Her First Resume

My teenager needs a job.  She’s done odd jobs here and there, in fact, she has had plenty of jobs in the past, but this is the first time she is looking for a “real” job.  And so she needs a resume.  When you’re an adult this seems relatively simple, but for a teenager, it can be a little tricky.

We all get creative when it comes to our job descriptions and preparing a teenager’s resume is no different.  It’s just a little more creative.  Babysitting becomes “Child Care”.  Tending while the parents go to the movies, becomes “providing for children’s needs for varying lengths of time”.  Her “Sales Experience” and “Customer Service” were when she went through the neighborhood painting house numbers on curbs for $5.  When her older brothers played soccer, she was taken to tournament after tournament where she sold suckers… “Sales Rep” for a fundraising company.  When she came into my work and helped fill fruit baskets, this became “Production Line” work.

She pretty much did whatever odd job she could get her hands on and so for the reason why she quit working a particular jobs was always that it was “seasonal work”.  And actual by the time we were done, she had a fairly decent resume for a girl who was just turning 16 and looking for that first “real job”.

I am participating in a blogger campaign by Bucks2Blog for a resume builder company and was compensated. However, the views and opinions are my own.

Meat, Candy, Even Ice Cream Online!

One of my favorite lines from The Grinch is when he says “ packages, boxes, and bags!”  There are so many wonderful things I love about the holiday season, and truly I do not focus on the presents except that the food is so much fun!

Some of the most wonderful packages contain food items and it always astounds me at the things you can get online and have them delivered right to your door.  A Christmas ham is always a favorite!  And chocolates never disappoint!  And once we got a “Tower of Treats” which was absolutely incredible!  It had popcorn with chocolate and caramel drizzled all over, and cookies, and chocolate dipped pretzels.  Every package in the tower was a wonderful treat that we thoroughly enjoyed!  And fruit!  The most delicious pears I have ever had did not come from the farmer’s market.  They were delivered to my doorstep in the dead of winter.  Juicy and sweet perfection!  And the number one most amazing thing ever delivered was ice cream!  Yes, you can order incredibly unique and delicious ice cream online and have it come right to your door!  And as amazing at it may be, you can order your entire holiday dinner online.  You wouldn’t have the delicious smells of it baking in your own home, but then again, they have everything on the internet… they just might have a candle?

Yes… I could be a shut in and still enjoy all the “packages, boxes, and bags” of Christmas!

I am participating in a blogger campaign by Bucks2Blog for online steak and was compensated. However, the views and opinions are my own.

Hiring a Bankruptcy Attorney is Money Well Spent

It’s never a feel good moment when you have to file for bankruptcy.  There is the obvious stress that comes with owing money such as letters, telephone calls, and even garnishment of wages.  And although filing for bankruptcy can help you make a new start, the thought of it is just plain discouraging.  And then comes the added blow that despite the fact that you are filing bankruptcy because you do not have the money to pay your debts, it costs money to actual complete the process.  Yes… it is costly to file for bankruptcy.  What happens is that many people in this situation decide to do it themselves, and let me tell you, this is one instant where I would not suggest saving money.  I am beyond what most would call cheap, and still I would not recommend filing for bankruptcy without an attorney.

A friend of mine decided to do it on his own.  He spoke of all the money he would save.  He spoke of how easy it was to gain instructions from the internet.  He dreamed of his new start.  And despite continued warnings such as:  Bankruptcy has long-term financial and legal consequences so hiring a competent attorney is strongly recommended, however, he continued to do it on his own.  He was sure he had done everything correctly and then he started getting those annoying collection phone calls.  He had not included all of his debts.  And he was not allowed to include them in the bankruptcy and therefore had to file... again.

It's true the old adage of "you get what you pay for" and in my opinion, paying for an attorney to make sure this rather large decision in your life is taken care of... completely.    

I am participating in a blogger campaign by Bucks2Blog for a Las Vegas Bankruptcy Lawyer and was compensated. However, the views and opinions are my own.

Don't Push On It

People always want to know the best way to get out of debt.  This reminds me of when the doctor asks me if my stomach hurts and I reply “only when I push on it”.  Well then “don’t push on it!”

Now I realize this seems a little too cut and dry, but honestly the best way to get out of debt is to not go into debt in the first place.  I understand that things happen.  And things will come up where you simply have to go into debt.   Most of us are in debt to purchase a home or a car, both necessities, and both items where the general population can not pay cash for the total amount.  But I’m talking about debt for those frivolous items we think we need.

I’ve seen people purchase homes way beyond necessity.  Or there are the purchases of the latest technology in computer or television.  The latest technology is great but is it really necessary if your current TV works just fine.

I’m the first to think of going out of my budget, but thankfully, I remind myself of the daily burden of paying off debt… and then I “don’t push on it.”

This post was sponsored by a company that can help you find an attorney in Louisiana. However,the views and opinions are my own.

To Join or Not To Join?

Country clubs tend to get a bad wrap on TV and in the movies.  It always seems to be that they are portrayed as snobbish and uppity places that exclude people by race or income or standing in society.  To be honest, that has always been my take, but then again, I have never been a member of a country club.  Who am I to judge?

After some research there are some very nice benefits.  If you have a passion for golf or tennis, you certainly would benefit from a country club.  You would always have availability to play and would not have to bother to pay on a per use basis.  Your fees would be included in your membership. 

Another benefit is that some country clubs have various locations throughout the state, country, or even the world.  With your membership you are welcomed at any club.  So, while you travel you have the ability to use any of their facilities.

A country club membership does provide a certain status, and therefore can be very beneficial in both socially and in business.

I will never be a country club kind of girl, but I have gained a somewhat better understanding as to why some might like to join.

I am participating in a blogger campaign by Bucks2Blog for Florida Country Clubs and was compensated. However, the views and opinions are my own.

The Debt of Christmas Past

Christmas truly is the most wonderful time of the year!  I absolutely love getting caught up in the holiday spirit!   There can be a price when I lose all my inhibitions, and become completely absorbed by Christmas.  I can get lost in the smells of Christmas in the time it takes one batch of cookies to bake.  And I never grow tired of cookies and milk, caramel, or fudge.  Sure, I will over indulge and maybe gain a few pounds, but it is so entirely worth it.  I don’t feel guilty or stressed in the least.  But lose my inhibitions in the mall, and then I have a problem.

Retailers are no dummies.  With all the decorations, the Christmas music, Santa, the smells of roasted nuts, the candies, the busy shoppers haven’t a chance.  Luckily, our family is not too engrossed in gifts, but I absolutely love finding the perfect gift for each of my children.  It does my heart good when on Christmas morning, they open a gift that makes them smile.  It is easy to go over budget when I look around and enjoy the atmosphere of the mall.  Then the holiday spirit takes me away to the land of credit card debt, which is wonderful until after Christmas.

After Christmas is when the true Scrooge should appear, pinching every penny to pay off the debt of Christmas past.  For me, the best way to handle this is by setting a budget where I set up a recurring payment from my bank account to my credit card.  This way I have no choice and I won’t be late or short on a payment.  I continue to do this until I get my tax return.  Usually, my tax return will cover the balance.

So enjoy those cookies, because dropping a few pounds is so much easier than paying off a huge amount of holiday debt.

I am participating in a blogger campaign by Bucks2Blog and was compensated. However, the views and opinions are my own.

Black Friday... Online!

Black Friday is serious business for our family.  Serious fun.  I have always scoped the ads and figured the game plan.  Early Black Friday morning, usually 3AM, I announce the teams, and give them their envelope with their assignment.

In making the teams, you have to pair the weak with the strong.  The announcing of teams is exciting, but nothing compared to the drama of knowing what item you are assigned.  To see if you were entrusted with a most important purchase.  A gift that was the only gift one of the younger kids had asked Santa for was always a high priority assignment.  Or a hot item for the year like Game Boy, $5 Art Kit, or a Pokemon back pack.  You knew it was do or die.  You had to return with your item.  Your envelope contained a visual (picture from the ad), a map of the store to show where your item would most likely be located, and the cash to purchase it with.  If there was more than one item at your store, you would have multiple visuals which you would split up among the team.

As years have past we have had to make adjustments to the changes in shopping.  Stores keep opening up earlier and earlier, until this year they opened on Thanksgiving at midnight!  And as the kids have gotten older, the objects of their desires has obviously changed.  This year the hot item was a Singer sewing machine for only $60 and three of the girls wanted one!  This was going to require some maneuvering.  I mean how can you dart in and out of the crowd, grabbing other items needed while carrying a sewing machine!  And how would we get one of them to NYC?  And then the latest in the shopping craze hit us!  What if they sell online?

We took a look for the sewing machine while the turkey was cooking and much to our surprise it was online, $60, free shipping, and had a promo code for $5 off!  We snatched up three before the mini marshmallows were melting on the yams!  Oh don't get me wrong... we still went out among the craze of Black Friday but even after going to one store where the line to purchase was a two hour wait, we looked at each other and all thought the same thing... online shopping!  We went home, purchased everything we wanted from that particular store, free shipping, and got our $10 for every $50 spent.  And we were fast asleep by 5AM that morning!

I am participating in a blog campaign for Bucks2Blog for an ecommerce
solution company and was compensated. However, the views and opinions are
my own.