Thursday, June 4, 2009

FOUR BAD HABITS THAT CAN RUIN A MARRIAGE

FOUR BAD HABITS THAT CAN RUIN A MARRIAGE (It doesn't hurt to be reminded once and awhile...)

[1] Letting yourself go. Now, no one’s saying you should obsess about your looks, but it’s important to send your spouse the message that you care what they think. Trade in your ratty sweats for real clothes on the weekends. Taking a walk or going to the gym together is a great way to add a little ‘couple time’ to your daily routine.

[2] Secret spending. This one can’t be stressed enough. According to a recent Pay Pal survey, eight out of 10 people have hidden a purchase from their partner. The problem isn’t the new cordless drill or pair of shoes -- it’s the erosion of trust that happens when you tell small lies. Plus, secret spending sets the stage for big blowups about finances.

[3] Forgetting small gestures. Every day signs of affection are what keep romance alive. Treat your spouse as if you’re dating. That way, you won’t get too busy for a goodbye kiss, or forget to thank them when they do mundane things like clean the kitchen or take out the trash.

[4] Sweating the small stuff. Just because someone leaves a wet towel on the bed, that doesn’t mean they don’t love you. So instead of freaking out about every irritation, ask your spouse to help you with one or two things that really matter - like keeping up with the dishes or making it to work on time. Then, relax and let go of the rest.

A GUY ASKED ME OUT ON A DATE . . . BUT HE DOESN'T EVEN HAVE A DRIVER'S LICENSE

Dear Breakfast Club,

You guys have had some great advice in the past and I'm hoping you can help me with this.

This insanely hot guy asked me out on a date, and when it came time for us to go out . . . he asked me if *I* would drive . . . because he didn't have a driver's license.

--Even though I thought it was odd, I agreed to drive . . . and the two of us ended up having a great time.

--Here's the thing: I asked him why he didn't have his license . . . and he told me it was REVOKED . . . but he wouldn't explain why.

--Is this a giant red flag that I shouldn't date this guy? We had such a great time on our date. Should I still give him a chance?

--Dana

Okay C100 Listeners.....it's time to step up with some sage advice for Dana.

HERE ARE THE TEN *WORST* WORK HABITS:

Are you guilty of any of these?

#1.) PROCRASTINATING: If you work best under pressure, that's one thing. But a LOT of people say that. And here's what they REALLY mean: "I can't be bothered to actually do anything unless my job depends on it." That attitude sucks.

--If you put everything off until the last minute, people notice, and it gets old FAST . . . even if the end result looks good. And eventually, you'll miss a deadline.

#2.) SLOPPY EMAILS: Now that email is one of the main ways people communicate at work, using small caps, a casual tone, or lame acronyms isn't "cute" . . . it's just plain sloppy. You should run a quick spell-check too . . . most email programs have the feature built-in.

--And I can't say this enough: ALWAYS double-check the recipients. One little click can mean the wrong people getting a message you didn't want them to see . . . so only use "Reply All" if you REALLY want everyone in the office to know that "Brenda's ass looks tight today."

#3.) DISSING THE BOSS: These days, bosses aren't cigar-chomping fat-cats who bark your last name when they want something. They might be younger, dressed down, and even part of the group when you grab drinks with your co-workers.

--But they're still the boss. Obviously, being on a first name basis is fine . . . if that's the rule in your office . . . but don't get TOO casual. Always remember to show respect for authority when that respect is due. 'Nuff said.

#4.) BEING TOO INFORMAL: At work, you're expected to take care of things without someone breathing down your neck . . . like showing up on time, working a full day, and dressing appropriately. Fudging things might not get you fired . . . but it DOES get noticed.

--And SMOKERS, I'm putting you on blast: If you think being a smoker gives you the right to take four or five SMOKE BREAKS a day, you are SO wrong. That's like an extra lunch break.

--Why should you get one? Because you're an addict? Plus, you stink when you come back in.

#5.) BEING A LONER: We all know it can be bad news to mix work and play too much. But if you're ALWAYS the guy who won't hang out at a work gathering? That's just weird.

--Hanging out helps build office camaraderie. Whatever you might think, it shows that you give a crap.

#6. ) RUNNING LATE: I don't think this one needs any explanation. Look, we ALL run late SOMETIMES. But if you do it all the time, you'll just look lazy . . . even if you're a rock-star WHILE you're at work. It's just one of those things.

#7. ) SAYING "THAT'S NOT MY JOB": Really? Because I'm pretty sure your JOB is to do WHATEVER THE HELL your boss ASKS you to do. Got that? If you don't think of it that way . . . then START thinking of it that way right now.

--Look, you might TECHNICALLY be right, but chances are, if someone's asking you to do something you don't USUALLY do, it means they really need your help. So, help. And you'll reap the rewards of being a clutch player sometime down the road.

#8.) ACTING LIKE YOU'RE SMARTER THAN EVERYONE ELSE: It's one thing to share your great ideas when they ARE great. But if you're always shooting other people down, you look like a jerk. So stop it. Swallow your pride, and be a team player.

#9.) TALKING SMACK: We've all heard the stories: Someone blogs about wanting to quit their job, or posts something negative about their dumb boss on Facebook . . . and it comes back to haunt them at work.

--Obviously, you're going to vent. But you have to do it in the right environment, with the right people. Here's a good rule: If you wouldn't tell EVERYONE in the office how much you hate your job . . . don't do it on the Internet either.

#10.) GETTING INVOLVED IN OFFICE POLITICS: Drama at the office is unavoidable. I have one thing to say about that: STAY OUT OF IT. You might get sucked in anyway, but play it cool. Office politics ruin people's trust, and it'll keep you from getting work done.

(CNN / CareerBuilder.com)

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

FINANCIAL REALITIES OF A BABY ACCORDING TO REDBOOK MAGAZINE

We heard from Jack last week that he is worried that he and his wife aren't ready to start a family, however, his wife is desperate to get pregnant. According to Redbook Magazine....here are the.....


FINANCIAL REALITIES OF A BABY (Redbook)

76% of expectant parents say they feel financially prepared for having a baby -- but 41% of new parents admit that, in hindsight, they were not as financially prepared as they thought.

Nearly half of new parents say they spent more money than necessary on a car seat; 36% overspent on strollers; about 25% went overboard on baby photos, a crib and clothing.

48% of expectant parents think that managing everyday expenses will be their biggest financial worry, but only a third of new parents feel the same way.

36% of expectant parents anticipate that tension in their relationship will increase after their baby's birth. Watch out: Nearly half of new parents found that to be the case.

Expectant parents figure on spending an average of $120 a month on diapers; new parents actually spend half that. What gives? New parents are savvier shoppers: Three-fourths of them shop for baby items at discount retailers, compared with only half of expectant parents.

In the survey, the percentage of couples who split their family's financial management equally dropped from 44 percent before the baby was born to 32 percent after the baby's arrival.

Half of new mothers report that they handle the family money, up from 37 percent prior to the baby's birth.

Monday, June 1, 2009

^ First Aid Tips Parents Need to Know

Summer is right around the corner, and that means kids will be out of school, outdoors, and . . . most likely . . . finding new ways to injure themselves. If you're a parent, or you'll be around kids this summer, here are six first-aid tips you HAVE to know . . .

#1.) NOSEBLEEDS. They're caused by dry air, allergies, and soccer balls to the face. Tilt the child's head FORWARD, not back, and apply pressure to the space above the upper lip, right below the nose. If the bleeding doesn't stop in 20 minutes, go to the ER.

--Most people think you're supposed to tilt your head BACK if you get a nosebleed, but if you do, blood can run down your esophagus or into your lungs, causing vomiting or choking.

#2.) KNOCKED OUT TEETH. If it's a baby tooth, put it under a pillow and make an appointment for your child to see the dentist. Losing a baby tooth doesn't matter, but you'll want to make sure the fall didn't affect how the PERMANENT teeth will grow in.

--If it's a permanent tooth, rinse it and store it in milk, then go to the dentist as soon as possible. DON'T put it in water, DON'T handle it too much, and DON'T brush it. All three things can make the tooth unsalvageable.

#3.) DISLOCATED JOINTS. Call 911 or go to the hospital. Whatever you do, DON'T try to pop it back into place. You'll almost certainly screw it up, and if you do, you can damage the bone, the surrounding muscles and nearby nerves.

#4.) ACCIDENTAL POISONING. If a child starts complaining about a stomach ache and says his "juice" tasted funny, don't be surprised if that "juice" was actually engine coolant or medication. If you think your child ate or drank something toxic, stay calm.

--If the child seems drowsy, cranky, or suddenly congested, call 911 or poison control. But DON'T induce vomiting unless a 911 operator or a poison control expert tells you to.

#5.) BURNS. Don't use ice, butter or oil on burns. First-degree burns should be soaked in cold water, then treated with first-air cream. If the burn looks bad or covers a large area of skin, see a doctor. Electrical burns and chemical burns require immediate care.

--Electrical burns aren't always visible on the skin, but they can cause internal injuries, so make sure the child sees a doctor. For a chemical burn, remove any clothing that might have been in contact with the chemical, and wash the burned area with A LOT of water.

--Don't use any creams or ointments on a chemical burn since they can cause a chemical reaction and make the burn even worse.

#6.) PUNCTURE WOUNDS. If your child steps on a nail or a large piece of glass, don't hesitate to call 911. Bandage the area, and leave the object in place if it's still there. But if your child already pulled it out, apply pressure to control the bleeding.

--Just make sure you wash your hands before handling ANY open wound. And when in doubt, call the doctor immediately.

(AskMen.com)

MY WIFE IS SUDDENLY IN A RUSH TO GET PREGNANT

C100 Listeners! Jack needs your help. He sent us an emergency email this morning. Here's how it goes.

My wife just turned 30 . . . and it seems like her biological clock just sped up.

--We've talked about having kids when our careers and finances are in better shape, but unfortunately, that just isn't the case yet. We haven't been able to buy a house in this economy, and we're both still working on our careers.

--I don't want to have kids until things are more stable, but my wife has suddenly decided she doesn't care about all that . . . she just doesn't want to be an "old mother."

--Now she's started pushing me to get her pregnant right away . . . but I don't feel ready, and it's not a decision I want to be rushed into. What should I do?

--Jack, 31


What should jack do. Let us know.

MTV Video Awards Drama

Take a look at what happened at the MTV Video Awards on Sunday night. Was it real drama or scripted shenanigans?Eminen gets mad