Home Savings Ideas and Resources

From and by Lucy Ulrich (and today is her birthday!)

HOME SAVINGS IDEAS AND RESOURCES
THUNDER MTN WARD 2009


SAVING AND USING GROCERY STORE COUPONS

There are so many web sights that match up coupons for you and tell you exactly what coupons to use and where to find the coupons. They even provide direct links to internet coupons. A lot of these deals will result in free or almost free items, and some are even money makers. These web sights are a great resource, give you step by step directions, and are completely free.

Coupon Sources
Sunday Newspaper
www.dbe.azcentral.com ($1 Sunday paper)

Buy or Trade
Trading with friends, family, and neighbors is best and most economical. Make sure if you purchase them that it is worth it.
www.ebay.com
www.hotcouponworld.com

Internet Printables www.pinchingyourpennies.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9527
Printing out coupons can get expensive so use scratch paper as often as you can and for cheap ink refills go to: www.private.abacus24-7.com

E-coupons
These are coupons you can load on to your grocery store member cards and they automatically come off when you purchase the corisponding item. These can be stacked with paper coupons for double savings.
www.shortcuts.com
www.cellfire.com
www.pgesaver.com



Money Saving Web Sights
Basic savings ideas, CVS, Walgreens, Wal-mart, Target, Kroger’s (Fry’s) internet printable coupon match ups, department and specialty stores, internet shopping savings, free samples links, etc.
www.commonsensewithmoney.com
www.moneysavingmom.com (great tutorials links on right hand side, CVS 101, Walgreen’s 101, Supermarket savings 101)
www.thethriftymama.com
www.moneysavingmethods.blogspot.com
www.thecentsiblesawyer.blogspot.com
www.goodorfreedeals.blogspot.com
www.freebies4mom.com
www.hiptosave.com
www.mommieswithcents.com
www.slickdeals.com (great deals on apparel, electronics, toys, etc)
www.bradsdeals.com (great deals on apparel, electronics, toys, on-line discount codes, etc)
www.retailmenot.com (on-line discount codes)
www.ebates.com (rebates for shopping on-line)
www.upromise.com (college savings plan)

Local Web Sights
www.pinchingyourpennies.com (this is one I use a lot, it is a great resource)
www.sistersavings.net (grocery store ads)
www.becentsable.net
www.azdealsbyallison.blogspot.com
www.providentprincess.com

Menus
It is so important to have a plan and stick to it when you are grocery shopping. It is best to center your weekly menus around what is on sale.
www.5dollardinners.com
www.jane4girls800dollarannualbudget.blogspot.com
www.supercook.com

Dining out and Entertainment
Even if you need to cutback dates nights are still so important for our marriages and our sanity. Some of the best memories come from those inexpensive, creative dates we had when we were young and broke. Be creative and remember the most important part of date nights is spending time together.

Restaurant Specials
Always check the newspaper and local mailers for coupons.
www.azcentral.com
www.azeats.com
www.restaurant.com (bradsdeals.com always has discount codes to get certificates even cheaper)




Kids Eat Free
Here are a few local restaurants that offer free kids meals:
Chick-fil-a every Tuesday 5:30-7:30
JB’s every Wednesday
Fazolis $.99 meals on Tuesdays 5-8 pm
Lone Star Streakhouse every Tuesday 2 free meals w/purchase of entrée
TGIF Mondays and Tuesday
Joe’s Crab Shack Tuesdays
Denny’s Tuesday s and Saturday
Garcia’s Mondays

Stay Confident During Job Searches

STAY CONFIDENT DURING YOUR JOB SEARCH (Alice Arredondo, Department of Economic Security)
In these tough economic times, the loss of a job can be devastating. Along with the job, we often suffer the loss of self-worth. It’s necessary to stay confident in your next job search. Here are ways to help stay positive:
· Get up early and dress according to what you have scheduled for the day. Look productive, and you will feel productive.
· Set a schedule and follow it.
· Keep in touch with people in your field. Stay abreast of industry trends and news. This will help you stay connected.
· Surround yourself with motivated, positive people. Avoid the “downers” and avoid those who may fit in this category.
· Identify your strengths and think about them daily. You can ask yourself, “Why do people come to me?” You may need to get a new perspective of your talents.
· Listen to motivational tapes or CDs.
· Seek help. You can find job listings, career-guidance specialists, resume assistance and training at One Stop Career Centers. Check http://www.arizonaworkforceconnection.com/ for locations.
· When conducting your job search, give it 100 percent for six hours a day. Research has shown that time spent beyond that is non-productive.
· Take a break on the weekend and do something fun. Bolster your confidence and get a fresh start for the new week.
Keep in mind that the One Stop Career Centers and the Arizona Virtual One Stop at http://www.arizonavirtualonestop.com/ are excellent resources to access valuable employment assistance.

Check out the LDS Employment website http://www.ldsjobs.org/, “Tip to Get You Hired”. The LDS Employment Resource Service provides, Career Workshops, Self-Employment Workshops, Resume Writing Classes (see schedule below).
Talk to your Ward and Stake Employment Specialist they also provide individual assistance.

Wilcken Brothers Automotive Repair

Wilcken

Brothers

Automotive

Repair

Keeping your car running smoothly and on the road doesn't have

 to cost a fortune. The Wilcken Brothers have over 40 years of experience in a wide variety of makes & models including custom cars and motorcycles. Call them to

 discuss your needs. If they can't fix it, they can tell you who can.  Advice is free and they are willing to help.

Contact Willy or Joseph at (480) 396-3549 or jlwilcken@yahoo.com

Professional Career Networking Program

The Mesa Regional LDS Employment Resource Center is pleased to announce the implementation of a Professional Career Networking Program which will begin on Wednesday, January 14, 2009 and continue on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday, monthly thereafter.

Program Objective
The objective of the program is to provide opportunities for career professionals (whether LDS or not) to network with other career professionals, to meet employers and executive recruiters, to learn additional job search techniques and to practice skills taught in the Professional Career Workshop. It is intended that the program will provide opportunities for career professionals to broaden their networking contacts through active participation with other career professionals.

Networking Meetings
When: 2nd and 4th Wednesday evenings, Monthly - 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM
Where: Mesa LDS Institute of Religion, Room 103
1310 South Dobson, Mesa, Arizona 85202

Advance Registration Requested. Please call (480) 829-8999

Each networking meeting will include a short “Me In 30 Seconds” introduction by each professional candidate, a “Key Note Speaker,” a short presentations by Employer/Recruiters, followed by individual and group networking opportunities. In their “Me In 30 Seconds” statements, networking participants will be asked to identify who they are, their professional field and career objective.

Sites help you get your finances in order

The following is an article from Kim Komando - visit her website here: http://www.komando.com/

Sites help you get your finances in order
10/7/2008
House prices are falling, and the cost of gas and food is on the rise. Specialized software and sites can help you manage these financial changes. And if you use the right resources, it won't cost you a thing.
Create a budget
The first step to taking control is to understand how you spend your money. Start by determining your basic living expenses such as housing, food and transportation.
Then, list other monthly expenses. This may take some work. So pull out your bills and credit card statements. Fortunately, free software can make light work of organizing it all.
SimpleD Budget (Windows) is a small program that helps you track expenses. You enter your monthly expenses and income. After allocating your money to certain categories, you enter payments as you make them.
You'll see when you're approaching the limit for a particular category. You'll also get an idea of how fast you're spending money.
Buddi (Mac/Windows) works much the same as SimpleD Budget. However, it can also help you generate various reports. For example, you can see how your net worth has changed over the months.
Another free finance manager is AceMoney Lite (Windows). It has more features than the other two. For example, it can download stock quotes from the Internet.
Review your credit report
Once you know where cutbacks can be made, you're ready to make changes. Maybe you want to downgrade your car to a cheaper model. Or perhaps you're looking for a car that uses less gas. And, of course, you may want to refinance your home.
Before you do this, you should review your credit report. A poor credit report can stifle your chances of locking in a lower rate on loans.
You'll want to check your report for accuracy and fraud. Then, you can contact the credit bureaus to correct errors.
You can get your credit report at AnnualCreditReport.com. You can request one copy from each of the three reporting institutions once a year. Those reports are free.
You must enter your Social Security number to get your report. If you're uncomfortable doing this online, you can mail your request.
AnnualCreditReport.com provides information on disputing items on your reports. However, it does not provide your credit score. For that, you'll need to pay about $10.
Find your credit score for free
Your credit score can play a large role when you apply for credit. Quicken Loans has an interesting site—Quizzle.com. It will give you a free credit report, and throws in a score. That is a Quizzle score.
It tells you how well you're doing as a homeowner. Quizzle also will help you gauge your home value. You'll also find out how to save on your mortgage. Additionally, there's a budget management tool.
Quizzle is interesting, even if you don't need a mortgage, or can't qualify. You should come away with a better understanding of your finances.
For now, Quizzle is aimed at homeowners. It should provide service to renters soon.
CreditKarma.com also provides you with a free credit score. The score comes from one of the three major credit-reporting bureaus. The site will also help you monitor your score over time.
CreditKarma provides you with special offers based on your credit score. For example, you can get a lower interest rate on credit cards. You may also apply for offers from cable companies and other businesses.
These are tough economic times. Using these resources could make them a little more bearable.

Online Job Help

The following is an article from Kim Komando - visit her website here: http://www.komando.com/

Online help for a tough job market
12/20/2008
Unemployment is at a 14-year high. So, if you’re looking for a job, you’re not alone. Unfortunately, the competition makes landing a job more difficult.
You must be savvy. You’ll find plenty of help online. I have some tips, and some places to look.
Creating a stellar résumé
Your résumé is your professional calling card. A poorly executed one might well go into the trash. A clean, clear effort might get you an interview. Few people land jobs with just a good résumé. But a sloppy résumé is a killer. So, your résumé must be top-notch and error-free. It is the price of admission.
Most job boards offer tips for crafting a résumé. Or, search Google for sample résumés. Microsoft Word includes templates. Microsoft has more on its site. Take your time and do it right.
Watch out for filters
Companies often filter résumés with software. So, keywords are paramount. For example, list by name the programs you know. And include a job title in your objective.
Filters can also harm you when you e-mail your résumé. It could be flagged by a spam filter. For example, the term magna cum laude will likely flag your message.
Predicting what will trigger spam filters is difficult. Online tools like SpamCheck can help. They examine your message for “spammy” words.
Optimizing your résumé’s format
The format of your résumé is also very important. Obviously, you want a fully formatted résumé suitable for printing. Include indents, bullets and font formatting.
You also need a plain-text résumé for e-mailing. It shouldn’t contain bullets, special characters or font formatting. Use asterisks instead of bullets. All caps can be used to separate sections and highlight words.
Indents and complex spacing should be avoided. Spacing often doesn’t appear correctly in e-mail; this affects your résumé’s readability. E-mail it to yourself to check readability.
Many sites can use your plain-text résumé to complete an application. The contents of your résumé are matched with the appropriate fields.
E-mailing your résumé
If possible, do not e-mail your résumé as an attachment. Attachments can spread malware. Many corporate networks strip them from messages.
Opening an attachment also takes more time. Don’t give employers an excuse not to view your résumé!
Instead, put the job title or reference number in the e-mail subject line. In the body of the e-mail, place your cover letter and résumé. Mention also that a professionally formated version of your résumé is available.
Finding opportunities
Your first instinct is probably to start at a general job site like Careerbuilder and Monster. By all means, use these sites. But don’t forget specialized job boards.
Competition on general sites is tough. And you may not find high-level or specialized jobs. So, seek out a job board specializing in your field. There will be fewer job listings. But your chances are better.
Tech workers should try Dice. Upper-level executives should head to TheLadders. It list jobs paying $100,000 or more. SalesJobs is for sales professionals, while eFinancialCareers specializes in financial positions. For government jobs, hit USAJOBS.
Search Google for other specialized sites.
Network, network, network
Networking is still important! It can help you find unlisted positions. And contacts may be able to get your résumé to the appropriate party.
First, join an industry organization. You’ll meet others in your field, including those with hiring authority. You’ll also hear about opportunities. Many organizations have their own job boards.
Alumni associations are also helpful. Former classmates in your area may help with your search. You’ll find information on your alumni association on your college’s Web site.
You should join a networking site to develop new connections. The most popular is LinkedIn. You might also try Ecademy and Ryze. These sites are similar to other networking sites. However, the atmosphere is more buttoned down and professional.
My last word
I have done a lot of hiring over the years. Résumés that are off-target are quickly pitched. I once advertised for a researcher. A guy sent a résumé highlighting his invention of a pizza machine! Too bad I wasn’t looking for that. Tailor your résumé to fit the job.
If you get an interview, act like you want the job. Have a few questions. Answer those asked with confidence and enthusiasm. A tie for men never hurts. If you’re female, avoid short skirts and revealing tops. And always, always send a thank you note afterwards.

Mortgage Services

Struggling homeowners not tapping mortgage services
Phoenix Business Journal - by Mike Sunnucks

Distressed mortgage borrowers have numerous avenues for assistance as they face financial burdens related to their home loans and the down housing market.
The problem is, troubled homeowners are reluctant to take advantage of loan modification programs and other aid related to the subprime and foreclosure mess.
“Homeowners do not want to deal with the situations they are in, so they don’t call, open mail or make contact,” said Carolyn Mitchell, community development manager for Wells Fargo Bank.
Homeowners generally want to keep their financial woes private, she said. Some are unsure about who to call, she said, while others simply don’t believe they can be helped out of their predicament.
Wells Fargo, like other lenders, set up loan modification lines and participates in other foreclosure prevention programs. For example, Hope Now — a partnership involving lenders, housing and consumer assistance groups — assisted 6,600 Arizona homeowners during the first three quarters of the year.
Anne Hilby, spokeswoman for the Arizona Attorney General’s Office, said the state has received more complaints this year related to mortgages and real estate, but she said homeowners often are hesitant to report such problems, including legal issues.
“Our office has found that many times, borrowers facing foreclosure are overwhelmed by their situation and embarrassed to seek help,” she said.
State Housing Director Fred Karnas said Arizona’s foreclosure help line has gotten more than 9,400 calls since it launched in May, but many borrowers are skeptical about coming forward because they are worried they will get in trouble if they fudged their original mortgage application.
“They don’t know who to trust,” Karnas said.
Arizona has the second-worst foreclosure rate in the U.S., with one of every 149 households in some stage of the foreclosure process, according to RealtyTrac Inc. Nevada has the worst rate: one of every 74 households.
The State Bar of Arizona set up a foreclosure and bankruptcy assistance program in February through its Arizona Foundation for Legal Services & Education.
Foundation education and information manager Leslie Ross said the Web-based assistance program links low-income homeowners with legal aid, and other individuals to bankruptcy and financial attorneys who can offer them counsel. Ross said between 200 and 300 consumers have used the Lawyers Helping Homeowners service, but the State Bar would like to see more people take advantage of it.
“Most people who are in this situation are not used to seeking help,” Ross said.
Tanya Wheeless, president of the Arizona Bankers Association, said consumers may be skeptical of their options, but they still should reach out.
“You can’t get help if you don’t ask for it,” she said.
Foreclosure Help Lines
Lawyers Helping Homeowners: azlawhelp.org/housing.cfmWells Fargo Home Mortgage Loss Mitigation: 800-678-7986Arizona Attorney General consumer line: 800-352-8431Arizona Department of Housing Foreclosure Help-Line: 877-448-1211National foreclosure help: www.hud.gov/foreclosure or www.hopenow.com