1. Little or no knowledge of the company. Take the time to learn as much as you can about the company you are interviewing with.
2. Unprepared to discuss skills and experience. The job interview is your chance to "sell" yourself. Relate your skill set and experiences to the specific line of business the company is in and relate how your skills can make a major contribution to the company.
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Sudden disability or death of the head of a family can leave relatives scrambling to find vital documents.
Trap: If documents are kept in a safe-deposit box, they may be impossible to obtain when needed.
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The Internet has spawned electronic barter exchanges, making it easier than ever before to barter goods and services. If you're handy at making something people want or can offer a service, you can avoid running up credit card charges and spending cash, and you can obtain items at discount prices. Example: A piece of jewelry costs you $25 to make but has a market price of $75. Through barter you can trade it for an item worth $75-in effect, paying only $25 for it.
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A power of attorney (POA) is a simple, yet highly effective, legal document that enables the person you name as your "agent," or "attorney in fact," to handle most of your financial affairs. As long as the POA is "durable," your agent can act on your behalf even if you become mentally incapacitated. But signing a POA doesn't mean that you have all your bases covered. You may need to take additional steps now so that all your wishes can be carried out when you cannot speak for yourself.
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Beware of "flood cars." Thousands of new and used cars that were submerged in New Orleans may be sold anywhere in the country by unscrupulous dealers. The damage can be hard to spot.
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Extra travel bag tucks into its own pocket for packing in your suitcase...opens to a roomy 17" x 17" x 6" (medium) or 24" x 22" x 6" (large) to hold extra clothes, gifts, souvenirs, etc. Made of rugged black nylon with zippered closures.
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Owning assets jointly with a spouse can create estate-planning traps. Such property passes automatically to the surviving spouse outside the will. But, because provisions made in a will to distribute property or reduce estate taxes are bypassed, intended bequests may be invalid and tax bills increased, as the directions in a will fail to take effect.
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To save money at the gas pump: Drive slower. Driving 65 mph rather than 55 increases fuel consumption 20%-and driving 75 mph increases it by another 25%, according to the Federal Trade Commission.
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Save big bucks on flights to Europe by changing planes in Dublin. Aer Lingus flies to a wide range of cities in Europe for fares as low as $99. Last-minute travelers can save the most since the airline has done away with advance-purchase requirements, while other airlines usually charge the most for last-minute tickets. And making a flight connection in Dublin is far easier than in London's Heathrow or most other European hub airports.
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Creditors can't touch IRAs when the owner files for bankruptcy, the US Supreme Court has just ruled. IRA funds, including rollovers, are now protected, just like funds in employer-provided pensions, profit-sharing plans and 401(k)s. The Court noted that protecting IRAs "validates the core premise of the bankruptcy law, which is that you get a fresh start-not from scratch, but with the ability to keep some core assets out of the hands of creditors."
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Funds can be withdrawn from a Roth IRA completely tax free after age 591Ú2, provided you meet the five-year test. And you retain complete control over them until you use them. So, if unexpected events occur, you remain able to use the funds as you wish.
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People are living longer these days, but increased longevity may have its drawbacks. Chances are, a parent, a sibling or other older loved one may reach a point where he/she no longer can manage his own affairs. You and/or your spouse also may become incompetent some day.
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New federal law prohibits health care providers from discussing a patient's status-even with close family members-unless proper written consent forms are signed.
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The emotional story of Terri Schiavo has created intense interest in living wills. Generally, a living will directs that certain artificial life-sustaining measures doctors and hospitals are normally expected to take be withheld if you have a terminal medical condition or are in a permanent coma. Each state describes these threshold medical conditions in general terms, and it's left to doctors to determine whether a person's condition falls within that description. Talk to your doctor now about your particular preferences.
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When to report a fender bender: Determine who is involved. If another person is injured or his/her property is damaged, report the accident immediately. Your insurance company can help protect you from a future lawsuit. Know your deductible. If no one else is involved and repairs will cost less than your deductible, don't file a claim. Consider your driving record. If you have been in several accidents over the last three years, it may be better to fix the damage yourself. Multiple claims can increase your rates. Important: Check your insurance policy. Some companies require the insured to report all damage. Others leave the decision up to the insured.
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If you're in the market for a used car or truck, vehicle auctions may be your best low-cost alternative to dealerships, used-car lots and classified ads. Auctions used to be "insider-only" events-restricted to buyers representing dealerships and other professionals. Cars would be bought wholesale, then resold to consumers with a dealer's markup. Now, with a glut of used vehicles for sale as they come off leases, many vehicle auctions are open to the public. The main types...Government auctions. Federal, state and some local governments hold auctions to dispose of cars that they no longer need or vehicles that have been seized. Auctions are advertised on local radio and TV stations, or you can contact town officials for information.
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A victim of Hurricane Katrina says that he needs your help...or perhaps you are a victim of Hurricane Wilma or another disaster, and a government official says that he's here to help you. These people might be legitimate-or they might be con artists.
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Tens of thousands of vehicles damaged by hurricane flooding are likely to hit the used-car market in the coming months. Such vehicles usually are declared "totaled" by insurance companies-and are supposed to be demolished. But unscrupulous sellers sometimes purchase them from the crusher, fiddle with the paperwork to hide the cars' records, clean them up-then unload them on unsuspecting buyers.
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Student loans for postgraduate degrees. Students seeking MBAs and medical and law degrees can apply for federal funds, such as Stafford and Perkins loans, but these may not cover the entire cost. Sallie Mae is offering additional loans.
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Living together out of wedlock is not just a trend among young people. The number of senior cohabitating couples has jumped by about 50% during the past decade, according to the US Census Bureau. Remaining single allows you to keep a former spouse's pension, military and Social Security benefits...keep your children's inheritance intact...and avoid liability if your partner has to spend down his/her assets to qualify for Medicaid. But living together also deprives you of rights afforded to married couples.
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A recent survey found that only 42% of adults in the US had wills in 2004, down five percentage points from 2000. Many experts think this is because some people believe recent changes in the estate tax law mean they will owe no tax, so they don't need a will. Others believe additional scheduled changes in the law make it pointless to have a will before they are enacted.
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An estate plan should be a clear roadmap, one that guides your assets to your chosen beneficiaries with a minimum of time and expense.
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With colder weather coming and utility rates rising in many parts of the country, it?s time to consider ways to save on home energy costs.
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Save on kids? summer camp by booking a year in advance. A typical sleepaway camp costs $3,200 for four weeks, and prices are rising by 5% to 10% a year. Many camps offer early-bird signups at the end of the summer ?you can lock in the current year?s rate for the following year. A few camps allow you to lock in a lifetime rate. If the camp does not advertise an early-bird rate, ask for one.
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Protect your inheritance from "good Samaritans." Elderly people may rely on neighbors, friends and health-care workers, but some caregivers manipulate these vulnerable individuals into putting them in their wills.
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Car owners always need to be on the lookout for scams-from repair shops selling unnecessary services to cheap knockoffs passed off as quality products.
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Did you know that unused flexible spending account (FSA) money is kept by the employer? An employer is stuck with a loss if an employee leaves the company during the year and has used more FSA money than he/she contributed.
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Finding extra cash each and every month is a great idea, but the most popular ways to save money and cut costs often are not the best.
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Special-needs children are increasingly outliving their parents. In addition to financial plans, many financial firms provide information on government services and help parents draft letters of intent for future caregivers. Costs vary.
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Medical costs are rising so fast that many people are postponing treatments or tapping their retirement savings to pay the bills. Last year, half of all personal bankruptcies were due to serious illness-and most of those people had health insurance when they became ill.
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The new year is a great time to put your financial house in order-from expenses to investments. Here are our three steps to help you relax and take the anxiety out of your finances...
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Beware: College-savings 529 plans now are being offered by major banks and brokerage houses-which add their own fees to those charged by the plans themselves. This raises plan costs and reduces returns.
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A child's IRA may affect financial aid. Some private colleges may reduce need-based financial aid because of retirement accounts in a child's name.
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The more money you hope to pass along to loved ones, the greater the chance that your children will fight over it. Even close-knit families aren't immune.
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Buying a used luxury car can be a smart way to get the ride you have always wanted without breaking the bank-as long as you know what to look for.
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Divorcing couples may be billed by their employers for the legal and accounting costs associated with splitting up a retirement plan. Under federal law, a divorcing couple must submit to sponsors of defined-contribution plans a qualified domestic relations order (QDRO) that explains how the assets are to be divided.
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A recreational vehicle (RV) or trailer that has sleeping, cooking, and toilet facilities qualifies as a residence under the Tax Code. Tax break
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The psychology of money, now known as behavioral finance, has a positive side. It turns out you can use psychology to increase your financial happiness by reducing your money stress.
Fortunately, this psychological formula is simple: Stress down equals happiness up. So how do you cut the stress? Try a new mindset: Stop blaming "them," take responsibility and then take positive actions. What's happening "out there" is no excuse for whining. You can't change them, but you can control you:
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College planning after divorce: The financial data of the parent with whom the child lives more than 50% of the time must be entered on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form.
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High-tuition colleges give students more need-based financial aid than lower-cost schools. They often have large endowments to use for aid purposes.
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Not all federal student loans are created equal, even though the government sets the interest rate. While a bank in Los Angeles may offer the same rate as one in St. Louis, the loan?s fees and repayment incentives can vary widely. A typical one-time fee for obtaining a loan is 3%, which includes default insurance, but these fees can move up or down.
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Don?t buy "dry clean only" clothing. Some people spend as much as $400 a month at the cleaners.
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Besides shifting assets out of joint accounts, there are many creative ways to keep money out of the hands of a spouse?some legal and some not. What to watch out for?
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Looking for money for college? Federal Student Aid offers basic information on how to apply for funding (www.stud.entaid.ed.gov, click on ?Publications,? then on ?Funding Your Education?).
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The phrase ?prefab housing? has traditionally conjured up rows of uninspiring homes in cookie-cutter subdivisions. But a new kind of prefab now is available, appealing to savvy consumers, many of whom are looking for stylish retirement or vacation homes that won?t break the budget.
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You may need to use life insurance to protect substantial assets?such as a family?s business or investments?from estate tax.
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Buying a ?preowned? car is smarter than ever. Major quality improvements in the auto industry result in many brands of cars now running well for 100,000 miles or more. But a car?s market value falls sharply after its first purchase. So buying a used car that has been well maintained can give near-new quality at a big cost saving.
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If you hire a caregiver for a family member, you are the caregiver?s employer? you must withhold taxes and pay workers? compensation, FICA and unemployment insurance tax. Also: Most homeowner?s insurance does not cover a caregiver?s injuries on the job, so you need workers? compensation coverage.
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Beware paying college tuition by credit card. Some parents do this to obtain the frequent-flier miles or other card rewards.
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Sending your child to college in Europe won?t save you any money. Some foreign schools with very high academic standards have very low tuition compared with US schools, but that is only for their own nationals.
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Stay-at-home moms who want to reenter the job market should begin with an aggressive networking campaign. Don?t ask your contacts for a job outright. Instead, ask for their help, job leads and other network referrals. Consult friends and grown children?s friends and parents.
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The best pre-owned vehicles are those certified by the manufacturer?not a used-car dealer, which can define "certified" any way it wants, warns automotive expert Eric Peters. Manufacturers certify only the best used vehicles and often provide an extended two-year warranty. Vehicles that don?t meet the manufacturers? standards are sold to used-car wholesalers.
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Frequent-flier miles versus cash-back credit card rewards. To decide which is best for you, compare the outcome. Cash-back credit cards usually offer a 1% refund. If you charge a total of $25,000 a year, you?ll get back $250.
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Traveling with grandchildren can bring numerous discounts and special offers.
Examples: At Hilton hotels and Hilton brands such as Doubletree and Embassy Suites, children up to age 18 stay in grandparents? rooms for free.
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Prevent online auction fraud by reading the comments that go with seller ratings, not just the ratings themselves. Comments indicating delays and frustration may be more meaningful than a positive rating. Check the seller?s history to make sure he/she has sold similar products previously.
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Always ask for discounts on big-ticket items, including appliances, electronics and high-end clothing. Research an item online so you know the fair price, then go to a local store and negotiate for at least 10% to 15% off that price. Don?t demand a lower price?ask nicely if one is possible. This works best at stores where you shop regularly and know the salespeople and managers.
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To maximize frequent-flier miles: Book as far in advance as possible - call the airline to find out when it will offer award seats, and be prepared to phone at 12:01 am on the first day of availability.
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Roll over your 401(k) into an IRA if you are laid off. Then you can withdraw money, if necessary, to pay expenses while unemployed. If you get a new job within 60 days and return the withdrawal to the IRA, there are no tax consequences.
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Today, despite our growing sophistication with investments, there are still more than $1 trillion held in passbook savings accounts. According to one study, 58% of passbook and money market account holders didn't know their interest rate and 30% didn't believe there was a difference between the rate paid on a passbook account and a CD.
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