Wal-Mart Outsources Jobs

By Amber Kruth

Sam’s Club Layoffs

Wal-Mart Inc. announced it will outsource the product sampler jobs at Sam’s Club to the Rogers-based marketing firm Shopper Events. The ultimate result is a loss of more than 11,000 jobs nationwide, many of them part-time jobs. Spoken as a merit to the customer’s experience, Shopper Events will present tastes of samples and product demonstration with crisp, new uniforms and bold, colorful signs. The laid-off employees were encouraged to apply for the new positions at Shopper Events.

Tax Filing Assistance

AARP will be providing tax assistance at the Washington County Courthouse from Feb. 1 through April 15 on the bottom floor. You can file your taxes for free there from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. You can’t make an appointment, so arrive early and wait your turn.

Teaching Financial Basics

States are discussing requiring students to complete a personal finance course before they graduate from high school. Previously determined as a value taught at home, due to the recent economic disaster, some states are making it the law to make sure the lesson is taught.

The classes not only teach basic budgeting, but can also explain 401(k), home mortgage lending and the risks of accumulating excessive debt. Supported by the National Financial Capability Challenge, many schools incorporate finance lessons into existing subjects, thus evading budget restrictions. Several schools have adopted an age-appropriate scale, beginning as early as kindergarten.

FPL 411

The Fayetteville Public Library has a new service to help solve your inquisitions. The Reference Desk will be available during business hours to answer basic informational questions by text messaging. Text your question to 66746, type fpl at the beginning of the message, followed by your question. Standard text messaging rates apply.

The Reusable Bag

Many grocery stores are selling reusable bags intended to replace the disposable plastic bag. Target offers a 5-cent discount for each reusable bag the customer uses. Harps recently distributed reusable bags to students in the Fayetteville district and three California-based Walmart stores are experimenting with eliminating plastic bags all together. If the thought strikes you but the styles don’t, take a quick browse of Amazon.com, or retail grocery stores and order your supply online.