Coins may be on the ropes, but they haven’t thrown in the towel yet. There’s very little single coins can buy anymore, but with a big enough pile, you could earn a comfortable little payday by taking them to a Coinstar machine near you. Coin machines offer a quick and convenient way to turn idle change into viable spending money, often without needing to go out of your way to find one. Unfortunately, they charge significant fees for that convenience, which nibbles at your jingly windfall. Thankfully, there are several ways savvy coin gatherers can dodge those fees and still use coin machines nearby and put their spare change to work. How Does Coinstar WorkIf you’ve never used Coinstar or a similar brand of coin machine before, don’t worry — the process is very straightforward. Once you have gathered all the coins you would like to exchange, take them to a coin machine in your area. When you get to the machine, feed your loose change into the coin-sorting hopper, which will automatically separate and tally up your coins. Then, in a matter of moments, the machine will calculate the total value of the coins you processed and offer several options for you to redeem that value, including cash. Note that Coinstar kiosks will not necessarily accept anything metal and round. Therefore, before cashing your coins, you should pre-check them for foreign currency, out-of-circulation U.S. coins, arcade tokens, and other invalid inputs. A detector will reject any invalid or counterfeit currencies. How To Locate a Coin Machine Near YouYou shouldn’t have to look far for the nearest Coinstar. Like Redbox, Coinstar kiosks are usually located at places you’re likely to frequent. Check, for instance, your local Kroger-family or Albertsons-family grocery store. These will vary regionally but include the following: Kroger
Albertsons
In addition to the two major supermarket chains, you can also often find Coinstar machines at a mix of other stores, pharmacies, and big box stores, including:
If you live in the U.S., you may need to try a few local stores to find one, but don’t worry — these ubiquitous kiosks are rarely ever far away. What Coinstar ChargesCoinstar offers convenient automation to make your life easier, and it needs to earn a profit as a business. So charging for its services makes sense, but Coinstar’s fees can take a sizable bite out of your couch cushion payday. Coinstar fees vary by location and change over time, so it will be hard to know the exact cost of your machine before you get there. However, you can typically expect a fee of up to 12.5% + a $0.50 transaction fee for a standard cash redemption. For example, if you bring $50 worth of coins to the machine and redeem them for cash, it could charge a $6.75 fee, offering you a final cashout of $43.25. At $100, the fee would climb to $13, leaving you with $87 to take home. Since coins see less use each year, many people don’t even consider their loose change as available money until they convert to a larger denomination. Therefore, turning your coins into cash can feel like a payday — as if you gained money you didn’t have before. Walking into a store with a bucket of clanging coins and walking out with crisp cash can still feel like a win, even if it costs a significant fee. However, for us literal penny-pinchers, the goal is to save money, not lose it. And fortunately, there are a few great ways to redeem your coins without taking on that ugly fee. 4 Ways To Avoid Coinstar FeesSo you’ve gathered coins from every corner of your home, car, and a few questionable locations. You have a piggy bank, shoe box, glass jar, or coffee can that feels like it weighs 15 pounds. You’re ready to convert when your proverbial coffers are actually overflowing with coins. The only problem is you don’t want to lose more than 10% of your small treasure pile in the process. Fortunately, if you want to maximize the profits of your little batch of copper, nickel, and zinc, there are several ways to redeem your coins and ditch the fees. 1. Gift Card RedemptionThe easiest way to convert your coins without paying a fee is to redeem the value of your coins as a gift card. Coinstar allows you to convert your change to an eGift card at full value. Check your local machine for an up-to-date list of eGift card options, but Coinstar partners with dozens of major retailers, restaurants, and brands for this offering. Current options include:
With this many redemption options, Coinstar’s eGift card option can work like cash. So if you have an upcoming purchase or outing, this is the perfect option for redeeming your coins for free! 2. Walmart Store CreditWhen using a coin machine at a Walmart in your area, you may have one unique option that other kiosks don’t. At some Walmarts, Coinstar offers the option to redeem your money for store credit at that location. This option works similarly to the gift cards above and is another excellent way to turn your coins into something as good as cash without paying a hefty premium. Related: 45 Easy Tips to Save More Money at Walmart 3. Donate Your CoinsOne creative way to put your spare change to work without paying a fee is to use it as an outlet for charitable giving. Coinstar gives you several options of philanthropic organizations to which you can donate your money. If you choose this option, the machine will not charge you a fee, and you can also deduct the donation from your taxable income. Coinstar currently partners with nine organizations where you can donate your coins:
By choosing this option at your local coin sorter, you can support one of your favorite causes, skip paying a fee, and help yourself out when tax time comes! 4. Coinstar AlternativesOne final way to avoid fees is to consider one of several Coinstar alternatives. There are a few smaller brands of coin-counting machines similar to Coinstar. You may be able to find one of these competitors in similar locations near you, such as grocery stores and pharmacies. However, most of these operate on a similar pricing model to Coinstar and likely will save you little money on a cash redemption. Aside from other public kiosks, one Coinstar alternative may let you turn your coins into cash at full value. Your local bank and credit union will usually exchange cash for rolls of coins without charging for the service. At some locations, tellers will even offer you free paper coin wrappers to use. But, of course, this does remove the convenience of a machine sorting and counting the coins for you. Many local banks and credit unions also now have self-service coin kiosks onsite. These are usually free for members to use. For non-members, some will be free, but others will charge a 5-10% fee, similar to Coinstar. Turning Coins Into Cash in No Time FlatThere’s very little that quarters and dimes can buy on their own anymore, and even less for nickels and pennies. However, cents quickly turn into dollars as your coins accumulate. Using a change machine near you, you can convert those coins into cash with real value for your wallet or bank account. The ubiquitous Coinstar option is one of the easiest ways to get cash without counting change and rolling it yourself. This method can be expensive, but for the intentional saver, there are several effective no-fee options for free coin exchanges. Getting your coins sorted and converted into something you can use has never been easier or cheaper. This article originally appeared on Wealth of Geeks. Via https://mylifeiguess.com/find-a-coinstar-near-me/
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Everyone’s talking about ChatGPT, a new artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot. But did you know this new tool can be incredibly useful for your career? It’s true! From drafting a cover letter to writing a thank you note after an interview, ChatGPT can make job searching much easier. If you already have a job, it can help you succeed in your career, too. Artificial Intelligence is transforming our world and our careers. Leveraging the power of AI tools like ChatGPT can be invaluable for applicants, employees, and employers. What is ChatGPT?ChatGPT is a new chatbot launched in November 2022 by OpenAI. GPT stands for Generative Pre-trained Transformer. In other words, it’s a revolutionary online tool that uses artificial intelligence to answer questions or prompts in a realistic conversational way. It is currently in beta testing, and you can use it for free. How Do You Use ChatGPT?If you’ve ever used a chat feature to get assistance on a website, you can use ChatGPT. The whole point is that it mimics human conversation, so you just “talk” to it. Ask questions like “How can I improve my chances of getting hired in my field?” or “List jobs that are good for detail-oriented people.” It will answer you, and then it’s up to you if you want to continue the conversation or not. For example, it suggested that becoming a research assistant is a good detail-oriented job. You could ask it for more information about what a research assistant does, where they work, what skills they need, and even what salary to expect. If you don’t like its answer or want more varieties, ask it to “try again” or “add more” and it will! As a bonus, this tool also saves your chat history, so you can quickly go back to something if you need to. But remember, ChatGPT has its imitations. Use it to support your job search and professional development–not replace it. Related: Where Can I Get Resume Help? 14 Free and Affordable Options Using ChatGPT in Your Job SearchApplying for jobs can be tedious. You are told to tailor each application to the job, so you tweak a few words here and there, but ultimately you are just repeating yourself. With ChatGPT, you can quickly create personalized content for your applications and online profiles. But ChatGPT can help your job search in so many other ways. Find a Career PathIf you still don’t know what you want to be when you grow up, use the chatbot to learn about the different types of jobs out there. You can also use it to recommend jobs that would suit you. I asked it to “analyze my resume and suggest careers” and pasted a copy of my resume. It gave me six strong suggestions that were all good fits. Draft a Resume and Cover LetterA blank page can be intimidating, especially when applying for a job. You could start with a resume template, but most are just giving you a nice layout to use. You still need to come up with the content yourself. It will be tempting to use ChatGPT to write your resume or cover letter, but you shouldn’t. You should only use it to generate a first draft. An AI-generated resume or cover letter is going to be generic. It will have mistakes, be repetitive, and include irrelevant information. More importantly, though, is that it won’t include context. The Forage put ChatGPT to the test and found the results just weren’t specific enough. For example, it will output a statement, such as a list of your skills, but does not mention how you used them. Hiring managers want examples and results. Otherwise, it’s just an empty statement. This type of resume isn’t going to stand out and isn’t going to get you an interview. Use ChatGPT as your starting point. Ask it to create a resume outline by inputting your education, skills, and relevant experience. Or, as one Reddit user discovered, use the tool to create a customized cover letter. Ask the bot to: write a cover letter for the job ad (“insert the ad in quotes”) based on this resume (“insert your resume in quotes”). Review the drafts and make sure they are accurate to your skills and experience. Edit them by correcting grammar or spelling mistakes and ensure everything is clear. Doing so will create a polished version worthy of applying with. Related: Improve Your Writing (and Your Resume) For Free With Grammarly! Improve Your Resume and Cover LetterIf you don’t know how to polish your job search materials or tailor them to the job description, ChatGPT can suggest what you should include. It’s as easy as entering a prompt like “I am applying for a [customer service] role” or “I want to work in the [finance] industry.” For example, I told the bot, “I am applying for a remote job.” The bot gave me five practical tips, including highlighting communication skills and taking an online course. But it also congratulated and encouraged me “to apply for jobs that may be a stretch for you,” which I thought was a nice touch. Generate Bullet PointsTurning your responsibilities, skills, and accomplishments into descriptive bullet points is where most people struggle when writing a resume. You know what you did, but how do you say that in resume terms? Ask ChatGPT! For example:
You can also use ChatGPT like a thesaurus, so you’re not repeatedly using the exact same words. Write Achievement StatementsSimilarly to resume bullet points, you’ll want to include achievement or accomplishment statements in your cover letter and resume. Recruiters want to see your results, yet many candidates don’t have any in their applications. Those who do rarely provide enough detail for it to be effective. Saying you “increased sales by 10%” sounds good, but it’s vague and has no context. Plus, it doesn’t tell an employer how you contributed to this increase. A much better statement would be, “Implemented a new customer loyalty program, resulting in a 10% increase in sales and a 12% increase in customer retention over 16 months.” It is specific and shows your impact, giving employers a strong sense of what you could achieve for their team. But how do you come up with something like that? You ask ChatGPT to do it for you. Teal suggests copying the responsibilities from a job posting, pasting them into ChatGPT, and adding the prompt: “Write resume achievements with metrics based on these job responsibilities.” Or ask, “Give me examples of strong accomplishment statements for [project managers].” Again, you’ll need to proofread and tweak the results to reflect what you truthfully accomplished, but this should help you identify your most impressive achievements. Find Job OpeningsNot every job vacancy is advertised online. There is an entire hidden job market out there that ChatGTP can help you tap into. Use a simple prompt like “I am looking for a [marketing manager] job,” and it will suggest places to look beyond your common job boards. Analyze Job Descriptions and Find KeywordsWhether it’s by a hiring manager or an applicant tracking system (ATS), your resume and cover letter will be scanned for keywords, skills, and qualifications. If the essential requirements aren’t there, you won’t be getting an interview. Ironically, ChatGPT can be used to scan job descriptions and pick out these specific key points. Adding the ones you have to your application will ensure it gets past the initial screening. Enter something like “Identify the key qualifications for this job” and paste the text from the advertisement. Or enter a job description and ask the bot to create an ideal candidate profile. It will give you a solid answer. It can also help you include industry-specific terms which will better resonate with potential employers and may be terms they are scanning for. Related: Get Your Resume Into the “Yes” Pile (Free Resume Checklist) Identify Your SkillsIt can be difficult to identify our skills and strengths, but it’s important to know what we are good at if we want to succeed. One way that ChatGPT can help is by pasting your work experience into the chat and asking it to identify what skills you have. It will look for patterns or common themes that indicate your particular strengths. Another way it can help you discover your talents is by asking about your experiences and interests and making suggestions. Remember, ChatGPT is designed for conversation, so chat with it. I tested it by asking it to help me identify my skills based on my resume. The bot came back with a list of questions to consider. I told it I work at a career center, and it suggested a dozen skills I have likely developed through my job. And it was spot on. Related: The 25 In-Demand Skills to List on Your Resume Fill Out Online ApplicationsCareer expert Jerry Lee shares lots of cool job searching hacks on his TikTok, including one where he used ChatGPT and a Google Chrome extension to apply for 200 jobs in 2 days. First, he uses the chrome extension Simplify to autofill online job applications in a single click. Then he uses ChatGPT to answer any questions on the application. Each application takes about a minute to complete with this trick. Find RecruitersThere are some industries like technology, healthcare, and manufacturing that rely on recruiters, although they can be found in many others. Ask ChatGPT to give you a list of recruiters and include your industry and location. From there, you can also ask the chatbot to tell you more about each recruiter or to find reviews. Related: Should I Use a Job Recruiter to Help Me Find a Job? 16 Pros and Cons Improve Your Interview SkillsOne of the best ways to nail a job interview is to practice beforehand. You will feel more confident and don’t have to worry that your nerves will get the better of you. Once again, you can use ChatGPT to help. Use the tool to generate interview questions, ranging from commonly asked questions to industry-specific ones. Answer them back in the chat and get valuable feedback that you can actually use in your next interview. I asked the bot for sample interview questions for an editing job, and it gave me eight great ones. I gave a weak answer to one of its prompts, and it replied with a whole paragraph about how I could expand on that answer. Once again, I am impressed. Research and ReviewsLook at the company’s website and social media pages directly, but dig a little deeper when researching a job lead. You can use ChatGPT like Google to help you with this. Some different prompts to try include:
Improve Your Online ProfilesWho you are online (or who you appear to be) can impact your job search. Most companies look at your online presence as part of their background checks. Why not take this opportunity to make a positive impression? Optimizing your LinkedIn profile is a good place to start. Once again, ChatGPT can help you find the keywords to add to your profile, update your experience and accomplishments, and even create a personalized summary for the “About” section. Simply ask ChatGPT to create a professional summary based on the information you include about yourself and edit the results. Improve Your NetworkingChatGPT can be useful for networking purposes, too. Use it to generate conversation starters and then practice having conversations with it. That is what it’s designed for. Before attending an event, use it to research speakers and attendees so you can think of questions you’d like to ask them or topics you’d like to discuss. The bot can even generate outreach emails. Or, ask it for networking tips, like “how to introduce yourself at a networking event” and “how to ask for a business card.” Any of these options will help you build your networking skills. Write a Custom Thank You NoteSending a thank you note after a job interview is commonly suggested but rarely followed. A simple email can help you stand out as a candidate and allow you to reiterate your interest in the role. But what do you say beyond “Thank you?” ChatGPT can give you some great ideas! Use the prompt “Generate a thank you note after a job interview for…” and fill in as many details as you like, such as the job role, the company, or anything else you want to include. The more information you give it, the more customized it will be. Salary NegotiationsBefore you accept that job offer, make sure they are offering you a good salary. ChatGTP can help you determine what that amount is based on your job title, location, responsibilities, and experience. If you decide to negotiate the salary, ask the bot for advice or hold mock negotiations with it to increase your confidence. Using ChatGPT in Your CareerOnce you start that great new job, you can still take advantage of ChatGPT to help you succeed and reach your career goals. From helping you streamline everyday tasks to offering career advice, using ChatGPT can make you a more productive and valuable employee. As An AssistantYou may not have a personal assistant, but ChatGPT can help fill that gap. On the job, it helps you use your time more efficiently by doing some of the work for you, such as:
And this is just the start. There are many practical ways you can use ChatGPT for your specific role. As A TeacherDon’t stop learning and growing your skills if you want to stay relevant in your field. AI programs like ChatGPT can help your professional development in several ways. Use it to research topics and find recent reports and media mentions from your industry so that you’re up-to-date on developments. Ask for recommendations on online courses or ways to enhance your skills. Get it to explain complex things to you in simpler terms. Or, as mentioned, chat with ChatGPT to improve your communication skills. Getting a RaiseToo many people deserve raises but are afraid to ask for one. Like negotiating your salary, it’s not an easy conversation to have–but it’s an important one. If you’ve been working with the company for a couple of years, ask ChatGPT for the current salary ranges for your role so you know if you’re being paid fairly or not. If you’re not, use it to get tips for negotiating a raise and to help you generate a list of reasons why you deserve to be paid more. Related: How to Ask for a Promotion at Work: Follow These 8 Simple Steps Using ChatGPT as an EmployerWhether you’re a small business owner or the leader of a major firm, artificial intelligence will change how you do business. Here are a few ways you can use ChatGPT:
ChatGPT: The Essential Tool for Success in Your Job Search and CareerArtificial intelligence is changing how we work and live. ChatGPT is only the beginning. Its ability to give personalized advice and valuable suggestions will make it easier to find a job and advance your career. So start embracing its power today. Via https://mylifeiguess.com/chatgpt-job-search-and-career/ Do you want to use your green thumb to nab some cold, hard cash? All you need are some plants and a passion for selling! It’s a fun and easy way to make extra money and doesn’t require much investment. However, it is essential to understand the basics of making money selling plants to maximize your profits and ensure that you are running a successful business. Steps To Make Money Selling PlantsStep 0 – Research The MarketBefore diving in, research what plants people are looking for, how much they will pay, running costs, competitors, etc. This information will help you determine the optimal way to profit from selling plants and help you stand out from the competition. Step 1 – Find Your Niche:Making money selling plants can be profitable; however, choosing the right niche is critical. Whether succulents, perennials, vegetables, house plants, flowering plants, or seasonal, find an area of interest and profitability and develop knowledge of specific plants. We recommend you look at the pothos family if you are starting. Not only are they easy to care for, but they are also easy to grow and propagate (which will create more plants to sell at a lower cost). You can look into this famous variety, Blue Baltic pothos, which is low-maintenance and hardy. As you master your craft, look into offering more exotic varieties like Monstera Obliqua. Though they require more tender love and care to thrive, they can sell for thousands of dollars— making it well worth the effort to raise them. Similarly, rare plants like a coffee tree can be a hit, and it produces beans, and you can use them to plant more trees. Indoor plants or air-purifying plants are also popular. That said, start with one specific niche and keep a variety. As you grow, we recommend you keep adding new and popular plants. While you decide on the niche, you should also take into consideration the following:
Pro Tip: You can also start by picking the most popular plants. Some include ferns, cacti, snake-plant, begonia, dracaena, philodendron, ficus, jade-plant, peace lilies, orchids, anthurium, azalea, bamboo palm, money-tree, rubber-plant, roses, aloe vera, zz plants, areca palm, spider-plant, bromeliad, bonsai trees, and variegated varieties. Step 2 – Develop a Business Plan and Start Sourcing MaterialsThe next step is to develop a business plan. Essential factors include:
Pick the most efficient options, and start making arrangements for packaging, shipping, and everyday materials. You must also consider whether you are going to source plants from other growers or if you are going to raise them yourself. If you opt for the former, your best bet is to find a local wholesaler or grower who can provide you with various wholesale plants, which will help you keep your costs down. If you opt for the latter, having an ideal location for growing and some security measures is essential. It would help if you visited local farmers’ markets, gardening centers, and plant nurseries to get ideas for what customers may want. It will help you ensure you always have something new stocked in your inventory. With these aspects carefully planned, you can increase your chances of success in plant retailing. Step 3 – Source Your Plants or Start Growing ThemYou are now ready to source your plants or start growing them. You can find reputable wholesale nurseries through online research or personal connections that sell directly to businesses. Before selecting these distributors, compare prices and quality among multiple sources to provide the best value for your customers. Besides that, here are a few tips for you:
If you want to eliminate the middleman and produce your products, consider starting a garden to grow your plants. Not only will this increase your profit margins, but it will put you in control of supply (and you’ll know exactly where your product originates!) A few crucial things to consider:
Step 4 – Establish a Pricing StrategyEstablishing a pricing strategy is an essential step in making money selling plants. Research to identify the average market value for the type of plant you are selling, as this will act as a baseline for developing pricing for your own business. Break down your expenses and calculate how much profit you’ll need per sale to make it worthwhile. Remember to account for overhead costs such as packaging, shipping materials, advertising, and other related taxes or fees associated with the sales process and any unforeseen circumstances. Step 5 – Market Your BusinessIt is time to promote your plant business. You can use social media platforms, network in local communities, set up a farmers market booth, or launch an online storefront.
These are a few ways to promote your business and make money selling plants. Step 6 – Grow Your BusinessAs you begin establishing a customer base for your business, there are plenty of ways to continue growing it.
Are You Ready to Launch Your Plant-selling Business?Selling plants is a great way to make money from home. With the proper knowledge, you can start your own plant business and be successful in no time! Start by choosing a mission for your business, finding suitable plants to sell, researching climate-specific requirements, implementing an irrigation system, creating an organic soil mix if necessary, obtaining any required licenses, and establishing a competitive yet profitable pricing structure. Lastly, remember to market your business! Use social media, local networking opportunities, or online channels to reach potential customers. With these steps in mind, you can quickly get a successful plant-selling business up and running. Good luck! This article originally appeared on Wealth of Geeks. Via https://mylifeiguess.com/make-money-selling-plants/ If you are a crafter, you’d love to get paid for doing what you do. There are about 7.5 million sellers on Etsy. Many of them are crafters selling things they love making. You can thrive on Etsy too. To get started, here is a list of the best craft items to make and sell. Crafts To Make and SellBagsWell-made bags are always in demand. Making bags involves some basic sewing techniques and heavy and intense sewing. Start by learning how to sew from books, online tutorials, and classes to hone your skill. You may also need to buy some equipment. If it is a thick leather satchel bag you want to sell, you may need a heavy-duty industrial machine. If you do not want to sew, you can make bag kits with all the bag supplies like handles, bag feet, fasteners, pretty fabric cut in the pattern, etc. There are many ways that you can market these bags. Start selling to your colleagues or neighbors to see their responses. Or you could hire a small booth at a holiday craft fair. Then ask local shops to take your bags on consignment. Once you have a feel of what to do, start a website and sell. Soft ToysAt one point, we had around 20+ soft toys in our house. Some were gifted, others my kids bought themselves, and others they inherited from cousins (and it was never enough!) Start with teddy bears, a classic soft toy. You will need to buy some fake fur or plush fabric, teddy eyes, heart-shaped plastic noses, washers to go under them, ribbons and badges to decorate, and the pattern to sew the soft toy. Though fake fur is expensive, you do not need much to make one teddy bear. You can make a small teddy bear with a 17-inch square of faux fur. Embroidered Bed SheetsPlain bedsheets are getting boring, but applique-embellished personalized bedsheets with beautiful embroidery are in demand. These days, soft pastel-colored solid bedsheets with self-toned embroidery are more popular than traditional bright-colored embroidery. Monograms can look beautiful and meaningful on pillowcases. Imagine delicately embroidered monograms of the bride and groom on the pillowcases on the marriage bed – what a beautiful gift for a newly married couple! You can charge a premium for this kind of customized booking. Bath BombsBath bombs are addictive. They are mood elevators and hey, don’t we all need things to relax in this stressful world? Bath bombs do that very sweetly. You can make bath bombs easily at home with baking soda, citric acid, and essential oils. You can make them in various colors and scents. You can target those with sensitive skin as your market for bath bombs. The usual over-the-counter bath soaps can be irritating to those with delicate skin. For them, meticulously made bath bombs with carefully researched ingredients can be a boom. They are also a great sell to parents, as all kids love bath bombs. You can personalize the bath bombs according to the tastes of your customers. Some may like the smell of lavender essential oil, another lemongrass, and yet another rose. You can also sell them in a gift bag with assorted bath bombs through online shops or consignment stores. This Wikihow page teaches you how to make different types of bath bombs. Christmas DecorationsChristmas-related crafts can make the perfect seasonal product, but don’t stop once you hit January. You can make crafts related to all kinds of festivals – there are so many out there! For Christmas, go for ornaments to hang on the Christmas tree. From glittery balls to small stars, there are many things that you can make. Other ideas for crafts to sell are Christmas tree skirts, stockings and stuffers, and Christmas-themed decor, including placemats, table runners, and cushion covers. Art and Craft Activity KitsKids love arts and crafts kits. They will cherish them and use them to build their imagination and creativity. These include slime-making kits, book-binding kits, bead crafts, knitting tools, cross-stitch kits, jar crafts, tote bag-making, and tie-dye kits. Parents love them because they keep kids from addictive online activities. Plus, they make great birthday presents (yes, even for adults!) As a crafter, it can be great fun assembling the items needed for the kits. Testing them, packing them, and getting feedback from happy customers are rewards that a craftsperson will cherish more than the monetary reward of this business. Check out craftymorning.com for ideas on what to include in these kits. Party KitsParty kits can include assembling party bags, party decorations, leaflets for organizing games, party hats, and other fun party activities like glitter tattoos and face painting. The kits can also include costumes for themed parties. And gift assembly and photo booths. Party decorations can include decor items like candles, paper flowers, lanterns, gift tags, burlap decorations, napkins, and napkin rings. (I’m sure you can think of more!) Painted or Printed ClothingIf you like painting but need the talent to be a professional painter, you can be a scarf painter. You can buy ready-made scarves in solid colors and paint them. Silk painting is beautiful. Solid-colored scarves can be bought in silk or cotton and painted over with fabric paint with beautiful designs. If you use silk scarves, you can use silk painting, which is exquisite. This Dharma Trading tutorial teaches a step-by-step method to dye a silk scarf. Another idea is to dye new clothes and sell them. You can sell tie-dyed t-shirts at craft fairs or near beaches. Learn how to tie dye here. Printed t-shirts are delightful to design. There is a vast market for these t-shirts. Or, instead of printing, you can paint and embellish the t-shirts with studs, sequins, etc. JewelryJewelry-making can be as simple or as complex as you want it to be. You could use gold, silver, platinum, and gemstones to make premium jewelry or use just paracord and some fasteners to make simple things. The jewelry market is very niche. You may have to cater to a particular segment of people – e.g., make jewelry for those who like alternate fashion with symbols like skulls. Or target little girls who may like beaded jewelry or even friendship bands. Religious jewelry like Christian pendants, charms, bracelets, earrings, and rings can be unique to a group of people. Check out Craftsy.com for paid and free courses on jewelry making. Wooden ProductsWoodworking is a specialized skill requiring extra accuracy and costly materials and tools. But wooden furniture and accessories are always in demand. You will need a circular saw, tape measure, clamps, and a good drill, preferably cordless. You can buy these for a few hundred bucks, but good wood can be costly. You will need to practice on a lot of wood first to get to a stage where you can sell your wooden items. But once you are an expert, the things you make with your creativity can be much in demand. Many woodworkers start making plant holders and lamp stands before progressing to benches and beds. There is one thing you need other than the tools and the supplies – storage space. You can learn woodworking at thedesignconfidential.com or www.ana-white.com. Final Thoughts – Know Your MarketThrough the years, I have learned much as a failed crafter trying to sell things I made (but hey, failure breeds success!) What you love and what others need may not be the same. Ideally, you want to sell crafts others need to be successful. I once tried selling paintings. I genuinely thought others would buy my paintings. But I found after painting through 20 canvases that only my father thought they were any good. He still hangs a lot of them at home. Enough to say that particular business was doomed from the start. I should’ve considered what my market wanted (it was not my paintings of the scenery outside my window). What you make out of that toilet roll may not get buyers. Do your research and make things that your market wants. If you do, you can have a craft business. This article originally appeared on Wealth of Geeks. Via https://mylifeiguess.com/crafts-to-make-and-sell/ Employers are looking for employees with top skills who can enhance productivity and communication to build teamwork and leadership to serve the increasing demands of the workforce. Their search for talent hones in on employees with an array of soft skills that can thrive in the workplace. It has become even more urgent with the dramatic transformation to increased hybrid work arrangements brought on by the need to satisfy employees during the pandemic. Soft skills are non-technical skills that include behavioral traits that can enhance your relationships with customers, co-workers, suppliers, and management. Employers have been urging colleges and universities to equip students with soft skills for years. According to the Society for Human Resource Management’s 2021-2022 State of the Workplace report, 77% of human resources professionals said that improving soft skills, including empathy, communication, and compassion, was the key to organizations’ long-term plans. Although higher education institutions emphasize hard skills, they increasingly recognize that soft skills may matter more to achieve success. Soft skills can help people work more effectively and efficiently. Ultimately, employees need a blend of both skills, a requirement to succeed in high-income jobs. What Are Soft Skills?Soft skills (sometimes called power skills or people skills) are personality attributes that help someone work interactively with others in a workplace or remotely. These skills are not new. Based on a 1918 published study, Harvard University, the Carnegie Foundation, and Stanford Research Center found that 85% of job success comes from having well‐developed soft skills. Only 15% comes from hard skills, notably technical skills and knowledge. Decades later, the US Army introduced soft skills to build on hard skills and to help soldiers better understand human behavior, communicate across cultures, build rapport, influence, and negotiate. Related: The 25 Best Skills to List on Your Resume How Do Soft Skills Differ From Hard Skills?Soft skills are personality traits that allow you to thrive in the workplace. They are hard to assess, quantify or learn academically. You can develop these behavioral traits through self-awareness. These skills are uniquely human and not easily duplicated or replaceable by robotics or artificial intelligence like bookkeeping or automatable functions. Soft skills are transferable skills you can leverage in your profession and become part of your character. Many skills are universal and desirable for most jobs. Other skills focus on specific fields like sales, where you should rely on communication, active listening, and empathy skills. LinkedIn’s Most In-Demand Soft Skills in 2022:
In contrast, hard or teachable skills are quantifiable job-specific skills you learn from academic education, trade schools, or courses in desirable career areas where demand is strong and rising. Examples of technical skills are computer programming, medical expertise, building construction, or accounting are relevant to your field and job experience. LinkedIn’s Most In-demand Hard Skills in 2022:
10 Invaluable Soft Skills You Should Have To SucceedOur list of essential soft skills clusters multiple traits that can strengthen and complement your ability to work more effectively and efficiently. These include: 1. Communication SkillsYour success will rely on your ability to communicate well in all forms, including public speaking. Communication refers to verbal, non-verbal, visual, informative, precise, or persuasive writing. It encapsulated silent gestures and body language, too, including knowing to avoid eye-rolling, sighing, and other negative physical signals. Communication skills dovetail with interpersonal skills, such as active listening, empathy, and patience. These can be vital in the workplace, especially when working under pressure. A potential manager will be curious to see how you communicate in various situations, like working with challenging customers or reluctant co-workers. 2. Adaptability and FlexibilityAdaptability skills require people to have a positive mindset, embrace change, and be open to various environments. The earliest days of the pandemic certainly tested flexibility in the workplace, and those companies that quickly adapted and found alternative ways to run their businesses remotely were better off. 3. Time Management SkillsMost employees face time constraints that can add stress to accomplishing projects, making time management skills very valuable. They include assessment, organization, evaluation, and priority setting. Knowing how to manage a tight deadline that is typically unnegotiable is critical. Managers should excel at delegating tasks and communicating deadlines to employees and teams. Related: Are You Detail-Oriented? These 50 Jobs Could Be Perfect for You! 4. Emotional IntelligenceHumans can be just as emotional at work as in other areas of life. Emotional intelligence reflects social skills in managing your emotions and the emotions of others. A good dose of self-awareness will help you come across better when working together. Using your feelings to show empathy, active listening, and accepting openness to criticism can be beneficial. 5. Teamwork and CollaborationMany workplaces desire strong teamwork and collaboration on projects, requiring employees to work effectively with colleagues. To work in teams, you’ll need to have different skills than working individually. You’ll need to communicate, plan, problem-solve, persuade, and have a respectful rapport with others. Becoming an excellent team player doesn’t mean you’ll always get along with others (some conflict is inevitable within groups). Yet learning how to give and take constructive feedback is essential to resolving these issues. 6. Critical ThinkingCritical thinking is a precursor to problem-solving, driven by finding solutions. When engaged in critical thinking, you identify, investigate, and evaluate factors to consider in your thought process. You may be reconciling conflicts, seeking alternative solutions, and deciding on preferred actions. 7. Problem-solving SkillsMany professions value people who have problem-solving skills and can strategically move toward optimal solutions using methods identified through critical thinking. Problem-solving is analyzing the research and being creative when brainstorming. The more complex the problem, the more thinking out of the box, whether the problem is dealing with supply constraints or economic uncertainties. 8. Creative ThinkingCreative thinkers are novel thinkers who often have a unique perspective and come up with innovative solutions to vexing problems. In Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, reaching the highest level – self-actualization – is rare and has the significant motivation to fulfill their potential in the workplace and life. Creative thinking and soft skills usually indicate a greater likelihood of success. 9. Decision MakingEmployees in various roles must make multiple job-related decisions on regular tasks or when unusual situations occur. As you get more experienced, you’ll likely encounter more complex challenges requiring you to evaluate data and weigh solutions under pressure. Use skills like critical thinking or problem-solving for your team to overcome obstacles to complete the project. Knowing how to make challenging or unpopular decisions when needed is crucial. You’ll need an abundance of confidence, determination, passion, and perseverance, all soft skills, to deal with adversity resulting from such decision-making. 10. LeadershipThose with leadership positions typically have many other soft skills we discussed. Leaders should communicate well, manage, motivate and delegate to others. They can see the larger picture and are decisive and powerful. They should foster a productive work environment, set a good example for their employees, handle sensitive information carefully, and follow company policies. How To Obtain Soft SkillsAlthough soft skills are not taught traditionally as a specific course outside presentations or writing classes, various skills are part of every learning experience. You’ll recognize these soft skills in class requirements when making presentations, researching and writing papers, doing lab work, and evaluating solutions. You probably already have some soft skills, but be open to learning more. Look for ways to improve in other areas early in your job experience. You can build soft skills via:
Showcasing Your Skills for Potential EmployersWhen applying for a job, your resume typically highlights your educational background and job experience. Additionally, you should display relevant soft skills on your resume that directly relate to what you’re seeking. However, if you have specific soft skills, highlight them on your resume. Be ready to answer the interviewer’s questions by providing examples of where you excelled or wish you had handled it better. Depending on the role you seek, the interviewer will want to know about your ability to communicate in various situations, resolve conflicts, work collaboratively, think critically, and adapt to change. They will want to know more about your failures, which can inform them more about your character than your successes will. You may have filed those negative experiences away, but they are essential in highlighting how you dealt with adversity, especially early in your career. Final ThoughtsThere is greater awareness that employees require hard and soft skills to succeed in today’s workplace. They need knowledge and the capability to work more effectively and efficiently with others. We addressed many examples of essential soft skills, but employees need to understand which ones are most relevant to their professions. This article originally appeared on Wealth of Geeks. Via https://mylifeiguess.com/soft-skills-with-examples/ Working from home is a great job option for teens. Unemployment rates are typically higher among adolescents than the rest of the population, so having the opportunity to work from home without prior work experience can be a great leg up. With fewer responsibilities, the teen years can be a great time to explore entrepreneurial endeavors. Finding jobs as a teen can still be challenging. Many employers look for experienced workers, even for entry-level jobs. Many of the best jobs for teens are positions that you can do online. With school and sports, scheduling work shifts can be a significant challenge. For most businesses, you will be unavailable when they need help the most. Here are a number of jobs teenagers can do from home. 1. Virtual AssistantThe average salary for a virtual assistant nationwide is $24.77 an hour. Many roles require little to no experience and can lend themselves well to fitting around a school schedule. The first step to becoming a virtual assistant is to identify what skills you have that can apply to the business world. Many virtual assistant roles involve:
Teens who don’t have any formal experience can cite school projects to demonstrate their proficiency in these skills. 2. TikTok CreatorTikTok is a lot of fun. The platform needs a lot of fresh content in various niches. To incentivize creators, TikTok pays for content based on view count. You can monetize your videos by consistently creating exciting content that grabs eyeballs. While TikTok only pays between two and four cents per view, the platform is enormous. Getting tons of views with viral content is clearly possible, although not always easy. Many TikTok creators also monetize their content through sponsorships. 3. Online SurveysYou will only make a little money with online surveys, but they are easy to complete. Online surveys pay money because companies want to know how consumers view their products. The two most popular apps for online surveys are Swagbucks and Survey Junkie. 4. BloggingOn the opposite side of quick cash from online surveys would be blogging. It takes a long time to build up a blog that is large enough to earn money. However, most teens don’t need to pay their own rent, and so they may not need such a consistent income. In this way, adolescence can be the perfect time to start a business that takes a little while to come to fruition. 5. Start a YouTube ChannelBeing a YouTuber sounds fun! You make exciting videos and get to work from home. You can get started creating content on YouTube with a smartphone. Have the proper equipment to keep viewers interested and keep growing your audience. It is very frustrating when your YouTube views are dropping. To avoid this, you will want to release new videos on relevant topics consistently. 6. Freelance Writing/Copy WritingIf you love writing, freelance writing is a great way to make money online. Sites like Upwork have many companies looking to hire writers. The work can range anywhere from writing blog posts to ghostwriting entire books. Just note that there is a difference between writing an essay for school and writing an article for SEO or compelling copy to sell a product. It would help if you familiarized yourself with these differences before getting started. 7. Design T-ShirtsT-shirts are a saturated market, so don’t expect any overnight success here. However, designing t-shirts can be a lucrative way to make money. Print-on-Demand services keep startup costs low. For example, Mike Pasley, with his shirt shop Famous In Real Life, made $700k in revenue in his first year. 8. Create PrintablesPrintables on Etsy are a vast business. However, it takes trial and error to find what works. Also, the Etsy algorithm prioritizes successful products and creators. So you will have to make something interesting with a unique angle to start building your printable business there. 9. Selling Stock PhotographySelling your photography on sites like Shutterstock is a great way to earn money online. You can take photos in your spare time and then load them onto the platform. Fun fact: Shutterstock has paid its content creators over $1 billion. 10. ProofreadingProofreading can be an excellent choice for those with patience and an eye for detail. There’s quite a lot of demand for this work because many writers either despise proofreading and editing their own work (or they could be better at it). This hesitancy creates an opportunity for others to do the work for them (and profit accordingly). 11. Freelance Computer ProgrammingComputer programming is what I did as a teen to earn money. First, I learned how to program websites and eCommerce sites. Then I sold my time both hourly and on a per-project basis. If you like coding, consider learning a few marketable languages or frameworks. JavaScript, for instance, is great for freelance programming. There are plenty of web projects that are of the scope that you can work on them on weekends and get a fair amount done. 12. Freelance Graphic DesignThere are tons of businesses looking for someone to help them with design. These projects can range from super creative branding jobs to more of a production design role where you would be implementing design changes across the employer’s portfolio. 13. Freelance Video EditorVideo editing is time-consuming and requires proper tools to process in a timely manner. Video editing could be an excellent option if you are already into video work. Once you are set up and ready to start, editing can be a lucrative online job for teens. Upwork’s statistics show the average earnings for video editors is around $15-30 an hour. 14. Online TutorBeing from the United States allows you to teach English to non-native speakers online. Most apps focused on this are for students who have had some formal education in English but are looking to pick up on the nuances of the language from direct interaction with someone living in America. Many of these apps require a college degree or enrollment in a university program. Chegg pays its tutors $20 per hour of live instruction. 15. Become a Brand AmbassadorA brand ambassador is one of the main ways influencers make money by leveraging their audience. It is where the brand pays you to represent its products with your online presence. The first step for this is to build that presence. If your online presence has cohesive messaging, there is a much better chance that a brand will want to work with you. With a coherent message, a brand can quickly identify what you are about and decide whether your messaging and followers fit the profile they want to grow in. Once you have an online presence, start reaching out to potential brands. These will likely be small businesses that want to sell to your niche first. You will then want to reach out to them and pitch them the benefits of working with you. 16. Data EntryBeyond doing some data entry tasks as a virtual assistant, you can also take on roles dedicated solely to data entry. Data entry jobs can vary between typing to a bit of research and entering the results into the employer’s software. Usually, this is a job that you can only do with experience. 17. Flip Products OnlineThere are so many ways to flip products online. The basic premise of flipping is that the local market will be weaker than the entire internet. Sources for products locally can be Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, discount retailers, and liquidation auctions. A friend of mine specializes in flipping bicycles and bicycle parts. He often buys them on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist and then deals with listing them on eBay and the shipping process. Since the shipping process for a bicycle is somewhat involved, local sellers usually can’t be bothered learning how to do it. Since my friend ships these bicycles routinely, it is not too big of a hassle for him. 18. Create an Online CourseCreating an online course might be a different way to make money online, but it can be lucrative. If you are an expert on something, you can create a course to share your knowledge. It is also fun to use it to research a topic you are interested in. Become enough of an expert to create a course and publish it. You can create a course with Teachable or use Udemy, a platform for course creators. They have a marketplace to list your course so that you don’t have to do 100% of the marketing yourself. While the payout per sale is lower, this allows you to focus on creating valuable courses rather than on bringing in customers. There are Plenty of Options to Work From Home as a TeenThis article gives you some ideas for jobs you can do from home as a teen. It is a great time to consider doing something more entrepreneurial. Most work-from-home jobs are flexible with their schedule, which can be an excellent thing for a teen with a busy school schedule. This article originally appeared on Wealth of Geeks. Via https://mylifeiguess.com/online-jobs-that-teens-can-do-from-home/ So, you’re considering a career in technology. Fantastic! With everything from Web 3.0 and the Metaverse to artificial intelligence and quantum computing in the works, this fast-moving industry fizzes with exciting opportunities. But is technology a good career path for you? After all, if you spend years acquiring the skills and qualifications required by jobs in this field, you want to feel confident that it’s the right way forward. Today, we’re going to discuss a range of relevant topics to help you decide whether or not becoming a tech professional is a career worth pursuing. Let’s dive in. The Technology Job MarketIs technology a good career path? It is if you like the sound of job stability in a burgeoning industry. Indeed, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expects tech to grow by an impressive 15% between 2021 and 2031, faster than the average for all occupations. In practical terms, this equates to an increase of around 682,800 new jobs throughout that period. Beyond this source of opportunities, the BLS explains that roughly 418,500 additional tech jobs arise yearly from growth and replacement needs. Simply put, many tech workers leave their positions permanently each year, opening the door to new applicants. Thus, assuming they have the requisite skills, experience, and qualifications (often a bachelor’s degree), people who pursue a career in tech will enjoy a wealth of job opportunities ahead of them. A range of factors will determine whether or not this career’s right for you. In this section, we’ll run through the main pros and cons to keep in mind. Advantages of Careers in TechnologyLet’s start with the positives. Alongside the job stability we talked about above, here are a few compelling ways you’d gain from taking this career path: Good PayInformation technology is a $5.3 trillion global industry expanding yearly. Not only that, but it’s also a highly specialized field. The result is a winning combination with regard to salaries at most tech companies: high demand for a limited workforce. According to the BLS, the median annual wage for someone with a technology career is $97,430 – more than double the median wage for all occupations! Many techies earn significantly more than this as well. For example, a computer network architect takes home $120,520 annually in average salary, and information security analysts earn $102,600. Beyond earning impressive salaries, tech workers often enjoy additional compensation in the form of equity and access to Employee Stock Purchase Plans to invest in company stock at a discount. Flexible WorkAnybody opposed to a regular 9-to-5 routine will appreciate the flexibility tech careers offer. No matter your area of expertise, you can expect a high degree of control over when and where you perform your duties. Why? Because thanks to the internet, most roles of this nature can be performed anywhere and at any time. So, if being paid to code while soaking up the sun on a Florida beach sounds like your idea of paradise, a tech career would be perfect. High Growth PotentialAre you ambitious, enjoy change, and love to learn? A tech career could be right up your alley. This industry offers a vast array of different specialties to choose from, such as cybersecurity, web development, and AI. That means there’s always another avenue to explore – an escape route if you ever feel bored, stuck, or in need of a new challenge. The tech world’s never stagnant, either. It’s forever changing, so you and your skillset are always changing. Disadvantages of a Tech CareerThere are two sides to every story, though. Here are the primary downsides to a career in tech: Constant ChangeThe ever-changing reality of tech isn’t for everyone. It means you can never afford to sit back and rest on your laurels. That’s because skills that take years to master can be irrelevant a few years later. Failing to learn, adapt, evolve, and upskill yourself is a recipe for disaster. You become obsolete to employers as soon as the disparity between your skillset and current tech trends grows too large. High StressDon’t be fooled by what you see in tech offices worldwide. High-stress jobs aren’t limited to financial careers and medical professions. Despite the notoriety of Google’s employee benefits, such as modern offices with comfy seating pods, climbing walls, and arcade games, a high degree of stress and fast pace environment is commonplace in tech roles. It comes from various sources. From cybersecurity threats and the need to resolve them ASAP to overbearing clients and the tumultuous nature of tech startups (often resulting in layoffs), stress is a constant feature of this fast-paced and dynamic industry. 11 Types of Tech Jobs To ConsiderWhat specific career in the tech sector do you want to pursue? As we talked about earlier, there’s no shortage of options! In no particular order, here’s a list of popular roles to consider: 1. Computer ProgrammerComputer programming will be a great choice if you love to code or want to learn how to do it. In this role, you’d be writing, altering, and testing code that permits computer software and applications to function as intended. You’d be writing the coded instructions for computers to follow. 2. Computer TechnicianAre you the person your family and friends turn to for tech advice? If so, your skills and interests might be well-suited to working as a computer technician. In this job, you’d install hardware, maintain software, troubleshoot problems, and perform repairs whenever something goes wrong. 3. Database Administrator (Dba)DBAs enjoy varied roles that involve maintaining a database’s performance, security, and integrity. As a prime learning opportunity, you’d work closely with an IT project manager and various programmers to ensure everything runs smoothly and meets client needs. 4. Software EngineerSometimes called systems or software developers, software engineers create, maintain, and optimize computer systems and software. Day to day, you’d be writing code, testing new programs, and solving any issues that arise in existing web programs and applications. 5. Game DeveloperLove playing video games of one kind or another? You could take that passion and turn it into a career as a game developer. You’d be working with game designers to turn their ideas into reality using code, whether it’s intended for PC, game consoles, online games, or even arcades. 6. Web DeveloperWeb developers are coders that use a variety of programming languages (such as HTML and Javascript) to build high-performing, user-friendly websites and web applications. They often operate in teams, write the code required to meet client needs/instructions, and run tests to ensure the efficacy of their work. 7. Information Security AnalystInformation security analysts are a bit like the detectives of the cyber world. They work for organizations, helping to monitor their IT networks for signs of cyber security breaches, identifying vulnerabilities, investigating and responding to suspicious activity, and maintaining their security systems. 8. Data ScientistHarvard Business Review once deemed roles in data science the “sexiest job of the 21st Century”. In a high-paying position perpetually in demand, data scientists try to mine “big data” sets to find actionable insights that help answer complex questions. They try to uncover trends, identify patterns, create algorithms, and forecast possible outcomes. 9. App DeveloperApplication developers are software engineers who focus on designing, building (via code), programming, testing, and updating – you guessed it – apps. The applications in question could be for a specific operating system or device, such as mobile. 10. Data-entry SpecialistData-entry specialists (also known as data-entry clerks or operators) work in admin departments of organizations, helping to digitize their data for storage purposes. It’s less technical than other careers on this list and includes duties such as collecting client data and maintaining a filing system. 11. Technical WriterAre you great at explaining complicated topics in a way ordinary people can understand? If so, you may have a natural aptitude for technical writing jobs. Also known as technical communicators, you’d be preparing manuals, guides, journal articles, and related documents to communicate complex technical information in a clear, simple, and concise manner. What Skills Do You Need for a Tech CareerRegardless of the specific tech role you pursue, there are a few essential skills it pays (literally) to possess. For example, at a technical level, you’ll need a firm grasp of data analysis, programming, cybersecurity, and software development. These capabilities tend to receive the most attention from tech employers, but specific soft skills are also invaluable. For instance, you can expect greater success in the tech industry if you’re creative, adaptable, good at problem-solving, and have a keen analytical mind. Is Technology a Good Career Path? You Decide!So, is technology a good career choice for you? It depends! Because “good” means different things to different people, the answer to this question’s entirely subjective. With any luck, though, the insights in this article have shed light on the situation for you. Ultimately, if you love computers and want a challenging, versatile, and dynamic career with impressive growth potential in a strong job market, then the tech sector could be a perfect fit. This article originally appeared on Wealth of Geeks. Via https://mylifeiguess.com/technology-is-it-the-right-career-path-for-you/ |
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