Dr. Patrice Smith 5/17/18 Dr. Patrice Smith 5/17/18

Spring Clean Your Finances

Spring is not only a great time to put away the winter clothes and deep clean the house. It is also a good time to check in on your finances. Remember those beginning of the year goals like saving more, meal prepping and going to the gym (which by now may have tapered off)? This time of year is great to spring clean your financial goals and set yourself up for success the rest of the year.

Here are a few things to help with the Process:

1. Debt

One of your goals this year may have been to tackle debt. Check in on how you're doing with that. Are you meeting your repayment goals? If not, what do you need to do now to get back on track? Identifying why you have fallen off track on debt reduction can also point to other areas that you want to refresh in your financial picture.

2. Savings

Now is a good time to check to see if you have established your emergency fund. Your emergency fund should be three to six months living expenses. If you haven't done so yet, this should be moved to the top of the priority list. You should also check into your other savings goals for the year: Are you planning a vacation, saving for a downpayment on a home? Whatever your goals are ensure that they are being met.

3. Budgeting

How have your spending habits been progressing? Are your expenses lining up as planned, did you overindulge or have an emergency happen? If so you may want to revamp your budget or try a different budget methodology - whatever works for you.

4. Taxes and Financial Documents

Review your taxes and other important financial documents. It is wise to keep tax documents for at least seven years, so make sure to file those away safely. It may also be a good idea to digitize your bank and/ or credit card statements and keep them in a folder on your computer. Make sure to have a back-up of this somewhere.

Review your credit reports thoroughly! Check for errors and any indication of identity theft. While you're at it check your credit score.

5. Become Financially Savvy

Financial literacy is key and there are many ways to up your game in this department. Talk to a friend that knows more about a particular financial topic than you do, follow a few finance experts on social media, read books, listen to podcasts, subscribe to the Wall Street Journal or Financial Times, attend seminars. There is no excuse for being uninformed in this department. Information is out there, you just have to find it.

These are only small steps but they are very important ones. Having a solid financial plan will help you avoid pitfalls. What kind of financial spring cleaning plans do you have?

Dr. Patrice Smith 4/12/18 Dr. Patrice Smith 4/12/18

Bucket Listing in Costa Rica

When you hear of Costa Rica, you immediately think rainforest, jungle, beaches, volcanoes and biodiversity. I couldn't wait to divulge and experience the culture, food, traditions, the jungle and to do one thing I always wanted to do: ziplane across the jungle!

In the month of March, a few friends and I decided to visit Costa Rica to celebrate our birthdays. Costa Rica has been on my bucket list of places in the world to visit and I finally made it!

When you hear of Costa Rica, you immediately think rainforest, jungle, beaches, volcanoes and biodiversity. I couldn't wait to indulge and experience the culture, food, traditions, the jungle and to do one thing I always wanted to do: ziplane across the jungle!

We stayed on the western side of the country at the Riu Palace Costa Rica. The hotel is tucked between lush mountains so you're completely surrounded by nature. It's a beautiful hotel which I recommend but it is very, very quiet. If you want something more up beat, this is not the place for you.

We spent a total of 4 days in Cosa Rica and enjoyed the beaches, lounging by the pool, experiencing different foods and the over-all culture, skiing, horseback riding, tubing, hiking and the best part, zip lining through the jungle.

We rode horses through the jungle, up and down very steep and rocky hills and through rivers and streams.

Queens are born in March! before zip lining

We spent our last night celebrating our birthdays with the locals. It was a fun night of salsa, bachata and all around good times!

I will save us the embarrassment by not posting the videos of us dancing, lol

Costa Rica was a really good time. We were on the western side of the country but was told the Eastern side is really really fun! I plan to go back one day. However, since it's checked off the bucket list that re-visit is on low priority.

Any questions about a trip to Costa Rica feel free to reach out.

Dr. Patrice Smith 1/31/18 Dr. Patrice Smith 1/31/18

Winter Escape: Cancun, Mexico

When the seasons change, the temperature drops and it gets cold outside we all fantasize about having a vacation home somewhere tropical, right? The best antidote for when the times get super chilly is a nice getaway to somewhere warm and sunny - perhaps with sand and beach.

I'm an island girl! and while Jamaica, my homeland will forever be the best tropical destination, Mexico comes in pretty close.

"Infinity's Edge" - Sipping margaritas in one of Breathless Resorts' infinity pools

There are a lot of fun things to do in Mexico! you can indulge in all sorts of fun excursions from Cancun, Tulum, Los Cabos to Playa del Carmen! But when I'm tired from my busy work life and just need a relaxing break an all-inclusive in Cancun is my favorite go-to.

If you're planning a trip to Mexico some time in the near future, I highly recommend the all-inclusive resorts Secrets the Vine and Breathless Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa.

Enjoy snippets of my most recent getaways below:

Enjoying the col breeze under a palm tree at Breathless Resort

Breathless Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa:

If you're looking for an adult only, luxury experience this is the spot for you! There's a section of this hotel for everyone. It's also the entertainment mecca of the all-inclusive hotels in Cancun and does not skimp on foam parties, pool parties, clubbing, dining and so much more.

Relaxing on the balcony before breakfast

Secrets The Vine

You MUST go to Secrets The Vine! This adults only resort is the definition of sophistication and elegance. Picturesque balcony views, fine dining and world class service makes this one of my favorites.

Breakfast with a View

This is the life!Pool side with a drink and a great book. Relaxation at it's best — This is the life!
Pool side with a drink and a great book. Relaxation at it's best

The pictures above do these resorts no justice at all. Do a quick google search for the resorts and plan your get away today!

Dr. Patrice Smith 1/10/18 Dr. Patrice Smith 1/10/18

Get Your Finances In Order: The Basics

It's the start of a new year and with it comes the need to plan for the year ahead. This is the season for resolutions! So while you make your goals to lose weight, start that new diet, travel more and live your best life, one thing you should include is to become more fiscally responsible. It's time to get your finances in order.

Here are 5 things to get started on the right path:

1. Have a PLAN

Create a roadmap for your finances. What are your financial goals and what will you do to achieve them? Break your goals down into bite-sized action steps and work diligently to reach them. Put a timeline on each goal to keep yourself accountable. Make a plan for all the things that will require money. Consider hiring a financial planner/advisor that can give you personalized recommendations and keep you on a timeline.

2. Create and Commit to a Budget

This will take some discipline. Consider adopting and applying the the 50-30-20 rule. Essentially this means, 50 percent of your money each month should go to essentials like bills and housing, 20 percent should go towards your financial goals like savings, saving for retirement and paying off debt/student loans, and 30 percent should go towards wants like vacation, entertainment, etc. Of course your budget sometimes need a little wiggle room but for the most part try to stick to this plan. Automate is so that you don't have to think about it.

3. Start a Retirement Fund

It is really important that you get on this early! It is vital that you prioritize creating and contributing to a retirement fund and take advantage of compounding interest. Compounding interest will do a lot of the hard work for you if you start early. Try to maximize your contributions and take advantage of any match system your job has to offer. Speak with your accountant about the tax benefits.

4. Keep an Emergency Fund

Make sure you have at least three (3) to nine (9) months of funds saved up for a rainy day. This is where part of the 20 percent savings portion of your budget should go, and it's there in case you lose your job, become ill, or encounter an unexpected expense. Keep this money in a separate savings account at a separate bank from your checking account and forego a debit card for that account. Also, automate your contributions. Ask your employer to direct debit a portion of your salary into your emergency fund account. You can also consider placing the funds into an account with high yield interest.

5. Tackle your debt.

All debt are not created equal. There is what we call good debt and there's bad debt. Things like credit card debt are considered bad debt because it grows pretty quickly and doesn't help you in the long term. Interest rates are usually higher and can take much longer to pay off. On the contrary, student loans are considered good debt because it's an investment into your future earning power. Put as much money as you can towards credit card bills first starting with the with the one with the highest interest. Once that's paid off, prioritize the next highest interest debt, and so forth. Also consider automating the contribution to your debt payment so that you never have to worry about a missed or late payment.

Dr. Patrice Smith 11/21/17 Dr. Patrice Smith 11/21/17

The UnOrthoDoc's 2017 Holiday Gift Guide

It's the most wonderful time of the year! I love the holiday season and all it's festivities. The holidays mean family time, eating, shopping, gift giving and receiving, parades, holiday parties, cozying up in front of the fire place with hot chocolate in hand and staying in PJ's all day. It truly is magical!

The one thing that I have a love/hate relationship with is gift giving. I love to get (and receive) gifts but it can tend to be a bit expensive and exhausting. So I've done a little digging and put together a gift guide with some of my personal favorite things this year, in hopes that it will make your shopping less of a hassle. You will find gifts for him, her and even your staff/co-workers below.

1. Rose Gold Hard Laptop Case

2. Anthropologie Monogrammed Mugs

3. Baublebar Tassel Earrings Use Code YAY30 for 30% off

4. Rockland Luggage ON SALE*

5. Passion Planner

6. UnOrthoDoc Candles Inquire Via Email

7. Love Knot Rose Gold Bracelet

1. Apple Watch Band

2. Ceramic Pencil Holder

3. Chunky Fringe Scarf

4. Ground Cord Taco

5. JCrew Passport Case

6. Leopard iPhone Case

7. Swell Water Bottle

1. The Art of Shaving Kit

2. Moscow Mule Copper Mugs

3. Heys Xtrac 3pc. Luggage ON SALE*

4. Ray Ban Aviator Sunglasses

5. JCrew Pajama Set

6. Ground Tech Dopp Kit

7. JCrew Cufflinks

Happy Shopping and Happy Holidays!

Dr. Patrice Smith 10/14/17 Dr. Patrice Smith 10/14/17

Verona, Italy: Think Shakespeare and Romance

I have been to a few European countries and Italy is one of my favorites. Just about an hour away from bustling, vibrant Venice lies the quiet, easy-going, romance-filled, Verona.

I have been to a few European countries and Italy is one of my favorites. Just about an hour away from bustling, vibrant Venice lies the quiet, easy-going, romance-filled, Verona. I visited Verona for a day on a European Tour and it was pretty magical!

Verona was made famous by Shakespeare’s lovers, "Romeo and Juliet” and is widely revered as the city of love. Many people traveling from Milan to Venice typically make a pit stop in Verona to see the famous Juliet House where the real life Capello family once resided. The house has a cute and admittedly romantic courtyard with the balcony where Juliet stood and called out to her lover Romeo. Tourists from all over the world can be seen posing and rubbing on Juliet’s bronze breast, hoping to get lucky in love. Verona is so famous for love that it gets countless love letters addressed to Juliet. Seriously, google the Juliet Club. The city has hundreds of volunteers who take on the task of reading and answering these love letters.

Juliet's balcony overlooking the Romantic Courtyard where Juliet's bronze statue stands

Despite the romance of Verona it has a very rich history. It was considered a rest spot for traveling Romans and thus has a wealth of Roman Ruins along. It also has an amphitheater which is the third largest in the world an dates back to the first century A.D.

Just a short walk from the amphitheater is the market square, Piazza Erbe, where local vendors sell produce and souvenirs. It is said that this market square existed since Roman times.

Local vendors and their kiosks selling fresh produce and souvenirs

While I thoroughly enjoyed seeing The Juliet House and learning of Verona's rich history, my absolute favorite part of Verona was Gelato and shopping!!

Happy camper after getting yummy Gelato!