Bruce Staley

MONEY MATTERS A brief workshop presented to the Mothers of Pre-School Children group at the Ballarat Family Church of Christ, Tuesday 17 June 2008. After providing some background on myself and a brief introduction I asked each person to write one question on a slip of paper. The one question they wish they could ask about money matters. Then in groups of three I asked them to rate their questions from most important to least important. Finally I recorded the most important question form each group on butcher’s paper. The Questions How do you make a budget work? How do you deal with differences of opinion between husband and wife, to budget or not to budget? How do you stick to a budget? Do I invest in property or shares? What do you do with the little bit extra? Purchase shares of pay off the mortgage? How much superannuation is enough? What weekly amount should I be putting aside? How do I decrease expenses so that I can increase my savings? Is there a set...

MONEY MATTERS A brief workshop presented to the Mothers of Pre-School Children group at the Ballarat Family Church of Christ, Tuesday 17 June 2008 . After providing some background on myself and a brief introduction I asked each person to write one question on a slip of paper. The one question they wish they could ask about money matters. Then in groups of three I asked them to rate their questions from most important to least important. Finally I recorded the most important question form each group on butcher’s paper. The Questions How do you make a budget work? How do you deal with differences of opinion between husband and wife, to budget or not to budget? How do you stick to a budget? Do I invest in property or shares? What do you do with the little bit extra? Purchase shares of pay off the mortgage? How much superannuation is enough? What weekly amount should I be putting aside? How do I decrease expenses so that I can increase my savings? Is there a se...

Who Moved My Cheese? is the title of a very popular business book written by Dr Spencer Johnson the best selling co-author of the One Minute Manager . The subtitle of Who Moved My Cheese? is An Amazing Way to Deal with Change in Your Work and Life . Change is a given in our workplaces and at times these changes are testing. Often our first response when we perceive a change to be negative is to consider looking for another workplace, based on the principle that the grass is greener on the other side. Leaving your workplace is only one of a range of options, and in fact may be the least productive option or last resort in terms of your career. Paul Stevens of Worklife provides a list of ten actions which can be taken: remain in your current job; develop your current job (enrichment); seek promotion (vertical); test out options(exploration); move sideways (lateral); move down (realignment); change business section (relocation); change career field (redirection); create a ne...

Who Moved My Cheese? is the title of a very popular business book written by Dr Spencer Johnson the best selling co-author of the One Minute Manager . The subtitle of Who Moved My Cheese? is An Amazing Way to Deal with Change in Your Work and Life . Change is a given in our workplaces and at times these changes are testing. Often our first response when we perceive a change to be negative is to consider looking for another workplace, based on the principle that the grass is greener on the other side. Leaving your workplace is only one of a range of options, and in fact may be the least productive option or last resort in terms of your career. Paul Stevens of Worklife provides a list of ten actions which can be taken: remain in your current job; develop your current job (enrichment); seek promotion (vertical); test out options(exploration); move sideways (lateral); move down (realignment); change business section (relocation); change career field (redirection); create a ne...

We sat at a table in the local deli. He talked about his situation and his aspirations. I listened. Matt, who had left home to take up a two year training course, had just finished the final year with several assignments to complete to satisfy the course requirements. Wiping the cappuccino froth from my mouth I began to map out an ACTION PLAN for Matt on a serviette. Matt's Action Plan (MAP!) This year I will review and reflect on the past, and clarify my direction for the future. With this picture in mind my goals are: Goal #1: Obtain fulltime employment Objectives: · Email a copy of my resume to my mentor for comment by… · Deliver a copy of my resume to the following employment agencies by… · Prepare letters of application for two advertised positions by… Goal #2: Complete my study program for the award of a Diploma Goal #3: Pay off my credit card debt Goal #4: Reside at home Goal #5 Meet regularly wi...

We sat at a table in the local deli. He talked about his situation and his aspirations. I listened. Matt, who had left home to take up a two year training course, had just finished the final year with several assignments to complete to satisfy the course requirements. Wiping the cappuccino froth from my mouth I began to map out an ACTION PLAN for Matt on a serviette. Matt's Action Plan (MAP!) This year I will review and reflect on the past, and clarify my direction for the future. With this picture in mind my goals are: Goal #1: Obtain fulltime employment Objectives: · Email a copy of my resume to my mentor for comment by… · Deliver a copy of my resume to the following employment agencies by… · Prepare letters of application for two advertised positions by… Goal #2: Complete my study program for the award of a Diploma Goal #3: Pay off my credit card debt Goal #4: Reside at home Goal #5 Meet regularly wi...

It quickly became obvious that I had one excited young man on the other end of the mobile. I had already guessed but allowed him to give me the news. He had landed the job, junior administrative assistant in a local solicitors' office. What made the difference? The whole process of seeking employment reveals, tests and, if we choose to, shapes our skills and character. We can learn the skills to search for and obtain employment however, longer term gain takes place with one's character. It is character which enables us to enjoy life and weather its storms. encouragement is essential to character building. Find people who encourage you. The search for employment requires courage, acknowledging that you may be fearful or anxious, but still taking the appropriate action to achieve your goal particularly after a period of not being successful. To maintain COURAGE seek out people who will consistently provide you with appropriate ENCOURAGEMENT. Contact with job ...