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Self-care may be equated with doing things to recharge, like exercising and getting rest, but two other aspects of life can benefit from some TLC too: your home and your finances.Focusing time and energy on these areas can help you feel more comfortable and secure, and ultimately happier — and all it takes are a few updates or habit changes. Read on for tips on how to refresh your home and establish a healthy money mindset.<h3 class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 24pt; background: white;">Build an estate planning team<o:p></o:p></h3>One way to protect your wealth is to <a href="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/lam/articles/money/family/personal-financial-planning-for-families">create a plan</a> and an estate planning team. You'll need at least three pros:<o:p></o:p><ul type="disc"><li>A financial advisor who will manage your estate's finances, making recommendations and funding investment, retirement and trust accounts. <o:p></o:p></li><li>An estate-planning attorney who will guide you in choosing the best options for maintaining your estate after death or in the event of incapacity. <o:p></o:p></li><li>A tax professional who will support the personal representative or executor of an estate with closing responsibilities by setting up an estate account, preparing tax filings and paying the final distributions to beneficiaries.<o:p></o:p></li></ul><img src="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/rcs/lifeandmoney/storage/public/GettyImages-1173619393_web_0.jpg" alt="A young woman taking a break from technology" class="right_image" /><h2 class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 24pt; background: white;">Self-care strategies for your home<o:p></o:p></h2><h3>Liven up your space<o:p></o:p></h3>A fresh coat of paint or a new accent piece can be an easy, wallet-friendly way to give your home — and your mood — a boost. Color psychology has shown that the shades we choose in our homes impact our emotions, feelings and actions, so be strategic.<o:p></o:p><h3>Become a plant parent<o:p></o:p></h3>Houseplants not only beautify our rooms and potentially improve air quality but, according to studies, they may also deliver <a href="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/lam/articles/well-being/well-being/wellness-benefits-of-houseplants">health benefits</a> like reducing stress, increasing productivity and improving memory retention and concentration. If you're new to plant care, you may want to choose low-maintenance greenery like a snake plant or pothos. Anyone with animals at home should look for pet-safe options like a Boston fern or a ponytail palm.<o:p></o:p><h3>Sort and declutter <o:p></o:p></h3>Taking stock of your stuff is a feel-good activity; it's satisfying to purge all the items you no longer need. Even better, it's also a chance to return borrowed items to owners, donate to charity or make extra money reselling the unwanted clothes clogging up your closets. — With additional reporting from Life and Money by Citi editors.

Self-Care Tips for Your Money and Home

Perfectly crafted business plans and large initial investments might sound like non-negotiables for starting a small business, but the truth is many entrepreneurial stories have simpler beginnings: an idea and the drive to bring it to life. These strategies can help you get there.&nbsp;
<h2>Buck traditional wisdom</h2>
When Travis Weaver founded Manready Mercantile in 2012, it was without major backing; he did it based on the belief that some products marketed toward women, like candles, could take off with men as well.&nbsp;
Investing just $100 of his own money, Weaver made a batch of soy candles in whiskey glasses in his kitchen and then sold them door-to-door at local businesses, markets and even from the back of his truck.&nbsp;
Since then, Weaver's business has expanded to include apparel, home goods, accessories and apothecary products sold out of his shop in Houston, TX., as well as online. "You've just gotta just start somewhere, with something," he says.
<h2>Think small at first&nbsp;</h2>
Organizing your ideas and mapping out a path forward is useful, but as Steph Lawrence and her business partner Aashi Vel discovered, you may want to start with a&nbsp; business plan on the simpler side. A one-page mission summary is what Lawrence and Vel used to set their venture, Traveling Spoon, in motion.&nbsp; The pared-down plan was critical for getting the culinary tourism platform off the ground. &ldquo;A grand notion can actually get in your way,&rdquo; explains Lawrence. And your initial plan can be adapted and expanded as knowledge of your markets grows and your aim evolves. Traveling Spoon started with a minimum viable product, or MVP (the term used to describe a smaller feature set that can be tested for future product development), and today, Traveling Spoon connects travelers with authentic culinary adventures in more than 70 destinations around the globe.&nbsp;
<h2><img src="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/rcs/v1/media/lifeandmoney/akpublic/storage/retrieveMediaFile/65ca795fbbe174655cbd368f" alt="top-tips-for-starting-a-SB_body_1317277176.jpg/"> Be open to funding options&nbsp;</h2>
Capital is an essential factor, of course, and more traditional routes include securing a bank loan or a line of credit. But you can also expand your possibilities by researching eligibility requirements for federal, state or private startup grants that may be available or by exploring crowdfunding (supporters donate for something in return). Another option, equity funding models, entails individuals or an organization providing capital for an ownership share in your business.
<h2>Stay flexible with your concept&nbsp;</h2>
No matter how well you prepare, the business you end up building may be very different from the one you originally imagined. Rather than rigidly adhering to a plan, it&rsquo;s a good idea to test, learn and adjust your business model based on your findings.
Conducting research and learning at the outset can help you create a stronger foundation for the launch. &ldquo;The question we wanted to answer was, &lsquo;Are we two crazy people, or do other people like this idea as well?&rsquo; So we found student travelers, we found a host, and within an hour we had a sold-out dinner with a waiting list,&rdquo; Lawrence says. &ldquo;We realized there&rsquo;s so much we can test before we even build a line of code.&rdquo;
<h2>Build some buzz&nbsp;</h2>
Traveling Spoon offered meals in just three countries in the first year, but the interest from hosts was strong around the world so they expanded on that plan. &ldquo;We grew organically because we had so many hosts coming to us,&rdquo; Lawrence says. &ldquo;We made the strategic decision to find a way to include [some of those] hosts instead of only looking for hosts in particular countries,&rdquo; she says.
It's not enough just to have an idea come to life, you also need to spread the word about it, says Weaver<s>. </s>, and &ldquo;knowing the audience works.&rdquo; The Manready Mercantile image of high-end, premium products largely made in the U.S. is what resonates with his customers. &ldquo;I have a story,&rdquo; he says, and a big part of that is being a maker and connecting with other makers to sell their products along with his own.
No matter the idea, staying true to it is often what breeds success. &ldquo;Entrepreneurship at its best is when you&rsquo;re creating something you love,&rdquo; says Lawrence. &ldquo;That&rsquo;s what gets you through the lows. If you ask me &lsquo;Do I believe in what I&rsquo;m doing?&rsquo; unequivocally the answer is always yes.&rdquo;&nbsp;
-- With additional reporting from Life and Money by Citi editors

Wonder what it really takes to start a small business? Here, successful entrepreneurs share what they’ve learned.

Top Tips for Starting a Small Business

We all know there's more to life than eat, sleep, work, repeat. But sometimes it takes falling into a slump to know that it's time to shake things up."Humans are naturally wired for growth, creativity and relationships," says Jamie McNally, licensed professional counselor and owner of Sycamore Counseling Services in Livonia, MI. "Assuming that a person is in relatively good health, pervasive feelings of discontent can be the body's way of telling them that something is missing."McNally suggests filling that gap with a new interest or passion. "[They] provide the key ingredients to happiness: connection and purpose," she says. "Once you find something that uniquely ignites your passions and have the courage to begin, it's all about staying the course."It's never too late to discover a new thrill that enlightens, educates and makes you happier. Remember, stepping out of your comfort zone isn't just okay – it's encouraged.<img src="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/rcs/lifeandmoney/storage/public/unsplash_okvqMfl78YE_web.jpg" alt="an arrangement of different succulents in a round, glass planter sits on a work desk" class="right_image" /><h2>Learn a new language — coding</h2>Many people want to learn French, Spanish or Mandarin, but what about learning the language of computers? There are many different coding languages, and learning a few of them can help you both gain marketable job skills and have fun.Whether your goal is to become a pro software engineer or learn some basics to help you spruce up your blog, there are now a wealth of coding courses and bootcamps out there that teach coding skills. Try a course and see how you like it. Giving yourself a challenge that could be personal and professional might be just the thing you need to get out of a rut.<h2>Test-drive your green thumb</h2>No garden? No problem. Even in tiny spaces, you can get the joys of a green scene with terrariums, a glass container in which plants are grown. According to the garden and design site Gardenista, terrarium planting — creating curated gardens in miniature — was identified as one of the top six gardening trends in 2018.For inspiration, familiarize yourself with the ready-made terrariums available in home design, garden and even big box stores. Then, hit up a garden supply or craft store for supplies or a DIY kit and get the pleasure of putting every stone, succulent, puff of moss and figurine in its place.<img src="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/rcs/lifeandmoney/storage/public/GettyImages-1056448404_web.jpg" alt="an older man wearing protective eyewear stands at a work shop sanding and cutting wood" class="right_image" /><h2>Cut loose in a dance class</h2>Dance is both an aerobic exercise, able to get your heart rate up, and a stress reliever. Take it from Maribel Demeter, who teaches hip-hop dance every week. "If you can take that one hour out of your day and forget about what is going on in your life outside of the exercise studio, and just get lost in the moment, it can really go a long way."Demeter herself, who was new to dance instruction after years of weightlifting teaching, sees the fun side of it too. "I'm a suburban mom of three teenagers in my late 40s. I now have an excuse to wear drop-crotch pants, crazy leggings and flannels."<h2>Turn junk into gems</h2>A wave of home design and remodeling shows have turned the nation into fixer-upper lovers. Try what they do on your own micro level: Take to the streets and transform trash — a threadbare chair, a lamp in need of rewiring, that three-legged desk — into your treasures. Online how-tos will help you do anything from reupholstering furniture to refurbish wooden decor.Get inspired by the example of Karen Spencer, a college coach in Burke, VA, who, on a lark, began picking up items at garage sales and off the curb and touching them up for resale. She made a healthy profit, but Karen says she doesn't do it for the money. "That's really just a side benefit. After spending a semester abroad in China in college and seeing abject poverty, I hate waste. I'm keeping something out of a landfill and someone else is getting something cheaper than they could buy it elsewhere. That's a win-win to me," says Spencer.<h2>Find your new audio entertainment fix</h2>Everyone loves music, but there is another growing audio medium that makes for a great hobby: podcasts. Although podcasts have been around for years, they have definitely gained a wider audience lately. In 2018, regular podcast listeners have increased their listening time by 40%, according to the Infinite Dial study from Edison Research and Triton Digital.Why not be one of the people grabbing ears? Start your own podcast. It's easy. Search for one of the many free websites where you can record, edit, create show art, publish your podcast and even get analytics on how many listeners you have. Make it a family affair and get your whole crew involved.Sometimes it takes a little soul-searching — or good old-fashioned trial-and-error — to find that special new interest that rejuvenates you. Luckily, there's no end to the possibilities, if you're willing to put yourself out there.

Find a New Passion to Bring out the Best in You

Starting a successful company isn't just about having a great idea and executing it. Giving your teams the right tools and systems is crucial too, to help the day-to-day flow smoothly. Think about it: Every bit of time you save by streamlining a process can go toward ideation and innovation.Whether you're launching a small business or wanting to expand the one you've already started, here are seven tips to help you and your young company grow.<img src="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/rcs/lifeandmoney/storage/public/small-business-secrets_body-2_681740748.jpg" alt="Bakery owners review billing on their laptop" class="right_image" /><h2 style="margin-bottom: 11px;">Give group work some structure</h2>Emailing certainly has its place at the office, but it's not always the best way to communicate or collaborate; sometimes all that back-and-forth can lead to wasted time, overlooked steps and buried attachments. That's where cloud-based, work sharing software and apps can come into play, allowing you to create dedicated channels for projects or teams. Here are some top ways to use these tools. <ul><li>Simplify communication with a service that enables conference calls, group video chats or live chats.</li><li>Set up online calendars that allow everyone to view available times and booked slots, making meeting-scheduling a breeze.</li><li>File share with a basic online site that staffers can all access, making it easy to see each other's notes and comments and cutting down on the confusion that can come from duplicate versions.</li><li>Optimize collaboration with an online project management system. Many providers offer free or low-cost versions with helpful data-organizing and tracking features.</li></ul><img src="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/rcs/lifeandmoney/storage/public/GettyImages-683807950_web.jpg" alt="a man and a woman sit together at a coffee shop working together on laptops" class="no_image" /><h2 style="margin-bottom: 11px;">Look for areas to automate</h2>Many day-to-day business tasks can take up valuable time, especially if you're operating with a lean staff, which is why you may want to harness the power of automation tools. Consider these options to streamline processes and help you feel as though you have another set of hands.<ul><li>A client management system can store key client details and track prospects through your marketing funnel.</li><li>With an invoicing system, you can create client bills quickly, facilitate online payments and send past-due reminders.</li><li>An auto-responder can send a welcome message to your new email subscribers. </li><li>A social media scheduler can post updates on a predetermined schedule and loop content</li></ul><h2 style="margin-bottom: 11px;">Explore options for capital</h2>Your type of business and early growth goals will likely play a major role in determining the amount of money you'll need to get it off the ground. These are some sources you might tap for potential funding.<ul><li>Investors: If you're willing to split the wins and losses with additional stakeholders, you might try soliciting funds from friends, angel investors or venture capitalists, or crowdfunding more broadly.</li><li>Line of credit: You don't need to be a mega corporation to get attention from lenders. Some banks offer lines of credit designed specifically for small business owners.</li><li>Credit cards: A strong personal credit history can help you get approved for a business credit card, which may provide flexibility as financial needs arise. You'll want to repay the entire statement balance on time to avoid penalties and interest charges.</li><li>Bootstrapping: If you've got the funds and resources in your own pocket, you may be able to start your business single-handedly and build it up with your profits.</li></ul><img src="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/rcs/lifeandmoney/storage/public/small-business-secrets_body-1_902810140_0.jpg" alt="Two restaurant owners review paperwork" class="right_image" /><h2 style="margin-bottom: 11px;">Think about going the influencer route</h2>Enlisting the help of someone with credibility and widespread recognition among your target audience can be a useful marketing move; if they're willing to promote your business or product, it could mean a major boost for your brand awareness. You might not land a major celebrity endorsement, but you can create a beneficial business relationship with someone who adds value to your enterprise.Start by searching social media for people who are respected in your industry and have a big following. You'll want to choose a person whose image and reach resonate with your marketing goals and ideal client. Popular bloggers, prolific authors and thought leaders can be good options too. Keep in mind that certain legal disclosures are needed if you do engage an influencer. It must be clear in your posts and the influencer's post that they are paid by you and that it is a paid promotion.<h2>Tap into the gig economy</h2>Hiring the right people is always a smart way to cover the workload and bring in experts so you don't have to know (and do) everything. If you aren't ready for the commitment and cost of a full-time worker, consider hiring a part-time employee or freelancer to tackle necessary tasks that are too time-consuming or outside your area of expertise.The <a href="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/lam/articles/money/career/achieving-financial-success-in-a-gig-economy">gig economy</a> is only growing, and so is the pool of skilled people who are able to step in quickly for short-term projects in a range of fields, from accounting and graphic design to building maintenance and order fulfillment.<h2 style="margin-bottom: 11px;">Step back and strategize</h2>Getting a small business off the ground takes focus, so it can be easy to lose sight of the grand plan. To tackle things efficiently, it can help to disconnect from day-to-day tasks long enough to take in the big picture and prioritize next steps.Try the "eat the frog" approach, which means taking care of your most challenging task first. By allowing you to gather momentum and power through your lighter tasks faster, it can give the rest of your day a boost.<h2>Make employees a priority</h2>No matter how many smart processes and systems you have in place, their usefulness can't compare to the effect the human element has in determining your company's success. Ensuring your teams feel appreciated and have what they need is essential to building a business that runs smoothly."[Employees] are more valuable than key technology, fancy offices or even money in the bank," says The SnapBar co-founder Sam Eitzen, and regularly recognizing your team's accomplishments can ultimately help build camaraderie and foster a sense of pride for your brand.— With additional reporting from Life and Money by Citi editors.