Is Getting an MBA at 50 a Good Idea?

If you’re over 50 and still feel like you have a way to go before you’re ready to retire, going back to college in order to further your career might be something worth considering. 

More and more mature students in their 50’s and even older individuals are returning to education in order to learn more about the things that they are passionate about and give their career a huge boost in the last decade or so before retirement. 

But, is it a wise idea to get an MBA at 50?

Relaxed Entry Requirements

One of the best things about pursuing an MBA when you’re over the age of 50 is that the entry requirements are likely going to be relaxed for you. 

This is because whilst many colleges demand that applicants have already achieved an undergraduate college degree when applying for an MBA program, many will also take life experience into account for mature students. 

So, if you’ve never been to college but have worked in management, or even owned your own small business, you may be accepted onto an MBA course because of that. 

Flexible Study

With quality MBA courses in high demand from students as the qualification becomes more desirable in the corporate world, one of the biggest advantages of studying for an MBA today is that it can be done entirely online. 

Studying for a masters in business administration online can be done either full- or part-time, with a flexible and self-led approach that often suits mature students who have work and family commitments to fulfil along with their education. 

Online MBA programs are available from a range of business schools, some of which are amongst the most respected in the U.S. 

Learn Valuable Skills

Whether you’re hoping to be promoted in your workplace in order to be able to put more money towards your retirement or are planning to start a business in order to earn a passive income to fund it, taking an MBA after 50 can be a great way of achieving this. 

When you study for an MBA, you’ll learn valuable skills and knowledge, which can help you to achieve almost any business or related career goal that you have in mind. 

Networking

If you’re over 50 and are considering taking an MBA as an entrepreneur or in the hope of starting your own business, this course can be an excellent source of networking opportunities. 

Even if you decide to study online, your college will provide you with information about networking events that you can attend, and you may be able to network electronically with people such as tutors and speakers from your college. 

Good networking is essential to running a business and this course will give you the opportunity to meet with people who could influence and help your business ideas to grow.

No matter what age you are, an MBA is still one of the most respected and sought after qualifications in the business world. 

Studying for an MBA can definitely be a great step towards a comfortable retirement.

How to Negotiate a Better Pay Deal

If you have been working for the same employer for many years, you probably like your job and they are probably happy with your performance. 

What is not guaranteed is whether you are being paid a fair salary.

Once you have worked in the same place for a number of years, it gets harder to walk away. You know your job and you are comfortable there. 

Your colleagues are like a tight-knit family where everyone knows everyone else. It’s a nice feeling when you like your job, but some employers don’t always reward their long-standing employees with a salary that befits their experience and loyalty. 

If this sounds like you, it is time to start negotiating for a better salary – and here’s how.
Most people don’t like asking for more money. It’s seen as impolite. 

However, if common sense dictates that you are not being paid enough for the work you do, whether your salary is too low or your boss expects you to work over-time for free, you need to take emotions out of the equation and ask politely for a pay rise. 

Ask Nicely

The first thing you should do is just ask. Request a meeting with your boss, arm yourself with a few bits of information, and ask to explain why you think you are due a pay rise.

Your reasons why you are due a pay rise could be because other people doing the same job are being paid more or you haven’t had a pay raise for a number of years. 

If this all falls on deaf ears, your next tactic should be to explain why you are willing to earn your pay rise. 

Many employers will reward their employees if they commit to extra training or are willing to take on more responsibilities. 

It shows they have future potential. For example, if you have worked as a nurse for many years, you could enroll in a master's in a nursing online course and boost your qualifications. 

Completing a higher-level master’s course will definitely qualify you for a pay rise. 

Be Flexible

If your employer is reluctant to pay you more, perhaps because it’s a small company and they simply can’t afford to pay extra, be flexible about what you’ll take. 

For example, maybe they can offer you a few benefits such as extra holiday days or the option to work flexible hours. 

Don’t Threaten

What you should never do is threaten your boss. Sure, you may have worked for the business for a long time, but at the end of the day, you don’t need to create bad feeling and cause yourself stress.




As we get older, we are usually less inclined to put up with people who take advantage of us. 

However, don’t take a “no” as the end of the story and quit. Wait a while to see if a “no” turns into “yes” later further down the road. 

It might do if you have been reasonable. Alternatively, you could look at an MSN online program and consider moving to a new employer.

Cash Flow: How to Select the Best Personal Loan for Your Circumstances

There comes a time in everyone's life when they need a large sum of money for a specified purpose. This purpose could range from paying down a mountain of debt to purchasing an expensive item. 

When it comes to obtaining the funds for handling such situations, many people turn to lending institutions in hopes that someone will offer them a personal loan that is right for their particular need. 

Since finding the right personal loan for their circumstances can sometimes seem like a daunting task, here are some suggestions to help with this endeavor.

Unsecured Personal Loans

An unsecured personal loan is a loan that does not require any collateral in order to obtain the money desired. 

Unsecured personal loans are considered high risk from the lender's perspective and generally have higher interest rates than secured loans. 

An unsecured loan would be best suited for those scenarios where the borrower does not have the assets required to put up for collateral.

Secured Personal Loans

Unlike the unsecured personal loans, secure personal loans require collateral to be put up as a means to secure the loan against default. 

This situation is more favorable to the lender and will often come with a low, competitive interest rate. 

Circumstances where this personal loan option appears best suited is with people who have assets to use for collateral and who are looking for lower interest rates to sweeten the deal.

Borrowing from a Credit Union

While there exist many lending institutions that specialize in personal loans, borrowing money from a credit union can be one of the best places to turn when you need a sizable personal loan amount. 

A credit union will likely be able to offer its clients a variety of secured and unsecured personal loan options. 

A credit union personal loan is best for people who are working on establishing better credit.

Family-Based Personal Loans

Just because someone needs money fast, this does not mean that a lending institution is in a position to accommodate any random person with the personal loan they need. 

According to Debt.org, a family-based personal loan may be the best option for some borrowers. Since this is a loan worked out between family members, it is possible to be far less strict about observing all the provisions of the personal loan in question. 

This type of personal loan option may, therefore, work best with people who have no functional credit to their name.

When attempting to acquire a large sum of money for personal reasons, a personal loan may provide a borrower with the monetary solution they seek. 

From lending institutions to family-based lending, the options for finding a decent personal loan are numerous. 

The type of personal loan that works best in a borrower’s circumstances will depend on a lot of factors ranging from credit history to a borrower's ability to make regular monthly payments.

How to Save Money and Live Better with a Monthly Budget

In today’s society, many people are really short on cash. It seems like you are living paycheck to paycheck, and there is no money to save. 

In this case, you need to be a savvy spender in order to have some cash. Therefore, here are some tips to save money and live better on a monthly budget.

Use Coupons

The cost of shopping for groceries can really add up. You would be surprised at how much money you can make by using coupons. You can always find coupons in your local paper, or you can get coupons on certain websites. 

There are also certain apps designed specifically for coupons. Most coupons last for six months, so cut out any ones you think you will use. Do not use a coupon just because you have it. Only buy what you need.

Bundle Insurance

If you bundle home insurance, car insurance, life insurance, and health insurance with the same company, you can save money. 

Companies are very competitive, so they want your business, so they will give you incentives. Use one company for all of your insurance needs. You could save thousands each year.

Buy Used Car Parts

Some people do not think of this, but many used car parts are completely safe to buy. Some companies, like U Pull & Pay, know that new car parts are very expensive, so buying them used can save you money. Some of the popular used car parts in include mirrors, spare tires, windows, rims, etc.

Eat at Home

People do not realize how much money they spend by eating out. Get a cookbook, and find some quick, cheap, and delicious recipes that you can cook. It also could be a great family bonding time.

Save on Utilities

Unplug your electronics when you are not using them. Use a programmable thermostat. You can also seal off your windows during the winter months. These are just a few ways to save on your utility bills, so you will have more money.

Low Cost Activities

Go to the park or to the beach. These are completely free. Check the paper for events in your area that are little or no cost. Watch a movie on Netflix.

You can always find great ways to save money while you are on a budget. It is not hard to overspend each month, so if you will just start getting smart with your spending habits, you will save money each month. Then you can watch the savings pile up.