Author Archives: alanhs961

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Must-Have Tools To Improve Freelance Life 100%

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The working world has been changing, and there are more people than ever that work from home, or that work as a freelancer. There are rising number of people that are skilled in what they do, but are choosing to work from home with a freelance career. There is a lot of evidence to suggest that when you work from home, you could actually be more productive and efficient, as well as saving time and money. But because things have changed in the way that we work, we need to give ourselves some time to equip ourselves with the kinds of skills and tools that are going to improve freelance life, especially if you’re new to it all. So with that in mind, here are some essential online tools that can help digital nomads improve and be the best that they can be.

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Organization 

If you are someone who tends to have quite a few tabs open on your computer, but can’t get away from it all, because you want to keep them for some point down the line, then you need some tools that are going to help to keep things really organized. You could use a tool like OneTab as a way to declutter, which is a browser extension tool that puts tabs all into a list. You could also use boards on a site like Pinterest, as it means you can bookmark things for later. Can be handy when you need to save client pages, and so on. 

Sharing of files

If you have often been sharing files with clients, for example, graphic artists or photographers will have large files to send to others, then you will want to use a platform that is going to make a massive difference and speed things up a little. You could use a VPN to help you to file share with other clients, as it can mean that you can send things much more quickly as you are using a private network. A VPN can also help to keep data and files secure, which, depending on what kind of freelance work you do, could be of paramount importance for your clients. There are different providers of VPNs to choose from, so make sure you look up something like an Opera free VPN review to see what the pros and cons are. It can be simple to do but it does make a difference.

Time Management

If you are someone who has to balance work and life, as well as someone who does things by the hour, then you need to make sure that you are using your time wisely, as well as tracking how long you spend on certain projects. Software like Toggl can let you keep track of your working hours quite easily, and you can assign out the time for the different clients that you are working for. The software can also generate some weekly or monthly reports, which can be a great way to help you keep track.

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Can You Make Your Business Seem Better Established?

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Running a small business is a serious undertaking. Of course, that’s not to say that it isn’t hugely exciting and rewarding because it is, but that doesn’t mean you should ignore just how much work you’ll need to put in. This is especially true for a startup where you a) don’t have that much experience in the business world, and b) are usually working with a pretty small team, perhaps even on your own. This means that it’s pretty easy for mistakes to slip through the cracks. Mistakes that get made in the early stages of a business’s life can have some serious and long-reaching consequences in the future. Fortunately, a lot of them are relatively common and, once you know what they are, they’re pretty easy to avoid. With that in mind here are some of the most common startup mistakes and how you can make sure that you don’t make them.

Overdoing your marketing

Now, this is not to say that marketing isn’t a massively important part of any business because of course, it is. The issue that a lot of startups run into however is that they assume that by throwing out at much marketing as possible then they’re definitely going to bring in the maximum number of customer. This is not only incorrect but ends up being a serious waste of time, energy, and money. Instead, what you should do is to make sure that you’re marketing precisely and effectively. The only way to make sure that you’re doing this is to do your research. Figure out who your target customer and what the most effective marketing methods are to connect with them.

Neglecting your IT

This one is especially true for smaller startups who assume that a well-managed IT infrastructure isn’t something that their business really needs. In the age of DIY online businesses, it’s easy to assume that you don’t need any support to get by but that’s simply not true. Without well-managed IT solutions, you’re going to end up hitting roadblock after roadblock. Ironically if your IT isn’t up to scratch, then the issues will only get more pronounced as the business grows and the strain on your infrastructure increases. By setting up your IT services early on, you avoid any delays or problems further down the road.

Getting too ambitious

It’s important to look to the future, and it’s just as important to think about growing your business, but that doesn’t mean you should let your reach exceed your grasp. Far too many startups end up getting into trouble because they try to grow too fast in a way that ends up being unsustainable. They simply can’t handle the increased expectations and responsibility that comes with running a larger business. Instead, make sure that you’re always working at a level that your business can actually sustain, otherwise you could end up in some serious trouble.

Looking amateurish

It’s surprisingly common for a lot of people to pass over smaller businesses in favor of better-established ones simply because they assume that it’s going to be a safer bet. People tend to see bigger businesses as more reliable and imagine that they would offer higher quality work. It’s your job to try and prove those expectations wrong. As well as improving your web design and overall branding, there are plenty of things that you can do in order to make your business seem bigger and more well established. A virtual office and answering service like VHQ answering services, complete with well-trained receptionists, can make even the smallest home business look well established and professional. It might seem odd to need to do something like this but customer perception is an essential part of business success.

One of the most common mistakes that a lot of people make is that they assume that it’s going to be easy if their business is small. After all, there’s certainly something to be said for how much easier it is to run a smaller business than a larger corporation. However, it’s also important to remember that your business often grows alongside you which means that you’re going to be far more capable as your business expands. In the early days, your business might be small, but you may be inexperienced and unable to fully handle all of the challenges that come with running any kind of business. Understanding this and being able to adjust the way that you do things in order to really make the most of your business is an essential step that you simply cannot ignore.

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A Lifelong Journey: Learning How To Be A Better Driver When Everyone Else Is Terrible!

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How much time do you spend behind the wheel of a car? It’s something that most of us have to do, whether it’s for your job or you’re the only one in your household that can do it. And over time, it can serve to increase our frustration, but also, if we want to get anywhere, we start to imitate those around us and take their terrible skills on board. Before we know it, our ability to drive goes down the drainpipe, and it’s because everyone around us is operating in the same haphazard manner. But driving better doesn’t have to be a difficult thing to attain; and if you really want to make a difference on the road, improve your commute, or just feel less stressed behind the wheel, try a few of these approaches… 

Truly Get An Appreciation Of Everyone Else Around You

As drivers, we can be absurdly single-minded, and only focus on our journey. But this means we don’t get a true appreciation of what’s going on around us. Sometimes we have to get a different perspective, and we can do this in simple ways. We could get a dual dash cam, which is something that many drivers now utilize on the road, not just to recognize the idiots that are causing near misses but also, giving ourselves an appreciation of the things we might very well not have noticed on the journey. Hindsight is a wonderful thing, and if we can get a better perception of what’s going on around us, it’s the perfect place to start.

Stop Speeding 

We start to imitate others around us because we feel that pressure. And when it comes to something like speeding, if everybody else is doing 5 miles over the limit, and they are doing that passive-aggressive thing to you because they’re stuck behind you and you were “only” going the limit, that temptation to speed up can develop into a full-blown habit. Speed limits are there for a reason. If you stop speeding, you’re not going to cause an accident, and you won’t have your license taken off you!

Stop Being In A Hurry

We are forever in a rush to get somewhere, and we witness this by the people risking their lives to take over us on a quiet road, but there’s a lesson to be learned here. If we are forever in a rush, then clearly we’re not leaving enough time to get to our destination, but also, being in a rush means we start to take risks that we wouldn’t if we had more time. It’s something you see all of the time. People cutting across all four lanes to get to an exit, and this is such a major mistake that could cause one massive accident, but the lesson is simple, if you are always in a hurry, bad habits will always up.

And probably the biggest lesson we can all learn is to address our own bad habits. One of the best ways to do this is, unfortunately, to have them checked by a professional. Being a good driver isn’t just about passing your test, it is a lifelong journey.

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Three Ways To Make Your Life Greener

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We are living in a world that is on the edge of extinction. We have very little of our precious time left to fix the issues that humanity has caused to our beautiful planet. Climate scientists agree that we need to act, as the effects of the years of abuse on the environment will become unrepairable. It is believed that if we change our ways now, we can stem the tide and help to overcome the problems that the world is today facing. 

Governments hold climate summits, and politicians, business leaders, and scientists talk it out. But progress is far slower than it needs to be. With most of the world falling short of its agreed targets to reduce carbon emissions, drastic action is required. 

While governments can legislate, or seek to gradually prevent certain practices that cause the world the worst harm, this change is slow. It takes businesses to get fully behind it and start to put the health of the planet before the health of their profits. It takes us, as individuals, to stop certain behaviors and adopt a much more conscientious approach to dealing with the issues that we are facing right now. 

You may be asking yourself, what can you do? When you are just one person, how can you help to change the world? Well, if you start to adopt new ways of dealing with things, and you can help one other to do the same. Eventually, a more significant proportion of us will be adopting greener lifestyles. Here are a few things that you can do to help to combat the climate crisis. 

Water Conservation

The world is at risk of coming under the grips of a drinking water shortage. It is estimated that by 2025, over a quarter of the world’s population will no longer have access to clean, safe drinking water. 

There is enough water on the planet to cover 70% of its surface. Yet 0.007% of the water on the earth is actually safe to drink. We have a growing population who all need to drink and wash. Then, we use good clean water for farming, giving to animals that are bred for food, washing your cars, filling up swimming pools, flushing toilets, and watering the garden. And in many countries, people act as though our water supplies will last forever. However, in South Africa recently, they discovered that it may not be the case. When it’s water supplies dropped to around 20% of the average capacity, the government was on the verge of permanently switching off the state-owned water supply to Cape Town and the surrounding areas, meaning the people of the country would not have running water. Fortunately, the South African citizens adapted to the changes it needed to make to help to conserve enough water so that they could keep it open. 

Although that crisis was averted, others may not be. But there are things that you can in your life so that you are less wasteful of water. Firstly, have a look at getting slimline water tanks fitted to harvest as much rainwater as possible. This can then be used for all manner of things such as toilet flushing, to watering the garden. You should adopt a more cautious attitude to the amount of water that you are using. Think about showering instead of having a bath. If you do shower, cutting the length of time that you are in there by just a minute or two will help to save a considerable amount of water. 

Stop Burning Fossil Fuels

Many of the world’s largest energy suppliers are still burning fossil fuels to provide us with electricity. This creates a dangerous amount of pollution which the environment cannot handle. With fewer trees on the planet, much of the carbon that gets emitted is not getting processed through photosynthesis.

If your energy company still insists on using coal to fuel its power stations, have a look at what alternative companies there are in your area that can supply fully renewable power for you. With so many wind, solar, and hydroelectric plants out there, there is no reason why you should be getting clean energy in your home. 

There are other things that you can do here too. Make sure and turn everything off when it is not in use. Even leaving things on standby uses up power. Turn off lights if you are not in the room. These things will also help to reduce your electricity bill considerably too. 

Buying appliances that have good energy efficiency ratings will be helpful too. That will mean you will use less power to run them. Similarly, use lower wattage, energy-saving lights throughout your home. 

Driving Ourselves To The Edge

If you are a motorist, there are ways that you can help the environment out considerably. One of the main things that you can do will be to choose environmentally considerate cars. If you are planning on buying a new car at any time soon, have a look at an electric model. If that is not an option for you, there are also hybrid cars. If you must buy a petrol-engined vehicle, get a small one, with a low emissions rating. 

If you can, start sharing rides wherever you go. If you can give somebody a lift in your car that may have otherwise driven to the same place as you, you will be helping to reduce the number of cars on the roads. 

If you can walk somewhere, try and get into the habit of doing so. It may not be as convenient as taking the car. However, it is better for your health and the health of the planet. 

If your employer offers a cycle to work scheme, take them up on it. Using bikes to get around is an excellent way of reducing your own carbon footprint. They may be able to help with the costs involved in buying the bike in the first place. 

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How Your Freelance Business Could Gain Customers This Year

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Being a freelancer in the modern world can be a very rewarding career path. Of course, it requires a lot of dedication and perseverance. When you become a freelancer, you have to appreciate the fact that you’re not just starting a new career; you’re starting a new business. So, if you want to be successful in this highly competitive marketplace, you need some entrepreneurial skills as well as some skills in your particular professional field. If you’re going to sell marketing copy to companies, for instance, then you’ll need to be knowledgeable with regards to the latest marketing practices in the business world and you’ll need to be a skilled wordsmith. However, if you don’t know how to push your own company out there, you’ll struggle to build up a substantial client base. So, let’s talk about how your freelance business could gain customers this year.

Create a trustworthy brand.

Firstly, if you want to gain customers this year, you should create a trustworthy brand for your business. People don’t care whether they buy their products and services from a solo entrepreneur or a huge corporation with a large workforce. Consumers just want high-quality goods from reputable brands. So, if you want to turn heads in your particular target market, you need to prove that your company is reliable. For starters, you should aim to gain good reviews from your existing customers. This will boost your reputation in the industry.

But you can go further than good reviews. You should focus on your business’ security. In today’s digital world, plenty of companies have been hacked. When customers see that their data has been leaked, they struggle to trust that business in the future. Consumers want to know that their details are safe when they purchase something from a company. Take steps to keep your data safe. Update your firewalls frequently, get help from IT experts to test your system for weak spots, and so on. In turn, you’ll create a trustworthy brand for your business.

Work on your online campaign.

You should also work on your online campaign if you want to gain customers. Everybody searches for the goods they want on the internet in the modern age. Obviously, most modern freelancers are based online because it’s much easier for solo entrepreneurs to operate that way. Still, the point is that you should focus on digital marketing if you want to reach the largest number of potential customers in your industry. You could get help from an SEO company if you’re struggling to increase your website’s ranking on search engines. Showing up at the top of the first search result page is your goal. That’ll increase the likelihood of you reaching potential clients. After all, people don’t often go beyond the first page of results.

Start a referral scheme.This is another way in which your business could gain customers this year. You might want to start a referral scheme so as to encourage your existing clients to bring in new clients. If customers see that they’ll receive rewards such as discounted prices or even free gifts, they’ll feel more inclined to spread the word about your company to their friends and family. For every person that they successfully refer to your business, you could give them rewards. There should also be a reward for the person who’s been referred to you. That way, it’s a fantastic opportunity for both of them. And, obviously, it’ll benefit your freelance company in the long run because your customer base will grow. You should keep offering rewards to your existing customers to maintain loyal relationships with them, of course.

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How often should you check your credit reports?

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Monitoring your credit is like getting a regular checkup at the doctor — it seems like a hassle but it’s important.

When it comes right down to it, you really do want to find out if something is wrong before it’s too late. Identity theft is a great example. If someone is using your personal information—your name, address, credit cards, etc. — you want to find out as soon as possible. Credit Monitoring may not seem like something you need to do but it doesn’t take long for someone to open accounts in your name, take out loans, or buy a car. A lot of damage can be done in a short amount of time.

With good credit monitoring, you can catch things before they spread. It’s the financial equivalent of a regular checkup. You get tips about credit card utilization and how credit inquiries can influence your credit score. Every little bit helps.

Also, unfortunately, mistakes happen. As an example: a university could report a student as late on loan repayment — even when the student is still enrolled full-time. This could happen without anyone even sending a bill — a simple clerical error. Suddenly, a credit report is showing the loan as 30 days late, then 60, 90, 120, and all without the individual’s knowledge. The reality is that errors happen, and if you aren’t monitoring your credit report, you often don’t find out until you’ve been denied for something, like a new line of credit, or more credit on an existing line. And mistakes of this kind aren’t easy to sort out. It can take months, or longer.

Or what if you’re planning on buying a new house? You think your credit is in order until the bank denies your application. Why? Apparently you owe hundreds of dollars in interest on a purchase you never even made. Our advice? Stay on top of it. Monitor your credit report. Have access to it every single day.

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This article was originally published on truecredit.com.

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Create An Eco-Friendly Garden With These Tips

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Seeking out ways to create an environmentally friendly outdoor space is important, whether you are a beginner or experienced gardener. Remember that in the long term, the choices that you make will have an impact on our planet. In this article, we share some tips on creating your own eco-friendly garden.

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Collect rainwater

We get enough of it, so why not put the rainwater to good use by collecting it in a water tank from somewhere like Team Poly? You can use it to water your garden or wash your vehicles, which not only helps the environment but your water bill as well! If this is not an option, look at reducing the size of your lawn, so there is less grass to water, and avoid using sprinklers, which use an incredible amount of water. 

Build A Natural Compost Heap

Instead of buying ready-made soil from the store, have a go at making a compost heap. It is very simple – you use your food waste and any other organic matter that can decompose. By creating a compost heap, you are adding some much-needed nutrients to the soil and prevent even more wasted produce from entering our landfills. Organic material that you can put on your heap include vegetables, fruit, coffee grounds, eggshells, dead leaves, lawn cuttings, and shredded paper. However, meat and dairy products should not be added and nor should cooked food as these can attract vermin into your garden. You also need to add water (from your water tank!) to keep it moist and aerate it by turning it over with a pitchfork regularly. 

Use Solar Power

Many of us like to have water features and lights in our garden, but of course, these use quite a lot of energy. If you choose to have them, think about using solar power to power them. They use energy from the sun rather than your electricity supply, which not only makes them more sustainable but saves you money as well.

Add Native Species of Plants and Flowers

Exotic plants and flowers look great in your garden, but they can often consume a lot more water, fertilizer and need more in terms of maintenance and upkeep to keep them healthy. However, if you choose species that are native to your area, you will find that they thrive. This is because they have naturally adapted to the climate and the surrounding environment.

Plant Trees 

One of the best ways to help the environment is to plant more trees in your garden. They will help to improve the air quality by releasing more oxygen, and will also provide a habitat for wildlife. Plus, they can make your garden appear more attractive and inviting and provide some much welcome shade.

Use natural products to kill weeds effectively.

If your garden is rife with weeds, it can be tempting to pick up a bottle of store-bought weed killer, but this can harm the soil. However, there are plenty of natural products out there, which will do the same job effectively and safely. For instance, acetic acid at concentrate can kill 20% of weeds. Clove oil can also effectively burn weeds, while corn gluten can stop weeds from emerging in your garden.

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Budget Travel Tips for Students Traveling in 2019

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Originally posted on claimcompass.eu by Thomas Busson, the SEO and Content Strategist at ClaimCompass. Frequent traveller, he loves sharing tips and news about the industry in a simple way.

A trip abroad, whether it is to study in a different university for semester or to take a break from classes to seek a different kind of knowledge, is often (always?) a turning point in a student’s life.

But to make the most of their trip in 2019, students would do well to keep in mind those budget travel tips.

After all, there’s nothing more frustating than being in a new and exciting environment and be unable to fully enjoy it because you struggle financially.

These proven techniques have allowed me to travel to Europe and Asia as a student, without having to worry too much about money… despite a student loan.

Don’t approach your trip abroad as you do every exam, by starting to work on it at the last minute. The more prepared you are, the more you’ll enjoy the experience.

Before Leaving on Your Trip

Choose Your Destination Wisely

Where will you stay?

The place where you will spend a semester or more obviously has a major impact on how fast you will run out of money.

European countries are very varied in terms of cost of life. Western Europe and Scandinavia are generally more expensive than Central and Western Europe, as you can see on the maps from this handy post.

Now, keep in mind that while this means that you will feel more pressure on your budget in Western Europe and Scandinavia, it is actually very close to the cost of life in the US. Not to mention that if you decide to work on the side, you will earn more money than you would in Central and Eastern Europe.

But the latter has a lot to offer as well: not only will you find good universities in the East, it’s also very cheap and easy to travel to another country. Something to keep in mind if you consider visiting several countries during your stay in Europe.

The cost of life will generally be lower in South America, Africa, and Asia, with a few exceptions.

Save Money on Flights

Unlike for shorter trips, the price of your flight ticket isn’t going to be one of your main expenses when you travel for a few months… provided that you know how to book cheap flights.

When it comes to finding low fares, the key word is “flexibility”. Choose your travel dates and the time when you book your flight with care: the price can vary to more than double within a week.

As a rule of thumb, avoid flying during major holidays or on Fridays (when many people fly for a weekend trip) or Sundays (when people fly back from a weekend trip).

Use a flight search engine like Skyscanner or Momondo: they let you see the prices for a whole month at the same time, so you can easily spot which day is the cheapest one.

Keep in mind that to increase your chances of scoring the cheapest fares, you should aim at booking your international flight between 3-4 months in advance. Don’t rely on last-minute deals, it’s likely that there won’t be any.

If tickets to your destination are always expensive, consider an alternative path to your destination.

For example, when I went to China, tickets were very expensive for my dates (and I was very flexible with those). So instead of flying straight there, I flew to Vietnam, spent some time there, and then took a flight to China. The overall cost was much lower than if I had flown directly to China, even taking the accommodation costs in Vietnam into account.

For more ways to save money on flights, I highly recommend that you check out this post.

Look for Accommodation

Now that you know where you’re going, start thinking of where you’re going to stay… and how you can save money on accommodation.

Check out Student Dorms First

Being a student has major advantages when it comes to access to discounts (more on that later), especially in regards to accommodation. Mainly because your student status gives you access to student dorms.

If you’re traveling for a university exchange, contact your host university and inquire about the availability of dormitories on the campus or nearby. If there are any, this is probably your best bet to save money on accommodation.

Still, dig a little bit deeper first before booking a bed in a dorm.

Look for Shared Flats

In general, renting a room in a flat is more expensive than renting one in a dormitory. But if you can find roommates to split the expenses, the rent might be very similar in the end.

Just keep in mind that very often, you will have to leave a deposit first – even though you will (likely) recover it at the end of your stay, this is still a big expense at the beginning of the trip. Hence the need to find roommates if you elect this option.

If you’re traveling with other friends from university, ask them if they’d consider sharing a flat. If you’re alone, you can join Facebook groups for students traveling to your destination. In Europe, these groups will often be called “Erasmus [city name] [year]”.

You can also book your first month in the university dormitory and look for a shared flat once you’re there. Being on site usually makes things much easier.

Visit Your Doctor

No matter where you’re traveling, pay a visit to your doctor before your trip. Make sure that everything is in order health-wise and tell her/him about your travel plans: they will be able to advise whether you need any vaccines or should pack specific medication.

If you’re on a special treatment, make sure that you’ll be able to get what you need there, or ask your doctor for a prescription that will allow you to bring your medication with you. If your treatment isn’t available at your destination, it will cost you extra to have it brought to you from abroad.

A visit to your dentist probably isn’t a bad idea either… If it turns out that you have a problem abroad and your insurance doesn’t cover the fees, this could be a major unwanted expense that can easily ruin your trip.

Medical bills are usually very expensive, so you want to make sure that you’re as prepared as possible on that front, to limit the risks of bad surprises.

Get Your Travel Documents in Order

If you don’t already have one, get a passport. If you do have one, make sure it doesn’t expire while you’re abroad. Ideally, you want your passport’s expiration date to be at least 6 months after the date of your flight back: if for one reason or another you need to stay longer, you’ll be glad you have this 6-month margin rather than going to your embassy in emergency.

The same goes for your visa: check whether you need one or not in advance. If you wait until the last minute, you may have to request an accelerated procedure, which is always more expensive.

Once you’re abroad, you really do not want to have to make a hole in your budget because of administrative procedures. Make sure everything is sorted out before you hop on the plane.

Determine Your Bugdet and Ways to Manage It Efficiently

Estimate How Much this Trip Will Cost You

There is no need for you to go into too much details, but having a vague estimate of your expenses abroad will go a long way to helping you save money once you’re on site.

Do some research on the cost of life at your destination. You want to have a rough idea of how expensive are the rents, how much money you need for a month/week of grocery shopping, how costly it is to go out, etc.

Knowing this will help you manage your budget more efficiently once you’re there, as you will be able to compare your actual expenses with your initial research and make some adjustements to your spending habits if necessary.

Get an ISIC

As a student, the first thing you want to do is getting an International Student Identity Card (ISIC): this magic card will unlock a plethora of discounts for you. It is recognized in most countries around the world. Some countries, however, only recognize the local student cards – so once you’re abroad, try to get one of those done as well by your host university.

Apply for a Grant

You should also inquire about grants: if you’re not planning on working during your trip, these may be your sole source of revenue. The main institutions that could potentially offer a grant are your own university, your host univeristy, and the state. Do a bit of research and apply. Again, do so in advance, because grants are often given several months before

Contact your Bank

Make sure that using your credit or debit card abroad won’t incur significant fees. Tell your banker about your trip and the countries you’re planning on visiting: they’ll be able to recommend which card to use to save money on card payments and withdrawals. For example, it might be cheaper to withdraw large amounts of cash once you’re abroad, rather than pay by card, if there are fees every time that you do so.

If it looks like your bank doesn’t offer much advantages to people traveling abroad, consider changing. TransferWise‘s borderless account or the bank N26 have very low transfer fees and are particularly popular among young travelers.

If you think that your budget is a bit tight, you might want to raise the issue with your banker as well, to benefit from a loan a low rate. However, if you can avoid going into debt, refrain from taking a loan, as it will cost you more money in the long run.

Pack your Bag

Bring a (Small) Suitcase to Pack your Essentials… If you Really Have to

You may have noticed that I recommended that you pack your essentials. I meant exactly that. That’s why you should you insist on bringing a carry-on, bring only a small suitcase. Even if you’re leaving for 6 months or more.

To save money – or rather to avoid paying bag fees at the airport – make sure that your suitcase meets the airline’s requirements in terms of weight and dimension.

You might be tempted to bring all your favorite clothes, books, and other random items. Don’t. It’s a basic mistake. The lighter you travel, the more enjoyable the experience. It’s makes moving around much easier and pleasant, while a large and heavy suitcase will only make traveling a hassle.

So when you’re packing, apply the popular saying: “take half the clothes and twice the money” (yes, that last part can be tricky too, but at least, you have full control over the fiest one).

Wherever you will live, there will be a way for you to do a laundry. So apply the 1 to 6 rule.

But Consider Traveling with a Backpack Only

I know the idea might seem daunting, especially when leaving for several months at a time. But this is a key budget travel tip.

When going abroad, to study or not, you will travel to places other than the town or city where you will live. If you travel by plane, you need to have a small piece of luggage to use as a carry-on, that is both respectful of the airline’s dimensions requirements and in which you can pack enough for a few days.

Hence the backpack. You do NOT want to have a suitcase to carry when you’re on the move. Instead, opt for a anti-theft backpack that lets you keep your money safe and pack a few clothes, without hindering your mobility.

By traveling with a carry-on only, you will save a ton of money for your trip: most airlines’ basic fares include only a carry-on. If you want to get a hand on those cheap flights, you’d better opt for a backpack only.

Some people travel the world during years at a time with only a bag on their back. If they can do it for so long, surely you can do it for a few months.

During Your Trip

You’ve arrived at destination: now what? How do you make sure that you don’t run out of money?

A quick tip for you before getting to the heart of the matter: if you were flying from the US to Europe with a European airline and your flight was delayed, cancelled, or overbooked , and you reached your destination at least 3 hours later than planned, you may be entitled to $700 in compensation from the airline.

Manage Your Budget

You have two options to stay within your budget while traveling: you can either save money or  earn some.

Or you can do both.

Find Ways to Save Money

Let’s start by cutting down your expenses.

Cancel your Unnecessary Subscriptions

What good is your gym membership if you can’t go to the gym for 6 months? Cancelling it before leaving will allow you to allocate this budget to a different activity when you’re abroad.

Review the list of all the services that you have subscribed to and cancel the superfluous ones. Be ruthless about it.

Save Money on Food

To save money on food, start by cooking your own meals as often as possible.

Buy your groceries at the local market or supermarket instead of have lunch and dinner at the restaurant every day. But do not look for the specific products that you are used to eating back home: they’re likely to cost much more than in the US. Instead, try the local, cheaper alternatives.

Save Money on Accomodation

If you’re like every other students who goes studying abroad, you’ll be traveling every time you get the chance (ie when you don’t have class).

A fantastic way to save money on accommodation while traveling is to volunteer. While you won’t be paid, you will generally be offered free board and lodging in exchange for your work. Most volunteers say that their experience was life-changing for them, so do take a minute to consider the idea.

You can find example of volunteer missions on websites like Workaway or HelpX. If you want to work on an organic farm, check out WWOOF. You can also work in a hostel, where you will meet travelers with inspiring stories and still have time to enjoy what the town or city has to offer.

Save Money while Visiting Places

Avoid booking expensive tours to discover a new city. Many places now offer free walking tours. They are generally organized and led by young locals anxious to show the beauty of their city in a casual atmosphere.

While the popular Lonely Planet and TripAdvisor can always give you an idea of what to do and see in a new city, you should also look for travel blogs on your destination, for more off-the-beaten-path inspiration. Why? Because these places are usally less touristic and therefore, cheaper than the rest, while also being more authentic.

Or Look Into Ways to Earn Money While Traveling

If you can’t refrain from spending more money than you should (or can afford), you’re going to need ways to earn more money while studying abroad.

Teach English… or Any Other Skill that you Have

Being an American student gives you a major advantage over many people around the world: you’re speaking English as a native language (or at least fluently).

Did you know that there are literally millions of people in the world willing to learn how to speak English? English teachers are in demand worldwide. But the best part is that you no longer need to give a class in person: you can now do it over a simple video call.

If teaching a language doesn’t appeal to you, you might be more inclined to share your passion. Do you play an instrument? I bet someone would love to learn! Do you do yoga? Or surf? People are looking for teachers in many places around the world.

Freelance

With your university degree in the pocket (or almost…), you probably already have business skills and knowledge that employers are looking for. By trying to sell them during your trip abroad, you will accomplish 2 things of value to you: you will earn money (that’s still your main goal) and you will add a work experience on your resume, which future potential employers will be delighted to see.

Based on your skills, you can do copywriting, design, programming, etc. Here as well, possibilities are endless, or close.

Build Your Plan to Integrate those Budget Travel Tips

There is no doubt that your trip abroad will be a life-changing experience. The extent to which it will may very well depend on how well you handle your budget.

Use this post as a checklist to prepare you trip and make sure that you don’t miss out on an opportunity to save money.

Happy travels!

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Best Ways To Provide The Best Working Environment

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It’s no secret that your work environment has an impact on your productivity, performance and mood when at work. If your employees are stuck in a dark, gloomy office with unpleasant workers then they are at risk of becoming demotivated and left feeling as though the company they work doesn’t care about their wellbeing. 

Photo by Cadeau Maestro from Pexels

Have a look below at some of the ways you can provide the best working environment:

Hire A Team That Gels

As a business owner, you should be able to make decisions that are at times hard. However, you need to be able to make tough decisions and deliver bad news at times. When it comes to your team you have to understand that at some point you will need to look at your team and make changes. Don’t be afraid to get rid of bad employees. A good working environment typically starts with the people that you hire. You should try and make sure that your employees are professional and team players. The same should apply to anyone that already works in your office too, When employees work with bad employees they are more likely to become bad too. 

Provide Good Lighting

Providing the right lighting in the workplace plays an essential part in the performance and attitudes of your employees. It’s important that consider adding natural light into your workspace, not only does it improve the mood of your employees but it also helps their wellbeing, attitude, work performance and focus. It’s surprising to find that nearly fifty per cent of worker claim that they have no natural light provided. If you’re not able to provide natural lighting with windows then there are other options such as specialised light bulbs.

Provide A Comfortable Workspace

This doesn’t just mean thinking about providing a comfy chair for your employees it also means thinking about areas such as lighting. Working equipment, extra facilities, airconditioning such as MTA Australasia and many others. Something else that you ould consider is allowing your employees to choose where they would like to work including providing comfy seating areas, raisable desks and outside spaces. Trusting your employees to manage their own time adds an extra level of comfort and allowing them to customise their workspace makes them feel comfortable and relaxed. 

Encourage Communication

Communication is a powerful resource when used correctly. It’s important to focus on communication and consider it to be a priority for ay business. You should encourage open communication with anything and everything,you could even try having an open door policy where you show that you are open to communication at almost any time (of course, you will have times when you’re in meetings). Not only should you think closely about the communication methods used by yourself, your manager’s and supervisors but also the line of communication for your employees. You want them to feel as though they are able to share any problems without worry. 

These four areas should help you on your way to providing the best working environment for your employees. Do you have any others that you can share in the comments section below? 

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12 Tips for Job Hunters Over 50

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Originally Posted by Silvernest Team on Oct 14, 2017. This post was republished with permission from Salary.com

12-tips-job-hunters

The twelve tips outlined in this article will help you put the focus on your ability and attitude, not on your age.

How Older Workers Can Overcome Obstacles to Getting Hired

1. Avoid the Culture Clash

According to Scott Kane, founder of Gray Hair Management, LLC, an organization that specializes in helping senior professionals find jobs through coaching, mentoring, and networking, the issue isn’t age as much as it is culture. “Young human resources folks don’t feel that someone over 50 can mix with the current workforce,” he said. “When someone over 50 thinks like a 20-year-old, that is unusual.”

2. Dust Off Your Resume

Hiring managers should be impressed with your skills and competencies, not the fact that you graduated during the Eisenhower era.

It’s perfectly acceptable to eliminate experience more than 10 years old, as well as the dates you attended college. “Most employers are only interested in current skills and whether or not you have the necessary skills to get the job done,” said Renee Ward, founder of Seniors4Hire.org, an online career center for workers who are 50 and older. “Emphasize your skills, with tangible examples, and how these match the needs of the job.”

3. Network, Network, Network

Gone are the days when you searched the newspaper classifieds, submitted a few resumes, and let potential employers vie for your attention. Now it’s up to you to find creative ways to get the attention of employers.

Today, networking is one of the greatest skills a 50+ job seeker can develop. “There is nothing that replaces the value of face-to-face interaction,” said Tim Driver, founder of RetirementJobs.com, a career site and research organization for people over 50 that also identifies, then certifies, age-friendly companies. “Make a point to network with people who can provide referrals, so you can angle in to an employer from various perspectives.”

4. Nail the Interview

Many older workers have avoided regular interviews by being promoted up the ranks through the years, and are a little rusty when it comes to this important skill.

The interview is the place where you connect with the employer, sell yourself and show that you have the energy, passion, and excitement necessary to do the job. You’ll have to work a little harder than your younger competitors to show that you’ll fit in, so be sure to think carefully about how you want to be perceived. Then it’s all about practicing.

5. Make Age an Asset

Don’t focus on your age, but also don’t run from it.

Instead of thinking how you can defend your age, use concrete examples of your competencies and skills to show how you have a leg up on younger applicants. “In today’s job market, if you don’t meet 125% of the job qualifications chances are you won’t get the job,” Kane said. “This goes for everyone, not just the over 50 crowd.”

6. Show Them You’re a Team Player

A younger manager may have concerns about managing someone the age of their parent, or may feel that an older applicant won’t be able to relate or work with a younger team. “Older workers are sometimes viewed as stubborn, or set in their ways,” Driver said. “Organizations seek team players, regardless of age. Show you are a team player, won’t have a problem taking direction from or learning from younger colleagues, and have the energy, passion, and excitement to embrace the future.”

7. Show Off Your Tech Savvy

The ability to use technology is seen as one of the biggest differences between younger and older workers. “It’s a myth that older job seekers can’t—or won’t—keep up with changing technology,” Ward said.

Show potential employers that you can navigate technology with the best of them by carrying and using the right devices, having a presence on social media sites such as LinkedIn, and communicating via text and email.

8. Be Part of the Solution, Not the Problem

In the end, what does age have to do with it anyway? “The biggest problem for many candidates is that they have difficulty selling themselves as the solution to the problem,” Kane said. Do your homework by researching the organization and identifying the issues they face. Use your skills, experience, and knowledge to show how you hold the key to solving their particular problem, and your age will no longer be a factor.

9. Take Some Online Classes

Kill two birds with one stone. “Participating in online education demonstrates you are eager to learn new things and aren’t stuck in your ways, but also indicates that you are comfortable with technology,” Driver said. You can also gain valuable employment credibility by completing a degree program or earning a certificate in a relevant area.

10. Seek Out Age-Friendly Employers

Steer clear of organizations or industries that are known for having young workforces. According to Driver, one of the common threads among the age-friendly employers certified by RetirementJobs.com is that they face problems with turnover.

“Data shows that people who are older stay on the job three times as long as people who are younger,” he said. “If you can be smart about finding companies that are facing problems with turnover, you have a solution for those companies.”

11. Stay Positive

It’s tough for everyone out there, so don’t take it personally if your job search lags on for longer than you’d like. Getting grouchy will just promote the perception that you’re a “grumpy old person.” Stay positive, keep networking, focus on your skills and competencies, and sooner or later you’ll be identified as the best person for the job.

12. Hard Work Will Prevail

When it comes to looking for work, age and experience is often a double-edged sword. Older candidates often do have to work harder to overcome discrimination, but with the right strategy, age can be a non-factor.

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