How To Maintain Your Money
Why do some people achieve long-lasting financial success while others struggle with money for their entire lives? After years of seeking the answer to this mystery, I have discovered that the route to prosperity lies in the knowledge and application of some basic principles that govern money.

Are you a complainer?
Do you spend most of your work time griping about almost everything in the organisation? You complain that the temperature in the office is too hot and when the temperature level on the air conditioning unit is adjusted you complain that it is too cold.

Home Loan Modifications
This has quickly become the best option for homeowners facing foreclosure. Although it is not the only option for homeowners trying to avoid foreclosure, it is an option that can save your home while putting you in a mortgage you can afford.

HIV/AIDS awareness at the workplace
There are some issues at the workplace that many of us would rather not talk about .One of them is the matter of HIV/AIDS. How should we treat with that co-worker who has been diagnosed with the condition? Do we still continue to have lunch with him/her?

How To Multiply Your Money
We have been discussing the three principles of financial achievement - managing, multiplying and maintaining your money. Last month, we outlined the four cornerstones of managing your money, explaining how to make smart decisions with the money you currently earn.

How To Manage Your Money
In a recent column entitled “The 3 Ms of  Money,” we discussed the principles of financial achievement - managing, multiplying and maintaining your money. Over the coming weeks, we will examine these three pathways to money success in greater detail. The key to managing your money is knowing what to do with the money that you are already earning, so that you can comfortably pay your bills and work towards attaining your goals. There are four components to successful money management, which, like the ingredients in a recipe, are all essential to producing the perfect end result.

Life after the alternative schemes
Four years ago mention the name of any of the many alternative schemes and some people would be grinning ear to ear as they boast of the high yields they received from what was considered a god sent. People claimed to have bought their cars and house; an achievement they would only dream of had they gone through the formal financial system.

Redundancy and its impact on those left behind
After the dust is cleared, come Monday morning the so called “lucky” ones who are left behind, huddle at someone’s desk discussing the sad events of Friday afternoon when some of their colleagues were given marching orders.

The 3 Ms of Money
In a recent column you said that it was possible for persons to learn how to be financially literate. I am tired of always being low on funds and big in debt. What are some of the things that I should be doing in order to be successful with money?

Sexual Harassment at the Workplace
Another hush hush topic in the workplace is the matter of sexual harassment but let’s take a look at this very “touchy” subject. Let us look at some scenarios and raise your hand if you are so affected

Dealing with the BIG “R”
Recession and Redundancy are the buzz words these days and all of us are affected directly or indirectly. While some companies are caught squarely in the economic crunch and have no other choice but to painstakingly part company with some of their workers, there are others no doubt that are using the present situation as an opportunity to let off some workers that they wanted to discharge long ago.

Are you Sitting On Your Money
Recently, while preparing my living room chairs for re-upholstering, I turned them over to see what stray items might have fallen inside the frames. From the jingling sounds I heard, I realized that several coins had slipped into the lining of the chairs. As I cut away at the fabric and the money fell out, I counted up J$150 that had previously been lost to me. It wasn’t a fortune, but it was enough to buy lunch the next day.

How to Survive When Your ‘Alternative’ Income is Gone
The growth of alternative investments in the Jamaican financial market was a godsend for many. With schemes that paid six, ten and up to 20 per cent returns every month, consumers felt they had finally found a way to make their money work for them. Many consumers looked at these alternative schemes as desperately needed sources of extra income to boost their budgets.

Women and the Fear of Commitment
Unbeknownst to many, women fear commitment just as men do, maybe worse. There is a misconception that women desperately want to be married and therefore is constantly on a witch-hunt to find the perfect husband. And because of the misconception that it is men who are the commitment-phoebes, these men tend to have to be dragged down the aisle by the women. But all these scenarios are misconceptions. There are women out there who like some men may want a relationship, but deep down they fear committing to one.

What Determines Your Success?
Throughout the ages, the wisest and most profound thinkers have been trying to find the answer to one question: What determines success? Why is that some people enjoy deep personal relationships, close friendships, good health, a great income and all the other trappings of success while others are peering in through the shop window of life asking why not me?

The Wrong Fit
Fitting a square peg in a round hole is an effort in futility as there is an obvious misfit between the peg and the hole. Unfortunately that is exactly what happens sometimes in the selection and placement of persons in jobs. In some cases people are placed into jobs by virtue of who you know and who knows you. There is no regard for qualification and experience as pre-requisites for the post.

Simple, inexpensive and creative ways of pampering your mate this Valentine’s Day
A recession does not mean you give up on Valentine day. Here are 18 simple, inexpensive and creative ways of pampering your mate this Valentine’s Day. 

How To Get HIM To Change
Ladies, how many times have you said that the man in your life won’t change? Or, how many times have you said that he still has some issues to work out? Do you often find yourself complaining about his reluctance to behave in a way that would make you happy? I know he has a problem. He doesn’t know how to be in a relationship. He still needs to grow up. He won’t stop looking at other women. He refuses to open up. If only he would just learn to communicate more...etc. The list goes on. Let me ask you something else; are you still with this man that has so, so many issues? 

Office Romance -Mixing Business with Pleasure?
People spend an average of 8 – 10 hours per day (40 – 60 hour per week) at the work place interacting with each other. Sometimes they are forced to work in a confined area almost invading each other’s space. Close association provides an opportunity for one to observe, appreciate and admire the other person’s generosity, physical appearance, intellect, strength of character etc.

The Power of Your Beliefs
Throughout recorded time there have been examples of men and women who in the face of incredible odds have succeeded in achieving their dreams Conversely, there are equal numbers of examples of those who have had a relatively easy time and what seemed to be a straight path to success and yet failed to realize their aspirations. It seems that the thing that made the most significant difference was the strength of their belief. Our beliefs are powerful.

Becoming a High Performance Person: Train your potential muscle
I once read about a man, who for unknown reasons decided to climb down a multi-story building. During his descent, as he hung from a window ledge it got dark and he could no longer see where he was going. Unable to pull himself up, he clung by his finger tips with all his might waiting for morning to come so that he would be seen and rescued. To his astonishment, at day break, he discovered that his feet were only a few inches off the ground.

Midlife Crisis
What would drive a 50 year man to walk away from his wife of 25 years and run in into the arms of a younger woman who is in the same age range as his daughter?
The same question is asked of the woman who leaves the matrimonial home after 20 years to live with a young man who could call her mama as he is half her age.

Jamaican Style Money Management
Let’s look at some old-time Jamaican sayings that can help us to understand the basic principles of sound money management.

Dealing with the Power Crazy people in the organisation
The workplace is where you spend most of your waking hours and as such the time spent should not only be productive but enjoyable.  There are persons however who dread going to work not because of the high stress nature of the job but because they have to interact with individuals at the workplace whose agenda it is to make your life a living hell.

The Other Woman – Who Is She?
She has been vilified as the vixen, home wrecker, hussy and a whore. She has been told that she has no shame, no class, unhappy little tramp, seducer of the poor family man and other degrading names too numerous to mention. Who is she?

Relationship not going anywhere except in circles
Hold up your hand if any of the following scenarios best describes your situation. Scenario 1 - You have been with man for ten years (or more) and you have a child or children with him but he has never indicated to you that he intends to marry you and when you bring up the topic he gets upset and is quite abusive. Scenario 2 - You are in a relationship but you and your partner have very little in common and you both engage in more verbal exchanges rather than loving discourse. Scenario 3 - The relationship you are in involves sex, sex and nothing but sex.

How to be Vulnerable
Fear of the unknown creates a rigid, tight-fisted hold on our lives.   Not knowing what may be on the other side of the wall is very unnerving. It is easier to be content and comfortable with the known than to put ourselves at risk of feeling discomfort with the unknown.   There are several possibilities that cause us as individuals to fear vulnerability.

Where have all the fathers gone?
On Sunday June 15, 2008 many deserving dads were showered with praises and good wishes as they were recognized for their commitment to fatherhood. Others however held their heads down in shame as they have not been living up to their responsibilities as fathers. The truth is many mothers stepped forward and took a bow on Father’s Day for they have been the sole support for their children. They would tell you that they have to play the role of mother and father to their child (ren).

Finding Your Passion Outside the Bedroom
Taking risks is never easy to do.  There are so many pros and cons involved that sometimes we quit before we have even gotten started.  That job is making you miserable and you want to quit, but you are afraid to lose the security of health benefits and the transit checks.

Acres of Diamonds
When you see yourself more clearly, you see yourself as someone who is valuable and has limitless potential. This leads to high self esteem and high expectations which are the cornerstones for high achievement. This perspective also motivates you and compels you to act with a clearly defined purpose.

Know When To Tek Weh Yuh Self
Gentlemen let’s reason for a while and ladies pass this article on to your brother, son, cousin and yes, your man. If you are a married/attached man who is in a extramarital affair and you desire to get out but you can’t seem to get out, it is as if you are trapped, then chances are you have fallen victim to the wiles of the other woman.

Ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-ch Changes
In this season of Obama-Clinton-McCain presidential hopefulness, the theme of Change is in the air. Everywhere. Whether it be political Change, or climate Change, or some other variety of Change, we have become insistent that whatever it is, it better be changing.

How Do I Rebound From A Failed Relationship?
“I feel quite hurt as I don’t deserve to be treated like this?” “I will show him that tree nuh grow inna mi face” These statements maybe the expressions of a young lady who was “dumped” by her spouse. In her bid to get back at him she rushes out and initiate a relationship with the guy next door or the co- worker who has always expressed interest in her.

Making Money In The Forex Market
“Many of my friends are talking about making lots of money in currency trading. However, I feel a little nervous about it, because I have seen all the advertisements telling us to be careful how we invest our money. Is investing in foreign exchange trading really legal, and why has it become so popular recently?”

Working on yourself
Studies have shown that people spend more money on toiletries than they do on self-improvement. Your efforts in self-improvement and personal growth are necessary investments to develop your potential for greatness. Remember, Olympic athletes are not born; they are made-they spend an inordinate amount of time practicing and preparing.

Motivation: The Fires Burning Within
Even with close-up shots, it is impossible to see the boiling cauldron of intensity that exists at the bobsled start. The steely resolve etched on the athletes’ faces and hidden behind their helmets foretells the tremendous power that only becomes apparent when they push the 650 pound sled with a little help from gravity and without the use of any mechanical motor, accelerating from zero to speeds in excess of 80 mph in less than 15 seconds. Only by using this smoldering fire of emotion welled up inside can they accomplish such a feat.

What is our purpose?
I have been guilty many times struggling with thoughts of the real reason of my presence here on earth. Lately, I have been going through some self-analysis, rude-awakening of my purpose facing head-on the mountains that appears difficult to overcome. I am sure everyone questions the self, ‘why are we here on earth?

Where do we find wealth?
Conventional wisdom purports that wealth is found in a luxurious home, fancy cars and exotic vacations and the like. However, these material possessions are not wealth but merely examples of some of the things wealth affords us to enjoy.

What is holding you back?
If you have ever been to a circus you may have noticed that the elephants are held in check by a chain attached to a small wooden stake driven into the ground. At any time he chooses, this huge powerful beast could effortlessly pull the stake from the ground and be on his merry way. Why doesn’t he? What is holding him back?

Educating Begins At Home
Parents and Guardians, another school term has begun, in fact, one month is already completed* can you believe that?* and so for many children they have already taken their first step on the educational pathway. It is now the parents/guardians duty to help chart the children’s progress, to participate whole-heartedly in their development and to attend PTA meetings and other social activities put on by the school.