In this common scenario, there are typically two choices:

• You can cut some expenses out of your budget completely; or
• You can add additional sources of income to your financial situation.

If you can no longer cut anything else from your living expenses, it is time to add more money to the mix. Here are 4 ways you may be able to boost your income:

Ask for Overtime

If you work at a job that offers the opportunity for extra hours, sign on. You can earn extra cash without having to worry about starting a part time job somewhere new. If no overtime is available, perform a self-analysis about your work performance and approach your boss about a raise.

Go Part-Time

If you are not in a position to get a raise, consider applying for a part time job. Use the second paycheck strictly to reduce your debts. Once your debts have been eliminated, you can consider eliminating your part time gig.

Skills for Dollar Bills

Many people have a knack, a natural gift, for doing things. Home repair, sewing, crafts, childcare, individual lessons, or any number of hobbies and activities other people cannot do. You can earn supplemental income by promoting your skills among friends, your church, and your community and so on. A big hurdle in this option is people worrying about charging people they know for services rendered. However, move forward without guilt as many people likely feel more comfortable hiring you for jobs than they would a stranger. You may find you have a whole new career ahead of you.

De-Junk Your Life

They say one man’s trash is another’s treasure. Take the opportunity to declutter your home and your life by selling unwanted or unused items. There are many resources for you to unload items for cash including hosting a garage sale, working with a consignment shop, or eBay and other online websites.

Educate Yourself

If your current job is approaching dead-end status, consider the local and governmental resources which offer free or low-cost continuing education programs. These resources can open new doors of financial opportunity and freedom for you. There are many affordable online courses you can use to boost your skills, knowledge, and paycheck totals. It is never too late to learn something new.

5 Ways to Supplement Your Lacking Income was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Analysts say this is a sign of a strengthening market, and furthermore, a sign of a recovering economy. Microsoft’s announcement comes shortly after Google (NASDAQ: GOOG), and Facebook both announced raises for their employees, as well.

Google has given an average of a 10 per cent raise per employee, and is well on its way to hiring 8,000 new employees. Google has also announced that future bonuses will be tied to how well Google’s social media services do, giving employees more incentive to make sure the social media services are successful.

Some may speculate that it is possible Microsoft is just following a trend, or more likely, trying to keep its employees from leaving and moving to Facebook and Google. Employee retention is often more important than hiring new people, especially in the technical field.

It’s no secret that since Google became the powerhouse that it is that Microsoft has had more difficulties hiring young and talented technical workers, and now with Facebook in the picture, the hiring of young talented techs is even more competitive. Many up and coming technical workers seek Google and Facebook jobs before Microsoft, particularly as both Google and Facebook expand their market offerings. Google has recently entered the mobile device market while Facebook is developing a search engine.

Whether or not it’s just a trend, a trick to retain employees, or provide incentives to gain new employees, the truth remains that almost all technical employees working in Microsoft, Google, or Facebook will be seeing a raise this year. On average, the raises in the industry are roughly 4 per cent.

Reference:

http://www.ecommercetimes.com/story/More-Money-Could-Make-Microsoft-Employees-Stick-72328.html?wlc=1303656908&wlc=1303661172

Tech Employees at Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) and Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) Get Bigger Raises was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

A company source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the bank hasn’t made an official announcement, suggested employees subjected to immediate dismissal would range in seniority from managing directors down to junior analysts.

According to Bank of America, more than 800 people were hired in the last 18 months outside of the United States. It is not known how many new employees were added in the US. The dismissal of 400 employees is said to not be a sign of strategy changes at the bank. Chief Executive Officer Brian Moynihan told attendees at last week’s Barclays Capital conference in New York that the company ‘is confident that we’ll move to number one in investment banking in the world.’

Bank of America’s banking and markets business where many cuts are to be made brought in a profit of $1.4 billion during the first half of the year which is a 35% drop from one year previous.

Bank of America is not the only back cutting back on staff. Analysts suggest that five of the largest banks on Wall Street will take in their lowest revenues in this third quarter for investment banking and trading since the fourth quarter of 2008 when revenue totals were in the negative billions.

Analysts weighing in on the cuts said they would expect to see other types of employee cuts to occur at other banks as they work to find the right amount of staff and work to improve revenues.

Is Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) Ready to Fire 400? was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

This pledge was sent out after earlier this month it was reported that the company’s salaried workers would get a promised merit pay increase that averaged about 3%. The new bonus plan will place all of the salaried employees of Ford’s United States and Canada locations under the exact same incentive plan as upper management has. The amount of monies to be paid out will be dependent on meeting companywide objectives as well as individual ones. The last bonus for salaried workers was in 2007 in amounts that ranged from several thousand dollars to more than $15,000. The bonuses if warranted with production goals for 2010 would be paid out to eligible employees next year.

The incentive for goals met is a long way from 2008 when Ford reported a record loss of $14.6 billion. It seems that Ford’s turnaround plan is getting results. Being the only domestic automaker to not file bankruptcy in 2009, the company showed a $2.7 profit last year. There are also other signs that Ford is progressing including the company’s announcement that it would be able to pay back around $3 billion of the company’s total $34.5 billion debt.

The United Auto Workers union health care trust fund noted it would sell 362 million warrants, giving the owner the option to buy shares of Ford at $9.20 a piece. Ford’s stock closed yesterday at $13.57 a share, a 371% surge in price in the last year. The UAW’s sale, which began today at 8 am and was set to conclude at day’s end, is designed to capitalize on the significant rise in Ford’s stock price. The union acquired the warrants from Ford last December to finance a fnd it managed for the benefit of US carmakers retirees and blue-collar workers. Back in November of 2008, the Ford shares were trading at $1.26 each. If all of the warrants are sold, the trust would receive $1.27 billion. If people feel that stocks could soar, warrants may be able to attain an even higher price.

The automaker has gained market share in the United States and in Europe. The company announced last week that it had a deal to sell Volvo for $1.8 billion dollars.

Ford (NYSE: F) Makes Promise to Salaried Employees was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Looking back at the downsizing of America jobs.

Twelve months ago we seen the largest downsizing of jobs in nearly ten years. Approximately 1.6 million jobs were lost between July 2008 and June 2009. In January 2009 the number of jobs cut appears to have peaked at 241,729 for the month, the largest number of jobs lost since January 2002. Looking back at the month of November 2009, there were over 15 million unemployed workers when two years prior the number was closer to 7 million people unemployed. This is not including the number of people (6 million) who are currently unemployed but have not actively looked for a job for a period of four weeks or more.

Job opportunities in 2010.

With the number of job seekers in the millions, it may take some time for everyone to begin to feel the effects of the turnaround predicted in the job market. Fortunately the number of jobs being cut has declined steadily throughout the second half of the year. With job losses on the decline and more opportunities for growth expected in the coming year, it appears we might be entering a period when more people will have the opportunity to find full time employment. The first people likely to see the effect will be those currently working part-time or in temporary positions. Since they already have a foot in the door, they will probably benefit first when employers begin to increase hours and hire temps to fill permanent positions.

John A. Challenger CEO of Gray & Christmas, Inc (a global outplacement and executive coaching consultancy) predicts the following areas will see increased job creation in 2010 and coming years; health care, government, energy, financial services and information technology.

With the decline in lost jobs and the anticipation of more jobs being made available, this year might bring the change that many unemployed workers have been desperately looking for in the past two years. If you are out of work don’t give up, employers are hiring and the number of jobs offered will likely continue to increase as we move forward.

Employment Opportunities To Improve In 2010 was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Part-time jobs. This method is probably the best because of the consistent nature of the income. Part-time jobs range from working in a restaurant or retail to working for a local convenience store. Whichever you choose and fits your circumstances, then be willing to work the hours on a consistent basis so that the money is consistent as well. If you choose the restaurant job, then try being a server. The hourly pay is not as high, but the tips can make up for it and then some. If you have a knack for relating to people and making them feel comfortable then this might be a job for you to consider.

Household sales. It is time to clean out the attic, basement and garage and sell anything that isn’t nailed down and hasn’t been used for a very long time. You might not be willing to part with everything, but most people have “stuff” that they no longer need. The yard sale / garage sale can net you hundreds of dollars if you have enough things to sell. You can also sell things on eBay which goes with our next point.

Hobbies. Do you have a hobby or things that you like to do that you could turn into income? Some people do not like to make their hobbies into money-making ventures, but if you are in a position of needing to bring in money, then consider doing it for just a short period of time. Look at using your hobby and marketing it through eBay. If you do not have a hobby or one that can be used to make money, then look and see what kinds of things others are doing. Grab onto something that interests you and investigate whether or not you can do the same.

Decrease withholdings. Most people are holding out too much money from their regular paycheck which gives them a big bonus in the spring of the year when they get a refund from the Federal Government in the form of a tax return. You should change this so that you break even, or just barely get a tax refund. The reason is that you are sending money to the government to use all year long and then they give it back to you with no interest. Better it is to keep that money in your paycheck and use it to help pay bills and put into savings.

These four income sources can help you get through a difficult time financially until things improve. It is income that can sustain you for long periods of time if you allow it. That can help you reach other goals, too like paying down debt. There are very few negatives in this proposition so get started today.

Four Income Sources for Tough Times was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Job fairs are a popular way for job seekers and Human Resource representatives alike to set first impressions. While many companies are pulling back on their job fair participation, many are still in the game – ready to snap up potential talent among the growing pool of candidates.

If you plan to attend a job fair as a job seeker, know that this is a prime opportunity to shine in front of many perspective employers in one day. You must be ready to give it your all. Here are some tips to handle the prep work and presentation when attending a job fair.

Pre-Register Yourself if Possible
Since job fairs of today may be more crowded than ever, preregistering online or over the phone is a great idea of it is an option. If the fair has a website, read through all of the resources given, such as which companies and representatives will be attending, where their booths will be located, and what other information can help keep your time at the fair more organized. This way you can maximize your time spent there looking for networking opportunities rather than battling the crowds with a plan.

Prepare Resumes and Calling Cards
Make sure your resume is current and professional-looking. Try to keep it down to one sheet and print it out on quality paper. Double check for typos and inaccurate information. Carry the resumes in a folder that will keep it neat, smudge, and wrinkle free. Bring enough copies based on your previous research of who will be attending the air. Personal business cards with your contact information and job interest might be a plus for easier networking.

Dress for Success
Never show up to a job fair in clothing you would not wear to an interview. While it may be called a “fair”, it is certainly not the place for flip-flops and cut off jeans. Dress comfortably but professionally. Remember you will likely be on your feet for awhile so wear good, supportive shoes so you are not suffering in pain during your networking opportunities.

Show Up Early
Be ready to get there when the doors open to take full advantage of the opportunities available. It is almost pointless to show up a the end when the Human Resource representatives are likely ready to go home after a long day or are content with the candidates they met early on in the day.

Network Like There is No Tomorrow
You never know who you will meet at the job fair. Talk with job seekers and recruiters alike. Don’t go to  job fair and be a wallflower. It is a waste of your time and you likely won’t get far.

Follow Up During the Week
If you made any key contacts who imparted advice for contacting them, be sure to follow through with what you were asked to do. Make sure you keep networking with those you met, who can help keep you in the loop for available work opportunities.

Tips for Making the Most of a Job Fair was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Here are some tips to help keep your retirement from happening before the end of your life. The younger you start heading in the right direction, the better off you will be.

Stop Living Beyond Your Means

Especially now, during an economic crunch, people living beyond their means will never be able to properly prepare or save for retirement. It is an everyday, conscious decision to purchase only the things you need and forget the things you can live without. Perhaps taking less vacations, staying home to eat meals, and by cutting back on daily spending, you can start saving for retirement bit by bit.

Disregarding Savings Plans

If you are not contributing well to your 401k plan or other means of savings and investment accounts on a regular basis, you are missing out on prime opportunities to tuck away your hard-earned cash for your retirement.

Analyze Future Earnings

People who do not accurate estimate their income in future years may be seriously disappointed when it turns out they were not prepared for the future. You can not expect to fly by the seat of your pants when it comes to financial security. Many people only anticipate the good things in life and disregard the bad, such as potential job loss and increased rates of living.

Do Not Overlook Everything Retirement Encompasses

While many people imagine living a life of luxury on the golf courses of Florida during their retirement years, falling to plan for all aspects of a retirement plan can get you in real trouble. Scenarios that include long-term care options, medical expenses, as well as funeral expenses all need to be taken in to consideration before leaving your job for the good life.

 Again, it is important to remember retirement is a topic of concern for everybody, not just grandparents. The earlier you start saving, the earlier you can retire. By not planning and preparing for your retirement at the beginning of your working career, you can expect one thing for sure, you’ll be working a lot longer than you had hoped.

How to Improve Your Chances of Retiring was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

If you are applying for such a position and anticipate a credit check as part of the application process, the best you can do is be up front about marks on your credit, including consistently late payments or charge-offs. Let them know that you acknowledge you have had issues with your credit and that you are working to clear them up. You do not have to go into explicit detail about your circumstances. Many employers would appreciate your honesty.

In the event you are applying for a position that does not deal with money, a credit check is inappropriate, as is any information about credit or financial obligations. Also, keep in mind that a credit check is very different from a background check. A background check is a standard procedure. Information that is already available to the public is used for this purpose but a credit check is not part of public record. Companies must also have a written consent from you to initiate a credit check.

Beyond potential employers, the only other people who can have access to your credit history and information for checking purposes include:

• Banks
• Insurance Agencies
• Credit Card Companies
• Governmental agencies reviewing licensing or special benefits
• Landlords
• Any other third party you give legitimate consent

Make sure you check your credit report regularly for inaccurate information and take a good look at who is checking into your credit with or without your permission.

Can Bad Credit Cost You a Job? was created by and is property of American Consumer News.