A person in the midst of a very serious financial debacle would certainly question if there is life after financial ruin.  Hitting the bottom of one’s finance ladder does not only hurt the pockets.  It hurts the very core of the person, threatening to destroy his very essence, his family, his work, and just about anything that is important to him. 

Why this is so is not difficult to understand.  In the world we live in, our self-worth is often tied up with how much money we make, how much money we have stacked somewhere for our retirement, how much money we can afford to splurge and enjoy the moment.  Even if self-worth and wealth are not exactly synonymous, it would appear that they are, at least in the human dictionary of real living.

When every material thing is gone especially after having worked for them for a long time, it is nothing less than devastating.  Financial ruin can result from careless handling of finances, from being taken advantage of by other people, by an unexpected downturn in the economy, or by just a single wrong decision in life.  Some say that it took them by complete surprise that they never knew what hit them until they found themselves longing for the comfortable life they once had.

Being run after by creditors and collection agencies is quite humiliating and degrading.  This is the part where financial downfall gets very difficult because it is like rubbing salt to an open wound.  It may sound like a cliche but it is true that once people hit rock bottom, there is no other way to go but up.  Financial ruin brings emotional distress and physical unwellness so it would be best to face it and work for the solution.  Professional counseling both for financial and psychological reasons can bring out in the open possible options towards resolving the situation which may not be too obvious in a confused state of mind.

We cannot overemphasize the importance of maintaining order in all aspects of our lives.  There is one aspect however that can benefit from a little bit more of organization so we can get to enjoy a considerably less-stressful life and that concerns money matters.  When personal and business money matters are in order, financial goals are easier to reach.

Money management can be a formidable challenge especially if it has not been practiced from the start.  It can be done of course, we just need to avoid being too overwhelmed as to totally give up on it.  The sooner we start, the better.

Organization is always attained through several small steps rather than a single big step.  Setting time aside to do the task is essential and 30 minutes to one hour a day is ideal.  This set up not only allows you to continuously and consistently attack the task, it also leaves you with enough time for other equally important matters.

A personal finance software such as Quicken or Microsoft Money can make the job a lot easier and introduce you to a system that can be realistically maintained.  Once all pertinent money matters are consolidated in one system, it becomes less burdensome to catch up.  Through an established system, you can have automatic access to vital information as to spending, income, investment, taxes, business invoicing, budget, bills payment, and cash flow.  Sound finance organization also makes it easy to detect unusual account activity.  Making quick but wise decisions can be done since a system can identify investments that are performing well in comparison to the market portfolio.  Customer service is also usually provided for free thus support presents the least concern.

1. Go through the fine print

Students must not rush into the decision of choosing any credit card. Most cards involve lot of hidden costs. Make sure to read all the rules and regulations while signing up. Take some time to think before accepting a credit card. Be wise to compare rates of the credit cards. The ones having low interest rates and welcoming deals must be chosen. Do not fall prey to lucrative cards. One may have to end up paying huge interest rates later on. Ask the customer care to clear all the doubts.

2. Careful assessment of loan and income

Credit card Act has been passed in 2009 to safeguard the interests of the students. Many students are major targets of credit card organizations. Now the law requires the students under 21 years age to operate the cards along with a cosigner having sufficient income. The student can solely sign it if he works. No one must mistake student loan as income. Be cautious to use credit cards. Do not let debt overtake the life. Spend money if required. Do not let the loan multiple by paying with credit card frequently. The student must remember that his student loans need to be paid back in addition to the credit card bill.

3. Stay away from signing for friend

Make sure to choose a reliable cosigner. He may be above the 21 year mark but he must be dependable at the same time. Do not let him spend unwanted money in fun. Keep away from paying undue money for friend’s misuse. It can lead to piling up of credit.

4. APR criteria must be kept in mind

Keep away from choosing cards lured with thousands of reward points. These cards charge high. Do not pay unnecessarily for just possessing a brand name card. One needs credit card for emergency use. Make the most of the card. Do not fall prey in the hands of huge interests. Try paying the monthly bills regularly to keep out of trouble.

5. Apply for cards only if needed

The students are advised to go for credit cards only if solely required. Maintaining multiple credit cards can be cumbersome. It requires regular paying of the bills. Keep the list simple. Do not let bad credit record ruin future loan taking opportunity. Outright rejection can be faced with future loan taking situation if bills are left unpaid for long time.

6. Try paying monthly bills

Students are advised to clear monthly credit card bills. Piling up bills can be dangerous. Cut down fun making and partying expenditure and put the money in the credit card account as fast as possible. It helps the students from not paying huge interests. More necessity items can be purchased with the money saved from interest.

7. Be careful of cards sold in schools

Students must use their knowledge while selecting a credit card. Do not take hasty decisions. Go through the leaflet given in schools lending out logo containing cards. These cards may not come from reputed institution. Their main aim is to steal money from innocent student’s pocket. Be careful of such situations.

8. Increase the limit when needed

Students must remain satisfied with card limits to minimum score. It should be able to meet his emergency requirement. Apply the bank for a lift in the limit only when he has a decent job or other income path.

Unemployment

File for unemployment benefits as soon as you possibly can after being laid off. The government does place some restrictions on how soon you are allowed to apply, but you can at least begin preparing your case so that, when the day comes that you can apply, you are prepared to apply on that day, and no later. As far as preparing your case, you must be able to explain the conditions of your layoff, and it must be verifiable.

Unnecessary Expenses

Cut back on any unnecessary costs that you incur month to month. You don’t really need those premium cable channels, the magazine subscriptions, or the gym membership – not when you might be experiencing an indefinite period of time without an income. Skip the fast food, and try a pay as you go cell phone plan.

Resources

Your community has a number of resources for those experiencing tight times financially. Search online or check the phone book for food pantries and utility/rent assistance, and ask for as much assistance as you can, from all the agencies you can.

Employability

The moment you are laid off is the moment to start looking for work. Do everything you can to improve your employability: update your resume, gather references, brush up on your specialized work skills, and begin preparing for interviews.

Job Search

Once you’ve prepared yourself to find new employment, the search is on. Make it a point to scour your local classifieds help wanted ads, and to search online job listings, on a daily basis. Remember that looking for a job is a full-time job in itself, and that you can’t afford to take time off, especially considering the only way you’ll get paid is to make something of your time on.

Getting laid off is not the end of the world. Even more, it can be the start of something new and exciting. Manage your stress during this stressful time by taking the precautions to protect your current finances, and by taking steps to secure your financial future.

Tomasa Leipold is a specialist in the field of unemployment and regularly helps others to find new jobs. He recommends visiting sites like Adecco USA recruitment agency or those local to you for specialized help finding work.

Just recently, L’Oreal was found guilty of racial discrimination by the French Supreme Court. The conviction stems from the company’s policy that Garnier sales staff should be “bleu, blanc, rouge” — the colors of the French flag but also the company’s code for white French people. What were they thinking? That people won’t likely buy lipstick from a person who’s not white? It’s just stupid beyond words. How can they even think their bottomline can be affected by the ethnicity of the sale staff. I want to buy hairgel, I won’t care if the salesperson’s from Mars, okay, I probably would, but only in so much as I’d want to strike up a conversation with a person from another planet.

In this day and age, it’s quite shocking that a company as progressive as L’Oreal would still propagate discrimination. It just reeks of bad taste offensiveness. I mean, the French has been described as rude and aloof but, I don’t believe they’re racist. L’Oreal is giving the French people a bad reputation.

Come on, L’Oreal guys! I think you know that beauty is not just skin deep. Merde!

Got an auto industry CEO on your Christmas list and can’t figure out what to get him? It’s tough shopping for the man who has everything and nothing at the same time. Here’s a list of gifts designed specially for automotive CEOs that’s sure to make your favorite GM, Chrysler or Ford exec wake up on Christmas morning and exclaim, “God bless us, every one … except Toyota, Honda and Nissan.”

Amazon’s Kindle Reading Device — Load it up with biographies of Henry Ford, Walter P. Chrysler and William C. Durant, plus a copy of Stephen King’s “Christine” to scare them away from their current model cars.

Nintendo Wii Guitar Hero World Tour — Car Songs: It’s loaded with car songs like Little Deuce Coupe, Little Red Corvette and 409 to inspire them to come up with new cars that inspire bands to write about them.

Madden NFL 09 – Detroit Lions Edition: Nothing makes you feel better about yourself than watching people who are bigger losers than you are, especially in your own home town.

Nintendo Wii Honda Fit: So they can practice building economical, high mileage, fun cars at home.

Old Spice For Mechanics: Get them in the mood for car building by smelling like grease, oil and windshield washer fluid.

iPhone 3 Welded To An Old Princess Phone With A Dial: To remind them what it’s like driving an American car that claims to be state-of-the-art.

Trip to Seoul: Coach class, one-way. Promise to send the return ticket when he can correctly pronounce “Hyundai.”

Box of Bandaids: Write on each one “Government loan.”

Monopoly game: Help him see the future by removing the car piece and burning all the money.

Chinese fighting fish: Put a model of an American car company in the aquarium for the fish to fight over

Not only is this frustrating, it’s an attack on your ego and should be taken personally.

Here are ten quick ways to exert your power within your office and gain the respect you deserve from colleagues:

1. Always give your two cents on a project whether you are asked about it or not. It’s important that you vocalize why it’s not going to work–people need a voice of reason.
2. Don’t reply to emails. If someone needs an answer from you, make them go out of their way to find you.
3. Never come to scheduled meetings on times. Making colleagues wait is a great way to let them know how busy you are and how valuable your time is.
4. Interrupt meetings that don’t include you. Most likely, there is somebody in the meeting that has information you need about any random situation. Interrupting a meeting to get your information lets them know that no matter what they’re discussing, your needs are more important, even if it’s a printer paper jam.
5. If someone is late to work or misses a day, be sure to bring it up next time you’re with them in front of the boss. You don’t have to be serious about it, just a quick, “So what kept you out of the office?” shows that you have a sense of humor too.
6. No matter who you’re talking to or what you’re talking about, check your blackberry incessantly. Regardless if you have a text, email, or voicemail message pull it out of your pocket every five minutes to check. And if you get a call, tell them you have to take it, even if it’s your mother-in-law. The best way to let someone know that you are more important than they are is by never giving them your full attention.
7. If you get a chance to actually lead a project, micromanage EVERYONE on your team. It’s your butt on the line, so you better make sure they know who is in charge. Ask for hourly updates and excel spreadsheets with status columns, second guess every decision that is not yours, and don’t give anyone due credit unless it’s going to benefit you. [A side note to this rule: don't put yourself out there too often. Being a project lead is the quickest way to fail at work; and, avoiding failure is the goal.]
8. Do your best to get one-on-one time with department heads, chief officers, or anyone in a more powerful position than you…and then tell everybody about it. Whether it’s a shared trip on the elevator or a round of golf, letting people know that you have direct access to real decision-makers gives you a certain amount of power by association. It’s a bit like name-dropping, only more professional.
9. Yell a lot and yell at everyone (except, of course, you’re supervisors). This is a must. The louder you can be the better. Some believe irrational outburst are unnecessary and inappropriate in the office environment. Not true. Projecting your anger is the best way in the world to exert power. People know you mean business and will think twice before they cross you again…or even talk to you. Sarcasm also works well in this way.
10. If you really want to let people know just how important you are–tell them. Tell them how busy you are, how many voicemails and emails you get a day, how many meetings you have to go to in a week, how often people keep bothering you to do their jobs. Feel free to add in all of your non-work activities. Busy people are important people.

Work is important; and there is nothing more gratifying than knowing that you’re just as important as the people you work with. These simple rules offer a quick and easy route to instant power. If you’re not using them regularly, now is the time to start and see if you can make it to a corner office by year’s end.

Remember when Chrysler announced it is closing all 30 of its manufacturing plants for a month in an attempt to counter the most severe downturn in U.S. auto sales in more than two decades? Gee, it wasn’t that long ago that everyone from President Bush down to lonely barbers thought that “cut-and-run” was a bad idea. Isn’t there something Chrysler can do with these plants while they’re idle to make some cash on the side and avoid being the biggest automotive embarrassment since the show ‘Pimp My Yugo’? As a favor to help Chrysler dodge a bullet, here are fifteen things it can do to make money with these buildings (I hope they remember this when I’m ready to trade in my Prius):

Temporary holding cell for Bernie Madoff, Rod Blagojevich and Plaxico Burress.

Place for the Detroit Lions to hide until the season is over.

Factory for making lead Hot Wheels toys to send to China.

Retraining center for CEOs about to become janitors.

Reception hall for the next Smith family reunion.

Distillery for turning unused ethanol back into corn mash whisky.

Recycling center for converting Hummers into mobile homes.

Storage for unsold copies of Sarah Palin’s biography.

Oven for cremating Christmas fruitcakes.

Arena Football Hall of Fame.

Movie studio for filming “Doctor Detroit II: Being A Ho’s Not So Bad Now.”

Tracks for indoor NASCAR series.

Factory for turning corporate jets into hybrids.

Closet for Cher.

Museum for Dinosaurs and Union Jobs.

Before you know it, they’re throwing around words like “paradigm” and three letter acronyms like SEO. You’re standing in the hallway stuck between your office and another cup of coffee while they go on and on and on.

Whether you’re bored to tears or completely clueless, you can easily feign interest and acumen on any given business topic with just the right selection of well-timed phrases.

To help you through inordinately long and yawn-inducing office conversations, we put together a quick list of comments that can: 1.) offer an insightful perspective, and 2.) bring the conversation to a swift end.

1. I was going to ping Legal before we pushed it through marketing.
2. His team definitely has the bandwidth to complete the project, the only question is can they come up with a scalable solution?
3. I think it would be a real numbers push, but accounting will never go for it.
4. Seth Godin has a great spin on [insert business topic here], you should check out his blog.
5. I think it would be a real sales push, but marketing will never go for it.
6. I thought the same thing, but wanted to take the convo offline before I made any decisions.
7. You know, this fits right into our new economy business model.
8. I think it would be a real marketing push, but compliance will never go for it.
9. I’d like to fast-track it, but no one is ever going to sync up unless we offer a value-added solution.
10. You should blog about that.

Make sure your colleague knows the conversation is over by giving a quick pat on the side of her arm and finish up with something like, “Let me know how that goes,” or “Keep me in the loop,” and then get to the safety of your office ASAP.

Use the comments sparingly and be careful not to dish out the same one with the same colleague more than once. With the right timing and on-your-feet-thinking, you can talk business even when you’re thinking beer.