Budgeting Worksheet

Budgeting your money can be a daunting task, especially when your resources become tight and you need to start cutting back on things. But fear not! This Budgeting Worksheet is the perfect tool to help you organize your spending.

Use this helpful worksheet to list all of your monthly income and expenses. Then, set some goals for areas where there may be room for cutbacks. The worksheet will calculate your totals automatically*, you don't even need to use a calculator! You can also click on the "Chart" tab at the bottom of the worksheet to see a list of totals for each budgeting category.

When you have completed your budget, you may also print a copy to keep with you as a reminder for the goals you have set.


*In order to enter information on the worksheet, you must first download it to your desktop or make a copy:

• To download to your computer, open the link and click File --> Download as --> Excel (or your preferred data software). Then you can save it to your computer and make your entries!
• To make a copy, open the link and click File --> Make a Copy. This may only work if you already have a Gmail account.

Action Verbs for Resumes

Do you want to make your resume sound more professional? Then spruce it up with some action verbs!

Using action verbs like "communicated," "developed," or "supervised" to exemplify your job skills will help employers to take notice of your experiences, and might give you a step up above another competing candidate.

Here are some examples of weak resume statements, which can be improved by using action verbs:

Example #1:

Weak: Report writing and editing

Action: Wrote and edited reports varying in length from 5 to 100+ pages

Example #2:

Weak: Good communication skills

Action: Communicated effectively with clients and staff to achieve desired outcomes

Example #3:

Weak: New hire training coordinator

Action: Coordinated various training activities for new hires

It is important to remember that action verbs and details like the ones in the above examples make your resume much more interesting and appealing to employers. Check out the links below for some suggestions for finding the right words to use:

• A list of Action Verbs from Boston College: http://www.bc.edu/offices/careers/skills/resumes/verbs.html
• View Action Verbs alphabetically or by skills category at Quintessential Careers website: http://www.quintcareers.com/action_verbs.html
• More Action Verbs by skill category at WriteExpress.com: http://www.writeexpress.com/action-verbs.html
  

Get Paid Work Experience!

PA Fair Care - Coverage for Uninsured Adults With Pre-Existing Conditions

PA Fair Care is Pennsylvania’s new health plan for uninsured adults with pre-existing conditions. This temporary plan offers insurance for those eligible until federal health insurance reform takes effect in 2014. PA Fair Care is available on a first come basis, which means once the program is full, we will create a waiting list.

To learn more about eligibility for the program, please visit the program's website.  Answers to frequently asked questions are also available.  PA Fair Care will begin taking applications on August 4, 2010.  The Insurance Department suggests that people apply online.

The Insurance Department is accepting emails with your questions. In addition, a toll-free number, 1-888-767-7015 (TTY 1-888-767-7018), is available to help you throughout the application process. This call center will be open Monday thru Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Next Week is National Health Center Week

(from our friends at the USDA)

National Health Center Week is August 8-14, 2010, and many communities during the month of August are sponsoring health fairs and health screenings. These events target low-income individuals and families without access to adequate health services.

State and community SNAP outreach staff can sign up to volunteer at these events and offer a table with information on SNAP and nutrition materials as there is a direct connection between our diet and our health. Most events have no fee. You can find out about local events at http://www.healthcenterweek.org/join.html.  Clients can also use this site to look for events in their area that they may want to attend.

If you do not see an event in your state today, try again in a few days. Events are posted daily.

image courtesy of http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Automatische_bloeddrukmeter_%280%29.jpg

New Facebook Site to Highlight State Services

From our friends at United Way of SEPA.

A new facebook page titled HelpinPA has been launched to provide greater access to Pennsylvania's health and human services.

The site provides current information and updates about a variety of PA's health and human service programs, events, and resources. Citizens and community organizations can learn more about:

• Health Insurance Programs
• Special Health Care Needs Services
• Prenatal Services
• Breast Feeding Support
• Services for Older Pennsylvanians

Each week, the Departments of Insurance, Health, Public Welfare and Aging will highlight and share information about their programs and services.

For more information you can visit the HelpinPA facebook page or go to www.helpinpa.state.pa.us.

Budgeting for a New LPN Salary

The Budgeting Post-school presentation is a helpful budgeting guide for learning and/or educating others on how to budget expenses with the salary of a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). Although this tool specifically references LPNs, it is also applicable to all workers who need help with budgeting.

Use this presentation for:

• Identifying expenses (rent, utilities, child care, savings, etc.)
• Reviewing a sample monthly budget for an LPN (single with no children)
• Considering needs vs. wants
• Information on paying back student loans
• Different ways to save money