SEVEN TIPS TO HITTING LONG IRONS LIKE A PRO
Hitting long irons with accuracy time and time again takes dedication to practice. The 1 through 4 clubs are referred to as long clubs and are the toughest to control. Following are some simple golf tips to help you gain consistency and feel confident while hitting long irons.
There are many things to think about during a golf swing, but the key essentials can be boiled down to four elements: solid balance, club head acceleration, smooth tempo and careful aim. If all of these are not present in your swing, your long iron shots are going to be inconsistent and often inaccurate.
THE SEVEN ESSENTIAL TIPS TO ACHIEVING YOUR GOAL:
When hitting long irons your focus is making contact with the sweet spot on your club face every time. Follow these simple golf tips and you are well on your way.
1) Make sure your stance is stable, with a slight bend in the knees for balance.
2) Bring your club back smoothly and swing through smoothly. It is extremely important that your entire swing be completed in a smooth manner. This will both help you control your club face and accelerate through your swing, giving the distance you are looking for.
3) Let the power come from your core. Once you have taken the club back, let the hips be the source of power for your swing and not your arms. This will greatly increase your power.
4) When hitting long irons you must keep your head down. This is important when hitting irons in general, but with long irons the margin for error is even less. You must keep your eye on the ball throughout the stroke. Moving your head during the stroke usually results in the club moving as well, ruining the shot.
5) Keep your leading arm straight during your stroke. If you bend your leading arm you will have to make an adjustment during your swing, due to the change in distance between your body and the ball, resulting in a more complex stroke, raising the difficulty.
6) Don’t hit the ground first before the ball to give the ball more loft. This is completely wrong and will result in a very inconsistent erratic shot. If the situation requires you hitting the ground it needs to happen after you hit the ball. Don’t worry about adding any additional loft. Let the club function as designed.
7) Finally, one of the most basic of golf iron swing tips is following completely through on your swing. Putting the brakes on after making contact with the ball will only reduce your swing velocity.
Remember to focus on these tips while hitting long irons and you should see results.
If you play golf, you know that it is a unique sport that requires skill, focus and strategy and perhaps you have some idea that golf has a lengthy history. However, what you may not know is that golf is an ancient sport with roots deep in Scotland. Unlike other sports such as football which are quite recent developments, early golf dates as far back as the year 1296. Back then, the sport didn’t even share the same name. Instead, the Dutch near Scotland were reported to have played a stick game called “colf.”
Thankfully, the name changed as the Scottish adopted the sport and even founded the first rules of golf in 1744. Though the original version was not as detailed as modern golf, the Scottish approached the sport with the same level of seriousness we do today. Rule No. 4 clearly illustrates this strictness by stating that “no golfer shall remove stones, bones or any break club except upon the fair green and even then, only within a club’s length of the ball”. Sound somewhat familiar to today’s rules?
Though golf is undeniably a very old sport, the most important dates in Golf History occur during the 1800’s when the sport’s popularity really took off. This popularity could be traced to the 1840s when a new method of making golf balls was discovered. Using the coagulated milk of the Malayan gum tree instead of stuffing the balls with feathers, golf balls were cheaper and easier to make which allowed them to be bought by anyone, even the working man.
The Most Important Dates In Golf History
As golf became a common activity for leisure, it naturally became more competitive. As a result, 1860 ushered in the first Open Championship. One of the most notable names among these original champions was Old Tom Morris who, in 1868 at age 46, won the Open Championship making him the oldest victor of the title. From this point forward, the Championships multiplied, and the stakes grew higher as more and more skilled masters vied for the same title.
As the history of golf evolved, the list of true masters only grows longer. One great golfer, Ben Hogan, is renowned for winning the Masters, the U.S. Open and the Open Championship consecutively in 1953. In 1960, Arnold Palmer predicted his score of 65 before winning his only U.S. Open at Cherry Hills Country Club in Denver, Colorado. Some other giants in the sport are Jack Nicklaus, a golfer credited with the most major victories in history. And Tiger Woods, the youngest man and first African-American to win The Masters in 1997.
All of these historical insights highlight the fact that golf has a long legacy of accomplished, highly-skilled athletes that would rival any other sport’s Hall of Fame. If you haven’t researched golf’s background, read up on it and discover what had to happen to shape the golf we know and love playing today. Better yet, hit the green and simply enjoy golfing!
1. Micro Weddings
TEN Wedding Trends For
Micro weddings are intimate wedding affairs that usually have 40 or fewer guests. They can have all the traditional wedding elements or be unique to the individual. The main idea of a micro wedding is that it can be more relaxed and focused on very close friends and family. The bride and groom have more time to spend together and with each guest when compared to a larger wedding. Budgets are also less stretched as you can spend more money on each guest per head without cutting back on costs elsewhere.
2. Males Of Honor
We spent so long being unable to see each other that it’s only natural that we want to expand our bridal party to include our closest friends. That might mean you have mates or males of honor rather than maids, groomsmaids rather than groomsmen, or flower boys rather than flower girls. You might see a few women at the bachelor party or a few men at the bachelorette. Many of us are ready to dispense with the tradition and make sure we have a great time with the people that matter to us most.
3.
Black, White, Or Neutral Tones
We’ve all been to weddings dominated by deep purples, bright coral tones, or stunning aquas. But many couples are now looking at the drama of black and white photography. Black and white signage and a black bridesmaid dress make a white wedding dress stand out. Many couples are opting for more neutral tones alongside black or white to make for a romantic, softer wedding theme.
4. Sustainable Weddings
Sustainable wedding floristry has become increasingly popular as brides think more about how they can use their flowers throughout their big day. Wedding bouquets might be popped in as flower arrangements for the top table, or they might use artificial flowers in place of live blooms. An eco-friendly menu might also be on the cards for 2023. Local and ethically sourced food will be on-trend, with ways to reduce wastage a top priority for many couples in 2023.
5. Wedding Suits For Women
2020 marked the emergence of the popularity of the bridal suit for women. Many models and fashion houses showcased the bridal suit in early 2020, and its popularity has been building ever since. For many, wedding trends lean towards more personalized styles, with evening wear, non-white dresses, and female suits set to take center stage in 2023. For many men, the pressure is off to wear a traditional tux and explore more comfortable bridal wear.
6. Pearls
The search for pearl wedding dresses has increased in 2022, with the trend set to become even more popular in 2023. Pearls can sit anywhere on a wedding dress, from the veil to the shoes, and are a prominent jewelry feature; think pearl necklaces, earrings, and bracelets. They are an elegant and timeless piece of wedding glamor that has been part of weddings since their conception.
7. Outdoor Weddings
Outdoor weddings were very common between 2020 and 2021, and this trend only looks set to continue. An outdoor wedding with the protection of a gazebo offers a considerable variety compared to a specified location indoors. As long as the venue has a license and some cover, you can choose from various locations and backdrops for more photo opportunities. During the colder months, an indoor venue with outdoor options may also be trendy in 2023.
8. Unique Lighting
More intimate weddings call for unique lighting. In 2023 bespoke lighting is set to dominate weddings, with candles and low-hanging bulbs set to add some soft backlight to the wedding pictures. Outdoor weddings also attract some unique wedding trends, like lanterns festooned on low-hanging tree branches and delicate twinkly fairy lights. Intimate and soft lighting is set to dominate weddings in 2023, creating a more relaxed and close-knit setting.
9. Local Weddings
Destination weddings were extremely popular in 2019, but the inevitable cancellations in 2020-2021 significantly impacted traveling for weddings. Many couples choose to have local weddings and reduce the expense of flying their family overseas. Destination weddings are also a negative for those looking to have more sustainable weddings. With local weddings, you can feel confident that the people you want on your big day are more likely to make it.
10.
Personalized Weddings
Couples seem set to reduce their wedding guest list in 2023, with only 17% of couples wanting over 100 guests in 2022. With the smaller guest list, many people are choosing to reject a traditional wedding with an extensive guest list and many of the usual formalities. Relaxed lunches, mismatched color schemes, and smaller guest lists will dominate in 2023. The past few years have seen people forgo the traditional, large wedding, and they don’t miss it for many. The benefits of a personalized wedding are that the couple and their guests can feel more comfortable on their big day.
PGA TOUR SCHEDULE
AUG 3-6 Wyndham Championship
AUG 10-13 FedEx St. Jude Championship
AUG 17-20 BMW Championship
AUG 24-27
SEP 14-17
SEP 29-OCT 1
OCT 5-8 Sanderson Farms Championship
OCT 12-15 Shriners Children's Open
OCT 19-22
ZOZO Championship
NOV 2-5 World Wide Technology Championship
NOV 9-12 Butterfield Bermuda Championship
NOV 16-19 The RSM Classic
NOV 30-DEC 3 Hero World Challenge
BER
SOUTH CAROLINA
Birthplace of American Golf
It is thought that the first organized golf played in America was on Harleston Green, undeveloped pastureland near the corner of Pitt and Bull Streets. In 1743, Charleston merchant David Deas received a shipment of 432 golf balls and 96 clubs from Scotland.
Golf historians suggest that the early game was played without a set number of holes, no greens, and no designated teeing areas. Players used clubs to move a ball across the field and into a crudely dug hole in the ground. Because the holes were not clearly marked, golfers sent “finders,” forerunners of today’s caddies, to stand by the hole and alert others of the approaching shot by yelling “fore.” After completion of a hole, a player would tee off at a distance of two clublengths away from that hole. Equipment included a ball, or “feathery” made of leather and stuffed with feathers while clubs consisted of a “play club”, a series of “woods,” and a utility iron for tight spots.
Enthusiasts organized the South Carolina
Golf Club on September 29, 1786, and five years later announced its anniversary in the City Gazette.
Charleston golfers moved north to the Chicora Golf Club Links in 1899. When the City of Charleston sold Chicora Park to the United States Navy in 1901, the Charleston Country Club bought Belvidere Plantation, closer to the downtown homes of most of its members, and laid out the Belvidere Golf Links. In 1922, after the sale of the Belvidere to the Standard Oil Company, which established a refinery on the Cooper River waterfront, the club bought 936 acres (700 acres of it marsh) of McLeod Plantation on James Island. Landscape architect Seth Raynor, renowned for his golf course designs, laid out an eighteen-hole course on the club’s 236 acres of high ground. The Wappoo Links, with its clubhouse set atop the Civil War-era Battery Means and overlooking Charleston Harbor, opened in 1925. The golf club was reorganized in 1935 as the Country Club of Charleston.
PGA TOUR SCHEDULE
DEC 8-10
Grant Thornton Invitational
Naples, FL
DEC 14-17
PGA Tour Q-School presented by Korn Ferry
JAN 4-7 The Sentry
JAN 11-14
Sony Open in Hawaii
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
Maui, HI
Honolulu, HI
JAN 18-21 The American Express La Quinta, CA
JAN 24-27
Farmers Insurance Open
San Diego, CA
FEB 1-4
AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
Pebble Beach, CA
FEB 8-11
WM Phoenix Open
FEB 15-18 The Genesis Invitational
FEB 22-25
Mexico Open at Vidanta
FEB 29-MAR 3 The Classic in The Palm Beaches
MAR 7-10
Puerto Rico Open
MAR 7-10
Scottsdale, AZ
Pacific Palisades, CA
Vallarta, MEX
Palm Beach Gardens, FL
Rio Grande, PUR
Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Master Card Orlando, FL
PGA TOUR SCHEDULE 2023-2024
MAR 14-17 THE PLAYERS Championship
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
MAR 21-24
Valspar Championship Palm Harbor, FL
MAR 28-31 Texas Children's Houston Open
Houston, TX
APR 4-7 Valero Texas Open
San Antonio, TX
APR 11-14 Masters Tournament Augusta, GA
APR 18-21 Corales Puntacana Championship Punta Cana, DOM
APR 18-21
RBC Heritage Hilton Head Island, SC
APR 25-28
Zurich Classic of New Orleans
Avondale, LA
MAY 2-5
AT&T Byron Nelson McKinney, TX
MAY 9-12
Myrtle Beach Classic
MAY 9-12 Wells Fargo Championship
MAY 16-19
MAY 23-26
Charlotte, NC
PGA Championship Louisville, KY
Charles Schwab Challenge
Fort Worth, TX
Hilton Head Island
Hilton Head Island and the surrounding region known as the South Carolina Lowcountry offers breathtaking coastal scenery. Sea, sand and sky surround you, welcoming you to enjoy pristine beaches, fresh and saltwater marshes and wetlands, Spanish moss-draped live oak tree canopies, and friendly Southern hospitality. Hilton Head Island’s natural surroundings support an abundance of outdoor adventures for all to explore. Smell the salt air as the bright sunshine hits your skin, warming your soul and awakening your senses. With more than 30 area golf courses, 160 kilometers of biking trails, 19 kilometers of sparkling, flat-sand Atlantic Ocean beaches ideal for a stroll or bike ride, tennis, kayaking, fishing, horseback riding, and dolphin-watching cruises, you’ll quickly discover the joy of the natural side of life. More than $502 million in renovations and updates have been reinvested into the Island, and visitors are reaping the rewards. The Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island reopened as a fresh, modern resort hotel. The luxuriously intimate 60-room Inn at Harbour Town at The Sea Pines Resort also completed a multimillion dollar upgrade and has more expansion plans. Add The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa’s
coastal chic resort make-over; the Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort’s comprehensive redo; the hip, renovated oceanfront hotel, The Beach House Resort; and one of North America’s most lavish Five-Diamond resorts, The Inn at Palmetto Bluff; and you have a plethora of perfect seaside accommodations to rest your body, mind and spirit.
Hilton Head Island’s local and sustainable culinary scene features a variety of cultures and tastes. Those wishing to sample local fare should visit an Island restaurant specializing in Lowcountry cuisine, where dishes such as She-Crab Soup and Lowcountry Boil – a savory South Carolina blend of shrimp, hot sausage, potatoes and corn on the cob – capture the flavor of the region.
A visit to Hilton Head Island also would not be complete without sampling even more of the famous local seafood, including shrimp, sweet blue crab and briny oysters.
Hilton Head Island offers some of the best shopping in South Carolina. Whether you’re seeking a great bargain, designer brands or unique souvenir for that special someone, you’re sure to find what you desire at one of more than 200 Hilton Head-Bluffton outlets,
stores, six marina villages and historic Old Town Bluffton.
HISTORY HAPPENED HERE
With significant Spanish, French and English explorer history dating to the 1500s, the region offers travelers a rich and varied cultural scene. Gullah refers not only to a language but also to a culture and a still-vibrant community supported by the courage and the heritage of its forefathers. Brought here as enslaved people, the Gullah remains one of the most culturally distinctive African-American populations in the USA. The profound story of the Gullah and freedom awaits your exploration on Hilton Head Island and throughout the Lowcountry region.
HERE ARE A FEW CAN’T MISS ACTIVITIES:
Visit the Coastal Discovery Museum
The Coastal Discovery Museum is an all-ages museum designed to teach visitors about the unique ecosystems and cultures found on Hilton Head Island and the surrounding areas. Wander among the nature paths to learn about the area's unique, diverse plant and animal life, or stop in at the attached barn to meet some Marsh Tacky horses, a rare breed of horse that was developed in this area of South Carolina. Inside the main building, you'll find plentiful exhibits about the region's unique cultural heritage. If you visit between May and October, be sure to stop by the butterfly habitat, where you'll see countless native butterflies congregating.
SEE THE HARBOUR TOWN LIGHTHOUSE
Surrounded by the upscale Sea Pines resort community, the Harbour Town lighthouse has a bold red-and-white striped look that is featured on many of the local postcards and souvenirs. It is located in one of the nicest marinas on the island as well, so you can admire some luxury yachts and sailboats while you visit. After you see the lighthouse, rent a bike and explore the community's 15 miles of biking trails, or stop
in at The Inn & Club for a nice meal. Visitors do have to pay a small entry fee to get into this gated community.
PLAY A ROUND OF GOLF
Hilton Head is one of the premier golfing destinations in the world, so make some time to play a round while you're there. Experienced golfers can head right out to one of the 24 championship golf courses available on the island, and golf fans of all skill levels can enjoy watching one of the frequent tournaments held in the area, including a PGA TOUR game. If you're a beginner or just want to sharpen up your skills, there are also multiple world-class golf schools to choose from.
LOOK FOR ANIMALS AT PINCKNEY ISLAND NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
Keep your eyes peeled when you visit Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge. This sprawling preserve is home to abundant white-tailed deer, turtles, alligators, and more. It's also a haven for birdwatchers, so bring your binoculars if you enjoy identifying avian species. Most of the trails are fairly easy, so it's suitable for the whole family to enjoy. Be sure to bring a hat, sunscreen, and plenty of water, though, as most of the trails are out in the open with minimal shade.
GET OFF THE BEATEN PATH AT DAUFUSKIE ISLAND
Visiting Daufuskie Island sometimes feels like stepping back in time. This charming destination is only accessible by boat or ferry, and it is home to only about 250 full-time residents. Despite its rustic atmosphere, it is home to a vibrant arts scene and numerous small galleries, as well as some of the area's best seafood restaurants. Take a historic walking tour to learn about the island's rich and diverse history that ranges from Native American history to European settlement and the unique Gullah culture practiced by local African Americans.
COOKING IT UP IN SOUTH CAROLINA
Sweet Tea-Brined Fried Chicken
Makes 6 to 8 servings
Ingredients:
•2 family-size tea bags
•½ cup firmly packed light brown sugar
•¼ cup kosher salt
•1 small sweet onion, thinly sliced
•1 lemon, thinly sliced
•4 garlic cloves, halved
•1 tablespoon cracked black pepper
•2 cups ice cubes
•1 (3 ½ lb) cut-up whole chicken
•2 cups self-rising flour
•1 cup self-rising white cornmeal mix
•2 tablespoons freshly ground black pepper
•2 teaspoons table salt
•1 teaspoon ground red pepper
•Vegetable oil
Directions:
1.Bring 4 cups water to a boil in a 3-qt. heavy saucepan; add tea bags. Remove from heat, cover and steep 10 minutes.
2.Discard tea bags. Stir in brown sugar and next 5 ingredients, stirring until sugar dissolves. Cool completely (about 45 minutes). Stir in ice. (Mixture should be cold before adding to chicken.
3.Cut chicken breasts in half crosswise. Place tea mixture and all chicken pieces in a large zip-top plastic freezer bag; seal. Place bag in a shallow baking dish, and chill 24 hours.
4.Remove chicken from marinade, discarding marinade. Drain chicken well.
5.Whisk together flour and next 4 ingredients in a medium bowl. Spoon 1 cup flour mixture into a brown paper bag or large zip-top plastic freezer bag. Place one piece of chicken in bag; seal and shake to coat. Remove chicken and transfer to a wire rack. Repeat procedure with remaining chicken, adding more flour mixture to bag as needed. Let chicken stand 30 minutes to form a crust.
6.Pour oil to depth of 1 ½ inches into a cast-iron Dutch oven; heat over medium heat to 325F. Fry chicken in batches, 15 to 22 minutes or until browned and done, turning occasionally. Drain on a wire rack over paper towels.
Cider-Baked Stuffed Apples with Salty Caramel Sauce
Makes 4 servings
Ingredients:
•4 baking apples, such as Pink Lady, Honeycrisp or Braeburn, about 2 ½ to 2 ¾ inches in diameter
•1/3 cup dried cranberries, chopped
•¼ cup finely chopped walnuts
•¼ cup packed brown sugar
•1 cup apple cider or apple juice
•1 teaspoon lemon zest
•2 tablespoons lemon juice
•3 inches stick cinnamon
•1 tablespoon butter, cut into four pieces
•1/3 cup packed brown sugar
•¼ cup whipping cream
•¼ cup butter
•1 tablespoon light-color corn syrup
•½ teaspoon vanilla
•½ teaspoon coarse sea salt
•Vanilla or cinnamon ice cream (optional)
Directions:
1. Core apples; peel a strip from the top of each apple. Place apples, top sides up, n a 3/12 or 4 quart slow cooker. (If necessary, trim apples so they will sit on the bottom of the cooker.)
2. In a small bowl, combine cranberries, walnuts and brown sugar. Spoon mixture into centers of apples, patting in with a knife or narrow metal spatula. Combine apple cider, lemon zest and lemon juice and pour around apples in cooker. Add stick of cinnamon to liquid. Top each apple with a piece of butter.
3. Cover and cook on low-heat setting for 5 hours or on high-heat setting for 2 ½ hours.
4. For sauce: In a heavy small saucepan, bring the 1/3 cup brown sugar, whipping cream, butter and corn syrup to boiling over medium-high heat, whisking occasionally; reduce heat to medium. Boil gently, uncovered, for 2 minutes more. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla and sea salt. Cool to room temperature before serving, or chill for up to 24 hours and rewarm in the microwave on 50 percent power (medium) for 1 ½ to 2 minutes before serving, stirring twice.
5. To serve, transfer warm apples to dessert dishes. Spoon some of the cooking liquid from cooker over apples. Serve with Sea Salt-Caramel Sauce, and, if you like, ice cream.
Variation:
For a quicker sauce, just stir together ½ cup caramel-flavored ice cream topping and ½ teaspoon coarse sea salt in a small saucepan and warm through before serving.
Surefire Ways To Make Your Home Sell Faster
1. TAKE GREAT PHOTOS
If your listing photos don’t show off the features of your home, prospective buyers may reject it without even taking a tour or going to the open house. Hiring a professional photographer and posting at least 30 photos of your home, inside and out, is a good way to attract buyers.
2. CLEAN EVERYTHING
Nothing turns off buyers like a dirty house. Hire a company to deep clean it if you can’t do it yourself. Key places to clean while your home is on the market include kitchen countertops, inside cabinets and appliances, floors and room corners where dust collects, shelves, bathroom counters, toilets, tubs and showers, inside closets, windows inside and out, scuffed walls, baseboards and doors, basement and garage.
3. LET THE LIGHT IN
People love light and bright, and the best way to show off your house is to let the sunshine in. Open all the curtains, blinds and shades, and turn lights on in any dark rooms. If the natural light situation is lacking in any room, strategically place lamps or light sources throughout to set the mood.
4. MAKE YOUR HOME AVAILABLE
Buyers like to see homes on their schedules, which often means evenings and weekends. Plus, they want to be able to tour a home soon after they find it online, especially in a hot market where they’re competing with other buyers. If your home can be shown with little or no notice, more prospective buyers will see it. If you require 24 hours notice, they may choose to skip your house altogether.
5. SET THE RIGHT PRICE
No seller wants to leave money on the table, but the strategy of setting an unrealistically high price with the idea you can come down later doesn’t work in real estate. Buyers and their agents have access to more information on comparable homes than ever, and they know what most homes are worth before viewing them. A home that is overpriced in the beginning tends to stay on the market longer, even after the price is cut, because buyers think there must be something wrong with it.
6. SPREAD THE WORD
Your neighbors are often the best salespeople for your home because they love the neighborhood. Make sure they know your home is for sale and are invited to your open house. Also share your listing on social media and ensure your real estate agent does the same. Share the news on neighborhood e-mail lists, Facebook groups and other social media outlets. Collaborate with your real estate agent to promote your home’s listing information throughout multiple accounts.
1. Zero-Threshold Showers
Eliminate barriers and get a sleek look by switching to a shower that lacks the lip or edge of a traditional shower floor basin. “Zero-threshold showers are a huge advantage if you’re building your ‘forever’ home or remodeling a primary bathroom to enjoy indefinitely,” says Jamie Gold, a wellness design consultant. “There’s a bit more work and expense involved, but it can definitely be worth it for future-proofing your investment,” she says, referring to the benefits of barrierfree showers for those who are aging or injured. As larger showers continue to trend in bathroom renovations, this accessible design style is both practical and stylish.
2. Cool Roofing
Heat is the problem everyone is interested in tackling right now, according to Matt Power, editor of Green Builder magazine. For peace of mind and savings on your energy bill, Power suggests investing in cool roofs, which reflect more sunlight and absorb less heat than a traditional roof, improving indoor comfort and decreasing energy used to cool the home. Cool roofing materials are available as reflective coatings, sheet coverings, tiles, and shingles, as well as metal roofing. While you have the most choices to consider when replacing your roof, you can upgrade an existing one with reflective coatings or retrofitted reflective material to achieve some of the benefits of a cool roof, too.
3. Kitchen Countertops
Countertops are an integral part of your kitchen’s style and function. Visually, they make a big statement, and physically, they have to withstand food prep, spills, craft time, and frequent cleaning. If you have quality cabinetry but your countertops are an eyesore or they’re difficult to maintain, it’s worth investing in new countertops. Choosing a material like quartz—the top countertop material in trend reports from both Houzz and the National Kitchen and Bath Association—offers a fresh look while making your kitchen more functional and easier to maintain. It’s important to note that replacing countertops can impact the existing backsplash, sink, and faucet, too. This small kitchen renovation is the perfect opportunity to consider an easy-to-clean configuration with brushed faucets, an under-mount sink, and a slab backsplash.
4. Updated Garage Doors
With so many great styles to choose from, a new garage door is a quick and easy way to punch up curb appeal, according to Warren Wilson, general contractor and owner of Wilson Homes in Vancouver, British Columbia. If your garage is used for something like a workshop, a new door with better insulation or windows for natural light can make it more comfortable, says Wilson. Plus, according to cost versus value remodeling data, a garage door replacement has one of the highest returns on investment when it comes to resale value.
5. Radiant-Heat Flooring
Installed below the floor, a radiant heating system warms rooms from the bottom up, providing evenly distributed heat that’s cozy for your feet. Adding a radiant system to your home requires tearing out the existing flooring—and while it’s a big project, the upgrade produces big benefits, too. Not
only is it luxurious on cold mornings, but radiant heat is also quieter than rattling radiators and rumbling forced-air vents. Plus, it’s often more energy-efficient and can be added to many rooms in the home. “One of the most popular uses is the primary bathroom floor, but whole-house projects are worthwhile,” says Gold. While some approved vinyl and laminate floors can be paired with radiant heat, it works best with ceramic and porcelain tile and natural stone. Gold notes that radiant heat is popular in all climates and that it’s even being installed in outdoor living spaces.
6. Tankless Water Heater
Wilson recommends replacing a traditional water heater with a space-savvy and energy-wise tankless water heater. Instead of continuously using energy to keep a large tank of water heated, a tankless water heater provides on-demand hot water, meaning it expends energy to heat water only when, and to what temperature, it is needed. “They’re small, they can bolt onto the wall, and they take up much less room,” says Wilson. “Plus, they last about twice as long as a standard unit.” Another benefit of a tankless unit is that your hot water supply isn’t limited to how much water the tank can hold. Tankless water heaters do have higher upfront costs than traditional water heaters, due to both the purchase price and installation costs, which can require rerouting gas lines.
7. Decks and Patios
Interest in outdoor spaces exploded last year, and it continues to be a place homeowners seek to enhance and enjoy. Large or small, a new deck is a simple way to add a lot of value to your property. With just a few pieces of furniture and lighting, it becomes a flexible space where you can work, play, and entertain. Although lumber has been expensive and a wood deck might seem like a splurge, you can feel good about its resale value. Alternatively, composite decking is durable and eco-friendly, and it has a great return on investment, too.
8. Enhanced Kitchen Storage
Now is the time to invest in those cooking skills and supplies you acquired during the pandemic. Adequate storage for all your utensils, appliances, and pantry items will play a role in making your kitchen more orderly, functional, and enjoyable to use—and help you nurture those new culinary talents. Adding specialty organizers to cabinets and drawers makes the most of your existing cabinetry. As traditional pantries are seeing a comeback, consider building out an underutilized corner of the kitchen, tapping into the wall of a nearby room, or converting a nearby closet if you have one. This increased storage is not only better for your everyday use, but it will also add value to your home.
9. Solar Energy
Decreasing costs for materials, paired with tax credits and incentives, has continued to make solar power a more achievable option for homeowners. Although it’s still a significant financial investment, the need for renewable energy is bringing solar closer to home. Supplementing your home with solar power can reduce both your energy bills and your carbon footprint, and Power says it has appeal for homebuyers, too.
9 HOME UPGRADES THAT ARE ACTUALLY WORTH IT
Hidden Travel Gems
AYSEN, PATAGONI – While thrill-seekers may have already added Patagonia to their bucket lists, thanks to famous features like Perito Moreno Glacier and Torres del Paine National Park, chances are they haven’t yet heard of Aysen. Described as the region’s final frontier, this remote land is sparsely populated and still very much unexplored. Adventurers will appreciate the area’s dramatic landscapes, including snow-capped mountains, staggering fjords, and temperate rain forests. Splendidly isolated, going off the grid is no challenge and countless adventures await.
TALINN, ESTONIA – Those looking to embark on a European escape to someplace other than tried-andtrue staples like London, Paris, and Rome will be enchanted by Tallinn. Estonia’s capital city looks as if it was plucked from the pages of a fairytale, effortlessly blending the old and the new. Stroll past towering gothic architecture along the cobblestoned streets of Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating back to the 13th century, which is lined with picturesque cafes and boutiques.
PALMETTO BLUFF, SOUTH CAROLINA – The Carolinas are undeniably having a moment, with cultural hubs like Asheville and Charleston drawing attention from travelers around the globe. But this year, South Carolina’s Lowcountry is on the rise, with Palmetto Bluff taking center stage. Steeped in history, rich biodiversity, and 32 miles of quiet coastline, this destination is considered by locals to be one of the best-kept secrets in the South. For true Southern hospitality, check into Montage Palmetto Bluff, where you can spend your days on their Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, at the Palmetto Bluff Shooting Club, or on an offshore fishing excursion. Its romantic laidback luxury will make any visitor feel right at home.
BOTSWANA, AFRICA – Landlocked Botswana’s landscape is defined by the Okavango Delta and Kalahari Desert in Southern Africa, and offers some of the most spectacular safaris on earth. Only two million inhabitants call Botswana home, making it one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world. But here, animals roam and rule, including elephants, giraffes, zebras, hyenas, cheetahs and more. It’s the ultimate playground for nature lovers. Wilderness Safaris’ brand new Qorokwe Camp is now open with eight elegant tented suites and offers outstanding game viewing year round.
CORK, IRELAND – Ireland’s compact Cork City is giving Dublin a run for its money. The youthful city has been reinventing itself over the past couple of years and is ready to steal the spotlight once and for all. Waterfront views, historic churches, and friendly locals make Cork a favorite spot for in-the-know travelers, but it’s their evolving culinary scene that’s set to position the city as a must-see destination for 2018. Although fiercely rooted in Irish heritage, inventive eateries and pubs in the revitalized city center are bringing a welcome diversity to Cork.
TALKEETNA, ALASKA – Anyone in search of the weird but wonderful should set their sights on America’s largest state. Situated smack-dab in the middle of Anchorage and Mount Denali is the small village of Talkeetna. A gateway to Alaska’s famed Denali National Park, adventurers will be flocking to this eccentric destination for its rich array of outdoor activities, such as hiking, fishing, rafting and flightseeing. In town, expect to come across a healthy mix of brewpubs and weed dispensaries spinkled in with quirky artist studios and shops selling locally made handicrafts. For stellar views of Denali, snag a room at the rustic Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge. Summertime is your best bet in terms of weather, but you can beat the crowds by planning a winter jaunt for a chance to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights.
LPGA TOUR SCHEDULE
JAN 19-22 Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions Orlando, FL
FEB 23-26
Honda LPGA Thailand Pattaya, Chonburi, Thailand
MAR 2-5 HSBC Women’s World Championship Singapore
MAR 9-12 Blue Bay LPGA
Hainan Island, People’s Republic of China
MAR 23-26 LPGA Drive On Championship Gold Canyon, AZ
MAR 30-APR 2 DIO Implant LA Open Palos Verdes Estates, CA
APR 12-15
LOTTE Championship presented by Hoakalei Ewa Beach, Oahu, HI
APR 20-23 The Chevron Championship The Woodlands, TX
APR 27-30 JM Eagle LA Championship presented by Plastpro Los Angeles, CA
MAY 4-7 Hanwha LIFEPLUS International Crown San Francisco, CA
MAY 11-14 Cognizant Founders Cup Clifton, NJ
MAY 24-28 Bank of Hope LPGA Match-Play presented by MGM Rewards Las Vegas, NV
JUN 1-4 Mizuho Americas Open Jersey City, NJ
JUN 9-11 ShopRite LPGA Classic presented by Acer Galloway, NJ
JUN 15-18 Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give Grand Rapids, MI
JUN 22-25 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship Springfield, NJ
JUL 6-9 U.S. Women’s Open presented by ProMedica
JUL 13-16
Great Toledo LPGA Classic
Pebble Beach, CA
Sylvania, OH
LPGA TOUR SCHEDULE
JUL 19-22 Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational
JUL 27-30
Midland, MI
Amundi Evian Championship Evian-les-Bains, France
AUG 3-6 Trust Golf Women’s Ladies Scottish Open Ayrshire, Scotland
AUG 10-13 AIG Women’s Open Surrey, England
AUG 17-20 ISPS Handa World Invitational
Antrim, Northern Ireland
AUG 24-27 CP Women’s Open Vancouver, BC, Canada
AUG 31-SEP 3 Portland Classic Portland, OR
SEPT 7-10 Kroger Queen City Championship presented by P&G Cincinnati, OH
SEP 22-24 Solheim Cup
Andalucia, Spain
SEP 29-OCT 1 Walmart NW Arkansas Championship presented by P&G Rogers, AR
OCT 5-8 The Ascendant LPGA benefiting Volunteers of America The Colony, TX
OCT 12-15 Buick LPGA Shanghai Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
OCT 19-22 BMW Ladies Championship Korea (TBA)
OCT 26-29
Taiwan Swinging Skirts LPGA
NOV 2-5 TOTO Japan Classic
New Taipei City, Chinese Taipei
Omitama, Ibaraki, Japan
NOV 9-12 The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican Belleair, FL
NOV 16-19 CME Group Tour Championship
Naples, FL
While most people know that physical activity is healthy, it is estimated that about 30% of people worldwide don’t get enough. Unless you have a physically demanding job, a dedicated fitness routine is likely your best bet for getting active. Unfortunately, many people feel that they don’t have enough time to exercise. If this sounds like you, maybe it’s time to try high-intensity interval training (HIIT).
HIIT is a broad term for workouts that involve short periods of intense exercise alternated with recovery periods. One of the biggest advantages of HITT is that you can get maximal health benefits in minimal time.
What is high-intensity interval training?
HIIT involves short bursts of intense exercise alternated with low-intensity recovery periods. Interestingly, it is perhaps the most time-efficient way to exercise. Typically, a HIIT workout will range from 10 to 30 minutes in duration. Despite how short the workout is, it can produce health benefits similar to twice as much moderate-intensity exercise.
The actual activity being performed varies but can include sprinting, biking, jump rope or other body weight exercises. For example, a HIIT workout using a stationary exercise bike could consist of 30 seconds of cycling as fast as possible against high resistance, followed by several minutes of slow, easy cycling with low resistance. This would be considered one round or repetition of HIIT, and you would typically complete four to six repetitions in one workout. The specific amount of time you exercise and recover will vary based on the activity you choose and how intensely you are exercising.
Benefits of High-Intensity Interval Training
Regardless of how it is implemented, high-intensity intervals should involve short periods of vigorous exercise that make your heart rate speed up. Not only does HIIT provide the benefits of longer-duration exercise in a much shorter amount of time – it may also provide some unique health benefits.
HIIT can burn a lot of calories in a short amount of time. One study compared the calories burned during 30 minutes each of HIIT, weight training, running and biking. The researchers found that HIIT burned 25 to 30% more calories than the other forms of exercise. In this study, HIIT repetition consisted of 20 seconds of maximal effort, followed by 40 seconds of rest. This means that the participants were actually only exercising for 1/3 of the time that the running and biking groups were.
Although each workout session was 30 minutes long in this study, it is common for HIIT workouts to be much shorter than the traditional exercise sessions. This is because HIIT allows you to burn about the same amount of calories, but spend less time exercising. HIIT may help you burn more calories than traditional exercise, or burn the same amount of calories in a shorter amount of time.
One of the ways HIIT helps you burn calories actually comes after you are done exercising. Several studies have demonstrated HIIT’s impressive ability to increase your metabolic rate for hours after exercise. Some researchers have even found that HIIT increases your metabolism after exercise more so than jogging and weight training. In the same study, HIIT was also found to shift the body’s metabolism toward using fat
for energy rather than carbs. Another study showed that just two minutes of HIIT in the form of sprints increased metabolism over 24 hours as much as 30 minutes of running.
Studies have shown that HIIT can help you lose fat. One review looked at 13 experiments and 424 overweight and obese adults. Interestingly, it found that both HIIT and traditional moderate-intensity exercise can reduce body fat and waist circumference. Additionally, one study found that people performing HIIT three times per week for 20 minutes per session lost 4.4 pounds, or 2kgs, of body fat in 12 weeks, without any dietary changes. Several other studies also indicate that body fat can be reduced with HIIT, despite the relatively low time commitment. However, like other forms of exercise, HIIT may be most effective for fat loss in those who are overweight or obese.
In addition to helping with fat loss, HIIT could help increase muscle mass in certain individuals. However, the gain in muscle mass is primarily in the muscles being used the most, often the trunk and legs. Additionally, it’s important to note that increases in muscle mass are more likely to occur in individuals who were less active to begin with. Some research in active individuals has failed to show higher muscle mass after HIIT programs. Weight training continues to be the “gold standard” form of exercise to increase muscle mass, but high-intensity intervals could support a small amount of muscle growth.
HIIT can improve oxygen consumption. Oxygen consumption refers to your muscles’ ability to use oxygen, and endurance training is typically used to improve your oxygen consumption. Traditionally, this consists of long sessions of continuous running or cycling at a steady rate. However, it appears that HIIT can produce the same benefits in a shorter amount of time. One study found that five weeks of HIIT workouts performed four days per week for 20 minutes each session improved oxygen consumption by 9%. This was almost identical to the improvement in oxygen consumption in the other group in the study, who cycled continuously for 40 minutes per day, four days per week.
HIIT can reduce heart rate and blood pressure. HIIT may have important health benefits as well. A large amount of research indicates that it can reduce heart rate and blood pressure in overweight and obese individuals, who often have high blood pressure. One study found that eight weeks of HIIT on a stationary bike decreased blood pressure as much as traditional continuous endurance training in adults with high blood pressure. In this study, the endurance training group exercised four days per week for 30 minutes per day, but the HIIT group only exercised three times per week for 20 minutes per day. Some researchers have found that HIIT may even reduce blood pressure more
than the frequently recommended moderate-intensity exercise. However, it appears that high-intensity exercise does not typically change blood pressure in normal weight individuals with normal blood pressure.
Blood sugar can be reduced by HIIT programs lasting less than 12 weeks. A summary of 50 different studies found that not only does HIIT reduce blood sugar, but it also improves insulin resistance more than traditional continuous exercise. Based on this information, it is possible that high-intensity exercise is particularly beneficial for those at risk for type 2 diabetes. In fact, some experiments specifically in individuals with type 2 diabetes have demonstrated the effectiveness of HIIT for improving blood sugar.
There are many ways to add high-intensity intervals to your exercise routine, so it isn’t hard to get started. To begin, you just need to choose your activity (running, biking, jumping, etc.) Then you can experiment with different durations of exercise and recovery, or how long you are performing intense exercise and how long you are recovering.
Here are a few examples of HIIT workouts:
• Using a stationary bike, pedal as hard and fast as possible for 30 seconds. Then, pedal at a slow, easy pace for two to four minutes. Repeat this pattern for 15 to 30 minutes.
• Perform squat jumps as quickly as possible for 30 to 90 seconds. Then, stand or walk for 30 to 90 seconds. Repeat this pattern for 10 to 20 minutes.
While these examples can get you started, you should modify your own routine based on your own preferences.
In summary, high-intensity interval training is a very efficient way to exercise, and may help you burn more calories than you would with other forms of exercise. Some of the calories burned from high-intensity intervals come from a higher metabolism, which lasts for hours after exercise.
Overall, HIIT produces many of the same health benefits as other forms of exercise in a shorter amount of time.
These benefits include lower body fat, heart rate and blood pressure. HIIT may also help lower blood sugar and improve insulin sensitivity.
So, if you are short on time and want to get active, consider trying high-intensity interval training.
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P ilates for G olfers : t he B enefits of P ilates for G olfers
Golf and Pilates might not seem like a natural partnership. But, in fact, the emphasis in Pilates on rotation, spine flexibility and trunk stability means that players – both professional and recreational – can gain a lot from practicing this method.
Not forgetting that Pilates can help golfers with injury prevention and injury recovery. With each repetitive movement – rotate, tilt, shift and extend – taken on a drive, golfers put themselves at risk of overusing particular muscles. This is where Pilates for golf becomes an attractive solution.
In this article, we talk about the benefits of Pilates for golf and give golfers simple Pilates exercises they can do from the comfort of their home.
1. Advanced Core Strength
Having core strength in golf is just as important as any other activity. One way to improve performance, longevity and reduce the risk of injury is by training and strengthening the core.
Golf is centered around rotation of the body and driving power from the ground, through your core to the club and the ball. With a stronger core comes increased power and, therefore a more powerful, controlled swing.
Not only that, a strong core, impacts so many other factors like improving your posture and lessening the pressure on your back and neck which often causes acute back pain.
2. Enhanced Flexibility
Flexibility is one of, if not, the most important factor in becoming a successful golfer. The ability to get a good rotation between the shoulder and hip is the difference between executing a compact, powerful swing or not.
Flexibility enables golfers to reach a full range of motion which in turn allows you to reach maximum potential strength and distance.
3. Improve Body Balance & Stability
Body balance and stability creates a good foundation for golfers to execute an effective swing with power behind it.
The success behind your swing lies in the control over overall range of motion and the coordinated rotation of the body, predominantly, the shoulders and the hips. This is not possible without balance and stability from the pelvis.
Pilates helps with pelvic and spine alignment so that you’re able to transition through movements with ease and control. In Pilates, this is done by lengthening tight muscles, strengthening weak muscles and engaging the deep core muscles to increase pelvic and spine stability and improve muscular imbalances.
4. Injury Prevention & Rehabilitation
Pilates is lesser known for its ability to effectively help individuals in their injury rehabilitation and injury prevention.
Clinical Pilates, in particular, can help with all kinds of rehabilitation from acute shoulder pain to chronic back pain. This is largely down to the holistic approach of Pilates which focuses on the entire body to treat any imbalances which may be creating compensatory patterns. Using unilateral movements, Pilates aims to develop even muscles on either side of the body to reduce unnecessary pressure on overcompensating muscles.
Pilates also helps to correct postural problems which can often cause injury. A poor posture leads to both shortened and weak muscles; Pilates focuses on lengthening and strengthening muscles, particularly the core, which is great for alignment.
ATP TOUR SCHEDULE
SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
Tips For Stock Market Investing
Set Long-Term Goals
Why are you considering investing in the stock market? Will you need your cash back in six months, a year, five years or longer? Are you saving for retirement, for future college expenses, to purchase a home, or to build an estate to leave to your beneficiaries? Before investing, you should know your purpose and the likely time in the future you may have need of the funds. If you are likely to need your investment returned within a few years, consider another investment; the stock market with its volatility provides no certainty that all of your capital will be available when you need it.
By knowing how much capital you will need and the future point in time when you will need it, you can calculate how much you should invest and what kind of return on your investment will be needed to produce the desired result. Remember that the growth of your portfolio depends upon three interdependent factors: The capital you invest, the amount of net earnings on your capital, the number of years or period of your investment. Ideally, you should start saving as soon as possible, save as much as you can, and receive the highest return possible consistent with your risk philosophy.
Understand Your Risk Tolerance
Risk tolerance is a psychological trait that is genetically based, but positively influenced by education, income and wealth (as these increase, risk tolerance appears to increase slightly) and negatively by age (as one gets older, risk tolerance decreases). Your risk tolerance is how you feel about risk and the degree of anxiety you feel when risk is present. In psychological terms, risk tolerance is defined as “the extent to which a person chooses to risk experiencing a less favorable outcome in the pursuit of a more favorable outcome.” In other words, would you risk $100 to win $1,000? Or $1,000 to win $1,000? All humans vary in their risk tolerance, and there is no “right” balance.
Risk tolerance is also affected by one’s perception of the risk. For example, flying in an airplane or riding in a car would have been perceived as very risky in the early 1900s, but less so today as flight and automobile travel are common occurrences. Conversely, most people would feel that riding a horse might dangerous with a good chance of falling or being bucked off because few people are around horses.
The idea of perception is important, especially in investing. As you gain more knowledge about investments – for example, how stocks are bought and sold, how much volatility (price change) is usually present, and the difficulty or ease of liquidating an investment – you are likely to consider stock investments to have less risk than you thought before making your first purchase. As a consequence, your anxiety when investing is less intense, even though your risk tolerance remains unchanged because your perception of the risk has evolved.
By understanding your risk tolerance, you can avoid those investments which are likely to make you anxious. Generally speaking, you should never own an asset which keeps you from sleeping in the night. During periods of financial uncertainty, the investor who can retain a cool head and follows an analytical decision process invariably comes out ahead.
4 Tips For Strengthening Your Finances Before A Recession Hits
Recently skyrocketing oil and gas prices, continued record inflation, and the first of a potential slew of interest rate hikes have led some experts to wonder if a recession is on the horizon. Although the Covid-19 recession from February to April 2020 was significantly shorter than the average recession (the average is 11 months according to a Jan. 2022 report from the Congressional Research Service), there have been long-ranging financial effects for many Americans.
Some households were able to weather the pandemic thanks to job security and stimulus payments. Others may still be rebuilding their finances in a post-vaccination landscape. Regardless of which camp you’re in, if you lived through the Great Recession or any of its predecessors, even the faintest rumors of a recession may have you nervous about your financial health.
You can’t predict the future, but you can take steps to fortify your finances so you’re prepared in the event of a downturn.
Is a Recession Really That Likely?
The U.S. economy goes through cyclical patterns, with good and bad periods both inevitable. But the growing economy (generally measured as the gross domestic product, or GDP) and strong labor
market are two major indicators that our economy is in good shape, and a recession is not imminent. Raising rates to tamp down inflation, as the Federal Reserve plans to do several times this year, will slow growth, but it doesn’t guarantee a recession will happen.
But it’s better to be prepared than caught off guard, especially when it comes to your money. Some people are still feeling the scars of the financial crisis of 2007 to 2009. Millennials entering their careers during that period discovered the worst job market in 80 years, Annie Lowrey noted for the Atlantic in 2019, and have struggled to build wealth ever since.
Tom Blower, CFP, a senior financial advisor at Fiduciary Financial Investors in Grand Rapids, Michigan, can vividly recall the experience of working with clients in 2008 and 2009 who were experiencing job loss and watching their investment portfolios lose value. “Each recession is a little different, but history has a way of repeating itself,” he says. “I always remind my clients not to think in terms of ‘this time is different’,” and he discourages them from trying to time the market.
You may not be able to fully protect yourself from the impact of a recession. But bolstering your finances when you have the money to do so can soften the blow when a downturn develops.
“Use the highs to get your financial house in order, so when the lows come it’s simply a minor inconvenience rather than a crisis,” says Tania Brown, CFP, a financial coach at financial technology nonprofit SaverLife.
1. Build Your Emergency Fund
Though conventional wisdom recommends having three to six months of your essential
expenses tucked away in an emergency fund, the pandemic has led some people to try to save more—up to a year’s expenses, in some cases. Whether you’re a super saver or having a hard time catching up after pandemic hardships, it’s more important to focus on the habit of saving than the exact amount in your bank account. Brown suggests reframing success as progress, rather than a final achievement. “Saving $5 when you didn’t think you could, to me, is a much bigger victory that will lead to your ultimate goal,” she says. That’s one thing Emmanuel Henson, CFP, founder and president of Gamma Wealth Management based in Towson, Maryland, often has to explain to clients: Your emergency fund is there for you to use. “Some people have a hard time coming to grips that they had to raid their funds and they take it personally,” Henson says. But when emergencies like health issues and layoffs crop up, “You don’t owe anyone an explanation.” Remember that if you need to deplete your emergency savings at some point, you’ll eventually be able to rebuild that fund.
2. Pay Down Debt
If you already have an emergency fund, it’s time to focus on paying down debt. You don’t need to make plans to pay off your mortgage in 10 years instead of 30, nor do you need to make huge student loan payments when federal loans are still in forbearance. But any debt that has an interest rate in the double digits or has a variable rate is worth trying to get off your plate as soon as possible. “Credit cards have variable rates that are already going up,” warns Jay Zigmont, a CFP and founder of financial advising firm Live, Learn, Plan based in Water Valley, Mississippi. The Federal Reserve anticipates raising rates several times in 2022, which will lead credit card issuers to raise variable interest rates. The average credit card APR has been steady at about 16% for the past few years. If APRs start to creep up, you’ll have to work harder to keep interest from accumulating on your balance. That’s just the national average—if you have less-than-perfect credit, you could easily pay an average of 25% APR right now. If you can hack away and pay off your credit card or installment loan balances now, you can avoid having to use your emergency fund to pay those bills if there’s a sudden change to your financial situation.
3. Rein in Lifestyle Creep
It may be hard to save on necessities in categories where inflation has caused prices to rise dramatically. Instead of worrying about each nickel and dime you spend, take a look at your overall lifestyle. Is there anything you can cut
back on that you won’t really miss? If you’ve gotten a raise during the pandemic, you may have found yourself spending that additional money thoughtlessly rather than saving it or putting it toward your financial priorities. Or you might realize the money you’ve saved by no longer having a daily commute is going toward more takeout and delivery meals It’s easier to cut back on expenses when you’re thinking about optimizing your finances, rather than when you’re in a defensive situation—like dealing with a loss of income.
“People have gotten used to a high-growth, lowinterest environment, which has resulted in lifestyle creep for many,” Zigmont says. “When you add in stimulus payments and student loan forbearance, the result is that many people are living beyond their means and need to adjust before times get hard.” Ryan Phillips, CFP, founder of GuidePoint Financial Planning in Reston, Virginia, encourages clients not to overextend themselves during the good times. These days especially, he urges caution for those considering big-ticket purchases like a house or car, or clients planning a home renovation project. “Given current supply chain and inventory issues, there is a risk in overpaying for some of these items,” he says. Lumber prices, for example, increased 150% during the pandemic. “When a recession ultimately strikes, these are the things we cannot go back and undo.”
4. Nurture Your Career
You may not be ready to take part in the Great Resignation and make a big career change. But even if you’re happy with your current job situation, it’s always a good idea to keep your resume updated. If you lose your job due to a large economic event, a strong resume may make it easier to bounce back or pivot to a new career. “Take ownership of your career,” Brown says. “Take full advantage of free courses and certifications to keep your skills updated. Refresh your LinkedIn profile so you are always job-ready.” And while the job market is hot, it’s a good time to make sure you’re getting paid what you deserve. Research the market rate for your role and advocate for a raise if necessary. Then, put that surplus money to work strengthening your financial safety net.
CHAMPIONS TOUR SCHEDULE 2023
JAN 19-21 Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai
Ka’upulehu-Kona, HI
FEB 9-11 Trophy Hassan II Rabat, MAR
FEB 17-19
Chubb Classic
Naples, FL
MAR 3-5 Cologuard Classic Tucson, AZ
MAR 17-19 Hoag Classic
MAR 24-26
APR 21-23
APR 28-30
MAY 5-7
Newport Beach, CA
The Galleri Classic Rancho Mirage, CA
Invited Celebrity Classic Irving, TX
Insperity Invitational
The Woodlands, TX
Mitsubishi Electric Classic Duluth, GA
MAY 11-14 Regions Tradition Birmingham, AL
MAY 25-28
KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship Frisco, TX
JUN 2-4 Principal Charity Classic Des Moines, IA
JUN 9-11 American Family Insurance Championship Madison, WI
JUN 23-25
DICK’S Sporting Goods Open Endicott, NY
JUN 29-JUL 2 U.S. Senior Open Championship
JUL 13-16
JUL 27-30
AUG 11-13
AUG 18-20
AUG 25-27
SEP 8-10
SEP 15-17
SEP 22-24
OCT 6-8
OCT 13-15
OCT 20-22
NOV 3-5
NOV 9-12
Stevens Point, WI
Kaulig Companies Championship Akron, OH
The Senior Open Championship presented by Rolex Bridgend, WAL
Boeing Classic
Snoqualmie, WA
Shaw Charity Classic Calgary, AB, CAN
The Ally Challenge
Grand Blanc, MI
Ascension Charity Classic St. Louis, MO
Sanford International Sioux Falls, SD
PURE Insurance Championship
Constellation FURYK & FRIENDS
Monterey Peninsula, CA
Jacksonville, FL
SAS Championship Cary, NC
Dominion Energy Charity Classic
TimberTech Championship
Charles Schwab Cup Championship
Richmond, VA
Boca Raton, FL
Phoenix, AZ
NOV 29-DEC 2 2023 PGA TOUR Champions Qualifying Tournament-Final Stage Scottsdale, AZ
DEC 14-17
PNC Championship
Orlando, FL