The best way to stick to New Year's resolutions (or any type of resolution, for that matter) is to keep it simple. You may wonder how you can streamline such a complex process — there are so many possible resolutions to commit to! The answer is easy: just pick one resolution. Read on to see our suggestions and pick your favorite.
This year, resolve to drop your daily deal habit. Buying coupons can be extremely addictive, because sometimes the deals are just too tempting. But oftentimes, you'll end up doing something that you never planned on doing in the first place and trying restaurants that you had no intention of trying to begin with. The problem with buying deal after deal is that you might forget about them if you're not carefully keeping track of them, and you may end up losing money when the coupon expires.
Do yourself and your budget (not to mention your inbox!) a favor this year, and unsubscribe from all the daily deals sites except your all-time favorite. Also make it a plan to use up all the daily deals you have yet to use this month. I know there may be deals that seem too good to miss out on, so limit yourself to buying one or two online coupons this year. If you're worried about missing out on an amazing deal, I'm sure you'll catch wind of it through friends or social media. And if you miss one, either scout for it on sites that sell unused daily deals like CoupRecoup or patiently wait for it to show up again.
Caffeine addiction is so commonplace that nobody will bat an eye if you say you need your daily dose of coffee. In fact, many of us would readily admit to an addiction. Though people claim that coffee benefits them, the efficacy of the brown liquid is often misconceived. For starters, studies have shown that although caffeine may give you more speed, you'll be more prone to making mistakes. This means even if you have a larger output, it'll be of lower quality. More negatives include feeling jittery when you drink too much coffee and withdrawal symptoms like headaches if you choose to stop drinking. Convinced? Here are some tips to kicking your caffeine habit to the curb for good this year.
Of course, it's up to each individual to decide if quitting coffee is right for them. I'd say you should truly consider it if you're drinking excessive amounts (I'm talking more than three or four cups a day) and if you're feeling some of the negative effects of caffeine.
If you've been putting off calling your provider to negotiate lower rates, stop procrastinating and pick up your phone! Remember, the worst thing that will happen is just hearing the answer "no." Consider calling these companies to negotiate with.
Apart from negotiating better rates and plans, also consider asking to waive any fees or penalties that you've recently been charged with. Now that you're ready to make the call with a list of companies in mind, here are tips on how you should approach the call:
An important to-do on your financial list is to have a savings account. One of the first things you need to do is to establish a savings account where you can start putting your money. If you don't have one, then it's time to get one. If you already have one, then you might want to reassess the one you currently have. Here are a few tips to help you make the right decision.
Many people include software skills on their résumé, such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and HTML, but not all of them have a good grasp of those programs. It's good to learn how to use various software because this knowledge can boost your résumé or even help you advance in your job.
A good way to learn these programs is through the online software training site Lynda.com. If you pay a subscription fee, you get access to over 100,000 instructional videos for programs like Photoshop, Dreamweaver, and even Facebook. But if you're not keen on spending the money, you can even test out the service with a seven-day free trial. Remember to cancel before the trial ends, or you'll be charged with a paid membership.
Managing your time not only allows you to be more productive but also frees up precious minutes for you to spend however you'd like. To make 2015 your most organized, exciting year yet, adopt these five helpful habits.
Public speaking is a regular — and regularly feared — part of life, so it's important to refine your skills. This year, challenge yourself by learning to lecture like a pro. Here are four tips to help you polish your public speaking.
Above all else, learn to relax. Everyone understands the stress and pressure involved with public speaking, so know that your audience will be empathetic toward your efforts. Just remember the basics — stand up straight, smile, and make eye contact — and be yourself, because personality and genuine enthusiasm are key to making great connections.
Check out more tips to help you improve your public speaking.
Make this the year that you finally give yourself a break. It's easy to get caught up in stress and to be hard on yourself when it comes to work, finance, and relationships, but the best way to stay happy and healthy is to lighten up a little bit. Here are four ways to cut yourself some slack in the upcoming year.
In 2013, Americans were facing credit card debt worth $856.82 billion, according to statistics from the Federal Reserve. Don't be another statistic; for a fresh start this year, resolve to pay off your credit card debt. To get started, follow these tips.
Starting a new year means clearing out the old. It's a good idea to get items you don't use out of the way because they fill up valuable space in your home. Get ready to sell your stuff with these tips.
For items you can't sell, donate them to Goodwill or Salvation Army so you'll be able to get a tax write-off and do good at the same time!
For those of you who have never really thought about your retirement accounts, this year would be a good time to start padding it up. Although the past few years have been rocky, experts still recommend adding money to your 401(k) or IRA and riding out the slump. Here are some things you can start doing.