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The internet can be a great place to learn random life hacks and cry over anglerfish. But what about when it comes to managing your money? According to new data from Intuit Credit Karma, 77% of Gen Z and 61% of millennials are turning to social media for financial advice. Millennials mainly seek out YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram for information, while for Gen Z, TikTok has emerged as an unlikely hub for financial advice, under the hashtag FinTok. Here, content creators such as @YourRichBFF and @JohneFinance have combined followings of millions with videos that offer tips on everything from credit card rewards to flight costs to 401ks, crunched into less than a minute. Many finfluencers market themselves not so much on academic credentials or qualifications as on lived experience, with popular videos titles including “Money habits for a 6 figure net worth” and “How I manifested a million dollars.” Often the clips sound like solid money advice, but as is the case with anything online, if it sounds too good to be true . . . it often is. Some have discovered this lesson the hard way. Despite the popularity of online finfluencers, 39% of Gen Z and one-third (33%) of millennials say they will never take financial advice from social media or online ever again, and doing so has negatively impacted their lives. Mistakes and poor financial decisions can be costly. For 37% of Gen Z and a quarter (25%) of millennials, they have ended up in trouble (hello, IRS audit) after taking action on financial advice from social media or online. A quarter of Gen Z and 23% of millennials also admit they’ve been scammed by bad actors pretending to offer financial guidance. “While social media platforms, and the internet at large, offer easy access to a ton of useful information people can adopt in their day-to-day lives, consumers should always do their research and verify the information they find online before taking action, especially when it comes to their finances,” says Courtney Alev, consumer financial advocate at Credit Karma. “There are a lot of bad actors and information out there that can end up causing a lot of harm to peoples’ financial lives.” While it’s always best to check (and double check) the information you scroll past online, sometimes you can strike gold. In fact, 64% of Gen Z and 63% of millennials say that the financial advice they received from an influencer has made a positive impact on their lives. Just make sure to do your due diligence and don’t make a financial decision just because it is trending online. View the full article

Martin Split from Google said that having an audio version of a page or a blog post, does not impact your Google rankings. He said it is good for your users, but has no SEO impact.View the full article

Microsoft on Wednesday unveiled a new chip that it said showed quantum computing is “years, not decades” away, joining Google and IBM in predicting that a fundamental change in computing technology is much closer than recently believed. Quantum computing holds the promise of carrying out calculations that would take today’s systems millions of years and could unlock discoveries in medicine, chemistry and many other fields where near-infinite seas of possible combinations of molecules confound classical computers. Quantum computers also hold the danger of upending today’s cybersecurity systems, where most encryption relies on the assumption that it would take too long to brute force gain access. The biggest challenge of quantum computers is that a fundamental building block called a qubit, which is similar to a bit in classical computing, is incredibly fast but also extremely difficult to control and prone to errors. Microsoft said the Majorana 1 chip it has developed is less prone to those errors than rivals and provided as evidence a scientific paper set to be published in academic journal Nature. When useful quantum computers will arrive has become a topic of debate in the upper echelons of the tech industry. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said last month that the technology was two decades away from overtaking his company’s chips, the workhorses of artificial intelligence, reflecting broad skepticism. Those remarks prompted Google, which last year showed off its own new quantum chip, to say that commercial quantum computing applications are only five years away. IBM has said large-scale quantum computers will be online by 2033. Microsoft’s Majorana 1 has been in the works for nearly two decades and relies on a subatomic particle called the Majorana fermion whose existence was first theorized in the 1930s. That particle has properties that make it less prone to the errors that plague quantum computers, but it has been hard for physicists to find and control. Microsoft said it created the Majorana 1 chip with indium arsenide and aluminum. The device uses a superconducting nanowire to observe the particles and can be controlled with standard computing equipment. The chip Microsoft revealed Wednesday has far fewer qubits than rival chips from Google and IBM, but Microsoft believes that far fewer of its Majorana-based qubits will be needed to make useful computers because the error rates are lower. Microsoft did not give a timeline for when the chip would be scaled up to create quantum computers that can outstrip today’s machines, but the company said in a blog post that point was “years, not decades” away. Jason Zander, the Microsoft executive vice president who oversees the company’s long-term strategic bets, described Majorana 1 as a “high risk, high reward” strategy. The chip was fabricated at Microsoft labs in Washington state and Denmark. “The hardest part has been solving the physics. There is no textbook for this, and we had to invent it,” Zander said in an interview with Reuters. “We literally have invented the ability to go create this thing, atom by atom, layer by layer.” Philip Kim, a professor of physics at Harvard University who was not involved in Microsoft’s research, said that Majorana fermions have been a hot topic among physicists for decades and called Microsoft’s work an “exciting development” that put the company at the forefront of quantum research. He also said that Microsoft’s use of a hybrid between traditional semiconductors and exotic superconductors appeared to be a good route toward chips that can be scaled up into more powerful chips. “Although there’s no demonstration (of this scaling up) yet, what they are doing is really successful,” Kim said. (Reporting by Stephen Nellis in San Francisco; Editing by Peter Henderson and Jamie Freed) View the full article

Explore the importance of image geolocation data for SEO. Find out how it can provide valuable information about the location and context of your images. The post Ask An SEO: Is There Any SEO Benefit To Image Geolocation Data? appeared first on Search Engine Journal. View the full article

Unthinking campaigns against ‘red tape’ are not the way to promote growthView the full article

Surprise outperformance driven by lack of day-one tariffs on EU and prospect of end to Ukraine warView the full article

AI chatbots like ChatGPT have become ubiquitous and vital to how many knowledge workers, content creators, and business owners operate. But as powerful as ChatGPT is, it’s not the only player in the game — and sometimes, exploring alternatives can reveal new ways to streamline your workflow. That’s where this guide comes in. Instead of just rating chatbots based on generic criteria like accuracy, speed, and creativity, I wanted to see how they perform in a real-world content workflow. So, I paid for the subscriptions (courtesy of Buffer’s AI Tools stipend that will help me recoup those costs) and fed them data from my own social media, and gave a structured challenge to each one designed to evaluate how well they take existing inputs and turn them into meaningful insights. Let’s dive into the details and determine which chatbot delivers the best results. The experiment: How I tested the chatbotsThere’s no shortage of AI chatbot comparisons online, but many focus on isolated prompts rather than real-world use cases — especially those relevant to you, our audience of creators, and small business owners. To truly test how useful these tools are for creators, I needed a challenge that mirrored how we actually use AI in a content workflow. So, instead of throwing random questions at each chatbot, I set up a structured experiment: I uploaded a CSV file with 60 days of my LinkedIn posts and their performance data—real engagement metrics from my latest posts.I gave each chatbot a series of interconnected prompts to see how well it could analyze, generate, and refine content.I kept everything within one continuous conversation, testing their ability to retain and apply context.What I was testing forThis test was designed to evaluate each chatbot across five key areas: Data analysis: Can it break down LinkedIn performance metrics and extract useful insights?Creativity & content generation: Can it generate fresh, non-generic (super important) content ideas based on real engagement data?Format adaptation: Can it transform a high-performing idea into multiple content formats (LinkedIn post, Twitter thread, short-form video script)?Strategic insights: Does it offer clear, actionable advice to improve content performance?Workflow optimization: Can it help streamline content planning, repurposing, and tracking?🚧It’s important that I clarify here: I'm no machine learning engineer, simply someone who has played around with enough chatbots, and has a decent context of different social media needs. So if you’re looking for a very technical analysis, you won’t find it here.The chatbotsI selected five leading AI chatbots for this experiment, each with different strengths, pricing, and features: ChatGPTClaudeGoogle Gemini (formerly Bard)Perplexity AIDeepSeekNow, let’s get into the challenge and see how they performed. The challengeEach chatbot was given the same structured test — a continuous conversation where they had to analyze LinkedIn performance data, generate new content ideas, adapt content across formats, offer strategic insights, and create a workflow for ongoing content success. After uploading the CSV file containing my posts and data, I asked each bot these questions: Here’s my LinkedIn performance data. What types of posts performed best and why?Based on what worked, suggest five new LinkedIn content ideas.Take the best-performing idea and turn it into a LinkedIn post, a Twitter thread, and a short-form video script.How can I improve my LinkedIn engagement rate based on this dataset?Create a content workflow that helps me repurpose high-performing content and track engagement.Here are the results. ChatGPTBest at retaining context Rating: 3.5/5 Pricing: Free with limited access; $20 per month for GPT-4 ChatGPT is OpenAI’s flagship chatbot and arguably the most well-known AI tool on this list. With its ability to generate structured responses, adapt content across formats, and provide strategic recommendations, it’s a strong contender for creators looking to streamline their workflow. ChatGPT started strong analyzing the average performance of each post type, showing that analysis, and then giving a strong, nuanced list of takeaways and recommendations. It didn’t state anything too unique (videos performed best, carousel posts had the most impressions), but the insights were good to have. However, the request for engagement rate improvement ideas showed off ChatGPT’s data analysis capabilities even better. It broke down the engagement rate data by post type, day, and even hour. Then, more impressively, it gave a list of actionable tips, including the best time to post on LinkedIn according to my data — something none of the other tools did. Other suggestions it made were to prioritize video and text posts and improve my early engagement strategy by responding to the comments in the first 30 minutes of posting. ChatGPT also really shined in delivering hyper-relevant ideas. When asked for unique content ideas, the bot gave me a list that played off my existing high-performing topics and formats. For example, it recommended I share a behind-the-scenes of my LinkedIn video process, an idea I’ll definitely be using. When asked to turn one of the ideas into different formats, it pulled from its memory of our previous chats, plus the context it had about my preferred voice and tone, to deliver well-structured and relevant results. The final request for a workflow initially seemed promising, with a clean, structured visual chart mapping out how to repurpose content. But while that was nice to look at, it wasn’t until I asked for a more practical version — something i could turn into a Notion page or Google Doc, that it became actually useful. This is something I repeatedly struggle with when using ChatGPT to kickstart a visual reference for what my templates or dashboards might look like — getting anything immediately actionable can be difficult. And that’s where the next tool on our list excels. I’ll conclude with a caveat here: I’ve had a ChatGPT account for a while now — at least a full year — so the bot had a lot of context to pull from as it can retain context from previous chats. So, that definitely influenced its performance and responses. However, I’d call that a point in its favor as it means that it will give you better responses with frequent use. 👩🏾‍⚖️Final verdict: ChatGPT is a strong option for content creators who need structured insights, detailed engagement strategies, and adaptable content formats. However, its responses often require additional refinement to become truly actionable. Frequent use improves its recommendations, making it a solid choice for the long term.Claude AIBest for generating workflow mockups Rating: 3.5/5 Pricing: Free with limited use; $20 per month Developed by Anthropic, Claude AI is designed to be a conversational, long-form assistant with a focus on thoughtful and structured responses. Unlike some of the other chatbots in this experiment, Claude approaches tasks with a more methodical and organized style, making it a compelling option for those who prioritize clarity in their workflows. But how well does that translate to practical scenarios? Well, instead of going through the prompts chronologically, I want to focus on Claude’s visualization capabilities and state, for the record, that they are the best of the bunch. From the first prompt, Claude translated the data into something super easy to look at, along with the recommendations that were par for the course for every chatbot tool. Having the data presented in a bar chart immediately gave me a clear understanding of my next steps. It continued this trend throughout the conversation without being prompted. My favorite thing about Claude, by far, is its ability to code and create a visual mockup of a workflow or database within the chat in a little preview window on the right. This has made it ten times easier to create Notion pages that do exactly what I need, with minimal time spent figuring out where to place which element. Claude had some interesting ideas on the content front, including a “creator tools revealed” video and a suggestion to ask a community question each week. However, interesting did not always translate to relevant, as it didn’t consider the actual content of the posts within the CSV file it had in its memory. Overall, the ideas shared weren’t as relevant to me and my content as they could have been. However, I was pleased by the formatting of the ideas that it did gave me — when asked for a LinkedIn post and short-form video script based on the first idea it shared, it delivered something that could have been pasted as-is (if not for the totally made-up information). In terms of providing a simple analysis of the data, it returned some interesting results, including a suggestion to keep posts to 600 characters or less, which I’ll be using going forward. 👩🏾‍⚖️Final verdict: Claude AI stands out as the best chatbot for visualization and structured formatting. If you need clear, data-driven charts and workflow previews, it’s hard to beat. However, its content generation lacks precision and relevance, requiring extra input and validation to ensure accuracy. It also doesn’t have search capabilities, which is important to consider before you subscribe.Perplexity AIBest for research and discovery Rating: 2.5/5 Pricing: Free with limited features; $20 per month Perplexity AI takes a unique approach compared to other chatbots, allowing users to select different models, including some already featured in this experiment. This flexibility makes it a strong research tool, particularly for content creators who need AI assistance in uncovering trends, following up on key insights, and gathering information. Although the consensus around Perplexity is that it’s a great tool for research, not necessarily for strategy, and I’d be inclined to agree after this experiment. To start with what was great about it, Perplexity’s ability to send you down a rabbit hole was a major plus in my book. Whenever you ask a question, it hyperlinks portions of the message that you can “follow up” on. Then, it uses the context of the message thread to create a decent follow-up. I can see this tool being useful in the research phase of working on your content strategy, especially when looking for inspiration. However, as a collaborative partner that can ideate alongside you, it didn’t perform great. The analysis it did in both analytical questions was very surface level, with good but generic recommendations on how to take action. Perplexity also returned a pretty standard “AI made this” workflow that was good, but didn’t encourage any deeper thought for me. It did generate a helpful daily workflow that can fit nicely into my current approach to content, so I gave it points for that. Its content ideas also fell short, with copy that didn’t consider my usual tone and style and felt pretty standard for most AI tools overall. Even though this is a common trait across most tools, I expected better for it having my data and content in its memory. 👩🏾‍⚖️Final verdict: Perplexity AI excels in research and content discovery, but it falls short in strategic execution. If you need a chatbot that helps you find sources, follow research threads, and explore ideas, Perplexity is one of the best options available. However, for content planning, engagement strategies, or workflow optimization, it doesn’t offer the depth or creativity needed to be a strong collaborative partner.DeepSeekBest for the budget-conscious user Rating: 2.5/5 Pricing: Free DeepSeek is a lesser-known AI model that positions itself as a free alternative to more widely used chatbots. While that makes it an appealing option for budget-conscious users, I was curious to see whether it could hold its own in terms of content ideation and strategic, data-driven recommendations. However, my experience with DeepSeek wasn’t the best from the start, as it kept returning a “The server is busy” message. I spent more time hopping back in to check if my prompts would go through, so keep that in mind. At first, I toggled on DeepSeek R1, the platform’s advanced-level thinking feature. However, the tool spent so much time “thinking” that I decided to run two chats: one with and one without. The results from the chat without R1 were pretty generic but not quite as generic as, say, Gemini. I’d put the experience with DeepSeek below Perplexity and above Gemini. While it caught certain topics and gave interesting ideas, it didn’t go as deep or wide as I would have liked. With R1, however (pictured on the right), its performance increased significantly as it went beyond generic observations and recommendations. The only disadvantage is, of course, its speed. DeepSeek had some interesting ideas, but nothing I hadn’t seen before. It recommended the same ideas as a couple of other chatbots, which is more of a sign that you really can’t outsource your thinking to these tools. 👩🏾‍⚖️Final verdict: If you’re on a budget and just need an AI for basic brainstorming and content structuring, DeepSeek in R1 mode is worth trying, but it’s not a tool to rely on for strategic content planning fully. It’s also still so new that it doesn’t quite feel fair to compare it to the other tools. For its age and speed, however, I’d say it's a solid, free option.Google GeminiBest for easy integration into your existing Google kit Rating: 2/5 Pricing: Free with limited features; $20 per month Formerly known as Bard, Google’s Gemini is positioned as a real-time AI assistant with deep integration into Google Search and other tools. Given its access to live information and Google’s vast dataset, I was curious to see whether it could provide a more data-informed and strategic approach to content planning. I also took advantage of the Buffer organization’s access to Gemini Advanced, the recently released upgrade to the tool. Since I hadn’t used Gemini much before this experiment, it was the first tool I tried — but I quickly found that its recommendations were pretty generic and also failed to go beyond surface-level analyses. For example, in the first response, it failed to recognize that though my carousel posts (the Documents) received more impressions, they didn’t get as high engagement. Gemini repeated the same weak analysis when asked for suggestions based on engagement rate data. Additionally, the suggested strategies are broad best practices that don’t tie back to the actual data I shared. Its content creation and repurposing abilities were not much better, as it only produced generic ideas that had nothing to do with my content. However, I will give it one point for getting the structure of a LinkedIn post down pat. 👩🏾‍⚖️Final verdict: Gemini is a quick and structured AI assistant that works in a pinch but falls short for tasks beyond surface-level requests. While it can help with basic formatting and brainstorming, it doesn’t yet have the depth and personalization needed for content optimization.Other chatbots to tryMicrosoft CopilotAlong with a dedicated website, Microsoft’s Copilot comes free with Microsoft products and has additional AI capabilities with enterprise plans. However, I didn’t include it in the main list because it runs on ChatGPT anyway, so that analysis gives a sense of what to expect from Copilot. Meta AIMeta AI is a free, conversational chatbot integrated across all Meta products. However, it didn’t make the list as you can’t upload files to it, striking it out in my book. It’s also generally less advanced in long-form content generation and is more of a true chatbot. Bizi.cxBizi is the side project of Joe Delgado, a software engineer here at Buffer. It's a self-described work in progress with some rough edges, but he shared that it has replaced his use of ChatGPT entirely. It’s currently free to use. Do your own thinkingIf there’s one takeaway from this experiment, it’s that no AI chatbot can do your thinking for you—but the right one can definitely make the process easier. Each tool on this list had its own strengths. ChatGPT and Claude handled structured insights and content adaptation well, while Perplexity excelled in research and discovery. DeepSeek showed promise, especially in R1 mode, but wasn’t the most reliable. And Gemini? Fast and easy to use, a great option if you use Google's ecosystem heavily. But here’s the thing: your needs will always determine the best tool for you. Are you looking for a chatbot to refine your content ideas? To analyze past performance? To brainstorm in a way that inspires you? AI can help — but only if you know how to prompt it, refine its responses, and guide it toward useful outcomes. At the end of the day, AI chatbots are just assistants, not replacements. The magic still comes from your strategy, creativity, and ability to execute. So, if you bring AI into your workflow, make sure it’s working for you — not the other way around. View the full article

The upside of friends, roommates, or family members sharing a multiline phone plan is everyone has a lower monthly bill. The downside, however, is one person is ultimately responsible for both paying that bill—and gathering what is owed to him or her from their friends each month. AT&T is offering a new way to divvy things up, though. The carrier, on Thursday, will introduce AT&T SplitPay, which will individually bill people on select shared wireless plans. The service will be available immediately. “College kids are Venmo-ing each other to share accounts,” says Erin Scarborough, AT&T’s President of Broadband & Connectivity Initiatives. “They’re having to calculate account charges per line and we’re taking that frustration out for them.” AT&T says it is patenting the technology behind SplitPay, which has been in the works for over a year. While the company plans to restrict its use to its own cellular network initially, it is considering licensing the technology to other companies (that would, as an example, let people sharing a streaming service split the cost automatically). SplitPay might make it easier for people to pay their share of a bill, but the primary account holder is still ultimately responsible for ensuring any financial obligations are met. Each person on the plan will get a text asking them to pay whatever their share of the bill is (including all fees). If they fail to do so, however, the primary account holder will receive a notification five days before the bill is due, letting them know who hasn’t yet paid. If that person neglects to make a payment, the primary account holder will be charged and will have to recover the money from their friend (or family member) separately. SplitPay will allow for recurring payments as well, to minimize this scenario. To sign up for the SplitPay service, AT&T account owners can log on to att.com/splitpay and assign a payor to each line. Several companies, from Google to Airbnb, have tested out group payment methods in the past, but AT&T says the individual billing for a shared account is an industry first. “Eighty-five percent of our customers have multiple line and we believe at least half of those are using split pay on their own in some form,” says Scarborough. “This is the first and only [payment system] of its kind in our industry. We’re happy to solve a pain point and solve it first.” View the full article

Ice storms, straight-line winds and tornadoes occur more frequently than hurricanes and earthquakes and those insurance claims can stack substantially. View the full article

These home lenders with between 100 and 499 employees are considered among their staffs the best mortgage company to work for in 2025. View the full article

Existing rightwing political outfit will be taken over by a newly registered business called Reform 2025 LtdView the full article

Grow your blog with blogging tools like ContentShake AI, Adobe Express, Keyword Magic Tool, and Asana. View the full article

Blogging has gained immense popularity, offering significant opportunities to establish and expand a business. The crucial factor in building a successful blog lies in pinpointing your blog niche and producing tailored content for a specific audience that is interested in that niche. In this article, we will explore the most profitable blog niches to assist you in discovering a lucrative blog niche idea for your own blog. What is a Blog Niche? A blog niche essentially refers to the subject your blog is about, and it tends to be the blog’s focus. Instead of writing a general blog about many different issues, a blog niche is meant to be more specialized and tailored. A blog niche is important for various reasons since it can help you generate relevant blog post ideas and cement you as an expert in the niche. For example, you could be a finance expert and choose a finance niche for your blog to communicate what you’ve learned and your ideas or opinions about different aspects of finance. Identifying the Most Profitable Blog Niches: Our Methodology As small business owners and entrepreneurs, selecting the right blog niche is crucial for success. Here are some things we considered as we built this list: Audience Interest and Size (Weight: 30%) High audience interest ensures steady traffic. Consider niches with a broad or deeply passionate audience. Monetization Potential (Weight: 25%) Some niches offer better opportunities for monetization (affiliate marketing, sponsored content, product sales). Evaluate how other blogs in the niche are making money. Content Longevity (Weight: 20%) Evergreen content can drive traffic for years. Avoid niches that are trend-based or have a short life span. Competition and Saturation (Weight: 15%) Highly saturated niches might be challenging but can indicate profitability. Look for sub-niches or unique angles within popular niches. SEO Opportunities (Weight: 10%) Niches with numerous SEO opportunities can boost visibility. Assess keyword competitiveness and search volume. By evaluating these criteria, you can better understand which blog niches might offer the most profitability. It’s about balancing audience interest, monetization prospects, and the competitive landscape to find a niche that not only resonates with you but also has a strong market potential. Profitable Blog Niches to Consider There are many profitable blog niches that you can consider across a variety of different topics. When looking at the most profitable blog niches, it’s important t to select a niche that you are passionate about and have knowledge on. Moreover, identifying your target audience based on the niche will help you craft a successful blog. Some of the most profitable blogging niches include the following: Personal Finance Personal finance blogs have emerged as one of the most profitable blog niches, driven by a growing interest among individuals in managing their finances. This niche encompasses a variety of topics, including budgeting, saving, investing, retirement planning, tax strategies, and debt management. As a personal finance blogger, you have the opportunity to educate people on making informed financial choices, making this niche appealing to a wide range of age groups and income levels. Digital Marketing and Online Business Another profitable blogging niche to explore is digital marketing and managing your own online business. This niche encompasses a variety of topics, including online marketing strategies like search engine optimization (SEO), social media marketing, content creation, and affiliate marketing, among others. Additionally, you can provide tips for running online businesses and write about subjects related to digital marketing and online entrepreneurship. As part of your digital marketing and online business niche, you could explain current trends and digital marketing methods and share your expertise. You could also micro niche by only focusing on specific topics within social media or SEO as part of your blogging journey. Health and Fitness Health and fitness have become an increasingly popular topic, and It’s the perfect blog niche if you are interested in teaching people how to adopt healthy habits and exercise routines. As part of the health and fitness niche, you could write helpful articles and content about physical health, well-being, and exercise. Health and fitness blogs include sub-niches such as nutrition, workouts, weight loss, yoga, meditation, mental health, and more. Niching down even more into subjects like specific exercise styles and routines are also profitable blog niches to consider. You could make money through affiliate income by sharing health-related products that you like and generate blog income through ads and partnerships. Food Blog and Recipe Blogs Food blogs and recipe blogs were among the first types of blog topics on the internet, but they are still very popular with users. Food and recipes are not a saturated niche; in fact, the interest has grown even more as users look to find new recipes and restaurants to try. If you’re not sure how to start a food blog, think about what interests you most about food and recipes – is it trying something new or teaching people how to make certain dishes? The food niche can be a great way to start a blog and explore new cuisines, foods, recipes, and more. There are also sponsored post opportunities from restaurants and companies, which is why it remains one of the most profitable blog niches. Personal Development and Self-Care Another lucrative niche to explore is the personal development and self-care sector. Bloggers in this niche can delve into various self-improvement topics, including personal growth, mental health, mindset transformation, and more. Sub-niches in this area may encompass mindfulness, meditation, self-compassion, relationships, and goal-setting, among others. This niche may be ideal for individuals who want to offer practical tips and advice on personal development or share their own experiences related to personal growth through a blogging platform. Travel Blogs If you’re thinking about whether to start a travel blog, it could be a good idea considering its enduring popularity. The travel blog niche continues to be one of the most profitable niches as interest and appetite for traveling grow. Travel bloggers aim to inspire and excite their users to explore new places and cultures by sharing their experiences through their WordPress blogs or other channels. Your travel blog could focus on a sub-niche like adventure or luxury travel. Or you could provide practical advice on budgeting, planning, packing, and transportation. Additionally, you can make money online through your travel blog through brand partnerships and sponsored posts such as a specific blog topic to make money blogging about travel. Parenting Niche Parenting blogs have grown in popularity over the last few years, and it’s one of the top niche ideas to explore if you’re looking for blog ideas. The parenting niche is one of the best blogging niches because it can be pretty broad and easy to make your own. For example, your parenting blog could focus on topics such as parenting, including child development, education, behavior, health, and more. As part of your blogging strategy, you could start a blog focusing on a micro niche such as a particular age range (e.g., newborns, toddlers, or teenagers) or a specific parenting style. More blog ideas could focus on specific parenting aspects, such as discipline, nutrition, sleep, or play. Lifestyle If you’re interested in relatively simple blogging business ideas, a lifestyle blog is one of the most profitable or niche ideas to consider. The premise of lifestyle blogs is straightforward since you show your life, how you go about the day, and exciting things about your life. In addition, lifestyle blogs are about your personal interests, and you can make your blog more engaging by including topics such as fashion, travel, food, beauty, and wellness. You might consider launching a lifestyle blog that shares your experiences, opinions, and recommendations on your interests, which can help you create multiple income streams through sponsored posts and affiliate income. Making Money Online Another profitable niche to consider is blogging about how to make more money, mainly how to make money online. Niche ideas within this topic could include affiliate marketing, blogging, e-commerce, online surveys, and other opportunities for generating income online. This could include designing online courses, such as a blogging course, or creating content with helpful tips, advice, and practical ways for people to make money online. Micro niche ideas could include teaching people to start a blog, building an online store, and creating and selling digital products to make money. Education Online education has become a hot topic and is now considered one of the most profitable blog niches. As an education blogger, you could focus on creating content such as lesson plans, teaching strategies, educational policy, and more. Or you could create tutorials and walkthroughs for different subjects and grade levels (e.g., teaching high school science or elementary school math) to help children supplement their learning. Fashion Fashion bloggers have been a vital part of the internet, and there is still a lot of opportunity within this niche. Having your own fashion blog could be the most profitable blog niche for you, depending on the audience and interest you can capture. There is a lot of appetite for inspiration and guidance on fashion, and many bloggers have been able to make money through their fashion blogs. As a fashion blogger, you could cover sustainable fashion, luxury fashion, streetwear, beauty, and more. Another micro niche within fashion is to create content such as outfit ideas, fashion trends, makeup tutorials, product reviews, and more. Technology With technology evolving quickly, another profitable blog niche to consider is starting your technology blog. Of course, there are many sub-niches and micro-niche ideas within the technology umbrella, so what you can speak passionately about is really up to you. The technology blog niche could include topics such as the latest tech news and product reviews or focus on issues such as software development, hardware reviews, mobile technology, or cybersecurity, among others. For example, some tech blogs provide tips and advice, while others undertake detailed analyses and commentary on the latest smartphones, laptops, or gaming consoles. Another focus is to create content related to mobile technology, including news and reviews for smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices. DIY For homeowners and renters alike, DIY blogs are a popular option. Many people have decided to learn new skills and seek tutorials, advice, and tips. The DIY niche is wide and varied, including home improvement, crafting, cooking, recycling, and upcycling materials. As a DIY blogger, you could provide step-by-step instructions, creative ideas, and inspiration for their projects. You could also share your own experiences, techniques, and recommendations NicheAudience & FocusMonetization OpportunitiesKey Features 1. Personal FinanceAll age groups & income levels; focuses on money management.Sponsored content, partnerships, advertising, affiliate marketingTopics include budgeting, saving, investing, retirement, taxes, debt management 2. Digital Marketing & Online BusinessEntrepreneurs, marketers; focuses on online business strategies.Affiliate marketing, advertising, sponsored postsSEO, social media marketing, content creation, affiliate marketing 3. Health & FitnessHealth-conscious individuals; focuses on wellness and exercise.Affiliate income, ads, partnershipsNutrition, workouts, weight loss, yoga, mental health 4. Food & Recipe BlogsFood enthusiasts; focuses on culinary exploration and recipes.Sponsored posts from restaurants, affiliate marketingDiverse cuisines, restaurant reviews, cooking tutorials 5. Personal Development & Self-CareIndividuals seeking growth; focuses on mental and emotional well-being.Affiliate marketing, sponsored contentMindfulness, meditation, self-improvement, relationships 6. Travel BlogsTravel enthusiasts; focuses on exploring cultures and destinations.Brand partnerships, sponsored postsBudgeting for travel, adventure, luxury experiences 7. Parenting NicheParents; focuses on child-rearing and family life.Sponsored content, affiliate marketingChild development, education, nutrition, parenting styles 8. LifestyleGeneral audience; focuses on personal interests and daily life.Sponsored posts, affiliate incomeFashion, travel, food, beauty, wellness 9. Making Money OnlineEntrepreneurs, freelancers; focuses on online income strategies.Affiliate marketing, online coursesBlogging, e-commerce, digital products, surveys 10. EducationStudents, educators; focuses on learning and teaching resources.Sponsored content, affiliate marketingLesson plans, educational policy, tutorials 11. FashionFashion enthusiasts; focuses on trends and style advice.Brand partnerships, affiliate marketingSustainable fashion, luxury, streetwear, beauty tips 12. TechnologyTech enthusiasts; focuses on latest technology and reviews.Advertising, sponsored reviewsTech news, software development, hardware reviews, mobile technology 13. DIYHomeowners, crafters; focuses on do-it-yourself projects.Sponsored posts, affiliate marketingHome improvement, crafting, upcycling, tutorials How to Find More Profitable Blogging Niches If you’re passionate about a subject and dedicated to building your blog, you could turn almost any blog niche into a profitable blog. Here’s how you can find more blogging niches: Step 1: Identify Your Interests Take some time to identify your interests, such as hobbies, profession, skills, and talents. This will assist you in narrowing down the niches that excite you and in which you feel confident enough to maintain a blog. Step 2: Check Google Trends Once you’ve identified your niche, look at sources such as Google Trends to understand the search trends related to your niche, including volume and topics of interest. This will help you understand how profitable the blog could potentially be. Step 3: Search for Other Blogs Once you have narrowed down some topics, evaluate the competition, including other bloggers. Look at how often they post, how much engagement they tend to get, and what users seem to like/dislike about these blogs so you can build a stronger presence. Step 4: Register a domain If you’re ready to commit to your niche, you can start by getting a free domain name and setting up your blog. Based on the Google Trends data and the competition, you can start to build a blog that covers topics audiences are interested in while adding your unique spin and passion. Why Picking a Blogging Niche Matters There are many reasons why picking a blogging niche is important: Build a following: A blogging niche is important to build a dedicated following of readers and cultivate interest In your blog. Tailored content: While it’s easy to stay general when it comes to blogging, creating niche content ensures that your content is tailored to the needs and interests of the target audience. It positions you as an expert in the subject area. Differentiation: Picking a blog niche is essential for standing out and having a unique selling point that users will gravitate to. Motivation: Having a niche makes it easier to create content consistently since it will be an area you are passionate about and want to develop. You’ll be more motivated to keep the blog going and make it successful when it’s a topic you’re passionate about. What Makes a Profitable Blog Niche To delve deeper into what makes a blog niche profitable, it’s important to understand that the key lies in finding a balance between your interests and the market demand. Here’s an expanded view on this topic: Alignment with Personal Interests and Expertise: The most sustainable and profitable blogs often stem from the blogger’s genuine interest and expertise in the subject. This alignment ensures: Consistency in Content Creation: When you are passionate about a topic, it’s easier to produce content regularly and maintain quality. Authenticity: Genuine enthusiasm and expertise attract audiences, fostering the development of a loyal community. Market Demand and Audience Interest: It’s crucial that your chosen niche has an existing audience that is actively seeking information or solutions in that area. This involves: Researching Trending Topics: Use tools like Google Trends or social media analytics to understand what your target audience is interested in. Identifying Gaps in Existing Content: Look for areas that are underrepresented or have room for a fresh perspective. Potential for Monetization: A profitable niche should offer various avenues for generating income. This includes: Sponsored Posts and Partnerships: Working together with brands and businesses that align with your niche. Advertising: Utilizing ad networks or direct advertising deals. Affiliate Marketing: Earning commissions by promoting products or services. Selling Products or Services Such as e-books, courses, merchandise, or consulting services. Positioning as an Expert or Authority: To stand out in your niche, it’s important to: Showcase Credentials and Experience: Share your qualifications or unique experiences that make you a credible source. Provide High-Quality, Valuable Content: Offer insights, detailed guides, or solutions that are not readily available elsewhere. Engage with Your Audience: Respond to comments, conduct surveys, or create community platforms to understand and cater to their needs. Long-term Engagement and Retention Strategies: Keeping your audience engaged over time is critical for a profitable blog. This can be achieved by: Consistent Posting Schedule: Regular updates keep your audience coming back. Email Newsletters and Subscriptions: Encourage visitors to subscribe for updates or exclusive content. Community Building: Create forums or groups where readers can interact and discuss topics related to your blog. Scalability and Evolution: A profitable niche should allow for growth and adaptation over time. Consider: Expanding into Related Topics: As your audience grows, explore adjacent areas that might interest them. Keeping Up with Industry Changes: Stay informed about new developments in your niche to keep your content relevant. A profitable blog niche is not just about picking a popular topic; it’s about matching your passion and expertise with what your audience is seeking and then leveraging that alignment to create valuable, monetizable content. Image: Envato Elements This article, "The Most Profitable Blog Niches (And How to Enter Them)" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Blogging has gained immense popularity, offering significant opportunities to establish and expand a business. The crucial factor in building a successful blog lies in pinpointing your blog niche and producing tailored content for a specific audience that is interested in that niche. In this article, we will explore the most profitable blog niches to assist you in discovering a lucrative blog niche idea for your own blog. What is a Blog Niche? A blog niche essentially refers to the subject your blog is about, and it tends to be the blog’s focus. Instead of writing a general blog about many different issues, a blog niche is meant to be more specialized and tailored. A blog niche is important for various reasons since it can help you generate relevant blog post ideas and cement you as an expert in the niche. For example, you could be a finance expert and choose a finance niche for your blog to communicate what you’ve learned and your ideas or opinions about different aspects of finance. Identifying the Most Profitable Blog Niches: Our Methodology As small business owners and entrepreneurs, selecting the right blog niche is crucial for success. Here are some things we considered as we built this list: Audience Interest and Size (Weight: 30%) High audience interest ensures steady traffic. Consider niches with a broad or deeply passionate audience. Monetization Potential (Weight: 25%) Some niches offer better opportunities for monetization (affiliate marketing, sponsored content, product sales). Evaluate how other blogs in the niche are making money. Content Longevity (Weight: 20%) Evergreen content can drive traffic for years. Avoid niches that are trend-based or have a short life span. Competition and Saturation (Weight: 15%) Highly saturated niches might be challenging but can indicate profitability. Look for sub-niches or unique angles within popular niches. SEO Opportunities (Weight: 10%) Niches with numerous SEO opportunities can boost visibility. Assess keyword competitiveness and search volume. By evaluating these criteria, you can better understand which blog niches might offer the most profitability. It’s about balancing audience interest, monetization prospects, and the competitive landscape to find a niche that not only resonates with you but also has a strong market potential. Profitable Blog Niches to Consider There are many profitable blog niches that you can consider across a variety of different topics. When looking at the most profitable blog niches, it’s important t to select a niche that you are passionate about and have knowledge on. Moreover, identifying your target audience based on the niche will help you craft a successful blog. Some of the most profitable blogging niches include the following: Personal Finance Personal finance blogs have emerged as one of the most profitable blog niches, driven by a growing interest among individuals in managing their finances. This niche encompasses a variety of topics, including budgeting, saving, investing, retirement planning, tax strategies, and debt management. As a personal finance blogger, you have the opportunity to educate people on making informed financial choices, making this niche appealing to a wide range of age groups and income levels. Digital Marketing and Online Business Another profitable blogging niche to explore is digital marketing and managing your own online business. This niche encompasses a variety of topics, including online marketing strategies like search engine optimization (SEO), social media marketing, content creation, and affiliate marketing, among others. Additionally, you can provide tips for running online businesses and write about subjects related to digital marketing and online entrepreneurship. As part of your digital marketing and online business niche, you could explain current trends and digital marketing methods and share your expertise. You could also micro niche by only focusing on specific topics within social media or SEO as part of your blogging journey. Health and Fitness Health and fitness have become an increasingly popular topic, and It’s the perfect blog niche if you are interested in teaching people how to adopt healthy habits and exercise routines. As part of the health and fitness niche, you could write helpful articles and content about physical health, well-being, and exercise. Health and fitness blogs include sub-niches such as nutrition, workouts, weight loss, yoga, meditation, mental health, and more. Niching down even more into subjects like specific exercise styles and routines are also profitable blog niches to consider. You could make money through affiliate income by sharing health-related products that you like and generate blog income through ads and partnerships. Food Blog and Recipe Blogs Food blogs and recipe blogs were among the first types of blog topics on the internet, but they are still very popular with users. Food and recipes are not a saturated niche; in fact, the interest has grown even more as users look to find new recipes and restaurants to try. If you’re not sure how to start a food blog, think about what interests you most about food and recipes – is it trying something new or teaching people how to make certain dishes? The food niche can be a great way to start a blog and explore new cuisines, foods, recipes, and more. There are also sponsored post opportunities from restaurants and companies, which is why it remains one of the most profitable blog niches. Personal Development and Self-Care Another lucrative niche to explore is the personal development and self-care sector. Bloggers in this niche can delve into various self-improvement topics, including personal growth, mental health, mindset transformation, and more. Sub-niches in this area may encompass mindfulness, meditation, self-compassion, relationships, and goal-setting, among others. This niche may be ideal for individuals who want to offer practical tips and advice on personal development or share their own experiences related to personal growth through a blogging platform. Travel Blogs If you’re thinking about whether to start a travel blog, it could be a good idea considering its enduring popularity. The travel blog niche continues to be one of the most profitable niches as interest and appetite for traveling grow. Travel bloggers aim to inspire and excite their users to explore new places and cultures by sharing their experiences through their WordPress blogs or other channels. Your travel blog could focus on a sub-niche like adventure or luxury travel. Or you could provide practical advice on budgeting, planning, packing, and transportation. Additionally, you can make money online through your travel blog through brand partnerships and sponsored posts such as a specific blog topic to make money blogging about travel. Parenting Niche Parenting blogs have grown in popularity over the last few years, and it’s one of the top niche ideas to explore if you’re looking for blog ideas. The parenting niche is one of the best blogging niches because it can be pretty broad and easy to make your own. For example, your parenting blog could focus on topics such as parenting, including child development, education, behavior, health, and more. As part of your blogging strategy, you could start a blog focusing on a micro niche such as a particular age range (e.g., newborns, toddlers, or teenagers) or a specific parenting style. More blog ideas could focus on specific parenting aspects, such as discipline, nutrition, sleep, or play. Lifestyle If you’re interested in relatively simple blogging business ideas, a lifestyle blog is one of the most profitable or niche ideas to consider. The premise of lifestyle blogs is straightforward since you show your life, how you go about the day, and exciting things about your life. In addition, lifestyle blogs are about your personal interests, and you can make your blog more engaging by including topics such as fashion, travel, food, beauty, and wellness. You might consider launching a lifestyle blog that shares your experiences, opinions, and recommendations on your interests, which can help you create multiple income streams through sponsored posts and affiliate income. Making Money Online Another profitable niche to consider is blogging about how to make more money, mainly how to make money online. Niche ideas within this topic could include affiliate marketing, blogging, e-commerce, online surveys, and other opportunities for generating income online. This could include designing online courses, such as a blogging course, or creating content with helpful tips, advice, and practical ways for people to make money online. Micro niche ideas could include teaching people to start a blog, building an online store, and creating and selling digital products to make money. Education Online education has become a hot topic and is now considered one of the most profitable blog niches. As an education blogger, you could focus on creating content such as lesson plans, teaching strategies, educational policy, and more. Or you could create tutorials and walkthroughs for different subjects and grade levels (e.g., teaching high school science or elementary school math) to help children supplement their learning. Fashion Fashion bloggers have been a vital part of the internet, and there is still a lot of opportunity within this niche. Having your own fashion blog could be the most profitable blog niche for you, depending on the audience and interest you can capture. There is a lot of appetite for inspiration and guidance on fashion, and many bloggers have been able to make money through their fashion blogs. As a fashion blogger, you could cover sustainable fashion, luxury fashion, streetwear, beauty, and more. Another micro niche within fashion is to create content such as outfit ideas, fashion trends, makeup tutorials, product reviews, and more. Technology With technology evolving quickly, another profitable blog niche to consider is starting your technology blog. Of course, there are many sub-niches and micro-niche ideas within the technology umbrella, so what you can speak passionately about is really up to you. The technology blog niche could include topics such as the latest tech news and product reviews or focus on issues such as software development, hardware reviews, mobile technology, or cybersecurity, among others. For example, some tech blogs provide tips and advice, while others undertake detailed analyses and commentary on the latest smartphones, laptops, or gaming consoles. Another focus is to create content related to mobile technology, including news and reviews for smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices. DIY For homeowners and renters alike, DIY blogs are a popular option. Many people have decided to learn new skills and seek tutorials, advice, and tips. The DIY niche is wide and varied, including home improvement, crafting, cooking, recycling, and upcycling materials. As a DIY blogger, you could provide step-by-step instructions, creative ideas, and inspiration for their projects. You could also share your own experiences, techniques, and recommendations NicheAudience & FocusMonetization OpportunitiesKey Features 1. Personal FinanceAll age groups & income levels; focuses on money management.Sponsored content, partnerships, advertising, affiliate marketingTopics include budgeting, saving, investing, retirement, taxes, debt management 2. Digital Marketing & Online BusinessEntrepreneurs, marketers; focuses on online business strategies.Affiliate marketing, advertising, sponsored postsSEO, social media marketing, content creation, affiliate marketing 3. Health & FitnessHealth-conscious individuals; focuses on wellness and exercise.Affiliate income, ads, partnershipsNutrition, workouts, weight loss, yoga, mental health 4. Food & Recipe BlogsFood enthusiasts; focuses on culinary exploration and recipes.Sponsored posts from restaurants, affiliate marketingDiverse cuisines, restaurant reviews, cooking tutorials 5. Personal Development & Self-CareIndividuals seeking growth; focuses on mental and emotional well-being.Affiliate marketing, sponsored contentMindfulness, meditation, self-improvement, relationships 6. Travel BlogsTravel enthusiasts; focuses on exploring cultures and destinations.Brand partnerships, sponsored postsBudgeting for travel, adventure, luxury experiences 7. Parenting NicheParents; focuses on child-rearing and family life.Sponsored content, affiliate marketingChild development, education, nutrition, parenting styles 8. LifestyleGeneral audience; focuses on personal interests and daily life.Sponsored posts, affiliate incomeFashion, travel, food, beauty, wellness 9. Making Money OnlineEntrepreneurs, freelancers; focuses on online income strategies.Affiliate marketing, online coursesBlogging, e-commerce, digital products, surveys 10. EducationStudents, educators; focuses on learning and teaching resources.Sponsored content, affiliate marketingLesson plans, educational policy, tutorials 11. FashionFashion enthusiasts; focuses on trends and style advice.Brand partnerships, affiliate marketingSustainable fashion, luxury, streetwear, beauty tips 12. TechnologyTech enthusiasts; focuses on latest technology and reviews.Advertising, sponsored reviewsTech news, software development, hardware reviews, mobile technology 13. DIYHomeowners, crafters; focuses on do-it-yourself projects.Sponsored posts, affiliate marketingHome improvement, crafting, upcycling, tutorials How to Find More Profitable Blogging Niches If you’re passionate about a subject and dedicated to building your blog, you could turn almost any blog niche into a profitable blog. Here’s how you can find more blogging niches: Step 1: Identify Your Interests Take some time to identify your interests, such as hobbies, profession, skills, and talents. This will assist you in narrowing down the niches that excite you and in which you feel confident enough to maintain a blog. Step 2: Check Google Trends Once you’ve identified your niche, look at sources such as Google Trends to understand the search trends related to your niche, including volume and topics of interest. This will help you understand how profitable the blog could potentially be. Step 3: Search for Other Blogs Once you have narrowed down some topics, evaluate the competition, including other bloggers. Look at how often they post, how much engagement they tend to get, and what users seem to like/dislike about these blogs so you can build a stronger presence. Step 4: Register a domain If you’re ready to commit to your niche, you can start by getting a free domain name and setting up your blog. Based on the Google Trends data and the competition, you can start to build a blog that covers topics audiences are interested in while adding your unique spin and passion. Why Picking a Blogging Niche Matters There are many reasons why picking a blogging niche is important: Build a following: A blogging niche is important to build a dedicated following of readers and cultivate interest In your blog. Tailored content: While it’s easy to stay general when it comes to blogging, creating niche content ensures that your content is tailored to the needs and interests of the target audience. It positions you as an expert in the subject area. Differentiation: Picking a blog niche is essential for standing out and having a unique selling point that users will gravitate to. Motivation: Having a niche makes it easier to create content consistently since it will be an area you are passionate about and want to develop. You’ll be more motivated to keep the blog going and make it successful when it’s a topic you’re passionate about. What Makes a Profitable Blog Niche To delve deeper into what makes a blog niche profitable, it’s important to understand that the key lies in finding a balance between your interests and the market demand. Here’s an expanded view on this topic: Alignment with Personal Interests and Expertise: The most sustainable and profitable blogs often stem from the blogger’s genuine interest and expertise in the subject. This alignment ensures: Consistency in Content Creation: When you are passionate about a topic, it’s easier to produce content regularly and maintain quality. Authenticity: Genuine enthusiasm and expertise attract audiences, fostering the development of a loyal community. Market Demand and Audience Interest: It’s crucial that your chosen niche has an existing audience that is actively seeking information or solutions in that area. This involves: Researching Trending Topics: Use tools like Google Trends or social media analytics to understand what your target audience is interested in. Identifying Gaps in Existing Content: Look for areas that are underrepresented or have room for a fresh perspective. Potential for Monetization: A profitable niche should offer various avenues for generating income. This includes: Sponsored Posts and Partnerships: Working together with brands and businesses that align with your niche. Advertising: Utilizing ad networks or direct advertising deals. Affiliate Marketing: Earning commissions by promoting products or services. Selling Products or Services Such as e-books, courses, merchandise, or consulting services. Positioning as an Expert or Authority: To stand out in your niche, it’s important to: Showcase Credentials and Experience: Share your qualifications or unique experiences that make you a credible source. Provide High-Quality, Valuable Content: Offer insights, detailed guides, or solutions that are not readily available elsewhere. Engage with Your Audience: Respond to comments, conduct surveys, or create community platforms to understand and cater to their needs. Long-term Engagement and Retention Strategies: Keeping your audience engaged over time is critical for a profitable blog. This can be achieved by: Consistent Posting Schedule: Regular updates keep your audience coming back. Email Newsletters and Subscriptions: Encourage visitors to subscribe for updates or exclusive content. Community Building: Create forums or groups where readers can interact and discuss topics related to your blog. Scalability and Evolution: A profitable niche should allow for growth and adaptation over time. Consider: Expanding into Related Topics: As your audience grows, explore adjacent areas that might interest them. Keeping Up with Industry Changes: Stay informed about new developments in your niche to keep your content relevant. A profitable blog niche is not just about picking a popular topic; it’s about matching your passion and expertise with what your audience is seeking and then leveraging that alignment to create valuable, monetizable content. Image: Envato Elements This article, "The Most Profitable Blog Niches (And How to Enter Them)" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

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When you walk outside, you might be concerned about how a nearby idling car or a faraway factory are polluting the air you breathe. But when you’re inside, the products you use to make your home smell good—like wax melts, air fresheners, or diffusers—warrant the same worries. These products create nanoparticles that pollute your indoor air, at times even making the air inside your home more polluted than the urban outdoors. Researchers at Purdue University have been studying how everyday products create air pollution inside our homes. In a lab that resembles a tiny house—called the Purdue zero Energy Design Guidance for Engineers (zEDGE) lab—they study the emissions that come from cleaning products, essential oil diffusers, air fresheners, scented wax melts, disinfectants, and even deodorant and hair care products. Though you might burn some wax melts or use an essential oil diffuser as a way to mimic the fresh, clean air of a forest or a field of flowers, it’s actually those fragrances that cause pollution. These scented household products emit volatile organic compounds that can then react with the indoor air, including with oxidants like ozone. The result are nanoparticles that, though just a few nanometers in size—or even as small as 1 nanometer—can impact your health. (A human hair, for contrast, is about 80,000 nanometers). These tiny particles can penetrate deep into our lungs and move to other organs; breathing nanoparticles has been associated with health impacts on respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurological systems. This “tiny house lab,” which sits outside of Purdue’s Delon and Elizabeth Hampton Hall of Civil Engineering, allows researchers to comprehensively study indoor air quality. [Photo: Kelsey Lefever/Purdue University] “People spend 90% of their time indoors, yet indoor air pollution remains largely unregulated and understudied,” Nusrat Jung, an assistant professor in Purdue’s Lyles School of Civil and Construction Engineering, said via email. Jung and Brandon Boor, also a civil engineering professor, have been working in the zEDGE lab together to study the formation of these tiny particles indoors and compare them to outdoor air. Scientists have been studying indoor air more frequently, especially during the pandemic; gas stoves have become the most prominent culprits of indoor air pollution, along with other types of combustion. But Jung and Boor’s work shows that we need to pay attention to other sources of indoor particulate matter, too. “Our research shows that indoor nanoparticles can form and grow at rates much faster than those observed outdoors, largely due to the significant release of reactive fragrances from scented household products,” Boor says. Purdue University engineers Nusrat Jung, left, and Brandon Boor study the impact of everyday products and activities on a home’s air quality. [Photo: Kelsey Lefever/Purdue University] In their latest study, published earlier this month, they looked specifically at wax melts—which are often touted as a safer, cleaner option than candles and incense, the burning of which produces pollutants. But even though wax melts are flame-free, they still release nanoparticles in concentrations comparable to candles, gas stoves, and diesel engines. This emphasizes Jung and Boor’s general findings that scented household products release pollution, “often exceeding levels found in heavily polluted outdoor environments,” Jung says. Those pollution levels even occur with ostensibly “natural” products like plant-based cleaners or essential oils. They’ve found that using “citrus-scented air fresheners, essential oil diffusers, wax warmers, and terpene-based cleaners can elevate indoor nanoparticle concentrations by 10 to 1,000 times above typical urban outdoor levels,” she adds. The inside of Purdue’s tiny house lab has various sensors and equipment to accurately and precisely measure pollutant emissions from common household activities in real time. [Photo: Kelsey Lefever/Purdue University] Proper ventilation is key. But if you’re opening a window to dilute your indoor air pollution, you could also be adding in more outdoor ozone, which then reacts with those fragrances to generate even more nanoparticles. Instead, air purifiers could help reduce pollution levels. Choosing fragrance-free products could also reduce indoor air pollution. Jung and Boor say they will continue to research how everyday scented products impact our indoor air quality. They also hope to better understand what specific ingredients are causing those nanoparticles to form, as well as what role is played by ventilation, air circulation, and other chemicals already in our air. “The findings from our Purdue zEDGE test house are not just academic; they have real implications for building design, ventilation strategies, consumer product formulations, and public health guidelines,” Jung says. “As we continue to push the boundaries of indoor air quality research, our goal is to empower people with the knowledge and tools to create healthier indoor environments. Because the air we breathe inside should be just as much of a priority as the air outside.” View the full article

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The many different Types of self employment jobs have quite a range. There are dog walkers and accountants, landscapers and delivery drivers. There are self-employed jobs that are so much fun, they don’t feel like work. Often that happens when a hobby becomes a career. Regardless of the type of work performed, all self-employed individuals share a common obligation: they must pay taxes. This includes both income tax and self-employment tax. As a self-employed person, you can file self-employment income taxes yourself. You can get the paperwork needed from the internet and do it yourself, or you can use tax software for small business owners. Or you can hire a tax professional. Remember, this is federal income tax. You’ll also owe state income tax. What’s the Difference Between Income Tax and Self Employment Tax? Income taxes are the taxes you pay based on your net earnings. Self-employment taxes are additional taxes paid by self-employed individuals. What are Self Employment Taxes? Self-employed individuals pay social security and medicare taxes in addition to income tax. Employers take those taxes out when they do payroll. Since you don’t have an employer, you are responsible for paying self-employment taxes. How Much are Self-Employment Taxes? The self employment tax for social security and medicare is 15.3%. Of that, 12.4% goes to social security tax and the medicare tax is 2.9%. That’s the total for social security and medicare taxes if you’re single and make a net income below a certain threshold. If you’re single and exceed that threshold (congratulations, by the way), the medicare tax will be an additional 9% (3.8% total). There are various calculations based on your marital status and earnings from self-employment. Your taxable income is your net earnings, not the total of your business income. Additional Medicare Taxes for Self-Employed Professionals Although the social security tax remains standard, the medicare tax can vary according to your marital status and amount of net earnings from self-employment. When do You Have to Pay Self Employment Tax? Self employment taxes and income taxes should be made by quarterly estimated tax payments. For making quarterly estimated payments, you should use IRS Form 1040-ES, which is the Estimated Tax for Individuals. This form includes blank vouchers that you can print out. Alternatively, you can file electronically through the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System. Self-employed people will still file annual taxes. That’s when you’ll use IRS Form 1040 paired with IRS Schedule C, where you’ll fill in the information used to calculate your profit or loss. Your tax liability may be more or less, depending on whether you’ve over or underestimated your quarterly estimated taxes. The deadline for filing annually for a self-employed individual is the same as everybody else’s federal income tax return deadline, except for a deferral allowed by the CARES Act (see below). Self Employment Tax Deferral Through the CARES Act, workers could defer self employment taxes that were due during a specific period. Half of the self employment taxes due at that time were to be paid by the end of the following tax year, with the remaining half paid by the end of the subsequent tax year. How to File Your Self-Employment Taxes As an independent contractor/self employment individual, you have to keep good records to aid in tax preparation. Even more importantly, for ease in completing your tax return, you have to know where they are. Before beginning your federal income tax return, collect all the necessary documentation to substantiate your business expenses and gross income. These items are essential for calculating your net earnings from self-employment. Additionally, ensure you have the records of your quarterly estimated taxes paid, which were based on your projections for gross income and expenses for your estimated income tax payments. Filling Out Your Self-Employment Tax Form Since your self-employment tax is based on your net earnings from self-employment, the first thing you need to do is fill out your Schedule C. Schedule C: Profit and Loss Statement for Self-Employed This is the form where you record your business expenses, such as what you spent for travel, education and certifications, office equipment and supplies, materials and similar. Your expenses will be specific to the type of work you do as an independent contractor/self-employed person. You’ll add up your total income and the total of your expenses. The different between the two is either profit or loss applied to your tax bill. It’s important to keep the standard deduction in mind as you add up deductions. The standard deduction is $12,550. If your deductions will be less than that amount, you’ll just use the standard deduction. 1040 Self Employed This form includes your general information, such as your address and social security number. People who receive a W2 use the straight 1040. You’ll use the 1040 SE, which has a place for you to record the bottom line from your Schedule C. Once you’ve completed those forms for your tax return, you’ll have the number for your net earnings from self employment. You’ll use that number to calculate your self-employment tax, including social security and Medicare taxes. When you pay estimated taxes, you’ll also include that information. Self Employed W2 Sometimes self employed people receive a W2 from an employer who didn’t withhold payroll taxes. In that case on your tax return you must pay the income tax due, as well as the self employment tax for social security and medicare. Self Employment Tax Deductions If you run your own business, you’ll quickly get savvy about what you can use for a qualified business income deduction. Your self-employment earnings number will be reduced by any income tax deduction, such as: Purchase of computer, laptop, printer, and software for the business Office Supplies Travel such as airfare and vehicle mileage (keep records) Advertising costs Depreciation of equipment Education and certifications What about the home office deduction? Tax professionals often advise against using this deduction. It’s often stated that using the home office deduction makes it more likely that you’ll be audited by the IRS. Is that true? What matters is that as long as you have accurate, provable records, the home office deduction may work for you. For example, you have a dedicated office room, separate business and internet phone line, etc. Before you use this deduction, you may want to get tax advice from a tax preparation professional. Also, making itemized deductions doesn’t always make sense. The annual standard deduction for a single filer was raised to $12,550. If your deductions won’t be higher than that amount, just use the standard deduction. The standard deduction may even get you a higher tax refund. Self Employed Health Insurance Deduction You can deduct the cost of your health insurance premiums as tax deductions as you’re calculating your net earnings. Read More: best tax software for self-employed Tax Write-Offs for Self-Employed The best tax write-off for a self-employed individual is a retirement plan. Money contributed to a retirement plan is deducted from your gross earnings – then called adjusted gross income. Your level of income affects your tax rate, and your tax rate impacts how much you pay as a self employed business owner. For example, if you earn $32,000 gross from self-employment and contribute $6,000 (the annual limit, although you can contribute $7,000 the first year) to an IRA, your adjusted gross income is $26,000. That will change how much you pay to Social Security and Medicare and may help you get a tax refund. Such contributions are also one way to offset capital gains. Remember, if money isn’t taxed when it goes in, it will be taxed when it is withdrawn. You have two main choices: IRA (Individual Retirement Account) – An IRA can either be a traditional IRA, where taxes are not deducted from contributions, or a Roth IRA, where contributions are taxed beforehand. It may be beneficial to seek professional tax advice to figure out which type is most suitable for your situation. 401K – Monies contributed are pre-taxed. You can set up a 401K for your business and even do so for employees if you have them. A tax professional can help with those decisions. How to Pay Self-Employment Tax Calculate your total self-employment tax based on your net earnings. Once you have the annual total of what you owe according to social security and medicare taxes withheld when you made quarterly payments, figure the difference. Then, based on net profit and previous quarterly payments, calculate your self-employment taxes owed. If you owe, you’ll be able to print a payment voucher from Schedule 1040 SE and send a check. Or you can pay electronically. How to Report Self-Employment Income Without a 1099 Many independent contractors don’t receive a 1099. Instead, their clients pay them by check, payment App or other method. During the year, you should record and tally payments made to you. As independent wage earners, you should have a business bank account. Using deposit records made to the business account, it should be easy to feed the deposit information (as income) into your tax preparation software or tax paperwork. You will always need documentation to support the numbers you use on your tax return. Having a record of deposits makes that easier. You should also have a dedicated credit card for your business. If you use the credit card for all or for the bulk of your purchases and expenses, tax time could be a breeze. Depending on the card you select, you could be earning points, rewards, or cash back on your spending in the meantime. Do I need to pay self-employment taxes? Yes, without a doubt. What happens if you don’t pay self-employment tax on time? If you don’t pay on time, the IRS will charge you a penalty. The penalty will be 2.66% on the amount owed. That percentage will be applied monthly to the growing total. What Is the Federal Self Employment Tax Rate? The self-employment tax rate is 15.3% (12.4 for SS and 2.9 for Medicare). With traditional employment taxes, the employer pays half of that (7.65%), and the employee is charged half (taken out of the paycheck). Since you don’t have an employer, the 7.65% amount can be used as a tax deduction. Is Disability Insurance for Self Employment Tax Deductible? No, the amount you pay for disability insurance is NOT tax deductible. That doesn’t mean you should go without it. In fact, disability insurance is relatively inexpensive, especially in comparison to the difference it will make for you should you become injured in some way and unable to work. However, you should be able to deduct dental, vision, and medical expenses if you spend more than your adjusted gross income. For instance, suppose you earned a gross income of $40,000 last year. After contributing $6,000 to an IRA, your adjusted income would be $34,000. You may have affordable health insurance but a high deductible that you paid out of pocket. Or you may not have vision or dental insurance. What if you needed two root canals, and paid more than $5,000 total for both? In the example, that’s more than 7.5% ($4,533) of the AGI. You may be able to deduct those costs. Of course, you’ll need documentation, including bills and records of your payments. If you have multiple medical expenses, it may be time to use a tax professional or tax software that includes professional assistance. What is the difference between self-employment tax and income tax? Let’s review. As you now know, the two are related – and you can’t have one without the other. In short, if you’re self-employed, use Schedule C to calculate deductions (if you have more than $12,500). If not, use the standard deduction. Make quarterly payments for the se tax, based on your best estimates. When you do the annual filing, use your net income earnings to see how much se tax you owe based on that figure. Using the totals from your quarterly payments, subtract what you’ve already paid. Make a payment for the remainder. Image: Depositphotos This article, "How to File Self Employment Taxes" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

The many different Types of self employment jobs have quite a range. There are dog walkers and accountants, landscapers and delivery drivers. There are self-employed jobs that are so much fun, they don’t feel like work. Often that happens when a hobby becomes a career. Regardless of the type of work performed, all self-employed individuals share a common obligation: they must pay taxes. This includes both income tax and self-employment tax. As a self-employed person, you can file self-employment income taxes yourself. You can get the paperwork needed from the internet and do it yourself, or you can use tax software for small business owners. Or you can hire a tax professional. Remember, this is federal income tax. You’ll also owe state income tax. What’s the Difference Between Income Tax and Self Employment Tax? Income taxes are the taxes you pay based on your net earnings. Self-employment taxes are additional taxes paid by self-employed individuals. What are Self Employment Taxes? Self-employed individuals pay social security and medicare taxes in addition to income tax. Employers take those taxes out when they do payroll. Since you don’t have an employer, you are responsible for paying self-employment taxes. How Much are Self-Employment Taxes? The self employment tax for social security and medicare is 15.3%. Of that, 12.4% goes to social security tax and the medicare tax is 2.9%. That’s the total for social security and medicare taxes if you’re single and make a net income below a certain threshold. If you’re single and exceed that threshold (congratulations, by the way), the medicare tax will be an additional 9% (3.8% total). There are various calculations based on your marital status and earnings from self-employment. Your taxable income is your net earnings, not the total of your business income. Additional Medicare Taxes for Self-Employed Professionals Although the social security tax remains standard, the medicare tax can vary according to your marital status and amount of net earnings from self-employment. When do You Have to Pay Self Employment Tax? Self employment taxes and income taxes should be made by quarterly estimated tax payments. For making quarterly estimated payments, you should use IRS Form 1040-ES, which is the Estimated Tax for Individuals. This form includes blank vouchers that you can print out. Alternatively, you can file electronically through the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System. Self-employed people will still file annual taxes. That’s when you’ll use IRS Form 1040 paired with IRS Schedule C, where you’ll fill in the information used to calculate your profit or loss. Your tax liability may be more or less, depending on whether you’ve over or underestimated your quarterly estimated taxes. The deadline for filing annually for a self-employed individual is the same as everybody else’s federal income tax return deadline, except for a deferral allowed by the CARES Act (see below). Self Employment Tax Deferral Through the CARES Act, workers could defer self employment taxes that were due during a specific period. Half of the self employment taxes due at that time were to be paid by the end of the following tax year, with the remaining half paid by the end of the subsequent tax year. How to File Your Self-Employment Taxes As an independent contractor/self employment individual, you have to keep good records to aid in tax preparation. Even more importantly, for ease in completing your tax return, you have to know where they are. Before beginning your federal income tax return, collect all the necessary documentation to substantiate your business expenses and gross income. These items are essential for calculating your net earnings from self-employment. Additionally, ensure you have the records of your quarterly estimated taxes paid, which were based on your projections for gross income and expenses for your estimated income tax payments. Filling Out Your Self-Employment Tax Form Since your self-employment tax is based on your net earnings from self-employment, the first thing you need to do is fill out your Schedule C. Schedule C: Profit and Loss Statement for Self-Employed This is the form where you record your business expenses, such as what you spent for travel, education and certifications, office equipment and supplies, materials and similar. Your expenses will be specific to the type of work you do as an independent contractor/self-employed person. You’ll add up your total income and the total of your expenses. The different between the two is either profit or loss applied to your tax bill. It’s important to keep the standard deduction in mind as you add up deductions. The standard deduction is $12,550. If your deductions will be less than that amount, you’ll just use the standard deduction. 1040 Self Employed This form includes your general information, such as your address and social security number. People who receive a W2 use the straight 1040. You’ll use the 1040 SE, which has a place for you to record the bottom line from your Schedule C. Once you’ve completed those forms for your tax return, you’ll have the number for your net earnings from self employment. You’ll use that number to calculate your self-employment tax, including social security and Medicare taxes. When you pay estimated taxes, you’ll also include that information. Self Employed W2 Sometimes self employed people receive a W2 from an employer who didn’t withhold payroll taxes. In that case on your tax return you must pay the income tax due, as well as the self employment tax for social security and medicare. Self Employment Tax Deductions If you run your own business, you’ll quickly get savvy about what you can use for a qualified business income deduction. Your self-employment earnings number will be reduced by any income tax deduction, such as: Purchase of computer, laptop, printer, and software for the business Office Supplies Travel such as airfare and vehicle mileage (keep records) Advertising costs Depreciation of equipment Education and certifications What about the home office deduction? Tax professionals often advise against using this deduction. It’s often stated that using the home office deduction makes it more likely that you’ll be audited by the IRS. Is that true? What matters is that as long as you have accurate, provable records, the home office deduction may work for you. For example, you have a dedicated office room, separate business and internet phone line, etc. Before you use this deduction, you may want to get tax advice from a tax preparation professional. Also, making itemized deductions doesn’t always make sense. The annual standard deduction for a single filer was raised to $12,550. If your deductions won’t be higher than that amount, just use the standard deduction. The standard deduction may even get you a higher tax refund. Self Employed Health Insurance Deduction You can deduct the cost of your health insurance premiums as tax deductions as you’re calculating your net earnings. Read More: best tax software for self-employed Tax Write-Offs for Self-Employed The best tax write-off for a self-employed individual is a retirement plan. Money contributed to a retirement plan is deducted from your gross earnings – then called adjusted gross income. Your level of income affects your tax rate, and your tax rate impacts how much you pay as a self employed business owner. For example, if you earn $32,000 gross from self-employment and contribute $6,000 (the annual limit, although you can contribute $7,000 the first year) to an IRA, your adjusted gross income is $26,000. That will change how much you pay to Social Security and Medicare and may help you get a tax refund. Such contributions are also one way to offset capital gains. Remember, if money isn’t taxed when it goes in, it will be taxed when it is withdrawn. You have two main choices: IRA (Individual Retirement Account) – An IRA can either be a traditional IRA, where taxes are not deducted from contributions, or a Roth IRA, where contributions are taxed beforehand. It may be beneficial to seek professional tax advice to figure out which type is most suitable for your situation. 401K – Monies contributed are pre-taxed. You can set up a 401K for your business and even do so for employees if you have them. A tax professional can help with those decisions. How to Pay Self-Employment Tax Calculate your total self-employment tax based on your net earnings. Once you have the annual total of what you owe according to social security and medicare taxes withheld when you made quarterly payments, figure the difference. Then, based on net profit and previous quarterly payments, calculate your self-employment taxes owed. If you owe, you’ll be able to print a payment voucher from Schedule 1040 SE and send a check. Or you can pay electronically. How to Report Self-Employment Income Without a 1099 Many independent contractors don’t receive a 1099. Instead, their clients pay them by check, payment App or other method. During the year, you should record and tally payments made to you. As independent wage earners, you should have a business bank account. Using deposit records made to the business account, it should be easy to feed the deposit information (as income) into your tax preparation software or tax paperwork. You will always need documentation to support the numbers you use on your tax return. Having a record of deposits makes that easier. You should also have a dedicated credit card for your business. If you use the credit card for all or for the bulk of your purchases and expenses, tax time could be a breeze. Depending on the card you select, you could be earning points, rewards, or cash back on your spending in the meantime. Do I need to pay self-employment taxes? Yes, without a doubt. What happens if you don’t pay self-employment tax on time? If you don’t pay on time, the IRS will charge you a penalty. The penalty will be 2.66% on the amount owed. That percentage will be applied monthly to the growing total. What Is the Federal Self Employment Tax Rate? The self-employment tax rate is 15.3% (12.4 for SS and 2.9 for Medicare). With traditional employment taxes, the employer pays half of that (7.65%), and the employee is charged half (taken out of the paycheck). Since you don’t have an employer, the 7.65% amount can be used as a tax deduction. Is Disability Insurance for Self Employment Tax Deductible? No, the amount you pay for disability insurance is NOT tax deductible. That doesn’t mean you should go without it. In fact, disability insurance is relatively inexpensive, especially in comparison to the difference it will make for you should you become injured in some way and unable to work. However, you should be able to deduct dental, vision, and medical expenses if you spend more than your adjusted gross income. For instance, suppose you earned a gross income of $40,000 last year. After contributing $6,000 to an IRA, your adjusted income would be $34,000. You may have affordable health insurance but a high deductible that you paid out of pocket. Or you may not have vision or dental insurance. What if you needed two root canals, and paid more than $5,000 total for both? In the example, that’s more than 7.5% ($4,533) of the AGI. You may be able to deduct those costs. Of course, you’ll need documentation, including bills and records of your payments. If you have multiple medical expenses, it may be time to use a tax professional or tax software that includes professional assistance. What is the difference between self-employment tax and income tax? Let’s review. As you now know, the two are related – and you can’t have one without the other. In short, if you’re self-employed, use Schedule C to calculate deductions (if you have more than $12,500). If not, use the standard deduction. Make quarterly payments for the se tax, based on your best estimates. When you do the annual filing, use your net income earnings to see how much se tax you owe based on that figure. Using the totals from your quarterly payments, subtract what you’ve already paid. Make a payment for the remainder. Image: Depositphotos This article, "How to File Self Employment Taxes" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Exchange under shaky ceasefire deal includes three deceased members of Bibas familyView the full article

Frustration is a common emotion. It’s a close cousin to anger, because both deal with your reaction to an obstacle that is preventing you from achieving your goals. Where they differ is that anger is (usually) directed outward at an external obstacle. The energy and rage that anger generates may be useful for trying to influence that external obstacle physically. Frustration is often directed at an internal or systemic obstacle that you can’t do much about. You may be frustrated because you don’t have the capability or time to do something, or may feel like some aspect of your company (or society) prevents you from accomplishing a goal. But frustration is often unproductive, because it gets you energized around something you can’t really fix. You may actually think less clearly if you get too energized and that might make it harder to move forward. Here are a few things you can do to handle frustration effectively, especially when it comes up in the workplace: Take a step back Research going back almost 120 years shows that there is a sweet spot for the amount of mental energy you need to operate effectively. When you have a low level of energy, you don’t think effectively, because you’re simply not engaged with the situation. As you get more energized, you get more effective in your thinking up to a point. However, additional energy will actually create too much arousal. At that point, you have a hard time staying focused. A little frustration can be helpful, because it may actually get you to pay attention to something that might otherwise escape your notice. However, when a situation creates more extreme frustration, you’re going to have trouble addressing it effectively. You need to develop strategies to dissipate that energy. Ideally, you would take a little time to disengage from the situation. Some physical activity can help. Taking a brisk walk or doing a workout can leave you calmer afterward. Techniques for calming yourself can also be valuable. Deep breathing exercises, yoga, and mindfulness meditations are options. Some of these techniques (particularly deep breathing) are also helpful when you can’t completely disengage with the situation. Understand the root of your workplace frustration When you’re feeling workplace frustration, it may not always be obvious what’s causing that emotion. That is, you may have the overwhelming feeling that you’re stuck without knowing why. It is valuable to think more about the nature of the obstacle and what would be required to overcome it. In what ways do you feel unprepared to take on the task you’re doing? If you need assistance from someone else or an opportunity build your skills, then develop a proposal you can bring to a supervisor to be more effective in the future. To what extent are there organizational structures that are getting in your way? Perhaps there is someone else making it difficult to complete your work. Perhaps you need permission from someone to move forward and can’t get the go-ahead. A conversation with your supervisor can be helpful here, as well. If you’re not sure where the barrier is coming from, they may be able to help. If you do know the cause of the problem, they may also be able to clear it away. Bringing these sources of organizational frustration to the attention of a supervisor is also valuable, because if you’re having a problem, chances are there are other colleagues who are as well. Get help Occasional frustration is part of everyone’s personal and professional life. Developing strategies to deal with excess energy that I mentioned earlier help a lot. But, if you find yourself frustrated at work frequently, consider seeing a therapist or career coach. It’s natural to think that the workplace frustration you experience signals a problem with the organization you’re working for. You might think the organization is poorly run, that your manager is a problem, or that you are just a bad fit for your current role. And, it’s entirely possible these are a big source of the problem. A good therapist or coach can help you to identify the source of the significant frustration you’re feeling. An important reason to work with someone else, though, is that it is also possible that you are helping to make that sense of frustration worse through your own reactions to things happening at work. Perhaps you interpret other people’s actions in a way that makes them feel like obstacles when they are not intended that way. Perhaps you are overestimating your own abilities, and that puts you in situations that are ultimately overwhelming. You might want to please others and so you take on more work than you can handle. A therapist or coach may help you to see the ways that you are contributing to your feelings of frustration. That is important, because you might think that changing jobs will alleviate your workplace frustration. But, if your actions or reactions are contributing to your sense of frustration, those won’t go away just by moving from one job to another. View the full article

UK bank had already booked a £450mn provision last yearView the full article

This post was written by Alison Green and published on Ask a Manager. It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. I hate my new job — can I go back to my old one? I worked at a company for over three years. Internally they have their issues and I had my share of frustrations, but it is basically a well oiled machine. As far as growth, there is not much, but I was paid well and had flexibility with my hours, although absolutely no work from home and an hour commute each way. Three months ago, a colleague who worked with me at this company and left two years prior, asked me to send my resume to her so she could pass it along to her boss. She only had good things to say about her new company so I thought it was a no-brainer when I interviewed and got the job with a 10% increase in pay and a hybrid schedule. I started the new job three weeks ago, and I am absolutely miserable. I miss my old job, my work, even the colleagues and the frustrations. I am mourning my old life and I want it back. I am also upset with this colleague who presented this new position to me because there are a ton of red flags and it is not a happy place like she said. I really did not plan to be in a position to now be searching for work, but here I am. Do you think it’s worth reaching out to my old manager and seeing if they will accept me back in my old role? As far as I know, they still have not filled the position. I was a good employee there but had a couple minor complaints about personal stuff — too much socializing with another employee, bad attitude during times of stress, but never any issues with my work or work ethic. I am depressed and having trouble sleeping and eating, completely consumed with how to get back to my old job. Please help! How much of this is about missing the old job and/or the discomfort of change, and how much is about truly not liking the new job? It might be 100% the latter, but I can’t completely tell from your letter — so I want to make sure you’ve thought that through, because sometimes it can be the change itself and/or missing what’s familiar and comfortable that’s more of the issue. If that’s the case, the solution is to give it more time so that this job starts feeling more comfortable to you, too. But if you’re confident the problem is the new job and it’s not right for you … you can certainly contact your old manager and ask about the possibility of your coming back. Sometimes people do that! They might or might not be open to it (too much socializing and bad attitude during times of stress could be pretty minor or they could be pretty big), but there’s nothing wrong with asking. Keep in mind that they’ll probably want some assurance that you’ll stay for a while and not immediately be looking again. There’s also a third option, of staying where you are while looking for a new job (not going back to the old one), which would give you some time to see if you get more used to the new company while you’re actively working on other options. Right now you’re so focused on missing the old job in comparison to the new one that there’s a risk you’re not thinking critically about the frustrations you had there. It might also be interesting to talk to the colleague who recruited you about what your experience has been at the company so far. It’s possible she’ll have some insight that will change your perspective, or at least help you sort through why you’re having such a different experience there than she’s had. Related: I just started my new job and I miss my old one — did I make a mistake? how to ask for your old job back 2. Instructor said, “Just lie back and think of England” I am a woman in a mostly male field, if it matters. Recently I was taking an online course to pursue a certification (which I got! Woo), and the instructor made a comment about ignoring something. Specifically he said, “Just lie back and think of England.” I thought that was a horribly sexist/gross thing to say! Especially as an instructor! (For the record, I think “open kimono” is equally appalling.) I sent him an email that afternoon remarking about my thoughts and advising him to look up that particular phrase and how it could be offensive. I never got a reply, and then felt awkward completing the class for the next few days. Was I out of line? No, that’s a gross and inappropriate phrase for an instructor to use. For anyone who’s unaware of its origins, it comes from a suggestion that a woman should submit to sexual activity from her spouse even if she’d prefer not to, because of her duties as a wife (and patriot!). You were not out of line to point that out, and he should have replied to thank you (or at a minimum to say he didn’t mean to make anyone uncomfortable and would be more aware of his language in the future, or so forth). His silence says something about him, not you, and you don’t need to feel awkward. 3. Is expecting an interview on very short notice a bad sign? Yesterday, at 4:45 pm, I received an email requesting an interview for today between 9 am and 11 am or at 2 pm. I also received a phone call around 10 minutes later. I responded to the email around 5:05 pm, stating I’d be available at 9:15 am today for an interview. I did not receive a reply until this morning at 8:45. The person scheduling the interview said they were sorry they didn’t see my email earlier and asked if I could do 2:30. I can’t so I emailed back saying no and gave other days/times I could. She responded saying that the program director is going on vacation tonight, so they’d like to schedule something today and asked if I could be available at 9:30 or 10 today. While I understand a vacation making things difficult to schedule, I am getting a bad taste of this organization and the job. What say you? Is it a bad sign for this kind of rush job? Nah, not really. It’s annoying — and if they’re going to email you at the end of the workday proposing an interview for the start of the following day, they really need a plan for checking email that evening to see if you chose that time — but it doesn’t necessarily carry any larger message about the company. It could be a disorganized scheduler and nothing else, or just a rush for legitimate reasons to see if they can get some of the interviews done before the director leaves. It’s not necessarily anything bigger than that. If you can’t be available on their short notice, you can’t. But I wouldn’t read much into it. If you advance in the process and continue to see signs of disorganization or of “my emergency needs to be your emergency,” that would be different. 4. Two employees share an office and don’t get along I am a new supervisor and have recently had three employees move under my supervision. At the same time as this transition, two employees moved into a shared office space. (This was a decision made by upper management and it makes sense based on their job duties.) The problem is these two employees do not get along whatsoever and frankly never have. “Sharon” is extremely passive-aggressive when given advice on dealing with situations and is running around the whole company complaining about everything from the shared office to flat-out saying rude things about “Lisa.” It’s extremely unprofessional and needs to stop. I plan to have a sit-down meeting with Sharon to talk about these issues. I want her to understand I will not tolerate this behavior. I suspect she will put blame on Lisa. She’s mentioned Lisa saying things like “you didn’t give me condolences when my mother-in-law passed away” or “I don’t believe my plants were the cause of your so called allergies.” These comments very well could have happened, so I also plan to sit down with Lisa. I just don’t know the appropriate way to respond when that’s brought up, because while that’s an issue that needs to be addressed, it doesn’t excuse the negativity that she’s spreading around the company. You should hear her out about Lisa in case there’s something truly egregious that you need to know about and address. But then you should say, “I will be talking with Lisa separately, but this meeting is about my expectations for your behavior and I’m asking you to focus on that right now.” 5. How honest can I be that I need more WFH days if I’m going to stay? I currently work from home one day a week. Due to a lack of affordability in our area and the space we need, my family have decided to move out of the town where my office is based, a 1.5-hour commute away. I would like to request an extra day working from home. My bosses have been very lukewarm-to-negative about remote work, but on the other hand there are other people in the office working more remote days than I would be requesting, albeit in a different department. So I’m going to request the extra day, but how honest should be about what the impact of the decision would have on me staying with the company? They are entitled to say no to to the request, but the reality would be that I would start looking at new jobs. How honest should I be about that? It depends 100% on how valued you are and how much capital you have. The more they’d be upset to lose you, the more up-front you can be — and even then I’d frame it as “this is something that would let me happily stay with the company long-term,” not as “I’ll need to start job-searching if you say no,” particularly since you can’t control how long that search will take. A decent manager will read between those lines without you having to spell it out more explicitly than that. View the full article