How to Work Less and Earn More With some amount of trepidation, you decide that you’re finally going to get a grip on your budget. Armed with months of bills and receipts, you painstakingly recreate an outline of your spending plan for the year. After adding up all your expenses, you’re shocked to see that the total monthly income needed to finance your lifestyle is way in excess of your current earnings.

How to succeed at any goal Are you having difficulty achieving your financial goals? Do you desperately want to buy a house of your own, spend a nice vacation in an all-inclusive, or earn enough to stop living off credit cards? Are life’s challenges intervening to make your desires seem like impossible fantasies?

Coping With Your Parents’ Financial Problems It can be hard for parents to admit to their adult children that they are facing money problems. They may be mentally stuck in the past when the family finances were never discussed in front of the children. They may also have a sense of shame that they have lost control of their economic freedom and are now dependent on their children.

The Challenging World of Modeling The lure of magazines and glamour peaks the curiosity of young women and men around the world to enter the hypnotizing career of modeling. Although, there are many beautiful faces throughout our continents only a selected few get to reach great heights, thus becoming Super Models.

The IMF and You When the International Monetary Fund (IMF) finally confirmed in February that a $1.27-billion loan for Jamaica had been approved, it put to rest several months of speculation about the agency’s return to our country. Although there have been several debates in the media about the impact that the IMF agreement may have on our economy, many people are still not very clear about what these policies will mean to them.

Should Children Be Allowed To Earn Money? Upon mention of the words ‘child labour’ many people might envision a harrowing scene straight from a Charles Dickens’ novel; with malnourished children slaving away on an assembly line, producing goods for cruel, predatory adults. The concept of kids working for money has somehow been associated with a denial of childhood rights and forced employment.

Long Distance Love Affair You have been in a relationship for over five years but during that period you only spend quality time with your spouse via telephone, e-mail, instant messaging etc. The fact is Mr. Mention has been living in the USA for the past five years while you have been here in Jamaica. You both communicate every morning and every night and sometimes at noon time. But somehow you still feel lonely and you long for the physical connection with your spouse. Then here comes a Shawn who is kind, caring with similar qualities to your spouse. Interestingly his spouse lives overseas as well. You both “share notes” and before you know it the sharing takes an intimate turn.

More Money Lessons from the Animal Kingdom A few months ago, I discussed the habits of some ordinary animals, noting that they had many positive lessons to teach us about being smart with money. From the lowly ant to the powerful racehorse, these creatures demonstrate determination and dedication in achieving their goals.

Domestic abuse and men John Downer is a forty five year old professional who is quite competent in his field. He is quiet, soft spoken and said by his colleagues to be too laid back. His wife Janice is quite the opposite as she is outspoken, confrontational and according to her, passionate about justice and fairplay.

Money Milestones Recently, a client asked me if I thought that she had achieved all the appropriate financial targets for her age. Like a concerned parent eagerly checking for the age-specific developmental achievements of a child, she was trying to assess if she had attained the money milestones that would indicate that she was on the right track.

Time is of the Essence! One of the realities of our current economic climate is that we are now forced to do more with fewer resources at our disposal. While our income loses value every month, our expenses grow almost exponentially. Layoffs and job work-hour cuts are reducing the size of the workforce, yet employees are being asked to produce more in less time.

We can choose to be invisible or we can fill out the 2010 Census Form Question 9 - Instruction for Jamaican/Caribbean People If you have been complaining that the Jamaican/Caribbean community has been ignored then here is a YOUR opportunity to get our voices heard. It is about your future and the future of your children. So do not leave it blank. Together we can demand Respect! Read these instruction for Jamaican/Caribbean People.

Developing Financial Literacy in Jamaica Over the past eight years, I have been actively involved in writing, training and coaching on topics relating to financial education. Through interaction with thousands of Jamaicans from all walks of life, I have realised that the number one problem that prevents most people from achieving their financial goals is their lack of understanding of basic money principles.

2010 Action Plan #1: Control Your Spending In recent times, while speaking to several persons about their money problems, I have detected a growing sense of desperation in their voices. Although many have not yet reached a stage of full-fledged panic, it is obvious that they are very worried about the current financial situation facing Jamaica.

Domestic Violence and its Impact on the Workplace All of us are affected directly or indirectly by the “monster twins”- crime and violence. At work our colleagues will recount incidents of robbery, shooting, rape, wounding and murder they have either experienced or witnessed. Some are so traumatized that they have to proceed on sick leave.

Valentine: Are You Married? Now Build the Marriage Equity In 2004, after my wife and I got married, our love story was published on this site. Ever since then I have had all my friends and family visiting the site to read this, and many other lovely articles. This is the site I revisit to remember just how I felt back then and to check my love thermometer...now very febrile.

Balancing Boomerang Kids Twenty-nine-year-old Robert was confident that his MBA in finance would secure him a solid career and a comfortable future. After getting laid off from his enviable position at a top financial institution, he found it difficult to replace his income and had to accept a job with a 50 per cent pay cut. Unable to afford his rent and faced with mounting unpaid bills, Robert had no choice but to move back home with his mother.
Susan, a 46-year-old divorcee, had very little to fall back on after her husband of 25 years left her. She had not worked for a long time and was desperate without a place to call home. With no children, the only place she could turn to for help was her elderly parents. Despite her best efforts, Susan has been unsuccessful in obtaining a job and feels frustrated about being dependent on her parents for survival.

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.