Mortgage Size   The first and biggest hurdle to buying your own home is money. Few buyers, if any, try to buy a home without financing because it just doesn't make sense. In addition to the relatively low price of credit in America, why would anyone pass up substantial mortgage interest tax relief? Then there's the opportunity cost. Even the most financially secure among us won't want to tie up hefty capital in real estate when it could be spread across several investments in a diversified, well-planned portfolio.Typically, home buyers pursue a loan in amounts of 80 or 90 per cent of the purch... view article details

'Stock mutual funds can be geared toward an investor's risk threshold. The more conservative investor would focus on lower-risk balanced funds that usually are composed of high-dividend-yielding stocks and bonds.' Anyone who's shopped for a mutual fund knows finding the right one can be harder than locating that proverbial needle in a haystack. There are so many to choose from. Remarkably, people seem to navigate the selection process somehow, because statistics show that most stocks held by the average American are purchased by way of a mutual fund. Mutual funds do the work for you'Certainly ... view article details

We all want to be heard, but a surprising number of people only half-listen. If you spend more time listening than talking, use your listening skills to your advantage in job interviews, negotiations, networking, business meetings, and when selling anything to anyone. If not, improve your listening skills.'I remember an interview I had for a job,' says Doug Fidoten, president of Dentsu America, a full-service advertising and marketing-communications company. He shares this in my book, Self-Promotion for Introverts®: 'I had already met with a number of other executives, and this was the last on... view article details

Pace Yourself How can an introvert get into the zone more quickly when giving a talk? First, quick is a relative term. An introvert's quick could be an extrovert's slow. Not that we're sluggards and dullards---we just need to go at our own pace.Get Some Rest While an extrovert might blast out onstage after schmoozing all day, get a further charge from all the people in her audience, and then give a speech worthy of the Academy, that combination of activities could deplete an introvert, making him feel like ducking for cover. Remember: an extrovert's fuel can be an introvert's... view article details

In October 2008, the U. S. Labor Department reported the tenth straight month of job losses. With the current economic situation, it can be anticipated that this trend will continue. Most industries are expected to suffer although jobs in security, health care, the environmental sector, energy and education are expected to fare somewhat better. So how do you manage your career through an economic crisis? The best thing to do in uncertain times is to prepare yourself for the worst case scenario. Stay where you are – if you can During a recession, even if you are unhappy with your current emplo... view article details

Leading up to Salary Negotiation Week, we surveyed more than 1,000 people on several different topics related to salary negotiation. We had readers answer some questions regarding their experiences asking for raises, and what they're afraid of when it comes to negotiating salary. Here is input from an actual Salary.com reader, and our subsequent advice.Job Title: Director of CreativeCity: DurangoState: COCurrent Salary: $48,000Last Raise: 10/2011Company Size: 50What is motivating you to ask for a raise? I negotiated my starting salary but have not asked for a raise since. I have proven results... view article details

"This Could be Heaven..." You may enjoy contributing to communities like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter, where you can expand your network, share information, and raise your visibility. Or maybe it’s a love-hate thing -- with the ever-increasing options, the need to keep all your profiles up to date, and all the strangers angling to be your 'friend.' Brings to mind the line from 'Hotel California' by the 70s pop band The Eagles: 'You can check out anytime you like, but you can never leave.' Not to mention: 'We are all just prisoners here of our own device.' Make that devices!Patrice-... view article details

Most of us loathe the very idea of doing our U.S. personal income taxes, not because we expect to get fleeced each April 15 (or 16) but simply because we don't know an adjusted gross income from a standard deduction. For the many tax code illiterates among us, Salary.com has combed through the Internal Revenue Service website, taking inspiration from Sarah Young Fisher and Susan Shelly's book The Complete Idiot's Guide to Personal Finance, to come up with a checklist that may help simplify your tax-filing experience. Taxable and nontaxable income To get things started with the very basics, bel... view article details

With the Labor Department reporting that the number of people receiving unemployment benefits is the highest it has been in seven years, is there such a thing as a “recession-proof” job? Probably not, but there are some careers that may survive the current economic crisis better than others. The key is to focus on work that continues even when most people do not have extra discretionary money to spend. So what are some in-demand jobs in a slow economy?Accountant Now more than ever, companies are paying attention to the bottom line. They need good “bean counters”, whether they are fres... view article details

In October 2008, the U. S. Labor Department reported the tenth straight month of job losses. With the current economic situation, it can be anticipated that this trend will continue. Most industries are expected to suffer although jobs in security, health care, the environmental sector, energy and education are expected to fare somewhat better. So how do you manage your career through an economic crisis? The best thing to do in uncertain times is to prepare yourself for the worst case scenario.Stay where you are – if you can During a recession, even if you are un... view article details