Do you ever find yourself doubting your abilities on the job? Do you wonder how you got where you are and how you will continue to move ahead? Do feelings of inadequacy hinder your ability to take on new, more challenging work?
These are all signs of imposter syndrome, which can be a big roadblock in your career. The good news is that many successful people face it. The bad news is that you have to address it. Otherwise, it could wind up costing you future promotions or opportunities.
To help you grow in confidence and kick imposter syndrome to the curb, here are some tips to keep in mind:
Think about what you’ve achieved.
You likely have many successes and wins over the years. Think about these and even write them down, so you can reflect on them and absorb your many achievements. This isn’t about bragging. It is about how you see yourself, so you can begin to form a more positive self-image, one you can turn to when the negative self-talk creeps in.
Keep a “win” file.
Beyond simply thinking about your achievements, document your successes, as well, whether it’s writing them down or saving files or documents of positive performance reviews or feedback from a customer. Not only will this help you boost your confidence, but it will help you stand out when you’re looking to get promoted or find a new job.
Get positive feedback from people you trust.
If you really are having trouble with imposter syndrome and it’s holding you back, seek some feedback from those you trust, whether it’s colleagues or family, or friends. They can work with you to provide positive affirmations and help you to see the accomplished professional you are.
Many successful professionals, even at the highest levels, experience imposter syndrome. So don’t let it get you down. Do, however, deal with it so it doesn’t have a negative impact on your career progression.
Ready to move up and out in your job?
Turn to Provisional Recruiting. As a leading employment agency serving the Spokane, WA area and Coeur d’Alene, ID, we can connect you with rewarding jobs that are the right fit for you. Search our jobs now with the link below.
How a Free Financial Coach Helps You Stay on Track with Your Money Goals Throughout the Year
Beyond simply crunching numbers, a financial coach is someone who helps you develop healthy money habits and instills confidence in managing your finances. They serve as an accountability partner who keeps you motivated and on track toward achieving your desired financial outcomes. Whether you set a New Year’s resolution to save more money, pay down debt, or start building wealth, a free financial coach can help keep you on track along your journey to financial wellness.
GET HELP CREATING A PERSONALIZED BUDGET THAT ALIGNS WITH YOUR FINANCIAL GOALS AND LIFESTYLE CHOICES
A financial coach understands that each individual has unique circumstances and priorities. They take the time to listen to your specific needs and help you create a budget that not only addresses your immediate concerns but also sets you up for long-term success.
One of the key benefits of working with a certified financial coach from Canopy is their ability to help you craft a budgeting strategy that you’ll actually stick to. They provide guidance and support throughout the process, making sure you understand the importance of tracking expenses, identifying areas where adjustments can be made, and finding creative solutions for saving more money.
Over time, you’ll learn to take control of your finances in a way that feels manageable and sustainable. With their guiding expertise at your side, you’ll have the tools necessary to make informed decisions about spending, saving, and ultimately achieving greater financial stability.
RECEIVE TIPS FOR MANAGING DEBT EFFECTIVELY TO ACHIEVE LONG-TERM FINANCIAL STABILITY
In today’s fast-paced and often financially challenging world, managing debt can be a source of stress and anxiety for many individuals. However, there is a solution that can help alleviate this burden and pave the way towards long-term stability: working with a free financial coach.
A financial coach is not just someone who provides tips on managing debt; they are your ally in navigating the complex world of money management. They understand the unique challenges you may be facing and offer personalized guidance tailored to your specific situation.
One of the greatest benefits of working with a financial coach is the ability to reduce stress. Debt can weigh heavily on our minds, affecting our overall well-being and quality of life. A skilled coach will not only provide practical strategies for paying off debt but also offer empathy and compassionate support throughout the process.
Best of all, the financial coaches at Canopy Credit Union offer this service completely free of charge, to both members and non-members of the credit union. This means that anyone, regardless of their financial situation, can access expert advice regardless of how much is in their checking account. This service is an opportunity to gain valuable insights from professionals who genuinely care about helping you achieve your long-term financial goals.
LEARN STRATEGIES FOR SAVING MONEY AND BUILDING AN EMERGENCY FUND
In uncertain times, having a solid emergency fund can bring a sense of Security and peace of mind. It serves as a financial cushion that can help navigate unexpected expenses or job loss. However, building an emergency fund requires discipline and strategic planning.
One of the most effective strategies for saving money and building an emergency fund is to create a budget that fits this consistent savings goal within its framework. By tracking your expenses and identifying areas where you can cut back, you can allocate more funds toward your savings. This may involve making small sacrifices in your daily spending habits, such as eating out less frequently or finding cost-effective alternatives for entertainment.
Automating your savings is another powerful strategy. Set up automatic transfers from your checking account to a separate savings account specifically designated for your emergency fund. This way, you won’t have to rely on willpower alone to save; it becomes a consistent habit that happens automatically.
It’s also important to explore ways to save more money in your everyday life. Look for opportunities to reduce Monthly bills by negotiating with service providers or switching to more affordable options. Additionally, consider embracing frugal habits such as couponing, buying in bulk, or opting for second-hand items when possible.
While saving is crucial, it’s equally important to maximize the growth of your emergency fund through smart investments. Explore high-yield savings accounts or CD/term share options that offer competitive interest rates. Remember that the goal is not only saving but also allowing your money to work for you over time.
Lastly, maintaining motivation and staying focused on the long-term benefits of having an emergency fund is essential throughout this process. Celebrate small milestones along the way and remind yourself of the security and freedom that comes with financial preparedness. Plus having a free financial coach at your side to guide you along the way will help you stick with your goals for the long term.
By implementing these strategies and consistently prioritizing saving, you can build an emergency fund that provides stability during unforeseen circumstances while also fostering healthy financial habits for the future.
FINALLY, DISCOVER HOW TO GROW WEALTH OVER TIME
A financial coach understands that before you can start building wealth, it’s essential to address certain foundational elements. First comes debt management – they will assist you in creating a plan to pay off any outstanding debts efficiently. By managing your debt effectively, you can free up more resources to allocate towards building an emergency fund and putting resources towards wealth-building activities. Throughout this journey, a compassionate financial coach recognizes that everyone’s situation is unique. They will listen attentively to your concerns and tailor their guidance accordingly. Their goal is not only to help you build wealth but also to empower you with financial literacy so that you can maintain long-term financial stability.
By working alongside a knowledgeable financial coach, individuals can gain the confidence necessary to make sound financial decisions throughout their lives. Together, they lay the Foundation for lasting wealth by addressing debt management, establishing an emergency fund, growing net worth, and harnessing the power of strategic investments.
By partnering with a free financial coach, you can stay accountable to your money goals throughout the year. Their guidance and support will help you navigate challenges, track progress, and make informed decisions that align with your long-term financial well-being.
Schedule your first appointment and start working with one of Canopy’s free financial coaches today.
“An amount that you will pay for your Medicare Part B and D coverage when your modified adjusted gross income is above the certain thresholds.”
IRMAA is a tax on your income through Medicare Part B and Part D coverage if you have too much income while in retirement.
Will you actually enter IRMAA:
According to the 2022 Medicare Board of Trustees Report, currently, there are over 6.8 million people in IRMAA. These people in IRMAA make up 16.63% of all eligible Medicare beneficiaries.
By 2031, according to recent reports the number of people in IRMAA will double to 13.8 million eligible people in IRMAA.
IRMAA is a revenue generator for both the Medicare and Social Security programs.
For the Medicare Program, IRMAA is an added cost that the person in it must pay. This added cost provides more money each year for the program.
As for Social Security, according to Congress, all IRMAA costs are automatically deducted from any Social Security benefit a person is receiving. Thus, for those who enter IRMAA, Social Security has to pay out less to them which reduces that program’s obligation to pay benefits.
With both Medicare and Social Security projected by the government to be insolvent (unable to pay) in less than 8 years the easiest way to save these programs is to make sure more people are in IRMAA.
How do you reach an IRMAA bracket:
IRMAA is all about your Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI).
The more of it you have the higher the chances that you have to reaching IRMAA while having less of an MAGI reduces the chance of you reaching IRMAA.
What counts towards your MAGI:
According to Social Security your MAGI is the total of your adjusted gross income (AGI) and any tax-exempt interest you may have.
Both of these can be found on lines 2a and 11 of your 2022 IRS tax form 1040.
Some examples of where your MAGI will come from are:
Taxable Social Security benefits
Traditional 401(k) Withdrawals
Wages
Traditional IRA Withdrawals
Pension & Rental Income
Traditional 403(b) Withdrawals
Capital Gains
Qualified Annuities
Dividends
Interest
If you want to avoid IRMAA all together then the goal is to generate an income from financial instruments that do not count towards your MAGI and they are:
Roth Account Withdrawals
Life Insurance Loans
Non-Qualified Annuities*
Health Saving Account Withdrawals
401(h) Plans
Home Loans or Reverse Mortgages
*Non-Qualified Annuities – depending on certain factors a certain portion of all income you will receive from them can be completely tax free. Please see an IRMAA Certified Professional for more information on which Annuity is best for you.
If you feel you shouldn’t be subject to IRMAA, you can file an appeal. What you do comes down to how you want to appeal.
For Medicare enrollees with a qualifying life changing event:
All that needs to be done is for you to fill out the SSA-44 form by competing the first 3 pages and then submit it with your corresponding proof of your life changing event to your local SSA office.
Once the paperwork is submitted all correspondence about your appeal will be mailed to you from the SSA. If the result is not satisfactory you can request a hearing which can also be done through your local SSA office.
For Medicare enrollees without a qualifying life changing event but who want to appeal based on an updated tax-return or income discrepancy:
Appealing IRMAA is even simpler than have a qualifying life changing event as all that is needed to be done is for you to request an appeal at your local SSA office.
Explain to the local field Representative that you have a received an IRMAA notification and that you like to appeal based on updated tax information.
A case number will be assigned to you as well as Field Agent, which could be the person at your local office, so always be nice and any correspondence about your case ill be mailed to you by the SSA.
If the IRMAA result is not satisfactory you can always request a hearing at your local SSA office too.
At the point of request your local agent will be able to submit your appeal and a case number at that moment should be assigned to you. As your case is evolving you will have to provide documentation that disproves the information that the IRS has provided which can be a corrected or amended tax-return or even a more update one
Conclusion:
The 2024 IRMAA Brackets are, by law, going to increase, but the odds of you or someone you know reaching IRMAA at some point are also increasing.
With a wide-ranging economy based on Services and retail, Bangor ME transcended its lumber and shipbuilding roots to become one of Maine’s major urban centers. The 31-foot tall statue of the folkloric lumberjack Paul Bunyan can be seen by tourists on Main Street.
Orono Bog Boardwalk offers a scenic, 1-mile-long trail through thick, peaceful greenery. The park is only open in the summer months. It has educational signs.
Hill House
The Hill House is not just a house museum, it’s the home to Bangor Historical Society archives and collections. It houses a number of interactive exhibits and is well-equipped for self-guided tours.
The building depicts life in the city in the mid-late 1800’s and is designed by architect Richard Upjohn, who also designed the Isaac Farrar Mansion across Union Street on the YMCA campus and Trinity Church in the Financial District of Manhattan. The Hill House is open to the public for tours four times a year.
Central Maine Antique Mall
This is the perfect place to go if you are in the mood for some antique shopping! It’s housed in a Greek Revival farmhouse in Cape Neddick and has antique tools, sporting goods, furniture, books, and everything else you can think of.
York Antiques Gallary is another great antique shop in Maine. The staff are well versed in history and have an extensive collection of furniture, glassware, stamps and more.
The Rock & Art Shop
Step into this downtown shop and you can start building your collection of Maine souvenirs. This shop offers everything from pottery to salt water taffy and handmade apothecary products.
Here you’ll find art collectibles next to animal bones, fossils next to pint glasses and much more. The Rock and Art Shop also offers a curated gift collection that would make a great present for anyone on your list.
Penobscot Theatre Company
Penobscot Theatre Company is an incredible professional theatre located in the historic Bangor Opera House. The company is one of America’s oldest and northeasternmost professional theater companies. It has been around since 1973 and is committed to presenting incredible plays and musicals year round.
This musical has been brought to life by a fantastic cast and production crew. This show is both intellectually and emotionally stimulating and sure to delight.
The Gracie Theatre
The Gracie Theatre is located at 1 College Cir in Bangor, Maine. It is Husson University’s cultural center and hosts a variety of shows throughout the year. The theater seats 495, including 335 in the orchestra and 165 in the balcony. The theater also has a rehearsal room, orchestra pit and area for scene design, construction and sound booths.
Maine Discovery Museum
Maine Discovery Museum, located in downtown Bangor is a great destination for families. Guests can enjoy a wide selection of dining options and shopping nearby.
The museum was created in 1996 and opened in 2001 in the converted Freese’s Department Store building. The largest children’s museums north of Boston, it is a community resource that promotes learning through play.
Queen City Cinema Club
Queen City Cinema Club, a cultural space dedicated to film, is a place where people can come together and share their passion for films. It has two private movie theater rooms, a curated film library, arcade games, and food. It is also an excellent venue for private events.
The theater has a concession stand and rocker chairs. The theater is only open from spring through fall, and it features both new and old films. It also hosts a popular trivia night.
Bangor Waterfront
Bangor offers more than just beautiful scenery; it is also home to a thriving community of events and attractions. Darling’s Waterfront Pavilion hosts music festivals and concerts throughout the year, while the Cross Insurance Center is a popular destination for conferences and business meetings.
Bangor Fishing Museum
One of the most fascinating things to do in Bangor is to take a tour of the renowned author Stephen King’s childhood home. The Stephen & Tabitha King Foundation is headquartered in the house.
The Paul Bunyan Statue is also worth a visit. It’s reputedly the tallest version in the world of the lumberjack. The statue was made from vibrant fiberglass with great attention to detail.
