Effective Strategies To Manage Your Wealth During The COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has created severe economic downfall all over the world. Due to this reason, the majority of investors have suspended investing in many sectors. Apart from that many of the investment sectors are showing negative results, so it looks like a recession in the coming days is inevitable.

Financial experts around the world aren’t well aware of the fact that how much time it will take to emerge from this pandemic situation, and how much it will cost our financial future. 

But considering today's impact on the economy, it can be clearly seen that people, specifically investors should implement their own strategies to manage wealth, secure capital protection, and also get desired returns. 

Here we are going to discuss some tips about managing wealth during a pandemic which you might find helpful.

1. Prioritize to your financial goals as per the situation

What is the need for wealth creation in your life? The answer is simple! You want to have a financially secure life, all the comforts, an improved lifestyle, and want to fulfill your financial goals in time before retiring.

Due to the pandemic, most of the investment options are down and investors are getting deprived of the regular income streams. So, during such financial downtime, it is impossible to achieve all of your desired financial goals on time.

So, it is better to plan your financial goals again and decide which financial goals are still important to you and which aren’t. You should prioritize your financial goals to ensure that you can achieve the important goals first. Creating new financial goals will guide your wealth creation in a positive direction.

2. Target on building multiple sources to earn money

During this current situation, having multiple sources of income is the most crucial thing that you can imagine. Due to the economic downfall caused by the COVID-19 crisis, a majority of mid or low-income people have either lost their jobs or are about to face pay-cuts. It is too difficult to manage a job/creer in light of the Coronavirus pandemic. On the other hand, people with high-income and those who own businesses faced a huge decline in their income during the lockdown. It is still not clear when they can see a growth in their income even after the lockdown is lifted.

But, if you have multiple income streams, it would give you some financial flexibility and also help you to lower your dependency over your emergency fund or retirement accounts such as 401(k) or Roth ira. It would also keep you away from liquidating your essential investments if your main income source is in danger. Having multiple income sources can save you from falling into a new debt burden, and also help you to choose affordable solutions for debt.

So, apart from your regular business or the 9 to 5 job, you should focus on creating new income sources. During the lockdown, you may utilize more free time and use your hobbies to make money. Use your skills and provide online tuitions or work on freelance projects based on your expertise. Start affiliate marketing, or social media marketing business by using your personal computer, and make some good money without spending much. Doing such side hustles can be beneficial when you have limited income or going through a financial hardship.

3. Reorganize your budget to meet the essentials

Just think about the situation. Due to the pandemic, your income sources are getting limited and there is no sign of improvement in the economy for the time being. As a result, your purchasing power will be reduced and it may force you to pay a lot more money to buy the same thing that you bought at a cheaper rate, before the pandemic.

So, you should reorganize your budget in such a way that you may reduce low-priority or non-essential expenses, and focus only on the essential category to spend money on. Don’t forget to include contributions to emergency funds and investments towards retirement accounts. You need a solid emergency fund to meet unexpected financial obligations. 

On the other hand, investing in a 401(k) or Roth IRA can help you to manage your financial expenses that come after retirement, such as taxes in retirement, medical expenses, urgent home repair, and renovation, etc. You should also make other investments to beat inflation in the long term.

4. Reconsider how much risk you can take

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many investors are facing financial hardship and their investment portfolios are also getting affected badly. The income streams from the investments are getting narrowed so creating wealth is now a difficult task to perform in this situation.

As a result, investors' ability to tolerate financial risks is also getting affected. Their actual ability to take investment risk is getting reduced as they do not have a solid fund to cover up losses. 

For example, if you, being an investor, can take up to 30% loss over your investments previously, now you are hesitating to bear the even a minimum 10% loss. Clearly, you may not be in a position to take that much loss due to the shortage of funds.

So, it's the best time to reconsider the risk tolerance and avoid making investments in those sectors which might incur a high loss. Do not overestimate your financial capability to take high risks, the situation isn’t like the same before. 

An accurate reassessment of your risk tolerance will help you start wealth creation all over again. But you should also protect your money at the same time.

5. Refurbish your investment portfolio

The investment options are not as exciting or prompt, just like it used to be before the COVID - 19 outbreak had erupted. So, before investing in multiple sectors and asset classes, you must consider your age, financial goals, risk tolerance, and expected returns.

Due to the economic slowdown and the fall in the investment markets, your investment portfolio might also face an imbalance; many of the investment returns have been narrowed or stopped.

So, you should now rebalance or refurbish your damaged investment portfolio so that you may increase or decrease the proportion of investment items in the asset classes. 

Do this to make the sync between your investment profile and with your current financial goals, risk tolerance, and expected returns on various asset classes. You may also discuss the matter with a professional investment advisor if you want expert advice on this. For example, if you want to invest in the real estate sector to grow your wealth, then you should discuss the matter with a professional realtor and get suggestions or tips on real estate investing.

6. Invest in gold for future

Gold investment is the safest and best investment in the world. Being a wise investor you may invest in buying Sovereign Gold Bonds which may generate an interest income of 2.5% per annum. 

In the last 30 days, gold prices have dropped by 3.16%. It is solely because of the COVID - crisis. Remember, in the future when the vaccine of COVID - 19 will be released, the economy will rise again, as well as the gold prices. So, if you have enough funds to invest in this item, go for it.

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This is a guest post by Patricia Sanders

Patricia Sanders is a professional content developer and a regular contributor to debtconsolidationcare. She specializes in the financial niche and is well known for her unique financial tips that can be very effective. She always tries to help people, suffering from financial hardships, through her writing. To get in touch with her (or if you have any questions regarding this article) email at sanderspatricia29@gmail.com.

Reasons Young Professionals Need a CPA

Spring is usually the time when we talk taxes! But, since 2020 has been an unprecedented year all around, tax time came a bit later this time. Taxes are a necessary evil that is the sobering reality for anyone earning a paycheck. But with each passing filing and with the rising trend of DIY everything, it seems like the younger generation are turning their backs on an accountant and instead trying to do it themselves. With the help of google people are turning to software like Turbotax or an employee at H&R Block to prepare and file their taxes at the end of the fiscal year. Nothing against these methods of tax preparation, but not everything needs to be DIYed (side note: don’t get me started on DIY braces). However, in this economic climate CPA’s are more important to young professionals and businesses than ever.

The Rise of Contract Employees, Start Ups and Side Hustles

The economy is primed for startups. We’re at an age when people are constantly able to create and innovate to drive the world forward with the click of an app. But with all new business ventures comes great risk. There is incredible and inherent risk when starting a business and every dollar spent needs to be accounted for.  So it’s no wonder that with the boom of the startup sector that there’s a rise in contracted employees. Contracting employees is cheaper. Not only that, but by contracting work, startups everywhere gain the flexibility to adapt and shift to the market needs. Independent contractors are the logical choice for emerging businesses. However for the contractor themselves, the line between employee and freelance can be blurry.

Yes, You Need An Accountant

Inexperience, mixed with the looming tax deadline creates panic for so many young people. An accountant can alleviate that stress - they understand tax laws and can help you save your hard earned money. The same thing can be said for entrepreneurs navigating the world of small businesses. CPA’s can help keep your financials on track, while advising you on taxes. “This may seem obvious, but keep in mind that rules and regulations change frequently, and it’s tough if not impossible for any business owner to keep up with it all. An accounting professional can take away your uncertainty and ensure your business stays compliant.”

So, are we at a time when it’s easy to file your taxes, all on your lonesome? Yes. But nevertheless, more and more people are turning to the side hustle to earn a little extra at the end of the month.

Conversely, a CPA firm that concentrates on the dental industry can not only review QuickBooks, provide tax reduction planning, and provide best practices benchmarking for a dental practice, but should also provide insight into the best local providers for:

• Dental Law Firms

• Dental Banking

• Dental Real Estate

• Dental Brokerage

• Dental Insurance

• Dental Practice Cost Segregation

If you are searching for a higher level of expertise at key points in your dental career, it really pays attractive dividends to align yourself with a CPA firm that is focused on the dental industry.  Below are some of the most important inflection points for hiring a Dental CPA:

• Incubator Stage – While working in Corporate Dentistry or attending dental school, it really pays to create the right professional relationships to overcome obstacles to dental practice ownership.

• Growth Stage (first five years of ownership) – Decisions ranging from office location to practice type to office staff can have profound impact on production, cash flow, client acquisition, and debt reduction.

• Adolescent Stage – Decisions focused on technology upgrades, remodeling, office design, improved work flows, and improving clientele quality.

• Maintenance Stage – Most of this phase focuses on saving for retirement.

• Exit Stage – Most of this phase is focused on maximizing the value of the practice for sale.

If you haven’t found a great dental CPA to work with, feel free to shoot me an email and I can offer my recommendation.

Virtual Visits Made Easy With alignFlow: A Review

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic many industries and organizations have been forced to adapt and fast track digital transformation to continue providing services. Schools have adopted remote learning, many employees are working from home and dentists are using teledentistry services, like alignFlow to consult patients and offer virtual visits.

alignFlow is a powerful, easy to use virtual care platform that helps dentists and orthodontists make clear aligner treatments less complicated for their patients and more profitable for their practice. Their system works with all aligner brands and helps doctors and patients get fantastic results with fewer in office visits.

BENEFITS OF ALIGNFLOW

1. Live Patient Tracking: Quite a bit of my patients love the ease of wearing clear aligners. This app allows me to track patient’s progress virtually without an actual office visit. Patients can also use the app to track their progress and aligner wear time. They can also contact their doctor with any issues or questions, improving the doctor patient relationship.

2. Fewer Office Visits: Because I am able to track progress virtually, it means I can offer fewer in office visits which patients really appreciate since a lot of them are now working from home and their kids are doing virtual schooling. It’s a benefit to docs as well since less patients in the office means less chair time and less supplies being used which in turn means efficiency and a cut back on overhead expenses.

3. Is Convenient: Patients love the fact that they can still see and speak their doctor regardless of where they are. It also cuts down time away from work and thus helps patients to stay employed and avoid loss of income.

4. Less intimidating: Many individuals experience dental anxiety when going to the dentist. Being able to speak with or see a dentist or orthodontist in the comfort of their own home is a far more comfortable experience for some.

5. Frees up dentists’ time for clinical work: Many patients have minor dental problems and questions that do not need in person face-to-face time with the dentist. alignFlow helps to bridge the communication gap as patients can communicate with their doctor via text messaging or virtual face to face meetings. A major plus with this app is that it is HIPAA complaint.

6. Improves oral hygiene education: One of the key advantages of this app is the chance to educate patients on good oral hygiene practices. Doctors can upload videos or instructions into the resources tab. This can be used instead of providing paper instructions. This helps teach patients things like correct brushing and flossing, providing education and giving advice about health concerns can all be done using alignFlow.

Using teledentistry apps has been quite advantageous, especially during the pandemic to not only continue providing care for current patients but to also reach new patients. For more information on alignFlow, visit their website here and request a free demo. You can also find them on social media here.

This is a sponsored post by alignFlow

My Secrets to Building a Fulfilling, Multifaceted Career & life: An Interview with Whippy

I had the wonderful opportunity to speak with Samantha from Whippy to speak on how I am building a balanced and fulfilling career and life, and to also lend some words of advice to young professionals. Her blog post is below:

Have you ever considered launching your own business from home or traveling abroad to give back to communities 5000 miles away, all while maintaining your practice as a dental or medical professional? Your career doesn’t have to be confined to one line of focus. Some people thrive when they juggle commitments that are very different from one another.

Meet Dr. Patrice Smith. 

She’s an orthodontist who has mastered the art of time management. Her 9-5 schedule may consist of appointments with patients in the office, but her 6-10 is her time to manage her self-started candle business and blog.

Although born in Jamaica, Dr. Smith moved to the U.S. and attended dental school at Howard University in Washington D.C. It wasn’t until her third year of school that she decided she wanted to go into orthodontics. For her, orthodontics is the ideal practice because it allows her to “use both sides of (her) brain simultaneously: the analytical and the creative.”

“It allows me the freedom to express my personality, one that is very laid back (must be the island girl in me) but also type A when it comes to details, systems and organization,” she said.

It is the love for creative freedom and challenging herself in unique ways that, in part, inspired Dr. Smith to establish her own candle business called Unorthdoc Candles. As someone who always adored scented candles but couldn’t afford to purchase the high-end brand ones during dental school, Dr. Smith began making her own candles from scratch. What started out as a fun, relaxing hobby turned into a full-blown business as demand for her candles accelerated.

When I asked her how she finds the time to run her business in addition to practicing her profession, she told me she has an organized planner to keep a routine schedule. She only works in the ortho office 3 days a week and usually dedicates her evenings to Unorthodoc Candles.

Another major hobby of hers is blogging.

Back in 2008, she started chronicling her dental school journey through blog posts. “It was kind of like a diary where I documented everything and other people found it to use as a resource”, she admitted. Dr. Smith felt compelled to assist other dental students through their career journeys by sharing her own experiences.

Today, she runs an incredibly successful blog called TheUnOrthodoc (theunorthodoc.com), designed to help young professionals lead a balanced and purposeful life. The website also features resources such as student financing options as well as her favorite dental products!

Last, but certainly not least, Dr. Smith uses her professional skills to give back not only to her home community but communities across the globe.

She is the cofounder of Dental Helping Hands, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing dental services to underserved communities in different countries.

“All of us share a passion for giving back to our communities and to the disenfranchised. With the exception of 2020, every year we travel to different countries and provide free dental care to those without access,” she said of her and her team.

Is there anything Dr. Smith can’t do?!

Here’s her 3 key pieces of advice for young professionals:

My 3 pieces of advice and the rest of my interview with Samantha can be found on the Whippy blog here.

Are Virtual Dental Visits Here To Stay?

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic many industries and organizations have been forced to adapt and fast track digital transformation to continue providing services. Schools have adopted remote learning, many employees are working from home and dentists are using teledentistry services to consult patients. Although some businesses may revert to their former practices after the pandemic, many others will leverage new technology to provide additional benefits and attract new customers and patients.

What is teledentistry?

During the height of the pandemic, many dentists had to postpone elective and non-urgent dental procedures. In an effort to continue offering services, albeit limited, dentists had to adopt teledentistry (virtual dental visits) to reach patients. It was used typically for patients with dental problems in order to decide whether a face-to-face dental appointment was needed and in some cases keep in touch and follow up with patients after appointments. Now, it has evolved to where this is now how some dentists conduct initial consultations for patients before being seen in person.

Teledentistry has allowed patients and doctors to speak with each without risking exposure to the virus.

Benefits of Teledentistry

Teledentistry was already in place but many dentist were very slow to adopt it. However, the pandemic brought to light the many benefits of it. It is not hard to see how its adoption could continue to rise and be a mainstay in practices. Teledentistry:

1. Improves access to care: Patients in rural areas, who are home-bound and the elderly may have trouble finding and getting to a dentist. Tele dentistry helps to break down those barriers and gives these patients a chance to see and talk to a dentist about their dental problems.

2. Is Convenient: In essence, it cuts down time away from work and thus helps patients to stay employed and avoid loss of income.

3. Reduces cost: In may practices, virtual consultations are free of charge and subsequent appointments are of a lower cost to the patient. Seeing a patient remotely also means the dentist does not have to use up valuable resources like gloves, masks, gowns, other supplies and chair time.

4. Less intimidating: Many individuals experience dental anxiety when going to the dentist. Being able to speak with or see a dentist in the comfort of your own home is a far more comfortable experience.

5. Frees up dentists’ time for clinical work: Many patients have minor dental problems that do not need face-to-face time with the dentist. If using teledentistry can address those problems, dentists would have far more time to treat patients whose needs they can treat only in a face-too-face visit. 

6. Improves oral hygiene education: One of the key advantages of teledentistry is the chance to educate patients on good oral hygiene practices. Teaching patients to brush and floss, providing education and giving advice about health concerns can all be done using teledentistry.

How Teledentistry Works

It’s never been easier to be able to communicate with a dentist and there are several methods of delivering dental care via teledentistry. A dentist and patient can use their computer with video that allows them to speak directly to each other or they can do so via an app with can be downloaded to their smartphone. With each option, the patient can take pictures of their teeth and smile so that the dentist can make treatment recommendations in real time. Doctors can also use it to communicate with each other (sending X-rays, photographs, etc) about mutual patients as most of these programs are HIPAA compliant.

Here To Stay

Because of the it’s advantages (listed above) and the effects of the pandemic of the field of dentistry, delivery of dental care via teledentistry has enormous potential, and thus I believe it is here to stay. Widespread internet access and the proliferation of smart phones also make it very easy to implement and adopt.

What are your thoughts?

The Truth About Contracts

Contracts by definition is a mutually beneficial agreement. While you may be able to negotiate and come up with a “great deal”, more likely than not one party benefits more than the other.

Your talents unlock your ancestral abundance and thus when you sign contracts with people/organizations to govern over your talents you’re letting those said organizations govern over your ancestral abundance. You may need to read that again.

Ancestral abundance: The abundance that is due to you from the universe and your ancestors.

We all have talents and gifts that are unique to us. When we enter into a situation, i.e job/workplace we give that organization governance over our talents and lessen our potential earnings (our abundance). That is, that situation gets to benefit from your talents, and often times a lot more than you do. As an example, many doctors work for corporations and produce millions of dollars but only reap a small fraction of that production.

“When you sign contracts with people to govern over your talents you’re letting those organizations govern over your ancestral abundance. ”

More and more people are recognizing this these days and are choosing the route of independence and freedom. This is one of the reasons there are so many people going towards entrepreneurship and becoming a self brand.

This is not to say there’s anything wrong with working for/with corporations. They have their benefits and individuals who are early in their career find this option attractive. While ownership offers freedom (on many levels) and potentially enables you to have far greater earning potential, not everyone wants to be an entrepreneur.

If you do decide to work for someone or a corporation arm yourself with contract negotiating tactics.

To Negotiate like a boss, especially if you're female, will take some mindset changes to get what you want, what is fair and what you deserve.

1. Learn To Say NO

One of the greatest inhibitions in asking for your market value or what you think you're worth is the fear of rejection. Once you can get passed this fear you can move on to the negotiating table. Understand that the real negotiating doesn't start until someone says no! Never just accept what you're being offered. Quite often contracts are written with wiggle room for that reason.  The goal of negotiating is to reach an agreement with someone whose interest may not necessarily be aligned with yours. In this context the word no is not a negative thing but offers grounds to problem-solve and come to a consensus and an agreement. The alternative is being stuck in a job with individuals who are happy to place their needs above yours. 

2. Ask for More Than What You Want

It's a much better negotiating strategy to ask for more than you actually want or think you will get. Allow each party to say no a couple times before saying yes. People aren't necessarily happy when they get what they want. Think about it: You sit with your potential employer and say " I would like a 10% increase from my previous salary and a corner office" and his/her immediate response is "Sure, no problem!" You will likely suffer from buyers' remorse and wonder if you should have asked for a 20% increase instead. 

3. Be Willing to Walk Away

A lot of negotiating is a mind game. The greatest bargaining advantage goes to the person who is perceived to have the least to lose. Establish your deal breaker or bottom line and be willing to walk away from a deal (or say you will). If you at least act like you're prepared to walk away if your bottom line isn't met then the other party will be more incentivized to meet your requirements. 

4. Get a Lawyer

You have looked over your contract thoroughly but you need a second pair of eyes on it. There may be some legal jargon that you don't understand or have over looked. A lawyer will be able to point some things out to you that you may have missed and can even negotiate on your behalf. In my experience it has been worth the money pay a lawyer to do some of the heavy lifting for you.

I know contract negotiations aren't always easy. You must ensure that you ask the right questions upfront, learn to say no, don't get bullied into signing on to something you will regret later and be willing to walk away. I have negotiated several contracts throughout my career and I’ve learned something from each encounter. At the point where I am today in my career,I realize that even the best negotiating tactics where I felt like I was getting the best deal, still resulted in me coming up short in one area or another. At the end of the day, make sure that if you do work for someone/corporation that you are getting at a minimum a fair deal.

The Importance of A Self Brand

I remember several years ago when The UnOrthoDoc became a brand. It was between the completion of Orthodontic residency and the beginning months of my first job. Between patients I found myself reading and writing and wondered if this was normal. I love my profession but a few other passions were getting substantial amounts of my time. As I looked at my former classmates and colleagues expressing their love for their new career it dawned on me that we didn’t share the same feeling. Instead, I felt that I needed to find a way to harmoniously combine my career and my other passions to create balance in my life. Not long after, the name UnOrthoDoc was born - It was a clever spin on my title and one that I felt encompassed who/what I felt I was.

UN•ORTHO•DOC

(n):  a doctor who does not subscribe to stereotypes of what he/she should be, do or look like

(adj): Contrary to what is usual; different

“You too are a brand. Whether you know it or not. Whether you like it or not.”

— Marc Eckō

I recently read two books , You Are a Brand and Building A Story Brand, that brought the full picture of self branding into focus. I knew I was creating a presence on the web and on social media but I never quite called it branding. This blog and my social media platforms became the avenues where I could share my experiences and impart some of the knowledge I gained as a young professional. Hopefully my experiences, both good and bad, would become a reference to assist my peers, colleagues and those coming after me. Those books made me realize that I was unknowingly creating a self brand.

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When we think of a brand, we typically think of a business and not necessarily ourselves, right? What if I told you that whether you're intentional about it or not, YOU are a brand! and everything you put out there is part of your brand story. What do people say about you when you're not in the room? What will people find when they google your name? Best believe that if you're going on a date, going on a job interview, applying for a residency position (if you're a doc) the person on the other end has looked you up. 
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I remember joining a practice after residency and being told by a fellow doctor I worked with that I didn't "seem like someone who would be working here." He said when he heard that I'd be joining the team he googled me and thought "why would SHE want to work here? I don't see her staying." Needless to say, I did not stay at that practice. But, whatever his perception of me was i.e what message I was portraying, did not fit the brand of the practice where I worked.

So why is a self brand important? Because the world is watching! How you present yourself, especially online makes a difference, even if you think no-one cares. It’s about managing your name — even if you don’t own a business.

Do a quick self check: google yourself and see what pops up. Take a look at your social media platforms and see if they represent you well. If not, it may be time to work on your self brand.

*This post and all content on The UnOrthoDoc blog is protected by copyright laws.

How Do You Know If Your Business Needs a Trademark?

GUEST CONTRIBUTOR: Trademark Attorney, Zara Watson. Owner of Zara Watson Law PLLC

Today, I’d like to touch on something that every business owner faces at some point….how do you know if you need a trademark?

If you own or manage a business, you have at least one trademark- the name of your company.

You may have others like product names, service names, logos, or slogans – these are all different trademarks. They are all valuable assets to your brand.

You’ll know that you need a trademark if you are using one of the above “branding elements” to market and advertise your products or services. The reality is that the more you advertise and market your brand, the more likely it is that someone else may copy or steal it to sell their own products and services. 

If you’ve fallen in love with your business name, logo, or slogan and plan to use it for years to come, then you’ll need to do everything in your power to secure your rights.

You’ll want to register your trademark so that you can: 

• Feel secure knowing that you can stop others from copying your brand.

• Stop others from benefiting from your advertising and marketing efforts.

• Avoid consumer confusion from other “similar” brands. 

• Appear professional in the eyes of consumers and potential investors.

Oftentimes business owners think that by simply forming their business entity (e.g. an LLC), that they own the rights to their brand. This isn’t the case. In order to protect the various aspects of your brand (business name, logo, slogan, and even product packaging), you have to register your trademark. 

If you’re ready to own and protect your trademark, book a discovery with Zara today! 

Meet Zara Watson

I’m an award winning trademark attorney, philanthropist, writer, and legal educator. I help online business owners like you secure the rights to your trademark so that you can sleep better at night knowing that your brand is 100% yours.

After a year of working at a law firm that I wasn’t passionate about, the lightbulb clicked; I realized that I could use my legal expertise to help online business owners protect their businesses through the area of Intellectual Property Law.

Now, it's my mission to help you own your trademark so that you fully own the rights to your brand. I believe that no matter how big or small your business, owning the rights to your brand matters. In order to leave your mark in the world, you need to know how to protect it.

My Secret To How I Paid Off 200K of Debt in 3 Years!

This is a guest post by Jolene Stahn

For a long time, I didn’t know what kind of job or career I wanted. Like many millennials I was checking off the boxes, the “should” boxes, you know what they are:

✔get good grades so you can

✔go to a good university so you can 

✔get a good job so you can 

✔buy a car and

✔buy a house and 

✔have a good retirement

I started all this and was fully in it. And fully in $200,000 in debt from student loans and a mortgage… But now that I had this house and life, I realized I wanted out of this societal trap of shoulds. I realized that I was only checking off these boxes because I should and not because I wanted to.

I wanted to be free. Free from these shoulds.

I wanted freedom. I didn’t want to be stressed out by this debt. And I surely didn’t want money to stress me out. I wanted to be in control of my finances.

I didn’t want to have to be limited when going out to eat or when deciding between having something or not whether it was a plant to decorate my house or (expensive) avocados for my favourite avocado toast! 

So what did I do? 

These desires led quickly to becoming obsessed over figuring out what exactly I wanted (so a lot of self-help books) and learning from all the money gurus! I wanted to not have any debt as soon as possible. And I wanted to learn about how I could make my money work for me! Now, let me tell you it wasn’t easy but I figured it out.  

Download my secret to see what I figured out:

My results: 

Because I was able to learn so much, diving head first into all the books and courses I could get my hands on. 

I was able to pay off my debt of $200,000 in 3 years! 

And because of this, I was able to have the freedom to quit my (“career” type) job, backpack throughout Australia with my boyfriend, and go on last-minute trips to places like New York and Costa Rica! I was also able to explore new passions that allowed me even more freedom like working online and finding other things I enjoy. And ultimately living the way I want to live. 

I was able to do all of this by learning about personal development and managing my finances and the most amazing part is that I can always feel this freedom I truly desire, do the things I want to do, and not the things others/society says I should do!

I now feel free, in control, and love the luxury of doing what I want. And the best part, I now get to help others with their money, whether someone’s in debt, living paycheck to paycheck, or if you just want to make your money work for you! 

I am so passionate about helping others get out of the situation I once was in with so much debt and lack of control in the finance department. I teach what I’ve learnt on my journey, what I wish I would’ve known, and use a combination of personal development and money management techniques. I simplify finances terms and personalize the best methods based on individual goals. 

I love seeing the amazing results from clients who just paid off their credit card debt, the celebration, and to see how happy and less stressed they are! I’m so proud of each of them to be able to live without being controlled by money!

This is a guest post by Jolene Stahn.

About Jolene Stahn

Jolene figured out the secret to financial freedom, quit her corporate career, moved to Australia with her boyfriend and is living the life she desires!

Now she helps millennial figure out their finances to also live the life they want.

Follow Jolene on Instagram

CONTACT JOLENE

My Travel Experience During COVID

Although US Citizens are currently banned from about 33 countries (27 countries of the EU, Canada, Bahamas, China, Japan and New Zealand), there are countries whose borders have re-opened for visitors. Some of these countries include most of the Caribbean, Mexico, Turkey and Maldives.

My husband and I love to travel! So needless to say when we were able to safely do so again, we were (cautiously) on board. We decided to take an early Anniversary trip to Mexico and are currently staying at Secrets The Vine Resort in Cancun.

Airport Experience In The U.S

We flew on American Airlines out of Pittsburgh into Cancun International Airport with a connection in Philadelphia. Masks were 100% required throughout all the airports and even on our flights. Moving through the airports was easy and efficient as not many people are traveling these days. Upon boarding the aircrafts, we were given goodie bags containing bottled water, a snack (pretzels) and hand sanitizing towelettes.

Tip: Travel with hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes to wipe down your seats, arm rests and tray table.

Airport Experience in Mexico

Once we landed in Mexico, we were instructed to remain seated and deplane the aircraft by row allowing a safe distance between passengers. Customs officers were more efficient than usual and wore masks and face shields. Even though there were long lines, we spent less than 15 minutes getting through immigration. Once through customs, we retrieved our luggage from baggage claim (which were off the belts and waiting) and we exited to our prepaid private transportation.

Our driver also wore a mask for the duration of our short 25 minute trip to our hotel.

Resort COVID Precautions

The resort has gone above and beyond to ensure guests feel safe. Some things that have been implemented are:

• Mandatory mask requirement upon arrival/check-in

• Social distancing in lobby and common areas

• Luggage sanitized upon arrival before being taken to our rooms

• Hand Sanitizer stations throughout the resort

• Social distancing on elevators ( 2 guest limit)

• Staff required to wear masks and face shields at all times

• All items are covered and/or placed in sanitized packages (see images below)

• Beach chairs and loungers are sprayed down (sanitized) the minute someone gets up.

• No buffet services

• The utilization of e-menus (must carry cell phone around to scan) versus paper menus

Luggage with sanitized seal

All drink ware covered in sealed & sanitized packages

TV Remote control covered in sealed & sanitized packages

iPad covered in sealed and sanitized packages

All drink ware covered in sanitized packages

These are only a few photos of the measures our hotel is taking. Not pictured are the sealed vanity items like body gel, shampoo, conditioner, soaps, etc.

An informative image of all the precautions all AMResorts are taking to ensure safety of all guests

Returning To The US

When returning to the US from Mexico in particular, you will be required to scan a QR code at the airport which takes you to a questionnaire. The questionnaire includes biographical information (name, date, etc), if you have experienced symptoms of COVID, the countries you’ve visited in the last 14 days and your flight information. You will not be allowed into the security check point area without filling out the questionnaire and providing the resulting QR code to the gate agent. This is their way of tracking who goes in and out of the country.

Once back in the US, airports and specifically airline carriers are not operating at full capacity and you may have a longer than normal wait time in your connecting city. Most stores and restaurants in the airports are still closed and If you’re accustomed to going to the lounges, very few are open.

If you do get the itch to travel, do your homework and take necessary precautions. Safe travels!

7 Personal Development Podcasts To Inspire, Motivate & Transform Your Life

Personal development is one of my favorite topics. Give me a space where I can work on Improving myself and that’s where I’ll be - whether it’s via a great book, podcast or course.

There are so many amazing inspirational and motivational podcasts out there. I’ve been listening to podcasts for years, and have listened to more than I can possibly count! Over the years, I’ve definitely found some that stood out more than others. I love reading books as well but unlike books, podcasts are extremely convenient. I listen while at the gym, getting dressed, driving to work, going for a walk or even during cooking. I love the idea that In just about 20-30 minutes per day I can listen to a podcast that can transform your life.

Here are my favorite personal development podcasts :

1. Design Your Dream Life - hosted by Natalie Bacon - a former lawyer and financial planner turned life coach who has been able to make a living teaching and helping high-achieving women reach their goals. In the Design Your Dream Life podcast, Natalie shares lessons on how to master your mindset, make more money, accomplish goals, and build a business.

2. Goal Digger - with host Jenna Kutcher, is one of the most popular personal development podcasts and for a good reason. Jenna shares the strategies she uses to become a self-made millionaire. She speaks on all things productivity, social media, business strategies, and hacks that will help you create your dream career.

3. Do It Scared - with host Ruth Soukup is created to help listeners face fears, overcome adversity, and create a life you LOVE. Each week she provides actionable strategies for greater productivity, motivation, entrepreneurship, creativity, fulfillment, success, and happiness, along with the motivation and encouragement to actually start making real changes that lead to big results.

4. Hey, Girl - Alex is probably one of my favorite people to follow on Instagram. I’ve been following her for years and love her mantras, affirmations and how transparent she is. She created the podcast with sisterhood and storytelling in mind. Alex sits down with people who inspire her. She unites the voices of phenomenal women near and far.

5. The Happiness Lab - This podcast is hosted by Yale Professor Dr. Laurie Santos and is based on the psychology course she teaches at Yale. Dr. Laurie will take you through latest scientific research and share some surprising and inspiring stories that will change the way you think about happiness. You might think you know what it takes to lead a happier life… more money, a better job, or Instagram-worthy vacations. You’re dead wrong. Dr. Laurie has studied the science of happiness and found that many of us do the exact opposite of what will truly make our lives better.

I discovered the podcast after taking her course, The Science Of Well Being on Coursera. Visit the Resource Page and sign up with Coursera to take courses like this and many more from other Ivy League Institutions. It’s Free!

6. The Life Coach School - Hosted by Brooke Castillo is a go-to resource in the self development department. The podcast is about solving any problem you have in your life. Topics include how to take more action, how to set goals, how to love more, how to beat procrastination, how to feel better, how to manage your time, etc. Each episode is typically 25-40 minutes.

7. The Tony Robbins Podcast - Tony Robbins is without a doubt of the biggest names in the personal development space, and his motivational podcast is a hub where he shares all of that amazing knowledge. Tony shares proven strategies and tactics for achieving massive results in your business, relationships, health, and finances.

What’s your favorite personal development podcast? Drop them in the comments.

4 Simple Ways To Keep Your Clear Aligners Clean

If you’re going through the process of aligning/straightening your teeth with clear aligners, like Invisalign or Clear Correct, you know first hand that it can get pretty dirty. As an Orthodontist I’ve seen my share of gunky aligners. If you’re having trouble keeping them clean, here are some tips to keep them fresh and free of gunk:

1. Soap and Water

The simplest way to clean your aligners is to use gentle liquid soap with lukewarm water. Brush them gently with a soft bristled toothbrush or mix the solution in a cup to form suds. Soak your aligners in the soapy water for 20–30 minutes, then rinse with plain water.

2. Vinegar and Water

In a cup, mix one part white vinegar to three parts luke-warm water. Soak your aligners in the liquid for 15 minutes, then rinse in cool plain water.

3. Peroxide and Water

Soak aligners in a solution of equal parts hydrogen peroxide and luke-warm water for 30 minutes, then rinse thoroughly in plain water.

4. Retainer or Aligner Cleaner

Cleaners like Ever Smile White Foam or Retainer Brite are very good at keeping aligners clean. Ever Smile is a minty foam made with hydrogen peroxide that is spread on your aligners and put directly back in the mouth. The hydrogen peroxide destroys bacteria that causes bad breathand tooth decay and you get the added benefit of some whitening over time. Retainer Brite is great as well, they are dissolvable tablets that you place in a cup of water , leave the aligners there for about 30 minutes. 

How *not* to clean aligners:

1. Hot Water

Never use hot water to clean your aligners. Hot water will warp and change the shape of the plastic making it unable to fit.

2. Mouthwash

Mouthwash is great to rinse your mouth with but never for your aligners. The coloring used in most mouthwashes can permanently stain your clear aligners.

3. Toothpaste

Contrary to popular belief, toothpaste must never be used to clean your aligners. Toothpaste has abrasive properties that will create scratches in the plastic. Scratched plastic will not look as clear and will be noticeable.

4. Other Solutions

Solutions like bleach, alcohol and other harsh chemicals can permanently warp your aligners.

Bonus tip:

Always brush and floss your teeth before putting your aligners in, and always give them a rinse when you remove them.

What Is That Smell?!

Picture this, you wake up ready to start your day, walk into the kitchen and smell a fresh pot of coffee brewing. That’s a nice surprise since you don’t remember even starting the coffee maker. You walk over to the living room, pull out your yoga mat to get a nice morning stretch in and get a whiff of fresh cut roses. You inhale deeply and smile. You complete your 10 minute stretch and walk out to the balcony to get some fresh air and you’re immediately turned off by the smell of cigarette smoke - yuck! The morning was going so great.

The coffee must be done brewing by now, so you go back inside to pour you a cup, but there’s no coffee. Puzzled, you wander back to the living room and take a seat. Wait, where are the roses? And who was outside smoking? Nobody, since you live on a 5 acre lot and the nearest home is a half mile away. Strange, huh?

The brief episodes of smelling something that’s not there is called Phantosmia. That’s what Dr. Tonia Farmer, a board certified Otolaryngologist / Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Surgeon explains she suffers from. Her phantom smell or olfactory hallucination often presents itself in the form of smelling cigarette smoke.

As she explains, some common causes/triggers of phantosmia include:

• Migraines

• Seizures

• Respiratory Infection

• Inflamed Sinuses

• Head Trauma

• Brain Tumor

• Parkinson’s Disease

The treatment typically depends on the etiology, which is sometimes unknown. Dr. Farmer mentions regardless of the cause there are several things which help to alleviate symptoms. Those include rinsing the nose with saline, using a natural nasal inhaler (like her very own Himalayan Pink Sea Salt Inhaler) or by masking the smell( essential oils or our UnOrthoDoc Candle Co. scented candles).

If you or someone you know suffers from related symptoms, see an ENT specialist like Dr. Farmer for a comprehensive evaluation.

Dr. Tonia Farmer, MD is a Otolaryngology (Ear, Nose & Throat) Specialist in Warren, OH and has over 24 years of experience in the medical field. Dr. Farmer has more experience with Upper Respiratory Conditions, Ear, Nose, and Throat Surgery, and Sleep-disordered Breathing than other specialists in her area. She graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University School Of Medicine in 1996. She is co-owner of the world-renowned Lippy Group for ENT and Lippy Surgery Center. She is affiliated with medical facilities such as Saint Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital and St. Joseph Warren Hospital. Dr. Farmer is also the owner Salt Me! a sinus and body care business she created using salt therapy to help her patients with sinus issues.

You can find Dr. Farmer on Instagram here and here.

5 Easy, Must-Have Summer Cocktails

I don’t know about you, but summertime for me means sun, sand, beach, bikinis, flip-flops and cocktails! We’re not certain what this summer has in store for us since we are still in the middle of a pandemic. Some of the beaches are closed, outdoor activities have been canceled and the borders are still closed in some of our favorite vacation spots. This doesn’t mean we can’t mimic our usual vacation activities and fully enjoy a staycation. All you need is a blow up pool, your swimsuit, a blender and some key ingredients!

For the past several weeks I’ve been sharing my cocktails on IG stories with my followers. Surprisingly, the cocktails have been garnering lots of conversation and questions. Some individuals have even requested a recipe book! I don’t know that I’m adept at creating an entire recipe book of cocktails (not a food blogger by any stretch of the imagination) but I have created a magazine-like guide called “mixed.” to share my top 5 must-have cocktails for the summer. I make these all the time and they are super easy!

I think you will really enjoy these simple and easy recipes. You can print it and place it in your kitchen where it’s easily accessible.

Leave a comment to let me know if you love the guide and don’t forget to take a pic of your drink and tag me in your stories on IG @dr.unorthodoc

YOUR EASY SUMMER COCKTAIL MAGAZINE-LIKE GUIDE

8 Must-Listen Podcasts By Black Women

I am admittedly a podcast junkie. I might need help with this addiction. I learn so much from podcasts and they are a very convenient way to gain knowledge, gather information or simply get whisked away by storytelling. Podcasting is a big business and one that is expected to keep growing. Once upon a time I considered going into it but currently opting to be a guest instead. Did you catch my first guest appearance on The Dental Diaries Podcast? Here you go.

Podcast listening by women increased by 14% in 2018. Yet, podcasting remains a genre mostly used and created by white people. However, in more recent years black people, black women in particular, are turning to podcasting as a way to amplify their voices. With that in mind, here are 8 of my favorite podcasts by black women:

1. Courtney Sanders Podcast- On The Courtney Sanders Show (formally known as The Think and Grow Chick Podcast), host Courtney dives into entrepreneurship, finances, spirituality, and personal growth topics that are sure to kick you in the butt to chase your goals

2. Myleik Teele’s Podcast - Myleik is the CEO of curlBOX and is on of my favorite people to follow on social media. She constantly drops gems and shares her insights, things she learned along the way of becoming an entrepreneur in hopes that her audience won’t have to do it the hard way.

3. Therapy For Black Girls - Joy Harden Bradford, PhD is a licensed Psychologist based in Atlanta. Her podcast provides a weekly share session on all things mental health and personal development. Dr. Bradford touches on the latest mental health news and trends, as well as provides practical tips and answers listener questions.

4. H.E.R Space- H.E.R. stands for healing, empowerment and resilience. In this podcast hosts Terri Lomax and Dr. Dominique Broussard are the catalysts for meaningful conversations and provides a space for black women to just…be. Expect discussions anywhere from “fibroids to fake friends.”

5. Hey, Girl Podcast - Created with sisterhood and storytelling in mind Alex Elle sits down with people who inspire her. She unites the voices of phenomenal women near and far.

6. Clever Girl Finance - This was one of the first financial podcasts I listened to on my personal finance journey. It is hosted by Bola Sokunbi and is a platform for financial education that assists women to get out of debt, save, and build their wealth. If you’re looking to improve, maintain or build upon your wealth, this one is for you.

7. Side Hustle Pro - All things side hustle is right up my alley and this is one of my go-to resources when I need to get motivated on my own journey. It is hosted by Nicaila Matthews Okome and she shines the spotlight on black women who have scaled their side hustles to profitable, established businesses in an effort to assist listeners to learn actionable strategies they can apply in the infancy stages of their business.

8. Rants & Randomness - Hands down one of my favorite people on social media. Luvvie Ajayi is the perfect blend of intelligence and hilarity. She is known for being a NYT best-selling author and blogger at AwesomelyLuvvie.com, but she prefers to call herself a side-eye sorceress and professional troublemaker. In this hilarious podcast Luvvie rants about society and all things pop culture.

Do you listen to podcasts by block women that’s not on this list? Feel free to list them in the comments!

How To Grow a Successful Side Hustle

The truth is, there’s no one secret to running a successful business. But, there are methods that have been proven time and time again to reap successful outcomes. These are the same methods I used to grow my Side Hustle into a successful business in a short amount of time and what helped me to triple my yearly profits during a pandemic. Here are some tips:

• Just Start - Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will. By all means, go through the planning stages but you must execute. Don’t spend too much time lamenting on every little detail because in my experience, things usually work out along the way. Keep in mind also that everything doesn’t have to be perfect in the beginning. Get things out there and build momentum. Done is better than perfect.

• Starting doesn’t mean expensive - Starting a business doesn’t need to be expensive. You may feel as if you have to invest a lot to get off the ground but the reality of it is that you don’t. Depending on the type of business you are looking to start, the first things you will you need is a solid plan, a little creativity, your laptop, and a WiFi connection.

• Serving others is what matters - when running a successful business, regardless of what type it is the emphasis should be on how you are helping your ideal client/customer. The way you serve your clients and audience determines your success. Make sure that you know what they want and find a way to give it to them.

HERE IS HOW I GREW MY SIDE HUSTLE:

1. Identifying Ideal Clients & Customers - Who is your target audience or Ideal customer? Who does your product serve? Answer these questions and you will have won half the battle. I started out thinking my ideal customer was going to be the 18-34 year old female that loves all things social media and self care so in the very beginning stages I spent most of my resources marketing to them. However, they weren’t the ones purchasing my products. It turns out that my ideal customer is the 30-60 year old female who values relationships, a personal touch and great customer service - many of which are not on popular social media channels like Instagram but favor Facebook, email or text message and thus my marketing shifted.

2. Being Consistent & Staying Fresh - There are so many things vying for our attention these days that not showing up is simply not an option. If you’re not present, showing up and being consistent for your customers they will not remember you. As the popular saying goes, “Out of sight, Out of mind.” I used to think posting consistently on social media, sending emails and reaching out to people to update them on products and sales were annoying. But I have come to realize that it is crucial. I am not saying inundate people with your content, but set up a system whereby you consistently show up. Perhaps that looks like posting to your social channels three times per week or sending out a weekly newsletter or monthly emails. Either way, you want to ensure that you are consistent. You also want to keep things fresh and not push the same exact thing, in the same way over and over. For my candle company it meant periodically revamping our fragrances, adding accessories to our store, introducing seasonal fragrances ( a scent for every season or occasion), adding pops of color to our normally classic white candles and offering discounts and free items to show appreciation.

3. Blogging - By creating content around your side hustle you are able to attract clients or customers who may also be interested in the product or service you are offering. For example, I have a blog where I often times speak on having a side hustle. I also offer my readers a Side Hustle Guide that can be downloaded for free, which comes with Side Hustle Ideas and 5 weekly emails that help the reader go from point A to point B in their side hustle journey. Throughout these posts and guides I make reference to my own journey with my Candle Company. My readers have not only gained valuable information on how to start a side hustle but have also become customers.

4. Collaboration - It is amazing the results that you get when you collaborate. Many people believe a collab has to be with “influencers,” or a large company backed by a PR group. Nothing could be further from the truth. Are there people you follow on social media who’s content, personality, product or service you love? Reach out to them and just ask the question. Collaboration comes in many forms and It’s a lot easier than you think.

5. Customer Service is KEY - It goes without saying, be kind, courteous and swift to respond to customer inquiries. I spend a fair amount of time responding to customer questions and reviews. If there is a question about a particular product, accessory or how to care for their candles we respond promptly and/ or direct them to resources accordingly. Every now and then we get customer requests for special orders which we try to accommodate. Our customers are why we are here and we earnestly thank them for their purchases and support.

If you are looking to start your Side Hustle Journey, Grab The Side Hustle Guide Below.

When you sign up for the guide, you will receive:

• 10 page Side Hustle Guide

• Side Hustle ideas

• Side Hustle Workbook

• 5 weekly emails to Guide You

from idea to profit e-book

How Systemic Racism and Cultural Bias Affects Our Oral Health

Race and ethnicity, unfortunately are important factors in oral health disparities in the US. Uneven distribution of dental care leads to a higher incidence of suffering among different racial groups. African Americans/ Blacks are more likely to suffer from untreated dental pain and decay causing chewing difficulties and tooth loss as compared to White Americans. African Americans also report more financial difficulties and are less likely to seek dental care than their white counterparts.

factors that negatively IMPACT ORAL HEALTH

Social determinants can affect oral health more than genetics.

• Social Determinants of Access to Care

  Despite major improvements in oral health for the population as a whole, oral health disparities still exist for many racial and ethnic groups. Economic factors that often relate to poor oral health include access to health services (lack of clinics,transportation, etc.) and an individual’s ability to acquire and maintain dental insurance. Although Interventions such as community water fluoridation, school-based dental sealant programs, and incentive programs for dentists to live and work in deep rural areas have been implemented, it doesn’t fully off-set the need and the high demand of dental care in our communities.
  

• Social Determinants of Nutrition & Health

  Availability and proximity to grocery stores affects our ability to make healthy choices. Organic foods are usually priced at a premium so most will opt for the more affordable processed foods. Preservatives, such as salt, in those processed foods can cause elevated blood pressure levels. Those elevated levels are linked to higher incidence of periodontal disease which if left untreated can lead to early tooth loss. Communities of color are more likely to face food insecurity and lower levels of nutrition because our systems aren’t adequately meeting their needs.

• Social Determinants of Equity 

  It is an unfortunate reality that US institutions have a long history of segregating communities of color, concentrating resources in white communities, and designing systems that benefit white people. This leads to preventable differences in oral health which is closely connected to our overall health.

Other additional ways that systemic racism shows up in oral health include an extreme lack of diversity in the dental health care workforce, accessibility of dental insurance and social bias. One study even showed that 22% of blacks avoided medical care in the US out of concerns about racial discrimination, compared to just 3% of whites. It’s also been shown that most health providers, regardless of their race, have implicit bias against people of color.

10 Personal Development Tips To Improve Your Life & Make You Richer

The purpose of this blog is to help young professionals like you lead a more balanced and purpose-filled life. If you’re reading this, I am assuming you want to feel happier and find more fulfillment and purpose in your life.

You can literally change your life in a major way by incorporating a few simple things each day. I am not telling this because I’m a self help guru but because I know this to be true because I have done them.

I am going to give you 10 very simple personal development tips that will improve your life and if done well and with diligence can even make you richer!

1. Create a morning routine

I know it sounds mundane but it has been proven over and over. I disagreed with this notion for a very long time until I actually proved it to myself. Typically I would wake up with just enough time to shower, get dressed and grab breakfast to go. But when I changed this habit, something almost miraculous happened - I was more alert, focused and at least 5 times more productive throughout the day. Having a morning routine helps to set the tone for the day. It helps to develop good habits that can enable us to focus, accomplish more, achieve our goals, and improve our life overall.

I’ll admit, I don’t always follow a morning routine, but when I do, I clearly see a difference in my day.

Here’s what my morning routine looks like:

• A 3-5 minute meditation or prayer.

• Tea or coffee - having a hot beverage is soothing, calming but also helps to wake me up. An alternative is room temperature water. 

• 10-15 minutes of yoga. I use the FitOn app or search Youtube.

• Write in Journal - to practice gratitude and set my intentions for the day.

Resources for building a morning routine:

The Miracle Morning book

The Calm App

Starlight + Love Affirmation Cards

2. Learn a new skill

Now more than ever we are seeing that having one source of income is not the way to go. Learning new skills like graphic design, web design, social media marketing, real estate investing, calligraphy, travel hacking, house flipping, photography and even another language are great ways to not only boost your confidence but help you earn more money, and therefore build more wealth. A Side Hustle can help you earn extra income.

Resources for learning a new skill:

My Side Hustle Guide

Skillshare

Coursera

Side Hustle Book

3. Invest in yourself

There’s only one investment that always pays off and that is investment in ourselves and in our mind. You are the most important place you can put your time and money. Investing in yourself is one of the best ways to create a wealthier and overall richer life.

There are books and online courses that can help you learn exactly what you want from the convenience of your home. By improving your talents, skills and abilities, you’re investing in something that you will always have; nobody can tax it or take it away from you. Markets can crash, stocks and bonds can be lost, or material possessions can burn–however your knowledge is a tremendous asset that will often provide significant returns.

Resources for Investing in Yourself:

Self-help books

Books on Personal Finance

Podcasts on Personal Growth & Finance

4. Manage stress

There are a lot of negative effects of stress on the mind and body. And although, it is an inevitable part of life, there are things we can do to manage our stresses.

Here are great ways to manage stress:

• Keep a Journal - so you can put your thoughts and feelings on paper and to also practice gratitude.

• Meditate daily. You can sit or lay down in a quiet space for 5-10 mins or use The Calm app or The Headspace app to help you. They’re both free.

• Use a stress ball

• Light a candle and take a relaxing bath

5. Read 1 book per month

I read 18 books last year and credit them to a lot of my success and happiness.

I personally prefer to read hard copy books. There’s just something about feeling the pages beneath your fingertips and having the ability to use an actual pen or highlighter to make note of the parts that really resonate with me. Event though that’s my preferred method, I also read electronic books on my kindle and listen to audio books.

Here are my favorite personal growth and personal finance books:

• The Automatic Millionaire 

• The Simple Path To Wealth

• Set For Life

• Your Money or Your Life

6. Listen to a podcast daily 

I am admittedly a podcast junkie. I have a wealth of knowledge, thanks to podcasts that I listen to daily. Listening to podcasts is one of the easiest ways to work on self-growth. I listen to a podcast daily and incorporate them easily in my routine. You can listen to them on your commute to work/school, at the gym or even while cooking.

Some Great Personal development podcasts:

• Design Your Dream Life

• The Happiness Lab

• Don’t Keep Your Day Job .

7. Use a planner 

I always use a planner! Planners are the best way to stay productive, stay on top of your goals and get things done each day. I use a combination of my physical planner as well as a digital to-do list with the todoist app. It' is much easier for me to stay on track and not forget or lose focus once I put things in writing.

8. Join a community

Jay-Z said it best “over here we measure success by how many people successful next to you.” In the same spirit, another saying goes “ You are the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with.” It is critical to your growth and development that you meet and keep like-minded people who are on the same wealth-building journey as you. 

Whether those people are in person or online, they will serve the same purpose in your life.

9. Find a physical activity you enjoy 

I love the saying” Find three hobbies you love: One to make you money, one to keep you in shape and one to be creative.” Do you have a physical hobby that you genuinely?

Here are some examples physical hobbies you might like:

• Rock climbing

• Kickboxing

• Yoga

• Hiking

• Riding a bike

• Swimming

• Gym

10. Create an evening routine

Lastly, create an evening routine. An evening routine can be just as important as having a morning routine because it helps you wind down, relieve stress, and can help you to get better sleep. 

Here’s what my evening routine look like:

• Light a candle or turn on an essential oil diffuser

• Write in your planner a list of things to do the next day. I use a physical planner and the To-Doist app

• Write in Journal - thoughts on ho the day transited and always as always giving gratitude

• Meditation and/or prayer

Resources for building an evening routine:

Candles

A Planner

The Calm App

Do you have ways in which you work on personal development? If so, please share in the comments!

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