#157 Disabled Employment How to Balance WorkLife and Health Demands

#157: Disabled Employment: How to Balance Work/Life and Health Demands –

Disabled employment can be difficult to navigate, but for some, it is worthwhile, meaningful, and sometimes necessary.

With employment, you gain access to benefits including a salary, health insurance, vacation time, and more. A career can also provide you with purpose and life satisfaction.

Since the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed in 1990, disabled Americans have had better access to employment opportunities. If you live outside the US, there are similar laws in countries including Australia, Canada, and the UK.

Although there has been a lot of progress since before these laws were passed, much of the world is still figuring out how to navigate the complexities alongside disabled employment, and disabled living for that matter.

In this article, we’ll discuss the complexities of disabled employment, exploring the ways to successfully balance work/life, and challenging health demands.

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#156 Time Management Tips for a Life of FIRE Success (1)

#156: Time Management Tips for a Life of FIRE Success –

If you’re looking for time management tips to support your journey to financial freedom, you’ve come to the right place!

Time management can make all the difference when it comes to achieving your most ambitious goals, especially when you have many competing priorities.

As a busy mom of two, I balanced a full-time career alongside my family duties, hobbies, and multiple side hustles, focusing my time and energy where needed most.

Despite many competing priorities, I built a successful career while managing a chronic illness, made a massive career pivot, self-published my first novel in 2017, paid off $85K of student debt in 18 months, turned one of my side gigs into a full-time career, and began a journey to a FIRE lifestyle.

And yes, I still have a life. I go on family trips and have hobbies that include yoga, running, reading, writing, and video games.

It’s safe to say I’ve learned a thing or two about time management, but this article isn’t about what I’ve achieved – it’s about how YOU can achieve what matters most to you, especially regarding financial freedom.

Your time can be your most valuable asset, but as a high-achiever, it can be hard to balance everything.

Mastering the following time management tips will allow you to maximize your productivity, increase your earning potential, and ultimately, achieve your financial goals faster.

In this article, you’ll learn everything you need to know about time management to support your FIRE (financial independence, retire early) or financial freedom journey.

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#155 Land Your Dream Job Interview Tips That Drive Your Value

#155: Land Your Dream Job: Interview Tips That Drive Your Value –

Landing your dream job requires more than just technical skills, experience, and preparation. 

It’s equally important to prepare your mindset. In so doing, you can approach your interview with confidence and positivity. 

In the Ultimate Interview Guide, I highlighted practical tips for pre-interview preparation, mastering the art of interviewing, communication, showcasing your value, turning the tables, and following up after the interview.

Now, let’s delve deeper into the psychological aspects of interviewing and explore how to cultivate a winning mindset.

In this article, you’ll learn everything you need to know to build a mindset for interview success. I’ll also outline the specific ways you can apply this mindset to make a winning impression on your potential employer.

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#154 How to Make Investing Goals in an Uncertain Market

#154: How to Make Investing Goals in an Uncertain Market –

Despite the ongoing market volatility, setting clear investing goals is ever important. But how do you set goals when you have no idea when the market will swing?

After all, just one major change can make all the difference. The market can shift based on the results of that election year, because of a mass contagion or because an entire industry bottomed out, among many other factors.

It’s no easy task to set weather-resistant investing goals, but if you dream of achieving FIRE (financial independence, retire early) / financial freedom, or otherwise, investing will probably remain a priority for you.

In which case, it helps to set investing goals. These should be your “barometric pressure sensors” to determine how your investments are performing.

You’ll want to know whether your investments are on track or if you need to make a change, but without clearly defined goals, it’s hard to tell.

How do you ensure that your investing goals are set for success, regardless of which way the market turns? 

In this article, I’ll tell you everything you need to know so that you can set solid investing goals, regardless of what happens in the market.

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#152 How to Land a Fun Job A Guide to Career Happiness V4

#152: How to Land a Fun Job: A Guide to Career Happiness –

Finding a fun job can be more than just a career move; it can be life-changing. 

Depending on your values, an ideal job might align with your passions, challenge you intellectually, and/or bring some kind of joy to your life. It can even be a pursuit that provides immense life satisfaction.

A so-called fun job can boost your morale, productivity, and overall well-being. It can help you feel productive and purposeful in life.

At a basic level, your job provides you with resources and tools (via compensation and training), enabling you to achieve your financial goals, FIRE (financial independence, retire early), financial freedom, or otherwise.

But it can be more than that if you invest the time in finding your version of a fun job. Trust me when I say it’s worth it.

If you’re tired of the daily grind, you might be longing for a job that brings you joy and fulfillment. A job like that might also feel like a bit of an impossible find.

Perhaps you’re asking yourself: “Is it actually possible to find a fun job for me?”

Don’t despair – it is possible to find a job and career that fulfills you, and I’m about to tell you how.

In this article, I’ll walk you through 10 simple steps you can take to find your ideal “fun job.” Let this serve as your guide on your journey to career happiness and fulfillment.

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#150 10 Great Holiday Activities to Jumpstart Your Financial Freedom Journey

#150: 10 Great Holiday Activities to Jumpstart Your Financial Freedom Journey –

Before you know it, holiday activities can fill your calendar for an entire month (or more), but have you considered incorporating some holiday activities to support your financial future?

The holiday season is a magical time filled with joy, cheer, and…opportunities! 

While it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle, this festive period can also be a great time to boost your financial well-being. 

You might want to jumpstart your New Year’s resolution planning, reassess your end-of-year budget, or evaluate where you stand with your financial goals for the year.

Or perhaps you prefer to incorporate your financial planning into your celebrations. You can host a potluck, or complete DIY gifts for your friends and family members.

Wherever your holiday plans take you this year, you and your wallet can benefit when you take the time to incorporate your holiday festivities with your finances.

In this article, I’ll give you 10 holiday activities to jumpstart your financial freedom journey.

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#149 Holiday Hustle 10 Ways to Boost Your Finances

#149: Holiday Hustle: 10 Ways to Boost Your Finances –

The holiday season is a time of joy, cheer, and the busy holiday hustle.

Covering unexpected expenses this holiday season might be challenging, but the holiday hustle doesn’t have to drain your wallet. 

You can enjoy the festivities without compromising your financial goals with a little planning and creativity. 

Ideally, the holiday season is a time for you to enjoy more time with loved ones, the magic of the season, and look forward to a bright new year to come.

It might be a stressful time of year, but there are ways you can strategize and plan to make it a wonderful time of year for yourself and your loved ones.

This article is designed to help you holiday hustle your way to financial success. So if you’re ready, here are 10 tips to support your financial future this holiday season.

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#147 Grateful for FIRE My 2024 Gratitude List

#147: Grateful for FIRE: My 2024 Gratitude List –

While we’re getting ready to kick off the holiday season with Thanksgiving, I thought it fitting to reflect on the many things I’m grateful for.

It’s been a while since I put together a gratitude list, though I’m working to get better at it. After all, there are so many blessings in life, and my mindset is better off when I remember that.

By cultivating a sense of gratitude, you can foster happiness, resilience, and a deeper appreciation for the things that truly matter.

I’ve talked about how your mindset can empower or hinder you on your journey to financial freedom (or when you’re working toward just about any goal).

When you incorporate mindfulness practices like a gratitude list, you can help cultivate a “growth mindset.” A growth mindset can help you achieve your most ambitious goals, FIRE / financial freedom, or anything else.

In this article, I’ll share my gratitude list for 2024. Perhaps it will inspire you as you reflect on your journey to achieve your most ambitious goals – with FIRE, in your career, for your lifestyle, or otherwise.

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#146 10 Ways Financial Independence Leads to a Happier Life

#146: 10 Ways Financial Independence Leads to a Happier Life –

Financial independence is more than just a financial goal; it’s a catalyst for a happier and more fulfilling life. 

By achieving financial independence (or financial freedom), you gain the freedom and flexibility to pursue your passions, reduce stress, and create a life that truly aligns with your values. 

You can spend more time with loved ones, retire early, travel the world, take a sabbatical, start a passion project, or simply spend more time relaxing.

The FIRE movement (financial independence, retire early) provides tools and strategies to help you achieve financial freedom, but more about that later.

Studies show that happiness skyrockets after retirement. Why not seek a happier lifestyle – on your terms – sooner?

In this article, I’ll introduce the FIRE movement and outline ten ways financial independence can lead to a happier lifestyle.

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#144 Unlocking Wealth the Best S&P 500 Index Funds

#144: Unlocking Wealth: the Best S&P 500 Index Funds –

Investing can feel intimidating, at least until you learn about S&P 500 index funds. Let me explain…

But first, let’s talk about why investing matters.

Investing is essential if you want to grow your wealth over time. It’s a great way to get your hard-earned money to work for you, and help you achieve financial freedom.

There are many forms of valuable investments, but one of the most popular strategies is investing in index funds. These funds track the performance of the S&P 500, a leading stock market index that includes 500 of the largest companies in the United States.

The stock market can be a daunting place, especially for those new to investing. With countless options available, it can be difficult to know where to start. 

By investing in an S&P 500 Index Fund, you’re essentially buying a piece of 500 of the largest companies in the United States. This diversification can help mitigate risk and provide long-term returns.

The good news? Investing in S&P 500 index funds is a comparatively easy, passive investing strategy.

In this article, you’ll learn about investing in S&P 500 index funds to achieve financial freedom.

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