no, not really....
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Word's of Wisdom from Pravsworld.com
Someone told me, you can't manage time, you can only manage you!
To Insure Prompt Service
All of my kids have worked for tips at some point in their lives. You get paid below minimum wage in exchange for the chance to earn more through tips. Here's some advice you need to know:
The Gentleman’s Guide To Tipping
Posted: 25 Jun 2008 12:36 AM CDT
A gentleman knows when and how to tip those who serve him. The unmannered and uncouth do not. Tipping an individual, while not mandatory, should always be done. The only occasion you should not leave a tip is if the service was completely horrendous and the person providing the service made no attempt to remedy the situation. When tipping, you should do so discreetly. Showing off how much you tip does not impress people, but only shows you are a shallow cad. Nonetheless, gray areas in regards to tipping often exist. So read on gents, as The Art of Manliness answers all your tipping questions.
Why Tip?
The difference between regular jobs and many jobs that require tips is that they are service jobs, and they are called service jobs because they are directly serving you. They personally and intimately affect you. You do not need to always tip people like tow truck drivers or baristas, and you do not have to tip people for doing their job per se. But you might think about tipping people for the following reasons:
1) If the person went above and beyond regular service. It is just a way of showing gratitude for a job well done and going the extra mile. Some people say, “Why do I have to tip people for doing their job?” To them I respond, “Does the company you work for give bonuses after a project is completed successfully?” And what is a bonus if not just a very large tip? When bonuses are offered, people do not generally say “There is no need to give me a bonus. I was just doing my job.”
2) To show your gratitude. Another word for tip is “gratuity.” Many people in service jobs are overworked, underpaid, and unthanked. At your job when you do something right, your supervisor says “thank you,” and “job well done!” Who says thank you to the trashmen? Many service jobs are jobs we don’t want to do, and we are grateful people are there day in and day out doing them for us. Our trash gets taken away, our mail gets delivered, our food is served to us. Their pay often does not match their effort. Who thinks that teachers’ pay is commensurate with the work they put in? Tipping is a way to say “thank you” to those who rarely hear it.
3) Tipping ensures great service. This is especially true of people who perform service for you regularly. If you tip a barista at a coffee shop you frequent, or a waiter at your favorite restaurant, they will give you even better service next time. For example, I used to work at a pizza place and when an order came in, if the pizza delivery guy recognized the name, and remembered they were a big tipper, they would bust their butt to get the order out. They would even take the tipper their order BEFORE orders that had come in earlier. If an order came up for a name they recognized as a bad tipper, they would deliver that order later. Similarly, when I worked at smoothie place, this one customer would tip us very heavily every time she came in. So during her visits we were practically falling over ourselves to get her order out. We would start making it even before she paid. And we would always throw in extra goodies. So in things you do regularly, generous tipping is certainly not essential, but can guarantee you better service.
4) That person’s livelihood depends on our tipping. An unsettling number of people don’t seem to realize that many service workers in the US, like waitresses, do not get a regular hourly wage. They get paid something like $2.50 an hour. If you don’t tip, they could end up making less than minimum wage. Tipping in these cases is not optional, but necessary. I know our non-American readers will criticize a system that doesn’t pay everyone a decent wage with benefits. But such criticism will not change the current reality. Plus, if companies were to start paying everyone a living wage plus benefits then the cost of goods and services would rise. Thus, you would end up paying out of your pocket anyway. So if you deeply believe in everyone receiving a fair wage, then why not do your part to make it a reality now?
“What money is better bestowed than that of a schoolboy’s tip? How the kindness is recalled by the recipient in after days! It blesses him that gives and him that takes.” ~William Makepeace Thackeray
How Much Should You Tip?
(Note: Tipping guidelines differ from country to country. This guide is intended for those who will be tipping in the United States.)
Traveling
- Housekeeping at the hotel. A good tip for housekeeping is between $2 to $5. Don’t just leave cash on the nightstand. It might not be clear to your maid that the money is for her. Make sure to leave the tip in an envelope marked for housekeeping.
- Tour guide. Tip between $1 to $5 per person in your group.
- Skycap or bell hop. $1 to $2 per bag they lug for you. If you’re running late and the skycap books your luggage to your plane so you can get there on time, bump up the tip.
- Doorman. Only tip the doorman at a hotel if he gives you a hot tip on the best places to eat or visit while in town.
Personal Services
- Massage Therapist. Give 10 to 20 percent of the total cost.
- Nurses. Usually tipping nurses at hospitals is not permitted, but don’t tell that to my wife’s Italian grandma. She’s a retired nurse and believes you should definitely tip nurses and other health assistants. Any time she’s at the hospital you can guarantee she’s getting the best service because she gave her nurse “la boost.”
- Garage parking. $2 for your car. When you valet park, tip the person who brings you the car, not the person who parks it.
- Baristas/Smoothie Makers/Ice Cream Scoopers. It seems like all these types of establishments have tip jars nowadays. Spare change is always appreciated. If the barista starts making your order as soon as you walk in so that its ready for you by the time you get up to pay, tip a little extra. If they sing a song when you give them a tip, ask them to not sing it or you’ll take the tip back.
- Hairstylist. Tip 15% of the cost of the haircut.
- Takeout. If you order takeout from a restaurant make sure to tip the cashier a bit. While they weren’t waiting on you hand in foot, they did have to bust their butt to get your order together and ready. If they help you take your order out to the car, tip a bit extra.
- Car washer. $3 bucks is good for a basic car wash. If they take extra time in when detailing it, give 10% of the cost of the wash.
- Tattoos/Body Piercings. 15% of the total cost. If the tattoo artist does an amazing job of capturing the image of your mother on your arm, tip extra.
- Tow Truck. It depends on what services the person provides. If they jump your car or change your tire, tip about $4. If they tow it, $5 is good tip. If they are towing you away from a no parking zone, give them the finger.
- Bagger at the grocery store. Typically, people no longer tip grocery baggers. It’s not necessary, but definitely a nice gesture. $1 is a good tip.
Delivery Services
- Newspaper deliverer. During the holidays, give them a card with $20. My in-laws do this every year and as a result, they have their paper delivered straight to their door instead of just thrown on the driveway.
- Pizza/Meal delivery. 15% is customary. If the weather is bad, i.e. there’s snow and ice or a tsunami, and you’re risking the delivery guy’s life so you don’t have to risk yours, tip extra.
- Furniture/large appliance delivery. $5 per person. If they stick around and help you assemble or rearrange your furniture, tip extra.
Out on the Town
- Waiters. 15 to 20% is customary. If they do an exceptional job, pay more. If you come in with a large group make sure to ask if gratuity is added into your check so you don’t tip them twice. (Of course, as a former waiter, I always appreciated it when someone gave me a little extra in addition to the gratuity.) Be extra generous when you’re on a dinner date with a new lady; she’ll be sure to steal a glance at the tip line of your bill to see if you are a cheap loser or a real gentleman.
- Bartenders. 15 to 20%. Again, if they do an excellent job give more. If you come during happy hour and down 20 $.99 cent draws, don’t just leave 15%. Bartenders have to bust their butt to get those things poured for you and deserve more than just your change.
- Casino. There are lots of people you could be tipping at a casino. First, you have cocktail waitresses. 15% is customary. Many people tip dealers when they have a successful run, ensuring the continuation of good karma.
- Taxi. Standard tip is 15%. If they get you to your destination quickly, tip extra.
Holidays
During the holidays, it’s customary to give a little more for the everyday services we receive. Here is just a short list of people you should consider giving “la boost” to during the holidays.
- Mailman. It’s against federal law to tip federal employees, but they can accept gifts of less than $20. But most will probably look the other way if you give more.
- Garbage/recycling man. These guys have a dirty job, recognize their work around the holidays by giving them a tip. $10 per person is nice.
- Teachers. If you have kids in school, it’s usually customary to give their teacher a small gift at Christmas time. It doesn’t have to be big. Here’s a tip: teachers get box loads full of body lotion, candles, and various apple themed knickknacks (no, you’re not the first person to think of giving them an apple-shaped paperweight). Give them something they’ll really enjoy like a gift card to Borders or Target.
- Babysitter. A gift in addition to their normal pay is nice. Gift cards are always appreciated.
- Cleaning person. An extra week’s pay or a nice gift.
Friday, June 27, 2008
10 of 50 things
Over the next 10 weeks, I'll add 5 tips each week. This is from www.marcandangel.com
Self-reliance is a vital key to living a healthy, productive life. To be self-reliant one must master a basic set of skills, more or less making them a jack of all trades. Contrary to what you may have learned in school, a jack of all trades is far more equipped to deal with life than a specialized master of only one.
While not totally comprehensive, here is a list of 50 things everyone should know how to do.
10. Change a Tire – Because tires have air in them, and things with air in them eventually pop.
Weekend Fun & Fund Raiser
First some self promotion for the Three Rivers Festival which is just a couple weeks away.
Saturday morning from 10am to 12noon, I'll be at Hire's Auto Parts on South Anthony with one of my radio stations, WILD 96.3's Big Kess, giving away Free TRF Buttons which give you discounts to many of the TRF events. We will have 100 buttons and other prizes to hand out.
Next, I'll be at the Meijer on Illinois Road (State Road 14) between 1 and 3pm with ROCK 104's Doc West, handing out another 100 TRF Buttons. All we ask is you buy something at Meijer, show us your reciept and you get a button and some other cool stuff.
Also Saturday afternoon, Dog & Suds will be hosting a preliminary round to get contestents for the 3RF HotDog eating contest. That starts at 3pm Saturday on Lima Road.
Here's more details:
Dog n' Suds Hotdog Eating Contest
One last chance to qualify for the
$500 Cash 1st Place Prize!
Dog n' Suds has one more preliminary round left this upcoming Saturday, June 28 at 3 PM. The top five eaters from this last preliminary round will go on to compete at the finals on Saturday, July 12 immediately following the National City Parade at the Verizon Event Pavilion.CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS
Festival Buttons
The 2008 TRF button pack is more valuable than ever, with $100 worth of coupons enclosed and a chance to win concert tickets and merchandise instantly.
And, enter to win:
• 1969 Plymouth Fury provided by Hires Automotive
• Airline tickets
• $500 Meijer shopping spree
• Marriott Fort Wayne Get-A-Way Weekend with dinner at Red River
The Fort Wayne Newspapers Three Rivers Festival Buttons are available for purchase at 3 Rivers Federal Credit Union, Meijer, National City Bank, Hires Automotive Center, Verizon FiOS Plus Stores, and Lassus Handy Dandy.
My friend John Richards, owner of Higher Grounds Coffee, also has some fun Friday and Saturday nights. Here's the email he sent out with the details:
We would like to invite everyone for a night of great music for a great cause. Making her debut at Higher Grounds, we would like to welcome Marnee to our coffee house stage which has hosted many of the great singer/song writers of our community. Marnee has offered to donate all of her tips, and Higher Grounds will match that amount up to $500.
Marnee will be performing at our Dupont location under the stars on Friday, and at our St Joe Village location on Saturday.
| Visit our calendar for more details! http://www.highergroundsonline |
| Marnee Higher Grounds welcomes Marnee for the first time to our Dupont Location This event will benefit Erin's House For Grieving Children. Marnee has offered to donate her tips and Higher Grounds will match that donation up to $500. Check out Marnee's Myspace page!
Location: St. Joe Village |
Thursday, June 26, 2008
9 of 50 things
Over the next 10 weeks, I'll add 5 tips each week. This is from www.marcandangel.com
Self-reliance is a vital key to living a healthy, productive life. To be self-reliant one must master a basic set of skills, more or less making them a jack of all trades. Contrary to what you may have learned in school, a jack of all trades is far more equipped to deal with life than a specialized master of only one.
While not totally comprehensive, here is a list of 50 things everyone should know how to do.
9. Deliver Bad News – Somebody has got to do it. Unfortunately, someday that person will be you.
What's Attracting Folks to this Site
Taking a look at recent visitor traffic and what they Googled to get here, the top 2 recent topics have been:
- Summer Employment. Click here for the post.
- How to get engaged (married). Click here for the post.
When my own kids complained that they couldn't find a job, I took them for a drive and gave them a sheet of paper and while I drove, they wrote down 25 places to contact the next day to see if they were hiring.
They thought they were done with Dad's silly exercise, but I told them to turn the paper over and we continued until they did another 25.
The next day after school, they were to get on the phone and call each of those places and find out which ones were hiring and then fill out applications.
I recall getting a phone call from a very excited teenager that had lots of prospects and a couple of job offers within a few days.
As far as getting married. I have done it twice. And neither time was I very romantic when I popped the question. So follow that advice.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Not on this Blog
Due to my profession and desires, I do not publicize my political thoughts. I will talk to friends and family, but even there I choose my words carefully.
I do not use this personal blog to promote political beliefs, although I have a few links to blogs that are of a political nature on the right side of this page, that I will check on.
I like to hear all sides of the arguments. I like to question lots of opinions.
All of my kids, step kids and their significant others are old enough to vote. On November 9, 2007, I started a blog that is of a political nature. It is designed to get some thinking going. Thinking about this country, about our foundations, and about where we are going.
Without any publicity, it has registered 200 hits with just 16 posts including the one I wrote today.
If you want to go there, and read and comment, simply go to my home page at WWW.ScLoHo.Net, where there are links to all of my web pages on the left side. Click on the Political ScLoHo and any of the other links for that matter.
8 of 50 things
Over the next 10 weeks, I'll add 5 tips each week. This is from www.marcandangel.com
Self-reliance is a vital key to living a healthy, productive life. To be self-reliant one must master a basic set of skills, more or less making them a jack of all trades. Contrary to what you may have learned in school, a jack of all trades is far more equipped to deal with life than a specialized master of only one.
While not totally comprehensive, here is a list of 50 things everyone should know how to do.
8. Win or Avoid a Fistfight – Either way, you win.
Random Wednesday Website
While taking a break from phone calls and script writing before I headed out in the rain today, I found this.
Turn the volume up REAL LOUD!
Screaming Beans (Click here!)
Turn the volume up REAL LOUD!
Screaming Beans (Click here!)
Watch the tin of beans fill up and then click on it until it explodes. The beans don't like it of course, and one little guy starts screaming and screaming until you have to put him out of his misery by clicking on him. Then another little bean discovers his mushy mate and starts screaming his little head off too. No problem, squish him too! Be careful, though, they get faster and faster!
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
7 of 50 things
Over the next 10 weeks, I'll add 5 tips each week. This is from www.marcandangel.com
Self-reliance is a vital key to living a healthy, productive life. To be self-reliant one must master a basic set of skills, more or less making them a jack of all trades. Contrary to what you may have learned in school, a jack of all trades is far more equipped to deal with life than a specialized master of only one.
While not totally comprehensive, here is a list of 50 things everyone should know how to do.
7. Tell a Story that Captivates People’s Attention – If you can’t captivate their attention, you should probably just save your breath.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Meet Tom Brokaw
NBC announced (from Wired.com):
In a bid for stability over reinvention NBC has tapped former nightly news anchor Tom Brokaw to take over hosting duties for "Meet the Press," the Sunday public affairs program whose long-time moderator, Tim Russert, died unexpectedly 10 days ago.
NBC said Brokaw would moderate MTP through the 2008 presidential election.
The choice of gravitas over an attempt to attract another -- or at least an additional -- demographic is significant because NBC has an unusually deep bench of seasoned on-air political interviewers and commentators who ply their chair-bound trade nightly on MSNBC -- unlike any of the other networks, who do not have cable counterparts.
MSNBC's cable stars include Chris Matthews (who also hosts a Sunday political talk show on the Washington NBC affiliate) and Keith Olbermann -- both of whom have seen their prominence rise dramatically in the past year or so with opinionated and intense coverage of the presidential primaries.
Olbermann especially has caught fire with periodic "Special Comments" in which he eviscerates President Bush -- and which are staples on YouTube -- and by being the lead anchor on key primary result nights, along with Matthews.
There are other lights on the ascent as well: NBC White House Correspondent David Gregory is the newest addition to the hour-long political talk format, with "Race to the White House," and correspondent David Shuster is a frequent fill-in host on the MSNBC political bloc who also contributes reporting and commentary to all shows in the evening lineup.
Nobody was seen publicly vying for the job, which would have been the height of unseemliness. But MSNBC strongly denied a New York Post report that Matthews "seemed to be plotting" to get Russert's job and that Olbermann threatened to quit if he didn't get it. On his "Countdown" program Olbermann expressed his own disgust at the newspaper report, printed on the day of Russert's memorial and added that he wasn't remotely qualified to fill Russert's shoes.
And yet ... it is precisely these sorts of unexpected tragedies that create the opportunity for a paradigm shift, so the choice of Brokaw has to be seen, if not dull, as ... safe.
Brokaw, a former "Today" Show host, was NBC's network news anchor from 1981 until 2004, when he retired at age 64. He's been a special correspondent for the network since then, a reliable appearance on major political nights and a best-selling author: "The Greatest Generation" coined a phrase and sparked a new interest in the World War II.
We wish Brokaw well and hope he can survive the speculation -- which begins now -- about who will replace him after Nov. 4.
And, we're hoping this won't turn into another Bob-Scheiffer-for-Katie-Couric-deal. For our view of things, see above.
6 of 50 things
Over the next 10 weeks, I'll add 5 tips each week. This is from www.marcandangel.com
Self-reliance is a vital key to living a healthy, productive life. To be self-reliant one must master a basic set of skills, more or less making them a jack of all trades. Contrary to what you may have learned in school, a jack of all trades is far more equipped to deal with life than a specialized master of only one.
While not totally comprehensive, here is a list of 50 things everyone should know how to do.
6. Do Basic Cooking – If you can’t cook your own steak and eggs, you probably aren’t going to make it.Summer Job Hunting Tips
All of my kids are employed this summer, but it's a different job market then it was when I was their age.
Read this from Harvey Mackay:
Summer job hunting: No day at the beach
The New York Times recently spotlighted a side effect of the current economic malaise—the meltdown of the summer job market.
"The job market of 2008 is shaping up as the weakest in more than half a century for teenagers looking for summer work," said the Times article. "Little more than one-third of the 16- to 19-year-olds in the United States are likely to be employed this summer, the smallest share since the government began tracking teenage work in 1948."
Before offering my tips on how to land a coveted spot on the payroll, let me mention how I lost a plum of a job one summer at Howard's Men's Store in St. Paul. Pay? Fine. But my ambition was honing my golfing skill so I could become a state high school champion. I got fired when I started asking for way too much time off to play in tournaments.
Collecting my walking papers from Howard's proved an unforgettable lesson in the summer school of life: Getting the job is not the done deal. Keeping the job every day is doing the deal. Here's how:
- Flex and accommodate. Young people usually get summer jobs to fill in for staffers who want to take time off. Willingly start early, stay late and schlep—doing all the unpleasant pesky chores regulars shun.
- Network to beat the band. June is late season for summer job hunting. Be enterprising in tapping personal networks—yours, your family's, your friends' and any other quality contacts that can be begged or borrowed.
- Pitch the long ball. Companies love to polish gems in the rough. Always give first consideration to organizations which match your long-term career interests, and then develop an air-tight case as to why a particular summer job will help polish your long-term skills.
- Check back on turndowns. Perhaps a rival for a dream job beat you out. Do a discreet phone check and see if all's well. You never know: Mr. Right could be finagling one too many days off to spiff up his swing on the links.
- Remember alma mater matters. If you're a college student, study the roster of companies who donate heavily to your school. A well-chosen contact can translate to a softhearted alum willing to toss a lifeline to a student in need.
- Do a year's work in a season. A friend of mine spent his college summers as an announcer at a classical music radio station. He was invited back for three encores because he had a special knack for programming and used the summer to structure the station's broadcasts for most of the year.
- Set up shop. Americans spend a lot of money each year on home organization. Many a well-heeled homeowner will plunk down good money so an organizing guru can wring order out of chaos. For out-of-control houses and garages, an enterprising student with a strong back and a knack for neatness can be the low-cost option.
- Scan the big picture. If you're just tracking classifieds in the local gazette, it's time to shake your head out of the sand. The Internet offers access to thousands of pages of help-wanted ads throughout the United States and even the world.
- Stalk old grizzlies. Professionals in their sixties and seventies, often contemplating retirement, hanker to mentor. Example: Tracking down a job in the law or accounting office of a silver-haired ace can be worth two years tuition at a prestige university. Judge any job's pay scale by what you learn as much as what you earn.
If all else fails, volunteer. Nix those beach rays, soap operas or MTV marathons. Volunteer at a community organization that could use your energy and ingenuity—maybe it's the charity favored by the firm where you would most like to work next summer. Too calculating? If it's June, and if you don't yet have a summer job, maybe calculating is something you should consider adding to your skill set.
Mackay's Moral: Does summertime mean the living is easy? Not if you check today's job thermometer.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Boat Ride Secrets!!
First some background info:
The past three weekends, my wife and I have had dinner at Nick's Boardwalk. This is the name of the outdoor dining deck that overlooks the river at Hall's Gas House in downtown Fort Wayne.
There is a pontoon boat and you can ride for 5 bucks. So yesterday we were planning on an outing that included food, drink and a boat ride, except the weather got in the way.
We gathered with 7 of our friends and ate, drank and then simply sat on the boat at the pier, because the captain was gone for the night. The nasty weather we experienced in the afternoon, shut down our main attraction.
However, (here comes the secret)...
This morning during my typical Sunday morning trip to the Firefly, I learned that a friend of mine, Matt Jones, is the pontoon pilot on Sundays between 4 and 8pm. Matt will tailor a boat ride to suit your group.
If you are interested in history, he'll point out the historical highlights. If you are interested in the environment, he'll fill you in on the insiders knowledge. Matt's full time life is with the Allen County Partnership for Water Quality.
My group of friends will schedule a time in the near future, but now you also know when to go and tell Matt, I sent you his way.
Tips for Young and Not so Young
It's never to early to start, nor is is too late:
If you are a new graduate, congratulations! Everything you've worked for during your college career has come to fruition. If you thought college was fun, this next chapter has the potential to be way more fun. You can stop doing homework, at least for a little while, and actually relax at night and on weekends (and be able to pay for it!).
I graduated college several years ago and, in looking back, wished I knew then what I know now about personal finances and money. I've distilled these ideas into the seven tips you see below. None of them are difficult to do, they're just difficult to remember. If you can do all of these tips you'll be ahead of the curve.
Set It and Forget It Retirement
When you start your new job, the last thing on your mind is what you'll be doing when you retire in forty years. However, what you do now will pay big dividends in forty years so be sure to take advantage of the retirement options you have.
Contribute to a 401(k) or 403(b) retirement plan if you can, especially if your employer offers to match a percentage of your contribution. Contribute to a Roth IRA to the maximum every year you can because, hopefully, eventually you will earn too much to contribute and you'll want to take advantage of tax-free growth while you can.
Need proof of this: If you contribute only $100 a month and it appreciates at 10% a year for forty years, you'll end up with over $632,000. Set it and forget it.
Seek Mentors
Find people who know more about the world than you do and learn as much as you can. One of the greatest lessons you can know as a young person is that you don't know a damn thing. All the greats always credit the ones who came before them, the giants' whose shoulders they stood on - find your giants.
Continue Learning
You may have just graduated college but don't stop learning. If your new employer offers education reimbursement, use it and use it as quickly as you can. Education reimbursement is like getting a raise in your salary. And, when you've completed yet another degree, you'll be able to command more in the marketplace for your skills and knowledge. All that costs you is time and effort.
Always Be Networking
Networking is really the fancy term for making new friends. Find opportunities to meet new people by participating in as many things as you can. Join local groups interested in what you like, attend work functions (especially if they're geared towards new employees), and actively participate in local charities or philanthropic groups. Friends give life richness, make as many as you can.
Pay Off Debts
If you have any credit card debts from your freewheeling college years, begin paying those off in earnest. Credit card debt is a weight that will hold you back from your dreams as long as you let it. Your dream isn't to sell your future so you can have fancy new clothes or glittery new electronics, your dream is to make a good life for yourself and the ones you care for. Credit card debt, and other debts, are holding you back so get rid of those 20% a year interest rate behemoths as soon as possible.
Keep Rent Low
When you move to a new place, don't immediately go for the swanky new apartment. You just spent the last four years living in college dorms or off-campus housing, hardly Ritz-Carltons, so don't go locking yourself into high rents for the next year. If you keep your rent low, you can save more and spend more on other, more important, things (like paying off debts).
Enjoy Life, Have Fun!
I went to an engineering school where a lot of people spent a lot of their time hitting the books. I had my fair share of fun but there comes a time when you need to start enjoying life and not focus 100% on work. Remember work-life balance. You can burn the candle at both ends in college because it was only four years, you may be working for forty... your candle isn't as long as you think. Work hard, but remember to play as well or you'll end up miserable.
Congratulations once again and go celebrate!
-Jim
Dumb Little Man - tips for life |  |
7 Things I Wish I Had Known the Day After College Graduation
Posted: 19 Jun 2008 03:06 PM CDT
Written on 6/19/2008 by Jim who writes about money & personal finance at Blueprint for Financial Prosperity.
If you are a new graduate, congratulations! Everything you've worked for during your college career has come to fruition. If you thought college was fun, this next chapter has the potential to be way more fun. You can stop doing homework, at least for a little while, and actually relax at night and on weekends (and be able to pay for it!).I graduated college several years ago and, in looking back, wished I knew then what I know now about personal finances and money. I've distilled these ideas into the seven tips you see below. None of them are difficult to do, they're just difficult to remember. If you can do all of these tips you'll be ahead of the curve.
Set It and Forget It Retirement
When you start your new job, the last thing on your mind is what you'll be doing when you retire in forty years. However, what you do now will pay big dividends in forty years so be sure to take advantage of the retirement options you have.
Contribute to a 401(k) or 403(b) retirement plan if you can, especially if your employer offers to match a percentage of your contribution. Contribute to a Roth IRA to the maximum every year you can because, hopefully, eventually you will earn too much to contribute and you'll want to take advantage of tax-free growth while you can.
Need proof of this: If you contribute only $100 a month and it appreciates at 10% a year for forty years, you'll end up with over $632,000. Set it and forget it.
Seek Mentors
Find people who know more about the world than you do and learn as much as you can. One of the greatest lessons you can know as a young person is that you don't know a damn thing. All the greats always credit the ones who came before them, the giants' whose shoulders they stood on - find your giants.
Continue Learning
You may have just graduated college but don't stop learning. If your new employer offers education reimbursement, use it and use it as quickly as you can. Education reimbursement is like getting a raise in your salary. And, when you've completed yet another degree, you'll be able to command more in the marketplace for your skills and knowledge. All that costs you is time and effort.
Always Be Networking
Networking is really the fancy term for making new friends. Find opportunities to meet new people by participating in as many things as you can. Join local groups interested in what you like, attend work functions (especially if they're geared towards new employees), and actively participate in local charities or philanthropic groups. Friends give life richness, make as many as you can.
Pay Off Debts
If you have any credit card debts from your freewheeling college years, begin paying those off in earnest. Credit card debt is a weight that will hold you back from your dreams as long as you let it. Your dream isn't to sell your future so you can have fancy new clothes or glittery new electronics, your dream is to make a good life for yourself and the ones you care for. Credit card debt, and other debts, are holding you back so get rid of those 20% a year interest rate behemoths as soon as possible.
Keep Rent Low
When you move to a new place, don't immediately go for the swanky new apartment. You just spent the last four years living in college dorms or off-campus housing, hardly Ritz-Carltons, so don't go locking yourself into high rents for the next year. If you keep your rent low, you can save more and spend more on other, more important, things (like paying off debts).
Enjoy Life, Have Fun!
I went to an engineering school where a lot of people spent a lot of their time hitting the books. I had my fair share of fun but there comes a time when you need to start enjoying life and not focus 100% on work. Remember work-life balance. You can burn the candle at both ends in college because it was only four years, you may be working for forty... your candle isn't as long as you think. Work hard, but remember to play as well or you'll end up miserable.
Congratulations once again and go celebrate!
-Jim
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