1/31/2020
Is Travel Insurance Worth the Expense?
Whether you are a frequent flyer or a first-time flyer, booking a trip is always a gamble. There are so many unexpected situations that may present themselves to derail your well thought out plans. Considering the expense of travel, the idea of losing those figures could make you nervous before booking. Let’s walk through the most common scenarios most encounter in travel and the various options a traveler has to protect their financial expenditures for it.
Travel plans may need to be canceled at a moment’s notice for several reasons. A sudden illness, injury, work-related responsibility, family emergency, or even extreme weather are all valid reasons to cancel a trip. Expenses involved can include hotel, airfare and prearranged tours. One method to offset the risk of travel expense loss is travel insurance. The key is to spend your money wisely and purchase the right type of policy. Not all travel insurance offers the same coverage and in some cases, having it may not protect your trip in the way you need most.
Since every policy is different, it is crucial to read the details and know exactly what the policy will cover. Before purchasing a policy, evaluate which aspects of your travel you are most concerned about having insurance coverage. Even without insurance, you may not need to worry about canceling at the last moment for certain aspects of it. For instance, most hotels allow you to cancel up to 24 hours prior without penalty, and most airlines will cancel or refund flights if there is extreme weather, even if the tickets were nonrefundable.
However, if your travel plans are more detailed, perhaps out of the country, more extensive and include added elements that are nonrefundable, your overall travel expenses will be higher. Therefore the amount you would lose if you need to cancel suddenly would be significant. In this case, travel insurance becomes a more viable option. Travel insurance can be purchased at the time you book your airline tickets or travel. Still, it may be a better option to use a third-party travel insurance company that can offer you a policy tailored to your specific needs. If possible, try to choose a policy that includes the option of canceling for any reason. If any of the travelers in your party have pre-existing medical conditions, you may need to purchase additional coverage. If you travel frequently, it may be in your best interest financially to purchase an annual travel insurance plan.
To maximize the benefits of travel insurance, you should purchase as soon as possible after confirming travel. The closer to the departure date that the policy is purchased, the fewer benefits will be available. For instance, those planning an international trip should purchase travel insurance within 21 days of placing a deposit. When purchasing a policy early on, be sure to update the policy if expensive plans are added on, so the entire trip is still covered. Inform yourself of your current home, auto and health insurance policies. They will most likely not cover you in foreign countries. Furthermore, some countries require tourists to have insurance to enter and travel insurance fulfills that need.
Travel insurance policies can be purchased through a provider or tour organizer, who can explain all of the options to you but will usually charge a bit more for the efforts. Policies can also be shopped online. Website TravelInsurance.com is the best option to let you input your policy coverage preferences, compare multiple quotes, and decide the best choice for yourself without a middleman.
1/24/2020
Estimating Salary Peaks and How to Maximize Potential Earnings
Most individuals would assume that their salaries would increase throughout the course of their careers. Many count on this assumption when calculating for significant expenses such as their children's college tuition or eventual retirement. The fact of the matter is that nothing is guaranteed. Recent market trends have indicated that the highest income levels are actually estimated to be ten to twenty years before retirement for many middle-income workers.
Typically, the most substantial pay raises occur while workers are in their youngest years, just starting out in the workforce. By the time an individual is in the 45 to 55-year-old range, their salary has peaked in several types of industries. As has unfortunately become a more common occurrence, employees that are 50 and older, are often replaced with a younger substitute. This scenario leaves the older worker financially deficient in the later years of their career when retirement is looming.
Retirement savings should be a consideration from the first job opportunity accepted. Every paycheck should have money allocated for retirement. Even a small amount over several years will add to your nest egg should an unexpected situation present itself. Counting on a period of time or situation that will bring a more considerable income or windfall is an uncertainty. In the meantime, an accumulated nest egg is a guarantee that can always be used as a bonus if your hopeful plans are realized. As a rule of thumb, those with higher education tend to earn more throughout their lifetime and tend to make more as their career progresses.
The following are a few tips to help you achieve your maximum earning potential throughout your career. Use social media to your advantage but always in a professional and mature context. LinkedIn is a great tool that allows you to highlight your skills and accomplishments. Be conscious of what you post, comment, and like on other social sites as well. Everything done on social media is a representation of your image to others.
Part of the reason social media is so important is that it can be used to easily maintain relationships with those in your industry through a quick click of a button or a shared article. However, do not forget the importance of person-to-person interactions. Keep valuable connections alive by calling rather than texting or setting up a quick breakfast instead of a phone call when possible.
When negotiating your salary, especially early in your career, do your research. Know your worth, talk to your peers, search for salary information online at other companies, and request a reasonable but fair salary. Starting your income levels at a higher range can affect future income potential significantly.
Staying motivated and engaged in your job is key to performing well, which translates to being a valued employee. If you are valued, not only will you be rewarded financially, but you will not have to worry about being replaced. There is so much that can be done to keep one in the most positive mindset for success. Exercise will reduce stress, increase endorphins, so you feel great and give you the energy you need to tackle the many responsibilities of the day. Searching for motivation is also a great idea. Some are lucky enough to have a mentor they can talk to whenever they need. Others find motivational speakers they follow to inspire them. Some use meditation to center them amid the chaos and burdens of everyday life. Whatever you may choose to do, finding a way to help yourself be the best version of yourself can only lead to a favorable scenario and success!1/14/2020
Marketing Pitfalls to Avoid When Operating a Small Business
Follow up – Just because you took the time to form a plan and spent the money to implement it doesn’t mean it will work. You will continue to waste money if you do not realize it and continue to utilize an ineffective plan. For this reason, it is crucial to track the results of your efforts. One of the most important and significant ways you can determine if your plan is working is to monitor social media. Keep track of the number of users on your business’ website, the number of views on your page, and the number of subscribers, followers and engagements. All of these factors should be increasing, a very telling indication that your concept is reaching many more potential clients. Periodically, evaluate these factors to determine where improvements can be made if the overall process is effective and if other strategies can be implemented.
Differentiate Yourself – No matter what type of business you run, whether it is mainstream or a new concept, there must be something that makes you stand out. For instance, if you own a dry cleaning business, there has to be a factor that makes your store better than the competition, or you will remain mediocre. Do you have the best location, best prices, best service, best quality, or all of the above? What will make people use your location rather than the other ten locations that are on their commute between work and home? Perhaps offering a free pick-up and delivery service that provides a higher level of convenience than your competitors would give you a huge advantage? Thinking outside the box, considering what a client would desire unlocks the key to gathering market share.
Define a Marketing Plan and Budget – Strategizing a few marketing ideas; putting up a few social media sites and hoping for the best is not a marketing plan. A concrete and effective marketing plan will be created with specific goals in mind. The plan should provide marketing direction and brand standards, resulting in understanding market strategies and define your target audience.
Approximately up to 5% of your sales revenue should be allocated to marketing efforts. Consider your options before spending these essential funds. Their placement can be the difference between no return or a considerable growth for your business. Keep track of exactly where you spend your marketing dollars and the return you receive from them for future reference. As your business grows, you’ll be able to determine better where your marketing budget is best used to continue giving your business the greatest return.
1/12/2020
Guidelines to Gratuities
Knowing when and how much is customary to tip can be confusing, leaving one to seem rude or less than generous unintentionally. While there are not any laws set in stone about what must be given as a tip, there are favored societal expectations. Given the wages of service workers in many industries, gratuities are the basis of their wages. Therefore, those that do not tip or are shortcoming with their gratuity are looked upon most unfavorably. Tipping also demonstrates appreciation and recognition for a job well done. Let us walk through several everyday situations that most people encounter to explain proper etiquette.
Travel
For example, at a hotel, you will most likely come across the following professionals assisting you during your stay, which typically would expect the following gratuities:
- Hotel porter - $2 to $3 per bag
- Room Service – 20% + $2 if server sets it up in your room
- Housekeeping - $2 per day at a budget hotel, $5 per day at a luxury hotel
- Toiletry or Towel Delivery - $2
- Doorman - $2 to $4
- Concierge - $5 to $25 depending on the task. Giving a recommendation for dinner is much easier than getting tickets to a booked show.
Restaurants
Transportation
Always use cash to tip in the currency of the country you are visiting.
- Taxi fare gratuity is usually 15% to 20%
- Airport Shuttle bus driver tips average about $2 to $3
- Limo Driver tips are about 20% of the fare
- Cruise ship tipping policies – Call ahead so you know what to expect since every cruise line has different expectations
- Uber and Lyft – Both apps now have an option to tip the driver. It is a service provided just like any other that receives a tip – 15% to 20%
Weddings and Funerals
1/3/2020
Ways to Avoid Unnecessary Expenses and Cash in on Savings
With the new year, and in this instance, the new decade, comes new resolutions. Many habits of today’s lifestyle that have become commonplace are taken for granted as unavoidable but are actually very frivolous and chip away at our hard-earned budget. Objectively, there are many ways to accomplish the same tasks without the high price tags most pay because they are unaware of more economical options. Whether you are smart with your money out of necessity or because it is worth it to you to pay less for the sake of having more money in your pocket, here are some ideas to get you started.
Healthy but Happy
Having a healthy attitude and maintaining your health is paramount. However, wasting exorbitant amounts of money to do so is unnecessary. Expensive gyms with flashy trainers and daily events are appealing, but also draining when it comes to your wallet. Look for alternatives that offer the types of workouts and facilities you are looking for without the distracting sparkle. Local park districts and YMCAs are a great place to start. They are usually fairly inexpensive and well equipped. Some even offer access to tracks and facilities free of charge to residents. Go with a friend for extra motivation, and you’ll be all set to take on your health without breaking the bank.
Travel Tips
There are several ways to save on travel expenses. Being inconvenienced usually plays a part, but it is usually worth the savings. First and foremost, plan to travel light. The less baggage you bring, the less costs are tacked on to your ticket expense. While some airlines still include a bag in the ticket price, several do not. Pay attention to the baggage fees that can be applied. Sometimes a carry on is more expensive than a checked bag. Don’t be surprised and overpay for bags.
Not being picky about your seat can save you money as well. Several airlines charge extra to pick your seat. Once you are seated, if walking a little further to the bathroom, the once or twice you’ll need to use it isn’t an issue, pocket the seating fees, and avoid the charges.
Certain airlines offer a bit more upgrades as standard than others. Luxuries such as Wi-Fi, food service, and even the comfort level of the seats are reflected in the ticket price. A shorter flight can easily be tolerated on a less upgraded airline by bringing along a great read and a few snacks, saving a considerable difference in ticket fare.
Wireless Wisdom
Most people today are dependent on their cell phones and therefore pay a hefty price to their cell phone service providers for service. As an alternative, several competitors offer lower price options for those dreading high cell phone bills. Choices include no contract, using Wi-Fi, adjusting GB limits, or changing phones to get a better deal. All in all, there are enough options available that there might be something that can work for you to slash that monthly rate. Some companies to check out are Republic wireless and Ting.
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