Seniors Site

Of course, holiday seasons are not all about money spending. Just think of it this way, if we are to buy gifts to give our loved-ones, it should come from somewhere right?.. Why not use this excellent opportunity to make extra money you can either save for rainy days or just spend for more gifts this Christmas?

According to marketing experts, holidays are the best time for hawking your wares, if you happen to have one already. If not, it’s not too late to start one and if you are worrying about starting a business you’re not sure you can attend fulltime, no worries there too as you can offer services only on seasons like this when sales are good. You don’t even have to go hunt for a place to display your products as you can use your social networking sites such as Twitter, MySpace, and Facebook for exposure. This way you are sure to enjoy the holiday season and be looking forward to it the next time! Here are some suggestions you can do to make a sale—or boost them—this holiday season:

·    Sell your hobby! The best thing you can offer your potential clients is something that you have already established expertise over. Have a knack for baking? You should know that sweet treats are the best giveaways. It can be fruitcakes, cookies, brownies, cupcakes and even full-sized cakes for events! You can never go wrong with these things. If, by chance you already have an existing product to sell, try introducing something new to your market, like a limited offer or in discounted price.
·    Get the right exposure! Of course, how else would your potential buyer know you have something special in your hands that you are willing to sell if you don’t tell them? Don’t be shy, give it a shot and be amazed on how your target market will respond. If your shyness gets the best of you, try announcing it in a more friendly ground such as your Twitter account. This way, you are directing your announcement to many, both to close friends and acquaintances, which will alleviate your shyness a little.
·    Give them updates! This applies to both seasonal sellers and business owners. Always remember that your customers tend to forget, even if your products do wonders. You need to keep them updated with your promos or whatever is new in your line of products. This way, they will remember the amazingness of your product and compel them to buy for friends and families this Christmas.
·    Give something back! Since you are most likely to get something from the season, might as well give something back too. You don’t need to give your products away but you can offer discounts or little what-not to express your gratitude. This will only make the bond with your customer a lot stronger.
·    Be festive! Let’s just say it comes with the season. If you are going to sell at this time of the year, might as well do it in a mood that clearly reflects the season. You don’t need to be gloomy when all the others are having the time of their lives right?

Since the last time’s post garnered favorable response from seniors-site.com’s visitors, we would assume that most viewers of this site come from the senior workforce. Actually, this data should be expected since most seniors today still belong to the office-going group and 9-5 jobs. Although at this point in one’s life when freelancing must be the most suitable considering health and comfort, you’ll notice that there are seniors—and that is, a significant number of them—who prefer to stay within the confines of offices where they have spent almost all their lives. Adaptability, however, has nothing to do with it, but loyalty appears to be a great factor affecting their choice.

For the young and restless, this must be a little hard to understand since their life’s choices heavily depend on primal instinct, wherein when faced with office conflicts, instead of dealing with it in a mature, business-like way, they tend to “fight or flight”. Due to this attitude, it is 100% possible for offices to undergo changes from time to time, such as recovering from an office conflict, calm before the storm and of course, the main event. During these office episodes, it is best if you always know where to stand or how to react THE RIGHT WAY just so you prevent getting into unnecessary trouble. Here are some basic office etiquette for working seniors:

·    Even if you are already starting to look like a carved ornament in your office due to your extensive working years with the company, it is still not nice to act differently when someone new comes around. While your position in the office structure has long been established, just consider how the newbie might be feeling right now. Instead, as the “senior”, you must act as the welcoming committee of your team and make the new recruit as comfortable as can be.
·    Learn to modulate your voice when talking. No need to shout when you need something or when conducting business. Never when calling out your office mate’s name, not when talking over the phone, not even in emails (It’s possible to shout there. To prevent this, stay away from the Caps Lock button). When you feel that everyone around you is starting to talk in hushed tones, then it’s time to have your own ears checked.
·    A healthy, working environment is when everybody is helpful and workers are willing to share their expertise. Since by now, you must be “the expert”, the best thing you can do is help others make the work easier for them rather than just watch them wade helplessly through tasks.
·    Humans make mistakes. It is part of the growing process and you should allow it. Sometimes, hardcore office bodies—such as you—tend to be hypercritical when it comes to the work done by beginners. So what if they made a mess with the task assigned to them? Maybe you weren’t guiding them enough.
·    You have come this far. It means you got enough office experience under your belt and most probably, you are the most favored person in the office. Please don’t use this advantage for power-tripping and such. It is not nice. Give others a chance to grow and see where their talents lie.

Office politics is no joke and it is not exclusive to the younger society as well. Seniors can also encounter these problems even if they are not asking for it. No matter how you stay humble and efficient when it comes to handling jobs, it can arise at most unfortunate times. The only advantage we, seniors, may have is that we are more experienced to handle these kinds of situation especially if we have been in the workforce for only God knows when!

Office politics is one of the many workplace stressors. It usually occurs when something new happens to the office’s structure, such as when an aggressive newbie comes in and has been an instant favorite of the superiors for whatever reason. It can create a lot of stress to the existing work structure and can seriously affect those who have been working harmoniously prior to the change. On the other hand, office politics can exist even before you get hired which only makes it harder for you to blend in.

Upon detection, we must not attempt to change anything because we risk losing our job all the more. Unless you are ready to get fired, the best thing to do is to divert your attention to yourself so you can adequately protect your being for what it’s worth.

·    Be wise. Let’s face it, when your superiors chose to shower someone with lots of love, there’s not much you can do. While it’s most appealing to just fight back, it is not very healthy for your career. If the situation is somewhat manageable then let them be. If you cannot take it anymore, then drop the job like a hot potato. Either way, there’s no need to fuss about it unless you prefer to look like a jealous lover.
·    It’s funny how office politics can easily turn a good employee to one unproductive being. This is because conflicts like this can cause unwanted diversion, no matter how much you choose to ignore them. If you’re the victim then it’s time to put the blinders on and just continue doing your job.
·    Know when to back off. Backing off does not make you a coward, it’s a strategy best learned by winners. Instead, focus on making things done so there will be no loose ends on your part.
·    ..and shut up. There’s nothing worse than bitching around and spreading gossip about someone you don’t like. The lesser you speak, the more you are handling the situation well. Plus, it eliminates the possibility of you being torn between two opposing bodies.
·    Don’t take it personally. You don’t control other people’s action, what you can only control is your own. Instead of taking everything personally, opt to take a mindset that is business-like. You don’t need these people hindering your success.
·    If, for some reason, you’re unable to fully detach yourself from office politics, then try a different approach. Since you wish to be taken personally, why not make friends with the opposition and try to understand where this person is coming from. Next, try to make it more productive for both of you and work towards it. It’s called compromising.

Is your job driving you nuts already? Are there days when you feel depressed and overly tired coming home from work only to be bombarded with more tasks to accomplish at home? Do you feel hopelessly lonely and isolated? Then, you must be feeling stressed-out and unfortunately, it’s bearing down on you.

Stress is never healthy, although some say it can lead to a more productive work-pace. It can be, if applied ONLY when needed but if taken 24/7, it can affect one’s competency which in return, can bring down a team’s effort. As for seniors, stress can take its toll health-wise and it is something that all seniors must avoid since their health is at its most vulnerable.

I would like to think of stress as one that possesses a domino effect. That is, when one area of your life gave in due to stress, it will bring everything down with it. Likewise, rebuilding it can be a tedious task to take and will certainly require some time and effort in your part. The most effective way to combat this domino effect is to lessen stress, if not preventing it altogether. If somehow you feel you are already knee-deep with all the stress you are feeling right now, take baby steps to break free from it. Do it one day at a time and soon you’ll be getting your desired result. Here are some suggestions you can do for a stress-free day at work:

EARLY AT HOME: Your “work day” doesn’t really start from the minute you stepped in the office. It starts at home. Early mornings are the most hardest in one’s life, especially if you are living with someone—or many, and you are in charge for most of them. Just ask the sandwich generation! This is the time when everybody must be feeling either pressed for time or too irritated to talk. As for you, try to “isolate” yourself from all these craziness that have been going around you. Just as long as you have prepared everything you need the night before, you don’t need to contribute to the morning noise anymore.

GOING TO WORK:  Walking is a great way to start your day. It works two ways: one, you get your fair share of exercise for the day and two, you eliminate the possibility of getting stressed with the morning traffic. If work is only a short distance away from your house then walk to it, given that it is safe for you to do so. Of course, wear a sensible pair of walking shoes too!

WORK RELATIONSHIPS: Working requires many different levels of relationships. It can be boss-employee relationship, between co-workers, and the unavoidable close, personal relationships (whatever that means!). Between a boss and an employee, it is best if there are clear, reasonable expectations to serve as a guideline for both. Clear instructions are meant to be given to employees and questions must be asked to the boss, if there’s any. This way, stress could be eliminated and the work will be done efficiently.

Try to do away with conflicts involving coworkers. Just imagine how hard it can be when working in a very small world with someone you just had a bitter spat with. A brewing spat can also heighten up the stress so as much as possible, try to maintain a healthy working environment.

Close, personal relationships are generally not encouraged within a workplace. Why? Because it impairs one’s good judgment. Be it a friend or an affair, it can jeopardize a project.

YOUR OWN CUBICLE: A cluttered space clutters the mind as well. Organize your own space so you can work effectively and won’t be bothered with last minute rummaging for a missing file. Make your own space as comfortable as can be. Make sure that you don’t feel any discomfort while working in this area because you’ll be spending a lot of time in it. Make it as your own “recharging” zone. Music can calm the mind so don’t forget to listen to some once in a while.

ATTITUDE:  Do you know that most people unknowingly put a great deal of stress to their own being? It’s okay to expect great things from yourself but if something becomes too impossible to do so, try to be a little more accepting of your own limitations. It’s okay to be a little bit slower today, it’s okay not to meet today’s deadline; just because you know you did your best.

GOING HOME:  I would like to say that we must end our “working day” right at this very moment. Evenings are meant to relax us and free us from the demands we had encountered during the day. Unfortunately, this isn’t so. Take this time to prepare for the next day (remember crazy mornings?) and if possible, try to do things that will calm your mind—and your nerves too. Practice meditation techniques to help you achieve a calmer attitude.

Just imagine how good it can be if you go through retirement as planned and still have a little something to sustain your luxuries in life. Great, isn’t it? But with the worsening economic status felt the world over, it is easy for retiring seniors to have serious doubts about their well-planned retirement. In fact, most seniors delay retirement as much as they could just because they felt they are not quite ready for it yet.

The pockets may not agree with your desires anytime soon but let’s not forget that the body does have its own limitations and sooner or later, it is bound to shout “enough is enough” at you. Certainly, you wouldn’t want this time to arrive especially when there are still sights to see and things to experience and you need your body to be at its top-shape when they happen. The good news is, you can still make it happen, on your own terms—and while taking your own sweet time.

Scouring the streets for a job, both part-time and full-time is dead flat hard especially for seniors who might have been enduring bodily aches and pain all the while. Lay-offs are not only a scare for seniors but may also signify the end of comfortability and the start of something really doubtful for aging bodies to undertake. Unfortunately, layoffs know no boundaries and it will come when it does. The worst thing that can ever happen to a person is when you are down and broke the moment a nasty layoff comes your way. The good news is, seniors can now welcome them with open arms and even quit their jobs ahead of time if they want to without feeling guilt and remorse over the matter. All you need is a computer and a good internet connection. Considering that these two are almost a staple to anybody’s home, there’s nothing to hinder a senior from acquiring an online retirement job that is easily manageable and rewarding too!

The world of internet is a very vast place wherein you can see great opportunities especially if you’re creative and resourceful. Experts say that online opportunities are virtually boundless and they are just waiting to be discovered by anyone who has the inclination to do so. Truly, the world your internet has created is one that’s entirely separated from the world we’re so used to living in. Career-wise, internet marketing is the most popular route one can take but the competition is a little stiff there and it can get really dirty at times—a situation that is not so healthy for seniors who are looking for a slower pace in life but suits perfectly for those who love challenges.

The idea is to find the job that suits you most. It must be something that you are most comfortable in doing and it should feel less of a burden. It can be an interest such as photography or web design. It can be a skill such as organizational skills for office or businesses. You can even be a blogger for somebody so you can satisfy both heart and wallet. For those with little or no work experience at all, there are paid surveys you can participate in. Bottom line is, your work level is never put in question when in comes to online retirement jobs, it’s only your willingness to try since most jobs won’t require you even a penny to spend but will reward you just the same.

Stress can occur anytime, anywhere and can be caused by numerous factors. In fact, stress is a very general term used if the body experiences tension and unnatural discomfort. It can be physically, emotionally and mentally or even a combination of two. But, going to work seems to be the most stressful of them all since the workplace involves ALL factors of stress.

Please be reminded that when a person reaches a certain age, the body is no longer pliable to external assaults such as stress. When stress is induced to an aging body, it will then respond differently by bringing out underlying diseases and illnesses. These conditions are considered as stress-triggered and usually don’t have any existing cure yet.

Stress in the workplace is hard to ignore. It’s always there and no matter how hard you try to leave it when it’s time to come home, it will just follow you like a shadow. The best thing to do is try to minimize the stress as much as possible. Remember that it is your health that’s at stake so you really need to do something before it gets the best of you.

TIME AND ENERGY MANAGEMENT

When at work, your mortal enemy would be time. Time can do a lot of things to a person. It can even drive you crazy if you let it be. Along with time management, you also need to learn how to manage your energy and make it last longer so you don’t have to come home tired and stressed. In energy management, you need to know when you feel productive during the day and take on jobs that are appropriate for your energy level. Take small breaks in between jobs so you don’t lose momentum without draining your body of much-needed energy. Forget multitasking, it’s not healthy for you.

THE ART OF PRIORITIZING

Prioritizing means knowing what should be done first. It involves creating a timeline for your projects which will clearly indicate what needs to be done in advance and what can be left out for later. It also involves knowing when is the right time to do some certain tasks. Timing is important, know when to attack.

ORGANIZE! ORGANIZE!

Things are done better and more efficient when they are properly organized. Organization also means knowing how to delegate tasks and be able to monitor the project’s progress. You don’t have to do everything by yourself because if you do, you’re only subjecting yourself in a lot of stress. Find the most suitable person for a certain task and let them do the work. This will give you enough space to think of other productive approaches for the project at hand.

Layoffs are cruel, they come at the most unexpected time and place even if you feel confident about your job right now as well as the status of your company. They can hit a workplace at any moment without warnings and it can be very difficult for affected parties. Unfortunately, it cannot be avoided even if the management prefers not to cut back on resources due to the global economic status. Layoffs are meant to be irrational and sometimes, unfair but apparently, that’s how it really goes.

Years back, the most vulnerable workers for layoffs are the inexperienced and senior citizens. Nowadays, the ax is not as picky as it once was anymore. It will hit when the need be, anytime and most certainly anywhere, be it in the lowly janitors’ closet or inside the high-powered executive’s office.

Like stated earlier, layoffs are inevitable and the work climate now is very unstable therefore it is most recommended for seniors to prepare for layoffs especially if they feel the “doomsday” is coming nearer each day. Here are some tips on how to prepare for a layoff, and hopefully you won’t have to use it ever:

·    First off, you need to take a good look into your nest egg to know what your options are. This is the only way to determine where to go when a layoff strikes. If you feel you already reached an adequate amount then you don’t have to worry about layoffs anymore, instead take it in stride by exploring other venues for your own personal growth.
·    If your nest egg is not good enough and acquiring a new job is the only option available for you then it’s time to start setting aside for an emergency fund you can use after the layoff. Your emergency fund should be able to cover you in 6 jobless-months time.
·    Before you try to save anything for rainy days, clear off any existing debts first because if you don’t, it will only eat a portion of your saved money—and more. Debts accumulate interests and these, you have to pay too on top of the principal amount owed.
·    For existing credit card debts, examine closely which card gives lower interest rates and use this as your “only” card to use for all existing debts. Credit card debts are transferable—they even call your home number just to encourage you to do so.
·    Apply money-saving strategies in your lifestyle today. Create a reasonable daily budget that uses only the basics.
·    You’ll be amazed how part-time and freelancing jobs can sustain your needs especially if you’re able to come up with regular clients and steady demand for work.
·    Know your strengths and weaknesses. There is a high demand for skilled workers nowadays and knowing where your strength lies will help you focus on it more. Improve it in any way you can and don’t let age hinder your growth as a person.
·    Being employed has its own benefits and so does layoffs. Know if you are entitled to severance pay and other benefits that come with the amount of time you served the office.

Traveling is a fun and very enjoyable experience for seniors, both men and women. We travel for many different reasons, doubled if we still belong to the working force. Everytime seniors travel, they are given an opportunity to broaden their horizons by learning different cultures and visiting interesting places. It seems that everyone has dreams of traveling many different countries and cities as much as possible and fortunately, it has become more of a trend for many.

Due to these flights to and fro, not to mention the onslaught of passengers every single day, travel services have greatly improved. It has become common nowadays to hear seniors fly from one city to another just to meet someone up then be back for dinner the same day. City-hopping is no longer considered as a luxury; in fact, it has become a necessity for working seniors especially those who hold high positions such as consultants and company presidents. These positions, as we all know, are no longer limited to the male sector but have been invaded by the women force as well.

Since there are many senior women who choose to travel solo, it is important to apply some safety measures to ensure a safe and hassle-free trip as much as possible. Aside from being a senior which would already put you at risk, being a women all the more increases that risk by up to a hundred percent. Although most of these traveling ladies stay confident on their capabilities in protecting themselves in times of need, sadly, unscrupulous people still look at senior ladies as the easiest target of them all.

These simple traveling tips will help you to somehow lessen the risks when traveling alone:

·    All your valuable documents should stay with your body all the time. This includes passports, visas and any other documents you might need in case of emergency. Invest in a good body bag or any other bag that sticks closely to your body without cramping up your style.
·    When traveling, don’t forget to inform someone of your whereabouts—preferably someone who will be left behind–even if it’s a romantic rendezvous. Let them know your supposed schedule of activities or if this is something you cannot afford then at least, your expected time and date of arrival.
·    Don’t give thieves something they are looking for. When they see you sporting expensive little things, you are only attracting fly with a food. Try to maintain a low-profile whenever you’re out alone.
·    One of the most important things that will keep you alive while traveling alone is your medications. Some cities may or may not carry your prescription medicines so to be on the safer side of things, do bring your own when traveling.
·    As much as possible, try to look as if you belong to that city, country or land. Tourists are often considered by local scammers as gullible and ignorant so protect yourself from these unfortunate incidents by acting confident and blend in with your surroundings.

Good news for working seniors, effective last Friday, July 24, 2009, the third installment of minimum wage increase came through. Although the increase is not a life-changing one, this proves to be very helpful for most seniors struggling with daily expenses, and not to mention their medical needs and bills. This is the third and final federal wage increase which preceded the first two ones in 2007 and 2008. However, if as an employee you are qualified for both state and federal wages, the higher of two shall apply.

The wage increase states that there should be a 70-centavos raise to the $6.55 making it at about $7.25 per hour. This means that there will be a $28 more every week for employed seniors if you are working under the federal minimum wage. On the other hand, seniors who are working under the disability program, please be reminded that you are entitled to receive special minimum wage for workers with disability. Furthermore, seniors who are working through the Senior Citizen Employment Program are also eligible for the increase. State wage is expected to follow lead after the federal wage increase has taken effect.

Working seniors are now looking forward to their next paycheck knowing that there will be a big difference as compared to their last one. Most of them are thankful for the increase since it will help them tremendously with their daily living expenses—something that keeps these seniors working even if it’s way beyond their retirement years. It seems that everyone in the workforce had been looking forward for this raise for some time now considering the fact that the economic crisis has been affecting us still.

Prior to this very good news, there had been debates on whether to push through with the wage increase or postpone it for next year. Economic analysts argued against it since they fear that it will only aggravate the situation further. What they fear the most is that small businesses might see the need to cut back on hiring employees or shorten their working hours to ease the stress of wage increase to their businesses. Also, big companies who are hiring employees on a regular basis would be compelled to seek people who are better experienced for the job at hand, eliminating the possibility for entry level jobs which help those first time workers with no experience under their belts. Nonetheless, this situation doesn’t pose any risk for seniors but is proving to be an advantage since most seniors are well-experienced and don’t need further training.

Although the initial shock and panic that recession had brought upon us is way behind us now, the crisis is still existent—and for how long, God only knows. Due to this unexpected turn of events that no one had dreamed of, senior workers are now making the move to, at least, damage-control the situation they find themselves in now and making the best out of it, just like everyone else the world over.

Years back, you are at your retirement age when you reach the age of 62. Legally, you are expected to give up work at around this age while others who had been lucky enough in life retire much earlier than this age. Today, working seniors delay retirement for fear of not being capable to make their life savings tide them over for the rest of their lives. Those who made it to the 60th mark choose to stay at work for 5 years more even if they are already having discomforts in going to and fro work.

It seems that a healthy, enjoyable retirement life will have to stay as a dream for now. But these working seniors are still thankful since they still have work considering there are millions out there who are in search of a job, and they are still increasing in number by the minute. Just imagine all that pressure and competition! In a much racked up shape are seniors who just got off work to start their happy retirement days only to be greeted by the ugly economy and now find it hard to acquire a job once again. These unfortunate seniors would have to put up with rough times ahead and hope for the best. Also, they need to be very wise in spending their money and try to find an alternative source of income such as going online or joining organizations which help seniors find jobs suited to their capabilities and limitations.

According to statistics, about half of the senior population in America now is actively hunting for jobs when they should have been enjoying their golden years comfortably at home and with their loved-ones. This could be very hard especially for seniors who are forced to go back working since issues of age discrimination are still prevalent. Not only it will pose as a great challenge considering the competition and what-not but also it will feel like a Herculean job to accomplish!

Job market consultants recommend seniors to acquire additional credits by enrolling in short courses and even finishing your master’s degree to give you an edge over other job candidates. Short courses will refresh and update you with latest applications you can use for your line of work. This will also help you in acquiring or enhancing other skills that you may have while master’s degrees will build stronger credentials hence higher salary to compensate seniors.