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A little knowledge goes a long way

Want to make serious bank post-grad? Major in these business disciplines…

Commerce makes the world go round, so if you are studying business with the intent of making a lot of money after school, you’re on the right track. However, there are many fields which fall under the broad umbrella of this academic discipline – below, we’ll go over some its more lucrative sectors. 

1) Marketing

This sector of business is one of the sexiest majors out there, as it deals with the art of persuasion. Marketing is a lucrative skill to have in today’s economy, as attention spans are shorter than they ever have been. 

With customers increasingly flocking to the web and Netflix, where commercials can be skipped with ease, the ability to seize a viewer’s interest has become a valuable commodity.

Depending on the role you target after graduation, the outlook is a positive one, as the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects between 10 to 20% growth in the number of openings for these positions over the next decade.

With average salaries (bonuses notwithstanding) ranging between $63,000 and $127,000 for those in the midst of the marketing careers, those who have a knack for capturing people’s attention stand to do well in this field.   

2) Accounting

Looking to get on a career track that’s rock solid in terms of its dependability and necessity to business? While it may not be the most exciting field, firms the world over will always have a need for accountants who know their way around a spreadsheet.

If math is your strong suit, this is the major for you – by using equations, you can help boost the profits of a start up, or find extra tax savings for a Fortune 500 company. 

Unlike more outgoing professions, many responsibilities in this profession can be handled from your desk – this means accounting is especially well-suited to those who are more introverted in nature.

With a predicted 11% growth rate in open positions over the next decade and an average annual wage of $68,000, this is a solid career option for detail-oriented individuals who seek a stable income.  

3) Sales

Like to live life on the edge? Gregarious and extroverted? If so, making sales your business major will not only suit your personality perfectly, you also stand to earn sacks of money over the course of your career.

Here’s why: marketers can only get customers and potential clients to pay attention – it’s up to salespeople to close the deal. Once your company has piqued their interest, it’s on you to break down exactly how your product or service will completely transform their life or the performance of their business.

Do this successfully frequently enough, and not only will you be rewarded with an attractive base salary, but many places will pay out commissions and performance bonuses. At the end of the year, this can add up to a hefty stack of cash.

Employment growth in this area is projected to be a bit more modest, with a 5% increase in openings over the next decade. Salaries range widely – some are quite low ($48,000 or lower), but this doesn’t take incentives into account. 

If you are selling complex scientific instruments or machinery to other businesses, you stand to earn much more – many positions pay close to, if not more than six figures as a base salary.

5 Great Health and Fitness Apps

Photo credit –  Unsplash

Need to improve the state of your health? As with most sectors of life, apps have been created to help optimize your standing. In this post, we’ll run down five apps that will improve all facets of your well-being.

1) MyFitnessPal

Know you need to lose weight, but don’t know where to start? Downloading MyFitnessPal is a good place to start, as this app allows you to keep track of a metric important to those seeking to shed weight: calories.

While many apps work well for approximating the caloric content of whole foods like grain, meats, fruit, and vegetables, they often fall short when it comes to evaluating the plethora of processed food brands out there, as well as different cuts of meat or types of bread.

Thanks to this app’s gigantic database, it has very few gaps when it comes to foods commonly found on store shelves across the country. As a result, you’ll be able to keep track of your nutrients, helping you to remain in an energy deficit if you are losing weight, or in a reasonable surplus if you are bulking.

2) Couch to 5K

The other part of losing weight is to boost your daily energy expenditure. Heading out your door for a morning jog is an easy and inexpensive way of accomplishing this goal, but without a plan, you might never make it off the couch.

This is where Couch to 5K comes in – it provides a user-friendly interface which encourages people to get off their duff and onto the sidewalk. It not only gives you a framework to which you can refer (warm up – run – cool down), it provides virtual encouragement via four different ‘trainers’.

Together with statistics which grants ongoing quantitative feedback, you’ll have all the motivation you need to eventually get yourself into good-enough shape to run a 5K race.  

3) Strava

Consider yourself a seasoned runner? Strava provides the tools you’ll need to take your game to the next level. A statistician’s dream come true, Strava tracks a whole host of metrics, from distance travelled to average speed.

This will allow you to keep track of your progress as time goes by, giving you the data you need to seek improvements that may give you the competitive edge you’ll need at an upcoming race. 

4) Sleep Cycle

Tired of not getting the sleep you need and deserve? There’s an app for that too, it seems. Sleep Cycle tracks the quality and duration of your beauty rest, noting the noises you make during the night. 

When it senses you are in a light sleep phase close to your chosen awakening time, it will nudge you out of it, as those roused from this state are far more refreshed than those forced out of a deeper sleep cycle.   

5) Calm

Has the hectic pace of your life begun to catch up with you? Help quiet your mind by downloading Calm on your phone. This handy program guides you through meditations and breathing exercises as it plays soothing music, putting your mind at ease as you wind down towards a peaceful sleep.

Top 5 cost-effective and fuel-efficient cars

Need wheels, but short on cash? Not only are there great financing options out there for those who are counting their nickels, buying certain vehicles will help you save money in a variety of ways. Below, we’ll talk about five cars that go easy on the wallet.

1) Toyota Corolla L

Of all the things working against you as a car owner, its rate of depreciation is one which doesn’t get enough attention when it comes to the overall cost of ownership. After all, why wouldn’t you consider this factor when it drastically affects how much you can sell your vehicle?

This is what makes the Toyota Corolla L such a great option, despite the fact there are cars with a cheaper sticker price out there. With a depreciation rate of only 43% over five years, this car can still be sold for more than $10,000 if it is kept in mint condition.

2) Nissan Versa Note

For all the strengths of the Toyota Corolla, its has a number of drawbacks, like its insurance expenses and appallingly average fuel economy. For a few thousand dollars more, the Nissan Versa Note offers a better deal on insurance, and you’ll head to the gas pumps less often than its competitor.

All things considered, those looking to spend the minimum on a car when it is all said and done will be happy with purchasing this fine economy car.     

3) Toyota Prius

A pioneer among electric cars, the Toyota Prius hybrid is an excellent choice for those not just looking for a fuel efficient car, but a cost efficient one as well.

With a MSRP around $25k, it may not be competitive compared with cheaper gas cars on price, but when you consider the fact it uses far less fuel, its insurance bill is one of the lowest in the industry, and that it only has a depreciation rate of 38% over a five year period, it comes out in front in the end.  

4) Honda Fit

Need a car that is affordable, efficient on fuel, and has plenty of space for passengers and cargo?  The Honda Fit may be the vehicle you’ve been looking for.

Priced at 17k, it is easy on the budget when it comes to car payments, its depreciation isn’t as bad as others in its class, and with an MPG rating of 33/40 (city/highway), you won’t be heading to the pumps as much as you would had you bought a crossover or an SUV.

While it may not have the space of those larger vehicles, it has a sizable trunk for all the outdoor gear you’ll use this summer plus everybody’s luggage, and the seats in the back are plenty large enough to keep your kids comfortable.

5) Honda Civic

Is a peppy car important to you, but fear spending too much on said vehicle? The Honda Civic is a great alternative in this case, as its sale price comes in just under 20k. You won’t be running down any Mustangs at red lights, but with a model that possesses a 2.0 liter engine that maxes out at 174 horsepower, you’ll be able to pass other cars with ease.  

Photo credit – Unsplash