Making the Most of Your Credit Card Rewards

  3 Ways to Have Clearer Communication Whether it’s a big talk with the boss, a deep process with your partner or breaking some hard news to your folks, communication is hard when the stakes are raised. Below are three tips to help. Work on body language.  You know what your mouth is saying, but what about your body? It can be hard to move outside your mind and examine your body language. Are you closed or folded with arms and legs crossed? Is your body pointing away from your conversation partner? Pay mind to your body language before you begin speaking and monitor it as you go, too. This will help stop you from sending nonverbal messages that may not align with your words. Know what you want.  It may seem ridiculous, but so many of us enter important conversations without a clear outcome in mind. Whether you want something vague like to simply be heard, to better understand who you are speaking with, or a more pointed goal such as securing a raise or dividing chores wit...

  5 Peaceful Paint Colors If you plan to repaint your interiors this year, don’t forget to pick a hue that will positively impact your mood. While bright red or neon green may be fun, they can subconsciously create stress in the body. Below are five peaceful paint colors to up the “ahhh” factor of your favorite spaces. Violet A dusty purple can promote balance and inner peace. Make sure to pick a shade with more blue tones and less black for a relaxing vibe. Green While a neon green can be alarming, a less bright shade (think forest or grass) can be calming and refreshing. Gray While some may think gray is dull, it actually has been shown to be a soothing, stress-free color. Plus, it goes with nearly any accent hue, so you can get creative with accompanying colors. Blue Choose a gentle ocean blue in the bedroom for a restful night’s sleep. Known to reduce tension, opt for a lighter shade when choosing your blue. Yellow A rich, buttery yellow can brighten your spirits. Perfect for b...

  How to Sneak in More Veggies Trying to munch more veggies on the reg, but sick of salads and steamed sides? Below are a handful of simple ways you can up your veggie count with ease. Blend them.  If you’re a smoothie fan, you’ll be thrilled to know that adding a handful or two of baby spinach to your morning blend won’t alter the flavor or texture of your favorite drink. It will, however, give you an added vitamin punch and a bright color. Juice them.  Dust off that unused juicer and aim to make a fresh juice at least once a week. Enlist the help of your family to prep veggies and wash the juicer when you’re done. Unsure of what blend to go with? Try green apple, spinach, cucumber and fennel. Chop them.  Skip the chips! Keep chopped celery, peppers and carrots in the fridge for dipping into salsa and hummus. Shred them.  Shred carrots, broccoli or cabbage and toss them into soups, stir fries, salads or casseroles, or toss them together with your favorite herbs...