Sahel Rafael Tamayo

Asking your employer for a salary raise can be a bit nerve-wracking. But, what you should keep in mind that there is really nothing wrong with asking for a raise that reflects your hard work. However, there are some best practices and approaches that will always give you better results than others. Even if your manager has data on the hard work you have been doing, you still have to present your case why you are deserving of a salary raise and you have to be ready to negotiate.

Prepare Yourself Before You Negotiate a Salary Raise

You must not ask for a raise on your salary without preparing for the negotiation. Regardless of how great your relationship with your employer, it expects you to prove that you deserve the salary you are asking and you will not favorably respond if it’s like you didn’t prepare.

Before opening the subject to your employer, you must know your worth and build your case. Look back to the periods of time and projects where you went beyond what was provided and expected for your company. Always use particular performance data if possible.

What Should You Say to Get a Salary Raise?

After you prepare your evidence for why a salary raise is what you deserve and choosing the best time to talk to your employer, it is crucial to think of what you will say during your conversation. You do not really need a strict script, but you should be specific and clear in your delivery and it will help you have some phrases up your sleeve to guide the conversation.

• Be Specific

Consider mentioning your preferred salary and outline how you came to this kind of conclusion. Bring your salary estimate. You must be clear when you like your new salary  to be effective and other details that are pertinent to your preferred compensation.

• Be Clear

A simple way to start a raise discussion is saying something like you are looking forward to growing and working with the company.

Ways to Negotiate a Salary Raise at Your Job

Though your employer understands the value you are adding to the company, it does not mean they will offer you a raise. You should prove your case like the way you prove your case to have a high starting salary. Below are some of the ways to negotiate a raise effectively:

• Be Persuasive and Firm When Stating Your Case

Persuasiveness and confidence are important to negotiate a raise.

• Choose Your Moment

You should pick the right time to negotiate for a salary raise if you are serious to get it. A good time to bring up the subject of a raise is when you know your employer is impressed with your performance or she/he is in a good mood.

• Leverage Internal Moves

Having a new role provides a good negotiation opportunity. If you’re considering a new job or promotion with your employer, don’t consider the argument that the hands of management are tied. Try to use market data when laying out what it’d cost the company to hire off the street. You’ll likely find resistance. However, you should be firm.

 

One of the common mistakes that investors make when it comes to the stock market is selling their favorite stock too soon. Based on studies, it shows that investors more likely sell stocks when it has profits and less likely to sell a stock when they got it at a loss.

Even if it might seem counterintuitive, it falls in line with the studies on how investors in the stock market make decisions. People are more likely to take small known profits instead of selling at a loss that confirms the mistake of the investor and closes the door on possible rebound.

There are some good reasons to sell at profit, but there is seldom a good reason for you to hold on to confirmed losing stock. A lot of investors have strong fear of turning paper loss to real loss. If you are wondering when to sell your favorite stock, others would counsel not to sell it. There are also some who will caution you that selling must be a deliberate process like buying.

Below are some of the things to consider when planning to sell your favorite stock:

• Stock Hits the Target Price

Lots of investors set a floor on the price of the stock. So, if it falls below a particular level, then sell. You may also set your preferred upper limit that triggers your sale.

• Fundamentals Start Failing

If the fundamentals of the company including cash flow, sales, and debt start showing signs of stress, it means that something has changed and it will affect the price of the stock negatively. Never wait for the market to panic on the decline in revenues or another crucial fundamental. You must be ready to unload the stock while you have a healthy profit.

• Eliminated or Cut Dividends

When businesses begin eliminating or cutting dividends, it’s time to consider selling the stock. The dividend cut of the company is serious and it shows financial problems that investors must pay attention to.

• Be Aware of Excessive Trading

While you often want to maximize your investment, never eat into your profits through running up a huge bill at your stockbroker in the commissions through frequent trading. Some smart trades will beat a mediocre one any day.

• Selling Strategies

Some selling strategies include thoughtful consideration of the events that are moving against your stock, which can cause the need to act.

If your stock becomes the focus of the media and gets attention, it might be time for you to look at taking profits. These attract inexperienced investors who bid up the prices to have the market collapse once hype dies. If you will not be careful, you may watch the price fall down easily right past your profits.

Make sure to look at some stocks that can give you a better opportunity with lesser risks than your holding. Just because you have good stock with nice profits, it does not mean you must not stop looking for better deals.

 

The trade war between China and US is an ongoing economic conflict. In 2018, US President Donald Trump started setting tariffs and some trade barriers on China with a goal to force it to make some changes to what US says unfair trade practices. Among such trade practices as well as their effects include the growing trade deficit, forced transfer of the American technology to China, and theft of intellectual property.

Since 1980s, Trump advocated tariffs to reduce US trade deficit as well as promote domestic manufacturing, which states that the country was being torn down by the trading partners. It results to imposing tariffs that became a huge plank of his campaign as a president. Even if other politicians and economists argue that the persistent trade deficit of US is problematic, a lot of economists argue that it isn’t a problem and some advocate tariffs as solution that cites historical evidence, which escalate tariff conflicts that result in no winners.

In the US, the trade war brought struggles for manufacturers and farmers and high prices for the consumers. In some countries, it has caused economic damage even if other countries have benefited from increased manufacturing just to fill every gap. It also led to the instability of the stock market. The governments of some countries like US and China have taken some steps in addressing the damage. The trade war was criticized globally. In the US, agricultural organizations and businesses have been critical. But, most farmers continue supporting Trump. In terms of the US politicians, the response is mixed.

What’s the Latest about the Trade Tensions in China?

In China, there’s a perception that US tries to control its rise. Still, the negotiations are ongoing. However, it is getting tougher as time passed. The 2 sides remain far apart on the issues like how to roll back the tariffs and enforce deals. The uncertainties are hurting businesses and weighing on the economy worldwide.

The tariffs policy of US President Trump aims to encourage the consumers to purchase American products through making the imported goods costlier. The US imposed the tariffs on more than $360 billion of Chinese goods. China has retaliated with the tariffs on more than $110 billion of the US products.

Washington delivered 3 rounds of tariffs in previous year and the fourth one was in September. The latest targeted Chinese imports from musical instruments to meat with a 15 percent duty. Beijing hits back with the tariffs that range from 5 percent to 25 percent on the US goods. In the latest tariff, it includes a 5 percent levy on the US crude oil, which is the first time fuel was targeted in the trade war.

Both sides have threatened that they will take more action with the new hikes and tariffs to the existing duties. The US plans to raise the existing 25 percent tariff on other Chinese products to 30 percent. Washington plans to deliver a wave of the new tariffs on the Chinese goods, which range from telephones to footwear.

If it happens, all of the Chinese goods that will be imported to the US are effectively subject to tariffs. Also, China plans to hit another 3000 American products with the tariffs before the year ends.

Fake it til you make it is the advice that most people tossed around. It sounds harmless but you can’t use it in your career always.

There are only situations where it is applicable and there are times that you should not fake it til you make it.

Fake It Til You Make It When It is a Matter of Confidence

In each professional role you are in, you will be tasked with the responsibilities that would push out of your comfort zone. For instance, you are asked to give training presentations to new hires, to speak up in front of the panel executives when you have ideas to lead weekly meetings with your employees.

While you might well know the ways to do such things in theory, you might not feel confident doing them. You might be familiar with the materials for presentations, for example, but do not love the idea of speaking in front of people.

Such are situations in which you have permission to fake it until you make it. You have the knowledge you need, so feigning a bit courage will not do you any harm. Having a brave face won’t just help you get through it, this will provide you genuine confidence the next time you are in this situation.

Do Not Fake It Until You Make It When It is a Matter of Knowledge

You will be given responsibilities that you do not know the ways to handle. In some situations in which you do not know how to do something, in terms of basic knowledge of a responsibility or task, feigning expertise will not help you. As a matter of fact, it will hurt you.

Having a confident face while you are doing an unfamiliar task will not give you the ability to complete the task. Somebody will catch the fact that you do not know what you are doing and call you out about it. You’ll just waste everybody’s time because of starting from scratch.

If your employees, co-workers find out that you are doing something wrong and pretending that you are knowledgeable how to do it, they will be less likely to trust you in the long run that would limit your chances to lead and advance in the team.

Mistake You Should be Aware of

Faking it until you make it works only once you have determined something that’s holding you back within yourself. Behaving like the one you want to be revolves around changing the way you think and you feel. If your motive is to prove your worth to some people, your efforts will not be successful.

Ways to Fake It the Right Way

Acting as if does not mean being inauthentic or phony. It is about changing the behavior first and trusting the feelings will follow. If motivation is in proper place, faking everything until you make it may make your goals a reality. Just ensure that you are interested in changing yourself on the inside and not just trying to change some people’s perceptions about you.

The key to reducing your spending is cutting back a bit in each area. Begin with making your life simple. Others fool themselves by not thinking about the total yearly costs of the things they spend their hard-earned money. Spending a hundred dollars for your cellphone service might not much in a monthly basis, but it is huge once you calculate it in a year.

If you want to spend less money, you have to consider the following tips:

Pay Using Cash Only

Retailers are aware of the statistics that prove that you’ll spend at least thirty percent more if you’re in a store with a debit card, checkbook or a credit card than you would with cash. Customers who carry cash is the last thing they like to see coming because they know how non-impulsive and cautious cash buyers are.

Stop Any Unnecessary Shopping

Window shopping, surfing online stores, and strolling through the mall without anything particular in mind can be a dangerous thing to do. It doesn’t mean that you must not buy anything. Your spending must be a planned act, buying services and goods you need, not impulsive spending.

Keep a Weekly and Daily Spending Record

If you see where your cash goes, you will surely regret it. Having a record for the money you have spent makes you think of your spending habits. This will give you proof of progress and challenges. In addition to that, keeping a weekly and daily spending record is the first step to establishing your budget monthly.

Keep your own spending record. Write down everything where your money goes. Every time you spend cash, use your credit card or debit card, take note of it in your spending record. Know your total spending and make your budget monthly based on what you have spent in a month.

Go to a Grocery Store with a List

Grocery shopping lists are your game plan. The industry of food spends billions just to weaken one’s resistance to spend a lot of money with compelling and packaging displays. Make your list based on the layout of your grocery store. Only purchase the items you need.

Try to Be Flexible with the Brands

Staying loyal to a particular brand will cost you lots of money in the end. If you are willing to go with what is on sale, the brand of the store or brand where you have a coupon, you will be able to save more money. Imagine how much you can save from considering a cheaper brand with the same quality as the expensive item.

Pay Bills Online

Paying bills online through an independent bill paying website or bank will save you lots of money and time. You will not need to pay postage and you will have an electronic record of banking activities.

Use Coupons

Consider using coupons for the items you would purchase if you did not have the coupon. Purchase the smallest qualifying size when you’re using a coupon. If you’re serious with slashing your grocery bills, always look for some great deals.

 

To purchase or not to purchase cryptocurrency – this is probably the number one question running through the mind of many investors right now. Many people tend to tiptoe around the thought investing in cryptocurrencies. But, with the uncertainties that surround them as far as legality and regulations are concerned, it is only understandable for them to be cautious.

Aside from putting your money in a loose space combined with the possible risks of losing your hard earned money if you become a prey of a ponzi scheme, there are three reasons to not purchase cryptocurrency.

Bitcoin is Tremendously Volatile

Through its history that has spanned for almost a decade, bitcoin has become susceptible to alarming crashes. For instance, back in 2013, the currency went as high up as more than $1,100 only to plummet to $700 after several months. It then bottomed out to around $200 during early 2015. Of course, there is simply no reason for it not to happen again.

Whilst investors may feel tempted by $2,000 bitcoin, they should be ready to kick themselves if ever it goes back down at $2,000 or much lower after a few months. It goes double for the rest of the alt-currencies, or those digital currencies people sometimes purchase as an alternative bitcoin investment.

Core Users of Bitcoin are Sadly Fringe Figures and Criminals

For many years, several stores have accepted bitcoin as payment together with credit cards and cash. But, in spite of the promises of some believers of bitcoin being a cash replacement one day, there is still no evidence that it will happen any time soon.

The truth is that bitcoin is rather slow as compared to debit or visa cards, not to mention the rising transaction fees. These days, you can pay the fee then wait for 10 minutes before the bitcoin transaction clears, or you can just swipe your credit card for instant payment and a cash reward.

Due to these limitations, the core use of bitcoin remains what it has been for the longest time – paying for extortion fees online or worse, for drugs.

Meanwhile, ordinary consumers don’t use this as a method of payment. It doesn’t mean that it is not a valuable investment. It’s just that in the actual world, it has lesser use than gold itself.

Bitcoin Exclusively Exists on Computers

It may sound a bit obvious but as a monetary form, bitcoin might still be the most vague stuff history has ever seen. Even securities or paper money can be presented to a company or central bank with the hopes that someone is going to redeem them. This might not be possible with bitcoin. Cryptocurrency is merely a piece of code online and you cannot ask any company or country to honor it.

Cryptocurrency may seem like an enticing investment but with all the uncertainties surrounding it, there is simple no reason for you to spend your money on it. When it comes to investments, it is always stick with the tested and proven to avoid disappointments and regrets in the end.