4 mistakes youre making with your money

4 mistakes youre making with your moneyManaging money is a skill that you have to master over timeno one is born with it. And its one that can haunt the rest of your life if youre not careful when youre younger and just departureing out. If youre hoping to avoid some of the issues that can be most painful later on, there are steps you can take now to improve your money mastery. googletag.cmd.push(function() googletag.display(div-gpt-ad-1467144145037-0) ) Lets take a look at 4 common mistakes you should get under control before they derail your financial future.1. Not saving enoughThis can be one of the hardest things to do if youre just starting your career and making your way through entry-level or low-seniority jobs. Saving is especially tough if you live in a big city or somewhere else with high living expenses. At the end of the month, there just may not be much left for a savings account, and its easy to say, laterIll do it later. But later comes up awfully fast, so save what y ou can and stick to a regular deposit schedule. These savings can be a lifesaver if you find yourself suddenly jobless, given that the average job hunt takes several months.2. Not investingAccording to a Bankrate survey, only 54% of Americans invest money. Among millennials, the numbers are even more dismal, at 18%. It may seem difficult to afford when youre living on a ramen noodle budget, but the reality is that the time to start is when youre youngyoull have time to build your portfolio and time is on your side, given that youll be better able to absorb market changes over time. You dont even have to dive into the stock marketyou can start with other kinds of funds. NerdWallet has a great how-to guide for beginning investors.3. Not negotiatingDont be shy about negotiating pay raises or a higher starting salary. Youve probably heard the old saying, you dont get what you dont ask for, and its absolutely true. If you go about the negotiating process in a smart and informed way, you really dont have anything to lose but you could be making more money (yknow, for investing and feeding that rainy day fund).4. Not controlling spendingLiving within ones means can be tricky in an age where your debit card can bring delicious takeout to your door with the ease of an app, or where a credit card makes it easy to ignore the actual spending thats going on. Creating a realistic budget and sticking to it is one of the best things you can to do prepare for your financial future. It can also help you build in ways to support your other healthy financial moves, like saving extra money and investing.Think of these as healthy habit-building steps. After all, you wouldnt expect to lose weight without implementing a diet or exercise plan. And again, although it can be very tempting to file financial steps under the Ill deal with it later heading, it increases the chances that youll never actually take the steps at all. You can start building your financial future with relatively small steps now, so why not make sure youre making your best possible effort?

9 Things to Do on Your Day off to Really Recharge

9 Things to Do on Yur Day off to Really Recharge 9 Things to Do on Yur Day Off to Really RechargeDont squander your day off.We all look forward to our days off. Whether its a weekend, a personal day, or vacation, we count the hours until we finally get a stretch of free time and can make it a relaxing day. Unfortunately, days off often fail to live up to our expectations. Have you ever returned to the office feeling sluggish and frazzled mora in need of another break than ready to tackle the newest challenge? Read on to get a few tips and things to do on your day off to really recharge.1. Handle those errandsSure, days off are for relaxing and having fun and yet the reality is that fruchtwein of us have unavoidable things to do on your day off, like an errand or two. I recommend making a list of annoying errands and compressing them into a single block of time. Maybe you dedicate the morning hours between nine and 11AM to straightening up the house, tackling laundry and making the grocery shopping list. Batching these unavoidable tasks can help you keep your life on track and will also prevent the errands from taking over your entire day.2. Get yourself moving.One of the best things to do on your day off is to get up and go Physical movement is a fantastic tool for getting in touch with your senses. It can also strengthen your muscles, reduce certain health risks and boost your mood. If you enjoy working out at the gym or biking great If not, remember that any movement is better that being stationary. The research done by National Geographic Blue Zones project has demonstrated that something as low-impact as gentle walking can have a tremendous impact on both longevity and quality of life.3. Respect your way of recharging.Some of us are energized when we join a large group of friends and family, while others need some alone time to reset and relax. No matter which one is true for you, know yourself in order to have a nice relaxing day. Dont let others pressu re you into relaxing in a way that is actually stressful for you.4. Eat well.Its easy to eat well during the workweek between cooking at home and taking lunch to the office, we can often manage to keep our choices reasonably healthy. However, many of us fall off the wagon on weekends by overindulging. While there is nothing wrong with an occasional decadent meal or sumptuous dessert, keep in mind that your bodys chemistry does not check out on your days off Pay attention to how different foods make you feel, and remember that there is a price to pay for going off the deep end.5. Prepare for the morning.This may not be one of the most fun things to do on your day off, but think about the little ways you can make your next work morning smoother, and take care of the basics in advance. This might mean cleaning up the kitchen, preparing and setting the coffee maker, or packing lunch. Anything that takes just a few extra minutes on your day off and creates space on a busy morning is a g ood thing.6. Take a nap.Taking a nap effectively breaks up your relaxing day into two days off how is that for a bonus? Many studies point to the benefits of a short nap, including improved attention span, better stress management and a sense of being more present. Keep it to 20-30 minutes to get the optimal benefit.7. Watch your stimulant and alcohol use.Whether we are tired, stressed, relaxed or celebrating, we often reach for caffeine or alcohol. While most people will find that there is nothing wrong with enjoying those in moderation, excessive reliance can lead to health issues down the line. If youre reaching for your fourth espresso of the day because youre feeling sluggish, perhaps a drink of water, a brisk walk or some sleep might better address the underlying cause.8. Build in a treat.Make your relaxing day feel a little more special by taking a bath or an extra-long shower, enjoying a delicious snack, or curling up with a book. Even if you cant spend the entire day doing what you love, dont let that hold you back from dedicating a half hour to simple pleasures that make you smile.9. Lastly, do what you can to unplug and enjoy the day.That can be trickier than it sounds, because FOMO, or the infamous fear of missing out, can drive us to remain glued to our social media feeds and emails even on relaxing days that are meant to be just for us. This is a tough addiction to break. However, if you feel that you pay more attention to your digital devices than to friends and family, or if you sense that your phone is interfering with your ability to enjoy your time off, it may be high time for an intervention.Lets say youve made a decision to chill at home for the evening with a simple meal of roasted chicken and vegetables. As youre seasoning the bird for that extra-crunchy finish and washing carrots, you decide to take a quick look at your Facebook feed. In the next 30 seconds, you learn that one of your friends is at a Beyonce concert. Another one is at the newest restaurant about to dig into a Napoletana pizza with mozzarella di buffalo and fried capers (expensive bottle of wine placed strategically in the background of the Intagrammable shot for extra points). Someone else you barely know (but who is in your feed anyways) is enjoying a beach bonfire.Unless you have the serenity of a Buddhist monk, that brief scroll through Facebook will probably make you seriously question your own life choices of things to do on your day off. All of a sudden, you may find yourself wishing you were somewhere else doing something more exciting than peeling vegetables. Your quiet evening at home is no longer a treat, but a poor choice that wont win you likes in your newsfeed.Can you take your life back from FOMO? Yes, you can. The first step is to notice whats happening. The second step is to recognize that the perpetual comparison game is not winnable in fact, its costing you peace and presence right now. The third step is to strategically manage your exposure to newsfeeds. This is particularly important on your days off from work, when your choices should reflect your own preferences - not score you points in a popularity contest.It may be impossible to eradicate FOMO completely, but you do have the power to minimize it. Designating a somewhat distant plug-in schauplatz for my cell phone has done wonders for me. Try keeping your phone off the table at meal time, and charge it outside of your bedroom so you are not tempted to do that last scroll at 1145PM. Or, if youre like me and do not handle moderation well, you might try a week-long social media fast to break your habit of perpetual scrolling. There are many tips and tricks you could try to wean yourself off, so find the mix that will help you stay present and enjoy where you are.Want to see how your resume stacks up? Try out our free critique todayRelated Articles