Tim McMahon, Editor of UnemploymentData.com

My grandfather lived through the Hyperinflation in Weimar, Germany--to say he was an original “gold bug” would be an understatement. I began reading his “hard money” newsletters at the age of 16 and the dividends from gold stocks helped put me through college. I began publishing the Financial Trend Forecaster paper newsletter in 1995 upon the death of James Moore editor of Your Window into the Future and the creator of the Moore Inflation Predictor©. FTF specializes in trends in the stock market, gold, inflation and bonds. In January of 2003, I began publishing InflationData.com to specialize in all forms of information about the nature of Inflation. In 2009, we added Elliott Wave University to help teach you the principles of Elliott Wave analysis. In January 2013, we began publishing OptioMoney. Connect with Tim on Google+.

Best Side Hustles of 2019

July 2, 2019 by Tim McMahon

Changing careers is a risky business. But with unemployment rates at the lowest levels since 1969 finding a new job should be easier. However, if you’d like a little bit of insurance against the unexpected you might want to pick up a little “side hustle” cash to tide you through the transition. Or perhaps you are a stay at home mom and would like to pick up some extra cash. Here are some tips so you can make money from home.

Do Surveys

You may be wondering, why would you want to do something so completely boring and low-paying? However, not all surveys pay ridiculously low rates. Some can pay as much as $75. Look up good survey platforms and keep an eye out for surveys that match your experience and interests.

Play or Create Games

Believe it or not, this is a good way to make money. You can work with user Testing, which pays people to test out games and record their thoughts. That is a pretty exciting new way to make some money. You can make money and have fun while still feeling like a hardworking person.

May Unemployment Still Low

June 8, 2019 by Tim McMahon

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released their monthly unemployment survey results for May on June 7^th. Although Unemployment is still at record lows job creation is less than expected.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics:

The U.S. economy created 75,000 jobs in May and the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate held steady at 3.6 percent. However, economists projected a 175,000 jobs gain and instead only got 75,000 so they were disappointed but that didn’t stop the stock market with the DOW gaining over 1% in a single day.

According to the BLS Commissioner’s report for this month:

“ Nonfarm payroll employment edged up in May (+75,000), and the unemployment rate remained at 3.6 percent.
Employment continued to trend up in professional and business services and in health care…
In May, 4.4 million people were working part time for economic reasons (also referred to as involuntary part-time workers),
down by 299,000 from the previous month and by 565,000 over the year.”

Key factors in the report were:
Employment in professional and business services increased by 33,000…
Health Care employment rose by 16,000…
Construction employment increased by 4,000…
Seasonally Adjusted U-3 Unemployment remains at its lowest rate since December 1969.

Of course the Commissioner is talking about “Seasonally Adjusted” jobs. In unadjusted terms April had 150.942 million jobs and May had 151.629 million for an actual increase of 687,000 jobs.

For more info see our Current Unemployment Chart and Current U.S. Employment Chart commentary:

Key May Employment and Unemployment Numbers

Adjusted U-3 Unemployment- 3.6% unchanged from April
Unadjusted U-3 Unemployment- 3.4% up from 3.3% in April but down from 3.9% in March and 4.1% in February, and 4.4% in January.
Unadjusted U-6 Unemployment- 6.7% down from 6.9% in April and 7.5% in March, 7.7% in February and 8.8% in January.
Unadjusted Employment (Establishment Survey)- 151.629 million up from 150.988 million in April, 149.862 million in March, 149.143 million in February and 148.295 million in January.
Labor Force Participation Rate- 62.8% unchanged from April.

Current Seasonally Adjusted U-3 levels are below the 3.8% lows of 2000. Prior to that we have to go all the way back to 1969 to see better unemployment levels than we have currently. If we break below 3.4% we have to go all the way back to 1953 to find lower levels and remember that was during the boom that followed WWII with a massive loss of the workforce due to the war so we probably won’t see levels that low again.

Finding Fulfillment in Your Career

June 3, 2019 by Tim McMahon

The “Great Recession” of 2008 put the retirement plans of many seniors on hold which resulted in fewer opportunities for millennials. But now, more than 10 years later, many of those seniors are thinking about retirement once again. So that should start creating opportunities for younger people. If you want a career that helps you grow, you need to know yourself. This includes understanding what your values are and assessing future goals. Here are some ways to find a career that will give you opportunities for growth.

Volunteer

When we get caught up in making enough to survive or in making more money we can lose sight of what is truly important. You may feel frustrated from not being able to earn enough money to live off of or because life is meaningless. Volunteering can lead to a paying job, teach valuable skills and impress employers. Maybe you’d like to help animals, advocate for the environment or teach children who live in poverty. You may also want to work for a company that donates to charity or encourages employees to volunteer. There are also non-profit organizations that hire people so you have the opportunity to help others while [Read more…] about Finding Fulfillment in Your Career

Could Landscape Architecture Be the Career for You?

May 28, 2019 by Tim McMahon

Landscaping is more than glorified lawn care. It is an artistic occupation that balances beauty with function in a home’s outside property area. This can range from a small section of land that can be cultivated into a garden, to a large yard in the front, side, or back of a home. With numerous styles to offer, landscaping is an exciting career that provides opportunities for creative design and purposeful lawn management. Here are four reasons you may want to consider this career.

Landscaping Exercises the Imagination

While some people may consider physical labor to be mind-numbing or boring, the opposite is closer to the truth. Viewing natural resources like land, water, and woodlands as the tools of an artist, and the lawn or garden as the expectant canvas, a landscaper can unleash creativity to design stylistic elements that fulfill the homeowner’s style preferences. From elegant to fun-loving, there are countless lawn themes to be developed and implemented that will suit anyone’s taste.

Landscape Architects

If you want a career that is high tech but gets you out of the office part of the time you might enjoy being a landscape architect. It involves creativity, computer design work and some onsite activity so you get the best of both worlds.

Meaningful Outdoor Work Enriches Body and Soul

Working in fresh air and sunshine, surrounded by grass, trees, shrubs, and flowers, a landscaper’s work often [Read more…] about Could Landscape Architecture Be the Career for You?

How to Remain Productive During Your Time out of Work

May 20, 2019 by Tim McMahon

Whether you chose to leave your job or you were forced out, while you’re out of work, it’s likely that your productivity level will drop at some point or another. If you do find yourself suffering from this plight, fear not, as this is just your natural reaction to your day-to-day schedule undergoing such a drastic change. If your separation from your previous employer was involuntary then it is likely that you will suffer from depression as well, which will sap your energy and make it even more difficult to get your career back on track. No matter how big the motivation may be to stay in bed all day, don’t give in to this temptation. If you do, before long, you’ll find yourself falling behind the pace in your career.

Instead, you should seek to remain busy, productive and have a positive attitude, while you are unemployed. Remember this is an opportunity to change your life for the better. Here are a few things you can do to ensure this is the case:

Claim Whatever Money You Are Owed

It’s a lot easier to remain productive when you have some money in your pocket, even if it’s not the amount of money you are used to having at your disposal.

For one, having some cash to fall back on will allow you to venture wherever you need to go in your quest to get a job — you won’t need to worry about financial issues holding you back from attending interviews over the other side of town, for instance. With money in your pocket, you’ll also be able to invest in yourself by enrolling in courses that will better your chances of landing a job going forward.

No matter your reason for [Read more…] about How to Remain Productive During Your Time out of Work

Art Not Paying the Bills? 4 Tech Jobs for Highly Creative Individuals

May 7, 2019 by Tim McMahon

The arts carry a stigma of a dead-end, useless degree to pursue. Don’t believe it. While art isn’t paying the bills for most people, don’t’ sacrifice your passion for money. Marry passion and profit by finding the right occupation to feed the soul and the wallet. Four career paths will change the way you view art.

Work as a Web Designer

The internet changed the way we interact and communicate, and part of the reason is the fantastic web design. It is the first impression for companies to attract web traffic and generate sales. A web designer develops that first impression, creating web pages, websites and website templates for individuals and companies. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics web designers/web developers earn an average of $33.38 per hour. Employment of web developers is projected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations. Demand will be driven by the growing popularity of mobile devices and ecommerce.

Work as a Graphic Designer

The graphic designing industry is vast, offering a comfortable salary and room to evolve within the occupation. Create graphic T-shirts, company logos, personal logos, album covers, and packaging design based on individual and company ideas. Work in the branding, packaging, and advertising department at several companies. Choose to work for a graphic design company. A third idea is starting a graphic design business for more control and flexibility. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Graphics Designers earn an average of $24.21 per hour but Employment of graphic designers is projected to grow slower than the average for all occupations. Graphic designers are expected to face strong competition for available positions so you may need to think outside the box and create your own niche.

Work as a Multimedia Artist

A career combined with animators, multimedia artists create [Read more…] about Art Not Paying the Bills? 4 Tech Jobs for Highly Creative Individuals

Why You Shouldn’t Lose Sight Of Your UK Pension

May 6, 2019 by Tim McMahon

Whether you’re currently unemployed, hunting or just starting a new job, it’s easy to forget the idea of a pension ticking over in the background. Saving for your retirement is vital for ensuring security in old age. While it might seem insignificant at the moment, it’s worth considering what options you have when it comes to saving for it and looking after it. Luckily, the pension experts at Portafina have created a list of crucial reasons why you shouldn’t lose sight of your pension.

You’ll be Automatically Enrolled

If you’re currently employed in the UK, over 22 years of age and earning over the threshold of £10k, then you will have automatically been enrolled on your workplace pension scheme. When you factor in your contributions, your employer’s and the tax relief you’ll receive as a bonus, it totals to 8% of your annual salary. There’s also no reason to stick to the minimum amount – adding more will only do more to boost your overall pension pot. By not even investing in the minimum, or not automatically enrolling yourself, you could be losing out in thousands of pounds to support yourself after employment.

As mentioned, tax relief is something you are entitled to, so ensure you are receiving the full amount. This is claimed back from the government by both employers and personal pension providers. If you’re enjoying a higher or additional tax rate, you may need to claim this back yourself via HMRC’s self-assessment form.

Advice Could Earn You Much More

Those who are receiving professional advice on their pension savings could be earning much more. Investing in a [Read more…] about Why You Shouldn’t Lose Sight Of Your UK Pension

April Unemployment Lowest since 1969

May 4, 2019 by Tim McMahon

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released their monthly unemployment survey results for April on May 3^rd and it is much better than anyone expected.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics:

The U.S. economy created 263,000 jobs in April and the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped to 3.6 percent.

That far exceeded the 180,000 estimated by economists. Last month the economists projected a 175,000 jobs gain and instead got 196,000 for two excellent months in a row.

According to the BLS Commissioner’s report for this month:

“In April, nonfarm payroll employment increased by 263,000, and the unemployment rate declined to 3.6 percent. Over the month, notable job gains occurred in professional and business services, construction, health care, and social assistance. The April employment gain compares with an average monthly gain of 213,000 over the prior 12 months. (The prior 12-month average incorporates revisions for February and March, which increased nonfarm payroll employment by 16,000 on net.)”

Key factors in the report were:
Employment in professional and business services increased by 76,000…
Construction employment rose by 33,000…
Employment in health care increased by 27,000…
Seasonally Adjusted U-3 Unemployment is the lowest rate since December 1969.

Of course the Commissioner is talking about “Seasonally Adjusted” jobs. In unadjusted terms March had 149.862 million jobs while April had 150.988 million jobs for an actual increase of 1,126,000 jobs.

For more info see our Current Unemployment Chart and Current U.S. Employment Chart commentary:

Key April Employment and Unemployment Numbers

Adjusted U-3 Unemployment- 3.6% Down from 3.8% in March
Unadjusted U-3 Unemployment- 3.3% down from 3.9% in March and 4.1% in February, and 4.4% in January.
Unadjusted U-6 Unemployment- 6.9% down from 7.5% in March, 7.7% in February and 8.8% in January, 7.5% in December.
Unadjusted Employment (Establishment Survey)- 150.988 million up from 149.862 million in March, 149.143 million in February and 148.295 million in January.
Labor Force Participation Rate- 62.8% down from 63.0% in March and from the peak of 63.2% in February.

Running out of Sick Days? How to Balance Chronic Illness and Work

April 30, 2019 by Tim McMahon

Most companies today allot a certain number of PTO (Paid Time Off) days or hours for their employees. However, many employees may suffer from a chronic illness that requires them to miss more work days than normally allowed. If you’re running out of paid sick days for the year, following these tips can help you balance chronic illness and work and may keep you out of financial hardship.

Get a Proper Diagnosis

You may assume that you’ll be fine with time, but you could be suffering more than you have to if you don’t get the correct diagnosis from a doctor. Your doctor may even be able to write a note to your employer explaining your situation if you have a proper diagnosis, and this may help you get extended sick pay. The information that you receive about your diagnosis from your doctor can also be used to let your employer know exactly how much more time you expect to miss from, and this can be effective in bridging better communications with your boss. Not only that, but getting an official diagnosis can make it a great deal easier to get the care you need to fully recover.

Track Your Triggers

Certain triggers may be behind your symptoms, and eliminating these triggers can allow you to recover faster. Allergies caused by certain foods and environmental factors often lead to chronic illnesses, and an allergist can test you to determine if you’re suffering from allergies. Food allergies and intolerances that aren’t life threatening are often overlooked as being symptoms of something completely unrelated. Because of this, it’s important to be aware of any history of auto-immune disorders or food intolerances in your family history. On the other hand, environmental factors such as workload and even flickering lights can trigger debilitating effects. If your chronic illness is related to stress, methods like yoga, meditation or counseling can help you maintain your mental and physical health. No matter what the cause, however, tracking the factors surrounding episodes of illness are important to help your doctor make a proper diagnosis. [Read more…] about Running out of Sick Days? How to Balance Chronic Illness and Work

Health Risks of Office Work and How to Avoid Them

April 24, 2019 by Tim McMahon

At a glance, office work may not seem dangerous. There isn’t a lot of heavy lifting going on and certainly no one wears a hardhat to their desk job. While working in an office may not seem like it could pose any health risks, there are several dangers of working in an office that you should be aware of. The good news is that they are avoidable when the proper measures are taken.

Obesity

Food at parties, meetings, corporate events, and random coworkers bringing in treats all add up to extra calories and extra inches around your waistline. If your company isn’t health-conscious, it may be time to take matters into your own hands. Advocate for healthier options at meetings and in the break rooms and vending machines. Bring your own lunch and stock your drawers with healthy snacks. If you are in a position of power, encourage your subordinates to have walk-and-talk meetings and to take breaks every so often. Get more exercise, take the stairs rather than the elevator, park further from the door take walks during your breaks. There are also several “chair exercises” that you can do right at your desk.

Stress and Depression

Many Americans cite work as one of their top stressors. Causes of stress at work include long hours, lack of support, and large workloads. All of these factors lead to very stressed and depressed office employees. It’s well-known how stress and depression can negatively impact a person’s health; issues range from increased illness to suicide. If you are an office worker, be sure to identify why you are feeling stressed. Talk to your manager about those specific things and try to work out a better plan. Also, be sure to use all of your mental health days! One of the major causes of depression is a lack of vitamin “D” aka. the “sunshine vitamin” and so being in an office all day you probably aren’t getting much sunshine. So if you can add the 5 or 10 minute walk in the sunshine that will help also taking a vitamin supplement can also help make up the deficiency. Of course not all depression is from a vitamin deficiency but it is a good place to start. And once again getting more exercise can also help increase your serotonin levels.

Neck and Back Pain

Sitting for too long or having an improper posture leads to [Read more…] about Health Risks of Office Work and How to Avoid Them