The sentence “Companies are having a hard time filling positions” may seem odd given the current economic recession, but this sentence is true. The number of open job positions has increased 37% from last year but there are still 15 million unemployed adults, 40%, which have been out of, work for 6 months or longer.

Companies were forced for combine job tasks when doing layoffs last year. Now, someone who hopes to get those jobs must meet the new requirements. For example, accountants must also do financial analysis, factory workers need to program computers to run machinery and information technology workers are being forced to do both the business and technology side of the job.

Unemployed workers are being forced to take courses to learn their new skills and obtain certification. Employers rather wait and hold job vacant then settle for less.

Leadpile works in the education space, check out our EDU offer and help promote degrees to help you get your dream job.

California is seeing an increase in home remodeling projects, something this economy hasn’t seen since 2007. Home owners are feeling more confident about the economy and 62% of homeowners surveyed indicated they plan to spend an average of $6,200 on enhancements. California saw consumer spending decrease 27% in 2007, but 2010 shows an estimated 5% growth. This could potentially be the first year of growth for this sector since 2006.

Home Depot and Lowe’s are projecting an average 2% same-store sales growth for 2010, a great sign of an economic recovery. Contractors are experiencing an increase of inbound calls for new jobs.  While it’s still nowhere near it use to be, business is picking up.

In anticipation of the rebound of the Home Services sector, Leadpile is launching it’s new home improvement website.  Watch for the website to be available in the coming weeks where you can find a certified contractor near you.

For the first time in 18 months, the Dow Jones industrial average tipped the scale over 11,000 points on Friday and then closed at 10,997.35.  This is a 70 point improvement from yesterday’s trading and expectations are that it will close above 11,000 on Monday.

Housing prices seem to be stabilizing and mortgage rates are still low and with the Dow up nearly 68% since its closing low on March 9, 2009 and the NASDAQ up nearly 90%, it appears the fears of a double dip in the recession may be calming.

On the employment spectrum, unemployment is still at 9.7% and 33 states are out of money for unemployment insurance.  More than 200,000 Americans are waiting for the Senate to restore their extended unemployment insurance.  Approximately 11.2 million people are collecting unemployment insurance and the average length of collection time is 31.2 weeks.

A lot of things are still up in the air in regards to the economy, but overall, it seems things are looking up.  We’ll see how this 2nd quarter pans out with the stock markets, housing market and housing.

Pawn shops are becoming a large source of quick revenue these days for consumers who need short term loans and do not have the option of a payday or bank loan. Pawn shops, which offer money in the $100 or less range in exchange for the consumers collateral such as a TV or hunting equipment. The pawn shop loans the money with an additional 5-10% interest rate added on, if the consumer defaults on the loan after a period of time (usually 30 days) the item being held as collateral becomes merchandise within the shop. Pawn shops success during the recession has been dependent upon these loans rather than the sale of merchandise.

The current economy has brought many changes to personal, business and government financial standings and now is showing effects on Social Security payouts as well. This year Social Security will have a flip in it’s financial balances, as it will begin paying out more in benefits than receiving in payroll taxes.
With the poor economic status many jobs have disappeared having 2 large effects on Social Security taxes collected. With jobs disappearing, many people applied for the benefits sooner than they had planned, as well as without as many people currently employed there are less paychecks to tax.
With the US debt rising and less taxes being collected due to unemployment it raises concern. By law, Social Security cannot pay out more than it’s balance in any year given. The often referred to “trust fund” that Social Security has serves as a way to track pay-as-you-go revenue and outlays over time, the “balance” is actually a history of its vast cash flows (a total of all past revenue minus outlays). In a year such as this, the “paper gains” from the interest earned on the securities will more than cover the difference between what it takes in and pays out.
Projections show the effects of the recession easing in the next few years with possible small surpluses reappearing in 2014 and 2015. In the following years as the baby boomers leave the work force, and start collecting rather than contributing, outlays will exceed revenue every year regardless of the economic status.

Solutions to this problem are few including raising taxes, lowering benefits, or pulling funds for general revenue.

LeadPile hopes to see bigger and better things with the economy in the future months coming!

These days, everyone is looking for a way to save some of the hard-earned dollars we are all clinging onto so tightly. Most people would probably say they have really cut back on their spending. However, people spend money as a part of their daily routine and a couple bucks here or there never really compute to the reality of what that number looks like over the course of a year. Walletpop.com recently published an article highlighted exactly what some of these bad habits really cost you, and after reading it, you might cringe yourself. According to the article, if a person participates in all of the daily spending habits, they are looking at around $12,288.50 per year. We’ve listed just a few of these habits that were highlighted in the article below.

Soda
For example, if you go to the vending machine or the gas station one time a day and spend $1.50 on a soda, that translates into $547.50 a year (before tax). Make that three a day and that’s a whopping $1,642.50.

Coffee
The daily trip to the barista for one cappuccino a day will cost you on average $1,442 per year. If it’s only during the work week, you’re still looking at $1,031 per year.

Lottery
A buck to win millions of dollars.

Doesn’t sound bad, does it? But, you do that every day and you’re looking at $365 per year in lottery tickets. And do people usually just buy one? Probably not. Statistics say you have more chances of getting in a car accident, plane accident or struck by lightening than winning the lottery. Doesn’t mean it’s impossible to win. After all, Hurley won, right? But, wouldn’t you like to put that $365 back into your savings account?

French Fries
Now we all know how bad French Fries are for you, so never mind the medical expenses they may cause down the road from health problems. But, getting fries with your combo meal three times a week at a fast food restaurant will cost an extra $80 per year. Get fries with your restaurant meal twice a week and you are looking at $312 per year.

Car Maintenance
Before you go out and purchase a new car, consider the cost to keep your current one. Small changes in the maintenance of your car can save money and is much less expensive than a car payment. Driving your car with the correct amount of pressure in the tires could save you as much as $172 per year. A clogged air filter could cost $180 per year.

Cigarettes
This is one of the more expensive categories. A pack of cigarettes at the gas station will cost anywhere from $5 to $10/pack depending on what state you live in. At that price, one pack per day translates between $1825 and $3650. Make that two packs a day and you are looking at $3650 to $7300 per year.
There’s probably 50 other things we all mindlessly spend money on, but it’s always good to take a step back and evaluate the budget and determine where to cut back and where to spend more. We still have to enjoy the simple pleasures in life, so if that Starbucks coffee or lottery ticket puts an extra bounce in your step, then by all means enjoy it.