Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The skanner. (Portland, Or.) 1975-2014 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 19, 2016)
October 19, 2016 The Skanner Page 9 Advice: Ask Carla Reader asks if she should disclose pregnancy while job-hunting By Carla Lane Special to the NNPA News Wire from the Houston Forward Times Q: I’m pregnant! My husband and I are overjoyed but, I was planning on changing jobs in the very near future. With the new addition to our family it’s going to be even more important that I get a new job. Should I tell new poten- tial employers that I am pregnant? A: Congratulations! With all the changes going on in your life (like your growing belly and the ever-expanding responsibilities that come with it), it may seem insane to want to add another to your list. But there are dozens of valid reasons why an expectant mom might consider a job change. Maybe your em- ployer isn’t family friendly and you’re concerned about balancing career and motherhood upon your return. Maybe the commute is too long, the hours in- lexible, or the grind all-consuming. It could be that you’re bored (and hey — change is in the air, so why not make the most of it!). Or perhaps you’re wor- ried that your workplace is hazardous to you and your baby. Whatever your reason, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons thoroughly before you make a job move. Here’s a few to consider. Beware of the grass-is-greener syndrome. It may seem as though other work- places have better beneits and perks that are far more generous than yours. And that may indeed be the case: Some companies are more lexible and fami- ly friendly than others, and it’s in your best interest to know your options and ind the best ones for you. But make Long-Term Care Planning By Aimee Griin, Esq., The Griin Firm S pecial to the NNPA News Wire from The Washington In- former With about 10,000 Americans turning 65 each day, many families are making decisions about elder care. Due to the complexity and importance of these decisions, elder-care planning should include working with inancial and estate-planning pro- fessionals who are ex- perts at protecting assets and paying for care, if needed. “ position your assets in a way to be useful to you and your family, you should take the opportu- nity. Make the commit- ment to do it. I, like many others, am amazed that I am no lon- ger in my 20s and that the aging process does not comply with how I feel. Still, planning is imperative. Seventy per- cent of people turning 65 can be expected to use some form of long-term care in their lifetime. We oten look to our own knowledge of the past for the information on how to insure our fu- ture. But our knowledge To meet Medicaid require- ments, many families are forced to exhaust their as- sets, and less wealth is passed to future generations Several avenues ex- ist to pay for elder care needs. Traditional ave- nues, such as Medicaid, have strict requirements for eligibility. To meet Medicaid requirements, many families are forced to exhaust their assets, and less wealth is passed to future generations. Families are being let impoverished. Most of us know folks who have lost family homes and prospective inheritance due to the inancial bur- den of long-term elder care. This substantial loss is due to the lack of professional planning. Long-term elder care planning is not limited to Medicaid impoverish- ment creation. Spending down does not have to be the only option. If you have the opportunity to is limited. We are not all aware of the various veterans’ beneits or the use of irrevocable trusts and qualiied annuities. Working with the right team of professionals on your legal, inancial and tax decisions can be the diference between leav- ing your family empow- ered and leaving them impoverished. Because so much is at stake, the experts must be updated about our circumstanc- es as the law and inan- cial-planning vehicles are ever-changing. Contact your estate planning professional and position yourself to take advantage of your options while they re- main abundant. Aimee Griin is an at- torney with the Griin Firm in Washington, D.C. PHOTO BY FLAZINGO PHOTOS (CC BY-SA 2.0) VIA FLICKR Financial Literacy sure you understand the total picture before seek out another job op- portunity. Does the com- pany you’re interested in ofer twice as much vacation time, but also charge double for health insurance? Do they al- low people to work from Career advice Carla Fine says that some companies are more lexible home, yet expect them to and family friendly than others, and it’s in your best interest to know be on call morning, noon, your options and ind the best ones for you. and night? If the grass is ing a healthy pregnancy. Typically, truly greener on the other side of the you’ll be asked to come in for several job hunt and if working elsewhere will interviews and meetings before an of- make your pregnancy, maternity leave, fer is made. Starting a new job also de- and return more manageable), go for it. mands a great deal of concentration (all eyes are on you, so you have to be extra Be realistic. Looking for work takes time and en- careful not to make mistakes), and you ergy, two things you may be lacking should be certain you have the stamina these days as you concentrate on hav- and commitment to take these steps.