Best Affordable Suburbs in the US

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Finishing studies and embarking on a new career is often accompanied by a move to a new city where one hopes to find good availability of jobs in the field they’ve chosen.  However, beyond the availability of work, there are many other considerations to be made about where to live.  In year’s past, many of the “Best Places to Live” lists published by numerous magazines were focused on such things as access to luxury amenities; golf courses, nice restaurants, etc.  Today, the calcuations are much more focused upon things like affordability and quality of life issues like schools and crime rates.  This is why the recent “Best Affordable Suburbs in America 2010” article published in Business Week caught my eye.  Follow past the jump to read the article. Continue reading…

Dems Prepare to Pass Healthcare Reform

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After the President’s televised, bi-partisan forum on healthcare reform, it still seems as if little has changed in terms of bipartisan support of reform efforts.  Republicans still hew to their position that Democrats in the majority ought to start  over from scratch after 60 years of debate and the last year of contentious debate on the Hill.  This is a ridiculous assertion given the decades of debate that have been dedicated to this single, very important issue.  It seems that the President held the forum specifically to give the minority Republicans the opportunity to take part in serious compromise discussions, offering to include tort reform – long a Republican issue – in the package.  What has become clear is that the Republican party (and to some degree democrats in the Senate as well) are under the thumbs of a powerful insurance lobby that doesn’t want anything to stand between them and the record profits they’ve been reaping by boosting premiums and cutting service.  So it looks like the Dems are finally preparing to go it alone.  Kudos to Obama for trying to seriously engage the minority in the planning.  To their credit, the Republicans have done an excellent job spreading disinformation about the bill.  However, when polled piece by piece, a plurality of Americans like and support the bill.  What are your views?  Do you think the President is doing the right thing?  Sound off in the comments. (Posted by remote from family vacation in Miami.  Limited internet access precludes images.)  Full scale blogging to resume Wednesday March 3rd.

Speaking 1,000 Words Without Opening One’s Mouth…the remarkable aspect of nonverbal communication.

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In Argentina, the “thumbs up” and “okay” gestures we use regularly in America are considered to be really vulgar. In Cambodia, it is bad manners to meet the eyes of someone who is older than you. In Turkey, people routinely stare – at foreigners and at each other! In China, winking is considered to be highly offensive. In India, it is expected that one will allow an arm’s length of distance from another in conversation, to provide personal space. Similarly, in Britain. In Mexico, however, people who converse stand very close to one another as do people in Russia and backing away appears rude. In Thailand, a nod doesn’t  mean “yes,” but is merely a sign of respect. In Japan, one must point with the entire hand, as pointing with the index finger is rude. One of the most sought after transferable skills (a skill that can be taken from one job to another) for those who work in the medical industry, is the ability to perceive nonverbal messages. It is through nonverbal messages that people communicate their real feelings and their intentions become evident.  Continue reading…

10 Resume Red Flags

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Resume Tee & Red FlagsWith unemployment high and so many candidates competing for so few positions, the strength of your resume is even more important than ever.  I found this great breakdown of “don’ts” at Investopedia.com a great site for info on basic economic concepts and financial information.  While we have done resume posts in the past, this list really gets into some of the mistakes folks have been making lately in their attempts to make their resume stand out against the sea of resumes that recruiters are swimming in.

Surge in New US Medical Schools is a Positive Indicator

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The New York Times reported over the weekend on an imminent surge in new medical schools to open in the US this year.  From that article:
“The proliferation of new schools is also a market response to a rare convergence of forces: a growing population; the aging of the health-conscious baby-boom generation; the impending retirement of, by some counts, as many as a third of current doctors; and the expectation that, the present political climate notwithstanding, changes in health care policy will eventually bring a tide of newly insured patients into the American health care system. If all the schools being proposed actually opened, they would amount to an 18 percent increase in the 131 medical schools across the country.”
For some perspective on the significance of this development, follow me past the jump. Continue reading…

Perseverance – Drew Brees, the Saints and You

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Drew Brees of the Saints Celebrates SuperBowl Win w/ Wife and Son

Congratulations to the New Orleans Saints on their epic Super Bowl win yesterday.  There was a lesson in perseverance to be learned through the remarkable achievement of Saints’ quarterback Drew Brees.  In short, the lesson Brees’s story teaches is to never give up working toward your dreams, no matter what the obstacles.  Follow me over the fold for the story. Continue reading…

Top 10 Places to Get Ahead

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Forbes Magazine did some interesting research on what areas of the US are best positioned for growth.  They compiled a list of the top 10 locations for jobs, income growth and quality of life.  With so many major cities taking a beating in this near-depression, the landscape has changed dramatically in terms of where the best prospects are for job seekers.  Cities that used to be known for excellent prospects like San Francisco, San Jose, Atlanta and others are no longer at the top of the list.  Many of the cities and towns on Forbes’ new list are not even places you may have heard of.  If you’re about to finish studies and are looking for a great place to live and work, check this list out here.

Time Management Strategies Essential to Work/Study Balance

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Developing time management skills, like any other worthwhile endeavor, requires planning and then lots of practice. But the benefits of mastering your own schedule can be felt in all areas of your life; personal and professional. The overall point of focusing on time management is to become more aware of how you use your time and break your days up between work, study, family, social activities, and sleep.clock Follow me past the jump for some ideas on how to begin the process and practice better time management. Continue reading…

Take Advantage of New Tax Deductions This Year

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Ahh, a new year has begun and that means the new tax season is upon us.  Like many, you may wait until the April 15th IRS deadline for filing.  But this year, there are a range of new tax deductions and credits available to students, drivers, homeowners and home buyers.  With so much of your money at stake, it may be a good year to start a little early on your taxes so you can spend some time investigating if you’re eligible for any of the new credits or deductions available to taxpayers this year. Did you buy a new car?  Are you a full time student?  Did you replace appliances, windows or other energy saving items in your home?  Do you have children?  If you answered yes to any of these questions, there is new information available that can help you make your return fatter.  Click here for a good list of all the new credits and deductions.