Job Hunting & Social Media

When competition for jobs is steep, there are ways to get a leg up on other applicants by using social media in smart ways. LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com) is a great business networking platform that can help you make connections, Twitter (www.twitter.com) and Facebook (www.facebook.com) are great to keep up-to-date with industry news, and all are sites which allow you to find employment opportunities. Think of it as a virtual networking breakfast or lunch but from the comfort of your own home. For job searching, experts recommend: • Signing up for LinkedIn Premium. Not only will it avoid leaving footprint marks of profiles you check (so profile owners can see you visited them), but it also shows that you mean business. • Utilizing the search function, research the profiles of people who have the kind of role you are looking for (you can do this on LinkedIn and Facebook). Then look at their connections within the organization. This will give you a great insight into what that organization is looking for skills-wise, and how they like career information presented. • Sending connection requests to and following industry peers, potential recruiters, and organizations that you’re interested in working for. Follow up with a note asking if they have ten minutes to hop on a networking call, where you can sell your skills and experience to fill any potential vacancies. • Sharing industry news on Twitter. As you grow your connections you’ll be seen as someone who has a finger on the pulse in your industry.

Summer Concert Series

Hosting live performances since 1984 Chateau Ste Michelle is one of the very best places to enjoy a concert! They are known for their general admission festival style seating on the amphitheater lawn but if you prefer an assigned seat they have VIP seating close to the stage. Ste Michelle wines and a variety of fresh foods are available for purchase. If you are looking for a special and unique concert experience this is not to be missed! www.ste-michelle.com • James Taylor – May 25th • Ringo Starr – June 4th • Elvis Costello – June 9th • Taj Mahal – June 23rd • Diana Krall – July 9th • Lyle Lovett – July 16th • Sheryl Crow – July 20th • Tori Amos – July 28th • Regina Spektor – Aug 5th • Gipsy Kings – Aug 20th • Steve Miller Band – Sept 15th • Counting Crows – Sept 16th • Natalie Merchant – Sept 22nd

Get a Money Buddy

That’s what Trent from “The Simple Dollar” blog calls someone close to you who seems to be facing similar financial challenges as you are. While a spouse is certainly a “money buddy,” it’s helpful to choose someone else (with a spouse’s okay) who can lend a different perspective. By linking up with that person (or a couple), you can support each other and benefit financially and psychologically. Here are 5 things you can do for each other: Relieve tension and talk it out. Most of us keep our financial problems to ourselves. You’ll ease your stress if you have someone you trust to talk to. How much information you share is up to you. Give and get advice from fresh eyes. When you’ve reached a point of financial indecision (“Which debt do I pay off first?” “What bank should I use?”), a money buddy is a second set of eyeballs to look at the situation. Hold each other accountable for goals. If you set a goal for yourself, share it with your buddy and remind each other of your goals regularly. Knowing your buddy knows your goal can be a great motivator. Share knowledge and resources. Split the cost of a warehouse shopping club membership or divide the items you buy in bulk. Celebrate each other’s progress and successes. It’s even more gratifying when you take the journey together.

Fitness Fatigue

Love it or hate it, working out is one of those things everyone should make a regular part of their lives. What might start out as a sense of fun and excitement when tying up new running shoes or jumping on a new carbon fiber road bike can eventually turn into a sense of boredom and downright drudgery? It doesn’t have to, though - when you incorporate these elements: Try something new. Variety is the spice of life, and this definitely holds true for working out. Try an online workout class that is worth spending a few bucks to be a part of. There is a virtual class out there for us all no matter your age or budget! Now’s the time! The Peloton - Signing up for something with a proven track record like Peloton is great. They advertise unlimited motivation, delivered daily. A membership is your pass to classes that range in length and intensity level. You’ll ride, run, flex and tone, and keep come back for more. Mirror - Working out with other people is good for motivation – and it’s more fun! With a small footprint and elegant design The Mirror blends seamlessly into any home. Turn less than two feet of wall space into a personal fitness studio. Instructors are fun, engaging, and keep you on your toes. You will feel like you are back in the gym class you always loved to attend! Black Box VR - They turn a 30 minute workout into a video game! The game adjusts the difficulty as you play more, making it more challenging each time. The Black Box app tracks your reps, muscle groups worked out and moves the weight limits to help you meet your goals. You don’t need to be a fitness expert, just come and play the game.

Best Reasons for Playing Golf…

• Beats mowing the lawn. • Having a ball is par for the course. • You can play without risk of scandal (most of the time!). • There’s always a doctor nearby. • The worse your game, the better the exercise. • Carrying clubs is socially acceptable. • More fun than doing business at the office. • Putting is such sweet sorrow. • Great excuse to take a walk. • Rather sink a bird than hook a fish. • Old golfers never die. They just putter out. • There’s no par at the 19th hole. • It’s educational. You learn the meanings of such words as slice, shank, divot, bogey, mulligan, hacker, worm burner, and duffer.

Surviving A Long Commute

The average commute to work is around 25 minutes long. Get the most out of yours.  Experiment with the route. Leave 10 minutes earlier or later to see if the traffic patterns change.  Get the most bang for your buck. Do the math and find out if it makes sense to drive or take public transportation – or even a combination of the two.  Make it fun. Listen to an audiobook or podcast, or find a friend to share the ride.

Help Kids Save Money

All adults know that money doesn’t grow on trees, but that’s not necessarily true for kids. Help your kids, grandkids, or other children in your life tuck away their extra nickels and dimes for a rainy day. 1. Bank it. Encourage kids to decorate four separate piggy banks – one each for Saving, Spending, Investing, and Giving – to help teach about setting money-related goals. Investing money will be used for future investments and Giving money can be donated to a charity of the kids’ choice. 2. Offer an allowance. Assuming you are helping your own children save money, provide a small allowance so there is something to put into the piggy banks. Give the allowance in small bills or coins so kids can physically hold and drop equal amounts of cash into each piggy bank. 3. Make goals. If there are certain things kids want to buy, or if they are expected to save a certain amount of money toward larger items such as bikes, explain that they’ll need to use the Saving piggy bank to collect the needed money. And, if they choose not to spend money out of the Spending piggy bank right away, they’ll be able to buy the items they’re saving for faster. 4. Go shopping. When you go to the store, let the kids take their Spending money with them. If they want to buy something, count out change in the store. Feel free to remind them that, if there is something more expensive they’d like to buy, they’ll have to continue to save for it – and they’ll reach their goals faster by moving Spending money into the Saving piggy bank. However, if they want to buy something, that is their choice as this is their money.