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Dear Abby - DEAR ABBY: I am a woman living with a man, but "in love" with another man whom I formerly dated but broke up with because he's an alcoholic. "Spike" is a true biker -- exciting, funny and fun. Our lifestyles didn't mesh, so I made the decision we shouldn't be together. I miss him very much, and it keeps me from being totally committed in my head to the man I live with.

Have you ever wondered how to find out if you're getting laid off? Although there are no magic formulas, there are key indicators to finding out about job layoffs. In addition, there are proactive approaches you can take with your own career to reduce the chances of you or your team becoming the victim of corporate layoffs.

Key indicators for potential job layoffs:

• Has your company recently purchased or merged with another company? One of the first things companies look at when they merge with other companies are ways to reduce overhead and operational costs. There's no need to have duplicate accounting departments, legal departments, etc.
• How well does your company perform in the marketplace, and what debt does the company carry? Keep up with your company's performance by analyzing financial statements and balance sheets. Most public companies provide this information on their websites, but you can also find this information at places like Yahoo Finance. If your company is headed for bankruptcy, there may be potential layoffs.
• Are you and/or your team providing value to the company? You provide value to the company by generating revenue or reducing costs, and reporting your documented results to management. Your value should exceed the cost of your expenses (payroll, benefits, etc.). Even if you're in a position that you don't think generates revenue or reduces cost, you must be able to show your value through indirect means. For example, if you're a human resources specialist, the value you provide might be the employee churn rate. By helping managers hire and retain top talent, you reduce the cost of hiring and training new employees. You must market and sell your value to your management chain.
• Are you a top performer? Even when companies layoff employees, they sometimes try to retain the best talent by offering relocation packages or alternative job positions. In addition, sometimes companies will reduce headcount by getting rid of the worst performing employees. Make sure you're a top performer.
• Have there been recent changes to executive management? Sometimes when companies bring in new management, they immediately begin looking at ways to reorganize and centralize different functions, often evidenced by hiring consultants to analyze the situation. Though there's not much you can do in these situations, make sure the value of what you provide the company is clearly documented and presented to executive management. If consultants are brought in to analyze the systems and processes, make sure you can show documented proof of improved results and ongoing value.

Even when you do provide value, document it, and report it to your management chain, there's no guarantee that you or your department are safe from layoffs. If rumors start floating around, you must ignore them. One sure way to hurt your chances is to start believing that you're going to get laid off before anything is official. Once you think you might get laid off, this becomes your vision, and you start working towards it. Instead of trying to do their best work, some employees who think they're getting laid off basically give up and don't perform well. Regardless of what you think may or may not happen, don't start performing poorly.

Whether or not you think you might become a victim of a corporate layoff, don't let your future lie in the hands of your employer. Take control of your own career development, create a career exit strategy, and work towards your career goals.

Kristen Hudson spent several years as a senior manager for a large corporation. She enjoys helping others find meaning and success in their careers. Visit http://www.career-development-help.com for additional career success strategies. Sign up for her free newsletter, Career Focus, devoted to career development success. By taking control of your own career development, you're well on your way to a rewarding and meaningful career...because life is too short for an unfulfilling career!

AFP - Some 5,000 years ago, on a day with weather much like today's, a prehistoric person tread high up in what is now the Swiss Alps, wearing goat leather pants, leather shoes and armed with a bow and arrows.

People consider worrying about their retirement income as something they will deal with when they are closer to that age. Perhaps in years it does seem like a big stretch of time.However, when you consider the big picture of how long it takes most working individuals to save enough to feel comfortable in retirement, it's actually short years. Ironically, after these 45 years of work, most retirees still lack sufficient capital to quit the work force.

Do you know the number one question asked by future retirees? Exactly how much do I need to save in order to feel secure after leaving my job? The answer can be difficult to find!

First, realize that you'll be on an income that doesn't change. You will know what your savings allow you to spend. A budget is your greatest friend if you know how to let it work for you. One great thing to know is that saving small amounts in certain areas can even cause your assets to grow, giving you more money to play with in future funds.

Do yourself a favor! Keep track of all your expenses in one place so you can go to it quickly if needed. Know to the dollar how much you'll spend on fixed items such as fuel, insurance, even rent if this applies. Doing this monthly, multiplied by 12, will apply an easy way to allow movement from one expense to another.

For example, most people will not need fuel for heat 12 months out of the year. They actually may only need heat for maybe 6 to 8 months. The 4 months they don't need fuel can be moved to cover another cost or even better, add to your savings. One thing to remember, if you're on an unchanging allowance, cost will go up, even if your income doesn't. There are ways to overcome this fact of life and actually have fun doing so.

Consider all the things you enjoy doing, then simply find ways to do this while bringing extra cash in. For a beginning process to get your ideas flowing, some people love swimming. How much flavor and excitement would it add to your life to teach kids to swim, while you yourself do the very things you love to do? With an added bonus of making money to add to your retirement income allowance or savings.

Another idea could be music. Millions have a passion for music, playing it themselves in many cases like a guitar or piano, or even a french harp or accordian. They've played for years, but never gave a thought to help others to learn, making money at the same time. Why not have the best of both worlds?

Your retirement income will affect your life in many ways. Some recommend learning to live modestly with less money coming in. Sometimes that may be true. However, if you have a computer and a bit savvy, you can have a home business, working your hours, bring in extra money to pay bills, travel, go on a vacation, or simply smile all the way to the bank, knowing your nest egg is growing every day.

Having a retirement income that allows you to enjoy your golden years is easy to do. Go to http://www.EnterRetirement.com for the complete guide to show you how to make extra money to live your retirement as you had always dreamed! Follow along with a fellow retiree who is learning how to take his future into his own hands, using the power of the internet at http://www.MyDotComDream.com