WEEKEND EDITION: Inexpensive Ways to Increase Your Education and Skills
Recently, a reader asked:
Q: It seems like more and more of my skills become more obsolete each day. I can't afford the time nor money to go back to school. Any ideas?
...And here was the answer The Daily Machete gave:
A: Absolutely.
But first, congratulations on recognizing the need to update your skills. Many don't reach that epiphany until it's almost too late.
You indicated that both time and money are short. This often happens when our family, work and community responsibilities increase.
The problem, though, is that time equals money. While there are inexpensive ways to update your skills, you will need to make time for them. You will need to spend time, but you should look upon it as investing the time.
As you didn't mention the specific skills you're looking to update, we'll discuss ways to update - or acquire - almost every skill.
Dummies
Manuals and Idiot's Guides. Both series offer quality instruction in a
manner that nearly everyone can understand.
Both also cover topics from SQL to figure skating; from sales to
quilting. If you need to gain - or
build upon - skills, Dummies and Idiot's should be your first stop. The bonus, here, is that you can follow
at your own pace and on your own time.
These manuals are also cost-effective: the price of the book vs. the
price of a course.
Toastmasters. Yes, Toastmasters International provides its members with communication and leadership training. And yes, both qualities are highly desired by employers. Membership has more than just those benefits, though. Speeches are given at every meeting a broad range of topics. Chances are you will hear one on a topic related to a skill you want to develop. The bonus, here, is that you can ask questions of the speaker after the meeting.
Volunteer. Never work except for money. But, as we've said, time equals money. You can invest time in a worthy cause while gaining valuable hands-on training, thereby increasing the likelihood of earning a better paycheck down the road. Need to improve your marketing skills? Join a walk-a-thon's publicity committee. Need to brush up on your computer skills? Gain leadership skills? Volunteer. You'll be investing time to gain skills which may very well lead to more earning power.
IN THE CARAVAN: You can update your skills inexpensively with Dummies Manuals and Idiot's Guides, joining Toastmasters, and volunteering.
Q: It seems like more and more of my skills become more obsolete each day. I can't afford the time nor money to go back to school. Any ideas?
...And here was the answer The Daily Machete gave:
A: Absolutely.
But first, congratulations on recognizing the need to update your skills. Many don't reach that epiphany until it's almost too late.
You indicated that both time and money are short. This often happens when our family, work and community responsibilities increase.
The problem, though, is that time equals money. While there are inexpensive ways to update your skills, you will need to make time for them. You will need to spend time, but you should look upon it as investing the time.
As you didn't mention the specific skills you're looking to update, we'll discuss ways to update - or acquire - almost every skill.
Dummies
Manuals and Idiot's Guides. Both series offer quality instruction in a
manner that nearly everyone can understand.
Both also cover topics from SQL to figure skating; from sales to
quilting. If you need to gain - or
build upon - skills, Dummies and Idiot's should be your first stop. The bonus, here, is that you can follow
at your own pace and on your own time.
These manuals are also cost-effective: the price of the book vs. the
price of a course.Toastmasters. Yes, Toastmasters International provides its members with communication and leadership training. And yes, both qualities are highly desired by employers. Membership has more than just those benefits, though. Speeches are given at every meeting a broad range of topics. Chances are you will hear one on a topic related to a skill you want to develop. The bonus, here, is that you can ask questions of the speaker after the meeting.
Volunteer. Never work except for money. But, as we've said, time equals money. You can invest time in a worthy cause while gaining valuable hands-on training, thereby increasing the likelihood of earning a better paycheck down the road. Need to improve your marketing skills? Join a walk-a-thon's publicity committee. Need to brush up on your computer skills? Gain leadership skills? Volunteer. You'll be investing time to gain skills which may very well lead to more earning power.
IN THE CARAVAN: You can update your skills inexpensively with Dummies
Manuals and Idiot's Guides, joining Toastmasters, and volunteering. 
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