Sep 22 2008
Unemployment and the Scams
Have you ever noticed how the scam artists seem to crawl out of the woodwork when times are tough?
Having been unemployed a time or two in my life, I can say with certainty that the temptation to get involved with a new “opportunity” is a hard one to resist.
The United States economy is down a bit as of this posting. Employment statistics don’t look good, particularly in the manufacturing sector. It is not your fault that GM and Ford can’t figure out how to make a profit, but you still have to deal with the consequences.
Inflation, a down real-estate market, a trouble stock market all combine to make for leery financial times, especially for those looking for work. Unfortunately my message is not one of hope, but rather a warning.
Stay away from those offers to learn the secrets of wealth overnight. You may see the ads on late night television because you can’t sleep wondering how you’ll pay the bills. Unemployment only covers so much. Remember that those advertisements were paid for by someone who got rich by scamming people just like you. Work at home opportunities are often only opportunities to lose your hard earned money.
As tough as it may seem, you’ll be better off keeping what little savings you have in the bank where it belongs and consider tyring to live a little more frugally. There are tons of sites out there with great tips on how to save money. The National Endowment for Financial Education is a pretty good place to start. (For clarity’s sake, I am not affiliated with them).
The rough times will pass. There are jobs out there. Manufacturing will recover. The stock market will recover. In the meantime, do your best to keep a smart head on your shoulders and your money away from the scam artists.
