Perhaps because he had so few finances to manage while we were growing up, my father kept his financial advice simple:
Always pay yourself first.
Four simple words. Yet this concept is almost guaranteed to make a millionaire out of anyone who adheres to it.
Here’s how it works:
First and foremost, major props to the Office writers for throwing in a plug for Allentown. I love my hometown representing even if it's only where Jan is going for Lamaze class.
Let's get right down to what we learned this week. Because the episode was an hour long, we've got double the amount of lessons.
Lesson one: Do not leave your cell phone setting on your desk or you may find that all of your calls are being transfered to someone else's phone.
The big story on Money & More this morning (Tightening up on tips) is about how people who earn tips are suffering as people who give tips tighten their purse strings. It's a story my mother could have seen coming in this economy.
Mom worked a lot of part-time jobs when we were growing up. Most involved long hours on her feet, smiling at unsmiling people. They usually relied on tips. And when you really rely on those tips, you learn how to get blood from a stone.
One of the most valuable lessons she ever taught me came on the night of Nov. 6, 1979; the night Ronald Reagan defeated Jimmy Carter in the presidential election. Mom knew that would be a prime night to earn tips.
That's the picture emerging from a recent study by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. I glanced at this at first, and figured someone was reaching a bit for conclusions. Then I took a look at the numbers.
In roughly the past six months, women have gained about 300,000 jobs. Men have lost 700,000 jobs. Check out the reasoning yourself and see if you agree.
I was reading Mike Wise's column in the Washington Post about D.C. United player Ben Olsen this morning. Suffice it to say, I was more than a little surprised to see a TMI reference.
"A 5-foot-8, 156-pound human projectile, Olsen flew around the field more than ran, his fire and soccer IQ compensating for any lack of flair. His mother once joked his hyperactivity was caused by the power-plant accident at Three Mile Island in 1979, which was less than a mile from the Olsens' home in Middletown, Pa.
'Thank you, nuclear power,' Olsen said, smiling."
Last month Dunkin' Donuts gave out free donuts with the purchase of a coffee to celebrate tax season ending. This Thursday it's giving free iced coffee because it's the annual Free Iced Coffee Day.
According to the news release Dunkin Donuts plans to give out close to 4 million cups of free iced coffee Thursday.
Here's some fun stats from the release about what other things you could do with all that coffee:
As we're about to close out another week, it's time for the weekly round up of top biz stories this week.
Speed networking is all the rage.
The Business and Tech expo was on Tuesday.
First quarter homes sales weren't so good.
Even fairly well off people are turning to discounters.
Flying just keeps getting more expensive.
And because I hate to leave you with depressing news on a Friday afternoon, check out this video shot by photographer Paul Kuehnel.
Side note: The baby bump is the reason we only see Angela from her shoulders up because there's no storyline written in for her pregnancy.
Jim Halpert was successful this week, for once acting like a real businessman and sealing a sales deal on the golf course.
But before we get to his overwhelming success, let's take a quick look at Michael's inept struggles.
Take a look at what BAE has displayed at their booth. I can only imagine it was interesting getting it in here.
The Revolution's mascot made a special guest appearance.
Here's a reason to come to the Business and Technology expo today: Free massages.
Chiropractic Healthcare Center on East Market Street has a booth where they are teaching people about the services they provide and offering free massages.
If that's not a reasons to step out of the office on your lunch break, I don't know what is.
If you can't make it to the expo today but are still interested in finding out what's new and interesting, you'll want to check back with Mind Your Own Business throughout the day.
I will be spending most of the day at the Toyota Arena and will post updates as I see the various exhibits and talk with different presenters.
If you have a specific question about a booth or a presentation e-mail me or leave a comment and I will do my best to get it answered.
The York County Chamber of Commerce Business and Technology Expo is tomorrow at the Toyota Arena.
According to the news release, here's a few things you can expect to see if you check it out:
* Integrity Bank will focus on their Express Banker remote banking product. The bank provides a desktop scanner that allows a customer to make all of their business deposits of checks from the convenience of their desk.
* Dallastown Area School District is demonstrating a “smart” classroom highlighting the use of laptop computers, LCD projectors, a smart board—an electronic whiteboard—and student response systems, as well as using software to show the educational uses of these tools.
While the weekend forecast might not be looking so sunny, I think we can all agree that Friday afternoons are a bright spot in the week because the weekend is thisclose.
To help you make the final push through the last few hours of the week, check out the hot business stories of the week.
You probably shouldn't be resting your eyes at work.
Have you gotten your rebate check yet?
Everyone's trying to figure out what the falling gas prices mean.
Rice is in short supply.
Things look good for Comcast.
Michael surprised me in last night's episode. I think it's the first time in maybe forever that he handled an uncomfortable situation appropriately. Sure it may have taken some poking and prodding from HR and in the beginning he may have wanted to take a half day on account of a stomachache, but in the end he did the right thing.
But after giving Michael that credit, I think it's time to examine what Michael and the rest of the Dunder Mifflin crew taught us not to do.
The first Friday of May has been deemed No Pants Day for some years now, according to the holiday's Web site.
Here's a few pointers from the FAQ section to make sure you have the appropriate attire for the day.
What in the world is No Pants Day?
No Pants Day is a day where everyone, be they students, respectable businessmen, or cherished community leaders, leave their pants behind. Usually this means wearing thick, appropriately modest boxer shorts, but bloomers, slips, briefs, and boxer-briefs all work as well.
Are you getting ulcers from layoff worries and want to find something with a little more job security, but don't know where to start?
Perhaps it's time to get back to basics, and ask yourself this question: If you were a customer, how bad would things get before you would stop buying the product you are selling or making, or service you are providing?
I have a laptop that blew up on me going on two years ago. I haven't fixed it. My wife and I have a desktop that serves our needs OK. I can spend that money elsewhere, like on food.
I did a story the other day about Glatfelter's push into making coffee and tea filter papers. No one will give up a morning cup of coffee or tea until well after they've started sewing their own clothes and supplementing their grocery shopping with the backyard garden, or so the logic goes.
It's an example of a company looking to make their business as recession-proof as they can.
Are you plotting a move to a "safer" career? If so, let us know where you are now and where you want to go.
