The Invested Alternative conversation is my commentary on life about trying to make things better. The discussions and topics can be kind of random at times, but the main focus is about what struggles people face trying to get into or maintain a middle-class life and prepare for a better future. What would help? We discuss jobs, the economy, politics, inequality, other life observations, current event issues, and most importantly, helping people - understanding the struggles people face and how to possibly address them.
We talk about our experiences and things that've had a big impact on us - an impact on our lives. We have fun talking about crappy jobs we've had, what we learned from them, some of our experiences, people we've met, funny stories, sad stories, whatever related to jobs, public policy, and our path to financial freedom and success. Share the stories about people or events that've helped you and made a difference. Get to know us better and join the conversation. Pick a topic below and join in!
We talk about our experiences and things that've had a big impact on us - an impact on our lives. We have fun talking about crappy jobs we've had, what we learned from them, some of our experiences, people we've met, funny stories, sad stories, whatever related to jobs, public policy, and our path to financial freedom and success. Share the stories about people or events that've helped you and made a difference. Get to know us better and join the conversation. Pick a topic below and join in!
JOBS:
- Direction in Life: How Did You Know What To Do With Your Life? - How did you end up where you are? Was it planned? How did you figure out what you wanted to do for a career? Introduction to first job experiences.
- First Job, Car Wash - My experience with my first job. Do you have an interesting first or early job experience? Have any recommendations for others? Why did you get it and what did you like or hate about it?
- Working at a Tire Warehouse via Temp Agency - I had to get a job quickly to make money full-time before moving away again for another year of school. This wasn't a horrible experience, but it definitely wasn't pleasant. 2/10. Don't recommend.
- What I Learned from my Experience in Property Management - Property management, real estate and the economy, problems with owners and tenants.
- Sales - My experience with sales job "recruitment rallies." Kirby. Primerica. Amway Worldwide Group
- Antiwork/Work Reform and "The Great Resignation" - What's going on with the popularity of these and what are they about?
- 5 Ways To Boost Workplace Morale - One way I boosted my morale was by watching this and being glad I don't work in a place like this.
- Why Job Seekers, Employers Aren't Connecting - The paradox of unemployed workers trying to get a job and employers not being able to fill positions. Who are the "entitled" ones?
- Earning an Extra $10,000/year is Easy - Just work harder, right?
- Unemployment and the Boosted Pandemic Pay - Besides not having an income, what else annoys/annoyed you about being unemployed and job searching? What do you think about the extra $600/week unemployment benefit in 2020? Was it too much? Not enough? Did you make more than you would have otherwise working?
- Labor Shortage: Unemployment Part 2 - Community reactions. Everyone's hiring, but no one's applying! Who's to blame?
- Side Hustle Turned Millionaire? - Congratulations on the booming success, but how'd it really happen? I'm dying to know!
- "Nobody Wants to Work" - A local donut shop likes to complain, but what are they doing to be competitive?
- What is the Worst Job You've Ever Had? - The worst jobs can typically be categorized as the ones with the worst customers, worst managers, bad for mental health, tough working conditions, or just gross.
POLITICS/ECONOMY/ECONOMIC INEQUALITY:
- Income Inequality, Is It A Problem? - Your neighbor is richer than you, so what? Does this even matter?
- Luxury Mega Yachts. Should Industries like these exist? - At what point is somebody considered too rich?
- How Managerialism Changed Everything (With Emphasis on Stock Buybacks) - "Why would businesses invest in equipment to increase productivity if it all went to workers and not profit for the owners and investors of the company?" What kick-started the trend to growing inequality?
- Cost of Living and the Hate for Boomers - You wouldn't get it. Things are just different now.
- Exploitation? The Income Disparity Between Employees & Employers - Is it really exploitation and what should be done about it?
- People Shouldn't Be So Pessimistic - Data shows life has never been better! The middle class is shrinking because we're getting richer! ...What?
- Prosperity Article - Are We Blind To Prosperity? - Response to "College Student: My Generation Is Blind to the Prosperity Around Us."
- The Case for Progressive Tax - Why I like it and think it's better than a flat tax.
OTHER:
- What Invested Alternative Is and Why It Exists - I wanted to publish something to get more specific about the motives for the creation of Invested Alternative and its goals.
- Giving: How Generous Should People Be? - How giving should people be? What's the breaking point from when it's ok to have a certain amount of wealth or that high of an income until, the point where it's too much and they should be taxed or giving away more? If you were to start earning triple your income, how much would you be giving away and why? Where's the line between helping and being generous versus being an enabler to receivers becoming or remaining dependent and never becoming self-sufficient?
- Can Someone Work Their Way Through College Today With No Debt? - I'm doing the math to see how much it costs to cover everything on your own.