Yesterday’s distressing unemployment data sent the national unemployment rate above 10%. This came as President Obama prepared to sign into law a bill providing an extension of jobless benefits. The bill is a relatively small measure, by recent economic stimulus standards, at $24 billion. The bill will extend the eligibility to collect unemployment benefits by 14 weeks. In states with higher unemployment rates (of more than 8.5%), there is a 20 week extension.
But it’s not just the jobless benefits that have seen an extension. The bill is also extending the first time home buyer tax credit along the lines negotiated …read more

In a rather dour Friday morning surprise, the U.S. unemployment rate hit 10.2%. There have been predictions for months that the unemployment rate would exceed 10%, but as the economy started showing signs of life, hope was emerging along the lines of thinking that maybe that psychologically important level could be avoided. This morning’s non-farms payroll data destroyed all such thoughts.
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, …read more

As the holiday season approaches, there are hopes that the job market will follow the rest of the economy and perhaps pick up the pace a bit. At the very least, there are hopes that some part-time jobs might be had. Those who are out of work, and those whose hours have been cut might see the holiday season as a good time to pick a little extra work. This is a good plan, but it is important to remember that things are a bit competitive out there, and you may have to fight for a part-time seasonal job. Here …read more

When I was originally offered the job to write for Bizzia’s freelance category, I nearly jumped out of my skin. There have been a lot of great people who wrote here before me, and it seemed almost silly that I should be the one to try to fill their shoes.
Sadly, all good things must eventually come to an end. I was recently informed that Bizzia would be closing it’s Internet doors, and although all of the posts on this site (include those in other categories), will be available to view on Every Joe, b5media (the cool people who own this …read more

For someone who likes writing, being a freelancer is a dream job. On paper. You have a flexible schedule. You get to pick and choose the jobs you do. You act as your own boss. Insert any number of the other advantages here. But I think that often, we all get too caught up in the advantages that we never really take our current happiness into account. Let me explain what I mean.
When someone asks me what I do, I usually spend more than a few minutes explaining my job. I noticed recently that I always end the explanation by …read more

Earlier today, I wrote about normal business hours and how it is my opinion that it isn’t necessarily better for every freelancer to work during the day. I work at night and, in fact, I’m writing this post well in advance and scheduling it to appear on Bizzia. As you’re reading this, I’m probably still sleeping.
Just because it isn’t perfect for every writer to keep traditional business hours doesn’t mean, however, that you shouldn’t keep business hours at all. Let me tell you a short story:
A few years ago, I was dating someone with a schedule that was against every …read more

One of the best parts about my job is that I have a flexible schedule. It doesn’t mean that I work less – for every hour I take off, I have to work an hour when I’d normally be enjoying some free time. I had to actually explain that to my boyfriend, who didn’t really see that misplacing hours of work means that they just move, not completely disappear. But I digress. The point is, flexibility as a freelancer is definitely a bonus.
Could some people take flexibility too far, though?
If you have a family (especially one with children), chances are …read more

I’ve met writers who have been insulted when asked to write in plainer language. I can understand that, I suppose – working hard on something only to be told that it is too advanced in terms of reading level can be frustrating.
“Dumbing down” your article, however, doesn’t mean that you have to dumb down the content. You can still create an informative, even technical, article, even if you’re writing for a junior high reading level, rather than for a group of college professors. Here are some tips for making revisions that take your text to an easier reading level without …read more

This is one of the most commonly confused words that I see when I’m reading articles online. One means “not moving” and the other means “writing paper and related materials.” So, as I have been, I ask you – do you know which is which?

I went to the gym to ride a stationary bike.
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My grandmother gave me a custom stationery set for graduation.

When something is stationary, it is still. When you want to write a letter, you need stationery. This is a fairly easy set of words because there aren’t weird exceptions to the rule.
Most people, myself included, remember the …read more

After a week off, I’m back with contests and giveaway for you guys and gals. Don’t be too jealous – I wasn’t on vacation; I was dealing with the flu. Thank goodness that’s passed.
It’s time for this week’s edition of prizes for writers. There are some great contests to enter this week, so check them out.
If you entered all of the contests last week, the old listings are marked with an asterisk so you can avoid entering them again.
Just to be clear, you can’t enter any of these contests here (unless otherwise specified). You have to visit the blog sponsoring …read more