(Image via Tinpot.com)

Here are just a few tips to couch surf with some elegance:

-Know when you’ve worn out your welcome. When couch-surfing you basically have a 3 month maximum at one place, assuming this is a very good friend. After that, people start asking questions: When will you be leaving? Where is the orange juice? Why is my tooth brush wearing out quicker than normal?

If you are traveling light (ie, one duffel bag or less), try to stay with several people for small bits of time, say week long “vacations.” A week is a great length of time because at that point you are still a guest and your “host” (I mean this in the hospitality sense, not the parasitic one) will feel obligated to treat you nicely (warm bath towels, dinners, etc). After a week, when they start asking you to vacuum or chip in for groceries, you know it’s time to leave.

-Be as invisible as possible. Your host doesn’t want to be reminded of the fact that there is some liberal arts major sleeping on the couch in his bachelor pad. If you have a lot of extra stuff, think about storing it in your car; many people forget that a car can double as a closet. Or when sleeping on a couch in a high-travel area, make sure to “make your couch” in the morning. This will let your host know that you are classy

-If you are there for longer than 2 weeks, offer to pay as much rent as you can afford. You are a couch-surfer, not a freeloader. If you can’t afford any rent, offer to do chores instead, such as washing dishes, walking the dogs, or giving relationship and/or career advice.

-If there is a party going on in the living room, and people are socializing on your “bed” when you want to sleep, you must wait it out or find another place to sleep. You must bend to your host’s social schedule, not vice versa.

-When sleeping, it’s best to remove the back cushions for extra space and to bring your own pillow. This will give you the added support you need for a good night’s sleep.

Hope this helps…

Here are a few tips when clothes shopping:

-Before you start shopping, start by taking inventory of what you already have. You really don’t need three pairs of shorts with embroidered sea critters on them. Okay, some of us do, but you should at least know what you already have so you don’t waste money on duplicates. One of the main goals, after all, is to create the illusion of having a more expansive wardrobe than you really do.

-Stay away from trendy clothes that will be out of style in 3 months (cigarette legged jeans for men, anyone?). Go for classic clothes that can last you a few years, like a good pair of khacki pants, golf shirts, and sweaters. And remember, no capri pants. Ever.

-Most stores offer end of season discounts on certain colors and fabrics. This is the time to make your move on those items you’ve been waiting for but couldn’t afford. Sign-up to receive emails from your favorite stores and you will know when these sales are going on.

-Before making a purchase online, do a search for coupons that can be used for that store. This will pull up any coupons that could be applied to your order, such as a free shipping offer.

- Try shopping at discount stores, such as TJ Maxx, Ross Dress for Less, Marshalls, and H&M, for some great hit-or-miss deals on designer clothing. For some of the older kids just right out of college, some of these stores usually offer a senior citizen discount once a week.

-If you are trying to use a coupon that you think probably doesn’t apply to your purchase, don’t fret. Find the cashier that looks like he couldn’t care less about his/her job. This is the teenager chatting on his cell phone and/or shouting across the aisle to another cashier about how drunk he/she was three nights ago at Randy, the assistant manager’s, Beer-B-Q. This employee is your friend. Chances are he will barely look at your coupon and scan it on through. (I’m not condoning this).

-Places like Target and Walmart are great for basic clothing needs, like socks, underwear and undershirts. Plus, they usually have great food courts. I recommend the Caesar Salad.

-If you are really indie, love Death Cab for Cutie, and dress like Seth Cohen, thrift shops are good places to pick up some cool, hard to find items. But avoid the trendy thrift stores in nice areas; often times they overcharge and you will soon find yourself paying $70 for that ironic Peter Gabriel T-shirt. Stick to the out of the way stores off the beaten path. Yelp.com is a good place to find reviews on all types of stores.  Yard Sales and eBay are also good places for this type of stuff.

Well, that should be enough to get you started on your road to bargains…

For years, landlords have been in the driver seat, free to charge whatever they want for that crappy unit with hardwood laminate in “Beverly Hills adjacent.”

But with the recession, those days are gone. This is a renter’s market and a great time to renegotiate your rent.

Recently, I negotiated a 10% reduction in my monthly rent, and I’m a horrible negotiator. But I had two things going for me:

-A history as a good tenant.
-A great letter.

A friend submitted my letter (with some edits) to her landlord and one week later, her rent was lowered by 12%. These numbers are big and can add up to thousands of dollars per year.

Here’s the letter I wrote:

February xxx, 2009

Dear XXXX:

I hope this letter finds you well. As you know, I have lived in the XXXX Apartments for one year and my lease expires at the end of February. I enjoy living here, but my current monthly rate of $XXX is far too high, given current market conditions. Starting in March, I propose that my new monthly rental rate be $XXX per month.

I think that proposed rate is fair given the economic climate and based on the following reasons:

* My credit score is excellent and I have paid my rent on time every month. Advertising to find another tenant with my creditworthiness will be difficult and expensive. In this building alone, I know that there are XXXX units that have sat vacant for several weeks.
* My proposed rate is very fair based on the rental rates of comparable 1 bedroom/1bathroom units in (neighborhood) and its surrounding areas.
* A recent article in the Los Angeles Times predicts that housing prices in the Los Angeles area will continue to fall well beyond 2002 levels. Rental vacancies are rising dramatically, as the tens of thousands of foreclosed homes in the Los Angeles area come into the market as rental units.

As I’ve mentioned before, I enjoy living in your building. I just want my rent to be more reflective of the market realities at this difficult time.

I look forward to your response.

Best,

SoCal Joblist

1. Volunteer at the company you want to work for, or any other non-profit - almost all non-profit jobs want previous experience in the non-profit sector.

2. Go to a non-profit’s website and look up “careers” - non-profit jobs aren’t always listed on every search engine, but they are always available on the organization’s website or on the local chapter page.

3. Look for small “boutique” non-profits - large non-profit organizations are much like large corporations: they have HR departments with lots of required qualifications.

4. Search for non-profits as if you were a volunteer - you will be amazed at how many different organizations are actually out there (health related, animal causes, political, educational, etc).

5. Send your resume even if there is not a specific job opening - if there is a non-profit you are interested in, let them know. They may not have an opening, but chances are they are connected with other organizations that might be hiring.

Check it out:

Here

My Big Break

So how does a kid without any formal training land a big Hollywood role? I became an extra, or “background artist.” Becoming an extra is not hard, and as long as there are crowd scenes in movies and TV shows, there will be a need for your services. Keep in mind that the pay isn’t much (minimum wage and meals), but if you are looking for some easy work to tide you over during these tough times, it might be what you’re looking for. Extra work may also help you build your credits to eventually get into the actor’s union, SAG.

Here are some of the steps to get started:

1. You need headshots. I knew a guy back in Jersey who sold his ‘87 Camaro to get headshots because someone once told him he looked like Lance Bass. But headshots needn’t be that expensive. If you’re not sure if extra work is for you, you might want to start out by getting a friend to photograph you or by bartering on Craigslist. You can check out photographers’ websites to see what types of poses they use. Here is an example of a headshot that books work:

This kid is smiling because he just booked another pilot!

2. Create an account on Actor’s Access and post a profile. This site charges a yearly subscription fee, but if you book two extra gigs it should pay for itself. This site is useful because it will email you postings for open casting calls and listings that meet your profile descriptions. Craigslist, once again, is a great source to find random casting calls and extra gigs. And best of all, it’s free.
3. After sending in your headshot, a casting director may call you in for an “audition.” This audition consists of you filling out a form with your suit size and having them take a Polaroid picture of your face. Most of the time they are looking for a “type” (ie, College Kid), so if you meet their description, you’re in.

Good luck…or rather, break a leg!

Even finding listings for assistant jobs can be a bit of a task. As a starting place, check out craigslist.org, entertainmentcareers.net, and the UTA Joblist. The UTA Joblist is a document passed around among assistants that has job listings that might not otherwise be publicized. Applying to a job off of this list is a good start and a good way to separate yourself from the people who couldn’t get access to this list. If you do get a copy of this list, make sure to apply to any job postings that meet your eye immediately.

Swimming With Sharks

Okay, now that you’ve found your dream job listing, here are some general interview tips:

1. Know what your favorite movie is and why. There should be no hesitation when you answer. “I really love “Good Luck Chuck” because…”
2. Know what your favorite recent movie is. In fact, while you are in the process of interviewing, make it a point to go to at least 5 movies in theatres right now. What movies you go to depend on your own taste and where you are interviewing (if you are interviewing at Lionsgate, for instance, you might want to catch up on horror or Tyler Perry movies; Warner Brothers, and you might want to catch the latest comic book blockbuster). Be prepared to discuss which ones you liked and why. If you have no opinion and don’t know which ones you liked, read some reviews and Ebert or A.O. Scott will tell you. As a general rule, stay away from repeating anything Ben Lyons says. That is, unless you too agree that “I AM LEGEND” is one of the best movies of all time.
3. Read at least one recent script that you can talk intelligently about. You might be able to score a script through a friend or get one online at a site like www.script-o-rama.com. It doesn’t matter what script, just be able to speak about it.
4. Know what “coverage” is. If you ace your first interview, you will probably be asked to write some sample coverage later that week. This is basically a book report that includes a logline and summarizes what happens in the script. At the end, there is a section where you write a brief opinion and state whether your boss should “Pass or Consider” the writer and/or project.
5. Know something about the person or company you are interviewing with. You should probably buy a copy of the Hollywood Reporter or Variety (or read online), to become accustomed with the names you should know. Another good option is to sign up for a trail membership of imdbpro.com. This is the industry version of the popular imdb.com and has more detailed information about production companies and representation. Split membership with a friend or cancel after two week trial membership is up to get it for free.
6. Wear a suit. No exceptions. A blazer, Monarchy tee shirt and True Religion jeans is not a suit.
7. Write a Thank You note. You’d be amazed at how many people don’t. Before you leave, ask the person for their email address and send a Thank You note that night. The note can be short but mention something that you discussed in the meeting so the person actually remembers you. Remember you will be writing a lot of emails and letters on this person’s behalf, a Thank You note is your chance to show that you can actually write a sentence. Do not send this note from your Blackberry.

As for the actual work itself, it can be stressful. There are a lot of administrative tasks involved, such as answering phones, setting up meetings, scheduling dentist appointments, scheduling dog’s dentist appointments, etc. And the pay is not very good (expect no more than $30k per year). But this is a great starting point and an excellent way to learn how the entertainment industry works. It really is an apprenticeship.

Check out this video for a sampling of what assistantship could be like:

Hollywood ASST from Back of the Class on Vimeo.

Insurance Through an Employer

When interviewing for a job, make sure to ask the company about their medical benefits package. Basically, there is health insurance, vision insurance, and dental. Some companies, however, only offer general health insurance. Usually, after you’ve worked at one place for 2 or 3 months, you become eligible to be on their health plan.

Once that happens, you have some options:

HMO - Health Maintenance Organization. Basically, you have a Primary Care Physician (your main doctor) and he/she is in a network with other doctors. You must consult with your Primary Care Physician to get referred to specialists, so there are some restrictions about where/who you can see for special needs. The advantage of this plan is that it usually has a low copay, which means you pay a few bucks for each doctor visit and it has a low monthly fee.

PPO - Preferred Provider Organization. Basically, it’s a big group of doctors who are connected in a network and you can go to any doctor within that network. This plan is more expensive than an HMO, but might provide you with more flexibility in selecting a doctor.

Dental - Dental plans are generally PPOs, which means you can select a dentist in a specific network and then pay a co-pay when you go in for an appointment.

Vision - Vision Plans generally offer a specific amount (around a few hundred dollars) towards glasses, contacts, eye exams every year. You must pay out of pocket for any overrages.

If you are new to a city, most health care providers have websites where you can search for a doctor in your zip code that falls under your plan. But I think it’s best to ask an older co-worker who has lived in the city a while. Co-workers with children are also good people to ask for advice on choosing a primary doctor, as they are in doctors’ offices all the time.

Getting Coverage if You Lose or Quit Your Job

If you leave a job with health insurance, you can continue getting the same coverage if you are willing to pay for it. You will have to pay whatever your company was paying for you to have health insurance. Generally, this is cheaper than getting insurance as an individual.

Make sure you fill out the appropriate paperwork before you leave the job so there is no interruption in your coverage. Also, some companies will provide your health care through the end of your last month. So if your last day is on the 1st, they would pay for your policy to the end of the month. So if you can, try to schedule your departure for early in the month if this is an issue for you. But check with the HR department to learn your company’s specific policy.

Also, keep in mind that there are certain restrictions, like the company has to have more than twenty employees, has to remain in business, and you can only use the insurance for a finite time period. For more detailed info, search for “Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act” or COBRA, which is the law that allows you to do this.

If You’re Unemployed/Self-Employed

You might have to get Individual Health Insurance, which is an insurance policy purchased from the insurance company directly. You will have to pay the entire premium yourself, but if you’re self-employed, it can be a tax deduction. There are tons of companies that offer health insurance, but when selecting a policy pay careful attention to the deductible amount and what percentage of costs over that deductible amount the insurance company will pay for. Deductibles are the amount of money you must pay before the insurance company starts to pay too.

According to ahrq.gov, you should try to get a policy with a lifetime minimum of no less than $1M.

For additional information, visit:

http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/297/10/1154

http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/publications/10working4you.html

http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/healthy/health-ins/688.html

http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/faqs/faq_consumer_cobra.html

Okay, as I said, I am not an expert and I generalized this stuff so I probably missed a lot of important points. I hope this at least points you in the right direction.

Okay, now usually I’m a pretty lighthearted guy, but if there’s one thing that gets my goat, it’s wasting money. I am not a financial expert and can’t offer stock or investment advice, but I can speak from experience on ways to pinch pennies and put a little away each month. If my friend is reading, I just wanted to address a few of your points.

Here are the details:

My friend makes about $30,000 per year, which broken down, is about $2500 per month, or about $1050 every two weeks after taxes. This is not a lot of money, but as a single person without college loans, there is room in your budget for savings and fun.

-First, create a budget. You will quickly see where all your money is going. You’ll be amazed how quickly the little things, such as Starbucks or lottery tickets, add up.

-Overage fees at banks and ATM charges are simply unacceptable. This is a ridiculous waste of money. Some banks charge $25 per transaction if you’re overdrawn. Check your balance online every few days and if you don’t already have it, get your paycheck automatically deposited. Most employers do this for free and banks often waive the yearly maintenance fees for people with direct deposit. But come on, $25! Think of how many drinks that is…

(Overage Fees=Burning Money)

-My friend claims that it’s not worth it for her to put any money in savings since she has so little that it won’t matter. But didn’t Einstein say that compound interest was the most powerful force in the universe? It doesn’t matter how much you have now, it’s about how much you will have over the years. So start setting aside, $25, $50, or even $10 per month.

Put your money in a savings account that offers a good interest rate, such as INGdirect.com, an online bank, and read some legitimate financial experts. Financial guru Suze Orman wrote a great book called “Young, Fabulous, and Broke” which goes into more detail about saving, paying off debt, and opening up IRA’s. You should check it out.

-After talking to my friend, she claimed that she didn’t spend money on anything. But after a little more prodding, it was revealed that she bought lunch everyday at work and went out to dinner about 2 times per week. Assuming $10 per meal, this is a whopping $70 per week, or $280 per month. Sure, we all need to go out sometimes to blow off some steam. But maybe we could cut back on that a little, instead having friends over for homemade meals, or even a drink at your apartment.

If you must go out a bunch for networking purposes, consider buying the first round of drinks. That’s the only round people remember and you might be able to drink for free the rest of the night, as people will think they still owe you one.

To save that extra money in your food budget, think about packing your lunch a few times a week or making a trip to the grocery store. Trader Joes, for instance, sells delicious frozen rice bowls for about $3. Also, when grocery shopping, think about clipping coupons. Surprisingly, this can get you a significant discount and is well-worth your time. You can print coupons online here.

This is just a starter list, so more to come later. Does anyone have any other tips on saving?