When you are looking for a job, are you checking out your current companies competition?
Think about it - I used to work for Citibank. When I started looking for a job, the first place I looked was at other banks.
Bank of America
Wells Fargo
Ally
BBVA Compass, etc
The same holds true with Healthcare, Retail, Construction, and many other industries.
Whatever industry you are in, look at other companies. They generally require the same skill sets that your current employer does.
My ex-husband started out as a sheet metal mechanic and now does CAD programming. He can move from industries such as construction to fabrication, etc.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Resolutions vs. Goals
How many of you made resolutions at the beginning of the year?
Hold your hands up high!
How many of you have failed in your resolutions?
Once again, hold those hands up high!
The reason that we fail with our resolutions is quite simply most people say:
My resolution is to lose weight or my resolutions is to quit smoking. Nothing more.
Instead of making resolutions we should be setting goals.
Reason: Goals have certain fundamental rules - they should be in writing, measured, state a time period, and explain how your are going to meet it.
For example: I am going to lose 5 pounds per month by walking a mile each night.
I am going to quit smoking by June 30 by cutting down 2 cigarettes per week until I quit.
I am going to save money by eating out less one time per week and put that money in a jar so by then end of the year I will have an additional $250.
Remember, Goals are:
In writing,
measured,
timed,
and explained how to meet it.
Hold your hands up high!
How many of you have failed in your resolutions?
Once again, hold those hands up high!
The reason that we fail with our resolutions is quite simply most people say:
My resolution is to lose weight or my resolutions is to quit smoking. Nothing more.
Instead of making resolutions we should be setting goals.
Reason: Goals have certain fundamental rules - they should be in writing, measured, state a time period, and explain how your are going to meet it.
For example: I am going to lose 5 pounds per month by walking a mile each night.
I am going to quit smoking by June 30 by cutting down 2 cigarettes per week until I quit.
I am going to save money by eating out less one time per week and put that money in a jar so by then end of the year I will have an additional $250.
Remember, Goals are:
In writing,
measured,
timed,
and explained how to meet it.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Consider dropping the Land Line
This day and age do we really need land lines?
There are some that would say yes. What if you need one at home for the kids?
In reality, instead of paying an additional $30-$40 for a land line, consider getting a second cell phone (usually for around $10 for the extra line) and have this as a "home" cell phone.
You don't have to change phone numbers if you move. I've kept the same phone number for years, even though I live in a different state.
911 call centers are actually getting better at handling cell phone calls. It should be important for your children to know there phone and address.
The only reason this day and age to keep a land line may be for business purposes.
This is one way of cutting expenses out of your budget.
There are some that would say yes. What if you need one at home for the kids?
In reality, instead of paying an additional $30-$40 for a land line, consider getting a second cell phone (usually for around $10 for the extra line) and have this as a "home" cell phone.
You don't have to change phone numbers if you move. I've kept the same phone number for years, even though I live in a different state.
911 call centers are actually getting better at handling cell phone calls. It should be important for your children to know there phone and address.
The only reason this day and age to keep a land line may be for business purposes.
This is one way of cutting expenses out of your budget.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Always To Carry Cash
12 reason to carry cash!
1) Splitting bills - if you go to a restaurant for lunch and they will not do separate checks. You have cash you can pay your part.
2) Tipping - most servers prefer cash tips. This is they're income and it is easier for them to handle.
3) In case your can't use a card - Not everyone takes debit cards. There is a store near where I work nestled in between the high rises. The other day I ran in for a box of tissues. Good thing I had cash.
4) In case of emergency - You never know what is going to happen, best to have some cash with you.
5) Suspended card - The bank makes an error and your card cannot be used. But you've already had breakfast. Good thing to have cash.
6) Tolls - Friday, a couple of weeks ago there was an accident on I75 with all lanes closed, so I had to take 400 (a toll road) to get back to my temporary quarters. I had cash to pay for the toll.
7) Mug money - now this I would have laughed at before my temporary assignment in Atlanta. This was not something that I would normally worry about in San Antonio, but working in midtown this past few months have been quite the experience. The theory is to carry $20 and as few cards as possible in order to pacify a mugger. Since the mugger will usually take the money and leave you alone.
8) Cash discounts - Can't take advantage of these with a debit or credit card.
9) Showers & raffles - Anyone who works in an office knows that these come up. It's always best to have cash in order to donate.
10) Parking - If you don't pay by the month, you end up paying by the day and it's usually cash only.
11) Minimum or small purchases - Some business only allow debit or credit cards to be used with a minimum amount of $5 or $10. Do you really want to use your debit card for a $1.29 soda?
12) Yard or Garage sales - always require cash.
In addition, after any disaster may require cash simply due to the fact that the business will not have access to the phone lines required for the transmission of the data for the debit or credit cards.
1) Splitting bills - if you go to a restaurant for lunch and they will not do separate checks. You have cash you can pay your part.
2) Tipping - most servers prefer cash tips. This is they're income and it is easier for them to handle.
3) In case your can't use a card - Not everyone takes debit cards. There is a store near where I work nestled in between the high rises. The other day I ran in for a box of tissues. Good thing I had cash.
4) In case of emergency - You never know what is going to happen, best to have some cash with you.
5) Suspended card - The bank makes an error and your card cannot be used. But you've already had breakfast. Good thing to have cash.
6) Tolls - Friday, a couple of weeks ago there was an accident on I75 with all lanes closed, so I had to take 400 (a toll road) to get back to my temporary quarters. I had cash to pay for the toll.
7) Mug money - now this I would have laughed at before my temporary assignment in Atlanta. This was not something that I would normally worry about in San Antonio, but working in midtown this past few months have been quite the experience. The theory is to carry $20 and as few cards as possible in order to pacify a mugger. Since the mugger will usually take the money and leave you alone.
8) Cash discounts - Can't take advantage of these with a debit or credit card.
9) Showers & raffles - Anyone who works in an office knows that these come up. It's always best to have cash in order to donate.
10) Parking - If you don't pay by the month, you end up paying by the day and it's usually cash only.
11) Minimum or small purchases - Some business only allow debit or credit cards to be used with a minimum amount of $5 or $10. Do you really want to use your debit card for a $1.29 soda?
12) Yard or Garage sales - always require cash.
In addition, after any disaster may require cash simply due to the fact that the business will not have access to the phone lines required for the transmission of the data for the debit or credit cards.
What to Do IF Your Debit Card is Compromised
So you go to use your debit card and it isn't accepted. You know there's enough money in your bank so you can't figure out why. You go on line - $7.34 in your account - but your paycheck just went in---now what? You know you didn't do that - well congratulations, you've been hacked. That was me last year, fortunately from working in the banking industry for years, I knew what to do. Here are some simple steps to follow:
1) Call your bank! Have the debit card canceled immediately.
2) Ask for the Fraud unit at your bank and let them know which charges were fraudulent.
3) Look at each of the charges, they should have a phone number attached. Call each phone number and let them know what happened. In my case, it was all porn sites (I didn't know anyone could watch that much porn) and they very quickly (within 7 days) refunded the money into my account. Make sure you write down who you spoke to and if they give your the name of the person that used the card.
4) File a police report. Make sure you get the case # to give to the fraud unit at your bank as well as keep for your records.
This was an experience I don't wish upon anyone, but if it does be prepared.
1) Call your bank! Have the debit card canceled immediately.
2) Ask for the Fraud unit at your bank and let them know which charges were fraudulent.
3) Look at each of the charges, they should have a phone number attached. Call each phone number and let them know what happened. In my case, it was all porn sites (I didn't know anyone could watch that much porn) and they very quickly (within 7 days) refunded the money into my account. Make sure you write down who you spoke to and if they give your the name of the person that used the card.
4) File a police report. Make sure you get the case # to give to the fraud unit at your bank as well as keep for your records.
This was an experience I don't wish upon anyone, but if it does be prepared.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Nine Great Emergency Light Sources Other Than Flashlights
This is a post that I ran across on Daily Survival. This can be used in case of thunderstorms, tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes or any other natural disaster.
So the lights go out and you feel around to get the flashlight that you had stashed in its secure location on top of the refrigerator (stepping on somebody’s blocks and toy soldiers in the dark on the way) and to your horror you find that your handy flashlight isn’t there! Someone used it and didn’t put it back. So you stumble through your house to your bathroom and find the flashlight you keep there with dead batteries. Yep, this actually happened at my house once.
Fortunately, I believe in having a backup plan, and usually a backup to that backup plan, so what else can you use to get some light in your house while the power is out? Here are 9 great emergency light sources when you’re not using your trusty flashlight. And for the purpose of this post, I’m excluding everything that works like a flashlight (headlamp, keychain lights, crank/shake powered flashlights, etc.).
1. Any backlit electronic device you have handy. Your cell phone, laptop, tablet computer, mp3 player, even an indiglo wristwatch will give off enough light to get you to another light source. There are cell phones equipped with a flashlight, but just the glowing face gets you a good amount of light to go by.
2. Lighter. Your lighter isn’t going to put out enough light to eat dinner by, but it can get you enough light to find another source of light. This is the first of a few of our light sources that are an open flame. Of course use caution and don’t use the open flame lights if there’s a possibility your gas line is leaking, if you’re going to fall asleep, or around other flammable objects. You all know that, right? Okay, on with the list.
3. Candles. Keep a few somewhere you’ll be able to get to them fairly easily. Don’t bury your box of candles out in the shed under a bunch of other boxes. Keep some in the house ready to be lit for emergency light.
4. Fire. This works outside of course, but if you have a fireplace or wood/coal stove in your house, you can use it to get some light going. And a good fire will also give you heat which you may be needing with no power.
5. Light sticks. These are great for the kids for a morale boost. They put out a fair amount of light, but are a one time use product, so you’ll want a handful of them on hand if you’re planning on using them frequently or for much light.
6. Gas stove. The flame from a gas stove isn’t very “bright”–it burns mostly blue flame, and it’s not at all portable, but it is a source of light.
7. Oil lamps. You can use these with lamp oil, cooking oil, or kerosene. Oil lamps can be purchased at camping type stores or online, or if you’re crafty you can make your own.
8. Solar outdoor path lights.. The kind on a stick that light up your walk at night. These are awesome. They come in varying strengths, and they don’t require any fuel or batteries–just put them outside during the day and bring them in at night for some easy lighting. You probably already own some.
9. Camping lantern. These are the lanterns that use Coleman type fuel either in a pressurized tank or in the screw on bottles. They put out a lot of light. Make sure you have fuel and extra mantles if your lamp requires them. There are camping lanterns that are battery powered as well. These lanterns are great for lighting entire rooms.
There you go. No reason to go about living in the dark even if all your flashlight batteries are dead. Enjoy some light with one of these alternate emergency lighting sources.
Nine Great Emergency Light Sources Other Than Flashlights
Original Article
So the lights go out and you feel around to get the flashlight that you had stashed in its secure location on top of the refrigerator (stepping on somebody’s blocks and toy soldiers in the dark on the way) and to your horror you find that your handy flashlight isn’t there! Someone used it and didn’t put it back. So you stumble through your house to your bathroom and find the flashlight you keep there with dead batteries. Yep, this actually happened at my house once.
Fortunately, I believe in having a backup plan, and usually a backup to that backup plan, so what else can you use to get some light in your house while the power is out? Here are 9 great emergency light sources when you’re not using your trusty flashlight. And for the purpose of this post, I’m excluding everything that works like a flashlight (headlamp, keychain lights, crank/shake powered flashlights, etc.).
1. Any backlit electronic device you have handy. Your cell phone, laptop, tablet computer, mp3 player, even an indiglo wristwatch will give off enough light to get you to another light source. There are cell phones equipped with a flashlight, but just the glowing face gets you a good amount of light to go by.
2. Lighter. Your lighter isn’t going to put out enough light to eat dinner by, but it can get you enough light to find another source of light. This is the first of a few of our light sources that are an open flame. Of course use caution and don’t use the open flame lights if there’s a possibility your gas line is leaking, if you’re going to fall asleep, or around other flammable objects. You all know that, right? Okay, on with the list.
3. Candles. Keep a few somewhere you’ll be able to get to them fairly easily. Don’t bury your box of candles out in the shed under a bunch of other boxes. Keep some in the house ready to be lit for emergency light.
4. Fire. This works outside of course, but if you have a fireplace or wood/coal stove in your house, you can use it to get some light going. And a good fire will also give you heat which you may be needing with no power.
5. Light sticks. These are great for the kids for a morale boost. They put out a fair amount of light, but are a one time use product, so you’ll want a handful of them on hand if you’re planning on using them frequently or for much light.
6. Gas stove. The flame from a gas stove isn’t very “bright”–it burns mostly blue flame, and it’s not at all portable, but it is a source of light.
7. Oil lamps. You can use these with lamp oil, cooking oil, or kerosene. Oil lamps can be purchased at camping type stores or online, or if you’re crafty you can make your own.
8. Solar outdoor path lights.. The kind on a stick that light up your walk at night. These are awesome. They come in varying strengths, and they don’t require any fuel or batteries–just put them outside during the day and bring them in at night for some easy lighting. You probably already own some.
9. Camping lantern. These are the lanterns that use Coleman type fuel either in a pressurized tank or in the screw on bottles. They put out a lot of light. Make sure you have fuel and extra mantles if your lamp requires them. There are camping lanterns that are battery powered as well. These lanterns are great for lighting entire rooms.
There you go. No reason to go about living in the dark even if all your flashlight batteries are dead. Enjoy some light with one of these alternate emergency lighting sources.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Picking the Right Pair of Shoes
Nothing is worse than your feet hurting. What I have found is that I have aged, is that I really don't need to impress anyone by wearing sky high heels. After 3 foot surgeries, I've completely changes my collection of shoes. Now, keep in mind at the height of my collection, I had close to 50 pairs in almost every color you could imagine. Nowadays, comfort is important!
Here are some hints for buying the right shoe:
From Discovery Fit & Health:
by Michael King, DPM
Whatever the size of your feet (at any given time) it's important to buy the right shoes -- shoes that will fit correctly and offer your feet and ankles the support they need. The following suggestions will help you become a smart shoe shopper.
Shop for shoes in the late afternoon or evening, since that's when your feet are the biggest (they swell during the day). Have the salesperson measure both feet while you're standing up, because your feet expand under the weight of your body. Carefully consider the fit and walking comfort of each pair of shoes you try and keep in mind that "size 8" in three different styles, even from the same manufacturer, can fit your feet differently.
If you have wide feet, always ask (even if the salesperson has measured your feet) if the style you've chosen comes in a wide width. Fortunately, comfortable shoes have become popular -- even stylish -- and shoe manufacturers are waking up to the fact that not everyone has a medium-width foot. Some manufacturers make shoes as wide as triple-E (on a scale of A to E, with AA being the narrowest).
There are two other contributors to your shoe "size" as well: The shape of your foot (how the shoe's "upper" conforms to your foot) and the heel height that is best for you. Because high heels shift body weight onto the front of your feet, heavy people and people with bunions, corns, hammertoes, and the like should opt for lower heels. If you have excessively pronated ("flat") feet, Achilles tendinitis, short calf muscles, or knee problems, however, shoes with a moderate heel may be more comfortable for you, because they lessen the pull on already-overstretched tendons and muscles.
Once you know your size, you can begin to select shoes that will be more comfortable. However, give your feet a break and avoid the six foot-foiling shoe styles discussed here:
Although all this means that you must be a sophisticated and patient shoe shopper, the good news is that many fashionable shoes currently on the market meet all of these qualifications, and many even resemble athletic shoes in design.
This is especially good news for the 59 percent of American women who wear high-heeled shoes every day. As consumers have become more health conscious, shoe manufacturers have given new attention to developing good-looking shoes (even with heels) that won't hurt your feet.
Selecting the right athletic shoe for the type of sport or exercise you enjoy is an even more specific task. Get some pointers on this process on the next page.
To learn more about treating and avoiding problems with your feet, visit:
Here are some hints for buying the right shoe:
From Discovery Fit & Health:
by Michael King, DPM
How to Buy the Right Shoes
Believe it or not, one person can have two feet that are slightly different in size and shape. And even if yours seem identically matched, they don't necessarily remain a constant size. Your feet can actually be different sizes at different times of the day. There are also more lasting changes: Most feet gradually widen with age, and sometimes women's feet "grow" (because of muscle relaxation during pregnancy) after the birth of a child.
Whatever the size of your feet (at any given time) it's important to buy the right shoes -- shoes that will fit correctly and offer your feet and ankles the support they need. The following suggestions will help you become a smart shoe shopper.
Shop for shoes in the late afternoon or evening, since that's when your feet are the biggest (they swell during the day). Have the salesperson measure both feet while you're standing up, because your feet expand under the weight of your body. Carefully consider the fit and walking comfort of each pair of shoes you try and keep in mind that "size 8" in three different styles, even from the same manufacturer, can fit your feet differently.
If you have wide feet, always ask (even if the salesperson has measured your feet) if the style you've chosen comes in a wide width. Fortunately, comfortable shoes have become popular -- even stylish -- and shoe manufacturers are waking up to the fact that not everyone has a medium-width foot. Some manufacturers make shoes as wide as triple-E (on a scale of A to E, with AA being the narrowest).
There are two other contributors to your shoe "size" as well: The shape of your foot (how the shoe's "upper" conforms to your foot) and the heel height that is best for you. Because high heels shift body weight onto the front of your feet, heavy people and people with bunions, corns, hammertoes, and the like should opt for lower heels. If you have excessively pronated ("flat") feet, Achilles tendinitis, short calf muscles, or knee problems, however, shoes with a moderate heel may be more comfortable for you, because they lessen the pull on already-overstretched tendons and muscles.
Once you know your size, you can begin to select shoes that will be more comfortable. However, give your feet a break and avoid the six foot-foiling shoe styles discussed here:
- Stiletto heels, or any other heel that is higher than three inches, redistributes your body weight so that 90 percent of it is on the front of your feet. This extraordinary pressure can create calluses on the ball of the foot and increase the pain of bunions, hammertoes, and corns. It also strains the muscles and tendons in the arch of the foot. And because these heels tend to have narrow points on the ground, they make maintaining your balance quite a challenge and add to the danger of falling or turning and spraining your ankle.
- Pointy-toe shoes squeeze the toes together, causing uncomfortable calluses and corns. Pointy shoes can also put pressure on ingrown toenails and bunions and can increase the likelihood of hammertoes.
- Flats can be a problem not just for people with arch and Achilles tendon problems, but for anyone who wears them exclusively. Over time, your foot gets used to being pronated (flattened) and you may develop arch pain and tendinitis. Flats can be the staple of your shoe wardrobe, but alternate them with shoes that have a moderate heel.
- Mules generally have a high heel, and so you're likely to have all the same problems as those mentioned above, when too much pressure is placed on the front of the foot. But what distinguishes this style from others is the lack of heel support, increasing your chances of injury if your foot turns on the heel or slips out of the shoe.
- Platform shoes, popular in the 1970s, unfortunately come back in style periodically. Like high heels, they are so unstable that you can't help but periodically turn your ankle, possibly causing muscle strain, a sprain, or even a fracture.
- Old shoes with worn-down heels or traction, flattened insoles, stretched-out uppers, or unraveling stitching can cause you to slip, can strain foot muscles, and can lead to ankle sprains.
- The toe box, or area around your toes, should be roomy enough for your toes to rest comfortably. Too much room can allow feet to slide inside shoes, causing calluses and other irritation. The more common problem is that the toe box is too tight. If you have wide feet, the toe box is probably your biggest shoe problem. There should also be room in front of the toes, at least 3/8" to 1/2" between your longest toe and the front of the shoe when you are standing. And there should be room above your toes to prevent the shoe from rubbing against them, causing corns. To test the above criteria, make sure you can wiggle your toes inside the toe box when standing.
- A shoe's "upper" -- the material on the top of it -- should conform to the shape of your foot. It should provide support but also "give" when your foot moves. Look for an upper made of a material that is nonirritating and porous, allowing air into the shoe. Leather is more likely than vinyl to have these characteristics. (Polish leather shoes frequently to help the uppers stay soft and supple.)
- The shoe should provide ample cushioning to absorb shock on foot bones and muscles each time you take a step. You need such cushioning in three key areas: the arch; the front, where the ball of the foot rests; and the heel, which normally supports 25 percent of your body weight. If the insole material is also absorbent, it will help relieve heat inside shoes and prevent rashes and the spread of infection.
- Soles should provide adequate traction to prevent slipping on any surfaces where you expect to be wearing the shoes.
- Heels should ideally provide slight elevation (between 3/4" and 1") for the foot, whether there's an actual heel or just a sole that's thicker toward the back of the shoe. The counter -- the part of the shoe that curves around the back of your heel -- should be stiff enough to prevent ankle strains and sprains. The back of your foot should fit snugly into the heel of the shoe, not slide around inside it.
Although all this means that you must be a sophisticated and patient shoe shopper, the good news is that many fashionable shoes currently on the market meet all of these qualifications, and many even resemble athletic shoes in design.
This is especially good news for the 59 percent of American women who wear high-heeled shoes every day. As consumers have become more health conscious, shoe manufacturers have given new attention to developing good-looking shoes (even with heels) that won't hurt your feet.
Selecting the right athletic shoe for the type of sport or exercise you enjoy is an even more specific task. Get some pointers on this process on the next page.
To learn more about treating and avoiding problems with your feet, visit:
- Everyday Foot Problems: Discover what causes some of the most commonly encountered foot problems, as well as how to treat or avoid them.
- Foot Injuries: Learn about common foot injuries and first aid techniques for feet -- from blisters to broken bones -- with this informative article.
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