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10 Reasons Girls Want Guys to Make the First Move

Julia — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 10:57:54 +0000

This has been the topic of constant debate between the sexes. This debate will probably continue as long as man and woman exist. However, some of these reasons may throw some light on your predicament:

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They want their guy to be smart

If you actually look into this matter in detail, you will notice that girls make the first move but in their own way. Their moves are not the obvious ones. Even if they don’t come to talk to you at the bar, they will keep looking at you every now and then and keep playing with their hair, inviting you to come over. Has any guy approached a woman who hasn’t shown even the slightest interest in her? Never. Now, some of this may be conscious and some of it might not. Women drop subtle hints and they expect guys to be smart enough to understand it.

They get enough attention

A lot of women get enough attention from the men around them so they don’t feel the need to go out of their way and make the first move. Like men, women tend to develop a comfort zone and they find it unnecessary to make efforts to be with someone when there are so many men who are making efforts to woo them and grab their attention.

They don’t want to waste time on random guys

Some women choose to not make the first move because they don’t want to waste their energy on random guys who might not give them the relationship they are looking for. So, they choose to reserve their hearts waiting for that someone and since they ‘wait’ for that someone to come into their life, they expect him to make the first move and claim her as his.

They want to know how far a guy would go for them

Every girl wants to be with someone who understands them and their desires. They appreciate men who are willing to put themselves out there and do anything they can to make their women happy. So, by waiting for the guy to make the first move, they test the extent of the guy’s feelings for them and see how far they can go to impress women.

They like feeling in control

Certain women like being in control of their relationships and their life just as much as men or maybe more. They enjoy the power that comes with being in control of the speed with which the relationship progresses. Some of them like the phase of uncertainty every relationship undergoes so that they can take their own time at understanding the relationship and creating a comfort zone with the guy before any moves are made.

Traditional stereotypes

Men have always pursued and women have always been pursued. That is the way the society has progressed over the ages and a lot of women are comfortable with this patriarchal practice. Also, a lot of men do not appreciate women who make the first move. They feel very uncomfortable and overpowered in their presence so women just find it safer to stick to tradition because it is universally accepted throughout the world rather than do something out of the ordinary and then get rejected because of it.

They don’t want to come across as desperate

A lot of guys are so used to the idea of pursuing a woman that they find women who make the first move as desperate which is probably the last image a girl would want to create of herself in the mind of someone she’s interested in. No one, desperate or not would want the person he/she is interested in to know that they are in fact desperate for a relationship. Nothing can pull down your confidence level faster than this knowledge.

Fear of rejection

Everyone is afraid of rejection and it doesn’t take a genius to figure that out. Even if you are the best looking guy or the prettiest girl around, you will always be afraid of meeting that someone who doesn’t appreciate you and therefore, rejects you. So, why should a girl go out for her way to make a move and face the probability of rejection when she can sit and wait for him to come?

Relationships last longer the other way

Some girls think relationships are more stable if the guy runs around after them. It gives the guys a better idea of the effort required to sustain a relationship. More often than not, when a girl makes the first move, the guy subconsciously expects her to make the first move in most of the situations forgetting that their role is as valuable for the continuation of the relationship as the girl’s. Girls just want the guys to make the first move and get accustomed to the contribution that the relationship will need from their end.

They enjoy the ‘power’

Girl’s love to have power over the guy. They want them to be attracted enough to make the first move and sensitive enough to allow girls to take things slow if they want to. A girl prefers to analyze the guy and she enjoys the authority that comes with the power to reject rather than the one on the other side.

15 Fun Things to Do on a Saturday Night

Avani Peterson — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 10:39:25 +0000

No one likes sitting at home all alone and getting bored on a Saturday night. We all want to have our share of fun just like our friends and probably the whole country. But who says it can’t be fun if you don’t go out. If you are at home, thinking of ways to have fun on your own or looking for something fun to do with your friends, some of these suggestions might help you:

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Have a poker night with friends

What can be a better way to spend a Saturday night than hanging around with friends and earning (or losing) some money in the process? You’ll need at least three friends for a night that promises to be fun. You can try playing strip poker and spice things up. If your boyfriend can join the fun, well, what can be better than cards to strengthen the love between the two of you?

Plan a theme party

The night is young and so are you. Live it up with a theme party. You can go back to the 70’s and do it disco style or dress up as your favorite Hollywood stars and see what a walk on the red carpet feels like. Whatever you choose as the theme, it’s going to be great as long as you have your friends and plenty of booze.

Girl’s revenge night

Have any of your friend’s been dumped recently or simply been stood up? Well, here’s your chance to maximize your Saturday night by toilet papering the guys house or car (in some cases, both) with your friends and taking sweet revenge. Can you think of dedicating a Saturday night for a purpose higher than this?

Record a girl’s night out on camera

This plan’s very simple and easy to work out. All you need are your girlfriends, lots of beer and a video camera. First order of business, get sloshed. After that, record everything that happens. Not only is it fun to watch the next day, it’ll also help you to remember things you said and did. The memory can be preserved for years to come and that is an added bonus.

Potluck dinner with friends

Saturday nights are seldom spent alone. If you are bored of constant parties and getting drunk and you are looking forward to a nice dinner where you can catch up with friends, this is one of the best ways to go about it. Ask everyone to bring something with them so that no one is burdened with anything, relax and enjoy the night.

Sleepover

If you haven’t met your BFF’s in a while, invite them over for a sleepover. Do manicures, make cocktails, watch your favorite sitcoms and have a time of your life.

Movie marathon

If you find yourself all alone on a Saturday night, you have nothing to fear. We have all been there and done that so instead of thinking about how you are alone when the rest of the world is having fun, use the opportunity to spend quality time with yourself. Rent out or download your favorite movies, make a bowl of popcorn, grab a pack of Twizzlers, get into your pajamas and you are ready to have a one man movie marathon with your favorite movies of all time.

Club hopping

If you are in the mood for adventure and you have some bucks to spare, catch hold of your friends and get ready to paint the town red. Go to the best clubs in town, dance to the music of your choice and live it up.

Plan a road trip to Vegas

Road trips are fun especially when they lead straight to Vegas. Gather up your friends and hit the road for a weekend in Vegas where you can live your craziest fantasies with the comfort of having your friends. You can test your luck at the numerous casinos or try to get a glimpse of the legendary Wayne Newton. Vegas offers it all and you can go there for a Saturday night you’ll probably remember for the rest of your life.

Crash a wedding

Ever thought about it but chickened out at the very end? That happens to the best of us but here’s another thing to add to your Saturday night bucket list. Get hold of your best friend and convince him to crash a wedding with you. It’s one of those ‘once in a lifetime’ experiences that you should just not miss.

School/college reunion

That’s correct. You can have a small school/college reunion in your apartment and invite all your friends who are in town. Can you imagine a better way to spend a Saturday night than with your old classmates catching up on old times and stories?

Go bowling

You can also choose to go bowling with your friends. Divide yourself into two groups or compete with others who’ve come for bowling. Some places also offer glow-in-the-dark bowling which can be a completely new experience but hey, if your regular bowling alley doesn’t offer that option, a night of bowling with your friends can be just as much fun.

Redesign your home

If you are stuck with nothing to do on a Saturday night, why not redesign your apartment? Move a couple of chairs here and the table there. If you are willing to go all out and you have a spare room, change that into a lounge or a game room. Imagine the surprise your friends will get with these changes and new additions.

Play a game of paintball

Paintball can be fun, especially when your divide yourself into groups. A game of laser tag can also be just as enjoyable.

Record a video

If you ever felt you could come up with a better video for a song, this can be your time to test it. Get some of your friends and shoot a nice video with all the drama and the panache. Later on, you can upload it on Youtube and have a ball over

10 Hair Extension Pros and Cons

Julia — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 10:17:02 +0000

Hair extensions are the trendiest things in the market these days and we all want to participate in this hair frenzy. However, it’s only intelligent to asses the positive and negative aspects of this hair procedure so that you don’t end up messing your hair to look trendy for a couple of months. This evaluation of the pros and cons might help you:

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PROS

They make you look pretty: Hair extensions add volume and beauty to your hair. It gives you the look that you wanted but couldn’t get. Another great thing about extensions is that you can style it any way you like without worrying about damaging your natural hair. You can straighten it, curl it and braid it. Also, extensions come in a variety of shades so you can go punk one day and look perfectly demure the next and with different application techniques to choose from, your hair can look prettier than it already is.

No damage when you clip it in: Like I mentioned earlier, there are a variety of options available when it comes to adding the extensions to your hair. You can use clip in extensions, sewn in hair extensions, fusion hair extensions or just glue them in. You can actually control the damage your extensions can do to your hair by choosing an option that’s least damaging. Clip in extensions don’t damage your hair at all because you can clip them in when you are about to go out and remove them when you don’t. They don’t require tugging or pulling so they don’t damage your hair.

Inexpensive (when fusion hair extension’s not used): Apart from the fusion extensions (which will burn a big hole in your pocket), the other options are pretty much affordable.

Temporary solution for short hair: If you have short hair and can’t wait for it to grow long, hair extensions is the answer to your prayers. With the help of these, your hair can go from short to long in to time and because extensions are either detachable or come off after a couple of months, they are a temporary solution. Once the extensions are taken off, you can sport a new hair trend.

Status symbol: Hair extensions have evolved to become a status symbol since good extensions cost a fortune. The quality of extensions on your hair can very easily determine your wealth which is why high quality extensions are usually spotted on celebrities and socialites.

CONS

Expensive: Fusion extensions, which look real when attached properly, are very expensive. It does give a fuller coverage to your hair but thee entire process generally costs between $750 and $2000 which can push your budget completely over the line. And since it lasts only for a couple of months, you’ll have to do damage control as soon as the extensions start falling out which means spending more money. Another reason for the extensions to be typically sported by the rich and the famous is because the quality of extensions vary with the price and the better the extension, the more expensive it is.

Damages scalp: Unless you buy clip in extensions (which look fake and is easily recognizable), the other extension techniques damage your hair by various degrees. If you choose to sew in the extensions, they don’t damage your hair that much since the extensions are braided with your real hair however, tugging and pulling while combing can your hair to thin. Even though fusion extensions aren’t supposed to damage your hair, it gets damaged when you brush your hair or style it (due to all the tugging). Glued in extensions speak for themselves. Just think about why applying some kind of adhesive is not supposed to damage your scalp and you will get my point.

Requires additional care and rooming: Once you have hair extensions, you will have to be extra careful when combing, brushing and styling your hair. You will also have to be cautious while shampooing and conditioning it. Also, you will have to be careful about your hair products and use extension friendly products only.

Hair gets tangled up: Since these extensions have plugs near the hair roots, they are very difficult to detangle once they get messed up. It involves an awful lot of pulling and tugging which further damages the hair and thins it down. So, you will have to very particular about your hair regime everyday when you get up and before you go off to sleep so as to not mess it up.

They can look unnatural: If you don’t go to a reputed place to get your extensions (even if it exceeds your budget), there are high chances for the extensions to not come out right and irrespective of how bad they look, you will have to bear the consequences. There are so many hair extensions that go wrong and they end up with metal beads poking out from every visible scalp area. If that happens to you, then you will be noticed for unnaturally pretty ‘fake’ hair rather than unnaturally pretty hair.

Think before you jump into getting a hair extension because you have to be able to afford it and maintain it. Otherwise, you will just end up damaging your hair.

10 Things that May Go Wrong at a Wedding

Julia — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 12:42:03 +0000

Weddings are very stressful, especially for the brides who have spent months and maybe years to plan their perfect day. There are probably a million things that can go wrong on the D-day and never enough precautions that you can take. The best thing to do is to let things roll on their own once you have done your part and designated your friends and family to make sure everything goes according to plan. Do not panic or worse still, have a bridezilla moment on your big day because that can ruin things further. Even though there is nothing you can do to stop things from going wrong, you can definitely be prepared to handle the worst. Here are some ideas that may help:

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Bridal dress distress

There is every possibility that things will go wrong with your bridal dress. It may be a tear in the hem, a stain or even a dress that doesn’t fit. But you need not worry. Just make sure you have a sewing kit and piece of chalk or stain wipes to clean or cover the stain. If your dress doesn’t fit, run to the nearest shop selling bridal dresses and pick something you like from the rack.

Unfavorable wedding favors

At times it so happens that the wedding favors you plan don’t go too well with the guests or they might be allergic to the components and they decide to leave it at the venue. It might also be that they weren’t aware of the wedding favors and that’s why they left it. Don’t get disheartened. There is no way you would have known something like this. But, you can remind your guests to take their wedding favors before they leave so that no one forgets it.

Makeup mishap

The right makeup to go with the wedding dress is as important as the dress itself. You wouldn’t want it be very loud so make sure you give ample directions to the person who’s going to do your makeup. Also, use products that are long lasting and water resistant. I am sure you wouldn’t want your makeup to fade away as you walk the aisle.

Unity candles accident

There are so many accidents that happen around the unity candle. It might be a lit veil or a candle that never lights. Whatever it is, it can be embarrassing and unsafe so make sure you buy good quality candles and be a little careful when lighting them.

Weather worries

The weather can go wrong at any point so be prepared. Keep umbrellas for the guests in case it starts raining. If you are planning a summer wedding, think of ways to provide shade to the guests attending the ceremony.

The forgotten ring

It can be very difficult to explain the absences of wedding rings when standing at alter. Make sure you give your maid of honor the ring and keep reminding her to carry it with her when she walks with you. Keep the ring in a place that is convenient for you to remember and keep it safe.

Flower fiasco

Flowers are a big part of weddings because you need them for the flower girl, you need them for the bridesmaid’s bouquets and you need them for your bouquet. A lot times, florists are asked to prepare a bouquet with a particular kind of flower and they end up doing their own thing which might not always go with your dress. So, remember to bring the flowers with you when you leave your house and make sure you check the flowers before you bring them over. It’s better to know about them when you still have some time to rectify the error.

Misprinted names

This again is a common scenario at weddings where the names have been misspelled and the cards don’t make much sense. There is nothing you can do about such situations apart from making your own name cards which can be very tiring. So, if something like this happens, ignore it and if you don’t bother about it, nobody else will.

Food troubles

There isn’t much you can do if the caterers put an unplanned dish on the menu or they run out of food. Just let it go with a smile and it won’t be that much of an issue then.

Guest grievances

Uninvited wedding guests are there in every wedding party. At times, they forget to RSVP or bring some relatives who are visiting without prior information and it becomes difficult to manage such situations. However, having an emotional meltdown won’t get an extra table or food. Instead, speaking to the caterers and doing damage control can get things under control again.

15 Best Gifts for Teenage Girls

Julia — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 12:34:41 +0000

You might be looking for a gift to give your daughter or something for your girlfriend but being unable to choose something, you have decided to look for a solution online. The stores are stocked with presents that a teenager needs or wants but to know the best options for her is definitely not an easy task. Teenagers are very unpredictable which makes it even more difficult to decide on the best gift to give her. To help you in your quest, here is a list of gifts for teenage girls that can narrow your search (and probably end it):

Personalized pillows:

Nothing speaks more about your feelings than a personalized message and a lot of stores have options for messages to be imprinted on soft, cushy pillows. They come in attractive colors and shapes so you have a wide variety to choose from when gifting her something she can sleep on everyday. If you know her favorite color, that’s going to help you a lot to narrow down the selection process and this is something every teenage girl likes because it looks cute and lovable.

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Customized initial necklaces

Why not give her a piece of jewelry she’ll cherish forever with her initial on it? Malls are full of jewelry shops with necklaces that can be made from scratch so you can practically design the necklace for her. These gifts are trendy and she can wear it all the time so it makes perfect sense.

Skateboards and roller blades

If you are looking for a gift for a girl who’s more into sports than mascara, get her something she enjoys like a skateboard, roller blades, or a basketball with a hoop. Every girl is not expected to enjoy similar things so don’t be disappointed with her lack of feminine attributes. Instead, if you appreciate her ability to shoot the hoop or play ball then give her something she enjoys, she will like it even more.

Bean bags

They are trendy, cute and useful. Girls just fawn over bean bags and giving her one that she can keep in her room to enjoy a book in is going to win you brownie points. Bean bags are comfortable and very relaxing and it’s adorable enough for her friends to love it as well. If you get something for that can be enjoyed not only by her but also by her friends, she’s going to love it.

Make up kits

Why not give her a rite of passage for this birthday? As your 12 year old steps into the teenage years, give a box of good quality makeup including the basics like a face powder, eye liner and mascara. Don’t give her something you don’t approve though.

Stuffed toys

Here is something that never goes out of vogue. Stuffed toys are enjoyed by teenager girls irrespective of how old they are, whether or not they show it. Something fuzzy and warm to sleep with or just to cuddle every now and then works with girls even when they become adults so when they are young, they’ll love it even more.

Temporary designer tattoos

This might not be every parent’s dream gift for their daughters but the good news is that it doesn’t carry any of the attributes a tattoo is associated with apart from the fact that you can out it anywhere on your body. These tattoos are temporary so they either peel out or wash off after a couple of weeks and they look very colorful and cute. These don’t damage the skin because there is no penetration involved in applying these on the body. And a gift like this will probably make you the most lovable person in her world.

Trendy clutches and bags

If she has a fetish for bags and clutches, then why not help her by adding some more to her collection? Better still; why not encourage her to start her collection of bags? This is a useful gift since she can take it out with her whenever she goes out to keep things in it and it’s very attractive and funky to look at. There is a bag that goes with every personality so you will find something for your girl.

Charm bracelets

What can carry more charm than a charm bracelet? Make a list of things that are important for her, things that she’d like to achieve and places she’d like to go to and buy her a bracelet corresponding to that. Even though charm bracelets originated as an amulet for warding off evil, they carry a strong symbolism of a girl’s aspirations and desires now so help her to realize her potential and look cute at the same time.

iPod

If your daughter/girlfriend loves music, nothing can be better than an iPod. With a huge memory, she can save her favorite music and videos and enjoy them at her convenience. This is a must have for everyone irrespective of how old they are so why not be the first one to introduce it to her?

Play stations and Nintendo-Wii

A must have for all gaming enthusiasts. It’s sleek, compact and if your girl likes video games, there’s nothing she’s going to love more than a video game of such quality.

Digital camera

Encourage the budding photographer in her by gifting a camera that she can use to store memories. Digi-cams come in a range of attractive colors including purple, pink (two colors girls love) and black (for your tomboy) so just pick a shade that goes with her personality or is her favorite color and let her click through life.

Mobile phones

This is what I call a smart and practical gift. With everything that’s going on around us, cell phones have become a necessity rather than a luxury so why not give it on her birthday and make yourselves the best parents ever? It helps you keep track of where your teenagers are and gives them the privilege to contact you if they get stuck somewhere. It’s practical and it’s cool.

Designer perfumes and dresses

Every girl wants a Gucci or a Chanel to adore their dresser and themselves when they go for special occasions. If high fashion is not something you want to introduce your kids to, there are always perfumes that come without these big tags and they are just as good. Pair it with a trendy dress or a tee and jeans and you’ve got yourselves a winner.

Gift certificates

She’s a teenager so she might not always like what you buy her. That really depends on her choice rather than being a teenager so give her the gift of freedom. Get a gift certificate from her favorite store and let her buy something she likes. It’ll be within your budget so her present won’t rip your pockets.

Footwear

This is always a hit with girls. I mean, who doesn’t like shoes right? If you know what kind she likes and her shoe size, get it for her. Otherwise, take her to the mall and let her choose. Either ways, she’s going to love it.

35 Easy Ways to Save Money On A Tight Budget

Leslie Xavier — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 11:47:01 +0000

It’s not easy to follow a tight budget but when you are determined and have your priorities set, it’s not impossible to save money. You may find some of these suggestions helpful:

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Make a plan and stick to it

The first thing you need to do is to make a note of your income and expenses and then come up with a plan on how to increase the former and decrease the latter. Once you have created a framework, follow it.

Discontinue use of things that aren’t important

Don’t use things that aren’t important. Discontinue using your cable service. Use a push mower instead of an automatic one. When it’s not very cold, wear layers and switch off the heating. Similarly, on a cool summer night, don’t use the A/C if you can manage without it.

Use discount coupons and saving offers for groceries and food

If you have discount or saver coupons, use them the next time you need to buy something. Even if you save $1, a dollar saved is a dollar earned.

Shop for the family when a sale is going on

Buy clothes for everyone when there is a big sale going on. That doesn’t mean that you’ll have to buy something every time there is a sale though.

If you plan to buy anything expensive, save for it from your monthly/weekly income

Before buying anything big like a television or a refrigerator, try to save as much as possible from your income. It’s a bit tedious and time consuming but it can save you a lot on loans and interest rates.

Pay credit card bills in full before the bill is generated

Try to pay the full bill every month. By doing this, you’ll have more credit available, make lesser payments at the end of every cycle and if you pay the full amount before the bill gets generated, then you won’t have to pay any interest. Also, avoid doing cash withdrawals using your credit card because the interest rates are generally very high.

Maintain a good credit score

If you’re planning on getting a loan or trying to lower your interest rates, it’s very important to have a good credit score. Avoid late payments and maxing out your card. If possible, get a credit report from the three credit bureaus to keep a tab on your score.

Try to renegotiate your interest rates

Speak to your credit card company, explain your situation and see if they can provide a lower APR for your credit card because interest rates end up being a big part of the total credit bill. If not, look into the options for transferring your account to some other bank at a 0% APR.

Avoid eating out or ordering in

You do not have to run to the restaurant or get home delivery every time you feel hungry. Start cooking more breakfasts, lunches and dinners at home. Not only are they healthier but it’ll also save you a fortune on this additional cost.

Differentiate your needs from your wants

It is important to separate what you want and what you need in order to stop spending on things you can do without like eating more beans than meat for proteins, since it’s the proteins that you need, not the source of it.

Use public transportation or other ways of getting around

You might not have done this before but it can save you a lot of gas money. Carpool if you can, take the bus or any alternate mode of transportation to save some money.

Buy in massive amounts

Whenever possible, buy in bulk. Not only does it save gas money on frequent trips to the market, but it also costs less if you buy more things at one time.

Be careful of buying things from random websites

Be careful when you buy things online. Never do it on a fixed budget unless it’s a well known brand or if you’ve dealt with them previously because a lot of these companies have hidden charges and recurring costs that they levy on your credit cards once you give all the details. Eventually, you end up getting over charged or paying a monthly bill that was not part of your budget.

Buy used things

When it comes to things like cars and furniture, buy used. It costs much less and if chosen wisely, it lasts long. There is an entire market to cater to such needs so why not conserve whatever little money you can.

Use your resources efficiently

Spend very wisely. Use and reuse your resources to the best of your abilities. If something breaks, see if it or a part of it can be use for some other purpose.

Wherever possible, find a substitute

Instead of buying books and DVDs, get a public library membership and borrow it for free. Since you read/watch it just once, there’s no point in spending money on it.

Keep track of your money

Keep bills from your monthly expenses and check them at the end of the month. That’ll help you to understand your success at running things on a tight budget and you’ll know areas where improvements can be made.

Use cash, not card

Try to make all payments in cash instead of using your credit/debit cards. They might seem convenient but the money for the cards either comes out of your savings or decreases your available credit.

Walk whenever you can

Instead of taking the car when you go someplace nearby, try walking. It’s good exercise and saves you a lot of gas money.

Look for other ventures

If you are good at something, try doing it for money in your spare time. Freelancing is a great option because you can do it when you find some time and it pays you decently enough in the comfort of your own home.

Encourage the children to contribute

If you have children, don’t hide the budgeting from them. Let them know that you have to save money so that they don’t demand frivolous things.

You don’t need gadgets/tons of make up

Don’t invest a lot in fancy gadgets and expensive make up just for the heck of it. If you need to, then save up for a particular item rather than buying a lot of different gadgets that you might never use or a lot of expensive makeup that you wouldn’t wear that often. Go for quality instead of quantity.

Avoid eating snacks outside

Avoid drinking coffee and eating cupcakes when you are outside. It might not seem like a big expense but when added up, these small insignificant expenses can amount to a lot.

Use the off switch

Save energy whenever possible by using the off switch when you are not using something like television, PlayStation and electronic appliances. Remember to switch off the lights when you leave a room. Using energy saving bulbs is also a good idea.

Stay with people you know when traveling

When you are going out for a trip, instead of staying at a hotel, stay at a friend’s place if they stay close by. Hotel bills can add up to much more than you anticipate.

Make gifts rather than buy them

Giving handmade gifts to people is a great idea for saving money. Not only do you save a lot on the gift itself, but the presents become more personalized and make the other person feel good.

Throw a party at home

You cannot expect to stop having fun with friends just because you are on a small budget. Instead of going out for a celebration, invite them home. It’s going to cost you much less and you’ll end up having more fun.

Relocate

If possible, move to a house in the suburbs or a town where the cost of living is much less.

Do things yourself

You can wash your own car, mow your own lawn and learn to do basic home repairs yourself. This will save you a fortune of money that would have had to be given to people whom you’d hire for these jobs.

Do not borrow money

Understand that whenever you borrow, you’ll have to return the money as well and that might not be easy when running on a tight budget. So, avoid borrowing money altogether.

Drive carefully

Avoid getting tickets for parking, driving outside the speed limit and drunk driving. This can save you some hefty fines.

Rent out if you can

If there is a spare room at home, rent it out to get additional income.

Exercise at home

Instead of going to the gym, go for a walk or jogging in the park. There are a lot of exercises like stomach crunches and light weights that you can try doing at home instead of hitting the gym.

Sell things you don’t use

It’s a good idea to sell thing’s you don’t use on sites like eBay and you can use that money for meeting your daily expenses or just save it altogether.

Go to the Farmer’s Market

Buy vegetables worth a week’s supply from there instead of the supermarket. Not only will the vegetables be fresh, they will also be cheap because the Farmer’s Market does not have any middle man. So, you get things at the manufacturer’s price instead of the retail price.

50 Random Questions to Ask your Boyfriend

Julia — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 13:13:08 +0000

There are so many things you’d like to ask your boyfriend. Some of them are serious questions about your future together or his belief system and some of them aren’t that serious. Irrespective of its nature, here is a list of 50 random questions to ask your boyfriend:

1. What would you do if I run away with someone else right after you tell me that you love me (if he ever does say that)?

2. Have you made a will, just in case you end up dying before you anticipated? Am I in it?

3. If you win $1,000,000 and you have to spend it all in a day, what will you buy? Will you consider donating the money?

4. Do you think adopting kids is a good idea? Would you want to adopt one later on, just so that you can save a life?

5. How much do you love me and what are you willing to do in order to prove your love?

6. Have you ever been in a serious relationship before? How long do you think our relationship is going to last?

7. I hope you don’t get angry but this guy who has been hitting on me wants my number. Can I give it to him?

8. If I ever jump off a boat, would you come after me to try and save me to show how much you love me?

9. If there is one thing you would like to change about me or our relationship, what would it be?

10. What according to you is worse: physical or emotional intimacy with a guy?

11. Is there any incident in your past that you wish had never happened?

12. When you kissed a girl for the first time, did you know how to kiss by then or were you just pretending to know?

13. If you ever got the chance to look like someone else, who would you choose to look like and why?

14. If there is anything you would like to apologize to me for, what would it be?

15. Do you think it’s wrong to lie to people or is lying to save someone accounted as a good deed in your books?

16. Are you a horror movie buff? If yes, then what is the scariest horror movie you’ve seen in your entire life?

17. If you could raise someone from the dead, who would you prefer to raise and what would you ask them?

18. If you ever come across a magic lamp (like in Aladdin) and you get three wishes, what would they be?

19. Have you ever come in close contact with any extra terrestrial beings or felt like you might be abducted?

20. If you became a hamster one day, would you like living in a cage or would you still want to live in your room and sleep in your bed?

21. When you saw me for the first time, what did you say to yourself? Did you feel that we would end up dating each other?

22. If not me, is there any other friend of mine that you would have dated?

23. If you became the richest person on this planet, would you consider buying a country for me?

24. When you were little and you would go to the beach, would you check out other women even though they were much older than you?

25. How old were you when you shagged for the first time? Did it help you to feel relaxed?

26. Have you ever had a scary dream? Do you dream the same thing frequently?

27. Ever since you were a kid, have you considered being a bully? Do you think it’s something that helps people in any way?

28. Is there any other name you would like to be known by other than the one your parents have given you?

29. Is there anything you have done that you are very proud of and if given a chance, would love to show off?

30. Have you ever wanted to live a life identical to your favorite band/singer?

31. Do you like your younger sibling? Have you felt over-shadowed by him in any way?

32. Have you done anything crazy in your childhood just to get some extra attention from your parents?

33. Have you ever taken drugs in your life? Was it easy for you to let go of it?

34. Is there anything about you that you hate and would like to change at any given point of time in the future?

35. What will you do if you find out that your parents are actually your foster parents and your real parents have finally come to get you?

36. Do you think that girls are different from or superior to boys? Would you treat them differently based on their gender?

37. Being a man, do you believe in women’s emancipation? If required, would you support this cause?

38. Do you like your present job or would you prefer to change it if you ever get the option?

39. Have you come up with a savings plan for your future already or are you planning to go with the flow?

40. Do you think both spouses should work in order to make ends meet or would you prefer your wife to stay at home while you go off to work?

41. Do you consider gambling to be a good thing?

42. Have you ever had sex? Which part of it do you enjoy the most and which would you love to avoid for the rest of your life?

43. Do you believe in the concept of ‘saving ourselves’ till marriage?

44. Why is it so difficult for you to show how you feel about me? Is it because one of your ex-girlfriends never valued your emotions?

45. Have you ever slept with someone and sneaked out of her apartment without waking her up and hoping she’d never call?

46. Since we are in a relationship, would you be expecting fidelity from me or is your understanding of our relationship more open?

47. Are you addicted to having sex? What do you do when you don’t find anyone to satisfy your needs?

48. Would you be comfortable to go for a checkup for STD’s with me? Is there any reason for you to be scared?

49. Are you scared of having fertility issues in the future? Did you engage in any activity that might have created this fear?

50. Do you think sexual molestation is prevalent in the man’s world as much as it is in a woman’s world?

5 Ways to Teach Children to Make Good Choices

Leslie Xavier — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 08:58:50 +0000

Making good choices is an integral part of your child’s growth and as a parent; it is your responsibility to ensure he learns the needful. If you try to imbed decision making in small ways early into his childhood like choosing the cereal he wants to eat and the shoes he wants to wear, it will help him in making bigger decisions in the future. People who make good decisions are by nature more confident and responsible. They also have a strong personality owning to these traits. Good decision making is the first step amongst many that’ll be required to grow in life. Some of these ideas may help you further:

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Encourage them to make choices from the start

Allow them to make their own choices in their childhood and when they grow up enough, encourage them to understand the consequences of their decisions. This’ll make sure they understand the importance of choosing wisely otherwise they themselves will have to bear the consequences. They need to know how their actions will impact their lives for better or worse and as their parents, we should be strong enough to let them face the consequences of their mistakes rather than being soft and shielding them from the punishment. If we do that, then the children will never understand the value of wise decisions.

Reward them when they do something good

Whenever you see your child do a good deed, reward him with a candy. When he makes a decision for the better, praise him. When he performs well in school, reward him. If you give him something for every positive action, it’ll encourage him to do more of those, even if it is just for the sake of the candy. At least your child will start somewhere and put in more efforts to make the right decision. Rewarding them is nothing but acknowledge their effort and give them the due credit.

Act as an example for your child

Parents are the first people a kid sees and he grows up around them. More often than not, parents tend to be the role models of their children and they look up to them for help and support. Often, kids start imitating a parent in their efforts to be like them. It’s a good idea for parents to think and speak wisely in front of their kids. They should try to practice their decision making skills around their children so that the kids can also watch and learn. Be an example to your own kid. If you want to buy something from the market, instead of buying it, buy something another family member needs. Take your kid to the market with you and explain why you bought something for the other person rather than yourself so that he gets a valuable lesson in kindness

Create certain boundaries

When you give him the option to make his own decisions, don’t completely let go of responsibility because, your child can end up making the strangest decisions. Instead, create a boundary or a set of rules. For example, instead of taking your child to a toy store and giving him the option to buy anything, give him an option between two games such as football and tennis and then let him decide which sport demands his interest. Create a set of rules in the house and keep changing them as your child grows up. Make sure the rules are safe and fair. This will encourage your child to do things on his own but he’ll always know that he has to stop at a certain point and not go overboard.

Teach them to make the right decision

It took you some time to learn making the right decisions. Try teaching your kid to make a good decision once he is old enough to comprehend the importance of decision making. It’s very simple. First, he has to understand the problem. Then, teach him to explore all the options he can have before making the decision. Then, teach him to weigh the pros and cons of each option as well as their viability. Only once they complete evaluating their options, can they come to a decision.

These steps are very easy to follow and they can help your child in decision making thereby making him more responsible adult.

10 Reasons Women Stay in Abusive Relationship

Avani Peterson — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 08:37:42 +0000

We all know of people who were or presently are victims of domestic abuse. When we hear of them, we always wonder as to why they don’t end the relationship and start afresh. That however, is easier said than done. Some of the reasons are as follows:

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Fear

This is the quintessential factor discouraging women from all spheres of society to get out of their abusive relationships. It can be the fear of losing everything they have earned in life, the fear of social repercussions, the fear of ending up in a worse situation or the fear of not being accepted. Since society has always followed the patriarchal path and mostly supported stereotypical norms, these suppressed women get further pushed into the pit of despair.

Low Self Esteem

Low self esteem is the consequence of constant psychological abuse. Since she is constantly reminded of her flaws, despised for her appearance and used only for pleasure, she gradually forms a mental image of herself based on what she hears. She pictures herself just the way she hears her husband/ boyfriend describe her. People have self esteem because they prize themselves as individuals. They see their qualities, and when they don’t, people around them are there for comfort and praise. They don’t make efforts to break free because they believe they’ll get the same treatment there as well, and with nobody to tell them otherwise, they feel complete with little or in some cases, no self esteem.

Comfort zone

Some women get so accustomed to the thrashings that they develop their own personal comfort zone and inculcate the abuse in their daily lives. They don’t even see it as injustice. They take it to be a way of expressing love and as a part of their normal functioning. Some women identify themselves with their men. For them, the thought of ending the relationship is equivalent to losing their own identities so they choose to bear their burden.

Emotional dependency

Some women find it difficult to tear away from their husbands because they married them for love, and even though the love has disappeared by now, they find themselves unable to let go of their husband. So, no matter how many times they think of leaving the abusive life and embarking on a fresh new journey, they get pulled back into the relationship because of the fear of a more frightening future.

Social norms

Society plays a key role in subjugating women to stay in relationships irrespective of the degree of abuse. What is worse is that women in society play the key role in this. Women are taught very early to maintain their marriage. They grow up believing that the sign of a good woman lies in her ability to make the marriage work, irrespective of what they have to do. Often, the abuser isolates the woman from her friends, family and relatives out of jealousy or to hide the marks of abuse. Lost in this abyss, women often find it difficult to escape from their abusers.

Economic reasons

A lot of women lack the economic means to support their big decision. Before showing their true colors and abusing their victim, they gradually isolate the victim and in the name of security, get all cash and property transferred to their name so that the victim isn’t left with any option but to obey them, while the isolation makes it difficult for the victim to ask anyone else for help. Since they have no access to cash or bank accounts anymore and not even their property, these women have no option but to give in.

Denial

This is one of the biggest reasons for continued abuse. Many women deny being subjected to any form of abuse. They convince themselves that they lead a normal married life and that subservience is a part of it. More often than not, subservience is substituted by violence and they fail to see the difference simply because they choose not to. They are just scared to admit that there is something wrong with their marriage lest they bring down their family’s social standing. However, even if the reality of their relationship is difficult for them to accept, understanding the gravity of their situation is the only way to get out of it.

Small resources

Some women are so isolated that they lose complete contact with the outside world. The isolation creates a sense of inability to do anything about the situation. Many women face abandonment issues because the family, just like the society, tends to blame the victim for ending the marriage because they themselves are not willing to believe the truth about the abuser. For them, turning a deaf ear is an easier option. The victims don’t see much point in going to the law because a lot of police men tend to dismiss acts of abuse as problems in the marriage that can be sorted out. They take no action against the abuser so the victims have no option but to comply.

Children

Many women endure abuse for the sake of their children because they believe an abusive father is better than none. They also feel that having a father in the house will provide security to them and their children. The children are used as pawns by the abuser who may threaten to take them away if the woman tries to fight him, and since courts hardly rule in favor of non-earning mothers, they suppress their cries and pleas.

Life risks

Once out of an abusive relationship, no one stands a greater risk of life than the victim because of the fear felt by the abuser. Since the abuser is perennially scared about the victim blurting out the truth to her family or the law, they keep threatening the victim’s life and their children’s. Emotional blackmail against children is often the abuser’s best card because some of these women are past caring about themselves. So, instead of having to go through the additional torture, women prefer to stay back in abusive relationships

10 Romantic Gateways for Valentine’s

Avani Peterson — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 10:42:08 +0000

With Valentine’s Day around the corner, everyone is on the lookout for that perfect little gateway that’ll sweep their partner right off their feet. Whether you are looking for a grand trip to some far off romantic destination or something closer to home, we offer some suggestions that might work for you:

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United States of America

Charleston, South Carolina – Fall in love with southern hospitality and charm. Enjoy walking on the cobblestone streets; take your partner for a carriage ride through this culturally vibrant city and fall in love with her once again. Spend the night in one of the elegant Bed & Breakfasts to truly make your Valentine’s Day escape to Charleston memorable.

Key west, Florida – This is the perfect hideaway for couples who want to avoid the hustle and bustle of the city and traffic. Located just 129 miles away from Miami, this is where you want to be if you are looking forward to spending a quiet and romantic Valentine’s Day with your special someone. With the most beautiful sunset in the East Coast that the country has to offer, this is every couples delight. Moreover, if you get tired of walking barefoot on the sandy beaches holding; it also has a great night life on offer.

Napa Valley, California – Just a few miles from San Francisco, Napa Valley oozes wine, passion and romance. If you look around, you’ll be able to see miles and miles of vineyards all around you. Napa Valley appeals to all your senses together. Escape from the city to Napa Valley, where the delicious food and sparkling wine only adds to the decadent charm of this place, encouraging you to let your passion flow, just like the wine.

Maui, Hawaii – Words fall short when trying to describe the aesthetic appeal of Hawaii. Take a pleasure trip through the orange and white sand surrounded by the greenish blue coastline of the Makena Beach or take the road to Hana and watch the unblemished natural contour of Maui as you walk amongst the green foliage of trees, shrubs and vines. Whatever you choose to do in Maui is going to be purely romantic.

Niagara falls, New York – If you plan to take your partner to New York for a trip to Niagara Falls, make sure to take her in the night because that is when the water is illuminated with bright lights and the falls are at their romantic best. Every year, thousands of couples go there during summer with the concerts and events. In the winters however, a part of it freezes and it all sparkles. You can take a journey right behind the falls with your partner and make the experience complete.

The World

Lofoten, Norway – For those who choose to do things differently, Lofoten Islands in Norway offers a respite from this fast paced world. You can book a cozy angler’s cabin called a ‘rorbu’ and snuggle in bed with your partner while the scenic snow covered mountains complete the image. For hands on experience, take a walk through the village of Reine, taking in the rich culture and history. There are so many places to see in Lofoten such as the Lofotr Viking Museum near Borg, the Ramberg beach in Flakstad and the Steinsfjorden in Lofoten so make sure you carry some comfortable shoes.

Venice, Italy – Venice has long been a very popular destination for travelers but for those in love, Venice is a dream. Give your valentine the present of her dreams by taking her away to Venice for a romantic gondola ride in the canal, passing through the buildings and statues reflecting the renaissance that originated in Italy, taking in its rich history and culture. Better still, you can book your own boat and fill it up with surprises for her before you begin the romantic ride. This ‘city of water’ looks best when seen from there.

New Zealand – Celebrate this Valentine’s Day with style and take a trip to New Zealand with your partner. There is so much romance in this country waiting to be discovered. For the adventure junkie couple, New Zealand offers skydiving, kayaking, skiing, etc. Bring her to Queenstown and ski down Alpine Heliski., take her for an early morning balloon ride in Hastings and practice Tandem Skydive in Taupo. If you are looking for a combination of adventure and romance, New Zealand is the place to be.

Australia – If you want a trip that you’ll never forget, what can be better than heading down to the southern hemisphere? Australia offers a complete package. Be it romantic walks on Mission Beach near Cairns, Queensland watching the sun go down or spending a few intimate days in Freycinet National Park on Tasmania’s east coast in the lap of nature. Take a submarine trip along the Great Barrier Reef or a hike up to Mt Warning’s summit to kiss your partner, while the sun touches the continent of Australia where you can see rainforests around you. Nothing gets more romantic than this.

Bali, Indonesia – Situated between Java and Lombok, Bali’s appeal lies in the unique diversity in the region. Not only does it have swaying palm trees, beautiful beaches and a rich history and culture, but Spa treatments and luxury villas as well. This valentine’s, lose yourself in this east-meets-west romantic destination and let the warm sun, sandy beaches and tropical waters lull you and your partner to serenity. You can choose to enjoy the slow and unpolluted Nusa Lembongan Beach or go to Amed Beach to spend calm and relaxing afternoons with your love, away from the tourists. These beaches also offer water activities like snorkeling and scuba diving. Here, you relax while you have fun and you can have fun while you relax. Such is the aura of Bali.