STARS: Surviving High Gas Prices

I'm not flattered to say I have experienced these types of problems twice before I turn 44. It does give me field experience regarding how I have survived and thrived through many unprecedented times. 

I have learned to budget for gas higher than $3/gallon. It's now $4/gallon in my area and could increase to $5 soon. I consistently fill up at the halfway point. I have made sure I purchased gas efficient vehicles. If you can get a vehicle with an eco option, do it! It's a long term gas saver. 

I also enroll in every gas saving program I can: GasBuddy and Ingles Rewards are two of the ones that stay in my rotation. I was in Bi-Lo's program prior to them folding. I try to do my errands in one trip or while I am out on my work commute. I try to travel smarter and more strategically. 

I filled up at the pump just yesterday as gas hit the $4 mark and got $32.26. I am carving out a weekly budget of $85, $250/month. Therefore, I have already pre-planned for that. 

There are no two ways around this: it sucks. Many of us have to drive and thus have to get gas. Therefore you may as well save up, enroll in saver programs and be strategic. This too shall pass!

STARS: Social Media Promotions and Marketing

I will post these types of blogs as long as they are necessary. Mistakes will be made, everyone will not find out about your event. You still have to figure out what to do to increase your efficiency and percentages. 

The goal I have is not to have anyone locally that's on all of the social media platforms often to say they didn't know. 

I go hard, relentlessly and vigorous in my promotions, starting early and often. I manipulate the algorithm to my favor, ensure it's visible if it's a public event. I also have multiple people doing the inviting, which means inviting all of their friends and then their friend's friends. I do this early and often. 

I ensure that my pictures of the event are shared daily in stories, posts. I post during the peak hours: mornings and evenings and days (Sunday evenings through Thursday nights). I discovered that's when folks are checking out what's in the air. 

I have also found Eventbrite to be an awesome source.  Outsiders may moss ads but they can subscribe to Eventbrite notifications and know months in advance. 

I have seen this work and have attendance increase by 50%, complaints reduce by 75% and overall visibility is at 100%. I don't ever want to be mad at the results from the work I didn't do. Read that twice. 

STARS: How I started reading more

I had gotten out of reading basically and this wasn't a great trait as an author. I continued to read articles, blogs and such but I wasn't reading any books anymore.  Those that know me best know this was different for me.

I began supporting my fellow author friends, which helped me to read more books. I know 20 people that have released their own books and I have read most of their works. I hang out at a coffee shop/bookstore and have bought more than 50 books wholesale. I also joined the WU virtual book club just before the pandemic two years ago and am now about to begin book number 11 with them. All in all, I have read 30 books over the past 5 years by reading a chapter or a few pages daily. This keeps me active and sharp here. 

I will continue my activity in my book club and supporting local and favorite authors. 

STARS: My Turnaround in high school grades and rank

I always wanted to attend college but like many families, I couldn't afford it without financial assistance. I would definitely need scholarships.

My grades were good but not great in 9th and 10th grade. I was ranked around 15th in my class and struggled in math and science classes. 

I attended Upward Bound the summer before my junior year. I got the motivation and outlet I needed for high school and beyond. I had study skills class, SAT prep, and classes involving all of my subjects I would be taking in the school year. 

This continued during the school year as I went once/month for continued assistance and review on my coursework from current teachers, college professors and other students. 

I then studied properly and my grades went from the occasional A or two, Bs and the occasional C or two to straight As my final two years of high school. My class ranking shot to 6th, I was inducted into the National Beta Club, graduated with honors, and earned almost enough scholarships and financial aid to fund my 4 and a half years of college at a fine university (Winthrop University, go Eagles!). 

This is encouragement for high school seniors trying to finish strong and all underclassmen trying to make it happen. You can do it!

STARS: How I Keep My Overall Mental Health in Check

20 years ago, I was a mess.  I am not perfect now but I feel better internally. I let too much stuff hinder me and felt too much undo pressure. It took much of my 20s but I finally reached a happy place. 

I had to really admit I had problems. I sought out professional help, went on proper medications (I have adjusted both over the years based on need and efficiency). I have engaged in more fun, thought provoking activities. I ensure I get my proper rest. I relax my brain and mediate. I also develop a healthy balance between personal, professional and social engagements. I no longer over exert myself, use "No" effectively and I get my me time. I also have a great circle and good barometers that keep me in check and level..

I have been able to maintain well the past two decades and not only not have any episodes, I have also helped others conquer their demons and find peace. 

STARS: How I Play and Excel at Wordle

Wordle is the newest game to take 2022 by storm. 5 squares, 6 guesses, no ads, completely free. Very addictive also. So addictive that if you have an imitation downloaded on your phone that you practice with, I wouldn't delete it because both Android and iPhone have been sweeping the other apps. 

I have kept my streak going by developing a plan and not blindly guessing.  I have two words that I use for the first two guesses to get my vowels narrowed and some key consonants. I may have 5 letters but I know I will at least have one. 

I then utilize process of elimination and take advantage of the fact that I have 24 hours to get this completed. I actually do have an app I use for practice (I won't say which one on here) and have formed many word combinations. I will say that common ones like st are good. Also a letter can be repeated if it's in yellow. This is useful in those cases that I only have one vowel. 

During the first three guesses, I do my best not to repeat a letter so I can narrow as many letters down and their placement. We all love the green letters but I will settle for the yellows. It's not a sprint but a marathon. 

I have managed to stay unbeaten thus far in 2022, including 5 guesses on the final try. I only have 2 misses on the secondary app. 

STARS: Early Anger Management

ONE typically doesn't resolve to work on their anger and self control (unless it's eating or spending) at the beginning of a New Year. I had to at the young age of 11. 

I was bullied often in the sixth grade and got into 4 fights, all from defending myself. I was told by the principal that if I were sent to the office again for fighting, I would be suspended. 

I had to learn how to walk away, ignore senseless comments and remarks. I also used my resources such as the teacher and of course my mother. I learned to fight off of school grounds when I had to fight. I had a goal of going to college and graduating and I didn't want to jeopardize this by staying in fights and not being able to control my anger. 

31 years and two college degrees later, I overcome that. I did attend anger manager as an adult but I have managed to stay out of trouble and remain cool in times of crisis and despair.