Everybody with a credit card knows it's smart to pay what you owe at the end of every month - right? According to CardWeb.com, an international credit card tracker, credit card debt is approximately $9000 per household for those carrying at least one credit card. Internet shopping increases the temptation to overspend, since cash or checks are rarely an option if you're online to shop.Holiday spending is a notoreous time when consumers rack up their credit card bills. According the Cardweb.com, Americans racked up just over $115 billion in retail spending on their credit and debit cards during... view article details

1. Gift Cards Perhaps you want to give them something more personal than a $50 bill. Giving them a gift card to somewhere they registered is a great alternative.2. Honeymoon Ok, so maybe you can’t foot the entire bill. But a lot of couples are now asking for a little help towards creating the most amazing and memorable honeymoon.3. A Television To watch their wedding video on of course!4. A Grill There’s nothing better than grilling together in the backyard.5. Knife Set You just gotta have a good set of knives!6. Bath and Bedding She loves ... view article details

Design Matters Whether you consciously think about it or not, design has an influence on the decisions you make every day -- the phone you use, couch you purchase, shoes you wear, and websites you visit. Why is it then, that the concept of design still seems to be in the dark ages when it comes to job-hunting? Many people think that great design is too expensive, but my feeling is that design is an investment.If you've got the knack for it, it's worth it to take classes and become skilled with the latest software. If it's not your thing, find a designer you enjoy working with who unde... view article details

It's half an hour before an executive schmooze-fest at the MIT Sloan School of Management, and Ken Morse is giving last-minute networking tips to a crowd of MBA students and invited guests. As managing director of the MIT Entrepreneurship Center, Morse teaches aspiring business leaders the nuts and bolts of growing and sustaining a business. His lecture on networking is one of the highlights of the semester.Networking - or making professional contacts through friends, family, and other associates - is the most popular way to find a new job, according to a Salary.com poll. It is also an indispe... view article details

Likeanomics Examines the Truth Behind Earning Trust, Influencing Behavior & Inspiring Action Ever lose out on a new job or promotion even though you were the more qualified person? Maybe you're just not likeable. Rohit Bhargava is this week's "Salary Talk" guest and the author of the recently released book "Likeonomics: The Unexpected Truth Behind Earning Trust, Influencing Behavior, and Inspiring Action." Bhargava contends that likeability has become modern currency and is invaluable to everyone from political candidates to job seekers, making it more necessary now than ever before for pe... view article details

Networking is Essential Industry conferences offer outstanding opportunities for networking. They’re ideal places to meet new people, catch up with those you already know and -- if you plan it right -- introduce yourself to your next employer. But that's easier said than done, especially if you're new to the conference scene or you've never been taught any networking skills. But whether you're an extrovert who fits naturally into any situation or someone who has a hard time meeting and talking to new people, networking is a necessary skill if you're looking to get ahead.With that in m... view article details

The teens and 20s are always a tricky time for young adults trying to launch careers, move into their own households, figure out their finances, and generally establish themselves as grown-ups. And when an economic crisis hits in the middle of the process, it can have significant and long-lasting impacts.The financial slump known as the Great Recession is no different. Recent economic troubles have left young people reaching some milestones of adulthood at slower rates, according to an analysis released last month by Pew Research. At the same time, however, the economic climate seems to have h... view article details

Dear Annette,I got into a predicament at lunch today with a female companion: each of us holding opposite sides of a double door, each waiting for the other to enter first. It felt like an episode of those singing chipmunks crooning, 'After you!' 'No, after you!' And to top it off, three or four parties scrambled in ahead of us while we had it out. Annette, please spare me future embarrassment by spelling out the rules of the doors.ChipDear Chip,I can't remember the last time I opened a door for myself - I have People to do that for me. But I can certainly recall the pleasure I felt the last t... view article details

Good manners are good for business, while great manners can set you apart. If you're under stress or in a hurry, it's easy to let your guard down and fail to observe the basics. But if you take a deep breath before you call, good manners can actually get you the results you want - faster. Here's a rundown of some quick tips to brush up on your phone manners and phone style.Phone strategyTreat the call as if it were a meeting - have a purpose, and an agenda.Decide what you'll do if someone answers other than the person you're calling. Would you prefer to leave a message, go to voice mail, or ca... view article details

Employee Reward Ideas: Small Acts of Recognition and Appreciation Can Go a Long Way Incentivize Employees with Appreciation Gifts Do you ever wonder how to reward employees? Some bosses feel a paycheck is the only reward an employee needs. But employees want to feel that their hard work is appreciated, whether they are paid minimum wage or a six-figure salary. Wondering about employee reward ideas? Get creative and experiment with a few new employee recognition ideas - you’ll be amazed by how productive your staff suddenly becomes. 10. Gift CardsGift cards are a classic. Nobody ever tur... view article details