Stop the unrelenting donation texts.
If someone sent you 20 texts a day begging for money, you’d probably file a restraining order. Yet political campaigns seem to have zero chill when it comes to sending rapid-fire requests for donations. As elections draw closer, the messages have reached a fever pitch. (Some estimate that more than a billion go out each week.) As annoying as they can be, you get them because they work.
Texts are an inexpensive and efficient alternative to staffing a phone bank (unless AI steps in), but they’re not popular — in 2022, political messages made up the largest group of texting-related complaints according to the Federal Communications Commission.
With the current presidential election a week away, both candidates have hundreds of millions at their campaign’s disposal. Contrary to the language used in some of these texts, your $5 won’t make or break their success at this point in the game. In fact, the money you donate now will probably just roll over into a general party committee. If you’re feeling passionate, by all means, donate, but using that same $10 to take an undecided voter out for coffee just might make an even bigger impact.
— “Deleting and reporting junk,” Skimm Money Team
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Q: I feel like an outsider at work because my teammates seem to fit into a certain mold and easily relate to each other. I worry my “misfit” status is impacting my growth potential and recognition even though I'm good at my job. How do I deal with not being a "personality hire" in an office culture where that seems important?
— the resident account manager “misfit”
FEATURED EXPERT:
Melissa Hobley
global chief marketing officer, Tinder
I'm curious where the word “misfit” is coming from. Are you being too harsh on yourself? My first job was in the seemingly glamorous world of PR and media in NY, and I couldn’t relate to many of my colleagues. I was from Indiana, had no money, packed my own lunch, and couldn't afford the same clothes and shoes as my seemingly wealthier coworkers. (Related: Is It Stupid to Leave My Career Behind Because I Don’t Fit In?)
When I told my boss that I was struggling to "keep up" with the appearance and lifestyle of those around me, her response was that the hustle I brought to work was much more important than any fancy handbag. That convo gave me a lot of confidence, and it’s something I encourage you to do, too. A vulnerable chat with your manager or another trusted mentor can help reinforce that you absolutely do belong and can provide a safe space to voice any specific concerns you have about office culture. (Related: Work Wives Are Going Extinct)
As a manager myself now, I try to build teams that have great chemistry — not fit a mold. Imagine if you had an office filled with all competitive extroverts. That could become toxic, quickly. A mix of personalities and both supporters and leaders is the winning blend. It’s probably the same for you: Your uniqueness helps the team succeed. (Related: The Case Against Work Friends)
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Tell us: If you felt like the odd woman out at work, would you…
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Submit your money or work question for our panel of experts. Don't worry, it’s anonymous.
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Clue: A line on a graph that shows the relationship between interest rates on bonds with different maturity dates (aka when it needs to be paid back) that’s used to predict economic changes, broadly. The line can be upward-sloping, inverted downward-sloping, or flat.
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