Saturday, October 27, 2012

Career Change Cover Letter Samples

Bored with your current job? Start anew! But in order to do so, perhaps you will need some help with writing a career change cover letter. So here are some free career change cover letter samples for you.

It is quite possible that monotony can set in after a few years in a particular job. And especially in jobs where the work offers no challenge, no variety and no creativity, people feel more and more attracted towards a different career. Making the shift from one career to another is clearly different, as is convincing the recruiting company that you will be able to do a good job there, without any experience to talk of. This is where a career change cover letter comes in. A career change cover letter is a formal letter written by the person who wants a career change, to justify to the recruiting company that with his skill set, he will be able to perform well in the job he is applying for.

Career Change

A career change can also build towards a more diverse career over your working life, so we can also call the career change cover letter a career building cover letter. A lot of people start a career without knowing if that is the career they would like to follow for the rest of their lives. Choosing the right career can be tough when you are young. So before making that big change in your career, you need to get career counseling on how to choose a career.

Career Change Cover Letters

When you make that big decision of changing your career, you have to also convince the recruiting companies that, despite not having relevant experience in their industry, you feel that given your individual skill sets and personal qualities, you can be the right person for the job. So the career change cover letter writing involves writing down the skills which you feel will help you perform well in the job you are applying for.

Samples of Career Change Cover Letter

Here are a couple of career builder cover letter samples. In the first one, the employee of a multinational company-Mr. Smith is writing to the HR of his own company asking to be shifted to a different department of the same company. A lot of companies might be tempted to offer their better employees a career change in their own company as hard-working and loyal employees can be quite rare. Such a situation is a win-win situation for both the company and the employee, the employee gets a career change and the company retains the talent they want in their company. Read on to learn about better career planning.
To,
The Human Resources Manager,
ABS Corp.

Respected Sir/Madam,

I, Mr. Smith have been working in this organization for the past 10 years in the capacity of an accounts manager of the Soaps Division of this esteemed company.

But over the past few months, I have been re-evaluating my skill sets and my interests and I have come to believe that a job in the marketing division would suit me well. Here are some of the key skills I possess which I feel will help me do well in such a job.
1. Knowledge of the Product: Having worked in this company for 10 years, I believe I have extensive knowledge of the company, the way it works, its clients and the product itself which I feel will help me market the product better.
2. Communication Skills: Over the years I have always known that I have very good communication and networking skills. I also enjoy meeting new people and am very comfortable dealing with clients. So I believe I can bring these hitherto untapped job skills in this career.
3. Qualifications: You will also see that I have done my master's degree in both accounts and marketing fields. Over the years I have also kept myself up-to-date with the latest developments in the field of marketing. Hence I believe that I also have the know-how and sound knowledge of marketing principles which will help me perform well on the job.
Apart from these, I'm also a results-driven person, loyal to the company, energetic and eager to learn and my years in the company stand as a testimony to the above.

Hence, I would be delighted if you were to consider me for the post of marketing manager, recently vacated by Mr. Williams. I assure you that I am eager to make this shift in my career and hope that this company will give me the desired platform.

Thanking you,
Mr Smith.

Here's another career change resume examples as given by Mr. Jones in this career change cover letter. Mr. Jones is working in one company and feels a better opportunity at a better job in a different field and is applying to a different company.
To,
The Human Resources Manager,
ABD Corp

Respected Sir/Madam,

My name is Mr. Jones and I am currently employed in the engineering division of TFSA Corp. I wish to apply for the job of Copywriter in your advertising company as you had posted the same on a job portal.

Although I have been working in the engineering department of the TFSA Corp. for over 5 years now, I believe that my interests and skills have always been more on the creative side. And having done a diploma in marketing and advertising recently, I only feel more equipped to handle a job of a copywriter in your prestigious firm.

Some of the key skills I possess, which I feel will help me become successful in the job include
1. Communication Skills: Any job in advertising will involve a good amount of communication with the client companies and I most certainly feel that I am up for the challenge. I have always been very good at talking to people and feel that I can really use this skill very productively at the workplace.
2. Hard Work: The job of a copywriter will presumably involve several long days at work and a lot of sleepless nights, but being the success and achievement driven man that I am, I feel that I will revel in such a situation and will be the best candidate for the job.
3. Creativity: Unfortunately, there is really no way I can quantify this skill to you in a letter, but I am sure that when the opportunity presents itself, I will be able to do reasonably well.
So I would be delighted if you were to consider me for the post of a copywriter. I believe that I am the right man for the job.

Thanking you,
Mr. Jones.

Looking for a career change but don't know where to go? Check out this article on career change ideas.

So these were some of the career change cover letter samples. Career change is a big decision one takes in life and before you do it, you need to be thoroughly convinced that you will be able to do well in another career.

Monday, October 22, 2012

From Metal To Horror Rap, Pop's Most Shocking Stage Artists

Ever since the rise of rock and roll, some of the best underground music has also been some of the most shocking when performed live. In fact, many of the most distinctive underground music performers became true pop stars on the strength of their shocking live performances.

From Alice Cooper to Insane Clown Posse, the overall world of pop has been full of some jaw-dropping stage shows. Here are some of the most outrageous performers who have come out of underground music worlds.

Alice Cooper: Cooper was one of the original shock-rockers, whose wild ways would go on to influence underground music followers as diverse as metal bands and horror rap acts like Insane Clown Posse. Cooper's been hanged onstage, danced with monsters, and been tormented by freaky, sexy nurses. And he's still up to it in his 60s!

Marilyn Manson: Though he started in underground music scenes, Manson gained total fame -- and infamy -- based on his shows. Live Manson concerts involve simulated nudity, profanity galore, and even subverted fascist imagery. Although it provokes knee-jerk reactions, critical thinking reveals deeper meaning behind the shock.

Rammstein: This German underground music favorite doesn't try to apply too much intellectualism to its live show, but it still aims to shock. Their performance fascinations are particularly sexual, full of simulated sodomy and other taboo perversions.

When they're not freaking out the squares with that, they're lighting their instruments on fire, soaking themselves in fake blood, or crowd-surfing in inflatable rafts.

Esham: This Detroit rapper is one of the founders of horror rap, though he doesn't get much credit for this outside of the area's underground music circles. Esham would later be cited as a major influence by later acts like Insane Clown Posse. His own brand of horror rap often blended rock beats with rhymes.

At the same time, he also performed his horror rap with a rock and roll type stage show. For much of his early career in underground music, he flirted openly with Satanic imagery, like so many horror rap artists would do after him. At the time, though, the mere existence of horror rap was shocking, as was Esham's favored unabashedly psychedelic onstage atmosphere and lyrical content.

Insane Clown Posse: Following in Esham's footsteps, Insane Clown Posse took up horror rap ideas with glee. Following with their favored album theme of the "Dark Carnival" mythology, Insane Clown Posse shows have featured murderous clowns, freak shows, and, usually, oceans of Faygo soda. It gets sprayed, shot from waterguns, poured from buckets, or just drop-kicked, bottle and all.

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

The Benefits Of Going To Cosmetology School

The secret to eternal beauty has been a dream that has eluded the human species since the dawn of time. While it may be source of constant torment for most, it can be incredibly lucrative for someone who happens to be in the business of cosmetology.

The fact of the matter is people will always want to look their best. In fact, the field of cosmetology is one of the few professions that haven't taken a significant turn for the worse during these struggling economy times.

If you're truly interested in this career, but don't want to pay for a full 4 years of education, there are quite a few program-focused beauty schools in the United States that will help you to reach your goals quickly and efficiently.

For those planning on following this career, there are many benefits that can come from attending a cosmetology school. Obviously, choosing one of these specialty schools over a 4-year degree will save you thousands of dollars in student loans. As an added bonus, most accredited cosmetology schools even offer financial aid, including grant, scholarships and even student loans. There are also a few non-accredited cosmetology schools that offer similar grants and scholarships as well.

For students with an eagerness to learn, these school offer an incredibly hands-on approach to learning, allowing you to acquire the real-world experience you'll need before heading out on your own.

If you're young and love to stay on top of the trends, these schools will offer an incredibly rewarding experience, allowing you to delve into today's hottest fashions, and helping you learn how to pull off the looks that define today's culture. Plus, the boredom factor is relatively low. In fact, this industry will quickly teach you that every day is a new learning experience, which is a lesson which will carry over quite extensively into your entire career.

Remember, you don't have to be young to start your career in the world of cosmetology, as these courses naturally attract beauty-lovers of all ages. There are specialty schools and courses all over the country that will help you learn the trade, so feel free to take the time to seek out the program that's right for you.

Monday, October 15, 2012

How To Purge Your Bankruptcy Records And Start Again On Clean Slates

How To Purge Your Bankruptcy Records And Start Again On Clean Slates

According to the Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act, entries in the bankruptcy records shall remain on the record for ten years. Yes, it takes that long before your bankruptcy records are removed so it is very important that you stay out of bankruptcy if you can. Remember that credits check the entries in the bankruptcy records when doing credit investigation and if your prospective creditors found out about your bankruptcy records, they may not be so open about the idea of granting you a loan. Financial institutions do not like giving loans to people with poor credit history. Fortunately, your bankruptcy records do have an expiry date and if you are good at paying your obligations, you may not have to wait for 10 years before you can get rid of your bankruptcy records. To help you improve credit ratings, here are some tips for you.

Pay Your Loans On Time And Live Within Your Means

Paying your outstanding loans on time will help improve your credit scores. If you pay your financial obligations on time for a few years, many financial institutions are willing to turn a blind eye on your bankruptcy records. Yes, these financial institutions will probably not grant you big loans at once but once you gain their trust, you will eventually get a good credit line from these companies. To the key here is to improve your credit scores and make sure that you do not do anything to spoke your creditors. To make sure that you meet all your financial obligations on time, live within your means. Learn to stick to your budget. You will not get into some serious financial troubles if you do to not overstretch your resources.

Be Proactive In Purging Your Bankruptcy Records

Credit reporting agencies are not obliged to purge your bankruptcy records at once after the lapse of ten years. If you want to clean your records, you need to be proactive. Instead of just waiting for credits reporting agencies to remove your bankruptcy records from your credit report, make copies of your discharge notification and draft a letter informing the credit reporting agencies that your bankruptcy records have been formally purged. Send your letter together with a copy of your discharge notification to the major credit reporting agencies in the country. Give the credit reporting agencies a call a few days after sending them copies of your discharge notification to check if they have received your discharge notification and check if they have removed your bankruptcy records from your credit report.

Friday, October 12, 2012

Vacuum Truck Safety and Oil Field Work!

Among other tasks, one of the most common ones for a vacuum truck takes place in an oil field. This equipment is an indispensable tool for collecting the by-products of oil and gas exploration, such as basic sediment and water. Unlike other liquids, waste that is collected from oil and gas exploration is potentially flammable, so even though the equipment is designed to perform this job, there are necessary precautions that must be implemented in order to avoid this type of serious accident.

Risks Involved

While sediment and water collected from gas and oil production wells may seem like just another mix of waste water, they could contain flammable hydrocarbons that can combust at a high rate and therefore carry a great deal of risk and danger. An analysis conducted by the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) on nine wells showed that eight out of the nine tested had flashpoints below 30 F. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), any liquids that have a flashpoint of 100 F are considered to be flammable.

The study regarding the potential risk of loading and unloading the sediments and water waste generated by gas and oil wells began when an accident occurred at an oilfield waste disposal complex on January 13, 2003, in Rosharon, Texas, just outside of Houston. A couple of vacuum trucks were in the process of unloading a mixture of sediment and water that had been collected from oil field production wells. The two trucks were parked 16 feet from each other and the drivers were given instructions to unload and rinse out the vehicles. After this was done, the two drivers proceeded to the driver's shed for their papers to be processed. After a few minutes, a huge explosion occurred inside the waste disposal facility killing three people and causing severe burns to three others. The explosion also caused a great deal of damage to the facility.

An investigation conducted by the CSB and OSHA revealed that the condensation inside the tanks caused the explosion and the source of ignition was the truck engines, which were still running. These findings were backed by eye witnesses of the incident, as well as other evidence that was found at the scene.

What Went Wrong

Many factors contributed to this explosion occurring. The shipper failed to identify the flammability of the waste being disposed. The transportation company did not request the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), which could have provided information about the hazards of the material being transported. The waste collection facility also did not have an effective system of determining the hazards of handling and unloading water and sediments from oil and gas wells.

How to Be Safe

Before handling flammable waste liquids including basic sediment and water, an operator must first undergo training for: hazard communication; flammable and combustible liquids; hazardous waste operations and emergency responses; air contaminants; and the proper classification and manifestation of flammable liquids. Below is a list of other precautions the drivers could have taken to save the lives of those affected by the blast.


* Request MSDS - Operators must always request an MSDS, and refer to it to determine the hazards associated with the material before transporting it.

* Be Aware of Hazards - Operators should be aware of any potential source of ignition, including the engine.

* Don't Mix Liquids - Different types of liquids should not be mixed to avoid any possible reaction.

* Test Atmosphere - Atmospheric testing should be done on-site to determine if any hydrocarbon concentration has reached the flammable range.

* Spark Control - Bonding and grounding should be implemented to eliminate any potential source of sparks.

Every vacuum truck is designed to be a safe means of transporting various types of waste material, including those that are hazardous and flammable such as those found in oil field work. Incidents such as the one mentioned above may still occur when operators are negligent in handling their equipment. The information provided above fill hopefully furnish the necessary knowledge about the hazards of handling oil and gas well waste products and how to avoid them be careful!

Sunday, October 7, 2012

Leasing Retail Space - Know Your Neighbors

Are Nearby Stores Complementary?
Next review whether the retail space you are considering is complementary to nearby retail establishments. For example, it would not be appropriate to put a liquor store adjacent to a school for troubled children. However, a dry cleaners, nail salon, office supply store and dollar store might all fit well in their neighborhood shopping center anchored by a major grocery chain.

Complementary Stores

Grocery stores, drugstores and gas stations tend to be complementary. In some cases, they are all provided by one retailer. For example, many of the Sam's Club or super Wal-Mart's have groceries, a drugstore and sell gasoline. In addition, there has been a growing trend for grocery stores to sell gasoline as a loss leader. Their objective is not to make money selling gasoline. Their objective is to increase the number of trips customers make to the store to buy groceries.
Category Killers

In some cases, "category killers" cluster in a power center. (A category killer is a retailer who stocks every conceivable item relative to a category. Office Depot is a category killer for office supplies. Petco is a category killer for pet supplies.) Having four to six category killers in one cluster is referred to as a power center.
More on Category Killers

The stores are not linked in a physical sense, other than being part of the same planned development. In other words, they were likely developed at the same time on one large tract of land, but there is no enclosed pathway between the stores. Other examples of category killers are Home Depot, Circuit City, Best Buy, Linens N Things and Bed Bath and Beyond.
Example of Complementary Uses

Another example of complementary use retail uses would be to put a beauty products store, hair salon, tanning salon, nail salon and spa contiguous with each other in the same retail center. Customers interested in one of these businesses may well be interested in at least one of the others.
Avoid a Deal Killer

Complementary uses can be a meaningful enhancement of a location. However, uses which are clearly inconsistent with your proposed location may be a deal killer.
Construction

When retail space meets the minimally acceptable standard for the previously discussed criteria, it is time to review the costs to prepare the retail space for your business. In broad terms, the costs include signage and the cost of renovating or redoing the improvements within your space.
Tenant Improvements

At this point, you need to know the landlord's policy regarding tenant improvements. (Tenant improvements are worked performed to make space suitable for a business. It can include adding restrooms, demolishing and adding walls, floor coverings, window coverings, signage and virtually anything else related to physically preparing the retail space for your business.
Will the Landlord Pay?

The landlord is usually willing to fund tenant improvement expenditures provided he is confident the tenant has the financial capacity to pay rent for the term of the lease. If you're representing a national retailer with a strong balance sheet, landlords will practically spend as much money as you request on tenant improvements. Of course, the cost of the tenant improvements will be built into the rental rate.
It's Up to You

If you're a start-up business with no track record and little capital, landlords will be cautious about expenditures for tenant improvements. They will likely want you to fund tenant improvements for your space. The benefit is your rental rate will be lower. However, you'll have to include the cost of preparing your space for occupancy in your initial capitalization.
TI Details

Other issues related to tenant improvements include defining the work to be done, and who has financial responsibility for performing the work. If you're a national retailer, you might provide a landlord with a detailed set of plans for your space. It is then up to him to cost effectively provide the buildout you are requiring. If you're a smaller retailer, the landlord may provide a tenant improvement allowance, and require you to interface with contractors to have the work performed.
How Much TI?

The cost of tenant improvements occasionally exceeds 0 per square foot for second-generation retail. It is generally much lower. Even if the landlord is willing to provide substantial funds for tenant improvements, be cautious about the scope of work for tenant improvements. The landlord's expenditure for tenant improvements is essentially a loan which will be repaid with your rent during the term of the lease.
Who pays for ADA?

If the space requires tenant improvements which require obtaining a building permit from the city, review whether you'll have to replace the restroom because of ADA. (ADA is the Americans with Disabilities Act). In most cases, changes to provide ADA compliance are not necessary if you not require a building permit. However, a consequence of obtaining a building permit is typically that the space must be revised to completely comply with ADA. Replacing the bathroom so it is ADA compliant can be expensive.

The Market Research and Consulting division of O'Connor & Associates provides information necessary to make decision to commercial real estate professionals. Occupancy and Rental Data, ownership and management information are routinely gathered for four major land uses multifamily, office, retail and industrial. This information allows investors to compare competitive properties, facilitate business decisions and track market and submarket performance. In addition the data is useful to brokers who for example continually monitor Houston retail space leasing, Houston office space leasing, Houston industrial space leasing, Houston apartments, Dallas apartments, Ft. Worth apartments, Austin apartments, and San Antonio apartments.

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Square Trade

History & Description of the Service

In 2000, Square Trade launched a cutting edge service to help ebay buyers and sellers resolve disputes on the internet. With the growth of internet commerce, it had become widely recognized that buyers and sellers had no meaningful recourse for resolving disputes that arose from online transactions. Consumer advocacy groups decried the need to protect buyers from online fraud, and sellers on eBay begged from some mechanism to protect their online reputations, such as the feedback system at eBay, from being unfairly discredited. Square Trade launched its dispute resolution service in 2000, receiving its first dispute within 15 minutes of creating an active link from eBay. The mediation service quickly become the largest utilized dispute resolution worldwide, either offline or online.

Square Trade chose to provide mediation, which is a service that assists parties in reaching a negotiated settlement agreement. Mediation is completely voluntary; nobody is forced to participate. Mediation keeps the control with the parties, unlike other models of dispute resolution such as arbitration or a judge & jury. This type of resolution service works effectively because it keeps the parties in complete control of the process and avoids all of the legal jurisdictional quandaries with which the internet challenges legal scholars. Consumer groups were satisfied that buyers would maintain their rights and business advocates were pleased that sellers could be given a mechanism for protecting their reputations.

During Square Trade's history its online dispute resolution service has been expanded to resolve a wide range of disputes beyond the world of ecommerce and eBay. For example, in significant numbers it handled service disputes for eLance, an online services marketplace, and offline real estate conflicts between buyers and sellers for the California Association of Realtors.

Square Trade's network of online mediators draws from an international group of trained and highly experienced online mediators. To join Square Trade's service, mediators are required to have had extensive offline mediation experience and to successfully complete Square Trade's rigorous online training program. The flexibility and cutting edge nature of the work has encouraged most Square Trade mediators to remain committed to the work. All of the current network of Square Trade mediators have been working for Square Trade and handling eBay disputes for well over four years. This group brings sophisticated experience to both their mediation practice as well as understanding the nuances and complications of online mediation.

Does it Work?

Online dispute resolution has been shown to efficaciously resolve problems. Square Trade's experience has shown that several factors enhance the likelihood that an online system will lead to successful resolution of the dispute.

First, parties will be much more likely to settle if they have enhanced reasons to participate, such as geographical distance rendering in person meetings costly or difficult, jurisdictional boundaries making legal systems more challenging to navigate, or structural incentives to participate such as consequences for failing to participate such as a contractual mediation clause or eBay's feedback system.

Second, complex or emotionally charged situations will be more effectively resolved with the assistance of a skilled mediator who knows how to handle emotions in written communications, is aware of distinct cultural norms, and can leverage the mediation process and online technology to create meaningful opportunities for parties to express themselves and transition to resolution.

Third, a tailored online technology such as Square Trade's can facilitate resolution. A clear and well designed intake form enables the parties to appropriately express themselves entering the mediation. A secure arena for participation also fosters crucial trust in the process and system.

Fourth, the disposition of the parties is crucial to a speedy resolution. Researchers from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University published a study of Square Trade's dispute resolution service in the Academy of Management Journal that showed that parties were more likely to resolve a case when they focus on resolution and avoid expressions of anger. See Emotions and Rationality in Mediation: Evidence from Electronically-Mediated Disputes, Friedman, et. al. Jan. 2003, referenced here.

Square Trade's ODR Service Today

Now in its eighth year of service, Square Trade has refined its mediation services to best meet the needs of eBay buyers and sellers. eBay users who have a dispute that includes a feedback issue may, for a small fee, file a case with Square Trade. The filer enters the relevant eBay item number and a brief description of the problem. Thereafter Square Trade's system will obtain relevant details from eBay directly, and contact the other party to notify them of the dispute. Square Trade's system and mediators handle the case according to rules and guidelines established by eBay for reviewing feedback disputes. Most cases are resolved within two weeks.

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

How To Stay On Top Of Your Credit Cards

Credit card debt is a big problem. Credit cards themselves aren't so bad, but when you only pay the minimum balance and charge more than you can afford, the total balance will build up fast. Eventually, the interest alone will be so much that you can't even afford to pay the minimum payments.

Whether you can't make the payments or you are just getting by, eliminating the debt as soon as possible is the most important thing you can do. Eliminating your credit card debt without damaging your credit is difficult, but it can be done. Maintaining a good credit rating is very important. Your credit may affect whether or not you can get a mortgage, auto loan, personal loan, credit cards, jobs, etc. It also will affect the interest rate of any loan you are able to get. If you have a lot of debt, your credit may or may not be damaged.

If you always pay at least the minimum payment on time and your debt to credit ratio is low, you probably have good credit. However, continuing down the road you are on is not a good sign. Getting rid of the debt now will help ensure that your credit doesn't get worse. If you already have bad credit because of your poor credit charging choices, paying off your debt with the following method will not only keep your credit from getting worse, it will improve your credit.

You have to do it the hard way if you want to keep your credit intact and improve it. This is the best way to improve your credit, get rid of debt, and pay less interest overall. You'll also learn excellent financial habits that will benefit you in future. The hard way to get rid of debt is to pay it all back. Your debt will continue to earn interest over time, which will make it a little tough and more frustrating, but it's not impossible and it's worth it in the end.

First and foremost, get rid of all your credit cards. Don't close any of the accounts, just stop using the cards. If you have excessive debt, you don't know how to use credit cards wisely. You are not allowed to use them from now on. Adding more debt to your cards will work against you. Get rid of them and use cash.

Add up all your credit card debt to determine the total amount of debt you need to pay off. Set up a plan for repayment. The best plan of action is to pay the minimum balance on each credit card first. Then, take all the extra money you have each month and put it toward the card with the highest interest rate. Once that card is paid off, put all the extra money toward the card with the next highest rate and so on.

If you find a credit card with a zero balance transfer for the first 12 months, that might help if you can pay off your debt within a year. It could work because you're interest won't be working against you. However, if you have bad credit, you might not be approved, and in either case, a new credit card might hurt you if you're tempted to use it. Think about it carefully first. If you don't trust yourself, stay away. Continue paying down the minimum balance and as much extra as possible until 100% of your credit card debt is paid off.

What if you can barely meet your minimum payments? How can you pay extra and get ahead? Chances are if you're in credit card debt, you're spending money frivolously. Even if it's just an extra a month, that's that can be going toward your debt.

Learn how to budget and make sacrifices. Budgeting will force you to see exactly where your money is going each month. Until your debt is paid off, you need to make sacrifices. If you have an excessive amount of debt and/or can't meet your minimum payments, those sacrifices will need to be extreme such as cutting out completely all entertainment like cable, Netflix, eating out, going to the movies, going to shows, and all other nonessential entertainment that isn't free. Clothes, coffee, fast food, data packages and texting phone plans, and vacations must all be postponed until the debt is paid off.

There are probably lots of expenses you have every month that don't fit into these categories. You might need to sell your car and get something cheaper, downgrade your house or apartment, etc. Get rid of everything that isn't essential for living or your job. Learn how to live frugally at the grocery store, how to save gas, and how to take advantage of free entertainment.

Also, find ways to increase your income. If you cut out all your entertainment expenses, you probably have a lot more time on your hands. Get a part time job or start a business. If you can't downgrade your home, rent out a room or two. Be creative and find ways to supplement your income.

If you're debt isn't so out of control, you might not need to sacrifice as much, but if you do, you'll pay off your debt much faster. Make the changes you need and when the debt is gone, you'll find a huge amount of income leftover each month you can divide up among some of the costs you cut and savings for future goals such as buying a house or retiring.