After studying my butt off and passing the CFP® exam, I have no desire on taking another test again.
None.
There was a brief moment (about 2 seconds to be exact) where I thought about taking the CPA exam.
Then reality set in and I have looked back ever since.
Previously, I shared Amber’s personal story on how she passed the CPA exam and became an accountant.
Better her than I. 🙂
Today, I have a guest post from Bisk Education on proven CPA exam test taken strategies.
So if you’re brave enough to sit for the CPA exam, this post is for you. Enter Bisk…..
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Have you been deeply embroiled in a CPA exam review course?
You’ve probably done nothing but eat, breathe and sleep accounting for months.
If you are feeling confident about the subject material but are still looking for ideas on how to best navigate the actual test-taking process, these tips are for you.
The CPA exam is a notoriously difficult test; according to published pass rates, most people fail.
So learning and following some basic tricks of the exam-taking trade can be just the edge you need to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
First, don’t spend the 24 hours before your exam frantically cramming in a nonsensical (or even sensical) fashion. Most experts recommend spending about 500 hours studying over the course of four to six months before sitting for the CPA exam. If you’ve followed their advice, you know this stuff. Don’t stress yourself out and jumble your orderly, educated brain. Your time in the final hours before the test is much better spent eating healthy and sleeping well. At least eight hours is ideal.
The morning of the exam, focus on the necessary logistics.
Do you know how to get to the testing center?
Is your car gassed up?
Do you have the necessary forms of ID?
Have you laid out a comfortable outfit?
Remember, you must enter the testing room with only the clothes on your back, and they have to stay on your back. If you are too warm, that sweater can’t just be shed and flopped over your chair. You have to sign out of the room, put the sweater in your assigned locker and sign back in – a waste of precious time.
Budget Your Time
Once you have handled the basic tasks that provide for your mental and physical well-being during the exam, the most important thing you can do is budget your time wisely. Time management is the essential key to passing the CPA exam. The trick is to weigh the amount of time it takes to complete a multiple choice testlet with how long it takes to do a task-based simulation (TBS), but in managing your time, always be guided by how much each is worth in the scoring matrix.
Let’s put that theory into practice. In three sections of the CPA exam – Auditing & Attestation (AUD), Financial Accounting & Reporting (FAR) and Regulation (REG) – the multiple choice questions are worth 60% of your score, while the task-based simulations make up the remaining 40%. Given that, you’d want to spend roughly 60% (or just under 2.5 hours) of a 4 hour test on the multiple choice testlet and the rest on the task-based simulation testlet.
In the final section of the exam, Business Environment & Concepts (BEC), the multiple choice testlets are worth 85% and the written communication exercises only 15%. Since it only takes 75 points to pass any section, if you did exceptionally well on the multiple choice questions, you could skip the written communication tasks. It’s not recommended, but it’s something to keep in the back of your mind when budgeting your time.
Familiarize Yourself with the CPA Exam Format
In addition to taking care of yourself and managing your time, the third leg of the CPA exam success stool is to be familiar to the point of comfort with the exam format and software. Any quality CPA review course’s materials should help you accomplish that, but also spend as much time as possible reading through the AICPA website for the official CPA exam tutorial and sample tests. If you’ve done both those things you know a couple hard-and-fast rules of the CPA Exam game :
The multiple-choice question testlets must be completed before you are allowed to proceed to the task-based simulations or, in the case of the BEC, the written communication tasks.
You can jump around within a testlet, skipping back to previous questions and ahead again, but once you’ve closed out of that testlet, there is no going back. It is a fait accompli, as they say. In fact, because every section of the exam except the BEC is adaptive, you’ve already been graded on that completed testlet to the extent that your performance has determined how difficult the next set of questions will be.
Within the parameters of those two immutable facts, here are a few quick and dirty strategies to increase your chances of success:
Double Read & Double Check: Be sure to read each question and all the possible answers thoroughly at least twice to ensure that you understand what the examiner is looking for. The AICPA Board of Examiners isn’t above being tricky, and it’s easy to overlook a “not” or some similar word that completely changes the meaning of the question. In the same vein, be sure to re-check your calculations in all TBSs.
Cherry-Picking is Acceptable: There’s nothing wrong with grabbing that low-hanging fruit first. Within every testlet, answer easy questions first and come back to the more difficult ones later. They are all worth the same amount of points anyway, and this plan of attack may just bolster your confidence. This technique can be particularly helpful in the TBS testlets. Scan quickly through each of the 6 or 7 simulations and decide which ones you can knock out of the park quickly and effectively.
Keep Moving: If you get stuck on a question, skip it and move on. Agonizing over one thing for too long will only serve to frustrate you and undermine your confidence. Besides, by moving forward, you just might uncover a tip or some factoid that triggers your brain to recall the necessary information within a subsequent question.
Task-based simulations – they just sound vastly more difficult than multiple choice questions. But you’ve taken your sample tests. You know that when you strip them down, they are just word problems testing your comprehension – drop-down menus, spreadsheets, fill-in-the-blanks, true-or-false, and maybe a chance to showcase your Internet research skills. You can do this!
In summary, it goes without saying that no amount of test-taking strategy can replace good, old-fashioned exam prep. Certainly don’t depend on it to do so. However, it is only logical to stack the deck in your favor by implementing these common sense tactics. In a difficult, high-stakes test like the CPA Exam, any leg-up you can get may mean the difference between a passing and failing score!
When J.D. announced that this week would be Book Week at GRS, I was excited about a set deadline for tackling a book from my ever-growing reading list. Since micro-finance and micro-credit have been of interest to me for the past four years or so, I decided to read Banker to the Poor: Micro-Lending and The Battle Against World Poverty by Muhammad Yunus. (J.D. reviewed the same book in 2007. Read his take here.)
Nobel Peace Prize winner Yunus is the founder of Grameen Bank, an organization that helps the world’s poorest, especially women, escape poverty through micro-loans, which are small loans given to start a business.
Banker to the Poor chronicles Yunus’ journey from a “bird’s-eye-view economist, teaching elegant theories in a classroom, to a worm’s-eye-view practitioner” and the creation of Grameen, a bank owned by its poor borrowers that boasts a loan recovery rate of 97.29%.
Meeting Sufiya Begum In 1974, professor Yunus, then a Bangladeshi economist from Chittagong University, took his students on a field trip to a poor village. There they interviewed Sufiya Begum, a woman reluctant to talk to them due to the village’s strictly-observed custom of purdah, meaning curtain or veil, that virtually secludes Muslim women from the outside world. Eventually Sufiya came to the doorway and told Yunus and his students about the economics behind the bamboo stools she made. To make one stool, she had to buy 22 cents worth of bamboo with a loan from local moneylenders, who charged her 10% per week. Her net profit was just two cents per stool.
Barely able to feed herself and her family on two cents per day, Sufiya was essentially enslaved to the lenders. She couldn’t save money or invest in her business because she was barely able to eat. All for a lack of 22 cents.
Yunus was shocked to realize that if Sufiya just had access to a loan at a better rate, she could feed, clothe, and house her children and expand her business, raising her family above the poverty line.
The birth of Grameen Yunus collected data on the village to find out how many borrowers were dependent on the moneylenders, finding that 42 people borrowed a little less than $27. He loaned them the money. Yunus writes:
It struck me that what I had done was drastically insufficient…My response had been ad hoc and emotional. Now I needed to create an institutional answer that these people could rely on. What was required was an institution that would lend to those who had nothing.
Yunus fought through red tape from banking institutions, governments, and local customs. With great tenacity, he found a way around numerous roadblocks with a passionate devotion to the people he was serving.
In 1983, Yunus formed the Grameen Bank. Grameen now has 2,564 branches, with 19,800 staff serving 8.29 million borrowers in 81,367 villages. Despite the warnings from traditional bankers, 97% of the loans are paid back. Yunus wasn’t surprised by this, as he knew the poor, who had no cash cushion and no other options, would not blow their one chance to get out of poverty.
A focus on women From the start, Yunus wanted to focus granting loans to women, with a goal of having 50% of the borrowers be female. It was an uphill battle to say the least. Yunus had to fight against customs, religious zealots, and banking institutions that effectively excluded women (they could make deposits, but couldn’t get a loan without the presence of their husbands). From birth, these women are routinely told they are unwanted and should have been killed at birth or starved — that they are just another mouth to feed and dowry to pay.
Additionally, Yunus saw that starvation and poverty were more of a woman’s issue than a man’s. If one family member has to starve so that the others can eat, it’s an unwritten rule that it must be the mother. A man also can throw his wife out at any time, simply by repeating “I divorce thee” three times, leaving her unwanted in her parents’ home or begging on the streets. But when a woman is given the means to support herself, her success focuses on her children and household. Yunus writes:
Though they cannot read or write and have rarely been allowed to step out of their homes alone…they pay more attention, prepare their children to lead better lives, and are more consistent in their performance than men. When a destitute mother starts earning an income, her dreams of success invariably center around her children…When a destitute father earns extra income, he focuses more attention on himself. Thus money entering a household through a woman brings more benefits to the family as a whole.
It took six years to reach the goal of 50% female borrowers. Today women make up 97% of Grameen borrowers.
Grameen around the world As Grameen and its methods expanded, Yunus would constantly hear that micro-lending wouldn’t work in another village or country. But to Yunus, people who were poor — which he defined as not having access to shelter, clean water, and a constant supply of food — had a lot in common no matter the geography.
One of the most touching stories in Banker to the Poor was that of an impoverished 40-something woman who made quilts. Through an interpreter, she told Yunus she was initially afraid when a bank staff member came to see her. Her husband didn’t like her talking to outsiders or leaving her home without him.
Though the staff member told her about the women in Bangladesh who were changing their lives, and she wanted to be like them, things where she lived “were so rough.” She didn’t dare do this herself, saying, “My husband would kill me if I created trouble for him.” The staff member introduced her to other women in the neighborhood, and eventually they formed a group. (Group meetings were a requirement for a loan through the local micro-finance organization, which critics said made it too hard for the poor to borrow money.) The woman eventually took out a loan, quickly repaying it and applying for another. Her quilts are in such high demand, she can barely fill her orders.
This woman, who spoke only Spanish, lived in Chicago, Illinois.
She never thought she’d earn her own money, she told Yunus. In fact, she never thought she’d have any money at all, since her husband never gave her any. In the 15 years that she had lived in America, she didn’t even have a friend until meeting the four women in her group, who she came to regard as sisters.
Today Grameen methods are applied in projects in 58 countries.
The politics of micro-lending Grameen and micro-lending have been criticized by the Right and the Left, and it doesn’t seem to side with either, despite Yunus’ praise for Democratic politicians and criticisms of Republicans. Grameen supports smaller government and criticizes welfare programs that don’t allow people to break out of the poverty cycle — yet it’s committed to social objectives and social intervention in the form of policy packages (without government involvement).
No matter your politics, Banker to the Poor is an inspiring memoir that will give you a new understanding of poverty around the world, micro-lending, and socially-responsible enterprises.
Note: You can read more about Yunus at PBS The New Heroes, a series about 14 social entrepreneurs.
That was a phrase that my father continually beat into my head harder than Lars Ulrich could pound on his bass drum (in case there is a generation gap, Lars is the drummer from the rock band Metallica).
Even though on average college graduates do earn more in the long-run and online colleges are bringing down costs, the current job market is saturated with sustainable careers that don’t necessarily require a degree.
Taking a closer look, it seems a major shift in employer priorities is occurring in certain fields, such as manufacturing and information technology (IT), where soft skills and on-the-job training are deemed more beneficial than a formal educational background.
Individuals bringing these resources to the table are now in high demand, especially since many companies now offer assistantship programs or even paid training for high-achieving candidates.
In this day and age, it just might be more about the right skills than the right schooling.
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25 Highest Paying Jobs Without A College Degree
Margin Department Supervisor
Air Traffic Controller
Automobile Service Station Manager
Real Estate Broker
Landscape Architect
Lead Carpenter
Director of Security
Elevator Mechanic
Cable Supervisor
Flight Services Manager
Freelance Photographer
Personal Trainer
Funeral Director
Commercial Pilot
Truck Driver
Nuclear Power Reactor Operator
Firefighter
Emergency Medical Technician
Railroad Jobs
Medical Coder
Information Technology Technician
Criminal Investigator
Brick Mason
Postal Service Worker
Pharmacy Technician
If you have decided to not attend a four-year college right out of high school, or are looking for a fresh start at a new career path, 25 of the highest paying careers with virtually no degree are featured below.
Looking for a fun job that pays well? Scared that the cause of unemployment may be growing? Sign up for free and see who’s hiring in 2023 at www.FlexJobs.com.
Disclaimer: While there are definitely some good paying trade jobs on this list, I still think having a college degree is worth it. Yes, tuition is high and will continue to rise, but the experience, connections, and mindset that college offers are invaluable. Now on to the jobs…
1. Margin Department Supervisor
Average Salary: $74,799
Prior Education: A finance or accounting degree is not required, but knowledge of all basic processes is needed.
On-the-Job Training: Moderate to high training and/or shadowing.
Job Description: A Margin Department Supervisor oversees a company’s credit department, which manages customer credit accounts and approves or denies credit to customers.
As would be expected, approving or denying credit sometimes involves unhappy customers, so you’ll need strong communication and negotiation skills for this role.
Since the scope of the job requires mathematical calculations as well as debt analysis and recognition of accounting principles, make sure you are confident with these basic processes. Some companies may increase pay if you have a degree under your belt.
You’ll also primarily be in charge of ensuring all department employees adhere to federal policies and regulations.
2. Air Traffic Controller (ATC)
Average Salary: $124,540
Prior Education: A college degree is not required, but the nature of the field is very competitive where experience is highly valued. A combination of progressive work experience and formal education is generally preferred.
On-the-Job Training: Rigorous training and testing is required.
Job Description: An Air Traffic Controller is required to pass rigorous testing by the FAA, which includes health checks, as well as mental stability tests. You must initiate the testing process before age 31.
Being an Air Traffic Controller has been voted the most stressful job in the United States for many years because of what the job entails on a daily basis. Air traffic controllers also often work night shifts, weekends, and even holidays.
A typical work day may include monitoring and directing in-air traffic, including routine take off/landing. Sometimes in-air emergencies must be handled, hence the high stress associated with the position.
Strong organizational and problem-solving abilities along with excellent communication skills are highly valued in this role. It does help to know someone already in the business to land a job in this field.
3. Automobile Service Station Manager
Average Salary: $45,204
Prior Education: High school diploma or equivalent. Some employers may prefer a Bachelor’s degree in management or similar field and/or several years of experience in automotive service management.
On-the-Job Training: Most can obtain this type of position by working one’s way up the ladder through on-the-job experience. Obtaining certification may also be required.
Job Description: Essentially, the role of the Service Station Manager is to run the day-to-day operations of a gas station.
The scope of the work includes setting the gas prices for the day, scheduling and training the rest of the employees who work at the station, ordering new merchandise to keep the shelves stocked, ensuring service station safety, as well as being the direct manager for the other employees.
Some skills that would be helpful in obtaining this job would be good personal skills as well as some managerial and accounting experience.
4. Real Estate Broker
Average Salary: $56,730
Prior Education: High school diploma or equivalent. However, a college degree in finance or related field may prove beneficial.
On-the-Job Training: Even though you must take a couple of classes to obtain your certification, these courses are much less of an expense compared to financing a college degree. Licensure requirements typically vary from state to state.
Job Description: To become a real estate broker you will still need to take a couple of classes to become certified. But still, these courses are still much less of an expense to you compared to financing a college degree.
You will be trying to sell houses as well as filing the paperwork for the transactions. In addition, you will help customers with their loan agreements.
However, if you are considering this career, you should be very friendly and have flexible hours since you will most likely be working on your customers’ schedules.
You typically are self-employed setting your own hours and working on a commission basis. Good negotiation skills along with market research experience will prove helpful in this role.
5. Landscape Architect
Average Salary: $65,760
Prior Education: Typically a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Landscape Architecture is preferred. An internship experience is highly encouraged. This job may require you to take some classes at a community college on horticulture as well as landscape design, but these types of courses are not required.
On-the-Job Training: With this career, you will have the option of whether you would like to be becoming certified or not. However, if you are certified, you will have access to larger contracts and a wider scope of work. Most states do mandate licensure, though, and the requirements vary from state to state.
Job Description: If you do not mind getting a little dirty and working hard for a living, then this might be a good career for you. Typical job duties include designing functional yet attractive outdoor spaces and parks for a variety of clients.
Landscape architects spend a large portion of their time creating blueprints and preparing cost analysis reports. You would also analyze environmental conditions for projects and even participate in restoration initiatives.
Make sure you have a good eye for design and a strong work ethic to consider this career. Understanding GIS technologies and project management is a must.
Here’s a how-to guide for starting your own lawn company and making some serious money (in turn being able to and saving some serious money, too!).
6. Lead Carpenter
Average Salary: $51,150
Prior Education: High school diploma or equivalent. Most Lead Carpenters begin their careers as skilled apprentices.
This job requires a high amount of experience in the field either through attending a trade school to master technical skills or by being an apprentice to a lead carpenter.
On-the-Job Training: By going to trade school you will actually have to obtain some type of certification, possibly making you more marketable in the field.
Often training includes learning how to expertly handle a variety of power tools, such as power drills or saws.
Job Description: Serving as an apprentice would most likely land you in a job replacing your teacher. Either way, you can be very successful in this type of career if you enjoy working with your hands.
Although highly dependent on the type of industry, job duties may include analyzing construction plans, creating project timelines, and managing and overseeing team production activities.
Carpenters often work in both indoor and outdoor settings and may need to eventually join a union.
7. Director of Security
Average Salary: $78,608
Prior Education: Typically a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related field is preferred along with years of experience in related positions.
In reality, this job will involve starting off in an entry level security position before working your way through the ranks to become the Director of Security.
On-the-Job Training: You might also be required to pass a security guard training program, but this will most likely be paid in full by the employer so the actual educational cost to you would be zero.
Depending on the company you will work for, you might also be required to pass a background check as well as some minor health inspections.
Job Description: A typical work day would include reviewing and implementing security department policies along with ensuring relevant local, state, and federal laws and regulations are adhered to. This role may also involve actively participating in training programs with the security staff.
Some good skills to have for this type of job would be some above average physical characteristics, as well as integrity to always choose what is right.
This position often involves being on-call for any emergencies after-hours, so make sure you can fulfill this requirement.
You can also try going the Police Officer route. If you decide to pursue this career, make sure you study with the Police Exam Guide.
8. Elevator Mechanic
Average Salary: $77,806
Prior Education: High school diploma or equivalent.
Just like the Lead Carpenter job, this job will most likely be acquired through a trade school degree, assistantship, or lots of years of experience. Being an elevator mechanic does have a couple more stipulations, though.
On-the-Job Training: Moderate to high training; may need to attend trade school to contract with large corporations.
Job Description: Lots of major corporations will require you to have a license and work for an insured company, which in this case would then force you to go the trade school route so that you could work on these large corporate jobs.
A typical work day would include repairing elevators and fulfilling routine preventative maintenance when needed. Installing and repairing control systems or adjusting and inspecting safety controls are other common work tasks.
Elevator mechanics should be able to identify and troubleshoot issues quickly and efficiently, and having a working knowledge of elevator mechanics is needed. Most of this industry is unionized, so make sure you are willing to join a union before entering this line of work.
9. Cable Supervisor
Average Salary: $51,112
Prior Education: High school diploma or equivalent. However, technical school education or an internship/assistantship may prove beneficial.
On-the-Job Training: A good way to acquire this type of a position is to either apply for the job with some type of managing/scheduling background or to apply for an entry-level position and work your way up by knowing the business.
Job Description: This career would be in a managerial-type setting. You would be responsible for overseeing the maintenance as well as installation workers setting up cable boxes and internet connections.
Typical work duties would also include interpreting cable specifications, troubleshooting issues with cable equipment, and also hiring and training any new cable technicians.
You would be responsible for the scheduling aspect as well as holding the workers accountable to be where they need to be.
10. Flight Service Manager
Average Salary: $64,042
Prior Education: Typically a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in aviation management or related field is preferred. Completing an internship program is highly suggested.
On-the-Job Training: This career would most likely be obtained through lots of on-the-job experience along with obtaining certification if required.
Job Description: You would be responsible for helping schedule flight crews as well as taking care of customer complaints and filing any necessary paperwork.
This job would require great personal skills as well as lots of patience with unhappy customers. Making sure all passengers have the best onboard experience possible is of top priority for Flight Services Managers.
Airlines can be a stressful arena to work in, so if you are considering this line of work make sure you can keep your cool in the toughest of situations.
11. Freelance Photographer
Average Salary: $36,630
Prior Education: No educational experience required.
On-the-Job Training: This career typically involves both self-education and hands-on training through practice. Natural talent and creativity are highly valued in this field.
Job Description: Being a Freelance Photographer takes dedication to one’s tasks, as well as a great eye for artistic detail. This type of career may also require traveling long distances to be able to acquire the right “shot” for the right story.
In a sense, being a Freelance Photographer can take many forms, such as snapping pictures of nature for magazines, or taking pictures of stories for newspapers, or even being a paparazzi-type photographer and searching for the next big celebrity scandal.
To really make a sustainable living in this field, it may prove helpful to complete some basic business management courses, or to attend training sessions on editing or even lighting techniques.
It’s best that Freelance Photographers have good personal skills and can identify and fulfill client needs and/or requests. If you become a really good photographer, you could even sell your photos on Shutterstock to make some extra cash.
12. Personal Trainer
Average Salary: $38,222
Prior Education: High school diploma or equivalent.
This career will most likely require that you are qualified to teach proper physical fitness techniques to clients. Many Personal Trainers have strong backgrounds in nutrition, exercise science, or other related fields.
This certificate is not very difficult to obtain; however, it is relatively cheaper compared to any other type of trade school mentioned above.
On-the-Job Training: Continual through updating or expanding one’s professional certifications.
Job Description: To be successful in this line of work you will most likely want to be a very physically active person yourself, as well as have a passion for this line of work.
A typical work day would include meeting one-on-one with clients to assess their physical fitness needs with the intent of designing an individualized training program.
Personal Trainers also motivate and encourage their clients to reach and even surpass their fitness goals. As a result, good personal and communication skills are a must.
Most Personal Trainers work at gyms, private workout facilities, or provide at-home or virtual coaching services. Some decide to work both inside and outside the home to help facilitate a higher income.
Also, you can try getting your Yoga certification.
13. Funeral Director
Average Salary: $56,850
Prior Education: Educational requirements range from a high school diploma or equivalent to an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Funeral Service Education or related field. Internships are also encouraged.
On-the-Job Training: Licensure is required in the U.S. before taking on a Funeral Director position, and some states may require a certain level of education or the completion of an apprenticeship.
Job Description: You do need some training to become a Funeral Director and possibly certification, but you can eventually make as much as $80,000 a year.
A typical work day would include helping families organize funeral details and complete any corresponding paperwork, such as a death certificate.
Offering counseling to grieving family members and helping to prepare the deceased body for the funeral service are other common duties.
It is important that you be able to handle the macabre, and you do need to have tact and a warm personality since you are dealing with people in difficult situations. Make sure you can accommodate a flexible schedule since visitations and funerals are often on weekdays and weekends.
14. Commercial Pilot
Average Salary: $78,740
Prior Education: High school diploma or equivalent, but most airlines now require a Bachelor’s degree as a prerequisite for employment.
On-the-Job Training: Moderate to high training is involved. Often the first step is to get your private pilot’s license. You’ll get your flight hours up and be more comfortable in the cockpit.
Job Description: Commercial Pilots fly planes for very specific reasons, such as for rescue operations, aerial photography, aerial tours, or charter flights.
Pilots generally evaluate overall conditions of aircraft, communicate with air traffic control, and monitor engines and fuel consumption, among other routine tasks. Being a team player with strong communication and observational skills is also a plus.
You’ll be spending a considerable amount of time away from home, so make sure you aren’t too much of a homebody. Fatigue and jet lag may also be experienced often.
Excellent observational and communication skills prove quite beneficial in this field of work. You can easily make more than $50,000 if you get on as a commercial pilot at the right airline.
15. Truck Driving
Average Salary: $53,199
Prior Education: Typically a Commercial Drivers License (CDL) and/or high school diploma or equivalent is preferred.
On-the-Job Training: Drivers must complete several weeks of on-the-job training.
Job Description: After completing six to eight weeks of training and obtaining your commercial driver’s license, you can make $45,000. Work your way up to becoming a trainer, and you can clear more than $70,000 a year.
Maintaining a clean driving record is crucial. Truck Drivers must adhere to all traffic laws, ensure cargo is secure for transport, and keep all trucks and equipment in good working condition.
Hand-eye coordination, visual stamina, and mental focus are important qualities to have for this type of position.
To become a Truck Driver you need a Commercial Drivers License or CDL. I recommend using both a CDL Practice Test and CDL Test Answers to help you study up so you can pass.
16. Nuclear Power Reactor Operator
Average Salary: $72,384
Prior Education: A degree in a field like engineering is required by some nuclear power plants, but you do not need a college degree to land a lower level operator job. In some cases, all you need to do in some cases is to simply pass the certification test.
On-the-Job Training: Moderate to high training is required along with possible certification.
Job Description: Nuclear power reactor operators manage nuclear reactors, monitoring them and making adjustments as necessary to ensure the safety of the nuclear power production process.
They also have to perform routine maintenance on the reactors and shutdown on very specific systems. Because the job is quite risky and requires very careful attention to detail, it pays quite well.
It also helps to become efficient in the required computer technologies involved in nuclear power plants. Make sure you can handle shift work and long hours.
17. Fire Fighting
Average Salary: $49,080.
Prior Education: High school diploma or equivalent. Any prior training in emergency medical services is a plus.
On-the-Job Training: Completing a physically demanding training program is mandatory along with other certifications.
Job Description: The starting salary for a Firefighter is often just a little more than $30,000, but you can make more than $50,000 a year depending on where you work and whether you reach a supervisory position.
Firefighters must know how to use standard field equipment, such as hoses and ladders, become proficient at providing medical attention to injured victims, and properly handle coming in contact with hazardous materials or wildfires.
Depending on which state you work in, you may need to complete specific training programs, such as high-rise building rescues.
Being a firefighter is a very strenuous and dangerous occupation, and you often must work long shifts and over 40 hours per week. To help you get physically ready for firefighting duty, I recommend you check out Pass the Beep Test, a guide to help you prepare your body for firefighting.
18. Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
Average Salary: $33,380
Prior Education: Typically a high school diploma or equivalent and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification is required. Completing a postsecondary educational program is common.
On-the-Job Training: Generally there is little to no on-the-job training, but completing levels of certification are more than likely required for most states.
Job Description: If you are about to take your EMT classes to become an EMT, you will be happy to learn that the job outlooks in this field are very promising. However, chances of having a good job in the EMS are given to those who have more EMT certifications (like paramedics).
EMTs are first responders in a medical emergency, assessing victims’ conditions and possibly transporting them to the hospital by ambulance. Often people’s lives are on the line when EMTs arrive on the scene.
The hourly wages can vary from $12.08 (10% of the workforce earns less than this) to $24.77 (10% earn more than this bracket). According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of 2023 the median hourly wages of EMTs was at $17.76 per hour.
19. Railroad Jobs
Average Salary: $59,780
Prior Education: Typically a high school diploma or equivalent is required.
On-the-Job Training: Several months of moderate-level training is standard. Obtaining certifications may also be required.
Job Description: Do you like trains? Do you enjoy traveling? If so, a railroad job might be just for you.
A variety of positions are available, ranging from engineers and conductors to switch operators and management positions. Railroad jobs give you a chance to see new parts of the country while getting paid very well in the process.
Since trains operate every day of the week, expect to work nights, weekends, and holidays in all kinds of weather conditions.
Hand-eye coordination, visual acuity, and communication skills are valuable assets in this industry. If you’re looking at getting a railroad job, here’s a comprehensive guide that shares how to get a job in the railroad industry.
20. Medical Coder
Average Salary: $45,035
Prior Education: Typically a high school diploma or equivalent is required, while an Associate’s Degree is sometimes preferred.
On-the-Job Training: There is little to no on-the-job-training since specific training programs are generally completed as a prerequisite for employment. Completing certifications may also be required.
Job Description: The healthcare industry is currently booming, and you can expect it to continue to rise with the Baby Boomer generation getting older. There aren’t enough doctors and nurses available.
Behind all of the doctors is a team of medical coders typing up detailed reports on what procedures you had done and billing you or your insurance company the amount owed.
According to The American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC)’s 2022 salary survey, on average medical coders without certification bring home approximately $47,200 per year. However, becoming certified as a Certified Professional Coder (CPC) is highly sought after to seek higher pay.
21. Information Technology (IT) Technician
Average Salary: $41,305
Prior Education: Associate’s degree, Bachelor’s degree, or certificate program in computer science or related field is typically preferred. A degree is usually not required to land an entry-level position.
On-the-Job Training: Little to no on-the-job training expected since some employers require that candidates complete some level of formal training as a prerequisite for employment.
Job Description: There are a number of career paths within information technology that do not require a college degree.
Starting out you’ll probably conduct support calls on a helpdesk and only make $11-13 per hour. As your skills and experience progress and you get more experience you can easily make $50,000 to $70,000 per year as you get into systems administration and network engineering.
Typically IT technicians diagnose and repair computer malfunctions and install and maintain network systems. Get started on your IT career path by getting some online computer training and certification.
22. Criminal Investigator
Average Salary: $58,582
Prior Education: High school diploma or equivalent.
Several years of prior experience in law enforcement is encouraged. Some employers do require a minimum of an Associate’s degree in Criminal Justice or related field.
On-the-Job Training: Moderate on-the-job training is expected. Most states do require standard licensure for criminal investigators, along with a license to carry an armed weapon.
Training typically involves learning how to properly gather information and conduct remote surveillance, among other routine tasks. Reconstructing accident scenes is also a field-specific skill learned.
Job Description: Criminal investigators are the individuals tasked with interviewing and collecting evidence for specific cases.
Depending on the case at hand, you may be performing background checks, verifying facts and statements, conducting surveillance, searching online records, or gathering information on persons of interest.
You may even need to testify in court or make a physical arrest. This job is fast-paced and often involves working odd hours, weekends, and holidays.
Important skills to have include resourcefulness, inquisitiveness, and integrity. Being able to stay cool, calm, and collected during criminal investigations is integral to performing well in this role.
23. Brick Mason
Average Salary: $42,900
Prior Education: High school diploma or equivalent. Many masons also complete extensive apprenticeship programs or specific coursework before employment.
Any previous experience as a construction laborer is acceptable.
On-the-Job Training: Learning the trade is often accomplished through completing apprenticeships and/or on-the-job training shadowing experienced masons.
In these apprenticeship programs, promising candidates learn standard masonry practices, such as construction basics, measurement calculations, and safety procedures.
Job Description: Generally a brick mason uses bricks to construct walls, fences, and other structures.
A typical work day would include reading blueprints, gathering required materials, cleaning surfaces with power tools, and lifting heavy materials for proper alignment.
Brick masons often work long hours in a fast-paced and strenuous environment where becoming injured on the job is common. Protective gear, such as safety glasses, should be worn at all times.
Construction deadlines must be met, so brick masons often work indoors and outdoors in all kinds of weather. Important skills to have for this role include hand-eye coordination, physical strength, and attention to detail.
24. Postal Service Worker
Average Salary: $57,260
Prior Education: High school diploma or equivalent. An excellent driving record is a must along with a clean track record.
On-the-Job Training: There is some short-term on-the-job training involved, including passing a written exam, road test, and other standard background checks.
Job Description: Postal service workers generally collect, sort, process, and distribute mail in a timely manner. It’s their responsibility to make sure mail is delivered seamlessly.
They also sell common postal products, such as stamps, and obtain any customer signatures for certified mail.
Important skills to have for this role include a strong focus on customer service and attention to detail.
25. Pharmacy Technician
Average Salary: $31,750
Prior Education: High school diploma or equivalent. Complete a postsecondary program in pharmacy technology before employment is acceptable.
On-the-Job Training: Moderate on-the-job training is required, which typically involves passing an exam or specialized program.
You may also need to learn how to operate automated dispensing equipment, and some states may require certification.
Job Description: Pharmacy technicians are responsible for correctly filling, packaging, and labeling customers’ or health professionals’ prescriptions.
You would also be involved in organizing inventory, processing insurance claims, and accurately entering patient information into a computer database.
Having excellent organizational, listening, and customer-service skills is highly valued for this role.
Pharmacy technicians may be required to work nights and some weekends. Make sure you are physically fit enough to spend most of the day on your feet fulfilling orders.
Is Attending College Overrated?
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There’s one thing I know for sure – college is extremely expensive! As the College Board highlights in a recent survey outlining changes in college tuition between 2012-2013 and 2022-2023, tuition is on a steady upward climb that shows no signs of letting up.
In 2023, public four-year in-state tuition is $10,950 for full-time students. This was a 1.8% increase from the previous college year.
There are a vast amount of careers that you can obtain without an actual college degree, but most require either a trade school certification or just time on the job and working your way up through the ranks.
“Formal education will make you a living. Self education will make you a fortune.” – Jim Rohn
Looking for a job? Scared that the cause of unemployment may be growing? Sign up for free at www.FlexJobs.com and see who’s hiring today!
FAQs on High Paying Jobs with No Degree
Are there high paying jobs with no degree?
Yes, there are several types of jobs that do not require a college degree but can still offer competitive salaries. Some examples include web developers, software engineers, medical coders, sales professionals and IT support staff.
What qualifications do I need for these jobs?
What qualifications do I need for these jobs? The requirements for these types of positions vary depending on the job and company, but often include certifications or specialized training in the field you are interested in pursuing.
In addition to technical skills, employers are looking for individuals who demonstrate strong problem solving abilities, excellent communication skills and an understanding of customer service principles.
Q: What are some high paying jobs that don’t require a college degree?
Here are some examples of high paying jobs that don’t require a college degree:
-Commercial pilots: median salary of $121,430 per year -Detectives and criminal investigators: median salary of $81,920 per year -Nuclear power reactor operators: median salary of $94,350 per year -Power distributors and dispatchers: median salary of $83,020 per year -Real estate brokers: median salary of $61,720 per year -Elevator installers and repairers: median salary of $80,180 per year -Web developers: median salary of $73,760 per year -Petroleum engineers: median salary of $137,170 per year -Computer network architects: median salary of $112,690 per year -Medical and health services managers: median salary of $100,980 per year
Are there any high paying jobs that don’t require a college degree, but do require experience?
Yes, there are many high paying jobs that don’t require a college degree but do require experience. Some examples include:
-Commercial pilots: typically require several years of flight experience as a co-pilot before being considered for a pilot position. -Detectives and criminal investigators: typically require several years of experience in a related field, such as a police officer or federal agent. -Nuclear power reactor operators: require extensive on-the-job training and experience. -Real estate brokers: typically require several years of experience as a real estate agent before becoming a broker. -Petroleum engineers: typically require several years of experience in the oil and gas industry before being considered for a position as a petroleum engineer.
The Silicon Valley boom paved the way for unprecedented returns for scores of high-tech companies, resulting in a mass influx of highly-skilled professionals to the San Francisco Bay Area.
A surge in job creation invariably boosted housing demand across the region. With a limited supply at hand, the prices quickly spiraled out of control, appreciating at an extraordinary clip.
The effect of rising demand and limited supply quickly resulted in an over-inflated property market which out-priced nearly everyone in the Bay Area counties. Year-on-year growth rates show that the median house price in San Francisco has increased by 1.3%, – to $1.6 million. While substantial, this is the smallest gain since 2012. More significantly, housing prices across Santa Clara County dropped by 6%, averaging out at $1.26 million.
Analysts agree that the explosive growth in the property market are due in large part to the runaway success of technology companies in the region. 2019 ranked among the most active years for IPO listings, leading to an influx of billions of dollars in venture capital, and various rounds of financing activity. This has led to a cooling of expectations as various tech companies such as Slack, Uber, and Lyft, failed to hit their price targets.
Interestingly enough, the steep prices in San Francisco and its surroundings have many homebuyers shift interest to other areas, like Oakland and Berkeley. Home prices in these areas have risen by approximately 4%, reflecting a median house price of $860,000.
Where to next for the Bay Area housing market?
Dozens of economists were recently surveyed regarding pricing in the Bay Area market. The consensus among them was that San Francisco will lose traction as other housing markets like Austin, Texas gain momentum. Apparently, the worst performing real estate market in 2020 is expected to be the Bay Area.
Related stories
Of the 100 economists that were polled in the survey, 64 of them believe that San Francisco’s housing market will underperform this year, followed by 61 experts who believe that San Jose will underperform. If these predictions hold true, home values across the Bay Area will start to decline. Obviously, residents of the Bay Area have mixed feelings about their home value decline, but those looking to rent and buy properties will be heartened by this news.
The uninterrupted growth in property prices has everyone overly concerned. The majority of real estate developers have been focusing on the high-end market when developing new housing facilities. This has neglected the low and middle-income earners who were simply priced out of the market.
One of the most expensive cities of America
Of course, notable exceptions exist such as Danny Haber of oWOW, a California-based real estate development company which focuses on low-cost, luxury accommodations for the market, in and around the Oakland region. Owing to general trends in the Bay Area, most people do not consider home ownership, let alone rentals. While high home prices affect buyers and sellers, they also have an impact on renters by raising the costs. Unfortunately, the rise in rental prices has outstripped the growth in real earnings by a wide margin.
According to SF Gate, the one third rule is not applicable to the Bay Area property market. Typically, renters spend approximately 33% of their gross income on housing, but in the Bay Area, this is a pipe dream.
Rental prices for a single bedroom apartment in San Francisco can average $2,900 per month, which requires earnings of $105,000 a year. Most wage earners come nowhere near close to that figure. In fact, experts found that San Francisco rentals, including San Mateo and Marin counties, eat up to 50% of gross income. This being said, the costs of living here become more affordable in households with multiple wage earners.
Housing alternative for the Bay Area
Construction costs in the Bay Area rose by 6.7% during 2018, making San Francisco the most expensive real estate market to build in. Typically, increases in demand are met with increases in supply to reduce pricing, but in San Francisco’s housing market this is not the case.
Of course, the tech sector is likely to rebound and this will add further pressure onto housing prices. In the absence of accelerated construction, other viable solutions need to be found.
One possible solution to the housing crisis in the Bay Area is MacroUnits, the system provided by oWOW. These modular-style housing units are built offsite and shipped to their destination.
This alternative reduces the costs of remodeling existing apartments, shortening the time to market and reducing overall costs for customers. A flexible walls system known as Magic Walls is used to maximize the living space and create luxurious accommodations by transforming single bedroom units into multi-bedroom units with additional facilities, all within the same square footage.
By entering the market with lower prices, Danny Haber’s company is rapidly expanding its tenant base, by offering upgraded housing at an affordable price. If this system is implemented at scale, it could become part of a comprehensive solution to the housing dilemma.
More market reports & studies
Here’s How Many People Became Millionaires by Selling their Homes in the Hottest Real Estate Markets Sizing Up the Texas Market: How’s the Lone Star State Fairing and Should You Buy a House Here in 2019? Features that Sell: Here are the Listing Keywords Likely to Get Your Home Sold for More Million Dollar Homes in NYC Aren’t Selling Like They Used To
Unless your last name is Rockefeller, Hilton, or Walton (as in Sam Walton, founder of Wal-Mart — four of the seven richest Americans are Sam’s heirs) chances are you had to work for the money you have. If you’re not yet retired, you still have years of that work ahead of you. And you retirees aren’t completely off the hook, either: Houses and cars need to be repaired, meals need to be cooked, and taxes need to be filed. If you don’t do these things yourself, you’ll have to pay someone else to do them.
Your ability to turn your labor into a paycheck — or to do things yourself, so you don’t have to fund someone else’s paycheck — is your “human capital.” This combination of knowledge, experience, talents, work habits, and social skills is perhaps your most important income-producing asset (as I wrote in January).
I’ve been thinking a lot about “enhancing human capital” over the past couple of years, especially as we’ve entered the toughest employment environment since the early 1980s. Few people can take their jobs for granted. Too much can change: the economy, technology, competition, even health (affecting one’s ability to do a job — approximately one-quarter of retirees stopped working due to health problems).
Then there’s the question of how to grow your net worth these days. Cash and bonds are at decades-low yields, and we all know now that the stock market doesn’t always go up. Thus, the asset we have the most control over is the one we take a shower with (assuming you do it alone, at least some of the time). A great career can result in a great retirement, because a higher income allows for more savings and retirement benefits.
But let’s face it: Earning a higher paycheck isn’t easy these days, so it takes deliberate planning, extra work, and perhaps bringing a higher-up into the shower. Since I’m not a human resources expert, I asked one of my Foolish colleagues — Angelique Keenley, Vice President of HR at The Motley Fool — for suggestions. She passed along these 11 ways to improve your income-producing capacity.
Keep acquiring degrees and certifications. We can increase our human capital throughout our lives by getting more education and professional certifications and by doing other things that enhance our résumés. Which skills, professional designations, or degrees could you acquire that would make you more valuable? (Don’t spend your time or money on just any old degree — get one that counts in your current or desired industry.)
Join professional organizations and build a strong network. Higher-level positions are almost always filled by “someone who knew someone,” not by a stranger applying for a job opening.
Continue to seek out excellence in your field. We at The Motley Fool call it “deliberate study,” and you don’t attain it by just showing up and doing your job every day. Spend time reading blogs, attending conferences, and talking to others in your field who are smarter than you.
Network inside your company. Don’t pass up opportunities to have lunch with the CEO or other senior leadership. As well as making important friends, you’ll learn things about the business that will make you more valuable — and help further your career.
Get (or become) a mentor. Seek out someone you admire, either inside or outside your company, who would be interested in helping you grow. And look for ways to mentor those less experienced than you; besides the whole “good karma” thing, it’s another way to demonstrate the value you add to your company.
Stick around awhile. It’s a good idea to stay with your company for at least two years before moving on. A résumé that shows a lot of jumping around can be a definite red flag.
Work for little to nothing. If you’re looking to make a career change, offer to serve as an intern for someone who’s established in the profession you’re interested in. You’ll see what the job is really like, acquire a few skills, and begin making contacts. And you can always do altruistic volunteer work, even if you’re unemployed. You may just meet your next employer there.
Take on additional responsibilities. Employers hate it when someone says, “I’ll only take on this additional responsibility if you raise my pay.” They love it when you say, “I took this on three months ago, and this is the success I’ve brought to the company. Can we talk about a raise?” We know someone who took this approach; instead of the $1,200 raise a previous boss had promised, the person’s new boss approved a $15,000 increase.
Make a difference. Is there anything about your company you can point to and say, “This is all thanks to me” (besides the stains on the carpet)? What about the way you work would be hard to duplicate?
Research the trends in your profession and industry. Keep an eye on relevant trade journals (you know, such thrilling real-life publications as Welding Journal, Pig International, Modern Brewery Age, Seed World, Professional Candy Buyer, and Portable Restroom Operator). You’ll get the inside scoop on where your industry is headed.
Become a do-it-yourselfer. Are you spending a lot of money on something you could learn to do yourself? Besides the monetary benefit, studies show that lifelong learners are less likely to suffer cognitive decline.
J.D.’s note: I’m a huge proponent of personal development. Your career is your most valuable asset, and by becoming a better worker (whether for yourself or for others), you boost your ability to earn. And that doesn’t just pay off now — it pays off for decades to come. Here are some other articles on this subject from the GRS archives: “How I Gave Myself a Raise“, “Five Steps to Six Figures in Seven Years“.
By John Frainee3 Comments – 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 April 24, 2012.
It’s time to invest, but you’re not sure what type of retirement account is right for you. Perhaps you’ve heard your employer talk about a 401(k), but have also heard about something called an IRA. The 401(k) vs. IRA – what’s the difference?
Let’s define each term to help you figure out what’s the best investment for you.
The IRA (Individual Retirement Arrangement)
An Individual Retirement Arrangement is a form of retirement plan that gives investors (like you) certain tax advantages for retirement savings. Note that IRAs are also called “Individual Retirement Accounts,” but the term “Arrangement” is more appropriate.
An IRA can contain a number of different stocks, bonds, or mutual funds; the mix is up to you. This is the same as a 401(k) which we’ll get to later.
Here are two of the most popular types of IRAs:
1. The Traditional IRA
When people refer to their IRA, they’re typically talking about a traditional IRA. The great thing about a Traditional IRA is that contributions are tax-deductible, meaning you won’t pay any taxes on your contributions. This is a great option if you desperately need the money you would normally pay in taxes for other types of contributions. However, you do have to pay taxes on withdrawals at retirement.
2. The Roth IRA
Contributions made into a Roth IRA are already taxed, but you won’t have to pay taxes on withdrawals at retirement. This offers a mathematical advantage over the Traditional IRA, as your money grows tax-free! This type of IRA is highly recommended.
Other IRAs
There are a number of other IRAs available but are seldom discussed. Here are a few of them:
SEP IRA – For small businesses to contribute funds into their employee’s Traditional IRA.
SIMPLE IRA – This type of IRA requires the employer to match contributions to the plan whenever an employee makes a contribution. This is actually remarkably similar to the 401(k), but it does have lower contribution limits.
Self-Directed IRA – Allows account holders to make investments toward the retirement plan.
For more information on funding an IRA and more, see Publication 590 produced by the IRS.
The 401(k)
Like the IRA, a 401(k) is also a type of retirement savings account. Within the 401(k) can be a number of different investments, such as stocks, bonds, or mutual funds.
There are different types of 401(k)s just like the IRA:
1. The Traditional 401(k)
One major difference between the 401(k) and most other IRAs is the fact that employers are to match a certain amount of the contribution their employees make into the account. Businesses offer 401(k)s at their discretion for the benefit of their employees.
Traditional 401(k)s allow you to make tax-deductible contributions, but you’ll have to pay taxes on withdrawals at retirement.
2. The Roth 401(k)
This type of 401(k) is very exciting. Here are a few facts about the Roth 401(k):
You pay taxes on your contributions, but your investments grow tax-free and you can withdraw funds at retirement without paying any more taxes! This has a huge mathematical advantage, just like the Roth IRA.
You still get a contributing match from your employer (like the traditional 401(k)).
Some businesses (such as corporations) are now offering the Roth 401(k), and if your employer offers it, by all means take it!
Another nice aspect of the 401(k) is that at this time it allows a higher rate of contribution. See 401(k) contribution rates for more information.
You may also want to read general information on 401(k)s from the IRS.
A Recommended Investing Strategy
Overwhelmed yet? There is a lot to learn when it comes to the 401(k) vs. the IRA. To make things a bit simpler, here is a recommended strategy for investing and making the most of your 401(k) and IRA.
The below investments are prioritized by their ability to build wealth:
The Roth 401(k).
The “Traditional” 401(k).
The Roth IRA.
The Traditional IRA.
Why would you choose this investment strategy? The 401(k) gives you the advantage of the employer match, while the “Roth” gives you the advantage of not paying taxes on your withdrawals.
Hopefully this information has helped you understand the differences between an IRA versus 401(k). Now go invest!
If you have any questions or advice for our readers on how you might invest in an IRA vs. a 401(k), leave a comment below!
You can have it all in Orlando, including a spa-like experience from the comfort of your apartment.
Known as the city of theme parks, Orlando is a top-of-the-list vacation destination for many people across the U.S. It’s also one of the most desirable places to call home due to the idyllic weather and stunning scenery.
The apartments featured on this list all boast long lists of luxurious amenities that make them more like Orlando’s finest dedicated spas than apartment communities. Whether you’re a hammock lounger, a fireside chatter, a dedicated yogi or anything in between, these apartments have what you’re looking for, some of the best spas in Orlando.
Source: Rent. / Camden Thornton Park
Camden Thornton Park looks and feels more like one of the best spas in Orlando than it does anything you’d expect from an apartment. With a heated saltwater pool surrounded by an expansive sundeck and a poolside jacuzzi with a patio lounge, it’s easy to get lost in the long list of luxuries on offer at Camden Thornton Park
Orlando locals know that South Eola is the place to be. It’s no surprise that the top spa-style apartment is located in this thriving community slightly northeast of downtown. Beyond the gorgeous outdoor pool and spa area, these spa-style digs also boast an outdoor kitchen and grilling area as well as some stunning views of the Orlando skyline. Good luck staying stressed with all that right outside your front door.
Source: Rent. / NORA
NORA is the gem of the North Quarter and, as such, it provides residents with an all-encompassing list of luxurious amenities to support relaxation in its purest form. Boasting a beautiful yoga studio with soaring ceilings, a mirrored wall and all the equipment you’d ever need to stretch your limbs and your mind, good luck finding a better on-site meditation space in an apartment.
Beyond the beautiful yoga studio, NORA also has an absolutely stunning resort-style pool with a large tanning ledge and plenty of lounge chairs peppered throughout so everyone has a place to kick back, relax and recharge under the Orlando sun.
Source: Rent. / Camden Lake Eola
The pool and lawn area at Camden Lake Eola is unmatched. The pool itself is large and luxurious. Set up on the seventh floor, this elevated oasis is shielded from the hustle and bustle of the city below. This calming space is also equipped with an outdoor kitchen that would make Guy Fieri jealous. Sound like a solid spot to spend a day?
Located in beautiful South Eola, this 344-unit complex also houses a few luxuriously adorned and elegantly designed common areas as well. Featuring everything from large flatscreen TVs to soft seating to a fireside billiards table and more, a relaxing escape is always well within reach at Camden Lake Eola.
Source: Rent. / NorthLake Park in Lake Nona
The pool area at NorthLake Park in Lake Nona is spa-like from the layout to the mature palm trees to the lush greenery beyond. To put it simply, it feels like a world all its own. Totally disconnected from the rat race taking place just north in the city center, this stellar pool setup is the perfect place to forget about the stresses and pressures of the real world and indulge in a little well-deserved personal pampering.
Located south of downtown in scenic Lake Nona, this serene escape is the perfect apartment complex for relaxation-minded individuals that work hard and expect the relaxing rewards of their labors when they return home. NorthLake Park at Lake Nona provides the people that are lucky enough to call this beautiful place home with just that thanks to a long list of high-end amenities.
Source: Rent. / Alta at Health Village Apartments
With so many luxurious amenities available at Alta at Health Village Apartments, you may be wondering why the bathrooms are being featured so prominently. That’s because most of us don’t realize how much a nice bathroom can positively impact our lives.
Likely the first spot you head to in the morning and the last place you see before bed at night, the average day is often bookended by bathroom visits and, because of this, the commode can set the tone for the next 24 hours of your life. It’s with that idea in mind that this North Orange complex set out to achieve the great feat of creating some of the most comfortable bathrooms you’ll ever find in a house or apartment.
Source: Rent. / Azul Baldwin Park
Take one look at the stunning rectangular pool at Azul Baldwin Park and it’s easy to see why it makes this list. When an apartment pool area is designed this well, you know that high standard is going to transition to the other communal spaces as well. Azul Baldwin Park definitely doesn’t disappoint there.
This Baldwin Park beauty stands above and beyond its competition thanks to its unique architecture, cozy yet upscale club room and convenient location next to the many running and walking trails at Lake Baldwin and Blue Jacket Park.
Source: Rent. / Makara Orlando
When you sign a lease at Makara Orlando, you’re acquiring your own little personal piece of paradise. From the stunning resort-style pool surrounded by full-grown palms to the firepit right beside it, the communal pool area at Makara is an elevated oasis that just has to be experienced to be fully understood.
Beyond the stunning pool area, this Union Park paradise also plays home to a lounge with flatscreen TVs billiards and a gourmet kitchen as well as a dog park and fitness center with yoga equipment. Regardless of how you (or your furry friend) like to unwind, you’ll feel right at home in one of the best spas in Orlando.
Source: Rent. / Millenium Metro West
Millenium Metro West was made to facilitate relaxation. From its lakeside location to the long list of amenities on offer, this complex goes well beyond the basics to take great care of the residents occupying this 320-unit apartment complex. As the name implies, this upscale community is located in Metro West and, as such, benefits from its close proximity to Turkey Lake and the serene feeling of escape that comes when you are able to immerse yourself in the great outdoors.
With Lakeside hammocks, a palm-lined resort-style pool and lush, meticulously manicured landscaping throughout the grounds, good luck finding a reason to stress out at the stellar spa-like environment at Millenium Metro West.
Source: Rent. / Paseo at Winter Park Village
Hot sun, chilled glass of wine, comfortable poolside lounge chairs — sounds like the spa experience executed to the highest degree. Paseo at Winter Park Village is one of those rare places that just promotes a relaxing vibe from the second you step foot on the grounds. Largely aided by the gorgeous pool area, this complex also has more spa-style amenities available to the people lucky enough to call this place home.
This Winter Park Village wonderland also boasts cabanas, a well-equipped clubhouse with separated social areas and free WiFi as well as indoor and outdoor ping pong tables. Whether your favorite form of relaxation is a full day spent by the pool, a friendly game of table tennis or anything in between, you’ll find what you’re looking for at Paseo at Winter Park Village.
Source: Rent. / Essex Luxe Apartments
Essex Luxe Apartments features one of the best-equipped, most serene communal lounges you’ll ever find. With a fireplace, comfortable couches, designer lighting and a professional backgammon setup, all will feel at home at this relaxing retreat.
Also boasting a unique M (or W, depending on where you’re standing) shaped pool Essex Luxe Apartments has one of the more recognizable swimming setups in all of Central Florida. Large and loaded with lounge chairs, umbrellas and anything else you need to sit out in the Florida sun, stress simply can’t find you once you cross the threshold into this Tangelo Park apartment complex.
Let the stress slip away in one of the best spas in Orlando
If you’ve narrowed your Orlando apartment search down to some of the places on this list, you’re in a good spot. The apartments listed above all represent an elevated standard for amenities that put the residents’ comfort and relaxation above all else. Find the perfect place for you and find your inner peace from the comfort of home.
Featured image source: Rent. / Camden Thornton Park
Until a few years ago, small businesses were limited to obtaining business loans from banks and other traditional sources. But in the last few years, another source has opened up, and that’s peer-to-peer (P2P) business loans.
These are loans tailored specifically for small businesses, and they provide greater credit options than what small business owners can find at banks.
P2P Lenders Have Become Important Sources of Business Loans
It’s fortunate for small businesses that P2P platforms that make business loans are coming into the market. Banks – the most traditional source of loans of all types – are not particularly interested or generous when it comes to making loans for business purposes.
If you are a business owner and have attempted to get business financing, you’re likely well acquainted with the difficulties of the process.
This is especially true in the small business space. Banks make loans to businesses, but those are primarily well-established businesses. More typically, they represent medium- to large businesses.
Banks see these as lower risk lending niches since companies have strong track records, as well as large revenue streams and asset bases to secure the loans. That kind of stability is usually not as obvious with small businesses, and banks make getting a loan particularly difficult.
Complicating the process is that banks often don’t make business loans for less than $100,000. They usually see smaller loans as not worth their time and effort, based on the profitability of the loan. That means that if a small business only needs $50,000, they may not even be able to find a bank willing to talk to them.
But P2P lending is opening up for small businesses. Here are five of the most prominent P2P lenders in the sector:
Lending Club
You always have the ability to use personal loans for business purposes with Lending Club, but Lending Club has been gradually segmenting its loan types, which includes dedicated business loans and business lines of credit.
The personal loans are still available, which will enable you to get an unsecured loan for up to $40,000 to use for your business. But the business loan programs will enable you to borrow much larger amounts.
In fact, you can borrow an amount of up to $300,000. Business loans are installment loans with terms that run from one to five years They are fixed rate, with fixed monthly payments, and will be paid in full at the end of the term.
Business credit lines, on the other hand, are revolving credit arrangements, that function like credit cards or home equity lines of credit.
Lending Club does not require business plans or projections, nor do they generally ask for appraisals or title insurance. No collateral is required for loans for less than $100,000, and when collateral is required for higher amounts, it’s usually a general lien on the business and personal guarantees from the owners of the business. What’s more, loan proceeds can be used nearly any purpose.
In order to qualify for a Lending Club business loan or business line of credit, you must be in business for at least 24 months and have at least $75,000 in annual sales.
You must also own at least 20% of the business and have at least fair or better personal credit. This generally requires a credit score of at least 660, with no recent bankruptcies or tax liens.
APR runs between 6.95% and 35.89%, and there is an origination fee equal to between 0.99% and 6.99%. But there are no application fees and no prepayment penalty.
Funding Circle
Where Lending Club and other P2P lenders offer business loans as part of their loan mix, Funding Circle is expressly set up to provide business loans specifically.
Funding Circle provides business loans for a minimum of $25,000 up to a maximum of $500,000. Like Lending Club, business loan terms can range from one year to five years, and you can use the proceeds to just about any purpose – refinancing existing debt, hiring more employees, buying inventory or equipment, or moving or expanding your business operation.
In order to qualify for a business loan with Funding Circle, you must have a minimum credit score 640, and not have any bankruptcies or judgments within the past seven years, nor any outstanding tax liens or unsatisfied judgments.
You must be in business for 24 months and showing a profit in at least one of the last two years. You must also have a minimum annual revenue of $150,000 in each of the two most recent calendar years.
Business loans will not require any specific physical collateral, but you will have to execute a Form UCC-1 filing as well as provide personal guarantees by each owner of the business.
Interest rates can run between 5.49% and 27.79%, and there is an origination fee that ranges between 1.49% and 4.99% of the loan amount.
Learn More About Funding Circle
Prosper
Unlike Lending Club and Funding Circle, Prosper doesn’t have a dedicated business loan program available. However, you can take an unsecured personal loan of between $2,000 and $35,000 and use it for business purposes.
In order to qualify for a loan with Prosper, you must have a minimum credit score of 640 with Experian (that’s the credit bureau that they base your credit score on). You will need to furnish a copy of your recent income tax return if you are self-employed.
Interest rates run between 5.99%, to a maximum of 35.97%. Prosper also charges an origination fee equal to between 1% and 5% of your loan. There is no application fee and no prepayment penalty.
Upstart
Like Prosper, Upstart doesn’t have a specific loan program for business loans but does allow you to take a personal loan which can be used for just about any business need that you have.
Upstart is a little bit different from other P2P lenders in that they look beyond traditional credit criteria, but they also consider your education. This includes your major, your grade point average, and even the college or university you attended. They consider that certain major fields of study have advantages over others, and it figures into the underwriting mix.
You can borrow from a minimum of $3,000 to a maximum of $35,000. They have two loan terms, 36 months and 60 months. Though they are not specifically business loans, they have a major advantage in that they require no collateral for the loan.
As a self-employed person, you will need to provide the most recent year’s income tax return, as well as copies of current year invoices for your business. They will also likely require a copy of your college transcript if you graduated within four years of applying for a loan. You must have a minimum credit score 640, and not have any bankruptcies or other negative public records on your credit report.
Interest rates run between 4.66% and 29.99% for a 36-month loan, and between 6.00% and 27.32% for a 60-month loan. It’s likely that they also charge an origination fee since that is the practice with P2P lenders, but it is not disclosed on their website. Assume that will be in line with other P2P lenders origination fees.
PeerForm
PeerForm follows the same path as Prosper and Upstart in that they don’t have a specific business loan program, but they do have personal loans that you can use for just about any business purpose you choose.
Loan amounts range between $1,000, and $25,000, and all are for a term of 36 months. These are installment loans that come with fixed rates and fixed monthly payments and will be paid in full at the end of the loan term.
Interest rates range from 7.12%, up to 29.99%. There are no application fees and no prepayment penalties. However, PeerForm does have an origination fee between 1.00% and 5.00% of the loan.
In order to qualify for a PeerForm loan, you must have a minimum credit score 600, which is lower than any other P2P lender on this list. However, your credit report must also reveal no delinquencies, bankruptcies, tax liens, judgments, or non-medical related collections within the past 12 months.
You can have a maximum debt-to-income ratio of 40%, but this does not include mortgage debt on your personal residence. Your credit report must also show a minimum of one revolving account, you must also have at least one open bank account in order to qualify for a loan.
The P2P Business Loan Advantage
That’s five major P2P lending platforms that have business loans available in one form or another. If you are in need of a smaller loan amount – less than $35,000 – and you are looking for a simple unsecured loan that you can use for business purposes, then Prosper, Upstart and PeerForm should be able to provide you what you’re looking for.
But if you need a larger amount, like several hundred thousand dollars, and your business is a little bit better established as far as the length of time in business and cash flow, then you will want to go with either Lending Club or with Funding Circle.
Whatever you choose, the upshot is that you are no longer limited to getting business loans strictly from banks. You can now take advantage of P2P platforms, and likely have a greater chance of getting the financing you need for your small business.
And you likely have every reason to believe that you will also get your loan a lot faster and with fewer questions and less documentation.
Here’s How Often You Should Rebalance Your Portfolio, According to Vanguard | SmartAsset.com
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Portfolio shifts are a common occurrence for investors, especially active ones. Over time, assets shift out of balance from their original assigned portions and could take you out of your comfort zone. Rebalancing your portfolio realigns your assets to meet your goals according to a particular timeline and risk tolerance.
But the act of rebalancing has the potential to bear a hefty price tag, one that can break the bank through taxes, fees and time consumption. The good news? Experts at Vanguard have done their due diligence and have reached an opinion on the subject to provide you with the best answer to “When should I rebalance my portfolio?”.
For a guidance on rebalancing your portfolio, connect with a financial advisor for free.
Why Rebalance Your Portfolio At All?
Investors use rebalancing to restore their assets to their original allocations, adjust assets for their risk tolerance and optimize portfolio performance. Here’s what each of those looks like.
Restore original proportions: When the initial investment was made, you chose how much of an asset to purchase and add to your portfolio based on your risk tolerance and earning goals. This was the original asset allocation. Over time you continued to either reinvest the earnings, add more funding to your top performers, or sell off underperformers. Doing this adjusted the portioning of your assets. A rebalance will restore the portfolio back to its original state.
Risk tolerance: Your tolerance for risk can shift depending on age, finances, or market conditions to name a few. A rebalance can adjust your portfolio to your new level of comfortable risk. Either by being more conservative or advantageous.
Optimize performance: Over time, you may notice assets outperforming others. This can trigger a desire to shift your asset allocation in favor of creating additional space for more of the top performers and less of the lacking assets. Investors can use rebalancing to accomplish this.
Without rebalancing, the portfolio is allowed to gain or lose with no checks in place. Often times this results in a portfolio that loses more than it should and earn less than it could.
Costs of Rebalancing a Portfolio
Rebalancing comes with fees, time consumption and the potential risk of making a poor portfolio decision that will cost you down the road. Here are some examples of common ways these costs can occur.
Monetary cost: Anytime you buy or sell an asset you could be tacked with a fee that is due upfront. Also, some assets contain management fees which also add to the bill. Then you have capital gains taxes which can be a large chunk of your earnings if you sell within a year of purchase.
Time consumption: Rebalancing requires careful consideration of historical asset performance, predictive analysis and research to make a calculated decision on what to buy and sell. Rushing the process by guessing may save you some time but won’t help in the monetary cost section.
Risk of reckless decision-making: Rebalancing without the proper knowledge, insight and foresight can yield disastrous results. Those who rebalance too often could be replacing future top performers or adding low-return assets to an otherwise strong portfolio.
How Often Should You Rebalance Your Portfolio?
According to the experts at Vanguard, if you had to apply a standard rebalance schedule for any portfolio, odds are an annual rebalance would yield the best results a majority of the time.
While you can choose to rebalance on any schedule, an annual basis lets you avoid most high transaction costs and reap the equity from the assets.
The Bottom Line
Rebalancing too often can increase costs in capital gains taxes and trading fees. Rebalancing infrequently can decrease your earning potential while simultaneously drifting asset allocation out of your risk tolerance comfort zone. Annual rebalancing is the best-case scenario in most cases, even when the market is in trouble like it has been in recent years.
Tips on Investing
If you’d like help with your portfolio, whether rebalancing or otherwise, consider working with a financial advisor. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can interview your advisor matches at no cost to decide which one is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
Use SmartAsset’s asset allocation calculator to help you balance and rebalance your portfolio.
If you’ve paid attention to the news in the past decade, you know that health care is almost always the center of attention. Congress is always looking for ways to improve health care, which means there is constantly changes to health care and Medicare laws. That makes it difficult to keep up with and ensure that you’ve got the best coverage available.
Health care costs and medical bills continue to go up every year. There is nothing that you can do to stop them from getting more and more expensive. If you’re enrolled in Medicare, you might assume that you will have all the protection that you need, but that isn’t true. If you have traditional Medicare parts A and B, then there are a dozen different expense categories that your Medicare coverage is not going to pay for.
One of the best ways to protect yourself from those massive hospital bills is to purchase additional insurance coverage through a Medicare Supplement Plan.
What is a Medicare Supplement Plan?
Before we look at the specifics of Medicare Supplement Plan L (also called Medigap Plan L), looks take a general look at what these plans are how they operate. These policies are sold by private insurance companies, and it works to fill in the gaps that are left behind by the traditional Medicare coverage. There are ten different plans that you can choose from, and all of them are going to provide different coverage or portions of coverage.
All of the plans are denoted by a letter of the alphabet, from A to N. Some plans are going to provide basic coverage like Plan A, while others are going to offer much more comprehensive coverage, like Plan G and Plan F. The smaller policies are going to be much more affordable than the plans that fill in more of the coverage holes. It’s important that you pick the plan that’s going to work best for you.
One important thing to take note of is that Medigap plans are standardized by the government. Regardless of which company that you purchase the supplemental plan form, they are required to provide the exact same coverage. The only difference between companies is any additional benefits and how much you’ll pay in premiums.
Medigap Plan L
Now that we’ve looked at the basics of Medigap plans, we can look at the specific coverage of the Plan L. Plan L is one of the most unique supplemental plans that you can purchase. Unlike some plans that cover whole portions of expense categories, Plan L covers portions of the majority of expenses.
Before we look at what Plan L covers, you should know that Plan L is one of the most basic policies, which means that it tends to be cheaper than some of the other options. If you’re looking to save money on your additional protection, then a Plan L could be an excellent choice for you.
With Plan L, you will get full coverage for the Medicare Part A coinsurance and hospital costs for an additional 365 days after your traditional Medicare coverage has expired. If you’ve ever had to stay in the hospital for a night or two, you know how expensive it can be. With traditional Medicare, you will get 60 days of $0 coinsurance, after that it’s $329 coinsurance per day for an additional 30 days, and after that, it’s $658 until the end of that benefit period. You don’t have to be excellent at math to realize that you could rack up some serious medical bills if you’re stuck in the hospital. Having additional coverage will ensure that you aren’t responsible for huge hospital bills that could drain your bank account.
Aside from the hospital bills, you’ll also get 75% five other categories. You will get three-fourths coverage for Part A hospice care coinsurance or copayments. Depending on the hospice care coverage that you receive, it could end up being a large bill, but thanks to your Medigap coverage, you won’t have to pay for all of those bills out-of-pockets.
You will also have 75% protection for the Medicare Part A deductible. The deductible can change every year, but for 2017 it’s $1,316. You are required to meet that deductible before your Medicare coverage kicks in. With your Medigap policy, it’s going to help pay for some of that deductible.
The last three coverage categories are the Part B coinsurance/copayment, the first three pints of blood used for any medical procedure, and the skilled nursing facility care coinsurance. You will get 75% coverage for all of these categories.
Unlike other Medigap policies, Plan L coverage has a maximum out-of-pocket limit. Once you reach that point, you will start receiving 100% coverage for all of the categories. Plan L is one of the two plans that have an out-of-pocket limit, which is $2,560. This is a nice advantage that other plans don’t have.
Choosing the Plan Best for You
Trying to decide between the ten plans can be confusing. It’s vital that you make the best decision for your health care needs. There are a couple of key areas that you will need to look at to ensure that you’re getting the best plan for you.
The first area that you should consider is your finances. You want to make sure that you can comfortably afford the additional coverage that you apply for. The goal of your Medigap plan is to protect your finances to ensure that it isn’t drained from medical expenses, but it shouldn’t break your bank every month. Look at your budget to decide how much you can spend every month on that supplemental health care coverage.
The next factor that you should look at is your health. The purpose of your Medigap plan is to ensure that you’re getting the health care attention that you need without draining your retirement savings account. If you’re in excellent health and you don’t have any serious health complication, then you can consider purchasing a smaller policy that doesn’t fill in all of the gaps. These plans are going to be much more affordable than other options. On the other hand, if you have several health problems, then you should consider purchasing a more comprehensive plan that gives you all the additional coverage that you need.
Enrolling in a Medigap Plan
Once you’ve decided which plan is going to work best for you, Plan L or otherwise, you need to decide when you’re going to enroll in your policy. Purchasing one of these supplemental insurance plans is easy. All you have to do is contact a licensed Medigap insurance agent, and they can walk you through the process.
What’s more important of which plan that you buy, WHEN you buy the plan is going to make a huge impact on your Medigap coverage. It’s important that you take advantage of your Medigap Open Enrollment Period. This is a six-month window that begins the month that you turn 65. During this time, the insurance company can’t reject your application, regardless of your health or any pre-existing conditions that you have. If you’re in poor health, this could be your only chance for getting supplemental insurance protection.
Additionally, during the open enrollment period, the insurance company can’t increase your premiums, even if you have several health problems. After the six-month window has closed, your application will be treated like any other application, which means that they will be allowed your raise your premiums based on your health. Taking advantage of the open enrollment period can save you thousands of dollars every year. If you’ve already missed your time frame, don’t’ worry, there is still a good chance to get supplemental coverage at an affordable price.
Questions about Medigap Coverage?
I know that getting supplemental Medicare coverage can be difficult, but it’s one of the most important purchases that you’ll ever make. The older that you get, the more that you’re going to spend on health care. Depending on your health, you could spend hundreds of thousands of dollars, but that’s where your Medigap plan will come in.
If you have any questions about Medigap coverage or you need assistance in deciding which plan is going to work for you, please feel free to contact an experienced agent or me today. Additionally, you can check out my other posts about the Medigap options. I’ve outlined each of the options to give you the information that you need to pick the perfect policy.