GR8TR Today Magazine

Living a GR8TR Life Every Day

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Christy Lamagna on Living a Strategic, Fulfilling Life

I met Christy Lamagna through our mutual friend, Phil Gerbyshak. She is so much fun to talk to and really wants to help people. It is apparent as soon as you start talking with her. Below she was kind enough to answer some interview questions for our readers on her experience of using strategy to improve event outcomes and life outcomes.

 You are currently working on a book on helping people be more strategic in their lives.  What inspired that and what kinds of advice will be in it? 

So much of what goes into a successful event applies to living a fulfilling life. The book gives readers an understanding of basic human psychology and behavior to position yourself for success when negotiating, job interviews, talking to a spouse or anyone for that matter. Once I made that connection I started sharing my theory and saw it help transform lives. When I realized what I’d stumbled upon, I couldn’t keep it to myself.

You have been a long time strategist for big events.  Over time you have begun applying the same strategic thinking to your life.  Give our readers some examples of this cross over. 

Events are like life. You have people who show up and actively participate, people who show up and just take space, and some who blow it off. We all know people who fall into each of those categories when it comes to how they live their lives. From the planner’s perspective, an event can be planned focusing on just the logistics which are an endless list of “to-do” items that take up time and tend to the need directly in front of you.

Strategic events start with a well-defined, thought out goal in mind. A plan is created and every detail is specifically designed to support that goal. Most of us go through life crossing things off lists and are too busy to get any work done. Events, when planned without focus are much like life without a goal; lots of time and money are spent but there is nothing substantial or significant to show for it. Applying strategy to life results in goals being achieved, relationships strengthening, financial health improving and an overall sense of purpose and mission.

How do you suggest people stay motivated for continued growth and success? 

Success fuels success. By creating a goal and achieving milestones along the way momentum builds and new habits are formed. Once a person realizes how much easier it is to exist in a life that has intention there’s no going back. Don’t let the word “strategic” fool you into thinking the process is difficult. The truth is, a strategic plan eliminating time wasting tasks, removes people who drain energy from your world, creates opportunities and makes it easier to exist. It’s so freeing!

Can you share an example of someone who got more strategic and has a good rags to riches story who you know. 

A coaching client was living the epitome of a life mired in logistics. Her employer was content to pile on work beyond what was reasonable, and she kept taking it on. She was resentful and her unhappiness was obvious. Requests for additional staff were denied and she was passed over for promotions due to a bad attitude. She felt helpless. Her boss was tired of listening to her complain and her negative attitude made her unpopular. When we discussed approaching her boss with a way to help him more and offer ways to make his life easier, she balked.

Why take on more work and why reward him for treating her so poorly? We discussed one of the key pillars of strategic planning; knowing what your audience wants and delivering it. When you give people what they want they will give you what you want. Instead of complaining to her boss, she solicited projects. Instead of being unhappy she started dressing for the job she wanted and intentionally spread cheer. She is now being recommended for the promotion, has a new boss who appreciates her, has others commenting on her new attitude and she’s eliminated many of the time-wasting tasks she was burdened with. It took nothing but strategic thinking and a plan. Everything changed and all for the better. Anyone can do this!

What do you suggest is part of someone’s daily routine no matter what their goals are? 

You have to remember that if you are not the answer to the question “what’s in it for me?” you aren’t going to get what you need. You also have to remember that people’s actions are not about you. If you internalize other people’s actions and opinions you’re forever their slave. Focus on your goals and how you can work with other people to achieve your goal.

Is there any technology you recommend to help people make meaningful changes? 

It depends on the goal. For some having an app that tracks spend is invaluable. Sometimes an app that tallies calories consumed and burned is helpful. Most of the time it’s about declaring your goal, having an accountability partner and a calendar to mark milestone due dates. It doesn’t take a superior mind, huge bank account, fancy technology or a tremendous amount of time. If anything life lived strategically will give you more time, money, and happiness.

Tell our readers how to find out more about you. 

Whether you’re an executive trying to create systems and infrastructure or shift corporate culture, someone returning to the professional world after a long hiatus, someone changing careers, vying for a promotion or who has any goals that feel too formidable to be possible, strategic thinking and planning will help. I offer webinars, coaching, corporate consulting and a host of other services to fit every budget. People can find me at christy@lifelivedstrategically.com

About Christy Lamagna, CMP, CMM, CTSM

Christy is an award-winning Master Strategist, author, entrepreneur, speaker, coach, and intellectual philanthropist. For two decades, Christy’s strategic planning process has changed the business trajectory of corporations and the lives of people from all industries and walks of life.

Known for her approachability, teaching skills, sense of humor, vast expertise on achieving business and personal goals, expanding networks and marketing plans, Christy is one of the most sought after strategy experts in business, coaching and speaking circles.

8 Tips to Keep Your Indoor Cat Happy and Healthy

Are you wondering if you have a happy cat? Happy cats are easygoing and rarely do they scratch sofas, draperies, or bed linings. They rarely “misbehave” and are usually eager to find companionship with the pet owner. If they are happy, they seem to have more energy and are more active during the day.  Assuming you have an indoor cat and want to keep them healthy, here are 8 tips for you. These tips will help you keep your cat from getting bored and help you keep them healthy.

Cat Care Tips #1 – Choose the Right Cat

Although adopting a kitten might seem easier than bringing in a stray cat, it can be difficult. Cats are just like people. It is important to choose the right type of cat to be your pet. Are you looking for an energetic kitten to adopt? Would you prefer a senior cat who isn’t as active? Would you be willing to adopt an older cat who has grown accustomed to being on the streets? A senior cat might be better than a kitten depending on the circumstances. Older cats are less likely to damage or climb on things in the house. They are calmer and do not need the constant attention kittens usually need. If you choose a cat with FIV (feline immunodeficiency viruses) and FeLV (feline lymphoma virus) you must remember to keep them indoors. However, this doesn’t mean that they are all suited to living in your home. Spend some time with your cat before you bring it home.

Cat CareTip #2: Neuter or Spay Your Cat to Improve their Behavior

Spaying or neutering your cat is a great way to help prevent hormone-related behavior. This will prevent your cat’s search for a mate and from destroying your furniture. Also, spaying or neutering your pet will reduce their risk of developing reproductive diseases. But most importantly, it will prevent unwanted litters of kittens and help reduce the cat population.

Cat Care Tip #3: Fresh Water and Diet

Following your vet’s recommended diet for your cat should be enough to have a healthy cat.  Indoor cats do not get enough exercise and tend to be bigger than outdoor cats. That’s why it is important to follow the veterinarian’s recommended diet for your pet. If you play with your cat and keep them active, it will help them keep trim and healthy. Keep the water in their bowls fresh and avoid giving them human food.

Cat Care Tip #4: Personal Space and Sleeping Area

Cats are territorial, especially when there are multiple cats living in the same house.  On the other hand, there are some cats that are very friendly and social, and they need companions to play and chase around.  But keep in mind that cats are independent animals and they need to have a safe place to sleep or retreat if they feel threatened. Allowing your cats to have a safe place for themselves can save you a lot of behavioral problems like spraying and destructive scratching around the home. If you can provide a window shelf for your cats, you will realize how much they love them, and how much time they spent sitting on them.

Cat CareTip #5: Cat Exercise

To encourage your cat to exercise, place horizontal and vertical cat scratching boards throughout your home. Cats love to chase long strings of material they can grab with their paws, cut a couple of strings of material, and wave them around for them to chase.

Cat Care Tips #6 – Cat Toys for Entertainment and Fun

Interactive toys and games for cats are very popular. To prevent your cat from becoming bored, rotate toys at least once a week. You can give your cat a ball, a shoelace, or laser light pointers to entertain it. This will make your cat happy and keep it in great shape.

Cat CareTip #7: Brush up

Regularly brush your cat’s hair and trim its claws. If your cat is long-haired, you should brush it more often to prevent hairballs. Do not bathe your cat as it is allergic to water. This is quite different from a normal dog who will likely enjoy a bath.

Cat CareTip #8 – Cat litter boxes

Place litter boxes in accessible and safe places. Keep them clean and free from scents. You should provide at least one litter-box per cat. Clean them daily. You should experiment with different types of litter boxes and cat litter from the beginning. Once your cat decides its preferred cat litter brand do not change it. They will pee everywhere if their preferred brand is changed arbitrarily.

Cats are easy and enjoyable pets to have.  They can be moody and aloof but they can also be funny and loving.  Enjoy your healthy and happy pet.

Teens and Technology

The time our children spend glued to their phones seems unhealthy to many parents, and although it is an activity we all do, it seems it is not as unhealthy as we thought it was for a teenager. According to recent studies about the impact, the use of technology has on the well-being of adolescents found it is not as harmful as we think it is.  Mainly, because such adolescents do not view their technology usage as harmful. And, secondly, according to the review, global mental health problems have not increased in recent decades. In other words, the increased usage of technology-driven gadgets-smart phones, tablets, laptops, etc.,- by teenagers is not considered to negatively affect their mental health.

Notwithstanding such studies’ findings, the time teenagers spend on their smartphones or tablets might keep them away from other constructive endeavors. If you are a concerned parent and want to minimize their time spent using their iPhone, here are 8 tips to help you breach the subject.

  1. If you are a concerned parent and find your teens’ smartphone usage unhealthy, read bout recent studies about the topic before engaging in a losing battle with your teen. Instead, try to have a calm conversation with your child or teen about their smartphone usage and ask them what they think it’s the right amount of time for them.
  2. Compromise but do not set rules they will find unfair.  If they have done their homework and extracurricular activities and they are relaxing, let them do it peacefully.  Respect their free time, even if they choose to spend it with their smartphone.
  3. Encourage them to practice an activity to help them build a skill instead of using their smartphone.  Music, painting, drawing, or a physical activity class will keep them away from the smartphone while developing a life skill they will appreciate later in life.
  4. Ask them to read a book.  There are lists of books for teenagers that will surely capture their interest.  You can research a library’s teen recommendations together to find the perfect book to read.
  5. Exercise together if you can.  Biking and hiking are two activities teenagers can do with their parents without feeling embarrassed about spending time with them.
  6. Be an example to follow.  If you cannot put your own smartphone down, you cannot ask your teenager to do it. Grab a book or seek your child to start a conversation.  Ask them about school, friends, or even the videos they are watching on their smartphones.  You can always start a conversation and ask your child to join you.
  7. Have a daily meal together with your teenager. The diner table is a neutral, peaceful place to have a conversation where everyone can join in.  If you have more than one child, ask about their day individually and offer a comment or two before going on to the next.  Everyone should get a turn to speak and to be heard. Ask for silence from the other members of the family till the speaker is done.
  8. Respect your teenager and listen to what they are saying.  Even if you think they are spending too much time with their smartphones, listen to them before you complain.  You are the manager of your teen, not the boss.

Every teen is different. They have different needs and different problems.  Many of them can easily adapt to any situation and never have a serious problem.  They can have excellent grades but be depressed about an issue.  As parents, we can form a healthy relationship with them by listening and guiding them, instead of imposing rules and forcing them to follow.  Let’s put away our smartphones and begin a healthy conversation.

Entrepreneurs Getting Jobs – Interview with Phil Gerbyshak

Phil Gerbyshak is a prolific author, speaker and business consultant who recently went back into the workforce to help a company succeed. I had the chance to ask him about the experience of going from owner to employee again.

Question: Phil, you have been an author, entrepreneur and speaker for many years.  Currently you have gone back and are helping one company full time.  What are the advantages and disadvantages of taking a “break” from running the show?

One of the advantages is a shift in perspective. I’m back in the game as a practitioner on the inside, instead of as a consultant on the outside, so I’m seeing a whole new set of opportunities to learn about the workforce since I had my last inside job back in 2015. A lot has changed – and I’m seeing first hand how this is impacting business.

Another advantage is the energy of having a team. As an extrovert, I thrive the most when I’m working with a multitude of other people. I serve 160 sales professionals now, in an organization approaching 500 employees. The energy is very different from the 10-15 organizations I would serve each month on my own. Some days I used to not interact with another human face-to-face, as I’d do all my work via Zoom video. Now, there’s not a day that goes by where I don’t interact with someone, whether it’s an employee at the airport or someone on one of the 4 business units I serve.

There are many others, but one more advantage I’ll share is the ability to focus more on what I am best at. As a business owner, I was ultimately responsible for every part of my business, from deciding who my best prospect would be, to doing the actual prospecting to relationship building to closing business, plus invoicing, marketing and all my own IT support. It was a lot of work that isn’t the best use of my time, and I didn’t even mention the actual creation and delivery of training, coaching and other programs, which ARE the best use of my time. Now, I get to focus mostly on creating and delivering sales training and sales coaching programs, which are what I love to do the most, and what I am best at.

A disadvantage is that I have a more regular schedule, and I can’t just pick and choose the hours I want to work. I guess maybe I could, but I feel responsible to work from 8-5 Monday through Friday, regardless of the time zone I’m in, as that’s when my clients (the sales professionals I serve) are in the office. So maybe I’ll be changing this.

Obviously as I’m now dedicated 40-60 hours a week to one client (my employer), I have little to no time to grow my own business, which prevents the growth I am used to.

And lastly, I feel less spontaneous, as having an employer does make me pause just a bit before I post anything to social media, or before I just say yes to a new opportunity.

All in all, the positives far outweigh the negatives, or I wouldn’t have taken the job.

Question: How has having a job with a clear definition of responsibilities impacted your mental state?

I don’t have a clear definition of responsibilities yet, as we’ve never had anyone in my role ever before in this organization. I have a loose definition, and that’s a wonderful thing. It helps me slow down and focus, which I am still getting used to.

Question: How have you melded your entrepreneurial skills with your job responsibilities?

One of my company’s core values is entrepreneurship, so this has been the most easy. I’m in a startup culture and am creating everything from scratch. I’m keen on listening to the needs of the marketplace, which in this case is the various sales teams I serve, and then creating training to fill that need. It’s a great match.

I also have had to be wise about my investments in the business. I have a new MacBook Pro and a company credit card, but I’ve had to make new purchases wisely, and think like an owner before I make a purchase. It’s empowering and smart!

Lastly, I know there are going to be some long days, just like when I was running my own business full-time, and I am rolling with the flow instead of behaving like an employee and feeling I only need to work 40 hours a week.

Question: What do you think are the risks and rewards are for a business hiring someone who has been an entrepreneur?

I think the biggest risk is recognizing an entrepreneur needs variety and a daily challenge and won’t just settle for the status quo. If you hire an entrepreneur, you have to recognize they were successful before you and will be successful without you, and they are willing to make whatever changes need to be made to see that same level of success inside your organization. This is a risk because many organizations don’t want to change. If that’s you, do NOT hire an entrepreneur.

This desire to change and grow can also be the biggest reward to an organization that is willing to change and grow.

One other big risk is the willingness to do what it takes to see success in the job. I have a wide range of skills, in sales, in marketing and in technology. Letting me do a wide variety of tasks to get my job done is a big risk, as many organizations are siloed and don’t want people to be truly cross-departmental in what they do. We do, and that’s why I love it here.

Question: What kind of a business was able to attract you and why?

We are a software company that sells technology to our everyday heroes and our mission is serving everyday heroes and saving lives through revolutionary technology. So a mission based company that aligns with my values (I love to serve, I love technology, and I love a good revolution) with an opportunity to drive change and value throughout a growing company was exciting for me. Thinking like a startup is also exciting to me, and if you pour on the fact we have a great deal of resources to help me get my mission of training as many sales people as possible in the new ways of sales and service, you’ve got all the reasons why this company is perfect for me.

Question: How can people find out more about you?

The best way would be to connect with me on LinkedIn, listen to my podcast Conversations with Phil, or by following my Facebook page.  

8 Ways to Help Your School Children Have A Successful Year

It might be too early to start thinking about the beginning of the school year, but perhaps everyone(including students) is eager to return to their classroom, their friends, and their routines.  The happy feeling of returning might last only a few weeks or a few days, but it is up to you and your student to think positively about the new school year, the challenges, and the rewards. There are many students that struggle at the beginning of the year due to the changes to their sleep, the new class schedule, and the new teachers and students they will have contact with throughout the year. There are many ways you can help your child or teen student adapt to the new school year, and perhaps thrive in it. Every student is different and has different needs, therefore it is important for the parent to assess and find solutions for their particular student.

These are 8 easy to follow suggestions to help your child succeed in the new school year.

  1. Bed Time-Set up a bedtime hour for all your students at home, including your teenage children.  Tired students are cranky and unable to pay attention. Lack of sleep will make learning more difficult, and grasping difficult concepts will elude them if they cannot concentrate in class.
  2. Breakfast-Giving them a healthy breakfast before going to school allows students to pay attention in class and not at their growling bellies.  Avoid sugary breakfasts that won’t last till lunchtime.
  3. Healthy Foods After School-Instead of grabbing a cookie or other sugary treats at home, encourage them to have an apple, orange, or other fruits they like. Ask them to wait till dinner when they can have dessert after having a nutritious dinner with plenty of vegetables.
  4. Homework-Right after school, and after a healthy snack, ask them to do their homework. Math homework might still be fresh in their minds and can do it easier than waiting till they are more tired.
  5. Help-It is important for them to know they can have your help if they need it.  If you cannot give them the help they need with difficult subjects, arrange a tutor or some knowledgeable person to help them.
  6. Consistency-Stress the importance of working on a difficult subject daily to be proficient at it.  The more work they give to a subject, the more proficient they become.  Math or science is not hard if you work at it daily.
  7. Gaps in Learning-It is very important the student or parent recognizes the gaps the child or teen has in the student’s education. Moving forward in a class without mastering the basic content is detrimental to the student’s future learning.
  8. Be positive-Talking negatively about teachers, school administrators, parents, and students reinforces the negative view many students have of school. Avoid such conversations if possible and reinforce the importance education has for their future.

Simple suggestions like sleep and healthy eating might not sound important to some parents. Or they might underestimate the importance sleep plays in students’ learning and their achievements at school. However, researchers have for many years emphasized the importance sleep has in student’s learning, their physical, and mental state.

For the teenage student who wants to stay up and play video games or watch tv, remind them of the many benefits 8 hours of sleep can do to their lives.

Be Better – Reduce Plastic Use

None of us by ourselves can solve the world’s problems.  But we can each work to have a more positive and less negative impact.  Plastic usage is one area.  Our family probably uses 20% of what the average family uses, because we are aware of the issue, our kids care deeply about it and we make an effort to only use plastic when we must.  What started out as using less plastic grocery bags has mushroomed into a big reduction in many areas.  And none of these things have impacted our “quality of life.”  In fact, in many ways it has improved our healthy eating habits and improved life.

Here is a long list of ways to reduce plastic waste in your life.  The goal is not 100% elimination but significant reduction over time.  Most people could easily cut plastic waste in half without feeling bothered, with these simple suggestions.

Grocery Bags – We are all aware of this one, but I frequently stop at the store for a few things and forget to take reusable bags.  The solution?  I simply do not bag the stuff.  If I can carry it, I carry it out with a receipt in hand.  If it is a little too much, the same thing.  Just take the cart out to your car and put it in your trunk.  You really do not have to bag small amounts of stuff.  While this seems obvious, cashiers are always surprised, and I have never seen someone doing it other than me (Other than one or two items.)  I think the fear is that they will get accused of shoplifting, but it has never happened to me and I always make sure I have the receipt.

Straws and Lids on Cups – This is a big one in the news in 2019.  The real key here is do you need it or not.  Don’t take them just because that is how you usually drank it.  For example, if I am driving, I need a lid on coffee if I did not bring my reusable mug (I usually do, but sometimes you are not expecting to get a coffee when you leave home.)  If we get drinks in a place with disposable cups, we drink it without straw or lid. 

Plastic Utensils – We actually make purchasing decisions based on waste now.  For example, milk shakes, Blizzards from DQ, parfait from McDonalds?  No.  Kids do not want things that require plastic to eat.  Haven’t had them in years.  I am not sure if businesses understand that waste is driving purchasing decisions.  Maybe not enough people are doing it yet.  Places like Panara use metal silverware that they wash if you eat at the store.  It does impact where we eat.  The added bonus is that places that care about less waste probably care about higher quality food and healthier options as well.  That is the trend.

Lids on Food – I was recently surprised when I got a very healthy stir fry salad at an Asian restaurant in a good court.  It came in recyclable bowls.  Great.  But most of the people who were buying it wanted plastic lids even through they were dining in.  The reason was they wanted to shake the meal before eating it to get an even covering of the sauce.  I have no doubt this tastes good.  However, it only takes a tiny effort to stir it with the silverware.  Basically, a big plastic lid is used for 5 seconds by someone and will lay around for hundreds of years on earth now so that dish could me mixed a bit faster.  Classic dumb decision.  Get them if you need them but try not to need them and do not be frivolous with waste.

Buy Loose Fruits and Veggies – It is very convenient to buy your fruits and veggies in plastic bags.  In some cases, you cannot avoid it, or the price is so much better it just makes too much financial sense to buy the bulk bag.  However, not that long ago most things were loose.  It is often cheaper and better for you to buy loose fruits and veggies.  One reason is that the plastic packaging gives you a false sense of food safety.  If you buy loose lettuce, you are going to wash it well.  Buying pre-cut and washed lettuce gives you a sense of security that is false.  Bagged greens are one of the most common ways people get sick because they believe it does not need washed.  So buying loose, unpackages foods have several advantages, one of which is not adding a plastic wrapping to the trash bin.

Cook More with Whole Products – This is harder when you have everyone busy, but I have a hack for you.  But first, buying individual packaged meals might be convenient, but they are most likely not very healthy, and they produce unnecessary waste.  Even though they seem like cardboard containers, they are often plastic-coated and probably cannot be recycled.  Instead consider making food in batches and freezing them in reusable containers.  This will give you the convenience of microwave food but reduce salt and reduce waste in landfills.

The hack is to buy an Instapot or similar pressurized cooking device. This is a great device to cook many dishes that can be stored or frozen in smaller portions and heated up later.  If you do not have one yet, watch some YouTube videos and see why they are so nice. 

Don’t Buy Trinkets – Want to save money, reduce clutter and health the environment?  Buy less stuff.  And teach your kids to buy less things.  The proliferation of storage facilities shows you just how big the problem is.  People have trouble saying no to buying things.  But I have a secret for you.  Go to very wealthy people’s homes.  There, you will usually find nice things, but very few things.  More money usually means far fewer things.  It is the middle class and poor who are tricked into buying more and more things they do not need.

When you buy things you do not need, you are encouraging more manufacturing of unnecessary items.  It is not just a problem to have too much waste.  It is also a problem to produce too many unnecessary things that require mining, drilling, transportation, chemicals, high temperature manufacturing and packaging. 

Key Cards at Hotels – Small plastics are often considered worse than big plastics, so something thin and small like those plastic cards should be recycled or reused when they can be.  If you stay in a hotel you can usually just drop the plastic cards off at the desk and many places claim they reuse them, which I hope they do.  Saves the hotel some money and with a quick swipe, they can be reprogrammed.

Make Iced Tea, Lemonade, Juice at Home – Unless you are having a big birthday party and want a variety of drinks, you can make healthier, better Teas, Juices and Lemonade at home and avoid buying that big plastic container they come in when premade.  You can make it with less sugar and with fresh fruit and/or veggies. 

Refill Water Bottles – We all end up in situations sometimes when we need to buy a plastic bottle of water.  Maybe you did not plan to be out in the heat so long and you are away from home.  However, in most cases this does not happen by accident and simply taking a refillable water bottle with you greatly decreases plastic waste as well as saves you money because refilling at a water fountain is free.  Where safe and possible, this is a decision that should be easy for everyone.

Change Your Gift Giving – Nothing can be more frustrating than getting gifts you do not want or need.  It is so frustrating because you have to be gracious and accept the gift, and you most likely need to save it as well.  If you get a gift you do not want or need, you can consider some options.  You could return it and get something useful or convert to money if that is an option.  You can give it to someone who needs it.  You can donate it.  And you can take it as an opportunity to get your gift giving circle of family and friends to agree on a nicer option than gifts that may or may not be suitable.  It will not always make you the most popular, but if everyone agrees on less gift giving, maybe there will be less waste and less stuff clogging up your home.

Use Containers and Less Disposable Baggies – We used to use disposable baggies every day for lunches and saving small amounts of leftovers.  Once we became more aware of how wasteful this was, we started using very small containers and lids we could wash and reuse.  Now we do not even use a box of sandwich bags in a year.  We still have them for very rare situations where being able to throw them away is a necessity, but it is almost never.  The key is not to NEVER throw away plastic.  Just to greatly reduce your plastic waste production.

Packing Lunch – It is a great move to pack lunch.  You can make it healthy and save money. But back to those sandwich bags and plastic utensils.  Buy a good lunch bag, locking containers and use real forks and spoons.  You can wash it all in less than a minute at home and you will be saving a lot of plastic waste.  Over time we went from bags we threw away and plastic silverware and baggies to zero waste other than the napkin.  250+ times a year that added up to big savings and far less impact on the earth.

Reduce Toy Purchases and Donate – Anyone who has several children will tell you that the first child ends up with a bunch of toys (most likely made of plastic) that they do not play with.  Huge plastic houses, plastic cars you can drive, plastic kitchens, plastic balls in a plastic inflatable ball pit … the list goes on and on.  Now if they give your child many hours of joy it is a good thing.  But if they pile up and too much stuff makes them ignore it all, time to rethink what is best.  Consider donating thing to others when your kids do not keep playing with them.  Or swap toys with friends periodically to give your kids and their kids something new to play with.  Buy less and get creative.  Chances are some crayons will be more fun than all that other stuff anyway.

Buy Bulk, Split Up and Freeze in Containers – While it is possible to buy fresh meat from a butcher and have it wrapped in paper, I like to be a bit more practical.  One way to reduce waste and plastic in your garbage is to buy meats in larger quantities and divide it up into reusable containers and freeze portions.  They are often called “family packs” and offer a per pound discount.  While you will still have trash from the wrapping, there will be less overall Styrofoam trays and plastic wrap to be discarded.

Athletic Drinks – If there is one area I still have trouble, it is when planning for athletic events with the kids.  Hydration and proper planning are so important and nearly the only time I find myself with plastic bottles is the sports drinks for these events.  I know there are mixes you can buy and mix your own, but at this point I have been too worried about proper care to experiment with alternatives.  The key with the drinks is sodium and potassium to replace what you lose when you sweat.  Consider mixes you can add to water and then get rid of the disposable plastic bottle.  That said, this is one area I need to do better and experiment slowly in less intense situations first to see if you like the drinks.  Health and safety are number one.

Remember that this happens over time, not all at once.  The global community is working to reduce plastic waste and awareness about the problem is up.  As you take a closer look at your habits you will find it is easy to reduce how much plastic and garbage you add to the problem. 

Safety Tips For Car Emergencies

How to Stay Safe When Your Car Breaks Down?

Even a brand-new car can break down unexpectedly. While situations vary based on time of day, weather, and location, here are the general tips from multiple sources on how to keep safe in the event of a breakdown.

When you go out on the road, always have your cell phone and charger with you so that you can call for help if your car breaks down. It is a good idea to have membership in Roadside Assistance of some kind. If your car breaks down, stay in the vehicle with your seatbelt on. Don’t do anything foolish, and be careful who you trust. Be aware of where you are. Pull off to the right side, and get out of traffic, and at the same time, stay visible. Stay in your locked car, even if someone offers to help. Ask the person to call for help if you can’t.

There are things you can do to protect yourself:

1. Keep your purse and valuables on the floor.
2. Keep doors locked.
3. When you stop, keep the car in gear.
4. Travel in well-lit areas.
5. In cold weather, keep blankets, hats, scarves, and gloves in your car.

AARP has a list:
1. Pull off the road, take your foot off the accelerator.
2. Don’t all of a sudden slam on brakes.
3. Go to the right side of the road when possible.
4. Turn your wheels to the right so if you get hit, you won’t go into traffic.
5. Turn on hazard lights.
6. Stay in the car until you know for sure it is safe to get out.
7. Get out on the passenger side.
8. If you don’t have a phone, hang a white cloth out of your window so that state patrol knows you’re in trouble.
9. Use common sense, especially if you are alone.
10. If your car catches on fire or starts smoking, get out immediately, call Roadside Assistance, a tow truck, or 911.

The website drivingskillsforlife.com has 7 safety tips:

1. Pull your car off the road.
2. Get help.
3. Let others know you are in trouble.
4. Don’t leave your vehicle.
5. Don’t try to fix it.
6. Be aware of your surroundings and use wisdom.
7. Be careful who you trust, especially those you don’t know.

Regular maintenance on your vehicle will prevent a lot of problems. Get regular oil changes, tire rotations, check fluids, and get tune-ups if you need to.

If your car catches on fire, stop[ and turn it off immediately. Get everyone out of the car and get far away from it. Warn oncoming cars to stay clear of it. If you notice the car overheating, turn it off and let it cool.

What Happens When You Stop Drinking Alcohol?

This is NOT an article about not drinking for two years, or about substance abuse.  I am writing this based on personal experience of developing a bad habit of drinking too frequently in the afternoons and evenings, even though it did not appear to have a negative impact because I was not getting drunk.

There is a large group of people out where who are casual drinkers, who probably drink more frequently than they intended.  I, for one, thought a glass or two of wine daily was good for me, years ago when I started the habit.  Of course, that usually turned into 3-5 glasses in an evening.

Over the last year, I have stopped entirely for a few weeks and then gone back to drinking again, several times.  This has given me a real insight into the positive outcomes of cutting way back on alcohol. I have good data because I wear a fitness tracker and pay attention to the data.  I also run a business and am acutely aware of productivity. Not just butt in seat time, but actually getting shit done.

One important point about this is that one day, either drinking or stopping drinking, is just a blip with little effect.  What I mean by that is the positive effects I list below get stronger the longer you do not drink, and if one day you have a couple of drinks, but do not “start back up” drinking regularly, you are not going to lose all the progress you make.  This article is about changing your trend of drinking from regularly to rarely, and these effects will show themselves over time. 

Productivity

When drinking regularly, I would never work at night unless there was a client emergency. In fact, sometimes I would have a drink at 3 or 4 and really not do much but read the news in the afternoon. One I stopped drinking for more than a week, I actually got rather bored in the afternoons and became much more productive.  When working on projects I enjoyed, I would even work late into the evening because I liked the work, I was focused, and I was making money.  This added thousands of dollars to my revenue per month and I became better at getting things done and learning new things.

Weight Loss

As someone who is not in their 20’s anymore, losing weight and keeping weight off is more difficult.  I would say I eat extremely healthy compared to average, but alcohol leads to eating more other carbs, and that leads to steady weight gain and difficulty losing it again.  The best example is recently I went on a slow-carb diet where I cut out obvious carbs.  I know I can lose weight very steadily on this diet, as I have done it before.  In the first couple of days, not drinking, I lost nearly 6lb.  Then a negative experience with someone gave me an excuse to have a drink, which led to 4 days of drinking wine again steadily.  Even though the diet remained perfect, I gained 2lb during that time.  The only difference was the wine, and it was not excessive.  Three days of cutting out the wine resulted in another 5lb of weight loss.  Especially if you are a little older, you simply cannot lose weight while drinking alcohol.

Better Sleep

This should come as no surprise to anyone, but on average, you sleep better when you are not drinking regularly.  There are other factors like exercise, but alcohol does affect sleep, and sleep is critical to your health and wellbeing.  What I found is that actually, drinking can help you fall asleep faster in the evening, but the issue is that you get a lower quality of sleep and for me, I frequently woke up at 3 AM not feeling great, and at that point, I would have trouble going back to sleep.  This often resulted in only 5 hours of sleep or less overall.  Not drinking would result in about 6.5 hours of sleep or better. This is tracked in the smart device I wear and is based on data, not my personal opinion.

Exercise

For years, I rarely miss a day of getting a good 4-mile walk in, at a minimum.  While not intense, I prefer the low impact regularity of it, and I play tennis and am active in other things as well.  While drinking I did do all these things.  But by not drinking I did them better.  It basically came down to feeling better and simply skipping fewer days, because I didn’t have the excuse of feeling sore or crappy.  The net might only be 10% more exercise when not drinking, but 10% more exercise over a year adds up to a lot more fitness activity.

Savings

People that go out and drink spend a lot per month.  Over time, I really started just drinking to relax at home, which resulted in my only spending $200 to $300 a month on alcohol.  While not outrageous, that is over $3,000 a year which could have been invested, used to fix up something in the house, or reduce high-interest debt.  It is not a game-changer, but should not be ignored either.  Once I stopped spending money on alcohol, I felt a little freer to splurge on things for myself and my family, because I knew I was saving all that money.

Heart Rate

One interesting data point to keep an eye on when you drink is your resting heart rate.  This was the most obvious change that occurred right away.  The resting heart rate reduction and increase would happen the very next day when I would start drinking or stop drinking.  Typically, I was in the Good range anyway because I exercise and eat well.  However, there was a range from 65 to 80 and the single thing that made the biggest impact was alcohol.  Drinking would result in a cumulative 2 point a day increase of about 10 total points if I drink 5 days straight.  Not drinking would result in a loss of 1 – 2 points per day.  High 70’s when I drink, mid 60’s when I do not.  Why is this important?  Less stress on your heart, and it is probably one of the reasons you also sleep better.  I am no doctor, but this is an obvious data point that you can see very easily.

Gain Time

When you start drinking in the afternoon, you tend to relax and chill.  Occasionally this is great.  But if you are doing this multiple times per week, you are probably feeling like you cannot get stuff done.  The reality is the afternoons seem boring when you stop drinking, at first, because you are still alert and have energy.  Over time you will start getting more done at this time and it will seem like your day has many more hours to achieve your goals and get tasks done.

Better Habits

Making positive changes is difficult no matter what.  When you are drinking alcohol regularly, you are less likely to make a positive change or develop new good habits. The fact is, in the evenings your willpower will go down due to drinking.  When your willpower goes down, you start making excuses in your head to do something you are trying not to do (eat sweets) or not do something you are trying to do (go to the gym). If you want to develop good habits, try doing them one at a time and start with reducing your drinking to special occasions or one specific day a week, at most.  Then when you add more habits you want to develop, you won’t let alcohol sabotage the effort.

Tips to Reduce Drinking

  1. Substitute Other Liquids – I find I am accustomed to having a beverage and sipping it.  When I keep a glass of water, unsweetened decaf iced tea, or decaf hot tea with me in the evenings it really reduces my urge to drink alcohol.
  2. Don’t Keep It In The House – This way when you have a bad day, and really want a drink, you have to go out and buy it.  This won’t stop you all the time, but sometimes it will.
  3. Change Habits with Friends – One friend of mine always wanted to go out for drinks.  I started to offer to meet him for breakfast instead, and while we are still friends, we see each other a lot less because he was more interested in a drinking buddy and not as interested in getting together often.
  4. Avoid Labels – Whether you are an Alcoholic, a Social Drinker, an Abuser of Alcohol, a Weekend Binge Drinker, or you just drink to relax is not really the point.  The point is you have to be clear you would like to make a change and stick to a reduction or elimination of alcohol.
  5. Track progress – I found an app called LESS – Alcohol Tracker that is very light, no groups, and does not sell anything.  It just tracks your days without drinking to encourage you to keep streaks up.
  6. Don’t let a drink trick you – When you have one drink, realize your mind will start saying “You already had one, might as well have another…” and the same might go from one day to the next, with reasoning like “You already messed up the week, might as well enjoy it and drink again today.” Or you might even just hear that little voice in your head “…it’s Thursday night…it’s Friday… it’s Saturday … I just mowed the lawn and it is so hot… “ Practice shutting down those excuses your head makes because it is trying to trick you into having “one more drink.”
  7. Seek Treatment – if you are struggling to make a change that sticks, seek treatment.  It is a struggle for many people, and some need more help than others.  The change is worth it.

I hope this article is useful to you.  Please remember I am neither a doctor, psychologist, addiction specialist, or any form of a health expert.  These are just my personal observations over time.  I will still have a drink occasionally, but the more I reflect on what drinking does to me, the less I feel inclined to easily go back to drinking most days of the week.  You are really gaining more time in your day, and more years to live.  You cannot buy more life with money, but you can through your actions.

Preventable Home Health Problems

There are many home dangers that can play havoc to our health, physical fitness and overall well being.  For many families, creating a safe and healthy environment where the family can grow and prosper is of particular concern.

And it should be.

The hazards in and around the home are many but, they are preventable. One of the top home hazards is a physical injury.  These injuries are caused by slippery floors, poor lighting, fire, and overcrowding the halls with objects that can cause injury. Asthma and respiratory system illnesses can be caused by a wet basement full of mold and mildew.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 out of 5 falls results in broken bones or a serious injury in the United States.  And, every year more than 3 million older people are treated in Emergency rooms across the country for fall injuries.  Most of these injuries are head and hip injuries, and for the elderly, a fall can have catastrophic consequences.

The statistics for young children with asthma and respiratory system illnesses is a growing concern for many parents and medical personnel. These are treatable and preventable issues that can be addressed and dealt with before they can become more serious.

Living with young children or caring for aging parents don’t have to be riddled with health issues or injuries.  Preventing these injuries or health concerns requires little effort.

Floor Mats in slippery areas save lives.
  1. Buying a floor mat for the bathroom shower or bathtub can help you avoid slippery falls that can be fatal. Mats placed at the entrance of the house can help you keep water or snow from making the floor slippery. Floor matting in many places in the house can prevent injuries.
  2. Installing smoke detectors in every room of the house, checking the batteries monthly of the ones you have and testing the smoke detectors to check they are functioning properly is something every homeowner should do regularly.
  3. Carbon monoxide detectors should be placed on every level of the home. Checking the batteries and their functionality should be done when you check the smoke detectors to keep a monthly routine.
  4. Fire prevention is a family affair.  Make sure you talk to your children about it, have an evacuation plan, and practice safety.  Keep paper and flammable items away from the stove.  Do not leave cooking on the stove unattended. Oven mitts, kitchen towels, and paper plates should NEVER be close to the stove.
  5. Frayed, and cracked electrical cords are a hazard that can start a fire without you being home. Old appliances with old cords can short circuit and start a fire within minutes. Appliances big or small should be plugged directly into the wall outlets to help prevent a fire in the home.
  6. Asthma, allergies and many respiratory illnesses can and do begin at home. A wet basement can play havoc to your respiratory system without you being aware of the cause. Mold and mildew can grow rapidly in a wet basement causing damage to your health and to your stored belongings.  Waterproofing the basement is a solution that will help your family’s health and your property.

Advances in the medical field have for many years allow people to live longer and fuller lives.  We can do a bit on our own. We can prevent some of these injuries and illnesses by being diligent and by practicing safety with our families.

Personal Tax Prep for Free

Most Americans know April 15 is Tax day.  Some years, such as 2021, this is changed. Because of unforeseeable circumstances, the federal government can change the due date to accommodate the new circumstances afflicting the American population, and to give them more time to do so in a timely matter.

State and local authorities tend to follow the same due dates the federal government dictates, and that makes it easy for people to filed all taxes at the same time.

There are different ways you can file your taxes, and all depends on the complexity and the level of comfort and knowledge you have to file them. Here are the 4 most common ways you can file your federal, state, and local taxes.

  1. Your personal accountant
  2. Electronic filing
  3. Commercial businesses filing for you.  Ex. Walmart , etc.
  4. Personally finding the forms and filing them on your own

For many personal filers, electronic filing has been the preferred choice for many years.  There are many companies offering to file your taxes or to help you file an extension to file. The price, the easy access, and the guidance they offer to file is an easy choice to make for many consumers.

Through the IRS website, there are 9 IRS Free File Online offers you can look over and choose  the best option for you. Not all of them are the same, and not all of them offer the same guidance you might need to file.  If you are comfortable filing your taxes online and want to have the choice of filing your state taxes as well, many of these companies offer to file them for you for a price.  For many families in the United States looking for ways to save money and ease the financial burden and stress of filing, these companies can be the solution for you.

The price to file your federal and state taxes differ greatly from company to company.  It is perfectly acceptable if you have filed your taxes online with one company, but this year decide you might want to try something new. It is very tempting to keep going with the same company because they have all your personal information stored for you, and it is easy and comfortable to just go along with it. But, because of the commodity of having your information stored in their business, they have to charge you to do so in other ways.  Some companies force you to file different forms for your taxes to charge you a premium to do so. And even if you qualify for free filing, that option is so impossible to find, you end up paying the fee. In some instances, the price you pay to file can be twice as much as filing with another company.

Choosing the right company is important and can save you money.  One company that can file your taxes for free if you qualify, or can charge you a very reasonable price is FREE 1040 TAX RETURN.COM INC.  The price for filing your federal return is $39.95. They do not have videos for you to watch if you have a question, but the questions are straight forward and do not need those videos. If you have a question and cannot find the answer in their  FAQ section, they won’t charge you a fee for contacting their customer service department. Filing your state taxes is about $19.95 dollars, and that price is worth the trouble for many people. From the other 8 choices offered through the IRS website, look them over carefully before you decide which one to use. Regardless of your preferred choice, remember not all of them are the same, and not all of them offer great prices. You still have time to look them over, compare prices and services, and file your federal, and state taxes before the due date.