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Summer jobs for students bloom in tech economy

Posted on July 7, 2016June 18, 2016 by Victor Varma

High school and college students in larger cities are checking out tech-type companies for their summer work, spurning the usual retail and restaurant positions.

According to The Wall Street Journal, jobs in companies like Uber, TaskRabbit, Instacart, and Postmates are hiring students for deliveries, tech support, and transportation. These are jobs that, for the most part, didn’t exist at all 10 years ago.

Delivery services Postmates and Instacart go out of their way to court students for summer work.

But unlike traditional summer jobs, these can be very flexible, offering little in the way of structure. According to college coach Suzanne Shaffer, a summer job is what trains kids to get up, dress up and show up on time. Listen to instructions. Obey a boss. Work with others. Accept responsibility for the job.

Happy Birthday, and God Bless America

Posted on July 4, 2016June 18, 2016 by Victor Varma

As we consider the dramatic words of the Declaration of Independence, we wonder whether the writers knew the long-range impact of their words.

Did they see a great nation emerge from a vision of independence? We think they did. How many times have you personally marveled at the wisdom of these national founders?

They had a rare vision of what our country would turn out to be, and that vision rings true to this very day. Their writings were an achievement of significant proportions.

Since the first July 4th, historians give us some interesting notes about that calendar day. First, they say the Declaration of Independence was signed on August 2, 1776, about a month after being adopted.

President Calvin Coolidge was born on July 4, and three of our nation’s first five presidents died on that day: John Adams and Thomas Jefferson in 1826, and James Monroe, our fifth president in 1831.

Congress didn’t actually declare it as legal federal holiday until 1941.

The 4th of July is also a holiday for American business, says Robbie Briggs, a real estate company CEO. He reminds us that it’s a day that celebrates America’s devotion to entrepreneurship and the opportunity to build businesses of our own.

Briggs says it serves as a tribute to each citizen and all they may elect to pursue in business or any other endeavor.

As we commemorate our independence, we remember that America’s freedom and democracy occurred because of the determination of our forefathers to establish this place as a free country.

Eye injuries from fireworks can be devastating

Posted on July 1, 2016June 18, 2016 by Victor Varma

Among the many potential injuries from fireworks, eye injuries are one of the most frequent and most damaging.

According to Prevent Blindness, fireworks are responsible for more than 10,000 emergency room visits each year. About 19 percent of those are injuries to the eyes.

Interestingly, bystanders have the most eye injuries, according to the US Eye Injury Registry. This suggests that bystanders are too close to the fireworks operators.

According to ophthalmologist, Tony Pira, injuries to eyes can be devastating. Fireworks can cause burns to the eyes and eyelid, scratches and cuts that result in infections and scarring, retinal detachment, and even rupture of the eyeball.

These potential problems are not taken very seriously by fireworks operators. The 2015 fireworks survey by the American Academy of Ophthalmology, shows that only 10 percent of fireworks users wear eye protection. More people wear eye protection while playing sports (13 percent), doing home repair projects (26 percent), and using power tools (47 percent). But somehow using devices that contain gunpowder is taken much less seriously.

Damage from fireworks can include shrapnel or other foreign material that can rupture the eye globe or lodge in the cornea. Gunpowder burns can leave permanent scarring and vision loss.
Still, doctors say rupture of the eye globe is the biggest worry. Any damage to the eye should be treated as an emergency. The first thing people should do is protect the eye itself. Do not rub, rinse or touch any part of the eye. Tape a cup over the eye to prevent any accidental touching and head immediately for the emergency room.

Do not try to pry open the eye. Do not try to rinse the eye.

Pira writes in Ophthalmology Times that injuries from fireworks occur because of the speed and unpredictable movement of the explosives.

“The power of gunpowder is such that the speed of fireworks and shrapnel are much faster than the blink reflex,” Pira writes.

Shatterproof glasses are essential for fireworks operators. Spectators should stay at least 500 feet away from the fireworks operator.

June and July are the ‘Fireworks Safety Months’

Posted on June 30, 2016May 25, 2016 by Victor Varma

The only safe way to use illegal fireworks is by not using them.

Nancy Blogin, President of the National Council on Fireworks Safety, urges consumers to not use illegal explosives or professional fireworks.

She says that in 2015 there were serious injuries caused by consumers using illegal explosives and/or professional fireworks.

Blogin cautions consumers to only purchase legal consumer fireworks from authorized stores or stands, and to never buy fireworks from individuals, or from vendors in back alleys or operating out of their house.

Blogin also challenges consumers to educate themselves on the safe and responsible use of consumer fireworks.

If you are at a party where consumer fireworks are being shot, make sure that there is a designated shooter who has not been drinking any alcohol and that the fireworks are being used responsibly.
More safety tips:

* Only use fireworks outdoors and in an area free of overhead obstructions and away from dry grass or other flammable materials.
* Obey all local laws regarding the use of fireworks.
* Never give fireworks or flaming sparklers to young children.
* Wear safety glasses when shooting fireworks.
* Always have a bucket of water, and charged water hose, nearby.
* Dispose of a spent product by wetting it down and placing it in a metal trash container where it will stay until morning, and one that is away from any building or combustible materials.

The National Council on Fireworks Safety is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization whose sole mission is to educate the public on the safe and responsible use of consumer fireworks.

The Fourth of July is the nation’s primary day for using fireworks. The second most popular day is New Year’s Eve.

Want to be smarter, more creative, more motivated? Get enough sleep!

Posted on June 28, 2016May 25, 2016 by Victor Varma

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.

Pre-habilitation: Exercising now pays off before surgery

Posted on June 24, 2016May 25, 2016 by Victor Varma

Doctors at the Mayo Clinic have found that fitness counts when surgery is scheduled. Increasing evidence shows that being fit before surgery may reduce the length of your hospital stay, as well as your risk of post-operative complications.

People who can walk a few blocks or climb several flights of stairs with no problem have fewer complications after surgery than those who aren’t able to do these things.

Recommended exercises are: regular walking or cycling and strength training with resistance bands or free weights. One study found that several weeks of walking and performing breathing exercises improved fitness in a group of volunteers awaiting colorectal surgery.

Other pre-habilitation steps include:

* Stop smoking. Smoking is a risk factor for surgical complications, cardiovascular problems and pneumonia.
* Control blood sugar. If you have diabetes, getting blood sugar under control can reduce the risk of complications.
* Get enough sleep. Sleep apnea increases the risk of post-surgery breathing and blood oxygen problems.
* Improve your diet. Being underweight, especially if you have had rapid weight loss, is a risk factor, as is being significantly overweight.
* Manage stress. Stress management skills can help you cope with anxiety about your surgery and recovery. Pacing your activities and accepting help from family and friends can have a positive impact on your recovery time.

What’s important on your bucket list … or should be

Posted on June 22, 2016May 25, 2016 by Victor Varma

Because many retirees are healthier and wealthier than those of previous generations, their bucket lists sometimes look like travel logs.

Marc E. Agronin, a geriatric psychiatrist in Miami, asks “What’s not to love about a life of dream vacations?”

His answer: “After talking with patients and colleagues, rather than feeling exhilarated by a life of adventures, they often end up feeling depressed and disconnected.” Dr. Agronin is the author of How We Age: A Doctor’s Journey into the Heart of Growing Old.

As we travel and soak up new experiences, we may lose track of what really matters: connections with family, friends and community. The high from an adventure doesn’t last. We may see our time between trips as boring interludes, and our trips as escapes from fears or failures.

Most of us finally give up the bucket list and spend time with family and friends. According to Dr. Agronin, this tends to be more satisfying.

Writing in The Wall Street Journal, Dr. Agronin says chasing bucket-list thrills ignores a deep psychological truth: You don’t need to make yourself happier in old age. We get happier naturally as we grow older.

At the New York Auto Show, Lincoln wowed them with its Navigator concept car

Posted on June 20, 2016May 25, 2016 by Victor Varma

Concept cars are usually shown for years before they go into production.

Lincoln is changing that pattern. Its new Navigator SUV will go on sale in 2017 and will look like the concept car.

According to an attendee at the New York Auto Show, the Navigator drew actual gasps from the crowd when the doors opened like bird’s wings.

Lincoln calls them gull wing doors which, when opened, let down a helpful series of concertina steps.

The doors cover most of the whole side instead of the hinged, side-opening doors.

The new Navigator also has a push-button shifter that designers compare to piano keys, a flat, retro center console and horizontally ribbed seats.

A Newbie’s Guide to Motorcycle Insurance

Posted on June 20, 2016June 20, 2016 by agentinsure

Whether you buy a motorcycle for work or pleasure, you need insurance protection to cover your investment. If you’re new to the motorcycle scene, it’s best to research your options before making any definite decisions on what kind of insurance to buy. Insurance companies and policies are not “one size fits all.” Here are a few guidelines that can help you get the best coverage for your new bike.

Get Insurance Quotes in Advance

Similar to car insurance, you can compare what different companies have to offer for bike insurance online. In fact, you may want to get a quote before you even purchase your motorcycle as some makes and models are more expensive to insure than others. High performance bikes used for sports racing, for example, are more costly to insure due to a higher risk of accidents and being more expensive to repair. By discussing insurance costs with a reputable agent in advance, you can make a smart bike choice that will keep your insurance cost down.

Work with a Reputable Agent

Comparing insurance costs online makes it easier to narrow company options so you can pay them a visit and clinch a deal. It’s good to talk to an agent in person as it allows you to ask questions, go over the policy in detail and establish a rapport with a company representative. An agent can help you personalize your insurance coverage to suit your specific needs and budget. He or she can also explain the legal ramifications of having insurance to give you a better understanding of what kind of coverage to buy.

Working with a company you trust is key to getting the best coverage at the best price. At InsureUS, we can guide you to making excellent motorcycle insurance choices to protect your new investment.

What to say, and not to say, after a car wreck

Posted on June 17, 2016May 25, 2016 by Victor Varma

Alex Glenn at NerdWallet, a personal finance site, says you should never say these things after being involved in a car crash:

“I’m fine.” Soft tissue injuries take time to show up. Let your doctor decide if you’re fine.

“Whiplash.” Even if you have it, the word throws up scamming red flags with your insurer.

“Sorry.” Writing in USA Today, Glenn recommends keeping quiet instead. Saying the word could imply you think the crash was your fault.

“Sure, record me.” You can refuse to have a statement recorded at the scene. Know exactly what you want to say before agreeing to it.

Answer questions honestly but stick to the facts. In all circumstances, tell the truth. But don’t offer uncalled-for details. After a wreck they’re hard to remember, and you don’t know all the details yourself.

“Many customers can’t recall specifics,” says Jason Lundberg, a San Francisco attorney specializing in vehicle accidents. “Trying to give precise details can lead to a false recount. Instead of specifics, providing estimates is a good way to cooperate.”

Never assume the blame at the accident scene. Fault is rarely cut and dried, and your interpretation is just that, an interpretation.

“Most accidents are caused by both parties,” Lundberg says. “Sometimes 50-50, sometimes 90-10. Investigations may reveal there is something the other driver could have done to avoid the accident.”

Getting compensated for damages, injuries. Any injury claims that aren’t documented by your doctor won’t be considered.

Getting your vehicle repaired is more straightforward. Get three estimates, but beware of the one that is significantly lower than the other two because the estimator probably missed something.