In this age of instant gratification, encourage your kids to learn and practice simple acts of gratitude. Not only will it help build and improve their value systems, but it's also a great way to help them find more happiness in the everyday. Follow these five easy tips to inspire more thank-yous. Volunteer as a family. Sign up for a local food drive or a 5K dedicated to a cause. Make it a Read more

It's very important to follow up after a job interview, because even if you think the interview went badly, keeping in touch may improve the interviewer's perception of you. It reflects persistence, and it's also polite to thank the hiring manager after the interview. Remember to also send the note within two days of the interview; although, if you've passed the two-day mark, a late response is Read more

With the long weekend looming delightfully ahead of us, I wanted to remind you of the importance of the thank-you note! If you're spending the next few days at a friend's house or attending a barbecue or party hosted by a loved one, after the fact, take a quick minute to send them a thank-you. It doesn't have to be a handwritten note (although those are always greatly appreciated), a short, but Read more

This post is by reader hiptobesquare in our Ask Savvy group. Weigh in with your thoughts below. I have a question re: thank-you notes after job interviews . . . This is a multiround hiring process, and I really want the job, and I sent out thank-you notes after the first interview to the people I spoke with (phone interview) and have another phone interview. The question is, do I send a Read more

Even if you think you nailed the interview, you should still send a thank-you note, because according to a CareerBuilder.com study, this small gesture can affect hiring decisions. Poll results found that more than one in five employers say that a candidate has a lower chance of getting the job if they skip out on sending a thank-you note after the interview. Hiring managers feel it signifies that Read more

We're thrilled to present this smart Learnvest story here on Savvy! Remember how exciting it was to get mail when you were a little kid? That feeling doesn’t change as you get older. If you want to make someone feel special, put it in writing. This holiday season, when you want to recognize someone—or need to thank someone who gave you a gift—remember that handwritten words are worth a Read more