Author: Julie Meyers Pron

Cooking is a skill that anyone can pick up and learn in a variety of different ways. You can learn by watching others, checking out videos, or even from copying recipes in cookbooks. But to really stand out with your cooking is a completely different story! If you feel rather confident in your cooking skills and are interested in turning it into a job, then we’ve got a couple of tips to help you out. Here are some ways to make a living from your skills so that you can fully dedicate yourself to cooking as a career choice! Starting…

In the past, owning a car was a nice thing to be able to do, but it wasn’t essential. Today, for a lot of people, at least, things have definitely changed, and owning a car has become a must. Whether it’s because of living in a rural area, not being able to rely on public transport, working shifts, or just needing to have the freedom to come and go as you please, the fact is that more people need a car than not, which then leads to financial considerations because cars are not cheap to buy or to run. Luckily,…

When you’re self-employed, doing your own taxes is another way to make sure that the money out doesn’t outweigh the money coming in. While America has an income tax system that benefits investors and those who own real estate, the system also gives a shout out to freelancers if they learn to stretch deductions to their advantage. The two years that I worked solely on my book manuscript and photography were the first years I considered myself a freelancer, and having an accountant that knew which questions to ask me proved invaluable. Figuring out your self-employment tax isn’t rocket science,…

It’s important to be meticulous while finding the right person for you. Money is serious business, and choosing a financial advisor is an incredibly difficult decision to make, especially for someone who has very little grasp of all the dollars-and-cents lingo (that’s why you seek help, right?). As a writer, I work with words, not numbers, so when it comes to handling my money, I need someone else to take charge. But how do I find someone I can trust? Make a Plan for Life In general, a financial advisor or financial planner is a professional who can explain How…

Since leaving my job to freelance full time, I’ve worked remotely everywhere from beaches in Hawaii to coffee shops in Portland. And while being my own boss has been a challenge, it’s been an overwhelming positive experience as well. Here are 8 unexpectedly amazing things that happened after I traded my 9-to-5 for life as a location-independent entrepreneur (which was made all the more possible thanks to high-speed internet providers like Starlink internet). When I quit my job 16 months ago to start my social media marketing company and become a “digital nomad” (noun: a person who uses technology, and…

You could say that all types of travel are meaningful and worthwhile. But is that really true? In the age of cheap travel, it feels that we often end up visiting places just for the sake of it. And while it’s nice to take a random trip, the truth is that mass tourism does lead to some pretty unwelcome consequences, such as driving up local prices and causing environmental damage to the earth we love so much. Another way is possible. In this post, we’ll look at some ways travelers can have more meaningful experiences, ensuring they create lifelong memories…

The back-to-school transition can really throw kids’ sleep schedules out of whack. This article offers some great tips from a pediatric sleep expert and real parents on how to get bedtime routines back on track. The key is being consistent – set an appropriate bedtime and stick to it, using rewards or consequences as needed. Gradually move bedtime earlier in the weeks leading up to school, limit electronics and activities that disrupt sleep, and do a bedroom declutter. Make homework and unwind time happen earlier so kids are ready for sleep when bedtime hits. It may take some work, but…

We know quitting a job is never easy, but it is possible to do it with poise. These eight tips will save you from stepping on any toes and losing valuable networking connections. Everyone loves a good job-quitting story—the more dramatic and bridge-burning, the better. Think Tom Cruise and his “The goldfish are comin’ with me!” speech in Jerry Maguire, or, more recently, the JetBlue flight attendant who told off a rude passenger, grabbed two beers from the drink cart, and exited his plane via the inflatable emergency slide. Of course, quitting a job in such an epic manner isn’t in…

We are at work as much as we are at home; in some circumstances, we are at work more than home. With these long hours at the office, you’re bound to bond with co-workers. Co-workers are prime friendship material. They relate to your day-to-day. They understand the stresses and pressures of work. They see you in your victories and your losses. It’s nice to have a comrade—someone you enjoy going to work and seeing. But when do work friendships become too much? Consider these points: Would you be friends if one of you quit your job? It’s easy to get…

These eight degree-optional jobs with massive earning potential prove that you can make money without that four-year education. Nanny When you think about it, being responsible for a human being is a tough task, but for $180,000, most people would be more than willing to practically raise your kids. A recent New York Times article revealed that one super nanny, the cream of the NY crop, makes this salary, plus a Christmas bonus and a $3,000-a-month apartment allowance. Not too bad for a glorified babysitter, huh? Dog Walker Did you walk your family dog as one of your daily or weekly chores…