Today and everyday you come in contact with a Veteran, stop them and thank them for our Freedom.

Preface – This article is an in-your-face and was written to help to those that going through this unpleasant process.

Ok, so times can be tough and you have lost your job. It has been 6 months and you are still going through life like you still have a job, still eating out, going to the movies, having the same parties, and your mini-vacations etc. Yeah, sound familiar…you have some savings and your not desperate just yet but you know it is coming.

Your Ego has allot with what your doing or not doing now. Maybe you have 3 kids and your concerned about the backlash and how your kids, wives, and friends will view you as less of  a man or breadwinner. This can happen to the best of us and it is realizing that you should “suck it up” and do what you have to do to keep the family in food, rent, and clothes. This may mean a part time job or something but you should act now and stop the financial bleeding, so you do not pay more in the future.

So… what do you do and how do you get started? Most people avoid the reality of taking financial assessment and this should be one of  the first things you do after you pray for strength and getting a new job.  Consider at temporary but immediate financial diet, TV, kids cell phones, overpriced home and car insurance can weight you down.  These NON-Essential expenses are only realized when that steady paycheck is not coming in and you have to take money out of savings or pay with an already partially overtaxed credit card, oh yeah, the credit card. Maybe you were blessed to get some severance pay or had 3-6 months emergency, which the average family does not have, so there is that. What do you do? You start to feel squeezed and you need financial relief until after you get your new job.

First off, don’t kid yourself about looking for and finding a new job as it can be scary. The National job hunting average says it takes 6 months to 2 years to find and land a new job.  Now days you will find that there might be 5 other applicants competing for the same position. It is time to get your family and or select non-judgmental supportive, friends involved. If your married, your wife can start looking at the coupons, your kids may lose their phones, X-Box,  and your internet premium channels package get trimmed. All these reality efforts now will pay off big for you in the long run. Most people in our country do not know how to live without. Think about the daily Starbucks or Pete’s Latte you get, hmm… that is $3.50 x 20 days a month or more, that is $70 per month you can really live without. Make it at home for $15/month. It is not pleasant but you should dig into those sometimes hidden and unnecessary expenses that were “gotta haves”.

Your parents and how you were raised- Think back on your families history, Parents or Grandparents life, ranging but not limited to tough times in 1950-80′s. As a kid, did your parents get you a weekly or monthly allowance and a cell phone, car and or car insurance, XBox monthly subscription, and that Family Gym subscription that you barely used, or something like that.

Most of our older and wiser Mom and Dads, made us earn whatever we wanted over our basic needs, but not so much today. As a Father and Mother providing for their family of 3 kids, these multiple seemingly small miscellaneous expenses can add up and represent $200-$600 per month!. Money that you now don’t have and should not be paying for. Think deep and hard, is it critical for you or your family to have these things at this moment?  Really? Probably not and as painful as it is, have a talk with your family, wife, girlfriend, or whomever, and let them know you require your help.  Husbands and Wives have to get on the same page, as one maybe saving and the other spending on things that are just not necessary to a house in financial instability. Do your best to not use that Credit Card and line of Credit that is just hanging out their for you to pick.

Help your kids with ideas by suggesting they may help themselves by getting part-time work, babysitting or helping around a store or something… anything to cover their OWN, non-essential needs.

College, this is a real tough one… You have a son or daughter going to a nice school and you ONLY have enough funds to cover 3 more months? What do you do? Line of Credit? NO. Think about it now, but do something now before it gets even tougher.

House Payments, Mortgage - Yeah there is that “roof over your head” thing. Look over your current mortgage and see if you have room to refinance of your house. Many people are upside down or owe more than it is worth and you cannot qualify for an interest rate adjustment. Try anyway, by talking to your current bank or lending institution and get some ideas as to what they can do for you without going through a complete refinance. Most are upside down and in the past 15 years, jumping from job to job and bigger house to bigger house to end up with one that scoops up a large amount of your monthly income… Now that house is not as attractive now that the music has stopped. (i.e. no job) Did I say Income? Oh yeah, hello? remember you do not have a job.  Next, look at your auto and home insurances, (oh that boat insurance). A simple phone call to your agent can get you and Immediate adjustment on your insurances by adjusting your deductibles, coverage amounts, the boat, RV, or other Toys, and strip them down until you get on your feet. DO IT NOW, DO NOT WAIT.

Agreements and Contracts – You always want to honor your agreements with all the companies you do business with unless you did not get what you agreed to or you find out what it costs you to get out of an agreement. One thing to remember, if you do not have a copy of the agreement and the company wants to enforce it, it will be up to them to get you a copy of that agreement. In many cases (I.E. phone, alarm company, or cable company), will not have an agreement and will tell you they do to keep you on. Ask for it, it cannot hurt. If they cannot produce it and your certain that you are at the end of your term, pay the fee to get out or tell them that you do not have an agreement because they cannot produce one for you.

Looking for a job - This is typically not a pleasant process, and especially if your over 40 and have worked at the same job for many years. You have to learn how to network and make a resume, if you ever have done one before.

How do you go about finding a job?  Start with the Internet is a great place to start, but your best job seekers are your friends and family. Post it with your friends on your Facebook or blog page if you have one. People love to help others. Post your resume or job qualifications EVERYWHERE. An old sales saying comes to mind, “Untold is UnSold”   Your friends and family know you well and if your a hard worker, they will help you network for a new job. It is great if you have a specific skill. Sometimes you can find misc jobs you can pick up just by telling others about your situation. Ya gotta do what it takes to make it and you will have to roll with these times to keep moving forward.

Church and Food – Networking for a job is critical. Let your Church office know that you are looking for a job. If you don’t have a Church, get one. Do not be afraid to ask for meals that some churches or private food banks offer. Churches are getting strained with the great need a the time of this article. The hardest thing for the proud man or woman is to just ask.

If your not a church goer, find one and get plugged in. One of the best things you can do  is volunteer your time at anything to do with the church, meeting people that are sometimes in the same space you are. It seems that you always find a job or opening when your helping others and not actually looking for a job at that moment. When you volunteer, your guard is down and your open to things you never thought you would be. Think about volunteering on evenings or weekends. Volunteering is extremely therapeutic when your out of a job or anytime.

P.S. Find a smaller church that has missions and is actively outreaching in the community. Our family go to Calvary Refuge Huntington Beach, a non-denominational church, where the door is always open.

E

Random thoughts for the week – Our  lives are about finding our way, and in finding your way as to who you are and how you fit into this world, helping others is a great part of that process that can mash-up and shape who you are,  creating open doors you never knew could be opened or stepped through.

In this economy, many of us have friends, family, and acquaintances that are looking for work or have limited income. It is not all about money, it is about your time after work on on the weekends.   You all have skills, special and specific skills. Some of you have skills you do not even know you have.

My suggestion is to find a way to help others using your skill and you will be surprised how it enriches the rest of your life. Sometimes you have to think hard, and other times it is right in front of you. Do you know someone that need your skills? It does not have to be much, just that it is something that comes from the heart, like seeing some random people in a nursing home or hospital.

Maybe you have writing skills, design skills, cooking skills, construction, talking on the phone, visiting with them… Think outside the box on this one and your life will be better.

I challenge you.

I am just watching some devastating photos from Hati. There are 2 million people in Port O Prince in a place that can really hold 40,000.

The president mentioned that we can learn how to support at www.whitehouse.gov

For Americans trying to get information about loved ones in Hati, the national phone number is 888 407-4747

Our prayers are with all there and all that are helping.

People who have been affected by the softening economy are turning to new avenues for income.

Some are finding new untapped skills and reinventing themselves.  Some important things to consider when reinventing ones self.

• Stick with what you know
• Do not quit your current job or stream of income until you can replace it
• Do you homework, research others that have done what you are considering for more than 2years.
• Consider what you could do in your current job to make it better or bring in more business (sometimes this is much more productive and rewarding)
• Listen to your gut and the little voice in your head and by all means your wife, husband, or girlfriend.

Yesterday, we lost Dave Gustave, a Brother in Christ.
Thursday March 5th. 2009 3:05 PM.

Services – When – Wednesday March 11th. 10AM @ Calvary Refuge, HB, CA
Church Office 714 891-9405

More Photos here

Those that new him or knew “of him”, understood that Dave did NOT let others know of his pain and struggles in life.  I got to know Dave early from Calvary Huntington Beach early Mexico mission trips to Santa Marta Orphanage, run by Kay and Bill (I recall).

Just about anything that you can think of doing at Santa Marta, Dave had his hand in it, making what ever he put his hands on the best it could be.

Santa Marta was some 11 plus years ago and during that time I had no idea of his illness up until around 3 years ago.  Linda, Dave’s wife, faithfully stand by his man, dealing with his daily health challenges as a Team (the definition of Marriage).

I found out about Dave’s health challenges by accident when Dave invited me to  come by his house to pick up some software for the Church. At the time he was tired and could only be up for a few minutes and when I asked he did not voluntarily give up his issues. With a little prodding, Linda and Dave sheepishly explained his bout with Leukemia (learn here).  I do not know much about Leukemia, but what I know is that it is blood related and it drains the “get up and go” right out of you and more…

Dave was more determined to NOT let his illness stop him in any way. He was a ROCK! Dave would get up and go even when his body clearly said ”NO” please rest me.

Over the years, The Lord was seriously watching over him and used him as a vessel to grow the our church, Refuge, Calvary Chapel Huntington Beach, which was Dave’s way of spreading the word of God wherever he was involved or whomever he talked to.

Dave and I last worked together up until a year or so ago, when we were building out the Refuge High School area.  I am sure any that if you were around would have heard… ” Well ask Dave first” cause he was running that part or had plans on that…”

Dave, of course, was always directing, organizing, and or working side-by-side with others.  He always took on ”mini- projects” and got involved when others chose not to or nobody volunteered.

In life, as Christians, we do not know why the Lord took him now nor do we know why he takes other people in our lives.  Rest assured, that beyond a shadow of a doubt, Dave was truly  “A Good and Faithful Servant” Mathew 25:21

In my life, Dave became a source of personal inspiration, leaving me to live by “Unto The Lord” to get through life. Linda, Dave’s wife has faithfully stood by his side through it all and our prayers go out to her and the family.

We will miss you Dave, and we encourage all who read this and knew

To all that new Dave … Post your personal experiences and comments on how Dave touched your life and others.

More Photos here

Eric

As a company, YourHost.com has always looked for ways to help people and others with no strings attached.
Recently, we have come up with a unique and effectively helping promote Local companies.

Our sales and technical staff wanted to find a way that we could help increase sales for our Local businesses owners. The approach we will take is “it is all about them.”

What’s the catch? There really isn’t one. We are targeting the promotion of companies that we personally have done business with or would like to do business with.  If we do not know about a company we will go and meet them an or user their services for a first hand experience to decide if if they are a company we can promote.

Times are economically tough and companies need to band together to help others with no strings attached.  The process is a great reminder that we are blessed enough to bless others.

You will be amazed at what this process will do for you as a person as well as for your organization as a team. In a way… you could consider this idea as form of “paying it forward.”

Objective

The main Objective of this idea is to identify and help a local business or service that you believe in and can promote them by bringing new business to them so they will continue flourish. An old term I remember a Marketing guy used was  “Untold is Unsold”.  YourHost.com lives by that.

Target Promotion

You may consider your local storefront or service business as your first targets as they will be directly and positively affected by your staff’s energy.  This is about making a change in their business in the next 30 – 60 days.

You will find that some people or organizations might have wanted to hire sales persons but they just do not have the budget or the time to do so and they so they remain in ”promotional limbo”.  Every company wants more business.

As of this entry, we are hearing that business in general is down 20% or so.  The owners know it is important to advertise and sometimes do not have the resources to get it done.  The idea is not to just present a new trickle of business but to make a marked difference in their business over time.  So if you have sales people that are going to be out anyway, have them learn about their Local neighbors and take some information out to the people or have them carve out an hour or two a week ONLY to promote these companies. You will be glad you did.

It is important to remember that you “Keep it Simple”. This is a grassroots project and there are many other creative ways you can spin this. You will spoil the idea if you try and “Over Think”what your doing. Just Do It!

How to do we started?

First, have an informal meeting, coffee break, or gathering with your company. Make sure you include your sales and or marketing people.  You will find that people will quickly take to this idea because it will not be uncomfortable to them. Straight Sales can be uncomfortable. Make sure you include both your in-office and outside sales persons.

You will find a tiny portion of your staff that will not like the idea. How can you not like helping others at work and get paid for it? Your own company moral will increase from this process.

Talk with your team about some the Local services in your area that you use or know of or have experienced their great services or products.  Make a small list of companies, who would be the most open to this unique idea.
P.S. If they do not get it right away, move on, you cannot help them if they are not open-minded.

I am certain that as I write this you will be thinking of your, Florist, Mechanics, Contractors, etc. that provides good honest products or services to the community.  This is not just a referral idea but it is a personal endorsement for them, which makes a big difference in how you convey their products or services.

When you go out we suggest that you try to use the word ”COMMUNITY SERVICE” in the conversation and the door just might be left open just long enough to be receptive to listener.  They will not look at the brochures if you cannot convey your passion for the services your promoting.

Now that you have identified a person or company you wish to promote, go talk to them about what you would like to do to help them.  If they are like most they will be trying to figure out what ”your angle” is.  You explain that your goal is to truly promote their business as a community service and not yours. The words “community service” is a quick way of letting your listner know what you are trying to accomplish.

In order to promote thes organizations you will need to get a flyer or brochure from each one of them to pass out.  It was our fortune that the three companies we choose had some form of brochure or flyer.
It is very hard to promote an organization without having something you can leave with the person you will talk to.

Find a way to put tastefully attach your business card and or company stamp on their brochure. You may want to make up a stamp so you can mark the brochure with your unique stamp and encourage the person you talk with to bring it in when they visit that store or office your promoting. You may want to attach a half sheet of paper with your letter head stating in only a few words what you are trying to accomplish.

Just Do it

Figure out what your going to say to before you get in front of them.. Did I say “In front of”?  Who does that anymore… Can’t I just text or email them? Yes, this means that you or your sales or marketing staff has to get out of their chair, and away from their computer screen and and physically go out and meet the public and talk about these people.  (Old School)

In a short time you will find that you will have a completely different sales and marketing attitude.  You will also find that the dynamics of the conversation are completely different and almost always positive because you are talking about someone else s business than yourself or your company.

One thing to remember when you are out promoting others that if they do ask about what you do try not to dwell on it at all.  Be very brief and politely let them know that today is about the your community and the business your promoting and if it would be alright to talk about that at a later date. Huh? nobody does that.

If you have a storefront, keep the flyers or brochures somewhere prominent in the store so you and your staff can tell others about the business’s you have chosen to promote.

Next Steps

Most people who will embrace this idea will be smaller companies that are not encumbered by legal and corporate restraints. I would encourage larger companies to really give this some thought and find ways that they can come up with their own Politically Correct form of this idea.

We would love to hear success stories from companies and we feel that the next step will be a start a web site Forum which our company YourHost.com will host for free if someone would be willing to moderate it.  We have purchased StimulusPackage101.com for the future.

Aside from that you can post your success on FaceBook, YouTube, Twitter, or where ever you others can be encouraged to do the same.

Purpose is to Make a difference

It is our intention to encourage your organizations to get involved in your community and help others in business. The sky is the limit recruit your business colleagues to call on these same business and make a difference.

Rally other business step 2 – Stimulus 102

If your on board with this idea and have actually gone out and promoted a company already pass the names to another business owner, CEO or President of a company.  Spend time telling them how they can do this and encourage them encourage them to drop by that same set of companies you promoted to learn and try their services.  As the president of a company, go out yourself.
Set a 30-60 day goal to promote the three businesses. You could call this a form of Multi-Level-helping.

Rally others business step 3 -  Stimulus 102

Once you have done this process then pass it to another business whom you know will run with it.  Encourage them to use and or experience their services before they promote them.

January – February’s’ Choices for YourHost.com

1.  Tommy Pastrami’s

18001 Beach Blvd. Huntington Beach, CA 92648

Corner of Beach and Talbert  in Huntington Beach, California
Owner – Ellie Ward and family
Phone – 714 848-4567
Email – EllieWard@TommyPastrami.net
Located at the South West corner  of Beach and Talbert, in Huntington Beach, Map Link
Web Site – Tommy Pastrami’s

Info - If you love a New York Style deli with awesome food or you have never experienced NY Style deli then drop by.  Ellie and her entire family is involved with this deli. You will feel that when you drop by.  Ellie is an outgoing innovative young lady with a good grasp of quality food and solid customer service.  Drop by and I am certain you will be glad you did.

2.  The Wholesale Flower Place

11533 Slater Ave #E
Fountain Valley, CA 92708
714 434-1072
Owner – Stephanie Beason
Email – None

Located at the North East Corner of Slater and Newhope, in Fountain Valley, California – Map Link

Info - I have been buying flowers from Stephanie for the past 4 years. Everywhere I turn I hear she has done a weeding or a funeral.  She has been in business for ever and still has the care and compassion people love.
Valentines Day is February 14th and she has some amazing specials. The thing I like about her service is that no matter what occasion she has, you can keep your flowers at her place and pick them up on the day you need them so you will experience some of the freshest long-lasting flowers ever!  Stephanie and her helpers will build an arrangement of flowers over the phone or in person and her arrangements are all inspiring.

3. Pierce Family Chiropractic

17024 Magnolia Street
Fountain Valley, CA 93708
714 848-4323
Owner – Doc Lee Pierce
Email – DoctorPierce@verizon.net
Located at South East corner of Magnolia and Warner, Huntington Beach, CA
Map and Link

Chiropractors? Who are they? Why and when do you need them?  People are creatures of habit and only get themselves fixed when they have pain.  Doc Pierce is more than a Chiropractor as he listens to what your ailments are in your body and responds to them in a way that is produces positive results. I go in for regular adjustments and along with exercise you will keep your body from breaking down. Go see Doc Pierce before you break down and you will be pleased you did.