Use this method to roadmap the future of your career. Sergey Nivens / Shutterstock.com
Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared on FlexJobs.com. Are you looking to gain insight into your next career move? Whether you’ve already launched your job search or you’re simply analyzing your career map, are you seeking a direction that’s intentional and not based on circumstance? If so, consider using a SWOT analysis to strategize your job search and your career as a whole.
Take a peek at this budget-friendly destination and see how far your dollars can stretch. Aleksandar Todorovic / Shutterstock.com
Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared on Live and Invest Overseas. Can you afford to live in Belize? The simple answer, I’d bet, is yes. But the better answer is that it depends …
If you want to be a successful investor, there are a few key resolutions you should make. Learn more here about building wealth in 2024.
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Becoming a successful investor can make all the difference in your personal finances. And the good news is, there’s a simple path to success that almost anyone can follow.
You don’t need to be an investing guru to build wealth in the market — you just need to make three investing resolutions in 2024 and stick to them. Here’s what they are.
Famed investor Warren Buffett has repeatedly spoken about the benefits of picking an investment and sticking to it. Buffett has said his favorite holding period for an investment is “forever,” and advises against buying any asset for even 10 minutes if you wouldn’t be comfortable owning it for 10 years.
Data backs up the billionaire investor’s advice. Research has shown buying and holding stocks outperforms as many as 99.8% of strategies that involve switching between investing in the market and Treasury bonds. This makes sense. It can be hard to predict when it’s the right time to buy and sell stocks — and the price of getting it wrong is very high. Missing out on having your money in the stock market on just the five best performing days between 1980 and 2022 could have reduced your returns over time by as much as 38%.
Rather than trying to time the market and potentially messing up and losing out on a huge amount of potential profits, you should resolve to buy assets with a proven track record of success over time and leave those assets alone in your brokerage account.
It’s tempting to jump onto the latest investing trend (I’m looking at you, cryptocurrency), especially if you keep hearing stories of people getting rich quickly by putting their money into it.
Unfortunately, you’re making a big mistake if you make your investment choices based on what other people are doing.
First, you don’t know their motivations or long-term investing goals, so you can’t know if their strategy aligns with yours. Second, by the time you hear about this great new investment, it could already be too late to get in at a reasonable cost since the price may have been driven up by others who didn’t want to miss out either. You could end up buying high and losing big.
Investing based on what others are doing is rarely going to work as well for you as sticking with a tried-and-true approach. Resolve not to react to the actions of others, but instead to develop the confidence to stick with a sound investment strategy that makes sense for you.
There are simple ways to make money by investing. For example, the S&P 500 — a financial index tracking the performance of 500 large U.S. companies — has produced about 10% average annual returns over the last 100 years.
If you want to branch out beyond just buying index funds, then there’s nothing wrong with picking stocks of your own as long as you research them carefully and have a plan.
But, there are a lot of complicated investment products out there ranging from universal life insurance policies to fine art to precious medals to cryptocurrency (again). Unfortunately, many of these products are hard to understand, which means it’s hard to avoid losing money.
Unless you are an expert in whatever it is you’re investing in, stick to the basics. Don’t take the risk of losing by chasing extra returns through a complicated investment when you have no clear idea of how it’s supposed to grow your wealth. It’s too easy to get scammed or to suffer big losses.
Ultimately, if you make these three resolutions, you can set yourself up for a successful investing year in 2024, and many more to follow. Give these principles a try and start working on them today.
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Sam’s Club is conducting its annual January clearance sale. Here are five of the best deals.
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Even if you’re absolutely burned out on holiday shopping (and who isn’t?), Sam’s Club serves as a reminder that some of the best deals are found after the holidays end. I’m not suggesting you spend money on anything you don’t need, but if you happen to see anything you’ve been looking for here, now is a good time to score a sweet discount while protecting your checking account.
Each of the products mentioned here is on clearance, and supplies are limited. So, if you see something you like, you’ll want to visit the Sam’s Club website as soon as possible.
Sam’s Club price: $34
Lowe’s price: $66 (49% higher)
There are many ways to protect your home, from homeowners insurance to elaborate security systems. And then there are motion-activated lights. Whether you’re hoping to scare off trespassers or want to get a better look at the raccoon rifling through your trash like it’s shopping at the semi-annual Bath & Body Works sale, these powerful lights can help. When motion is detected, these babies automatically illuminate 2,000 bright lumens.
You get two for this price, each unit complete with three lights — enough to surprise whoever (or whatever) lurks in the dark spaces around your home.
There’s a lot to recommend these lights, including the fact that they’re solar-powered, so you don’t have to worry about wiring them or losing battery power. They’re easy to install and allow you to set them on a 30-, 60-, or 120-second timer.
Sam’s Club price: $170
Coleman sale price: $238 (29% higher)
Depending on where you live, you may not be thinking about warm-weather fun just yet, but this Coleman 12′ x 10′ screenhouse will be ideal the next time you want to set up a bug-free eating area near your camper, throw a barbecue, or have a picnic. On those days when the sun is blistering hot, you’re sure to appreciate the 90 square feet of shade. Double-thick Polyguard 2X™ material offers 50+ UPF protection, too.
Sam’s Club price: $260
Walmart price: $384 (32% higher)
Now that holiday gatherings are over, ’tis the season to get serious about cleaning up after lovely, but slightly messy, friends and family. Model LA455 is rather special, offering a two-brush-roll system that really gets down into carpets, ultimately picking up more with every pass. This ultra-lightweight model completely seals and traps 99.99% of dust and allergens, helping clean the air. It comes with a Pet Power Brush that picks up pet hair and loose debris from surfaces of all kinds, an under-appliance wand, a crevice tool for tight spaces, and an upholstery tool for furniture.
Sam’s Club price: $500
Amazon price: $549 (9% higher)
If it’s time for a new laptop, Sam’s Club may not be the first retailer to come to mind. However, Sam’s Club offers some pretty great deals. Take this Acer Swift 14″ model, for example. With 8 gigabytes of memory, you’ll have plenty of room to write that great American novel that’s been on the back burner of your mind. This model comes with Windows 10 and a free Windows 11 upgrade.
Sam’s Club price: $329
eBay price: $500 (34% higher)
If you’ve ever met a child who did not enjoy a bounce house, you’ve encountered a rare creature indeed. And if you’ve ever wondered how many germs and other contaminants coat the floor of a bounce house, you’re not alone. This Sam’s Club clearance allows you to pick up a house of your own, with 19 feet of jumping space, two bounce areas, and plenty of places to climb, slide, and jump. It’s like a mini-vacation for kids without racking up vacation debt.
The bounce house comes with anchor stakes to keep it stable, but more importantly, it exceeds ASTM safety standards. It’s recommended for kids ages 3 to 8, with a maximum weight limit of 250 pounds. Do you need a bounce house? Probably not. But if you think you’ll get hours of use out of it, this is a sale that won’t last long.
The thing about all warehouse stores is that their prices aren’t always the lowest available. That’s why it pays off for your personal finances to comparison shop before placing an order or heading out to a store. These five clearance items offer value, making them the perfect products to feature in the first month of the new year.
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We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.John Mackey, former CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Dana George has positions in Amazon and Walmart. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Amazon and Walmart. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Hiring an accountant for tax help makes sense in some situations, including after lifestyle changes. Read on for advice on whether to hire a tax professional.
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Tax season is fast approaching. It’s important to make sure you’re ready to submit your tax returns on time so you don’t get into trouble with the IRS.
For many people, free software options can help you do your taxes. There are also paid options available for those with more complicated returns. These programs can walk you through the process of filling out your paperwork and filing it with the IRS. They’re also usually affordable and easy to use.
In some cases, though, it pays to hire a professional even if that means more money coming out of your bank account to pay for a tax pro. If any of these situations apply to you, hiring an accountant to help with your taxes could make good sense.
Certain lifestyle changes can impact your taxes in big ways. For example, getting married or divorced can change your filing status. With your combined income, you may become eligible for deductions or credits you previously couldn’t claim, or may lose eligibility for deductions and credits you were allowed to take before.
Buying a house, having a child, losing a spouse, or moving to a new state are also major lifestyle changes that can impact your taxes. When you’re entering uncharted waters due to these big changes, it could pay to get professional advice on the tax implications during the first year you file in your new circumstances.
Running a business of your own can complicate your taxes. You may have different deductions you’re eligible for, and you won’t have traditional W-2 income from an employer who withholds your Social Security and Medicare taxes for you.
Hiring an accountant can help ensure you fulfill your obligations and claim all of the tax savings you’re entitled to. Your accountant may also give you advice on the best way to structure your business, as forming an S-corporation could potentially give you more flexibility in how you’re taxed on earnings.
If you have complicated investments, it could also be beneficial to hire an accountant. For example, there are a ton of complex IRS rules surrounding cryptocurrencies, and you need to make sure you’re following them to avoid potentially facing tax penalties for not paying the full amount you owe on any gains you make.
Real estate investments can also be more complex, as there may be several different deductions you can claim to offset your income. And other alternative assets come with their own unique reporting requirements.
The bottom line is, you don’t want to trigger an IRS audit, nor do you want to miss out on opportunities to claim deductions and credits that could help you save on your taxes. While tax-filing software can help you identify opportunities to save and assist you in understanding what your obligations are, these software programs are meant to help the typical taxpayer — not necessarily someone in your unique situation.
It can be far better to pay for the professional advice you need to do your taxes right, especially if you have any doubts about your ability to comply with the rules while maximizing your opportunities to reduce your tax bill.
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Goldendoodles cost pet parents more than any other breed. Here’s what you need to know about budgeting for the costs of your animal companion.
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Budgeting for pet care is crucial if you’re bringing an animal into your home. Pet insurance can cover costs when things go wrong, and is a vital purchase to make sure a beloved pet gets the care they need if they’re sick or hurt. But there are also other routine expenses to consider, ranging from wellness care to food and toys.
While pets are well worth the cost to most people, it’s important to realize they can do a number on your bank account — especially if you end up with an expensive breed. So, which dogs cost more than others? Here’s what you need to know.
One dog stands out from the crowd in terms of how much pet parents are paying for care: the goldendoodle. According to a Rover.com survey of pet owners, those with goldendoodles spent an average of $100 to $149 per month on their animal’s care during the year. That adds up to a whopping $1,788 annually, at the high end of the scale.
Other dogs within the $50 to $99 range in terms of monthly care include:
Golden retrieversDachshundsBeaglesLabrador retrieversPit bullsAustralian shepherdsMixed breed dogsChihuahuaGerman shepherds
Goldendoodles took the top spot in terms of cost, though, in part because they are a designer breed. As a cross between a golden retriever and a poodle, Doodles often need expensive grooming — especially if their coats trend toward the curlier coat of the poodle that makes up half their genetic history.
Goldendoodles can also be susceptible to the health issues that affect poodles and golden retrievers. This means they could develop expensive conditions like hip dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, and progressive retinal atrophy — each of which could cost a lot to treat.
These dogs are also expensive to buy in many cases, so owners who invest a lot upfront in their animal may spend more each month on luxuries like fancy toys or doggie daycare.
Whether a pet owner opts for a designer goldendoodle or a mixed breed from the local shelter, they must have a plan for covering their pet’s costs — especially when those costs are close to $1,800 annually.
One of the most important steps to take is to buy pet insurance to pay for serious illnesses and injuries. This can help parents avoid having to make tough choices if their animal develops a medical condition that’s costly to deal with. The sooner pet insurance is purchased, the better, since a policy won’t cover anything that’s a pre-existing condition (one diagnosed before a policy is in place).
Pet insurance will typically only pay for injuries and illnesses, though, unless a wellness plan is bought as an add-on, but often that’s not worth the price since it can be cheaper to just pay for routine care directly. Dog owners need to be ready for other costs like routine care, grooming, activities, food, toys, and bedding.
Before adopting any particular dog, it’s helpful to research the breed and expected expenses to make sure the estimated care is within budget. If it’s feasible, start a special dog account to contribute to each month so the money is there and ready when your animal companion has something they need. That way, your pet won’t be a source of financial stress, but instead can be the source of pure joy that they were born to be.
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