Broke People Stock of the Week

By Doc S | Published: September 1, 2010

Welcome to a new weekly segment at Finance Your Life and our first segment where we feature an outside contributor!  Every Wednesday (I know today is Thursday I am trying to build a schedule!), we will be sharing with you the simple, short, and sound investment advice of a normal guy off Twitter!  Mr. HCharles provides a weekly stock tip that he has coined the Broke People Stock of the Week!  (check out the twitter hashtag #bpstow ).

This will give me an opportunity to explore the investment side of the world.  I have my retirement accounts, but am unable to trade stocks right now because the role at work prevents me from freely trading stocks.  I have special windows I have to go through with compliance since I have access to fund data from all of our various vendors.

We will highlight this every week, as long as he is sharing his thoughts, and we will also take a look back at the performance of the stocks he is picking every week as well.  You gotta admit, this is an unreal thing.   Investment ideas (neither of us are professionals, I am working on the legal disclaimer) targeting cheap stocks and ALL within 140 characters on Twitter!

Without any more delays, we present to you the Broke People Stock of the Week by Mr. H. Charles:

“Broke People Stock of the Week: Citigroup (C) currently @ $3.83. S&P has a 12mnth price target of $5.50. Get it while its cheap #bpstow”

Citigroup is an interesting choice considering the economic turmoil we are currently in, but it is definitely on the cheap end.  Back in March of 2009 it hit its low around $1.00, which I am sure pushed a ton of people who were not in it before into buying it at that price.

Check back in next week for his next Broke People Stock of the Week and check out some of his archives to see some other recommendations.  Be easy.

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The Boss Of Extreme Feedback

By Doc S | Published: September 1, 2010

Let me paint a little picture for you.  You work at a company and you have a resource manager, we will refer to this person as your boss for the duration of this piece.  You work for this boss and every few weeks you have meetings with him for the purpose of going over your progress and your work.

You have a one on one meeting with them and go over your progress and work of the last two weeks.  Their response is amazing, gushing with support of how awesome you are doing!  Everyone is saying great things about you and your boss has collected excellent feedback.  Win Right?  Store that thought.

A few weeks later, you have another meeting.  However, this time the reaction is the total opposite.  You hear things like “underachieving” and “your peers are running circles around you”.  You feel surprised and shocked because the feedback really catches you off guard since two weeks earlier you were on a Lebron James level but now you are Lebron James in Cleveland after he left for Miami!

Imagine this occurred for a few months, even half a year, with each few times, your feedback flipping back and forth.  The remarks from you boss are either extremely positive or extremely negative.   Imagine that for a second … Is this a problem?

I think so and believe this is an issue with the manager.

If your work has been the same consistent effort throughout the entire time and the feedback you are receiving is drastically inconsistent from the previous meeting, there is an issue with your manager and their ability to provide feedback.  It is an issue if the feedback sits on each extreme pole every time and never finds anything in between.  Sometimes managers feel that the only way they can get you to understand is by being extreme.  Whether they are being critical and trying to motivate you or praising you for something that might be exaggerated.

This is the situation I am currently experiencing and one of the reasons I am looking for a new job internally.  It is one thing to get horrible feedback from your manager.  It is a totally different situation where the only possibilities are on the North and South poles.  I have been putting forth the same effort and performing the same way this entire time and I have project managers and technical leads that have given me that feedback.

So it is just the boss.  The one that is in charge of my appraisal and the one that handles my mid and end year reviews.  This is not the person that I want to be in control of my career development if I never know where I stand with them!

Anyone find anything wrong with this or is it just me?

Posted in My Career | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Found a New Internal Job But The Boss Does Not Know

By Doc S | Published: August 30, 2010

Say you did not like your boss and you found a new position internally, would you give them a heads up that you were looking to bounce somewhere else?  Hear me out!

I recently made it known that it is time for me to look for a new job.  While I am creating my resume for the external search, I think I may have found the newest job for my right under my nose.  Over the last few weeks, I have reached out to various senior level peers at work to get advice on what to do with my career.  It has been a few weeks of me networking my face off with the hopes of me finding a door I can stick my foot in.  I have found the door and have kicked the damn thing down.

I found a position that has been open for almost three months now and it is the perfect challenge for me.  The problem?  My current boss thinks I love my job because a month and a half ago we had one of those “career discussions” where we talk about what we are doing and where we want to go.  I expressed that I was happy with the work I was doing and I see myself doing this for a few more years.  I basically was trying to say everything I could to ensure that she knew I wanted to move up within my team.  We have had a tenuous relationship the last six months, so I wanted to keep everything positive.

This morning is going to be HUGE for me!  I am planning on posting for the position internally, however, I wanted to make sure my current boss knows that I am because she will receive a notification the moment I apply internally.  With all that being said, I am trying to take the diplomatic route here and preserve whatever positive thoughts I can from my current boss.  This is one situation where I actually am trying to be as professional as possible because she will have a large input into my transition to my next role.

I compare this to Bill Clinton going to North Korea to free that American.  Okay maybe not on that level, but its just an example.  The point is, I am trying to keep everything kosher with the hopes of possibly landing a higher salary or promotion out of this new position, because the job I am posting for is one step higher.  Either way, this will be a lateral move for myself that has a ton of potential, along with a free start and I really need one!

My boss was out of the office last week, so I sent her a note for a quick discussion Monday morning and she accepted.  I plan on explaining to her that I am extremely happy with my current position, however, I am always looking for a new challenge that will provide me more growth for my career (sounds amazing doesn’t it?).  This new position deals with an enterprise search product, which would be huge for me to gain some experience in.  I did not want to startle her to receive an automated email after I applied for the job, although she probably thinks I am handing in my two weeks notice with the email I sent while she was on vacation!

Either way, by lunch time today, I am hoping to be in a better state of mind and hopefully on the path to a new position that can challenge me to get up happier every morning.  If you have not noticed, I really do hate my job.  All in the name of professionalism.

Posted in My Career | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Count Your Pennies Away From Me

By Doc S | Published: August 27, 2010

There is a fine line between being fiscally cognizant of your money and totally unrealistic.  People who refer to themselves as being frugal usually have little quirky things that they save money on, even if it is just a few bucks.  However, in the grand scheme of things, these people normally are not insane about every little aspect of money in their lives.

The latter description above is the persona of a penny counting person.  If you fall into this category, do not take my words personally, you may be a great person, but I just have issues with your state of mind and its impact on those around you.

Let’s get this straight, this argument of frugal versus penny pinching has nothing to do with how much money you have, this is a principle.  I know people with very little money that spend money like its going out of style and I know people that are well off that watch what they spend.

I have an issue with the people that analyze every transaction (whether its made or not) and count every little last penny.  If you follow up every sentence with phrases like “That’s expensive!” or “I/We can’t afford it”, you need to take a few steps away from me.  The fact that you tell me that you paid $1 less than me for that item has no impact on my life.  When you ask me how much I paid for every thing I bring up makes me want to tell you that I got everything for free just to see how you would react.

Whether you are a person I met for the first time, a friend, relative, or the person I might sleep next to on this night, you counting and over analyzing every dollar and cent is eating me up inside.  I know I may sound like the biggest hypocrite, after all, this dude writing the post is the one that is swimming in student loan debt, over came mountains of credit card debt, and it always complaining about not having enough money.  Yeah, that’s me! (Hand is raised).

Throughout all my mistakes with money, I must say, I have had an amazing time.  I would love to have a ton of things back, but each one is a lesson learned for me and those that are important to me in life.  Moving forward, I am trying to be frugal, but if I want to get something done, I am not going to let a few bucks get me down or the opinion of a penny pincher make me think otherwise.  I am saving for my future and planning for the years down the road, but that won’t be at the expense of everything I want to do in the present time.

With all that being said, go ahead, and tell me how big of a hypocritical asshole I am.  I’ll wait.

photo by koolestkyle

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Is Tuition Reimbursement A Reason Not To Look For A New Job?

By Doc S | Published: August 25, 2010

Every situation in life presents, at least, two complimentary options.  When it comes to career development, often times we are presented with situations that force us into decisions that can alter our career paths, hopefully upward.  One subject that is huge in the workplace is whether it is worth it to get your master’s degree.

Three years ago I started my graduate degree and I just completed it last March.  Most days it feels like it was all worth it.  However, a few months into the post-master’s career, I am faced with the dilemma where many companies obligates me to a sign tuition reimbursement agreement.  By signing my name on the dotted line, my company agreed to pick up the tab of $7,000 /year to pay for my tuition and books.  In total, I got my $34,000 degree paid in full by my company.  In return, I owe them two years of service.  Sounds like a Christian Mission when I put it that way right?

Now I am faced with the dilemma of whether I should look for a job elsewhere or stick it out for the two years.  If I do find a job elsewhere, I would have to pay, at most, $11,000 right now.  Many people tell me I could easily find a job that would negotiate picking up any tab that I would have lingering from one job to the other.  I am personally not sold on that notion.

Do you know anyone who has gotten a company to pay for something similar?

If I stay the duration of the time required, I avoid having to shell out that extra cash to repay the tuition, but I am stuck working at this conservative establishment whose culture is tearing me apart from the inside out.  X

What Should I do?

Posted in My Career | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Canadian Weekend

By Doc S | Published: August 20, 2010

It’s been a rough few days at work and at the crib with a ton of stuff going on.  I am heading to Canada this morning, Montreal specifically, for a wedding for my cousin.  I’ll be back up on Monday with some updates, more stories, and also a spending list of what I did while in Montreal.  I should probably exchange my cash right?  Hit me up on twitter at @doctor_S over the weekend.

Have an amazing weekend world.

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Why Do I Not Have A Resume?

By Doc S | Published: August 18, 2010

It has been announced, I hate my job.  My friends have known this for a little while, so they told me that it is time for me to start looking for something new, both internally and externally.  I was super pumped and excited because I have been very interested to see how I stack up in the job market, especially since I recently completed my master’s degree in March.

One problem.  I don’t have a resume.  I have not been on an interview since 2006 and I don’t even remember what my undergraduate GPA was.  I found an old resume from when I was interviewing for jobs out of college, but it is extremely outdated and it is full of internships in my work experience section.

So where the hell do I start?

I don’t even know what a good resume looks like these days and whether companies look for the same thing that they did 4 years ago.  At this point in my career, I obviously would not be looking to find any entry-level positions.  I have no idea how to manage my resume in applying to more senior positions.  Do I keep my internships on there?  What about my coursework?  Is it okay to go onto a second page finally?

All are valid questions and I am sure the answers will vary depending on who I ask!  My first step I took was this evening by logging onto my Linkedin account to accept about 45 connection requests.  I barely ever utilize this account but a bunch of people told me its a great place to gather your thoughts about what you have done in your career.  It helped, but I don’t know about all that!

So what I am gonna do is come up with my new resume and I will then figure out a way I can post it here on Finance Your Life.  I will obviously leave out my personal identification information, but this will give me an opportunity to have the entire web critique my resume.  If you are interested in joining in on the fun, shoot me an email or get at me on Twitter and we can feature your anonymous resume for everyone to critique.

photo by SOCIALisBETTER

Posted in Career | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

My Life List

By Doc S | Published: August 17, 2010

If you have not read anything that is written at Budgets Are Sexy, you need to get over there now and talk to J. Money.  Yesterday, he posted a creative piece on his life list, a sheet of items that he is pledging to get done in his lifetime.  If you follow my twitter feed, you already know that a ton of my tweets consist of me daydreaming all day.  If I could find someone to hire me as a professional brainstormer, I would take a pay cut.

I present to you my list of things I am going to strive to do before the day I die.  Some may seemed far-fetched but you can’t reach a goal if you don’t have one!

  1. WSOP – The buy in for this event is $10,000 last I checked.  Over 7,000 entries this past year and I actually knew a participant!  If you make it to the last 400 I believe you get paid.  I played a ton of poker in college, I need to pick it back up.
  2. Visit the motherland – I have not been to India since I was six years old and my younger brother has never been there.  I want to fly there and just travel from the north end of the country to the southern beaches and just experience everything that beautiful place has to offer.
  3. World Cup Brazil 2014 – I have become a futbol nut over the last few years.  A bunch of friends went to South Africa this year and had an amazing.  Four years til Brazil means I have four years to get my act together so I can watch the USA Men’s National Team try and put on a better showing!
  4. Start a nonprofit – I know you really do not need money to start a nonprofit organization, but I would love to be in a situation where I did not have to worry about money and could attempt to help those who need it even more than me.  There is a United Negro College Fund, but nothing for Asians?  Not every Asian did well in school!  (I have my hand raised).
  5. Send my father to school – I came up with this yesterday.  My dad is retired now and has nothing to do.  I want to send him to a culinary school with the hopes of him being able to open up something himself.  Allowing him to stay busy with something that he is passionate about would be a major win for me.  This will be put in motion in the short term.
  6. Vegas for 1 night – Want to go to Vegas tonight?  Busy tomorrow night?  Fine, let’s go right now and I will have you home by happy hour tomorrow!  Not trying to be a baller, but I would like to go throw a quick $500 on red 5 at the roulette table at Mandalay Bay!
  7. Court side seats – People always talk about Spike Lee sitting court side at the Knicks game or Jack at the Lakers games.  Well, I want to sit right next to them.  I would probably need to call Ari Gold to hook me up on this one even if I had the cash!
  8. Own on each coast – Need to head to NYC for the night?  I got a place.  Need a spot in Santa Monica out west?  I got you there too.   Private jet?  Nope, sorry can’t help you with everything!
  9. Buy a stake in a sports team – The Mark Cuban in me has always been wild.  Every person thinks they know everything about sports.  Well, I am telling you that I really do know a good amount.  If you are in Philly, I will buy you a beer and pick your brain about any sports team and what they need to do to get better… or worse.
  10. Charity – There are so many people out there that are less fortunate than us, that can’t even open up an Internet browser to read this post, let alone eat properly.  We should not have to be rich to give to the needy.  Think about it. 

Special thanks again to J. Money at Budgets Are Sexy for stimulating our minds like he always does.  These types of brainstorm sessions area always good when we are reading the same money stuff nonstop.  It’s good to day dream and venture out into left field once in a while, just make sure you can find your way back.  Spread the love.

Posted in My Life | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Hate Your Job: Find a Mentor

By Doc S | Published: August 16, 2010


What do you do when you hate your job?

Realistically, what options do you have when your nine to five provides that empty feeling in your stomach from the moment you wake up in the morning?

Welcome to my world.  I really have begun to hate my job and it is not getting better.  Working at a large financial company of over 10,000 people, I feel like I have been lost in the shuffle.  My career right now has very little direction and I find myself in a position that is offering me very little growth in the short term.

This is a common feeling for people who hate their job.  It is that point where they reach that plateau in a specific position and it seems like everything else is passing them by.  The worst thing you can do in this situation is a) feel sorry for yourself and b) sit and do nothing.

At this point, action is required.  One amazing strategy for finding answers in this situation is to reach out to any mentors you may have.  Target people that are in positions that interest ,you or who manage positions that you would like to try out.  However, don’t play the card of  “I hate my job please get me a new position”.  Your tone should be more along the lines that you are looking for a new challenge and would like to gain some perspective from that person because you value their opinion.  Your goal should be to ensure that this person gets you on their radar as someone they would like to have work for them and/or someone who they would recommend for another position.

Over the last few weeks, I have had two informal meetings with former managers at my company.  I explained to them the current situation that I am in and I asked them for advice about what my next steps should be at my company.  It did not help that they gave me conflicting advice.  The first manager told me not to move to not to settle for just ANY  job in order to get out of the current situation.  The second manager told me to get out as soon as possible and get any fresh start that is out there.

Over the next two weeks, I have three more informal meetings scheduled with some peers and managers that I have grown close during the last four years.  It is important to tap into these resources from quality employees that have worked at the same company for a while because they understand the nuances that go down on a daily basis.

Finding a mentor is just one strategy when you hate your job.  Understand, I am currently focusing on searching for a new gig internally at my company.  The discussions have also lead to suggestions of finding a new job externally, but right now its not in the cards for me.  It may be different for you.  What experiences do you have when it comes to finding a mentor?

Do you find that having a mentor helps with your career development?

If you hate your job, chime in and if you don’t, leave some positive thoughts!

Posted in Career | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Follow Finance Friday: The Blog 2.0

By Doc S | Published: August 13, 2010

Just by the proof the the numbers, I believe I have gotten over a new hump in the game of blogging.  This week was, by far, one of my most successful as a web log publisher, blogger for short.  I experienced more traffic this week than any other, for numerous reasons.

  • My story about how to wake up earlier was a featured post this week on the Brazen Careerist
  • With Mr. Driver ‘s help, I submitted XML sitemaps to the various search engines (Bout time idiot!)
  • I actually wrote at least one post everyday.  Sorry this one is a little late, work was busy today.
  • I had my ideas churning in my head all week and I just could not wait to get some of these ideas onto the computer.
  • I was social bookmarking and tweeting my face off interacting with everyone on the web about the different posts.

To make a long story short, I felt like a new man this week writing, living, sleeping, eating, and writing.  If I could only recharge myself at my job in the same way, life would be amazing right now, but I will talk the smaller victories for now.  Stay tuned next week for some updates on my job as I have some HUGE decisions to make in the very near future.  With that being said, enjoy the regular content and shoot me some emails, comments, or tweets with anything you want to read about.  We need to start a reader mailbox.  I will have to come up with a prize to get this going, I’ll ask mom to make a cake or something.

On to the best articles of the week!

http://www.budgetsaresexy.com/2010/08/ahhhhh-i-did-something-so-freakin-stupid/
Posted in Link Love | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments