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1) The tyranny of other people’s vacation photos (for my Mom, who seems to think she’s the only person not on a trip right now.) (The New York Times)
2) This Joie off-the-shoulder sweater has me thinking about fall. For something under-$100, try this black Aqua sweater.
3) 9 Ways You’re Losing Money Without Even Realizing It. (Refinery29)
4) This long, striped crewneck tee and this $18 bar-pendant necklace prove that BP. isn’t just a line for junior’s.
5) Leaving your job? What to do after you deliver the news to your boss. (Harvard Business Review)
6) Talbot’s colorblock and striped wrap is everything. A must for long plane flights and chilly offices.
7) 11 Women on the “Aha!” Moment That Made Them Run for Office. (Elle)
8) My next big beauty splurge is going to be this Dr. Brandt Magnetight Age Defying Mask. I’m also interested in Clinique’s Super City Block BB Cushion Compact.
*image found here.
Those off the shoulder sweaters always look so comfy, but the comfiness is negated by the fact that I’d have to wear a strapless bra. 🙁
For work or other professional occasion, yes. For the weekend or off time, you could get a cool bra with a wide lace strap or something. I would show one shoulder (two is overkill) and wear a cool bra.
Would you wear an off the shoulder sweater to work, period?
Depends on the office. To the Hill, maybe a one shoulder on a casual day with some jeans. For a law office, no. For a creative/biz casual office, with a wide leg pant and a colored shoe.
Re: #3 and the 401k Loan: If you take it as an actual loan, not a withdrawal, there are no taxes involved. You DO lose out on any earnings that money would have made had it been in the stock market, but they don’t tax the money. I believe when I took one for a down-payment I chose 5 years to repay it and paid MYSELF 4% or so interest on what I’d borrowed. If you are young and have a decent 401k, it can be a great idea since you are borrowing from yourself and paying yourself back, with interest. Better than paying PMI or a higher interest rate on a mortgage for lack of a down payment.
#5 is absolutely perfect timing. I’m leaving my job of 11 years in the middle of our company being acquired, and general chaos. I was planning on staying, and this opportunity just came out of nowhere and I’d be a fool to pass it up. Now I have to tell my current boss (of 11 years) and a new boss from the acquiring company who was counting on me staying. And my team members who are all worried about their jobs…all while trying to fulfill obligations here and meet the urgent need of my new company. I love the idea of strategizing with your manager to avoid causing problems, and softening the blow by recommending junior team members for my responsibilities.
I love seeing other people’s photos, but since mostly it’s family or close-friends, I guess I’m genuinely happy they are having a good time and seeing something amazing. Unless someone was really bad about bragging, I can’t imagine I’d begrudge someone the chance to show off their amazing vacation, just because I can’t take one right now.
Off the shoulder is not appropriate attire for a professional setting (even on a “casual” day.) I put that in the same category as a top with spaghetti straps.
Sorry… meant to post my response about off the shoulder tops being inappropriate for work to the comment before your’s.
I completely agree about 401(k) loans. Like credit cards, they’re only a bad deal if you misuse them. I used a 401(k) loan for a down payment and paid myself 5% interest back into my 401(k). During that time period (I continued to contribute to my 401(k) in addition to loan payments) the market was down and my 401(k) ROI was only around 1.5% when I was lucky. This option doesn’t always make sense for everyone, but it’s hardly something I’d lump in with Payday Loans.
I’m also for 401k loans (with proper research) for the same reasons as KC and Monica. Loans aren’t taxed; the author of the Refinery29 article is misinformed. Like KC, if I take a loan against my 401k, I pay 5% interest…but I pay it directly to myself, not to a bank or financial institution. That interest rate exists to partially offset the loss of growth that occurs because most people stop contributions during a 401k loan payback period.
In my early 20s, I took a loan against my 401k to help with wedding expenses and DID NOT stop contributions (so I could keep earning that employer match!) – I ended up earning more in the interest I paid to myself than I would have with the market. Of course, it doesn’t always work out that way, depending on the market and the terms of your plan’s provider – so do your homework.
It’s also worthwhile to think of timing. Taking a loan against your 401k at 22 or 23 isn’t going to cripple your retirement savings, especially considering the fact that the average person isn’t yet contributing at that age. If you’re thinking about taking tens or hundreds of thousands 40-50 age bracket, though, it would be worth it to take more time to weigh the risks vs the benefits.
Love the quote by Misty Copeland.