Category: Guest Posts

Online Shopping: Securing Your Private Data

Two of the focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Technology. While online shopping has made our lives easier and in some ways more efficient, it has introduced new and unique dangers to us as well. There are unscrupulous individuals our there who are looking to take your personal data and information for theft. The following guest post is entitled, Online Shopping: Securing Your Private Data.

* * *

Online shopping has become easy. You’re not only able to find the local or overseas products you want on the internet. You also have multiple options for shipping and payment. But all these ease can sometimes come with a price: your security.

Every time you click on the “check out” button, you’re entrusting sensitive information, like credit card numbers and PINs, e-mail addresses, and home and work addresses to an online store. When hackers get a hold of your personal details, your identity may be stolen. So you need to be consistently on-guard against security threats.

Follow these steps to safer online shopping:

Stick With Tried-and-Tested Sites

The Philippines has a wide variety of trusted online stores and marketplaces to choose from, like Lazada, Shopee, and Zalora. They have robust security and buyer protection policies. For overseas purchases, buying from Amazon and shipping to the Philippines through a forwarder is your best bet.

You may find some obscure online stores that provide deals that are too good to be true. It’s best to stay away from these shops or at least search them up on review sites, like Trustpilot to see if they really are legit. As for branded online shops, check with their official website or social media to see if they do own the store.

Look for a Private Connection

Every time you visit a reputable website, you’ll see a lock icon on your web browser’s address bar. This symbolizes that the site is encrypted. No one else can see or access what you download and upload on the site except you and the website’s servers and admin.

It may also be a sign that the site you’re visiting is legitimate. As such, you should look for this lock in every online store you visit to ensure your payment and personal information aren’t intercepted by cybercriminals.

Pay Smart

Credit and debit cards offer a convenient way to pay for your goods. However, using them to pay for products online may not be the safest route. Illegitimate online stores and data breaches on legitimate ones may cause your payment data to land in the hands of hackers.

Use a prepaid card from your bank, which you can load up with the exact amount of the product, plus the shipping fee. Unlike credit cards, which have spending limits, prepaid cards are useless to cybercriminals when they’re empty. Cash on delivery is great as well, as you get to receive the product and inspect its packaging before actually paying for it.

If you have no choice but to use your credit or debit card, however, consistently check your transaction history on your bank’s website. If there are products you’re sure you didn’t pay for, call the provider immediately to file a dispute and get your money back.

Buying from online stores is a great way to get the local and foreign products you’ve always wanted. As convenient as they are, however, you should practice caution when buying from them. Consider these suggestions for a safe and secure online shopping experience every time.

Financially Savvy Ways to Use Your Economic Impact Payments

Two of the focuses of my blog are Current Events and Financial Literacy/Money. As a result of this Coronavirus/Covid-19 Pandemic/Crisis, the United States government has intervened to help individuals affected by the crisis with an economic stimulus. Those receiving this economic aid need to determine how to best handle it once receiving it. The following guest post comes courtesy of Dominic LoBianco and is entitled, Financially Savvy Ways to Use Your Economic Impact Payments.

* * *

Due to the growing global pandemic of COVID-19, also referred to as the coronavirus, the federal government has taken unprecedented steps to help those who have been affected by the virus and its economic backlash.

As Congress decided to take action, they passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, commonly referred to as CARES. Within CARES, the federal government has provided the most comprehensive aid package for all different types of Americans.

Small Business Grants to help firms maintain payroll, and Economic Impact Payments for individuals who have been negatively impacted by the loss in work.

As more individuals file for unemployment and can no longer work, stimulus checks are beginning to roll out to any individual who qualifies. Per NPR, the restaurant industry alone cut 3 million jobs in March alone, marking a $25 billion drop in revenue.

Individuals who earned no more than $100,000 when filing their taxes in 2018-2019 qualify for a $1,200 stimulus check, and up to an additional $500 per dependent. Determining the best way to us your economic impact payment can help you to put your unexpected stimulus check to great use.

Save Your Stimulus Check
This one is obvious. Keep as much cash as you can on hand. You don’t necessarily have to have physical cash accessible (although it’s not a bad idea to have some stashed away), but it should be a priority to have as deep of a rainy day fund as you can.

One way to use your economic impact check in a financially savvy manner is to consider saving all of it, or at least a portion of your incoming check. Setting aside a portion of the entire stimulus check you receive to call upon in case of emergency is a smart, and savvy strategy.

Stock Up on Food and Supplies
Stocking up on additional food and supplies is another way to make great use of the economic stimulus check you receive. While it’s not recommended to hoard supplies that are essential to everyone, stocking up on supplies including toilet paper, household cleaners, and even garbage bags can ensure your family is readily prepared for any future outbreak or global incident.

Stocking up on food with pantry food and non-perishable vegetables and meats is also highly advisable to remain as prepared as possible for your entire family, including any children you have in your household. If you want to avoid the grocery store, you can order dry meal replacements or equivalents online in bulk as well.

Pay Off Bills and Debt
Paying off debts and paying current bills is highly advisable for anyone who is focused on getting ahead financially and bringing down the debt they have to the names. Paying off debts can help you if you are in the process of rebuilding your credit or if you simply want to alleviate any of the payments you are required to make currently each month.

Choosing to use your economic impact payment to pay for your household bills including your mortgage or rent, your utilities, and even your cable, internet, and cell phone services can help you to remain afloat until your work and the rest of the economy is back up and running.

You can take advantage of the student loan interest forbearance as well, and pay down some of your student loan principal. That will also alleviate your future costs, as the interest that can accrue in the future will be less as you are paying it down now.

Take a Vacation
Once the COVID-19 pandemic has slowed and is under complete and total control, you may want to consider taking a vacation with your loved ones or your entire family. Getting out in the fresh air, exploring the world, and spending time with those who mean the most can be extremely beneficial mentally and emotionally once the quarantine orders have been lifted throughout the country and throughout the rest of the world.

Not to mention if you decide to book a trip now, you can take a trip for a fraction of the traditional cost. Airlines are running specials to help bring in revenue, and it includes discounts on all facets of your trip (air fare, hotel, car rental, etc.).

Save for a Home or a Car Down Payment
If you are free from debts or if you are simply looking to make a bigger change in your life, consider setting aside your stimulus check to put towards a car down payment or even a home you are interested in purchasing. Whether you have big dreams of owning your own home or if you are in need of a new vehicle, you can use your economic impact payment to ensure you receive a long-term benefit for your investment.

Not only does it fulfill an immediate need in your life, but it can improve your long term financial standing in the future as well. Not only are you setting yourself up for success now, but your also bolstering your credit rating for potential future purchases.

Dabble in New Hobbies
This step is only recommended if you feel secure in your income and already have money stashed away. However, if that is the case, exploring new hobbies, activities, or skills you have wanted to pursue is a great way to keep yourself busy.

After all, you may never have as much downtime as you do right now, and what better way to spend that time than by refining your skillset or diversifying your talents. Learning about new hobbies and spending time honing your skills can help you to maintain a sense of purpose while also providing you with a uniquely rewarding and personal experience.

The more hobbies and activities you have to keep yourself from feeling bored and despondent from the outside world, the easier it will become to cope with quarantine and learning how to live with your own company, even during tough times.

Whether you are currently in need of your economic impact payment to help with bills, your mortgage, and even groceries, or if you simply intend to put your stimulus check directly back into the economy, there are many ways you can do so in just about any situation. With a bit of brainstorming and financial calculating, determine the best way for you to put your stimulus check to work for you.

Dominic LoBianco is a guest contributor on behalf of Newroadsautoloans.com. Dominic has been a writer for six years and has worked across several industries from professional sports, to automotive repair and everything in between.

Your Business’ Success Depends on the Willingness of Your Employees to Help Each Other

Two of the focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. No matter what kind of business you’re operating, your employees working effectively with each other is critical. It thus falls on you the business owner to maintain a healthy work environment for your entire staff. The following guest post is entitled, Your Business’ Success Depends on the Willingness of Your Employees to Help Each Other.

* * *

When was the last time you saw your employees laugh and bond with each other? When was the last time someone volunteered to help an intern or a new hire? Because we live in a hyper-competitive world, volunteering to help lift each other is not high in our list of priorities. But if you’re an office manager or a business owner, this is one of the things that you should focus on.

More than 35% of Americans feel overwhelmed because of their workload. Understandably, facilitative coaching is not on top of their minds. But research suggests that workplaces whose people are helpful and welcoming are more productive. They are also more cost-efficient and can increase sales effectively.

Create a Buddy System

Yes, your world is competitive. Your employees are trying to impress you. They want to be promoted on their merits and their accomplishments on the job. But this does not mean that they cannot help each other. Creating a buddy system will make them responsible for new hires and interns. Although you should facilitate an effective onboarding process, a buddy system is a great way to make the new hires and interns feel welcome. They will also have an easier time grasping the concepts of the job and what their jobs entail.

Host Office Parties

It wouldn’t kill you to treat your staff to coffee and pastries or whatever would make them happy. Why not surprise them with an afternoon of simply having snacks and bonding with each other? Your employees need a break. They will be better workers when they know that you care about their well-being.

If you see them hanging with each other and bonding over a cup of coffee, don’t try to break that apart. Your organization will stand to benefit from this camaraderie. Your people are going to help each other without you needing to push them. As a result, you’ll have a more efficient workforce.

Appreciate Everyone

No one will try to go after everyone’s throat if you can just throw little compliments here and there. When your employees know that you do not have a preference among them, they will all feel equal and safe. They won’t need to fight against each other for your attention. They will learn to share the spotlight and even help each other to make the company better. You should never be threatened by the camaraderie among your employees.

Take Ownership When Someone Fails

For a change, it would be nice for your employees to know that you have their backs if they fail in a task or assignment. Do you really need to shout at them? Do you need them to point fingers? You are only going to break their teamwork. Instead of letting your employees blame each other, take ownership for not facilitating the completion of the project more successfully.

Finding the time to help your employees takes a lot of humility. As a leader, this will help create a positive environment in the workplace. When your employees see how you treat them, they will be better colleagues, too. And what will benefit when your employees are contented, happy, and working well together? Your business, of course.

Machines That Fast-track Production

Three key focus of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money, Business/Entrepreneurship and Technology. A term not commonly know right is that of “Cobots”. Cobots can make normally arduous and mundane tasks more efficient and profitable. The following guest post is entitled, Machines That Fast-track Production.

* * *

Human beings are made of flesh and blood. We need different kinds of food and drinks as fuel sources, and our inner workings are complex. The balance to achieve optimal health through exercise and diet can be challenging for some, but we can still be productive. Many jobs require a human’s physical strength and mobility, and some require analytical thinking. But we also have our limits.

There are heavy objects that even the strength of several men would not be able to lift. Market demand can reach a high fever pitch that even the fastest workers would not be able to keep up with. This is where collaborative robots, or cobots, come in. But what are cobots used for?

As their name suggests, they are robots that can provide help to improve processes. For example, imagine that you work in a toy factory. You can have people assemble the larger parts of a high-tech toy car, like the frame and outer body. But when it comes to tasks that require precision, they can turn over to a robotic arm to plug in the little microchips to the circuit boards.

Cobots may be an advanced way to hasten an assembly line, but there are mechanisms that serve a similar purpose. These are machines that help eliminate slow manual labor to improve on it, so much that it hastens output productivity.

Mixer

If you have ever worked in a bakery, you will remember seeing people carrying sacks of flour and then pouring them onto a giant mixer together with the other wet and dry ingredients. Initially, little force is needed to mix them. Then the chemistry kicks in, and you will see that the mixture has thickened up due to the stronger bonding of the ingredients. You will then notice that it is slowly shaping up to become a dough. Making this with human hands and arms would be exhausting, and a mixing machine would take that whole load off of them.

Circular Saw

Those who have dabbled in carpentry could relate to their hardships when they started to learn how to saw. If you are imagining that you can make a clean cut the first time you do it, you will be disappointed. The amount of strength that you have to exert is higher than expected, and it is tricky to position the saw in a straight line.

But once you get a groove going, it gets easier. A quicker way to cut wood is with the use of a circular saw. It can either be handheld or mounted onto a table. The latter lets you be more precise with your cuts, as it lets you use guiding brackets and rails to move the piece of wood towards it.

Nail Gun

Much like its relative, the saw, using a hammer requires a bit of strength and dexterity. Lining up a nail and driving it straight down is no easy feat, and you always run the risk of hitting your fingers along the way. A nail gun eliminates a lot of these problems. In lieu of arm strength, air pressure pushes the nail deep into its target surface. Plus, you would not be bothering your neighbors anymore with your incessant pounding.

It is funny to think about how the times before these were invented. You can trust these machines to help you build what you need in the quickest times possible. Fast-tracking production is now a piece of cake.

Credit Invisibles: How to Build Your Credit Profile

Two of the focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. There are many people who don’t understand credit. While letting something like credit card debt get out of control can be damaging to one’s personal finances, it’s important to obtain and maintain a solid credit profile. It has implications for your personal finances and ability to start a business if you have entrepreneurial aspirations. The following contributed is entitled, Credit Invisibles: How to Build Your Credit Profile.

* * *

Many individuals are “credit invisible.” This means that they don’t have enough relevant information in their credit reports to produce a credit score. If you find yourself falling to be in this category, it can be impossible to apply for loans or credit cards, get a mortgage, or even land a job. Here are some proven ways to build your credit profile and establish a history.

Make use of alternative data

Credit scores are usually generated based on comprehensive repayment histories or credit reports. If you lack these, it’s possible to generate a score based on alternative data and supplemental information like utility, cellphone, and rent bill payments. Even without a history of repaying home, student, or auto loans, you’ll now be granted access to a credit score through alternative data credit scoring. It also works if you have a credit score that has been previously damaged. This kind of data will be able to produce a credit assessment that is highly predictive and unlike traditional credit scores.

Affiliate yourself with a community bank or credit union

Join a local credit union and take out a small signature loan or credit-builder loan. With these kinds of loans, the local bank or credit union will first place your loan money into an interest-bearing savings account which you’ll make payments to. Your payments and activity will get reported to the credit bureaus. Once you’ve fully repaid the loan, you’ll be able to receive the money and you’ll have built up an adequate repayment history.

Add yourself to an existing credit card account

Seek the help of a family member or loved one who possesses a long-established, positive credit history. Ask if they can add you to their credit card account as an authorized user. The older their credit card, the better since the information that dates back to when the card was first opened is included on the user’s credit file. Once you become an authorised user, you’ll be issued a card, but you won’t need it to make a credit history. This card is directly linked to the primary cardholder, and they’ll be responsible for the charges made on it. It’s best not to use it at all so that you can avoid getting into any conflict with them. Check your credit score when you’ve had it for several months. If your credit score is at 670 to 740, then you can apply for your own card.

Make a request for a secured credit card

Applying for a secured credit card doesn’t require a credit score, but it does require you to put down a refundable deposit which will serve as your credit line. This means you’ll be borrowing against your own money. If you’re unable to cover payments, the lender will take money from your deposit in order to repay it. Make sure to use the card sensibly by only charging small items on it that you can afford to repay in full by the due date. This will allow you to build a positive credit history in just a couple of months.

Besides paying your bills on time and applying for high-interest, short-term loans or cards, these simple methods will help you go from a non-existent credit score to a great one.

3 Personal Signs That You Should Move To A New House

Two key focuses of my blog is Financial Literacy/Money and Health/Wellness. Major parts of one’s health and wellness are environment and living space. Sometimes after living in a given house for a period of time, the time comes to move to a new house for reasons like more space, or a different location. The following guest post is entitled, 3 Personal Signs That You Should Move To A New House.

* * *

Home is where the heart is, and it should stay this way. Sometimes, people lose the feeling of home is the places they live in. When this happens, it’s usually a sign that they should move to a new house.

Because there are economic factors to think about when making this decision, people tend to overlook personal reasons. This shouldn’t be the case because a person’s home is where they can happily let their guard down at the end of the day. It should feel like their only place of solace-their sanctuary. The following are personal factors that can cause people to move into a new house:

A fresh start sounds like a huge sigh of relief

Sometimes, the memories attached to a place becomes a cloud of gray looming above the head. Perhaps, the walls echo certain screams, or the stain on the carpet reminds you of someone who left.

Moving to a new place will give you a clean slate-a new place to paint and create new memories. Maybe the picture frames on the walls need to be updated. Maybe your feet would love hardwood floors this time. Who knows? You’ll never know until you try to start anew.

Changes in lifestyle

In a constant battle of self-discovery, you might have uncovered a part of you who doesn’t like the city, wants the beach life, or simply needs a few other rooms in their house for leisure. When your current home cannot accommodate changes in your lifestyle, it may feel more of like a cage than a comfortable place to rest.

By moving to a different place, you can select a house that can check all the boxes for what you want in life. Do you want a beach house? Do you want a mini-bar? Do you want an entire gaming room? Make sure to lay it all out before making a decision.

Your life-long dream is in a different city

It’s hard to get things done if places are far from each other. It’s more cost-efficient and convenient to move to a place where it’s nearer your dream job or your true calling. Transportation could take hours, and this is time wasted when you’re trying to achieve your goals. If your house is nearby, you can go home to eat or sneak in some sleep. You’ll also save money by traveling less and eating meals at home.

You can have doubts

It’s a drastic change that requires a lot of energy, decision-making, and resources, but it’s a necessary change. If you don’t want to let go of your current place yet, you can purchase a pre-selling house and lot in Cavite. This way, the new site is not yet built, so you can still stay in your current home.

Pre-selling houses have lower prices, too, because the actual structure doesn’t exist yet. To purchase something that’s only a plan requires an enormous amount of trust, so this trust is paid back by an objectively smaller price tag.

You don’t have to rush yourself into making this decision. Think about what it entails to transfer to another place-peace of mind, better quality of living, and dreams becoming more tangible.

Bolstering Customer Relations: Why You Should Outsource This Service

Two key focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. A key aspect of any business is customer relations. Keeping your customers happy will assure that they return to patronize your business. In some instances, it’s wiser to outsource this service. The following contributed post is entitled, Bolstering Customer Relations: Why You Should Outsource This Service.

* * *

No one wants to get complaints about businesses. However, taking note of your customer’s claims is vital for your company’s growth and development. Their comments will help you identify areas that need improvement and pinpoint your current weaknesses.

A small company, however, will have trouble juggling customer service with their usual work due to the small workforce. In addition, increasing your customer service department might not be an option due to the lack of budget. Fortunately, there is another option.

Consider outsourcing customer service to handle your customer concerns. Here are a few reasons why.

Reduced Workload

Outsourcing will lessen the workload of your employees. Their stress will be reduced, and they can handle their remaining workload without issue. They can also focus on their tasks and do it well, reducing the chance of mistakes from happening.

Some of these tasks include marketing and making connections, which are essential for a company’s growth. Employees can concentrate on thinking of business ideas and products, thereby increasing the company’s productivity and, consequently, its revenue.

Competent Personnel

If you outsource customer service, you can rest assured knowing that your customer complaints and questions will be handled expertly. Outsourcing companies have employees that are professionals in their specializations, and that includes customer service.

You will know if you have good customer service agents if they can do the following. They can answer a customer’s questions clearly and make them understand the situation. They can also empathize with the customer and make them feel that they are heard.

This factor will make for happy and satisfied customers, which increases the chance that they will recommend your company to their friends and family. It will lead to better sales in the long run and a more stable market due to recurring customers.

Reduced Costs

Outsourcing also reduces the costs incurred by the company. Since the outsourcing company is in another location, you won’t have to make your office space bigger. Providing the equipment they need to work, such as computers, desks, and office supplies, will not be required.

Also, the wages that you pay them will be less compared to your in-house employees. That is because you only pay them for the services rendered. If they were employed at their company, you would need to pay for other expenses, such as benefits and insurance.

There will also be no recruitment and training costs, which are usually needed when hiring new employees for your department. The outsourcing company will be the one to handle that, allowing you to expend your resources in other endeavors, such as investments and expenditures.

Constantly Available

Outsourcing companies have employees that are working around the clock or people who work in the day and night shifts. It gives you the option of offering customer service 24/7. Your hired customer service can accommodate customers at any given time and day.

There are various reasons why customer service should be available after hours. Issues can be resolved immediately, especially if they have problems that can get out of hand if left unattended. Customer satisfaction will be higher, leading to more returning customers.

Outsourcing offers many advantages to a company, especially if they are looking to cut costs. It can be especially beneficial to small companies and help supplement their little manpower. Keep this option in mind if you are facing difficulties in managing your work tasks and budget.

Investment Options You Should Consider to Earn More

A key focus of my blog is Financial Literacy/Money. Understanding money and setting yourself up to thrive involves more than simply earning your pay at your job and saving. At some point, learning to acquire investments becomes important as well. While it can be daunting at first, it can also turn into a vast and fun new world. The following guest post is entitled, Investment Options You Should Consider to Earn More.

* * *

Money is necessary to buy our needs and wants. That’s why we try to earn as much as possible. It is to live comfortably every day and secure a stable future. No matter how high your income is, however, there are better ways to get higher profits.

With insurance and investments, you can earn money at a faster rate. However, before starting to invest, you should be prepared. Make sure you are following a household budget so that you know how much you can spend without compromising your finances.

After you’ve worked out a proper budget, you’re ready to start investing. Here are your possible options.

Mutual Funds

If you’re new to investing, play it safe by buying mutual funds. They are easier to understand compared to stocks and pose fewer risks since a team of expert investors manages it. Initial investment requirements are also low, which allows you to begin investing earlier.

However, you should be careful when choosing where to invest. Some companies have portfolio managers that make poor decisions just to fix the values for the books. Others have excessive sales charges. Research carefully about the companies that you are considering.

Stocks

When you are more experienced, begin dabbling in stocks. Investing in a company allows you to receive part of their earnings quarterly or yearly and provide you with a stable source of income. However, the stock market is constantly fluctuating, so a company’s worth can change.

Don’t invest a large amount in one company immediately, though. Take your time learning how the stock market changes and base your investing decisions on that. You’ll eventually figure out your investment strategy as you start to settle into a certain risk profile.

Another thing to remember is to separate what you invest from what you use in your living budget. If you end up losing all of your investment, you’ll find yourself in dire straits trying to make ends meet.

Retirement Insurance

Begin saving money for your retirement fund as soon as you have a reliable source of income. While it is ideal for putting in a certain percentage of your salary every month, it is not always possible with a tight budget. No matter how little, build a habit of saving part of your money.

Consider availing of a retirement insurance plan to help you save. It allows you to collect money at your own pace and grow it until you choose to take it out. Some insurance plans also offer additional benefits, such as life insurance coverage to your family in case you pass away.

If you have a hard time building a habit of saving, set up an automatic deposit in your bank account. This also encourages you to spend less. To keep your savings untouched, put them in a time deposit account, which only allows you to withdraw after a certain period.

Real Estate

This option gives you a reliable and stable long-term income. However, it requires a large initial deposit, so be sure that your finances are in good shape before you begin investing. There are various payment options available, though, such as mortgage plans.

While investing in real estate is mostly self-sufficient, there are still some things to keep in mind when managing it. Choose your tenants wisely and have good relations with them so that they stay for a long time. Property maintenance is also important to fulfill health and safety requirements.

With these in mind, you can plan and prepare your money to start investing. Make sure that you have enough before starting any of the choices mentioned.

Community Quarantine: Working from Home During These Times

Two key focuses of my blog are Career Discussions and Current Events. The Coronavirus/Covid-19 Pandemic has at least temporarily changed workplace conditions around the world. While working at home sounds like a win-win, there are some caveats to it, especially if you aren’t used to it. The following guest post is entitled, Community Quarantine: Working from Home During These Times.

* * *

Now that the country is under quarantine, with Luzon on enhanced community quarantine, working from home is now being implemented by the government and most companies in the private business sector.

Under the threat of the COVID-19 disease, the Philippine government is encouraging private companies to make adjustments to its processes and put in place a work-from-home structure. If you’re new to this scenario, here are a few tips to help you make the most of your time at home:

5 Ways to Be Productive as You Work from Home

1. Treat it as you would any normal workday at the office.

Simply because you’re working from home now doesn’t mean you need to make major adjustments in life. You still need to go about it as you would any normal day at the workplace.

Wake up early. Take a bath. Prepare your work station. Clock in at a certain time to start your workday. Focus on the day’s tasks and deliverables.

It will still pretty much be the same thing you do at work. The only difference is you’re getting all your work done from home. Establish a routine to maintain or even enhance your productivity.

2. Prioritize.

Take a look at your day-to-day tasks and prioritize them according to importance or degree of difficulty. If you are uncertain which ones are needed the most at the end of the day, give your supervisor or boss a call. Sure, you don’t have access to your PBX business phone systems but a text message or an email should do the trick. Knowing which tasks are priority helps determine how your day will go.

3. Organize your schedule and try to stick to it.

Once you have already identified which deliverables are urgent and which ones can wait, plot down your schedule according to these tasks.

Writing down your daily or weekly schedule helps establish the rhythm that you need to keep you on track. Working from home can give you plenty of distractions. You need something tangible to help keep you from getting off-course and keep you goal-oriented throughout the day and week.

4. Take breaks.

One of the things some people tend to take for granted is taking breaks. Breaks are essential to a person’s productivity. These help you recharge and refocus after lengthy periods. Taking a break is not exactly a luxury, but it is a necessity for any worker.

When you take breaks, it is recommended to step away from your workstation. Stand up, stretch a bit, walk around to get the blood flowing in your system, and enjoy a cup of coffee or a sandwich. Do whatever normal people would do at the office when on break.

5. Stop at the end of the day.

Like any other workday, you should stop at a certain time. One of the downsides of working from home is some people can no longer differentiate time for work and time away from it.

Clock out at the end of your day. Once you have already completed your eight hours, step away from your work station and move on to the finer things in life like spending time with your family or taking your well-deserved rest.

Working from home is a privilege. Do not take it for granted. Work when you need to work, stop when you should stop. Learn how to properly balance work and life. Learning how to manage that will make you more productive in the end.

How to Use Social Media to Build Your Brand

Three of the focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money, Business/Entrepreneurship and Technology. Most businesses today need a strategy for building their brand via social media. Social media has changed the game in that it has created an abundance of markets separate from traditional media. The following guest post is entitled, How to Use Social Media to Build Your Brand.

* * *

Social media is about sharing thoughts, establishing an online presence, and building a network. Given these factors, marketing professionals realized how they can use it as leverage. In fact, it helped brands build their digital presence in a social space, and the bulk of online purchases were attributed to social influence. Most consumers will agree that user-generated content can influence buyer behavior.

Many companies adopt this strategy since social media is key to a successful brand campaign. In cities such as Brisbane, SEO services and social media marketing doubled in demand. However, the social media climate is harsh, and business owners should be aware of this. Creating engaging online campaigns can be a disaster without proper research and planning. Here are some pointers on how to utilize social media for brand-building:

Be bold with ideas

Burger King launched a unique and controversial online campaign for its customers: delete ten of your friends to receive a free Whopper. To their surprise: 240,000 people were unfriended by people who wanted something free in return. Each customer who took up the challenge received a receipt after participating in Burger King stores. Their unconventional strategy, “Whopper Sacrifice,” was the Grand Winner at the 2009 Clio Awards. When you’re willing to take risks and push the envelope, you’ll reap the rewards. Be bold with your ideas and don’t hesitate to push the envelope; it will pay off.

Use social media interests and hashtags

MTV, the music video pioneer, utilized social media to boost the 2012 Video Music Awards. Six-second videos were aired on different social media platforms to announce the nominees for Best Female Video, Best Male Video, and Video of the Year. Fans were treated to an exclusive glimpse of the Moon Man’s trip from LA to New York by using the #RoadtotheVMAs on Twitter. The Road to the VMAs 2012 became the second most talked about social buzz to date. Using social media interests and hashtags helps get the word across the online space.

Take over a social space to pick people’s interests

Uniqlo, a Japan-based clothing company, created a simultaneous pinning event on Pinterest. As users scrolled across the brand’s page, big blocks of pinned images (shirts, jeans, jackets) formed Uniqlo’s brand mosaic. Their products were animated in real time, which gave people a glimpse of what their brand had to offer. Taking over a social space and allowing people to participate in a synchronized online event helps a company introduce its brand to an untapped market. Brands should work with different social media platforms to engage people and wake them up from their digital slumber.

In the end, these are just some examples of how social media can help your brand increase its revenue and build its name. Social media is an effective tool in building a brand while increasing its online revenues. Digital platforms are perfect marketing mediums: no restrictions and barriers. Armed with good strategies and creativity, social media is an effective tool to build your brand’s name online.