Savvy money management skills are a necessity to weather these tough economic times. .
On average, men were paid more than women for the same or similar jobs. For every dollar a man earns, women get paid 77 cents.
Further your education and income potential by obtaining at least a bachelor’s degree. If you can afford it and have the time, get a graduate degree or a few certifications related to your specific job industry. Women with a bachelor’s degree earn $1 million over their lifetime, and those with a master’s degree earn $2.5 million over their lifetime. Women with a doctorate or other professional degree (law, medicine, etc.) earn $4.4 million over their lifetime.
Here are five steps to help maximize your salary:
--Consider changing departments or employers to increase your salary.
--Ask for raises, volunteer for high priority projects, develop a career plan with your supervisor, and discuss the contributions you wish to make to help your company grow.
--Temporarily reduce or stop 401(k) deductions to gain extra money to pay down debt.
--Reduce tax withholding for three to six months, and use the extra money to pay down debt. (Remember to switch your tax withholding back to your original deductions to prevent owing taxes at the end of the year.)
--Pick a career that has growth potential.
Resource:
Do you think your teen or a teen you know may be a victim of dating violence? It is more common than many people would like to admit. 40% of teenage girls ages 14 to 17 say they know someone their age who has been hit or beaten by a boyfriend. And about one in three high school students have been or will be involved in an abusive relationship. That is a lot of teens having a problem that the adults around them are not recognizing.
So, how can you recognize potential dating violence? Make yourself aware of the warning signs. The teen who is being abused will have some of these signs:
- Falling or failing grades;
- Increased instances of indecision, stops giving her own opinion;
- Changes in mood or personality;
- Use of drugs/alcohol, not just experimentation;
- Emotional outburst , not just mood swings;
- Depression;
- Will become isolated, insist on more privacy;
- Physical signs of injury cuts, bruises, etc.;
- Makes excuses for the abusers behavior;
- Begins to put herself/himself down.
Although parents may not see many of these, here are the signs concerning the abuser:
- Is extremely jealous, hypersensitive and controlling;
- Verbally abusive and threatens violence;
- Has unpredictable mood swings, with instances of explosive anger;
- Uses drugs and alcohol not just experimentation;
- Isolates their partner from friends and family;
- Uses force during an argument, physical and emotional;
- Believes in rigid sex roles women are a possession;
- Blames others for his problems or feelings;
- Has a history of abusive relationships.
Keep your eyes and ears open when your teen is dating. Stay involved and most importantly be there when your teen wants to talk. These things will help you see the signs of dating violence, should you need to.
Resources:
Domestic Violence Awareness Handbook
National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Guardian Angel Home - Groundwork
