Muhammad 1989

There is a practice of contributing money to hold birthday parties of colleagues, give treats and give gifts to colleagues in the office. Every month my planned spending gets disturbed due to it. The important thing is that I consider it as a waste of money because the colleagues in my office earn good amount and could celebrate their birthdays in office if anybody wishes so. Nobody should be forced to do it and people should still treat him/her OK. I would rather not mind contributing this amount to a charity where people really need it. If I say it explicitly I fear being victim of office politics. Could you guys suggest something how I could avoid these parties? Thank you for your answers.

It has been 5 months I have started this job and I am always compared with the person who was doing this job previously. I know it is natural but it really demotivates. I am doing my best within my personal limitations. I have been giving the results in time so far. But still, small things like "he was very strict on it", I feel like I should be too ... But I am not a very strict kind of person ... I have no idea how to feel better at such occasions. . .Recently when I asked for leave, I was given his example that "he was very committed" (but he was not married and he was not doing master along with the job but I am) I told them that I have already finished my tasks which needed to be done but it was like they were trying to put extra responsibility on me by assigning me the tasks of the person already on leave. How could I just say that I am myself ... I can't be him .. Never !

Please suggest

I got approval for a supplier from the management after a detailed analysis and now when the draft agreements are already under review I just came across the document shared at the time of submission of the bids by the selected supplier that the prices mentioned by him were excluding sales tax. And I have already selected him considering his prices the lowest. I have shared the information with my boss. I have accepted the responsibility and ready to bear the consequences and compensate any financial losses to the organization but I don't know where shall I manage it from. It has been only 05 months at this job and this is not a good first impression. I also don't have a very big salary. I really dont know what is next? And this uncertainty is killing me. Just waiting with patience. But its really hard. What do I do ?

Could anybody please explain strain rate sensitivity in easy and simple language ... I am going to cry , I can't understand it :(