3 Ways to Impress Your Boss

We all want to be on great terms with our boss. Doing a stellar job with the work itself as well as related projects and assignments is an obvious way to win over the higher-ups, but there's more to impressing the big guy or gal than robotically clocking in and going through the 9-to-5 motions.

If you really want to make a lasting impression, it's time to take your game to the next level. Of course, do your work with an A+ effort, but go the extra mile with these 3 tips to making yourself the apple of your boss's eye. No sucking up or kissing butt required. Just be the best version of yourself and show your boss who's really boss! It's as easy as 1, 2, 3!

Ask for Constructive Criticism

Even if you think you're doing a good job, asking your boss for feedback is not only helpful, but it shows that you are striving to improve within your role and for the company at large. There's always room to grow and learn, and letting your boss know you crave this information makes you a humble, yet go-getter employee.

As per The Muse, "The best thing to do is schedule a meeting with your new boss, and ask for direct feedback. Asking your boss to identify your areas for improvement forces him or her to take an inventory of your work as whole—including everything you're getting right. Moreover, if there's something specific you're doing wrong, you'll know. And, the sooner you do, the sooner you can make a change."

This feedback will help you not only do your job satisfactorily, but better than ever, with tools and techniques you may not have thought of yourself, but are of importance and value to your boss. Al Coleman, Jr., author of Secrets to Success: The Definitive Career Development Guide for New and First Generation Professionals, as posted on Forbes notes, "If you don't do great work it'll be difficult, if not impossible, to win over your boss. Employees who do good work, consistently, efficiently, and professionally, are a joy to manage and ultimately allow their manager to focus on critical issues within the organization. The less your boss has to focus on your accomplishing your daily tasks, the more he or she can focus on accomplishing his or hers."

The feedback you receive will help you and your employer get to the next level.

Show Initiative

It is easy to take an assignment and complete it from A to Z. But a boss wants more from an employee -to see that you can not only conquer a task at hand, but can be innovative and creative along the way. Bring new ideas to the table and interesting ways of tackling projects.

Initiative means you can feel confident to break the status quo as long as you can exhibit progress and success. As per Business Insider, "If a process or project is broken or dysfunctional, fix it! Or talk to someone who can. If you don't, who will?" Don't be too timid to make your voice heard. Your boss will remember it was you who took the step to make a change for the better and will rely on you for future collaborations.

Additionally, Forbes suggests, "Try to think of valuable projects or assignments that you can start and complete without much supervision or guidance from your boss," as per Coleman. Showing that you don't need to hold your boss's hand at every turn will make you someone to count on.

Get Personal (to a degree)

Bosses are people too. They have interests that extend outside the office walls. If you can see that your boss is receptive to it, during downtime or lunch hour, ask your boss about their weekend plans, how their fishing trip was, or how their children are doing.

Showing interest in their hobbies and talents other than what you know of them as "boss" is a way of getting closer to the true personality and mindset of your boss. Bosses need to vent or chit chat too, so by getting a little closer, he or she will come to you to exchange pleasantries or rehash last night's ball game.

This dynamic makes working together less stressful and well-rounded. As per Forbes, "She'll appreciate your efforts to share in something they find pleasurable, and you may get some invaluable one-on-one time to display your skills and competencies."

When your boss realizes you're interested in them in more ways than one, you become someone who's showing they're all in for the company, not just showing up for a paycheck.

Are you ready to impress? Take this 1, 2, 3 approach to showing your boss you mean more than just business!

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Where to Donate to Support Afghanistan and Haiti

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NBC

Over the past month, both Haiti and Afghanistan have been pummeled by tragic disasters that left devastation in their wake.

In Haiti, a 7.2 magnitude earthquake erupted, leading over to 2,189 deaths and counting. A few hours later, in Afghanistan, Kabul fell to the Taliban just after U.S. troops had pulled out after 20 years of war.

In many ways, these disasters are both chillingly connected to US interference. The United States invaded Haiti in 1915, ostensibly promising to restore order after a presidential assassination but really intending to preserve the route to the Panama Canal and to defend US creditors, among other reasons.

But the US forces soon realized that they were not able to control the country alone, and so formed an army of Haitian enlistees, powered by US air power and intended to quell Haitian insurrection against US controls. Then, in 1934, the US pulled out on its own, disappointed with how slow progress was going. Haiti's institutions were never really able to rebuild themselves, leaving them immensely vulnerable to natural disasters.

Something similar happened in Afghanistan, where the US sent troops and supported an insurgent Afghan army – only to pull out, abandoning the country they left in ruins, with many Afghans supporting the Taliban.

In both cases, defense contractors benefited by far the most from the conflict, making billions in profits while civilians faced fallout and devastation. While the conflicts and circumstances are extremely different and while the US is obviously not solely to blame for either crisis, it's hard not to see the US-based roots of these disasters.

Today, in Haiti and Afghanistan, civilians are facing unimaginable tragedy.

Here are charities offering support in Afghanistan:

1. The International Rescue Committee is looking to raise $10 million to deliver aid directly to Afghanistan

2. CARE is matching donations for an Afghanistan relief fund. They are providing food, shelter, and water to families in need; a donation of $89.50 covers 1 family's emergency needs for a month.

3. Women for Women International is matching donations up to 500,000 for Afghan women, who will be facing unimaginable horrors under Taliban control.


4. AfghanAid offers support for people living in remote regions of Afghanistan.

5. VitalVoices supports female leaders and changemakers and survivors of gender-based violence around the world.

Here are charities offering support in Haiti:

1. Partners in Health has been working with Haiti for a long time, and they work with the Department of Health rather than around them, which is extremely important in a charity.

2. Health Equity International helps run Saint Boniface Hospital, a hospital in Haiti close to the earthquake's epicenter.

3. SOIL is an organization based Haiti, "a local organization with a track record of supporting after natural disasters." They are distributing hygiene kits and provisions on the ground to hospitals and to victims of the earthquake.

4. Hope for Haiti has been working in emergency response in Haiti for three decades, and their team is comprised of people who live and work in Haiti. They focus on supporting children and people in need across Haiti.

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How the Beyoncé and Jay Z Controversy Shows Gen Z's Money Priorities

via Tiffany & Co.

When the new Tiffany's campaign was unveiled, reactions were mixed.

Tiffany's, the iconic jewelry brand which does not (despite what some might be misled to believe) in fact serve breakfast, featured Jay Z, Beyoncé, and a rare Basquiat painting in their recent campaign.

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How to Save Money on a Road Trip

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Stacker.com

Road trips can be a lot of fun — but they can also drain your wallet quickly if you aren't careful.

From high gas costs and park admission fares to lodging and the price of eating out every night, the expenses can add up quickly. But at the same time, it's very possible to do road trips cheaply and efficiently. Without the headache of worrying about how much money you're leaking, you can enjoy the open road a whole lot more. Here's how to save money on a road trip.

1. Prepare Your Budget, Route, and Packing List in Advance

If you want to save money on a road trip, be sure you're ready to go. Try to count up all your expenses before you hit the road and create a budget. It's also a good idea to plan your route in advance so you don't end up taking unnecessary, gas-guzzling detours. And finally, be sure to pack in advance so you don't find yourself having to buy tons of things you forgot along the way.

2. Book Cheap Accommodations — Or Try Camping

All those motel rooms can add up surprisingly quick, but camping is often cheap or free, and it's a great way to get intimate with the place you're visiting. You can check the Bureau of Land Management's website for free campsites. Freecampsite.com also provides great information on If you don't have a tent or don't want to camp every night, try booking cheap Airbnbs or booking hotels in advance, making sure to compare prices.

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If you're planning on sleeping in your car, a few tips: WalMart allows all-night parking, as do many 24-hour gyms. (Buying a membership to Planet Fitness or something like it also gives you a great place to stop, shower, and recharge while on the road).

3. Bring Food From Home

Don't go on a road trip expecting to subsist on fast food alone. You'll wind up feeling like shit, and it'll drain your pocketbook stunningly quickly. Instead, be sure to bring food from home. Consider buying a gas stove and a coffee pot for easy on-the-go meals, and make sure you bring substantial snacks to satiate midday or late night cravings so you can avoid getting those late night Mickey D's expeditions.

Try bringing your own cooler, filling it with easy stuff for breakfast and lunch — some bread and peanut butter and jelly will go a long way. Bring your own utensils, plates, and napkins, and avoid buying bottled water by packing some big water jugs and a reusable water bottle. Alternatively, try staying at hotels or Airbnbs with kitchens so you can cook there.

4. Avoid Tolls

Apps like Google Maps and Waze point out toll locations, so be sure to avoid those to save those pennies. (If it takes you too far off route, you might have to bite the bullet and drive across that expensive bridge).

You can also save on parking fees by using sites like Parkopedia.

Road Trip Road TripThe Orange Backpack


5. Save on Gas

Gas can get pricy incredibly fast, so be sure that you're stopping at cheap gas stations. Free apps like GasBuddy help you find the most affordable gas prices in the area. Also, try going the speed limit on the highways — anything faster will burn through your tank. Be sure that you don't wait till you arrive at touristy locations or big cities to fill up.

6. Get a National Park Pass

All those parks can get really expensive really fast. If you're planning on visiting three or more parks, it's a great idea to get an America the Beautiful National Parks Pass. For $80 you can get into every National Park for one year.

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