CLARKONOMICS: The headlines about unemployment have created a lot of anxiety across the land. Initial claims climbed to a 4-year high and workers are remaining jobless for longer; about 3 million have lost a job and not been able to rebound with employment. Meanwhile, Challenger, Gray & Christmas -- a leading outplacement consulting firm -- found a 19-month high in the number of planned job cuts.

Should you be worried? You know from your own industry and place of work whether or not you'll be OK. Be realistic when you're facing that onslaught of headlines. Maybe you don't need to fret as much as you have been.

If you are in danger of being pink-slipped, that's fair warning to get your financial house in order. Start pulling back on the spending and reducing your debt. That way you'll be more prepared in the event of a layoff.

This time is not even close to the worst we've seen, yet it's not the best either. Things could decline even further, but Clark doesn't see overwhelming doom and gloom ahead. It's steady as you go for most of us.

In the midst of all the doom and gloom about employment forecasts, Clark recently told you about certain opportunities in the job market. But there's an underground opportunity just around the corner that could go mainstream in the next few years. You've heard of white collar and blue collar jobs, right? Well, how about green collar?!

There could be potentially millions of jobs coming in the environmental sector. Clark thinks back to the UC Davis professor he had on the air who worked for 20 years to develop plug-in hybrids. These kinds of cars start out electric and then switch to gas when they run out of juice. After years of pooh-poohing plug-ins, GM is now advertising a plug-in called the Volt coming in 2010. Likewise, Toyota spent years being hostile to the idea of modifying the Prius to be a plug-in hybrid. Now they're going to launch that version in 2010 for fleet sales before entering the general market with it.

Here's another example of a green business: Our old electronic waste is often shipped to Third World countries where kids disassemble computer monitors and get exposed to dangerous chemicals. Clark recently read a Forbes story about an independently wealthy man who thought there had to be a better way. So he launched a business called ERI (Electronic Recyclers International) in Fresno, CA. ERI employs ex-convicts who follow safety standards in taking equipment apart and recycling it. It's been a real money-making venture. And it also benefits ex-cons by providing employment and opportunity for those who haven't had much in their lives.

Look around each corner and you'll see green opportunities going forward. Clark thinks retro-fitting houses to make them energy efficient will employ those laid off in construction. Bringing home green by working green will soon be more of a reality.

CLARKONOMICS: Are Americans going backwards economically? That's how some of the financial press is spinning the latest findings of the Pew Research Center. Only 4 in 10 people feel they're moving forward -- and that's a record low. Of those who define themselves as middle class, 80% say they can't maintain their standard of living. This, of course, translates to lack of optimism about the country.

When you look at the last 5 years, there has been some distortion in the economy and some trends have squeezed people. But look further back to the '70s. The average American family income is 40% higher than it was one generation ago. That's practically unprecedented for an already developed economy. Meanwhile, the average family is 35% wealthier in terms of net worth than a generation ago.

Yet the Pew findings ring true. The middle class is hollowing out. In town after town, the non-skilled union jobs have steadily been evaporating as our manufacturing base declines. The kinds of jobs that unskilled laborers now have to get as a replacement typically pay much less and don't have a pension or benefits. So what's happening is that our country is dividing into 3 distinct groups: One third of Americans are making really decent money; one-third have low incomes and are not doing so well; and one third are in the middle. Clark's never seen this kind of split in his lifetime; the classic bell curve of yesteryear is gone and that's why there's unease.

Even if you're mid-career, you've got to reinvent yourself. This is the real challenge as we face global competition. The free trade genie won't go back in the bottle. Clark wants to hear political discourse about how to start re-training mid-career people. Community colleges and state-sponsored technical schools are both great venues to gain new skills or get re-training.

CLARKONOMICS: There's bad news on the job front with the unemployment rate rising from 4.8% to 5.1% and employers reporting 3 consecutive months of job losses. We may be at the beginning of more trouble. But the irony is that we're starting from a good spot. Economists never even thought we could get an unemployment rate as low as 5% without overheating the economy.

Instead of focusing on the bad news, Clark wants to let you know about companies that are planning on doing some big-time hiring. Forbes recently reported that Accenture -- an international consulting, technology and outsourcing company -- plans to hire 60,000 new employees in 2008. And that's just one example. This is not a doom and gloom economy where there are no jobs to be had.

Kiplinger.com recently ran a feature about recession-proof careers. These fields include healthcare, education, security, environmental science and government. In one example, The Washington Post reports that a Maryland county is pursing paramedics like they're star athletes. The starting salary is $57K.

Keep in mind that 70% of the jobs that will exist in 20 years don't exist today. Think back to 1988. At that point there was no Internet and no e-mail. You've got be willing to continually reinvent yourself. The typical American will have 5 careers and at least 15 jobs. Be ready to go back to school if necessary. As our economy changes, you've got to move with it.

CLARKONOMICS: Everyday during these Clarkonomics segments, Clark brings you all kinds of woeful news about the economy. So it's nice to be able to finally bring some good news. Each year, a temporary employment firm called Manpower Inc. compiles a very comprehensive hiring survey. Their spring report really wowed people because it found that more than 1 in 4 employers expect to increase total net employment during the next 3 months. Less than 10% expect to reduce head count. The remaining companies surveyed foresee things remaining level. That's fantastic news if you're job-hunting.

Meanwhile, Clark recently read that the number of weeks it takes to find a new job once you're unemployed has increased because of the slowing economy. So it may take longer to turn the ship around, but that ship will sail. If you're worrying about a future layoff, get your money together for leaner times. Clark believes that you really lose confidence during prolonged unemployed. So you've got to have an action plan. First, get out and volunteer in some activity you believe in; you could end up with a job through that alone. Second, take a job doing anything, at least part-time, so you can pay your bills. Even if you're embarrassed by the gig, at least you're putting money back in your wallet.

What are the bathrooms like where you work? They used to be disgusting at the studio where Clark records. It got to the point that he had to speak to the head of facilities management. Now they're much cleaner.

Years ago, Clark told the story of a Wall St. stock analyst who liked to visit the companies he invests his clients' money in. He got in the habit of routinely using the bathroom at the companies. If the toilet was filthy, he would cancel his appointment and pull all financial support. This stock analyst knew that if the bathroom was filthy, the employees were not valued and that speak volumes about the company's chances of long-term success. The same holds true with reserved parking spots for upper management at a company. Priority parking tells the little guy that he doesn't count, and that doesn't make employees feel valued.

Now The Chicago Tribune reports that employees get fired up when basics aren't being met at the workplace. 1 in 3 will actually quit over things like lousy bathrooms. After all, clean bathrooms are a basic in a developed country like ours.

All eras come to an end. Clark recalls the old Data General commercial back in the '80s that had the following tagline: Don't show up for your battles with yesterday's armaments. The actual ad depicted an army of 19th-century soldiers facing off against a 20th-century military force. Data General itself has long since given up the ghost.

Sometimes it's tough to keep perspective as the market shifts around you. Look at Polaroid. They delivered an overpriced photo with a low-quality print that was considered amazing for its time. But today, Clark's phone can take a better picture and wirelessly send it to be printed for cheaper. Now Polaroid is closing factories that make its film and camera. Contrast Polaroid with Kodak. Kodak didn't stay married to film and did a good job transitioning to digital photography. In your own life, do you have tunnel vision like Polaroid? Stay aware as the ground shifts. Are you prepared?

Here's an odd one for the job seekers among you. There's a new website that pays you to go on interviews. So far only technology-geared companies are making use of NotchUp.com, which is in beta. Here's the scoop: It's very expensive for companies to use classifieds and online job sites to find new employees. NotchUp.com, however, is free to employers. They find it's cheaper to pay targeted candidates for their interview time than to go the traditional advertising route and have to sort through a ton of unqualified applicants. Will NotchUp.com be around a year from now? Who knows! But if you're seeking a new position, pursuing this opportunity can't hurt you. Meanwhile, Monster.com currently is combating negative publicity stemming from a recent security breach. So beware if you're contacted by an unsolicited "recruiter" seeking sensitive personal info. They may offer to run a background check with the promise of potential employment. But you may fall victim to ID theft if you let your guard down.

People tend to stop looking for work between Thanksgiving and the first week of January. They believe that no one is hiring during the holidays. Not true, according to Clark. December is one of the best months for job hunting. So how can you maximize this supposed downtime? First, go to holiday parties and network. Tag along as the guest of a friend who works at a specific company of interest to you. People hire people they know or they know of, Clark says. Networking is the key. The payoff is miniscule when you apply for jobs online. Second, during December the "gatekeepers" are away and the real decision makers are more likely to answer their own phones. Direct contact with key hiring managers is the way to go. And finally, this is the best month for job hunting because there's less competition out there right now!

Clark used to run a program called Career Action that taught job-interviewing skills, among other things. He was stunned at how rare it was for an applicant to research the company they were interviewing at. Now it's so easy to do research with the Internet. Be informed when you go to an interview. Don't be a know-it-all, but learn to ask targeted questions.

Does your company still have a holiday party? If so, Clark has a word of advice: Don't get trashed during the festivities! At Clark's studio, there's a holiday party coming up this weekend. They won't be serving any hard liquor, but beer and wine will probably be flowing. More than a third of all companies no longer serve any alcohol at all. There's a very important reason why Clark is urging you to not drink at your holiday party. MSNBC reports that 1 in every 7 people have been fired because they got trashed and did regrettable things in front of co-workers and superiors. So drink the egg nog that's not spiked. Or fool your co-workers by drinking ginger ale and telling them it's Scotch with seltzer! Clark is not being a party pooper, he's just trying to help you with your career. Meanwhile, The Boston Globe reports that some companies are moving their holiday parties to January. This helps combat winter blues among employees and also saves money because facility and entertainment expenses are cheaper after the holidays.

With more and more people telecommuting, workers who spend most of their time at home are facing feelings of isolation and need outlets for collaboration. Now there's a new online community called Jelly that hopes to address those needs. Jelly offers telecommuters the opportunity to meet at someone's home on a semi-weekly basis and do their work. Clark loves the networking aspect of Jelly, and he even wonders how many marriages will come from this! Clark sometimes goes to Panera Bread to get a bagel with his son and he sees salespeople taking advantage of the free wifi. The amusing thing is that the telecommuters slyly peer over their laptops to check out fellow workers. It seems wifi spots are like what bookstores were to meeting people back in the '90s. But at least back then you could strike up conversation based on what books people were reading!

About a year ago, Clark talked about Scott's Miracle-Gro firing employees who smoked. Employers have a direct interest in your health. Statistics tell us that smokers have higher absentee rates and medical bills than non-smokers. Clark recalls when he had a furniture delivery job in high school and the driver claimed that smoking since 12 hadn't hurt him! But today people accept it as common knowledge. Other than outright firing people, is there a way that companies can motivate people to have healthier habits? It turns out that paying workers small financial rewards to go on a fitness regimen works.

According to a new study in the Journal of Occupational & Environmental Medicine, cash incentives of as little as $7 work to get people in shape. Money is even a better motivator than having a gym at work, the study found. Here's how the study worked: Groups were either offered no incentives, seven dollars or fourteen dollars. They weren't given any advice on how to loss weight or exercise. The people who were paid fourteen dollars were more likely to loss weight than those who received no money. Fourteen dollars was an even bigger motivator than seven dollars, which Clark thinks is funny because it's not really all that much money as an incentive for three months of exercise and diet. The authors of the study now plan to do more research to find out the optimal amount of money it will take to bribe workers to health!

If you own a business or manage a company, do you allow your employees the freedom to make you money or do you put them in a straitjacket? One of the biggest straitjackets is working from the office. The Wall Street Journal revealed the results of a study that monitored 10,000 workers. Some of the workers were telecommuters and others were regular office workers. Job satisfaction and loyalty to the employer were higher among those who telecommuted. A lot of employers are still suspicious of letting people work from home. There's the idea that people have to be monitored to be efficient. Human nature dictates that some people will be very motivated workers and others will not be very motivated at all. But you can't create productivity by staring at someone across the office. Clark himself admits that his productivity at the studio drops to almost zero. That's why he does all his show research at home. He's the kind of person who finds the office is a major distraction because he loves to chat with co-workers!

Many people want to do part-time work at home, especially when they have a newborn. But a lot of work-at-home offers are scams. One stat has it that for every legitimate offer you may see, you're going to come across 42 scams. So Clark wants you to be careful if you're looking to work at home. Be sure to avoid the ads in the back of women's magazines about envelope stuffing, doing medical office paperwork and the like. There is, however, one area that's proven legitimate over time: becoming a call center worker from your home. Employers like this option because they don't have to rent office space for you, so it costs them less than setting up a call center. Typical costs for a call-center employee could be $31, while it only costs a company $21 to set you up to do the same work at home. Bear in mind that these figures are not what you'll be earning; they represent what the company pays out of pocket to set you up as an independent contractor. Fortune magazine reports that there are now about 100,000 people involved in such work-at-home businesses. That number is expected to triple in the next 30 months. Be sure to check out Clark's list of legitimate vendors in this field. Not many people know it, but JetBlue was one of the pioneers in the home-based call center industry. Now companies like 1-800-Flowers and J. Crew are also getting in on the action.

On his recent book tour Clark met a gentleman who was about to become a refugee from corporate America due to company downsizing. He decided that buying a franchise was the right way to go from here. Clark asked him what he knew about the industry, and he said "nothing." He said the franchise company promised incredible profits, but you can't always trust their word. Clark asked what his previous field was...he answered computers. Clark asked him why he wanted to go into a field that had nothing to do with his business experience...was he burned out? He said no, he just thought he could make a lot of money with this franchise. But Clark wants you to think long and hard before you do buy one, especially if you're a corporate refugee. Clark's advice: work in the industry first and see if you really like it. Learn it from the inside out, even if it means emptying trash cans at first. Franchises are much harder to sell than buy, so you want to be 100% sure you want to stick with it. Corporate refugees, you have to be especially careful, since what you used to do was very specific, typically. You'll have to be a multi-disciplinary person--a utility player-- if you're going to go from an office into running your own business. If you're not, you're probably not the kind of person who should own a franchise. So what do you do if you have experience but can't find a regular job?. Try consulting. Use the knowledge you gained in the corporate world and put that to use helping others who can benefit from your advice and experience. If you've gained the currency of knowledge, education and training and just kick it to the curb, you'll be throwing the baby out with the bath water!

Are you being paid a fair wage for what you do? There is a site where you can find out, according to Business 2.0 magazine. It’s called payscale.com. Once you go through the steps, the site will try to get you to purchase more products. But just keep hitting the “free” buttons and you’ll get a chart showing how you’re doing compared to other people in your field. It can also help business owners figure out what they should be paying workers. Now, any tool like this is not scientifically proven. But it is a great resource.

Clark has great news for you and your wallet! The U.S. economy has defied all odds and continues to grow beyond what anyone expected. Normally, when the economy takes off, so does inflation. But we are in what economists refer to as the “Goldie Locks Economy.” The housing market is awful and the car market is struggling severely. In addition, builders reporting horrible statistics. They’re getting cancellations on about 50 percent of homes. So, consequences for builders and their workers are rough. But in spite of all that, we have continued to defy gravity. Wages are moving along quite nicely, for example. So, if employers are being stingy with you, now is the time to look around. Your skills may be in demand elsewhere, and you could work for a more appreciative employer. When the economy is reporting these great numbers, see it as your wake up call. Also, people graduating from college this spring will have the luck of the draw. The job market is the best it’s been in years, so those folks are sitting pretty. Just be careful responding to job listings that may be scams.

Are you happy where you work? Unfortunately, many people aren’t, but they go back to the same grind every day because they can't take that step. Recent studies show that half of working Americans want out of their jobs. One in five are actively looking and another one in five intend to look for a new job in the next six months. If you are one of those people, now is the time to start looking. The job market is pretty good right now, so this may be your chance. As for employers who might take offense to this, you may want to take a look in the mirror. Just because you give someone a paycheck doesn’t mean they are happy. To most workers, being rewarded and appreciated is what matters. Tell individual employees what they’ve done to make you proud. And create conditions that make people happy. Also, workers should remember that it’s a two-way deal. If you’re working in a good job with great benefits, you have to deliver.

Clark knows lots of people who have looked so forward to retirement, only to be let down out of bordeom or lack of activity. Many people need some kind of activity or mental stimulation to feel alive, and sometimes it’s nice to make a little extra money at the same time. So, baby boomers who are hitting retirement are searching the Web for jobs they would like. One new site may be your answer. It’s called retirementjobs.com. Check it out and let us know.

For the first time in years, summer jobs are easier to find this year. That’s great news for young people in high school or college. So, why is it happening? Well, first of all, the job market is stronger. Secondly, although it doesn’t feel like it, the economy is stronger. And these jobs are paying higher than minimum wage. In addition, companies are offering more paid internships for young people in various years of school. Now the job may not be that interesting. But that doesn’t matter; getting your foot in the door is key. You can look around for jobs you want later. Statistics show that about 40 percent of people who worked as an intern at a company go to work for that company after graduation.

Hear what workers say about what they value on the job. Does a higher salary make one happier? Just remember to turn off your pop-up blocker if you have one.

If you don’t have a college degree, but you’re looking for a job that pays well, what should you do? Well, a reporter from Knight Ridder did some research on this topic and put together a list. The top paying job without a bachelor’s degree is a Registered Nurse or RN. Like many people, Clark thought you had to have a bachelor’s degree to become an RN. But you don’t. You just need an associate’s degree, and the opportunities are plentiful. Second is a mechanic for trucks and cars. Experienced mechanics can make up to six figures, although the average is about $30,000. It’s also another job with lots of openings. Computer support specialist positions also pay well, at between $30,000 and $50,000 a year. Electricians and plumbers are in high demand, as well. Truck drivers make about $40,000 a year and more people are needed because turnover is so high.

Statistics released recently show that over the past five years Americans have taken on heavier and heavier loads of debt. It’s at the point where the average household is carrying a very heavy burden. One of the scariest aspects is the amount of home equity lines of credit and the car loans people have taken on. So, what’s really behind all this debt people are taking on? Usually it’s that people are trying to maintain a lifestyle they’ve grown accustomed to. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the average American wage has fallen. When you see surveys asking people about whether they feel we’re going in the wrong direction as a country, part of it is due to the drop in salaries and wages. Of course, other people are making great money. Doctors, for instance, are making more than normal. Airline pilots and nurses are making also making more. But many fields have seen huge wage drops. Servers have seen wages drop, as have truck drivers, dental hygienists and school teachers. It reemphasizes the point that the more skills you have and the broader your education, the better off you will be. If you are suffering from a decline in income, look for ways to trim your expenses.

Clark often talks about what jobs will make you the most money out of school. But what about the ones that pay the least? We thought we should let you know the other end of the spectrum. Some of the lowest-paying jobs out there are 1) archeologist - $38,000; 2) architect – mid ‘30s ; 3) professional chef – about $9 an hour; 4) clergy member – mid ‘30s; 5) liberal arts professor – mid ‘40s; 6) school psychologist – about $30,000 and 7) university research scientist - $35,000 to $39,000. Of course, you should do what you love. Money is a priority, but if you love what you do you will be much more fulfilled. Just consider the debt you’ll have to deal with after school. One caveat is that there will be a lot of people retiring from professorships over the next few years, which means more positions will open up.

The average wage of the American worker is not keeping up with the rate of inflation today. We are falling behind by about 1 percent each year. At the same time, we’re creating more jobs. Last year, the country added 2.2 million jobs. That means the cost of living is outrunning the pay increases we’re getting. Not to mention the fact that many jobs are going overseas and cheap imports from China are rising exponentially. Clark likes the fact that those imports mean cheaper prices on clothes and other retail items. But retailers in the States are trying to convince our federal government to put limits on imports because they are losing money and jobs. Over time, having that competition has been good for our country. The real problem is related to our current health care system. Spending on health care is out of control because of the way the system is now. If it were up to the individual we would spend a lot less as a country and keep more of our money. Clark knows there are a lot of bright people coming up with ideas for health care and how to improve it. So, if you’re feeling pinched in the pocket, consider the possibility that a solution for health care would help before talking about outsourcing and importing goods. Our current system is not sustainable for everyday working people.

We talk about competition from Communist China, Europe and other parts of Asia. But did you know that states compete as well for residents and for top positions in the marketplace. The topic they use most often to influence people is weather, according to news reports. College-educated people are moving from cold-weather states to warmer states en masse these days because the quality of life is perceived as so much better. Not to mention the fact that there are more jobs in these more attractive places. The state of North Dakota loses the most young people each year. Last year the state lost 28 percent of that demographic. The second least popular location is South Dakota and Iowa was next in line. West Virginia and Montana were No. 4 and No. 5, respectively. So, where are those people moving? More than anywhere else, college-educated people are moving to Nevada. The second most popular place to move is Colorado, and the third most popular state is Georgia. No. 4 and 5 are Arizona and Oregon.

What are the best companies in America in your opinion? Fortune Magazine recently published its opinion on this matter, and you may or may not be happy with the results. Wal-Mart is No. 4 on the list of the “Most Admired Companies” in America. Many people view Wal-Mart as an evil enterprise, but apparently Forbes admires them. One cannot argue that the company provides cheap goods in very efficient ways. People with a lot of money don’t like the Wal-Mart way of life. No. 1 on the list might come as a surprise to you also. Dell Computers is the most admired company in the world. The company has turned computers into a commodity. They have driven costs out of the system and made money selling quality, affordable computers. Coming in fifth place is SouthWest Airlines. So, clearly there is a pattern of efficient, industry-changing companies. A counterpoint could be No. 3, Starbucks, which charges a ton for coffee. But people like the environment and employees love working there. So it works.

Ten years ago, the government of France started implementing laws that made it a crime to work more than 35 hours a week. It struck fear into the French and intimidated businesses into . The French government thought putting limits on hours would force businesses to hire more people, which would lower the unemployment rate. Well, the unemployment rate actually went up, and it didn’t help at all. So, the government is finally lifting the 35-hour work week. It’s got some people up in arms, but it’s the best decision the country could have made. We must let the free market thrive.

Clark has always been a fan of teens working throughout high school and college to make a little extra money and to learn the value of money. But a report in USA Today had him concerned about some extremes involved with working teenagers. First of all, only about 20 percent of teens are working the “desirable number” of hours according to developmental psychologists and other experts. The target is about 15 hours a week. But 40 percent of teenagers are working way beyond that amount. That can lead to trouble in school and introduction to adult behaviors that are not age appropriate. Another 40 percent of teens are not working at all, which also concerns Clark. Parents need to get involved and talk about the benefits of working a reasonable number of hours at an appropriate job. Now, during the summer, working full-time is fine. Teens will have exposure to those adult behaviors eventually, and it’s more likely to happen over the summer. So, be vigilant with your kids. Know where they are and what they’re doing.

Do you work for a company that cares about you? The people who employ you really care about how you are treated. Fortune Magazine thinks it’s important to point out these companies, so the publication lists the “Top 100 Companies to Work For” every year. Every one of the companies says it puts employees first. The company that got top honors this year, Wegman supermarket chains, even has a motto that states, “Employees first; Customers second.” It’s enlightened self interest. The better you treat your employers the better they’ll treat customers, and everyone makes money. More companies need to abide by this motto.

How many times have you come up with an idea or task and decided to wait until “after the New Year” to address it? This time of year, most people think they should put things off until after Christmas because people are on vacation and they think it will be harder to accomplish. But what better time is there than the present? That motto is especially true if you’re looking for a new job. Many of the “gatekeepers” who protect higher ups are out of the office now, taking vacation. So many executives are working and accessible. Now is a great time to be noticed and get your foot in the door. It may sound odd, but often people who go against the grain accomplish exactly what they want. Contact the people who are decision makers, and your chances of getting a job are much better. Many of the ads listed on Web sites or in newspapers are already “wired,” meaning the company knows who will be hired. They’ve most likely already tapped someone in the company. They are just following required procedures involving discrimination before they hire that person.

Owning a franchise is a potentially promising industry for many people these days. Franchising makes it affordable for companies to plaster their name all over the country, as well. And, the target market for franchise owners has changed, according to the New York Times. Roughly one in seven franchise owners are late career types or retirees. It used to be people in the middle of their careers, who want to try something new. Today, people over 50 are trying it out more often. The problems arise if the business doesn’t pan out, and you are in your later years. If you lose a lot of the money you have, it’s tough to start over. That’s why Clark wants you to work in one of the franchise businesses before you buy one. You need to gain perspective on what it’s going to be like because it’s important to learn a business from the pitfalls up. There are many unknowns in business, and you need to know what they are in case you decide you don’t like them. That way you can get out before you take a huge step. Franchises are much easier to get into than to get out of. One of the bigger ones people don’t think about is internal theft. If you’re less experienced in the business, your own employees may scam you. If you’re working as an employee, you get a bird’s eye view of what goes on when you’re not there. So, if you’re thinking about it, give yourself another six months. That is enough time to learn the whole drill and make a wise decision.

The Employee Benefit Research Institution recently conducted a survey into our compensation and benefits packages. Researchers found that the amount of compensation that doesn’t show up in your paycheck but goes toward benefits has more than doubled what it was in the ‘60s. That’s one of the reasons why airline employees are fighting tooth and nail for their salaries and benefits. They have been with the company for years and much more of their paycheck is going toward health care and other benefits. More and more companies are stripping away benefits like employee pension plans and retiree benefits. Industries are in a rut about whether to keep their word to former employees or to cut them loose. What this means is that money you have in an IRA is yours. You can count on it. Money that was promised by an employer may be broken down the road. As a consumer, look for the best deal as you always do.