6 Best Banking and Budget Apps
Posted on: March 15, 2013
Managing your money is important and can help you keep more of it. But what if you’re always on the go? Thankfully, these apps can help. Check out what CNN Money says are the six best banking and budget apps out there.
Pageonce Money and Bills
Connect your bank accounts, bills, credit cards, loans, cell phone minutes and travel rewards in one place.
Price: Free
Works on: Android, iPhone, iPad, BlackBerry, Windows Phone 7
iAllowance
A great way to be the “bank” for your kids. They accumulate money or rewards and when they want to use their money, you can debit their account.
Price: $3.99
Works on: iPhone, iPad
Mint
This great budgeting app puts everything — bank accounts, credit cards, loans and bills — all in one place, showing you where your money goes and giving you helpful tips.
Price: Free
Works on: Android, iPhone, iPad
Chase Mobile
If you’re a Chase customer, you can do everything from check balances and transfer funds to deposit checks by snapping a picture.
Price: Free
Works on: Android, iPhone, iPad, BlackBerry
PayPal Mobile
This gives you an easy and free way to pay people and businesses. Just enter their email or cell phone number and send.
Price: Free
Works on: Android, iPhone, BlackBerry
Expensify
If you need to hang onto receipts but hate little slips of paper, this is a great alternative. It can even create expense reports for you.
Price: Free
Works on: Android, iPhone, iPad, BlackBerry, Windows Phone 7
Anything worthwhile can be challenging, and an online education is no different. But with a little help and the right approach, you can make your online schooling a great experience. Here are a few tips to help you get the most from your online education:
- Keep in touch. Be sure to keep in touch with your instructor with questions. Everest instructors will give you their email address to make it easy.
- Print the syllabus. Even though it’s available online, having it printed and on the wall in front of you is a great way to keep track of where you are in class.
- Set a schedule. Completing assignments on time is very important, so set aside time each day to work on them.
- Make a list. Write down any upcoming assignments so you’re not caught by surprise.
- Participate in discussion boards. Remember class participation back in high school or middle school? This is just like that, only online. And it is often a big part of your grade.
- Read the material. Keep up with your assigned reading material, as you may be quizzed on it or need to write a paper.
- Use a mobile app. If you have a smartphone or tablet, you can study when you’re on the go using a mobile app. Everest University Online offers a great app for iPhone and Android phones. You can learn about it here.
Remember, getting an education online is a great way to fit school in with a busy schedule. And with a little work, you can set yourself up for success.
Spend Less and Eat Well
Posted on: March 4, 2013
If you’re not careful, a trip to the grocery store can be a real shock to the budget. But by shopping smart, you can eat well and still have money left over. Here are a few tips:
- Plan ahead. Make a list of what you need before you go to the store — and stick to it. And don’t shop hungry; you’ll just buy more.
- Make healthy choices. Believe it or not, healthier foods save you money. Smaller portion sizes, fewer sugary foods and drinks, and more fresh fruits and veggies make both your waistline and your grocery bill shrink.
- Buy in season. Look for produce and seafood that’s in season, because it’s usually priced to sell. And don’t forget your local farmer’s market.
- Buy what’s on sale. Look for specials and clip coupons. If it’s something you’d buy anyway, you can end up getting a bargain. The Sunday paper is a great place to look. If you buy more than you need, put it in the freezer.
- Pack your lunch. Brown-bag it to school or to work instead of going out for lunch. You’ll not only save money, but you’ll end up eating healthier too.
- Consider frozen or canned. Frozen or canned foods are often just as nutritious as fresh, and will last much longer. And dried fruits are a tasty alternative to fresh!
- Go “veggie” once a week. Eat eggs, beans, or tofu once a week instead of pricey meats like fish, beef or chicken. Or consider eating smaller portions of meat with a bigger serving of vegetables.
- Waste less. Save and eat your leftovers the next day, or mix it up by putting last night’s chicken over a salad or with pasta.
- Avoid prepackaged foods. Prepackaged food is often more expensive and higher in sugar and fat than other alternatives. Compare what you buy and make the best choice.
Shop smart and you can spend less while still eating well.
The Off-the-Wall Interview
Posted on: March 1, 2013
Before any interview, it pays to practice answers to common questions. But what if you’re caught off guard? Take a look at these unusual (but real, according to glassdoor.com) interview questions and think about how you might answer them.
- If you were to get rid of one state in the U.S., which would it be and why? (asked by Forrester)
- How many quarters would you need to reach the height of the Empire State building? (asked by JetBlue)
- A penguin walks through that door right now wearing a sombrero. What does he say and why is he here? (asked by Clark Construction Group)
- What song best describes your work ethic? (asked by Dell)
- If we came to your house for dinner, what would you prepare for us? (asked by Trader Joe’s)
- How do you make a tuna sandwich? (asked by Astron Consulting)
- Estimate how many windows are in New York. (asked by Bain & Company)
- What’s your favorite song? Perform it for us now. (asked by LivingSocial)
- Have you ever stolen a pen from work? (asked by Jiffy Software)
- Pick two celebrities to be your parents. (asked by Urban Outfitters)
- What kitchen utensil would you be? (asked by Bandwidth.com)
- On a scale from one to 10ten, rate me as an interviewer. (asked by Kraft Food)
- If you could be anyone else, who would it be? (asked by Salesforce.com)
- How would you direct someone else on how to cook an omelet? (asked by PETCO)
Remember, most interview questions are intended to teach them something about you and how you think. So keep that in mind and show them you can think on your feet!
For assistance, advice and more, contact Everest’s Career Services team.
Trends for Today’s Job Seekers
Posted on: February 26, 2013
- In: Career Training | everest | Internet | Job Search | Tips & Advice
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The Internet is a great resource for job seekers, with numerous job boards and other tools to make finding the right job easier. But it also means that new trends emerge as job hunters and employers both start using the Internet in different ways. Here are just a few of those trends according to the people at LinkedIn:
Trend: Using LinkedIn for your resume.
A growing number are skipping the traditional resume and referring employers to their LinkedIn profile. It’s convenient, can hold a lot of information, and many see it as trustworthy. But it’s still a good idea to have a copy of your resume that you can print out or email to someone.
Trend: Employers looking for specialized skills.
When jobs are scarce, employers look for people with the exact skills they need. So be sure to highlight your specialized skills to make sure they can find you.
Trend: Reaching out to more people.
The more connections you make, the better your chances are of finding the job you’re after. Reaching out to people in the industry or from your school on places such as LinkedIn and other sites can be a great way to make these connections. So consider sending a friendly note to say “hi” and get your name out there.
Talk to people and find out what they’re doing. By making good use of the tools available to you, you can give yourself a leg up!
10 Tips for More Energy at Work
Posted on: February 18, 2013
We’ve all felt the “afternoon blahs” — those times when your “get-up-and-go” got up and left. From getting enough sleep to reading a book, these 10 tips can help you find more energy throughout the day.
- Get enough sleep. First and foremost, make sure you can get a solid night’s sleep. If you’re tired, it makes the days drag on.
- Wake up with a workout. Even simple stretching can help, but getting your blood moving first thing in the morning can help energize you all day.
- Squeeze in a nap. Don’t sleep on the job, but if you can grab even a 10- or 20-minute siesta in your car or in an empty conference room, it can go a long way toward perking you up.
- Laugh. Try to make time in the day for a smile, whether it’s a funny video or a joke of the day. Laughter is a natural energizer.
- Take a walk. Use your break time to get out of the office for a few minutes. Walk around the parking lot or down the street. A little fresh air is a big help.
- Read a book at lunch. Escape into a good book or a short story while you eat. It’s a good way to refresh your mind.
- Drop the baggage. Resolve conflicts with a boss or coworker and try to let go of grudges. You’ll be surprised at what a difference it makes.
- Do a coworker a favor. Lend them a hand or just a kind word. Just this simple act can work wonders for your energy.
- Call a friend. Give a close friend a call during a break, even if it’s just to say “hi.” The interaction can help recharge your batteries.
- Like your job. Nothing saps your energy like doing something you hate. So figure out what you enjoy and find a way to make that your job.
7 Tips for a Better Resume
Posted on: February 12, 2013
Many people think that a resumes only job is to tell people where you’ve worked before. But it’s so much more than that. A good resume gets you noticed and makes an employer want to meet you. To help yours stand out in the pile, try to follow these tips:
- Don’t just send a Word document. Sometimes Word files look different on different computers. To make sure yours looks right, try to save it as a PDF file. Look for the “Save as PDF” option when printing.
- Save references for later. Personal references can be helpful, but instead of putting them on your resume, save them for later in the interview process.
- Include important keywords. Sometimes resumes go into a big computer database where managers can search for candidates. So make sure yours contains the words they’ll be looking for.
- Give it a unique look. No need to go crazy, but think about adding color or changing your layout a bit. It helps your resume stand out against the others.
- List your skills. Be sure to list your important skills at the bottom. Are you good with computers? Typing? Special training? Include it!
- List accomplishments, too. Don’t just mention past job duties, but describe what you did. Did you create a new way of working? Win an award? Meet a goal?
- Tell a story. Highlight your strengths and experiences that make you ideal for the job or career you want. And let them shine throughout your resume.
Need help building a strong cover letter and resume? Contact Everest Career Services for assistance, advice and more.
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