Talking about money can be uncomfortable and awkward, but it’s an unavoidable and essential part of your career success. Today, many job postings do not include any trace of potential or guaranteed pay, despite listing dozens of necessary qualifications for their candidates. This practice isn’t fair, and it results in a lot of time and effort spent applying for jobs totally blind. But it also creates space for you to negotiate your salary when you do get to that stage of the hiring process. 

Whether you’re job hunting for a new position, or you’ve put in a few good years at your current company and are angling for a raise, it’s crucial to walk into a salary negotiation prepared. There are several ways to maximize the results of your meeting. Read on for tips. 

Research 

Come to the negotiation having read up on the company: its history, its growth, its profits. Familiarize yourself as much as possible with the pay structures and benefits packages the business has offered in the past. Resources like Glassdoor provide salary snapshots and reviews from former and current employees. 

You also need to research what other companies pay employees in the same field. There are salary calculators available online to help you estimate this. Never depend on a single source, though; spend the time investigating. You should always be aware of salary trends within your industry, both the high-end and the low-end. 

Know Your Value

Know your unique worth, and the current or potential value you’d add to your company. Come to the table with figures and evidence. If you had a hand in directly growing your company’s profits, highlight that. 

What you deserve and what you are worth are two different things. Provide concrete examples of your contributions. If you look at the salaries of athletes like Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant, you’ll see that they bring in what they know they can return. Playing basketball may not be as hard as performing brain surgery, but it certainly generates more income for more people. Don’t let anyone make money off you without claiming your fair share. 

Let Them Make an Offer First

If you’re still in the interview process, do whatever you can to avoid throwing out the first number. Many employees begin interviews by asking you your desired salary, or if you’re employed already, your current salary. They want you to lay all your cards on the table so they can make the best play. 

Simply respond that your answer to that question will be based on many factors and then ask some questions of your own. The more time you have to demonstrate your worth, the more incentive the employer has to make a competitive offer. If the hiring manager backs you into answering first, give a range rather than a specific figure.  

Go High

Decide upon a minimum salary you absolutely must have to accept or continue in the position. Then go slightly above it. You don’t want to seem impractical or uneducated; this is where your research will come in handy. Your initial suggestion should be reasonable but on the higher end of your desired range. If the employer puts forth the first figure, counter with a higher number, unless you feel that their offer is the best you could hope for. You don’t want to seem greedy. 

Employers expect you to negotiate, though, so don’t shy away from going back and forth with figures a few times. If you don’t believe you can get any more money, consider asking for increased benefits, or more vacation days. There may be more flexibility in that area, and having better health insurance can be just as valuable as a higher number on your paycheck. 

Stay Likeable

No matter how much you believe you are worth, or how talented you are at your job, never discount the importance of likeability. Likeability doesn’t mean smiling and nodding or accepting whatever an employer offers; it means keeping composed, maintaining eye contact, and always speaking with integrity. Do not make threats or give ultimatums, don’t get petty or heated, even if you feel momentarily frustrated or insulted. Never lie about competing offers if they don’t exist, or attempt to come off as “hard to get.”

Any interaction with a hiring team or supervisor before you’ve signed a contract still serves as part of your interview. You want to show that you’re excited about the position, even if this isn’t a new job. You’re going to have to work with these people, so be your best self. 

There are many points in your life where a higher credit score works to your advantage. Buying a house, applying for car finance, or renovating are just a few worth mentioning. Having a higher credit score can help to boost the chance that you will be approved for better financial products and interest rates. 

This means it is important to look after your credit score, and improving it where you can, let’s have a look at how below: 

Use A Credit Card Often But Very Little

When you use credit responsibly by using it a little but often it can help to build your score. If you keep your credit card active and only spend small amounts each month, it will make you look more attractive to lenders and ultimately improve your score. You need to show that you are responsible enough to pay it back. 

Keep Your Credit Utilisation As Low As Possible

If you want a good credit score, you need to avoid using too much of your available credit. If you keep your utilization to below 30% you should show that you using credit sensibly, and you still have it available for when you need it the most. When you monitor your score, you can see how much you are using. 

Make Sure You Correct Any Mistakes 

Your credit score depends on the information that is included in your credit report. If this isn’t right, then it’s likely your credit score is incorrect. This could mean that your score shows lower than it should be. You can make sure that the information is right by using things like an address search, and free credit check tools. If you spit any mistakes, make sure you correct them as soon as possible, in some cases, this will mean filing a report. 

Limit Your Credit Applications 

You may be tempted into applying for credit after credit especially if you have been turned down. However, if you have been turned down you are better off waiting to apply for more credit as too many applications can lead to your score been damaged. Typically the applications stay on your file for 12 months, so try to limit the amount you make in one 12 month period. 

Always Use An Eligibility Checker 

You can, of course, avoid getting rejected by checking if you are eligible first. Or from using a ‘soft search’. Lenders are able to see some information about your history, but it doesn’t have an impact on your credit score. An eligibility checker will give you an idea of how likely you are to be accepted from credit before you make an application. In theory, this should prevent you from having too many hard search applications on your credit file, these do have an effect. 

These are just a few of the things that will help you to keep your credit score where it needs to be as well as improve it if it needs it. Is there anything else you would linclude? Please share them in the comments below. 

When it comes to money-saving and enjoying a debt-free life, plenty of options come your way. But, choosing the right option that fits your needs can help you to achieve financial freedom goals. What are the right options? is a big question for many. Because the choices vary from individual to individual due to income, expenditures, lifestyle, and circumstances. Therefore, you neither enjoy a stress-free life nor come up with a bad credit score.

Considering your concern, here we have mentioned 8 smarter ways for every user to enjoy financial freedom;

1. Grow Your Emergency Fund 

When you are planning to enjoy financial freedom, the first step is to start planning for your emergency fund. These funds could contain such amounts that help you to pay your monthly expenditures for at least up to 3 to 6 months. During COVID-19 pandemic millions of people lost their jobs due all over the world, because of many reasons. So, if you are well prepared with your next 3 to 6 months financial backup plans you can live a peaceful life.

Even if you plan to change jobs, emergency funds help you all the way until you will get the best job. Above all, in the event of family emergencies such as an accident or serious illness, you don’t have to look after others for funds.       

2. Repair Your Credit

Keeping your credit score improved is the best trick to enjoy financial freedom. Wondering how? A good credit score helps you to raise funds from financial institutes at any time. You just need to fill their online application form and will get funds transferred to your account in a short time. But, if your credit score is not so good, you can choose a credit repair services company. The experts at a credit repairing company analyze your credit report, find and repair inappropriate factors which are harming your score. Once you are able to achieve a good score, you can plan well for new savings and credit.

3. Invest into Your Retirement Provision

Saving for retirement is essential to keep you stress-free in later stages of life. Therefore, to plan for later life, you need to start working from today with an investment plan. Look for the best investment plan for your retirement needs and begin by paying at least 15% of your current income.

Keep in mind, there are various IRA plans that help to meet different needs. For instance, if you want to buy a home you can invest in a lump sum policy that provides you a fixed amount after an interval. Otherwise, to meet your recurring needs, there are multiple options such as monthly income, half-yearly or annual income. You can choose the best IRA plan to secure after retirement life. 

4. Set Up A College Fund For Your Kids

Every parent dreams to provide the best education to their children. Therefore, if you too want to plan for the same. Then start saving for your kids’ education from the day they are born. Otherwise, paying a hefty amount for education could be troubling when you don’t have enough funds. For this, you can open a 529 college savings plan or choose an Education Savings Account (ESA) to save money.

Choosing an ES account serves you mental peace and keeps your children’s future secured. Even if you wish, you can also participate in various government schemes that help you to save funds for children’s education.

5. Keep Building Your Wealth 

Once you have plenty of funds in 401(k) and Roth IRA provisions, you can move ahead with the next step. You can start giving money to others in the form of an inheritance to your family. It serves you mental peace that you have done enough for your family. Even with your future secured you are able to secure a spouse and children’s future too. You can also buy properties for your kids and their families. If you love to do noble causes, open at least one orphanage center for the help of others. Creating wealth and distributing for others serves you a great relief.

6. Have Discipline When It Comes To Spending

Self-discipline is extremely important when it comes to spending. Some people start shopping just by watching something new on their favorite store or website. But, when you are planning for saving, overspending should be avoided that breaks your bank accounts. Even at the end of the month, do not forget to check the bank and credit card statement to learn a lesson. Once you will build a habit of reading statements you will start saving more and cut down additional costs for unwanted stuff.

To avoid overspending, you can also look into the amazing ways to reuse your old clothes. Try this tip till you are facing financial crises, once things will be fine, you can start buying. But must be within the limit.

7. Create A Zero Budget For Few Months

Creating a zero base budget, for many, is a new concept. Let me explain to you, a zero-based budget means when expenses must be equal to income. Exceeding expenses can let your balance in negatively. Where more income serves you fruitful results. So, trying to take your expenses into balance can go with opting for zero balance. Once you are able to successfully create zero balance for a few months, boost your income and plan for savings. Remember, zero balance budgets are known for money management, debt payoff, and enjoy financial freedom. So, try this for a few months.

8. Invest A Percentage of Your Income in Stocks

Investing money in stock might be a new concept for some, whereas others are earning huge profits every month from the stock market. If you feel you have enough funds in savings after deducting, kids’ education, retirement funds, and others, you can invest a small portion of your income into the stock market. If you are not good at sharing market knowledge, take assistance from financial experts. Depending on your needs and expectations, experts guide you for the best offer with the US and international share market.

Bottom Line

Hope the above information gives you an outlay to achieve financial independence in your life. So, without wasting time, first of all, start with a zero base budget, then move towards repairing your credit score. Create an emergency funds account, invest in retirement and if possible buy some shares. When you are planning for kids’ future, set a different account for their higher education and give something inheritance.

Imagine this, you were driving on the highway and were enjoying your road trip with friends and following all the traffic rules to keep everyone in the car safe. And suddenly, out of nowhere, another car crashed into yours, leaving everyone with some serious damage. You weren’t at fault but still had to suffer just because a reckless driver wasn’t responsible enough. Got the chills? Well, it is one of the many scenarios of wrongful injuries.

According to renowned legal experts, a typical wrongful or a personal injury case consists of a scenario where a person becomes a victim of someone else’s negligence and mistakes. Be it slipping on someone’s porch or bitten by a dog or a fatal car accident; it is really devastating to recoup the losses.

And when someone gets injured due to someone else’s fault, recovering from it is stressful and financially draining. So, why do you have to suffer just because someone out there wasn’t careful enough? That’s right; you don’t have to.

Here’s how filing a suit can help you win justice for yourself.

Let’s get started!

What are the compensations that can be claimed?

First things first, before filing a case, you should be aware of literally everything. This includes the compensations you are liable for to make a full recovery from an accident.

According to renowned legal experts, if you succeed in winning the case you filed against the accused, the jury awards the victim money, known as damages. This money can be used in paying all those expensive medical bills and compensate for all the lost wages. If you have any other doubts, you can read more here and clear everything out.

 In fact, this monetary amount can also be used to compensate for any physical disfiguration or disability caused due to the accident. That’s a relief!

Who can help you in the process?

When you meet with an accident, you have to deal with a lot of people and look after a lot of procedures. From claiming the insurance to paying the bills, everything feels a bit tough to handle on your own. Plus, maybe you would feel that you might be able to speed up the compensation process without a lawyer because it is a clear case of sheer negligence.

But the law doesn’t work that way. The jury needs proper evidence and a strong case to award you what you truly deserve. And that’s where an experienced lawyer can help. He/she will not only listen to you but will also ensure that they make a strong case to compensate for all your losses. In fact, they’ll also conduct a thorough investigation and collect all the proofs to support their arguments and statements.

And let’s be honest, you’ve suffered so much, and the last thing you want would be to risk your chances of getting justice. So you take your time to recover completely and leave the legal matters to the professionals.

Wrapping Up!

Accidents bring a lot of pain and misery with them. And everything seems to elevate when you have to suffer because of someone else’s actions. Thankfully, filing a suit can help you get what you deserve. Don’t worry because justice will prevail at any cost!

Do you know in every 43 seconds, one hit and run accident occurs in the U.S.? According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety data, the highest number of such accidents was reported in April 2018. 

That’s not it!

On average more than 1800 cases of hit and run cases are reported in the state. And approximately 65% of the people involved in these accidents are either pedestrians or cyclists. These statistics are shocking. Right?

Generally, an accident leaves a massive impact on the mind of the victim. But to think that the driver at fault left the accident spot, makes it unbelievable and disappointing. As a matter of fact, human beings can’t have control over everything that happens. Perhaps that’s the reason why a car crash occurs. However, one has control over the steps to take after the collision.

Having said that, it is inhumane to leave the things as it is and drive away. That’s why you should take the matter into your hands and fight for what is right. If you are worried about what you should do? Then, no need to worry! Just scroll down, and you’ll learn about the steps to take!

Call the police

First of all, you need to report the accident to the police. Don’t make the mistake of going after the driver at fault. Instead, stay at the location and wait for the police. However, if possible, you should try to note down the number of license plates. It’ll help the police while investigating. In the meantime, you should also call for medical help. If the victims are severely injured, it is better to take them to the hospital.

Get in contact with the insurance company.

It might not look like a priority at the time of the collision. However, the truth is that IT IS. You should call the insurance company as soon as possible and inform them about the hit and run case. This way, they’ll start the insurance claim right at the instant. Eventually, removing the financial burden off your shoulder.

Hire a lawyer

Usually, the driver at fault runs away because they are afraid of the consequences. But, that’s not a moral thing to do, especially when it is a life and death situation. That’s why it is better to hire a lawyer to get justice. If you are not convinced, you can click here to learn more about a lawyer’s need in an accident. Nonetheless, keep in mind that it is always better to deal with civil claims than a criminal case.

Collect the evidence and the mobile number of witnesses

The next thing to do is to collect the pieces of evidence. Take photographs of the location, vehicle, and all the damage that has been done. Along with that, get the number of witnesses. They have seen what has happened. Thus their statement will play a crucial role in providing you justice. Also, try to remember the car model and the direction it came from.

To conclude!

What’s done is done! You can’t change that. However, you can be practical and take the next step to get the justice you deserve. Keep in mind that the law is for your safety, so you should take its help without fear!

A plush vehicle is one of the most significant investments that one can make in their life. Therefore, it needs to be managed and maintained with all the love and concern possible. For this, car owners often go for auto insurance safeguarding themselves from paying for external damages in the future.

The concept of auto insurance for commoners

Unarguably, most car owners tend to look for the cheapest car insurance plan to save a few bucks. Where they may consider it as a wise decision, the reality narrates a different story. Cheap auto insurance can be a massive trouble for you to safeguard your vehicle. While you may be bragging about saving a few bucks on your insurance plan, you can’t see what difference it will make in your life and vehicle’s value when leading to an unfortunate accident.

Here, full coverage auto insurance can be of great help. You may find it a bit more expensive than the other auto insurance covers, but it’s worth buying for sure. Don’t know why? Let’s figure it out.

What is a full coverage auto insurance plan?

There are a lot of people who are entirely clueless about the full coverage auto insurance plan as most people tend to settle for a cheaper plan. It is a type of car insurance that covers the vehicle completely. It covers the comprehensive, liability, and collision coverage for the damaged vehicle. One who wants to avail the maximum range out of this car insurance must have ample proof of the accident or collision.

The full coverage auto insurance plan is a financial term that illustrates the coverage of a vehicle’s different parts. Some of the most common aspects covered under full coverage auto insurance include – property damage, bodily injuries, collision, uninsured motorist, comprehensive, and PIP. One of the major perks of having this coverage is you get the maximum financial protection without putting your vehicle at risk.

Here are details to the full coverage auto insurance

Liability insurance – Liability insurance tends to cover the damages made when you are the fault. It ensures financial help to the other vehicle damaged in the accident or collision. It is the only part of the overall car insurance that you are supposed to carry lawfully.

The remaining segment of the full coverage auto insurance

It encompasses the first-party benefits which are missing from any other type of car insurance available in the marketplace for you. It ensures to cover personal injury protection, collision insurance, and comprehensive insurance too. The basic or additional amount for the full coverage auto insurance depends on factors, including – vehicle type, vehicle age, age, and the collision or accident you met with.

The last word

Most car owners believe relying on full coverage auto insurances is saving money for the long run. When involved in an accident or external damage, vehicles can cost a hefty amount disturbing your entire financial cycle. And if you desire to reap the maximum benefits out of it, make sure to consult a reputed and trustworthy car insurance agency.

When someone’s negligent or voluntary actions cause you a loss or suffering, the incident is legally termed as personal injury. The losses and suffering could include physical injuries, medical expenses, personal property damages, and more.

In simple words, a personal injury claim is filed when someone’s negligent actions cause you injury and damage.

Now, it is noteworthy that you hold the right to file the claim with your own insurer or with the liable party’s insurance company.

In the state of Illinois, the courts follow a fault system. It means, the court can only grant a claim if someone is at fault.

Can You File Personal Injury Claim Anytime?

Of course, you’re here either because you have sustained injuries or someone you know has. Regardless of that, you must understand that you cannot file a personal injury claim, just anytime. Or better said, you cannot delay filing for a personal injury claim for too long.

In Illinois civil courts’ Statutes of Limitations nominates plaintiffs for two years to file a personal injury claim. During this period, the plaintiff may receive medical care, or get other repairs done.

However, for personal injury lawsuits, the Statutes of Limitations is only 1 year. Meaning, if you are to file a lawsuit you must do so within a year of your accident. In some cases, you may be allowed to file even after the time has run out. The courts would then consider the time from the day you discovered the injury or the losses.

How Do Courts Decide Fault/Negligence?

The state of Illinois is a fault state, as already mentioned. Expert Chicago Truck Accident Lawyers explain that personal injury claims can only be processed if somebody is at fault for the injuries caused. Besides, if the plaintiff is found more than 50% at fault, the claim may then be automatically dismissed.

The civil courts in Illinois also use modified comparative negligence doctrine to decide the fault, when there are multiple defendants.

Depending upon the fault that a party shares, the compensations to be paid are reduced or increased. For example, if you are found 10% at fault for the injuries you sustain, your claim would also be reduced by 10%.

Are There Any Other Limitations?

In several states, the compensations that plaintiffs can receive are usually capped. Most of these limitations are only capped on non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering.

Though Illinois is a ‘fault’ state, there are no caps on any type of personal injury claims.

The last cap that was removed from the Illinois state constitution in 2010, limited the payments for non-economic damages in medical malpractice cases. As of now, there are no limits, whatsoever.

Like every other state, Illinois also protects its citizens against any civil or criminal act. Several laws, both civil and criminal, define personal injury acts. And likewise are firm in serving rightful claims to the victims. That being said, personal injury cases are still a complex decree of the legal system. And likewise, require professional assistance for justified implementation.

All of us have at least one dream that happens to be a life goal as well. Do you know any magic tricks to achieve that? Honestly, there is none. But there’s definitely something that can help you pave a path to accomplish that.

And one such criterion is to create a financial plan. Your financial plan can act as a guide through your life, helping you be in control of your expenses, investments, and income. For example, strategic financial planning will help you send your child to college. Contrary to this, if you don’t keep in mind your current and future goals, things might get quite dreadful.

If you are still not convinced, here are a multitude of reasons that will help you understand why financial planning is vital.

Increases The Overall Savings

It might be possible for some people to be able to save money without any financial planning, but for most of us, it is the most efficient way of increasing our savings. Once you create a detailed financial plan, it tells you exactly how much you spend and how much you earn every month. If you control your expenses consciously in order to save and know exactly where your money is going, it will be easier to save every single month, thereby enabling you to increase your savings in the long run.

Improves Your Investment Strategies

If you have a proper overall financial plan, it will consider your objectives, risk tolerance, and personal circumstances for investment. According to the experts at Invest4life.com.au, financial planners can help give you the knowledge of making the best decisions possible in terms of investment.

Investment strategies can be quite risky, and it is helpful to take the advice of a financial planner who can expertly guide you. Investment in the right places can help you achieve your long-term financial goals.

Helps You Save For Emergencies

How often have you run out of money when an emergency comes up? Maybe you need money for medical bills or even for fixing your laptop or car. When such unexpected situations hit, you always wish that you had saved for such days. A good financial planner always keeps an emergency fund on hand, which should ideally be equal to six months of your salary. It can help you pay for various expenses and even help you out if you have recently lost your job.

Builds Better assets

Financial planning doesn’t only require cold hard cash. You can even have a nice “cushion” that is in the form of assets. It is important to determine the real value of an asset before buying it. There can be many liabilities that you need to take care of before it becomes an actual asset. Once you have understood your finances completely, this is a relatively easier thing to do. Remember to build assets that do not become a burden in the future, rather something valuable.

Financial planning is quite important if you want to maintain a good living standard and look out for your future and long-term goals. Go ahead and get the help of a financial advisor now.

According to a Federal Reserve study, most Americans earn money through multiple sources. These usually include W-2 earnings, unemployment benefits, investment dividends, retirement benefits, and more.

With multiple sources of income, it is no wonder that many taxpayers make mistakes when filing taxes. The most common one is filing taxes for the wrong income.

Essentially, you’d wish to know what income sources to include when filing taxes. Relax! We’ve got your back.

In this article, we’ll be giving you a ballpark idea about what does taxable income mean, along with the filing procedure, and some other information. So, keep reading, if these are the questions that come to your mind when thinking of income tax.

What is Taxable Income?

Did you know that not all of your income is taxable? Yes, a portion of your income is not included when calculating taxes, usually known as tax deductions.

This brings us to the question at hand- taxable income is the portion of your income that comes under tax laws, and is included when filing income tax.

To better understand this, you need to understand how income is defined and how taxes are calculated.

IRS Calculates Income Tax

IRS defines any debits into an account as income. In other words, regardless of where you receive money from in your account, it will be considered as income as per IRS. It also includes income in the form of assets, property, or services.

A lot many people often mistake their earned wages, compensations, and other sources of regular earning to be included in income tax. Well, truly speaking, this is not at all the right approach.  

For the detailed information, “learn more about tax defense from Silver Tax Group”, you should know what to include and what not to when filing for your income tax.

This is not only true for earned wages and compensations but a lot of other income sources too.

Typically, IRS would collect taxes if your income falls under any of the following types:

• Canceled or Forgiven Debt
• Dividends on Investment
• Real Estate Gains
• Rental Income
• Copyright and Patent Royalties
• Stock Options
• Unemployment Benefits
• Other Support Benefits
• Virtual Currency Gains

Apart from these, if you win any assets or money from gambling or lottery, it must also be included in your income tax report.

How to File Your Income Tax?

By now, I would have a ballpark idea about what income you should include when filing for taxes. However, you’d still need to understand the filing procedure. Perhaps, we can offer you a rough outline for the same too.

Calculating Taxes

Calculating your taxes is a never-ending process. Year-round, you need to keep an eye on what money is coming into your account, where it is coming from, and what should be included in income tax returns.

Taxes on different income categories are calculated differently. It is better to work with an accounting attorney to get a better idea about it.

Calculating Deductions

Besides, calculating your taxable income, you also need to calculate the deductions to be made. As already mentioned, not all income is taxable.

Usually, retirement income, student loans, charities, and freelance expenses are not included in tax calculations.

When filing income tax, including the right income and deducting only what’s necessary can save you from IRS troubles, in the long run. That being said, since tax laws are quite complex, it is better to work with a tax attorney you can rely on.