Do you need a professional wardrobe but don’t have the funds to spend hundreds of dollars creating it?

For 8 years, my husband was a grad student and could wear jeans and casual shirts.  Then, he finally received his Ph.D. and began working in a professional environment.  The problem?  We could not afford to buy him a professional wardrobe all at once.  However, with some crafty shopping, he now has an ample wardrobe for less than $100.

Here are some places to look if you want to build a professional wardrobe at a fraction of the cost:

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It’s a good idea for kids to learn how to work. A summer job might be just the thing. Indeed, a summer job is probably one of the best things a teenager can do to learn about hard work, and to learn about money management. Even if you feel that a high school job isn’t necessary during the school year, once summer rolls around, there are few things as rewarding as a summer job for a teenager.

Not only can a summer job help your child earn money, but it can also reduce the number of times you hear “I’m bored” echoing throughout your home. However, even as your teen learns valuable life skills and makes more money, it’s important that your remember that Uncle Sam is likely to want his cut. There’s a chance that your teenager will also end up paying taxes on his or her summer job. (And, if your child has investment income, don’t forget about the kiddie tax.)

Generally, if your teen is your dependent, he or she doesn’t even have to file a tax return unless he or she makes more than the standard deduction. For 2012, the standard deduction for singles is $5,950. As long as your teenager doesn’t make more than that, you don’t have to worry about his or her taxes. When filling out the W-4 for an employer, your teen might be able to claim an exemption on Line 7 is he or she is pretty certain that wages for the year won’t exceed the standard deduction.

While that is pretty straightforward, things get a little stickier if the employer uses different employee designations.

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With the high cost of childcare, more and more parents are making the decision to have one parent stay home to care for the children.  However, this decision is not made lightly as there are usually significant financial repercussions.  We live in a society that is geared toward two incomes, so living on one income can be difficult.

The decision does not have to be all or nothing, though.  With good time management and organizational skills, the stay-at-home parent may find some ways to earn money while caring for his or her own children.

Consider one of these jobs:
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These days, no one has a long attention span. Evening hiring managers have short attention spans. If you want to be noticed, you really have to make an impression quickly, and create a resume that is scanable, that captures the essence of who you are, and what you can offer to the employer.

As you prepare your resume, take the time to figure out what you want to do next, and consider how to present yourself. Then craft a resume based on what the employer is looking for. Tailor your resume is absolutely crucial these days and spending the extra time to put together the perfect resume will beat the time you save blasting out a million copies of your resume.

Make sure, though, that you also grab attention in a way that allows them to see what you offer.

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A couple times a year, I head to a blogging conference. It’s considered a business trip for me because I blog for a good chunk of my living. And, of course, while I am in a fun new town, attending workshops and speeches that (hopefully) help me improve, I also make connections.

Meeting up in person, and making connections, is an important part of any business. Indeed, if you want your career to go anywhere, you need to build connections, and have a career network to draw on. Before you get on that plane, make sure you are ready to network at your business conference:
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In a world where technology makes it easier to reach new clients and work from home, there is a growing interest in side gigs. Indeed, many people are finding that they can make money on hobbies, or start a web site and make money of the advertising. It’s even possible to start a non-profit organization as a side gig, or buy into a local business as a way to make money.

No matter your idea for making a little more money on the side, it’s possible for your side gig to also help you in your day job — if you do it right.
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As this year’s college graduates get ready to enter the ranks of those looking for jobs, it’s worth considering the highest paying (and worst paying) jobs available in the United States. Indeed, if you are wondering whether or not your degree is worth the money, this list might help you make a decision.

Most jobs, of course, fall somewhere in between the extremes of best paying and worst paying. As you consider the top paying jobs and worst paying jobs (as listed by Forbes on Yahoo! Finance), you can look at your own situation, and your own options and decide what path your career should follow.
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Even though the economy is showing signs of improvement, they aren’t large signs, and unemployment remains stubbornly high. Additionally, some companies are still planning layoffs, and you never know when you might lose your job.

Unemployment benefits have been extended a few times in an effort to help those who are unable to find work. If you lose our job, unemployment benefits can help you through the tough times, but you do need to be aware of the requirements that might be placed upon you to qualify.

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