Craft a comeback without jeopardizing your career; Dads will spend more buying school supplies

Take control of office politics: craft a comeback

COMEBACKS: Wish you had just the right quick-witted response for that snarky colleague?

When put on the spot or cornered in conversation at work, it’s important to choose a relevant comeback, and quickly, says Kathleen Kelley Reardon, a professor of management at the Marshall School of Business at University of Southern California and author of the upcoming book “Comebacks at Work.”

“Words are so easily used against us, and every conversation has choice points that people need to teach themselves to attend to,” Reardon said. “If you don’t react, reshape, deflect or take control over what is said to you, the people you work with will get to manage you every day, all day.”

Reardon gives this advice for what to consider when crafting your counter-statement:

— How much do you care about this relationship? If you have to maintain the relationship for professional reasons, or want to for personal reasons, try responding without wounding the other person’s ego. Pulling the rug out from under someone can help get anger off your chest, but consider whether you’ll have to pay for it for the rest of your career.

— Were you meant to be insulted? Your co-worker may push past others in a rush, sneeze too close or unintentionally blurt out comments that are less than complimentary. If you’re not sure how to interpret your colleagues’ actions, simply ask whether you are meant to be offended. It will give them a chance to reflect on their questionable behavior.

— Did the person attacking you do enough damage to himself or herself? Many times, the guy who just tried to make you look bad is sinking his own boat in the process. There may be no need for you to shoot further holes in it.

— Are you inserting yourself into the response too much? If you make an issue about you, the other person might be only too delighted to follow suit.

— Are you listening to your gut instincts? Pay attention to the other person’s body language, inflections and mannerisms to anticipate an incoming insult, and be aware of your own facial expressions and reaction.

BACK-TO-SHOPPING: You might not want to send Dad out to get those pencil sharpeners and notebook binders this fall.

Survey results from the National Retail Federation indicate that Dads will spend about 23 percent more on school supplies than Moms.

Shoes, clothes and electronic equipment are already costing more this year. Families are expected to spend more than $600 on back-to-school purchases, according to the NRF, compared with about $550 last year.

Advance planning, careful shopping and a little research can go a long way in helping you stay within your budget. Atlanta-based consumer credit counseling agency CredAbility offers these tips to avoid overspending, as well as schooling your kids on shopping:

— Let your children do the shopping. Depending on their age, you might pick just a few items that they are responsible for buying within their budget. They might decide that the fancier, more expensive pencil case is within reach if they choose the generic glue stick over the name brand.

— Take inventory. When budgeting, remember to include expenses for supplies, equipment, clothing, and fees for sports, music and science labs. Look for and reuse calculators, rulers, pencil sharpeners and anything else that is still in working condition. Last year’s backpack may be just what is needed to start the new school year. In fact, wait just a few weeks after school starts and many backpacks and other accessories will be on sale for a fraction of the original price.

— Take advantage of sales tax holidays. For a list of 2010 Sales Tax Holidays by state, go to www.taxadmin.org/fta/rate/sales(underscore)holiday.html.

— Shop at school. Many schools offer prepackaged school supplies for students. Often coordinated by the PTA as a fundraiser, families can purchase supply packs from the school at costs comparable to what you would pay at a retailer, except that you’ll save time and gas.