Friday, September 24, 2010

那来的通货紧缩?美国的物价其实一直在全面上涨

那来的通货紧缩?美国的物价其实一直在全面上涨

通货紧缩固然成了美国目前的经济术语,然而物价其实却是全面走高。
美国物价过去一年来,小幅上涨了1.1%,经济学家說未来,物价下跌可能是一项担忧。然而尽管通货紧缩的担忧屡屡被当做话题,各项消费品,奢侈品及休閒活动价格却是全面上涨。
在美国,大众运输价格去年平均上涨了6.6%。驾驶的情况并未大幅好转,因为汽油价格亦上涨约7%,至每加仑2.72美元。
尽管某些主要成本或许下降,并持续使得整体通货膨胀偏低,但许多其他生活成本其实却是变得更贵。
例如,房价下跌近来压低了通货膨胀率,但是家庭成本,如水,下水道及垃圾服务费去年却上涨了5.7%。
这还只是部份。
医药费上涨6.3%,教育费上涨4.4%。想送小孩唸哈佛吗 去年,包括住宿,费用达48868美元。今年更高达50724美元,上涨了3.8%。
即使早晨的茶点成本也上涨。过去六个月,咖啡期货大涨逾40%,零售咖啡亦上涨了10%。
棉花价格今年上涨到了十五年高点,可能带动衣装价格上扬。
休閒价格亦走高,度假已明确变得更贵。有业者說飞机票一年来上涨了17%。
处处节约度日的纽泽西人Terri Huggins說,上涨的物价让她不得不放弃了部份啫好与活动。她說,许多我以往购物的地方,价格已不再便宜。好像每件东西,每个卖场都涨价了。

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Save Thousands on Closing Costs

Save Thousands on Closing Costs

Elisabeth Leamy Covers Consumer Issues in Her Weekly Column, "Savvy Consumer"

By ELISABETH LEAMY

March 9, 2006—

Author's note: Thursday I did a story about real estate closing costs on "Good Morning America." As I walked off the set at the end, the crew gathered around me and started peppering me with further questions about the topic. I realized I had struck a nerve!
After all, often I can give advice that saves you tens or hundreds of dollars, but this is a chance to save THOUSANDS! So I decided to continue the conversation about closing costs in my weekly column.
Every year, Americans spend $110 billion buying houses. I'm not talking about how much the homes themselves cost. I'm talking about how much the loans cost. American home buyers routinely pay abusive closing costs. There are two kinds: real fees that are inflated and junk fees that are just plain made up. It doesn't have to be that way. If you know what you're doing, you can save thousands of dollars when you go to the settlement table.
Here's the problem: when you apply for a loan, the mortgage company gives you a list of the fees you can expect. It's called a good faith estimate. What a joke! All too often these estimates aren't given "in good faith" at all. You see, there's no law requiring the mortgage company to stick to its good faith estimate. So when you go to closing a month later, often you'll find the fees have risen sharply or new fees have been added. The Department of Housing and Urban Development has been fighting to prevent lenders, brokers and title agents from padding closing costs. But the current law is weak, so courts keep siding with the mortgage industry. Until Congress passes a better law, it's up to you to protect yourself.
Years ago, when I closed on my first home, the fees were a whopping $2,000 more than I had expected -- even though the mortgage company manager knew I was an investigative reporter. I can only imagine how that company treats customers who don't have a title like mine to fling around. Of course, I questioned every single line item, found several junk fees, and got the company to knock several hundred dollars off my closing costs. Let me fill you in on several ways the mortgage industry tries to get you.
Cleo S. wanted to refinance her home. The lender charged her $50 for a so-called "funding fee." That's a euphemism for a simple wire transfer. First of all, wire transfers don't cost that much. Second, getting the money to the borrower is the lender's job and shouldn't cost extra. The lender also charged Cleo $150 for a survey, but when you refinance, normally a survey isn't required. The title company took advantage of Cleo too. It charged her $125 to record her deed with the county. But the county where Cleo lives only charges $25 for that service. The fee was heavily padded -- pure profit for the title company!
There are a couple of proposals that could reform abusive closing costs like these. One idea is for groups of lenders, title agents, surveyors and appraisers to band together and offer package deals. The packages would be guaranteed, so consumers could shop and compare. These package deals are already starting to be a reality. The other possibility is a law requiring lenders to stick to their original good faith estimates, or not stray by more than 10 percent. Even the mortgage industry supports this proposal. That would eliminate the bait-and-switch tactics so common today.
For now, the best thing you can do is learn the lingo and be ready to fight. Here's a breakdown of the typical fees you will see on your closing cost bill, called a "HUD-1 settlement statement." I explain what the fees are actually for and how much they typically cost in the Washington, D.C., area, where I live. Keep in mind these are rough estimates. Lots of factors can make these fees higher or lower (like where you live, whether you're a first-time home buyer, and if you have poor credit). Understanding what the fees are for will help you bargain them down.

Fees Imposed by the Lender

Loan Origination Fee: 1 percent of the purchase price
This is simply a way for the lender to make a bit of money up front. If you deal directly with a mortgage company, rather than with a mortgage broker, this is how the loan officer makes his money. The loan origination fee is another name for a "point" and it is tax deductible.
Loan Discount
The "loan discount" refers to the "points" you pay to buy down your interest rate. If you choose to pay points, each point will be 1 percent of the loan amount. Take out a loan for $100,000 and one point will equal $1,000. As a general rule of thumb, for each point you pay, you buy down the interest rate by 0.25 percent. So, for example, you could pay zero points and get a 7.75 percent interest rate. Or you could pay three points and get a 7 percent interest rate. If you don't plan to keep the home long, points can be expensive for you. If you plan to stay put a long time, points begin to pay for themselves. If you are purchasing a house, points are tax deductible the year you take out the loan. If you are refinancing your house, you have to deduct the points over the life of the loan.
Underwriting Fee: $150-$325
Some lenders charge a fee to weigh the risk of doing business with you. Critics say this fee shouldn't exist, because underwriting is an integral part of what a lender does. It would be like a carpenter charging an extra fee for carrying his tools into your house. But lenders now routinely charge back-end fees like this so they can keep their interest rates low, which is how they attract customers. You may be able to negotiate a lower underwriting fee.
Document Preparation Fee: $75-$325
Lenders have to prepare several documents in the process of granting you a loan. Some charge for it. This is another fee often criticized by consumer advocates. You may be able to negotiate a lower fee.
Administrative Fee: $390-$550
This fee covers underwriting and document preparation. Some lenders lump the two together and call it their "administrative fee." Again, you may be able to negotiate.
Funding Fee/Wiring Fee: $0-$30
This fee is supposed to cover the cost of wiring your loan money to whomever is conducting your closing. Lenders never used to charge this fee. Critics say they still shouldn't because getting the money to you is part of their job. Try to get the lender to waive this fee.
Credit Report: $15-$60
Lenders and brokers pull your credit report to see if you have a positive payment history. If they require a full residential mortgage credit report, that's more expensive because the credit reporting agency actually takes the time to call your creditors and verify the items on your credit report. Some lenders are not satisfied with a simpler credit report called a "tri-merge" that contains information from all three major credit bureaus and does not get manually verified. This is a fee that often gets padded. Since an outside company provides this service, ask for a receipt to verify the true cost and don't pay a penny more.
Tax Service Fee/Escrow Fee: $58-$89
Lenders like to make sure you are paying your property taxes, because if you're not, the county can seize your home and the lender won't get paid. Most lenders require you to send extra money along with your mortgage payments. The lender collects that money in an escrow account and then pays your property taxes for you. If you make a big down payment, you're allowed to pay your property taxes yourself. But the lender still hires an outside company to monitor whether you're paying your taxes. This fee covers that service. If you plan to pay your property taxes yourself, this fee should be at the lower end of the scale.
Appraisal Fee: $100-$500
Lenders require a professional appraisal so they will know if the home you are buying is worth the amount of money they are lending you. If you are refinancing, the lender may be satisfied with a "drive-by" appraisal, which is much less expensive. Either way, ask your broker or lender for a receipt showing which appraiser did the work and how much it actually cost. Don't pay an inflated fee.
Survey Fee: $0-$250 A survey is performed to make sure the boundaries of your property are clean and clear. Surveyors look for things like misplaced fences and shared driveways that may cloud property lines and cause a dispute. Lenders ask you to pay for a survey if you are buying a new home. If you are refinancing, they may be willing to "recertify" the existing survey at no cost. Surveys do not apply to condominiums, but watch out, because some lenders tack them on anyway. Once again, surveyors are outside companies. Demand receipts and don't allow upcharges.
Flood Certification Fee: $11-$25
If you are buying a single-family home, the lender will want to have a flood survey done to see if the house is in a flood zone. An outside company will review government charts to find out. If you are buying a condo on an upper floor, you should not have to pay for a flood certification, but beware, some lenders charge for it out of habit. This is another outside service for which you can get a receipt.
Hazard Insurance: $300-$600
Lenders require you to purchase at least fire insurance to protect the property since it's collateral for the loan. Most buyers choose to purchase full homeowner's insurance, which covers fires and other disasters. The lender must approve the insurance company you choose. Some brokers and lenders will try to sign you up for a full year's coverage, which can be difficult to afford at the same time as all these other closing costs. Ask questions. Most lenders are satisfied if you pre-pay two to four months of insurance.
Interest
If you are refinancing, avoid scheduling your closing for the beginning of the month. Why? Because that means there are several days worth of interest which you will either have to pay at closing or roll into the mortgage. It's hard enough to come up with the cash for closing. And you don't want to raise your mortgage any higher.

Fees Imposed by the Broker

Mortgage Broker Fee: 1 percent to 5 percent of the loan amount
Your mortgage broker is entitled to make a commission for the work involved in finding you a loan. This fee is tax deductible. The amount is regulated by the government. In some states the percentage is not capped, but brokers are required to disclose their fees in writing and get the borrower's signature of approval. In one state, mortgage brokers cannot charge more than 8 percent of the loan amount. Find out what the rules are in your area.
Keep in mind, brokering loans is a competitive business, so most brokers charge well below the legal limit. If you have good credit, you will qualify for a "prime" loan, and you can expect to pay your mortgage broker 1 percent to 1.25 percent of the loan amount. If you have poor credit, you will be given a "sub-prime" loan and chances are your broker will charge 3 percent to 5 percent because finding you a loan takes more work. If the percentage is any higher, ask hard questions and shop around to see if you can get a better deal.
If you cannot afford to pay high closing costs, including the broker's fee, there is an alternative called a "yield spread premium." In this scenario, the broker pays some or all of your closing costs for you. In exchange, you pay a higher interest rate on the loan. The broker makes his money by charging the lender a fee. Lenders are willing to pay these broker fees because higher-interest rate loans bring them more money in the long run.
CAUTION: yield spread premium deals are only legitimate if you pay low or no closing costs in exchange for paying a higher interest rate. If you are paying a high interest rate and your closing costs are still high, that's illegal, and you may be a victim of predatory lending.

Fees Imposed by Title Agent and Settlement Attorneys

Closing Fee: $350 for a purchase (split between buyer and seller). $150-$350 for a refinance
Your closing is the meeting where you sign all the paperwork to finalize your loan and purchase the home. Closings can be conducted by title agents or by real estate attorneys who double as title agents. In some parts of the country they are called "escrow agents." The government does not regulate these professionals when it comes to fees. It's up to you to shop around and find the best rate. Don't automatically hire the title agent recommended by your Realtor or mortgage broker.
Settlement Fee
A "settlement" is the same thing as a "closing." It should not be an additional cost, but unscrupulous operators have been known to add it as a separate line item and double charge.
Abstract or Title Search: $150-$225
This fee is charged by the title agent to cover the cost of sending somebody to the courthouse to research the history of the property you want to buy. They look to see whether the seller really owns the property free and clear and has a right to sell it to you. Some title agents have somebody in-house who does this work. Others hire an outside company. If yours hires an outside company, as always, ask for a receipt.
Title Examination: $0-$400
This is the fee some title agents charge to analyze the results of the title search done at the courthouse. They look for liens, judgments and ownership disputes that may hurt you or the lender later on. Many title professionals consider this just an extension of the abstract or title search and charge nothing. Others consider it a separate function. Again, shop around for the best deal.
Title Insurance Binder: $0-$50
Title insurance is provided by big national insurance companies. Title agents are generally small, local firms. The title insurance binder is the insurance company's promise to provide title coverage once the sale is complete. It is prepared by the local title agent, who acts as a broker for that insurance company. Some title agents include it in the cost of the title search or title exam.
(Title) Document Preparation: $0-$100
The lender prepares the bulk of the documents required to close a loan and buy a home, but title agents prepare some too. Some charge for this, many include it under other line items.
Notary Fees: $7-$20
Title agents must get some documents notarized for you. Most have an in-house notary but still pass along the cost to you. Ask how many pages had to be notarized and the price per page. You may be able to negotiate.
Release of Lien Fee: $0-$100
This is the fee for getting the county to change the records so the old homeowner and old lender are no longer listed as owners. Some title agents include this service under another heading. Others list it separately so you know exactly what you're getting. Good title agents often complain that the bad apples in their industry charge for this service but never do it. That leaves multiple ownership records in place for the same property.
Attorney's Fee:
This should be the same as the fee called "settlement" or "closing" fee. If a settlement attorney performs your closing, they may list this service under "attorney's fees" instead.
Courier Fee: $0-$100
Title agents sometimes hire a courier to transport your documents. However, many "estimate" this fee rather than charging you exactly what they were charged. Others charge for a courier service even though they didn't actually use one. Ask for receipts.
(Title) Administrative Fee:
Some title agents lump document preparation and courier fees into one category and call it an "administrative fee."
Title Insurance: Loan amount multiplied by 0.0250 for lender's coverage. Loan amount multiplied by 0.003 for lender's and homeowner's coverage.
Title insurance protects you and the lender in case something was missed during the title search. For example, if the county misspelled a name, somebody with a claim to your property might not show up during the title search. Lenders require you to buy a "lender's" policy to protect their interests in the property and many people purchase a homeowner's policy to protect themselves as well. The formulas above are very rough guidelines of what you can expect to pay. In fact, I just bought my second home, and by shopping around and playing several title companies against each other, I saved $1,200 on my title insurance.
In most states, if you are refinancing or if you are buying a house that the seller purchased less than 10 years ago, you can qualify for the "reissue rate" on your title insurance. All you have to do is get the seller to provide a copy of THEIR existing title insurance policy on the house. Having it in hand means less work for YOUR title company, so they should give you the "reissue rate." The discount is typically 40 percent and can mean hundreds of dollars in savings! The government does not require lenders to offer you the reissue rate, but you should always ask about it. Some title agents will pretend they don't know what you're talking about because it cuts into their commission. Other title insurance companies require their title agents to offer the reissue rate. Once again, you can save money by shopping around in advance for the best title agent.

Fees Imposed by the Government

Recording Fees
This is simply the amount the county clerk charges to make a record of the fact that you are purchasing the property. If you're refinancing, typically you still have to pay this fee because the county has to record the new lender's name. Some title agents try to pad this fee. Call your county recorder of deed's office to find out the true cost.
Tax Stamps
This is a tax charged when a property changes hands. The amount is based on the purchase price. It's sort of like a sales tax. It's just a chance for the county or state to collect a little money. If you're a first-time home buyer, the amount may be less. Some jurisdictions do not charge tax stamps when you refinance. Others base the charge on the difference between the amount of your old loan and your new one. Call your county office of taxation and revenue to learn the formula.
Recordation Tax
This is the same as "tax stamps," just another name for it.
Transfer Tax
This is another opportunity for the government to collect money. It's a percentage of the purchase price. Many jurisdictions do not charge this tax if you're refinancing. Call your county office of taxation and revenue to learn how this tax is calculated and whether it even applies to you.

To be a SAVVY CONSUMER ?

Do your homework:
1. Shop for mortgages through several different lenders and compare the closing costs on their good faith estimates. Aggressively question the companies as to whether the figures on the estimates could change. Remember, the company with the lowest estimate, could pull the biggest bait and switch.
2. Shop around for the title agent or settlement attorney who offers the best overall deal. Get a written quote, and if additional charges appear at closing, dispute them.
3. Forewarn your mortgage company, mortgage broker and title agent that you will not pay padded closing costs for services performed by outside companies. Let them know you plan to ask for receipts.
4. Scan your good faith estimate for fees that don't apply to you if you're refinancing or buying a condominium.
5. Find out whether there's a cap on the fees mortgage brokers are allowed to charge in your state.
6. Find out whether the current owner purchased the property less than 10 years ago. If so, ask for a copy of their title insurance policy. Inquire about getting the reissue rate. If the title agent plays dumb, ask which national title insurance company they represent and call that company directly to learn its rules on reissue rates.
7. Call your local government and find out how it calculates real estate taxes. Don't let the title agent pad those government fees.
How to Complain:
If a lender does you wrong, try your state banking division. You can contact your state department of licensing to make a complaint against a mortgage broker. In some states the insurance commissioner governs title agents. If your title agent is an attorney, you can complain to the bar association.

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

全民作假已成中国之痛 财富论成败盛行(图) 中国青年报

全民作假已成中国之痛 财富论成败盛行(图) 中国青年报



漫画:谢正军

9月7日,中国青年报刊发报道《民调显示99.5%的人曾遇作假不该引国人戒惧吗》,引发广泛关注和讨论。有人表示,“全民遇假”的背后是“全民爱假” 甚至“全民造假”。上周,中国青年报社会调查中心再次针对“作假”话题,通过网络对2485人进行的调查显示,78.8%的被调查者认为作假已成中国之痛,全社会应该对作假“零容忍”。

72.9%的人承认曾参与作假

北京市某高校硕士研究生李大伟(化名)最近在准备一篇论文,查找资料时他发现不少数据都对不上,“有关能源消耗的数据几乎一本书一个样,也不知道该信哪个。”

李大伟说,如今在学生中,花点钱找论文代理公司“帮忙”已经是“公开的秘密”,“还有一些老师为了评职称竟然也去找代理公司,真不可思议。”

本次调查显示,72.9%的人承认自己参与过作假,其中35.6%的人“曾有意参与”,36.3%的人“曾无意参与”。

“对于作假行为,不能单一地看,这是整个社会链条出了问题。”中国消费者协会律师团团长邱宝昌,在接受中国青年报记者采访时说,很多人觉得成功就是有钱有权,于是为了追求财富地位不择手段,不惜投机甚至违法。他举例,不少女孩子认为背名牌包就是身份的象征,可她们的收入又达不到买真货的水平,在爱慕虚荣的心理支配下,就去买假包。

作假为何成为普遍现象?调查中,60.2%的人认为是由于“以财富论成败的价值观过于盛行”;60.1% 的人表示是“作假的巨大利益充满诱惑”;56.0%的人认为是因为“作假者受到的惩罚过轻”;49.8%的人判断是“公众人物作假带来大众跟风”。还有 44.6%的人表示,正是因为人们普遍爱虚荣,才导致种种“假”现象层出不穷。

“在当今社会,成功压倒一切的价值观下,人们普遍缺少约束和敬畏之心。”复旦大学社会学系教授于海指出,中国传统上是一个熟人社会,如果作假,口碑不好,就会失去支持,在特定的社群中混不下去。现在进入一个开放、流动的社会,作假带来的风险越来越具有隐匿性,人们就会缺乏畏忌,面临利益诱惑时,难以坚持诚信。

65.8%的人容忍作假是“担心举报没用”

从事销售工作的范先生经常出差,他发现国内城市都有一些相同的“伤疤”:比如到处都是办假证、卖假发票的小广告。火车站附近,经常有人兜售假发票。范先生收到过类似的广告邮件,还曾向有关部门转发过,但没回音。

公众对作假持什么态度?调查中,62.4%的人表示“无可奈何”,51.6%的人“深恶痛绝”,32.6%的人“习以为常”,15.7%的人会“主动打假”,4.3%的人表示“无所谓”。

“我们社会对作假的道德压力和舆论压力都太小小了!”作为外聘专家,于海参加过一些高校的研究生论文评审。有一次,他按照评审程序否决了一个研究生的论文。事后,却被一位朋友找上门来要他改分放行。“在欧美学术机构里,没有人敢提出这样的请求,更没有人会答应,因为提出者和接受者都会因此名誉扫地,在同行中成为被耻笑的对象。而在国内这样做,却好像没什么。如果你不答应,还会有不好交代和在同行中不大好混的感觉。”

于海把这段经历连同一个地方官员利用假介绍信公费的例子,写进一篇文章里,发表时编辑删掉了官员的案例,说只要自我批评就行了,“媒体行使正当的监督权,尚且这样避重就轻、不痛不痒,普通人又能做什么?我们的社会怎么能提高警觉?”

9月7日的调查显示,当遭遇作假时61.7%的人选择“忍了”。本次调查在一定程度上也显示了原因所在:65.8%的人“担心举报没用”;56.7%的人表示“对作假处罚太轻,不值得”;49.8%的人“担心打击报复”;47.9%的人说“多一事不如少一事”;36.6%的人认为“不影响自己的利益,不关心”。

民意确认作假最严重的后果就是扰乱价值观

“对于作假,人们总是期待严刑峻法重拳出击,但是法律不能解决所有的问题。”邱宝昌指出,比如诈骗是刑事责任,轻微的欺骗是民事责任,没有造成后果就没办法惩罚,所以还是要从道德上进行约束。现在的问题是,不是所有的人都认为作假是可耻的。“像一个有名的青年作家抄袭的案子,法院已经明确判了,还是有很多粉丝,说抄袭也喜欢他、崇拜他。到底什么是真善美,什么是假恶丑,是非完全混乱了。”

作假会造成哪些严重后果?调查显示,排在第一位的是“影响公众价值观,导致观念混乱”(78.8%);其次是“损害法律和制度的权威”(67.1%);“习惯成自然,作假越来越猖獗”排第三(63.9%);接下来是“影响政府威信”(58.8%)。

“被作假伤害最大的是青少年,像一样的‘青年导师’都倒下了,他们还能相信谁?”于海认为,目前打假应该从“零容忍”做起。但单靠个人道德自律是不够的,需要迅速建立起衡量人们行为信用的制度,“这不仅涉及个人信用的制度管理,还包括公共信用的制度建设。”

“公共机构恪守本分、忠于职守、履行职责,也就为社会提供了最大的信用,为社会诚信作了最好的示范和引导。”于海认为,在信任体系的建构上,集体行动、社会心理和社会环境对于个人观念和行为的影响,比我们想象的要大得多。只有在制度信用上用力,在社会公信上用力,才是最有效的。

Monday, September 13, 2010

7 Ways to Gain Power at Work

Karen Burns, On Wednesday September 8, 2010, 12:30 pm EDT

People love power. Not because people are evil, but because power means survival. Every human relationship involves power in some way, and we are all hardwired to gravitate to, and want, power. Even you.

In most modern people's lives, nowhere is power more obvious and more important than in the workplace. You may not believe you have any power at work, but you do. You have more power than you think.

Key to identifying the source of your power is to recognize that there's more than one kind. Check out these seven different types of workplace power:

1. Power based on who you know. If you have good interpersonal skills and strong networks, you have power. You are a connector, knowing who to introduce to whom, and you are a resource, knowing where to go for advice and help. This is a power that can grow exponentially, because the more people you know, the more people will want to know you.

2. Power based on what you know. A very solid way to earn respect and influence at work is to be expert in something. The most knowledgeable and competent person in the workplace--the one who knows how things work and how to fix them when they don't--is a very powerful person.

3. Power based on love. Do people want to be with you and do things for you just because they like you? This is one of the most powerful sources of power. It's called "referent" power. Referent power is a big responsibility because it's based on charisma and charisma is usually inborn--you didn't do anything to earn it and you may even start to think you deserve it. But if you combine it with, say, expertise power, it can take you far.

4. Power based on admiration. Both this power and "referent" power inspire loyalty but the difference here is that this one you can earn. If you have an amazing work ethic, if you are responsible, reliable, and consistent, if you treat colleagues with dignity and respect, people are going to start finding that they trust you. They will look up to you and listen to what you say and want to be like you. That's power, baby.

5. Power based on fear. You have this kind of power when you're in a position to punish others if they don't do what you want. But beware! Fear-based power can oh-so-easily twist around and bite you in the behind. In fact, this power is usually best used by not using it ("speak softly and carry a big stick").

6. Power based on wealth. People who possess what others want can find themselves with more power than they're able to handle. Do you set the schedule, control access to supplies, make job assignments? You are rich! But remember--this power has nothing to do with you. It goes away the minute you are no longer in a position to bestow largess.

7. Power based on position. This is the most obvious kind of power--you have it because the word "manager" is in your job title. But while it tends to come with the territory, you still do need to work for it. The bad boss quickly loses influence, leverage, and respect. True and lasting power comes from being a leader worthy of esteem and admiration.

Needless to say, power tends to be addictive and is very easy to abuse. We all know people who fall into this trap. You don't want to be one of those because abusing power is a sign of weakness (it's the insecure people who wield their power unwisely). Not only that, the more power is abused, the more ineffective it becomes.

Power contributes to your sense of well-being and to your continued state as an employed person, not to mention your dignity and self-respect. No matter what your role, you are entitled to your fair portion of power. So consider how each of these powers might apply to you and--most of all--how you could use them for "good."

Karen Burns is the author of the illustrated career advice book The Amazing Adventures of Working Girl: Real-Life Career Advice You Can Actually Use, recently released by Running Press. She blogs at www.karenburnsworkinggirl.com.