Looking for a Job? Write off your job search expenses!

You will need to consult a Licensed Tax Professional about specifics but you itemized:

- travel expenses
- mileage from driving to interviews
- outplacement agency fees
- professional resume writing fees
- moving fees (if you move far enough to qualify)

Who knows what else can be written off when Job Searching?

Should you smoke at work?

Smoking is a bad habit and harmful to your health. Of course, as long as you are a good worker it should not matter. But constantly smoke breaks will give you a negative image, as a slacker, unless you take them with your supervisor, then it is relationship building.

Should you take your scheduled vacation when your employer is having problems?

This is often a sensitive subject for many. True, telling your supervisor that you will not take your scheduled vacation to help the office or your work team complete a difficult project will give you favor with your supervisor? But is it fair to your family? Give me feedback.

The "Employee of the Month" Perception Tip

You build the perception to your supervisors and top management (don't think they don't ask supervisors their opinion of you), that you are a committed employee by coming to work before your supervisor and leaving work after supervisor (of course, this one is for exempt employees). Don't come to safety meetings, conference calls, and meetings LATE! You are giving the impression that you are unorganized or does not care. When you come to work early and leave late constantly you leave the mental impression in management and co-workers' mind that you are a hard worker and a valuable asset.

Outsmart the US Mindset

Recently, a friend of my was told by his he was being laidoff from his job. He had been lucky to get a good job in the chemical field paying $18.50 per hour (in Louisiana this is awesome pay). Because he was a good employee he was offered an opportunity to work another job for $15.50 per hour. He told me in the saddest voice you could imagine how his Mortgage, Car Loan, Child's Private School Education, and rest of the family budget was based on the $18.50 per hour he had been paid. This is not first time that I have heard this situation. I did not know what to tell him, other than he would have to make some tough choices such as become a one car family, cut off the cable tv, change your cell phone plan, and decide what is really important. We have to outsmart this US mentality of access and practice "delayed gratification". When we put our money in the most important area of our lives we can then build wealth and not be at the mercy of our employers. We hold the power!

Does Your Boss Like You?

If the answer to this question is "No" or "I am not sure" you are in big trouble! As unfair as it may seem how much your boss likes you could make or break you in rough times, such as the recession we are having now. Well you may be asking yourself what do I do? Make your boss's problems your problems. Listen well when your boss is complaining or expressing frustration with an issue. Brainstorm solutions to those problems by on going online and researching out other companies have solved those problems. Print it out and leave on your boss's desk. Start asking your supervisor what you can help them with? Doing your job well can help your boss and change that relationship. Also, complimenting them on a nice dress or suit does not hurt either!

"It is not what you make, it is what you do with what you make"

Some time ago I went into a Pizza Hut to purchase a pizza. What I saw were some of the most unmotivated employees I had seen in a while. Their mood was not Pizza Hut's fault, it was internal. A morale of hopelessness was obvious in resturant. Their speech and body language said I am in this hell hole because I can not do better and my attitude is what it is because I will not be able to be financially successful. I know what it means to be trapped mentally and emotionally in a job. I wanted to scream, "DON'T GIVE UP HOPE!" They could not see that they had the power to change their financial and career futures even while working for Pizza Hut the rest of their career. I thought to myself how powerful would it be if the Pizza Hut organization went through the workers finances and showed them (1)what they could change and place them on a financial plan such as the Rapid Debt Reducer System (click on " Build Wealth With Current Job" ) and (2) gave them guidance on what they could do to enhance their career which would result in more money. If they did so would my next experience in the resturant be the same?