in response to Nomad...   Americans think and are trained to think they need to money on stupid things,like pre packaged prefoled napkins(didnt mean to make that sound funny,but im talking again about napkins,thats kinda funny) it is our stupid culchter.other countries dont spend as much as americans.its called american greed.a freaking thousand dollars on a purse?? i mean,come on,please.i bought mine at kmart 5 years ago for $10.its fake, shiney black pantent leather.its stylish,and still hanging on my shoulder 5 years later.i buy my clothes at a thrift store too.and i look damn good in them.im not ashamed to say if someone asks me "were'd you get that top?"to say the salvation army or st vincent depaul.got 2 bags of 50% off summer clothes last week for $12.americans are greedy because so are our leaders,i always say.and its not just all of the polititions fault we are in this financial hardship.i watch cnn constantly.around christmas time,they said "the economy is picking up.retail sales went up 4.5%" sure it did.the economy was not picking up,americans just went out and maxed out thier credit cards,thinking they need to barey thier children in a massive pile of gifts.and there goes reteaching the american greed.credit card companies surley profit and do quite well im sure.they are probally sitting there in thier corperate offices luaghing thier a**es off at thier four star resterurants during two hour lunch breaks.americans need to strip it down,and get back to the basics,like you are,mr nomad, and i do.i have so many tips on makeing your own homemade household and beauty items(becuse i had to).message me if you would like some tips.sorry if i offended anyone in my words.take all.love and peace to you.

p.s.you can make your own facials&glycolic chemical peels for pennies.your skin will look amazing.im glad i studied the beauty industry and every little teen tiny bit of ingriedients that go into expesive skin care.did so for hours and hours on the internet,learning how to make my own stuff,ive never looked better.its just all basic chemistry,very easy. truley,if i won the lottery(which i never would anyway,ive never played) id never go back to buying all that crap.its all about natural ingriedients.oh,and if i won the lottery id help you all out as much as i could.maybe ill scrape up some change and take a chance

I'm sorry I can't imagine that people in need even have these luxuries. I have a $30 a week food budget. I haven't bought clothes in over a year and all of them come from the thrift store. I cut my own hair. I only have enough money for $50 gas a month, otherwise I ride my bike. My rent, electric and water run $375 a month because I live in an RV in a RV park. The bathroom in the RV doesn't work so I resort to using the public one here in the park or the one in the hospital down the road. When I read articles like this and the one on the CNN page about how to have $500 by Christmas by cutting out your gym membership, I am speechless. I don't even know what to say...

Qu'ils mangent de la brioche (let them eat cake!)

People of all ages will have a chance to post their ideas, tips, questions, and comments about being a business owner or wanting to go into business for yourself.  This group will aid others who have so many unanswered questions or give others who want to help a voice. Come join!

Looking for work is one of the hardest things to do .when you weighed down by bills and worries about the providing for the family Your mind gets stuck In the present.  You are tossed about by waves of need.  As the days and weeks past, you can only see that the waves keep washing away any money you do get. The amount that you are in the hole keeps growing.   You start thinking, “What’s the use.”  You start walking with your head a bit lower.  The worry can be seen in your eyes.

While you are feeling so down, successful job hunting needs a person who is enthusiastic, upbeat and self-confident.  The last thing a prospective employer wants  to know is how “needy” you are.  A frowner almost never gets the job.  Now I know being upbeat and confident  seems impossible when there is that mountain staring you in the face.  But there are things you can do to start swimming and stop treading water.  Yes, you can even start surfing!

Getting Ready
Employers don’t want to see or hear the word “anything” as the answer to “What can you do?”  To get ready to answer that question, sit down at a quiet time to do some writing.  Start writing down all the things you can do as fast as you can.  Try to get a list of 25 things.  Don’t worry if things you write seem alike.  For example:

- good with kids
- can balance a checkbook
- I can keep things organized
- I can do stuff on the computer
- people like to talk with me

Put the list away for a day.  When you take it out again, see if you can add any more things.  Do this for the next 3 days.  Watch the list grow.  You will start to see that you can some very neat (and “work-able”) things.

Take the list and write down the name of the job skill next to each item on your list.  You may have more than one per item. For example:

- good with kids  >   teacher’s assistant, day care work, crossing guard, mother’s helper.
- I can keep things organized > sales clerk, clerk, office assistant, billing

Be creative.  Look in the want ads for key words that match you list.

Start Looking Where Others Aren’t

A hammerhead shark’s eyes look to the sides and not straight ahead.  While most people look for work from the normal things like the want ads, you be like a hammerhead shark.  Read the bulletin boards at the grocery stores.   Check out the job postings in your town hall and post office.   Make a list of all the businesses in your area and then see if they have a web site.  Most places that have a site list  job openings.  Look for the words “careers,” “employment”, “jobs “ or “openings” on the home page.  Include any schools, hospitals, churches, charities,  colleges, and trade schools in your search.  Also look at sites like craigslist.org.

If you find a match with your skills, fill out the application.  

And good luck, you hammerhead shark you!

Speak out

Write about whatever is on your heart and mind. Write about your problems and needs. Or, tell success stories - about overcoming problems. You've already heard enough "stories" on TV. It's time for YOU to tell stories. It's time to tell YOUR stories.

 

Be persistent

You may have already posted something - a comment, a question, or a short note. Add to it - write more. You may not be ready to write today - no problem. Come back tomorrow - write more about yourself, make new pages, and insert pictures in your posts. Come back every day - and post something. The more you write and post pictures - the more people would be willing to come to your pages and write back to you.

 

Pay attention to other people

Browse the pages of other people - they'll see that you have visited... that you are paying attention to them. Once they see that, they are much more likely to pay a visit back to your own pages. Even better - post comments and questions on the pages of other people - engage them directly. Don't be shy. This is the purpose of Aidpage - to get people pay attention to each other.

 

Use common sense

On Aidpage, speak and act with the same common sense you would use when meeting people on the street or in the grocery store.

 

Keep coming back...!
Don't forget to come back and post updates on Aidpage. Success or not, sharing your story would be of help to someone else going through similar stuff. 

Okay maybe this is not as helpful as it should be or maybe u dont realize but here it is...

 Dont buy new clothes every week. (yes its cute but u dont really need it)

• it will also save time (less items = less time choosing outfits

• it will save money on doing that extra laundry

Dont get your nails done

• you can always go to the dollar store and buy press ons if you do it right they look just as good.
• Again u save time because it only takes about 10 mins to get it perfect

Dont get ur hair did

• Going to a community college cosmotogly class will do your hair for really cheap or free
• this includes facials too

If you have a car you dont always have to use it

• If its close enough to walk then do it.
  
• you save gas and you gain energy and loose weight
• if its a little far and ur not pressed for time take the bus its cheaper 

Buy off brands

• They normally taste or work the same
• a lot of name brands are the same company as the off brand
• you can save a lot and use those cupons when its a good deal

Shop online

• If you know what you want and your not pressed for time shopping online is cheaper most of the time.  a lot of times theyre tax free

Blue Jeans this should be reposted its great and 100% true. Great words from a great lady :))

(If you need help, ask for it. But while you are waiting try to give back what you can. If it's time, words, tips, whatever. "Pay it forward" Don't get angry if the fix you are looking for doesn't fall in your lap. Keep coming back and reaching out. Things have a way of untangling themselves if we are proactive.)

Very nicely said.  I am here also and I, too know that you have to keep trying and never ever give up!  Blue Jeans you are a special lady.

Great info!

Ok ladies and Gentlemen I learned a trick over the last couple of years on saving money at the grocery store besides the main one TAKE COUPONS.

1. Meats- go either late at night or early in the morning, the butcher will be marking down meats. I have gotten pot roast, original 12.44 for 6.99 I cooked it and was able to create 3 meals for a family of 5. I have gotten family packs of chicken legs for 3.99 enough for two meals, its all good meat its just a day old and they have to move it that day. great deals to be found.

2. Dry Goods-look for the racks where they have marked down other items, the grocery is still good but maybe the box got tented, well since I am not eating the box I will take the markdown :)

3. I also suggest when you shop do not buy items from the selves at eye level as these are the high price items look on the bottom shelf or the top.

4. If you are a large family like mine, I buy in bulk, I will buy a 10 pound bag of frozen veggies and seperate them into about 10-12 pags all for 6.99. I will buy the large toilet paper about 52 rolls for 12.99 it last us for two-three months.

5. With winter on the way plan on making home made soups you can make a large pot enough to feed a family of 5 for two days and two meals each for 10.00

I will have more helpful hints in other blogs so keep checking in at my blogs

Can't wait to read that success story!!  xox Rosie

Thank you so much for responding to me.  It's kind of funny the things that should be common sense or obvious that you don't think of.  I can knit and crochet and I get very relaxed doing it.  I felt a huge duh moment when you mentioned that.  I also like the idea of counting certain color cars and the lightposts.  My therapist a long time back told me to take trips in sections.  To focus on 1/4 of the way and then when I got there to make another checkpoint about 1/4 the way more and keep going until I got there.  The problem with that was about the 1/2 way point, my mind kept imagining the distance I had already traveled and focused on far it was back...lol I think with counting, it won't put the focus on distance so much.  I appreciate your kind words and hopefully look forward to updating my blog at that time with a success story.

I had good success counting things like light posts or traffic lights or certain color cars.  It kept my mind off my situation and outside of myself.  I alo used to knit and crochet, that was a great distraction.  You might want to bring a handheld electronic game.  You can do it!  Rosie

I have to go to the dentist on August 5th.  I'm trying really hard not to work myself up about it.  It is a mile outside of my comfort zone and I will probably have to spend an hour there.  This is something I have not done in 8 years.  When I get outside my comfort zone I start shaking and tearing up.  No matter how much I try to redirect my thoughts and focus, I end up loosing it.  The techniques I use are: positive thoughts, rubber band on my wrist, mp3 player, book for reading, and my deep breathing exercises.  I was wondering if any of you who might suffer from agoraphobia or anxiety disorders might have some techniques I haven't thought of.  I just really want to go and accomplish this task.

Hi everyone...as you may have noticed....I have been posting a lot in the last day or two.

I have been working on my own lil section of AidPage.com to help people out.  I have started with creating the following pages and I hope that you will visit them on a regular basis and that I can at least help someone with something along the way.

The pages are, in no particular order:

1. SmileADay - http://smileaday.aidpage.com/

 SmileADay - Something funny once a day to bring a smile to your face, all I ask is that you post a smilie face if I make you smile.

2. Something.Free - http://something-free.aidpage.com/

Something.Free - This is where I am positing different freebies that I find, so far I have found free pizza, movies and chocolate...come and find out what else is next!

3. JobSitesAndTips - http://jobsitesandtips.aidpage.com/

JobSitesAndTips - This is where I will be posting lists of different job boards; tips for resumes; job interview; and stuff of that nature.  Things to help you find that job and keep it.

4. BabyHelp - http://babyhelp.aidpage.com/

BabyHelp - Here I plan to try and help all new mothers with where to find diaper samples, coupons, and help. Tips, helpful ideas and anything else that I can find.  I will post all free offers that deal with babies here as well that I come across.

5. PlacesToFindHelp - http://placestofindhelp.aidpage.com/

PlacesToFindHelp - Is where I will try to post general information for those in need.  Such as what I have started so far; Car Charities and Mortgage programs to save your home.

So...I will be adding a few more pages along the way...but I just wanted to make a more focused area for some certain items as I was not able to find them myself when I first got here. So please check them out and let me know what you think.  Your feedback is appreciated.  Thank you.

I so totally AGREE with you.

Well said Blue Jeans!

My take on Aidpage is that it SHOULD work like FreeCycle in that it should be a give and take. If you want others to help you, then you should try to help others.

I see a lot of people come on here looking for a quick answer. Not everyone so put your dander down. Some of those same people get upset when the quick or easy answer isn't there. I don't get that since many of us got to this site for the same reasons as they did.

I would like to think that there is a give to this... in my case it's parenting tips and special needs help because it's what I know, in another's case it may be the grant tips, and in another it may be the local food pantry. There is also the support of a kind word or a direction to turn or lean.

In so many cases in today's world, people are all about the give me. What can you do for me? How can I gain? Hopefully we can help change that for the future, to make it better.

If you need help, ask for it. But while you are waiting try to give back what you can. If it's time, words, tips, whatever. "Pay it forward" Don't get angry if the fix you are looking for doesn't fall in your lap. Keep coming back and reaching out. Things have a way of untangling themselves if we are proactive.

Be well and know that you are not alone. Be nice and play fair.