There are some times in your life when relying on someone else's word or assurances isn't enough. When you need to protect yourself against fraud or deception, limit your risks, or create documents that affect your legal rights and abilities, the services of a notary public are essential.A notary public, also referred to as a public notary, is a state-licensed public servant who performs a variety of duties involving official or legal documents. Notary publics can administer oaths, serve as witnesses to signed documents, take sworn testimony (depositions), and verify or certify official … [Read more...]
Robots, Automation & Technology Taking Over – Is Your Job at Risk?
Is my job safe? It's a question we have all asked ourselves at some point, but at no time has it been more relevant than today. With current advancements in robotics and software, the contemporary human workforce seems to be under siege. Some believe that their jobs are untouchable - that automation only affects unskilled labor or factory workers. That is a gross miscalculation. Today, even white-collar jobs are being cut due to technological advancements.Throughout history, job loss due to technology and automation has always threatened the workforce. Do you know anyone who works as a … [Read more...]
How to Handle Sexual Harassment in the Workplace as an Employer
The #MeToo movement exploded into America's consciousness in the Fall of 2017, shaking executive offices and boardrooms across the country. Initially promoted in 2006 by women of color who had suffered sexual abuse, the movement became mainstream on social media after actress Alyssa Milano's tweet, "If all the women who have been sexually harassed or assaulted wrote 'Me too.' as a status, we might give people a sense of the magnitude of the problem." The massive response to her tweet was unexpected and became the basis for a national movement.Encouraged by movie stars recounting their … [Read more...]
16 Tips to Save Money on Back to School Supplies & Shopping List
Back-to-school time has become its own shopping season, second only to Christmas in terms of family expenditures. In 2017, the Huntington Bank Backpack Index, an annual index chart that tracks the average cost of back-to-school supplies, found that it now costs an average of $1,000 to send a child back to school.That's as much as an average mortgage payment, and each year, costs continue to outpace inflation. Multiply this amount by two or three (or five) children, and it's easy to see why many parents start sweating in mid-July when the barrage of back-to-school fliers and ads start … [Read more...]
Cooking for College Students – Easy Recipes for a Dorm Room
College students these days have packed schedules. When you're rushing around campus all day, it can be hard to find the time to eat a meal, let alone cook one. That's why most students rely on their school's meal plan. These days, meal plans give you lots of food options to choose from, including off-campus eateries that can serve up meals late into the night.But this convenience comes at a high cost. According to the Hechinger Report, the average college meal plan costs $4,500 for three meals a day, eight months a year. That works out to about $18.75 per day. By contrast, the average … [Read more...]
Is Getting an MBA Degree Worth It? – Value & Costs of Business School
Is the MBA degree a victim of its own success?"[E]asier access to an MBA has changed what the MBA means to employers," writes C. S.-W., in The Economist. "Simply put, MBAs are no longer rare, and as such are no longer a guarantee for employment."More than 191,000 U.S. students graduated with advanced business degrees following the 2011-12 academic year, per Forbes. They accounted for approximately 25% of all graduate school degrees conferred in the United States, nearly triple the 1970-71 proportion. The next most popular advanced degree, a master's in education, accounted for less … [Read more...]
Should You Pay for Your Child’s College Education?
College keeps getting more expensive. According to the College Board, in 2016-17, the average cost of a year at a public four-year college - including tuition, fees, room, and board - was $20,090 for in-state students and $35,370 for out-of-state students. At private, nonprofit colleges, the average cost was a whopping $45,370 per year. At those prices, it's no wonder a 2015 Gallup poll found that over 70% of parents say their single biggest financial worry is how to pay for their children's college education.But perhaps all those parents are worrying about the wrong thing. Maybe the … [Read more...]
10 Simple Ways to Improve Your Business Writing Skills
Stop and think about how many emails you write each day at work. According to a study conducted by Carleton University, professionals spend one-third of their time at work reading and answering emails. You might spend more than this, or less, but chances are, a significant portion of your day is spent writing something.Now think about how much time you've wasted trying to decipher an email or report that's poorly written. Not only is it frustrating and annoying to read, but bad writing can also lead to serious miscommunications, lost opportunities, or even workplace accidents.The point … [Read more...]
How to Identify & Report Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
A touch on the knee. A lascivious glance. A crude comment by a colleague. An inappropriate suggestion. Most people have witnessed or experienced inappropriate sexual comments or actions at work that made them uncomfortable. However, all too often a careless comment or gesture turns into something more and crosses the line from inappropriate to harassment.There is a strong "culture of silence" surrounding sexual harassment, especially in the workplace. However, talking about what happened, and reporting it, is the only way to change our culture to one where everyone feels safe and … [Read more...]
Workplace Bullying Prevention & Resolution Strategies
According to research published in Forbes, 75% of U.S. workers have been affected by workplace bullying. A survey by VitalSmarts puts this number at 96%.Chances are, you've experienced it yourself. A boss who regularly hurls insults at you in front of your coworkers, a project manager who frequently undermines your work by withholding information, a colleague who spreads rumors and considers it her mission in life to ruin your reputation - these are all common examples of workplace bullying.Workplace bullying is traumatic and incredibly costly to your physical and mental health. It … [Read more...]
22 College Towns That You Can Live in Forever
Looking for a place to settle down after you graduate?Big coastal cities like Boston, Seattle, and San Francisco have jobs galore for well-qualified grads. If you like energy and excitement, they're also undeniably fun places to live. You don't have to go far to take in world-class culture, try exciting new cuisines, or be a tourist in your own town for a day.Problem is, big-city life is expensive. Really expensive. Do you know how much it costs to rent a one-bedroom apartment in New York City? If you have to ask, you probably can't afford it.If your new hometown need only have … [Read more...]
