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Super Bowl Sunday is now part of the American holiday schedule. It didn’t get its trademarked moniker until Super Bowl III in 1969. After Thanksgiving, it’s the highest food-consumption day in the U.S.  Eight of the most-watched TV shows have been Super Bowls. Here are some Big Game questions.

(1)  All but four current NFL teams have played in a Super Bowl. What team, that originated in 1930, has never played in one?

(2)  Coach Vince Lombardi of the Green Bay Packers won five NFL Championships during the 1960s.  After Lombardi’s death in 1970, the Super Bowl trophy was named in his honor. What team was the first to receive the Vince Lombardi Trophy after their Super Bowl win?

(3)  While Timmy Smith of the Redskins holds the single-game rushing record with 204 yards, what Hall of Famer holds the record for most career rushing yards in the Super Bowl with 354?  He retired in 1984.

(4)  What still-active player won the Super Bowl MVP sixteen years ago?

(5)  What still-going educational organization performed during five Super Bowl halftime shows from 1976 to 1986?  

(6)  Considered one of the greatest drives in Super Bowl history, Joe Montana threw a touchdown with 34 seconds on the clock to win the game in Super Bowl XXIII against the Bengals. It was an 11-play, 92-yard drive.  Wearing # 82, who caught the game-winning touchdown pass?

A new year is upon us. Happy New Year friends! With the season of giving at an end, it’s time to invest in yourself.

I strongly believe when you look your best, you feel your best, and thus you can be your best. Truly, my passion for style comes from the confidence I feel when I put on a great outfit and feel my best. It’s amazing how the clothes you wear can affect your outlook, mood, and overall sense of self.

Of course, what truly matters in life is who you are as a person. How you treat others. How your treat yourself. Nonetheless, investing in your appearance, hands down, provides an instant boost of self-esteem. Who doesn’t want that?

While I love dressing myself, the joy I derive in helping style someone else is immeasurable—which is why I am so excited to share with you a styling company, Millie and Main.

Millie and Main’s goal is to make getting dressed each day enjoyable and quick. Did you know that most women only wear 20% of the clothes in their closet and spend at least 17 minutes per day figuring out what to wear? Millie and Main give you the tools to dress your best while saving time and money.

During a four-week online session at Millie and Main you will find ways to wear things you already own, make smart purchases on only the items you actually need (the client sets the budget), and finally have at least 30 pictures of complete looks that you can replicated from day to night, all season long. The process makes getting dressed each day, effortless!

As I continue to learn my own style it has become increasingly apparent; it’s not about how big your closet is, it’s about having certain pieces; pieces you’re able to mix and match. It’s about having great basics and a few awesome statement pieces.

I was chatting with the co-founder of Millie and Main and she shared a great observation: most women walk into a store and leave having purchased tops. After all, tops are so much easier to buy than anything else, since you don’t think you need to try them on, right? This doesn’t work! Instead, we end up with a closet full of clothes (or tops) thinking, “I have nothing to wear!”

Start the year off by investing in you. This will help you spend more time on the things you enjoy and not getting dressed! How fun would it be to open your closet and know there are awesome, complete looks waiting for the entire season?

Let’s shop smart and only buy the necessities. This will help you look your best, feel your best, and be your best!

Our next session starts February 11, 2019. Join us at  millieandmain.com

Thanks so much for reading, dear ones!

            A new year is upon us which brings the gift of new beginnings, goals, and resolutions. It is the time of year when we reflect on the previous year and determine what goals we want to achieve in 2019. With each new year we strive to make this year better than the last. As mentioned in last month’s article, the top two resolutions and goals each year include: 1) Living a healthier lifestyle by eating well and exercising more and 2) improving financially by getting out of debt and saving for the future.

This month we are going to kick off 2019 with a goal to “Get Your Financial House in Order.” For some, reviewing finances can be overwhelming and can leave you feeling like you are the only one not on the right financial track. I am here to tell you, you are not alone.

The National Retail Foundation expected retail sales in November and December to total between $717 to $720 billion in 2018. That retail sales figure, along with the outstanding credit card debt figure, have been rising consistently since 2009 when our economy suffered the greatest financial crisis since the Great Depression. Since the financial crisis, revolving debt has exceeded the all-time high set in 2008 and is now in excess of $1.023 trillion. An online survey by Nerdwallet found that almost 73% of respondents said the bulk of their holiday spending would be on credit card and found that over 39 million Americans haven’t yet paid off their holiday bills from 2017. 

That said, it is no wonder that improving financially is one of the top resolutions. Millions have turned to credit cards to pay to deck the halls, make their list and check it twice, and ring in the new year in Rockstar style. Consumers nationwide are suffering from a holiday spending hangover that can’t magically go away with a dose of Alka-Seltzer.

Although it was the most wonderful time of the year, and everyone deserves to enjoy the holidays, the credit card statements are starting to arrive in the mail (or inbox) and Americans are going to need a little bit more than a little “drop, drop, fizz, fizz” to take this headache away. Having a solid plan in place is the only cure that will start the year off with a financial bang!

As you ponder ideas of what you really want to achieve in 2019, make your financial goals a top priority. Start by gathering every statement that arrives in the mail (or in your inbox) and face your current financial facts. When each statement arrives, whether it is a credit card or student loan statement, take the time to review the statement in detail, document the findings, and set financial goals.

Step 1, Review Each Statement: As statements arrive in mail, don’t just tear off the coupon with the amount due and shred the evidence. Grab your highlighter, take the time to review each statement, and highlight the following findings:

Step 2, Document the Findings: Once you have highlighted the above items for credit cards/loans, document each on one page using the following chart:

Step 3, Face the Facts: Total and review the amount that you owe on all credit cards/loans and make a commitment to pay all, or a portion of, the debt in 2019. For example, if you owe a total of $10,000 in credit cards, write down an amount you want to pay off in 2019.

Step 4, Breakdown the Goal: Once you have determined the payoff amount, take the amount, divide by 12 and set your monthly goal. For example, if the goal is to payoff $5,000 in 2019. Take the $5,000, divide by 12, and set a goal to payoff $416 per month. Breaking the goal down into monthly bite size chunks will give you monthly results that will help build the momentum needed to achieve the annual goal.

The hardest step is always the first one. Take that step today and use the above steps to make 2019 your best financial year yet. By getting your financial house in order in January, all your other goals will fall into place.

For these and many more financial ideas, be sure to visit my website jodeebrydges.com and pick up a copy of my new book Digging Out, which is full of practical advice to help you obtain your financial goals in 2019.

Wishing you a new year filled with a wealth of financial success!