Issue 8 by Forty Magazine

Perseverance Pays Off.

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EVERY I SSUE

T HI S I SSUE Childhood Lessons You Need Now

Per sever ance Pays Off

Who doesn't want to be a kid again?

Finding a Voice in Alabama

Bir mingham inspires a new novelist

One Shot t o Gain Respect

Set t ing Quart erly Goals

Up t he Ladder

Corporat e Wellness

Don't let another month go by without working toward your 2017 goal

St art ing on a College Campus

Out of Office Luck of the Ir ish: Dublin, Ireland

Shine without wear ing glitter or gold

Break Bit es Winning at the Grocer y Store

On the basketball cour t, respect is ear ned not given

Get Not iced in t he Office

Career Spot light

Replant and Grow in a New City

Taking Care of Mind and Body Balance Bank Account Zero

21 29

44 48

What it really takes to tr ansition your career back to campus

FOL L OW US

MAST HEAD Abou t Us Forty Magazine is a digital resource dedicated to young professionals. Intended for recent grads and professionals under 40, Forty Magazine helps young professionals transition into the workplace with ease.

OUR T EAM Kian Her vey Editor and Publisher M or gan Han cock Cover Design Kelli Esqu in Editorial Design Desm on d Hu n t Editorial Photography

Pre-order a print copy of Fort y Magazine at fort ymagazine.com

Con t r ibu t in g Wr it er s Alexandria Traylor Ashely Tisdale Brandon E. Miller Brenita Jackson Colea Owens Molly Price Nicole Sade Nicole Butler Stephen Evans

PHOT O CREDI T S Attribution noted in spread if required by photographer. All images tagged in creative commons and/or non-commercial use. Photo Sources: Death to Stock Photo, Pixabay, PicJumbo, & Albumarium Flickr Credits: Jeffery Beall (SMU Dallas Hall), McKinney75402 (Texas Christian University)

@40MAGAZINE

40 HOURS Your day- to- day inter actions and exper iences in the workplace

One Shot In the professional world of sports, you can easily go from Assistant Coach one day to Head Coach the next. Brenita Jackson looks back on her first shot at being a head coach and how she convinced her coworkers and team to respect her new role.

Getting coworkers to respect you doesn’t start when you get promoted to a new position. It starts now.

The moment came when I received a phone call from our athletic director saying he wanted to meet with me in his office. It was the off season, and there were no more basketball practices or games going on so life seemed dull until this day. I went into his office as he said “Sit down kid; we need to talk.” My heart began to pound out of my chest. He told me that my head coach resigned and he was going to hire me to fill the position. My eyes glazed over as I was in a moment of shock. He went on to say, “You are going to be our next head coach.” So here I was, 24 years old with only 2 years of coaching experience getting ready to run my own college program. I had a notebook full of notes, philosophies, strategies, recruits, plays and ideas that I saw before or I came up with myself. I immediately got to work on developing my first Head Coach’s Notebook and visually mapped out what my first season would look like. I detailed the season schedule with day to day duties that would get us to the championship at the end of the season. This took only a few hours because I was fired up about the opportunity to lead young girls to success like so many others did for me! Once I got the vision outlined, I called the one person I knew would be able to make this come to pass – Kevin Jackson. He was my ex-boyfriend at the time. I told him the news, he said “I’m happy for you but I’m not moving out there to coach.” So we hung up and like

most challenges in my life, I choose to keep working at it until I got the “Yes” that I wanted. I called him again and asked him to come to campus, take a tour and hear me out. He agreed to come. I realized I had to impress Coach Kevin Jackson, and put our old relationship aside. I needed him to see how serious I was about coaching. I wanted him to know I respected his professional career so much that I wanted to work with him. After a few hours on campus, I shared my vision for the program. I told him that he would be like my co-head coach and have full reign to call plays, recruit players, make subs or speak during games, meetings and in the community with me. I noticed at this moment by the look in his eyes that he was sold. He not only saw the vision – he saw his role within the vision. Once I had his commitment, I knew I had a vital piece of the foundation solidified. I could confidently call each player and explain the change, and also inform them that it would be an exciting change for everyone. One of the challenging parts of this process was getting the players to understand the change meant I had a new role. I had to give them time to adapt to the change. I went from recruiting the staff, to recruiting the players and next up was recruiting my coworkers. I had great working relationships with all my coworkers as an assistant coach so they expressed great joy when they

found out that I was being promoted to head coach. The first initiative I created was a mentor program for our team. I knew my players needed this support system in place so I asked each of my female coworkers to be committed to mentoring and encouraging one player each. They responded and we had more than enough volunteers to support our team. This was my way of not only recruiting my coworkers but getting them personally invested by defining their role within the vision. The most important part of getting coworkers to respect my new position was first respecting them in their position. Some people get a title and suddenly forget they could lose it quicker than they got it. My first coworker that I showed respect to and recruited to my vision - is now my husband! We became a dynamic coaching team and a year later got married! We broke the record for the most wins in program’s history and we also celebrated a 100 percent graduation rate of all players. We learned several valuable lessons throughout our career of coaching women’s college basketball and the most important one is how to work together within a team. Marriage is a team. My husband and I now run our own company KBJ Academy which offers motivational support through podcasts, camps and team building retreats to teach practical concepts to build successful teams. No matter how you move up or down the ladder, you are still a part of a team. Getting coworkers to respect you doesn’t start when you get a new position, it starts now. If they don’t respect you now on their level, they won’t respect you in authority. Once you are promoted, be humble and patient with your team as they adapt to the change. Find ways to articulate your vision that includes their role within the team. Remember: Everyone within a team needs each other in order to win!

To learn more about KBJ Academy, visit http:// www.kbjacademy.com/

Perseverance Pays Off At his lowest point, Will Cyrus was fired from a six-figure job and facing an uncertain financial future. After taking a leap and moving to Dallas, he saw his career change for the better.

The journey from campus to corporate office for Financial Planner Will Cyrus was easier than most. Being strategic during his final years of college, Cyrus graduated with more than five job offers from local businesses. He struggled to determine the best fit for him, but eventually selected Sherwin Williams as his first out-ofcollege employer. The opportunity to work for a Fortune 500 company ended up paying off more than a generous salary.

Fast Facts

Education: BA, Business Administration & Management, University of South Florida Career Experience Sherwin Williams, Fidelity Investments, Northwestern Mutual

“It was one of the best decisions that I made out of college because it transitioned well towards to the business that I’m doing now,” he said. “The leadership skills that I learned and developed— from conflict resolution to controlling and managing a million-dollar store – it paid dividends.” But Cyrus’ three-year tenure at the company didn’t immediately start off as a success. The first year on the job, he felt under prepared and unequipped to led the Tampa/St. Petersburg, Florida store in a better direction. None of his college coursework included proper training or etiquette for the corporate world. “The difference is night and day,” he reflected. “You go from doing this project over financial spreadsheets, get an, A, then think you’re going to kill it in the business world. when you get that first corporate experience, it’s either sink or swim.” Instead of swimming alone, Cyrus remembered how mentorship benefited him in college. By being a part of a first-generation college-student mentor program, he was able to understand how the job market worked for college grads. He hoped to apply the same model to

Dallas is home to over 20 Fortune 500 Companies, and has been rated the No. 1 City for young professionals.

his current experience at Sherwin Williams and found a mentor within the company. Cyrus set his sights on connecting with a President’s Club honoree who won the prestige Sherwin Williams award 15 years in a row. He invited the successful manager to lunch at a nearby Cuban restaurant a few weeks later. Over a simple meal of chicken, rice, and beans, the manager gave Cyrus advice that completely changed his career outlook. He told Cyrus to make a plan. “’Every day that you come into the store, you have to have a plan. You have to know what you are offering, who are you offering it to, and what’s driving your core,’” Cyrus remembered. where someone can control my financial future— my career future.”

The next day, he started applying the manager’s advice, and saw his mindset gradually change over time. Instead of just seeing his job as clock-in, clock-out opportunity, Cyrus started finding purpose in his managerial role. The store recorded $2 Million in sales and ranked No. 1 in district for a 32% decrease in debt collection write offs. At the time, everything in Cyrus’ career was going well.

take an engineering sales job with a six-figure salary. He thought his career future was becoming more financially secure until the company called him in for an unexpected meeting. Despite Cyrus’ great sales performance, the company predicted other upcoming opportunities for the firm and anticipated Cyrus’ role might change. That change led to his termination just three months after being hired.

Cyrus took a chance on a new career opportunity and moved to Dallas, Texas. He went back to his corporate roots and joined Fidelity Investments as an Operations Brokerage Associate. The move helped him get closer to his new career goal of working in the financial services industry and owning his own financial firm.

“I couldn’t have asked for more. I had the perfect career. Perfect situation in management,” he said. “But then I got greedy.” Cyrus abandoned his growing career at Sherwin Williams to

“I never thought in a million years that I could be fired,” he said. “At that point—which really was a very low point in my life— I said, “Never again will I be put in a situation

“Losing that job was the first job that changed my mindset. So many individuals [like me at the time] don’ t have proper plans in place for life’s low moments,” he said.

My drive in this business is being able to inspire the world that inspired me. Cyrus saw his clients and professional peers outside of work did not have a proper understanding of wealth management. Even those with a brokerage account, didn't know how to prepare for the worst. "Seeing that really spurred something inside me.” After a year at Fidelity, Cyrus took another leap of faith and opened his own practice under Northwestern Mutual. Again, the first year in his new career was rocky until he found a mentor. From his new business mentors Cyrus began to understand more about delayed gratification and the long journey it takes to build a successful career. “I had to understand that it’s a process— nothing happens overnight. My first month in the business, it sucked. But I stayed humble, I stayed hungry… and once I did that the money started to roll in.” Cyrus attributes his ability to persevere though years of tough career situations to his roots as a first-generation college student with an “impoverished background.” Growing up in Miami area, the median household income for his hometown neighborhood was less than $20,000 a year. He counts his new career in finance as an avenue to uplift his community. “I wake up every day saying, ‘I’m going to change the world.’ I’m going to say you can can make it from Pompano Beach, Florida and be anything that you’ve been called to be. And that’s just my drive in this business—being able to protect families, change lives, and inspire the world that inspired me.”

Will is the owner of Cyrus Financial Group. You can connect with him via LinkedIn or via Instagram @seekn_godswill.

D Dressing for the International Office

As more American companies become global businesses, you may be asked to work at an international office. Instead of wondering what to wear to work abroad, take the style advice of Menswear Blogger FranĂ§ois-Yves Auger. With professional experience in Europe, Asia, and the United States, Francoisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; tips will keep you dressed for success overseas.

D Dressing for the International Office

efore starting hellofrancois.com, a Dallasbased blog dedicated to men’s fashion and lifestyle, I have been fortunate to live and work in different countries across the globe. Growing up in a small seaside resort in western France, about four and half hour drive southwest of Paris, I dreamt of life in a big city. And at just 28 years old, I’ve been fortunate to call London, Athens, Tokyo, Hong Kong and now Dallas, home. Passionate about cultures, languages and fashion since a very young age, I decided to study these subjects and graduated with a master in foreign languages and an MBA in marketing of fashion. For the past few years, I have been helping fashion and luxury brands to expand overseas. While working within the trade division of the French Consulate in Hong Kong, I helped French companies understand the local market and meet with potential clients. It was truly fascinating to work on an everyday basis with people from Hong Kong, Macau and Mainland China, and learn more about their own business cultures. When Forty Magazine asked me if I was interested in giving tips and advice on how to dress for an international business meeting, I got excited. Not only do I have a strong interest in fashion and styling, I also have the experience in international business work environments.

WANT TO SHOP THIS LOOK? Check out Francois’ latest blog post on hellofrancois.com. The latest blog post will include hyperlinks to shop the outfit featured on the photos.

Going on a business trip overseas and meeting with professionals from different cultures are very exciting things to do, but can also be frightening if you go unprepared. We often say not to judge a book by its cover. This doesn’t apply to the international business environment. The way you are dressed is the first thing your international business partners will see. Trust me, not only will they study your look from head to toe, but they will also try to gather information about your ability and professionalism as well as the stability of the company you work for. Image is very important, especially when you deal with important contacts. And remember, you never get a second chance to make a good first impression. So, make sure you dress like the professional you are or want to be. Unfortunately, there isn’t a clearly defined dress code for international business meetings. Depending on your industry and the local business culture of the country you’re visiting, the requirements differ. However, here are a few simple rules that should help in most situations Don’t show too much skin. No matter your industry or the country you’re visiting, avoid

Photos taken by Dallas-based photographer Kristina Williams. Follow her on Instagram: @kriswillphotos

wearing sleeveless shirts, low-cut blouses or open-toed shoes. This rule is particularly important in Muslim countries, where women should dress modestly, covering shoulders, upper arms and knees. Make sure your socks are in good condition. In some Asian countries, your business partners might invite you to lunch in a restaurant where you will be asked to remove your shoes. Knowing that, it will be important to wear socks with no holes. Pack plain white undershirts and simple undergarments. Because some countries are known for being hot and humid, you might need to remove a few layers during your meeting to be comfortable. Make sure each layer is appropriate and not embarrassing. Avoid bright colors. Your outfit should never be subject to attention or distraction. Play it safe by wearing neutral colors such as black, grey, or navy. You want them to remember what you had to say, not what you were wearing. Let me end by saying that, wherever you go, you must do some research on the business culture of the country you’re visiting. Each country is unique and going to an international business meeting aware of their specific habits and customs is key to success. Also, while striving to fit in, remember that your international business partners invited you. They wanted to learn something from the meeting, so while being respectful, make sure you represent your country and your culture at the same time.

FRANCOIS’ TIPS: • • • •

Don’s show too much skin. Make sure your socks are in good condition. Pack plain white undershirts and simple undergarmets. Avoid bright colors.

WANT TO SHOP THIS LOOK? Check out Francois’ latest blog post on hellofrancois.com. The latest blog post will include hyperlinks to shop the outfit featured on the photos.

Photos taken by Dallas-based photographer Kristina Williams. Follow her on Instagram: @kriswillphotos

FRANCOIS’ TIPS: • • • •

Don’s show too much skin. Make sure your socks are in good condition. Pack plain white undershirts and simple undergarmets. Avoid bright colors.

Working on a College Campus Working on a college campus is nothing like a work-study job. Graduate Assistant Ashely Tisdale explains how working with college students can prepare you for managing any type of workforce. The night before I taught my first college course, I had a panic attack. I was worried if my students would like me, what I would teach, if I could teach, and if my students would take me seriously. Of course, I had more worries, but those weighed heaviest on me. Although not as stressful, I experienced a similar set of fears on my first day as a writing consultant. I was so overcome by own anxiousness, that it was quite a while before I realized all the extra professional training I was getting in exchange for my work. I realized taking my skills to a campus, would help me gear up for a successful career. Working with college students has prepared me to thrive in a variety of workforce settings.

Ashely is a currently seeking a PhD in Literature at the University of South Florida. You can follow her experience in higher education at collegiategirlsclub.com.

Working on Campus

Diverse Workforce

In my classrooms, I teach a minimum of 22 students twice a week. That means that twice a week I must deal with the personalities of 22 different people, who are dealing with their own issues. Teaching has afforded me the amazing opportunity to interact with diverse groups of people in a way that would certainly impress an employer interested in my ability to work within groups or as the leader of one (or many).

Independent Workforce

Not all jobs are a team sport. Some of the best account and sales positions require you to work on your own. At the writing center I was responsible for checking in on my clients and providing them with the assistance and resources they needed— with no input from my supervisors. By rising to the occasion, I was preparing myself to work independently, no matter the position.

Critical Workforce

As a teacher and writing consultant I had the responsibility of offering constructive criticism so that writers could improve their work. As one might imagine, not everyone accepted criticism and suggestions well. Although those moments were some of my most challenging, I learned how to defend my decisions in the face of questioning. Students and clients often want an answer as to why what they said was “wrong.” I learned how to identify the error and be prepared to explain it so that they might improve.

Respectful Workforce

I thought that it would be easier to maintain my students and client’s interest in our work if they liked me, but I was wrong. What ensures that students do their best work and that clients come prepared is respect. If the people you are guiding respect you, it will be easier to get them to complete their tasks whether they like it or not. I learned how to demand respect by being on time, being prepared, learning more, and getting comfortable making mistakes.

Young Workforce

Although I know that I am qualified for both jobs, sometimes I still have pangs of self-doubt imposter syndrome). These feelings are also related to the knowledge that I am not very much older than my students. Working with young adults, as a young adult, has afforded me the confidence of knowing that my ability to do my “jobs” is not a matter of age. Instead it is a matter of skill, effort, and ability. I finished the semester, not without some hurdles, but with much more confidence. It feels good knowing that you’re more than prepared to enter any workforce.

IRISH STRONG Over a long weekend, Kian Hervey discovers why the Irish count themselves so lucky. Spoiler Alertâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; It has to do with beer & whiskey.

Pictured: The Guinness Storehouse in Dublin's old brewing quarter (Cathal Mac an Bheatha)

Above: Trinity College is home to 17,000 undergraduate and post-grduate students.

Right: Known for its kind-hearted popula on, ublin is interna onally recognized to as the “Fair City.”

A Layover in Boston It only seemed right to start our Irish adventure where the Irish first stopped in the US. We spent our threehour layover in Boston, Massachusetts drinking beer at Cheers. From the airport, ge ng to the famous bar where every body knows your name was a quick trip.

The rail brought us directly to the pier where the bar is housed. On our walk over we stopped by the site of the Boston Massacre, an old state house, and explored Columbus Circle. After our beer and late lunch, it was back to the airport for our nonstop flight, courtesy of Irish air carrier Aer Lingus.

Flying Aer Lingus Despite the inflight entertainment going out, the flight from Boston to Dublin seemed short and enjoyable on Aer Lingus. The inflight meal was a typical Irish spread. The crew all spoke with thick accents and referred to everyone as “dear.” We landed around sunrise and headed to our AirBnB.

Unprepared for the crisp air and long commute from airport to city centre, I shivered as we walked from the bus to our two-bedroom apartment off iver Liffey which cuts directly through the city. Sleep came easy as our first day of travel adventure came to a close.

Today, Jameson whiskey is dis lled in Cork, Ireland. The old dis llery stands as a landmark and tourist des na on in ublin.

Above: London is known for it’s red doubledecker buses. In Dublin, double-decker buses are painted a bright yellow.

Right: Dublin Castle was actually built as a fortress or the Bri sh ruler of Ireland in the 1300s. The vast property includes a castle, state apartments, and more.

History Made Real Eager to see the city up close, we committed to walking around instead of commuting by taxi or bus. After grabbing a traditional Irish breakfast of eggs, beans, and tea, we walked to Dublin Castle. Afterwards we stopped by St. Patrick’s Cathedral and the Guinness Factory.

Like most European castles, Dublin Castle sits in the center of the old town square. Historical markers around the castle grounds explain the significance of the buildings that make up the full property. From the Castle we hiked to St. Patrick’s Cathedral, founded in 11 1

On the way to St. Patrick’s, we passed several other churches which were equally historic. Gothic style steeples rose in nearly every direction as we made our way to the first church of Ireland. Hundreds of tourists crowded the church steps to get a selfie.

We skipped the crowds and took photos in the church courtyard and park, which surprisingly was equipped with WiFi. With spring just beginning the flowers were in full bloom. The day was just beginning but we already had so many memories and sites under our belt.

The Temple Bar istrict is marked by it s bri ht red restaurants and bars, most o which stay open un l : A .

Guzzling Guinness

The Temple Bar District

Irish Tradition

Back home, I am far from a fan of dark beer. But after much persuasion by Yelp reviews, I consented to trying a pint at the Guinness Factory. Built in 1759, the factory sits on a cobbled road and has about an hour or more wait for curious guests. Once inside, you walk through the entire brewing process and learn the history of the Guinness family.

Our final day started with breakfast at Queen of Tarts, a brunch cafe in the Temple Bar district. While the food was delicious, there weren’t any mimosas to accompany our spread. We headed to the Old ameson Distillery to quench our Irish thirst.

A live Irish folk band greeted us with lively jigs and songs. As we ordered a round of drinks, we learned the true meaning behind the bar’s name. Originally built in the 1700s, the structure was previously owned by the Church of Ireland and known as St. Mary’s until 1 . The Church was one of the first galley churches opened in Dublin and where Arthur Guinness wed his wife.

nfamiliar with how dark ales are brewed, I found the tour enhanced my overall appreciation for the drink. Our group toasted to a productive morning at the Sky Bar which overlooked the entire city. All the drinking and walking worked up a big appetite. We headed back to our apartment and ate near Trinity College at a cocktail kitchen.

The Old ameson Distillery includes both a museum and upscale bar. After reali ing there was a three hour wait for a tour, we decided to drink at the bar. We did tasting of four reserve whiskey blends and sipped cocktails for hours.

It seemed like everywhere we turned in Dublin, there was a rich history waiting to absorb. As the sun set over our last day in the city, Walking back from the distillery, we stumbled upon a bar called “The we stopped for pictures by The Spire and Harp Bridge. We packed Church.” Since it was a Sunday, our bags and headed to the airport we decided to stop in. What we for our red-eye back to the .S. and experienced inside was far better made plans to visit Ireland again. than our outside expectations. Kian ervey is a ublica ons Analyst at outhwest Airlines. onnect with her on nsta ram oreKian.

UP THE LADDER Your per sonal and career development

Finding Her Voice in Alabama Before she decided to go to college, Nicole’s daily life consisted of working t an tr n to n r o as an r an no st n a a a s largest metropolitan area. When it comes to education, Alabama has had a bad reputation for decades. Although I graduated with an Advanced Academic Diploma and received acceptance letters to several institutions out of state, I didn’t feel prepared to make the jump to a college campus right away. I stayed home for a while and started working towards becoming an independent adult.

As I started working and cultivating relationships with my peers, I watched my life change drastically. Instead of abandoning the state and region that raised me to be who I am today, I stayed in Birmingham to start my career. Less than one year into my professional journey as a writer and online retailer, I know I couldn’t be where I am today without my local community. My first job after high school was at a neighborhood pharmacy where I worked as a Beauty Advisor and then was promoted to a Pharmacy Technician. My days were both long and slow as customers came in for their beauty and medical needs. After a few months on the job, I knew this wasn’t the career for me. I often would pass the time by scrolling on Facebook and searching for other career opportunities. A majority of the jobs I was seeking employment for required a Bachelor’s degree. I eventually started researching schools and later enrolled into Miles College where I am now pursuing a degree in Communications. After a few years of trying to maintain all A’s, work a full time job, and build a successful dating relationship, I found myself becoming physically worn out, emotionally stressed, and at times depressed. Because I’m naturally guarded with my feelings, I kept my pain to myself and felt the only way to release it was to write it. I could have easily written it in a journal, but I knew I wasn’t the only one in Birmingham going through this distress. I felt the need to share with other people that can relate to what I was going through in an impac ul way.

Visit the Nicole Sade blog to get a free chapter of Nicole’s first novel, No Room For Trust. You can also order your copy of the urban fiction book online.

One day at work, while searching online for impac ul writes, I came across See ane Write, a membership organi ation for women who like to write, blog, and become entrepreneurs based out of Birmingham, AL. The more I browsed through the website I reali ed I had met the founder several times at my job. I immediately became a member and began utili ing the professional training that See ane Write offered. The anes were so encouraging and inspiring that every time I left a writing workshop, where we critique each other’s writings, I felt motivated to allow my pen to bleed more. Being surrounded by college students and coworkers who were facing a number of life challenges inspired me to started Nicole Sade,’ a blog that inspires, uplifts, and encourages women. I knew I would be the voice for so many women that were facing similar situations within the Birmingham community and other cities. Starting the blog opened up so many doors for me. Most importantly it boosted my self-esteem. To have followers from your own state and others across the nation was heartwarming. It allowed me to see first-hand what I was capable of and how my posts related to several women. I briefly began to take myself serious as a writer and began to look for local publications and blogs to build my experience.

After a semester of serving as a news reporter, I was appointed as the Managing Editor for the Milean, the Miles College student publication produced by the college’s Division of Communications. In December 201 , I began to blog for CampusLATELY. This year, with the support of some friends and family, I started writing my first novel, No oom for Trust. Based off the experiences of young women in Birmingham, the novel is an urban-fiction tale that many teens and young adults could relate to. After writing the novel I began to search for local publishing companies, but none fit into my limited budget. Not aware of how the self-publishing process went, I reached out to a local self-publishing author. After a powerful meeting with her I immediately decided to go the self-publishing route and released my novel stress free at a very low cost. The best part of publishing the book has been inspiring other women to not only tell their stories, but to also write them down. Within this year, not only have I learned a lot about blogging, writing and branding, I’ve met some ama ing women who are a part of the Alabama community. Often I hear people say Birmingham is not the right place to be when it comes to being a professional in the field of Communication, but I have to disagree. Without Birmingham, I wouldn’t be where I am today as a professional writer. Nicole Sade is a blogger, author, and entrepreneur. She is currently studying Communications and Management and aw at Miles College in Fairfield, A .

NEW ROOTS

Whether relocating was your choice or not, you can take control of your situation and make the most out of any professional move.

Brandon E. Miller looks back on his multiple moves across the U.S. to help you GROW as a young professional wherever you're planted. If you just accepted your dream job or were promoted within your company, it might be time to relocate to a new city. It's human nature to want to have all of the answers and be in complete control of our professional fate. But there are inherent unknowns that surround relocating for work it often is a painful thought to prepare to uproot and replant in a new city. I’ve moved over 10 times in my life throughout childhood, college, and my career. Some would say I'm a relocation guru – and by “some,” I’m essentially saying that is what I call myself. As a child leaving friends in the middle of the school year, transitioning from one time one to the next, and trying out for new sports teams was challenging. But the childhood moves have made me more adaptale to new environments and more apt to efficiently thrive in new cities as an adult. To manage your expectations, I'm not going to give you a laundry list of tasks and activities that should be completed before the “big move." There are plenty of online resources that can better serve that purpose. This article will help you prime your mindset to not only be excited about the new phase of your life, but also give you tips and tricks for a successful “replanting” that will lead to a blossoming future.

Prime the Soil: Utilize your networks and jump head first into new ones. One of the greatest things about technology is the fact that you can literally be in multiple places at once. Before I was replanted in Dallas I was added to multiple Dallas-based chat groups where I had the opportunity to connect with multiple like-minded millennials in the city before I even made the big move. I also reali ed everyone didn’t know each other “in real-life” in the group chats so it gave me comfort knowing I really wasn’t the odd-man-out as I forged relationships over the interwebs that soon grew into meaningful relationships in real life. tili ing pla orms like GroupMe, Facebook Groups, Meetup, Eventbrite, and even searching Instagram hashtags and locations are a viable way of learning the lay of the land and priming the soil before you move.

THE REPLANTING

Relocating & Blossoming in a New City

Water the Seeds: Take risks and make yourself uncomfortable.

Find the Sunlight: Alilgn your passions and professional networks.

Seeds can grow in the most uncomfortable and extreme circumstances, plants are resilient enough to thrive environments that seem risky. Be that seed. It’s important to put yourself in uncomfortable situations to adapt and evolve. Consider ge ng plugged into local art shows, explore musueums, visit networking events, or head a happy hour and learn how to talk to strangers. If you have to have a whiskey and Coke beforehand, so be it).

As an avid runner, one of the first things I looked for in Dallas was a running group. After scouring hashtags on Instagram I stumbled across We un The Trinity – a running group that met twice a week in Dallas. After attending my first run I reali ed that runners included everyone young professionals, entrepreneurs, mothers, corporate executives, and any other demographic you can think of. Many of which are now good friends and were the individuals that helped me get accustomed to my new city. One of the quickest ways to put yourself at ease when moving to uncharted territory is to find your light your passions , and align those passions to existing networks. Whether it is professional organi ations, cooking groups, bible studies, or workout classes at a local gym show up and connect with others.

Nurture the Seeds: Find balance betweeen old and new relationships. We talked about taking risks and making yourself uncomfortable, but it is equally important to take risks and make yourself comfortable. Just because you move to a new city doesn’t mean you have to be a “new you.” By all means, don’t disregard old habits and routines. Make sure that you maintain your relationships with friends from back home, invite them over to help you set up your new pad, or force yourself to learn the new city so you can show it off when they visit. No matter where your new city is, keeping up with self-care rituals and hobbies that you enjoy is imperative.

Deepen the Roots: Get really plugged in your new surroundings.. I’m going to fill you guys in on a little-known secret, I’m not extroverted – at all. Since I have a job that requires me to travel most weekdays, and a passion for exploration which makes me want to travel on weekends ge ng really plugged in is generally tough. To make your presence felt and appreciated you have to dig your roots in deep. The quickest way to do that is to maintain newly founded relationships – don’t just “bump in” to new friends at the weekly happy hour, text them during the week and see how they’re doing, where they recommend eating, or if they want to chill the Ne lix portion is circumstantial .

GIVE YOURSELF TIME TO CREATE LASTING ROOTS IN A NEW CITY After moving to Dallas, I got involved in philanthropic initiatives and volunteer projects to get to know the city, and its people, a little better. To learn more about Dallas’ unique pockets of culture, I went and ran through different neighborhoods Pro Tip make sure they’re safe first . If your entrepreneurial spirit feels so inclined, you can even start a business in your new city, which I did. This gave me a reason to deepen my roots, build relationships, and really get plugged in.

Grow: Flourish in your new city. Moving to a new city can be more exciting than it is daunting it is all about how you perceive the move. Prime your environment before the move. now that the world is small so you can lean on your networks to make some introductions and check out the new city. Nurture your seeds. Once you have been planted in your new environment make sure you take the necessary risks to grow, but also maintain your mental health and emotional happiness. Find your light and deepen your roots. When you’re planted, you might as well blossom – find your passions and make your new location your new home.

Brandon is a consultant at ar ton on u ting e i a o a eria entre reneur ounding u ine e in gra hic de ign rand trateg i ennia i e coaching rican erican entre reneur hi and or ace di er it earn ore a out randon at randone i er co

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Childhood Lessons You Need as An Adult

There’s a valuable lesson in every story— even ones for kids. Children’s Book Author Stephen Evans breaks down why so eti es o sho l sto acting like a gro n an re isco er o r chil hoo s ark or li e Since I’ve been reading and speaking at schools across the country and around the world, it has brought back many of my childhood memories. I have also noticed that children have a special sparkle in their eyes. nfortunately, that sparkle seems to fade as we grow into adults. Here are five things that will help you keep or bring back the twinkle in your eyes.

Try Something New When you are a child you are always experiencing something new. You go new places, meet new people, and you have not developed that “been there, done that” a tude yet. Every day is a little different and there’s always excitement around the next corner, the next car ride, or the next weekend. Experiencing something for the first time is a chance to learn more about yourself. Learning something new about you may be the most important aspect of a first time experience. I believe doing something you’ve never done before helps keep you young in the heart, mind, and eyes.

Get Excited About Something Children will tell you how excited they are for something whether it’s in an hour or six months down the road. When children are packed with anticipation their smiles grow, their eyes get big, and their voices get loud. It’s awesome to witness. Somewhere in adulthood we forget how to embrace and enjoy the excitement of waiting. We stress over everything that has to get done first, or, even worse, complain about it completely, ignoring the excitement we should be using as a driving force.

Ask Questions and ar nsw rs I believe everyone is constantly either a student or a teacher. You can always learn something from everyone you encounter or you can teach something to someone. Children are quick to ask questions and are even faster to tell you what they know. This is another thing we, as adults, somehow tend to forget. Either we think we already know it all and are therefore always right, or we assume that everything we know is common knowledge and we forget our obligation to share the knowledge we have obtained along the way. So, in every interaction ask yourself this question “Am I supposed to be the student here or the teacher here?”

Make New Friends Children can become best friends over the littlest things because they are looking for something they have in common with one another. In this day and age, some would question why we would even want to do that All of our friends are already in an app on our phone. But I feel we are missing more of the personal interaction than ever before. Watch how children on a playground interact, sparking up conversations, inviting one another to play, and making friends. Then take a look at

young adults pretty much anywhere and you will find them buried in their phone with their face lit up by the screten. Next time you find yourself on a bus, plane or train, look around and see if you find something in common with someone. You may have just found a friend.

Let your Imagination Run Wild It’s no surprise children have the wildest imaginations out there. All day long they can be lost in a whole other world that they’ve completely made up. How rad is that And why do we as adults seem to lose that ability? I don’t think we ever really do. More often than not we just choose not go there anymore. My question and challenge to you is why Deep off in your imagination is where your dreams go to rest. It’s a world of your own where you can periodically go to escape a busy day or hectic lifestyle. Stepping into the makebelieve is a vacation in your mind and that’s where the best thoughts sometimes hide. So, even as an adult, go out and find a friend you can ask for or give advice to. Let you imaginations run wild together as you embrace the excitement and anticipation of going out and trying new things for the very first time. Don’t grow all the way up and be your own kind of awesome. Outside of being an award-winning author, Stephen is the head chef for the niversity o issouri Athle c inin . His latest book, The Rat Who Loved Math, is available now at Ama on.com.

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Hitting "Reply" sooner than later can get senior managers to see you as an asset to the company.

Be Friendly

Be Outgoing

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During your 40+ hour work week, be aware of yourself, both socially and professionally. Even if you have been working at the same place for years, it's not too late to apply these tips. They will get you noticed and help you grow as a young professional.

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W ELLNESS Taking care of your self now to prepare for your future.

SETTING QUARTERLY GOALS FOR ANNUAL SUCCESS

e often start the year full of optimism and hope, expecting that we can stay focused on our goals all year long. But often times by spring, our anuary plans are forgotten and we fall off the quarterly path toward succcess. Alexandria Taylor shares how you can spring into a new quarter with a new mindset and get back on track with your annual goals. The roar of the New Year often brings about the inception of new goals and new-found ways of growing and glowing. I as efinitel one o the individuals that quickly decided to jump on the goal setting bandwagon in December. I thought: • • • •

What do I want my year to look like? How do I want to grow personally? How do I want my career to grow? What lessons do I want to learn from others?

These themes were some of the most prominent thoughts on my mind as I set my goals. But I somehow forgot to create a battleplan for the year.

ACCOUNTABILITY Scrolling through my Instagram, I was reminded I created a post for #NationalGoalWritingDay. I thought if I posted my goals, the pressure of sharing my aspirations on social media would hold me more accountable. If I published it for everyone to see, then I just had to complete them. But, Boy was I wrong. n the first arter o the ear i less than half of what I said I would do. I set my sights on the mountain but I didn’t bring any equipment to scale the summit. Staring at the mountain from a distance is easy— Speaking about climbing is easy. But standing at its base is where the real work begins. I brought along with me the correct amount of hope, will power, and determination into the new year. What I lacked was discipline, balance, and a plan.

Alexandria's goals for the New Year included cu ti atin pro ra or o en increa in ocia edia en a e en and creatin and a erin ee routine

DISCIPLINE

My largest foe was myself. My issue was not the work to be completed. My issue was beginning. I chose not to sacrifice hat nee e to o or hat ante to o in the o ent s a res lt blog osts ent n one or ith hal e ort isse o t on o ort nities to connect ith other b ing bran s learne the har a that rioriti ing o r assion o er te orar gratifications as a st B co leting hat as i ortant first learne ho to gi e sel ti e or co leting tasks an in lging in g ilt leas res ra all taught myself how to be more disciplined. Here's how you can do it too.

ACHIEVE DISCIPLINE 1.

If you have a long lists of tasks to complete, prioritize them by your strengths. Budget extra time for weaker tasks, so that your weaknesses don’t overshadow your progress. 2. o ha e tro ble starting a task create a re ar s ste nce o finish o r task treat o rsel 3. o ha e iss es finishing so ething set a ea line stablish a so t ea line o the i eal co letion date. Make a hard deadline of when things have to be done. Incorporate breaks into your deadline to eliminate burn out. 4. o ltitask or easil get o track set a ti er ork iligentl or an ho r or in tes then take a break. During your break, do squats, check social media, read a devotional or reply to an email. What you do doesn’t matter, just break.

BALANCE I never knew the importance of creating a work-life balance until recentl s a noct rnal e iatric nurse, each week in the month can vary. There was one week that I worked a 12-hour shift at my job four nights in a row. I gave up working out for increased hours of sleep to keep my sanity. Subsequently, I found myself falling asleep behind the wheel often on the way home from work. Battling the challenge of sleep deprivation lead me to reali e the e ects o oor balance that I created within my life that ultimately lead to chaos. I lacked creating and customizing systems an ork o s into a to day routines. I needed a system to accomplish all of the tasks that adulting demanded. My life required balancing on a tightrope. Instead o alling o co letel create a system for each type of day that I would experience during the week. There were certain tasks that I knew needed to be completed. There was also a certain way the tasks had to fit into eek in or er or e to be successful. I also learned about ork o s ha to create te lates and checklists for the things I knew must be completed each week.

ACHIEVE BALANCE 1.

a ine o r eek each Sunday to determine what the week’s priorities are. Budget your time by setting aside small increments of time to complete your most important tasks by mid-week. This way if your week takes a detour you have time to catch up on what is most important.

2. Create a weekly 3. sk o rsel the routine for your number of hours mundane tasks such you want to dedicate as household chores, to your goal. How working out, and many hours can you cooking. Dedicate realistically set aside certain days to get each eek ersonal your life together. challenge is to strive Prioritize self-care on or art ti e ho rs the same level as you a week. Then look at prioritize your work. o r sche le an fin You can’t function at a where those hours will high level if you aren’t fit at r a s can still yourself. be aworkday.

PLAN

There is no better way to use o r ti e in the ost e cient way than to plan it out to the very last detail. The ultimate problem that I realized I possessed at the en o the first arter as a lack of planning. I knew exactly what goals I wanted to achieve. I was even able to visualize myself achie ing each one at i erent stages of the year. I knew exactly when I wanted to accomplish each goal. However, I failed to plan the most minute details. I learned that establishing the beginning roots of the goal and visualizing completion was not enough. We have to make it a habit of thinking abo t the finite etails o the goal. Do not focus only on the end result. The ultimate goal is not as important as the steps that it takes to achieve the desired outcome. Without actionable steps, we will never experience the goal coming to fruition. Diligence is about consistently executing at a certain level of productivity day in and day out. I failed to think about the who, what, when, where and why. I failed to remember the basic principles that I was taught in grade school.

When you budget your time according to prioritization, you will be able to feel more productive and relieved when the work week is over. You know that you have accomplished what you set out to do without running yourself up a wall.

ACHIEVE QUARTERLY SUCCESS 1.

Think about your goal in its simplest form. What can you do each day to work towards that goal? 2. Next, break down steps to work toward your goal each arter ter o establish quarterly goals, divide the steps that it takes to complete that goal into monthly, weekly, and daily tasks. What will your goal look like tomorrow, in a week, next month? 3. Finally, understand you can’t accomplish all your goals on your own. Who do you need to contact or collaborate with? Think about what it will take to accomplish the goals and what materials are required. 4. Post-planning, consider where o ant to be financiall spiritually, or mentally after you achieve your plan. Check your reasoning behind your oti ation sk hat is eling your plan? Remind yourself o that fire an assion hen carrying out your plan.

Moving into a new quarter of the ear can be re reshing ltho gh you may not have accomplished all that you have set out to do in the first arter b t it is ne er too late to re-evaluate, recharge, and plow full-steam ahead to scale your o ntain in ig re o t ho you can increase your discipline by placing your priorities in their proper order. Make balance a mandatory part of your life. Incorporate systems in your life intertwined with opportunities for self-care. Finally, focus and finali e the finite etails o o r plan to create actionable steps. Only by following these principles ill o e ecti el se o r first quarter failures to set up your year of success. Alexandria Traylor, RN is a graduate from Texas Christian niversity in Forth Worth, TX. When she is not working as a nurse, she is curating content and event experiences for Baes and Bombshells, a women's empowerment and lifestyle blog dedicated to insping women to build an empire strategically (BAES) and beautifully overcoming mental barriers BOMBs . Find out more about Alexandria and Baes and Bombshells at BaesNBombshells.com

TAKE CARE. When your workday quickly turns to night, it's important to practice self-care and get back to being you.

Registered Nurse Colea Owens shares how she picks herself up after a demanding day, and how you can do the same.

Similar to prayer, Self-Care is the most necessary when it’s hardest to do. Case and point—last month. After work, I came home and found myself terribly tired and unusually unmotivated. As a travel nurse, I handled the usual demanding 12-hour flow of patient admissions, discharges, family members’ expectations, and interactions with co-workers. ust like any other shift, I clocked out and took a breather in the car and then headed home. But that night I was particularly hard on myself and I couldn’t figure out why. I didn’t want to think

Often we confuse Self-Care as things that come from OUTSIDE of ourselves, BUT self-care is under the individuals control. about coming back the next day for more, and I was too tired to even eat. I figured I’d motivate myself by ge ng lost in my side project, Black Girl Blue Scrubs . I had just recently founded the organi ation and was

eager to get emails out and do some strategy planning. The excitement lasted a few moments then passed as decided I was even too tired for that. I needed someone to call or vent to, but didn’t feel like rehashing the day, especially since nothing really went wrong. I got on Instagram in hopes of finding something inspirational, but I wasn’t in the mood for anything anyone was posting. I forgot to grab some wine on the way home and had nothing saved on D that sounded interesting. I resolved I definitely was going to get a massage this week. After I reali ed an activity wouldn’t revitali e me, I checked my biological needs. Sleep. That’s what my body needed. I thought “I will just take a break, go to bed early, and start tomorrow refreshed.” But when I got home and settled in, I remembered my trainer had also assigned me daily “homework” of 25 sit ups and 25 push-ups. I tried to convince myself that’s okay to miss one day I would just do double the next day. Out of nowhere, guilt

set in, and I began to cry as I thought about all the things I needed to do. I needed to work on my strategy plan if I planned on meeting my business goals. I needed to do this “homework” because I have fitness goals. And I needed to sleep so I could get back to work in the morning. I was officially overwhelmed. I mustered up enough energy to do the fitness homework since it seemed the easiest and quickest to complete. I felt a small burst of energy afterwards, so I decided on a hot bath and a book. The book was a small treasure I had found through Oprah called What I know for Sure. I got through the first two pages and thought to myself, “Yes, This is what I needed.” Taking Care of YOU Often we confuse Self-Care as things that come from O TSIDE of ourselves, like scrolling through social media, drinking, hanging with Friends, watching T , or shopping. While these things are great distractions and wonderful ways to relax, they don’t always constitute as Self-Care.

Self-Care is under the individuals control and is both deliberate and self-initiated. Self-care is taking your own energy and pu ng it back into you. Self-care serves a specific purpose and that is to renew energy and promote healing. It is about manifesting your own light and shining in it. In short, you have to refill your own cup. It creates a healthy sense of self through independent thinking and encourages a more positive image of the world around you. Self-care ensures that you don’t forget to inspire yourself FI ST, then making room for the rest of the world later. A few easy ways to do that are:

1. Exercise

Exert your own energy for the purpose of increasing strength, endurance and confidence. Even low-impact forms of exercise like active breathing, meditation, and yoga can promote self-care.

2. Refresh Your Look

From ge ng your hair done to painting your nails, there are many ways to practice self-maintenance. While you might be tempted to get the same service over and over again, sometimes a mix up can be just as renewing. Think how creative or innovate can you get with your style

3. Create Something

Make a meal, paint something, write a song, or make up a dance. In my relaxing time, I like to make body scrubs. It’s fun, organic, and creative. I also have a small urban garden. It’s something that I put my energy into and can watch grow. Don’t wait until your well runs dry to discover you’re a little off balance. ust like payday where you pay yourself first, set reminders to fill your cup first Write down what inspires you to keep going, what stresses you out, and be aware of what you and your body need on a regular basis. Self-care is NOT a time to be critical— it’s a time to be honest and free It isn’t always easy, but with practice and time, these moments allow us the clarity and peace we need to do our work well, be our best selves, and pour into the world Colea is passionate about helping healthcare professionals step into their own light. Connect with her on Instagram @leadoll_

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BA LA NCE (ZERO) When Your Paycheck Doesn't Clear When your employer doesn?t pay you for your time, it can be scary and confusing. I have experienced delayed paycheck panic twice in my career. Each time it was resolved. Although situations like this may seem rare, it is important to know what to do when your paycheck does not clear your bank account. Here is my story. W here?s My Paycheck? I wake up every-other Friday with extra joy in my heart. The sun seems to shine brighter and roses tend to smell better on payday. But as I checked my bank account one fateful Friday morning, my giddy heart sunk deep in my chest. I didn?t see my paycheck deposited into my account; the amount barely changed. I knew the company I worked for at the time was having a financial hardship, but I never pictured it to be this bad. My first thought after seeing $0 deposited was, The company went bankrupt!?As I finished the rest of my morning routine, I started to panic. ?Is my employer going to pay up???What about the bills coming out of my account today?? ?What am I going to do?? Like most professionals, I had plans for this paycheck and a budget to follow. I thought about storming off to the accounting department and demanding my money. But I quickly ruled out that as not the best- solution. As I made it to work that morning, I was angry. I decided my supervisor or boss may have the answer, and he would get the brunt of my anger. Confront ing My Boss I walked into my boss?s office ready to demand answers. I didn?t want to be mad at him, but my money was missing. The look on my face must have said everything; my boss put on his best ?What can I do for you??voice. I informed him that I did not get paid today. He replied, ?I know. No one did.?He went on to explain that the entire accounting department is working on the solution. He didn?t get paid today either.

Their Reason As the day went on, my boss discovered more information from payroll. He explained that the accounting department switched to a new payroll system and there was a problem during data entry that caused all the paychecks to miss the deposit. To fix the entry error, the accounting department had to complete individual wire transfers to each employee. It would be all-day task, with no lunch breaks. By the end the day, I had my paycheck. While your delayed paycheck situation may not be from a company on the verge of financial ruins, not getting a paycheck after working 40-plus hours can be upsetting to say the least. My company was apologetic and promised that the situation would not happen again. I continued working for that company for another year and it never happened again.

W hen a Company Refuses t o Pay Although my paycheck delay was due to data entry error, there are other scenarios to consider for paycheck delays such as: -

Timesheet entry mistake Direct deposit not updated correctly Supervisor did not approve timesheet

Everyone experiences fear and shock when they find out their paycheck was not deposited on pay day. If your paycheck is missing, talk to your boss and/or accounting to find out the problem. If there is a situation where the company is refusing to pay, know your rights. There are a number of wage regulations that prevent employers from abusing your time and not offering you fair compensation. If you don?t feel comfortable confronting your employer on your own, you can retain a lawyer or reach out to your local Department of Labor to file a complaint for free. If you?re still struggling with what to do in a situation like this, consult a trusted peer. For career women concerned about responsibly handling your finances, visit BudgetLikeALady.com.

Nicole Butler is a personal finance writer. Nicole has freelanced as a personal finance consultant since 2008 when she received her MBA in finance. She makes managing finances easy for busy professionals. Nicole has made her own money mistakes so you don?t have to. With many years of personal finance experience, Nicole is most known for writing for her blog, Budget Like a Lady. When she is not writing, Nicole likes to enjoy time with her family, travel, and ballroom dance.

BREAK BI TES Your favor ite par t of the workday? lunch.

Grocery Store THE

GAME It takes real strategy and a competitive edge to beat impulse and junk food buys at the grocery store. Molly Price breaks down how you can shop smart and healthy on any budget.

When it comes to spending money, food is a huge piece of the pie. Eating out during the week or hi ng the bar every weekend can put a pretty significant dent in your bank account. ust packing a lunch for work can save the average American $1,500 a year. Cooking at home is also a great way to ensure you’re eating healthy, balanced meals that will fuel your body. Whether you’re focused on budgeting to pay off any debt, or ready to dive into the world of gourmet health foods, learning to shop smartly and efficiently can be intimidating. With a little effort, though, your weekly grocery trips will be stress-free and healthier than ever.

Before You Go Before you head to the store, make a list and check it twice. Start by creating a menu for the week. This can be as simple or as extravagant as you like. Don’t be afraid to tackle new things Chances are you already know what type of food you’ll need. If Taco Tuesday is a must, search for a great taco recipe and jot down the ingredients. Apps like Google eep make organi ing a bree e. You can even add other people as contributors. Depending on how many servings the recipe makes - is usually plenty for one or two people , you should get through the week with just a few recipes. After you make your initial list, it’s time to check it twice. Compare your list against what you already have in the fridge or pantry to avoid spending money on duplicate

items. It’s hard to remember what’s at home or if it’s expired once you’ve hit the aisles. Do your due diligence beforehand. Need an excuse to have a snack Here you go Grocery shopping while you’re hungry can be a recipe for disaster. Many more things will catch your eye when your stomach is empty, and chances are, they won’t be the healthiest items. Make sure you’ve had a meal or a snack to power your through your trip.

At the Store

Often, stores will provide large carts to encourage you to buy more. Opt for the smaller cart or carry a basket if you can. You’ll get in that arm workout, too If you’re looking for the healthiest shopping strategy, stick to the perimeter of the store. This will

include areas like produce, fresh meat and seafood, fresh baked goods and dairy. unk foods think processed foods that don’t need to be kept fresh tend to be in the middle of most stores. For the best deals, always consider the unit price in addition to the sticker price. Items may be cheaper per ounce in a larger package. If you know the item is something you’ll use before the expiration date, bigger may be the better deal, even though it may cost more. Also be aware of product placement. Like any other retail store, groceries use marketing insights and customer research to place products in front of you. Typically, items on the top and bottom shelves offer lower prices, while the easiest to reach, middleshelf items will be higher-priced,

Studies Show... A study from Tilburg niversity in the Netherlands and the niversity of Chicago revealed that the more people know about a product, the more likely they are to choose the “generic” brand. Professional chefs, for example will purchase a name brand ingredient such as salt, sugar and baking powder only 20% of the time, while the average consumer will do so 0% of the time.

premium products. eep in mind end-unit displays may not truly be sales either. Sometimes these displays are simply regular-priced products or overflow from the aisle. Don't be afraid to try generic products. The key ingredients in many name-brand products won’t differ much, if at all, from the store brand and the cost can be less than half of the name brand.

Save Extra

Extreme couponing is a reality T byproduct, but there’s no need to go absolutely cra y. There is, however, a real benefit to doing even just a little couponing before you shop. Aside from store and manufacturer coupons these might come in the mail or with your receipt from a previous trip , there are also hundreds of deal-finding

and reward-giving apps out there. Some alert you to deals and sales on items you buy, while others offer cash back when you scan a purchased item’s barcode and receipt. These rewards can be used to redeem gift cards or real cash. Don’t forget, you can often enroll in gas rewards to fuel your body and your ride. It may take a while to get the hang of what you like, where the deals are, and how much you need to prepare, but the rewards of a healthy diet and budget-friendly grocery trip are worth it Bon App tit

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