This week, I invited one of my favorite sources on work/life balance – something we’re all striving for – to write a guest post about finding a job that works with your hectic schedule. Allison O’Kelly is CEO of Mom Corps, a flexible-employment staffing service. The company provides employers who are looking for part-time workers with a pool of candidates, and professionals with flexible job opportunities.
In today’s economy, it’s hard enough to find a job – let alone, a flexible one that suits your needs both as a professional and a working mom. But don’t despair – in actuality, this may be one of the BEST times to land the flexible gig you need to finally achieve and maintain some form of life/work fit.
While the economy has definitely taken a toll on the job market, it has also forced us companies and employees to reevaluate how we work – and we have seen flexibility placed at the forefront of this change. When companies couldn’t afford to reward and entice employees with bonuses or raises, they were forced to get creative and offer flexible work schedules, four-day work weeks, sabbaticals, and telecommuting options instead. When workers could not find full-time, traditional positions, they in turn started freelancing, contracting, and even interning. Both corporations and workers have seen the benefits of workplace flexibility in terms of morale and profits, and the average 9 to 5 has been redefined during the recession.
So how can you find a flexible job that matches your skill set and experience? More…
WHAT:Lollibomb Beauty – Vegan and handcrafted bath, body, and cosmetic products.
WHERE: Fort Lauderdale, FL
WHEN: 2006
HOW: Sitting behind a desk in a commercial real estate office, Luca Cusolito needed a diversion. She was busy – working a desk job while simultaneously pursuing a college degree – but, as she says, “the siren song of business ownership was calling me.” Having done some research, Cusolito discovered Etsy.com – an online retailer featuring thousands of unique, handmade products. “I was immediately smitten by the spirit of the handmade movement and all the inspirational people that sold their DIY creations,” says Cusolito, and with an idea for unique cosmetics, she launched Lollibomb. More…
In Saturday’s New York Times, Alina Tugend tackled the complicated subject of choosing. More options, she pointed out – and the research backs her up – don’t necessarily benefit consumers, job-seekers, even daters looking for someone to share their lives. Having a plethora of options, she points out, seems to have two distinct downsides. One, it makes those people who do eventually choose less happy with their picks; they wonder if the grass would have been greener on the other side. Two, and more dangerously, it stops others from choosing at all.
I’m worried about the second group – in particular where their money is concerned. In the same section of Saturday’s paper, Ron Lieber wrote about keeping your money safe from the next bubble. (Yes, there will be one. The only real questions are when? And in what?) His story pointed out how some financial advisers are starting to employ more complicated – more diversified – strategies in order to protect their clients’ interests. In other words, more choices – precisely the stumbling block that will keep too many people from investing at all. More…
Shortly after finishing this morning’s Money 911, I checked in with my colleague Michael Falcon. He’s responsible for much of the work that has gone into this site — and as well as the Debt Diet Online and many of the other projects I’m involved in. But he also spent years working in the retirement industry, most recently running the retirement business at Merrill Lynch. He had a bone to pick with one of the answers — and he has a very valid point. Here’s what he had to say. More…
I have credit card debt of $80,000 after helping to support a family member in need. In the past, I haven’t had problems paying the required monthly payments. However, a promised company bonus did not come through and credit card companies have doubled their interest rates and monthly requirements, making it difficult. I can pay each month, but money is really tight now. I want to pay these off, and wonder if I should just keep plugging along, or try a debt settlement arrangement. What do you advise? – Allison, Wisconsin
It’s hard to pass on helping a family member or friend in a time of need – but sometimes, it can have a major impact on your own life. That means making a choice about the type of changes you are willing (and able) to make in your life. Below, I’ve listed your three main options – and given you some insight into the pros and cons of each.
Cutting down. When you have debt like this that you need to repay, sometimes it’s possible to slow your spending and free up some additional money each month. Now, that’s not to say it’s easy. Making lifestyle changes like this one can be a challenge – but you’ll save your credit score, and learn some new budgeting strategies that will stay with you and keep you out of debt in the future. More…
About four mornings a week, I lace up my running shoes and hit the pavement – either by myself, or with a girlfriend. It’s a time for me to relax and de-stress in the middle of a busy week. Plus, it’s free, and requires very little equipment.
But right about this time of winter, I start to lose my motivation. It’s cold. It’s dark. And, at least in my neck of the woods, it has snowed entirely too much this winter. That’s why this article in the March issue of ShopSmart, a magazine put out by the folks at Consumer Reports, caught my eye.
It’s about fitness freebies, free or very cheap tools to help you recover your motivation to sweat. The best part? Most don’t require you to leave the comfort of your warm, cozy living room, and many are customizable to your time frame – important for busy moms like us. I talked to the editor of the piece, Jody Rohlena, about her favorites of the lot, then added one or two of my own tips. More…
In today’s economy, it’s hard enough to find a job – let alone, a flexible one that suits your needs both as a professional and a working mom. But don’t despair – in actuality, this may be one of the BEST times to land the flexible gig you need to finally achieve and maintain some form of life/work fit.
WHO: Luca Cusolito
In Saturday’s 
I have credit card debt of $80,000 after helping to support a family member in need. In the past, I haven’t had problems paying the required monthly payments. However, a promised company bonus did not come through and credit card companies have doubled their interest rates and monthly requirements, making it difficult. I can pay each month, but money is really tight now. I want to pay these off, and wonder if I should just keep plugging along, or try a debt settlement arrangement. What do you advise? – Allison, Wisconsin
