How to Impress Your Boss - No Kissing Butt Required

Making a good impression with your boss must last far longer than the interview/hiring process. In order to have an impactful and positive relationship with him or her is to stand out at all stages of your employment. Impressing your boss goes well beyond bringing in coffee and donuts on Fridays and wearing snappy suits and loafers.

Dig a little deeper to exemplify the type of employee you are any why your boss made the right choice in bringing you onto the team in the first place. Don't worry, your co-workers won't accuse you of vying for the role of "teacher's pet." These 3 tactics and long-term workplace qualities and standards will make you an employee to look up to, even by the "big man" himself!

1. Be Proactive

Sitting back and waiting to be called on is no way to progress in your role or status. Taking the initiative whenever possible is a quality bosses will notice. Wallflowers may blend in just fine, but they'll never shine as brightly as those who take proactive measures to succeed.

As per Ask Men, "If you see a new project, go after it. If you see something that needs doing, do it. And that means taking risks. Start a new task that's valuable to the company. Let your boss know what you're working on. They may take the task away from you, but they won't forget your vision."

Additionally, if you see areas of business that can be improved upon, make it your mission to make a difference. As Hongkiat notes, "Come up with some potential solutions to solve (problems). Even if you have yet to appreciate the scenario as much as your boss does, the fact that you've showed the initiative to think through them will probably impress on him or her."

2. Be Money Mindful

Any successful business is in the business of making money. Overspending and working on a shoestring budget is not only stressful, but can lead the company into a sinkhole. Your boss will be delighted if you can work well on a lean budget and make the company more and more money with each passing quarter.

Taking note of where and how you can help save money will be a great gift to your employer. According to Ask Men, "Keep an eye peeled for ways the company can spend less, and share your ideas early and often. Found a cheaper vendor for one of your company's needs? Share it! The day may come when the company passes the savings on to you in the form of a larger paycheck."

If your savvy economic sensibilities can help the company's bottom line, be sure you'll be looked upon in high regard. This type of attention aimed towards protecting the company's assets will not be easily forgotten.

3. Keep Learning

Even people in the highest level roles of a business still have the capacity and need to continue to explore further information and education about their field. Let your boss know that you're eager to go to conferences, sit in on meetings that can help you grow, and may even seek a further degree to become more entrenched in your area of expertise.

As per Hongkiat, "When you first join an organization, chances are that your boss will only 'teach' you what you need to know in order to do your job properly. There are also things that can't be taught, such as unofficial or unwritten shortcuts that your boss and/or colleagues might know of when it comes to dealing with certain things or people. Your boss would probably prefer that you find out these shortcuts for yourself through the course of your work or interactions with colleagues. That's where your willingness to learn will help propel your career."

Read up on the latest industry news. Learn from other companies in your field who are successful. Take advice from those who are making a difference. When- and wherever you can absorb more knowledge, drink it in. When your boss sees your enthusiasm and genuine interest in moving the needle, you'll always be on their good side.

For more ways to impress starting day one, check out The Muse's advice for winning over your boss.

With individual motivation and cooperative teamwork, you'll impress your boss with your confidence and hard work. No kissing butt required!

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Landscaping Options to Increase Your Home's Curb Appeal

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As anyone who has ever sold a house will tell you, you must prioritize curb appeal. Before a potential buyer even considers looking inside your house, they notice the outside first. Does it attract the right kind of attention? Does it take away from the feel you're going for? If you plan to sell sometime soon, you must think about these things. Here are some landscaping options to increase your home's curb appeal, so you can get the best price on your home.

Extensive Plants and Greenery

A barren front yard won't get you the price you want on your home. So, invest in at least a little bit of greenery to keep the surrounding area from looking too dead. Shrubs and bushes tie the house to the lawn that precedes it, and flower beds bring a pop of color to an otherwise drab structure. You can also strategically plant some trees to improve the overall feel of your home's exterior.

Lawn Care

As we mentioned, your lawn is one of the most prominent features of your home's exterior. A patchy, dried-up lawn will quickly drive your home's price way down. Some of the best landscaping options for your home's curb appeal involve improving your lawn for the next inhabitant. Overall fertilization, ground aeration, underbrush removal, proper mowing—all of these lawn care tasks contribute to a greener and more lively area that invites people to see your house, rather than stay away from it.

Paved Pathways

There's nothing like a broken and disheveled pathway to make someone think twice about buying a property. Just as you want the entryway in your house to be welcoming, so too should the pathway leading up to the house be inviting. The pathway from the street to your front door provides plenty of real estate to get creative with. You don't have to settle for a boring concrete pathway. Consider something more eye catching, like a cobblestone path or intermittent brick patterns, as a way to better welcome potential buyers.

Usable Outdoor Furniture

Landscaping doesn't just involve the ground you walk on; also included are the items you use as extras to the overall look. Outdoor furniture is one such extra that you don't necessarily need but can look quite attractive if done correctly. Staging is important with outdoor furniture. Old, broken-down pieces will only look like more work to the potential buyer. A few comfortable chairs, a bench, or a table with an umbrella really go a long way to improving your outdoor aesthetics.

A good tip for deciding on curb appeal items is to decide what you personally would want to see as a part of a welcoming home's exterior. You don't need to go overboard, but a little bit of forethought could net you quite a lot of extra cash in the sale.

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Common Mistakes Made When Giving to Charity

Unfortunately, giving back can sometimes go haywire. If you're ready to make a donation, first consider common mistakes made when giving back.

Many people strive to support their community by donating their time or their money. When you find a meaningful cause, you might be quick to cut a donation check. Though it's admirable to be quick to act charitably, you should be wary of several common mistakes made when giving to charity. Being mindful of these mistakes and learning tips for making informed charitable choices can help you make the most out of your generous check.

Acting Quickly Out of Emotion

Mission statements are meant to be compelling. If you're an emotionally driven individual, it's natural to pull out your wallet at the sight of a sad puppy on TV or when informed about food insecurity over the phone. Unfortunately, not all charities are as effective or official as they may seem.

Take your passion for helping others one step further by making sure your chosen charity is legit. Speaking with a representative, reviewing their website and social media accounts, and looking at testaments online can give you a better idea of whether the organization is worth your donation.

Forgetting to Keep Record of the Donation

Don't forget that you can reap some financial perks from giving back! With the proper documentation of your donation, you can acquire a better tax deductible.

If you donate more than $12,400 as a single filer or $24,800 as one of two joint filers, you're eligible to deduct that amount from your taxes. So, when a charity asks if you'd like a receipt of donation, always answer yes.

Donating Unusable Materials

Most charities can utilize a monetary donation—it's the physical donations that usually cause some issues. Providing a local nonprofit with irrelevant materials or gifting them with unusable products are surprisingly common mistakes made when giving to charity.

Always check your intended charity's website for a list of things they do and do not accept. The majority of places will provide a guideline to donating or offer contact information to clarify any questions.

Strictly Giving at Year's End

As more and more people get into the holiday spirit at the end of the year, nonprofit organizations see an influx of donations. While it's great to spread holiday cheer via a monetary donation, it's important to keep that spirit going year-round.

With regular donations, charities can more effectively allocate their annual budget. Setting up an automatic monthly donation with the charity of your choosing can maximize your impact. You can account for a monthly donation by foregoing a costly coffee every once in a while.

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How Much You Should Spend on Home Maintenance

Knowing how much you should spend on home maintenance each year is hard to figure out and may be preventing you from buying your first home. The types of costs you'll incur depend on the house you buy and its location. The one certainty is that you should start saving now. Read on to figure out how much to start setting aside based on the home you own.

The Age of Your House

Consider several factors when budgeting for home repairs. If you've purchased a new home, your house likely won't require as much maintenance for a few years. Homes built 20 or more years ago are likely to require more maintenance, including replacing and keeping your windows clean. Further, depending on your home's location, weather can cause additional strain over time, so you may need to budget for more repairs.

The One-Percent Rule

An easy way to budget for home repairs is to follow the one-percent rule. Set aside one percent of your home's purchase price each year to cover maintenance costs. For instance, if you paid $200,000 for your home, you would set aside $2,000 each year. This plan is not foolproof. If you bought your home for a good deal during a buyer's market, your home could require more repairs than you've budgeted for.

The Square-Foot Rule

Easy to calculate, you can also budget for home maintenance by saving one dollar for every square foot of your home. This pricing method is more consistent than pricing it by how much you paid because the rate relies on the objective size of your home. Unfortunately, it does not consider inflation for the area where you live, so make sure you also budget for increased taxes and labor costs if you live in or near a city.

The Mix and Match Method

Since there is no infallible rule for how much you should spend on home maintenance, you can combine both methods to get an idea for a budget. Average your results from the square-foot rule and the one-percent rule to arrive at a budget that works for you. You should also increase your savings by 10 percent for each risk factor that affects your home, such as weather and age.

Holding on to savings is easier in theory than practice. Once you know how much you should spend on home maintenance, you'll know what to aim for and be more prepared for an emergency. If you are having trouble securing funds for home repairs, consider taking out a home equity loan, borrowing money from friends or family, or applying for funds through a home repair program through your local government for low-income individuals.

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