Mon 28 Apr 2008 – 8.50
Most of you know that I’m a huge fan of the 21st century — I love the fact the old standards which governed our parents and grandparents are out the window. Gone are the days of suit-and-ties and corporate songs, our workforce is ever-shifting and change is the only constant.
Much like working in jeans, the new trend is talking openly about salary … with friends. A new article from the New York Times highlights how young workers the salary of their friends just as they know birthdays and the names of spouses.
While salaries may be disclosed casually among friends, that doesn’t mean most young professionals brag about their incomes at a cocktail party. There is still an etiquette to sharing the information — a proper way to divulge.
Yea, of course. I’m only so comfortable talking about salary, even with my close friends. My rule is that I would never ask or tell a friend unless I’ve seen him in his underwear — that’s a good barometer of our friendship. [Bonetti being a notable exception, although we did work as lifeguards for all those years]. And I wouldn’t mind discussing salaries with someone older like a mentor or my parents.
You know what’s funny, if someone asked me what I made right now, I would tell them. But if I somehow got a better job or a raise, I’d be reluctant to tell them. For some reason, I’d like to leave the illusion that I live frugal — that way I can bust out the “I have $40,000 in the bank” card if I ever need it.
posted by Scott in careers, personal finance.
New Blog for Ramen Noodles, Rent, and Resumes
Wed 23 Apr 2008 – 13.51
Hey, remember when I talked with Kristen Fischer about her book, Ramen Noodles, Rent, and Resumes: An after-college guide to life? Well, now the book has a blog, where you can keep track of the latest news and reactions, and get in touch with Kristen and the others working behind the scenes. Check it out!
•• RRR blog »
posted by Scott in careers, education, health & fitness, life, personal finance, podcasts, real estate.
– 13.41
I’ve talked about this before, but it never hurts to hammer home the message: start saving for retirement, my friends! In fact, a recent article from Yahoo! Finance concludes that you can become a millionaire simply by stashing money in your 401(k) and Roth IRA, if you start at age 26.
In 41 years of compounding at 10% annually, $20,500 ($15,500 in a 401(k) and $5,000 in an IRA) will turn into $1 million. And you’ll never have to contribute another dime.
The math is a bit more complex, I imagine, but the point is sound — saving now makes for a big payday later. The trouble is having the excess cash to put away. Most twentysomethings are struggling to pay the rent and have a bit left over for a pint or two, so it doesn’t seem entirely possible to set aside $20k. I suppose the best way is to ease into it. Try setting aside $200 from each paycheck, then try to set aside $300. Eventually, you’re only using half of what you make. Or something.
posted by Scott in careers, personal finance.
Sun 13 Apr 2008 – 1.56
Everyone’s talking about Politics, with an capital P, so let’s take a minute to examine politics with a lowercase p. I’m talking about workplace politics, and how to co-exist with the many strange types of folks you’ll be sure to encounter.
An article from BNet runs down 7 maneuvers that you can employ in your day-to-day, and how they’ll affect the staff. Here’s one I like:
The Silent Strategy
When you present a new idea, it’s human nature that some colleagues will play devil’s advocate. Let them. They’re not necessarily against you, they’re just stress-testing your idea. Say enough to show you’re receptive (“I see your point,” or “right, uh-huh, yes …”) but don’t argue. “The more you talk, the more they come out with counterpoints,” Coughlin says. “If you just stay quiet, a lot of times the group or the individual will come up with reasons they should help you.”
posted by Scott in careers.
Daily Caffeine ‘Protects Brain’
Thu 03 Apr 2008 – 11.18
Well, the internet said it, so it must be true.
The BBC is reporting on a new study that says how caffeine has magic brain powers to prevent Alzheimer’s and other diseases.
“Caffeine appears to block several of the disruptive effects of cholesterol that make the blood-brain barrier leaky,” said Dr Jonathan Geiger, who led the study.
It’s a bit more sciencey than that, so check out the article »
I didn’t need an article to tell me that caffeine is good for the brain, it makes us smarter! Have you ever played Tetris while your riding high on a caff wave? It’s awesome.
posted by Scott in coffee, health & fitness.
Fri 28 Mar 2008 – 14.02
I found the following job post on Craig’s List and thought I should share. First I have to say that I did actually apply, but only because I felt that I honestly fulfill the criteria. Does that mean I have a high regard for myself? Does that mean that most people don’t?
posted by Scott in careers.
30+ Useful Sites You Probably Didn’t Know About
Fri 14 Mar 2008 – 16.05
I reckon that title is pretty self-explanatory.
via Dumb Little Man
posted by Scott in life.
Modernizing Your Resume for Today’s Job Market
Thu 06 Mar 2008 – 11.23
Sorry for not properly posting the last episode into the feed, but now that you’ve listened to the awesomeness of Kristen Fischer, I thought you might like to check out an article she’s written for TalentZoo about how to spice up a resume in the turbulent times of today.
My advice: Avoid the word “synergy” at all costs!
posted by Scott in careers.
Wed 05 Mar 2008 – 10.21
We’re seeing signs of Spring here in New York. This time of year always encourages me to get out and re-invigorate myself towards some practice or other. I’ve been focusing on networking this Winter, but Spring seems like the time to be more social. My March resolution, as it were, is to get out more and have more fun. Is that such a bad thing?
What are you doing this Spring to change your life?
posted by Scott in health & fitness, life.
Sun 24 Feb 2008 – 11.28
In this episode, Scott talks with Kristen Fischer about life after college. Kristen is a New Jersey-based freelance writer and author of the upcoming book “Ramen Noodles, Rent, and Resumes: An After-College Guide to Life”. Join Scott and Kristen for a chat about classes, debt, freelancing, working, making friends, paying rent, living with parents, and maybe going to grad school.
Drexel University - a career-oriented school
Stockton College - a school in the woods
FreelanceSwitch - website and podcast featuring Kristen
Jobcast I and JCII from Summer 2006
Creatively Self-Employed, Kristen’s first book
Merlin Mann on MacBreak Weekly
The Cost of Living, with Lindsay Campbell
Grad school: beast, blessing or burden? A post on SpeakUp
“The After-College”, similar to the “Quarter-life Crisis”
TPS Reports
Facebook
NaNoWriMo - National Novel Writing Month (November)
Garden State, the movie
FreelanceRadio, with Kristen
Listen Now
Download Episode 037 (.m4a, 58.47, 27.5 MB)
posted by Scott in podcasts.