Dirkmonster

Hungry children in Tennessee

Today I received an email from the Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee.  It contained an appeal that should concern every one of us who are blessed to take our meals for granted:

Did you know that 1 in 5 children in Tennessee are at risk of hunger?  According to a new report on Child Food Insecurity released by Feeding America, 20 percent of Tennessee children under 18 have what experts call "food insecurity,” meaning they do not know when or where they will find their next meal.   Not only did Tennessee rank ninth in the country in the percentage of children under age 5 with food insecurity, our state jumped from seventh to fourth in the nation in the percentage of all children under the age of 18 with food insecurity.  You can eliminate childhood hunger in Tennessee by making a donation today!  Every dollar donated to Second Harvest provides 4 meals to hungry men, women and children.

As a parent of small children, it troubles me to think of how it's likely that some kids they may be playing with today might not be assured of a meal tonight.

Help wanted - Advice to Generation Y's job search

Despite the difficult economic circumstances, I've continued to recruit this year for positions on my team.  I'm not recruiting like I did in 2007 though - when there were quite a few more positions to fill.

The positions I hire for and manage appeal to Generation Y - often men and women who have recently graduated from college. It may be the first career oriented job search they've conducted.  Unfortunately, the economic downtown may leave most of the class of 2009 without the job they were looking for right away.  So how should they conduct an effective job search and what should they do if it takes longer than they wished?

A piece in Businessweek online offers some excellent advice:
Gen-Y: How to get a job now

I can always count on Seth Godin for some outside the box thinking.  Take a look at what he has to say on the topic:
Graduate school for unemployed college students

Finally, I found that networking is one of the most powerful tools in a job search.  Start by listing everyone you know who you respect for some reason whether it be professionall or even personally.  Add to that list people you identify at companies in your chosen field even if they may not be hiring.  Now, make as many appointments as you can to talk with these people - in person whenever possible.  When you get a chance to network with these people, ask good questions.  The last question should be a request for 3 people from their rolodex they think you should talk to.  If you then pursue those people with the strategy above, your network expands exponetially and eventually you will run into opportunities.

Gasoline dips below $1.80/gallon in Nashville area

During my drive up Nolensville road this morning, I noticed a gas station in the town of Nolensville selling fuel for $1.89/gallon.

At the time I was listening to CNBC on my XM and it was pointed out once again that oil prices are the only bright spot for consumers.  The DOW is below 8,000, more people are turning to unemployment for the first time, the American auto industry is teetering on the brink and on and on and on.

Hey, the sun is shining today. That's just going to have to be enough.

Nashville gasoline below $2

This is the first time I've seen gas below $2 in a LONG time.  This station is on Nolensville Rd. across from Lenox Village (south Nashville).  Anyone seen cheaper?

"The New Frugality"

I came across this week's cover story in Business Week on a new movement towards frugality in America.

As a kid, I noticed my Grandma Lettie's approach to their household finances.  She was very frugal as a byproduct of her managing through the Depression.  But by the time I came along, they were solidly middle class and could've spent more than they did.  But they did not.  Instead, Grandma kept track of every penny in a ledger she kept nearby the kitchen table.

This post by Dave Ramsey reminds us that it's our responsibility to manage our money and Washington is not going to solve your problems no matter who is elected President.