Use the code FCBPATCH50 to enjoy a $50 discount on your registration. (Valid in all 42 locations in the US) We will be hosting the official FC Barcelona Soccer Camp in North Virginia, VA, from June 15th to June 19th. The camp will take place at Publix Virginia Soccer Training Center, running from Monday to Friday from 8 AM to 2 PM.
5 days of training with official FC Barcelona coaches. Players will learn the same successful methodology where players such as Leo Messi, Sergio Busquets, Lamine Yamal, and Xavi Hern&aacute;ndez emerged from. Campers will receive an FC Barcelona Soccer Camp certified diploma for the completion of the camp. Several prizes and awards will be given to certain players who excel throughout the week.
Do not miss this opportunity! Sign up here:&nbsp;<a href="https://fcbarcelona.us/locations/north-virginia/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">fcbarcelona.us/locations/north-virginia/</a>

Fredericksburg city

Michael O'Connell

Washington Metropolitan Area

Fredericksburg

Virginia

FC Barcelona Soccer Camp - North Virginia 2026!...

Use the code FCBPATCH50 to enjoy a $50 discount on your registration. (Valid in all 42 locations in the US)We will be hosting the official FC...

FC Barcelona Soccer Camp - North Virginia 2026! $50 off

Most people in the country are in debt and have very little money saved, and things are only getting worse. With April being Financial Literacy Month, it&rsquo;s a great time to do a checkup that can help get everyone on the right track with cutting unnecessary spending and increasing their savings. The good news is that with a checklist of what to look for, it doesn&rsquo;t get any easier or more effective.
"People usually know if they are not on the right track, but they don&rsquo;t always know where the issues are that need to be addressed or how to correct them," said Jeff Smith, a financial planner and owner of The Retirement Smith. "Now is the time to get serious with looking at the various ways money is being spent so that you can make meaningful changes.&rdquo;
The truth is that many people are bleeding money and they don&rsquo;t know from where. Until those places are identified, it&rsquo;s hard to ease the bleeding. What we know is that the amount of debt people have is getting worse, making it crucial that the issue be addressed. According to Debt.org, American household debt is on an upward trajectory, as are delinquency rates. People owe on mortgages, car payments, credit cards, and a multitude of other places that they often forget about.
Many people avoid looking at their financial situation because they fear what they may find or feel they don&rsquo;t want to be inconvenienced with making changes. But without it, most will continue to bleed money and avoid financial security. At least once a year, it&rsquo;s crucial that people do a financial checkup. This will help them keep more of their money, avoid unnecessary spending, and put them in a better position to save and prepare for the future. Conducting a simple and quick financial checkup could save hundreds. 
Here is a financial checklist to use as a blueprint of what to look at:
<ul><li>Review Cost of Living &ndash; There are areas of living that are becoming more costly, such as the price of gas. Now is the time to review the monthly living expenses to determine what areas need adjusting and aim to offset higher expenses without changing one&rsquo;s lifestyle. Circumstances at times change, making it necessary to look at one&rsquo;s cost of living budget on a yearly basis, so it can be updated.</li><li>Conduct a Subscription Audit &ndash; According to an article on Medium, the average consumer spends around $219 per month on subscriptions, which is $133 more than they think they are spending. People often sign up for things without realizing they continue to be billed monthly or annually, and that all adds up. Turn off automatic renewals, which will allow reviewing and deciding if it should be renewed. Ones to audit include streaming services, apps, and auto-renewals.</li><li>Make Everyday Spending Fixes &ndash; Look at the spending habits that are costing too much and draining the wallet. These include groceries, dining out, and impulse spending. Even making small changes in this area can add up to a lot of money being saved. Consider impulse buying online, as well as purchases that allow buying now and paying later.</li><li>Look for Quick Wins &ndash; Consider some quick ways that money can be saved that won&rsquo;t sacrifice one&rsquo;s lifestyle. Brainstorm some ideas on ways to cut costs, as well as easy money moves that can be made immediately. Finding a few of these will help keep the motivation going. Things to look at include food delivery, reducing dining out, have a weekly or monthly &ldquo;no spending&rdquo; period, and inquire about seeking better rate plans on phone and internet bills.</li><li>Use More Cash &ndash; Spending electronically leads to an increase in spending. Research published in the journal Behavioral Sciences references &ldquo;spendception,&rdquo; which is the psychological impact that digital payment systems are having on people. Their research found that people spend more digitally, compared to cash, without even realizing the financial impact. In other words, it&rsquo;s easy to mindlessly hit a button and spend money, compared to having to pull out the cash and see it being spent.</li><li>Get Help If Needed &ndash; Some people can handle conducting a financial checkup on their own, while others need some assistance. Get professional help if it&rsquo;s needed, which will help save money in the long run. Working with someone to go over finances can go a long way toward reaching goals.</li></ul>
The Retirement Smith serves those in the Fredericksburg, Va., area and beyond with individualized financial planning. Their motto is to treat people as they want to be treated, and they aim to ensure there are no gaps, that people have the answers and solutions they need, and that they will not fall short in their retirement years. They offer retirement planning, income planning, and life insurance. They provide a free, color-coded <a href="https://thefinancialhq.com/insurancesmith" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">money risk analysis</a> that focuses on the three major phases of retirement financial management: accumulation, distribution, and preservation. For more information, please visit: <a href="https://www.theretirementsmith.com/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.theretirementsmith.com/</a>.

Financial Literacy Month: The Simple Financial...

Most people in the country are in debt and have very little money saved, and things are only getting worse. With April being Financial Literacy...

Financial Literacy Month: The Simple Financial Checkup Everyone Should Do This Year 

April is Stress Awareness Month, making it a great time to put this potentially deadly issue in the spotlight. What we all need to know is that chronic stress puts our health at risk, it&rsquo;s a major problem in the country, it can make health conditions worse, and may lead to serious health problems. The good news is that moving more is a simple thing that people can do to help combat stress and the impact that it has on the mind and body.
"We may not always be able to avoid the things in our lives that are causing stress, but we can do things to help manage and alleviate it," said Jennifer Scherer, registered dietitian nutritionist, medical exercise specialist, certified personal trainer, master-level Pilates instructor, and owner of Fredericksburg Fitness Studio. "Being physically active and getting more movement in your life is a great place to start.&rdquo;
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), occasional stress is a normal part of life, but long-term stress can lead to and worsen health problems. We can help prevent long-term stress by taking measures to manage daily stress. Stress, as the CDC explains, is the body&rsquo;s physical and emotional response to new or challenging situations. It can lead to feelings of fear, anger, frustration, sadness, etc. 
It&rsquo;s crucial that people learn to cope with stress so that it doesn&rsquo;t take a toll on their physical and mental health. When we feel stressed, our body releases a hormone called cortisol. When this happens chronically, it can lead to a range of health issues. A study published in the journal Cells reports that disruptions in cortisol regulation due to chronic stress have profound implications for multiple bodily systems. They also report that chronic stress is related to the progression of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer&rsquo;s and Parkinson&rsquo;s, and that chronic pain is also associated with abnormal cortisol patterns. 
Getting more movement is a great way to help keep cortisol levels balanced. According to Stanford University, exercise provides a temporary cortisol spike that is beneficial because it trains the body to mount and then resolve the cortisol response effectively. They report that physical activity helps people learn to better respond to stress, and that research shows those who regularly exercise tend to reduce their baseline cortisol levels over time.
Many people are unsure what to do when it comes to picking ways to get more physically active. Ideally, it&rsquo;s a good idea to do something enjoyable, that is a little challenging, and keeps the body and mind feeling good. Working with a fitness trainer can help ensure that these needs are being met and that the person is getting the motivation and support they may need to get started and keep it going long term. Those looking for something to try may want to consider Pilates. A research study published in the journal Healthcarereports that those who can engage in light to moderate exercise are able to do Pilates, which provides benefits for anxiety, depression, stress levels, and psychological symptoms. 
&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve seen the difference that movement makes in people&rsquo;s lives when it comes to stress and other issues," added Scherer. "We are happy to help people get started, keep them going, and work on reaching goals. Stress reduction and management is much more effective with regular movement.&rdquo;
At Fredericksburg Fitness Studio, clients work with a registered dietitian nutritionist and experienced movement professionals to develop personalized, realistic plans. Services are offered both in person and virtually and include comprehensive assessments of medical history, nutrition habits, movement patterns, and lifestyle factors. They provide virtual nutrition therapy, medical nutrition therapy, and tailored meal planning through EatLove Pro&mdash;delivering scalable support with built-in accountability at every level.
The boutique studio also offers semi-private and private training focused on Pilates, strength training, mobility, fall prevention, and medical exercise. With two Fredericksburg locations, the studio provides a highly personalized environment, luxury amenities, and expert instruction across reformer, chair, tower, CoreAlign, and master-level Pilates equipment. Fredericksburg Fitness Studio is proud to be a Medicare provider.
In addition, Jennifer Scherer and her husband, Jeff Smith, co-host the Fitness &amp; Finance Radio podcast, which explores the intersection of physical wellness and financial planning for retirement, highlighting how long-term health impacts long-term financial security.To learn more about Fredericksburg Fitness Studio, visit <a href="https://www.fburgfitness.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">https://www.fburgfitness.com</a>. To listen to Fitness &amp; Finance Radio, visit <a href="https://fitnessfinancepro.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">https://fitnessfinancepro.com</a>.

Stress Less, Move More: How Fitness Helps...

April is Stress Awareness Month, making it a great time to put this potentially deadly issue in the spotlight. What we all need to know is that...

Stress Less, Move More: How Fitness Helps Manage Daily Stress

The stock market changes, as does one&rsquo;s metabolism. At the outset, many people may feel the two don&rsquo;t have much in common, but when peeling back the layers and doing a little comparison, it&rsquo;s clear that they are alike in several ways. Knowing what matters when it comes to market volatility and one&rsquo;s metabolism is important to good financial and physical health, and one couple is on a mission to share their expertise about it with others.
"As we age, both the market and our metabolism are important issues," said Jeff Smith, a financial planner and owner of The Retirement Smith. "The more we know about both, the better prepared we will be as we move toward retirement.&rdquo;
Being able to navigate the market successfully and keep a healthy metabolism are both great ways to ease into older age and rest comfortably during retirement years. Doing that, however, takes planning and knowing how to care for both to get the most out of them. That&rsquo;s where Smith and his wife come in, as they help people learn all they need to know for successfully planning for a physically and healthy financial future.
Many people invest in the stock market in some fashion to help secure their financial future. With it being volatile, however, they often fear what will happen and if it will play out the way they expected. Meanwhile, as people age, their metabolism tends to slow down, and there is a decline in hormones, with a significant decline taking place once someone is around 60. Both of these issues can lead to stress, which can lead to poor decisions and a future that&rsquo;s not as stable.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, occasional stress is a normal part of life, but long-term stress can lead to worsening health problems. It can also lead to poor financial decisions. The two of these issues together can lead to a disastrous outcome for those who are approaching retirement or are planning for their future.
There are a few things that people should keep in mind when it comes to this issue to help protect their finances and health, including:
<ul><li>Focus on discipline over emotion &ndash; It&rsquo;s crucial to remember that consistency beats intensity and that long-term healthy habits are going to help people reach milestones. Short-term thinking focuses on immediate rewards, rather than taking in the big picture.</li><li>Stress is a common denominator &ndash; Both physical and financial health is impacted by stress. It&rsquo;s important to realize that financial stress raises cortisol, which can impact weight gain and muscle loss. Stress also impacts decision-making in both areas. It&rsquo;s imperative to find healthy ways to address stress, such as exercising, meditating, journaling, practicing mindfulness, etc.</li><li>Both muscle and money need protecting &ndash; As we age, we lose muscle and financial risk tolerance at the same time. Midline is a pivotal time when it comes to one&rsquo;s physical health and their money needs and planning. This is a time to get assistance to properly plan and ensure everything is on course. </li><li>Knowing what to do matters &ndash; During volatile times, it&rsquo;s important to rebalance, rather than react. It&rsquo;s also wise to keep a cash buffer and avoid headline-driven decisions. On the fitness side, continue to strength train and focus on healthy protein and sleep.</li><li>Longevity is key for both &ndash; Most people want to live longer, but they don&rsquo;t want to outlive their money. It&rsquo;s crucial to learn to live longer with solid financial planning, focus on preservation, keep financial independence as a goal, and consider healthcare costs during retirement.&nbsp; </li></ul>
&ldquo;When you get to the retirement years, it&rsquo;s important to have the finances you need, and the physical health as well,&rdquo; said Jennifer Scherer, certified personal trainer and owner of Fredericksburg Fitness Studio. &ldquo;They go hand-in-hand, because if you have one but not the other, you won&rsquo;t be enjoying your retirement very much. We help people with the foundation they need to have a solid physical and financial retirement.&rdquo;
Smith and Scherer, a married couple, created a podcast that focuses on holistic wellness and retirement financial planning. The <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@fitnessfinanceradio?app=desktop" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Fitness &amp; Finance Radio</a> podcast provides an in-depth look at essential topics people need to know regarding their health and finances, which are closely tied. The &ldquo;Fitness &amp; Finance Radio&rdquo; podcast, &ldquo;From Market Volatility to Metabolism&rdquo; is available for free on <a href="https://youtu.be/IBGTVYU3H4w" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">YouTube.</a> The Retirement Smith serves those in the Fredericksburg, Va., area and beyond with individualized financial planning. Fredericksburg Fitness Studio provides private, customized fitness programs available by appointment. To learn more about Fitness &amp; Finance Radio visit <a href="https://fitnessfinancepro.com/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://fitnessfinancepro.com/</a>. Or, check out Fredericksburg Fitness Studio: <a href="https://www.fburgfitness.com/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.fburgfitness.com</a> or The Retirement Smith via our website at: <a href="https://www.theretirementsmith.com/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.theretirementsmith.com/</a>.

From Market Volatility to Metabolism: Fitness &...

 The stock market changes, as does one’s metabolism. At the outset, many people may feel the two don’t have much in common, but when peeling back...

From Market Volatility to Metabolism: Fitness & Finance Radio Covers What Matters Most  

Stafford County

Patch AM Team

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Falmouth

Spotsylvania County

Spotsylvania Courthouse

Stafford Courthouse

Lake Wilderness

Orange County

Lake of the Woods

Aquia Harbour

King George County

Fairview Beach

Prince William County

Quantico Base

King George

The U.S. Army Band presents an evening of American Band Classics featuring cornerstone works for wind band, including music by...

American Band Classics

Loudoun County

Leesburg

Bring your family and friends to the Purcellville Music and Arts Festival on Saturday, April 25 from noon to 7 p.m. rain or...

Purcellville Music and Arts Festival

Richmond city

Richmond Metropolitan Area

Richmond

Experience the excitement of the track at this elegant Watch Party and  rooftop fundraiser benefiting the Wounded Warrior...

Ladies of Short Pump THE WOUNDED WARRIOR RECIPIENT OF THE DERBY WATCH FUNDRAISER

Virginia Veterans: Make Your Book This Christmas 2025

Words of Veterans

Quantico, Va. – Dec. 25, 2025 – This Christmas season, Virginia veterans are being offered a meaningful gift: the chance to preserve their military stories in a professionally printed hardcover book—at no cost. Words of Veterans was created by Alex K. Sebby, a former enlisted U.S. Marine who served from 1999 to 2003. The online platform helps U.S. Veterans document their service, memories, and life experiences in their own words. Drawing on best practices from the Veterans History Project at the Library of Congress, the tool guides veterans step-by-step through writing their personal history and turning it into a beautifully bound book to share with family for generations. In celebration of Christmas 2025, Sebby announced a special initiative made possible by a grant from the Virginia Department of Veterans Services. The grant provides 1,000 vouchers for U.S. Veterans living in Virginia to have their book printed and shipped free of charge. “This is about honoring service and making sure veterans’ voices are never lost,” said Sebby. “Too many stories disappear because they’re never written down. This program preserves those stories for families and future generations.” Veterans write their story at their own pace using the Words of Veterans platform. Once complete, the book is professionally printed as a high-quality hardcover and shipped directly to the veteran. To qualify, veterans must live in Virginia and redeem a voucher before the program deadline. All books must be printed and shipped by March 31, 2026. Vouchers are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Veterans can redeem their free book using the voucher code FreeBook. For more information, visit www.WordsOfVeterans.com / email Alex@WordsOfVeterans.com / or call 571-494-5106. Semper Fi, Alex K. Sebby

Quantico

Quantico, Va. – Dec. 25, 2025 – This Christmas season, Virginia veterans are being offered a meaningful gift: the chance to preserve their military...

South Garden Service Dogs

South Garden Service Dogs: Built on Purpose At South Garden Service Dogs, Kevin’s lifelong commitment remains: producing balanced, confident dogs—whether for service, protection, companionship, or competition. Anyone with a service dog who needs help with a training issue is welcome to a free lesson. We train all breeds. But we don’t just train dogs—we transform lives. Training dogs is the easy part; the true purpose is fostering healing and connection for every family. With decades of experience and a philosophy of healing through connection, we guide families—including veterans and first responders—from puppy to fully trained companion. Embracing the I Am Underdog spirit, we are proud to serve those who served us, delivering peace, purpose, and life-changing connection. Please support our GoFundMe to help Kane find his forever home. We are donating Kane to a veteran or first responder in need—your support makes this life-changing partnership possible. https://gofund.me/48da32e67 Peace &amp; Love, Kevin k9kevin.dog

South Garden Service Dogs: Built on Purpose At South Garden Service Dogs, Kevin’s lifelong commitment remains: producing balanced, confident dogs...

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Fredericksburg, VA|Local Classified|Announcement|Apr 10