Settling the Bills After Divorce
May 21st, 2009
When a divorce is granted, it doesn’t mean just the dissolution of marital ties with a partner, but also of the other aspects such as emotional, physical, and financial reliance on each other. You may have reverted back to single status, but if you have kids, have been unemployed for some time, and have no credit to your name, it’s going to be a bit different than the first time you gained independence form your parents. So what would your finances be after the divorce? Here’s a short rundown of things you have to take care of to make sure you are financially stable.
Separating yours and your ex’s bills
Once the divorce is final, you have to have time to sit down and look at your finances. You can start by poring through the bills that were jointly charged to you and your ex-spouse. Utilities such as electricity, water, telephone, cable TV, car insurance, and even the mortgage on your house should be scrutinized to put what bills into someone’s name.
Finding ways to support yourself
A divorce or separation usually leaves one or both partners financially exhausted after the legal fees have been paid and alimonies have been settled. For those who have been unemployed for some time during the marriage or who doesn’t have any substantial earnings, it may be hard to look for a sufficiently paying job to support one’s self and the children if he or
she has custody. Establish a credit line so that banks and utility companies will have trust in you, but make sure you have enough resources in order to afford paying for the bills, as well as trying to live within your own means.
Discussing alimony and child support can help
Alimony is the amount to be paid to the other party if he or she has no means of financial support. There are three kinds of alimony, one that is provided for the recipient for the rest of his or her life or until he or she remarries, one that covers only a specific time frame, and the last one is to help the recipient achieve financial stability until a certain time. If child custody is awarded to the party receiving alimony, child support fees may also be added. Child support is separate from alimony.
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Sleeping Solo: Avoiding Sex with the Ex
May 21st, 2009
People going through a divorce experience a tumult of emotions. There is anger, hurt, hope, desperation, and a whole bunch of other feelings that may cloud the judgment of one or both when it comes to the status of a relationship or marriage. However, one of those feelings is the sexual tension, that awkwardness that plays between mutual attraction to just plain lust, and these feelings can wreak havoc on divorce proceedings. Before you find yourself rushing drunk, tear-stained, and then passion-driven into the arms and bed of your ex, here are a few reasons why avoiding sex with your ex is a wise move.
1. You are no longer bound to your ex the same way he or she is bound to you. Once divorced, or while in the process of obtaining one, you no longer have to limit yourself to just sleeping or spending a night with your ex. When you do sleep with your ex, feelings such as jealousy and ownership flare up again, leaving you confused and distraught. If you or your ex are seeing others, this could also flare up more issues than you can handle.
2. A divorce is meant to severe ties, even emotional and sexual ones.
A divorce is not just a simple separation of living space, or a change in name and civil status. It is a separation that is grounded on differences that hamper a union. Ideally, once couples are divorced, they part ways and start over after severing marital, sexual, and emotional ties with each other. Sleeping with an ex may just be only for sex, but it sort of brings back other ties that should have been severed when the divorce was granted.
3. Friendships are always complicated with sex. For those who want or need to maintain contact with their ex (for the sake of the children), friendship is the next inevitable thing. However, that too can be complicated with sleeping with an ex especially if the children learn that the parents are “back together again.” It’s best to keep the relationship a platonic one in order to build up lives of your own.
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After the Divorce: Who pays the Bills?
May 21st, 2009
For some, getting a divorce is like starting all over again. However, instead of just finding out how to pay for the bills, the question of who and what bills to pay and to not pay now crop up. Legally, there are ways in which both parties can or should be compensated after the divorce based on grounds such as which party is employed, who will have custody of the kids, and if the other party has any means to recover financially. Utilities and other bills that need to be paid should be put under scrutiny in order to know which partner will be responsible in paying for it.
Listing down the bills
It helps to make a list of all the bills for utilities that need to be paid. Water, electricity, cable, telephone, and even the car insurance are just a few of the utilities that need to be taken care of. During the negotiations for your alimony, you can ask your lawyer to present the list of utilities in order to argue for the amount that you should receive. For those who were unemployed or relied on their partners financially during the marriage, a divorce means having to start over but not necessarily from scratch. However, you should be quick to segregate the bills, especially the joint ones, so as to quickly determine whom the other half should be charged to.
Finding ways to support yourself
Though the alimony and child support can help you rebuild your life and provide for your children, you also have to be stringent with your expenses and find other ways of supporting yourself. Be sure to change the owner’s name in the utilities so you have your affairs in order, but make sure that previous or outstanding debts are paid or cleared before you put it in your name. Establish a credit of your own so you won’t have any trouble getting credit from suppliers such as the electric company or even the bank. Finally, make sure to separate any joint accounts that you once had with your ex. This ensures that you get entitled to what you deserve.
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What to Do with the House After the Divorce
May 21st, 2009
When a married couple decides to call it quits, it’s not just a matter of reverting back to singlehood. Years, memories, and properties that used to be shared will be subject to scrutiny and to settlement. One of the properties that need to be settled during a divorce is the family home, that house or shelter where the kids grew up in, where memories were made, where money was poured into in its purchase and upkeep. If there were no pre-nuptial agreements that delegate the properties that each party would receive in the event that they separate, the delegation of ownership and custody will need some serious discussion. Just like how certain properties are divided, ownership of the house or how it will be handled should be part of the divorce proceedings. The following are some of your options regarding the house after a divorce.
Leave it with the one with the kids.
One option is to leave the home to the parent who has custody of the children. Also, if the mother has no other means to support herself, some courts may decide to award ownership of the home to her. Some divorced couples may amicably agree to this arrangement, some even going so far as agreeing to pay the remaining mortgage fees. However, who gets ownership of the home also gets any debt or unpaid mortgage fees from it.
Sell it to a different owner and then split the price.
However, for those who’d rather move on with their lives, selling the house is also a good option. If neither one of the concerned parties can afford to pay for the mortgage fees and the upkeep of the home, then a good way to settle the ownership of the home is to just sell it and split the profits. However, as to how much each party can get out of the house needs to be discussed thoroughly.
Buy out the other half’s share.
Some divorcees who want to have the rights to the home can offer to buy out their ex’s share. The price is something that needs to be discussed thoroughly before settling for a deal. Divorced couples may opt for out-of-court settlements for this matter or may settle with their lawyers present.
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Willing Success to Happen: Success Mindset
May 21st, 2009
Vincent Lombardi, one of the most successful football coaches in history, once said that the difference between a successful person and others is not the latter’s lack of strength or knowledge, but the lack of will to succeed. Though success comes from a lot of hard work and patience, one can truly feel victorious after achieving what he or she has always been dreaming about. The success mindset is just as important as having the skills and the smarts. Here’s how thinking victory can have you reaching that goal in no time.
It drives you harder.
In a race when you see the ribbon just a few yards before you, you’ll push harder and faster just to make it to the end in first place. The same can be applied in any goal that you want to achieve. Knowing what is in store for you motivates you to go chase after that dream with more determination and persistence. Obstacles and other hindrances can easily be maneuvered around when you’re hell-bent on achieving that goal.
It gives you belief in yourself.
A success mindset is like an affirmation that you whisper to yourself to give you the confidence to face your fears. Envisioning yourself capable of doing tasks can actually empower you to succeed in whatever craft you get yourself into. Boosting your self-esteem gives you the power to take charge of things and successfully handle situations.
It gives you direction.
You can easily wish for success in your career or whatever endeavor you wish to undertake. However, to really get to your goal, you need to know which steps to take. A success mindset helps you focus your determination to your goal and also on the ways and means in which you can achieve it. Instead of just wishful thinking, having a success mindset makes you a more ruthless person in pursuit of success. With this kind of thinking, you can focus on finding not just one route but also several ways and means to get to your goal.
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Finding Inner Balance in Three Steps
May 21st, 2009
In this fast-paced world that we live in, it’s so easy to lose track of things and even of ourselves. Breaks from work or school usually take care of things; however, after a few days back to a normal routine of juggling tasks, the stress and fatigue sets in again. It’s not just us that suffer, but also those whom we may neglect because of the many responsibilities that we have.
The solution isn’t always giving up responsibilities and tasks altogether, but with coming to terms with yourself and what you can accomplish. In order to proceed with your tasks, you must be in condition not only physically, but also emotionally. Just like how it’s easier to work with a clean slate, you too should start a day or a task with a clear perspective that can only be achieved if you have inner peace. Here are just a few helpful tips on how to calm your inner storms achieve that life balance.
Don’t sweat the small stuff.
Sometimes the need to accomplish all of the tasks perfectly and in the nick of time pushes people too much that when things don’t go their way, it’s always a disaster in their world. However, it’s not always the end of times when something just doesn’t go as planned. Being flexible about your expectations can help you accept whatever outcome turns up. Though it’s always a good thing to aim for perfection in everything that you do, don’t let failures or slight deviations get to you.
Take a break.
No matter how busy it gets at work or whatever tasks that you have to do, you should always find time for a break or a short breather. Eating a snack or getting up for a cup of coffee not only gives you that short break or rest, but it also helps recharge you. Clear your head a bit with a short walk or just a few minutes of not staring into your computer. Afterwards, you’ll feel refreshed, energized, and ready to take on your tasks for the day.
Don’t bring work home.
As much as possible, leave your worries for work at the office. Your home is a place where you can relax, let go, and gather your bearings. By having a clear border between your work life and home life, you’ll be more cautious on how one should not encroach on the other and achieve balance.
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Organizing for a Peaceful Atmosphere
May 21st, 2009
A serene atmosphere doesn’t just mean de-cluttering the mess around you, but it also entails personal cleansing and purification. When you dispose of useless clutter, you unconsciously create a sensation of lightness and freedom. This brings you to a higher level of energy or spirituality which is very important for attaining peace in your life.
Cleaning and de-cluttering clear away blockage in our lives. It draws in a continuous flow of fresh and positive energy to your aura, which can mean more peace, prosperity, harmony, and success to your life. Below are tips on how to attract a more serene atmosphere in your life:
1. De-clutter. Clutter is negative and it drains your energy, diverts your focus, and limits your capabilities. Remove items that are no longer useful. Keep away still useful items for future use. Do not just toss them in your closets or drawers; organize them and keep them neatly where they belong.
2. Do a physical cleaning job. Grab your vacuum cleaner and other cleaning materials and supplies and clean like you’ve never cleaned before. You are not just doing a physical cleaning but you are also eliminating possible residues of negative energy. These are intangible but you can still be affected by such residues in some level if you do not totally remove them.
3. Feel your environment. Do not just look around you. Observe your surroundings. You would notice that they look better, feel lighter, and calmer. People around you are sure to feel the difference instantly.
4. Do the smudging technique. This is calling in the beneficial energy to your life using a bundle of dried sage leaves. Light the sage stick’s end and blow out the flame so the leaves release a fragrant smoke. Walk through the rooms and disperse the scented smoke to remove negative energy and instead invite a flow of fresh and beneficial energy.
5. Light scented incense and candles in every room. Popular scents include lavender, rosemary, lemongrass, sage, sandalwood, myrrh, frankincense, and rose.
6. Meditate to call in positive energy. Sit comfortably and perform deep-breathing exercises. Imagine the white light zapping all the negativity and replacing it with harmony and serenity.
All these are sure to create an impressive change in the atmosphere at your home but doing it regularly is the best way of attaining a peaceful aura.
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Batting In the Motivation-Momentum Strategy
May 21st, 2009
To start achieving your goals is always the most difficult part of anything. As science puts it, it takes more energy to start the ball rolling than to keep it rolling. Crafting the plan to achieve your goals is easy, but actually doing it to gear you towards achieving your goal is the difficult part. It takes courage to bat in the motivation-momentum lock strategy to do the trick. Take your first step courageously, out of your comfort zone and move forward. This is more tedious and you sometimes make mistakes, however hard you try to avoid them. The rule of thumb is stay motivated and key in the perfect timing.
Why the first step is always so difficult
It is normal for people to give up during this most difficult period and tell themselves they will try to do it again some other time. And there are even those people who feel helpless after getting frustrated and therefore, resign to a mediocre way of life, forgetting to believe in themselves. When this happens to you, do a positive self-talk.
Really, these pessimisms are not necessary. Failure doesn’t mean you have to stop. It is only telling you to get up, move on, try again, and do more. Find that perfect momentum. Success becomes sweeter for those who gained the right momentum; when after failing, instead of quitting, they immediately get up, empower their previous struggles, push hard, and harder, and harder until it becomes easier and easier already. That is momentum. And momentum combined with a strong sense of motivation is the true key to success. Through this, achieving your goals becomes fun.
Never quit
So, never be a quitter. Get motivation and momentum working for you. Persist to succeed and take bigger risks than you have in the past. Don’t major in baby steps because they will delay you in achieving your goals in life. Why fly like a barnyard hen when you can always soar like an eagle? Always be on a motivated mode. Couple it with the perfect timing and voila! You have achieved your goal.
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Loving Others Is Learning to Love Yourself First
May 21st, 2009
Loving always begins with you. You cannot truly love someone else unless you love yourself first. This is why you must always have a fresh start about everything because loving becomes difficult when you have so many emotional and psychological baggages. Forget about childhood melancholies, past hurts, and previous breakups or loss of loved ones. Throw all those spiteful words away however etched they have been in your heart and mind. Start by believing in yourself. Yes, a person dear to you had called you names, calling you monstrous names and you believed them all. Up to this minute, they are stabbing you; but only, because you allow them to. Now, it’s high-time you throw life’s garbage away and start with a new you. Empower yourself with these steps and you’ll be happier.
1. Rekindle in your thoughts the joys and laughter of your last love affair and not its ending. Pamper yourself with things that will make you happy. Buy yourself beautiful things. Do some sweet self-talking and give yourself a “hug.” You deserve all the best things in the world.
2. Scrutinize your existing “isms” or beliefs. Write a journal asking yourself questions like these: “My earliest memory of feeling bad was …”, “My father told me I can’t…,” and so on. By doing so, you can discover what and how your limiting beliefs got stirred up. Decide which are really true, because only by believing in yourself can you start loving yourself and truly love others.
3. Focus on your good qualities. Dwelling on negative things about you can only pull your self-esteem down. Praise yourself regularly. Self-talk daily by reciting affirmations such as “I am a person with value.” “I have a lot to give the world.” The more you say these things, the more you will believe them. Do you really want to be happy for the rest of your life? If yes, then act right away and love yourself now.
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Life Is How You Make It: Make Decisions Wisely
May 21st, 2009
A single decision may affect the rest of your life. Yes, it is always nerve-racking to make decisions, because there is the possibility that from this one big decision, all things could go wrong. That is why it is normal for people to weigh the pros and cons first, whatever aspect of life that decision may affect, to make sure they make the wisest decision. But there is always the threat of regret. Because sometimes, even after studying all the available choices and believing to have arrived at the wisest decision, something just goes wrong. Fortunately, there is a simple process that can help you make wise decisions in your life. Ask yourself these questions and you will make better decisions for sure.
1. What will I gain from this option? Of course, when prompted for decisions, we are challenged with options. But the ultimate question is, “what will I gain from choosing this option?” Oftentimes, if an option offers more rewards, we tend to take the risk. Otherwise, we decline that choice. A tip is to go for that choice which you feel is worth risking.
2. What do I have to lose from this option? If there is something to gain, then there is something to lose. So, ask yourself: “what will I lose if this option doesn’t work out?” It’s not being pessimistic; it’s more of being on your toes on what huge losses a wrong decision can result into. What’s the worst thing that could happen if you choose this option? As one author said, “begin with the end in mind.” If choosing a particular option will not bring positive impact in your life, then that is not the right choice for you. However, if you believe that choosing this option will be a better choice, then by all means, go for it.
There is never a guaranteed right decision, but save yourself from the woes of wrong decision-making. Be objective when weighing options, follow your intuition, and do the best you can.
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