Whether or not you’re a fan of Valentine’s Day, you can’t deny that the imagery of hearts is just about everywhere in the weeks prior to Feb. 14. This year, look upon those red and pink holiday symbols as a reminder to show yourself some love and take better care of your heart. After all, February isn’t just for Cupid; it’s also American Heart Month.
This Valentine’s Day, set down that box of chocolates and really show love to yourself or someone you care about by putting your heart into it. Schedule an appointment to have your and your loved ones’ heart health checked by a doctor. Commit to one or more healthy practices that can ensure your ticker and that of your family keeps on ticking. And read our SimpleCents blog this week for tips from which you can learn from and personal anecdotes to which you can relate. What heart healthy change(s) will you make?
I was 15 years old when I got my first job. I was a file clerk at a general surgeon's office. My duties weren't strictly filing patient documents. I also had to answer the phones, schedule appointments, and even take patient samples to the hospital next door which gave me a queasy stomach!
I photocopied my first check and still have it in one of my photo albums. I made a little over $80 my first week. After about a year, I was able to buy my first car which made me feel very proud of myself. It made me feel as though alphabetizing all those hundreds of files finally paid off!
Going in to the work force at a young age taught me the value of a dollar. It taught me that money didn't grow on trees and shouldn't always come from mommy and daddy. It felt good to have my own money to be able to pay for things like a car and car insurance.
After highschool, I went to college. It took me from 2000 to 2007 to get my Bachelor's degree. Why so long? Because I worked full time and went to college part time because my parents helped me pay for as much of college as they financially could, but I had to help pay the rest. Working 40 hours a week and having to go to class from 6-9pm four days a week proved to be very exhausting, but I was determined to finish my degree and not let anything stand in my way.
The moral of my story is that jumping in to the workforce at a young age helped me build character and responsibilty. It made me realize that working hard and studying hard results in success and allows you to have a feeling of accomplishment for one's self that no one can take away from you!
What lessons did you learn at your first job that have stayed with you to this very day?
My first job (aside from the daily chores around the house) was that of a newspaper writer, editor, publisher, and delivery boy. I grew up in a small town of about 250 people in Harrison County, West Virginia. In October of 1969 (at the age of 9 and 12 respectively) my brother and I decided to make some money for Christmas. Since I had some creative talents and a desire to write, we began a family-run Newspaper business.
Using a collection of information from the local paper, Reader's Digest, the Bible, and a few other publications, we wrote our weekly subscription for almost two years. Mom and I would type it on a Royal typewriter, which could crank out about three or four copies when we used carbon paper. Yes, carbon paper. For those too young to remember, just follow the link; you'll be amazed. After school, we'd gather up the newsprint from the previous day's production and head out for a little door to door sales. (Too funny, huh?) The papers were sold for a whooping 5 cents each, although sometimes we'd score big and get a quarter.
That early entrepreneurial spirit is now reflected in five work-related tips that have served the hallway well over the years.
Work at going to school.This is not me telling you to get a job working at the school. I mean treat going to school as a job. If you do that job well, then your education will be your weekly pay check. It is a proven fact that folks with an education may earn upwards of 3 to 4 times that of someone who either performed poorly, or did not finish school.
Work for yourself.Start a small business and work it in the evenings or during the time off from a job that pays the bills. I think you know what I mean here without a lot of explanation. If not, then comment below and I'll fill you in.
Work as an unpaid intern.There are many companies who partner with local schools and colleges to offer course credit for intern work. Currently, the credit union offers several unpaid intern positions. It is a win-win-win all around. The student receives real life experiences beyond the classroom, and has another entry for a resume. The credit union is contributing to the educational system and its community, plus has the added benefit of potentially training a new hire for future employment.
Work any job within your field.Sometimes it means that you accept an entry level position paying less than what you had expected while you gain valuable experience. This is a very good idea for young folks living with mom and dad. Case in point: my daughter wanted to work in criminal justice, so she accepted a job working security in the shoe department of a major retail store, which paid less than the job at the cosmetic counter. During the interview and selection process she was told that her degree and security experience had landed her a job as a Police Officer.
Work your contacts. Yes, good ol' fashioned networking pays big dividends. Don't be afraid to ask your contacts for help. For example: your pastor is someone in your contact list, probably a Facebook friend, a person who tweets, or an avid blogger, too. He may not know of a job for you, but he will surely know someone who does. Therefore keep this in mind... it's not just who you know that counts; it's who you know that they know.
So, now you've heard it straight from Troy talking tough in the hallway. "What works for you?" This blog may not be as tough as other posts, but it is Thursday and nonetheless your chance to talk with Troy.
BTW... a special shout out to my new friends at WAY FM 100.9 that I met on Saturday, January 23rd who said they'd like to talk tough with Troy on Thursdays (grin).
As of December 2009, the number of unemployed persons is at 15.3 million and the unemployment rate at 10 percent. At the start of the recession in December 2007, the number of unemployed persons was 7.7 million, and the unemployment rate was 5.0 percent. The bottom line is the traditional approach most job seekers have taken in the past is no longer viable.
Traditional methods would steer you towards looking for job ads and faxing or e-mailing a resume to a company, completing an on-line application, or even posting a resume on-line…then cross your fingers and hope that you will get a call back.
One of my recruiters reviewed an article which concluded that 80% of people get their jobs by knowing someone. Eighty percent! Now don’t get me wrong, having a great resume is usually pretty crucial to earning an interview. The question is how do you get your resume noticed? If you reviewed my posting, How to Land a Great Job, Part 1: You Have 15 Seconds to Make a First Impression, you received some tips from an employer's perspective on how to make your resume stand out amongst the thousands; however, we cannot ignore that this is the era of social connectivity.
With the evolution of the internet over the past couple of years, you can play a more active role in landing that great job by exploring the networking tools available right at your finger tips!
There is a great on-line tool called LinkedIn, which works similarly to Facebook, but is designed for professionals. You make a profile, which is really a virtual resume of sorts, and invite current and past colleagues and classmates to be a connection. Also, don’t underestimate Facebook and MySpace. You might think of these websites as purely social-casual forums, but think of all of those people who may work for companies or even know people in your industry that may have some jobs coming available soon.
A final thought. Many companies are beginning to see the usefulness of these social-networking sites, and there is a huge trend in which recruiters are finding candidates for jobs through LinkedIn, Facebook, and MySpace. My tip? Keep it clean...make sure you are proud of the on-line face you present.
This week the credit union kicks off the search for our new 2010 Young & Free South Carolina Spokesperson. It got me thinking and reflecting back to some of the early jobs I had, lessons learned, and a solid understanding that a little hard work never hurt anyone.
Growing up in Vienna, Virginia, a small town in the suburbs of Washington, D.C., I began working in my early teens. My brother and I developed what turned out to be a thriving neighborhood lawn mowing business. About that time I learned ventriloquism and started entertaining at neighborhood birthday parties. My parents were supportive, but ensured school work was always the top priority.
While in high school I worked evenings cleaning offices at the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). A gun-toting CIA security guy walked behind me as I vacuumed offices and emptied full ashtrays. Looking back, it seemed like everyone in those offices must have chain-smoked all day long! My other high school job was working at a lumber store, primarily to make $$$, but also to meet girls. The store owners hired the best looking high school girls as cashiers.
Fast forward to college. While at Virginia Tech I worked part-time during school in the cafeteria and then summers as a construction laborer. In fact, after a summer of backbreaking construction work, any thoughts about not going back to college in the fall were out the window. That hard work sure helped me crystallize my priorities!
What has all this taught me? First, a little hard work never hurt anyone. In fact, it helped me set definitive goals and become more financially independent. Second, it taught me how to be a more responsible individual. Third, all these jobs eventually helped me understand the importance of post-high school education. Finally, having parents who instilled a strong work-ethic was a blessing.
That’s my perspective on work. Care to share yours?
My first paying job was in a bagel shop, where I learned several lessons: (A) loyal customers really like their faces and their preferences to be remembered, (B) food service workers generally are an underappreciated lot and (C) apparently, I breathe through my hands because wearing plastic gloves causes me to overheat in seconds.
Far from glamorous, that first job at Chesapeake Bagel Bakery gave me some pretty key insights about life (in terms of Items A and B, at least). In the long run, it made me a better employee because I absorbed a common truth about people wanting to be noticed and appreciated (Item A), and a better person because I experienced the rude behavior that service workers too often endure from their customers (Item B) and vowed never to do that to anyone waiting on me.
A far less “dirty job,” yet one that could teach you or yours oodles of worthwhile lessons about life and work, is open right now at the credit union to someone between the ages of 18-25: 2010 Young & Free South Carolina Spokesperson. While this job lacks the appeal of my bagel gig with its polyester aprons and cream cheese scoops, the one year position with Young & Free SC does offer a salary, benefits and perks, including use of a Toyota Prius and paid gas for a year. In return, we’d ask you not to master the art of the Cheese Melt, but to create, edit and upload video to YouTube, blog, mix with people at events and shed light on financial topics for people your age – even if you’re still learning, too.
Not bad, huh? And you’ll never end your day by mopping a floor with bleach water. Could you or someone you know take this job?
I love clipping coupons and saving money any way that I can. When I buy groceries, I love looking at the bottom of my receipt to see how much I saved. Two months ago, I found a coupon online for a medicine I take that gave me a two month’s supply free (a $60 savings!). Without the coupons/offers, I would have had to pay regular price, so what do I do with the money I save?
Sometimes I make an extra principle payment on my credit card or car payment, but other times (almost quarterly or twice a year), I send a check to an organization that is very near and dear to my heart, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.My dad passed away from Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in May of 2005, so each time I send a donation, I hope and pray that my money along with other people’s donations, will help speed up research and progress in order to save the lives of many people suffering with these blood related cancers.
So next time you save $20 on groceries or get a free oil change, think about what you can do with that money since you would have had to pay it out anyway if it wouldn’t have been for the coupon or deal you got!
Where does your extra money go? To you or a good cause?
If you're a SiMPLECENTer then you know that we've begun the year blogging about New Year's resolutions, SMART goals, IRA info, and just last week on the topic of MUSC's change bandit program.
So, with that in mind, today we can chat (well actually, it's more like I tell you stuff then you comment; I comment back and so forth) about how "giving" can have an impact on your budget. First, let me remind you that I am not a qualified tax adviser and cannot tell you whether you may deduct this item or that item on your taxes. What I am prepared to share are some tips on how to think about and organize your charitable and crisis giving.
Let's go back to a simple theory of SMART goals and see how this is applied to donations.
Stay in budget. What? No budget item for this? Then, it's a good place to start. When you make your list of expenses include space for "Giving."
Make a goal of how much cash you'd be able to give to causes this year. For instance, you may want to start out with setting aside 10% of your income. Okay, if that's too aggressive, then set an arbitrary amount like $10 a week or $520 a year. (BTW... the stuff in your garage or basement is definitely worth donating to a cause, but I'm focusing on the cash aspect right now.)
Arrange to make smaller more manageable donations through your bill payment service or payroll deduction. For instance, if you tithe to your church, or give regularly to United Way then set up a weekly or bi-weekly amount that fits your budget. By breaking the amounts into smaller, bite-sized amounts, it is easier to manage your weekly or bi-weekly cash flow without breaking the bank (pun intended). This way you're not looking for a large sum of money all at one time.
Retain your documentation in a central location. When you donate online through a secure channel be sure to save your confirmation in a centralized file folder on your computer. If it's a paper receipt, then place it in a file folder or envelope especially marked for the current tax year and keep that in a centralized place, like a drawer in the kitchen, the desk in the home office, or a shelf in the closet. Wherever you decide, be consistent and diligent in storing your receipts until you need them for tax time.
Train yourself to stick to your goals. However, I know, I know, you're human. Okay, so if you decide to splurge for those new pair of shoes, or that new fishing pole, then please be accountable to your budget for that unplanned moment of euphoric rush and make an adjustment somewhere else in your spending patterns. Maybe it will come from spending one less night out to dinner, or you choose to stay home rather than going out to the movies; perhaps you use the excess in your paycheck this month because you worked an extra hour or so more than before.
Be SMART about giving, which also means checking with a qualified tax adviser to be sure that what you can deduct you do. Trust me, don't take chances. Being on the radar screen of the IRS is not any taxpayer's dream.
Quick recap ...
Stay in budget;
Make a goal;
Arrange small amounts;
Retain receipts; and
Train self control.
There you have it. 'Talk tough with Troy' Thursday just got a whole lot smarter. Don't you think?
~ If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else. ~ Booker T Washington
If you have a tight budget a wonderful way you can give back is through volunteerism.
President Obama spoke to the larger moment our county is facing with the following compelling speech on volunteerism:
We need your service, right now, at this moment in history. I’m not going to tell you what your role should be; that’s for you to discover. But I’m asking you to stand up and play your part. I’m asking you to help change history’s course. Put your shoulder up against the wheel. And if you do, I promise you – your life will be richer, our country will be stronger, and someday, years from now, you may remember it as the moment when your own story and the American story converged, when they came together, and we met the challenges of our new century. To read his full speech, visit The White House Blog.
Also, in support of volunteerism, Disney hopes to inspire one million people to volunteer a day of service to a participating organization in their communities through it’s Give a Day Get a Disney Day program. Disney is celebrating these volunteers' good works by giving each of them a 1-day, 1-theme park ticket to the Disneyland® Resort or Walt Disney World® Resort, free! All you have to do is enter your zip code and a listing of participating organizations within your area will be provided.
How wonderful it is to be of service to someone in need. How will you give back?
Kimberly mentioned in her Monday blog post that South Carolina Federal Credit Union is accepting donations from members and the public to support relief efforts following the devastating earthquake in Haiti. If you follow my blog posts you know I often talk about the many benefits and security of online banking and electronic bill payment (a.k.a. Payment Manager). If you’ve been thinking about making a donation, using South Carolina Federals’ Payment Manager makes it easy as 1-2-3:
Access your personal account via the Online Banking Login at scfederal.org. Need help logging in? Click the appropriate help link below the login or contact us.
Click on Payment Manager…and then Add a Biller.
Search for your desired charitable organization and designate how much you want to send. South Carolina Federal Suggestion: Select Company without an account number. Payment Manager will ask you for a phone number. Type in 843-769-7395. You’ll see it found Water Missions International (WMI). Click Add Bill and you’re all set to make your SAFE, SECURE donation to WMI using Payment Manager.
South Carolina Federal encourages folks to support relief efforts by donating to Water Missions International (WMI), a locally-based organization that already is working to provide water purification systems in Haiti. The credit union will also match your donation to WMI up to $5000. Click here for more information on the specific steps to have South Carolina Federal match your donation.
With Payment Manager, your donation will be routed immediately…securely…and there is no cost to mail your check or send a text message.
Never used Payment Manager before? This could be just the reason to give it a try. Why not share your donation experience today.
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