Is a Career in Finance Right for You?

Deciding on what type of career you should focus on can be stressful. While some people seem to be born with an idea of what they want to do, most people struggle. Different people have different priorities. While some want to focus on having the potential for high earnings, others would prefer to have job stability.

The things you want in a career often change as your life changes as well. When you are fresh out of college, a job that is highly stressful which requires a lot of hours may be exciting and allow you to learn. As you get older, on the other hand, this type of work may lose its appeal.

One thing to keep in mind when you are weighing your career options is that nothing has to last forever. In past decades, it was common for someone to apply for a job and work their way up in that company throughout their career. Today, it is much more common to not only jump from employer to employer but even to transition into a different career.

Knowing that your decision today is not something you are stuck with forever can make it easier to explore other paths. Selecting one that allows you flexibility in careers ensures that you will have a way to transition into a new career down the line.

Choosing a Career in Finance

If you are interested in a financial services career — whether it is working directly with clients on managing investments or on the business side — you can expect a wide range of career options. Investment banking, brokerages, and many other banks and financial services companies have a great need for smart, eager to learn applicants. The field can be competitive, but there is a reason for this. Financial services work is well compensated. Even at the entry-level, the jobs pay more than traditional entry-level positions.

Landing a Job

This is not a field that employs people without a college degree. Applicants who major in math, economics, or a similar choice will stand out in the sea of resumes. As such, you can consider taking out private student loans to pay for your degree. Lenders are generous with borrowing limits, which allows you to focus on your education. Likewise, help boost your resume after graduation by taking at least one internship while you are in school.

Working in Finance

While it can be a challenge to land that first job in the financial field, you will find it much easier to move up the career ladder. There are many different types of jobs available for anyone hoping to work in the field. If you find that your first job isn’t the best fit, transitioning into a new position at your existing company allows you to explore other options.

Some common positions available for new graduates include working as an investment banking analyst, financial analyst, and financial auditor. In any entry-level finance position, you will be responsible for performing research, producing reports, and often, developing forecast models.

The first few years in your career will give you a good overview of the many positions available in the world of finance. That allows you to make a decision on what you find most interesting and how you want to direct your career.

5 ways one can acquire wealth

Everyone wants to be a wealthy guy. The lifestyle, clothes, cars, and more. Some may say money isn’t everything, but those people rarely have much, do they? It’s not that having money is good or bad in reality, but what you do with it matters. But first, you need to get it; so here are our five ways to become wealthy.

Win the Lottery!

This one is obvious and simple. Winning the lottery means all you need is luck. While this is undoubtedly true, it is a bit of a long-shot. Playing the lottery is just another form of gambling, so maybe it can pay off? If only it does not rely on chance, then it’s possible to make good money off of gambling. Even if you have extensive sporting knowledge or are an excellent poker player. It is important to note that you can also lose all your money aside from winning.

Come Up with a Unique Idea

Ok, so this is easier said than done, but coming up with a unique product or business idea is a potential goldmine. It’s essential to be aware of how to plan to market any business idea and patenting it to avoid being ripped off. All that is left is to come up with the idea, like the people who started cryptocurrency, these days, it’s easy to learn how to buy Bitcoins, and it has made the founders millions.

Invest

If you have any spare cash, then investing is always a great way to boost your finances. For the adventurous, it can be a good idea to find start-up projects with huge potential. Next, is to know when to stick with them or back out before things take a turn for the worst. Take this for example where Ron Wayne gave away a fortune. He was the ‘other guy’ in Apple computers, but several months after everything started he sold his stock, leaving a certain Mr. Jobs to clean up.

Marry Up!

Now, this one is a tad controversial, but it’s how the world works in a sense. Nobody ever said it had to be the woman who’s always digging for gold. One could just find a rich lady and tie the knot. However, it’s not that simple in reality, but if you move in the right circles, then maybe it could happen. It’s not necessarily cynical, but just living the life that puts you in a position to meet the right type of person.

Make Lots of Good Decisions

Making good decisions is perhaps the most credible advice you’ll ever hear. Furthermore, it’s not just about the huge, life-altering decisions, but rather all the little details. If you live your life making plenty of small yet favourable decisions, then it can all add up in the end.

Consider a savings account with higher interest rates for example. It’s not much at the beginning but the years will add up. Why don’t you shop around each time before you go on a trip? Get a slightly affordable insurance, for instance, or grab the best deal on a hotel. If you know where to look, you can even get luxury breaks on a budget.

This article has been contributed on behalf of Paxful. However, the information provided herein is not and is not intended to be, investment, financial, or other advice.

Locked Down at Home? Garden Products Sales Have Gone Through The Roof

The Covid-19 pandemic of 2020 was something that changed the lives of everyone around the world. The coronavirus spread like wildfire globally, and 2020 was the year of the lockdown.

Cities and towns all over the world went into lockdown in an attempt to stop the spreading of the virus, and along with it came a large number of restrictions and new laws and regulations about what we could and could not do. Many aspects of our daily lives changed, and with the pandemic still in effect, who knows what future changes we may be subjected to.

The lockdowns

One of the most difficult aspects of the Covid-19 pandemic, apart from the obvious deaths and suffering of people all over the world, was when cities were placed in lockdown.

Things that we once took for granted and which were part of our everyday lives were suddenly things we were no longer able to do. Going out to watch a movie in the cinema, eating in a restaurant, working out in the local gym or travelling were now all forbidden.

Shops and businesses were forced to close up around the world, causing widespread unemployment, with the creation of widespread financial difficulties for many people from all industries and professions.

Staying home

People were being told to stay indoors and only leave the house for essential reasons such as work (which was the case for a number of people who were not in a profession to work remotely from home), visiting a doctor, shopping or an hours exercise.

Being locked up indoors is never something most people will want to experience. Yet, during the lockdown, it was an important part of stopping the spread of the virus and getting it under control. The more time that people spend at home, the more things they did to help pass the time and deal with the inevitable boredom that followed.

Many people started setting up home gyms, others redecorated their homes, others invested in their gardens. There was a huge surge in the amount of online shopping that people were doing, and online retailers such as Preeco were seeing record sales.

Fixing up your garden

For many people who are fortunate to have a garden with their house, the lockdown provided an excuse for them to start taking better care of their garden and fixing it up. When the lockdowns were put into effect in April 2020, the winter season for most people had passed, and with spring just around the corner, they’d be able to spend more time outside.

Sales of garden products and equipment went through the roof, and records were being broken all over the world in the number of products being ordered online. With many garden centers forced to close during the lockdown, the only alternative was to order online.

The variety of garden products

During the Covid-19 lockdown when many people were forced to stay home, all sorts of garden products were being purchased. Along with the classics such as different flowers, plants and shrubs, there were also things such as hot tubs and garden sheds that were proving to be very popular.

A lot of people were investing quite large sums of money in their gardens, and with the coronavirus pandemic still affecting the world, there is no real clear sign of when it will pass, and when things will get back to normal. With that in mind, many families were under the belief that they could be spending much more time at home due to the pandemic than first thought.

Garden equipment such as lawnmowers and tools such as shearers, shovels, leaf blowers and chainsaws (for those with much larger gardens) were all in great demand.

BBQs and grills have always been popular items that are used throughout the spring and summer months, and with many people unable to travel abroad for holidays during the pandemic, more and more people simply stayed at home, and invested in outdoor cooking equipment for the summer, when they would usually be abroad sunning themselves on a sandy beach somewhere.

Garden furniture

Though most people have a couple of outdoor chairs and a small table for their gardens, there were many people who were investing in much fancier and larger outdoor furniture. Outdoor dining tables were very popular, especially in areas where the summer nights were long and warm, and eating out was something to be enjoyed on a daily basis, and not just for special occasions.

Other outdoor furnishings such as pergolas and gazebos were providing to be popular with many, and with the winter season not too far away, there has been a gradual pick up in outdoor heaters, wood burners and other forms of outdoor heating systems.

Some final thoughts

No one yet knows what the coming months will bring with Covid-19. For many parts of the world, the winter season is coming, and with that, there are usually other viruses that are about which can affect many individuals. The fact that many cities across Europe are already starting to undergo their second national lockdown, the future does look bleak.

With social distancing and avoiding large gatherings still in effect, it does appear that people will certainly continue to be spending more time at home as we enter into 2021.

Though for some it’s actually a blessing to be able to spend time at home, rather than at work, there does come a point when everyone starts pining for things to be back as they were before Covid-19 became the buzzword for 2020.

People will still tend their gardens, workout in their home gyms and cook and eat at home rather than in their favourite restaurant for some time yet, and there is no indication that sales of fitness equipment, garden furniture or anything else that has seen huge growth during the lockdown this year will start dwindling off anytime soon. Unfortunately, Covid-19 looks like it is something that will continue to be a part of our lives for several years to come.

The Bond House Boasts A Unique Cross Structure

The Bond House is a residential property in Bali, Indonesia is a sight to behold. Its unique structure takes inspiration from the sign of the cross.

This 500 square-meter house made from stone and wood sits on a descending riverside plot of land. Two volumes in horizontal and vertical intersections form the dwelling area.  The horizontal span holds the primary volume of the house while the vertical span with a limited footprint extends toward the riverbank. This leaves the plot adjacent to the river completely untouched.

The Bond House hosts two separate loft spaces with the pool and lounge area on the first floor that boasts an open-air terrace. Meanwhile, the private quarters, comprising of five bedrooms, are found below. There is also a grotto and a spa on the same level. In the middle of the pool area is a winding staircase that leads to the rooftop terrace that overlooks the neighboring land.

In terms of privacy, the house uses glazed curtain walls to separate the indoor and outdoor space. The curtains also create a symmetrical flow with the building’s unique structure.

The Bond House is still under construction with a tentative completion date. But from the looks of it, you can already foresee endless gatherings or parties happening at the property. It not only boasts a wide interior real estate. The outdoor landscape also looks inviting even from an outside observer. The lush greenery complements the wood and stone structure and furnishings to give it a contemporary yet modern appeal.

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Image courtesy of Alexis Dornier Projects

4 Business Challenges that can be resolved by Staff Augmentation

Hiring a software developer is an expensive and time-consuming endeavor. Unless you are a recruitment agency, your hiring process might not be able to keep up. No matter how experienced and dedicated your company’s HR is, a company geared towards hiring and selecting talent for job positions will come out on top. Thus, staff augmentation might be what it needs.

Whereas opting for full-time employees will help in the long game, there are instances wherein the need for short-term resources will arise. These call for scaling up and down much quicker than the standard recruiting process. This is probably the right opportunity to check out staff augmentation services to supply what the company needs.

What Is Staff Augmentation?

If you need to staff a project immediately and introduce work process efficiency, team augmentation might be the shortcut you need. It allows one to leverage existing staff and utilize outsourced talent for the success of the company. IT staff augmentation can help businesses stay on top of advancements in digital technologies.

If you have ever heard of the term ‘resource person’, you might have a general understanding of what staff augmentation is. However, some may say that the latter is an upgraded version of a resource person, as it involves companies in need of talent, associates and vendors offering staff augmentation services, and a significantly larger talent pool out there.

Essentially, team augmentation enables companies to satisfy any tech competencies that overstep their standard skill box by amplifying their teams on request. Let’s say you have a big contract and you are one developer short. If this incites panic, you can certainly use some augmentation services.

Staff augmentation companies recruit and train adjoined teams of specialists for you to lead as a business owner, enabling you to build your team up or down based on your changing needs. Thus, you can ramp down the challenges of growing your in-house staff without having to go through a big learning curve.

An Effective Solution against growing pains

Makes It Easy to Scale Up or Down

Depending on your current business needs, you may have to adjust the size of your workforce accordingly. Thanks to the team augmentation option, organizations can pull in required skill sets on a per-project basis, rather than having to recruit a new specialist.

It allows companies to magnify the business with contract developers already having required proficiency. These hiring resources can get the project off to a flying start, even if you are located in a small place with no requested talent pool. Besides, it doesn’t mean you’ll have to cover the relocation costs since remote job situations are a common thing in the recruiting world.

It’s Cost-Effective

Staff augmentation is also a viable option for businesses that have temporary needs. Likewise, it also helps those who don’t want to commit to the additional costs of having full-time software engineers. The recruiting process is often costly and involves additional expenditures.

Staffing providers, on the contrary, lean on proven recruitment and headhunting procedures and run in untapped and private dev circles. Therefore, if you contact a staff augmentation company it will cut costs. Additionally, it will practically supply you with what you need in a short time. With this being said, let us continue the HR storyline.

It Eases the HR Burden

Let’s imagine a company that has a huge tech project looming ahead. The requirements refer to a specific number of people — let’s say, 15. Instead, what happens you ask? That’s right, it leads to an overwhelming number of job applications that bombard your HR department.

It will eat up a lot of time only to review these applications, not to mention interviewing, recruiting, and training the lucky ones. Why bother your head hunters with all of this? Counting on team augmentation will help you address your resource needs in just days with no recruitment hassles.

It Speeds up the Hiring Process

Oh, recruitment.  A dreary and arduous venture that poses high risks to your business processes. How can you be sure that the selected candidate didn’t lie on their resume? What are you going to do if after a tiresome and lengthy hiring process a new employee quits in a few weeks?

If these questions fill you with dread, staff augmentation services can become your magic bullet. Especially if you collaborate with vendors that boast a vast database of professionals to cater to your business needs in mere days.

To Wrap It Up

The ravenous demand for a niche-specific workforce is at the start of many headhunting approaches. This is why staff augmentation has generated a lot of buzz. In the modern evolving business environment, which is being reshaped by cutting-edge technologies, keeping up with dynamic requirements can be an uphill struggle. Staff augmentation is what helps companies fill “skill gaps” of urgent nature and support the fluctuating workloads.

Handy tips for renovating your apartment at minimum cost

Young families or tenants of apartments often face a common dilemma. They want to live in comfort but avoid spending too much of sprucing up their residence. Thus, we asked the experts how to turn an apartment into a cozy nest on a budget.

If you need to quickly and inexpensively purchase functional furniture for arranging a rented apartment, there are several options available. This allows you to various spacious such as in the kitchen. Go for the ones that can fold flat or even transform into something more compact.

One example sees a space-saving setup with a small table, three chairs, built-in ovens, and cooktops. Depending on your apartment’s utilities, the latter two could be gas or electric. As long as you arrange everything neatly, you’ll be surprised that minimal decor can bring out the beauty of your kitchen.

Avoid fixed pieces

Before you move in, always remember that if an apartment is not yours, there is a chance you will move out later on. Therefore do not remodel certain sections unless necessary. What one needs to understand is the stuff that is easy to bring in and take out should be your top priority. Nobody wants to leave anything behind when they move out. Nevertheless, choose wisely so that whatever you purchase will add to the overall aesthetic of your new home.

Work around the rules

Don’t underestimate the decorative power of textiles. There are apartment owners that forbid tenants from swapping out furniture or remodeling the interior. So for those who are not too happy with it, go for the textiles instead and you’ll be surprised at its versatility. This means old upholstered furniture and so much more can be draped with covers or bedspreads

Maximizing space

If there is not enough storage space in the apartment, but no way to expand, then you can opt for open shelving. Furthermore, to keep the items organized, it is better to put them in boxes. The floor hanger in the hallway can replace the heavy and bulky wardrobe.

Mix and match furniture

Occasionally, there might be an opportunity to buy some furniture pieces that will freshen your ambiance. On the flip side, you don’t need to replace everything. Instead, maybe just grab some stylish chairs or a new sofa. It’s remarkable how it will add some flair to your interior.

The start is always a challenge

If the apartment you rent hasn’t been renovated for many years, don’t be upset. Any flaw can be turned into something even better. Even, an apartment with the dullest interior can be decorated with souvenirs from flea markets. These can be vintage turntables, darkened bronze lamps, candlesticks. All of these elements can be purchased cheaply and will help add an old-school look. With the right combination, these can add even chic vibes overall.

A great and inexpensive way to liven up the interior is to hang bright curtains on the windows. They will immediately enhance the interior look, even if all other furnishings remain the same. Beautiful fittings will transform any furniture. And a simple replacement of handles can save even a hopelessly outdated kitchen set.

A new coat of lacquer or wax will help hide the scratches on the dining table or cover up with a nice tablecloth. You can completely transform the interior with new wallpapers, posters, and vinyl stickers. At the same time, it is not necessary to fill the whole room, but one surface should be more than enough.