In This Issue

Saying Good Bye to Financial Leeches and More...

Recession Proof Your Income: 4 Steps Every Person Should Consider

Gifted Hands Writing wants to motivate you. Please read these words aloud and feel inspired:

 Achievement seems to be connected with action. Successful men and women keep moving. They make mistakes, but they don't quit.
- Conrad Hilton-

Saying Good Bye to Financial Leeches, and More...

Get rid of the Financial Leeches

No matter how hard you work, if you allow financial leeches into your life, you will be broke most of the time. All the fruits of your labor will go to someone else while you constantly work to support their comforts. It is okay to give, (it is actually a nice feeling, I highly recommend it. I give a lot to the needy in developing countries), but don't get carried away by the compliments.
Think hard about every person that taps into your finances, time, and energy. Remember those people who ask you favors for free? Sure, they may not eat into your wallet, but they do eat into your time and energy. It is alright to offer your skills to others for free, but don't let them take advantage of your goodness.
As you decrease the number of money leeches and increase the number of money multipliers, you will start seeing a steady stream of income accumulating right before your very eyes.

Practice Frugal Living

Primarily, frugal living should be at the core of every step you take. While this is an important strategy at all times, it is particular true during a recession. You have to be mindful of every penny going out, especially if you are unemployed. Whether it is that drive to the nearby coffee house for your morning wake up call or the candy bar that you buy at the check out counter after your cart is full with groceries, every penny matters. Be a mindful saver.

If you don't adopt a more frugal lifestyle, no matter how many extra jobs you take or find ways to earn extra money, you are likely to be financially stagnant and stunt progress.

Dear Friend,

People are wrapped up in the pessimism of the tough economy that they are missing out on opportunities that lie beneath it. The entrepreneur always searches for change, responds to it, and exploits it as an opportunity. Entrepreneurs see opportunities where others see only problems.

The recession is the time to plant new seeds, explore new careers, and adapt to a new economic order. As bleak as things may appear, a recession is the ripe time to plant seeds to reap large rewards once the economy starts to turn around. 

Share your recession experiences with us. Write about it to us at info@giftedhandswriting.com We will listen. Writing can be therapeutic.

Thank you for being a part of our writing community.

Sincerely,

Preethi Burkholder, Founder
Gifted Hands Writing

Contact: info@giftedhandswriting.com 

Recession Proof Your Income - 4 Steps Every Person Should Consider
   

 Millions have been afffected by the recession. Many of them are thinking of ways to earn extra cash, invest their savings wisely, and  ensure that any unnecessary spending is cut. Here  

are four actions to consider during these difficult times.

Find a Second Job

Having in mind the current state of the employment market, finding a second job might not be easy. On the other hand, many employers, who can't afford a full-time employee, are willing to hire somebody part-time. With some search, you may be able to find a second job. If you are a writer, double the numbers of queries that you send out. Write to more magazines, online sites, blogging sites, and publishers.

Turn your Clutter into $

Clutter takes on a life of its own and is almost like a virus. Often we resolve to clean out the closet to get rid of unnecessary clutter and find ourselves stuffing most of it back, just in case. Getting rid of material things seems very difficult, almost like giving a part of ourselves away. This attachment to clutter is one of the root causes of unhappiness.

The outer world is an accurate reflection of our inner world. At a deep level, the clutter in our house is a reflection of the clutter in our minds. We need to do something about it if we want clarity, peace, and direction in our lives.

Things that you have not been using, unopened gifts, and semi-used items can be turned into income. They may not bring you thousands of dollars but can bring in some money. At times like these, anything that is not being used to serving a productive purpose should be turned into income, even if it is a few dollars. Every penny counts.

Start your own Home-Based Business

Use your talents to start a home-based business. Selling those home bake brownies, a catering service that delivers lunch to homes, a day care service, a gift basket service, or a writing business are some examples. Sure, the trickle will be small at first, but be patient. Turning the trickle of money into a steady torrent will happen quickly as you accumulate more and more money multipliers to your portfolio.

Good old Barter

If people ask you for free favors, do a trade with them. Help others survive the economic recession, and make money at the same time. For example, people tend to repair appliances and bicycles rather than replace them when money is tight. Capitalize on this by offering your services as a repair man or starting a website about do-it-yourself repairs and projects.

Dear friends,

Some of you may be feeling the impacts of the recession more than others. With the unemployment rate being at the highest that it has been in 26 years, many are scrambling to make ends meet. The effects are eflt everywhere in the world, and not just the U.S.

Have hope. Things will always get better; they do. It may not happen at the exact time that we would like it to, but things wil turn around. Plant a new seed every day. 

Preethi Burkholder 

info@giftedhandswriting.com

February 7th, 2009