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Handy Tools Ease the Pain
Manufactures have been making a name — and a profit — for themselves creating tools and gadgets to help consumers get a "better grip" on countless household tasks. And I'm not knocking it. But I love it when I don't have to …Read more.
Let the Decluttering Begin
I know it's time. It's been time for at least five years, possibly longer. I need to clean my kitchen. Now, before you send the Health Department to my address, let me explain. What I mean by "clean" is that I need to clean out and …Read more.
A Glimmer of Hope to Cling To
Think back to a low point in your life. Don't struggle with this, just try to recall when you were going through a difficult season and life seemed bleak. Now recall that first glimmer of hope you clung to as you could see that things were beginning …Read more.
Homemade Solutions Are Budget-friendly
Dear Mary: Do you have a homemade recipe for bathroom air freshener refills? I have Air Wick brand, and I'm wondering if there is an easier and cheaper way to refill it when it runs dry. — D.R., California
Dear D.R.: Four to eight drops of …Read more.
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New Rules for Job ApplicantsToday all adults need to see themselves as job applicants, whether they currently have jobs or not. Unemployment respects no one in this tough economy. You could be an applicant as soon as tomorrow, so it is important that you realize that the rules have changed. It's an employer's market, and hiring managers hold all the keys. Once you get your foot in the door, you face the next hurdle of standing out in the crowd of people who are vying for that job. Your experience and education are only parts of the equation for many employers. Most employers care more now about a prospective employee's background. With so many applicants to choose from, employers can afford to be picky. Assume that as part of your job application, you will be required to release your credit report to this prospective employer. These days, they do background checks that include credit checks. Credit reports reveal a lot! Your history will include everything from a record for how you pay your bills to judgments and liens recorded against you. Review your credit reports. You have three of them, and you are entitled to a free copy of each every 12 months. Go to http://www.AnnualCreditReport.com to order your free copies. Read all of the prompts carefully, and don't sign up for anything that costs money. Challenge anything on your reports that you do not know to be correct. You cannot remove correct information, even if it is damaging, but you can challenge what you do not know to be true. What's new in background checks for job seekers is how prospective employers may view your social networking activities.
If you're planning to apply for a job with the city of Bozeman, Mont., prepare to clean up your profiles before you sign that application. As part of Bozeman's background-checking protocol, the city requires applicants to turn over the user names and passwords for all of their social networking sites. Those not willing to comply need not apply. Could this be a harbinger of things to come for other municipalities and private corporations? Starting right now, do not post any pictures, stories, events or language that you would not be proud for your employer to read and file in your personnel file. Whether you're looking for work now or could be in the future, you can take steps now to make sure that all background checks will show you in the best light possible. In the era of cyberspace, little of our lives is truly private. That doesn't mean you should not protect your privacy fiercely. Just don't be surprised when it shows up in your next job interview. Mary Hunt is the founder of www.DebtProofLiving.com and author of 18 books, including her latest, "Can I Pay My Credit Card Bill With a Credit Card?" You can e-mail her at mary@everydaycheapskate.com, or write to Everyday Cheapskate, P.O. Box 2135, Paramount, CA 90723. To find out more about Mary Hunt and read her past columns, please visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com. COPYRIGHT 2009 CREATORS.COM
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