Results Oriented Work Environment ROWE

I read in the 48 Days newsletter http://www.48days.com by Dan Miller how Results Oriented Work Environments or ROWE are becoming more popular and Best Buy leads in this. ROWE is where employees are compensated for results instead of time. In other words, you don't have to physically be in the office to get paid. You could be at home or anywhere and working, maybe with your laptop, on a conference call or making and taking calls. You don't have to keep track of your time and make sure you make it up when you leave early or come in late. You don't even have to go into the office at all.

I went to the Best Buy Website and then Careers but did not find anything on ROWE mentioned. I also searched on some open job postings. There wasn't anything there either.

I really like the results oriented idea but what I don't see happening is that you can live anywhere and work at Best Buy or another company that is results oriented. This appeals to me because I live in an area where there just isn't that much opportunity. I would love to choose work based on employer versus location. If one lives in a large metropolitan area, there are numorous oppotunities. Smaller more rural areas are very slow to change and opportunities are limited.

I will be looking for this attitude toward work to flourish in other geographical areas as well as expand in scope.

Investing in Antiques and Collectibles

I enjoy buying and selling antiques and collectibles. I'm not sure that investing in these versus other investment vehicles is the thing to do, though. It may be good to use them to diversify your investments. You know, financial experts are always telling you to diversify.

I would suggest you know about what you are investing in also and buy quality items and not just fads. One thing I've found with many antiques and collectibles is that what is hot today may not be hot tomorrow. I guess it's a lot like trying to time the stock market, you probably can't. As is usually advised for stocks, invest in quality at a fair price and not the hot picks of the day. Unless you really know what you are buying and you can sell them quickly and make some money, don't go for the fads.

What Does It Mean to be Wealthy

We hear about "the wealthy", "the wealthiest 1%" etc. What does that mean. Does it mean they are millionaires, multi-millionaires? Does it mean they earn a million or their net worth is a million and does that include one's prmary residence? As you can see, the definition of wealthy can be different, and depending on your own financial situation, it may mean different things to you. Merriam-Webster defines wealth as "abundance of material possessions or resources". Still subjective. Then there is the word affluent. Are the affluent wealthy? Are affluent and wealthy different?

What does it really matter, whether you feel wealthy may depend on your environment. It may depend on how you stack up compared to your peers, your geography, and whether you are doing better than them.

Those who don't feel wealthy may imagine the wealthy don't have any cares and live on easy street. In many ways, they do. One of the most important benefits of wealth is freedom. They don't have to stay at a job they hate or even work in a traditional job. However, they do have cares and in many ways their life is more complex. Someone who doesn't have much, life is simple in that their main concern is meeting basic shelter, food and clothing needs. For the wealthy, they are concerned about keeping and growing their wealth, making wise investments, estate planning, and if they own a business they may have employee and investor concerns.

Freedom to choose, though is the best reason to achieve wealth. You don't have freedom from cares, though.

Making Stupid Mistakes - What Can Parents Do to Help

I just heard about a young man who quit high school. I cannot fathom why any young person in this day and age would do that. Do they not realize that one cannot get a decent job, if any, without an education. A college education is now a requisite for any decent paying job.

I know we all have heard about the successful person who made it without going to college, but they are few and far between. Why would you reduce your chances at success and even a decent life by giving up on education.

The young man I was referring to above, quit school, and is working as a door to door salesman. I wonder if that's what he wants to do for the rest of his life and if he is even making any money. He is also renting a house with his girlfriend. He thought he had it so bad at home. It may have seemed bad, but what about when he has go crawling back to mom and dad because his grand plan did not work out.

Parents do have some responsibility here. They must instill a respect for education in their children. Education alone will not guarantee success of course. They must also instill a good work ethic. Hard work and education also does not guarantee success. Responsibility, a degree of risk taking, self-confidence, creativity, curiosity, integrity among other qualities add to greater odds of achieving success in one's life and career. Too often, I see parents who hold children back by their own failures and inadequacies.

Hope for a better life for your children and help them get there not by giving them financial handouts but by giving them a strong character and mental attitude.

Networking and Friends

I just read an article about how to network and the jist of it seemed to be that if you want to be good at networking, be a good friend. Do things like care about people, help others, listen to what they have to say, find out their interests. It was enlightening and makes me want to do something for all of my friends and colleagues.

By the way, the best time to practice this is when you don't need anything. People can see through you when you are being nice just so you can get something from it. Also, don't pick your friends based on what you think they might do for you in the future. Everyone has their own network of people they know that they could get you in touch with as well as provide valuable lessons and insights. It is even best to not have all the same kind of friends, for instance only ones in your profession. It is good to get other views. Broaden your horizons and mind.

I'm New to Blogger

I'm new to blogging, but want to give it a try. I would like to eventually do some things that would allow me make some money blogging. Please send any comments on what you or others are doing to make money blogging.

I plan to post about making and saving money and other personal finance issues, career and life changes, antiques and collectibles, maybe an occasional commentary in the political area. I know it is kind of diverse, but so are my interests. Do you think it is best to create blogs for different areas of interest?

My story is that I recently left the corporate world to work for a small part time not for profit. I was burnt out by the politics, crazy deadlines, stress, power struggles and drama of the corporate climate I was in. I transitioned to a part time position where I have less stress and less hours so that I have more time to pursue my other interests. I am an accountant by trade, but would eventually like to do some other things. I also have a small antique business on the side and do some accounting contract work. I am happy I made the change but sometimes have pangs about it, like feeling like I am a loser because I left a good paying job for something that is a lot less and feeling isolated from my profession. I also miss friends and the collabortion with my peers. Please let me know if you have made a career change and how you are doing with it.