Yes, negotiating a raise should be about what you bring to the table. A better gauge of valuing your position should be what someone else is willing to pay you. Unless you work in a factory or other mass-production environment, here is likely no other job exactly like yours and (even if you do) there is definitely no…

When are they going to stop using the name “Mini” — they keep getting bigger and bigger.

I don’t see how that would make everyone happier. Someone is bound to think, “If they’re going to pay me less than him, I’m going to do less than him.” and it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. It’s not a game, so stop keeping score.

My advice is to make sure the conversation is about you and not the entry-level associate. I don’t mean simply avoiding his name or referring to him in a roundabout way without naming names. I mean that it really has only to do with you, the quality of the work you’re doing, and the compensation you’re getting. If…

I disagree with you & Byron on talking opening about salary. Not because I want the employer to have an advantage, but because it just breeds discontent among coworkers. Everyone, whether they admit it or not, thinks they’re better than at least one person in their office. So it just goes around and around, each one…

I am only as open as I want others to be with me. I’ll discuss anything & everything, but I’ll only talk specific numbers with family, not friends & coworkers. The problem is usually when you find out that someone makes more than you- the natural reaction is to be jealous and/or angry. It takes a lot of conscious…

Nope, nothing at all preventing you, so long as YOU don’t touch the funds. They need to be transferred from one custodian to the other directly. You’ll likely have to liquidate (sell) whatever your current IRA is invested in so that you’re transferring cash from one custodian to another, but then you can invest it in…

You should consult a tax/estate planner for the specifics, but a Roth generally leaves your heirs in a better position. Both types of IRAs require heirs to begin withdrawing money by 31 Dec of the following year, but distributions to them from a Roth should not be taxed whereas the Traditional distribution would be…

No, you cannot deposit the CDs directly into an IRA account. With very few exceptions, contributions to IRAs must be made in cash (not physical cash, mind you). You can either liquidate the CDs now (and pay a penalty) or wait for them to mature, then deposit the proceeds. Since you cannot directly deposit the CDs, the…

Somewhat-ditto this. BPM databases have been around for years and I don’t find them to be as accurate as any of the downloadable apps that will count the actual BPM of your files, especially if they allow user submissions. Case in point, search for Marvin Gaye’s “Got to Give it Up” and you’ll find 5 different versions…

Because “operating” and “registering” are two different acts. As long as the vehicle is registered somewhere I can operate it wherever I want (so long as I stay within the bounds for legal operation - no speeding, no drinking, valid license, etc.). That’s why they don’t pull cars over immediately after they drive…

Where does it say that vehicles registered out-of-state are operated illegally? As long as my vehicle has the appropriate federally-mandated safety equipment, functioning state-mandated lights and signal indicators, etc., obey local ordinances related to speed zones, phone use, etc., and complies with the other…

Or you could tell them anything other than the previous parenthetical sentence, which would be a lie.

As for your resume, yes yes yes. Absolutely have the numbers on there. Context is important, if you have access to that information. For example, the budget that you’ve been entrusted with is X% of the overall spend. That gives potential employers a gauge, not just the raw number. Giving examples of your performance,…

The fact that your only (or most of, anyway) experience involves being the only buyer at a small company makes my other comments all the more relevant. I definitely think you need more experience before you go back to school and I would highly recommend considering a move to a bigger company. Not only will you have…

My advice is not to do it too early. An MBA is not like any other graduate degree, where the additional education is an extension of your previous degree. Some of the management courses that you’ll likely take require you to call on real-world experience, which you may not have if you haven’t worked for very long. You…

Booze. Either a radler (beer mixed with lemonade) or vinho verde. Both are low(er) alcohol, so I don’t feel too bad about having a small glass.

Oh, I’ve googled the classifications many times, but thank you for trying to clarify. I still don’t see a WHOLE lot of visual difference between a UJM, a cafe, and a scrambler (although most scramblers I’ve seen look like they’d be happier off-road). I don’t see a HUGE difference, other than size, in what you call a…

I’ve been to Paris a couple of times and have seen this. In my experience, it’s not necessarily that you’re being charged differently, but certain menu items may not be available if you select an indoor or outdoor table.

From my perspective, as a non-rider, I don’t see much difference between UJMs and cafes. Ignoring the subtleties and racing-intent, they are visually similar to me and that’s all I have to go on at this point. Similarly, I don’t see any difference between what you call a “full on tourer” and a bagger; On both, I see a…