Indeed, there are some that think that a double dip recession could be on the way, and that the current jobs market is one of the reasons for it. This is because many companies are holding off on making new hires until the economy shows marked improvement, which may not happen until the second half of 2010. This sets off something of a vicious cycle. Consumers can’t spend more, and foreclosures can’t slow the pace (two things that some consider vital for economic growth and recovery), until jobs are available, providing income for people. But if people won’t be hired until the economic recovery is well under way…Well, you see the paradox that could be brewing.

In any event, even though this week’s job numbers were an unpleasant surprise, the good news is that things aren’t as bad as they have been, and that a certain degree of improvement is, in fact, being made.

Image source: Daylife

Post from: EveryJoe

Jobless Claims Rise, Stunt Economic Growth

Of course, this positive data does not indicate that a significant number of jobs are being added to the economy — just that the economy is not hemorrhaging them at near the rate we have been seeing throughout the recession. But the news is still encouraging, as it indicates a certain measure of stability in the jobs market, and in the economy. With fewer jobs being lost, there is hope that consumer confidence will return, and with it the important economic driver of consumer spending.

Initially, the stock market rallied heavily on the news. However, other considerations are now taking precedence, and the stock market has pared its gains rather dramatically as mid-day approaches.

Image source: Daylife

Post from: EveryJoe

U.S. Unemployment Rate Drops

There are many things I am thankful for. Here are a few things that I feel glad of this year:

• Family
• Friends
• A job I can do from home
• Home
• Food
• Social media ;)
• Faith

It’s worth noting, of course, that many of these items on the list do not necessarily have to do with money. Sometimes it is good to focus on things that are not tied to income. Looking beyond the money can be a way to change your focus and find a deeper richness in life. It is especially helpful in these economic times to focus on thankfulness beyond the monetary.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Image source: sxc.hu

Post from: EveryJoe

Happy Thanksgiving!

One way that you can improve your chances of getting better pricing is to look at the secondary market. There are a number of people looking to get out of their current leases, and some of them have Tier-1 lease pricing. Here is something from a press release I received from LeaseTrader.com:

“Keeping good credit is the most important part of a family’s balance sheet during this period of economic recovery,” said Sergio Stiberman, CEO and founder of LeaseTrader.com. “We’re working with people every day who have the credit to get a car lease but can’t qualify for the best payment at a dealer. Through lease transfer, these people are getting approved to take over a lease that was initially tier-1 pricing with a great, low payment.”

This news is good news for those looking for alternative solutions. However, it is important to be careful and read the fine print before agreeing to any lease swap. You want to make sure you understand the terms, and that you are actually getting what you want.

Image source: TheAlieness GiselaGiardino via Flickr

Post from: EveryJoe

Tier-1 Lease Pricing with Lower Credit

However, even though the news sent stocks a little lower initially, they are inching up, desperate to remain in the black, even with the news. Even though the unemployment rate is higher, job loss is moving at a slower pace, and there are fewer lost jobs last month than the month before. However, the fact that 190,000 jobs were lost in October was still higher than the 150,000 expected.

This means that the Fed is looking justified in its comments earlier this week that the economy still needs some help, and that interest rate hikes — and an end to quantitative easing — won’t come until sometime next year. And if things don’t pick up in the labor market soon, it may be 2011 before we can start serious talking about interest rate increases.

Image source: Daylife

Post from: EveryJoe

U.S. Unemployment at 10.2%

Image: sxc.hu

FUI has recently reported that they’d be cutting the band program, and following that announcement, they decided to cut the cheerleading program as well. They have one the the worst historic records in major college football, and have been dealing NCAA penalties and problems stemming from playing ineligible players and brawling with Miami at the 2006 Orange Bowl.They also have very low football game attendance, with only around 14,000 people coming to each game.

By cutting the cheerleaders, FIU reports that they can save around $45,000. Even if they make cuts, it would still take at least $20,000 to keep the program running at all. Combined with cutting the band, the school will save aroud $100,000.

Yes, that’s a lot of money in today’s economy, but here’s the thing that confuses me – the cheerleaders, coached by former  Miami Dolphins cheerleader Maria George, is actually bringing a lot of acclaim to the school. They’re currently ranked fourth in the nation. That’s despite the fact that FIU don’t get full athletic scholarships – just small ones to help pay for textbooks.

And they had just finished tryouts and interviews for next year’s squad. George has offered to work without pay, but the school hasn’t responded. Unless they raise the money for the program through private sources and have commitments for that money for the next several years, the programs is getting the ax.

It’s a poor decision all around. FIU has to make cuts, like almost all schools are doing this year, and I’m certainly not saying that cheerleading comes before academics, but I have a hard time believing that this is the best option.

You and sign the petition to keep the cheerleaders here . Even better, consider donating some money to keep them up and going if you can.

Post from: EveryJoe

FIU Cuts Cheerleading and Band Programs

While this decision does make sense, since the information is readily available online, many conferences are now looking at other ways to save money. One thing that’s on the chopping block? Media Day.

Image: sxc.hu

Media days, usually held in summer or early fall, give reports the chance to meet players and coaches, have lunch with key staff members, and ask questions. A number of mid-major conferences have announced that they won’t be holding these meet-and-greet days.

Even some FBS conferences are cutting media days, though. The Sun Belt announced recently that they’d be replacing the day with a video conference, and Conference USA is following suite. While it seems unlikely that conferences like the SEC or Pac-10 will make similar cuts, it isn’t out of the question completely.

Do you think this is a good way for conferences to save money, or will you miss media days?

Post from: EveryJoe

Media Days are the Next to Go…

Money Motherboard graphic

My thoughts were just wondering if the features and benefits of the World Wide Web and Internet provide a little bit more of an opportunity for cushion on the ups and downs of someone’s personal and professional finances. Is the ability for a business of any size to really market itself to any other business regardless of size a way to avoid your market dwindling away to nothing. As for individuals, you’ve got the opportunity to start your own business, or to simply network and market yourself for other potential jobs that may be available to you.

What are your thoughts? Is technology a cushion in tough economic times? Maybe you think technology (or too much of it) could be a part of the cause of all these problems. After all, we didn’t have all these gadgets, gizmos and applications back in the good ‘ol days. Is that what made them so good in the first place? Life was so much simpler then right?

Post from: EveryJoe

Recession in the Internet Age

For the record, Ohio State is also lowering their ticket prices, and although I haven’t heard anything official, I’m sure there are other schools lowering prices as well.

The savings aren’t mind-blowing. For example, In Michigan, tickets are going down to an average of $50 from an average of $53.57 last year. Students will up end saving about $1.43 per game.

Of course, as a Penn State fan, I have to assume that Michigan, Ohio State, and Michigan State are being forced to lower prices because THEY SUCK.

:-p

Is your school lowering ticket prices? If you’ve heard, tell us with a comment below!

Picture via sxc.hu.

Post from: EveryJoe

Lower Ticket Prices – A Sign of the Times

When a person you daily see has to leave, is forced to leave, there is a looming sense of guilt and gloom over the place. Have I survived only because of he or she? Could I have done something? Could anybody have done something? Is there no other way? As long as you’re conscious about this loss, however impersonal it may have been, you deny yourself a right to smile even at a right moment and feel obliged to remain morose at least for a few days.

I don’t yet understand how the directly affected ones feel like and have no words to express my compassion. What about, “I’m very sorry. Is there anything I can do for you?” I have seen too much TV and have the mindset that nothing I say is going to change anything. But I would like to say something, like to know that there is something that can be said.

I’m probably too young to accept layoffs as a part of life, but I realize that it is going to happen again. Next time, I want to be prepared.

Post from: EveryJoe

In These Dark Times of Layoffs