23 Goals for 2023

“Happy are those who dream dreams and are ready to pay the price to make them come true.” — Leon Joseph Cardinal Suenens

I really enjoy goal setting. It is one of my key methods of self improvement yearly.

Time and time again, research shows that you are more likely to achieve your goals when you write them down. In that same breath, it is important that when you’re thinking about setting goals, you set yourself up for success. That means having a method of planning that allows you to track your progress in the right way, stay motivated, and encourages you to be both consistent and disciplined. For as long as I can remember, I’ve kept a planner where all tasks, meetings, outings and goals (big, small, daily, weekly, monthly, etc) live. I highly recommend downloading the 2023 goal planner from my shop. I personally use this and update it every year. You can download it for free by signing up for my newsletter.

This year I’m writing my goals down as it corresponds with the year! I heard this pretty cool idea on the GenTwenty podcast and thought I’d give it a whirl so here goes…these are my 23 goals for 2023:

1. Read at least 23 books in 2023

2. Commit to working out 2-3 times per week

3. Run a 10K

4. Maintain a 7-figure practice/business

5. Re-commit to date night with my husband once per week

6. Schedule a CEO day once per month

7. Go to church at least one Sunday per month

8. Complete the Wharton Masters Business of Orthodontics-AAO Program

9. Be more active on the Board of the DC Dental Society

10. Drink more water (4-6 cups/day)

11. Increase my blogging & candle company Income

12. Do one family/kid friendly activity per week(end)

13. Spend 1000 hours outdoors

14. Try a new restaurant every month

15. Find ways to give back to my community

16. Do continuing education (CEs) once per month

17. One spa day per month (self care)

18. Book at least four trips and two “real” vacations

19. Gain a new skill

20. Get more sleep

21. Pay off debt

22. Learn one new recipe every month

23. Shop with more small businesses

Now that I’ve written this on the blog, you get to be my accountability partner. I will do one check-in mid year to update my progress and another at the end of the year. What are your 2023 goals?

Retirement Planning for Young Professionals in 2023

2023 RETIREMENT CONTRIBUTION LIMITS

If you’ve been a reader here for a while you know that financial development is one of my favorite topics, especially when it comes to retirement planning. It is never too early (or late) to start saving towards your retirement! The past several years have made saving and investing a bit challenging but if I had any advice for a place to park what little money you may have left over for investing, it would be in a retirement account.

It is no secret at all that we are heading into a recession, if we are not already in the middle of one. The US government is trying to tighten up to decrease spending across all boards to combat our current inflation crisis. This could mean higher prices for goods and services which will trigger less spending but we could also see a smaller amount left over on our paychecks. It is imperative now more than ever to dump whatever money you may have into a safe place like a retirement fund. Now is not the time for gambling and high risk, in my opinion.

When speaking of saving for retirement, it is very important to have some knowledge of compounding interest to fully understand the benefits of starting early. This post will cover some retirement basics, contribution limits and what to do with extra money should you find yourself so lucky.

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. Take a look at other investment vehicles here, here and here.

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 (Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees)

For the year 2023, participants can make employee contributions of up to a maximum of $15,500 per year if you are under 50 years old and $19,000 if you are older than 50. This is a retirement plan that is usually available to self-employed individuals, however 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 $6,500 if you’re under 50 years old and $7,500 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 $153K (single) or $228K (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 $6500 per year. If you’re over 50, those limits are raised to $7500 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 2023 is $22,500 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 $66,000 per year, whichever is less. The contributions are tax deductible, and investments grow tax deferred until retirement.

IF YOU FIND YOURSELF WITH SOME EXTRA CASH, HERE’S WHAT YOU CAN DO WITH IT:

Fund a Traditional Brokerage Account

Traditional brokerage accounts don't offer any sort of tax benefit for the money you put in, unlike IRAs and 401Ks. However, they offer flexibility in that you can withdraw funds at any time and for any reason. If you decide to retire early, like my husband did, you can use the money in your brokerage account to pay your living expenses. There are no income limits associated with funding a brokerage account.

Fund a Health Savings Account

HSAs are funded with pre-tax dollars, like traditional IRAs and 401(k)s. Withdrawals can be taken at any time, and they're tax-free as long as they're used to pay for qualified medical expenses. Any money not used immediately can be invested, just like in an IRA or 401(k). If withdrawals are taken for non-medical purposes, they will be subject to a 20% penalty.

However, once the contributor reaches the age of 65 funds can be accessed for any reason without being penalized. At that point, your HSA can serve as a general retirement savings account.

This is not a comprehensive list of retirement vehicles but certainly 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. If you need more info on this visit, the IRS website. Hope this helps in getting started.

Books I Read in 2022

I am an avid reader! I love a good book. Losing yourself in a book to me is the ultimate relaxation, not only that but there are a host of benefits to reading:

• Increases knowledge

• Exercises your brain

• Improves your focus

• Improves your memory

• Entertainment

• Improves your ability to empathize

• Improves your communication skills

• Reduces stress

• Improves your mental health

• Live longer, etc

This year I managed to read 26 books, 12 of which I read together with my book club. I must admit that my time is very different now being a mom and business/practice owner, and while I would have preferred to read all 26 physical books, quite a bit of them were the audio version (thanks audible!) Nevertheless I got it done, still reaped the benefits and developed a newfound love for audiobooks. They are the truth! You can still carry on with your day, do several things and still “read,” it’s amazing. Here’s a round-up of the 26 books I read in 2022 and if one of your goals for 2023 is to read more books, join my book club.

I hope to see you in the book club!

Everything You Need To Know About Web3

This is a guest post by Bash Sarmiento

Because I have spoken about cryptocurrencies and NFTs before, I thought it a good idea to impart some knowledge on the future of the internet, i.e Web3.

Web3 is the next era of the internet, where users are in control of their data and applications. Many businesses and tech experts have been predicting its rise for years, and it is finally starting to become a reality! If you want to learn more about Web3, check out our guide to everything you need to know.

What is Web3?  

To begin learning about this new technology, you must first answer the question: What is Web3? 

Simply put, it is a decentralized platform that runs on blockchain technology that provides a secure and transparent way for users to interact with each other. In particular, Web3 allows users to interact with decentralized applications (DApps) and smart contracts on the Ethereum blockchain. 

A DApp runs on the Ethereum blockchain. It is like a traditional web application but is powered by smart contracts - self-executing contracts that run on the blockchain. They can ease transactions between users securely and transparently. For instance, a smart contract could be used to manage a rental agreement between two parties.

Now that you know the basics of Web3, take a closer look at some of its key features.

Key Features of Web3 

One of the most important features of Web3 is that it is decentralized. This means that it is not controlled by any central authority, such as a government or a corporation. Instead, it is powered by the Ethereum blockchain, which is a global network of computers that anyone can join. 

Another key feature of Web3 is that it is secure. All data and transactions on the Ethereum blockchain are encrypted and stored in a public ledger. This makes it almost impossible for anyone to tamper with the data or make fraudulent transactions. 

Lastly, Web3 is transparent. Because all data and transactions are stored on the blockchain, anyone can view them. This makes it easy to track down any potential problems or fraud. 

What is the difference between Web2 and Web3? 

Now that you know what Web3 is, you might be wondering how it differs from its predecessor, Web2. The main difference is that while Web2 is centralized, meaning that there is a single point of control, Web3 is decentralized. There is no single entity that can control or manipulate the network. 

Another key difference is that while Web2 runs on central servers, Web3 runs on a decentralized platform. Finally, while Web2 apps are mostly closed-source, meaning that only the developers can see and change the code, Web3 apps are open-source. This means that anyone can view and contribute to the code, making it more transparent. 

How is Web3 used?

Albeit a relatively new technology, Web3 already has many applications. And with its vast potential, there will likely be even more applications for this technology in the future. 

• Web3 Wallets - A Web3 wallet is a crypto wallet that allows you to store and manage your Ether and other Ethereum-based tokens. It also allows you to interact with DApps on the Ethereum blockchain. 

• Decentralized Exchanges - On decentralized exchanges, users can trade cryptocurrency without the need for a central authority.

• Identity Management - Web3 can be used to build decentralized applications that manage user identity securely and transparently.

• Supply Chain Management - DApps can also track the movement of goods and materials through the supply chain.

• Voting - Applications that allow users to vote on decisions made by a group or organization can also apply Web3 technology to facilitate the process and secure each vote.

• Insurance Contracts - Decentralized insurance contracts can be developed by using Web3. With this type of contract, users can insure themselves against risks such as theft, fraud, or natural disasters. 

• Web3 Bounties - Web3 bounties are a way to incentivize users to complete tasks. Bounties are often used by developers to find bugs in their code or to improve the usability of their applications. These can be used to post and manage bounties for tasks such as bug fixes, security audits, or product development.

What are the risks of using Web3?

As with any new technology, there are some risks associated with using Web3. These include the risk of technical vulnerabilities and the risk of fraud or theft. However, these risks can be mitigated by taking proper security precautions and by using trusted platforms and services.

The Future of Web3

The goal of Web3 is to create a more democratic, open, and secure internet for everyone, and the future of Web3 is bright. It has the potential to revolutionize the way that people interact with the internet and can be used to build a new generation of decentralized applications. 

Additionally, because it is based on the Ethereum blockchain, it is highly scalable and can be used to power large-scale applications. Although it is still in its early stages, there are already several projects and businesses applying Web3 to various areas such as social media, finance, and gaming.

Meet Bash Sarmiento

Bash Sarmiento is a writer and an educator from Manila. He writes laconic pieces in the education, lifestyle and health realms. His academic background and extensive experience in teaching, textbook evaluation, business management and traveling are translated in his works.

Find him on Instagram and LinkedIn

6 Trends That Will Affect The Future Of Advertising

This is a guest post bu Bash Sarmiento

The advertising sector constantly evolves along with time passing, especially with the emergence of new technologies and innovative trends. These inventions transformed how marketers operate, from creating content to fulfilling their responsibilities. For instance, the internet and social media have become the most effective platform for businesses to advertise their products and interact with customers today. Regardless, this is just the beginning of the bright and promising future of advertising. With the current and emerging trends, how companies see and utilize advertising will change in the coming years. 

In this article, we'll discuss these trends that will affect the future of advertising. Make sure to keep reading; you might be one step ahead of your competitors after adapting them to your marketing strategy today.

Trends That Will Affect The Future of Advertising

Enhanced Customer Targeting with Big Data Analytics

Most marketers are aware of the tremendous potential of big data analysis. Data alone has always been essential in coming up with strategic marketing decisions. But with big data, more information is being collected and utilized for your operations. 

One of the most impressive uses of big data in advertising is customer targeting. It is the process of connecting to your target audience through having insights about them. Using the data-driven approach, you will get to know your audience and think of ways to optimize your campaigns based on their wants and needs. 

However, you must be aware that since big data can get extraordinary volume and variety of unstructured data, it can be overwhelming. Therefore, you have to learn how to leverage the most crucial information easily to be able to make your customer targeting effective.And if you want to advertise your products well, make sure to measure the results. Take into account what is working, what isn't, and how you can improve.

Personalized Consumer Experience

Every consumer has a unique set of tastes and preferences. Therefore, it only makes sense to consider these particular inclinations in your digital marketing strategies. With big data, you can gain insights into their preferences and behavioral patterns. From there, you can personalize your content for them and improve their experience.When you target your ads to a specific audience, use ad copy, images, and even video clips that appeal directly to the interests of those consumers. All of these will result in a better experience for them.

Integrated Online-Offline Advertising 

During the pandemic, physical stores with little online presence have struggled, and most of them unfortunately closed. On the other hand, many digital brands have thrived during those times up until today. People have been purchasing a lot online because of the convenience of not getting out of the house. But that doesn't mean that physical stores have already gone out of style. Of course, many consumers still prefer physical stores. Therefore, you'd instead adjust your marketing strategy to meet the current trends in this age of digitalization.

Along with your usual advertising strategies in person, like hosting events, you can use the internet and social media to promote the business. Leverage all digital marketing channels as much as possible, especially mobile-friendly ones. These could help you gain more customers. 

Moreover, you can utilize VR and AR technologies to enhance your customer's shopping experience. Right now, Ikea already has an AR app that allows users to see furniture items, while other fashion brands have launched apps that enables shoppers to try on clothing virtually. Many brands are hopping through this trend—and soon, it will revolutionize the future of advertising.

Story-Driven Visual Content 

When it comes to digital marketing, content visualization is always the best. The rise of smart speakers and voice search today has precedent "readable content." In fact, according to research, visual content is preferred by people over plain text.

But nowadays, visualization alone will not be enough anymore. You should also be aware of the essential elements of brand storytelling. Modern consumers prefer relatable video content. In other words, they are looking for content that goes beyond product advertising. So, create a cohesive campaign that tells a realistic narrative. Add images, infographics, and videos to your texts to capture the hearts of your consumers.

Social Media Optimization (SMO)

If people aren't on their phones to text, they're most likely scrolling through their social media platforms. In light of this, it is best to leverage those platforms to grow your online presence, promote your products, and connect with your customers. 

Know that SMO works just like Search Engine Marketing (SEM), which includes search engine optimization (SEO) and paid media. They have the same goal to increase visibility and generate traffic. The only difference is SEM works on search engines like Google and Bing, while SMO is, of course, focused on social media platforms like Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, etc.

The plan is to direct the public to your website, where more information is acquired. Therefore, similarly to SEM, you must create unique and engaging content to make this possible and do paid marketing for enhanced visibility.

Brand Transparency

With many businesses emerging today, consumers are becoming more discerning about the brands they support. That said, being transparent about how you operate will help you set your company apart. You can create advertisements and video content about your operations and how the brand supports different causes when you hop into this trend.

Final Thoughts

The advertising sector is ever-changing and complicated. The only way to succeed is to stay relevant and adapt to all these changes. With our article that covers the trends that will influence advertising in the future, you'll be able to transition swiftly and may succeed in the industry in the coming years.

Meet Bash Sarmiento

Bash Sarmiento is a writer and an educator from Manila. He writes laconic pieces in the education, lifestyle and health realms. His academic background and extensive experience in teaching, textbook evaluation, business management and traveling are translated in his works.

Find him on Instagram and LinkedIn

2022 Ultimate Gift Guide

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! I love this time of year, everything gets merry and bright, people are generally nicer and there is that holiday cheer to put us in a great mood. I personally love it because of the gift giving (and receiving) and glorious vacation! I. cannot. wait. for vacation! I am on a somewhat mini vacay as I type this - It is the day after thanksgiving, there’s no work and the house is quiet. So, I have decided to put together a gift guide since they have been so popular on the blog - you all generally like them and find them helpful. So here goes, I hope you find something for yourself, a friend or a loved one.

1. Sparkle-ist Wine Club - This is a great gift for any wine lover you know, or even for yourself. I personally am a sparkle-ist club member and love it! I receive 3 amazing bottles of wine every month from small wineries all over the world. The owner, Lieven is from right here in Washington, DC but as he puts it - he’s a Belgian-born DJ turned bar owner turned fitness entrepreneur, and DC transplant. He is an amazing small business owner and person. That coupled with the fact that you won’t find these bottles in your local grocer or wine and spirits store makes them extra special.

2. Thumbprint Brandy Snifters - For a couple, dad, husband, boyfriend or male co-worker these set of 2 brandy glasses make an amazing gift and they are Tiffany, darling! So classy.

3. Set of 2 Stem Coupes - So dainty and elegant, these stem coupes make beautiful additions to your wine/champagne flute collection. Plus, they pair very well with the wine club membership above.

4. Candles - Such a no-brainer and always a simple yet thoughtful gift. Everyone loves candles, why not treat your loved one with the gift of fragrance to set the mood this holiday season.

5. Caraway Cookware - These make great gifts for the moms or daughters in your life, or for yourself. I got these myself this past Black Friday as my pots and pots were in need of serious overhaul. They have the most fun colors.

6. Cozy Earth Pajamas - If you’ve been reading my blogs for a while, you know of my love for all thing cozyearth. They have the softest, most luxurious and breathable fabrics. I almost have everything in their entire collection. You cannot go wrong with anything they make. I love them so much I give this coupon code to all my family and friends for 40% off their stuff (shh I use it for myself too) code: DR.UNORTHODOC40

7. Yves Saint Laurent Crossbody Bag - Accessories are my favorite statement pieces. I am a jeans and t-shirt with a nice blazer type of girl and a nice purse, jewelry and shoes always tops it off. Make the investment in a nice purse. This is a good one. Pair it with the card wallet too!

8. Cube Molds & Sphere Tray - Great for hubby, dad or a guy friend. I make a mean old fashioned or makers and ginger, hubby loves when I use these in his glass.

9. Designer Sunglasses - Gift me a pair of sunnies any day. They make such a great gift for your bff, sister, mom, dad, hubby, aunt or cousin. Get her chic, fun, classy designer eyewear or cool, sexy sunglasses for him and they’ll love you forever.

10. David Yurman Bracelets - I have a love for Yurman classic pieces, if you haven’t figured that out by now. They are so sophisticated. I love that they look amazing when you mix, match or layer several styles. I personally love pieces from the cable classic collection. These stack well with the oval link bracelet. My husband wears this cable cuff and this spiritual bead bracelet all the time and has them in different colors that he switches out based on the color in his outfit.

11. Square Valet Tray - The Square Valet Tray is a gorgeous addition to any entry table, desk, or vanity. Simply drop your keys or watch in it at the end of the day and trust they will be there when you head out in the morning. Perfect to add to your travel set, this valet tray organizer unsnaps and lays flat so you can easily pack it without bulking up your luggage.

12. Paris Baccarat Rouge 540 - Can’t quite think of anything? my go-to will always be perfume (or cologne for men). This is one of my favs right now and it makes a superb gift. My husband’s fav at the moment is Bleu by Chanel. Smells amazing.

13. 2023 Goal Planner - The gift that keeps on giving all 2023 long! Can be gifted to anyone on your list that is goal oriented and loves writing all their dreams and aspirations down.

14. Men’s Manicure Set - The Men's Manicure Set comes with the accessories he always needs, at home or on the road. Includes cuticle cleaner, small and large nail clippers, scissors, nail file, tweezers. Stainless steel construction. Genuine leather case. Case in brown.

15. Molekule Air Purifier - It’s cold and flue season and the cooties are out in full force. get this air purifier for your home (or office) and have peace of mind that your indoor air is free of all allergens. It’s PECO technology destroys SARS-CoV-2 by over 99% in under 1 hour. I have the air pro in my orthodontics practice. Works like a charm.

16. Foreo ISSA 3 - You knew it was coming, no gift guide is complete without oral care goodies. Gifting great oral hygiene habits is always a great idea.

17. Foreo Luna Mini3 - Self care anyone? I love this brand and have a few of their beauty products. I recently purchased this facial cleanser as i enjoy their gentle but powerful T-Sonic pulsations that deeply cleanse the face and prevent skin problems.

18. Foreo Iris - I got this for myself too recently. It is Ophthalmologist approved as an effective & safe eye care treatment and combines ancient Asian lymphatic-drainage techniques with alternating T-Sonic technology, to refresh & depuff tired eyes, while gently massaging and soothing the eye contour.

There you have it, 18 amazing gift ideas this season. I hope you see something you love for yourself or will gift to someone. Happy holidays! and happy shopping friends. Shop early this year, try to beat the holiday rush and avoid shipping delays.

Electric Toothbrush Round-Up

The holidays are among us and it is a time of year that is for togetherness, family, spreading holiday cheer and gift giving! I have started a tradition of putting together gift guides this time of year. In 2021 these were among the most popular posts on the blog so I am back again with the guides this year. Seeing that I am an Orthodontist, no gift guide of mine is complete without oral care goodies and it just so happens that some of my favorite oral care brands are having major sales this holiday season. I have rounded up a few electric toothbrush options for you and linked them below. Not only are the items up to 50% off but you can save additionally with my coupon codes. Click through for the savings. They make great stocking stuffers!

• Goby - I love Goby’s electric toothbrushes and even carry them in my practice. Every new patient gets a goodie bag with oral care goodies along side a brand new Goby toothbrush. This holiday they are having a great sale on their brush kits. 15% off 2 brush kits, 20% off 3 brush kits. In addition to that you can take an extra $10 off your order with code: UNORTHODOC10. They make great Christmas gifts.

• Foreo - If you missed it, I gave a detailed review of Foreo’s ISSA collection here. It is a swedish beauty brand that has made their way into oral care - they really are a self-care brand in my opinion. Having their products is like taking the spa home with you - all their products are luxurious, high-end, high quality, promotes taking care of your body and are backed by science and technology. I had the pleasure trying their entire line of oral care products, their ISSA collection. The ISSA 3 for adults, the ISSA kids for children ages 5-12yrs and the ISSA baby for ages 0-4yrs. They are having up to 50% off their entire line this holiday season. They make great, luxurious gifts! This link gets you the deals.

• Quip - If you’ve known me for a while you know I really like quip toothbrushes and their super stylish and sleek designs. Quip is a travel essential for me. I keep the quip toiletry bag with quip goodies including an electric toothbrush, tooth paste, floss pick, and mouth wash in my suitcase! They are having 50% off site wide on their toothbrushes.

• Burst - I personally love the rose gold burst products and the sleek design of their toothbrush and water flosser. I recommend these to my patients all the time! They have this really nice berry color that you can only get when you use a code. They are having 50% off right now but you can get an extra $10 off when you use code: SSNQED at checkout.

• Bitvae - Budget friendly electric toothbrush! Bitvae’s electric toothbrush is designed to improve our customers' oral health with smart products accessible to all. The price point is the best in the industry. Use code: 30patrice for 30% off the already low price.

I just love the holidays for all the gift giving and receiving! Did I tell you I gave quip kits as wedding favors? (along with some other really nice things). True story. The dentist in me had to do it.

Happy shopping!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission when you click the links.

Foreo ISSA Collection: Luxury For Your Mouth

As a dentist (Orthodontist), I get very excited when I am introduced to any new and revolutionary dental product. Every now and then oral care brands send me items to try, have my patients try and give my feedback. One of these said companies is Foreo (pronounced for-ray-oh).

Foreo is a swedish beauty brand that has made their way into oral care - they really are a self-care brand in my opinion. Having their products is like taking the spa home with you - all their products are luxurious, high-end, high quality, promotes taking care of your body and are backed by science and technology.

I had the pleasure trying their entire line of oral care products, their ISSA collection. The ISSA 3 for adults, the ISSA kids for children ages 5-12yrs and the ISSA baby for ages 0-4yrs. I have been using them for roughly 6 months now and gave my husband, my 10yr old niece and my 16 month old baby each an age appropriate Foreo toothbrush to try as well.

I will go over the key features of each then give my feedback and a surprise at the end so be sure to read all the way through:

FOREO ISSA 3

The ISSA3 is the version for adults. There is also a mini version, which is small and compact and easily fits in your pocket. I like the ISSA mini3 for travel. I throw it in my toiletry bag and take it on-the-go when I am on the road. Key features:

• Manual toothbrush with electric toothbrush benefits

• Sonic pulse technology

• Hybrid wave brush head for teeth, cheeks and tongue

• USB charge that lasts up to 365 days

• Medical grade silicone

• PBT polymer bristles

• 16 speeds/intensities

• Waterproof

TOOTHBRUSH SPECIFICS & IMPRESSIONS

●  4-IN-1 COMPLETE ORAL CARE FOR TEETH, GUMS, CHEEKS & TONGUE

The ISSA3 is designed with an innovative hybrid brush head that offers an invigorating tooth clean and gentle gum massage, as well as a tongue and cheek cleaner on the back. This toothbrush has clinically proven to reduce plaque and improve overall oral health by 140%.

●  16 SPEEDS OF SONIC PULSE TECHNOLOGY

The sonic pulse technology offers 16 speeds/intensities. Basically this means that the toothbrush is offering an effective clean as you manually move it across all the surfaces of your teeth. This makes the ISSA3 the most personalized brushing experience on the market.

●  NATURAL MANUAL GESTURE, ELECTRIC BRUSH RESULTS

Unlike other electric toothbrushes on the market,  ISSA3 does not require you to change your brushing style, it just makes it better, healthier and more effective - so you get all the benefits of an electric toothbrush without any of the extra effort.

●  ENVIRONMENTALLY CONSCIOUS

In a continued effort to be more eco-friendly, ISSA3 is USB rechargeable, and its innovative Hybrid Wave brush head lasts for up to 6 months before it needs to be replaced (twice as long as other electric toothbrush heads on the market). If you have sensitive teeth, you’ll be happy to know you can also use an ISSA Sensitive brush head made of 100% medical-grade silicone, which lasts up to 1 whole year!

●  SMART SWEDISH DESIGN

The combination of medical grade silicone and PBT polymer bristles makes the Issa3 10,000 times more hygienic than nylon bristled brushes. It is 100% waterproof and free of BPA & phthalates for health and safety. It lasts up to 365 days on a single USB charge, with a travel lock and case for ease on-the-go; and features a built-in timer, and a brush head that lasts up to 6 months before it needs to be replaced for ultimate convenience.

PRICE POINT

The Issa 3 ranges from $139-$189 USD $79-$99 when you use this link to access and take advantage of their Black Friday Sale!

FOREO ISSA KIDS

The ISSA Kids is the version for children between the ages of 5-12yrs old, the period when they are exfoliating teeth (changing from baby teeth to adult teeth) and becoming more independent brushers.

• Designed for kids ages 5-12yrs old

• Sonic pulse technology

• Hybrid wave brush head for teeth, gums and cheeks

• USB charge that lasts up to 265 days

• Medical grade silicone

• 16 speeds/intensities

• Built-in Timer

• Glee and Glum Smile helpers

TOOTHBRUSH SPECIFICS & IMPRESSIONS

• HYBRID BRUSH HEAD & COMPLETE 360° CLEAN

While the toothbrush bristles clan the teeth, the concentric ridges on the back of the brush head clean cheeks and tongue, for a full mouth-clean. Each replaceable brush head lasts up to 6 months.

• SONIC PULSE TECHNOLOGY & BACTERIA-RESISTANT SILICONE

The kids version gives 9,000 pulsations per minute for gentle cleaning and gum massage and is made of ultra-hygienic, medical-grade silicone that is up to 10,000x more hygienic than nylon bristles. 

• LIGHT INDICATORS & EASY CHARGING

Because kids need all the help they can get when it comes to brushing, the indicator light flashes to indicate when to move to a new quadrant of the mouth & when to charge. The toothbrush is charged via USB which makes it convenient to charge anytime, anywhere.

• GREAT HELP FOR PARENTS

ISSA kids is an ideal toothbrush for children aged five and over, rewarding great brushing habits. Along with a built-in timer, it features “Glee” (happy) and “Glum” (sad) face symbols. “Glee” smile symbol comes to life after two minutes of brushing and “Glum” sad face symbol indicates that the little brusher has not brushed for 12 hours. This is an amazing feature to encourage good brushing habits.

PRICE POINT

The cost of the Issa kids is $129 USD $69 during their Black Friday Sale, use this link to access.

FOREO ISSA BABY

The ISSA baby is the baby version and is fantastic for little brushers ages 0-4yrs.

• Designed for kids ages 0-4yrs old

• Sonic pulse technology

• Hybrid wave brush head

• USB charge that lasts up to 240 days

• Medical grade silicone

• 16 speeds/intensities

• Built-in Timer

• Glee and Glum smile helpers

TOOTHBRUSH SPECIFICS & IMPRESSIONS

• SAFE SWEDISH DESIGN

The ISSA baby gives 6,000 delicate pulsations per minute for gentle cleaning  and gum massage; this is gentle enough for even the most sensitive teeth and gum. The indicator light flashes to indicate when to move to a new quadrant of the mouth & when to charge. The long-lasting battery lasts up to 240 days per single charge

• GREAT HELP FOR PARENTS

Thanks to Smile Helpers and two smart Brushing Modes, ISSA baby makes teaching children to brush – fun. ISSA baby is safe and effective: this is the only electric toothbrush for babies to combine silicone bristles with gentle sonic pulsations.

• BEFORE AND AFTER THE 1ST TOOTH

Kids 0-6 months: even before any teeth appear, using ISSA baby will reduce bacteria in the mouth by clearing away food fragments and residue while soothing baby's teething pain.

Kids 6 months through 4 years old: precise cleaning of baby teeth by covering each tooth separately from all angles, while gently massaging sensitive gums to soothe irritation.

PRICE POINT

The cost of the Issa baby is $109 USD $59.95 during their Black Friday Sale when you use this link.

THE VERDICT

I am very impressed with the ISSA Collection for it’s innovation. There is nothing like it on the market. A few of my favorite features are the use of medical grade silicone which makes the toothbrush hygienic, the fact that is is waterproof so that it can be used in the shower, the fact that the brush head only needs changing twice per year and of course, the “Glee and Glum” light up feature for helping kids with healthy brushing habits.

Using the ISSA 3 has not personally changed my brushing habits but has afforded a much better clean than a manual toothbrush due to the sonic pulsations. My niece who’s ben using the ISSA kids loves the fun, vibrant color of her toothbrush, the Glee and Glum smile helper feature and the pulsations. She says it reminds her of getting a cleaning at the dentist. My 16 month old is infatuated with the gentle pulsations and gum massage which I believe is soothing to him as he teethes. It introduces him to an interesting sensation that he has not experienced before. I believe that the pulsations of the ISSA baby toothbrush will help little ones get used to the vibration of the dental hand-piece that will help with alleviating any of the dental anxiety that kids sometimes experience when going to the dentist.

SURPRISE SALE!

I mentioned in the beginning that the ISSA brand is very high end, high quality and is considered a beauty luxury brand. I have several of their products, not only toothbrushes and I enjoy using them for my skincare and self care needs. Because they are so luxurious they make amazing gifts, I know I am grabbing a few items for friends this holiday season. For a limited time they are offering up to 50% off their devices for Black Friday! This is a pretty big deal since their products rarely go on sale. If you’ve been eyeing something from their line, now would be a great time to grab them. Visit the FOREO site using this link to access the sale. This special pricing ends December 4th, 2022.

Leading an “UnOrthoDoc” Life and How You Can Too

You probably landed on my blog or have been a long time reader and wondered, what does she even mean by The UnOrthoDoc? UnOrthoDoc is a word I totally made up that became sort of my personal brand. By my definition, it is (n) someone who does not subscribe to stereotypes of what he/she should be, do or look like (adj): Contrary to what is usual; different. It is a play on words, taken from the word Unorthodox meaning to be different. It does help that I am an Orthodontist (Ortho); a doctor (doc). But, you do not have to be a doctor at all to embody this. Therefore, by definition, you may also be UnOrthoDoc. You’re part of the club, sis, Grab your t-shirt!

After I explain what it means to be UnOrthoDoc, this usually leads to the follow-up question: What’s an UnOrthoDoc life(style)? Simply put, it is creating and designing a life that YOU love. Sometimes, that can look different than the one that is expected of you.

The more you can live a life that feels right, instead if the one you feel is expected, the happier you will be.

Yes, I am an Orthodontist. This is my career, the one that took me 10 years of school and plenty of student loans to accomplish. This is my 9-5. I have my own Orthodontic practice in downtown Washington,DC where I create/perfect smiles 3, sometimes 4 days per week. As much as I love doing this, and as much satisfaction it gives me to watch someone’s self esteem improve over time, it is not the only thing I love. I am not only an Orthodontist. It is simply what I have been formerly trained to do.

I consider myself multi-passionate. In doing Orthodontics I have developed an affinity for aesthetics that go beyond just perfectly aligned teeth but one that extends to facial aesthetics and thus I have expanded my expertise to that space creating a quasi-med spa with my husband as an adjunct to my Orthodontics practice. I co-founded a dental non-profit with the mission to provide dental services for individuals without access to care, and although I am no longer part of that organization my values remain the same and so I have chosen to focus those efforts on my home country, Jamaica. I love writing and have had several blogs since 2008. I love educating my readers, sharing knowledge, experiences, tips and information that I come across that would help you as much as it helps me and I love that it comes with the added perk of a little extra income each month. I enjoy creating divinely scented candles and have been doing this since 2012. The process is very therapeutic and I really love coming up with new scents every month. I may even develop different or new loves and passions in the future (because as we know, things do change and it is okay to change your mind). However, all these endeavors, which happens to be businesses of their own feeds a different part of me.

If I am being totally honest, there are periods where I feel a pull more towards one over the other. There are periods where I prefer to be blogging over aligning teeth, smoothing out wrinkles and fine lines over writing and there are times where all I want to do is concoct fragrances and make graphics for social media on canva. It’s just like that. Our passions typically tend to be on the creative side and does not usually pay the bills, unfortunately and you are lucky to find this combination. So here’s my first advice:

1. Build a career around what you’re good at, while pursuing your passion(s) on the side. Once the income from your passion exceeds the income you get from your day job, that’s when you can decide to pursue your passion (if that’s what you want). Until then, keep working at it.

I have been asked before, “If you weren’t an Orthodontist what would you do/be?” My answer is why do I have to choose? I can be an Orthodontist, blogger, chandler and anything I decide to do. If my blogging income were to surpass my income from Orthodontics I would consider slowing down in my Orthodontics practice and devote more time to blogging. I love it! It is a great marriage of creativity, writing, and helping. My answer almost always leaves people confused. “Why would you be doing this when you’re an Orthodontist? a doctor?! It makes no sense,” “why would she chase pennies for blogging when she makes real money being an Orthodontist?” are some of the things I overhear. We have been conditioned to equate success with money. Money is a tool. Money pays the bills. If money weren’t in the equation I would do Orthodontics in half the amount of time I do it now and for people who are in need. This brings me to my next set of advice:

2. Find your purpose - I understand this sounds cliché, but hear me out. Your purpose fuels and fulfills you and this is very different from your goals. Nowadays everyone is busy accomplishing. Everyone is setting goals and achieving them, always aiming higher - myself included. You may have goals of buying a house or starting a business but purpose takes those goals to a higher level. In my opinion, there are two things that prevent us from finding our purpose:

• Our need for stability and certainty: The need for stability and predictability is one of our deepest human needs. Routines help us conserve mental energy, and staying in our comfort zones can keep us from feeling anxious and getting hurt – emotionally and physically. But it also prevents growth. It keeps us in unfulfilling jobs and unhealthy relationships, and thus prevents us from finding purpose.

• Limiting Beliefs: The stories we tell ourselves about who we are can either hold us back or propel us toward fulfillment. Limiting beliefs – that we can’t do certain things, that we’re not good enough, that nobody will take us seriously, that this or that thing is what we are supposed to do or what is expected of us, that we don’t deserve to be happy – lead to limiting behaviors like fear of failure and self-sabotage. Believing that we have no limitations in life gives us the confidence to find our purpose.

3. Be honest with yourself about what you want your life to be, look and feel like: We all tell ourselves stories. They explain our emotions. They give meaning to our lives. They tell us how to react to certain situations and give us patterns to fall back on when we’re not sure what to do. But are we telling ourselves the whole story? Are we being honest with ourselves? If something feels “off” in our life – our relationship is losing passion, we’re not excited about our career or we feel busy but not productive – we may need to learn how to be honest with ourselves. Here’s how:

• Be vulnerable: There is nothing more courageous than allowing ourselves to be vulnerable. Absolute courage and vulnerability is one of the Five Disciplines of Love– and that includes self-love. Be willing to face fears head on.

• Reflect on your decisions: Taking time out each day to reflect can not only help us be honest with ourselves, but can make us feel more fulfilled and grateful. Try writing in a journal at the end of each day, answering questions like, what did I do right today? What can I do better tomorrow? How did my actions help me reach my ultimate goals – or prevent me from reaching them? When we write down our thoughts, it’s much harder to lie to ourselves.

• Picture your future: Dreaming of our ideal future can often provide more clarity on what we really want. When we are 90 years old and sitting in our rocking chair, what will be our biggest regret in life? What will give us the most fulfillment? When we frame our life this way, we begin to see what really matters to us.

• Develop self awareness: Have you ever told someone, “You know me better than I know myself”? It may be true. Others see things in us that we aren’t able to see, but if we’re willing to ask for outside opinions, we can become more self-aware. When we become aware of our own patterns – when we know why we are the way we are – we can finally begin to be honest with ourselves.

4. Be intentional about living that life: Intentional living is a lifestyle that encourages us to define our priorities, get clear on what we want from life and live each day in alignment with these priorities. In simple terms, living intentionally means deciding what we want from life and going for it! Instead of chasing our tails and struggling with life in the fast lane, we’re seeking out a life of purpose, direction, clarity, peace and joy instead. A life on our terms instead of a life dictated to us by our schedule or To Do list.

5. Ignore the haters: People dislike others who are different from them, or those who are more successful than them.

I hope this resonated with you. Consider supporting my blog by visiting the shop and making a purchase, like a journal or planner and don’t forget to grab your t-shirt. You are in the club now, afterall. At the very least, share this article with someone you think may resonate with it too.

How To Smash Your Goals in 2023

The last several years taught us a lot about uncertainty, to the point where now we probably have gotten used to plans changing on a whim or at least a bit more comfortable with variability. Nevertheless, the beginning of a new year is a hopeful time. It is often a time where we daydream and envision our ideal future and motivate ourselves to turn our vision of this future into reality by reaching and smashing our goals.

My method of goal setting remains the same, but I wanted to add a few specifics this time around:

1.START WITH A YEAR REVIEW 

I know this might seem like a lot of work, but it’s worth your time. Don’t stress, just be honest with yourself. If you had a planner last year, just look back through the months and assess everything without judgment. The easiest way to do this review is by answering these 5 questions: 

1. Identify 3 to 5 things that made you proud from 2022

2. If you set goals for 2022, how far did you get?

3. Identify what worked well, what didn’t work and why

4. Are there things you would like to improve, start or stop doing?

5. What are some of the lessons you learned last year that you want to keep moving forward?

2. PRIORITIZE YOUR GOALS

Now that you’ve done your year review, identify the top priority areas that you want to work on whether it is career, finances, health, relationships, etc. It could be all of the above, but pinpoint specific things in each category to work on. Remember, this is not about anyone else but YOU. This is personal.

3. WRITE YOUR GOALS DOWN

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.

4. BUILD A SYSTEM AROUND ACHIEVING YOUR GOALS

This is where we sometimes lose focus. We may know what goal(s) we want to accomplish but before putting action steps into place they are intentions. Right now the steps in how to accomplish your goals might be blurry, let’s turn them into action:

5. MAKE YOUR GOALS S.M.A.R.T.E.R

So how exactly do you set intentions that you will actually stick to? Be SMART about it. But this year, I want us to be SMARTER.

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.

S - Small and Specific: What do you want to do? Break your goals into smaller, more specific ones. For example, if your goal is to eat healthier in 2022, 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 : How will you track your progress? 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: How will you do it? 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: Is this relevant to your life right now? 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, peloton or taking a Zumba class.

T - Timely: When do you want to do it? 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 5:30am on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays for 1 hour before work.

E - Evaluate: How is it going? If you’re not tracking your progress how will you know what’s the cause of you not getting those killer abs? At the end of the month, go back through your planner and see if you stuck to the plan to reach your goal. 1. Did you meal prep every week for the past month? 2. Did you in fact incorporate 1 fruit/vegetable and a bottle of water to your diet each day for the month? Did you work out 3 times per week for the month? It’s okay if you missed a day or two (you’re a work in progress).

R - Readjust: How can you make it better? If you missed the mark in some areas last month =, you can make adjustments to improve next month. 3 days per week at 5:30am didn’t work for you? Maybe try Monday morning at 6am before work, Wednesday evening at 6pm after work and Saturday afternoon. Readjust until you hit your sweet spot.

6. TRACK YOUR PROGRESS, REFLECT AND RE-CALIBRATE

Resist the urge to freestyle your goals and actually check your progress as you go along. At the end each month, take time out to analyze what you have achieved, what you failed to achieve and how to improve on this (last 2 steps above). Journaling as you go along and circling back at the end of each month can really help you to stay on track.

7. ADJUST TO LIFE’S LEMONS

Life gets in the way and can derail you. Things such as illness, family commitments, work, life emergencies etc can impact your goals. Take note of these things and adjust as you proceed. 

8. ASK FOR HELP

Lastly, get an accountability partner. Have a friend or loved one you can lean on  for moral support and encouragement, you will need it from time to time. If you need specific help, reach out to those who can offer any guidance or assistance. The internet and social media is a great way to make connections.

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, on the bathroom mirror, etc. 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 a planner, a journal and let’s get ready to smash our 2023 goals! Remember, a sure way to make things happen is to write it down.

A Guide To Setting SMART Goals

Sometimes we set goals and then fall short, that’s okay. Everyone fails from time to time – it’s part of life’s journey. But if you find yourself consistently not reaching or giving up on your goals, it’s time to find a new way to set your intentions.

The value of setting goals in life cannot be overstated. We need to feel like we’re working toward a goal to ultimately feel fulfilled and joyful in life. But are all goals created equal? Not necessarily. The outcomes you want ultimately point to the quality of the objectives you’re setting for yourself – and if you’re not using SMART goals, you could be holding yourself back

MAKE YOUR GOALS S.M.A.R.T

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 2023, 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. Do you want to make more money this year? Saying you “want to earn more” is too vague. Instead, pick a number for how much money you want to earn. Is it $150,000 per year, $500,000 or even $1 million? Set a clear number to track your progress against. Having a specific goal is helpful in two ways: you can better visualize your outcome – imagine all those zeroes in your bank account – and you will know without a doubt when you’ve achieved it.

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. Or, in the case of making $150,000 per year you can check the numbers as the year goes on to see if you’re reaching the goal.

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. If it’s to make $150,000 do you have the potential to even earn that income (switching jobs, salary increase, unique skills, side hustles, etc). When you create a goal that’s too lofty, it can seem impossible. You may be overwhelmed and eventually give up.

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. Realistic goals are those that you are willing and able to work toward that can be achieved by improving your current habits.

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. Do you think you can start earning your desired salary in six months, one year or two years? Having a clear time frame is essential for checking your progress along the way to reaching your goal.

Because of their effectiveness, SMART goals are commonly used in business, but you can also use them in your personal life, from creating fulfilling relationships to mastering a new skill. No matter which area of your life you want to improve, this tested strategy saves you the wasted time of not knowing precisely what you want or how to get it. SMART goals can help you “ladder up” to the bigger goals you set when you identify your purpose. Being purposeful and living with intention is what SMART goals are all about.

HOW TO ACHIEVE SMART GOALS

Now that we’ve answered the question “what is a SMART goal?” let’s look at a few tips for achieving them.

START SMALL

Instead of tackling your most urgent or loftiest goal pick something small to start with.

WRITE IT DOWN

According to a study conducted at the Dominican University in California, those who write down their goals are 42% more likely to achieve them. It doesn’t matter whether you write your SMART goals in a journal, enter them into an app or type them into a Word document. Just make sure they are documented.

CHECK-IN REGULARLY

How long will it take you to reach your SMART goals? How do you know if you’re falling off track? Regular check-ins allow you to evaluate your progress and course-correct when necessary.

DON’T LET FEAR HOLD YOU BACK

If you’re not making the progress you’d like, take a look at what’s holding you back. Are you hesitant because your goal or approach is unreasonable, or are you reticent because of a deep-seated fear of failure? Finding the source of your hesitation is critical, since overcoming our fears is pivotal to goal mastery as well as personal and professional development.

CELEBRATE EVERY WIN

When you celebrate wins – even the small ones – your brain gets a boost of dopamine that reenergizes and refocuses you. If you’re working on professional SMART goals, celebrate small wins with your team. Not only will this help you to continue to press forward but it will also inspire your team to do the same. Personal successes? Celebrate with your friends or family. After you’ve celebrated, get right back on track so you can work toward celebrating the next win.

How To Set Short-Term Financial Goals for Yourself

This is a guest post by Bash Sarmiento

Your lifestyle and risk tolerance with money is different from everyone else’s. How you approach your finances is entirely unique. Regardless of how you spend and save money, it’s helpful to establish short-term financial goals if you want to achieve financial security. 

Without short-term financial goals, you have less guidance in handling your day-to-day finances. You may end up overspending and taking on debt, putting your long-term financial goals in stagnation. In a nutshell, short-term goals are the result after you break down your long-term financial goals, making them easier to achieve.

What are short-term financial goals?

Short-term financial goals are goals that you can achieve in a relatively short time frame. Ideally, a short-term goal can be achieved within three years. These goals can contribute to your progress towards long-term goals such as retirement and paying off a mortgage. Examples of the most common short-term financial goals are paying off credit card debt, saving for a vacation, and saving for an expensive gadget.

Follow the SMART criteria

Standing for specific, measurable, actionable, relevant, and time-bound, SMART is a criterion created to guide people in establishing goals and objectives. By following the SMART criteria, you can set clear goals that have specific steps towards their achievement and a definite indication of success. 

For instance, a goal not following SMART will just say “save money”, not indicating what the money is being saved for and how much should be saved at a given time. On the other hand, a SMART goal will say “Save $50 USD per month to afford a week-long vacation next year”. 

Short-term financial goals for everyone

How you set short-term financial goals should center on following the SMART criteria. The following are examples of SMART goals that everyone can set for themselves.

• Start saving for an emergency fund

Nobody wants disasters and tragedies, but life is unpredictable and the only thing we can control is how prepared we are. This is why everybody needs a safety net, a pool of money you can take from in times of emergency. Building an emergency fund should be at the top of your short-term financial goals.

Your emergency fund's size depends on your income and risk tolerance. The more you earn, the bigger your emergency funds should be. The general rule in building an emergency fund is “out of sight and out of mind”, meaning you should automate depositing into it and only access it during emergencies.

• Track your spending

It’s hard to set short-term financial goals if you don’t know how much exactly are you spending in a given time. Having no sense of your spending habits is synonymous to being cavalier with your finances. You will be prone to overspending and it will be a lot harder to save money. 

To start tracking your spending, you can choose from the best budgeting apps available today. Most of these applications link together all your accounts and place your credit and debit card transactions under budgeting categories. On the other hand, you can track your spending manually by gathering receipts and billing statements and organizing them in an electronic spreadsheet or on paper.

Once you’ve got a good grasp of your spending, you can set a realistic budget that can help you make better spending decisions. It can be a weekly or monthly budget, just make sure you aren’t setting it too low or too high.

• Improve your financial literacy

Among the biggest roadblocks to financial wellness is the lack of financial literacy. Many people get overwhelmed by financial jargon they don’t understand so they fail to take control of their finances. By improving your financial literacy, you will gain the competence and confidence to manage, save, and invest your money. Financial literacy enables you to implement strategies such as taking personal loans to save money or open opportunities like investing in bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.

There is no shortage of resources for improving your financial literacy. You can subscribe to financial newsletters, listen to podcasts, read finance books, or hire a financial expert. Whichever you prefer will work if you open yourself up to learning.

• Reduce spending

Once you’ve tracked your spending and become financially literate, you will better understand your expenses and determine which ones are unnecessary. Reducing your spending is a great way to make ends meet and help increase how much you can save every month. In times of inflation, furlough, job loss, or other setbacks, it will be critical to prioritize your spending in order to keep expenses to a minimum. 

• Pay off debts one at a time

Among most people’s long-term financial goals is to be debt-free, and the best way of achieving that is to pay off debts one at a time. If you have multiple debts, focus on paying one before moving on to the other. You can approach paying off debt in two ways:

1. Snowball Method, in which you pay off smaller debts first so you can see your progress. 

2. The Avalance Method, in which you prioritize debts with higher interest rates so you can avoid paying compounding interest and save money.

Conclusion

Short-term financial goals are the building blocks of your long-term financial goals, and by extension, your long-term life goals. You’ll have no trouble finding financial advice on the internet and once you’re financially literate, you’ll be mostly fine on your own. However, what your short-term financial goals should be will depend on your circumstances and priorities. Always remember that how you handle your finances is unique and you shouldn’t go out of your way to imitate others.

Meet Bash Sarmiento

Bash Sarmiento is a writer and an educator from Manila. He writes laconic pieces in the education, lifestyle and health realms. His academic background and extensive experience in teaching, textbook evaluation, business management and traveling are translated in his works.

Find him on Instagram and LinkedIn

Establishing Your Own Practice: My Interview with Canvas Rebel Magazine

Recently I had the opportunity to sit with Canvas Rebel Magazine for an interview as part of their “Establishing Your Own Firm or Practice series.” This series is meant to highlight business owners and there journey of opening their practices, to speak on the inspiration behind it, the wins, woes and everything in-between.

I have written about my practice journey here on the blog and was honored to be able to share my experience on a wider platform. Here is a snippet of my interview:

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Patrice Smith a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Patrice , appreciate you joining us today. Setting up an independent practice is a daunting endeavor. Can you talk to us about what it was like for you – what were some of the main steps, challenges, etc.

Ever since the thought of becoming a dentist crossed my mind as a teenager, I envisioned having a practice of my own. The thought of working for someone conflicted with my desires because many people close to me worked for themselves. I can recall my parents owning supermarkets, my dad running multiple businesses and even being privy to practice ownership through my high school mentors. Those formative years led me to this moment. A few years post-residency, armed with a variety of experience in the field of dentistry, my dream of opening my own dental practice would soon take shape.

There are many confusing and overwhelming factors involved in opening your own dental (orthodontics) office. When deciding on opening a dental practice, you must first decide whether you want to start your own dental practice from scratch (build out) or if you want to purchase an existing practice (acquisition). My knowledge of acquiring a practice was limited but with the help of a small team of professionals the process was made much easier.

The decision to go the acquisition route was based on my personal needs and priorities. This will look different for everyone. Although I was not opposed to the idea of a practice start up, I wanted to get into a practice with an existing patient base but also one that allowed me to grow into it. Because of this criteria, finding a practice was not easy. It took months of research and once the “ideal” practice was found, several months of negotiations.

Sources from the internet will tell you that it takes on average 9-12 months from the start of your acquisition search to opening your business. It took me about half that time (including down time due to COVID), mainly due to the buyer and seller’s eagerness to come to an agreement fairly quickly.

I actually wrote about my process in this blog post

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I’m Dr. Patrice Smith, an Orthodontist who is multi-passionate. I pride myself on being a bit “UnORTHOdox” and have dubbed myself The UnOrthoDoc.

I was born and raised in beautiful Jamaica! I moved to New York City where I completed my undergraduate studies and was later accepted into Dental School in the nation’s capital (Washington, DC) where I received my Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree from Howard University. I am obsessed with esthetics, perfectly aligned teeth and beautiful smiles and as such pursued a career in Orthodontics. I am a practicing Orthodontist in Washington, DC where I create beautiful smiles in my boutique private practice, Infinity Orthodontics.

I enjoy writing and have had several blogs where I share my experiences as I go through life balancing all aspects of my professional career, entrepreneurship, creative side hustles and motherhood. When I am not creating smiles and meddling in a host of entrepreneurial endeavors, I’m blogging, traveling, participating in various philanthropic projects and creating divinely scented candles for my candle company, UnOrthoDoc Candle Co.

My aim is to inspire young professionals like myself lead a balanced, purpose filled “UnOrthoDoc” lifestyle while on the path to personal, professional and financial development.

7 Strategies To Pay Off Student Loans

This is guest post by Bash Sarmiento

Tackling your student loans may seem like a mammoth task. Coupled with the feeling of shame many of us feel around our debt, it’s easy to feel hopeless.  But that doesn’t mean nothing can be done!

Don’t beat yourself up for taking up student loans. You had your reasons, and whatever those reasons may be, you shouldn’t feel ashamed. 

In 2021, 15% of all American adults still had outstanding undergraduate student loan debt, and 7% with outstanding postgraduate student loans. That’s around 38.75 million and 18 million Americans, respectively! And there’s the hope of paying the loans off because 24% or nearly 62 million adult Americans have paid off their student loans. 

It won’t be easy, but it can be done. 

Here are a few strategies you can do to pay off your student loans. Go ahead, test out a few of these strategies, and pick one that works best for you. You can also modify these strategies to make a customized plan that you can stick to.

Stay Updated and Educated

Before everything else, go ahead and update all your contact information on your StudentAid.gov profile and your lender’s website. This ensures you don’t accidentally miss any important announcements or information regarding your payments. Reacquaint or re-educate yourself with your loan’s terms, grace periods, and total debt. A student loan calculator can help you better visualize your payment timeline and determine how to best move forward.

1. Debt Avalanche 

This strategy requires you to focus on your highest-interest debt first. You also get to pay the least overall in the end by reducing the amount you pay towards interest. You do this by paying as much as you can afford towards your loan with the highest interest rate. Of course, don’t forget about your other debts and make the minimum monthly payments on those as well. 

Once you’ve paid off your highest-interest debt, move on to the second-highest interest rate debt. Continue making those minimum payments on your other debts. Continue this process until you’ve worked your way from the loan with the highest interest to the lowest. 

The trick here is to pay as much as you can afford and pay more than the minimum payment for the primary loan you’re paying off. 

Do note that if you make extra payments, be sure to advise your servicer to apply the overpayments to your current balance and not to next month’s payment. This ensures that you’re paying off your loan quicker and not just paying the next month’s bill in advance, defeating the purpose of paying above the minimum monthly payment. 

2. Debt Snowball

If you’re overwhelmed by the big numbers and want to ease into the payment momentum, the debt snowball strategy will work well for you. 

You focus on your smallest debt first. Similar to the debt avalanche strategy, pay as much as you can afford toward your lowest student loan debt. Go ahead and pay the minimum monthly payments on your other debts.  After you’ve paid off your lowest debt, move on to the next-lowest debt while continuing to pay the minimum payments on your other debts. 

Focusing on the smaller loans first makes you feel gratification quicker, which can motivate you to continue your payoff journey. The downside is that you do end up paying more in total debt due to the interest fees. 

3. Focusing on Accrued Interest First

If you’ve had your student loans for a while and maybe have foregone strategic payment for a bit, you may notice a big chunk of your current payments go towards paying those accrued interests. 

Some of these accrued interests can grow VERY big if left unchecked. Somtimes so much so that even if you pay more than your minimum monthly payments, a significant portion of it will end up paying those interest fees and not your actual loan. 

By paying off the accrued interest immediately and consistently, you’ll be able to have a better handle on your debt and your payment strategy. 

4. Look for repayment assistance programs

If you work for a company, consult your company’s HR and see if they offer student loan repayment assistance or benefits. You can also check your alma mater’s income-based benefit programs and forgiveness programs for alums. Go ahead and check your town, city, or state’s local programs as well.

5. Using cash-back cards for payments

Check with your servicer if you can pay with credit cards or even prepaid debit cards. Some of these bank cards offer incentives like cash back which you can use to your advantage.

On top of making extra payments towards your debt, you can earn cash back from using your card. The money you receive from the cashback incentive can go directly to your student loans, helping you pay them off even faster and with some savings to spare!

Staying on top of your card payments and avoiding overdraft fees is crucial. Carrying a balance will simply negate any savings or benefits you’ve created. 

6. Refinancing your private student loans

Refinancing your student loans is one way to pay off student loans fast. You ideally lower your total interest rate by consolidating all your student loans to a single private loan. This only works if you choose a new loan with a better rate and payment term than what’s left of your current loans. You’re refinancing to make paying off your loans more manageable, not to make it harder for yourself.

7. Increase your income

One of the most effective ways to pay off your student loans quicker is by increasing your income to allocate more towards loan payments. You can create a side business or find other ways to make money online.

No “extra dollar” is too small to go towards your debt payments. 

In fact, you can also treat any extra money that comes your way as money that can go towards your loans. This includes any bonuses, pay raises, gifts, or tax refunds. You can set aside a bit of the “extra” money for yourself, of course, so you don’t feel deprived of some well-deserved joys. But keep in mind that every dollar counts.  

Everyone’s debt journey looks different, but one thing’s clear: staying consistent is important. Soon, you’ll be free from the shackles of student loans, and you’ll be financially independent!

Meet Bash Sarmiento

Bash Sarmiento is a writer and an educator from Manila. He writes laconic pieces in the education, lifestyle and health realms. His academic background and extensive experience in teaching, textbook evaluation, business management and traveling are translated in his works.

Find him on Instagram and LinkedIn

Step-by-Step Guide on How To Start a Blog in 2023

It seems obvious now looking back that I should write about how to start a blog, especially considering that I write quite a bit on creating lucrative side hustles. However, it wasn’t until I received several questions from my colleagues on Instagram and was interviewed by LinkedIn News on starting a successful blog that I realized that this was something I needed to cover.

I' have noticed that people tend to have two general questions when it comes to the thought of starting a blog: 1. Are blog dead and do people even read them anymore? 2. I want to have a blog but how do I even start? To succinctly answer your first question, no blogging is alive and well and there are plenty people making quite a bit of money from them or using them as creative outlets and a place for community. If you want answers to the second question, you’ve come to the right place. As a blogger myself, I can tell you it’s a rewarding way to hone your writing skills, explore new ideas, build an online presence and a community that revolves around your passions and expertise. You’ll get the chance to inspire, educate, and entertain your readers - and as your blog grows, you can even start making money and turn it into a full-time job, if that’s what you desire.

In other words, blogging is the first step toward pursuing your favorite hobby or even your dream job, so it’s a win and you really can’t go wrong. While starting a blog might seem daunting, I’m going to walk you through it step-by-step to make it as smooth as possible. The process is actually quite easy, and you’ll have your blog up and running in a very short time.

In this step-by-step guide, you’ll find all the guidance and tools you’ll need to start a blog. You’ll learn how to create your website and get it off the ground, write your first blog posts, draw in loyal readers and start making money! Sounds exciting? Let’s get into it.

How to start a Blog

Here are the general steps:

1. Choose a blogging platform. You want to use a platform that offers customizable templates.

2. Pick a hosting platform. Consider a platform with good bandwidth and customer support.

3. Find your niche. Narrow down your blog’s theme and have a specific audience in mind.

4. Select a blog name and domain. Choose a descriptive name that piques readers’ interests.

5. Set up and design your blog. Get creative! Include imagery and effects that reflect your theme.

6. Brainstorm blog topics. Write down all your blog ideas.

7. Write your first blog posts. Catch your audience’s attention with a great title and offer valuable information.

8. Create an editorial calendar. Create a calendar to help you publish consistently and hold yourself accountable.

9. Promote your blog. Use marketing strategies and social media to expand your reach.

10. Make money blogging. Take advantage of opportunities to monetize your blog.

What is a Blog?

While a blog can encompass an entire website or simply be its own section of a website, this is a place to share content about a topic you are passionate about or have expertise in. A blog will typically include both written and visual elements published in an easy-to-read, article format so readers can browse and find what they’re looking for.

Why start a Blog?

People start blogs for a variety of reasons, some of which include:

• Share your ideas with the world. Sometimes you just want to put your thoughts out there, be heard and get your ideas out into the universe. This is where a blog can help - it’s a form of communication and space that’s entirely your own. You can use your creativity and passion to create a space customized exactly to your liking where you can share your ideas, expertise and experiences.

• Build an online community. Thanks to the internet, we no longer need to live in the same city, state or even country to be connected to others. A blog creates a space to share your story, ideas and start conversations with people all over the world with mutual interests. A blog typically has a comments section and an email list where your readers can speak with you directly, allowing you to engage in conversation and build relationships.

• Earn revenue. Blogging can be lucrative with time and continued effort. The best way to see the monetary fruits of your labor is by posting quality content regularly that draws in new readers and brings more traffic to your website. This will help your blog gain advertisers and can also boost your status as an online influencer, which can open up the door for affiliate marketing.

• Promote a product or service. As your blog grows you can build out your blog to offer products and services to your community based on their need or interests. Small business owners will also often use a blog as a form of content marketing. Written content can be a strategic way to engage potential customers to help them feel more connected to a product or service you’re trying to sell.

1. Choose a blogging platform

The first step in starting a blog is to select a blogging platform for publishing your content. A quick Google search will show you that there are several different sites available that fits bloggers from all industries. However, not all platforms are good for starting a blog. You need to choose the one that is good for SEO and will give you all the important features you need. Personally, I use squarespace. Squarespace is a really good platform for blogging. It’s very user-friendly and has all the important features that you will need to create a successful blog. In addition to that, Squarespace is also good for SEO and it helps your site to appear on search engines. There are other well known platforms however, like Wordpress (very popular), wix, weebly and medium, to name a few. When deciding on a platform it’s important that you pay attention to cost. On many platforms, starting a blog is completely free. You can decide at any point whether you’d like to upgrade to a variety of different plans, depending on your budget and needs. Squarespace is a bit on the pricey side in comparison to some others but I am willing to pay for the ability to have everything in one place without needing to use add-ons and plug-ins. if you are going the squarespace route, the code: GIMME10 takes 10% off a squarespace domain or website. It is also a good idea to search for promo/coupon codes online when purchasing your website or doman. Why spend more if you don’t have to?

2. Pick a hosting platform

Once you select your preferred blogging platform, you’ll need to choose a hosting platform. A blog, like any other website requires a host. This essentially stores websites on a server under a unique address so that visitors can easily reach them. On some blogging platforms (like squarespace), hosting is already included, so you won’t need to find a separate web host. This is another reason why I love squarespace! With other website builders, such as WordPress, you will need to find and pay for a separate hosting platform. Some popular options include:

• BlueHost

• HostGator

• GoDaddy

• DreamHost

3. Find the right niche

Take a step back and think about the main element that will form the foundation of your blog, from its URL and domain name to its content and design: your blog’s niche. What, exactly, do you want your blog to be about? There is virtually no limit when it comes to your choice of subjects. The most crucial thing is that you select a specific topic area that will be the central focus of your entire blog.

Narrow down your interests

When you start a blog, think long term. To motivate yourself to blog regularly, you’ll need to write about something you’re genuinely interested in. If you choose a topic solely on the basis of it being popular or profitable, your efforts will peter out pretty quickly.

If you aren’t sure right off the bat what you should be blogging about, that’s okay. Begin with a simple brainstorming session about subjects you like. What do you get excited talking about? What are you eager to learn more about? What can you talk about easily? For me, that is personal, professional and financial development. Under those umbrellas I choose to speak on career, entrepreneurship, side hustles and motherhood.

Write down the first 5-10 interests that come to mind. For example:

• Travel

• Photography

• Fashion

• Cooking

• Music

Next, think about your more specific interests within these subject areas and add them to your list. Example:

• Budget traveling

• Photography with iphone

• Budget fashion

• Vegan recipes

• Neo soul music

The niche does to have to be perfect yet. You’ll do some more research next.

Research your audience

The next step of starting a blog is to learn which topics people are interested in reading about. If your blog gains traction, you can eventually start making money from it and become a full-time blogger.

You can determine the demand for any given niche with a bit of market research. Begin by taking a look at Google Trends, which shows you how many people are searching for a particular topic. The more searches a topic gets, the more public demand it has. Give it whirl, type your niche in and see what comes up. If Google Trends reveals that interest in a subject area is either very low or declining, then that topic is unlikely to gain traction.

Check if it’s profitable

Whether you run a personal blog or a professional one, it’s a good idea to check whether your niche is profitable. Even if you’re starting out as a hobby blogger, you’ll want to think about future monetization options in the event that your blogging efforts evolve into a career.

There are multiple ways to earn money as a blogger, but one of the most common methods is affiliate marketing. As an affiliate, you’ll work together with a specific company, providing a link to their products within your blog, and earn a commission for any sale made through your site.

You don’t need to plan out your money-making strategy now, but thinking generally about profitable opportunities can help you choose a niche. For now, focus on starting your blog - we’ll talk more about making money blogging later in the article.

4. Select a blog name and domain

As you think about how to start a blog, the question of what to name it is probably on your mind. There are three main routes you can go with your blog's name. These include:

• Your first and last name

• The name of your business (if you have one)

• A creative new name

Obviously, I went with that latter and it is also the name of my business. I created the business after the decision to turn my blog into a business. When choosing your blog’s name, you should also think about the personality you want it to reflect. Should it be formal and professional? Sweet and romantic? Edgy and offbeat? If you’re not sure what to name your blog you can try using blog name generators like this one.

Once you decide, you should also go ahead and choose your domain name. Also referred to as a URL, a domain is a site’s address on the web (this website’s domain name, for example, is www.theunorthodoc.com). Typically, your domain name will be the same as, or at least influenced by, the name of your blog.

5. Set up and design your blog

1. Choose a blog template

2. Decide which pages to include

3. Get indexed on search engines

4. Create a blog logo

At this point, you’ve chosen a blogging and hosting platform, domain name and blog niche. You’re now equipped with all the basics for setting up your blog!

Choose a blog template

The first part of setup is selecting a template. On your platform, there will be quite a bit of templates to choose from. Like your blog’s name, its look and feel will be an important part of its personality.

The most efficient way to get your blog up and running is to choose a pre-designed blog template. Afterwards, you can customize it based on your preferences. I chose a template from squarespace and then hired a designer from upwork to do a bit of customization for me to make it exactly how I wanted it to look and feel.

Next you want to choose your color palette. Color psychology plays a huge role in forming your audience’s impression of your blog. As you choose a color palette, keep in mind the feelings and attitudes that different colors evoke. Blue, for instance, tends to evoke dependability and trust, while yellow evokes energy and joy. My blog color has soft pink and nude colors which invokes femininity, kindness, warmth and versatility - and attracts a female audience.

Decide which pages to include

Once you’ve chosen a template, think about which pages to include. Most blogs include more than just a section to display their posts. They might also include an about section, a contact page and online store.

Get indexed on search engines

Another part of starting a blog is making sure it’s visible on Google and other search engines. This is crucial if you want your content to pop up in search results, so you’ll want to take care of this step right away. First, make sure your site is indexed on Google. This pretty much means giving Google a heads up that your blog exists. You can do this by submitting your sitemap to Google Search Console.

Pro tip: Google Search Console is not only important for indexing your site, but it’s also a valuable platform that you’ll be using throughout your blogging journey. It tells you important data about your blog’s site visitors and clicks, which you can use to improve your content. To find out whether your site is already included in Google’s search index, do a quick site search (a site search uses your homepage URL and takes the form of site:yourblogname.com). If your blog pops up in the search results, then your site is already indexed.

Create a blog logo

Finally, polish off your site with an attractive logo. This is another way to add personality to your site, and it’s an essential step if you want to start a blog that evolves into a recognizable brand.

One option is to design your own or outsource the task, but you can also use an online logo maker. I have personally outsourced this to a freelancer on fiverr. Once you have your logo, place it in the upper left-hand corner of your website, and link it to your homepage. This will help brand your content while improving the navigation experience for readers.

6. Brainstorm blog topics

Your blog is now ready to go but you need content. Start thinking about which topics you’ll get started with. Begin by thinking about your experiences, successes, failures or discoveries related to your niche. What insights can you share? What ideas are you looking to explore in-depth?

7. Write your first blog post

1. Start with keyword research

2. Come up with a blog post title

3. Outline your main points

4. Write engaging content

5. Insert images

6. Optimize for SEO

7. Edit and publish

8. Create an editorial calendar

Whew! You’ve just written your first blog post. Take a break, and when you’re ready, plan out the rest of the month’s posting schedule. In my opinion, try to write 5-10 blog posts before you officially launch your blog. This will ensure your readers are taken on a journey and stay on your blog longer. Creating an editorial calendar is an important part of starting a blog. It’s an effective way to ensure you publish content consistently, letting you hold yourself accountable as a writer and ensuring you don’t deviate from your blogging goals. Your readers want new content, and you need to deliver. Plus, search engines take into account how frequently you publish when determining your site’s overall ranking.

How often should you blog?

When learning how to start a blog, a big question people ask is how often they should be publishing new content. As a rule of thumb, the more often you blog, the more traffic you get. There’s no black-or-white answer for exactly how frequently that is. For me, this is once per week consistently.

I’ve created an editorial calender/planner for myself that has kept my blog, social media and businesses organized. It is 159 pages and the most comprehensive planner you will find on the internet.

9. Promote your blog

1. Share on social media

2. Create a blog newsletter

3. Write for other sites

4. Reach out to an existing community

5. Participate in question and discussion sites

6. Invest in paid ads

7. Try new content formats

At this stage, you have everything you need to start a blog. These last couple of steps will focus on how to spread the word about your blog and grow it into a serious monetization tool.

10. Make money blogging

1. Affiliate marketing

2. Advertise within your blog

3. Offer paid subscriptions

4. Write sponsored content

5. Sell e-books and merchandise

6. Provide consulting services

This may not happen for a while as you need to build an audience first. But in time you may want to make money from your blog’s popularity. Here’s a run down of some of the options:

• Affiliate marketing: This is one of the most common ways to make money blogging, and it’s easy to get started. Intermediate affiliates can earn anywhere between $300-$3000 per day, and that number only goes up with experience. At this stage I am making about $2000/month consistently. Some months it is higher or slightly lower. There are plenty of affiliate marketing programs out there. Amazon Associates is a popular choice for beginners.

• Advertising within your blog: Another option is to display ads within your blog, which means you’re essentially selling your blog real estate as ad space. This is a fairly reliable way to make money, as you’ll be earning revenue with each click. If you’re thinking of taking this route, Google AdSense is one of the most lucrative and popular programs.

• Offering paid subscriptions: You know how the New York Times makes you pay to read their content? You can do the same thing with your blog. While some of your articles should be free, you can also create exclusive content that readers can buy access to through a subscription plan.

• Write sponsored content: Reach out to companies - or, as your blog grows, make it easy for brands to contact you - regarding sponsorship opportunities. You’ll be writing articles that promote those companies’ products, and the business, in turn, will compensate you for the posts.

• Sell e-books and merchandise: You can also sell digital or physical goods directly from your site. This might include branded merchandise, products related to your field, or e-books and other online resources.

• Provide consulting services: This approach involves making use of your professional experience and harnessing the knowledge you’ve gained as a professional blogger. Based on your insights and expertise, think about the kinds of consulting services you might be able to offer to your clients.

I have used a mixture of affiliated links, sponsored content, e-books and merchandise. Although it took me quite some time to get there,I have gotten to the point where I am making approximately $10,000 per month from my blog. Some months the income is a bit less and other times a bit more.

It might seem daunting, but the sooner you start the sooner you will realize that it is easier than you thought. You will be wondering why you hadn’t done this sooner. Put one foot in front of the other, follow these steps and you are well on your way to becoming a successful blogger. Join my email list to get more insights on how to have a successful blog and other side hustles.

Starting a Successful Blog: My Feature in LinkedIn News

Recently I was chosen and interviewed as an expert by LinkedIn News for an article they were working on for tips on starting a successful blog. This was such an honor because while I think of myself as an expert in the field of Orthodontics, I hadn’t quite given myself that title when it came to blogging, until now.

If you ever had the thought of starting a blog but it felt daunting, this article will shed some light on how doable it is. Anyone can start a blog, but a successful one takes a lot of time and effort. Here is an excerpt from the article.

Creating a blog can be the beginning of building your brand or a way to attract a larger audience to your business and expand it. You can also monetize your blog, providing an additional stream of income for your business or yourself. 

But it is important to remember that building a successful blog takes time and effort. This is why, before building a blog, you should choose a topic you enjoy with room to grow.

Identifying your niche is critical, orthodontist and The UnOrthoDoc blogger Dr. Patrice Smith said.

“It has to be something that you have a little bit of expertise in,” Smith said. “It has to be something you are interested in, otherwise you are not going to blog consistently. Once you figure all that out, narrow down your niche and then narrow it down some more, because there are a million blogs out there. 

“Once you figure that out, write your first 10 blog posts. You can put them in word documents. and then as soon as you have your blog set up, publish all 10 so that it looks like your blog is established. 

“You don't want to drive traffic to your blog with just one or two blog posts. You want to take readers on the journey.” 

I chatted with Charles and Dr. Smith for more about how to start a successful blog.

How to Start Building Your Blog 

Choose a template, blogging platform, and hosting site for your blog after you decide on your niche.

“There are many platforms out there,” Smith said. “I use Squarespace, but one of the most popular ones is WordPress and there are other sites like WiX, Weebly, and some even blog on Medium.”

Select a hosting site after you select your blogging platform. Hosting costs generally range from $5-$25 a month, according to “Age of Influence” author Neil Schaffer.

“Some platforms already come with a hosting platform built-in,” Dr. Smith said. “I know WIX does not, but Squarespace does. For some WordPress users, some popular options include Bluehost or GoDaddy or DreamHost, but for Squarespace, mine was built-in. That is another reason why I chose Squarespace.”

Meanwhile, Charles first launched her blog with a template she found on WIX. Once her business grew, she upgraded, worked with a website designer, and they moved her blog to Squarespace.

“Start off with [a platform] that is relatable and you feel comfortable with, but then as your business grows, it is OK to invest in yourself and tap into somebody who specializes in that work,” Charles said. “I don't think the investment needs to come immediately because the problem is if [you invest] immediately there will be pressure to work to pay off your investment. 

“You don't know if people are going to be as interested in your material as you think it is because micro-blogging, i.e. Instagram is free.”

Also, consider aesthetics when choosing your blog template.

“Aesthetic is an important factor,” Charles said. “People want to click and look at what they enjoy versus if it is ugly, why would they spend their time there? I don't think you have to have the most beautiful [blog], but I think you have to give some effort.”

Keep SEO (Search Engine Optimization) in mind, too, as you build your blog. If you don’t know much about SEO, consider taking a LinkedIn Learning course, watching YouTube expert videos or searching online for the info. 

“I Googled everything pertaining to SEO even down to the title of your blog post that could be optimized to reach your target audience,” Smith said. “You can utilize keywords. So, you want to do a lot of research before you choose a blog topic because it has to be something that will be picked up by keywords. 

“For example, if somebody Googles ‘How to start a blog’ you want to have those keywords in your title. Somebody might Google how to start a blog in 2023, and if your blog title isn’t optimized for that search, then you are not going to be the one that is reached.”

Top Takeaways on How to Start a Successful Blog:

• Choose a niche you are passionate about.

• Select a blogging platform and hosting site that is easy to use and inexpensive.

• Incorporate SEO into your blog posts and use social media platforms to build your audience.

• Monetize your blog with affiliate links, digital products, and ads.

Start Making Money Online Full-Time or Part-Time in 4 Actionable Steps

This is a guest post by Marjorie Jones

The search for new and flexible ways to make a living begins differently for everyone. Perhaps you are out of work, looking to make some money on the side, or simply feel the need for a career change. The modern work climate empowers people from any background to work remotely online in almost any field of choice. Once you know the online money-making options available to you, you will be ready to start the next chapter of your professional life.

1. Evaluate Your Skills and Passions

There are many ways to make money online. Choosing the right path is a matter of assessing your skills and following your unique passions. You will have an easier time committing and succeeding in your new profession if it is relevant to your interests. You might even decide to start an online degree program to foster additional skills that make you more marketable to employers and clients. Some potential online jobs you might pursue can include:

•       E-commerce specialist

•       Web designer

•       Social media manager

•       Freelancer

•       Photographer

•       Virtual assistant

2. Know Where to Find Work

There are potentially millions of work-from-home jobs available online. The biggest roadblock between you and them is knowing where to look. Accepting jobs from prominent online job boards is a great way to get started and earn some experience in your new field of work. Platforms like FlexJobs and Freelancer have many listings, but it's best to cast a wide net across multiple platforms to increase your odds of landing a great gig. Make sure to only use trustworthy websites that verify the legitimacy of job postings before displaying them to users like you.

 3. Start Your Own Business

After finding some initial success with your online work, it may be time to think about establishing a formal business. Even if you are running a relatively small side hustle, registering under an official business structure can benefit you greatly. For example, forming an LLC can grant you tax advantages and limited liability. Your future clients might also take you more seriously if you operate as a legally registered business. Keep in mind that states have different rules regarding the formation of an LLC, but you can use a reputable formation service to ensure you meet compliance.

4. Grow Your Social Media Marketing Efforts

The long-term growth and success of your emerging business depends upon your ability to market your services to as wide an audience as possible. Business experts explain that social media plays a key role in raising brand awareness and customer satisfaction for enterprises of all sizes. You can also use an ad maker tool to spread the word about your business with an easily-customizable Facebook ad template. After making the perfect ad with your company logo and a wide assortment of colors and fonts, you can instantly download it for personal use.

 Remember that social media is not the only aspect of your web presence that contributes to marketing. Starting a blog to work in tandem with your social media is a strong method for driving traffic on two fronts.

Starting a remote work career can be liberating in so many ways. It's a trajectory that can even lead you into the fulfilling role of an entrepreneur. By using online job boards, social media marketing, and other modern career techniques, you can find success in a full-time job or a part-time side hustle.

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About The Author

Marjorie Jones created Working Class Wow because she knows you don’t need a big budget to make your business look like a million bucks! From a well-designed logo and a carefully-crafted website to grammatically-correct copy and professionally-printed marketing materials, it is entirely possible (and surprisingly affordable) to bring a little “Working Class WOW” to your small business to build your brand, improve relationships with customers, and benefit the bottom line. WorkingClassWow.com can show you how.

Combating The Great Resignation: 6 Crucial Roles of HR in Employee Retention

This is a guest post by Bash Sarmiento

A company's human resource department plays a crucial role in retaining employees. During today's Great Resignation crisis, companies need to understand why people leave their jobs. They should also know how to combat these issues. In this article, we'll discuss the Great Resignation crisis and how HR departments can help prevent it.

What Is the Great Resignation Crisis?

The Great Resignation crisis refers to the voluntary mass resignations that began in late 2020. Several companies have seen a large number of employees quit their jobs at once. In addition to the mass resignations, some individuals have left their jobs without notice or explanation. These people may not have been fired but simply decided to quit.

There are many possible reasons why someone might want to quit their job. Some quit due to dissatisfaction with the work environment or lack of opportunities. On the other hand, it's not uncommon for employees to quit their jobs because they feel they're being treated unfairly or are unhappy with their pay.

Roles of HR in Employee Retention

Due to the Great Resignation crisis, HR professionals need to play an active role in employee retention. They need to help employees find better positions within the company and provide additional training if necessary. Here are some of the crucial roles of HR in employee retention:

Ensure That They Find the Right Candidate for the Job

When recruiting new employees, HR professionals must ensure they hire the right candidate. For instance, if you need tech talent, look for candidates who have experience working with different tech fields. You should also consider hiring people who have worked in similar fields as your current employees. 

In addition, it's not enough to hire someone who meets the minimum qualifications — you need to ensure that they will fit in with the rest of the team. Considering personality, communication skills, and cultural fit when hiring can go a long way toward ensuring you hire the right candidate.  

HR professionals must also guarantee that the candidates have a fair compensation package. Unfair compensations can make candidates lose motivation and even cause them to consider quitting their jobs altogether.

Create an Amazing First Impression

After hiring an employee, you need to make sure that they have an amazing first impression of your company. This is where your onboarding process comes in. Simply letting a new hire start without any training or orientation can be detrimental to their performance later on. They may also feel unprepared and uncomfortable when starting a new job.

Creating a welcoming atmosphere from day one helps build rapport between your company and its employees. This creates a more positive workplace culture, leading to higher productivity and greater engagement. In the long run, it will lessen turnover rates and increase employee satisfaction.

Provide Training and Development Opportunities

Hiring an employee doesn't stop at just finding them a position. You need to provide ongoing training and development opportunities so that they continue learning and growing throughout their time working at your company. Employees like to grow professionally and learn new skills. Providing opportunities to do so makes them happy and keeps them engaged.

A good way to provide development opportunities is to set long-term goals. Long-term goals help with motivation and encourage employees to keep progressing and developing their skills. 

Encourage Open Communication Among the Team

Open communication is another crucial part of an engaging workplace. When people feel comfortable sharing ideas and opinions, it can help increase employee retention rates. As an HR professional, it's your responsibility to check whether employees are experiencing any problems with their work environment.

Set regular schedules to ask questions and address issues. Let them bring up any concerns they might have. Doing so can help create a productive and healthy workplace. If any negative situations are occurring, you can take action by addressing these problems.

Acknowledge Your Employees' Achievements

Acknowledging your employees for the little things they do goes a long way. For example, if an employee has completed a project successfully, let them know about it. Doing this shows that you value their contributions.

In addition, you can conduct performance reviews once every few months. During these meetings, highlight all your team members' accomplishments. It will also be an excellent time to bring up any areas of improvement for a specific employee. These discussions can help improve morale and foster a sense of teamwork among your staff.

Learn Why Employees Leave Their Jobs

HR professionals have a crucial role in helping companies retain their best talent. As such, it's important to understand why employees leave their jobs. Once you identify the reasons behind a departure, you'll be able to better prepare for future resignations.

Remember to conduct exit interviews to know the reason behind an employee's resignation. Ask departing employees about their experience while on the job and what led them to resign. By doing so, you can gain valuable insight into how to make your workplace even better.

The Bottom Line

The Great Resignation Crisis has led many companies to look for ways to reduce employee turnover. HR professionals have an important role in helping create a positive work environment that encourages employees to stay longer. The responsibilities stated above are just some of the many ways you can create a great workplace culture. By implementing these strategies, you can help ensure that your employees will remain with your company for a long time. 

Meet Bash Sarmiento

Bash Sarmiento is a writer and an educator from Manila. He writes laconic pieces in the education, lifestyle and health realms. His academic background and extensive experience in teaching, textbook evaluation, business management and traveling are translated in his works.

Find him on Instagram and LinkedIn

The Difference Between Fluoride & Hydroxyapatite

When harmful bacteria appear in the mouth, it creates an acidic environment, which can strip away healthy calcium and phospahtes on the surface of teeth. Fluoride is a naturally found element and in toothpaste it works by building a stronger, more acid resistant tooth surface. It does not cure tooth decay. Fluoride is not meant to be ingested. Higher doses of fluoride are seen to be possibly unsafe and can weaken bones and ligaments. The amount you’re likely to use in your toothpaste, under 20mg, is safe.

Hydroxyapatite – the new kid on the block.

Hydroxyapatite is a natural form of calcium that makes up 97% of our tooth enamel. The remaining 3% being made up of collagen, water and proteins. Our mouths recognise hydroxyapatite, seeing as it’s the same material as our teeth, it’s absorbed by the teeth and fills in the little fissures and grooves that acids from bacteria have made. It can insert into really small spaces, meaning remineralization can work from the root up. It is natural, with no known side effects.

Hydroxyapatite – natural, non-toxic, teeth whitener.

Hydroxyapatite keeps the oral microbiome in it’s natural state, it prevents bacteria from attaching to enamel as opposed to fluoride that kills bacteria. They work in very different ways. Unfortunately, fluoride kills the bad as well as the good bacteria. Hydroxyapatite strengthens tooth enamel, and there are no known negative side effects, and is safe enough for kids to use. It also has a positive side effect of whitening teeth, without the use of abrasive chemicals.

Fluoride in the water supply.

Fluoride causes a lot of debate and heated dinner table discussion, primarily because it was added into our water supply systems. This happened to help with the growing levels of tooth decay in the population. Interestingly, dental decay has only existed in it’s current form for about 200 years – exactly when our diets transformed into the global business that food is today (think processed foods).

Bad diet causes tooth decay.

Unfortunately adding fluoride to our water supply as a quick fix hasn’t really solved the issue of tooth decay. As a matter of fact tooth decay is considered by the CDC one of the country’s most prevalent diseases and has been dubbed the silent epidemic. This has nothing to do with whether or not there’s fluoride in the water, it all come down to our diet. Refined sugars and processed carbohydrates are at the heart of the problem. This diet results in the rapid increase of microbes which directly result in the destruction of our tooth surface.

Choosing between fluoride and hydroxyapatite is like picking your favourite band-aid. What causes tooth decay is a bad diet. They both pretty much do the same job except fluoride may have some underlying side effects whereas there have been none noted with hydroxyapatite use. We will see how or if this changes over time. The bottom line is, ensure your toothpaste and/or mouthwash has a cavity fighting agent that works - like fluoride or hydroxyapatite.

5 Books By Women Authors Every Leader & Entrepreneur Should Read

I love a good book! Books have the unique ability to open you up to a whole new world, to increase your knowledge on a certain topic, to educate, inform, increase your memory, communication skills, and sometimes to simply whisk you away to another reality. I have made it a habit to read at least one book per month, at the very minimum 12 books per year. Last year I read 14 books and I always learn something for every read.

I have read at least 15 books so far this year, including these 5 books that I think every leader and/or entrepreneur ought to get their hands on. Being somewhat of a serial entrepreneur and leader in my own right, these books have been helping me tremendously in business. I hope they will do the same for you.

If you love books as much as I do, consider joining my book club. Each month I hand select a book, we all read (or listen via audible) and meet over zoom for a little coffee & conversation or booze & books, whatever the occasion calls for. It is not just a book club, but an opportunity to build our network and form some meaningful relationships.

Happy reading!