It may sound too good to be true, but there are some jobs out there that can bring in significant salaries without a college degree. However, these careers do require specialized training. Payscale recently put together a list of jobs that don’t require a degree.

1. Freelance Photographer: Median Salary $47,800 Along with strong photography skills and special equipment, you’ll also need to be business savvy to get your business off the ground.

2. Private Detective: Median Salary $50,600 This one may sound exciting and glamorous but it will require a lot of work. You need to have knowledge of the law, psychology and critical thinking skills.

3. Elevator Mechanic: Median Salary $61,500 You may be required to work odd hours for this job and you must be knowledgeable of complex mechanical systems.

4. Nuclear Power Reactor Operator: Median Salary $79,100 This one is definitely a well-paying job, but you need to make sure you have an understanding of physics and engineering.

5. Personal Trainer: Median Salary $37,500 A lot of trainers have college degrees, but you can get a certification instead. Make sure you have skills in nutrition, anatomy, first aid and customer service, says the article.

6. Director of Security: Median Salary $62,400 This job really requires a lot of on-the-job training. You may start as an assistant and work your way up to director.

7. Air Traffic Controller:  Median Salary $60,200 This is a competitive field and requires special testing from the FAA. It can also be a stressful one.

Having a roommate is a great way to save money. You sacrifice a room in your home that you probably weren’t using much anyway and in exchange you get some extra money each month. But of course, having a roommate takes a little adjusting. My husband and I are welcoming in an old friend for a couple of months who needs a place to stay. We’ve been preparing for the arrival of our new boarder to make the situation as smooth as possible.

Open Communication

We knew it was important to lay everything out on the table before finalizing the roommate situation. We worked out a price, and explained how much space including closets would be available. We didn’t want our roommate to think there would be room for lots of furniture when their isn’t. We also determined when rent would be paid so that there are no questions after move-in day.

Prepare the Space

Make sure your new roommate’s room is clean. You’ll start the new living arrangement out on a positive note when you give them a welcoming place to call home. This includes emptying out the closet space, drawers and under the bed.

Make Room in Communal Areas

It may be your home, but now you’re opening it up to someone else. That means sharing in communal areas, too. Clean out some room in the linen closet, a coat closet and in the kitchen. Make sure there is some space for their food in the fridge and maybe they’ll be less likely to eat yours.

Have a Key Made

Make sure they can enter and exit your home with ease. Have a key made before their arrival. And test it to make sure it works.

Are you a goal setter? Without goals our work, passion and energy can be more like a lightning strike– only making a short, fleeting impact. But with goal setting we can become more like the sun– steady, bright and strong. Goal setting can help us reduce the amount of time and energy we squander. Having goals helps us to focus our talents and truly make a difference, fulfilling the purpose that God has established for our lives. Here are some important steps in goal setting as suggested by The Carolina Leadership Group.

• Develop a mission statement for your life. This is one line that clearly states your focus.
• Write a specific goal(s) that supports your mission. This will help you understand the purpose of your mission.
• List the benefits of achieving the goal. In times when you get discouraged this will help you reaffirm your mission.
• Anticipate possible obstacles and solutions. Anything worth having takes work. By understanding what challenges you may encounter you’ll be more prepared for them.
• Write detailed action steps and deadlines to achieve the goal. This will help any goal seems more manageable.
• Integrate the action steps into your planning system. Action steps give you a clear path towards your goal.
• Determine a method of tracking your progress. If you’re not able to see that you’re making headway you may get discouraged.
• Write affirmations to support your belief in your ability to accomplish the goal. These will be important during times of struggle.
• Develop a visual representation that effectively reminds you of your goal. Keep this handy and look at it daily to keep your eye on the prize.

Do you like making jewelry, sewing pillows or painting pictures? Try making some extra money with the online handmade marketplace Etsy. Lots of people have made money selling crafts, art and vintage goods on the site. In fact, $180.6 million worth of goods were sold on the site in 2009. Want a cut of that? Before you get too excited, consider that there is quite a bit of competition.

Some artists say it’s nearly impossible to be successful on Etsy. That’s because Etsy officials say there are about 400,000 active Etsy sellers. Active sellers are people who have sold products on the site within the past year. The competition is particularly tough for those who choose to create in popular categories like jewelry.

There are other online marketplaces for crafters and artists if Etsy seems too tough. Other sites are SuperMarket and Artsefest. You could also sell your crafts and art at a local craft show. Or talk with an art studio about showing some of your work. Even if you don’t end up selling your crafts, they could still save you money. Give them away as gifts for a low cost alternative to giving store bought items.

It’s hard to believe that millions of Americans have unclaimed money waiting for them. But that’s what CBS News says. Here are the websites they’re telling people to check out:

1. MissingMoney.com: Bank accounts, safe deposit boxes, mutual funds, uncashed checks, utility deposits, escrow accounts and more.
2. Unclaimed.org: $32.877 billion in forgotten assets.
3. PBBC.gov: Unclaimed pension benefits.
4. IRS.gov: Unclaimed tax refunds.
5. TreasuryDirect.gov: Uncashed savings bonds.

All of these searches are free and take just a few minutes. You’ll need to put in basic information including your name and social security number. CBS News says it varies from state to state, but if you discover that some money is owed to you you should receive it within a few weeks. “The Early Show” says a lot of viewers found money ranging from $10 to several hundred. After the segment on missing money aired, the website MissingMoney.com saw an increase of two million searches on their website with about 85,000 people finding unclaimed money.

Looking for a way to earn extra money? Or perhaps you need some low-cost help with a project? Check out Fiverr.com, the place for people to share things they’re willing to do for $5. The concept is simple. For those looking to make extra cash you create listings describing the work you are willing to do for $5. Some examples that currently appear on the site include:

* I will be your personal assistant for 1 hour for $5
* I will record you a rap/hip hop song for $5
* I will write 5 comments with SEO backlinks to your site for $5
* I will convert your baby into animal costume for $5
* I will design flash intros for your site for $5
* I will send a shout out of your website to 19,000+ people for $5

As you can see, the posts range from practical to obscure. If you find a service that sounds like a good deal, simply contact the seller, explain what you want them to do and pay them $5 for their work through PayPal. If you’re using the site to make money, beware that despite the assumption that you’ll make $5, you actually will only make $4. The website keeps $1 for themselves as a service fee. The site started in December of 2009 and already it appears that a lot of people are using this as a way to earn extra cash or for finding cheap labor.

Teens looking for summer jobs this year will have plenty of competition. According to the Department of Labor, there are nine million people hunting for part-time jobs. And according to polls, most employers plan their summer staff now. So here are some tips for helping your teen find a summer job.

* Try SnagAJob.com. It’s a great resource for people who are looking for hourly employment. It can be a great place for your teen to start their search.
* Help them prepare. If you’ve never had a job interview, the process can be scary. Help your teen prepare by going through a few mock interviews.
* Apply often. Don’t let your teen get their heart set on working at one place. They’ll learn great skills just going through the interview process even if they don’t get hired.
* Hit the faithful locations. Fast food joints, grocery stores and some clothing stores are known for hiring teens. Make sure these make it on your teen’s list of places to apply.
* Think out of the box. Plenty of businesses need help with social media. And often this is an area that today’s teens excel. Help them to focus on some unique services they can offer local businesses.
* Consider the family business. If the competition is too tough, working at the family business may be a good option for your teen. They’ll get experience which may help them stand out from the crowd in the future.

I had the pleasure of attending Dave Ramsey’s EntreLeadership class in Charleston, South Carolina last week. The event helped me in many areas as a small business owner and this week I’m highlighting a few of the important lessons I learned during the event. One of those key lessons is hiring the right people for your team. In the book “Good to Great” by Jim Collins, he explains how important it is to not only have the right people on the bus, but to make sure they’re on the right seat on the bus as well. Ramsey went into great detail about the interview process and how crucial it is to hire the right people for the job in the first place. One of the reasons for this is that turnover is expensive in lost productivity and in lowered morale for the rest of your team.

Right from the beginning, Ramsey says you should be specific about the type of person you are looking for and what the position pays. He says it’s a big waste of everyone’s time when you’re not upfront about compensation. He also says what you’re selling is not a job, but an opportunity to do something that matters. In any position, you should be able to find a reason why it is important work.

The interview process is key for finding the right people for your team. Initially, interviews should be no longer than 30 minutes and you should let the interviewee do most of the talking. Here are Ramsey’s 12 steps for making sure you get the right person for the position:

1. Pray
2. Define the job in written form
3. Review the resume
4. Have them take a personality test
5. Determine if you like them
6. Find out if they’re passionate about it- do they light up when talking about this position?
7. Talk about compensation and benefits
8. Review their personal budget to make sure that they could live on what you plan to pay them
9. Follow up with references
10. “Interview” their spouse, take them out to dinner
11. Review company and personal mission statements
12. Put them on a 90 day probation

Once hired, if the person doesn’t perform to your expectations figure out if it’s an education problem, a character issue, of if they’re lazy. Give them more grace because that is what you would want and remember that incompetence isn’t evil– we’re all incompetent at something.

Would you do the same job for less money? Dozens of America’s top executives would. According to Reuters, when the government slashed executive salaries at US companies that benefited from bailout funds, most stayed. Despite predictions that they’d leave for better money somewhere else, most of the executives stayed, earning pay at levels far below industry averages and much lower than they were used to. In fact 85 percent of the executives stayed with their companies.

Officials say they’ve told AIG, General Motors Co, GMAC Inc, Chrysler Group LLC and Chrysler Financial Corp to lower salaries for 2010 by one-third. However, companies like Bank of America and Citigroup have repaid the bailout money they received which means they’re not subject to as much regulation in salaries.

I have many friends who have experienced pay cuts, furloughs and loss of benefits in the past year. But I’ve also had other friends who have lost their jobs altogether. I don’t know of any friends who used reduced pay as a primary reason to leave their job, but it may have been a factor. I think deciding whether or not to stay when a company announces pay cuts largely depends on how the subject is approached. For companies who cut pay to certain employees, but not executives, it’s a bit harder to swallow. But for companies who announce cuts with positive attitude that lets everyone know all employees are in this together it may be more motivation to pitch in and turn the situation around. What do you think– would you do the same job for less money?

My friends and I are working on starting a business. While I am excited about this new opportunity, I am also nervous about the fact that it could put stress on our friendship. I certainly don’t want to lose any friendships because of a business deal, but at the same time I’m excited about the thought of working with people I love on a project I’m passionate about.

The Basics

We are five friends, spread throughout the country. We each have completely different jobs and bring many different skills to the table. Our idea is to launch an online business, selling a limited number of products that focus around a tradition that we have had for nearly a decade. (I know I’m being vague, but I have to be at this point!)

The Pros:

Because there are five of us, the workload should be lighter. We can each handle different business tasks and we are able to juggle it with our other jobs. It also means less risk because each of us only has to bring about $500 to the table. Our business will have no debt. The business will give us each something to dream about, get excited about and ultimately will allow us to help other groups of women.

The Cons:

We are friends first, business partners second. While I may be more entrepreneurial, other members of the group are afraid of the risk and seem to be dwelling on it. Some members of the group have skills that really benefit the business, while others do not. This could be magnified down the road while some of the women feel they’re taking on a larger share of the workload while getting the same return.

Have you ever started a business with friends? Would you ever own a business with friends?

A recent article on Yahoo! Hot Jobs listed job sectors that aren’t so hot. In fact, these ten industries are experiencing significant declines and many of these jobs are expected to disappear over the next eight years.

1. Department stores: Projected to drop 10.2 percent of the 1.56 million jobs they had in 2008.

2. Semiconductor manufacturing: Estimated to lose 33.7 percent of the 432,000 jobs it had in 2008.

3. Motor vehicle parts manufacturing: Projected to reduce its force by 18.6 percent of its 544,000 jobs.

4. Postal service: Expected to drop 13 percent of the 748,000 jobs it had in 2008.

5. Printing and related jobs: Projected to reduce 16 percent of its 594,000 jobs.

6. Cut-and-sew apparel manufacturing: Anticipated to lose 57 percent of its 155,000 jobs.

7. Newspaper publishers: Projected a 24.8 percent reduction of its 326,000 jobs.

8. Mining support jobs: Expected to lose 23.2 percent of its 328,000 jobs.

9. Gas stations: Estimated to reduce employment by 8.9 percent of its 843,000 jobs.

10. Wired telecom: Projected to drop 11 percent of its 666,000 jobs.

So what do you do if your industry is on this top-ten list?

1. Don’t Panic: Just because you’re in an industry that’s experiencing a decline in demand or scaling back doesn’t mean you need to panic right now. Try to focus on the present– you have a job when many workers do not! Just because your industry is cutting back its workforce doesn’t necessarily mean you will lose your job.

2. Prepare: There are plenty of employees who are laid off unexpectedly. But using this knowledge of industry trends, you can prepare for the future. Think about beefing up your resume with volunteer work, additional education or another part-time job. You may want to discuss options with a career counselor and find ways to make yourself more marketable just in case you do lose your job.

3. Set Yourself Apart: Because your industry may be looking to lay off employees, start thinking of ways to set yourself apart from others that work in your company. Are there additional responsibilities you can take on? Do you have ideas to share? Make yourself even more valuable to the company.

4. Get Ready for Change: Someone once said the only constant in life is change. Once you realize that you can embrace it more easily. And just remember to put your faith in Jesus Christ because he is a steady rock you can always depend on.

A record low number of US workers will get holiday bonuses this year. According to an annual survey done by Hewitt Associates just 24% of companies will be handing out year-end cash. That’s down from 42% a year ago. But there is a silver lining. Although companies may not be handing out extra money, they do plan to give raises next year and do some more hiring, according to the Wall Street Journal.

So who are the lucky few getting holiday bonuses? Researchers say it’s the top performers. Most bonuses– 63% in fact– are now being handed out based on job performance and success with the median bonus being about $250. But not only are not as many bonuses being handed out, but fewer companies will be throwing a Christmas party. The same survey discovered that 60% of companies will host a holiday party. That’s down from 71% a year ago. They’ll be spending less on that big bash as well with the median being $15,000, down from $19,000 in 2008.

Even before the economy went south, I never worked for a company that handed out much in the way of year-end bonuses. One December I was given an over-sized Hershey’s chocolate bar along with a hand shake from the company president. And another year the higher-ups gave us coffee mugs. The best Christmas bonus I received was $25 from a company who handed out extra checks based on the number of years you’d been with the company. Are you expecting a holiday bonus this year? If so, what do you think you’ll spend it on?

You can use Twitter for networking, promoting blog posts and making new friends. But did you know you can actually make money off of Twitter? So far I have made over $60 off my Twitter account by selling tweets to various advertisers. I’m going to highlight some of these options so you can use your Twitter account to make extra income.

Sponsored Tweets

Overview: Sponsored Tweets is owned by Izea, which calls itself the world leader in sponsored conversations. In order to qualify for Sponsored Tweets your Twitter account must be at least 60 days old, have at least 100 followers and 100 status updates.

Control: When an advertiser makes you an offer, you can either accept or deny it. You can also rewrite the Tweet in your own words. The advertiser will then review your Tweet to approve, deny or request a change.

Earning Money: With Sponsored Tweets, you also control how much you get paid. You will get paid that determined amount for each approved Tweet. Sponsored Tweets will suggest an earning range based on the number of your followers and the quality of your followers. You must have $50 in your account in order to make a withdrawal.

Referrals: Another way to boost your earning power with Sponsored Tweets is by getting referrals. If a Tweeter signs up through your referral link you will get 10% of Sponsored Tweets portion of revenue through that Tweeter. If you sign up an advertiser you’ll earn 5% on each transaction When a tweeter signs up using one of your links or badges you will receive 10% of SponsoredTweets portion of revenue for each successful transaction that Tweeter makes. If you sign up an Advertiser you will earn 5% of Sponsored Tweets earnings for each transaction they make. You’ll continue to get this portion of earnings for two years.

Magpie

Overview: Magpie calls itself the original Twitter advertising network. It allows companies to create relevant and focused conversations on Twitter through the use of various tweeters like you. For Twitter users signing up is free.

Control: You have control over the frequency of your tweets and which advertisers you want to approve. Any time an opportunity comes about, you are asked whether you want to approve or deny the tweet.

Earning Money: You can earn money one of two ways. The advertiser either gives you a percentage of any sale or lead that is generated as a result of your tweet. Or you can be paid every time someone clicks on the link in your tweet ad. I have only been paid three times in the past year as a result of a sale being generated. I have found that the ads that pay per click or view pay more frequently than the ones that require a sale. Also, you can only withdraw your cash when you reach $50. This can take a while especially if you are only getting paid a commission on sales and you are not making any sales.

Referrals: With Magpie, you can only earn extra money by getting new advertisers to sign up through your referral link– not Twitter users. If you get an advertiser to sign up through your referral link you can earn 30% commission on transaction fees for the entire first year.

Ad.ly

Overview: Ad.ly automatically sends one tweet through your Twitter account every day from advertisers that you approve. With Ad.ly, you approve every ad that is sent out through your account. The company says their goal is to connect top tier Twitter users with top tier advertisers.

Control: You have control over which advertisers you work with and what the Tweets are about.

Earning Money: Although I have never personally used Ad.ly, their site says that you set the price per Tweet that the advertisers will pay. Ad.ly will suggest a price for you to request based on the quality and number of followers that you have. It sounds similar to the Sponsored Tweets model. You must have earned at least $50 to get a check from Ad.ly.

Referrals: You can earn up to 12% commission on referrals you make with Ad.ly. You will earn 12% of whatever your friends make as long as they sign up through your referral link.

Is the worst recession in 75 years actually over? Some signs are pointing to “yes.” According to a report from the Associated Press the economy grew last quarter. In a report released by the Commerce Department, the economy actually grew, ending a record streak of four quarters of decline. It was the first growth experienced in more than a year. Some say government aid and Federal support are what helped drive home and car sales– something that can’t continue forever.

President Obama called the growth “welcome news” but says there is still a long way to go since many Americans are still out of work. Plus their home values and 401(k)s still remain down. Many economists say the recovery won’t last for long as the impact of the government’s $787 billion spending package fades away. Even Obama’s chief economist believes that the stimulus spending has already had its biggest impact and probably won’t contribute to much growth in 2010. As for the unemployment rate, many experts believe that will continue to increase, too, pushing 10.5% next year before declining.

So what pushed the US into positive growth? Spending on housing was up for the first time since 2005, likely supported by the $8,000 tax credit for first-time buyers. Plus Federal government spending increased by 7.9% in the third quarter. But it’s up to the National Bureau of Economic Research to decide when and if they recession is truly over. They’re the group in charge of dating the beginning and ends of recessions.

So what do you think– is the recession over? Take our poll:

We’re all looking for ways to make extra money and sometimes desperate times call for lots of creativity. If you don’t mind becoming a rolling billboard you may want to consider selling ad space on your car. There are several companies out there looking for willing drivers who don’t mind selling products while commuting. In exchange for wrapping your car in a giant advertisement, you’ll either get money, free gas or a free car to drive. Here are some companies to check out but as always– do your research first and never pay for a service that is supposed to put money in your pocket. Go ahead, turn your car into a pile of cash.

GasforFree.com: This site pays in free gas– not cash. But with gas prices as high as they are free gas is always nice! They’ll turn your car into a rolling ad campaign by wrapping the vehicle with images. To qualify you must have a vehicle that is a 1998 or newer, must drive an average of 1250 miles a month, be the registered owner, have a valid driver’s license, have valid insurance and have a clean driving record.

FreeCarMedia.com: Earn up to $900 a month with FreeCarMedia.com. Fill out the form on the website and be as detailed as possible. They’ll attempt to match you up with an interested advertiser. The advertising campaigns usually last around 3 months, but some are shorter and others are longer.

AdSmart AutoAds: This company will wrap a new Nissan Xterra or Volkswagen Beetle in an advertisement and then you can drive the car for free. Another option is getting your own car wrapped and getting paid $350 a month to drive around town.

AutoWrapped.com: This website says it pays up to $400 a month for drivers willing to wrap their cars in advertisements. They’ve also got a program that will provide you with a free car to drive in return for being a rolling billboard.

My husband and I are newly addicted to the television show Shark Tank. Fledgling entrepreneurs pitch their ideas to five successful business people hoping to get investment money to help grow their businesses. So if you need money for your business you can try to get on Shark Tank. But if you’d rather avoid the spotlight, here are a few other ways to secure free money for your business. If you’re a social entrepreneur check out The Purpose Prize. The contest awards money to deserving businessmen and women who are making a difference in the world. Up to $100,000 is given each year to social innovators. The nomination deadline for the 2010 awards is March 5.

Another way to fund your small business is by connecting with investors through the Go Big Network. Set up a free account online and post a request. More than 20,000 investors from around the world will have access to your request and the information about your company.

For musicians, artists and writers looking for funding for creative projects check out Kickstarter.com. Project creators can offer rewards like products, services or other benefits to inspire “investors” to support their endeavors. Keep in mind that those requesting funds only get the money if their entire fundraising goal is met within the time period allotted. But it’s a great way to get funding for non-traditional business types.

Finally, the biggest source of free money comes from a truly amazing but little-advertised program from the Small Business Administration. It’s called America’s Recovery Capital Loan Program and if your business qualifies you can receive an INTEREST FREE five year term loan for up to $35,000. As with any government program, there is a long list of qualification factors, though the list is actually fairly reasonable. Key terms are that you must have been in business for at least two years and shown a profit in at least one of the past two years. You can only use the funds to pay down existing debts and you need to be able show that your business has undergone some type of hardship (like decreased sales or reduced credit lines) but that it is still viable going forward. Sounds complex, but we found several banks who would take applications over the phone.

Money for small businesses is out there, and you don’t even need to swim with the sharks to find it!

My husband and I have USAA insurance and they send out magazines with lots of financial tips. Their summer issue discussed a topic that many are probably doing and that’s trying to get their hands on some fast cash. The article outlines safe ways to get cash and warnings that you need to be aware of.

First are the things that are reliable and feasible ways to earn more money. The “Where To Get Money Now,” article discusses cutting your budget, using emergency funds, getting a second job, downgrading or selling a car, opening a Certificate of Deposit, suspending college contributions, spending your severance pay wisely and selling stuff. When it comes to emergency funds, experts point out that storing away three to six months of living expenses is smart.  Also, CDs gives you a guaranteed return in terms within a year or two.

Second are those you need to be cautious about. Selling your stocks or taxable investments that lost their value may make sense or asking for gifts to help you out could also be an option. This year, according to the article, the government allows individuals to give up to $13,000 in cash or property to someone without having to pay gift taxes. There is always the option of asking for a loan, but make sure it won’t cause any problems with your relationship with family or friends. How about liquidating a U.S. Savings Bank? Well, the interest is taxable so check with an expert first. For more information on that check out Treasury Direct. The site Prosper.com pairs borrowers with lenders, but if your credit score is low you might not be eligible. Another idea is taking out a 401(k) loan, however, make sure you know the rules of the IRS. The loan amount usually has to be the lesser of $50,000 or 50 percent of the account balance.

As for the third group, though they may be enticing, the article says to steer clear. Don’t dip into your IRA. If you are under the age of 59 and a half, the penalty is having to pay out 10 percent. Using credit card cash advances is a bad idea, says USAA. You’ll have to pay a large fee and watch out for the interest you’ll be charged until it’s paid off. Another thing you might want to stay away from is borrowing against your life insurance. The article says it should definitely be a last resort. Finally, is taking a payday loan – “bad, bad idea” says USAA.  The interest rates and fees can be enormous.

You’ve probably heard of panning for gold and the California Gold Rush in the 1800s. But who would have imagined that it would be back on the rise this decade? According to the Gold Prospectors Association of America, it has seen a 20 percent increase in membership from last year. As the price of gold continues to skyrocket above $900 an ounce families across the nation are looking to panning for gold for a possible money-making vacation.

Here are some spots around the country for finding gold:

Gold Prospecting Adventures LLC in California is offering travel packages and has a Jimtown 1849 Gold Mining Camp. It takes you back in time to see how the 49ers lived and you can begin your own quest for finding gold. They also offer education courses and school programs.

At Big Thunder Gold Mine in South Dakota visitors can see how miners lived in the 1800s and you can try to find that coveted nugget of gold.

If you want to head to Colorado, there are plenty of spots to look for gold. Country Boy Mine in Breckenridge was founded in 1887 and allows you to look for gold in the Eureka Creek. It also has mine tours and other activities. Gold panning here is $9.95 per person.

You can find Cotton Patch Gold Mine and Campground in New London, NC for gold prospecting. Panning costs $12 for adults and $7 for children. That includes several two-gallon buckets. For some quick instructions on how to pan for gold go to GoldGold.

According to a report by a CBS news station in Denver, the recession is a cause of the influx of the modern day Gold Rush as people hope to make a little extra money. Estimates show that gold panning is up about 15 percent. But don’t expect to get rich quick. The reports says that professional gold panners make an average of $60 to $80 per day. However, every little bit of money helps even if it’s found in the streams of mountains.

It’s probably not surprising that the education of a population and its economy are related, but a new study says they’re more closely related than we realize. The study was recently conducted by the Darla Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina for the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education.

Currently the state of South Carolina (where I live) ranks among the lowest in per capita income, and also has one of the worst education records in the country. The study discovered that if South Carolina reached its long-term goal of having 30% of the state’s population hold at least a bachelor’s degree by 2030, it would have a huge impact on the state’s economy. The study found that if that goal were realized it would mean as much as $6.9 billion in new annual personal income, $7.8 billion in gross state product and nearly 45,000 additional full-time jobs for the state’s residents.

And if you’re wondering what the value of a college degree is, economist at the Moore School Dr. Doug Woodward believes he has the answer. He says that over the course of a career (from about age 25 to retirement) those with at least a bachelor’s degree will earn $1.2 million more than those who just have a high school diploma. That equals out to 8.2 times the amount the average person spends on earning that four-year degree. You can read the entire study released by the Moore School of Business here.

It’s hard to find a person not impacted by the economy. And I am no exception. Although my husband and I are blessed to both have small businesses that have been doing very well, we have family members who have experienced the ups and downs of this economy. If you’re wondering how layoffs, the housing slump and drooping retirement accounts could have a positive side, keep reading. Here is a personal look at how some of my loved ones have been impacted by the economy. I’d love to hear how yourfriends and family members have been doing, too.

The Positive

My sister lost her job last summer which could have been a big negative. But it prompted her to start her own business which has turned into a big positive. She’s doing something she loves, living with more freedom, experiencing less stress and enjoying the fruits of a successful small business.

I have several close friends who have been able to buy homes that they wouldn’t have otherwise been able to purchase. One friend bought her first home a few months ago. It was a foreclosure that would have been way out of her price range a few years ago.

The Negative

Some relatives of mine have not been able to afford their mortgage for the last few months. While I don’t know all of the details, it’s likely that the economy had some role in their situation. It looks like they’ll be filing bankruptcy and possibly lose their home.

Many good friends and church members have been laid off this year. They’ve faced unemployment unexpectedly. On the positive side, I have seen them respond with optimism and resilience as they trust God during this tough time.

A Little Bit of Both

My mother founded a no-kill animal rescue program in Iowa. While the economy has forced many people to give up their pets, the outpouring of care and willingness to adopt animals in need has increased significantly.

Another friend’s small business lost several huge clients at once, bringing his income down to a fraction of what it once was. He eventually sold his pricey condo so that he wouldn’t end up losing it in the future. He’s now renting and has a new plan to pay cash for a moderately priced home next year. There’s no denying his life was dramatically changed by the economy and as he experiences the freedom of living debt free it will all have been for the best.

Have you watched the fantastic TLC realty show The Lottery Changed My Life? The show visits a variety of lottery winners including a janitor, truckers, and a team of Midwestern lunch ladies. The show interviewed them about what it was like to win big and strike it rich.

Some spent the money on toys like cars, motorcycles and spa treatments. The young British woman spoiled her sister by paying for her breast enlargement. One family started a foundation in their late son’s honor that helps families dealing with pediatric cancer pay their bills. When it came to the lunch ladies, most were still serving up food at a local school and living very modestly. I was a little surprised that pretty much everyone they featured on the show seemed to have been responsible with their money. Perhaps most heartwarming is the winner who used his money to become a Hollywood producer, then adopted five children orphaned by a tragic accident.

But for some, the incredible wealth they obtained overnight was quickly squandered and actually lead them to financial ruin. According to financial experts, 70% of lottery winners squander their money within a few years. Many winners experience broken families and friendships that are torn apart by the sudden rush of money. Statistics also show that there is a 90% chance that the money will be gone by the third generation. Most lottery winners are know nothing about wealth management, and unfortunately many are naive about even the basics of sound financial planning.

The incredible shock and euphoria of becoming an instant millionaire leaves them very susceptible to questionable investments and especially con-men. In fact, lottery winners are such popular targets for fraudulent schemes that most lottery boards recommend that they immediately change their phone number to an unlisted one. Ironically, lotteries also refuse to let winners remain anonymous for both publicity and public accountability reasons, so they are certainly not hard for the bad guys to find.

If The Lottery Changed My Life has you excited about becoming the next instant millionaire, remember that the odds of that happening are so astronomically small that the chances of few events on Earth even compare. If you do play the lottery, consider it entertainment and not an investment. Use money you would otherwise spend on other fun things and absolutely never spend a dollar that you can’t afford to lose. Alternatively, there are some great free online lotteries that provide much of the same entertainment without the cost. Good luck!

Earlier this week I went to a nice restaurant, enjoyed a free dinner and took home a bunch of free products. How did I do it? I served on a focus group. We were asked our opinions on some of the products and about our buying habits. It was a fun night filled with great food and good discussion. I was able to participate in this focus group due to a connection through church, but if you want to participate in a focus group there are other ways.

One site I found that looks useful is GreenBook.org. GreenBook.org is a directory of market research companies. You can search by metropolitan area, by state or by market research specialty. This site makes it easy to locate specific research companies that may be looking for people to participate in focus groups. For instance, if you live in the Atlanta area, a quick search would bring up PVR Research. If you visit the company’s website, they have an online form to register for participation in focus groups.

Another site that may be helpful is FindFocusgroups.com. The site works a little like a job board, listing open focus groups and surveys, along with the pay rate. In some cases the surveys and focus groups listed here are geographically specific, but in other cases they are conducted online or via telephone and anyone can participate. Many of the links on this site will take you to Craiglist postings.

Participating in focus groups and surveys can be a quick way to make some easy money. Just make sure you don’t fall for any scams. Never pay money to participate and use caution when selecting a firm to work with.

I recently read Miserly Moms by Jonni McCoy. Even though I’m not a mom, the book gives a lot of great advice for anyone looking to save money on household expenditures. THe book was originally published back in the early 1990’s and apparently the publisher, Bethany House, felt many people would be interested in the valuable information this book offers in light of the recession.

McCoy does a great job of mixing in couponing tips with low-cost recipes and fresh tactics on saving money. One of the topics McCoy touches on throughout the book is the cost of working. At first that may seem like an incorrect statement– don’t you make money by holding down a job? McCoy argues that while you do earn a salary working, there is also a price you pay– and often a big one at that– for having a job. For example, McCoy argues that in order to have a job you pay more in transportation, wardrobe, and child care. Factor in the cost of tolls, parking, gifts for co-workers and occasional housekeeping help and it adds up quickly. She says that you also spend more money eating out because there’s less time to work and you may end up paying more for groceries because you don’t have time to use coupons or shop in multiple stores to take advantage of the best deals.

McCoy says that when she left her job she was able to save her family $595 a month by reducing expenditures in the following categories:

Groceries: Reduced by $250 a month
Not eating out: Reduced by $125 a month
Clothes: Reduced by $75 a month
Haircuts: Reduced by $60 a month
Automobile gas and insurance: Reduced by $50 a month
Medical Insurance: Reduced by $25 a month
Cleaning Supplies: Reduced by $10 a month
Total Reduced Spending: $595 a month

Combine that with the cost of working which McCoy says was $915 per month for her and she saved a total of $1,510 each month by not working. That equals out to $18,120 to not work. So if you’re considering staying at home, or if you’ve been laid off, consider the cost of working as well as the earning potential you have.

We all got asked the same question when we were little: What do you want to be when you grow up? Our answers probably ranged from the outrageous (President of the United States or a super hero) to the predictable (fireman or actress.) But a new book I’m reading says the question is all wrong. Rather than spending so much time thinking about WHAT we want to be when we grow up, we should be spending more time thinking about WHO we want to be.

Your Right Job Right Now is a book by Christian headhunter Brian Golter. Golter spent the early part of his career in and out of the wrong jobs, doing what he thought would impress other people. It wasn’t until he wound up in an interview chair in a recruiter’s office that he realized he had been going about his search for fulfillment all wrong. Over the next couple of decades he worked for that recruiter, June Gregory, soaking in all of the knowledge he could.

The book gives you a seat in that office as various people come and go, all looking for the same thing: the right job. It’s not simply a “how to” book. It tells stories– and some may sound very familiar. I know they did for me. As I read the book I kept thinking of people I know who could benefit from it greatly. People like my sister, fired from a corporate job she hated last summer. People like my neighbor, now hunting for a position after his marketing firm shut down. People like my old roommate who has great passion for life, but hasn’t been able to find a job that really suits her. And people like a good friend, working in a job that is not helping him grow.

The unemployment rate hit 9.4% in May and economists predict it won’t be back to normal until 2013. At first I thought, can people really afford to be searching for the right job at a time like this when so many are out of a job? The book talks about how some people can find fulfillment in a less-than-perfect job when they are sacrificing for a bigger purpose, such as providing for their families. But for others, they need to start searching for jobs in companies where the leaders will inspire, encourage and guide them towards making a difference. Because after all, it’s not about WHAT you do, it’s about WHO you are.

Your Right Job Right Now is available through various retailers or through the publisher. You can also sign up to win a copy at ChristianPublishingTips.com.

Summer 2009 has arrived! Whether you’ve got kids home from school or it’s pretty much just a hotter version of your normal life, try making summer 2009 three months of frugal fun. Here are some fun activities that will have you saving and making money!

June

Organize a yard sale. Get some friends or neighbors involved to help offset advertising costs. Pick a Saturday when everyone’s available and spend a few days beforehand organizing closets and cleaning out the attic. You’ll raise some extra cash to help offset a summer trip or to put into savings.

Hit up your local swimming pool, water park or lake. Explore outdoor activities that cost little or nothing. Plan a tubing trip down a lazy river or visit nearby national parks.

Make sure your home is ready for the heat of summer by sealing up windows and doors. Hose off your AC unit to make it run more efficiently.

July

Host a frugal barbecue for the 4th of July. Ask friends to bring a dish to share and pick up a big batch of hot dogs.

Take in a Tuesday night baseball game and make sure to bring along a Kraft singles wrapper to get one ticket free when you buy one.

Anything that didn’t sell at the yard sale, post on Craigslist. Focus on the bigger items like furniture, collectibles and tools.

August

Stay cool by visiting local museums or galleries. Check out your local library for free summer events and activities. Take a new workout class at your local YMCA or community rec center.

Take an art class at your local art museum or craft store. Try scrapbooking some of your new summer photos.

Get ready for going back to school by giving your children’s outgrown clothes to someone who really needs them. Shop school supply sales and pick up extra for needy kids.

Sometimes shopping makes me feel like a bad person. I find myself thinking over and over, “I want that!” But I know as a Christian that stuff doesn’t matter and I shouldn’t covet it! That’s why when I come across people doing crazy things to fight consumerism and materialism I am so impressed.

Check out Goodbyewafflemaker.com for a prime example. Megan Deal is a student selling everything she owns. Whatever doesn’t sell goes to charity and the money she makes will help cover her living expenses for the next 14 months as she participates in a design program developing sustainable housing in Alabama. You can buy her items for as little as a penny!

Another example is this Washington woman who wore the same homemade brown dress every day for a year. She has since moved on to recycling everything she owns to create a wardrobe. She did buy a pair of hiking boots last summer though, she admits.

What do you think of these attempts to live more simply, and less commercially. Could you do it? I will say that in the past two years I have had two yard sales and sold a bunch of stuff on Craigslist, yet I still feel like I’m swimming in stuff– especially stuff that I don’t use or need. Do you ever feel like that?

I recently visited the website of one of my favorite restaurants and discovered their blog hadn’t been updated in over three months. Quickly, I began thinking of possible blog posts I could write in exchange for free food at this great restaurant. I approached the owner and received positive feedback, so that got me thinking: what else could I trade for my writing skills?

This economic climate seems ideal for trading. Cash doesn’t seem to be flowing as quickly as in years past, but that doesn’t mean businesses and home owners and consumers aren’t in need of products and services. Here are some questions to consider when trading your services.

Who will you trade with? What do you need? Landscaping help? New insulation? A meal at a nice restaurant? There are lots of things you could try trading for, but remember, the IRS requires you to declare anything bartered as income as well.

How do you know if a company is willing to trade? Some companies are open with their willingness to trade. Others may not be. So why not just ask?

Do you have time to barter? If your business is booming, bartering may not be for you. But if you have some downtime and are willing to work for goods and services rather than money, it may be a good option.

Will the deal be fair? Be honest in your negotiations. What would you normally charge for your service or goods? You should expect similar compensation in return even when it’s translated into a product.

These tough times call for tough measures, and even my twelve year old son is understanding the importance of making money these days. Here are some of the things that he is doing that maybe could help you as well.

1. Sell what you find – he’s been picking up large muscle shells along the creek bed. Originally his grandmother said she’d buy all that he could find, but that changed pretty early on. Now he just offers to sell one to anyone who walks in the door.

2. Sell to anyone around – it doesn’t matter their age, the relationship or any other factors. He has been known to try and sell his three year old brother items.

3. Sell what you don’t want or haven’t used – my son recently offered me a cornucopia of items that even included one that I gave him as a Christmas present just a couple of years back.

4. Sell with a story – no matter what he is trying to sell, he always provides a reason for needing to make extra money. A few years back he went door to door in his grandmother’s neighborhood selling balloon animals for $1 each. He told people that he was earning money to send his dad out to dinner for his birthday (it was true and he did).

He may be twelve but he is already learning that someone out there is willing to buy anything that he is willing to sale. He knows that some may say no, but he is willing to keep asking until he gets a yes.

A mom who welcomed the arrival of octuplets this week has six other children, her mother told the Associated Press. According to the mother, her daughter never expected to have eight more children when she took fertility treatments. The babies’ mother told doctors to keep her name confidential. The good news is, all the babies seem healthy. The difficult part will be making sure all of the babies stay that way.

What would you do if you suddenly had eight more mouths to feed, eight more kids that need diapers and formula and clothes? Although very little is known about this family, odds are the thought of caring for all of those children will be a little overwhelming. Here are a few ideas.

Don’t be so secretive. When media camped out in front of the grandparents’ home, the grandfather told the media they won’t be able to find the babies once they are released from the hospital. “We have a huge house, not here,” the man said to the Associated Press. He would only identify himself as Ed. “You are never going to know where it is.” Rather than see the media as evil, the family could view them as a tool. People love to hear stories about healthy babies. Let the world have their good news and share in this joy with you.

Try a reality show. It worked for John and Kate Plus Eight. The Gosselin family has a set of twins and a set of sextuplets. The California mother four children, ages 7, 6, 5 and 3, and 2-year-old twins,according to reports.

Write a book. Again, this is another idea that worked great for the Gosselin’s. Their book, Multiple Blessings has been topping the bestseller charts for weeks.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help. When a friend of mine had triplets after already having one little girl, she knew it would be tough to make ends meet. So she wrote letters to big companies, asking if they would be willing to give her any freebies. She received diapers and formula, plus many valuable coupons that helped her family get by.

Poetry has never been my strong point – especially that kind that doesn’t even rhyme. It might surprise you to discover that some of those “poems” can be worth big bucks and that is just one way that your random thoughts can bring in the cash.

1. Greeting cards – many greeting card companies are looking for sappy poetry that will bring a tear to the eye of the giver and receiver and some even pay up to $300 for your work of art.

2. Shirt companies – somebody has to come up with those catchy sayings that are covering the bodies of so many consumers. Each catch phrase has the potential to earn you around $100.

3. Recipes – who knew that your famous chicken dinner could be worth its weight in gold? The National Chicken Cooking Contest pays the winner a nice prize of $50,000 and there are so many more contests out there that can be equally profitable.

4. Forums – there are a number of companies that pay people to go out and post comments on different forums around the internet. The income may not be huge, but if you can talk for 15 words on a subject then you can write a lot and make enough for an extra evening out each week.

The more you look around the more you are going to discover that someone somewhere is probably getting paid to write, create or come up with that idea that you just noticed.

Looking for work? You’re not alone. Unemployment has hit a 14-year high. That means hoards of people are heading to the Internet with hopes of finding a new job. There are lots of job listing sites and resources for the unemployed online. But where do you turn for reliable, up-to-date information? Here are some sites to consider when looking for work online:

Indeed.com

The site says it’s posted nearly a million new jobs in the past week. But it’s how you sort through those listings that makes this site so great. It works pretty much like the search engine Google. Put in keywords, job title or company name along with a city, state or zip code. You’ll then be able to search through the listings you like.

MarketVendorJobs.com

This is a great site for anyone looking for a job or looking for an employee in the financial sector. With so many banks getting hit hard, this is a popular area for job seekers. If this is your industry, you’ll definitely want to check out MarketVendorJobs.com.

Vault.com

Research is key for staying on top. Head to Vault.com for valuable data on industry trends, companies your targeting or schools you may want to attend. Search jobs, get help with your resume or network on the message boards.

LinkedIn.com

Networking is a great way to find a new job. Use LinkedIn.com as a social networking tool to reconnect with old co-workers or meet new people in the field you are targeting. Soon the site will let users notify members when they’re on the hunt for a job.

GlassDoor.com

This site offers a free inside look at over 18,000 companies. Find out how much businesses are paying for people in your position. Read reviews about different companies.

Looking for a job? The US Census is hiring thousands of people around the country for full and part-time work. The pay is good, the job is flexible and it won’t require a long commute. According to the website, it’s a great opportunity for retirees, college students, people who want part-time work, or people who are between jobs.

Every ten years, a census is conducted. The results from the census determine representation in government, and how funds are spent on things like roads, parks, schools, and public safety. As a census worker you will be helping to update address lists and conduct interviews with residents in your community. The great thing about the job is that you are paid weekly and you are reimbursed for mileage and expenses.

Requirements:
You must speak English, but bilingual speakers are encouraged to apply.
It is best if you have a driver’s license, but in some cases public transportation can be used.
You must bring two forms of approved identification.

To apply contact your local Census Office or by calling 1-866-861-2010. You can also print out an application, fill it out, and take it with you to the Census office. Just to make sure you are ready, take this practice test before you go.

My income isn’t down. My expenses aren’t up. So why am I trying to bring in extra cash? I guess it’s because I feel what many people are feeling out there– it’s time to tighten the budget and make saving a bigger priority. Plus I just like the feeling of bringing in money to our household in new ways. Here’s what I’m doing:

Selling on Ebay: I haven’t had much luck with this in the past. I was always one of those people that ended up losing money on my Ebay auctions because of miscalculations in my shipping costs. But I’ve decided to take a cue from my sister who just sold a bunch of Christmas ornaments on Ebay and made over $200. Every year when I decorate my Christmas tree there are a couple dozen ornaments I leave in the box. I just don’t care for them much, but they are nice, glass ornaments so I’m going to give Ebay a try.

Secret Shopping: I’ve written about this before, but secret shopping has become a hobby for me over the past few months. It’s a great way to get free stuff (food mostly) and make a little extra money, too. The work isn’t hard, but it can be entertaining at times. Just make sure you don’t get scammed by unethical secret shopping companies out there.

Selling Christmas cards: In a stroke of genius (or so I thought) I decided to join forces with a graphic designer friend of mine and create Christian Christmas cards on Etsy.com. We’re donating $2 from each sale to a local non-profit. So far we haven’t sold any, but there is still time.

What are you doing to bring in extra income?

Are you frugal or are you cheap? I had an experience the other day I thought I would share. To me it illustrated the difference between being frugal and being cheap. I sold a double oven and cook top on Craigslist last week. As soon as I listed it I had a lot of response. The first woman who came by to look at it decided she only wanted the cook top, and I told her I was selling them as a set. The second person who responded told me he was extremely interested but couldn’t pay until Friday, which was five days away. Although I didn’t really want to wait that long he explained it was on the “Dave Ramsey” plan and could not spend anything until he received his next paycheck. Having a soft spot in my heart for Dave Ramsey, I agreed to wait until Friday.

The day rolled around and the man came to pick up the appliances. They were listed for $195. The man gave my husband $200, but my husband explained he did not have change. I looked in my wallet and I had three $1 bills and a $20 bill. We thought maybe the $3 change would suffice since my husband had helped him load the heavy appliances into his SUV and since we had waited five days to complete the transaction. But rather than simply take my $3 change and pay an extra $2, the man drove up to a nearby Starbucks to make a purchase that would give him change.

We waited for him to return and finally he did. He put a handful of bills and some change into my husband’s hand, saying something about how expensive Starbucks is. Then he drove off with his new stove and cook top. When my husband counted the money it was about $.20 short. Do we care about the $.20? Heck no. We are just frustrated that this person would rather give Starbucks money than just cut his $2 loss.

Isn’t it funny how $2 was the difference between us feeling good about this transaction and us feeling cheated? We didn’t even celebrate the fact that we had made (nearly) $195 because we were dwelling on the man’s actions. And here’s the part that I need your help with. The man (perhaps in his haste to drive away before we counted the money) forgot a small part to the stove. He’s been asking for it and we fully intend to give it to him. But do you think we should call his attention to what he did? Or should we just drop it?

Halloween pumpkins

* More consumers plan to celebrate the holiday this year– 64.5% verses 58.7%.
* The average person plans to spend $66.54 on Halloween items, up from $64.82 in 2007.
* Total Halloween spending is expected to reach $5.77 billion.
* Consumers will spend an average of $24.17 on Halloween costumes (for adults, children and pets).
* The average person will spend $20.39 on candy, $18.25 on decorations and $3.73 on greeting cards.
* Young adults, ages 18-24, will spend the most with the average person shelling out $86.59 on costumes and candy.

So why the increase in spending on Halloween this year? Tracy Mullin, NRF President and CEO says, “Consumers–who have been anxious and uncertain for the past several months–may be looking at Halloween as an opportunity to forget the stresses of daily life and just have a little fun.”

Photo Courtesy of hanna_horwarth

Does being hot pay off when it comes to earning potential? Apparently the answer is yes. According to a study released by the Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, being good looking can land you a better salary. Another survey done by a London University polled 11-thousand 33-year-olds and found that those labeled “unattractive” earned 15% less than those deemed attractive. For women there was an 11% earning gap between the good looking and the not-so-good looking. Feeling slightly disturbed by this news, I did a little more research and what I uncovered only made things worse:

** Good-looking students receive more attention from their teachers.
** Handsome patients get more personalized care from their doctors.
** Attractive criminals receive shorter sentences than less attractive convicts.

Photo Courtesy of Domain Barnyard

Looking for a job? Lately that can be tough, but besides canvassing the local paper or Craigslist, why not give Twitter a shot? I am a freelance writer and have had great success using Twitter as a job search tool. I am currently working on one project thanks to a connection I made through Twitter and I have a job interview next week after applying for a freelance position that I found through Twitter.

So what is Twitter?

It’s a social networking site. The value of Twitter can be difficult to grasp at first. Think of it as a site that lets you blog one sentence at a time to a group of “followers.”

Who is Using Twitter?

Anyone can use it. I’ve found old friends, local business leaders, politicians and business contacts on Twitter. You can even follow celebrities’ Twitter updates.

Why Should you Use Twitter?

Think of it as another way to stay connected or make new connections. For instance, since I am a writer in Greenville, South Carolina, I search for others in my industry who live in my community. It’s a great way to connect with new people and see what they are up to. Blog writers will use Twitter to announce new posts by including links to their websites.

How Can Twitter get Me a Job?

Twitter can help you find a job by acting as a networking resource. When you are connected to people in your industry you may see posts referring to job openings. You can also get to know people by the short posts they make. It’s a great way to make a more personal connection with someone that could be a lead to a new job. So good luck and happy job hunting!

Most of us have a dusty old computer stashed in a closet or last year’s iPod hidden in a drawer. With Gazelle.com you can turn that clutter into cash. Gazelle.com is a fast and easy way to recycle your old gadgets and get paid for it. Type in the item you have, answer a few short questions about its condition and then Gazelle calculates how much they’ll pay you for it. They’ll even send you a postage paid box for you to send it to them. Once they receive the item and have verified the contents they’ll give you your money. Here is a list of the items they’ll take:

* Cell Phones
* MP3 Players
* Digital Cameras
* Laptops
* GPS Devices
* Gaming Consoles
* Camcorders
* Satellite Radios
* Portable Hard Drives

I have a three-year-old iPod Mini that needs to be replaced. I answered a few questions and found out that Gazelle would give me $22 for it. Maybe I’ll put that money towards my new iPod.

It sounds like a movie plot– someone finds out they have money owed to them from the estate of a distant relative or cash stashed in a forgotten bank account. We all dream of uncovering hidden riches and there are ways you can find out if any are waiting for you to claim them. Here are a few ways to search for unclaimed property.

Unclaimed.org

The National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators operates the website, Unclaimed.org. The NAUPA represents state governments protecting lost funds that are waiting to be claimed. Simply click on your state to start the search. If you’ve moved around at all, the site says you should check out every state in which you’ve lived over the years.

MissingMoney.com

MissingMoney.com is a database of state unclaimed property records. Unclaimed property can be anything from bank accounts and safe deposit box contents to uncashed checks or escrow accounts. Start the free national search by simply typing in your name and state.

Visit Your State’s Website

Each state has it’s own method of tracking and finding unclaimed property. Many states now allow you to conduct online searches and databases for unclaimed property. If you discover that you do have unclaimed property, claiming it may require different types of verification depending on the state involved.

The stock market is in deep bear market territory for the first time in decades. The NASDAQ has fallen at the greatest percentage for the month of June since the Great Depression. What does that all mean to you?

The Bear Market means that prices on the stock market have dropped twenty percent since its last high. Although the current market hasn’t quite met that number, it has been teetering on the brink for a while. Experts say that although we are not yet in a bear market there are bear prints all around.

If you can get into the market when the Bear makes its largest impact then you stand the chance to earn the most for your investment. With the Bear market looming close at hand it is time to start talking with a financial planner. It may be about time to start moving some of your savings into the stock market (which offers a much higher yield percentage than traditional savings).

There is probably time to save money to invest when the Bear makes his move. In the end it is all speculation when it comes to the stock market. You are better off getting involved after the Bear has made his impact and not sooner.