Here is an old and somewhat comical video about how to keep your job. Although it is comical, the information is still relevant.

      Whether you have a job or not, furthering your career at any level is very rarely, if ever, a bad thing. The further you advance your career, the more money you make, and the more leverage you have as a valuable employee. If you already have a job, but want to move up the ladder, here are 3 tips for climbing the ranks quickly and efficiently.

     1. Stay employed.

This may seem like a strange tip. But take it from personal experience, don’t quit your job until you have another. It is much easier to get a job if you already have one. The new employers will see your hard work ethic and your dedication to doing the right thing. Your old employer may find that they really need you after all, and in the meantime you’ll be getting in time. This time equals experience in your job field, which means more opportunities, money, and leverage in the future.

     2. Get the skills you need.

It’s not too late. If you need more job skills…get them! It doesn’t matter what kind of skills you need, or how old you are. Get as much training, school, seminars, and skills as you possibly can. The more training you have in your field, the more valuable you become.

     3. Be patient.

No one starts at the top. Take your turn at the bottom of the pile, and earn your way to the top. Earning your way there is the only way to learn what you need to know to stay at the top once you get there.

      Whatever it takes to move up the ladder, you have to want it and you have to be willing to work hard. A good work ethic rarely goes unnoticed. Your boss will notice if you are consistently doing your job exceptionally well. Do what it takes, be persistent, and all your hard work will be worth it at promotion time.

For more information, try these helpful sites:

How to Get Promoted

9 Tips

Fast Company

      We’ve all been there. It’s time to pay the bills, and somehow, our bank account is a lot lower than expected. Where did the money go? You didn’t make any large purchases, go on any vacations, or spend any extra money this month. But regardless of how much money we think we didn’t spend, the evidence is there, staring us in the face, in the form of an empty bank account. If this has ever been you, these five tips can help save money everyday, and you can kiss those empty bank accounts goodbye!

     1. Don’t use your credit card.

I know. A credit card is so easy. Pull it out, swipe, sign, repeat. There is no change to keep up with, you don’t have to worry about cash, and it is the most convenient option in our ‘oh so convenient’ world. But, if you’re looking to save money, put the credit card away. Experts say that when people use credit cards, they have no idea how much money they are actually spending, and are much more likely to spend more than they intended. So, if you really want to save, deal with the cash. Know how much you have in your wallet, and don’t spend more than is there.

     2. Take your lunch.

Ok. This is not only meant for lunch, but all the tiny little buys that we sneak into our day. For example, let’s say that we buy a coffee on the way to work for $3.00. At lunch, we go to the nearest McDonald’s and get a meal, averaging $5.00. After work, we stop at the convenient store and buy our favorite soda for a pick me up for $2.00. If that’s all we spend in the day, which is extremely unlikely, then our total for the day is $10.00. Sure, that doesn’t seem like much. But how about $50.00 a week? $200 a month? What could you do with an extra $200 a month?

     3. Conserve trips.

Yes, a few years ago going to work, home the store, and gym could all be done in separate trips. Gas prices were reasonable and we could fill up a tank for $20 or less. Nowadays, if you really want to save money, the smartest thing is to conserve trips. If you need to go to the gym, store, and pick up the kids after work, then be prepared for a long day. Take your gym clothes to the office, and have your list ready to go to the store. Saving the extra trips can save big bucks at the gas pump. An even better way, if it’s possible…car pool!

     4. Know what you spend.

It seems obvious, but a big way to save money is to simply know how much you spend. If you have to, write down every time you spend money. After doing this for only a couple of days, you’ll start to see how much wasteful spending you do.

     5. Don’t be afraid to say no.

Another obvious, but sometimes the hardest thing to do is to say no. So, the girls are going shopping this weekend, and you still need to pay the phone bill? Just say no! Everyone is going out for drinks after work and you have 3 birthdays this month? Just say no! If you have trouble saying no, find an excuse to help you. No thanks girls, I have to catch up on work this weekend, or I can’t go out for drinks tonight because I owe my husband a home cooked meal.

      Whatever your case may be; whether it be too many nights out, too many electronics, or snacks all day; re-evaluating your situation can make a big difference. Paying attention to the small things can lead to big results and a lot more money in the bank.

      Retirement can be a scary word. Many people simply don’t want to talk about or don’t understand finances and retirement. If this is you, don’t worry, you’re not alone. With our shaky economic ground, retirement plans have been halted for many people. Knowing what to do with your money has become extremely frightening for many, but equally as important.

      According to financial advisor Paul Dolce, an important step is to find someone to help you. An advisor is someone that should be able to guide you through the hard times and lead you to the right kind of retirement for you. Take your time, get to know your advisor, but more importantly make sure that he gets to know you and your needs. A good advisor will not push investments on you without learning about you first. If your advisor doesn’t do that, it’s time for a new advisor.

     Another question on many young people’s minds is whether or not to start investing in your 401k. Some think that investing in your 401k in hard times will ultimately lead to a large loss of money. Experts say, however, that this is not necessarily the case. Most of the time, investing in your retirement is a good idea, especially in the companies with 50-100% match. A high match is a good sign, and worth your investment. If you’re still not sure about your company’s 401K plan, ask someone. Don’t be ashamed to ask questions. It’s your money and your right to know what’s happening to it.

     Lastly, don’t be afraid to not know. Most people don’t know much about their retirement. In order to invest in smart manner, do your research. Read, talk, and discuss all the issues to find the right fit for you and your family. Retirement in a shaky economy doesn’t have to be scary. If you are prepared, you can still be hopeful for your future despite the situation around you.

For your benefit, here are some great links with very helpful information.

Retirement Options

What to Do with Retirement

Retirement

Check out this video to see a Congressman’s view of the economy.

      By now, it’s no secret that the economy is on the decline. In a lot of ways, this can be a scary prospect. Most people think about the recession in the economy and immediately think of the Great Depression. Scary, huh? So what’s the good news in all of this? Finding a job doesn’t have to be scary. That’s the good news. The bad news is that it can be a little bit intimidating. So, to ease the strain, the following tips are sure to have you up and on your feet in no time.

     1) The internet is still your friend, but shouldn’t be your only option. Looking for a job in today’s world can be as easy as sitting in your pajamas in front of the computer thanks to job sites like Monster, CareerBuilder, Yahoo HotJobs, and other job service sites. These sites are great and will land plenty of people in great positions. Don’t forget, however, that it’s not your only option. In a better economy, you might be able to take a little more time finding a job, and can wait the time it takes for a response and posting of new jobs on these sites. In harder times, the time it takes to get a response from a lot of the jobs posted on these sites may be longer than you have. So, don’t forget that the internet is a good place to start, but not the only place to look.

     2) Check the local newspapers. What? We have a newspaper in this town? In this highly technological age, small town newspapers are almost a thing of the past. They can, however, hold the answers you’ve been looking for. Try getting a newspaper from your town and all the surrounding towns. Jobs are posted in them daily and they’ll be close, accessible, and usually for somewhat immediate hire.

     3) Get off your bum. This not only comes from just plain old common sense, but also from experience. If you need a job, get off your tush. Get up, and get out there. You can’t get a job if you don’t try. Walk in every place you find if you have to, but get those applications out there.

     4) It’s easier to get a job if you have a job. Yes, another painful life lesson. But the fact of the matter is that if you are currently employed, don’t quit until you have another job secured. Your new employer will want to see that you’ve got what it takes to stick with it.

     All in all, just get yourself out there. The more applications and resumes you put out there, the more likely it is that you’ll be hired. A little perseverance, some hard work, and you’ll be making money in no time. Good luck!

According to recent reports, the unemployment rate in 2009 is expected to reach 8.4%. This decrease in economic growth is attributed to rising inflation, the ongoing struggle with the credit and housing markets, among other things. Despite the ‘call for change’, Obama’s first year in office will not likely affect the growing recession.

If there is any silver lining to the gray cloud covering the economy, it can be found in comparing the present day to the country’s history. Even though the rise in unemployment and the growing recession are worrisome in their own right, when we compare them to years past, the dark cloud becomes a little lighter.

During the Great Depression, the unemployment rate reached a high of 24.9% in 1933. The lowest unemployment rate in the time period was in 1930 with an unemployment rate of 8.7%. If the economic crisis can be avoided, our high unemployment rate of 8.4% still won’t be as high as the lowest rate during the Great Depression.

If you need more recent evidence to soothe your mind, November 1982 saw an unemployment rate of 10.8%, during the recession of the 80’s. Again, our numbers today have not yet reached that severity. Since the economy, as well as everything else, works on a cycle, it is not surprising that a recession is impending. Furthermore, a depression would not be an unlikely event if evidence of historical economic cycles can be trusted.

Even though the numbers haven’t reached the double digits as of yet, this does not mean that they won’t. The economy is on shaky ground, and a tumble or spill in the wrong direction could have dramatic and damaging consequences. With a new presidency, there will inevitably be changes. For the sake of the economy, the people, and America, we can only hope that the changes bring better times. For real peace of mind, keep working, and get prepared for the future, whatever it holds.

For helpful links and related articles, check these out!

Unemployment in 2009

Canada Predictions

Carribean Unemployment