High 5 Weekly Career Transitions Roundup: Why a Safe Life is a Mediocre Life

This is our weekly roundup of some of the best career-related articles, interviews, blogs, etc., we've read during the week. We share them so you have some great resources to prepare you for the coming week. Enjoy!

• Why a Safe Life is a Mediocre Life: "There’s a lot of risk and mystery in taking the first step. The inherent risk in taking a first step is found in embracing when you’ll fall, not if you’ll fall."

• 8 Daily Rituals That Keep You Laser Focused: "By taking short breaks, ideally about once an hour, you give your mind a chance to decompress and relax so it can refocus and concentrate again."

• 5 Skills to Put on Your Resume to Boost Your Appeal: "whatever the job they were trying to fill, communication skills and customer service skills were among the most sought after."

• How to Use Vlogging to Give Your Personal Brand an Edge: "Vlogging is growing at an outstanding rate for a good reason. People are invested in their favorite brands and the personalities behind them."
• 3 Things to Consider About Your Income and Retirement:"These are three key components to help ensure that we don’t run out of money. Make sure they are all taken into consideration when developing a plan."

Financial Help For Post Grads

As a post grad, the world can seem like a scary place. Especially in these times of financial hardship and when your parents may be struggling as much as you are. You may have never had to pay any bills. You may have had a car payment and that's it. Now you're faced with possibly living on your own and all the bills and expenses that comes with it. So how do you deal?

1. Use websites and programs like Excel to your advantage. As a freelancer, it can be tough to keep track of my income. I use Excel to track my monthly income from each client and keep track of how much I make per month and year as a total.

There are also websites like Mint.com that allow you to add your bank accounts and keep track of your income and what you spend and make budgets and goals for yourself.

2. Set up different savings accounts with different goals in mind. For example, if you have to save up for a vacation or a new car, make a specific savings account for that goal. Determine how much of your paycheck you want to add into the savings account each month and stick to it.

3. Use cash. Try to hold off getting a credit card for as long as you can. When you use cash, it is often harder to let go of and you take a hard look at what you're really spending and what you're buying.

4. Find extra ways to earn money. Times are tough and there is no shame in babysitting on the side or finding odd jobs to help pay the bills. Under the table jobs can be the most fun and give you some extra money to help pay your expenses or simply give you some shopping money.

Good luck, post grads!

Making Up for Lost Income

Many who have managed to skirt layoffs and remain employed are struggling to meet their financial responsibilities as a result of pay cuts, shortened work weeks and downgraded positions. If you’re looking for ways to make up for lost income consider the following:

Take a second job: Moonlighting may be a good temporary solution to earning extra income. Be sure; however, that a secondary job won’t interfere with your full-time job. Investigate whether your current employer has a policy on moonlighting and be sure your second job isn’t a conflict of interest (e.g. working for a competitor or supplier). Recognize your priority is your full-time employer.
Find a seasonal job: If the commitment and hours of a secondary job appear daunting, think about something more manageable. Try seasonal work such as raking leaves, spring house cleaning or retail work during the holidays.
Generate income from a hobby: Are you a talented amateur photographer, writer or seamstress? Your current hobby may garner extra money to help pay bills.
Sell items you currently own: You may find several unused items you can sell to earn some money. Sell items in a garage sale, to a consignment shop or use an online auction and shopping site like eBay.
Barter services: Although it won’t help you earn additional money, bartering services can help save on expenses. For example, if you’re great with landscaping and your neighbor is handy with basic car maintenance, offer a garden design plan in exchange for an oil change.
Look for a similar position at a different company: Search for job opportunities where pay is better and/or there might be more opportunities for advancement. Even in a tough job market, employers usually keep an eye out for talented people.
Get a job with a direct sales company: Many have found working with direct sales companies like Avon, Tupperware or Mary Kay to be a great way to earn income. To explore options and ensure you align with a credible company; start with the Direct Selling Association.