Some items that can be recycled are thrown away mostly because people do not know what items can be recycled or where to recycle them. For instance, rechargeable batteries that power the portable products on holiday gift lists (such as laptops, cordless power tools, tablets and even remote controlled toys), should be recycled when they can no longer hold a charge. These batteries contain metals such as mercury, lead, cadmium and nickel, which could harm the environment when improperly disposed.

Environmental concerns have become one of the most pressing issues of the 21^st century. From climate change to the rise of e-waste, making a choice to do our part to help the environment can seem like a daunting task. The key is to start small. While we don’t have the answers to the larger questions surrounding environmental conservation, we can do our part to help preserve our environment. It can be as simple as recycling or donating pre-owned items to family or friends to reduce the impact of waste on local landfills.

By starting small and making your resolutions realistic, there is a greater chance you will keep them throughout the year. You should also encourage your family and friends to join you in incorporating environmentally-friendly behavior into your everyday lives.

So how do you start recycling and making a difference in your community? Here are some tips to help incorporate green resolutions into your busy lifestyle:

• Your “fourth bin” — Set up a bin or bag (ideally near your front or back door) for your family to leave recyclables.

• Sound the alarm — On your smartphone or computer, set up a regular reminder to gather up your rechargeable batteries to take to your local retailer or collection site.

• Regularly clean out the junk drawer — On a regular basis, task a family member with going through the junk drawer for recyclables and other unused or old items.

• Keep your errand list on hand at all times — This will help you prioritize stops while you’re on the go, as well as remember to drop off your items to be recycled.

Once you’ve made the commitment to start recycling your old stuff and you know how, you need to know where to go. Organizations such as Call2Recycle offer an easy and free way to care for the environment year-round through battery recycling. Call2Recycle works with a network of businesses, communities and retailers in the U.S. and Canada — including Best Buy, The Home Depot, Lowe’s and Staples — that serve as drop-off locations. Additional participating collection sites can be found at call2recycle.org.

It’s never too late to learn about environmental issues and why they are important. Setting sustainability goals is your commitment to support the environment for yourself and future generations. Resolving to change your habits could not only have a huge impact on the rest of the world, but can also help you feel good because you know you’re making a difference. As you get ready for the new year, take that extra step to be prepared to maintain your green resolutions throughout the year.

*BPT

The post 4 Ways to Go Green this New Year appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

The struggle is real. Many try to save money — at least for a few weeks — by bringing a sack lunch to work, driving past their fancy coffee shop or ignoring enticing emails of storewide clearance sales.

USAA Bank surveyed people of all ages and income levels about how they save money and find extra cash in a pinch. Though many respondents said they are trying to save, most expressed difficulty doing so.

“Savings are typically based on life stages. Those who are just starting out are saving for a major purchase, such as a car or home. If you’re older you’re more focused on retirement,” says Mikel Van Cleve, director of personal finance advice at USAA.

As expected, USAA’s research found a person’s ability to save largely depends on their age and household income. Older Americans and those with greater incomes use their savings to cover unexpected expenses and save for retirement.

Those with household incomes less than $35,000 are significantly more likely to say they’re not able to save regularly. To be sure, economists say slower income growth in the last decade also may have contributed to inadequate savings levels.

When asked how they cover unexpected expenses, most respondents reported taking money out of a savings account. However, nearly half of respondents seek out additional work; 35 percent have been compelled to borrow money from family and friends; 23 percent have sold personal items and 8 percent have taken out a payday loan.

More than half of American households have less than one month of income available in readily accessible savings to use in case of an emergency, according to a new report from the Pew Charitable Trusts.

Household Saving Rate in the United States increased to 5.6 percent in October from 5.3 percent in September of 2015, the highest since December 2012, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. Personal Savings in the United States averaged 8.36 percent from 1959 until 2015, reaching an all-time high of 17 percent in May of 1975 and a record low of 1.90 percent in July of 2005.

The good news is that eliminating the occasional grande macchiato and ignoring a swanky handbag that’s finally 50 percent off, might not be necessary or most effective. JJ Montanaro, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (TM) at USAA, said there’s a better way to save.

He offers a few simple strategies to try in 2016:

• Review routine bills and compare service providers. Look for ways of reducing fees and costs.

• Look into refinancing your mortgage or auto loan — you may qualify for a lower rate. It doesn’t hurt to ask.

• Find the right credit card. Look for a card with a low interest rate or cash-back rewards.

• Trade down to a less expensive car. We often spend more on transportation than necessary.

“Most people think that in order to make a dent in their savings, they have to cut out all unnecessary daily expenses like trips to the coffee shop, but there are other ways to help you save more and reduce annual spending,” Montanaro said.

To learn more about how USAA can help you reach your financial goals, visit www.usaa.com.

The post A Resolution to Keep: Save more Money appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

If you’re seeking inspiration, these ideas will put you on track to better yourself inside and out during the coming year.

Eat well with ease. Eating better tops many New Year’s resolution lists, but the demands of a busy schedule can quickly derail your plans. Take the guesswork out of portion control and calorie counting with complete, freshly prepared meals you can pick up or have delivered to your home. Seattle Sutton’s Healthy Eating offers a range of calorie plans, as well as vegetarian meal options. Based in Illinois, the freshly prepared meal company conveniently serves up weekly plans consisting of three meals per day or 21 meals per week. Learn more by calling 1-800-442-3438 or visiting seattlesutton.com.

Banish stress. Find ways to ease your mind and reduce tension and anxiety like a pro. Although an ultra-connected life can be the source of your stress, it can also give you some handy tools to help keep pressure and worries from mounting. Whether you tend to journal away your aggression, need some quiet time with soothing music or want a mindless distraction while you take a break, you can find dozens of apps to help keep stress in check.

Learn a language. Keep your mind active by challenging yourself to learn a new language. With courses designed by a professional team of linguists, authors and teachers, Babbel tailors lessons to help you become conversational in as little as 10 hours. The interactive lessons are available in 14 different languages and use real vocabulary for real situations. With cloud-based content, you can seamlessly learn at your desktop, laptop, smartphone or tablet, whether you’re at home, taking a break or on the go. Learn more at Babbel.com.

Energize your exercise. When weight loss or a more sculpted shape is the goal you’re pursuing, it can be tough to stay motivated. Keep the long-term prize in sight by celebrating short-term victories. Wearable devices help track your movement and activity, as well as numerous health indicators, so you can watch your progress on a daily and weekly basis as you work toward the finish line.

Fuel yourself. Smoothies are a popular source of vital nutrients and energy – and, luckily, you can make them part of your daily diet with just one machine. The Nutri Ninja Auto-iQ Compact System, which is available at retailers nationwide, provides nutrient and vitamin extraction with high-performance blending to take drink customization to a whole new level. But it doesn’t stop at drinks – the system also helps prepare appetizers, meals and desserts. Accessories include multiple cups, blending and prepping tools and a 30-recipe guide. Additionally, the system offers the first-ever coffee and spice grinder blender attachment (sold separately). For more information, visit ninjakitchen.com.

Putting the right tools and resources in place helps ensure your New Year’s resolutions are within reach, so you can focus on working toward a better version of yourself all year long.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

*FF

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Everyone’s life demands are different. Some may be looking to push through a late night workout or make it to the office for an early meeting, while others are looking to enjoy an outing to the park with their kids at the end of the day. These tips will help fuel, inspire and accomplish whatever your personal “one more” is.

Begin with a bang. With a busy day ahead, it can be tempting to rush out the door and skip breakfast. However, countless studies have shown this first meal of the day is extremely important. Skipping out on a balanced breakfast can drag you down all day, both mentally and physically. Being hungry later in the day may also make you more likely to overeat or nibble on high-calorie snacks. For those mornings when you’re crunched for time, grab a protein-rich ready-to-drink shake or sandwich with egg, cheese and lean meat to give yourself sustained energy for the rest of the day.

Work in a workout. In addition to helping ward off disease and manage your weight, regular exercise helps lift your mood by stimulating feel-good chemicals in the brain and boosts energy by helping your body work more efficiently. A combination of aerobic or cardio activity (walking, jogging or running) and muscle-strengthening activity (lifting weights, resistance training or yoga) is the winning formula, according to the most recent Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. After your workout, refuel with a rich and creamy Premier Protein Shake, available in Chocolate, Vanilla and Strawberries and Cream, with 30 grams of protein, only 160 calories and just 1 gram of sugar.

Power with protein. Your body gets energy from three main sources: carbohydrates, fat and protein. Protein plays a major role in repairing damaged cells, tissues and muscle. Good sources of protein include meat, fish, eggs, dairy, nuts and vegetables, but the best sources deliver lots of protein without a lot of fat, carbs and sugar. A protein-based snack is a good way to recharge during the day. Premier Protein 30-gram bars and Fiber Bars are smart, easy and gluten-free options that are available in an array of flavors to provide sustained energy with fiber, calcium and protein to help curb hunger.

Keep up on sleep. Quality sleep – and an adequate amount of it – is critical to your overall wellbeing. While you’re sleeping, your body is hard at work healing and repairing from the day, as well as regulating your hormonal balance and protecting your immune system. At the same time, your brain is also recharging to help your mental function, including learning aptitude, problem solving and emotional health. Most adults need an average of 7-9 hours of sleep for optimal performance.

Visit premierprotein.com to learn how you can get the sustained energy to help you accomplish “one more” thing each day.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

*FF

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Be honest with yourself. Now that the New Year’s festivities are over, are you sticking with your resolutions still? If not, don’t despair—the fact of the matter is that you aren’t alone. According to research conducted earlier this year by the University of Scranton, only about 8% of Americans are actually successful in achieving New Year’s resolutions.

Don’t want to be a statistic? Well if you’re ready for a real change after perhaps years of broken promises to yourself, you’re probably open to a few suggestions. Here’s one: when traditional methods of obtaining your goals just won’t cut it, try managing your post New Year’s resolutions with the power of suggestion instead.

That’s right—the power of suggestion!

And who better to help you reorient your goals than someone who wrote the book—two books, to be exact—on reassessing (and reinforcing) the human potential for change.

Rena Greenberg, MD, is the author of The Craving Cure and The Right Weigh. Through clinical hypnosis, including a breakthrough treatment called weight loss hypnosis, Dr. Greenberg espouses the potential for change in areas traditionally clouded by ineffective results. In areas such as weight-loss and smoking cessation, Greenberg’s methods allow clients to finally make good on their promises for change, and all of this through positive reinforcement and the power of suggestion.

President of Wellness Seminars, Inc., Dr. Rena Greenberg has appeared in over 100 success stories—both in magazines and in newsprint—and in over 65 television news stories, including Woman’s World Magazine, FOX TV, USA Today, NBC-TV News, CBS TV, and ABC-TV Nightline.

One of the most popular treatments offered by Rena Greenberg is her Gastric Bypass Hypnosis Surgery, a process where actual weight loss can be achieved without undergoing a costly surgery with potential side-effects. The hypnosis surgery is conducted through the natural, safe AND effective process of clinical hypnosis, where Greenberg walks each patient through the gastric bypass process.

Clients relate the sensation of having an actual lap band placed on their stomachs after going through the hypnosis surgery. And with the power of suggestion that accompanies the surgery—including more follow-up assistance than a patient might ever receive after a traditional gastric bypass surgery—Rena Greenberg helps post-surgery patients adjust to cutting the food, fighting any cravings and, ultimately, keeping off the fat.

Many clients admit that they don’t even feel the need to eat as much after the clinical hypnosis session(s), and when they do eat, they choose healthy foods in smaller portions. An overall sense of fullness, and at a much faster rate than pre-hypnosis surgery, effectively replaces the previous desires for unhealthy eating.

The complete Gastric Bypass Hypnosis At Home System can even be purchased as an immediate download from Greenberg’s website, www.easywillpower.com. Depending on a client’s needs, the program can be done from the comfort of your own via private lessons with Greenberg or on your own with the at home system.

Another popular treatment offered by Greenberg is the Smoking Cessation program. For those who have resolved time and again to quit, who have tried to quit but keep starting again, or even for people who know someone that wants desperately to kick this habit, Greenberg’s Smoking Cessation program provides a revolutionary alternative to traditional methods of quitting.

The Think and Quit Smoking Cessation program delves into the subconscious to root out the true reasons for your addiction, and then addresses these reasons one by one. As many smokers have tried to quite time and again, Greenberg’s clinical hypnosis—whether through private treatments or by use of the at-home CDs and books—will get to the root of dependence and addiction. With positive reinforcement, and through a client’s own easy willpower, smoking can be a thing of the past. Not only will your health improve in folds, your wallet will feel the once-heavy burden lifted as well.

With Rena Greenberg’s easy willpower methods of positive reinforcement, you don’t have to be a statistic anymore.

So don’t delay any longer—there’s no time like the present to make good on years of unresolved resolutions. You can lose the weight and quit smoking through the positive power of suggestion today!

For more information, visit Rena Greenberg’s website: www.easywillpower.com. 

The post The Power of Suggestion: Managing Post New Year’s Resolutions with Positive Reinforcement appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

For more advice, tips, recipes and workouts to stay on track all year, check out the Bowflex Insider.

The post Debunking Common Fitness Myths for Success in 2015 appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

Still deciding on a last-minute New Year’s resolution? Maybe you just want a more tangible goal under your belt? A marker in the not-to-distant-future that will not only be fun and rewarding to move towards, but one that also involves commitment, compassion and travel? If this sounds like what you are looking for, why not resolve to make 2015 a year of light? That’s right: a remarkable year of light!

The year 2015 has been designated by both UNESCO and the United Nations as The International Year of Light and Light-based Technologies. Throughout the year, festivities and activities which honor the forward thinkers and scientists who paved the road for both light and optical technologies in our daily lives (Albert Einstein) will take place globally.

In essence, it is a year of education, which is why 2015 is a perfect year to combine this education with travel, making a current and historic memory bank for not only you, but for your child as well.

Though the focus on the International Year of Light is primarily to disseminate the purpose and importance of light-based technologies around the globe through education and training, showing its impact and possible scope in the sectors of agriculture, energy, health, and education, The Year of Light can (and should) also play a vital role in reflecting on the purpose and importance of light-based technologies in the travel industry as well.

From computer screens, mainframes and hard drives that book travel flights and spit out tickets and ticket receipts, to the mechanics behind in–flight entertainment and the physics of air travel, from the latest and greatest technology at our fingertips in hotel rooms and resorts, to even the food we eat, how its prepared, and where we might need to go for medical emergencies while abroad, light and light-based technology has a firm hold in the travel industry and in our lives as travelers and parents as well.

To this end, The International Year of Light is not only a wonderful moment in time to spend with your family in appreciation of our global footprint and the vital need for sustainable development not only nationally but internationally as well, it is also a time to start thinking about ways to incorporate The Year of Light into our travel plans.

In keeping with the importance of sustainable development, why not plan a family trip to visit one of the endangered world wonders? The Great Barrier Reef, for instance, has been said to be eroding and at a far greater risk from global warming than previously thought. The Great Wall of China is slowly crumbling, only about one-third of it left for tourists to view. Even the Taj Mahal seems to be losing its luster, with treatments enacted on its closed days to give this Wonder of the World a much-needed facelift. There has even been speculation about the fading Taj Mahal closing its doors altogether and…recently…the possibility of it crumbling due to poor infrastructure.

In any case, by visiting one of the world wonders, you have the chance of ensuring that your children not only read about these places, that they don’t simply recognize these “hot spots” as some passing fact or travel fad from a history book, but that they have a connection to these global environments by having visited these remarkable, yet fated, destinations.

You can even have fun with the idea of light and base a travel experience around this concept alone. Traveling to see the Northern Lights, for instance, would be one way. Or perhaps you might want to consider what it means to travel light? To some, this might mean booking an all-inclusive vacation package, staying at a resort where everything is at your fingertips and you want for nothing. For others, traveling light could mean backpacking or camping out under the stars with your family, staying at a camping site or RV park, traveling without all of the creature comforts that many of us have become used to when traveling.

Regardless of how you choose to travel in 2015, be sure to make it a wonderful year of prosperity and insight. Be sure to make it a wonderful year of light!

Useful Links:

• Lonely Planet’s Illuminating Experiences for 2015 (Article): http://www.lonelyplanet.com/travel-tips-and-articles/the-worlds-most-illuminating-experiences?affil=EMLEDITORIALNEWS_101

The post Illuminating the New Year: The International Year of Light 2015 appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

Perched high on most women’s New Year’s resolutions list is this oh-so-familiar trifecta of obligatory yet undeniably difficult to sustain ‘lose weight, eat healthy, and make more money.’ While these are noble goals, the chances of them happening to your standards are – let’s face it – quite slim.  Sure you might start out strong in the new year, but come March when everyday life gets in the way, that same list you were so gung-ho about slowly slips away or gets brushed under the rug for when it’s more ‘convenient.’  And by convenient, we mean when it shows up on the next year’s resolutions list.

Break the cycle this year and include resolutions that you will be eager to reach, whether personally or with the whole family.  To get the wheels turning, we’ve included the top five items from our collective personal resolutions lists that we won’t be offended if you steal for your own!

1.  Write out time cards, not checks: You’re inundated with mail – particularly in the yuletide months- from nonprofits desperately seeking your financial contributions for children and families in need.  Before you reach for your checkbook, think about donating something much more valuable and personal than money: your time.  Charities are always looking for volunteers to help out during the busy holiday months and beyond.  Give those in need your most precious gift of time and watch the substantial positive changes in makes in your personal and home life.  Giving your time to those less fortunate throughout the year is one of the most selfless acts a person can provide to their community and fellow human race.  It should be at the top of every New Year’s resolution list!

2.  Debt, Schmet: Credit card debt racking up? Feeling trapped? Not sure when or how you will ever climb out of the financial hole you’ve found yourself in? Don’t fret.  Remember that everything that has been done can be undone, especially debt.  This is not the easiest of tasks, but in the end you will realize the financial danger of being deep in debt and the negative and crippling affects it can have on you and your family.  In this New Year, vow to take responsibly of your spending and put every extra dollar you make into paying down credit cards, student loans, and/or payday advances.  Gather up all of your bills, make a spreadsheet, balance your budget, review necessary spending and expenses and begin to truly crack down and tighten your financial belt.  This will be the ultimate test in self-control for you and your family.  Have this conversation with your partner and children about the changes that will be taking place in your home, and allow them to be a part of this transformation.  While paying off the sum of all debts within a year is impossible for nearly any family, pledge to start the process in 2015 and continue until you are completely debt free.

3.  Parental Time Outs: There is absolutely no shame in throwing your hands in the air and shouting “I need a time out!” In fact, we encourage it.  So why not add it to your resolutions list this year? Make a promise to yourself that every week you will set aside time for yourself away from your kids and partner to just relax, unwind, sip a glass of wine and enjoy the sweet sound of silence.  You deserve it after all!

4.  Stop Being a Negative Nancy: How many times did your mother tell you that you will attract more flies with honey than you do with vinegar? Of course no one wants to attract flies, but we get the gist of it.  Stop spouting off at the mouth with negative comments and definitely stop posting them on social media! Keep your negativity to yourself in the New Year, or better yet, think positive! Remember that life is precious, short and full of magic, miracles and beauty.  Don’t let trivial things cloud your happiness. In 2015 be sure to smile more, pay it forward, recognize your blessings, and you’re sure to find your happy place!

5.  Make a Bucket List: You’re never too old (or too young) to create a bucket list and stick to it. And no, a bucket list is not the same as a new year’s resolution list.  Google it if you don’t trust us.  This year, not only make the list, but cross off at least one item in 2015.  Whether it’s traveling out of the country, experimenting with the art of trapeze or learning how to cook traditional Vietnamese cuisine, don’t be afraid to go after what’s in your heart, regardless of how random it might be.  You will feel invigorated and ready for life knowing that you are living out your dreams.

The post New Year’s Resolutions to End All New Year’s Resolutions appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

It’s certainly the time of the year that most of us either love or hate. And I don’t mean the war between the holiday humbugs and eager elves. What I’m referring to is that time of the season that we lovingly refer to as New Year’s. What’s more, I’m referring to the promises we make during this time of the year, promises that can be at once outlandish – toning our bodies to look exactly as they did back in high school – and questionably trivial. That’s right: this is the time of year that we look back and, in doing so, begin to make all of our New Year’s Resolutions!

Perhaps more than any other holiday season throughout the year, the holiday season that culminates with New Year’s resolutions gives us significant cause to stop and take stock of what we have accomplished or failed to accomplish for the year. This holiday season is also the catalyst that propels us to make so many of the resolutions that, whether we like it or not, often end up as pipe dreams or improbable fantasies, resolutions that often make their way onto the following year’s end-of-year list.

In this way, our resolutions act as a type of recurring theme: we promise ourselves to hit the gym and/or work out more, to begin a walking or running regimen outside in the natural air whenever possible; we promise ourselves time to stop and smell the roses.

Some of us promise to budget a bit better, to dine in more, to exercise our green thumbs by cooking and gardening, to care not only for the earth but for ourselves.

And yet it all seems to play out the same way. Life happens. Obstacles get the better of our best intentions. Life and obstacles in the guise of work, play, kids, schedules, doctor visits and dentist appointments – as well as countless other ordeals – all manifest and, in their manifesting, steadily chip away at the supposed time and manpower we’ve set aside to fulfill each of our stated or unstated goals.

Instead of these run-of-the-mill results, however, instead of the strangely familiar set of resolutions we end up offering to the ether the following year, how about we come down from the clouds and make our resolutions a bit more forgiving, a bit more attainable.

In other words, why don’t we try and assign goals and/or projects to ourselves and our families, activities that we have a chance to fulfill throughout the year, useful and practical DIY artistries that we can actually craft without needing to own our own craft store or take out a second mortgage on the house. In short, when we begin thinking about resolutions during the end of the year, why don’t we back those ideas and projects that have a probable chance of seeing the light of day?

In keeping with the theme of resolutions and tradition, and in keeping with the reasons of the season, such as family, togetherness and reflecting, one such project that can help bring the family closer together and which makes for an even more memorable experience when traveling with the family and taking in all of our new experiences is any type of variation on the cherished traditions of photography and journalism.

Yes, you can think of this as a sort of scrapbooking, right? Scrapbooking combined with both purposeful journalism and photography, activities that most families engage in already. As we in fact take part in this activity to some degree in our day lives, I think it would be wonderful to use this crafty mainstay as a unique way to revamp our New Year’s Resolutions.

As we have been on countless family vacations and taken part in many events during the year, we already know that we’re capable of creating the memories needed for this activity. Each family trip, each life event and school project is a moment that we already hold near and dear to our hearts. These are moments that, as parents, we are often already chronicling. And so making the leap from a shoebox or book of old photos recalling this or that time, a digital file of pictures or video clips that might see the light of day every now and then, let us make a spectacular New Year’s resolution: a resolution to make a new tradition out of the year’s cherished memories!

I have many friends who take pictures of their family throughout the year and, along with quotes that their kids have said or written down while at school, even capturing those moments that we often think of as trivial or not exactly noteworthy, these friends then make decorative ornaments for the Christmas tree. These ornaments often include the precise year, age or date of the event as a way to differentiate the ornament from other ornaments and academic keepsakes.

And so in the same way that these memories and moments become personal, seasonal keepsakes, I encourage us to take this idea one step further and, as a sort of reflective resolution, look back at the memories of the past year, whether through scrapbooks, journals, family diaries, annual time capsules, vacation photos, etc., and not only be thankful for the wonderful times but, with our family there to share the time of reflection, think of ways to remember the happiness and lessons of the past year. In doing so, we can even think of a way to repurpose those memories, like my friends that create DIY ornaments from memories.

Indeed, with the family all gathered around, I look back on all of the occasions that transpired throughout the past year, all of the chances to make lasting memories through amazing and shared experiences. In the same vein, I encourage us all to be grateful for the myriad of experiences shared with those we love, the lessons learned and how we learned to love one another more and more during both the hard times and the amazing times.

My family keeps various photo albums. As my sister is a grade-school teacher and my mother a wedding planner and floral designer, there are always moments being remembered and placed down to posterity through a variety of creative ways in my household. It was that way all while growing up as well. And so when New Year’s is upon us, my family sits down to reminisce about the year’s activities, to look at film and/or photos from family trips, to recount major life events that struck us with happiness during the year, to recall times and places that, with the aid of a photo journal, scrapbook or diary, become real again and, in remembering, allow these events to exist in the present.

Taking stock of the year and all it has rendered for our families, including all of the ups and downs, is a great way to add everyday learning opportunities for our children as well. It not only teaches children about patience, family, goodwill, and endurance, but it teaches our children to treasure more than just toys and presents during this festive, yet often frantic time of year. In this way, we can help our children – our future generations – develop a true sense of appreciating the big things and the little things, which is, in my opinion, one of the true reasons for the season.

Revamping our New Year’s Resolutions in this way, revamping them to reflect on the past and, by doing so, creating new traditions – new futures – ensures that we are not only fostering our family unit in a wonderfully heartfelt and creative way, but that we are also instilling the importance of tradition, compassion, goodwill, and altruism – truly admirable reasons for this holiday season and, consequently, for living a fulfilled life in general – within ourselves and our children.

The post Revamping the Meaning of New Year’s Resolutions! appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

Clean Up – and Update – Your Online Presence

It’s common knowledge that employers check out social media profiles before they make a hire. They can also use these platforms to check up on current employees. Keep your accounts clean and professional – this means no snapshots of your drunken exploits and no tweets about how much you hate your boss.

Of course it is possible to lock down your social media accounts by making everything private and weeding through your connections to keep weekend activities hidden from your company or potential employers. But be careful, as having no online presence is as harmful as having an overpowering one. Strike a balance: if you keep Facebook and Twitter accounts highly private or don’t have them at all, maintain a LinkedIn profile and keep it up to date. Consider buying your name as a domain and set up a simple site as your online portfolio (you can check out mine, KaliHawlk.com, as an example).

Keep Learning

One of the best ways to boost your career and to make yourself more valuable as an employee is to continue learning new things. Educate yourself on the latest information and practices related to your work, or consider teaching yourself something new (like coding, SEO, or how to use a new online service that may be useful to your company). Always seeking a new challenge helps keep things fresh and interesting, and it’s really rewarding. It also makes you an indispensable member of your employer’s workforce.

Be a Volunteer

When it comes to new projects or tasks around the office, be one of the first to volunteer to take them on. Be eager and willing to accept new responsibilities at work, and don’t wait to be asked or told to get on an assignment. Your boss will appreciate your dedication and willingness to help and get stuff done.

Make New Connections

In a job market that is still pretty tough, it’s all about who you know. With more and more people with a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences competing for the same jobs, having an “in” with a company will give you a huge leg up on everyone else.

This year, make an effort to meet new people. Consider attending a conference, an event relative to your field, or simply reach out to people of interest via the Internet and email. When building your network, it’s always helpful to be accessible to potential connections and willing to add value to their business or project. Be open to exchanging ideas, taking a few minutes to brainstorm with them, or volunteer to answer a few questions or suggest a solution to a particular problem.

Start Your Own Business

There’s never been a better time than now to start your own venture as a freelancer or business owner. If you’re tired of being an employee working for someone else, make 2014 the year you start working for yourself instead.

Don’t think becoming an entrepreneur requires a huge investment or startup cost. People like Chris Guillebeau, author of The $100 Startup, and Natalie Sisson, author of The Suitcase Entrepreneur show that all you really need is an idea you’re passionate about and that other people would love to get involved with.

Kali blogs about common-sense financial advice at Common Sense Millennial. She’s passionate about personal finance and helping millennials manage their money and live well on less. Currently, she is pursuing the ultimate dream of writing for a living and moving abroad. You can connect with her by tweeting @CSMillennial 

The post 5 Ways to Boost Your Career in 2014 appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.