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Hello folks, Remote work can open doors far beyond your home office—whether it’s a path to living abroad, building a more secure retirement, or even purposefully stepping into a scam to see how it plays out. But before any of that, remote work often has to be negotiated, unless it’s already assured. Enjoy this week’s reads. -Maja Our Favorite Articles 💯How to Negotiate Remote Work (Forbes)If your manager is still reluctant about remote work, these four negotiation strategies can help tip the balance. 👉 ​Learn more​. I got hired by a scammer (Slate)Plot twist: after spotting a scammer, the writer decided to take the job anyway. 👉 ​Read on​. Working From Home and Retirement (Investopedia)Remote work isn’t just convenient now; it also paves the way for a smarter tomorrow. 👉 ​​​Read here. Fresh in the World of Digital Nomad Visas (Remotive)Slovenia just made our Digital Nomad Visa list—44 countries and counting. Start here to check your fit. 👉 ​Read more​. This Week's Sponsor 🙌Join us as a Personalized Internet AssessorWork at home as a Personalized Internet Ads Assessor, reviewing online advertisements by rating them on their relevance to the search terms used as well as providing feedback on their language and cultural relevance in order to improve their content, quality, and layout. Join AI Community now! ​Remotive​ Jobs 💼Let's get you hired! These teams are hiring now: 💻 Engineering 👉 ​Senior DevOps Engineer (Azure) at Proxify​ (CET +/-3 HOURS) 👉 ​Senior Independent Software Developer at A.Team​ (Americas, Europe, Israel) 🎨 Design 👉 ​Senior Independent UX/UI Designer at A.Team​ (Americas, Europe, Israel) 📈 Sales / Business 👉 ​Insurance Professional at The Kenney Agency​ (USA Only) 🍃 All others 👉 ​The Personalized Internet ads assessor - German (DE) at​ TELUS Digital​ (Germany) Free Guides & Tools​Public Job Board​We curate 2,000 remote jobs so you don't have to! ​Find your remote job →​ ​Exclusive Webinar​3 Mistakes to Avoid When Looking For A Remote Startup Job (And What To Do Instead) ​Register for free →​ ​Job Search Tips​Looking for a remote job? Here are our tips to help you work remotely ​Check it out →​​ Join the Remotive newsletter Subscribe to get our latest content by email. Success! Now check your email to confirm your subscription. There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again. Email address Subscribe Powered by ConvertKit View the full article

If you do any kind of marketing, you’ve probably come across at least one of these acronyms recently: GEO: Generative Engine Optimization AEO: Answer Engine Optimization LLMO: Large Language Model Optimization AIO: Artificial Intelligence Optimization Here’s the truth: They all mean essentially the same thing. But they are subtly different from SEO (search engine optimization). This article will tell you where they’re similar, where they’re different, and what you need to know as a marketer. SEO vs. Everything Else Explained There might be shades of nuance between these acronyms, but the goal with all of them is the same. They all aim to optimize your (or your client’s) online presence to appear in more AI responses in tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google’s AI Mode. Okay, so if they’re so similar: why the need for all these acronyms in the first place? Why All the Acronyms? The main reason we have so many acronyms like GEO, AEO, LLMO, and AIO is that AI optimization in general is still very new. This means people from all corners of marketing have been coming across new concepts, ideas, and techniques at the same time. Naturally, people call things different names as they try to differentiate themselves from traditional SEO — and all the other new acronyms appearing on the scene. Why do they do that? Various reasons: They want to appear to be at the forefront of digital marketing Their bosses have told them they need to do it They’re trying to offer new services in a volatile marketplace There’s nothing wrong with any of these reasons. But it does make it confusing for the rest of us. And it’s clear that a lot of people are searching for these new terms: And the trends over time are clear too, as search demand for these new terms has skyrocketed in the past year: One term in particular, “AI Optimization,” has really exploded: Are They Replacing SEO? Short answer: no. Can you guess which keyword I blurred out in the first screenshot above? That’s right: search engine optimization. More than 40K searches each month. And the acronym “SEO”? Almost a quarter of a million searches each month in the US alone: (The other acronyms aren’t “mainstream” enough to use as a data point here. For example, AEO is American Eagle Outfitters, and GEO can mean a hundred different things.) Clearly, search volumes don’t tell the whole story, but SEO is definitely still the more popular term right now. And the Google Trend graph is the final nail in the “Is SEO Dead?” coffin: That’s right, search demand for SEO has actually grown over the past year. But you’ll see here that “AI Optimization” is arguably “trendier” right now than SEO. And that makes sense, because people and businesses are concerned about how to optimize for AI systems. There is a shift in the industry from pure SEO to some form of optimization for the likes of ChatGPT and AI Mode. Businesses are even hiring for “GEO Experts”: And agencies are pivoting to offer AI search services: So what these acronyms are all about is a very real thing. But it’s not a complete revolution when you compare it to search engine optimization. Quick Summary of SEO vs. GEO/AEO/LLMO/AIO Here’s what’s actually happening. There are really only two distinct approaches, SEO vs. the rest: Aspect Classic SEO AI Optimization (GEO/AEO/LLMO/AIO) Insight Goal Rank high in search results Get cited in AI-generated responses Both matter. Create content that ranks AND gets cited. How Users Search Keywords and short phrases, like: “email marketing tools” Complete questions and context: “Which email marketing tool is best for a small nonprofit?” Research actual questions your audience asks. Don’t just rely on keywords with high search volume. Success Metric Click-through traffic to your site Being quoted/referenced by AI Go beyond website visits and start tracking brand mentions across AI tools. User Journey User clicks > visits your page > converts User gets answer > may never visit your site, may click through for details, or may visit directly later Make your brand memorable through a compelling product, service, or content — even in brief AI mentions. Content Focus Optimize full pages (titles, headers, meta tags) Create clear, quotable passages that answer specific questions Write self-contained sections. Each paragraph should make sense on its own. Main Platforms Google, Bing search results ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, Google AI Mode, AI Overviews You need visibility across all platforms where your audience seeks information. Key Factors Links and overall authority Citations and brand sentiment Build authority through quality backlinks AND consistent messaging everywhere. Where Content Lives Primarily on your website Websites, plus YouTube, forums, and social platforms One thoughtful Reddit comment might drive more AI citations than five blog posts. Measurement Tools Google Analytics, Search Console Brand monitoring tools, AI citation tracking Set up tracking for both classic SEO and AI visibility. Where They’re Actually the Same (Spoiler: Almost Everything) Despite the different names, these approaches share most of the same features and tactics: The goal is the same: While visibility is perhaps the word you’ll see associated with success in the AI era, the goal for businesses is still to get more customers and drive revenue. Whether that’s from search engines or ChatGPT, it’s still the bottom-line number that business owners care about. Content quality is paramount: All of these optimization methods prioritize high-quality, authoritative content. Whether you’re targeting Google’s search results or ChatGPT’s responses, you need genuine expertise and accurate information. Structure matters everywhere: Clear headings, logical flow, and well-organized information help both search engines and AI systems understand your content. A messy blog post won’t rank well anywhere. Authority signals are universal: Backlinks, domain authority, and expertise signals matter across all platforms. AI systems often rely on the same trust signals that traditional search engines use (although citations, not just links, matter more for AI optimization). User intent drives everything: Whether someone types a query into Google or asks ChatGPT a question, they want a useful answer. Content that genuinely helps people will generally perform well regardless of the platform. Where They Actually Differ (The Few Real Distinctions) The differences between these approaches are smaller than the marketing suggests: Links vs. citations: In traditional SEO, a big driver of your authority and whether you’ll rank is the quality of your backlink profile. In AI optimization, where you’re cited across the web matters more than just the links you have. Traffic vs. citations: The broader business goals are still the same (to get customers and make money). But SEO is clearly more focused on driving traffic while AI optimization is, at least on the surface, about getting cited in AI responses. Response format: Keyword-optimized, long-form content was often the winning strategy for SEO. AI-optimized content focuses on direct, quotable answers to specific questions. Measurement challenges: You can easily track your SEO performance with tools like Google Analytics. Measuring AI visibility requires newer tools and different metrics, and it’s not always possible to accurately map out the customer journey. But here’s what’s important: you don’t choose between these approaches. A well-optimized piece of content will perform across all these platforms simultaneously. What This Means for Your Business Now you know where there is and isn’t overlap between SEO, GEO, AIO, and all the other acronyms. But what do you actually do with this information? Content Research Gets More Complex You can’t just look at keyword search volume anymore. You need to understand what questions people are asking AI systems and what answers those systems are currently providing. This means your content team needs to research across multiple platforms: Google search results ChatGPT responses Perplexity citations AI Mode and AI Overviews You need to understand where you’re being cited and where you’re not. But you also need to understand why other sites are being mentioned. This way, you can create content that’s also more likely to get cited. Writing Becomes Answer-First Writers need to structure content so AI systems can easily extract quotable segments for their answers. That means: Descriptive subheadings Clear transitions between sections Direct answers early in each section Simple language where possible Short sentences and paragraphs Editor’s Note: This is one that we feel quite strongly about at Backlinko. This is NOT new: it’s just good writing practice. But it is more important than ever, and if you weren’t already doing these things, you need to start now. Content Investment Increases Creating content that performs well across multiple search platforms requires more time and expertise. And you might even need to start creating content on different platforms too. Why? Because appearing in AI responses isn’t just about writing great blog posts. These tools love to reference user-generated content, forums like Reddit, and YouTube videos. This means you’ll need to consider creating content beyond your website. New KPIs to Track Website traffic is still important, but it’s not the only success metric. You need to start measuring: Brand mention frequency in AI responses Citation accuracy across AI platforms (i.e., are the tools saying the right things about your brand?) Share of voice in AI-generated answers Brand sentiment in AI outputs A tool that does all four of these is Semrush’s AI SEO Toolkit. It’ll show your brand’s overall visibility and share of voice in AI tools like ChatGPT, Google AI Mode, and Perplexity: You can also see how these tools perceive your brand versus your rivals: The tool also shows you how often you’re cited compared to your competitors: Finally, you can also find out the questions real users are asking about your industry: You can use the AI SEO Toolkit’s insights to create and optimize your content for the questions users are asking. And you can optimize your overall visibility to ensure AI tools are saying the right things about your brand. How to Explain It All to Your Boss/Stakeholders Your boss and stakeholders in your business are going to hear about the likes of GEO and AIO and have questions for you. There’s no avoiding that. This means you need to be able to explain the shift in plain business language — without the jargon and without triggering panic. Here’s how to do it. Lead with the Reality, Not the Acronym Your CMO doesn’t care if it’s SEO, GEO, or AEO. They care if your brand is visible when it matters. Don’t start with “We need to do GEO now.” Start with “Our customers are getting answers from AI systems, and we need to make sure we’re part of those answers.” This immediately connects to business outcomes instead of marketing tactics. Be Honest About the Uncertainty Don’t pretend you have a perfect read on how AI engines source answers. (Nobody does.) Say: “Some factors are proven — authority, relevance, clarity, and trust. Others are emerging, and we’re still testing things. Here’s what we know, and here’s what we’re learning.” That honesty builds more trust than overconfidence. Leadership teams have seen too many “revolutionary” marketing tactics fizzle out. Make it clear you’re being strategic, not just chasing trends. Anchor to Business Impact Shift the conversation from traffic to results that leadership cares about: Revenue from organic sources Pipeline influenced by organic visibility Brand lift and share of voice Cost per acquisition trends Customer lifetime value from organic channels Instead of saying “We need to optimize for ChatGPT,” say: “We expect fewer casual visits but higher conversion rates from people who find us through these new channels.” This frames the expected change as quality improvement, not traffic loss. Highlight the Win-Win Investments Lay out the actions that are worth investing in, no matter what: Deeper audience research: Understanding exactly what questions your prospects ask (across all platforms) improves everything from product development to sales conversations Answer-ready content: Content that directly addresses customer questions performs better everywhere: traditional search, social media, sales enablement, and AI systems Brand and topic mentions in trusted sources: Getting coverage and citations from authoritative websites helps with traditional SEO, brand awareness, and AI visibility Strong UX and review presence: Better website experience and more customer reviews can improve conversion rates, regardless of where the traffic comes from Measuring what matters: Tracking brand mentions, share of voice, and conversion quality gives you better business intelligence for any marketing channel These efforts are likely to work in SEO, GEO, or any other flavor of optimization. They’re just good marketing practices. Highlighting these gives leadership confidence that you’re not betting everything on one unproven tactic. And it tells them that no matter what, these are things you should be doing anyway. Position the Expansion as an Advantage Make it clear this isn’t about more work for the same payoff. It’s about capturing market share while competitors are still figuring things out: “Most of our competitors are still focused only on traditional search. We have a 6-12 month window to establish authority in AI systems before they catch up.” This positions your team as forward-thinking, not reactive. Address the Obvious Concerns You’re going to get questions, no doubt about it. Here’s how to answer the most common ones: Question: “How much will this cost?” Answer: “Most of the work builds on our existing content strategy. We’re expanding our definition of search optimization, not replacing it.” Break down the investment: Content creation (already budgeted) New monitoring tools (modest monthly cost) Team training (one-time investment) Testing and optimization (part of ongoing marketing) Question: “How do we measure success?” Answer: “We’ll track traditional metrics plus brand visibility across AI platforms. Success means maintaining our current organic performance while building presence in emerging channels.” Set up a dashboard that shows both traditional SEO metrics and AI citation tracking side by side. (Or use a tool like Semrush to do this for you.) Question: “What if this is just a fad?” Answer: “The underlying strategy — creating authoritative, helpful content and offering a great user experience — is the foundation of good marketing. We’re just making sure that our content performs well across more search platforms.” Frame it as good marketing practices and risk mitigation, not trend-following. Provide a Clear Timeline Month 1-2 (Foundation): Audit existing content to understand its AI optimization potential Set up monitoring tools for AI citations Train team on new optimization principles Month 3-4 (Testing): Optimize select pieces of content for AI systems Measure performance across traditional and AI search platforms Refine approach based on results Month 5-6 (Scaling): Apply learnings to broader content strategy Expand monitoring and optimization efforts Report on impact to organic performance overall Scripts for Explaining What You Do When your job involves optimizing for AI systems, explaining what you actually do can be tricky. Here are a few ready-to-use scripts for different situations. For Your Boss/Senior Stakeholders “I’m expanding our search optimization strategy to include AI-powered platforms. We’re making sure our brand shows up when people ask ChatGPT, Perplexity, or Google’s AI Mode about our industry. The same content quality that drives our current organic success will now work across multiple new discovery channels.” For Family and Friends “You know how people used to only Google things? Now they ask ChatGPT or voice assistants as well, or even instead. I make sure our company shows up in those AI answers when people ask about our industry. It’s like SEO but for AI. Instead of trying to rank #1 on Google, I’m trying to get our company mentioned when AI gives people recommendations.” For Professional Profiles (LinkedIn, Resume, etc.) “I help companies maintain and expand their organic visibility as search evolves beyond traditional engines to include AI-powered platforms like ChatGPT, Claude, and Google’s AI Mode.” For Prospective Clients/Customers “We help companies get found by customers regardless of how they search — whether that’s Google, ChatGPT, or any other AI tool. Our approach combines traditional SEO with optimization for AI systems that are increasingly answering customer questions.” For Industry Peers/Conferences “The fundamentals of search optimization haven’t changed — authority, relevance, and user value still matter. But we’re now optimizing for systems that synthesize information rather than just ranking it. A lot of the tactics are familiar, but the platforms we’re optimizing for are expanding.” How to Thrive in the AI Era of Search Whether you call it SEO, GEO, AIO, or LLMO, the fundamentals of optimization and creating great content don’t change. The goals shift a little, and how you measure success will differ compared to pure SEO. But how you win in the AI era of search just requires an evolution of how you were doing things before. To stay ahead of the game, check out these resources for more information: Search Everywhere Optimization Guide (+ Free Checklist) LLM Visibility: The SEO Metric No One Is Reporting On (Yet) 5 LLM Visibility Tools to Track Your Brand in AI Search (2025) The post SEO vs. GEO, AEO, LLMO: What Marketers Need to Know appeared first on Backlinko. View the full article

Oberon delivers a wide range of deployment solutions for nearly any AP make and application. The post Oberon: Next generation ‘Wi-Fi everywhere’ requires innovative deployment solutions for quality, security, and reduced TCO appeared first on Wi-Fi NOW Global. View the full article

IDEAS shared have the power to expand perspectives, change thinking, and move lives. Here are two ideas for the curious mind to engage with: I. Richard Daft on reflection: “Reflection is also a choice: that of thoughtful wisdom over instant reaction. The idea of reflection is to find deeper understanding of cause-and-effect relationships, because organizational problems often are more complex than they look. Things move so fast that often you may not know what you really think or feel about an issue. Reflection makes your mind proactive rather than reactive.” Source: The Executive and the Elephant: A Leader's Guide for Achieving Inner Excellence II. Antony Bell on humility: “Humility rests firmly on the foundation of self-awareness. Humility generates two qualities: a thirst for personal growth and a healthy dose of self-discipline. Requires a certain measure of humility to recognize what you don’t know and an equal measure to want to keep on learning. Humility recognizes that greatness requires work, and work requires self-discipline. Great leaders work hard, and, most of all, they work hard on themselves.” Source: Great Leadership: What It Is and What It Takes in a Complex World * * * Look for these ideas every Thursday on the Leading Blog. Find more ideas on the LeadingThoughts index. * * * Follow us on Instagram and X for additional leadership and personal development ideas. View the full article

AI search traffic is set to overtake traditional search by 2028. Learn 5 proven tactics to improve your AI presence. View the full article

Across LinkedIn threads and AI‑SEO guides, the promise is the same: format your content into perfect “chunks” and you’ll get chosen for Google’s AI Overviews or cited in AI search results. The problem? Chunk optimization isn’t actually an SEO tactic.…Read more ›View the full article

Guest posts are articles you write and publish on other websites. Here’s how to get them. View the full article

Ruin bars are all the rage in Budapest and have been around since the founding of Szimpla Kert, the mecca of all ruin bars, in 2002. These bars are built in Budapest’s old District VII neighborhood (the old Jewish quarter) in the ruins of abandoned buildings, stores, or lots. This neighborhood was left to decay after World War II, so it was a perfect place to develop an underground bar scene. These places were very off the beaten path, rough around the edges, and catered to artists, students, and alternative people. But they became very popular and well known by 2010 and have nice gone mainstream, though their setting has not changed. From the outside, these bars look like normal buildings. They don’t have large signs pointing the way, you don’t hear any loud noise, and there’s no line of people waiting to get in. But once you walk in and enter the inner courtyard, you find yourself in the middle of a hip, artsy, and funky bar bustling with crowds talking, dancing, and enjoying the laid-back atmosphere. Large bouncers, along with posted signs, ensure that people are quiet on their way out so as to not disturb the neighbors. Each of these ruin bars has its own personality, but they all follow a few basic principles: find an old, abandoned place, rent it out, set up a bar, fill it with flea market furniture, have a few artists come in to leave their mark on the walls and ceiling, add in some weird antiques, serve alcohol, and watch people flock in. When you’re in these bars, you feel like you’re drinking at your local thrift store. None of the furniture matches. It’s all old. It’s eclectic. It feels like they just ransacked your grandmother’s house. The ceilings are all designed differently and the places haven’t been repaired or fixed up, and there are still holes in the walls and visible pipes everywhere. Though the Ruin Bar movement has become mainstream, many of the bars have done a good job of keeping their character and staying true to their roots — even as they fill up with more tourists. Here is a list of the best ruin bars of Budapest: Szimpla Kert This was the original ruin bar. It opened in 2001, starting this trend. It’s one of the biggest ruin bars and still one of the most popular. Once an abandoned factory, now there’s a large open courtyard, a top floor filled with eclectic furniture, cocktail bars, music, and even an old, stripped-down Trabant (a communist car) to have a drink in. All the rooms have a different theme. They also sell pizza, which, after a few drinks, makes for the perfect walking-home snack. Everyone I take here says it’s one of the coolest bars they’ve ever been to. If you just visit one bar, make it this one. Grandio Grandio is a ruin bar and hostel in one. It’s famous for its outdoor, tree-filled courtyard but is mostly filled with travelers and people on bar crawls since it’s also a hostel. This is a good place to start your night and meet other travelers. During the day you can find locals relaxing here with a drink in the garden. It’s not quite as rowdy as the other bars and, since it’s smaller, it has a bit more of a laid-back and intimate vibe. Dürer Kert A former university building, this ruin bar and music venue lets you tap into your inner college student as you drink a few beers while playing foosball, Ping-Pong, darts, and a French game called pétanque (it’s fun). The courtyard garden is a good spot to enjoy all the live music that happens in this bar. The space is really big and there’s a lot of activity here. Plus, I love how the art and paintings on the wall. Instant-Fogas Complex The Instant-Fogas Complex is located in an entire apartment building and the biggest ruin bar in the city. There are over 20 rooms, 18 different bars, multiple dance floors, and 2 gardens. It’s one of the more club-like ruin bars. In Instant, you can sit in what were once individual apartments and relax on furniture that looks like it was found on the street. They’ve knocked down many of the walls to connect the apartments and make space for the DJs and dancing. Given its popularity and the fact that it’s more “clubby,” drinks here are a little more expensive than in other ruin bars. If you want to dance away the night, this is the bar for you. Doboz I’m not entirely sure if this place fits into the ruin bar culture. It was much fancier and trendier than the other bars I visited. It was like being in a “real” bar. However, I was taken there as part of a ruin bar tour, and, regardless, I loved this place. You walk into the courtyard and are greeted by a tree with a red-eyed robot attached to it. It looks like a Transformer is about to attack you. There are two main rooms: one red, the other blue. They play a lot of dance music, and this place fills up toward the end of the night. The only downside is that it has more limited opening hours than other bars. Mazel Tov This is one of Budapest’s newest ruin bars. Mazel Tov (located in the old Jewish quarter) is a community center and restaurant serving traditional Jewish cuisine by day. At night, the courtyard is a party with DJs and live entertainment entertaining guests. There’s also a restaurant here. I wouldn’t call this a “ruin bar” in the traditional sense but it’s a nice atmosphere, the decor is nice, and it’s got great drinks. It’s fancier than all the others so don’t expect something so “rough and tumble.” Csendes Letterem Café & Bar If you’re looking for a more laid-back vibe to balance out the party atmosphere of some of the other ruin bars but don’t want to sacrifice the cool vintage aesthetic, this is the bar for you. It’s located right in the heart of Budapest and is the perfect place to relax and share drinks with friends or settle in for an evening of conversation. The bar also serves food and has Wi-Fi, so you’ll often find digital nomads mingling here. *** Budapest may sell itself on history and thermal baths, but the ruin bars are by far the most unique thing about this city. Even if you don’t drink, come spend time at these ruin bars because they are such a funky way to see a popular and totally unique aspect of life in Budapest (you can even take a self-guided tour of a few bars that includes skip-the-line entry). You’ll meet a lot of locals when you visit too! So, don’t miss them. Get Your In-Depth Budget Guide to Europe!My detailed 200+ page guidebook is made for budget travelers like you! It cuts out the fluff found in other guides and gets straight to the practical information you need to travel while in Europe. It has suggested itineraries, budgets, ways to save money, on and off the beaten path things to see and do, non-touristy restaurants, markets, bars, safety tips, and much more! Click here to learn more and get your copy today. Plan your trip to Europe like a pro Get all my best Europe travel tips as well as free planning guides sent straight to you and see more of the country for less! Get your guides here! Book Your Trip to Budapest: Logistical Tips and Tricks Book Your Flight Use Skyscanner to find a cheap flight. They are my favorite search engine because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned. Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. For suggested hostels, here is a complete list of my favorite hostels in Budapest. If you prefer to stay in a hotel, these are my favorite hotels. And if you’re wondering what part of town to stay in, here’s my neighborhood breakdown of Budapest! Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are: SafetyWing (best for everyone) Insure My Trip (for those over 70) Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage) Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too. Want More Information on Budapest? Be sure to visit my robust destination guide on Budapest for even more planning tips! The post The Best Ruin Bars of Budapest appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site. View the full article

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. If you fly Delta frequently and want to earn toward elite status while enjoying more travel perks than their Gold card offers but don’t want to pay the high fee of the Reserve, the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card is likely the best fit for you. It’s a step up in both annual fee and benefits, giving you tools to reach Medallion status faster, plus credits that can offset travel costs. Here’s my review of the card! Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card Overview The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card has an annual fee of $350. (See Rates and Feees.) That is a pretty high annual fee for a lot of people but I would say that if you fly the airline enough to hit their gold status then you are definitely going to want this card over their other ones as it will give you a lot of perks and make your Delta flying experience better. This card offers: Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $4,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 10/29/2025. 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets. 1x Miles on all other purchases Receive a Companion Certificate on a Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit. $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year 1 MQD for each $20 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year. $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee 15% off award travel redemptions on Delta flights Up to $120 Resy credit (up to $10 monthly in statement credits) Up to $120 Rideshare credit(up to $10 monthly in statement credits) First checked back free How to Redeem Delta SkyMiles Delta uses dynamic pricing for their rewards. That means that the number of points it takes to book a flight isn’t a set number. Instead, the rate varies based on the cash price of a flight. You can also redeem your points as cash at checkout at the rate of 1 cent per mile but I never find that a good redemption and only rarely ever do that. I only ever do this if I am low on points and don’t have enough to redeem a flight but want to save money off the cash price. The 15% off on award redemptions makes flights a lot more affordable so be sure to have your card connected to your SkyMiles account. If you are flexible with your dates, you can use their award calendar to see the best points fare as mixing and matching your dates can lead to better deals. Additionally, Delta offers a lot of award sales so keep an eye out for them. Thrifty Traveler and Point.me are two good websites that can send you alerts. I find Delta miles to be the best for U.S. domestic economy and comfort plus redemptions. Unless there’s a sale, I never book for business or international flights. The redemption value is terrible. Is the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Worth It? For regular Delta flyers aiming for Medallion status, the The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card is a clear upgrade from the Gold card. The companion certificate alone can offset the annual fee. Add in the TSA PreCheck credit, higher earning rates, and MQD boosts, statement credits, and the 15% off rewards and the card pays for itself. I’m a huge fan of this one. I have the business version of it as I have the Reserve for personal use since I am heavy Delta flier but if you’re not, then get this Platinum card. Pros and Cons Pros: Companion certificate each year MQD earning through card spend Higher earn rates on Delta and hotel purchases TSA PreCheck/Global Entry credit Free checked bag for you and companions 15% off award flights Cons: Higher annual fee at $350 No Sky Club lounge access Companion certificate is domestic main cabin only *** The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card is best for travelers who fly Delta often and are either chasing or maintaining Medallion status. Between the companion certificate, free checked bags, and the ability to earn MQDs on spending, it offers more than enough perks to justify the higher fee for frequent flyers. If you want lounge access or premium upgrades, however, you might want to look at the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card card instead. Click here to learn more and sign up! Stop paying full price for travel! Download my free guide to points and miles and learn how to use points and miles for free travel! It's how all the pros travel so much! In this guide, I'll show you: How to Pick a Credit Card How to Earn Up to 10x Miles on Your Spending How to Redeem Your Points And a Ton of Other Money Saving Tips! Get the guide Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner. It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned. Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels. Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are: SafetyWing (best for budget travelers) World Nomads (best for mid-range travelers) InsureMyTrip (for those 70 and over) Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage) Want to Travel for Free? Travel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation — all without any extra spending. Check out my guide to picking the right card and my current favorites to get started and see the latest best deals. Need a Rental Car? Discover Cars is a budget-friendly international car rental website. No matter where you’re headed, they’ll be able to find the best — and cheapest — rental for your trip! Need Help Finding Activities for Your Trip? Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can find cool walking tours, fun excursions, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more. Ready to Book Your Trip? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use when I travel. They are the best in class and you can’t go wrong using them on your trip. The post Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card Review appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site. View the full article

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. If you fly a few times a year, you know the pain points: baggage fees that add up quickly, boarding last and finding no overhead bin space left, and earning miles at a snail’s pace. That’s where the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card can really change your travel experience. I’m a believer that if you fly one airline at least a few times per year (or have a favorite airline), you should at least get the airline’s lowest tier credit card as it comes with enough perks to justify the cost and will make your travel experience better. If you’re a Delta casual flier who wants solid perks with a $0 intro annual fee the first year, then $150, Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card is the card for you. (See rates and fees.) In this review, we’ll break down the benefits, costs, and potential drawbacks so you can decide if this card is worth adding to your wallet. [TOC] What is the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card ? Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card is Delta’s most basic credit card offering and is for people who want to make their airport and flying experience easier but don’t want to pay a high annual fee. The annual fee for this card is $150 per year but is a $0 intro annual fee the first year. This card offers: Earn 80,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 10/29/2025. 2x miles on Delta purchases 2x miles at U.S. supermarkets and at restaurants worldwide 1x miles on all other purchases Free checked bag on Delta flights $200 Delta flight credit after you spend $10,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year 15% off Award Travel redemptions on Delta flights Take up to $50 off the cost of your flight for every 5,000 miles you redeem with Pay with Miles when you book on delta.com. Zone 5 Priority Boarding on Delta flights Up to $100 Delta Stays credit 20% back on eligible in-flight purchases savings in the form of statement credits. Using Your Delta Points Delta uses dynamic pricing for their rewards. That means that the number of points it takes to book a flight isn’t a set number. Instead, the rate varies based on the cash price of a flight. You can also redeem your points as cash at checkout at the rate of 1 cent per mile but I never find that a good redemption and only rarely ever do that. I only ever do this if I am low on points and don’t have enough to redeem a flight but want to save money off the cash price. The 15% off on award redemptions makes flights a lot more affordable so be sure to have your card connected to your SkyMiles account. If you are flexible with your dates, you can use their award calendar to see the best points fare as mixing and matching your dates can lead to better deals. Additionally, Delta offers a lot of award sales so keep an eye out for them. Thrifty Traveler and Point.me are two good websites that can send you alerts. I find Delta miles to be the best for U.S. domestic economy and comfort plus redemptions. Unless there’s a sale, I never book for business or international flights. The redemption value is terrible. Is the Delta SkyMiles® Gold Worth It? If you fly Delta two or three times a year and don’t have elite status, the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card can pay for itself just through the free checked bag benefit as that can save up to $70 on a round-trip per person. For a family of four that’s a potential savings of up to $280 per round-trip flight. Add in priority boarding, the 15% award discount, and occasional statement credits, and you’re getting solid value for a relatively modest annual fee. *** Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card hits a sweet spot for casual-to-regular Delta fliers. The free checked bag alone can offset the annual fee, and the priority boarding and award discount make travel more pleasant and affordable. While it doesn’t offer premium perks like lounge access, it delivers enough value for its price point. If you fly Delta but aren’t ready to commit to a high-fee premium card, this is an easy choice to consider. Stop paying full price for travel! Download my free guide to points and miles and learn how to use points and miles for free travel! It's how all the pros travel so much! In this guide, I'll show you: How to Pick a Credit Card How to Earn Up to 10x Miles on Your Spending How to Redeem Your Points And a Ton of Other Money Saving Tips! Get the guide Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner. It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned. Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels. Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are: SafetyWing (best for budget travelers) World Nomads (best for mid-range travelers) InsureMyTrip (for those 70 and over) Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage) Want to Travel for Free? Travel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation — all without any extra spending. Check out my guide to picking the right card and my current favorites to get started and see the latest best deals. Need a Rental Car? Discover Cars is a budget-friendly international car rental website. No matter where you’re headed, they’ll be able to find the best — and cheapest — rental for your trip! Need Help Finding Activities for Your Trip? Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can find cool walking tours, fun excursions, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more. Ready to Book Your Trip? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use when I travel. They are the best in class and you can’t go wrong using them on your trip. The post Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card Review appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site. View the full article

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. For Delta loyalists who want a VIP experience, the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is your best option. I’m a huge fan of Delta and I fly them almost exclusively when I’m traveling around the United States. I find them to have the best in-flight experience, food, entertainment, and seats. If you’re a Delta fan and fly them a lot, then I really think the Reserve card is must to have. While it has the highest annual fee, it also has most comprehensive set of benefits, including Sky Club access, upgrade priority, and faster elite status earning. It’s very much worth the cost and I have gotten way more value out of it than the fee. Here’s my review of the card! Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card Overview The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is Delta’s premium card that offers frequent travelers a host of benefits and perks and is meant for people who fly a lot on the airline and want more perks as well as faster elite status earning. The annual fee is $650 (See Rates and Fees.) but I think the perks of the card outweigh the cost. This card offers: Earn 125,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 10/29/2025. 3x miles on Delta purchases 1x miles on all other spending 15 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and unlimited visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge when you book a Delta flight with your Reserve Card. Free checked bag on Delta flights Earn 1 MQD for every $10 spent on the card Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit. Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® Up to $240 Resy credit (up to $20 monthly in statement credits) Up to $120 Rideshare credit(up to $10 monthly in statement credits) Up to $200 Delta Stays credit 15% off Award Flight redemption through delta.com and the Fly Delta app 20% back on eligible in-flight purchases in the form of a statement credit In short, there’s a lot of perks with this card and I find that, unlike a lot of other premium cards, they are useful perks! I love the the MQD boost, the hotel credit, the the 15% back on award redemptions, and especially the lounge access. I tend to use the majority of the perks on this card, making the value of it well worth the fee. Using Your Delta Points Delta uses dynamic pricing for their rewards. That means that the number of points it takes to book a flight isn’t a set number. Instead, the rate varies based on the cash price of a flight. You can also redeem your points as cash at checkout at the rate of 1 cent per mile but I never find that a good redemption and only rarely ever do that. I only ever do this if I am low on points and don’t have enough to redeem a flight but want to save money off the cash price. The 15% off on award redemptions makes flights a lot more affordable so be sure to have your card connected to your SkyMiles account. If you are flexible with your dates, you can use their award calendar to see the best points fare as mixing and matching your dates can lead to better deals. Additionally, Delta offers a lot of award sales so keep an eye out for them. Thrifty Traveler and Point.me are two good websites that can send you alerts. I find Delta miles to be the best for U.S. domestic economy and comfort plus redemptions. Unless there’s a sale, I never book for business or international flights. The redemption value is terrible. Is the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Worth It? If you’re a frequent Delta flyer who values lounge access, wants to earn elite status quickly, and appreciates upgrade priority, the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card can be worth every penny. For casual travelers, however, the $650 fee will be hard to justify, especially with limited category bonuses. Pros: Sky Club access and Centurion Lounge access with Delta flights Companion certificate MQDs at double the Platinum earning rate Upgrade priority Free checked bag and priority boarding 15% off award flights Cons: High annual fee Few bonus categories for everyday spending Lounge access has visit limits *** The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is for the most dedicated Delta travelers who want the best experience possible. Between lounge access, upgrade priority, and rapid MQD earning, it offers elite-level travel without having to fly your way there entirely. If you’re in airports and on Delta planes regularly, the Reserve delivers unmatched perks. Click here to learn more and sign up! If the fee is too high or you don’t fly Delta enough, check out the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card or Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card which may better suit your needs at a lower cost. Stop paying full price for travel! Download my free guide to points and miles and learn how to use points and miles for free travel! It's how all the pros travel so much! In this guide, I'll show you: How to Pick a Credit Card How to Earn Up to 10x Miles on Your Spending How to Redeem Your Points And a Ton of Other Money Saving Tips! Get the guide Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner. It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned. Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels. Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are: SafetyWing (best for budget travelers) World Nomads (best for mid-range travelers) InsureMyTrip (for those 70 and over) Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage) Want to Travel for Free? Travel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation — all without any extra spending. Check out my guide to picking the right card and my current favorites to get started and see the latest best deals. Need a Rental Car? Discover Cars is a budget-friendly international car rental website. No matter where you’re headed, they’ll be able to find the best — and cheapest — rental for your trip! Need Help Finding Activities for Your Trip? Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can find cool walking tours, fun excursions, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more. Ready to Book Your Trip? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use when I travel. They are the best in class and you can’t go wrong using them on your trip. The post Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Review appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site. View the full article

However, over the past months, some SEOs discovered that ChatGPT may have secretly pivoted to using Google instead. These were all one-off experiments. So, I wondered if it was possible for us to find out the ‘truth’ using data instead.…Read more ›View the full article

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WE experience a tsunami of chaos in our environment, creating cross-pressures to achieve what appear to be contradictory goals at the same time. The solution is what Robert E. Siegel calls Systems Leadership. “Leaders face pressure to do opposing things at the same time, which can make them feel like no matter what they do or how well they do it, they are getting it all wrong.” The Systems Leader by Robert Siegel is based on systems thinking as made accessible in Peter Senge’s classic book The Fifth Discipline. In it, he “emphasized the interplay of actions and reactions between components of any kind of system, and the importance of studying those relationships holistically, not as isolated parts.” Systems Leadership incorporates strategies to reframe and learn how to master five key dimensions of cross-pressures that most leaders find themselves embroiled in and many fail to confront: Priorities: The need to succeed at both execution and innovation People: The need to project both strength and empathy Sphere of Influence: The need to focus both internally and externally Geography: The need to think both locally and globally Purpose: The need to pursue both ambition and statesmanship Systems Leadership begins with embracing how much you don’t know at any given moment, and gives you a way to move forward with reasonable confidence but not delusional overconfidence. Siegel asserts that many leaders fail to deal with these cross-pressures because they engage in counterproductive behaviors that feel good in the moment. For example, replacing decorum with outrageousness, focusing on trivial goals, ignoring changes you don’t like, and indulging in self-righteousness. Regarding ignoring changes you don’t like, he says some leaders act like nothing has changed, “hoping that the traditional ways of the universe will somehow reassert themselves.” He adds, “Fully understanding the reasons for past successes can help you internalize whether your old ‘playbook’ is still useful for a current or future challenge.” Systems leadership is the “ability to master processes and strategies from different perspectives at the same time.” And to do it consistently in good times and bad. Here is a checklist of principles to guide your systems leadership: A Systems Leader’s Checklist Leader, know thyself. To be able to act intentionally rather than impulsively. “Leadership is the ability to constrain a response to a given stimulus.” Do the hard jobs yourself. You are not so important that you can’t get your hands dirty and model hard work. It’s moral authority. Be brave enough to say, I don’t know. No one has all the answers, nor are you in control of all that is happening. It’s okay. Listen to internal teammates you can trust. You can avoid many mistakes by listening to internal experts. Find trusted partners outside the company. You need trustworthy voices from outside the organization who can tell you what you need to hear and not what you want to hear. Hold two truths at once. “No matter how good things are now, prepare for a challenging future. And no matter how bad things are now, take heart that bad times don’t last forever.” Watch where you spend your time, because the people who report to you are watching. Make time for what matters most. Be mindful of the difference between skill and luck. There are times when your luck mattered more than your skills. “If nothing else, it will bring an awareness that the things you did during your lucky moments are not necessarily the playbook you should copy in the future.” Ask yourself if you’d rehire yourself today for your current job. Are you the best person for your role now? Changing times require new skills. * * * Follow us on Instagram and X for additional leadership and personal development ideas. * * * View the full article

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In my years of experience working in marketing, I’ve learned that the success of a campaign depends on how well a team organizes and executes that idea across different tasks. For this, I use a marketing strategy template to give structure to my campaigns, especially when timelines and deliverables start overlapping. In this article, I… The post 7 Best Marketing Strategy Templates to Hit Deadlines & Campaign Goals appeared first on project-management.com. View the full article

Learn how Google SEO works and get step-by-step tips to improve your site’s rankings—perfect for beginners. View the full article

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Learn how to track your Google AI Mode visibility using Semrush. Analyze competitors, track rankings, and grow your presence in AI search. View the full article

CUJO AI is adding sophisticated customer experience management to its product portfolio. Watch the interview here. The post Interview: CUJO AI acquires Domos for application-level home Wi-Fi user experience optimisation appeared first on Wi-Fi NOW Global. View the full article

Freelancing gives you creative freedom, but it also means you’re solely responsible for your finances. If you’re a designer, writer, consultant, stylist, or any kind of creative solopreneur, the following strategies will help you keep your money working for you — without the fluff. Build a Real Emergency Fund An emergency fund cushions you against surprise expenses such as medical bills, client payment delays, or sudden equipment replacement. A practical guideline is to save three to six months of living expenses. One effective way to build this fund is to treat your contribution like a monthly bill; set aside a fixed amount each month until you reach the target. Aim for at least three months of expenses as your first milestone; continue to six months once you’ve established the habit.Separate Business and Personal Finances Mixing personal and business expenses is a recipe for confusion and potential tax headaches. The IRS recommends keeping separate bank accounts and records for business and personal use, noting that personal living expenses are generally not deductible. Maintaining distinct checking accounts, credit cards, and bookkeeping records makes tax filing and financial management far easier — and keeps you from accidentally deducting personal costs as business expenses.Track Your Spending Whether you use a spreadsheet, accounting software, or a budgeting app, tracking income and expenses is a non‐negotiable. Knowing exactly how much you earn and spend helps you spot irregular income patterns, anticipate cash‐flow gaps, and make informed decisions about rate or project commitments. Set aside time each week to categorize expenses and reconcile your accounts.Plan for Taxes — Quarterly Unlike employees with taxes withheld from each paycheck, freelancers are required to pay estimated taxes four times a year. The IRS states that you must pay taxes “as you earn or receive income” through withholding or quarterly payments. Failing to do so can result in penalties. Consult with a tax professional to calculate your quarterly estimates and set aside a portion of every payment you receive into a separate tax account.Use Tax‐Advantaged Retirement Accounts Freelancers don’t have employer‐sponsored 401(k)s, but they can still build retirement savings with tax advantages: SEP IRA: You can contribute up to 25% of net earnings from self‐employment (capped at a dollar limit—$70,000 in 2025. Contributions are tax‐deductible, and the account is easy to set up at most brokers. Solo 401(k): Also known as a one‐participant 401(k), this plan is designed for business owners with no employees other than a spouse. It’s exempt from discrimination testing, which simplifies administration. Solo 401(k)s allow both employee and employer contributions, often resulting in higher potential contribution limits than a SEP IRA. You can choose traditional (pre‐tax) or Roth (after‐tax) options depending on your needs.Budget for Irregular Income Freelancer income fluctuates. To smooth the peaks and valleys, build a “base pay” system: Calculate your average monthly expenses and treat that as your baseline salary. When you earn more than your baseline, transfer the excess into a buffer account; during lean months, draw from that buffer to meet your baseline expenses. This discipline helps you avoid over‐spending in high‐income months and panic in low‐income periods.Get the Right Insurance You are your business’s most valuable asset, so protect yourself. Consider health insurance (through a marketplace or association plan), disability insurance to cover income if you’re unable to work, and liability insurance if your work involves physical products or client projects. Insurance isn’t glamorous, but it prevents a single setback from derailing your finances.Final Thoughts Freelancing can be unpredictable, but your finances don’t have to be. By building an emergency fund, separating business and personal finances, tracking your money, paying taxes quarterly, using retirement accounts, budgeting for uneven income, and protecting yourself with insurance, you’ll create a stable foundation for your creative business. Don’t let the freedom of freelancing come at the expense of your future—start implementing these tips today. Sources IRS - Income and Expenses IRS - Estimated Taxes IRS - SEP Contribution Limits View the full article

Freelancing gives you creative freedom, but it also means you’re solely responsible for your finances. If you’re a designer, writer, consultant, stylist, or any kind of creative solopreneur, the following strategies will help you keep your money working for you — without the fluff. Build a Real Emergency Fund An emergency fund cushions you against surprise expenses such as medical bills, client payment delays, or sudden equipment replacement. A practical guideline is to save three to six months of living expenses. One effective way to build this fund is to treat your contribution like a monthly bill; set aside a fixed amount each month until you reach the target. Aim for at least three months of expenses as your first milestone; continue to six months once you’ve established the habit.Separate Business and Personal Finances Mixing personal and business expenses is a recipe for confusion and potential tax headaches. The IRS recommends keeping separate bank accounts and records for business and personal use, noting that personal living expenses are generally not deductible. Maintaining distinct checking accounts, credit cards, and bookkeeping records makes tax filing and financial management far easier — and keeps you from accidentally deducting personal costs as business expenses.Track Your Spending Whether you use a spreadsheet, accounting software, or a budgeting app, tracking income and expenses is a non‐negotiable. Knowing exactly how much you earn and spend helps you spot irregular income patterns, anticipate cash‐flow gaps, and make informed decisions about rate or project commitments. Set aside time each week to categorize expenses and reconcile your accounts.Plan for Taxes — Quarterly Unlike employees with taxes withheld from each paycheck, freelancers are required to pay estimated taxes four times a year. The IRS states that you must pay taxes “as you earn or receive income” through withholding or quarterly payments. Failing to do so can result in penalties. Consult with a tax professional to calculate your quarterly estimates and set aside a portion of every payment you receive into a separate tax account.Use Tax‐Advantaged Retirement Accounts Freelancers don’t have employer‐sponsored 401(k)s, but they can still build retirement savings with tax advantages: SEP IRA: You can contribute up to 25% of net earnings from self‐employment (capped at a dollar limit—$70,000 in 2025. Contributions are tax‐deductible, and the account is easy to set up at most brokers. Solo 401(k): Also known as a one‐participant 401(k), this plan is designed for business owners with no employees other than a spouse. It’s exempt from discrimination testing, which simplifies administration. Solo 401(k)s allow both employee and employer contributions, often resulting in higher potential contribution limits than a SEP IRA. You can choose traditional (pre‐tax) or Roth (after‐tax) options depending on your needs.Budget for Irregular Income Freelancer income fluctuates. To smooth the peaks and valleys, build a “base pay” system: Calculate your average monthly expenses and treat that as your baseline salary. When you earn more than your baseline, transfer the excess into a buffer account; during lean months, draw from that buffer to meet your baseline expenses. This discipline helps you avoid over‐spending in high‐income months and panic in low‐income periods.Get the Right Insurance You are your business’s most valuable asset, so protect yourself. Consider health insurance (through a marketplace or association plan), disability insurance to cover income if you’re unable to work, and liability insurance if your work involves physical products or client projects. Insurance isn’t glamorous, but it prevents a single setback from derailing your finances.Final Thoughts Freelancing can be unpredictable, but your finances don’t have to be. By building an emergency fund, separating business and personal finances, tracking your money, paying taxes quarterly, using retirement accounts, budgeting for uneven income, and protecting yourself with insurance, you’ll create a stable foundation for your creative business. Don’t let the freedom of freelancing come at the expense of your future—start implementing these tips today. Sources IRS - Income and Expenses IRS - Estimated Taxes IRS - SEP Contribution Limits View the full article

As AI tools become more common, they’re changing how people search, delivering direct, personalized answers, often without sending users to other websites. That means digital marketing is shifting—from chasing clicks to building brand visibility and trust right inside the AI’s…Read more ›View the full article