There are definitely a number of things that can help improve your lifestyle but there is one particular thing you can do that will effect many parts of your life in a positive manner. It’s a very simple concept but often made much harder than it should be. It’s something I’m sure all of us have struggled with at some point in our lives and most of us struggle with it more often than not. I know that I struggle with this and there’s no reason that I should.

So, you’re probably wondering what this magical lifestyle “thing” is! For those of your who have never heard of this phrase, it’s called WORKING OUT! Other common phrases include “staying in shape”, “toning up”, “pumping iron”, “shedding some pounds”, “losing the spare tire”, “hitting the gym” and I’m sure there are many more that sum this complicated term up. Come on, it’s not difficult to grasp. If we work out and get in shape, we feel better. Our bodies are healthier. We have more confidence. We have less stress. We sleep better. Our sex life can be better. Our immune systems are stronger. In general you are happier and just feel better about everything.

When you get out of shape (as I have!), you tend to get in a bad routine that is very hard to break away from. It takes a different mindset to actually motivate yourself to get back into it. It’s so much easier to let it slide and say the magical words, “I’ll just start working out TOMORROW!” If this is you, do yourself a favor right this second and stop reading this blog post and go do something physically challenging. Go to the gym. Go for a walk. Go have sex! Just do something to get yourself going without saying those six dirty words, “I’ll just start working out TOMORROW!” Seriously, stop reading, get off your ass and go do something. If you wait for tomorrow, you won’t do it. It’s too late.

I’m 31 years old and I’ve basically taken an 8 year leave of absence from working out regularly. Sure, I’ve don’t my occasional full week of working out hardcore only to stop after the 5th or 6th day and take a one to two month break! That just doesn’t cut it. Obviously, you need to pick a routine that you can stick to. Saying that you will go to the gym 7 days a week, each and every week all year long is just not realistic. Start out going 3 days a week. Do this for a month or two without cheating. If you feel this is working for you, stick to it. If you feel you can step it up a notch, add an extra day each week. Whatever you do, just stick to it. If you can make it through that first month, you will be golden. People work out hard for a week or so, they don’t see instant results and they quit. You need to stick with it for awhile in order to see the results. As you see the results, this will motivate you to keep going and hit new milestones. So, just get past that one month breaking point and you will be in the clear.

You should also mix up your routines. Don’t do the same exact thing every time you go to the gym. Do different body parts each day. Do different cardio machines so you don’t get bored with the same ones every time. Get a workout partner so you can motivate each other. I don’t work out with her everyday but my fiance, Wendi, has motivated me to get in shape. She has done a phenomenal job over the past 5 or so months getting in shape for our wedding next week. She goes to a trainer 2-3 times each week and also works out on her own at Lifetime Fitness a few times each week. She looks amazing and it’s all because she got over that hump and started seeing major results which motivated her even more.

I hope you’re not reading this right now because you were suppose to get off your ass a few paragraphs ago and GO DO SOMETHING PHYSICAL!!!

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Right now, I think I might have the most going on that I’ve ever had in my life. I’m getting married. My grandpa just passed away so we had the funeral a few days ago. My annual review is coming up at work. Did I mention I’m getting married? We have a honeymoon coming up to Lake Como, Italy. My soon to be wife and I are planning to have kids soon. I work on Internet marketing side projects on top of my full time job. I sit in traffic for about 2-3 hours per day. I’m trying to pay down some debt. I think about raising a family every single day and how I can do a good job.

To some this might not seem like a whole lot going on but for me it’s a handful right now. Wendi, my fiance, makes fun of me sometimes and says, “How can you be stressed? You have it easy.” I’m a teacher and have to stand all day long and you get to sit at a desk. What she doesn’t realize is that I am constantly thinking about how I can provide the best lifestyle for her and a family someday soon. I don’t want to waste all of my time working a 40 hour a week job and spending most of my time with people I really don’t care about. I want to spend it with her and my family, when I want and where I want. Anyway…enough ranting for now!

I guess it’s just the fact that we all feel overwhelmed at some point or another and this is it for me. I’m by no means stressed to the max but I feel that a bunch of things are coming up all at the same time. When our schedules get like this, we need to balance things out so the chaos doesn’t drive us insane. Everyone has their own way of putting their life in order and some do it better than others. I really don’t have a set method and many of these things I’ve described above I have no control over such as traffic, my grandpa’s death and how my annual review will pan out. These are everyday occurrences that happen whether we want them to or not…it’s part of life.

Some of the things, however, can be balanced out such as planning a wedding, reducing debt and related lifestyle issues. When these busy times in our lives arise, it’s much better to be prepared for whatever comes our way. I’m trying to be better prepared for these life hurdles. Wendi is a HUGE planner and I am a HUGE procrastinator. I don’t think either are the way to go. Somewhere right in the middle is probably the key. If I had to lean towards one though…it would be the HUGE planner. At least they are prepared while I’m sitting there last minute trying to scrounge something up!

There is really no rhythm or reason to this post other than sending the message that things get crazy sometimes and it’s a good idea to find a balancing routine to help you get through the waves.

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It really is time for people to quit complaining about high gas prices. It could be much worse. I love it when I see someone say, “we won’t be able to go on a family vacation this year because gas prices are too high.” If this is the case, and gas prices are too high for you to go on vacation, then you probably shouldn’t be going on vacation in the first place. The extra $100 you’ll spend on gas should not make or break you and if it does, you are making a bad decision about going on a vacation in the first place. Save your money and go when you are comfortable financially and the extra $100 in gas won’t matter.

Let’s say you go on a family vacation and you are driving 400 miles each way for a total of 800 miles round trip. Let’s say you will be gone for a week and over that week you will put on an extra 500 miles doing things on your vacation. Let’s say your car gets 22 miles per gallon, you have a 15 gallon tank and let’s say gas is at an average price of $2.85. This would mean that we would take 1300 total miles divided by 22/mpg. This would mean that we need roughly 59 gallons of gas for the trip. So, we take 59 gallons of gas x (times) $2.85 and we get $168.15. This is what gas would cost for the vacation is the gas price is $2.85/gallon. Now let’s say gas is $3.20/gallon. We take the 59 gallons you will need for your vacation and x (times) that by $3.20. We get $188.80. That’s a difference of $20.65. Now, if you are telling me that $20.65 is going to make or break your vacation, you SHOULD NOT GO ON VACATION!

Let’s say gas is $4.00/gallon and you need 59 gallons. Your price would then be $236 for the total trip for gas. This is a difference of $67.85. This still should not make one bit of difference as $67 shouldn’t make or break your trip.

I drive roughly 450 miles each week to and from work. Most of this is in bumper to bumper traffic as well. Yes, I do complain about the actual commute but I never complain about gas. This is also definitely over the average commute time. If you are driving more miles that this per week to and from work then you are probably getting some sort of reimbursement for gas because the majority of the population drives much less than this. People that are in their cars a lot are usually road warriors that are in some sort of sales position. In this case, you are likely getting the money back from your employer.

Get rid of that huge freaking truck that takes a gallon of gas just to start it up. Really, what’s the need? You are not cooler because you have a truck that can run over most cars. You are most likely just a 120 pound hillbilly that thinks you are tough because you have big wheels! Get over yourself.

Or you can forget about all of this and just get a Smart Car and hope to not get crushed on the highway by a hillbilly in a huge truck!

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We all get into ruts where we feel down or maybe just not our usual self. This happens to the best of us and is totally normal. There is a common cure for feeling down and out of touch with reality and it might be much easier than you think.

DO SOMETHING PRODUCTIVE!

It’s as simple as that. Most people get stressed out and feel sad or down because they are overwhelmed with their life. Get out a pad of paper, write down what you need to accomplish, and just get it done. Don’t make excuses for yourself and don’t blow things off. There comes a point when something needs to get done and knocked off of the list of “To-Do’s” and the only way to shrink that list is to do it!

I am at fault just like the next person when it comes to getting stressed about having too many things on my mind but I can say that when I do have a productive day or an entire productive weekend, I feel SO much better.

My fiance Wendi and I were just talking about this today. We had a great weekend together, got quite a bit done and feel so much better about everything than if we would have just lounged around all weekend and woke up Monday morning with th same list of “To-Do’s”!

So, if you are on the couch, laying there, contemplating on doing something productive today…..get off your lazy ass and do something. You will feel much better tomorrow morning and you will start the week off on a good note.

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Unfortunately I cannot say that I am even close to retirement although some days I feel as if I’ve worked a 9-5 for the past 50 years. So many people are currently retiring and so many of these people are retiring earlier than the normal 62-67 years of age.

They think that an early retirement will be wonderful and they’ll be able to do what they like, when they like. What they don’t realize is that this “honeymoon” phase of retirement does not last forever. They then find themselves pondering for things to do, people to hang out with and substitutes to fill up their days.

If you are planning on retiring early, there are many things you can do to keep yourself busy and still enjoy the freedom of an early retirement. We will focus on creating a website or web business to occupy your time during retirement while still allowing you to do the things you enjoy such as traveling, golfing, sports, gardening or whatever it is that you like to do with your time.

There are many more technology savvy individuals in retirement than there were a decade back. This is a great opportunity to take advantage of the Internet and create a website that focuses on something that you enjoy such as a hobby, past business you’re experienced with, travel or whatever floats your boat. With all of various ways to make money online, a website can provide a valuable supplemental income while keeping you busy during retirement and also allowing to do something you enjoy.

Let’s say you have been an avid golfer your entire life. Why not create a website that’s tailored to the golfing crowd. You could simply put up a website and write articles on golfing strategies, products, events or whatever you like. If you write enough quality content, you will begin to develop readership to your website and this is when you can start monetizing your website with different web advertising. Or if you are not in it to make money, you can simple create a website about something you enjoy to create a community type website where you can get to know others who enjoy the same things as you.

It’s very easy to set up a website these days. Heck, if you need help, I am a web development guy and could help you get up and running. To get a simple, content-based website up and running, you will spend between $500 and $750. If you sell a product and need an ecommerce website you will be looking at higher prices due to the complexity. I can honestly say that $500 - $700 for a website to keep your time occupied during retirement is a steal and in return you can make this money back if you monetize your website.

If you’d like more information on creating a website, let me know. I’m a nice guy and love to help people out with this. Happy Retirement!

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I watched this video yesterday and I have to say that this will change the way I live and they way I think about things. It’s SO phenomenal to see someone act like this is the worst of circumstances. It can teach us all something about living.

Carnegie Mellon Professor Randy Pausch, who is dying from pancreatic cancer, gave his last lecture at the university Sept. 18, 2007, before a packed McConomy Auditorium. In his moving talk, “Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams,” Pausch talked about his lessons learned and gave advice to students on how to achieve their own career and personal goals. For more, visit www.cmu.edu/randyslecture.

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Obviously, where we live plays a huge impact in our lifestyles. Whether it be the fast paced east coast or the much more laid back western United States, where we live molds who we are.

I personally moved a little over two years ago from Chicago to Phoenix after finishing graduate school. The change has been great and I wish I’d have made the move long ago. I never knew how depressing the winters actually were until I moved to Phoenix an saw how much happier I was. Chicago, like NYC and other east coast cities is also a fast moving metropolis. It’s much more of a suit and tie kind of city still and the daily routine is much different than what I am living now in Phoenix.

Here are some questions to consider when you are looking for the place you’d like to call home:

1.) Do you prefer public transportation or do you like to drive?
2.) Do you like a cold, hot or moderate climate?
3.) Do you dream of owning a big home or do you prefer a condo or town home?
4.) Do you own your own business where you can work from anywhere or will you have to find employment?
5.) Do you want to live near family and friends or do you prefer to be a loner?
6.) Can you realistically afford the cost of living in a major city?
7.) Where would you like to raise a family?
8.) Are there good schools, elementary, high school and colleges?
9.) What’s the crime rate?
10.) How much will it cost to buy a new home? What kind of home will you get for that price?
11.) Is your family on the same page as you?
12.) Are there things there you enjoy doing such as outdoor activities, restaurants and events?

For places not so nice to live, check out America’s Most Miserable Cities for places to stay away from.

America’s Most Miserable Cities

1. Detroit
2. Stockton, Calif.
3. Flint, Mich.
4. New York
5. Philadelphia

Best of luck in your search for the place to call home sweet home!

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