Hey, it's Rachel—

Do you have a love hate relationship with your phone?

You know, sometimes you think it's the best thing ever and it makes your life easier?

But sometimes it gets in the way, makes you feel overwhelmed and overstimulated?

If this sounds like you, you're not alone.

Did you know Gartner (a major research and consulting firm) predicts that by 2025, 50% of people will have either abandoned social media or decreased their usage substantially?

And searches for "dumb phones" and app blockers have been on the rise.

Our phones are incredible tools, but they should serve us, not the other way around.

The key is to take control and set boundaries that work for you.

Remember, your time is your most valuable asset.

Imagine what you could achieve with less distraction and more intention.

Whether it's pursuing a passion project, spending quality time with loved ones, or simply enjoying some peace and quiet, the possibilities are endless.

If you're like me, and feel anxious deleting apps of have FOMO (fear of missing out), here are some tagible steps to get started:

• Set Specific Phone-Free Times: Designate certain hours of the day when you will not use your phone. For example, the first hour after you wake up and the last hour before bed can be phone-free times to help you start and end your day peacefully.
• Turn Off Non-Essential Notifications: Only allow notifications from essential apps and people. This reduces the constant barrage of alerts that can distract and overwhelm you.
• Use App Blockers: Install app blockers to limit your time on social media and other distracting apps. Apps like Forest or Jomo can help you stay disciplined.
• Declutter Your Home Screen: Keep only the most important apps on your home screen. Move everything else to secondary screens or folders to reduce temptation.
• Schedule Social Media Time: Instead of sporadically checking social media throughout the day, schedule specific times to catch up. This helps you stay in control and prevents endless scrolling.
• Embrace Offline Activities: Find joy in offline activities like reading, exercising, or spending time in nature. These activities can be more fulfilling and relaxing than screen time.

If that feels like to much, you can start by simply trying to be more mindful and aware when you're using your phone.

You have the power to create the balance you desire.

Here's to a more intentional, fulfilling life!

In today's email:

• Idea of the Week
• Resources of the Week
• Work With Me
• Advice Corner

Idea of the Week

I Tried a Side Hustle Course to Make More Money, and Here’s What Happened

As a proudly frugal person, I shy away from buying online side hustle courses.

“With YouTube, TikTok, Podcasts, and Instagram, there is so much free content out there;

“Why would anyone ever pay for an online course?” I always thought to myself.

However, when a blogger I trusted came out with a side hustle course, I couldn’t resist giving in.

In truth, I always wanted a side hustle, and all the free content I was consuming wasn’t getting me anywhere but overwhelmed.

Find out what happened when I decided to buy an online course and take it seriously. Learn how I did it as a busy mom, my successes, challenges, and results, and my lifelong takeaways about online courses.

​Continue reading...​

Resources of the Week

• Something to Inspire You: Harrison Ford, from Carpenter to Star Wars​
• Something to Make You Laugh: Dad Jokes​
• Something to Talk About: The Weird Housing Market in 5 Charts​

This Week's Email is Sponsored By:

Quote

Don't Let the Internet Rush You

You Should Know

Work With Me

Want to take this relationship to the next level? 😂

Here's how we can work together:

• ​Click here to schedule a 1-hour one-on-one call​
• ​Learn About Optimize Your Life Academy​
• ​Join Passive Income 101​

Need something else? Have a question?

Hit reply and let me know what you're looking for.

Something New

Advice Corner

Q: How can I find new ways to make money from home as an older person who is socially inept and not tech-savvy?

A: Rather than focusing on what you cannot do, I'd recommend starting by thinking about the things you can do and are good at. Are you an excellent crafter? Are you great at organizing? Do you love animals?

Once you have a list of your strengths and interests, then you can start matching those with problems that other people have. For example, if you're great with animals, you could offer dog-sitting or training services. If you're good at knitting, you could knit high-end personalized blankets for new babies.

As for the tech-savvy side, you can work to find non-techy ways to market your business. You could also work to grow your skills. Libraries and community colleges often have programs to help people become more financially literate. If you're reading this email, you have some level of computer literacy, and you could learn more for free using GFC Global's website.

Do you have a burning question about passive income, personal finance, or positive psychology that you need answered? If so, hit reply and send me an email with your question. If you're lucky, I'll answer it in this section of the next newsletter.