Work spouses

7 Signs You Have a Work Spouse

Patrick Erwin, CareerBuilder.com writer

Do you have a "work spouse" at your workplace? A work spouse is a co-worker of the opposite sex with whom you have a close platonic relationship. In many ways, these relationships can mirror a real marriage.
A recent CareerBuilder.com survey revealed that one-in-ten workers (11 percent) felt that they had a work spouse. And though it's usually beneficial to have a close friend at work, 20 percent of the workers polled indicated their real-life spouse was jealous of their workplace counterpart.

Do you have a work spouse?

Here are seven clear signs you might have a work spouse:
1. You depend on a particular co-worker for office supplies, snacks and aspirin.
2. There are inside jokes that you and a specific co-worker share.
3. You can be bluntly honest with this person about his or her appearance, hygiene or hair (and vice versa). You're comfortable enough to point out that the other's hair is sticking up -- or that someone's fly is down.
4. When something eventful happens at work, this co-worker is the first person you seek out for a de-briefing.
5. At breakfast, lunch and coffee breaks, your closest co-worker knows what to order for you and how you like your coffee (and vice versa).
6. You and your co-worker can finish each other's sentences.
7. Someone in your office knows almost as much about your personal life as your best friend or real-life spouse does.

Pluses and minuses of a work-spouse relationship

There are great benefits to having a close relationship with a co-worker. Among the benefits of a work spouse:
· You have a friend who provides emotional support at work during challenging times. During times of stress at home or at work, you have a built-in support system.
· Work spouses often complement each other in terms of skills, abilities and their approaches to work. The two of you can make a very productive team.
· Having a trustworthy co-conspirator for those occasional workplace escapades (and juicy gossip) can be beneficial, and often acts as a way to release work-related stress.


The possible pitfalls of a work spouse may include:

· The relationship between you and your "spouse" might be misinterpreted by other co-workers as a clique. If others feel excluded, it may be a catalyst for personal or professional disagreements.
· If the relationship goes sour, it can have a negative impact on you, your "ex" and your team as a whole.
· If your real spouse becomes aware of their counterpart, it can create issues in your real-life marriage.


Managing the work spouse relationship

Here are some tips on how best to keep everyone, including your work spouse, happy on the job.
Keep the lines of communication open. Make sure that other co-workers are not feeling shut out by the perception that you and your work spouse are an exclusive clique of two. If you are working on a project together that also involves the team, be sure to reach out to everyone for feedback and suggestions.
Avoid crossing boundaries. It's great to have a support system and a close confidante, but be sure to set boundaries for how much to share with your office mate. More importantly, honor those boundaries. If the relationship becomes antagonistic or is too close for comfort, let your work spouse know you need a little space.
Lighten the mood. If your life at home and at work is filled with complications, bringing a co-worker into the middle of those issues may not be beneficial for you. You should aim to keep the mood light and happy with your work spouse. You'll look forward to enjoying gossip, taking breaks and being able to relax with a friend without any concerns or complications.

Men's fashion are "in" her

Crisp tailored suits, neckties, baggy jeans and shorter-than-short haircuts are popping up on Hollywood's biggest female stars. Katie Holmes, torch-bearer of this season's loosefit boyfriend jeans fad, turned heads earlier this week when she left an Hermes party decked out in the investment banker fav -- a three-piece pinstripe navy suit. Mere days before, Victoria Beckham paired a Dior men's tie with a cutt-off tuxedo jacket and her own dVb wide-leg jeans. Big names, the New York Daily News reports, are slipping into suits and baggy jeans in an attemp to stand out from their hair extension-wearing, mini-dress and pumps peer. However, avoid going head-to-toe in drag, they caution. Instead, add femenine touches to the style to make it look good.

Afford the Holiday Season

The Holidays are coming... so is the pressure of having the perfect gift. If you want to avoid the stress related to the season, check this page.

If you’re concern about money, find some advice for save during the holiday, from the gift buying to decorating and entertaining, even how to stay in touch with your friends and family.

Finally, if you want to make extra money, you can always apply for a seasonal job. Here is where to start.

Reduce unwanted catalogs

Are you getting bombarded? You can take control of your mailbox.

Exercise Time

Who doesn't want to be in good shape?... But you'll have to leave the couch and do a lot of exercise. From msnbc.com, here is the importance of doing exercise:

Live longer
A recent study on exercise and longevity found that people who were active on a regular basis lived longer than their couch-potato counterparts, and the more they exercised the longer they lived.

Make work more tolerable
A British study of about 200 workers at a university, computer company and life insurance firm found that people who took exercise breaks during the day said they felt more productive and more tolerant of job stress than when they didn't exercise.
Even half an hour was enough to do the trick, and the exercise didn't have to be strenuous.

Help out your heart
Another study in the Archives of Internal Medicine confirmed that exercise is heart-healthy — and that you don't have to run a marathon to derive benefit.
Even briskly walking for half an hour on three or four days a week improved cardiovascular health, according to the study of nearly 500 sedentary adults.

Defeat diabetes
Two-thirds of Americans with type 2 diabetes do not have their disease under control, which puts them at risk for early death, blindness and limb loss, according to research released this year.
Experts say most cases of type 2 diabetes could be prevented with a healthy diet and regular exercise. In people who already have type 2 diabetes, exercise can help lower blood sugar and prevent the disease from worsening.

Get rid of the hidden fat
OK, so this one is about weight and fat. But it's not the fat you can pinch; it's the deep, even more dangerous kind that accumulates around internal organs and contributes to diabetes, heart disease and other problems

How do you find the motivation to exercise? Here is the answer.

If you want to find a place to start your routine for a reasonable price, you can check out this special report from The Miami Herald.

Finally, if you have kids, it's important that they have healthy habits in their life, you can find more information in this link.

Go Vote!

The Early Voting started yesterday, and you can find your voting info: when to vote, where, and what to bring.
If you live in Broward County, you can check your registration status and more information about the the upcoming elections, just click here.

Breast Cancer Awereness

We are in the month of Breast Cancer Awareness, and I would like to share some information that could be helpful to you and the women in your family.
If you want to know the warning signs of breast cancer, please check here.
Also, through the years, there have been quite a few rumors and myths floating around about breast cancer, here is the list that dispels the rumors and myths of breast cancer.
Thank you very much for shearing your stories of success with us this morning, and if you need more information or if you didn't have the chance to share your story on air, you can check the LITE FM Pink Page.

Romantic Ideas

I know many men who have a flair for romantic ideas, sweet gestures, and spontaneity at the drop of a hat, so it's not impossible to become a "romantic prince". The following are some simple romantic ideas that will help you impress your lady everyday:

1. Watch the sunset together.
2. Whisper to each other.
3. Cook for each other.
4. Walk in the rain.
5. Hold hands

If you want to read more about it you can check here.

But if you really want to surprise her (or him) you can also check the Michael Webb's "101 Romantic Ideas" and click download, it is free.

Cut back your spendings

In a recently survey of more than 100 women about the financial concerns, the answers ran the gamut from affording groceries and other staples like gas to a wide variety of fears, such as: Losing what took so long to acquire, job loss, keeping my my businesses, making credit card payments, and a general fear for the country's future.

Here we give some tips to cut off your spending that will help you out. And if you are a newlywed; here are other suggestions that might be good for your new life.

Facing Forclosure?

There are options and lots of people that want to help. Do your research and find the best option for you.

Here is one you may have heard on the show this morning. Certified distressed property experts.

The Irritable Male Syndrome

The Irritable Male Syndrome (IMS) is in some ways similar to male menopause, but it can affect men of all ages. What often triggers IMS is acute or chronic stress. Focusing on two crucial times of life when male hormones are shifting rapidly. If you want to know more you can check here.

The interesting thing of the IMS is that manifests itself through a number of feelings that can help us recognize where it is present in us or in someone we care about. The following questionnaire will help you assess IMS and the degree of seriousness.

Be a good wedding guest

In the course of wedding planning, you'll probably come across a guest or two whose inappropriate actions, odd requests, or rude behavior seems appalling. Don't be shocked -- while you may know the ins and outs of wedding etiquette, some of your friends and family may not be aware of what's acceptable. What can you do? Be proactive. Here's how.

But if you are going to be the guest, follow these advices, so you can preserve your pride and maintain your welcome at weddings to come

Hang on to that job!

In these days, who dosen't want to keep their job?

Here are 10 tips for staying employable that we found in www.suite101.com, (I hope it could help you):

1. Assess your job skills, education, and accomplishments. Is your job training current, your skills valuable in today's job market, and your performance effective? If your career or job requires regular skills updates or job training, stay on top of it.
2. Keep your skills polished. If your biggest qualification for your job is that you've been doing it for ten years, consider taking a refresher job training course. Adult education classes or night school is a great way to expand your job skills and broaden your horizons.
3. Know who's hiring in your field. It's important to know your options. What skills, education, and job training are employers looking for? If you were unemployed, could you apply for the open positions?
4. Track trends. Stay current on industry events, changes and news. Read newspapers, journals, trade magazines; talk to colleagues.
5. Be positive. Avoid slandering your coworkers or gossiping about your supervisors. Be slow to criticize your clients, employees, or couriers – whether it's to their faces or behind their backs.
6. Hone your networking skills. Whether you're planning to stay with your employer, learning how to negotiate a raise, or looking for a new job, keep networking. You'll learn valuable information, both professionally and personally, if you stay tuned with the people around you.
7. Keep your resume updated. Even if you're not actively looking for work, update your resume regularly. Add your new responsibilities, changes in job title, professional associations, volunteer work, etc.
8. Take care of yourself. Get plenty of sleep, eat nutritious food, and exercise regularly. Deal with mental, emotional, or spiritual issues; don't ignore your problems.
9. Dress professionally. Take pride in your appearance; if you're not into the current fashion, ask your partner or a salesperson to make sure you're well dressed. Even if you're in an entry level job in the service industry, make sure your hair, face and hands are neat and clean. Leave the nose rings, lip rings and eyebrow rings at home.
10. Practice the basics. Get to work, meetings, and workshops on time. Do your job well. If you can't meet deadlines, get support. Be reliable, consistent, and trustworthy.

The best thing that you could do is to be the employee you'd be glad to hire and promote.

If you want more information about this subject, find it in here.

Afternoon De-latte

Looking to find a sweet spot among Americans who are feeling the pinch from a troubled economy, Dunkin' Donuts will begin selling small lattes for 99 cents during the afternoon beginning today.

It's part of a campaign to lure you into a late-day coffee break.

The lattes will be sold Monday through Friday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. The company is also selling an egg and cheese sandwich for 99 cents with the purchase of a medium or larger hot coffee. The sandwich typically sells for about $2.

The promotion runs through Nov. 11.

Mutual Decisions

Decisions, Decisions...

When it comes to money, decor, the kids and shopping...Who makes those decisions? You or him?

If you want to know how to make mutual decisions, here are some suggestions.

Classic Honey Cake

3 Eggs

1 1/3 cups honey

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 cup strong black coffee

2 tsps. Baking powder

3 Tbsps. Margarine, softened

1 tsp. Baking soda

4 cups flour

1 tsp cinnamon

Preheat oven to 325.
Grease and flour a 9 by 13-inch cake pan.

In a large mixer bowl, beat eggs and honey together. Add sugar and mix again. Mix coffee with baking powder, and then add with margarine to the egg mixture. Add baking soda, flour, and cinnamon and beat together well.

Pour into greased cake pan. Bake for 55 minutes to an hour.
USE: 9 X 13-inch cake pan

YIELDS: 1 cake

Things for free

From prescription drugs and stock trades to movies, cruises and legal advice, it is possible to get plenty for nothing, or at least at a deep discount. Don't you like that!

In the majority of the cases that you will find here, the only effort that's needed to claim them involves the 15 seconds it takes to type in a name and an e-mail address.

Improve your financial situation

In these days, who is not looking for quick things to do that will improve the financial situation?

Here are some things that you can do once, then just sit back and watch as they provide financial benefit for you over the long haul.

Financial tips

FINANCIAL ADVICE FOR EMPLOYEES - The human services coalition prosperity campaign teams up with local businesses to provide their employees free financial literacy workshops.. and CBS 4's Al Sunshine tells others how they can get involved Wednesday at 5pm.

Save some scratch

With food inflation up more than 8% for the year and gas close to $4 a gallon, some consumers are going to extreme measures to stay within their budgets.

Though some ideas might sound crazy -- car-engine fried eggs, anyone? -- others contain clever solutions to the everyday challenges of stretching a dollar. Here are eight of the best extreme-saving techniques, culled from some of the top minds on the Web:

Turn your car off -- while it's moving
Though AAA warns against this technique, some bloggers promote it as a way of saving gas. By using the car's momentum to glide into parking spaces or move downhill, you can get where you're trying to go with less fuel. Just make sure you practice driving without power steering and power brakes in an open space before experimenting near other cars -- or people. And never try this at high speeds; it's too dangerous.

Savings: You can shave a few dollars off your gas bill each month.

Reuse plastic sandwich bags
Sandwich bags can be easily rinsed out and dried, and used again the next day. As long as the bags don't touch raw meat, it's a hygienic and environmentally friendly way to save.

Savings: With a pack of 100 bags going for around $3, a family of four can save about $30 a year.

Here are a few more wacky ways to save.