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"Unemployment is probably the most widely feared phenomenon of our times"- so stated the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). This statement was made back in 1996. It is thirteen years later, and we find that the unemployment rate has skyrocketed at an alarming rate.

The Commission of European Communities stated that; "The economic and social costs of unemployment are enormous, not only from the direct expense of welfare payments for the unemployed, but also from loss in terms of fiscal revenue to which the unemployed would contribute were they active".

In keeping with that statement, news reports now state that in several states, the Governmental assist programs are running out of funds to aid the many who find themselves unemployed. The solution?- Raise the taxes on those that are employed! Truly unemployment produces a 'trickle down' effect that effects everyone in its wake.

However, the effects of unemployment is not limited to a persons financial security, it also effects their emotional stability, psyche, and family relations. What a high price to pay!

Whatever the reasons are for this widespread phenomena, there are some ways you can create work for yourself; thereby reducing unemployment. "Awake!" gives us some excellent suggestions as outlined below:

* Create Work at Home.

1.) Child care

2.) Repairing, sewing, and altering clothes

3.) Crafts such as- pottery, knitting, quilting, crocheting, making candles and soaps (you can also offer classes)

4.) Music Lessons

5.) Tutoring

6.) Upholstering

7.) Hairdressing

8.) Grooming and exercising pets

9.) Washing and waxing cars (customers bring their cars to your home)

10.) Catering

11.) Selling your home grown flowers or vegetables

12.) Home computer services such as- bookkeeping, copy writing, ghost writing, freelancing, etc.

13.) Offering room and board

14.) Filling and addressing envelopes for advertisers (always check with the Better Business Bureau [B.B.B] on the company's status- whether they are legitimate or not)

15.) Workshop at home- lock repairing and key making

16.) Interior Decorating

17.) Telephone answering service (check with the B.B.B for company's status)

18.) Doing piecework for manufactures (check with the B.B.B on company's status)

Advertisements for the majority of the work listed above can be placed free of charge or for an low cost in weekend newspapers, or on supermarket and post office notice boards.

* Create Work Outside the Home.

1.) Swap work- exchange car repairs for electrical work, sewing for plumbing etc.

2.) Cleaning- do house work for others, doing windows (business and domestic) cleaning stores; offices; apartments and homes after people move out; after fires; and after construction work

3.) Repairs- appliances of all kinds

4.) Farm work- picking fruit, crops

5.) Insurance work

6.) Real Estate

7.) Carpet cleaning and installation

8.) Moving and storage

9.) School-bus driver

10.) City-bus driver

11.) Property management- superintendent; janitors (often includes budgeted or free living quarters)

12.) Interior lansdcaping and plant care at- atriums, lobbies, shopping plazas, banks and offices

13.) Newspaper routes- or other delivery services

14.) Postal work

15.) Handyman jobs- painting, mowing lawns, fencing, building cabinets, doors and porches

16.) House-sitting

17.) Pet-sitting

(Educate yourself on all fiscal and tax laws of your state if you opt for self-employment)

The lack of employment requires adaptation by all in the family. Whether it be willing to do all types of work, reducing ones standard of living, or something as simple as changing ones outlook of the situation. Whatever you do, keep a positive outlook on life and never lose sight of the more important values in life.

Learn more about this author, Virginia L. Allen.
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