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5 Ways to Get Back on Track After Vacation

By U.S. News & World Report

Welcome back! The good news: You just had an amazing vacation. The bad news: You are back to the real world — and faced with the reality that you ate and drank way too much while you were gone, even though you said you wouldn’t. Now, it’s time to get back on track. But how to do that when your mind still has you on a sunny beach sipping pi?a coladas? It may not be easy, but following these five tips can help you get started:

1. Eat a healthy breakfast.

On your first day back, under no circumstances may you skip breakfast — especially if you’re feeling guilty from your vacation-inspired eating extravaganza. Instead, opt for your old tried-and-true meal — that is, of course, if you were already in the habit of eating a healthy breakfast (think oatmeal with almond butter or scrambled egg whites, avocado on whole-wheat toast) before you left. However, if you have not gone grocery shopping yet, remember: You can just as easily pick up a yogurt and fruit on your way to work as you can a donut.

2. Go food shopping.

For one post-vacation day — and one day only — you get a “get out of jail free” card. After that, you need to be prepared — an empty kitchen more or less sets you up for disaster. If free time is tough, consider food shopping online. If you live in an area that offers that service, you can even shop online before you get home and have everything delivered in time for your arrival.

3. Opt for a salad at lunch.

Admittedly, I’m a sandwich person. But I know all too well that sometimes my clients feel more in control of their eating when they choose a salad for lunch. If you can relate, consider going the salad route for the first week or so after your return. The key with a healthy salad, though, is making sure not to skimp on protein or overload on fat. To do that, load up on the raw veggies, top your salad with grilled chicken or shrimp, go easy on the avocado (a quarter of an avocado is one serving), add 1/2 cup of beans and call it a day. Whatever salad dressing you choose, ask for it on the side — and by no means use more than 2 tablespoons. Still want more dressing? Add balsamic vinegar or some fresh squeezed lemon.

4. Schedule your exercise.

Many people are active on vacation; some even take specific action-type vacations where they cycle, white water raft or kayak all day long. Then there are the rest of us who proudly lie on a beach chaise doing nothing at all. Whichever category you fall into — well, especially the latter — you need to schedule your exercise for the week as soon as you return. If you’re swamped at work, it may take even more willpower to do it. But remember: Any exercise is better than none.

5. Temporarily tame your social life.

Getting back on track when you are a social butterfly can be quite difficult — especially during the summer. But after the excitement from vacation, a little downtime might be necessary. Try to schedule some evenings dedicated to a workout or a home-cooked meal, especially your first week home. If you don’t feel like cooking, make a healthy choice for a takeout dinner — they do exist. For example, try ordering grilled chicken breast, steamed veggies and roasted potatoes. Also, consider limiting your alcohol intake to the weekend. Just think: With all the money you will save from not going out, you will be able to start saving for your next vacation.

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5 Ways to Get Back on Track After Vacation originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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