But in the end, it’s a major puzzle piece in the game of life. You just can’t ignore it.

You just can’t ignore it.

In this post, I want to share a different perspective on personal finance.  I’ve been studying and implementing personal finance strategies for the last 18 years and it’s been a pretty good wild ride.  Recently I realized that personal finance is more than just buying a home, being debt free, contributing to your 401(k) and all that good stuff.

It’s very much about learning and understanding how money flows in our world.  But most importantly it’s our mindset that determines how effective you are with managing your money.

But before we go any further, let’s back up to your childhood days.

As kids, we tend to model after adults that we trust.  Your first encounter with money usually happens with your parents.  You watch, learn, and adopt the way they manage their money.

Because they’re your parents.  It’s all you know!

So if you’re parents always had a scarcity mindset about money, you’ll eventually adopt the scarcity mindset as well.  Scarcity meaning there’s never enough money.  If their mindset was to make large purchases on credit and make payments, you’ll probably adopt the same mindset because that’s what you’ve witnessed growing up.  Of course, life is never linear, so there probably were times where your family needed a new fridge or a new car immediately because the old one broke down unexpectedly.  But that’s not what I’m talking about here.

And the opposite is true as well.  If you watched and experienced your parents have a prosperity mindset with their money management, then you’ll adopt that as well.  You’ve watched them donate money to charity, you’ve overhead them about saving money, or they taught you good basic money management skills.

All these things do have a significant impact on you when you’re a kid.  Because they are your parents.

Just think, how many times have you said to your friends…”…that’s what my parents used to do.”  Good or bad. So it’s important to know that your childhood encounter establishes your baseline knowledge about money management.

Decision Time

Now that you’re an adult, you need to stop and re-evaluate your mindset about personal finance.  Do you want to continue with the same mindset as your parents taught you?

Or do you want to adopt a new mindset based on who you are today.

There’s no right or wrong answer here.  It’s something that you need to decide.

I firmly believe that your mindset, goals and action will determine how effective your financial position will be as you get older.

Will your money last until you die?  That is the ultimate question.

The New Mindset

If you are like me, maybe your parents were immigrants to this country and just didn’t know how the financial system works.  They didn’t know anything about 401(K)s or IRAs, Trusts, etc.  They were just too busy trying to put food on the table and provide you with food and shelter.

So as I got older, I made the decision to start learning about personal finance.  As I started to read books and listen to various advisors, I adopted my own mindset about managing my finances.  And that mindset is to be open and willing to learn how money works and how it circulates. I knew that if I could educate myself on this topic, I would increase my chances at improving my financial position.  Today, I can still stay that I don’t know everything about personal finances, but I definitely do know a lot more than when I first started.

My Big Idea

It’s all about Your mindset, Your willingness to learn, and Your willingness to take action that will help you achieve a better personal financial position.  I can tell you that as I continue to keep my mindset open about money and learn new strategies, it has led me to broaden my circle of money influencers.

Influencers that I would have never met if I had the same mindset as my parents did.

I could go on and on about positive or having a prosperous mindset, but I think you get my point.  You need to decide which side of the fence you are going to be on.  Now, don’t get my wrong.  Just because I have an open mindset about personal finances doesn’t mean I invest in everything that comes my way.

There’s plenty of scams out there that you need to be careful of.  In fact the exact opposite has happened.  I’ve stopped calling investments outside my domain a scam.  Because not everything is truly a scam.  My approach now is to take note, research, dig a little deeper and then decide whether it’s right for me or not. I use what I’ve learned to evaluate the opportunity in front of me.  Then I decide on the action plan.  I’ll share more about this in later posts.

The Big Picture

Here’s something to remember.  In the grand scheme of life, your mindset about money and personal finance will determine whether you run out of money or not.

So choose wisely!

P.S. If you’re motivated to improve your money management skills, I’d like to introduce you to David Bach’s THE AUTOMATIC MILLIONAIRE.  It’s the book that started it all for me.  It’s a easy read and the strategies he has laid out are actionable.  CLICK HERE to get your copy today!

Can I Buy a Home With Bad Credit? The Answer May Surprise You!

If you’ve ever considered buying a home, then the word “credit” probably has a distinct significance for you. Having a decent credit score is a must when you’re looking to buy a new home, but for the uninitiated, what credit score is needed to buy a house? Why do you even need good credit in order to purchase a home in the first place? We’ll be taking an in-depth look at that question and many more in this article as well as providing more details about improving your credit if you’re interested in making a major lifetime investment like this one. If you’ve been wondering what credit score is needed to buy a house in 2017, then this is the article for you.

What is a “credit score” and why do I need one to buy a house?

Your credit score represents what kind of loans you qualify for, how much your interest rate will be, and if you qualify for a loan in the first place. It can also affect things like the deposit amount you’ll need to pay to secure things like utilities and financing options. Your credit score is a three digit representation of your creditworthiness as a buyer and any potential risk that a lender might take on by having you as a customer. Establishing credit can be challenging, but it’s even more difficult to repair a credit score that’s been impacted by things like defaulting on credit card payments, being late with certain payments, or having various types of bills be sent to collections. Your credit score represents the likelihood that you will be able to pay your bills. But what does a good credit score look like and how will it help you to buy a home?

The most common measurement for credit scoring is the FICO score, which is the type of score that’s considered by lenders when they’re in the market for a new home. FICO scores can range from 300, which is the lowest credit score you can have, to 850, which is the best credit score that a person can maintain. The higher your credit score, the more trustworthy you will appear to lenders.

There are three national credit bureaus that do all of the credit score reporting in the US. The three credit bureaus are Equifax, TransUnion and Experian. Each of these reporting agencies can have entirely different records from each other, though your score can vary depending on which bureau is reporting your score information to FICO.

What credit score is used to buy a house?

Originally developed by Fair, Isaac and Company, your credit score is calculated using a number of variables, including timely payments on existing debt, the amount of your credit you have and are currently using, the length of your credit history, the types of credit you’ve used, and any previous credit applications you might have submitted. This can include credit card applications, loan applications, and even just searching for new credit options. This score is how lenders build a profile of you as a loan or credit recipient, and it doesn’t take much to affect your score. If you’ve ever applied for a credit card or opened a line of credit with a bank or store that will be reflected in your credit score.

The credit score required to buy a home can depend on a variety of factors, including which lender you’re considering, your existing credit (if any), and even the type of loans you have available to you. FHA loans – or loans insured by the Federal Housing Administration – are a good option for those who are buying their first homes, but your credit score can make you or break you, in this instance. A decent credit score (580 or above) can be the difference between making a 3.5% down payment on a home and a 10% down payment. For FHA loans, the minimum credit score required to buy a home is 580. However, for loans that are backed by independent lenders, like Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, for instance, a score of at least 680 is required.

For those who have a credit score that’s lower than recommended, this can have a tremendous impact on the type of loans that you can qualify for, as well as the amount of interest you’ll be looking at when paying back the loan. If you have a score that’s lower than 580, don’t despair: you can still purchase a home with a lower credit score, however you will be required to put down a larger down payment as a trade off in order to qualify for a loan.Loans are available as fixed-rate or as a variable or adjustable-rate mortgage. Fixed-rate mortgages, as the name implies, feature a fixed interest rate that lasts for the lifetime of the mortgage. By contrast, adjustable-rate mortgages have interest rates that “float” or adjust based on trends in the market.

Adjustable-rate mortgages are appealing to home buyers due to their lower initial interest rates. However, adjustable-rate mortgages can also be more difficult to maintain as the interest rate can vary from month to month based on the index or interest rate that’s established by market forces. This means that with an adjustable-rate mortgage, your monthly payment can vary from month to month. Luckily, though, there are caps on how much your interest rate can increase from year to year. There are also lifetime limits on how much your interest rate can go up over the lifetime of the loan. In addition, there can also be a payment cap which limits how much the monthly payments can go up. This is slightly different from the other caps, as it’s based on the dollar amount of the monthly payment rather than the percentage of how much the rate can change.

Most mortgages will start off as fixed-rate or feature a fixed-rate period, however, with adjustable-rate mortgages, after the introductory rate period your interest rate can go up. This can lend an element of unpredictability to the loan, as your monthly payments are based on the current market trends. One of the most popular adjustable-rate mortgages is the 5/1, with the 5 indicating the number of years you’ll be able to enjoy a lower fixed rate, while the 1 represents how frequently the rate can change (ie. every year after that 5-year fixed rate period).

What credit score is needed to buy a mobile home?

Title I loans offered by FHA-approved lenders can be used to purchase or refinance a manufactured home, the lot you’ll be placing that manufactured home on, or both at the same time. When purchasing a mobile home, lenders will consider your income level as well as your current credit score, the size of the loan, and the size of your down payment. The average score to buy a mobile home in the US is 620, but very often, lenders will be happy to work with you and find the best lending option to suit your needs.

There are even some lenders who only finance mobile or manufactured homes, so if you’re in the market for a new mobile home, this would be a good place to start. However, one thing to consider is that many lenders including banks and mortgage companies will only consider granting a loan if the mobile/manufactured home is already registered with the city as a real, fixed property. It’s possible to purchase a mobile home with a credit score lower than 620, however you might also have to make a larger down payment as well as adhering to specific credit guidelines they have established.

If you have a poor credit rating, all is not lost. It’s possible to work with lenders and credit bureaus to repair your credit and improve your score enough to close the score gap. You would need to retrieve your credit records from all three reporting bureaus – Experian, Equifax and TransUnion – in order to get a better idea of what your current score is. Fortunately, you’re entitled to one full credit report each year, which you can obtain via a number of free credit reporting websites online. Examine your credit records and look for any records regarding outstanding debts or issues – including things like being late on credit card payments, missing payments entirely or defaulting on the balance on your card. From there, it’s just a matter of working with these banks, credit card companies or lenders and finding the best way to settle any debts you have to clear them off of the lender’s books and your credit score records.

Owning your own home is considered a key component of the American Dream, and armed with the information included here in this article, it’s a dream that can be attained. Whether you have excellent credit or no credit at all, it is entirely possible to improve your credit score and buy your first home.

Hello Everyone,

I figure with turning 30 this month, I may be able to write a bit about my 20s, what was right, wrong, and what I regret not doing. These ideas are not perfect, but they may help some of you about to embark on your third decade.

A little about me – I grew up and reside in the Lower Mainland in BC, one of the most expensive places to live in Canada, and possibly the world. I graduated HS in 2002, and attended and dropped out of college when I was 19. I decided to work instead of school. I bought a house when I was 26, and have only recently decided to attend class again part-time while working full time. I expect to receive my 2-year paper when I’m 32, and my degree when I’m 36. I have a good job, great benefits, and have worked hard to earn a management title, all without any formal post-sec education. Some people do much better than I do, others do much worse. I feel I’m “middle of the road” for someone without post-sec education. I live with my gf of three years, living together 2, and we have no children. We’re dual income, but only started this recently, so it has little bearing on the majority of my post.

Things I learned in the past 10 years

1) Time flies when you’re doing nothing. – Seriously, I spent about 8 years just working and paying bills. I remember having my 24th birthday like it was yesterday, and that was six years ago. If you’re not working towards something (anything), time will literally disappear, and you’ll never get it back. Going back to school was the best thing I ever did. I enjoy my free time much more, and time seems to pass slower because I have so many more accomplishments in a short period of time.

2) You have lots of time to find work, if you want an education, go for it – I don’t regret dropping out of school when I was 19, but I do regret not finding a new study to replace it with. It is much harder to get a degree when you’re carrying a mortgage and working full time. I wish I had used the four years and my savings to work towards a degree as fast as I could. I have done well without school, but it doesn’t change the fact I wish I had taken the time to do it when I was younger. Some of you may not want or need it, then good on you! Get earning and get saving.

3) Credit and loans are the devil – I’ve found there are only a few things worth using credit for (See new edits below on this one). Housing, education, and emergencies. Even with that said, don’t pay the minimum down on your mortgage like I did. What a stupid idea that was. If you have the income to afford a house, save up 30% or more down, and pay rent at a small place while doing so. I paid 5% down on my house, and my interest kills me. Don’t do it. I wish I had saved up $1000/mo for 5 years, paid someone $500/mo to rent a small suite, and then bought my place. My mortgage would be much easier to manage that way.

Student loans are worth it too as long as you’re not in it for years. I see stories about people being $50k in debt, and that doesn’t seem reasonable or manageable. Find a way to subsidize yourself, even if it means living at home and working p/t in order to take out a smaller loan. Education is worth it (unless you’re an art history major, sorry if you are).

4) Car Loans – Just don’t. I have spent so much time paying for car loans that I can’t even believe it. I have 2 years left on my current car loan and then I will never take one again. I’d rather spend $5000 on something I can pay in cash instead of $20000 where I end up forking over another $5k in interest along the way. I would recommend cheap, reliable cars until you’re in a position where you can afford something outright. If you do things right, you should be able to buy whatever you want a little later in life, using CASH. **See edits below on this one.

5) Investments and properties – Ok, so I was lucky here. I have an employer who pays dollar-for-dollar RRSP (401k if you’re in the US) up to 6% of my gross income. It means that every month I end up with about $500 in savings towards retirement. Combine it with the American equity returns in the last 3 years and it has amounted to a tidy sum of money that continues to grow at 8-10% a year (I had a 26% return in 2011). But you may not be me. So I recommend that once you get your life together, and no matter your job, you always sock away 6-10% of what you earn. When your income is solid and consistent, jack that number up to 15%. If you do have an employer retirement plan, use it or a financial planner to start planning for retirement as soon as your education is done (if you want/have one). Investment is the key, you’ll need more than the 1.2% return that your savings account will get you.

My home – I love it, and I’m glad I have it. But I made mistakes here too. I bought too young, with too little money. I bought when I thought the market was down in 2010 because I was going to “get ahead of it” and hope for a return. NOPE. My home is worth less than I bought it for, and my payments suck. If you’re looking to buy a house than you can upgrade in 10 years, speak to an property specialist to see where you should buy to increase your chance of return on sale. I didn’t do this. I have a house that will eventually yield a return, but it still might be another 15 years away. Everything I thought I “knew” about buying my house was wrong, and now I see I could have asked and avoided this. That said, I can afford the payments and it is a nice place, it just ain’t worth squat.

In Summary

These are the tips I can give you in point form:

• If you want an education, get it early
• Only take out loans you need. If you want toys you can’t afford now, you probably can’t afford them next month when your payments come up.
• Set goals for yourself. Doesn’t matter the goal, having something to work towards will make time slow down. Time does fly when you’re idling and doing nothing.
• Buy cars with cash, houses with credit, and education 50/50.
• Invest your savings. Set up a meeting with your bank if you don’t know what this means, even low risk is worth far more than just a savings account.

I hope this helps someone, but it might just be the ramblings of a 30 year old who needed to put his wins and losses on paper. Thanks for reading!

Edits, notes, and additions –

• Car loans – a 0% car loan probably isn’t a bad thing. Where I live they don’t exist, but if you have one, then you’re in the same boat as paying in cash. This point continues to be argued throughout the thread, going both ways. I hate interest and that is what I aim to avoid paying, the rest of the interpretation comes down to where you live, and how much you want to take on the liability of a loan, 0% or not.
• Credit and loans – Several people have PMed me this – You need credit to get credit. I always had balances on my credit card so I earned credit well. Someone pointed out that you should be using a credit card for small things and paying them off in order to build credit. Gas and things like that. Seems like sound advice. My point was to try to avoid interest payments and long term loans that aren’t getting you anything.
• Saving while renting – apparently the math in my wishful plan was flawed. Before you decide how much to save and how much to rent for while saving, speak to a mortgage adviser. You may just actually be better off jumping in to that mortgage and shoving it all in there as quickly as possible.
• Housing prices – those of you who live in Toronto, LA, DC, and other super-metro areas. I hear you, you are probably paying more than I am to live further away from your down town cores. But as far as general population spread goes, we’re all above the average by a huge margin comparative to smaller cities all over the country.
• General advice – I’ve received a lot of feedback that some of what I wrote isn’t great advice (especially in the loans area). It is all based on personal experience, and definitely doesn’t apply to everyone. Take what you need, or none of it! PM me if you have questions, there are too many conversations going on to keep up.

If you are interested in reading the full thread and seeing the responses, it can be found here. If you found the advice he gave helpful, do your friends a favor and share it with them.

Working for the government does not necessarily mean that a person will receive an average income. They can receive the above mentioned benefits, plus earn a salary that is on par with industries that are known for making high wages.

For individuals who have the right skill set and education, government jobs can be quite lucrative. Depending on the vocation, some government jobs allow individuals to enjoy a six figure salary. The following is a list of the 25 highest paying government salaries.  Some of these careers have a comparable salary across all levels of government (city, municipal, county, state, and federal).  You may be quite surprised by what you see on the list.  The list starts with the least (out of the list) and then increases.

25. Customs Inspector

Customs inspectors are needed by the Department of Homeland Security. Individuals who work in this position can expect an average yearly salary of over $59,000. More than 1,000 employees are needed in this field, with a projected growth rate of 7 percent. Individuals who work as customs inspectors who have military police experience will have a better chance of being hired. An internship program is offered through the US Customs Service for individuals interested in working in this field.

24. Medical Technician

This field pays employees a salary of over $59,000 a year. This field is experiencing a 12 percent growth rate. The government agencies that are most likely to hire medical technicians include the Department of the Army, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Department of the Air Force. It is projected that 33,000 employees are needed. Individuals who work as medical technicians will need an associate degree or certificate that relates to the particular field they will be working in. A medical internship program is offered through the Central Intelligence Agency.

23. Border Patrol Agent

Most border patrol agents receive a salary of $63,500 each year. In order to qualify for a position as a border patrol agent, some agencies may help individuals by paying for part of their tuition to receive a degree in criminal justice, administration of justice, police science, or other fields. The most likely agency to hire border patrol agents is the Department of Homeland Security. The projected rate of growth in this field is 9 percent, with more than 8,000 employees being needed.

22. Technical Engineer

Technical engineers receive a salary that averages about $63,900. The projected growth rate of this field is at 7 percent. About 34,000 employees are needed to fill positions with the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of the Army, and the Department of Transportation. Some individuals may be able to land a position as a technical engineer without formal training, but most agencies will require a person to have an associate degree in engineering technology. Some individuals may qualify for an internship through local state or

21. Nurse

Nurses working in government positions can expect a salary of $65,300 a year. This field needs over 580,000 employees, experiencing a growth rate of 23 percent. Government agencies that are likely to hire nurses include the Department of the Army, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Department of Veteran Affairs. Education requirements will vary depending on each nurse’s career path, but they will include an associate degree, a bachelor’s degree, or certification from an approved nursing program.

20. Correctional Officer

Correctional officers earn $67,000 a year. More than 82,000 employees are needed in the field, with a growth rate of 16 percent. The Department of Justice and state/county correctional facilities is most likely to hire correctional officers. The qualifications that are set out for correctional officers will vary by agency. However, most correctional officers require at least a high school diploma or equivalent.

19. Budget Analyst

A budget analyst are likely to receive a salary that sits at about $71,000 a year. This field is experiencing a growth rate at 7 percent. Government agencies that are most likely to hire budget analysts include the Department of State, the Department of the Air Force, and the Department of the Army. It is projected that 4,400 employees will be needed. Internship opportunities are available through the Congressional Budget Office. Budget analysts are required to have at least a bachelors degree.

18. Air Traffic Controller

Air traffic controllers working for government agencies earn about $72,000 a year. This field is experiencing growth, with a projected rate of about 10 percent. More than 2,600 employees will be needed. Agencies that are likely to hire air traffic controllers include the Department of the Air Force, the Department of Transportation, and the Department of Justice. In order for a person to qualify for a position with one of these government agencies, they will need to complete an FAA approved education program and other qualifications that have been set out by the federal government.

17. Health and Safety Specialist

Health and safety specialists average about $73,000 in yearly salary. This field is looking at a projected growth rate of 8 percent, with about 3,700 employees needed in government positions. Agencies that are likely to hire health and safety specialists include the Department of Transportation, the Department of the Army, and the Department of Veteran Affairs. Some jobs offered by government agencies may require the specialist to have a bachelors degree in safety, occupational health, or a similar field.

16. Human Resources Manager

Human resource managers working in government agencies receive a salary of over $76,500. This is a field that is constantly growing, with a projected growth rate of 17%. Agencies that are looking for human resource managers include the Department of the Air Force, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Department of Veterans Affairs. It is estimated that around 147,000 individuals will be needed to fill government positions as HR resource managers.

15. Ecologist

The average salary that ecologists working in government’s position earn is about $76,500. The Department of Justice, the Department of the Interior, and the Department of the Army are agencies that are most likely to look for ecologists. The projected growth rate of this field is at 25 percent. It has been estimated that more than 23,000 employees will need to fill ecologist positions. Most government agencies will require an ecologist to have a Masters degree.

14. Chaplain

Chaplains who work with the government can expect to receive a salary that exceed $76,000 a year. This field is continuing to grow. Departments that are most likely to hire chaplains include the Department of Justice, the Department of the Army, and the Department of Veteran Affairs.

13. Accountant

The average salary that accountants in government positions earn sits at about $78,000. This field is going to experience a lot of growth. It is estimated that more than 264,000 employees will be needed, with the projected growth rate at 12 percent. Accountants are always needed in almost every city/county/state division.

Federal departments that are most likely to hire new accountants include the Department of Defense, the Department of the Air Force, and the Department of Justice. Depending on the position and agency a person works for, they may be required to have a bachelors degree. Some internship opportunities may be available through the US Securities and Exchange Commission.

12. Librarian

Government agencies that require librarians are expected to pay out around $78,000 a year to their employees. Counties and cities are always in need of librarians. This field is expected to grow about 4 percent.

Federal Agencies that are most likely to hire librarians are the Department of the Army, the Department of the Air Force, and the Library of Congress. It is expected that more than 5,800 employees will be needed. Individuals who will qualify as a librarian with government agencies need a Masters degree in library science and may need to meet state licensing requirements.

11. Statistician

Statisticians working in government agencies can expect to receive a salary of over $81,000 a year. The projected growth of this field is at 9 percent, with more than 1,900 employees expected to be needed. Government agencies that are likely to experience a high demand of statisticians to include the Department of the Army, the Department of the Navy, and the Department of Commerce. This position requires a Masters degree in statistics, and there are some internships that are available through the Department of Commerce.

10. Architect

Architects are likely to receive a salary that exceeds $85,000 a year. They are in high demand in a variety of government agencies, including the Department of the Army, the Department of the Navy, and the Department of Health and Human Services. This field is going to continue to grow at a rate of at least 18 percent. It is estimated that more than 23,000 architects will be needed. In order to qualify for government jobs as an architect, most individuals will need a degree in architecture and practical work training.

9. Microbiologist

Microbiologists can expect to enjoy a salary of about $87,000 a year. This field is going to experience an increase, right at about 9 percent. It is estimated that around 8,000 employees will be needed. The government agencies that are most likely to hire microbiologists include the Department of the Navy, the Department of the Army, and the Department of Health and Human Services. For individuals who are interested in this career, an internship program that lasts six months is available through the US National Arboretum. Microbiologists are most likely to specialize in agriculture, food, industrial microbiology, and immunology.

8. Criminal Investigator

Government agencies are demanding more and more criminal investigators. Individuals who work in this field can expect to receive a salary that exceeds $88,000 a year. The projected growth rate of this career is at 18 percent and more than 9,000 employees are needed. Government agencies that are most likely to hire criminal investigators include the Department of the Navy, the Department of Justice, and the Environmental Protection Agency. Some internship opportunities are available in certain states that allow students to get on the path to becoming a criminal investigator.

7. Chemist

Chemists receive a salary that exceeds $89,000 a year. The field is going to continue to grow, with a projected growth rate of at least 8 percent. It is expected that more than 8,000 employees will be needed. Government agencies that will most likely hire chemists include the Department of the Navy, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Department of Homeland Security. Individuals who have a PhD and Masters degree are most likely to enjoy more opportunities in biotechnological firms and pharmaceutical firms.

6. Computer Scientist

Computer scientists in government positions will most likely work as inventors, theorists, and researchers. Their average yearly salary exceeds $90,000. This field is expected to grow at least 37 percent. More than 200,000 employees will be needed. Individuals who get jobs as a computer scientist in government agencies need at least an associate’s degree. The agencies that experience the highest demand of computer scientists include the Department of the Army, the Department of the Navy, and the Department of the Interior.

5. Economist

Economists who work in government positions enjoy a salary that exceeds $94,000. It is expected that the field will continue to grow at a rate of at least 7 percent. It is estimated that about 1,100 employees will be needed. Government agencies that are most likely to hire economists include the Army, the Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Homeland Security. Individuals with a PhD or masters degree in economics are most likely to qualify for the job. The primary responsibility of a government economist includes analyzing the connection between government in the economy and budget deficits, tax cuts, and a variety of policies.

4. General Engineer

General engineers who work in government positions can expect to earn a salary that exceeds $100,000 yearly. This industry is expected to experience a projected growth rate of at least 11 percent. More than 160,000 employees will be needed in this field. The agencies that are experiencing the highest demand for general engineers in government positions include the Department of the Interior and the Department of Energy. In order to qualify for entry level jobs in engineering, a bachelor’s degree is required.

3. Financial Manager

The average salary of a financial manager working for the government exceeds $100,000. This industry is expected to grow by at least 13 percent and will need at least 64,000 employees. The agencies that are most likely to hire financial managers include the Army, the Department of Treasury, and the Department of Veterans Affairs. A college level education is required. Each level of government has one or more financial managers working with them.

2. Attorney

Attorneys who work for the government can expect to earn a yearly salary of between $75,000 to $114,000. The salary continues to grow as a person moves from state government to local government to federal government. This industry is expected to grow by at least 11 percent and will need more than 80,000 employees. The agencies that have the highest demand of attorneys include the Department of Interior, the Department of Justice, and the Department of Treasury. When working at the federal level, part of an attorney’s job is to investigate cases for a variety of agencies including the US Department of Justice.

1.Astronomer

Astronomers can average an income that exceeds $116,000 a year. This field is expected to experience an increase of between 9 and 17 percent. More than 25,000 employees are currently needed. The occupations that are currently most demanded include NASA astronauts, aeronautical analysts, aerospace engineers, airline pilots, flight engineers, and aeronautical imagery and feature analysts. The agencies that are most likely to hire astronomers include the Army, the Air Force, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

1. Your Reaction When Your Friends Tell You They Have To Work On Holidays

Source: http://giphy.com/gifs/laugh-psycho-g8A1eJhTQ7Iic

2. …But You Have To Beg For The Day After Thanksgiving Off Because You Don’t Have Seniority

Source: http://workaholics.tumblr.com/post/73473987078

3. Being Good At Your Job Isn’t A Requirement To Get A Raise

Source: http://dontmakemeupset.tumblr.com/post/34258637619/

Just doing the minimum required will do…

4. Making Backroom Deals For New Office Equipment Is Necessary…

Source: http://forum.mixedmartialarts.com/thread/2368307/33-Hilarious-High-Five-Miss-Gifs

…because it takes forever to get them through official channels

5. Your Reaction When You Find Out Someone Just Quit or Retired…Because That Means A Promotion Just Opened Up

Source: http://blog.emilyslist.org/post/135065064584/femi-list-1212

6. …But You Didn’t Get The Promotion Because 1,000 Other People Also Applied

Source: http://giphy.com/gifs/partydownsouth-cmt-party-down-south-26u6cU9Kd5tQDebeM

7. It’s True. Government Health Insurance Really Is The Best…

Source: http://screenmd.tumblr.com/post/38676682566/

8. Your Workplace Is Still Using Technology That Pre-existed Civilization

Source: http://raffaroffa.tumblr.com/post/44862986165

9. You Work Twice As Hard As Some Of Your Co-workers…But Get Paid The Same

Source: http://www.reactiongifs.com/r/wrkng.gif

10. Those Free Bus/Train Passes Are Gold

Source: http://cocaineteas.tumblr.com/post/77516144002

It’s always nice when you don’t have to pay for your commute to work.

11. How You Feel When Someone Gets Fired….Because It Never Happens

Source: http://giphy.com/gifs/lA3qoZE4TKQhi

12. There’s Always That One Person In The Office That Loves Cats A Bit Too Much

Source: http://i.imgur.com/XEUklZd.gif

If you don’t know who it is….it’s probably you.

13. Food keeps missing from the community fridge…but no one knows who’s stealing the food.

Even if you ask them, they will just deny it.

Source: http://www.ilikewantneed.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/gogif7.gif

14. But despite everything,  you know you are damn lucky to be a government employee

Well if you love to travel and want a job you can possibly love, here are 20 jobs that fit the description.

Consultant

Being an international consultant is a challenging career based on solving problems and offering critical advice. It also means frequent travel. Consults may travel daily, monthly or sporadically. Consulting is based on a city to city travel schedule as contractor to the businesses needing help.
Salary: $60,000 to $90,000

Education Or Athletic Recruiter

Recruiters are responsible for finding top, new talent in the areas of both academics and athletics. Sometimes they get lucky and find a special person who shows an aptitude for both. These recruiters usually travel weekly to high schools and colleges hunting for talent, and sometimes they travel daily. It is a very busy job.
Salary by: $37,610

Traveling Salesperson

Depending on the product, a traveling salesperson can be busy. The product determines the territory size. The most common and well paid traveling sales job, which comes to most people’s mind, is pharmaceutical sales. At times, this job will require daily travel by, but it can be a weekly travel job, especially if flying and state to state travel is required.
Salary: $54,770 to $82,974

English As a Second Language

Many foreign countries are seeking English teachers. The job is considered to be in high demand internationally, and the coolest part about teaching the language in another country is not even having to have a degree in teaching. Travel is not frequent with this job. You will go somewhere and immerse yourself.
Salary: $40,000 to $75,000

Travel Writer

Making a living by travel writing can either be a struggle or a dream job. It is not something easy to get established in as a success in, but if it happens, then the salary and the perks are amazing. A travel writer can come and go as often as they please, and they seem to have the best level of freedom out of all the traveling jobs.
Salary: $23,309-$112,193

Diplomat

A a job as a diplomat is full of a lot of fun facts. For one, a diplomat can mean being a nurse or an administrative assistant, but usually, a diplomat is foreign service officer. A diplomat’s travel schedule can vary from daily to monthly. The pay is decent, but the benefits are what makes this travel job so attractive.
Salary: $39,320 to $85,460

Foreign Correspondent

Depending on the media company, the locations can be city to city, state to state, international or all of the above. Knowing a second or third language would not be a bad idea either. This can also be done freelance, which would cross into the travel writing territory in a way. Often, these people will work with photojournalists. Travel is unpredictable, but it is usually daily or weekly.
Salary: $50,000 – $75,000

Au Pair

A person should only do this job if they really love traveling and are not financially motivated. It is basically a trade of services for time and a small amount of pay. The services traded usually include things like house cleaning, being a nanny or eldercare. The travel frequency all depends on how quickly a person in this line of work wants to move on and can afford to.
Salary: $12.15 per hour

International Photojournalist

International photojournalists work a lot with international reporters, and they also usually get involved with a media company. It is an exciting career, and it combines the love of traveling with the passion of photography and video. Like the journalism, it can also be freelance. Travel is frequent, and it ranges from daily to weekly.
Salary: $40,000

Archeologist

Archeology offer a chance to travel the world, discover history and make history at the same time. An archeologist has a supremely important and immensely fun job studying the roots of human history and culture. A career in this field can lead people on research projects and digs to some of the most remote and exciting parts of the world. It is impossible to lock down a travel frequency for this area. It could be monthly, while some archeologists spend years at the same spot.
Salary: $61,980

Construction Manager

Construction managers with a love of traveling are lucky people. They pull down a decent average salary, and some end up going into the six digit range. The travel frequency for a construction manager is usually around three or four times a year, but the number can be more less depending on the length of the project. They stay until it is completed.
Salary: $73,561

Chef

A good executive chef with experience in multiple cuisines, positive reviews and resume full of restaurants still in business can pack their knives and bags, and they can go pretty much anywhere they want. They can expand their skill sets by working new styles in a new place. They set their travel frequency.
Salary: $37,000 to $87,000

Cruise Line Captain

Being the captain of a cruise ship is not only one of the top travel lover’s dream jobs, it is also really cool to be called Captain. Captains get an amazing salary with everything covered. The only drawback is maybe too much travel. Some cruise ships captains go nearly 10 months out of the year with just port breaks.
Salary: 153,379

Event Coordinator

Event coordinators good enough to work on large events get the chance to travel a lot. They travel to meet with other coordinators of events and staff members. They start at the local level and do traveling from city to city, but with experience and a good reputation, this job can mean monthly and possibly weekly travel between states and countries.
Salary: $38,492

Executive Assistant

This job is not meant to be prestigious or steal a spotlight, but it is a good job to get into for someone with aspirations to travel and see a lot. An assistant will go wherever they are needed, and hopefully their bosses go to a lot of interesting and fun places. The travel frequency all depends on the employer and the company. It is at least a monthly guarantee.
Salary: $50,223

Flight Attendant

This is the easiest one to describe, and it is the most obvious. It has now become a field for both men and women, and it is for people of all ages as long as they are able to carry out their duties. The pay is good, most people in the field enjoy it and the travel frequency is daily.
Salary: $36,852

Field Service Engineer

This job is best described as traveling customer service. If a company needs help with repair or installation of a product for their business, then the field service engineer handles everything. The travel frequency is usually weekly, and the location all depends on the client. Some field service engineers do a lot of traveling out of state, but there are some who engage in international travel.
Salary: $66,237

International Aid Worker

At least they get paid, right? This is a difficult job, but it can be very rewarding. The travel is a reward, and there are some interesting places to go and see. Some of the places will never be seen or even thought of by the average person, and an aid worker gets to help people, and a lot of the time they are even helping children. The travel frequency varies, but it is usually whenever they are needed, which seems to be all the time now.
Salary: $30,000

Airline Pilot

Flight attendants were obvious for great travel jobs, but a lot of people forget about commercial pilots. On top of traveling nationally and internationally on daily basis for great money, being a pilot is one of those jobs some kids dream about having, and they end up making their dream come true.
Salary: $123,400 to $165,278

International Tour Guide

This is a great job for people who love to travel, especially since their job is offering up travel tips and facts to fellow lovers of globe trotting. They could end up in a village one one morning and in a busy metro area the same evening. Expect to travel within a city or from city to city every day.
Average Salary: $31,213

25. Information Systems Manager – When you see a group of ITs working in your office, this is their lead tech. The largest job requirement includes establishing technology regarding information into the company they are working for. They watch over the installation and maintenance in new information systems, and are responsible for any repairs or updates to the tech. Median salary for this position is $106,000/year. However, the market for this position isn’t as high as others may be, coming in at only 147 job openings.

24. Analytics Manager – Requirements for this position include a great understanding of the product and how to sell it (specific to the company you work for), analyze growth and how the market is expanding, and create solutions to maximize output. This job requires creativity, and the ability to make quick judgement about potential problems. This job is opening up, looking to fill almost 1,000 of these positions this year. The median salary runs at $106,000 yearly.

23. Design Manager – Being a Design Manager is more difficult than it may appear at first glance. It requires creativity and the ability to maximize potential when set to design key features, as well as being able to find and solve conflicts in design. This job is situational, it can range from designing a building to web design. Leading these jobs can be demanding as it may require you to reject multiple plans before finding one you are confident in. Average salary for this position is $106,500 per year, and has over 500 positions to fill.

22. Product Manager – As a Product Manager, you will be required to manage the entire line of a particular product or products, from planning activities to deciding which plan is best for said product. Other job requirements may include creating a market plan from scratch, and identifying potential partners for this product. This field is scarce, looking to gain over 7,000 product managers this year. Median salary is $107,000 per year.

21. Tax Manager – Tax Managers main goal is to provide tax services to clients. They must hire staff, and be able to complete all tasks required of a tax accountant. Prerequisites to this position may include knowledge of computerized accounting and a BA in accounting. You must also have strong leadership skills, as well as be able to manage a group of tax accountants. This year, there are over 1,400 opening for this position, and yearly salary is $110,000.

20. Data Architect – Data Architecture consists of the rules and regulations that surround what data is being collected by the company. As a Data Architect, it is your job to manage that data, and create ways to collect it. Proficiency in different data management systems is required, as well as the ability to create standards for the development standards of the different databases. There are 762 open Data Architect positions in 2016, and the salary is $113,000 per year,

19. Actuary – There are many different types of actuary, including banking, investment management, pensions, and insurance. However, the details are all similar. As an actuary, you will be require to collect data and assess risks (situational to what type of actuary you are). Consisting mostly of evaluations and risk prevention, this job requires the ability to manage statistics, and have a good grasp of mathematical skills. This position has 175 openings this year, and the yearly salary is $115,000 yearly.

18. Creative Director – Creative Directors are employed by marketing companies and advertising agencies. Creativity is the top requirement, and a background in design and copy write is normally required. The job is to plan how your company will advertise certain products. As a Creative Director, you may also be required to give advice and critique to artists or ad designers that work for you. There is a demand for almost 700 creative directors this year, and the median salary is $115,000 per year.

17. Risk Manager – Risk Managers do exactly what you would think – Analyze potential risks and figure out how to avoid them, and how bad the loss or effect would be if something occurred. To put it simply, it would be your job to find out how to stop bad things from happening. Requirements to become a Risk Manager include a degree related to the company that you wish to work for, but most of these positions are for banks or other financial industries. There is a demand for over 1,000 risk managers this year, and the yearly salary is $115,000.

16. Data Scientist – Where Data analysts simply analyze data that has already been recorded, Data scientist couple those findings with their knowledge of the business and use that information to overcome challenges that the company may face by communication with leaders in both business and tech resolution. As a data scientist, you find the data-related problem, then find out how to solve it. This position has almost 2,000 openings and pays $115,000 per year.

15. Finance Manager – As a finance manager, you will be required to keep the company’s financial standing in check. You will have to direct what the company invests in, create plans for long term financial goals, and produce reports regarding the financial standing on the company. The median pay is $115,000 per year, and there are over 2,500 openings for this position.

14. Systems Architect – Systems Architects main job is to design and create different computer programs based on internet research (namely, customer systems). In other words, it is your job as a Systems Architect to make it easy for people to access and navigate the system(s). Ease of access and flow are important, and job requirements include a background in general IT as well as the ability to enhance ease-of-access. There are almost 500 openings for this position, and the average pay is $116,920 per year.

13. Pharmacist – As a Pharmacist, you will be expected to distribute different drugs to customer as prescribed by doctors. In addition to providing the drugs, you will also be tasked with advising the customers on how/when to take the drugs, as well as the side effects, if any. A background in a type of science is required before being accepted into Pharmacy school, which is required to practice. There are over 4,500 openings for pharmacists and the median yearly salary is $118,000.

12. Applications Development Manager – Application Development Managers are tasked with overseeing and leading the development of different types of systems, including information systems and operating systems. This position also requires that you make sure all of the company’s tech is in peak working condition. Median salary for this position is $120,000 per year, and there are currently 263 openings.

11. Engagement Manager – the biggest responsibility of an Engagement Manager is to create the best business relationships possible. This position focuses on winning over new clients while simultaneously keeping existing clients interested. Job requirements include creating the best experience between businesses and taking responsibility for the revenue between business relationships. There are over 1,400 positions open for engagement managers, and the median salary is $120,000 per year.

10. Solutions Architect – Solutions Architects are tasked with making customers happy. The job requires that you listen to customer feedback and reviews, and help create solutions to all of the problems faced by those customers. All companies that provide a product must keep customers happy, and this is your job as a Solutions Architect. Other requirements include great people skills and the ability to defuse potentially intense situations. The median salary for Solutions Architects is $120,000 per year, and there are almost 3,000 openings for this position.

9. IT Manager – The role you take as an IT Manager goes beyond the work of a regular tech, you will be expected to communicate with the lower techs to effectively coordinate job duties and maintain a staff. Requirements include a background in information technology, and a type of Computer Information Systems degree is highly recommended. The average salary for this position is $120,000 per year, with over 3,100 positions to fill.

8. Integrated Circuit Designer Engineer – For the engineering mind, look into becoming an Integrated Circuit Design Manager. Electrical engineering is heavy in this field, as you will be required to lead a team of designers to create a highly functional integrated circuit. There are 165 openings for this position, and the median salary runs at $127,500 per year.

7. Software Architect – The focus of a Software Architect is to design professional grade software. You will be responsible for coding and maximizing potential for the use of your software. If you have an interest in creating programs that are user-friendly and helpful to all, look into becoming a Software Architect. Requirements include creativity, and the ability to explain your ideas in great detail. The median salary for this position is $128,250/year, and there are 655 openings.

6. Strategy Manager – It is imperative that a Strategy Manager be able to visualize the company’s goals and create methods to achieve them. After taking this position, you will be required to read details of the company’s resources and assess how they can be used to effectively get to the level that your company wants to reach. There are about 700 openings for this position that pays a yearly salary of $130,000.

5. Pharmacy Manager – Similar to a pharmacist, a Pharmacy Manager will be expected to distribute drugs and inform the patients on how to use them effectively. In addition to that, as the manager you will be required to supervise the other workers and the daily operations of the company. Average pay for a Pharmacy Manager is $130,000/year, and there are 1,766 position open.

4. Software Development Manager – As a Software Development Manager, you are tasked with leading a group of software developers to create, maintain, and improve software that has been developed to use for certain companies. Requirements for this position include great leadership capabilities, problem solving skills, and a vast technical background. Median pay for this position is $132,000 per year, with nearly 3,500 positions open.

3. Research and Development Manager – Research and Development Managers must have to ability to make the most of the product or service sold by the company. Good judgement is essential for this position. It is up to you to collect data on how to maximize potential for the company. Being able to create a strategy to reach a goal is required. Average salary for this position is $142,120, and there are 112 openings for this position.

2. Lawyer – It is the duty of a lawyer to represent clients in all types of legal proceedings. You must act as an adviser, manager, writer, and defense for your client all while remaining within the confines of the law yourself. Requirements include passing the BAR exam, and a the ability to keep a calm, clear head. There is a need for almost 1,000 lawyers this year, and the average yearly salary is $144,500

1. Physician – Compassion and care are essential to becoming a Physician. Aside from that, you must be able to diagnose and provide proper treatment for any and all types of afflictions the patient may be facing. Prescribing medication and performing tests are common. A degree from a medical school is required and can be lengthy, but the payoff and satisfaction of the position are well worth it. Median base salary for a physician runs at $180,000 per year, and there is a demand for over 2,000 positions to be filled.

Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems technicians are responsible for installing, maintaining, and repairing those systems. The job is focused on ventilation, indoor air quality, and environmental well-being. Systems in charge of the air conditioning are complex to maintain and install, so the technicians on these duties must have a broad knowledge in the field, and the preparation for the job. The job itself can sometimes be uncomfortable or even dangerous, especially because of rough environment conditions technicians must endure while working (very high or low temperatures).

Average earnings of HVAC technicians ranges from $38K to $55K a year.

Economists have a job stress score of 15.60 [most stressful job is 71.59]. Economists provide macro or micro economic advice to organizations or companies. They do this by studying data and statistics of the past, the market that company is trying to position in, and the competition. Economists are focused on reducing costs, forecasting future economic conditions pertinent to the company/organization, improving sales, marketing, and maintaining the money flow within the company, in positive balance. Understanding the market, trends, and financial aspects of business, they provide the financial plans, predictions and solutions to problems. Deadlines on projects and result-driven campaigns are the features of the job that impose some levels of stress. Experts in the field are compensated from $100K onwards a year.

The first thing you should definitely do is to get a your credit report from the three bureaus.  Federal law dictates that you are offered a free credit report once a year.  If you already know your FICO score, then a free annual credit report will suffice.  However, if you want to know your exact credit score, the free annual report will not give it to you.  However, many credit cards offer free monthly credit score and reports.