Thrifty Tips - Getting The Most Out of Life!!!

Ask Savvy: How Should I Critique My Co-Worker?

SavvySugar — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 06:00:38 -0800

Dear Savvy,

Today, my manager called me asking me to write up a report about a fellow co-worker. I had mentioned that she was having some difficulties adjusting to the workplace, that she was rude to us, and where she was getting better but that she still often isn't on task. I told her that I would, but I just sat down to write it and have no idea what to say, how to say it, etc. Any suggestions?

Savvy says: Your manager is essentially asking you to put your spoken criticism in writing. See my thoughts on this situation when you read more.

Your manager is taking your co-worker concerns seriously which means they need to be added to her employee file. It's not a test for you; it's simply your manager's job to make sure that all complaints are recorded appropriately, and it's more legitimate to have the report coming from the person that has witnessed reportable behavior.

You obviously had enough to say about the situation when you originally presented the complaints, so just expand on what you've already told the manager. You say that she's having difficulties adjusting to the workplace, so you should state that along with a deeper explanation of why you feel that way. Each judgment should be paired with a real-office observation to illustrate what's going on with your co-worker - this will keep your report sounding professional.

You don't need to go off on tangents about the co-worker, just write enough to get your point across. Also keep in mind that you don't have to include every little imperfection you've seen in the individual. It's better to focus on the big things (like the fact that she's often off-task) rather than her habit of taking an extra five minutes at lunch (or something equally minimal).

Have a question for me? Ask away by posting your questions in my Ask Savvy group and I may answer it on the site!

Does Your Occupation Fit Your Personality?

SavvySugar — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:45:04 -0800

Chances are you’ve taken a personality test at some point in your life - a Myers-Briggs for fun, a Caliper or other employment test for a new job - but have you ever thought about how the results might impact your career choices?

Nancy Ancowitz, author of Self-Promotion For Introverts, recently wrote an article in the New York Times about how her introverted personality affected her career path. Ancowitz had always assumed her need to work alone and her aversion to large meetings were character flaws. But once she realized they were just aspects of her personality, she was able to make them work to her advantage and find a career that better suited her.

I definitely consider myself an introvert. I love being around people and I can turn on my social side when I need to, but I really do my best work and feel the most recharged when I’m alone. My job, happily, strikes the perfect balance for me. How about you? Does your role at work mesh with your personality? If you’re curious as to what your personality type is, check out this simplified Myers-Briggs test.

Photo courtesy of NBC

I'm Asking: Is This Good Advice to Get Ahead?

SavvySugar — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:00:00 -0800

If you want to learn to act like the boss, you may want to pick up a copy of Stanley Bing's (aka. Gil Schwartz) new book, How to Relax Without Getting the Axe. Just be fair warned, Bing's tips for getting ahead are much more playing the part than they are actual guidelines for working your way up the corporate ladder.

It's a pretty simple, if not all-out lackadaisical strategy, that seeks to simulate some corporate executives' office behaviors. For one, the book suggests that creating the illusion of being unreachable helps to build status - you're too important to be on-call all the time. While I'm definitely an advocate of creating a healthy work-life balance, I'm not sure positioning myself as unavailable would help my cause at work - you'd probably just come off as undependable, and unlikely to be given greater responsibilities if your boss thinks you're out of touch with your team or your company.

Remember, company execs have more flexibility because they run the show, and acting like you do, may not be the best way to get attention - or at least the kind you're hoping for. For the most part, I'm not buying Bing's advice, but tell me, how do you feel about mimicking executive behavior? Is this an innovative career move or a strategy you're unlikely to adopt?

Your Two Cents: How Often Do You Feel Nervous at Work?

SavvySugar — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 06:00:28 -0800

A good friend recently admitted she gets nervous and clammy whenever her boss schedules a meeting with her, which is quite often. She's never been given a bad review or stern talking to, but there's something about being called into a one-on-one that makes her panic.

When I asked her why she couldn't explain her fears, except that, like most SavvySugar readers, the recession and layoffs at her company have left her particularly uneasy and chipped away at her confidence. Do you ever get shaking on the job or you stay steady and self-assured?

How to get free shipping for Amazon.com

shopfromhome — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 12:48:06 -0700

Feed the Pig: A great free site to help you save money!

tdsollog — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 12:01:20 -0800

Feed the Pig!
http://www.feedthepig.org/

This website is here to help you feed your piggy bank. Here, you’ll find fun tools, a quiz, tons of tips and other resources. They will all help you think through your spending and saving habits, identify ways you can start saving and commit to making changes that will reduce your debt and grow your savings.

Specifically, on this site you can:

Pick a personality similar to yours in Me Save? Then choose a set of spending habits you want to change or break and find out how much you can save over a month, a year or even 35 years!

Sync your Feed the Pig profile with Facebook or your iGoogle Homepage to track what you can save over time.
Find out how much you can save no matter what course your life takes in the 5% Challenge.

Take a quiz to see how well you understand the psychology behind our saving and spending habits.

Get savings tips, which you can rate and comment on.

Talk to others about how they “Feed the Pig.”

Watch and listen to Feed the Pig TV and radio ads.

Learn a ton more about saving through our Resources section and our companion site, 360financialliteracy.org, which has advice for people at all stages of life.

All this great stuff is part of a national campaign sponsored by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and The Advertising Council. The goal of the campaign is to encourage and help Americans aged 25 to 34 to take control of their personal finances.

AICPA is the national professional association of CPAs, with approximately 330,000 members in business, industry, public practice, government and education. The AICPA sets the ethical standards for the profession and the auditing standards for private companies, non-profit groups, and federal, state and local governments.

The Advertising Council has produced thousands of PSA campaigns addressing the most pressing social issues of the day. The Ad Council aims to foster tremendous positive change by raising awareness, inspiring action and saving lives.
To get more information about this campaign, please contact feedthepig@aicpa.org. Thanks.

Now please feed me-Feed the Pig!
http://www.feedthepig.org/

Keeping Your Appliances In Their Best Shape

Beachwalker — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 07:44:31 -0800

To keep your washing machine new, every few months fill
the machine with warm water and a pint of vinegar. This
will clean out the hoses and stop clogging.

This works for the dishwasher as well!

Toothpaste Jewelery Cleaner

Beachwalker — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 07:36:52 -0800

I do this using an old toothbrush, and it works great!!!

For beautiful, shiny clean jewelry, use a soft toothbrush
and toothpaste. Rub lightly, rinse and polish with a towel.
Diamonds and gold will simply glow.

Stock Up Your Pantry For Winter

Beachwalker — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 07:28:34 -0800

I love buying fresh from the market in season. It is a delicious and inexpensive source of fruit and veggies. Before winter I like to stock up on niblets corn, peaches, pineapple tidbits, when there is a sale on. (They have to be less than 1/2 price) Frozen, I like peas and mixed vegetables, as well as blueberries when they are on sale. How bout You - what do you use canned or frozen?

Canned (and frozen) fruits and veggies cost a fraction of
their fresh counterparts, yet last longer and actually have
more vitamins and minerals. Plus you can recycle the can and
paper packaging!

Lemonade and Carnations

Beachwalker — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 07:18:10 -0800

Making Your Carnations Last Longer

Put half water half lemonade in a vase of carnations and
they'll stay fresh for weeks.