The Simple Way I Lost 65-Pounds – For Good!

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Achieving a greater level of fitness is simple. But it’s not easy. It can be so easy to get caught up in complicated plans and detailed workout schedules… After a decade of struggling with my weight, I found out the truth – that there is a simple way to lose weight… You just have to work your butt off.   How would I know? Well, about 7 years ago I looked in the mirror and saw a version of myself that I didn’t respect. And for some reason, at that moment I decided to make a change in my life.   I started eating better, exercising more intentionally, and getting better sleep. And although I knew that this transformation and weight loss wouldn’t happen overnight, I started making gradual progress. Each and every day… One day after the next.   Then I looked up a year later and saw a […]

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Flying With Baby Got You Terrified…? No Worries

8 Steps for Flying With Your Baby and Keeping Your Sanity #travelhacks #flying #travel #familyvacation #stress

Hi, Team! This is a special occasion for me today. I’m welcoming back a close friend, published author, English teacher, and candidate for Virginia Senate – He’s my brother-in-law (@ronnierossva)! He and his wife recently took a trip across country with their newborn (my godson). And as they prepared for flying with baby, they couldn’t find the singular “how-to” resource. So they created their own! Here it is! ????     Ronnie Ross is a new father who, along with his wife and son, lives in the Piedmont area of Virginia.  A teacher and school administrator, he spends his days helping young folks read, write, and think “better.”  Recently, inspired by the birth of his son, he announced his candidacy for the Virginia Senate.   After much careful consideration, my wife and I did something incredibly stupid   We booked a cross-country flight with an infant.  Four months out, it seemed like […]

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5 Simple Steps to Boost Your Credit Score Up To ‘Excellent’

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If you plan to take out a loan, buy some type of insurance, negotiate a reasonable utility bill, or even get a job in the next few years – your credit score better be in good shape. It’s one thing to just make your payments on time, but it’s a totally different thing to strategically boost your credit score, brick by brick. Number by number. This post will give you the roadmap. I’ll let you know what actually determines your credit score, then I’ll show you how to boost your credit.   (Photo by Kevin Newton)   First things first, let’s find out what factors actually determine your credit score   1- Payment History   Payment history is said to represent 35% (most important of the factors) of your overall credit score and it is based on how consistent you are at paying your bills. What kind of bills?   […]

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Shout-out: The Costs of Having a New Baby

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Hello all!   Our Saturday morning shout-outs highlight a post/article/book/other that I’ve come across lately that deserves exactly that: a ‘shout-out.’ The goal here is to hopefully introduce my readers to other authors or bloggers that have had an impact on me, my writing, and my life.   This week’s shout-out is: The Costs of Having a New Baby (Jamie from Mr. Jamie Griffin)   Click here to check out the post!   As the father of a 3-year-old with the potential for more kiddos down the way, this post was a great refresher and brought back one of my most terrifying moments in life. My wife and I planned extensively for our hospital costs associated with the delivery of our first child. We knew when mom’s out of pocket max would be met and what would be required over that “maximum.” The first day we got a bill for our […]

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How I Increase Productivity and Get 25 Hours Out Of a Day

How To Increase Productivity By Getting 25 Hours Out of a Day #productivity #efficiency #goals #tasks #progress #personaldevelopment

To successfully increase productivity for an extended period of time, it is essential to have a well thought out plan in place. Sure, you may get lucky and be ultra-productive for a few weeks or months, but eventually, the absence of a solid plan will lead to increased stress and burnout. Trust me… I’ve been there.   But once I had a handle on my stress and anxiety, I turned my focus to a full proof plan that would allow me to increase productivity while still enjoying the finer things in life…   This is that plan:   (Photo courtesy of Justin Montemarano)     “Dude, how in the world do you find time to do all of that?!? It’s like you get 25 hours in a day…”   This was a friend’s response after hearing about my revolving priority list (below). It wasn’t a beat-my-chest brag sesh’.     […]

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How to Prepare a Successful Student – (It’s Not With Supplies)

How To Prepare A Successful Student (And It's Not with Supplies) #attachment #success #academics #parenting #personaldevelopment

Hi, Team! This is a special occasion for me today. I’m bringing you a guest post from a close friend, published author, English teacher, and candidate for Virginia Senate – He’s my brother-in-law (@ronnierossva)! Ronnie has been an educator for nearly a decade and he knows how to prepare a successful student. Whether you’re returning to your school for a new year or starting a different journey at a new school, Ronnie has you covered below! Hint – it has little to do with “Back to School Supplies”. Take it away, Ronnie:   (Photo by Al Emmert)     Ronnie Ross is a new father who, along with his wife and son, lives in the Piedmont area of Virginia.  A teacher and school administrator, he spends his days helping young folks read, write, and think “better.”  Recently, inspired by the birth of his son, he announced his candidacy for the Virginia […]

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9 Lessons You Need to Teach Your Teenager About Investing

9 Lessons to Teach Your Teenager About Investing #stocks #bonds #passiveincome #kidsinvesting #personalfinance

Hi, Team! Today I have a treat for all of us parents! Sure, you may have covered budgeting or income protection when talking with your kids… But how does your at home “Investing for Kids” curriculum look these days?   If you’ve been wanting some guidance to help educate your teenager about different investing options – look no further. This post is perfect for all of us parents who know we need to have this conversation with our kids – but just don’t have the expertise. And here’s our high-powered backup:   Chelsea Brennan is the founder of Mama Fish Saves, a personal finance blog that focuses on family finance, investing, and reducing money stress. Chelsea is an ex-hedge fund investor whose work has appeared in a wide array of publications, including Forbes, Business Insider, Haven Life, and more.   I’m thrilled that Chelsea agreed to stop by and share some […]

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Breaking Down Blockchain Tech – And Its Big Potential

Breaking Down Blockchain Tech - And Its Big Potential #blockchain #crypto #cryptocurrency #tech

Hi, Team! I’m excited to share the below post about blockchain tech and it’s big potential! If you’re like me and have been hearing about “cryptocurrencies” or “the blockchain” for a while but don’t completely understand what it’s all about – this post is for you!   The post comes to us from Alexander who blogs over at daytradingz.com  |  He started his blog in 2016, sharing his experiences in short-term investing as well as revealing insights about major vendors in this segment.   It’s obvious that Alexander has a great understanding of finance, our markets, and how fintech applies to them all. I’ll let Alexander drop some of his knowledge here! Take it away, Alexander:   In 2017, blockchain tech experienced a unique bull market, even if at the time there had been several course corrections   Basically, all the cryptocurrencies were worth more compared to the previous year. However, […]

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Why YOU Need to Start a Side Hustle – NOW

I Need a Hustle - Why You Need To Start a Side Hustle #SideHustle #earning #income #debt #passion #skills

Hi, Team! I’m excited to bring you the post below from Peter Koch – a serial entrepreneur and founder of SellerAtHeart.com blog. “He’s a hustla, baby…” And he’s chock full of wisdom about why YOU need to start a side hustle – like right now. Have you been thinking, “I need a hustle?” Well, Peter has your motivation. This guy’s a rock star and I’m thrilled that he’s agreed to write for us today. Take it away, Peter:     Allow me to take you back to your childhood   If you’re anything like me, you were probably involved in some side hustles from an early age, but you just weren’t aware of it.   For instance, I never mowed the lawns or delivered newspapers for pocket money, I had an entrepreneurial spirit and I used to sell candies in school to my classmates. The money I then received for my services was pretty miserable […]

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What Is A Beachbody Coach? A Former Coach Explains MLM

What Is A Beachbody Coach? A Former Coach Explains MLM #fitness #multilevelmarketing #beachbody #business #sidehustle #workfromhome

The following is an interview between Melissa Blevins and Michael Dinich. Melissa offers practical money tips to the free-spirited nerd. She is also a former Beachbody coach, and her posts and Youtube videos on the subject have blown up on social media. I saw this first published on Michael’s site and republished it here with their permission. I thought her experience may resonate with, or even caution, some readers.     What Is A Beachbody Coach? Melissa Blevins Explains Multi-Level Marketing And Why You Should Avoid It!     What caused you to become a Beachbody Coach?   I’ve always looked for ways to grow my income, and actually, Beachbody coaching wasn’t my first multi-level marketing attempt. About 15 years ago, I signed on to be a Mary Kay representative. The local “Director” drove a pretty pink Cadillac and talked a good game about the “opportunity” to make money while helping […]

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