BabyBoomersBlueprint

Take Control of Your Destiny or Someone Else Will

Archive for the ‘Misc. Rantings’ Category

Would It Hurt to Read a Blog Post Before Commenting?

Posted by Janet Giacoma On July - 25 - 2010ADD COMMENTS

I doubt I’m alone in my upcoming “ranting”, my question is, does anyone actually read a blog post before they take the time to comment anymore?

It seems over the last couple of months I have received an average of 40 comments per day, which only about 2 are relevant to the blog topic!  Don’t get me wrong….. I absolutely LOVE the fact that people even take the time to come to my site to see what may be new, and I truly enjoy receiving comments (good or bad).  It helps me determine what information my readers have enjoyed and what additional information I can provide.  But when someone just comments to gain links, and the discussions are irrelevant, that’s just not right.

Maybe more people should read the Blogging Code of Ethics written by Seth Goldstein.  I agree with all he outlines, but would add that one should actually read a post before commenting, and be sure you’re either responding with a constructive reply, a response to the topic to begin a discussion, or value added content on the subject.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this!

Until next time, J.

“Take control of your destiny or someone else will”


Are You Retired But Not Know It Yet?

Posted by Janet Giacoma On July - 1 - 2010ADD COMMENTS

I came across this fantastic article by Liz Pullman Weston, and wanted to share it…..

“If you lose your job in your 50s, you may have a tough time finding a new one — and that’s a game changer if you had planned to work (and save) for a few more years.”

“Carol Friery thought she was doing everything right. The warehouse manager loyally stuck with the same company for 17 years, contributing 10% of her income to her 401k and avoiding credit card debt.

Then the company announced it was closing the Rhode Island warehouse where she worked, and Friery was laid off at age 58. Now, after 18 months of fruitless job searching, Friery believes she’s involuntarily retired.

“I’ve applied anywhere and everywhere,” said Friery, who lives in Somerset, Mass. “I’ve applied in my field and out of my field. . . . I thought I was doing OK with retirement planning and savings, but Read the rest of this entry »

Assessing Your Entreprenuerial Skills

Posted by Janet Giacoma On June - 7 - 20101 COMMENT

Here’s the continuation (Part 2 of 2) of how to assess your skill set and whether you are best as an entrepreneur or as an employee…..

You will need an Understanding of Basic Technology or the basic understanding of the process of producing goods and services is a necessary skill. Combined with creative thinking skills entrepreneurs will then have the ability to use that information with purpose and develop a business concept that motivates them.

Lastly, an obvious skill is Basic Accounting and the Ability to Make Financial Decisions. No matter how much you hate it, working with numbers is going to be part of the whole “taking responsibility thing.” Entrepreneurs definitely need to know how to track numbers and then use that information to evaluate the direction their company will move in. If there is a lack of basic accounting knowledge, consider enrolling in some none credit college classes, continuing education classes or, better yet, locate a self-study course. But this is one area that cannot be compromised. It is essential if a reasonable amount of success is to be attained.

Evaluate Your Skills – 10 Questions

1.    Are you able to motivate yourself? Yes      No
2.    Do you like dealing with people? Yes      No
3.    Are you a leader? Yes      No
4.    Are you a “take charge” person? Yes      No Read the rest of this entry »

This is truly the age of the entrepreneur. (Part 1 of 2) Today there any number of businesses that can be launched with little or no capital. With high-speed Internet access available just about anywhere, more and more home and Internet businesses are springing up. We often hear about highly successful endeavors that spark our internal entrepreneurial spirit. But don’t be too anxious. Do you have skills indiginous to entrepreneurial endeavors. The first step is to make an assessment your skills to identify if you are truly an entrepreneur or better off being an employee!

Numerous studies have been conducted to show that there are crucial differences in the mindsets of entrepreneurs and employees and many claim to have identified a set of common traits and characteristics present in entrepreneurs. Others have focused entirely on characteristics found only in successful entrepreneurs, excluding those who have failed.

Regardless of success or failure, overall, there are common traits present that distinguish entrepreneurs in general from employees. In general these common traits are thought to predispose a person to taking on the challenge of launching their own business. Following are skills commonly accepted.

The Ability To Tell It Like It Is – Although very different in lifestyles, political and religious affiliations, and perspectives on life, those predisposed to entrepreneur-ism are very different in one particular area. Studies have consistently shown that these individuals are much more likely to Read the rest of this entry »

Are More Baby Boomers Divorcing to Pay Medical Bills?

Posted by Janet Giacoma On March - 13 - 20104 COMMENTS

I know this isn’t the business type info you’re accustomed to seeing here, but it does pose a significant question.  Are you prepared financially?

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