Stop giving the big banks more power and find the right community bank to fit your needs.

Move Your Money says:

Not all community banks or credit unions are risk free. Some of them got involved in the same risky behavior that took down some of the biggest banks. There are a few different ways to search for community banks and credit unions in your area, and most of them use slightly different rating systems. We wanted to give you as many options as possible.

Use this tool to find a community bank.

CONSUMER DISCOUNTS ON TELEPHONE SERVICE UNDER
FEDERAL UNIVERSAL SERVICE PROGRAMS

Get US Government discount on "Lifeline" home or cell phone service:

Lifeline - Lifeline provides qualified consumers with a discount on monthly charges for their primary home phone line, even if it’s a cell phone.

Link-Up - Link-Up lowers the cost eligible consumers pay for setting up new phone service at their home, including cell phone service.

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Planning and Combining Trips

Combining errands into one trip saves you time and money. Several short trips taken from a cold start can use twice as much fuel as a longer multipurpose trip covering the same distance when the engine is warm. Trip planning ensures that traveling is done when the engine is warmed-up and efficient, and it can reduce the distance you travel.

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The pressure of spending money for big holiday meals can be overwhelming even when you're gainfully employed. When you're unemployed... well, it could make you just want to go hide under the bed!  (Then perhaps NoJobSurvivor MoodFood should be on the menu.)

To help take the pressure off, here are 6 tips from well-being guru, Dr. Andrew Weil, a favorite with NoJobSurvivors:

1. Focus on vegetables. They are filling, nutritious and cost less than meat. Yesterday's Daily Tip offered ideas for serving a vegetarian Thanksgiving dinner - read it for some delicious vegetable-based meal ideas. Also see NoJobSurvivor Frugal Foods.
2. Make it a potluck. If you are having family and friends over, assign each to bring an item. It will help keep your costs - and stress levels - manageable.
3. Make your own dessert. You can make pies a few days ahead of time and freeze or refrigerate them, a good way to cut down the bottom line.
4. Use your leftovers. Turkey soup, potato pancakes, casseroles that combine some of the side dishes, cranberry sauce on whole grain toast for breakfast - there are plenty of ways to use traditional Thanksgiving leftovers.
5. Calculate how much food you really need. The more food you make, the more it costs. If you aren't a fan of leftovers, consider making just enough food to feed the number of people who will be eating.
6. Clip coupons. Whether from your local paper or a website, there's no downside to the cost-savings coupons offer. Many stores offer double or triple the value around the holidays, so do some homework and take advantage!

Pictured: NoJobSurvivor Cheap Crunchy Croutons (recipe)
Good luck and hopefully your friends and/or family and even your pets will be able to help out and get you through it. Remember... you're not alone!  And, there's always NoJobSurvivor Comfort Food.

For tips and laughter on stress-free family holiday gathering, check out this guide from The Onion!

When you're unemployed, putting money into your vehicle seems like a last resort, but unfortunately most of us have to rely on our cars to go get food or make it to an interview.

3 tips on keeping your car in shape for better mileage

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When you're unemployed, you need to avoid putting money into your vehicle, but unfortunately most of us have to rely on our cars to go get food or make it to an interview

Gas Mileage Tips, Part 1

Check out these tips and save some cash.

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