Business Casual Dress

One of the most confusing phrases in a career woman’s experience is “business casual dress” because these three words simply do not go together. Business is, well, business. We really don’t picture casual attire with this term. The word dress immediately evokes images of cocktail dresses or evening gowns in most women. Somehow sticking the term “casual” in between makes the whole thing too confusing for those of us in the work force.

I always have a struggle on casual Fridays. Finding out exactly what business casual dress is was a long and difficult process. That is, until I worked for a fashion company. Even though my position was in payroll I learned a lot about business casual dress and I have taken some time to jot down the information I have obtained.

First of all, never look to the television for inspiration for your business casual dress wardrobe. You and your coworkers will probably be left in tears. Remember that television is a dream world. As a career woman you need to be grounded in the real world to be taken seriously.

When choosing pants and skirts make sure that the items are comfortable. Business casual dress should never be tight and confining. Just imagine sitting through a long meeting with a pair of pants that pull and bunch. Even worse, imagine a skirt that literally binds you and prevents you from breathing. Neither will help you appear confident.

Along with comfort you also need to consider appearance. Clothing that is too loose or wrinkly will only make you look unprofessional. Business casual dress should be comfortable but this doesn’t mean that you can wear pajamas to the office. You do want to communicate that you respect your self as well as your associates.

The length of your pants and skirts are important as well. If your cuffs on your pants tend to rise up a little too much then they need to go. If your skirt slides up you may want to put this clothing item to rest. After all you don’t want to do an impression of Sharon Stone in Basic Instinct at the office. This business casual dress will get you nowhere.

Your tops should always be cleaned and pressed. Save cleavage for happy hour. Your business casual dress shirts should always be professional and appropriate no matter how relaxed the atmosphere is. We love watching Sex and the City but we don’t want to adopt the fashions on the show into our business casual dress.

Credit Card Rate

What’s the thing that is most prominent on any credit card ad? Well, it’s the credit card rate (or the APR, as we know it). The credit card rate is the most publicized thing in the world of credit cards. A lot of people just compare the credit card rate of various credit cards and just go for the one that is offering the lowest credit card rate (or APR). Credit card rates are, in fact, one of the most important factors in the selection of a credit card (though not the only factor). Therefore, a proper understanding of Credit card rates is even more necessary.

So, what is a credit card rate or APR? Very simply, credit card rate is the rate of interest that the credit card supplier will charge you with on the amount you owe them. The credit card supplier will charge you an interest only if you don’t make full payments in time.  When you receive your credit card bill, it specifies the full amount you owe the credit card supplier. It also specifies the minimum payment that you must make (by a particular date), in order to avoid incurring a late fee and other inconvenience. You have the option of making either a full payment or just the minimum payment. If you make a full payment (by the due date), you are not charged any interest. However, if you decide to go with the minimum payment or some amount that is lesser than the full amount, the credit card supplier will charge interest based on the credit card rate and the balance amount. This credit card rate is the interest rate that you agreed with them at the time of applying for the credit card. The credit card rate or the annual percentage rate, as is obvious, is an annual interest rate. The credit card suppliers use this annual credit card rate to calculate the monthly credit card rate and then they calculate the interest on the balance amount that you owe them. The balance amount here is simply = Full amount – (payment made by you). This interest is added to your balance for the next month (at the time of next billing cycle). If you again make a partial payment, the new balance is calculated again and the credit card rate (monthly one) applied to it for calculation of new interest; and it keeps going on and on until you make the full payment.

That’s how credit card rate acts in this vicious circle. Hence, credit card rate is termed as the most important consideration in choosing a credit card.

Financial Planning Education

School is always a good thing. The more knowledge you acquire, the better off you are. This goes without saying anymore. It’s a given. This is why so many of us head off to college after high school, and then some off to graduate school after their bachelor’s degree is complete. It’s all about moving on up the totem pole. You’re more desirable to companies if you have an awesome education. Then there are other reasons for acquiring knowledge. After all, no one ever said your college degree was only for getting a decent job. Hopefully you’re able to apply it in everyday life as well. Take a financial planning education for example. This is a field that you might find beneficial to you and your family in the long run.

Are you good with saving? Most of us are not. This is clear when I read the statistics on the average American and his/her debt. Not only are we not saving wisely, but we’re spending money we don’t even have. This is bizarre and a bit idiotic if I do say so myself. That last time I used my credit card, I kicked myself. And I mean literally. You see, I’m trying out this whole negative reinforcement thing. Anyway, the point is that we should try not to spend so much and start saving more. Maybe what’s in order is a financial planning education course. You can take such a thing in college. Hey, go ahead and do so if you can. A contemporary financial planning education course will help you down the road. Now, for all of you out there who have long past through the college scene, hope is not lost. You too have the ability to learn if you please. These days you can take a financial planning education course online. Maybe this is exactly what you need to do now. There’s no point in procrastinating another few years. Hop on the web and see what it’s all about.

It’s crucial in this world to have a grip on your finances. You know how much income passes through your bank account. Therefore you should also know where you stand. Don’t spend money you don’t have. Instead, set aside as much as you can for the future. This is the prudent route to take, folks. And if it’s feasible, go ahead and try a financial planning education course online.