Millions of hardworking Americans will be cut off from the emergency lifeline of federal unemployment insurance, unless Congress acts to fully renew the program before it expires at the end of February.

Congress has never cut back or allowed these programs to expire when unemployment was anywhere near this high for this long.

Yet, as a Congressional conference committee takes it up, House Republicans have pushed for drastic benefit cuts and harsh new requirements — slashing federal unemployment insurance by more than half in the highest unemployment states, and stigmatizing jobless workers with mandatory drug testing.

Their plan would erect harmful new barriers to benefits, making it harder for ordinary Americans to access their unemployment insurance.

Please enter your information on nelp.org, including your phone number. You will receive a call, hear a brief message and then you will be connected to your Members of Congress.

Tell your Members of Congress: Reject Cuts and Harsh Barriers to Unemployment Insurance Benefits — Fully Renew Unemployment Insurance Through 2012 Now! You can refer to the sample script on nelp.org - click here.

Or you can call 888-245-3381 to connect with those Members.

Sample talking points:

Hello, my name is ______________ and I am ________________’s constituent from ____________.

I am calling to urge _______________ to support swift action to fully renew federal unemployment insurance through 2012, and to oppose cuts and harmful barriers to benefits.

Please tell _____________ to urge Congressional conference committee members to reject reckless cuts and harsh barriers to unemployment insurance benefits — and fully renew unemployment insurance through 2012 now. Thank you.

It’s a crazy winter wonderland out there today in the NY metro area and it just keeps coming.
Anyone else snowed in? Anyone have an interview canceled today due to the storm? Anyone enjoying/annoyed with having their roommates, wives, or husbands working remotely from home today? Let us know below.  Fellow Tumblr bloggers can also reply with a photo post!

(Ed. Note) It’s no secret that the unemployed like to or have to save money where they can.  As such an important component of our lifestyle it was only right to team up with FrugalNYC, a premier resource for frugal city living, as we present Frugal Fridays! Enjoy.

Restaurant Week kicks off on Monday January 25, 2010 in NYC.  Due to it’s popularity and the Great Recession, it is once again 2 weeks, from January 25th to February 7th.  There are some new additions this year.

This year, there are 260 restaurants participating.  Some new additions include dell’anima, SD26 and Breslin Bar & Dining Room (in the Ace hotel).  In addition, there is a new Restaurant Week Truck making rounds across the city serving soups from 24 of the participating restaurants.  The truck will run week days only from 11 am to 2 pm January 25th - February 5.  To find out where the truck is you can check nycgo.com or via twitter

Prices for three-course lunches are $24.07 and dinners are $35.  So those of us who have been saving up and eating out less, pick a good restaurant and try it while the prices are low!

Make reservations early, as the best restaurants fill up fast!  Bon Appétit!

For additional links to frugal tips and tricks follow me on Twitter. If you would like to contribute to FrugalNYC in any way feel free to contact me via email. Click here to add FrugalNYC to your RSS reader or Subscribe to FrugalNYC by Email.