Author: Erin

5 High-Paying Careers to Consider in 2022

If you’re considering making a career switch in 2022, you’re not alone. In fact, according to The Motley Fool, as many as 20% of Americans have changed careers since the beginning of the pandemic. But which careers are in demand in 2022 and are paying well? Here are a few careers to consider if you’re in the market for a job switch.

1. Web Designer

The first high-paying career on this list is one that can allow you to work from home and bring in an enviable income. As a web designer, you’ll help individuals and companies design websites to feature their brands. You can either study to get a degree in web design or take online classes to specialize in certain programming software. Every single day, more than 500 websites are built using WordPress while a mere 60 to 80 are built on platforms like Squarespace and Shopify. This means that you need to carefully choose the area that you specialize in as it can make you more marketable if you choose well.

2. Dentist or Orthodontist

People love having a bright and healthy smile, and this is the reason why you should choose a career either as a dentist or as an orthodontist, depending on where your interest lies. While dentists will focus on general oral health care, orthodontists specialize in treating oral health conditions that require surgery or similar input, such as prescribing braces. If you’ve always enjoyed helping people improve their self-esteem and don’t mind rolling up your sleeves to get this done, you may thrive as a dentist or orthodontist.

3. Personal Trainer

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of jobs in the fitness industry is anticipated to increase by over 23% over the next decade. Clearly, more people are becoming more invested in their personal health care and they see the importance of working with personal trainers. If you love the idea of helping others achieve their fitness goals and improve their lives, you should train to become a personal trainer.

4. Market Research Analyst

If you have an eye for predicting the next big thing, you can get paid handsomely to do it for a company. It’s important that you’re also good with graphs and charts as in this capacity, you will need to evaluate and analyze market conditions. This will enable you to help a company know what people will want, who exactly these people are, and the best price to offer it for. This can help a company keep track of its marketing finance and avoid making poor decisions as far as what to prioritize in order to drive sales and guarantee profits. If you’re detail-oriented, have strong analytical skills, are a good communicator, and are good at critical thinking, you could take an online course or enroll in a degree to find a spot in this industry.

5. Physiatrist

A physiatrist is a medical doctor who has undergone further training in the field of rehabilitation and physical medicine. They help come up with treatment for issues like musculoskeletal disorders, joint replacement, fibromyalgia, back pain, and even cardiac disorders. With their salary projected by the Economic Research Institute to be $332,072 in 2027, this is clearly one industry that you should get into if you have the capacity to do so. You will not only help people live more comfortably but you will also be paid handsomely for it.

If you want to get into a career that will offer you an advantage in terms of finance in 2022, look at the five options outlined above. You could make a change and live comfortably by making the right call at this point.

5 Ways to Save Money Around the Home

As we are constantly reminded, it’s best to be prepared for anything, especially as far as money is concerned. This means that, as a homeowner, you need to always be on the lookout for ways in which you can save money around your home. Here are five handy ways in which you can start doing so and have more to keep safe for a rainy day.

1. Cook More at Home

While it may be easier and more fun to eat out and order takeout, you will be surprised at how much money you can save by quitting this habit. Propose to cook more of your food at home. On top of helping you save a reasonable amount of money, doing this will also make it easier for you to start eating healthier meals. This is because you are in full control of what goes into your dishes, whereas restaurant menus rarely tell the whole story. Additionally, this could present an amazing opportunity for your family to bond more. Since, according to Houzz, 76% of homeowners cook five or more meals each week in their kitchen after it’s newly remodeled, you could plan a minor kitchen remodel to inspire you to cook more at home.

2. Plant a Garden

If you have the space in your yard, consider planting a garden. Doing this can enable you to save money on groceries and also eat more healthily. This is because you will also cut down on trips to the grocery store as a result of having access to fresh herbs and vegetables right in your garden. Saving money on buying greens from the store is just one of the benefits that you will enjoy when you plant a garden because you will also get some exercise and help make your environment a bit greener at the same time.

3. Do Cost-Effective Home Improvements

While home improvements are generally known to be avenues for spending your hard-earned cash, you could choose the ones that you have great returns on investment. Pick those that can make a big difference while not calling for a lot of expenditure on your part. Keep in mind that the home improvement projects that were in the most demand in 2021, according to Business Insider, cost less than $20,000. This means that if you take the time to plan your renovations and think them through, you can get a better-looking and more functional home without breaking the bank.

4. Up-Cycle and Re-Use

While the convenience of using disposable items is hard to discount, this is a habit that could potentially be costing you a lot of money. Keep this in mind as you look for things around your home that you can re-use and up-cycle. It may not seem like much up front, but over time, you will realize some great savings all while helping to keep the environment a bit greener.

5. Install New Windows

Finally, while this may cost you a bit more upfront, it will save you a lot of money over time for a long time to come. This is because new windows can lower energy bills, with the United States Environmental Protection Agency sharing that depending on where you live, you can save up to $501 each year. This can be achieved by replacing your old, single-pane windows with newer ones that are ENERGY STAR approved. Take time to shop for these windows and save up for the project, and you may find that it will be easy for you to get them.

With these five methods, you can start to make savings around your home. As these habits become second nature to you, it may be easy for you to find even more ways to save money.

Budgeting Your Backyard Event or Celebration

Have you ever wanted to entertain friends in your backyard but your wallet was not on the same page as you? This can get frustrating, especially if you are a person that loves hosting. Backyard events and celebrations are fun and a great way to bring people together. If you want to host one, you can do it on a budget and manage to entertain your close circle at the same time. Take a look at these budgeting tips for your backyard event.

 

Get All the Basics for a Backyard Celebration

 

If you are planning an outdoor event, buy the main items that can be used for all kinds of gatherings. For instance, a drink dispenser can be used to serve iced tea, lemonade, or infused water, and it is way cheaper than giving out cans or bottles. It is also more affordable to get all your event items from one place. For instance, if you will need a rental tent for the event, then it makes sense to also rent linens, chairs, and tables from the same company. You are more likely to get all these items at a discount than if you work with separate companies.

 

Do Some DIY

 

While you may want to hire someone to help with the decor and arrangements, you will save money in that department by DIYing. Roll craft paper along the length of your tables. It is cheap and has this rustic-chic appeal that will make the space more inviting. You can even go a step further and paint the guests’ initials instead of using place cards. Do not worry too much about perfection. The goal is for it to look handmade. You can also spread wrapping paper on the table so that it acts like a runner. That pop of pattern will make your arrangement look interesting.

 

Keep the Decor Simple

 

There is no point in going overboard with the decor, especially when trying to budget for all the items. As such, try to keep it simple and attractive. Start with flowers. Flowers will transform a space significantly, and everyone loves them. In fact, 99% of people admit that anyone who gives out flowers is thoughtful. That is because they encourage intimate connections and make people happy. Plus, they are affordable. You can also add some balloons and candles, especially if the party goes late. Simple decor can still make a statement and make your place attractive.

 

Keep the Guest List Short

 

While it may be tempting to go overboard with the invites, try and keep the guest list simple. This will save you a lot of money on food and drinks. Who are the closest people in your circle? Those are the people you should be inviting. Instead of trying to invite the whole neighborhood for a cookout, maybe try an intimate gathering such as a movie night or book club. If you want to have more people, then make it a potluck party where others can contribute as well. With everyone bringing in their food, you will not have to worry about feeding everyone.

 

Add Some Accessories to Make the Party More Intimate

 

Bright and colorful accessories add a celebratory mood to a party. Invest in colorful throw pillows, string outdoor lights, flameless candles, and assorted lanterns. You can also get some boho blankets and toss them over your chairs. These items will add some warmth to the party. For evening parties, a firepit is a must. Not only does it add warmth to a party, but it can be a centerpiece, bringing people together. You will need seasoned firewood as it has a 20% moisture content. This type of wood produces adequate light and gives less soot when burning. You and your guests can hang out around the fire and make smores as you enjoy conversations.

 

Planning for a backyard celebration on a budget does not have to be complicated. You can still hack it and end up with a fun and memorable event. Set a budget and be creative, and you will realize it is not as difficult.