MoneyWiseWomen

Tips on How to Succeed When Starting a New Job

I receive a lot of questions from women on what they should do when starting a new job.  I like to keep things simple, so I always try to remember the acronym, “S.T.U.D.Y.”  Just follow this easy-to-remember map to settling into your new position:

Financial Infidelity runs Deep

By: Dr. Bonnie Eaker Weil

There may be even MORE to the Bernie Madoff case than it at once appeared – not that it's really that surprising at this point! One of his investors is claiming to have had a 20-year long affair with him.  The memoir, "Madoff's Other Secret: Love, Money, Bernie, and Me," was written by Sheryl Weinstein, whose relationship with Madoff spanned more than 20 years while both were married.

Why Weistein – who is married – would want to write such a tell-all book about the sexual indiscretions with a man she calls an “equal opportunity destroyer” is complicated and confusing. But if true, it points to another faction of infidelity that Madoff fell victim to, in addition to Financial Infidelity on behalf of his clients and investors. I suspect that Madoff suffered from an infidelity addiction – one that could prove to be both financial and sexual.

Less Debt-Related Stress

By Dr. Bonnie Eaker Weil

Americans are feeling less stress from debt these days than we were last year. It may seem a little odd since unemployment rates are still high, peoples' life savings and retirement investments are still depleted, homes are undervalued, etc. but according to a new study by the Associated Press, people are – for the first time in a while – optimistic about the future.  This has led to an overall decrease in stress levels – by as much as 12 percent over last years' levels.

“People now have some optimism that the worst is behind them,” said Paul J. Lavrakas, a research psychologist and AP consultant who analyzed the results of the survey.

One of the things I attribute this to is a phenomenon we've seen since the recession began - “staying in is the new going out.” And this trend has had some positive side effects: Families are connecting. People are viewing their budget as a team effort. Couples are saving more. All these things are also likely factors in the increase in positive debt perception that the study reveals. People feel like they might be gaining control of their lives again.