How's your career going? Ready for a change? Need a break? We can help. From figuring out your next job move to planning your upcoming vacation and how best to invest in yourself, we've got some solid advice on how to do it, how to pay for it and more importantly, how not to go broke in the process.
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Smart Tips for Your Next Vacation
While the thought of being on vacation may be enough to get you through a tough workday, the thought of paying for one may be less enjoyable. But don't despair.
hile the thought of being on vacation may be enough to get you through a tough workday, the thought of paying for one may be less enjoyable. But don't despair. It really is possible to have a fabulous vacation without breaking the bank. All it takes is some advance planning and some legwork before you go. These tips will help:
Use a travel agent in certain circumstances. If you're planning a domestic trip or going abroad to a single destination, you can probably skip paying an agent and book the trip on your own after shopping around online. But if you're booking a cruise or a multi-leg international destination, it might be worthwhile to pay for professional help. Why? Because travel agents often maintain relationships within the travel industry and can get discounts on high-ticket items such as cruise fares and package deals that bundle hotel, airfare, and auto rentals. Travel agents can also be an invaluable source of expert intel on the ins and outs of international transfers. What's more, if something goes wrong while you're away, a good travel agent should be available to help fix the problem while you are on the trip.
Be as flexible as possible. The basic rules of supply and demand apply. The most expensive times to travel are when everyone else wants to go too. That's why if you’re able to travel in the off season, or at least avoid major holidays and school breaks, you'll find better prices. Some online travel portals will allow you to indicate your flexibility with dates and automatically show you how various prices compare.
You'll also get a discount by flying with less desired early-morning or red-eye flights. When it comes to lodging, you may find deals by expanding your search to include home rentals as well as hotels, especially if you're traveling with a group.
See what loyalty will get for you. Take a look at your existing airline and hotel loyalty programs as well as any credit card reward offers to see whether you've earned enough points or miles to get a free trip or a significant discount. If you don't yet qualify for a free trip or stay, shop around and pick the best one for your budget and schedule. Considering the recent changes to airline rewards programs, it typically doesn't make sense to limit your booking to companies with which you already have a loyalty account. That said, do open a new account with the airline or hotel chain you end up using, so that you can start accumulating points for future trips.
Plan your meals. Eating three meals out a day can add up quickly. If your hotel offers a free continental breakfast, do take advantage of it; if you're staying in a home rental, shop at the local supermarket so you can eat a few meals at home and stock up on snacks to tide you over between meals. Try to avoid pricey tourist traps. Instead, look for local eateries or even street food that can give you a true taste of the area without an enormous price tag. If your budget allows, plan on one or two splurge meals. Now that you've cut your overall food costs, you'll be able to appreciate those splurges guilt-free.
Always ask for a discount. Travel vendors offer all sorts of discounts, from price cuts for seniors to people with a military affiliation or even certain employers. Some hotels will offer a lower rate for those who fully pay in advance or will match a competitor's rate if you ask. Don't forget to inquire for any available discounts or upgrades when you check in. You may be glad you did!
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Nice Career You’ve Got. What’s Your Next Move?
Living with the uncertainty of the economy these past few years, it's been enough for many employees to simply keep their heads down, get their work done, and appreciate the security of having a job.
iving with the uncertainty of the economy these past few years, it’s been enough for many employees to simply keep their heads down, get their work done, and appreciate the security of having a job.
But as the labor markets have improved, there's no reason to remain in a job where you may feel unhappy, underpaid, or un-challenged. Consider these steps to break out of your career rut and start looking forward to Mondays:
Figure out why you’re unhappy.
Before you start making major changes, sit down and think carefully about what's wrong with your current role. Sometimes it's simply because you've been doing the same thing for several years and the monotony is now taking its toll. And sometimes you may like the gig you’ve got but you feel underpaid or unappreciated, or you have an issue with your boss, co-workers or office environment. If the problem is that of work-life balance or that you’re burnt out after too many late nights at the office you'll know what (not) to look for in your next gig.
Meanwhile, do step up your performance at work. When workers are unhappy, they're likely to stop giving their all to the job, which can have a negative impact on your professional reputation and hurt you in your current and future roles. Volunteering for new projects will help enhance your personal brand at work and allow you to gain additional skills that will come in handy no matter where your next gig will be.
Beef up your profile.
If you haven't updated your resume or your LinkedIn profile since you started your current job years ago, it's time to do so. You'll want to highlight any big projects you've worked on and show how you've grown in your current position. Take a look at job descriptions for roles you’d be interested in and see whether you've got the skills to qualify for them. If you do, be sure to add them to your resume. If not, make a plan to obtain those skills, whether through on-the-job training, signing up for a class or pursuing professional certification on your own. You may be able to find affordable options at your local community college or via an industry trade organization.
Assess your options at your current company.
If you're generally happy with your company but unhappy with low pay or lack of challenges, it may be time to sit down with your boss and talk about a raise or promotion. Make a list of recent accomplishments; practice explaining to your boss why they qualify you for more money and/or more responsibility. Even if the answer is 'No,' a good boss will respect you for asking, and you’ll gain a better sense of whether there's a real future for you at your current workplace.
If you work for a large company with multiple departments, you may want to meet with the human resources department to see whether opportunities in another part of the company might be a better fit.
Consider external opportunities.
While you're looking internally, you should also stay up-to-date on what may be available further afield. In addition to perusing job boards, you'll have to step up your networking game since most jobs these days come through referrals. Reach out to former clients, colleagues, and others you know in the industry to discreetly spread the word that you’re considering leaving your current job. Even if you're not ready to make a move now, working on your network can pay off later if/when you do decide you're ready to leave your current position.
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10 Ways to Invest in Yourself
Whether you received a tax refund or a bonus at work, coming into unexpected money is always exciting. If you suddenly find yourself with a few thousand dollars that you hadn't budgeted for, it can be tempting to take off on an extravagant shopping spree.
hether you received a tax refund or a bonus at work, coming into unexpected money is always exciting. If you suddenly find yourself with a few thousand dollars that you hadn't budgeted for, it can be tempting to take off on an extravagant shopping spree. But rather than frittering through the entire windfall, do set aside a small portion for a splurge and then consider investing the rest in yourself. Here are 10 ways to spend money now that will pay off for you more substantially down the road:
1. Pay off high-interest debt. The guaranteed return on paying down credit card debt is higher than what you'd receive by putting your cash into a savings account or mutual fund. What's more, it's tax-free and ultimately will result in a high cash flow (once you've paid off the debt).
2. Take a skills class. If you're not currently getting on-the-job training for the skills needed to advance in your given profession, or if you're interested in changing professions, paying for a course that will teach you those skills could be your key to future advancement.
3. Establish an emergency fund. Having three to six months' worth of expenses available in the bank makes it easier to enjoy life without the stress of knowing that an unexpected event like a job loss or accident could jeopardize your financial future.
4. Outsource. While it's possible to make more money, you have only a finite amount of time to do so. If you're spending too much of yours on chores like cleaning or landscaping your home, for example, it could be a smart investment to hire a professional to handle those tasks while you focus on your career or time with your family.
5. Build your network. Networking is the key to career advancement today, but it's not free. Use your extra cash to pay dues to join a trade group or send yourself to a conference (if you can't convince your employer to pay). You can also use the money to pay for networking drinks, lunches, and/or coffee to build relationships with others in your industry.
6. Take a vacation. While this may initially seem like a frivolous way to spend extra money, taking regular vacations has been shown to boost health and career rewards because you return home feeling happier and refreshed.
7. Max out your retirement savings. If you're not saving at least 10 to 15 percent of your income for retirement, use your extra cash to bolster your contributions. The payoff will come later, when the money has compounded and you are enjoying your golden years without worrying about how to pay for them.
8. Take a class just for fun. While it's important to build up your professional skills, it's also vital to nurture your passions. Whether you have always wanted to learn another language or try your hand at painting, signing up for a class that's just for your personal enrichment can be an immediate mood booster and a great way to meet new friends.
9. Join a gym. The payoff for staying in shape is increased health and productivity and lower medical bills now and in the future. Your employer may also offer a discount on your health plan or a contribution toward a health savings account to those workers who join a gym. But if you do join a gym, you've got to commit to going, otherwise it's just a waste of money.
10. See a financial planner. One of the easiest ways to reduce your financial stress is to have a step-by-step action plan to meet your goals. If you don't already have one, look for a fee-based planner who can help you create such a plan.