5 Worst Florida Cities To Buy Property in the Next 5 Years

Spanning hundreds of miles along the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico (recently renamed the Gulf of America by President Trump), you’ll find some of Florida’s world-famous beaches that welcome over 140 million tourists yearly and attract residents and retirees alike to plant roots in the southern state.

With its sunny climate, endless activities, and no state tax, Florida is a desirable destination to live, but Yawar Charlie, a senior real estate agent, warns to think twice before buying property. “When it comes to real estate, not every sunny spot in the Sunshine State is a wise investment.”

“Investing in real estate is about more than just sunshine and palm trees. It’s crucial to look at economic stability, growth potential, and environmental risks.” Charlie explained, “Before you get swept up by the allure of Florida’s warm weather, make sure you’re also considering the financial forecast. Being well-informed and strategic will help you spot the true gems in the market!”

He shared the five cities in Florida to hold off on buying property in the next five years and why.

Miami Beach

Known for its pristine beaches, lively nightlife and world-class dining, Miami Beach might be a great vacation or wild Spring Break hotspot, but according to Charlie, this is one place to avoid buying property.

“Yes, Miami Beach is glamorous, but the rising sea levels and increasing frequency of hurricanes pose significant risks,” he stated. “The cost of insuring properties is soaring, and the potential for long-term value depreciation is real. It’s like buying a beautiful beachfront home with a ticking time bomb in the basement.”

Daytona Beach

Another popular spot in Florida is Daytona Beach, which has 23 miles of white-sand beaches perfect for surfing, swimming, windsurfing and kayaking. Plus it’s affordable, but don’t let its beauty and low cost of living entice you to invest. 

“While it may be famous for its speedway, Daytona Beach struggles with economic stagnation and high crime rates,” Charlie explained. One in 28 people has a chance of becoming a victim of a violent or property crime, per Neighborhood Scout. 

In addition, “The real estate market has been sluggish, and without major economic development, property values are likely to remain flat,” Charlie said. “Investing here might leave you feeling stuck in the pit stop.”

Fort Myers

Fort Myers is another beautiful spot for enjoying the beach and relaxing, but Charlie advised against investing there. 

“Despite its appeal to retirees, Fort Myers faces issues with overdevelopment and environmental concerns, particularly regarding water quality,” he shared. “The housing market has been volatile, and long-term growth prospects are uncertain. It’s a bit like buying a flashy car that might just run out of gas.”

Pensacola

Pensacola’s picture-perfect turquoise and sparkly white sandy beaches are the ultimate escape, but Charlie warned homebuyers to stay away. 

“This city has faced economic challenges and limited job growth, which impacts the housing market,” he said. “High crime rates and a lack of new development projects make it less appealing to investors.”

According to Neighborhood Scout, crime is 86% higher than in other cities in the state and 1 in 33 people have the chance of becoming a victim of a violent or property crime.

“Investing here could feel like trying to catch a wave in a kiddie pool,” Charlie stated. 

Ocala 

Ocala is a pretty, clean and budget-friendly city, but watch your wallet. “Ocala has one of the highest crime rates in America compared to all communities of all sizes — from the smallest towns to the very largest cities,” per Neighborhood Scout.

And according to Charlie, there are other reasons to be concerned. 

“While affordable, Ocala’s real estate market is hindered by slow economic growth and limited amenities,” he said. “The area is heavily reliant on agriculture, which can be volatile. It’s a quiet town, but that tranquility might come at the cost of your investment’s growth. Think of it as putting your money into a time capsule with no guarantee of future rewards.”

Source: GOBankingRates©

Find your Passion

 

You’ve made lists. You’ve asked your friends for advice. You’ve tried journaling and you’ve analyzed every thought you’ve ever had. Yet, you’re still asking yourself, “what is my passion?”

That’s because passion comes from the heart, not the head. Chances are, you already know what your passion is. You just need to connect with it.

1. SHIFT YOUR PERSPECTIVE

For many, living a life of passion feels unrealistic. Because they feel this way, some people aren’t optimistic about changing. If you enter the journey to discover your passion with this mindset, you’re setting yourself up for failure. The only way to succeed in finding your passion for life is to shift your mindset to one of positivity and possibility. 

2. DISCOVER YOUR TOP HUMAN NEED

As human beings, we all have Six Human Needs: certainty, significance, variety, love/connection, growth and contribution. Life is a delicate balance between these, but we all have one top need that is most essential to our happiness. Discovering your driving force can give you a window into how to find your passion for life by showing you what you need most to feel fulfilled.

3. LOOK AT WHAT YOU LOVE

Look at your bookshelf, favorite movies or the last play you saw – is there a common theme? Think about your favorite summer job or the last time you got so caught up in a project, you completely lost track of time. Think about what you loved to do as a child – drawing, writing, dancing. So often, we give up our passions when we become adults because we think we have to grow into something we aren’t. This isn’t true. Tap into the activities and topics that used to fill you up when you were younger. 

4. NOTICE WHERE YOU SPEND YOUR FREE TIME

Your hobbies aren’t necessarily the same as your true passion, but they can provide a hint. If you spend a lot of your free time reading, your passion could involve writing, teaching or research – anything that feeds your mind the way reading does. If you enjoy fixing things around the house, your passion likely involves creating and building. If you enjoy dancing or exercising, you are probably drawn to movement and expression. Think deeper about your extracurriculars and you could uncover your passion.

Source: tonyrobbins.com©

 

But what if I don’t have one single passion?”

This is a really good question!

Some people feel the call of creativity to become artists or writers. Others are simply born to become astronauts or librarians. But there isn’t always one solitary beacon of passion guiding our lives. 

In fact, if you’re like most people, you may have held a lot of jobs in your lifetime, and your professional CV might look very different than how you spend your down time. Perhaps you’re a CEO of an energy company who likes to oil paint in her spare time (financial/admin/technical/creative), or a lobbyist who enjoys running marathons (enterprising/people service/mechanical). 

Many Roads can Lead to a Passion

You don’t have to be driven by one singular, solitary purpose to be successful and happy in your work. You simply need to find a career path that feels right, and that you are good at. 

In recruitment, we call this job fit. One way we measure job fit is by looking at a person’s interests and how well they align with the requirements of a particular job. Strong interest matches show how motivated individuals will be to perform different tasks, and how much enjoyment they may find in a particular role.

Assess Yourself

 Assess six possible interests. Obviously, the list is not exhaustive, and because interests can be satisfied outside of work similar to the examples above, the interests list makes for a lower percentage of the overall job fit score and might lead to a passion of sorts. The list includes:

  • Mechanical: the enjoyment of building or repairing things and working with machinery or tools. Individuals with this interest enjoy being outdoors, using their hands, and/or breaking a sweat.
  • People Service: the enjoyment of collaboration, compromise, and helping others. A strong sense of empathy and support and a knack for bringing people together.
  • Technical: enjoyment of learning technical material, interpreting complex information, and solving abstract problems. Individuals with this interest may enjoy working with numbers, data, and computer programs.
  • Enterprising: the enjoyment of leadership, presenting ideas, and persuading others. Individuals with this interest may desire responsibility, and exercise initiative, ambition, and resourcefulness.
  • Creative: enjoyment of imaginative and artistic activities. It involves artistic expression, emphasis on aesthetics, and novel ways of solving problems, producing ideas, and designing new things.
  • Financial/Admin: enjoyment of working with numbers, organizing information, and office routines such as record keeping and completing paperwork. It can indicate an eye for detail and a desire for accuracy.

 Finding a job that leads to genuine passion or fulfillment starts first with understanding yourself. What do you think your personal top three interests are from the list above? Once this is understood you can begin thinking strategically about finding a role where work doesn’t feel like work. It feels more like a calling.

Robert Kiyosaki: 5 Side Hustles You Can Work from Anywhere in the World

 

Finding the right side hustle can be a way to supplement your earnings or try out something new, all in what can loosely be described as your spare time. Whether you are looking to find clients, sell products or just try dog walking, any high-demand part-time day job can be a great way to earn money and passive income. Just ask any financial expert. 

In a Facebook post, Robert Kiyosaki, entrepreneur and author of “Rich Dad Poor Dad,” acknowledged the growing popularity of side gigs across multiple age groups. He suggested these five options that provide the flexibility to earn extra cash anywhere.

Earning passive income doesn’t need to be difficult. You can start this week.

Offer Online Tutoring Services

Even without a background in education, you could make money anywhere by tutoring students over video conference, audio call or online chat. This is a very flexible option since you can go the independent route and market yourself or sign up for a tutoring platform that helps potential students find you directly. Plus, you could offer help in a variety of subjects, such as business, languages, computer science, math and hobbies.

Requirements for online tutor gigs vary. Tutoring platforms may demand a degree or experience, and you could have less control over your hourly rate. You can get more freedom as an independent tutor since you can set your rate and leverage your experience and skills in the subject. While the subject, work arrangement and other factors affect the pay, Kiyosaki listed a range of $15 to $80 per hour.

 

Become a Transcriptionist 

With good listening, computer and writing skills, you could take on a transcriptionist side gig. While watching videos or listening to audio files online, you’ll earn cash by typing exactly what is being said. This requires deep concentration to avoid missing small details and great language skills to make a clean transcript. You’ll need to have a headset, computer, word processing software and possibly transcription software for this work. 

You can find some transcriptionist jobs without experience or formal education, though you may need a certification for legal or medical assignments. You can try searching freelance platforms and applying to transcriptionist companies. While transcription jobs often pay by the audio minute, Kiyosaki wrote you can expect around $10 to $30 hourly.

Sell Things Online

Offering in-demand products online could provide you with a side income. Kiyosaki described how a business was able to make $15,000 selling masks online during the pandemic. You can buy items to resell, create custom products or sell used items you no longer want. A few platforms include Etsy, eBay or your own online store. You can also consider dropshipping if you prefer not to store and ship products yourself.

Selling digital products is an alternative with lower costs and less long-term effort. Examples of what you could sell include photos, e-books, videos, online courses, digital art and music. This scalable option is ideal if you want to leverage your creativity. 

Become a Virtual Assistant

If you enjoy helping people, you might earn extra money as a virtual assistant. Working for individuals or businesses, you might perform tasks such as handling calls, answering emails, completing bookkeeping tasks, doing data entry work or assisting with marketing. You could specialize in an area related to your work background or training, or you could be a general assistant.

Some websites hire virtual assistants for part-time work, but you can always check freelancing platforms or advertise yourself directly as well. Clients and companies may want prior administrative experience, and you’ll need to have the right office equipment for the job. According to Kiyosaki, the typical pay for this flexible side hustle can range from $100 to $1,000 monthly.

Teach English as a Second Language

Being a native English speaker opens up opportunities for teaching people who want to learn the language. This global side hustle can involve giving lessons locally or over video to individuals and groups. You can choose between teaching formal lessons or letting students lead conversations to practice the vocabulary needed for their goals.

You can work for teacher platforms, run your own teaching business or take on part-time work for a language school. While working for a school or platform can require a bachelor’s degree and ESL teaching certification, being a native speaker with good ESL teaching skills may allow you to teach independently. Although the pay per hour or lesson will vary, the International TEFL Academy mentioned that online teachers could earn $10 to $40 hourly.

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com

Related reading:  5 essential lessons from ‘Rich Dad, Poor Dad’ – TUTORING YOU

This Skill Sets Highly Successful People Apart

 

Steve Jobs once asked: “Have you ever thought about what it is to be intelligent?” The legendary Apple cofounder asked his audience in 1982 when he won a “Golden Plate” award from the Academy of Achievement. “Probably some of you have, right? Because you meet your friend, and he’s pretty dumb, and maybe you think you’re smarter and you wonder what the difference is?”

A lot of it, he said, is the ability to zoom out and make connections that other people can’t see. 

“You have to not have the same bag of experiences as everyone else does — or else you’re going to make the same connections.” What comes through in stories from some of the most creative, innovative, and successful people, he said, is that “they had a variety of experiences which they could draw upon in order to try to solve a problem or attack a particular dilemma in a kind of unique way.” 

 

That’s it. You become vastly smarter when you’re good at making new and interesting connections, which you’re able to do with a vast array of experiences.

Sounds simple in theory. But in practice, it’s easy to get stuck in the same old patterns and ways of doing things instead of accumulating new experiences. 

Breaking out of these periods of malaise requires mental strength and the discipline to make four commitments to yourself:

1. ‘I will take responsibility for being in a rut’

A friend told me she’d been miserable in her job for years and wanted to start over in a new city. She’d also quietly blamed her partner all that time, assuming he’d never move away from his family.

After we talked, she accepted responsibility for the pattern she’d fallen into and discussed a move with her partner, who was actually eager to accommodate.  

Sometimes we fall into a rut and look at everyone and everything around us as the reason we’re in that rut. But getting  “unstuck” starts with you. Be honest if you’ve put yourself in “park” and take ownership to get back in “drive.”

2. ‘I will recognize the pattern I’m in’

This commitment is about recognizing the specifics of the pattern you’ve fallen into and the habits weighing you down. For example: 

  • You repeatedly tell yourself, “I’ll wait.”  
  • You tend to avoid new challenges when they arise. 
  • You’re always justifying why you’re stuck where you are.
  • You’re continually convincing yourself that “things will change.” 
  • You want things to change, but don’t want to change them yourself. 

You recognize patterns like these by having the discipline to step back once in a while to work on your life, not just in it. Ask yourself: Where and how do I seem stuck? Where am I holding myself back from things I want to accomplish, or the life I want to live? 

If it helps, talk these questions through with a friend who knows you well. 

3. ‘I will recommit to the idea of being challenged’

When you’re stuck in a rut, you tend to repel challenges in favor of staying in your comfort zone. You’re in a mode of repetition and choose the path of least resistance. You’re not challenging much of anything — your assumptions, the status quo, or yourself.  

Remind yourself how exhilarating it can be to be challenged. Start with something small and doable. It could be anything, like attempting to play pickleball or finally taking Spanish lessons.

Begin to feel the thrill of learning, growing, and building your bank of experiences to draw from. 

4. ‘I will get going’

It’s hard to change course if you don’t have a destination. Ask yourself: Where do I want to go? What’s my new goal? What’s next?  

When you have that goal, write it down. Research shows that just by writing down your goals, you’re far more likely to achieve them versus simply thinking about them. You’re likelier still to succeed when you tell a friend, and even more so when you regularly share your progress.

Start by taking a single, small step. Maybe you want to get out of that nowhere job and into an industry you’re passionate about. Schedule lunch with a friend who works in that industry. Maybe you want to break out of a stale routine of chores and errands you and your partner have fallen into, so you schedule a weekend adventure to somewhere you’ve never been before. You get the idea. 

Even the tiniest step can be invigorating — helping you start accumulating new experiences and making novel connections. And that’s just smart.

Source: msn.com©

 

The US cities with the best quality of life

When thinking about moving to a new city, several factors may come to mind, including climate, cost of living and job opportunities.

Another important one is quality of life.

U.S. News and World Report recently compiled a list of the 25 Best Places to Live for Quality of Life, and a Midwest city clinched the top spot.

Classified as a “city of contrasts” by the publication, Ann Arbor, Michigan, the home of the University of Michigan, is a community of approximately 120,000 residents, roughly 40 miles west of downtown Detroit.

“It is at once rural and urban, sporty and smart, outdoorsy and high-tech, counterculture and high society…” the website stated. “Aside from the university, excellent public schools, and an increasingly diverse job market, a robust public parks system and low crime rates make Ann Arbor an attractive place for all ages.”

To compile its rankings, U.S. News and World Report measured criteria such as crime, quality of education, average commute time as well as quality and availability of health care. Cities were evaluated using data from sources including the U.S. Census Bureau, the FBI, the U.S. Department of Labor and U.S. News’ own internal resources, the website stated.

Find the complete rankings below:

  1. Ann Arbor, Michigan
  2. Boulder, Colorado
  3. Boise, Idaho
  4. Honolulu, Hawaii
  5. Raleigh, North Carolina
  6. Madison, Wisconsin
  7. Portland, Maine
  8. Virginia Beach, Virginia
  9. Boston, Massachusetts
  10. Asheville, North Carolina
  11. San Diego, California
  12. Greenville, South Carolina
  13. Hartford, Connecticut
  14. Richmond, Virginia
  15. Fayetteville, Arkansas
  16. Washington, D.C.
  17. Kalamazoo, Michigan
  18. Spokane, Washington
  19. South Bend, Indiana
  20. Grand Rapids, Michigan
  21. Providence, Rhode Island
  22. Santa Barbara, California
  23. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
  24. Albany, New York
  25. Green Bay, Wisconsin

Source: msn.com©

The 12 Phrases Smartest People Say in Conflict

Arguments have a way of speeding up. Your heart ticks faster, your voice climbs and suddenly you are debating a detail that barely matters. Five minutes later, you are both stuck in the same loop.

 

We all know how arguments can quickly spiral out of control.  However, the smartest people know how to stay calm and in command. It’s not just about being right—it’s about using the right phrases to defuse tension and steer the conversation with confidence. The best part? Psychologists have uncovered the exact phrases they rely on, and you can start using them today.

These phrases aren’t tricks: they’re tools for better communication.  12 powerful phrases to handle any conflict like a pro.

The Phrases

1. “I see your point, and here’s how I see it differently.”

2. “Can you help me understand why you feel that way?”

3. “Let’s focus on finding a solution, not assigning blame.”

4. “I hadn’t thought of it that way before.”

5. “Let’s take a step back for a second.”

6. “I don’t have all the answers, but here’s what I’m thinking.”

7. “I think we’re both after the same thing here.”

8. “Let’s agree to come back to this later.”

9. “I respect your opinion, even if I don’t agree with it.”

10. “What would make you feel better about this?”

11. “I think we’re getting off track—let’s refocus on the main issue.”

12. “I appreciate you bringing this up.”

 

The skillful use of emotion

That is the quiet power of emotional intelligence in conflict. You notice what is happening inside you, you respect what is happening inside the other person and you use language that lowers the heat.

You do not need perfect communication skills to do this. You need a few steady phrases you can reach for when your brain starts to go into fight mode.

Try this phrase when things get heated, or things are just not working at the time: 

“Let’s Take a Short Break, Then Try Again at 2:30”

Sometimes the best phrase is a pause with a return time. Your body can only hold so much stress before your words get sharp. A short break gives your nervous system time to reset.

But notice how specific this phrase is. It includes a clear plan to come back. That matters because a vague “I’m done” can feel scary and abandoning. A return time supports trust.

Keep the break short and simple. Ten to thirty minutes works for many people. During the break, do something calming and ordinary. Drink water, walk around the block, or put on a kettle.

Come back refreshed and alert and ready to continue. When you return, start with one sentence of connection. “Thanks for giving that pause.” Then pick one issue to address first. You will be surprised how often a reset turns a blowup into a workable conversation.

You’re not a negotiator? But you do it every day!

It can be as simple as, “What restaurant do we want to go to tonight?” or “Where shall we vacation this year?” Or it could be a more dreaded interaction like buying a car.

Surprisingly, these phrases can be helpful in day to day living. Also, some may be suitable for more difficult interactions.

Unfortunately, we Americans are uncomfortable with silence. Use this technique when facing a difficult situation (not with your significant other). It will rattle the other party.

In addition, nothing in this world is guaranteed except you will negotiate sooner than later. The results are more in your favor when using these phrases. Remember that we don’t get what we wish for. We get what we negotiate.

 

Signs That Indicate A Person Has Lived a Hard and Challenging Life

We all know life is a rollercoaster, a rollercoaster with ups and downs that shape us in many different ways. Everyone’s experiences are unique, but there are signs that someone has gone through a lot of hard times.

By understanding these signs, we can develop empathy and create better bonds with the people around us.

Humor as a Shield

©Image provided by: Anna Shvets

Humor is often the greatest weapon of those who have been through adversity. Having a great sense of humor can be a powerful way to deflect pain and deal with difficult emotions.

People who have been through tough times are often the funniest people in the room and use laughter to connect to others and lighten their own load.

Frequent Apologies

©Image Credit: Kaboompics via pexels

Ever met someone who says “sorry” way too often? People with difficult pasts may over-apologize, even for things they don’t have anything to do with.

Often, this reflects a belief — internalized — that, in some way, they are responsible for the discomfort or inconvenience of others. It’s as if they’re carrying an invisible scoreboard, ensuring they stay on the right side of everyone’s expectations.

Remaining Calm During Crisis

©Image Credit: Pikwizard

Some people act strangely calm when the going gets tough, like a sea of tranquility in the middle of chaos. This is often the sign of someone who has endured many storms before.

After so much, they’ve come to not sweat the small stuff, and their calmness can either be a strength or a sign of desensitization to stress.

©Provided by: Craft Your Happy Place

Trump Defeats Harris, Marking Historic Comeback

Republican Donald Trump leveraged anxieties about the cost of living and illegal immigration to defeat Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris, reclaiming the White House in a victory certain to alter America’s priorities and economic relationship with the world.

Trump, who won election in 2016 as the 45th president, now will be the 47th and just the second candidate in U.S. history to win nonconsecutive White House terms.

He asked voters to consider if they were better off under his first presidency as Harris struggled to distance herself from an unpopular President Biden during a combative and expensive campaign that exposed the nation’s deep partisan divisions.

The victory cements Trump as a historic political figure who prevailed despite a brashness and unfounded claims of election fraud that alienated many, proving his surprise 2016 victory over Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton wasn’t a fluke.

“This is a magnificent victory for the American people,” Trump said in a celebration in West Palm Beach, Fla., early Wednesday.

He thanked voters for sending him back to the White House and said he would fight for every citizen, repeating his campaign pledge to strengthen the economy and address other priorities. “This truly will be the golden age of America,” he said.

Source: The Wall Street Journal©

How To Achieve More with Less

Use The 80/20 Principle

The 80/20 is also known as “The Pareto Principle” or “The Law of the Vital Few” — referring to the vital few factors that contribute to the majority of the outcome. It’s the basis of achieving more with less.

So, what is the 80/20 Principle?

Imagine you are the CEO of a company and you have a salesforce. In a world where everything is equal, you will assume that everyone contributes to your sales proportionately — i.e., 20% of the employees contribute to 20% of the sales, 50% contribute to 50% of the sales, and 80% of the employees contribute to 80% of the sales. But what if instead of a 1-1 relationship, you find out that 80% of your sales are actually contributed by 20% of your staff?

What the 80-20 Principle is About

This is what the 80/20 rule is about — 80% of the effects in a situation come from 20% of the causes. This phenomenon was first discovered by Vilfredo Pareto, an Italian Economist who found that 20% of the people in Italy control 80% of the wealth and land. He first observed the principle when gardening and noticing that 20% of his peapods in his garden yielded 80% of the total harvested peas.

Examples of 80/20 in Action

Here are just some of many situations where the 80/20 rule can be observed:

  • Population: 80% of the population in England (25.8 million out of 32.3 million) comes from 20% of its cities (53 out of 263 cities).
  • Resource Consumption: 70% of the world’s energy, 75% of its metals, and 85% of its timber are consumed by 20% of the world’s countries (which have far fewer than 20 percent of the world’s population).

…. and so on.

Applying 80/20 Principle in Our Life

The 80/20 rule tells us that a large proportion of effects is due to a small portion of causes. More with less.

  • 20% of causes lead to 80% of results. These are what I call the 20% high-impact-tasks. High-value because they lead to high-impact results.
  • On the other hand, 80% of causes lead to 20% of results. These are what I call the 80% low-impact-tasks.

It doesn’t have to be a literal 80-20 ratio — for example, 70% of the effects can be contributed by 15% of the causes, or 60% of effects can be contributed by 30% of the causes. The percentages of effects and causes don’t have to add up to 100% either — 80% refers to the effect while 20% refers to the cause, meaning they are not of the same denominator. It just happened that Pareto’s observation was 80-20 (rather than 70-20 or 60-10).

The point of the 80/20 rule is to know that (a) the relationship between cause and effect is often not 1:1, and (b) some causes have more weight than others.

 

Article by celes

 

New Year New You

 

Make any resolutions?

Are you one to make a New Year’s Resolution for yourself? Whether you are or not, it can be a personal goal that you can set. Setting a personal goal for yourself can be what drives you to be a better you. You can set a goal for yourself any day, not just on the first of the new year.

It does not have to just be about getting your body in shape. You can also focus on getting your mind in shape. Getting your mood in shape (especially with those Winter Blues).  Getting your education/grades in shape. So it really can be a New Year, New You.

Are You Ready for some new knowledge?

 

Are you ready to succeed? Don’t stop learning because life never stops teaching.

Have a look at my webpage.  There are probably articles there that could help you figure out some things.  Life is hard enough without someone to count on to help.

New year, new you? Got it.  But no need until the new year.  Do it now!

Your Tutor: Dennis Hickey