Comments on: Reader Mailbag #59

By: Syble Solomon

Syble Solomon — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 00:43:36 +0000

For the woman who is looking to go back to work after 20 years. Any employer will want to know she’s current and has already shown she has made an effort to be prepared. Knowing basic computer skills is essential and the more she can show she knows different programs and is comfortable using EXCEL, Word, etc. the more marketable she will be. If she wants to get into more creative work, take Illustrator, Photoshop or those types of programs. Her attitude will be more important than any one skill–Taking classes, doing temp work and being sure she is groomed and dressed appropriately will show the attitude they are looking for.

By: FruGreen

FruGreen — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 00:58:51 +0000

@Sandy: I had the same problem with 3 Canon cameras I have. After a search, I found these pages which describe the error and give instructions on how to get them fixed for free by Canon. I believe there is a known problem with the chip, which they will replace even though the camera is no longer under warranty. You might call them up again and see if they will do it. Good luck.

http://camerarepair.blogspot.com/2007/11/canon-digital-cameras-showing-black.html

http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=PgComSmModDisplayAct&fcategoryid=225&modelid=13390&keycode=2112&id=29819

By: Dave

Dave — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 23:55:37 +0000

Another question, randomly:

I have started a new job which will leave me with quite a bit of extra money to save, spend, invest, whatever. Over the next year I plan on establishing a fairly healthy emergency fund, paying off all of my debt, and still having enough left over to do something with. I’ve contemplated putting the money into my Roth IRA, but I’ve also contemplated using the money for a business venture; I don’t have a solid plan now, nor would I really need one until I have that money to make a decision with anyways, but I was wondering your take on the issue – when would you advise one or the other?

By: Mol

Mol — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 22:23:25 +0000

Question – I just became the Senator of Finance in an International Honor Society I am a part of. Most members are not too active, but I have a lot of gusto, and I am wanting to do a fund raising event every month, but not overwhelm or bore our chapter. Did you come across any interesting ideas catered towards this kind of thing in college?

By: JoannMe

JoannMe — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 18:26:20 +0000

I am 56. In ’83 I got a BA degree in art with a minor in humanities. I tried having my own business but was unable to make a go of it. I had 3 children to support so I started taking any job I could find. Now I am a cashier in a dining hall at the local university.
I’ve heard several people say go to college and get a degree. Well what if you already have a degree? I took a Microsoft class this spring hoping to make myself more employable but I don’t know where to head to from here. I don’t have a clue as to the type of job that would best suit me and I am definately open to more training but from where? Do any of your readers have suggestions?
By the way I love your articles. I find you have arrived at a level of maturity not often seen in today’s media. Keep up the good work.

By: KeptWench

KeptWench — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 14:10:59 +0000

I know of one temp agency that offers free training in Microsoft Office. As someone else mentioned, many public libraries offer classes too.

My local community college has a program for women who want to get a degree and/or return to the workforce for whatever reason.. they provide many different types of assistance for no charge, including things free loaner textbooks, help with financial aid and scholarship paperwork, counseling, tutoring help, and aptitude testing to see what kind of job one might be suited for.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 03:49:42 +0000

Hey Trent, Your blog makes me think more entreprenurially (is that a word?)- Thank you. Here’s an idea – not income generating, but one I’m tossing around. With all the singles websites out there, & having tried most of the mainstreamers- I’m interested in starting some kind of internet “thing” which would target religious progressive singles. I’ve thought about doing it as a Facebook page, a blog – don’t want to spend much $, if any. Have any advice on which “venue” would be best? Esp. since success would mean it was easily searchable? THANKS.

By: Beatriz

Beatriz — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 22:01:55 +0000

I would buy an autographed copy of your book; I haven’t read it yet and I would like to. I don’t like signed bookplates, but that is an easier way to go for you; you’d just have to buy some in bulk and tell people to send a request with a SASE. Maybe a local bookstore could handle the autographed copies for you if you go that route.

By: Jessica

Jessica — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 19:58:56 +0000

To the stay at home mom. Please contact your local workforce center (I work in one.) You should qualify for the Dislocated Worker Program, under the displaced homemakers catagory. This is a free program that has some training dollars and you will get hooked up with employment counselor.

By: MelodyO

MelodyO — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 18:04:59 +0000

Great post, Trent! I love mailbag days. :0)

LOL, I was just WAITING for someone to respond to your negative comments remarks with a negative comment. There’s criticsm and then there’s bile. I’ve seen both in the comments on this blog, and I admire you for handling all of it with grace.

And I do have to kick in a comment to the woman wanting to enter the workforce after a 20 year absence. It always makes me sad that the only options offered to so many women seem to be secretarial in nature. Why couldn’t she start a small service business or make crafts or take a short course to learn a new, non-secretarial skill? Keep your options open, my dear! I’m rooting for you!

By: TW

TW — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 17:42:36 +0000

Trent,

First off, thank you for your valuable work–your blog has been a favorite of mine for some time now.

My wife and I are expecting our first child in a couple of months and I would like to set up an account for him now to benefit him later–to take advantage of compound interest.

For background, you should know that:
1. His great grandpa has already pledged to cover $60K for his college expenses, a wonderful blessing to be sure.
2. We have no debt, are earning solid income (active and passive) and our retirement plans are in place–we are on track.
3. We are in a position to give $10K to our son.

I’d like to set up an investment account where the money could grow tax free until it is needed. College/grad school will likely cost more than $60K, so possibly the funds would be needed then–but I do not want to limit the funds to pay for education. Perhaps our son will just let the money grow until his retirement–65 years is a lot of time and could result in a hefty sum some day. Perhaps he will use the funds to buy his first home.

My intention is to buy stocks in solid american companies and to just let it ride. Nike, McDonalds, Altria, Apple, Walmart, Verizon come to mind. Dividends would be reinvested.

Do you know of an easy way to set up a tax free self-directed (low fee) investment account for my son?

Thank you.

By: kev

kev — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 17:12:31 +0000

Isn’t Jim Cramer the guy who got skewered alive for financial quackery on the Daily Show last month?

By: Melody

Melody — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 15:40:38 +0000

Denise, if you’re really interested in being a multimedia artist and work with adobe, look at sitegrinder. It lets you make websites visually using photoshop – pretty impressive results w/o writing code. They have a trial version that leaves a watermark on the site, so you can make sure it works for you for free. Then you can host the file anywhere…Sitegrinder is mainly for visual layout, however, so if you’re focused more on writing it may not be right for you.

By: Chris

Chris — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 15:28:54 +0000

I would enjoy a signed copy of your book!

By: Becky

Becky — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 14:23:51 +0000

I read the letter from the woman who was re-entering the work force. GCFlearnfree.com is a free website that offers computer and office programs such as Word, Excel, etc. You can learn at your own pace, or take a class. It’s well worth the time.

By: Doug Dawson

Doug Dawson — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 13:54:27 +0000

Mary, I suggest you see what computer classes are available at your local library. Many public libraries offer classes in Microsoft Office software and internet tools. In addition, you can find guidance on updating your resume and using the latest job-hunting tools. Good luck!

By: shannon barr

shannon barr — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 12:56:18 +0000

i would be interested in buying a signed copy of your book as well. :)

By: dream

dream — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 11:57:17 +0000

I just wanted to say that weebly.com is where I started my website/blog it’s free and already has an adsense running on it…now if someone will actually start reading it……..lol

By: Patricia

Patricia — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 08:25:02 +0000

Love your newsletter. It’s like a phone call from a friend. :)
The fellow who inherited the gold should keep it! The paper ‘money’ he would get for it isn’t worth the paper it’s printed on. Gold is real money. Paper money is just paper, and becoming more inflated daily.
I enjoy your ‘do it yourself’ articles very much.
About the $10 argument: perhaps the stores make the process so unpleasant – purposely – so that the customer is too embarrassed to stake his claim. I can see where this policy could save the stores a lot of money. I would try to get my discount – as pleasantly as possible – but if the store has promised it and you’ve met their conditions, you should certainly get your discount.
Keep up the good work! I enjoy reading your daily postings.

By: Jenn

Jenn — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 04:43:10 +0000

Dave – Have you considered container gardening or raised bed gardening? Look for a book at your local library or Google “Earthboxes”. You can also find good, small-space container gardening videos on YouTube.

I think that there is also something called a AeroGarden for sale at Target or Amazon, although it is pretty expensive. It grows hydroponic salad greens and herbs. Don’t know if it will grow peppers. Good luck with your gardening! :)