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|The Lost Generation--Can the Under 40 Crowd Survive the Great Recession
|News Releases - Business, Economy & Finance
|Written by John Vento
|Thursday, 09 May 2013 14:28
"The Lost Generation" or "Survivors of the Great Recession"?
Hoboken, NJ (May 2013)—Go to a good college. Get a high-paying job. Then you'll be set for life. These simple instructions sum up the financial advice that a whole generation of Americans was given growing up, as visions of big houses, fancy cars, and carefree living danced in their heads. Of course, the reality for Americans under 40 is proving to be much different. Mountains of student loan debt, unemployment lines, and barely getting by have resulted from a Great Recession and slow economy that have stifled what has been dubbed the "Lost Generation" before they could get a solid financial foundation under their feet. In fact, a new study from the Urban Institute shows that the average wealth for Americans under 40 is 7 percent less than for those under 40 in 1983.
But financial expert John Vento says that there is a brighter side to this coin. He explains that this generation will learn from these economic hardships and can therefore set up more financially stable lives in the long term.
"Just look at how the Great Depression generation reacted to that harsh economic climate," says Vento, president of his New York City-based Certified Public Accounting firm, John J. Vento, CPA, P.C., and Comprehensive Wealth Management, Ltd., as well as the author of the new book Financial Independence (Getting to Point X): An Advisor's Guide to Comprehensive Wealth Management (Wiley, 2013, ISBN: 978-1-1184-6021-4, $40.00, www.ventocpa.com).
"The clients I work with who grew up during that time know the value of a dollar. To this day, many of them live very conservatively because they understand what it feels like to not have some of the necessities of life. Today's survivors of the Great Recession will learn the importance of making sound financial decisions because they won't be able to get by otherwise. They understand there is no such thing as guaranteed employment and as a result, I think, many of them will have a greater appreciation for the value of financial planning. What's more, they have the benefit of having seen what results from living on credit and excess. They've seen what happens when bubbles burst and how long it takes to dig out of a stock market crash."
Vento's new book focuses on helping readers from all walks of life reach financial independence. It is a complete resource for anyone concerned with building wealth and financial security in today's no-guarantee financial environment.
"Of course, it won't be easy for these young people," says Vento. "Many of them have to overcome significant student loan and credit card debt. In addition, unemployment and stagnant wages may have stifled their ability to save for retirement or to purchase a home. But just as many in the Great Depression generation survived by living conservatively and saving at every turn, the survivors of the Great Recession can still build up sound financial futures by doing the same."
Below Vento provides a few tips for the "Lost Generation," which he prefers to call the "Survivors of the Great Recession," on how to get their finances in order and start building wealth for a brighter future.
Make financial literacy a priority. Financial literacy means having a firm understanding of fundamental financial concepts and strategies and the ability to manage money responsibly in order to ensure financial security.
"Truthfully, I think a course in financial literacy should be a core requirement in high schools and universities," says Vento. "Such a course would provide essential knowledge in personal finance that today's young people simply don't get anywhere else. But since such courses are the exception instead of the rule, it is imperative that young people find other ways to become financially literate. After all, a lack of financial literacy is in part what led to the recent financial collapse.
"Many Americans simply didn't have the financial knowledge needed to manage their finances in a responsible way. They took out mortgages they couldn't afford. They made risky investments. They spent every dime rather than saving for a rainy day. When you have financial literacy, you can manage your money in a way that sets you up for long-term security. You know how to save, how to approach your taxes, how to make decisions regarding purchasing real estate and saving for retirement, and so on. Having this knowledge is the first step to reaching financial independence, and that's why I tried to make Financial Independence (Getting to Point X) as comprehensive as possible when it comes to learning the essentials that lead to financial literacy."
Live within your means. In his book, Vento establishes that every hardworking American has the ability to save and ultimately become a millionaire if they follow certain wealth-building principles. Even with the challenges they face, the "Lost Generation" is no different. The first step for them is to live within their means.
"Real wages for young Americans are stagnant at best and decreasing at worst," says Vento. "Clearly that's negative. But it can be overcome if you simply accept that your standard of living will have to be lower than that of the previous generation. And that's okay. A lower standard of living does not have to mean a lower quality of life; the two are independent of one another.
"The single most important step any individual must take to become financially independent is to commit to living within his or her means," he adds. "In addition to living within your means, if you are ever going to reach financial independence, you must also save money. Therefore, 'living within your means' must include not only such necessities as shelter, food, utilities, and clothing, but also payment into your personal savings. Ideally, that payment should be 10 percent or more of your gross pay. A great way to start out saving is to find ways to save $20 or more per week. I offer 101 ways to do just that in my book. Remember, the biggest asset you have is time. If you tuck away that extra $20 into a savings account every week, at the end of the year, you will have $1,040. If you are 30 years old and invest that additional $1,040 for 35 years (until you are 65) at an 8 percent rate of return, you will have $179,209. If you are able to save $20 or more per day ($7,300 per year) for 35 years at an 8 percent rate of return, you will have $1,254,466.* It's amazing that is all you need to do to one day become a millionaire. The trick is to stay focused and believe that being financially independent is possible."
Get a handle on student loan debt. Managing student loan debt must become a top priority for those under 40 (and anyone still working toward paying off their loans!). "Many people in this age group have opted to remain in school because of the stagnant job market," says Vento. "That means they've taken on more student loan debt than they otherwise might have had the economy been better. This trend has to end. I understand that the job market is very tough, and many recent college grads simply can't find work doing what they want to do. But accruing more and more student loan debt to continue their education isn't a good solution. My suggestion is to take a job, any job, and stop adding to your student loan debt. A job that pays $25,000-$30,000 a year is better than no job at all. With time and patience, you may be able to move up the corporate ladder, and hopefully your salary will move up with you.
"You should also put a plan in place, right away, for paying off your student loans. Speak to each lender and try to get your rate reduced and the terms extended. Consolidate debt where possible, extend the number of years for payment, and lower the interest rate. In later years when your financial situation improves you can always pay down these loans. And always pay your student loans on time, every time; not doing so will have a negative effect on your credit score, which will only make your financial picture worse."
Pay yourself first. Regardless of age, everyone should always focus on paying themselves first. That is especially true of today's under-40 population, notes Vento.
"If you're employed, set aside 10 percent or more of your gross earnings by contributing to an employer-sponsored retirement account such as a 401(k)," he says. "If your employer does not provide a retirement plan savings vehicle, then open up an individual retirement account (IRA). Once again, make sure you put 10 percent or more into this account with a maximum of $5,500 allowed for 2013 for those under the age of 50. After you have done this, you have now succeeded at paying yourself first. Doing this allows you to then determine your standard of living. You can spend only what you have left after funding your retirement savings and of course paying the related taxes. Paying yourself first and saving for the future is not a choice; it is a necessity and must come before all of the other unnecessary wants in life. Will this be easy? Of course not, but anything that is worth something is never easy."
Don't rush into buying a home. Because of the financial hardships they've experienced as a result of the Great Recession and the economic downturns that came before it, members of the "Lost Generation" are also having difficulties buying a home.
"Part of the American Dream is owning your own home," says Vento. "And that is all well and good, but we saw during the housing crisis what happens when people purchase homes they can't afford. Young people should not rush into buying property. Anyone who can't put down 20 percent toward the purchase of a home should keep saving and wait until they can before buying. It's okay to rent an apartment or even live in your parents' basement if that's what makes sense for you financially. In fact, I lived in my parents' basement until I was married and able to afford a home.
"That said, for those fortunate enough to have saved enough for a down payment, the timing of purchasing a home could not be better," he adds. "This is a terrific opportunity for this generation since property values across the country are significantly lower than in 2008, and interest rates are at a historical low. The benefits of home ownership are significant, which include the deductibility of real estate taxes and mortgage interest as well as points paid on the initial purchase. The key here is to purchase a modest home, one that will provide shelter, not one that will provide you with bragging rights among your friends and family. It is much better to own a $300,000 home with a $100,000 mortgage than it is to own an $800,000 home with a $600,000 mortgage. Remember, live responsibly and save."
Avoid using credit cards. Many young adults in this generation have accumulated lots of credit card debt. Credit card debt is the financial equivalent of having terminal cancer. It is a surefire way of killing your chances of becoming financially independent. The only reason people have credit card debt is because they have spent more money than they earned. Sometimes this is necessary, such as in cases of a medical emergency, but the majority of the cases of credit card debt come from living irresponsibly. Remember, if you spend more money than you make, the only way to make up the shortfall is by going into debt. This vicious cycle must end and it must end immediately.
"First and foremost, throw out your credit cards," suggests Vento. "Instead use cash or a debit card. Guess what? If you don't have the money in your account, then you cannot purchase the things you want. Another possibility is renegotiating with the credit card companies. Often you can come to an agreement to eliminate some of this debt for pennies on the dollar.
"If you have an extreme amount of credit card debt—for example, if your overall debt exceeds your assets—then you are considered insolvent," he adds. "If this is the case, you may want to consider filing for personal bankruptcy. (Unfortunately, student loans typically cannot be wiped out as part of bankruptcy.) Although this will ruin your credit for at least seven years, it may give you a fresh start and will allow you to start rebuilding your finances from ground zero. Of course, anyone can avoid these problems by simply avoiding using credit cards."
"We have just gone through a horrific decade when it comes to economic and financial matters," says Vento. "The choices and decisions the under-40 generation makes now and the lessons they have learned will have a direct impact on their futures. Will this generation have to change their goals and expected retirement age? Most probably yes. Will they live high and mighty and as irresponsibly as the previous generation? I certainly hope not. The key for them will be to stay focused and understand the basic principles of becoming financially independent.
"To sum it all up, work hard and earn an honest living," he concludes. "Always live within your means and pay yourself first by contributing to your retirement plan and taking advantage of the associated pretax savings. Throw away those credit cards and stop adding additional debt. Focus on increasing your quality of life, not your standard of living. I am optimistic about the future of this generation. Their path may be much different from the one they envisioned growing up, but by following established wealth management principles, they can absolutely reach financial independence."
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An Unexpected SAHM Detour
Last year the husband and I decided to finally take the plunge and try for a baby. 15 weeks ago, I got knocked up! Three weeks ago, I was laid off. As you can imagine, this was not exactly how I pictured my prenatal adventure. In my head, I would work until I had the baby, take a lengthy maternity leave, and then go back part time because really, let's be honest, I didn't have enough work to fill a whole week. Surely my company wouldn't mind. Well, I guess they noticed…
ANYWAY, the husband had expressed some interest in my staying home after the baby was born even before the layoff. We can mostly handle it monetarily, especially if I do a little freelance work from home, and he was raised in a very traditional "dad goes to work, mom stays home and takes care of the kids and cleans the house" kind of home. I, however, was so not. My parents separated when I was 4 and while it was as happy a divorce as ever existed, my mom worked all the time. She paid someone to clean our house and even then it was cluttered. I'm not opposed to giving it a shot, but I have no idea how to even begin to live up to the husband's stay-at-home-mom standards.
I know that once Noah was born you decided to leave your full-time job (not that I've read all your archives over the past several years or anything…) and I was wondering if you or your readers had any advice for someone who's suddenly expected to do the dishes AND the laundry AND make sure there's no cat vomit on the floor? How did you handle the transition? Motivation and organization have been my biggest problems so far, and I'm trying to get it sorted out before the baby arrives because I know it's only going to get harder then.
Thanks in advance!
Do I have any advice for someone "who's suddenly expected to do the dishes AND the laundry AND make sure there's no cat vomit on the floor?" No. Because that, childhood memories of June Cleaver aside, is simply not the reality for all SAHMs today. It certainly wasn't for me. It still isn't. And as long as you continue to "do a little freelance work," it probably won't be for you, either.
I gotta tell you, I get itchy and nervous whenever I hear wives describe their husband's memories and expectations of staying home. (Anybody remember this column? ) I get nervous when I hear husbands automatically wanting their partners to take on the role they remember their mothers taking decades ago, maybe without a perfect memory or all the facts about how their childhood household really functioned or everyone's relative contentment level. I also fundamentally dislike the "well, YOU stay home, and thus all household chores belong to YOU" division of labor. I guess that works out for some couples, but for a woman who never planned or expected to stay home full-time and who has just been uncomfortably and unceremoniously pushed into it…well. I worry.
Your lack of motivation is not a sign that you're "bad" at this or doing this "wrong." You were just laid off from your job. You didn't consciously make this decision to suddenly sit at home and face down hour after unstructured hour. I DO think it's great that you guys think you'll be all right and are willing to give a different arrangement a try, but it's soooooo totally normal to find yourself mourning and struggling to adjust to your new reality. A reality that includes tasks that you probably never valued that much (laundry, errands, all basically essential nuisances, maybe), and the occasional intrusive guilty thought about not "contributing" financially or depression about it "not mattering" what you do during the day…hell, I worked my tail off to make my stay-at-home/work-at-home life happen and I still went through a very confusing grieving process once I did it. So allow that to happen, if you haven't already. It's okay not to be thrilled, or to be anxious, or to second-guess the master plan.
In the meantime, try to give your days some structure. Have set tasks you do each day in order or specific days of the week. Keep a physical to-do list if that helps you stay motivated and on-task. Set rules for yourself about TV and Internet use. Start a blog, a scrapbook, a hobby. Find a prenatal fitness or yoga class to attend and meet other moms-to-be; arrange regular lunches or nights out with your old coworkers or friends. And if the dishes don't get done on days where you have a social engagement, don't sweat it. These interactions are important, and don't ever think otherwise.
And be honest with your husband about your feelings. I'm sure he KNOWS he didn't marry his mother, and that he KNOWS you're doing this with no blueprint from your own childhood to go from, but still. Make sure you guys keep your expectations of each other grounded and realistic. Having a spouse who stays home should not absolve the other of all household responsibilities. Figure out exactly what the new division of labor looks like, down to who takes the trash out at night and mows the lawn on the weekends and takes suits to the dry-cleaners. Let him know when you need help or a break or for him to take care of dinner one night. Let him know if sometimes you think you might want to look for part-time work after the baby arrives, or need some help in the form of a sitter or cleaning service when the freelance work kicks in.
But mostly, be patient with YOURSELF. I'm sorry this response has been so light on the practical stuff and heavy on the motivational pep-talk. But this is a huge adjustment — I don't think anyone can ever appreciate how huge it is until they're in the thick of it. I know I didn't. You don't need someone else's expectations of stay-at-home-mom-ness looming over you like a shadow. You need to find the way it works for you and makes you happy. And seriously, the baby may arrive and you'll take one look at him or her and realize that the lay-off was a tremendous gift and a push into exactly the life you wanted. Or not! Even if you end up pursuing a Plan B in the end, all that really matters is that your home is a happy, supportive one — with clutter and unfolded laundry or without.
22 Responses to "An Unexpected SAHM Detour"
Natalie Nov 26 at 5:52 pm Reply
sigh. I have nothing useful to add to Amalah's advice jut to stay make sure you discuss this now and stand up for yourself. My daughter is almost two and while we talked about this issue I never really thought it was necessary to split chores and stand up for what I wanted. Now I work full time as does my husband but all of the house work and child care is my responsibility because my job only pays for my school loans and things like groceries while his pays for the mortgage and other bills. I have been deemed less important in the household economy and that has now carried over to everything. My marriage is suffering in fact I feel it is beyond repair,my self esteem is suffering and I am starting to feel like my daughter's idea of what a woman does is suffering too.
Stand up for yourself and do it before your baby is born!
Susan Nov 26 at 8:12 pm Reply
You know, you might be able to find another job and make the decision later. It's hard to know how you will feel after the baby comes now. I have stayed at home and gone to work and their are pluses AND minuses to both situations. But I do Agree that as I am currently unemployed, I am a little more resentful about housework that I do as my kids are in s bool and husband works. And I plan to rectify a lot of that when I start my new job Monday!
Post back and tell us how it goes if you can.
Mary Nov 26 at 8:18 pm Reply
I have been doing this motherhood thing for almost 21 years, so I have a few things to say on the subject. I never, ever expected to be a stay home mom. My generation believed that we were so lucky and privileged to have an education, and we should use it. (do I sound really old when I say that? I'm not, but things were very different 20 years ago!) I didn't exactly plan to get pregnant, and I worked up until the night before he was born. On the day he turned one week, I was back in the office, picking up the pieces and wrapping things up.
I had no idea how I would fall in love with that little boy. I cried just thinking about taking him to daycare. For awhile I tried to telecommute, but both my employer and I agreed it wasn't working, and they weren't interested in a part time or job share arrangement. So. I was a stay at home mom.
Tiny babies kind of take up all your time. You may find whole days go by when you just sit on the sofa and breastfeed. Laundry piles up. Dishes pile up. My husband is great, and never made me feel bad about not contributing, but he is also kind of a messy person, and my mother-in-law was the perfect mother. Whole days went by when I never got out of the house, and never spoke to another adult. The house got so bad I was embarrassed to have friends over. Etc.
So pay attention to what Amy says about having your own things, your own life, I can't emphasize enough how important that is. Go to flylady.net and learn an easy way to keep your house mostly presentable most of the time. My mother was a perfect housekeeper and knew these things instinctively. I needed to be taught.
Make time for exercise and taking care of yourself. This is one of the biggest regrets of my life, that I didn't do that, and I'm still trying to fix that today.
My kids? Are awesome. I treasure every single memory I have of being with them. I am so glad I got to have that experience. Later, when the youngest started school, I found a part time job that I like very much, and I make enough money to make a dent in the college tuition, so I feel like I'm contributing again.
Sorry about writing a book, here. I just wish somebody had told me this stuff when I was deciding to stay home. Today, I adore my kids, and am still married to my husband, who is still a mess. I pay someone to come in and help me clean every two weeks. I still plan menus one or two days at a time, because I don't mind grocery shopping. Find your own way, and make sure you're happy. Everything else will fall into place.
HereWeGoAJen Nov 26 at 9:09 pm Reply
I agree with Amy on all the pep talk stuff. My practical advice would be to get the house as organized as you want it and as streamlined as possible before the baby is born because babies are a huuuuuge time suck. And join some kind of mom's group (the one I am in will accept you when you are pregnant, pre-actually-born kids) because babies are a weird combination of never being alone but also not having anyone to talk to.
Julie Nov 26 at 10:58 pm Reply
I certainly second the advice about making some time to get out to mom's support groups now. For one thing, it will give you a social outlet now. It will give you people to talk to who have been where you're about to be and can give you practical advice about what to expect, local resources, where the good walking parks and playgrounds with baby swings are, a possible source of hand-me-downs, etc. And when the baby does come, you won't be facing the intimidation of a new social environment coupled with the challenges involved in simply getting out of the house with a new baby – if you've at least been to a meeting or two you'll know where they are, know what to expect, recognize a few faces, etc. La leche league, MOMS club international, meetup.com, there are all sort of places to go to look for mom's groups. I was lucky enough to be able to attend a few La Leche league meetings before my son was born, and I was very glad I did – even just the experience of sitting in a room with some women who were openly breastfeeding made me feel a bit more comfortable about the whole experience when my little one arrived.
Nicole Nov 27 at 12:50 am Reply
Thank you Amy. I wish I had this pep talk when my first daughter was born. I went through this transition 2 years ago and just now feel like I have an emotional handle on it…right before #2 arrives. Luckily, my husband had a realistic view of how his house ran as a child. He has given me the space to be the mom I wanted to be. I've worked part-time, freelance, volunteer, and temporary positions in the last 2 years as my brain needed and opportunity presented.
I'm not ashamed to say I have a housekeeper every other week. Or that my 2yo loves her sitter's house 2 mornings/week. Ditto to finding mom groups!!! And I'd suggest a good volunteering outlet as well. Using my work skills on a volunteer basis has saved my sanity several times.
My husband is a stay-at-home dad. Something that was really helpful for both of us was to get clear on exactly what his job is. We feel that it's to be as present for our kids as he would be for a boss in the office. With whatever free time he gets (mostly during naps) he gets as much of the house under control as possible. But if I come home to a sink full of dishes and an explosion of toys and laundry (as I often do) I'm happy to hear that they spent their time going to the park or building with blocks or whatever. The mess matters much less than that bonding, enriching time. I think that our parents' generations expectations were so much higher for housekeeping, but lower in terms of how much connected, active time spent with kids. To each her own, but I'll take the latter. If you and your husband feel the same way, he just needs to understand that the former is going to suffer.
bwcagrl Nov 28 at 10:56 am Reply
I also found myself unexpectedly in the role of SAHM to two kids. For my own sanity I had to set up a routine for myself and the kids – one that included a little time for each day for a little of everything. I also whole-heartedly recomend flylady.net for developing good routines for the home…my house STAYS clean almost by itself now because a few minutes a day makes a huge impact. My routines are so routine now that I don't even have to think about cleaning…my daily 'chores' are habits just like brushing my teeth. During the summers when both my kids are home, we have time each day for a few 'chores' (15 min), crafts, outdoor play, reading time with mom, tv or computer time, quiet time after lunch, and more time to play in the afternoons. We also work in errands as needed, playdates or trips to local parks.
I am part of a mom's group and I volunteer a little bit in my kids' classrooms. I find that because I do have a schedule and stay organized, that we have more time to connect and just enjoy our time together…whether it's playing an indoor game, or going swimming.
I have also found that because I plan meals about 2 weeks in advance I save a ton of money on food (about $200/month) which means $2400/year that can be set aside for something else, or put toward debt retirement.
I still feel guilty sometimes for not bringing in as much money, but we all eat much healthier, live in a cleaner house, have less stress, stick to our budget, and overall spend more happy family time together. And those things are priceless, especially because I know my children are watching and learning invaluable lessons from what I do, not from what I say.
Stefanie Nov 28 at 1:33 pm Reply
I found myself in your situation as well when my daughter was born, and expected that I would be able to take care of the baby, keep the house clean, cook dinner every night, etc. By thinking that, I definitely set myself up for failure! New babies do take up all of your time. We expected to let our cleaning lady go after my daughter was born, but ended up having her come more often. Saving that money would have been great, but was not worth the stress I felt with the house so messy.
My daughter is now 1, and some days I am able to have the house picked up and dinner started when my husband gets home, but on they days when she is having a tough time or we spend all of our time outside, I don't. And I don't apologize for it. I remind myself that my primary responsibility is to take care of my daughter, not function as a maid or cook.
My advice is to 1. Give yourself a break and do not expect to get everything done without help. 2. Do everything you can to make time for yourself: do shopping online, have your groceries delivered if you live in an area that has that, plan out your meals in advance, but don't feel bad if you end up eating cereal instead. 3. Ask your husband for help. Yes, he does work all day and deserves a break, but so do you. And moms don't really get those, so don't feel badly if he has to come home and put some dishes in the dishwasher. 4. When given the option of cleaning the kitchen or lying down for a nap with the baby, take a nap!
Hillary Nov 29 at 11:12 am Reply
I just want to add that you may want to reset some expectations. Remember that if you were both working, your baby would be with a sitter or at daycare, and when your child is at daycare all you are paying them for is caring for your child. Think of yourself at home like a daycare teacher; don't expect that you'll be able to provide childcare AND housekeeping AND grocery shopping/cooking every single day. That is unrealistic and won't serve your child very well! Think of the time your husband is working as the time you're running a daycare, and when you're both home, split up the chores. Just because you aren't bringing home a paycheck doesn't mean you should suddenly be saddled with every household responsibility! Good luck.
HomeValley Nov 29 at 1:05 pm Reply
I am also an "accidental" SAHM – I was laid off during my maternity leave (a whole OTHER issue), but I am really, really enjoying it. It was never my intention to be at home… But then this tiny little baby seemed to need me so much, and I just couldn't imagine leaving him every day for work I wasn't extremely passionate about (I think the only thing I was passionate about was the income, if I'm being honest). I am 6 months in, and it's working better than I ever imagined. I have to agree with Amalah's skittishness about this whole thing (my husband's mother stayed at home), but the key is to keep the lines of communication WAY OPEN. Always say what needs to be said. Though I am at home, my husband still does his share of the household chores. Neither of us is afraid to get our hands dirty. He's also very good about giving me time away/alone. He'll cook dinner, get the babe ready for bed and force me out to the coffee shop for a few hours to do nothing but READ. He's not perfect, but most of the time? He gets it.
He's also handed me quite a gift – since we can afford to live on his income alone at this point, he's said: what is it you really want to do with your life? Go do it. So now, I'm planning on going back to school next fall for my Master's, eventually my PhD. I say this because getting laid off was the best thing that could have happened for our family. Time with my sweet son, time to cultivate a more nurturing side of myself, and time to regroup and attack my goals. I hope it turns out the same for you. Enjoy.
For me the tables turned. My boyfriend is the stay at home dad and I work. He got laid off and I am still here kicking in corporate america. Daycare is way to expensive and since he was laid off he took the job. I don't think I could ever be a stay at home mom. Not because I wouldn't mind staying home with my baby but because I realize you don't get the respect you deserve. You single handedly wash bottles, do loads and loads of laundry, cook, pacify the screaming baby,make bottles, try to fit a shower in there, more cleaning and then by the time the day is over you have someone asking you what you did all day and how good you have it. I know its not funny but I get phone calls from my boyfriend at work whining all the time how this can't be life. How he gets no respect and no one cares. I feel him but it is what it is. He does work part time while I work full time and he finishes up college. I alreadly finished so..why would I stay home? We argue about who does more and ramble on about bottles and what I spend money on and at the end he promises me one day you will see what its like to be home and not be appreciate. I appreciate but it is what it is. Staying at home is not easy. Unless your rich and can cruise the malls shopping and getting your nails done. Its a job man. An unappreciated job. Good luck.
BMom Nov 29 at 2:59 pm Reply
My job also ended when I was about 10 weeks pregnant… and I'd never planned to stay home. So, ditto to a lot of what Amalah said here… friends, moms groups, storytime at the library, whatever.
What really helped me during the unstructured time before B arrived, in addition to some of Amalah's suggestions about routine and all that, was some structured volunteer work. For me, it was at my church helping in the office, but it coule be all kinds of things. It was also an easy thing to stop doing as my due date got closer.
Now I'm working outside about 20 hours per week, and its still hard. Babies (and toddlers, OY) are hard work. We're still adjusting to the who-does-what and what doesn't actually need done, and we have a cleaning company that doesn't come regularly, but we can call when things are edging out of control
Rebecca Nov 29 at 11:12 pm Reply
I got laid off when my company shut down 1 week before my due date (July 8) It was actually quite awesome because I got severance + unemployment instead of an unpaid maternity leave. I thought that I would do school (full time masters program) mostly at night and have childcare part time (for the new baby + old baby (13 months older) I soon realized that I was way not cut out to do more of the childcare and hyper sensitive to the balance of power and household chores issues. Partly that was because up until that point we had somewhat separate finances and I felt like I was taking an unfair autonomy and financial security hit. I hate housework, I am bad at full time childcare and I love working full time out of the house I realized. Stay at home moms do put themselves at financial and career risk by staying at home which puts them at risk not only in the case of divorce but the unemployment of the spouse, death or disability of the spouse. I was contacted out of the blue through LinkedIn with an amazing job opportunity and my stress level has decreased dramatically because I am able to bring in a great salary + benefits and have a nanny/housekeeper. I just want to put it out there that not everyone loves staying home with their babies and that is totally ok. I find babies – especially newborns actually pretty boring.
Leigh Nov 30 at 1:51 pm Reply
When my youngest was a baby and I had a three-year-old at home, my husband once came home to a not-sparkling house and asked the infamous question, "what did you DO all day?" So I made him a list. The next day I wrote down every diaper change, every snack made, every phone call to the plumber, every Cheerio swept off the floor. It even overwhelmed ME, reading all the tiny little things that took up my day. He never asked that question again, and actually hung the list above his desk.
Michelle Dec 01 at 3:18 pm Reply
Unrelated to the question at hand – Often times when I open the link to this page, I can't see the beginning of the question – typically whatever is next to the graphic. Sometimes I can highlight it and then see it, but not always. In this particular instance, I can only see "Hi Amalah (BIG Whitespace and Advice Smackdown Graphic) ANYWAY, the husband had expressed…" Perhaps its only a problem on my computer but since I've had it happen often just thought I'd mention it. Love you Amalah!
Zanbar Dec 01 at 3:34 pm Reply
Sorry I had to respond to NATALIE… I really feel for you as I also have a nearly-2-yr-old and have really had to fight not to be expected to do everything around the house. Actually, I think I am doing rather well, although I was on the phone with my mother-in-law this morning, in tears because sometimes it feels that he JUST DOESN'T GET IT!!! She was like – 'Men, they're all the same, you've just got to train them'. It's about incremental steps, pointing out EVERYTHING that is taken for granted, and getting him to agree to take on one little task at a time. First it was daycare (we are both freelance so it takes negotiation), then cleaning and cooking, then giving me a night to do yoga, right now I'm working on nursery pick-ups. For some reason I still can't get him to see that washing his socks aren't my responsibility. It's very annoying when he gets cross when they run out.
Anyway, its not too late to tackle it with him. Be gentle, use logic, don't start the conversation when you're stressed out already. Maybe ask him to take on a bit of cooking, and then tackle it a task at a time, or you could go all out and divvy up your working week. It sounds like you're committed to your daughter having a strong role model, so I'm sure you'll get there in the end.
Jo Dec 03 at 3:42 pm Reply
It is such an overwhelming, exciting thing to be expecting your first baby and regardless of choosing to stay at home or accidentally staying at home or working or working from home, it always brings about a huge lifestyle change. No one I've ever spoken to knew what it would be like to have a baby until it happened. I was even the nanny for newborn twins (twice – for two separate families!) for years, and planned in my head to always be a stay at home mom when the time came for me and still, motherhood came as a big shock–in good ways and uhh… in more challenging ways. Though I chose to be a stay at home mom from the beginning, I went through a slight confidence and identity crisis. I worried I was wasting my master's degree and no one respected me anymore and I was always going to spend my days with a baby attached to my boob while piles of dirty laundry taunted me. (That sort of happened for a while, but it got better, way better!) It may be true that the majority of the world judges who you are on what you do, but I have now been a SAHM for over two years and hell, I'm proud of what I do. I love it. Not always, most most of the time. But it took a while. Practically speaking, I do a majority of the household stuff while husband works and makes the wonga. It sounds very 1950s, but it works for us. I say the two factors that make it work are that my husband never expects me to do anything and he is very appreciative when I do. Also, I didn't worry much about house stuff when our baby was small. Don't sweat anything until your baby is sleeping reasonably well (which could take a while) and you have a semi-routine going and feel capable of taking more on. Be nice to yourself. If you have a day when you don't want to do anything, don't. I have cleaners do a deep clean once a month and just spot clean. Make sure you're comfortable and not resentful of how the tasks are divided (if I cook a big meal, husband does dishes. I do all the laundry, but he takes out trash, etc.). Also, always remind yourself that being a mom is a (more than) full time, very important job. You're raising a human being. It's pretty cool, difficult and sometimes daily, but definitely in the long run, very rewarding. If someone doesn't seem to respect that, then they've got problems, not you. Good luck and congratulations!
SAHM Dec 04 at 4:46 am Reply
I have been thinking about this since Amy posted it, and have hesitated posting a comment. I too worked full-time before we had our son a year and a half ago, and it was a big adjustment for me to go from lots of adult interaction and sharing the household responsibilities to being quite isolated by motherhood and also taking over most of the household responsibilities. My feeling is that yes, you have been unexpectedly laid off, and are not necessarily choosing to stay home. BUT, it's important to note that you are ABLE to stay home. I've lost count of my friends who, after 6 weeks of maternity leave, had to tearfully leave their tiny babies in the hands of a person who had no idea what they needed. As someone said above, you have no idea how much you are going to fall in love with this little person, and you may find yourself in another unexpected situation–being incredibly relieved that you don't have to go back to work after just a few short weeks of being home with your baby.
That being said, I guess I'm in the minority here, but yes, I think it is the job of the SAHM to take on more of the household responsibility. My husband's mom also stayed at home, and my mom worked full-time, so I understand the life experience that you are coming from on both sides, and my husband and I had to have a conversation when my son was a few months old about expectations of who will do what. There are a lot of things I hate doing as far as housework goes…ironing and dusting, for example. But you know what? There is stuff your husband doesn't like about his job. There was stuff I didn't like about my job, but I did anyway, because it was part of the job. You're not going to enjoy cleaning off your baby who has just pooped all the way up his back, but you do it, because you love your child and that's part of your job. Also, I have found that if I put too many responsibilities on my husband, then wait around for him to get to them in his timing, I just get resentful and annoyed, which would put a strain on our marriage. Honestly, it's just easier to do it myself, the way I want to do it. You might find yourself in the same situation. I also suggest flylady.net. She has a good system that you may actually want to put into place before the baby comes so you don't get completely overwhelmed by information or starting a new way of doing things after your world has been completely turned upside down by the new little life in your house.
So yes, have a conversation about expectations. Realize you are not going to be perfect and more importantly get your husband to realize that, and just how much time it will take to care for a newborn (it will help if he is home for a week or so after your child's birth and realizes just how time-consuming everything is, especially feeding the baby). But don't butt heads to the point of putting a strain on your marriage because your husband didn't put his plate in the dishwasher and that's his job. So often we expect our spouses to take over some of our chores sometimes to give us a break, but we still expect them to do all of their stuff, make the money, etc.
Good luck, and congratulations! My job doesn't get much respect, but being able to raise my child makes it all worth it–not to mention the freedom and flexibility of not working outside the home. For me, the rewards far outweigh the things I have given up to stay home.
ksmaybe Dec 04 at 8:31 am Reply
I haven't read the other responses (only so much time while my kids eat breakfast!), but I wanted to toss in from my experiences, that regardless of expectations of either party, be prepared for tense moments. DH's mom worked for most if not all of his childhood, Still, he feels like he can't say anything about things that don't get done, or that he would like to see done without my taking it personally. He's probably right. It's hard to negotiate who's responsibility tasks are and it's hard to not feel completely responsible for everything, no matter how great you each are at things. That said, it's wonderful. I've been both SAHM and WOHM. Both are rewarding, both are amazing. Motherhood is amazing. Congratulations!
Lindsay Dec 06 at 5:44 pm Reply
I want to second a lot of the things that Mary (3rd comment in the list) says above.
My mom was that perfect housekeeper, and even trained me that way from when I was little… and I still can't ever live up to my own expectations of doing it as well as she did.
I think there are two main things I can contribute to this conversation:
1. Start looking now for a babysitter. Figure out which of your neighbors have responsible teenage daughters, or ask for recommendations in the nursery at your church (the nursery workers probably know who the good babysitters are) or look through Amalah's columns for more ideas… No matter how attached you are to your baby, no matter how sensitive your baby is, find someone that is willing to deal with you both and take that baby for an hour or an evening, and then (a) GET OUT OF THE HOUSE BY YOURSELF, and also (b) SPEND TIME WITH YOUR HUSBAND WITHOUT THE BABY. That will make a huge difference in your ability to cope with whatever's going on with the house.
2. Everyone has these fights about the chores. They say that money is the biggest cause of fights in marriage; I am sure that chores is absolutely, unquestionably #2. At my house, we fight about whose job something is, about pet peeves (a couple at our house include: puts dirty pans in the oven to get them off the counter; sweeps the kitchen and leaves the dirt pile in the corner instead of in the dust bin), about how fast something did or did not get done… It's important to realize that you are going to have conflict about this. If you think you're each going to be able to get it all perfect without annoying the other person, you have another think coming. And generally, it's okay to argue, but make sure you are aware of it, and not putting these (technically) petty arguments in front of all the reasons you guys do love each other.
cass Dec 09 at 9:45 pm Reply
Hi there, I'm the mommy with the war at home, which you linked to in the above post… I'm happy to report that hubby and I have settled into a routine with the kiddo and things around our house are MUCH happier now. (And the kiddo just turned one! HOORAY!) Is hubby still wishing he was at home with the kiddo more? Yes. Does he still wish the kiddo was with me or another family member instead of day care? Yes. But he's had more than a few days and nights alone with the kiddo since then and knows that it's really HARD. Absolutely wonderful and rewarding but HARD. (I'm not jetting off with the girls each weekend, but an afternoon or night off once in a while to do 'me' things is great!) He's seen me after a full day alone with the kiddo and knows how burnt out or frazzled I can get. (He ocassionally has weekend commitments for his job and omg, the transition from 2 naps to 1 has been HORRENDOUS for us and of course the struggles always happen on the weekends I'm alone.) He's seen me after a few hours away and recognized how rejuvenated I am when I return and how much better of a mother I am. (Yay me time!)
So for the original poster here – talk to your hubby. Let him see what it's like for you. Discuss expectations. Have him 'walk a mile in your shoes.' Give it time, but make sure your needs and desires are expressed, that hubby knows the baby is your #1 concern and time-taker, and repeat these things as often as you need to to make sure they are actually heard and understood. (And, you know, try to discuss them calmly and not during a whispered shouting match. Makes a HUGE difference. ;))
(Did I happen to mention make sure you get YOU time every once and a while? :))

subset: commoncrawl


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(By Leif Eriksen) I am a bit disappointed that we didn't go over the "fiscal cliff." Now we'll never know if any of the dire predictions bandied about would have ever come to pass. Now that we've come to a stop at the edge of the cliff – imagine it as a canyon or ravine – how do we get to the other side?
I don't mean for the economy – that's the business of our esteemed representatives in Washington. I mean how do you and I find a way to make some money in the current market?
After twenty-plus years of participation in the stock market, I have come to one definitive conclusion: no two years are alike. In that time I've experienced bull and bear markets, irrational exuberance, three recessions, double digit inflation, and a wide range of political regimes.
[Related -Fusion-IO, Inc. (FIO): Can Fusion-IO Q2 Results Cheer Street?]
I've mostly been long the market, made bets on segments such as technology and energy, and been net neutral (through hedging). I don't have a crystal ball but I do have the battle wounds to inform my view of the risk/reward equation we face in 2013. But before I share my thoughts on what might be in store for 2013 I'll divulge the 2012 performance of my two Covestor model portfolios.
The 2012 performance of my two models once again diverged. The more conservative PWP Growth and Income model was particularly hurt by its exposure to energy and natural resource stocks which have lagged the market.
The more aggressive Global Growth Brands model benefited from having a concentrated portfolio of secular growth names in industries such as entertainment, online shopping, food & beverage and online photo services.
[Related -Google Inc (GOOG): Why Nest Labs Deal Is A Wakeup Call For Apple Inc.?]
For 2013, I believe markets will continue to climb but at a slower, perhaps less erratic, fashion than in 2012. I believe dividend stocks will continue to benefit from the contribution of dividends to total return but, more significantly, by the lack of compelling income generating options for an expanding retirement population.
In my opinion, significant growth will continue to be found in the technology, healthcare, and consumer discretionary sectors but profiting from it will require careful stock selection. At some point, I believe interest rates will start to rise and this will have a negative effect on bonds but not stocks. In anticipation I have taken a small position in the ProShares UltraShort Lehman 20 Plus Treasury Fund (TBT).
The focus of the PWP Growth and Income fund will continue to be dividend paying stocks with a mix of growth stocks added to boost returns. My recent moves have put more emphasis on value stocks (per my market assessment above) and include the following additions: Energy XXI (EXXI), Gannett (GCI), Honda Motor (HMC), Linn Energy (LINE), National Oilwell Varco (NOV), Shutterfly SFLY, and Western Union (WU).
SFLY was also added to the Global Growth Brands portfolio based on my expectations of a strong holiday season and significant insider support in 2012. I will also stay the course with the GGB model by focusing on brands with secular growth prospects. Recently I've favored larger brand names such as Apple, Honda and Starbucks.
AAPL, in particular, was added during the exodus out of the stock in Q4. I expect the tide will turn again as investors realize it is still the company to beat in smart phones and tablets.
Until next time many happy returns!
Performance discussed is net of advisory fees, and includes reinvestment of dividends or other earnings. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
The investments discussed are held in client accounts as of January 13 . These investments may or may not be currently held in client accounts. The reader should not assume that any investments identified were or will be profitable or that any investment recommendations or investment decisions we make in the future will be profitable.
Any index comparisons provided in the blogs are for informational purposes only and should not be used as the basis for making an investment decision. There are significant differences between client accounts and the indices referenced including, but not limited to, risk profile, liquidity, volatility and asset composition. The S&P 500 is an index of 500 stocks chosen for market size, liquidity and industry, among other factors. The Dow Jones Global Indexes (DJGI) is a family of international equity indexes, including world, region, and country indexes and economic sector, market sector, industry-group, and subgroup indexes.
Certain information contained in this presentation is based upon forward-looking statements, information and opinions, including descriptions of anticipated market changes and expectations of future activity. The manager believes that such statements, information and opinions are based upon reasonable estimates and assumptions. However, forward-looking statements, information and opinions are inherently uncertain and actual events or results may differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, undue reliance should not be placed on such forward-looking statements, information and opinions.
Covestor Ltd. is a registered investment advisor. Covestor licenses investment strategies from its Model Managers to establish investment models. The commentary here is provided as general and impersonal information and should not be construed as recommendations or advice. Information from Model Managers and third-party sources deemed to be reliable but not guaranteed. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Transaction histories for Covestor models available upon request. Additional important disclosures available at http://site.covestor.com/help/disclosures. For information about Covestor and its services, go to http://covestor.com or contact Covestor Client Services at (866) 825-3005, x703.
In this current era of central planning, malincentives abound. We raced to frack as fast we could for the read on...
The Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged yesterday, as widely expected. But the possibility of a read on...
It was never supposed to be this daunting. At least that's what we were read on...
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heading for new horizons at heading for new horizons
Endorsement and encouragement of creativity and spontaneity in children around the world and thus contribute to talent development. Feel like a Young-Rembrandt.
For about twelve years, ArtKids did the job; and for about 8 months it changed to ArtKids Foundation. ArtKids Foundation goes on, Those guys will do the job well; I am heading for new horizons.


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Inotek Safety Consultants, LLC is a full service firm devoted to providing a wide array of safety services. We provide cost effective solutions that include Safety Professional Staffing, Safety Attendant Services, Safety & Health Consultation and Stand-by Rescue Teams. Occupational Medicine, Safety Rental Equipment and Grade-D Breathing Air are also included in the services that we provide. At Inotek, we seek to tailor our business solutions to each client's individual needs in an effort to increase safety and quality, resulting in an injury-free work environment.To learn more about other divisions within Inotek Safety Consultants, please visit our website.
Our Mission
It is the mission of Inotek Safety to deliver innovative technical safety solutions for our business partners.
It is our number one priority to provide customized solutions to meet client needs and help to achieve optimum overall business performance.
Our Promise
We will enhance your operation by improving quality and empowering employees to be leaders in safety & health so that they can produce an injury free environment.
Our Experience
The Safety and Health Professionals at Inotek have over 30+ years of experience in the following sectors:
- Oil and Gas Industry
- Refining and Chemical Manufacturing
- Industrial Manufacturing
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- Power, Coal Fire, and Renewable Energy Plants
- Nuclear Power


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The path to parenthood wasn't an easy one for Jo Short, but after 19 miscarriages and more than a decade of heartache, she says it was all worth it now that her "miracle baby" Emily-Kate is here.
Jo had her first miscarriage in 1997, the year after she met her husband Steve. Little did she know at the time it would be the first of many. It took 10 years before she was finally diagnosed with endometriosis, a condition that affects millions of women in which uterine tissue grows outside the uterus, usually in the reproductive organs. Despite her diagnosis, however, Jo was told by numerous doctors that she should still be able to carry a baby to term.
"The challenge was there's limited research into the link between endometriosis and miscarriage," says the UK mom, who recently shared her story with ITV's Daybreak. "The frustration was in being told by eight different consultants that everything was normal and to go away and keep trying."
In the 14 years following her first pregnancy Jo, 37, suffered a staggering 19 miscarriages. She says that she blamed herself.
"I questioned why I always miscarried — was I drinking too much tea or too much caffeine? I'd beat myself up about eating an apple that wasn't washed."
Then, last year, she learned of a pioneering surgery that offered new hope. She underwent the 4-hour procedure, which removed the deep scar tissue that had accumulated. Less than two months later she was pregnant again, and this time Jo's story has a happy ending.
"Being a mum is wonderful, everything I expected and more," she gushes. "It is what we'd wanted for so long."
My heart aches for couples who have to struggle so long and hard to have a child, I can't begin to imagine the physical, mental and emotional anguish they must go through. Congratulations to Jo and her husband on their gorgeous little girl!
Did you, or someone close to you, struggle to conceive?
Endometriosis affects millions of women – here's what some celebrities have had to say about their own diagnoses…
(Photos: Facebook/Jo Short, INFphoto.com]


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Kidney Failure
Learn more about kidney failure (end stage renal disease)
Healthy kidneys clean your blood by removing excess fluid, minerals and wastes. They also make hormones that keep your bones strong and your blood healthy. Most people with kidney problems have chronic kidney disease (CKD). Chronic kidney disease is a long and usually slow process where the kidneys slowly lose function. When the kidneys function at 15% or less, this is called kidney failure or end stage renal disease (ESRD). When your kidneys fail, harmful wastes build up in your body. When this happens, you will need treatment to replace the work of your failed kidneys.
People facing kidney failure will require dialysis or a kidney transplant. These treatments are called kidney (renal) replacement therapy. If you are facing kidney failure and haven't explored your options, now is the time to learn more.
Know your GFR flow
Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is a measure of how well your kidneys are working. It helps your doctor diagnose kidney disease by determining how well your kidneys are cleaning your blood.
Even if kidney function ends, it doesn't mean your life does. Read about people that faced kidney failure head on and now lead full, active lives.
When a person reaches end stage renal disease, both kidneys have stopped or almost stopped doing their jobs. The body fills up with extra fluid and wastes that would normally be filtered out. This is called uremia. If you learn the signs and symptoms of uremia, you'll be better able to watch for them and alert your doctor.
Signs of Kidney Failure:
- Your hands, feet or face feel swollen.
- It's hard to catch your breath.
- Your skin is very, very itchy.
- Your skin color looks darker or yellow.
- You have a "metal" taste in your mouth.
- You may not want to eat protein—beef, pork, chicken, fish, eggs.
- Your appetite is gone. You may feel sick to your stomach and sometimes throw up.
- Friends and/or relatives may tell you your breath smells like ammonia.
- You may feel cold all the time.
- You can't think straight or focus on things like you used to.
- You are very, very tired all the time and your muscles feel weak.
If you have any of these symptoms, let your doctor know right away so that you can be tested for kidney failure.
When facing kidney failure, you and your doctor can work together to create a treatment plan. This may include:
- A kidney (renal) replacement therapy option.
- An access site, if you are choosing dialysis.
- What to eat and drink.
- Medications.
- Lifestyle changes.
This plan is designed to help you feel well and have a good quality of life.
When considering your treatment options, it is important to discuss options for placement of an access site for dialysis with your doctor.
How a treatment plan can make up for failed kidneys
Dialysis can't work all by itself. You and your healthcare team will work together to create a treatment plan that helps your body make up for the loss of healthy kidney function.
Renal replacement therapy combines dialysis, medication and diet. Here is an example of how each of these elements replace normal kidney function.
|What Healthy Kidneys Do
|Meals & Fluid Plan
|Stay Active
|Remove excess body fluid
|Filter wastes out of the blood
|Control blood pressure for a strong heart
|Controll phosphorus for strong bones
|Help your body use Vitamin D for strong bones
|Trigger your body to make red blood cells
|Good health, movement , energy and strong bones
Regardless of your treatment, remember to stick with it and be consistent. Take any medications you've been prescribed and see your nephrologist, or kidney specialist, regularly. If you don't have one, visit Find a Physician to find one near you.


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It's hard to imagine life in any strict religious community, and the Satmar Hasidim seem particularly remote from the experiences of many Americans. Raised in a Satmar Hasidim community in Brooklyn, Feldman gives us special insight into a closed and repressive world. Abandoned by her mother and married off at 17 to a man she had known for less than an hour, Feldman started taking classes at Sarah Lawrence College and soon determined that she had to leave the community, together with her young son. At first glance, her memoir is fresh and tart and quite absorbing.[Page 58]. (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Born into the insular and exclusionary Hasidic community of Satmar in Brooklyn to a mentally disabled father and a mother who fled the sect, Feldman, as she recounts in this nicely written memoir, seemed doomed to be an outsider from the start. Raised by devout grandparents who forbade her to read in English, the ever-curious child craved books outside the synagogue teaching. Feldman's spark of rebellion started with sneaking off to the library and hiding paperback novels under her bed. Her boldest childhood revolution: she buys an English translation of the Talmud, which would otherwise be kept from her, so that she might understand the prayers and stories that are the fabric of her existence. At 17, hoping to be free of the scrutiny and gossip of her circle, she enters into an arranged marriage with a man she meets once before the wedding. Instead, having received no sex education from a culture that promotes procreation and repression simultaneously, she and her husband are unable to consummate the relationship for a year. The absence of a sex life and failure to produce a child dominate her life, with her family and in-laws supplying constant pressure. She starts to experience panic attacks and the stirrings of her final break with being Hasidic. It's when she finally does get pregnant and wants something more for her child that the full force of her uprising takes hold and she plots her escape. Feldman, who now attends Sarah Lawrence College, offers this engaging and at times gripping insight into Brooklyn's Hasidic community. (Feb.)[Page ]. Copyright 2011 PWxyz LLC


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Danny, I an not "poking" at Scott. Let me give you the run down; (Look into the objective information) I made an edit (logo update) and Scott reverted it. I did not take it personally, but he did not leave a revert summery, when he should have. (Your rules, not mine) I politely asked why, here; http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/Thread:163744 More than a week went by, and he did not answer. So for the record, I stated that I did not appreciate it. Then he blocks me. He now claims I was being a "pest"? Really? I ask you Danny, what did I do wrong? *more than a week* goes by, and he does not answer me. Is that really professional behavior for an admin?
For the first time ever, I tried to handle this by myself, and I get blocked for speaking my mind. If an admin asked a member a question, and they did not answer, would that not prove that they didn't want to communicate? An admin would have done the same thing I did, say that they did not appreciate it.
Danny, you told me that you would look into it, and you never got back to me. At that point, I felt like I was being toyed with. Danny, when you did not answer me, I took it up here;http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/Thread:164194
Then, Scott leaves me this message; http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/Thread:164256 (which did not address any of my questions) I reply to him back, saying that he misunderstood my position, and he never acknowledged it.
So I leave another response on his page here: http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/Thread:164271
Fact: This is not the first time that I have politely asked Scott a question on his page, and he does not answer, ever.
In this particular situation, he repeatedly failed to directly answer my questions, then finally, (he obviously got fed up) he says that I was blocked for being a "pest". I waited *over a week* before making my "I don't appreciate this" statement, how is *that* being a "pest"?
Danny, I ask you, how am I the pest, when I ask a question, and he never answers me? Is it unreasonable to expect an answer within a week of posting my question? Especially since he had logged onto the wiki a few times since I first asked the question. We all get notification when someone posts something on our message walls. He was obviously ignoring me.
I truly believe that Scott has abused his powers as a admin. He had no valid reason to block me. (Look into the facts and the objective information)
From the very beginning, I was civil. I was patient. Tell me Danny, would you appreciate it if you asked a question to a member, and more than a week goes by, and you get no response or acknowledgement? Wouldn't you assume that they did not want to communicate? We all know that communication is important on a wiki.
Danny, I have noticed that whenever I have had an issue with Scott in the past, you have always tried to downplay it, almost like you were protecting him. Please ask yourself, is this really professional behavior on his part?
Again I ask you, how was I being a "pest"? I politely ask a question. I wait for an answer. More than week goes by, I get no answer, so for the record, I say that I do not appreciate him not answering me. And then he blocks me, reasoning that I was a "pest"? How is that fair? Is it professional for an admin to leave a member clueless for weeks?
Danny, I only want to hear from you. But one thing is for sure, I will not be coming back to this wiki. I believe that I was treated unfairly, and that an admin abused his powers. There are other wikis on the network that I have gotten interested in, and I'll give my attention to those. (Plus, I have finally gotten involved with Wikipedia)
By the way, I am an adult, so please do not patronize me.


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Jindal to Relegalize Anti-Gay Discrimination
Timothy Kincaid
August 20th, 2008
If you are a Louisiana State department head that wished to rid your taxpayer funded office of gay people, you only have to wait until after Friday. That's when an anti-discrimination order put in place by former Governor Kathleen Blanco expires. And current Governor Piyush "Bobby" Jindal has no intention of renewing it. (Forbes)
The order – enacted by Blanco on Dec. 6, 2004 – bars state agencies and contractors from various sorts of harassment and discrimination by race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, political affiliation or disabilities.
Jindal says that he only wants to protect from discrimination those categories that are protected by Federal or state law. And neither federal nor Louisiana state law protect gay persons from blatant intentional discrimination.
Jindal has a reason for making sure that anti-gay discrimination is perfectly legal in Louisiana. It could cause problems with faith-based organizations' ability to contract with the state. If anti-discrimination policies are in place then Jindal cannot give taxpayer money to religious groups who practice such discrimination in their state funded activities.
"We're not going to renew it. That shouldn't come as a surprise," he said when questioned about the order's expiration. "We oppose discrimination. I think we've got strong federal and state laws that protect our people." [emphasis mine]
Jindal is believed to be on John McCain's short list of potential running mates.


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The Walking Dead
The Walking Dead's Lauren Cohan Strips Down to Lingerie for Maxim (PHOTOS)
On AMC's The Walking Dead, Lauren Cohan plays Maggie Greene, a farmer's daughter with a penchant for killing zombies in not exactly the sexiest set of duds. In real life, however, the actress ditches her character's ratty rags in favor of a more feminine look.
In the October 2013 issue of Maxim magazine, the 31-year-old star strips down to her bra and panties while sharing her thoughts on men and dating. "[The worst pickup line] is somebody not being personal," she reveals. "The worst pickup line is any pickup line, I think."
These photos make it pretty obvious why fans of The Walking Dead have quickly fallen in love with the British beauty. (See, guys! It's not just because she's one of the only humans left in the world!)
Click through our gallery to ogle a few of Lauren's sexy shots, then make sure to pick up your copy of Maxim — on newsstands now — to read the full interview!


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Monday's meteor fell on Lorton, Va. doctors' office
A Washington DC television station is reporting an apparent meteorite fall in Lorton, Va. The space rock, which has been taken to the Smithsonian Institution, crashed through the roof of a doctor's office at around 5:45 p.m. on Monday, narrowly missing patients and staff.
NOTE: An earlier version of this post erroneously referred to the office as a dental office. Although there is a dental office in the building, the doctors who found the meteorite are in a family medical practice. The Weatherblog regrets the error.
The reported time of the fall matches closely the time that scores of people from New Jersey to southern Virginia reported they saw a bright meteor fall, leaving a writhing smoke trail in the twilight sky. The Baltimore Sun's WeatherBlog has received more than 100 reports of the fall from observers.
The story on the Web site of WUSA9 in Washington says the mango-sized meteorite crashed through the roof and acoustical tiles of the Williamsburg Square Family Practice office in Lorton. Dr. Frank Ciampi told the station the crash was so loud he thought bookshelves had toppled.
Experts at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History, interviewed by the station, confirmed the fractured meteorite was a stony "chondrite" meteorite, with a dark fusion crust formed by the heat of its passage through the atmosphere.
Professional meteorite hunter Steve Arnold says he is on his way to Virginia. "I hope to find some other pieces," he said in email to the WeatherBlog. Arnold, TV's "Meteorite Man," also took part in the apparently unsuccessful hunt for fragments of the meteor that fell somewhere along the Mason-Dixon line north of Baltimore last July 6. That fall was accompanied by a sonic boom that startled residents in Maryland and Pennsylvania.
The Smithsonian museum's Linda Welzenbach said the Lorton meteorite is believed to be only the fourth confirmed meteorite fall in Virginia's history.
UPDATE: Meteorite hunters have been using readers' comments to the WeatherBlog to calculate the entry path of the meteorite. They've been scouring the comments, especially, for descriptions of the altitude and angle of the meteor's arrival last Monday evening. Not everyone included that information in their comments. There's still time. Here's a note I received Monday, Jan. 25 from Rob Matson. You can contact him directly at email@example.com :
"Hi Frank,
"I've been following the posts on your blog by witnesses to the
Lorton fireball in the hopes of finding someone, *anyone*, who
viewed the fall "from the side" as opposed to roughly inline
with it (someone that wasn't NNE or SSW of Lorton). It's a
shame that not one of the witnesses from well east or well
west of the meteor made mention of the *slope* of the meteor's
path relative to the horizon. This is a critical piece of
information as far as reconstruction of the 3D track. I was
really hoping that one of the easternmost observers (e.g.
Rehoboth Beach, DE; Ocean City, MD) would have commented
about the slope since it most definitely did not fall
vertically toward the horizon from these vantage points. Even
better would have been a single picture of the smoke trail
from one of these side-viewing vantage points. Surely in
this age when everyone has a cell phone camera, someone must
have taken such an image?
"If you have any images or even sketches of the bolide's path
(or its smoke trail taken as soon after the fall as possible),
I would love to see them. Even one such image where the path
wasn't vertical would allow a crude reconstruction of the
entry angle, aiding in the recovery of additional specimens
from the fall. - Best wishes, Rob"
This request for help was answered by several readers. Matson has since sent the following:Hi Frank,
Thanks very much for posting my message on your blog. As a result, I've already received one image from one of your readers (Columbia, MD vantage point) which is the most useful along-track view of the smoke trail I've seen to date, as it contains both the track and the crescent Moon. Used in conjunction with the smoke trail image taken from Silver Spring (would love to know the precise location for that image, btw), I can construct a crude 3D track solution.
But I'm still holding out hope for an image from the Chesapeake or anywhere along the DelMarVa peninsula.
Thanks again,
Categories: Sky Watching


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The Six Degrees of Usain Bolt
As Usain Bolt became the first man ever to win six Olympics gold medals in sprinting, Kipp finds out how the fastest man on earth is connected to a famous fashion designer and Dubai Cares.
August 12, 2012 6:48 by Jyothi M.V.
Victoria Beckham
Victoria Beckham, also known as Posh Spice, is a former member of the popular all-girl pop band the Spice Girls. After the band fell apart, she went solo under the record labels, Virgin Records and Telestar Records. Her first single, "Out of Your Mind" was #2 in the UK Singles Chart in 2000. Later on, she began concentrating on her career as a fashion designer and businesswoman. In 1997, at a soccer game she met David Beckham and the two soon became one of Britain's most popular couples, known in the tabloid as "Posh" and "Becks." They have four children together, namely; sons Brooklyn Joseph (13 years) Romeo James (10 years), Cruz David (7 years) and daughter Harper Seven (1 year). Victoria designed her own denim brand, dVb style; launched her own range of sunglasses and fragrance, titled Intimately Beckham. She also wrote her autobiography, Learning to Fly (2001), which became a best seller in Britain and also wrote a fashion guide, That Extra Half an Inch: Hair, Heels and Everything In Between, which was launched in 2006 and became a bestseller. Due to the immense popularity of David Beckham in Aisa, especially in Japan, she produced a range of handbags and jewellery, in association with the Japanese store Samantha Thavasa and Shiatzy Chen. She has had five documentaries on Television and has also been a judge in the hugely popular American Idol. This year, she worked on designing a four-wheel drive SUV…
Other Articles
How is Gerald Lawless connected to the Dubai Police?
How is David Guetta connected to Dubai International Airport?
How is Lewis Hamilton connected to Union Properties PJSC
How is Thierry Henry connected to the Dubai Economic Council?
Dubai Comedy Festival: How is Dave Chappelle connected to Dubai Airshow?


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Offshore outsourcing is currently looked upon as a value enhancer that helps organizations to streamline their core operations at a significant cost advantage. The value enhancers of the outsourcing model stem from the following realities:
Karmanya has been playing an effective role in meeting various software outsourcing needs by providing a gamut of services ranging from creative design to independent third party verification and validation services. We were able to diversify our service offerings which started with software development and maintenance and encompassed all other value added services associated with this domain of software services.
Our well defined and tested processes have enabled us to transition into offering a wide range of services by sustaining the same quality, effectiveness and responsiveness that define our service standards. Please view our engagement models, consulting models and service offerings to know more.
The unsurpassed advantages of offshore Web development are enormous saving and quick results. Karmanya assumes all the risks to save you any complications you may otherwise encounter when dealing with offshore Software Development companies or freelance developers directly. We have office based in US, Satellite office based in Europe, Development Center based in India and are on the anvil of opening an office in Australia.


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In T1 or in T2?
In T1 or in T2?
T1, with the number facing back. T2, pull number around so its facing front.
It's been a while, but when I did them it was not required on the bike so I didn't wear it (usually had to wire-tie a number to the bike frame and put a sticker on the helmet). If that is what the rules say, I would wear it only after T2.
One time I forgot to put it on for the run, and had to go back into the transition area before finishing. That was a little embarrassing.
I have done 2 sprints this year and both only needed for the run
In Ontario, Canada. It is required for the bike and run, so i put it on in T1
Road Bike- 2003 Trek 2000(out of service, rear triangle bent, looking for replacment)
Triathlon/TT- 2003 Cervelo P3(also looking to upgrade to the P3C)
MTB- 2006 Rocky Mountain Element Team
Cats don't like riding on a bicycle......no matter how much duct tape you use.
Aquagirl...this is probably too late as my guess is you just finished Carlsbad...but I put mine on in T2. Let us know how the event went.
Fredo, you're my older brother and I love you...but don't ever take sides, with anyone, against the family again...ever.
a trick from an old boyfriend: put the race belt on before your race under your wetsuit.
If you put the number in front and wrap it around the belt it will not break aero profile. You can simply unwrap it on the run. Saves some time in transition and its one less thing to screw up when it feels like you're going to pass out getting off the bike.


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First Class Touring
River Cruising
Vacation Packages
From Fairbanks to Anchorage, see what the "Great Land" of Alaska has to offer on this exhilarating vacation. In Alaska, wildlife viewing is abundant—from bald eagles to Dall sheep—and this tour also gives you the opportunity to see spectacular scenery. Begin your trip in Fairbanks, Alaska's second-largest city, with time to explore the city's sights. Cruise down the Nenana and Tanana Rivers aboard a sternwheeler riverboat. Then, head to Denali National Park for free time to explore on your own, or you can opt to hike, whitewater raft, or "flightsee" over Mount McKinley. Also visit an Iditarod Dogsled Center to learn about this epic race, and travel aboard the legendary Alaska Railroad to Anchorage, Alaska's largest city, with time to explore the city's sights. Travel to Seward "Gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park," on the Seward Highway to visit the Alaska Sealife Center, a research facility that offers an up-close experience with marine wildlife from the Gulf of Alaska. Your trip ends in Anchorage—the vacation of a lifetime!
Sightseeing: In Fairbanks, Anchorage, and Seward; Sternwheeler Riverboat Discovery III, Anchorage Museum, and Alaska Sealife Center. Inside visits as shown in UPPERCASE in the tour description, including admission charges where applicable.
Scenic Highlights:Alyeska Pipeline, Nenana and Tanana Rivers, Denali National Park & Preserve, Susitna River, National Scenic Byway, Seward, and a recreated Athabascan Indian village.
Services of a professional Tour Director.
NOTES:While wildlife in Alaska is frequently seen, early season (May & early June) and late-season (September) departures offer even greater opportunities for viewing a variety of wildlife. Departures after mid-August should enjoy blazing fall colors.Visiting and participating in activities in these locations is subject to favorable weather conditions.
Welcome to Fairbanks, the state's second-largest city. Your Tour Director is on hand late this afternoon to answer any questions.
Morning sightseeing features the highlights of this historic Alaskan city and includes a visit to the Alyeska Pipeline and the chance to learn about the Gold Rush heritage of this community. Board the STERNWHEELER RIVERBOAT Discovery III for a leisurely cruise on the Nenana and Tanana Rivers, and visit a recreated ATHABASCAN INDIAN VILLAGE. Listen as the ship's guides discuss the wildlife, history, geology, and customs of the region.
Today we make our way from Fairbanks to DENALI NATIONAL PARK & PRESERVE. Stop in the town of Nenana, where they drove the golden spike in 1923 to signal the completion of the Alaska Railroad. Your afternoon and evening are free for exploring on your own. Take advantage of the park service programs, along with optional activities that can be purchased.
A free day for independent activities. A hike along the many wilderness trails might be fun. Also take advantage of several optional outings, including a wildlife tour to seek out grizzly bears, caribou, moose, and Dall sheep; a raft trip down the Nenana River; or a helicopter ride over the park. Your Tour Director will have plenty of suggestions.
Board the world-famous ALASKA RAILROAD for a memorable journey as you wind along the Susitna River to Anchorage. Sit back in comfort and enjoy spectacular scenery through wide windows. Be sure to take advantage of the domed-roof car and, if the weather cooperates, you will have the opportunity to view Mount McKinley from the train.
Today begins with city sightseeing of Anchorage. Visit the ANCHORAGE MUSEUM, where you will see a quality display of artifacts from Alaska's native people. Enjoy a free afternoon in Anchorage to explore.
Travel this morning to Seward, "Gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park," on the Seward Highway, a designated National Scenic Byway. Included is a visit to the ALASKA SEALIFE CENTER, a research facility that offers an up-close experience with marine wildlife from the Gulf of Alaska. Your afternoon is free to join some optional adventures such as a cruise into Kenai Fjords National Park, where you travel up to the face of a glacier, or visit the kennels of the Seavey family, winners of the Iditarod Races from 2012-2015, and ride behind a dogsled team at Ididaride. If you choose to stay in Seward, enjoy lunch in the charming downtown and a scenic walk along the coastal trail. This evening, return to Anchorage.
The trip ends today with guests departing on individual schedules. Transfers to Anchorage International Airport are included.
Transportation:Journey on the Alaska Railroad from Denali National Park to Anchorage; private, deluxe air-conditioned motorcoach while touring.
This Cosmos travel package does not include meals. Most of our hotels offer anything from coffee to a full breakfast, so you can start the day the way you like best. At most lunch stops, your Tour Director will have information on local restaurants. Dinnertime is your chance to sample local cuisine. Sometimes your Tour Director will offer an optional dinner outing.
With Cosmos, there's no better way to get to know your destination than through the eyes of your Tour Director. Averaging over a decade... we'd like you to meet a Tour Director, who is representative of the type of expert that will be with you on your vacation.
Born in Salisbury, England, I left England at the age of nine and ended up in Los Angeles. Some of my hobbies include travel, flying (I have my license to fly small, single-engine planes), gardening (growing my own fruits and veggies is awesome), and landscaping (it gives me a chance to learn about different trees and plants). My advice to travelers is to come with an open mind and look forward to learning new things. What makes other places so special is that they're not home!


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Top Definition
Someone whose life depends on possession of latest and best digital devices.
Her husband was a technophilliac! He would buy electronics with the baby's milk money...
af MisBeaHaven 3. september 2010
Skriv din email-adresse nedenunder for at få Dagens Urban Ord gratis hver morgen!
Emails sendes fra email@example.com. Vi lover ikke at spamme dig.×


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Sid Meier's Civilization® V: Cradle of Civilization - Mesopotamia
Third party DRM: SteamThis game requires a free Steam account to play.
Customer notes
This game requires Steam(TM) in order to install and run and so cannot be traded or refunded
Please note that is product is an expansion and requires Sid Meier's Civilization® V in order to run.
This is the traditional Western and Middle Eastern "Cradle of Civilization." It includes the Fertile Crescent, with the Nile River valley to the west and extending east down the Tigris and Euphrates river valleys to the Persian Gulf.
The Cradle of Civilization map packs are Firaxis-designed maps of real-world locations. You can play random leaders in these settings, or choose leaders appropriate to the history of these areas. The maps can also be opened up in World Builder, where you can even create specific scenarios.
Customer reviews
Not much thereBungieware | Aug. 20, 2011 | See all Bungieware's reviews »
It adds a few interesting maps, but nothing too different from what's available already. The Nile River map is probably the best, and is the one stand-out map that offers something unique for scenarios. One bonus is that it's very cheap, so you might as well give this a try and see if you enjoy it. Also, Civ 5 is so fun anyway that you'll enjoy this no matter what.
Worth gettingrascallion | June 19, 2011 | See all rascallion's reviews »
If you already are an experienced Civilization 5 player then this is a good little expansion to add to your collection. It adds several maps to the game that are quite fun to play with. However if you are new to the base game, I recommend that you play that first before rushing into buying anything. Nice small bit of DLC.


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Should voters decide who serves as leaders on local school boards? A Florida state Senate bill would ensure that voters could elect school board chairs to four-year terms, "providing accountability and a consistent leadership," reads a supportive editorial in the Orlando Sentinel:
This proposal is much better than an idea floated in past years that would have given a chairman far too much power. This version would not replace the appointed superintendent in the day-to-day running of districts, but would provide voters a strong voice to shape the agenda of the school board — someone to be accountable to all voters.
The state House has passed a similar measure.
Also in Florida, 44 out of 67 counties elect their school superintendents. One county in that state is considering changing that. The Palatka Daily News reports that in addition to Florida, some school districts in Alabama and Mississippi elect superintendents. Good idea? What do you think?


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Power your way to a polished finish
- • A finish worth the wait
- • Sand the surface flat
- • Shine time
- • More Resources
- • More Resources
More Resources
The polish forms a powder as you work and the polishing pad will gradually leave a clear, smooth surface, photo right. In the reflection of an angled light, check for an even sheen and repeat for any missed spots.
After wiping the surface with a clean, soft cloth, add shine and remove the polishing compound residue by wiping on an automotive cleaner and polish. (See Sources.)
Pore filler. Behlen Pore-O-Pac Grain Filler in mahogany no. B744-1256 (other colors available), $19.95 per quart, Tools for Working Wood, 800-426-4613 or toolsforworkingwood.com.
Polishing compound. Wizards Turbo Cut no. 11044, Wizmar International, 800-356-7223 or wizardsproducts.com ($21 for 32 oz from Above All Wholesalers, 631-471-0318 or aawsales.com).
Cleaner and polish. Wizards Mist-N-Shine no. 1214, Wizmar Intl. ($14.25 for 22 oz from Above All Wholesalers.)
Buffing pad. 9" yellow buffing pad no. 91235-0VGA, $7, Harbor Freight, 805-388-3000 or harborfreight.com.
Electric polisher. DeWalt variable-speed polisher no. DW847 with a 7" backing pad, ($170 from Amazon.com), 800-433-9258 or dewalt.com.
Add your comment
Please confirm your comment by answering the question below and clicking "Submit Comment."


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Promise check: We will stop the boats
In his campaign launch speech on August 25, 2013, Tony Abbott pledged: "We'll build a stronger economy so everyone can get ahead. We'll scrap the carbon tax so your family will be $550 a year better off. We'll get the budget back under control by ending Labor's waste. We'll stop the boats."
On June 6, 2013, Mr Abbott was talking to the press when he committed to stopping the boats within his first term as Prime Minister.
Journalist: "You say you'll stop the boats. Will that happen in a first term?"
Abbott: "The short answer is yes."
As far back as his first few months as opposition leader in 2010, Mr Abbott raised the subject at a joint doorstop interview with then opposition immigration spokesman Scott Morrison.
Mr Abbott said the Coalition was "finalising border security policies that really work". Mr Morrison said "We will have the solution to ensure that we stop the boats."
ABC Fact Check will update this promise with official figures on boat arrivals at the end of every month, as well as when other significant events occur.
Here's how it has been tracking:


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Ten state-owned corporations and agencies posted a combined profit amounting to a whopping Sh520 billion ($320million) in the financial year 2009/10, with the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) topping the league by posting Sh 207 billion - which is equal to the total combined profits posted by the top five banks in the country last year, The Guardian has learnt.
The top ten corporations fall under the category of service industry, but some of them have been investing heavily in real estate, lending and treasury bills.
According to financial details sent to the National Assembly recently, the top ten public corporations and agencies operate their businesses without receiving any subsidy from state coffers.
Though the banking sector is bigger than the combined assets of the top public corporations and agencies, their profits surpassed what the industry posted last year.
The top ten firms and their gross profits in brackets are NSSF (Sh207.9 billion), PPF (Sh97.6 billion), LAPF (Sh90.4 billion) and National Health Insurance Fund (Sh63.7 billion).
Others are Government Employees Pension Fund (Sh18.6bn), Public Service Pension Fund (Sh16.2 billion), Vocational Education and Training Authority (Sh16 billion), Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (Sh14 billion), Deposits Insurance Board (Sh10 billion) and Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (Sh7 billion).
Unlike pension funds, which have been in a spending spree investing in real estate, issuing loans to big businesses and trading in treasury bills, it is not clear how the National Health Insurance Fund made the staggering profit.
However, in health insurance if the total cost of health bills of those falling sick in a year is lower than the contributions made by the members, the Fund stands a good chance of posting a super profit.
Introduction of the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) as an alternative financing option in the health sector is a result of the government's decision to implement health sector reforms, which the government embarked on in 1993 when the cost-sharing system was first introduced in government hospitals after three decades of free health care services.
Under the health sector reforms, various programmes, including the National Health Insurance Scheme, were introduced. To implement the scheme the National Health Insurance Fund was established by an Act of Parliament in 1999.
The law requires members to contribute 3 per cent of their salaries every month while the employer is also required to contribute another 3 per cent. The employer is therefore required to remit to the Fund a total of 6 per cent of the employee's salary.
According to details contained in a report authored by chairman of the parliamentary Public Organisations Accounts Committee POAC) Zitto Kabwe, what NHIF posted as gross profit in the year under review was bigger than what the second biggest bank in Tanzania posted last year.
The whopping profit posted by NHIF also reveals how the health insurance business is lucrative in Tanzania - a country of about 44 million - but with only a very small minority enjoying health insurance cover.
NSSF, which tops the list, makes its huge profit from the money market - treasury bills and fixed deposits as well as commercial papers - which constitutes 35 percent of the Fund's investment annually.
According to the Fund's reports, part of its profit also came from bonds, mainly government and corporate, which take 25 per cent of NSSF's annual investment budget.
NSSF also makes its profit from loans by lending to the government, corporate and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) whereby this sector comprised 12 per cent of the Fund's annual investment budget.
Surprisingly, real estate takes only 8 per cent of the Fund's annual investment budget while equity gets a mere 7 per cent.
The Fund's total benefit payments to its members increased from Sh 50 billion in the financial year 2006/2007 to Sh 81 billion in the year 2007/2008.