Money Tips Network

The issue of healthcare is one that keeps people in jobs far longer than they’d like. I’ve seen up close how someone with chronic health issues must deal with these choices, and in certain situations, the choices can be difficult.

Medicare coverage doesn’t begin until age 65, so where does that leave someone who stops working prior to that birthday? The issue of being able to afford health insurance on one’s own, even with the potential for subsidies through Obamacare if one’s income is low enough, can prevent people from leaving bad working environments. If you’re a working professional in your sixties but not a top executive, your chances of being able to quit one job and start fresh in another are quickly diminishing. Companies can’t discriminate against employees or potential employees based on age, but if you’re perceived as being close to retirement, you’re going to have a hard time getting hired in a new job.

During my long and winding career path, I’ve been stuck at many difficult points, uncertain as to what to do next. In those times, I’ve relied on the advice of others to help guide me down the right path.

Most of the time, choosing to accept the advice of others has turned out well. At other times… not so much.

After some reflection, I’ve realized that there are several elements that make up good career advice and a few elements that are present in bad advice. If you look for people and situations that have far more good elements than bad ones, you’re likely to get great career advice.

Here are eight key elements of good career advice – and good advice in other life situations, too.

Self-sabotage is something that we all engage in. It looks different for everyone, but there are some common acts that you've probably seen in yourself or those close to you. Root these out, and you will be able to legitimately stand or fall, without shooting yourself in the foot along the way. (See also: 10 Reasons You Are Not Reaching Your Goals)

Take a deep breath — a really deep breath. For many of my yoga and meditation students, breathing is one of the hardest parts of class. Some are shallow breathers, meaning they only take in the bare minimum amount of breath needed to survive. Quite a few of my students also have a habit of holding their breath, especially when in challenging poses or when they're faced with a difficult situation in life. Both of these habits reduce the oxygen levels in our bodies and increase the levels of stress chemicals and carbon dioxide. This leaves us lethargic and induces depression. It also suppresses the immune system.

When you stay at an all-inclusive resort, you pay everything upfront. During the vacation, you can then take advantage of the included goods and services as much as you want without having to worry about the cost. This can be a great way to get the most value out of your money, but only if you travel a certain way. Here are some things to consider before you book an all-inclusive vacation.

This article is by staff writer Kristin Wong.

In an ideal world, you wouldn’t need to go negotiate. In an ideal world, the weather would be perfect, there would be no war, and your employer would simply say, “Hey, your value to our company has increased. Here’s ten thousand dollars.”

If only, right? When it comes to earning more, negotiating is usually a necessary part of the equation. The negotiating masters among us have a serious leg up.

I do not have a leg up. In most circumstances, I dread negotiating. I’d rather watch paint dry than negotiate. I’d rather eat a chard smoothie. I’d rather give someone a ride to the airport at 8am on a Monday.

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Unexpected twists and turns happen all of the time in our professional lives.

A child is born, causing a parent to start staying at home. A side business takes off. A spectacular job offer appears out of the blue. A severe illness occurs. A person is burnt out on their current career and needs a change. A company downsizes, leaving you without a job.

Those are just a few of the things that can happen during a career, completely changing the direction of your professional life.

It’s professional common sense to avoid burning those bridges. There’s no need to destroy all of your professional relationships on your way out the door, regardless of your feelings on the situation that led to your career shift. Make things as tidy as you can when you leave with as many positive feelings as you can possibly generate.

We all need to find ways to save time, if for no other reason than we need adequate time to rest and relax. Food prep can take up a significant amount of time, and if we've had a long day, we're likely to order take-out or grab food that's quick, easy, and less-than-nutritious. Here are seven surprising cooking hacks that will keep our tummies satisfied while saving time. (See also: 6 "As Seen on TV Kitchen" Gadgets That Are Actually Worth the Money)