Healthy, Wealthy & Wise

By Rob Wederich
Monthly Proverb
“What seems to us as bitter trials are often blessings in disguise”–Oscar Wilde
Have you ever been in a job you didn’t like, but stayed on simply because you didn’t want to expend the energy to look for something better? I remember hearing one gal describe her job as, “being in a velvet-lined rut.” The job wasn’t helping her grow, but it paid her well to follow the same routine day after day. That gal was Kathy Lee Gifford describing what it was like to stay on with Regis Philbin for 15 years.
As I recall my own past unemployment history, it was not unusual for me to find myself in a better job at the end of an anxious and sometimes lengthy transition period. This would cause me to wonder whether I should have been looking to change jobs earlier in my career. Often I would come to the conclusion that I probably should have been more proactive in seeking better opportunities, but I would also realize that between a full time job and a busy family life at home, there just wasn’t a lot of time left to squeeze in a job search. After all, the bills were getting paid and it was easier to just maintain the status quo. Being out of work is certainly a humbling experience, but it can also give us time to re-evaluate our career, an opportunity to find a more fulfilling job, and a chance to meet new people and learn new things. My last job was so enjoyable, I was actually thankful that I had been downsized from the preceding job so that I was able to obtain my last job. Hopefully, the same thing will happen with my next job.
On A Lighter Note

• Top 7 Responses From People Caught Sleeping On The Job:
• “They told me at the blood bank this might happen.”
• “Whew! Guess I left the top off the liquid paper”
• “I was testing the keyboard for drool resistance”
• “The coffee machine is broken….”
• “Someone must’ve put decaf in the wrong pot.”
• “Boy, that cold medicine I took last night just won’t wear off!”
• “Amen”

Heard a good employment-related joke lately? Please submit it for consideration to: psgcnjeditor@yahoo.com.
Disclaimer: We are NOT financial, legal, or medical experts. We are merely sharing ideas for you to consider. Furthermore, not every tip may be applicable or useful to every individual. Also, keep in mind that, while the Internet can be a great place to do business and find bargains, users should always remain alert of scams and disreputable people who pose a threat. Money Matters Money-saving tips helping you make ends meet.

1. Free airfare. Need to travel out of state to check out other job markets? Use a credit card like American Express Delta Skymiles® to earn redeemable points toward airfare with your day-to-day purchases. Don’t use credit cards? Register your ShopRite PricePlus® Club card online or at your local store’s courtesy desk to accumulate points toward Continental Airlines OnePass® miles while your card continues to earn you grocery purchase discounts.
2. Quality at the right price. Keep your eyes open for rummage sales, especially those operated by non-profits such as churches, visiting nurse associations, and others. Such sales often have quality items at dirt-cheap prices, and benefit both yourself and the non-profit institution. This could be especially handy if you need to shop for children around the holiday season. Make your dollars go further while not skimping on quality. However, do not wait for the Thanksgiving holiday rush-start looking now!
3. Great sound at a great price. Need a new mp3 player but don’t want to shell out a hundred or more bucks for an iPod? Consider the Sansa Clip. It’s small, about 1.25 in. x 2.25 in. x 0.5 in., has great sound, recharges on a USB port, easily navigates to songs, podcasts, audio books, etc., includes FM radio, and for audio book and podcast fans, it can resume playback exactly where you left off when you turn the player back on. Best of all is the price, around $35 for 4 GB on Amazon.com.

Have a good money-saving tip? Please submit to: psgcnjeditor@yahoo.com for consideration.
Health Note
Trouble Sleeping? Exercise during the day, cut caffeine (especially any time after lunch), and skip that alcoholic drink at dinnertime. (Yes, though technically a depressant, alcohol can disrupt sleep patterns.) Exercise can be anything from a brisk walk or walking the dog to raking leaves or bicycling, and can help siphon off nervous energy, as long as it isn’t done too close to bed time-in which case it could leave you so energized that you won’t feel like sleeping! For some people, foods that contain tryptophan, like milk or turkey, can cause an irresistible drowsiness. Maybe the best tip? Don’t fall asleep in front of the TV. The flickering images, not to mention the content, stimulate the brain. Try replacing television with light reading, soft music, or even a book on tape.