With just a couple of weeks until Halloween, my kids are — unsurprisingly — still weighing costume options. (Any of these popular choices seem fine.) Once they decide, I just know I’ll spend way too much time and energy hunting for the most affordable version of that costume, because wow… Halloween has gotten expensive. (The actual dollar amount Americans collectively spend on the spooky holiday will give you nightmares.)
A few scary-good saving money-saving tips:
Strategically buying Halloween candy from these stores
Opting for this $6 “boorito” deal for an easy post-trick or treat dinner
DIY-ing decor with this TikTok-loved giant spider display
Orrrr…just scrap all of that and fully embrace the house with “full-size candy bar energy.” 🙃
— Marisa Iallonardo, writer, White Plains, NY
For The Group Chat
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How the news affects your finances.
What is LinkedIn Even Meant for These Days?
Once upon a time, LinkedIn was simply a place to display your work experience, show off a new headshot, and browse job listings. These days? We’re not sure what LinkedIn even is exactly. Is it a place to not-so-humble brag about your latest work (or frankly, life) win? A mediocre TED Talk given by uncredentialed folks spouting off about this productivity hack or that hiring trend? And when it comes to applying for jobs, it’s tougher than ever to decipher if a post is legitimate, a “ghost job,” or worse, a total scam.
Still, some recruiters say the platform continues to be a useful way to grow your career. “When job seekers think about LinkedIn as a proactive tool to connect with target employers rather than simply a reactive tool to apply to jobs, it’s a game-changer," says Becca Carnahan, a career coach and founder of Next Chapter Careers. So, if LinkedIn is still a must for most people, how can you make the most of your time on the platform?
Your move:
Define your goals. Before you jump on the contrived thought-leader bandwagon, think about why you logged on in the first place. “When you treat LinkedIn like the expansive and accessible networking platform it really is, you can build relationships, help others, and advance your career,” says Carnahan.
Focus on what you can control. If you’re job hunting, and MIA hiring managers have got you down, pivot to something you can actually change. Update your profile headline and “About” section (these are searchable) to be more descriptive, says Carnahan. Include, “a hook to get people interested in learning more about you, keywords relevant to your target audience, and some personality in your storytelling,” she says.
Do what works for you — not others. There’s been a lot of conflicting advice swirling about those “Open to Work” badges on profile pics. But if you’re desperately looking for a full-time gig or want potential clients to know you’re available, LinkedIn badges serve a purpose. That said, it’s worth experimenting with it on and off to see what delivers the best results, suggests Alisa Cohen, principal executive coach at Close Cohen Career Consulting.
Ask An Expert
We asked you to vote on a question you’d like answered. The winner was:
How often should I review and adjust my investments?
FEATURED EXPERT:
Kristin Myers
Senior vice president of content and editor in chief of etf.com
Once a quarter is plenty, says Myers. “Money is emotional, and it can be really tempting to check on your investments like [they’re] a Tamagotchi or a Sims character — especially on days the market is up or down a lot — but you really don’t need to,” she says. In fact, you shouldn’t, as it could set you up for compulsively buying or selling in such a way that goes against your long-term investment strategies, she adds.
When it comes time to check in, take stock of three big things:
Performance. If an investment is underperforming or isn’t working hard enough for you, you might consider selling.
Diversification. If you notice your portfolio is mostly focused on one industry, like tech, move some money around to better diversify your investments and therefore lower your risk.
Contributions. Set up regular deposits (how often and how much is your choice) into your investment accounts to keep building wealth and momentum with what’s working.
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