Beating Broke

Personal Finance from the Broke Perspective

4 Career Shifts You Can Make Without Paying for School

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Making money from a job you enjoy is important, but sometimes a career shift can result in having to learn new skills, experience, and theories related to the industry. It may also require enrolling in a college or school. The good news is there are career changes you can take on without having to go back to school and docking out cash for it.

1. IT Support and Security

IT support and security for companies are crucial jobs. When running a business, there is always documentation and private information that is stored in the system’s archives. If a company is hacked, they risk losing sensitive information, not just their own but also of their customers or clients. Phishing attacks, according to The Hill, have increased by 600% since the beginning of the pandemic.

Phishing scams often come in the form of emails or sms notifications. Usually, the attacker will send an email or other form of contact that appears to come from a legitimate company that you are familiar with. The message may prompt you to click a link that takes you to the scammer’s website, and it’s there where your personal details may be stolen, or they may ask you to give your social security number and other sensitive information.

According to more statistics and records, researchers believe that within the first half of 2019, data breaches exposed over 4 billion records of people. This is quite alarming, especially when information is held at various businesses like banks and other industries. Not to mention, many people have their details linked to online shops and social media networks.

A job in the IT industry may be a great career change, especially because many short courses are available online and via YouTube. Learning online may eliminate your having to go to school. You will always be needed to help businesses with various aspects of their online engagements.

2. A Plumber or HVAC Technician

Another good career that does not require going to school is getting into hands-on work like plumbing or specializing in AC and HVAC systems. HVAC systems are in high demand, especially because a furnace typically lasts only between 15 to 20 years. HVAC systems and furnaces also need to be serviced regularly. Regular service and maintenance will ensure the longevity of the system and its components.

Getting work in the plumbing and HVAC industry requires a lot of physical experience after training under another professional. You may need an apprenticeship, and some companies may offer this as part of their package if you remain employed a few years after completing the apprenticeship.

3. Landscaping and Gardening Services

If you love gardening and know more than the basics, then you may flourish in a career to do with landscaping and gardening service. You don’t have to go to school to learn, instead, you can make money in this career shift by training online and through YouTube videos. You may even choose to do a short-term course in this industry to help you improve even more. All this training without setting off to school again.

4. Become a Nanny

If you love working with children and enjoy helping parents who need someone to care for their children while they’re at work or out on date night, becoming a nanny might be your career choice. You don’t need further studies for this other than a certification in CPR and first aid.

Sometimes, the path in our lives changes, and we must adapt to the new venture, which may include changing careers. The good news is that you don’t need to break the bank to make a career shift.

How Can Starting a Rental Business Help You Out of Debt?

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Being in debt is one of the most overwhelming things to deal with. When most people are in debt, they only focus on how to repay it and not borrow more money for other projects. However, did you know that you could start a rental business to get out of debt? Debt shouldn’t prevent you from pursuing a venture that can streamline your finances. Although it’s challenging, it’s possible. Here’s how to start a rental business to get out of debt.

Identify Your Rental Business Niche

There are many rental businesses you can get into. The most important question is how profitable it’s likely to be. Ask yourself if the business can help you eliminate debt. Research the demand for whatever product you want to sell. For instance, the business of restroom rentals is one to consider as the need for portable restrooms keeps increasing.

With that said, you have to conduct market research. Where are these portable restrooms needed? They’re needed at weddings, corporate events, concerts, marathons, and much more! How many would one event need? According to the Knot, people are required to rent one bathroom stall for every 25 wedding guests. That means a wedding with about 200 guests would need 6 to 8 bathroom stalls. How do you plan to charge? For any rental business you opt for, ensure there is a need for it and that you can make a profit to help get out of debt.

Explore Your Finances

Starting a business requires capital. Unfortunately, this is tricky because you’re already in debt. The good news is that, with a good business plan, you can find a bank or investor that will give you the loan you need. For instance, your idea might be starting a car rental business. This business faces a lot of biases which can be a stumbling block in your pursuit of a loan. According to Drive Knowledge, every year, there are about six million car accidents in the U.S. That is such a huge number because your assets are at risk. An investor will want to know how you plan to protect yourself from such risks. You can do that through insurance coverage and being careful about the people you rent cars to. Give the bank or investor some confidence that their money is safe to increase your chances of getting the loan.

Choose a Location for Your Business

It’s important to find a location with a growing population and strong economy. How can you expect to make money if you don’t have customers? Plus, getting out of debt is impossible if you aren’t making profits. Take the example of starting a rental property business. Such a business can lead to positive cash flow, but only if you have customers to rent out to.

Check whether there’s demand for rental properties in the area where you want to start this business. For instance, the population of Birmingham City in Alabama is 192,557. In such a place, you can expect demand to be low, considering that real estate usually performs well in large cities with a growing population. With that said, the population may be low, but if the supply of rental properties is also low and the demand is high, your business can thrive.

Have a Debt Repayment Strategy

You’ll be expecting the rental business to generate income. This income is what should help you get out of debt. Create a debt repayment plan and stick to it. What percentage of your income will go towards repaying and reducing the debt over time? It can be 10 or 30%. Choose a reasonable figure that allows you to meet the other needs of the business and pay the debt at the same time.

If well managed, a rental business could be the solution to eliminating debt. You can get a steady source of income that can help you get out of debt gradually.

4 Ways to Save Money On Extensive Oral Surgery

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Fitting oral health care into your budget is a necessity. Unfortunately, oral health care can be expensive, especially when you need major oral surgery. Of course, the best way to ensure you can fit oral health care into your budget is to focus on preventive health care. However, if you need extensive oral surgery, you may be able to save on the treatment by using these four tips.

1. Ask for A Discount

Sometimes, to protect your budget, you must step outside your comfort zone. It may seem unconventional to ask for a discount, but in many cases, it is the best way to find some savings. Negotiating costs is not typically associated with oral health care, but you can ask for a discount.

Many providers will offer a “cash” price for care. If you ask for the cash price, you may be surprised by how much you can save. Some providers will not reduce the cost but will provide added-value services to compensate for the costs.

2. Shop Around

You should shop around, Whether oral health services for yourself or a family member. The cost of dental care can vary greatly depending on the provider. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 20% of all children in the United States have untreated tooth decay.  This may be because they are uninsured and their parents cannot afford the treatment.

Shopping around for the best price can make oral health care more affordable. It is a lot easier to fit oral health care into your budget when you compare prices. The cost difference between providers can add up to thousands of dollars in savings.

3. Consider Dental Insurance

If you need extensive oral health care to get your teeth healthy, consider getting dental insurance. Dental insurance plans can help to offset a great deal of costs. Most plans cover 100% of preventive dental treatment and about 50% of other dental treatments. It is far better to pay 50% of treatment costs than to find a way to squeeze 100% of treatment costs out of your budget.

Dental insurance plans can vary in premium costs. You want to compare plans to ensure you get the best value. Check with your employer to see if they offer a dental insurance plan. If you have children, biological or adopted, it’s important to inquire about whether they can be on your insurance as well. Keep in mind, to adopt a child in Tennessee, you have to be at least 18, married for six months, and pass a home study by the Department of Social Services.

4. Keep Specialty Appointments Down To a Minimum

Any time you must see a specialist, it will cost more. General dentists can do a lot of the work that a specialist does. Make the job easier for your dentist by taking preventive steps at home. For example, according to the American Dental Association, if you crack a tooth, rinse your mouth with a saltwater rinse, and place a cold compress on your face to reduce swelling.

A good home oral hygiene program will make the job easier for your general dentist and help you to avoid those costly specialty appointments. If you need extensive work on your teeth, good oral hygiene will shorten your recovery period.

Oral health care can be more affordable than you think. You must work for the savings sometimes, asking around or doing some research to determine what resources are offered near you. Learn more about how to save money on oral health care and how to protect your budget. It’ll benefit you and your family in the long term!