Evan Vitale

Evan Vitale – End of the Year Crunch

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By Evan Vitale

The end of the year is upon us and approaching at a swift pace! There’s shopping; wrapping; traveling; meals to prepare; people to see; parties to attend, plus all the normal things we need to do every day (like go to work!).

How can you get through the end of the year crunch without losing your mind?

Here’s a little step-by-step approach that will help you survive the holidays and get everything done in a timely manner:

  • Break down everything you need to do in smaller tasks. Not every present needs to be wrapped today, but if you have 30 minutes to spare here or there, take advantage of smaller chunks of time in order to tackle those bigger projects a little at a time.
  • Bundle tasks. For example, if you need to go out, what else needs to be done? Shipping packages; some last-minute shopping and a trip to the grocery store can all be done with a one-car trip. Save time by not going back-and-forth to businesses and to your home.
  • Wait until the holidays are over before taking down the Christmas tree or doing any major cleaning (as long as you’re not hosting this year). Some things can just wait or, if you prefer, you can start gathering and removing holiday decorations in little tasks.
  • If you are really crunched on time, look for and take advantage of time-saving opportunities. For example, several department stores (and other stores) offer gift-wrapping services for a small fee or you might find a non-profit agency offering wrapping services for a donation. This is a huge time saver (and can be a great stress-buster if you don’t like to wrap presents).

Stay calm. Relax and enjoy the holidays. Don’t stress out and feel like things are not in your control. Breathe. Take breaks and remember to enjoy the season!

Evan Vitale – Finding A Seasonal Job

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By Evan Vitale

Many of us look forward to the holidays as it creates seasonal employment opportunities to earn some extra income for gifts, trips, paying off debt, etc. Now – as we head into the busy shopping season – is the time to start looking for a part-time holiday job as many businesses are hiring.

Note: A friend of mine easily picks up a holiday job every year and, in almost every instance, the business asks him to stay at the end of the year.

Here are some ideas on where and how to find seasonal employment:

  • Always keep in mind where you live in relation to where you are applying. Try to stay close to home or close to your other job. That way, you are minimizing travel time between jobs and your home.
  • Decide if you are looking for restaurant or retail work.
  • Consider applying at businesses where you normally shop or places that offer products and services you enjoy. Some businesses will offer employees a shopping discount, so that will mean extra shopping savings and help you stay within your budget.
  • Consider applying at a temp agency. Many businesses prefer to hire through a temp agency giving you a larger employment pool of job opportunities.
  • Be flexible. Chances are good that many retail stores are open Thanksgiving Day and may require you to work nights, evenings, weekends, etc. If you are restrictive in the days and times you are willing to work, you will become less attractive to a potential employer. Of course, if you have another part-time or full-time job, try to make yourself available during other hours of the day, weekend, etc.

Searching for seasonal employment is almost like a full-time job. Dress the part, hit the pavement and be prepared to complete numerous employment applications. Make sure you take a complete list of references, addresses, phone numbers, dates of previous employment, detailed list of skills, etc. This will save you time when completing applications (and there won’t be a need to fumble around on your mobile phone for information).

Start applying for a job today. Chances are good you can find something soon and earn 10-12 weeks of income between now and the end of the year!

Evan Vitale – Save Money, Be Creative

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By Evan Vitale

The holidays will be upon us soon and, for many, the need for extra income becomes an extra financial burden when it comes to purchasing gifts for friends and family members.

Many stay within their means; abide by their budget and buy as their budget allows.

Therefore, our next two blogs offer some suggestions when it comes to gift-giving for the upcoming holidays:

  • Obtaining a part-time job for extra income (next week’s blog).
  • Being more creative with less expensive gifts.

Remember, no matter what you give to someone during the holidays, it’s the thought that counts. If you are going to purchase something, keep the individual in mind and – more importantly – keep your budget in mind!

Inside of buying a gift, here are some great ideas:

  • Consider making him or her a personal photo album. Photos are always appreciated, even more so when you take the time to collect and organize them in a way that will remind the person of a place you visited together or of a family member or event. This is a very inexpensive and impressive gift that anyone would enjoy. It’s always appreciated.
  • Get those creative juices flowing and make a gift basket. Again, include things in the basket that the receiver would enjoy: their favorite candy, snacks, fruit, beverage, etc. Including some baked goods (baked by you) are also appreciated. There’s no limit to what you can create and bundle together to make a personal gift basket. And, yes, men enjoy receiving gift baskets as well!
  • Purchase a small gift and include with it a poem or a story about the person. If the recipient is your romantic better half, you could also buy a series of inexpensive gifts and bundle them together. Think: The 12 Days of Christmas and give the person a “pear” on the first day of Christmas, chocolate turtles (for turtle doves) on the second day of Christmas, etc. Very clever!
  • Make something. If you sew; knit or have good woodworking skills, start now by making someone a personal (and unique) gift. Your costs will be very inexpensive, but the gift would be extremely appreciated!

Get those creative ideas going now and get started working on your gifts!