“It’s all in your head.” This isn’t usually a kind or positive statement. However, everyday stories and scientific research agree on one point. The human brain is capable of amazing things. In fact, your thoughts and attitudes may have a powerful impact on achieving success, finding good fortune, or even just being happy.

Think lucky.

Psychologist and author Richard Wiseman performed extensive studies on the nature of luck, and it’s true... Some people do have all the luck. They weren’t born under a lucky star, nor do they carry around a lucky charm. Instead, Dr. Wiseman found that “lucky” people tend to possess certain personality traits and attitudes. These attributes prompted the “lucky” people to be more aware of positive opportunities. He took his research a step further to show that good fortune could be taught in “luck school.” Wiseman coached some of the most unlucky participants from his initial studies in his principles of luckiness, and by the end of the second study, those participants too began to report “good luck” enhancing their lives.    

Focus on the positive.

In the 1950’s Donald Clifton initiated a new approach to psychological study. Rather than tackling weakness, he looked for ways to bolster strengths. Positive messages and interactions that revolve around a person’s strengths lead to achievement and happiness in life. Criticism and interactions that highlight flaws wear people down, increasing frustration and sadness while decreasing motivation. These relationships held true for someone on the giving end too. Offering positive feedback and genuine compliments made people happier, while delivering negative feedback or complaints decreased happiness. The application of this philosophy yielded amazing results for individuals and for organizations.

It takes practice and repetition, but you can train yourself in habits that will promote your personal happiness and success. Become aware of the circumstances you can control in your life, and choose to view your life in a positive light. You’ve got the right tool; “it’s all in your head.”

Mary Poppins told us that “a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down.” That may be true, but, by finding ways to cut sugar from your diet, you might be able to avoid the medicine altogether. Too much sugar intake can quickly put you at risk for serious health concerns like obesity and diabetes. High sugar foods and beverages wreak havoc with your energy levels and your moods. Learn how much sugar is the right amount for you.

Cut the carbs?

Sugar is a carbohydrate, and carbohydrates are one of the three macronutrients: carbohydrates, protein, and fat. Carbohydrates, including sugar, are necessary for a balanced diet. Approximately half of your daily calories should come from carbohydrates, and the other half can be split between protein and fat.

Recommendations for sugar intake are just 10% or less of your total calories. Since recommended calorie intake depends on gender and activity levels, this means most adults should aim for a range of 3 – 9 teaspoons, or between 12 to 36 grams. Kids should be eating 3 or fewer teaspoons, less than 12 grams.

Read the labels!                                                                        

Sneaky sugars add up fast in your daily diet. While some sugars occur naturally, other food items are loaded with extra sugar. Popular beverage items are a major culprit. Most people know that sodas are high in sugar, but the extra sugar in juice drinks, coffee beverages, and energy drinks might surprise you. Be cautious when selecting foods that are labeled low-fat or reduced fat. Some recipes substitute additional sugar when reducing fat content which means the final product isn’t actually healthier for you. Other sugar-rich foods that seem like healthy choices include breakfast cereals, granola bars, and flavored yogurts. Read the nutrition label carefully.

The average sugar intake in America is estimated to be about 15 to 20% of daily calories, as much as double the recommended level. It’s no surprise that health issues like diabetes and obesity are on the rise. A healthy diet doesn’t have to be a sugar-free diet. Learn to be smart about sugar selections, and eating well won’t leave a bitter taste in your mouth.

A college education comes with a big price tag. If you’re considering college for your child or even for yourself, it’s prudent to set aside money to cover the costs. Here’s what you need to know to use a 529 plan to maximize your college savings.

• A 529 plan permits individuals to save for college while minimizing the taxes on their investments. The number 529 actually comes from the IRS tax code where the tax advantages of the plan get spelled out. After investing in a 529 plan, you can withdraw the money for qualified education expenses without paying taxes on any gains.
• A qualified education expense is not limited to tuition. You can pay for fees, books and supplies, even room and board under certain conditions. Because state governments administer the plans, some states offer deductions or credits on your state income tax return for making a contribution to a 529 plan.
• While you can participate in another state’s 529 plan, remember that tax advantages for contributions may only be available in your home state. Currently there is no deduction or credit on a federal tax return at the time of contribution.
• A 529 plan can be transferred between beneficiaries, but it cannot be used by more than one beneficiary at a time. The transfer feature can be useful because unqualified withdrawals are both taxed at regular income rates and penalized by 10%. If you have more than one child, you can effectively roll any leftover funds to a younger sibling.
• Some states offer a prepaid tuition option as their 529 plan. A prepaid plan allows you to lock in today’s tuition costs, but it may restrict you to in-state schools. Before investing in a prepaid plan, try to make sure that the included options will cover the educational needs of the beneficiary.

Parents want to give their children every advantage, and higher education is a valuable benefit. The tax savings of a 529 plan can help stretch the dollars you have for a college education. Higher education and lower taxes, what a great combination! 

Hundreds of years ago, Christopher Marlowe noted “Money can’t buy love, but it improves your bargaining position.” Money may not be able to buy love, but it certainly tries its hardest on Valentine’s Day. Spending on Valentine’s Day gifts approaches $20 billion dollars annually.   

Sweets for the sweet.

Chocolate is a popular gift on Valentine’s Day. Candies are included in nearly half of all Valentine’s gifts. That amounts to over 35 million packages of chocolate that cost over a billion dollars! In 2008, Thornton’s produced the largest ever box of chocolates, a massive 3,725 pounds. Retail prices of much smaller assortments suggest the record-setting box might sell for $52,150 (if it could go on a store shelf).

A rose by any other name...

Nearly three-quarters of male gift givers choose flowers for their sweethearts. A bouquet of a dozen red roses is the most common arrangement. There is a definite price bump for Valentine’s Day. This classic choice runs about $75 the week of Valentine’s Day, about 20% higher than the rest of the year. The Guinness Book of World Records reports the largest bouquet of roses contained over 150,000 blooms. Priced per dozen, that amounts to $937,500. Ouch!

Diamonds are a girl’s best friend.

Estimated spending on jewelry gifts goes over $4 billion dollars. Many women hope for a Valentine’s Day proposal, and on average, 220,000 women will get their wish. In the United States, the average engagement ring costs a bit more than $6,000 and weighs just over a carat. The largest diamond of gem quality was the Cullinan diamond. It weighed 3106 carats; that’s almost a pound and a half of diamond. 

Don’t be just another statistic this Valentine’s Day. Celebrate with a thoughtful gift or a memorable experience, even if it’s for just you. Actually, about 15% of women will send themselves flowers for the big day. Regardless of your relationship status, here’s to a Happy Valentine’s Day.

We often plunge into the New Year with great intentions, but fast-forward a few weeks, and we’re already losing steam on our resolutions. If your New Year’s resolution needs a little pick me up, read on for some suggestions to increase your chance of success.

Buddy up to give your motivation a boost.

If you’re struggling, you might have a friend who is feeling the same way. Discuss your goals, and find a way to be accountable to each other. It’s often easier to stick with your plan when you know someone will be checking up on your results. In addition, getting support and positive feedback will strengthen your resolve.   

Changing habits takes time.

Don't get discouraged if you don't see results immediately. Find a way to mark your progress visually. If you’re trying to replace a bad habit with a good habit, try recording the number of days that you have practiced your new habit in a way you can see. You can check off days on a calendar, or create a countdown of sticky notes on your wall. Seeing how far you have come will help you resist the temptation to backslide.

Break your big goal into smaller ones.

If you find yourself fighting too hard to reach your target, you might need to aim for closer targets first. Think small and specific instead of big and vague. You can create dramatic changes if you have a step-by-step plan. To replace a vague goal like “I want to lose weight,” decide how you will measure your progress, such as pounds lost, inches lost, or a different clothing size. Then set up the actions you will need to take to meet your goal. For example, your first action might be to cut a high-calorie treat from your diet, and a second action might be to add exercise three times per week. Add one action step at a time instead of doing everything at once. 

Every now and again you will have an off-day where you feel like you aren’t making headway. Forgive yourself and don’t give up. Reassess your goals, review your progress, and give it another try the next day. A positive attitude and persistence will see you through to the end.

The outdoor temperature is dropping, and so is your motivation to exercise. Who wants to go outdoors for a walk or a bike ride in this weather? Don’t let your healthy habits get frozen out by the cold. Adapt to the changing seasons and find new ways to keep fit.

Bundle up!

Brave the cold, and add winter sports to your fitness regimen. Downhill and cross-country skiing both burn calories and challenge your muscles. Locate an ice-skating rink. Skating requires strength and coordination, plus it’s a great aerobic exercise. An all-out snowball fight with the kids is a fun way to get the whole family playing.

Choose an indoor exercise location.

You might have to change up your routine a little, but you can exercise indoors. Many shopping malls open their doors early to walkers. Count your laps or run a stopwatch to estimate your total distance. Ask around to find a gym for the winter months. You’ll want a gym that offers month-to-month rates, so you can stop when the weather gets nicer. If nothing else, choose an exercise DVD, and work out in the comfort of your own living room.

Buddy up with a friend.

If you’re struggling to find your motivation, chances are someone else needs a little help too. Commit to each other for regular exercise outings together. Meeting up with a friend provides a little extra push to lace up your shoes and get out the door.

Between the hustle of the holidays and the icy temps outside, exercise slides by the wayside. You can overcome the urge to slack off by getting support from your friends and substituting winter or indoor activities for your usual routine. Have a fun and fit winter!