Take a glance at Nicole Brewer’s finances, and you might not be eager to trade salaries. The 43-year-old Detroit native makes about $40,000 a year teaching English at a university in Nizwa, an ancient city in Oman. Add in side hustle income as a freelance writer and travel agent, and the total for 2024 climbs to $44,000.

But delve deeper into the way she lives, and you might start to envy her. Brewer pays just $650 a month for a furnished two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment that’s just a five-minute walk from her job. Utilities are included.

Like the students at her university, she gets winter and summer breaks. And thanks to her low cost of living, Brewer generally spends them traveling, including vacations in Namibia, Seychelles and most recently, Bali.

Brewer has lived and taught abroad since 2009 — a move she made when jobs became scarce back home during the global financial crisis. Her advice for those who are considering following in her footsteps: “Follow your heart, follow your passion and definitely do your research.”

The decision to move abroad is a big one, and Brewer acknowledges that living as an expat isn’t always easy.

“It’s definitely not without its challenges. I will say it’s not an easy life to be on the other side of the world from your family, especially when emergencies and family situations come up,” she says. “You have to take the good with the bad.”

She wasn’t immune to culture shock either — especially when she moved to a Middle Eastern country as a non-Muslim and non-Arabic speaker. But none of that kept her from pursuing the life that she wanted.

“If someone wanted to live the expat life, I would definitely say to not let fear or outside voices deter you from your dream,” Brewer says. “If I would have listened to people about moving to the Middle East — people were like, ‘Oh, it’s so dangerous.’ And here I am, living my best life in Oman, one of the safest countries in the world.”

Brewer didn’t expect the people in her life to understand that Oman would be a safe, fulfilling choice for her since they hadn’t conducted her level of research.

Before embarking for Oman, Brewer lived for three years in South Korea, her first move after leaving her life in the States. Beforehand, she’d researched ESL teaching programs that would not only pay her but help her get acclimated.

Plus, she’d used social media to find other people living the life she was after.

“On Facebook, there’s ‘Brothers and Sisters of South Korea’ and different social groups for expats who are already there or considering moving to different countries,” she says. “I really utilized social media and contacted people and asked questions about teaching English in other countries.”

For anyone considering living abroad, the people who are already doing it are the most valuable resource, Brewer says.

“Reach out to people like me and other expats who are living in unique places. We are out here. We are on social media. We’re on different forums online,” she says. “We’re easily accessible to answer your questions.”

For Brewer, helping others realize their dreams abroad feels like part of the responsibility of being a happy, successful expat.

“I want to pay it forward — people did that for me. So I’m definitely willing to do it for other people,” she says.

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Every parent hopes their child will grow up and still want a close relationship with them. But close bonds don’t happen by accident — they are built through small, everyday interactions that make a child feel safe, seen and valued.

As a conscious parenting researcher and coach, I’ve studied over 200 families. I’ve found that the way you respond to your children from the day they’re born determines how strong your relationship with them is when they’re adults.

If you want your kids to always trust, respect and want to be around you, no matter how old they are, start doing these seven things early on.

Children need to feel safe and comfortable sharing their feelings. But when they hear “you’re fine” or “it’s not a big deal,” they start believing that their feelings aren’t important and eventually stop sharing them.

Instead of dismissing emotions, acknowledge them. To help them feel heard, say things like: “That sounds frustrating” or “I see you’re upset.” Emotional safety isn’t about fixing problems — it’s about making sure they feel understood.

Parenting based on fear, punishment or constant correction creates distance. Kids will then learn to hide parts of themselves to avoid disappointing you.

Parents who remain close with their children don’t demand obedience. Instead, they prioritize building trust. Simple moments — laughing together, listening without judgment, showing empathy — help children feel safe.

When kids feel emotionally secure, they continue seeking your support well into adulthood.

When parents make all the decisions, kids start to think: My actions don’t matter anyway, so why have an opinion on anything?

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Instead of deciding everything for them, ask “What do you think?” or “What feels right to you?” Let them make small, age-appropriate choices, like picking their clothes, hobbies or what to eat.

Parents expect respect from their kids, but they don’t always model it themselves.

Apologizing teaches kids that respect goes both ways. Saying, “I overreacted earlier, and I’m sorry” shows them that relationships aren’t about power, but mutual understanding.

Children raised in homes where accountability is the norm don’t fear making mistakes. Instead of hiding their struggles, they trust they can come to you without shame.

A strong relationship isn’t built in one big conversation — it’s created through small, consistent moments.

What shapes your bond isn’t just the time you spend together, but how often your child feels prioritized. Sharing a meal, reading at bedtime or simply checking in about their day strengthens the bond.

Kids who feel valued in small ways will naturally stay close to you later in life.

If a child feels constantly compared or judged, they start shrinking themselves to fit in. Over time, they learn to hide their real thoughts, interests and struggles.

Helping kids accept themselves starts with how you respond to them. Instead of pointing out flaws, celebrate their uniqueness. Encouraging their interests, even when they don’t align with your expectations, lets them know that you love them exactly as they are.

When kids grow up feeling accepted, they won’t have to choose between being themselves and staying close to you.

There will be moments when you and your child don’t see eye to eye. If you always push to be “right” at the cost of connection, they will learn your approval is conditional. They may comply in childhood, but will distance themselves in adulthood.

Instead of proving a point, focus on understanding. If your child disagrees with you, resist the urge to shut them down. Respond with curiosity: “Tell me more about why you feel that way.”

When kids know they can express themselves and still be loved and respected, they grow into adults who trust the relationship rather than fear it.

Reem Raouda is a leading voice in conscious parenting, a certified coach and the creator of BOUND — the groundbreaking parent-child connection journal designed to nurture emotional intelligence, self-worth and lifelong trust. She is widely recognized for her work in children’s emotional safety and strengthening the parent-child bond. Follow her on Instagram.

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Sometimes, your first day of a new job sets the tone for the rest of your tenure.

That’s why Snap co-founder and CEO Evan Spiegel gives new employees on his design team a very difficult task on their first day, he said on Monday’s podcast episode of “The Diary of a CEO.”

“We have design critiques once a week for a couple hours,” said Spiegel, 34, whose company owns social media app Snapchat. “[On] your very first day, you have to present something … Of course, on your first day, when you have no context for what the company is working on … How on Earth are you supposed to come up with a good idea? I mean, it’s almost impossible.”

The tactic may seem unfair, but it lays the groundwork for the creativity and critical thinking skills that the employee will need to succeed at the company, Spiegel said. It can also help people quickly get over their fear of failure, encouraging them to take more work-related risks.

“Your worst fear has come true that we’re sitting there all together and we’re looking at an idea that’s not that great. I mean, sometimes they’re pretty good, but ultimately not that great,” he said. “And I think that opens the door to creativity because it already happened. You already failed.”

The exercise helps people build confidence and mental resilience, and acts as a bit of a bonding activity for employees, said Spiegel.

Overcoming a fear of failure — or any other fear, for that matter — can be predictably challenging. Effective strategies can sound silly, like attaching a funny accent to the voice inside your head or giving yourself a hug, but they’re likely to work if they can “disrupt” the pattern inside your brain, phobia specialist Christopher Paul James told CNBC Make It on July 1.

Facing your fears head-on can work too, according to leadership consultant and retired Navy SEAL officer Jocko Willink.

“The first thing you’ve got to realize is that most of the fear that you have isn’t a reality. It’s just built up in your head,” Willink said in February 2019. “So what you need to do to overcome your fear is to go and face it. Go and look at it. Go on the attack.”

Overcoming your fear of failure during your first day on the job probably feels daunting, especially with an audience of your brand-new colleagues. Whether you’re thrown directly into a tough situation or not, you can mitigate your first-day jitters with a little advance preparation.

You can make the biggest, quickest impact as a new hire by understanding your company’s mission and how your role can contribute, Lori Castillo Martinez, executive vice president of talent, growth and development at Salesforce, said in October 2024. So, talk to the hiring manager about expectations and company culture during your job interview process. Talk to a current or former employee on LinkedIn or email before your first day.

That way, when you’re asked to come up with a new, creative idea on the spot, you’ll be more prepared contribute something valuable. “It’s worth experimenting and being curious, leaning into the opportunity to identify your purpose and decide what kind of impact you want to be as a new hire,” Castillo Martinez said.

Even if your idea falls into the 99% category of not-so-good ones, you’ll have gained some useful experience, said Spiegel.

“The best way to have a good idea is to have lots of ideas,” he said. “So the team is just constantly generating a number of ideas and products and features … Our job is to try to figure out what the great ones are.”

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Most people struggle to predict what makes them happy, says Harvard University-trained happiness expert Laurie Santos.

You might think a promotion or higher paying job will bring you joy and fulfillment, for example. That might be true if you’re struggling to pay rent — but as long as you have enough money to live comfortably, you’re more likely to feel happier if you can prioritize small daily health-conscious habits, like rest and social connection, Santos said during a live taping of interview series “Last Meal with Tom Nash” at SXSW on March 12.

If you forgo sleep, exercise or time with loved ones to reach your financial or professional goals, you’re gambling with your own happiness, said Santos, a Yale University psychology professor. You’ll become happy faster, maintain your positive feelings for longer and get more overall “bang for your happiness buck” by prioritizing those core parts of your life, she added.

“Material possessions, fame, professional accolades at work … We think those are going to be the stuff that moves the needle,” Santos said. ”[But] we’re often pursuing that stuff at opportunity cost of the stuff that really matters.”

Goals related to your social, emotional and physical health are better for your well-being than anything that relies on other people’s approval, found a 2022 meta-analysis published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.

Here are three easy habits scientifically proven to make you feel happier, according to Santos:

Gratitude journals

Writing down things you’re grateful for — whether it’s having a roof over your head, a reliable relationship or a hobby you find rewarding — can improve your happiness levels and even your physical health, studies show.

The longer you keep a gratitude journal, the more of a difference you’ll notice over time, Santos said in a free online course called “The Science of Well-Being for Teens,” which published in 2023.

Practicing gratitude for 15 minutes per day, five days per week, for six weeks can improve your mental wellness, found 2020 research by psychologists from the University of Twente and Eastern Washington University. The habit can also reduce stress, increase mental clarity and improve relationships, sleep, and mental health, other studies show.

Different strategies work for different people, other experts note. If journaling isn’t your thing, you can experience similar benefits from other forms of gratitude, like writing thank you cards, observing small acts of kindness from strangers or reflecting on when someone has shown kindness to you.

Sleep more—even just 20 extra minutes per night

Getting at least seven hours of sleep per night improves your brain performance, mood and health, and reduces your likelihood of heart disease and dementia, studies show.

“I actually think we could solve most of the mental health in college age students and high school students if we just forced [them] to get more sleep,” Santos said in the online course.

To improve your quality of sleep, she recommended relying on an alarm clock, so you leave your phone in another room while you rest. “I know there’s stuff to do … but if you can just get the right amount of shut eye, you really will improve your mental health much more than you expect,” said Santos.

Your physical health could benefit, too: Getting enough sleep is the No. 1 most important way to keep your body healthy over time, longevity expert Poonam Desai told CNBC Make It on Friday.

“It’s something we do every single day. It’s free. You have an opportunity to optimize it every single day,” said Desai.

Talk to acquaintances, friends and family in real time

Social media and text messaging can help you quickly connect with friends and family near and far — but it doesn’t give you the same mental boost as talking with someone in real time or, best-case scenario, face-to-face, Santos told the “Huberman Lab” podcast in December 2024.

“The two things that predict whether or not you’re happy … is how much time you spend with friends and family members, and how much time you’re just physically around other people,” Santos said.

Even briefly interacting with your local barista on weekly trips to the coffee shop can improve your happiness levels, whether you’re introverted or extroverted, she added. [add links from studies]

“It gives you a sense that your life is going better,” Santos said. “You feel less lonely. [Being social] has all these positive outcomes that we don’t expect.”

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Over the next decade, advances in artificial intelligence will mean that humans will no longer be needed “for most things” in the world, says Bill Gates.

That’s what the Microsoft co-founder and billionaire philanthropist told comedian Jimmy Fallon during an interview on NBC’s “The Tonight Show” in February. At the moment, expertise remains “rare,” Gates explained, pointing to human specialists we still rely on in many fields, including “a great doctor” or “a great teacher.”

But “with AI, over the next decade, that will become free, commonplace — great medical advice, great tutoring,” Gates said.

In other words, the world is entering a new era of what Gates called “free intelligence” in an interview last month with Harvard University professor and happiness expert Arthur Brooks. The result will be rapid advances in AI-powered technologies that are accessible and touch nearly every aspect of our lives, Gates has said, from improved medicines and diagnoses to widely available AI tutors and virtual assistants.

“It’s very profound and even a little bit scary — because it’s happening very quickly, and there is no upper bound,” Gates told Brooks.

The debate over how, exactly, most humans will fit into this AI-powered future is ongoing. Some experts say AI will help humans work more efficiently — rather than replacing them altogether — and spur economic growth that leads to more jobs being created.

Others, like Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman, counter that continued technological advancements over the next several years will change what most jobs look like across nearly every industry, and have a “hugely destabilizing” impact on the workforce.

“These tools will only temporarily augment human intelligence,” Suleyman wrote in his book “The Coming Wave,” which was published in 2023. “They will make us smarter and more efficient for a time, and will unlock enormous amounts of economic growth, but they are fundamentally labor replacing.”

Gates is optimistic about the overall benefits AI can provide to humanity, like “breakthrough treatments for deadly diseases, innovative solutions for climate change, and high-quality education for everyone,” he wrote last year.

Talking to Fallon, Gates reaffirmed his belief that certain types of jobs will likely never be replaced by AI, noting that people probably don’t want to see machines playing baseball, for example.

“There will be some things we reserve for ourselves. But in terms of making things and moving things and growing food, over time those will be basically solved problems,” Gates said.

AI’s development does come with “understandable and valid” concerns, Gates wrote in a 2023 blog post. Today’s top-of-the-line AI programs are rife with errors and prone to enabling the spread of falsehoods online, for example.

But if he had to start a new business from scratch, he’d launch an “AI-centric” startup, Gates told CNBC Make It in September 2024.

“Today, somebody could raise billions of dollars for a new AI company [that’s just] a few sketch ideas,” he said, adding: “I’m encouraging young people at Microsoft, OpenAI, wherever I find them: ‘Hey, here’s the frontier.’ Because you’re taking a fresher look at this than I am, and that’s your fantastic opportunity.”

Gates saw the AI revolution coming nearly a decade ago: When asked which industry he’d focus on if he had to start over from scratch, he quickly chose AI.

“The work in artificial intelligence today is at a really profound level,” Gates said at a 2017 event at Columbia University alongside Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett. He pointed to the “profound milestone” of Google’s DeepMind AI lab creating a computer program that could defeat humans at the board game Go.

At the time, the technology was years away from ChatGPT-style generative text, powered by large language models. Yet by 2023, even Gates was surprised by the speed of AI’s development. He’d challenged OpenAI to create a model that could get a top score on a high school AP Biology exam, expecting the task to take two or three years, he wrote in his blog post.

“They finished it in just a few months,” wrote Gates. He called the achievement “the most important advance in technology since the graphical user interface [in 1980].”

Disclosure: NBCUniversal is the parent company of CNBC and NBC, which broadcasts “The Tonight Show.”

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