Category: Insurance

Have you heard them bragging about it? Managers, workers and business people of all stripes are telling about their 16-hour days. They try to make it sound like a way to get ahead.

Inc. Magazine’s Jason Fried thinks this message is one of the most harmful in all business. He says sustained exhaustion is a mark of stupidity. Scientists agree, saying IQ scores decline on each successive day you sleep less than you naturally would.

People pulling 16-hour days are exhausted. They’re too tired to notice that their work has suffered because of it, and their sleep debt compromises their health and creativity. And it affects people around them. The sleep deprived are ruder, less tolerant, less understanding, and they can’t concentrate for sustained periods of time.

New workers and managers say when just getting started, they have to give it all they’ve got. But Fried says that the problem is that once started, they get in the habit and don’t stop working that way. Even though they have seen many entrepreneurs and managers burn out following this pattern, they may continue to do it.

When you get plenty of sleep, you’ll think better and be a better colleague and boss.

One reason: your brain is still active at night. It works through matters you can’t address during the day. You can wake up with new solutions to problems.

In the long run, work is not more important than sleep. If you don’t believe it, Fried says to consider this: You’ll die faster without sleep than you will without food.

Nearly everything can wait until morning when you’ll be well rested and able to be a creative problem solver.

At last, incomes for the latest college diploma-holders has risen to the highest level in more than a decade. And unemployment rates are falling quickly, according to a report from the Federal Reserve of New York.

The image of recent grads working in coffee shops is fading. But the data show that their experience highlights a growing divide in the U.S. economy between those with college degrees and those without.

Of course, graduates need the money. Most of them have huge college-education loans to pay off.

Richard Deitz, a senior economist at the New York Fed, and his colleague Jaison Abel, have developed data which answers the question of whether a college degree is worth the cost anymore.

The unemployment rate for college graduates has fallen from more than 7 percent in 2010 to just 4.9 percent recently. That is compared with a 5.3 percent jobless rate recently for all workers.

Mid-lifers are loving motorcycles.

Most of them have wanted one for years, but kids, work, schedules got in the way.

Motorcycles are much more advanced than they were just 15 years ago. They include safety features found in cars, including anti-lock brakes, traction control to prevent skidding during acceleration, stability control to prevent skidding in turns.

Some bikes have infotainment systems that include navigation, music, bike-to-bike communication, and smartphone syncing.

Middle-aged and retired riders need a bike with firm suspension.

Harley Davidson recommends its Dyna Low Rider, which has great power, adjustable handlebars and seats, and a base price of $14,199. Used models are available and cost less.

Riding clubs abound for different types of motorcycles. When going for a group ride they enjoy like-minded people and often get together with them for other activities.

Another fun feature of bike riding: you’ll be riding and associating with people of all ages.

If it’s been a while since you rode a bike, or if it’s your first bike, take a motorcycle training class by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. In many states you have to take a written exam to get a motorcycle license.

Before you ride, buy a helmet that features a “DOT” sticker that meets the Department of Transportation standards.

Get boots that cover your ankles and that don’t have shoelaces that could get caught in motorcycle gears.

Wear a leather or Kevlar jacket, gloves designed for motorcycling and long pants, not shorts.

Almost everyone today shows some concern about what the inhabitants of Earth can do to keep the planet clean and livable.

Because each of us is only one person, there are no large-scale projects we can do, but if we all do something that may seem small, our combined efforts will help to keep our planet viable. A few things we can do:

Plant a tree. Over time, a single tree can improve the environment in a large area around it. So planting a tree makes a lot of sense today.

Learn about recycling. It’s all about disposing of waste materials in a productive way. It’s one of the best ideas for making the earth green forever.

The impact of a landfill can harm the Earth as it continues to grow, so take recycling seriously.

Develop a better cleaning strategy. Most people don’t have one. Your own cleaning plans might involve using natural products like vinegar for cleaning at home. Your home will be a nice place when it’s free of dust and odors.

Check froschusa.com for a wide selection of cleaning products that can be used in various ways. They use ingredients like lemon, lavender and baking soda.

Outdoors, chemicals can seep into the air and the ground, which could damage the environment.

For about 35 years, The Green Team at Gardener’s Supply (gardeners.com) has been a trusted resource for earth-friendly products. They help people garden in harmony with nature.

The Green Team has earth-friendly products that help people recycle waste into compost, build better soil, control pests organically, conserve water, protect biodiversity and grow their own food.