I’m concerned about investment strategies.  One of my cd’s matured.  I did a lot of number crunching and decided on a 14-month cd with rates equivalent to 2-year rates, rather than a higher return (3.59) with a 5 year commitment.  Either way, I lost income, but I think that in 14 months returns should be better, though not at my target 5% level.  I’m holding off on social security to maximize income there.  One of my defined benefit pension plans is also reconfiguring itself, and I won’t know about that until Jan 2010.  Any thoughts or suggestions?

Jeanne

Julie Morgenstern

I was horrified when I saw my typo. I enjoyed reading the other posts. I have good feelings about the dialog  taking place. I’m excited! I’m eagerly looking forward to whats to come! 

Julie, I read your book, "Making Work Work" a few years back.  It was helpful in dealing with my job at a (as my husband used to call it) "life-sucking non-profit". There seemed to be no end to the work - I worked long days, 6 days a week, and I still had to take work home (I often fell asleep on the couch surrounded by papers).  I finally found the ultimate solution - I left. 

I took a year off to recover and then spent another year doing part-time work that was more fun than profitable - then they downsized. Now, I’m much like Carol - I would love to work for myself, but I sabotage my own efforts.  I would like to pursue something less stressful - something of a more creative nature, but as that avenue is the complete opposite of my background, I’m ruled by doubts.  (N.P.- thanks for the great advice, I plan to jump on a couple of those ideas, for example, doing something that works toward my goal every day and continually moving in that direction.)

I thought I’d get a part-time job so I could still spend time on my own business pursuits, but with my skills, finding something part-time is proving more difficult than I expected - I’m usually "over-qualified" for most part-time office jobs and most other jobs I see advertised are simply not for me (not under me mind you, just not for me). We have two mortgages right now and though we’re getting by ok, it would be nice if I could contribute financially.  We live in the boonies so I’d prefer to work from home - any outside job I find that doesn’t allow telecommuting would require a long commute and I’d much rather do that only a couple/few days a week instead of five (not to mention, commuting to a job I dislike is not a compromise I’m willing to make just yet). 

I do know if I don’t get something going soon, I’m going to have to settle - and though millions of Americans do that everyday I’m still holding out hope (at least for now) that I won’t have to do that.  I know myself too well, once I settle, I’ll get in a rut, then stay much too long. 

Oh, and Washington Cube, I’ve used MS Money and Quicken. It’s pretty much six of one/half-dozen of the other if you ask me.  Each might offer a feature or two that the other doesn’t have, but in general they’re pretty similar.  I currently have Quicken, but my problem is just getting the information into the program! I can’t seem to make myself do it, even though I know that it would help me at tax time immensely!  One good thing:  most CC companies and banks now have the ability to download your monthly statements directly to Money/Quicken. 

I look forward to reading your articles, Julie - thanks for the column (and for allowing me to ramble on)!

Hi Beth-

Thanks for your posting.  I have a question—-did you have a pretty organized schedule before  the layoff?  (Or were you previously less organized, when everyone was working?)

Also, prior to the layoff was the rest of the family doing housework, too?  And, how do you feel about the way they do the housework…are you satisfied with the job they each do?  I think everyone is curious about how to effectively share the housework, when you are used to doing things yourself.

 Do share….thanks, Julie