TEENS – Think Career !! – Prepare for the Job You Will Love

• Life's Baggage

Think Career !! – Prepare for the Job You Will Love
During this time, you can experiment with your likes and dislikes, do research, accept entry-level jobs without having

to worry about bills, and seek advice from professionals, in occupations, that interest you. The major concern with today’s youth is that they assume that going to college is the sole answer to achieving a great career. This is not true. Yes, having a college degree will help you qualify for various jobs, but gaining experience and expertise is what the goal should be. In reality, being knowledgeable about different career options and gaining those skills early in life, will allow you to be more competitive and better able to secure a career path that fits you.

When searching for potential careers, The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook, not only provides you with different occupations, but also the needed training and education, earnings, expected job prospects, job tasks, and average working conditions. Each of these characteristics of a job is important to a person’s overall success and happiness. In addition, one should observe current job boards, such as indeed.com, simplyhired.com, monster.com, and many more. This will allow you to see what skills and experience employers are looking for and the types of companies seeking new talent. Lastly, The College Board, provides students with information, regarding creative ideas for careers and how to match interests with educational opportunities. This is important because it allows students to start choosing an educational route that is linked to their ideal career.

Think Career !!  The Young Person’s Guide to Career Planning in the Real World, introduces a new realistic approach to career planning. By changing the motivational focus from “you have to go to college” to “you need to have a plan,” it has created a shift for effective career planning to occur, as early as high school. It is important that teens know that there are people in college without a plan, creating unnecessary debt, as well as successful people with great jobs that did not go to college. Having a diploma or degree without any hands-on-experience will limit your chances at getting your ideal job. Some jobs only require certifications and some require master’s degree, along with years of experience. It is vital that you develop the skills needed for the particular career that you want and start building your personal brand. Below is a career assessment that analyzes your reactions to everyday situations. It will suggest careers to that you probably have never considered before. This can help broaden your career outlook and examine careers for how they match your personality and passions.

http://www.high-school.devry.edu/personality-profile/questions.htm

Overall, career planning is like a project. You have to have a plan to reach successful completion. There will be several milestones and critical steps along the way, that are needed to get you to the desired outcome. One must be open to putting in hard work, volunteering and interning, accepting lower salaries, becoming educated, gaining experience, and networking to eventually get the job that will make them happy. Some of us are lucky and get into a career, early in life, others have to put in more time, building a resume. Remember any passion can be made into a career. Know the skills and education that are needed, early in the race. This will help you be competitive in today’s global market.

Nicole Quarles-Thomas is the author of Think Career !! The Young Person’s Guide to Career Planning in the Real World. She believes that by learning the essential keys to planning and forecasting your future, anyone can have a better chance at success.
“Buy a hat today to avoid a beaming sun tomorrow.”

Why Are Teens So Misunderstood?

Teenagers are often misunderstood. I wanted to ask for a teenagers opinion as to why. Here is one explanation brought to you by a talented 16 year old named Jasmina.

Why AreTeens So Misunderstood?

By: Jasmina M.

Let me be honest with you, being a teenager is not as easy.  Okay, we are cranky, sometimes over exaggerate things, have random outburst of feelings that even we can’t explain, and just in general

‘make your lives difficult’. Right?

I feel like, as if we’re a completely different species, teens are greatly misunderstood creatures. People judge us based on looks – why is she wearing a skirt that short?  Why did he get that haircut, he looks far from sophisticated?  Why put on so much makeup, she looks like a clown?   But let me ask you one thing – think back to your teen-days.  Were you all goody-goody and perfect and not in the slightest way rebellious?   I sincerely doubt it – as much as you hope your memories will show a perfect child, there’s a 99% chance they won’t.   No child is perfect, and especially if that child is starting to grow up.

If a teenager wants to look a certain way, then why can’t they?  They’re adventurous, and odds are they’re still trying to find their real self, which isn’t an easy job, so why stop them from experimenting?  Okay, we do go over the top sometimes, and sometimes don’t quite understand why or how it’s wrong, so explain, help us understand rather than judging and telling us to ‘go and change’.  Telling us to do something without giving a reason we understand will lead to even further rebellions, trust me, I’ve seen it. 

I think a big problem in the world of a teenager is the emotions.  Imagine every single feeling you feel during the day, but magnified around fifty times.  That’s what the average teen feels like.  I get it that you, as an adult, may not find the same thing as me, a teenager, exciting, or sad, or infuriating. So please, sympathize with me.  Try and imagine what I’m feeling and then you might be a step closer to accepting me as I am – just because the emotions might be caused my hormones, they’re still real emotions, I can still feel them, they’re still valid.

I think some general advice for understanding teenagers better is simply to try and sympathize with them – it works wonders, it really does!

Jasmina – Thank you for your explanation.  Teen’s opinions are not asked often enough. If you have something to add please add your comments below.   

P.S.  Make sure you share this with anyone struggling with a teen. 

@LifesBaggage
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/LifesBaggage/
www.LifesBaggage.com

HIDDEN MONEY IN YOUR CLOSET

Top trends for Winter 2015/2016

• Lifestyle

Life's BaggageNovember 15, 2015No Comments
fashion, floral, fringe, layering, peacoat, plaid, pleats, print, skirts

Brad Riley Tech
bradrileytech@gmail.com

Top trends for Winter 2015/2016

Divided mainly between four major style trends – Rock, 90s, Preppy and 70s, the top trends for winter 2015/2016 are all set to pep up dull, cold evenings. From classic winter trends like layering and boots to crossover summer trends like pleats and khaki, here are the top 10 trends for this season.

Print on Print

While all over prints will continue to rock throughout the winter, the key trend is prints mixed with other prints in the same outfit. The Burberry Prorsum runway was filled with a mix of florals over camo. Pretty much anything

goes this season if it remains in the same shades.

Winter Whites

White promises to be present in every part of your wardrobe.  It is paired with camel accessories, as with Victoria Beckham, and even with ivory, like Nina Ricci.

Rich and Luxe Fabrics

Seen on more than one runways, velvet is key trend to take note of, for winter 2015-16. Go for an all-over look with suit pants or coveralls like at the Sonia Rykiel show or for inserts as in Christopher Kane. It also looks beautiful combined with satin (Balmain) and in crimson (Emilio Pucci).

Silk and sation are two other fabrics that will be seen everywhere this winter.

Khaki

Khaki continues to stay in trend even after summer. The hues change slightly with the most popular shades being army  green and bronze. Less flashier than gold, it is worn all over, like H & M, or paired with black.
Booties
Booties are the new winter boots. From plexiglass square heels by Dior and Roberto Cavalli to velvet booties by Dries Van Noten and tapestry versions by Stella McCartney, booties are at their peak this season.

Outerwear Trends

The classic peacoat made a comeback on the runway. While it retained the sailors look at Michael Kors  Tommy Hilfiger  added preppy stripes to give them a more sporty while Saint Laurent made them rock chic by using leather.
Three other key outerwear trends for the season are capes, quilted jackets and oversized coats.

Fringes

Fringes remain in the spotlight for another season but the look is less folk and more refined.  From  being superimposed at JW Anderson and at the wrists at Nina Ricci, they have come a long way from their original boho look.


Flowing Dresses

Another trend from summer, dresses and skirts are going to be long and flowy.   Not just that, they will also be floral, pastel and in plain chiffon fabrics.

Pleats

Summer trends continue to star this season too. Lacoste, Balmain and Roberto Cavalli used a lot of pleats in their skirts and dresses and you are sure to see them a lot this season

Layering

Vests, shirts, sweaters, dresses, pants … you can keep multiplying the layers this winter. Pairing flowing tops with tight bottoms is very much in.

Thank you for the guest post, Brad!  We will all be set now for 2016!
Related Posts

• 

  HIDDEN MONEY IN YOUR CLOSET

  July 9, 2015August 16, 20157 Comments   

Review GizmoPal 2 and GizmoGadget

• Life's Baggage
• Reviews

Life's Baggage November 2015

Cell Phone, child, children, First Phone, Gizmo, GizmoGadget, GizmoPal, GizmoPal 2, kid, kids, LG, parent, Parents, Pedometer, Safety, Tracker, Verizon

Review GizmoPal 2 and GizmoGadget

Dear LG, 

You have had some good products over the years. I have had an LG phone in the past and I was happy with it. Our dryer in the basement is even an LG and so far it has worked wonderfully.  However, this review is focused on your NEW products called the GizmoPal 2 and GizmoGadget. It seems like a lot of thought was put into this product.  It is clear that you wanted it to NOT be toy but a phone.  So, for all you parents reading here is my review on these two LG products:

So, the first question you need to ask yourself is: What age should I get my child their own phone?  This is a question we have discussed the answer to many times in our home.  Our seven-year-old is never home alone, always with an adult, and is in school most days.  Why would she need her own phone?  This is something I can understand and this is what I thought….until today.

Today we thought: A phone is a great way to teach responsibility.  A phone is a great way to give her some independence in a changing world where we can’t let her wander the streets like we did as kids.  A phone is also….something we can take away if she doesn’t follow the rules (not just phone rules but, clean your room, being kind, and working hard in school).

The scary thing is a phone opens up more doors than we would want. We do not have a landline so it is nice if she can have access to the outside on her own.  I remember using the house phone to call friends as a kid. Then again we didn’t want her to be able to call who ever she wanted whenever she wanted.  While trying to decide if she is ready for a phone I was thinking of the times during the week I am not with her.  For example, I thought she goes to more sleepovers now.  What if she is sick in the middle of the night and isn’t sure what to do.  Should she wake up her friend or their parents?  Or should I give her the ability to call us so that we can help her in her time of need.  Or what if the babysitter forgets her phone?  Now, we can call her and check in.  I think it will also enhance the relationship she has with the relatives she will call more regularly because it is exciting and fun.

The solution was just recently brought to us by LG. We went into Verizon and they were very nice and helpful.  We looked at the LG GizmoPal 2 and the GizmoGadget.  Both look nice although large on our 7 year old’s wrist.  So, what is the difference?  Which should we get?



At first we were going to go with the GizmoPal 2, especially for its lower price. We were very interested in the limited numbers and the tracking abilities.  It is a great peace of mind a parent has knowing they can verify where their child is at all times.  Not to be a downer but as a mom abduction is always a thought as well.  After we began discussing the number of callers we decided to go with the GizmoGadget.  She can have up to 10 callers.  This is great if she wants to visit with Grandma and we are on the phone.  Also, the GizmoGadget has a little older feel to it with more grownup colors and touch screen that our kids are used to.   Keep in mind this is not a toy.  Neither of these has games, this is to be used as a phone, not a toy.


You should have seen her face when we left the store with her very first phone. She is so happy and now we have something special to use as a tool to teach more responsibility.   We have incentive for her to keep her room clean and we can teach her at a young age how to be responsible with freedom and technology.  Our children are growing up in a new time that we couldn’t even comprehend as children. Thank you LG for creating this useful product.  Through Verizon it is only an additional $5 a month.  That is $60 a year which is well worth my peace of mind and teaching responsibility.

Enthusiastically,

Life’s Baggage

P.S. – Share this on Social Media to help other parents decide if this is right for their child.

Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LifesBaggage/
Follow us on Twitter:  @LifesBaggage
 

Dear Airbnb,  

I have heard a lot about you. Nonetheless, up to this point, I am still skeptical towards using the site and hosting other travelers in my property.
If you are one of the many people who have apprehensions with regards to the use of Airbnb in searching for alternative forms of accommodations or for earning side income, keep on reading and you will be enlightened. By the time that you are finished reading, you will find it easier to decide if you should host or use Airbnb.

Using Airbnb

Among others, the use of Airbnb for your next travel could be beneficial in terms of cost savings. Compared to traditional accommodations like hotels, the rates are much cheaper.  It also provides an excellent opportunity to meet locals, who often act as hosts, and they will give you a more genuine experience during your holiday.  You also get to stay in a place that will feel like home, and hence, being more comfortable.  With Airbnb, you will have limitless selection of accommodations as the number of people who are hosting grows day after day.


In spite of the good things, there are also some drawbacks. There is no room service and the accommodations vary as far as private bathrooms, etc.  So, read the description carefully because it may be a very low price for a reason.  You also have to communicate effectively with the owner, and you have to pay upon booking.   Furthermore, every individual has different standards as to what “Clean” actually means.  So if you are a neat freak be careful where you book!

Hosting on Airbnb

If you are looking for opportunities to earn a side income, hosting on Airbnb is going to be a good choice. Because you are making your home or room available for rent, this is going to be an opportunity to meet other people.  You will meet a lot of interesting travelers, and more importantly, as a host, you can earn additional income.  Rather than just letting your property sit unproductively, it would be better to have rented it out for people who are looking for alternative accommodations in their vacation.

However, it does not come without drawbacks. You have to exert effort maintaining your property to be assured that it will attract travelers. You are also risking your property as there are instances wherein guests can misbehave and can cause significant damage to your home.
What is the cost to host? Airbnb charges 3% which, in my opinion, is very reasonable! 

If you are still thinking about using Airbnb as a host or traveler, do not think any further. While it is indeed true that there are drawbacks, the benefits are still more dominant. It is an excellent way to earn more money, and at the same time, a good opportunity to enjoy warm local hospitality through having friendly hosts in your chosen destination.

Happy Trails,

Life’s Baggage

P.S. Share this on Facebook to help others learn more about Airbnb
Related Posts

Power of Positive Being

• Life's Baggage       

Power of Positive Being 

Dear Pessimist,

 

Ugh, why me you think as the light turns red just before your turn! I always get stuck at the lights.  Later at work you think Ahh, the copier always runs out of paper for me.  I always get the short end of the stick.  Are you a glass is half empty kind of person?  Believe me, you are a JOY to be around and make my day brighter but, maybe, just maybe you should consider making a change for the better… 

 

Positive thinking is a mental connection that definitely brings success and personal development in life. Positive thoughts meet us with joy, happiness and health, and cause a successful outcome in every situation. Believe in the power of positive thinking and learn how to use it effectively. Results could astound you.

 

Therefore, do not be one of those people who do not believe in the power of optimism. At any time, believe in the power of positive thinking and learn how to use them effectively…

 

The word optimism is derived from the Latin word “optimus” which means “best”. It points the way optimistic person always looks at the situation and find the best solution in each of them. Optimistic people believe, expect and hope that everything will end in the best way.

 

“A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” – Winston Churchill

 

Optimistic people live longer.

 

Benefits of positive thinking are:

• better immune system
• better abilities to cope with stress
• better resistance to disease

How does the brain of optimistic people work?
Optimistic people believe that they are responsible for their own happiness, and that in the future can expect even better things. Also, optimists do not blame themselves when they run into something bad.
 “Look forward to life because it gives you a chance to love, work, play and watch the stars” – Henry Van Dyke.






How optimistic people think?

• they are convinced that their world provides many opportunities for success
• believe that there are no boundaries that can prevent them from achieving the goals
• do not complain when something bad happens
• each obstacles for them is a new challenge
• in all will find something good

Get rid of negative thoughts!

Change negative thoughts to positive ones. When you have negative thoughts, try to visualize good and enjoyable experience – we are sure that you have a lot of them to spare. Optimism is the ability to deal with emotional intelligence, which means better success and a better life.  Negative situations can be seen as an opportunity laid before you learn something new, understand another person better, or in a red light situation take the opportunity to breath deep knowing you can relax because there is nothing you can do to change where you are in the moment in time.

“Pessimism leads to weakness, optimism to power.” – William James

How positive thinking became science?

Only in the past year, in professional journals are published several hundred papers on the effects of a positive opinion on health. The expectation of good outcomes or dispositional optimism, as the researchers call it, is associated with almost all aspects of life – from less subjective experience of loneliness to an increased tolerance to pain.  Optimism as a variable in their research has a very interesting history.  If we go back three decades ago, we found a pile of evidence that research optimism has no future.  Then, in 1985, in the journal Health Psychology, psychologists Michael F. Scheier and Charles S. Carver published their study “Optimism, Coping, and Health: Assessment and Implications of Generalized Outcome expectancies”.  Since then, other researchers have been quoted in the writings of at least 3,150 times.

During the 1980s, Carver and Scheier collaborated on research and targeted motivation (motivated) behavior. From the beginning they knew that the expected outcome of a very important aspect of this behavior is interested in the answer to the question: Whether and how the expected outcome affects the outcome?  Behind this question is seemingly simple reasoning.  When you set a goal, there are a number of steps, a number of behaviors that need to be carried out in order to reach it.  It is, therefore, about the planned behavior.  No matter how well-planned way to the finish line, on it we will have fewer or greater difficulty.  Scheier and Carver hypothesized that the human mind has a kind of calculator that assigns specific values of these difficulties and as a result generates the expected outcome – a subjective assessment of the probability to overcome the difficulties and despite them reach their goal.  This result, that expectation, they assumed, plays a role in the general emotional tone of people, even in her behavior.

More or less the answer to the question why optimists are doing better than pessimists is shaped. Studies show that optimists are proactive, in persistent search for the solution to the problem and, not least, easier to adapt to the situation when they realize that something is, at least at a given time and the circumstances, beyond their power. Because they have such access problems, are less exposed to psychological stress.  This makes them less prone to smoking, alcohol and unhealthy behaviors in general.  It is not surprising that, in the end, optimism variable upon which, to some extent may provide general mental and physical health.

How are we really positive at a time when almost all is negative? Often we complain about how people have become “strange”, all are close to their homes, less socializing.  At a time when people still find themselves together discussing the problems with the children, the financial crisis, double shipwrecks, health problems, like we are losing life energy, as we no longer think positive.  Some will ask how to think positively when around me all is wrong.

If you are not a born optimist, there are ways to learn how to think positively. Several common strategies involve learning how to identify negative thoughts and replace them with positive ones.

• Think of why a negative situation could be positive in the long term
• Start the positive conversations and try to redirect
• Don’t give up

Positive Thinking!

Positive thinking is the act of developing positive thoughts. Many people tend to think positively in order to get rid of depression, unhealthy and negative thoughts.  Positive Thinking in our mind is the technique that requires effort to focus on the optimistic thinking to minimize or cancel the negative.  Positive thinking improves the health of mind and body.  Positive thinking is now recommended as a form of functioning of a person and the way in which all people should look to the world.  It has been scientifically proven that optimists live longer and better because optimism has a positive effect on the immune system, which allows health happiness and longevity.  Positive thinking will not overnight fill your pockets, but with its help your situation will be able to observe as a transitory period after which we will improve.

“Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.” – Helen Keller

Smiles,

Life’s Baggage

P.S. Share this on Facebook and Twitter or email to a friend that need more good vibes in life.

3 Steps to Making Money on Craigslist

3 Steps to Making Money on Craigslist

Dear Frugal Friend,

You work hard to cut corners and make extra income on the side. You appreciate a good deal and enjoy it even more when it makes you money.  I am going to teach you 3 simple steps to making money on craigslist.  I made thousands doing this one summer when my husband was laid off.  It is easy and doesn’t take a lot of know how.   Craigslist is great to get amazing local deals on cars, furniture, and anything!  But, did you know it is also a great source of revenue.   Here are the three simple steps you can take to make additional income this week.

1. Watch craigslist for a great deal on furniture OR find it for FREE!
2. Paint it and fix it up
3. Resell it on craigslist for a profit

Now we will get a little more detailed. I prefer to find wood furniture.   It is sturdy and durable and easy to paint and fix up.  I suggest looking for items like tables, benches, and bedroom furniture.   Once you pick it up for free and get it home the first thing you need to do is wipe it down with a damp rag.  Then you will really be able to see what you are working with.  If you do not need to strip and/or sand it I suggest using a de-glosser before you paint.  It is a quick and easy step that will help the paint stick much better.
My community has a place at the dump where people can drop off paint and other items that cannot go in the dump. I suggest looking online to see if you r community has something similar.  I can go there and pick some paint and other items great for furniture and the best part is, it’s FREE.  So, you look on Craigslist and find a couple pieces of free furniture.  Go to your local dump and get some free paint.  You can also look for some sort of de-glosser.  Luckily shabby chic is still in so the furniture doesn’t have to be perfect.

TIP: Look for chalkboard paint for kids furniture! It is a fun and easy way to change it up. 

I highly suggest sticking with more neutral colors for the paint. I know you can be drawn to that bright purple but, black and white sell best.  If you really want to use a color go with an earthy green, or a solid accent color.  Most items will need two coats.  Once it is painted you can either leave it or sand a few places to add to the shabby chic look.

 TIP: Patio furniture is a big seller in the Spring! New cushions do wonders!

Now you can look on Craigslist for similar items to see what they are priced at. Make sure you price yours right around there or slightly under.  You should expect people to haggle when they come to look at it.  You should plan on the final sale price to be 10-20% less than it is listed for.   If you price it to move it should be gone within 48-72 hours.   My best item was a buffet I purchased for $20 and resold for $300.  Tell me in the comments below what you flipped.

Happy selling,

Life’s Baggage

P.S. Share this on Facebook to teach others how to make a profit on Craigslist.