you also give up the benefits that most companies afford their full-time staff, including health insurance. This means you’ll have to pay for your own, and it can cost a pretty penny.

Luckily, there are a lot of options out there that freelancers can take advantage of. If you have the cash you can certainly spend it on top-notch policies with big-name providers like Blue Cross and United. But why waste the money when there are far more affordable options to be had? A good place to start your search is at FreelancersUnion.org, an online group that caters to all types of freelancers, from writers and lawyers to nannies and other caregivers. In addition to aiding freelancers in necessary tasks like making contracts and finding jobs, they also help you to find all kinds of affordable insurance policies including medical, dental, life, and even retirement plans. They generally aren’t as pricy as straight up personal insurance and they can offer many attractive benefits and options to choose from.

Continue Reading