Thrift is SO Having a Moment Right Now

Diverse group of six workers wearing safety vests posing in front of a loading dock.

As your self-proclaimed “thrift culture” blogger, I feel it’s my responsibility- nay – my duty this month to point one simple fact to the blogosphere. Let’s all join hands and bow our heads– thrift stores are really having a bit of a moment right now.

This Tax Season, Take Advantage of the Earned Income Tax Credit

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During last year’s tax filing season, more than 27 million American families were refunded in excess of $62 billion by taking advantage of the Earned Income Tax Credit, or the Earned Income Credit (EITC or EIC). However, each year, millions of families fail to take advantage of billions of dollars in EITC refunds that they are eligible to receive. If your family is considered low-income or medium-income by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), your family may be losing out on potential tax refund dollars.

My Story: Casey Harrington

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Casey was referred to Goodwill through her state’s rehabilitation services office. After quickly learning how to process books, she also received training on how to process shoes and accessories. She says, “The best part about having a job is coming to work, meeting new people and coming out of my shell!”

Transition Your Wardrobe from Winter to Spring with These Tips

Diverse group of six workers wearing safety vests posing in front of a loading dock.

March is the perfect example of an ‘in-between seasons’ month that can’t really decide whether it wants to be winter or spring. If you’re living in the Northeast like me, you’re probably fully ready for spring despite the weather’s overwhelming aversion to it. Regardless of whether the groundhog predicted an early spring or six more weeks of winter, there’s plenty you can do to reflect your anticipation for spring fashion now. Here is some advice for invigorating your wardrobe during the tricky month of March.

Action Needed to Prevent One-Size-Fits-All Approach to Job Training

Diverse group of six workers wearing safety vests posing in front of a loading dock.

Next week, the U.S. House of Representatives is expected to consider the Supporting Knowledge and Investing in Lifelong Skills (SKILLS) Act (H.R. 803). The bill proposes to reauthorize the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) while consolidating 35 job training programs in a single block grant to states. On March 6, 2013, the House Education and the Workforce Committee passed the bill 23-0. Democratic members of the committee walked out on the vote to protest the partisan process being used to advance the bill.

My Story: Robert Johns

Group of workers wearing high-visibility vests standing in front of a loading dock.

Robert was struggling to take care of his family after his father’s passing, when he was referred to Goodwill. After learning and succeeding at a variety of tasks, he rose to the position of dock attendant. “I really take pride in my work,” he says.

Tell Congress to Put Job Seekers' Needs above Partisan Differences

Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC) has noted concerns that the skills gap makes it difficult for employers to fill jobs with qualified workers and that the more than 50 federal job training programs present a complicated maze for job seekers to navigate. In response to these concerns, Rep. Foxx has introduced the Supporting Knowledge and Investing in Lifelong Skills (SKILLS) Act, which proposes to eliminate 35 job training programs into a single one-size-fits-all block grant to states. Tell Congress to set aside old disagreements to build upon the strengths of existing programs to develop a broad workforce system that serves employers and businesses, serves people, and contributes to building stronger families and communities.

Tell Congress to Put Job Seekers’ Needs above Partisan Differences

Diverse group of six workers wearing safety vests posing in front of a loading dock.

Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC) has noted concerns that the skills gap makes it difficult for employers to fill jobs with qualified workers and that the more than 50 federal job training programs present a complicated maze for job seekers to navigate. In response to these concerns, Rep. Foxx has introduced the Supporting Knowledge and Investing in Lifelong Skills (SKILLS) Act, which proposes to eliminate 35 job training programs into a single one-size-fits-all block grant to states. Tell Congress to set aside old disagreements to build upon the strengths of existing programs to develop a broad workforce system that serves employers and businesses, serves people, and contributes to building stronger families and communities.

Nine Ways to Save $100 This Week

Diverse group of six workers wearing safety vests posing in front of a loading dock.

Travis from Lincoln, NE, asks, “I feel like I’m living paycheck to paycheck and am having a really hard time figuring out areas where I can possibly save up some money for the future. What should I do?”