A UNION STRIKE AFFECTS EVERYONE FINANCIALLY WHO ARE DIRECTLY AND INDIRECTLY INVOLVED When a union goes on a legal strike not everyone is prepared financially especially when the union strike lingers on for weeks and in some cases months. I’ve followed current College strike news in Ontario as the teacher’s head into the third week on the picket lines and wanted to learn more about the financial plight that everyone suffers, including students and businesses. The last thing you think of when you start the College year whether you’re away from home or not is how you will survive a union strike. Listen, I’m not union expert but what I am certain of is the financial impact a union strike can have and I’ve got some critical financial planning tips today for those of you who work for a union or are directly involved with a union. Most of the post will revolve around the current Ontario Colleges Union strike as an example. What does it mean to go on strike? A union strike means that the union and management are unable to come up with negotiations that meet each others needs. After this the workers walk off the […]
A Guide To Spending Less On Work Clothes
BE SUCCESSFUL AT WORK WHETHER YOU WEAR GIANT TIGER OR GUCCI Depending on where you’re employed purchasing work clothes can be costly especially if you must wear casual or business attire. I’m sure those of you who work from home and are reading this in your Pajamas can verify that work clothes are over-rated and a huge expense for anyone’s budget. There’s no need to splash a tonne of money to look presentable for work. The key to shopping for work clothes is to feel comfortable for your environment and abide by dress code rules. The worst thing employees can do is spend money to look good for the employer or other employees rather than focus on their role. It’s not a fashion show (unless of course you are a model but that’s probably the only industry where clothing matters but they likely don’t have to buy it.) Success doesn’t come from what you wear An excellent employee will always excel no matter if they are wearing Gucci or Giant Tiger work clothes. It’s more about motivation, dedication and drive to be successful. Your clothes can still be trendy and sexy even if you find ways to […]
3 Ways to prevent getting fired because of Social Media
HOW MUCH IS SOCIAL MEDIA WORTH TO YOU? It’s nothing new that people have lost their jobs because their employer found out or was notified about something posted on a social media account. Just imagine you are working towards a debt free life and a good retirement fund and all of a sudden you say the wrong thing on your social media account and you lose the career you worked so hard to get. It happens more often than you think. You can completely ignore any advice and say what you want because it’s your after all. The problem is some people aren’t going to learn until they are getting the pink slip. Social media is not rocket science but your employer may still hold reign over you even when you are not working. What’s worse than being embarrassed about the job you have is being embarrassed when you are fired and it’s been made public because of your online actions. Your company’s reputation is always on the line, never forget that. Like the saying goes, “Common Sense isn’t so Common” which means there are always going to be people who make you scratch your head and wonder, “Why […]
10 Tips to find employment that suits your budget and lifestyle
HOT JOBS: ARE THEY HARD TO FIND? Most people don’t want to work in a minimum wage job the rest of their lives. Having further education or skills should help people find meaningful employment that earns more money. Finding employment that will earn you enough money to balance your budget doesn’t have to be difficult as long as you follow simple rules to get you the dream job you deserve. You may not find full-time employment in your dream job instantly but that’s fine as long as you get your foot in the door. Right now I’m working part-time in my dream job and they’ve already asked if I’d be interested in full-time just 2 years later. So many people put off working an extra part-time job just to squeeze their way in but sometimes you have to give up something to get in the door. I had to give up having days off and spending time with my family but I know that it will benefit us in the long run when I can be home quite a bit more. The best part is I am earning a great income while doing this and it doesn’t even feel […]
Not having one of the best paying jobs is embarrassing
NEVER GIVE UP ON YOUR LIFE We all have dreams of graduating school and finding one of the best paying jobs around so we can get a kick-start on life because money is important just to survive. Last week we talked about a CBB fan whose financial success turned her friends towards jealousy and it happens because people give up on themselves and focus on what they wish they could have. My wife told me after she graduated the first time it was hard for her to find one of the best paying jobs in her field unless she moved into the heart of Toronto. Most often finding the rewarding careers means you literally have to seek them out. Not everyone is in a position to move to secure their passions but for those that move to the big cities to live out their dreams many of them end up going back home. Some people move to different countries after graduating just to gain valuable work experience then either stay, move on or move back to their hometown. Passion in life means doing what you love in hopes that one day you look back and are happy you took […]
What or who do you rely on to earn an income?
YOU ARE YOUR INCOME SOURCE We all need to earn an income to survive in this crazy world. Many people jump in their vehicle or rely on other community services in the morning to go to work. Typical day… maybe. What would happen if there was no more bus service or our vehicle stopped running? I never gave much thought about who or what I rely on to earn an income until this past week. I think plenty of people worry more about whether they will keep their job over how they will get to their job and other so-called slight factors that would cause an impeding problem to their income. To call them slight would be a huge mistake. Many of us live life similar to everyone else who gets up in the morning, eats breakfast, showers, sorts the family out and is off to work. Of course depending on your work schedule that might not be the way it rolls in your household but you know what I mean. I remember posting that when my wife and I bought a house we bought it on one income so we had almost a free income to work with […]
Can you afford to take a full day off from work?
PAYING THE BILLS TAKES MONEY In order to take a full day off from work for most people that means an entire day’s loss of income. That can be tough for any budget but there are times when it must be done. Unless your employer has provided you with stellar benefits or a contract that states your days off are paid sick days you might be shaking your head, no you can’t afford to take a full day off. You may say, yes you can afford to take a full day off because you have money saved up in the event that you need to take a day off and it won’t affect your budget too much. That’s great. Some employees are lucky they can carry over their sick days, bank them or get paid out for them but you must read the provisions of your contract with your employer to know what is covered. If you are not sure contact your human resources department or your benefits company for a more in-depth explanation. It’s better to know rather than to guess. Full day off Not everyone can afford to take a full day off from work […]
Summer Jobs For Students: Tips For Finding The Perfect Job
By: Katrina Now that school is over, at least for College and University students, it’s time once again to find those perfect summer job opportunities. For the majority of students, the summer means 4 solid months of money-making time that should not be wasted. So, what can you do to make the most of those months to save up tuition money and expenses for the following school year or to start paying down OSAP loans or other school debts? If you are University or College bound prepare your finances now rather than later because money can mount up fast when you don’t have a plan. It’s also a great way to plan ahead for your student budget before heading back to University or College if you know how much money you have earned over the summer months. Below are some tips that I’ve learned over the years which worked for me or others that I know to find summer season jobs to make money. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there, after all most employers are looking for employees that are creative, go-getters and want to work hard for their organization. Seasonal Jobs Many landscaping, painting, and window washing companies as […]
