Life

Do-It-Yourself Can Save Bucks

August 2, 2018 by Twila Van Leer

How many ways can you think of to save money by taking care of home maintenance items, making your own clothing, your baby’s food and dozens of other projects?
You can save lots of money if you go about it right.

Know What You Are Doing

First on the list of don’ts is the obvious: Don’t undertake DIY projects unless you know what you are doing. Free courses through local schools, colleges, libraries, stores, sewing centers, etc. can prepare you for routine home upkeep chores. Book stores have shelves of how-to books and there is a website for any job you could imagine. Don’t start a project until you’re sure you can finish it.

Leave It To the Experts

Stick with things you are genuinely willing to tackle. If you are put off car repairs by the smells and dirt, leave it to the experts. Focus on projects you want to undertake and have reasonable expectations of success.

Estimate The Time It Will Take You To Complete Your Project

Start small. Re-roofing an entire house is a huge, dangerous and expensive undertaking. Start with a small section of roof on a garage and see what the reality of the full job would be.

Do Your Own Lawn Care

Lawn care might be a good place to start. If you have been hiring it done, enlist the help of family members and do it yourself. Don’t assume you have to do every bit of every job yourself.

Review & Update Your Plans

Reassess your budget periodically to see if there are items you could eliminate or undertake to do on your own rather than pay to have them done.

Get Rid of It!

Sell (or donate) items you no longer need. Keep track of their value to use for tax deductions. Items that have value as collectibles can be offered on eBay.

You will multiply the value of Do-It-Yourselfing by putting the money you saved into your regular savings or into a separate account for emergencies.

Hints For Your Job Search

July 30, 2018 by Twila Van Leer

Although the United States is enjoying the lowest unemployment rate in years, there still are many people in job search mode, hoping either to find a job or upgrade.

Here are tips to help in the process:

Have a plan.

Write it down. You may have to revise as you go along, but start with a firm idea of what kind of work you want, how much you expect to earn, whether it fits long-term career objectives, how many and what hours do you want to work?

Treat Your Search Like a Job

Treat the search as if it were a full-time job in itself. If you lack the motivation to keep at it, enlist a friend to help keep you on track. Follow a consistent schedule and stay organized as you make queries. Get up early and be ready for business during regular business hours. Follow up on any leads immediately and make a to-do list every evening. Keep detailed notes on all your conversations with prospective employers. If you notice any trends, correct your approach. Be willing to consider additional training if it will get you into the field of choice.

Keep a Good Attitude

Don’t give up. Being passed over is part of the job hunt. Keep rejections in perspective and remember that employers don’t always choose the most qualified candidate. Learn from the “no’s” and move on. Don’t take failures in the job search personally. It may be the next employer you approach will be the right one.

Ask All Known Sources About Leads

Remember to draw on every possible “in” you have among family and friends. The majority of successful job hunts are the result of networking.

Be Mindful Of Your Health

Stay healthy. If you become so focused on the hunt for a job that you forget to take care of yourself, you can defeat your own purpose. Take a little time for recreation and/or exercise. It will help you to cope with the inevitable stress and emotion of looking for a job.