Bank of America charges the unemployed less than most banks for prepaid benefits cards. (Photo Credit CC BY/MoneyBlogNewz)

Prepaid debit cards can work well as a gift, but monthly maintenance fees, withdrawal and ATM fees can take some of the usefulness out of them. According to the National Consumer Law Center, prepaid cards may not be the best way of distributing benefits to more than 13 million unemployed in the U.S., as is the custom in 40 U.S. states. When already meager benefits are diminished by a bevy of fees, the unemployed are left with very little.

States should work harder for consumers

A major finding in the NCLC report is that the overdraft, ATM and transaction fees prepaid card issuers charge could be lower if states negotiated more aggressively on behalf of their unemployed. The states benefit from lower administration costs by not having to issue unemployment benefits in the form of paper checks, so working harder on behalf of the populace would be fair trade. While most states make it clear up front that the unemployed have the option of direct deposit or a prepaid debit card, Arizona, Colorado, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Oregon default to debit card. This is a practice that NCLC managing attorney Lauren Saunders says harms consumers.

“Prepaid card junk fees stack the deck against jobless Americans who need every dollar during a financially stressful time,” she told ConsumerAffairs.com.

Prepaid card fees vary by state

According to Saunders, prepaid fees and practices can vary from state to state, even for cards issued by the same bank. U.S. Bank charges overdraft fees in five states, the highest in Arkansas, where overdrafts cost $20. Most states charge only $1.50. ATM fees are standard in four states, not just for purchases, but merely for checking balance.

Among all state unemployment benefit systems studied by the NCLC report, Arkansas, Idaho, Nebraska, Ohio and Oregon are the worst when it comes to overdraft fees, ranging from $10 to $20 per incident. Not coincidentally, U.S. Bank is the card-issuing bank in all five states. The highest number of individual “junk fees” appear on JP Morgan Chase prepaid cards in Tennessee.

Doing the right thing for the unemployed

Saunders stated that not only does the NCLC report highlight which states need to cut a better deal for unemployment benefits debit cards, it highlights that the need for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is greater than it has ever been. Considering that only California and New Jersey aid their unemployed by keeping prepaid card fees to a bare minimum – both states are served by Bank of America – the Bureau has much work ahead.

Sources

Bankrate.com

ConsumerAffairs.com

GreenDot.com

Navigating the dog days of unemployment can be made easier if you're careful with your unemployment check. (Photo Credit: CC BY-SA/Robin Alexa/A.K.A. Binsk)

The process of pounding the pavement for work can cause perpetual frustration for the unemployed. The sometimes fruitless nature of a job search must not blind consumers to the fact that they’ll have to make that unemployment check stretch. To accomplish this, financially sound decisions are necessary.

Reaching backward for relief

The U.S. job market may be slowly improving, but that doesn’t mean the necessity to live frugally on unemployment benefits has gone out the window. Simply cutting out the Starbucks and buying less at the grocery store won’t do it, advises AOL Jobs. To begin with, personal finance expert Jean Chatzky suggests working backward. Once you’ve locked down the essential, fixed expenses, you can focus on what may have to go.

“I think the easiest way to budget is backward,” she says. “This is where my money is going now and then you can make changes.”

Know your expenses outside fixed costs

Austerity measures must be put to action when you have only an unemployment check to rely upon. This goes beyond savings, reminds Chatzky. It’s about taking an ax to those things that aren’t essential, fixed monthly costs in your budget. Rent, mortgage and car payments are inescapable, and they also don’t change from month to month. If public transportation is an option, however, it would be wise to consider the expense of maintaining a vehicle.

That leaves the non-essentials like cable TV and Internet. If you have 600 channels but feel like there’s nothing on most of the time, consider the TV bill carefully. Similarly, the Internet can be a time-waster, although it can also be an invaluable job search tool. If you must cut that one, consider using the Internet at your public library.

“The people that I’ve seen throughout this recession that have the biggest problems are the ones who continued to live as if there were two salaries coming into the family when there was really only one,” says Chatzky.

More revenue-generating, future-preserving ideas

The unemployed may have to consider some difficult questions in order to remain above water financially. Will you rent out that room above the garage, pull the kids out of private school or sell your prized guitar collection?

Taking money out of a retirement account like a 401(k) is an option some consider, although financial experts advise that the unemployed not touch that money unless it is a dire emergency. That nest egg was built for a reason, and the tax penalties can amount to 30 or 40 cents on the dollar for early withdrawal. In the worst case scenario where debt is absolutely smothering, filing for bankruptcy may be an option, although doing so is not as easy as it was a few years ago. Consult with a credit counselor.

Source

AOL Jobs

North Carolina Gov. Bev Perdue on unemployment benefits

Think the picture for the U.S. job market is crystal clear? Think again. (Photo Credit: CC BY-ND/Renee Silverman/Flickr)

Forbes reports that January unemployment figures paint what some people consider to be a rosy picture. A decline to 9 percent unemployment has been hailed as “the fastest pace in half a century,” and people say they’re finding work. However, this data conflicts with a recent business survey reflecting weak job growth in January, hinting once again that the national media’s view of the unemployment rate is as blurry as ever.

Labor Department encouraged by unemployment data

Government surveys attribute the unemployment slide to 9 percent as a natural by-product of strong January data. One government survey that included the self-employed found that more than 500,000 people found work, but a survey by the U.S. Department of Labor noted that only 36,000 net jobs were created, which happens to be only a quarter of what the U.S. needed to keep up with population growth.

Nigel Gault, the chief U.S. economist at job forecasting firm IHS Global Insight, told Forbes that the drop in unemployment was not a drop in the labor force, but of actual job creation – even if many of those jobs come via self-employment. The total gain of 165,000 jobs via self-employment in January is the highest total since last May. Yet the self-employed do not factor into unemployment surveys that focus on corporate payroll numbers, which causes some confusion when job market numbers are reported.

Those who give up are invisible

Another problem that plagues unemployment rate reports is that the U.S. government no longer counts people who have stopped looking for work as being unemployed, but independent surveys do keep track. According to Forbes, in January 2.8 million threw in the towel; 200,000 more than in December. Some were simply discouraged, while others returned to school. Regardless of the reason, the participation rate – or the percentage of those working-age people out looking for employment – hit a 26-year low of 64.2 percent.

Fewer jobs created in 2010 than previously thought

Government analysts’ early estimate was that 1.1 million jobs were created in 2010, but further analysis found that 950,000 was a more accurate total. As analysts continue to struggle with conflicting data, consumers in need of more money than their jobs provide will continue to look to payday loans, perhaps until the country’s economic direction becomes more clear.

Source

Forbes

Are you actually unemployed?

Organization is needed to find a job

Organization is one of the keys to start with. A good routine would be to start each day off as if you are actually going to work. It can give you the confidence you need when talking on the phone with prospective employers and gets you prepared to jump on an opportunity the moment it is presented.

A quality resume

An important part of organization is to have an updated, quality resume on hand at all times, especially when you are filling out job applications or going in for job interviews. This tells the company a little bit more about you and what you have accomplished. For help with creating a resume, there are many examples that you can find on the internet. Or you may want to contact a professional who can assist you with your resume in exchange for a small fee. If you are in need of their services but don’t have the money at hand to get it, you can always look into getting a short term loan or a bad credit installment loan.

Adaption is another great key

Being adaptable is another great key in finding work because it can get you back in the workforce, even if it is not exactly what you are looking for. If you’re willing to work different schedules and/or in a different area of work than what you’re use to, it may give you the opportunity to get back into the routine of going to work and eventually finding work in your field at a later time.

Prepare ahead of time

The last key is to be adequately prepared when you do get job interviews. It has been said that an interviewer assesses your appearance in just three seconds. Always arrive a little early for your appointment. This could make a huge difference in you whether you get the job or not. Look your interviewer in the eye, try to remain calm and not fidget, have a firm handshake and don’t forget a warm smile. When the interview is done, tell the interviewer you hope to hear back soon and anticipate the opportunity to work for them.

Millions of unemployed workers are searching for ways to bring in payday cash. The unemployment rate remains high and job creation is still in the beginning stages. Although the government is proposing more tax breaks for companies willing to start hiring, the laws are not likely to go into effect until late this year. In the meantime, unemployed workers are left to manage on their own.

Some good news

Despite the state of the economy, there is some good news. Companies are hiring and some of them are paying well. At least 500 job openings were posted in January of 2010, and job availability shows signs of increasing as the year progresses.

Edward Jones. Edward Jones is a company of financial advisors. The organization is looking for “self-starters” who know how to predict customers’ financial need. Their main goal is to build customer-centric managers who understand how serving clients is the key to building long-term business. According to a spokeswoman for the company, Regina DeLuca-Imral, “affability” is the number one asset an applicant can bring to the table.

Wegmans Food Markets. Wegmans Food Markets boasts 1,500 job openings nationwide. The company is looking for customer-service agents, chefs, team leaders, and managers. With a wide range of business opportunities, Wegmans is one of the best companies to interview with. In an article on Yahoo.com, Wegmans’ spokesperson Wendy Gallucci, said “We look for employees who are food enthusiasts and passionate about providing incredible services to our customers. Because we focus on helping customers make great meals easy, we look for employees willing to share their knowledge.”

Cisco. Cisco has approximately 595 openings. Almost half the available jobs involve networking, software, and electrical-engineering skills. The remainder includes positions in HR, sales, finance, marketing, manufacturing, engineering, and project management. Cisco has diverse hiring needs which means that a wide variety of unemployed workers may be successful in applying at the company. In the Yahoo.com article, Cisco HR-communications manager Jennifer Ho said, “The interview team is assessing organizational fit and whether the candidate will be successful leveraging his abilities to make a sustainable impact.”

Whole Foods Market. Whole Foods Market is another diverse employer. The company has 1,160 openings including positions in seafood, prepared foods, customer service, produce, and floral. The company prides itself in hiring people who are “passionate” over those who are “experienced.” That’s great news for less-educated applicants looking for jobs. A positive attitude is one of the main qualifications the company looks for in job candidates.

Ernst & Young. This company has 622 openings, and again, they cover a wide range of job descriptions. Positions in finance, taxes, supply chain, IT, and change consulting are all waiting to be filled. Larry Nash, recruiting director, said that the company wants those who are “positive and enthusiastic.” The company seeks out candidates who are proactive with the potential to be strong team members.

The future of the hiring market

Unemployed workers looking for payday cash have at least some options. Large companies are hiring and expanding. The recession stifled the hiring process, but now that it is over new jobs are slowly being created. With some careful searching, workers in need of a pay day do have hope of finding employment again.

Apply for payday cash HERE!

So you’re out of a job. In today’s economy, that’s sadly more common than it used to be: The unemployment rate for January 2010 was 9.7 percent. Although some economists are predicting that the end of the slump might soon be in sight, a lot of people aren’t out of the woods yet. However, if you find yourself suddenly let go by your employer, don’t panic. Even though you won’t have a regular pay day any more (meaning no more payday loans), you will still be able to weather the storm if you follow a few simple steps.

Apply for unemployment benefits

First, immediately apply for unemployment benefits. If you didn’t do it when you were terminated, do it now. If you were let go for economic or similar reasons — basically, through no fault of your own — you should be able to collect unemployment. The funds are there for people in your situation, and it’s foolish not to take advantage of a program that can help you stay afloat while you begin the process of looking for a new job.

The power of networking

Next, get the word out. “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know,” goes the saying, and there’s a lot of truth to that. Obviously, your skill and experience are what will ultimately get you your next job, but the best way to find that job is through savvy networking. Get in touch with your friends and former coworkers and let them know that you’re actively and aggressively looking for work. Send out feelers via online networks like Facebook and Twitter. Do everything you can to let people know that you’re on the job hunt, and that includes being willing to chat about any freelance or outside-the-box opportunities that might be available. You never know where a job, however brief, might lead. This is time to lean on your professional and personal relationships.

Keep a positive mindset

Finally, get proactive. Being laid off can feel like a personal rejection (“Did they not like me?”) as well as a professional one (“Did I not work hard enough?”). But the reality of the situation is that economic forces beyond your control are the main cause of unemployment these days. It happens all the time. I was laid off last year, and though I reeled for the first few days, I realized that the best defense really is a good offense. If you’re out of a job, you need to take action. Update your resume and set up accounts with job-hunting Web sites like Monster and Career Builder. Be relentless in your search and apply for jobs every day. For the unemployed, looking for work is a job, one to which you need to devote your entire range of resources. It can be tough to stay positive, but the best way to move on from your setback is to put your energy into finding new work. Losing your job can be devastating, but how you handle it will determine your next position. Stay strong and keep looking.

By-line:

This guest post is contributed by Raine Parker, who writes on the topics of accounting degree online .  She welcomes your comments at her email Id: raine.parker6@gmail.com.

For the unemployed, looking for payday cash can be harrowing. There is good news, though, since more companies are expected to open their doors this year. The recession is finally considered over and that means that slowly businesses are hiring. The government is taking the lead on squashing the unemployment rate and promising to create 600,000 jobs this year. That’s great news for an unemployed public that is well into the millions.

Government jobs on the rise

For anyone looking to work for the government, there are perks. The number of six-figure earning employees is set to rise along with the larger pool of workers. Here are some of the jobs that the government is currently looking to fill:

• FBI/Special Agent. This job isn’t only made up for the movies. In fact, it is a real position that is needed. The job description, according to the FBIJobs.gov website, is “As an FBI Special Agent you may work on matters including terrorism, foreign counterintelligence, cyber crime, organized crime, white-collar crime, public corruption, civil rights violations, financial crime, bribery, bank robbery, extortion, kidnapping, air piracy, interstate criminal activity, fugitive and drug-trafficking matters, and other violations of federal statutes.” The annual salary is anywhere between $57,000 and $74,000.
• IT Specialist. Though this position is a bit more boring than an FBI Special Agent, it still has its perks. The annual salary for an IT Specialist is $123,000 to $155,000. The job entails the procurement of equipment, hardware/software maintenance, training, design changes, long range planning, and all other system integration within the division.” (www.FBIJobs.gov).
• Aerospace Engineer. This is a job that focuses on designing and developing civil aircrafts. The job is an exciting one for any engineer and can hone his or her skill. This job has an annual salary range of $91,000 to $414,000.
• Writer/Editor. The Securities and Exchange Commission is looking for help. The job involves proofreading and updating materials related to financial services. The salary for this position is between $96,000 and $171,000. That’s good news for struggling writers who have the credentials to warrant payday cash from the government.
• Wildlife Biologist. This title is also called a “Grizzly Bear Habitat Coordinator” and the employee will be a “principle liaison for grizzly bear management among the Forest Service’s northern Region, Rocky Mountain Region and Intermountain Region.” The annual salary is $68,000 to $89,000.
• Intelligence Officer/Defense Intelligence Agency. An intelligence officer is the closest to what people watch on TV and in the movies. These are the agents that take on high-threat issues for US officials and representatives. The salary for this position is between $89,000 and $136,000 a year. Projects include counter-intelligence work and monitoring of national level operations.

Government positions

The key to finding the right position is to focus on skills. Just like any other employer, the government is looking for the right person for the right job. It’s crucial to create a good resume and then follow the application instructions at the FBI website. It may take some careful planning, but having payday cash directly from Uncle Sam can be a blessing to anyone who has been searching for a job since the recession first began.

Start your payday cash loan application HERE!

Payday cash may not be what it once was. David Becker of Wisconsin was laid off from his job in IT last year. It’s been a difficult time and he’s been looking for work in every place imaginable. He finally found a job, but it was in Nevada and the pay was $25,000 less than his old position. More and more unemployed workers are finding themselves in the same predicament. They take a job after months of searching, but have to accept considerably lower pay. People have been searching for employment for months now and with choices few and far between, they are settling for smaller pay, in return for security.

The new job market

In the recovering economy, one of the biggest problems is salary decline. Employers are starting to create new jobs, but being frugal with starting salaries, benefits, and incentives. Experts warn consumers that though there is research being gathered on the market, it doesn’t necessarily reflect the reality of what is happening. For example, the government reported that new jobs are being created. What they didn’t report was that those jobs are nowhere near the salary levels of pre-recessionary times. People, who used to earn $80,000 a year, may have to accept jobs for $50,000. That means they will have less money to spend, and less money to fuel the economy. Marisa DiNatale, director at Moody’s Economy.com, said, “In most cases, it means a subdued expansion, for sure.”

The long-term effect of lower salaries

People who are hired at lower salaries tend to lag behind for a long time. Playing financial catch-up is difficult. For example, a Columbia University study showed that workers laid off during the recession of the 80s earned 20% less than workers who weren’t laid off, even two decades after they were rehired.

The amount of payday cash workers have today is being hampered by employers, but employers are not necessarily to blame. They are like everyone else in the post-recession market wondering where the market is going and how quickly it will recover. DiNatalie added, “Employers are hiring, but cautiously. That probably is going to last for at least another nine to twelve months.”

Still the change in salary isn’t stopping people from taking lower-paying jobs. April Moore, an unemployed worker who took a job for 25% less than her former salary, said “I wanted the immediate security.” After being out of work for so long, many job seekers are finding themselves in the same position. They would rather have the security of any job at a lower pay rate, and then continue searching for a job that may not ever be found.

Hope for the future job market

Despite the change in salary, there is still hope for the job market. Traditionally, conservative pay is an offshoot of any decline in the market. Marco Von Wachter, a Columbia economics professor, said, “The first jobs to emerge from a recession typically are not well-paying ones.” Though payday cash may be lower, it is still a good sign that the job market is on the upswing. That is proof that the recession is over and the economy is starting to recover.

Need payday cash? Apply HERE today!

Have you been thinking of working at home?

Cash today is not easy to come by. Ask the millions of Americans who are currently unemployed due to cutbacks and layoffs. A growing number of them are turning to self-employment as a means of supporting themselves. Though this may seem like the best option, experts caution people to not move to working from their homes too quickly. There are some things to be aware of and weigh out prior to making the decision.

Working out of the house

Working out of the house can sound like a great idea. But in reality, it has to be done carefully and with a lot of forethought. Although it is the least expensive place to work, there can be considerable distractions. A dirty house, laundry, or the mall can all drag you away from the work at hand. Remember that if you are self-employed you have no one standing over you anymore to get work done. Now, productivity is totally in your hands and managing it well is integral to a successful entrepreneurial pursuit.

Another distraction that most self-employed Americans have to worry about is family and friends. It’s sometimes difficult to get loved-ones to understand that just because you are home, doesn’t mean you are available to socialize. Stopping them from visiting unexpectedly can be a difficult, but necessary, topic to address.

For those ready to be self-employed

If you are ready to work as a self-employed American, here are some tips to follow. First of all, get the right office set-up. You want a separate area of the house where business is conducted. Even if no clients are involved, you want a place where you are mentally prepared to work and be productive. Ideally, an extra bedroom, basement or attic can be used effectively as a home office. Martha Grable, small business coach, said, “Make sure your home office helps to get you into work-mode. Just like working in an office has a certain vibe, you want to recreate that in your workspace.”

When it comes to earning cash today, the self-employed need to remember to be organized. Grable stated, “Too many business owners make the mistake of piling invoices, receipts and bills up and never addressing them until the task is too big to handle.” The best thing to do to avoid disorganization is to schedule an hour at the end of a week, or two-week period, and organize all paperwork. It’s an integral part of a self-employed person’s routine and needs to be prioritized.

Another tip for successful self-employment is to set regular business hours. Though it’s tempting to start work at noon when you aren’t punching a time clock, remember that there is a reason most corporations start bright and early in the morning. Grable added, “Getting up early is another way to mentally prepare yourself for a workday…get your coffee, make your breakfast, but then get to work.”

Is self-employment right for you

Figuring out if self-employment is right for you can be done quickly. The bottom line for every business is cash-flow. If an entrepreneur is trying to gauge his or her success, looking at the amount of cash today is a good barometer. Grable said, “There is a learning curve with every business and having a good cash reserve is necessary at start-up…but once the business is up and running liquid assets are a key indicator of where the business is going and whether or not an owner is going to achieve their goals.”

Apply Here for Cash Today!

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Finding some Help at Home

There are a lot of people out there these days that really need money now. Unlike when the economy is in decent shape, in these tough financial times it is not just the people you would expect to be in trouble, but almost everyone who is short on cash. Many people are looking for work right now, and others who already have a job are searching for a way to bring in a little more. There are stay-at-home parents who would love to earn some money to contribute to household expenses and students and retirees that would like to bring in some extra cash too. Fortunately there are ways to earn from the comfort of your own home (or coffee shop), as long as you have access to a computer and the internet.

Step Write Up

If you have a background in writing through education and/or experience or just consider yourself to be a decent writer, it is very possible to make a respectable amount of money writing online. If you need money now, this can be a relatively quick way to start earning. Websites need fresh content to help keep their search engine rankings up and many site owners do not want to write the content themselves. If you have writing samples or references available you are already ahead of the game. If not, don’t despair. Get started by writing for a site such as this to build up your portfolio, get some practice and make some money while you are at it. You can also start your own blog. Once you have a few samples, there are countless job boards that post freelance jobs that you can check out and apply for. Just be aware that there are scams out there. Sometimes a potential client will ask you to write a sample for them, but are trying to get writing pieces for nothing.

Learn Internet Marketing for Free

One area that has the potential to be a huge money maker is internet marketing, but it can also use up a lot of your time and make you little to no money too. If you have some spare time on your hands and are interested in learning from some of the best (and most entertaining) internet marketers, it is a good idea to check out a free online course called The 30 Day Challenge. Their slogan is, “There is no charge for awesomeness”. They mean it too; there are no strings here. It is just some very successful internet marketers who walk you through the basics of getting started in internet marketing. It is a truly amazing amount of content that they offer for free and is worth a look if you are interested.

How may I Assist you?

If you have worked as an office assistant or have done clerical work of some sort out in the real world, there are plenty of virtual assistant jobs available online. Virtual assistants provide many of the same services as in-office assistants (word processing, answering calls and emails, book keeping, etc.), but work from the comfort of their own homes. There are many job sites that focus specifically on work from home positions.

Get Online and Start Looking!

Many people who need money now do not realize how many opportunities exist online. Once you start looking you may find that there is so much potential you will never go back to the daily grind. Really, how bad can it be to set your own schedule?

Apply here for Money Now

Desperate financial times drive some to choose desperate measures. Don't give up, however. Think through your situation and find suitable answers.

With the current recession underway, the only proof visible that anything has changed is the stagnant rise in the cost of well, everything – and the fact that it has become extremely difficult to get a job. I live in Norway, and if you have ever been to Scandinavia you will know that the cost of a beer is around $12 for a pint. Yet I still find myself at times surprised. I enquired with the local paper just the other day to find out that to place a two-line advertisement in the job wanted section would cost around $400. That means that you would need a job just to be able to afford the ad asking for one. Making serious money usually always involves risk, but merely searching for a job should be risk-free.

Crime Rises with Unemployment

It is inevitable that the crime rates will rise with not enough being done to assist the unemployed. Garard O’Neill, the director of Amarach Research, has commented on the possibility of social unrest and that a large group of jobless men were “a recipe for chaos” and that “it’s a demographic fact that single men between 20 and 25 are the core group responsible for social disturbance.”

What exactly is the breaking point of the average man? Short of going on government assistance, if someone tries every avenue they can to make a living for themselves and their family but just can’t find a reasonable solution, at what point do they decide that they need to resort to more drastic measures? The truth is it can be difficult, but it is important for one to never give up. As soon as you decide that there isn’t a solution, anything that may have been available will close to you. If you use your brain to consider your options and the fact that there are an infinite number of ways to make money without resorting to illegal or dishonest methods, it is possible to come out back on top. Just don’t give up.

The Temptation of Credit Cards

They tempt you in between your favorite television programs, on the radio while you drive your car and they are even there to entice you while you read E-mails or surf the Web. Credit cards and loans can be your friends, but they can also be evil things if they aren’t used properly. They can finance your enterprise that is sinking in troubled waters; help kick start your new business model; or even serve as a back-up measure for those that have work but want some insurance if they become redundant.

Unfortunately, some people decide to borrow money for the wrong reasons. They may borrow to continue living a lifestyle to which they had so desperately become accustomed. When that happens, all they accumulate is debt. That is the reason why we all got into this mess in the first place. According to the New York Times, experts predict that millions of Americans will not be able to pay off their debts, leaving a gaping hole at ailing banks still trying to recover from the housing bust. Stress test results have suggested that the nation’s 19 biggest banks could expect nearly $82.4 billion in credit card losses by the end of 2010.

Where Is My Shovel?

You can decide right now if you want to dig yourself into a deeper hole or perhaps take some time instead to sit back, have a cup of coffee and think about ways to dig yourself out. Knowledge is power and the World Wide Web is full of it. Have a look around and search for the many ways to make money both offline and online. By now you have learned that nothing in this world worth having comes easy. That applies to everything, so stop looking for the easy solution and be prepared to get your hands dirty.