Welcome to our MAYkeover Madness!  It is HERE that you will find advice and suggestions for the path to a happier, healthier, and more successful YOU!

Money Management Tips

Shop the Specials - Look for sales, deals, and use Swagbucks Coupons to get the best bang for your buck.

Create a Paper Trail - Jot down every purchase and keep track of your daily expenses. Actually looking at what you’re spending will help you better budget and control your cash flow.

Create an Emergency Account - There are small emergencies, like a chipped nail, and big emergencies, like losing a job. Always be prepared for the unexpected by creating an emergency account that can get you through a rainy day.

Beware of Impulse Buys - Stick with what you really need. Write a list before you leave and don’t buy anything that’s not on the list.

Avoid Credit Card Debt - Credit card debt is one of the most common financial burdens in the U.S. Pay your bills on time and avoid those high interest rates.

Home Makeover Tips

Mirror Mirror – Make a small room look bigger, with this clever trick. Adding mirrors reflect both natural and artificial light to make a room brighter and appear larger. A mirror near a window to reflect the outdoors, place a bright lamp in front of a mirror, or adding a mirrored wall next to a bed or table instantly appears a lot larger.

Accent Walls – Painting every wall inside the home can be expensive. Choose one wall to add a pop of color to one wall. This will lighten the area and even make it look bigger and more modern.

Lighten Up – Put the right mood in a room with light. Either allow natural light by using sheer or pulled back curtains, to bring more light in or by using different types of light bulbs to get just the right amount of light.

Furniture Facelift – Makeover your existing furniture with a new stain or paint. Antique stores, Thrift shops, Home Depot and Lowe’s are great places to find knobs or hardware that will give your some flair to your newly updated furtniture.

Go Green – Adding plants not only brings colour, freshness and feng shui, but it also brings a feeling of nature.

Style Tips

Accentuate the Positive – Pick something about your body you feel good about – your legs, your shoulders – and emphasize that attribute.

Shop Alone – The best way to concentrate on what you’re looking for, and to save time, is to go solo. In the end, it’s you who has to wear what you’re buying, so you gotta love it!

Second-Guess Yourself – When about to purchase a hot sale item, ask yourself, “would I buy this if it wasn’t on sale?” If the answer is no, move on. It’s not a bargain if you won’t wear it.

Be Open-Minded – Always take one “it’s cute, but so not me” item into the fitting room. You never know – you might love the new look!

Create Your Own Lookbook – Got compliments on your outfit today? Take a picture of it! Next time you’re in a rush or you’re having one of those “I have nothing to wear” days, you’ll have a quick and easy solution!

Diet Tips

Drink More Water – This is the oldest trick in the book, but it works! Drinking more water flushes out excess sodium, supports optimal metabolism, and can naturally curb your appetite.

Try New Foods – Pick out new foods you’ve never tried before, like mango, kale, or quinoa. You may find a new, healthy favorite!

Eat Seafood Twice a Week – Seafood contains a range of nutrients, including healthy omega-3 fats. Eating about 8 ounces per week of a variety of seafood can help prevent heart disease.

Energize With Grains – Your body’s quickest energy source comes from foods such as bread, pasta, and cereals. Maximize your intake of whole-grain foods with whole-wheat bread and pasta, and brown rice.

Cutback On Salt – Salt can directly contribute to high blood pressure. Reduce your sodium intake to less than 2,300 milligrams of sodium per day. Read the nutrition labels to keep track.

Soul Tips

Boost Your Confidence – You can easily boost your confidence by just standing up straight, walking a little faster and taking bigger steps. You will soon see how quickly your mood changes.

Find the Silver Lining – Remembering all the good things that you have makes it a whole lot easier not to focus on what you don’t have. Being thankful and appreciating the abundance in your life, instead of dwelling on what you feel is lacking, makes for an all around happier lifestyle.

Take a Break – Crazy day with the kids? Demanding meeting at work? Feeling rushed? Lower your stress level with some meditation! Here’s an easy and relaxing meditation that you can easily do in 5 minutes every day.

1. Relax your body.

2. Slowly breathe in, allowing your belly to rise.

3. Slowly exhale, allowing your belly to deflate.

4. When your mind wanders from your breath to other thoughts, silently say, “A thought,” and notice the sensations of your breathing.

5. Do not try to stop your thinking. It will just make you tense and frustrated. This is the biggest mistake people make when they start meditating. Instead, just notice your thought and choose to go back to your breath.

Write It Out – Get your creative juices flowing with a writing or drawing journal around you. Keeping a journal is one of the most powerful ways to calm the mind and get creative. Jotting thoughts down is a great way to vent anger, spill your thoughts, or celebrate accomplishments. Always doodling? Draw out what you’re feeling and enhance your creativity.

 

 

If you have a life makeover tip you’d like to share, leave it in the comments section below!