money

5 Reasons Why You Should Consider a Seasonal Job This Year

A seasonal job can be more appealing than you think. When provided an opportunity to generate some extra income, you should take it. There is even more incentive if it means reaching your financial goals faster. Finding those opportunities can be few and far between, but a seasonal job is a great option to earn some extra money during the summer or around the holidays.

Seasonal jobs are a great way to make money while incorporating your hobby.

Seasonal jobs are a great way to make money especially by doing things you already enjoy.

5 Reasons to Consider a Seasonal Job

1. A Variety of Seasonal Opportunities 

Other than the obvious reason, seasonal jobs exist in a variety of interesting fields. If you have a specific hobby, you could look into seasonal positions using your skills. For instance, if you are an avid skier or snowboarder, why not work a winter at a ski resort? Not only will you get some extra time on the slopes for a (possibly) discounted rate, but you also get to make money working somewhere that actually interests you.

However, you don’t need to travel to find a season job. The same idea applies even in your local community. If you enjoy shopping, ask about job opportunities the next time you visit your favorite stores. In addition to working in a place you like, you can also get employee discounts.

2. Greater Potential to Travel 

Are you looking for an excuse to travel more? If you don’t have a full-time job or a remote position, you may want to consider a seasonal job. Vacation resorts and tourist destinations often have many temporary employment options. During the high season and holidays, many places are glad for the additional help. You can use this type of job as an excuse to see a new place while also keeping your bank account stable.

3. Flexible Schedules with Seasonal Jobs

Often, seasonal positions entail working outside normal hours, particularly when you are working at a store. Because of this, you have the perfect chance to earn side income in addition to your full-time wages. This allows you to make more money and worry less about fitting an additional job in your schedule. Putting the extra money toward investment opportunities or savings accounts would be an excellent use of funds.

4. Obtain New Connections

The more people you meet, the more job prospects you create for yourself. As you expand your network and gain a good reputation around the workplace, you leave your footprint. This is important for networking and obtaining references for future employment. Just remember to make that first impression long-lasting and favorable.

Some seasonal positions also intend to keep the best of the best. If you can see yourself working your way up the company ladder, it’s a great way to get your foot in the door. In addition, if you are currently looking for a full-time job, this is just another way to help you along your career path.

5. Learn New Job Skills 

There is always something to gain from every job, whether it is learning a new skill or grasping a concept of smart business. Seasonal jobs improve your resume in multiple ways. First, they increase or enhance your expertise in a new industry. It can even be something as simple as better customer service skills. Second, it improves your interviewing skills and builds your overall resume.

Not only do you learn new things, but you are also absorbing this information in a short amount of time. This is also an excellent point that can be included when applying for your next position.

How to Find a Seasonal Job

If you are unsure where to begin searching for a seasonal job, the easiest and most convenient answer is online. There are literally dozen of job sites out there that cater specifically to seasonal jobs and temporary position. A quick search will bring you to local postings in your area.

Another great way to land a seasonal position is to start asking around. Friends and family are great resources, so utilize them! Some of the best seasonal jobs may not even be advertised. Furthermore, you can also ask about available positions in stores and places of business you visit often. If you are hesitant to be in public and prefer to work from home, there are also sites that can help you find ways to work remotely. You never know what opportunities are out there until you start looking.

Overall, seasonal jobs have the capacity to be quite the rewarding experience. They offer several benefits from the people you meet to the different opportunities they provide. Moreover, you can test the waters in new career fields. It allows you to see where you want to be and consider what you want to do for the rest of your life.

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Financial Mistakes to Avoid as a Recent College Grad

 

Mistakes to avoid financially as a recent college grad

Mistakes to avoid financially as a recent college grad

Mistakes are unavoidable, but you should be especially careful when it comes to your finances. As you prepare to graduate college, you also prepare for the “real world.” You’ve spent the last four years obtaining as much knowledge as possible in your field, applying for jobs, and writing your resume. Graduates beware, student loans are the second-highest form of personal debt. And with college debts increasing, it is more important than ever to have a smart financial strategy in place. A solid plan will help you avoid as many mistakes as possible.

By taking a step ahead of your peers in choosing wise investments, you can create healthy habits. This not only improves your personal finances for years to come but also avoid future debt issues.

Financial Mistakes to Avoid after Graduation

Financial mistakes can be easy to make, but there are ways you can avoid them.

Mistake #1: Having no credit.

Everyone talks about saving money, and we are no different. Unfortunately, all this talk about savings has college graduates a little hesitant to take out loans or credit cards. This is due to the fear of creating an overwhelming debt they can’t repay. Plus, not to mention, college already creates heavy financial obligations. Furthermore, it is increasingly harder for those under 21 to sign up for a credit card with no existing income. So, what’s a newbie to do? Build your credit history slowly and regularly by opening accounts and using your own credit cards.  Making consistent payments by or before the due dates establishes a good credit history.

Why this is important: When you want to make big, future purchases, like a house, you will have a hard time being approved for a loan. Lenders may require a co-signer or collateral if you have no credit. When I was still in college, I bought my first car with cash I had saved from my summer job. Not long after graduating, I needed to purchase a new vehicle. This proved to be a challenge due to my lack of credit. Over the years, I have been able to develop a favorable credit score by paying off a credit card and the loan for my vehicle. Had I started to build credit sooner, I wouldn’t have struggled so much to get the car I needed.

Mistake #2: Not having a plan.

Having a limited or non-existent financial plan is one of the biggest mistakes recent college grads make. As a poor college student, you are lucky if you have two pennies to rub together as you battle the choice of groceries or rent. When you land that first job out of school though, it can be easy to fall into poor spending patterns very quickly. To avoid this, cut back on unnecessary expenses like going out to eat.  Spend more time enhancing your cooking skills and spreading out your personal purchases. Instead of buying everything for your new apartment at once, budget your expenses over time. Additionally, focus on always paying bills first at the beginning of every month. Then, you know how much is still available in your accounts to last the rest of the month.

Why this is important: Money adds up quickly. So, developing these positive habits sooner can save you not only hundreds but possibly thousands per year.

Mistake #3: Waiting to save and worrying about finances later.

Consider consulting with or finding a financial mentor to help you along this new journey. Waiting to save or pay off student loan debt can cause major inconveniences in your future. Knowing where to invest savings is also tricky, but a certified financial specialist can help you. Try the Digit.co app to automatically save up and pay debts and also try to contact friends from college with a finance degree who may be willing to provide some advice at no charge as they begin their careers.

Why this is important: The sooner you start paying down those student loan bills, the better your overall financial situation. If you were to plug your debt numbers into this student loan calculator tool, you may be appalled at the time frame it will take you to pay it all off. The minimum monthly payments barely cover the interest. Plus, creating a savings account and emergency fund will keep you out of sticky financial situations.

Mistake #4: Not investing early.

Time is the greatest benefit you can give yourself when it comes to investing. Even if you are only contributing a few hundred dollars each year, compounding interest rapidly grows your investments over time. Instead of blowing any extra cash you receive, put it away to help provide some financial security for the future. Try the Robinhood app for this, this is the best app for beginner investors like you.

Why this is important: You are only working against yourself the longer you wait to start investing and planning for retirement. Even with minimal contributions, you can create a significant amount of money the earlier you begin. With a little forethought, you can provide a security net and a nice retirement fund.

By thinking about your future now, you can avoid these common financial mistakes recent college grads make. At the same time, you are also building yourself a nice, comfortable financial safety net.

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How Money Can Affect Relationships: Both Negative and Positive

How Money Can Affect Relationships

We all know how money can affect relationships negatively. After all it’s one of the most common things that couples argue about. However, have you ever thought about how money can affect relationships in positive ways? Whether for good or bad, communication is the key to dealing with money in your marriage or primary relationship.

How Money Can Affect Relationships Negatively

Money is one of the biggest sources of conflict in most marriages. Even before you get married (if you choose to do so), money can rear its ugly head in your relationship. Here are just a few of the most common ways how money can affect relationships negatively:

  • When one of you out-earns the other, it can lead to feelings associated with a sense of power imbalance. This can also relate to strain over ingrained beliefs about gender roles in the home.
  • One of you has significantly more debt than the other which creates arguments. Similarly, if you have different viewpoints about how to deal with debt, then you could end up resenting one another.
  • You have different money personalities. For example, one is a spender and the other a saver. If you don’t respect each other’s approaches, then you could have a problem.
  • If you haven’t discussed your long-term goals then you might not be on the same page financially. This can show up in arguments over day-to-day spending.

Money is rarely just about money. People come to the topic with a lot of emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. Many of these things have less to do with money and more to do with beliefs about career, identity, family, power, security, and love. If you’re not discussing the underlying issues, then you can end up fighting about money. Since money isn’t the true issue, the problem is never resolved.

How Money Can Affect Relationships Positively

It’s easy to become afraid of dealing with money in your marriage. However, it helps if you think about how money can affect relationships positively. If you have open, authentic communication, respect one another, and are willing to compromise, then money can actually be the source of some beautiful things in your relationship.

For example, one of you may become physically or mentally ill and thus unable to work. This could add up to a lot of medical debt as well. If you approach this setback in a healthy way, then it can be a period that strengthens your relationship.

The spouse that is able to carry the couple financially during this time may feel like they have a small bit of control during a scary time. The spouse that is ill may experience a kind of relief that gives them space to heal. It’s not an easy time, but it doesn’t have to be one in which money is the enemy.

It’s All About Communication

There are several similar scenarios that have the potential to be negative but could also be positive for your relationship. More than anything else, though, you can work together to use the vehicle of money as the starting point to discuss those deeper issues. If you recognize that it’s not really about money, then you can dig into the deeper emotions and issues at the core of the problem.

For example, let’s say that you’re fighting about one person working while the other is a stay-at-home parent. You fight about the lack of money or how money is spent. Underlying issues might include:

  • Fears by the stay-at-home parent that they aren’t doing enough to support the home
  • The stay-at-home parents feelings of losing their financial autonomy and what that means about their identity and life options
  • Hesitation by the stay-at-home parent to express times they’re dissatisfied with staying home because they’re “lucky” not to have to work
  • Fear by the working parent that the children are closer with the other parent
  • Resentment by the working parent that they have to be at work all day
  • Emotions about the power dynamic that might relate back to childhood issues

Those are just a few of the things that might be unsaid when fighting about money. If you can discuss money practically and respectfully, then you can make space to deal with those other issues. It’s all about communication. The more you learn to talk about money with each other, the more ways you’ll see how money can affect relationships positively.

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