Let me cut to the chase: employers want to hire detail-oriented people. They know that employees with this skill will hand in accurate and quality work and will follow policies and instructions. Even if this isn’t one of your natural skills, you need to demonstrate detail-orientation skills during your job search. Here’s why. What Does Being Detail-Oriented Mean?Being detail-oriented means you take the time to do things right the first time. Because it requires a high level of focus and concentration, it signifies that you are a good worker and likely to be successful. If you are detail-oriented, you notice the small details that many others don’t. You are a rockstar at catching mistakes and errors and are thorough in your work. You don’t just do the bare minimum to get by; you put in the extra effort to ensure everything is done correctly. In general, being detail-oriented makes you a better problem solver and a better communicator. It also makes you more organized and efficient in your work. Although it can be undervalued or overlooked, being detail-oriented is crucial for many different jobs. For example, in the medical field, being detail-oriented is extremely important because even a tiny mistake can have serious consequences. Many people have a natural attention to detail, but it is something that you can learn as well. How To Tell If You Are Detail-OrientedThere are a few key things to look for if you want to know if you are a detail-oriented person or not. Do you spend time creating to-do lists, color-coding your calendar, or setting reminders for yourself? Are you good at keeping track of your schedule and remembering to pay bills on time? Being good at organizing, planning, and keeping track of details indicates that you are detail-oriented. If you constantly notice the small things around you that others miss, you are likely a detail-oriented person. For example, you notice when someone is wearing a new shirt, a small scratch on a car, or when something is out of place. This attention to detail can be helpful in many situations, like when trying to pinpoint an error. Another sign that you possess this soft skill is that you can focus on a task and pay attention to the details without getting distracted. For example, you can read a book and remember every detail of the story, or you can focus on your work and not get distracted by other things going on around you. Finally, detail-oriented people are meticulous. They are careful and precise in their work and strive for perfection. If you find that you are always double-checking your work or if you are never satisfied with it, these are both signs that you are detail-oriented. If you identify with the above qualities, you are probably a detail-oriented person. Being detail-oriented can be a great strength, as it means that you are always aware of your surroundings and take great care in your work. However, it is important to remember that being detail-oriented does not mean that you have to be perfect. It is okay to make mistakes sometimes! How to Show Off Your Detail-Orientation Skills During Your Job SearchDetail orientation is an essential soft skill that employers value. If it’s not one of your natural skills, don’t worry – there are ways to show employers that you have what it takes. Some easy ways you can demonstrate your detail-orientation during your job search include: Research the Company and the RoleTake the time to research the company and role. Doing so will help you determine if this opportunity is the right fit for you or not. If you decide to apply, your research will show employers that you’re interested in the specifics of the job and willing to go the extra mile. Knowing the details will also help you update your resume to target the job, significantly improving your chances of getting an interview. You will be able to answer questions about the company and the job clearly and informally when asked about it. Identify Your Skills and AccomplishmentsThink about a time when you had to pay close attention to detail at work. What were you doing? How did you do it? What was the result? Jot down a few accomplishments highlighting your attention to detail by thinking of specific examples. These will come in handy during your interview. Add Key Skills to Your Resume and Cover LetterNext, carefully read the job description and identify the key skills and qualities the employer wants. Look for ways to showcase these skills in the work experience section of your resume. For example, if the job requires excellent organizational skills, highlight a time when you successfully organized a complex project. You can also mention times when you went above and beyond to double-check your work or research a topic thoroughly. You can also showcase your detail orientation skills in other areas of your resume. If you have relevant certifications or training or have received awards or recognition, highlight them. In your cover letter, explain why paying attention to the details is important for the job. For instance, if you are applying for a position as an accountant, you could mention that detail orientation is essential in that role to avoid costly mistakes. By showcasing your detail orientation skills when applying, you’ll be sure to impress employers and get invited to an interview. Proofread Your Resume and Cover LetterA resume and cover letter with mistakes won’t get you very far. If you apply for a job requiring accuracy, these mistakes will hurt your chances. It will make potential employers doubt that you truly have a keen eye for detail and make them question all of your abilities and experience. (P.S. Use Grammarly – it’s free and will help you catch those typos and errors!) Be Organized and Prepared For InterviewsWhen you get that interview, make sure you are well prepared. You’ll want to bring a few things to the interview, including extra copies of your resume, a pen and paper to take notes, and breath fresheners. Beyond that, be prepared to share specific examples of when you’ve demonstrated strong attention to detail. An example could be when you caught a mistake in a co-worker’s presentation or a typo in the company’s marketing materials before printing. By sharing specific examples, you’ll be able to show the interviewer that you have the detail orientation skills they’re looking for. Asking Thoughtful Questions During InterviewsFinally, ask thoughtful questions during the interview and listen to the answers. This will demonstrate that you’re paying attention to detail and engaged in the conversation. The truth is, everything mentioned here are all things you should be doing during your job search anyway. The only real difference is that if you claim to be detail-oriented, you don’t want to miss the details in the hiring process! How to Show Off Your Detail-Orientation Skills at Your New JobOnce you are hired and start your new job, you need to put these detail-oriented skills into practice. You won’t be very successful if you can’t deliver on what you said you could do. Detail orientation is one of those skills that can be difficult to show off without coming across as a know-it-all or a perfectionist – especially as a new employee. However, if you can find the right balance, demonstrating your eye for detail can show the value you bring to the team. Here are a few tips for showing off your detail orientation skills on the job: Be proactive about finding mistakesWhen you see something that looks off, bring it to the attention of the person who made the mistake. If you’re working on a team project, proofread the final document before it’s submitted and ensure it meets all the requirements. Doing so shows that you’re paying attention and that you care about everyone doing a good job. Help out with quality controlIf your company has a quality control process, volunteer to be a part of it. It shows that you’re willing to go the extra mile to ensure that products or services are up to par. Pay attention to details in your own workThis one is pretty self-explanatory. If you’re known for paying attention to detail and doing things right the first time, people will start to notice and appreciate your work ethic. Be a resource for othersOffer your help when someone is struggling with a task that requires attention to detail. It shows that you’re willing to share your expertise with others and are confident in your ability to get the job done right. You might become the go-to person at work to proofread documents or check numbers, making you a highly valuable employee. Be organizedKeeping your work area clean and organized shows you pay attention to details and stay organized even when things are busy. It also demonstrates that you have a system for managing your workload and documents. Take the initiativeIf you see something that needs to be done, take the initiative and do it. For example, if you notice that the office supplies are running low, order more or let the person in charge of ordering know. It shows that you pay attention and are willing to take on additional responsibilities. Showing off your detail orientation skills on the job can help you stand out and demonstrate your value to the company. Your coworkers and managers will turn to you, which puts you in a perfect position for raises and promotions. How to Learn and Develop Detail-Oriented SkillsNow that you know why attention to detail is an in-demand skill, what can you do to learn or further develop it? 1. Train Your BrainOne way is to start paying attention to the small things in your everyday life. It could be something as simple as the patterns on wallpaper or the way light reflects off a glass of water. Once you start training your brain to notice these things, it will become easier to spot small details in other areas of your life. 2. Practice Active ListeningTo become detail-oriented, practice active listening. When someone is speaking to you, give them your full attention and try to comprehend what they are saying. Don’t let your mind wander. Take note of important details and ask clarifying questions. 3. Improve Your MemoryAnother method for improving your detail-oriented skills is to improve your memory recall. Use mnemonic devices such as acronyms or rhymes or try other memory improvement techniques such as visualization. When you are trying to remember something, close your eyes and try to picture it in your mind. For example, if you are trying to remember what a specific person looks like, picture that person in your mind. If you are trying to remember the steps in a process, picture yourself going through those steps. Visualization can be a very effective way to improve your memory recall. 4. Use Small StepsTry breaking down tasks into smaller steps when working on something. It will help you pay attention to the details of each step, rather than just rushing through and missing important details along the way. You can also try chunking information together, which means breaking down larger bits of information into smaller, more manageable pieces. 5. Stay OrganizedPaying attention to how you organize things can help you become more detail-oriented. This means keeping track of your belongings, being on time for appointments, and being tidy. You will be less likely to lose track of important details by being more organized. 6. Be PatientFinally, practice taking your time and being patient. When working on a task, try to take your time and focus on each individual step. Rushing through things is more likely to lead to errors. You will likely catch small details you might otherwise miss by being patient and taking your time. By developing these skills, you will be able to improve your work in many different ways. You will be able to be more organized and efficient. You will also be able to communicate better and understand complex information. In ConclusionThe bottom line is that “detail-oriented” is not just another resume buzzword. It’s an in-demand skill that employers look for in a candidate. They want to hire people that they know can do the job well. If you’re hoping to score a job interview, it’s important to be able to demonstrate your attention to detail. Using the tips mentioned here will show employers that you have what it takes, even if it doesn’t come naturally to you. Via https://mylifeiguess.com/show-off-your-detail-oriented-skills-during-a-job-search/
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Many argue that Major League Baseball (MLB) players make too much money. This sounds reasonable when teachers, doctors, police officers, and firefighters are all making a fraction of the salary of someone whose good at hitting a little round ball. However, the best baseball players can make their organizations much more money. And wouldn’t you rather the employee get the big checks instead of the owners holding onto it? MLB players get paid well, but that doesn’t mean they are helping their team win games. The 20 highest-paid MLB players will make at least $27 million in 2022. Needless to say, that is a lot of money! Does salary determine value to a team? Or is a high salary detrimental to a team? What determines a player’s value to their team? Let’s dive in and see what factors determine a player’s salary and value to their teams. Wins Above Replacement (WAR)WAR is one of the best ways to estimate a player’s performance over a year. WAR measures a player’s value in all facets of the game by deciphering how many more wins he’s worth than a replacement-level player at the same position. WAR quantifies each player’s value in terms of a specific number of wins. And because WAR factors in a positional adjustment, it is well suited for comparing players with different defensive positions. Who is the most valuable player in 2022 alone? We look at a combination of player salaries and their value to the organization. We estimate this by taking the highest-paid MLB players and dividing them by wins above replacement (WAR). This approach allows us to determine their salary per WAR, which is not perfect but provides good insight into the top performers. Salary / WAR GradesTo estimate how much value an organization gets from their highest-paid MLB players, we divide a player’s salary by their WAR in 2022 (as of August 5, 2022). This exercise determines how much value a player brings to their team this year.
20 Highest-Paid MLB Players1. Max Scherzer, New York MetsAt 37 years old, Max Scherzer signed a massive 3-year, $130 million contract to play with the New York Mets. Up to this point, Scherzer has delivered on his contract for the first-place Mets despite missing several starts with an oblique injury. Only time will tell if this contract will still be worth it as Scherzer approaches 40 when many pitchers begin to break down. Salary: $43.3 million 2022 WAR: 3.4 $/WAR: $12.7 million Grade: B 2. Mike Trout, Los Angeles AngelsMike Trout may be one of the best baseball players of all time. Trout is also an excellent example of how difficult it is to win in baseball without a solid supporting cast. Between 2012 and 2019, Trout had a WAR of at least 6.9, leading his teams to approximately seven wins per year or more than an average player. Trout only played in one postseason during that period and didn’t make it out of the first round. Salary: $37.1 million WAR: 3.9 $/WAR: $9.51 million Grade: A 3. Anthony Rendon, Los Angeles AngelsRendon significantly contributed to the Washington National’s 2019 World Series title. Rendon cashed in with the Los Angeles Angels, who gave him a guaranteed 7-year, $245 million contract. The Angels will pay Rendon nearly 40 million dollars annually through 2026. Rendon has battled injuries the past two seasons, playing only 58 games in 2021 and 45 in 2022. Salary: $36.5 million WAR: 0.8 $/WAR: $45.6 million Grade: D 4. Gerrit Cole, New York YankeesAfter being a relatively average pitcher for the first five years of his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Gerrit Cole had two incredible seasons with the Houston Astros that turned into the largest contract in history for a pitcher. Since joining the Yankees, Cole has pitched well, leading the American League (AL) in wins in 2021. In addition, Cole leads the AL in strikeouts this year despite a relatively low WAR. Salary: $36 million WAR: 1.7 $/WAR: $21.4 million Grade: C+ 5. Jacob deGrom, New York MetsJacob deGrom may have the best stuff in the game over the last eight years. deGromm won back-to-back Cy Young awards in 2018 and 2019 and had a historic 2021 season with a 1.08 ERA through 15 starts. However, his most significant issue has been injuries over the past two seasons. As a result, he’s only thrown five innings in 2022, which is the reason for his low WAR despite his talent. deGromm is getting ready to come off the injured list and has time to contribute this year to a first-place Mets team. Salary: $36 million WAR: 0.2 $/WAR: $180 million Grade: D 6. Trevor Bauer, Los Angeles DodgersTrevor Bauer is one of the most controversial players in baseball. Nobody doubts his outstanding talent on the mound. However, in 2021 he was accused of sexual assault against his former girlfriend and is serving a two-year suspension from baseball. Technically, Bauer’s salary in 2022 is $0 since he’s not getting paid during his suspension. He is eligible to play again in 2024. Salary: $35.3 million WAR: 0.0 $/WAR: N/A Grade: F 7. Carlos Correa, Minnesota TwinsCarlos Correa spent his first seven years in MLB for the Houston Astros before landing with the Minnesota Twins in 2022. Correa was part of Astros teams that made it to three World Series and won one in 2017. Correa is coming off his best season yet in 2021 and is doing almost as well in 2022 for the Twins. Salary: $35.1 million WAR: 2.4 $/WAR: $14.6 million Grade: B 8. Stephen Strasburg, Washington NationalsAfter an incredible 2019 season helping the Nationals win a World Series, Stephen Strasburg has thrown a mere 31.1 innings over the past three seasons due to injury. Strasburg is an elite talent even as he approaches his mid-30s. We can only hope that Strasburg can get healthy. Not only for himself but also for the Nationals, who are in full rebuild mode and will pay him $35 million annually until 2026. Salary: $35 million WAR: -0.3 $/WAR: -116.6 million Grade: D 9. Nolan Arenado, St. Louis CardinalsNolan Arenado is currently top five in WAR in all of baseball. The St. Louis Cardinals are notorious for making great trades and signings, which has kept them competitive for the past two decades. However, the Arenado trade in 2021 may be one of their best yet. Arenado is one of the best defensive third basemen in the game, possibly of all time. With the Cardinals in a battle for first place in the National League (NL) Central, his 5.4 WAR may be the most valuable in all baseball. Salary: $35 million WAR: 5.4 $/WAR: $6.5 million Grade: A 10. Francisco Lindor, New York MetsFrancisco Lindor is in the first year of a massive contract that will pay him $34.1 million until he is 37 years old in 2031. Fortunately for the Mets, Lindor is off to a great start in his initial contract year. He’s a big reason the Mets are in first place in the NL East. Lindor played his first five seasons with the Cleveland Indians before moving to the Big Apple. Salary: $34.1 million WAR: 3.8 $/WAR: $9.0 million Grade: A 11. Corey Seager, Texas RangersCorey Seager is one of the few star players that the Los Angeles Dodgers haven’t been able to retain by throwing a massive amount of money at him. Seager signed with the Texas Rangers in the 2021 offseason and will be under contract until the 2031 season. Like Lindor, Seager is off to a good start, but time will tell if the contract is reasonable. Salary: $33 million WAR: 3.2 $/WAR: $10.3 million Grade: B 12. Manny Machado, San Diego PadresManny Machado has been a driving force in keeping the Padres in the playoff hunt in 2022. With the addition of Juan Soto and the return of Franando Tatis, Jr from the injured list, the Padres have the potential to make a late October run this year. Machado has been with the Padres since 2019 after spending most of his prior career with the lowly Baltimore Orioles. Machado can opt out of his contract after the 2023 season, though it might be tough to get a better contract than he has now. Salary: $32 million WAR: 4.2 $/WAR: $7.6 million Grade: A 12. David Price, Los Angeles DodgersDavid Price is one of the best pitchers of the past generation, winning one Cy Young award in 2012 and was the runner-up in three other seasons. However, if you are looking for Price in 2022, you’ll find him hanging out in the Dodgers bullpen. While he is putting together a decent season out of the bullpen with a 2.70 ERA, it’s something you might expect from a lefty reliever making a couple of million dollars or less a year. Even with the Red Sox paying half of Price’s salary, it’s still tough to justify his value to the team in the final year of his current contract. Salary: $32 million WAR: 0.4 $/WAR: $80 million Grade: D 12. Miguel Cabrera, Detroit TigersMiguel Cabrera is a sure-fire hall of famer, though his late 30s have not been kind to him. Cabrera’s career has been steeply declining since turning 37 in 2020. Cabrera has one more year on his contract, and despite his play being so underwhelming this year, he plans to play again in 2023. Who can blame him for not wanting to leave another $32 million on the table? Cabrera has a mere four home runs in 360 plate appearances in 2022. Salary: $32 million WAR: -0.5 $/WAR: $-64 mill on Grade: D 15. Chris Sale, Boston Red SoxChris Sale is another pitcher on the back-end of their contract that has had trouble staying on the field. Of the six pitchers on this list of top 20 highest-paid MLB players, everyone has had injury issues, and the only ones who are currently starting pitchers are Cole and Scherzer. Unfortunately, Sale has had bad luck in 2022. After battling back from an injury, he had a line drive hit off his finger in his second season start. Hopefully, Sale will be able to make it back by the end of the season. Salary: $30 million WAR: 0.1 $/WAR: $300 million Grade: D 16. George Springer, Toronto Blue JaysGeorge Springer was another member of the Houston Astros organization that won the World Series in 2017. Springer was the most valuable player (MVP) of the World Series. Springer turned his success will the Astros into a 6-year, $150 million contract with the Blue Jays. Springer has put together a solid season in 2022 and is helping the Blue Jays battle for a wild card spot in the playoffs. Salary: $29.6 million WAR: 2.6 $/WAR: $11.4 million Grade: B 17. Giancarlo Stanton, New York YankeesGiancarlo Stanton hits a baseball harder than almost anyone in the league. When Stanton is on the field, he is one of the best power hitters in the game. Since moving from the Miami Marlins to New York Yankees, Stanton has had some trouble staying healthy but has mostly been on the field in 2021 and 2022. The Marlins signed Stanton to a 13-year, $325 million contract before trading him to the New York Yankees. Salary: $29 million WAR: 1.1 $/WAR: $26.4 million Grade: C 17. Jose Altuve, Houston AstrosJose Altuve is the third member of the 2017 Houston Astros World Series team on this list and the only of the three that the Astros were able to lock up to a long-term deal. Altuve spent ten years with the Astros, leading the MLB in hits in four of those seasons. Altuve has maintained a near .900 OPS in 2022, helping to lead the Astros to one of the best baseball records. He is one of the few players on this list that is delivering on a big contract after the first couple of years. Salary: $29 million WAR: 3.5 $/WAR: $8.3 million Grade: A 19. Bryce Harper, Philadelphia PhilliesBryce Harper was touted as a once-in-a-generation talent as he started getting recognition as a teenager in high school. Before breaking his thumb this season, Harper was putting together an impressive 2022 campaign. Harper played his first seven seasons with the Washington Nationals, leaving for free agency the year before the Nationals won a World Series. With the Phillies in the running for a wild card playoff spot, could this be the year that Harper finds the postseason success that is missing from his impressive baseball resume? Salary: $27.5 million WAR: 2.6 $/WAR: 10.6 Grade: B 20. Freddie Freeman, Los Angeles DodgersFreddie Freeman is a hitting machine. After helping the Atlanta Braves win a World Series in 2021, Freeman seemingly regrettably left the Braves for Hollywood. However, Freeman hasn’t missed a beat, leading the first-place Dodgers while leading the league in hits and doubles in 2022. The Dodgers are poised to go on a deep post-season run and could meet up with Freeman’s former Braves team at some point. Salary: $27 million WAR: 4.5 $/WAR: $6 million Grade: A Summary of Highest-Paid MLB PlayersAfter reviewing the success and failures of the top 20 highest-paid MLB players, one key theme emerges. The players with A and B grades are almost all early into their long-term contracts. Whereas many D-graded players are on the back-end of their contracts and have battled injuries as they have gotten older. The lesson for MLB general managers is to know that you’ll get the best of your star players in the first few years of their contract. Eventually, age and injuries tend to catch up with players, and the back half of contracts don’t always look as good. That doesn’t mean a player’s long contract is a bust; it might just mean they are not delivering value in 2022. All salary information in this post is courtesy of Spotrac, and all other baseball-related statistics are courtesy of Baseball Reference. This article originally appeared on Wealth of Geeks. Via https://mylifeiguess.com/highest-paid-mlb-players/ Before COVID, many people dreamed of working from home. Then during the pandemic, 71% of workers whose jobs allowed them to work remotely were forced to set up a workspace at home. Even after workplaces reopened, working from home at least part of the time is still a reality for 59% of this cohort, according to Pew Research. But working from home is not the walk-in-the-park many imagine it to be. There are still deadlines that need to be met, quotas to fill, and customers to please. Burnout happens at home too. If you want to avoid burnout, you must understand it first. Read on to find out how to identify and cope with burnout to get your physical, mental, and emotional well-being back on track. What is Burnout?Although not technically a medical diagnosis, burnout can affect your overall health and wellness. The World Health Organization refers to burnout as an” occupational phenomenon” in the ICD-11 (11th Revision of the International Classification of Diseases). The ICD-11 describes burnout as “resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. It is characterized by three dimensions:
In short, burnout is when you are constantly stressed to the point that you feel tired, don’t care about your work, complain about your job, and your work performance is suffering. Now that you know what burnout is, here are the signs and symptoms someone can experience when burned out. Related: Free (or Affordable) Mental Health Resources & Crisis Support Signs and Symptoms of BurnoutBurnout creeps up on you since it results from built-up unresolved chronic stress. While the risk is higher for some occupations, anyone can experience burnout. The symptoms can resemble other serious mental health problems, such as depression. Here are the telltale signs: FatigueBurnout can cause you to feel physically and emotionally exhausted. You may feel like you lack energy and want to sleep more than usual. But constantly feeling tired (more than normal) can also signify other medical problems. So be sure to talk to your doctor if you feel tired for an extended period of time. InsomniaIf you are having a hard time falling asleep or frequently waking up during the night, you could be experiencing a symptom of burnout. The inability to fall asleep because your stress levels are through the roof is common when becoming burned out. Dreading the following day’s workload may deprive you of much-needed sleep, which exacerbates the problem. Feelings of NegativityAnother symptom of burnout is feeling cynical toward your boss or employer and thinking negatively about your job. Pessimism is a characteristic that your coworker may call you out on. You may feel irritable and grumpy, causing isolation from others. Supervisors may notice job performance indifference and an overall poor attitude from burned-out employees. Lack of MotivationLoss of motivation and no longer caring about your work is another indicator of job burnout. Feelings of hopelessness and sadness about your job situation can lead to you being overwhelmed by your workload. In addition, a lack of motivation and a sense of being overworked can lead to high anxiety levels. Related: I Hate My Job! The Best Ways to Cope Until You Can Quit Feeling Unwell | Physical AilmentsBurnout takes a toll on your physical health too. Possible physiologic implications of burnout include headache, gastrointestinal issues, high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease. In addition, burnout can lead to general malaise, fatigue, and frequent colds due to lowered immunity. Decreased Job PerformanceBurnout affects your overall job performance and productivity. You may feel overwhelmed by your workload and mentally drained. As a result, your manager may notice poor communication, decreased efficiency, and a decline in the quality of your work. In addition, mental exhaustion causes you to feel dissatisfaction with your job and career, making you dream about quitting. How to Recover from BurnoutProlonged stress leads to burnout, absenteeism, and the desire to quit. However, it is possible to recover from burnout. The first step is to acknowledge the problem. Once you realize your symptoms are caused by work-related stress, you can take action to rectify the situation. Here are some tips to start down the road to a full recovery from burnout. Identify Your Source of StressThere are many aspects of a job that can cause you unnecessary stress. Understanding where your anxiety stems from is critical so you can address it. Is your boss a micromanager? Is your workload too heavy? Are you putting in way more work hours during the year than usual? Or maybe it is all of these things. Once you determine where the epicenter of your stress lies, you can identify the conversations you need to have to nip it in the bud. Manage Your StressWorking on your stress reduction techniques is crucial to recovering from burnout. Learning to cope with job-related stress is imperative to thrive in any working environment. Learning effective stress management techniques can help you in other aspects of your life. Here are different ways to manage stress to help you recover from burnout.
Take a Leave of Absence or VacationTaking time off to relax and recenter yourself may be necessary if your burnout is severe. Plan a vacation and don’t hesitate to use the paid time off you have accumulated. If your employer allows, a leave of absence could be just what you need to recover from burnout. Talk to a TherapistSeeking assistance from a licensed therapist or counselor can help you recover from burnout. Professional services can help you to reorganize your thoughts and ditch the negativity. In addition, talking one-on-one with someone that understands what you are going through can give you the support you need to overcome burnout and alleviate your symptoms. Establish a Support SystemAside from getting professional assistance, it is vital to have a robust support system of trusted friends, family, or colleagues. This network can provide you with feedback to help you identify when your symptoms are getting worse, based on your mood and energy levels. You can also look for support groups in your local community to help you recover from burnout. Look for a New JobSometimes jobs have too many stressors, making it nearly impossible to overcome burnout. If your job is not a good fit for your personality, you may be in a state of constant stress and unable to find relief, even with stress reduction techniques. When this occurs, a different job may be the only option to reduce stress and alleviate psychosomatic disorders. Sometimes finding a new job may mean a reduction in pay. However, you’ll have to decide what’s more important, your physical health and state of mind, or your current annual salary. How to Prevent BurnoutBurnout grows out of workplace stress, which means any method of keeping your stress levels down will help you avoid burnout. Here are ways to prevent stress from building up while working at home or in the office, so you feel happier and healthier. Learn Your Stress SymptomsEveryone reacts to stress differently. Recognizing your individual responses to pressure is key. Early detection is vital in getting your stress under wraps before it gets out of hand. Use Workplace Coping StrategiesStressful situations can emerge in any work environment. Therefore coping with stress is a life skill you will want to master to overcome daily workplace stressors. Try one or all of these techniques to help keep stress levels low throughout the day. Don’t Procrastinate, PrioritizePay attention to encroaching deadlines and get a jump start on important assignments so you don’t have to work under pressure later. Identify the time of day you are in your sharpest and most productive frame of mind and focus on the work that takes precedence during that time. Use a To-Do ListWhen your workload is out of hand, try making a to-do list of what you need to have completed in order of importance. Finish each item before moving to the next task, and be sure to cross it off the list. Seeing your accomplishments on paper will keep you motivated and the work flowing. Avoid distractions, such as reading emails and texts, to keep your workflow going. Take a BreakIf you start to feel stressed, sometimes taking a short break is perfect for recentering yourself. Get up, take a walk, go outside, or grab a snack or drink for a few minutes to avoid more pressure build-up. Even five quick minutes of exercising can help reset your mind and calm your emotions, making you more productive when you resume. Relaxation TechniquesRelaxation techniques are excellent for reducing stress in the workplace. There are many you can do even while sitting at your desk. Try deep breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, visualization, and meditation, aromatherapy, chair yoga, or massage. Find those relaxation techniques you respond best to and leverage them to reduce your anxiety at work. Know When to Log OffHaving a home office makes it easy to put in long hours since you don’t have a commute at the end of your workday. However, limiting your daily hours to your employer’s requirements is critical for preventing burnout. If you tend to get lost in your work, set a timer to go off when it’s time to quit for the day. Log off and shut down your computer to avoid the temptation to keep working. Address Your Work-Life BalanceHaving a healthy work-life balance is crucial for avoiding burnout. Learning how to say no to overtime or weekend work when it isn’t required is a good first step to living a balanced lifestyle. Saying no to making extra money may not be easy, especially when finances are tight. But enjoying quality time with your friends and family instead of working can help diminish your negativity about your job and help you realize there are other more important things in life. In SummaryWhether you work from home or head to the office, everyone is at risk for job burnout. Understanding the causes of stress in your work environment is crucial to preventing and recovering from burnout. Employ your favorite coping strategies to keep a healthy mind and body to stay productive when on the job. This article originally appeared on My Work From Home Money. Via https://mylifeiguess.com/work-from-home-job-burnout/ Grocery delivery service is becoming more popular. Enter your grocery list online, and the grocery delivery service will take care of the rest. Not only is it convenient, but it can also save you money. Why Choose Grocery Delivery?Grocery delivery services gained popularity through the pandemic. Many realized they loved the convenience and have continued using this service despite the fees attached. Grocery Delivery Saves TimeEveryone is busy with homes, jobs, and families. Our time is better spent watching our kids play soccer or working that side hustle. Convenience MattersThere are many reasons why grocery delivery is becoming popular. You don’t have to go to the grocery store and fight through crowds. You can sit back and relax. Are Grocery Delivery Services More Expensive?One common concern about grocery delivery services is that they may be more expensive than traditional grocery stores. However, this is not always the case. With grocery delivery, you don’t have to worry about impulse buying or overspending on items you don’t need. You can order the things you need and stick to them. That can help you stay within your budget and save money in the long run. Grocery delivery services can often be cheaper than in-person grocery shopping. How To Save Money With Grocery Delivery ServicesThe cost of everything is on the rise. Even with a delivery fee, people are opting for grocery delivery. It’s no longer for the wealthy and allows you to become more efficient with your time. Here are ten ways that you can grab cheap food and save money with the best grocery delivery service: 1. Plan Your MealsWhen you grocery shop in person, it’s easy to impulse buy items that you don’t need. However, when you take the time to plan out all your meals and snacks for the week (or two weeks), then you know what you need. Impulse shopping can quickly add up and blow your budget. Planning cheap meals based on sale prices will reduce grocery costs. Consider taking stock of your pantry to ensure you haven’t run out of backups and staples. Try to reduce food waste. The more food you eat, the less you have to purchase. Meal planning will help you only order the items you need, saving you money in the long run. 2. Make A ListAnother way to save money with grocery delivery is to make a list before you start shopping. You can make this list in the grocery store app or on a piece of paper. It’s easier to stick to the items you need. You’re less likely to impulse buy when you know what you need. 3. Use CouponsMany grocery stores offer online coupons. Unfortunately, traditional paper coupons aren’t allowed, but most stores have stepped up their digital coupon game. Remember to check your store’s app for additional discounts when choosing grocery delivery. 4. Avoid Missing ItemsMissing items are a huge issue with online ordering of any type. If you’re trying to save money by having food delivered weekly, going to the store for missing items defeats the purpose. Allowing for substitutions will help when your objective is to avoid impulse purchases. 5. Refer Family and FriendsInstacart allows you to refer family and friends and offer them a $10 credit for their first order. You will then get $10 off your order, too. Walmart has the same, and Fresh Direct will give you $25. Related: 45 Easy Tips to Save More Money at Walmart 6. Know The DisadvantagesThere are always disadvantages to having someone else do the shopping for you—the risks of fuzzy blueberries or extra large ketchup bottles. Delivery is for you if you’re not a micro-manager and can get past the inconsistencies. Or, if the risk outweighs the work, online grocery delivery is a great way to go. 7. Stock UpConsider stretching your weekly grocery deliveries to two weeks or even once a month to minimize any delivery fees you might encounter. Stack your pantry with discount items, so staples are at your fingertips. Know when things go on sale and maximize your deliveries. 8. Be FlexibleIt’s almost inevitable that your store will be out of something you want. To avoid not having bread and having to physically walk into the store after delivery, be flexible with the type of bread you want. Consider making notes on each item, like “any wheat bread is ok.” This way, your shopper has guidelines to follow. 9. Consider A MembershipMany stores are now offering a yearly fee for grocery delivery. You get free shipping, a discount on gas, and unlimited free grocery deliveries. Walmart+ provides a free 30-day trial and $98 for the year. Instacart, the largest online grocery service provider, offers a membership for $99 a year, and if you have an Amazon Prime membership, you can get free Whole Foods Market deliveries. Peapod from Stop & Shop and Giant grocery chains offer delivery for less than $7. 10. Look For Free TrialsTake advantage of discounts and promotions. Many grocery delivery services offer discounts for first-time users or referrals. You can also often find promo codes that you can use to save even more money. FreshDirect is an online-only grocery store specializing in fresh food from farms, fishers, and artisans. Their selection tends towards more expensive items. However, some staple staples are available at reasonable prices, too! They’ve been a big player for years within the New York City area but recently expanded into new markets, including Washington DC, Philadelphia, New Jersey, and Connecticut. Try Grocery Pickup Instead Of DeliverySkipping the delivery is one way to save a few dollars. An alternative would be free grocery pickup. Most grocery stores, big box stores, and department stores offer curbside delivery. Curbside delivery means you order your needs online and call when you get to the store or use the app to let them know you’ve arrived. The store employee will bring your purchases to your car and load them. This way, you can still decrease your chances of impulse shopping. Easy enough to grab your groceries on the way home from work or while running errands. Final ThoughtsGrocery delivery services are a great way to get the groceries you need without leaving your house. With some planning, you can save money and time by using a grocery delivery service. Following these tips can save money on your monthly grocery bill. This article originally appeared on Wealth of Geeks. Via https://mylifeiguess.com/grocery-delivery-services/ Are you thinking about investing in index funds? You may have heard about the popularity of this type of investment. Now you want to know about the best index funds in the market. An index fund is a type of investment that tracks a specific index, allowing people to pool their money and then invest it in various securities, such as the S&P 500 or the Dow Jones Industrial Average. Index funds are passive investments, which means they aim to track the performance of the underlying index. Many investors go for index funds since they offer lower risk and greater diversification at a low cost. This article provides a short overview and a list of the top index funds you could add to your portfolio. Why Invest in Index Funds?Index funds offer several advantages to investors:
These advantages make index funds an attractive option for investors looking to keep things simple or want to avoid high fees. Index Funds vs. Managed FundsBoth have pros and cons, so evaluating the difference is critical before making a final decision. Index funds track a specific index; the S&P 500, for instance. Therefore, they require less time and effort to maintain than actively managed funds. With an actively managed fund, the fund manager constantly buys and sells to try and outperform the market. As a result, index funds tend to contain lower fees than actively managed funds. These managed funds can offer the potential for higher returns if the fund manager is successful. But there’s also a higher probability of losses associated with it, and fees are typically higher. If you’re looking for the potential for high returns with a higher risk, then an actively managed fund may be a good choice. But if you’re more focused on preserving capital and building wealth, then an index fund may be a better option. How Do Index Funds Work?Index funds are typically structured as mutual or exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Both index funds aim to track the performance of a specific index, but they differ in a few key ways. Typically, mutual funds are administered by fund managers who buy and sell stocks to track the underlying index. ETFs, on the contrary, are passively managed and targeted to replicate the index’s performance. Both types of index funds have their benefits and drawbacks. For example, mutual funds relatively impose higher fees than ETFs. But ETFs can be more difficult to trade and may be subject to greater market volatility. 15 Best Index FundsThese index funds offer exposure to different segments of the US stock market and can be used to construct a diversified portfolio. Choose one or more of these funds to include in your portfolio, depending on your investment objectives and risk tolerance. 1. Vanguard S&P 500 Index FundVOO tracks the S&P 500 index and has an expense ratio of 0.03%, and it has returned an average of 11.8% per year over the past ten years. 2. SPDR S&P 500 ETFSPY tracks the S&P 500 index with an expense ratio of 0.09%. It is the largest US ETF, with over $300 billion in assets. When you’re looking for a similar fund with another investment company, FXAIX is a Fidelity fund that may be the right choice for you. SPY and FXAIX are funds that track the same index and offer low fees. 3. Vanguard Total Stock Market Index FundVTSAX tracks the MSCI US Broad Market Index, which includes all US stocks. The fund has an expense ratio of 0.04% and has returned an average of 13.4% per year over the past ten years. 4. Vanguard Russell 2000 ETFVTWO tracks stocks in the Russell 2000 Index, mainly made up of stocks of small US companies. It has a 0.01% expense ratio. 5. Fidelity Total Market Index FundFSKAX currently has the lowest index funds expense ratio at 0.015%. It tracks the Dow Jones US Total Stock Market Index. FSKAX is similar to FZROX, another Fidelity total stock market fund. FSKAX and FZROX are diversified funds with extremely low costs; FZROX even offers zero fees. 6. Vanguard 500 Index FundThe VFIAX tracks the S&P 500, a general benchmark for the stock market. It’s a good option for investors who want to diversify their portfolios and get exposure to various companies. It has an expense ratio of 0.04%. 7. Schwab S&P 500 Index FundThe SWPPX fund tracks the S&P 500 and has a low fee of 0.02%. That makes it a good choice for investors who want to keep their costs down. 8. iShares Core S&P 500 ETFIVV is an iShares fund that tracks the S&P 500 and is one of the most popular index funds in the market. It’s a good choice for investors who want a simple, low-cost way to invest in the stock market. If you want a similar fund with another company, VOO is a fund by Vanguard that may be the right choice. IVV and VOO are funds that track the same index and offer low fees. 9. Vanguard Total Stock Market Index FundThe VTSMX tracks the performance of the entire stock market, which can provide more diversification than a fund that only tracks the S&P 500. At a 0.14% expense rate, it’s a popular option to have exposure to the total stock market. 10. Schwab Total Stock Market Index FundSWTSX tracks the performance of the entire stock market, but it has lower fees than most at 0.03% expense ratio. 11. iShares Core Total US Stock Market ETFITOT tracks the MSCI US Broad Market Index and has an expense ratio of 0.03%. It is one of the cheapest and biggest US ETFs, with over $20 billion in assets. This ETF tracks the performance of the entire US stock market and can be a good choice for investors who want broad diversification. When you want a fund similar to ITOT but with another investment company, VTI is a fund with Vanguard that may be something to look into. ITOT and VTI are total market ETFs that focus on the US market and have very low costs. 12. Vanguard S&P 500 Growth Index FundThe VOOG tracks the S&P 500 Growth Index, which includes companies expected to grow faster than the overall market. It’s a good choice for investors who want to focus on growth stocks. 13. Schwab US Large-Cap Growth Index FundSWLGX tracks the Russell 1000® Growth Index, which includes more companies than the S&P 500. With a fee of 0.035%, your total investment costs will be on the lower side. 14. iShares S&P 500 Growth ETFIVW tracks the S&P 500 Growth Index and is an excellent choice for investors who gravitate more toward growth stocks. 15. Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index FundVDAIX tracks the Dividend Achievers Index, which includes companies with a history of paying dividends. As a result, it’s an ideal choice for investors who are more inclined toward income-producing stocks. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Best Index FundsWhat Index Fund Has the Highest Return?When picking the index fund with the highest return, there is no easy answer. However, there are a couple of things investors should consider when making this decision. First, it is imperative to remember that past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results. Second, fees and expenses can significantly impact returns, so it is important to compare these factors before making a final decision. Finally, it is also important to consider your individual investment goals and risk tolerance when choosing an index fund. What Is the Rate of Return on Index Funds?The rate of return on index funds is how much your money grows annually. The rate of return on index funds will vary depending on the specific fund and the market conditions at the time. However, over the long term, index funds have tended to outperform actively managed funds. Additionally, index funds typically have lower fees than actively managed funds, contributing to higher returns. Are S&P 500 Index Funds a Good Investment?S&P 500 index funds are a type of mutual fund with a portfolio constructed to match or track the components of the S&P 500 Index, an American stock market index. The advantage of investing in an S&P 500 index fund is that it offers investors broad exposure to large-cap US stocks in a single investment. Additionally, because the S&P 500 index is highly diversified, it can help to reduce risk. However, it is important to remember that index funds do not offer guaranteed returns, and their performance will depend on the performance of the underlying index. For these reasons, S&P 500 index funds can be a good investment for long-term investors seeking diversification and potential capital appreciation. Conclusion – Best Index FundsThe list of options can be considered the best index funds currently available in the market. These funds are good choices, especially for passive investors looking for a long-term investment. Investing in one (or more) of these will allow you to spend less time choosing stocks and diversify your portfolio while spreading the risk, generally at a lower cost. Before investing your hard-earned money, do more thorough research on the companies and funds, picking the best one that suits your investment goals and preferences. This post originally appeared on Hello Sensible. Via https://mylifeiguess.com/best-index-funds/ As the most prominent media franchise of all time, Pokémon is worth an incredible $92.121 billion. It all began in 1996 when Satoshi Tajiri created the first video game of the franchise: Pocket Monsters: Red and Green, for Japanese audiences. Over the next fifteen years, Pokémon became a multi-media franchise, setting records with each installment. The widely successful video game series sparked the creation of a Pokémon TV series with over one thousand episodes. On top of that, the Pokémon Trading Card Game is the most popular Collectible Card Game (CCG) worldwide. Do you remember the good ol’ days when you’d stop in a toy shop with your parents and beg them for a pack of Pokémon cards to collect and trade with your friends? In the late 90s and early 2000s, one pack of those cards cost less than $2. Today, unopened packs can be worth hundreds of dollars, and some rare single cards can go for any price between $30 to $200,000! If you were a Pokémon fiend back in the day, you might want to scourage through your parents’ basement to find your long-lost collection. Who knows—maybe you’re sitting on a rare Charizard that could cover the rent this month! The Pokémon Collecting CrazeMedia Factory introduced Pokémon cards to the Japanese Market in 1996. It took three more years until their release in North America. From 1999 to 2003, Wizards of the Coast owned the license for the game. In mid-2003, they handed over the license to Pokémon Company International. Pokémon cards boasted widespread popularity ever since their initial release. But in mid-2020, at the pandemic’s height, fans of the franchise used their free time to reengage with their childhood hobby. A massive surge in popularity followed, boosting the value of increasingly rare cards. Because Wizards of the Coast only produced the cards between 1999 to 2003, these sets are limited. The most valuable of these early cards come from the 1st Edition Base Set, followed by Shadowless and Unlimited sets. A few factors impact the actual amount of money you can make selling your old Pokémon cards. The most valuable cards are, of course, in pristine condition and come from an exclusive set. It helps if they have received an excellent grade from a professional third-party grading service. On top of that, you must have the business and marketing skills to connect with the right buyers, avoid scammers, and present your products professionally. We’ll cover everything you need to know to turn Pokémon card flipping into a side hustle a little later on. First, let’s fantasize about your earning potential by gaping at the top five most expensive Pokémon cards to date. These Pokémon cards sold for crazy prices at auctions held by serious collectors. While it’s possible to make a profit flipping Pokémon cards, don’t go into it expecting to stumble upon a card worth $300,000. The number of Pokémon cards out there worth $1 or less vastly outnumber those worth even $500. 5: Kangaskhan Family Event Trophy: $150,100The Kangaskhan Family Event Trophy card sold for over $150,000 at an auction in October 2020. This card is so limited in quantity that its value is off the charts. The company gave this exclusive Pokémon card to a select few who competed and won events at the 1998 live ‘parent and child team’ Mega Battle in Japan. 4: Wizards Of The Coast Blastoise Prototype: $360,000In 1998, Wizards of the Coast wooed Nintendo in an attempt to land the Pokémon Card Trading Game licensing deal for the North American market. They produced a series of Pokémon card prototypes to display to the Pokémon Company’s executives. One of these prototypes features Blastoise, a central figure in the Pokémon Blue game. The prototype only has an image on the front because its creators never intended to distribute it for sale. Wizards of the Coast only made two copies of this prototype, which has blasted its value even higher. It went to auction in January of 2021 and sold for $360,000. 3: 1st Edition Charizard, Holographic: $369,000Not only is this Holographic Charizard Pokémon card from the revered 1st Edition Set. The Sportscard Guaranty Corporation (SGC), one of the most trusted third-party card grading services, also rated it and gave it the highest possible condition rating: SGC Gold Label Pristine 10. A rare card in such good condition is even more unique. Plus, everyone loves Charizard! In December of 2020, this card sold for $369,000. 2: Base Set Shadowless 1st Edition Charizard: $420,000Charizard cards are generally more sought after than others, and it’s been this way since 1999. That’s one reason why this Base Set Charizard card from 1999 is so valuable today. At the PWCC Auction in March of 2020, the card sold for a record-breaking $420,000. However, a few months later, another card would swoop in and grab the World Record title. 1: Pikachu Illustrator: $5,275,000The Pikachu Illustrator cards were a prize for winners of the 1998 Pokémon Illustrator Artist Contest held by the CoroCoro Comic magazine. Twenty-three initial winners received the Pikachu Illustrator card as a prize, followed by sixteen winners the following year. The company never produced the card again, and only a few mint-condition Pikachu Illustrator cards exist today. The other thing that makes this card so valuable is the Pikachu design; the original Pikachu designer, Atsuko Nishida himself, created it. In 2022, one of these rare cards went up for sale at the Goldin Memorabilia Auctions. It sold for a whopping $900,000. But that’s not the end of the story. A few months later, YouTuber Logan Paul announced that he purchased the only PSA 10 Pikachu Illustrator from Marwan Dubsy in Dubai. He spent $5,275,000 on this exclusive card, earning him the Guinness World Record for the most expensive Pokémon trading card sold at a private sale. How to Find a Pokémon Card’s ValueMany factors contribute to the value of a Pokémon card. To ensure you’re not sitting on a rare card worth thousands of dollars, you’ll need to know how to figure out each card’s worth. Let’s get into it. Pokémon Card RarityFirst, determine how rare the card is. There are multiple steps to this part of the process, all of which you can complete by examining the card closely and accessing the internet. 1: Determine the Card’s SetFiguring out the set the card originated from helps you separate your cards into piles of high-value sets and lower-value sets. Typically, the older the set, the higher the value. Type the card’s name into your favorite search engine and the card number in the bottom right-hand corner. The internet will do the rest! 2: Examine the Card’s Rarity SymbolEach Pokémon card is marked with a symbol to display its rarity level to players. Sorting your cards by rarity is a great way to filter out the less valuable cards from your collection. You can find the card’s rarity symbol in the bottom right corner, which is typically slightly above the card number.
3: Check for a ShadowPokémon card collectors know that “Shadowless” cards are more valuable than those with a shadow because these were produced in limited quantities by Wizards of the Coast. Take a look at the image of the Pokémon on the card. If it has a drop shadow behind it, it’s not a Shadowless card. You may have a valuable card if there is no visible shadow. 4: When Was It Made?Generally, Wizards of the Coast cards from 1999 and 2000 are the most valuable Pokémon cards. Luckily, there’s a simple way for you to figure out whether or not your card is from this entire period. Take a look at the very bottom of the card, slightly to the left of the card number. If it says “Wizards of the Coast” or “1999-2000 Wizards,” this card could be worth some money. Pokémon Card ConditionThe best way to determine a card’s condition is to send it off to a third-party grading service. However, those services typically charge a hefty fee, so it’s only worthwhile to rely on them for cards you know will bring in the big bucks. You can also evaluate the condition yourself if you follow these guidelines: Standard Card Grading Terminology
How Expensive Is This Pokémon Card?You’ve sorted your Pokémon cards into piles, and you now have a good sense of which ones are worth a cent and which could bring in a nice chunk of change. The last step is to determine just how much your Pokémon cards are selling for today. Examine Current Prices OnlineWhile you’ll typically find the Pokémon cards worth hundreds of thousands of dollars for sale at auctions, you can find plenty of cards worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars online. Visit online sales platforms like:
Then use the search function to determine your card’s current monetary value. Look through multiple listings on multiple sites to get a good idea of the card’s average price. Pay attention not just to price, but also the highest price that actually sold. Sending it to a Card Grading ServiceSuppose you want to get a professional opinion on the value of your card. In that case, you can send it to a third-party grading service. Take a look at the list of the most valuable Pokémon cards above. You’ll see that they received excellent grades from agencies like PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator) and SGC (Sportscard Guaranty Corporation). An exceptional rate from a grading service can increase the value dramatically. However, these services are expensive. Depending on the value of the card and the grading service you choose, the prices can range from fifty to five-hundred dollars. So when selecting the cards you want to send for authentication, tread carefully. Selling Pokémon Cards as a Side HustleFlipping Pokémon cards takes a ton of time and can be risky. However, this side hustle can be super profitable if you’re dedicated, organized, and business savvy. Collecting the Pokémon CardsYou may already have a collection of Pokémon cards on your hands. Still, to sustain your side hustle, you’ll probably need to invest in some Pokémon cards to sell later at a higher price. Hunting for the best deals can be tricky if you don’t know some essential best practices for investing in Pokémon cards. Set Broad Search FiltersNo matter what online platform you’re browsing, it’s a good idea to set broad search filters to snag valuable cards at lower prices. When most people search online for Pokémon cards, they’ll type in precisely what they want. Few people will be interested in these cards because the algorithm can’t include them in the buyer’s search. Sometimes, the person who posted the card on eBay doesn’t properly tag the item or misspells something in the title. If you cast a wider net, you’ll catch more fish. You’ll probably have to sort through a long list to find the good ones, but this technique can help you snag a card that would otherwise be priced much higher. Shop AroundDon’t limit your search to one platform. Sellers often cross-post the same card on online platforms like eBay and Mercari, and sometimes the price is lower on one platform than another. You can find Pokémon cards in pawn shops, estate sales, specialized Facebook groups, and Craigslist. Widen your search, and you’ll find a better selection. The High-Quality Photo RuleIf you’re buying Pokémon cards online, you must ensure the seller posts many high-quality photos. That way, you can examine the card to get a sense of the condition and reassurance that the card is authentic. Be Wary of Scammers and FakesUnfortunately, Pokémon scammers are out there, and it’s essential to be careful. Watch out for fake Pokémon cards, cards that arrive in worse condition than advertised, and sellers who promise to send you a card and never do. Always go through the proper payment channels, and don’t be afraid to ask for more photos. Selling Your Pokémon CardsNow for the fun part: selling the cards and making money. Many of the strategies for selling Pokémon cards parallel the tricks for buying. Search Engine Optimization (SEO)Suppose you learn the basics of each online marketplace’s SEO guidelines. Use the right keywords, post a great thumbnail, and promote your listings in other ways. This way, your cards will get in front of more potential buyers. High-Quality PhotosAs we already noted, high-quality photos encourage people to purchase a particular card. So it’s a no-brainer that you’d take a wide variety of great images of each card. Posting high-quality photos on your listing can increase the card’s value because it ensures that your buyers trust you. Sell Cards on Multiple PlatformsTo sell more cards in a shorter period, it helps if you at least try posting your listings on a few different platforms. Find the right balance for you – adding too many can be overwhelming. You can even cross-post the same card on multiple sites and keep track of which help you bring in the highest profit. Be Wary of Buyer ScamsBuyers scam sellers just as much as sellers can scam buyers. On top of that, platforms like Mercari take the buyer’s side in a dispute more often than not. To protect yourself, only accept money through the proper channels when you sell through online marketplaces. If you’re meeting in person, don’t take anything but cash. Make sure to document each item and sale intricately in text and photos. That way, if a buyer destroys the card and claims that you sent it in poor condition, you have proof of their scam. The joy of playing the Pokémon Card Trading Game with friends as a kid is unlike any other. If you’re an adult who misses your old hobby, perhaps it’s time to get back in the saddle. Collecting Pokémon cards is time-consuming, let alone flipping them for profit. However, reigniting your childhood passion in a new way may be just the activity for you. This article originally appeared on Wealth of Geeks. Photo by Caleb Oquendo. Via https://mylifeiguess.com/pokemon-card-value/ What if I told you that people use certain tools to make them much more successful than most people around them? We all love technology, don’t we? It is fun and often useful, and it seems like there’s a technological advancement out there for just about any task imaginable. But, not all tech is created equal. And every once in a while, the old fashion way can be better. Here are five tools that will set you apart from virtually everyone around you and increase your chances for success. 1. An adjustable deskI love the adjustable desk I got at Ikea. I can sit when I need to and stand when I feel a little more active. According to Healthline, standing up lowers your risk of weight gain and obesity. Using an adjustable desk in the “up” position may help reduce back pain, improve your mood, and enhance productivity. If you’ve never used an adjustable desk before, here’s a tip: Look for a desk with a motor to raise and lower the desk. Relying on a motor will make it a breeze to adjust the desk to suit your work style. Try to stand at your desk for at least a portion of the day. 2. A fitness app or step trackerGetting steps in during the day offers a variety of benefits, and not just for your physical health. Studies repeatedly show that walking helps to improve heart health and reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases. But, walking is also a fantastic way to free your mind. Walking makes us more creative because we allow our brains to wander. A little fresh air does wonders for our mindset, and those of us with a healthy mind find it easier to succeed in life. A good step tracker, such as the FitBit, is an excellent wearable device that helps encourage us to walk more and get steps. Fitness apps, such as FitBod, design workouts based on our fitness level and available equipment (i.e., barbells, resistance bands, etc.). 3. A subscription to a learning platformA wide variety of online learning platforms exist today that teach all types of subjects. Platforms such as Coursera, Udemy, LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda.com), and even YouTube contain a dizzying array of educational material about money-making topics like software development, communication, story-telling, and filmmaking. On YouTube, I took an entire college-level course on meteorology (the study of weather) for free. Online learning programs are getting better and better. Many of them track your progress through lessons. Some may even quiz you on the things learned inside the course, and you might be surprised at how many employers count these online learning platforms toward your career progress (and fitness for raises and promotions). Check Out: 30 Places to Learn New Job Skills for FREE! 4. A smartphone with a “Do Not Disturb” settingOur addiction to smartphones is making us distracted and unproductive. In the United States, most smartphone users spend an average of five to six hours a day on their phones, according to a survey. If you’re doing the math, that is nearly 3/4ths of the average workday. The vast majority of us carry a phone with us. There’s no real point in reducing the number of people who buy smartphones. It’s not going to happen. However, we become significantly more productive when putting our phones on silent or “Do Not Disturb”. Using this feature prevents notifications from distracting us from doing actual work to check our phones. Use the Do Not Disturb feature on your phone liberally. Check your phone occasionally throughout the day, but don’t let checking for notifications become an addiction. When this happens, we lose focus. We become unproductive. 5. A notebookThe vast majority of successful people I know are excellent at taking notes. And, most of them take notes the old-fashioned way. That’s right, they use a good ol’ pen and paper rather than their smartphone. Studies have shown that physically writing things down helps us remember those things better than simply typing them into a computer or phone. If you don’t have a notebook, invest in one. Take it with you everywhere you go (okay, at least carry it with you during the workweek). Not only will it let you take notes, but you might also look more professional. Notebooks signal success to a lot of people. In conclusion, the tools we use every day help us achieve our goals. Just as with building a house, using the right tool for the right job is vital, and these five tools will prepare you for success in almost anything that you do. Use them. More Career Articles
This article was produced and syndicated by Wealth of Geeks. Via https://mylifeiguess.com/tools-to-be-more-successful-than-your-peers/ There’s plenty that you probably don’t want to talk about at work. For instance, sex is front and center. But, there’s something else that you’re probably talking about every day, and it could be ruining your career. According to a survey by Monster, almost four in 10 workers regularly talk about politics in the workplace. And, 37% of survey respondents admitted to changing their opinion of a coworker based on their discussion of politics at work. Talking politics at work is dicey, at best. “After the last presidential election, some companies even needed to reach out to professional organizations to help manage their employees’ strong, sometimes volatile emotions,” wrote Monster. I worked in a variety of different types of office spaces, and cubicles (aka: “cube farms”) tend to be the worst places to talk politics. The reason is that in such an open environment, everybody overhears your conversations. It’s almost impossible not to. And, I cannot think of a single example of where talking politics at the workplace has ever helped somebody’s career. But, I can remember several instances where it hurt. People get overlooked for raises or promotions. When it came time to lay off staff, those who were the most politically vocal often got the boot first. This affects careers. It keeps people from building wealth. It could even push back your retirement due to lost wages. To me, talking about politics at the workplace has too much risk and not enough reward. Should you talk about politics at work?In general, I advise professionals to avoid talking about politics at the workplace. The biggest problem is political discussions tend to be highly emotional topics of conversations, and sometimes, emotions get the best of us. We say things that we don’t mean. We might even say something that will get us fired. And as this survey helps to reinforce, we risk alienating other coworkers when we talk politics. In addition, talking about politics at work might be against your company’s policy on workplace discussions. It’s never worth losing your job because you decided to violate your company’s policy on workplace discourse. How can we avoid talking about politics in the office?Simple. First, don’t ever bring up a topic of conversation that’s political (or could become political). Keep office conversations high level, and if you find that a conversation is becoming political, attempt to deflect the conversation. Or in some cases, just leave it. Excuse yourself. Make up a fake reason if you have to. Maybe you need to visit the restroom or talk to someone about a work-related issue. What happens if the person you’re talking to is your boss? Though you may not be able to comfortably leave without making it awkward, try not to engage as much as you can. Don’t commit to one side or the other unless you believe that your boss’s political beliefs align with yours. But even then, other coworkers might overhear your conversation. This could affect your relationship with those coworkers. If you must, talk politics on your lunch break.An easy way to avoid talking about politics inside the office is to wait for your lunch break. Take the convo outside. Extra points if you’re around like-minded coworkers who generally agree on political issues. Doing this gives you the opportunity to talk about political issues without potentially alienating your coworkers who may not share your views. If your company has a policy against political discussions at work, taking the conversation outside of the office also helps to ensure you aren’t punished or reprimanded for holding political debates inside of the office. What if you cannot avoid it?Sometimes, talking politics will be a part of the culture at your workplace. If you feel uncomfortable with it, there are a couple of things you can do. First, talk to your boss. Note that if your boss engages in these political conversations as well, it might be difficult to appeal to him or her. And in some cases, you may hurt your chances of getting promoted in the future. However, sometimes it’s worth having a conversation. You may also choose to direct your concern straight to your human resources department. However, it might be wise to give your boss an opportunity to fix the situation first if you believe they are amenable to addressing your concerns. Second, if you don’t think that things will improve at your current employer, look for another place to work. Throughout my career, I always kept tabs on opportunities at other companies even if I liked where I worked. Doing this made jumping to another company easier because I never started from scratch with my job hunt. And, this strategy is especially wise if you don’t jive well with the political culture at your current employer. In conclusion, I don’t believe it’s ever wise to hold political discussions at the office even if your company doesn’t have a policy against it. There is too much risk talking about emotionally-charged topics, and you might be surprised at what talking about politics does to people’s careers. I’ve seen it time and time again. Keep politics out of the workplace. More Career Articles
This article was produced and syndicated by Wealth of Geeks. Via https://mylifeiguess.com/politics-talking-about-it-at-work/ Investing in dividend stocks is a highly recommended way to build wealth in the long run. Not only can the price of the stock increase, but you also can receive small, regular payments, called dividends while owning these stocks. While many stocks offer a dividend, only so many will become successful, and some might lose a majority of their value. This is why investing your money in only the best dividend stocks is essential. What Are Dividend Stocks?Before diving into some of the best dividend stocks to invest in, it’s crucial to understand what they are. A dividend is payment companies make to their shareholders, who own stock in their corporation. The dividend stock label refers to those that historically have paid out reasonable dividends and maintained (or even increased) their payments yearly. The best dividend stocks are companies with an excellent track record with dividend payments, will likely not be changing course any time soon, and can serve as a source of passive income. “However, dividends are not guaranteed,” points out Danielle Miura, CFP, founder and owner of Spark Financials, a fee-only firm in Ripon, CA. “The board of directors decides whether or not to lower the dividend amount or not have a dividend at all.” What to Look for in Dividend StocksIt’s not good enough to list the best dividend stocks and never revisit them because the markets constantly shift. So what works well one year may not work another. That’s why knowing what to look for in dividend stocks is important. The first important thing to understand is that dividend stocks have a yield representing what percent of your investment you can receive as a regular payment. So, for example, if you buy a $100 dividend stock with a 5% yield and the stock price stays the same, you’ll receive $5 total in dividends for every year you own the stock. It may be an annual payment or split up into separate ones throughout the year. The higher the dividend yield, the higher the percentage of the money you should theoretically earn back from dividends. However, it’s essential to watch out for company trends as a growing company with a 3% yield will often give you far more appreciation of the stock price and total return in the long run than a shrinking company with a 5% yield. Therefore, the best dividend stocks aren’t necessarily the ones with the highest yield percentages but ones that will provide you with the most stability and total returns in the long run. Danielle Miura suggests that “if you plan to invest in dividend stocks, look for a happy medium between growth in the value of the stock and growth in the income you receive. Look for dividend stock companies with low debt to equity ratios, strong cash flow, and consistent dividend growth.” Dividend Stocks Are Long-Term InvestmentsAn important thing to remember about investing is that no matter what vehicle you choose, investing almost always works better with extended holding periods. Even the best dividend stocks can experience volatility when looking at 12 months. Though dividends provide you with some extra safety in the form of cash distributions, it’s necessary to remember that there is a chance you could lose money; selling at a low will cost you in profit. Miura emphasizes this point: “Even the most financially stable dividend stocks can have high fluctuations over short periods. Like any other individual stock investment, investors should be concerned about long-term growth, not short-term growth.” Picking from the Best Dividend Stocks: Common MistakesMaking mistakes is how people learn. However, when it comes to your finances, you’ll likely want to minimize the amount of “learning” you do with real stocks by educating yourself ahead of time. This will help prevent potential damage to your portfolio. Tunnel Vision Regarding YieldThe first common mistake people make when investing in dividend stocks is tunnel vision regarding yield. Of course, a higher dividend yield means potentially higher dividends, but there are many other important factors to consider. Certified financial planner Jonathan P. Bednar states, “Many people search for yield and buy the companies with the highest dividend yield. Sometimes the high dividend can be a red flag because they may use leverage or have a high debt to support the dividend. The long-term risk is that it may be cut to be sustainable.” Failing to Consider Tax Implications of DividendsAnother common mistake investors make is not considering the tax implications of dividends. For example, Ayad Amary from Wealth Care says, “most dividend income is taxed as ordinary income. It will add to your annual revenue, and the dividends will also get taxed at your regular income tax rate. If you are a high-income earner, you may want to consider buying dividend-paying stocks or funds in an IRA or similar retirement vehicle if possible.” Letting Emotions WinThe final most prominent mistake investors make when purchasing even the best dividend stocks is letting their emotions get the best of them. Like investing in any other vehicle, it’s crucial to keep a level head and make decisions based on facts, not feelings. 20 of the Best Dividend Stocks to Consider Adding to Your PortfolioWhile you may have heard that Johnson & Johnson is one of the best dividend stocks to own, what others exist? The list is constantly changing, but here are 20 standout candidates to consider adding to your portfolio. 1. Realty Income (O)
Realty Income Corporation is a real estate investment trust that acquires single-tenant commercial buildings. They specialize in triple net lease investments and consistently offer a solid dividend and high appreciation. 2. MPLX LP (MPLX)
MPLX LP is a network of energy companies focusing on infrastructure and logistics assets. They own many oil and gas collection systems and offer an extremely high yield on their stock. 3. Magellan Midstream Partners LP (MMP)
Based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Magellan Midstream Partners LP is a partnership that owns ammonia and petroleum pipelines. They primarily transport, distribute, and store petroleum products and have offered over 20 years of impressive returns. 4. Hanesbrands Inc. (HBI)
Hanesbrands is a multinational clothing company based in North Carolina that employs over 60,000 people worldwide. They are known for their comfortable, high-quality, and affordable clothing. 5. Walmart
Walmart is an international company that operates thousands of retail stores across the globe. Though its dividend yield is lower than other dividend stocks, Walmart has offered consistent returns through capital gains throughout the year and has a solid payout ratio. 6. Federal Realty Investment Trust
Federal Realty Investment Trust is a real estate investment company that invests in shopping centers and mixed-use neighborhoods in the Northeastern US, the Mid-Atlantic states, California, and South Florida. 7. Church & Dwight
Church and Dwight is a large manufacturing and consumer product goods company headquartered in Ewing, New Jersey. Church and Dwight are best known for their Arm & Hammer products, including baking soda, laundry detergent, and toothpaste. 8. West Pharmaceutical Services
West Pharmaceutical Services is a leading manufacturer of pharmaceutical packaging services and delivery systems with over 10,000 employees worldwide. The company helps to ensure the safety of life-saving and life-enhancing medicines for patients. 9. Walker & Dunlop, Inc.
Walker and Dunlop provide financing services for individuals and corporations who invest in commercial real estate. They are based in Bethesda, Maryland, and provide loans out of 38 offices in the United States. 10. Brookfield Renewable Partners
Being majority owned by Brookfield Asset Management, Brookfield Renewable Partners owns and operates renewable power and energy assets. Their portfolio consists of hydroelectric, solar, wind, and storage facilities all over the world. 11. Enbridge Inc.
Enbridge is a major energy infrastructure company in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They own pipelines across North America that transport crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids. They have some of the most effective pipeline systems in North America. 12. STAG Industrial (STAG)
STAG Industrial is a real estate investment trust focusing on acquiring and operating industrial properties in the United States. 13. AGNC Investment (AGNC)
Founded in the financial crisis, AGNC Investment Corp is a REIT that invests in agency residential mortgage-backed securities on a leveraged basis. 14. Altria Group (MO)
Altria Group is one of the largest tobacco companies in the world, producing and marketing cigarettes and related products. 15. Big Lots (BIG)
Big Lots is a retail company offering consumers savings on household essentials, storage units, and snack items. 16. General Dynamics (GD)
General Dynamics is an American aerospace and defense company noted as the sixth-largest defense contractor in the world. 17. Franklin Resources
Better known as Franklin Templeton, Franklin Resources is one of the largest investment managers in the world. 18. Automatic Data Processing
Also known as ADP, Automatic Data Processing is a leading provider of online payroll and HR solutions, plus tax, compliance, and benefits administration. 19. PepsiCo
PepsiCo is a multinational food, beverage, and snack corporation that oversees all its products’ manufacturing, distribution, and marketing. 20. Abbott Laboratories
Abbott Laboratories is one of the largest healthcare companies in the world. They specialize in creating technologies to extend lives and offer comprehensive information and medicines in the healthcare space. The Best Dividend Stocks to ConsiderRemember, it’s essential to do your research to find companies that consistently offer growing dividend payouts and have strong business fundamentals so that they will be a money-making vehicle year after year. This post originally appeared on Savoteur. Via https://mylifeiguess.com/best-dividend-stocks/ The pandemic has forced many of us to take a good, hard look at our lives and careers. And if you’re like many people, you’re re-considering working full-time until 65. A whopping 77% of American workers have experienced burnout working a full-time job. And more than eight in 10 workers from the same study said that burnout at work negatively impacts their personal relationships. In other words, working jobs that consume our lives can have devastating impacts, both inside and outside of the office. It’s no wonder that more and more Americans are considering part-time work. For others, retirement just isn’t in the cards yet. As inflation eats away at our spending power, worries over how long our money and investments will last are a growing concern, especially toward the end of our careers. If you are considering switching to a part-time job, here’s what you need to know. Working part-time impacts Social SecurityYour social security benefits could be negatively impacted by working less during your career. Currently, social security benefits can be taken at age 62. However, working part-time instead of retiring means you’re earning more money in your career. This extra money could make it possible to delay social security payments, which increases the amount of your monthly check when you start taking benefits. Talk to a financial planner if you are unsure how part-time work will affect your social security. Note that your benefits won’t increase beyond age 70, so it’s wise to begin taking your benefits before that time. Can you afford to work part-time?Obviously, working part-time means you are no longer earning a full-time income. In addition, depending on how many hours you work, part-time workers often do not receive benefits like health insurance. Ask yourself this straightforward question: Can I afford to pay my monthly bills if my salary was cut in half and I lost health benefits? Note that under the Affordable Care Act, most U.S. companies must offer health benefits if you work more than 30-hours a week. If you’re not sure, run an experiment. For at least two months, try living on half of your income. This will likely include drastically cutting back expenses unless your lifestyle is already frugal. Running this experiment while you still have a full-time job allows you to delay the switch until you’re more comfortable with the reduction in income. Will you save money by working less?Switching to part-time might help you to save substantially on lifestyle costs. For instance, if working less means saving money on expensive childcare, reducing hours could be worth it. Most families that pay for childcare spend at least 10% of their household income on nannies or after-school supervision for their kids. Childcare isn’t cheap. But, the savings might not stop there. Commuting costs are rising sharply along with the cost of fuel. On average, commuters drop several thousand dollars every year driving to and from work. In addition, the U.S. Census found that the average commute was nearly 28 minutes one-way. Almost an hour in a car every day is a long time to spend away from our families. Or, maybe switching to part-time would mean more time to tackle projects around the home that you would typically hire out to contractors or maintenance crews. Or perhaps, you could go on vacation during the week or during non-peak times and save money on accommodations and airfare. Working part-time could help you save money. But, are the savings worth it? Consider the opportunity costsHow much is part-time work costing you outside of salary and benefits? For instance, will switching to part-time hurt your career prospects down the line? How would a part-time position look on your resume? In addition, will it hurt your chances of raises or promotions in the future? Also, what about the network of professions you’re building in your career? Will your network dismiss you as a respected professional if you no longer work a full-time job as they are? If you are closer to retirement, the opportunity costs may not be high. But the earlier you are in your career, the more critical it will be to give the non-financial implications of working part-time careful consideration before making the leap. Will switching to part-time require changing companies?Your existing employer may not have part-time options available. If they don’t, you’ll need to be prepared to hop to another employer. Is this something that you feel comfortable doing? Part-time jobs can be hard to find, though most people’s side hustle potential is virtually unlimited. Side hustles mean you’re creating your own part-time opportunity by selling a product or service. This option won’t be right for everyone. Be prepared to change companies to make the switch to part-time. Online job sites like Indeed, Monster, and ZipRecruiter are great sources to look for part-time positions. Talking to an experienced recruiter may also assist you in your hunt for this type of work. More Career Articles
This article was produced and syndicated by Wealth of Geeks. Via https://mylifeiguess.com/switching-to-part-time/ |
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