Increase Your Likability

Being liked puts you on the fast track to success in everything you do. You are naturally likable by being genuine and sincere, but here are some simple tips that can give you a psychological advantage and result in people liking you even more: • Like yourself first. Be confident in your strengths. Your likability increases as you increase your ability to like yourself. Smiling and sharing your positivity will bring out the same in others. • Maintain eye contact during conversations but keep it in balance (about 60 percent of the time). Nod your head when you’re speaking and people will be inclined to agree with you. • Demonstrate that you like people. Remember their names and use them. (One trick to remembering names is to say the name to someone else.) If you ask a question, give the person time to respond. Remaining silent and waiting for an answer can be especially useful in negotiations. • Learn active listening. Do this by a) paying attention; b) using body language to show you’re interested; c) giving feedback, such as rephrasing what a person says to you to show that you understood them; d) asking questions, but not interrupting; and e) giving your opinion respectfully. If you disagree with someone, look for ways to find common ground. • Don’t overdo it. You don’t need everyone to like you to be successful. Aim to increase your likability factor to the people who matter to you (and your success) most.

Fitness Trends That Last

Incorporate these trends in your family’s fitness program this year:  Educated and experienced fitness professionals. As the fitness market becomes more competitive, consumers are realizing the importance of working with professionals who have been certified through accredited health/fitness educational programs.  Strength training. This was once the domain of bodybuilders, but it’s now an essential part of a complete physical activity program.  Children and obesity. This is the year to reverse an alarming trend of rising obesity rates by getting overweight kids involved in exercise.  Personal training. As more personal trainers are educated and certified, they are becoming more accessible to a greater number of people.  Core training. This training specifically emphasizes strength and conditioning of the stabilizing muscles of the abdomen and back.  Special programs for older adults. Fitness facilities are offering more exercise programs for active older adults. Get your parents involved now!  Sport-specific training. High school athletes are now training during the off-season to prepare themselves for their specific sports.  Pilates. This form of exercise that targets the core of the body has become a mainstay of most fitness facilities. If you haven’t already done so, try it this year to increase your flexibility and posture.

Learn New Tech Skills

If you find yourself getting overwhelmed every time you try to learn how to use the latest gizmo or program, you’re not alone. Luckily, many of the same learning techniques that make it easier to master any new skill can apply to learning new tech skills, too. Remember: It’s not hard, it’s just new. 1. Add in something you enjoy. Start with a favorite hobby or topic and you’re more apt to stick with it through the learning curve. If you’re an avid gardener, for instance, maybe you want to learn how to use an app on your new, confusing phone that helps you identify plants and how best to care for them. 2. Take baby steps. It’s easy to lose focus quickly if you’re getting overwhelmed, so set a series of small goals rather than one big one. Take breaks after each goal is met, so you can return to the next part of the process refreshed and ready to focus again. First goal: learn now to turn the darn thing on! 3. Choose teachers wisely. Just because someone is an expert with the latest gadget doesn’t mean they’re good at teaching anyone else how to use it. If you have a friend or family member who you know is patient and good at explaining things, ask if they’d be willing to help you learn. 4. Do, don’t just watch. You’ll have a better chance of retaining what you learn if you actually do it, rather than just watching your teacher do it. 5. Practice. Once you’ve learned a skill, it’s important to keep that knowledge fresh by using your new skill—don’t set it aside for a week and forget everything you learned.

Wear That Bicycle Helmet

Did you know that up to 85% of head injuries to bicyclists can be prevented just by wearing a helmet? With more and more people riding bicycles for exercise and fun, it’s a sport that’s not just for kids anymore. Here are four important tips that can help make your next ride a safe one. 1) Your bicycle helmet should have a snug fit, but feel comfortable. Select a helmet that is recommended by the National Standards Institute, www.ansi.org. 2) Wear appropriate clothing. Clothing should be light and close fitting to avoid being caught in the bicycle’s moving parts. 3) Make sure your bike is adjusted properly. Check that all parts are secure and working. The handlebars should be firmly in place and turn easily. The wheels should be straight and secure. 4) Check tires for proper pressure and make sure there are no bulges or cracks. For more information on bicycling and bike safety, go to www.bicyclinginfo.org

Solar Panels Pay You Back

Adding solar panels to your home’s roof can dramatically reduce your electricity bills, though the initial investment may be substantial. It’s important to do your research before diving in to make sure that investment will pay off sooner rather than later. Look for incentive programs. There is a federal tax credit for homeowners who install a solar photovoltaic (solar) system before December 31, 2023. It’s a 26% tax credit if you install before December 31, 2022, and 22% for the following year. Your state may offer a rebate or tax credit, and your local utility may also offer rebates. Learn more about the federal tax credit at energy.gov/eere/solar/homeowners-guide-federal-tax-credit-solar-photovoltaics Get competitive bids. The EnergySage site (energysage.com/) lets you see multiple bids from solar providers. There are more than 500 companies in the site’s database, all of which have been pre-screened. Use the solar calculator. EnergySage also has what it calls a “Solar Calculator” (energysage.com/solar/calculator/), which gives you an estimate of what your potential monthly savings might be if you added solar panels to your house based on your current monthly electric bill. Consider leasing. Buying outright is increasingly popular with homeowners, but leasing solar panels is also an option. With a lease, you don’t pay for the system or its installation. Instead, you pay a monthly leasing fee to the installation company.

Design Simplicity

With home decor, the word “simplicity” may conjure images of starkly modern interiors with hard, polished surfaces and not much in the way of color. But simplicity can be a part of any design aesthetic—it’s just about the idea that “less is more.” First–clear the clutter. Clutter makes it difficult to focus, as your attention bounces around and can actually make you fell stressed. Next–ask yourself what the purpose of the room is. If it’s to relax in front the TV, start removing items that don’t add to that purpose. If it’s to sleep, maybe remove the TV and any other distracting items. Keep editing! Look at each item and remove any that don’t have a purpose. This clears floor space for ease of movement and helps you choose a few statement pieces that don’t compete with one another. So why choose simplicity? Rooms that incorporate simplicity feel more open, which can reduce stress and encourage relaxation. Spaces that are less cluttered are easier to clean, too, which means you spend less time cleaning and more time enjoying the room. An organized home also means sudden house guests don’t cause cleaning anxiety.

6 Ways to Improve Your Credit Rating

A good credit rating in essential in today’s economic market. It can save you thousands of dollars when you apply for a mortgage, car loan, or when you want to finance any other big-ticket purchase. Here are six tips for improving your credit rating: 1. Check your credit report. Make sure to resolve any credit debt inaccuracies or disputes. Go to www.AnnualCreditReport.com for information on how to order your credit report. 2. Pay your bills on time. It’s especially important near the time you are applying for a loan. 3. Pay down, or pay off your credit cards. High debt will adversely affect your credit rating. 4. Don’t apply for new credit cards to increase your available credit. 5. Pay down your revolving debt. Also, pay down your debt rather than moving it around. 6. Manage your credit cards and installment loans responsibly. Paying credit cards and installments loans promptly will actually raise your credit rating.

Fitness Myths

Here are five fitness myths and the facts you should know so you can choose the fitness regimen that’s right for you. Fiction: No pain; no gain. Fact: While you may feel sore a day or two after working out, you shouldn’t feel real pain. If something hurts, stop and rest. If the pain persists, don’t work through it. Talk to your doctor instead. Fiction: Lifting weights will bulk you up. Fact: Weight training forces your muscles to work 10 to 20 times more than cardio. But bulking up comes from high calorie intake. You can tone your muscles by combining weight training with a moderate diet. Fiction: If you work out every day, you can eat anything you want. Fact: If only it were true! To burn fat, you need to expend more calories than your body uses. While personal metabolisms vary, the answer is to eat a balanced diet – including on rest days – to fuel your body, and to exercise regularly to feel better physically, mentally and emotionally. Fiction: You’ll lose weight if you exercise and eat a low-carb diet. Fact: Carbs are essential if you want to do strength training, cardio or almost any sport. Without them, you won’t perform as well or recover as effectively between training sessions. Fiction: You can spot reduce one area of your body. Fact: Working out can reduce overall body fat, but you can’t control where that fat comes from. What does work is to burn as much fuel as you can with a good overall exercise program and a healthy diet.

Financial Gift for Down Payments

Can I use a financial gift from a friend or relative as a down payment when buying a home? Yes. In fact, 1 out of 4 first-time homebuyers uses a gift to make the down payment. Tax law allows gifts of up to $14,000 a year without tax consequences to the giver or recipient. (The amount is adjusted annually so check IRS.gov publication 950 for the current figure.) You could get a gift from two parents or two friends (for $28,000) without the givers paying a gift tax. Using a gift for a down payment helps you buy a home even if it’s not Federal Housing Administration (FHA)-approved. The best advice is to contact a knowledgeable REALTOR® and discuss this subject before you start looking. Gifting a down payment will make a difference that will last a lifetime. There is no better investment than owning the house you live in.

Composting 101

According to recent reports, almost 30-40% of the food supply is wasted, which is more than 20 pounds per person each month. Composting waste from your kitchen and yard is good way to help reduce this waste—and your garden plants will thank you. • Choose an outside compost container. Buy a plastic, metal, or wooden container for your yard (about 80 gallons is good). Check Lowes (Lowes.com) or Home Depot (HomeDepot.com) for options. • Collect kitchen scraps. Use a small, lidded container to collect organic matter such as eggshells, coffee grounds, leftover vegetables, and fruit peels as you prepare food. You’ll need to empty this frequently into the outside container. Additionally, twigs, dead leaves, paper plates, and torn-up newspaper can be added into the compost bin. • Turn the compost material. Mix it up a few times a month with a pitchfork or shovel to keep moisture and oxygen circulating. Keep it damp but not soggy (you shouldn’t see pools of water).

Tips for Booking a Cruise

Planning a cruise trip involves more research than you might think. Here are some important things to know before you book your cruise. 1. Pick the Right Cruise Line – Know which cruise lines have a party atmosphere, and which are more geared to peace and quiet. (Depending on your preference!) Try a site like www.cruisecritic.com to help you decide. 2. Read the Fine Print – It might be boring, but the fine print could have information about what’s non-refundable, what’s included in the beverage package, if your cabin is chosen for you, and more. 3. Choose the Right Cabin – An interior cabin might make you feel claustrophobic. A cabin next to a nightclub, an elevator shaft, or the anchor means noise at potentially odd hours. A cabin near the front or back of the ship, or higher up on the ship, are where seasickness is most likely. 4. Look at a Detailed Itinerary – Know how long you’ve got in each port, and how long it takes to get from the port to the areas you want to visit. Just because it indicates that you have “one day” in port doesn’t mean you’ve got 12 hours to explore.

Camping Tips

There’s nothing like a camping trip to truly get away from it all. Make your next camping adventure more calm than calamitous with these important safety tips. • Know the weather forecast, current fire danger level, and how to handle local insects and wildlife you might encounter. • Ask for tips, information, and any current warnings from park staff. • Prepare for the elements with sunscreen and a wide-brimmed hat in hot weather and warm layers in cold weather. • Bring a first-aid kit and insect repellent and be prepared for emergencies. • Pack plenty of water (or a way to purify water) and stay hydrated. • Allow at least two hours of daylight to scout a safe spot and set up camp. • Practice fire safety. Never cook in an enclosed space (carbon monoxide is odorless) or leave a fire unattended. • Learn how to store food overnight to keep wildlife at bay. • Know how to properly strike your camp, leaving no trash behind. • Notify someone of where you’ll be and when you plan to return, especially if you’re camping solo or will be out of cell phone range.

Visit Kubota Gardens

Kubota Garden was started by Japanese emigrant Fujitaro Kubota in 1927. He was awarded the Order of Sacred Treasure in 1972 by the Japanese government and tended the garden until his death in 1973. Kubota Garden was protected and integrated into the park system in 1987. Located in the Rainier Beach neighborhood it is an exceptionally rich collection of unique and mature plantings, waterfalls, ponds, rock formations, and artworks. The 20-acre park is fun to visit any time of year but is especially beautiful in the spring and fall. Enjoy!!

Wellness Travel For Your Health

Are you ready for a vacation that focuses on your health and well being? First, consider your goals: do you want self-improvement, exercise, or service? There’s something for everyone in these options: • A fully planned retreat. Check out a site such as www.pravassa.com, which offers small group tours to exotic destinations. • A fitness vacation. Look at www.fitpacking.com for weight-loss or www.mountaintrek.com, named the top resort in Canada in 2017. • A destination spa. Plan a week at a spa such as Rancho La Puerta, Baja, CA or Omni La Costa Resort & Spa, Carlsbad, CA. • A volunteer opportunity. Visit www.gviusa.com to find a program that interests you and your family too. You can choose to work wellness activities into an existing vacation. Consider signing up for a new activity, such as a cooking class or a kayaking lesson. You can do as little or as much as you want to make it the best vacation for you.