Qualities that you will need to survive the bad economy

There are people who find it hard and there are others who just get by with no worries. But though you see it that way, the latter actually find it hard to. They just make it appear easy because they know how to deal with the problem. So what kinds of people can survive the bad economy? Do you need an economic degree or a bit of financial knowhow? Do you have what it takes to make it during these hard times?

1. Creativity

Most will associate this with art or painting or any of the artsy pursuits. But this is not what creativity truly means. People who are creative will think in non-traditional ways. They can see associations and create new methods that other people have not seen yet. People who are creative can survive any situation because they can always think of something that will help them survive.

2. Resilience

Some people are so used to stress and hardship that they are no longer daunted by it. They can withstand any pressure because basically they have gone through tougher times. These people are ready to face the challenge and can work well even at the most exacting of times.

These people are also able to handle change better and will not necessarily panic when things do not go according to their plans. They can bounce back from any failure and will most certainly never give up.

3. Miser

Keeping things for future use can actually help a lot in cushioning your fall during these times. Misers are known for being tightfisted. If it can be used again, keep it. This will mean lesser expenses and more savings for the rainy days just in case you need it.

People who are not spenders will also find the hard times easier because they already had a head-start in the saving department. They have money in the bank and are more or less assured that they will have something to spend for basic necessities that they may need.

4. Industry
Whether there is an economic slump or not, people who work hard always come out the winner in any game. They are the ones who get the promotion and most certainly, they will be the less likely to become jobless. People who are industrious are also more likely to have savings in the bank and therefore more able to survive the bad economy than others.

Pros and cons of putting up a business to survive a bad economy

With prices of basic commodities going up and the economy going down, you can’t help but feel the pressure. This is especially true with the recent developments such as the financial problems that three of the biggest companies in the country is facing. With these behemoths going down, a lot of would-be investors and entrepreneurs are suddenly thinking twice about their plans. Is this the time to put up a company? Can their fledgling companies survive the bad economy and make it through to the next wave?

The answer is anyone’s guess. Actually, when you really think about it, there is really no answer to it. Nobody can know for sure what will happen. Some companies will flourish while others will go down. That’s economy. It will all depend on the management, the product and the service that the company offers and its image in the market.

Still, one cannot help but feel the need for some advice. After all, they are risking what is probably their lifelong savings. If they don’t make it with their business, they will literally have to start anew with their lives and save money. Below are some of the pros and cons of putting up a company during these times of economic crisis. Read on.

Pros

1.Cheaper rentals
With the real estate down and with companies unwilling to put up businesses or expand, there is less competition for office space or business space. Prices right now for rentals are vastly cheaper than before. You can take advantage of this and cut down your overhead by several percent.

2. Bargain Hunting
People right now are into bargain hunting. Because prices of commodities have gone up they are on the lookout for better deals and cheaper finds. You can take advantage of this by selling your products at a lower price. Discount stores will definitely have brisk business during these times.

Cons
1. Not many will be buying
Because of the hard times, a lot of people will be cutting down on their expenses. If your product is a luxury item or products that people do not really need, make sure that your prices are competitive in the market. Otherwise, you will not have that many clients. Remember that people right now are saving and not spending, Take note of that if you want your company to survive the bad economy.

Pay YOURSELF first

With mounting bills and limited monthly earnings, most people find it difficult making both ends meet as far as a budget is concerned. Oftentimes, your monthly income cannot cover all your monthly obligations. You often tell yourself that your financial situation will improve only to find yourself in a deeper hole. To achieve this, you need to set financial goals for yourself.

Importance of Financial Goals

You should list an objective set of goals that will determine your spending and saving habits. Without a clear financial goal, you may end up spending your money on things you don’t need or won’t be able to use anyway. This is one of the reasons why most people end up wondering why they don’t have enough money left. And yet, they don’t have a clue on where and how they spent that money.

If you can, list down a detailed description of all your expenses, including a cup of coffee or bottle of shampoo you bought. Hence, you will be able to identify where you spent your money. Aside from that, having that record for reference will enable you to assess your spending habits. Are you spending too much on unnecessary things? You can identify those unnecessary things and omit them from your list of purchases.

Financial goals, basically, not only enable you to study the way you spend your money but encourages wise purchases.

Financial Goal and Savings Plan

Now that you understand the importance of setting solid financial goal (or goals), the next step is to determine your goals. This might seem quite obvious in concept but the problem is how to get started. The most efficient way to do this is through creating a savings plan. This will serve as your stepping stone towards reaching your financial goals.

Here are steps to start your own savings plan:

1. Create specific but long-term goals. If for example you want to save money to support you even after you retire, you need to have a specific, targeted figure in mind. This will enable you to determine how much you can allot for your monthly earnings for your savings account.

2. If you do not have any idea on how to go about creating a savings plan, you can seek a financial expert’s advice.

3. Whenever you earn bonuses or raises, set them aside in your savings account. You cannot just rely on your paycheck for building your savings. Instead, you should increase it at every opportunity possible.

Managing Your Finances

Your savings account will be of no use unless you know how to manage your finances wisely. More than any other bills, you must learn to pay yourself first. Hence, even if you end up spending your money on various bills you owe, you have already set aside some amount for yourself.

Whenever you receive your monthly pay, set aside an amount for your savings plan. Recognize what your financial obligations are and put them on your priority list, when it comes to spending your earnings. For instance, you have monthly bills such as electricity, water, or internet, you need to set down a percentage of your income to pay for them.

If you find that you are short on your budget, then you may have to make a few sacrifices. Instead of eating out, opt for home-cooked meals. You can cancel your subscription to a fashion magazine. This will help, alleviate your financial burden and save for more important bills.

Practical Ways To Save

Oftentimes, saving and wise spending entails only a little bit of self discipline. Creating that healthy financial disposition will enable you to better understand the importance of managing your finances responsibly.

Here are a few tricks you can try:

- Open an investment account and opt for an automated contribution. You need to keep in mind that you should opt only for automatic monthly contribution once you are comfortable with your investments and are earning enough on a monthly basis.

- Increase your stream of income. Regardless of your monthly paycheck, you need to supplement your current earnings to boost your savings. However, you must try to maintain your expenses (if not possibly lowering them) to free up more money to add up to your account.

- Avoid impulse buying and unnecessary purchases. Since most people are having trouble resisting this urge, it is best to bring only the amount of money you can afford to spend.

Lessons learned while surviving a bad economy

Life can be hard during these times of bad economy but survival is not impossible. In fact, you can actually use these hard times as a stepping stone to something big. With the right kind of smarts and the right outlook and attitude, you can turn this upheaval into a positive thing that can help you move forward in your life.

Hard times actually offers people the chance to pave for new roads and create new avenues that will hopefully change the way you live your life. Below are some of the lessons that you can learn from these times:

1. Light at the end of the tunnel
No matter how hard life can be, there is always hope for survival and one way to actually survive is to make sure that you believe that there is hope for the future. Staying positive will help you deal with the hardships that life offers. Knowing that you can fight against whatever life deals you is already winning half the battle.

2. Life is hard and it can even get harder
Not everything will be given to you straight out. In fact, life does not even give you all the things that you ask for. This is especially true if you have just graduated from school and now are raring to conquer the world. News flash, it will not always be as easy as when you were in school and with the current economic situation, life will be even harder.

3. There’s always a solution
With every problem, there is a solution and you can almost always do it yourself. There is actually no need to despair and lose hope with the situation. You just need to act or even to make that decision to act. When you do this, you are already half way there in solving the problem. Besides, being confident that you will have solution will allow you to think clearer, faster and better.

4. Panicking will get you nowhere
Worrying over what is happening will only zap away your strength and will waste your time. If you truly want to survive the bad economy, make a choice and act on it. too much thinking and worrying will only curtail your growth and will make you lose the opportunities that you should have gotten had you opened the door when they knocked.

Learn How to Discipline your Purchases

Discipline is an essential part of a successful financial management process. Unless you know how to disciple yourself, you will never be able to save your earnings. It comprises the ability to say ‘no’ when the urge to purchase something you had not initially planned on buying is one of the first steps to achieve a disciplined financial management. However, this does not mean you should deprive yourself. It is still possible to indulge without spending too much.

How To Discipline Yourself?

Discipline, just like any other skills, can be developed. You need to start through small amounts. Making tiny efforts such as sticking with your budget plan is your first and biggest step toward a more efficient financial management. While discipline is a skill, spending is a habit. Therefore, once you acquire the skill of disciplining yourself, then it should be easy to break your spending habit.

Then, you can undergo a reward and punishment method. For example, you set aside a certain amount which you will spend for an indicated period of time. In order to make do with that limited budget, you might need to forego some of your luxuries and settle for those that offer the most savings. When you’ve done that, you will be able to save your money and enjoy whatever savings you’ve made later on. That is your reward.

Shopping Wisely

Stretching the value of your dollar is one of the common dilemmas facing average income earners. This does not necessarily mean that you should dismiss the chance to purchase something you want. It is nice to reward yourself sometimes by buying that bag or top you have been eyeing. But when you do, always ask yourself: am I making a wise purchase?

How To Look For Bargains

For some people, bargaining is a stressful activity. While for others, it is fun to haggle with vendors and get your desired item at a cheaper price. Therefore, if you have the patience to look for a bargain, you could end up saving tons of money!

Plan your day ahead. Take note of all the places or markets you wish to visit for the day. Doing this will help you avoid going back and forth. It is best if you plan ahead which item to buy, so you won’t end up looking all over the place and still having no clue what you are looking for. Thus, you avoid buying items just for the sake of buying.

However, you must not dismiss the possibility of making other purchases (something of which you did not plan on), especially when it proves to be quite a bargain for its price. While this sounds like impulse buying, you need to ensure that you are be able to make good use of this item.

Often, when you enter a store, you are shown their fully priced items first before the discounted merchandises. If you prefer branded items, you can call a store ahead and ask if they have overstock or clearance sales. These are perfect opportunities to grab supposedly expensive items at a bargain price.

When it comes to haggling with vendors for prices, always offer at least half of the original price. Therefore, even if the vendor does not approve of your offer, then you can still get the item at a considerably lower price.

Additional Bargaining Tips

Plan ahead of time when you are looking to buy a specific item or items. Question local vendors on what they could suggest for the best time or places to shop.

If shopping online, take note of sales and overstock. You can secure amazing deals over the internet, but do not forget about shipping. Then, weigh out the odds: for example, you might get an item for 30% off but the shipping and handling charges will result in you paying more than if you paid the item’s full price. Then, it is not worth buying it! Another concern while shopping online is the credibility of an online shop you are considering. Make sure it is a valid online shop before you give out any confidential financial information.

This is a common bargain tip that you should always remember: take time to shop around. If you find an item you like, do not jump right in. Instead, look for other options because you might find something you like better at a more affordable price.

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Water powered car – the HUGE secret Big Oil hopes you never discover…

What if I told you that Big Oil has been lying to you?

What if I told that they know a way you can SAVE massive piles of cash on gas, but they’ve kept that information from you to line their pockets?

You probably have no difficulty believing that, but maybe you think I’m about to give you some hype. Not even close. This is as serious as a heart attack.

So what is it Big Oil hopes you never find out?

Simply this: YOU CAN RUN YOUR CAR ON WATER.

I’m not some kind of conspiracy theory nut, but this story reads like a spy novel.

Big Oil makes scads of money. You know that. What if there was a technology out there that would cut their profits to the bone? Don’t you think they’d keep that to themselves?

You better believe it, and they have. The technology is what lets you run your car mostly on water, using a simple engine part you can build yourself for pennies…if you’re not the least bit capable under the hood of a car (or truck).

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I know it sounds too good to be true. It’s not. Here’s the basic, irrefutable science behind this:

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Listen, I’m not a mechanical genius either. Modern cars require your mechanic to use computers, for crying out loud! I’d be lost under the hood.

But I’ve found a simple guide (the best out there, really) that shows the average car-ignorant person how to build a simple “water pump” that’ll let you run virtually any car or truck on water and gas…and that ends up meaning dramatically less gas than you use now.

How much less? Well…

This guide claims (and proves) that you can increase your mileage by up to 80%. They flat-out GUARANTEE a 50% increase, or you get your money back.

How’s that sound? I mean really, what kind of gas mileage does your car get on the highway right now? Maybe 30 miles to the gallon?

Okay, make it 45. And some people have almost doubled their mileage. It sounds crazy, but it’s not.

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Think I’m nuts? Then see for yourself right here on the web page with all the details (including some great videos showing you how this works):

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Now, I know gas prices have come down a little bit in recent weeks. But that doesn’t matter.

Even if gas comes down to three bucks a gallon in the U.S., do you think OPEC is going to let oil stay that cheap? HA! They’ll be cutting supply before you know it to boost their profits again. But with Run Your Car For Free, you won’t care!

This simple guide shows you:

* How to use plain old water (doesn’t even have to be clean) to run your car…and no, this isn’t a joke

* The reasons it’s SMART to run your car on water (HINT: Think “keep my engine clean and have it purr like a kitten”)

* The simple technique to convert ANY car or truck to run on water

Running your car on water you get out of your faucet or hose obviously saves you money. It also helps the environment. And it REALLY hits Big Oil right in the wallet.

That’s a winner all around, isn’t it?

No more shelling out piles of your hard-earned money at the gas pump. With Run Your Car For Free, you can drive by everybody else waiting in line to buy gas and laugh.

Why not run your car for pennies,? It certainly doesn’t hurt to see what you’re missing. Here’s that link again:

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Here’s to putting one over on Big Oil,

Sick of high gas prices? (Water Powered Car )

Gas prices have come down some recently…but do you remember when gas used to cost less than $1 a gallon in the U.S.?

Now look at your “cheaper” gas price and ask yourself one question…

Is it cheaper, or are they just gouging me a little less?

I bet your know the answer. And I also bet you think there’s nothing you can do about it, right? You’re just one person, after all, and who are you to take on powerful Exxon?

Well, prepare to be shocked, because I’m going to let you in on a little secret.

You can run your car on WATER.

Read that again. It’s not a joke, or some kind of wacky scammy thing. It’s the truth, and even better, you can convert your existing car!

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If you can’t believe what I’m saying, see the scientific proof right on this page:

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Big Oil doesn’t want you to know this. They’re deathly afraid of it, actually. THEY know all about it, but they’ve kept the technology under lock and key for years.

Now the cat’s out of the bag.

I’ve found a simple guide (the best I’ve ever seen) that shows you exactly how to create your own water power pump for your car. It may cost you over $100 a do it with parts at your local auto supply store. But…do you care?

Think about it.

Let’s say your current car gets a whopping 35 miles to the gallon, and that you drive 40 miles round-trip to work every day of the week.

If you take two weeks off per year, that means you’re driving 10,000 miles a year. Now, we assumed your car gets 35 miles to the gallon on the highway, which is pretty darn good. But even with great gas mileage like that, you’ll have to buy over 285 gallons of gas just to commute.

Now, if gas costs even three bucks a gallon, you’ll spend $855 a year!

Okay, here’s the good news…

What if you could almost DOUBLE your gas mileage in your current car? I mean, one day you get 35 miles to the gallon, and the next day you get 70.

Would that save you some cash, or what?

And that’s what Run Your Car For Free shows you how to do! There’s no guarantee you’ll nearly double your mileage, but you’ll at least increase it by 50% GUARANTEED!

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You’ll find out all the details about how to run your car on cheap, nearly free water right here:

http://www.101success.biz/recommends/RunCarForFree
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This simple guide shows you:

* How to use plain old water (doesn’t even have to be clean) to run your car…and no, this isn’t a joke

* The reasons it’s SMART to run your car on water (HINT: Think “keep my engine clean and have it purr like a kitten”)

* The simple technique to convert ANY car or truck to run on water

When you run your car on water, you save money. You also get to keep your car longer, because it runs better and the engine won’t wear out as fast. And you even get to help the environment, because the only byproduct of running your car on water is…WATER!

Think of the thousands you can save by poking Big Oil in the eye!

You won’t have to spend huge cash at the gas station anymore. When OPEC decides to cut supply, you won’t even care. And waiting in line to buy gas when we have a shortage? Not on your life!

You can run for car for pennies. What in the world could be better ?

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Here’s to putting one over on Big Oil,

Run car for free | water power car

How can new graduates survive a bad economy

It’s nice to finally have the piece of paper that certifies your adulthood, right? Your college diploma is your ticket to the adult world. A world of opportunities and chances, unfortunately chances are you’ll be a bum for quite a while. It’s good to be well equipped when trying to survive a bad economy.

When we talk about the adult world we’re talking about rent money, utilities, groceries and don’t forget your student loans, yes that’s right you have got to pay for them.

Before you get to squirming and grimacing there’s still something you can do about it. It’s not the most independent thing that thing that you can do but at least it would help you save up so you can finally live your own life. Because you can’t really afford to pay for everything that you need to pay for with your entry-level job, it really justifies moving back home with your mom and dad.

After 18 long years of fighting for your independence you find yourself moving back to the old nest; sad isn’t it but there are good reasons for doing it. These reasons are pretty realistic and practical, and are:

Survival tip number 1: Free of charge lodging.

More than the tuition, rent would eat up most of the allowance that you have as a student. When you move back home, rent would cost you absolutely nothing! And because you don’t need to worry about putting up any rent money you can focus on looking for the job you want, saving up, paying loans and planning for the future.

Survival tip number 2: All the things you need are within arm’s length.

All the things that you need to buy when your living alone are bound to add up and cost you more than what you earn. Even if you were sharing an apartment with a roomie or a friend it would still cost you. At least when you’re at home you can volunteer to mow that lawn every now and then or take out the garbage every night in exchange for all the things that you get.

Survival tip number 3:You’ll actually have savings.

If you do have a job and its paying you decent money, staying with your parents let’s you save a lot of money on rent, groceries, utilities, credit card debt build up during college and a lot of other stuff you need to pay off. This is a good time for you to save for a rainy day and think of the future. Since everything comes in a bundle when you live with your parents it’s likely that you’ll have all of the things you need to pay for covered faster than you can imagine.

Survival tip number 4: Living conditions are much better and the food is good.

Living at home means all the comfort of a real house at no extra charge. Imagine yourself living in a one-bedroom apartment with a law student, an aspiring photographer disguised as a bag boy and a whole bunch of pets running around the house. Bad right? Imagine the food. Your mom may not be a gourmet chef but at least it’s not pork and beans and coke.

Survival tip number 5: You will never have to tolerate an annoying roommate.

You already spent your whole life trying to become an expert at dealing with all the craziness that your family has, why would you want to pay for dealing with the craziness of a total stranger. That’s whacked.

These are only the top five good reasons why moving back to your house can help you in surviving a bad economy and even a bad job. For new graduates who are just starting to get a job and earn some, these are practical tips that should be carefully considered.

How to survive the job hunting season during a bad economic year

It’s the classic case of wrong timing. You have just graduated from College and are now raring to have a job. Unfortunately, not all companies have survived the bad economy. Some are on a slump and others are barely alive. This makes job hunting all the more difficult. With all companies cutting down their expenses, the word hiring seems far from their minds.

But don’t be discouraged. Even if most companies are in freeze hiring mode, there are still some who are looking for the right people. If you are one of the top people in your class, you are in better position as opposed to those who barely passed the subject on college. If not, you will still have the chance. All you need to have is patience for the hunting and the interviewing. Here are some tips on how to survive the job hunting season during these times of economic crunch.

1. Pass your credentials
There is nothing wrong in sending companies your resume. They may not be hiring when you called but who knows when a position will become free. With your resume already in their hands, you will have a better chance of being considered for the job. Besides, human resources offices in big companies keep what they call an active file. These are resumes that they already received in the past and have kept active. This is the batch that they look into when they are looking for potential candidates.

2. Go online
Online is another way to get your name and resume out there. There are numerous job sites that you can look into to find jobs and post your resume. Try looking at these sites. This will not only minimize your expenses in transportation, it will also save you time and effort.

3. Try part-time
Not having a job does not mean that you have an excuse to stay at home. While waiting for companies to call you, why not try doing part time work? as much as you can, do part-time work that is closer to the job that you really want. For instance, if you are an accountancy graduate, you can try bookkeeping in a small shop in your area. This way, you will also be able to gain some new skills and learn something that can help you with a full-time job.

Looking for a job and surviving the bad economy is possible. You just have to know what to do.

How to survive the bad economy without living like a pauper

Times are hard. But this doesn’t mean that life should be hard. If you know how to manage your money well, you will be able to live comfortably while saving some in the bank just in case you might need it in the future. There is no need to live like a pauper. Surviving the clutches of a bad economy does not only take frugality, it also takes money savvy and some creativity.

1. Do it on your own

If you have the time to do the laundry and the cleaning, stop hiring a cleaning lady. That way, you can save the money that you are going to pay them and put it in the bank. This is not the time to develop those lazy bones! Only those who have the ability to do hard work will survive these times.

2. Save

Saving money does not mean that you will be starving yourself and your family. You can actually cut down on extra expenses while still keeping the kind of lifestyle that you are used to. Just get rid of the extra “fats” in your expenses. For instance, if you and your family is used to eating out for dinner on weekends, try having a family cook out. It will be better for your finances.

Another area where you can save is in the entertainment of the family. Don’t go to movie theaters. Instead, go watch a movie on the television or wait for the DVD copy to come out. You will save a lot and at the same time, you can watch it over and over again.

3. Get some help
For sure, you are not the only one feeling the economic crunch. Ask for their help. You can organize cook outs and car pools which will help save a lot of money and time in gas and electricity. It will also be a good idea to hold big garage sales where you can sell the items that you do not really want. By selling your old stuff, you will have space and money for the new ones!

There are a lot of ways that you can survive the bad economy. All you need to do is think of creative ways to do it and you’re well on your way.