5 Emergency Expenses That Catch Everyone Out

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There are many surprise expenses that many of us fail to budget for. Such expenses can lead to a lot of stress and often unwanted debts. Below are five of the most common emergency expenses and what you can do to prepare yourself for them. 

Medical bills

Medical bills are some of the most serious emergency expenses. The average emergency room visit costs about $2,200. Emergency dental costs can also often be expensive.

Home repairs

If you’re a homeowner, home repairs could be an emergency expense to look out for. This could include plumbing repairs, electrical repairs, window repairs, roofing repairs and all kinds of other repairs. The average homeowner spends 1% to 4% of the value of their home in maintenance every year. 

Car repairs

Car repairs are another emergency cost to look out for, especially if you’ve got an older car. On average, Americans spend about $397 per year on car maintenance. 

Vet bills

If you’ve got pets, expect to pay some vet bills throughout your pet’s life. Dogs and cats are some of the most expensive pets - as they get older you can expect a greater risk of health problems.

Electronics repairs

There are many electronic possessions that we are dependent on from gadgets like cell phones and laptops to appliances like washing machines and refrigerators. When these break, repairs can be expensive. 

How to prepare yourself

While it’s often impossible to plan for when these emergency expenses are going to occur, you can still prepare yourself financially. Below are just a few ways to plan for these costs.

Take out insurance

Auto insurance is the only compulsory insurance scheme you need, however there are many other insurance schemes that are worth taking out. Homeowners’s insurance can help to pay for many emergency home repairs and even certain repairs to appliances. Health insurance is the best way to pay for medical bills, while pet insurance is worthwhile for covering vet bills. It could also be worth considering insuring important devices such as your phone or computer. 

Use the right credit card

Getting into debt to pay for emergency expenses isn’t ideal, however credit cards are usually a more convenient option than having to apply for loans, and they’re a much better alternative than having to miss bill payments and get into arrears. Take the time to compare credit cards so that you secure the best interest rates. Using credit cards mainly for smaller emergency expenses. 

Build an emergency savings fund

It’s worth setting aside some savings for a rainy day. While you may not be able to pay for some emergency expenses outright using savings, you could use savings to pay for costs like insurance deductibles and smaller emergency expenses. 

Spend money on preventative measures

Many emergency expenses can be reduced or eliminated by taking preventative measures. Looking after your health and getting preventative treatment for problems could reduce the risk of encountering emergency medical bills. Similarly looking after your car and getting problems diagnosed early could reduce the risk of having to spend money on emergency car repairs. 

How to Ensure that the Career Path You’ve Chosen is Right for You

If you are in the process of choosing a career path, then you will know what a big decision it can be. The last thing that you want is to waste your time doing a course that is just not right for you. That being said, there are things that you can do to make sure that you are on the right path.

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Determine What You Like

Many people start by looking into career paths that come with a good package. They also want to try and follow other professionals they admire, by following the same path. That being said, you also need to make sure that you identify your interests and what you actually enjoy doing. If you happen to be skilled in technology and you want to come up with some new ideas for a game, then why not pursue a career in game development? You might also want to do some research so you can find a role that matches your passion and experience. Some jobs will also require that you get a diploma, for example, if you want to become a dental assistant. The sooner you can get focused on what you want to do, rather than what you should be doing, the sooner you’ll be able to get on the right path.

SWOT Testing

Another thing that you need to do is a SWOT analysis. You need to have a good understanding of your strengths and your weaknesses. You also need to test to see what your threats and your opportunities are. If you can do this, then you will soon find that you can revisit this time and time again. You can also use this to help you to grow in your chosen career, which is always a good thing. It will help to push you in the right direction when it comes to your growth, and it will help you to achieve way more success in your career.

Do Some Market Research

It’s vital that you try and keep an eye on the market. You also need to make sure that you are trying to avoid being too stringent. Many people tend to look at the options that are available in their chosen line of work and they miss out on the opportunities that lie outside it. If you can, assess the market and look for any potential avenues for growth. If you can do this, and if you can align your abilities accordingly, you may find you can transition well and that you can also start to build your level of professionalism. This is ideal if you want to get into a certain industry but you aren’t quite sure how you can grow or develop from the entry job. Doing this will also help you to assess which training programs you need to go on in order to achieve your overall goal, so make sure that you keep that in mind when the time comes for you to make those big decisions.

Why Video Games Aren't the Enemy

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Certain video games are a parent’s nightmare. Yet video games aren’t the enemy, and the industry is made of talented individuals. Furthermore, a single video game combines logical and creative processes in one package. For instance, mathematics and physics are programmed, alongside digital artwork and music and audio production. As such, there is something to be said about video games, the 3 billion global gamers, and the industry as a whole.

Encouraging Hobbies

For a child who grows up playing video games, video games themselves can become a hobby. But, of course, a good hobby provides an outlet for creative and logical expression. Yet there are video games that are based on real-world pursuits. And some are so accurate they could be used for real-world training. For example, racers like Gran Turismo teach about the laws of physics. At the same time, automotive games like Car Mechanic Simulator offer education on vehicle engines. Further, business games and city builders provide insights into management.

Help with Development

Not all video games are based around shooting, violence and collecting coins. The beauty of a video game is that there are infinite possibilities. And many advances in technology means you can choose from a wide variety of games that actively aim to help with development. Some studies show that excessive gaming, like an excess of anything, can cause severe damage. However, monitored and regulated exposure to video games increases cognitive function and problem-solving skills. And that’s from the games that aren’t really designed for it.

Logical and Creative Activity

One of the things most people don’t realize about video games is that most of them are massive puzzles to a large degree. While it’s fun to have a colorful character jump around, logic and problem-solving skills are engaged while you do it. Perfect timing, coordination and route planning are just some of the useful skills required for the most harmless games, such as platformers. Additionally, some games allow you to achieve something however you want. Open-world games, for example, send you on a quest to complete an objective as you see fit.

Social Interaction

Gone are the days of solitary gaming. Almost every new AAA title comes with a multiplayer or social aspect. So, your children or yourself can interact with others in real-time. Although staying indoors and playing for an extended period isn’t recommended for any child, many games these days provide a social outlet. Additionally, games like Fortnite allow your children to work together to achieve an objective and utilize their teamwork, planning, creative and logical skills in tandem. Finally, some games are excellent for disabled or autistic kids who can’t go outside.

Future Technology

Video games and the machines they are played on are highly advanced pieces of technology. For instance, the humble smartphone is more technologically advanced than the computers used during the space race and the cold war. PlayStation and Xbox machines are more than video game consoles. Instead, they are advanced entertainment units. And the modern PC has unlimited possibilities and makes a great hobby. These technological advancements offer future prospects such as design, tech and programming opportunities for viable employment.

Leveraging Useful Tech In Your Small Business

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One of the most amazing developments in running a business over the last twenty years is that modern technology has totally changed the landscape for good. Now, it’s perfectly feasible to run a business with someone on the other side of the world, someone you know but have never met. As more and more people are learning the terms of a digital nomad lifestyle, you may also find that you don’t necessarily need a given location, rather a hosted virtual address, in order to have a ‘base’ for your business, too.

Of course, using tech for the sake of using modern tech is not always a fruitful effort when it comes to running a business, and so we need to be as discerning as possible when making these executive decisions. That said, small businesses find themselves leveraging new tech and systems constantly, and in this post, we’ll discuss some of the most pressing, interesting, and perhaps even fundamental options you could choose from. Without further ado, let’s begin:

Tech For The Shop Floor

It can be worthwhile to implement tech on the shop floor for the purpose of helping your sales reps and managers more easily perform their daily tasks and partake in inventory management. A great tool being implemented by many stores is the card reader for your phone service, which allows you to take payments quickly and easily without having to carry the entire chip and PIN system around with you, or bring customers and clients back to a checkout counter to process a payment.

This way, sales and bookings can be made more readily, no matter what kind of business you run. Technology like this, when leveraged for worth and convenience, can make a massive and impactful difference in the long run, potentially helping you secure sales where you wouldn’t have beforehand.

MFA For Account Management

A common provision companies provide their clients is the chance to create and manage online accounts with their service. This allows them to set their preferences, save their payment information, see their prior orders, receive personal discounts, and more.

But none of this is worthwhile if the information saved therein is not secured. MFA for account management is important to consider in this light. MFA stands for multi-factor authentication, and runs the gamut from providing a secondary email with a code after login for an additional identity check, a code sent to the mobile number of your client, or registering an account with a security app. On top of that, biometric login support for your mobile app can allow them to easily access their account with a fingerprint, more easily helping them avoid the delay in logging in and being permitted access.

The more in-control customers feel about their private data, the more likely they are to use your service. Rolling out a provision like this, then, could be more than worth your time.

Predictive Algorithms

You may have noticed that certain websites, such as Amazon as a main example, will notice your product browsing and purchasing history and use that to recommend further items to you. If you purchase a game console controller, for instance, the algorithm may be designed to also recommend replacement batteries after a certain period. 

This might work for your store or service, depending on how you run your firm. For instance, it might be that every now and then, you offer an expansion of the services you provide,just to remind them that they can upgrade their package at any time. An approach like that is almost always appreciated.

Promotional Discounts

A dedicated, automated promotional discount could be used in order to remind your customers that they have an account with you. For instance, when a new product comes out, you might offer your loyal customers a 10-15% discount code to help incentivize their purchase.

Or, as services like Uber Eats does, if your service hasn’t been used for some time, you may automate a strong discount for them to return and remember how convenient your provisions are. This might include an amazing deal they couldn’t ignore even if they wanted to, such as a buy one get one free offer, or a 50% discount code.

Promotional discounts keep customers in the loop, and can be planned this way so that you don’t have to constantly make decisions about specific customer accounts. Over time, you may retain more business in this manner.

With this advice, we hope you can more easily leverage useful tech in your small business.

5 Ways To Boost Your Customer's Shopping Experience

Many retail shops offer similar or the same products as yours. The outbreak of the pandemic has created significant challenges for retail businesses due to the reduced number of people in the physical stores and emerging new competitors. Despite all this, customer experience can go a long way to ensuring that your business overcomes these challenges and succeeds. Whether you own a brick-and-mortar business or an online store, you want to offer a unique shopping experience to drive your business. Here is how.

Be a consultant, not just a seller

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While it is true that change is crucial, it must start with you. It is vital to change your mindset if you want your business to grow. Previously, businesses only focused on selling, but today, customers are more discerning, and you need to do more than sell to satisfy them. So instead of being a salesperson, you want to do more by offering advice to your customer and being receptive to their feedback. 

Make shopping more fun

If you want to boost your customer's shopping experience, you must make shopping fun for them. Therefore if you've noticed that shopping has become a monotonous experience for your customers, it is advisable to build a new strategy to make shopping more appealing. For example, you could consider making your online store's website more interactive and interesting. In-store, you can consider installing speakers for customers to enjoy some soothing music while shopping. 

Reward loyalty

It is best to create an environment that makes your loyal customers feel appreciated. You can offer special discounts for customers that reach some spending target, invite them to try out new products and give feedback, or offer an exclusive event where your existing customers can buy before everybody else. Sometimes, only a few customers can be responsible for a significant portion of your profits, so giving them some preferential treatment or service makes sense. 

Offer a unique checkout experience

Queuing is a common problem many customers have to deal with when shopping. However, this problem affects the customer and the seller since it is frustrating and time-consuming. This can trigger several uncomfortable situations, including customer protests, difficulty finding change, and potentially losing customers who don't want to queue. It is vital to forestall this problem by offering a unique checkout experience such as contactless payments to reduce waiting times. You can learn more about contactless payments here. 

Build a community  

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You can do many things to build a community that supports your in-store customer experience, from providing new products, demos, interactive displays, and workshops. However, one thing that can keep your customers coming back is a community. As strange as this may sound, customers are likely to spend more time where they feel welcome. Unfortunately, many are denied one thing to cherish more – human interaction. It is best to create a calm, easygoing climate to make them come for more. 

Your customers are drivers for improving your business quality, and behind every business, success is customers who are satisfied with a business product and service delivery. It is vital to improving your shopping experience.

Choosing The Right Car For The College Years

Are you thinking about purchasing a car for your time in college? It’s possible that this is the first set of four wheels that you will ever own and that makes it an exciting purchase. But you do need to be practical. With that in mind, here are some of the key considerations that you should think about when you are choosing your college car. 

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Safety First

Let’s get one of the most boring aspects of buying a car out of the way. You should purchase a vehicle with top safety scores. The reason for this is simple. A large percentage of drivers will crash within their first year on the road. While that fact might sound scary, it’s best to be prepared. This means that you need a car that is going to keep you safe in an accident. 

Insurance Concerns

Before you settle on your dream car, you should research the cost of insuring it. As a college student, insurance companies are always going to see you as being high risk. This means that you might be a little more limited on the type of vehicle that you can own. Weird things can also impact the insurance including the color of the car. It’s true that red cars are more expensive to insure than others from specific insurance providers. As such, it might be worth thinking about a car in a shade that is a little more plain and boring. You should definitely research different insurance quotes before you decide to commit to a purchase. 

Used Car Choices

Do you want to buy a used car or opt for a brand new vehicle? The question here is which is going to be more financially beneficial for you and this is more tricky than you might imagine. The reason? Well, a used car might seem more cost effective on paper, but you have to remember that the maintenance costs can add up. So, if you are getting a used vehicle, then you should think about getting it checked out carefully. You might even want to consider taking an expert with you.

Efficiency

Next, you should consider opting for a car that is efficient. In doing so, you can make sure that you are not wasting a fortune on fuel costs. Now is not the time to buy a sports car. If you want one, then you can make this purchase later in your life. They are always going to be far more trouble than they’re worth and they’ll want to say hello to every gas station that you try and pass. You could even think about investing in a hybrid. But do be aware that these are more expensive than your average vehicle. You can find out more information about the cars available from sites such as Edmunds.

We hope this helps you choose the ideal college car for you. By exploring the best options here, you can guarantee that you get a car that delivers the benefits that you were hoping for. This includes owning a vehicle that isn’t going to eat away at your bank balance.

Setting Up Your College Dorm Room

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Whether you’re planning your move to college, or whether you’re already there and just looking for ways to make your space better, it’s good to know that there are plenty of different things you can do to make your college dorm room the best that it can be. What suits you will depend entirely on your needs, your preferences and your individual style. But hopefully, some of the areas highlighted below will work for you and contribute to the perfect space to live in while you earn your degree.

A Desk

If your dorm room doesn’t already have a desk fitted, you’re going to need to invest in one. When the assignments come piling in, you’re not always going to want to do all of your work from the library, study rooms or other public spaces. Sometimes, you might find that you simply feel more comfortable and at home studying in your own room. Find a good desk that works for your height. Here, you can get your assignments completed on time.

A Good Chair

You’re going to need some sort of chair in your room to work from too. There are plenty of good chairs to pick from, but it’s generally recommended that you go with something that has been ergonomically designed. This will support your body while you study and type away, ensuring you have good posture and preventing problems like back pain or strains. If you game, you might want to consider ticking two boxes at once and invest in a gaming chair.

Bedding

While most dorms provide a bed and mattress, you’re likely going to have to bring your own bedding. This can include pillows, a duvet and bed sheets. You don’t necessarily have to spend big to get something comfortable. Instead, you should search around for some bargains and you’re bound to find something cosy and low cost.

Lighting

You’re not always going to want the main light on in your room. You might want a lamp instead for use during the evenings or even early mornings. So, choose a lamp that will give you the type of lighting you’ll enjoy. There are so many different designs out there that there’s bound to be something you like.

Picture Walls

Most students like to put up some sort of picture wall when they’re away. This gives them somewhere to put up pictures of friends and family back home, as well as pictures of their friends they’ve made over the course of their studies. It’s an easy way to keep fond memories close

Storage

Most dorm rooms tend to be quite small. So it’s not surprising that you’re going to need some good storage solutions to keep the space tidy and organised. Options vary from shelves to underbed storage boxes and more. Browse around to find something that works for you.

These are just a few basics to get the ball rolling when it comes to settling in to your college dorm room. Hopefully, a few will work well for you!

How To Help Your Teen Overcome Depression

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Depression is a common mental health issue that can affect people of any age. However, teens are particularly at risk for depression because it may be the first time they are experiencing intense emotions or are developing their sense of self and maybe not recognizing that something is wrong.

Research has shown that many teenagers who feel depressed don't receive appropriate treatment because they either don't recognize it or don't know where to go for help. They also find it difficult to talk about the problem with peers or parents because they're scared of being judged or criticized. For these reasons, it is essential that you find out how to help teenagers overcome depression:  

Look For Signs of Depression 

We cannot be sure when a teenager needs help, so it is essential that we look for signs of depression in them. Unfortunately, it is often hard to tell when teens are depressed because they often hide their feelings and pretend to be okay. We might think that teens are going through a phase or just being moody, but in reality, they could have clinical depression, which can be difficult to overcome without treatment.

It is very important for parents to look out for the signs of teen depression and take them seriously. They should try and get their teen evaluated by a mental health professional if they notice any warning signs such as withdrawal from friends and family, loss of interest in hobbies or activities, feeling hopeless about the future. 

Strengthen Your Relationship

Most people think that teenagers are difficult to understand, but this couldn't be further from the truth; they're just like adults, only younger. They need to know that you care about them and want to help them succeed in life, so show compassion and don't push them away.

It is essential to try and strengthen your relationship with teenagers who are dealing with depression. The increased risk that might appear makes it even more important. However, you should not try to fix their problem or offer advice because that could be overwhelming for them. Instead, it's important for you to encourage them to seek support. 

Encourage Teens To Seek Professional Support 

With a whole new generation of teens coming to our world, we need to make sure that they are safe and happy. We can do this by making them feel comfortable with their mental health and finding the right professional support for them.

Depression in teenagers is an issue that needs to be addressed as soon as possible. We need professionals who are skilled in working with depressed teens and who understand the culture of this demographic. In addition, having people from their own age group can help them share their experiences and heal from depression faster.

In order to encourage teens to keep professional support when dealing with depression, it's important that you let them know it will help make them feel more confident in themselves again.

Support Resources That can Help Teens With Their Depression 

It is important that we support resources that can help teens with their depression to stop it from escalating. Depression in teenagers can be prevented, and these resources are helpful to treat them.

Schools try their best to provide support for their students, and there are even schools that need help with therapeutic needs. You can read these Alpine Academy Utah reviews to learn more about a school with these resources that may be able to help.

6 Simple Steps to Becoming a Successful Investor

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As much as the idea of having an extensive investment portfolio sounds appealing, it doesn’t happen by random chance. Long-term successful investment requires patience and learning more than anything else.

However, these are not the only traits for you to become a revered investor in your region or the world. Some of the additional steps to take to reach your goal faster include:

Planning

Why are you investing in the first place? Setting a goal for investment is the only way to come up with practical steps to reach the goal. Furthermore, goals help you stick to the process without fail even if it means making regular contributions to an account.

Planning isn’t a complex or expensive process. Many financial advisors would be willing to help you derive an investment plan for free or at a small fee. If not, then you can take advantage of the online planning tools at your disposal since they’re also as effective, if not better.

Diversifying

Ever heard of the saying don’t put all your eggs in one basket? Well, this is what diversifying means and it is among the crucial pillars of successful investing.

The trick here is to have the right mix of investments in your portfolio. You don’t want to learn more on one side than the other to minimize the risk. For example, you can have street fighter nft, stocks, and bonds in your portfolio.

While diversification doesn’t always mean you’ll reap significant benefits in the end, it provides a reasonable balance between risk and reward. This way, even if a loss occurs, you can still rely on the remaining assets in your portfolio.

Super-Saving

Although underrated, saving is a discipline you have to force yourself to become a successful investor. This is because the more you save; the closer you get towards your financial goals, such as investing.

The first rule of thumb is to always allocate a portion of your savings towards retirement. Retirement planning is an investment that allows you to live comfortably during your sunset days without much alteration to your current lifestyle.

According to research, all persons who save at least 15% of their income for retirement savings had a higher retirement value than those who didn’t.

Sticking to the Plan

Are you one of those people who react prudently to market volatility? One trait of a savvy investor is knowing when to panic, or not despite market fluctuations.

Take, for example, the economic recession of 2008 where most people cashed in their shares without a thought. While they did get cash for their stocks eventually, the value was low so they reaped way less than those who kept their stocks.

The moral lesson here is to always stick to the long-term plan despite market volatility. Try not to reason through your emotions and instead be level-headed when making decisions. Furthermore, always know your limit and if you can’t stand the market ups and downs, go for a less volatile mix of investments.

Focus on After-Tax Returns

This is one of the best-kept secrets among investors, and it involves choosing investment account types based on tax benefits. If you want to become a successful investor, you must know the amount of money to put into each account based on tax treatment.

This also extends to asset allocation where you place different investments in different accounts for the tax treatments and benefits. The most common accounts of this include 401 (k) s IRAs and Roth IRA accounts.

While taxes should never be the primary factor when investing, they should factor in, especially when interested in bonds and the likes.

Evaluate Regularly

If you’re serious about becoming a top investor, evaluating your portfolio regularly ensures you stick to the right financial path. Even if you experience problems along the way, constant evaluation helps avoid them before they escalate.

The best part is you don’t have to do it manually and instead can use investment tracking apps to evaluate your investment plans. Some of the challenges to expect from time to time, although not daily include:

• Significant changes in investment allocation

• Unusual account activity (unauthorized wire transfers or large deposits)

• A decline in the stock portfolio 

Conclusion

Becoming a successful investor doesn’t require large sums of money. Just some knowledge, dedication, and strategy, and you can be the next big investor in town. What’s more, it’s never too late or early to begin your investment journey, and you can talk to a financial advisor about the idea of opening an investment account.

These tips for successful investing should also be a guide on your way to financial freedom.

Is There Money To Be Made Playing Online Video Games?

Do you want the long answer to this question or the short one?

For those of you with limited time on your hands, the answer is a resounding yes. A lot of money can be made by playing online video games, in a multitude of ways. If you want the longer answer to this, then carry on reading!

Essentially, you can make money playing video games by any of these routes:

• Becoming a content creator/streamer

• Going pro

• Testing games

• Selling accounts

• Using apps

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Becoming a content creator/streamer

A popular way of becoming very rich from gaming. People like PewDiePie have had success doing this, and you basically choose games to play, make videos about them - or stream them live. The key to doing this is choosing popular games to play and ensuring your content is enjoyable to watch. Success doesn’t happen overnight and isn’t guaranteed, but platforms like YouTube and Twitch will pay you to partner with them - plus you might get sponsorships. Playing games and then creating your own blog to post reviews or tips is also a form of content creation that can help you make money. 

Going pro

Professional gaming is getting bigger every single year. Obviously, you need to be really good at a specific game to go pro. The trick is picking games that have a big eSports scene. PUBG is a fantastic example, and you can find a PUBG download for PC easily in just a few minutes. League of Legends also does really well in the competitive scene, with Valorant being one of the newest games to make it big in eSports. If you’re good enough, you can get signed and paid by a team - as well as open the door to many sponsors. 

Testing games

Some developers will pay people to test early versions of games. Again, it can be hard to find work like this, but the key is to do your research and see if any jobs are going. Here, you will literally be paid to play video games!

Selling accounts

Sometimes, you can sell your accounts on certain games. Why would you do this? Well, on a game like Overwatch, there’s a ranked mode where people try to climb the leaderboard. Some gamers will actually pay for accounts to get a higher rank. It sounds pretty sad on their behalf, but it means you have a chance to make money if you’re good at a game. Always check the terms of service before doing this, just to be sure you’re not doing anything illegal. 

Using apps

Finally, you can make money playing online video games by downloading certain apps. Many apps exist that will give you points or rewards for playing certain games. From here, the points can be redeemed as actual money. You’re probably going to need to play for a very long time to earn decent cash, so this is more of a thing to do on the side to earn a bit of pocket money. 

You see, playing online video games can open the door to many money-making opportunities. These ideas can either be used as side hustles to get a bit of extra cash, or they can become full-time jobs that pay very well. The bottom line is that playing video games isn’t necessarily as bad as it’s been made out!