This video explains why youre bored at work

This video explains why youre bored at workThis video explains why youre bored at workAs you scroll through your Facebook feed, Instagram your latest meal, or banter on Twitter or text message during the day, what are you avoiding?Chances are, its work.But its not because youre lazy. Or rather, its not only because youre lazy. Work isnt satisfying us, argues avideo uploaded by The School of Life.The reason our minds like to wander over many different topics, as we did when we were children, making many of us happiest when we are generalists, learning and opining about everything under the sun. But the modern workplace requires that we do one type of thing, and do it over and over again - turning us into specialists. After a while, all that repetition means were not growing any more - and that means we get bored, and turn to distractions.While, as kids, we may have pretended to be everything from Arctic explorers to rockstars, as adults we commit to a career that goes down a single path. Each one of behauptung so-called games might have been the beginning of a career, and yet, we had to settle on only a single option, done repeatedly for over 50 yearsWe are so much more than the world of work ever allows us to be, the narrator says.No matter what your job title is, the concept of not getting to wear every hat youve ever wanted to wear in your lifetime applies to everyone, according to the video.Everyone couldve found so many versions of happiness that will elude them,the narrator says, In suffering in this way, we are participating in the common human lot. We can be sure that whatever we do, parts of our potential will have to go undeveloped and die without ever having had the gelegenheit to come to full maturity for the sake of the real benefits of focus and specialization.The video names great thinkers on opposing sides of the political spectrum, including Adam Smith and Karl Marx, so theres someone for everyone.So if youve ever felt uninspired at work and i n life,heres one explanation - and it acts as a reminder to expand your interests outside of work, because if you want to be happy, your job cannot be the only meaningful thing in your life.

How to find hidden money when filing your taxes

How to find hidden money when filing your taxesHow to find hidden money when filing your taxesBank of Dadis a weekly column which seeks to answer questions about how tomanage moneywhen you have a family. Want to ask aboutcollege savings accounts,mortgage hacks, or how to be a little bitbetter with money?Submit a question to Bankofdadfatherly.com. Want advice on what stocks are safe bets? Ask your broker. And then tell us. Wed love to know.Thenew 2019 tax laws have a number of changes that I really dont understand. What are the most important ones, and how will they affect how Ifile my taxes? - Steve K, BostonPresident Trump signed theTax Cuts and Jobs Act(TCJA) more than a year ago. But now is the first time taxpayers have to figure out how the new rules will affect their return. For most people, the net effect will be a little more cash in your pocket this year about $900 for the typical middle-income earner, according to the Tax Policy Center.The changes to the IRS code are pretty extensive, but heres a look at some of the biggest. Keep in mind that most of the provisions expire after 2025, at which point we could have yet another set of rules on our hands.1. Brand new tax ratesPerhaps the most obvious change is the cut to individual tax rates. It gets a little confusing because the TCJA also revised the income ranges for each bracket. But most folks who used to pay a 15 percent rate, for example, are now paying 12 percent marginal rate. And the majority of taxpayers who used to be in the 28 percent bracket will now pay a 24 percent rate. Heres a chart to help you out2. A larger standard deductionFor the 2017 tax year, you could take a standard deduction of $12,700 if you filed a joint return (it was $9,350 for heads of household and $6,350 for single filers). The TCJA nearly doubled those amounts. Now, joint filers can deduct $24,000. Those filing as a head of household can take $18,000 from their taxable income single filers can take a deduction of $12,000 .As a result, fewer people will have an incentive to itemize their deductions, which should also make preparing the 1040 a less mind-numbing experience. Fingers crossed.3. A more generousChild Tax CreditPart of the TCJAs munificence includes a doubled child credit of $2,000 per kid. The refundable amount - what you get if your credits surpass your tax liability - is capped at $1,400.And this year, a lot more people are able to take advantage of it. For joint filers, the credit started to phase out for joint filers after $110,000 of income now the cap is $400,000 for couples preparing a joint return (or $200,000 for individuals).Before getting too excited, realize that the more generous credit is at least parteially offset by the end of the personal exemption, which allows $4,050 per-person deduction for yourself, your spouse, and each child in your household. Depending on your tax bracket, you might not be getting a substantially bigger break.4. A state and local tax capWhile the TCJA threw a lot of goodies at the tax-paying public, it wasnt quite as kind to homeowners inmore expensive parts of the country.Beginning in 2018, the deduction for state and local taxes including property, income and sales taxes is capped at $10,000.On top of that, you can only deduct the interest on mortgage balances up to $750,000. People who took out their home loan prior to 2018 are grandfathered in, so the limit doesnt apply.Its tax season and Im a new, first-time parent. This is new territory for me and Id hate to lose out on money for not being aware of the new changes. What are all the tax deductions and credits I, and other new parents, need to know about? - Paul O., Oklahoma CityHaving a baby is likely themost expensive decisionyouve ever made, so by all means, take advantage of those sections of the tax code aimed at giving parents relief. Heres what you need to know.1. Child tax creditFor a lot of parents, the single most important break is the child tax credit, esp ecially now that its doubled in size. Unlike deductions, credits are dollar-for-dollar reductions in your tax bill. So, no, you dont want to overlook this one.2. Child and dependent care creditIf you paid someone to take care of your child while you worked or even looked for work you may also qualify for the child and dependent care credit. To qualify, your child had to be under 13 years of age at the end of the calendar year. Dont think the credit is just for parents who use daycare, though. Babysitter fees, preschool tuition and even summer day camp expenses are eligible, as long as you worked while your kid was there.3. Earned income creditThe earned income credit, or EIC, is another nice perk for parents, although its only available to those with low- and moderate-incomes. If you or your spouse was out of work for part of the year or went back to school, its certainly worth checking to see if you qualify. Its a refundable credit, so you can actually get a refund even if your t ax liability was zero.4. Adoption tax creditAs long as you fall below the income limit, parents can also expect some relief if they recently adopted a child. For 2018, the IRS lets parents take a credit of up to $13,810 for a range of expense, including travel expenses, attorney fees and court costs. Given how pricey adoptions can be, youll be glad to get at least some of that money back at tax time.5. Education tax creditsFinally, Ill mention a couple credits that can help offset the cost of a college education the American Opportunity Tax Credit and the Lifetime Learning Credit. While the former offers a slightly bigger benefit, it also comes with tighter eligibility requirements. Both credits help defray the cost of tuition, fees and books. And, really, who couldnt use some help with that?This article was originally published on Fatherly.

Real estate titan on the key to being a good mentor

Real estate titan on the key to being a good mentorReal estate titan on the key to being a good mentorLearning to network, make connections and then sustaining those relationships throughout your career is one of the secrets to the overall success of accomplished business leaders. Over the course of my professional life, I have met many individuals that have taken the time to offer valuable insights from all different backgrounds and industries, which added significantly to my career by teaching me important lessons about business and life.Early in my career, one of my bosses told me to always find a person that would be able to assist and mentor me. This welches excellent advice, which I have passed on many times over the years. When looking for a mentor, it is important to find someone who is successful, preferably in the business sector in which you wish to pursue or at the very least, whom you greatly respect and admire for his or her success and career trajectory. You can learn so much from a variety of people who have had many different types of experiences. The real lessons come from your openness to listening and learning from their successes but more importantly, their failures.Meet with your mentorWhen working with a mentor, it is ideal to create an ongoing relationship. Meet with your mentor as often as they are willing. The take their insights and put them to work in whatever field you work in. For me, especially early in my career, I made it a point to attend every single meeting, conference and training that I possibly could, even when people said I didnt need to, or it would be a waste of time. To be certain, continuing your education, putting yourself in a room of other professionals and meeting colleagues in never a waste of time. Something positive will always come from being present.I also made it a point to volunteer at every work event my company hosted. This was a great way to network among my peers and to meet all of the important people that were making the company decisions. Though I wasnt paid to attend behauptung events, the amount of knowledge I obtained and the relationships I forged were always far more valuable than my paycheck. This commitment eventually paid off because I landed a big promotion. The man who hired me never met me but when he called me to tell me I got the position he said when making his decision, he called around the country and asked my co-workers who should get the job, and they all said it should go to me. I was truly flattered and it inspired me to want to work even harder and go the extra mile.Go above and beyondIts very important for your co-workers, bosses and even your mentors to see that you are more than willing to go above and beyond your job description in all aspects of your work. Be willing to take on additional responsibilities, and do it with compassion and integrity. If youre working for a company, always make considerate decisions, that not only make yourself look good bu t also your boss, especially if your boss is your mentor. Its a win-win for everyone.Whatever position youre in, always look for and create as many opportunities for yourself as possible, and do it with grace, dignity and respect. These traits will take you far in your career. And, if you see an area that needs improvement, try to improve the situation whether its your job or not. Just remember to always work hard, be a team player and determined to succeed.Dottie Herman is aworld-renowned business mogul,andprominent role model forentrepreneurs. Recognized by Forbes as Americas Richest Self-MadeWomen in Real Estate. After a highly successfulcareer in financial planning, Dottieclimbed to the pinnacle of the housing industry in only two decades as theCEOof Douglas Elliman, the fourth largest real estate company in the UnitedStates. In 2018, Dottie will launch her new leadershipventurefor aspiring female entrepreneurs of all ages.