Family Philanthropy

Building Social Capital: The Impact of Giving Back to Communities

Philanthropic endeavors have the ability to reshape the lives of those in need, as well as the lives of the individuals and families who choose to make a difference. This leaves an indelible impact on the world while aligning their values and fostering a sense of purpose that transcends generations by investing time, resources, and compassion in community projects. Giving back serves as a catalyst for personal development, social transformation, and the creation of a lasting legacy.

The Power of Philanthropy: How Giving Back Impacts Your Community

Philanthropy is a way for families to demonstrate their commitment to making a difference in the world. By aligning their giving efforts with causes that reflect their core beliefs and interests, families can establish a unique philanthropic identity that distinguishes them in the eyes of their community.  It also offers families the opportunity to shape their reputation in a way that transcends material wealth. 

By giving back, families demonstrate a genuine concern for the well-being of others and actively work towards building stronger, more inclusive communities. The impact of philanthropy on a family’s legacy and reputation extends beyond the immediate benefits of their efforts as it shows giving commitment to making a positive difference that withstands the test of time. By involving family members in the decision-making process and encouraging their active participation in philanthropic initiatives, families can reinforce their shared values and strengthen the bonds that tie them together.

Strengthening Social Capital and Family Bonds Through Giving Back

Philanthropy offers a one-of-a-kind chance for families to enhance their social capital, not only within their communities but also within the dynamic of their own homes and families. Social capital is a set of shared values or resources that allows individuals to work together in a group to effectively achieve a common purpose, such as a corporation or a nonprofit, to function together as a whole through trust, shared identity, norms, values, and mutual relationships. Put simply, social capital benefits society as a whole through social relationships. This often begins within the family. 

Families have the potential to promote a sense of unity, purpose, and connection by giving back to their communities and bringing younger generations into the fold, as each generation brings with it a distinct set of objectives and points of view. Being involved in charitable activities inspires family members to spend more time together, talk about their lives, and collaborate on achieving a common objective. This provides an opportunity to bridge generational divides and foster a deeper understanding of one another. Here, they can uncover common values, learn from each other’s experiences, and build a sense of empathy and compassion when there is open communication and collaborative decision-making between one another. 

Contributing to the welfare of others helps family members grow as individuals as well. It gives people the opportunity to broaden their understanding of the world, acquire an appreciation for the difficulties experienced by others, and cultivate a sense of gratitude for the advantages they have themselves. Members of a family have the opportunity to grow their leadership abilities, and profound feelings of social responsibility when they actively participate in charitable activities. These characteristics contribute to their overall growth as individuals and provide them with vital life skills that go beyond the scope of their charity work.

Investing in Social Capital as a Way to Augment Complete Family Wealth

Social capital is an additional invaluable component of family wealth. It includes the networks, relationships, and ties that individuals and families develop throughout their lifetimes. Because of this, it has the potential to substantially boost the wealth and well-being of a family. Specifically, families often augment their total wealth by investing in social capital through philanthropic activities. This also builds the family legacy as one of influence and community impact. Beyond the benefits of material prosperity, families who engage in philanthropy become active contributors to the wellness of their communities, forging connections and relationships with individuals from a variety of backgrounds. This activity fosters trust, cooperation, and reciprocity, thereby creating a social network that can be utilized in future endeavors. Families may establish connections between various sectors of society through their efforts, bringing together individuals, organizations, and community leaders who share a common vision for positive change. 

Investing in social capital, particularly through philanthropic means, opens the door to new opportunities and resources. Families gain access to knowledge, expertise, and collaborations that can amplify the impact of their philanthropy, cultivating profound connections with like-minded individuals and organizations. These relationships can result in partnerships with influential stakeholders, empowering families to address complex social issues more effectively. The collective impact of social capital creates a multiplier effect, magnifying the scope and influence of the family’s philanthropic endeavors.

If you're looking for ways to augment your family's social capital while having an impact on the greater community you live in, connect with Beacon Family Office for an initial review and discover what options are available to you.

Unhappy man visiting his counselor

Nurturing Mental Well-being: Addressing Anxiety in Family Stewards

Anxiety is a common, yet often misunderstood psychological condition characterized by persistent feelings of worry, unease, and apprehension. At times, it can become an intrusive problem because it can lead to an inability to make effective decisions when it comes to your business, your health, and your family. This may eventually lead to unintentional choices that may put the family’s greater well-being at risk. For family stewards, recognizing the impact that anxiety can potentially have on your overall goals is crucial to ensuring the healthy execution of your wealth management strategy while maintaining positive relationships with your family members.

The Perils of Unhealthy Coping Mechanisms: Seeking Balance and Support

Clearly, in one’s pursuit of complete family wealth, it is essential to recognize the role that mental health plays in achieving lasting prosperity across all areas of the family’s capital. One indicator that anxiety may be impacting your mental health without you cognitively recognizing this is to look at specific coping mechanisms you turn to, particularly when under significant stress.

Without us realising it, anxiety can drive us towards unhealthy coping mechanisms such as substance abuse, workaholism, disordered eating, or other self-destructive behaviours. Behaviours that may make us feel calm and in control at the moment, but have a long-term, negative impact on our health, our relationships, and our wealth. The reason being is that, despite the immediacy of anxiety alleviation, these unhealthy behaviours often exacerbate the underlying issues and further compromise financial decision-making abilities. Eventually, these behaviours can cause long-term damage to our greater health, such as an increase in our heart rate, palpitations, increased blood pressure, and chest problems – all will prime us for coronary events.

Fostering a Culture of Mental Health for Family Support

Family stewards must prioritize their mental well-being and seek appropriate support to manage anxiety effectively if they want to successfully preserve, protect, grow, and transition their wealth to the rising generation. One essential solution is to share the burden of stress through open dialogues around mental health within the family. Let family members know what is weighing on your mind. By acknowledging and discussing anxiety, family members can offer emotional support, empathy, and understanding. Additionally, routine visits to psychologists or advisors specializing in high-net-worth families can provide valuable guidance and strategies to cope with anxiety-related challenges, particularly as they relate to wealth management, family offices, and legacy development.

A high net worth does not exempt individuals from experiencing anxiety. This is why it’s crucial for family stewards to nurture an environment that champions mental well-being and supports the long-term success of complete family wealth management. When mental health is woven into generational conversations, the overall health of family members is likely to increase. An increase in the overall health of the family helps to ensure the longevity of the family reputation. For the next family steward, this goes a long way for them knowing that they will not have to carry the weight of the family legacy and reputation alone.

Leaning on Your Financial Advisory to Overcome Anxiety-Related Challenges

Anxiety-related challenges are becoming a widely-recognized common occurrence, impacting all aspects of our lives. , Knowing the importance of seeking advice from a wealth and/or financial advisor to help navigate these challenges and safeguard your family wealth is one way to ensure that anxiety does not adversely impact your financial health and/or financial decisions. While anxiety can be overwhelming, understanding how an advisor can assist you in managing and overcoming these obstacles can provide a sense of relief, security, and even control. A skilled wealth advisor acts as a trusted partner in your journey towards complete family wealth management, offering invaluable guidance and support in times of uncertainty. They possess the knowledge and expertise to help you develop a comprehensive wealth plan tailored to your unique circumstances. By understanding your goals, fears, and aspirations, they can create strategies to mitigate anxiety-related challenges that may arise as you work towards preserving, protecting, and growing your family’s capital. From providing personalized investment strategies to crafting contingency plans for unexpected circumstances – such as a panic attack during stressful situations –  a financial advisor can alleviate your concerns and equip you with the tools to overcome anxiety from a financial perspective. This will look different from advisor to advisor but can include connecting you to their network, which often includes a psychologist who specializes in high-net-worth families.  

A wealth advisor can offer a steady hand, providing reassurance and guidance when uncertainty prevails, particularly during turbulent times, such as an economic downturn or a personal crisis.

By leveraging their expertise, you can alleviate the loneliness that often comes as a family steward, helping to lessen the mental burden that comes with managing complex financial matters by entrusting your family wealth management to a professional, you can focus on maintaining a healthy work-life balance, nurturing relationships, and pursuing activities that bring you joy. This holistic approach to wealth management promotes mental well-being and ensures that your family’s wealth is not a source of anxiety but a tool for realizing your dreams.

If you sense that anxiety is clouding your decision-making abilities to successfully execute your family’s wealth management plan, speak with your advisor as well as an anxiety specialist or psychologist. Together, we can help support you where you’re at, while fostering a culture of positive mental health in your family, empowering you to make informed choices to further nurture your complete family wealth. Contact Beacon Family Office today and embark on a journey towards holistic well-being and lasting prosperity.

Senior man with beard sitting on chair with clipboard and talking to the young people during lesson

Strong Mental Grit: A Key to Successful Wealth Management

Mental grit is something all generational family offices have. This is the ability to passionately persevere in the face of challenges in order to reach your long-term goals. This grit allows you to retain a balanced perspective, make thoughtful decisions, and maintain focus on long-term objectives; a critical component of any effective wealth management strategy. Beyond supporting you as you thoughtfully manage finances, it promotes your personal development, emotional stability, and overall contentment with life. In the world of wealth management, it’s crucial to proactively develop ideas, resources, and practices that can build and enhance your resilience so you can thrive in the face of adversity and achieve financial success over the years.

Understanding Resilience: Bouncing Back Stronger

Mental grit comes down to our resilience. Resilience is the remarkable ability to emotionally recover from personal or professional setbacks. It plays a pivotal role in navigating the inevitable ups and downs that come with preserving, protecting, growing, and transitioning wealth. Families pursuing complete family wealth management must understand that wealth is not just about financial assets. Rather, it is defined by how emotional, intellectual, and social capital are all interconnected. Therefore, the importance of mental fortitude cannot be overlooked when it comes to designing a strategy. It is not just about weathering the storm but emerging stronger and wiser in all areas of wealth. In reality, resilience often serves as the first step towards building a solid foundation for complete family wealth as you proactively account for the ups and downs that come with navigating an integrated wealth management solution.

Developing Market Resiliency: Thriving Despite Adversity

One area in particular that family stewards must account for are bear markets. Bear markets – markets where prices are falling – can be unnerving, causing anxiety and stress for even the most seasoned investors. However, by proactively building resilience, you can better manage the impact of such downturns. The best way to ride the wave and stay focused on your long-term sales so you do not make any rash decisions is by maintaining your overall well-being. Prioritize healthy habits, such as a balanced diet, regular exercise, meditation, and stress management techniques. These practices will not only contribute to your mental and physical well-being but also fortify your ability to withstand any financial shocks that may happen.

Included in this health prioritization is to continue fostering meaningful social connections. Reach out to your support network, whether it’s family, friends, or trusted advisors, such as your wealth advisor. Sharing your concerns, seeking advice, and engaging in open dialogues can create a robust support system for you and your loved ones while giving you greater insight into what is in your control and what is not. This helps you to release anxiety about those things you can’t control, such as the value of a stock or other investment. By modeling resilience and the tools you use to build yours, you are encouraging your family to build their own practices,  paving the way for collective strength in your family unit.

The Importance of Resilience in Wealth Management

Wealth management, as a journey, is filled with both triumphs and challenges. Markets fluctuate, economies evolve, and unexpected events occur. These circumstances can often test one’s emotional fortitude. Here, resilience becomes a powerful tool, enabling individuals and families to stay focused, composed and remain on track during turbulent times. It is the bridge that connects the dots between short-term setbacks and long-term success.

Resilience is not merely a trait that you have or not; it is a skill that can be developed and honed. It is crucial to recognize the pivotal role it plays in navigating the complexities of wealth. By embracing a positive and inspiring mindset, and prioritizing mental well-being, you are setting the stage for enduring success across all aspects of life.

Remember, resiliency is not about simply bouncing back; it is about bouncing forward, emerging stronger, and thriving in the face of adversity. This mental grit plays a crucial role in successfully achieving your wealth goals. In building a resilience practice that works for you, and encouraging your family to do the same through open dialogue, you are laying the foundation for generations to come. To learn more about the best practices in cultivating mental resilience so you can continue to pave the path to a prosperous and fulfilling future, connect with Beacon Family Office.

Why Being a Leader in Your Community is Important (and How it Affects Your Business)

There’s a lot more to becoming a successful business leader than just hitting targets and driving growth. It’s also about being someone who people can look up to and follow. However, it can be hard for many business owners to reach this level and keep their team (and themselves) motivated. We’re here to help explain why being a leader in your community is important and how you can build the necessary skills to improve your business and your personal life.

Builds Your Reputation as a Leader

Have you noticed that when some people talk, others tend to listen, agree, and follow their actions? These people are considered leaders. And as a business owner, this is exactly how your employees should see you. Being a leader in your community helps to establish respect, authority, and admiration, which can easily trickle down and help improve the dynamics and complexities of running a business and team.

Gets Your Name Out There

Being a leader in your community is also an exceptional way to get your name and business out in front of the public. It helps to boost your company’s profile and positions your business as one that cares and gives back. This helps to attract more customers, especially those who consider corporate responsibility a benefit.

Great Way to Meet New Clients

You’ll also meet a number of new people when participating in community events and activities. This can lead to more networking and business opportunities for you and your company.

Shows People that You Care

As a business owner, not everyone gets to see the other side of you — the person you are outside of work. Helping out in your community allows your staff to see you in a different light while showcasing your compassion for the wellbeing of others.

Helps You Expand and Grow

Taking action in your community will help build confidence, teach you how to communicate with others more effectively, and even negotiate more frequently. So don’t be afraid to get out and get involved. It can be very beneficial as a business owner when you have that mutual relationship supporting your community while they help to support your business too.

Leadership skills are important traits to possess when owning any size business. Being seen as a leader in your community can help you to attract new investors and clients while providing you with new experience and life satisfaction.

How Being Prepared for Life Changes can Safeguard Your Business

Is your business prepared in the case of a major life change to one of the owners or primary shareholders? There are many things that can happen that can lead to disaster if a plan is not already in place, such as an owner becoming disabled or passing away, a divorce that causes shares to be split, a major shareholder deciding to pursue a new opportunity, or disputes among heirs of a deceased shareholder. To avoid significant business disruptions, it’s essential to have a succession plan. Here we’ll explore how being prepared for life changes can safeguard your business.

Protects Your Loved Ones

Significant life changes can happen to you or a business partner at any time and at any age. No matter how much you plan, it’s hard to know what might happen in the future. Having a succession plan in place will help protect you and your loved ones in case you are unable to control or tend to your business. With this in place, you won’t have to worry who will take over your business since it will be fully detailed in your plan.

Avoids Disaster

With a succession plan in place, big setbacks can be avoided or mitigated, and your business can continue to operate smoothly if you or a main shareholder exits suddenly. For instance, the passwords, IT information, data, and client lists, and financial records will fall into the right hands to prevent business disruptions. Your plan will also include the development and training of a new owner or key shareholder, and help to transition them into the role.

Ensures the Right People Inherit Your Business

Your business is your life’s work — you want to ensure that it gets passed on to the right people. Working to develop a thorough succession plan ensures that your business falls into the right hands and addresses any inheritance issues that could arise.

Minimizes Tax Implications

Succession planning can also help you to avoid tax issues down the road. An estate plan can help you to avoid substantial tax implications and any potential probate delays when transferring the ownership of your business in the future.

Establishes an Exit Strategy

Every business owner should have an exit strategy in place. A business success plan helps you to create an exit strategy that is on your terms.
If you own a business, it’s important to be prepared for life changes to safeguard your business. A well planned out estate and succession plan will help you make fundamental decisions about identifying and developing new leaders, maximizing company value, tax strategy, and ensuring that the business, the clients, and your family are protected.

How to Be the Best Grandparent You Can Be Through Wealth Planning

As a grandparent, it’s entirely natural to want to give money and gifts to your grandkids. Is this the best way to help them out financially? Here are three ways to be the best grandparent you can be by setting up a financial security net for your grandkids.

Set Up Life Insurance

Your grandchildren can benefit when you have a life insurance plan in place that names them as a beneficiary. Upon your passing, the death benefit paid from a life insurance policy is a tax-free, lump sum amount. However, if the recipient is under legal age, the death benefit (plus the interest it earns) will be held in trust by the province until they reach legal age. That is unless you set up a trust or designate a trustee or administrator to hold the proceeds of the death benefit in trust on behalf of the minor.

Fund Accounts

Contrary to popular belief, trust funds are not just for the elite; they are for everyone. If you want to start a trust fund, there are also a number of different accounts you can set up to distribute funds to your grandkids. A custodial account, for instance, gives you control over the account until your grandchild turns the legal age.

Get Your Grandchild an RESP

If you want to give your grandchild a gift that will benefit them the most, an RESP is the right choice. The gift of education is always a wise one, especially when schooling is rising in cost. Best of all, this is a tax-sheltered program that allows you to make non-deductible contributions annually or in a lump sum up to a total maximum value of $50,000 per beneficiary. When withdrawn, the funds are then paid out as an Educational Assistance payment. If your grandchild decides not to go to school, the contributions are paid back to you tax-free.

If you take advantage of an RESP, the Federal government will also contribute money into it as a grant or bond, such as the Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG). Your grandchild will qualify for the CESG until the end of the year when they turn 17. Each year, the government will match your contribution by 20% up to a maximum of $500 per child, to a lifetime limit of $7200. Therefore, the more you add each year, the better!

Trusts

Don’t forget to make sure you have enough for yourself! You don’t want to financially support your grandkids to the point that you run out of money for your retirement. If you’re considering leaving something for them, be sure to talk to a financial advisor who can help you carefully plan out your retirement plan and estate.

Remember — the greatest gift you can give to your grandkids is your love, support, and memories that will last with them for a lifetime.

3 Reasons Why Investing in Real Estate isn’t for Everyone

Real estate investing takes hard work, proper management, and a decent tolerance for risk in order to be successful. If you want to invest in property and come out on top, you need to have a proper strategy in place. Here we’ll show you the three reasons why investing in real estate isn’t for everyone and what you can do to hedge these challenges to generate more consistent profits.

Cash Flow Risk

Not everyone is able to absorb the risks that come with investing in real estate. For instance, you can be cash flow positive one year and once the local market shifts, enter into a negative cash flow stage that can make it difficult for you to cover your mortgages. If you don’t have enough money in savings to cover yourself, you could be in serious trouble. Many investors don’t realize that they can deduct property taxes, mortgages, bank loans, or line of credit interest as well as operating expenses and capital expenses to earn rental income. This is why it’s imperative to have a proper investment strategy in place to avoid losing money when the market isn’t in your favour.

Rehabilitation Costs

Due diligence isn’t something everyone is great with. But, if you fail to adequately check the history, conditions, and limitations of a rental property, you could end up with excessive rehabilitation costs that limit profits. Many investors require skilled consultants on their side who can help analyze, plan, and execute purchases more effectively.

Tax Risk

Taxation has an impact on the returns of real estate and needs to be considered before investing. Tax rules are complex though, and there can be significant tax implications if you sell the property since you’re required to probate the capital gains for the years in which you didn’t designate the property as your primary residence. Tax risks also exist if you plan to own international property since you also have to consider the different tax laws. For instance, you may be required to pay taxes in the country where you are generating revenue, and you may also have to consider capital gains there as well. However, investment properties can provide significant tax benefits if the owner knows how to maximize their tax strategy.

Owning property can be very profitable if you understand all the risks and taxes that apply to real estate investments. If you’re thinking about investing in real estate, be sure to contact us at The Beacon Group of Assante Financial Management Ltd. We can help you come up with a thorough investment strategy to make more money, take advantage of tax deductibles, and reduce your overall risk.

5 Tax Refunds that Parents Can Take Advantage of

Are you missing out on significant tax refunds? According to Turbo Tax, only seven percent of Canadians take advantage of childcare related tax credits. In fact, some people are missing out on up to $8,000 per year in rebates. To put more money back in your pocket and save thousands every year, here are five tax refunds that parents can take advantage of in Canada.

Canada Child Benefit (CCTB)

Have you applied for the child benefit program? This tax-free monthly payment is given to families who need help with the cost of raising a child under the age of 18. The maximum annual benefit in 2018 was $6496 per child under the age of 6, and $5,481 per child aged 6 through 17, with the average family receiving around $6,800 in payments annually. Best of all, families do not have to pay taxes on the payments they receive when filing their tax returns.

National Child Benefit (NCB)

This benefit helps to support low income families and lower the welfare wall by providing child benefits outside of welfare. It’s a supplement to the CCTB and offers extra support for families with children by topping up the monthly payments of the CCTB system.

Child Disability Benefit

If your child is under 18 and has a severe or prolonged physical or mental impairment, you can also apply for the Child Disability Benefit. To be eligible for the disability benefit, you must first qualify for the CCTB, and your child must be eligible for the disability tax credit.

Child-Care Expense Deduction

Parents who hire caregivers or have their kids in nursery schools, childcare services, day camps, overnight camps, or boarding schools, could also apply for this deduction. Taxpayers can claim up to $8,000 per child for children under 7, $5,000 for children aged 7 to 16 years old, $11,000 for disabled, dependent children of any age, and $5,000 for a disabled child over 16 who is not eligible for the disability tax credit. There are, however, limits on the amount you can claim for boarding school and night camps.  

Tuition

Your child’s tuition for post secondary education in or outside of Canada can be claimed for a return. Residents at least 16 years of age and who are enrolled in an educational institution to obtain skills, or improve their skills in an occupation, are also eligible. Examination fees for licensing or certification may also be eligible for the tuition tax credit.  

If you’re unsure whether you qualify for child related tax benefits, talk to one of our tax advisors to find out how you can maximize your returns. At The Beacon Group of Assante Financial Management Ltd., we help clients with tax planning to increase their personal wealth. To learn more contact us today!

The Differences Between a Living Will and a Last Will & Testament

Many people confuse a living will with a last will and testament. What’s the difference and do you need both? Here we’ll dive into the differences between a living will and last will & testament, and help you determine your options to keep you informed.

Living Will

A living will is a legal document that provides direct instructions regarding medical care when a person becomes seriously ill or incapacitated and cannot communicate their wishes themselves. The details often outline whether you want to receive artificial respiration, intravenous feedings, and when to stop life support. You can also instruct medical professionals to donate your organs and set limits on how much your family will pay for certain expenses like medical equipment and funeral costs.

This type of will does not go into effect until you become incapacitated, and it will last until you either recover or pass away. At this time, the person you designated as Power of Attorney will represent your wishes and ensure your directives are communicated to the doctors or medical personnel.

One of the most significant benefits of creating a living will is that it can help prevent disputes among your family members, as well as high financial and emotional costs leading to emotional strains.

Last Will and Testament

This legal document, on the other hand, outlines what will happen to your personal assets after death. That’s why it’s important not to confuse a living will with a last will and testament, because if you don’t have this type of will, then the government will distribute your property upon death. This process is called intestate. In a last will and testament, an executor is chosen by the person drafting the will to carry out the details of it after death. The executor is responsible for carrying out the probate process, which includes paying any outstanding bills, debts, and taxes and taking an inventory of your estate before distributing the assets to the beneficiaries.

Which is Best to Have?

Everyone should have both types of wills. Each will ensure that your wishes are carried out, whether you become incapacitated or not before passing. Otherwise, someone will make the decisions for you.

No one wants their family to undergo conflict or to have to make difficult decisions regarding their life. It’s important to talk to an estate planner to help you put together both wills so that your wishes can be properly carried out. To learn more, contact us at The Beacon Group of Financial Management Ltd. today.

5 Ways to Keep Eating Healthy When You’re Going Non-Stop

Skipping breakfast, working through lunch, grabbing takeout for dinner, or doing all of the above are common habits for those who are constantly juggling a busy schedule. The truth is, these type of habits really aren’t doing yourself any favours. Your body and mind need the right nutrients and fuel to perform at their best. When they’re deprived, you can experience difficulty focusing, lower energy levels, high stress, weight gain, and much more that can impact your overall health and quality of life. Thankfully, there are some simple and effective ways to keep eating healthy, even when you’re going non-stop. Check them out below.

Meal Prep in Advance

You’ve heard it before, and you’re about to hear it again — meal prep is the secret to maintaining a healthy diet when you have a hectic life. Start by determining your daily menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and then pick a time to prep so you can get it all done the night before or even for the entire week. Being pressed for time in the mornings is usually the main reason we forget to grab food or don’t make any at all.

Choose Healthier Options When Eating Out

Of course, there will always be days when you need to meet with clients for lunch or pick up food when you’re out. It’s an inevitable part of life. Lucky for you, there’s almost always a few good healthy options to choose from on menus. Try to choose the side salad over fries, grilled instead of fried, and wholesome ingredients like a sandwich instead of fast food.

Plan Your Grocery Shopping

Choose a day and time each week to grocery shop that’s most convenient with your schedule. Not having food at home can make it all too easy to order in. Schedule it in your calendar if necessary and make a list according to what you need for your new and improved meal plan.

Have Healthy Grab & Go Snacks

Snacking is often when most of our bad eating habits emerge. But instead of reaching for a bag of chips, have some healthier grab and go snacks on hand to help your squash those cravings. Things like kale chips, nuts, and fruits and veggies will curb your hunger, keep you full for longer, and provide the nutrients that your body needs to stay healthy.

Drink More Water

It doesn’t matter if you prefer the taste of soda or coffee, water is an integral part of maintaining good overall health. To help you remember to stay hydrated, bring along a water bottle with you throughout the day or keep one at the office to get in those eight glasses per day.