How To Declutter Your Social Life
Bad Habits We Are Guilty Of

What Does Dad Really Want?

Second Date Update: Jesse and Vanessa had 3 zoom calls before actually 
 meeting in person. What did Vanessa observe in real life that made her ghost?

Surprising Things You Had To Teach Your Husband, For Ex:

• "I taught my husband that simply letting the water rinse the soap off his body wasn’t cleaning his feet. He had never actually 'washed' his feet."

Things Happy Couples Do Without Their Phones

1. Try each other's hobbies
2. Schedule regular check-ins
3. Engage in parallel play
4. Create rituals and routines
5. Cook together
6. Laugh
7. Take long walks
8. Play board games
9. Have deep conversations
10. Sit in silence
11. Talk about their days

How To Recharge Within 5 Minutes, This Helps.

Second Date Update: Keith and Sandra went on a date, turns out they live in the same apartment complex. He invited her in, what did she see at his place to make her ghost?

How Do We Get The Jeff To Declutter?

Corey's in-laws are coming in town on Saturday, and she is desperately trying to get the house in order. She has her areas maintained, but Jeff's stuff is everywhere. He has a million pairs of Nike shoes, his hot rod tires, a tire jack, miscellaneous stuff everywhere, etc. How does she approach the subject without treating him like a child? She doesn't want to feel like his mom.

How Much Would You Spend For Peace & Quiet?
According to the poll of 2-thousand U.S. adults, the average American would pay $2,521 for just one day of peace and quiet. Sure, that’s a huge amount of money, but parents would be willing to shell out even more - $1,147 more, on average.

• The average person only gets 9.5-hours a month to themselves.
  
• The biggest things standing  are work (50%), family commitments (32%), financial constraints (24%), and social obligations (22%).
  
• But 13% admit they actually feel guilty when they finally get free time.
• More than half (53%) say they need more alone time than they’re getting now, and it turns out, they’re not above being dishonest to get it.
• More than a third (38%) confess they’ve lied to friends, family, or even their partner to get some time to themselves.
• “I’m not feeling well” is the most common lie told (54%), followed by “I have a lot of work to do” (40%), “I have a headache” (33%) and “I have an appointment” (33%).
• To have just a lazy morning to themselves, parents would pay an average of $325, and people would be willing to spend $339.80 just for one extra hour of sleep.
  

Crazy Wedding Dress Mom
Everyone knows that only the bride should wear white to a wedding. It seems one mother of the groom didn’t mind making this major faux pas when her son tied the knot, but she took it to the next level and showed up in a full bridal gown and veil to match. A now-viral Reddit post from someone claiming it happened at their cousin’s wedding.
"Everything was going smoothly until the groom's mother walked into the hall in a full-length white gown. Lace sleeves. Sparkly belt. Veil," the guest writes. “She looked like she was about to walk down the aisle herself.” As you’d expect, everyone was shocked by her attire, even the bride and groom, and the mom reportedly told people it was “tradition” in their family for the mother of the groom to wear white.
“To make things worse, the groom’s mom tried to stand next to the bride and groom during the vows, and even held the bride’s bouquet at one point,” the post explains. During the reception, the mother was introducing herself to people as “the first woman in his life.” Despite her mother-in-law’s fashion choice, the bride managed to remain calm and her new husband reportedly kept telling her, “I’m so sorry” over and over. Let’s just hope this mom let the newlyweds go on their honeymoon alone!

Second Date Update: Amber calls us about Craig. She says they had a lovely meal together and now he's ghosting. Did she do something to his food?

Marcus Finally Got Got
In Vegas, Marcus was doing his typical man-splaining to bartenders. He is very specific about his cocktails. Well, he finally met his match when he ordered a traditional Spanish cocktail at a nice Spanish restaurant. It's called carajillo and it is made with espresso and Liquor 43. However, he asked to add a premium tequila. She was taken aback and clearly unhappy he was messing with this classic drink. When he got the bill, she charged him not only for the cocktail, but for an extra shot for the tequila. Total? $40 for one drink. How would you ask? Would you explain what you want or ask how they make it?

Little Things That Annoy Us

• When they see someone that they don’t want to talk to - 46%
• A knock on the front door when they’re not prepared for guests - 44%
• People talking to them when they want silence - 43%
• When their Wi-Fi is lagging or cuts out - 40%
• Listening to someone chewing loudly - 40%
• Phone calls when they’re not expecting one - 34%
• Someone near them heavy breathing - 25%
• Their alarm clock/alarm - 21%
• Text message alerts - 16%
• Their phone/notifications going off during a meeting - 15%

What Dad Really Wants For Father's Day

• A new survey reveals what dads want most for Father’s Day this year and it couldn’t be easier to shop for it.
• It turns out, nearly 60% of dads just want to spend time with their kids for their special day.
• While 15% of fathers say they don’t want anything at all, 28% of those who would like a gift say they’d prefer one that’s simple and heartfelt, like something handmade.⠀
  

Second Date Update: Al & Cynthia are both divorcees looking for a second chance. However, Cynthia has ghosted. Did Al say something to turn her off?

Vegas Was  Roller Coaster of Emotions

Marcus was in Vegas this weekend. The good news is that he came home a winner. The bad news was the turmoil on his flight home. They literally had to turn the plane around to remove a passenger.

When Riding in the Car, What Are The Rules for Being a Passenger?

• Passengers complaining, followed by blocking the mirrors and reaching for the invisible brake.
  
• Drivers also don’t like it when the people throw wrappers on the floor or mess with the radio.
  
• Watching loud videos on their phone or sticking their feet on the dashboard 
  
• Passengers having loud phone conversations and not giving accurate directions are frustrating, too.
• The poll finds that 17% of women think their partner is an annoying passenger and a “backseat driver,” but 69% of men feel they’re a good passenger.
• Nearly two-thirds (62%) of men prefer being in the driver’s seat and 42% admit they like being in control.
• Close to half of men (45%) believe they’re a better driver than their partner, but 32% of them confess that changes when they need their partner to be the designated driver.
• Among the guys who prefer to be the driver, 15% admit they don’t like the way their partner drives.
• But in 20% of couples, men do the driving as part of their relationship “chore split” they agree to.
• And for 43% of couples, car trips regularly end in arguments, and some are so bad, 19% don’t speak to each other for a while afterwards.
  

Corey Threw Something Out She Might Regret Later
I have moved a lot, and I am trying to declutter. One of the things I purged was something that cannot be replaced ever...cuz I burned it.

Second Date Update: Amy calls about John. She liked him a lot. However, did she admit to being related to a killer?

Things In Your Bathroom To Throw Out Now

1. Product packaging: Put cotton swabs in glass jars, instead, and you'll turn your bathroom into a spa-like experience, just by decluttering.
   
2. Free cosmetic samples: They sit in cabinets or drawers for much longer than they should. 
   
3. Duplicates of anything:  we're talking about having duplicate hot tools and toiletries. You don't need one hand soap dispenser, not multiple. The same goes for shampoos and hair products, too.
   
4. Abandoned toiletry products:  Don't let it just sit on your counter or in your cabinet, though. Ask a friend if they want to try it; they may like it!
   
5. Expired medications and beauty products: Medications especially will lose its effectiveness and could even be harmful if used when expired. Beauty products, too, can irritate you or harbor bacteria when expired. 
   
6. Old bath towels and wash clothes: As a rule of thumb, hand towels, bath towels and wash clothes should be replaced every two years. 
   
7. Most likely, your toothbrush: Experts say you should replace it every three months, so if it's been longer than that, throw it out.
   

2025 Summer Trends

• Rustic Farmhouse - Rustic aesthetics and farmhouse cottage interiors are becoming more popular, with searches for “farm cottage aesthetic” soaring by 911% . “Thrifted home decor” is also very trendy, searches for it have increased 488%.
  
• Digital Detox Summer - People are ready to ditch their screens and embrace nature this summer. Interest in nature travel is on the rise, including searches for” nature retreats” (up 72%) and “relaxing in nature” (up 32%). 
  
• Urban Farming and Garden-to-Table Cooking - Pinterest users are taking inspo from an expert in these areas, Martha Stewart, with searches for “Martha Stewart aesthetic” skyrocketing 2,889%. 
  
• Crafting Ideas -  people plan to get crafty, with searches for “cute summer crafts” rising 106%, “summer knitting projects” jumping 64% and “book club crafts” up 558%.
  
• Nostalgic Fashion - The boho trend from the early 2000s is back in style. Searches for “boho chic summer outfits” have soared 1,071%, “crochet short dresses” climbed 2,030%, and those for “2000s summer dress” are up 483%.
  

Things Dating Your House

• Word Art - Trade out those “live, laugh, love” signs with real paintings on your walls. Contemporary abstract painter. Use coastal artwork in calming colors like white, sea blues and greens as a replacement for that statement art. 
  
• Matchy-Matchy “Themed” Accessories - Take your time curating a collection of things you love from traveling, family heirlooms and things that mean something to you.
  
• Bowl-Shaped Light Fixtures - According to designer Liz Goldberg, “Nothing screams 90s rental builder grade more than this light fixture!” She advises switching to anything other than glass bowl-shaped flush mount lights, sometimes called “boob lights.”
• Cold Neutrals - The time for playing it safe with cool grey and greige neutrals has passed, and designers suggest updating your home with warmer neutrals for everything from walls to bedding.
• Neutral Linen Furniture - Design experts also recommend swapping neutral linen furniture pieces for furniture in deep hues or printed jacquard. If you love your current pieces and they’re still in good condition or new furniture isn’t in your budget, consider reupholstering what you have.

Second Date Update: Eduardo and Christine met at a party and even made out. Now, she has ghosted. Was it something he called her?

Thoughts Shift That Will Change Your Perspective:
Perspective really is powerful. We can be our own worst enemies and get in our own way. All it can take is a different way of thinking to help us overcome that obstacle.

1. Instead of saying “I’m not ready” say “No one really is”
2. Stop calling it procrastination, start calling it fear
3. Ditch the guilt spiral
4. Instead of saying “What if it goes wrong?” say “What if it’s worth it?”
5. Drop the idea that self-sabotage is about “low self-esteem”
6. Stop romanticizing the struggle
7. Stop defining yourself by past mistakes
8. Stop thinking you need to “find your purpose”
9. Consider fear a sign you’re close to something big
10. Let go of the idea that “consistency” means doing it perfectly
    

Questions To Ask Before Traveling With Your Pet: If you’re planning on traveling with your pup this summer, there’s a lot of planning involved. It’s a popular trend with globalvetlink.com finding that “78-percent of American pet owners travel with their pets each year.” 

• Are there dog-friendly accommodations?
• Would my dog enjoy this destination?
• Is the climate safe and comfortable for a dog?
• How long is the trip and how will they handle the transportation there?
• Can I bring everything I need to keep them safe and happy away from home?
• Is transit accessible to dogs?
• What are the rules, requirements and restrictions?
• Will there be easy access to veterinary care and other canine services?
  

Once A Cheater, Always A Cheater
A study followed close to 2-thousand participants over three years, having them play a series of games that measured dishonesty. According to the results, cheating isn’t just the result of a mistake, it’s a part of someone’s personality that never goes away.
When participants played games they were told study authors couldn’t check to see whether their response was truthful or not.

• They could get away with lying about their answers and no one would know, and it turns out, many of them did. Over and over again over the three-years.
• Researchers found that if someone cheated in the first game, they were way more likely to cheat in the second and third games.
• Those who cheated were a lot more likely to do it again, no matter what the stakes or context were.
• But the reverse was also true, those who were honest in game one were much more likely to be honest in the other games.

Study authors found two big predictors of chronic dishonesty: low scores in something called “Honesty-Humility” and high scores in the “Dark Factor,” which is a combination of narcissism, Machiavellianism and psychopathy personality traits. They also found if someone lies easily and often, it might just be who they are and not a momentary lapse in judgment.


Second Date Update:

Reagan and Tim had dinner in downtown Martinez. Reagan can't think of anything that would have turned Tim off on the date. However, she may have done something after the date.

How To Kick the Snooze Button Habit:

• Waking up several times interrupts and fragments sleep, which means you’ll cycle back and forth between light, non restorative sleep and being awake, which isn’t restful.
  
• It can leave you feeling tired and groggy when you finally get out of bed.
  
• It reinforces bad sleep habits
  
• On top of not feeling rested, alert and at your best, the sleep expert points out that consistently not getting enough sleep can raise the risk of weight gain, cardiovascular disorders, metabolic disorders and even dementia.
  
• Fortunately, you can break the sleep-snooze cycle by:
  
• Making sure you’re getting enough sleep to feel truly rested, which is between seven and eight hours a night for most folks.
  
• Sticking to a consistent sleep schedule, which Auckley notes is easier if you time to rise to when your internal body clock starts to wake you up.
  
• In the morning, try to resist hitting snooze and get up as soon as your alarm goes off.
  
• Getting morning light exposure as soon as possible when you wake up, which helps keep your internal clock in sync and improves alertness.
  
• Have a positive morning ritual to look forward to, whether it’s enjoying freshly made coffee on your porch or catching up on sports scores.
  

Things You Are Still Wasting Your Money On:

ATM Fees
In 2025, paying ATM fees is almost a fool’s errand. With so many online banks offering free ATM withdrawals and brick-and-mortar banks offering a large network of free ATMs or ATM fee reimbursement, paying several dollars a month is seemingly avoidable. Simply put, there’s no reason to waste money on fees just to access your own cash so even if it takes planning ahead, make sure you omit this expense.
Bottled Water
Shockingly, people continue to spend money on bottled water, even given both the financial and environmental downfalls. If you don’t trust your tap water, even the cost of installing a filter or having one in your fridge can make it worth your money in the long run. Stop paying for something you can essentially get for free and invest in a quality reusable water bottle for when you’re on the go.
Brand-Name Medications
Unless you’re specifically advised by your doctor, opting for brand-name medications over their generic counterparts is a pointless expenditure. Generic drugs have the same active ingredients and undergo the same quality control as their branded counterparts. Switching to generics can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars annually without compromising on health.
Cable TV Subscriptions
The world has moved on from traditional cable television, but many are still holding onto it — along with its hefty bill. Streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+ offer customizable viewing options for a fraction of the price and even bundling options. If you’re still paying for a bloated cable package, it’s time to cut the cord and switch to more budget-friendly entertainment options.
Extended Warranties
Retailers love to upsell extended warranties, but the truth is, they’re seldom worth it. Most products are built to last for at least the length of their original warranty, and by the time they break, chances are you’d be looking to upgrade anyway. Instead of shelling out for extended warranties, set aside a small emergency fund for when things really go wrong.
Fast Fashion
Cheap, trendy clothing may seem like a good deal, but fast fashion is a money pit. These clothes are usually poorly made and fall apart after just a few wears, forcing you to constantly replenish your wardrobe in a never-ending cycle for your closet and nearest landfill. Instead, invest in quality, timeless pieces that last longer. You’ll not only save money but also reduce your environmental footprint.
Premium Gas for Non-Luxury Cars
Unless your car specifically requires premium gasoline, you’re throwing money away by filling up with it, especially when gas prices are already so high. Modern engines are designed to run efficiently on regular unleaded gas, and using premium won’t give you any added benefits in performance. Stick to regular gas and watch your fuel expenses drop in what you pay at the pump.
Overpriced Online Shopping on Amazon
Name-brand phone chargers, headphones, and other items can cost up to three times as much on Amazon when compared to other retailers or the product’s own website. Check reviews before you add something to your cart as many will let you know if it’s worth the cost. Don’t be afraid to shop around, as varying sticker prices could shock you.
Unused Gym Memberships
In 2025, no matter your fitness resolutions, there’s no reason to pay for a gym membership you’re not using. With the explosion of online workout platforms, free YouTube fitness channels, and affordable apps, staying in shape no longer requires an expensive gym pass, particularly if you don’t go regularly. If you’re still paying for a membership you rarely use, it’s time to cancel and explore the world of free digital fitness.



What ER Doctors Bring On Vacation:

• Anti-nausea medication - “Always pack Zofran, just in case,” said Dr. Cedric Dark, associate professor of emergency medicine at Baylor College of Medicine. “The feeling of nausea and vomiting is one of the most hated things you could ever imagine and there’s nothing over-the-counter that is that helpful.” Zofran is only available by prescription, but it dissolves under your tongue, so it works even when you can’t really keep anything down.
• A bug zapper - Dr. Dark says standalone mosquito traps or a mosquito zapper racquet like the one he uses are must-haves for traveling somewhere tropical, where the insects can carry serious diseases like West Nile virus, Zika virus and dengue fever.
• Tweezers - They’re a fix for the far more simple, but common problem of splinters, and that’s why tweezers are a travel essential for Dr. Joy Crook, associate professor of clinical emergency medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
• Compression socks - The CDC warns that traveling for more than four hours by air, car or bus raises the risk of developing blood clots, but wearing compression socks can help lower that risk. That’s why they’re a go-to for Dr. Erin Muckey, associate professor of emergency medicine at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School.
• A portable charger - Dr. Eric Adkins, an emergency medicine physician at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, points out that you can’t call for help or look up where the nearest pharmacy or hospital is with a dead phone battery, so he packs a portable charger.
• A carbon monoxide detector - Dr. Crook says this is a recent addition to her travel bag, since several stories of travelers dying from carbon monoxide poisoning have happened this year alone.
• Melatonin - Not sleeping well can weaken the immune system, which can make you more likely to get sick, but melatonin supplements can help “reset your internal clock,” according to Adkins, so you can snooze.

Second Date Update: Dalia and Reggie go to the Mountain Winery to see Chris Isaak. She loved every minute. He has disappeared...was it her dancing?

Little Luxuries:

1. Peace and quiet
2. High-speed Internet
3. Good quality coffee
4. Next day delivery
5. Grocery delivery
6. Good quality skincare
7. A TV show with no ads
8. Robot vacuum cleaners
9. Having an after-dinner treat
10. Air fryer

Letting Your Kids Plan Your Vacation

• New research suggests that allowing your kids to have a say in planning a family vacation is the way to make it better.
  
• According to a new survey, 82% of parents say their best trips happened when their kids helped with planning it.
  
• That may be why 22% have actually let their school-age child plan every detail of a vacation.⠀
  
• Moms and dads have learned that when kids are involved in planning, they help with activities (89%), and restaurants (54%), and make sure that the trip involves things their kid likes (76%).
  
• And the kids are up for the task, as 86% of them want to be more involved in planning family vacations and 53% want to plan as much of the trip as possible.
  
• So, what would a kid’s dream vacation look like? It would include having a meet-and-greet with their favorite celebrity (34%), sitting in the front row of their favorite artist’s concert (29%) or having backstage access at that show (27%).
  
• Riding on an amusement park parade float is another top choice (26%), along with having a meet-and-greet with their favorite cartoon characters (24%), or sitting in the front row at a professional sports game (20%).
  
• To turn a regular trip into a dream getaway, kids also want to go to fun restaurants (54%), have a chance to swim (51%), and do outdoor activities (49%).
  
• Some kids dream big, with their ultimate dream trip including a 13-day-journey across six states and five countries on an epic road trip (60%), a flight (57%) and a cruise (33%).
  
• Even parents who aren’t letting their kid plan an entire vacation want to get their input and 84% say they try to take inspiration from their kids’ imagination when creating a vacation.
  

How To Avoid Post-Vacation Blues

• Before you leave - Tidy up your home. Clean your sheets, empty the trash, and clear the fridge, so you get to return home to a welcoming space instead of chaos.
• After you return - Give yourself a day (or two) to unpack and reset before diving back into work and obligations.
• Keep the joy alive - Plan little treats like a night out, a new recipe, or a cozy evening at home to recreate those memorable vacation moments.
• Listen to the blues - If your mood lingers or you think it might be a sign of some bigger issues, consider what changes you might need to make, and reach out for help if it feels like it’s more than just a passing slump.

Second Date Update: Greg takes Lissa on a date in Soma. The weather was great, eh even wore shorts. Did that have something to do with her ghost?

Friday was as awful as expected. However, Jeff and I knew we were doing the right thing. I talked about the process and how the woman from Act of Love was so kind. Plus, we share some more of our favorite stories about Loki.

Things People Regret Keeping

• Old paperwork
• Unworn Clothing
• Old Furniture
• Anything That's Expired
• Leftover Paint
• Baby and Kids Items…when the kids are older or grown
• Unnecessary Duplicates
• Old Linens
• Extra Cookware
• Old Electronics
• Decor That Doesn’t Reflect Who You Are Now
• The “Just in Case” Pile

Sea Therapy:
The beach allows for mindfulness because it facilitates being more present when you are watching the ocean, as it’s repetitive and allows for greater connection to the present moment while keeping us engaged. 

• Spending time at the beach can “have profound effects on mental well-being.”
  
• This includes benefits like reducing stress, boosting mood, improving sleep and even helping with cognitive restoration.
• Spending time in the sun also helps the body produce vitamin D, which we need for bone health, immune function and mood regulation.
• There are some potential downsides to “sea therapy,” including sunburn, dehydration, pollution, allergies and water safety concerns, but they can easily be avoided.

Second Date Update: Doug and Michele went to dinner together. Did she pass his test?