Twila Van Leer

Use Your Time Productively

April 30, 2016 By Twila Van Leer

Six ways to make your time more effective:

Don’t touch things twice

If you have a note to make a phone call, make the call. Don’t save emails to deal with later. Although there could be exceptions, right now is almost always the best time to act. Picking things up twice demands that you go through the same thought process twice, and that uses up your time.

Eat frogs

In other words, do the least appetizing things on your list first. Using up time dreading awful tasks instead of getting them done is a waste of time. The thing is still there waiting. Doing the tasks that are distasteful removes them from the list of things you have to think about. It frees you to tackle the things you like.

If possible, delegate “the urgent” to others

If that can’t be done, take care of them yourself right now. Don’t let the “tyranny of the urgent” get in the way of what really matters. Either delete or delegate them as quickly as possible so you can get on with what is more important. The first trick, of course, is to recognize those items that can be listed under “urgent.”

Say no

It’s one of the most powerful tools you can wield. Don’t equivocate with terms such as “I don’t think I can” or “I’m not certain.” You owe your first allegiance to your existing commitments. Researchers at the University of California in San Francisco determined that those who overload themselves experience more stress and depression. Turning down excessive requests can save your mood and your productivity.

Check emails on a schedule

Don’t allow it to become a constant interruption. Use your computer’s ability to prioritize messages and then set alert when messages come from your most important vendors or customers. Save the rest of your emails until the time you have set aside for them. It is possible to set up an autoresponder that will tell senders when you will be checking your emails again.

Avoid multitasking

Although it would appear to make good sense to do more than one thing at a time, it really can reduce your productivity. Researchers at Stanford found that trying to do more than one task takes a toll in attention and recall and wastes time as you switch from one task to another. The brain can focus on only one thing at a time, so concentrating on just one thing is more efficient.

What Next In U.S. Economy?

April 29, 2016 By Twila Van Leer

Even though the government reports job growth again this spring, other factors seem inconsistent, leading to a somewhat hazy view as to what actually can be said for the national economy in the long run.

Inconsistent Factors In Determining Growth Or Decline In Economy

In March, only 126,000 new jobs were reported by the Labor Department, ending a run that saw more than 200,000 per month. The April figure rose again, to 225,500 new jobs. But the rising employment numbers have not been matched by significant increases in earnings.

Counterpoints to the job market improvements are signs that worker productivity is lagging, exports are diminishing, only modest gains have been reported in consumer spending and overall economic expansion is “sluggish.”

America has been the engine pushing the world’s economy in recent years, but the International Monetary Fund predicted recently that recovering strength in the big Asian economies could see them move into the lead.

The many factors determining either growth or decline in the economy are sending mixed signals of either potential strength or potential weakness. Lower oil prices have led to cutbacks at energy companies and the manufacturers who supply them. A stronger dollar has stymied export growth and depressed corporate profits.

On the rosy side, layoffs are down and home sales have surged this spring. A bad winter weather-wise, cheaper oil and a West Coast port wrangle (since resolved) all had a negative impact.

Factors Being Poured Into The Economic Mix In Recent Reports Include:

The number of Americans who applied for unemployment benefits dropped to 279,500 recently, the lowest level in 15 years. The decline seems to portend more hiring, according to the Labor Department. Some employers are holding off on hiring until the trend of the economy is clarified, the department report said. That opinion was supported by a private survey by ADP, a payroll processor. That survey showed that businesses added 169,000 jobs in April, compared with 175,000 in March.

Worker productivity dipped in the first quarter of this year while labor costs went up. The Labor Department report said it was only the third time in 25 years that productivity has shown a decline over two quarterly reporting periods. Such declines suggest that workers are becoming less efficient.

The trade deficit increased in March, creating a drag on the U.S. gross domestic product. However, imports rebounded after the West Coast ports dispute was settled. American exports have become more expensive for foreign purchasers because of the strength of the dollar. The trade gap rose 43 percent over February, the government report shows.

Although the government estimated an 0.2 percent annual growth during the first quarter of 2015, some economists argue that when the trade deficit is factored in, there was actual shrinkage in the economy from January through March.

Job Hunting? Go Online

April 28, 2016 By Twila Van Leer

The number of online resources to help in the job search is expanding and creating a very valuable tool for people looking for work. They have the advantages of being available 24 hours a day and of being constantly refreshed as new jobs come onto the market.

Online Resources Convenient For Employers

Employers are becoming aware of the resources and find them convenient in matching the qualifications of applicants to their particular needs. There is no charge for the majority of the services.

Among The Resources You Might Tap Are:

1. America’s Job Bank, which lists job openings nationwide.

2. FirmFind, which lists job possibilities by category to make your search more specific.

3. Your state also is likely to have job listings online if you are interested in staying put geographically.

How Resources Work

The computerized systems streamline by matching your skills, abilities and work history to specific job requirements. They list government jobs as well as those in the private sector. They range from unskilled to highly technical and can be part-time, temporary or permanent.

How Can You Enhance Your Possibility Of Finding The Perfect Job Online?

Be professional in your application. Be sure you include a current phone number, address and email address. Be straightforward and accurate in listing your qualifications. Be thorough and use correct grammar and punctuation.

Create An Online Account

Create an account that will enable you to apply for thousands of jobs. When you spot something that interests you, follow the instructions on the announcement to apply. You must be completely registered to be able to see the application instructions.

Stay Current

Check on your applications frequently to learn your status and update your account regularly.

Be Available

Be certain that you are available to respond if a prospective employer is interested in your application. Remember, he has plenty of choices.

Finding Good Travel Deals

April 27, 2016 By Twila Van Leer

With a little bit of research you can find good travel deals. — With a little research you can find good travel deals.

Summer travel time is blossoming and smart air travelers are looking for deals.

And the factors that enter into travel decisions are becoming more convoluted and confusing. That means you need to take care that your search for a cheap flight really ends up that way.

Things such as whether or not an airline charges a baggage fee, options for extra leg room, etc., make it important to look ahead and study all the possible configurations you might choose.

Airline travel is changing in ways that mean some of the old strategies for saving money don’t apply any more. For instance, it used to be that choosing to travel on a Tuesday or Wednesday would save some bucks but that is not necessarily true anymore. More airlines that offer loyalty benefits are looking at how much you spend, not how many miles you travel. That makes it harder for leisure travelers to rack up enough points to make a significant difference.

Travel experts offer these tips to help you make choices:

Discover Restrictions

Read the fine print on the airline website so you are certain what comes with your seat. A less expensive ticket that doesn’t include checked luggage may not be the best deal. Some airlines, including Delta, have a lower basic economy fare, but it places a bunch of restrictions on the package. It’s impossible to change the terms and you don’t get a seat assignment in advance. Do the homework.

Travel Dates

Be flexible regarding travel dates and destinations. Traveling at the end of the season (September, for instance) is cheaper than traveling at the height of the summer. That doesn’t work well for families that have children in school, but it’s worth considering.

Budget Airlines

The budget airlines sometimes have very attractive fares. Iceland’s WOW air and Norwegian Air Shuttle, for example, have added routes across the Atlantic this year and their prices may offer a savings. You may sacrifice a little in comfort and convenience, but the bottom line will look better. If you prefer all the niceties, stick with the familiar airlines.

Seat Assignments

Families should begin right away to confirm free seat assignments. The discount airlines don’t allow you to pick a seat without paying extra and that can quickly add to costs for family travel. The fees for having guaranteed seats range from $2 up to $100 for a round-tripper on Spirit. Frontier charges from $12 up on Frontier. If you have to reschedule due to unforeseen changes in your travel plans, a nonrefundable U.S. ticket on American, Delta or United may cost $200. Southwest doesn’t charge a fee. If you use an airline’s branded credit card, some will waive fees, but not all do. You need to know in advance.

Currently, the federal Transportation Department is considering imposing rules that would require airlines to provide information about fees to third parties, such as online travel agencies. That would greatly simplify making comparisons. But until that happens – not until later this year or beyond – your best bet is to take the time to shop carefully.

Giving Money to Relatives Or Friends Common

April 26, 2016 By Twila Van Leer

Many households give or lend money to help others out. — Many people give or lend money to help family and friends out.

Opening one’s wallet to help a family member or friend is “a hidden dimension of the financial system,” according to a study from the Pew Charitable Trust. “Transfers of money across household lines are really important for keeping families afloat.”

25% Of Households Lent to Friends Or Family.

About 25 percent of American households gave or lent a median of $1,000 to friends or family in the past year, the study showed. More than 7,800 households were included in the survey. Black households are most likely to give or receive such help, but the practice is spread among all demographics.

Burden Created.

It isn’t always easy. One in five of the respondents said the “gift money” creates a burden on the giver. Not unexpectedly, the households with the least income saw their donations as a difficulty. But even those making $85,500 per year reported that their generosity was a burden.

Single Mothers Receive And Give The Most.

Single mothers are among the most common recipients, but they also are more likely to give when necessary. Half of all the single-mother households either received or gave help, compared with 30 percent of two-parent households. Some 75 percent of the single parents said it was hard to give, but they also are the group that recognizes it may need a boost at some time. They are, in essence, investing against future need, creating a safety net that they can use to tide them over emergencies.

More Common For Parents To Help Adult Children.

The study showed that adult children in the period from 2005 to 2013 were more likely to draw on cash from their wealthy parents than was common in the 1980s. About 10 percent of those in the more recent group received help with a home purchase, Pew found. Slightly more than 30 percent were given money to help with education costs, enhancing their ability to become more wealthy in the future.

The bottom line of the Pew Study: Poor people tend to help each other out so they can get through tough times. Wealthy families benefit financially when they donate to kin.