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NEGOTIATING YOUR PRICE... also...The Weekly Frugal....JobJar Testimonials...

WEB SCAMS:  We are almost convinced that all "Work At Home, Work on the web making a bunch of money" "opportunites" are SCAMS.  At best, most of the ones we've tried or tested are run by people who do not care about your well-being.

One we encountered this week we found on a job website - we can't remember which one, but we'll work on it - listed under "online part-time jobs".  A person with an email address of:  markpeterson75@live.com explained his angle as needing people to "test" a variety of possible scam sites, which, in turn, would often ask for your credit card account (!), (plus the "security code" on the back!) AND might ask you for your checking account numbers in order to subscribe to receive some services and products, which later you can "unsubscribe" or call the web site to "stop" the service you originally subscribed to.  Whoa.  They claimed you would get paid by the hour, $9 per hour. 

Also, this person gave a company name of something like "HomePriz.com".  He said the website was "under construction", so we couldn't see what credentials they had, if any.

Let us know if YOU have encountered any web scams.  We MUST help police the internet for these unscrupulous individuals!  Email us at:  contactthejobjar@yahoo.com.

NEGOTIATING YOUR FEES:  In this current climate, with homeowners deferring major repairs or even minor repairs, with small businesses waiting to do any expanding and just getting by, as someone looking to pick up an extra job or quick work to pay your extra bills, deciding to negotiate your normal fees may be worth considering.

Instead of worrying that negotiating your fees may be detrimental to your reputation or future, you may end up with lots more business, especially through word of mouth, that to do so would be worth your while.  We've come to a time when setting yourself apart from the competition, especially when it comes to pricing and charging your clients, is unarguably on the table.

Clients, whether they be homeowners or small business owners, are looking everywhere to save money.  One of the first questions they will ask you will be to find out what you plan to charge them.  They will be shopping around for the best fee.  You can count on it, in this environment. 

A good question to pose to your prospective employer is "What were you hoping to pay someone for this job?", so that you can get a sense of where they are coming from and figure out what to offer them.

From Berni.   Questions or comments?  contactthejobjar@yahoo.com.

THE WEEKLY FRUGAL:

 (Jan 26, 2009)  I've been working hard at curbing my habit of impulse buying.  I used to find something every day that I just had to have.  Now I've found a trick that works for me.  I create a 2 week shopping list and when I want to buy something that's not life-critical (like medicine or food for meals), I put it on the list.  When the 2 week shopping day arrives, I have allocated a set amount of money to buy things I need, so I have to make trade-offs. Oh, also, the item has to stay on the list for at least 14 days before I can buy it. By waiting 2 weeks, I find many of those items I would have gone out and bought impulsively are items I decide I don't really need after all. Try it!

 (Jan 4, 2009)  About 2 months ago, I purchased small basil and parsley plants at the grocery that were on sale for 1.99 each.  I was tired of paying high prices for fresh herbs, so, at the encouragement of my "gourmet chef" son, I decided to trying growing them myself. I have them by a kitchen window where they get plenty of sun and keep the soil moist (usually watering every day).  Well, that was a good investment, because the plants are flourishing and I "pinch" leaves off every several days for cooking.  If the recipe calls for 1 tsp. of dried herb, I use 1 Tbsp. of fresh, chopped herb. I read that I will need to fertilize the soil eventually, but I am sure I will still save money and also have a wonderful source of fresh basil and parsley.  I might try oregano next.  What about you?  Please share your frugal herb growing tips with me at contactthejobjar@yahoo.com and I will publish them here.

(Jan1, 2009) "See a penny pick it up, all the day you'll have good luck". I am not the superstitious type, but I do pick up pennies.  My husband is a hard-nosed penny picker-upper, and he boasts making 40-60 dollars a year picking up pennies, nickels, and dimes he finds while on his service route.  He pays for most things with cash during the day, and he also saves the change he receives back. He puts them in his pocket and at the end of the day stashes all his change, from purchases and "finds" in a large cloth satchel in his closet. Within the year, he's made a "pretty penny".  You might want to try it this year and see what you make by stashing loose change you've collected during the day. And who knows?  Your luck may improve too.

(Dec 31, 2008) Even on a tight budget, most of us eat out once in a while. I have found a few tricks to make eating out less painful to the pocket.  First, go earlier in the day, if possible.  Lunch is generally the same food as dinner, but at least 20% cheaper.  You may find the portions smaller, but then, do you really need that much? When my Dad took my 3 sisters, Mom, and I to dinner, he always told us in the car before we went in, "Order only water to drink".  With soft beverages costing up to $2.50 a person these days, ordering water can be a real savings at a restaurant (even more savings  if your used to ordering several alcoholic beverages). Hold the drinking until you get home where you can drink good but discounted wine from the local grocery -  and you also won't have to worry about driving under the influence. Splitting dishes and skipping desserts are other ways to cut costs but still enjoy dining out.

(Dec 30, 2008) Do you make New Year's resolutions?  I generally do not, since I believe change can come any time of the year, but this year I am making several "frugal" resolutions you may want to adopt. First, I am resolving to go through the drive-thru only 1 time per week for the family dinner on the way home from work (usually it's 2 or 3 times).  This will save some money and we'll eat healthier by cooking at home. Second, I will bring soft drinks or water from home when I am out doing errands or such.  If I forget and have enough cash, I can stop at McDonald's, as long as they still sell the 1 dollar large drink.

Look here each week for The Weekly Frugal from Gwen.   Do you have a frugal fact to share with other jobjar users?  Email me at:  contacthtejobjar@yahoo.com.   We'll give you credit and print your frugal fact online!