How to Negotiate Salary Increases and Land the Perfect Package

Congrats, you’ve gotten a job offer! What’s next?

Regardless of whether you choose to accept the job offer or not, you deserve to celebrate! However, before you sign the dotted line, make sure you remember an important step: negotiation. 

Consider this: negotiation is an essential step in securing the best possible job offer. So don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself! Most employers expect you to negotiate, so don’t forget that it’s just part of the process. 

Admittedly, it can be intimidating to negotiate. After all, sometimes the job offer itself feels like a gift, especially if you’ve been in the job market for a while. However, don’t forget that it’s in your best interest to negotiate the terms of your employment.

The only party that wins when you don’t negotiate is your (potential) future employer, so don’t be afraid to speak up for what you feel is right and fair when it comes to your employment.

Speaking of which, if you’re wondering how to negotiate salary terms, you’ve come to the right place!

If you’re ready to learn how to negotiate salary terms for your latest job offer, this article will help you do just that. By the time you’re done reading, you’ll have the knowledge and confidence to navigate the negotiation process and unlock a compensation package that reflects your true value.

Read More

The question, “Is an MBA worth it?” echoes through the minds of countless career changers and ambitious professionals. 

An MBA can be a powerful tool for propelling your career forward, but the hefty price tag demands careful consideration.

Student debt in the US has hit record highs in recent years and it’s a major concern, but fairly so. After all, it’s painful to take on hefty student debt, especially if you eventually pursue a career in an unrelated field.

That’s not to say that a degree isn’t worth it; many say it is. I count myself among this group. But some regret their choices for further education. 

This article explores the value an MBA can provide for YOU, analyzing the potential benefits across various job fields. By the time you’re done reading this article, you’ll have a set of decision-making tools to help you determine if an MBA is the right investment for you.

Read More

Investing Tips to Build a Strong Foundation

Dreaming of FIRE (as in early retirement and financial independence)? 

FIRE can be a great method to build a life on your terms, depending on your goals.

Whether or not you dream of an early retirement, financial independence can set you up for long term success. FIRE can also give you the ability to choose HOW you live your life.

You might choose to work, or enjoy an early retirement. You might choose to explore new passions and hobbies, or start a side hustle. Perhaps you prefer to travel the world, or invest more time into valued relationships.

Regardless of how you choose to invest your time, FIRE can give you the flexibility and freedom to choose. You don’t need to stay in a job, unless it fulfills you, or remain shackled to endless debt.

You can live a free life – one where you can truly live life on YOUR terms and spend more time doing what you love. If this sounds like it’s right up your alley, then you’ve come to the right place! 

Speaking of which… One of the best ways to achieve FIRE is to build an investment portfolio that supports your dream lifestyle… whatever that means for you.

In this article, you’ll learn how to navigate the investment landscape in today’s ever-changing market. You’ll also get some key investing tips that are designed to propel you towards your dream life.

Read More

The path to career success is often painted as a relentless sprint toward a not-too-distant finish line. 

I don’t know about you, but I’ve often envisioned meteoric rises, overnight breakthroughs, and grand pronouncements of achievement.

That’s how great career success goes, right?

Not quite. The reality of building a fulfilling and sustainable career marked by success is far more nuanced. 

The best achievements are made by normal people every day, and their lives are no more unusual than yours or mine. 

In fact, the greatest achievements aren’t made overnight. Grand achievements are made through careful, deliberate, and considerate long-term actions… baby step by baby step.

It’s a long-distance marathon, not a short sprint, and the key to victory lies in the power of incremental improvements.

In this article, I’ll tell you exactly how you can use the power of incremental improvements to drive career success and achievement in your life.

Read More

Job growth can be elusive… but it doesn’t have to be, especially if you pursue work in an industry with a booming job market.

The good news? There’s decent job growth across diverse industries. This is fantastic for anyone seeking a fulfilling career path. However, with so many options, where do you focus?

If you’re a new grad, getting your foot in the door can be difficult, but there is plenty of potential in some of these booming industries. If you’re a seasoned professional exploring potential career pivots, it can help to explore fields with greater growth potential.

This article will equip you with the knowledge and tools to navigate today’s exciting job landscape. Together, we’ll explore 10 job fields experiencing significant growth and I’ll arm you with 5 key decision-making criteria to help you unlock your dream career in this dynamic environment.

Read More

The job market is a dynamic landscape, and in today’s competitive environment, possessing the right career building skills is more important than ever.

These skills are the tools that equip you to not only land your dream job but also thrive and advance in your chosen field. Choose wisely, and you can build a flourishing career.

But with so many skills to consider, where do you begin?

It can be challenging to pick the right skillset without FOMO (fear of missing out) setting in. How can you be sure that you picked career building skills that will appeal to your dream employer?

Fear not, because in this article, you’ll gain a set of decision making criteria that will help you decide how to pick career building skills that will set you up for long-term success.

Read More

Easy Index Fund Investing Strategies for Busy Moms and Dads: Build Your Nest Egg

Let’s be honest, parenting is BEYOND a full-time job. Between juggling work, family, and everything else that life throws your way, investing for the future is usually an afterthought, and fairly so.

Investing might feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be.

Here’s the secret: you don’t need to be a financial wizard to build a secure future for yourself and your family. Index fund investing offers a powerful, time-saving solution for busy moms and dads like us!

It’s true: you can easily incorporate index fund investing strategies into your standard investment portfolio.

In this article, I’ll tell you everything you need to know so you can start building easy index fund investing strategies into your portfolio.

Read More

2024 is the year of the side hustles from home, so it seemed fitting to revisit this topic in this week’s post.

Have you ever started or considered starting a side hustle?

Perhaps you enjoy writing on the side, or appreciate the extra boost of income from the occasional data entry gig.

Side hustles from home (or otherwise) can be a great way to boost your income, explore new passions, or simply become your own boss. 

The digital landscape is brimming with opportunities to turn your skills and hobbies into cash, all from the comfort of your own home.

But with so many options, where do you begin? 

It can feel overwhelming with the numerous options that are out there, but don’t stress it!

In this article, you’ll get a dynamite list of the top 10 side hustles to launch in 2024, taking into account factors like ease of setup, income potential, flexibility, competition, and market demand.  

Let’s dive in!

Read More

Unlock Your Potential: 10 Powerful Career Building Strategies

Good career building strategies can remain elusive to the best of us. After all, who last wrote a book that said to get to career XYZ, start with step X, then take step Y, then Z?

In truth, there isn’t a right or wrong way to incorporate good career building strategies, and many careers can take wild turns you might never anticipate, especially early on in your career.

No career has a crystal clear pathway, but you can implement some valuable strategies that will support your journey, regardless of where you’re headed or where you land.

So if you ever feel like your career is stuck on autopilot: you’re qualified and work hard, but that spark of passion and fulfillment seems elusive, then consider implementing the following 10 powerful career building strategies.

By the time you’re done reading this article, you’ll learn how these 10 strategies will help you ignite your potential and build the career of your dreams. So get ready, we’re about to dive in!

Read More

How to Build Your Personalized FIRE Investment Strategy

Have you ever considered how you would build your own FIRE investment strategy?

FIRE, or financial independence, retire early is a method designed to help you live life on your terms.

You might choose to work a traditional job until the ripe ‘ol age of 65 or above, or you might prefer to retire early. Regardless of your priorities, the FIRE method can help you build a fulfilling lifestyle on your terms.

Whether you plan to retire early or not, a personalized FIRE investment strategy can help you prepare for success.

Imagine a future where you’re free to choose how you spend your time. You have the time and resources to pursue your passions, travel the world, or simply relax and enjoy life. 

This is the essence of the FIRE movement – it’s about taking control of your finances and building a path to living life on your terms.

But how do you translate your dreams into reality? 

The key lies in crafting a personalized FIRE investment strategy. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. It’s about tailoring your investments to your unique lifestyle and goals. 

The good news? You have the power to make it happen!

In this article, you’ll learn 7 simple steps you can take to build a personalized FIRE investment strategy so that you can achieve your FIRE and lifestyle goals.

Read More