Debt-Free Millionaire

Money, Marriage, Divorce, Children, Stress, Support, Love, Future - (W10:D2) Debt Free Millionaire

Simplified Explanation: Marriage is a culturally recognized union between two people, called spouses, that establishes rights and obligations between them, their children, and even extended family. This brings on the financial, emotional, and physical support of the other person. Some people do this differently but most times, finances stop becoming hers and mine, ownership becomes ours, and families are to work together to succeed in all areas of the family.
Divorce, on the other hand is the legal recognition of the union being dissolved. This is where the financial, emotional, and physical support of the couple is split. This also means that the added stress and finances of the couple is to affect both of them. 
Real Life: Marriage should be the happiest moment in a person’s life, that should - potentially - last until death, but sometimes feelings sour between the two parties. If things can be resolved they should but it takes two to find resolution. Sometimes strength is leaving (with abuse). Sometimes you don't have an option (being left for another person). One person's resolve isn't enough. Like with marriage, keeping a marriage together takes two.
Marriage: When you find the person you want to spend the rest of your life with, it normally results in spending as much time as possible getting to know each other, over an extended period of time. This is a time to get to know each other and date, experiencing another person through many different seasons of life. You and your loved one go on dates, attend each other’s activities, and become familiar with the person’s good, and not-so good, traits. This is a time of learning and growing together, before getting married. If you get married too quickly, you may not understand all the attributes of your spouse. If you wait too long, your potential spouse may fall out of love. It is the commitment that makes you strive to work through hard times, be each other’s shoulder to cry on, and the desire for each of you to become a better person in the relationship. When you are getting married, these are the things to consider:
Children – Most married couples who get married for the first time come into their marriage without children, but you should discuss whether or not you want children, how many and how soon you want them. Some couples have their children as soon as possible, so they can get them out of the house sooner; some wait a few years, while they get to know each other; and others wait until they are financially secure before having children, which normally ends up with older parents with younger kids. FYI, raising children is very tiring, how much more tiring would it be for older parents. Whenever you decide to have them, remember that they bring a great deal of expenses. Reports show that parents spend an average of $13,186 per year raising their child, though the median cost was only $6,000.
Finances – Make sure that you are both on the same page with finances, before you get married. Don’t marry someone that you can agree with financially. TD Ameritrade, a financial firm, found that 41% of divorced Gen Xers and 29% of Boomers say they ended their marriage due to disagreements about money. Make sure you are on the same page before marriage, so you don’t risk disagreeing later on. Ask these questions of your future spouse:
What are your goals and aspirations in life? How will you reach them?
Will we use a budget each month, to not just be intentional, but to be in agreement?
When you get your paycheck, do you save, as one of your first priorities or after paying your bills and yourself?
Will we use debt to buy things, or will we try to pay cash and stay out of debt?
(Observe this one, don’t ask it) Are you a frivolous spender and go on shopping sprees?
Do you conserve utilities around the house, or do you do things like leave the lights on?
Will we have children right away or when we are financially secure? Will you treat your children better than your parents treated you, spending more?
How many kids would you like? When do you plan to have them?
Do you plan to pay for their entire college career, partial, or make them work for it?
Should the kids go to public or private school, or homeschool?
How much debt do you have? How much savings do you have? 
Do your parents pay for any of your current bills? Would you accept money from them?
How much will we spend on our parents or relatives if they get sick?
Would you help your siblings or a relative if they needed to borrow money?
Have you ever declared bankruptcy? Would you ever declare bankruptcy, or work to pay off your debt?
What is your income right now, and what will it be in the future?
Will we merge our finances together after we get married? What are our financial goals?
How much can I spend before I need to consult you?
How much will we spend on fertility or adoption, if we can’t have kids? Remember, these prices increase too.
Do you prefer brand name goods or are you okay with generic?
How often will we go on vacation? How much will we spend, on average? 
How do you spend your money? Do you have “fun money” or an allowance? Would we?
Should we save for future vacations, reunions, and other events and only go when we have cash to pay for it?
Do you have an emergency fund? Are you saving for one?
Will you want to go back to school? How long are you thinking?
What are your career (or entrepreneurial) goals? How long will each step take?
Who will be in charge of investing for the future? Who will pick the stocks?
Does your company offer a 401(k) plan, and will they match your investment? 
Do you max out your retirement savings each year?
Will we invest in a house or spend that money on experiences?
Is charitable giving important to you, and how much would we spend?
If you had $1,000,000 and had to give it away, how would you spend it?
Would you seek financial counseling, if needed? Would we seek a marriage counseling, if needed?
And the most important one - who will be in charge of the budget and paying the bills?
Location – Where are you getting married? Where are you going to live? Where are you going to raise a family? Make sure you are on the same page. This is more than financials, but this will allow you to understand your partner even more and what they see in your future together. Make sure you are on the same page with most of your decisions. You don’t have to be on the same page with all of them, but make sure that you can agree - and that it is the same future you foresee, as well.
Divorce: Rarely does anyone “win” in this scenario. Instead, it causes more strife. And, though everything is split, the obligations may grow, especially if there are kids between the two parties. For example, when a couple dissolves their union, the person that makes more money may be obligated to pay for the livelihood of their ex-spouse. If there are kids, one of the parents will most likely need to pay money to the other spouse in support of the rearing of their children. Retirement, savings accounts, and all financials are split between the two people and a wealthy family becomes poorer, due to supporting two households. In addition, the emotional strife that it causes on both ex-spouses weighs on everyone, because, even though you are separated, if you share children, each parent is potentially to have 50% of the visitation rights, and coordination between the two parties may cause frustration and heartache. I know, because I was an unwilling participant in divorce (though, unlike most relationships that develop between two ex-spouses, we have a good relationship and often agree for both families to gather when it comes to the activities with the children). So, a good resolve can be the product of a divorce, but it is quite rare that cool heads result from a divorce. Normally, ex-spouses feel taken advantage of, angry and bitter, or feel the other is still controlling or trying to manipulate them. This is not my experience, but millions of others experience it.
Here are a few things to consider: 
Children – There are so many obligations to consider when you are considering getting divorced. If you thought your life was controlled by your ex-spouse, think of the courts now being behind them, to make sure you (or your ex-spouse) does what is best for the kids. Everything is now going to be in writing between you and your ex-spouse.Time spent with kids - When you are divorced, if everything is mutual, the best case scenario is that you see them close to 50 % of the time. The other 50% of the time you will be away from them. What days will you have your kids? What is your schedule? The worst case scenario is that you may “lose” your children, and only see them with visitation rights, and maybe even with someone you pay to watch your interaction with them. 
Finances - You will be paying for them more because, as a single parent who has to work, you may need daycare. You may need other financial help taking care of them, or you may need to pay your ex-spouse child support to support the kids. Kids get more expensive when you are divorced.
Transportation – How will you get the children to and from your ex-spouse? Will you pick them up at school or from their home? Will they drop them off? Logistics gets crazy. 
Holidays – You will likely get the kids for half of the holidays. The other half will be with their other parents. You will have Christmas without your children half the time.
College – Who will pay for their college? Will you pay 1/3, 1/2, or the entire thing?
Health Care – Who will put the kids on their insurance? How will you pay for emergencies, and they have a large medical bill? If you don’t agree on this, the court will.
Location – Normally your ex-spouse has no say in what you do with your life after divorce, unless you have kids. If you decide to get married to someone one state away, the kids are most likely not coming with you. You may have to find a local or someone who will move to you in order to stay near the kids. If you go on vacation, you will have to ask the other parent and make sure they know everywhere your child is. There is more control in your life afterwards, by your ex-spouse, than when you were married.
Residential Custodian – You may be their parent, but you may not be their custodian. There needs to be one address that the schools will use to register the kids. All of their mail should go to one address, as well, so they stay organized. Who is on the record as their custodian when it comes to all their activities? This is their residential custodian. This does vary between states. 
Other agreements – There are many other issues that come up, but when kids are involved, it is important to get these in writing because you will need to stick with them, and make sure your ex-spouse is okay with them, as well.
Finances – If you have kids, you may have to pay child support. Whether you give or get child support, the cost of raising kids increases, when they go between two households. It does not matter if you are the husband or wife, in this day and age. If your spouse was the stay-at-home spouse, can’t work, or is in a less lucrative career than you, you may have to pay alimony for their livelihood, so it is more equal, according to your established standard of living. This will be settled outside of court, by agreement of the Parties, or through mediation, or through the court, with the judge making the ultimate decision. Make sure you get a good attorney.
Location – If you don’t have kids, your ex-spouse has no say on where you live. If you do have kids, though, you may be stuck in one general location - if you want to see your kids on a regular basis (which you should want to do).
Relationships – If you believe you will find a better person than the one you already have, or even if you already had someone in mind, don’t be ignorant. Every new relationship has to start over at the beginning. You will need to spend a good amount of time getting to know this person, and them getting to know you, if you think you will overcome some of the issues you had in the previous marriage. The recommended amount of time is generally one year, so you can see that person in each season (think cold of winter, heat of summer, various holidays, etc.) Another good idea is to take a trip with that person, and see how well you travel together. Travel can reveal a lot about a person! If you already have someone in mind before divorce, know this, only 3-5% of these relationships end in marriage, and out of those marriages, 75% of second marriages end in divorce, as well.
 If you meet someone who does not live in the same town as you (or close by), you may want to move to be with that person. Without approval from your ex-spouse and the court, you won’t be able to take your kids with you.
Often, divorce is not the answer, but instead, it is just a band-aid - a quick fix. If you don’t figure out the actual cause of the divorce, it will happen again and again. Out of every first marriage, 40-50% fail; out of every second marriage, 60% fail; out of third marriages, 75% fail; and the statistics get worse each time you remarry. Again, divorce is rarely the answer. Marriages are more likely to succeed when both sides spend more quality time together, listen to each other, and work to understand the other person’s perspective. Honesty is key, too!
Marrying again: Hopefully, you learned some great lessons from the previous marriage. Statistically, these marriages are more likely to fail, but there are some things to do to make sure yours doesn’t. Here are a few suggestions:
Start from the beginning as if you were getting married for the first time. Get to know the person more than you have ever known another person. 
Merge your ways of living - Make sure your two separate ways of doing things can merge. If either of you have been divorced over a long period of time, it may be hard for one or both of you to be less independent, and allow the other person into your life. 
Spend time together – Don’t just spend all day together, but spend quality time together. Realize that, like the dating period of the previous marriage, you shouldn’t just spend every waking moment together, but if you hold back from getting married for at least a year, you can see your future spouse in all seasons of their life, and the year. People change during the winter, in their habits and behaviors. Make sure you know how they will react in as many situations as possible, before you get married. This does not have to be years, but enough time to really get to know them - and not just what they say. Sometimes these two things are deceiving.
Reality Check #1– This is one of the hardest pieces to stomach, but like your last marriage, the honeymoon stage will end at some point. There will be arguments, frustrations, and you may not want the other person around as much as you used to. Also remember that if there are kids, they will take up most of your time when they are around. You will have less time getting to know the other person than when you first got married and didn’t have kids.
Reality Check #2 – You were probably the cause of, or at least contributed to, your last divorce. As hard as it is to hear, “it takes two to Tango,” which means, things that you did in your last marriage were partially to blame for your divorce, be it small or large actions. The greatest thing you can do to make the next marriage work, is find out what that was, and correct it before the next marriage, so you don’t end up repeating it and setting this marriage up for failure. If you deny you had anything to do with the last marriage ending, you will most likely do it all over again.
Marriage is a wonderful thing that brings the greatest joys to life, but it is always hard, and takes a great deal of work. Do not just jump into marriage because “you think it’s a good thing;” or think you can just figure things out as they come; and please don’t get married because you need to in order to have intimate relationships with someone! Marriage is a sacred trust between you and your spouse and you should treat it that way - treating your spouse very special. So take the time to get to know as much as possible - about yourself and them - beforehand. 
Intimacy before marriage: If you bring intimacy in too early, your mind will be clouded from seeing the truth about your future spouse. Intimacy comes in many different ways, and the further you go, the more likely you are to get divorced. Intimacy includes all sexual relations between two partners. When you are getting to know a person, if you hold back from physical intimacy, you are more likely to see with a more leveled mind. If you are hoping to get married to this person, knowing how they are in private situations is not as important as getting to know who they are inside, if you hope your marriage is to last until death. Here are the facts according to the American Psychological Association:
Relationships that are not built on a majority of physical intimacy until they get to know the person first are more likely to succeed or fail before they get too deep, which is okay because you were able to see the person for who they are.
Those who wait for physical intimacy report significantly higher relationship satisfaction (20%), better communication patterns (12%), less consideration of divorce (22%), and better (physical intimacy) quality (15%)
Those that hold off on sex before marriage are the least likely to get divorced. 
The more “partners” you have before marriage, the more likely you are to get divorced.
Those who have side partners, while married, are more likely to get divorced, lose that other person, and get divorced a second or third time.
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Why Investing in Food Storage is Better than Traditional Investments (W10:D1) Debt-Free Millionaire

Simplified Explanation: Becoming debt free is when you do not owe anyone or any company money from a previous debt. You will still have monthly bills, but you do not owe anyone a recurring amount of money because of past choices or purchases.
Real Life: Getting out of debt is a huge weight off everyone’s shoulders. When you finally get away from debt, you never want to return. Typically, a person will do everything possible to keep themselves away from getting back into debt (aside from the most essential role of financing a home). But when you can get out of that debt, too, you will feel total relief.
Know this: this chapter is filled with suggestions that are based on experience.
Staying out of debt: After getting out of debt, you may feel the relief of not owing anyone financially, and the hope is, that you will feel the desire never to get back into debt. This may be the perfect time to consider ways to stay out of debt, such as cutting up your credit cards and moving to debit cards; buying cars with cash, instead of financing them; and saving for things you would like to buy (and be patient while you’re saving, too). You have worked so hard to either stay out of debt, or pay back your debt, that you have seen the wisdom of never getting back in.
Pandemic or Global Events – When COVID hit the world in 2020, two strategies were taken to stop the spread of the disease. One was to lock down every citizen and business for 3 months (or more), while they got it under control, so the hospital beds that were needed were not overrun. The second was to let everything go forward, and people lived their lives with masks and other protective means, while the virus spread to those who were not protected. In the end, both had the same results with the virus: people died. But the death rates were lower in South Korea and Sweden (who did not lock down) than those of the United States, United Kingdom, Italy, France, Poland, and many other European countries (per million citizens). Also, those who did not lock down continued to thrive in their economies. In the United States, individual states took two different directions with the lockdown. This almost went the way of the political line: blue states (Democrat-run states) continued to lock down. Their number of COVID cases and deaths rose and their economies crashed. The red states (Republican run states) opened up, even just slightly, and their numbers rose at the same amount, but their economies came back quickly. Then, the government, under Trump, first, and then Biden, came out and said, “we will save you by sending you $1,400, then $600, and then another $1,400 dollars.” The government locked the people down for a year in some states, not allowing them to work outside their home, and then gave them $3,400 total, and claimed they saved the people. The problem is, about one-third of people surveyed in the United States lost 10 to 25 percent of their income, not $3,400, while statistics show that a simple 4 months would have solved getting a handle on the pandemic numbers in the hospitals. In the United States, those states and people that thrived were those that locked down for 3-4 months, and then opened up again, such as Georgia, Florida, and Missouri (which is where I lived at the time). Many of the people who lived in the locked down states found themselves to be the answer, and moved out of states, such as New York and California.
Now, after the lockdowns have opened and the masks have gone away, for the most part, because of all the printed money that was injected into the economy, the United States and most of the globe is experiencing inflation. By July of 2022 the United States’ currency had inflated nearly 10%, meaning that you are paying 10% more for a loaf of bread or gallon of gas, on average.
Time to set up an emergency fund: After you have found your way out of debt, the next step is to build an emergency fund of 3-6 months. This is a safety net to prepare you for disasters that may come your way. Don’t be too quick to jump into investing, until you make sure your house is financially secure. This means building a food storage, and creating an emergency fund of 3-6 months to help you through any hard times that may come. For example, if a COVID lock down started up again and you lost your job for any reason, would you be prepared? Most people can’t survive past 3 months without outside assistance. You, on the other hand are prepared for things to come if you’ve followed these steps and have your emergency fund. Or, what if you got into a terrible accident and could not work for 6 months, while you recover? Your health insurance will take care of your medical expenses, for a while, and you will take care of the living expenses. Your car, on the other hand, may need to wait, or you may be able to stretch your emergency fund to take care of the replacement. If an accident is someone elses fault, their insurance should pay the bill. This emergency fund is 3-6 months’ worth of your expenses, in a normal month. Most people, when placed in a hard situation, will do extraordinary things to survive, including cutting their expenses in half sometimes. Knowing this, 3-6 months’ worth of expenses will get you through most of your standard emergencies.
How to you create food storage responsibly and quickly:You are constantly going to the store. Normally, you buy the same things each time you go. For those things that are made to store - such as cans, boxed and bottled items - and those that are made to freeze, buy two, each time you go to the grocery store. It may increase your food budget, but it will allow you to slowly increase your food storage until you have 3-6 months’ worth of food storage. If you set your food budget to a comfortable amount, and don’t use it all in a month, you can always use those funds to buy extra food for storage. 
When you feel like you have a good amount of food storage, make sure you keep track of it, so nothing goes bad. Most cans can last 2 years after their expiration date. Suggestion: If you have certain shelves to hold the cans for 2022 and then another shelf to hold cans for 2023, it is easier to track how old your cans are and by when you should eat them.  This is an easy way to track your food and cycle it though. Each year, at the end, you will go through all that previous year’s shelves and clear them out, eating those foods first. Make sure that you have recipes for all storage items you gather, and make sure you like those meals. This will allow you to buy foods you like and will eat in times of emergencies.
Now it is time to invest: After you are out of debt, have an emergency fund, and have started your food storage, it is now time to put your excess income into investing in your future. Make sure you educate yourself in every investment. 
Here are some articles to read: https://econofact.org/food-inflation-in-the-u-s-and-abroadhttps://riteeat.com/2024/01/24/the-case-for-food-storage/

Don't Just Stop at an Interview, Job Shadow Your Way into a Career - (W9:D3) Debt Free Millionaire

Shadowing - If there are only a few interviewees and the manager doesn’t have a lot of time to interview you, or has already interviewed you and wants to see you in action, they will ask if you would like to shadow them, to see how they work. Always accept the invitation. This is not as much for your benefit, but to see how you interact with other employees, to see if you are a good worker, and to see if the interviewer will like you after a hard day of work. Remember, the manager will be working harder than you during the day, with much more responsibility and they want to show that to you, so they will most likely pack the day with things to accomplish. This can also show that they are interested in you. You will need to bring your A-Game.
Before the Shadowing Appointment:
Work around their Schedule – Do everything possible to meet when it is convenient for them.
Know the Details - Before you show up, make sure you are clear on the details. 
Appropriate attire - Make sure to ask beforehand what clothes you should wear. Do not wear a suit if you are going to dig in the dirt. You can ask for an itinerary, so you know how to prepare.
While Shadowing:
Show up early - This is an interview in action, and they want to make sure you will not just show up, but be early - since it’s a better indicator of how you will work if employed.
No phones - Put your phone on silent and keep it out of your hands. If you pick up the phone while you are shadowing, you most likely will not get the job. Show them that the job and this opportunity is very important to you.
Your best self - Present your best self with your body, non-verbal language, and speech.
Be positive and interact nicely with everyone you encounter - while you are with the manager, and while he is away. Others are watching, and the manager will most likely ask for others’ insight on you.
Be prepared to stay later than they ask. Managers have a job to accomplish, and this may be longer than the normal workday. Offer to stay to help with things afterwards, until they leave for the day, if they are accepting of this. You don’t have to do this after you are hired, but you are showing them that you work hard.
Get out of your comfort zone and ask to help wherever you see a need. They want to make sure you are a good fit, and who could be a better fit than someone who takes initiative. 
Take plenty of Notes - Bring a notepad. Remember, the interviewer may have the position you ultimately want. Take notes on what they are doing, so you can work towards that position. 
Ask plenty of questions to show your interest, and that you are trying to understand everything.
Earn the Position - Remember that you are not entitled to this job. This is how you earn it.
Reflect on your Career Path – Prepare to answer more personal career questions, spontaneously, in this interview. Prepare an answer to why you chose this position or job posting. This is a less formal setting, so don’t act like you have all the answers. Be humble and willing to, instead of making up an answer, ask a question to clarify, or gain advice from the interviewer.
Be curious, yet discreet – Show your interest in the interviewer and the position. Watch them for reactions, and empathize where possible. Practice active listening. Also, don’t cut them off.
After Shadowing: 
Send them a thank you note – Like after any interview, send a personalized note, to stay at the top of their mind, and the list of potential employees.
Remember to follow up with an answer you promised, or a task they gave you.
Follow up a week later, about the job, by asking a question in a quick, easy-to-respond-to email.
After you have the job offer, if you still feel loyal to the company you work for and think that a promotion would satisfy your disengagement, then go to your current employer and explain the situation. Do not go empty handed (without another job offer) because if this meeting doesn’t go well, you want something ready and solid to fall back on. When speaking to your employer, tell them why you began looking, but tell them that you are loyal to the company, you like your co-workers and that you just need a change. Then, let them know you would like to stay, if they can make it viable to keep you. This then puts the ball in their court, giving them the chance to act; if they don’t want to, or can’t, you must then act on what is best for you. You gave them a chance, though. Remember, most employers do not want to lose someone that shows initiative, by bettering themselves with more education, or going out and experiencing job hunting for a better job.
Union Members - If you are working with a union, tell the union representative what you are doing. Your employer may not be allowed to promote you because of union rules, so asking for a promotion may not be a viable option. Unions are set so everyone is treated equally. Those who work harder cannot have an advantage, unless a different job becomes available - and you will still have to apply for that position. If there is not a job available, the employer is not allowed to offer you more money. This may be the best time to get out of this job and find one with an easier success ladder, where you can work harder to get ahead of the rest. 
If you take the time to become better educated or find a better position, let your current employer know and tell them you will stay if they offer you a better position. They know they would lose a lot by letting you go. They would then have to go through the interview process and potentially pay the new employee more, due to newer and higher salaries for that position. They know that they are in a hard position, because you will save them time and money and you are already educated for the current position. They want you to stay, if that will keep you engaged at work.
Read additional articles, including: https://careers.unl.edu/resources/job-shadowing-a-pathway-to-professional-insight-and-growth/ https://career-advising.ndsu.edu/resources/job-shadowing-preparation-and-tips/ https://hbculifestyle.com/job-shadowing-questions-for-hbcu-success/

How to Make or Break an Interview (Individual, Group, or Panel Interviews) - (W9:D2) Debt Free Millionaire Podcast

Interview Process: When you find the job you like and turn in your resume, the next step to the process is waiting to be called for an interview. They may ask you questions or ask you to submit writing samples before you are called in, but at some point, you will be called in to talk to the company owner or manager or conference call, as they vet the best candidates for the position. There are two ways they may hold the first interview:
Group Interview – This is the going trend right now, because it saves time and weeds out candidates quickly. This is where all the applicants meet together and talk to the manager, all at once. This is where you get to make a name for yourself, by asking and answering questions, speaking up, and being a leader while in the group. You don’t want to be influenced by group-think, but if you want to make a name for yourself in the group, you want to make sure you speak up in front of the group. This shows initiative, that you can be part of an effective team, and that you will go out of the way to understand. Don’t be intimidated in this process; everyone is human, and the interviewer just wants to make sure they get the best person. After it is over, remember to send them a thank you card, so you stay at the top of their mind.
Individual Interview – This would normally happen after the group interview, if there are a lot of potential employees. If there are only a few candidates, then the manager in charge will meet with everyone individually. They may want the best candidate, but they do not want to scare people away with a group interview, which may be intimidating. You will set up a time that works best for both parties and come to the office to meet with your potential boss. Interviews normally happen in a closed office or conference room, but some may happen in a more public area, such as a café. Be flexible and, if you really want this position, willing to step outside of your comfort zone. They will ask you questions, and you will be able to ask them questions. When being interviewed, try these tips:
Before the Interview:
Start by researching the company, and talking to your potential coworkers. Research not only the company you are interested in, but their industry, competitors, and recent news. Be prepared.
Practice possible answers to questions they may ask. Search our site for “Common Questions.”
Reread the job description beforehand. You want to present yourself as the person they need.
Find people to role play with. This allows you to practice answering the common questions.
Prepare your list of references. Do not give them just anyone, make sure they are relevant to the job and remember to ask each beforehand.
Bring a portfolio or list of examples of your work. You want them to see you are prepared.
Make a list of Smart Questions you can ask, that show you did your research. Search “Smart Questions,” on our site, for examples.
Prepare a response to “behavior-based” questions, such as when they ask you to share an experience where you displayed behaviors that the company prioritizes and wants from you.
Plan your interview attire the night before. Make sure you come with the right dress code. Search “Interview Attire.” Make sure your appearance is clean and without blemish, but also matches the company culture. Don’t overdo the attire.
Bring many copies of your resume, a notepad, and pen. Take notes to show your attentiveness. 
Stay calm, both before the interview and during it. Make sure your actions, answers, questions, and all interactions are intentional.
Practice, practice, practice - as much as possible - by yourself and with others.
Ask for an interview in the morning. Statistics show that interviewers are more positive early in the day.
During the Interview:
Arrive at the interview at least 10-15 minutes early. Be prepared to sit and wait until called.
Treat everyone you encounter with respect, from those you encounter in the parking lot to the assistant  that tells you to sit and wait for the interviewer.
Show confidence in your appearance, by watching your posture, the look of your clothing, and remembering to smile. You can practice  good posture beforehand, and remember good manners. Search “Body Language,” on our site.
Win the interviewer over with your confidence, authenticity, and positivity. Be genuine and truthful in your interaction. Everyone wants to be around people they like.
The first question is normally, “Tell me about yourself.” Practice a well thought out response.
Try to stay on the side of the interviewer. If they have a concern, make sure you have the same concern, and a way to resolve it.
When asked a question, use the STAR method in your response: Situation, Task, Action, and Result. Search our site for “STAR Method.” Basically, it means, give the situation, what your role was, what actions were taken, and what the results were.
Don’t blame others or speak negatively against a previous employee or employer. Be assertive and take responsibility. You can make sure you do not look “bad,” but don’t be petty in explaining a situation, by blaming others or speaking ill against those who aren’t there to respond. Always circle these situations back to how they were a positive influence in your development.
With every negative, give a resolution and how you overcame or learned from that situation. Take these questions back to skills and accomplishments you received. Be positive.
Anticipate your interviewer’s concerns or reservations. Answer and ask indirect questions, when appropriate, to find out what the interviewer is thinking (or assuming) about you.
Do not rant. Keep your answers as concise as possible. Focus on the most important issues. If you can, make the answers into conversations, so you can turn the questions back to the interviewer. They get bored of asking questions, and may want some interaction.
Clarify why you would be valuable for the company and reasons you want this position.
Don’t worry about your answers sounding practiced - everyone is nervous in an interview.
This is rare, but be prepared to respond to illegal or inappropriate questions. Sometimes, the interviewer isn’t thinking, or is overly curious. Search “Inappropriate Questions” on our site.
Close on a positive note. Make sure they have a good memory of you, so they cannot forget you.
After the interview:
Ask the interviewer what the next step is, or how many interviewees there are. Show your interest in the process, and sympathize with the pains they are taking to find the right candidate.
Send a personal letter to them thanking them for the opportunity, and mention something positive about the interview, so they can remember which candidate you were. This keeps you at the top of their minds.
Follow up with them about a week later, to: 1) stay at the top of their mind; and 2) show that you are still interested.
Last, but not least, don’t give up. Even if you don’t get a job offer, take this as a learning experience. Get back in and try again, with another similar position.
 
Read other articles about interviews at: https://www.thebalancemoney.com/top-job-interview-tips-for-college-students-2059837 https://www.newyorker.com/humor/daily-shouts/job-interview-questions-theyre-dying-to-ask-you https://www.theforage.com/blog/interview-questions/panel-interview https://www.flexjobs.com/blog/post/body-language-tips-video-interview/ https://www.michaelpage.ca/advice/career-advice/job-interview-tips/group-interviews-how-prepare-and-how-stand-out https://www.ach.edu/2014/09/how-to-stand-out-in-the-group-interview/

Are you Ready to Quit Your Job or Just Mix it up? Side-Gig? - (W9:D1) Debt Free Millionaire Podcast

Simplified Explanation: Statistics have shown that Millennials and those younger will change their jobs four times in the first decade of working; only 29% of them feel engaged at their workplace; and 50% are dissatisfied with their work (Gallup polls, 2021). Adults are prone to searching out new jobs if they don’t like their work or side gigs if they want more work to pay the bills. This is not to demonize the work that employees are doing but instead to note that they can become disengaged, and they want something new.
Real Life: Everyone in America is able to quit their job and move on to another position that they are qualified for. The job market is very fluid, but if you are not qualified for a certain job or you don’t have the talent or skills, you will need to be trained for it, or continue working where you are. If you are not educated and skilled in the right area to get the job of your dreams, then that is up to you to change. Remember, you want another job and someone else would be happy to fill your position. If you want to change jobs, try these thoughtful questions before making the dive into a new career. The truth is, if you are dissatisfied with the job you have, it may not be the job that is disengaging you; so try this method to see if a potential job change is right for you.
What is it about the old/current job that you do not like? Can you/how can you make it more engaging?
Are you qualified for another position in the same company, and would that be engaging?
Is it the work that dissatisfies or disengages you, or is it something else (like the company culture)?
Will you feel joy in the next position - working for that company or another company - or will they all be a drag for you, because you aren’t doing what you want?
What is it you want to do? Are you qualified and have the talent to accomplish that job?
Would you be more satisfied if you had a side gig to mix things up, or is it that you just don’t want to work?
Is it the money you are making, the lack of a cause in the company, or do you just want something new?
Again, will you be satisfied with something in the future, or will you always be unhappy?
After you have answered these questions, you will have a better understanding of what is inside of you and why you feel disengaged or dissatisfied with your current job. It may not be the job that dissatisfies you. After answering these questions honestly, if you still want a new job, try asking the following questions. Then take these actions to begin the search for a new position:
What would you love to do at work? Remember, if you make your hobby your work, you may become dissatisfied with your hobby, and the thing you used to escape from your stress is now the thing you need to escape from. All that or you may begin to enjoy what you do and you may very much enjoy your new job.
Are there positions out there that can satisfy the needs you have? Search the web for job boards that may fulfill the need(s) that you have inside.
Did you find one? If they are out there, the next thing you should do is go interview someone that is doing that same job right now. If you can find someone that is dissatisfied and someone that is satisfied with the job, you will get a more well-rounded point of view. You would hate to take another job and then immediately find you are disengaged there as well. Remember that every time you change jobs and then list that in your resume for the next position, your next employer will see that, especially if they check references by calling up your previous work. The more you jump around the more your next boss will wonder if you will do that to them. There is a certain amount of movement that won’t spook an employer, but just make sure you won’t be moving around forever. A company loses thousands on training most employees, and the U.S. Economy loses billions each year on lost production; so do your research beforehand. Remember that if you move up in the company, that is a great sign to your next employer of your potential. If you answer that you were dissatisfied with your last job, in an interview, that can be a sign that you will likely be dissatisfied in this new job or if you are honest and open, giving them reasons why you left, may give them insight on how to keep you engaged and solid in this new position.
What requirements will it take to fulfill this job, or even to get past the interview process against others that are equally (or even more) qualified for this position? Will others be more prepared and qualified for this position? What education do you need to have? What job training or experience do you need? Can you/should you get this training and education before applying for this type of job?
Are you willing to go back to school to get this job? Is there on-the-job training? Or does the company want a “blank slate,” to train their own way and so doesn’t want you to be trained too much by someone else? You may be able to entice the interviewer that you are not trained or educated for this job but that you are a “blank slate,” ready to be trained their way. Remember that the employer is human, like you, but is looking for the best fit for this position, out of all the applicants. Are you the best person to fill this need?
Now, after doing your research into the new position, do not quit your day job. You want to make a smooth transition from your previous job into a new job. You also do not know if you will find a new job right away. You may start interviewing with these other positions while still working at your day job. This also shows the new employer that they are not hiring someone that was fired or had issues finding work. If they know they have someone that is already wanted by another employer, then you are playing on their jealousy that they want this employee just as much, if not more, and will pay to entice you to come over. So, do not enter an interview with a sense of desperation. When looking for a job, try taking these steps first:
Look to see if there are jobs that will satisfy your needs and wants and see what they provide for salary and benefits. Do some research into the company culture and see if you are a good fit.
Talk to the employees that would be working with you. There is nothing wrong with you entering the interview knowing anything and everything about the company and their employees. You could even go as far as to invite one of the employees to go out to lunch with you so you can “pick their brain” (ask them every question imaginable so you can determine if it is a good fit before you join). Remember also that just like you want to research the job opportunity, the employer wants you to know as much as possible beforehand. No employer wants you to join their ranks just to leave it after being trained.
Find out what type of qualifications you will need to work there and take the time to take the classes and training necessary to obtain those qualifications. Remember that these classes won’t just help you in a future position but may help you in the position you are currently working. They could also line you up for a promotion in your current job, which may end up engaging you. Tell your current boss that you are taking new classes. Don’t tell them that you are looking into getting a new job. Employers love when their workers are getting more education because it will only help with their current position. They see this as an opportunity, and if they are wise, they will offer you a higher position or pay more to keep a well-educated employee working for them.
Before going too far with searching out a new job, ask your employer what it would take to get a promotion or higher position in the company. If there is no upward momentum or path you can take, this is a good sign to find new employment. If there is upward momentum, this may be just what you need to satisfy your needs and get you reengaged. Even when you get a job offer, go back to your employer and tell them that you received a job offer but because you are loyal, you would like to stay here (if you do want to stay) if there is a way they can match the job offer or give you a promotion with something that will satisfy you.
Remember that anyone can ask for a promotion, but the ones to receive them are those willing to work for it. Are you willing to work for it? If so, ask your manager what you need to do to be promoted. Take their recommendations to heart. If you take those classes needed, show more initiative, or do what is required to advance, then you deserve that promotion. If they don’t give it to you at that point, then you have every right (and almost an obligation) to leave for a better job. If you are educated and ready for the position that you want, it is time to write a rock-solid resume. A resume is a summary of your work history, education, and even certifications, publications, and organizations you belong to. Here are a few tips when writing a resume:
Resume, in general:
Keep it all to one page. If it becomes too long, the reviewer will not read it.
You can use a template to get started, but remember to personalize it to speak more to who you are.
Resumes are often read by computers these days; templates can help get past the bots. Any system these days that takes resumes normally has a program to sort through viable resumes.
Keep it simple and uniform. Make sure it looks the same throughout, with font and spacing.
While simple, you want it to stand out. Make it unique, in your own way, but be careful about being too unique and giving too much information.
Make your contact information prominent and put it at the top, so they don’t need to search.
Design it to be skimmable, hitting all the highlights, without lengthy sentences.
Seek guidance from a professional - the money you may spend will be worth it.
Use active language, like “accomplished,” “achieved,” and “earned.”
Choose standard margins and spacing in the format, so it doesn’t look too busy.
Objective:
This is not needed unless you are making a large jump between different career fields; some employers do like it as a summary, but most know what type of job you are looking for, so it’s not needed.
If you are to write one, make sure that you focus it on each specific position.
Don’t use “I” or “me.” Make the objective very short - 2 lines - and straight to the point.
Job History:
The first and most important tip is, don’t put everything on your resume - only relevant items.
Keep a master list of your jobs; they may not apply to this one job, but maybe it can be used on the next.
Write it in reverse chronological order, with the newest on top. Make it easier for your reviewer.
If you don’t have relevant work experience, that is okay. List your previous employment, but focus more space on your education and transferable skills, or go take the needed classes.
Make sure that under each previous employer you have only 3-5 bullet points, explaining what you did, and only report relevant information...Other articles to read or see these infographics: https://www.campuswell.com/how-start-side-gig/ https://www.yourgreenpal.com/blog/99-side-hustle-gigs-and-apps-to-make-money-during-covid-19 https://www.self.inc/info/side-hustle-statistics/

Why are Used Cars so Expensive and Rent Going Up? (W8:D5) Bonus: Debt Free Millionaire Podcast

Read this Article to Get More Information: Rents are rising faster than wages across the country, especially in these cities Wages for the typical U.S. worker have surged since the pandemic, but for many Americans those gains are being gobbled up by rising rent. Rents jumped 30.4% nationwide between 2019 and 2023, while wages during that same period rose 20.2%, according to a recent analysis from online real estate brokers Zillow and StreetEasy. The gap between wage growth and rent increases was widest in large cities, including Atlanta; Charlotte, North Carolina; and Miami, Phoenix and Tampa. Other cities where renters are feeling the pinch include Baltimore, Cincinnati, Las Vegas, New York and San Diego. Rent soared during the pandemic as demand rose due to Americans fleeing major urban centers and opting for more space away from neighbors in the suburbs and rural areas. Rent is still increasing, housing experts say, although now at a slower pace. Some metros including Austin, Texas, and Portland, Oregon, have seen rent decreases in the past year, according to the analysis, a stark contrast to more populated cities like New York, which "is heading in the opposite direction," said StreetEasy Senior Economist Kenny Lee. "New multifamily buildings coming online have eased competitive pressure in many markets, but in New York City construction just simply can't keep up with demand," Lee said in a statement. Read More at: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/rent-cost-us-2024-housing-national/ Image from: https://www.jchs.harvard.edu/blog/rents-have-soared-across-country-home-prices-grew-even-faster

Are Kids Expensive to Raise... Myth or Truth??? - (W8:D3) - Part 2 - Debt Free Millionaire Podcast

Simplified Explanation: Having children costs money. You have to feed them, cloth them, shelter them, and do most things for them, until they grow up, and become adults. These increase your expenses, and reduce the time you can/should work outside the home. Real Life: Children are the greatest blessing in your life - better than anything (other than your spouse)! They are the source of some of your greatest joys, and sometimes heartache. With this blessing comes more financial obligations. Parenting Financials 101: When you have a child, there are many obligations you will have, in order to care for the child. First off, your monthly expenses increase dramatically, due to buying diapers, formula, diapers, clothes, and many accessories, including diapers. Other items needed include pack-and-play, beds, strollers, car seats, toys, and much more. Also, parenting an infant and toddler is very exhausting, and will take a toll on your workload. You will need to spend more time with them, or pay for daycare, or even a live-in nanny, depending on how much you work. Recently, a growing percentage of couples wait until they are financially settled to have children. Sometimes, this moveable target makes a couple never start a family, because the goal is either never met, or always increased, because they do not feel ready. Just know that the longer you wait, the more exhausting your child will pay on you and the more exhausting they are the more you will end up exhausted. Children are exhausting no matter how old you are, but would you rather play on the ground and run after a toddler when you are in your 40s, or when you are younger and more energetic, in your 20s? Also, would you rather have your children out of your house by the time you hit 50, or not until you are in your 60-70s? The older you are when you start, the older you will be when they leave the nest. Either way you choose, just make sure that they are well taken care of, and remember that most things you spend money on, for your child, are reimbursed by the government through child tax credits of $4,000 per year. You will need to spend most nights waking in the middle and caring for the child. An infant needs to eat multiple times during the night, diapers need to be changed, and they will need comfort if they are scared or uncomfortable. As they get older, you are waking when they are scared or wet the bed. When they become teenagers, you stay up late until they get back from social gatherings, parties, and dates. Then when you are older and the kids move out, you find yourself waking up because of your own bowel movements. Get ready, as you get older, your life doesn’t become easier, even without children. Just know, having children while you are younger and more energetic is not a bad thing, but make sure that you can care for their needs - both with time and money. Read more articles: https://www.statista.com/chart/2633/raising-a-child-today-could-cost-a-quarter-of-a-million/ https://www.kidjunction.com/2023/03/15/10-advantages-of-having-children/ https://www.bellybelly.com.au/parenting/having-kids-young/ https://www.psychreg.org/mental-health-benefits-having-children/ https://freudianmommy.com/benefits-of-having-children/ https://lovinglifeathome.com/2023/09/04/science-proves-having-babies-good-for-you/ https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2017/01/13/cost-raising-child

Are Kids Expensive to Raise... Myth or Truth??? - (W8:D3) - Part 1 - Debt Free Millionaire Podcast

Simplified Explanation: Having children costs money. You have to feed them, cloth them, shelter them, and do most things for them, until they grow up, and become adults. These increase your expenses, and reduce the time you can/should work outside the home.
Real Life: Children are the greatest blessing in your life - better than anything (other than your spouse)! They are the source of some of your greatest joys, and sometimes heartache. With this blessing comes more financial obligations. 
Parenting Financials 101: When you have a child, there are many obligations you will have, in order to care for the child. First off, your monthly expenses increase dramatically, due to buying diapers, formula, diapers, clothes, and many accessories, including diapers. Other items needed include pack-and-play, beds, strollers, car seats, toys, and much more. Also, parenting an infant and toddler is very exhausting, and will take a toll on your workload. You will need to spend more time with them, or pay for daycare, or even a live-in nanny, depending on how much you work. 
Recently, a growing percentage of couples wait until they are financially settled to have children. Sometimes, this moveable target makes a couple never start a family, because the goal is either never met, or always increased, because they do not feel ready. Just know that the longer you wait, the more exhausting your child will pay on you and the more exhausting they are the more you will end up exhausted. Children are exhausting no matter how old you are, but would you rather play on the ground and run after a toddler when you are in your 40s, or when you are younger and more energetic, in your 20s? Also, would you rather have your children out of your house by the time you hit 50, or not until you are in your 60-70s? The older you are when you start, the older you will be when they leave the nest. Either way you choose, just make sure that they are well taken care of, and remember that most things you spend money on, for your child, are reimbursed by the government through child tax credits of $4,000 per year.
You will need to spend most nights waking in the middle and caring for the child. An infant needs to eat multiple times during the night, diapers need to be changed, and they will need comfort if they are scared or uncomfortable. As they get older, you are waking when they are scared or wet the bed. When they become teenagers, you stay up late until they get back from social gatherings, parties, and dates. Then when you are older and the kids move out, you find yourself waking up because of your own bowel movements. Get ready, as you get older, your life doesn’t become easier, even without children. 
Just know, having children while you are younger and more energetic is not a bad thing, but make sure that you can care for their needs - both with time and money.
 
Read more articles: https://www.statista.com/chart/2633/raising-a-child-today-could-cost-a-quarter-of-a-million/ https://www.kidjunction.com/2023/03/15/10-advantages-of-having-children/ https://www.bellybelly.com.au/parenting/having-kids-young/ https://www.psychreg.org/mental-health-benefits-having-children/ https://freudianmommy.com/benefits-of-having-children/ https://lovinglifeathome.com/2023/09/04/science-proves-having-babies-good-for-you/ https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2017/01/13/cost-raising-child