The Fight for the Middle Class: Resources to Help With Jobs, Banks and Health Care
Where to get help in finding work, dealing with banks and getting health care.
March 17, 2010— -- As part of our series "The Comeback: Saving the Middle Class," 'World News" has put together some resources to help you with three key problems -- finding work, dealing with banks and getting health care. If you have suggestions for ways to help middle-class Americans, give us your thoughts on our main page at ABCNews.com/wn.
Finding Jobs
Though much of the country is still struggling from the recession, there are signs that jobs are returning in some areas. ABC News' Dan Harris recently reported that agriculture and energy jobs are coming back in the nation's heartland, and other industries are poised to start hiring soon.
Our colleagues at Good Morning America have put together an extensive list of resources to help you find work. Tory Johnson's Job Club has tips on everything from updating your resume to using social networking sites to finding ways to work from home. You can visit their page by clicking here.
Some highlights to help you with your job search:
Industries That Are Hiring: Temp agencies, the health care industry, and law enforcement are all areas that are expanding their staffs, despite the down economy.
The American Staffing Association maintains a list of temp agencies -- click here for their Web site.
The federal government posts all its jobs at a centralized Web site -- USAJobs.gov.
Freelance Work:Even if you have a job, freelancing can be a great way to bring in more income to pay the bills.
Web sites elance.com, livesalesstaff.com, oDesk.com, and Care.com all post freelance jobs that can pay anywhere from $15 to $50 an hour, many of which can be completed at home.
Help for Older Workers:For baby boomers, it's often more difficult to find a job than for younger workers. The stress of finding work is compounded by the financial obligations older workers face, from mortgages to college tuition.
If you are out of work, the government has resources to help you look for jobs in new industries and get the training you need.
CareerOneStop.org can guide you to your nearest unemployment office to learn about educational benefits, job counseling, and financial assistance to help in the interim.
AARP maintains a web site with resources for older workers -- click here to visit it.
Dealing With Banks and Credit Cards
Americans are paying more than ever before in bank and credit card fees. To avoid the cash drain and tricky fees than many big banks impose, more people are turning to local banks and credit unions that have fewer fees and offer a more personal banking experience.
ABC's David Muir reported in January on MoveYourMoney.info, an online tool set up by the Huffington Post to ease the switch. You plug in your zip code and get a list of smaller banks in your area, each with all the same FDIC protections as the bigger, national banks.
If your problem is overdraft fees or late credit card fees, there are online tools to help you better manage your finances. Mint.com will send you reminder-emails to help you pay your bills on time.
If you have been charged a big fee, don't hesitate to call your bank or credit card company to ask for a waiver. Many companies are eager to keep good customers and will waive fees for first-time offenders.
ATM fees can also add up to a big annual cost. As GMA contributor Mellody Hobson has reported, typical out-of-network ATM fees are now around $3.50, which can add up to hundreds of dollars per year. Hobson recommends either only using your bank's ATMs or switching to a bank that doesn't charge those fees. Charles Schwab and E*Trade will both reimburse any ATM fees you pay.
Other resources:
National Endowment for Financial Education
National Association of Personal Financial Advisors
Society for Financial Education and Professional Development
Consolidated Credit Counseling Services
Health Care
Understanding your insurance coverage is complicated enough, even without considering the debate that's currently underway in Washington, D.C.
There are steps you can take to better manage your health care to make the best choices.
Healthline.com has a number of article to help you understand your plan, enroll in Medicare, and decipher complex terminology.
ABC News also maintains an extensive health page at ABCNews.com/health. There, you can find tools to help you check out symptoms, find doctors, and take preventive steps to maintain your health.