Warren Buffett, one of the richest men in the world, a household name on Wall Street, had this to say about the best investment you can make.
“Invest in yourself as much as you can, you're your own biggest asset. Anything you can do to invest in yourself is the best possible investment you can make”. Warren Buffett
Investing in Certifications Increases How Much You Get Paid
Think about what you would pay your buddy Billy for accounting advice versus a certified public accountant. You'd probably pay the CPA a couple hundred dollars an hour to get their advice, but might consider buying Billy a beer. The primary difference between those two people is education. Certification means something and usually, it means $$$.
Interested in a deep dive into the math behind why Buffett says investing in yourself is the best investment you can make? Use our investment calculator from “The Insane Math Behind Investing in Yourself” and you'll find that certifications can return up to $1,000 for every dollar spent, year after year.
Where to Take Certification Classes
There are many places to take courses that will prepare you for an advanced certification. Your local community college may offer them, or you can find prerecorded classes for a significant discount on sites like Udemy.
Pro Tip: Invest in Yourself and Get Reimbursed By Your Employer!
Many employers also offer reimbursement for training as this is a win win for everyone, so you may find that not only can you make more money by completing these courses, but you can also get them paid for. Most employers require that you work for them for a certain amount of time to make sure they get the benefit or will charge you back if you leave, but even that is a pretty good deal.
Find something you're interested in that will help you in your job, then talk to your employer. Ask yourself how helping you with your education could be a win for them, and then go to them with that proposal. Benefits like higher billing rates, increased efficiency, and increased customer satisfaction usually make this a win for both of you!
Investing in Your Skills Pays Massive Dividends
With returns well in excess of 1000% from increased pay, investing in your skills is one of the best investments you can make. Which reminds me, be sure to subscribe for more personal and professional development tips by clicking here!
