Author: Jo Allison

Americans Buried in Credit Card Debt: How to Get Out

Interview:  Michael Taggart

 

70% of Americans With Credit Card Debt Admit They Can’t Pay It Off This Year

  • A recent study by Clever found that only 30% of credit card holders believe they’ll pay it off within a year, and that 47% of card holders carry a balance from month to month.
  • The vast majority of people that hold credit cards hold a balance which puts them further behind financially and makes the banks billions of dollars a year. Continue reading “Americans Buried in Credit Card Debt: How to Get Out”

20k in Credit Card Debt? 4 Steps to Overcome

If you’re like me, then being over $20k in credit card debt can become strangling. My minimum payments were $896 and I knew something needed to change.

Take charge of the situation by following the 4-step C.A.R.E. method: 

 

1. Choose. The first step is to choose a deep, emotional reason for why you want to get out of debt.

 

2. Assess. You can’tt defeat a monster you can’t see. You need to get your exact debt picture in black and white in front of you—down to the last dollar.

Continue reading “20k in Credit Card Debt? 4 Steps to Overcome”

Distress Associated With Credit Card Debt

Interview:  Michael Taggart

People would rather talk about how much they weigh than reveal how much credit card debt they owe. Here are some talking points from Michael Taggart on the subject of emotional stress Americans have with credit card debt.

 

  • A recent survey by CreditCards.com found that 47% of Americans felt uncomfortable discussing their credit card debt with anyone and only 19% who were uncomfortable talking about their weight. 
  • Struggling with debt brings up a host of negative emotions like guilt, shame and embarrassment, so many people hide the problem. Continue reading “Distress Associated With Credit Card Debt”

5 Ways to Fine-Tune Workplace Communication

Interview: Carol Barkes on Workplace Communication.

Carol Barkes is a conflict resolution expert, mediator, national speaker, educator and bestselling author who uniquely applies neuroscience to the fields of conflict resolution and negotiations. Her expert perspective is always fresh and relevant.

Talking Points from Carol Barkes on
How to Fine-Tune Workplace Communication:

Effective communication is an integral part of having positive, successful interactions with the people around us. For some, good communication skills seems to come naturally, and that’s great. But for others, it is a challenge to communicate in a way that both articulates our thoughts and doesn’t rock the boat. Poor communication can lead to arguments, loss of opportunities, hurt feelings——and the list goes on and on. In the workplace it could mean conflicts with the people we work with and for, loss of credibility, a decrease in production, and other negative-affecting career circumstances. Here’s some tips on how to fine-tune workplace communication:

1) Conflict in the workplace is similar to family conflict in that conflicts can build over time as people have continual negative interactions with a person. Consequently, when a situation arises with someone we’ve had problems with in the past, it is very easy to blow the current problem out of proportion. It is important to try to look at each occurrence with its own lens so past experiences don’t negatively bias our approach.

Continue reading “5 Ways to Fine-Tune Workplace Communication”

How Women Can Do Better at the Negotiation Table

It seems that men have the advantage over women when it comes to negotiation in many business situations. Here are just a few tips that can help women—or anyone, really—on how to approach these situations and be in a better position to achieve the business outcomes you are aiming for.
Carol Barkes is a conflict resolution expert who helps couples who are considering divorce.  She knows these bullets below are surefire ways to put a marriage on the path to divorce. Carol is available for interviews.
  • Women are less likely to negotiate than men. Women are more likely to negotiate for other people, if they do so.  This being said, women need to remember that they, too, are worthy and deserve a voice for themselves.  Most everything can be negotiated so why not try?  At the worst, we are no worse off than before the attempt.  Continue reading “How Women Can Do Better at the Negotiation Table”

Flattery Will Get You Everywhere—With Your Partner

For a long-lasting and happy relationship, here are some great tips on how to compliment your partner:

How to Increase Your Chances for Divorce

Divorce is not something anyone is hoping for when they get married. But, unfortunately, many people end up sabotaging their relationships and increase likelihood of divorce.

Carol Barkes is a mediator who helps couples who are considering divorce.  She knows these bullets below are surefire ways to put a marriage on the path to divorce. Carol is available for interviews.  

1) Criticizing your partner. There is no such thing as constructive criticism. Criticism is just that, and it is hurtful. Instead, separate the person from the problem. It is okay to have a complaint about a process, but keep it to what is happening and then move forward to what you would like to see happen differently.

Continue reading “How to Increase Your Chances for Divorce”

6 Steps to Tackle Your Picky Eater

Dr. Donna Perillo, DC, MS, NMD, CNS, is the owner and director of the Chiropractic Healing Center of NJ, a wellness center incorporating chiropractic, physical therapy, acupuncture, nutrition, and stress management. Her goal is to help her patients create a happy, healthy and vibrant lifestyle by addressing their physical, emotional, and nutritional needs. Here, she weighs in on a common, frustrating topic for caregiver and child alike—eating, and the often lack of variety in the diet of a child.

It is very common for many children—especially toddlers—to be picky eaters. Sometimes they will get fixated on one or two foods. In general, they want to eat what they see their siblings and parents eat. If their brother or sister is eating a cookie you can’t expect them to eat an apple!

Continue reading “6 Steps to Tackle Your Picky Eater”

5 Benefits of a Detox You Didn’t Know About


So many people are jumping on or off “detoxes” but… do they know this is not a fad. It has real benefits

Available: Dr. Donna Perillo

What Dr. Perillo Could Say:

There are many types of detox programs. The length can be anywhere from a day to months, depending on the patient’s goals and health status. Some programs require fasting and others don’t. Some include protein shakes and others do not.

If you have never done a detox you should start off slowly and under professional supervision.

Continue reading “5 Benefits of a Detox You Didn’t Know About”

Are Women Allowed to Be Angry?

Dr. Colleen Cira is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist who specializes in Women and Trauma, so she has worked with hundreds of people struggling with a family of origin issues.
Here are some few things Dr. Cira can say on this topic:

  • Men and women alike have been shaming women for their anger since the dawn of time.  You can primarily blame it on rigid and deeply ingrained gender roles in which women are encouraged and molded to be “nice” at all costs.  And anger isn’t always nice!
    Continue reading “Are Women Allowed to Be Angry?”