goals

It’s Time to Look Up: Reclaiming Life Beyond the Screen

anny@familybridgesusa.org — Tue, 22 Apr 2025 21:07:52 +0000

It’s Time to Look Up: Reclaiming Life Beyond the Screen

anny@familybri… Tue, 04/22/2025 - 16:07 Apr 22, 2025

I recently read something that made me say, “Oh no.” It said the average person will spend 45 years of their life looking at a screen.

Forty. Five. Years.

That’s more than half of a typical lifetime spent staring into phones, TVs, laptops, tablets, Kindles, smartwatches, you name it. Whether it’s work emails, doom scrolling on social media, binging our favorite show or falling into yet another Google or YouTube spiral (guilty), screens have taken over nearly every moment of our day.

If you have an iPhone, you’ve probably felt the sting of that weekly screen time notification: “Your screen time was up 17% last week.”

It’s like a little slap on the wrist from your phone, and every time it pops up, I think: Wait, how much time did I actually spend on this thing?

It’s easy to shrug it off, but then I read another stat: the average person scrolls the height of the Eiffel Tower in content every single day.

Every. Day.

That’s over 1,000 feet of memes, news, tweets, reels and rabbit holes. We’re not just passing time—we’re scaling digital skyscrapers one scroll at a time.

What a wake-up call.

Why We Scroll and Why It’s So Hard to Stop

Screens aren't evil. They're convenient and they keep us connected. They help us work, learn, relax and feel a little less alone in the world. Sometimes, they're our lifeline on a chaotic day.

But the problem shows up when the screen stops being a tool and starts being a reflex.

You open your phone to check the weather, and somehow, 45 minutes later, you're watching a video on how to survive in the wilderness with only a paperclip and a granola bar.

I already spend so much time on screens for work and school—Zoom calls, emails, research, papers, and yes, even more emails. So when I finally get a break, the last thing I need is to keep staring at another screen.

My free time shouldn't feel like an extension of my workday. It should feel like a reset.

The line between intentional and automatic disappears quickly.

You stop noticing the silence in the room. You stop noticing the sunset outside. You even stop noticing your own thoughts.

How I Started Reclaiming My Time

Once the 45-year stat really sank in, I decided it was time to reclaim a little more of my day and my headspace. Here's how I started:

1. I set app limits.

Social media was the biggest culprit for me. I set daily time limits—not to be restrictive, but to give myself a gentle nudge to log off. When that "You've hit your limit" message pops up, it's a reminder that I can stop. I don't have to keep scrolling.

2. I created screen-free moments.

I'm not talking about giant life overhauls. Just little things: no phone during meals, no screen first thing in the morning or late at night. Small changes, but they add up.

3. I replaced scrolling with something real.

Instead of doom scrolling, I made a goal to read more. As a marketing and communications professional, I believe one of the best things you can do for your brain and your craft is read.

Want to write better? Read.

Want to present with more clarity? Read.

Want to think more critically? You guessed it—read.

So I picked up a book instead of my phone.

I go for walks, ride my bike, play with my dog, go out on little adventures and actually talk to friends instead of just reacting to their posts.

You’d be amazed how much time you suddenly find when you put the phone down.

What started as boredom turned into space—space to breathe, to think and to really live.

Not a Parent? You Still Need Digital Boundaries

Most screen time advice is aimed at families and kids. But even if you don't have little ones watching your every move, you still need balance. You're still a whole person deserving of peace, presence, and mental clarity.

Here are a few ways to build that into your life:

Schedule offline time like you would a meeting.

Block out a 30-minute walk, a phone-free lunch break, or an hour to do something analog—like painting, organizing or reading.

Make it social.

Challenge a friend or spouse to a "screen-free hour" or plan hangouts where you both agree to leave phones in a basket. Real talk beats silent scrolling every day, and twice on Sunday.

Ask yourself: Am I consuming or connecting?

Sometimes I scroll to kill time. Sometimes I scroll because I'm bored or overstimulated. Recognizing why I'm reaching for my phone helps me figure out what I actually need in that moment.

Let's Not Spend 45 Years on Autopilot

Screens aren't going anywhere. And honestly, I don't want them to. I love a good meme as much as anyone. But I don't want to look back and realize I spent decades watching life happen through a screen.

I want to feel more than I scroll.

I want to live a life I'm present for.

by Sarah Pichardo

habits

mental health

time

goals

Language English

Big dreams for small businesses

Sara — Mon, 12 Oct 2020 13:50:34 +0000

Big dreams for small businesses

Sara Mon, 10/12/2020 - 08:50 Oct 12, 2020

What defines your story? Is it a certain moment in time? A relationship? Perhaps a dream? For many people who walk through the doors of Family Bridges, they come in with a powerful idea, but with no direction on how to change their lives and make it anything other than an idea. Lives are transformed when people build new businesses, innovate off of old ideas, or take the next step to improving situations. These transformative opportunities start with a dream.

Vision is one of the keys to success, but without the ability to implement that vision in the real world, then that’s all someone has, a dream.

So how do you take a dream and make it a reality?

The Micro-enterprise Program was the solution for many families that came to Family Bridges to make their dreams, their vision, concrete. Individuals like Pedro Uribe saw the destination they wanted to arrive at, which was to own his own contracting business. He had the knowledge to be a great contractor, worked hard to earn the education needed to deliver great service, but lacked the experience and background to know how to navigate the complicated arena of business law. What is a tax write-off? How do I get all the permits I need? He needed answers.

Finding these answers was not easy. Classes about the nuances of running a small business exist, but many of them are expensive; they also serve an English speaking demographic primarily. For future entrepreneurs like Pedro whose first language is Spanish, these resources are hard to find, making tools they need to make their dreams materialize out of reach. Micro-Enterprise’s 8 week curriculum brings the resources people like Pedro Uribe need to successfully start a small business.

Because these business ideas usually start as a hobbies in the home, it can be difficult to separate personal finances from business costs. Often, due to cultural traditions, many Micro-enterprise students feel obligated to take on the first attorney or tax expert they speak to and do not seek out multiple quotes. By bringing bankers, tax professionals, and lawyers to the Micro-enterprise classes, the students have the opportunity to experience these negotiations with their teacher, Juana Arellano with over 20 years of teaching experience, right there to help them.

Thanks to supporters like you, Pedro Uribe had eight weeks to create a plan, get his feet wet in the business world, and launch that plan in a real way. As a handyman, Pedro understood the importance of having the right tools to do a job well, and the dangers of attempting a project without the right knowledge or implements to make it work. Five years later, he continues to grow his contracting company. He made his dream real, making success a part of his story. Now, he employs others, and points them toward success. Building a strong small business based on sound practices and strong values inspires others in the community to dream and pursue that goal.

Family Bridges loves helping people grow their dreams from small seeds to large trees. Microenterprise is a part of our Love Story. We love sharing our story, and learning about other people’s stories too.

To support other stories of dreams and successes like Pedro Uribe’s business enterprise, come spend an evening getting to know us at our special event called Fall in Love: What's Your Love Story on November 13, 2020 via YouTube Live. We are partnering with the app StoryCorps, to let you share your dreams, your goals, and your love story. Have a cozy date night in with our date-in-a-box gift, live entertainment, and surprises.

To register for the Love Story event and receive an early bird discount on tickets, you can sign up here.

by Bethany Verrett

Micro-Enterprise

goals

Language English

How to Make Your Goals Stick

Sara — Thu, 22 Feb 2018 23:03:44 +0000

How to Make Your Goals Stick

Sara Thu, 02/22/2018 - 17:03 Feb 22, 2018

“A dream without a plan is a wish.” Once you make a goal, how do you make sure to succeed in achieving it? After all, an admirable feat is not just about our launch, but how we finish. Below are some tips on finishing well.

Pair your end-goal with something enjoyable

Small rewards help provide a boost of motivation, and they don’t have to be exotic or expensive! Things you truly enjoy, like a steaming cup of coffee in the morning, music, or spending time with friends can be paired up with habits that you are trying to build. For example, if your goal is to journal everyday, create a routine of journaling with your favorite drink. This will increase the likelihood of you beginning to crave the activity. Brainstorm ways that you can incorporate your new goals with things that you naturally enjoy.

Define Option B

If your goal is to stop damaging behaviors, identify the triggers that cause you to lurch towards the harmful activity. If your goal is to stop binging on junk food, keep healthy alternatives in your kitchen or make a habit of going outside for a walk when the urge to binge kicks in. If you are trying to stop chewing your nails, think of an alternative activity to occupy your hands when you are feeling anxious. If your alternative plan is too lofty or is something that you hate it, your heart won’t be in it and you will give up. You are more likely to succeed in lasting change when your alternative option is something you like to do and easy to do.

Hold yourself accountable to another

Find accountability by joining forces with a buddy or a group that is interested in pursuing a similar goal. For example, if you want to run a marathon, join a local running club. Those who hold themselves accountable to one another are most likely to succeed in the goals they set for themselves.

Recalibrate

Oftentimes, circumstances like sickness, job loss, etc. can interrupt established routines. Accept that there will be bad days, days when you feel down, or days when your schedule seems out of control. Instead of having the expectation that these things should never get in the way of your plans, come to terms with life’s unpredictability. Schedule a few times throughout the year where your sole purpose is to evaluate your goals. As you evaluate them, think about what is helping you make progress and what roadblocks get in your way. Adjust your plan based on what you learn.

Celebrate

Recognize the milestones that you have achieved and celebrate them. Give yourself credit for the progress that you have made. Take the time to relish the goodness that comes with moments of success.

Go ahead and embrace a growth mindset, a mindset that seeks to grow and to learn. As you do so, you will be a better student, parent, spouse, and employee/employer. Your turn. In the comment below, share what are some of the things you have found that have been helpful in helping you stick to your goals.

by Alicia La Hoz, Psy.D.

goals

Language English

New Year's Resolutions

Sara — Thu, 01 Feb 2018 20:42:20 +0000

New Year's Resolutions

Sara Thu, 02/01/2018 - 14:42 Jan 1, 2020

New Year. New Me. So it goes, right? Every January we make little missions to live life more fully and expand our lives. “life” is a big word. It has so many definitions beyond just gym memberships and eating vegetables.

Luckily, smarter people than me have considered life’s possibilities, one of whom is Woody Guthrie, a folk rock pioneer and all around genius of life.

How can I call him a genius of life? Well, just look at his “New Year’s Rulin’s”

He starts out with what we all decide. “1. Work More and Better.”

We could all benefit from learning to work smarter, or, when we get back home, finishing that novel that has been sitting on our shelf. By saying “better” Guthrie implies that we can improve our work’s quality, not just it’s dividends. He gives us some advice as to how by saying, “Work by a schedule.” We all work via some system, and every system needs a reboot every once in a while.

He ends by saying, “33. Wake up and fight.” Again, he makes such an open and rounded suggestion that has many definitions. This year, I’m going to think about what I’m fighting for and begin my day with intention.

I want to give a special shoutout to the rulin’ “20. Dream Good.” I know this year, I’m going to give a lot of attention to my waking hours and how to be more productive, but I also need to remember to enjoy the little pleasures that come in the meanwhile. It’s my personal belief that everything you see while you’re awake is set dressing for your dreams. So if I keep on the colorful life path I’m on, I should have some great productions behind-the-scenes in my head.

New Year. New Dreams. I’m going to do my best to make them good ones.

by Robert Salazar

goals

Language English

How to Accomplish a Goal in 8 Steps

Sara — Fri, 08 Mar 2019 13:09:26 +0000

How to Accomplish a Goal in 8 Steps

Sara Fri, 03/08/2019 - 07:09 Mar 8, 2019

Nike has the best response to the good ol’ question “how do I accomplish a goal.” Their motto is the answer: JUST DO IT. But because we are human, something this simple isn’t enough. We need to take it a step further and set goals for our goals. Yes, you read that correctly. Our goals need goals. So here I am to shed some light on how to set and actually accomplish a goal. You’re welcome.

Step 1: Read this blog

All of it. No skimming.

Sept 2: Put your phone down

Unless your goal is to break the world-record for staring at a phone, you’ll more than likely need to focus your time and energy on what you’re trying to accomplish. Nothing sucks more time out of your day than you scrolling through social media for the 150th time. So, put the phone down. Look at all that time you just cleared up.

Step 3: Write down your goal

Write it down somewhere you can see it. Put it on your fridge, in the bathroom, on the mirror, write in on the wall with permanent marker. And, OK fine, pick up your phone and write in there too.

Step 4: Take baby steps

Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither will you accomplish your goal in one day. Trying to run a marathon? Start by getting off your couch and putting clothes on. Congratulations you took your first step! Now move on to actually getting out of the house. Then by walking around the block. Then by picking up the pace a little. Do a 5k, even if you walk most of it. Join a running club. Get on a program.

Step 5: Be accountable

Tell your spouse, your mom, your friends, your coworkers and your dog what you’re trying to accomplish and let them hold you accountable. That way if you start to slack off, you’ll have way too many people judging you, and you’ll have to get back on track.

Step 6: Track your progress

Is there anything more satisfying than seeing progress? Like heck yeah! Keep a chart, pick up your phone again and download an app that tracks goals, make a checklist. Do something so you can see how you’re growing.

Step 7: Celebrate your milestones

Refer to Step 6. Now that you’re tracking your progress, you’ll have some milestones. If you’re out to lose some weight, reward yourself for every 5 pounds you lose. If you’re out to run that marathon, reward yourself for every extra mile you added to your run. You get the point. The more milestones you cross, the better the reward. And each time you accomplish a milestone, you definitely need to do a little (or big) dance.

Step 8: Accomplish your goal

Congratulations! After going through the first seven steps, you made it to the end. You did it! Time to majorly celebrate. Tell the world how awesome you are. Cause you really are awesome. Get started on your journey today. Before you know it, you’ll go from being like this…

To this…

And remember, de esta vida sacarás, lo que metas y nada más. (You will get out of this life, what you put in and nothing more.) So if you want something to happen, go out there and make it happen. And share your successes with me so I can give you a big pat on the back.

by Sarah Pichardo

goals

change

life

Language English

With Determination and a Good Plan You Can Achieve Your Goals

Sara — Fri, 08 Mar 2019 13:08:11 +0000

With Determination and a Good Plan You Can Achieve Your Goals

Sara Fri, 03/08/2019 - 07:08 Mar 8, 2019

Leaving the future to chance is not a strategy. I have a relative who lives on the banks of the Jarabacoa River in the Dominican Republic and when his children want to go swimming in the river, he ties a rope around their waist. The river seems calm but it is very unpredictable. He has had to pull that rope on more than one occasion to bring his children back to safety. Life is like a river and our goals are that rope that keep us on the right path in the event of a disaster or when it is difficult for us to get through the waves. Crossing a river without the help of a lifesaver or a rope is not a good idea; nor is it a good idea to proceed without goals, as there is no guarantee that you will reach where you are going.

Imagine a staircase with ten steps. The first step is numbered zero and the highest, or last step, is numbered 10. The top of the stairs represents the best life one can have and the lowest step represents the worst. This staircase is called the Cantril Ladder and has become a very useful instrument designed by a pioneering psychologist. Social scientists and pollsters have been using this instrument for the past 45 years to determine and measure a person's expectations. Allow me to use it with you when I ask you to think about your goals.

On which step are you in terms of your educational goals? Are you at the beginning or on the first step, just starting, or are you already on the seventh step and pretty advanced? And your relational goals? If you were going to write out a list of your goals, could you put each one on a step?

Think about each area of your life and determine where you are today and where you are going. In five years, on what step do you want to be on?

Take time to think seriously about your future since learning to establish goals is important. Goals help you to not only set sights on the future (on step # 10), but they also keep you walking forward, climbing up those stairs even if only little by little.

by Eva Fleming

goals

change

Language English

A Latina Trailblazer: from Education to Construction

Sara — Mon, 10 Dec 2018 15:49:04 +0000

A Latina Trailblazer: from Education to ConstructionSara Mon, 12/10/2018 - 09:49 Dec 10, 2018

By Veronica Avila

“This is your new country. You are free. You can accomplish anything you want, except become the president of the United States. And always remember, never compromise your ethics. Those were the words 10-year-old Edith de la Cruz heard from her father Romualdo De la Cruz, when they arrived from Guatemala to the US in 1975.

From an early age, Edith was encouraged by her father to stay focused and work hard to reach her goals. So, she did. Edith received her degree in Psychology and began working as an ESL Teacher in Berwyn, IL where she saw a great need for bilingual teachers. One day, while having a conversation with other parents about their kids and college, she realized she wasn’t financially prepared to send her kids off to college. She panicked for a moment but was determined to find a way to start working towards that goal. A friend of hers, a developer, introduced her to the idea of “flipping” properties; if she invested in a foreclosed property, she’d be able to fix it and sell it. That was an “aha” moment for Edith. The problem was that she didn’t know much about the business, but she wasn’t going to let that stop her. She knew a little about carpentry and was ready to learn the rest. Her friend offered to teach her the ropes of the business, as soon as he came back from his 4th of July break. A self-starter, Edith couldn’t wait, so she drove off to seek properties; foreclosed, boarded up houses, anything that had the potential for a “flip.” She found a 3-story flat with a sign that read “Fast-track demolition auction for July 5th.” With only a couple of days left before the auction, she sought counsel from realtors that could help her meet the requirements of the city to bid. After a long search, she finally found someone who could help. So, into court, she went. She was able to become the defendant of the property vs. the city. But now, the court required that she make the needed repairs to the building in 120 days before they would allow her to purchase it. So, she got to work. She fixed all the required repairs and sent her attorney pictures. The phone call finally came in with a, “You should do this full-time.” She received the approval to purchase it. She flipped it, sold it, and she liked the feeling of it. She did it! So, she began her journey as a general constructor on the side. In 2005, Antigua Construction was incorporated and since then has been a minority woman-owned business. If you're interested in starting up a small business, check out our Micro Enterprise program. In 2005, she left the education field to dedicate all her time and efforts into her new construction business, Antigua Construction. Unfortunately, in 2007 the market began to decline, and she had to sell a couple of properties. That didn’t stop her. She was determined to immerse herself in the business of becoming a General Contractor. She took every class she found to become a certified general contractor. She learned, applied for the certifications, and worked tirelessly to obtain them. Today she is certified by the General Services Administration (GSA), Small Business Administration (SBA), Minority and Women-Owned Business Certification Program (M/WBE), Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program (DBE), National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC), Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS), and Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB). She began looking for what she describes as the “starving artist opportunity.” Started knocking on doors, all of them, to find the opportunity that would allow her to start up as a contractor. After following up persistently, a major contractor asked her, “What do you want?” Edith confidently responded, “I am the Persistent Widow.” He replied with another question, “Are you a widow?” Edith referred him to the biblical reference of the persistent widow. He was silent for a moment, then agreed to work with her. She received her first project of $3,000, then a second, and then another. He gave her the opportunity, and Antigua Construction began to grow. In 2010, she went on vacation to visit her father. Upon her return, the bank that had been her lender for years called to inform her that they would be cutting all lines of credit to small businesses. It was a tough time. Closing the business crossed her mind. As a woman of faith, she asked God for a sign if she was to keep Antigua open. Minutes later, she received a text from a friend in office expressing his support. Then, if in doubt, she received a random call from someone who wanted to let her know what she would be referring her business to federal decision-makers on construction. That was the sign! Edith regained her composure and was ready to move forward with her business. The road hasn’t been easy. Edith has faced adversity and challenges in a man-dominated industry ‘til this day. But that hasn’t stopped her. On the contrary, it fuels her determination to continue moving forward by sticking to her goals. She has faced the challenges of seeing people she entrusted and who she thought would be her biggest supporters, fail her, mock her, and ultimately hurt her. Fortunately, she’s also had good people by her side who encouraged her to let go and move forward. Following her dad’s counsel of looking at life as if in a car, “The windshield is wide and you must focus on driving forward. The rearview mirror serves one purpose, to quickly glance back and then continue to look forward.” And that is what she continues to do with any storm that comes along the way. Let’s talk family. Edith is a single mom of 3 kids, Bryan, Joshua, and Viviana - who have graciously seen their mother working 24/7 while also staying involved in their lives and their education. It hasn’t been easy. There was a point in her life when her children pulled her to the side asking to regain their mom back from Antigua. Fortunately, and not surprisingly, they found a way to make it work. They agreed to leave all technology, including social media, out of their house to have a healthy work-life balance. Fridays became family nights when one of the kids would choose food and activities. Edith values her family enormously and continues to have a strong bond with them. They’re also all involved in the business in some capacity. She shared a funny anecdote with us, “I wanted my kids to speak Spanish well, so I encouraged them to study abroad. My son Bryan went to Spain for a semester, then came back saying he wanted to go back.” The reality was that while he studied in Spain, he met someone special. Edith wanted him here, plus the plan was that he would be joining the business. Fast forwarding, “On April 1st, he invited us to brunch and told me that he was going to get married in Spain. I laughed, it was a great April Fool’s day joke.” He wasn’t joking. He later married and now is pursuing a Master’s in Kinesiology. Her other son, Joshua, is also a part of the business, handling all on-the-field matters, and her daughter Viviana is pursuing a degree in Business Administration, while she gets hands-on experience at Antigua. Edith de la Cruz is undoubtedly a Latina Destacada. She is a successful Latina entrepreneur in the construction business, with significant city and Tollway contracts. She has a strong family bond which she and her children continue to nurture, and she is an example and inspiration to single moms and minorities. Edith shows us that if you’re determined and committed, you can accomplish anything. For more resources on professional development and relationship building, you can follow Family Bridges on social media @familybridges.

goals

Individuality

family

Language English

Habits: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Sara — Sun, 24 Mar 2019 16:28:53 +0000

Habits: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Sara Sun, 03/24/2019 - 11:28 Mar 24, 2019

It took me a long time to get up in the morning, lace up my shoes and go straight to the park for my daily three-mile walk. I have to be honest, at first, it was difficult, and I had to devote a lot of mental energy to this task, but with time it became much easier. Now, if it’s raining or if I have an early appointment, I don’t quite know what to do with myself. I first began establishing this habit when my children were young, and I needed solo time to re-energize myself and gather my thoughts. Later it became imperative when the doctor diagnosed me with high blood pressure, and walking was the only alternative to medication. We activate habits every day from the moment we get out of bed to the moment we go to bed.

Some habits are automatic.

We wake up, we brush our teeth and practice good hygiene. It’s second nature.

Some habits we work very hard to establish.

I love to read. For me, it would be easy to only read for pleasure. I could spend all day reading how-to articles on keeping my house organized and making healthy homemade meals. While this is great, I know I also need to read for professional reasons. One of the most challenging habits I had to develop, was learning to read research literature pertaining to my field. But after doing it over and over, I no longer dread it and instead seek out this literature on a daily basis.

Some habits we want to get rid of.

I have made up my mind to get rid of gossip. By so doing, I’m also not allowing negative people to invade my space.

Old habits are hard to break.

Through my experience what I can tell you for sure is that old habits are hard to break and new habits are hard to form. But through the endless repetition of failures and successes, it’s possible to establish and maintain new habits.

Why form new habits?

Why not just keep procrastinating and living life without discipline? Neuroscientists have traced our habit of changing behaviors to one part of the brain and our decision-making process to a different part. But as soon as behaviors become automatic, the decision making part of the brain goes into sleep mode, if you will. Researchers from Duke University have shown that 40% of what we do is determined not by decisions but by habits. Can you imagine being able to perform specific tasks automatically without giving it a second thought, freeing space in our brain for a more productive living? That’s what good habits do. Good daily habits energize us; bad habits drain us. That is the absolute reality. Start making small changes today, so that when you’re 75 years old, you can wake up healthier and happier because of the good habits you implemented today.

The key to good habit forming is planning and taking it one step at a time.

Plan what you want to do differently, put it in your calendar and fulfill that promise to yourself. Make small, manageable steps towards the goals you are trying to reach. People that try to do it all in one day are rarely successful. I started walking half a mile a day. It was what I could manage physically and emotionally at the time. But I kept doing it and slowly started adding a few more steps to my daily walk. I have friends that are runners and can do 10 miles a day, I admire them, but I don’t envy them. I do what I can, and I insist on being consistent. Success is better achieved through small daily changes that are repeated over time. So whether you want to stop procrastinating, biting your nails, smoking, snacking incessantly, recurring to gossip, or beating yourself down with negativity, start small by doing it less and less until you achieve success. Our habits hold great influence over how we think, act and feel. We are the result and sum of our habits so don’t put it off any longer, invest in yourself. You are worth it. What new habits would you like to establish? Which would you like to get rid of? Let us know in the comments section below. For more tips on life and relationships, follow us on social media @familybridges.

by Eva Fleming

habits

goals

Language English

The Credit Card Debt Payoff for Beginners

Sara — Thu, 19 Apr 2018 22:29:56 +0000

The Credit Card Debt Payoff for BeginnersSara Thu, 04/19/2018 - 17:29 Apr 19, 2018

Contributed by Melanie Lockert from brightpeak financial

Want to pay off your credit card debt? Learn more about the six steps you need to take to become financially free.

It might have started off innocently enough: charge a little here, charge a little there — and suddenly you find yourself deep in credit card debt. What seemed small and manageable has become an overwhelming burden. If you’re feeling stuck in credit card debt, you’re not alone. In fact, U.S. citizens owe a total of $747 billion in credit card debt according to a recent Federal Reserve report.

Luckily, there is a way out. Here’s the credit card payoff plan for beginners. Step 1: Know what you owe Denial is a powerful factor when it comes to debt, but to get out of debt, you have to face the numbers, no matter how gruesome they are. Log into all of your credit card accounts and tally up the total. Write down the final balance on a piece of paper and keep it in your wallet. Post it on your bathroom mirror. Facing the facts can be tough, but you need to see the numbers to create a plan. Step 2: Check your interest rates Interest is what makes paying back debt a pain. It’s the extra fee charged for the convenience of borrowing money. Credit card interest rates may vary, but typically they can be fairly high. If you have multiple credit card balances, write down your interest rates next to your total balance for each loan. It’ll come in handy with the next step. Step 3: Choose a debt repayment strategy After tallying your total balance and knowing the interest rates on your credit cards, it’s time to choose a debt repayment strategy. There are two tested methods that can help. The debt avalanche method focuses on paying off the highest interest debt first. During this time, you pay the minimum on your other credit card balances. This strategy saves money on interest, but it may take longer to chip away at the balance. The debt snowball method pays off your smallest balance first, while paying the minimum on the rest. This method is effective as it offers quick wins and doses of motivation at the start. The downside is you could pay more in interest. Step 4: Calculate how much you can really put toward debt The minimum payment on your credit card can be a trap. After all, it’s just the minimum, which makes it hard to climb out of debt. If you’re serious about tackling credit card debt, look at your income and expenses to see if there is any wiggle room to cut back. For example, consider reducing some of the “wants” in your budgets like going out for lunch or overpriced movie dates. If you prioritize paying off credit card debt over everything else, how much can you realistically put toward debt each month, while still paying your bills? You want to create a plan that helps you get out of debt faster, while also managing your day-to-day expenses. Step 5: Earn more money Cutting back on your expenses is a great initial strategy, but to overhaul your progress, you also want to focus on earning more money. This can help you become debt-free sooner. Consider getting a job on nights and weekends. Using the sharing economy, there are many ways to quickly earn more money. Let your friends and family know you are willing to help out and that you’re looking for gigs. Ask for a raise at work. Adjust your tax withholding if you typically get a tax refund. There are many ways to earn more — the key is to get started. Step 6: Put the credit cards away The solution to your problem isn’t the thing that created the problem. In other words, you don’t want to use credit cards while you are trying to pay off credit card debt. It’s too easy to get back into bad habits rather than focus on paying off balances. Put the credit cards away and start using cash and a debit card. This can help you spend what you have and detox off of credit. You can do it Using these six steps, you can eliminate credit card debt. It’s not an easy task, and one with a lot of ups and downs, but it’s totally doable. Once you’re debt-free, your money will be yours and your hard work will pay dividends. Ready to get started? Download our Illuminate app to rock your budget and pay down debt.

This post is originally from brightpeak financial, an organization that helps couples and families get on track financially. You can read the original post here.

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Creating Winning Habits

Sara — Wed, 14 Feb 2018 17:04:35 +0000

Creating Winning Habits

Sara Wed, 02/14/2018 - 11:04 Feb 14, 2018

This is part two of the second blog in our resolution series, How Do You Convince Yourself to Change?. Once you have decided that you want to change and commit to measurable goals, the next step is creating winning habits that will take you to the finish line!

Create Habits that Work for You:

Once you have defined specific goals, build a routine that works for your schedule. If you plan to go to the gym in the morning three days a week, establish a routine that ensures your greatest success in the morning (i.e, put gym clothes on immediately after waking up, set the alarm clock, have breakfast ready to go). If your goal is to spend 10 minutes a day with your spouse to talk, figure out when that time will be, and create rituals that will help facilitate that time. Brew tea, make a cup of coffee, get a notebook where you and your spouse and jot down stories that you want to share or remember. Once you have established routines, and you work the routine out for a couple of months, the activity and mindset will begin to become part of who you are.

Remember the 3:00 o’clock coffee story I shared in my last blog post? Once the habit is established, you no longer have to decide each day to be grateful, to exercise or to eat healthier. Once you become habituated into the pattern, your brain will begin to expect the routine. Just like I anticipated the coffee, you will find yourself anticipating eating the healthy apple during a break at work, you will crave the hugs you receive and give from your loved ones before bolting out the door. And just like every day you automatically seem to brush your teeth or drive yourself to work without thinking about it, your good habits will take over your poor ones and these will ultimately be folded into the very fabric of who you are.

Celebrate the Small Wins:

Success is a series of small wins. Celebrate each day you follow through with your goal. Celebrate after you succeed and celebrate while you are engaging in the activity. You can also create reinforcing activities that motivate you to keep the course when you pair an activity with another enjoyable activity. For example, if your goal is to get on an elliptical 30 minutes a day/3-days a week after work, stream your favorite show only during this time. Or if you love coffee, make sure you have the coffee ready when you spend your distraction-free 10 minutes talking with your spouse. If your goal is play with your kids 15 minutes a day, find an activity you both enjoy doing. Pushing towards a goal will be less of a grind if you find enjoyment in the process.

Write down your goals and achievements. Journal your progress and make a mental note of emotional and/or physical changes that you have experienced. As you savor the small positive changes that take place, you will feel more encouraged to stay on the course.

You can be the biggest obstacle to your own success. Convince yourself to change, and you will have won half the battle.

by Alicia La Hoz, Psy.D.

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