It's never been a question that radical frugality works, the question is, "Would you want to live like that?" Tempoary radical frugality lets you find out.
And, thanks--it's always nice to hear that people enjoy my writing, and especially nice to hear that people find it useful.
Excellent points : pursue the work you enjoy if/when possible and focus on reaching goals.
My favorite though is the business lesson of controlling supply; I suppose I like this because I was talking with someone yesterday about how his company controlled the supply of a commodity product and focused on value-added product. His company had purchased my last corporate employer (over 15 years ago), which did not thrive specifically because the company was focusing on marketing fresh product (specifically commodity-priced poultry) rather than the value-added markets that weren't subject to fluctuating prices.
Another idea: research local artists in your area who are early in their career (students, etc) whose art is well-thought of, but doesn't yet command the prices of others around them. In this way, you can enjoy a good price, be a true patron of your local art community, and who knows-maybe your art will appreciate in value in time!
Happy hunting!
I would suggest that you contact the managers at the places you have applied in the past and ask them if they received your application. Find out if they would be willing to spare you a few minutes and discuss with you their reasons for not hiring you and if they have any suggestions on what you could do to become hireable with them. It would be better if you could met them in person to have this conversation.
It could be you do not have enough experience for the positions you have applied for, or it could be your resume does not reflect your skills. Usually if you look good on paper, you have a great chance at being called in for an interview.
I would strongly suggest that you apply for any retail positions in person to the manager, rather than leaving, or sending in your application. I was in management in retail for many years and I think you can represent youself better face to face. Often you may get an interview on the spot. Also, apply at the companies you would like to work, after researching them first. Don't wait for them to advertise a position. You might be surprised at how successful you will be.
I've found the most killer way to answer the question "do you have any questions" is to ponder for a moment, and then ask your interviewer "what aspect of your job do you find most challenging". Its a bit out the park and really gets the interviewer to think (which is good) and their answer gives you a bit of an inner taste for the company.
We Americans are the fattest, most obese, in the world with drug companies pumping out drugs for everything from snoring to... "Do you think you blink too often? Ask ur doctor what Blinktex can do for you?" And this is a prmiary factor in health costs.
After trying to make headway on credit card debt with a budget that balances money for debt and money for fun, and experiencing little success, we were recently challenged to try radical debt reduction. I looked at our income and figured out that by taking a radical approach, we could pay off our debt in two years. We've spent a month implementing changes - cancelling services, selling a car to become a one-car household, and connecting to online resources like Wise Bread to see if we can get more ideas. One of the greatest benefits to taking the radical approach is the positive energy it's provided - we know we're really accomplishing something.
I know that my situation is unique... and I'm very lucky to be paid well to do what I love, and have the opportunity to save an insane amount of cash to go towards debt.
I'm also lucky to have such an understanding Husband :)
There are all kinds of ways to make money - selling 1k iron ore, selling items dropped by monsters, selling bowstrings. If you don't have fun mining ore, killing monsters, or spinning bowstrings, find something you do like to do. If it's not fun, the *game* will become stressful, and it loses the purpose of being a *game*.
Sometimes, though, you have to do something you don't like because you have a goal in mind. Mining that 1k ore may be your only way to get the rest of the money you need for your granite maul. Keep the goal in mind.
Finally, be careful that you don't saturate the market. If you sell enough jute seeds to Olivia, their price drops from 3 gold to 0! If you'd just chosen to 'sell 50' you're out the seeds *and* a bunch of money. Go farm for a while, while Olivia's stock reduces over time, and sell again. If you want something to remain valuable, don't cheapen it by putting too many of that item into circulation.
haven't worked in advertising in London. When you're fresh out of college you have to go and see as many agencies as possible, get your face known and interview with as many places as you can in order to increase your chances of landing a job. Some of my friends were seeing 3-4 agencies per day for many weeks. You may doubt my abilities as an interviewee, but I'm in a business that demands face time in front of agencies. It comes with the territory, and you often have to take your book around even when you're not specifcally looking for a job.
Great comments. I wish you would have called me since I only sell term life insurance...by choice! To add to your position, so many cash value agents try and compare the rates of returns between the cash value policy, which they emphasize is tax-deferred, and the investment return of the alternate investment. Don't be fooled by this "sales" tactic. Even with this tax deferred treatment your anaylsis is dead on. Also, remember that most people in this country are in debt. If they use the savings generated from purchasing term life instead of cash value plans to pay down debt fisrt then save then the financial comparison is based on the interst rate being charged on the debt which is even more substantial that the 5-10% return you earn on an investment. Cash value agents sell their product in a vaccum pushing all the "bells and whistles" but not really looking at the client's overall picture. This way they can sell their product without really focusing on good financial advice for their client. Thanks for the opportunity to rant.
When I'm reading articles like this one, i tend to ask myself "what does this guy know that I don't, and why should I trust him/her on the subject?"
"To get my first job out of college I attended some 15-20 interviews a week."
An HR-manager, or someone familiar with interviewing would have been a great resource regarding the interview process. But one who has just been to several interviews? I'm just wondering, WHY have you been to many interviews, because you are good at them? I'd doubt it.
All of these questions and answers are great, but how do you get to the interview process?? I am looking for a job in retail I see all theses places hiring on simply hired and career builder and I have applied and no one is calling back. i have had 3 calls in 2 months for about 15-20 jobs I have applied for. Any suggestions to why??
After a year of training in the secret underground of pick up artists I found out that you can use this stuff just anywhere. I had a couple of job interviews lately and I did the exact same routines with the 3-5 people on the table like I do with chicks at a club (or street/coffeeshop/bookstore, if it's for daygame). Works perfectly fine. Tends to get boring though, so I picked a job I really like.
The great thing is that not everyone has courage to start his/her own business, which is why I got people working for me and I don't have to work myself. I was actually forced to start my own business because with ADHD I have difficulty to finish any work on time, so the only solution was to find someone to do most of the work. Now, I have several people working for me, I just check from time to time if everything is delivered and that's all. PS: I do design, branding etc.
I believe your adice is sound. I usually add a little humour depending my read of the room. It helps lighten things up and demonstrates confidence
under pressure.
Your suggestion on projects implemented is good. I find most companies are looking for people who can deliver outcomes in a timely manner and on budget.
Dear Sir,
I am from Romania and at 10$ + transport, I am interested to send you the money for this teva shoe, I apply the link & ASEV2794, but... don't work, my size are 42. If you can help me ... many thanks in advance.
.
add me to the list who enjoys your writing and finds it useful :)
It's never been a question that radical frugality works, the question is, "Would you want to live like that?" Tempoary radical frugality lets you find out.
And, thanks--it's always nice to hear that people enjoy my writing, and especially nice to hear that people find it useful.
Excellent points : pursue the work you enjoy if/when possible and focus on reaching goals.
My favorite though is the business lesson of controlling supply; I suppose I like this because I was talking with someone yesterday about how his company controlled the supply of a commodity product and focused on value-added product. His company had purchased my last corporate employer (over 15 years ago), which did not thrive specifically because the company was focusing on marketing fresh product (specifically commodity-priced poultry) rather than the value-added markets that weren't subject to fluctuating prices.
Another idea: research local artists in your area who are early in their career (students, etc) whose art is well-thought of, but doesn't yet command the prices of others around them. In this way, you can enjoy a good price, be a true patron of your local art community, and who knows-maybe your art will appreciate in value in time!
Happy hunting!
Kay Singleton, Colorado oil painter
www.alpinearts.com
I would suggest that you contact the managers at the places you have applied in the past and ask them if they received your application. Find out if they would be willing to spare you a few minutes and discuss with you their reasons for not hiring you and if they have any suggestions on what you could do to become hireable with them. It would be better if you could met them in person to have this conversation.
It could be you do not have enough experience for the positions you have applied for, or it could be your resume does not reflect your skills. Usually if you look good on paper, you have a great chance at being called in for an interview.
I would strongly suggest that you apply for any retail positions in person to the manager, rather than leaving, or sending in your application. I was in management in retail for many years and I think you can represent youself better face to face. Often you may get an interview on the spot. Also, apply at the companies you would like to work, after researching them first. Don't wait for them to advertise a position. You might be surprised at how successful you will be.
I've found the most killer way to answer the question "do you have any questions" is to ponder for a moment, and then ask your interviewer "what aspect of your job do you find most challenging". Its a bit out the park and really gets the interviewer to think (which is good) and their answer gives you a bit of an inner taste for the company.
We Americans are the fattest, most obese, in the world with drug companies pumping out drugs for everything from snoring to... "Do you think you blink too often? Ask ur doctor what Blinktex can do for you?" And this is a prmiary factor in health costs.
From a small business owner's perspective, thank you. I'm doing my first interview for an office assistant next week.
Phil, I really like your attitude and your posts.
After trying to make headway on credit card debt with a budget that balances money for debt and money for fun, and experiencing little success, we were recently challenged to try radical debt reduction. I looked at our income and figured out that by taking a radical approach, we could pay off our debt in two years. We've spent a month implementing changes - cancelling services, selling a car to become a one-car household, and connecting to online resources like Wise Bread to see if we can get more ideas. One of the greatest benefits to taking the radical approach is the positive energy it's provided - we know we're really accomplishing something.
I know that my situation is unique... and I'm very lucky to be paid well to do what I love, and have the opportunity to save an insane amount of cash to go towards debt.
I'm also lucky to have such an understanding Husband :)
Something else to consider:
There are all kinds of ways to make money - selling 1k iron ore, selling items dropped by monsters, selling bowstrings. If you don't have fun mining ore, killing monsters, or spinning bowstrings, find something you do like to do. If it's not fun, the *game* will become stressful, and it loses the purpose of being a *game*.
Sometimes, though, you have to do something you don't like because you have a goal in mind. Mining that 1k ore may be your only way to get the rest of the money you need for your granite maul. Keep the goal in mind.
Finally, be careful that you don't saturate the market. If you sell enough jute seeds to Olivia, their price drops from 3 gold to 0! If you'd just chosen to 'sell 50' you're out the seeds *and* a bunch of money. Go farm for a while, while Olivia's stock reduces over time, and sell again. If you want something to remain valuable, don't cheapen it by putting too many of that item into circulation.
haven't worked in advertising in London. When you're fresh out of college you have to go and see as many agencies as possible, get your face known and interview with as many places as you can in order to increase your chances of landing a job. Some of my friends were seeing 3-4 agencies per day for many weeks. You may doubt my abilities as an interviewee, but I'm in a business that demands face time in front of agencies. It comes with the territory, and you often have to take your book around even when you're not specifcally looking for a job.
Interesting!
Great comments. I wish you would have called me since I only sell term life insurance...by choice! To add to your position, so many cash value agents try and compare the rates of returns between the cash value policy, which they emphasize is tax-deferred, and the investment return of the alternate investment. Don't be fooled by this "sales" tactic. Even with this tax deferred treatment your anaylsis is dead on. Also, remember that most people in this country are in debt. If they use the savings generated from purchasing term life instead of cash value plans to pay down debt fisrt then save then the financial comparison is based on the interst rate being charged on the debt which is even more substantial that the 5-10% return you earn on an investment. Cash value agents sell their product in a vaccum pushing all the "bells and whistles" but not really looking at the client's overall picture. This way they can sell their product without really focusing on good financial advice for their client. Thanks for the opportunity to rant.
#4 is brilliant! I'd be careful about #2, though; that could come across as fairly offensive.
When I'm reading articles like this one, i tend to ask myself "what does this guy know that I don't, and why should I trust him/her on the subject?"
"To get my first job out of college I attended some 15-20 interviews a week."
An HR-manager, or someone familiar with interviewing would have been a great resource regarding the interview process. But one who has just been to several interviews? I'm just wondering, WHY have you been to many interviews, because you are good at them? I'd doubt it.
All of these questions and answers are great, but how do you get to the interview process?? I am looking for a job in retail I see all theses places hiring on simply hired and career builder and I have applied and no one is calling back. i have had 3 calls in 2 months for about 15-20 jobs I have applied for. Any suggestions to why??
In case you are not joking around you might want to start by checking how the company's name is spelled. ;-)
After a year of training in the secret underground of pick up artists I found out that you can use this stuff just anywhere. I had a couple of job interviews lately and I did the exact same routines with the 3-5 people on the table like I do with chicks at a club (or street/coffeeshop/bookstore, if it's for daygame). Works perfectly fine. Tends to get boring though, so I picked a job I really like.
The great thing is that not everyone has courage to start his/her own business, which is why I got people working for me and I don't have to work myself. I was actually forced to start my own business because with ADHD I have difficulty to finish any work on time, so the only solution was to find someone to do most of the work. Now, I have several people working for me, I just check from time to time if everything is delivered and that's all. PS: I do design, branding etc.
Is that so, Obsession? If everyone did that, who'd work in your business?
You're making a basic mistake by looking for a job. You'll do better if you start your own business instead.
I believe your adice is sound. I usually add a little humour depending my read of the room. It helps lighten things up and demonstrates confidence
under pressure.
Your suggestion on projects implemented is good. I find most companies are looking for people who can deliver outcomes in a timely manner and on budget.
Forget about looking for job, start your own business! You’ll never get rich by being employee. Plus, you don’t have to go for interviews.
Dear Sir,
I am from Romania and at 10$ + transport, I am interested to send you the money for this teva shoe, I apply the link & ASEV2794, but... don't work, my size are 42. If you can help me ... many thanks in advance.
.