I recently read an article about personal finance by Dan Cupkovic in a local business journal. Unfortunately I can't post the link since it's exclusive content for subscribers. What I will share are his three main points: patience, perseverance, & frugality; and the last sentence, a quote that resonated with me "Becoming wealthy is a psychological commitment, first and foremost." I will be the first to say that I am completely against the accumulation of wealth for its own sake. But I do believe that being good stewards of what we have puts us in the position to do great things to improve the lives of others and gives us more options in our personal lives.
I am always horrified when I hear people say "I'll always be poor" or "I'll never have money." You are sealing your own fate at that point. You say it, and you set yourself up to be a self-fulfilling prophecy. I don't believe that if I say "there will be $10 million on my front porch when I get home from work tomorrow" that suddenly it will happen, but I also know it's not impossible (improbable yes). When you set your mind that you will be better off financially than you are today, your open your mind, eyes, and ears to the possibilities you encounter that can help you make that goal a reality.
Monday, October 7, 2013
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
Say yes to the dress(up)
One of the things that strikes me when I look at old pictures is the dress. A local paper recently ran a picture that was from the 50's or earlier. The women were wearing dresses and the men were wearing suits. At a county fair. Contrast that with today where people can't be bothered to change out of their pajama pants to go to the grocery. A couple years ago a former coworker of mine saw a lady in line at Best Buy wearing a bath robe. Crazy.
We judge others by what they wear and vice versa. It's not always a conscious process. But it's real. When I worked in HR at my last job, I always had high expectations for candidates. If you don't care enough to look professional to interview, you don't want the job very much. Whom do you want to assist you when you are at the bank- someone nicely groomed with neat, clean clothes or someone who looks like they just dragged themselves in off a bender? They may be equally competent, but that's probably not the judgement you'd make based on their attire. Since impressions matter, why not make the most of them?
Does that mean you need to wear a suit to gas up your car? No. But dressing up a bit goes a long way. My last job had casual day on Friday. Most people wore jeans. Me? I usually wore a dress of some kind. I got many compliments on my outfits. Were they expensive? No. I'm a very hard core bargain shopper. Also, I was probably more comfortable in my clothes than they were in pants. My dresses felt like I was wearing pajamas to work but were much classier looking (and met the dress code).
Try a little experiment sometime. Dress just a bit above how you normally do. See if and how people treat you differently. You'll probably see why I say "Yes to the Dressup".
We judge others by what they wear and vice versa. It's not always a conscious process. But it's real. When I worked in HR at my last job, I always had high expectations for candidates. If you don't care enough to look professional to interview, you don't want the job very much. Whom do you want to assist you when you are at the bank- someone nicely groomed with neat, clean clothes or someone who looks like they just dragged themselves in off a bender? They may be equally competent, but that's probably not the judgement you'd make based on their attire. Since impressions matter, why not make the most of them?
Does that mean you need to wear a suit to gas up your car? No. But dressing up a bit goes a long way. My last job had casual day on Friday. Most people wore jeans. Me? I usually wore a dress of some kind. I got many compliments on my outfits. Were they expensive? No. I'm a very hard core bargain shopper. Also, I was probably more comfortable in my clothes than they were in pants. My dresses felt like I was wearing pajamas to work but were much classier looking (and met the dress code).
Try a little experiment sometime. Dress just a bit above how you normally do. See if and how people treat you differently. You'll probably see why I say "Yes to the Dressup".
Friday, September 27, 2013
Like waving a flag in front of a bull
Several Mondays ago at my old job, it was announced in our daily company wide meeting that the lead person for our contract security company was no longer on site. I found that odd since I'd seen him on Friday, and he hadn't said anything about it. We got along well and shared a common love of pool side life. Being the inquisitive little person that I am, I started asking around as to why he was gone. When my own boss started to give me his answer, I told him to stop because I could tell he knew more than what he was telling me. Now, the game was on. Knowing something and not telling me is like waving a flag in front of a bull. I was now bound and determined to find out. And of course, I did.
I knew it was a doozy when my usual sources all were mum. However, the company thrives on gossip, so I was able to piece enough together in a small amount of time. When I told my boss what I knew, he gave up the rest since I was already almost there, and he knew I wasn't going to give up. He swore our whole group to secrecy (yes, imagine 4 people in a room raising their right hands and promising not to tell. Wonder how that looked as others walked by the meeting room?), and out came the full scoop. I can share it here because A. I'm not naming names and B. Other people gave me the same information when they told me what they knew or suspected while unsuccessfully trying to get me to do the same.
It seems the guard and one of our associates knew each other from way back. They were texting back and forth in ways that were either flirtatious and not that bad (according to someone hadn't seen them) or pretty bad (according to someone who had). Note though, that while maybe not the smartest move (Doing things you shouldn't do Rule #1- leave no written evidence), it's definitely not sexual harassment because both were willing and apparently eager participants. The problem arose when the associate's serious relationship person found out. His actions got the guard removed.
I was really shocked because the guard had never said anything the slightest bit inappropriate to me. When I said that to someone who worked with the guard, the person said "that's because we warned him. We told him if he talked to you like that he'd been gone the same day". True words. Nothing like having your reputation precede you. :)
I have to say I enjoyed my investigation of this episode immensely. I love a challenge, and as I told someone, "the gossip mill may not always be accurate, but it will usually point you in the right direction". Also, always remember that things are never as secret as you think they are. Word does get out, especially if it's a juicy morsel.
I knew it was a doozy when my usual sources all were mum. However, the company thrives on gossip, so I was able to piece enough together in a small amount of time. When I told my boss what I knew, he gave up the rest since I was already almost there, and he knew I wasn't going to give up. He swore our whole group to secrecy (yes, imagine 4 people in a room raising their right hands and promising not to tell. Wonder how that looked as others walked by the meeting room?), and out came the full scoop. I can share it here because A. I'm not naming names and B. Other people gave me the same information when they told me what they knew or suspected while unsuccessfully trying to get me to do the same.
It seems the guard and one of our associates knew each other from way back. They were texting back and forth in ways that were either flirtatious and not that bad (according to someone hadn't seen them) or pretty bad (according to someone who had). Note though, that while maybe not the smartest move (Doing things you shouldn't do Rule #1- leave no written evidence), it's definitely not sexual harassment because both were willing and apparently eager participants. The problem arose when the associate's serious relationship person found out. His actions got the guard removed.
I was really shocked because the guard had never said anything the slightest bit inappropriate to me. When I said that to someone who worked with the guard, the person said "that's because we warned him. We told him if he talked to you like that he'd been gone the same day". True words. Nothing like having your reputation precede you. :)
I have to say I enjoyed my investigation of this episode immensely. I love a challenge, and as I told someone, "the gossip mill may not always be accurate, but it will usually point you in the right direction". Also, always remember that things are never as secret as you think they are. Word does get out, especially if it's a juicy morsel.
Thursday, September 26, 2013
What's old is new again
I had to laugh when I saw Kraft advertising the "new" pour control top on their salad dressings. If you've ever bought dressing, you know this used to part of the bottle. I think getting rid of it was a revenue driven decision. First, not having it decreased the cost of each bottle. Second, dressing poured out at a much faster pace, meaning consumers emptied their bottles sooner, then had to buy more. I'm not sure whose idea it was to bring it back, but I'm glad. I just think it's crazy to call it new.
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Car Care Clinic
One of my original plans for today was to wash my Tracker. However, with a 40% chance of rain, I decided postpone that activity until tomorrow. Instead, I did what I like to call car care clinic. I checked the air in all tires on both vehicles and added as needed. I topped off the windshield washer fluid in both rides. Care car tip #1- Prestone De-icer is THE best. I use it year round. The cheap blue stuff you buy or that car service places use is just that- cheap. It freezes on contact in winter, and it doesn't clean that well. Prestone melts frost and does a great job of cleaning. No, they aren't paying me to say it, but I'd definitely take a couple free bottles for this plug.
I also did my pre-winter ritual of using silicone spray on the seals of my sports car. This was a trick my dad taught me. It really does keep your doors and trunk from freezing shut. Car car tip #2- if you don't take this advice and your doors do freeze, DO NOT pull on them as hard as you can to open them. You can break off your door handle and still not get in your car. First, try opening another door. Often times the other side of the car will open fine. If that doesn't work, find the least stuck door. Pull gently until you feel resistance. Then push the door back toward the card. Repeat. This back and forth motion will often rock the door loose.
Finally, I cleaned the inside of my Tracker. I could almost hear it saying "Oh boy, oh boy" when I walked toward it with the cleaning products. Let's just say it had been a while, and the fruits of my labors were immediately noticeable.
Tomorrow's plan is to wash the Tracker, Armor-all the top, and silicone all seals. Cars feel loved when you take care of them. I think both mine feel pretty good right now.
I also did my pre-winter ritual of using silicone spray on the seals of my sports car. This was a trick my dad taught me. It really does keep your doors and trunk from freezing shut. Car car tip #2- if you don't take this advice and your doors do freeze, DO NOT pull on them as hard as you can to open them. You can break off your door handle and still not get in your car. First, try opening another door. Often times the other side of the car will open fine. If that doesn't work, find the least stuck door. Pull gently until you feel resistance. Then push the door back toward the card. Repeat. This back and forth motion will often rock the door loose.
Finally, I cleaned the inside of my Tracker. I could almost hear it saying "Oh boy, oh boy" when I walked toward it with the cleaning products. Let's just say it had been a while, and the fruits of my labors were immediately noticeable.
Tomorrow's plan is to wash the Tracker, Armor-all the top, and silicone all seals. Cars feel loved when you take care of them. I think both mine feel pretty good right now.
River Glass
Monday I took a walk along the river near where I live. As I walked I thought "I wonder if there is any river glass here?" This is the same concept as sea glass and lake glass. The basic formula is
glass+rocks+waves+time= really smooth glass
Sure enough, one section of the bank was rocky, and here's what I found:
I was amazed. As you'll see, the predominant colors are white, green, and brown. Those are the most common colors of glass bottles made. Other colors are much more rare. I was tickled to find not one but two pieces of blue. I also found pieces of what was most likely pottery in green and white.
There is a lady I met in Maine who makes the most beautiful jewelry with sea glass. I hope to someday learn to transform what I've found into something similar. Until then, I'm enjoying the joy of the find.
glass+rocks+waves+time= really smooth glass
Sure enough, one section of the bank was rocky, and here's what I found:
I was amazed. As you'll see, the predominant colors are white, green, and brown. Those are the most common colors of glass bottles made. Other colors are much more rare. I was tickled to find not one but two pieces of blue. I also found pieces of what was most likely pottery in green and white.
There is a lady I met in Maine who makes the most beautiful jewelry with sea glass. I hope to someday learn to transform what I've found into something similar. Until then, I'm enjoying the joy of the find.
Sunday, September 22, 2013
The Kindness of Others (or Not Everyone I Worked With Is An Evil Wretch)
If you been reading my blog very long, you've probably picked up that I'm an extremely disgruntled employee. Not any more! I start my new job on 9/30. My last day at the old place (aka jail) was Friday. How sweet freedom is.
In case you didn't know, your last two weeks of work are quite wonderful. The end is in sight, and since you're leaving, no one has any leverage left, a fact I almost had to remind someone of. You hold all the cards. Another fun thing is all the dirt you'll hear. I was in HR, so I was usually one of the last ones to find out the juicy stuff. However, once word spread that I was leaving the evil empire, lips loosened. For example, I learned Friday that one of our former employees was actively dealing drugs from his forklift and that he had a number of clients at work, some of whom where "people you'd never suspect". Unfortunately, he hasn't shared any names, but I'm hopeful that at some point he will.
The most striking thing to me was the pure kindness so many people expressed to me before I left. I got many calls, e-mails, and in person visits of people telling me how much they had enjoyed working with me, how helpful I'd been to them, and how much they'd missed me. The president of the company himself called me to thank me for my service and wish me well. People even brought me gifts, something I never expected. It started with a coworker who'd mentioned she was having lunch with her husband. When he picked her up she came in carrying flowers. Her husband has sent flowers many times. I asked "oh, did he get get you flowers?", but they were for me!
Gorgeous huh? Roses are my favorite flower, and purple is my favorite color. Her husband gets her these every year for their anniversary, and I'm always threatening to keep them for myself. I was floored. A member of Japanese senior management had given me some chopsticks and a Japanese towel for which I was very appreciative. When I got home later that evening I found out he had also given me a card with a very heartfelt message and a very large gift card. Color me flabbergasted. There were gifts waiting for me on my desk when I arrived Friday morning. Again, I was in overwhelmed by the thoughtfulness and kindness.
We do the right thing because it is the right thing, it's what we'd want done to us, and we want to hear "well done, good and faithful servant". If no one ever in this life ever recognizes it, that's fine. But it is so encouraging knowing that others have seen you do it, appreciate that you did and, and will miss you. It was clearly illustrated to me that not everyone I worked with was an evil wretch. There were definitely some who were, and I'm not sure how they look themselves in the mirror every day, let along what their plan is for judgment day. But there were many other who made me feel so appreciated. It was wonderful.
In case you didn't know, your last two weeks of work are quite wonderful. The end is in sight, and since you're leaving, no one has any leverage left, a fact I almost had to remind someone of. You hold all the cards. Another fun thing is all the dirt you'll hear. I was in HR, so I was usually one of the last ones to find out the juicy stuff. However, once word spread that I was leaving the evil empire, lips loosened. For example, I learned Friday that one of our former employees was actively dealing drugs from his forklift and that he had a number of clients at work, some of whom where "people you'd never suspect". Unfortunately, he hasn't shared any names, but I'm hopeful that at some point he will.
The most striking thing to me was the pure kindness so many people expressed to me before I left. I got many calls, e-mails, and in person visits of people telling me how much they had enjoyed working with me, how helpful I'd been to them, and how much they'd missed me. The president of the company himself called me to thank me for my service and wish me well. People even brought me gifts, something I never expected. It started with a coworker who'd mentioned she was having lunch with her husband. When he picked her up she came in carrying flowers. Her husband has sent flowers many times. I asked "oh, did he get get you flowers?", but they were for me!
Gorgeous huh? Roses are my favorite flower, and purple is my favorite color. Her husband gets her these every year for their anniversary, and I'm always threatening to keep them for myself. I was floored. A member of Japanese senior management had given me some chopsticks and a Japanese towel for which I was very appreciative. When I got home later that evening I found out he had also given me a card with a very heartfelt message and a very large gift card. Color me flabbergasted. There were gifts waiting for me on my desk when I arrived Friday morning. Again, I was in overwhelmed by the thoughtfulness and kindness.
We do the right thing because it is the right thing, it's what we'd want done to us, and we want to hear "well done, good and faithful servant". If no one ever in this life ever recognizes it, that's fine. But it is so encouraging knowing that others have seen you do it, appreciate that you did and, and will miss you. It was clearly illustrated to me that not everyone I worked with was an evil wretch. There were definitely some who were, and I'm not sure how they look themselves in the mirror every day, let along what their plan is for judgment day. But there were many other who made me feel so appreciated. It was wonderful.
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