Improving End-of-Life Care

In the United States, many individuals who are nearing the end of their lives receive palliative care in acute care settings. Traditionally, acute care hospitals are designed to focus on the diagnosis, treatment, and eventual discharge of patients who are either cured or stabilized. However, when the disease reaches a stage beyond the scope of curative treatment, the needs of the patient shift from focusing on recovery to addressing comfort and quality of life.

This is where palliative care becomes critical. The purpose of this article is to examine the symptoms that affect individuals at the end of life and to highlight the challenges faced by nurses in delivering effective and compassionate care in acute care settings. Cubicle to Cloud virtual business

The Role of Palliative Care in Acute Settings

Palliative care is an approach to care that focuses on providing relief from the symptoms, pain, and stress associated with terminal illnesses. It seeks to achieve the highest quality of life for patients and their families, and it does so by addressing not only physical pain but also psychological, social, and spiritual needs.

Unlike curative treatments, which aim to cure or control disease, palliative care acknowledges the reality of death and works to make the process as comfortable and dignified as possible. The overarching goal of palliative care is not to hasten or postpone death but to support the individual through their final stages of life, ensuring they experience the best possible quality of living during their remaining time.

Palliative care begins as soon as a terminal diagnosis is made, continuing until the patient’s death. This approach includes managing physical pain, alleviating distressing symptoms, and offering emotional and spiritual support to both the patient and their family.

Nurses play a pivotal role in palliative care, acting as the primary caregivers in various acute care settings. Their responsibility is to provide comprehensive care that addresses not only the physical aspects of dying but also the emotional, social, and psychological needs of patients and their families.

Pain Management: A Core Component of Palliative Care

Pain management is one of the most important aspects of palliative care, particularly in acute settings. It is often the primary concern for patients who are nearing the end of life. While pain may not always be the most prevalent symptom during the final days of life, it is certainly the most distressing.

Uncontrolled pain can significantly affect the quality of life for both the patient and their loved ones, often causing emotional and psychological distress that compounds the physical suffering. Unfortunately, inadequate pain relief is a common issue in end-of-life care, and it can severely affect the emotional well-being of family members present at the bedside.

Effective pain management requires an accurate assessment of the patient’s pain, which can be challenging, especially when patients are unable to communicate clearly due to their condition. Nurses and medical teams must rely on the patient’s descriptions of pain (such as its location, onset, and intensity) as well as their behavioral cues to determine the best course of treatment. This process requires not only medical knowledge and expertise but also a high level of empathy and sensitivity.

The incorrect assessment or misdiagnosis of pain, such as misunderstanding its location or nature, can result in inadequate or improper treatment. This mismanagement can lead to unnecessary suffering and delays in providing appropriate relief, which is especially problematic for patients who are already in the final stages of life.

Additionally, the process of diagnosing and treating pain can be time-consuming, and for terminally ill patients, this can lead to a decrease in the quality of life in their final days.

Inadequate pain management remains a critical issue in the United States, with surveys of surviving family members indicating that more than 25% report their loved ones received insufficient pain relief during their final days. This highlights the need for specialized professionals trained to handle the complex issues associated with end-of-life care.

Nurses and physicians who are skilled in pain management, including understanding pain syndromes common at the end of life and who are familiar with pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions are essential to improving the quality of care for terminally ill patients. Moreover, addressing the emotional and existential distress that often accompanies intractable pain is crucial for ensuring a holistic approach to palliative care. Complete Controller. America’s Bookkeeping Experts

Supporting Patient and Family Wishes

In addition to pain management, one of the primary roles of nurses in palliative care is to ensure that the wishes of the patient and their family are respected and supported. This is especially important when it comes to treatment decisions. If the patient’s desired treatment plan differs from the family’s understanding or wishes, nurses often serve as mediators to facilitate communication and ensure that the patient’s voice is heard.

Nurses also provide counseling and emotional support to both patients and families, helping them cope with the complex emotions that arise during this difficult time.

The process of supporting patients and their families involves not only respecting their treatment preferences but also providing information, guidance, and a sense of empowerment. Nurses must offer clear, honest communication about the patient’s condition, treatment options, and prognosis, allowing families to make informed decisions about the patient’s care.

At times, when the patient may not be able to make decisions due to their condition, the responsibility falls on the family to make these decisions on the patient’s behalf. It is essential that nurses ensure that these decisions are made with the best interests of the patient in mind, and that the family is fully involved in the care process.

Family Involvement in Care

Family members play a crucial role in supporting the patient during their final days. They are often the primary caregivers and are essential to ensuring the patient’s comfort and dignity.

However, for family members to provide effective care, they need support and guidance from healthcare professionals. Nurses can enhance family support by maintaining open lines of communication, providing regular updates on the patient’s condition, and offering practical advice on how to care for the patient at home or in the hospital.

It is important to recognize that family members come from diverse social, cultural, and psychological backgrounds, and these factors can influence how they approach caregiving. Nurses must be sensitive to these differences and tailor their communication and support to the specific needs of each family.

This may involve providing education about the patient’s condition, offering counseling services, or connecting family members with support groups to help them cope with the emotional and psychological burden of caring for a loved one at the end of life. ADP. Payroll – HR – Benefits

Conclusion

Palliative care in acute care settings plays a vital role in providing compassionate care for patients at the end of life. By addressing physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual needs, palliative care ensures that patients experience a high quality of life in their final days. Nurses, as the primary caregivers in these settings, are essential to the success of palliative care programs, managing symptoms such as pain and providing emotional and informational support to patients and their families.

Despite the challenges faced in end-of-life care, with proper training, empathy, and effective communication, nurses can significantly improve the quality of care and support that patients and families receive in these critical moments of life. Ultimately, palliative care aims to ensure that the dying process is as comfortable, dignified, and peaceful as possible, and that the wishes of both patients and their families are respected throughout this journey.

LastPass – Family or Org Password Vault About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity. CorpNet. Start A New Business Now

5 Tips to Become a Master Stock Trader

Difference between Investing and Trading

First, let us understand the difference between investing and trading. Investing means building wealth gradually by buying stocks, keeping them on hold for an extended period of time, and riding out any unfavorable positions. Trading, on the other hand, means buying and selling more frequently, with the aim of acquiring the wealth now, the wealth is greater than the buy-and-hold investments. For example, investors may be content with 10%-15% annual returns; however, traders may aim for 10% returns every month. In general, investing brings larger returns, and trading brings frequent and smaller returns. Investors ride out less profitable positions, whereas traders must make their profit or suffer a loss. In general, five tips to become a Master at stock trading are: Check out America's Best Bookkeepers

  1. Be patient
  2. Do your research
  3. Follow the money
  4. Read about the markets (newspaper)
  5. Find a trader with a low commission rate

Types of trading

Most trading basically falls into one of two categories: fundamental trading and analytical trading. Fundamental trading is what Warren Buffet and others engage in. Analytical trading branches into day trade and swing trade. Before you begin trading with real money, try your hand in paper trading.

Learn the terminology

The stock market has its own terminology, which you need to know before starting to trade. Table 1 is a list of such words. Check out America's Best Bookkeepers

Table 1 – Terminology for Stock Market Trading

Bull Flag

Open Range Breakout

Bear Flag

Cup and Handle

Flat top breakout

Ascending Triangle

1234 Product

Triple Bottom

Micro 1 Min Pullback

Descending Triangle

Red to Green Move

Inverse Head and Shoulders

Bullish Symmetrical Triangle

Round Bottom

Double Top

Bearish Symmetrical Triangle

Falling Wedge

Head and Shoulders

Fundamental trading

  1. Buy safe stocks that will not dive to zero at any point in the next 10 years.
  2. Such stocks should make up at least 80% of your portfolio. Coca-Cola is a great buy, as its stock has gone up steadily for the past 100 years. They increase their dividends every year.
  3. Certain banks are also considered safe. Some ETFs are also worth buying. What is ETF’s? Exchange-traded Fund (ETF) is a collection of stocks, such as a group of real estate stocks.
  4. Warning: Do not invest in the Technology industry, as that is considered very risky. Buy ETF’s in banking so that all of your eggs are not in one basket
  5. Invest like you would not have the opportunity to do so for the next 10 years (as per Warren Buffet). Check out America's Best Bookkeepers

Analytical trading

Analytical trading can be categorized into two main branches: day trading and swing trading. In day trading, you buy and sell stocks the same day, usually within minutes. If done effectively, you can make a lot of money, doing so. In swing trading, you buy stock and sell it the next day, or a few days later, or a week later. It is very short-term trading. Tips on how to be a Master in analytical trading are:

  1. Go to Investopedia for any words that you don’t know regarding stocks.
  2. Most of the money you will make is within the first 2 hours of the stock market opening.
  3. Remember that the less stock there is in the market, the more volatile in price it will be.
  4. Avoid speculation. Enough said.
  5. Learn Ichimoku (in analysis software) – this is a little complicated but very useful.

Summary

To become a Master in stock trading takes time and patience. You have to learn the terminology and learn when to buy and when to sell. Trading is divided into fundamental trading and analytical trading. Fundamental trading means that you hold on to stocks for a longer period of time and ride out the losses in the meantime. Analytical trading means that you buy and sell more frequently but with less profit than you would have in fundamental trading.

Check out America's Best Bookkeepers About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud-hosted desktop where their entire team and tax accountant may access the QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools in an efficient and secure environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity. Check out America's Best Bookkeepers

Organizations that Influence Emerging Markets

Governments form alliances to promote economic growth or assist each other when necessary. Some groups are somewhat symbolic, while others exercise real political and military power.

Asian development bank

Politicians in emerging and frontier markets in Asia often turn to the Asian Development Bank for financing and experience in infrastructure projects. The projects of the Asian Development Bank are in operation throughout the Asian continent and the Pacific islands. The bank can grant loans, grants, and technical assistance for the distribution of electricity, water purification, or higher education, and sparks progress that can improve the growth prospects for businesses and investors. Cubicle to Cloud virtual business

African union

The African Union includes all the countries of Africa except Morocco as members. It works to promote people’s economic and political prospects in the African continent and has a court of justice to help settle border treaty disputes peacefully. Members have agreed to allow an African central bank, monetary fund, and an investment bank, but those institutions have not yet been created and may not be.

Seven nations of the African Union are emerging or border markets: Botswana, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Nigeria, and South Africa.

Commonwealth

The Commonwealth comprises 54 countries committed to democracy after being part of the former British Empire. Each nation is independent but accepts its historical connection as a colony grantee. Many, though not all, recognize Queen Elizabeth II as their head of state. Members with emigration tend to lose citizens to other Commonwealth countries, especially Great Britain. That makes for strong economic and cultural ties within the organization.

Twelve community members are emerging or border markets: Bangladesh, Botswana, Ghana, India, Jamaica, Kenya, Mauritius, Nigeria, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and Trinidad and Tobago. Download A Free Financial Toolkit

European union

The European Union (EU) has 27 member countries with 501 million citizens. Eight members of the EU are emerging or border markets: Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, and Slovenia. Turkey, an emerging market, and Croatia, a border market, are on the list of candidate nations.

The EU regulates travel and trade among its members. Citizens of member countries can travel and work anywhere in the EU. The commercial, health, and safety regulations are standardized, making it easier for companies to develop a product in a market and sell it throughout the EU.

The EU has helped Europe form a strong economy and helped many countries in their transition to communism. The success of the EU is the result of the hard work and commitment of the rich countries, especially France and Germany, for its success.

International monetary fund

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is the banker of the world’s central banks. Its programs include loans and economic advice for countries that have developing economies. The IMF is called when a country has a currency crisis and needs help stabilizing its currency and rebuilding its financial system.

The IMF collects comprehensive data on the world’s economies, making it an excellent source for research in emerging markets. LastPass – Family or Org Password Vault

World bank

The World Bank aims to eliminate poverty through economic development. Its two lending arms are the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the International Development Association.

The World Bank is no stranger to controversy. Critics argue that their loan programs keep developing nations in perpetual debt. This stated goal of fighting government corruption goes against an unfortunate fact of life that corruption is part of doing business in many frontiers and some emerging markets. The corrupt do not like the big, multinational organizations financed by the developed countries that tell them what to do.

World trade organization

To make it easier for people to do business with each other, regardless of their country, the World Trade Organization (WTO) helps resolve disputes over tariffs, quotas, and other practices that restrict trade. The group helps negotiate trade differences among its 153 member countries, including almost all developed, emerging, and frontier global markets.

Participation in the WTO creates a more organized approach to international trade, and it helps companies and investors worldwide take advantage of global business opportunities. About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud-hosted desktop where their entire team and tax accountant may access the QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools in an efficient and secure environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provides bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services, including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for businesses, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity. CorpNet. Start A New Business Now About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity. Complete Controller. America’s Bookkeeping Experts

10 Principles to Make the Right Decision

The professors at the business school Iese, Pablo Malla, and Miguel Ángel Ariño have made 10 fundamental principles for decision making. To decide is to choose, and to choose is to resign.  It is always possible to make the wrong choice. Understanding these principles will help you make the right decisions. Do you want to know them?

  1. Worry about deciding well rather than correct

It is usual to have an unjustified feeling of responsibility, which leads us to think that everything will go as planned if we do things right. But in a concrete decision, you may have made the best choice but still received bad results (and vice versa). The luck factor also intervenes. Check out America's Best Bookkeepers

  1. Clearly identify your goals

How will you arrive if you do not know where you are going? It is fundamental to ask ourselves: what do I want/need to achieve? Knowing where we are going allows us to act according to our objectives instead of reacting to what happens.

  1. Realistic approaches

The frame of reference conditions our course of action. It is essential that our approaches can be developed in reality.

  1. Do not deceive yourself; it’s very easy to do

When we make a decision, we usually look for reasons that support our alternative, and we do not consider the reasons that question it. This problem increases when we surround ourselves with people who think like us. This is why the more heterogeneous the management team, the better the decision-making will be. Check out America's Best Bookkeepers

It is a mistake for managers to surround themselves with mediocre people who only endorse their decisions and do not criticize them. The value is subjective: losses affect us more than profits, which leads us to take very high risks for not accepting losses.

  1. Address only relevant information

Irrelevant information can lead us to make bad decisions. For example, the biased information: The Titanic captain made a skewed use of the 17 icebergs warning messages he received before the crash because he was not interested in slowing down or modifying the route to prove to the world that It was a very fast boat.

Other information is historical, which at the time may have been relevant but currently is not useful. And finally, the mythical information, based on assumptions, does not distinguish between facts and value judgments. The paradigmatic example is the loss of leadership of the Swiss watch industry. With a market share of 90% before the 70s, the prestige of these watches was unquestionable.

However, when the Japanese copied their quartz mechanism with the same precision as the Swiss and cheaper, their quota collapsed to 20% in just ten years. The Swiss fell on the assumption that only they knew how to make the best watches. Check out America's Best Bookkeepers

  1. Recognize uncertainty and management

Uncertainty can be frightening. For some people, change can be hard to process. Something that may help in coming up with several scenarios and make a contingency plan for each scenario.

  1. Be creative and generate alternatives

We tend to think that the first alternative is the good one. Even though the alternative seems to be a good idea, you should still come up with multiple solutions. The more alternatives you think of, in principle, the higher quality of decisions.

Creativity is important to generate alternatives, but sometimes, it is underutilized, and we atrophy ourselves under pressure from a fictitious urgency. Only 10% of the company’s decisions are urgent, and 10% of those require immediate action. Another common error is to evaluate while we generate the alternatives. If we separate the production of alternatives from its evaluation, it will help us to be more creative.

  1. Consequences of decisions

We often judge our decisions on how effective they are, but decisions have other consequences. A clear example is that of the executives of Enron, who, for winning more money, ended up in jail. What is final is that we can decide what we want, but once decided, the decision determines the consequences.

Check out America's Best Bookkeepers About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud-hosted desktop where their entire team and tax accountant may access the QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools in an efficient and secure environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity. Check out America's Best Bookkeepers

The Advantages of Coaching Managers in Your Business

To face the competition and increase market share, most companies use executive coaching or manager coaching. This support helps company managers to improve their skills to increase team productivity. Here are the advantages of coaching managers in any business.

Advantages for the manager

Executive coaching, also known by other names such as executive coaching, professional coaching, and corporate coaching, is tailor-made support for business leaders. A qualified professional coach provides it. The latter accompanies the coach and helps him to achieve specific objectives. During the coaching sessions, the manager is led to identify the various obstacles he encounters in his professional life. This personalized support allows the business manager to improve his skills and performance. Check out America's Best Bookkeepers  

The manager thus better manages the activities and his team. The process also helps the head of the company to evolve in decision-making. Strategic policies have a significant influence on the survival of society. A poor decision is enough to drive the firm to ruin.  Executive coaching is different from professional training. This support allows the coach to adapt to a new situation. 

The coach also teaches the coach to manage his working time to deal with priorities as soon as possible and avoid emergencies as much as possible. Executive coaching also helps leaders to improve their sense of leadership. This quality is essential to influence the team to achieve defined objectives indirectly. A better management policy does not force an employee to execute against his will. During the coaching sessions, the entrepreneur is led to optimizing his self-confidence and have positive attitudes in life.  Check out America's Best Bookkeepers

Advantages for the team

The leaders are not the only beneficiaries. The team also has its interests. Thanks to coaching, employees are more productive. Coaching improves both individual and team performance. Like managers, employees are also called upon to increase their self-esteem and manage their stress at work. The development of work is essential to achieve the goals set. 

Company coaching helps employees to have a clear vision of the missions entrusted to them. The goal is to optimize everyone’s potential to reap satisfactory results. For employees, coaching helps in career management. Thanks to this tailor-made support, the coach can better orient themselves: this is professional guidance coaching.  Corporate coaching also improves relationships between employees. 

This guarantees acceptable organizational policy and better coordination of tasks. This personalized support also prevents and ties up conflicts. The latter are frequent in the professional world. The coach teaches employees to avoid all sources of conflict and to have a serene working atmosphere.

Having learned about the missions that await you by becoming a transition manager, you want to put your expertise within a company? Becoming a transition manager is undoubtedly not an easy task. You have to have a good sense of diplomacy. Being a manager, you must be one of the leaders and carry out your primary mission.  Check out America's Best Bookkeepers

What is more, a transition manager must have a flexible quality. In other words, it must adapt to whatever the situation. And to improve the sustainability of the company, it must guarantee its success quickly. However, this implies taking charge of a critical decision, which can be invaluable. Therefore, this professional must be able to assert himself while showing confidence. 

Besides being a leader, the manager must have a team mobilization technique, including tense situations. The person must effectively resist stress and must be able to find a solution to any problem. In short, Transition managers must have strong skills to face those who are waiting for them. He must show courage, adaptability, and also availability.

Advantages for society

Manager coaching is a business development lever. The ultimate objective of any company is to make the maximum profit and increase the market share, and this support is an effective means to achieve these goals. Quality work delivered as soon as possible increases the productivity and performance of the employee. The increase in production boosts the company’s sales. 

A company with a significant market share sets itself apart from its competitors and achieves high turnover. The company wins by offering executive coaching to managers and employees. The benefits of this support are significant within a company.

Check out America's Best Bookkeepers About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud-hosted desktop where their entire team and tax accountant may access the QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools in an efficient and secure environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity. Check out America's Best Bookkeepers

4 Things You Should Do with Your Time

Invest in quality time to share with your loved ones. Spending time with your partner, children, parents, and friends can improve the overall quality of your life. Time is precious! When life gets overwhelming, you may find it beneficial to have proper time management. Here are four things you should do with your spare time. Check out America's Best Bookkeepers

  1. Spend time with the people you love

Spend free time with your loved ones. Choose one day out of the week to spend with the people you care about. On that day get rid of work and do an activity together. The activity you decide on does not have to require money. Consider doing something at home. You can never go wrong with spending time with loved ones. 

The happiest people are those who stay positive. By staying positive, you will become more productive. This will help you to build a better relationship with your loved ones. We cannot sacrifice our relationship with our family for accumulating wealth. Family should always take priority over wealth.

It can be difficult to find free time with a busy schedule. You might find it easier to plan these events out in advance. Wasted time will not return. It is important to take advantage of the opportunities you have today. Check out America's Best Bookkeepers

  1. Develop your favorite hobby

Picking up a new hobby can be greatly beneficial. Dedicate your free time to something you enjoy doing. You can make crafts or start a blog. Maybe you could learn to cook, or even play a new instrument. It is even possible to turn one of the hobbies into a business. The hobby you choose can also be something relaxing. This is something to do in your spare time. You do not need to do this daily.

Set aside time on your schedule to do something you enjoy and watch your happiness grow. You never know if one day you might teach finance through a blog like our Financial Apprentice channel. Spending time dedicated to one hobby will allow you to be the best you can be!

  1. Have a physical activity Check out America's Best Bookkeepers

With so much work, it can be easy to forget about exercise. You may not even realize it. For example, if you work in an office setting, you will be sitting for most of the day. To be more active, consider investing in a standing desk. But apart from this, you should exercise as well. Pick a time each day that you are free and dedicate that time to working out. It can be in the morning before you start your day or even at night before bed. When you exercise your body daily, you will have more energy; therefore, you will be more productive.

  1. Finish what you start

Is there something you have always wanted to do or try? Life will hand us constant challenges. These can result in us abandoning the things we genuinely want to be doing. If there is anything that you have left undone, take the time to complete it. This can be something as simple as finishing a book or something more challenging like running a marathon. You can always pick up where you left off!

All in all

Time is relentless; it does not wait for anyone. Value the time that you have and try to make the most of each day. By making a schedule and sticking to it, you will improve your time management skills. You will your family will be happier. Incorporating these four things into your daily routine will help improve the overall quality of your relationships.

Check out America's Best Bookkeepers About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud-hosted desktop where their entire team and tax accountant may access the QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools in an efficient and secure environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity. Check out America's Best Bookkeepers

Earn Extra Income Using Your Skills

We have all heard “you are so talented!” at least once in our lives, even if we don’t believe it. Well, maybe it’s high time that you do. Every person has an extra set of skills that they possess, and so do you. So why not put these skills to better use? 

Earning extra income will never be a bad idea, and there are so many ways that you can do so without having to try so hard. Here are some ideas to put your skills to great use. Check out America's Best Bookkeepers

Use your experience knowledge

Sharing your experience and knowledge can give you extra income. People generally like hearing things from those who have prior experience in a specific field. It is time to value your time and effort and be paid for it.

Produce a YouTube channel

Produce a YouTube channel to share your knowledge on a specific topic and earn money. Having a channel is not synonymous with becoming a famous YouTuber that will be a mass influence.

If you don’t have a clue how to start, it’s easy. You can go on the YouTube page and find a tutorial on how to start your channel. Before opening your channel, you must be clear about the topic; many options depending on your skills: Cooking classes, teaching a language, technology, etc. Check out America's Best Bookkeepers

Start your own blog

A video about your skills may not be your thing, but you always have the option to write. The way to get money through a blog is through the advertising on the website it is presented on.

As with a YouTube channel, you should start creating it by following all the necessary steps. Although on the other hand, a blog can be a complement to your YouTube channel as well. Which means twice what you already earn!

It’s time to take an online course

Another way to give advice in addition to videos and blogs is through a completely online course. The general idea that prevails is that online courses are only for certain types of people. But the reality is completely the opposite, and anyone can start an online course. This is one of the easiest ways of obtaining some extra income.

An online book

If you already have a specific topic that you plan to teach, another good option is an online book or eBook. Even though the idea might scare you away, it is quite easy to do. Make sure you research what the audience is in search of. Check out America's Best Bookkeepers

Be a teacher at a community center

You can teach during the summer, on weekends, in spring, or any time you seem fit. This will depend on your available schedule. These centers, libraries, museums, and bookstores, offer courses and can approach these institutions to offer their skills.

This can be the first step to meet potential students and become a tutor.

Become a tutor or guide

The best time to become a tutor is when the children are about to take exams or enter school. Although at any time, you can find children who need extra help during their school year.

However, being a tutor does not necessarily have to be related to difficult subjects. If you like outdoor sports, you can organize outlines or guided tours to nearby places. Guided tours are recommended when you know these places (such as mountains, rivers, parks, etc.) and the risks that exist.

Getting extra money requires effort and time invested, but it is something that will strengthen your savings or help with debts. Another way to use this money intelligently is through investment. It is always a good idea to keep a little extra on the side. Who knows when it might come in handy!

Check out America's Best Bookkeepers About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud-hosted desktop where their entire team and tax accountant may access the QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools in an efficient and secure environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity. Check out America's Best Bookkeepers

3 Ways to Double Your Investment

While the idea of doubling your money is very appealing, the execution process may be a bit intimidating to some people. Everyone desires success in their lives, and everyone has their own unique definitions of the term. For some, success may mean fame, popularity, peace, etc. For others, it may simply mean money and lots of it!

Many people constantly strive for financial stability. They are always on the hunt for new ways to earn more and spend less. Doubling your money or simply just earning more is a great goal and can be accomplished through many different means. Read on if this is appealing to you! Check out America's Best Bookkeepers

Investments can be a great resource when you are looking to expand your portfolio. While there is always some risk associated with any investment, many tactics have been proven to be consistently successful. It is important to keep in mind that while investing may seem glamourous and fruitful for those who have mastered this skill, the amateur investor should take care to conduct adequate research before making any financial decision. Educating yourself before making any decision about investing is a necessity! We have included a few tips below that we hope will be easy to implement and beneficial to our readers.

The first step to take before making any investment is to create a solid plan. This may sound simple, but it requires much time, thought, and effort. People who have a proper game plan before investing are most likely to get better results. Additionally, you must be focused and take great care when making financial decisions. The three main questions to include in your plan should be: Check out America's Best Bookkeepers

  1. How much money do I want to invest?
  2. How much money do I wish to earn?
  3. How much time am I willing to wait to see my returns?

These three questions will prompt you to make wiser decisions that suit your unique financial needs and desires. Going into an investment without considering these questions will lead you to make unorganized and thoughtless decisions. Remember, the small mistakes may end up costing you the most. This is your money you are working with and you need to make wise decisions, not hasty ones. 

Your plan should also include proper scheduling and a realistic budget that must be maintained in addition to these questions. It may also address the following topics:

  1. Earning More Money:

There are hundreds of ways to earn more money than you do today. The easiest way is to take advantage of freelancing opportunities. Nowadays, many businesses are looking for freelancers that can help expedite their operations. Our suggestion is to capitalize on your relevant skills and then invest the money earned.   Check out America's Best Bookkeepers

  1. Start a Small Business:

Starting a small business is a great way to earn more money. If this is not possible or appealing to you, consider investing in a small business. There is great money to be made when the business is profitable.  This can also become a long-term investment if the returns are fruitful. However, it is important to keep in mind that there may be great risks associated with this investment since businesses operate on a profit and loss strategy.

  1. Lending Money:

Lending money is another quick way to make your money work for you. This is done by lending money to someone you know or to a firm. You are then returned the money along with an agreed-upon interest fee. Lending money with a firm’s assistance is a guaranteed way of getting it back on time and on your terms.

Check out America's Best Bookkeepers About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud-hosted desktop where their entire team and tax accountant may access the QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools in an efficient and secure environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity. Check out America's Best Bookkeepers

Ways to Conquer Your Debt

How does this happen? It seems that you wake up one day and realize that your debts are greater than your income. Perhaps it was the new car, which caught your attention by advertising “no interest” fees? Or maybe that dream home was just too perfect to pass up.  Or you may be faced with unexpected medical expenses that could not have been anticipated.

You or your partner may have recently lost your job and must live on just one salary or none while trying to keep up with your debts. This enormous pressure may leave you feeling depressed, anxious, or perhaps even hopeless.

But wait, there is a way out! There are many answers and solutions available to help you crawl out from under massive debt. While it may not be quick and easy to achieve, there is life after debts! Check out America's Best Bookkeepers

Positive steps to change the way you deal with debts

Let us move forward with solutions for your financial crisis. In this article, we will discuss some simple points to get out of debt and achieve financial security:

  1. Do not borrow

Resist the temptation to live above your means. When trying to get out from under debt, any expenses should be limited to needs, not desires or cravings. Temptations are everywhere. You may have had the thought, “Why wait if I can just have it right now?” Or maybe lured in by the statement, “It can be yours for only three simple payments of …!” You must have the discipline necessary to avoid frivolous spending.

  1. Establish a viable budget

Having a healthy budget is vital to getting out of debt. If you share finances with a partner, sit down with them and organize the budget together. You both are a team and must each be active participants in this issue. You must both be aware of where your money is going (every penny). Check out America's Best Bookkeepers

The bigger the debt, the tighter your budget should be. Focus on your basic needs: food, a place to live, transportation, and healthcare should be the main expenses considered.

Restrict visits to restaurants and other unnecessary spending. Objectively evaluate your subscription services. Eventually, you will realize that these are not essential during a financial crisis. It may be difficult but making wiser spending choices is crucial.

  1. Reserve an emergency fund

When creating your budget, reserve funds for the unexpected by developing an emergency fund. When this fund is established and an unexpected receipt or emergency arises, you will have the means to resolve it without going over budget. Keep in mind; it may take great discipline to use this fund exclusively for emergencies.

  1. Sell

Many people in Western countries have attics, garages, basements, closets, and even storage sheds filled with belongings they no longer use or need. Consider turning those objects into cash to help pay off your debt. You would be surprised at how much you can earn at a garage sale or a flea market. Check out America's Best Bookkeepers

If you are paying for a car that is above your means, it may be a good time to sell it and get a more affordable one. You can find excellent prices on reliable vehicles from previous models. Be objective when evaluating your wants vs. your needs. Remember, this is a temporary situation if you can learn to control your expenses to free yourself from the burden of debts.

  1. Work

If you can, consider working overtime at your company or look for a part-time job. There are plenty of temporary jobs out there, such as cleaning homes or cutting grass. Perhaps you are handy around the house. In this case, distribute flyers offering your services around your neighborhood.

It may take hard work and long hours, but overtime at your job will help if you are seriously determined to get out of debt. Again remember, this is a temporary situation.

  1. Education

With the labor market constantly evolving, it is important to consider furthering your education. Many universities have created evening programs that cater to working students. You may also be eligible for scholarships or grants that are available in various fields.

Check out America's Best Bookkeepers About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud-hosted desktop where their entire team and tax accountant may access the QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools in an efficient and secure environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity. Check out America's Best Bookkeepers

Online Banking: Pros and Cons

When most people think of banking, they think of waiting behind other cars for their turn to stuff their deposit into a tube and having it sucked into the drive-thru bank teller or standing in long lines waiting to hear “next in line.” And that way of banking will likely always exist. As automation and innovation have progressed, starting with ATMs in the 80s and moving to online banking options offered by central banks in the early 2000s, banking’s face has changed. You can automatically deposit your paychecks and use payment platforms to receive funds to be transferred into your bank without ever having to step foot into your bank or sit waiting for your turn at the pneumatic tube.

Now, some banks fly in the face of traditional brick and mortar banks. These banks are entirely contained online and are taking the banking industry by storm. Here are four reasons you should consider online banking. Check out America's Best Bookkeepers

Lower Fees

Because online banks don’t have the high overhead of traditional brick and mortar banks, they can minimize fees. Traditional banks have building maintenance and staff, while online banks have less of these costs. Most online banks have no minimum balance fees, and their overdraft fees are generally significantly lower than traditional banks charge. Also, many online banks offer free ATM withdrawals and reimburse fees charged by the ATM company.

Online banks are enticing new customers with lower to no fees than traditional banks who rely on fees as part of their profits.

Higher Interest Returns

While every bank offers savings accounts that gain interest, online banks can offer higher rates because they can offer lower to no fees, low overhead. While savings accounts are never going to be a get-rich-quick option no matter the banking institution, the differences in the traditional bank interest rate and the online bank interest rate will add up to a large difference in the long-term. Check out America's Best Bookkeepers

Traditional banks generally offer 0.01% annual percentage yield, while online banks offer between 0.05 and 1.5% annual percentage yields. This adds up to more significant savings, and if you are looking for a no-risk way to grow your savings, online banks will give you the most bang for your buck.

Convenience

The best thing about online banking is convenience. While both traditional brick and mortar banks and online banks both offer the same conveniences when it comes to online banking, there are some differences. Being able to do banking anytime instead of just bank hours, electronic deposits of paper checks, and ease of transfers are a few of the conveniences both offer.

Technology

Technology will again not be exclusive to online banks. However, the fact that an online bank is 100% based on the technology will be on the cutting-edge of innovation when it comes to banking. Their only focus is online and mobile device interaction with banking. This innovation means that online banking customers will continue to get the best services possible with a lot more control over their accounts. Check out America's Best Bookkeepers

The Drawbacks

There are two drawbacks to having an online bank account. There is no ability to deposit cash, and online banks don’t have other services exclusive to the traditional brick and mortar bank. These services include safe deposit boxes, notary services, and other services that require in-person interaction. Also, online banks often don’t offer brokerage accounts, CDs, and insurance products most traditional banks offer though some do.

These drawbacks can be overcome in a few ways. You can still keep a checking account free to use for cash deposits at a traditional bank or open a safe deposit box only if you need one. There are other institutions to get the other services you may need, or you can search to find an online bank that has the services you need since some do offer brokerage accounts and insurance products.

Conclusion

Online banking has some distinct advantages for savings on fees and higher interest savings accounts. These reasons speak strongly about choosing online banking for your primary banking needs. Though there are drawbacks, those can be overcome though you may prefer to continue to use your traditional brick and mortar bank.

 

Check out America's Best Bookkeepers About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud-hosted desktop where their entire team and tax accountant may access the QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools in an efficient and secure environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity. Check out America's Best Bookkeepers