Many women have had to face the reality of either returning to work or working longer hours in order to make ends meet.  This may be due to a spouse or partner losing their job, or their own job loss.  But where does this leave working women during the recession?

2009 saw a drastic increase  in women returning to the work force.  How can they capitalize on their return and make it worth while?  While the circumstances may not be ideal, they can at least make it work to their advantage.  Here are some tips from Monster.com

To stay afloat in this economy, you will likely have to make accommodations. Take half an hour to answer the question: What’s an ideal life for me? This is the first question to ask yourself, advises Caprino. “If you’re doing work for people you don’t value, for products you don’t value, you won’t be successful.” Focus on what you really want — it may not be with your current employer.

Check out this post:  Find Your Passion: Love Your Work: Tips Galore! Print out the flower diagram and see how things change.  The number one key to success is doing work you love and value.  If you don’t then you will never be successful.

Career advancement means educating yourself, on and off the job. Seek out management development classes. If you work in marketing but really want to work in HR, then ask. “You have to close that power gap,” says Caprino. If you’re not where you want to be, sign up for the training or skills you need to get there.

Talk to your boss about the path to where you really want to be.  Create a plan and stick to it while being open to edits along the way.  To get where you want to be means learning along the way and taking the initiative to do what you need to do in order to what what you want to have.  How can you start aligning yourself with the path to your desired career?

To amp up your opportunities, research what it means to succeed in your job and industry. Create an active network and talk to people. Research what you want to do and what it will take to get there.

What women’s associations reside within your career niche?  Are there chapters, groups or conferences that you can attend?  Get your name out there with the people who are doing what you want to be doing in a few years.  One thing I like to do is talk to someone whose career path I admire, ask to see their resume and then see how they made it from where I am to where they are today.  Once you see the trajectory, then you have an idea of the blueprint you need to create in order to get to your dream job.

Enlist support. Role models and mentors are always necessary.

Role models and mentors are an incredible way to find support as you make your way back into the work force. Is there a woman within your office or circle of friends that you admire. How about approaching her to talk about her career path? Most women are more than happy to gush about themselves.

Understand social media and use it to promote yourself. “Women in the workforce really need to educate themselves about the power of social media and creating their brand online,” says Yost. “If you’re a money manager, for example, put up a blog on it and include links to interesting articles. Twitter about it. Put up a Facebook page. Employers are going to Google your name, and if you don’t show up, you don’t exist.”

Need I say more?  Pimp yourself and your brand online.  Connect with others in your niche.  Show them how passionate you are about your field of expertise.  If you don’t think you’re an expert, get a blog, research, learn along the way and look like an expert.

Today is International Women’s Day.  How are you planning to change the game as it relates to your career?

Remember this story?  Most of you were fired up, and rightfully so. It’s a$$inine to bar someone to get a job because they have bad credit. This is why we have criminal background checks. Perhaps a remedy would be to give the person a mandatory personal finance coach to work with them to improve their credit situation. Not bar them from getting a new job that might help them alleviate some of the financial stress.

Story below:

States May Ban Credit Checks On Job Applicants

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) – It’s hard enough to find a job in this economy, and now some people are facing another hurdle: potential employers are holding their credit histories against them.

Sixty percent of employers recently surveyed by the Society for Human Resources Management said they run credit checks on at least some job applicants, compared with 42 percent in a somewhat similar survey in 2006.
RELATED STORY: 9NEWS NOW story on employers firing people because of bad credit score

Employers say such checks give them valuable information about an applicant’s honesty and sense of responsibility. But lawmakers in at least 16 states from South Carolina to Oregon have proposed outlawing most credit checks, saying the practice traps people in debt because their past financial problems prevent them from finding work.

Wisconsin state Rep. Kim Hixson drafted a bill in his state shortly after hearing from Terry Becker, an auto mechanic who struggled to find work.

Becker said it all started with medical bills that piled up when his now 10-year-old son began having seizures as a toddler. In the first year alone, Becker ran up $25,000 in medical debt.

Over 4½ months, he was turned down for at least eight positions for which he had authorized the employer to conduct a credit check, Becker said. He said one potential employer told him, “If your credit is bad, then you’ll steal from me.”

“I was in a deep depression. I had lost a business, I was behind on my bills and I was unable to get a job,” he said.

Hixson calls what happened to Becker discrimination based on credit history and said his bill would ban it.

“If somebody is trying to get a job as a truck driver or a trainer in a gym, what does your credit history have to do with your ability to do that job?” Hixson said. He said he knows of no research that shows a person with a bad credit history is going to perform poorly.

Under federal law, prospective employers must get written permission from applicants to run a credit check on them. But consumer advocates say most job applicants do not feel they are in a position to say no.

Most of the bills being proposed this year resemble laws in Hawaii and Washington that prevent employers from using credit reports when hiring for most positions. The laws contain exceptions in cases where such information could be relevant to the job – for example, if the person is applying to work in a bank or an accounts-payable office.

On a national level, Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., introduced a similar bill last summer in Congress, where it is still bottled up in committee.

Even though more companies are using credit checks, only 13 percent perform them on all potential hires, according to the Society for Human Resources Management’s most recent survey. Mike Aitken, the group’s director of government affairs, said a blanket ban could remove a tool employers can use to help them make good hiring decisions.

Aitken pointed to a 2008 survey by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners that found the two most common red flags for employees who commit workplace fraud are living beyond their means and having difficulty meeting financial obligations. The same survey estimated American companies lost $994 billion to workplace fraud in 2008.

Aitken said someone who cannot pay his or her bills on time may not be more likely to steal, but might not have the maturity or sense of responsibility to handle a job like processing payroll checks.

In Maryland, where the state Chamber of Commerce opposes a bill banning most credit checks, employers at a recent legislative hearing said they are not interested in applicants’ credit scores.

Instead, they said, they are concerned about things like debt collections and legal judgments rather than poor credit because of medical bills or school loans. They also said companies give job applicants a chance to explain their credit problems.

Last year California lawmakers voted to curb the use of such checks, but Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed the bill under pressure from Chamber of Commerce leaders who called it a “job-killer.”

But Maryland Delegate Kirill Reznik, who drafted the bill being considered in his state, said people struggling to get jobs need help.

“We are in the great recession and this creates a vicious cycle,” Reznik said. “People lose their jobs, that naturally precipitates them getting behind on bills, their credit scores go down, they are trying to find a job to pay off the bills, and employers won’t hire them because of their credit score.”

Maryland public school employee Jen Harwood said running credit checks on job applicants “perpetuates the divide between the haves and the have-nots.”

“If you continue digging into people’s past and not looking into what people have to give today, you are making a bigger divide,” Harwood said.

Consumer advocacy groups are also lining up behind the legislation, pointing out that credit reports can contain inaccurate information.

Becker, the Milton, Wis., resident with bad credit, has found work dismantling cars at an auto recycling company that did not ask to run a credit check. He worries, though, about friends in the auto industry are looking for work and coming up empty-handed because of credit problems.

“It just seems like once you fall behind, you’re behind,” he said. “It’s really hard to get back on the right financial track.”

Source

Here’s the oxymoron of the day.

If hospitals start telling obstetricians stop doing C-sections (or try to reduce them), that’s problematic for hospitals because they make money off them.  So they are less likely to engage in C-sections because many hospitals are struggling to stay afloat.   But get this, if you’re a woman who has had a C-section the insurance company sees you as an even bigger risk for complications.

This can lead to you seeing higher insurance premiums or being denied for coverage altogether.

Why?

Mainly because having the operation once can often lead to more c-sections in future births. The problem for insurance companies is that a c-section is usually over $2,500 more expensive than a regular birth. Rather than take the risk of having to pay for another c-section, insurance companies label the women as having a health condition and charge them higher rates. This practice is actually illegal in some states, in which case the insurance companies simply reject applicants completely. Like other so-called conditions, insurance companies are simply looking for a way to protect themselves from possible expenses.

Recommended action:  Talk to your insurance company around their practices in denying/approving women for coverage who have had C-sections.  Check with your state to make sure that you understand the law: is it illegal?

Now You’re Asking How Can I Avoid A Rate Hike?

Obviously, if your doctor wants you to have a c-section, there isn’t a lot you can do to avoid it. In some cases, the procedure may be optional, in which case you’re probably better off doing things naturally. Some companies are willing to overlook a c-section if the woman is sterilized after the operation, as then there’s no risk that they could have another pregnancy and c-section. A premium increase may also be avoided if the woman applies for coverage at least two years after giving birth and is a certain age. Another thing to keep in mind, insurance purchased through employers isn’t likely to increase due to a c-section as group policies generally require that the insurer cover everyone in the group at approximately the same rate.

Have you had a C-section?  Did your rates go up?  Tell us about it!

Source

Well, there’s an app for that!  Enter Turbo Tax Snap Tax.

Got some time to kill?  Live in California?  This app will take you step by step through the process of filing your taxes, all on your iPhone.

How does it work?  Here are a few screenshots that walk you through the process:

1. Snap a photo of your 2009 W-2 with your iPhone:

2. Get your maximum refund by answering a few simple questions:

3. Review your tax information, then e-file – all within a matter on minutes:

Want more?  Check out the video:

SnapTax is available in the App Store for $9.99, which includes federal and California state preparation and e-file.   To get the most out of SnapTax’s innovative OCR capabilities, it’s best if you use it with the iPhone 3GS, still the 3G version is fine too.

If you’re a California resident then this is a super easy way to file your taxes quickly if you have a simple return.  Snaptax works with 1040A and 1040EZ.

For those of us who file online using TurboTax.com I have two Turbo Tax Deluxe cards to give away this week, just leave a comment telling us what you think about SnapTax!

**FTC Disclaimer:  Please note that Turbo Tax sponsored this give away

Police caught someone trying to break in my car outside the school. I am PISSED!! http://twitpic.com/wsuak

I was pissed!  Beyond pissed but it didn’t really show, I was just relieved they caught the guy and even better I have car insurance.  Who am I kidding, having to pay $1000 in unplanned expenses doesn’t conjure up happy thoughts!

$500 – Deductible

$110 – Rental (Geico pays for the rental itself but I put down a $100 deposit and the extra $10 is taxes)

$40 -   Gas to fill up rental tank

_____________________________

$650

Luckily, Geico will go after the guy civilly for my out of pocket expenses like the deductible and I plan to press charges and pursue restitution.

But the week from hell doesn’t end there, it started off with returning home from our trip to NYC to 46 degrees IN OUR HOUSE!  We were gone for about a week so we left the heat off (1st mistake) and upon turning on the heat we realized that the furnace motor died.  The house was built 5 years ago so that was well odd, and the HVAC guy still doesn’t know why it died.  What does that mean?  Well, the heat was on but the fan wasn’t able to push the hot air through the vents since the motor went ca-put.

Getting someone to come out to the house on the weekend was like pulling teeth, after 18 calls, one company made an appointment to come out the next day.  Everyone had their hands full with heating/AC calls in the area so we were out of luck.

The damage?

$400 for the service

$50 for space heaters before he got here

______________________________

$450

Moral of the story?  Make sure you have an emergency fund.  I can’t promise that it will cover everything but at least you’re saving up for a rainy day.  In my case, busted furnace and passenger window.

Surely you’ve seen the newest video or article going around discussing the single black woman’s plight around finding a mate within the black community.  If you haven’t, read on, the overall comments on the subject will be interesting.

After watching the video yesterday, the part that jumped out at me was the discussion around money/finances in a relationship and the ladies’ requirement in a mate.  Steve Harvey asked whether or not the man has to make 150,000/year if she makes that amount?

What say you?

If you made 6 figures, is your requirement that he make 6 figures as well?  And, be honest, yes/no and why?  I don’t care if you’re black/white/asian/hispanic/indian-whatever.  Just need your perspective.

As of December 31, 2009, 2009 will be the year that was, not what 2010 will be.  I’ve gotten so many messages from readers pouring out their hearts about how horrible 2009 was partnered with the insecurity of what 2010 will bring.

STOP!

Stop being sad/angry/mad/ about what 2009 wasnt and make plans for what 2010 will be.

I know that 2009 sucked majorly for some of you, and it was probably your worst year ever on record in your short live but do not make that the blue print for 2010.

Jobs were lost.

Families torn apart.

Business deals went sour.

Businesses went belly up.

Banks….well..some died.

Michael Jackson died (the news of his death almost shut down Google)

Hope was lost and the possibility that life could get any better seems grim.  Just remember that even at your lowest point in life, the only place to go is up.  I don’t know the specifics of your situation but in the spirit of the holidays, be thankful you’re able to be in a place where you have the opportunity to receive this messages and chart your plan to start over in 2010.

You have that much.

An opportunity to start over.  So what will you do with it?

Find a job?  Develop a better work ethic?  Go back to school?  Be a better partner? Mother?  Father?

Whatever it is, just do it.

Make your move and get through it, 2010 is upon us and it’s surely NOT waiting for you to stop moping around the house.

PS-I totally realize that this isnt your typical personal finance article but I felt like sharing this with you guys today.

Remember…….one stiletto at a time.

So what are your financial plans for 2010?  I fell way off the marker but it was also my best year financially so for that I am thankful.

DC is no stranger to the high cost of living you often see in New York City, Miami and Los Angeles.  But can you live on $30,000 a year there?  This question came up on a listserv I frequent and the responses were equally divided amongst those who felt it would be damn near impossible and others saying it’s hard but doable.

Here’s how it started and I’d like your thoughts on the matter.

Here’s the job posting:

Job Title: Festival Assistant @ The Kennedy Center
Department: International Programming
Job Type: Full-Time, Regular
Salary: $30,000 – $33,000 / Yearly
Duties:
This position provides administrative and logistical support to the Festival Manager and the Office of International Programming to support planning and implementation of international festivals that take place at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

The first reply which sparked the debate stated that while she would love to work at The Kennedy Center since she is applying to graduate school for the performing arts, but the salary is too low for anyone to live on comfortably.

I agree that the salary is low.  But your ability to survive on this salary really depends on your ability to manage your finances appropriately and live below your means.  When I graduated college and moved here I didnt even make 30k and I worked at a major university, but the position unbeknownst to me at the time was a stepping stone.  It only when I got a raise bumping me up to not even 30k was I able to get a better apartment and a car.  My bills were paid, but still things were tight.  Luxuries are relative given your goals at the time.  So while I wasn’t shopping like I am right now, I remember being cool with my finances at the time.  I then got a job in the field I wanted to be in and the salary was barely over 30k and you couldnt tell me nothin!  I made it work and while I  hated it,  that position alone is the backbone of my resume now even after finishing grad school.

I feel that if the position might help your career but it would require sacrifices then look into it further, yes it’s low for someone who has been in the field but if you can show commitment to your field by taking a job in your area then hey it wouldnt hurt.  Just my two cents.

By the way here are the breakdown of expenses based on my post about this issue last year:  This is based on someone who has no real financial responsibilities like a mortgage, student loans, credit cards-this is a very lean estimate as we have a low salary to start with…

Here’s the breakdown of taxes and take home from Paycheckcity.com for someone who is single with no dependents:

• $700 Rent: this varies greatly depending on where you choose to live and however so within your means.  Given the monthly take home of roughly $2300, your rent shouldnt be more than 25-30% which is at most $690.  Here you can go with a studio or find roommates.  Personally, I would go with a studio in the best area I can find closest to transportation.

• $150- Utilities:  You can find an apartment where utilities are included but if you do pay utilities on a small 1 bedroom or studio then it’s not likely to be more than $60.

• $75 Cable/Internet/Phone bundled through RCN.  I realize that cable might be considered a luxury so it’s really optional.

• $200 Transportation $200 for the metro  Here in DC it probably on average costs between $7-$10 per day depending on the distance traveled from point A->B

• $300 Food/Groceries (including bringing your lunch to work) $250 (coupons obviously cut this down significantly)  My grocery bill for two people is around $400 with no coupons so this is doable for a single person.
• $250 Health Insurance

_______________

$1675

This leaves $625 to put towards savings, credit card bills, student loans (work out a lower payment if needed), shopping (makeup, clothes etc) and eating out.

• $200-Savings
• $100-Credit Card-this really depends on your balance, if you have one
• $150-Student loans-again this depends on your balance and what you work out with the lender
• $175-Discretionary: shopping, eating out, gym membership-essentially play money for you

_____________

$625

Maybe I am being idealistic, but it can be done.  Obviously things like prescriptions, emergencies and unplanned expenses come into play here.  Check out this post for even more tips on how to cut your costs on a low salary.

What are your thoughts?  Do you live in a high cost of living area?  If so could you live on $30k per year?

Marie Claire has a very interesting article that details the 5 Secrets of The Highest Paid Women and I agree with their rationale.

1.  Be Yourself.

In order to achieve anything in life, you need to be authentic and true to who you are.  This allows people to understand who you are at the core while allowing you the freedom to be yourself.  How can you achieve authenticity in 2010?

2.  Your Name Is Your Brand.  Guard It With Your Life.

This speaks to your reputation.  How are you guarding it?  Could your work ethic use some fine tuning?  Are you working to the best of your abilities towards your dreams or your day job?  What would clients think or say of you at a cocktail party?

3.  Waste No Time Combating Haters

“I can’t expect everyone to love everything that I do.” – Top-earning musician Beyoncé Knowles

Need I say more?  Do what you do because without your haters you wouldn’t be who you are.  Let them be your motivators.

4.  Make sure your man is fully committed to you – and your success.

Does your mate believe in you and your dreams?  Is he committed?  Better yet have you had that talk with him about your life path?  Now is a good time to do that.

5.  Position Yourself For The Job You Want

I can attest to this, but moreso through completing the flower diagram in the What Color Is Your Parachute workbook.  While my job comes with it’s fair shares of ups and downs, I still think I have the best job in the world.  Identify your goals and work backwards.

Can you identify with any of their secrets?  How are you moving in this direction?

I got this question on another blog:

Your husband is worth $1 billion dollars a year. You find out that he has cheated on you. He offers you 20 million to stay for 2 years. Do you
a. you have morals and you leave him
b. you have morals you beat him with a club and then leave him
c. renegotiate your prenup agreement and take the 20 million

Keep in clean but be honest!