For the 130 million households receiving an economic stimulus check, it’s a very exciting time. You are probably daydreaming of new furniture, a new bathing suit for the summer or perhaps that ‘can’t miss’ diet plan. Whatever your refund dreams, set aside part of it to put back into your career. Just as Prince told us to party like its 1999, invest your money into your career like we’re in a recession. How, you say? Here are a few ideas:
1. Buy a new suit. That suit you bought for your first interview has lost a few buttons over the years (or decades), and yes, everyone notices. If your profession doesn’t require a suit, spring for the required outfit to spruce up your appearance.
2. Purchase a relevant career book. If you want to get ahead, career-focused and motivational books can lend a helping hand. Even if after graduating high school/college you made a vow to never read again, some rules were made to be broken.
– Management recommendation: Good to Great by James C. Collins and Winning by Jack Welch
– Freelance recommendation: The Anti 9-to-5 Guide: Practical Career Advice for Women Who Think Outside of the Cube by Michelle Goodman
– Time management recommendation: Execution: The Discipline of Getting Things Done by Larry Bossidy
3. Attend a workshop in your field. Turn it into a mini-vacation by picking a workshop in California or Florida. Here’s the perfect opportunity to attend that seminar that your boss was too cheap to spring for.
4. Spend it on someone else. Studies often show that we feel the best when we give to others.
What could be better charity than helping a friend or family member crawl out from a career black hole?
5. Save it. There’s something empowering about having money in the bank. We realize that a single tax rebate check isn’t going to change your life, but in this tumultuous economy, you’d be well served to sop that cash into a savings account. The proverbial rainy day might be around the corner. Even if it never comes, a little extra cash can give you more options and confidence when making career decisions.
Bonus Tip: Take your stimulus check to retailers like K-Mart, Sears, Land’s End or even Kroger. These stores have made an offer that if you turn your check into a gift card, you’ll receive 10% extra ($300 becomes $330, $600 becomes $660 and so on). Some of these stores sell the career books or possibly the new outfits you are looking for to kick start your career.
There are many ideas of how to spend this money wisely: pay off credit card debt or put it towards a down payment on a home (a small one!). While these are all important and practical ideas, have a little fun with this ‘free’ gift. Make Uncle Sam proud. Spend it by investing for the long-term: your career!
This is a guest post by Lauren Kleinman.
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