November 2020 -

Are You An Oblivious Reckless Driver?

Many reckless drivers don’t realize that they are reckless. This is how so many accidents happen each year – avoidable accidents. You might be sure that you’re a safe driver, but you may have reckless traits if you really think about it.

Becoming more self aware of your habits while you’re behind the wheel will help you to be a safer driver and ensure you keep others safe on the road, too. Let’s take a look at a few signs that you might be a reckless driver without even knowing it:

1. You Easily Lose Your Cool On The Road

Many people find it easy to lose their cool on the road. Other drivers can be inconsiderate and this can be really annoying – usually, a quick beep of your horn will suffice to let them know that what they did wasn’t OK. However, if you find yourself so angry that you swerve on the road, tailgate the car in front, and lose your senses a little, you need to try to figure out a few coping strategies.

Even really chilled out people can lose their cool behind the wheel. Remind yourself before you get in the car that you’re going to keep your composure, whatever happens. Take deep breaths, and remember that losing your cool could seriously injure you or somebody else. It can be tough, but staying mindful on the road can make a huge difference.

2. You Don’t Keep A 2 Car Distance

Refusing to keep a 2 car distance between your car and other cars could result in a collision – especially in wet or icy weather. Making sure there’s plenty of space between your car and other cars will keep everybody safe.

3. You Don’t Have Boundaries As A Driver

Having boundaries as a driver is crucial if you’re going to have people in your car. Make sure they know not to distract you, and if you can’t concentrate with them talking loudly or a lot, let them know. Most people don’t know that more than 1.25 million people die in accidents on the road, and an accident can happen in a split second. Don’t let anything take your attention away from the road.

4. You Pick Up Your Phone When You’re Bored

Out of habit, many people will reach for their smartphone when they are bored. You should never do this when driving. If you don’t trust yourself to leave it alone, but it in your glovebox out of sight. Out of sight, out of mind.

Driving while texting may let you take your eyes off the road and ignore the recklessly high-speed vehicle. What’s worse is that you may have a head-on collision. Although, you’ll be able to take legal actions by reading through some resources like https://www.personalinjurylawyersbronx.com/car-accidents/head-on-collisions/ to know about your rights. But, are you ready to be disabled for life? Maybe not!

Thereby, save yourself from uninvited hassles by keeping your smartphone away. If you don’t trust yourself to leave it alone, put it in your glove box out of sight. Out of sight, out of mind.

5. You Are Never Sure Of The Speed Limit

The speed limit is there for a reason, especially on country roads and roads near schools. Speeding could result in a serious accident or collision. Pay attention to the speed limit and make sure you respect it.

If you’ve been doing the above things and haven’t even thought about it, chances are, you’ve been driving recklessly, at least sometimes. Try to be more mindful behind the wheel and you will keep yourself and others safe.

Choosing The Safest Car For Your Family

Are you anxious to find a safe car that will be suitable for your whole family? It’s important to be aware that there are numerous factors that can impact whether a car can be deemed safe. Let’s explore some of the key considerations that you should keep in mind.

Does Size Matter?

As in our previous article, it’s worth noting that the size of your vehicle can help ensure that you are safer on the road. While larger vehicles could still end up in a nasty accident it’s far less likely that passengers inside will be seriously injured.

For instance, some semi-truck accidents were caused when the cargo was too heavy or not properly loaded. You can see more here to know more about the reasons for large vehicle accidents.

A larger car could even be less damaged when hitting something like a truck that would absolutely obliterate the typical small sports car. Larger vehicles also often have additional safety features such as 4 wheel drive. This provides you with additional grip when on the road and reduces the chance of issues like skidding.

What About Self Driving Tech?

There are now numerous car models on the market that are equipped with some form of self driving tech. Ultimately this means that in certain situations the vehicle will drive itself. However, you will still need to pay attention to the road to avoid an accident.

While cars with self driving tech are often quite expensive vehicles that have driver assistance can be far more affordable and likely will fit your budget. It’s worth exploring cars with the best driver assistance technology. This will help you stay in lane, alert you when you seem to be getting tired and potentially help you avoid an accident. That’s important when you consider that some roads see more than 983 crashes in just one year.

Braking Distance

You always need to make sure that you choose a vehicle with a solid braking distance. You need the vehicle to brake as quickly as possible, particularly during an emergency stop. Anything more than a couple of meters in braking distance when going the speed limit is far outside of the norm.

As such, if you find that your car is not braking fast enough, you might want to consider upgrading it to a better model. Be aware that braking distance is impacted by a variety of factors. For instance, you do not maintain your tyres effectively, then your car braking distance is going to decrease steadily over time.

Age

Finally, a lot of people do save money when buying a car by purchasing an older vehicle. Older cars are always going to be more dangerous by default. They won’t have been designed to the latest safety standards and they also won’t have the latest tech to protect you.

We hope this helps you find a fantastic safe vehicle that will protect your family on the road. When you find the right vehicle for your family, you will immediately gain the peace of mind you need. Even if you are in an accident, it’s unlikely that anyone in your car will be seriously injured.

Moving Abroad: Crucial Financial Advice Every Family Needs

Taking a leap of faith and choosing to move abroad can be an exciting step to take and the start of a new chapter. However, to ensure that the dream of living abroad works out, it’s important to do a little work beforehand and get organised with your finances.

The truth is that moving your family abroad to start a life in another country can be an expensive step to take, and can come with a lot of admin. On top of all that, you have to take the time to get to grips with living in a country that has a different currency to the one that you’re used to.

When it comes to moving abroad, there are a number of financial mistakes that a lot of people make, which is why we have put together this guide to help you to make moving abroad and managing your finances while doing so, a little easier.

For everything that you should know, have a read of this!

Go online with your finances

Opting to use online banking can make the process of managing your money – regardless of where you are living in the world – a little easier and less stressful.

If your bank has an online banking system, consider setting up your online banking ready for when you move, to help make managing your money that little bit easier for you.

Obviously, eventually, you will swap to a new bank account in your new country, but in the meantime, you will want to retain the account that you hold in your home country, which is where online banking can come in useful.

Save for legal costs

Don’t make the mistake of forgetting that moving abroad can come with a range of administrative costs, including some legal costs that will need covering.

When it comes to your family’s legal costs, including the process of getting a green card, there are three options that it’s worth looking into, and it’s important to take the time to look into and understand each of them.

Be debt-free

Before you move to somewhere new, it’s a good idea if possible to make sure that you are debt-free. The last thing that you want is to move somewhere new and have old debts following you, which is why it’s worth taking the time to try and clear any old debts before making the move abroad.

Or, if you’re unable to clear them, it’s important that you take the time to update your debtors in your new contact information. The last thing that you want is to end up being chased with letters and emails and phone calls because you’ve failed to update anyone who you owe money to, where you have moved to.

Moving abroad can be an extremely exciting step to take, however, it’s also one that comes with a lot of financial implications. That’s why it’s so important that you take the time to plan carefully, to ensure that when it comes to your family’s finances, that you’re all set to move abroad and start your new life somewhere new.

Why Are Bigger Cars A Better Investment Than Small Ones?

Size matters. Well, it matters when you’re thinking about buying a car! Naturally, you come across various cars in different sizes – some are really small and designed for two people, others are massive and can fit a whole family of seven plus two dogs! How do you decide which size is best for you?

Honestly, you need to approach this purchase as an investment. A car will be expensive, so you need to ensure you get your money’s worth out of it. For this reason, it might be smarter to opt for a bigger car over a small one. How come? Check out the points below to get more clarity:

Better longevity

A big car will almost always outshine a small one in terms of longevity. Why? Because larger vehicles are designed to be more durable and robust. There’s no argument here, it’s simply a fact. Therefore, your car will be less prone to damages and repairs than a small one. If you get into an accident, your car is big enough to escape with a minor dent – rather than being totalled.

Similarly, consider the potential savings a safe and durable car provides. Did you know that 51 percent or more car accidents result in some type of injury. Injuries mean medical bills, as well as the obvious health implications. A large car can prevent injuries from occurring due to durability and safety. Thus, no medical bills are totted up, saving even more money.

More practical

Furthermore, a big car is more practical than a small one. In most cases, small cars are aimed at people who live on their own and just need a vehicle to get around town. A large one lets you do all of that, but with enough space for shopping, a family, and your pets. Then, you have some big cars that can actually drive off-road, further improving the practicality.

Remember, a ‘big’ car doesn’t necessarily refer to a van or a huge 4×4. An SUV falls into this category, and they are arguably the most practical cars around. You have the durability of a 4×4 with the swiftness and manoeuvrability of a smaller car. As a result, they’re highly desirable!

Improved resale value

Provided you keep your car in good shape, a bigger vehicle tends to command a higher resale value than a smaller one. There are a couple of reasons for this. Firstly, these cars usually cost more, to begin with. Secondly, look back at the previous two points! A bigger car is more practical, durable, and safer than a smaller one. So, it’s bound to be more in-demand, thus increasing the price.

Think about it this way, larger vehicles cater to families, off-roading enthusiasts, and even people with a business. More people will be eager to buy a vehicle like this when compared to a small one.

In conclusion, buying a large car could be a better investment. It definitely comes with some benefits over a small one, that’s for sure. If you’re thinking about buying a new car, maybe it’s wise to invest in something bigger and more robust?

9 Tips to Boost Your Employees’ Productivity and Happiness

Several successful business people opine that employees are vital to their success just like customers, making it crucial to satisfy them. It is no secret that employees’ morale can significantly impact their work output.

Research from The Conference Board reveals that 53% of Americans are unhappy at work, necessitating that you seek practical solutions to make your workforce happier and more productive.

So, do you want to learn about ways to keep your workers happy for increased productivity? Consider the following tips.

1. Delegate

Delegation is a vital tool to employ if you want to increase your workers’ productivity and happiness. Several business owners typically fall into the cycle of taking on more responsibility than they should because they want a direct hand in all company’s affairs.

However, this only leaves your employees as unengaged bystanders, which will soon make them bored and unproductive. Therefore, delegate tasks to qualified employees to ease your burden while keeping your employees productive.

Delegation also presents employees with opportunities to gain valuable leadership experience and skills to grow into valuable company assets.

Business experts recommend merely letting go of specific tasks that your employees can execute while dealing with important things personally.

Also, implement an excellent hiring process based on experience and potential to gain competent workers who can handle delegated tasks effectively.

2. Effective communication

Businesses with many employees and several hierarchies often struggle to maintain adequate business communications. However, it is common knowledge that effective communication is crucial to any business’ success.

It would be best if you articulated expectations to employees at all levels to keep them engaged and productive. Although technology has some positive impacts on communication, many experts advise against over-reliance on technological platforms because unproductive communication still occurs on these platforms.

For example, a McKinsey study discovered that emails took 28% of workers’ time, making it the second most time-consuming employee tasks aside from official duties. Therefore, encourage the occasional use of a quick phone call or short meeting to settle issues without having to endure too many emails.

Effective communication builds a robust company culture that engages workers and improves knowledge sharing. Interacting also improves open and positive inter-departmental communication across all levels, so you should prioritize this to increase employee productivity.

3. Improve workplace conditions

Several studies have established a strong link between employee satisfaction and workplace conditions. Therefore, providing a comfortable and safe working environment is another strategy you should try to boost employee satisfaction and productivity around the office.

Experts advise that you keep stress low among employees by monitoring and regulating their work activities and encouraging regular breaks.

Also, revamping the office can ease stress and boost productivity. Adding lively colors, some plants, a ping pong table, etc., are all worth considering to relieve stress. Improving the workplace’s physical condition is also necessary to make workers productive.

Replace low flickering lights with brighter ones or opt for natural lighting, add comfortable seating, and give them better equipment and tools to carry out their duties more effectively. Finally, ensure that there are no known hazards around the workplace that directly endanger employee safety and health.

Getting hit by falling objects, slips and falls, and damage from defective equipment are some of the most common types of personal injury accidents employees suffer. Ensure that you create a safer environment to prevent lawsuits and disgruntled workers.

4. Encourage remote working

Remote working has become popular in many business’ work cultures for good reasons. Aside from saving on the costs of office space and office supplies, remote working does wonders for your workforce too. According to research, remote workers are better engaged, more productive, have more quality output, and take less sick leave.

Employees commonly cite their absence from loud working environments as central to their increased productivity away from the workplace. Being closer to family and not having to commute daily also boost worker productivity.

Happiness due to the flexibility that remote working allows for is also widespread among employees outside the office. As such, encourage work-from-home arrangements and other remote working options for your workforce to keep them productive and happy and for optimum results.

5. Reduce workplace distractions

A reported three out of four workers admit to feeling distracted at work. Workplace distractions manifest commonly as checking smartphones, using the internet and social media for other things other than work, and office gossip. E-mails, noisy co-workers, meetings, and an extended snack or smoke break are also frequent causal factors of workplace distractions.

All these are bad for productivity because even the slightest attention loss can cause employees to take longer to finish tasks and churn out substandard work quality.

Consequently, take proactive measures to reduce distractions around your office for increased productivity. Many business owners recommend instituting regular breaks to re-energize your workforce and keep them attentive.

Also, reduce visual distractions around the office by encouraging decluttered desks because a disorganized table is a prime employee distractor. Constant mandatory meetings can also be a significant workforce distraction.

Reputed Tech billionaire, Elon Musk, says that he prefers short and infrequent meetings to reduce workplace distraction. He also limits meetings at his famous Tesla company to six people, allowing other employees not contributing anything valuable to the discussion to walk away. Therefore, consider adopting this strategy around your workplace to keep workers engaged and productive.

6. Incentivize your workers

Worker incentives are a popular productivity-boosting technique that many of the world’s most successful companies use. So, consider adopting this strategy to replicate its proven success. Tesla employees save up to 35% off at the movies.

Other giants like Facebook and Google are also famous for offering perks like massage rooms and complimentary haircuts. These little positive reinforcers are influential in boosting worker productivity because motivation and satisfaction are key drivers of a productive worker.

You can also use incentives to motivate your employees because, contrary to popular opinion, they aren’t too hard to please. For some, a simple “thank you” after a job well done may be enough to boost employee morale.

You can also give day-offs, a bonus or raise, or take the workforce to lunch or dinner. Even simple gestures like handwritten notes and merely allowing them to leave work early for a week can convey appreciation enough to boost productivity and happiness, so consider incentives to better engage your workforce.

7. Encourage a better work-life balance for workers

Many business experts agree that the most positive workplaces allow for more employee work-life balance, translating into improved productivity and worker happiness.

This phenomenon is because workers who don’t view the job as a chore work harder, make fewer mistakes, and are more likely to become brand advocates. A healthy work-life balance also leads to fewer health problems, increased engagement, fewer burnouts, and more mindfulness.

You can improve work-life balance among your workforce by encouraging adequate vacations, extended maternity and paternity leaves, etc. Also, consider having reasonable, flexible work hours for employees to work instead of sticking to a rigid 9-5 schedule.

Doing all this will create an environment where workers feel connected to your business through positive work experiences. Therefore, encourage employees to find the right work-life balance to boost their productivity and happiness.

8. Train and develop employees

After screening and hiring workers, improving their expertise by teaching them the necessary skills for the job is also essential to improving productivity.

Training is critical for output because teaching employees prevents them from accomplishing tasks independently in the initial stages. As time passes, however, these employees will save you from correcting basic mistakes and answering simple questions because they can execute tasks without guidance.

There are several skills that you can help workers to polish. From everyday skills like typing or using a spreadsheet to more significant ones like effective time management for their work, focus on adding value to your workforce to make them happier and more productive.

A 2013 study in the International Journal of Science and Research indicates that training benefits employers and their employees alike, so prioritize training your workers to improve their capacity and boost productivity.

9. Clarify all goals and targets

Your workers can’t be efficient without goals and targets to aim for, making it crucial to set your business goals as a guide. It would be best to involve employees throughout the goal-setting process to inspire commitment to the set targets.

Multiple experts recommend setting SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely) goals. Ask yourself whether assigned employee tasks fit within any of these requirements, and consider tweaking the work to help workers stay efficient. Also, link individual goals to business objectives to improve worker productivity.

Linking your company’s goals with everyday business objectives to form team performance goals will make employees more efficient. This increased efficiency manifests due to employees identifying their individual goals and the roles they have to play in your business’ big picture, encouraging accountability and higher performance.

Remember, setting goals without measuring them is counterproductive, so always outline your goals to present you with a tangible standard to track, evaluate, and improve employee productivity.

Pitfalls Fresh-Faced Entrepreneurs Need To Avoid Like The Plague

The world of entrepreneurship is anything but straightforward. If you’re not careful, you can get burned. And when that happens, it can lead to a massive loss of faith that other people place in you. VCs can suddenly pull up the drawbridge and start denying you funds, leaving you out in the cold.

So what are these pitfalls? And how do you avoid them as an entrepreneur? Let’s take a look.

Failing To Conduct Yourself Properly In The Workplace

The days of slapping a colleague on the behind for a “job well done” are now behind us. Modern cultural movements, including “Me Too,” make this kind of behavior unacceptable, no matter how superficially harmless it might appear.

Takakjian & Sitkoff, LLP point out that people who engage in these types of workplace actions put themselves at risk of sexual abuse allegations. And the costs of those can be severe, including being denied positions of authority in the future.

Not Understanding Cash Flow

Believe it or not, there are many entrepreneurs out there who still don’t understand the difference between profitability and cash flow.

Remember, you can have a profitable company and still go out of business if you don’t have the cash you need in the bank to keep things ticking over. Mere promises to pay aren’t actual money in your accounts. So you’ll need to ensure you have funds to keep you afloat on a rolling basis. Don’t just rely on your accounts receivable.

Failing To Put The Customer First

A lot of startups become so obsessed with the technicalities of developing their products that they fail to think about the customer. They’re so dead-set on building something better than their rivals that they wind up failing to see the forest for the trees. Often, customers aren’t interested in specs. They just want something that makes them feel good.

Thus, if you’re new to entrepreneurship, focus on creating products with emotional appeal. Don’t just focus on statistics.

Doing All The Work Yourself

What’s the point of employing people if you ultimately do all the work yourself? Not only are your workers unproductive, but they’re eating into your time and costing you money. It’s a disaster.

The trick here is to recognize that you can’t do all the work yourself. That’s not how businesses work. Instead, get comfortable with the idea that other people are going to have to represent you, even if they’re not as bright or as talented as you are. It’s a cost you have to bear in business. And there’s usually no way around it.

Selling Out

Lastly, you need to be careful not to sell out and give away your business secrets. Remember, all your rivals will be doing their research to unearth the source of your competitive advantage. Thus, the more you can keep your ideas to yourself (or within a small circle of trusted colleagues), the better.

Where possible, get your products and processes patented. That’s the best way to protect yourself.

My Car’s Damaged Beyond Repair. Now What?

2020 has been a financially challenging year. As the pandemic has forced many businesses to shut down – temporarily or permanently – households have become strategically frugal to survive.

The good news is that many households have been able to manage their level of debt during the quarantine. Unfortunately, setting financial priorities also means postponing all non-immediate expenses.

Say your vehicle needed some repair work done at the beginning of the year. You might have been tempted to delay the repair to avoid putting too much pressure on your budget. Yet, you can’t ignore mechanical issues for long without consequences. Now, the vehicle is unsafe to use and too damaged to repair. What are you going to do?

Talks of a COVID vaccine are hopeful. However, even with a vaccine, the economy isn’t going to recover overtime. In other words, you can’t afford to purchase a new car now. You need to make sure you can build up your financial stability and bring your budget to a healthy post-pandemic level.

Consider financing solutions that work for you

Managing debt in quarantine has not been easy. For many American families, the household budget is on a knife-edge. The pandemic outbreak has paralyzed the US economy, and many people have been relying on social welfare services as a matter of emergency. Unprecedented government support and tight budgeting have been crucial in avoiding a debt crisis. However, signing up for financing options that don’t match your current situation could drive debt. You need to look for money lenders such as New Roads Auto Loans that accept bad credit history. Indeed, these options are more likely to have a suitable payment program in place.

Can you postpone the purchase?

You can’t go long without a car. However, if you can find ways of working from home, you can delay your car purchase. As a lot of grocery stores offer online shopping delivery, you can reduce your commute. Postponing the purchase can be a good idea if you’re going to save. You can’t save enough for a brand new vehicle. However, in a few months, you can save for a second-hand car. How can you dial up your frugal budgeting strategy?

If you’re a homeowner, you can switch to a mortgage to reduce your interest rates, giving yourself some financial breathing room. Considering a new energy provider can also help save costs during winter.

Can you sell the old car?

Your car may not be safe to drive anymore. However, it doesn’t mean you can’t sell it. Indeed, did you know you could still make money out of your car parts?

A platform such as Parts Beast lets you sell parts for a small fee. Alternatively, you can also reach out to your local garages to discuss a parts deal.

With old vehicles, you could find that working parts are valuable because they can be hard to find. Additionally, car enthusiasts are happy to buy second-hand parts to fix or upgrade their own vehicles.

For anyone who’s been struggling to make ends meet during the pandemic, unexpected expenses are an unpleasant surprise. However, when it comes to car costs, you can lessen the financial burden on your budget. Buying a new car on a traditional car loan is a dangerous gamble. However, options that suit your post-pandemic budget can help you navigate this dilemma both in terms of financing or saving.

What NOT To Do If You Want To Be An Attorney

Do you have dreams of being an attorney? This is a career that a lot of people envision. However, you will obviously need to work hard if you are to make it in this industry.

It is a competitive and challenging sector, but it is also one that is incredibly rewarding too. With that being said, read on to discover the mistakes that you need to avoid if you dream of being an attorney.

Not doing your research into the companies out there

One of the first mistakes that a lot of people make is failing to get an understanding of the different types of law firms, and therefore potential employers, that are out there.

The likes of Chad Stavley are good places to start when looking at reputable and successful lawyers that have made a big mark in the industry. You can look at the work they do and the companies these sorts of professionals work for so that you can get a better understanding of the options that are out there and you can figure out what sort of job you would enjoy.

Failing to tailor your cover letter for every application

When you apply for a job within the law sector, do not send the same cover letter for each and every application. You need to make sure that you are diversifying your application.

Take the time to do research about every company that you are applying to, and then you can tailor your cover letter to suit them. After all, if you simply send across a generic cover letter, which is being sent in for every job application, this will show and it tells the employer that you have not bothered to find out anything about the company you are applying to. This is not the right approach to take.

Not being persistent

Don’t give up. Breaking into any sort of industry is never easy but you need to make sure that you are persistent and that you do not give up. You need to make sure that you keep knocking on those doors until you are able to break them down.

Keep putting in the hard work! You should also make sure you commit yourself to network as well, as this is imperative for anyone who is looking to break into the legal sector for the first time. You never know what opportunities could arise from this.

So there you have it: some of the different steps that you need to take if you have dreams of being an attorney. If you avoid the mistakes that have been discussed above and you follow the advice that has been provided, you can give yourself the best chance of making it in this tough and competitive industry. There is no denying that law is a sector that a lot of people find attractive, but this does not mean that you cannot make it in this thrilling and exciting.

Cut Your Family’s Entertainment Costs

If you’re trying to save some money, cutting out your entertainment expenses might seem like a good way to achieve your goals. However, being too restrictive can make it harder to stick to your plans. By reducing your entertainment costs, rather than eradicating them completely, you can save a surprising amount and still have fun. With this in mind, take a look at these top tips to cut your family’s entertainment costs now:

Check Your Subscriptions

Many entertainment services are now available via subscription or membership. Although this can be convenient, it also means that you can end up paying for services you no longer want or use. Check your bank statements and examine every recurring payment. If you’re paying for subscriptions you no longer need, be sure to cancel them as soon as you can.

Switch to Streaming

Paying for cable TV can be expensive, particularly if you only watch one or two channels. Take a look at what’s available on streaming services and you might be pleasantly surprised. As well as having a great range of movies, dramas, comedies, and documentaries, streaming services are also a lot cheaper than paying for cable.

What’s more – you can extend your online security to cover your Smart TV and TV accessories. At troypoint.com, for example, you’ll find easy-to-use guides to help you set up a VPN for when you’re watching the latest shows. When you can combine enhanced security with the best movies and shows out there, you know you’re onto a winner.

Change Your Gym Membership

If you’re someone who enjoys going to the gym, rather than dragging yourself there once or twice a week, you may see it as a form of entertainment. However, you could find effective ways to cut the cost of your membership. Purchasing an off-peak membership can drastically reduce your monthly fees, for example.

Alternatively, take a look at the virtual workout options that are now available. No matter what your fitness goals, working out at home with a virtual trainer could enable you to lose weight or gain strength at a fraction of the cost of going to the gym.

Look Out for Discounts

Many subscription providers offer impressive discounts throughout the year, so this can be a great way to cut down on your entertainment costs. By waiting until a deal becomes available, rather than signing up straight away, you could save hundreds of dollars throughout the year.

Some online retailers even offer you a discount if you abandon your cart partway through the checkout process. If you want to see whether you can save any extra money, this can be a savvy way to do it.

Make the Most of At-Home Entertainment

With so many at-home entertainment options, you can reduce your expenditure simply by staying home. Inviting friends over for dinner, rather than going to a restaurant, ensures you’ll still have a great time but you won’t have a large bill to deal with. Similarly, watching new releases via streaming services, having virtual get-togethers, and playing immersive video games can give you access to a whole range of budget-friendly entertainment options.

Setting Financial Goals You Can Actually Stick To

Do you struggle with meeting your financial goals? Perhaps you set them, save a little, and then end up throwing caution to the wind and spending the money you’ve saved on something else. Everybody has done this to a degree, but we should all have various savings funds to ensure we don’t have to worry. For example, an emergency fund can be massively helpful for times you may need time off work sick, or if you can’t work as many hours anymore. If you want to know how to set financial goals that you can actually stick to, read on:

1. Create A Budget And Live By It

The first thing you’re going to need to do before you set financial goals is create a budget that you can actually stick to. A budget doesn’t have to mean scrimping and saving, depriving yourself of things that you like. It simply means knowing how much you have coming in and going out, and then how much you’re going to spend on things like food, entertainment, and so on. If you plan this beforehand you can then put some money aside for emergencies and savings while still enjoying what you can.

2. Make An Emergency Fund Your Top Priority

An emergency fund should ideally be your top priority. Saving for anything else without an emergency fund could mean having massively depleted that account if you need a hospital stay or something else happens. Try to save 3-6 months or more of bills. More is better, but make sure you have enough to live for 3 months minimum to start with. Prepare for the worst and leave this fund alone.

3. Consider How You’d Like To Spend Your Retirement

Thinking carefully about how you would like to spend your retirement will ensure you can plan for it. You can use goals based financial planning to do this, and speaking to a professional if you’re serious about your retirement can be a big help. Would you like to spend your retirement in Hawaii, or do you want a nice little place in your hometown, not having to worry about bills and food too much? You’re going to want to be comfortable regardless, so don’t leave this too long to plan.

4. Figure Out What Truly Matters To You

Think about what truly matters to you. This is the only real way you will emotionally connect with your financial goals and work towards them. Do you want to make sure you don’t have to worry when you get older? Do you want to have plenty of money for your children? Figure out what’s within your reach, and go for this first. It’s also a good idea to have short term, mid term, and long term goals so that you have various things to aim for and can stay focused.

To make sure you’re on the right track, find accurate and compelling ways of tracking your progress. You could check in with yourself every few weeks and make adjustments if you need to. Thanks for reading!