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Diversification is one of the most basic principles of smart investing. This not only includes the assets you invest in but also the markets where you invest. Beyond the stock market, smart investors often invest in areas like real estate and even fine art.

Although contemporary art has consistently outperformed even the S&P 500 since 1995, there hasn’t been a way for the average person to invest in art. Traditionally, this is a market that has been reserved for the ultra-rich — those with big budgets and loads of cash on hand.

But today, being super rich is no longer a barrier to investing in fine art. Masterworks is a company that allows the everyday investor to purchase shares in blue-chip artwork on any budget. What’s more, Masterworks does all of the difficult research and acquisition work, so you don’t have to do anything other than invest your money and wait for it to grow.

Finally Invest in Blue-Chip Artwork on Virtually Any Budget

Don’t have thousands of dollars lying around? No problem. Masterworks allows you to invest in multimillion-dollar paintings by purchasing fractional shares.

There’s no minimum investment required and shares start as low as $20, so virtually anyone can invest using this platform.

Here’s how it all works. Masterworks’ research team carefully explores markets and monitors pieces of art that are gaining the most momentum. Their acquisition team then purchases the most promising pieces. Masterworks then makes fractional shares of those pieces available to people just like you.

This is where you come in. First, sign up for Masterworks (you can now skip the waitlist). After telling Masterworks a little about yourself and your financial goals, the company will curate a portfolio of artwork that is tailored to you. Choose the pieces of art and number of fractional shares that you want.

Then, sit back and relax as Masterworks waits for the artwork to potentially increase in value. Once they sell a piece, you will get your share of the earnings. And get this — if you ever want to cash out early, you can look to sell your shares to other users on the secondary market.

Skip the Waitlist and Become a Fine Art Investor Today

Since 2018, Masterworks has acquired more than 130 assets valued at over $500 million, and has delivered an annualized appreciation rate of 15.3% (net of fees) between September 2019 and June 30, 2022.

Join a group of 500,000 registered members and sign up for Masterworks today. As we’re allowing you to skip the waitlist, you can join this exclusive community and start investing in fine art right away!

The post Here’s How You Can Get Into The Art Investing Game Without Being A Billionaire appeared first on Wall Street Insanity.

Filing a tax return can be a daunting experience filled with confusing forms and mountains of receipts. No one (except your CPA) would even dream of telling you it’s a fun process. However, there’s a silver lining. Being informed about possible deductions can make the process a more enjoyable one, as it can leave you paying less money to Uncle Sam. From job hunting to weight loss, there are plenty of activities that can be used to lessen the amount of cash owed to the IRS.

Watch the video above to learn how to cut back on your tax bill, leaving you with more money in your pocket.

The post 8 Things You Didn’t Know Were Tax Deductions appeared first on Wall Street Insanity.

It’s that time of year: tax return season! And when you get your tax refund check, there are 10 complicated emotions that run through your head. Like…

1. The desire to sing, “Hallelujah!”

Seinfeld/Hulu/ via giphy

You just got your tax refund check, but when you see it, you don’t just see a tax refund check. You see cash money. You see cash money that the government didn’t take from you. And that makes you feel like giving the bright blue sky a big “Hallelujah!” You want to praise the lord or Buddha or Yahweh or the universe or whoever! Because this year, you got #blessed and you didn’t owe the government more than you thought you did – you actually got some moolah back! What you’re feeling right now is that glorious holy-moly-me-oh-my hallelujah-style happiness.

2. Thankfulness.

You thought about doing your taxes yourself. You know, just winging it. But then you started looking at how hard it was to do that, you decided to consult with the experts. You got an accountant or you went in for help. And because you took that step, you are feeling a firm sense of thankfulness right now for the dude in the glasses and starched white shirt. Thank you to the tax experts, thank you for the money.

3. Pride.

Even if you’re a bleeding-heart liberal who loves to see her money going to a good cause, no one really likes the feeling of giving money to the big mean tax man. When it comes time to give your hard-earned money to the big guys in D.C., that whole “we’re all better off when we’re all better off” philosophy makes you feel a lot less better off. You worked hard for your money. Don’t you deserve all of it? At the same time, looking at your tax return, you feel a speck of pride. You’re an American, and you did your duty as an American: you reported your hours and worked within the system. And sometimes, that system rewards you – like right now.

4. Self-love.

Next up, you are feeling some self-love, and a whole lot of it. You think about how hard you worked this year, how many times you went into work when you didn’t feel like it, how many days you clocked in for the man. And now a little piece of that hard work is staring back at you at last, saying, love yourself! You earned this! Now go spoil yourself!

5. The burning desire to spend.

Fox/Simpsons/ via giphy

You know that your momma told you to save your money. The place where a tax return belongs is in your savings. Buuut then again… one of the best ways you can express that self-love you’re feeling is to go on a shopping spree. You never buy yourself what you really want. It’s always just what you need. So why not just blow it on something cool for once?

6. A creeping sense of responsibility.

You absolutely know what you should do with this tax refund check. You really should just leave it in the bank. Wasn’t there an option to just drop it in the bank, to not even see this piece of paper with an all-too-spendable amount of money on it? Now, though, you’ve got money in your hands. You’d like to be responsible with it. And then…

7. Shame.

Are you really thinking about spending this money? Now, you’re embarrassed of yourself. You know you should be putting this money away like the full-grown adult that you are. There should be no question here: you save the money. But then…

8. A grounded sense of acceptance.

Who are you kidding? You are totally going to spend this baby. It’s not enough money to bulk up your savings anyway, and you owe it to yourself to get a little something fun every once in a while.

9. Creativity.

But what will you spend it on? You can’t just blow a tax return on groceries or bills. That’s what your salary is for. This has got to be a special kind of something. Like a professional massage. Or a whole day at the spa. Or a tattoo…

10. Regret (but not really).

So, you spent your tax return check. You kinda spent the whole thing in one day. And while you thought about putting it in your savings a handful of times, you knew all along that you were going to spend it. You feel a glimmer of regret, for just a second. Wait, no. That’s not regret! What you’re feeling is the final emotion you feel after you’ve received your long-awaited and well-deserved tax return check: joy.

File your taxes for free with H&R Block More Zero this year and get your taxes won.

The post 10 Emotions You Feel When You Get a Tax Refund Check appeared first on Wall Street Insanity.

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Money problems are the root of all evil. When you’re single, it’s tough to make ends meet, with rent, bills, surprise expenses — all on one income! Once you get married, you think it’s going to be so much easier: another income, two people sharing rent, paying off the same bills, having each others’ backs in the event of a crisis. Not to burst your bubble, but there are some unexpected financial issues that arise in marriage. Here’s a heads up on what you should think about before you get married — or even after you’ve been married for years.

1. The Problem: Engagement Rings

Before you get married, an engagement ring seems like such a huge deal. And it is pretty important because it symbolizes your commitment. But too many people think an engagement ring should also symbolize what income bracket you’re in (or, more likely, you wish you were in). For the most part, no proposal is a surprise. If you’re in a serious relationship, you’ve probably (hopefully) talked about the future. Maybe you’ve even talked about what kind of engagement ring would be just right. Forbes states that the average price of an engagement ring is $5,000, but can expect to spend as little as $1,000.

How to Prevent It:

If that $5,000 price tag sounds a bit high to you, talk with your partner. Maybe you can buy an antique ring, or use a family heirloom, or just have matching wedding bands. It’s important to be on the same page of this issue since it’s the start of a major commitment. Don’t let an engagement ring break the bank — or your relationship.

2. The Problem: Weddings

So you’ve talked to your partner about engagement rings, and bought one that fits your budget and your style. Now it’s on to the wedding plans! Cost of Wedding puts the average wedding expense at just over $25,500. Pretty pricey for a few hours of fun! The site also says that most couples lately have been spending less than $10,000 on their weddings, which is a drastic difference.

How to Prevent It:

You can use Cost of Wedding to custom budget your wedding based on location, number of guests, location expenses, and more. Even if you haven’t started planning your wedding yet, this site is a great way to get a general idea of your budget and start talking about how you both want the day to be. If the wedding doesn’t seem as important as things to come in the future, like going on an adventurous honeymoon, buying a house, or building a nest egg, make that clear to your partner.

3. The Problem: Not Talking About Money

The crucial solution in the first two problems is talking to your partner. If you never talk about money, you’ll never get anywhere, and you might find yourself bitter and in the middle of a divorce. It’s fairly common for a spender and a saver to be married, so don’t feel like you’re already on the brink of divorce for that reason alone.

How to Prevent It:

It’s important to tell your partner how you feel about money, how you want to save, and what goals you’re saving for. Make sure you listen to your partner’s thoughts on these points, too. Once you open the lines of communication, you’ll be able to collaborate about how you want money to be saved and spent.

4. The Problem: Being Emotional About Money

When you work hard and save your money, and then your spouse wants to blow it all on a new car, you get emotional. It’s understandable, but it’s not the best way to handle money — even in something as emotional as a marriage.

How to Prevent It:

It sounds strange, but it’s best to approach money from a business standpoint. Don’t think of the money as your money and their money, it simply belongs to the business, and you are the executives trying to decide how to allocate these funds. If the emotional aspect is out of the equation, you’ll be able to talk with your partner logically about money, and eliminate a lot of fights.

5. The Problem: Merging Accounts Too Soon

There’s advice saying married people should share banks accounts, there’s advice saying married people should keep their own personal accounts, and there’s advice saying you should have a joint and separate account.

How to Prevent It:

You know what all of that conflicting advice is really telling you? Do what feels right to you. If you have a big savings account and your partner is a notorious shopper, don’t feel guilty about keeping your own account. This is something that will be sorted out in your open, level-headed conversations about money with your partner, but it’s also something you should both agree on, and both feel comfortable with.

6. The Problem: Not Having an Emergency Fund

A new study found that only 39% of Americans have $1,000 in their emergency fund. That sounds like a nice chunk of change to have just sitting in your bank account, but think about your life. What if you were in a car wreck — how much would all of those expenses set you back? If you’re a renter, you don’t have to worry about household issues, but if you’re a homeowner, almost anything that goes wrong in your house could cost at least $1,000.

How to Prevent It:

Not having money to pay off a major expense would put a huge strain on your marriage, so instead of putting yourself and your spouse in that situation, talk about a nest egg. How much would you like to have put away for an emergency? Set a goal and start saving towards it each month from your paychecks.

7. The Problem: Not Having Fun With Money

This might sound contrary to all of the advice so far, but while you’re thinking about a nest egg, think about putting some money away for fun. Too often, money is only thought about or talked about when it’s a problem. Money doesn’t always have to be a sore spot in your relationship.

How to Prevent It:

Talk with your partner about how you like to have fun together. Do you want to take a romantic vacation and get away from everything for a week? Or splurge and take the family to Disneyland? It doesn’t even have to be a big trip; what about putting aside enough money to go out to a fancy restaurant once a month? Set a goal and start saving for this fund as well.

8. The Problem: Not Being Honest About Money

Sometimes you might grab fast food for lunch, then feel bad about that minor expense and hide it from your spouse. Or go on a shopping spree where purchases kept piling up because you really wanted them. You might have student loans that you’re pretty sure you can pay off on your own, or debt from credit cards you maxed out in college. Once you’re married, issues like this aren’t just yours, they belong to both of you. Depending on how you file taxes, student loans and other debts could affect your tax refunds.

How to Prevent It:

Never think that your partner doesn’t need to know your spending habits and your debts. Remember, once the open lines of communication about money are open, you need to keep it that way. You’re married, so your partner knows you and should be understanding about any financial issues you bring to them. But if they’re not, think about what you can do to help, and maybe skip that spending spree next time.

9. The Problem: Filing Taxes Incorrectly

You might think you could filed married but separately to keep that debt info from affecting your spouse, but make sure you know all of the facts, first. Filing jointly prevents you from getting the maximum number of deductions, according to H&R Block.

How to Prevent It:

Look into what credits you get from filing jointly, and if you’re not sure of the best option, prepare the tax return both ways before you file it. See what benefits you get filing separately versus filing jointly, and then submit the return that gives you the most refund.

10. The Problem: Not Having a Will

You’re in love — you’re newlyweds, or you’re celebrating a major anniversary and the kids are at home with a babysitter. It doesn’t matter who you are — you need a will. If you die without a will, the state and courts decide what happens to your money and property.

How to Prevent It:

There is a certain hierarchy to this, so a spouse usually gets precedence, especially for joint assets, but you don’t want to take a chance. You and your partner need to have wills drawn up, and make sure you update them as life circumstances (like new children, new properties, and more) change.

The post 10 Financial Mistakes That Ruin A Marriage, And How To Prevent Them appeared first on Wall Street Insanity.

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You’ve submitted your return, paid your taxes, and even managed to get a refund from the IRS. While it may be tempting to embark on a shopping spree, using your cash more wisely can give you a financial boost. Here are 12 smart things to do with your tax refund.

1. Pay off debt.

It’s no secret that the quicker you pay off debt, the less interest you pay in the long run. Why not use your tax refund to overpay your credit card bill, student loan, or mortgage? Determine which debt carries the highest interest rate, and opt to tackle that one.

2. Start an emergency fund.

Everyone has expensive problems thrown their way at some point, whether it’s a broken water heater or a major car repair. Having cash on hand to deal with those expenses can be a lifesaver when the time comes. If you already have an emergency fund, consider using your tax refund to make it larger.

3. Boost your savings account.

Putting your tax refund into a savings account is a great option. This allows you to save your money for a rainy day while earning interest on your cash. Be sure to shop around for accounts that offer the best interest rates – you always want to make sure your money is working as hard as it can for you.

4. Purchase stocks.

Although stocks are a more risky investment, they also have the potential to provide great returns. If you choose this option, be sure to do your due diligence ahead of time. It can also be helpful to talk to a financial professional before taking the plunge.

5. Fund your retirement.

Putting money away for your retirement is a gift to your future self. Consider putting your tax refund towards a Roth or traditional IRA, so the cash can grow and expand through the years. You’ll thank yourself when you’re older.

6. Grow your child’s college fund.

College is expensive, and the cost is only growing. Investing in your child’s education can help lessen the burden when they turn 18. This is seen as a wise move, considering the majority of US students graduate with massive amounts of debt.

7. Make home improvements.

If you’ve been dreaming of updating your kitchen or renovating your bathroom, you may want to use your tax refund to pay for it – at least partially. Certain home improvements can also increase the value of your home, which is always a good thing.

8. Invest in your career.

Learning new skills related to your career can help better your chances of professional advancement. Classes at a local college or community center can be great investments if they provide you with useful credentials.

9. Get healthy.

Your health is your most important asset, so investing in it only makes sense. Joining a gym or enrolling in a fitness boot camp are both great ways to keep fit and lose weight. If you struggle with motivation, you may want to consider hiring a personal trainer to keep you on the right track.

10. Give your car some TLC.

If you’ve been putting off an oil change or a new set of tires, now is the time to give your car the love it needs. Routine maintenance is necessary to keep your vehicle running to the best of its ability, ensuring you’ll have a reliable ride for years to come.

11. Put it towards a down payment.

Saving for a house? Down payments and closing costs can be expensive, but your tax refund can get you closer to your goal of becoming a homeowner. If you have any money left over after the closing, you can always spend it on furnishing your house.

12. Buy something you need.

If your winter coat is falling apart at the seams or your refrigerator doesn’t seem to chill like it used to, don’t feel guilty about spending money to replace them. Just remember there’s a difference between investing in items you need and items you want.

These suggestions are great ways to ensure your tax refund gets put to good use. If temptation strikes, just remember that long-term investments are more rewarding than short-term splurges.

File your taxes for free with H&R Block More Zero this year and get your taxes won.

The post 12 Smart Things To Do With Your Tax Refund appeared first on Wall Street Insanity.

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Renting in NYC is ridiculously expensive. It is not uncommon for city dwellers to continue to live with roommates well past their twenties. Renting a room is cheaper than going it alone, and sometimes it can even boost your odds of avoiding paying a brokers fee, but only if you opt to live with someone who has already secured an apartment. In most cases people find roommates by networking within their social or work circles. But what happens when you opt to live with a complete stranger? Below are some tips to keep you safe and sane.

Background Check.

If you’re potentially going to live with a complete stranger, it’s best to do due diligence. Google them. Pull up their social media to get an idea of what they may be like. Use a background check website like BeenVerified if you have to. Also if possible, talk to their previous landlords or roommates to find out if they paid rent on time or had any other issues. Meet them in person, whether they’re coming to view the apartment or arrange to meet in a public place if you feel uncomfortable. If they can’t meet you in person, it’s a red flag that your potential roomie might be scamming you.

Lifestyle compatibility.

One you’ve established your new roomie isn’t an axe murderer, and pays their rent on time, you’ll want to assess their habits and lifestyle. Are they night owls or early risers? Do they have a significant other that will be visiting all the time? Do you have opposite schedules? Are they messy? You’ll want to figure this out before hand and adjust your expectations accordingly.

Figure out how you’re going to divide finances.

Splitting expenses 50/50 is the easiest solution and best way to avoid conflict. It is also important to be clear about who will be responsible for sending the payment to the appropriate party. Figure out who is the most responsible and task them with payment duties, or evenly divvy up the bills between the both of you. Try using apps like Venmo or Facebook Messenger for payments in-between one another. Payments tend to go through instantly where as a bank takes a few days. Venmo is key as you can pay with Debit and Credit as opposed to only debit.

Furniture & Decoration Decisions.

Assess the amount of furniture and what kind of furniture each of you will be bringing (if any). The last thing you want is two of everything or find out at the last minute that your furniture won’t fit. Does your new roomie have a flare for decorating or can build stuff? If so, utilize it. Will you need to get new furniture? Collaborate on what you envision your living space to look like. If you have styles that clash, compromise and figure out a way you both can get what you want.

Communicate Clearly.

A stranger isn’t going to be privy to your personality quirks, likes and dislikes, so if something is bothering you, just politely bring it to their attention. It’s important to be honest about what you expect from your roommate (and what they expect from you), especially in the beginning.

The post 5 Tips For Renting With Strangers In NYC appeared first on Wall Street Insanity.

Pixabay l Markgraf-Ave

Maybe your job doesn’t pay you enough to meet your monthly expenses, or maybe you just want to make more to be able to splurge a little, or start a savings account. Whatever your reasons, here are some things you can do beyond your 9-5 job to bring in a little extra money. The best thing is, they take less time than a second job, and you can dabble with different ones from the comfort of your couch.

1. Write.

Start a blog and monetize it, which means you’ll show ads on your posts and sidebars. You can build and launch your website easily for just $1.99 a month with iPage. Open yourself up to accept products for reviews. Once you get a good following, more companies will approach you for reviews, which often include payment along with the free trial product. You might also find that other bloggers will pay you to spotlight their content, or pay you a monthly fee to feature their links on your page. You can also write articles for various online sites. Check out contributors’ information on your favorite news sites and see what’s required and how much they pay.

2. Copyedit.

If you’re gifted with good grammar, advertise yourself as a copyeditor. Many sites and businesses need another pair of eyes to look over their press releases, articles, and ads before they put them out there.

3. Tutor.

Are you really good at a certain subject? Sign up at Tutor.com and get paid to help people online. Your computer has to meet certain specifications, and you have to take a placement test, but after that, you can keep your mind sharp and help others while you’re in your pjs.

4. Sell stock photos.

You don’t have to be an amazing photographer to sell your photos online — though of course it helps. The better and broader your portfolio, the more money you’ll make. But businesses need stock photos, and those snaps you have on your phone and hard drive might bring you in a bit extra each month. Check out sites like Shutterstock, Getty Images, and SmugMug.

5. Manage social media.

Let’s face it, everyone’s on social media these days: your friends, your families, and businesses ranging from local to worldwide. Sometimes these businesses don’t have enough staff to have a specific social media manager, so they freelance out those duties. If you’re great at writing catchy Facebook posts and have a large Twitter following, check out helping businesses with their social media — it’s fun and easy.

6. Get paid to tweet.

You don’t have to be a social media manager to make money on Twitter. Sponsored Tweets pays good money for you to promote a company or product to your large following.

7. Complete surveys.

Amazon’s Mechanical Turk service lets you log in to complete surveys and write short product descriptions for companies. The more work you complete, the more you can get paid. Sites like Swagbucks and MyPoints give you gift cards to take surveys.

8. Register for Fiverr.

Depending on what you offer to do, you might not make a ton of cash, but Fiverr is a fun site where you can offer to do silly things like make prank phone calls, create a theme song for someone, or even pretend to be someone’s significant other on Facebook! There are some serious gigs on there too, but every once in a while it’s refreshing to do something fun for money.

9. Sell your old clothes.

List clothes you don’t want anymore on eBay. Items sell best if you offer free shipping and leave them up for 30 days or offer a Buy It Now option, as opposed to the traditional auction-style bidding. If your clothes are in excellent condition, you can sell them via thredUP. The company pays for the cost of shipping so you just send your clothes in and they sell them for you. If you have pricey items, you get paid once they sell, but if your stuff is under $60, you get paid immediately.

10. Get money back for shopping.

When you shop online, use Drop and earn money for what you’d be buying normally. You also get a welcome bonus when you sign up. Use Shopkick for all the shopping trips you leave your house for, like grocery stores, drug stores, and mall shops. The app will scan the barcodes of your purchases and reward you with kicks, you’ll be able to redeem these kicks for free gift cards.

11. Participate in medical studies.

Ok, you have to leave the couch for this one, but it’s great if you have a flexible schedule, or find a study that can accommodate you outside of your work hours. Some studies look for specific genders, race, or health conditions, but overall if you’re healthy, you’ll find something you can do. You might even find a study that will help you out, like one focusing on antidepressants you need, but your insurance doesn’t cover. You can also donate blood to help out local hospitals. Check out your state requirements and see what condition you need to be in to donate — some states have policies about recent tattoos and piercings.

The post 11 Ways To Make Money Beyond Your 9-5 appeared first on Wall Street Insanity.

Fox Business

This Article was written by FOX Business Network’s Ashley Webster. Ashley Webster joined FOX Business Network (FBN) in September 2007 as the Overseas Markets Editor.

So what happens if the British decide to snub their collective noses at Brussels and say “adios” to the European Union?

By some accounts it will be a disaster for Britain, isolating the European island from the economic might of the EU and putting itself at a distinct economic disadvantage.

Others say that’s all rubbish and the UK will be better off to make its own trade deals while free from the bureaucratic meddling of EU lawmakers.

Either way, the June 23rd vote could have an economic impact in the United States and here’s why?

1. A vote by Britain to leave the EU could create a shockwave in Global markets. Volatility and uncertainty are not good for financial stability and we could see the major markets take a hit, which in turn will hurt your 401-K and other investments. The dust will eventually settle and the best advice is to sit tight and let the markets even out but there’s no doubt it will be a little bumpy for investors.

The fear is that a UK exit could further weaken the European Union as a whole and heighten the risk of a complete collapse. The EU calls this nonsense but the common marketplace has struggled to prop up EU economies that can’t generate economic growth, in particular Greece, and a British departure could create havoc in weaker EU economies.

2. A Brexit will also hurt trade and investment between the UK and America. Trade will continue but trade agreements will have to be rewritten to establish new tariffs and regulations. This won’t happen overnight and could take some time to sort out.

The European Commission says American companies export close to $500 billion worth of goods and services to the European Union, that’s three times higher than US investment in Asia.

Supporters of Brexit say the ability to strike new trade deals is a positive but for US companies it could present a new headache even though it is likely that the two countries will maintain the “special relationship.”

3. Another impact from Britain dumping the EU is the effect on currencies. If the “out” vote wins you will see a drop in the euro and sterling. That means investors will pile into the U.S. dollar as a safe heaven and that will give considerable strength to the greenback which is not great for US companies. A strong dollar would make U.S. exports even more expensive and put US companies at a disadvantage.

Multi-national American companies have already struggled with a strong dollar as recent earnings reports have shown but in times of instability everyone wants the safety of the US dollar and in the vent of Brexit, we pay the price.

4. The timing of the EU referendum also comes at a difficult time for the world economy.

The International Monetary Fund and the U.S. Federal Reserve Board both see Brexit as a big threat to a global economy that’s already struggling to generate any growth.

The UK has been one of the few bright spots following the financial crisis and some analysts say the British economy will see a slowdown in growth equaling 2.2 percent of GDP if voters decide to get out of Europe.

That could have a knock-on effect here in the U.S. meaning investors could see equity prices drop as American companies look to mainland Europe for better opportunities.

5. Another concern for the United States deals is the issue of security and how Brexit could alter the defense landscape in Europe which in turn could have economic implications.

The UK has long been America’s key ally and often a broker for the US in Europe and NATO.

If the UK bows out of the European Union, how much can the US rely on Europe’s commitment to a strong and coordinated defense?

The United States has increasingly put pressure on European nations to play a more active role and take on more responsibilities to keep the continent safe. Even the mention of Brexit has Baltic States feeling nervous as they look over their shoulder at Russia and President Putin’s ambitions.

The post 5 Things To Watch Out For During The Brexit Vote That Will Affect Your Wallet appeared first on Wall Street Insanity.

Image via Flickr/Jamie

There are several standard dream jobs that just about everyone covets — we’ve all had the urge to become an astronaut, a photographer, an actor and a marine biologist at one time in our lives (admit it). But what about jumping on mattresses or rappelling off wind turbines? If you’re thirsty for a new fantasy job, wet your whistle with these 14 obscure dream careers.

1. Panda Nanny

Image via stocksnap.io

Sadly, this position isn’t available at the moment, but for a few brief months earlier this year, panda-loving hopefuls had a chance to apply for a job as a panda cub caretaker at the Giant Panda Protection and Research Center in China’s Sichuan province. According to China Daily, the job pays 200,000 yuan (the equivalent of about $32,000) a year; panda nannies are also provided with free meals, free housing and an SUV for their personal use. Normally, this job would be done by volunteers, says Fast Company, but the center wanted to increase global awareness of panda conservation.

“Your work has only one mission: spending 365 days with the pandas and sharing in their joys and sorrows,” said organizers of the campaign.

So what’s necessary to be a panda cub caretaker? You have to be at least 22 years old, have good writing skills, the ability to take pictures and “some basic knowledge of pandas.”

2. Feng Shui Consultant

Image via Pixabay

Feng Shui, otherwise known as the ancient Chinese art of focusing the flow of energy in a space to promote health and wellness, can be practiced just about anywhere. Feng Shui consultants work with color, lighting and organization, according to About.com, and apparently can be self-taught, although formal certification does exist. If you dream of getting paid to reorganize other people’s personal space, Feng Shui is calling your name.

3. Tropical Island Caretaker

Image via stocksnap.io

In 2009, British man Ben Southall made thousands of people worldwide nearly drop dead with envy when he was declared the temporary caretaker of Great Barrier Reef Island. Southall won the six-month job — created to promote tourism in Queensland — over almost 35,000 applicants. His responsibilities included swimming, snorkeling, relaxing and blogging.

4. Waterslide Tester

Image via Flickr/Jamie

Last year, British university student Seb Smith landed a six-month job as a waterslide tester for SplashWorld Resorts. Owned by vacation brand First Choice, SplashWorld resorts and their accompanying water parks are situated all around the world, according to ABC News; Smith got to fly to places like Majorca and Turkey to test slides and flumes for things like “biggest splash” and “adrenaline factor.”

5. Fake Facebook Maker

Image via Pixabay

This one really depends on what your definition of “dream job” is; however, if all you want in life is to work from home, be bothered by no one and make money doing something incredibly easy, then fake Facebooking might just be your dream job. According to About’s job searching section, some companies are willing to pay for extra likes on Facebook, or, if you’re willing to be creepy, individuals sometimes pay for fake girlfriends and boyfriends.

6. Drone Photographer

Image via Pixabay

Due to the increasing availability and advanced technology of microdrones, photographers can now get amazing aerial shots while keeping their feet firmly on the ground. Models like this little Phantom 2 Vision copter even have a built-in camera of their own, allowing photographers to be a combination of pilot and artist.

7. Mattress Jumper

Image via Flickr/kaitlin.molchen

Professional mattress jumper Reuben Reyoso says that jumping on mattresses is not a game, according to SFGate; he doesn’t jump on mattresses in order to test their bounciness, but rather to compress the 28 layers of cotton batting that go into a handmade mattress at the McRoskey mattress factory. However, this doesn’t mean there aren’t thousands of people out there who would kill to get paid for jumping on mattresses every day.

8. Chocolate Taster

Image via stocksnap.io

Many of the coolest jobs are surprisingly hard to get; chocolate tasting is one of them. Becoming a chocolatier and/or chocolate taster often requires a degree in chemistry or food science; it also requires a lot of working with chocolate and eating chocolate, which sounds pretty awesome.

9. Professional Lounger

Image via Pixabay

According to Bustle, professional loungers get paid to test furniture, sometimes testing up to 200 pieces in a day. Aside from the part where you have to get up and moving from couch to couch and chair to chair, this sounds like the perfect job for everyone’s inner couch potato.

10. Glassblower

Image via Flickr/jenny downing

Let’s be honest: Even if all they’re doing is making lamps and decorative figurines, glassblowers get to use blowpipes to shape blobs of molten glass, and that’s insanely cool. Plus, glassblowers in the big leagues get to make amazing things like stained glass and octopus figurines.

11. Wind Turbine Technician

Image via Pixabay

Wind turbine technicians often attend two-year technical schools, followed by 12 months of on-the-job training provided by employers, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. After this, they get to climb wind turbines for inspection and repairs; oftentimes, they must rappel down to whatever part of the turbine blade needs servicing, making this a dream job for outdoorsmen and climbers.

12. Apiarist

Image via Flickr/Nicolás Boullosa

Apiarists, also known as beekeepers, get to wear creepy white suits and hats with veils. They also get to maintain hives, recapture swarms of bees, grow special plants for the bees to feed on and open up beehives to harvest honey. Plus, they get to charge exorbitant prices for honey afterward.

13. Greensman

Image via Pexels

This movie industry job may have a name that sounds like it belongs on a golf course, but, says the Huffington Post, a greensman is actually in charge of all plant material on a film set. Huge gardens, alien planets, tropical jungles… as a greensman, you can embrace your inner gardener and go wild with plants.

14. Parabolic Expert

Image via Pixabay

Parabolic experts train people in how to handle a microgravity environment — basically, they get to be astronauts without going to space. In a profile of parabolic expert Tim Bailey, Wired describes his work environment: An aircraft that goes up and down at steep angles to create a weightless environment. Like in space!

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Image via Shutterstock

Road trips are fun, and train trips are becoming more popular and adding more stops, but both of those methods of travel take a long time. Flying is still the best way to get from place to far-away-place the quickest. Unfortunately, airlines know this, so flying is not only the easiest way to travel, it’s also the most expensive. However, if you know how to work for a deal, they can be found. Here are some little cheats that can help you find a good deal booking airfare.

1. Book online.

This sounds pretty obvious, right? Well, there used to be a time when the best deal could often be found by calling the airlines directly and booking your flight over the phone. Now it’s best to book online, where you can do more research by checking multiple airlines, and checking them more often.

2. Use comparison sites.

Use travel sites to show you airfares for the same trip across multiple airlines to make your time online more productive. Sites like Kayak, CheapOair, CheapTickets, Skyscanner, Hipmunk, and more will search a variety of airports, days, and layovers to find you the best deal to get you to your destination.

3. Clear browser cookies.

Since you’re booking online, checking a lot of sites at different times, you need to clear your browser cookies. If you don’t, airlines and travel sites can see that you’ve visited their site before, which to them means you really want to go on this trip, regardless of what deal you can find. When you clear your cookies, the site doesn’t know you’ve been there before, so they’ll show you the same deals they show other new customers. Clearing your browser’s cookies is quick and easy, and ensures you’ll get a fair deal every time.

4. Book early.

If you know about your travel plans in advance, try to book airfare as soon as possible. The best deals are usually found about six weeks before you intend to fly.

5. Buy on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Airlines often release new flights and seats on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, so it’s a great time to look and see what kind of deal you can score early.

6. Be flexible.

If you’re traveling for vacation, try to be flexible about what days you travel. Have your vacation dates in mind, but search for a few days before and after both your departure and arrival dates. This will give you more flight options, and you might find a better deal on a different day.

7. Fly on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays.

These days are the “off” days for the airlines. Most business people will fly from Monday to Friday, and people will leave for weekend trips on Thursdays and Fridays. If you can plan your travel either midweek or on the weekends, you’re going to get a great deal because airlines are trying to fill up these flights.

8. Fly off-peak hours.

While you’re searching for tickets on those off-days, also consider what time you’re flying. No one wants to get up and go through airport security before the sun is up, and most people want to get to their destination before it’s late. If you’re able, find an early morning flight (between five and seven) or leave after eight at night. Airfare on these flights will be cheaper, again to ensure that the flight is full.

9. Buy one-way tickets.

Sometimes one-way tickets are cheaper than round-trip tickets. Consider buying a one-way flight to your destination, and another to get back home. This way you can buy the cheapest ticket from different airlines. If you’re flexible, you could even buy a one-way ticket there, then wait and purchase another one-way ticket while you’re still on vacation to get back home. You might find a great last-minute deal if the airline is trying to fill a flight.

10. Buy round-trip, even if you’re just going one-way.

Yes, this is the total opposite of the last tip, but it can work! If you’re going to a place and then driving back, or moving, or staying for a long while, then buying a round-trip ticket could be to your advantage. Sometimes airlines will gouge people flying one-way because the airline is not going to get the return flight money. It might be cheaper to buy round-trip even if you just don’t use the ticket back. Basically, don’t think you have to buy a one-way ticket if you’re going one way, or a round-trip to come and go. Keep an open mind, check all of your options, and see what you can find.

11. Sign up for email newsletters.

Many airlines and comparison sites want you to sign up for their newsletters, and you should! If you’re worried about spam, create a special email address for travel deals, or flag all of the travel sites so they automatically go to a certain folder in your email that you can check when you’re ready to travel. These newsletters have great deals for flights, and might offer a special vacation package that you can book if you don’t have a destination in mind. The emails might also qualify you as a “member” with certain sites, so you get a discount when you book travel through that particular site.

12. Use the cancellation policy.

You’ll have to read the fine print to get this deal, but some airlines offer a 24-hour cancellation policy. Book the best deal you can find, but then check the airline’s site for the next 24 hours. If the ticket price falls, cancel what you bought and buy the cheaper fare. Some airlines also refund the price difference if the tickets get cheaper after you book yours. It’s worth reading the user agreement to take advantage of this option.

13. Fly anywhere.

If you’re traveling just to use your vacation time and get away from it all, search random destinations. See what tickets are cheapest, and go there! Of course you’ll need to do a little research to make sure you aren’t stuck in a boring place for a while, but it’ll be an adventure to go someplace new, and it’ll save you a lot of money if you just pick the cheapest tickets.

14. Travel off-season.

Don’t go to any of the Disney parks in summer, and don’t go to Australia for Christmas. Every place has an off-season when tourists aren’t packed in, so do a little research on your chosen destination and find out when this is. Traveling in the off-season doesn’t only mean your airfare will be cheaper so the airlines can fill the flights, it also means your destination will be less crowded and more relaxing once you get there.

15. Check nearby airports.

It’s so easy to leave from your local airport, but it might be worth a two- or three-hour drive to fly out of a neighboring city. Different airports offer different destinations, and a more popular airport might have cheaper flights than the one in your city. A lot of comparison sites will search surrounding airports within a certain radius for you, so be thinking about how far you’re willing to drive to get the best deal.

16. Buy last-minute.

Yes, this is contrary to the earlier tip about buying six weeks in advance, but both options can be true. If your trip isn’t set in stone and you can fly by the seat of your pants a little bit, try to book a flight the Tuesday or Wednesday before you leave. As previously mentioned, those days usually offer the cheapest airfare. But if you book on one of those days, wanting to leave that Saturday, you might find an incredibly cheap seat on a flight desperate to fill up. Of course, you could find that everything is booked, so you only want to try this one if you’re able to push your vacation back if it falls through.

17. Check budget airlines directly.

Some comparison sites might only check the big airlines. If you’re traveling to another country, do a bit of Googling and find out what their home airline is, and check that site directly. They might have a better deal than a major airline, because they’re smaller and only serve certain areas.

18. Try bundling.

This option requires a bit of time and trial and error, but if you’re going to need a hotel or rental car, try bundling your travel for a better deal. Some airlines and comparison sites give discounts of hundreds of dollars if you book a car or hotel at the same time as your flight.

19. Stay longer.

That’s the dream, right? A permanent vacation… Well, it doesn’t have to be forever, but if you have enough vacation time saved up, stay away longer. Staying away at least one Saturday makes your airfare cheaper. A lot of flights are booked during the week by business people traveling for work, so if you fly out midweek and stay through the weekend, your return trip will be cheaper the next week when you return on another off day.

20. Check layover time.

Layovers can be a hassle if you’re worried you won’t have enough time to get from gate to gate, but long layovers make you feel like you’re wasting time. If you’re traveling to another country, however, you might have a layover in a third country. There are international airlines that will allow you to extend your layover up to seven days before you catch your connecting flight. That way, if you’re flying from New York to Germany with a layover in Iceland, you can postpone your connecting flight for a few days while you explore Iceland, and then get back on the plane to go to your final destination. It’s like two trips in one!

21. Don’t check luggage.

Carry-ons can be fairly large these days, so get a nice bag that fits the requirements and pack only what you need. Fees for checked baggage can be expensive, and while it doesn’t necessarily directly raise the price of your airfare, it makes your trip more expensive. You can have a piece of carry-on luggage and a personal item like a purse, laptop bag, or camera bag on the plane, so pack smart to avoid luggage fees.

22. Print your boarding pass at home.

It depends on the airline, but sometimes you’re charged a fee to print your boarding pass at the airport. Save money by printing it at home, and you’ll also streamline your time at the airport by being able to go right to security, as opposed to waiting in line at the desk or a kiosk to get your ticket.

23. Snag the deal.

These tips can really help you save money on airfare, but if you need to travel during peak times, don’t wait around for things to get cheaper. Compare airlines and flights as much as you can and pick the best deal, even if it’s not as cheap as you might like. Some flights might never dip below a certain price, and it’s better to snag the best deal you can than to never take that vacation.

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