LinkedIn is arguably the most popular website for professional networking and finding jobs. They have recently released their "Top Companies" list for 2018, a representation of the top 50 companies where "professionals most want to work across the U.S. based on the actions of LinkedIn's more than 546 million professionals."
By tapping into four main pillars – interest in the company, engagement with the company's employees, job demand, and employee retention, LinkedIn ranked these 50 companies for 2018. And which one came out on top? The always-impressive, ever-expanding Amazon.
Consumers can't get enough of Amazon, so it is reassuring to know that the people who work for the Seattle-based company are just as satisfied. As the second-largest private employer in America (Walmart is #1) and a global headcount of 566,000, Amazon is by all means impressive and inspires people to seek out employment with their company.
Wise Step notes some impressive and attractive reasons as to why Amazon is such a great place to work. "The Amazon pay scale is good and above average as compared to other companies. It comes with several benefits and also gives you the freedom to move around. The Amazon work environment also lets people be themselves. People are open-minded and willing to listed to you. Amazon is also an innovative company and gives you a great opportunity to learn."
CNBC reported that millennials are jumping at the chance to work for Amazon. "They give young professionals what they want most: career growth, flexibility, and a sense of purpose. They are able to learn and be challenged and see results." Additionally, "millennials are more likely to seek out companies with progressive management." At a company like Amazon, these millennials feel like they are making a difference in the larger sense through the work they are doing. It is not only about personal achievement for this forward-thinking generation.
Snap notes, "Amazon's success stems from CEO Jeff Bezos and his management team, who operates differently than most other companies. He knows what works and isn't afraid to take chances. Staying connected to what consumers want is what makes Amazon great." Employees take pride in knowing their work is appreciated by consumers who feel their voice is being heard and they see the impact first-hand.
According to LinkedIn, "You won't find extraordinary perks at the company, and the work tempo is famously intense. But for people who want to chase big dreams with giant-company resources at their disposal, the chance to make a mark at Amazon is an enticement that sells itself." The proof is in the pudding. "Amazon's job listings have attracted 55 million views and 8 million applications in the past 12 months alone."
Check out the entire list of the Top Companies from 1 – 50. Take a guess as to where Starbucks, Nike, Facebook, Twitter, Uber, and Netflix landed.
Have you considered a career with Amazon? Based on public opinion, you won't regret it.
The Federal Reserve sets the guardrails for the federal funds rate, and through that helps control the money supply for the nation.
When you take out a loan for a car, charge something to your credit card, or get a personal line of credit, there is going to be an interest rate that applies to your loan.
A lot of different factors go into what you will be charged, including your own personal credit score. But even those with flawless credit still see a minimum charge that they can't get around. That all goes back to the Federal Funds Rate.
One thing consumers rarely realize is that all of our banks are lending money to each other every night. Banks are legally required to maintain a certain percentage of their deposits in non-interest-bearing accounts at the Federal Reserve to ensure they have enough money to cover any withdrawals that may unexpectedly come up. However, deposits can fluctuate and it's very common for some banks to exceed the requirement on certain days while some fall short. In cases like this, banks actually lend each other money to ensure they meet the minimum balance. It's a bit hard to imagine these multibillion-dollar financial institutions needing to borrow money to tide them over for a bit, but it happens every single night at the Federal Reserve. It's also a nice deal for those with balances above the reserve balance requirement to earn a bit of money with cash that would normally just be sitting there.
The exact interest rate the banks will charge each other is a matter of negotiation between them, but the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) (the arm of the Federal Reserve that sets monetary policy) meets eight times a year to set a target rate. They evaluate a multitude of economic indicators including unemployment, inflation, and consumer confidence to decide the best rate to keep the country in business. The weighted average of all interest rates across these interbank loans is the effective federal funds rate.
This rate has a huge impact on the economy overall as well as your personal finances. The federal funds rate is essentially the cheapest money available to a bank and that feeds into all of the other loans they make. Banks will add a slight upcharge to the rate set by the Fed to determine what is the lowest interest that they will announce for their most creditworthy customers, also known as the prime rate. If you have a variable interest rate loan (very common with credit cards and some student loans), it's likely that the interest rate you pay is a set percentage on top of that prime rate that your lender is paying. That's why in times of low interest rates (it was set at 0% during the Great Recession), a lot of borrowers should go for fixed interest rate loans that won't increase. However, if the federal funds rate was relatively high (it went up to 20% in the early 1980's), a variable interest rate loan may be a better decision as you would be charged less interest should the rate drop without the need to refinance.
The federal funds rate also has a major impact on your investment portfolio. The stock market reacts very strongly to any changes in interest rates from the Federal Reserve, as a lower rate makes it cheaper for companies to borrow and reinvest while a higher rate may restrict capital and slow short-term growth. If you have a significant portion of your investments in equities, a small change in the federal funds rate can have a large impact on your net worth.
Whether you're leaving a job involuntarily, departing for something new, or just want to prepare for the unknown, it is smart to understand all your options regarding your 401k.
diy gifts
Frugal gifting often gets a bad reputation. However, this shopping method does not make you cheap — it makes you practical. Frugal gifts often avoid waste and overspending and can be just as meaningful (if not more so) as any other present.
With the National Retail Federation predicting each consumer this holiday season to spend upwards of $1,000 on holiday gifts amidst an economic recession —this year might be the perfect time to reconsider your spending budget. We've formulated the ultimate list of frugal gift-giving ideas to get you started.
