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Which Careers Will Still Be Viable In 20 Years?

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The world can change pretty fast. Think back to 20 years ago. How different were things? How much have careers changed in that time?

When you’re trying to plan for the long-term, there’s a lot to consider. In terms of career viability, there are two primary concerns: society and technology. Technology will change every single job in the next 20 years, and automation is likely to make many jobs disappear. It’s important to know which jobs will still be around.

Similarly, society is going to change. The things people care about can shift. Economies will certainly adapt and evolve. Which careers get left behind? Which ones stay viable?

Predicting the future is always a challenge, but there are four types of jobs that are definitely here to stay.

Health Care

Health care is probably the most stable and reliable industry in the world right now. Certainly, techniques and technologies will change over the next 20 years, but one way or another, people will still need health care, and there will be people attached to providing it.

In fact, health care is expected to expand as an industry over the next 20 years. Part of this is because the population is still growing, and at the same time, the population is getting older too. That means more health care demand all around.

On top of that, healthcare technology is rapidly advancing. You might think that automation puts people out of jobs, but in some cases (like health care), it actually increases the amount of work being done. Computer systems and advanced artificial intelligence can assist doctors in diagnosing issues and prescribing care, but they are nowhere near replacing human beings in hospitals and clinics. If anything, healthcare providers are expanding, including more technology jobs alongside traditional roles like nurses and doctors. For the foreseeable future, health care is the place to be for a stable career.

Trades

Trades usually refer to jobs that involve skilled labor. Carpenters, welders, x-ray technicians, and countless other skilled jobs fit into this category. If it requires a certification but not necessarily a degree, it’s probably a trade.

Why are trades going to remain viable in the next 20 years?

These jobs are the hardest to automate. By all means, trades see advances in technology like any other field, but most of those tools are designed to assist skilled labor rather than replace it. Simply put, it’s hard to write a computer program that can fix your plumbing, and skilled robots are still a lot more expensive than skilled labor. So, trade skills live in a perfect region where they will benefit from technology rather than be replaced by it.

More importantly, trades are recession-proof. No matter what happens with society, people still need access to essential skills.

Engineering

Engineering is in a particularly good place right now. Who do you think is going to design all of the artificial intelligence and robots that are set to replace so many jobs? 

As technology advances, engineers become even more important. In a sense, engineering is really becoming an advanced trade. We increasingly need people with the right skills and knowledge to fix complicated technology. More importantly, the demand for new and improved technology is only increasing. Engineers sit at the heart of it all, and they have some of the brightest career prospects as a result.

Military

As much as we all like the idea of peace and stability, it’s unlikely that humanity will resolve all conflicts over the next 20 years. That means that professional soldiers will remain a part of most societies. It’s not a career that appeals to everyone, but it will certainly be viable in the future.

You might think that automation is a threat to military careers, but that’s not exactly right. The first autopilot flight happened in 1912, yet autopilot technology has never taken a single job away from a pilot. Even unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) still have a human pilot; they just fly remotely. This is the nature of modern military technology. The jobs are definitely changing, but the necessity of military services isn’t going away. The tasks you might do in the military in 20 years could change dramatically, but you’ll still have a career.

How To Find Out Your Learning Style

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Have you heard of the four learning styles? It’s an educational theory that suggests some people learn better through different methods. The four styles are visual, auditory, verbal (as in reading/writing words), and kinetic (or hands-on). Additional theories add subcategories to these learning styles, but it’s all based on the same core idea.

If you can figure out which learning style tends to work best for you, then you can cater to that preference and learn new things faster and easier.

Of course, you need to actually know which style suits you, but that doesn’t have to be a monumental quest. In fact, there are only really four things you need to know to figure out your learning style and make good use of it.

#1 Your Learning Style Changes

Let’s start with the bad news. Your learning style can change over time. More than that, it can change depending on the topic. There’s a very good chance that you learn how to do math very differently from how you learn to change a tire.

That’s perfectly normal and natural, but it means that you can’t just figure this out once and be done for the rest of your life. Every time you run into a learning-based challenge, you’ll want to think about your learning style for that specific topic.

#2 You Can Take an Assessment

Now for the good news. For the most part, you’ll probably favor one style more than the others. Naturally, everyone is different, and there are people who don’t really favor any style. But, most people have a preference, and there are plenty of free assessment tests that can help you figure yours out.

The assessment will ask around 20 questions. It won’t take very long, and when it’s done, it will recommend a learning preference for you. They’re fairly accurate, and they’re a great place to start. You can more or less assume that you’ll learn anything according to your preference, and then you just need to deal with exceptions to your own style when they arise.

#3 Nothing Beats Trial and Error

If you want to be truly thorough, then you can test your own learning style. The key is to focus on things that can be scored.

Here’s an example. Say you want to learn to code. You can find online tutorials, and they appeal to different learning styles. You can watch a video, read a lesson, try a hands-on tutorial, or listen to a lecture. Once you’re done, you can take a test and see how you score.

Try out different learning methods, and see which gives you the best score. That way, you’re directly measuring how you learn, and that will illuminate your preference.

Keep in mind that this is only really necessary for topics that give you a hard time. If you’re a visual learner, and visual displays are teaching you how to code just fine, then you can stick with what works.

#4 You Can Combine Learning Styles

Perhaps the most important thing to understand about your learning style is that it’s not a disability. You might favor learning by listening, but that doesn’t prohibit you from visual, verbal, or hands-on learning. You can actually do all of it.

By all means, you should cater to your style and try to learn in ways that are comfortable. But, you can actually enhance the learning process by adding the other styles. This is why classrooms use auditory lectures, visual aids, verbal instructions, and hands-on practice. The most effective learning happens when you pile learning styles on top of each other. 

Your preference forms the core, but the other learning styles still contribute to your success.

5 Beginner Tips for Making Awesome Music with a Sequencer

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While the best instrumentalists in the world can play with incredible precision, none can approach the incredibly reliable timing of a sequencer. This is because music sequencers are fully programmable in the same way that you can program a computer.

In fact, modern sequencers ARE computers: incredibly complex digital machines that allow you to play virtually any musical or rhythmic patterns or “sequences” of sonic elements. If you have your sequencer set up appropriately, you can play your chosen combination of notes, rhythmic elements, effects, and articulations with the touch of a button or a click of a mouse.

There are many sequencer types and designs on the market today. Although some models are specifically geared toward beginners, even the simplest of sequencers can be quite intimidating, particularly to people who might be less musically and/or technologically inclined. But, by following the five tips below, even total newcomers to the sequencer can begin making a beautiful racket in no time!

1. Choose the Right Sequencer/Synth Connection

Fortunately, most music sequencers are compatible with most other forms of synthesizer-based instruments and computer hardware. In fact, users can generally choose among many different ways to connect sequencers to synth. Software sequencers that operated entirely on a computer or mobile device are generally quite easy to connect to any synth device. Depending on their age and specific brand, hardware sequencers commonly link to synths and other devices via MIDI, CV, or USB interfaces. While all of these interfaces allow you to faithfully carry pitch, rhythm, articulation, and other defining aspects of sequencer music creation, a 3.5mm CV jack can give precise voltage control to further modulate auditory signals.

2. Use Sequencer Knobs Rather Than Your Mouse

If a software sequencer has any knobs to speak of, they will be virtual in nature and appear only on your computer screen. Many hardware sequencers that connect to a computer allow you to choose between making adjustments on-screen or with a series of physical knobs, switches, and buttons. Most beginners tend to appreciate the tactile nature of turning a physical knob and find that “turning” knobs with a mouse and keyboard is far less intuitive. When you hear your musical sequences changing in real time under the influence of your fingertips, it can be quite creatively empowering.

3. Create Melody and Harmony with Pitch

Although different sequencers may come with radically different features, nearly all of them allow you to program them for pitch. The relative highness or lowness of a note, pitch allows you to create melodies and harmonies. Try placing different notes in different orders to craft a melody. Try programming two or more congruous notes at the same time to create harmonies.

4. Create Rhythmic Timing with Gate or Trigger

The related elements of gate and trigger are even more essential than pitch when it comes to sequencer operation. Applicable to both musical notes and atonal percussion, gate refers to the amount of time in any sequencer program that is “open” to a particular sound. Triggers are the specific points in time that various gates open. Every time you program a sound, your sequencer places gate and trigger signals to launch that sound and subsequently terminate it.

5. Create Sound Texture with Modulation

To create true works of music art, sequencer users must augment the primary elements of pitch and gate with secondary elements such as modulation. Without modulation, musicians simply can’t get the specific timbres, textures, and other sonic qualities that give music so much of its emotional import and primal power. Often controlled by a mod wheel, a touch pad, or a series of knobs, modulation changes sound with effects such as vibrato and phasing.

How To Compose A Formal Complaint Letter that Gets Results

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You should assert yourself when companies provide inferior experiences. But you must keep the goal of a complaint letter in mind. Here’s how to compose a formal complaint letter to get desired results.

1. When to Write a Formal Complaint

A formal complaint is only necessary after you’ve given customer service an opportunity to correct the issue. It is an escalated attempt to right a wrong against you and/or prevent others from a similar experience.

2. Commit to Brevity

You have so many things this company could have done better. But over-explaining begins to sound like a rant. Others will tune you out.

A formal complaint allows you to perfect how and what you communicate. Outline your main points. Prioritize to keep the focus on what’s important. Omit unnecessary sidebars. 

3. Gather Important Information

Provide everything needed to follow up rather than expecting them to dig for it. Certain facts are essential to understanding the problem and potentially preventing it from happening to others.

  • Serial numbers 
  • Model numbers
  • Membership account number (when applicable)
  • Dates
  • Place of purchase
  • What’s wrong
  • When the problem started (1st use, three months later)
  • Names of people involved (if you have them) or descriptions
  • Date/time/names when you spoke with customer service
  • Documentation (screenshots, receipts, email chains, etc.)

4. State What You Want

Do you want a refund, exchange, or replacement parts? An apology? Rather than have the complaints department guess what would make you happy, tell them. 

5. Establish a Reasonable Timeline

Unlike a quick chat with customer care online, a formal complaint may take longer to consider. Set reasonable deadline expectations for resolving this issue.

6. Is This a Consumer Safety Issue

In some cases, you may alert them to serious danger. If you have a genuine concern for the safety of others, you may also want to contact the agencies that review product safety in your area. In the U.S., that might be:

Try to resolve something with the company first. Wield this power responsibly.

7. Make an Effective Case

Some issues have no simple solution. Remember, formal complaints will reach people who can recommend change within a company. You’re trying to make something happen that isn’t happening.

Legally speaking, the burden of proof is always on the plaintiff (you). You’re the one who has to make the case, not them.

8. Take Emotion Out of It

You may feel anger, betrayal, or loss. These will cloud your judgment.

If you’re thinking “I’ll show them how it’s done” or “why are they so stupid?”, that sense of superiority is ego. The ego rarely aligns with reality. Being egotistical is not an effective way to get someone to listen to you.

Avoid sarcasm which can be misunderstood to mean the opposite—especially in writing. Try to set all of these aside in favor of constructive communication.

9. Don’t Threaten

Be nice until it’s time not to be nice anymore. The person getting the letter probably isn’t the one who harmed you. They deserve to be treated humanely.

Try to get them on your side rather than jumping to threats of legal action and contacting agencies. These kinds of “threats” should be reserved for subsequent letters if the first gets no response or inadequate response. Even then, follow the above tips.

How To Know What Career Is Right For You

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Most careers require significant time (and often money) to reach your goals. You dedicate yourself to learning skills, building relationships, and overcoming personal weaknesses to succeed. You’ll thrive by aligning your personality, skills, and strengths to a life’s purpose.

But narrowing down seemingly endless options is no easy task. Here’s how to figure it out.

1. Consider Yourself First

It’s not selfish. It’s practical to evaluate what you want and are good at. Others may have pushed you into a particular path. But they’re just living their career dreams through you.

There’s nothing wrong with thinking about how your career path impacts others. But failing to look inside yourself can lead you down a very unproductive and discouraging career path that’s not good for anyone. Think about:

  • Strengths/Weaknesses
  • Where you find enjoyment
  • What you care about most
  • What success looks like

2. Evaluate Motivations

There is no wrong answer here. The more honest you are, the better. Some common work motivations are:

  • High pay
  • Good health insurance
  • Job security
  • Work/life balance
  • Personal values
  • Flexibility

3. Think About the Work Environment 

This represents what day-to-day looks like. Think beyond the place you might work to what it’s like to work in that career.

  • Low stress, high energy, or a mix
  • Lots of physical activity or mental focus
  • Working outside
  • Working with animals
  • Seeing the world
  • Non-stop learning
  • Working with others or working alone

4. See How the Work Environment and Motivation Line Up

Put your motivation beside the desired work environment. Look for overlap in career options. For example, people with high pay often work in high-stress jobs. But don’t take this for granted. If you want a low-stress job that is also high pay, start exploring the careers where those two meet. 

5. Take a Career Aptitude Test

Career aptitude tests help you systematically consider factors that make a career ideal. Here are some you’ll want to check out:

  • MyPlan – Get one assessment free and all assessments for $19.95
  • iSeek “Clusters” – A short, free assessment provided by a university
  • MyNextMove – A free in-depth evaluation from the US Department of Labor
  • MAPP Test – An extensive aptitude test with 900 possible career matches. It costs between $90 and $149, depending on the package you need.

6. Take a Look at Sector Differences

The same career path looks different depending on the sector. Adding the sector into the equation may have you considering a career you wouldn’t otherwise. The three main sectors are:

  • Public – You work for a government employer. A major perk of a government job is job security, although that’s not guaranteed anywhere.
  • Non-profit – You work for an organization that puts a mission before making money. A major perk is having a career where you experience a great sense of purpose. 
  • Private – You work for a privately owned company or corporation focused on making money. You have a high ceiling on earnings and growth potential.

7. Research Industries

Some examples of industries are energy, transport, consumer goods, agriculture, entertainment, sales and marketing, finance, technology, medicine, and hospitality.

Within each industry, there are several career paths. Finding an industry that interests you narrows your options and homes in on a career you’ll love for a lifetime.

5 Apps For More Effective Learning And Study

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Whether you’re in school or just trying to learn something new, study is an important part of life. Then again, tackling new ideas and concepts can be challenging. It always helps to have the right tools at hand.

Below, you’ll find five apps that can help with virtually every aspect of study. They’re great for students, and they can help just as much if you’re trying to learn on your own.

Wolfram Alpha

Wolfram Alpha is the ultimate calculator. No matter your level of math, it can help. It can solve professional-grade problems, or help you with your algebra homework. You can use the calculator for free at the website. Or, you can use the mobile app.

In addition to being a calculator, Wolfram Alpha also contains countless resources that are intended to help you learn more about math and its applications.

Evernote

Evernote is designed to be the only app you need for taking and managing notes. It is robust.

With this app, you can make notes from scratch very easily. You can clip anything you find on the internet to make an instant note. You can upload photos, write in the app, or create PDFs of handwritten notes.

On top of that, Evernote makes collaboration easy, so you can share notes with other students.

Duolingo

When it comes to learning new languages, there are a lot of options. Duolingo is probably the best for students. There is a free and paid version of Duolingo, but the free version is sufficient for most students.

Duolingo will teach you a new language from scratch, but it also works well as a supplemental tool for a foreign language class. The app matches your current level, and it provides extra practice and reinforcement that can help you master a new language in much less time.

StudyBlue

Sometimes, you just need to master facts or pieces of information. For that, flashcards are a traditional tool. You can use them to review whatever facts are important, and with a little practice, those facts stick in your mind.

StudyBlue updates this concept to the digital age. The app has more flashcards than you can imagine, with countless decks of cards put together by students and instructors.

You can also create your own flashcards, and you can even create practice quizzes to help in your studies.

Grammarly

On the other hand, the challenge in some forms of study is writing. You might have to write papers or other formal pieces. 

Grammarly is a free tool (there is an even more powerful paid version) that helps you formalize writing correctly. It has a powerful spell and grammar checker. It can also automate citations, provide writing templates, make suggestions to improve the quality of your writing (such as reducing passive voice), and a whole lot more.

If Wolfram Alpha is the ultimate math tool, then this is the ultimate writing tool.

How To Compose A Message To Cheer Up A Loved One

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Whether you plan to write a five-page handwritten letter or send a short message of encouragement, there are some do’s and don’t’s to consider. 

Committing the don’ts results in your message having the opposite effect despite your good intentions, so before you hit send or put pen to paper, ask if you’re including some of these things.

1. Do recount a time they said or did something kind for you.

On the surface, it may sound like you’re making this about yourself. But this is not a narcissistic statement. You’re acknowledging that the person has been there for you, and now you want to be there for them. 

Often, people can’t ask for their needs when sad. They don’t want to inconvenience others. You’re opening the door, so they can feel safe to express what they need to feel better.

2. Don’t say let me know what I can do to help.

Of course, you want to help. But this can come off as an empty gesture. So, see No. 1.

3. Do remind them it’s important to take care of themselves.

Many people give until they have nothing left. But people who don’t take care of themselves first have less to give, not more. Again, it can’t just be words. If they’re normally trying to handle certain duties, you might specifically offer to take those over.

If you’re close, follow your message by bringing them a meal they love or a gift.

4. Don’t Engage in Toxic Positivity

Toxic positivity is having the idea that a person is always better off when they’re happy and cheerful. That’s not true. People have a full range of emotions and need to feel all of them in due time.

Examples of toxic positivity in a message would include:

  • Stay positive.
  • Smile.
  • Telling a joke.
  • The sun will come out tomorrow.
  • This too shall pass.
  • You’ll do it better next time.
  • All things work together for good.

It’s true that these same statements can be positive in a certain context. The issue is timing.

They shouldn’t be in a message right after something sad or tragic has happened. They mask feelings and shame a person for not recovering their joy sooner. They hinder personal growth and make grieving take longer than it would otherwise.

Cheering up should happen from the inside, not due to outside forces.

5. Do Read the Room

With number 4 said, you can read the room. If the person has put some distance between themselves and the event, it may be okay to interject some more positivity to cheer them up.

  • Motivational playlist
  • A funny meme
  • 10 things I love about you
  • Recall a funny memory
  • Send them a nostalgic image

6. Maybe send a care package with the message attached.

A care package is a message without words. Think about what would help your loved one feel better, which will be unique to the person but might include:

  • Essential oils
  • Self-care products
  • Candy or healthy snacks
  • Houseplant
  • A journal
  • Jar filled with hand-written quotes
  • Gift card
  • A worry eater doll
  • Colorful socks
  • Meditation app subscription

When combined with a short written message, items like these can mean everything to a loved one who needs some cheer.

How To Choose The Best Medical Services: 5 Tips

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Health care is often an uncomfortable topic. In too many cases, by the time you’re doing research or looking for help, it means that there is already a problem.

It’s not fun, but it’s not all doom and gloom either. Modern medicine is advanced, and there are resources that can help you find the best medical services for whatever ails you.

Choosing the best services is a matter of managing costs, finding a good provider, securing the right facilities, and ensuring that you are pursuing the right course of treatment. The five tips below will help with each of these ideas.

Check Your Insurance

This is always the starting point for a reason. You need to know which services are covered. Similarly, you need to know which healthcare providers are covered by your insurance policy.

It’s possible to get services outside of your insurance coverage, but you’ll want to know that from the start so you can plan accordingly. 

Even more important is that most insurance providers will help you look at providers and medical services. With telemedicine tools and other digital resources, your insurance provider can help you research your options.

Compare Providers

When it comes to choosing the best medical services, that is going to depend on the healthcare provider more than anything else. Your doctor is going to recommend services in the first place. And, when you need a specific service, you’re really comparing the doctors who provide those services more than the services themselves.

Here’s an example. If you need a knee replacement, then that’s already a decision that you made with the help of your doctor. Finding the best knee replacement is really about finding the best doctor for the job.

Fortunately, there are tools to help you compare providers. CMS.gov and Medicare Care Compare can both help with this.

Compare Facilities

Depending on the service, the facilities might matter more than the specific healthcare provider. This is especially true for any type of physical therapy or rehabilitation.

In this case, you want tools that help you compare healthcare facilities, and there are powerful resources for this too.

Get Another Opinion

When it comes to directly comparing medical service options, things are a bit trickier. Traditionally, a doctor will recommend healthcare services to you after diagnosing an issue. It’s pretty normal to just follow that advice.

But, getting a second opinion is a staple in the medical industry for a reason. If you’re really unsure as to the best service options for your situation, then ask another doctor. And another. It’s ok to seek additional opinions until you are convinced of the best course of action.

From there, it’s a simple matter of following through.

Look at the Cost

It’s unfortunate, but costs do matter. Many times, the very best medical services are simply unaffordable. You might instead be looking for the best services that you can get according to your financial situation.

Keep in mind that you don’t necessarily have to pay for medical services out of pocket, even if your insurance isn’t covering a specific service (or you don’t have insurance). There are resources that can help you. 

So, start by getting a clear understanding of the costs of your options (Healthcare Blue Book is great for this). Then, look into funding support so that you can afford the best services that are available to you.

5 Best Tourist Destinations In South East Asia

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Southeast Asia is a tourist hotspot, but it still maintains its authentic vibe. Choosing a place to go is perhaps the most challenging part of visiting this section of the world. With so many great options, it’s hard to narrow it down, but to help you get started, this post looks at five of the area’s best travel destinations. 

1. Angkor Wat, Cambodia

Situated in northwest Cambodia, Angkor Wat is a World Heritage site and the country’s largest religious monument. Its ruins include hundreds of sandstone structures, spanning over 162 hectares. In addition to exploring the ruins of this 12th-century wonder, you can also learn about more recent history at the Cambodia Landmine Museum and Relief Center and the War Museum located in nearby Siem Reap.

In this traveler’s paradise, you can enjoy the unique vibe of country residents and vibrant cafes, or you can wait until after sunset and hit the clubs. Shopping includes two massive markets offering gifts, souvenirs, food, and more. 

2. Koh Samui, Thailand

In the past, Koh Samui was a prime destination for backpackers exploring the best travel destinations of Southeast Asia, but over the last few years, it’s become a high-end destination full of resorts and posh spas. The white beaches, however, are just as pristine as they ever have been. If you want to get out and explore, the Ang Thong Marine National Park offers trails running through a tropical forest to hidden waterfalls and a 12-meter-tall Buddha statue.

3. Bagan, Myanmar

If you like temples, then Bagan, Myanmar needs to be on your must-see list. Nestled next to a mountain range, this UNESCO World Heritage site features over 10,000 pagods and Buddhist temples built between the 11th and 13th centuries. Currently, the Bagan Archaeological Zone features 3,5000 buildings and over 41 square miles to explore. 

The Ananda Temple features a blend of Mon and Indian styles, and if you want to learn more about the area’s historical architecture, you can head to the town’s Archaeological Museum, which includes countless artifacts, including a Rosetta Stone that’s over 1,000 years old. 

To learn about the area’s modern culture, check out the lacquerware art workshops in Myinkaba. Then, hit the sunset at the Shwesandaw Paya pagoda — with just a bit of climbing, you can catch a 360-degree view of the area. 

4. Bangkok, Thailand

The capital of Thailand, Bangkok is a great jumping-off point for other destinations in Southeast Asia, but this world-class city also merits a stay. Over 24 million people visit Bangkok every year, and they get to enjoy the pleasing contrast of contemporary skyscrapers and ancient temples. You can do a lot of sightseeing in the area’s temples, museums, and the world’s largest teak building — the Vimanmek Mansion. Use a tuk-tuk taxi or a water bus to get around, or simply whip out your phone to contact the local ride-share company Grab. You can also dive into modern culture at the city’s clubs and cafes. 

5. Luang Prabang, Laos

Another UNESCO World Heritage Site, Luang Prabang features stunning architecture that combines the best elements of French colonial and traditional styles. Its location along the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers offers stunning natural beauty. With just a short hike, you can check out the Kuang Sit Falls or Pak Ou Caves, which are full of mini Buddha sculptures. On most mornings, the town fills with the color orange as local monks take to the streets for Alms Ceremonies. 

What Are The Odds Of Winning Millions On The Lottery In Different Countries?

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Who doesn’t want to be a millionaire? The easiest way to get millions is to be born with it, but the second easiest option is to buy a lottery ticket. But what are your odds of winning? Is it possible to rack up millions in these games? Well, of course, there’s always a possibility of winning, but the odds tend to be low. 

The best you can do is hope they’re in your favor. Check out your chances with these lotteries from around the world. 

1. U.S. Odds

In the United States, the odds of winning the Powerball are one in 292 million. To put it another way, if 88% of US residents (including babies) bought a ticket, only one person would win. This jackpot, however, vastly exceeds the million-dollar mark. Recent drawings have featured jackpots of nearly $2 billion. However, experts indicate that the odds of even winning $4 are pretty low.

2. Canadian Odds

Canada’s biggest jackpot is called the Lotto Max. Because this country has a much smaller population than the United States, the odds of winning millions is a bit higher. In the Great White North, your odds of winning with a $5 ticket are 1 in 33.3 million. This lottery features a jackpot in the tens of millions and dozens of “little” $1-million Maxmillion prizes. Here’s some good news — In Canada, unlike the United States, you don’t have to pay taxes on your lottery winnings.  

3. Mexican Odds

In Mexico, the odds of winning the country’s biggest jackpot — the Melate — are similar to the odds in Canada. In exchange for buying a ticket, you get a 1 in 32.5 million chance to win tens of millions of dollars. This jackpot often climbs up to the $70 million range. Just want to aim for a million or so, then try the Melate Retro which has 1 in 3.3 million odds. The Chispazo has the best odds at 1 to 98,000, but the biggest prizes usually aren’t any more than $100,000. 

4. Eurojackpot Odds

This game is played by numerous countries around Europe including the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Slovakia, Spain, and Sweden, as well as several others. When you’re competing with the rest of Europe, you’re competing in an area that features about twice as many potential players as the United States, but your odds of winning are oddly doubled. 

This may be because the Eurojackpot is a lot smaller than the U.S. Powerball. In recent drawings, the top prizes were for about €120 Euros, which is about $91 million USD. 

5. Odds in Singapore

Playing the lottery in Singapore gives you fairly good odds compared to the lotteries in many other countries. With a single ticket, you get a 1 in 14 million chance to win, and prizes can be anywhere from $1 to nearly $10 million. The odds get higher as you go for lower-value jackpots.

In all cases, the best you can do is buy a ticket, choose your luckiest numbers, and hope for the best. But if you really want to be a millionaire, you may want to create a backup plan.