Monthly Archives: October 2011

When job searching, make sure you reward yourself or it can begin to feel deflating. For every three jobs to whom you send in your resume, watch a tv show you love or put $2 in a jar for a special treat like a massage.

One of the easiest ways to make sure you stay within your personal budgets is to prepay on store-specific cards for regular expenses. In other words, if you can go see one movie a month and get a latte at Starbucks once a week, put that predetermined money on the gift cards. When you run out, you’re done!

When beginning a new endeavor, make a separate checking account and deposit the full balance of your budget.  For example, when planning a wedding, put everything you are willing to spend in the account and only spend out of that account for the event. It will keep you accountable to your budget!

I can’t stress this enough: a successful network for your career starts now, not just during a job search. Spend time every week connecting with colleagues, old supervisors, and new contacts in order to build the relationship that may just get you your next job!

If you don’t use Quicken or Mint.com, start!  By tracking your expenses and spending habits, you can easily see what needs to change as you save for larger goals.  Don’t rely on your memory – use tools to help you reach your financial goals!