If you have read even just a few financial articles on the internet, you will notice a common trend in the authors’ assumptions or beliefs. Financial authors are writing with the conviction that anyone can improve their financial situation if they try hard enough. The idiom, which communicates this ideology, “Pull yourself Up By Your Bootstraps,” is prevalent in the blogosphere. There are many success stories that support this idea, but I can’t help but wonder if it is a load of crap (to put it nicely).

Similar to when Sam asked if we can change our spending habits, I can’t help but wonder if we are truly in control of everything. Do we have the power to change our life around when the worst happens? I know what I have been taught to believe and what I would like to believe, but is that really the case?

We Like to Have Control Read More

It’s easy to fall into the comparison trap.  You see someone with more success than you and wonder, Why them and not me?

Always comparing yourself to others can leave you bitter if you do it too much, and don’t know all the facts.  Jealousy is so unattractive, it’s easy to spot from faraway.

Unless you know the person’s age, education, occupation, number of hours worked, and enabling relationships, comparing yourself is a futile game.

THE PERSON WHO ALWAYS HAS MORE

Nancy is overweight, stands 5 feet 2 inch tall, and at 30 years old, makes about $90,000 a year as an “internet marketer”.  She’s got three years of experience and thinks she’s the bomb.  ”Dear Readers, I am the Queen because I make so much online!  Yihaw!” Writing about how successful she is to the world helps with her self-esteem because she was never very well liked growing up and no guy asked her to the prom.  Nancy was actually a very pleasant person before she started making a lot of money.  Unfortunately, money changed her for the worse.

All is good until Nancy meets her online nemesis, Jessica.  Jessica is in internet marketing as well, but claims to make $250,000 a year online.  Not only that, Jessica is two years younger than Nancy at 28, stands 5 feet 8 inches, with beautiful skin, and is drop dead gorgeous!  Given Jessica makes $250,000 a year online, she’s much less vocal about her success because she knows her income is much larger than most incomes.  Jessica is every guys dream girl, and as a result, she’s never short of attention.

Nancy just can’t stand Jessica.  Every chance Nancy gets to throw cheap shots at Jessica, she does.  From talking bad behind Jessica’s back, to stealing Jessica’s ideas, to leaving passive aggressive comments, Nancy does it all!

AND THEN THERE IS ONE MORE! Read More

My husband came home with a little story from work about what happened at the monthly staff meeting of 4,000 people. It made me realize that recent college graduates and people returning to the workplace after being gone for ten or more years may be in for a shock when they realize what it means to “work a job at a company.”

Here is the tale…

The CEO of the technology company that my husband works for has a monthly staff meeting with all the employees. During this staff meeting, a new employee, one who has worked roughly around two weeks decided to take the microphone as she had an important matter to discuss with her.

She voiced to the CEO that soy milk is not being provided for free at the company. The CEO said that she should address the issue with her managers. She said that she did and they were not responsive to her request so she is “escalating the issue” (a popular catch phrase at the company). As a perk, the company offers free white milk and chocolate milk for the employees. The newbie felt that since she had a dairy allergy, she was entitled to free soy milk because that is fair.

Soy milk is not an issue. Issues have to do with the profitability of the company. Soy milk should not be discussed at an all staff meeting. It does not need to be “escalated”. The company does not need to provide you with anything. Like all “perks” from a company, some employees will enjoy them while others will not.

You are at the company because your function contributes to the bottom line either directly or indirectly. Your personal needs and preferences are not of interest to the company. The company does attempt to attract and retain employees by offering incentives quality insurance, vacation time, and for this particular company free milk.  If the company’s amenities are not of interest to you, then seek employment elsewhere.

The blunder of this new employee made is that she is equating “perks” as part of her employment agreement. No company is going to promise you milk or other “perks” for your service. They will promise you your salary and your vacation time.

LET’S LOOK AT MORE BLUNDERS BY NEW EMPLOYEES SHALL WE? Read More