Carrie Smith
iStock
We all wish there was more time in a given day and more money in our bank account. So, how can we leverage the time and money we have and put it to better use? Here are six ways to increase your skills and learn new ideas, using the least amount of time and money possible.
1. Learn a new language.
Have you ever wanted to speak a new language but couldn’t afford the language-teaching software called Rosetta Stone? Well you’re in luck! Duolingo is the free version of this that teaches you how to speak Spanish, Italian, French, German and Portuguese.
Within a relatively short time frame (depending on the amount of time you put in), you could learn any one of these languages for no cost at all. It’s scientifically proven training trumps that of university level teachings. They even offer on-the-go sessions with mobile apps.
2. Take an online class.
Not all of us have the opportunity to go to college, but thanks to the professors at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, we have access to university level courses through their OpenCourseWare program.
There are undergraduate classes available in everything from calculus, to coding, electrical engineering and computer Science. And all of this is available to learn at your own pace, online, for free — anywhere in the world.
3. Discover the basics of investing.
In order to be successful, everyone should have a basic understanding of how money and investing works. The folks at Investopedia offer all kinds of resources and information to help you keep up with the ever-changing world of finance. Don’t understand an investment term? Look up the definition. Need a question about taxes answered? They’ve got just the thing.
You can sign up for their free newsletter, and get weekly investing advice and basic financial tips right in your inbox. They also have in-depth tutorials and videos if learn better through visual explanation.
4. Empower your mind.
As kids, we enjoyed playing games and singing songs to learn our lessons. And today not much else has changed — games make learning a lot more fun! Lumosity empowers your mind through science-based training that adjusts to your strengths and weaknesses as you go through the games.
These exercises help improve cognitive function, enable you to be more creative, increase your brain and memory power, and problem-solving capacity, all within 40+ games.
5. Increase your reading speed.
The faster you can read and comprehend, the quicker you can learn. Wouldn’t it be great to pick up a book and have it read within a few days? Spreeder was created for this reason.
It’s a free online reading software that teaches you how to read faster with a high amount of comprehension. The average person reads about 200 words per minute, but this software claims to improve that significantly.
6. Think outside the box.
Whether you’re looking for unconventional ideas about productivity, personal finances, or economics, TedTalks is sure to have an inspirational video just for you. Its videos have been watched millions of times, many of which have gone viral all over the world.
It provides the luxury of a big convention experience without the high price of traveling to a new location. You get access to professors, authors, teachers and experts in all areas. And trust me when I say that once you start watching these videos, it will be hard to stop. Plus, it’s totally free.
Do you have a favorite website that helps you learn valuable skills with a short amount of time and money? Let us know in the comments below.
Carrie Smith is the owner and editor of Careful Cents, a blog that specializes in helping small businesses and solopreneurs earn more money in less time through systems and financial organization. She also writes for The Huffington Post, AllBusiness Experts and several other business websites. Connect with her on Twitter @carefulcents.
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