Search results for Wise Bread
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Posted
Sep 30 2009, 06:12 AM
by
Karen Datko
Money Blog: Smart Spending Blog - MSN Money
This post comes from Julie Rains at partner blog Wise Bread.
Many people are job hunting these days. I have worked with job seekers for many years and have found that these five common assumptions frequently derail a job search.
Being open to anything will increase my chances of landing a job. The search ought to have a focus: You should be targeting opportunities in a certain discipline or function; or you should identify the strengths you'd like to leverage and then uncover positions that match those strengths. The résumé should convey that focus; otherwise, you can't differentiate yourself from other candidates because you're not really great at anything but rather average at many things.
Hiring managers don't want to spend training and payroll dollars on a so-so candidate, especially in an environment where money is an extremely limited resource and a more qualified candidate is sure to surface soon.
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Posted
Sep 23 2009, 07:19 AM
by
Karen Datko
Rating:
Money Blog: Smart Spending Blog - MSN Money
This post comes from Nora Dunn at partner blog Wise Bread.
How many friendships have you lost (or almost lost) because of money? If money matters are a touchy subject to begin with, then how are we expected to navigate the murky waters of borrowing from friends?
We've all been there (on either side of the spectrum) before: A buddy asks you to spot him $20, but never seems to have the cash available to pay you back, or he continues to forget when he sees you. And when, months later, he buys a fourth round of beer in front of you without handing over the $20 that has been slowly eroding away at your sanity, you pop.
Your buddy has probably forgotten that he even owed you anything and immediately hands you the cash, but the damage has been done. Your friendship now faces trust and communication issues that may or may not be overcome.
Now, $20 is a fairly easy loan amount to forgive or forget about. But what if that $20 is $200, or even $2,000 or beyond? What tension will exist in the friendship as a result of an outstanding loan?
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Posted
Sep 16 2009, 05:15 AM
by
Karen Datko
Rating:
Money Blog: Smart Spending Blog - MSN Money
This post comes from Alex Wayne at partner blog Wise Bread.
Looking for more money-saving ideas during these tough economic times? Dig that food dehydrator out of storage. This is a frugal living tip that almost everyone can act on. Just by reducing or eliminating food waste, you can save quite a bit of money.
Don't have a dehydrator? These days, you can buy a brand new one for less than the cost of a PlayStation game. Or, visit the flea market or yard sales around the neighborhood. Still can't find one? Try Craigslist. Don't have any money for another kitchen appliance? Alton Brown will show you how to make one.
Bing: Choosing a food dehydrator
Here are nine ways a dehydrator can help you stretch your budget:
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Posted
Sep 09 2009, 08:08 AM
by
Karen Datko
Rating:
Money Blog: Smart Spending Blog - MSN Money
This post comes from Paul Michael at partner blog Wise Bread.
When I was a young lad, eating out was something of a luxury for my family. Most of our meals, at least 95%, were prepared and eaten at home. This was the model for most people my age or older. But these days, society has migrated to eating outside the home way more often. The result is that we're spending a lot more on food than we used to. So, are there ways to chop the bill and eat out for less? You bet.
Share your soft drink. Most of the time, my wife and I find that one drink is adequate for both of us. But in this day and age of countless free refills, we will never run short of our soft drink anyway. It's not much, but a couple of bucks saved every time you order a drink at a restaurant or fast-food place really adds up. And that goes for the kids' drinks, too. My kids are quite happy to share a juice box or fountain drink. Oh, and before anyone cries for the poor fast-food joints or restaurant chains, it's worth noting that the average fountain drink costs the restaurant about 20 cents and they charge you about 10 times that for the beverage. So, I'm not losing any sleep over it; they're still making an insane profit from any drinks we order.
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Posted
Sep 02 2009, 06:25 AM
by
Karen Datko
Rating:
Money Blog: Smart Spending Blog - MSN Money
This post comes from Paul Michael at partner blog Wise Bread.
It's not a fun feeling. You've reached the checkout at the grocery store, you feel inside your pocket or purse, and you realize that your wallet is missing. You heart stops, you walk out without your shopping and proceed to panic.
But there is one way you can significantly increase the chance of your wallet being returned intact.
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Posted
Aug 26 2009, 05:28 AM
by
Karen Datko
Rating:
Money Blog: Smart Spending Blog - MSN Money
This post comes from Nora Dunn at partner blog Wise Bread.
Who knew that vinegar could do so much? It serves a purpose in just about every room of the house, and there are dozens of household (and personal) products that vinegar can replace, as you will see below.
It's cheaper, better for the environment, and better for your health and home (in eliminating unnecessary chemicals). No wonder vinegar is one of my favorite cleaning hacks.
All-purpose cleaners
Vinegar in general is a natural and inexpensive disinfectant. It can be used on almost anything except marble. So, stick it in a spray bottle and get to work. Here are a few recipes for various cleaning purposes:
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Posted
Aug 19 2009, 06:14 AM
by
Karen Datko
Rating:
Money Blog: Smart Spending Blog - MSN Money
This post comes from Xin Lu at partner blog Wise Bread.
Rising home loan delinquencies and foreclosures have made con artists very busy.
These scammers use public records to find homeowners who are in trouble, and then use a variety of schemes to take their money and property in the name of helping them avoid foreclosure. If you have late payments on your home loan, it's likely you will be targeted.
The following are some warning signs that you are dealing with a possible scammer:
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Posted
Aug 12 2009, 06:46 AM
by
Karen Datko
Rating:
Money Blog: Smart Spending Blog - MSN Money
This post comes from Linsey Knerl at partner blog Wise Bread.
When the recession began to really hit home, there was plenty of chatter about selling your plasma, undergoing paid medical tests, and even cutting off your lovely locks for a profit. Here are some of the more off-the-wall commodities we found, and they are making some people a bit more comfortable these days.
Mother's milk. As a mom who nursed three of her four children, I completely understand the benefits and time commitment of breastfeeding. When situations prevent a mom from being able to do this herself, there are some options to keeping the milk flowing, even if it's not her own. Thanks to the hard work and dedication of mothers nationwide, milk has been made available to those who need it via milk banks and other donation centers. The Human Milk Banking Association of America is a good place to start learning about the guidelines for donation, storage and transport.
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Posted
Aug 05 2009, 06:20 AM
by
Karen Datko
Rating:
Money Blog: Smart Spending Blog - MSN Money
This post comes from Linsey Knerl at partner blog Wise Bread.
I'm a sucker for brand-name cleaning supplies, and while it's no crime to be brand-loyal and use what works best for you and your family, oftentimes there are shortcuts that can cut back on cleaning time -- and out-of-pocket expenses. The recent issue of All You magazine had some inspiring ways to get your cleaning jobs done for less. Here are my top picks, along with some additional ways to stretch that dollar.
Sanitize your sponges. Synthetic sponges and kitchen cloths are super-convenient to have on hand, but we all know that after just a few uses, they can get a bit funky smelling. Instead of throwing them out and buying new ones (a total waste of money), or just tossing them into the wash (which doesn't always work,) why not use this clever tip? Fill up your kitchen sink with hot water, add one cup of bleach, and toss those stinky things right in. Bacteria will be gone for good, leaving your sponges fresh smelling again. (You'll also have a shinier sink to show for it.)
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Posted
Jul 29 2009, 05:26 AM
by
Karen Datko
Money Blog: Smart Spending Blog - MSN Money
This post comes from Lynn Truong at partner blog Wise Bread.
I got married in May and I couldn't have been happier with how the day went. At first, there were things I really wanted (or thought I really wanted, based on what I knew weddings were supposed to be like) that would have cost us much more money. But we decided on some frugal alternatives that ended up making the day better than I could have imagined.
Yes, those other things would have been nice, too, but considering that neither of us is made of money, the alternatives made me just as happy and made the day just as perfect, without spending a fortune.
Here's how we saved loads of money by opting for alternatives to tradition.
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