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Why You Should Commit to the Carry-On and Tips for Making it Easy

Why You Should Commit to the Carry-On and Tips for Making it Easy

The world is divided into two different kinds of people: overpackers and underpackers. If you fall into the first category, don’t turn away yet! Give me a few minutes to try and convince you that there is a better way to travel.

As you might already suspect, I am an underpacker. My measure of a packing fail: Coming home with even one thing in my suitcase that I did not need, use or wear during my trip. I do fail sometimes, but not often anymore.

Here’s how to pack lighter – all lessons I learned the hard way.

Start with an Attitude Change

It helps that I don’t really care how I look. I don’t mean I would travel in ripped or dirty clothes. But I don’t need to be the glammed up center of attention. In fact, when you’re traveling, the more you can blend in, the better. You’re less likely to be targeted by pickpockets and local scammers.

Spend a little time researching what the locals wear and try to pack like that. This is the lesson I learned when I wore my electric blue winter coat to Romania, a former Soviet block country where there were two colors of winter coat: grey and black.

So if you simply must be a fashion plate, try to pare down the clothes to a capsule wardrobe of items you can mix and match and pieces that will do double duty.

Use a Packing List

These printable packing lists will give you a feel for the things you’ll need. If the list includes something you don’t think you’ll need, don’t pack it. If there is something missing, make a note on the printed sheet so you don’t forget it.

Check the Weather Forecast

I make this recommendation because I live in Chicago. We like to say, “If you don’t like the weather, wait 10 minutes.” Here, the calendar might say May, but the thermometer might say March. Or July.

So check the forecast for your destination. It will tell you whether to pack a raincoat, sunhat, shorts, or sweaters.

Start Packing Early

If you have a spare bed, room, couch or some other spot to hold the things you want to pack, start a week early and put everything on the bed that you think you might want on your trip.

Then walk away.

Come back the next day and look it over. Is there anything missing? Is there anything you think you might not need on the trip? Make adjustments accordingly.

Then walk away.

Come back the next day with the intention of making choices. If you have two pairs of pants on the bed, take away one pair. If you have four shirts, take away two. And so on, until you have cut in half the things on the bed.

Then walk away.

The next day, it’s time to pack. Start with the pieces of clothing you absolutely MUST have with you.

If you run out of suitcase before you run out of clothes to pack, you get to make a choice: Leave something else behind or pay $40 or more to check a bag.

Buy Packing Cubes

I resisted buying this travel essential for years. Now I can’t believe I ever traveled without them.

Packing cubes are flexible pouches with a brilliant zipper system. You pack them with the clothes you want to take, and zip them shut. Then – this is the brilliant part – you zip a second zipper to compress the insides flat. (Think of it like your expandable suitcase, when you open that second zipper, it gives you an extra inch or two of suitcase space. When you zip it shut, everything inside is compressed.)

As a bonus, the clothes you lay inside the packing cube are much more likely to stay wrinkle free. I don’t know why. But it’s true.

Stick with One Basic Color

When I head to a Caribbean resort, that color will be white. But most of the time, it’s black – black pants, a black skirt, a black dress. Then I add color in the tops I will wear with the pants and skirt. Finally, I pack a few scarves and funky costume jewelry to dress everything up or down and add more color.

Wear the Heavy Stuff on the Plane

There are plenty of TikTokers and travel hacker influencers who will tell you to wear layers and layers on the plane to save suitcase space. Or to pack a pillowcase with your stuff and pretend it’s a pillow, not a suitcase, so it doesn’t count as a carryon.

While that might be useful info for travelers on uber-budget airlines that charge for anything that doesn’t fit under your seat, you really don’t have to go that crazy. Just use a little common sense.

If, for example, you’re flying from Florida to Colorado, you know you’ll need your winter coat, hat, gloves, hiking boots and heavy jeans. Wear the jeans and hiking boots on the plane, stuff the hat and gloves in the coat pockets and carry the coat on the plane rather than packing it in a suitcase.

I do this anyway because I’m always chilly on a plane. I’m always surprised when I see someone boarding a flight in shorts and flip flops. I would be blue by the time I landed!

Think Layers, Not Bulk

Thin layers are always the right answer, no matter where you are. Even a Caribbean vacation requires preparing for chilly evenings or overly air-conditioned restaurants. Layers are the answer to staying warm and packing light.

Make the Best Use of Your Under-Seat Bag

Finally, remember that you get not one, but two things to carry onto the plane – a bag that goes into the overhead and a smaller bag that fits under the seat in front of you.

Don’t waste the space in that second bag!

My go-to is a roomy backpack because I travel with a lot of electronics – laptop, Kindle, phone, ear buds and all of the cords and accessories they require. But those only take up two zippered compartments. That leaves two more compartments for other things – makeup bag, an extra pair of shoes, etc.

The other thing that works for me is a big striped bag that is super flexible. I can cram a lot into it and still stuff it under the seat. The downside of that is it is heavy to carry, unlike my backpack which easily distributes the weight across my shoulders.

Practice, Practice, Practice

I know. This isn’t easy. Especially if you’ve always been an overpacker. But practice will make perfect. Try it on your next quick weekend trip. That will give you a chance to see how it feels to only pack what you’ll need for 2-3 days, how much you like being able to lift that light carry-on bag and how happy you are not worrying about whether your suitcase will show up at the other end of your flight.

Just remember to pack one more thing: a credit card. That way, if you find you truly can’t live without something for a few days, you can head to the store to buy it.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Are you an overpacker or an underpacker? What’s your favorite packing hack? Share with us in the comment section below.

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Stop Wasting Money! 5 Effective Strategies to Reduce the Temptation to Overbuy Online

Stop Wasting Money! 5 Effective Strategies to Reduce the Temptation to Overbuy Online

Do you find yourself mindlessly shopping online? If so, you’re not alone. This has become a growing concern for consumers of all ages.

An Interesting Statistic

The average American consumer spends over $1,000 per year on impulse online purchases, making at least six impulse buys per month.

Online shopping has become an integral part of our daily lives across all generations. With just a few clicks, you can have almost anything you want or need delivered to your door the next day.

No wonder this huge temptation has led to online shopping becoming such a prevalent issue in this digital age.

Why Is It So Hard to Resist the Allure of Excessive Online Shopping?

Easy Access

The truth is the convenience and easy access of online shopping can be a slippery slope that comes with a cost. At any time of day or night, one click can lead to another and then another. Before you know it, you’ve spent more money than you intended. This leads not just to overspending, but also to overbuying and an accumulation of unnecessary items.

As fun as it might be to see an Amazon package on your doorstep, the constant influx of packages can also lead to guilt, buyer’s remorse, and even marital disputes.

Emotional Triggers

Impulse online shopping is frequently triggered by our emotions:

  • Fear of missing out on a good deal
  • Boredom, loneliness, anger, or stress
  • Social influence or the desire to fit in

It’s easy to get triggered when mindlessly shopping on the internet and social media. In a weak moment, you click “buy now.”

Targeted Ads

Targeted ads are another major culprit when it comes to online shopping temptation. Advertisers use sophisticated algorithms to target our specific interests and demographics, encouraging us to click the “buy now” button.

To make matters worse, social media influencers and celebrities often promote products, making us feel like we need to have them, too.

If you struggle to resist the allure of targeted ads and want to overcome the temptation to overspend on impulse online purchases, these five effective strategies will help you regain control so you can confidently shop online for only what you truly need or want.

5 Effective Strategies to Overcome Online Impulse Buying

Set a Budget

The first critical step to combat online shopping temptation is to set a budget and stick to it.

Track Your Spending

Use apps like Mint or Personal Capital to track spending and stay on top of your finances. These easy-to-use apps will help you stay on track.

Emotional Awareness

Recognize and acknowledge your emotional triggers. Are you mindlessly shopping online because you’re stressed, bored, or lonely? Identifying these patterns can help you address the underlying issues, allowing you to find healthier coping mechanisms such as exercise.

Use Online Tools

Use browser extensions like uBlock Origin or News Feed Eradicator. These tools help block targeted ads, making it less likely for you to be tempted.

Practice Intentional Spending

One of the most powerful tools to overcome online shopping urges is the satisfaction you feel when you save money by being mindful about what you’re purchasing and how much you’re spending.

It feels great to know you are in control, resisting temptation, and making conscious decisions to spend your money wisely.

Overcoming online shopping temptation requires awareness, intentionality, and strategy. By acknowledging emotional triggers, setting a budget, and using apps to track your spending, you can regain control over your online shopping habits.

Getting Started

Recall a time when you resisted the urge to buy something online. Write it down as a reminder.

It’s not easy, but keep reminding yourself how confident it made you feel to manage temptation – and keep doing that!

Also read, What’s the Deal with Shopping Anyway?

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Have you fallen victim to the impulse buying trend? What have you recently purchased that you don’t really need? Why do you think you bought it? If you have overcome any online shopping temptations, please share your tips with the community!

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How to Make Your Own Essential Oil Blend for Mature Skin (Recipe)

A Basic Essential Oil Blend for Everyday Mature Skin Care

With all the wonderful natural facial serums on the market today, it can be a little overwhelming choosing the correct formula with safe, non-toxic ingredients, all at a reasonable price. The good news is that it’s easy and fun to make a quality product on your own using the miracle of nature – essential oils. 

When I started working with skincare formulas in 2003, one of the first products I was excited about making was an essential oil-based facial serum. My skin needs were changing, and a moisturizing oil made perfect sense for dry, maturing skin.

I decided to work with four wonderful healthy aging essential oils I had discovered: Lavender, Frankincense, Rose Geranium, and Carrot Seed.

The natural and highly effective nature of essential oils makes them perfect for skincare. When blended for their various properties and used with a carrier oil that matches your skin type, you can create a serum tailor-made for your skin.

What Are Essential Oils?

Essential oils are the essence of plants. Hidden away in many parts of the plant, like the flowers, seeds, and roots, they are very potent chemical compounds. They can give the plant its scent, protect it from harsh conditions, and help with pollination.

The benefits of essential oils on humans are diverse and amazing. Lavender flower oil, for example, contains compounds that help soothe skin irritation and redness, while the scent reduces feelings of anxiety and stress.

The beautiful Rose essential oil is hydrating to the skin and sometimes used to treat scarring, while the scent is known to help lift depression. 

There are many essential oils to choose from for specific skincare needs. I have used a myriad of different combinations but keep coming back to the tried and true blend from my very first serum.

The four essential oils used are the workhorses of skincare for mature skin, as well as being wonderfully uplifting for mind, body, and spirit. 

The Base Oil Blend Formula

Here’s what you’ll need:

Bottle

1 oz. amber dropper bottle. You can find those in pharmacies or online.

Base (Carrier) Oil

As a base, you can use one of the oils below or a combination of several that meet your skin’s needs:

  • Jojoba oil is my base oil of choice. It’s incredible for most skin types: it’s extremely gentle and non-irritating for sensitive skin, moisturizing for dry skin, balancing for oily skin, ideal for combination skin, and offers a barrier of protection from environmental stressors. It also helps skin glow as it delivers deep hydration.
  • Rosehip oil smooths the skin’s texture and calms redness and irritation.
  • Argan oil contains high levels of vitamin E and absorbs thoroughly into the skin leaving little oily residue.
  • Avocado oil is effective at treating age spots and sun damage, as well as helping to soothe inflammatory conditions such as blemishes and eczema.
  • Olive oil is a heavier oil and the perfect choice if your skin needs a mega-dose of hydration. Just be aware that olive oil takes longer to absorb and leaves the skin with an oily feeling. This may be desirable for extremely dry, red, itchy skin.

Essential Oils

  • Lavender essential oil is very versatile and healing. It helps reduce inflammation, kill bacteria, and clear pores. Its scent is also calming and soothing.
  • Frankincense essential oil helps to tone and strengthen mature skin in addition to fighting bacteria and balancing oil production.
  • Rose Geranium essential oil helps tighten the skin by reducing the appearance of fine lines, helps reduce inflammation and fight redness, and offers anti-bacterial benefits to help fight the occasional breakout. The scent is also known to be soothing and balancing.
  • Carrot seed oil is a fantastic essential oil for combination skin. It helps even the skin tone while reducing inflammation and increasing water retention.

The Recipe

Let’s start with a simple recipe:

  • 1 oz. Jojoba oil (or carrier oil of your choice)
  • 10 drops Lavender
  • 10 drops Frankincense
  • 10 drops Rose Geranium
  • 10 drops Carrot seed oil 

Place the essential oil drops in the amber dropper bottle then fill with Jojoba/carrier oil. It’s that simple!

Applying Your Homemade Serum

Use this serum morning and evening as part of your regular skincare routine. Serums work best when applied after cleansing your face. You can cleanse with Coconut Oil or a mixture of oils for enhanced hydration (we will cover this in the next article) or use your regular facial cleanser.

Essential oils will not interfere in any way with your normal skincare products.

Keep in mind that the serum is concentrated. Use only a pea-sized amount, work it into your fingertips, and apply evenly over the face without tugging or pulling.

If your skin feels tacky, reduce the amount on the next application. Your skin should feel soft, not oily. Follow with your regular moisturizer if you like. 

Making your own facial serum is fun and rewarding! I look forward to hearing your thoughts and ideas on essential oils and making personalized serums and skincare.

What facial serum do you use? Have you made one yourself? What is your favorite essential oil for skin care? Please share your thoughts with our community!

Stop Wasting Money! 5 Effective Strategies to Reduce the Temptation to Overbuy Online

Stop Wasting Money! 5 Effective Strategies to Reduce the Temptation to Overbuy Online

Do you find yourself mindlessly shopping online? If so, you’re not alone. This has become a growing concern for consumers of all ages.

An Interesting Statistic

The average American consumer spends over $1,000 per year on impulse online purchases, making at least six impulse buys per month.

Online shopping has become an integral part of our daily lives across all generations. With just a few clicks, you can have almost anything you want or need delivered to your door the next day.

No wonder this huge temptation has led to online shopping becoming such a prevalent issue in this digital age.

Why Is It So Hard to Resist the Allure of Excessive Online Shopping?

Easy Access

The truth is the convenience and easy access of online shopping can be a slippery slope that comes with a cost. At any time of day or night, one click can lead to another and then another. Before you know it, you’ve spent more money than you intended. This leads not just to overspending, but also to overbuying and an accumulation of unnecessary items.

As fun as it might be to see an Amazon package on your doorstep, the constant influx of packages can also lead to guilt, buyer’s remorse, and even marital disputes.

Emotional Triggers

Impulse online shopping is frequently triggered by our emotions:

  • Fear of missing out on a good deal
  • Boredom, loneliness, anger, or stress
  • Social influence or the desire to fit in

It’s easy to get triggered when mindlessly shopping on the internet and social media. In a weak moment, you click “buy now.”

Targeted Ads

Targeted ads are another major culprit when it comes to online shopping temptation. Advertisers use sophisticated algorithms to target our specific interests and demographics, encouraging us to click the “buy now” button.

To make matters worse, social media influencers and celebrities often promote products, making us feel like we need to have them, too.

If you struggle to resist the allure of targeted ads and want to overcome the temptation to overspend on impulse online purchases, these five effective strategies will help you regain control so you can confidently shop online for only what you truly need or want.

5 Effective Strategies to Overcome Online Impulse Buying

Set a Budget

The first critical step to combat online shopping temptation is to set a budget and stick to it.

Track Your Spending

Use apps like Mint or Personal Capital to track spending and stay on top of your finances. These easy-to-use apps will help you stay on track.

Emotional Awareness

Recognize and acknowledge your emotional triggers. Are you mindlessly shopping online because you’re stressed, bored, or lonely? Identifying these patterns can help you address the underlying issues, allowing you to find healthier coping mechanisms such as exercise.

Use Online Tools

Use browser extensions like uBlock Origin or News Feed Eradicator. These tools help block targeted ads, making it less likely for you to be tempted.

Practice Intentional Spending

One of the most powerful tools to overcome online shopping urges is the satisfaction you feel when you save money by being mindful about what you’re purchasing and how much you’re spending.

It feels great to know you are in control, resisting temptation, and making conscious decisions to spend your money wisely.

Overcoming online shopping temptation requires awareness, intentionality, and strategy. By acknowledging emotional triggers, setting a budget, and using apps to track your spending, you can regain control over your online shopping habits.

Getting Started

Recall a time when you resisted the urge to buy something online. Write it down as a reminder.

It’s not easy, but keep reminding yourself how confident it made you feel to manage temptation – and keep doing that!

Also read, What’s the Deal with Shopping Anyway?

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Have you fallen victim to the impulse buying trend? What have you recently purchased that you don’t really need? Why do you think you bought it? If you have overcome any online shopping temptations, please share your tips with the community!

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Walking Memory Sticks

Walking Memory Sticks

I recently had email contact with a woman who I met only once – and that was some 20 years ago. She is the best friend of someone I used to know and like, but who I haven’t seen for years because we don’t live near each other. In her email, the woman mentioned that she and our mutual friend had just been remembering something I had said years ago.

I have absolutely no memory of the conversation, but it sounded like something I might have said. Odd to think that some few words said so many years ago sit in the brains of other people, far far away.

And it reminded me of how an old friend from France, who I don’t see often but was visiting my house a couple of years ago, talked about something one of my children had said when they were small. I don’t remember the details, but again I was struck that someone well outside my day-to-day life had memories I would have liked to know about but didn’t.

It makes you think.

Memories

Do you ever stop and think how many people – whether a close friend or relative or simply someone you met once – have memories of you or your family that you don’t actually remember yourself?

It is very strange. Pleasing and unsettling at the same time.

You want to remember your life, and you go to some trouble to hold onto those memories. I keep old letters. Indeed, I keep old writings.

Of equal importance, I guard my old computer documents and emails with care. An electronic disk drive sits on my desk and automatically backs up every hour, rain or shine. It’s overkill – once a day would be fine, but it’s what the programme does.

In addition, I have an arrangement with ‘the Cloud’ that I don’t understand at all (in my head, it is literally in the clouds that frequently hide any sun in London), but I believe is backing up my work and papers.

And then there are memory sticks that allow us to save particular documents.

It is fun, now and then, to open such old documents of one kind or another and be reminded of events long forgotten. Not so different from looking at old photo albums or those seemingly endless stored photos on our phones.

I do so from time to time. Ah yes, I think, I had forgotten about that day. Or the nice compliment someone gave me. Or that funny thing one of my grandsons said that I had sent on to his mother.

People with Memories of You

Well, the truth is that people can be like these various devices. You can’t call up the memories quite so systematically. But they can turn up in your life unexpectedly.

There are so many repositories of such memories. There may be friends from primary school or, more likely, high school, the time when so many emotions were heightened.

And then on up – university friends, work colleagues, the parents of your kids’ friends, friends made on holiday. And so forth and so on.

Not to mention your family. Your brothers and sisters who are the repository of shared memories, the older generation – to the extent to which they are still alive – who shared so many family occasions. Not to mention all the people who were more-than-friends – even spouses – at some point. You may or may not have a lot of these.

And then, regrettably, there are all the people who were never friends at all. Those you actively disliked – or disliked you – who remember the assumed or real slights, the battle of wills or serious arguments that tend to stick in the brain for a long time.

No doubt about it, a long list of people will have retained some memories of you.

What We Remember

Of course, they are not all thinking about you much of the time – if ever – but they could. What would they remember? Would it prove embarrassing? Would it prove enlightening?

Would you want to know?

And lest this is a slightly disconcerting thought, remember that you also have memories of a large number of people, too. Good memories, bad ones, funny ones – and the occasional remark that always stayed with you.

Life is full of memories everywhere. It’s a shame that we can’t call them all up when we wish.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Do you like the idea of people remembering things about you that you have forgotten? Or does the idea disturb you? Or are you completely indifferent? Would you like to be able to cull the brains of all those people to remind you of your past?

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What You Need to Know About Taxes When Selling Your Business

What You Need to Know About Taxes When Selling Your Business

Selling your small business comes with several tax implications, depending on factors like the sale structure and the nature of the assets involved.

To get an overview of key tax issues, I spoke with Adrienne Stewart, CPA/ABV, a senior manager at Larson Gross, p.l.l.c. in Bellingham, Washington. She specializes in strategic, forward-looking tax planning and preparation, and she also assists individuals and businesses with their valuation needs.

Adrienne cautioned this article contains general information and opinions and serves only as a summary of certain issues relevant to business owners. The content addresses these topics as of the date posted and doesn’t provide, nor should you rely on it for, accounting, legal, tax, insurance, or investment advice. Always consult your personal tax professional when considering the tax implications of selling your business.

Ways to Sell Your Business

Adrienne explained that the most common way to sell a business is by selling its assets. A business typically has two main types of assets:

Tangible Assets

These are physical items your business owns, such as equipment, machinery, buildings, and inventory.

Intangible Assets

These include non-physical items like intellectual property (patents, trademarks), brand reputation, goodwill, and customer relationships.

When you sell your businesses’ tangible assets, you will generally pay regular income tax on the gain of those assets. Gains on intangible assets, however, are taxed at capital gains rates.

Stock Sale

Another option for selling a business is through a stock sale. With a stock sale, the owner is also taxed at a capital gains rate. If your business operates as a C or S corporation or LLC, you can pursue either an asset or stock sale option. However, a sole proprietor can only sell assets.

A stock sale might be less complex and less costly to execute, but buyers generally prefer an asset sale because they receive preferential tax treatment. Buyers also tend to avoid assuming legal liabilities, which often come with purchasing the stock of a company.

Capital gains tax rates vary depending on how your company is structured (C or S corporation, LLC, or sole proprietorship) and income level. State income tax rates can also come into play. Adrienne again urged consulting your tax professional when it comes to state income taxes on the sale of your business.

Minimizing Tax Costs

I asked Adrienne if there are any strategies to minimize the tax burdens of selling a business. Outside of sales involving real estate, there aren’t many ways to defer the gain. If your business includes real estate, you might use a Section 1031 exchange, which involves working with a qualified intermediary to purchase a replacement property within a specific timeframe that meets IRS requirements.

There are deductions you can use to offset the sale price. Legal fees, accounting fees, broker fees or commissions, and appraisal fees related to the sale of your business directly offset the purchase price as deductions.

The only other way to defer gain on other assets is carrying the contract and electing an installment sale treatment. In this type of sale, the buyer may make a down payment, and you function as a bank, carrying a contract for the remaining sales price plus interest that the buyer pays over time.

In an installment sale, you will be taxed on 100% of the interest and some or all of the principal amount you receive. The amount of principal you’re taxed on depends on the basis. “Basis” refers to the amount used to determine gain or loss when an asset is sold. It is usually the original purchase price, adjusted for factors over time. For example, if your business has a 25% basis, only 75% of the principal would be taxable.

I asked Adrienne if she anticipates any upcoming tax law changes that could affect the tax treatment of a business sale. She explained that federal and state tax laws are unpredictable. The only certainty is that the 2017 federal tax law changes will expire at the end of 2025. Without intervention from Congress and the President, we will revert to the tax laws of 2017, including income and capital gains tax brackets.

Advice for Business Owners Looking to Sell

My final question for Adrienne was what advice she would give to any business owner considering a sale. Her answer? “Run the numbers!” In other words, know the after-tax value of your business. I couldn’t agree more. As a former financial advisor, my top rule to clients was that it doesn’t matter what you make – it only matters what you keep!

I hope this article gives you insights into the tax impact of selling your business. To echo Adrienne’s advice, always consult your tax professional as you weigh your options.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Are there any other challenges or questions you have about selling your business? Feel free to leave a comment below, and I’ll answer your question or address the issue in a future blog post. Thanks for reading!

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