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The landlord-renter relationship can be tricky: you’re both taking a risk when a lease is signed.  And that document makes each person dependent on the other.

Landlords are taking a financial risk. If a tenant causes damage, stops paying rent, or any apartment-related issues become litigious, they could be out thousands of dollars or more.

The renter depends greatly on the landlord as well. Uncomfortable, dangerous, dirty, or otherwise unlivable spaces can cause a lot of stress. Not to mention, landlord disputes and evictions can put renters out of a place to live altogether.

For these reasons, it’s very important – even crucial – to foster a good relationship with your landlord as soon as possible. While a bad situation can be traumatic for both parties involved, the opposite is also true.  A positive relationship with your landlord will keep both of you sane, safe, and happy.

Check out these eight guidelines to help you get along with your landlord or manager.  (And remember, your manager is just a regular person, just like you).

1. Be Honest

It’s almost impossible to get along with your landlord after starting off on the wrong foot, so start making an effort to build a good relationship on day one.

Little fibs, like hiding Fido or having an extra roommate, can create instant distrust and tension if (and when) your landlord finds out. From the day you sign the lease and step into the apartment, make sure you’re being completely honest.

2. Pay Your Rent

There is nothing worse for the landlord-renter relationship than a tenant who doesn’t pay rent on time or in full. Even if they give you a 2-5 day cushion before the rent is officially deemed late, it’s better to get it in early or on time.

Rent issues don’t just affect the landlord or your relationship, though. If you pay late often enough, your credit will take a hit, and your landlord will likely mention it if called for a reference in the future. If you don’t think you’ll be able to pay rent on time, get in touch with your landlord right away, and make sure not to let it happen again.

3. Say Hi

If your landlord is actually the guy who lives down the hall, make sure you say hello when passing in the lobby or laundry room.

Being friendly and likable will build trust, and it will also make your landlord more likely to give you some leeway or quick maintenance help if problems arise down the road.

4. Mind Your Lease

Respect the rules they’ve taken the time to lay out in the lease. Remember: The lease is there to protect both of you, and violating it will could create both a personal and legal issue.

If you signed on the dotted line and promised you wouldn’t paint the walls, bring home an adopted puppy, or sublet the place without permission, then don’t do so without asking first. Make sure you treat their property with care and respect.

5. Ask For Help

Make sure to notify your landlord as soon as possible with any maintenance requests or damage reports. The only way they’ll know about issues is if you tell them, and they’ll likely want to take care of anything as quickly as possible.

They want the apartment to be in good working order for you, but maintenance issues that go unfixed for a long time could actually become more expensive for them down the line.

6. Mind Your Attitude

After asking for help, remember to be patient if they don’t respond right away. Many landlords have other full-time jobs or properties that keep them busy, so as long as your landlord is normally dependable, it’s unlikely they’re ignoring or disregarding your needs.

Keep second and third notices polite, even if the tone becomes more adamant. If your landlord has shown a pattern of ignoring requests, it could legally be termed neglect, depending on the repairs needed.

7. Get Everything in Writing (or e-mail)

Since both of you are taking risks and depending on each other, try to put every apartment-related conversation and request into writing.

Correspond by email rather than on the phone or in person. This will protect both of you and hopefully make the relationship a little less stressful overall.

8. Know Your Rights

While there are many things you can do to promote a positive relationship with your landlord, you aren’t the only person responsible if something goes wrong. All 50 states and many cities have legislation in place to protect tenants from discrimination, negligence and other issues that could potentially come up when renting an apartment.

Know your rights when you enter into a contract with your landlord so that you’re fully prepared just in case.

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When you leave your job, you have several choices regarding your 401(k). These options for a 401(k) rollover are pretty much universal, meaning they apply to every 401(k) and to every job change situation. Your options are:

Cash the 401(k) Plan and Receive a Full Pay-Out

I’ve listed this option first because it has the most serious ramifications.

First, if you take a full payout, you will have to pay taxes on the plan — usually 20% off the top when you take the money out, and a 10% penalty when you file your taxes if you are below the age of 59-1/2.

Second, if you have no other retirement plan and you take a pay-out on your 401(k), then you now have no more retirement money. You must start again from the beginning, and this puts you behind.

If you take a full payout but then decide you shouldn’t have done so, there’s still hope. The IRS has provided the 60-day rollover rule, which allows you take the money you withdrew from your 401(k) and roll it into an IRA within 60 days. You still pay taxes at the time you take the money out of the 401(k), so it’s your responsibility to find the cash to bring the IRA contribution to the level of your 401(k) withdrawal. However, when you file your tax return, you get a credit for the taxes on the 401(k) and for the 10% penalty. (Documentation is required.)

Related >> Frequently Asked Tax Questions

Roll the Money to a New 401(k) Plan

This option generally has no negative ramifications. Simply take the money from your old 401(k) plan and move it to the 401(k) plan at your new job. The money moves from one account to the other. There are no taxes or penalties involved. Best of all, you keep all your retirement money and can now add to it in the new 401(k) plan.

However, if there is a waiting period until you can participate in your new employer’s 401(k) plan, be sure you can let your money sit in the old 401(k) for the required time frame. If you’re not allowed to do this, all is not lost. You have another option.

Roll the Money to an IRA

This option also usually has no negative ramifications. You can always take the money from your old 401(k) and roll it into an IRA. The transfer will occur without incurring taxes or penalties. Moreover, once the money moves into the IRA, you can continue to contribute to the IRA at your discretion. You’ll have more investment choices available, and the IRA will have fewer restrictions than your 401(k) plan.

You can also roll your 401(k) money into a Roth IRA, but you need to remember that a 401(k) plan is a pre-tax plan, and a Roth IRA is an after-tax plan. You will need to pay taxes if you move from a 401(k) to a Roth IRA, unless you are rolling after-tax money. Be sure to ask your 401(k) representative about this option for further details.

Related >> How to Start a Roth IRA

Leave the Money in the 401(k) Plan

This option has a few ramifications, but they aren’t serious. If you meet the minimum amount required to keep the money in your existing 401(k), then you can leave the money alone, perhaps giving you time to decide you decide what to do with it. Be sure you to find out what the minimum required amount is for your particular 401(k) plan. These minimums can range from $1000 to $5000. (Each plan is different.)

If you decide to leave the money in your existing 401(k), there are several things to consider. First, you will not be able to make additional contributions to the plan. Remember, a 401(k) is a payroll deducted plan; if you leave your job, there is no payroll from which to contribute. Second, you must keep tabs on the 401(k). The plan can change hands from one record keeper to another, and the onus is on you to track where the plan moves if this happens. Third, you typically cannot roll into a 401(k) plan if you are no longer working for the company. However, you will want to check the rules to see if this rule applies to your plan.

Conclusion

These are the choices for your 401(k) plan once you leave your current job. Be sure to research the options that apply to your situation. Remember that you are making a decision that will affect your retirement savings, affecting how much money you may have when you retire. Getting the facts will make this transition easier for you.

Note: If you’re faced with this situation, be sure to read the comments on this entry for additional discussion on the nuances involved.

Source: getrichslowly.org

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There’s always a lot of fuss this time a year about gift cards. Some people love them, and some people hate them. I’m sort of in the middle.

  • On the one hand, I continue to believe that anything a big company wants you to purchase is probably not in your best interest. That is, if a mega-corporation is all fired up to sell gift cards, you can bet they’re a profit center, which probably means they’re rigged against consumers.
  • On the other hand, gift cards are convenient. They’re easy to give, and they’re generally easy to use. There are many circumstances in which gift cards make great gifts.

Related >> Discounted Gift Cards: The New Coupon

I like to receive gift cards for certain stores. Over the past year, for example, I’ve accumulated $185 in Land’s End gift cards, and I wouldn’t be surprised to receive more this Christmas. I haven’t used any of them yet, though I’ve checked to be sure I’m not going to get dinged because of it. Sometime this spring, after my birthday, I’m going to have an on-line shopping spree — and it won’t cost me a dime.

Still, the critics have some valid complaints.

The Problems With Gift Cards

Last week, my cousin reminded me of a gift card that Kris and I gave him a couple years ago. “It was a nice gesture,” he said, “and I know you meant well, but it’s not anything I’ll ever use. It’s been sitting on the kitchen counter for two years, and will probably be sitting there two years from now.”

That’s one problem with gift cards — here are some others:

  • They expire. Some gift cards carry an expiration date. The recipient must use the card within a certain amount of time, or the card becomes unusable.
  • They have fees. Some gift cards — especially those issued by banks — carry fees for various events. Some even charge to use the card. (In August, Tim shared how a gift card from Bank of America carried fees for checking the balance.)
  • They can be difficult to use. Did you buy a CompUSA gift card for somebody this Christmas? Oops. CompUSA is going out of business — suddenly there’s a very real deadline to use that card. And what if you buy a gift card for somebody but the store doesn’t do business where the recipient lives? Not all gift cards are convenient.
  • They carry an obligation. When you give a tie to your father, there’s nothing else he has to do use the gift. But when you give a gift card, your father must go to the store to use it. This often means that he has to spend additional money to find something he likes. Gift cards can force the recipient to spend money on his own gift!

Because of the potential problems, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission has issued a consumer alert on buying, giving, and using gift cards.

Using Gift Cards Wisely

Despite the naysayers, Americans love gift cards. They love to give them, and they love to receive them. According to the December 2007 issue of the Consumer Reports Money Advisor, last year gift cards were the second-most popular gift to give. They were also the gift that women most wanted to receive. (They were number three on the list for men.)

According to both FTC and Money Advisor, there are few simple steps that gift card recipients can take to minimize potential problems:

  • Read the terms and conditions when you receive the card so that you understand your rights.
  • Register your card if it instructs you to do so. This gives you protection if the card is lost or stolen.
  • Use the card as soon as possible. Unless you know that the card has no hidden fees or expiration date, make it a priority to use it. If you wait, you may be in for a nasty surprise.
  • Report problems either to the company that issued the card, or to the Federal Trade Commission, whichever is appropriate for your circumstance.

Related >> Picking the right high-yield savings

The FTC also notes:

If your card expires before you’ve had a chance to use it or exhaust its value, contact the issuer. They may extend the date, although they may charge a fee to do it. Some merchants have stopped charging inactivity fees or imposing expiration dates, so it pays to check with the issuer to make sure you’ve got the most up-to-date information.

When giving gift cards, always include a copy of the receipt. Some card issuers require a receipt to replace a lost or stolen card. Also, do your best to research possible hidden fees or other nuisances (such as expiration dates).

Further Reading

Blogger Lazy Man recently explained why he buys gift cards. He thinks it’s more acceptable to give a gift card than money, likes that recipients can pick their own gifts, and is happy that he can save a little cash when buying them. Jim at Blueprint for Financial Prosperity, on the other hand, doesn’t like them. Finally, Liz Pulliam Weston says that gift cards are not gifts.

Source: getrichslowly.org

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Last year, I was talking with a friend right after she had returned from a relaxing week in the Caribbean. “We did an all-inclusive,” she said to me with a glimmer in her eyes. “A what?” I had no idea what she was talking about. After chatting about it for a quite a while, she clued me in on how an all-inclusive vacation works and what some of the perks were. To say I was intrigued would be an epic understatement. According to my friend, she could travel to any all-inclusive vacation spot in the Caribbean or Mexico and have almost everything included in one low price. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing; my friend and her husband had paid only $700 per person for an entire week at an all-inclusive resort in Cancun. Not only were their flights and lodging included in her cost, but all of their food and drinks (even alcohol) were included as well. She seemed downright enthusiastic about their experience and went on and on about how amazing the whole thing was. I had to find out more.

To satisfy my curiosity, I started playing around with dates and locations on travel sites like Expedia and Travelocity. What I found out was a complete jolt to my system: all-inclusive vacations were cheap. Dirt cheap. Since I love to travel and hate to spend money, I started to wonder if I should go on an all-inclusive vacation myself. My husband and I had been putting off a honeymoon for nearly seven years at that point, mostly due to being stingy with our cash. Could an all-inclusive vacation provide the answer?

Our First All-Inclusive

Once I showed my husband my research, he quickly got on board. Of course. Why wouldn’t he want to travel to a tropical beach and enjoy unlimited food and drinks all day and night? We bounced back and forth between several locations. I initially had my heart set on going to Aruba. However, my enthusiasm waned as the price crept slowly upward with each passing week. Then it was Club Med in Turks and Caicos. Then Jamaica. Then Mexico. We ultimately chose to do our first all-inclusive vacation in the Dominican Republic. When all was said and done, we paid less than $1000 per person including airfare to spend 7 days and 6 nights at an all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana.

The hotel’s website made it look too good to be true — with tropical beaches and lush landscaping, live entertainment, and six restaurants and seven bars at our disposal. As our vacation date approached, I started to wonder if the resort could possibly deliver what it promised for the price we paid. Regardless, I decided to go with an open mind and low expectations. Even if it was awful, I would still get a kid-free week with my husband and the honeymoon that we never had. “I’m going to have a good time no matter what,” I told my husband as we boarded the plane.

All worries were completely dashed from my mind when we arrived at the resort. It definitely delivered what it promised –and then some. I nearly cried when I saw the pristine beaches and absolute beauty of the area where we would be staying. It was then and there that I totally understood why my friend had promised that “once you go all-inclusive, you never go back.” It finally made sense.

The Pros of an All-Inclusive Vacation

Most all-inclusive resorts are located on beaches in Mexico and in the various islands scattered throughout the Caribbean. However, some all-inclusive resort chains like Club Med offer all-inclusive vacations in varying landscapes all over the world. Regardless, the general premise for all-inclusive resorts is the same: they offer lodging, entertainment, and all food and drinks for one low price. It is also possible to book a package including airfare which can trigger an additional discount.

The benefits of choosing an all-inclusive vacation are too numerous to count. First, they take the guessing game out of the cost of your vacation by letting you pay for all of your meals up front. Second, aside from the cost of transportation to your resort and some money to tip the staff, you may not need to fork over any cash during your trip at all. Every all-inclusive resort is different, but some offer live entertainment, live music, and high-quality shows on the premises. Others include some activities in the cost of your trip, such as zumba classes, water aerobics, kayaking, boogie boarding, and board games.

All-inclusive trips are also incredibly easy to plan. Aside from selecting a resort, choosing flights, and arranging for transportation, very little else needs to be done. Once you arrive at the resort, you also don’t have to worry about how to get from one place to another or where you’re going to eat. Everything has already been thought of and is ready and waiting upon your arrival.

The Cons of an All-Inclusive Vacation

Although an all-inclusive vacation can get you a lot of bang for your buck, it doesn’t really allow you to immerse yourself in the local culture and customs of the country you’re visiting. If all you do is plop yourself down on a tropical beach with a drink in hand, you may not get to experience much of what the country has to offer. However, staying at an all-inclusive resort shouldn’t hold you back from experiencing some local culture. Most resorts offer excursions by trained guides who will take you off of the resort to visit some of the local attractions. If you’re staying in a particularly safe area, you can even take a taxi into town to explore on your own.

If you read vacation reviews, the number one complaint about all-inclusive resorts is the food. Although some all-inclusive resorts have restaurants where you can order off of the menu, almost all of them offer the main portion of their meals buffet style. I personally don’t mind eating at a buffet as long as there is something that I can eat. However, not everyone is a fan of buffet-style dining. If you can generally find something to eat wherever you go, the food selection would probably be fine. However, those looking for a culinary experience should probably choose a vacation where the dining options are more varied.

Tips for Selecting an All-Inclusive Resort

I’ve written about the value of vacation before, and I truly believe that all-inclusive resorts offer a lot of value for your money. If you’re looking for a relaxing trip on a budget, an all-inclusive vacation may be right up your alley. Here are some tips for those looking for the perfect all-inclusive resort:

  • Shop around. Make sure to check travel sites like Expedia, Travelocity, and Priceline for the best deal. You can also use these sites to include airfare in your total cost.
  • Be flexible with dates. Consider arriving and departing mid-week or vacationing off-peak to get the best deal.
  • Be flexible with your location. If you have your heart set on a particular resort, you may end up paying more. Instead, be flexible when it comes to where you stay. Consider a resort that is having a sale or even staying in an alternate location.

Have you ever been on an all-inclusive vacation? If so, what did you think?

Source: getrichslowly.org

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You are here because you want to vent, so you searched “I hate my job.”

We all have that one job we hate. We might work at a place where the boss is mean, the workloads are too heavy, or maybe there’s been an issue with company culture for some time now and no amount of persuasion has worked to fix it.

If you’re reading this article right now, then you likely know exactly what I’m talking about; something just doesn’t feel as if it’s clicking anymore. The hours and days drag on trying to find your spark again and you’re just not getting anywhere.

You hate your job.

This is why it’s important to ask yourself if a career change might be the answer, or at least offer some insight into whether or not your job is worth keeping.

You hate answering the question, “what do you do for a living?”

While this may seem like an easy or daunting task, there are a few things that should help you figure out if the time has come for a change.

Are you at that moment that marked the end of any hope you may have to continue to work the job you have?

Is it normal to absolutely hate your job?

No, it’s not normal to absolutely hate your job.

Most people experience some level of dissatisfaction or unhappiness at some point in their careers.

What do you do when you hate your job but can’t quit?

You need to find a way to make this job work for you.

While it may be difficult to focus on anything other than how much you dislike your job, there are ways to make the job work for you and improve your situation.

Most importantly, you may need to adjust your expectations or find a way to deal with the negative aspects of the job.

If this is not possible or if it is not feasible, then it might be best to look for another job or transfer to a new boss.

How do you deal if you hate your job?

If you hate your job, it can be difficult to deal with. You may feel like you can’t escape or that your situation is hopeless.

However, there are things that you can do to cope and make the best of the situation:

  • You may find it helpful to talk to friends or family about what’s going on and see if they have any advice.
  • You can also try looking for other jobs or exploring options for transferring or quitting your job.
  • If all else fails, consider seeking professional help.

There are many ways to cope when you hate your job, and each person will react differently depending on their individual circumstances and personalities. However, most people find some way to get through tough times by proactively taking steps to find joy in their job.

How long should I stay in a job I hate?

Well, the answer depends on what your situation is and your personal options.

Staying in a job you hate pays the bills, but probably doesn’t help in the work-happiness balance.

You have probably run through all of the good excuses to miss work.

Below, you will find tips on how to cope, but more importantly, steps to change your situation for the better.

I Hate My Job – How You are Feeling in That Place

This is a difficult situation to be in.

You feel like you should love your career! You spent money on a college education, maybe this job is a transition for you, or possibly you took the job everyone expected from you.

Regardless of how you got here, you need to look for the right role and work environment for you going forward. Life stratification means something, right?

1. You’re Suffering from Workplace Burnout & It is a Problem

Workplace burnout is a condition in which an individual has reached the end of their rope. They’re no longer able to take the stress and demands of their job and are overwhelmed.

How You Feel: Workplace burnout can happen to anyone, but it’s particularly common among employees who are stressed out by demanding deadlines or unrealistic expectations from their boss. When you reach this point where you are no longer able to cope with the stress at work, you may experience symptoms such as mood swings, fatigue, and decreased productivity.

What to Do: If you feel like you’re struggling to keep up with your job and you’re starting to suffer from workplace burnout, there are some steps that you can take to get back on track. First, talk to your boss about what’s going on – explain that you feel overwhelmed by the demands of your position and ask for help adjusting your workload. If that doesn’t work, consider looking for another job – even if it means taking a pay cut in the short term.

Workplace burnout is a condition that can be debilitating, so don’t wait until it’s too late before trying anything else!

2. Your Work Is Overlooked and Undervalued

When people feel like their work is overlooked or undervalued, it can lead to a number of negative emotions. These emotions can include frustration, anger, and sadness. You want to hear “I appreciate you or get a letter.”

How You Feel: You feel like your work isn’t given the credit it deserves. This might be because the job is boring or mundane, or because you feel the work isn’t appreciated by others in the workplace. When this happens, it’s easy for these feelings to simmer down and fester.

What to Do: If you’re feeling frustrated at your job and don’t know what to do about it, consider talking to your boss. Discussing your concerns might help them see how important your work is and spark some ideas for how you could improve it. Additionally, contacting professional organizations that focus on career development can give you advice on where to go from here.

3. You’ve Been Stagnant for Some Time & Not Given Growth Opportunities

When you’ve been stagnant, you’re not moving forward or improving in any way – especially if you haven’t been offered a promotion. This could mean you’re stuck in a job you don’t like, haven’t taken any steps to improve your skills, or just aren’t making any real progress climbing the corporate ladder.

How You Feel: Stagnation can be frustrating and discouraging especially if you have been a loyal employee for a while. You are tired of being looked over for that promotion by a work colleague. You are wondering if you should dust off that resume and start drafting cover letters for a new job.

What to Do: There are many proactive things to do on your own when you feel stuck.

  1. Take stock of where you are right now. Sit down and make a list of all the accomplishments and successes that are linked to your current job. What does this say about how satisfied you are with your position?
  2. Evaluate what kind of skills you need to advance in your career. Do some research online or attend relevant training courses offered by your company or industry association.
  3. Think about what kinds of changes would make the biggest impact on both you and your company/organization that employs you. Are there new technologies available that could help streamline operations? Could new policies be put into place that would benefit the organization as a whole?
  4. Be proactive. Start reaching out to other professionals within your field and see if there’s anything you can learn from them. Networking is one of the best ways to grow your career, and it won’t take much effort on your part.
  5. Be patient. Things may not change overnight, but over time they will improve. Don’t get discouraged; stay positive and continue working hard towards your goals.

4. Your Workplace Is Toxic or Hostile

A workplace is considered toxic or hostile when employees feel uncomfortable, unsupported, or threatened. This can lead to decreased productivity and morale, which in turn can result in negative impacts on the business.

In fact, the toxic culture is driving the Great Resignation we are seeing right now (source).

How You Feel: When you don’t feel like you can open up about your concerns, it creates an environment of mistrust, tension, and poor communication between all of the employees and your managers. This type of environment is difficult to overcome, and will eventually lead to burnout.

What to Do: The best way to avoid a toxic workplace is by creating a culture of transparency and trust. By airing out any problems early on, you give yourself the opportunity to work together harmoniously towards common goals instead of against each other.

5. Be Careful About What You Say and to Whom

Be careful what you say to whomever you talk to online and in-person, as your words could potentially be taken out of context and used against you.

How You Feel: It can be tempting to share your frustrations with your job with friends or family. But before you do, make sure that they’re comfortable talking about work too. If they’re not comfortable discussing their jobs openly, it may not be the best idea to bring up yours either. And if someone does overhear you speaking negatively about your job, don’t worry – they probably won’t repeat what you said!

What to Do: When you talk to people, be careful about what you say and to whom. It’s important not to offend anyone, especially not your boss. You never know who might be listening in on your conversation – or recording it!

6. Take a break

Sometimes it’s tough to keep going when you’re feeling down about your job. But sometimes it’s important to take a break and focus on other things in life.

How You Feel: You feel like you are grinding and going in a million different directions. As soon as you feel like you get ahead, something knocks you down and you feel like you need to start over.

What to Do: Taking a break can be helpful in many ways. It can help you clear your head, refocus on your goals and come back with a new perspective.

Sometimes all we need is some time away from our job to get back on track.

If taking time off isn’t an option or you don’t think it will help, there are other things you can do to improve your situation once you feel a little more refreshed. Thus, why adult coloring books have become so popular.

7. Miserable in the Work Building

You want to feel happier and more productive at work, but that may happen by taking steps at home and with your family.

How You Feel: When you’re feeling miserable at work, it’s harder to focus on your job and perform at your best. You are counting down the seconds until your shift is over.

What to Do: Taking steps to improve your well-being outside of work can help you feel happier and more productive. This includes things like exercising, eating a healthy diet, getting enough sleep, etc. By improving one aspect of your life, you’ll be better equipped to handle stress in the workplace and achieve success.

8. Your Projects are Underappreciated

Many people believe that their work is just a necessary evil, something that they have to do in order to get by. But the truth is, your work is incredibly important – it’s what allows us to live our lives. Without a job, we would be unable to pay our bills or afford food.

How You Feel: According to a recent study, almost three-fourths of employees feel their job isn’t very important and receives little recognition from their employers. This is difficult when you pour your heart and soul into an assigned project at work.

What to Do: If you’re unhappy with your current situation and don’t think your work is receiving the recognition it deserves, there are probably some things you can do about it. Start by talking to your boss about what you’d like to see change – maybe there’s room for improvement in how your department is managed or prioritized. And finally, make sure you’re giving your best effort every day – if you’re putting in the extra effort but still aren’t satisfied with your career path, it might be time for a change.

9. Your Talents are Wasted and the Effects are Feeling Undervalued

When you feel like your skills and talents are not being appreciated or utilized to their fullest potential, this can lead to feelings of depression, stress, and burnout. Oftentimes, these negative emotions are compounded when we don’t have a clear idea of what we want in life.

How You Feel: Chronic undervaluedness can have serious consequences on our mental health. It can lead to feelings of low self-esteem and insecurity, which in turn can lead to problems such as depression and anxiety. Furthermore, undervalued employees are less likely to pursue career opportunities that may be better suited for them. This leaves businesses struggling to find qualified candidates and increases the chances that they’ll need to recruit externally in the future.

What to Do: The good news is that it’s possible to overcome feeling undervalued by focusing on celebrating yourself. In fact, I recently finished this book and realized I contribute to putting myself down more than others around me. Start by taking awareness of negative thoughts and make a swift change to change them to the positive.

10. There Has Been an Uncomfortable Change in Leadership

This tends to lead to the most job-hopping because of an uncomfortable change in leadership, which can lead to a number of different emotions.

How You Feel: More likely, you feel one of the most common reactions of sadness, confusion, and anger. When a leader is replaced or leaves a position of power, it can be confusing for the people who work under them. This can lead to feelings of sadness and loss, as well as confusion about what’s going on. You may also become angry because they feel like your position is threatened.

What to Do: It’s important for leaders to communicate with their employees about the changes so that everyone understands what’s happening and feels comfortable using the new leadership structure. This will help reduce the amount of confusion and chaos at work, which will ultimately improve morale. If this doesn’t happen, then try to sit down with your new and old boss for a discussion.

11. Your Values No Longer Align

This can happen when new management comes into the work environment or a personal shift in life notification for you. When your values no longer align with those of the job, it can be difficult to stay motivated.

How You Feel: When you first accepted the job offer, everything felt right. You were excited about the challenge and the new opportunities that this new position would bring. However, after a few months, you start to notice some discrepancies between your values and what is required of you in your current role.

For example, you may not feel comfortable using profanity at work or participating in unethical behavior. In fact, you may even feel morally opposed to these behaviors.

What to Do: If your values are no longer aligned with those of the job, it can be hard to stay at the job because you no longer see any value in what you’re doing. This can lead to feelings of frustration and dissatisfaction.

Additionally, consider job-hopping and start scheduling interviews for another job that better aligns with who you are as a person and what matters most to you. When you find a job that you love and feel passionate about, it will be much easier to stay motivated and happy in your work environment.

12. Your Confidence Is Dwindling

It is deflating when work is off sync and nothing seems to be working out how your hopes. You know their adjustments to be made, but you aren’t sure where to start

How You Feel: When you’re feeling down about your job, it can be hard to believe that anything could make things better. But the truth is, there are plenty of ways to get through a tough time.

What to Do: Here are four ways to boost your confidence and start thinking positively again:

  1. Talk to someone you trust. Talking out your problems with someone who will listen without judgment can help you feel more relieved and less stressed.
  2. Take some time for yourself. Whether that means taking a walk outside or indulging in a favorite hobby, spending time alone can help relax your mind and body and clear your head.
  3. Set goals for yourself and work towards them one step at a time. When you have something concrete to aim for, it becomes much easier to stay motivated during challenging times.
  4. Believe in yourself! Even if the world seems like it’s against you right now, remember that everything will eventually work out as long as you keep fighting for what’s important to you.”

13. I Really Hate My Job & Think It Is Time for a Job Search

There are a few different ways to quit your job and make the switch to a new career. You can search for job openings online, contact your local employment agency, or speak with an advisor at a career center.

How You Feel: Quitting your job is not always easy, but it’s worth it if you’re unhappy with the situation. There are many benefits to quitting your job, including increased income (yes, a raise!) and more time for yourself.

What to Do: Searching online is the fastest way to find jobs that match your skills and interests, but be sure to read all of the applicable links before applying. If you’re looking for advice on how to quit your job without ruining relationships or getting fired, speak with an advisor at a career center. They can provide guidance on how best to proceed and minimize potential damage.

15. When you Hate Workplace – Don’t Burn Bridges

Burning bridges can have serious consequences, both for yourself and your career. By staying neutral in confrontations, you may be able to salvage your reputation and future relationships.

How You Feel: When disagreements arise at work, it’s important not to take the bait and lash out. Doing so could lead to long-term damage that could complicate your job situation and future career prospects.

What to Do: Instead, try to remain calm and diplomatic – this will show that you have good judgment and aren’t easily provoked. If you need to speak up, do it constructively and with the goal of resolving the issue rather than hurting someone’s feelings or damaging their relationship.

16. Your interests & skillsets have changed

If you’ve been working at your job for a while and it’s not fulfilling you anymore, it might be time to consider a change. Maybe you have been learning a new skill set that you find more interesting.

How You Feel: Your interests may have changed since you first started working, or you may have outgrown your current position. It’s important to remember that there are plenty of other opportunities out there – even if they don’t involve a nine-to-five schedule.

What to Do: When we’re unhappy with our work, it can be tough to discuss the situation with our boss or coworkers. But if we’re not happy, they’ll eventually notice and it’ll create an uncomfortable work environment. Change can be difficult at first, but it can lead to greater satisfaction in the long run.

17. Know It’s Not Just You

There’s a lot of talk about the recession and how it’s affecting everyone, but what about the people who are just trying to survive? This is a common struggle people are facing at work.

How You Feel: Work can be challenging, especially during tough economic times. Many people are feeling stressed out and depressed at their jobs, and there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight.

What to Do: However, there are ways to cope with the stress and difficulties of work. You need to learn strategies to balance the work-life situation. Talking to friends or a trusted professional will help you get back on track.

I hate my Career – Ways to Cope

Everyone hates their jobs sometimes.

This is especially true when you are stuck in a career that doesn’t serve your values and goals, or one with very high-stress levels. If this sounds like the case for you, then it is time to evaluate your next move.

However, many people are reluctant to make such changes because of the risk involved and uncertainty about what comes next.

It is important to be aware of what is driving your internal hatred about your job, your boss, or your situation.

1. Assess Your Situation & the Industry

If you’re feeling depressed or lost in your career, it’s important to take some time to assess where you are and where you want to be. This is a process of looking at your current situation and making a plan for how to get there.

  • Are you unhappy with your current job because it is not fulfilling, or are you just bored?
  • Perhaps the work environment is too stressful for you to handle?
  • Do you believe you should be making more money?

The first step in coping with a negative career outlook is taking the time to reflect on where you are right now. You can use this assessment to figure out what needs to change in order to improve your situation. Once you have a good idea of what needs improvement, it’s easier to make the changes that will get you closer to your goals.

Also, look at the overall industry trends to you see industry-wide trends affecting job quality and life satisfaction. More often than not, it might be others in your field feeling the same.

2. Have the Tough Conversations

Tough conversations can be difficult, but they’re essential if you want to improve yourself and your career. Every time you have a tough conversation with yourself or someone else in your work life, you’ll learn something new and make progress.

There are three types of tough conversations you need to have:

  1. The “What If” Conversation – This is the conversation where you ask yourself what would happen if X happened. This helps you prepare for possible challenges and makes sure that everything is in order before taking action.
  2. The “Doing Better” Conversation – This is the conversation where you commit to doing better next time, regardless of the results so far.
  3. The “I’m Sorry” Conversation – This is the conversation where you apologize for how things turned out and vow to do better next time.

Tough conversations are not easy, but they are essential if you want to achieve your career goals. Be brave enough to have them and take advantage of all that they can offer!

3. Switch Your Perspective

If you’re feeling down about your career, take a step back and think about how you can see it from a different perspective.

When we’re upset or unhappy with something in our life, it’s easy to focus on the negative aspects. However, by switching our perspective, we can start to see the situation in a new light.

For example, if you hate your job but don’t want to change careers, try thinking about how you could see it as an opportunity for growth. Instead of focusing on what you don’t like about your job, consider all the ways you’ve learned and grown since starting work there.

We all have moments when things don’t go our way – by changing our perspective, we can start to feel better even when things are tough. In fact, this is why we stress mindset is everything.

4. Vent About It

When people feel frustrated or overwhelmed with their job, they may want to share their feelings with others. This behavior is often referred to as “venting.”

Venting can be helpful in relieving stress and tension. It can also help people process their thoughts and emotions, which can lead to positive changes in their lives.

Many people use social media to vent about their career frustrations. This is especially common among millennials, who are more likely than any other generation to use social media platforms for self-expression. One of the benefits of using social media for venting is that it allows you to connect with like-minded individuals who understand your situation. This network of support can be incredibly helpful in overcoming challenges in your career path.

5. Get Your Finances in Order

When you’re feeling down about your career, it can be tempting to think that you have no other choice but to continue to work at a job you hate. However, by getting your finances in order you can start to feel more optimistic about your future.

Especially for those in the, I don’t want to work anymore boat, this is the time to start saving money to invest for your future self.

Setting money aside will provide a cushion if you choose to leave your job unexpectedly or breathing room when changing jobs.

This is something we personally did when my husband wanted to change jobs due to being overlooked for promotion after promotion.

6. Do Your Best Work

Doing your best work means putting your all into whatever you’re doing. It means giving it your all, no matter what the task or situation. This may be hard, but it is essential!

When you do your best work, you put in the effort and energy that’s necessary to be successful.

You don’t half-ass things because you’re worried about how people will think of you. You go all out and give it 110%, no matter what. And that goes for everything in life – from your career to relationships to anything else that matters to you.

There are a lot of times when we don’t feel like doing our best work because we’re doubtful or scared. But if we keep pushing through those tough times, eventually we’ll reach a point where doing our best work becomes second nature. And then success will follow naturally as a result!

So don’t wait – start doing your best work today and see the amazing results for yourself!

7. Brainstorm Your Dream Job

Brainstorming your dream job is a great way to get inspired and motivated. It can also help you identify skills and interests that you may not have known you had.

When brainstorming your dream job, it’s important to be open-minded and think about any career possibilities that interest you. This could include fields that are completely new to you or areas of your current job that you don’t enjoy as much.

Once you’ve come up with a few ideas, it’s time to start thinking about what qualifications would be necessary for the job. Do some research into the specific requirements of the position and see if any of your skills or interests align with those requirements.

By brainstorming your dream job and taking these steps, you’ll be on your way to finding the perfect career fit and a happy you!

8. Start Making Connections & Build Relationships

Making connections is a key part of coping with a negative career situation. It can help you find comfort in the fact that you’re not alone and connect with people who have gone through similar experiences.

When things are tough, it’s often easy to feel like you’re all alone in your struggles. But by making connections with other people who are going through the same thing, you can start to feel less isolated and more supported. You’ll also be able to share your experiences and learn from others, which can help you overcome obstacles faster.

There are many ways to make connections online – through social media platforms, online communities like Reddit, or even just talking to friends or family members face-to-face. The important thing is to find an outlet that feels comfortable for you and allows you to express yourself freely.

Also, this avenue may lead to a new job opportunity for you.

9. Develop Other Sources of Income

Around here at Money Bliss, we stress the importance of having multiple streams of income.

While your 9-5 may pay your bills, you need to investigate other types of income to really improve your financial situation.

This can be done in a few ways:

  • Finding new (or returning) employment or 2nd job.
  • Starting a business.
  • Freelancing.
  • Make money with a gig economy job.

Each option has its own benefits and drawbacks, so it’s important to weigh them all carefully before making a decision.

When considering other forms of income, it’s important to keep in mind the following factors: how much time you have available, what you’re willing to sacrifice (including your free time), your skills and experience, and the marketability of your skill set.

I Hate my Boss – Resign With More Class

If you’re unhappy with your job, there’s no need to stay in a situation that is causing you distress. You can resign with class and maintain the respect of your coworkers and boss. Here are some tips on how to do it:

1. Address Your Issues Clearly

When you decide to leave, be clear about why you’re leaving and what your plans are for the future. It’ll help everyone involved understand the reasons behind your decision and avoid any misunderstandings or hurt feelings.

2. Be Polite When You Resign

Don’t make a scene or give anyone the impression that they were wronged in any way. Simply express your appreciation for all they’ve done for you over the past few months or years, thank them for their time, and let them know that you wish them all the best in future endeavors.

3. Most Importantly – Keep Your Work Adjustment Quiet

Your personal life doesn’t have to intersect with work-related decisions until after everything has been finalized – don’t announce your resignation at work or start bargaining terms before actually deciding if it’s what you want to do!

4. Make Sure You Have The Right Legal Documents At Hand

You’ll need documentation confirming your employment status, your dates of employment, and the terms of your separation. Make copies for yourself and store them in a safe place – you may need to refer to them during the negotiating process.

5. Give Yourself Time To Adjust to a Happier Well-Being

Don’t expect everything to fall into place overnight; give yourself plenty of time (perhaps several weeks or even months) to adjust before getting back into the workforce. During this time, it can be helpful to take some time away from work altogether, focus on relaxation techniques like yoga or meditation, or read about career options that interest you.

Which Step Are You Going to Focus on When you Hate Working?

In this article, we discussed some common struggles that people face at work and offer some advice on how to cope. We hope that by sharing our knowledge and experience, you’ll find relief or guidance in dealing with your own job problems.

There are many reasons for workplace unhappiness and changing careers may or may not be the solution to your issues.

When looking for another position, keep in mind that employers are always searching for talented individuals who will fit into their team and contribute positively.

Finally, don’t forget… Talking about your struggles openly can help ease them and give you some ideas for solutions.

Just keep moving forward and don’t give up on your dreams!

Do Your Job With Less Stress Job Ideas:

Maybe it is time for a shift change and moves to one of these careers.

Know someone else that needs this, too? Then, please share!!

Source: moneybliss.org

Apache is functioning normally

By Peter Anderson Leave a Comment – The content of this website often contains affiliate links and I may be compensated if you buy through those links (at no cost to you!). Learn more about how we make money. Last edited July 18, 2011.

When it comes to becoming a beginning investor, one thing that can hold a lot of people back is the fact that starting to invest can feel like it’s so confusing, with so many options out there, diffferent types of investments and investment classes.  Where should you start?  Should you hold mutual funds only? Index funds?  What about ETFs?

As part of my continuing efforts to educate myself as to what the different options out there are I’ve recently been reading up on a class of investments that are relatively recent innovations – the Exchange Traded Fund.

What exactly is an ETF?   It’s basically the investing world lovechild of a mutual fund and an individual stock where you have the diversification of a mutual fund, but also the ability to trade the investment like a stock on a stock exchange.

What Is An ETF?

Exchange Traded Funds have been around since the early 1993.   In January 1993 the first ETF was launched, the Standard & Poor’s Depository Receipts (SPDR) ETF.  The ETF basically was setup to track the performance of the S&P 500 index.  In 1995 S&P introduced a second mid-cap ETF, and after that other companies began launching a number of ETFs to track avariety of different exchanges/indexes and asset classes.

So in it’s most basic form, what is an ETF? An ETF looks a lot like a mutual fund in that it holds a variety of investments for you, but it can also  trade like a stock on the stock exchange.  ETFs allow the individual investor to diversify their holdings while still giving them the flexibility to be able to trade during the day, unlike a mutual fund.

Most ETFs are set up to track a given index like the S&P 500, so they would be classified for the  most part as passive investments – since most of them are not actively managed.  Because they are relatively passive in nature they also tend to have lower costs than some other investment options.

Reasons To Use An ETF

There are  a variety of reasons why you may want to invest in ETFs.

  • Low cost:  ETFs in general are going to have lower costs than some other investment products because most aren’t actively managed, and because ETFs don’t have to sell securities to accomodate shareholder purchases and redemptions.  They also typtically have lower marketing and other fees.
  • Flexibility for buying and selling: ETFs can be bought or sold at any time during the trading day at whatever the current market price is.  By comparison mutual funds can only be traded at the end of the trading day.   Also, since they are publicly traded securities, more advanced investment strategies like hedging strategies, stop and limit orders and purchasing on margin and short selling can be done.
  • Tax efficiency:  ETFs in general will usually have lower capital gains because of low securities turnover in their portfolios.  They also don’t have to sell securities to meet investor redemptions, which further enhances tax efficiency.
  • Diversification exposure to different markets: Like index funds most ETFs will provide instant diversification across an entire index, while still giving you access to a variety of different industry specific and commodity ETFs that aren’t available easily elsewhere.

So as you can see there are a good number of reasons why to consider ETFs for your portfolio.  There are also things to be wary of including the fact that you’ll have to pay brokerage fees every time you purchase or trade your ETFs.

Which Is A Better Option For Me: Index Fund Or ETF?

So since ETFs and indexed mutual funds are so similar in that they’re both usually tracking the performance of a given market or exchange, which one should you consider adding to your portfolio?

Mike over at ObliviousInvestor.com breaks it down in a post on ETFs vs. Index Funds, and gives the answer of “it depends”.

In summary,

  • the longer your time horizon,
  • the greater the amount you’re investing, and
  • the greater the difference between the expense ratios,

…the more sense it makes to use ETFs.

It really is going to depend on a variety of factors, including how long you’re investing for, how much you’re planning on investing, the expense ratios for the funds vs ETF, as well as how often you plan on rebalancing your portfolio as ETFs will usually carry brokerage fees/etc for rebalancing and/or purchasing new shares.

Conclusion

Exchange Traded Funds can be a great idea for the average investor, especially for those who want a few more investment options when it comes to commodities and the like.  The fact that they have low costs, are tax efficient and that they can give you some great diversification while allowing you to do some more traditional trading strategies all mean that the ETF will be popular for years to come.

For a more in depth look at ETFs, check out the tutorial linked below, or to find a brokerage where you can open an account and buy ETFs, check out our list of discount brokerages.

Are you currently investing with or using an ETF?  Why are you using an ETF as part of your investing strategy?  Are you avoiding ETFs for any reason?  Tell us your thoughts on Exchange Traded Funds in the comments.

Related Posts

Source: biblemoneymatters.com

Apache is functioning normally

The following is a guest post from Jacob with My Personal Finance Journey.

For quite a while now, I have been a big fan, supporter, and practitioner of passive investing.

In my investing strategy, I set forth a target asset allocation, review my positions once per month, and rebalance if necessary (usually ends up being 1-2 times a year) in order to maintain the appropriate % levels by investing in index mutual funds with Vanguard.

For me, investing in individual stocks is simply too risky, and I don’t trust myself to do it. This is especially true when you consider that 70% or more of investing “professionals” fail to outperform the market.

If most people that devote 10 hours a day to this game can’t do it, what makes me think that I’m special enough to magically outperform the market?

A question that has become a topic of heated debate (especially in the camps of the critics of Mad Money’s Jim Cramer’s stock investing advice) is whether or not stocks picked by non-humans, such as a monkey throwing darts at a board to select stocks, would actually perform better than those chosen by the “pros.”

I think this question has arisen due to the inability (mentioned above) of many investment advisors to beat the market with their stock selections, along with the random-walk hypothesis developed by Burton Malkiel in his book, A Random Walk Down Wall Street.

Regardless of the specific cause of this speculation, it makes for an interesting thought exercise. One thing I recently was interested in particularly was the question below.

What kind of performance would I achieve by basing my buying and selling decisions on a random number generator in Excel?

And furthermore, how would this performance compare to the selections of investing professionals? So, I soldiered off to try to obtain some answers to these questions.

Baseline Market Comparison

In order to obtain a baseline to which to compare the results of my random number generator investment strategy, let’s take a look at how the S&P 500 performed in the ~ 2 months that I conducted this experiment (started on 28-Feb-2011). I chose this date range in 2011 because it coincided with a time when the market pretty much stayed the same. I figured that by choosing a neutral time for the market, the effect of using the random number generator would show through more greatly one way or another.

From 28-Feb-2011 to 22-April-2011, the S&P500 went up 1.33%. While this was not  particularly impressive time period for performance by any means, it gives us the baseline we need.

Study Set-Up

Having established our baseline, I then set up the analysis in the following way, assuming an initial value of the portfolio of $1,000:

  • In an Excel spreadsheet, I would predict the performance for each day that the stock market was open using the random
    number generator function, =RANDBETWEEN(-1,1). 
  • This function randomly generates one of three integers = 1, 0, or -1. I then correlated each of these integers to a direction of the market, as described below.
    • 1 = Market will go up more than or equal to 0.5% that day. Therefore, I would buy more (5% of total portfolio value)
      shares of an S&P 500 index fund at the open of the market.
    • 0 = Market will stay the same (change less than +/- 0.5%) that day. Therefore, I would hold all shares and experience whatever fluctuation was dealt by the market that day.
    • -1 = Market will go down that day more than or equal to 0.5%. Therefore, I would sell all shares at the open of the market in anticipation of the drop and temporarily hold the money in a safe cash account (assume no interest is obtained on the cash account).
  • After each day’s trading was over, I would record the actual performance of the market to determine whether or not the random number generator predicted correctly and adjust the overall portfolio value accordingly. 
    • Note: Source for all this data was Google Finance. Also, for simplicity, I decided to ignore commissions/trading fees. However, in reality, these would further decrease the returns observed.
  • You can view the spreadsheet I set up at the Google Docs link below.

Results

The results of this exercise were quite interesting! I’ve summarized the details below:

  • The random number generator actually predicted the correct market movement a pretty impressive 45% of the time! Wow! It was incorrect 55% of the time.
    • I’m going to get on the soap-box here and propose that if we were to look at the performance of market-timing investment professionals, I’d suspect that they would be correct about the movements around this same 50% of the time.
    • Out of curiosity, I did some research to try to find some data on the % of times that portfolio managers/investment professionals correctly predict the market, and I was not able to find any specific stats. However, I did find that in order to make money with a market timing strategy, you have to be correct in your predictions 74% of the time. (Source – QuickMBA.com)
  • The total return (excluding trading fees of course, as mentioned above) was interesting as well. The results showed that NO, you cannot use a random number generator to beat the performance of simply investing in an S&P500 index fund! The specifics of my findings are described below:
    • Using the buying, selling, and holding system described above in the study set-up, the following results were seen:
      • Total Amount Invested = $1,801.62
      • Ending Account Value = $1,136.64
      • Holdings Sold During Analysis = $675.24
      • Total Return = +0.57%
  • So, even though the total return realized with this random number generator market prediction strategy did not beat the market return of +1.33%, it was still in the same ballpark.
  • In fact, it’s fascinating to me to think that a positive return can be generated by choosing random numbers in the first place, especially during a time when the market didn’t go up very much.

Summary

So, overall, by basing my buying and selling decisions from the results of a random number generator available on any computer worldwide, I was able to achieve a total return slightly less (but still in the same positive percentage range) compared to the S&P 500 index during the same time period (0.57% vs. 1.33%) and correctly predict the market movements 45% of the time.

Because 70% of investing professionals fail to obtain returns on par with the market, this is quite an interesting find! Of course, more long-term analysis would be necessary before I would deploy this strategy with real money. However, it makes one question the effectiveness of active stock picking and market timing and in my mind, strengthens the case for a passive investing approach.

How about you all? Do you use a passive or active investing approach? Have you been satisfied with the success of your approach? What’s your take on the results of this random number generator analysis?

Share your experiences by commenting below!

Source: goodfinancialcents.com