My Interview on Oral Health Disparities & Orthodontic Basics with Dialosophy

I had the wonderful opportunity to meet with Adia Louden of Dialosophy and answer some questions on oral health, oral health disparities , and to go over some Orthodontic basic. Enjoy our Q & A session below:

Q: Dr. Smith, thank you for agreeing to talk with me on Dialosophy. I think before we get started…I’d be especially interested in hearing a bit of your story. How’d you get into orthodontics? And please don’t hold back. Educate us on the difference between dentists and orthodontists. What do kmorthodontists do?
A: I developed a liking for dentistry at around the age of 16. At that time, I was headed to college and I had to choose a major (I am Jamaican, at that time it was customary to finish high school at age 16). I had a family friend who was a dentist who encouraged me to pursue a career in dentistry, so I enrolled in the dental hygiene program at Northern Caribbean University - the only dental related program in the country at the time. Towards the end of my program I realized I wanted to do more than just clean teeth. That's when I decided to become a dentist, so I moved to the US, got a bachelors degree in Biology and applied to dental school. I was accepted into Howard University in 2010. After my first year I really started thinking about specializing. At first, I thought I wanted to be an Oral Surgeon (dead wrong, I don't have the personality for it). I started frequenting the Orthodontics department and quickly fell in love with it, so I did everything to align myself with getting accepted into Orthodontics residency. Quite a number of people don’t know the difference between an Orthodontist and a dentist. Orthodontics is a specialty of dentistry that focuses on aligning the jaws and teeth. We focus on how teeth meet and function, how they are aligned, how they are set in the jaws, and the positioning and sizes of the upper and lower jaws. Orthodontists go through two to three years of additional training after the initial four years of dental school. 

Q: Thank you for sharing. So, let’s get right to it. Oral hygiene. Something that’s clearly important, but I know I’m not alone when say I often neglect it. I recently read about the oral health disparities that exist in our country, especially among people of color. So, I want to take a moment to ask you to expand on just how important is our oral care really? What do you recommend as “proper” oral care habits?
A: Oral healthcare is more important than a lot of people might realize. Your oral health can clue you in as to your overall health and conversely, your overall health can affect your oral health. Brushing, flossing and using a mouth rinse at least twice per day to remove the bacteria from the mouth are steps to make in forming proper oral care habits. 

Q: What is being done to address the aforementioned oral health disparities in our nation? Especially among women and communities of color. 
A:  Despite major improvements in oral health for the population as a whole, oral health disparities exist for many racial and ethnic groups, by socioeconomic status, gender, age and geographic location. The economic factors that often relate to poor oral health include access to health services and an individual’s ability to get and keep dental insurance. This is an issue that different dental organizations have been trying to address. Interventions such as community water fluoridation, school-based dental sealant programs, incentive programs for dentists to live and work in deep rural areas and the implementation of dental auxiliaries are ways in which these issues are being combatted.

Q: I believe I saw on Instagram that you have your own organization where you venture and do mission trips to aid in disparity efforts globally. Please tell us about what you have done personally to address oral health disparities. 
A: Correct. I am the co-founder of a dental non-profit organization “Dental Helping Hands” 
along with two of my classmates/colleagues from dental school. It was founded to provide dental health services to underserved communities in developing countries. Our aim is to empower and support the communities we serve by partnering with local dental professionals to share knowledge. By providing communities with education on preventative measures to improve dental health, we honor, support and empower those with less and assist them in becoming self-sufficient. Our goal is to focus on preventative education while providing patients with a safe environment for necessary care. 

I do at least one mission trip to my home country, Jamaica, per year and provide dental services to people of a deep rural  area with no access to dental care. I partner with Dr. Mark Edwards, my mentor and the dentist who encouraged me to get into dentistry. He’s also the Dean of the College is Dentistry at the University of Technology and so we get student volunteers from the two dental schools on the island and dental hygiene students from my alma mater - Northern Caribbean University to help carry out our mission. 


Q: Is there a connection between oral health and other health conditions? Which oral health symptoms should NOT be ignored?
A: Oral healthcare is more important than a lot of people might realize. Your oral health can clue you in as to your overall health. The oral cavity has a lot of bacteria (mostly harmless) but the mouth is the gateway to the digestive and respiratory tract. Blood vessels in the mouth also have a direct connection to the heart. Normally, the body’s natural defenses and good oral hygiene habits like daily brushing and flossing (at least twice per day) keep bacteria under control. However, without proper oral hygiene bacteria can reach levels that might lead to oral infections, such as tooth decay and gum disease. It can also lead to endocarditis, cardiovascular disease, pregnancy and birth complications and pneumonia. Other health conditions like diabetes and osteoporosis can drastically affect oral health.


Q: I think with so many trends going around now like charcoal toothpaste, which I’m currently trying ,….and at-home whitening systems…and home remedies such as oil pulling and baking soda…it can be confusing AND EXPENSIVE finding ways to whiten your teeth. How can we improve the whiteness of our teeth?  Do you have any favorite products that you’d recommend?
A: Don’t underestimate the power of brushing and flossing, that’s key. Teeth inevitable begin to yellow with age, but a range of strategies can slow the progress or reverse it. Ways to whiten teeth are brushing with baking soda, using hydrogen peroxide, drinking coffee or tea through a straw, getting regular cleanings at the dentist’s office, over the counter whitening products like whitening strips and gels, and in office professional whitening at the dentist’s office. One of my fave whitening toothpastes is Crest 3D White/Brilliance.

Q: Merging into some orthodontic basics, what are some of the most common orthodontic problems?
A:  The most common orthodontic problems are crowding, excessive spacing, abnormal eruption of teeth, a cross bite, underbite, overbite and excessive over jet. 


Q: I imagine it’s common for children to get braces more than adults. And from talking to a few older women, braces doesn’t seem like a move older women try to make because of a variety of reasons (“beauty standards” probably being one of them). I have also noticed a few parents that will wait for their children to get braces. So, is there an “ideal age” for orthodontic treatment?
A: Most people think that the best time to have their child see an Orthodontist is during the pre-teen and teenage years. However, there are good reasons to have your child get an orthodontic evaluation a lot sooner. The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends a check up with an orthodontic specialist no later than age 7. 


Q: Does dental hygiene and orthodontic treatment differ during pregnancy? If so, what does that look like?
A: Pregnancy may make women more prone to cavities and periodontal disease. This is partly due to hormonal changes, dietary changes and even morning sickness (stomach acids which can erode the teeth).  Oral health is an important part of prenatal care, given that poor oral health during pregnancy can lead to poor oral health outcome for the mother and the baby. 


Q: The last question for you, Dr. Smith, is all about you…and your favorites…and what you (as the expert) think we should be using (feel free to hyperlink). Before we get your favorites, thank you so much for taking the time to share a bit of your story and the importance of oral hygiene. I can speak for myself and say I definitely plan to use the information you shared because I don’t have time for anymore cavities. I got my first one this past summer, and ONE is enough for me. The whole procedure was traumatizing (LOL seriously). Thanks again, Dr. Smith, for sharing of piece of you…with Dialosophy. 

Fav Toothpaste: Crest and Colgate are popular options. However, at the moment I’m really in love with Risewell. It’s a company that is all-natural and uses nano-hydroxyapatite instead of fluoride. Hydroxyapatite is a naturally occurring mineral that’s found in teeth and that helps in the remineralization of enamel. Studies have shown where it is more effective and safer than fluoride. 

Fav Toothbrushe(s): An electric toothbrush is very helpful in removing plaque and debris from teeth. Popular options are ones from Oral B or Phillips Sonicare. However, a smaller, more light weight and inexpensive option is Quip. I really like quip because they are on a mission to really help individuals keep up with good oral hygiene habits. They send you a new brush head and toothpaste every 3 months with a subscription. I consider them the dentist's allying the fight for good oral hygiene.

Fav Mouthwash: I really like ACT because it doesn't contain alcohol and has fluoride that helps in preventing cavities. Recently I've been using and liking the mouthwash from Risewell. It uses nano-hydroxyapatite instead of fluoride and also does not contain fluoride.

Retainer Care: Retainers can be kept clean with brushing it with mild soap and a soft toothbrush. A product that I really love is Ever smile White Foam.

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How To Smash Your Goals in 2020

“When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better, too.”

— Paulo Coelho

As the new year fast approaches and we are all in a resolution mindset, we must not forget the very important step of pausing and taking the time to reflect on all the progress we’ve made so far. It is quite easy to beat ourselves up on the areas we may feel we have fallen short, but remember that this process is not about perfection but about progress. As long as we are constantly improving and moving forward we are on the right track.

With that said, as we optimistically set out to achieve great things at the beginning of the year, we must break our goals down into small manageable, attainable and realistic ones. Setting new year resolutions has been a long time tradition but did you know that statistics show that only about 10% of people actually stick to their new year resolutions past the month of January?

I am a huge proponent of self improvement and and an even bigger proponent of setting goals that are actually measurable and attainable.

So how exactly do you set intentions that you will actually stick to? Be SMART about it.

Before you set a goal, first figure out your “why.” By figuring out and articulating the reason you want to achieve something you are more likely to remain motivated to stick to it, rather than it being something you think you should do.

S - Small and Specific: Break your goals into smaller, more specific ones. For example, if your goal is to eat healthier in 2020, be more specific by making it about adding 1 fresh fruit or vegetable and a bottle of water per day for the month of January.

M - Measurable : All your goals must be measurable, that means you should be able to describe the physical manifestation of the outcome of your goal. Example, losing 2lbs per week by adding one fruit or vegetable and a bottle of water to our diet each day.

A - Attainable and Accountability: Is your goal attainable? Can you realistically achieve your goal? Another great way to stay on track is to find an accountability partner. Example, someone who will check in to make sure you had your fruit/vegetable each day or someone who will ensure you meal prep.

R - Relevant and Realistic: Is this goal relevant to you or even realistic? Ensure you’re not setting a goal that you really don’t care about and hence not realistic. Example, I dislike running. If i make it a goal of mine to incorporate running 1 mile/day I know I will fail. Instead, I ensure I get my cardio in by getting on the elliptical, bike or taking a Zumba class.

T - Timely: Make a tentative plan for everything you do. Don’t just make it a goal to exercise once per day. You know your schedule, you know if you’re a morning or late night person. Instead of saying you will work out once per day, say you will work out at 5:30 each morning for 1 hour before work/school.

In all of this, a sure way to make things happen is to write it down. It sounds strange, but there is enormous power in putting things down on paper, and according to research you become 42% more likely to achieve your goals and dreams when it’s written. I always keep a physical (paper) planner even though I use the planner on my smartphone as well. After years of not being able to find the perfect planner, I have decided this year to create a goal planner and to share it with my readers.

Bonus: Be your own D**n Cheerleader and eliminate self doubt. Figure out what keeps you motivated and inspired. I love quotes! I keep them everywhere - my phone’s wallpaper, sticky notes around the house, on my desk at work, I listen to music, books and podcasts that are uplifting. I tolerate no negativity and try to stay away from it at all costs.

Remember, a goal without a plan is just a wish. By breaking down your goals into bite-sized, manageable actions and writing them down, setting goals and intentions for the new year that you can actually stick to becomes a much easier process.

Grab my planner and let’s smash our 2020 goals! Remember, a sure way to make things happen is to write it down.

10 Side Hustle Ideas for Young Professionals

The ever increasing cost of living and educational tuition has given rise to hefty student loan debt for many new graduates. It is evident that we must become more financially aware and create more avenues to improve our financial stability. One term that has gained a lot of notoriety lately is the “side hustle”. Everyone seems to have one or are trying to figure out a way to get one. A side hustle is a way to produce extra income outside of your 9 to 5 job that will give you a bit of freedom to pursue your passions, purchase things you need or want, lower any financial worries or help you to become financially independent.

While the term may be new and trending, the concept of a “side hustle” has been around for a long time . I remember growing up and seeing my friends and family who had regular 9 to 5 jobs utilize their nights and weekends to make extra income. One worked at the local bank but baked cakes and catered out of her home on weekends, another operated an at home car wash on Saturdays. After graduating college I worked as a Chemistry Lab Tech and tutored Chemistry after hours and on weekends for $20 per hour. Truth be told it was with this “side hustle”income that enabled me to rent my first apartment in Washington DC, purchase furniture and have a small savings prior to starting dental school in 2010.

All side hustles aren’t created equal. There are some that will make you a little bit of money and others that can potentially produce enough to replace your 9 to 5 job . Either way, there are different types of side hustles that everyone can take advantage of. Here are some ideas:

1. Create a Blog

Blogging is a proven online business model and just might be the perfect side hustle. You can do it on your own time, build passive income streams, meet new people, build a network and ultimately unlock a lot of opportunity. There are a lot of individuals that are making a significant income from blogging. However, it does take time - you have to commit a certain percentage of your week to it. I like to call it my 6-10 (opposite of a 9 to 5). You also have to offer enormous amounts of value, be consistent, build an audience to begin the monetization process.

2. Advertising & Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is an extremely attractive industry. Income is produced through commission based marketing of another person’s or company’s products. Your followers represent a consumer market for the targeted brand. Many bloggers have been able to generate substantial revenue through affiliate marketing—and this trend doesn’t seem to be going away anytime soon.

3. Become an Brand Ambassador

A brand ambassador is a person who is hired by an organization or company to represent a brand in a positive light and by doing so help to increase brand awareness and sales. On social media, mainly Instagram, anyone can start a side hustle by becoming an influencer. You can build an Instagram following around anything such as your dog or even your photography. You can then monetize your Instagram account by doing sponsored posts, Instagram takeovers or selling products on your website. Tip: be sure that you believe in the product or brand that you’re advertising. For example, I’m a dentist and I really love Quip and Risewell products and regularly recommend them to my friends, family and patients - so I have no problem being their brand ambassador.

4. Freelance Writing/Services

If you’re looking for something relatively simple that can draw from your existing well of experience, you can’t go wrong with providing a service on a freelance basis. From web development to graphic design, writing or editing, there are countless opportunities for you to flex your creative muscles and earn a substantial side income. You can use sites like Upwork, Freelancer or Fivverr to advertise your services.

5. Start a Podcast

Podcasting is another great way to earn passive income and is becoming increasingly more popular. I personally listen to a lot of podcasts and I learn a lot from them all. Typically podcasts make money through sponsorship, advertising, affiliate marketing, coaching & consulting, public speaking events and many more.

6. Write an Ebook

You can write on an area of expertise or an area that you’re passionate about, turn it into an ebook and sell it. It costs nothing to produce but time. You can even go a step further and sell it as a paperback that earns you money only when it sells, removing much of the prior friction it took to get published.

7. Locum Tenens

For example, if you’re a dentist you can offer your services on off days or even on the weekends in someone else’s practice. Usually with a locum tenens position you can do as much or as little as you like. You can choose to do simple oral hygiene exams only or as much as a typical day at the office. Locum tenens positions usually do not require a contract and pays either a flat rate (per diem) or an hourly wage. I don’t know about you, but it doesn’t get much simpler than making an extra $600-$1000 per day checking behind the hygienist after they’ve done a prophylaxis treatment. I am sure there are avenues for other medical professionals.

8. Invest In Real Estate

You can purchase property, flip it and then sell it. You can purchase a home and use it as a rental. You can get into a commercial real estate venture as a fractional owner via crowdfunding. This allows you to put up a small percentage of the total cost and own a percentage of the property which entitles you to a equal percentage of the rental profits. Real Estate can be lucrative but remember nothing comes without risks. Do your research and consult a real estate professional for more information.

9. Rent Space In Your Home or on Airbnb

Airbnb has rapidly changed the game when it comes to options of where we stay when on vacation. More people than ever are choosing Airbnb for their hospitality needs instead of traditional hotels. If you have a spare bedroom in your home that your aren't using, instead of just using it as storage you can put a bed in it and a few other pieces of furniture and rent it out on Airbnb. If you don’t have a spare bedroom, you can consider renting your home when you go on vacation rather than having it sit empty. Additionally, you can purchase property and use them as Airbnb properties (another form of real estate investing).

10. Create a Product and Sell online

If you are creative and have developed a product, you can sell it on online and generate substantial income. If you have a website you can create a shopping page and sell the products there or sell via an e-commerce website such as Shopify or BigCommerce. Alternatively, you can sell crafts and hand-made items on Etsy. Download my FREE guide on how to turn your hobby into a lucrative side hustle.

Your side hustle can help you make some extra money each month and potentially replace your 9 to 5 income. It can also help you develop new skills, build your personal brand or portfolio and help you achieve more freedom. Take the risk by starting the business or pursuing that new hobby you’ve been curious about. A side hustle is your best opportunity to live life on your own terms. And with more money in your pocket, there’s nothing stopping you from making your dreams come true.

Some relevant podcasts that I listen to:

The Side Husle Show

Smart Passive Income

Side Hustle Pro

Side Hustle School

Some Side Hustle books I’ve read that I recommend:

from idea to profit e-book

Constant and Never Ending Improvement

“It’s gonna be a whole lot of ‘who she think she is?’ in 2020!”

— Quote from Instagram

Improving your life usually begins with one big gesture that creates branches of change. Those branches must be constantly tended and nurtured. Its typically those small things which cause the lasting change.

As 2019 comes to a close, let’s reflect on all the goals we set earlier in the year. First, give yourself a pat on the back for all your accomplishments and personal development, but also remember to evaluate areas where you fell short. Self work must be consistent to create the awareness and knowledge to make our lives better.

I have personally accomplished some of my goals this year, but I have areas that I will be working to improve . Here are some of the things I am working on and some ideas help you continue to grow:

1. Level Up Your Skills

   • Gain experience to improve your skill set. If you play a sport, strive to be a bit stronger or faster. If you write, you can aim to improve your communication and writing skills, and if you’re a medical professional like myself you can aim to gain more knowledge on certain topics, attend continuing education courses or learn from those with more experience.

2. Read a book

   • A personal goal of mine has been to read at least one book per month, which I have managed to do this past year. Books are a concentrated source of wisdom. The more you read, the more you expose yourself to knowledge. Did you know that 20 minutes of daily reading has been linked to brain stimulation and stress reduction? Knowledge is power.

3. Get out of Your Comfort Zone

   • You know the saying, smooth seas do not make skillful sailors. Real growth comes with hard work and effort. Being comfortable doesn’t help us grow. Once in a while,do something that scares you. Exposing yourself to a new environment or context makes you grow.

4. Have an Exercise Routine

   • I don’t have to go through the many benefits of exercise. Not only does it help with the prevention of disease, reduction of the levels of stress and anxiety but getting a routine takes discipline. It also increases your self-esteem and confidence.

5. Set BIG Goals

   • It’s always good to have something to aim for and I love the energy a new year brings. We get motivated, passionate and ready to blaze a trail. Setting big goals raises the level of game you play and develops creativity. You know the saying, aim for the moon, if you miss you will land among the stars.

6. Learn from People Who Inspire You

   • Think about people you admire or people who inspire you. These people reflect certain qualities you want to have for yourself. What are the qualities in them you want to have for yourself? How can you acquire these qualities? If possible, reach out and see if they can become a mentor to you.

7. Learn Public Speaking

   • Interestingly, public speaking is the #1 fear in the world. I am not very comfortable speaking to large audiences and realize this is something I have to work to improve upon. I am considering Toastmasters. Toastmasters is an international organization that trains people in public speaking.

8. Stop Complaining

   • Sometimes you need to vent to let off steam, but complaining for complaining’s sake is counter-productive and can make you feel angry or upset in the process. If you have something to gripe about, follow it up with a constructive solution that will serve to minimise future complaining.

9. Cultivate a New Habit

   • It’s not very easy to develop a new habit. On average, it takes more than 2 months before a new behavior becomes automatic — 66 days to be exact. And how long it takes a new habit to form can vary widely depending on the behavior, the person, and the circumstances. What new habits do you need to cultivate? Studies have shown the easiest habits to develop include reading books, waking up early and exercising.

10. Start a Business Venture

    • Is there anything you have an interest in? A hobby that you’re passionate about?Why not turn it into a business venture and make money while learning at the same time? Starting a venture requires you to learn business management skills, develop business acumen and gives one a competitive edge.

As 2020 approaches, think about the areas you need to work on and get a head start on them now. Onwards and upwards.

5 Holiday Money-Saving Hacks

The holidays can be such an expensive period! It all starts in October around Halloween and it seems like every week thereafter you’re faced with a reason to spend money. From Halloween to Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Cyber Monday and then Christmas - it seems like you’re shelling out money left and right and it can swiftly ruin your budget. Here are some hacks to help you save money—and stress—this holiday season:

1. Set a budget

Consider everything you will need to spend money on, and not just gifts. Think of airline/train/bus tickets, gas money if you’re driving to family’s house, groceries for thanksgiving and christmas dinners, office parties, stocking stuffers, and anything else you typically spend money on over the holidays. Set a budget for all those items and STICK TO IT.

2. Use Cash.
After you have set your budget, take out cash. Do not use a credit card - this is to ensure you don’t over-spend and blow your budget.

3. Time Your Shopping
For thanksgiving, try to do your grocery shopping early so you can beat the rush and not be tempted to just grab things off the shelf. Turkey goes on major sale after Thanksgiving, so If you typically have it as part of your Christmas dinner, after Thanksgiving is a great time to shop for it. Other seasonal foods (like pumpkin pies) usually goes on sale too, so that is the best time to stock up and you can save money.

4. Don’t Buy Hype.
This will take some discipline - On Black Friday and Cyber Monday up until Christmas, retailers will offer lots of deals, discounts and sales. This is good, everyone loves a good deal! I Just be sure to compare prices, stay away from impulse purchases and STAY WITHIN YOUR BUDGET.

5. Watch The Weight.
Not yours - your luggage. If you’re flying over the holidays, weigh your bags before you leave. Airline fees can be upwards of $100 for overweight luggage, and some airlines charge for every checked bag! Know the rules of the airline before booking flights.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Don’t let shopping or travel be the cause of stress for the New Year. Just a little planning and discipline is all it takes for you to have a joyous and stress free holiday season.

Risewell: A Fluoride-Free Solution To Oral Care

I love finding products that I feel comfortable recommending to my patients and that I can get behind! Recently, quite a number of my patients have been inquiring about natural dental products that are free of fluoride and some of the other popular (and sometimes toxic) ingredients that we have come to expect to be in our products. Until now I wasn’t able to recommend a product that is not only effective in removing and inhibiting plaque and bacteria build up but that also remineralizes enamel (without the use of fluoride). This is why I was really excited when I was introduced to Risewell. Risewell is brand of a fluoride-free, clinically effective natural dental products (toothpaste, mouthwash, floss) that uses the highest quality non-toxic ingredients to provide exceptional oral care.

Instead of Fluoride, Risewell uses hydroxyapatite. Hydroxyapatite is a naturally-occurring mineral that makes up 90% of tooth enamel and bone. Like Flouride, it helps to protect teeth from decay, but it also remineralizes and strengthens teeth from the outside in. It is completely natural and non-toxic. RiseWell swaps in 100% safe and natural alternatives that clean and protect just as effectively. Most natural toothpastes don’t work as well as traditional fluoride toothpastes; and if they do, they’re likely not as toxin-free as they claim to be.

I was able to try Risewell’s products and I have been using them for about a month now. While I am not currently able to speak on the remineralization process from a personal standpoint (because I do not have any incipient carious lesions), I was pleasantly surprised by the fresh, clean taste and smell of their products. While I really like the refreshing taste of the toothpaste and mouthwash, I am especially impressed with the floss as it is also infused with hydroxyapatite. With the floss also having this product, it is now easier to introduce the remineralization effect to the hard to reach inter proximal areas of teeth.

Backed by their team of board-certified dentists and doctors, Risewell is committed to using the very best ingredients, no matter the cost, to deliver oral care products that are both incredibly effective and 100% clean. If you would like to try Risewell, order below and recieve 10% by using the code: UNORTHODOC10.

UnOrthoDoc x Risewell

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Reasons You Need To Visit Lake Como, Italy

Lake Como is one of the most beautiful places in Italy and one of the dreamiest destinations to travel to. This summer I happened to have my wedding there and it was hands down one of the most beautiful places I’ve been. Shaped like an inverted “Y, “ surrounded by mountains and dotted with charming waterfront villas and open air restaurants - Lake Como is the most picturesque travel destinations. It is a very dreamy and mysterious place - with its faded veneer of old money gentility, picturesque Victorian gardens, and lakeshore villas and restaurants. Lake Como is the perfect relaxing place to spend the summer and is well worth the visit.

Lake Como - shaped like an inverted “Y”

Villa on Lake Como

Restaurant on Lake Como

Best Times To Visit

Lake Como is a popular weekend getaway destination for Milanese looking to get away from the crowds of Milan, so if you are trying to beat the crowds weekdays would be best. The cheapest and less crowded times to travel to Lake Como is during the off seasons, i.e April to mid-June or September and October. The temperatures at this time are perfect since it’s not during the hot Italian summer or the cold winter. Peak season begins at the end of June through August - this is most exciting time with lots of bustling tourists, these are also the warmest months of the year. I personally enjoy warmer climates and the excitement of bustling crowds so I opted to visit in mid August.

How To Get There

The easiest way to get to Lake Como is via Milan. The closest of the two airports in Milan to Lake Como is Milan-Malpensa (MXP). From there you can opt to take a taxi or get a rental car and drive 45 minutes to Lake Como or take the 1 hour train ride from Milan. If taking the train head to Milan’s central station, Milano centrale - you can browse schedules and purchase tickets online here.

Where To Stay

There are lots of gorgeous villas and hotels in Lake Como and the “best” towns to stay in are debatable. But, I would recommend staying in the towns of Como, Varenna, Bellagio, Tremezzo or Laglio. For my wedding weekend I stayed in the towns of Laglio and Moltrasio - I will also note that the famous actor George Clooney’s villa is in Laglio.

My recommended villa’s (also the only ones that I am familiar with) are: Villa Vittoria (where some of our wedding guests stayed and is just a few doors away from Villa Oleandra - George Clooney’s home), Villa Regina Teodolindo (also close to George Clooney’s home), Villa Lario, Villa D’Este, Grand Hotel Tremezzo, and Grand Hotel Imperiale (another venue where or wedding guests stayed).

From the bedroom window at Villa Vittoria in Laglio

View from the Lake View Suite - Villa Vittoria

View from our Suite at Villa Vittoria

Grand Hotel Imperiale - Moltrasio

Town of Moltrasio

Things To Do

The best way to properly enjoy Lake Como and enjoy all it has to offer is to pick a place as your home base and then take advantage of the ferries which traverse the Como villages everyday. There are also the options of fast boats, slow boats, private boats and buses (which is much slower). Visit the towns/villages and just explore.

The Prettiest and Most Popular Towns are:

Town of Como

• Como

  • Perhaps one of the Lake’s largest, most vibrant and also, most popular towns, is Como. It is filled with lively cafes, authentic Trattoria and plenty of places to sample Italian Gelato - Como is a great place to spend a day exploring. One of the highlights of Como is the spectacular Duomo, with its grand, dominating façade, and equally astonishing interior.

Town of Bellagio

• Bellagio

  • Bellagio is by far the most famous town on Lake Como. It is famed for its majestic Italian villas over-looking the Lake, and for being the home to famous individuals. Take a ferry across and enjoy perusing the vast variety of shops, restaurants, wineries and Villas. There’s a beach (yes, you heard right), hiking trails and areas that offer water sports like kayaking and pale boarding. If you want to just take it easy, find a cafe or spa and unwind.

Town of Varenna - Villa Monastero

• Varenna

  • Varenna is a small fishing village that has a plethora of authentic Italian eateries that serve up traditional dishes with locally sourced ingredients. it’s a great place to sample local wines, as well as experiment with the abundance of gelato flavors. See Villa Monastero for sight seeing.

Town of Tremezzo - Villa Carlotta

• Tremezzo

  • One of the most popular tourist towns on Lake Como is Tremezzo, meaning that it is built up with gran hotels and incredible villas. Tremezzo is one of the most beautiful towns on the entire Lake. It’s usually a stop over point for tourists visiting Bellagio. Like most towns in Lake Como, there are a lot of villas to explore; most notably Villa Carlotta, with its grand white façade and commanding size.

Town of Lenno - Villa del Balbianello

• Lenno

  • Lenno is famous for Villa del Balbianello (where I got married). It’s a picture perfect estate that was also used as a set in the movies Star Wars: Attack of the Clones and Casino Royale (James Bond). This i the most romantic place to have a wedding.

Town of Cernobbio - Villa D’Este

• Cernobbio

  • Cernobbio is famous for its luxury hotels catering to the rich and famous. It has a peaceful, cosmopolitan vibe and is home to Villa D’Este -which was the original summer home for a cardinal but now a luxury hotel. It’s also the home of Villa Erba.

Lake Como offers visitors a variety of different attractions, from its spectacular natural scenery, hiking trails, beaches and gorgeous towns and villages that are quintessentially Italian. Whether you prefer to be in the centre of activity or prefer being more isolated and enticed by the local way of life, Lake Como has something for everyone to enjoy.

How I Saved Over $4000 by switching Cell Phone Carriers

One of the most challenging things when it comes to personal finance is finding and plugging money leaks. If you’ve seen my previous article on the topic you will find that it is quite easy to spend money without realizing. Money leaks are those small expenses that you forget about soon after spending the money. They can wreak havoc on your budget.

I did a complete financial overhaul about a year ago and discovered over $6000 of wasted money. A big chunk of that was in cell phones bills!

At the time, I was with one of the major cell phone providers carrying three lines of service. That is, three cell phones that weren’t fully paid for and three lines with unlimited talk, text and data. All this came at a cost of roughly $280/month. My fiancé had a similar situation where he was with another major cell phone provider carrying two lines of service. His monthly payments were around $240/month. Combined we were paying approximately $6240 in cell phone bills alone per year!

Nowadays, most cellphone plans don’t lock you into a contract. Gone are the days where you’re stuck with the same cellphone carrier for two years, unless you’re willing to pay hundreds of dollars in early termination fees. These days it’s easy to switch, and in many cases you can save yourself a lot of money by doing so.

We did some research and by switching providers we are currently saving roughly $4000/year! We combined my 3 lines with my fiancés 2 lines and went with a single carrier and currently pay $139/month for all 5 lines. That is roughly $1668 per year. This is saving us a whopping $4572 per year just on cell phone bills! Our services continued with the same great quality as before. I must mention however that in switching carriers, we had to purchase 3 new cell phones carrying an upfront cost of roughly $1600.

This was a simple adjustment which revealed an area that isn’t necessarily thought about when attempting to reduce expenses. If you are attempting to plug money leaks, definitely do not ignore this category as you might also find an opportunity for huge savings.

Also, If you’re hesitant to switch carriers because you get great coverage with your current carrier, there’s something you need to know. Smaller carriers such as Metro, Boost Mobile and Cricket, all run off of one of the major networks — AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint or Verizon. So, if you’re with AT&T but sick of paying $120 per month for your plan, switch to Cricket Wireless and pay just $55 per month for unlimited data all on the same network. You’ll still get the same great coverage even though you’re no longer on an AT&T plan. You can find a list of carriers here.

*This is not a sponsored post, I do not get paid for the above views.

Asset Protection For Young Professionals

Asset protection is a hot topic among young professionals. Let’s face it, we spent years in school and sacrificed a lot to get to this point so it’s only right to search for ways to protect what we’ve earned. Asset protection is a term used to describe the way we go about protecting our finances from those who see us as a target. These may be creditors, individuals looking to sue, etc. Everyone needs to give thought to this but there are some groups, namely physicians and dentists that are more vulnerable to legal action.

• Malpractice Insurance

  • Whether you’re a physician, dentist, or any other type of healthcare professional, having malpractice insurance is not only important but necessary. Approximately 34% of doctors will have a lawsuit or judgement against them in their lifetime, according to the American Medical Association. Be sure to purchase a malpractice insurance policy that provides the best coverage for your specialty.

• Retirement Accounts

  • Having retirement accounts are very important, but many of us are not aware how it provides asset protection benefits. All qualified retirement accounts provide complete protection from a broad array of creditor classes, including malpractice and bankruptcy creditors. Putting money away for retirement allows you to contribute to tax deductible and tax deferred accounts.

• Creating a Corporation

  • A Limited Liability company and a corporation are business entities that are separate from the owner of the business. You can create a corporation and become an employee of your own company. That way, if anyone should come after you personally or if a judgement was ruled against you it would only affect the income which you earned as an employee working for said cooperation.

• Pre-Nuptial Agreement

  • For some this can be a touchy subject but many couples are getting married at a later age and may have acquired assets prior to marriage. A prenup is a very good idea for a young doc. It gives you a chance to have control over how assets are divided in the event the marriage ends in divorce. You get to make these decisions while you still love each other without interference from the state. 

• If you get married, STAY Married

  • When discussing asset protection, we think about how to protect ourselves if we are sued. However, you are far more likely to lose assets to your spouse than to a disgruntled patient. Believe it or not, many times when a doctor or other young professional loses assets it’s through divorce. Come up with ways to stay connected with each other throughout the years and keep your marriage fresh! hint: Don’t stop dating each other.

Use the above bullet points as a place to begin and start protecting the assets you worked so very hard to acquire.

Tackling Student Loan Debt

Almost all young dentists face confusing (and often conflicting) choices after graduation because of the significant amount of student loan debt they have from dental school. The average dental school graduate has more than $247,000 in student debt. That figure has risen nearly 40% since 2010.

"[Dentists have] been trained for years to focus on passing the next academic exam, completing a procedure correctly or passing a licensing exam," says Dr. Douglas Carlsen, founder of Golich Carlsen, a financial consulting firm for dentists. Carlsen retired from his own dental practice in 2004. "[Dentists] have not, in many instances, been prepared well for the real world of employment and possible business ownership," he says. "They have not been prepared for the world of consumer purchasing and financial planning."

The key, Carlsen says, is for dentists to get on solid financial footing so they can start to tackle their student loan debt. Here's how:

‍

Make a Financial Plan

Carlsen recommends that young dentists address debt by establishing goals they want to reach within a certain deadline. Include your partner, if you have one. Factors to consider include what kind of lifestyle you want to have, how much student loan debt you have, how much savings you want to have and what kind of practice you will be a part of in the next one, five, and 10 years, he says. Identifying these parts of your life will help clarify the amount you can dedicate to paying down debt while living your life.

‍The goal of the financial plan is to help you keep your expenses low. By reducing your spending, Carlsen says you could dedicate 40% of net income to pay down debt. "I personally know of dentists that have paid off $400,000 in less than eight years," he says.

‍Free budgeting apps, such as Mint and Personal Capital, can make it easy for dentists (or anyone else) to track their spending.

‍

Consolidate and Pay Down Student Debt

In general, dentists with good credit can consolidate and refinance their loans with a lower rate from a private lender. For example, Common Bond could save the average dentist thousands over the life of their student loans.

‍If qualifying for student loan refinancing at a lower interest rate is not an option immediately after dental school, Carlsen recommends consolidating federal student loans and using an income-driven repayment plan.

‍

Remember Your Retirement Fund

You'll want to balance student loan repayment with other goals, such as retirement. Nate Wenner, a CPA and certified financial planner who specializes in working with dentists, recommends dentists set aside at least 10% of their gross income toward retirement.

‍"After meeting that baseline level of saving, one can look to more aggressively pay down any debt which carries an interest rate higher than what you might expect to earn by investing over the next 10 years," he says.

‍Good financial habits can help dentists retire early, Carlsen says. He notes that the dentists who retired at 50 he knows have these characteristics in common: They bought a home and remained in it until retirement. They have saved more than 20% of their annual net income after their student loans have been paid off. They started saving for retirement by age 35 or earlier. And finally, they paid cash for everything except their homes and practices.

‍

Hold off on Buying a Home or Practice

Carlsen says the worst mistake he sees young dentists make is to buy a home too soon. "A young dentist should not buy a home until he or she is stabilized in their employment or practice situation," he says.

‍Don't rush into buying a practice, either. "I see many of the national brokers promising much higher income projections for practices for sale than what is prudent," Carlsen says. "There will be a plethora of practices for sale by baby boomer dentists in the next five to eight years. Take your time and find a practice that suits your style, not what others tell you to do."

‍Following these tips can help dentists pay off their student loans faster and set themselves up for an even brighter future.

T‍his is a sponsored post from Common Bond

A version of this story was originally published in Forbes.com.

Live Your Life on Purpose

You are a person of destiny. You are equipped. You are talented. You are creative. You were designed for a purpose.

To live a life of purpose means to live your life with Intention. To say you’re living with intention means that there is meaning and purpose behind all your actions. When you are living with intention life doesn’t just happen to you, you are not merely existing, everyday is not “just another day.”

It is quite easy for us to get caught up in the minutia of everyday life. There are so many distractions that can often lead us away from our life’s purpose. This is something a lot of us struggle with and not living with intention is often times the source of much of our unhappiness.

To live a purposeful life, you have to:

1. Find What Makes You Happy, Do More of That.

Think back to the times when you felt truly happy or fulfilled. What were you doing? Who were you with? What emotions did you feel? Once you’ve identified these things, try to incorporate more of those experiences in your life.

2. Get out of Your Comfort Zone, Be Intentional.

Living beyond your comfort zone helps you embrace uncertainty and unlock your true potential. If you say “yes” to experiences, or activities that shake up your sense of security, they can lead to the discovery (and confirmation) of your talents. When you strive to live outside your comfort zone, you will find yourself confronting some limiting beliefs that often times stem from fear. Move through these things knowing you will come out the other end having grown as an individual.

3. Take Time for Stillness (Mindfulness)

We are in a world of constant stimulation and distractions and it can be hard to quiet the turbulence of our thoughts. Cultivating stillness and silence is a powerful way to restore our balance and energy. Tapping into stillness creates inner clarity and expanded awareness that will help you discover yourself with greater ease and understanding. Stillness also allows us to pay close attention to our thoughts - we become active participants in our lives. We start to notice the things that make us happy and it’s easier to reject the things that don’t.

Start living your life today purposefully and intentionally. Go!

Paradise Found: Turks & Caicos Islands

Turks & Caicos is one of the most beautiful Caribbean Islands I’ve visited! (besides Jamaica, of course - I’m biased). It’s surrounded by the largest sand banks in the world which allows for crystal clear, turquoise blue water. It is scenic, quiet and a lot less touristy than other surrounding islands. It is truly paradise!

On My way to Turks & Caicos!

My girlfriends and I recently enjoyed a long weekend “girls trip” to this beautiful island. This was in the month of November when the temperatures in the northeastern parts of the United States were rapidly falling and we were all in need of a little sunshine.

We spent 5 days on this breathtakingly beautiful island and the only thing I (kind of) regret is not photo documenting the entire trip. But, that is the magic of this place; It makes you slow down, unplug and completely immerse yourself in all it’s splendor.

Below you will find a travel guide that can be handy if you ever find yourself planning a getaway to beautiful Turks and Caicos. A fair warning - Turks is not a cheap place by any stretch of the imagination. It is very much geared towards luxury and not at all considered a budget destination.

Grace Bay Beach

How To Get There:

Several islands make up the Turks & Caicos Islands and thus there are several airports. Since we were going to Providenciales , we flew into the Providenciales International Airport (PLS) which is the main airport on the island. We all flew separately from different North East airports. The cost from New York (JFK), Washington, DC (DCA) and Pittsburgh (PIT) ranges from $450-$600 at that time of year.

We also rented a car upon arrival so that we could not only get to our villa in Provo but enjoy exploring the Island. We rented from Grace Bay Car Rentals for around $220 for 5 days.

Commute from the airport to our Villa

You can get around via Taxi or rental car. If you are staying at a hotel in Grace Bay (touristy area) and have no plans to leave your resort then this might be unnecessary. However, if you’re staying away from the resort area (like we did), you will need a rental car to get around. Keep in mind that in Turks and Caicos, they drive on the left (the British way). Most steering wheels will be on the right. Not to worry if this freaks you out initially, my American friends adjusted quite quickly.

Local Currency:

The local currency is the United States Dollar (USD), so no conversions to worry about for my American friends.

Weather:

Since this is the Caribbean, expect tropical weather. The average temperature ranges between 80-90 degrees year round with sprinkles of showers randomly which seizes quite quickly.

Where We Stayed:

Our Villa was exquisite! We stayed at Sunrise Ridge - the main house, and it was phenomenal. It is located in the exclusive Turtle Tail neighborhood of Providenciales and is a 5 acre estate set on one of the highest points of the Turks and Caicos islands.  The ridge has captivating views of the Ocean, Flamingo Lake and the island of Providenciales. Our villa came decked with a swimming pool, Barbecue, outside dining, private decks and a fire pit.  It had everything we needed and was stocked with things from blenders to coffee makers to beach chairs, umbrellas and coolers. Cost was ~$1000/night and varies depending on the time of year.

Aerial View of our Villa

Ocean View From The Pool Deck of Our Villa

This Hammock By The Pool Was My Favorite Spot.

The Courtyard Where I Had My Morning Tea Each Day

View From The Living Room

Kitchen and Dining Room

View From The Bedroom

Food:

• Since we stayed in a villa, we stocked up on food at the nearby grocery store - Graceway IGA Supermarket, which was about 10 minutes away. Even though we had ample food at the house we wanted to experience the restaurants on the island.

• The Deck at Seven Stars - We went here on our first night in Turks for something quick to eat. We ended up grabbing bar food (choice from the menu) and was quite satisfied. The conch fritters are divine.

• Infiniti Restaurant & Raw Bar at Grace Bay Resorts - Go here on a Saturday night when there are lots of people and the energy is high. However, expect long wait times for food as they get super busy. The food and drinks here are quite pricey but really good.

• Coco Bistro - Located in the heart of Grace Bay in walking distance of all the resorts. The food and atmosphere are really nice and a must try.

• Hemmingway’s - We ate here on our last night in Turks. The ambience, customer service, food and drinks are excellent! I had the curried lobster and wanted more when it was done.

Don’t let the look of this fool you. I waited a very long time for this Grouper from Infiniti Restaurant and it was worth every second.

What To Do:

You go to Turks because of the beaches! and the main one is Grace Bay Beach on the north side of Providenciales.

• Horse back riding tour with Provo Ponies - this was quite fun and rather relaxing.

• Sunset drinks at the very modern, and sleek boutique Hotel Gansevoort - One of the best things here is the beach bar. The drinks are really good and they make a mean mojito.

• Snorkeling at Turtle Cove - We didn’t make it here but were told by the locals that this is the spot for snorkeling as Smith’s Reef is VERY beautiful.

• Bonefishing at Juba Point Salina - If you’re into bone fishing, this is where it’s done because of the low depths of the water. The water here isn’t suitable for swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding or anything of that nature.

• Flamingo Lake to see the flamingos - Want to go flamingo spotting? Flamingo pond is where you want to go. The number of flamingos will vary with the time of year.

Soothing Horse Back Ride with Provo Ponies

As I mentioned, the one thing I (kind of) regret is not taking more photos. If I had thought about doing a travel guide I certainly would have. However, a visit to Turks and Caicos should definitely be on your bucket list in my opinion. It is one of those very simple yet breathtakingly beautiful destinations that you ought to experience. Of course, do your research and have an open mind.

Experience does for the soul what education does for the mind. - Casey Neistat

And we’re out.

Step-by-Step Guide on How to Set New Year Intentions (Goals) that You Will Actually Stick To

A new year is upon us, which means it’s time to reflect on the past year and bid the last 12 months adieu. With 2019 comes the promise of a fresh start whether it be personal or professional. But, how many of us get really excited for a new year and set lofty goals only for them to fall by the wayside by mid-January? Setting new year resolutions has been a long time tradition but statistics show that only about 10% of people actually stick to their new year resolutions past the month of January - that’s pretty low, but we can change that.

I am a huge proponent of self improvement and and an even bigger proponent of setting goals that are actually measurable and attainable. So how exactly do you set intentions that you will actually stick to? Be SMART about it.

Before you set a goal, first figure out your “why.” By figuring out and articulating the reason you want to achieve something you are more likely to remain motivated to stick to it, rather than it being something you think you should do.

S - Small and Specific: Break your goals into smaller, more specific ones. For example, if your goal is to eat healthier in 2019, be more specific by making it about adding 1 fresh fruit or vegetable and a bottle of water per day for the month of January.

M - Measurable : All your goals must be measurable, that means you should be able to describe the physical manifestation of the outcome of your goal. Example, losing 2lbs per week by adding one fruit or vegetable and a bottle of water to our diet each day.

A - Attainable and Accountability: Is your goal attainable? Can you realistically achieve your goal? Another great way to stay on track is to find someone you trust to keep you accountable. Example, someone who will check in to make sure you had your fruit/vegetable each day or someone who will ensure you meal prep.

R - Relevant and Realistic: Is this goal relevant to you or even realistic? Ensure you’re not setting a goal that you really don’t care about and hence not realistic. Example, I dislike running. If i make it a goal of mine to incorporate running 1 mile/day I know I will fail. Instead, I ensure I get my cardio in by getting on the elliptical or bike each day.

T - Timely: Make a tentative plan for everything you do. Don’t just make it a goal to exercise once per day. You know your schedule, you know if you’re a morning or late night person. Instead of saying you will work out once per day, say you will work out at 5:30 each morning for 1 hour before work/school.

In all of this, a sure way to make things happen is to write it down. It sounds strange, but there is enormous power in putting things down on paper, and according to research you become 42% more likely to achieve your goals and dreams when it’s written.

Bonus: Be your own D**n Cheerleader and eliminate self doubt. Figure out what keeps you motivated and inspired. I love quotes! I keep them everywhere - my phone’s wallpaper, sticky notes around the house, on my desk at work, I listen to music, books and podcasts that are uplifting. I tolerate no negativity and try to stay away from it at all costs.

Remember, a goal without a plan is just a wish. By breaking down your goals into bite-sized, manageable actions and writing them down,setting goals and intentions for the new year that you can actually stick to becomes a much easier process. Happy New Year!

Retirement Planning for Young Professionals

*Updated to reflect 2019 Increases

It is never too early to start saving towards retirement. As the new year approaches everyone is setting their goals and intention for the coming months. A main focus for many of us will be our money management and long term goals(retirement planning). It is imperative to have some knowledge of compounding interest to fully understand the benefits of starting early. In this post I will cover some basics of retirement planning and hopefully compel every young professional to start saving towards retirement(if you haven’t already).

Before moving forward, I must remind you that retirement planning is a long term investment. In most cases you will not be able to access these funds until around age 59 1/2 without severe ramifications (taxes + penalties). So, if you are investing and need to access your funds sooner than this, you may have to think of other types of investments, which we will talk about in a subsequent post.

There are many different accounts and plans available and choosing the right one is very important as they each have different benefits and advantages, especially when it comes to tax planning. Here are a few to help you get started.

Simple IRA (Saving Incentive Match Plan for Employees)

For the year 2018, participants can make employee contributions of up to a maximum of $12,500 per year if you are under 50 years old and $15,500 if you are older than 50. Both employee and employer contribute to this account. Contributions are non tax deductible.

Traditional IRA

Anyone can open a traditional IRA account - but honestly, if you are a dentist or physician (like most of my colleagues are), then there really is no use for this type of account. During residency you have the option to open a Roth IRA (more on that below) because your lower salary allows you to stay within the income restrictions. Later as you start your career and your salary increases you will most likely surpass the income caps and will have the ability to deduct your traditional IRA contributions. However, it’s worth understanding as it forms the framework for all other types of retirement accounts. A Traditional IRA is set up by you (not an employer) and the maximum contribution to this type of account is $6,000 if you’re under 50 years old and $7,000 if you’re older. The contributions are tax deductible and grows tax-free.  If you withdraw the money prior to age 59 1/2, there will be ramifications of a 10% tax (penalty) as well as any income tax which would be owed on the money.  After age 59 1/2, you just have to pay the income tax based on your tax bracket at that time.  At age 70, you will be required to start withdrawing part of the money each year, the “Required Minimum Distribution (RMD).”  This is age based and starts out at about 3.6% and increases to about 8.8% at age 90.  

Roth IRA

I absolutely love a Roth IRA. However, there is a contribution income limit. If you make more than $120K (single) or $179K (married), you cannot contribute to a Roth IRA. However, there are ways to get around that with Roth IRA conversions, which we will discuss in a subsequent post. Anyone with earned income can open a Roth IRA and contribute up to $5000 per year.  If income is sufficient, one can also open a Spousal Roth IRA and contribute another $5000.  If you’re over 50, those limits are raised to $6000 per year.

The reason I love a Roth IRA is because you contribute with after-tax money, but it is never taxed again!  You don’t pay taxes on capital gains and dividends as the money grows, and it comes out tax-free in retirement.  You generally can’t access the money before age 59 1/2, but unlike a 401K or Traditional IRA there are no required minimum distributions beginning at age 70.

401K

If you are an employee of a company and your employer offers a 401K retirement plan, there’s absolutely no reason why you should not be participating. It is even more important that you participate if said company is offering a match. A match is basically free money! Do not leave free money laying on the table. The contribution maximum for the year 2019 is $19,000 and the great thing about a 401K is that you are investing pre-tax dollars. The not-so great thing is that when you go to retrieve your money (after age 59 1/2), you will be taxed on this (unlike with a Roth IRA).

If you're an Independent Contractor (not a W2 employee), you’re considered to be “running your own business.” In this case, you can also make an employer contribution of 20% of your net income up to $55,000.

SEP IRA (Simplified Employee Pension)

If you have your own practice, a SEP IRA may be a good option. This allows you to contribute 25% of your business profit or $55,000 per year, whichever is less. The contributions are tax deductible, and investments grow tax deferred until retirement.

This is not a comprehensive list of retirement vehicles but it’s a great place to start. Everyone, as early as possible, should start contributing to one of the above. Speak with your financial planner or accountant for more clarification about which plan is best for you. Hope this helps in getting started.

Professional Teeth Whitening At Home

White teeth are always in style! Everyone wants a sparkly white smile and if you read my previous post you will know that there are many culprits out there that may diminish the whiteness of your teeth over time. Some of those culprits include coffee, tea, red wine, sodas, curry, turmeric, cigarette smoke to name just a few.

To combat these I mentioned different things to do and different products that will help to achieve a pearly white smile. Now, I am an Orthodontist and deal with teeth all day long and besides the most common question of “when am I getting my braces off?,” the second most common question I get is “How can I get my teeth whiter?” This is why I was very excited when Smile Brilliant asked me to review their at-home whitening system. I am always open to trying new products, especially if it means helping my patients.

My beautiful sister happily volunteered to be my test subject, since she’s always trying to get a whiter smile.

The Process:

Smile Brilliant sent me their teeth whitening kit which included impression material, an impression tray, whitening gel and desensitizing gel. My sister took her impressions and sent them back to smile brilliant in the pre-paid package provided. From there her trays were fabricated and sent back to her. Within a few days she received her custom fitted whitening trays and her whitening journey began.

She wore her trays to bed at night for about 2-21/2 weeks to achieve the results below!

After a few short weeks of (conveniently) wearing trays to bed, a desirable result was achieved. My sister is very happy with the results and says based on the ease of the overall process and the results she would definitely recommend it to a friend.

Giveaway!!

If you’re thinking about starting your own whitening journey, you’re in luck! Smile Brilliant will be giving one of MY readers $149 in credit to use on their site. To enter, visit Smile Brilliant through this link and provide your name and email address. This is open to anyone is the US, UK, Canada, and Australia! The winner will be chosen randomly and contacted by Smile Brilliant directly.

If you’re feeling impatient and want to get started with your smile transformation ASAP, you can save 15% on your Smile Brilliant order now with code theunorthodoc at checkout.

Happy Whitening!

Venice, Italy

I love Italy! I haven't been to very many cities, but of the ones I've visited Venice is my favorite. I love the fact that it is small enough to explore in just a few hours and not miss a thing. You can go cafe-hopping for coffee, wine, pizza and gelato; go shopping; sit and relax in the small squares; take a ride on a water taxi or gondola and so much more.

Venice is known as the city of canals. The city literally sits on water. There are no roads and everyone gets around by Gondola, water taxi or by foot.

St. Mark's Square is the heart of Venice. It is always extremely busy with lots of tourists and locals going to and fro. It's the perfect spot to people watch.

Piazza San Marco

St. Mark's Basilica

Busy Busy St. Marl's Square

The Campanile Di San Marco is the bell tower of Veniceand offers the best view of city. Catch the elevator to the top to check out the scenic view! 

The Ponte di Rialto is Venice' most famous bridge which spans the Grand Canal. This is the magnificent view of the city from the Rialto Bride. I took many many selfies (which I will spare you), but it is especially breathtaking at sunset.

A trip to Venice would not be complete without the infamous Gondola Ride! 

The world famous art of Lace Making - Here this lady demonstrates how lace is made. It is so intricate and takes many many years to complete.

Lace making

Lace Making

Beautiful Canals and allies for lots of Photo ops!

FOOD! From Pizza to Pasta to Gelato, I could not stop eating. The taste of authentic Italian cuisine is quite different from what I had been accustomed to.

If a trip to Italy is on your mind, you must have Venice on the itinerary! I took this trip back in 2015 and my memories of this place are still very vivid. If you have questions about tours and accommodations reach out via email.

Turning Your Hobby or Passion Into a Business

I love my profession and honestly cannot think of any other career that I would enjoy as much. My passion lies in creating beautiful smiles and I enjoy and love my patients dearly! However, there are other things that I love, enjoy and am passionate about.

I love scented candles! When I was in undergrad and dental school I remember spending quite a bit of money purchasing candles from bath and body works, Marshalls or TJ Maxx, and Yankee Candle Co. As a cash strapped student, money can get really tight and there isn't much room in the budget for such luxuries. That's when I decided to try my hand at making my own candles.

When I started making candles there was a period where I was only comfortable making them for myself. As time went on I became confident enough to give a few to my family who critiqued them and helped me to perfect it. Soon I was using my own candles in my home exclusively and so were some of my friends and family. Every few weeks I was getting requests for more and more candles. This is when I had an "aha moment" and decided to turn this creative hobby into a business. I found something that I not only loved doing but one that was also producing a profit.

If you are looking to turn your hobby or passion into a business, here are a few tips I figured out along the way that will help to get you started :

1. Do What You Love

When you're at work (or school), what are some of the things you wish you were doing instead? What things give you joy and make you happy? What activities do you enjoy? How about photography? Calligraphy? Painting? For me it was blogging and making candles. I've always had a blog. Writing is a hobby and truth be told, it is also therapeutic, so I've always had a corner on the world wide web. I also picked up the hobby of candle-making because of my love for scented candles. I've since turned them both into profitable ventures, writing for several papers, sites and blogs and founding UnOrthoDoc Candle Co.  Find something that you enjoy doing and think of how you can monetize it.

2. Do It For Free

When I started making candles, I gave them away to family and friends. If anyone was celebrating a special occasion they knew the gift that I would come bearing. I welcomed feedback and criticism and used it to improve my new found skill-set. Take baby steps in the beginning and perfect your craft before turning it into bucks.

3. Combine Your Passion with Your Other Skills

I am an Orthodontist and thus my passion lies in creating beautiful smiles. But, that's not all I'm passionate about. I love traveling, writing, and candle making also. I like to consider myself a bit unorthodox, hence the name UnOrthoDoc Candle Co.  On my site, I was able to combine my love for writing with my love for making candles. Figure out how to create your own success tool kit /secret sauce made up of all the different skills and experiences that only you have. This is what will make you stand out and keep your service unique.

4. Determine Your Ideal Client and Make Connections

Who’s going to pay you for the work you want to do? Who is your ideal client/customer. What’s their lifestyle like? And most importantly, based on who your ideal client is, what value can you bring to them? When that is known, your next step is to identify ways to connect with them. How can you draw attention to your work and provide a product or service worth purchasing? Once your audience is aware of your work and finds value in it, build your portfolio so you can show off your work.

5. Do It For Cheap

Once you've built some value, then you can start to charge a bit for it. When you reach out to paying clients, you’ll be able to present the free work that you did as a sample or a portfolio. Don't charge too much in the beginning until you're 100% happy with the quality of your product.

6. Fine Tuning

Pay attention to the details and fine tune things. Figure out things that you like and don't like, things that are working and things that aren't. I changed the name of my candle company twice before I settled on the current name. I've been through many vendors to source the best products and there are still things that I continue to fine tune today. The devil is in the details.

7. Follow a Pro

Take a look at people who are doing what you would like to be doing. What is their strategy? There’s no need to reinvent the wheel, and learning from those who found success before you doesn’t mean you can’t be original. Copy strategy, but make the rest yours.

8. BONUS: Don't quit your day job (yet)

All of this talk about following your passion could make you feel like you’re ready to put in your two weeks. Don't. You can still keep your day job and have your passion be your side hustle, or vice versa. Take this process slow and have your job fund your new venture (until you start making real money).

Creating a Life You Don't Need a Vacation From

I came across a meme on Instagram that said "Create a Life You Don't Need a Vacation From" and it resonated with me quite deeply. It made me reflect on my own life and ask some really deep questions: Am I living in my purpose? Do I love what I do? If I didn't get paid for my work, would I still enjoy it? Am I living my best life? 

In general my answer is yes to all of the above. However, there are areas where I could certainly be doing better. It made me think of so many people who constantly wait for the weekend or wait for vacation or  holiday until they can finally relax and have some fun. Don't get me wrong, I love a vacation like anyone else. But there is a difference between feeling like you need a vacation and actually just enjoy taking them. I personally try to take a small vacay almost every weekend. It makes me happy!

I don't ever want to be in a position where my adulthood includes days that I'm just trying to get through so that I can get to two weeks of vacation. I don't ever want to be in a position where I am waiting on retirement to enjoy life.

So, what exactly does it mean to create a life you don't need a vacation from? This will be personal to every individual but in general it is striking a balance between :

1. Being challenging enough to keep you stimulated, yet comfortable enough to not feel constantly stressed out.

2. Having a sense of purpose and meaning, to get you excited to wake up in the morning, but having some idle downtime to just be, without having to do.

3. Incorporating things you love to do on a daily basis, but being realistic that there would also be other things that just have to get done.

The key, I've found, is to be intentional in all that you do. You have to wake up each day with a vision backed by intention and fueled with purpose.  

Love what you do and you will never work a day in your life - Anon

Some things that I have incorporated that really helped me in this area, and that might help you as well include:

1. Taking Care of Mind, Body and Spirit - Many times when we feel unhappy is because we are not nourishing an aspect of our lives. Eating healthy, exercising and getting sufficient sleep are very important. Strike a balance! Sometimes we need to turn the tv off, get off of social media and spend time with ourselves. There are a lot of things on the internet that are simply distractions from our purpose. Do not get caught up. Cultivate an attitude or gratitude for the life you have built up to this point, enjoy where you are right now.

2. Stop Complaining - I'm not always good at this and continue to make progress in this area. It is simply useless to complain. It makes you miserable and changes nothing. There is so much to be grateful for! I started keeping a gratitude journal and there is a prayer I keep in the notes app on my phone: " God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I cannot accept, and the wisdom to know the difference." If you're in a situation where you're simply not happy, take steps to remove yourself.

3. Be Intentional - Wake up each day and set your intention: I will be happy today. Today will be fantastic and I will complete all my tasks in a timely manner. No one will steal my joy today. I will work out and eat clean today. I am amazing! I am the best orthodontist and I will create some beautiful smiles today. I am going to rock these 24 hours! etc. You will be amazed at how these simple intentions will alter your mood and set the tone for the rest of your day. Be happy! and take steps to live a life you don't need a break from.

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?

Bucket Listing in Costa Rica

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.

Beautiful Hotel Riu Palace Costa Rica

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

Bucket list item: check!

I am a true water baby

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

March Babies

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.