The cuts in workforces are the latest attempt to reorganize the USPS. It is expected that $750 million will be saved in a year with the scheduled downsizing. For now, the offices scheduled to close are located in Columbus, OH, South Georgia, Albuquerque, Big Sky, South East New England, South East Michigan, and Northern Illinois.

The downsizing going on within the system were the result of the ongoing evaluations concerning the proposal to eliminate Saturday customers delivery of US Mail. Currently, there is debate on the elimination plans as mail delays can be up to two or more days, which may adversely affect recipients.

The US Postal Service has been recording significant losses and are hoping to find ways to cut expenses and save more money. Proposed plans for five-day a week service and a reduced workforce are the strategies being discussed to beat the $8.5 billion losses reported during 2010. 2011 losses are predicted to range around $6.4 billion. The financial losses are being blamed on the declining volume of mail across the country and the state of the nation’s economy.

A total of 2,000 local post offices are scheduled to close within the next two years according to a plan announced by the USPS this past January. Executives and administration are undergoing buyout procedures where employees over the age of 50 who have at least twenty years of postal service are being offered $20,000. Employers are also eligible for the buyout if they have 25 or more years of service regardless of their age. 105,000 full-time positions have already been cut in the last two years which include clerk positions, mail handlers, and plant workers.

US Postal Service Set to Cut 7,500 Jobs was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Employees were alerted to the strategy for merchandising via an internal memo earlier this month. Bill Simon, CEO, created four core areas in the merchandising department including general merchandise, food, softlines and consumables, and health and wellness. The change is said to make each customer channel even more competitive, allowing the retailer to improve how they ‘target and localize merchandise’.

Some investors were surprised at the move in light of declining same-store sales in the US for five consecutive quarters. The declining trend is predicted to continue in the third quarter. The decision is said to emphasize the theory that Walmart is focusing on prices instead of trying to overhaul its strategies completely.

Over the summer, Walmart tried boosting its sales with aggressive rollbacks on store prices. The company has said the move did not produce the results they were hoping to achieve. The economy was noted as a factor for consumers who were not inclined to spend even with big discounts.

Walmart (NYSE:WMT) Holds Off on Hiring Head of Merchandise Position was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Carnival offers sailings departing from Port Canaveral and Miami with Nassau, Bahamas as the port of call. Ships depart port on Friday afternoon and arrive in the Bahamas early Saturday morning. This allows for a full day to take in the sights, sounds and culture of the Bahamas.  Ships depart early Sunday morning and spend the day leisurely sailing back to their departure ports arriving early Monday morning.

A variety of amenities are available on Carnival ships for all types of passengers. Camp Carnival provides activities for children ranging from board games to talent shows all under the watchful eyes of certified counselors. Spa and fitness facilities rival many land based resorts with rejuvenating treatments and the latest in workout equipment.  Entertainment choices abound in the form of comedians, live music and dance and seminars in the onboard lounges and meeting rooms. Fun for all ages is the theme on Carnival’s “Fun” ships.

For Royal Caribbean’s short escapes, the vessel also ports in Nassau with an added bonus port of CocoCay, the cruise line’s private island located in the Berry islands chain.  Passengers have exclusive use of the island and all of its offerings. Powdery white sand with swaying palms and turquoise water set the stage for this stop. A variety of water sports from jet skiing to parasailing are offered for the thrill seeker, along with kayaks and snorkeling for those looking to be more in touch with nature.

Fairly new is a racetrack with battery powered ATV’s for small children. Food and drinks are plentiful at the beachside BBQ lunch and the many tiki hut bars served by ships personnel. And, do not think that just because you are on a private island that shopping is not an option…there are a few stores on the island as well as a straw market type atmosphere, albeit on a much smaller scale. Bring cash when going on the island for any shopping souvenirs, but the ship card is required for any bar or water sport purchases.

There are numerous beach spots in CocoCay, including one offering cabanas and another that has many water sport activities, including a giant inflatable water slide (height requirement, so no young kids). Yet, despite having 2,000 people tender from the ship to the island, you can feel alone in the island by walking the paths and venturing into the water if the tide cooperates and walking along the sand bars. You truly feel as though you are in a tropical island paradise. The private island port of call that many cruise lines offer is a true vacation highlight.

These weekend sailings provide passengers with an opportunity to experience island adventure aboard a floating resort. Costs are often much less than all-inclusive, upscale beach resorts and can be enhanced with discounts offered for geographic location, age, occupation and group rates. Cabin preference and cruising season are factors that may require passengers to book months in advance to ensure availability of cabins and dates. Budget-minded passengers will often take a cabin guarantee instead of cabin assignment. This option allows for greater savings that can benefit the passenger with flexibility.

So in tight economic times, do not give up the dream of a cruise vacation. Consider a shorter itinerary that still provides all of the amenities, but for a lesser cost. The three-night cruise is a great sampler to cruising too to ensure travelers will enjoy this type of vacation without having to invest heavily.

Short Cruises Present Budget-Friendly Vacations with Full Amenities was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Lending is still slow for banks in the US. Banks are trying to ease up on their standards for lending for select loans but banks note that lending will not begin to increase until consumers and businesses regain confidence. Companies need to hire and consumers need to spend. There are some good signs that efforts by the federal government to stabilize bank lending is working. For the first time since 2006, there has been a decline in the number of loans that have gone three months or more passed due. Additionally, the amount of loans being charged off by banking institutions has been on the decline for most of the major loan types.

Banking profits totaled $21.6 billion in the second quarter, which hare the highest quarterly earnings since the crisis in the industry began. The FDIC is reporting that two-thirds of the banks in the US are reporting improvement each quarter.

Right now the list of troubled banks stands at 829 which is the highest since 1993.  Previously only 53 banks were at risk of failure during the previous quarter. One year ago, the FDIC’s list included 416 banks on the watch list. Banks on the list are considered to be at risk of failure but most of the lenders have actually hit a point of failure.

829 US Banks Still At Risk Says FDIC was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

The first thing you have to do is not panic. Assess the situation. How much money do you need to bring in? Knowing how much you need to earn will help you determine if the job(s) you are offered will be sufficient enough to make your time and effort worthwhile. There are costs associated with returning to work if you are a stay at home parent – for example, if you need to pay for childcare in order to go to work you may find that those costs eat most of your income, and therefore it doesn’t make as much sense to return to work. One way to eliminate this problem is to look for a job which only schedules you to work when your children are in school, or to enroll the children in an after school activity that is less expensive than babysitters or daycare.

Another way you may rejoin the workforce while saving money on childcare is to work from home. The consumer market industry is taking off right now. With the economy the way it is, most retailers are investing money to see what people are purchasing. So many consumer marketing industries are hiring survey takers to rate products, and spending habits. This can be done from home on your own time. There are many opportunities for legitimately earning money from home, especially if you have some specialized skills like writing, graphic design or web programming.

Another thing to consider when rejoining the workforce is the actual cost of going to work. The more professional the job you are seeking the more professional you need to look and the more education or extra training you may need. You may also have to lower wage expectations to make yourself more attractive than others seeking the same job. These are costs that can add up quickly, and if you are looking to supplement your current household income, these costs may be more of a burden then the job benefits.

You can survive this economic down turn. Just don’t panic, assess your situation and consider any hidden costs that may come up before accepting a job.

Things to Consider When Rejoining the Workforce was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. announced plans on cutting over 11,000 employees at its Sam’s Club locations, their largest job cut ever. The move will affect mostly part-time employees who attempt to entice customers to purchase store items, such as food and electronics, by performing in-store demonstrations. The number of employee cuts represents roughly 10 percent of Sam’s Club’s workforce.

Wal-Mart Stores plans on outsourcing its in-store demonstrations to Shopper Events, an outside marketing company based in Rogers, AR in hopes of improving Sam’s Club’s sales.

Wal-Mart Stores has already closed 10 Sam’s Club locations in the last month, which has resulted in roughly 1500 losing their jobs. There are approximately 600 Sam’s Club warehouse locations across the United States.

Sam’s Club saw it’s revenue drop $11.55 billion last quarter, which is almost a 1 percent sales decrease, while Wal-mart stores saw a $61.81 billion increase, or 1.2 percent.

Eligible employees who have been cut will receive severance pay and benefits, and will also receive assistance to find employment at other Sam’s Club locations and Wal-Mart stores. Some employees who will be laid off might possibly find employment with Shopper Events.

To boost sales and productivity, Home Depot also plans on eliminating jobs. The company is ending three pilot programs, which will result in 1,000 employees being laid off. Home Depot will be closing a temporary hurricane recovery outlet in Waveland, MS; a clearance outlet in Austell, GA; and a small-format store in Wilson, NC. Cuts also include the consolidation of support staff in the human resources and finance divisions. The company said they have no plans to close any of the full-size retail stores.

Despite the cuts, the restructuring will actually create about 200 jobs in Atlanta, which is where most human resources administration will be handled.

Home Depot is the largest home-improvement retailer, and currently has 300,000 employees and 1,500 store locations. Last year, Home Depot cut 7,000 jobs and closed specialty stores across the United States, and has marked the third consecutive January in which the large chain has laid off employees.

Wal-Mart, Home Depot Cutting Jobs was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

This is an excellent time for salary earners to re-assess their financial situation and plan their own recovery, and there is no better place to start than with personal savings.

While the past decade has seen salary earners spend freely with cash and credit, the next decade should see personal savings increase considerably. For this to happen, old habits must go, and new ones form. The habit of saving from every pay check works best if started early in life, but it’s never too late.

Save 10% of your gross income for financial stability

Saving 10% of your gross (i.e. your income before any deductions including taxes) is like the age-old practice of tithing. The only difference is that you’re paying yourself instead of a religious or charitable organisation. It works best if you never see the money to start with, so try this:

• Open a separate bank account, preferably not linked to a plastic card. This makes it harder to access for impulse buying.
• If your workplace allows, arrange a payroll deduction of 10% of gross directly into this account. If not, arrange this transfer yourself and keep it separate from other bank accounts.

This will force you to do two things:

• You now have less disposable income, so you must re-assess spending habits using another age-old tool – a budget.
• You will choose more carefully what you buy and how much you pay for it.

Along with the new habit of “tithing” yourself, both of these are good habits to have, and if used well, the balance in the special savings account will steadily increase.

As this balance grows, you could use part of it for a deposit for a major asset like a vehicle or home, or for investment purposes. Resist the urge to withdraw everything at once, or to buy consumables such as electronics, clothing etc. These should be funded through your budget.

This account enables sustainable wealth creation, and provides accessible “safety net” funds for unexpected emergencies. In the process, you will aid economic recovery by reducing credit and increasing the savings level of the entire banking system.

How a Savings Plan Can Help Global Recovery was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Much to the surprise of many, over $164 billion dollars of the money spent on the TARP (Troubled Assets Relief Program) has been paid back already, with another $11 billion expected to be restored to the federal coffers by the end of 2010. Citigroup and Wells Fargo are responsible for the repayment of $45 billion so far and Bank of America has repaid its outstanding debt to the Treasury. Some of the other banks to repay their TARP loans included J. P. Morgan Chase & Co., Goldman Sachs Group Inc, Morgan Stanley, Capital One Financial Corp., and BB&T Corp. Wells Fargo CEO John Stumpf cited the loan repayment as a sign the banking industry would get back to the business of focusing on everyday Americans when he said, “With repayment of the TARP investment, we can intensify our focus on what we do best: helping consumers and businesses achieve financial success,”

Upon repayment, Citi CEO Vikram Pandit said, “We owe the American taxpayers a debt of gratitude.” American taxpayers are possibly equally, if not more excited about the repayment of the debt of money, rather than the debt of gratitude, however. The fact that there are still 55 banks that are delinquent in their payments isn’t as heartwarming. Many of those outstanding debts involve smaller banks, but two large banks still owing the Treasury are PNC Financial Services Group and SunTrust Banks, Inc.

Although the TARP investments, totaling $245 billion were expected to cost $76 billion, it now appears the Treasury (and the taxpayers) will actually earn a profit from the entire deal, through early repayments, dividends, warrant sales and interest earned. There has already been a profit of $16 billion, with more expected as repayments continue.

One of the most controversial TARP payments was to AIG (American International Group) who received bailout money twice and still paid huge bonuses to executives, including a company retreat in California costing more than $440,000 just days after receiving the bailout money. It remains a question whether AIG will ever repay the TARP funds it received.

There are signs America’s economy is beginning to recover from its biggest downturn since the Great Depression of the 1940s. Did the TARP funds play a part in the turnaround? While it is entirely possible they did, there seems little doubt that the repayment of those funds is a good thing for every American- except perhaps a few executives that may not see the same level of bonuses in their futures that they saw in the past.

Will Congressional Bailouts Stop Sinking the Ship? was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Colleges and Universities across the country are reporting that this year college graduates are struggling, like no time in the past, to find employment. Many schools have seen a huge decline, up to 40% or more, in companies coming on to campus to recruit. A University report of 5574 four year schools showed that in 2008 67% of graduates were able to find full time employment within 6 months of graduation, down from 75% from 2007. Statistics are not yet available for this year, but many schools are reporting that their numbers are considerable lower than last, even as low as 30%.

History shows that in times of recession, young people looking to enter the work force do have a tough time. They can expect lower entry level salaries and slower mobility within companies. This has a huge impact on family life and on consumer spending. These young people can be expected to wait longer to start families and to make big purchases like cars and homes.

Many recent grads who cannot find employments are being forced to move back home. Others ,who have the means, are applying to continue their education in hopes that once they have a master’s degree or PhD that the job market will have improved.

For those recent grads that are still looking to find a job, there are some things they can do to possibly increase their chances of obtaining employment. First, they need a great resume. Students must be willing to apply for a variety of employment options, even those not in their field. Temporary jobs are also an option, offering experience that may be helpful to obtain full time employment in the future. Being willing to relocate is also a plus. Those attempting to enter the workforce should know that they will most likely have to take a job with lower starting pay and expect to stay at the entry level for the long haul.

Looking ahead to 2010, experts say that job prospects should start to rise in the spring. Just how many more jobs will be available, no one seems to know. Only time will tell.

Job Prospects for Recent Grads are Bleak was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Black Friday is traditionally known as the biggest shopping day of the year. With the state of the current economy still at a low point, how did Black Friday 2009 shape up? Did consumers bring the ka-ching to the nation’s retailers or has Black Friday turned red?

Overall, retailers made some major changes in their Black Friday preparations this year. After slow sales last year forced many retailers to slash prices just before the Christmas holiday to clear inventory, retailers were more cautious this year on how much inventory they had in stock. Last year, the registers showed a 3.4% drop in sales over previous Black Friday receipts, but the expectation this year was raised to only a 1% drop in sales, according to The National Retailer’s Association. Overall projections for Black Friday sales were $437.6 billion. On a bright note, consumer spending was up .7% in October, according to the Commerce Department. This percentage was better than expected.

Shoppers were out in full force this year, but many seemed to be keeping a close watch on how they spent their shopping dollars. Most shoppers were definitely looking for items that were a good deal. Typical shoppers were expecting plenty of sales still to come before the Christmas holiday.

Online shopping is seeing a surge as well, although here too, consumers were looking for the best deals. Last year, Cyber Monday, the Monday after Black Friday, was the day online sales came out in full force. This year, Cyber Black Friday was part of the overall shopping mania. Many Cyber Black Friday deals will run through the weekend, but by Cyber Monday, shoppers may be looking at empty wallets, due to all the early sales.

Retailers were harnessing the power of social media outlets like Facebook to broadcast sales with special promotional codes and text messages being sent out to those who signed up on the social media giant. This year’s early promotions of Black Friday, including early sales, prompted many new Black Friday shoppers this year, who were lured out to the malls for the first time to join the crush.

While the shopping was heavy, many Black Friday veterans were foregoing the video games, toys and electronics of years gone by and sticking more to the basics, like clothing, sports gear and watches. The tighter economy has caused many shoppers to spend their holiday dollars on practical gifts rather than just fun and games.

Did the Economy Sound the Death Toll for Black Friday? was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

A great chunk of the economic growth can be attributed to

the rise in home and car sales. Government stimulus programs are most likely responsible for this upturn. Cash for Clunkers and Home Buyer Tax Credits for first time home buyers were definitely taken advantage of. While the Cash for Clunker program has ended, the Homebuyer Tax Credit has been extended and now includes a credit for all home buyers’ not just first time buyers. Analysts however are predicting a drop in home sales over the winter months.

The major concern is still unemployment. The unemployment rate is still over 10% and does not show any signs of decreasing. In fact, many analysts predict the unemployment rate will rise to above 11% sometime next year. Even with numbers showing economic growth, experts say the rate is not high enough yet to convince companies to hire.

With the economy’s upward turn, US consumer confidence is slightly on the rise. Many people are being cautiously optimistic. Still, many consumers say they will not spend more this holiday season. Economists however are hopeful that the rise will continue into the 4th quarter at a rate between 2.5% and 3%.

Perhaps the biggest worry for our economy is the possibility of a double dip recession. Analysts fear that if numbers come in lower than expected in the fourth quarter it could send our economy back into a downward tailspin.

Even without a double dip recession, analysts caution that they expect growth to slow considerably next year. In early 2010 most of the government stimulus money will be used up and it is uncertain whether or not consumers will continue to spend without government incentives. Add to the equation that consumers generally curb their spending after the holidays, numbers could definitely shift downward. Only time will tell whether or not we are truly digging out of the trenches, or if we are just experiencing a small reprieve from the current economic crisis.

US Economy: Slower Recovery Than First Reported was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

The outlook on the recession continues to be bleak. With another 200,000 jobs lost in October, 2009, the unemployment rate now sits at 10.2%. According to the New York Daily News, if you figure in the partially employed and “discouraged” workers, the figure actually sits at 17.5%. The numbers are bleak, and not looking to improve anytime soon.

Now, President Obama, according to Reuters, is warning of another financial crisis known as a double-dip recession. While on a trip to China, he warned the United States about the need to control the rapidly rising deficits the country is facing. With this spending seeming to be out of control, any confidence consumers regain amidst the recession could spiral downward.

According to Investopedia, a double-dip recession occurs when, after a period of growth and recovery, the economy slides back into a recession again. Many times, the second recession is caused by consumers not spending as much due to layoffs and tightening of budgets, thus causing a lessening in the demand for goods. The cycle of more job losses then continues and spirals into the second recession.

President Obama’s current economic dilemma is how to create jobs for those who are unemployed, how to stimulate companies to create jobs and bring on more workers, and how to boost the economy while putting it on track toward long-term deficit reduction, as he promised during his presidential campaign. Many measures have been considered, including the stimulus incentives for individuals through the “cash for clunkers” programs and real estate tax credits. Incentives for companies to hire employees are also being looked at, with tax measures being another possibility.

The bailouts and other government spending programs to help companies in trouble, especially banks and the automotive industry, along with the measures to help individuals has put the national deficit at an all-time high. President Obama expressed concern that if the debt continues to be added onto and jobs continue to be lost instead of created, confidence in the economy would continue to plummet.

A second recession would deliver a much more serious blow to the economy and would likely end up lasting longer than the first. Consumers’ confidence in the economy would play a big factor, with many more tightening their belts and cutting spending. Companies would also continue to be reluctant to hire new employees in the face of such a bleak outlook.

President Obama faces the daunting task of trying to rebuild the country’s confidence in the economy amidst continuing staggering job losses each month. Not only must he answer to the rising public demand for more jobs and help for the unemployed, but he must also find a way to stimulate the economy into growth without continuing to feed the ever-growing national deficit. It is an unenviable task amidst a scenario that is unlikely to improve anytime soon.

Worst is Yet to Come With Possible “Double-Dip” Recession was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Photo Credit: Tourism Australia, http://www.australia.com

Depressed that your summer vacation is over? You’re not alone.  TripAdvisor released results from its “post-vacation blues” survey revealing that 56 percent of U.S. travelers surveyed said they often get the post-vacation blues upon returning from a trip. There are ways to combat this feeling…plan another vacation, and the travel deals are continuing in full force providing opportunities for travelers to get away, even on a budget.

Fifty-eight percent of TripAdvisor survey respondents said planning their next vacation is the best way to snap out of a bad mood post-vacation. Sixty-nine percent of travelers surveyed said the best description of their post-vacation mood is “eager to plan the next trip” as soon as their vacation has ended.

According to the U.S. Tour Operators Association, travel savings range from 10 percent to 35 percent over last year, translating to savings up to $500 per person compared to 2008. U.S. travelers welcome the travel opportunities couple with more value.

Why the continued drop in travel prices? The economic crisis and a stronger U.S. dollar in many destinations are contributors.

“In countries as diverse as Greece, Egypt, South Africa, Australia, and Italy, the U.S. dollar has gained in strength, while domestic destinations like Hawaii are offering good deals in response to  soft tourism year,” Bob Whitley, USTOA president, says.

A recent consumer survey commissioned by USTOA found that three out of four Americans say they will travel this year, but most are staying closer to home in response to the recession.  Affordability ranked  number one consideration in planning a vacation, with almost 30%  of those surveyed saying they would seek destinations that offer more value.  And, while more than 45% of Americans said they were not going abroad this year, almost 15 percent were lured by a stronger dollar.

Following are a few tour travel options outlined by USTOA:

In South Africa, through November,  a 10-day land-only tour of Cape Town, the Garden Route and Kruger National Park for families, is $6,355 per person versus $7,855 per person in 2008 – a savings of $1500. A savings of nearly 20 percent over last year, the tour includes most meals, sightseeing and activities.  International air fare is additional.

Through December 8, a 16 day custom-planned itinerary to Sydney, Melbourne, and the Great Barrier Reef costs $1,430 this year – or $500 less than in 2008.  The savings of 25 percent includes  round-trip airfare from Los Angeles or San Francisco and all transfers in Australia.

A 7 day/6 night vacation package to Budapest and Prague that sold for $1355 per person in 2008 costs $1199 per person this year–a savings of  $150 per person, or more than 10 percent, over last year.  Included are accommodations, daily breakfast, a tour in each city, flight from Budapest to Prague, and airport transfer by private car through November.

Beat Vacation Blues by Capturing Travel Deals was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

The results of a national survey in August and September provide additional confirmation that economic concerns are the top worry on the minds of consumers in America. 

The top five issues all had a score above 8 on the scale. These include:

The U.S. Economy (8.44)

Americans’ concern over how much money they have is not relenting even though it appears that there might be a positive track to some parts of the economy. Unemployment and underemployment are at the root of many household financial problems and job increases have yet to be witnessed.

Rising Energy Costs (8.29)

Also still impacting the wallets of buyers is energy costs. This includes not only gas prices at the pumps for their vehicles, but also costs for heating and cooling homes as well. With colder weather just around the corner for the upper part of the U.S., this figures to be an even greater concern.

Rising Costs of Food (8.23)

Increases in the prices of food from the grocery stores makes consumers nervous about being able to provide nutritious meals at an affordable cost. And, at a time when families are being hounded about healthier lifestyles, this puts the concepts of money and proper eating at odds since unhealthy foods are also lower in cost.

Rising Health Care Costs (8.21)

Those who have insurance are worried about the constant cost increases. Medical bills add up quickly from simple doctor’s office visits and there is also worry about how they would pay for catastrophic medical events.

Personal Financial Situation (8.04)

Being able to pay bills and provide for the needs of their families is a high concern as families look for ways to cut back on non-essentials.

In the study, consideration was given to food safety at 7.67, Obesity at 6.37 and Global warming in last place at 6.05.

All of this underscores the fact that Americans are not swayed by small economic gains that they hear about in the news. There is still a large portion of Americans going through foreclosures as well as bankruptcies. Defaults on loans are high as well as write-offs by credit card companies on noncollectable debt.

While the gloom and doom is evident, American families are still able to survive by being creative and making their money stretch farther than ever. The hope is that the economy will pick up soon so that jobs can be found that will provide an adequate income to put money back into the pockets of consumers.

Top Issues of Consumers was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Compared to last year, a prediction of a similar buying season is not good for retailers who went all out to produce some of the best shopping incentives ever during this time of year.  But, even so, it would be better than the drop of over 2 percent that they experienced last year.

While there are small signs that the economy has reached a bottom and may be on its way back up, it takes time for the effects to reach the wallets of consumers.

The Stumbling Blocks
The big three economic events continue to be a problem for consumers: lower credit availability, increased unemployment or underemployment, and higher foreclosures on homes.  Money is tight in almost every household and is going towards paying bills and down debt.

Retailer Adjustments
Most major retailers have adjusted inventory levels and lowered expenses so that they can ride out a rough holiday buying season.  What that means for consumers is that certain popular items might be hard to find for gift-giving.  Retailers are smart, though, and might have a few tricks up their sleeves that will help buyers get what they want.

Consumer Attitudes
Buyers this year might be more frugal than ever and cut back more than expected which could lead to last minute price cuts and sales in order to get registers ringing. 

The most important things on the minds of consumers when they go to shop for items are:

Price

This goes without saying, but the degree to which consumers are looking at price is higher than ever.  The bar was set low last year in the amount of discounting and shoppers will remember those prices and may react negatively if they cannot make purchases at or near those same levels.

Availability 

The worst case scenario is having a little bit of money, but not being able to get what you want.  Look for many alternative options for buyers of a particular item that is out-of-stock.

Quality 

 Quality still matters, but not as much.  Most people are relying on the reputation of manufacturers and their processes to make products that last.
Should all things remain the same, gasoline prices stay at their current levels and home heating prices remain unchanged, retailers should feel grateful.  It could be a lot worse

Will the Christmas Buying Season Be Better This Year? was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Consumers have trimmed spending where they can; taking advantage of coupons, purchasing store brand over national brand and eating at home in an attempt to scale down the household budget, but budgeting isn’t the only issue they face.

• Credit card rates and penalties are on the increase. With lines of credit maxed out or discontinued consumers can no longer resort to credit as their safety net.
• Many household have reported a loss or reduction of healthcare coverage resulting in the inability to meet their medical bills.
• Job losses continue to be reported especially in the lower –income households.
• Delinquency in major bills and mortgages continue to be reported.
• Housing foreclosures continue and mortgage modifications are bottlenecked.

In other words, consumers are faced with greater financial demands than they faced last year and are bringing in less income.

Short bursts of spending have been reported for new cars and homes, no doubt do to the recent Cash for Clunkers program and First Time Homebuyer incentives, but generally speaking the purse strings are still fairly tight.

• Increases in sales of canning and freezing supplies suggest America is going back to the home cooked meal.
• The movie rental industry and cable television have seen a drop in numbers as consumers report more viewing of local channels via their home computer.
• Estimates for holiday sales are projected to be about the same as last year with online shopping coming in ahead of the usual brick-and-mortar shopping trip.

It seems a blanket of malaise has settled over consumers. Worn out by the financial rhetoric of months past and with little hope for meaningful improvement in the near future many are just doing the best they can which is simply living in the moment, which might be one of the best lessons gleaned from these times.

As consumers learn to appreciate the simple things in life and create new lifestyles out of the economic fall-out we may very well see a resurgence of personal empowerment, dedication to family and community and the ability to smell the flowers along the way. Of course, that would mean the current means by which our economy is propelled would also need to change.

Sources: The Nielsen Company/ Nielsen Economic Current/ Nielsenwire/ Trade-Offs-Dominate-Shopping-Decisions. ConsumerReports.org/ Consumer Reports Index report.

Consumers Living in the Moment and Spending Time at Home was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

The Big Three

The three indices that are among the best to be used to gauge economic recovery are unemployment or underemployment, a volatile stock market, and weak consumer demand at retailers. These three signs continue to point to a poor economy for months to come.

Bright Spots

There are however, some bright areas in which encouragement can be found when looking at the economic picture.

Consumer Attitudes are Up

New home sales moved up in August which continues a five month streak. There are very good buys to be found in the existing housing market also which makes it a prime time to buy if you are in a position to do so.
Also, numbers show that attitudes about the economy are up to their highest point since January of 2008. If you trace the numbers back to that point, you will find that even though the bottom had yet to drop out of the economy, consumers had ominous feelings about their finances and, for good reason. The bailouts on Wall Street were just a few months away and foreclosures were not as high as they were today.
While these bits of good news does not spell recovery by themselves, it does show that people believe that we have reached a bottom and will begin to move upwards soon.

Manufacturers are Ramping Up

Even though orders for durable goods were down in August, hiring has increased for part-time workers as manufacturers gear up for additional demand for products. Inventories have been depleted which is the reason for the ramp up, but following on the heels of a ramp up like this could be a full-fledged recovery in which orders will begin to be seen for durable goods once again.

This adds to the sentiment that is already seen as a positive force moving forward. It appears that families are treading water until things improve. They are doing what they have to just to survive and ride out the financial storm. The best advice is to sit still and watch it unfold before you.

Economic Recovery is Here, But Slow Moving was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

One of these upcoming programs to further stimulate the economy includes the government rebates of $50 to $200 for purchases of high-efficiency appliances with the Energy Star logo. The money is included in an economic stimulus bill that was passed earlier this year, with specific details as far as which appliances are covered in each state will be released by the Energy Department on October 15th.

The problem for appliance giants like Whirlpool and Electrolux is that consumers are simply not running out to replace their aging dishwashers, refrigerators and washing machines. Whirlpool controls almost 50% of the US market for appliances, has experienced a 20% drop in worldwide sales in the first half of 2009 and indicates they will lay off at least 5,000 workers this year as a result. Electrolux has already laid off 3,000 workers since December of 2008, and moved most of their production to lower-cost countries to reduce their overhead. Appliance makers are applauding a government-backed rebate program, as they feel it will get consumers back out to the stores to purchase new appliances to take advantage of the rebates. J.B. Hoyt, the director of government relations at Whirlpool, says “Twenty-five dollars does not get consumers’ attention on a $500 purchase.” Appliance makers are lobbying their state energy commissions to encourage the highest rebates possible for consumers, in order to get the most results of shoppers purchasing new appliances.

The challenge with a “cash for clunky appliances” type program is that most consumers wait until their refrigerator, washing machines or dishwashers no longer WORK before they think about buying a new one. Another common reason to replace appliances is during a home renovation, which most people won’t just start because they’ll save $200 on an appliance, for example. Most people don’t expect an appliance rebate program to be as powerful as the Cash for Clunkers was; but anyone in the appliance industry welcomes any cause of sales in this shaky economy.

Cash For Your Clunky Appliances? was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Cars and trucks. Could this be the best time to buy a new or used car or truck in the last decade or longer?  Probably, because sales are so slow and dealers are almost starving.  Some dealers are combining incentives to get you into the showroom to buy.  You might be able to find low interest rates along with cash back and even special deals on leasing.  Be sure to stay within your budget and purchase a vehicle that is fuel efficient which will help if gasoline prices skyrocket again.

Vacations. Popular vacation spots are hurting because of the lack of tourists that keep their local economies running strong.  You can find great deals on lodging and even transportation to and from those locations.  Cruise lines are booking shorter trips and dropping their prices.  If you ever wanted to go to places like Las Vegas or Atlantic City, now would be the time to check out the prices.

Houses.  With the mortgage crisis has come lower prices on homes across the board, but some locations are worse than others.  On top of that, interest rates are still very low and there is the stimulus incentive provided by the federal government that allows for $3,000 for first time home buyers.

Large appliances. With sales off up to 30% from last year, retailers are feeling the pinch to move inventory.  Some manufacturers are offering rebates.  Make sure that these are the instant variety which comes off at the time of purchase.  Haggle your way to the best deal possible.  And, look for Energy Star rated appliances that are eligible for tax incentives and rebates.

Electronics. Everything from televisions to digital cameras and cell phones are good buys right now.  Make sure that you compare prices to ensure that you are getting the best prices.  Compare on the Internet for the most competitive deals.  Watch for specials on last year’s models – but make sure that they are new and not re-furbished with a lesser warranty.

Furniture. You can find some great bargains on furniture right now.  Many of these retailers have been hit hard and are looking to move practically everything they have at bargain basement prices.  Watch the quality of what you are interested in, however.
Using these tips, you can find some great buys right now and re-stock and replace items that you have been meaning to but were unable because of money.  Just be sure to pay cash in order to avoid interest and other charges.

Bad Economy Means Good Buys was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Wellness expert and author Asha Praver explains “Take a holiday at home — nothing special there. But make this also a vacation from both speed and noise.”

During this vacation, Praver advises to spend all your time — physically, psychically, and telecommunication-wise — right where you are. Talk only to those people who are physically with you. Pay attention only to events that happen right where you are.

Living in a vacation spot, I am victim to often not taking advantage of taking time to rejuvenate at home. Not to mention the pile of “snowy” day projects (I don’t think I’ll have a snow day in southern Florida). In this economy, it is not a bad idea to make your home your tropical escape. How often when we go on vacation do we look forward to coming home? There is something in the saying, “home is where the heart is.”

Following are eight of Praver’s top tips to taking a Naycation this year. 

1. Operate at the speed of foot-power. Don’t move faster than your body can propel itself. In addition to the obvious walking or running, this includes foot-powered devices like skates, bikes, or scooters.
2. Get in synch with your children and your pets. Set no appointments, schedule, or deadlines. Give your children and animals as much of your complete attention as they will accept from you. This will naturally slow you down and bring you to a focus right where you are.
3. Play games. Not electronic games or anything that makes noise on its own. Play board games, conversation games, Pictionary, Charades, things that people of all ages can enjoy together.
4. Read. Not just thrillers or popular romances, but great, interesting, classic literature, for children or adults. Read out loud to each other. Try Shakespeare. Or, if your vacation is long enough, start, and finish something really ambitious like Lord of the Rings, or a popular version of The Mahabharata.
5. Cook your own food. Don’t go out, or order in. Food prepared by others brings with it their vibrations, which you ingest. This is a time to get in tune with yourself and with those you love. Involve friends and family, including children, in food preparation. Then sit down together and enjoy what you’ve created. Cook from scratch as much as possible.
6. Sleep outside.  If your neighborhood is safe, quiet, free from biting insects and inclement weather, move your bed outside, or set up the equivalent with a comfortable mattress, sheets, pillows, and blankets. Don’t try to sleep on the hard ground or use a tent. Fall asleep looking at the moon and stars, wake up in the early light in the fresh dawn air. It will do amazing things for your health and your perspective.
7. Talk to the people around you. Invite friends over to spend time in conversation, or in doing together all those things listed above. Be with one another without having your attention drawn off to times, places, and events brought in via electronic media.
8. Be creative. Knit, sew, paint, garden, carve, write poetry, anything that engages your creative artistic self.

Praver advises if you stick with these tips, you’ll find yourself resting and renewing on a level you didn’t know was possible. “It could turn out to be the cheapest, and the best vacation you’ve ever had,” she says.

Use this recession to reconnect with your family, tackle your “someday” list, and explore passions. Which of these tips are most appealing to creating a rejuvenating naycation?

Time for a Naycation: 8 Tips to Rejuvenate at Home was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

What is a recession?

A recession is when there is a decline in industrial production, employment, real income, and wholesale-retail trade that lasts for six months or more. It spells trouble for all of us. Sometimes it’s hard making ends meet in the best of times, but trying to raise a family in the midst of a recession is doubly hard to do. It helps to stay optimistic in this type of a situation. We can tighten our belts a little and still share some quality time together as a family. Tough economic times call for finding ways to cut down on spending, but not on activities, even when we’re on a budget. After doing a little bit of research I’ve come up with a few ideas that may help to weather this recessional storm.

Saving Money in the Kitchen

There are lots of ways to cut back including in the kitchen so let’s start there. First, get rid of all prepared meals. Aside from being too expensive, they are loaded with excessive fat, sugar, salt and all kinds of preservatives. These are things that your family doesn’t need. Plan wisely and schedule specific meals for each day of the week. Do your grocery shopping once a week and get exactly what you need for each meal. Try going meatless twice a week. Do a little research and find recipes for low cost meals that you can make like pasta and vegetables or a home made veggie pizza. These are nutritious meals and won’t cost a lot of money.

Saving Money When Traveling

Even when arranging for a vacation or just family time together, put a schedule in place so that you don’t miss a minute of fun. Check with the local visitor’s bureau in your city and see what attractions they offer. Some cities sponsor summer festivities for a minimal fee or no cost at all. Spend the day at a local park; take along Frisbees, a baseball and bat and maybe even a set of horseshoes. Stop by your local public swimming pool one day for an afternoon of aquatic games. Even pack a lunch to serve up after the swim, picnic style, at a nearby park. Everyone develops an appetite after a day of sun and fun. This is an ideal way for a family to spend a day together. The next day, spend the afternoon watching a movie in your local theatre. If you get there early, you can get the matinée price. It’s another great way to spend the day, and see a great movie in the process.

Saving Money on Pampering

After this much activity, you deserve to pamper yourself a little. If you like to read, don’t go out and spend money on a new best seller, join your local library and read all of the books you want for free. Also, stock up on some inexpensive candles and some aromatherapy bath beads (you can get them at the dollar store) and treat yourself to a relaxing soak in the tub. If you close your eyes, you can pretend you’re at a fancy spa. You’ll feel any stress that you may have acquired from the long day begin to melt away.

You can find ways to cut back on spending and not on activities, it just takes a little bit of strategy and imagination. So plan to cut back, have fun and make some great memories to treasure for years to come.

Living In A Recession was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Standing in front of Cinderella Castle, Mickey Mouse greets guests at the Magic Kingdom, a vacation classic where magical storybooks come alive. Combining classic favorites and exciting additions, a day at the Magic Kingdom is an essential part of a Walt Disney World Resort visit.

Disney has kicked off 2009 with many free firsts. Not only is 2009 the year of “What will you Celebrate?” promotion, providing a free ticket to guests on their birthday, but they have trumped their own offer by extending a complimentary five-day park hopper (with water parks) ticket to military personnel in 2009 valid at Walt Disney World or a three-day park hopper pass valid at Disneyland. Further enhancing this military travel offer, Disney is also allowing eligible service members to purchase tickets for family at a heavily discounted price.

With the “Disney’s Armed Forces Salute” offer, active and retired U.S. military personnel, including active and retired members of the United States Coast Guard and activated members of the National Guard or Reservists, can enjoy complimentary, multi-day admission into Disney’s U.S. theme parks, great rates at select Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort hotels, and additional special ticket offers for family members and friends.

“For so many of the men and women who serve in our U.S. military, time together with their families is cause enough for celebration,” said Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. ”We are grateful for their service and hope ‘Disney’s Armed Forces Salute’ will allow our troops to create wonderful, magical memories with their family and friends.”

At the Disneyland Resort in Southern California:

Through June 12, 2009, each eligible military member can receive one complimentary three-day “Disney’s Armed Forces Salute” Park Hopper ticket valid for admission to both Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure parks. During the offer period, the military personnel member also may make a one-time purchase of an adult or child three-day “Disney’s Armed Forces Salute Companion” Park Hopper ticket for up to five family members (including spouse) or friends for the price of an adult 1-Day Park Hopper ticket.

Disneyland Resort hotels are also offering special room rates for active or retired military personnel. For example, at Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel, active or retired members of the military and their families may find hotel rooms starting at $119 per night during value season, with great savings during other times of the offer period. This offer is available through June 12, 2009, and the number of rooms available at these special rates is limited.

For information regarding “Disney’s Armed Forces Salute” at the Disneyland Resort, or to make reservations, military personnel may call 714/956-6424.

At Walt Disney World Resort in Florida:

Through Dec. 23, 2009, each active or retired member of the U.S. military may obtain one complimentary 5-day “Disney’s Armed Forces Salute” ticket with Park Hopper and Water Park Fun & More options. This ticket is valid for five days of admission into the four Walt Disney World theme parks, plus a total of five visits to a choice of a Disney water park, DisneyQuest Indoor Interactive Theme Park or certain other attractions. During this offer period, active or retired U.S. military personnel may also make a one-time purchase of up to a maximum of five 5-Day “Disney’s Armed Forces Salute Companion” tickets (one theme park per day) for $99 per ticket, plus tax, for family members (including spouse) or friends. Although this ticket for family members and friends does not include either the Park Hopper or Water Park Fun & More options, this ticket can be upgraded to add either such option, or both, for an additional $25, plus tax, per option. All tickets and options are non-transferable and must be used by Dec. 23, 2009. 

Select Walt Disney World Resort hotels may also be offering special rates for active or retired U.S. military personnel during this offer period.

For information on the “Disney’s Armed Forces Salute” offer at Walt Disney World Resort or the Disneyland Resort, or to make reservations, active and retired U.S. Military personnel may call the ITT office on their base. Information about “Disney’s Armed Forces Salute” offer at Walt Disney World Resort is also available at www.disneyworld.com/military.

Sea World and Bush Gardens have also offered a regular promotion targeting military members titled “Hero Salute” for a free one-day pass for eligible personnel and up to three family members, which is generous in itself and welcomed in a tight economy. Valid for one complimentary single-day admission per person, per year, to one of the following Anheuser-Busch Adventure Parks: SeaWorld Orlando, San Diego, or San Antonio, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay or Williamsburg, Sesame Place, Water Country USA, Adventure Island. Not valid at Discovery Cove and Aquatica. To register, visit: www.herosalute.com

Military families can leverage both promotions to create a longer vacation, particularly in Orlando and Tampa area.

Kudos to Disney and other theme parks and suppliers offering special travel promotions as a thank you to our valued military members, especially in a tough economic time and during a time when many families have been separated for long periods due to deployments. Spending time together at Disney is a great way to reconnect and to truly enjoy each other!

Disney Announces Military Travel Promotion for 2009 was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

A skier getting some powder turns on extreme terrain at the Breckenridge Ski Resort. Photo Credit: Vail Resorts

American travelers are resilient and having weathered bankrupt airlines, gas prices nearing $5 a gallon, fuel supplements, new fees for checked bags, additional fees for airline amenities, reduced airline capacity and other news-making issues in 2008, these vacation warriors are preparing their 2009 vacations. 2009 predictions might be lower than a fairly stable 2008 vacation travel market, but travel suppliers are pulling out the red carpet in terms of deals and incentives to keep Americans traveling.

The Travel Industry Association (TIA), now known as the U.S. Travel Association, recently released its annual travel forecast indicating that an uncertain economic climate is leading American and global travelers to change their behaviors.

“Consumers are responding as we might expect during an economic slowdown,” Suzanne Cook, senior vice president of research for TIA, explains. “But travel should not simply be viewed as an economic indicator; it should be seen as a part of the solution to our economic woes. There’s no doubt that if we can spur travel, we can help to turn the economy around.”

Despite current economic conditions and lagging consumer confidence, the forecast shows that leisure travel volume remains stable for 2008 (-0.2%) and is expected to decline modestly in 2009 (-1.3%). According to the latest travelhorizons^TM survey co-authored by TIA and Ypartnership, seven out of 10 (71%) respondents intend to take an overnight trip of 50 miles or more from home during the next six months. Fully half (48%) of all respondents stated they were not planning any changes to their future travel plans as result of the recent turmoil in the financial markets.

One family out of Omaha, Nebraska just planned a ski vacation to Breckenridge, Colorado. Ski resorts have been offering incentives including a fourth night free or for a dollar to entice visitors.

This year you’ll find about twice as many price breaks and promotions on the ski slopes at Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone and Heavenly for March and April with discounts of 50 percent or more on lodging and even at top-rated restaurants, as reported by Vail Resorts.

According to Scott Donovan, Vail Resorts vacation planning manager, spring is one of the best times to visit, especially this year. “Spring snow is historically deep and the savings will be even deeper this year with a flurry of new offers and 50 percent off deals,” he says. “Plus, there are the traditional 2-for-1 restaurant offerings and end-of-season ski gear sales.”

Historic Main Street Breckenridge in the Winter with the slopes of the Breckenridge Ski Resort in the background. Photo Credit: Vail Resorts

One such ski vacation deal at Breckenridge in 2009 is its “Spring Back to $85 room rates at Breckenridge”. Breckenridge is celebrating spring in style with $85 room rates (per night) from March 29 through its closing day of April 19. www.breckenridge.com or 800.404.3535

According to Peter Yesawich, chairman of Ypartnership, “The results corroborate what we have been preaching now for several months: American travelers are trading down, but not out.”

Consumers are likely to plan and purchase vacations differently with the pursuit of a “good value” as the primary reason why. Three quarters (76%) “expect to book a packaged vacation to save money” and six out of 10 (58%) “plan to comparison shop for prices and rates specifically on the Internet.” Seven out of 10 (67%) “plan to stay fewer nights” and a comparable percentage expects to “spend less on food, beverages and entertainment” when traveling.

Have your vacation travel plans changed for 2009 due to the economy?

2009 Travel Trends: Americans Traveling & Taking Advantage of Vacation Deals was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Photo Credit: TripAdvisor.com

In less than one week, travelers will be packing up the cars, turkeys and suitcases on the way to “grandma’s house” for a Thanksgiving holiday. Or perhaps a travel destination this holiday might be to the beach or a shopping mall. TripAdvisor® and AAA have announced the results of its Thanksgiving travel survey and forecasts and each have a slightly different ending.

Despite a continued downturn in the U.S. economy, 37 percent of Americans plan to travel this Thanksgiving, equal to 37 percent one year ago, according to TripAdvisor survey results. Other findings include that 57 percent of respondents plan to drive to their destination this Thanksgiving, down slightly from 59 percent, last year, while 38 percent intend to fly, up marginally from 37 percent, one year ago.

“We continue to see that Thanksgiving is a dedicated travel holiday among our respondents, regardless of circumstance,” said Michele Perry, vice president of global communications for TripAdvisor.

According to a released report by AAA, approximately 41 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home this Thanksgiving holiday weekend, a decrease of 600,000 travelers (1.4 percent) from last year’s total of 41.6 million. This is the first decline in Thanksgiving holiday travel since 2002 and is the fourth consecutive travel holiday this year with a year-to-year decline in the number of travelers.

Travelers are weighing spending money on holiday trips or conserving cash on other life needs. Even with the Dow dropping below 8000 on November 20, 2008, the continuing decrease in petroleum is contributing toward predicted decreases this holiday season from being worse.

“The overall state of the economy continues to present real challenges for some Americans looking to travel this Thanksgiving,” said AAA President and CEO Robert L. Darbelnet. “However, the desire to spend time with family, combined with significantly lower gasoline prices than earlier this year, will provide a strong impetus for many Americans to travel this holiday season.”

AAA reports the national average for self-serve regular gasoline is $2.07 per gallon. Today’s price is 88 cents less than a month ago and $1.03 less than a year ago.

Thanksgiving travel TripAdvisor survey results include:

Family Matters

Seventy-seven percent will see family and friends for the holiday. Seven percent said they are traveling specifically to avoid family and friends. Thirty percent of respondents said they feel pressure to travel and spend Thanksgiving with family.

Fifty-five percent said seeing family and friends makes Thanksgiving travel worth all the hassle, while 25 percent said just getting away makes it worth it.

Cash Considerations

Seventy-six percent of travelers said economic and market concerns have not affected their Thanksgiving plans. If money was no object, 30 percent said their dream Thanksgiving would be exploring an exotic tropical destination, while the greatest amount, 31 percent said their idea of a dream Thanksgiving is right at home with family and friends.

Time and Distance

Twenty-eight percent will travel to their destination on Thanksgiving Day, and 28 percent will travel the day before on Wednesday, November 26. Twenty-seven percent will travel home on Sunday, November 30. Thirteen percent will travel home on Thanksgiving Day.

Fifteen percent will travel less than 100 miles from home for Thanksgiving, and 36 percent will travel less than 300 miles. Nine percent said they will be traveling overseas this Thanksgiving. Fifteen percent of respondents said they will be traveling outside the U.S. for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Thirty-six percent will visit a city this Thanksgiving, 33 percent will go to the suburbs for the holiday and 15 percent will be going to a beach.

Thanksgiving Love and Hate

Thirty-four percent said they love everything about Thanksgiving. Ten percent cited flight delays as the most annoying aspect of Thanksgiving, 10 percent said getting stuck in traffic and 10 percent said they always eat too much.

Are you traveling this Thanksgiving holiday? If so, where and how far?

Thanksgiving Travel: Americans Preparing for Busy Holiday Trips was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Here are some things to consider as you contemplate changing jobs or if you are faced with the prospects of losing your job.

Get Started on a Plan

If you are going to leave your job, you need to have a plan. Or – even if you have no confirmation about an imminent job loss, you may have some gut instinct telling you what may lay ahead and you need to get your ducks in a row in preparation. Make sure your resume is as up-to-date and relevant as possible. Make sure your phone numbers, address, job experience, and skill sets are on track with your current situation. Keep an eye out for prospective new positions that are currently open so you will have an idea of what’s out there once you start looking actively. Consider how much longer you can stay at your present job before absolutely having to move on. Be prepared to leave your position in two weeks time, once you begin receiving other job offers. Do not burn any bridges along the way, as who you leave in the past may very well show up again in the future as a reference.

Take Advantage of Your Current Benefits

If you know you will be leaving for a new position or are about to be laid off, take time to set up doctor visits, eye exams, and dental appointments. Many times in a new job, you have to wait through a probationary period to start receiving benefits, if you get benefits at all.

Check In With HR

You should make a point to check in with your human resource manager about the status of your pension and 401k. You do not need to let them know you plan to leave or are looking for another job, but it is imported that you know what you have going on. For instance, you want to know if you are vested in the company and what the benefit will be. If you are not fully vested, find out how much more time you need to put in to be fully vested. If you are just short of the time needed, it would be in your best interest to tough it out or you risk thousands of dollars in your own retirement benefits.

Take Your Retirement with You

It is often recommended that if you have a 401k, you should roll it over into an IRA that will allow you more flexibility than an employers’ plan. If you do not understand the workings of retirement funds, make sure you consult with someone who does or do your own homework.  There may be limits or restrictions on your money and it can cost you dearly in taxes and penalty fees if you do not go through the process correctly or in the right time frame.

Build Up Your Nest Egg

While an unexpected job loss can be harsh on your financial situation, you should definitely have some type of financial cushion should you be the one to make the change. You should not impulsively quit your position without having a backup fund to keep you going while you look for a better position. It may feel terrible having to go to work everyday when all you want to do is stay away, but you will feel even worse if you are out of a job, out of income, and have no extra money to fall back on until you get on your feet again.

How to Plan for a Job Change – Unexpected or Otherwise was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Don’t Take Money Out of Your 401K Account Early!  A large number of people are taking money from their 401K accounts because they’re “losing” money in them.  While you may be watching the numbers go down, the market will recover eventually.  Taking money out early results in high penalty fees as well as having to pay income tax on that money at tax time.  If you really don’t trust your 401K account will recover before it’s time for you to retire – you should at least be considering moving the money into another approved investment that won’t cost you the early withdrawal penalty – just keep in mind, if your employer matches your contributions, you will miss out on that “free money”.

Save Money the Old Fashioned Way.  Even though things are tight, you want to continue to save money.  Banks are insured by the government up to a certain amount (typically $100,000).  If you aren’t confident in the stock market or other investments at this time, take the safe route and save money in a traditional bank or even in a jar at home (but you give up even the small percentage you could be earning in a traditional bank; or the 3-4% you could earn on your money with an online bank).  Just be sure to be setting money aside.

Reduce Your Living Expenses.  Use less water, turn the heat down, buy groceries on sale, cut back on your entertainment expenses.  Skip things you don’t really need and apply that money to paying off debt or savings.  Now is the time to reduce expenses so the money you’re earning can be put to better use and go further.  Avoid using credit cards at all costs, and concentrate on learning to live within your means.

Work Hard to Eliminate Debt. Whether you are concerned you may lose your job or have faith in your job security, it’s a good time to establish a plan to getting out of debt – once and for all!  Try the Pyramid or snowball method to get out of debt.  If your credit is good, consolidating with a loan may be a good option for you.

It’s never in anyone’s best interest to panic, but with all that’s happening in the financial world it’s a good idea to take some action and put yourself in the best possible financial position.

Never a Better Time to Become Frugal was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

One such notable problem that has been in the news lately is the subject of  loan fraud. Uninformed or misinformed consumers have been victims of such fraud al too often and happens during times that should be of celebration, such as when buying a home for the first time.

There are a few things consumers can do to protect themselves during the loan process and even before, to help ensure that they do not become a statistic of fraudulent loans.

1. Contact more than one company to evaluate each of the pros and cons of the loan offer. If a loan company tells you that they are the only company that will give you a loan, walk away immediately. Getting several quotes can help you ensure you are being treated fairly.

2. Be very cautious about revealing too much information about your need for the cash. If a company understands such vulnerabilities, you could be facing an unfair advantage against the loan company.

3. Under no circumstance should you be told to lie or provide misleading information in order to get a loan. It should be a huge red flag if someone asks you to change information concerning your income, cash, or expenses. Walk away from any situation like that, no matter how badly you need the loan.

4. Never let anyone force you into borrowing more money than you are comfortable repaying. When an offer sounds too good to be true, it generally is.

5. Pay close attention to the terms of repayments. Balloon payments and interest only payments should be avoided. It is important you know and understand all of terms of the loan so there are no surprises. This includes repayment terms and all fees and penalties that can be incurred due to a late or missed payment.

6. Never, under any circumstances, sign a loan form or contract that is incomplete or has blank areas on them. Check each page for correct information and read over all documents, no matter how tedious they may seem. If you find any information that is not true, make sure it gets corrected immediately and entirely before proceeding.

7. During closing, make absolutely sure that you are signing exactly what was agreed upon and that additional information has not been added or changed without your consent.

Don’t Get Suckered into Fraudulent Loans was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Carnival offers sailings departing from Port Canaveral and Miami with Nassau, Bahamas as the port of call. Ships depart port on Friday afternoon and arrive in the Bahamas early Saturday morning. This allows for a full day to take in the sights, sounds and culture of the Bahamas.  Ships depart early Sunday morning and spend the day leisurely sailing back to their departure ports arriving early Monday morning. 

A variety of amenities are available on Carnival ships for all types of passengers. Camp Carnival provides activities for children ranging from board games to talent shows all under the watchful eyes of certified counselors. Spa and fitness facilities rival many land based resorts with rejuvenating treatments and the latest in workout equipment.  Entertainment choices abound in the form of comedians, live music and dance and seminars in the onboard lounges and meeting rooms. Fun for all ages is the theme on Carnival’s “Fun” ships.

For Royal Caribbean’s short escapes, the vessel also ports in Nassau with an added bonus port of CocoCay, the cruise line’s private island located in the Berry islands chain.  Passengers have exclusive use of the island and all of its offerings. Powdery white sand with swaying palms and turquoise water set the stage for this stop. A variety of water sports from jet skiing to parasailing are offered for the thrill seeker, along with kayaks and snorkeling for those looking to be more in touch with nature.

Fairly new is a racetrack with battery powered ATV’s for small children. Food and drinks are plentiful at the beachside BBQ lunch and the many tiki hut bars served by ships personnel. And, do not think that just because you are on a private island that shopping is not an option…there are a few stores on the island as well as a straw market type atmosphere, albeit on a much smaller scale. Bring cash when going on the island for any shopping souvenirs, but the ship card is required for any bar or water sport purchases.

There are numerous beach spots in CocoCay, including one offering cabanas and another that has many water sport activities, including a giant inflatable water slide (height requirement, so no young kids). Yet, despite having 2,000 people tender from the ship to the island, you can feel alone in the island by walking the paths and venturing into the water if the tide cooperates and walking along the sand bars. You truly feel as though you are in a tropical island paradise. The private island port of call that many cruise lines offer is a true vacation highlight.

These weekend sailings provide passengers with an opportunity to experience island adventure aboard a floating resort. Costs are often much less than all-inclusive, upscale beach resorts and can be enhanced with discounts offered for geographic location, age, occupation and group rates. Cabin preference and cruising season are factors that may require passengers to book months in advance to ensure availability of cabins and dates. Budget-minded passengers will often take a cabin guarantee instead of cabin assignment. This option allows for greater savings that can benefit the passenger with flexibility.

So in tight economic times, do not give up the dream of a cruise vacation. Consider a shorter itinerary that still provides all of the amenities, but for a lesser cost. The three-night cruise is a great sampler to cruising too to ensure travelers will enjoy this type of vacation without having to invest heavily.

Short Cruises Present Budget-Friendly Vacations with Full Amenities was created by and is property of American Consumer News.