Now Might Be a Good Time to Tap into Resources?

With the economy in dire shape right now, let's face it, times are tough, and money is tighter than ever! Perhaps you've lost your job or your hours have been cut back and your're finding the bills are starting to pile up because you no longer have the money to cover them. Now IS the time to maybe try a WAH opportunity for extra cash resources or tap into the resources for assistance that are out there available.

The economy is tough right now, so yes many resources out there have also tightened their belts, but nevertheless, they are still out there, and even if you can get help in just one area, well that's one less stressor in your life. You will find plenty of resourceful information or links to resourceful information to help you in many differents aspects, all you have to do is take action!

Are they real? Offer's of donations, opportunities, work at home or is it a SCAM?

In talking about Life Matter's such as: Work-at-home, home business opportunites, charities, fundraising and those in need of assistance or those who want to donate and/or help, well unfortunately they come along with risks. Risks like those in the form of scammers and spammers! So watch out! It's hard to believe and to accept there are devious evil people out there who would do such a thing to another human being; nonetheless they are out there. According to several recent articles, news and reports I've researched from sites I have listed futher below, looks like scamming and spamming are going to be around for a while.

So where can you go for further information or help? What can you do? Besides using common sense, and keeping your eyes wide open. One of the greatest things one can do is REPORT THEM! Most people realize, IF it sound's to good to be true, it almost usually is. I know it may seem useless or bothersome, but that's the only way to stop them is to continue to report them.

For the latest news, information, and updates on spammers and scammers or to report them, you can go to the following links:

FTC Consumer Complaints - https://rn.ftc.gov/pls/dod/wsolcq$.startup?Z_ORG_CODE=PU01

and/or visit:

http://www.consumerfraudreporting.org/governments.php
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news_index/scams.html

Another great resourceful website to visit is Give.Org - (The BBB Wise Giving Alliance) http://www.give.org/news/disaster_tips.asp for those who are serious about wanting to help out or make donations to whatever their choice or causes. In addition to the above information, the website also gives tips (listed below) donors and/or recipients should also consider.

• Donors should be wary of any charity that is inexperienced in carrying out relief efforts but is suddenly soliciting for hurricane assistance. Although well intentioned, such organizations may not have the ability to quickly deliver aid to those in need.
• Be wary of appeals that are long on emotion, but short on describing what the charity will do to address the needs of victims and their families. Also see if the charity's appeal explains what the charity intends to do with any excess contributions remaining after they have fully funded the disaster relief activities mentioned in solicitations.
• As with all other disaster relief situations, most relief charities prefer financial contributions rather than donated goods. This enables them to purchase needed items near the disaster relief site(s) for easier distribution. The collection and delivery of inappropriate donated items can also clog transportation channels and delay more vital items in getting through to disaster victims.
• Donors can visit the charity reports section on the webisite to access detailed evaluative reports on many of the relief organizations providing assistance. If you do not see a report on the relief organization you have in mind, encourage the organization to enroll with the Alliance at give.org so that the Alliance can prepare an evaluation in relation to the comprehensive Standards for Charity Accountability.
• If you contribute, do not give cash. Make a check or money order out to the name of the charitable organization, not to an individual collecting the donation.
• If you decide to contribute online, find out more about the charity before making a contribution and beware of red flags. For example, some charities imitate the name and style of a well-known organization in order to confuse people. Also, be wary of any spam or email message asking you to make a contribution. In what is known as a "phishing" scam, such messages may link to a "false" website that looks just like the website of an established relief charity. This could be a ruse to get you to share your credit card or other personal information.
• Watch out for excessive pressure for on-the-spot donations. Be wary of any request to send a "runner" to pick up your contribution.
• Do not give your credit card number or other personal information to a telephone solicitor or in response to an email solicitation. Ask the caller or sender to provide you with written information on the charity's programs and finances.
• Do not hesitate to ask for written information that describes the charity's program(s) and finances such as the charity's latest annual report and financial statements. Even newly created organizations should have some basic information available.
• Be wary of charities that are reluctant to answer reasonable questions about their operations, finances and programs. Ask how much of your gift will be used for the activity mentioned in the appeal and how much will go toward other programs and administrative and fund raising costs.
• To help ensure your contribution is tax deductible, the donation should be made to a charitable organization that is tax exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Go to IRS Publication 78 on www.irs.gov for a current list of all organizations eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable gifts.

Click here for Wise Giving Alliance reports on some charities involved in Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.

Stepping Stones in Life ...

So here I am, day two in my new venture working-at-home, as a blogger and writer, and yes I am now actually an AdSense Consultant too! I can tell you it's been tedious, and at times I wanted to throw my hands up in the air and say, "I quit"! But then, I realize I am working for myself now, so I can not quit. I must boldly and confidently step upon, and over that first stone, and continue on to the next. Because getting over that first stone is probably the biggest battle. But my life matter's to me, so I'm going to do whatever I can to improve it, and make it successful to my content. But first, you must have belief that you can do what you put your mind to. But in order to do that, you must have courage to step out of your comfort zone. And of course, I speak from personal experience, in that I had to take that first step, and guess what...I'm doing it! And granted I still have some nerves and self-doubt, but I remember reading in one of the great books by Joyce Meyer of Joyce Meyer Ministries where she says, "Do it afraid"...it doesn't get any simpler than her statement! So I continue on, because with the right tools, right attitude, and encouragement you too can step out of that comfort zone and find a whole lot of opportunities out there waiting for you too, whether that be blogging, becoming a Google AdSense consultant, or anything else that may interest you and would benefit your life. There are countless, opportunities, self-improvement topics, personal goals, mental health matters, plus ton's of great resources out there, and over time, I will touch base on. But for now, I hope you'll stay tuned in for more helpful information, but my personal insight and struggles in life as well. Won't you please stick around and let me be your guide back into a content life, because "YOUR LIFE MATTER'S" too!