Save more, spend smarter, and make your money go further
If your finances are a constant source of stress and anxiety, you’re certainly not alone. In fact, 40 percent of American adults say they would have a tough time covering an unexpected expense of $400 or more, according to the Federal Reserve’s Report on the Economic Well-Being of U.S. Households in 2017. Furthermore, 1 in 10 adults says they struggled to pay their bills at least once in the past year due to varying income.
A sobering truth bomb? Reducing financial stress when you don’t make enough is nearly impossible, explains Emily Guy Birken, author of End Financial Stress Now. “Even the kind of frugality that will theoretically bring you some relief will often require an investment of time or finances—and lacking money and time is exactly why you’re feeling overwhelmed.” (Cue the #facepalm.)
But instead of indulging in a self-pity party, there are a handful of things you can do today, regardless of your circumstances. To reduce money-related stress, to start Guy Birken recommends building some slack into your budget, which is possible at any income. Here are five simple ways to reduce stress about your money situation:
Adjust Your Tax Withholding
Do you normally receive a large tax refund every April? The average refund in 2018 was $2,895, which works out to more than $200 per month. Adjust your withholding so that you’re taking more money home from every paycheck, suggests Guy Birken. “How much more comfortable would you be if you could count on an additional $200 each month?”
To adjust your withholding, request a new W-4 from your Human Resources department and determine the proper number of allowances you should claim using the IRS calculator. “Making this adjustment is perfectly legal and an excellent way to increase your monthly net without having to earn more money or cut your spending,” says Guy Birken. “But just remember there’s a trade-off: It also means you won’t get a big payday from Uncle Sam at tax time.”
Start a Surprise Fund
A surprise fund is money that you conveniently forgot you had. While not intended to be as robust as your emergency fund, a surprise fund can help smooth out any small hiccups you may face money-wise.
I’m a big fan of “set-it-and-forget” it methods. By setting your savings on autopilot, that’s less mental energy you need to spend on making everyday decisions. Plus, you’ll be making steady headway without having to lift a finger.
Over the years I’ve relied on “surprise” funds to cover a small unexpected expense, or if I’m having a particularly “spendy” month. It’s prevented me from putting more on my credit cards than I can reasonably afford. The easiest way to create a surprise fund is to kick-start a savings account, then auto-save every week. Even if you sock away $5 a week, that’s $260 you can tap into should the need arises (and it will). Up your weekly auto-save amount to $10 a week, and that’s $520. That could help cover your bills or pay for groceries during a particularly lean month.
Negotiate Your Bills
Easy wins in creating some slack in your finances include negotiating your bills, suggests Guy Birken. They’re considered easy because you technically only have to do it once. And because they’re recurring, that $20 you save every month on your cable bill comes out to $240 a year. “Internet, cable, cell phone, and auto insurance are service providers that are willing to adjust their pricing in order to keep customers,” says Guy Birken. “It costs them far more to land a customer than it does to keep a current one happy.”
Guy Birken recommends researching the lowest going rate for these services before you call. That way you know where you stand. And don’t be afraid to walk away if the provider isn’t willing to budge.
And while these are the easiest providers to negotiate with, don’t be afraid to ask for price breaks elsewhere—from your landlord to your healthcare provider,” says “Guy Birken.
Pro tip: You can also ask for discounts based on group affiliation. For instance, you may get a discount on your cell phone for being, say, a card-carrying AAA or AARP member or being affiliated with the military or a university. You may also be able to snag a slight discount if you sign up for auto pay, or opt for a different payment plan.
Cancel Unused Subscriptions
It can be easy to forget about the services we have signed up for, especially since so much is subscription-based these days, explains Guy Birken. Look through your credit card and bank statements and hunt for unnecessary services you’re still paying for and call to cancel.
Subscriptions you set on auto-pay are easy to overlook. One easy thing you can do is set subscriptions so they don’t auto-renewal. When you receive notification that your subscription is about to expire, that’ll give you a chance to gauge whether you need it or not.
Also look for services that you’re doubling up on. Do you really need a subscription to three different gaming platforms, or will only one do? Or let’s say you have a gym subscription and are also part of a local softball league. If you’re getting sufficient exercise by playing softball, you might be able to cancel your gym subscription.
Check Your Bank Balance
Ever feel blindsided by how much you’ve been spending—or rather, how little you’ve been saving? Avoid costly overdraft fees and feeling cash-strapped by month’s end by checking your balance on the regular. It only takes a minute but could help keep you mindful of how much you have in the bank.
This is something I do every morning. You can either log on to your banking app or through a money management app. If you find yourself running dangerously low on funds, then you can be more diligent about your spending. For instance, if I’m having a particularly “top-heavy” month in terms of spending, I’ll tone it done for the second half.
As you can see, you don’t necessarily have to get a huge raise or side hustle like crazy to alleviate financial stress. By doing these small things, you can build that slack that adds a bit of buffer in your budget—and helps you breathe a little easier.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or view of Intuit Inc, Mint or any affiliated organization. This blog post does not constitute, and should not be considered a substitute for legal or financial advice. Each financial situation is different, the advice provided is intended to be general. Please contact your financial or legal advisors for information specific to your situation.
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Jackie Lam is a personal finance writer. Her work has appeared in Investopedia, Magnify Money and The Bold Italic, and she’s been featured in Money, Kiplinger, Forbes and Woman’s Day. She runs heyfreelancer.com, a blog to help freelancers and artists with their money, and to balance their passion projects and careers. More from Jackie Lam
You’ve probably heard that it’s free to hire a buyer’s agent when you’re looking for your next home. This outdated line of thinking probably came from the traditionally confusing process of calculating real estate commissions. However, it is NOT free to hire an agent, and that’s the biggest mistake you can make when buying a home. Here’s what you should know.
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Let’s Break It Down
Let’s use a $300,000 home for example. If a seller and their agent decide to offer a 3% buyer’s agent commission and the seller’s agent is charging a 3% commission for their services. That’s $18k in commissions alone.
How does that affect you as the buyer? Many homes are marked up in price to cover the agent commission. How do we know? Because Homie was established because our founders did the math. They knew how much they personally lost to commissions when they sold homes. Now, Homie agents join our disruptive team because they believe the traditional model is broken, too.
The Difference Between Homie Agents and Other Agents
Now you’re probably wondering why Homie agents choose to join a company that believes real estate commissions are broken in a way that favors the agents. Here are a few reasons:
Our agents can do more deals in a year than most agents do in their entire careers. This provides valuable experience and puts quite a few notches on their transaction belt.
Our company values include humility, work/life balance, and prioritizing our employees. Agents join us because these values align with theirs.
The one reason we hear most often when an agent joins Homie? They love helping their customers and they want a better experience and more savings for them.
Many of our agents would add to this list because their journey to Homie is personal. Ask any Homie and they’ll tell you all the reasons they chose to disrupt the real estate industry! You can read more about Homie agents and what they do here.
Start Saving!
When you buy with Homie, you can keep up to 50% of our commission!* Looking to sell before you buy? Sell with Homie for a low fee that’s due only at closing.
Learn More About Homie
How Does Homie Work? How Much Does Homie Cost? Homie vs. Traditional Agents Can You Buy and Sell a Home at the Same Time?
*Subject to terms and conditions outlined in the Buyer Broker Agreement.
Your net worth is based not only on how much moolah you have in the bank, but also on your human capital — that is, your ability to earn income. “We can think of human capital as assets specific to each person, such as intelligence, education, specialized skills, work ethic, and social skills in the workplace,” wrote Motley Fool contributor Doug Short (who has turned his own human capital into an investing website that’s popped up as far away as an Australian business TV show — it’s amazing what smart, retired people can do in their spare time).
These days, jobs are few and far between — and unemployment is poised to rise and stay high for a very long time. At a town hall meeting last year, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said gross domestic product growth would have to exceed 2.5% for the unemployment rate to fall. Unfortunately, consulting firm McKinsey says that newly-thrifty baby boomers, who are now saving at rates not seen in decades, will reduce GDP growth to just 2.4% annually for the next 30 years.
So to survive in a world of long-term high unemployment, we can’t take our jobs — or our human capital — for granted. Ask yourself these ten questions to make sure you’re investing in your most important money-making asset: You!
What’s going on in your industry and location? Employment and wage trends aren’t the same across the country. The unemployment rate is in the mid-single digits for business and financial managers, but almost 20% for those in the construction industry. North Dakotans have the lowest unemployment rate, while Michiganders have the highest. Stay up on the news to know who’s being hired, fired, promoted, and downsized in your area. It could help you land a job — or know when it’s time to leave one.
How does your company make most of its money? Most companies have more than one source of income, but not all of those revenue streams are of equal importance. Determine your company’s essential sources of income, and become an integral player in those parts of the business.
What can you do to protect your job and salary? Pretend you’re your boss and you have to decide who gets a raise and who gets a pink slip. What qualities would you look for? What makes someone indispensable at your company?
If you own a business, how can you make yourself essential to your customers? Even if you’re self-employed, you have bosses. They’re your customers, and they can fire you as easily as Donald Trump can. What can you do to make that hard for them?
Which skills could you acquire that would make you more valuable or diversify your human capital? Your value in the workplace depends on your abilities. How many things can you do, and how well do you do them? Consider working toward a degree or starting a late-night self-study regimen that expands your human capital. Keep it focused on efforts that will really pay off. Simply getting an extra degree in the sociology of Star Trek could be a waste of money.
What would you do if you were fired today? You’d probably: (1) apply at a few other places, or (2) change careers. If you’d apply elsewhere, ask yourself, “What can I add to my résumé to make them want to hire me?” If you want to begin a new career, ask yourself, “What should I be doing in my spare time to prepare?”
What can you do that you’re currently paying someone else for? Expanding your human capital includes learning how to do things so you don’t have to pay someone else to do them. This pays off even for retirees. Think about doing your own home repairs, taxes, or (ahem) financial planning (though not until you know what you’re doing).
Can you pick up side jobs to earn extra income? In our Rule Your Retirement service, we pay a team of retired financial professionals to answer subscribers’ questions. The previously mentioned Doug Short makes a tidy little income from advertisements on his website. Dabbling in extracurricular part-time work can pad your cash flow, expand your skill set, and could lead to a whole new career.
Can you sharpen your people skills? I believe it was columnist Ben Stein who said your career depends on your affability as well as your ability. (Unfortunately for Stein, that didn’t spare him from being dropped by The New York Times after showing up in commercials for a credit-score company, violating a corporate policy.) Your career depends at least partially on how pleasant, cooperative, collegial, and fun you are. So play nice!
What do you want to do with the rest of your life? You’ll probably do your best work if you’re doing what you enjoy most. This economy might not provide the greatest opportunities for you to pursue your dream job, but you can start preparing now so you’re ready when the market is.
That was a phrase that my father continually beat into my head harder than Lars Ulrich could pound on his bass drum (in case there is a generation gap, Lars is the drummer from the rock band Metallica).
Even though on average college graduates do earn more in the long-run and online colleges are bringing down costs, the current job market is saturated with sustainable careers that don’t necessarily require a degree.
Taking a closer look, it seems a major shift in employer priorities is occurring in certain fields, such as manufacturing and information technology (IT), where soft skills and on-the-job training are deemed more beneficial than a formal educational background.
Individuals bringing these resources to the table are now in high demand, especially since many companies now offer assistantship programs or even paid training for high-achieving candidates.
In this day and age, it just might be more about the right skills than the right schooling.
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25 Highest Paying Jobs Without A College Degree
Margin Department Supervisor
Air Traffic Controller
Automobile Service Station Manager
Real Estate Broker
Landscape Architect
Lead Carpenter
Director of Security
Elevator Mechanic
Cable Supervisor
Flight Services Manager
Freelance Photographer
Personal Trainer
Funeral Director
Commercial Pilot
Truck Driver
Nuclear Power Reactor Operator
Firefighter
Emergency Medical Technician
Railroad Jobs
Medical Coder
Information Technology Technician
Criminal Investigator
Brick Mason
Postal Service Worker
Pharmacy Technician
If you have decided to not attend a four-year college right out of high school, or are looking for a fresh start at a new career path, 25 of the highest paying careers with virtually no degree are featured below.
Looking for a fun job that pays well? Scared that the cause of unemployment may be growing? Sign up for free and see who’s hiring in 2023 at www.FlexJobs.com.
Disclaimer: While there are definitely some good paying trade jobs on this list, I still think having a college degree is worth it. Yes, tuition is high and will continue to rise, but the experience, connections, and mindset that college offers are invaluable. Now on to the jobs…
1. Margin Department Supervisor
Average Salary: $74,799
Prior Education: A finance or accounting degree is not required, but knowledge of all basic processes is needed.
On-the-Job Training: Moderate to high training and/or shadowing.
Job Description: A Margin Department Supervisor oversees a company’s credit department, which manages customer credit accounts and approves or denies credit to customers.
As would be expected, approving or denying credit sometimes involves unhappy customers, so you’ll need strong communication and negotiation skills for this role.
Since the scope of the job requires mathematical calculations as well as debt analysis and recognition of accounting principles, make sure you are confident with these basic processes. Some companies may increase pay if you have a degree under your belt.
You’ll also primarily be in charge of ensuring all department employees adhere to federal policies and regulations.
2. Air Traffic Controller (ATC)
Average Salary: $124,540
Prior Education: A college degree is not required, but the nature of the field is very competitive where experience is highly valued. A combination of progressive work experience and formal education is generally preferred.
On-the-Job Training: Rigorous training and testing is required.
Job Description: An Air Traffic Controller is required to pass rigorous testing by the FAA, which includes health checks, as well as mental stability tests. You must initiate the testing process before age 31.
Being an Air Traffic Controller has been voted the most stressful job in the United States for many years because of what the job entails on a daily basis. Air traffic controllers also often work night shifts, weekends, and even holidays.
A typical work day may include monitoring and directing in-air traffic, including routine take off/landing. Sometimes in-air emergencies must be handled, hence the high stress associated with the position.
Strong organizational and problem-solving abilities along with excellent communication skills are highly valued in this role. It does help to know someone already in the business to land a job in this field.
3. Automobile Service Station Manager
Average Salary: $45,204
Prior Education: High school diploma or equivalent. Some employers may prefer a Bachelor’s degree in management or similar field and/or several years of experience in automotive service management.
On-the-Job Training: Most can obtain this type of position by working one’s way up the ladder through on-the-job experience. Obtaining certification may also be required.
Job Description: Essentially, the role of the Service Station Manager is to run the day-to-day operations of a gas station.
The scope of the work includes setting the gas prices for the day, scheduling and training the rest of the employees who work at the station, ordering new merchandise to keep the shelves stocked, ensuring service station safety, as well as being the direct manager for the other employees.
Some skills that would be helpful in obtaining this job would be good personal skills as well as some managerial and accounting experience.
4. Real Estate Broker
Average Salary: $56,730
Prior Education: High school diploma or equivalent. However, a college degree in finance or related field may prove beneficial.
On-the-Job Training: Even though you must take a couple of classes to obtain your certification, these courses are much less of an expense compared to financing a college degree. Licensure requirements typically vary from state to state.
Job Description: To become a real estate broker you will still need to take a couple of classes to become certified. But still, these courses are still much less of an expense to you compared to financing a college degree.
You will be trying to sell houses as well as filing the paperwork for the transactions. In addition, you will help customers with their loan agreements.
However, if you are considering this career, you should be very friendly and have flexible hours since you will most likely be working on your customers’ schedules.
You typically are self-employed setting your own hours and working on a commission basis. Good negotiation skills along with market research experience will prove helpful in this role.
5. Landscape Architect
Average Salary: $65,760
Prior Education: Typically a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Landscape Architecture is preferred. An internship experience is highly encouraged. This job may require you to take some classes at a community college on horticulture as well as landscape design, but these types of courses are not required.
On-the-Job Training: With this career, you will have the option of whether you would like to be becoming certified or not. However, if you are certified, you will have access to larger contracts and a wider scope of work. Most states do mandate licensure, though, and the requirements vary from state to state.
Job Description: If you do not mind getting a little dirty and working hard for a living, then this might be a good career for you. Typical job duties include designing functional yet attractive outdoor spaces and parks for a variety of clients.
Landscape architects spend a large portion of their time creating blueprints and preparing cost analysis reports. You would also analyze environmental conditions for projects and even participate in restoration initiatives.
Make sure you have a good eye for design and a strong work ethic to consider this career. Understanding GIS technologies and project management is a must.
Here’s a how-to guide for starting your own lawn company and making some serious money (in turn being able to and saving some serious money, too!).
6. Lead Carpenter
Average Salary: $51,150
Prior Education: High school diploma or equivalent. Most Lead Carpenters begin their careers as skilled apprentices.
This job requires a high amount of experience in the field either through attending a trade school to master technical skills or by being an apprentice to a lead carpenter.
On-the-Job Training: By going to trade school you will actually have to obtain some type of certification, possibly making you more marketable in the field.
Often training includes learning how to expertly handle a variety of power tools, such as power drills or saws.
Job Description: Serving as an apprentice would most likely land you in a job replacing your teacher. Either way, you can be very successful in this type of career if you enjoy working with your hands.
Although highly dependent on the type of industry, job duties may include analyzing construction plans, creating project timelines, and managing and overseeing team production activities.
Carpenters often work in both indoor and outdoor settings and may need to eventually join a union.
7. Director of Security
Average Salary: $78,608
Prior Education: Typically a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related field is preferred along with years of experience in related positions.
In reality, this job will involve starting off in an entry level security position before working your way through the ranks to become the Director of Security.
On-the-Job Training: You might also be required to pass a security guard training program, but this will most likely be paid in full by the employer so the actual educational cost to you would be zero.
Depending on the company you will work for, you might also be required to pass a background check as well as some minor health inspections.
Job Description: A typical work day would include reviewing and implementing security department policies along with ensuring relevant local, state, and federal laws and regulations are adhered to. This role may also involve actively participating in training programs with the security staff.
Some good skills to have for this type of job would be some above average physical characteristics, as well as integrity to always choose what is right.
This position often involves being on-call for any emergencies after-hours, so make sure you can fulfill this requirement.
You can also try going the Police Officer route. If you decide to pursue this career, make sure you study with the Police Exam Guide.
8. Elevator Mechanic
Average Salary: $77,806
Prior Education: High school diploma or equivalent.
Just like the Lead Carpenter job, this job will most likely be acquired through a trade school degree, assistantship, or lots of years of experience. Being an elevator mechanic does have a couple more stipulations, though.
On-the-Job Training: Moderate to high training; may need to attend trade school to contract with large corporations.
Job Description: Lots of major corporations will require you to have a license and work for an insured company, which in this case would then force you to go the trade school route so that you could work on these large corporate jobs.
A typical work day would include repairing elevators and fulfilling routine preventative maintenance when needed. Installing and repairing control systems or adjusting and inspecting safety controls are other common work tasks.
Elevator mechanics should be able to identify and troubleshoot issues quickly and efficiently, and having a working knowledge of elevator mechanics is needed. Most of this industry is unionized, so make sure you are willing to join a union before entering this line of work.
9. Cable Supervisor
Average Salary: $51,112
Prior Education: High school diploma or equivalent. However, technical school education or an internship/assistantship may prove beneficial.
On-the-Job Training: A good way to acquire this type of a position is to either apply for the job with some type of managing/scheduling background or to apply for an entry-level position and work your way up by knowing the business.
Job Description: This career would be in a managerial-type setting. You would be responsible for overseeing the maintenance as well as installation workers setting up cable boxes and internet connections.
Typical work duties would also include interpreting cable specifications, troubleshooting issues with cable equipment, and also hiring and training any new cable technicians.
You would be responsible for the scheduling aspect as well as holding the workers accountable to be where they need to be.
10. Flight Service Manager
Average Salary: $64,042
Prior Education: Typically a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in aviation management or related field is preferred. Completing an internship program is highly suggested.
On-the-Job Training: This career would most likely be obtained through lots of on-the-job experience along with obtaining certification if required.
Job Description: You would be responsible for helping schedule flight crews as well as taking care of customer complaints and filing any necessary paperwork.
This job would require great personal skills as well as lots of patience with unhappy customers. Making sure all passengers have the best onboard experience possible is of top priority for Flight Services Managers.
Airlines can be a stressful arena to work in, so if you are considering this line of work make sure you can keep your cool in the toughest of situations.
11. Freelance Photographer
Average Salary: $36,630
Prior Education: No educational experience required.
On-the-Job Training: This career typically involves both self-education and hands-on training through practice. Natural talent and creativity are highly valued in this field.
Job Description: Being a Freelance Photographer takes dedication to one’s tasks, as well as a great eye for artistic detail. This type of career may also require traveling long distances to be able to acquire the right “shot” for the right story.
In a sense, being a Freelance Photographer can take many forms, such as snapping pictures of nature for magazines, or taking pictures of stories for newspapers, or even being a paparazzi-type photographer and searching for the next big celebrity scandal.
To really make a sustainable living in this field, it may prove helpful to complete some basic business management courses, or to attend training sessions on editing or even lighting techniques.
It’s best that Freelance Photographers have good personal skills and can identify and fulfill client needs and/or requests. If you become a really good photographer, you could even sell your photos on Shutterstock to make some extra cash.
12. Personal Trainer
Average Salary: $38,222
Prior Education: High school diploma or equivalent.
This career will most likely require that you are qualified to teach proper physical fitness techniques to clients. Many Personal Trainers have strong backgrounds in nutrition, exercise science, or other related fields.
This certificate is not very difficult to obtain; however, it is relatively cheaper compared to any other type of trade school mentioned above.
On-the-Job Training: Continual through updating or expanding one’s professional certifications.
Job Description: To be successful in this line of work you will most likely want to be a very physically active person yourself, as well as have a passion for this line of work.
A typical work day would include meeting one-on-one with clients to assess their physical fitness needs with the intent of designing an individualized training program.
Personal Trainers also motivate and encourage their clients to reach and even surpass their fitness goals. As a result, good personal and communication skills are a must.
Most Personal Trainers work at gyms, private workout facilities, or provide at-home or virtual coaching services. Some decide to work both inside and outside the home to help facilitate a higher income.
Also, you can try getting your Yoga certification.
13. Funeral Director
Average Salary: $56,850
Prior Education: Educational requirements range from a high school diploma or equivalent to an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Funeral Service Education or related field. Internships are also encouraged.
On-the-Job Training: Licensure is required in the U.S. before taking on a Funeral Director position, and some states may require a certain level of education or the completion of an apprenticeship.
Job Description: You do need some training to become a Funeral Director and possibly certification, but you can eventually make as much as $80,000 a year.
A typical work day would include helping families organize funeral details and complete any corresponding paperwork, such as a death certificate.
Offering counseling to grieving family members and helping to prepare the deceased body for the funeral service are other common duties.
It is important that you be able to handle the macabre, and you do need to have tact and a warm personality since you are dealing with people in difficult situations. Make sure you can accommodate a flexible schedule since visitations and funerals are often on weekdays and weekends.
14. Commercial Pilot
Average Salary: $78,740
Prior Education: High school diploma or equivalent, but most airlines now require a Bachelor’s degree as a prerequisite for employment.
On-the-Job Training: Moderate to high training is involved. Often the first step is to get your private pilot’s license. You’ll get your flight hours up and be more comfortable in the cockpit.
Job Description: Commercial Pilots fly planes for very specific reasons, such as for rescue operations, aerial photography, aerial tours, or charter flights.
Pilots generally evaluate overall conditions of aircraft, communicate with air traffic control, and monitor engines and fuel consumption, among other routine tasks. Being a team player with strong communication and observational skills is also a plus.
You’ll be spending a considerable amount of time away from home, so make sure you aren’t too much of a homebody. Fatigue and jet lag may also be experienced often.
Excellent observational and communication skills prove quite beneficial in this field of work. You can easily make more than $50,000 if you get on as a commercial pilot at the right airline.
15. Truck Driving
Average Salary: $53,199
Prior Education: Typically a Commercial Drivers License (CDL) and/or high school diploma or equivalent is preferred.
On-the-Job Training: Drivers must complete several weeks of on-the-job training.
Job Description: After completing six to eight weeks of training and obtaining your commercial driver’s license, you can make $45,000. Work your way up to becoming a trainer, and you can clear more than $70,000 a year.
Maintaining a clean driving record is crucial. Truck Drivers must adhere to all traffic laws, ensure cargo is secure for transport, and keep all trucks and equipment in good working condition.
Hand-eye coordination, visual stamina, and mental focus are important qualities to have for this type of position.
To become a Truck Driver you need a Commercial Drivers License or CDL. I recommend using both a CDL Practice Test and CDL Test Answers to help you study up so you can pass.
16. Nuclear Power Reactor Operator
Average Salary: $72,384
Prior Education: A degree in a field like engineering is required by some nuclear power plants, but you do not need a college degree to land a lower level operator job. In some cases, all you need to do in some cases is to simply pass the certification test.
On-the-Job Training: Moderate to high training is required along with possible certification.
Job Description: Nuclear power reactor operators manage nuclear reactors, monitoring them and making adjustments as necessary to ensure the safety of the nuclear power production process.
They also have to perform routine maintenance on the reactors and shutdown on very specific systems. Because the job is quite risky and requires very careful attention to detail, it pays quite well.
It also helps to become efficient in the required computer technologies involved in nuclear power plants. Make sure you can handle shift work and long hours.
17. Fire Fighting
Average Salary: $49,080.
Prior Education: High school diploma or equivalent. Any prior training in emergency medical services is a plus.
On-the-Job Training: Completing a physically demanding training program is mandatory along with other certifications.
Job Description: The starting salary for a Firefighter is often just a little more than $30,000, but you can make more than $50,000 a year depending on where you work and whether you reach a supervisory position.
Firefighters must know how to use standard field equipment, such as hoses and ladders, become proficient at providing medical attention to injured victims, and properly handle coming in contact with hazardous materials or wildfires.
Depending on which state you work in, you may need to complete specific training programs, such as high-rise building rescues.
Being a firefighter is a very strenuous and dangerous occupation, and you often must work long shifts and over 40 hours per week. To help you get physically ready for firefighting duty, I recommend you check out Pass the Beep Test, a guide to help you prepare your body for firefighting.
18. Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
Average Salary: $33,380
Prior Education: Typically a high school diploma or equivalent and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification is required. Completing a postsecondary educational program is common.
On-the-Job Training: Generally there is little to no on-the-job training, but completing levels of certification are more than likely required for most states.
Job Description: If you are about to take your EMT classes to become an EMT, you will be happy to learn that the job outlooks in this field are very promising. However, chances of having a good job in the EMS are given to those who have more EMT certifications (like paramedics).
EMTs are first responders in a medical emergency, assessing victims’ conditions and possibly transporting them to the hospital by ambulance. Often people’s lives are on the line when EMTs arrive on the scene.
The hourly wages can vary from $12.08 (10% of the workforce earns less than this) to $24.77 (10% earn more than this bracket). According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of 2023 the median hourly wages of EMTs was at $17.76 per hour.
19. Railroad Jobs
Average Salary: $59,780
Prior Education: Typically a high school diploma or equivalent is required.
On-the-Job Training: Several months of moderate-level training is standard. Obtaining certifications may also be required.
Job Description: Do you like trains? Do you enjoy traveling? If so, a railroad job might be just for you.
A variety of positions are available, ranging from engineers and conductors to switch operators and management positions. Railroad jobs give you a chance to see new parts of the country while getting paid very well in the process.
Since trains operate every day of the week, expect to work nights, weekends, and holidays in all kinds of weather conditions.
Hand-eye coordination, visual acuity, and communication skills are valuable assets in this industry. If you’re looking at getting a railroad job, here’s a comprehensive guide that shares how to get a job in the railroad industry.
20. Medical Coder
Average Salary: $45,035
Prior Education: Typically a high school diploma or equivalent is required, while an Associate’s Degree is sometimes preferred.
On-the-Job Training: There is little to no on-the-job-training since specific training programs are generally completed as a prerequisite for employment. Completing certifications may also be required.
Job Description: The healthcare industry is currently booming, and you can expect it to continue to rise with the Baby Boomer generation getting older. There aren’t enough doctors and nurses available.
Behind all of the doctors is a team of medical coders typing up detailed reports on what procedures you had done and billing you or your insurance company the amount owed.
According to The American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC)’s 2022 salary survey, on average medical coders without certification bring home approximately $47,200 per year. However, becoming certified as a Certified Professional Coder (CPC) is highly sought after to seek higher pay.
21. Information Technology (IT) Technician
Average Salary: $41,305
Prior Education: Associate’s degree, Bachelor’s degree, or certificate program in computer science or related field is typically preferred. A degree is usually not required to land an entry-level position.
On-the-Job Training: Little to no on-the-job training expected since some employers require that candidates complete some level of formal training as a prerequisite for employment.
Job Description: There are a number of career paths within information technology that do not require a college degree.
Starting out you’ll probably conduct support calls on a helpdesk and only make $11-13 per hour. As your skills and experience progress and you get more experience you can easily make $50,000 to $70,000 per year as you get into systems administration and network engineering.
Typically IT technicians diagnose and repair computer malfunctions and install and maintain network systems. Get started on your IT career path by getting some online computer training and certification.
22. Criminal Investigator
Average Salary: $58,582
Prior Education: High school diploma or equivalent.
Several years of prior experience in law enforcement is encouraged. Some employers do require a minimum of an Associate’s degree in Criminal Justice or related field.
On-the-Job Training: Moderate on-the-job training is expected. Most states do require standard licensure for criminal investigators, along with a license to carry an armed weapon.
Training typically involves learning how to properly gather information and conduct remote surveillance, among other routine tasks. Reconstructing accident scenes is also a field-specific skill learned.
Job Description: Criminal investigators are the individuals tasked with interviewing and collecting evidence for specific cases.
Depending on the case at hand, you may be performing background checks, verifying facts and statements, conducting surveillance, searching online records, or gathering information on persons of interest.
You may even need to testify in court or make a physical arrest. This job is fast-paced and often involves working odd hours, weekends, and holidays.
Important skills to have include resourcefulness, inquisitiveness, and integrity. Being able to stay cool, calm, and collected during criminal investigations is integral to performing well in this role.
23. Brick Mason
Average Salary: $42,900
Prior Education: High school diploma or equivalent. Many masons also complete extensive apprenticeship programs or specific coursework before employment.
Any previous experience as a construction laborer is acceptable.
On-the-Job Training: Learning the trade is often accomplished through completing apprenticeships and/or on-the-job training shadowing experienced masons.
In these apprenticeship programs, promising candidates learn standard masonry practices, such as construction basics, measurement calculations, and safety procedures.
Job Description: Generally a brick mason uses bricks to construct walls, fences, and other structures.
A typical work day would include reading blueprints, gathering required materials, cleaning surfaces with power tools, and lifting heavy materials for proper alignment.
Brick masons often work long hours in a fast-paced and strenuous environment where becoming injured on the job is common. Protective gear, such as safety glasses, should be worn at all times.
Construction deadlines must be met, so brick masons often work indoors and outdoors in all kinds of weather. Important skills to have for this role include hand-eye coordination, physical strength, and attention to detail.
24. Postal Service Worker
Average Salary: $57,260
Prior Education: High school diploma or equivalent. An excellent driving record is a must along with a clean track record.
On-the-Job Training: There is some short-term on-the-job training involved, including passing a written exam, road test, and other standard background checks.
Job Description: Postal service workers generally collect, sort, process, and distribute mail in a timely manner. It’s their responsibility to make sure mail is delivered seamlessly.
They also sell common postal products, such as stamps, and obtain any customer signatures for certified mail.
Important skills to have for this role include a strong focus on customer service and attention to detail.
25. Pharmacy Technician
Average Salary: $31,750
Prior Education: High school diploma or equivalent. Complete a postsecondary program in pharmacy technology before employment is acceptable.
On-the-Job Training: Moderate on-the-job training is required, which typically involves passing an exam or specialized program.
You may also need to learn how to operate automated dispensing equipment, and some states may require certification.
Job Description: Pharmacy technicians are responsible for correctly filling, packaging, and labeling customers’ or health professionals’ prescriptions.
You would also be involved in organizing inventory, processing insurance claims, and accurately entering patient information into a computer database.
Having excellent organizational, listening, and customer-service skills is highly valued for this role.
Pharmacy technicians may be required to work nights and some weekends. Make sure you are physically fit enough to spend most of the day on your feet fulfilling orders.
Is Attending College Overrated?
There’s one thing I know for sure – college is extremely expensive! As the College Board highlights in a recent survey outlining changes in college tuition between 2012-2013 and 2022-2023, tuition is on a steady upward climb that shows no signs of letting up.
In 2023, public four-year in-state tuition is $10,950 for full-time students. This was a 1.8% increase from the previous college year.
There are a vast amount of careers that you can obtain without an actual college degree, but most require either a trade school certification or just time on the job and working your way up through the ranks.
“Formal education will make you a living. Self education will make you a fortune.” – Jim Rohn
Looking for a job? Scared that the cause of unemployment may be growing? Sign up for free at www.FlexJobs.com and see who’s hiring today!
FAQs on High Paying Jobs with No Degree
Are there high paying jobs with no degree?
Yes, there are several types of jobs that do not require a college degree but can still offer competitive salaries. Some examples include web developers, software engineers, medical coders, sales professionals and IT support staff.
What qualifications do I need for these jobs?
What qualifications do I need for these jobs? The requirements for these types of positions vary depending on the job and company, but often include certifications or specialized training in the field you are interested in pursuing.
In addition to technical skills, employers are looking for individuals who demonstrate strong problem solving abilities, excellent communication skills and an understanding of customer service principles.
Q: What are some high paying jobs that don’t require a college degree?
Here are some examples of high paying jobs that don’t require a college degree:
-Commercial pilots: median salary of $121,430 per year -Detectives and criminal investigators: median salary of $81,920 per year -Nuclear power reactor operators: median salary of $94,350 per year -Power distributors and dispatchers: median salary of $83,020 per year -Real estate brokers: median salary of $61,720 per year -Elevator installers and repairers: median salary of $80,180 per year -Web developers: median salary of $73,760 per year -Petroleum engineers: median salary of $137,170 per year -Computer network architects: median salary of $112,690 per year -Medical and health services managers: median salary of $100,980 per year
Are there any high paying jobs that don’t require a college degree, but do require experience?
Yes, there are many high paying jobs that don’t require a college degree but do require experience. Some examples include:
-Commercial pilots: typically require several years of flight experience as a co-pilot before being considered for a pilot position. -Detectives and criminal investigators: typically require several years of experience in a related field, such as a police officer or federal agent. -Nuclear power reactor operators: require extensive on-the-job training and experience. -Real estate brokers: typically require several years of experience as a real estate agent before becoming a broker. -Petroleum engineers: typically require several years of experience in the oil and gas industry before being considered for a position as a petroleum engineer.
I was at lunch the other day with a friend that I hadn’t spoken with in years.
During the lunchtime conversation, he made the comment, “Man, how did you get so successful?”
At first, I dismissed it, as often I get embarrassed by such complimentary remarks.
But when I started driving back to the office after the meeting, I got wondering – wow, am I really that successful?
One of the biggest obstacles to overcome as an entrepreneur is constantly shortchanging yourself; always having doubts that you could have done a little more, made a little more, put a little more time in.
Essentially, we, entrepreneurs, are never satisfied.
I’ve often had to take a step back and ask myself what my personal definition of success was, and I realize it’s not always about the money.
In my industry, I talk to a lot of young gun financial advisors who are all about making the quick buck, as that is their only metric of success; and, ultimately, it’s sad because at the end of the day, money does not rule the roost.
So, if somebody asks me, “Jeff, do you think you’re successful?” My answer is an unequivocal, “Yes“. But it might not be for why you think. Let’s take a look at my personal definition of success:
I’ve got the love of family and friends.
Having come from a divorced family growing up, I’ve never been super close to my family.
Yes, we did Christmas; yes, we did Thanksgiving, but when I compared myself to other families and how they got together for certain birthdays and various traditions, I always felt that my growing up was a bit different.
Now that I have three sons of my own, family is everything.
In addition to that, I have several friends that I met in sixth grade that remain some of my best friends today.
It’s amazing that our friendship has been that close, and even though we don’t get together as much as we would like, each time we do, it’s picked me up as if no time had passed at all.
In addition to family and childhood friends, we’ve also gained new friendships within our church. We’ve been able to connect with many couples that have young kids just like us and able to share and relate in several ways. Having a close-knit group of family and friends is such a huge blessing and is definitely a part of my success.
I love what I do.
Recently, I was talking with a guy who had switched careers and ended up becoming a dental hygienist in his early 30’s. In his previous career of mechanical engineering, he had experienced four layoffs over a two-year period. He chose the dental profession as he felt that it was a safer industry that would prevent him from going through any more layoff experiences.
He made good money and he seemed very content in his job. When I asked him how he liked it, his response is something I’ll never forget. He referred to his job as just that,
“It’s work. I go to work, I get paid, and call it a day.”
In his case, he didn’t love his job; it was just a means to an end. While I can definitely respect somebody who makes the sacrifice to provide for himself and for his family, I feel very fortunate to truthfully say I love my job. I love helping people making sense of their financial life.
Obviously, my job has challenges; remember the financial crisis in 2008? Trust me, I haven’t forgotten.
But despite those challenges, every day I get the opportunity to help people, whether it’s in my office or on my blog. There is no greater feeling than really helping somebody out and giving a solution to their problems and satisfying their needs.
Freedom to pursue other passions.
If you’re reading this article, then obviously you’re reading it on my blog. Having founded my own investment firm, it gives me the flexibility to pursue my blog and other business ventures if and when they arise. You can follow some of these ventures on other blog Dollars and Roses that I started with my wife.
I’ve talked to so many people that have a job that doesn’t allow them to get on Facebook or on Twitter while they’re at work, which might sound trivial, but it’s those little freedoms that I love.
If I hadn’t gone the route in creating my own firm, I never could have grown my blog to what it is today.
If you remember the Roth IRA movement, that never would have happened in my prior arrangement.
Having the freedom to pick and choose what you want to do is so powerful, and it is definitely an ingredient in my recipe for the personal definition of success.
What is your personal definition of success?
What is it about what you do each and every day that makes you feel satisfied? Everybody has their own definition of success, but you may be surprised at what you’ll find if you take the time to clarify what success really means to you.
This guest post from Bon is part of the “reader stories” feature at Get Rich Slowly. Some stories contain general advice; others are examples of how a GRS reader achieved financial success â or failure. These stories feature folks from all levels of financial maturity and with all sorts of incomes.
I’ve always been a bit of a capitalist so to speak, so when I decided to join the Peace Corps several years ago, not only was it a shock to my family and friends, it was a little bit of a shock to me. At the time I loved my job but knew that I would regret staying too close to the corporate path I had been following.
Calculating Opportunity Cost
When considering a major lifestyle change, ask yourself if you’re really losing your entire salary when you take a break from work. When I was weighing the financial impact Peace Corps would have, I knew the program would cover my travel, living expenses, and health care, so I wouldn’t really be giving up my entire salary for two years. I’d only be giving up what I might potentially have saved at the end of each year. Instead of my opportunity cost being something like $100,000 for two years, it was actually closer to $14,000 total. This seemed like a reasonable price to pay for the experience.</
My good friend Dave once went on a date with a woman who straight-up asked him which tax bracket he fell into. Taken aback by the womanâs lack of tact and transparent criteria for a partner, Dave swiftly changed the subject. After he paid for dinner, they went their separate ways. As you can imagine,
The post How to Talk Money in a Relationship: Dos and Don’ts appeared first on MintLife Blog.
Got kids? If so, you’re probably hoping to send them to college. And you know it won’t be cheap. College costs are rising faster than inflation, and have been for decades.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t afford a good education for your kids, even if you have a modest salary or other substantial expenses. I’m not going to pretend college isn’t expensive: Full scholarships are less common in real life than they are in the movies. You’ll probably have to spend a pretty penny for the privilege of attending your son or daughter’s college graduation.
The value of a college education
Even with the skyrocketing costs, a college education is still a good deal. Post-college educations tend to garner graduates salaries that are 60 percent higher than those of high school graduates. Over a lifetime, college graduates typically earn $1 million more than those without college educations.
I have multiple real estate related businesses: I own 22 long-term rentals, complete 20 to 30 house flips a year, own a real estate brokerage, write books about real estate, I have a YouTube channel, and a blog about real estate. I love real estate because it can be a ton of fun and extremely … Read more
An Introduction from MMM: We get a lot of case study requests around here these days. I’d love to answer all of the questions and write articles about a good chunk of them. But even a retired man has his free time limits, which is why I am glad to have Jacob on my side […]