Financial Cookie Jar

The Labor Department released some encouraging news this week. Apparently, the number of people that are filing for first time unemployment has been progressing in a downward trend, even though there was a spike this week.

The week of January 21st had 377,000 people filing for first-time unemployment benefits. This is a 21,000 person increase from the week before.

“A clear increase this week was in the cards,” Ian Shepherdson, chief U.S. economist with High Frequency Economics said in a note to clients. “What counts, though, is the trend, not individual weekly observations. And the trend is clearly downward.”

Throughout the worst times of this recession Unemployment Offices in the United States were filing as many as 659,000 individual’s paperwork for first-time unemployment benefits in a week.

Although we are making progress, there are still millions of Americans that remain jobless.

1. When you are hosting a party, you want to make sure that you are smart about letting people leave when they are intoxicated.  43 states have passed laws that hold the host liable for the damage that a drunken guest causes if they leave the party intoxicated.
2. Make sure that you have the liability insurance that you need for those that hurt themselves on the icy paths or other weather-stricken parts of your property. Keep your property lighted and make sure that you are shoveling your walk ways this winter season.
3. Do not be too glutenous this holiday season.  If you are going to spend the holiday season overeating and over drinking you may end up paying for it in health insurance bills.  Gaining too much weight can be very detrimental to your health and your wallet.
4. Your holiday decorations can be very dangerous as well.  When you buy a Christmas tree you have to make sure that you are wise about keeping it watered and away from any potential fire starting agents.
5. Be careful about locking up your home and protecting the gifts that are inside of your home.  When you have presents laid out under the tree you may be the perfect target for a burglary.

When you head out on Black Friday you should be sure that you take the time that you need to be smart about the way that you shop.  Be sure that you take the time that you need to understand how you are going to be smart about the way that you shopping this Black Friday.

1. Do all of your research ahead of time.  you want to make sure that you take the time that you need to be sure that you can look through the circulars and the online ads to ensure that you can find the best deals.  If there is something specific you need be sure that you take time to find the product at a few different stores and compare prices.
2. Make sure that you do not get roped in by gimmicks.  Take the time that you need to be sure that you are not waiting in line just because you can receive a free gift that you do not really need.
3. Make sure that you take ads with you if you want a store to price match.  There are some stores out there that will price match, but you have to have proof of the other price.
4. Be sure to clip coupons as well.  Some stores will let you use coupons with their already discounted items. Make sure you call ahead to be sure you can use the coupon when you go shopping.
5. Do not be afraid to start by shopping online.  This way, you can be sure that you are getting the best deals no matter where you end up shopping.