I've definitely heard this before and been in that position. Lynn's point about the boss not staying for you if he/she was in the same situation makes the argument even more solid.
It only makes sense to use the credit card for everything regardless of what kind of card you have. No point on leaving free money on the table as long as you can pay the whole thing off every month. I use mine for air miles too.
Very well said.
I learned after being burned a few times during the dot com years that your job is just that and no more. A friend of mine explained his mercenary for hire approach to being an employee. Your there to do a task or service in exchange for money, nothing more. Of course that doesn't mean you steal or otherwise ignore rules of said employment.
I did have one boss that the inability to use the flattery & guilt manipulation on me drove them crazy. I did my job well, did more than was expected and fixed many things that had been in chaos for years. But the ability to be able to manipulate me meant more.
Imagine going into a job interview and telling them you have no emotional stake in the company and are only there to do the requested tasks in trade for the money. They would toss you out the door. But honestly that really is all an employment agreement is.
i just now had to get my cable turned off due to hours getting cut and things like that ... right now i do have a pretty good picture of a few channels but others have nothing ... so d you think that i will be able to get aleast what i ahve not with the box... i dont want to get it then nothing show up on my tv
Hello
We are a small family owned art gallery and we have many customers who use our layway to collect art. With original and limited edition pieces you can lock down the art you want and take up to a year to pay it off, to make sure you get the piece you want before it sells to someone else. Many of our internet customers use it as well as local collectors. We tried the "same as cash" program but the bank underwriting it did not make enough on late fee's from our customers. Regards Chris
Dar, I have to ask: why do you keep hand sanitizer next to your sinks? Proper hand washing would kill off any germs so why not just wash your hands at the sink instead of using the sanitizer?
This tonic IS NOT "natural" or "organic" in any way. Ammonia on your lawn? ...mouthwash? Soda pop?...Definitely not something you should have washing into your soil. Just cuz you can stick it in your gullet, doesn't mean it's good for the environment.
Also, if you applied this stuff every three weeks over the growing season, you would end up spending about $20 per month in "chemicals" which is about $80 for the year. (most of you are not motivated enough to mix and spray every 3 weeks)
If you get a nice organic fert, you will only need to apply it three times per year and the total would be about $60.
What's next, motor oil on the lawn? Sheesh!
lifeandlawns.com
AL
When I worked at a busy office, I shared a phone with another receptionist. The phone would get so grody from caked-on foundation. Eewww. I used to wipe down the phone at least twice a week. That's where my OCD ends, though.
Businesses should treat people like people--because, you know, they are.
Plus, it's just good sense to behave honestly, treat people with respect, give employees control over their work environment, and so on. But even when it does all that stuff, a business is not a person.
My mom used to use layaway at Christmas time in order to buy large presents (think a bike or doll house) and have someplace to store it before bringing it home on Christmas Eve or the last day the store was open before Christmas. She says the small surcharge sometimes charged was worth it to keep our prying eyes and hands off the goodies before Christmas.
I've always told my friends that they shouldn't feel bad about quitting a job to pursue something bigger and better, no matter how much they love their boss. There is no job loyalty, because for the most part, the company won't be loyal to you. (Think about whether your boss would ever stay at a job just to keep you happy.)
I left the corporate world because of the terrible office politics they played (boss will say, "Lynn, I fought tooth and nail for your super-duper raise, because you deserve it" -- when they gave everyone the exact same raise, and they did that because that caused less problems than giving more to people who deserved more).
My boss was actually a great boss, usually, but he was given the stump speech from upper management. Why would he put his job on the line by being upfront and honest with me? It wasn't personal. It was business. He was just doing his job. I didn't hold it against him personally, but it certainly helped with any guilt I may have had when I finally quit.
In the end, you have to make decisions that are best for you. It's not personal. Just business.
That being said, I totally think there is value in a company that strives to create an environment where employees are truly valued and given fair treatment. That should be a consideration when considering pros/cons of leaving/working for a company. ;)
Not giving up my hand sanitizer, no matter what anybody here says!
I do agree that children should be allowed to get a little dirty and risk exposure, as it is necessary for their immune systems to get a workout and fully develop. However, as an adult, I am keeping the bottles of hand sanitizer at my desk and by my kitchen and bathroom sinks now and forever!
.. with most everything said above. In most cases, the chemicals used to eradicate household germs are more harmful than the germs they're eradicating. Especially to children.
I echo the sentiment about germophobe ironies - I know two of them, and both of them have kids who seem perpetually sick despite their neurotic efforts. In contrast, some of the happiest, healthiest kids we know come from homes where a little dust and clutter is always welcome.
There's a reason life expectancy in 1908 was 49 years, as opposed to the 78 years an American can expect to live today. It's called "sanitation."
Uh, wrong.
The leading causes of death in America at that time were Tuberculosis, Heart Disease, and Strokes.
People died at an early age back then because they had no way of treating things like heart attacks and stroke, not because they were wallowing in unsanitary conditions. In fact, it may have been more sanitary in 1908 since only 5% of people had indoor plumbing at the time. All that nasty stuff was out in the outhouse.
One issue with layaway is that you're generally not protected against the store going bankrupt. If you've paid $250 on a $300 item and the store goes belly-up, there's no assurance that you'll be able to complete your purchase or get your money back.
That doesn't mean that layaway never makes sense, but it's a good reason to be careful. A few thoughts:
Keep the period between putting the item on layaway and completing the transaction as short as possible.
Put the smallest amount down that will hold the item and save the rest in a savings account (rather than making a series of payments).
Evaluate the store as a credit risk (because that's what it is: you're lending the store money until you complete the sale).
Be especially careful about layaway transactions over the holidays. Lots of businesses end up filing for bankruptcy right after the new year (having only stayed open that long in the hopes that a good Christmas shopping season would save them).
I agree it annoys me when I see on TV ads that promise to kill 99% of germs and it shows someone wiping a child's highchair tray clean. It plays on parent's insecurities about germs.
I grew up in a era when there wasn't this craziness about germs and I survived.
But, I also think there are places where the strictest standards of hygiene have to be upheld i.e. hospitals, dentists, food establishments, etc.
Otherwise let kids get grubby and roll around in the mud. It won't kill them
When I was a kid (20 years ago... and the last time I knew of anyone using layaway in my neck of the woods), they would take your layaway purchase and store the exact items in a layaway locker for when you came to pick it up. You only had 10 -20 days to pick up and pay for your stuff. You had to put 10% down, and that price you paid at the time was what you paid later... no credits for going on sale later.
I thought it was weird that they must have had an entire room devoted to "storing" stuff. But since you don't get your 10% deposit back, it turned out to be a good deal for them.
Now our layaway is called "credit card purchases." And we get a refund if the price drops at any time 30 days after the purchase.
From putting a binkie in their kids mouth after being on the floor. Their little hands are much filthier than their pacifiers, believe me! (especially if they are around other kids all day.) Better chance of getting sick from your own carpeting than the super non-porous flooring of a big-box retailer. Check out the 5-second rule study.... http://www.wisebread.com/waste-not-revisiting-the-5-second-rule-and-othe...
It's also important to remember that the constant use of anti-bacterials leads to super-bugs. If a product kills 99.99% of germs, that 0.01% lives on, multiplies, and in time, the antibiotic becomes useless.
You know, my husband has made mention a few times of an article he read some time ago (in Nat Geo, I think) discussing basically what you said in this article. Only I think the focus of the piece was on farm kids versus kids that grow up in more sterile environments. The premise was what you are discussing here, that insulating kids from any exposure doesn't bode well for their immune system and allergy situation long term. Anyway, it's an interesting piece and timely for me as things are so chaotic here that I will listen to anything that makes me feel better about not having things "to rights" so to speak. Thanks for bringing this to the forefront.
I have a friend who has a self proclaimed germophobe neurosis. She doesn't like taking her kids places because of germs. She uses anti germ stuff everywhere but they do have a golden retriever. Anyway, the kids have asthma and are always getting sick - bronchitis, ear infections, strep, the little one had RSV, etc. When her kids get colds they usually become something serious. She didn't breastfeed the first but did the second for 6 months or so. My kids, when they get sick, it is generally a typical cold which runs it's course. I think between the 2 kids we've had 2-3 ear infections in the combined 10 years of life. We don't wash our hands nearly as much as we should and my son always has something in his mouth (6 yrs old). I kind of understand my friend's concern because her kids get so sick but what came first her anti germ campaign or the kids' poor immune system? Why are my kids generally more healthy? Is it better genes/immune system or the environment?
There's a reason life expectancy in 1908 was 49 years, as opposed to the 78 years an American can expect to live today. It's called "sanitation."
People got sick and died because they and their environments weren't clean. Go back to not washing and letting the kids suck on stuff that fell on the floor in a dirty public place, and we can expect our life expectancy to drop.
I agree that running around rubbing antibacterial wipes on everything insight is a silly overreaction created by marketing campaigns. But bathing daily, brushing your teeth twice a day, and refraining from sticking a pacifier in your baby's mouth after the thing has been on a supermarket floor come under the heading of common sense.
I've definitely heard this before and been in that position. Lynn's point about the boss not staying for you if he/she was in the same situation makes the argument even more solid.
It only makes sense to use the credit card for everything regardless of what kind of card you have. No point on leaving free money on the table as long as you can pay the whole thing off every month. I use mine for air miles too.
Very well said.
I learned after being burned a few times during the dot com years that your job is just that and no more. A friend of mine explained his mercenary for hire approach to being an employee. Your there to do a task or service in exchange for money, nothing more. Of course that doesn't mean you steal or otherwise ignore rules of said employment.
I did have one boss that the inability to use the flattery & guilt manipulation on me drove them crazy. I did my job well, did more than was expected and fixed many things that had been in chaos for years. But the ability to be able to manipulate me meant more.
Imagine going into a job interview and telling them you have no emotional stake in the company and are only there to do the requested tasks in trade for the money. They would toss you out the door. But honestly that really is all an employment agreement is.
i just now had to get my cable turned off due to hours getting cut and things like that ... right now i do have a pretty good picture of a few channels but others have nothing ... so d you think that i will be able to get aleast what i ahve not with the box... i dont want to get it then nothing show up on my tv
Hello
We are a small family owned art gallery and we have many customers who use our layway to collect art. With original and limited edition pieces you can lock down the art you want and take up to a year to pay it off, to make sure you get the piece you want before it sells to someone else. Many of our internet customers use it as well as local collectors. We tried the "same as cash" program but the bank underwriting it did not make enough on late fee's from our customers. Regards Chris
watch this movie..
http://www.thecorporation.com/
Dar, I have to ask: why do you keep hand sanitizer next to your sinks? Proper hand washing would kill off any germs so why not just wash your hands at the sink instead of using the sanitizer?
This tonic IS NOT "natural" or "organic" in any way. Ammonia on your lawn? ...mouthwash? Soda pop?...Definitely not something you should have washing into your soil. Just cuz you can stick it in your gullet, doesn't mean it's good for the environment.
Also, if you applied this stuff every three weeks over the growing season, you would end up spending about $20 per month in "chemicals" which is about $80 for the year. (most of you are not motivated enough to mix and spray every 3 weeks)
If you get a nice organic fert, you will only need to apply it three times per year and the total would be about $60.
What's next, motor oil on the lawn? Sheesh!
lifeandlawns.com
AL
When I worked at a busy office, I shared a phone with another receptionist. The phone would get so grody from caked-on foundation. Eewww. I used to wipe down the phone at least twice a week. That's where my OCD ends, though.
Businesses should treat people like people--because, you know, they are.
Plus, it's just good sense to behave honestly, treat people with respect, give employees control over their work environment, and so on. But even when it does all that stuff, a business is not a person.
My mom used to use layaway at Christmas time in order to buy large presents (think a bike or doll house) and have someplace to store it before bringing it home on Christmas Eve or the last day the store was open before Christmas. She says the small surcharge sometimes charged was worth it to keep our prying eyes and hands off the goodies before Christmas.
I've always told my friends that they shouldn't feel bad about quitting a job to pursue something bigger and better, no matter how much they love their boss. There is no job loyalty, because for the most part, the company won't be loyal to you. (Think about whether your boss would ever stay at a job just to keep you happy.)
I left the corporate world because of the terrible office politics they played (boss will say, "Lynn, I fought tooth and nail for your super-duper raise, because you deserve it" -- when they gave everyone the exact same raise, and they did that because that caused less problems than giving more to people who deserved more).
My boss was actually a great boss, usually, but he was given the stump speech from upper management. Why would he put his job on the line by being upfront and honest with me? It wasn't personal. It was business. He was just doing his job. I didn't hold it against him personally, but it certainly helped with any guilt I may have had when I finally quit.
In the end, you have to make decisions that are best for you. It's not personal. Just business.
That being said, I totally think there is value in a company that strives to create an environment where employees are truly valued and given fair treatment. That should be a consideration when considering pros/cons of leaving/working for a company. ;)
Not giving up my hand sanitizer, no matter what anybody here says!
I do agree that children should be allowed to get a little dirty and risk exposure, as it is necessary for their immune systems to get a workout and fully develop. However, as an adult, I am keeping the bottles of hand sanitizer at my desk and by my kitchen and bathroom sinks now and forever!
.. with most everything said above. In most cases, the chemicals used to eradicate household germs are more harmful than the germs they're eradicating. Especially to children.
I echo the sentiment about germophobe ironies - I know two of them, and both of them have kids who seem perpetually sick despite their neurotic efforts. In contrast, some of the happiest, healthiest kids we know come from homes where a little dust and clutter is always welcome.
Smart guy, that Louis Kestenbaum, as is his son Joel. Wonder how they're faring in the current economic climate...
There's a reason life expectancy in 1908 was 49 years, as opposed to the 78 years an American can expect to live today. It's called "sanitation."
Uh, wrong.
The leading causes of death in America at that time were Tuberculosis, Heart Disease, and Strokes.
People died at an early age back then because they had no way of treating things like heart attacks and stroke, not because they were wallowing in unsanitary conditions. In fact, it may have been more sanitary in 1908 since only 5% of people had indoor plumbing at the time. All that nasty stuff was out in the outhouse.
One issue with layaway is that you're generally not protected against the store going bankrupt. If you've paid $250 on a $300 item and the store goes belly-up, there's no assurance that you'll be able to complete your purchase or get your money back.
That doesn't mean that layaway never makes sense, but it's a good reason to be careful. A few thoughts:
I agree it annoys me when I see on TV ads that promise to kill 99% of germs and it shows someone wiping a child's highchair tray clean. It plays on parent's insecurities about germs.
I grew up in a era when there wasn't this craziness about germs and I survived.
But, I also think there are places where the strictest standards of hygiene have to be upheld i.e. hospitals, dentists, food establishments, etc.
Otherwise let kids get grubby and roll around in the mud. It won't kill them
When I was a kid (20 years ago... and the last time I knew of anyone using layaway in my neck of the woods), they would take your layaway purchase and store the exact items in a layaway locker for when you came to pick it up. You only had 10 -20 days to pick up and pay for your stuff. You had to put 10% down, and that price you paid at the time was what you paid later... no credits for going on sale later.
I thought it was weird that they must have had an entire room devoted to "storing" stuff. But since you don't get your 10% deposit back, it turned out to be a good deal for them.
Now our layaway is called "credit card purchases." And we get a refund if the price drops at any time 30 days after the purchase.
Good post!
Linsey Knerl
From putting a binkie in their kids mouth after being on the floor. Their little hands are much filthier than their pacifiers, believe me! (especially if they are around other kids all day.) Better chance of getting sick from your own carpeting than the super non-porous flooring of a big-box retailer. Check out the 5-second rule study.... http://www.wisebread.com/waste-not-revisiting-the-5-second-rule-and-othe...
Thanks for the article, Julie. I think your readers will also like "A Green Tale" at http://www.financialtales.com
It's also important to remember that the constant use of anti-bacterials leads to super-bugs. If a product kills 99.99% of germs, that 0.01% lives on, multiplies, and in time, the antibiotic becomes useless.
You know, my husband has made mention a few times of an article he read some time ago (in Nat Geo, I think) discussing basically what you said in this article. Only I think the focus of the piece was on farm kids versus kids that grow up in more sterile environments. The premise was what you are discussing here, that insulating kids from any exposure doesn't bode well for their immune system and allergy situation long term. Anyway, it's an interesting piece and timely for me as things are so chaotic here that I will listen to anything that makes me feel better about not having things "to rights" so to speak. Thanks for bringing this to the forefront.
I have a friend who has a self proclaimed germophobe neurosis. She doesn't like taking her kids places because of germs. She uses anti germ stuff everywhere but they do have a golden retriever. Anyway, the kids have asthma and are always getting sick - bronchitis, ear infections, strep, the little one had RSV, etc. When her kids get colds they usually become something serious. She didn't breastfeed the first but did the second for 6 months or so. My kids, when they get sick, it is generally a typical cold which runs it's course. I think between the 2 kids we've had 2-3 ear infections in the combined 10 years of life. We don't wash our hands nearly as much as we should and my son always has something in his mouth (6 yrs old). I kind of understand my friend's concern because her kids get so sick but what came first her anti germ campaign or the kids' poor immune system? Why are my kids generally more healthy? Is it better genes/immune system or the environment?
There's a reason life expectancy in 1908 was 49 years, as opposed to the 78 years an American can expect to live today. It's called "sanitation."
People got sick and died because they and their environments weren't clean. Go back to not washing and letting the kids suck on stuff that fell on the floor in a dirty public place, and we can expect our life expectancy to drop.
I agree that running around rubbing antibacterial wipes on everything insight is a silly overreaction created by marketing campaigns. But bathing daily, brushing your teeth twice a day, and refraining from sticking a pacifier in your baby's mouth after the thing has been on a supermarket floor come under the heading of common sense.
You can take anything to ridiculous extremes.