Looking to start a small business? Contact the Small Business Administration at http://www.sba.gov/

 The city’s new Web page, www.phila.gov/business, is designed to make it easier by listing where you have to go, whom you have to see, and what you have to do to open or expand a business.

People who’d rather be running their firms “have had to spend a lot of time in the Municipal Services Building” figuring out city rules and practices, said Sara Merriman, director of policy for the city Commerce Department.

“We’ve now captured all of the city business information, the forms, the licenses, the permits, the direction you need to go, and we’ve put it in one place,” Merriman explained.

You still cannot apply or pay online, notes Kevin Dow, chief operating officer at the Commerce Department. Plans are to add a “much more robust user interface” next year.

http://www.philly.com/philly/business/20091113_PhillyDeals__City_Web_site_making_it_easier_to_do_business_here.html

Nearly 402,000 Americans will lose their unemployment benefits at the end of this month, and more than 1.3 million will face that same harsh reality by the end of this year, but there is help available. 

www.pathwayspa.org- PathWays PA

www.uwsepa.org- United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania

www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ocs/liheap/- Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

www.chipcoverspakids.org- PA’s Children’s Health Insurance Program

www.pparx.org- Partnership for Prescription Assistance 

www.fns.usda.gov/fns/- Nutrition Assistance Program

The world’s biggest social networking site has unveiled a slimmed down version to make it easier for people with slow or poor Internet connections to join in the fun.

Initially Facebook developed the Lite version to support users in developing countries, where bandwidth constraints made the full version too slow to use, but it’s likely that even those with good Internet connections will flock to it. Currently, the slimmed down version is only available in the US and India, but Eric Eldon of InsideFacebook.com, says a “worldwide rollout doesn’t seem too far away.” Users can check out the Lite version, and if they don’t like it, they can switch back to the full version.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8249835.stm

Every Wednesday on NBC10’s “Survive and Thrive” we bring you a half-hour filled with money saving tips, expert financial advice, a list of open jobs in our area, plus much more to help you and your family survive and thrive during these tough financial times. In case you missed today’s show, you can find helpful links and information below. 

Resources for Low-Income or Unemployed People

Nearly 402,000 Americans will lose their unemployment benefits at the end of this month, and more than 1.3 million will face that same harsh reality by the end of this year, but there is help available. 

www.pathwayspa.org- PathWays PA

www.uwsepa.org- United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania

www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ocs/liheap/- Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

www.chipcoverspakids.org- PA’s Children’s Health Insurance Program

www.pparx.org- Partnership for Prescription Assistance 

www.fns.usda.gov/fns/- Nutrition Assistance Program

Website We Love

Check out www.walletpop.com- it’s a full-fledged personal finance and consumer website. You can find deals, learn about money management, get financial advice, ask questions, and much more.

Jobadelphia Career Fair

Job Circle is holding it’s annual Jobadelphia Career Fair, tomorrow September 10th from 10AM until 2:30PM, at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia (3601 South Broad Street). You’ll have the opportunity to meet with dozens of Philadelphia’s leading companies. So instead of just sending out your resume, come network with HR professionals and hiring managers to increase your chances of getting hired and discover new opportunities in our area. Parking and admission are free, and you can pre-register by going to www.jobadelphia.com.

Coupon clipping has become second nature for many conscientious shoppers-  coupons are popping up everywhere- even on your cell phone, and now a new form of coupons called “group coupons” are gaining popularity. Group Coupons offer discounts on restaurants meals, sporting events, spa treatments, golf outings, and other luxury expenses that are often cut from the budget when times are tough. The catch is, a certain number of people have to sign up, for the deal to apply. For example, if the minimum number of people required for the deal is 50, and 50 people sign up by the end of the day, you’ll get a printable gift certificate in your inbox the next morning that you can use whenever you want (until it expires). If not enough people join, no one gets the deal and you won’t be charged. Check it out and see what you think: www.groupon.com

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-coupons8-2009sep08,0,4805941.story?track=rss

The largest video site, YouTube, which currently offers some older movies for free, is talking with major Hollywood studios about a potential deal that would let visitors view newer full-length movies for a fee. According to comScore, users in the US alone watched nearly 9 billion clips on the site in July, which is more than 10 times the number of clips watched on sites owned by its closest competitor, Viacom. 

If a deal is reached with major Hollywood studios, it could be a huge change for YouTube, and put them in direct competition with Netflix, Amazon and Apple but according to analysts, it’s too early to gauge the financial impact such a deal could have on YouTube, since the terms are still unknown.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/03/technology/internet/03tube.html?ref=business

Walmart.com has expanded their online operations, offering nearly 1 million new items from different retailers including eBags, CSN Stores and Pro Team. Wal-Mart Marketplace’s launch will give the world’s largest retailer a chance to compete in the online world with websites like Amazon and Apple. Payment for purchases will be handled by Wal-Mart, while the individual companies will handle shipping and customer service.

http://blog.pennlive.com/business/2009/08/walmart_to_sell_goods_from_oth.html

Looking for another way to save money? We all search for the cheapest prices, but sometimes it’s hard to compare when you add rebates and rewards into the equation. Evreward.com is a website that scours the web daily to help you find the best shopping rewards out there- just type in the name of the retailer and it will give you a list of credit card rebates, rewards and college savings programs that work at that retailer.

According to a survey by CareerBuilder, the number of companies using social networking websites like Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, and LinkedIn to screen potential employees has doubled in the last year…and what employers found on those sites has ruined chances for more than a third of candidates.

A striking 35% of employers chose not to hire someone because of what they saw or read on a social networking site. The most common reasons that employers dismissed candidates include inappropriate photographs, content about them drinking or using drugs, talking poorly about previous employers or clients, and showing poor communication skills.

At the same time, the use of social networking sites can work in the favor of potential candidates when used in away that showcases a candidate’s personality, skills, and personal brand. The VP at CareerBuilder says, “Make sure you are using this resource to your advantage by conveying a professional image and underscoring your qualifications.”

http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2009/08/17/daily49.html

We’ve told you about websites where you can donate your old electronics or better yet, get cash– but don’t be giving away your personal information. You have to remember to wipe your personal information off your phone, laptop, or whatever the appliance may be. You can take advantage of free downloadable programs like Eraser from cnet.com. Or if it’s a phone, call your carrier and ask them to walk you through removing your contact information. Don’t forget to tune into NBC10 at 5:30 tonight– for “The Good News Is…” – news that will make you smile and make you proud to live in this area.