6 innocent hotel mistakes that are costing you money

6 innocent hotel mistakes that are costing you money6 innocent hotel mistakes that are costing you moneyOne of the fruchtwein important parts of planning a trip is finding the perfect place to stay. If its a business trip, youll probably look for accommodations that offer you all of the amenities youll need to clock quality sleep while getting your work done. A much-needed personal vacation, on the other hand, might mean youre looking for something morecreative,ultra-unique, ortruly memorable.In any case, your home away from home will cost you - but there are some strategies you can use to make sure you dont overpay. Wouldnt you rather use your savings to treat yourself to aspa day, a choice meal, rooftop cocktails, or alocal activityyouve always wanted to try? Here are some tricky traps to watch out for.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and more1. You book nonrefundable roomsBooking a n onrefundable room to save a few bucks can be an expensive blunder if your plans end up needing to change. A nonrefundable reservation can also become a costly mistake if you accidentally book the wrong hotel - they sometimes have similar-sounding names, and some (even in the same locale) might have the same name.How to Fix ItHotels offer several types of booking vorkaufsrechts, and youll generally see choices for nonrefundable rooms (with slightly lower rates) alongside options you can cancel within the window outlined on the website. When you can, its a good idea to book rooms that leave you the flexibility to cancel at any moment. After all, sometimes all it takes is one long flight delay to throw things off course.2. You dont compare prices onlineYou might have a favorite hotel and book with them directly, or maybe you just bestattungs the first good deal you find without thinking twice. Either way, failing to do a little research before you click to commit can lead you to spend more money than you need to.How to Fix ItHotel prices vary by website, so it never hurts to run a quick Google search before you finalize your reservation. Once you type your hotel into the search bar, youll see a box appear on the right-hand side of your search where you can enter dates and scan prices from most major sites, including Expedia and Hotels.com. You can also book online to earn additional cash back (were big fans ofEbates) and take advantage of special web or app promo codes. If it serves you, sign up for an email newsletter to receive an anfangsbuchstabe offering once you use it, you can immediately unsubscribe.3. You pay for parking at the hotel after you arriveOn-site parking at city hotels can add up fast some charge as much as $75 per day. In a single week, thats an extra $525How to Fix ItDitching your car to walk, take public transit, or use ridesharing services while enjoying time in the city can save you stress and free up funds. But if plan to drive to your u rban destination and arent up for shelling out extra money for a bit of convenience, see if you can scout out a garage or parking spot nearby.Parking Pandalets you search and reserve garage parking in advance in most major cities, whileWay.comlists less conventional options (such as locals who offer up their personal garage spaces or curbside spots).4. You skip out on a continental breakfastIts true that the typical continental breakfast isnt usually the tastiest meal of the day, but a quick pit stop before heading out in the morning is a more affordable option than ordering overpriced (and often equally underwhelming) room service.How to Fix ItUnless youve planned for a fabulous breakfast or are anticipating brunch, breeze by the free brekkie to score a quick cup of coffee, grab a couple pieces of fruit, and eat something like an egg or piece of whole-grain toast. Your nutritious choices will tide you over, leave you with a snack for later, and free up a bit of extra cash too.5. Yo u still pay for WiFiWiFi is essential for most travelers nowadays, yet not all hotels offer it for free. Some charge for basic WiFi, while others offer options to upgrade to a faster speed, which might be mandatory if you plan to pop on your portable speaker to enjoy some Spotify jams or stream your favorite Netflix show while cozying up on a balcony.How to Fix ItMany free hotel loyalty programs offer fast complimentary WiFi to members. Youll also probably love some of the other benefits of being a member even if you dont stay often, such as options for early check-in or late check-out, along with food and beverage credits. Some groups like the Ritz-Carlton will help you sign up on the spot during your check-in, while most others have a section on their website where you can join.6. You dont consider the cost of resort feesResort fees charged by some hotels can rack up quickly. While the average fee clocks in around $25 per day, its not unheard of them to go as high as $50 per day. Whats more, a seemingly affordable hotel may have other fees that arent completely clear and will be charged to your card on file separately from the room price you pay one TripAdvisor contributorreportedbeing charged an extra $90in random fees after booking a $170 room. YikesHow to Fix ItRead the fine print before you book If something isnt clear, call the hotel to confirm before you move forward. Know which fees to ask about, including resort fees, mandatory parking/valet fees, separate pool and spa fees, cleaning fees, newspaper delivery fees, and processing fees.This article first appeared on Brit + Co.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

7 insanely powerful lessons my mentor taught me (which I didnt realize until later)

7 insanely powerful lessons my ratgeber taught me (which I didnt realize until later)7 insanely powerful lessons my mentor taught me (which I didnt realize until later)Having a mentor is more than an opportunity.A true mentorship is one filled with emotional investment?- ?a desire in the mentor to landsee their knowledge manifest in another, and an ambition from the student to take each lesson to heart. In a true mentorship, the student learns and grows at a rapid rate, which is fulfilling to them, and the mentor sees a reflection of themselves, allowing them to further develop as they review some of their earliest lessons and challenges.A true mentorship is symbioticAnd that is why it is so rare.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreI have, for whatever reason, been fortunate to have multiple mentors in my life. When I welches 17 years old, I had a mentor in the World of Warcraft to whom I credit my development as a gamer. He is the reason I ended up becoming one of the highest ranked players in North America.When I was 21 years old, I had a mentor at the gym who taught me everything about lifting weights. He was a powerlifter, and taught me much more than just how to bench or squat. He taught me how to approach the gym with a level of discipline and humility that ended up carrying over to other elements of my life.And when I turned 23 years old and started working at an advertising agency and Think Tank in Chicago calledIdea Booth, I found arguably the most influential mentor I have had to dateRon Gibori, a serial entrepreneur and creative director.What I learned from Ron was one part industry related, one part self-development focused, and one part refined rebellion (that is the best way I can phrase it). As an experienced creative, it wasnt so much his working knowledge of advertising or his mastery over the art of networking that rubbed off on me. It was hi s mindset.Here are seven perspective-changing lessons Ive learned from my latest mentorship.1. There is always a thirdwayOne of my first days working at Idea Booth, Ron asked me to research how to get something posted for a brand within Flipboard.I poked around on Google for about 10 minutes and then came back to tell him, I looked, and its impossible. You can either do this, or this, but what youre asking for cant be done. He smiled and said, There is always a third way. Go find it. He was right. Twenty minutes later I figured it out.And to this day, whenever I fall into the trap of saying I cant figure it out, all he says is Flipboard, and I am reminded there is always another answer?- ?a third way.2. If someone likes your idea the first time you explain it, your idea isnt riskyenoughIve come to learn that the ideas most quickly praised are actually some of my weakest ideas.People praise them because they make sense and dont push boundaries?- ?they dont threaten anyone. This was s omething I didnt understand until I really started sharing my own ideas with the world. The valuable ideas are the ones people question, because where there is a question there is room to explore.The ideas that people immediately validate, that make them say Sure Love it are the safe ones, and tend to lack the risk needed to be truly influential and groundbreaking.3. Titles are meaninglessThis is a lesson I thought I had learned earlier in life, but it needed to be learned again.When I first started working at Idea Booth, I fell into the trap of wanting more. I was a kid fresh out of college and looked around at some of my peers who were in high-paying positions and had fancy titles next to their names, and I wanted that.I wanted that feeling of validation. I wanted people to know I was successful.But whenever I would spend time with Ron, practically asking him how I could have my own title, his only response was, Titles dont matter. Focus on doing great work instead.It took me a lo ng time to understand how valuable that lesson is?- ?and even more so, how many people use a title as a way to cover up how little they actually know.They let their title speak for them, instead of their skills and working knowledge. And they expect people to listen to them because of their title, not because of what they actively bring to the table.4. Rewards are fleeting (and do not bring fulfillment)Another thing I would do (as an ambitious young creative) was ogle the sports cars, nice clothes, and gorgeous women who frequented the Chicago hot spots Ron would take me to.I would look around and say, I want that. I want that. I want that, to which Ron would say,If you judge your success off the things you have, you will never be fulfilled.Being a 23-year-old staring at a jet-black Ferrari parked outside of a fancy restaurant, those words are not easy to encode. But I see now how much those words have deckenfries with me. Because once you get one reward, you want the next one, and the next one, and ultimately they lead nowhere.Real fulfillment comes from being in love with what you do, and always pushing yourself to create your next best piece of work.5. Great ideas dont happen sitting behind adeskThe interesting thing about our dynamic is that Ron and I are both very similar and very different.I am obsessive about my repetitive daily routines, and he is fearless in his willingness to try new things. In many ways, this is something we taught each other. For me, this meant stepping outside of my comfort zone and being willing to ride the waves of life.What I learned from Ron was that as much as daily discipline is required for long-term, sustainable progress and growth, moments of inspiration and creative freedom rarely happen in a closed room. They happen when youre out in the world being exposed to new things. They happen over dinner at some crazy concept restaurant, or while watching live music in a grungy blues bar. They happen at an art museum, or while w alking through a park. They happen on a roller coaster, or in a yoga class. They happen when you step outside what is familiar to you, and your senses are exposed to something different.These days, I try hard to do something I have never done before at least a few times a week?- ?because I see the value.6. Say yes, then figure out how to do itlaterOne of the fundamental changes I have witnessed in myself over the past few years has been my willingness to say yes to what is 100 percent unknown?- ?and I attribute that to having spent so much time watching and learning from a seasoned entrepreneur.Very rarely do you walk into a situation knowing all the answers, and this ambiguity used to keep me from saying yes to a lot of opportunities. Unless I knew exactly how I was going to do something, I would avoid it. What I have since learned is that the unknown is nothing to fear, and the only question you need to ask yourself is,Do I believe enough in myself to be able to figure it out?That s it.If the opportunity intrigues you, say yes. Figure out how youre going to pull it off later. But get yourself in the trenches. Get your hands dirty. And know, deep down, that you have what it takes to get it done.7. True creatives are unapologetic in theirworkThis is hands down, the biggest lesson I learned from Ron, as well as the hardest.Every creative persons fear is rooted in judgment.What will people think of me? What if no one likes what I create? What if Im wrong? These fears are what keep many people from ever creating anything of value?- ?and simultaneously, force them to lean on the title creative. They call themselves creative more than they perform the act of creating, while the truly creative are the ones who are too busy working on their craft to care one way or another how people refer to them.For me, the manifestation of this lesson came through the publishing of my first book,Confessions of a Teenage Gamer. I had just started writing when I began working at Idea Booth, and it took me almost five years to complete and publish. The reason it took me so long was because I cared a lot about what people thought. I feared how people would take it and worried it wouldnt be good enough. I wondered if people would understand or appreciate it.Publishing this book showed me I had finally learned the lesson Ron had explained to me time and time again.You create for yourself,he would say.Your work is an expression of you. And you cant live your life in fear.This wasnt a lesson Ron sat down and taught me. It wasnt explained once or twice, and then I got it. This was a slow progression over several years, the result of my being in his presence and feeding off the energy of someone who was 100 percent confident in his ideas and willing to face the criticism of others.That is the value of a mentor, and what a true mentorship is.Its the opportunity to learn firsthand.It is not a class. It is not I teach you and then youre done. It is an experience. And the greatest lessons come from simply being in the presence of someone who possesses the qualities you hope to one day embody yourself.This article originally appeared on Inc. Magazine.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

ASME Scholarships Awarded to 70 Student Members for 2018-2019

ASME Scholarships Awarded to 70 Student Members for 2018-2019 ASME Scholarships Awarded to 70 Student Members for 2018-2019 ASME Scholarships Awarded to 70 Student Members for 2018-2019 For nearly 20 years, ASME has helped ensure the future of the engineering profession by providing financial support to outstanding undergraduate and graduate students. This year, 70 ASME student members received nearly $260,000 in scholarships through the ASME Foundation Scholarship Program and the ASME Auxiliary Scholarship Program. More than 30 different scholarships were offered through the ASME Scholarship Program for the 2018-2019 school year, including the Kenneth Andrew Roe Scholarship, the new ASME SC (Standards Certification) Division Scholarship, the Virginia Tech Memorial Scholarship and the Frank Dorothy Miller Scholarship. Elizabeth Stapleton Elizabeth Stapleton, a senior at Oral Roberts University was the recipient of ASMEs largest single-year scholarship and was named the Kenneth Andrew Roe Scholar for 2018-2019. The $13,000 scholarship, which is given to a junior or senior studying mechanical engineering, was established in 1991 in memory of the ASME past president and chair of the ASME Foundation. Stapleton, who is vice chair of the ASME student chapter at her university, said the scholarship would enable her to finish her final year at the university as well as dedicate more time to encouraging greater student involvement with ASME at Oral Roberts University and participate in service projects, such as continuing to develop a sustainable sanitation and water supply system in Harare, Zimbabwe. By creating a strategic bridge between engineering students, ASME, and the engineering community at large, I believe there is great potential to inspire the application of engineering to meet many of societys greatest needs, Stapleton wrote in response to receiving the scholarship. I am excited about the possibilities, and I am genuinely thankful to ASME for this award. Kyle Swoffer Another ASME student member, Kyle Swoffer, was named as the recipient of ASMEs newest scholarship, ASME SC (Standards Certification) Division Scholarship. Sponsored by the SC Division, this multi-year scholarship of up to $10,000 per year is awarded to ASME student members in their early years of undergraduate study who exhibit an interest in technology fields related to ASME SC such as clean energy, pressure technology, transportation, bioprocessing, medical devices, cranes and lifting devices, elevators and escalators, manufacturing, turbine generators, and risk analysis. In his letter, Swoffer, who is beginning his sophomore year at Kettering University in Flint, Mich., thanked the SC Division for awarding him the $10,000 scholarship. The scholarship will further push me to continue my efforts and in turn promote success in my studies, he said. The impact it will have on my life and education is incredible. Swoffer, who works part-time at General Dynamics Land Systems as part of Ketterings co-op program in addition to his studies, said that while his school workload has made it difficult to participate in ASME activities, he intends to become more involved with the Society after graduating and obtain geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GDT) training through ASME. Eurydice Kanimba This years recipient of the Virginia Tech Memorial Scholarship, Eurydice Kanimba, is pursuing a Ph.D. at Virginia Tech. The $4,000 scholarship, which was established in commemoration of the 2007 tragedy at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, is open to student members earning a masters degree or a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering at the university. Kanimba, who hails from Rwanda and was the recipient of two previous ASME scholarships as an undergraduate at Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas, said that as a student who arrived in the United States barely able to speak English she truly appreciated the support that ASME has provided to help her complete her education. She also hopes her story will inspire students of similar backgrounds to strive for the pursuit of their education regardless of their financial situation, she wrote. A student member of ASME since she was a student Midwestern State and served as president, vice president and secretary of the schools ASME student chapter, Kanimba would like to continue her association with the Society by applying what she has learned in her graduate studies as a judge or advisor for the ASME Innovation Showcase (ISHOW) particularly the ISHOW in Kenya, she said. The social implications of hardware-based engineering solutions have always interested me, and I believe the formal education I am receiving at Virginia Tech is preparing me well for such a role, she wrote. Alexandra Crump Alexandra Crump, a junior at the University of Missouri, was one of two recipients of the Frank Dorothy Miller Scholarship this year, along with Daniel Speer of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. The $2,000 scholarship is awarded to ASME student members in their second, third or fourth year of study based on their character, integrity, leadership and potential contributions to the mechanical engineering profession. Crump, who served as an executive member of her universitys ASME student chapter last year, said receiving the scholarship from ASME will enable her to remain involved in ASME activities, such as the upcoming Student Design Competition, as well continue to take part in a new underwater robotics group she helped establish at her university. Participating in my local ASME organization has made my college experience so much more valuable, she wrote. I have gained so many friends and colleagues. With this scholarship, I will be able to devote more time to ASME as well as my other organization SURF, the Students Underwater Robotics Foundation. Without the scholarship, she said, she wouldnt have been able to stay active in these groups because she would have had to work instead. To view the complete list of 2018-2019 ASME scholarship winners, visit the Scholarship Winners web page on ASME.org. For more information on the ASME Scholarship Program, visit www.asme.org/career-education/scholarships-and-grants/scholarship-and-loans. To learn how you can support the program with a gift to the ASME Foundation, go to www.asme.org/about-asme/get-involved/asme-foundation.