Setting some time aside to be with family is important, but it can be difficult when everyone is always on their cellphones. Constant cellphone use has become a global problem, and the habit is hard to break because we rely on mobile devices heavily for work, school, and keeping in contact with friends and family. Luckily, there are plenty of apps that can reduce how often you’re on your phone and minimize distractions. SIEMPO After you install Siempo on your phone, it will ask which apps are likely to distract you. Once you select them, the app will move those apps away from the home screen and place the important ones, such as the messaging, contacts, email, and calendar apps, on the first screen. You can also designate times for specific apps to be used throughout the day. STAY FOCUSED Stay Focused is like Siempo, but there are some significant differences. You can set times to access certain apps and put the most distracting ones on lock. Stay Focused also has a “strict mode” that prevents you from uninstalling it, so be sure to think carefully before activating the lockdown because you won’t have access to those specific apps until the timer runs out. FOREST In the time that Forest takes control of your device for a set time limit, the app starts growing a tree. Once the tree is fully grown, your time is up, and it joins the other trees that were grown during other breaks. If you pick up your phone and try to access an app, Forest will send you a notification asking you if you want to kill your baby tree by giving up. Who says guilt isn’t a good motivator? BESIDES APPS Aside from using these apps, silencing your phone and putting it in another room, leaving it in your car if you’re out at dinner, or keeping it in your purse or back pocket during a social event can also reduce your screen time. Having your phone out of sight and out of reach will keep the temptation of pulling it out at bay.
ENJOY YOUR FAMILY TIME By Taking a Break From Your Phone
Spending time with your family is crucial, and with these apps and tips, you’ll enjoy each other’s company without too many screen distractions.
Some of the biggest disputes during a divorce involve finances and money. Former spouses argue over income, marital property, homes, bank accounts, alimony, and child support. These issues move money to the forefront of many conversations about divorce, but rarely do they involve the financial mistakes you are likely to make during a divorce. It’s not uncommon for opposing parties to make irresponsible financial decisions and set themselves up for disaster. Here are two mistakes we have seen and help clients avoid. 2 Money Mistakes to Avoid During Divorce Many spouses assume the total assets and liabilities of a marriage are apparent and known before the start of a divorce. One implication that won’t appear on the balance sheet or list of investments is the impact of taxes on your divorce settlement. You could owe the federal and state governments a substantial amount after your divorce is final, thus lowering your share of those assets. Rather than ignore the tax implications, you can work with a knowledgeable accountant and your lawyer to determine the value of assets, investments, and other marital property on an after-tax basis, and present those numbers to your former spouse. This will give you a better understanding of what you will receive in the divorce and throw some bargaining power in your favor. Ignoring How Taxes Will Impact Your Divorce
Providing an Incorrect Calculation of Your Expenses
When determining alimony, also called spousal support, the judge or mediator will consider the impact on both spouses’ quality of life. It is the preference
of the court that the couple is able to maintain the same quality of life they had while married. Income, investments, and expenses all have an impact on what is a fair amount for spousal support. A common mistake is underestimating or guessing the amount of monthly and regular expenses. It is far easier to find and determine income, but calculating exact expenses takes work and effort. When this work results in an accurate and fair calculation for spousal support, the time is well worth it. Also, our divorce lawyers speak with many people who forgot to plan for inflation in their expense estimates, and that is another financial mistake you should avoid. Ultimately, you should strive to present a strict and accurate budget of your monthly expenses.
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