I read, somewhere, a very insightful saying which touched a cord within me. It said that there is no “absolute reality” in the world, only “perceived reality.” It went on to say that perception of reality is what makes one person see the half empty glass, while another person sees the same glass as half full. However, it was not until after I lost my job that I was able to appreciate the real meaning of this saying.

Unemployment – Time To Take Stock Of Your Life

It is difficult to see the positive side of things when you are lacking sufficient financial resources. Investing in a savings account can often circumvent a financial crisis such as losing your job. However, starting that account is often an act that is put off by struggling employees living paycheck to paycheck. Perhaps you do not have sufficient savings to cover all your expenses and/ or only have unemployment benefits to take you through until you find another source of income, what tangible options are available to change your financial situation? The truth is that this is the moment when you can redesign your life. Use this opportunity to take a step back and reevaluate your life. This is a time when you can make the changes that have held you back from living the life you always wanted.

Unemployment – Time To Take A Chance

What time is better than the present to begin thinking seriously about earning your livelihood differently? It would have been difficult for you to quit your job and pursue some of your dreams, or gut feelings about how to reach financial stability. Well, here is your chance. Since you lost your job, no one would accuse you of risking the financial safety of your family on a whim. You have a free ticket to try whatever you always wanted to try. This is a golden opportunity because:

- Losing your job enables you to create a new found outlook on life
- A lack of sufficient employment is such a widespread problem today that you will certainly have the support of friends and family to pursue new paths in life or to start your own business
- Use the free time to critically analyze new ways to generate wealth. As the saying goes “necessity is the mother of all invention”
- Now is a perfect to turn a hobby of interest into a full-time, focused occupation

Unemployment – Time To Look At Other Possibilities

Many people needed to be fired to do something different in their professional life. Often times, this extreme crisis fuels people with the drive to be successful beyond their wildest dreams. J.K. Rowling lost her job as a secretary, was depending on welfare to support her son ; and then she began writing Harry Potter. Harry Potter went on to have unprecedented success and has made Rowling a multimillionaire and a household name. Oprah Winfrey was fired from her news reporter job before she discovered her talent in talk shows. She has gone on to become one of the business worlds most influential figures. She has become one of the wealthiest women in the world and can single-handedly turn a business into an overnight success by the mere mention of the business. Walt Disney was actually fired from a newspaper where he worked for “lack of imagination.” Walt Disney then moved to Hollywood and created Disney World . Disney has grown to be a world wide phenomenon and a staple in media arts and entertainment. The stories are endless. There are many business owners in your very area who can tell you a similar story. Ask around- you may be surprised at how many of them took a personal crisis and created their success. The point is to take stock of your life today, reevaluate your past in order to redesign your future.

Take this time to really think about what direction you would like your life to take. It equates to looking at the menu at a restaurant and deciding you want something completely new to eat. Some examples of career fields you may not have not considered:

- Working on a cruise liner; see the world and get paid for it – check out these amazing job offers at CruiseJobFinder.com
- Become a part of Alaska’s fishing industry – AlaskaJobFinder.com
- Become a pyrotechnician – this is, in simple layman’s terms, a person who is trained in fireworks

Check out various job sites to find a niche that excites you. Do not worry if it is not in your “field.” The point is to try something new, to be daring, to live the life you never thought you could. Just go for it and learn as you go. Chances are that you will discover a talent that you never knew existed within yourself. Some great job websites you could browse are - http://www.jobmonkey.com/, http://www.cooljobs.com/, http://www.backdoorjobs.com/, http://www.actionjobs.com/, http://www.kareeve.com/, http://mountainjobs.com/, http://www.seasonworkers.com/, http://www.snagajob.com/, and http://www.themeparkjobs.com/ among others.

Credit cards are almost always regarded as a high-risk financial instrument. However, today credit cards can be used for savings programs and cash rewards which can, when used responsibly, be a positive tool to financial stability. Are you aware of these benefits? Here are a few credit cards that offer top rewards at no extra cost to the consumer.

Visa - Chase Freedom - (https://www.chase.com/online/Credit-Cards/Card_DCHP.htm)

• If you spend $500 during the first three months of receiving your card, you will earn $100 cash back
• Consumers can earn 5% Cash Back when they spend up to $1,500 in different categories which change each quarter. The credit card holder must activate the bonus every quarter (three months) when the bonus categories change.
• Consumers earn unlimited 1% Cash Back
• There is a 0% Intro Apr
• No Annual Fee

American Express – Blue Cash Everyday - (http://www201.americanexpress.com/getthecard/learn-about/BlueCash-Everyday)

• At supermarkets consumers earn 3% cash back
• Gas stations and department stores earn 2% cash back
• All other eligible purchases earn credit card holders 1% cash back
• There is no annual fee
• This credit card allows consumers, in good standing, the flexibility to pay charges over time
• 6 or 12 months of 0% intro APR after which the APR will increase to a variable rate, which is currently 17.24%, 19.24% or 21.24%
• Approved friend referrals earn card holders $25 bonuses
• Cardholders can also take advantage of discounts and extras at restaurants, national retailers, hotels, and more

PenFed VISA Platinum Gas/Cash Rewards Card – https://www.penfed.org/productsAndRates/creditCards/overview.asp

• From July 1, 2011 to Sept. 30, 2011, there is a promotional APR for 24 months on balance transfers of only 4.99%
• During this promotional period balance transfer fees will also be waived
• Each month cardholders are paid cash rewards
• A high credit limit of up to $50,000
• Gas paid at the pump earns 5.00% cash back
• Net monthly purchase earn cardholders 1.00% cash back
Discover® More Card – (http://www.discovercard.com/more/rewards.html

• After a 0% Intro APR for 15 months there is a conversion to Purchase APR
• APR for 15 months then the Purchase APR with no interest intro balance transfer
• 11.99% – 19.99% Variable Purchase APR
• No Annual Fee
• Changing categories, such as travel, gas, groceries, restaurants and more, which earn 5% Cashback Bonus
• Use their exclusive online shopping mall to get 5% to 20% Cashback Bonus
• Automatically earn up to 1% Unlimited Cashback Bonus on other purchases
• The ability to customize rewards by choosing from partner gift cards, merchandise, Discover gift cards, Charity, or Cash

TrueEarnings® Card from Costco and American Express – (http://www201.americanexpress.com/getthecard/learn-about/Costco-TrueEarnings)

• Having a Costco membership entitles the holder to No Annual Fee
• Every purchase also earns cash back
• Annual gasoline purchases of up to $3,000 earn 3% cash back (1% thereafter)
• Eating at restaurants earns 3% cash back
• Travel earns 2% cash back
• Purchases made at Costco and everywhere else earn 1% cash back
• Flexibility to pay charges over time
• 0% intro APR for 6 months, after which, the APR will be a variable rate, currently 15.24%

PerkStreet Financial(SM) MasterCard® Debit Card – (http://www.rewardcreditcards.net/reward-card/1455.htm) you must have a PerkStreet checking account to obtain this debit card, which is free of any charges and fees

• Debit card purchases earn up to 2% cash back
• Earn 2% when your account balance is $5k+, or earn 1% when your account balance is less than $5k (potential to earn $600 every year in cash back)
• No limit on the reward amounts cardholders can earn
• No annual fee
• Active accounts incur no monthly fees
• Free online banking and bill pay
• up to $250,000 FDIC-insured deposits

Citi® Dividend Platinum Select® MasterCard® – Limited Time Offer – (https://creditcards.citi.com/credit-cards/citi-platinum-select-mastercard/)

• Qualified card holders can take advantage of 0% Intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 21 months
• $0 liability on unauthorized purchases
• Extra Cash from Citi®, a no-fee benefit that gives you access to discounts online
• No annual fee
• For the first 21 months there is 0% Intro APR on purchases after that the variable APR will be 11.99%-20.99% ; eligibility based on credit history
• For 21 months 0% Intro APR on balance transfers, after that, the variable APR will be 11.99%-20.99% also based on the card holders credit

All these cards offer cash reward incentives which can and should be used for investing as savings in a separate account. These cards also extend cardholders a credit window of about 45 days. The most important point to remember is that any amount spent should be paid off immediately. Paying off balances ensure that the cardholder remains eligible for aforementioned bonuses and that their overall credit score is not negatively affected by overextending the available credit or significantly changing the income to debt ratio.