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Handling Hard Times ~ Understanding and coping with the economic slowdown.

Archive for the 'Economizing' Tag

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Unemployment leads to more food bank clients

June 2nd, 2009, 3:39 pm by Sarah Tully

foodbankSecond Harvest Food Bank is reporting a 32 percent increase in the number of clients in recent months.

A spike in need is related to more people becoming unemployed or losing hours at work. Also, the local food bank is seeing more demand from residents of south Orange County cities, including Irvine and Mission Viejo, said Joe Schoeningh, the bank's director.

Second Harvest, along with the Los Angeles Regional Foodbank, held a teleconference with reporters today to explain the spike in need and how it could worsen with state budget cuts.

Read a full story here.

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Posted in: Coping • • | Post a Comment »

Irvine: city of bargains?

May 11th, 2009, 5:42 pm by Greg Hardesty, staff writer

Irvine has been called many things, but cheap isn't at the top of the list. Just ask a renter or homeowner.

Things must really be tough: the city has launched a PR offensive to attract visitors during key tourist seasons.

In March, Irvine publicized an "affordable staycation" for families "to relax, destress and enjoy spring break without breaking the bank." The promo, championed by the Irvine Chamber Visitors Bureau, guaranteed the cheapest hotel rates in town if rooms were booked through the bureau's Web site, at www.irvinecvb.org/

Now, the city is gearing up for a new campaign, says PR specialist Tiffany Massey, of Lucid Fusion Public Relations --- in Irvine, of course.

The Irvine Chamber Visitors Bureau is offering $25 back to customers who book a two-night stay at city hotels and $50 back to those who book a three-night stay. The promotion begins Memorial Day weekend and runs through Labor Day.

No word yet on whether the Irvine Co., the city's landlord, plans to slash rents anytime soon.

Posted in: Coping • | 1 Comment »

Calendar of job, budget events (May 2 and on)

May 2nd, 2009, 3:00 am by Colin Stewart

Saturday, May 2

A Woman's Journey Towards Financial Independence This Edward Jones workshop explores strategies for helping women achieve their financial goals. $10. Saturday 9:00 a.m. (714) 639-3561 or online. Edward Jones: Branch office of Craig Shipcott, 2842 E. Chapman Ave., Orange

Monday, May 4

Good Sense Budgeting Seminar The seminar will offer sensible financial advice and help participants develop their individual spending plan. To register online, go to marinerschurch.com. Cost is $15 for materials. Monday 6:30 p.m.. (949) 854-7030, ext. 358 or http://www.marinerschurch.org Mariners Church, 5001 Newport Coast Dr., Irvine

Monday, May 4

"Charting Your Career Path" Sponsored by UCI Extension, it aims to arm students with valuable strategies for successful job search and career exploration.  Free. 5:00 p.m. (714) 573-0899 or http://www.extension.uci.edu/careerpanel UCI Campus: Student Center, Pacific Ballroom D, Irvine, CA 92697

Monday, May 4

Career Coaching Career Coaching is design to serve your needs, provide professional support environment with the goal of reducing the amount of time spent in career transition. Free.  7 p.m.  Info:  (949) 609-8369 or online. Saddleback Church, One Saddleback Pkwy., Lake Forest

Tuesday, May 5

Career Fair 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Info online.  Los Angeles Convention Center, 1201 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles

Tuesday, May 5

Budget Forum 7:00 p.m. http://www.efchb.org Evangelical Free Church, 19891 Beach Blvd., Huntington Beach

Wednesday, May 6

Job Strategies. The president of a recruiting firm will present a detailed template for how to organize and maximize a job search. Session is part of Surviving the Economic Tsunami series. 7 p.m. 949- 249-1218 or www.lnpc.org Laguna Niguel Presbyterian Church, 30071 Ivy Glenn Dr., Laguna Niguel.

Wednesday, May 6

Interviewing Skills Presented by Andre Lane, GWC Counselor. Free. 1:00 p.m. For more information, contact the Re-Entry/CalWORKs Office 714 895-8111 or visit Web site. Community Center 102, Golden West College, 15744 Goldenwest St., Huntington Beach

Saturday, May 9

Job Strategies Workshop. Follow-up to Job Strategies session of May 6 with an opportunity to join ongoing small groups. Session is part of Surviving the Economic Tsunami series. 9 a.m. 949- 249-1218 or www.lnpc.org Laguna Niguel Presbyterian Church, 30071 Ivy Glenn Dr., Laguna Niguel.

Wednesday, May 13

Going Forward Financial Planning. CSU-Long Beach and Saddleback College instructor will present ways to establish or improve personal financial planning. Session is part of Surviving the Economic Tsunami series. 7 p.m. 949- 249-1218 or www.lnpc.org Laguna Niguel Presbyterian Church, 30071 Ivy Glenn Dr., Laguna Niguel.

Wednesday, May 13

Job Searching Workshop Need assistance with Job Searching and / or Filing Unemployment? Attend a free workshop at the Brea Library. Drop by the information desk or call to sign up since space is limited. Free. Wednesday 10:30 a.m.. (714) 671-1722 or http://www.ocpl.org Brea Branch Library, One Civic Center Circle, Brea

Wednesday, May 13

Monster/OCR Job Fair 30 exhibitors expected. Info online. Sheraton Park Hotel at the Anaheim Resort 10am-3pm.

Friday, May 15

UC Irvine Extension Free Job Fair Resume critique booths are also available to attendees. Free. 2:00 p.m. (949) 824-7128 or http://www.extension.uci.edu/careerlife UC Irvine Extension, 231 Pereira Drive (West of East Peltason), Irvine

Saturday, May 16

Financial Planning Workshop. Follow-up to May 13 financial planning session. Practical advice on individual situations. Final session of Surviving the Economic Tsunami series. 9 a.m. 949- 249-1218 or www.lnpc.org Laguna Niguel Presbyterian Church, 30071 Ivy Glenn Dr., Laguna Niguel.

Wednesday, June 3

Anaheim/OC Job Fair Expo 9am-3pm, The Shops at Anaheim GardenWalk , 321 W. Katella Ave., Anaheim. Organized by  City of Anaheim, Anaheim Chamber of commerce, Anaheim Workforce Investment Board, EDD, OC Business Council, O.C. Register, others. Dozens of companies. Workshops, Wi-Fi Cafe.

Have an event that should be listed in this weekly Handling Hard Times calendar? Submit it at events.ocregister.com. Need instructions on how that works? Send an email to eventsupport@ocregister.com.

Need a job? Looking for bargains? Facing financial setbacks? Visit the O.C. Register's Web page on Handling Hard Times.

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Posted in: Coping • Resources • • | Post a Comment »

Getting fat? Blame the recession

April 30th, 2009, 3:00 am by Mary Ann Milbourn

Nervousness over the economy is sending Americans straight to the pantry, with four out of 10 workers reporting a weight gain, according to a CareerBuilder.com survey.

fatpeoplemedOf 4,435 workers responding between Feb. 20 and March 11 to a CareerBuilder.com survey, a quarter said they had gained more than 10 pounds and 12% said they gained more than 20 pounds.

Rosemary Haefner, CareerBuilder.com's vice president of human resources, said it was in part a reaction to today's economic stress as well as poor eating habits.

One of the culprits?  A snack attack. Over two-thirds of those responding said they had a snack at least once a day; 24% snacked twice a day.

This finding runs counter to the message from Dr. Stephen Bezruchka of the University of Washington, who recently noted that death rates in America tend to drop during economic hard times. He says mortality data going back to before the Great Depression shows that health outcomes are better during economic busts rather than during booms. Other research has shown that smoking rates, drinking and obesity increase during times of prosperity.

See the full CareerBuilder report with advice on avoiding weight gain HERE.

So tell us ...

Has the economy made you gain weight?
View Results

Did you miss these recent jobs stories ...

Posted in: Coping • Economy • • • • • • | 9 Comments »

Give food, get a discount on oil change

April 27th, 2009, 1:00 pm by Greg Hardesty, staff writer

Tough times may have you thinking twice about car maintenance --- after all, with money in short supply, why not put off until tomorrow what is needed today? Well, for one thing, your bill down the line may be costlier if your car takes a nosedive.

A Laguna Hills car-service shop has stepped forward to help.

Mechanical Mann Auto Service has collected 17 barrels of food so far for South County Outreach with a promotion: Bring in two cans of food, and you get a discount on your oil change.

To read Register reporter Erika Ritchie's report, click here.

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Don't slip on this smoothie promo

April 24th, 2009, 4:42 pm by Greg Hardesty, staff writer

If you see a big yellow dude outside a smoothie store in Orange County soon, don't just assume he's hawking frothy drinks.

A slippery dude?

A slippery dude?

Bananaman is on a bigger mission.

The mascot for the Jamba Juice chain was in Fullerton on Wednesday and Laguna Beach last week, and will be in Huntington Beach on Saturday.

In addition to handing out coupons for free smoothies, Bananaman will be handing out applications for more than 4,000 jobs that are available this summer at Jamba Juice locations.

Orange County has 24 Jamba Juice locations and will be hiring more than 300 employees.

Bananaman also will be encouraging people to participate in a school fund-raiser that will give back 20 percent of purchases to an educational fund.

The six-week fundraiser aims to raise $1 million for schools.

Catch Bananaman at the Huntington Beach pier at noon Saturday.

To follow him as he slips around other cities, visit www.facebook.com/JambaJuice

Did you miss these recent jobs stories ...

Posted in: Uncategorized • | 2 Comments »

Is 26.2 miles worth $100? Sure, OC Marathoners say

April 23rd, 2009, 11:00 am by Greg Hardesty, staff writer

On Sunday, May 3, the Avia OC Marathon will unfold on a new course that starts along the glistening Newport Beach shoreline, with runners cruising along the Back Bay and then through landlocked portions of Costa Mesa, finally ending up at the Orange County Fairgrounds.

The 2007 OC Marathon/OC Register file photo

The 2007 OC Marathon/OC Register file photo

This marquee Orange County event is expected to attract about 10,000 runners for the full marathon (26.2 miles) and half-marathon combined, event spokeswoman Peggy Fort says. That number is consistent with past years, she said. The limit is 12,000 runners.

Based on registration numbers that will continue to come in through midnight April 29, this year's version of the marathon (now in its fifth year) is shaping up to be as popular as ever --- despite the rough economy.

"Statistically, and this goes counterintuitive to what is happening to the economy, marathon running nationwide remains on the increase," Fort said. "People obviously seem to want to continue to exercise and take care of themselves regardless of the economy...it's a demographic that continues to grow."

The cost of the full marathon is $100 at this point (it was $70 to enter before Sept. 15), with the half-marathon going for $70 ($50 before the early registration deadline passed).

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in: Economy • Resources • | 1 Comment »

Calendar of job, budget events (April 13 and on)

April 11th, 2009, 1:00 am by Colin Stewart

Monday, Apr. 13

Career Coaching Career Coaching is designed to serve your needs, provide professional support environment with the goal of reducing the amount of time spent in career transition. Free. Monday 7:00 p.m.. (949) 609-8369 or online. Saddleback Church, One Saddleback Pkwy., Lake Forest

Tuesday, Apr. 14

Job Search Series: Part 2- Interview Basics . Tuesday 1:00 p.m. Info online. Irvine Valley College, 5500 Irvine Center Dr., Irvine

Tuesday, Apr. 14

Understanding Credit Reports and Scores How to establish good credit, what lenders are looking for on credit reports, how to eliminate errors and more. Free. Tuesday 6:00 p.m.. (949) 855-8072 or online. Foothill Ranch Library Community Room, 27002 Cabriole Way, Foothill Ranch

Read the rest of this entry »

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In O.C., 'new face of recession' watches itself on Oprah

April 3rd, 2009, 12:00 pm by Colin Stewart

Luci and Barry NilsonStruggling couple Luci and Barry Nilson of Mission Viejo, named by The Oprah Winfrey Show as "the new face of the recession,"  received advice Thursday from celebrity financial adviser Suze Orman.

As they watched themselves on TV, she urged them to:

  • Stop eating out;
  • Cancel their cell phone; and
  • Cancel cable service.

The Nilsons both were laid off from their jobs last year.

Orman's advice has been helpful, they say.  They used to go out to dinner a couple of times a week, then but back to a monthly budget of $150 for dining until Orman advised them to cut it out altogether.

Now they keep their spending under control by asking each other, "Would Suze approve?"

More on the Nilsons:

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Look on the bright side of the economic crisis

March 31st, 2009, 3:00 pm by Colin Stewart

Recessions have their good points, says blogger Suzanne Broughton in The Mom Blog.
Among them:

  • You no longer have to sit through someone's long, detailed description of their kitchen remodel.
  • You now have a solid excuse to cancel your gym membership.
  • You can't "swing" your annual trip back east to visit the in-laws this summer. (Drat!)
  • You think it's more fun to listen to the real estate professionals back-pedal in the comments on Jon Lansner's blog than it was to listen to them gloat.

(Read her post in full.)

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