Saturday, November 17, 2007
Saturday, November 3, 2007
Teacher Shortage Offers Money For Your New Career
At almost any age, with almost any background you can begin a life in a career where you can do one of the most important jobs in America. And more importantly, teacher jobs are available and there's money and help to get you the education and training to become one.
WE NEED TEACHERS IN AMERICA. Estimates show that over 1 million teachers will be needed over the next decade. Aging baby boomers are retiring in droves and leaving a lot of teaching jobs to fill. Being a teacher is probably one of the last jobs you can count on with a secure pension. There are very few companies that can offer that today. Ask the retirees from General Motors.
Watch this video from MSNBC. It shows what school districts have to resort to fill their positions. Things like 4-day work weeks for Arizona teachers, $14,000 housing allowance to teach in New York, and subsidized rental housing right on school property. Some districts will pay a finders fee for anyone who can bring in a teacher. North Carolina is offering discounts on apartments and gym memberships, and North Dakota is giving teachers hunting rights on private land. Teachers in South Carolina are getting up to $20,000 in signing bonus. Watch the video at: http://video.msn.com/video.aspx?mkt=en-us&brand=msnbc&vid=648f3249-10c9-4aad-867f-aa1d4e56b6ba
Look at this. California says it will need at least 100,000 new teachers over the next 10 years: http://www.teachermagazine.org/tm/articles/2006/04/12/04demand_trends.html
And the U.S. Department of Labor says, 'Job opportunities for teachers over the next 10 years will vary from good to excellent, depending on the locality, grade level, and subject taught. Most job openings will result from the need to replace the large number of teachers who are expected to retire over the 2004 - 2014 period.' Take a look at: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos069.htm
What Is Being A Teacher All About?
You can get a great background report about what teaching is all about by reading the description from the Occupational Outlook Handbook that is published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos069.htm
Teacher Shortage A National Problem, Watch MSNBC News Story:http://video.msn.com/video.aspx?mkt=en-us&brand=msnbc&vid=648f3249-10c9-4aad-867f-aa1d4e56b6ba
Getting A Teaching Certificate
Thought about teaching, but don't have a teaching certificate? The Transition to Teaching program supports the recruitment and retention of highly qualified mid-career professionals, including qualified paraprofessionals, and recent college graduates who have not majored in education to teach in high-need schools and districts through the development of new or enhanced alternative routes to certification. The Transition to Teaching grant program is administered by the Office of Innovation and Improvement. Transition to Teaching encourages the development and expansion of alternative routes to certification under state approved programs that enable individuals to be eligible for teacher certification within a reduced period of time, relying on the experience, expertise, and academic qualifications of an individual or other factors in lieu of traditional course work in the field of education. Once placed the teachers are asked to stay three years. These programs are carried out on a national, regional, state, and local level. To find a program near you contact your nearest Board of Education, State Board of Education (which can be found at www.govengine.com ), or you can contact the Office of Innovation and Improvement to see if programs have been awarded approval in your area. Contact U.S. Department of Education, OII, Teacher Quality Programs, 400 Maryland Ave., S.W., Room 4W302, FB-6, Washington, DC 20202-5960; 202-260-0223; http://www.ed.gov/programs/transitionteach/index.html
Age: 18 and older
Income: None
State: All
Application: varies
Want To Teach Now?
If you want to teach, but don't have your teaching certificate is there another way to go? The National Center for Alternative Certification is a one-stop comprehensive clearinghouse for information on just this topic! They can tell you where programs are located, what you need to have to qualify, what your state's requirements are, and more. To learn more contact National Center for Alternative Certification, 1901 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Suite 201, Washington, DC 20006; 202-822-8280; www.teach-now.org
Age: 18 and older
Income: None
State: All
Application: varies
Get The Money To Do Something Of Real Value
Some people knew they would be teachers from the time they entered kindergarten. Some are mid-career shifters, who are looking for a change. Others are military people who need to find a career that doesn't involve heavy artillery.
Programs exist to help you with loan forgiveness, scholarships for your education, and even information and programs for those who want to take an alternate path to getting certified to teach. There is something for everybody. In addition to all of these, don't forget to check with your state Department for Higher Education to see if they have developed any new teacher training programs or services. These offices can be found at www.govengine.com
Now go out there and lead our future! And look you'll see most of these money programs have NO INCOME REQUIREMENTS.
Programs to Help You Be A Teacher
It is a big world out there and these programs below represent just a fraction of what is available. If you do not find what you need here you can certainly discover many more programs yourself. It may take some work to do something important with your life, so here are some starting places for finding more money programs that can help you live your dreams and contribute to America.
- your state department of education at www.govengine.com
- your U.S. and State Congressman, Senator and other elected officials www.congress.org
- The Foundation Center at http://foundationcenter.org/
- Guidestar at http://www.guidestar.org/
- National Education Association at http://www.nea.org/index.html
Up to $5,000 to Become a Teacher
The Tomorrow's Teachers Scholarship is for those interested in teaching in
Age: 21 and older
Income: $60,000 for family of 4
State: Ohio
Application: http://www.cspohio.org/csp/Scholarships.aspx
Troops to Teachers
DANTES (Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support) assists eligible members of the armed forces to obtain certification or licensing as elementary school teachers, secondary school teachers, or vocational or technical teachers and to become highly qualified teachers. The program also helps these individuals find employment in high-need local education agencies (LEAs) or charter schools. Stipends of up to $5,000 are given to eligible members of the armed forces so that they can obtain certification or licensing as elementary school teachers, secondary school teachers, or vocational/technical teachers. In lieu of the $5,000 stipends, DANTES may pay $10,000 bonuses to participants who agree to teach in high-poverty schools. A "high-poverty school" is defined as a school where at least 50 percent of the students are from low-income families or the school has a large percentage of students who qualify for assistance under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. For more information contact DANTES-TTT, 6490 Saufley Field Rd, Pensacola, FL 32509; 850-452-1111; 800-231-6242; http://www.dantes.doded.mil/dantes_web/troopstoteachers/index.asp?Flag=True
Age: 21 and older
Income: None
State: All
Application: http://www.dantes.doded.mil/dantes_web/library/docs/TTT/RegistrationForms.pdf
Troop Spouses to Teachers
Spouses to Teachers is a Department of Defense pilot project designed to assist spouses of active duty and reserve military members to become public school teachers. Spouses to Teachers (STT) is represented in 15 states. The program provides support to spouses of active duty military and Selected Reserves in their pursuit of K-12 teaching positions. Limited funding will be provided to eligible spouses to reimburse the cost of examinations required for state teacher licensure/certification. Maximum available financial assistance is $600 per person. For more information contact DANTES-TTT, 6490 Saufley Field Rd, Pensacola, FL 32509; 850-452-1111; 800-231-6242; www.SpousesToTeachers.com
Age: 21 and older
Income: None
State: Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, and Virginia
Application: http://www.spousestoteachers.com/images/STT_State_Office_Listing.pdf
Teach in NYC
New York has more museums, concerts, sports teams, and culture than any other city in America. It is also a great place to teach! If you are interested in teaching in the city then contact Teach NYC. They offer an incredible wealth of opportunities for those ready to enter the classroom today or for those looking to advance their education degrees, but are lacking the funds to make this dream a reality. Teach NYC offers scholarships for those interested in obtaining their Bachelor's or Master's in certain areas, and these require a service commitment. Helps those in need of state certification by offering scholarships with a service commitment. There is also a Teaching Fellows program for those people interested in teaching but are lacking the certification. This allows for an alternative certification process. For more information contact Teach NYC, The Office for Recruitment, 65 Court Street, 3rd Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11201; 800-TEACH-NYC (832-2469); http://schools.nyc.gov/teachnyc/
Age: 18 and older
Income: None
State: All, but you must teach in New York City.
Application: https://www.nycenet.edu/offices/DHR/rms/ext/res/HomeHRMS.aspx
$15,000 To Move To New York City
The Housing Support Program for Mathematics, Science, and Special Education Teachers offers $15,000 for teachers willing to teach in New York City who specialize in those critical teaching shortage areas. There is a three year service commitment. For more information contact New York City Department of Education, Division of Human Resources , Office of Recruitment and Selection Operations, Recruitment Scholarship and Incentive Programs, 65 Court Street, Room 301, Brooklyn, NY 11201; http://www.teachnycprograms.net/hsp/
Age: 21 and older
Income: None
State: All; but you must teach in New York City
Application: http://www.teachnycprograms.net/hsp/
$10,000 & Free Teaching Certificate In DC?
The District of Columbia is making it easy for you. If you have your teaching certificate, they have loan deferments and cancellation benefits, housing assistance for those that want to be homeowners (up to $10,000!), and more. If you don't have your certificate, you can get it for free at Howard University with a service commitment to teach in DC. If you have your Bachelor's degree and no teaching certificate, you can get a provisional license or you can join the DC Teaching Fellows program which allows for an alternative certification. For more information contact District of Columbia Public Schools, 825 North Capitol Street, NE - 6th Floor, OHR, Washington, DC 20002; 202-442-5411 or 202-442-5384; http://www.teachdc.org/
Age: 21 and older
Income: None
State: All, but you must teach in District of Columbia.
Application: http://www.teachdc.org/appprocessoverview.html
Receive $5000 To Help Pay Off Student Loans While Making A Difference
If you are a teacher and have student loans you simply cannot afford, this program is for you. The Federal Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program offers individuals who teach full-time for five consecutive complete academic years, in certain elementary and secondary schools serving low-income families, forgiveness of up to a combined total of $5,000 in principal and interest of their Direct Loan and/or Federal Family Education Loan Programs (FFELP) loans. Actually in some cases the amount can go up to $17,500! For more information contact Federal Student Aid Information Center; 800-4FED-AID; http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/deferffel.jsp?tab=repaying
Age: 21 and older
Income: None
State: All
Application: http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/deferffel.jsp?tab=repaying
$9,900 Loan Forgiveness Award!!!!
Teachers, are you having a difficult time paying back your student loans? If so the state of Pennsylvania is here to help. The Quality Early Education Loan Forgiveness program offers monthly student loan debt assistance to graduates working in Pennsylvania, in the field of Early Childhood Education. If you are eligible, the program will forgive up to one-sixth of your qualifying loan debt annually, not to exceed the maximum of $3,300 per year for three years or the program's $9,900 maximum benefit. For more information about this awesome opportunity, please contact the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency, PA State Grants and Special Programs, 1200 N 7th St, Harrisburg, PA 17102-1444; 800-233-0557; www.pheaa.org/
Age: 21 and older
Income: Income cannot exceed $30,000 from employment
State: Pennsylvania
Application: http://www.pheaa.org/loanforgiveness/QualityEarlyEducation.pdf
$19,000 To Become A Teacher in MD
The MD Workforce Shortage program provides scholarship assistance to those seeking a degree in a workforce shortage area. The scholarship award will cover a maximum of $19,000. You must work one year for each year of assistance. For more information contact Maryland Higher Education Commission, 839 Bestgate Rd., Suit 400, Annapolis, MD 21401; 410-260-4500; 800-974-0203; http://www.mhec.state.md.us/financialAid/ProgramDescriptions/prog_WSSAG.asp
Age: 18 and older
Income: None
State: Maryland
Application: http://www.mhec.state.md.us/financialAid/Applications/2007-2008/07wssag.pdf
$6,000 Of Student Loan Forgiveness!!
New Hampshire is facing a shortage of teachers and in an effort to recruit, NHHEAF Network organization is offering a competitive program designed to provide financial assistance to individuals who make a commitment to teach in New Hampshire's public or private schools. Teachers for New HampshireSM provides financial assistance in the form of a variable-interest rate, forgivable loan, covering up to 50 percent of the direct costs (tuition and fees) and the cost of books for the program, not to exceed a cumulative maximum of $6,000. Individuals who meet the application criteria are eligible to apply on an annual basis. Repayment of this loan will be forgiven for individuals who are employed as full-time teachers for three years following completion of their teacher preparation program. To learn more contact New Hampshire Higher Education Loan Corporation, P.O. Box 2111, Concord, NH 03301; 800-330-0787; www.teachersforNH.org
Age: 21 and older
Income: None
State: New Hampshire Application: http://www.teachersfornh.org/tfnh_app.pdf
Extra Money!! $10,000 To Repay Undergraduate Loans
Due to a critical Teacher shortage in Florida, the Florida Department of Education is offering Teachers forgiveness of their student loans. If you are a Florida teacher and you are certified in a critical teacher shortage subject area, contact The Office of Student Financial Assistance,1940 North Monroe Street, Suite 70, Tallahassee, FL 32303-4759; 888-827-2004; http://www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org/SSFAD/factsheets/CTS-LF.htm
Age: 21 and older
Income: None
State: Florida
Application: https://www.floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org/ua/sawtchr_teacherform.asp
Residents $4,000 Per Year Loan Forgiveness
The William Winter Teacher program is specifically designed to increase the supply of teacher educators for public schools in Mississippi. Awards are made on an annual basis with priority given to renewal students. Program participation is limited to 4 years or $8,000. To learn more contact the Mississippi Student Financial Aid Office, 3825 Ridgewood Road, Jackson, MS 39211-6453; 800-327-2980; http://www.ihl.state.ms.us/financialaid/wwts.html; Email: sfa@ihl.state.ms.us
Age: 18 and older
Income: None
State: Mississippi
Application: https://www.ms.gov/sfa/normalEntry.jsp
$5,000 Forgivable Loan $$$$$$
This program offers 2-3 forgivable loans annually to assist and encourage promising engineering graduate students to pursue careers in teaching at the college level. Upon completion of the doctoral degree, one year's loan will be forgiven for each year the recipient teaches. This program is renewable for up to three years. This offer is open to all citizens of North America (U.S., Canada, and Mexico). The applicant must hold an undergraduate degree from an engineering program at an accredited school. To learn more, contact SAE Washington Office, 1828 L Street NW, Suite 905, Washington, DC 20036; 202-463-7318; http://students.sae.org/awdscholar/loans/doctoral/; Email: scholarships@sae.org
Age: 21 and older
Income: None
State: All
Application: https://shop.sae.org/exempt/secure/students/awdscholar_loans_doctoral_app.htm
$5,000 For Minority Teachers!!!
Receive up to $5,000 annually if you are an African-American, Asian-American, Native American, or Hispanic college junior or senior working toward teacher certification. Participants must teach 3 or 5 years in Arkansas to have the amount received forgiven. For more information, contact the Arkansas Department of Higher Education, 114 East Capitol Ave, Attn: Minority Teachers Scholarship, Little Rock, AR 72201; 501-371-2050, 800-54-STUDY; www.arkansashighered.com/mteachers.html
Age: 21 and older
Income: None
State: Arkansas
Application: http://www.arkansashighered.com/pdfs/FAApplications/MTSP%20Application2007.pdf
New Mexico Graduates Receive $25,000
The New Mexico Commission on Higher Education has created a loan-for-service program designed to increase the number of ethnic minorities and women available to teach in an academic discipline in which ethnic minorities and women are demonstrably underrepresented in New Mexico public colleges and universities. If eligible the maximum award is $25,000 per year. To learn more, contact the New Mexico Commission on Higher Education, 1068 Cerrillos Road, Santa Fe, NM 87505; 505-476-6500; http://fin.hed.state.nm.us/
Age: 18 and older
Income: None
State: New Mexico
Application: http://fin.hed.state.nm.us/content.asp?CustComKey=196394&CategoryKey=196395&pn=Page&DomName=fin.hed.state.nm.us
$2,500 A Year To Become A North Carolina Teacher
The Prospective Teacher Scholarship Loan program provides $2,500 per academic year for individuals on their way to teacher licensure or to licensure in special services areas, including school psychology, school counseling, speech/language pathology, audiology, and library/media services. The loans are provided for a maximum of four years or the minimum number of years required earning licensure based on the entry-level degree. Recipients are obligated to teach one year in a North Carolina school for each year of assistance they receive. For more information, contact the College Foundation of North Carolina, P.O. Box 41966, Raleigh, NC 27629-1966; 1-866-866-CFNC; http://www.cfnc.org/, Email: programinformation@CFNC.org
Age: 18 and older
Income: None
State: North Carolina
Application: http://www.cfnc.org/Gateway?command=GetBasedProgramDetail¬e=yes&type=8&vocType=11&vocational=yes&id=35
100% Student Loan Forgiveness!!
If you are a teacher and have served full-time in a public or non-profit elementary or secondary school system as a teacher in a school serving students from low-income families; or special-education teacher, including teachers of infants, toddlers, children, or youth with disabilities; or teacher in the fields of mathematics, science, foreign languages, or bilingual education, or in any other field of expertise determined by a state education agency to have a shortage of qualified teachers in that state, you may qualify for cancellation (discharge) of up to 100 percent of a Federal Perkins Loan. It's not necessary for you to be certified or licensed to receive cancellation benefits. However, your employing school must consider you to be a full-time professional for the purposes of salary, tenure, retirement benefits, etc. To learn more about this wonderful opportunity, contact The Office of Federal Student Aid, Federal Perkins Loan Teacher Cancellation Program, Union Center Plaza, 8 31st Street, Washington D.C. 20202; 800-433-3243; http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/cancelperk.jsp?tab=repaying
Age: 21 and older
Income: None
State: All
Application: http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/teachercancel.jsp?tab=repaying
Thursday, October 25, 2007
SAMPLE GOVERNMENT MONEY APPLICATIONS
There are thousands of sources to apply for free and low-cost money and each program has a different application. Below is a sampling of some applications that will give an idea of what you might expect. They are all grants or other free money and one is a business loan. The offices that you apply to may have longer or shorter applications. If an application becomes too complicated don’t forget that you can get free help filling it out.
- $5,000 Of Free Health Care For Your Kids
3-pages fill in the blanks
Incomes up to $40,000 for family of 4
http://www.healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/Portals/_Rainbow/Documents/medical/ff30edd5-0c7e-46c5-ad36-57b508c7e037.pdf
- $6,000 Per Year To Pay For Groceries
2-pages fill in the blanks
Incomes up to $24,526 for family of 4
http://www.dss.mo.gov/fsd/fstamp/index.htm
- $2,500 To Fix Up Your Home
2-pages fill in the blanks
Incomes up to $28,418 for family of 4
http://www.odod.state.oh.us/cms/uploadedfiles/CDD/OCS/Revised%20App.pdf
- $100,000 For Veterans To Learn Entrepreneuring
2-pages fill in the blanks
http://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/28-1900.pdf
- $4,000 Worth Of Medications
2-pages fill in the blanks
Those who cannot afford to pay for medicines
https://www.pparx.org/ViewProgramDetails.php?program_id=38
- $750,000 For A Business
4-pages fill in the blanks with financial statements
No income requirement
http://www.sba.gov/sbaforms/sba4.pdf
- $7,500 For New Landscaping For Your Business
2-pages fill in the blanks
http://www.chooserockledge.com/Facade%20%20and%20LandscapeGrant%20Program.pdf
- $10,000 To Fix Up Your Business
2-pages fill in the blanks
http://www.sumter-sc.com/client_resources/departments/downtown/2005%20facade%20grant%20program.pdf
- $3,000 Grant To Study Basket Weaving
2-pages fill in the blanks and a sample of your work
http://www.state.il.us/agency/iac/Guidelines/Apprentice/EFAapp.pdf
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Little Known Secrets To Saving Money
The price of everything has gone up, requiring people to be more conscientious about money. The problem is that by the time the mortgage, car, utilities, and credit cards are paid, there is little money to put aside. Saving money is not that hard, just a matter of learning all the different options and being creative.
In addition to the obvious of putting money into a retirement fund or savings account, there are hundreds of ways to save money. Although some ways of saving may not seem like much, once you add them up at the end of the year, you will see how substantial the savings really are. Keep in mind that saving is more than a single lump sum of money put aside. Saving is something found in your everyday life by the way you live and the choices you make.
Rome was not built in a day and neither will your bank account be. Each penny saved is one more penny than before. If you have the ability to save big, that is great. However, most people are not in that position, which is why this course will show you how little savings can add up quickly.
Be encouraged that it is never too late to start saving, regardless of your age. Set your mind that now is the time to start building your future.
1. Holiday Gift Giving
This tip is especially helpful for large families. Although it is fun buying for and receiving from everyone, it can be very expensive. Make an agreement with your family that you will continue to buy for the children but that the adults will go with a name exchange. This way the children are not disappointed and you can spend a little more on one or two people rather than spreading your money thin. For the members that you did not pick to exchange with, bake a loaf of their favorite homemade bread or cookies.
2. Clearance
Always head straight for the clearance rack where you can find amazing bargains. Sometimes you may have to dig a little to find the right item but the savings will be well-worth your time. Most clearance racks offer variety, current trends, and great value. For example, Bed, Bath & Beyond has a clearance section where you can find all kinds of wonderful household items for a fraction of the original cost.
3. Thrift / Surplus Stores
Unfortunately, thrift and surplus stores have been given a bad rap. Many of these stores are filled with hundreds of top quality items. Name brand merchandise is easy to find but just like clearance racks, it takes some time to find. Find a thrift or surplus store close to where you live and then plan spending some time to find those outstanding bargains. One woman in Kansas City, Missouri located such a store about 20 minutes from her home. After shopping through every isle over the period of two hours, she walked out of the store with eight huge garbage bags filled to the brim with designer clothes for her and her children, many with the original tags still attached. She even found a couple of Liz Claiborne suits for herself at $5.99 each and a Dooney & Burke purse normally valued at $225 for $19.95. Her children had an entire season of school clothes and best of all, she paid less than $200.
4. Reuse
When you shop, look for items that can be reused. Rechargeable batteries are a perfect example. Even though the initial purchase may be more than non-rechargeable batteries, there is a definite savings over a long period. Another option would be to purchase a nice artificial Christmas tree. Many of the current artificial trees look amazingly real and with the right lights and ornaments, you can change the look from year to year.
5. Landscaping
If you are considering creating a nice flower garden area, shopping for plants even on sale, can be expensive. Before you go out and start spending, look around to see if you have other plants that can be split from your existing flowers. Additionally, if you have a good relationship with any of your neighbors, you might ask them if they have any plants you could use as a starter. Another great idea is the next time you are in the market to buy a lawnmower, purchase one that mulches leaves. This way, rather than buy mulch for your flowerbeds every year, you can simply use the mulch you make.
6. Budget
Everyone should create a budget. If you are not sure how or just not good with money, many businesses such as H&R Block, offer free financial consulting to help you put a budget together. Knowing where you are spending your money is by far the best way to save. In most cases, people have no idea where their money is really going and once they see it on paper, not only are they surprised but eager to change their spending habits.
7. Plan
Planning is a great way to save. Before you go to the grocery store, make a list and stick with it. If considering a vacation, plan everything. Heading out with no set direction will certainly lead you to impulsive spending.
8. Buy in Bulk
It is true that warehouse shopping can save a lot of money. Even if you have a small family, you can always split large quantities. The price of items in bulk is generally a great bargain. If you are single, you might go in with friends or family on bulk items.
9. Allowance
Do not forget to give yourself an allowance for things you enjoy. Even if on a tight budget, buy something that you enjoy, which could be as simple as buying a new shirt or grabbing lunch at your favorite café. If you do not allow yourself this small “splurge”, you could find yourself in the same position as if dieting. Total deprivation leads to overindulgence.
Friday, October 19, 2007
Living Paycheck to Paycheck Gets Harder
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Food pantries, which distribute foodstuffs to the needy, are reporting severe shortages and reduced government funding at the very time that they are seeing a surge of new people seeking their help.
While economists debate whether the country is headed for a recession, some say the financial stress is already the worst since the last downturn at the start of this decade.
From Family Dollar to Wal-Mart, merchants have adjusted their product mix and pricing accordingly. Sales data show a marked and more prolonged drop in spending in the days before shoppers get their paychecks, when they buy only the barest essentials before splurging around payday.
"It's pretty pronounced," said Kiley Rawlins, a spokeswoman at Family Dollar. "It seems like to us, customers are running out of food products, paper towels sooner in the month."
Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer, said the imbalance in spending before and after payday in July was the biggest it has ever seen, though the drop-off wasn't as steep in August.
And 7-Eleven says its grocery sales have jumped 12-13 percent over the past year, compared with only slight increases for non-necessities like gloves and toys. Shoppers can't afford to load up at the supermarket and are going to the most convenient places to buy emergency food items like milk and eggs.
"It even costs more to get the basics like soap and laundry detergent," said Michelle Grassia, who lives with her husband and three teenage children in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn, N.Y.
Her husband's check from his job at a grocery store used to last four days. "Now, it lasts only two," she said.
To make up the difference, Grassia buys one gallon of milk a week instead of three. She sometimes skips breakfast and lunch to make sure there's enough food for her children. She cooks with a hot plate because gas is too expensive. And she depends more than ever on the bags of free vegetables and powdered milk from a local food pantry.
Grassia's story is neither new nor unique. With the fastest-rising food and energy prices since the 1980s, low-income consumers are stretching their budgets by eating cheap foods like peanut butter and pasta.
Industry analysts and some economists fear the strain will get worse as people are hit with higher home heating bills this winter and mortgage rates go up.
It's bad enough already for 85-year-old Dominica Hoffman.
She gets $1,400 a month in pension and Social Security from her days in the garment industry. After paying $500 in rent on an apartment in Pennsauken, N.J., and shelling out money for food, gas and other expenses, she's broke by the end of the month. She's had to cut fruits and vegetables from her grocery order -- and that's even with financial help from her children.
"Everything is up," she said.
Many consumers, particularly those making less than $30,000 a year, are cutting spending on nutritious food like milk and vegetables, and analysts fear they're further skimping on basic medical care and other critical services.
Coupon-clipping just isn't enough.
"The reality of hunger is right here," said the Rev. Melony Samuels, director of The BedStuy Campaign against Hunger, a church-affiliated food pantry in Brooklyn.
The pantry scrambled to feed 5,000 new families over the past 12 months, up almost 70 percent from 3,000 the year before.
"I am shocked to see such numbers," Samuels said, "and I am really concerned that this is just the beginning of what we are going to see."
In the past three months, Samuels has seen more clients in higher-paying jobs -- the $35,000 range -- line up for food.
The Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York, which covers 23 counties in New York State, cited a 30 percent rise in visitors in the first nine months of this year, compared with 2006.
Maureen Schnellmann, senior director of food and nutrition programs at the American Red Cross Food Pantry in Boston, reported a 30 percent increase from January through August over last year.
Until a few months ago, Dellria Seales, a home care assistant, was just getting by living with her daughter, a hairdresser, and two grandchildren in a one-bedroom apartment for $750 a month. But a knee injury in January forced her to quit her job, leaving her at the mercy of Samuels' pantry because most of her daughter's $1,200 a month income goes to rent, energy and food costs.
"I need it. Without it, we wouldn't survive," Seales said as she picked up carrots and bananas.
John Vogel, a professor at Dartmouth College's Tuck School of Business, worries that the squeeze will lead to a less nutritious diet and inadequate medical or child care.
In the meantime, rising costs show no signs of abating.
Gas prices hit a record nationwide average of $3.23 per gallon in late May before receding a little, though prices are expected to soar again later this year. Food costs have increased 4.5 percent over the past 12 months, partly because of higher fuel costs. Egg prices were 44 percent higher, while milk was up 21.3 percent over the past 12 months to nearly $4 a gallon, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The average family of four is spending anywhere from $7 to $10 extra a week -- $40 more a month -- on groceries alone, compared to a year ago, according to retail consultant Burt Flickinger III.
And while overall wage growth is a solid 4.1 percent over the past 12 months, economists say the increases are mostly for the top earners.
Retailers started noticing the strain in late spring and early summer as they were monitoring the spending around the paycheck cycle.
Wal-Mart and Family Dollar key on the first week of the month, when government checks like Social Security and public assistance generally hit consumers' mailboxes.
7-Eleven, whose customers are more diverse, looks at paycheck cycles in specific markets dominated by a major employer, such as General Motors in Detroit, to discern trends in shopping.
To economize, shoppers are going for less expensive food.
"They're buying more peanut butter and pasta. And they're going for hamburger meat," Flickinger, the retail consultant, said. "They're trying to outsmart the store by looking for deep discounts at the end of the month."
He said the last time he saw this was 2000-2001, when the dot-com bubble burst and the economy went into a recession after massive layoffs.
For now, low-price retailers are readjusting their merchandising and pricing.
Wal-Mart is becoming more aggressive on discounting. It announced Thursday it is expanding price cuts to 15,000 items, ranging from Motts apple juice and Progresso soups to women's fleece tops, heading into the holidays.
Family Dollar, whose food offerings were limited to candy and snacks until two years ago, has expanded its mix of groceries like fruit cups, cereal and such refrigerated items as milk and ice cream while cutting back on shoes. This summer the chain began accepting food stamps.
Food pantries are also getting creative. Samuels said her church, Full Gospel Tabernacle of Faith, just started offering free cooking classes to teach clients who are diabetic or have other health conditions how to prepare vegetables like squash. It's also offering free exercise classes.
"We are trying to make them health conscious," Samuels said. "It's not right to give them just anything. Our mantra is eat well and live well."
Associated Press Writers Geoff Mulvihill in Mount Laurel, N.J., and Terry Tang in Phoenix, Ariz., contributed to this report.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Affordable No Sew Curtains for Your Home
Grommets, slipped over wall hooks, produce a simple, crisp window treatment. Generally, a hammer and a grommet tool works at least as well for setting just a few grommets. The grommet prevents the hook from tearing through the hole. You can thread rayon cording through grommets and tie behind the grommets to create loops to hang from a wooden dowel or hooks above the window.
There are also stylish clips that can be found at flea markets and antique stores that simply latch onto the fabric. Home decorating and import stores also carry clip-on rings to hang curtains from.
You can even use buttons on curtains. Simply thread fine wire through the holes and sections of ribbon and simply twist the wire on the back side to create simple ribbon loops to hang the curtain with.
Let your creativity be your guide, and you can craft window treatments that reflect your personality and style. You're only limited by your own imagination.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
PAPER RECYCLING AND EASY SOURCE OF EXTRA INCOME FOR ANYONE
Just look around your own home--in the garage or the basement. What do you do with the old newspapers after you've read them? Most likely they are piled up in a corner of the garage or basement until one of your kids asks if he can haul them off for the school or cub scout paper drive. Or maybe your wife and kids get ambitious some weekend, clean out the garage and haul all those newspapers off to the collection truck at the local shopping center.
It's true that selling stacks of newspapers you've accumulated during the past couple of months or so won't make you rich, or really mount to much of an extra income. But think about the stacks of old newspapers you would have if you were to collect and haul away for the people in your neighborhood--say a ten-pound stack of newspapers from each house on your street every Saturday. The picture changes, doesn't it?
If you're serious, and get yourself properly organized, you can easily make $300 or more every weekend.
Right now,the going rate for old newspapers is about $50 a ton, depending upon your area. Most recycling depots prefer the paper lose rather than bundled or sacked. Check with the recycling plant you plan to sell to before delivery to them. Cardboard--ordinary cardboard boxes that have been flattened--is bring approximately $75 a ton. If you're going to collect old newspapers, you may just as well take cardboard too. Most people have old boxes around that are just taking up space, ad some will even pay you to get rid of them.
You start clearing a space in your garage for storage. One side of a two-car garage, or just an 8 by 12 foot space would be sufficient. If you have a garden shed that is dry, that would work well also. Some collectors even rent space in a neighborhood mini-warehouse.
Next, you should place and ad in your community newspaper or the weekly shopping news, something like this: Junk, old newspapers and cardboard boxes hauled away. Phone 123-4567. Then visit your neighbors. Tell them you are collecting and hauling away all the old newspapers and boxes in te neighborhood each week. You might offer them $5 a month if they' have everything ready fr you when you make your weekend collection round.
On Saturdays, starting at about 9:00 a.m., rent an open trailer and hitch it to your car. if you have a pick-up truck, so much the better. With your wife and kids, a coupe of neighbor boys, or perhaps a couple of teenage "huskies" you've hired through your local high school, start making your rounds.
You drive the car with the trailer. Your helpers, one on each side of the street, knock on each door and ask the residents if they have any old newspapers or cardboard boxes you can haul away for them.
It would be advantageous for you to have a large sign on each side of your trailer, and on each side of the car as well. It might read: Paper Collection Service.
Visit the people you've talked to on your block first. That will give you some paper in the trailer and from there, you just expand. Go to the next block and the next, driving up and down the streets, visiting, stopping at all the homes, in an ever expanding ripple from your own street.
When your trailer is full of old newspapers, you can either take them directly to your recycling plant and sell the load, or take them to your storage area, unload them, and get everything organized. It's very important, though, that you get right back to the job of knocking on doors and collecting more newspapers and cardboard.
Some people will (foolishly) collect a load, take it in for sale, and then waste the time gloating over the easy money they've just made. One load won't make you rich or even pay for your time. Get right back on the job and collect as many loads as the daylight hours will allow.
Make the same rounds; follow the same collection route, at least once every two weeks. Once you've got the routine working well, you'll be ready to hire a couple of high school or college students to help, perhaps with another car and trailer.
The best way to pay your help is with a percentage of the tonnage you sell. And then too, once you have it all together, you'll want to go with a truck or trailer that allows you to haul a couple of tons of paper per load.
It's important that you make regular rounds, calling on the same houses regularly. After about six months of this, you'll be ready to open a local recycling depot.
This simply means taking the accumulation of paper out of your home or garden shed ad moving it to a business location. Because of your advertising in the newspapers, and the sign on your truck or trailer, people will be calling you during the week to come and pick up paper they have ready for you. Also, your neighbors will very likely be dropping by with armloads of paper for you from time to time, as well. Specifically, these are the reasons you'll need storage space to store paper in your garage or other storage area until you have enough to load up and take to the recycling plant.
One of the best locations for your recycling depot is an abandoned or closed down service station perhaps a vacant , or even a corner of a large shopping center parking ara. You'll need a scale (you can rent or lease one of these for a small amount), and a quick set-up tent or large truck.
What you want to do is establish a location where people can come to you They bring their newspapers and two cents a pound for cardboard boxes. You an hire someone to man this center for you during the day, or perhaps only open between 4 and 6 o'clock in the afternoons. Advertise your hours, and be dependable, so that people can count on you.
Even though you have a collection depot, you'll still want to continue your weekend collection rounds. But with a collection depot,you can hire other people to do the driving, knock on doors,make the collections and transfer their loads into the depot facility. If it's a big truck or trailer, you'll be selling ten to fifteen tons of paper whenever you make your trips to te recycling plant.
Another important thing you should think about doing is getting the whole community involved with you. Get them to thinking about recycling paper and selling to you. Run some promotions; work for free publicity;and be conspicuous. Don't be embarrassed; everyone is aware of te need for recycling everting that can be recycled. And you'll be admired as someone with the ambition to make it happen, picking up a good second income while you're doing it.
