Nationwide unemployment levels are currently approaching 10%, the highest levels seen since the economic downturn of the early 1980’s. The majority of Americans facing unemployment will turn to Unemployment Insurance (UI) in order to stay afloat while they pursue alternative employment opportunities.

In general, the Federal-State Unemployment Insurance Program provides unemployment benefits to eligible workers who are unemployed through no fault of their own (as determined under State law), and meet other eligibility requirements.

Eligibility

1. You must meet State requirements for wages earned or time worked during an established period of time referred to as a “base period”. (In most States, this is usually the first four out of the last five completed calendar quarters prior to the time that your claim is filed.)
2. You must be determined to be unemployed through no fault of your own (determined under State law), and meet other eligibility requirements of State law.

Filing a Claim

You should contact your state’s Unemployment Insurance agency as soon as possible after becoming unemployed. In some States, you can now file a claim by telephone or over the Internet.  When you file a claim, you will be asked for certain information, such as addresses and dates of your former employment. To make sure your claim is not delayed, be sure to give complete and correct information.

Generally, you should file your claim with the State where you worked. If you worked in a State other than the one where you now live, or if you worked in multiple states, the State UI agency where you now live can provide information about how to file your claim with other States.

It takes about two to three weeks after you file your claim to receive your first benefit check. Some States require a one-week waiting period; therefore, the second week claimed is the first week of payment.

 

This article is for informational and educational purposes only.  It is not intended to provide legal, tax or financial analysis.  Please consult your attorney, accountant or tax advisor if you have legal, financial planning, or tax related questions.

Summer will be here before you know it. There’s no better time of year to reward yourself and your family with an exciting week or two away from the stresses of everyday life. And although paying off the bills from that vacation may not be quite so exciting, you can keep the budget pain to a minimum through careful planning. Some tips for the thrifty vacationer:

 

·     Don’t take a vacation you know you can’t afford. That warning may seem obvious enough, but it’s amazing how many people blithely commit themselves to a trip or a destination that’s going to end up clobbering them in the wallet. Even worse, many pay for their expenses with a credit-card cash advance—then, months or even years after that vacation is only a dim memory, they’re still repaying that advance at exorbitant interest rates.

 

·     Don’t be so smitten with your destination that you overlook how you’ll get there. The economy resort that looks like a pretty good deal may not be quite so good if your airfare ends up costing more than the accommodations. A vacation spot you can drive to may not be quite so exotic, but it could spare you from a major dent in your bank account.

 

·     Think about roughing it in the great outdoors. Do you really need the fancy amenities of a costly hotel? Instead, stay at a campground for as little as $20 per night. Most campgrounds offer all the basics: electricity, bathrooms, and showers. And the kids will love it! (Well, they might complain about the lack of a TV unless you bring one along.)

 

·     Consider a motel as a lodging alternative. If camping out isn’t to your taste, check out some motels near your destination. You should be able to find at least one with a weekly rate—and after all, why spend a big chunk of your vacation cash on a place to sleep? Save it for the fun activities you’ll be enjoying while you’re awake.

 

·     Don’t eat every meal at a restaurant. Eating at restaurants is convenient, but it can really add up. Try to vary the Denny’s routine with some home cooking. If you’re going to camp out, find out if your campground has a grill. If you’ve decided to stay at a motel, look for one with a kitchenette—or at least a microwave and a refrigerator.

 

·     Try not to overload your days. It’s natural to want to see and do it all, but trying to cram too much into every day can lead to exhaustion. Better to start with your top-of-the-list places and events, then move on to a few others only if time permits and the kids aren’t too cranky by then.

 

So enjoy your well-deserved summer vacation. Come back refreshed and rested—but preferably not broke.

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It seems like a gift sent from heaven, a panacea for all of your financial headaches when you find yourself overburdened with debt. Just file bankruptcy (Chapter 7) and voilà! All of your debts will be forgiven and erased; all those nasty debt collectors will have to stop those harassing phone calls that have been making your life miserable. What a relief.

 

But if you’ve been considering that course of action, you should be aware that bankruptcy is far from a panacea. Quite the contrary, the truth is that it’s accompanied by some substantial drawbacks.

 

— First of all, the filing will appear on your credit report for as much as ten years. That means every time you apply for credit, you’ll probably have to go through the same tedious routine of explaining the reasons that prompted the bankruptcy. And even then, your potential creditor may not be convinced. Obtaining credit in these harsh economic times can be a major challenge even for someone with a spotless credit record.

 

— Once you’ve filed for bankruptcy, you’re going to lose all of your property except what the law exempts. That isn’t going to make for happy days.

 

2005 Act Changed Everything

 

Despite these rather harsh penalties, many debtors used to find that, on balance, bankruptcy really did seem like a pretty good deal—until quite recently. Then, in October 2005, Congress enacted the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act, and suddenly the party was over.

 

The act requires that a debtor enter into consultations with an approved consumer credit counseling service—the idea being that people must pay their debts if at all possible, rather than resort to bankruptcy as a first course of action. If a debtor is still determined to file, he or she must first get certification from that credit counseling agency.

 

“But wait, there’s more!” as those late-night TV commercials like to tell us at ear-splitting volume. Provisions of the 2005 act also include the following:

 

— More documentation from the debtor is required before a filing will be accepted.

 

— Subsequent filings are actively discouraged.

 

— The waiting period between Chapter 7 bankruptcy filings has been extended from six to eight years.

 

— Final discharge of the obligation is withheld until the debtor completes a course in personal financial management.

 

Magic bullets just don’t exist. When you add up all the negatives, you can readily see that filing for bankruptcy is a long, arduous process littered with roadblocks at every turn. That’s why entering into a debt settlement program is a better choice for many, letting experienced debt negotiation specialists settle with their creditors for less than they owe. It’s certainly a viable alternative for peace of mind and a fresh start.

 

You know that old saying, “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.”

You know that old saying, “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” One way the tough “get going” is to keep their eyes and ears open as new trends emerge and opportunities unfold. That’s good advice for anyone who’s trying to keep their head above water in today’s tough economy – and that means just about all of us.

 

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If you always pay the asking price for everything you buy, you’ll be amazed at how often you can negotiate some of those prices down to a more acceptable level. And even when you don’t succeed, you’ve lost nothing by trying.

 

There’s an art to successful negotiating, though, so keep these tips in mind before you get started:

 

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask

 

Have you ever seen a store sign that says, “We’ll be happy to negotiate a lower price with you”? Of course not. Stores will be happy to have you to pay full price, so they’re not about to advertise any willingness to bargain. That means you have to ask. Ask the salesperson about reducing the price on a specific item you’re interested in. If he or she doesn’t have that authority, ask to speak to the manager. Be persistent, but …

 

Be Polite and Diplomatic

 

The surest way to doom your chances of success is to make arrogant, my-way-or-the-highway demands. Merchants being human, they’ll resent your attitude – and there goes any chance of getting a deal. Instead, bring a polite, diplomatic manner to the counter. The folks behind that counter will be far more likely to consider your offer.

 

Don’t Start by Low-balling

 

Perhaps you’re not sure of the true value of an item but still would like to bargain. Fair enough, but try to avoid the trap of low-balling; making an offer that’s ridiculously low. Instead, do some online research, check newspaper ads, or call some other stores that carry the items. That way, you can be sure your initial offer is at least realistic.

 

Compare vs. the Competition

 

Is the store’s competition advertising a better price? Bring along the proof – a newspaper ad or a printout from an online offer – and ask the salesperson or manager if they’re willing to meet or beat that price. This approach often works because the merchant gets a chance to kill two birds with one stone: He gets your business – and the competitor doesn’t.

 

Make the Transaction Easy

 

Once the merchant has agreed to a deal, show your appreciation by doing whatever you can to streamline the process. Pay in cash so that the merchant can avoid having to pay check or credit card processing fees. If you’ve purchased a large item, pick it up without delay; bring friends to help if necessary. The merchant will remember you favorably – and might be even more willing to negotiate next time.

 

You want to buy; the store wants to sell. Particularly in these difficult economic times, negotiating for a better deal is hardly a sin. On the contrary, it’s just smart shopping – so go for it!