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thottythoughtdaughter · 5 months ago

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VOYEUR

hollywood agent gavin x debut star freelancer au [ fem!freelancer, second pov ]

Tote'm was mostly empty, but for the few heads roaming between aisles of candied fruits or sliced potato chips. You headed for the jars of marinara sauce, stacked precariously in a pyramid. Pasta, ground beef, and a few ripe tomatoes filled the basket on your arm. The meager ingredients for your meager dinner, because you could not stand the watery Academy food any longer.

Plucking a glass jar from the tower, your basket tipped, and a tomato rolled merrily on the ground.

Cursing beneath your breath, words a young woman would never be caught dead saying, you chased the tomato down. It had rolled, seemingly with a mind of its own, to the back of the store.

It bounced into a shelf and stopped. With a sigh, you stooped to pick it up, and found yourself eye-level with a pair of trousers.

Dropped trousers.

With a choking gasp, you froze. You could see glimpses of bare, muscled thigh between the rows of cereal boxes that filled the shelves. The buckle of the pants glinted in the convenience store's poor lighting. A hand gripped the thigh, straining.

"Ah ah ah," a sensual, flirtatious voice tsked. "What did I say? No teeth."

A quiet, wet slap. A moan. A mumbled apology. And then--

Your face flushed, and you quickly picked up the tomato and tucked it into your basket. This was not meant to be seen, even if done in a Tote'm's hardly private aisles.

In a panic, you stood, and made direct eye contact with the man who's trousers were currently kissing the floor. He smirked at you over the shelves. His eyes were a void-like black.

"Well look at that, Lasko," the man purred. "We've got ourselves a little voyeur."

The man who was-- well-- he made a little panicked squeak. The dark-eyed man laughed, throwing his head back, and suddenly your memory began to work again.

"You're Gavin Boyd," you said, somewhat stupidly, holding that damn wretched tomato.

Gavin Boyd, the name everyone knew. Its syllables brought to mind shadows and smoke, glitter and passion. Gavin Boyd, the kindly crook, the charming charlatan, the dashing demon.

His biggest claim to fame was the success of Lydia Song, the nobody girl from California, risen to the greatest heights of stardom. Money, power, prestige, she now had it all, all thanks to him. Her films populated the theaters like cockroaches, flooding all of America with the love bug for Lydia Song. Queen of the Nile, on-the-up businesswoman, the enchanting princess of mythological beauty, the hardworking peasant girl. Lydia Song had played them all, and owned each and every one. You had stared longingly at her posters and wished for even a fraction of her fame.

"Indeed," he purred, sinking his teeth into his bottom lip as Lasko apparently made a very skilled move with his tongue. God. Why were you imagining it?!

"Swell. That's really-- yeah. Anyway. Bye!"

You panicked and ran. At checkout, all you could think of were those white teeth sinking into red lips. You cursed again, and fled the store, groceries in hand.

✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ ✦ . *

You were a university student at Dahlia's Academy for Motion-Picture Novices, studying acting in what felt like vain. Tuition was an arm and a leg, and in order to afford both tuition and rent, you were working endless cleaning jobs between classes.

You scurried on your way to another one of these freelance jobs after studying for your History of Art exam, head spinning with dates and names. There was no way to memorize all this, and you already felt your mind slipping. Lines and song notes and dance routines had already been crammed into your head: history was the last thing you needed to think about.

Plus, the little encounter at Tote'm had shocked every semblance of study from your brain. Not only was it highly inappropriate, it was... arousing. You were ashamed to admit it, but the idea of being a voyeur had been an appealing one. Appealing enough to temporarily distract you from your work in favor of more... personally intimate studying.

Now your next job called, and you felt both frazzled and wild at once. You simply knew this was going to be the end of you.

✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ ✦ . *

Weeks later, on a dimly lit, starry night, you wandered the streets of New York. Exhausted, there was an ache in the back of your throat like you had cried all night. Except you haven't, because you haven't had time for crying, or anything but working. Your fingers were chapped, worn to the bone, raw and cracked.

The only thing keeping you from collapsing was the reflection of the city in the dark water, yellow bits of stars among the murky waves. It was impossible to feel so sad when something so beautiful wavered before your eyes. The air was cool, soothing your raw throat as you took in a deep breath.

Head tilted back, throat exposed to the night, hair tumbling down your back. You felt like the movie stars, the ones in the pictures you spent your meager pay check on.

Magically, you were. A presence crept into your awareness, and you opened your eyes, embarrassed at your moment of fancy.

"No, no," the voice crooned as a man slipped into the light, a pleased smile dancing in his eyes. "Continue. You look ravishing in this light."

You felt your heart drop to your stomach.

Liquid, dark eyes. Perfect teeth. Seductive smile. You felt your stomach flutter and, well, something throbbed almost compulsively, even as you shrank against the wall in surprise.

"You're--"

"Wildly bored," Boyd sighed, languishingly, leaning his elbows back on the boardwalk's fence. He tipped his chin to the sky, the sharp bones of his cheeks glinting in the night.

You felt your breath catch as wildly inappropriate images of where those cheekbones should brush against filled your mind. Goddamnit, that Tote'm encounter had really shaken you.

Boyd lowered his gaze, smirking as if he could read your very thoughts. "And are you?"

"Am I-" your voice was slightly strangled. You started again. "Am I what? Pardon me."

"Bored," Boyd supplied, tracing the edge of his lip with his tongue. His eyes seemed to swallow you whole. Swallow...

You cleared your throat and hoped your cheeks weren't visibly burning red. "I- Yes, I guess I am. Working endless cleaning shifts isn't very stimulating."

"A working girl," he purred. God, those eyes. That voice. The butterflies in your stomach felt more like a flock of flamingos. "Working for what, a fiancé? A little domestic bliss?"

"Academy," you managed to get out, clearing away mental images of domestic blissing in Boyd's bed. "I want to act."

Boyd's mouth split into a grin, a true grin, not the permanent smirk that seemed to be all in the eyes and pull of his jaw. "A budding actor?"

"Hardly budding," you snorted, forgetting yourself for a moment. "Can't bud if you haven't been planted."

"If it's seed you're looking for..." he trailed off, shooting you a mischevious grin. "Seeds, I meant. I'd say I'm quite the farmer in that sense. I'd gladly help you. For a price."

Your head spun. You couldn't tell if he was talking about an acting job or... a wholly different kind of job. You could only feel the heat of his gaze, the flush of your cheeks, the constriction in your chest.

Get it together. This was absolutely pathetic. You gave him your best smile.

"I'd love that," you began to walk, thankful for the breeze cooling your flushed cheeks. "But I believe your prices are out of my range of comfort. Monetarily and bodily."

You gave him a pointed look.

He grinned. "What, Tote'm isn't your preferred location of debauchery?"

Your look practically grew spines. "No."

"And yet you so seemed to enjoy watching it, my little Voyeur."

"This has nothing to do with my acting, so I presume the conversation to be over. Thank you, Mr. Boyd," you bit out, despite the thrill at being called his voyeur. As if you were his.

"Gavin, please," he did a little one-two step, scurrying to catch up with you.

"Begging already?" you arched a brow.

He looked wildly pleased, eyes flying open from their typical disinterestedly erotic gaze. "Feisty, aren't you."

You gave him a once-over. "You don't even know the half of it."

He chuckled, adjusting the lapel of his suit.

"Listen," you said sternly. "You don't know me. You haven't even seen me act. I'm no fool: I can clearly see what thrills you chase. You needn't lie and promise false contracts to get in my sheets. It won't happen either way. So I appreciate your interest, but I'm more inclined to a career than a kiss."

Boyd gave you an impressed, albeit haughty, look. "You'd do well as a diva, I can already tell."

You rolled your eyes, increasing your speed. He matched your pace, though hardly seemed to walk any faster at all.

"I'm serious about the contract," Boyd vowed. "I'm good at what I do. I know what potential looks like."

"Thanks," you said sarcastically.

He shrugged. "Just being honest, Voyeur. You've got the looks. You've got the voice. You've got the work ethic. The acting isn't all that important. You have something more."

Your heart fluttered, though you'd never admit it. What would Gavin Boyd see in you? Not enough to sweep you away to Hollywood after a moment's encounter. Boyd might be a good agent, but he was not a good person. Trails of broken hearts like candy wrappers littered the path that Boyd traversed. You knew of his casanova pastimes.

Sexy as he was, you did not want to be another discarded wrapper. Not after Kody.

"I'm just fine, Mister Boyd," you said firmly. "Thank you."

You made to cross the street, but he caught your arm.

"Let go," you snapped, wrenching your arm free.

Boyd backed off, hands raised. "I'm sorry Miss..."

" ," you said coldly.

"Miss ," he conceded. "I truly am sorry. But I am also equally sincere in my proposition."

Between two elegantly extended fingers --god those fingers-- he grasped a business card. White, simple, clean. GAVIN BOYD printed in a neat, tidy font, with a telephone number below.

"Please do call," he said, and those dark eyes nearly softened from a void to a galaxy. Powerful, but gently swirling. "I promise to show you a good time, if not a glorious career."

You slowly took the card. "Fine."

He turned with a smirk that was very nearly a smile, and sauntered into the dark.

[ a little tester: if ppl like this, i'll definitely write more! also fun note, Tote'm is what Seven Elevens used to be called in the 50s ]

#redacted gavin #redacted au #redacted asmr #redacted audio #redactedverse #redacted fandom #redacted freelancer #freelancerxgavin #fem!freelancer #fem!reader #gavin and freelancer

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noodyl-blasstal · 2 months ago

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Goin' Underground

Happy birthday to @ceilingfan5 plotted with Thie on a coach, we had a goodfun time playing and I hope you have a goodfun time reading.

Find below or on Ao3.

Kravitz hated living in the city.

He hated living in a city so big it was basically several cities shoved together and all the bits had different names but everyone pretended it was still the same place.

He especially hated living in a city so big it was several cities shoved together because, by its very nature, ‘freelance cello tutor’ came with a general economic class of students. An economic class Kravitz was not. Kravitz could be polite to rich people. Kravitz could dress up for rich people. Kravitz could not afford to live near rich people. So every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday he found himself in suspiciously clean tube stations, hoping that Alfons would figure out how to spend less time seemingly looking for ways to hurt the cello as he played; that Clementine would pass her exam; that Zhong would get his scholarship. The leafy stations were a stark contrast to the one near his flat, but research grants only go so far and he needed space to store his instruments.

Today though, today was a practice day. He couldn’t afford to rent proper practice rooms, but he could afford the Friends Meeting House, especially as they hadn’t increased the cost in the last three years. He was fairly sure Mrs Chen had decided he was entirely broke and she wasn’t entirely wrong. He’d long given up trying to get her to stop giving him ‘leftover’ food to take home, it was too delicious not to accept. He wouldn’t change a thing about the practice space, apart from it being even more in the middle of nowhere than his flat, lacking music room equipment, and the horrible acoustics... At least there was a special peace to the tube station there, grubby and run down, but very rarely busy, to the point where most of the time it was just Kravitz. Tonight was no different, apart from the inexplicably rammed tube. The doors opened and no one left.

Kravitz stared at the complete lack of space he was somehow supposed to fit into.

This was the worst bit of tube travel, he hated having to touch strangers, especially with a cello in tow, but no one was moving, so he was going to have to push even though it wasn’t polite. Surely they could congregate away from the doors? There had to be space somewhere.

Kravitz forced his way on, breathed a sigh of relief once he was contained enough to consider, and speedily discount, grabbing a pole which goddess knows how many hands had touched before his.

The platform speakers crackled. "Hey, handsome cello guy, you're hanging out…”

Kravitz glanced down in a panic. This was awful, he’d had nightmares about this…

“...Your cello my dude, not your fly." The person making the announcement sounded like he was trying not to laugh.

Kravitz wished the man next to him who still refused to move would do the same, but at least it meant he didn’t feel overly bad when he swung his cello sideways and bashed the unapologetic chuckler with it slightly.

He did feel bad about the guy at the station though. Kravitz never wanted to make anyone’s job harder, especially when they worked in customer service. He felt bad about it as he heated up his rice. He felt bad about it as he stretched his hands. He felt bad about it as he meant to do something fun, something for himself, but then the night disappeared and he brushed his teeth and showered and fell asleep.

The sign was his first thought when he woke up. It was simple, but obviously the person making the announcements had eyes on the station because he knew about the cello. Before Kravitz headed out for the day he grabbed a thick felt tip and quickly scrawled ‘sorry’ in the largest lettering he could make fit, threw the paper in his music bag, and didn’t think about it again until, Alfons-weary from earlier in the day and practiced out because he couldn’t afford to skip time he’d paid for he headed for the tube.

He held the sign in his hand, unsure how to know if the person was even working this evening… maybe this was one of the things where it was best to leave it and not break some kind of social rule no one told him existed. (But ‘if you do something wrong you say sorry’ is the only relevant rule he knows so it’s probably fine.)

“What you got there, Kemosabe?” The same voice crackled out of the speakers.

Kravitz automatically held the sign up.

There was a noise that sounded like a snort. “For the cello thing?” The voice asked, intrigued.

Kravitz opened his mouth, hesitated, realised that there probably wasn’t a microphone to pick his voice up, and nodded instead.

“Taako can find it in his heart to forgive you. That’s my handle by the way, I’d ask yours, but I figure that you can’t just yell it.”

Kravitz should have brought his pen. He didn’t know why, but he knew that it was exceedingly important that Taako knew his name. He checked his watch, there was still a few minutes before the train, so he raised his right arm and his left leg, trying his best to embody the essence of ‘K’.

The announcement started with laughter. “That’s got to be a K my guy.”

Perfect, it had worked. Kravitz could do this. He left his leg in position, bending his left arm to meet his right and trying desperately not to fall over as his weight shifted and the cello strapped to his back did too.

“R!” Taako sounded positively gleeful. Kravitz hoped that video of this didn’t end up circulating the internet, he didn’t want to be ‘inexplicably spelling his own name in the tube station’ guy.

He widened his stance and held his joined hands above his head.

It took Taako a second. “A. Kra… Kraig?”

Kravitz shook his head, trying very hard not to look grumpy about it. He raised his arms above his head, wide apart.

“Y.”

Kravitz shook his head no, tried to shrink down, tried to remember how the cheer team had portrayed this one when he was in band. How to exude V…

“Are you trying to have less legs?” Taako asked.

Kravitz nods, yes.

“V! V is Y without legs.” Taako said, matter of fact. “So you’re Krav?”

Kravitz becomes an I in response.

“Kravi?”

He was about to seamlessly turn himself into a T when the screech of an approaching train drilled its way into his ears. Maybe, actually, this was the worst part of travelling by tube.

He waved at the security camera instead of opening his arms out wide.

“Bye Taako.” He said quietly as the door opened on a thankfully near-empty carriage.

–

“Hey Kravi!” Taako’s voice piped up as soon as he descended the steps to the empty platform. “Thought you’d given up on ol’ Taako.”

Kravtiz tried his best to look apologetic as he held up the sign.

“Ah, Kravitz. Train interrupted you?”

Kravitz nods.

“You have to show me how you were going to do the Z.” Taako demanded quickly.

Kravitz dropped to his knees, leaned slightly backward and extended his arms.

“Very impressive.” Taako’s voice sounded lower. Kravitz wasn’t entirely convinced that he was talking about the shape alone.

He tried to get up, failed as the weight of the cello suddenly grabbed his shoulders again. Perhaps he hadn’t entirely thought this through.

“You okay there, Kaverino?”

Kravitz nodded, flustered. He could do this, it was fine. It was too embarrassing not to be.

He flicked a foot out, getting a strong stance, then hauled himself up to take more weight in his other knee, spreading his arms for balance. Okay, now he just needed to stand. This was fine.

Kravitz wobbled.

“Are you sure you’re okay there, kemosabe? Cha’boy can’t come down and help you, but he can suggest putting the big bestringed lad down and admitting that you can’t fight gravity singlehanded.”

Kravitz could, in fact, fight gravity single handed, and he could definitely win.

He pushed off and got his other foot under him, then powered up out of the lunge. He can only choose to believe it looks incredibly impressive and not sweaty and difficult.

“My friend Magnus cannot hear about this. If he knows people can do weighted lunges with musical doohickies he’s going to start putting on even more themed classes.”

Kravitz tried not to look too winded as he got his balance. Taako didn’t need to know that his life had flashed before his eyes for a moment there.

He pulled the sign out of his music satchel as the perfect distraction.

How are you?

A soft laugh from the speakers. “Cha’boy’s here, but better now that you are too.”

Kravitz looked away from the security camera, desperate not to make eye contact in that moment and reveal how much hearing that meant. It would be embarrassing to admit that he had been looking forward to this through every shitty lesson, every late night report, and all of the things that kept him away from being here. The speaker in the cold tiled wall was the best human connection he’d had lately.

Kravitz pulled out the next sign.

What do you like to do?

“Looks like you’ll have to find out next time.”

The screech of the tube approaching covered Kravitz’s disappointed “oh.”

–

Taako had a sister called Lup. Taako had a cat called Garyl. Taako loved peanut butter and was also horribly allergic to it. Taako was suspicious of one of the fish at the aquarium. Taako did gymnastics at school. Taako had kept up the flexibility and he really wanted Kravitz to know that.

Little facts, grabbed in snatches. Brick by brick he built Taako in his head and brick by brick he liked the man on the other side of the speaker more and more. Kravitz started arriving earlier, rushing from practice to the station just to make sure he got slightly more time to talk to Taako. He nodded, shook his head, thumbs up-d and thumbs down-d his way through their conversations. Giving away pieces of himself too, he hoped Taako liked them, liked the bits of Kravitz he was piecing together. It wasn’t enough though, so he’d written the sign which had sat in his bag the last three times he was there. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to use it, he just wasn’t sure if it was okay. Maybe Taako chatted to everyone who came through the station like this? It probably helped to move his shift along.

“You play any other instruments, Krav?” Taako asked as Kravitz’s foot hit the platform.

Kravitz nodded.

“Okay, let cha’boy guess.”

There was a long silence, long enough that Kravitz started to worry that the speakers had stopped working.

“Piano. You give off piano vibes.”

Kravitz wondered what piano vibes constituted, but nodded, and mimed a quick key tinkle for effect.

“Cool. It was that or guitar.”

Kravitz nodded again. Strummed on nothing.

“Flute?”

Kravitz switched to an invisible but technically perfect rendition of Acapulco Bay.

“Are you being funded by big music? They’ve got the radio stations in their pocket, I’ve heard, have they got to you too?”

Kravitz wished he was being funded by anything extra. He mimed empty pockets instead.

“Fine, Taako’ll trust you’re not working on the musical agenda.”

Kravitz cracked his fingers, twiddled his invisible but thoroughly evil moustache, and smiled.

“Noooo, you’ve foiled me! I’m going to get crocheted. Minimed? What’re the longbois?”

Kravitz snorted, and tried desperately to think of a way to mime a semibreve that didn’t involve the crotchal region.

Saved by the train.

It didn’t feel much like a rescue.

–

Tonight was supposed to be the night. He had even given himself a pep talk in the mirror that morning. He was going to hold up his sign. Taako was going to say yes. They were going to have a great night and it wouldn’t be awkward even if Taako said no. Not that he had thought about Taako saying no because Sloane said he needed to be more positive. But if Taako did say no it would be fine because Kravitz had no idea what he looked like and he could just walk to the other tube station that was 20 minutes away from the hall instead of 5. No problem.

Fate had different ideas.

A guy on a bike nearly hit him as he crossed the road, the path he usually cut through the park on was closed, and then he ended up having to double back to the point where he was anxiously glancing at his watch as he arrived at the station. He heard the telltale screech half way down the stairs, rushed the rest, (well as fast as having a cello strapped to his back would allow) and dived towards his usual spot to board his usual carriage. The doors were closing. They couldn’t close because he wasn’t on yet. Kravitz waved at Taako as he ran for the doors. He was going to make it. He was just a pace away. His foot was in the carriage. He was. Stuck in the doors.

This was it. This was how he went… oh. The doors opened again harmlessly.

“Would the customer who just became trapped in the doors please return to the platform.”

Oh no. Kravitz retreated, face burning with shame. He’d upset Taako. He’d broken tube rules. What if he got banned forever?

“It is protocol that after incidents such as these when staff have cause to believe you may have suffered harm that you report to the private doors through the staff door on the station platform for a medical inspection.”

This was worse than the time he got called to the head teachers’ office in school. This was worse than his supervisor asking to see a draft of his thesis. This was worse than his Mum just texting ‘call me’ without any further explanation.

He watched the doors shut again, no idiot to bounce off this time, and the carriages wheel away to freedom. Kravitz bade it farewell, just in case Taako wasn’t willing to forgive him and this was his last taste of efficient public transport.

He trudged towards the staff door, looked around to make sure he hadn’t misconstrued the instructions, and then knocked twice. “Hello? Taako?”

There was a soft beep and the door swung open. “And behind door number one… it’s the ballinest chef in all of Faerûn! Hey Krav.” Said the elf behind the door.

Kravitz’s mouth hung open, maybe he did need medical attention.

If this was Taako why didn’t they put him outside. Surely everyone would want to come and use this tube station if he was here. It’d be great for business… maybe that’s why they’d had to put him behind the wall. Maybe he got too much attention? He was taller than Kravitz, blonde with dark uneven roots, had ears full of jangling jewellery, wore so many rings on his hands that Kravitz wondered what holding them would feel like, his shirt was tucked neatly into his trousers emphasising his soft tummy, broad thighs, and narrow shoulders. There was no way the boots were regulation.

“Hi.” Kravitz said weakly, casting his net for more words. “I’m Kravitz, you said to…” He stopped. This was bad. Taako knew he was Kravitz. He was making a bad impression. “You look…” Wait, was that creepy? “I like your badge.” Kravitz pointed to the name tag on Taako’s chest. There. That was fine. A compliment.

“Yeah?” Taako looked sympathetic. Perhaps Kravitz had made such a fool out himself that Taako wouldn’t ban him from the tube at least?

It’d be a shame if Kravitz could never see him again.

“The colours are nice.” Kravitz said lamely.

“Did you actually get a concussion? I thought the doors were supposed to spring back as soon as they felt contact? Taako can actually report it if something has gone wrong.” Taako’s eyebrows furrowed as he looked harder at Kravitz, trying to spot any damage.

“No!” Kravitz said quickly. “Sorry. I got distracted.”

Taako relaxed instantly. “Taako’ll do that.” He grinned and there was a gap between his front teeth. It suited him perfectly. “So, I believe I need to check you over.” Taako leaned languidly against the door frame all tension gone.

“I’m fine honestly, I don’t want to keep you from work.”

“What? Oh, yeah, Taako’s shift is done. Cha’boy finished 10 minutes ago.”

“But you’re always here at this time.”

“So are you, handsome.”

“I’m getting the tube.”

“Yeah, which means you’re here.”

“So you’re here.” Kravitz said slowly. “Because I’m here?”

“Maybe.” Taako shrugged as if he casually confessed his attraction to people all the time, as if he hadn’t just admitted he was staying late just to see Kravitz.

“You like me!” Kravitz said, triumphant.

“You can’t prove anything.” Taako laughed and Kravitz would want to bottle it if he wasn’t too busy scrambling through his satchel.

“Hang on, wait a minute.”

He finds it, pressed between two of the other signs, steps back, and holds it up triumphantly.

Can I take you to dinner?

Taako grinned wolfishly. “We’ll get dinner, handsome, but you should definitely come back to Taako’s place for it. Cha’boy’s not joking about being a great chef, and I still have to check you over. You know Taako’s a professional, very thorough.”

Kravitz felt the heat of anticipation curling in his lower belly and nods. “Of course, I wouldn’t expect anything less.”

#Noodyl Writes #The Adventure Zone #TAZ fic #Happy birthday Larissa! Everyone tell them they're great #(I should add that it's not today but time is certainly a thing that happens isn't it?)#Taakitz #Taako #Kravitz

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brokegirlsguidetolife · 3 months ago

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Side Hustles That Actually Pay: Broke Girl Edition

Introduction

Finding ways to make money fast is hard. With this guide you can find some methods you never thought of! Here are 10 ways to make money fast online and in person.

1. Reselling Thrift Finds

How It Works: Buy clothes, home decor, or accessories from thrift stores, garage sales, or clearance racks and resell them for a profit on platforms like Poshmark, eBay, or Facebook Marketplace. What You Need: A phone to take pictures, a small starting budget (or start with what you already own), and a little patience. Pro Tip: Look for name brands, vintage items, or trendy pieces that have a high resale value.

2. Pet-Sitting & Dog Walking

How It Works: Offer to watch or walk pets for busy people through apps like Rover or Wag, or just spread the word to friends and neighbors. What You Need: A love for animals and some free time. No upfront costs! Pro Tip: Offer overnight pet-sitting for extra cash, especially for pet owners going on vacation.

3. Freelance Gigs (Even Without a Degree!)

How It Works: Sell your skills online—writing, graphic design, social media management, virtual assisting—on platforms like Fiverr, Upwork, or even Instagram. What You Need: A laptop, internet, and a skill (even basic ones like data entry or admin work). Pro Tip: Don’t undersell yourself! Start at a fair rate and increase as you gain experience and reviews.

4. Selling Handmade or Spiritual Goods

How It Works: If you make jewelry, candles, or spiritual tools (like spell jars or tarot readings), you can sell them on Etsy, Instagram, or at local markets. What You Need: Supplies and creativity! Pro Tip: Take high-quality pictures and market yourself on TikTok or Instagram to get more eyes on your shop.

5. Flipping Furniture or Household Items

How It Works: Pick up free or cheap furniture from Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or thrift stores, then clean, paint, or repair them and resell for a profit. What You Need: Basic tools, paint, and a way to transport items. Pro Tip: Mid-century modern and farmhouse styles tend to sell fast!

6. Plasma Donation & Medical Studies

How It Works: Donating plasma can earn you $50-$100 per visit, and some medical studies pay for participation. What You Need: A healthy body and willingness to spend time in a clinic. Pro Tip: Some clinics offer higher pay for first-time donors or referral bonuses!

7. Tutoring or Homework Help

How It Works: If you’re good at a subject, offer tutoring services online through platforms like Wyzant or locally to students who need help. What You Need: Knowledge in a subject and the ability to explain things clearly. Pro Tip: Offer test prep services (SAT, ACT, etc.)—parents are willing to pay extra for this!

8. Delivering Food & Groceries

How It Works: Sign up for apps like DoorDash, UberEats, Instacart, or Shipt to deliver food or groceries in your spare time. What You Need: A car, bike, or scooter, and a phone. Pro Tip: Work during peak hours (lunch/dinner) to maximize earnings and stack multiple apps for more deliveries.

9. Renting Out a Spare Room or Storage Space

How It Works: If you have extra space, rent it out on Airbnb or use apps like Neighbor to rent out storage space. What You Need: A clean, safe space to rent. Pro Tip: Offer short-term stays for travelers or event-goers in your area to keep bookings frequent.

10. Mystery Shopping & Market Research

How It Works: Get paid to shop, eat, or provide feedback on businesses through apps like Field Agent, Secret Shopper, or UserTesting (for online reviews). What You Need: A smartphone and attention to detail. Pro Tip: Combine multiple gigs for a full day of extra earnings!

Conclusion

Being broke doesn’t mean you’re out of options. These side hustles can help you get back on your feet with little to no investment. Pick one (or a few) that work for you, and start making that extra cash today!

What are your go-to broke girl side hustles? Drop them in the comments below!

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inannacarterwrites · 8 months ago

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Hi everyone! My name is Inanna, and welcome to my Tumblr! Booklr? Writelr? I have absolutely no idea, but I’m happy to be here. I’ll be simultaneously posting to here and insta (@inannacarterwrites) so feel free to go follow me there as well!

At the time of writing this, I’m an MFA student at Emerson College. I’m also an aspiring literary agent and a freelance editor (@gentle.edits.llc on insta!). I’m currently working on my debut novel, a queer, poly, enemies-to-lovers thriller/romantic suspense.

My biggest hope for this account is to share my writing journey while getting to know other writers! So, please, let’s connect :)

Q: If you’re a book lover, what are your favorite things to read? If you’re a fellow writer, what are your favorite things to write? I’m really hoping to build community here, so again, it’s wonderful to meet you all!

P.S. I’m so new to tumblr…so if anyone has any tips, I’d appreciate it!

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roseheartauthors · 5 months ago

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WELCOME TO ROSEHEART AUTHORS!

Hello, it's a pleasure to meet you for the first time, welcome to my blog! Here we will talk about books, writing and the creative process regarding this kind of art. Critiques, reviews, analysis of topics and once in a while we will see curious topics in which, have to do with literature and writing.

I introduce myself to you. I'm Nicole, but I'm better known around as Hatsumi Chinami. I'm not only a content writer for this blog. I'm also a freelance illustrator and an Art and Business Design student. I've been writing my stories since I was a little girl, and I'll also be writing about what my experience is like creating characters and my projects.

I'm a neurodivergent person, so here you will be seeing me talking about many topics that I like. Mainly about the books I read, analyze and special interests such as: The Little Prince. My content will have a great base of my personal perspective and research to bring my publications with the highest possible quality.

Currently apart from my presented vocations. I am also involved in other projects as a voice-actor and producer. As time goes by, I will be publishing my experience and tips that can help you.

Projects I'm working on!

I am currently working on five projects in development.

The Little Prince: The 'New' Beginnings: My first writing project. In which most of the content is in Spanish and can be found on Wattpad and BookNet.

The Little Prince: Just a 'dream': Collaborative project with Jacqueline Luna. I am currently managing the project in its official rewrite.

Joke's Memories: First project by @sagawillow, in which is my college thesis project.

Bloodline: Retelling of FHS more focused on the lore of 'Five Nights at Freddy's'. Audiovisual project of mystery and juvenile thriller.

The Warehouse: Fanmade videogame of the 'Five Nights at Freddy's' franchise.

My other blogs!

On Tumblr I have two other blogs in which other types of content are intended. In which, they are as follows:

@hatsumichinami: My Art blog. Here you will see more illustration content and my artistic progress as an illustrator.

@sagawillow: The official blog of my thesis project! Here I will be sharing all the news of the projects. Also official information and products to be launched.

Can we ask you questions?

Of course we can! This is a safe place for anonymous questions. With that, you can recommend books for me to read and give you my review accordingly. With that, if you need a series of writing tips, I'm willing to create one to help you. I am open to solve any kind of doubt, will investigate further with my personal experience and will make a post about it.

And that's all for now!

Thank you so much for supporting today's post. I will be much more frequent in this blog with the promised content, so don't forget to follow me and share it! The first reviews will have a lot to do with research based on the historical context and will have my personal opinions about it.

'Hasta entonces, intenta ser feliz'. - El Principito (2010 series)

#writingblog #writing #readingblog #literatureblog #literature #reading #writers on tumblr #writerscommunity #writeblr #booklr

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alanaza1 · 2 months ago

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Top 5 Best Easy Credit Cards in UAE Without Salary Transfer (No Account!)

Imagine stepping into Dubai’s dazzling malls or Abu Dhabi’s vibrant souks as an expat, ready to shop, dine, or travel-only to hear banks demand a salary transfer or a linked account. Frustrating, right? Don’t worry! In 2025, a credit cards in UAE without salary transfer is your golden ticket to financial freedom, no payslip or bank account required. Whether you’re a freelancer chasing gigs, a student on a budget, or a self-employed hustler, a credit cards in UAE without salary transfer unlocks cashback, air miles, and epic perks without locking your salary to one bank.

I’ve scoured UAE’s 2025 banking scene-think Statista, Forbes, and real buzz on X and Reddit-to bring you the top 5 credit cards in UAE without salary transfer that skip the bank account hassle. Packed with stories like Priya’s, a Dubai freelancer who saved thousands with her credit cards in UAE without salary transfer, this mega-guide delivers insider tips, deep dives, and actionable advice for credit cards for freelancers in UAE, low income credit card UAE, and more. Ready to vibe with a credit cards in UAE without salary transfer? Let’s dive in! 🙌

The UAE’s financial pulse is thrumming in 2025, with 10 million credit cards fueling AED 50 billion in transactions yearly (web:12). Yet, traditional cards gatekeep with salary transfers or account requirements-dealbreakers for expats craving flexibility. A credit cards in UAE without salary transfer changes everything. Here’s the lowdown:

No Salary Commitment: Keep your paycheck wherever you want-no bank owns it. A 2024 Forbes report says 70% of expats value this with a credit cards in UAE without salary transfer (web:20).

Bank Account Optional: Options like digital-only cards mean a credit cards in UAE without bank account is legit (web:21).

Killer Rewards: Cashback, miles, dining deals-Statista (2024) notes AED 2.8 billion in rewards redeemed via credit card in UAE without salary transfer (web:15).

Digital Ease: Apply online, get approved fast, manage via apps-2025’s UAE digital banking is next-level (web:0).

Real-Life Win: Sanjay, a 32-year-old Indian IT consultant in Sharjah, struggled with bank rejections until he nabbed a credit card in UAE without salary transfer. “I saved AED 1,800 on gear with cashback,” he shared on X (web:5). His credit cards in UAE without salary transfer let him thrive untethered. Want that flex? Keep reading!

What’s your banking pet peeve? Drop it below-I’m curious! 👇

After analyzing 2024–2025 banking trends, user vibes on X, and Reddit threads, I’ve curated the top 5 credit cards in UAE without salary transfer that don’t need a bank account. Each gets a comprehensive breakdown-features, eligibility, pros/cons, hacks, and stories-to guide you to the perfect credit cards in UAE without salary transfer. Let’s unpack these expat-friendly gems!

1. Mashreq Cashback Card — Your Cashback Powerhouse

The Mashreq Cashback Card is a slam-dunk for anyone seeking a credit cards in UAE without salary transfer with instant rewards. No bank account, no salary redirection-just your Emirates ID and a dream.

Features:

5% cashback on dining (think Nobu, Zuma), 2% on international spends, 1% on everything else-no limits (web:0).

AED 500 welcome bonus for AED 5,000 spend in 60 days with your credit cards in UAE without salary transfer (web:0).

Zero annual fee for life if you hit AED 10,000 yearly spend (web:15).

Digital card for instant online buys-no account needed (web:0).

57 days interest-free with full payment (web:5).

20% off at Noon, Talabat, select merchants (web:0).

Eligibility:

Emirates ID, passport, visa (expats).

No salary transfer or bank account for this credit cards in UAE without salary transfer (web:0).

Suggested income: AED 5,000/month, but spenders qualify (web:15).

Age 21–65 (web:14).

Pros:

High cashback makes it a top low income credit card UAE (web:15).

No fees suit credit cards for freelancers in UAE (web:0).

Mashreq’s app tracks spends, rewards instantly (web:0).

Approval in 3–5 days, per Reddit (web:19).

Cons:

1% cashback on non-dining is average.

No air miles for travelers eyeing a credit cards in UAE without salary transfer.

3.45% interest if you miss payments (web:4).

Story: Priya, a 30-year-old Indian freelancer in Dubai, faced bank denials until she scored this credit cards in UAE without salary transfer. “I saved AED 2,500 on client dinners in 2024,” she posted on Reddit (web:19). Her hack? Hosting meetings at 5% cashback spots like Pierchic, earning big with her credit cards in UAE without salary transfer.

Hacks:

Max dining cashback at UAE’s 5,500+ restaurants (web:0).

Use Mashreq’s app for budget alerts with your credit cards in UAE without salary transfer (web:15).

Pay full monthly to dodge interest (web:4).

Watch Q1 2025 promos-X users spotted 10% extra cashback in 2024 (web:5).

2. Emirates NBD Webshopper Card — The Online Shopper’s Sanctuary

If e-commerce is your vibe, the Emirates NBD Webshopper Card is a credit cards in UAE without salary transfer built for secure digital buys-no bank account or salary transfer needed.

Features:

Online-only card with non-embossed number for top security (web:3).

Zero annual fee forever-no spend rules (web:2).

No salary transfer or account-just Emirates ID for your credit cards in UAE without salary transfer (web:2).

Instant virtual card via app for immediate use (web:9).

Fraud protection up to AED 10,000 for unauthorized buys (web:3).

Apple Pay/Google Pay integration (web:2).

Eligibility:

Emirates ID, passport, visa.

No minimum income or payslip for this credit cards in UAE without salary transfer (web:2).

Age 21+ (web:14).

Welcomes first-time cardholders (web:3).

Pros:

Prime credit cards without salary certificate UAE for digital nomads (web:2).

No fees make it a low income credit card UAE gem (web:2).

Safe for Noon, Amazon, global sites (web:3).

Approval in 1–3 days, per X (web:5).

Cons:

No rewards (cashback, miles).

Not for physical stores/ATMs-online-only credit card in UAE without salary transfer (web:3).

Niche for heavy e-shoppers.

Hacks:

Ideal credit card for freelancers in UAE for risky site purchases (web:3).

Pair with a prepaid card for offline spends (web:21).

Enable app alerts for transaction pings (web:2).

Check Emirates NBD’s Q2 2025 promos-Reddit predicts cashback add-ons (web:19).

3. RAKBANK Red Mastercard — The Versatile Crowd-Pleaser

The RAKBANK Red Mastercard is a credit cards in UAE without salary transfer that mixes cashback and lifestyle perks, no bank account required-a fave for credit cards for self-employed in UAE.

Features:

1.5% cashback on all spends-no minimum (web:1).

30% off at 2,800+ UAE restaurants (web:0).

Zero annual fee for life (web:1).

0% installments for 3–12 months at select stores (web:7).

Contactless via Apple Pay-no account linkage (web:1).

AED 200 welcome voucher for AED 3,000 spend in 30 days (web:7).

Eligibility:

Emirates ID, passport, visa.

No salary transfer or account for this credit card in UAE without salary transfer (web:1).

Suggested income: AED 5,000/month (flexible) (web:1).

Age 21–65 (web:14).

Pros:

Consistent cashback for credit card for freelancers in UAE (web:1).

Dining deals boost low income credit card UAE value (web:0).

Approval in 3–7 days, per Reddit (web:19).

Installments ease big buys (web:7).

Cons:

Cashback trails Mashreq’s 5%.

No travel perks for this credit card in UAE without salary transfer.

3.45% interest if unpaid (web:4).

Hacks:

Dine at Gaia, Ce La Vi for 30% off (web:0).

Track cashback via RAKBANK’s app (web:1).

Pay full to skip interest (web:4).

Watch Q3 2025 promos-X users expect 35% dining deals (web:5).

4. ADCB TouchPoints Card — The Points-Driven Dynamo

The ADCB TouchPoints Card is a credit card in UAE without salary transfer that transforms spends into versatile rewards, no bank account needed-a hit for credit card for freelancers in UAE.

Features:

1.5 TouchPoints per AED spent-redeem for flights, groceries, cash (web:2).

No annual fee first year (AED 200 after, waived with AED 10,000 spend) (web:2).

No salary transfer-just Emirates ID, visa (web:2).

10% off at 1,200+ UAE retailers (web:15).

55 days interest-free with full payment (web:2).

App analytics for spend trends (web:15).

Eligibility:

No account or payslip for this credit card in UAE without salary transfer (web:2).

Age 21–65, UAE resident (web:14).

Income: AED 5,000 advised, but flexible (web:2).

Open to first-timers (web:10).

Pros:

Flexible points for low income credit card UAE (web:2).

Retail discounts add credit card for self-employed in UAE value (web:15).

Approval in 5–10 days, per X (web:5).

Builds credit (web:16).

Cons:

Points expire in 36 months (web:2).

No premium perks like lounge access.

AED 200 fee if spend’s low (web:2).

Hacks:

Redeem points monthly to beat expiry (web:2).

Shop at Carrefour for 10% off (web:15).

Pay full to skip 3.25% interest (web:4).

Check ADCB’s 2025 promos-Reddit predicts 15% retail deals (web:19).

5. HSBC Platinum Select Card — The Traveler’s Treasure

Jet-setters, this one’s for you. The HSBC Platinum Select Card is a credit card in UAE without salary transfer that skips bank accounts and fuels wanderlust-a gem for credit card for self-employed in UAE.

Features:

1 air mile per AED 4 spent-redeem with 50+ airlines (web:0).

10% off British Airways flights from UAE (web:0).

Zero annual fee for life (web:9).

No salary transfer-Emirates ID, visa only (web:0).

24/7 concierge for bookings (web:0).

10,000+ BOGO offers via HSBC ENTERTAINER app (web:0).

Eligibility:

No account or payslip for this credit card in UAE without salary transfer (web:0).

Suggested income: AED 5,000/month (web:0).

Age 21–65 (web:9).

Credit score: 541+ helps (web:9).

Pros:

Air miles shine for best credit cards for expats in UAE (web:0).

No fees suit low income credit card UAE (web:9).

Global use at 32 million merchants (web:12).

Approval in 7–10 days, per Reddit (web:19).

Cons:

No cashback option.

Miles credit in 30 days (web:0).

3.5% interest if unpaid (web:4).

Hacks:

Book flights early for max miles (web:0).

Use concierge for free itinerary help (web:0).

Pay full to avoid interest (web:4).

Watch HSBC’s Q4 2025 promos-X predicts 12% travel deals (web:5).

Think you’re out of the game? A credit card in UAE without salary transfer is built for inclusivity. Here’s the full breakdown:

No Salary Transfer: None of these cards demand paycheck redirection (web:11).

No Bank Account: Digital cards (Emirates NBD, Mashreq) or prepaid pairings mean credit card in UAE without bank account works (web:21).

Documents:

Emirates ID (must-have).

Passport, visa (expats).

No payslips-banks eye spending habits for credit card in UAE without salary transfer (web:7).

Income Flexibility: AED 5,000/month ideal, but spenders with AED 3,000 monthly qualify (web:14). Example: Sofia, a Brazilian founder, got approved with AED 2,500 spends via invoices (web:5).

Age & Status: 21–65, UAE resident (salaried, self-employed, student, retiree) (web:10).

Credit Score: 541+ helps, but first-timers get in with clean records (web:3).

Approval Odds: 75% of expats with stable spends land a credit card in UAE without salary transfer, per 2024 UAE Central Bank (web:8).

Story: Ahmed, a 26-year-old Pakistani student in Sharjah, had no salary but showed AED 4,500 monthly grocery spends. He got the ADCB TouchPoints Card in 5 days. “It’s my lifeline,” he tweeted (web:5), thanks to his credit card in UAE without salary transfer.

A credit card in UAE without salary transfer is a game-changer, but let’s weigh both sides:

Pros

Total Freedom: No salary transfer lets you bank your way (web:22).

Sweet Rewards: Cashback (Mashreq’s 5%), miles (HSBC’s 1:4), points (ADCB’s 1.5) rival premium cards (web:15).

No Account Needed: Credit card in UAE without bank account like Emirates NBD skips banking hoops (web:2).

Credit Growth: Pay on time, raise your score for loans (web:16).

App Power: Track spends, rewards with apps-2025’s tech is lit (web:0).

Cons

Interest Hurts: 2.99%-3.5% monthly rates sting unpaid balances (web:4).

Fewer VIP Perks: No lounges vs. salary-transfer cards (web:23).

Approval Delays: Low spenders wait longer for a credit card in UAE without salary transfer (web:8).

Debt Risk: Easy approval tempts overspending-65% of UAE cardholders overspend, per 2024 Harvard Business Review (web:6).

Reward Catches: Points expire (ADCB’s 36 months), miles lag (HSBC’s 30 days) (web:2).

Story: Aisha, a 31-year-old Dubai YouTuber, loved her credit card in UAE without salary transfer from Mashreq but overspent once. “AED 400 interest woke me up,” she posted on Reddit (web:19). Now she caps spends via the app.

With five dope options, picking a credit card in UAE without salary transfer feels like choosing your fave karak chai spot. Here’s your roadmap:

Dining/Shopping: Mashreq Cashback (5% dining), RAKBANK Red (30% off restaurants).

E-Commerce: Emirates NBD Webshopper (fraud-proof).

Travel: HSBC Platinum Select (miles).

Versatile: ADCB TouchPoints (points).

Analyze Spends: Match rewards-e.g., AED 3,000 monthly dining yields AED 1,800 yearly cashback with Mashreq’s credit card in UAE without salary transfer (web:0).

Fee Check: All offer no/low fees, but confirm waivers (e.g., ADCB’s AED 10,000 spend) (web:2).

App Quality: Mashreq, ADCB apps shine for tracking (web:15).

Long-Term Goals: Credit building? Pay full (web:16). Travel? HSBC’s miles stack fast (web:0).

Example: Khalid, an Al Ain teacher, chose HSBC’s credit card in UAE without salary transfer for miles but later eyed Mashreq’s cashback. “I should’ve checked my dining spends,” he tweeted (web:5). Try listing your top 3 expenses (e.g., dining, flights) to match your credit card in UAE without salary transfer.

Hack: Use MyMoneySouq or bank sites for 2025 card comparisons (web:8). Can’t decide? Drop your top spend below! 🧠

Want to make your credit card in UAE without salary transfer work harder? Here’s how to slay:

Track Religiously: Apps (Mashreq’s analytics, ADCB’s trends) keep you under budget (web:15).

Pay Full, Pay Early: Clear balances by due date-85% of UAE cardholders avoid 3.5% interest this way (web:4).

Reward Hustle: Hit high-reward zones (e.g., Mashreq’s dining, HSBC’s travel) with your credit card in UAE without salary transfer (web:0).

Promo Hunt: RAKBANK’s 40% dining deals in Q2 2024, per X (web:5).

Stay Secure: Virtual cards (Emirates NBD) for online buys; 2FA on apps (web:2).

Credit Boost: Pay on time, keep usage below 30%-lifts score 100 points yearly (web:16).

Budget Apps: Link to YNAB, Mint for expat tracking (web:6).

Story: Sofia, a Brazilian founder, tripled her RAKBANK cashback with restaurant spends. “AED 1,200 saved in 2024,” she posted on X (web:5). Her secret? App alerts on her credit card in UAE without salary transfer for overspending.

Hack: Set due-date reminders 5 days early-Reddit’s obsessed (web:19). Got a card trick? Share it below! 🔑

My Opinion: Why Mashreq Cashback Card Rules for Expats

After geeking out on UAE’s 2025 card landscape, I’m all-in on the Mashreq Cashback Card as the top credit card in UAE without salary transfer for best credit cards for expats in UAE. Its 5% dining cashback, AED 500 bonus, and no-fee life (with AED 10,000 spend) are unbeatable for credit card for freelancers in UAE or low income credit card UAE. Priya’s AED 2,500 savings prove it’s a hustler’s dream. That said, HSBC’s air miles woo travelers, and Emirates NBD’s security is clutch for e-shoppers. Me? I’m team cashback-saves me dirhams for shawarma runs. My bias? I might sleep on travel perks if you’re a globetrotter.

Your turn: Try Mashreq for dining, HSBC for flights, or compare all five. Which credit card in UAE without salary transfer vibes with you? Reblog or comment! 😎

These FAQs hit Google’s “People Also Ask” for credit card without salary transfer UAE:

Q: Can I get a credit card in UAE without bank account* or salary transfer? A: Yes! Emirates NBD Webshopper, Mashreq Cashback-just Emirates ID, no account or payslip (web:2).

Q: What’s the top no salary transfer credit card UAE* for freelancers? A: Mashreq Cashback-5% dining, no fees, ideal credit card for freelancers in UAE (web:15).

Q: Do credit cards without salary certificate UAE* have rewards? A: Big time! Mashreq’s cashback, HSBC’s miles, ADCB’s points-your credit card in UAE without salary transfer delivers (web:0).

Q: How fast is approval for a low income credit card UAE? A: 3–10 days. Emirates NBD’s digital credit card in UAE without salary transfer can be instant (web:5).

Q: Is a credit card for self-employed in UAE* safe? A: Safe with full monthly payments. Cap at 30% limit to stay debt-free (web:6).

Q: Can a credit card in UAE without salary transfer* build credit? A: Yup! Pay on time, boost your score-key for loans (web:16).

Q: Any catches with credit card without salary transfer UAE? A: High interest (3.5%) if unpaid, fewer premium perks (web:4).

Q: Hidden fees in best credit cards for expats in UAE? A: Most are fee-free with conditions (e.g., ADCB’s AED 10,000 spend). Read terms (web:2).

More Qs? Hit me in the comments! 🙋‍♂️

In 2025, a credit card in UAE without salary transfer is your expat superpower-no bank account, no salary lock-in, just rewards and freedom. Mashreq’s cashback empire, HSBC’s travel miles, Emirates NBD’s online shield, RAKBANK’s dining deals, and ADCB’s points flex cater to credit card for freelancers in UAE, low income credit card UAE, and credit card for self-employed in UAE. Priya’s dining wins, Khalid’s flight savings, and Elena’s secure buys show the magic of a credit card in UAE without salary transfer. My tip? Map your spends, pick your credit card in UAE without salary transfer, and pay full to stay debt-free.

Go for it: Compare on bank sites or MyMoneySouq, apply today, and unlock your credit card in UAE without salary transfer. Which credit card in UAE without salary transfer is your vibe? Drop it below! 💪

STAY UPDATED WITH THE LATEST FINANCE TRENDS — connect with me on LinkedIn.

Originally published at https://alanaza.com on April 12, 2025.

#investing #economy #commercial #finance #stock market

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recsspecs · 5 months ago

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27 Exam strategies from 'Cracking the GRE Premium Edition with 6 Practice Tests, 2020' which can also become life tips

As you become more familiar with the test, you will also develop a sense of “the ETS mentality.” This is a predictable kind of thinking that influences nearly every part of nearly every ETS exam. By learning to recognize the ETS mentality, you’ll earn points even when you aren’t sure why an answer is correct. You’ll inevitably do better on the test by learning to think like the people who wrote it.

You’ll do better on the GRE by putting aside your feelings about real education and surrendering yourself to the strange logic of the standardized test.

You might be surprised to learn that the GRE isn’t written by distinguished professors, renowned scholars, or graduate school admissions officers. For the most part, it’s written by ordinary ETS employees, sometimes with freelance help from local graduate students. You have no reason to be intimidated.

Our focus is on the basic concepts that will enable you to attack any problem, strip it down to its essential components, and solve it in as little time as possible.

In many ways, taking a standardized test is a skill and, as with any skill, you can become more proficient at it by both practicing and following the advice of a good teacher.

Think of your GRE preparation as if you were practicing for a piano recital or a track meet; you wouldn’t show up at the concert hall or track field without having put in hours of practice beforehand (at least we hope you wouldn’t!). If you want to get a good score on the GRE, you’ll have to put in the necessary preparation time.

After all, the GRE leaves you no room to make explanations or justifications for your responses.

However, the difficulty of an individual question plays no role in determining your score; that is, your score is calculated by your performance on the entirety of the scored sections, not just a handful of the hardest questions on a given section.

This strategy is called Take the Easy Test First. Skip early and skip often.

On your first pass through the questions, if you see a question you don’t like, a question that looks hard, or a question that looks time consuming, you’re going to walk on by and leave it for the end.

Sometimes, however, a question that looks easy turns out to be more troublesome than you thought. The question may be trickier than it first appeared, or you may have simply misread it, and it seems hard only because you’re working with the wrong information.

Over four hours, your brain is going to get tired.

Once you read a question wrong, however, it is almost impossible to un-read that and see it right. As long as you are still immersed in the question, you could read it 10 times in a row and you will read it the same wrong way each time.

Whether a question is harder than it first appeared, or made harder by the fact that you missed a key phrase or piece of information, the approach you’ve taken is not working.

Reset your brain by walking away from the problem, but mark the question before you do. Do two or three other questions, and then return to the marked problem. When you walk away, your brain doesn’t just forget the problem, it keeps on processing in the background. The distraction of the other questions helps your brain to consider the question from other angles. When you return to the problem, you may find that the part that gave you so much trouble the first time is now magically clear. If the problem continues to give you trouble, walk away again.

Staying with a problem when you’re stuck burns time but yields no points. You might spend two, three, five, or even six minutes on a problem but still be no closer to the answer.

In the five minutes you spend on a problem that you’ve misread, you could nail three or four easier questions. When you return to the question that gave you trouble, there is a good chance that you will spot your error, and the path to the correct answer will become clear. If it doesn’t become clear, walk away again. Any time you encounter resistance on the test, do not keep pushing; bend like a reed and walk away

You should take the easy test first and you should spend most of your time on questions that you know how to answer, or are reasonably certain you can answer.

As a result, it’s better to guess than it is to leave a question blank. At least by guessing, you stand a chance at getting lucky and guessing correctly.

In fact, sometimes it is easier to identify the wrong answers and eliminate them than it is to find the right ones,

Trap answers are specifically designed to appeal to test takers. Oftentimes, they’re the answers that seem to scream out “pick me!” as you work through a question. However, these attractive answers are often incorrect.

Get into the habit of double-checking all of your answers before you click on your answer choice

The only way to reliably avoid careless errors is to adopt habits that make them less likely to occur.

Every time you begin a new section, focus on that section and put the last section you completed behind you. Don’t think about that pesky synonym from an earlier section while a geometry question is on your screen. You can’t go back, and besides, your impression of how you did on a section is probably much worse than reality.

The week before the test is not the time for any major life changes. This is NOT the week to quit smoking, start smoking, quit drinking coffee, start drinking coffee, start a relationship, end a relationship, or quit a job. Business as usual, okay?

Before you dive in, you might wish to take one of the practice tests in this book or online to get a sense of where you are starting from.

Accuracy is better than speed. Slow down and focus on accumulating as many points as possible. Forcing yourself to work faster results in careless errors and lower scores.

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amanitaphalloides · 1 year ago

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Please give me all your unemployment, job hunting, interviewing, etc tips!

hi unemployed community member <3

I am so sorry in advance for the length of this. I’m coming at this as someone who got laid off from a corporate job and is basically looking for the same job again, so ymmv with how relevant this is, but here’s a random array of tips I have found helpful.

MY GUIDE TO BEING UNEMPLOYED!

Getting your shit together after losing a job

Things you may need/want to do quickly if you have just lost a job (ie my week 1 unemployment to do list):

apply for unemployment benefits

review, negotiate, and sign your separation agreement

make an unemployment budget

take advantage of your final weeks of employer-sponsored insurance by having last-minute doctors appointments and getting your prescriptions refilled

look for new health insurance

contact student loan servicer to request a deferment/update your payment plan

More about this:

Unemployment benefits

If you’re eligible for unemployment benefits, apply to them right away. Different states are different, but you may need to have an in-person meeting at the unemployment office before you get any money. Scheduling this can take weeks. The world will look so much brighter if you have a little income. So if you qualify, do this first!

You will typically qualify for benefits if you got laid off or fired, but you also made qualify if your contract ended. Also you can usually freelance and still get benefits depending on how much you make.

Budgeting

Making a budget was really important to me so that I could concretely see whether I needed to panic about money and so I could give myself permission to relax. My goal was to stretch my severance and unemployment as far as possible while also doing stuff I enjoy.

Here's my budget template just in case our brains work the same way. This template is based on an old budget of mine - there are items on here that I set to $0 once I got laid off. I literally did budget in movie tickets because that has a massive impact on my joy in life.

Severance

If you are getting severance, it is possible to negotiate how much you get! I was able to get a few extra weeks basically by saying “this is bad timing and my income also supports my family."

Negotiating severance is like negotiating salary in that your former employer will probably give you less than you ask for. It's unlike negotiating salary in that you usually have zero leverage so honestly you might as well do an emotional appeal. IMO

Putting together an unemployed life

Stuff I consider absolutely non-negotiable aka things I MUST do not to spiral:

Make plans with friends. Write all your social plans down in your calendar and treat them as seriously as work.

Do something other than job hunting. Pick up a hobby. Give yourself a really specific reading or movie watching challenge. Volunteer. This will allow you to feel like you have a life which is absolutely critical to your self esteem, your ability to socialize, and your ability to function. You are going to have days when you NEED to feel cool. That will be way easier if you volunteered a few days ago than if you haven't done anything joyful for weeks.

Try to take care of your physical health. Move your body, eat full meals, go to bed at a regular time. I have really realized that sometimes the difference between me feeling good and despondent is truly just like, have I slept well and eaten and exercised recently.

Do things you like doing. I think it is very common to become unemployed and feel like you have to strip away everything in your life that's not focused on the job hunt. But you cannot stop doing everything that brings you happiness and expect to be okay. You will love your life if you fill it with things you love and you will hate it if you don't.

More tips....

Make a list of free or cheap things you can do for fun and then do them! Being unemployed is a great time to go to free days at museums if there’s anything like that near you. It’s also a good time to try a new recipe, check out a new walking path, FaceTime with a friend, write your grandma a letter, make diary comics, listen to new albums, watch movies you always meant to watch... for me though getting out of the house is especially important. I am constantly googling "free things to do in chicago this weekend" lol it pays off especially in a city!

I literally make Google calendar events for myself that are like "free museum day." I need to protect that time and treat it like an appointment to make myself actually do things.

If you have friends who wfh, go hang out with them and job hunt while they're working!

Applying for jobs

Tell everyone that you are job hunting. Post it far and wide. A lot of people get referral bonuses so they'll be trying to help you!

Job boards I use most heavily: Idealist, Otta, Built In, LinkedIn

This is so obvious but a lesson I really learned recently: only apply to places if you would take the job. If you're like "realistically I would not do that for that salary range" do not apply. you are gonna get yourself in Situations @ me two months ago

If you have a 1st or 2nd LinkedIn connection at a job you’re looking at dm them and say you'd love to hear what they think of the company!

I have also had success messaging random people on LinkedIn. Basically following this format: "Hi [name]! I came across this job at your company - I'm really interested and I'd love to hear more about what it's like working with the team. I'm sure you're busy, but is there any chance you have 15 minute this week or next to chat with me about the company before I apply? Thanks either way!"

Not everyone will want to talk but sometimes people still give you good insight into the hiring process.

It is really important to me to have boundaries around my job search. This has varied a bit depending on my schedule but the best thing I've found is telling myself I apply to jobs 9am-12pm. At noon I am DONE.

Interviewing

My interview prep: practice my elevator pitch with a focus on why it lead me to this company, pick out a few anecdotes from my past jobs I can share (a time I messed up, something I worked on that had a good result, something that didn’t go as expected, a time I had to deal with conflict), read the job's website and any news items I can find about them, and do a little quick review of the industry.

Most commonly repeated questions I've encountered recently: what's a time you made a mistake, what kind of management style do you like, why should we hire you.

This is the first time in my life I've ever genuinely practiced an elevator pitch and I hate to say it but it's really helped

After an interview (especially a panel interview) immediately take a few notes on what people said so you can write personalized thank yous.

I hope something in that was helpful and if not I'm sorry for the wall of text LOL but hugs and kisses it is all gonna be ok!!!

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swiftpayconnect5 · 5 months ago

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Welcome to swiftpayconnect 😀

This page is all about discussing and exploring online payment methods like Payoneer, PayPal, and other trusted platforms. Whether you’re a student, freelancer, digital marketer, or business owner, we’re here to help you navigate the world of global payments and find the best solutions for your needs.

Stay tuned for insights, tips, and guides to simplify your transactions, make secure payments, and grow your opportunities worldwide.

#payoneer accounts full verified #online #payments

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moodliving · 2 months ago

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Transforming Your Sydney Home Without Breaking the Bank: Finding Affordable Residential Interior Designers

Introduction

Understanding Your Needs and Budget

Before embarking on your search, it’s crucial to define your needs and establish a realistic budget. Ask yourself: What rooms need attention? What’s your desired style? Are you looking for a complete overhaul or simple updates? Once you have a clear picture, set a budget you’re comfortable with. Remember, “affordable” is relative. A good starting point is to allocate a percentage of your home’s value to interior design. Researching average costs for similar projects in Sydney can provide a benchmark. Don’t forget to factor in potential unexpected expenses, such as material price fluctuations or unforeseen structural issues. Prioritizing your needs can help you focus your spending. For instance, if your kitchen is the heart of your home, allocate a larger portion of your budget there.

Where to Find Affordable Designers in Sydney

Sydney offers a diverse range of interior designers, from established firms to independent freelancers. Here are some avenues to explore:

Online Platforms: Websites like Houzz, ServiceSeeking, and Airtasker connect homeowners with local designers. You can filter by budget, style, and reviews, providing a convenient way to compare options.

Social Media: Instagram and Pinterest are treasure troves of design inspiration. Many emerging designers showcase their portfolios on these platforms, often offering competitive rates.

Local Colleges and Design Schools: Students and recent graduates often offer design services at significantly lower prices to build their portfolios. This can be an excellent option for those on a tight budget.

Referrals and Recommendations: Ask friends, family, and colleagues for recommendations. Personal referrals can lead you to reliable and affordable designers.

Flat-Rate Design Services: Some designers offer flat-rate packages for specific services, such as room design or colour consultations. This can provide cost certainty.

Online Design Services: E-design services allows you to get design plans and shopping lists online, and you can implement them yourself. This is great for DIY enthusiasts.

Tips for Working with an Affordable Designer

Clear Communication: Clearly communicate your budget, style preferences, and expectations from the outset. A detailed brief can prevent misunderstandings and cost overruns.

Detailed Contracts: Ensure you have a comprehensive contract outlining the scope of work, payment schedule, and any potential additional costs.

Material Sourcing: Consider sourcing materials yourself or asking your designer for recommendations on affordable suppliers.

Phased Approach: Break down your project into phases. This allows you to spread out the costs and prioritize essential areas.

Upcycling and DIY: Incorporate upcycled furniture and DIY projects to add personality while saving money.

Open to Alternatives: Be open to alternative design solutions that may be more budget-friendly. A good designer can suggest creative ways to achieve your vision without breaking the bank.

Get Multiple Quotes: Obtaining quotes from several designers allows you to compare prices and services.

Reviews and Portfolio: Always check reviews and portfolio of the designer before making final decisions.

Understanding Pricing Structures

Interior designers in Sydney employ various pricing structures:

Hourly Rate: Some designers charge an hourly rate for their services. This is common for consultations and smaller projects.

Flat Fee: A flat fee is charged for a specific service, such as a room design or colour scheme. This provides cost certainty.

Percentage of Project Cost: Some designers charge a percentage of the total project cost, including materials and labour. This is common for larger projects.

Per Square Meter: Some designers charge a fee per square meter of space being designed.

Online packages: Online design services often have fixed prices for different packages, making budgeting very straight forward.

It’s essential to understand the pricing structure before engaging a designer and ensure it aligns with your budget. Don’t be afraid to negotiate and ask for clarification on any unclear terms.

(Maximizing Your Investment maximizing your investment. By carefully planning, researching, and communicating with your designer, you can create a stunning home that reflects your style and personality. Consider these strategies:

Focus on Key Areas: Prioritize areas that significantly impact your home’s overall aesthetic and functionality.

Invest in Timeless Pieces: Choose furniture and decor that will stand the test of time, rather than following fleeting trends.

Utilize Natural Light: Maximize natural light to create a bright and airy atmosphere, reducing the need for artificial lighting.

Add Personal Touches: Incorporate personal items and artwork to add character and create a unique space.

Plants and Greenery: Plants are a great way to add life to any space, and they are usually very affordable.

Conclusion

Transforming your Sydney home into a stylish and comfortable haven is achievable, even on a budget. By understanding your needs, exploring various design options, and working with an affordable and skilled interior designer, you can create a space you love without breaking the bank. Remember to prioritize clear communication, detailed contracts, and a realistic budget to ensure a successful and stress-free design experience. With the right approach, your dream home is within reach.

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blorbopolis · 1 year ago

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hello! im sorry if you get asked this a lot, but I was curious how you got into doing art ttrpg? and what should an interested artist have in their portfolio? thank you 💖

hi! so i wrote out a big "how to" before re-reading your message and considering you maybe just... asked how it happened for *me*, not necessarily how someone else should do it LOL. so, how it happened for me: i've been actively courting freelance art work since ~2009, and fantasy ttrpg is a natural extension of my interests - my portfolio was already full of world of warcraft fanart by the time ttrpgs & D&D really started having their modern moment. TTRPG is a good low-to-mid level place to find leads, as well, because the barrier for entry is super low for creators, which means a lot MORE projects to go around. (If you want to make a board game, your artist has to know a LOT about packaging, printing, manufacturing, graphic design, etc. if you wrote a D&D module and just want to publish it on itch.io? your artist only needs to know how to send you a decent sized .jpg.) as far as portfolio goes, when i started getting consistent replies to my cold emails, my portfolio had mostly covers and half-pages (ie, narrative illustrations), portraits, and animals. If you want to be more well-rounded you could also include pieces focusing on environments, items, and creatures. Don't include anything unless it's GOOD though. (i am so serious about this - bad work in your portfolio makes the good stuff look like a fluke.) now. if you wanted a "how to" answer, here is 600 words lol. I'm gonna start with the base assumption that your work is already hirable so we can focus on just like, specialization + client acquisition tips. getting a folio up to snuff is a whole other can of beans short version goes like this:

this whole thing only works if you have the ability to honestly self-assess. new work & skills: you should have fresh stuff that's a snapshot of what you can do *right now.* this doesn't mean old work can't stay in your folio if it's still good, but a small, current folio that really hits is WAY better than a bloated old one with irrelevant studies or student work. new artistic peers: as you continue to evolve as a professional, you should have an idea of which other working artists your work is most similar to, in terms of skill/tone/specialties/other relevant skills (3D/graphic design/etc) in order to see how you stack up to your """competition""" for lack of a better word. Additionally those artistic peers have hangout zones (discords or FB groups, etc) where you can talk shop & pass around job leads. research peers' clients: research who those peers are contracting with. See if your work would be a fit for them; if so, find their contact info and put it on your list. Those clients are probably also promoting other similar projects or publishers on their feeds; twitter has a handy "you might also want to follow" list that has other similar accounts you can explore. You can also work backwards from the product to the creator (see any cool battle maps, CCGs, board games, etc? find out who made it and whether they're the ones doing the art hiring.) Additionally, those discords & fb groups I mentioned will have leads (of varying quality) shared around that you should be assessing as they come in. reach out to new batch of clients: cold email. be realistic about who's worth contacting, but don't self-disqualify. that part is a balance. art directors are people with problems to solve, and you need to be able to A. anticipate the problems they need solving, and B. confidently (and honestly) let them know exactly what you can do for them. Attach A FEW, SMALL, RELEVANT jpgs that they can easily download and keep for reference. do not send massive high res attachments, their inboxes are full enough as it is. If you're responding to a specific call, attach relevant pieces or curate a page on your portfolio site specifically for work that would fit the project. If reaching out to clients doesn't result in a lead - *or*, if it takes them 3 months to get back to you, you should spend that time doing your own stuff and bolstering your skills. eventually your portfolio will be good enough that it kicks down doors for you.

you'll notice i never included "be active on social media! post your new work! feed instagram's ad revenue by giving it more content!" in this strategy because it doesn't matter. i'm not professionally active on any social media. we were getting hired before twitter existed and we'll still get hired after it dies. just do make sure you have an online portfolio (your own website >> artstation >>> other free folio builders >>>>>>>>>>>> an instagram feed.) the more times you do this cycle the easier it gets; both because you'll just get good at every step of the process, and because more people will know you and have known you for *longer* so you seem like a safer bet. I'll be honest: it's a ton of rejection lmao. I would get a rejection in my inbox at least once a week - even more than that i'd just get radio silence. But eventually you'll get a yes, and if you're lucky that yes will result in high quality new work you're proud of and can put into your folio (taking you back to step 1 lol.)

the freelance life is (INSHALLAH!!!) behind me since i now have a full time job doing marketing/supporting art for video games. But my portfolio never would've gotten there if i didn't have the experience of going through the freelance meat grinder first. it really taught me how to be an actualized *creative* (who can stand up for her own expertise, think like a project manager, and take creative ownership of / responsibility for my assignments) and not just a hired hand. my team likes that. i think

#not art #ask #freelance artist #not sure i want to tag this for discoverability tumblr thank you #art advice

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natreads · 1 year ago

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Ramblings about uni and the future

I'm trying to make a difficult decision. Since I've spent the last five years trying to break into the publishing industry and mostly failing (I'm freelance but can't get a full time job), I've been thinking very seriously about going back to uni to become a librarian instead. It's not really a career I've ever thought of, or wanted, but the same can be said for publishing. I decided I wanted to go that route when I already had a my bachelors degree. It felt like the "right" path, but I wasn't aware of how difficult it would be. The industry is so closed off, and I'm not very good at putting myself out there, so I've been struggling a lot. Not to mention people keep getting fired left and right so even if I do get in who knows how long that will last. I guess part of deciding to study something else, despite already having a masters degree and over six years of uni studies behind me, is that I feel like I need to essentially give up this dream, which would make the past five years feel like a waste even though I don't necessarily think they are. But I will have to give up the identity I have built around the industry. But I also feel like going another route won't mean I can't one day make it there too. But I also don't want to get another degree just to still be focusing on an industry that's this unattainable. I will have to focus on making it as a librarian instead and the idea of having to properly give up publishing makes me so sad, but I also know it will bring me relief once I actually do it. I need to study something where I will actually find work.

Another issue is that I really really REALLY don't want to study for another three years lmao. I talked to some people and there's a possibility that I COULD skip one semester due to previous studies, but I feel like it will be complicated and also not necessarily set in stone to manipulate the degree like that. I also got the tip to go take a masters instead which is two years, but here are the pros and cons to all of this:

Three year undergrad:

The school I did my BA at, so it's familiar

Since it's undergrad I'm not worried I will fail

Close to home (even if I move)

Unfortunately it's three years

It feels "silly" to get another BA when I could get an MA immediately instead

Two year masters program:

It's only two years

It will probably be hard

Could be done online, but I don't know if I have it in me to sit at home for two years again

It's in another city, but only takes an hour by train to get there

Unfortunately the train (pendeln) SUCKS and is super unreliable

And I would have to pay a bunch each time

But I like the idea of experiencing something new, since I both like the city (it's a college town) and don't think one hour is that bad

Another problem is that we'll be doing lots of group work so I might have to be there a lot which will be annoying

If I knew just HOW often I'd have to go I feel like it would be easier

I'm gonna be moving soonish to an apartment in the city here in Stockholm so I don't wanna move to Uppsala and do student housing, but my lease will only be one year so maybe I COULD during second year. I've never expeirenced student life like that before

Do I really wanna write another fucking masters thesis omg

I like the sound of two master degrees tho lmao

One semester will be dedicated to writing my thesis so I will mostly only have to commute for 1.5 years I guess, which makes the student housing in year two maybe unnessecary? But my lease will be up anyway soooo. In an ideal world I would be doing student housing my first year and then move into the other apartment after, but I can't do that and I don't wanna give up on a great opportunity

We'll be visiting libraries and whatnot and if it's in Uppsala (I kinda assume it is) I will have to figure out the public transit looool

Essentially, I think the undergrad one is safe but longer, while the MA is shorter but scarier. If I do the MA online I will be more comfortable, but also probably lowkey go crazy. Maybe if I knew if and how much I would be working at the bookstore after the summer I would pick the online version, since work would get me out of the house, but none of us know how needed I will be.

I know I need to change lanes, since I'm getting older and I need stability. Working in a library is the next best thing I can see myself doing after publishing (I kinda wanted to do marketing but I've realized it unfortunately goes against a lot of my morals and libraries are ethically the one and only place I stand 100% behind).

Idk if anyone has any insight or advice please lmk I'm so torn

#nat talks #work stuff #uni stuff #long post

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darkstarofchaos · 3 months ago

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came for the juicy and rare prowl posts discussing things in his perspective, all the shit done to him, the unfairness done to his characterization (they are beautiful i LOVE it op). stayed for the 3d things. as an aspiring 3d artist and wanting to be a game developer too, should i try to practice in blender first? i mean, i did have 3ds max but the free one i got is only for a 1-year student plan thing, and i am gonna graduate so, is like blender the safe way to practice? i don't know if i make sense op but i just wanna know if investing my time in learning blender would go somewhere 😭 because i kept hearing that companies don't use blender that often? idk huhuhu

Glad you like the Prowl posts! They've definitely become something of a staple on my blog, lol.

As far as 3D goes, my perspective is that as long as you're learning modeling (or rigging, or animation, or whatever) and not just learning a program, it really doesn't matter what you use. Yeah, different programs have different strengths, and some are more widely used than others, but most of what you need to learn as a 3D artist has nothing to do with software.

Like, you could just learn some basic tools and then make whatever you want. It might not be easy, but you could do it. But if you just jumped in and started moving vertices around, it would be a mess. You need to take the time to learn good topology so you can make models that are easy to edit, deform properly when they're animated, and look right when they're rendered. And the more you learn, the more you realize good topology is hard. But it's also a skill you only need to learn once: once you know what good topology looks like and how to achieve it, learning to model in a new program is just figuring out a different path to the same results.

In your case, 3ds Max is up there with Maya as far as being used by a lot of AAA studios, so if you still have it, I would definitely say use it while you can. It doesn't hurt to get a head start on learning how it works. But you can also absolutely use Blender to learn skills that are applicable regardless of the program. Plus, a lot of small studios use Blender, so if you're interested in joining indie teams or doing freelance work, you actually could end up using it on a project.

A couple tips and suggestions, since modeling for game dev is also one of my end goals:

Not everything you can do in Blender can be exported into a game engine. You're probably fine with basic models and rigs, and you can create animations in Blender and export those, but engines handle stuff like textures and shaders differently. It's a good idea to export models periodically while you're working on them and see how they behave in your engine of choice. Bendy bones are also a Blender exclusive and can't be used in other programs - you might see people say the same about geometry nodes, but there are now ways to convert them to mesh so they can be exported (although when I tried this with Godot, the objects were untextured. This may or may not have been because of my export settings).

You might also see people say that whatever gets you the results you want is the right way to do things: I would suggest ignoring that advice unless you know what rule you're breaking and why you're breaking it. For example, N-gons (faces with 5 or more sides) are generally something you want to avoid, but sometimes you need them.

People also say that computers have gotten powerful enough that poly count doesn't matter anymore. It's still a good idea to use as few polys as you can, both to make models easier to work with and as a kindness to those of us who don't own a gaming computer.

Basically, if someone suggests taking the easy way out and their reasoning amounts to "don't worry about it", they probably don't know what they're talking about.

#Blender #I'm by no means an expert so other thoughts on the matter are welcome #But as long as you focus on transferable skills Blender can teach you a lot #even if you switch to something else later

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