In a new report Friday, Deutsche Bank uses a number of interesting yard sticks to suggest crude is currently way too expensive and may fall to the $60 a barrel range as the economy worsens.

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While most of us are struggling to save money, and pay for gas, there are many Americans that have nothing to worry about.

Bill Gates has reclaimed the top spot with a net worth of $57 billion dollars. Gates lost his title to Warren Buffett for a few months in spring 2008. Buffett’s shares in Berkshire Hathaway have fallen and landed him in a close second at $50 billion.

Here is a run down of the list:
1 - William Gates III
2 - Warren Buffett
3 - Lawrence Ellison
4 - Jim Walton
5 - S Robson Walton
6 - Alice Walton
7 - Christy Walton & Family
8 - Michael Bloomberg
9 - Charles Koch
10 - David Koch
11 - Michael Dell
12 - Paul Allen
13 - Sergey Brin
14 - Larry Page
15 - Sheldon Adelson
16 - Steven Ballmer
17 - Abigail Johnson
18 - Jack Taylor & Family
19 - Anne Cox Chambers
20 - Donald Bren

Sources:
Forbes - The Forbes 400
Yahoo - The Forbes 400 Richest Americans
Photo - ©AP Photo/Las Vegas News Bureau, Bob Brye

Popularity: 8% [?]

I was talking to one of my peers recently about the candidates for president this year and which one he thought would be the better choice as a young professional. Here is what he said:

me: Why is Obama a better choice as a young professional?

Jared: Because he understands young people. This is evidenced by the fact that he raised $66 million in the month of August, largely through online fundraising. Obama understands the importance of internet, just like young professionals, and is able to use it to his advantage - unlike John McCain who openly admits he’s never “done a Google.”

Who is the better choice for you?

• Barack Obama
• John McCain
• Neither
• Not sure yet
• I don't care, I don't vote

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Obama also wants universal health care now. Young professionals jump around a lot between industries - they are trying to find their place in the work world. It becomes harder to do this if you have to worry about things like benefits and health insurance. If we all had health insurance, someone like you could take more chances, and maybe jump into that start-up. You could pursue your dreams like you always wanted to.

Barack is also brilliant - a Harvard Law graduate - he pays more attention to both sides of the issues, and would be more focused on diplomacy and less likely to start or prolong unnecessary wars. That right there should let you know he’d be a better leader for young professionals. People like you and I who are trying to get our careers started - we have no interest in things like war. That trillion dollars that we threw away in Iraq - that money could be spent right here at home, stimulating our economy and opening up job opportunities.

We also are not in that top .01% economic category that Republicans actually represent. We’re also not of the religious right. We support progress, and change - we represent the future, and that’s what Obama represents.

Additionally, Barack Obama supports renewable energies, and true investment in those technologies. He’s aiming to free our generation from having to raise our kids in the throws of a global warming crisis. Obama will forge ahead into the future, and bring these technologies to the forefront. He see’s where we need to go - and he’s willing to take us there.

Everyone needs to understand that this election is clearly a choice between the past and the future, and I suggest we proceed, onwardly and upwardly into the “next.”

Popularity: 10% [?]

CNN.com and Careerbuilder.com put out an article, Ten tall tales told on résumés, talking about how lying on your resume effects your chances of landing that potential job. In summary, most of the time the hiring manager can see through your lies and can easily back check what you have boasted about yourself. You could be immediately disqualified if they find out you have been dishonest on your resume. It’s better to be honest rather than misleading as you will have to prove your false claims.

The end of the article gives tips on how to safely make your resume stand out. Here is a excerpt from the article on lying effectiveness:

But there’s a line between bending the truth and outright deception. According to the CareerBuilder.com survey, these were the most common falsehoods people admitted to using on a résumé:

• 38 percent of those surveyed indicated they had embellished their job responsibilities

• 18 percent admitted to lying about their skill set

• 12 percent indicated they had been dishonest about their start and end dates of employment

• 10 percent confessed to lying about an academic degree

• 7 percent said they had lied about the companies they had worked for

• 5 percent disclosed that they had been untruthful about their job title

Photo by: SOCIALisBETTER - BlackBird Tees

Popularity: 8% [?]

The federal minimum wage increases from $5.85 an hour to $6.55 per hour yesterday. This is the second of three scheduled minimum wage increases, with the final increase scheduled for July 24, 2009 when the minimum wage will rise to $7.25 per hour. This is over a 10% increase per year. If I’m getting an annual 5% increase, am I getting screwed? For detailed rates listed by state click here.

After 2 years of buying hero subs at my local Gregory’s House of Pizza(GHOP), the prices have finally gone up. I’ve been pretty lucky to be getting sandwiches at the price I was due to the rapid inflation in the economy. Their whole menu has increased prices by 25 cents. Not a huge amount but, it is noticeable. Has anyone else noticed any other increases besides, gas, and milk?

Popularity: 11% [?]

CareerBuilder published a list of a few things not to say in your next job interview. Some of them are no brainers but otherwise some helpful advice.

Source: CNN.com - 8 worst things to say in an interview

1. “I hated my last boss.” Your last boss was a miserable person whose main concern was making your life miserable. Of course you don’t have a lot of nice things to say; however, don’t mistake honesty, which is admirable, for trash-talking, which is despicable.

“If you truly did hate your last boss, I would be prepared to articulate why your last organization and relationship was not right for you,” says Greg Moran, director of industry sales and partnerships for Talent Technology Corp. “Then be prepared to explain what type of organization is right for you and what type of management style you best respond to.”

2. “I don’t know anything about the company.” Chances are the interviewer will ask what you know about the company. If you say you don’t know anything about it, the interviewer will wonder why you’re applying for the job and will probably conclude you’re after money, not a career.

“With today’s technology,” Moran says, “there is no excuse for having no knowledge of a company except laziness and/or poor planning — neither of which are attributes [of potential employees] sought by many organizations.”

3. “No, I don’t have any questions for you.” Much like telling the interviewer that you don’t know anything about the company, saying you don’t have any questions to ask also signals a lack of interest. Perhaps the interviewer answered every question or concern you had about the position, but if you’re interested in a future with this employer, you can probably think of a few things to ask.

“Research the company before you show up,” Moran advises. “Understand the business strategy, goals and people. Having this type of knowledge will give you some questions to keep in your pocket if the conversation is not flowing naturally.”

4. “I’m going to need to take these days off.” “We all have lives and commitments and any employer that you would even consider working for understands this. If you progress to an offer stage, this is the time for a discussion regarding personal obligations,” Moran suggests. “Just don’t bring it up prior to the salary negotiation/offer stage.”

Why? By mentioning the days you need off too early in the interview, you risk coming off presumptuous as if you know you’ll get the job.

5. “How long until I get a promotion?” While you want to show that you’re goal-oriented, be certain you don’t come off as entitled or ready to leave behind a job you don’t even have yet.

“There are many tactful ways to ask this question that will show an employer that you are ambitious and looking at the big picture,” Moran offers. “For example, asking the interviewer to explain the typical career path for the position is fine.”

Another option is to ask the interviewer why the position is open, Moran adds. You might find out it’s due to a promotion and can use that information to learn more about career opportunities.

6. “Are you an active member in your church?” As you attempt to make small talk with an interviewer, don’t cross the line into inappropriate chitchat. Avoid topics that are controversial or that veer too much from work.

“This sounds obvious but many times I have been interviewing candidates and been asked about my personal hobbies, family obligations, et cetera,” Moran says. “Attempting to develop a rapport is essential but taking it too far can bring you into some uncomfortable territory.”

7. “As Lady Macbeth so eloquently put it…” Scripted answers, although accurate, don’t impress interviewers. Not only do they make you sound rehearsed and stiff, they also prevent you from engaging in a dialogue.

“This is a conversation between a couple humans that are trying to get a good understanding of one another. Act accordingly,” Moran reminds.

8. “And another thing I hate…” Save your rants for your blog. When you’re angry, you don’t sway anybody’s opinion about a topic, but you do make them like you less. For one thing, they might disagree with you. They also won’t take kindly to your bad attitude.

“If you are bitter, keep it inside and show optimism. Start complaining and you will be rejected immediately,” Moran warns. “Do you like working with a complainer? Neither will the interviewer.”

Copyright CareerBuilder.com 2008. All rights reserved. The information contained in this article may not be published, broadcast or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority

Popularity: 12% [?]

12 really good tips from careerbuilder. Most new grads really need to pay attention to them.

Source: CNN.com - 12 things to consider for your first job

1. Ponder reasonable expectations for an entry-level salary.
Research your desired industry and the jobs you’re interested in within that sector. Use Web sites such as cbSalary.com to find the average salary for the job you want, in the location you’re looking for work. Use that knowledge when deciding if a salary offer will be enough to pay the bills.

2. Consider the entire benefits package.
“A salary offer is only one part of the compensation package,” says Dwayne Keiffer, assistant director of career development at Messiah College in Grantham, Penn. Evaluate the entire benefits package. Does the company provide insurance? Will it contribute to a 401(K) plan? How much vacation do employees receive?

3. Reflect on company quality.
Job content and the quality of the organization you’re going to work for should take a backseat to most other things, says Shawn Graham, author of “Courting Your Career.” After all, you want the job that gives you the most options for your next career move. Compare job content, fit within the job and organization’s culture, opportunities for advancement and compensation before saying “yes.”

4. Job satisfaction is more important than salary.
Consider job satisfaction as well as salary, suggests Rachelle Canter, author of “Make the Right Career Move.” Launch yourself in a direction you want to go by considering the skills you have and enjoy using, skills you want to acquire and rewards that are meaningful to you.

5. Evaluate the employer’s brand.
Does a company place an emphasis on its talent? Does it engage in employee development? What reward incentives does it have in place? Are employees encouraged to participate in company decisions? All of these questions are key indicators of an employer’s brand and how much a company invests in its employees, says Ed Lawler, professor of the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California.

6. Get rid of the “shoulds.”
Don’t listen to what other people tell you that you should want. “Before accepting a job, make sure it’s a job you want and not a job your parents want, your college counselor wants or your friends want,” says Lindsey Pollak, author of “Getting from College to Career.”

7. Make your decision based on your current life realities, not “what if” scenarios.
“You don’t have to create a fit today that will fit your life in 20 years, when you may have children or a mortgage,” Pollak says. “Just be where you are today and know that managing your work and life will change many times over the course of your life.”

8. Find out where former employees of the position are now.
Training and development is the most important thing about a first job because it’s the spring board for your career.

“Your prospective boss’s record for having his employees promoted to good positions both inside and outside the company is a key indicator of how good that person is at developing his people,” says Lee Miller, managing director of YourCareerDoctors.com.

9. Consider job location.
“Would you rather have a good job in a great location or a great job somewhere you’re not so crazy about?” asks JillXan Donnelly, president of the Career Exposure Network. If location, culture and way of life are important to you, consider taking your second or third job choice if the location appeals to you more.

10. Know what you’re looking for.
“Despite the fact that you’ve invested a lot of time and effort — not to mention money — into getting your degree, far too many of us don’t really know what we want to do after graduation and we’re hoping we’ll just figure it out along the way,” says Elizabeth Freedman, author of “Work 101: Learning the Ropes of the Workplace without Hanging Yourself.”

You don’t need your whole life planned out, but at least have an idea of what you want to do so you don’t waste time and energy applying to jobs you don’t really want.

11. Don’t underestimate the power of networking.
“If location, location, location is the slogan for real estate, then networking, networking, networking is the mantra for career development and landing full-time jobs,” says Bill McCarthy, associate director of Binghamton University’s career development center in Binghamton, New York. Don’t wait until you need a job to utilize your network, he says. Most openings are filled through word of mouth and referrals, so keep in touch.

12. Finding a job is a job in itself.
“It can take months to find a job and for many people, finding a job is a job in itself,” says Amy Diepenbrock, director of career services at Barry University in Miami Shores, Florida.

“Most of the time, students think that by stating that they will take any job, in any company, that their chances are increased. In reality, this hurts their candidacy because employers want to hire individuals who know what they want to do, understand how they can impact the organization and who display an interest in their specific position and organization.”

Copyright CareerBuilder.com 2008. All rights reserved. The information contained in this article may not be published, broadcast or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority

Popularity: 14% [?]

I almost had to throw all my tomatoes away yesterday simply because I had no idea if they were contaminated with Salmonella. After a little research it turned out my tomatoes were fine and I will enjoy eating them. Here is a post from the FDA on the recent “Salmonellosis Outbreak in Certain Types of Tomatoes.”

Introduction
The Food and Drug Administration is alerting consumers nationwide that a salmonellosis outbreak appears to be linked to consumption of certain types of raw red tomatoes and products containing raw red tomatoes. The bacteria causing the illnesses are Salmonella serotype Saintpaul, an uncommon type of Salmonella.

The specific type and source of tomatoes are under investigation. However, preliminary data suggest that raw red plum, raw red Roma, or raw round red tomatoes are the cause. At this time, consumers should limit their tomato consumption to tomatoes that have not been implicated in the outbreak. These include cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, tomatoes sold with the vine still attached, and tomatoes grown at home.

Red Plum/Red Roma tomatoes implicated in outbreak:

Round red tomato implicated in outbreak:

Update on the Outbreak
June 9, 2008: The Food and Drug Administration has expanded its warning to consumers nationwide that a salmonellosis outbreak has been linked to consumption of certain raw, red tomatoes.

At this time, FDA is advising consumers to limit their consumption of tomatoes to the following types of tomatoes. The following types of tomatoes listed below are NOT likely to be the source of this outbreak.

cherry tomatoes
grape tomatoes
tomatoes sold with the vine still attached
tomatoes grown at home
Also, FDA recommends consuming raw red plum, raw red Roma, or raw red round tomatoes only if grown and harvested from the following areas that HAVE NOT BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH THE OUTBREAK:

Alabama
Arkansas
California
Georgia
Hawaii
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Minnesota
Mississippi
New York
Nebraska
North Carolina
Ohio
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
West Virginia

Belgium
Canada
Dominican Republic
Guatemala
Israel
Netherlands
Puerto Rico

Consumers who are unsure of where the tomatoes are from that they have in their home are encouraged to contact the store or place of purchase for that information.

Consumers should also be aware that raw tomatoes are often used in the preparation of fresh salsa, guacamole, and pico de gallo, are part of fillings for tortillas, and are used in other dishes.

Restaurants, grocery stores, and food service operators have been advised by the FDA not to offer for sale or service raw red plum, Roma, or red tomatoes and products made from these types of tomatoes unless they are from one of the areas listed above.

Since mid April, there have been 145 reported cases of salmonellosis nationwide caused by Salmonella Saintpaul, an uncommon form of Salmonella. At least 23 hospitalizations have been reported.

Link to the FDA post

http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/tomatoes.html

Enjoy

Popularity: 22% [?]

All of us have been at the pump lately and we all know that gas prices are through the roof. But it’s not necessarily all bad if you are in the market for a new SUV or a TRUCK. Manufactures are offering substantial discounts on trucks and SUVS. Here is a table from WSJ article:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121261241468746255.html?mod=pj_main_hs_coll

Vehicle : Discount :Annual Percentage Rate on Loan
Ford Expedition :$2500-$5000 :0.0-3.9
Ford Explorer :$2500-$4000 :0.0-4.9
Lincoln MKX :$1000-$2000 :0.0-4.9
Lincoln Navigator :$4000-$6000 :0.0-1.9
Chevy Tahoe :$2,000 :2.9-6.9
Chevy Trailblazer :$2,000 :2.9-6.9
Chevy Suburban :$2,000 :2.9-6.9
GMC Yukon :$2,000 :2.9-6.9
Hummer H2 :$4,000 :5.9-6.9
Cadillac Escalade :$2,000 :5.9-7.9
Dodge Durango :$3,750-$4,500 :0.0-5.9
Jeep Grand Chero :$2,500-$5,500 :0.0-5.9
Toyota Sequoia : $0-$2000 :0.00
Honda Pilot :none :0.9-2.9
Acura MDX :none :0.9-2.9
Acura RDX :none :0.9-2.9
Nissan Pathfinder :$2,250-$3,250 :1.9-4.9
BMW X5 :none :2.9

Obviously the luxury manufacturers do not offer a good discount but if you like an average SUV then there are some deals out there. There are also unconventional deals in the market place as well as your standard discounts. Here is a good quote from the article:

“Some manufacturers are dangling more-unconventional offers. Chrysler is offering customers a promotion that locks in gas prices at $2.99 a gallon for three years, usually instead of its financing and cash-back offers. (Some vehicles offer the gas program and $3,000 in cash rebates.) Consumers use a special card linked to their credit card to take advantage, for up to 12,000 miles a year. In general, this deal makes sense only if gas prices stay high for several years. Still, people who crave an SUV but worry gas prices could shoot above $5 could take this promotion to sleep better at night.”

So if you are looking for an SUV, now is the time to shop around.

Popularity: 18% [?]

Gas prices have sky rocketed in the last 2 weeks. I fill up at 4.05 a week ago, and yesterday I filled up for 4.25. What is going on? Is there any relief at the pump?

With China, and India both moving towards automobiles it’s raising the demand for gas, making gas a real luxury to have. It seems like there is no stopping this unless we find more oil. Pretty soon they will start digging in Antarctica for oil.

How much has your weekly gas bill gone up? Are you making sacrifices to afford gas?

Photo: Madison Guy

Popularity: 11% [?]