Jobs & Work « Len Penzo dot Com

Flexible Spending Accounts Provide Free Money. Why Pass It Up?

By Len Penzo

The relentless rise of health care costs can really put a strain on your household budget. Even with an insurance plan, health care expenses can add up when you consider most people still have to pay deductibles, copayments and other items not covered by insurance.

A great way to offset these rising costs is through the use of flexible spending accounts (or FSAs). FSAs are employer-sponsored accounts that allow employees to

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It’s Time Unemployed People Start Working For Free

By Len Penzo

Okay, not all unemployed people, but definitely some of them. Let me explain.

Last month the U.S. House of Representatives passed another 13-week extension of unemployment benefits on top of the current California maximum of 79 weeks. And just last week, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D‐Nevada) introduced a proposal to extend unemployment insurance by up to 14 additional weeks for jobless workers in all 50 states. The proposal would also

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The 10 Most Overpaid Jobs

By Len Penzo

Oh, am I going to make some enemies today.

Last week I did a very well-received article on the 10 most underpaid jobs. Today I tackle the other, more controversial, side of the coin – the 10 most overpaid jobs.

First I want to apologize in advance. I am quite certain this list will offend more than a few of you. I’m sure many of you believe this list is nothing

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The 10 Most Underpaid Jobs

By Len Penzo

Most everybody thinks they’re underpaid for what they do. But in reality, there are a handful of select jobs where this claim is especially true. Here’s my take on the 10 most underpaid jobs. Unless otherwise noted, annual income figures are based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

After reading this list, if you think I’ve overlooked a particular job (like yours), please leave a comment and let

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Is Your Employer Stealing From You?

By Len Penzo

An Allentown woman is now serving 57 months in prison for stealing from her employer to the tune of $1.6 million over the course of an entire decade. That being said, many employees feel it’s really no big deal to raid the supply cabinet and bring home the occasional box of pens, tablets, or other office supplies, even though it’s stealing nevertheless.

Did you ever wonder why your employer often looks

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Ten Essential Negotiating Tactics Everyone Should Know (Part 2)

By Len Penzo

This is Part 2 of a two-part post on negotiating tactics. Please click on this link for Part 1 of this article.

As I noted in the first part of this article, I have always believed that one of the most important life skills that every person should have mastered before setting out on their own is the ability to successfully negotiate.

For most of us, negotiating skills are usually needed shortly after we leave

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Ten Essential Negotiating Tactics Everyone Should Know

By Len Penzo

I have always believed that one of the most important life skills that every person should have mastered before setting out on their own is the ability to successfully negotiate.

For most of us, negotiating skills are usually needed shortly after we leave home to strike out on our own for the very first time. For example, the opportunity to engage in negotiations often comes into play when we get our first job, move

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Immunize Yourself from the Layoff Bug

By Len Penzo

Mr. Krabs: Patrick, you’re fired!
Patrick: But I don’t even work here.
Mr. Krabs: How would you like a job, starting right now?
Patrick: Boy, would I!
Mr. Krabs: You’re fired.
- from an episode of SpongeBob SquarePants

As the economy continues to falter, more people are getting laid off everyday. Very few of us are seemingly immune from the specter of receiving a pink slip from our employers. In fact, last night I found

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