Author: anwaryusef

Anwar Y. Dunbar is a Regulatory Scientist. Being a naturally curious person, he is also a student of all things. He earned his Ph.D. in Pharmacology from the University of Michigan and his Bachelor’s Degree in General Biology from Johnson C. Smith University (JCSU). Prior to starting the Big Words Blog Site, Anwar published and contributed to numerous research articles in competitive scientific journals reporting on his research from graduate school and postdoctoral years. After falling in love with writing, he contributed to the now defunct Examiner.com, and the Edvocate where he regularly wrote about: Education-related stories/topics, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), Financial Literacy; as well as conducted interviews with notable individuals such as actor and author Hill Harper. Having many influences, one of his most notable heroes is author, intellectual and speaker, Malcolm Gladwell, author of books including Outliers and David and Goliath. Anwar has his hands in many, many activities. In addition to writing, Anwar actively mentors youth, works to spread awareness of STEM careers, serves on the Board of Directors of the Friends of the David M. Brown Arlington Planetarium, serves as Treasurer for the JCSU Washington, DC Alumni Chapter, and is active in the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace Ministry at the Alfred Street Baptist Church. He also tutors in the subjects of biology, chemistry and physics. Along with his multi-talented older brother Amahl Dunbar (designer of the Big Words logos, inventor and a plethora of other things), Anwar is a “Fanboy” and really enjoys Science-Fiction and Superhero movies including but not restricted to Captain America Civil War, Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice, and Prometheus. He is a proud native of Buffalo, NY.

Sorting Out Your Business Finances One Step At A Time

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“In this article, we’re going to be taking a look at some of the steps that you are going to need to take in order to sort out your business finances.”

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Two focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. While it is a separate entity all in itself, your business has its own finances which have to be monitored and managed just like your personal finances. Properly managing them will increase the likelihood of profitability. The following contributed post is entitled, Sorting Out Your Business Finances One Step At A Time.

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What’s been going on with your business finances lately? If you didn’t need to sort out your finances, then you wouldn’t be reading this article, which means something has gone wrong somewhere. Don’t panic, it happens to every business at some point and is nothing to worry about unless it gets really bad. In this article, we’re going to be taking a look at some of the steps that you are going to need to take in order to sort out your business finances. Keep reading down below if you would like to find out more.

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Rebudget

First, you’re probably going to want to rebudget. This means that you go through all of your finances all over again. Start from the beginning, and then work out all of your money. Go through all of your incoming and outgoing costs, sorting out your budget so that you know where you are financially. While in theory this isn’t a difficult thing to do, and it’s not when it comes to personal finances, budgeting for a business is significantly more complicated. As such, you might want to hire a professional to come and oversee this, simply so that you know it has been done properly. A professional such as an accountant might also be able to make suggestions that are going to help you save money.

Work Out Ways To Save

Speaking of saving money, you are going to need to work out how much money you can save in certain areas. For example, one of the easiest ways to save money in the long-term is to aim for a more energy-efficient business. You can do this in a number of ways such as switching to solar power, or finding a commercial propane supplier to power your business this way. Sometimes you are going to need to go further than this, which might mean scaling back your business while you recover financially. Worst case scenario is that you are going to have to start letting people go, which we know is not something that you want to do. However, if it’s the only way to save the money you need, it’s going to be necessary.

Find More Money

Or, the other solution is to find more money. You’re probably sitting there thinking that this is an obvious answer with a less obvious solution. Well, if you are currently being funded by an investor, you can always talk to them and ask them for more money. You can always look at bank loans seeing as these are a popular choice, or you can use your own money to give yourself the boost you need. It’s entirely up to you which option you want to try.

Recover Outstanding Payments

One often overlooked step in sorting out your business finances is collecting money that you’re already owed. Unpaid invoices can tie up cash flow and create ongoing financial pressure. Instead of chasing these accounts in-house, where time and energy are limited, it’s worth working with a B2B Collections Firm. These firms specialize in recovering overdue payments professionally and within legal guidelines.

Getting outside help not only improves your chances of recovering funds but also preserves your client relationships. It allows you to focus on the areas of your business that drive growth while someone else handles the follow-up. If cash flow is tight, this step can make a measurable difference fast.

We hope that you have found this article helpful, and now see some of the things that you are going to need to do when it comes to sorting out your business finances. If you do this one step at a time, everything is going to be okay because you won’t have rushed to get things sorted. We wish you the very best of luck, and hope that this helps to improve your business sooner rather than later.

The Importance Of Digital Marketing

Three focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money, Business/Entrepreneurship and Technology. If you’re in business of any sort today, you will likely need a plan to market yourself digitally. If not, you’ll be falling way behind your competition. The following contributed post is entitled, The Importance Of Digital Marketing.

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One of the best ways that you can take advantage of digital tools available to your business is to invest in a great digital marketing strategy. The tools that you get with digital marketing allow you to reach out to new audiences, gain better conversions and reach out to bigger audiences. Without these tools, you will end up left behind and it’s very hard to come back from that in your business.

If your business is only just starting out, you will be looking at as many ways as possible to market your new venture. You might consider white label online services and Facebook ads. You might consider Google and SEO. There are so many ways that you can get your business brand out there for other people to learn about you. You need to be exposed, and digital marketing is the way to do it. If you’re still on the fence about needing digital marketing for your business, here are some of the things that you need to know that will hopefully convince you to step into the new century!

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You can keep a flexible budget. Your digital needs aren’t going to be the same as other businesses in your sphere. It makes sense, then, that the budget is totally flexible with digital marketing. Some of the traditional marketing methods can begin in the thousands, but digital marketing can cost as little as you like. The more you spend, the further your reach.
Tracking data is possible. When you have digital marketing strategies in place, you can actually track the way that customers click your adverts: where the clicks came from, how many people clicked per hour, the location, the method (mobile or desktop?). You can track the sites your adverts sit on and know whether you are spending your money in the right places. This level of data analysis isn’t available with most traditional marketing methods, so investing in digital marketing is smart.
Digital marketing allows you to connect better with your audience. You can expand beyond Google and right into the social media apps available to you, creating some of the best and most relevant content. You can use everything in your marketing arsenal: audio, video and more to ensure that your business is recognized.
Cultivating trust is easier with digital marketing. You can bet that you are going to be in front of a lot of people and they will be looking to ensure that your business is going to appeal to them. If you write a blog, you can add a personal angle to your website and give your readers something real to read about.
Increasing your conversions. The whole goal of your business is to build, right? You can improve your conversion rates and make them soar when you have the right people reading all about your business. If you use digital marketing, you can ensure that you are going to drive those conversion rates through the roof. All you have to do is invest your time and money.

The Recovery Lessons We Can Learn From Professional Athletes

Two focuses of my blog are Athletics/Sports and Health/Wellness. While most of us watch sports for entertainment, to unplug and in many instances to live vicariously through our favorite athletes and teams, there are many lessons we can gain from watching them as well. The following contributed post is entitled, The Recovery Lessons We Can Learn From Professional Athletes.

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What sets professional athletes apart from the average person?

Well, aside from the fact they are blessed with a wealth of ability, a key difference lies in how they prepare for their sports. We tend to focus on what they do during their performances, but what about the stuff that happens in between?

Primarily, professional athletes are far better at recovering from bouts of exercise than a normal human. This is why someone can play professional basketball on the weekend and be ready to go again within a couple of days. So, how do they manage this when it can take a regular person a few days to be ready to work out again following a gym session?

Part of it is down to repetition – the more an athlete trains and plays, the more their body adapts, making recovery easier. However, pro athletes also have a host of techniques and tricks up their sleeves that help them recover better and faster. By learning from the pros, you can also improve your recovery after workouts or bouts of exercise.

Ice baths

Ice baths have always been popular in the world of professional sports. These days, some athletes will use cryo chambers instead of the traditional ice bath, but the premise is the same. In essence, subjecting the muscles to extremely cold temperatures right after exercise will aid the recovery process. It can help with muscle recovery and tightness, causing better circulation in the area and easing soreness.

While pro athletes have special baths and chambers for this, you can replicate it at home in your bath. Just fill it with cold water and ice cubes – it might be better to use bags of ice and keep them closed, so you can re-freeze and re-use them. Alternatively, some people will fill a clean wheelie bin with water and ice, standing in it that way.

CBD products

A growing trend in professional sports is to use various CBD products to aid recovery. CBD is a cannabinoid from the hemp plant that has recently been cleared for use in the professional realm. Many athletes will use drops of pure CBD oil and either ingest it or rub it into their muscles. It’s believed that the properties of CBD allow for greater muscle relaxation and aid the recovery process by reducing inflammation and preventing soreness.

Plenty of pro athletes are using these products as they’re a great way to speed the recovery process without making many drastic changes. The soothing nature of CBD could help people feel more relaxed after exercise as well, and has been shown to aid in sleeping too, which will further improve recovery.

Professional athletes will also follow strict routines after performances that will make them better at recovering. This includes the normal stuff like stretching and foam rolling the muscles, often with massages from physical therapists. If you take all of this into account, you can start recovering like the pros. This will mean shorter recovery times between bouts of exercise, letting to work out more frequently and with less soreness.

Six Reasons You Should Exercise As Part Of Your Routine

A key focus of my blog is Health/Wellness. While we know that exercise is important, the benefits other than the physical are not talked about often. There are many. The following contributed post is entitled, Six Reasons You Should Exercise As Part Of Your Routine.

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How good is an exercise to you? Are you aware of how good it is to you? Find out how exercise can improve your life, from improving your mood to enhancing your sex life. Looking for more energy, better health, and even an extra year? Exercise is all you need.

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It’s hard to ignore the health benefits of physical activity and regular exercise. Exercising benefits every person, no matter their age, gender, fitness level, or physical ability.

Are you still not convinced? Get healthier and happier with these six steps.

Weight Loss Is Controlled By Exercise

Exercising can prevent excess weight gain or help maintain weight loss. You burn calories when you engage in physical activity. Calories are burned at a higher intensity.

It’s great to go to the gym regularly, but don’t worry if you can’t find time to exercise every day. It’s better to do something than nothing at all. Simply avoid using the elevator and take the stairs instead – or increase your household chores to reap the benefits of exercise. It is important to maintain consistency. If you want to know which machine to use between a rower and treadmill for weight loss have a look at a guide to both workout machines.

A Healthy Lifestyle Includes Exercise

Are you worried about heart disease? Looking for a natural way to prevent hypertension? Whatever your weight, being active will boost high-density lipoprotein (HDL), the “good” cholesterol, as well as lower unhealthy triglycerides. As a result of this two-pronged approach, you will be less at risk of cardiovascular disorders.

Getting Exercise Improves Your Mood

Are you feeling down? After a stressful day, would you like to blow off some steam? Try going to the gym or taking a brisk walk. Physical activity stimulates different brain chemicals that may make you feel happier, relaxes you, and reduces your anxiety. When you exercise regularly, you may also feel better about your appearance and yourself, which can boost your self-esteem and confidence.

Exercise Boosts Energy

Shop for groceries or do household chores and find yourself overwhelmed? A regular exercise program can strengthen your muscles and increase your endurance. As a result of exercising, your tissues receive oxygen and nutrients, and your cardiovascular system becomes more efficient. Having a healthy heart and lungs means having more energy to perform daily tasks.

Exercise Improves Sleep

Having trouble sleeping? Sleeping better and deeper is facilitated by regular physical activity. Exercise at least 30 minutes before bedtime, or you might not be able to sleep well afterwards.

Exercising Can Be Fun And Social!

The benefits of exercise and physical activity are numerous. These activities allow you to unwind, enjoy the outdoors, or simply do something you enjoy. In addition to helping you stay fit, physical activity helps you to bond with family and friends. You can also join a soccer team, take a dance class, or hike on the trails. Find something you enjoy doing physically, and just do it. Are you bored? Consider trying something new or doing something with family or friends.

These are six great reasons why you should be exercising as part of your routine. Do you have any other benefits that you could share in the comments below?

Signs Of A Strong Property Investment

Two focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. If you get in and get a mastery of the field, real estate and identifying income generating properties for investment. A major key is to figure out what makes a ‘strong’ property. The following contributed post is entitled, Signs Of A Strong Property Investment.

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If you are keen to try and invest in property, you need to make sure that the ones you are choosing to invest in are as likely as possible to bring you the returns you are hoping for. That much can go without saying, but what is much less clear is working out how to know whether a property is likely to be a strong contender. There are a few clear signs in particular that you might want to look for, and in this post we are going to take a look at just a few of the most important ones.

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Up-And-Coming Area

As we all know already, location is everything when it comes to investing in property, so you need to make sure that you are choosing something that is in an up-and-coming area. There are a lot of things to think about here, but one idea is to look at whether businesses tend to be entering an area in a particularly quick or sudden manner. That is going to show that it’s probably due to be a popular area, meaning you can expect the value of the property to increase soon, and the rental yield to be better as well.

Strong Foundation

You should always get a survey on any property you are seriously interested in investing in, and one of the main reasons for that is you need to know whether it has a strong foundation or not. A property that has a strong foundation is going to be so much more valuable, and you’ll have much less work to do later on to keep it in order too. Everything needs to be considered and evaluated here, right down to the grouts and the levelling of the foundation stones. Ensure the property you are buying is built strongly and sturdily from the start.

Growing Market

You always need to look not just at the individual property itself, but beyond that to the market as a whole too. A growing market is obviously always going to be healthier and more likely to give you the returns you need and want later on, so make sure that you are doing all the necessary research into this before you do anything else. A growing market is simply one which is gaining interest, and you need to think about the market of the local area, the country and the globe too.

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Meeting Objectives

You should always go into property investment with some definite, clear objectives, so that you can ensure that these are going to be met – and that you will therefore get a lot of the success that you are looking for. If you come across a property that appears to specifically aid in meeting your objectives, then you are going to want to put a lot of effort into securing it, of course. This is something a lot of investors overlook, but it’s a really important thing to consider, so don’t forget about it if you can.

Evolution of Long Distance Education

Two focuses of my blog are General Education and Technology. Even before the Covid-19 pandemic, the educational landscape was evolving. In its aftermath there may be even more distance learning as gathering is not as certain a thing as it was in the past. The following guest post is entitled, Evolution of Long Distance Education.

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Education has undergone a lot of changes from when it first started. Due to not being able to conduct student-gathered classes all the time which was caused by certain historic events like wars and plagues, there came a trend that moved towards long-distance education where teachers would remotely impart their knowledge through different forms of media.

Today, we know of how many educational institutions utilize video conferencing platforms to conduct online classes. But before this digital age, many other ways were created to fit the circumstances of different classes of people, different periods, and different existing technology. Here are some of the different forms of media that were utilized for long-distance education and how they are being used today.

Correspondence Education

Correspondence education was probably the very first attempt to deliver teaching services to students without face-to-face interaction. This involved an instructor writing down lessons and sets of instructions and sending these via mail to their students. The students would then mail back their homework as their class participation.

This method was mainly used as only an alternative when attending formal classes was either impossible or plain unaffordable. This kind of correspondence can slow down the education process since it can take a while before mails are sent and received, but students in this exchange were happy to wait for the sake of learning.

Correspondence education programs are still being practiced especially in the US where some universities offer courses that can be completed remotely. Although some still make use of postal services, many have transitioned to digitalized correspondence that shortens the waiting time in between the exchange.

Printed Materials

As it was used inside the classroom, printed texts were also sent out to students’ houses for home-based learning. Books and assignment sheets proved useful but were found to require the presence of an educator to help explain the printed information. The process of sending out printed educational materials is resurging during this pandemic, especially in many public schools with students who cannot avail the newer technology required for digital education.

Telephone Communication

Telephone communication was then used to aid students who weren’t physically able to attend classes. From their homes or inside hospital wards, students got to listen to their lessons while the teachers discussed them in school. An improved telephone device resembling a radio was placed inside the classroom which collects the audio of everything said in real-time and transmits it to the student on the other line, who can press a switch on their own device if they need to speak. The gadget inside the classroom has to be carried from room to room by a volunteer student when going to another class.

Today, the telephone has strayed far from education as there are more effective ways to deliver distance learning. But it has proven to be a necessity in business settings where making and taking calls for transactions have to be quick and efficient. The telephone system is used by businesses for outside calls as well as for contacting different departments inside the same building for convenience. Different strategies like the Xorcom reseller program for companies that provide communication solutions aim to maximize this internal communication in the corporate industry.

Broadcast-based Education

Televisions and radios were also used to deliver distance learning. Educational radio media, although used primarily for university broadcasting alongside traditional classroom settings, was extended to accommodate students far from school. Television, on the other hand, broadcasts live educational programs that employ different educators for different subjects. But both the TV and radio education had the disadvantage of being a one-sided learning process where the audience can only receive the information but not respond to it, at least immediately.

Educational radio and TV shows could only get feedback from their viewers after the broadcast has ended. This meant that active learning was limited by the capacity of the audience to view these shows.

But with technological innovations on the rise, television and radio education ultimately gave way to the prevalence of today’s virtual classrooms.

The Present: Virtual Classrooms

Almost everyone nowadays possesses or has access to computers. From personal laptops to smartphones, education is only a click away for students especially now when social distancing laws are limiting class gatherings. Combining all the good aspects of the previous kinds of media mentioned, our modern personal computers make it possible to receive a quality education from the comfort of our homes.

Of course, it has its drawbacks as well. But when face-to-face learning is not the best option, we can always count on the internet to reconnect students with their teachers.

Unexpected events can happen and disrupt our societal systems but we consistently find ways to resume our lives for the sake of progress. Education, being the main driving force behind the development of humanity, will always be a primary need that we will continue to uphold and improve as the years go by.

7 Things You Need To Do After A Car Accident

Two focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Health/Wellness. Car accidents impact those involved them in a myriad of ways. Two major ones are finances and personal health. It’s important to know what to do in the event that you get into one. The following contributed post is entitled, 7 Things You Need To Do After A Car Accident.

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Although people seem to travel around less due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s still essential to be cautious on the road. It’s always prudent to prepare for any emergency that may arise during daily activities, including road accidents. Statistics reveal an 8% increase in fatal road accidents between 2019 and 2020 in the US. You need to take some essential steps when you’ve been involved in an accident, including the practical tips below.

1. Don’t drive away
No matter how minor the accident may seem, it’s best not to drive away from the scene immediately. You may not be sure how serious your injury is or the extent of damage to your car. It’s best to stay put while you call for help to ensure your safety and offer enough information when the police arrive. To stay safe while waiting, you can keep your lights on to improve visibility and make it easier for others to spot you. It’s advisable to have a safety kit in your car that includes a flashlight, so you can keep that on in case your car lights are damaged. While you wait, you can help calm yourself down by taking deep breaths to slow down any adrenaline rush you may be feeling.

2. Contact the police
It’s always vital to call the police immediately an accident occurs, no matter how minor the accident or your injury may be. If you feel any pain, you should contact 911 or ask someone to help you reach an ambulance. Calling the police will help make other processes, such as claiming your insurance, easier for you. It’s essential to take in the accident scene details so you can give an accurate report when they arrive. If you’re able to, you can take pictures of the scene or damage with your phone to keep a record, but remember not to interfere if the police are investigating the scene. If for some reason, you can’t recall all the facts when the police arrive, you should be honest and let them know instead of speculating. If there’s another party involved in the accident, ensure that they make an accurate statement as well if you can.

3. Get all the necessary information
Accident issues are usually not solved within a day, and the parties involved may not always cooperate. Therefore, you must obtain the necessary information from all parties involved in the accident before you leave the scene. You can do this while waiting for the police to arrive. Information such as their names, phone numbers, and addresses is vital. It’ll also be crucial to get any witnesses’ information if you need their account in the future.

4. Inform your insurance company
It’s best to inform your insurance company as soon as possible after the accident occurs, as most insurance companies require that you immediately report when there’s such an incident. Depending on the insurance package you’ve settled for, you should be able to access the benefits such as medical care and repairs after your full cooperation and after they’ve assessed the extent of the damage. It’s prudent that you keep a detailed file of all the information and documents regarding the accident to make it easier for you to claim your insurance and provide all the necessary information. Although you may want to handle the costs on your own, it’s best to claim your insurance instead to save you time and money.

5. Consult your lawyers
It’s vital that you know your rights as an accident victim, to avoid being cheated or losing essential evidence. You need to contact your lawyers so they can advise you even before you make a statement. Your attorneys can guide you on how to get total compensation, medical care, etc. For instance, decisions such as suing for damages from a trucking accident will be easier and more informed after consulting your lawyers.

6. See a doctor
Injuries from accidents aren’t always apparent. Therefore, you need to seek medical attention as soon as possible to minimize the risk of severe or permanent damage. You can either consult your family doctor or visit the closest hospital to ensure you haven’t sustained any injuries, especially to your head, chest, or spine.

7. Tow your car if necessary
You may need to tow your car if it’s badly damaged. If the police don’t call a towing company, you should have one on hand to contact quickly. Before settling for a towing truck company, it’s best to ensure that they’re credible and can get the job done without further damage.

Having an accident is unpleasant and can lead to several issues. However, with these tips, the incident will be easier to deal with, and you’ll have a handy checklist to help you get through it.

3 Home Improvement Ideas That Make A Cozier Home

Two focuses of my blog are Home and Living and Home and Property Discussions. There are several considerations that come with home ownership. One of the foremost is making your home as comfortable as possible. The following contributed post is entitled, 3 Home Improvement Ideas That Make A Cozier Home.

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Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko from Pexels

They say home is where the heart is, so do you really want a boring, dirty, old heart? It is easily assumed that the answer to that is no, and rightfully so. Having a home, apartment, condo, etc., that embarrasses you anytime your friends or family comes over is no good. No one should ever experience that feeling.

A home is a place for you to relax, feel comfortable, and feel at ease. You should not be walking into your living space every day questioning whether this looks good or that looks good.

So, if you have these negative feelings about where you live, what are the options to flip the script? How about some home improvement!

There are a ton of ways for you to improve your home. You can do that simply through decoration, but if you were really looking to make a change, diving into some home improvement projects could be just what you need; just make sure you (or your contractor) know what is going on, so there are no construction defects.

But what home improvement project should you get started with? Take a look a below at the three home improvement ideas that will give you a better, cozier living space:

Create Better Storage

One big issue that people can run into when trying to do things around the house is just the sheer amount of “stuff” they have. For example, when a parent of two is trying to move a chair from the living room to another room in the house, there is a good chance they step on a lego or some other type of toy. To fix this/improve your home, you could create a better storage system.

What this storage system looks like is up to you, but there are plenty of ways you can go. From building some shelving, to an entryway organizer, to creating a crawlspace, making space for more storage is a nice way to change the dynamic of the house.

Get Your House Professionally Cleaned

There is no real construction being done when cleaning the house except maybe putting the vacuum together. Joking aside, giving your home a deep cleaning is a great way to improve the atmosphere and vibe of the living area. You can put in the effort and do this all by yourself, but if you hire a professional cleaning company, they will give you the best house cleaning you can imagine through intense carpet cleaning and the dusting of every nook and cranny.

Painting

Like above, you can have your house professionally painted; you can also do it yourself. Whatever the case, giving your home a fresh new coat of paint (both on the exterior and interior) will breathe new life into your living space. A new coat of paint may seem like a very basic idea, but it can do wonders, especially if you decide to change up the color palette.

How To Create An Effective Investment Portfolio

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“You should always be trying to grow your money as much as you can. The more you can grow your money, the less money you need to earn to pay your bills. The less money you need to earn to pay your bills, the more free time you have to do what you love.”

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A key focus of my blog is Financial Literacy/Money. One of the keys to money is generate returns from your investments. In order to do that, you must understand how to create effective investment portfolios. The following contributed post is entitled, How To Create An Effective Investment Portfolio.

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You should always be trying to grow your money as much as you can. The more you can grow your money, the less money you need to earn to pay your bills. The less money you need to earn to pay your bills, the more free time you have to do what you love. That’s invaluable. With that in mind, here are some tips on how to create an effective investment portfolio.

What is an effective investment portfolio?

An effective investment portfolio, quite simply, is an investment portfolio that works for you. It can be inspired by what other people do. It should, however, indeed must, be driven by your personal situation. That means your needs, wants, goals, budget, and timescale.

Educating yourself

Professional financial advisers may dive deep into intricacies like GIPS performance, investment ratios, and statistical probabilities. For everybody else, however, it’s usually enough to grasp the basic mechanics of the main forms of investment. That should be enough to get you in the right general direction. You can then study the specific topics that interest you.

You may also want to take a look at the strategies used by high net worth individuals to develop and maintain their portfolios. There are definitely a few lesser-known tips that will catch your attention. Consider people like Sean Casterline to research and learn more from where possible.

There is, however, one lesson you can take away from professional financial advisers. They never beat themselves up over past mistakes. Every investor has at least one story about an asset they should have bought. If you start investing, you’ll almost certainly pick up at least one yourself. Learn from your mistake but let it go.

Understanding liquidity

Liquidity basically means how easy it is to buy or sell an asset. This influences how far ahead you need to plan if you want to purchase or dispose of an investment. Tangible assets tend to be relatively illiquid. Real estate is particularly illiquid. It can take weeks if not months to buy or sell a property and there are often high costs involved.

Stocks, by contrast, tend to be fairly liquid. That said, there can be a lot of variation in their liquidity. It’s also important to note that trading stocks also incurs transaction costs and possibly taxes as well. Generally, therefore, your aim should be to buy and hold for as long as possible, rather than to buy and sell.

Understanding growth versus yield

Some investors aim to buy assets with a view to selling them, or part of them, when they have increased in value. Other investors aim to buy assets that generate an income (like rent or dividends). Many investors aim to do a combination of both although not necessarily in an exact 50:50 ratio.

It is, however, important to understand that, in the stock market, growth comes at the expense of yield and vice versa. Essentially, a company can either use its resources to grow or give a yield to investors. With tangible assets like real estate, however, you can have both growth and yield.

Understanding risk

A standard disclaimer in investing is that you may get back less than you invested. This is true and it’s why you should only invest with money you can afford to lose. It’s also why you should diversify your portfolio to spread your risk.

Realistically, however, if you consistently pick solid investments, you should expect to make decent returns over time. You will, however, probably need to ride out temporary downturns. It’s important to be prepared for these both financially and mentally.

5 Ways To Advance In Your Career

Two focuses of my blog are Career Discussions and General Education. Once starting a career, if it’s going to be your life’s path, you must think about advancing in your career. In many instances it’s not as simple as it sounds. The following contributed post is entitled, 5 Ways To Advance In Your Career.

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It’s always going to be the case that you’ll want to get ahead in your career. If you want to earn more or get a promotion, you need to be thinking about how you’ll progress. But it can be hard to work out how. Whether you’re in the digital world or not, there are a few ideas that can really help you. Let’s take a look at what you can do to get ahead at work.

1. Build A Personal Brand

First of all, you would definitely benefit from having your own personal brand in place. Think about how you can build up a reputation for yourself in your field. It’s a good idea to take a look at your reputation score and work out what you need to do to be able to position yourself as an expert. And, remember that this is going to take time and won’t be an overnight fix. But building it can certainly help your career to grow over time.

2. Improve Your Skills

From here, you might also want to make sure that you’re always working on your skills. If you want to get ahead, you might need to develop your skills to help you get there. There will be things that you can do that apply to your set field that will help you to get ahead. So start to work out what you can work on to grow and learn so much more.

3. Network

Next, you’re going to want to make sure that you’re networking. When it comes to things working out, you’ll need to be sure that you’re meeting the right people and making connections. You never know what opportunities can come your way because of this. So connect online and put yourself out there.

4. Get More Education

From here, you’re then going to want to think about your education. Because you might need to get a PhD or master’s in order to move to the next level. Maybe you even want to move industries or something similar? It could be the case that you really will need to get more education in order to effectively advance your career.

5. Put Yourself Out There

Finally, you’re going to want to make sure that you’re putting yourself out there a bit more. It could be the case that you just need to have more confidence and go after different opportunities. Sometimes, you hold yourself back because you’re afraid of failure or things being hard. But if you don’t ask, you won’t get. And what’s the worst that can happen? As long as you’re thinking outside the box and being creative, you’re definitely going to make it work for sure.

It can often seem like you don’t know where to go next with your career, but you can certainly turn things around by being a bit more focused and having a plan. So have a go at one of these options (or all five) and see if it finally pays off for you!