Month: June 2023


Jun
2023

7 Secrets for Shopping Sales

categories: Finance, Lifestyle

I woke up this morning and saw a Facebook post from someone who had shopped the Edgars Red Hanger sale and got a pair of sneakers with 2 different sizes. I was horrified. Especially since I had shopped the sale and bought the same shoe. Fun fact- I had checked ALL my purchases except for that sneaker because I trusted the brand. Rookie mistake. Instantly I dove out of bed and started looking for my sneakers. Thankfully they matched. But this got me thinking about the sale itself. The environment was equal parts exciting and chaotic. There were people everywhere, the lines were long and I had an incident where I came home with jeans in the wrong size due to a mix-up on the cashier’s part.

The key to shopping sales is to put aside your emotions and think logically. Do NOT let anything or anyone sway you from a position of peace.

Here are a few tips for shopping a sale:

1. Ensure You’re Comfortable

This means your bladder is empty, you’re well-rested and you have already had a meal. I spent so long at the Red Hanger sale that I started to feel dizzy (and honestly I feel like that is why I never picked up on the jeans issue). Carry a snack if you need to but remember you want to ensure you are in optimal shape.

2. Do NOT Let Anyone Rush You

Whether it is a salesperson or a cranky child, do not let anyone rush you through this process. At the end of the day even if it is a sale, you’re still going to be paying money and you want to ensure that you’re getting the most value for your cash. If you have time to go through the store or the rack for a second time, do it. Few things upset me more than going home after a shopping trip bummed about missing something.

3. Make a List Beforehand

I keep a list on my phone of all items I intend to buy. That way when I go in-store and there’s a sale, I already have an idea of what I really want. This is a great way to prioritise your spending to ensure you don’t buy something that you don’t really need or may not actually want. Another great tip is to make a list of upcoming birthdays or Christmas presents that you need. That way you can get your gifts at a lower price.

4. Question Your Purchase

Will you use this? Where? How often? Asking these questions for each purchase helps to ensure that you’re actually buying things that you will use and preferably often. Sometimes we see the word “SALE” and get carried away. We buy things we wouldn’t usually. No judgement here. I am very guilty of this.

5. Come Up with a Strategy

Go really early or really late to avoid crowds. This means less people in the store and less of a hassle for parking. I say go really early or really late but honestly the best bet is that you get in early. The shelves would be neater, the shops will be emptier and you will be able to shop in a calmer manner. As an added bonus, if you take a friend with you, both of you can keep an eye out for good deals.

6. Set a Budget

I didn’t do this. God, I wish I had done this. Sales are great but credit card debt? Not so much. Set a budget beforehand so that you don’t run up a bill you can’t pay. Or a bill that you will be paying for months to come.

7. Check All Your Items

To avoid mix-ups like me and my jeans, check all of your items before you pay (and make sure you love all of them). Also check your items immediately after paying. If you can do this while still at the store or the mall, it’s better for you. It sucks to come home with all your great purchases only to find a flaw and than you need to trek back to the store. Worse if you shopped somewhere where sales items could not be returned.

Sales are exciting. By keeping a level head and following these tips, you can ensure that you get the best bargains without any stress. Do you have any secrets to shopping sales? Let me know below


Jun
2023

Book Review: Freelance Like a Boss by Shea Karssing

categories: Books, Reviews

Freelance Like a Boss: How to escape the 9–5 and take control of your life by Shea Karssing

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Freelance Like a Boss covers everything you need to know to start your own freelancing business. From finding clients and determining your rates to taxes and ensuring you have enough income, this book was a treasure trove of knowledge.

Freelance Like a Boss is written in a funny, easy to understand manner and it feels like sitting down with a friend who is breaking down the ins and outs of freelancing.

That’s my official review. Now I shall proceed to share all of my deepest feelings for this book (Yes, I enjoyed myself THAT much).

I picked up a copy of this book as soon as I saw it was in store (Bookworm life hack- get you a bookstore that has great prices AND great Customer Service). I am not a person who buys regularly priced books, especially non-fiction. But prior to the book release, I had read the synopsis and checked out the author’s website so at the very least, I knew she had great writing skills.
I came home, realised that the book was thinner than I had expected and was incredibly disappointed. (Now keep in mind that I am someone who has recently struggled to complete books because of her short attention span. So I had no business being disappointed. The shorter the book, the easier it would be for me to finish).
But when I started skimming through the page of contents, it looked like the book covered everything that I had ever wondered about. There are countless online resources for freelancing. But I have never found any that are tailored to South Africans. And as a digital marketer, it bugged me. I had worked with freelancers. I had freelanced for a short while. But while the lifestyle appealed to me, there were so many things that I knew nothing about that I just couldn’t justify going back to freelancing.
I started reading and for the next few days, this book was glued to my side. Literally. It came with me to the bathroom in the mornings as I brushed my teeth. I read it at breakfast and then picked it up again at lunch. I kept it on my desk to read it again after work. The chapters are pretty short so I was able to complete them without my short attention span getting in the way. It’s been a while since I enjoyed a book this much- especially a non-fiction one.
Once it was done, I had that feeling of accomplishment that comes with finishing a book and surprisingly, I don’t have any questions about freelancing.
If you’re interested in freelancing and have no clue where to start, this is the book for you. You’re definitely going to walk away having learnt something.



View all my reviews


Jun
2023

7 Red Flags to Watch For in a Manager

categories: Uncategorized

Just as there are many different types of managers and management styles, there are also so many different signs of a toxic manager. It can be tough because while micromanagement is talked about most often, bad management exists beyond that. Here are 7 red flags that might have you reconsidering your manager.

1. Talks about Others Behind Their Back:

No decent manager should be discussing their staff with other staff members. EVER! It’s unprofessional. Whenever a manager has an issue with an employee, it should be discussed with that specific employee only and not a third party.

2. Refuses to listen to feedback

Not matter how minor the feedback is, if your manager refuses to listen to anything besides their own opinion, that’s a sign to be cautious. I worked for someone who wanted to have a say in every little thing. I didn’t think of it as an issue until I reminded them once of something they said once and changed their mind on last-minute and they refused to accept responsibility for it.

3. Favouritism

If you notice that your manager is the type to play favourites, watch out. This can work out badly for employees whether or not they’re the favourite. The favourite is a difficult position to be in and so is the extreme opposite- the one who the manager absolutely cannot stand.

4. Poor Communication Skills

Does your manager speak exclusively in buzzwords? Is your manager able to explain things in a clear and concise manner? Smart people speak simply. Incompetent people tend to prefer to use buzzwords or big words to make themselves sound smarter than they really are.

5. Allergic to Growth of Any Kind

One of the ways I like to assess a manager is their reaction when I say that I am learning something new. Some managers are perplexed when I study something that isn’t related to my work. Some are excited and some are just against it (even if this studying doesn’t happen during working hours). It’s those who are against any kind of learning that worry me. (And so far this little test hasn’t steered me wrong).

6. Micromanagement

This is one that we all know about. If your manager has trouble giving up control and needs to know every little detail of every task you’re working on, this is a red flag. Some micromanagers can be managed by you keeping them in the loop and eventually earning their trust. Some micromanagers just get worse with time.

7. Not Managing at All

This is a type of red flag that I don’t see discussed often enough. While macromanagement (hands off management) is a management technique, when taken too far, this has negative consequences such as deadlines not being met, lack of clarity on goals and just general disorganisation and chaos.

What other red flags have you encountered? How do you track if a manager might be a problem? Let me know below.


Jun
2023

Book Review: On Writing by Stephen King

categories: Books, Career, Reviews

On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Who wouldn’t want to learn writing from the master of horror?
I’ve wanted this book since I first started writing (i.e a decade ago) but eventually forgot all about it.
So when I found a sale copy at my nearest bookstore I had to have it.
“On Writing” shares a bit of Stephen King’s life and his tips for writing and editing.
I loved getting a look at his life and how he grew up. The writing advice was useful but honestly it bored me a bit.
I know it’s a writing book but by the time King started giving advice I just wanted to hear more about his story.
(If it isn’t obvious as yet, I know nothing about Stephen King besides knowing his work).
This was a really interesting, well-written book that I’ll definitely keep as a reference guide.
Now I’m going to go down a Stephen King Google rabbit hole.



View all my reviews


Jun
2023

10 Things to Do Before Your Blog Launches

categories: Blogging Basics, Blogging Tips, Content Marketing

Whether you’re blogging for fun or for business, there are several tasks you should complete before your blog goes live. Here are 10 key things you should do before launching your blog (There’s also a downloadable checklist at the end of this blog post).

1. Pick a Blog Name:

Choosing a unique and memorable blog name is crucial for branding and recognition. Brainstorm ideas that reflect your blog’s theme or niche. Once you’ve settled on an idea or a few options, check if the domain is available as well as social media handles.

2. Purchase Domain and Hosting:

Invest in a reliable domain registrar and web hosting service. Everyone has their own preference. I use Elitehost and I’ve never had an issue. Be sure to select a hosting plan that is suited to your wallet and your blog needs. You need a service provider who is reliable and provides support.

3. Design a Logo on Canva:

Create a logo and header using tools like Canva. Incorporate your blog name, relevant visuals, and colours that represent your brand identity. I talk a bit about branding in this blog post here. Basically you want to keep your colours and fonts consistent. Designing an attractive logo and header will make your blog look more professional.

4. Draft 4 to 5 Blog Posts:

Before launching your blog, prepare a sizable chunk of content by drafting four to five blog posts. This ensures that you have something ready to publish and keeps your blog active from the start. Focus on delivering valuable information and engaging storytelling that resonates with your target audience.

5. Set Up Your Blog Categories:

Organize your blog posts into relevant categories. This will make navigation easier for your readers. Plan out your categories based on your blog’s main topics and ensure they are clear and intuitive. Well-defined categories help visitors find what they’re looking for and improves overall user experience.

6. Write a Compelling About Me Page:

Craft an engaging and authentic About Me page that introduces you to your readers. Share your story, passion, and expertise to build a connection and establish credibility.

7. Create Eye-Catching Pinterest Pins:

Pinterest is a valuable platform for driving traffic to your blog. Use Canva or another graphic design tool to design images for Pinterest. Optimize your pins with compelling headlines, keywords, and relevant descriptions to attract clicks and shares.

8. Create Social Media Accounts:

Establish a strong social media presence by creating accounts on platforms relevant to your target audience. Consider platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn, depending on your blog’s niche and where your audience can be found. Again, consistent branding across all platforms reinforces your blog’s identity and helps you reach a wider audience.

9. Install Yoast SEO:

Optimize your blog’s visibility in search engine results by installing a plugin like Yoast SEO (for WordPress users). This tool provides guidance on optimizing your blog posts for search engines, improving your chances of ranking higher and attracting organic traffic.

10. Publish Your Blog Post:

After completing all of the above, it’s time to hit the publish button and officially launch your blog. Choose your strongest blog post from the ones you drafted earlier and make any necessary final edits. Share your post across your social media platforms and start building a community around your blog.

Launching a blog involves careful planning and execution. Here’s a checklist with the above steps. By following this before your blog goes live, you’ll set a solid foundation for success.


Jun
2023

Welcome to the Real World: Tag You’re It

categories: Welcome to The Real World

I want to stop and take a little detour here. I mentioned that Janet’s promotion was a result of her being a favourite of the HOD, John. I mentioned a coworker who had an easier time because he also “networked” with the HOD. But let’s take a look at what happens when you don’t get along with the person who is in charge of your career.

Caitlyn was a smart girl who handled a chunk of irate customers. I can’t remember what her actual title was but she was always busy. She was also always ready to help others if necessary. Somehow word got out that Caitlyn wasn’t doing her job. So she was dismissed.

It was the kind of environment where news spread fast. So by the end of the week, everyone knew Caitlyn was being let go because she was wasting away time at work. She was regarded as an example to others to remind them what could happen to them.

Caitlyn was replaced by another worker from another team. A highly effective worker. Who struggled with the workload. When this worker had to go on maternity leave, she was replaced by 3 other employees…one of which was Caitlyn.

Yep, Caitlyn was invited back. It was never stated but at this point it was made clear that the reason why Caitlyn wasn’t “doing her work” was because there was too much work for just one person. Once there was a team of 3 people handling her responsibilities, things got easier.

When John moved to a different department, a few years later, he took Caitlyn with him as one of his senior staff.

Caitlyn’s story lives in a small corner of my mind as proof of what happens when management decides they want you out. Except she isn’t the only one.

A few years later, the business needed to cut costs and decided to remove one of their older staff, a skilled project manager. I was horrified. She had been with the company longer than I had. What was she going to do? (She started her own business and she is doing AMAZING!)

Again, I thought it was a one-time thing. But when the cycle repeated itself two years later resulting in retrenchments throughout the Customer Care space, I had to face facts. This was just business. I needed to remember that. But it is also something that you should remember as an employee the next time you want to make your job your everything.

Moral of the story: 1) Get on friendly terms with your manager but 2) NEVER depend on your day job. NEVER EVER EVER!

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