Some random thoughts as those of us with children try to find new and creative places to hide boxes and bags around the house.
– Speaking of the holidays, the early reports have not been that promising for retailers. If the trend continues, consumers should find plenty of big sales over the next couple of days as retailers look to salvage what for many of them is the most important time of the year.
– The political infighting going on between House Speaker William J. Murphy, a West Warwick Democrat, and Rep. John J. DeSimone, a Providence Democrat, makes for good theater – particularly during these months when the state Legislature is not in session. But it doesn’t make for good legislation. Both men should recognize that come January, the general public deserves better than political games. They deserve tax reforms, more affordable health care … you know, stuff like that.
– Joseph W. Accetta, who runs a real estate firm in Cranston, is doing something nice to recognize the sacrifices of those in our Armed Forces.
Back in 1990, he offered free real estate services to Operation Desert Storm families. At the time, his son, then Capt. David Accetta, was serving in Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Kuwait. By 2003, now Maj. Accetta was back in Iraq with Operation Iraqi Freedom.
After seven months, he returned to his home base in Germany. But last month he returned again to Iraq. So Joseph Accetta is again offering free real estate services, this time to families of servicemen serving as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
“We know how important the support group is to military families, and we’re happy to help any way we can,” said Accetta. The firm can be reached at 942-0800.
– According to at least one national survey, you might want to get used to the raise or bonus you received in 2004, because your prospects for seeing a bigger one in 2005 aren’t good. A survey by Robert Half International found that 63 percent of chief financial officers said they do not anticipate offering larger raises in 2005 than in 2004, while 62 percent do not plan to increase bonus amounts.
But if you are a valued employee, you should be able to get something out of your bosses.
“Companies without plans to increase raises and bonuses may be exploring other ways to reward personnel in the coming year,” said Max Messmer, chairman and CEO of Robert Half. “As the job market improves, employee retention will become a greater priority.”
– Another recent study by Robert Half has most workers crying “bah humbug!” to the idea of work-related New Year’s resolutions. Whether it’s the improving economy or that they are more concerned with bettering their health, 55 percent of those surveyed said that they never make a career-related resolution and 85 percent said they did not make one last year.
– It’s easy to give kids a hard time about all the time they spend on video games or watching television, but maybe they’re a bit smarter than we think. The U.S. Chess Federation reports that it has experienced the largest growth in membership since 2000. And the largest number of newcomers are under age 14.
– One last word on holiday shopping. If that person on your list is a Red Sox fan and they don’t have it, your problems are solved. Three letters: DVD!
Have a wonderful holiday.
