SavvySugar

Your Two Cents: Is There Room in Your Holiday Budget For Charity?

SavvySugar — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 06:00:58 -0800

The holiday season isn't just about gift-giving - even while the budget may be stretched, it's also the time of year to give to charity. It's no secret that things are tight this year. The recession is changing the way we holiday shop, but is it also changing our philanthropic spirit of giving for a good cause?

Apparently so. Charitable foundations and organizations throughout the country are suffering from a lack of funds - the size of charitable giving just isn't sizable enough. Nonprofits, especially on the local level, are dealing with some serious cutbacks in their budgets, thanks to an economic climate that makes giving to a cause more of a luxury than it used to be. Where organizations used to rely on the generosity of philanthropic donors, they are now turning to the government for aid.

It's unfortunate, but while philanthropy is still a valued cause for giving, there are many who just may not be able to offer support this year. Of course, there are other ways to help out - volunteering, for one - but I'm curious: Is writing a check for charity out of the question this holiday season? Or are you still making room in your budget for a charitable donation?

Your Two Cents: How Often Do You Feel Nervous at Work?

SavvySugar — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 06:00:28 -0800

A good friend recently admitted she gets nervous and clammy whenever her boss schedules a meeting with her, which is quite often. She's never been given a bad review or stern talking to, but there's something about being called into a one-on-one that makes her panic.

When I asked her why she couldn't explain her fears, except that, like most SavvySugar readers, the recession and layoffs at her company have left her particularly uneasy and chipped away at her confidence. Do you ever get shaking on the job or you stay steady and self-assured?

Are You Challenged Enough at Work?

SavvySugar — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 14:45:47 -0700

Although some of us may dream of getting paid to do nothing all day, being challenged at work is actually crucial to job satisfaction. If we’re not challenged enough, we feel bored, restless, and unproductive. If our tasks are too challenging, we feel overwhelmed and stressed. Where does your current job fall on that spectrum?

Source: Flickr User josh.liba

Would You Rather Be a Talk Show Host or a Politician?

SavvySugar — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 08:30:21 -0700

It's hard to pass judgment on a career you haven't had, but forget education, relevant experience, and interview contacts for a second. Which career do you think is cooler?

Your Two Cents: Are You a Fan of All-Inclusive Resorts?

SavvySugar — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 08:00:00 -0700

Couples Retreat opens this weekend, and though the plot looks silly, I can't help but be romanticized by the deep blue water and tropical resort featured in the trailer. Piña coladas? Palm trees? Snorkeling? Sign me up!

Forging the usual holiday festivities and meeting family and friends at all-inclusive resorts is a growing trend for some. Understandably, others grimace at the idea of planned menus and activities. What's your take?

Your Two Cents: Do You Invite Co-Workers to Your Parties?

SavvySugar — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 14:45:33 -0700

Including co-workers and your boss in your wedding day can be a sensitive subject. Inviting friends you've made at work who also serve as friends outside of the workplace seems like the right choice, but it can still be dicey and cause hurt feelings. On this week's The Office, the entire branch road trips to Niagara Falls to attend Pam and Jim's nuptials. It's sweet and fitting, considering the crew has watched the lovebirds go from co-workers to an expectant couple, but plenty of awkward scenes ensue (including a particularly uncomfortable scene when boss Michael Scott riffs about safe sex at the rehearsal dinner).

Do your office mates make your party guest lists, or do you keep your personal and professional party lives completely separate?

Photo courtesy of NBC

Would You Rather Be a Natural Food Chef or a Trainer?

SavvySugar — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 09:00:22 -0700

It's hard to pass judgment on a career you haven't had, but forget education, relevant experience, and interview contacts for a second. Which career do you think is cooler?

Would You Rent an $1,850 Apartment With No Bathroom Sink?

SavvySugar — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 13:15:26 -0700

The next time you're kvetching about your apartment's shortcomings, consider 27-year-old Atossa Movahedi's one-bedroom Chelsea apartment. The New York Times tells the story of Atossa's search for something within her price range that wasn't a studio and located in one of her preferred neighborhoods. After living with roommates in various Manhattan neighborhoods, she was determined to find a place to call her own for about $1,600 a month.

When it became obvious her budget and vision wouldn't work together, she reconsidered and increased what she was willing to pay for monthly rent. After a long, frustrating search, Movahedi found something she could live with in her now apartment, but the place isn't perfect - the apartment is missing a bathroom sink. She says the shortcoming doesn't really bother her (she notes that her hairdresser doesn't even have a bathroom) and said, "It forces me to do my dishes right away. I make sure the kitchen is really clean."

Would you sign a lease on an apartment with no bathroom sink?

Your Two Cents: Which Bad Office Behavior Is Worse?

SavvySugar — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 06:30:27 -0700

Do You Rinse Dishes Before Loading the Dishwasher?

SavvySugar — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 12:00:28 -0700

It's second nature for me to rinse a dirty dish before placing it in my dishwasher; it's what I was taught to do growing up, and the habit always made sense until I came across a tip from Consumer Reports.

The value focused publication suggests that if saving money and water are household goals, we should do the opposite and resist rinsing. CR estimates that just 10 percent of Americans have stopped prerinsing their dishes. What's your dish ritual?