Atlantafi.com is bringing you the latest on the coronavirus pandemic, which has the state of Georgia and the city of Atlanta under a state of emergency.
-
Congress painstakingly approved a more than $900 billion stimulus package to keep Americans afloat during the coronavirus pandemic. Aside from a $600 one-time payment (will it be $2,000), there are other things in the bill you may want to know about.
We’re going to show you what’s in ihe stimulus package for you.
Although a first wave of payments in April 2020 came and went, millions of Americans are still hurting financially and need monetary aid.
Here Are The Stimulus Package Details
A co-author of the $908 billion package, Sen. Joe Manchin, D-West Virginia, told the media in early December that lawmakers were close to approving a $600 stimulus to Americans in need. But there was much debate over certain add-ons that President Trump wanted inside the bill, including spending for a border wall.
Many critics have slammed the $600 stimulus as a slap in the face, but others are grateful for any paltry sum.
Here is what the stimulus package includes:
- $600 direct payment to most Americans
- $300 additional pay for unemployment benefits
- Reopening of the Small Business Loan Program
- Moratorium extension of eviction protection
- Aid for nutrition assistance
- Aid for child care and schools
“We made major headway toward hammering out a bipartisan relief package,” said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, told reporters.
With many workers still preparing for layoffs, lawmakers are poised to approve more stimulus money down the road in 2021.
Up Next: How To Track Your Stimulus Money
Interested in other ways to save or make money? Check out our Money Section:
-
You’ve applied for the job and added your resume online and studied the top interview tips. Now you’re just waiting for your would-be employer to call you. Here’s how to prepare for a job interview in Atlanta.
You’re going to earn that job and get hired because you’re going to be prepare on the interview. Here’s how to do it.
How To Prepare For A Job Interview
No matter if you have a job interview planned with Home Depot in Smyrna, CNN downtown or with the CDC off Clifton Road in the middle of Atlanta, you need to know how to win the interview. The size of the company shouldn’t matter: If you’re ready, you’re ready.
The key is to prepare yourself well before the day of the interview. Here are five steps to do it:
1. Research The Company
To build confidence in what you know about the company you’re hiring with, you need to research it. Take your time to read up on the organization.
The only way to get comfortable is to know what you’re talking about. Some questions may be about the company’s history or recent accomplishments. Do your homework.
2. Write A Script
Write out a script of what you’re going to say on the interview. This is not a time to leave your answers and articulation to guesswork. If you actually write out what you’re going to say, it will do wonders for your nerves.
Writing out an interview script will also allow you to anticipate the pace of the conversation and where to take it.
3. Match The Job Description With Your Skills
Clearly match what the job description says and how your skills match up. The interviewer won’t be the one that ties yours skills with the requirements of the job — that’s your job.
4. Have Specific Examples Of Your Accomplishments
Don’t rely on your resume to tell your narrative. Be prepared to itemize your accomplishments in a way that brings it home. Talk about that time you saved your previous employer thousands of dollars. Mention that promotion and why you got it.
5. Anticipate The Interviewer’s Questions
The interviewer will have a set of questions that you need to be prepared for. Typically they will ask you about how you handled a less than ideal situation. They may also ask you what you feel your biggest weakness is. You’ll want to mention something that you’ve since corrected.
6. Finish Strong
As the interview nears to its conclusion, remember to smile often. Accentuate your strongest points. Gesture in the affirmative and look the interviewer in the eye when it’s appropriate.
At the end, always give a firm handshake. And always, always send a thank-you note or email a day or two after the interview.
What Are Some Signs That Your Interview Went Well?
You may be wondering after the interview if it went well. Some signs that would indicate that are:
- The interviewer tells you that it went well.
- Your references were contacted.
- Your thank-you email is well received.
Up next: How to write a resume that wows Atlanta employers
How To Write A Resume That Will Attract Atlanta’s Top Companies
-
Atlanta is tops in the nation when it comes to ATM fees, according to a new study from BankRate.com. The study looked at metropolitan areas with the highest and lowest bank fees, including charges for insufficient funds.
Atlanta residents are getting hit with the highest fees for using out-of-network ATMs and also rank in the top 10 for highest overdrafts.
When it comes to combined ATM fees, the national average is $4.64, but Atlantans are paying $5.60. Meanwhile,
Chicago residents pay the lowest ($4.11).Let’s look at the top 5 and lowest 5 when it comes to ATM fees.
Cities With The Highest ATM Fees Cities With The Lowest ATM Fees 1. Atlanta- $5.60 25. Chicago- $4.11 2. Tampa- $5.20 24. Los Angeles- $4.17 3. Detroit- $5.18 23. Seattle- $4.19 4. Houston- $5.03 22. Boston- $4.28 5. DC Metro- $4.93 21. Cincinnati- $4.31 “To avoid fees, consumers should limit ATM withdrawals to within their own bank’s network, says Bankrate.com’s Chief Financial Analyst Greg McBride, CFA. “While large banks have large ATM networks, many smaller banks and credit unions belong to nationwide fee-free alliances that may have significantly more ATMs available than even the ATM networks of big banks. One other option is getting cash-back at the point of sale when using a debit card. Banks don’t charge and very few merchants do either, amounting to a free withdrawal.”
How To Stop Those Bank Fees
Here are some tips shared by McBride on how to cut down on bank fees.
- “Consumers can avoid balance requirements and monthly fees by looking for a free, typically non-interest account,” McBride says.
- “Avoid interest checking accounts, with their high balance requirements, high monthly fees, and low yields averaging just 0.04%.,” he adds.
- “Nearly 90% of non-interest accounts are free or can become free by signing up for direct deposit,” adds McBride.
Are you trying to become more financially literate? Check out Money Mondays at AtlantaFi.com, where we’ll share strategies to save and make cash.
If saving money is something you’re serious about, AtlantaFi.com has a lot of resources to help you.Read more: -
One of the best ways to save money is to do it with a savings account. The under-the-mattress approach doesn’t work like it used to.
In this article, we’re going to go over why a savings account might make sense for you and what types to consider.
What Is A Savings Account And How Do They Work?
A savings account is one of the basic accounts you can open at your bank or credit union. With a savings account, you can deposit money and let it grow over time.
If you need the money, you can simply withdraw it from your savings account, but if you keep it in there it can earn interest.
You may be wondering what type of savings account should you get? Well, you need to pay particular attention to the kind your bank is offering.
Some savings accounts allow you to make little to know money on interest, so you’d want to steer clear of those. The type you want is a high yield savings account.
What Is A High Yield Savings Account?
A high yield savings account is one in which the high interest rate allows you to earn more money — as much as 25% higher than a traditional savings account.
To find out what type of interest you’ll get, notice the APY (annual percentage yield) of the savings account.
Should You Open A High Yield Savings Account?
As long as the bank is FDIC-insured, your money in a high yield savings account is guaranteed. So what’s the worry?
If the economy is in distress (like we are right now) you likely won’t make a lot of money in a high yield savings account. That means the amount of money you have in there will sway up and down.
So while you assume no risk of losing your initial deposit, the amount of interest you have on top of it is subject to market volatility.
Where Can I Open A Savings Account?
In the big city, you have plenty of options on where to open a savings account. Here are some major banks you may want to consider. These banks and the rates are good as of 2020.
Bank Savings Rate Alliant 0.40% Nationwide 0.55% Discover Bank 0.55% Marcus (Goldman Sachs) 0.60% Final Words
Opening a savings account is a great way to make the most of your money. If you choose wisely, you will see an increase in your savings account little by little.
Are you trying to become more financially literate? Check out Money Mondays at AtlantaFi.com, where we’ll share strategies to save and make cash.
If saving money is something you’re serious about, AtlantaFi.com has a lot of resources to help you.Read more: -
If Walmart is your favorite store, you’ll surely love its new membership service, Walmart Plus, which offers customers free, unlimited same-day delivery service, fuel discounts and more.
In this article, we’re going to tell you everything you need to know about Walmart Plus.
The Bentonville, Arkansas-based company has been testing an Amazon Prime rival for some time now and is ready to debut amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Here are three things to know about Walmart Plus.
What is Walmart Plus and What Do You Get With It?
Walmart Plus is the company’s new membership plan similar to Sam’s Club, which it owns. Here are some of the top benefits that come with Walmart Plus:
- Unlimited free delivery
- Scan & Go shopping in the Walmart app
- 5 cents a gallon fuel discounts at Walmarts
How To Sign Up For Walmart Plus?
Walmart says the new membership service began on September 15, 2020. So basically, you get two weeks free service before your plan begins on October 1.
The two-week grace period is also plenty of time to see how your benefits pan out when you order from Walmart.com for same day, next day or two-day delivery.
You can sign up for Walmart Plus at walmart.com/plus.
How Much Does Walmart Plus Cost?
Walmart Plus costs $98 a year or $12.95 a month, the retailer says. If you want to test out the service before committing to buy it, there’s a 15-day free trial period.
Walmart is obviously trying to compete with Prime here, making the price a tad bit cheaper than Amazon’s monthly membership costs.
Last Words
Walmart says it will add even more perks to Walmart Plus “in the future,” but doesn’t elaborate.
If saving money is something you’re serious about, AtlantaFi.com has a lot of resources to help you.Read more: -
If you’re looking for a job, you need to bring your “A” game to the interview. That means you need to be as prepared as possible.
In this article, we’ll discuss some top interview tips to make sure you get the job you want.
Try These Top 5 Interview Tips That Work
Here are some topics we will discuss:
- Most Common Interview Mistakes
- Use Strong Action Words
- Show Examples Of Your Work
- Look Professional
The most common interview mistakes you can make all fall under being underprepared. That includes:
1. Most Common Interview Mistakes
- Acting overly familiar with the interviewer: Keep it professional at all times. That means you should limit small talk to only what’s appropriate.
- Nervousness to the point of paralysis: If you freeze up during the interview, there’s no way you can communicate effectively. Take your time and relax.
- Not educating yourself about the company: Do as much research about the company and position as you can. That way, you can speak from a knowledgeable place and you won’t have to guess.
2. Use Strong Action Words
When you finally get your chance to describe yourself and your qualifications, don’t waste it by being timid. Use strong active words instead of passive phrases.
Here are some strong action words to use on your interview:
- Creative
- Enthusiastic
- Determined
- Enthusiastic
- High-Energy
- Motivated
- Powerful
- Priority
- Robust
- Trustworthy
The strong action words you use during your interview should match your resume as well.
3. Show Examples Of Your Work
You never know how your interviewer will ask you to prove your experience or qualifications. They may ask for samples of your work. Have them ready.
You should be able to show them a digital file or printouts of the work you’re most proud of. This shouldn’t be something you need to go look for at the time of the interview.
Having work examples on hand shows that you’re ready for the interview and serious about the job.
4. Look Professional
No matter what the position is, you should always look professional or at least in line for what the job entails.
For example, if you’re applying to work at a bank, it probably would be wise to look like a banker or dress in formal clothes.
You can always buy a suit or style your hair in a way that works in your favor rather than against you.
5. Set Up Your Video Equipment
Because nearly all interviews are being done via video call right now, you need to know how to set up. If you’re using Zoom here are some tips to know.
- Set up your video in a secluded and quiet place in your home
- Make sure you have adequate lighting, but not too much light
- Check your internet connection for lags or interruptions
- Make sure your webcam shows clear and not grainy
- Dress professional and yes, wear pants
Last Words
Make sure you have a copy of your resume in front of you. Also you’ll want to practice being natural in front of a camera.
No matter what, continue to have the confidence in yourself that you can get the job.
Metro Atlanta’s hot economy has slowed of late due to the COVID-19, but that’s OK. Check out our Coronavirus Resource Guide and find out how to make and save money.We currently have job articles that show you high-paying jobs, those close to downtown and even side hustles you might like.If you’re looking to get hired in Atlanta right now, there’s a very real possibility that you can land your dream job. -
If you are an Uber driver, independent contractor, starving artist or another kind of freelancer, you probably could use $1,000 right now, especially with the coronavirus pandemic still wreaking havoc.
Are You A Gig Worker? Here’s How To Get a $1,000 Forgiveable Loan
The U.S. government is still offering freelance workers up to $1,000 as part of the Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) distributed by the Small Business Administration.
The EIDL is called a loan, but works more like a grant in that it is forgiveable and you don’t have to repay it.
What Are The Requirements?
As for as eligibility, here is what you need..
- You must be a small business owner or have a qualified agricultural business in the United States or its territories.
- are currently eligible to apply for a low-interest loan due to Coronavirus (COVID-19).
- You must also state your name, address and other basic business information
How To Apply
To apply for an EIDL loan, fill out this application for Disaster Loan Assistance.
Although you face a perjury charge if you’re not truthful on your application, you don’t even have to be directly affected by the pandemic to get the loan.
Are you a small business owner? Here are some grants you should apply for.
Atlantafi.com is bringing you the latest on the coronavirus pandemic, which has the state of Georgia and the city of Atlanta under a state of emergency. More definitive advice on health, please visit CDC.gov. Here are some helpful links:
-
Because of the Coronavirus pandemic life hasn’t been the same for a while now. If you have to self-quarantine, don’t think you need to spend that time doing nothing.
What could be better than to make money and self-quarantine at the same time?
Big cities like Atlanta and others are at a huge risk if we don’t obey recommendations from health officials at the World Health Organization and the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control & Prevention.
This article is going to show you how to self-quarantine and make money.
5 Ways To Make Money Online While You Self-Quarantine
Here are some apps that allow you to make money online and even get cash back for purchases. All you have to do is download:
1. Get Paid To Take Photos
All you need is a smartphone to make money these days. You can take pictures in your backyard or nearby and make money by selling the images online.
Here are some sites where you can sell your pictures:
2. Test Products At Home
You can actually get paid to conduct market research on behalf of companies. Here are some companies that you can sign up to test products for:
3. Self Your Hair Online
You can actually make money selling your hair. There are several websites that act as hair marketplaces. Here’s where to sell your hair.
4. Get Paid To Help Google
Google Surveys is a tool that allows you to make money by helping the company via search. Here’s how to get started.
5. Make Face Masks
In this day and time, one of the hottest items for sale are face masks and face coverings. The CDC has guidelines that give you the dimensions.
Here’s what you need to know about making face masks and face coverings.
Final Word
Not to be paranoid, but going under self-quarantine is not the same as being a hermit. That being said, you can make the best use of your time by taking care of yourself and making money.
Atlantafi.com is bringing you the latest on the coronavirus pandemic, which has the state of Georgia and the city of Atlanta under a state of emergency. Here are some helpful links:
If you’re interested in making extra income, don’t miss How To Make Money At Home and How To Quarantine And Make Cash.
Interested in other ways to save or make money? Check out our Money Section:
More Articles Like This From AtlantaFi.com:
-
if you’re looking for a job during the coronavirus pandemic, Instacart has gone on a massive hiring spree. The company is looking to hire 250,000 to meet demand.
In a post on Media, Instacart said this:
One month ago, we shared our plans to bring on 300,000 additional full-service shoppers to help us meet increased customer demand we’ve seen. We quickly met that goal, and are now planning to bring on an additional 250,000 full-service shoppers in an effort to get back to same-day delivery across our platform.
Instacart Goes On Hiring Spree
The company says it will especially focus on shoppers in the following states: California, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C. and Toronto.
Instacart shoppers will also get wellness checks in the app. The company says the app will ask shoppers a number of questions before they begin shopping.
“To help make it easier for you to monitor your health during this time, all shoppers will soon have access to a daily, in-app wellness check. This check will help you determine if you have any COVID-19 related symptoms, and give you guidance on what to do next if you have symptoms.”
How To Apply To Be An Instacart Shopper
If you’re interested in being an Instacart shopper, here’s how to apply for the job.
You must be age 18 or older to work for Instacart. What you’ll be doing is shopping and delivering groceries and everyday essentials to homes.
Instacart also partners with Costco pharmacies, so you may also be delivering prescription medications.
Here’s the link to apply to be an Instacart Shopper.
Metro Atlanta has a hot economy and that means employers are hiring at a rapid pace. We currently have job articles that show you high-paying jobs, those close to downtown and even side hustles you might like.If you’re looking to get hired in Atlanta right now, there’s a very real possibility that you can land your dream job.More Atlanta Jobs from AtlantaFi.com:
- Best work-from-home jobs in Atlanta
- How to get a job at Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta
- Ways you can make money online in Atlanta
- What Is A 401(K) And How To Use It?
-
Like most people, your grocery bill may be taking up more of your income than it has in many years. And that’s Ok, you gotta eat. But you don’t have to pay full price for groceries.
If you have all the money in the world, then you may not need to save money, but many people do. This article is going to show you three tips to save money on your grocery bill.
3 Steps To Help You Stop Paying Full Price For Groceries
No matter if you like to fill your basket with potato chips, steaks, shrimp or toilet tissue, you can save money if you do it right.
As you’ll see, the way you save money on groceries, is you put together a strategy.
1. Download These Apps
Ever wanted to shop and earn cash rewards? Download these rebate apps to save big money on groceries:
2. Make A Budget
The worse thing you can do is show up at the grocery store without a plan. You don’t want to shop by just throwing whatever you see in your basket.
You should make a budget that takes care of all your needs for that week or until your next paycheck. When you create a budget here’s what you should include:
- List your expenses
- Itemize things you don’t need
- Lastly, write down necessities
3. Save The Most On Groceries By Making A Shopping List
The #1 way to save is to write down the things you need to buy. If you add that to the budget you’ve created, it will tell you exactly the amount of money you can spend.
It will also show you what you can buy and how much you can afford. Another benefit of making a shopping list is that it will keep you focused so you don’t overspend.
Last Words
No matter how much money you have, the only way you’re going to save money on food is if you put together a plan. Put these strategies in action, and let me know if they work!
Interested in other ways to save or make money? Check out our Money Section:
More Articles Like This From AtlantaFi.com: