Is 50K a Year a Good Salary

Is 50K a Year a Good Salary When choosing a job or a career path, you will consider numerous different factors, including your interests, abilities, strengths, degree and highest level of education completed (e.g. bachelors degree, associates degree, and so on), whether the parteicular job field is growing or declining, and many other details. Income is, of course, another very important consideration for most people.Is $50k a year considered a good salary? What are the factors that would determine if it is a good salary or not?The zentralwert weekly earnings for full-time workers were $854in the fourth quarter of 2017, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), which translates into an annual median salary of $44,408, says Jill Gonzalez, an analyst at WalletHub. As such, a $50,000 salary would be above the national median and a pretty good salary, of course, dependent on where one lives.Thats good news for people making an annual salary of $50,000 or higher. So, now that you know $50k is more than $5,000 higher than the national median salary in the United States, what are some other factors to consider when determining whether or not to accept a job offeror simply gauging how well compensated you are and how you are doing in your career?1. Location and cost of livingLocation, location, location. The cost of living varies dramatically from city to city, state to state, and even part of the country to another part of the country. So, ultimately, it does matter where you live. Many employers know that and will take your location and the location of the office into account when offering you a compensation package.Comparing locationsFor example, San Jose has the highest average starting salary at $65,292 (adjusted for the cost of living), while Brownsville has the lowest starting salary at $21,336, Gonzalez explains. When looking at salaries at the state level, Massachusetts takes first place with an average annual starting salary of $43,644, and Idaho has the lowest salary at $24,816, she says.The wages for a particular job can vary greatly depending on the city. For example, according to Diane Domeyer, executive director of The Creative Group, the midpoint starting salary for a graphic designer is $54,830 in Nashville, TN $59,400 in Dallas, TX $65,340 in Seattle, WA $70,740 in Los Angeles, CA and $75,870 in New York, NY. This is generally because the cost of living varies so greatly from area to area.This variation isnt unique to a particular industry. According to the BLS, meeting, convention, and event planners earn an annual mean wage of $48,290, but they earn $47,030 in Denver, CO, and $72,120 in San Francisco, CA.What cost of living variation means for youCost of living varies significantly throughout the country, so many of the discrepancies you will see for equivalent lages in different locations reflect that.Housing, transportation, and food are often the biggest expenses in your budget, according to Pamela Capalad, Certifi ed Financial Planner and founder of financial planning business gabelfrhstck Budget. It is possible, for instance, to get by with a $50k salary in NYC, but you may have to share an apartment with roommates, live farther away from your job, and say no to certain social engagements.On the other hand, if you live in a town or city that costs less, Capalad says you would get far more for your money, and you would not have to limit yourself as much. A $50k salary will go much further in less expensive cities and youll likely have to make fewer compromises when it comes to housing, transportation, and food.Still, you should keep in mind what matters to you. There may be fewer opportunities or attractions in a more rural area, while the price of living in a bustling city may require you to cut back on other comforts. There are probably going to be pros and cons to whatever decisions you make, so it really comes down to your personal priorities and goals.2. Total compensation packageYour t otal compensation includes much more than just your wages There are also benefits to consider. Thats why the total compensation package your employer offers you is another factor to consider carefully when gauging the quality of your salary (in this case $50,000 per year).Some benefits to consider might include Health insuranceHealth insurance is an expense with which employers can help significantlyand many do. The extent of the support they offer varies by the type, size, and other qualities of the employer.According to a 2017 Kaiser report, in firms with a high number of low-wage employees, companies pay 77percent of the premium costs for single coverage and 63percent for families on average. However, the national average for employer contributions is 82percent for single coverage and 72 percent for family coverage.Health insurance is expensive, so if your employer is covering a large portion of your plan, the savings can really add up. Comparing the potential employers health pl an to Kaisers data can help you determine how advantageous the particular companys plan would be for you and your family. Additional education or tuition assistanceAnother benefit your employer might offer is tuition assistance for employees looking to further their education. If you plan on going back to school, tuition can be a significant expense.However, EdAssists Annual Review of Employer Tuition Assistance Programs reveals that 60 percent of employers offer some sort of tuition assistance to workers. The average amount of employer awards is around $5,250 for undergraduate education and $8,000 for graduate school. Retirement tools and planningAccording to the National Institute on Retirement Security, the median retirement savings amount for Americans is just $3,000. Your employer might offer plenty of job perks that help with this and more.For instance, if the employer offers a matching 401(k)contributing as much as you do to your retirement savings up to a certain percentage of your paycheckthis can help increase the amount you are able to save for retirement and will benefit you in the long run.3. The highest level of education completedThe highest level of education you have attained and the degree you have earned (high school diploma, bachelors degree, masters degree, doctorate, and so on) is also a factor in determining what constitutes a good salary. Often, the more education you have, the higher you can expect your salary to be, although field and industry do play a factor some fields may require a doctorate, for instance, while others may be satisfied with a bachelors degree and do not vary salary for a given position based on the degrees you have attained.Based on information put forward by BLS in 2016 (the latest year with available data), workers with no high school diploma earned $504 a week ($26,280 per year), explains Gonzalez. Workers with at least a high school diploma earned median weekly salaries of $692 ($36,082), while bachelors degre e holders earned $1,156 per week ($60,277), Gonzalez says.Speirs agrees that the level of education you have attained would make a difference in many cases. For example, if a master of accounting graduate welches offered $50,000, I would raise an eyebrow, she says.However, Speirs also says that salary expectations should be based on what the market is paying for that position. Some positions in particular fields pay more than others. For example, according to the BLS, the median pay for accountants and auditors with a bachelors degree is $69,350. On the other hand, interpreters and translators with a bachelors degree earn a median pay of $47.190.4. Company/IndustryAs weve discussed above, the nature of your industry plays a strong role in determining what you can expect your salary to be as well. The type of company for which you work also plays an enormous factor in what determines how good a given salary is. Companies can vary by size, and they can be corporate (for profit) or non profit.For-profits vs. nonprofitsAs a general rule, larger, for-profit companies tend to pay more than smaller nonprofits. For instance, if this was a position as a manager at a small nonprofit in NYC, $50k is most likely the higher end of the average youll see offers forand in this case, $50k is a good salary, Capalad says.Here is another example According to the BLS, public relations specialists earn a mean annual wage of $67,990. However, in the radio and television industry, they earn an average salary of $55,400. Public relations specialists working in colleges, universities, and professional schools earn $59,010. In the software publishing industry, they earn $92,250. That means the salary for two people with the same title and similar job responsibilities in different industries could vary by as much as $40,000or even more than that, depending on the position and the different industries you are considering.Amount of job competitionAnother industry-related factor to consider is the number of people in that sector who perform the same job. For instance, substance abuse and behavioral disorders counselors earn a mean annual wage of $43,300. The highest percentage of them (approximately 22,250 individuals) work in outpatient care centers and earn $42,140. However, those who work in junior colleges earn $73,050but only 30 substance abuse and behavioral counselors work in junior colleges That means that in sectors in which your position is not well-represented, you and your skills could be in high demandand you will be paid accordingly.That is why Capalad believes its important to research average salaries for the type of position youre looking for. There are also concessions to make on your end when it comes to accepting a salary that is lower than what you would be paid for in a similar job, depending on how much you like the company and the potential growth trajectory of the company and your role within it.Is $50k a good salary? The bottom lineIt is possi ble to get paid well for a job you hate and not be compensated as well as youd like to be for a job you truly love. You just have to think about your priorities. For instance, some people relish the thought of living in New York City, so much so that they are willing to living a tiny, closet-sized apartment, while others would be miserable with this sort of lifestyle change.Of course, if you have children or other family members that require assistance, you will need to factor in expenses related to their care when evaluating your compensation packages.Consider, too, that your starting salary in an industry or company most likely isnt going to be your ending salary. Entry-level positions are at the lowest end of the salary scale, and as you grow in your role, receive promotions, and perform new responsibilities, youll receive more compensation. So factor in how quickly people tend to get promoted and what the salary jumps tend to be at a prospective employer as well.Making it workUl timately, in order to accurately assess how much money you need to cover your expensesand what constitutes a good salary for youits a good idea to map everything out.One of the most important things professionals need to do when theyre contemplating how much of a salary they need to live on is to create a budget, says Brie Weiler Reynolds, senior career specialist at FlexJobs. It doesnt have to be exact, but you should have a good idea of where your money goes every month. Without this, youll never know exactly what enough to live on means for you.---Terri Williams is a business, higher ed, tech, and ethics journalist with bylines in The Economist, USA Today, Yahoo, Robert Half, U.S. News World Report, About.com (dotdash), and Business.com. Follow her on TwitterTerritoryone.

All About Writing a Resume for a Beer Bottler

All About Writing a Resume for a Beer Bottler If dont have any experience in customer support, no issue Therefore, its crucial you do not waste a word in your cover letter, that needs to be carefully tailored to every organization you apply to and endeavor to convince the recipient that youre the perfect candidate. You dont need to be a computer genius to create great customized products on Bottle Your Brand. Things You Wont Like About Writing a Resume for a Beer Bottler and Things You Will Therefore, employers search for particular skills in prospective employees. The majority of them have exactly the same content, skills and qualifications. Its essential to note that having a whole lot of experience doesnt always make you the very best candidate. The 30-Second Trick for Writing a Resume for a Beer Bottler Finally, be certain the resume is not overly lengthy. Because bars and restaurants are so unique and provide various fashions of drinks and service, its critical to be descriptive about your prior experiences. Whatever They Told You About Writing a Resume for a Beer Bottler Is Dead Wrong...And Heres Why ur resume builder provides you with tips and examples about how to compose your resume summary. In case you have any particular questions on formatting or content, dont hesitate to ask below Youre offered a dozen basic templates to choose from, with the capability to preview each one (in another window). In the end, on the previous screen its possible to decide on a template for your bloghow it will look. Frequently, the very first mistake job seekers make is a failure to comprehend the use of the employer. Be certain your statement aligns with the work description. Bear in mind which you will want to bring some details so the hiring manager gets a better idea of what you could do. Writing a great bartender resume is the initial and most significant step in getting your foot in the door for a bartender at your nearby bar, pub or nightclub . An excellent cover letter is essential to your job search. A great objective is going to keep the employer reading. There are a lot of best practices incorporated into the expert bartender cover letter sample you should include. Another way of describing the bar is to incorporate the info in a cover letter. Coca Cola has continued for a lengthy time to delight in a major part in the soft drinks market on the planet. While the majority of us love beer, few people know precisely how its made. The sorts of bottles utilized for bottling beer in the first days would have become the common heavy glass black glass utilitarian bottles of the era that were used for assorted zerflossen products. Another thing to keep in mind while tasting beer is that you were given the chance to write about beer. Writing a Resume for a Beer Bottler It can be difficult to land a position for a bartender in a competitive job marketplace. Its better to go through your bartender job description an d highlight all the abilities and experience about the job which you have. The job title youre applying to. Then you need to have the very best bartending resume out there.

Does Work Make Women Happy

Does Work Make Women Happy This past Sunday, the New York Times published Are Women Allowed to Love Their Jobs? by op-ed writer Jill Filipovic. While the piece didnt actually attempt to answer the promised question, it did posethe following up in its placeDoes work make women happy?First, the good news from the piece Work means independence Work provides purpose Working correlates with better mental and physical health The mora women work, the happier they are Happy working women equate to happy families - now and in the future Daughters of working mothers tend to be higher achieving, work themselves, make more money and spend more time with their children than do daughters of women who did not work Men who were raised by working mothers do more household work and help more with child care than sons of stay-at-home moms Men who have stay-at-home wives are more likely than men with working wives to penalize their female co-workers, denying them promotions and viewing them unfavorably And now, the bad news, according to the New York Times Work does not form identities for women. Identities for women are relational (wife, mother, daughter, etc) Working women cannot have it all Women who have young children and work long hurs do not tend to be happy American government and workplaces are slow to implement policies that would enable women to have better work experiences. (Who is at fault here, according to Filipovic? Perhaps Feminists? That feminists are so often unable or unwilling to make a vigorous moral argument in favor of women working outside the home is perhaps one reason we have not yet seen the political groundswell necessary to pass the workplace policies we so desperately need.) Working women enjoy tepid support the general American consensus is ambivalent on whether adult women working, and especially mothers working, is positive Who cares about happiness - most womens socio-economic situations dictate working out of necessity, not choiceBut does work m ake YOU happy? Ultimately, thats a very personal choice, one that is rarely straightforward. For example, I do love my job, and it does make me happy (most days), however, does that mean I wouldnt love to cut back my hours and spend more time with my family or in Pilates class or cooking healthy dinners instead of (sometimes) serving frozen foods? Of course I would, yet thats just not plausible on a variety of levels.Share your thoughts with us and our community. Head over to our Facebook page and let us know. Then join our community to make womens experiences at work better, together. Aki Merced

6 Signs of a Bad Resume - Glassdoor - FlexJobs

6 Signs of a Bad Resume - Glassdoor - FlexJobs6 Signs of a Bad Resume - Glassdoor -Throughout my professional career of both departureing and bankrupting businesses, and just about everything in between, Ive scanned over 1,000 resumes, many of which are very poorly written. I like to think Im a pretty positive person, but I know what it is like to read abad resume, I will illustrate below seven ways in which you can improve a bad resume.Here are six signs of a bad resume1. Highlight specificsTo avoid writing a bad resume, start by describing your background and skills in as much detail as possible. Rather than mentioning e-commerce, be specific as to whether it was Business to Consumer (B2C) or Business to Business (B2B). If youre proficient in accounting software clarify which programs by listing either Quickbooks or Great Plains Software for example. Instead of highlighting open-source tools if youre a programmer, you could say Python or Ruby to showcase your specific skill set.It would be beneficial to adopt a similar attitude to Google when using keywords to list your skill set. Try and find a balance between using enough specific keywords to send potential employers to your web page, while not over utilizing buzzwords to describe your skills unless you are truly experienced.2. Focus on and Quantify Your AchievementsA bad resumes often times lacks both measurable and individualized results.Recruiter Jason Weber says it drives him crazy when candidates highlight their companys accomplishments rather than their personal contributions. Here are a few examples to help integrate concrete results into your resume and change a bad resume into something an employer will noticeRecruited five people for sales and marketing.Increased sales by 25% in the first year.Led 6-month launch of internal Web site.Unless Im strictly hiring an artist, if I dont see numbers on a resume, Im unlikely to read any further.3. Dont Leave out Any Date/Time Items in Your Work History Ive identified the three most important time/date items to be sure you include on your resumeBe mindful of your time spent at past jobs. If I see that on average you only stay at a job for a year or less, a red flag goes off. If this is the case, its wise to reveal this, but too little time at each job can have an impact on your chances of getting hired.Be sure to list the month along with the year. The reason behind this being, that if you list your dates of employment as 2008 to 2009, recruiters can determine whether you worked there for two years (e.g. Jan. 2008 to Dec. 2009) or just once month (e.g. Dec. 2008 Jan. 2009). The latter of which would be a bad move.I want to hire someone, not play hide-and-go-seek, so be sure to list consistent work history, and avoid any gaps of time. If you have a good chunk of missing time, Ill wonder what youre trying to hide.4. Keep It Professional There is nothing more off-putting than a cutesy resume. For example, Social Recruiting Report expert Jason Webster, says hes turned off by resumes that have a logo or picture of the candidate, revealing that many of the images dont even show up, and it looks strange on the resume. My suggestion is if you want to include a picture, your best bet is to use a professional photo that you know will show up in an email. Alternatively, you could simply include your LinkedIn profile link, where you can guarantee that they will be able to view your picture.5. Use Attention Grabbing IntroductionsHuman resources expert and friend Lisa Youngdahl says that a lot of the objectives or introductions that candidates list on a resume can be painful to read. She has seen this dull introduction style in a range of applicants from recent college graduates, My objective is to obtain a challenging positions with a high growth company where I can grow my skills and career, to seasoned professionals, Talented, self-motivated leader with a track record of success. Both being equally boring.6. Triple-Check Y our FormattingYou can transform a bad resume into one that gets noticed by ensuring that it is correctly formatted as your future employer already has enough on his or her plate to have to struggle through reading a poorly constructed resume. Below are some things to double check before submitting your applicationAre you trying to cram everything onto one page? It is often best to utilize a second page to avoid squeezing in or omitting pertinent information.How is the structure and flow of your resume? I remember one finance professional sent in a resume with the job responsibilities for each job displayed in one very long sentence, separated only by semi-colons.Check that your resume is formatted in a way that can be opened by multiple applications. An engineer once sent me a .txt resume, and upon opening I was met with faint text and hard to read bullets. Its unsightly, really. Better to keep the paragraphs brief, and the bullets simple.If youd like more help with your job search materials, check out4 Simple Reasons Youre leid Getting Hired5 Uncommon, Excellent Career Tips5 Tips for Career ChangersCustomized Resumes and Cover Letters are Better for Your Job SearchReaders, have you written a bad resume before, or seen someone elses? What are your best tips for avoiding writing a bad resume?

How to apply for a job you arent quite qualified for

How to apply for a job you arent quite qualified forHow to apply for a job you arent quite qualified forYou dont have to painstakingly make sure you check every box, making sure you meet nearly all of a jobs requirements before applying for the job you want bedrngnis in this market. A new poll by Robert Half shows that78% of workers would apply for a job if they dont match all of the qualifications. Meanwhile,42% of the resumes companies receive are from candidates who dont meet skills requirements.Thats not a bad thing 62% of workers have been offered the job even when they didnt meet all the requirements.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreThe perfect candidate isnt always availableLadders spoke withRobert Half District President Richard Deosingh about the poll and how it highlighted the current skills gap in a workers market, the perfect candidate isnt always available. Compani es are willing to hire someone who doesnt match nearly all the requirements and theyre willing to train. 84% of employers are either somewhat open or very open to hiring and training someone who lacks the required skills, according to the poll.The polls responses are from over 300 HR managers at U.S. companies with 20 or more employees, and over 2,800 workers 18 years or older, employed in offices in 38 major U.S. cities.Deosinghsays the skill gap is more than likely the result of the tight job market and very, very low unemployment rates. Its not necessarily an ongoing thing its dependent on the job market.Heres how to use it to your advantage and vault your way into your next job.Look at the job listings language. When a candidate is applying, there are ways to tell which requirements are hard-and-fast and which are more of a wishlist for a perfect candidate, Deosingh says. It all depends on how the job description is written, he says. If the listing says a qualification is prefe rred versus a must, thats something to pay attention to.Mind the gap. Be realistic. When it comes to that 78% that would apply for a job that theyre not totally qualified for, he says, there are ways to do it strategically. They have to be mindful that the gap isnt so big that they cant overcome it, Deosingh says.Make up for shortcomings using transferrable skills. For areas they dont have exposure with, they need to identify that and use any bit of experiences they have in their background to help accommodate for that gap. Is it an instance where you work in a similar environment and those skills are transferrable?Make sure you meet at least 50-60% of the requirements before applying.It depends on the jobs seniority and the amount of experience theyre looking for, Deosingh says, but thats the tiefpunkt amount you should shoot for. You might need to be mindful of meeting more, however, as you climb the ladder. What you dont want is to misrepresent yourself.In short, its never been a better time to apply for a job thats a bit of a stretch, and the odds are in your favor.Im a firm believer that the ideal candidate that a company is looking to hire isnt always necessarily available, says Desosingh. Companies are aware that its a workers market, and that that ideal person isnt always available, so they have to be flexible with what theyre looking for and have a system in place not only to retain but to train.Its your moment. Go forth and apply.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

15 office clothing choices you should never make in the summer

15 office clothing choices you should never make in the summer15 office clothing choices you should never make in the summerEven though we live in an increasingly casual world where yoga clothes or post-yoga class or you-walked-by-a-yoga-studio-and-thought-about-it-but-got-frozen-yogurt-instead-clothes are the norm for everyday wear, there are still a few lines you cannot cross in offices.Now, yes, many office environments like startups have literally what binnenseems like zero rules when it comes to attire and in the summer, boundaries are especially pushed because of the higher temperatures which some people view as an excuse to wear ANYTHING.However, there are a couple of cardinal rules you should always follow in a workplace setting. After all, you never know when an unexpected and important guest, like the CEO, or big meeting is going to pop up and you look like an extra in a Miley Cyrus video.Plus, a recent survey OfficeTeamfound that86% of workers and 80% of managers feel clot hing choices affect a rolles chances of being promoted. So consider the following guidelines.For women1. Short shortsEspecially of the denim variety.Stick to a smarter denim pick if your workplace allows jeans, and save the frayed short shorts for the weekends, said former Teen Vogue editor Mary Kate Steinmiller toWho What Wear. And even if they arent denim and cost a lot of money, some workplaces still have no shorts rules (even if they are as long as some of the skirts you wear) so definitely check before you bust them out.2. Tube topsFirst of all no matter what, you end up spending half your day pulling your tube top up so it is super distracting for you and everyone around you. Strapless is always just a bit tricky in an office setting. If youre desperate to show off your shoulders op for a cold shoulder top like this one. Halter tips fit under this umbrella as well.3. Crop topsYes, they are all the rage and congrats on having a midriff area you are comfortable sharing with the general public, but Dan in accounting doesnt need to see your naval.In my opinion, the biggest fashion faux-pas would be wearing crop tops at work. Keep these pieces for going out with friends in the evening or on weekends PR Coordinator Simone Kuhfal forFORWARD by Elyse Walker said to Who What Wear.4. LeggingsThere will probably be some arguments on this and even though most brands tout Leggings Theyre almost like pants, they arent. Unless you are a workout instructor, save these for yoga class or the walk by yoga class to fro-yo.5. RompersNow after some research it seems that a formal jumpsuit is OK for some offices and maybe if you work in fashion overalls are acceptable, but even women who work in fashion say rompers are a no-no. First of all, you have to get naked when you go to the bathroom which just feels wrong in the workplace. Second, they confuse people so you may become the center of attention in a schwimmbad way and thirdly, they somehow come across as more casual than shorts.If you work in a fairly casual office but still arent sure about certain items, see if your boss or someone higher up is wearing them (definitely not the intern) and then assume you can wear them.For men1.Tank topsNice guns but just no.2. Shiny ShirtsIts work, not a nightclub.3. Deep v-necksJust like women have to be careful with how much cleavage they show off at work, men also need to be aware of theirdcolletage.4. A suit jacket with shortsEven LeBron James couldnt pull this off. Suits need pants.5. Sandals with socksIf youre too cold to wear sandals then just wear regular shoes with socks. You cant have bothFor everyone1. Flip flopsYes, these have become a staple of society in the summer and people do wear them for fine dining, but they really should be kept out of the office. Plus, walking in them if you live in the city is terrible for your feet and relatively unhygienic.2. Mesh or sheer anythingNothing transparent should be in the office.There are many things I would no t wear to the office, even in the casual fashion-friendly environment I work in. The first would be anything sheer. The office is not the place to test the boundaries on the level of coverage your clothing provides you, Lauren Eggersten, Editor for Who What Wear said.3. Anything stained, dirty or wrinkledThis one seems like common sense but you never know. You always want to do your best to look professional and not show the world that you havent had time to do your laundry or ironing.4. Anything you wear to the beachA simple rule of thumb If you would find this at the beach, dont wear it to work.5. A giant floppy hatThis falls under the beach category somewhat but really any kind of large hat is a solid no.

Beyond the emergency fund. Build a financial disaster survival kit

Beyond the emergency feststellung. Build a financial disaster survival kitBeyond the emergency fund. Build a financial disaster survival kitIf you have followed prominent money gurus andpersonal finance blogsyou are likely aware of the necessity of an emergency fund. Having a fund set aside to handle unexpected expenses is critical to build a successful financial future.In fact, it is so important that you squirrel away some rainy day money, that it would be irresponsible and border on financial malpractice to suggest that you begin paying down debt, saving for retirement, starting a side hustle or eveninvestingprior to building an emergency fund.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moraIn other words, everyone agreesYOU NEED AN EMERGENCY FUNDDave Ramseywould suggest you have an emergency fund with just $1500 and then you can start pursuing other goals such as paying down debt. If you do nt have $1500 in your rainy day fund then its probably a good a target to start. However, if we are being realistic $1500 really isnt an emergency fund its barely a bump in the road fund.Car repairs can easy cost more than $1500 and lets not even get started on what a medical emergency might cost ER visit, medications, lost work, etc. Relatively minor medical emergencies can easily have you blowing through your fund. We havent even began to discuss the cost of a disaster, such as losing your source of employment, lawsuit, or divorce.Today we are going to go beyond the emergency fund and answer a readers question on how they can survive financial disasters.QuestionHow do I prepare for Financial Disasters?Dear ReaderThis is a common question that I often hear how to prepare for emergencies. A financial emergency could take the form of an unexpected bill, loss of employment, market downturn, storms or even zombies (ok, maybe not zombies).While its nearly impossible to prepare for every contingency, youcandevelop a financial preparedness plan so that you can survive most of what life has to toss at you (again, zombies optional).Financial Preparedness in Seven Steps1. Maintain an Emergency FundI understand Dave Ramsey and Suze Orman think you can get by on just $1500 dollars. Dave Ramsey lives in a $40 million dollar house and Suze Orman lives on a private island and thinks you cant retire with less than $6 Million dollars. (God help us all if true)Im not trying to take a swing at their success but its fair enough to say that may be abit out of touch with reality. The deductibles on health insurance policies easy exceed $1.5k and think are not getting cheaper. If you following Daves advice and rocking at old beater car to you Dave job, a car repair could easily blow your emergency stash.So I dont want to hear that noise about just keeping $1500 dollars, build a real survive the disaster fund then tackle your financial goals. You will sleep much better knowing you a re not one blown radiator away from having a fat goose egg in your emergency fund ledge.Its widely recommended that families should have at least 2 6 months of expenses in safe savings. Keep some paper cash on hand. While its tempting to ditch cash altogether and use the convenience of using plastic payment, the sayingCash is Kinghas survived all these years for a reason. Should the power or internet go out in an emergency, many retailers will not be able to use credit or debit machines to process payments.2. Invest in Items that will Reduce your CostsThe markets certainly get a lot of attention, however, some of the biggest returns are made in reducing household expenses. Consider having ahome energyaudit conducted. By sealing cracks, weather stripping and using quality insulation, the reduction in household maintenance and daily energy bills can pay dividends in good times and in bad.Given the choice betweenmaking more moneyand reducing costs eliminating costs is generally prefer ential for two reasons.Costs typically increase greater than the rate of inflation. (When is the last time a bill when down?)Whenever you make or create money you have to share some of that money with your Uncle Sam and your nephews State and Local.3. Focus on Self-SufficiencyBuy a recipe book on how to cook zombies. Ok, just kidding, enough about the zombies Ask yourself what items are you buying now that you could beproducing at home? Have you considered gardening, or having a backyard flock of chickens (where allowable, check your citys bylaws). A small hatchery would net you eggs and protein, but you would also have a product that you can sell if needed.4. Watch the Real Estate MarketOnce again, house prices are at an all-time high. Do you live in a high cost of living area? Consider selling and moving to a less expensive area and commuting to work. Lower living costs could help you save a cushion in case of an unexpected job loss. Even better if you can find a place in the coun try to set up a little homestead or hobby farm, you can practice self-sufficiency.5. Protecting Your Market GainsConsider protecting your market gains. If you have money in the stock market, consider options likefixed index annuities or a MECthat offer some upside potential without risk of losses due to market turndowns.6. Diversify Your IncomeHave more than one stream of income. By having aside hustleor some stream of passive income, you can hedge against emergencies, particularly the loss of employment. There are many options tomaking make money from home or online, having backup sources of income is the ultimate financial preparedness. Having even a modest source of side income can keep you from needed to exhaust your emergency fund at the first sign of trouble.7. VolunteerVolunteering is a great way to pad your resume, make valuable network connections, and secure recommendations from influential members of the community. Its also a way to give back to the community you call hom e.A great way to get free training (or next best thing) is to volunteer at places like your local fire department, FEMA or EMT training.Be sure to choose volunteer opportunities that you believe in the work you are doing is much more important than the lines on aresume. If you choose something that you stand behind, your efforts will be genuine. This will reflect others and create a strong network. If you find yourself in hardship or unemployed, its those relationships that can often lead to new opportunities and stellar references.After all, a herd of zombies cant be stopped by just one, it takes a whole village.Panic Now, Avoid the Rush LaterThe key to creating a financial preparedness plan is to do the groundwork ahead of time. Whenever the market crashes the mainstream media will write articles on how to survive or prepare for a recession.Waiting for the market downturn do get your preparations in order is like stocking up for the big storm when it hits, or trying to hit the su permarket after that first reported zombie bit. Doing a little bit of prep work now will ensure that when that storm does hit, you will be sleeping easy and wont make any panicked decisions that may cost you in the long run.This article first appeared on Money Geek.