What are the signs that your spouse is a financial bully, and how can you deal with it? Have you ever felt intimidated by your spouse or significant other when discussing finances? Financial bullying isn't normal if you are married or live with your partner. It is a form of control that makes maintaining a healthy relationship challenging. I've asked a few individuals to help you identify and address the signs of financial bullying. From excess monitoring of spending to being unable to access your finances, they've provided their best tips to identify and address financial bullying. Signs that You are Dealing with Financial Bullying Excess Monitoring of Spending When You Are Unable to Review and Access Your Finances Asking for Receipts for All Purchases If Your Spouse Blames You for Going Over Budget Pressures to Make Financial Decisions You Don't Want Guilt Over Every Purchase Excess Monitoring of Spending If your spouse is excessively monitoring your spending or trying to control your access to money or financial resources, it can signify that they are trying to exert power and control over you and your financial well-being. This behavior can be emotionally abusive and severely affect your financial independence and autonomy. To deal with that, try to have open and honest conversations with your spouse about your financial situation and any concerns you may have. It's important to set clear boundaries and communicate your needs and preferences. Also, seek support. Having a trusted friend or family member you can talk to about your situation is important. Consider seeking support from a financial planner, therapist, or counselor who can help you navigate the situation and develop strategies for protecting your financial well-being. Natalia Brzezinska, Marketing & Outreach Manager, UK Passport Photo When You Are Unable to Review and Access Your Finances If you cannot review parts of your finances and need reasoning to gain access to it, then you're probably dealing with a financial bully. There are different levels of this, but any form of having your spouse keep you from your finances is a form of financial bullying. If you have all the passwords to the information, you should be able to access the accounts, and you shouldn't have to ask permission to buy something or be given "an allowance." Any form of this might not be okay and could put you in a difficult situation. If it makes you feel disrespected or bullied, then you should do something about it and make a change. Shaun Connell, Founder and CEO, Credit Building Tips Asking for Receipts for All Purchases Asking for receipts for all purchases is one of the most alarming signs that your spouse is a financial bully. In a relationship, disagreements about spending are natural and unavoidable at times. It may result from several reasons, including your different financial family backgrounds, spending habits, or simply your approach to life. Still, the situation when your spouse tightly monitors all your purchases and makes you show the receipts is something way worse. And it becomes a matter of control. I believe that in a relationship, there is no place for bullying of any kind. Home should be where we feel accepted, loved, and safe. Living with a financial bully takes your mental peace away. Being in a controlling relationship leads nowhere good, trust me. It's extremely toxic and usually gets even worse over time. If an honest conversation with your spouse and/or a couple's therapy doesn't help, make sure you are (or can be) financially independent and consider your options. Agata Szczepanek, Community Manager, LiveCareer If Your Spouse Blames You for Going Over Budget This is among the typical warning signs of a financial bully. If you discover that your partner or spouse consistently exceeds the monthly budget or accuses you of overspending, this person may be acting as a financial bully in your life. In contrast, a financial bully typically comes from a low-income home and is concerned about not having enough money to support themselves. Perhaps your partner has never experienced joy in life and is now willing to spend money to live a nice lifestyle. If so, you should act as an open friend to comprehend their emotions. Tell your partner that keeping a balance in life can only lead to happiness rather than passing judgment. Janie Doyle, Marketing Director, Scvehiclehire Pressures to Make Financial Decisions You Don't Want One sign that your spouse is a financial bully is if they often pressure you to make financial decisions that you don't agree with or make you uncomfortable. This can include pressuring you to take on more debt or to make large purchases that you don't feel are necessary. If your spouse is also secretive about money and keeps you from seeing how much money is coming in or going out, this is another sign of financial bullying. The best tip for dealing with financial bullying from a spouse is to set clear boundaries for your finances. Have an open and honest conversation with your spouse about money, and make sure that both of you are comfortable with any financial decisions that are made. It is also important to be assertive and speak up if your spouse is trying to take advantage of you financially. Finally, if the situation continues, it may be time to seek help from a financial advisor or to consider legal advice. Adam Garfield, Marketing Director, Hairbro Guilt Over Every Purchase When a spouse questions or guilts an individual for every purchase they make, regardless of the cost, it is a clear sign of financial bullying. A friend I had in college went through this exact situation, wherein his fiancé would reprimand him even for just buying a $2 soda. The best way to deal with this is to sit down with the spouse and be honest about how their behavior impacts the relationship. If they will not listen, take careful steps to safeguard your finances, and do not be afraid to ask friends or a counselor for further advice. Annu Daniel, CEO, Elohim Company If you feel like you or someone you know is being abused financially, it's essential to learn how to get help.

Managing and monitoring your business checking accounts is just as important as managing your personal accounts. For entrepreneurs, their business accounts support their livelihood, and if you don't have a second source of income, it could cause dire consequences if your business account is hacked. Most importantly, if a commercial account's debit card is hacked, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) does not extend protections to businesses. How do you protect yourself and your business income from fraud? Here are a few tips. Protecting Your Business Account from Fraud Find a Reputable and Large Banking Institution Secure Your Business Debit Card Report Fraudulent Activity Monitor Your Accounts Get Additional Fraud Insurance Find a Reputable and Large Banking Institution Finding a large bank like Chase, Bank of America, Navy Federal Credit Union, or any other well-known bank may give you additional protections in business banking. Smaller banks may be unable to reimburse your bank account if a large fraudulent charge occurs. This can leave you and your employees without pay, causing potential layoffs and price increases. Larger banks have additional resources that can help you recover your funds, however large or small. See my feature in: 10 Steps to Finding a Better Bank Secure Your Business Debit Card Ensuring that your business debit card is in a safe place can help protect you from fraudulent activity. This is because debit card protections differ from credit card protections. Yes, your liability for debit card transactions may be $50 in most cases. However, business debit cards are not protected by federal law. So, if someone fraudulently used your debit card online or in person, your business could be responsible for the entire transaction. Report Fraudulent Activity While reconciling your accounts, you may find that fraudulent activity has occurred. I found seven separate transactions on my business banking account from Amazon.com. These charges had occurred recently, and a few had been posted to my account. Luckily, I reconcile my bank accounts often and was able to report them to the bank promptly to have them reversed. There were even pending charges that were continuing. The bank quickly canceled the debit card I still had in my possession to stop further fraudulent activity. Monitor Your Accounts It's essential to monitor your business accounts regularly. This will help you identify any fraudulent transactions. As a small business owner, criminals know that you wear multiple hats and that bank account monitoring will be at the bottom of the list when trying to establish and grow your business. Set a schedule for when you are going to reconcile your bank accounts. If you don't have time to do it, then now may be the time to hire an additional employee to ensure your business is protected. Obtaining Fraud Insurance You may not think that fraud insurance is essential until you are in a situation to need it. Your business could be susceptible to fraud if you have employees or other personal information easily accessed by others. It could cost significantly less than what you have saved away in your bank accounts. There are numerous stories of large and small companies going out of business or owing investors millions from the fraudulent activity of their employees. Taking this additional step to protect your dream can keep your business afloat if fraud does occur. Resources for Small Business Owners See if your bank account is protected by the FDIC using the EDIE Estimator Online Privacy and Security tools from the Federal Trade Commission Money Smart Tips for Small Businesses

If you are a military retiree, disabled veteran, or receiving a retirement annuity, you should have seen an increase in your payment benefit payment. The 2023 Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) was the largest increase since 1981. The increase received by eligible recipients has come at the right time for some who have found it difficult to cope with inflation. Most people ask, now, what do I do with the increase in income? Here are a few tips to help you manage your increase in income. As an Advertiser, I earn from advertisements listed on this site. Managing Your COLA Adjustment Evaluate Your Budget Increase Your Grocery Budget Create or Increase Your Emergency Fund Save for a Future Goal Invest Some of It Evaluate Your Budget Evaluating your budget to review your monthly income and expenses can help determine if you will have a surplus or deficit. A budget surplus will allow you to have some room to cover your variable expenses or treat yourself to a few incidentals that may occur. A budget deficit can show you where you may need to cut costs so that you don't overextend your income. When evaluating a budget surplus or deficit, you should also look for ways to cut costs, increase your savings, or invest your earnings. See my feature in: 6 Things To Do Now, If You're Worried About a Recession Increase Your Grocery Budget Why would you increase your grocery budget? Some individuals may find that with the increase in income, other benefits like SNAP and other DCFS benefits may decrease. It may not happen immediately, but your current income will be evaluated as you renew any aid you receive. It's important to ensure that you have money set aside, so you and your family can have enough to eat. Amazon now accepts SNAP EBT and P-EBT in all states to make it easier to shop for groceries. On the other hand, if you've found that it's been challenging to afford groceries from month to month, then the increase may come right on time so that you can purchase the necessary food for yourself or your family. Create or Increase an Emergency Fund Unexpected expenses always seem to occur when you least expect them. A cold front may come through in the winter, or your air conditioner may break at the worst moment if it's a scorching hot summer. Without an emergency fund covering air conditioner repair costs, you may have to get a loan or put the expense on a high-interest credit card. Have you ever had your dryer stop drying your clothes or your freezer leak ice onto the kitchen floor? If you didn't have money set aside or an emergency fund, you probably had to sign up for a store credit card to replace your broken appliance quickly. With the unprecedented COLA increase, now is the perfect time to establish the emergency fund you may have needed all along. Save for a Future Goal After you've evaluated your budget and determined that you have a budget surplus, you may have a goal in mind that you have been planning to save for. Do you dream of purchasing a home, or a car, funding your education, or even going on a much-needed vacation? You may now have the means to do just that. Start with setting a SMART goal. Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-Bound goals that are written down are often achieved than naught. Take the time today to write down your short-term or long-term goal. See my feature in: Control Your Finances By Setting SMART Goals Invest Some of It Investing can come in many forms. Whether increasing your retirement contributions with your employer or finding a reputable broker to help you navigate the stock or bond market, investing your current income or your COLA increase can help you plan for your retirement future. It could even help you achieve retirement earlier than you had initially planned. When looking for a broker, look for one with low transaction fees and no minimum balance requirements. This is especially important if you only plan to trade occasionally and have limited funds to invest. Compare the fees charged by different online brokers to find the best value for your money. Before investing with a broker, check them out on BrokerCheck to ensure they are in good standing http://www.finra.org/brokercheck. Additional Resources on COLA Find out more about current and historical retired pay and disability COLA increases. What are you planning to do with your increase? Need guidance setting up a plan? Reach out to me to see how we can work together: Talk to Annette.

Have you ever looked at your paycheck or end-of-year bonus and been surprised by the taxes that were deducted? Well, many others have been in the same situation. Taxes are a welcome to the workforce notification. Let's see the distinction between the money you earn and what you take home. What does my gross pay mean? Your gross pay consists of the total amount of money you earned for a particular pay period before deducting any taxes. So, if you make $60,000 a year and receive your pay semi-monthly, your gross pay would be $2,500. Your gross income may show as salary or regular earnings on your pay stub. Your gross pay can differ if you are paid hourly and work fluctuating hours. Are federal income taxes mandatory? Federal income tax is a mandatory deduction and will vary based on the completion of your W-4. The IRS has a tax withholding estimator that can guide you in estimating your withholding. If you withhold too little, you may end up paying back the government during tax time. You could receive a tax refund if you withhold too much from your gross pay. Having a large tax refund is rarely beneficial, so it's essential to estimate carefully. Do all states pay state income taxes? Not all states require taxes to be deducted from your gross pay. For example, Alaska, Florida, and Texas are three of seven states with no state payroll tax requirements. States that do have payroll taxes have specific state or local tax forms. Taxes also will vary by state and are deducted from your gross pay. What are Social Security taxes used for? The Social Security tax is used to supplement an individual's retirement. This tax is deducted while working and can be drawn as early as 62 years old. The Social Security tax is mandatory, and your employer also must contribute an equal amount on your behalf. You can multiply your gross wages by 6.2 percent to calculate your current contribution. You can see your total social security contributions by registering with the Social Security Administration. What is the Medicare tax? Medicare Tax is similar to social security tax since you cannot use it until you meet specific age requirements. Medicare is a federal health insurance benefit for individuals over 65 years old. The Medicare tax is a mandatory contribution deducted from your gross pay. Like the Social Security tax, your employer must also match your contribution. The current Medicare tax rate is 1.45% for you and your employer. What is my Net Pay? There you have it! You've received your net take-home pay after applicable taxes. Child support, medical, retirement, or other deductions could reduce your net pay further. However, these are the legitimate reasons you may see a discrepancy in your gross and net pay.

If you find that you're constantly fighting about money or hiding how you spend money from your partner, it may be time to rethink your relationship goals and values. Fighting about money can create tension in a relationship and make it challenging to accomplish future goals. When one spouse gets frustrated with the other, it can seem like you're on an island all on your own, trying to resolve a difficult situation. How can couples develop and build financial trust in their relationship? From creating a long-term goal to paying bills on time, here are several tips for developing financial trust in your relationship. Developing Financial Trust in Your Relationship Share a Joint Credit Card Establish Clear Boundaries Have Regular, Transparent, and Productive Discussions Be Open and Honest About Financial Situations Time + Planning = Trusting Financial Relationship Pay Bills on Time Discuss Finances Before Marriage Share a Joint Credit Card Opening a joint credit card is a great way to build and develop financial trust. Being transparent and on the same page when it comes to handling money is a crucial aspect in any relationship. This allows couples to develop a line of credit that'll benefit future investments if both parties maintain a good credit score. It also helps couples define their combined budget, savings, and expenses more than having completely separate finances. - Gigi Ji, Head of Brand and Business Development, KOKOLU Establish Clear Boundaries Couples can develop and build financial trust in their relationship by establishing clear boundaries. In other words, couples need to define what's theirs and what's not clearly. This can help them avoid unnecessary conflicts and misunderstandings and prevent any nasty surprises when one partner wants to spend money on something they've already agreed not to do. It's also important for couples to address any financial disagreements as soon as possible so they don't fester and become bigger problems later on. When couples ignore their financial disagreements, it can lead to resentment and even result in divorce. Therefore, I believe couples who can talk about their money issues openly and honestly are much more likely to find a solution that works for both parties. - Tiffany Homan, COO, Texas Divorce Laws Have Regular, Transparent, and Productive Discussions One way for couples to develop financial trust in their relationship is to have open and honest conversations about finances. This includes discussing each person's income, debts, expenses, savings goals, and any other financial matters that could affect the relationship. It's important for couples to be transparent with each other about their finances and to come up with a plan that works for both of them. This could include setting a budget, discussing how to save money, and creating an emergency fund. Having these discussions can help couples build trust in each other and their financial decisions, as well as provide peace of mind knowing that both partners are on the same page. - Michael Alexis, CEO, Tiny Campfire Be Open and Honest About Financial Situations In marriage, finances are an important issue. One way for couples to build financial trust is by being open and honest about each of their financial situations. Couples should communicate with each other about their income, debts, and investments. They should also agree on a budget that works for both parties. This will ensure they're each aware of how much money is coming in and where it's going. - Jennie Miller, Co-Founder, Midss Time + Planning = Trusting Financial Relationship Time must pass for a couple to really develop trust in a relationship, so understanding that you must go through a process as a couple is important. Cohesiveness and trust will not be founded in a few days but instead built up over a long period of time. The couple needs to set boundaries and goals for each other that both can agree on and understand. Once both abide by these rules and do so consistently over a period of time, trust will build up, and a proper system of respect will form. If one side of the relationship regularly makes mistakes or ignores the rules, then it'll be tougher to build that trust and understanding. But if both people can follow the guidelines agreed upon, it'll be much easier to form a successful partnership. - Shaun Connell, CEO, Credit Building Tips Pay Bills on Time If you want to build financial trust in your relationship by improving you and your partner's credit score, then you should track your spending habits as a couple and tackle your credit together. Paying bills on time determines 35% of your credit score. Create reminders for upcoming dates to settle bills without delay. You can also activate autopay for bills. Let you and your partner collaborate in settling bills to improve your financial trust. - Yongming Song, CEO, Live Poll Discuss Finances Before Marriage Discussing finances with your partner before marriage can help ensure that you don't enter into a financially doomed marriage. Couples who talk about finances pre-marriage can ensure that they understand each other's financial history, including their current debts, savings goals, or past and present financial struggles. Uncovering these three things can help the couple determine a path forward in managing their finances and how their situation will impact them in the future. Establishing financial boundaries, setting goals together, and determining how finances will be divided or managed jointly can help build trust as a couple enters into a lifelong relationship. - Annette Harris, Founder, Harris Financial Coaching

It's the holiday season, and you probably have an event or two to attend. Whether it's an office holiday function or meeting up with family or friends, you want to look your best and stun the attendees. I've found a few affordable Amazon Fashion finds and will share them with you. These items have made me the best dressed at every function, and you will wow the crowd too! The best part is that they're surprisingly affordable and well-made. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Anna-Kaci Women's Short Sleeve One Shoulder Sexy Sequin Top Blouse I wore this sequined top to a bling party. It sparkled and shined all night long. It had a little stretch to it, and I received many compliments. As you can see, it didn't look costumey at all, and you can wear this on multiple occasions. It's perfect for an office event or a night out on the town. The blouse was less than $40, and you can pair it with a pair of black pants right out of your closet. GOBLES Women's Summer Sexy One Shoulder Ruffle Bodycon Midi Cocktail Dress I know this dress says summer, but it's perfect all year round. You can wear this dress to a gala, wedding, baby shower, or dinner. It comes in all colors, like yellow, white, red, and more. So, you can fill your wardrobe with this dress and wear it to your special occasion. My husband was floored when I put this dress on, and my daughter was even amazed. It's form-fitting but not tight and very easy to walk in. Not to mention the sleeve adds to the flair of this dress without it being too over the top. What's the price? $40! Casual Shirt Dress High Low Irregular Hem Ruched Blouse All-white affair, anyone? I've seen this top worn differently depending on the occasion. Some people wear it as a dress and others wear it as a blouse. You can pair this blouse with shorts, a skirt, or pants. I found these white tights on Amazon as a part of an all-white affair I was attending. Typically, long dresses drag on the floor at my 5'4" height, but I didn't have that problem with this blouse. The tights can also be repurposed for work or worn casually on weekends. I'm all about repurposing outfits; these pants can be paired with anything. The outfit costs $100 and can be used at numerous all-white affairs or special events in your future. Vimoisa Women Sexy Boho African Jumper I found the perfect African attire for the Wakanda premiere. It isn't easy to find well-made and affordable African clothing online. This jumper was less than $40 and was true to size. Typically, when I find a jumper, the fit is just awkward, and this was the first one that fit perfectly. The material wasn't too heavy, and the jumper can be worn in the fall, winter, and even spring. This pattern is also sold as a dress, and there are other options, long, short, and various colors. All of the options range from $25 to $40. You'll turn heads! Fall Summer Deep V Neck Ruffle Long Sleeve Floral Print Dress Yes, this is a summer, fall, or winter dress. It just depends on where you're going, and every winter, I find someone's beach to sit on. This year is no different, and this ruffle dress was perfect for walking along the beach and the vow renewal I attended earlier that day. I put a pin in the top because the V-neck was too deep for my taste. However, it was the perfect dress when sitting outside in the hot sun. The back also has a very sexy opening that surprised me as well. All you need is a little boob tape, and you'll be good to go. This was another find that was under $40. Whatever event you have to go to, I'm sure you'll turn heads wearing any of these outfits, and you can find the perfect color, style, or size that fits your body type. Tell me in the comments if you've tried one of these outfits and how many heads you turned.

As a financial coach, I've been asked how I became interested in learning more about money and working to help others manage it too. Some people find managing their money stressful, but if you learn as much as possible and create a plan, finding a career in finance can also help you manage your finances much more effortlessly. To help you find a positive work-life balance and a low-stress job in finance, I reached out to a few business professionals to ask them for their best career recommendations. From Financial Consultant to Insurance advisor, here are eight careers to help you lower your stress, reduce your interaction with clients or customers, and increase your pay. As an Amazon Associate, this post may contain affiliate links. Low-Stress Jobs in Finance Financial Consultant Financial Analyst Accounting Portfolio Manager Personal Financial Advisor Internal Auditor Financial Planning & Analysis Manager Insurance Advisor (Risk Manager) Financial Consultant Working as a financial consultant (ChFC) allows you to use your theoretical knowledge in practice by helping companies and people avoid economic issues. Most of your clients have complex financial situations, so thanks to your expertise, you can earn well. At the same time, it's a low-stress job because you play the role of an objective indicator rather than a part of the potential problem, so all you have to worry about is analyzing the client's situation well. - Natalia Brzezinska, Marketing & Outreach Manager, US Visa Photo *Average Salary Range: $48,000 - $93,000 Financial Analyst A low-stress job in finance that pays well is a financial analyst. Financial analysts are responsible for researching and analyzing financial data to help their company make sound investment decisions. While the job can be demanding, it is generally considered low-stress because it does not involve direct client interaction or sales. Financial analysts typically have a background in accounting or finance, and many companies offer on-the-job training. The median salary for a financial analyst is $85,660, making it a great option for those looking for a well-paying job in finance. - Benjamin Basic, Content Writer, Fast Food Menu Prices *Average Salary Range: $57,000 - $70,000 How Finance Works: The HBR Guide to Thinking Smart About the Numbers How Finance Works is an excellent resource for anyone who wants to learn more about the world of finance. It is a valuable resource for anyone who wants to understand how money works and how to make sound financial decisions. Here are some of the key takeaways: Finance is the study of how money is raised, invested, and managed. There are many different types of financial assets, including stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. The value of a financial asset is determined by supply and demand. Accounting The least stressful job in the finance sector is "Accounting." It requires you to build a routine that you can follow daily. It does not require much effort if you have the skill. An accountant is never on the counter and does not have to deal with clients face to face. One of the hardest things in accounting is the terminology. But if you have a bachelor's degree in accounting or business, you must know these terms. The best part is that accounting jobs are also quite well-paying. Another plus point is that almost every business needs an accountant, no matter the niche, so there is never a lack of job opportunities. - Tiffany Homan, COO, Texas Divorce Laws *Average Salary Range: $54,000 - $66,000 Related: 11 Reasons to Get Your Masters' in Finance Portfolio Manager One low-stress job in finance that pays well is an introductory portfolio manager. This role typically has a team of analysts who help them make investment decisions. This job is a great way to get started in the finance industry without worrying about the high-stress levels of some other jobs. Plus, you can make a good salary and bonus with this position. - Grace He, People and Culture Director, teambuilding.com *Average Salary Range: $63,000 - $84,000 Personal Financial Advisor One low-stress job in finance that pays well is a personal financial advisor. They help people save for retirement, budget their money, and invest their assets. Personal financial advisors typically require a college degree in finance or a related field, but they can earn a six-figure salary. - Aviad Faruz, CEO, FARUZO *Average Salary Range: $57,000 - $93,000 Internal Auditor Internal auditors play an important role in an organization's compliance. As an auditor, you will be responsible for validating financial transactions conducted by employees within the organization. This could include validating payroll, benefits, invoice payments, and systems compliance. You may also be required to prepare reports of your findings and recommendations to ensure financial effectiveness. As an internal auditor, you will also be responsible for coordinating information gathering with external auditors and submitting quarterly or annual reports. Projects for internal auditors typically have limited complexity, and low stress due to the nature of the job serving as a checks and balances support role. - Annette Harris, Founder, Harris Financial Coaching *Average Salary Range: $57,000 - $69,000 FP&A Manager If you are looking for a low-stress job in finance, consider a career as a Financial Planning & Analysis Manager. As an FP&A, you can work in any Fortune 500 or related company or pursue a career in banking structures. Regardless of the organization, you will have similar responsibilities covering putting together profit and loss, preparing summarizing reports and recommendations, or providing commercial analysis on KPIs. The FP&A manager is also responsible for business forecasting and creating financial budgets. FP&A is a 9-5 office job that involves a moderate level of stress. You are mainly occupied with making analyses, providing advice, and managing, while final financial decisions are made at other levels. Nevertheless, be prepared for some ad-hoc requests and fire drills. With seniority, you gain flexible hours, promotions, and, of course, pay raises. As an FP&A manager, it does require 5-10 years of experience. - Nina Paczka, Community Manager, Live Career **Average Salary Range: $116,000 - $146,000 Insurance Advisor (Risk Manager) Want to start a well-paying and low-stress career in finance? Become an insurance advisor. An insurance advisor's role is to help clients choose the right insurance policies tailored to their needs. They may also advise clients on how to use their policies best to maximize value. Insurance advisors must possess strong communication, problem-solving, and persuasive selling skills to succeed in their job. Product knowledge is also a must. Insurance advisors work in various settings, including banks, insurance companies, and other financial institutions. The role of an insurance advisor is of utmost importance as it affects the family's financial well-being. To make the client depend on your experience and advice, you need to be diligent and trustworthy towards your work. - Agata Szczepanek, Community Manager, LiveCareer **Average Salary Range: $107,000 - $142,000 Why Are These Jobs in Finance Low-Stress? Here are some of the factors that contribute to the low-stress levels of these jobs: Routine tasks. Many of these jobs involve routine tasks that can be completed predictably. This can help to reduce stress levels by providing a sense of stability and predictability. Predictable hours. Many of these jobs have predictable hours, such as 9-5, Monday through Friday. This can reduce stress levels by providing a sense of balance between work and personal life. Limited interaction with clients or customers. Some of these jobs only require a little interaction with clients or customers. This can help to reduce stress levels by avoiding the need to deal with difficult or demanding clients. Of course, not all financial jobs are created equal. Some jobs are more stressful than others, regardless of the above factors. Ultimately, the best way to find a low-stress financial job is to do your research and find a position that is a good fit for your skills, interests, and personality. *USA National Average for entry-level jobs with 0-2 years of related experience. **USA National Average for entry-level jobs with five years of related experience.

Going into the new year, you may have a few pre-planned financial resolutions. Developing your plan today can make it easier for you to achieve your financial goals. The saying, there's no time like the present, is more critical now than ever when you consider record inflation and massive company layoffs. I asked a few individuals, "What is one financial concern you have going into the new year, and how are you going to conquer it?" Tips to Address Your Financial Concerns Diversify My Investment Portfolio to Combat Rising Inflation Create a Winning Marketing Campaign to Get Ahead of Economic Turbulence Create a Detailed Budget to Help Fund My Wedding Contribute to a 401K to Save for Retirement Find an Additional Source of Income to Manage Debt Change My Budget to Tackle The Rising Cost of Living Create a Side Hustle to Help Build My Emergency Fund Switch Jobs For a Better Quality of Life Diversify My Investment Portfolio to Combat Rising Inflation Inflation is a major financial concern for many people going into the new year as prices of essential goods and services become increasingly more expensive. To combat this, my goal is to create a foolproof plan to tackle the harsh effects of inflation. This includes diversifying my investment portfolio with a healthy mix of investments. I also aim to create a cushion of emergency funds for rainy and unpredictable days. Last but certainly not least is keeping a close eye on my expenses and cutting out unnecessary items. Doing this inevitably leaves you with more disposable income to put into your investments and stay ahead of inflation. - Demi Yilmaz, Co-Founder, Colonist.io Create a Winning Marketing Campaign to Get Ahead of Economic Turbulence As a recession becomes a going concern, many business owners like myself are examining their assets and liabilities and looking for strategies to generate cash flow. At the end of the day, hair restoration is a cosmetic industry. When money becomes scarce, these procedures are often the first thing people cut back on. Currently, my marketing team is working on a new campaign to provide incentives for new patients in 2023. We hope this will help us acquire new customers early on to offset any economic distress that could happen mid- to late-year. - Jae Pak, MD, Jae Pak MD Medical Create a Detailed Budget to Help Fund My Wedding My wedding is one of my biggest financial concerns going into the new year. My fiancé and I have been saving diligently for the past year, but with the average cost of a wedding now over $30,000, we still have a ways to go. To conquer this concern, we have created a detailed budget and are sticking to it as closely as possible. We are also cutting back on other expenses to make room for wedding-related costs. For example, we have decided to eat out less and cook at home more. We are also putting any extra money we have towards the wedding fund. By taking these measures, I am confident that we will be able to afford our dream wedding without going into debt. - Lorien Strydom, Executive Country Manager, Financer.com Contribute to a 401K to Save for Retirement One of my primary financial concerns going into the new year is saving for retirement. I am 32 years old and have not yet started contributing to a retirement account. I know that the sooner I start saving, the better off I will be in the long run. To conquer this concern, I have resolved to start contributing to a 401k plan. I have also sat down with a financial planner to ensure I am on track to reach my retirement goals. While it may take some time and effort to get my finances in order, I am confident that I can achieve my goal of a comfortable retirement. - Jim Campbell, Founder, Wizve Digital Marketing Find an Additional Source of Income to Manage Debt Paying off outstanding debt obligations is a major financial concern. It is glaring to me amidst the rising costs of basic commodities, the global economic crisis, and many other financial concerns. I am saddled with many thoughts on balancing my income versus my expenses. One thing is for sure. I need to pay off my debts to gain a bit of leeway in my monetary standing. Looking at my ledger, I see that most of my expenses are spent on my loan interests. It is the reason why I need to come up with a solid plan to ease them out. I need to have an additional source of income through side hustles. Then, I need to settle my loans one by one or shave off a considerable amount from each one to lessen the interests that they accrue. It may take a while to close them off, but I need to make a positive movement and extend more efforts to do that. - Laura Martinez, Consultant and Content Writer, PersonalityMax Change My Budget to Tackle The Rising Cost of Living One of my financial concerns going into the new year is the rising cost of living. It seems like every year, the cost of basic necessities like food and housing goes up while wages stay the same. I'm not sure how much longer I can keep up this pace. I will have to start making serious changes to my budget if I want to avoid going into debt. I'm also going to start looking for ways to increase my income. I'm unsure what the solution is, but I'm determined to find it. I refuse to let the rising cost of living defeat me! - Benjamin Basic, Content Writer, Fast Food Menu Prices Create a Side Hustle to Help Build My Emergency Fund Honestly, I have a lot of financial concerns even during this year. My greatest concern is paying off debt and setting up an emergency fund. Inflation has gotten me to a point where I barely have enough money left for savings. Savings are the least of your concerns when you are living in debt. I am very concerned about not having an emergency fund. My idea about how I'm going to tackle it is by venturing into more methods of making money. I figured I could diversify into online jobs and get more serious in the online writing job search. This will help increase my income and give me an advantage over the economy. Hopefully. - Lydia Mwangi, Content Writer, Barbell Jobs Advertiser Disclosure Switch Jobs For a Better Quality of Life I'm going to conquer my financial concerns by getting a better job. I've been working at my current job for over two years now, and while it's been a good experience and helped me grow, it hasn't given me the kind of opportunity to advance my career that I was hoping for. To get access to more opportunities and make more money, I plan to change jobs in the new year. My new role will be in a different department at my company, but it will also have more responsibilities and allow me to grow professionally. In addition to improving my paycheck, this change will also give me more time with my family—something that has been difficult since I started working. - Amer Hasovic, Content Writer, Love & Lavender What's one financial concern you have, and how will you conquer it in the new year?

Greenwashing happens when businesses claim that their products or services are more environmentally friendly than they are. Entrepreneurs and consumers should be aware of financial greenwashing and how it can affect them. But why is financial greenwashing bad, and how can it be avoided? It can come at a detriment to investors when you are provided with misleading information about a company's products or services as a means of boosting your investor confidence. Here are a few insightful tips, from verifying environmental claims made by other companies to investing in efforts that will boost your environmental, social, and governance ratings to help you avoid financial greenwashing. Financial Greenwashing and How to Avoid It Research and Verify Environmental Claims Made by Other Companies Redefine Sustainability Often Hire an Environmental Business Law Attorney Do Not Use Vague Sustainability-Related Statements Invest in Efforts That Will Boost Your ESG Practices Research and Verify Environmental Claims Made by Other Companies Greenwashing is terrible because it can lead to unethical and unsustainable business practices. One tip for avoiding greenwashing is to conduct thorough research on the environmental claims being made by companies and look for independent verification of these claims. Additionally, you should be wary of vague or overly general statements about a company's commitment to sustainability, as companies often use these to greenwash their products or services. By being aware of these issues and avoiding them, you can help promote ethical and sustainable business practices in your life and the wider community. - Natalia Brzezinska, Marketing & Outreach Manager, US Visa Photo Redefine Sustainability Often One tip for avoiding financial greenwashing is to redefine sustainability regularly. Green technology and standards, like all technology and laws, change constantly. What was once the industry standard for a sustainable business practice may not be the same within just a few years. Always strive to improve your sustainability policies to match those on the cutting edge of new advances. - Kevin Callahan, Co-Founder & CEO, Flatline Van Co. Hire an Environmental Business Law Attorney Any time someone takes something that matters deeply to a lot of people and uses it to make a quick buck, it will lead to a lot of heartache and anger down the road. If you invest in a product that you think is environmentally beneficial or sound and turns out to be damaging to the environment, you could pay dearly for it. That's true even if you were deceived. That's what makes it so bad. Innocent people often have to shoulder the blame when something like that happens. The way to avoid it is to double-check everything. Get an attorney involved (preferably one who specializes in environmental business law) and get an environmental scientist (or two) to dig into the product and see whether it is everything the seller says it is. You never want to be blamed for damaging the environment. That's a stain you may never get rid of. - Trevor Ford, Head of Growth, Yotta Do Not Use Vague Sustainability-Related Statements Financial greenwashing reduces global decarbonization significantly. Investors with good money, which could have been put to good use in projects that have a significant impact against climate change, are tricked into funding projects with little to no effect on climate change. This is a mega waste of resources. The way you avoid financial greenwashing is by not using vague sustainability-related statements. Always provide clarifying information for every jargon used to avoid misleading investors. - Lydia Mwangi, Content Writer, Barbell Jobs Invest in Efforts That Will Boost Your ESG Practices Financial greenwashing is unethical because you're exaggerating facts or using misleading information about your company or financial products' ESG scores. When you can't deliver on what you promised or what you said you've been doing doesn't show, you'll be caught eventually. Deception can ruin your public image, and you'll lose investors. Avoid financial greenwashing by investing in efforts that will boost your ESG practices. If you say your products and practices are environmentally friendly, ensure that you live by them. - Aidan Kang, CEO, House of Debt

New parents and parents with more than one child have similar concerns about putting their child in daycare. It's expensive! The cost of daycare can make it challenging to manage your finances and cause a financial strain on your budget. Some families find it cheaper if only one spouse works while the other stays home to take care of the children until they can find a way to afford daycare. But what if you don't want to quit your job? What are some things employers can do to help mitigate significant childcare expenses and keep employees employed? From helping employees claim dependent care credits to providing a stipend, here are seven ways that your employer may be able to help. 7 Ways Employers Can Help With Childcare Help Employees Claim Dependent Care Credits Run an Office Daycare Offer a Discount Increase Childcare Subsidies Propose Flexible Working Hours Give Them Access to Tools Which Support Childcare Provide a Stipend Help Employees Claim Dependent Care Credits Employers can administer this program by allowing employees to elect pre-tax deductions to be taken out of their paychecks and put into a Dependent Care Account (DCA). Electing deductions using a DCA can reduce the employee's overall tax bracket due to decreased gross income. Another benefit, known as the Child and Dependent Care Credit, occurs during tax season for employees that elect the DCA and have eligible child care expenses during the previous year. "To qualify, the childcare provider must be a certified child care center, a licensed family child care home, or a provider who meets state requirements and is registered with the state. The Child and Dependent Care Credit is available to employees who meet certain requirements and have earned income. Employers can help their employees by providing information about this credit and how to claim it." - Matthew Ramirez, CEO, Rephrasely Run an Office Daycare Employers should run an office daycare as a work perk. This removes the cost of daycare and allows employees to not worry about the expense. Employees can bring their child to the office daycare and visit them during lunchtime with no hassle, then pick them up at the end of the day. This ultimately results in workers feeling appreciated, and it finds a solution to an ongoing issue. - Natália Sadowski, Director of Aesthetics, Nourishing Biologicals Offer a Discount Offer a discount with a local daycare. This lessens the expenses and creates a convenient experience for the employee. Employees can drop their children off at daycare before work and pick them up at the end of the workday. These costs add up, so employers who can acknowledge this and find a solution will create a happier employee at the end of the day. - Jodi Neuhauser, CEO, Ovaterra Increase Childcare Subsidies An excellent way to keep employees happy is to increase childcare subsidies. Offering childcare as a benefit may currently offer different corporate tax benefits than providing health care. Still, when contrasted with the expense of recruiting and onboarding new employees, the investment in keeping parents in the workforce by giving childcare is worthwhile. Furthermore, you can design the benefits so that employers contribute to a fund that employees can use for any caregiving, such as for a child, spouse, or senior family member. The caregiver benefit is like healthcare since it allows us to collectively ensure that we can satisfy the requirements of loved ones rather than relying just on women's unpaid care or individual savings. - Tiffany Homan, COO, Texas Divorce Laws Propose Flexible Working Hours Some employers allow a flexible schedule so parents can tend to their young children throughout their workday. For example, a parent might work a few hours in the morning when a nanny comes in, and then they take a break from work until their partner gets home to watch their child. In the evening, they can return to their computer and finish projects. Many businesses no longer count hours worked or logged in and are happy if all tasks are completed on time and accurately. - Susan Shaffer, President, Pneuma Nitric Oxide Give Them Access to Tools Which Support Childcare Employers often focus on the immediate return to work period for working parents rather than viewing the entire journey they have embarked on. Employers can support parents with childcare by giving them access to tools that actively help them find and secure childcare, which not only helps their family survive but thrive. This might be through companies set up to connect parents with childcare services in the area or by providing paid access to tools, so they can easily communicate with other caregivers without adding extra stress to their day. Ultimately, it's about taking the financial and mental burden off employees; don't just point them toward available support; engage with that support on their behalf and provide immediate access through your organization. - Jessica Higham, Marketing Manager, Onoco Provide a Stipend Employers can provide subsidies or stipends to help their staff offset the expensive cost of childcare, which can significantly help. This stipend is so important because the cost of childcare can often be a deciding factor for whether someone can continue working, which means this investment can keep your best people with you for the long term. - Grace He, People & Culture Director, teambuilding.com For employers to maintain a present workforce, they must find various ways of supporting employees and their families. Providing family Fridays, flexible working hours, Dependent Care Accounts, or on-site daycare can encourage employees to show up to work and be fully present. The absence of employer consideration can lead to a less-than-present workforce and higher-than-normal turnover. This can be costly to employers, more costly than providing a much-needed resource to employees.

Are you on the fence about turning your side hustle into a thriving business? Venturing off to pursue your dream can be daunting, especially if you don't know where to start or what pitfalls to avoid when venturing off as an entrepreneur. So, what's one thing we should consider when deciding whether to be an employee or an entrepreneur? The following 11 business leaders and entrepreneurs offer the following factors you should consider if you're interested in starting your own business. How To Decide if Entrepreneurship Is Right for You Personal Circumstances Tolerance for Instability Income Maintaining Discipline Tax Obligations Level of Responsibility Devotion to Your Craft Availability of Capital The Real Risk of Being An Employee Complete Autonomy Relationship With Risk Personal Circumstances Entrepreneurship often involves experimenting. It's hard to predict if your business idea will work out and if you will have enough resources to pursue your dreams. You should think carefully before changing from stable employment to entrepreneurship. Think of your life situation at the moment. If you just started a family, starting a new business might not be the best idea. Even if you have enough financial resources, you might lack the energy to meet the challenges of your private and professional life at the same time. So how do you open yourself to new opportunities while minimizing the risk of failure? Don't put all your eggs in one basket! Evaluate your situation and consider how much risk you can take. Many people decide to follow their passions and start developing a new career but do it next to their actual job. It might be challenging to do these two things simultaneously, but it will give you extra security if your plan doesn't work out. - Dorota Lysienia, Community Manager, LiveCareer Tolerance for Instability How comfortable are you with instability? Entrepreneurship can be highly rewarding, but it's not as safe a bet as traditional employment. On average, under 50% of businesses fail in the first five years. If you are a person who values stability in your career and dislikes risk, you may prefer to be an employee. If you feel comfortable with the risk-reward ratio and want to create your own business, entrepreneurship might be for you. It all comes down to your personal needs and interests. - Chris Vaughn, CEO, Emjay Income Consider whether you want to have control over your salary or whether you would rather your employer handle that. There are pros and cons to both. Having control over what you get paid means that you do not risk getting taken advantage of, yet if you run your own business, you do not always necessarily know how much you will be able to pay yourself. So, between all those factors, consider what is the most important to you in terms of how you get paid. - Miles Beckett, Co-Founder & CEO, Flossy Maintaining Discipline One of the things most people who aspire to be entrepreneurs are surprised with is the amount of self-discipline you need to have to keep going. As an employee (as annoying as it may be not to be an owner or work on something you truly believe in), you still have the reliability of a set schedule or amount of tasks you're working on. And a relatively stable form of income. Whereas, as an entrepreneur, you'll find that everything relies on your ability to maintain discipline. Don’t confuse motivation with discipline. Motivation comes and goes. Discipline is what keeps you going. You may not always want to do certain tasks or stick to a set-out plan. You have to do it anyway without the assurance of stable results. Being an entrepreneur can be a source of fulfillment, but if you think you can't learn self-discipline, it's best to choose the path of an employee. Remember, neither is a good nor bad choice—it's all a matter of the approach and the qualities you want to develop. - Nicole Ostrowska, Career Expert, Zety Tax Obligations When deciding to work as an employee or start your own business, it's important to consider the difference in tax obligations. As an employee, taxes are typically withheld from your paycheck and paid directly to the government. As a self-employed entrepreneur, you may be responsible for paying estimated taxes throughout the year and filing self-employment taxes on top of regular income taxes. It's important to factor in the added responsibility and potential cost of these taxes before deciding on your career path. - Michal Jonca, Community Manager & Travel Leader, US Visa Photo Level of Responsibility The skills required to be a successful entrepreneur and a successful employee are usually different. For the latter, you need a wide range of skills and less specialization in one area. For the latter, the more specialized you are, the better. But that's not the main thing to consider. The main area that you need to be absolutely sure of is the level of responsibility you want to take on. As an entrepreneur, you are the final decision maker, and, in the end, you're responsible for everything that goes on at the company. Even if you don't know the specific activities carried out by an individual in a particular department, it's still your responsibility to know how to address the following: the direction of the company, payroll, product quality, client and customer experience, and team building. Even if you're a level or two removed from the work, it's all still your responsibility. - Daniel Ndukwu, CMO/CoFounder, UsefulPDF Devotion to Your Craft Commitment is a heavy word both in the game of life and business. In a competitive industry, not everyone can succeed or excel in the field. Devotion to your craft plays a huge role in choosing between becoming the boss or the worker. Becoming an employee is not as easy as it seems. You are a mere follower abiding by orders mandated by a leader. Given that you are working for someone else, the pressure and burden of the company do not weigh on you. Hence, more time for yourself. Meanwhile, starting a business requires a lot of attention and time. Dedication and responsibility are vital if you want a successful enterprise. You must be 100% committed and decisive that this is the path you want to take. In general, it all relies upon your visions and goals if you are hesitant about what career to pursue. If you could see a future in any of the two, don't be afraid to follow it. The only thing stopping you from achieving anything in this life is your doubts and worries. - Laura Martinez, Consultant and Content Writer, PersonalityMax Availability of Capital Entrepreneurship requires proper planning and prioritizing with the resources available. As an aspiring entrepreneur, determine if you have the necessary capital to start and maintain the business since you will input more than you will get from the business at the early stage. Know if you have viable investors that you can approach or a plan B that you can resort to if the unexpected happens and you need to use more resources to boost the business. - Yongming Song, CEO, Live Poll for Slides The Real Risk of Being An Employee A job is only as safe as your position within the company. If the company falls on hard times or makes a bad decision that negatively affects its overall performance, it's likely that the employees will be the first to feel the consequences. You're basically at the company's mercy when you're an employee. If the company makes a bad decision, or if the company's performance suffers, you could be the first to feel the negative effects. When this happens, you may be forced to look for another job, or worse, you might be forced to file for unemployment. The risk of being an employee is that you have less control over your future, and you're entirely dependent on the company's decision-making. Moreover, you risk being fired if you don't perform well as an employee. However, if you're an entrepreneur, you risk losing all your money if your business venture fails. - Luciano Colos, Founder & CEO, PitchGrade Complete Autonomy What fundamentally separates the two roles is that as an entrepreneur, you have the freedom to spend your time doing what's important to you. It comes with shouldering greater responsibilities, but the pros outweigh the cons for many. Life is short, and the one thing we can never get back is time. As a result, time is one of your most valuable resources, and you should treat it as such. While, as an employee, you don't have the same luxury of choice, when you're working as an employee, you do so on the company's time, you're limited in terms of flexibility, but you also have a greater sense of security and support. - Guy Sharp, Relocation Advisor, Andorra Guides Relationship With Risk Examining your comfort with risk is critical when considering whether to be an employee or an entrepreneur. While both options include risk, entrepreneurs must be risk-takers to move their businesses forward. They'll make tough, informed decisions from the information they have. Sometimes those choices pay off significantly, while others cause failure and challenges. Entrepreneurship is a high-risk, high-reward path, while being an employee typically offers more stability. - Kelli Anderson, Career Coach, Resume Seed

Veteran's Day is a time to reflect on all who have served. I spoke with retired U.S. Army veteran Matt Wood, the Chief Headache Reducer and Founder of Suiting Green Consulting, to discuss how military veterans can prepare to transition out of the military successfully. After serving 21 years in the U.S. Army, Matt went to work for a very large Fortune 100 Mickey Mouse organization in a variety of roles before being laid off as part of company-wide downsizing related to Covid. After being laid off, Matt founded his own company with a focus on bridging the knowledge gap that exists between the military community and corporate America. As the Founder of Suiting Green Consulting, Matt seeks to show companies how to hire smarter when it comes to former military professionals and military spouses. The goal is to increase the company’s competitive advantage in the marketplace and to establish a Military Ready mindset that not only saves the company money but sets the military community up for success once they venture out into life outside of the military. Matt shares his journey from military veteran to entrepreneur. Personal Finance As military veterans transition out of military service, what can we do to prepare ourselves and our families for the financial changes? The first thing I would recommend would be to realize that upon leaving the military, you will now have to pay for everything that Uncle Sam used to cover. Health care, dental care, and even housing are now things to consider when it comes to jobs outside of the military. It also needs to be something you look at when getting job offers. The housing allowance and basic allowance for subsistence (BAS) you’re used to are gone, so consider that when looking at various offers, especially if you’re not a military retiree. When military veterans are considering retirement, what are two to three things we should consider when evaluating how our final duty station will impact our transition financially? For retirees, consider where you want to retire to. Do you want a state that has no income tax, one that may not tax your retirement pay, or are you okay with your retirement being taxed on top of whatever you’re making in a civilian job? Also, keep in mind that you’re getting BAH based on your current assignment’s ZIP code. That goes away once you retire, so keep the cost of living in mind when you look at where you’re going to live. As a military retiree, what are two to three of the most significant financial differences you encountered when transitioning out of military service? The biggest one is something I touched on above. The loss of BAH and BAS was something I knew would happen but losing it was still a tough piece. Also, understanding how much health care costs was eye-opening. The benefit of military retirement is the ability to keep Tricare as a health care option, which is much cheaper than almost every single commercial health care plan out there. This is not something that’s explained to us as we leave the military, but it’s something we need to be prepared for. If you can stay with Tricare, do it. Lastly, I received a job offer during my transition from a company owned by an Army veteran, and they lowballed me with a salary offer. Realize that companies don’t understand, or don’t remember in this case, how much a military salary is, and they are just looking to get as much talent as they can for as little as they can possibly pay. Related: Veterans Day: Harris Financial Coaching Recruiting When deciding to transition out of military service, how can a servicemember prepare for their new career journey? This is something that is preached by transition programs all the time, but network, network, network. Build relationships instead of trying to just add connections. Find ways to add value to the people you connect with before asking for anything in return. Show them your worth, and don’t be afraid to talk in terms of “I did this” instead of “we did this,” or “my team did this.” The other thing I always ask people who are starting the transition process is this, “What problem(s) do you want to solve?” If you can answer that question, it will help you immensely when it comes to looking for that next career instead of just taking a job to say you’ve got a job. What is a military skills translator, and is it helpful for veterans applying for civilian career opportunities? Most online military skills translators just work based on your career field and correlate that to something civilian-related. Unfortunately, they don’t take into consideration your rank, scope of responsibility, or experience when they show you what jobs you can do. If you can work with an actual person who understands the military community, they can help decipher what you’ve done into something transferrable to the civilian community. This is the important piece because it opens your eyes to a whole lot of opportunities that you may not consider as you look for that next challenge if you just focus on jobs listed based on your military career field. How can businesses unfamiliar with hiring military veterans develop a military recruiting strategy? They can talk to me! I do this now, so reaching out to me would be a great first step for these companies. However, I will tell them that the first step to developing a solid strategy is to be intentional in how they want to target this talent stream. If they’re just hiring from the military community to feel good about themselves and say they’re patriotic, the strategy is not even in the same ZIP code as one that is intentional in how they approach former military professionals and military spouses. Employment What are three things military veterans should consider when deciding if we want to have an impact as an employee or business owners? Determine Your Purpose First, as I mentioned in the question about preparing for civilian employment, figure out what problems you want to solve once you leave the military. This will help you become a more impactful employee or business owner because you’ve got a purpose. Align Your Values Second, find a company that has values that are aligned with yours. It’s easier to work for a company that shares similar values to what we learned in the military than it is to work for one that doesn’t. Keep in mind the overarching company values may be aligned, but lines of business within the company may not fully grasp or emulate those values in how they operate. Check Your Ego Third, check your ego at the door. No one outside of the military cares what your rank was. Once you leave the military behind you, you are no longer your rank, you’re now “Bob from Detroit.” It’s okay to tell military stories, but keep in mind that most civilians get their understanding of the military from Hollywood and the media, so those great war stories you have from your time in the service are fantastic to tell around fellow veterans, but Cathy from accounting, or Jim from HR, who has no military experience, isn’t going to understand them or fully appreciate them. You also run the risk of potentially offending them and putting yourself into the “dysfunctional veteran” stereotype. What are some things military veterans should consider if they want to change their career path? Do it! Don’t be afraid to change career paths. You do not have to stay in one area forever. I was a combat arms soldier for my entire military career, and now I’m a human capital consultant showing companies how to hire smarter. Also, don’t be afraid to work outside of government service either. Try new things, and explore different career opportunities, and it’s okay to jump around from job to job while you’re doing this. Characteristics and Diversity of a Military Veteran What are a few sought-after characteristics that a company can benefit from when hiring a military veteran? I don’t know if we have enough space for this one. Companies are looking for people who can work independently or as a member of a team. Project managers, leaders, team builders, and trainers are a few more of the sought-after characteristics companies are looking for. These are all things the military community brings to the table. It’s just a matter of being able to convey how we’ve done those things, either as a former military professional or a military spouse, but we have done them at some point. Is there anything else you would like to share? Military service is the only underrepresented diversity group people opt into. Hiring from this talent stream not only increases your company’s diversity status but also provides outside perspectives on how to look at and do things. This has the benefit of moving companies that hire from this community in a forward direction and providing a competitive advantage that is hard to find outside of the military. Also, college degrees do not necessarily equate to someone being a great, or even a good, leader. Hiring with an intentional talent mindset will net you better results than hiring to simply fill seats based on whether or not someone has a piece of paper from some institute of higher learning. Resources for Military Veterans and Spouses What resources are available to military veterans to help make their transition seamless? Nothing will ever make the transition process seamless, but there are a lot of amazing veteran service organizations out there that can help make it less daunting and painless. Two that I highly recommend are The Catalyst Program and The Alpha Coaching and Consulting. The Catalyst Program is a great veteran-owned resource for assisting with the educational and administrative aspects of the transition process. They will help put you on a degree path that makes you more marketable and will introduce you to individuals and companies who can provide you with incredible job opportunities. The Alpha Coaching and Consulting is another veteran- and military spouse-owned resource that works in the arena of dealing with the emotional and mental aspects of transition. The program Dr. Thomas has developed is fantastic for really understanding how to process the transition of leaving the military behind and moving on to that next chapter of your life. Military veterans can also check out the IVMF at Syracuse University. They offer entrepreneurship programs and free career certifications for military veterans and their spouses. Five Things With Matt How do you start the day? I typically start the day kissing my wife as she leaves for work before 6 am, then I enjoy a cup of double caffeinated coffee from veteran-owned Aerial Resupply Coffee while I’m getting my two youngest kids up and ready for school. Since they’re in different schools, it’s my son first, as he is in the fourth grade, then my daughter, who’s in sixth grade. Getting to walk each of them to the bus stop is one of the best ways for me to start my day and sets me in the right mood to attack my day. What's one goal you've set for yourself this year? I have two goals. First, focus on making my marriage and home life the priority it should have been a long time ago. For too long, I let other things come first, and it was not good for me, my wife, or my kids, so showing them that they are the priority they deserve to be is my biggest goal. Then secondly, I’d like to get in better shape than I was in the military and not feel like I’m “Fat Thor” from the Avengers. What's your favorite affirmation to speak to yourself? I don’t really have a favorite affirmation, but I do strive to be better every day than I was the day before, even if it’s just a little bit better, it’s still becoming better. What's one thing you do for self-care? I’ve been slacking recently, but physical fitness is my mental and physical self-care. Taking care of the body can help take care of the mind. How do you end the day? After getting my kids to bed, my day typically ends sitting on the couch with my wife, talking about our respective days and watching one of our favorite shows. Getting that “adult-only time” at the end of the day is beneficial for us and something we both enjoy and look forward to. How can someone get in contact with you? Website: www.suitinggreen.com Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-f-wood/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SGMilTranslator Twitter: https://twitter.com/SGMilTranslator