Life In USA: 66 WAYS TO SAVE MONEY (2)

First Mortgage Loans

36. Although your monthly payment may be higher, you can save tens of thousands of dollars in interest charges by shopping for the shortest-term mortgage you can afford. For each $100,000 you borrow at a 7% annual percentage rate (APR), for example, you will pay over $75,000 less in interest on a 15-year fixed rate mortgage than you would on a 30-year fixed rate mortgage.

37. You can save thousands of dollars in interest charges by shopping for the lowest-rate mortgage with the fewest points. On a 15-year $100,000 fixed-rate mortgage, just lowering the APR from 7% to 6.5% can save you more than $5,000 in interest charges over the life of the loan, and paying two points instead of three would save you an additional $1,000.

38. Check the Internet or your local newspaper for mortgage rate surveys, then call several lenders for information about their rates (APRs), points, and fees. If you choose a mortgage broker, make certain to compare their offers with those of direct lenders.

39. Be aware that the interest rate on most adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs) can vary a great deal over the lifetime of the loan. An increase of several percentage points might raise payments by hundreds of dollars a month, so ask the lender what the highest possible monthly payment might be.

Mortgage Refinancing

40. Consider refinancing your mortgage if you can get a rate that is lower than your existing mortgage rate and plan to keep the new mortgage for at least several years. Calculate precisely how much your new mortgage (including points, fees and closing costs) will cost and whether, in the long run, it will cost less than your current mortgage.

Home Equity Loans

41. Be cautious in taking out home equity loans. The loans reduce or may even eliminate the equity that you have built up in your home. (Equity is the cash you would have if you sold your house and paid off your mortgage loans.) If you are unable to make payments on home equity loans, you could lose your home.

42. Compare home equity loans offered by at least four reputable lending institutions. Consider the interest rate on the loan and the annual percentage rate (APR), which includes other costs, such as origination fees, discount points, mortgage insurance, and other fees. Ask if the rate changes, and if so, how it is calculated and how frequently, as this will affect the amount of your monthly payments.

Home Purchase

43. You can often negotiate a lower sale price by employing a buyer broker who works for you, not the seller. If the buyer broker or the broker's firm also lists properties, there may be a conflict of interest, so ask them to tell you if they are showing you a property that they have listed.

44. Do not purchase any house until it has been examined by a home inspector that you selected.

Renting a Place to Live

45. Do not limit your rental housing search to classified ads or referrals from friends and acquaintances. Select buildings where you would like to live and contact their building manager or owner to see if anything is available.

46. Remember that signing a lease probably obligates you to make all monthly payments for the term of the agreement.

Home Improvement

47. Home repairs often cost thousands of dollars and are the subject of frequent complaints. Select from among several well established, licensed contractors who have submitted written, fixed-price bids for the work.

48. Do not sign any contract that requires full payment before satisfactory completion of the work.

Major Appliances

49. Consult Consumer Reports, available in most public libraries, for information about specific appliance brands and models and how to evaluate them, including energy use. There are often great price and quality differences. Look for the yellow Energy Guide label on products, and especially for products that have earned the government's ENERGY STAR®, which can save up to 50% in energy use.

50. Once you've selected a specific brand and model, check the Internet or yellow pages to learn what stores carry the brand. Call at least four of these stores to compare prices and ask if that's the lowest price they can offer you. This comparison shopping can save you as much as $100 or more.

Heating and Cooling

51. A home energy audit can identify ways to save up to hundreds of dollars a year on home heating (and air conditioning). Ask your electric or gas utility if they audit homes for free or for a reasonable charge. If they do not, ask them to refer you to a qualified professional.

52. Enrolling in load management programs and off-hour rate programs offered by your electric utility may save you up to $100 a year in electricity costs. Call your electric utility for information about these cost-saving programs.

Telephone Service

53. Once a year, review your phone bills for the previous three months to see what local, local toll, long distance, and international calls you normally make. Call several phone companies which provide service in your area (including wireless and cable), to find the cheapest calling plan that meets your needs. Consider a bundled package that offers local, local toll and long distance, and possibly other services, if you heavily use all the services in the bundle.

54. Check your phone bill to see if you have optional calling features or additional services, such as inside wire maintenance, that you don't need. Each option you drop could save you $40 or more each year.

55. If you make very few toll or long distance calls, avoid calling plans with monthly fees or minimums. Or consider disconnecting the service altogether and use dial around services such as 10-10 numbers or prepaid phone cards for your calls. When shopping for dial around service, look for fees, call minimum, and per minute rates. Treat prepaid cards as cash and find out if there is an expiration date.

56. If you use a cell phone, make sure your calling plan matches the pattern of calls you typically make. Understand peak calling periods, area coverage, roaming, and termination charges. Contracts offered by most carriers will provide you with a trial period of 14 days or more. Use that time to make sure the service provides coverage in all the places you will be using the phone (home, work etc.). Prepaid wireless plans tend to have higher per minute rates and fees but may be a better option if you use the phone only occasionally.

57. Before making calls when away from home, compare per minute rates and surcharges for cell phones, prepaid phone cards, and calling card plans to find how to save the most money.

58. Dial your long distance calls directly. Using an operator to place the call can cost you up to $10 extra. To save money on information calls, look the number up on the Internet, or in the directory.

Food Purchased at Markets

59. You can save hundreds of dollars a year by shopping at lower-priced food stores. Convenience stores often charge the highest price.

60. You will spend less on food if you shop with a list, take advantage of sales, and purchase basic ingredients, rather than pre-packaged components or ready-made items.

61. You can save hundreds of dollars a year by comparing price-per-ounce or other unit prices on shelf labels. Stock up on those items with low per-unit costs.

Prescription Drugs

62. Since brand name drugs are usually much more expensive than their generic equivalents, ask your physician and pharmacist if a less expensive generic or an over the counter alternative is available.

63. Since pharmacies may charge widely different prices for the same medicine, call several. When taking a drug for a long time, also consider calling mail-order pharmacies, which often charge lower prices.

Funeral Arrangements

64. Plan ahead, making your wishes known about your funeral, memorial, or burial arrangements in writing to save your family or estate unnecessary expense.

65. For information about the least costly options, which may save you several thousand dollars, contact a local Funeral Consumer Alliance or memorial society, which are usually listed in the Yellow Pages under funeral services.

66. Before selecting a funeral home, call several and ask for prices of specific goods and services, or visit them to obtain an itemized price list. You are entitled to this information by law.

Life In USA: 66 WAYS TO SAVE MONEY (1)

For most kinds of purchases, you can get valuable advice and comparisons on the Internet. Ask a librarian or friends which Internet sites they think are helpful, or you can use a search engine like Google or Yahoo. Be aware that information you find is often biased. At many websites, the only products or sellers listed are ones that pay to advertise. Before buying anything on the Internet, check several websites and make sure you deal with reputable dealers.

Airline Fares

1. Compare low-cost carriers with major carriers that fly to your destination. Remember, the best fares may not be out of the airport closest to you.

2. You may save by including a Saturday evening stay-over or by purchasing the ticket at least 14 days in advance. Ask which days of the week and times of the day have the lowest fare.

3. Even if you are using a travel agent, check airline and Internet travel sites, and look for special deals. If you call, always ask for the lowest fare to your destination.

Car Rental

4. Since car rental rates can vary greatly, compare total price (including taxes and surcharge) and take advantage of any special offers and membership discounts.

5. Rental car companies offer various insurance and waiver options. Check with your automobile insurance agent and credit card company in advance to avoid duplicating any coverage you may already have.

New Cars

6. You can save thousands of dollars over the lifetime of a car by selecting a model that combines a low purchase price with low depreciation, financing, insurance, gasoline, maintenance, and repair costs. Ask your local librarian for new car guides that contain this information.

7. Having selected a model and options you are interested in, you can save hundreds of dollars by comparison shopping. Get price quotes from several dealers (over the phone or Internet) and let each know you are contacting the others.

8. Remember there is no "cooling off" period on new car sales. Once you have signed a contract, you are obligated to buy the car.

Used Cars

9. Before buying any used car:

Compare the seller's asking price with the average retail price in a "bluebook” or other guide to car prices which can be found at many libraries, banks, and credit unions.

Have a mechanic you trust check the car, especially if the car is sold "as is."

10. Consider purchasing a used car from an individual you know and trust. They are more likely than other sellers to charge a lower price and point out any problems with the car.

Auto Leasing

11. Don't decide to lease a car just because the payments are lower than on a traditional auto loan. The leasing payments are lower because you don't actually own the car.

12. Leasing a car is very complicated. When shopping, consider the price of the car (known as the capitalized cost), your trade-in allowance, any down payment, monthly payments, various fees (excess mileage, excess "wear and tear," end-of- lease), and the cost of buying the car at the end of the lease. A valuable source of information about auto leasing can be found in Keys to Vehicle Leasing: A Consumer Guide, which is published by the Federal Reserve Board and Federal Trade Commission.

Gasoline

13. You can save hundreds of dollars a year by comparing prices at different stations, pumping gas yourself, and using the lowest-octane called for in your owner's manual.

14. You can save up to $100 a year on gas by keeping your engine tuned and your tires inflated to their proper pressure.

Car Repairs

15. Consumers lose billions of dollars each year on unneeded or poorly done car repairs. The most important step that you can take to save money on these repairs is to find a skilled, honest mechanic. Before you need repairs, look for a mechanic who:

is certified and well established;

has done good work for someone you know; and

communicates well about repair options and costs.

Auto Insurance

16. You can save several hundred dollars a year by purchasing auto insurance from a licensed, low-price insurer. Call your state insurance department for a publication showing typical prices charged by different companies. Then call at least four of the lowest-priced, licensed insurers to learn what they would charge you for the same coverage.

17. Talk to your agent or insurer about raising your deductibles on collision and comprehensive coverage to at least $500 or, if you have an old car, dropping this coverage altogether. This can save you hundreds of dollars on insurance premiums.

18. Make certain that your new policy is in effect before dropping your old one.

Homeowner/Renter Insurance

19. You can save several hundred dollars a year on homeowner insurance and up to $50 a year on renter insurance by purchasing insurance from a low-price, licensed insurer. Ask your state insurance department for a publication showing typical prices charged by different licensed companies. Then call at least four of the lowest priced insurers to learn what they would charge you. If such a publication is not available, it is even more important to call at least four insurers for price quotes.

20. Make certain you purchase enough coverage to replace the house and its contents. "Replacement" on the house means rebuilding to its current condition.

21. Make certain your new policy is in effect before dropping your old one.

Life Insurance

22. If you want insurance protection only, and not a savings and investment product, buy a term life insurance policy.

23. If you want to buy a whole life, universal life, or other cash value policy, plan to hold it for at least 15 years. Canceling these policies after only a few years can more than double your life insurance costs.

24. Check the National Association of Insurance Commissioners website (www.naic.org) or your local library for information on the financial soundness of insurance companies.

Checking Accounts and Debit Cards

25. You can save more than $100 a year in fees by selecting a free checking account or one with no minimum balance requirement. Request a complete list of fees that are charged on these accounts, including ATM and debit card fees.

26. See if you can get free or lower cost checking through direct deposit or agreeing to ATM only use. Be aware of charges for using an ATM not associated with your financial institution.

Savings Products

27. Before opening a savings account, find out whether the account is insured by the federal government (FDIC for banks or NCUA for credit unions). Financial institutions offer a number of products, such as mutual funds and annuities, which are not insured.

28. Once you select a type of savings account, use the telephone, newspaper, and Internet to compare rates and fees offered by different financial institutions-including those outside your city. These rates can vary a lot and, over time, can significantly affect interest earnings.

29. To earn the highest return on savings (annual percentage yield) with little or no risk, consider certificates of deposit (CDs) or U.S. Savings Bonds (Series I or EE).

Credit Cards

30. To avoid late payment fees and possible interest rate increases on your credit cards, make sure you send in your payment a week to ten days before the statement due date. Late payments on one card can increase fees and interest rates on other cards.

31. You can avoid interest charges, which may be considerable, by paying off your entire bill each month. If you are unable to pay off a large balance, pay as much as you can. Try to shift the remaining balance to a credit card with a lower annual percentage rate (APR). You can find listings of credit card plans, rates, and terms on the Internet, in personal finance magazines, and in newspapers.

32. Be aware that credit cards with rebates, cash back, travel awards, or other perks may carry higher rates or fees.

Auto Loans

33. To save as much as several thousand dollars in finance charges, pay for the car in cash or make a large down payment. Always get the shortest term loan possible as this will lower your interest rate.

34. Make certain to get a rate quote (or pre-approved loan) from your bank or credit union before seeking dealer financing. You can save as much as $1000 in finance charges by shopping for the cheapest loan.

35. Make certain to consider the dollar difference between low-rate financing and a lower sale price. Remember that getting zero or low-rate financing from a dealer may prevent you from getting the rebate. 

The world's billionaires 2011

America's wealthiest still dominate the global ranks, but more new billionaires now come from China, Russia and other developing economies – and Mexico’s Carlos Slim Helú is holding on to the title of world’s richest man.

By Forbes

2011: A record year in numbers, money and impact

This 25th year of tracking global wealth was one to remember. The Forbes 2011 Billionaires List breaks two records: number of billionaires (1,210) and combined wealth ($4.5 trillion).

This combined wealth surpasses the gross domestic product of Germany, one of only six nations to have fewer billionaires this year than in 2010. Brazil, Russia, India and China produced 108 of this year's 214 new names. These four nations are home to one in four members, up from one in 10 five years ago.

Before this year only the United States had produced more than 100 billionaires. China now has 115 and Russia 101.

Wealth creation is moving at an especially breakneck pace in the Asia-Pacific region, which has a record 332 billionaires, up from 234 a year ago and 130 at the depth of the financial crisis in 2009. Sizzling stock markets are behind this surge.

America's wealthiest still dominate the global ranks, but the U.S. is losing its grip. One in three billionaires is an American, down from nearly one in two a decade ago. It has 10 more than last year but 56 fewer than its 2008 peak.

Still there are inspiring newcomers. An obvious example is Facebook, which has spawned six billionaires, including chief executive Mark Zuckerberg, whose fortune this year jumped 238% to $13.5 billion.

The frenzy among investors for all things social pushed up private market values of online gaming outfit Zynga and made a billionaire of founder and chief executive Mark Pincus. Other notable American newcomers to the Forbes list include Groupon backer Eric Lefkofsky.

Why do we spend so much time tracking other people's money? It's because these moguls have the power to shape our world. Telecom billionaire turned Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati is keeping Lebanon's government together. Swiss-Italian entrepreneur Ernesto Bertarelli is focusing on saving the oceans. And Bill Gates and Warren Buffett have traveled to three continents working to raise philanthropic awareness among the ultra-rich.

Carlos Slim Helú

Net worth: $74 billion

Age: 71

Residence: Mexico City

Carlos Slim Helú is chairman of Telmex, which provides telecommunications services throughout Latin America, and the world's richest man. Forbes last year put his worth at $53.5 billion. A 19% rise in the Mexican stock market, a stronger peso and successful mining and real-estate spinoffs from conglomerate Grupo Carso (GPOVY) contributed to this year's increase in Slim's net worth.

Slim presides over an empire that stretches from mining to cigarettes to banking to retail, and touches nearly every aspect of life for Mexico's 113 million residents. He has interests in retailer Saks (SKS) and The New York Times (NYT), and he paid $140 million last year for an office building on New York's Fifth Avenue.

Bill Gates

Net worth: $54 billion

Age: 55

Residence: Medina, Wash.

Bill Gates -- the Microsoft (MSFT) co-founder, futurist and America's richest person -- has collaborated with billionaire buddy Warren Buffett to persuade nearly 60 of the world's wealthiest to sign the "Giving Pledge," promising to donate at least half of their wealth to charity.

Gates has given $30 billion to The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which distributes life-saving vaccines and fights hunger. Gates is calling for a higher sense of urgency in AIDS vaccine development and is pushing for better tools to rate teacher performance.

Gates holds 70% of his wealth in an investment fund; the rest is in Microsoft stock. (Microsoft publishes MSN Money.)

Warren Buffett

Net worth: $50 billion

Age: 80

Residence: Omaha, Neb.

Shares of Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B) have climbed more than 15% over the past year, adding $3 billion to the fortune of Warren Buffett. Buffett is hunting for more big deals: "Our elephant gun has been reloaded and my trigger finger is itchy," he said in a recent letter to Berkshire shareholders.

In explaining his involvement in the "Giving Pledge," Buffett has said: "Too often, a vast collection of possessions ends up possessing its owner. The asset I most value, aside from health, is interesting, diverse and long-standing friends."

Buffett faked breathing problems when he was 12 so he could move back to Omaha from Washington, D.C., where his father was a freshman congressman. He bought textile firm Berkshire Hathaway in 1965 and transformed it into massive holding company, spanning food, insurance, utilities and industrials. Buffett acquired railroad giant Burlington Northern Santa Fe for $26 billion in 2009.

Bernard Arnault

Net worth: $41 billion

Age: 62

Residence: Paris

Bernard Arnault easily retains the title of Europe's richest person. His fortune surged by $13.5 billion over the past year as shares of his luxury good outfit, LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMUY) rose by more than half, thanks to strong demand, particularly in Asia, for Dom Perignon champagne, Hennessy cognac, Tag Heuer watches and Louis Vuitton bags and accessories.

Arnault's company acquired 20% of Hermes last year. Arnault insists he is a friendly shareholder, but Hermes sees the purchase as hostile. The Bulgari family recently transferred its majority holding in its brand to LVMH for LVMH shares and board seats.

Larry Ellison

Net worth: $39.5 billion

Age: 66

Residence: Woodside, Calif.

Larry Ellison, the co-founder and chief executive of Oracle (ORCL), sits atop a fortune that grew by $11.5 billion over the past year thanks to a 30% jump in the shares of his software company. In November, Oracle won a mud-slinging copyright infringement battle against German software rival SAP (SAP) worth $1.3 billion. SAP is contesting the outcome.

Over the years, Oracle has acquired 75 companies worth a total of $40 billion. For making it all come together, Ellison is one of the highest-paid executives in the United States.

An avid yachtsman, Ellison spent a decade and more than $100 million on his quest for the America's Cup, which he finally won in February 2010, beating rival billionaire Ernesto Bertarelli. Ellison is bringing the America's Cup to San Francisco in 2013.

Job search sites you can rely on

http://www.indeed.com - http://www.indeed.com
Searches job sites, newspapers, associations and company career pages for employment advertisements.

CareerBuilder.com - http://www.careerbuilder.com/
Search for jobs or careers using 13 different criteria, or post resumes and let employers with job openings find you. Also has a section of advice and career-related information resources.

Job-Hunt.org - http://www.job-hunt.org/
Listing of thousands of on-line job hunting resources by category.

IMdiversity.com - http://www.imdiversity.com/
Career site dedicated to providing jobs for minorities, females and other diversity job seekers looking for career employment. Search a diversity job bank, post a resume or visit one of the diversity multicultural villages.

Net-Temps - http://www.net-temps.com/
Net-Temps is a job posting and resume searching portal specializing in the temporary and contract staffing industry.

JobsDB.com - http://www.jobsdb.com
Offering job search and posting, career tips and human resource solutions to job seekers, corporate employers and recruiters in Australia, USA, and across Asia.

About.com: Job Searching - http://jobsearch.about.com/
Advice and links on job searching including writing and interview advice plus links to agencies and search engines by job type.

Career.com - http://www.career.com/
an interactive recruitment advertising site focused on connecting qualified job seekers with employers in the high-tech fields.

http://www.saludos.com/ - http://www.saludos.com/
Hispanic employment service with free resume postings.

Jobs.com - http://www.jobs.com
Find a job, write your resume, negotiate your salary. Job opportunities and qualified job seekers matched by the industry leader.

Ihispano.com - http://www.ihispano.com
Job and career site specializing in providing online corporate recruitment of bilingual professional talent in the Hispanic community.

Weddle's - http://www.weddles.com/
Offers books, free information and other recruiting and job search resources.

Jobs.Net - http://www.jobs.net/
provides job-matching features and free services for both job seekers and employers worldwide.

6 Figure Jobs - http://www.6figurejobs.com/
Site for experienced professionals to seek and be sought for high paying executive positions. All jobs over $100,000.

SnagAJob.com, Inc. - http://www.snagajob.com/
Offers a search for hourly, part-time and full-time jobs.

NativeAmericanJobs.com - http://www.nativeamericanjobs.com
Lists job and career opportunities for Native Americans and others. Includes tribal and non-tribal companies across the nation.

Job Target - http://www.jobtarget.com/
A career sites services company with headquarters in New London, Connecticut.

Career Exposure - http://www.careerexposure.com/
Job listing services and resume posting. Includes sections for business and finance as well as diversity and careers for women.

Recruiters OnLine Network - http://www.recruitersonline.com/
Offering to bring recruiters and applicants together. Job distribution, resume database, and a members database.

TopUSAJobs.com - http://www.topusajobs.com/
Lists USA jobs and careers. Search by category, city or state, job-title keyword and job-description keyword.

Jobseekers Advice - http://www.jobseekersadvice.com/
A free information and advice site for jobseekers. Includes articles on careers, recruitment and employment as well as a discussion forum.

Employment911.com - http://www.employment911.com/
Search jobs on over 35 job sites. Free email, web address book and organizer, resume posting, job posting and employment tips.

 http://www.job-search-engine.com/ - http://www.job-search-engine.com/
Searches the top USA and Canadian job boards and reports a composite result of employment openings.

Human Capital Solutions, LLC - http://www.jobcircle.com/
Job Listings and career tools for job seekers throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. Headquartered in West Chester, Pennsylvania.

http://www.gojobs.com/ - http://www.gojobs.com/
Search the job database by region, occupation, and employment type.

Worktree.com - http://www.worktree.com/
Access jobs by industry, profession, or location. Paid membership required for access.

EmployDiversity - http://www.employdiversity.com/
An online job search website and career center promoting multiculturalism.

Military Exits - http://www.militaryexits.com
Career and job listings for veterans and discharged military personnel returning to civilian employment.

Blue Steps - https://www.bluesteps.com/
Senior Executives submit profile and resume into an exclusive database accessed only by member consultants at global retained executive search firms filling senior level positions worldwide.

AllJobSearch.com - http://www.alljobsearch.com/
Searches 180 career sites, 500 newspapers, and 300 newsgroups, all in one search.

Labor Ready - http://www.laborready.com/
A free job search service for finding and posting jobs in unskilled, semi-skilled and skilled positions in all industries.

JobSniper.com - http://www.jobsniper.com/
The fastest way to find a job. More than 3 million jobs searchable daily. We automate the job search by bringing the jobs to you.

Senior Job Bank - http://www.seniorjobbank.org
Provides an online service for over-50 job seekers and for interested employers. Serves all job categories and disciplines.

Resume-Resource.com - http://www.resume-resource.com/
Resources for writing and distributing a professional resume. Includes resume samples, resume articles, resume services, resume books, resume distribution and resume posting.

Veterans Employment - http://www.veteranemployment.com/
Job site for Veterans and transitioning Military. Jobs, scholarships, GI Bill Information, transition assistance, and company information.

Career Age - http://www.careerage.com/
Information about jobs, career and education. Jobs updated daily. Free job alert, resume posting and career counseling

Employment Partner - http://www.employmentpartner.com/
Network of local career websites covering metro areas in the USA and Canada, offering job seekers to enter resumé information, and employers to post paid job listings.

SalesJobs.com - http://www.salesjobs.com/
Searchable database of sales jobs throughout the U.S. Includes ability to upload resumes and pricing for placing ads.

Germany-USA Career Center - http://www.germany-usa.com
Job and resume database for German-American markets.

Netshare.Com - http://www.netshare.com/
Portal site for both recruiters and job seekers.

The Recruiter Network - http://www.therecruiternetwork.com/
Offers to matches proactive Job Seekers with thousands of targeted Recruiters. Post your resume to our database or send it directly to targeted recruiters.

ExecutivesOnly - http://www.executivesonly.com/
Executive jobs database and career counseling services.

Hirediversity - http://www.hirediversity.com/
Provides Latino, African-American, Asian and other minorities entrepreneur and career resources, as well companies and corporations hiring access to diverse employees.

4Jobs.com - http://www.4jobs.com/
4BusinessNetwork's corporate career site service, including resume search and resume posting.

http://jobs.prohire.com/ - http://jobs.prohire.com/
Job board, resume bank, and career center for job seekers.

JobSearchPage - http://www.jobsearchpage.com
Job search hints, interview tips, Web resume templates, and career link pages.

Best Jobs USA - http://www.bestjobsus.com/
Features e-mail notification of jobs extracted from all the main employment sites on the internet, matching requirements of skills and location.

myCareerSpace.com - http://www.mycareerspace.com/
A career services provider for job seekers and employers and recruiters.

Career Mouse - http://www.careermouse.com/
Career and job portal where job seekers and employers can meet.

ExecGlobalNet, Inc. - http://www.ExecGlobalNet.com/
Provides job search and career change information, help, and support specifically to individuals with several years of work experience and in mid-career, such as executives and managers.

JobJunction, Inc - http://www.jobjunction.com/
Provides consulting and specialized employment recruiting services to corporate clients and job seekers in diverse U.S. markets.

RecruitOnNet.com - http://www.recruitonnet.com/
an online job providing - employee placing portal.

Jobsmack - http://www.jobsmack.com/
Portal for career opportunities in the video games, software, graphics, broadband and the web development industries.

The Houseparent Network - http://www.houseparent.net/
One stop resource for houseparents and other residential care workers. Includes job listings, facility directory, free e-mail, forum/chat and, links to resources.

Professionals In Transition - http://www.jobsearching.org/
Support for professionals that are unemployed or underemployed. Offers tips suggestions, discussions, job postings, resume review. Insurance options for unemployed through non profit and 3rd party insurer.

Laid Off Central - http://www.laidoffcentral.com/
A resource for laid off employees.

Freshjobs.com - http://www.freshjobs.com/
Job listings never more than a week old. Job-seekers can search for careers in all industries. Employers get their jobs cross-posted to network jobsites at no additional cost.

ResumesRX - http://www.resumesrx.com/
Resume critiquing, career counseling and frequently asked questions and answers.

Professional Alternatives - http://www.proalt.com/
Broad variety of positions available, at all organization levels, in virtually every industry.

Impact Search and Placement - http://www.impact-tqr.com
National search and placement firm working specializing in searches within the Furniture, Store Fixture, Cabinet, AWI and related industries.

Jobxpresso.com - http://www.jobxpresso.com
Search for contract and permanent jobs.

Link2jobs.com - http://www.link2jobs.com
Register, submit resume to, create agent at and search across numerous job sites.

WorkFinders.Net - http://www.workfinders.net/
Search the best jobs, international and local. Advertise job vacancies. Free careers employment and recruitment services.

StaffingLinks.Com - http://www.staffinglinks.com/
Job search resources and career center. 50,000 links to employers, associations, newspapers, recruiters, job sites, salary surveys, interview tips, and resume advise.

Job Animal - http://jobanimal.4jobs.com/
Candidate matching service that allows employers and recruiters to work cooperatively and find qualified candidates to meet their employment needs.

Swapjobs - http://swapjobs.classifieds2go.com/UserEntry/Jobs/Default.aspx
For professionals of all career fields, permanent, contract and consulting jobs worldwide.

2jobsearch.net - http://2jobsearch.net/
Free job search and resume posting.

Affirmative Action Register - http://www.aarjobs.com/
Publication providing listings of professional, managerial and administrative positions for which qualified candidates are being sought.

3 tax mistakes made every day

You probably don't mean to violate the law or invite hassles with the IRS, but ignoring simple, common-sense guidelines could get you into trouble.

By Robert W. Wood, Forbes.com

Harvey Silverglate's recent book, "Three Felonies a Day," argues that a combination of vague laws and changing technologies has led the average American unwittingly to break the law daily.

That got me thinking of an analog in the tax world: Most of us, I fear, mess up tax issues every day. No, these mistakes aren't felonies. But you don't want to end up on April 15 having logged 365 days of tax mistakes.

Here are three tax rules many of us break almost daily. Respect them, and you'll reduce the chance of coming to grief with the Internal Revenue Service.

1. Keep business and personal affairs separate

It might be overstated to say that never the twain shall meet. You might often do things with a dual motive -- say, having a pleasant lunch with a business colleague, going on vacation with your best client or buying a vacation home that you also intend as an investment.

However, you'll be better off if you can separate your tax life into business and personal categories. That might sound radical, but it's really just following the tax code. As I look back over a 30-year career as a tax lawyer, I can think of many big, messy and expensive tax disputes that came down to a violation of this fundamental divide.

The person who forgets this rule and tries to morph personal matters into business is asking for trouble. I'm thinking of people who:

Try to deduct the cost of their divorce because their business is at risk.

Try to deduct a miserable vacation with a client.

Claim that a hobby is a business.

Sure, there are many provisions in the tax law that explicitly recognize the dual purposes many of us have in pursuing activities and purchases. Still, try to avoid such dual-purpose goals, and do your best to categorize things appropriately. I think you'll make your tax life easier. (For more, see "5 tax myths that can cost you money.")

2. Keep good records

Most of us at one time or another violate this edict. You might think keeping good records is something that can help you only if you actually end up in a tax controversy. Yet believe it or not, there is something about keeping good records that can keep you out of tax trouble in the first place. Maybe it's karma.

Moreover, this rule isn't just for people who run businesses. For example, recreational gamblers, even retirees playing the slots, need to keep a diary or other record of how much they bet and lose on each visit. That's because your occasional big win will be reported to the IRS by the casino. You can use gambling losses to offset your winnings. But if you don't keep good records, you could end up a two-time loser -- once at the tables and once to Uncle Sam.

Another example is charitable donations. Put a $20 check instead of a $20 bill in the collection plate. The law requires you to have paper proof of every donation you deduct. (For more, read "Give and grow rich with charitable deductions.")

Does the IRS really care about this sort of record keeping? Yes. Most of the audits conducted on ordinary, law-abiding folks -- meaning wage earners without undisclosed offshore accounts -- are so-called correspondence audits. In such audits -- you might be picked for one if you deduct a lot of contributions -- taxpayers are told their deductions will be disallowed unless they promptly mail back records substantiating them. (Also see "Tax records you can toss.")

3. Respect and keep those 1099s

This might sound like an April 15-only item. In fact, how you handle third-party "information returns," such as 1099s, year-round will influence how easy or hard a time you have when you file your return and interact with the IRS thereafter.

Whether you are a payee or a payer, you need a system to record and track information returns. That's exactly what the IRS does. A lot of what goes on at the IRS is computer matching -- the endless correlation of taxpayer identification numbers and payments. Even a small mismatch between what's on these forms and what you report on your tax return will be caught and could result in months of hassles with the IRS. Much of what the IRS does, when it comes to monitoring taxpayers, is information return matching.

There are different forms for miscellaneous income -- Form 1099-MISC (.pdf file) -- for interest -- Form 1099-INT (.pdf file) -- and so on. There are also a few information returns you might receive showing how much you paid. For example, if you have a home mortgage and make mortgage payments, you should receive a Form 1098 (.pdf file) from your lender reporting how much interest you paid during the year. (See "Home: The mother of all tax shelters.") When you deduct interest on your tax return, the IRS will match your return to this form to make sure you haven't overstated your deduction. Another common information form is a Form W-2, issued to employees reporting wages.

Pay attention to these forms as they arrive. Confusingly, these days you might get a statement from your bank that looks like your regular statement but says somewhere it is a 1099. When you get your 1099s, don't just stick them in a drawer. Look at them. Payers are required to mail all 1099s to payees no later than Jan. 31. Then the payer has until Feb. 28 to send all 1099s to the IRS. This one-month lag means that if you receive a 1099 you know is wrong, there might be time to correct it before the IRS receives a copy.

If you receive an incorrect 1099 -- this is common -- contact the payer as soon as you receive the errant form. Explain the error and ask whether the payer has already sent a copy of the 1099 to the IRS. The best corrections are done this way, with the payer simply destroying the old form and issuing a correct one.

It's a good idea to keep a record of such communications, since you might end up ensnarled in a reporting mess later on. If the payer has already sent a copy of the erroneous form to the IRS, you can still ask for a correction. In that event, the payer should issue a corrected 1099 (there's a box on the form to check for this).

If you are a partner in a partnership, a member of a limited liability corporation or a shareholder of an S corporation, you also should receive a Schedule K-1 (.pdf file) for each year, reporting how much gain, loss or income is being attributed to you. Normally, it must be mailed to partners or shareholders no later than March 15, giving them one month to meet their own April 15 deadline.

But some entities are notorious for mailing out K-1 forms late. You might find yourself unable to file your personal tax return until you receive just one more K-1. If it doesn't come, file a request for an extension. It's easy, and the IRS will grant it automatically.

7 ways to limit investment mistakes

In a survey, wealthy investors acknowledge a tendency to let emotions drive investment decisions. Plus: Why women are better at long-term investing.

Overcoming emotional and personality-driven investing mistakes is widely recommended but hard to achieve. One of the keys to success is recognizing that a problem exists and devising mechanisms to control or limit bad decisions.

According to a recent global survey by Barclays Wealth, a large percentage of wealthy investors not only realize their tendency to make decisions based on emotions but would welcome help in dealing with the problem.

The report, "Risk and Rules: The Role of Control in Financial Decision Making," also revealed an extensive set of control strategies that people use to limit bad decisions. The most successful at doing so happen to be the wealthiest, although there could be other factors contributing to high-wealth achievement.

Perhaps the most interesting finding of the research involved what the report called "the trading paradox," said Greg Davies, who directs Barclays Wealth's work in behavioral and quantitative finance. Many wealthy investors believe they need to trade frequently to maximize investment gains. At the same time, wealthy investors were most likely to believe their overall returns suffered because they traded too much.

"Almost 50% of traders who believe you have to trade often to do well think they overdo it," the report said.

"Failures of rationality," as the report called them, were seen in four types of investment decisions:

1. Failing to see the big picture. Considering decisions in isolation and not including their impact on an entire portfolio was cited as a problem.

Consequence: Investing too much in a single asset class, industry or geographic market because you know a lot about it and are comfortable with such decisions.

2. Using a short-term decision horizon. Ignoring the appropriate goal of long-term wealth accumulation in favor of short-term returns hindered investors.

Consequence: Statistically, losses are more likely in the short run. Because people are twice as sensitive to losses as to gains -- a behavioral phenomenon known as "myopic loss aversion" -- their willingness to take short-term risks is too low and they often make the wrong investment decisions.

3. Buying high and selling low. Investors tend to do what's comfortable amid bullish or bearish market conditions.

Consequence: Buying when markets are high or selling when markets are low is a risky strategy that fails to take advantage of market opportunities. A buy-and-hold strategy is superior.

4. Trading too frequently. Multiple emotional and personality traits produce an irrational bias toward action.

Consequence: Investment costs are higher, and the frequency of other poor decisions is increased.

"This lack of control over our emotions is not an abstract problem," the Barclays study said, and "it can have tangible, detrimental effects on both investor satisfaction and performance."

Over the past two decades, the average equity investor earned 3.8% a year, while the Standard & Poor's 500 Index ($INX) returned 9.1% annually, according to a recent Dalbar study into investor behavior.

The report also found substantial improvement in investment decisions as people aged. Older investors were much less likely to trade too often, try to time the market or base investments on short-term considerations.

They were also more satisfied with their financial situation.

Barclays Wealth also found that women are better long-term investors than men, who tend to take more risks and are more likely to favor frequent trading and efforts to time the market.

"Women tend to have lower composure and a greater desire for financial self-control, which is associated with a desire to use self-control strategies," the report said.

"Women are also more likely to believe that these strategies are effective." As a consequence, women tended to trade less and earn higher returns over time.

Barclays Wealth sponsored surveys of more than 2,000 people from 20 countries who had at least $1.5 million in investment assets, including 200 with at least $15 million. These investors may not have known the details of their emotional flaws as documented by behavioral economists. But they were aware that they were prone to bad decisions and were open to getting help.

The report identified seven self-control strategies to help people counter their tendencies to make bad decisions. The use of these strategies was not limited to investments and often included other behaviors, such as big-ticket purchases or dieting and exercise.

Here are the seven strategies and their application to financial decisions:

1. Limit the options. Purchase illiquid investments to avoid the urge to sell investments when the market is falling.

2. Avoidance. Avoid information about how the market or portfolio is performing in order to stick to a long-term investment strategy.

3. Rules. Establish and use rules to help make better financial decisions, such as spend only out of income and never out of capital.

4. Deadlines. Set financial deadlines. For example, aim to save a certain amount of money by the end of the year.

5. Cool off. Wait a few days after making a big financial decision before executing it.

6. Delegation. Delegate financial decisions to others, such as allowing an investment adviser to manage your portfolio.

7. Other people. Use other people to help reach financial goals. An example would be meeting with a financial adviser to make and execute a financial plan.

This article was reported by Philip Moeller for U.S. News & World Report.