Life Style Information

Things to do before you have kids

2012-08-09T04:44:00.003-07:00

The decision to become a parent is an important step in an adult's life. Children can impact your life in many ways, and they will most certainly affect your finances.

From daycare costs to an increase in medical insurance premiums to higher costs on groceries and clothing, becoming a parent doesn't come cheap. Here is a look at five things you should do financially before having children.

Maintain a Residence

Prior to taking the plunge into parenthood, one of the most important financial moves you can make is securing a stable residence. Whether you own a home or rent a house or apartment, it is important to be well-established in your residence before becoming a parent. Bringing a newborn baby home from the hospital can be stressful for many new parents. Being established in your home allows you to plan ahead for your baby's arrival.

Have a Stable Income

Another highly important financial task that should be tackled prior to expanding your family is to ensure that you have a steady job and income. By having a steady job, you are ensuring that a regular cash flow is available to pay for expenses like rent and bills. A steady income also allows you to maximize the amount you are able to save for the future. By optimizing your savings, you are helping to safe-proof your future from financial uncertainty.

Pay Down Debt and Optimize Your Credit Score

A financially smart move to make before increasing your family size is to pay down your debt and optimize your credit score. It is wise to pay off your existing debt before taking on more expenses that come associated with raising a family. No one wants to be in debt. By paying down your debt and optimizing your credit score, you are helping to make sure that your financial future is a bright one.

Secure Quality Health Insurance

Another matter of high priority that should be accomplished prior to considering parenthood is enrolling in a quality health insurance policy. To protect your finances against unexpected medical costs, finding a health insurance policy that offers a broad range of services is of the utmost importance. Additionally, with healthcare reform taking the country by storm, health insurance has now become a requirement as opposed to a luxury. Be prepared and enroll in a quality health insurance policy prior to jumping into parenthood.

Learn to Budget Effectively

Learning to budget effectively prior to entering parenthood is a matter of high concern. Many parents find that their finances become strained after having a new baby, and learning to budget effectively can be difficult if you've never adhered to a financial plan before. By budgeting effectively now, you can help to ensure that your family's financial future is strong. Start small, and begin to cut frivolous purchases out of your household budget. It may also be helpful to determine what expenses are necessary and what could be eliminated from your monthly budget. You'll soon be on track to spending less, saving more and preparing for a brighter financial picture.

The Bottom Line

Before you take the plunge head first into parenthood, consider taking these important financial steps first. Not only will it help your financial situation now, but your future financial state will benefit from your proactive measures. Some stability, financial planning and common sense can go a long way when you are planning for your future. When you are finally ready to make the plunge, you will find yourself in a much more financially secure state.

Common mistakes by credit card holders

2012-07-22T11:17:00.000-07:00

Carrying cash may be cumbersome sometimes and risky too.

Undoubtedly, the arrival of credit cards on the scene has made life simpler and convenient.

For some people using credit card is a way of life, whereas for some handling cash is a better option. We notice that many people use their credit cards wisely whereas there are few who are careless towards their credit cards. Remember if not used wisely, Credit Cards can make one’s life miserable. .

In this article I have analyzed the common mistakes that cardholders make and how they can avoid these mistakes.

Ignoring the terms and conditions

No doubt the terms and conditions are quite difficult to understand, but one needs to try. Ignoring them is not going to make them disappear. Many cardholders are surprised when they notice a change in interest rates or annual fees being charged on their free for life time cards. Read the terms and conditions carefully and try to understand them. If you have any difficulty, you can call up the customer care division for clarifications or simply search on Internet for the meaning of those terms.

Ignoring Monthly Statement

Reading your monthly statement is as important as reading the terms and conditions. Keep a track of your monthly spends on credit cards and cross check for any suspicious charges on your card. Call customer care immediately if you notice any spends that you did not make are being reflected in your billing statement as credit card frauds are rampant.

Paying only minimum dues

Minimum monthly dues are usually 5% of the total outstanding amount. At this rate it will take more than a year to pay off the entire dues. It is a happy situation for the credit card issuer, but not for the cardholder. The card issuer will get its share of high interest rate, which can range between 26% – 47% p.a. including service charges. Secondly, all the new purchases on the card get combined with the outstanding amount and the interest is charged on the combined balance. Paying only the minimum amount due will keep the cardholder in debt for a long time. Whenever possible pay more than what is minimum due to keep the debt down to manageable level.

Ignoring payment due date

Make sure you know the payment due dates on each credit card you hold. Delayed payment will add more burden on your finances with hefty interest charges and late payment fees (up to Rs. 787/-) and frequent delays in payment will also affect your credit score. If you have been paying your dues on time and have missed one payment, you can call up the card issuer and request them to waive the penalty charges though it is not a binding on them to do so.

If you have not done it till now, then subscribe immediately to the card issuer service of sending an sms or email reminding about the payment due date. If you are frequent traveler or too occupied with your professional obligations, subscribe to auto debit facility. But make sure there is enough balance in your account to avoid any payment dishonour t, else you will be penalized from both ends i.e. your banker as well as card issuer (up to Rs. 562/- incl. service tax).

Overspending

Impulse shopping on credit card gives a kick, but on the wrong side and by the time we realize it, it is too late in most cases. This is how the debts on credit cards grow.
Before you shop on credit card, just analyze your financial situation and ask yourself:
1. Do you really want it?
2. Can you really afford it?
3. If buying on EMI, how much it will cost and how long you will be paying?

Try answering these questions before you make those purchases. This will help you take a little control on your finances.

Avoid withdrawing cash against credit card

Withdrawing cash against credit card is as simple as withdrawing cash on your debit card. But the trap lies in the withdrawal fees, which is usually up to 33.7% p.a. incl. service tax plus interest rate ranging from 26% – 47% p.a. including service charges. Remember that the interest rate is applicable from day one as there is no free credit period for cash withdrawals. Do not ever fall in the trap of withdrawing money against your credit card unless and until it is an extreme emergency. Then too make sure that you pay back the same at the earliest.

Having multiple credit cards

Having and managing multiple cards can definitely increase your credit ratings. But remember that each application for credit cards gets registered as an enquiry in your credit report. Excessive numbers of such enquiries indicates that you are “Credit Hungry” and in an urgent need of money. This makes the providers more cautious while evaluating your application for any credit facility. Don’t pick too many credit cards. Just have 2-3 cards that offer required credit limit and low interest rate on revolving credit facility. Acquiring too many credit cards is a temptation with many obsessive spenders.

This way we see that credit card offers convenience but only to those who use it wisely and do not fall into the golden trap (or Platinum, Titanium trap) laid by the credit card companies.

5 tips to MAXIMISE productivity at work

2012-06-14T08:57:00.000-07:00

Instead of wasting precious time reading and replying to emails all day, sticking to a to-do list can go a long way in helping you sort, prioritise and finish things on time.

We all want to work less and enjoy our time more.
Well, with a little help from us, you can!
Finding ways to maximise your productivity means that you will have time to do the things you really want to do.
After all, all work and no play makes you a very dull person.

1. The 80/20 principle

The 80/20 principle helps you to maximise your productive time by finding out what you are most efficient at doing.
This means you need to figure out the areas in which you can accomplish 80 per cent of your goals in 20 per cent of the time it would take another person.
We all develop specialised skill sets over the years that allows us to do some things more easily than others.
Whether they be in repetitive work or brainstorming for a new ad campaign, there are some skills that make us exceptionally good at our work.
So find your 20 per cent work niche and try to maximise the time you spend doing this kind of work.
Then you can explore your other interests and hobbies at leisure.

2. Keep your mind and body active

Create a mental gym for yourself where you can 'work out' every day.
Your mind needs a workout as much as your body does.
Using things like stimulating debates and conversations, readings on politics and social change, literary classics and even brain-training games, take the time to work out your mind.
Keep certain activities or games on hand for times when you start to feel dull and sluggish.
Keeping your mind awake and alert will help to tone your efficiency at doing certain tasks, improve your reaction times, improve your memory and problem-solving skills and improve your concentration as well.
Moreover, they will help to keep your mind healthy.
For best results, you also have to look after your body by eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly.

3. Take time out

More important than spending time to train your mind to be faster at certain activities is making relaxation an essential part of your day.
Find time, sometimes in the middle of your work day, to close your eyes and just blank out.
We have so many unnecessary thoughts clouding up our minds, it's necessary to work consciously at prioritising the ones that matter.
This will also help you manage your thoughts and return to the frenzied concentration of your job with more clarity and increased productivity.
Also, balance your work in such a way that you and keep you going.
Inspiration is the root of all productivity after all

4. Organise your e-mails

Is e-mail the bane of your existence?
Most office workers spend vast amounts of their day just reading emails and replying to them.
This is not productive work, although it may seem like it. Moreover, the interruption often eats away at your concentration.
The most productive people across the world switch off their email notifications for the majority of the day and only check it at designated points of time -- often once in the morning and once at night.
If you are spend hours of the day just going through your inbox, then consider adopting a more efficient way of tackling this time-consuming distraction so that you can be more productive at your work.

5. The Not-To-Do list

A lot of people find it difficult to identify the areas where their input is not crucial.
One of the easiest ways to increase your productivity is to make a not-to-do list.
List the things that waste the most amount of time in the day – from managing your schedule and arranging meetings to communicating work tasks to the rest of your team.
Delegate these tasks wherever possible and find more efficient ways to complete the work that you are already doing.
The more people succeed, the more they attract additional responsibilities. But there is only so much energy and time you have in a day.
Your not-to-do list should include all tasks that are not part of your job description.
Once you remove these unnecessary tasks from your day, you will be surprised at the amount of free time you have to yourself.

4 tips to concentrate better at work

2012-06-14T08:45:00.004-07:00

Is your email and text messaging impairing your concentration at work? Learn how to prioritise your information.
Information has become the most important commodity in our knowledge economy.
From our mobile phones, tablets and computers, we have 24-hour-access to information all the time.
We even get Blackberry messages and alerts at 5 am every time we get an email for work. But does being plugged in to the vast information network out there assist or hinder you in your job?
This deluge of data seems to provide more pain than gain. This is not only limited to the data that keeps hitting your inbox but also the compulsion that one feels to keep abreast of the latest news and trends to be updated at work.
If you are one of those people who constantly looks at email, chat messenger and social media updates and suffers from withdrawal symptoms, then you may be one of those in danger of information overload!
Well, here you may be asking, how bad can it be? Too much information can't hurt anyone. Well, it certainly harms your productivity; according to one study, for example, people took an average of half an hour to return to their work after being interrupted by an email.
Moreover, information overload affects managers at higher levels on a psychological level. According to a survey by Reuters, two-third of managers felt that information overload decreased their job satisfaction and harmed their personal relationships.
Even more worryingly, one-third felt that their health had been indirectly damaged due to information overload.
Research by the Harvard Business School proves that people have reduced creativity on days when they are interrupted every half hour or so. There are even some claims that the relentless flow of information lowers people's intelligence!
Here are some tips on how to avoid being flooded by information and keeping your focus on the task at hand while at work.

1. Switch off your email

One of the best ways to deal with too much information is to just switch off for a certain period of time in a day and to take regular intervals away from your inbox.
You will be able to concentrate on the task at hand.
Google even has an option that allows you to take a break from your email; when you click it, it turns your email screen grey and displays the following message: "Break time! Take a walk, get some real work done or have a snack. We'll be back in 15 minutes."

2. Prioritise

Another option is to set aside certain time slots to reply to your emails and social media networks, such as only in the morning or evening when you first come in and before you leave.
If that is not possible for you, it would be a great idea to invest in software that prioritises your email for you, from critically important to spam.
Similarly, only subscribe to the most important posts you want to see on your Facebook wall and hide the rest

3. Have a productive mindset

There are a number of ideas espoused by productivity gurus on ways to take control of your information overload problem.
This involves modifying your thinking and behaviour in small stems. For example, one can adopt Merlin Mann's idea of 'inbox zero', or never letting your email accumulate to such an extent that it feels as if an avalanche is about to break over your head.
Another mindset is to only use a limited number of sentences to construct short, sweet replies to your emails regardless of the subject or the person you are sending it to so you don't procrastinate while answering emails.
One can adopt a Zen-like philosophy to shed feelings of guilt for not reading or replying to every single message.
If things get too bad, some even empty out their email inboxes altogether to get off on a fresh start.

4. Manage your information

To avoid being overwhelmed and constantly distracted by a slew of information, switch off automatic notifications on your email and your mobile and computer chat messages while you are working.
Then during short breaks, check and reply to important messages only.
If you can't get to an email for some time, then let the sender know when you will be able to get to it.
Also, when sending out emails and reports, create a clear subject line and use formatting like bullets, highlights and italics, to make important statements stand out.
Also, for your own sanity, do your best to send out less emails and messages. For each message you send out, you are likely to get two responses.
Now that you are aware of the havoc that information overload causes, ensure that you don't burden people with useless emails and messages.
Keep it short, simple and sweet!

How To Build Self-Discipline

2012-06-13T02:38:00.000-07:00

How To Build Self-Discipline

A mere mention of the word self-discipline is enough to make some people fidget uneasily in their seats. “Why do we need restrictions”, they ask.

The word discipline brings about a sense of boredom and the notion of a life without fun. Freedom is what people crave, the freedom to do as they wish and as they feel.

Self-discipline, however, is the exact opposite. It is all about acting how you think you should act, rather than how you feel you ought to. It is a case of the mind over the heart. It is about the need to do what is right – what needs to be done – rather than what you want to do. Discipline is real freedom. An undisciplined person is a slave to his whims and desires – definitely not a good trait to have. So what are the characteristic traits of a self-disciplined person? Let us discuss.

1. Conscious and aware

A conscious effort is required to ensure that you work according to the need of the hour, and not on a whimsical basis. It is all about prioritizing. More often than not, what you ‘want’ to do is something that can always be done at a later time, but what you ‘need’ to do is of utmost priority. Maintaining awareness about the decision you have to make and the impact it will have in the future is the key.

2. Commitment

Self-discipline can never be achieved without commitment of the highest order. It is obviously very difficult to discipline ourselves, and this is where commitment comes into the picture. What generally happens is that the initial enthusiasm of getting on a new path often fades away with time. If you choose to remain committed towards your goals, there isn’t much that can stop you from achieving your goals.

3. Courage - NOT the cowardly dog

Let's face it – it is very difficult to try and force your moods and desires not to overshadow your thought process and to go against them. It is so much easier to give in to your yearnings. However, that is the sign of a coward. Real courage comes from standing up for what is right, in fighting for what we believe in. You need to have a strong belief that you will succeed. This is a very essential step towards building self-discipline.

4. Consistency

There is a train of thought, which says that to make a habit of something; one must persist at the said activity for at least 3 weeks. Beyond this time period, it becomes routine and comes naturally to us. It no longer requires a conscious effort to maintain. This is what you can achieve with consistency. Consistency is what will take you through the process of building up self-discipline.

5. Role model, please!

It always helps to have somebody to look up to, while trying to achieve something. The best example in this case is of people going to the gym. Constantly remind yourself of the levels you want to achieve, and look up to a person who has already reached that stage. For example, if you want to get a ripped body, think of the effort that Aamir ‘perfectionist’ Khan had put in to develop that look for the movie Ghajini. This will make you realize that nothing is impossible, and with self-discipline, any target can be achieved.

6. Progress tracking

This is the most vital step. Maintain a log at appropriate time intervals, daily or on every alternate day, to monitor your progress. This will let you know how effective your steps have been at disciplining yourself. With positive results, you will be inspired to stick to the same path and maintain your intensity.

All of us have the devil on one shoulder and an angel on the other, prompting and suggesting what we should do, both contradicting the other. In the end, it lies in our hands, who we listen to. That is the beauty of freedom, of choice. It is ours, to pick the right way forward.

7 simple ways to make your day better

2012-06-13T02:37:00.000-07:00

How to make your day better 1: Wake up a few minutes earlier
You know the scenario; you wake up in a flurry of panic the moment your alarm goes off because you need to be on time for work. You rush around the house trying to get ready but somehow get more cereal down your crisp white shirt than in your mouth; you put the milk in the dishwasher instead of the fridge; and, as you rush from room to room your sleeve gets stuck on the door handle, sending you hurtling back a metre as you were mid-way through marching out of the living room on a mission (is there anything more annoying when you’re in a rush?). As you can probably relate to from this example, being short of time makes your stress levels rise and you’re in a pickle faster than you can say “should have set my alarm earlier”. Make your mornings easier by setting your alarm 15 minutes before you need to get up. This will leave plenty of time for your body and mind to wake up so you can get ready without the stress.

How to make your day better 2: Make a happy list
Sometimes we dwell on the things that make us sad rather than concentrating on what makes us happy. It takes a little brain training to change your thought process from negative to positive, and a good way to do this is make a list of things that make you happy and keep referring to it every time you feel sad. Whether you want to write down your favourite quote from a movie, the date of a holiday you have booked, or you stick down a photograph of yourself on one of the happiest days of your life, it’s sure to lift your spirits when you’re feeling down in the dumps. Corny? Yes. Helpful? Most definitely.

How to make your day better 3: Sniff a lemon
Yep, you read that right. To improve your day, simply sniff a lemon. Scientists at Tel Aviv University suggest that citrus fragrances – particularly lemon – can alleviate depression and boost our mood. Indeed, the smell of a lemon boosts your levels of serotonin (a feel-good hormone) and lowers levels of norepinephrine (a stress hormone), so improve your day by burning a lemon scented candle or spritzing on a lemony fragrance, or you could just go all out and sniff a lemon.
Sniff a lemon to boost your mood

How to make your day better 4: Cuddle someone
With the soaring popularity of the ‘cuddle party’ phenomenon, more and more people are discovering the benefits of a good snuggle. A warm embrace boosts the natural feel-good hormones released by the body, reduces stress, and creates a feeling of mutual trust. Beware though, whilst cuddling is a great mood-enhancer, we do recommend that you be selective over whom you choose to embrace; your boss or the window cleaner may not appreciate a cuddle as much as your spouse or your pet. If you prefer something a little less intimate, there’s nothing to stop you from expressing your feelings through a man hug (yes, this can be done by the ladies too), or maybe even a high-five to release those happy hormones.

How to make your day better 5: Sweat it out
Encourage your body’s natural feel good hormones to give your mood – and ultimately your day – a boost. Walk the dog, go for a run, or dance around the living room for half an hour; anything that gets your blood pumping and makes you sweat will do the trick. The endorphins released during exercise are scientifically proven to boost your mood, making any form of physical activity a sure-fire way to boost your day.

How to make your day better 6: Have a bath
Rather than that quick dash in and out of the shower, make some me-time and have a bubble bath and some time to work on your personal appearance. Our day always seems to go better when we look and feel our best, so gentlemen, have a shave and use a deep moisturising balm. Ladies, apply face and hair masks and paint your nails alongside your bath. It’s surprising how much a little me-time can perk up your day.

How to make your day better 7: Prioritise your tasks
A common reason for us to be having a bad day is stress. Having a long list of tasks to do can be overwhelming so tackle any problems head-on at the start of the day to get them out of the way as early as possible. Tackling your problems in the morning will eliminate feelings of worry throughout the rest of your day. A good way to prioritise your tasks is to write them all down and then number them from one to 10, with one being the most important, and 10 being the least important. Work your way through the tasks starting with the most important first, and tick them off as you go along. You will feel a sense of achievement each time you tick a task off.

Reasons Why You Should Not Get Married

2012-06-12T01:52:00.001-07:00

Everyone feels that everyone around them is getting married.

Seeing friends tie the knot and settle down makes you feel the peer pressure to do the same. We know that marriage is the social norm, but then we also know that marriage is not for everyone. If you find yourself questioning the institution of marriage, then that is reason enough to not walk down the aisle. In case you need more reasons, they are listed below.

1. Routine
There is nothing more tormenting and boring that routine. If you think adventure can get too much to handle, try routine; it is sure to mentally exhaust you. Routine is one thing that marriage guarantees. In order to skip the torments of settling down and getting sucked into routine, avoid getting married.

2. No more free reign
Once you have a wife to share your room with, you won’t be able to leave the toothpaste cap open, you won’t get to fling your towel across the room, and you won’t get to sleep on the entire bed like a boss. In short, your free reign will end and you will go from king to companion in 7 pheras. Is giving up on this king size life worth it?

3. It’s babies next
Marriage is the first trap. The next one is babies. Before you know it, you’ll go from courting a new bride to changing diapers of your newborn. Like sharing your bed wasn’t difficult enough, you’ll now have to share your space with a wailing kid. This should be reason big enough for you not to get married.

4. Less time with friends
Once you get married, you won’t get the time (or permission) to hang out at length with your buddies. Marriage means you can bid goodbye to regular get-togethers with friends, beer parties, impromptu sleep overs and late night drives. If you are willing to give up on all of the above, then you can go ahead with your marriage plans.

This is just the tip of iceberg. When you get married, you will be expected to function as per someone else’s mood swings, likes and dislikes from time to time. Therefore, there are reasons aplenty for you to not get married and continue to stay single and happy.

Finance tips for single women

2012-06-12T01:52:00.000-07:00

Considering most women are single for a large part of their adulthood, here are ways to help them financially secure their future.
Most women are single for a large part of their adult lives considering they either marry late or are divorced or just prefer to stay single. But most women are not great at putting their own needs first, though when it comes to personal finances, women must consider their own needs and wants in order to secure their financial future.

Budget

First and foremost, build yourself a solid budget and stick to it. This is just good sense for absolutely everyone – single, married or divorced. Examine your monthly expenses, remembering to include everything from housing costs, utilities, groceries, car payments, gasoline, insurance and aesthetics. Do the same for your income. You should also examine methods for reducing costs, like eating meals at home or reducing the amount you spend on entertainment expenses.

Avoid Giving in to Impulse
It's probably true that most women love to shop. It can be hard to avoid giving in to impulse when you find a great deal on a pair of cute shoes or a new outfit. It's also important to avoid emotional spending. Learning to avoid unnecessary expenditures can really help to improve your financial situation – especially when you've got other expenses that are more urgent, or when giving in means you have to borrow money on your credit card.

Save for rainy days

It's an unfortunate fact of life, but we can all expect things to go wrong on occasion. Keeping some money stashed away for those rainy days will help you to afford those unexpected expenses when they do come up. Just remember to set realistic expectations for yourself. Don't save more than you can realistically afford, but don't underestimate the importance of saving either.

Buy a Home
Purchasing a home is a big step for anyone, whether you're doing it on your own or as a couple. Purchasing a home is generally a solid investment that will reward you in the future, especially since renting is essentially the same as giving your money away to someone else. As a single woman, you'll need to ask yourself a number of questions before buying. Can you afford this home on a single income? Is the area safe for a single person to live in? Make a list of what you want and understand what you can afford before you contact a realtor and start looking at what's out there.

Consider Your Retirement Plans
Even if retirement seems like eons away, you'll want to start thinking about it as early as possible. Financial security isn't only about achieving your short-term goals; you've got to consider your long-term goals as well.

Don't be Afraid to Invest
So you've managed to budget and save your money. Now you've got a healthy stockpile of cash to get you through those rainy days. What should you do with all that extra cash? Though investing may seem like a scary thing, have faith in yourself and believe that you can learn the ins and outs of the finance world. You can always enlist the help of an investment manager or finance expert to guide you along the way.

Invest in Yourself
Always keep in mind that you've got to enjoy life too, so don't completely give up on spoiling yourself once in a while. Go on a holiday, to a day spa or treat yourself to something truly special once in a while. View it as an investment in yourself and your own happiness.

Before You Walk Down the Aisle
Though it might be an exciting time when you're considering taking the plunge and getting married, don't forget that you really need to have a serious talk with your new partner about money before you get married. You will need to know that his goals and spending habits are compatible with yours and that you're not marrying someone who will drain you financially, destroying all the hard work you've done to create a financially secure life for yourself.

Bottom Line

Long gone are the days of considering single women to be spinsters. Women are becoming more and more comfortable in taking control of their own finances, shaping their financial futures and turning their goals into realities. serious talk with your new partner about money before you get married.

Reasons why you should get married

2012-06-10T19:02:00.001-07:00

Marriage is one of the longest surviving institutions in the world.

In practise since times immemorial, it has come to be considered as an integral part of human evolution and social norm. While the reasons why people get married may vary from person to person, what stands true is that almost everyone does get married. Not as bad as some people make it to be, marriage is a bond of commitment between a man and a woman that has its fair share of positives. And these positives are the reason you should consider giving marriage a chance.

1. A sense of stability

Marriage will bring to your life a sense of stability and calmness. Not to be seen as just another thing to accomplish in life, you need to view marriage as the beginning of a lifelong companionship with your partner. Having someone to go back home to and feeling that ‘settled down’ feel is what makes marriage worth giving a shot

2. The next step

Life evolves through a variety of stages as we grow up. As kids we go to school, then we enter college in our teens, and follow that up with work as we grow into young adults. Marriage is a step that is an inevitable part of the adult life. It is only logical to work your way through life by passing through each stage when the time is right, and thus do justice to your existence.

3. Having someone to share

This is one of the most important reasons why one should get married. Having a partner through the journey of life, with whom you can share your joys, sorrows, the ups and downs, disappointments, progress, happiness and so on is a fulfilling and emotionally enriching experience. Having a life partner that you can fall back on brings a sense of fulfillment and belonging that will help you grow as a person.

No matter what the cynics say, marriage is not something to be scared of. In fact it should be embraced and given a fair chance. If you commit with all your heart and approach it with a positive state of mind, you will have a successful and fulfilling marriage. For sure.

LINK TO:
Reasons Why You Should Not Get Married:

Creative Ways To Find A Job

2012-06-10T19:02:00.000-07:00

CREATIVE WAYS TO FIND A JOB
Unemployed? Here Are Some Creative Ways to Find a Job

You’ve trolled through a thousand Craigslist ads, posted your resume online every day and even highlighted the local paper’s want ads. But you still don’t have a job.

In today’s economy, job applicants are flooding the market, making it very hard to break through the static and get noticed by a potential employer. To get a job, you are going to have to get creative!

Ask your family and friends. This core circle of your community is often overlooked, because you assume they know you need a job and would tell you if they heard something. However people need directives for action – so hit up each person on an individual basis, let them know you that are looking for a job, and what type of work you are searching for. Do this in person or at least over the phone, as blanket “Hey can anyone help me?” statements on Facebook will get lost in a flash.

Connect with former employers that you are in good standing with, and ask them for leads. Although you may no longer be in the same industry, they may know of other people or organizations that need your help.

Talk to everyone you can, and make friends wherever you go. It has been said that 90% of jobs go to someone who knows someone. By that idea, the more people you know, the better chance you have of getting a job, wherever you are. And don’t prejudge people based on their appearance or anything else – resolve to connect with as many human beings as you can, no matter what their status. That guy taking out the trash may have an uncle who owns a technology company.

Go in person to the job location and try to talk to the manager. This will work better if you do a little research first and find out who the manager is and when he or she will be in. Many companies now encourage you to fill out job applications online, but if you can dodge this and put your face on your name, your chances of getting the gig will increase. March in there with supreme confidence and tell the manager why you are the best person for the job. And don’t forget to smile.

Work for free. If you are able to, working as a volunteer or intern will give you skills and connections that will benefit your future career immensely. Plus, the boss may be so impressed with your work that they will hire you later.

Check categories on Craigslist you usually don’t. In fact, check them all- besides the jobs that are misplaced, you might find a great opportunity when you search outside the box. Don’t forget the “gigs” section at the bottom of the page.

Turn a small job into a big one. Do you have a job babysitting every Friday night? Ask the parents if they have any friends who might also need a babysitter. Did someone hire you to paint their front porch? Let them know you do landscaping as well. Serving smoothies at a mall café in the afternoons? Tell your boss you are ready and available for any extra work they might have. You can often turn a small or one-time gig into a more profitable work experience.

Forge strategic relationships and connect with your community. If you are trying to get a job at a certain bank, and all the bankers go out to happy hour every Wednesday, then socialize there and try to connect with people in your circle; this will make it much easier for you to get “in” with a job, because you are already “in” with the crew! You don’t have to be sneaky or underhanded about it- just be yourself, and show that you fit in and would make a nice addition to the team.

Peace Corps. Is this whole “job” thing just not cutting it? Are you tired of your surroundings, bored of your friends and yearning to live a life less ordinary? The Peace Corps is looking for you. You may earn a pittance during your time working abroad, but the knowledge, experience and connections you will make will benefit you for your entire life.

How To Know If He Is Lying

2012-06-09T20:44:00.004-07:00

HOW TO KNOW IF HE IS LYING

Are You Suspicious Of Your Mate? Here Are Ways To Know If He Is Lying!

Do you remember this joke:

How can you tell if a man is lying?

-Is his mouth open?

Of course. No one lies all the time, not even men. However everyone lies sometimes. One study showed that in a ten-minute conversation, the average person fibbed six times. Or fudged it. Stretched the truth, told a little white lie, exaggerated a bit.

When humans lie, we are saying something we know to be untrue, and this makes us nervous. Our blood pressure rises, and we seek to pacify ourselves with small and often subconscious gestures like rubbing our faces or crossing our arms. They can be very fast, but can be spotted by an attendant observer.

In the end, you must listen to your gut. Your “gut” is really your subconscious mind, which picks up on cues from your environment that your conscious thoughts do not. While logically you may have no reason to doubt a certain person, if your gut is screaming otherwise, listen to it. It is picking up on micro-gestures and other behavioral cues that you have learned in the past indicate deceit and know to be true, even if your conscious brain doesn’t quite know why.

However please note: you will never know 100% if a person is lying. Even FBI agents who have interrogated suspects for an entire career admit that there is no foolproof lie detector, machine or otherwise. There are no hard and fast rules, only guidelines that put together give a strong indication that someone is lying, male or female. These following gestures just show that the person making them is nervous- hiding something, or uncomfortable in some way and seeking to pacify himself.

IS HE LYING TO YOU?

- Is he giving you intense eye contact, or almost none?

- Does his story have way too many details, or almost none?

- Does he always suspect you of deceit and often accuses you of cheating, etc? Treacherous of heart suspects treachery of all others.

- Does he have his hands in his pockets, his arms folded, or is using something like a chair or another item to otherwise physically block his body from yours? Physical blocking means he is also trying to block the truth from getting out of brain.

- Does his voice get higher when he answers your questions?

- Does he get very defensive when asked simple questions like, “What did you do last night?”

- Does he switch details of the story around?

- When you ask him a question, do his eyes look to the right? When humans try to remember past events, their eyes look to the left. When thinking about future events (or making things up as they go), their eyes shift to the right.

- Does he rub his face, neck, hands or legs?

- Does he touch his nose?

- Does he lock his legs around the back of his chair?

- Is he acting very different than normal? Is a usually laid-back guy being uptight, or a high-strung individual all of a sudden a loose goose?

- Is he using a lot of hand gestures for emphasis to his story? He thinks his words need support. Is he making no gestures? He is afraid that his hands will give him away.

- Does he momentarily cover his mouth with his fingers?

- Does he shrug often or do the “hand shrug,” a variant of the shoulder shrug, which involves the palms turning upward, and out? A shrug represents apathy and expresses diminished responsibility, and is a way to distance himself from the lies he is telling.

Overall, the better you know someone, the more easily you will be able to tell if he is lying, because you will be familiar with his usual behavior and can determine when he diverts from it. Listen to your gut, don’t be blinded by your heart, and in the end- make a decision with your brain.

GIVE PRESENCE, NOT PRESENTS

2012-06-09T20:27:00.001-07:00

Give Your Children the Gift They Really Need This Holiday

The holiday season is fast approaching and many parents are concerned about the family financial situation and the money problems they may be experiencing. As if rising food prices, stock market instability and skyrocketing health care costs weren’t enough, parents now have the added concern of finding available money to put a few presents under the Christmas tree or to share a gift during the family’s Hanukkah celebrations.

The giving of gifts is an honored tradition in most homes during the holiday season. Many parents are wondering what they will give this year as they tighten the money belt and attempt to weather the financial storm through the holiday.

Perhaps the answer lies in the gifts that are given. Give children what they really want from their parents, presence – not presents. All children spell love T-I-M-E. What we can give to them is our attention, our availability, our mindfulness, our closeness, our time.

Are you being fully present with your children? Can you let go of your worry about money and the giving of gifts? Can you suspend your agenda to focus on theirs? Can you learn to be there for and with your children? Consider the following suggestions as a way to give the most important present – your presence – this holiday season.

1. BE THERE REGARDLESS OF WHAT YOU ARE DOING

The holiday season requires an added measure of balancing kid’s schedules, work responsibilities, visiting family, cooking elaborate meals as well as regular requirements of keeping up with the laundry, etc. When feeling pulled in several directions many parents turn to multi-tasking. We’re suggesting that you avoid the urge to multi-task and strive to stay focused on the moment at hand. When you sit with your children, whether it’s to play a game or read a book, give them your undivided attention.

2. MAKE A "BE" CHOICE

How you choose to “be” affects whatever you choose to do. When you are with your children, choose to be interested in what they are interested in. Choose to be happy that you have the time to focus on their needs and wants. Choose to be excited about the time you have with them. Even when misbehavior occurs in your children, choose to be glad that you have the opportunity to help them learn a new behavior or a new way to communicate a desire or express a feeling.

3. FOCUS ON LISTENING RATHER THAN TELLING

Children spend a great portion of their day following directions such as: pick up your clothes, make your bed, sit down, be quiet, go play, chew with your mouth closed, stop picking on your brother, hang up your coat, brush your teeth. The list of commands seem unending. Remember, children have valuable things to say too. Many times parents get so focused on telling that they forget to listen. Value your children’s opinion. Allow opportunities to vent. Embrace their point of view. Invite suggestions. Listen to their voice.

4. CONNECT EMOTIONALLY

Feelings are always more important than things. Create an environment where it is safe to be emotional. Encourage the expression of feelings. Allow your feelings to extend to your children as you share traditions, reflect on holidays past and gather as a family. Have empathy, compassion and understanding.

5. CONNECT PHYSICALLY

Touch is a powerful way to communicate “I love you.” Get close and touch your children’s heart with a warm embrace or a gentle squeeze of the shoulder. Snuggle under a blanket and read together. Go for a walk and lock hands. Wrestle on the living room floor. Distribute hugs, smiles, winks and an occasional high five.

6. UNPLUG FROM THE ELECTRONIC WORLD

The television, computer, video games, and iPods have the potential to create a disconnect from personal interaction. Unplug, turn it off, and walk away. While riding in the car unplug the headphones, turn off the DVD player and tell your children a story about the day they were born or about a favorite holiday memory. Shut down the computer, turn off the X-box and play a game of chess, checkers or monopoly together. Stand up, walk away from the TV and go shoot baskets, skip rope, or ride bikes with your child.

7. PLAY BY THE KIDS' RULES

Play with your children at their level. Build mud pies, jump in rain puddles, roll down a hill, spray shaving cream on the kitchen table and join in the creation of artistic designs. Cover the driveway in sidewalk chalk. Let your children take the lead and change the rules of a game if they want. Know that play, no matter how childish or silly it may appear, is an investment in connecting with your children. Play regularly and remember the reason for play is to play, not to win.

Make a commitment this holiday season to give the best gift you can give by being present in your child’s life. Be active and interactive on a daily basis with your children. Be the parent you were called to be. Give your presence.

Coastal Interior Design On Budget

2012-06-08T22:07:00.001-07:00

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Coastal decor is beautiful and relaxing and it can be easily created on a budget. Create budget-friendly decor using the right colors and patterns. Coastal-themed accessories can bring in the motifs.

Budget Coastal Interior Designs:

Right Color Scheme

Just the right color scheme can change the look of the room from old to coastal. Whites, blues, and greens with pops of sand and yellow will help create the necessary atmosphere. There are many blue and green hues to choose from that can be balanced out with white or enhanced with yellow and sand.

Recycled Accessories

Use old or recycled furniture and accessories that suit the coastal theme. Vintage shops and flea markets can have lamps, chairs and various other decorations that can be redecorated, recycled, and used in creating a coastal-themed decor. Old discarded coastal-themed junk can also be useful in decorating.

Go Minimalistic

Minimalistic look can also work for coastal decor. The right color scheme and a couple of accessories can carry out the theme pretty well. It is also possible to create a coastal decor with textiles. Use floating white or blue curtains and bed linens in the bedroom to emphasized the beach theme.

9 tips for the perfect work-life balance

2012-06-07T23:10:00.003-07:00

Many of us work too much, and it's hard to find the time for the after-hours activities we enjoy. Is it possible to balance the teeter totter of work and life? Maybe not, but here are nine tips to help you

No: 1 Be 100 percent where you are: It's easy to keep thinking about that project you're working on long after you've left the office. And we're all guilty of sneaking out our phones to check work email during dinner. But by doing so, we let work take up more space than it should in our lives. Make an effort to leave work in the office, physically and mentally. Decide when you are shutting off and then actually do it

No: 2 Be more organized at work. One major reason many of us bring work home is because we constantly close out the day in the middle of a project, which makes it difficult to mentally leave it behind. Set up tasks on your calendar to finish projects or get to a stopping point each day, and prioritize what's most important. That way, you leave the workday feeling complete and ready to relax.

No: 3 Find hobbies: Many people simply don't know what to do with free time. If you haven't had hobbies since high school, it's time to find some. Explore sports, crafts, outdoor activities, or reading as a way to unwind. Take a class or attend a seminar about a topic that interests you. You might even learn something new.

No: 4 Plan your week: Not allotting time to handle chores and cook can make for a rushed work week. Cook a batch of food for your lunches on Sunday, and designate a half-hour each day to work on chores. That way you're not overwhelmed with housework on the weekend, which frees you up for more leisurely pursuits.

No: 5 Enjoy your family When you're focused on work, it's easy to grow distant from your family. Small efforts--such as eating dinner as a family during the week--make a big difference.

No: 6 Learn to say no: If you're feeling like you've over-committed to coaching soccer, singing in the choir, and volunteering at the library, then back off of a few things. Life is too short to commit to meaningless extracurricular activities that you'd rather avoid. Assess your activities and if anything starts to feel like a chore, decline politely.

No: 7 Institute a digital free zone: It can be hard to turn off the computer, tablet, and smartphone, but doing so will help you clear your head and connect with others. Designate one room or small space in your home where you can't update your Facebook status, answer a work email, watch a YouTube video, or tune into the nightly news.

No: 8 Exercise: Keeping your body fit and healthy is key to being happy in work and at play. Find exercise that you enjoy, and fit it into your routine. Consider finding activities you can do with your family, such as taking a walk together. While fitting the time into your schedule may seem difficult, you'll find yourself with more energy to be productive at work and home with a regular exercise routine.

No: 9 Be selective with your errands: Sometimes we can spend all of our free time running errands or doing chores. Perhaps you can hire a cleaner to come every few weeks to do the deep house cleaning or hire the kid down the street to mow the lawn. You can order almost anything online these days rather than spending your free time picking everything up in person. Even on a tight budget, you may find outsourcing some of these tasks worth the time you'll have for yourself. Maintaining a balance between work and life takes effort. It's a conscious choice you need to make.

Working from home? Here are the do's and don'ts

2012-06-07T23:10:00.002-07:00

Working from home might sound like a dream come true when you consider the prospect of having no commute, working in sweatpants, and doing laundry in the background. But it isn't easy; it takes discipline and structure, and it's not for everyone. If you're thinking of telecommuting, these 10 crucial steps will help keep you productive--and employed: By Alison Green | U.S.News & World Report LP

No: 1 Commit to being disciplined. If you spend your workday doing laundry, organizing your closets, catching up on TV, or surfing the Internet, you'll not only be abusing your employer's trust--you may end up out of a job. It's essential to focus and not get distracted when you work from home.

No: 2. Have set hours, just like you would at work. If you don't set working hours and stick to them, it's too easy to say, "Well, I'll relax this morning and make up for it by working late tonight," and then at night decide that you'll make up the hours later that week. On the flip side, it's also too easy to end up working well into the night simply if you don't have a set time to end each day.

No: 3. Create a daily to-do list. A daily task schedule for yourself can keep you focused. If you find yourself procrastinating anyway, try scheduling out each hour of the day so you know what you need to do when.

No: 4. Train your friends and family not to interrupt you. Friends and family may think that if you're working from home, you're not "really working." So be clear with them that you shouldn't be interrupted at home while you're working any more than you should be at the office. You might need to explain that you're not available to watch the neighbor's kids (or your own, for that matter) or do chores around the house.

No: 5. Establish a clear system for communicating with your manager and be vigilant about sticking to it. If you leave it informal, you're less likely to have regular communication than you would if you were physically in the office together. For instance, you might decide that (a) you'll have one regularly scheduled phone meeting per week; (b) you'll proactively and regularly create opportunities for less formal interaction, since your separate locations mean those won't pop up organically; (c) you won't rely on email for sensitive or complicated issues and instead will get on the phone to hash them out; and (d) you'll visit your headquarters at least twice a year.

No: 6. Be accessible. As convenient as working from home is for you, it has the potential to inconvenience your co-workers, by making it harder for them to talk to you when they need something. Since they can't just walk down the hall to your office, go out of your way to be accessible by phone, email, and--if your office uses it--instant messaging during the day.

No: 7. Over-communicate. When you're telecommuting, you risk losing your connection to your boss and co-workers, and even having people wonder what you're doing all day. To combat this, proactively let people know where projects stand and what your priorities are for the week. Additionally, while you should always stay on top of your email and phone messages, it's especially important if you telecommute. If you let emails or phone messages go unanswered, you risk people thinking that you're not working as hard as you would if your colleagues could see you.

No: 8. Don't eat while you work. With your kitchen just a few feet away, it's easy to find yourself eating more than you would if you were at an office. Many telecommuters gain weight because it's so easy to snack throughout the day.

No: 9. Find ways to have in-person contact. Working from home can be isolating. If you find yourself a little too excited to see the FedEx man, it's time to get out of your house. Try to have lunch once or twice a week with colleagues, networking contacts, or friends--outside of your home.

No: 10. Be honest with yourself about whether you're cut out for telecommuting. Not everyone is a good fit for working from home. If you'll feel isolated or give in to temptation to slack off, telecommuting might not be a good choice for you.

Creative Paper Art Work

2012-06-06T23:06:00.001-07:00

5 qualities that men look for in women

2012-06-06T20:44:00.000-07:00

Female quality 1: She has a life of her own

Say ‘cheerio’ to the helpless heroine from classic literature, and ‘well, hello!’ to the contemporary independent woman. It’s important to show that you’re self-sufficient when you’re trying to impress a man, and it’s equally as important to maintain this when you’re in a relationship. The average modern man doesn’t want a lady to be clinging onto him all the time – it makes him feel suffocated. Rather than ditching your friends and family to spend time with a new love interest, make sure you keep separate plans in your diary at all times. Never feel as though you wouldn’t have a life if this person wasn’t in it; get out there and show that you have a vibrant lifestyle aside from him. A relationship should enhance your life, not rule it.

Female quality 2: She is honest and loyal

Be honest with your love interest. If you tell them that a) you’re married and going through a particularly difficult divorce; b) you have a strange obsession with feet; or c) anything else that could potentially make them run for the hills, then you’ve done the right thing. Okay, maybe hold back on option b for now, but you see what we’re getting at. Anything that they may find out further down the line and could put them off should be made clear from the outset, or you risk wasting the time of you both. Don’t sugar-coat anything – if this man likes you enough, he will want to help you through difficult situations rather than leaving you to it. If either you or your love interest can’t accept the truth about one another’s past or present lives, you shouldn’t think about getting together because you won’t be able to look to the future.

Female quality 3: She looks after herself

This is one thing that hasn’t changed since the days of our most distant ancestors; men like a woman who takes a pride in her appearance and vice versa. We’re not talking about being a tall, slim supermodel – it’s not all about looks – but a little primping and preening here and there goes a long way. There’s no need to dress up in a ball gown and tiara for a date, but do wear something that accentuates your fantastic figure. Wear makeup to highlight your natural features; style your hair to compliment your face; and spritz on your favourite scent to boost your confidence – hello gorgeous! Styling yourself to make you feel your best leads to a more confident you and that’s another trait that men look for in women.

Female quality 4: She is self-confident

Gone are the days when the timid damsel in distress attracted the handsome, strong man; nowadays, being needy attracts little more than a few raised eyebrows. Despite coming across as confident, rarely do the celebrities you see in the media feel as bold and confident as they look. It’s all about faking it. Instead of zoning in on your weaknesses, develop and maximise your strengths to put you in the right frame of mind. Make sure you use your body language to your advantage, as this can help you to fake confidence when really you might prefer it if the ground were to swallow you up. Stand tall, make eye contact, and smile, for an instantly more confident you.

Female quality 5: She is mature and well-spoken

Baby talk can be cute but don’t use it too often, sugar bunny. Your average modern man likes his woman to be able to hold down an intellectual conversation as well as having a good sense of humour, and cutie-overload could put him off. Talk about interesting topics and be sure to listen to him as well as inputting your own thoughts and ideas into the conversation. Hold back on slang words for your first few dates and avoid swear words too, as they come across as uncouth.
It is a truth universally acknowledged that a modern man looks for different qualities in a woman than he may have done in the 1800s and – whilst no man is ever the same and may look for different qualities in a woman – it’s a good idea to take these tips on board to boost your dating potential.

Top 10 worst female health habits

2012-06-06T01:57:00.002-07:00

Wearing heels
More and more of us are opting to wear heels on a daily basis, and this could be bad news for our health. High heels affect our posture, put pressure on joints, and can lead to a range of conditions including arthritis, hammer toes, back pain and tendon injuries – and that’s before you take into account any heel-related accidents! To minimise damage, limit your heels to 1.5 inches for daily wear, and wear insoles to help reduce the pressure on joints.

Carrying a heavy handbag

With the rising number of gadgets and accessories the majority of women haul around, many of us are carrying around several pounds of weight on our shoulders every day. As a result, lots of us are also putting our long term health at risk. While you may not feel the effects right now, lugging around a heavy handbag can lead to serious back problems and neck pain as well as poor posture. Don’t wait until the damage is done – do your health a favour and try clearing out all non-essential items and switching to a smaller bag.

Sleeping in makeup

Most of us have succumbed to the temptation to sleep in our post-party makeup at some point. However, leaving makeup on overnight – along with the dirt and oil that naturally accumulates on skin throughout the day – is a quick route to clogged pores, congested skin and spots. Sleeping with mascara and eye makeup on can also affect your health by causing eye irritation, bloodshot eyes or even infection.

Matching men drink for drink

From networking drinks to first dates and social events, there are many instances when women may feel compelled to keep up with the drinking habits of the opposite sex. However, women not only tend to weigh less than men but they have less body water to dilute the alcohol, which means they tend to get more drunk more quickly. To minimise the risks of alcohol on your health, try to keep within the recommended guidelines for alcohol consumption and alternate alcohol with soft drinks.

Wearing the wrong bra size

It is thought that more than 70 per cent of women are wearing the wrong bra size. However, wearing a badly fitted bra can not only affect the look of your clothes, but research suggests it can cause a range of health problems including back, neck and breast pain, breathing difficulties, poor posture, skin irritation, circulation problems and even irritable bowel syndrome. Rather than guessing your size, make sure you get measured to ensure you are getting the support you need.

Worrying and harbouring regrets

Stress is damaging to both our physical and mental health, and women are twice as likely as men to suffer from stress-related disorders, as well as having higher rates of depression and anxiety. While it is thought there may be biological reasons for this, worrying about the future and dwelling on regrets can also add to our problems, with research suggesting that women are more than twice as likely as men to harbour regrets over lost loves and broken relationships.

Obsessing over appearance

While both genders suffer from body insecurity, many women tend to overly obsess over their idea of the “perfect” body. Research findings published in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology found that 16 per cent of the normal or underweight women studied believed themselves to be overweight, while a study commissioned by Dove found that 90 per of women wanted to change at least one aspect of their appearance. Body insecurity not only affects our mental health, but it can also lead to physical damage caused by extreme diets, yo-yo dieting, eating disorders and cosmetic surgery.

Emotional eating

While comfort eating affects both genders, research has suggested that men are more likely to reinforce positive emotions with food, while women comfort eat when they’re sad. Women are also more likely to satisfy their cravings with sweet, high-calorie foods. Rather than letting your waistline suffer next time you’re feeling blue, try distracting yourself from cravings by doing something you enjoy, or boost your endorphins and health with an uplifting workout.

Not getting enough sleep
Not only can lack of sleep make us look and feel at our worst, but insufficient shut-eye can also lead to increased accidents, calorie consumption and heart disease risk. Unluckily for women, statistics suggest that sleep problems affect more women than men, while a study by the University of Michigan found that women are more than twice as likely to give up sleep to care for others. Unfortunately, sleep has been found to affect women’s blood pressure and mood more than men’s, making it imperative that you do your best to get a good night’s sleep.

Putting themselves last
Not only are women more likely to compromise their sleeping habits to care for children and others, they are also prone to putting their own wants and needs at the bottom of a hectic to-do list of chores and obligations. To avoid running yourself into the ground, learn to sometimes say no to those requests and commitments that are less than essential, and make sure you set aside some “me” time each week to do something enjoyable just for you.

You too can create your own Designer Home

2012-06-06T01:57:00.001-07:00

With real estate growing like never before, the scope for interior designing is also increasing. The field is emerging as a very lucrative profession.

If you have a technical mind coupled with a creative bent to create a structured and defined environment, then the key to unlock the professional door of interior designing lies with you. A highly innovative, multi-faceted profession, it is one of the most upcoming career choices, which involves the process of thinking out-of-the-box, integrating knowledge and putting forth the best within the available space.

The gamut and the resources within which the interior designers work ultimately helps them to satisfy the need of the clients. A designer develops theme of the home, according to the requirement of the customers which they can easily connect to. A career in interior designing avails large scope and opportunities for the students.

The courses available for interior designing vary accordingly. Anand Ramakrishnan, Lecturer, School of Interior Design, CEPT University, said, "There is lot of options which a student can pursue to build a career in interior designing.

Bachelors, diplomas, masters degree etc are available. But, a student needs to be aware of the shortened versions of the course to ensure he gets a proper degree and a platform for building a good career.' He further said that the fee of the institutes offering such courses vary depending upon the institutions and even the city.

'Also, the package offered to a fresher from the field depends upon the firm, city, nature of work and other factors. Still a student can expect to earn somewhere between 10,000-12,000 or even 20,000-25,000 as a starting pay,' he added.

The course is accessible for students in different durations. A post-graduate programme of two years, bachelors degree, integrated courses and six-month diploma are available for the students, and hence the aspirants get options to choose from.

For post-graduate degree, usually graduates from architecture and fine arts are preferred. Apart from that, a student has an option of joining dip loma courses even after completing class XII. But for extensive options, a proper postgraduate degree is advisable.

Ramakrishna Rao, faculty and co-coordinator of furniture and interior design discipline, National Institute of Design (NID), said, 'There are lots of opportunities for students to explore in interior designing. With the real estate sector booming like anything, more and more people are buying plots.

People are also ready to spend on decorating the interiors of their house. This explains the demand for interior designers. It is among the higher income groups that the demand for designers is more as they can afford and want to customize their households with bea utiful architectures.'

Modular kitchens, unique furnitures, feng shui, home accessories, aesthetic and artistic looks for mirrors and decorative articles are few of the demands of the customers, for beautifying their homes and enhancing the charm of their abode.

There are many fields that an interior designer can afford to work. The working conditions and the kind of field chosen by the designer are based upon his personal interests and talents, and would differ depending upon the organisation and the type of work, he is undertaking. A person has a plate of options to choose from in this field.

'Many options are open for a person after completing interior designing course. A person can join manufacturing sector, work with architectural houses, join real estate business or can freelance (work as a selfemployed designer),' said Rao. Apart from the above-mentioned, healthcare designing is also one upcoming field where lot of emphasis needs to be paid on the placement of medicines, accessories and medical equipment.

The field of interior designing has seen immense growth, especially due to boom in real estate business. The field, due to its creative demand and thoughtful application, is emerging as one of the potential career options and is seen as a profession which offers lucrative sums.

This field is rather challenging, as an interior designer has to deal with many aspects like colours, lights, properties, the appearance of the final product, furnitures and accessories etc.

But, the most important aspect is to satisfy the customer within his desires and limitations.

source:http://education.in.msn.com/careers/article.aspx?cp-documentid=5114025#page=4

Tips to save on your shopping bill

2012-06-04T22:02:00.001-07:00

With the economy still not back on the fast track to recovery from the recent recession, many people are looking for ways to squeeze a few more dollars out of their monthly budgets. Groceries are often a target for savings and, with a little practice, you can save money at the grocery store like a pro.

Be forewarned, however, that the retailers and the manufacturers are out to pick your wallet. Unwary shoppers can easily fall for fake specials and colorful ad copy. The trick is to know whether what you're buying is a true bargain and to stick to your playbook. Here are four ways to make sure you're getting the best deals the grocery store has to offer:

Keep a Price Book Just because a shiny flyer says something is on sale, it doesn't mean that it truly is. You need to know how much the item is normally to know if it's a deal or not. The best way to assemble this information is to keep your local store's regular prices on the groceries you buy the most often in a notebook. For example, if you know that your favorite cola is normally $1.49 and it's on sale for 99 cents, it's time to stock up. After working with a price book for a period of time, you will start remembering prices and knowing what your "trigger" sale price is.

Learn the Sales Cycles Once you have determined that a sale item is a good deal (and that it is something you would buy anyway), you need to decide how much of it to buy. On one hand, you want to buy enough so that you don't have to buy it at full price for a while. On the other, you don't want to tie up more money and storage space than needed. The two components to "right-sizing" your sale buys are assessing how much of the product you go through and how often it goes on sale. The first is easy to calculate by tracking how much you use. For example, write down how often you open a new package of dishwasher detergent. You may go through a package a month. This tells you that buying 200 packages on sale is pointless because you won't use it all. Learning the sales cycle takes a bit more time and each store chain does it differently. Some stores put certain items on sale at fixed intervals like clockwork. On average, for example, you may find that milk is on sale one week per month. The goal is to be able to buy enough of a good sale to get you through to the next one.

Be Prepared to Invest in Sales When faced with a significant sale of an item that stores well and doesn't often go on sale, apply a substantial amount of your grocery budget to it. If you do this for all such sales, you will end up spending far less on average than those who buy their week's worth of groceries every week. It may mean that one week you buy two cases of canned corn and 50 rolls of toilet paper, and the next you pick up 25 pounds of ground beef for the freezer and 10 tubes of toothpaste. You'll get used to the odd looks from cashiers after a while and, in the meantime, you will be saving a ton on your overall grocery bill.

Know Coupon Policies While paying attention to sales will save you more money on average than clipping coupons, using them can add to your overall savings. Find out your local store's coupon policy which is likely outlined on its website. Some stores don't accept online coupons, some take competitors' coupons, and some double or even triple the face value of some coupons. For those who want to become serious couponers, there are several websites that outline the best coupons in weekend newspapers and offer strategies as to how best to use them.

The Bottom Line You can save a significant amount of money in the checkout aisle of your grocery store if you focus on the math and forget the hype. Smart grocery shoppers learn when to buy and, more importantly, when to leave something on the shelf.

7 ways bosses annoy employees

2012-06-04T22:02:00.000-07:00

Even good managers frustrate their employees now and then--while bad managers, of course, do it regularly. Here are seven of the most common complaints about the things bosses do without even realizing it:

1. Making social events unofficially required.

Employers frequently assume that employees will view office social events (like staff happy hours or holiday parties) as a treat--and then get offended when employees don't want to go. Most employees would prefer that employers make it clear when events are mandatory, rather than implying they're optional and then penalizing people who don't attend. And managers should realize that not everyone wants to socialize with their co-workers. Requiring employees to attend events that are ostensibly to build their morale may have the opposite effect.

2. Pressuring employees to donate to charity.

Employers often mean well when they organize workplace charity drives, but too often managers pressure employees to donate and even monitor individual participation. Charity drives are great, but participation needs to be strictly voluntary, both officially and unofficially. How employees spend their money is their business, not their employer's.

3. Calling employees who are on vacation

Too many employers act as if employees are on-call day and night, even when they're on vacation--which means that too many employees have had their vacations interrupted by calls and emails from the office. Companies that operate this way will have trouble retaining great employees over time, because great people with options will leave for companies that respect their personal lives.

4. Holding endless meetings.

There's nothing worse than knowing you have a looming deadline but being forced to sit in a long and needless meeting--but it's also incredibly common. Most employees report that they waste far too many hours a week in meetings without clear agendas or purposes, and that they're forced to sit around listening to idle conversation when they could be working productively at their desks.

5. Not making hard decisions.

One common way this plays out is with managers who won't address performance problems or fire under-performers--and if you've ever worked somewhere where laziness or shoddy work was tolerated, you know how frustrating and demoralizing this can be. But it plays out in other ways as well. For example, a manager who's afraid of conflict may hesitate to make necessary course corrections mid-way through a project, but then be unhappy with your final product. Good managers know that their job is to solve problems, not avoid them, and that they can't value preserving harmony or avoiding tough conversations above all else.

6. Delegating without truly delegating.

Sometimes a manager is so nervous about, or invested in, a project that even though she has technically assigned it to a staffer, she doesn't really let go of it, continuing to drive the work herself or even doing some of it herself. This leads to confusion about who is actually responsible for the work getting done and diminished ownership (and therefore diminished performance) on the part of the staffer it was assigned to.

7. Hinting, rather than speaking straightforwardly.

Some managers feel kinder or more polite sugarcoating a difficult conversation, but it's not at all kind to let someone miss an important message. When a manager sugarcoats to the point that her message is missed, or presents requirements as mere suggestions, staffers end up confused about expectations. And the manager ends up frustrated that their suggestions weren't acted upon. Most employees prefer straightforward communication so they don't need to figure out what they're really supposed to hear.

source:http://in.finance.yahoo.com/photos/7-ways-bosses-annoy-employees-slideshow/annoying-bosses-photo-1338203232.html

Interview Tips that Really Work

2012-06-04T04:00:00.000-07:00

The only topic with more information online than interview tips is ways to deal with sexuality issues.
Sites and books and self-help courses on how to crack a job interview come cheaper than a dime a dozen, yet when their advice doesn’t work, the blame is conveniently laid on the larger number of applicants than available jobs.

They say that the best jobs aren’t advertised, and I quite believe them. After all, how often have you seen openings for CEOs and MDs? LinkedIn lists some vacancies that aren’t advertised openly, and other important posts are filled through a referral system. Ramit Sethi, a 29-year-old US-born Indian who runs a course called Dream Job Boot Camp, says that it’s all about the contacts, but how does a guy without networking skills make his way up in corporate India?
I encourage you to check out Ramit at IWillTeachYouToBeRich.com, but just as a teaser, here are a few tips from the pro himself that are guaranteed to get you noticed and taken seriously at an
interview:

1. Find the 3 must-says that you want your interviewer to know about you, that you don’t want to get out of the room without saying
It’s happened to me so often, has it happened to you too? You walk out of the interview knowing that you haven’t made the impression you’d have wanted to, knowing that the conversation didn’t go the way you’d planned. What you should do is preplan what you absolutely have to tell the interviewer before you get out. Then, if possible, weave this into your resume, into the headline or objective.
Yes, that means tailoring your CV to fit each organization and post that you apply to. Yes, it means that you must do considerable research about the organization and the solutions it’s looking for. And yes, this extra work will be worth your while.

2. Handpick what you want to tell the interviewer when he asks you to tell him about yourself
I used to begin answering these types of questions by giving the interviewer a rundown of my educational qualifications, until one manager asked to me to stop giving him facts and start telling him about the ‘real me’. I guess it comes down to whether or not you think you are a worthwhile person if you couldn’t talk about your degrees and your job history. Besides, why would I want to waste the interviewer’s time by regaling him with information that I had already put down in my resume?

This is the time to tell the interviewer, even boast a bit, about why you’re a well-rounded, self-actualized person in your own right. What personal accomplishments are you most proud of? What are your goals (but please keep these in line with the company’s vision.) In my case, I began to speak about my black-belt status in Tae Kwon Do, which is a form of kick-boxing, and then I really watched managers’ eyes light up. Keep this part of the interview short and sweet, though; talk about two or three of your achievements in brief instead of describing incidents in your life.

3. Tell a riveting story when asked for your weak point. But don’t try to make it sound positive
The one rule that all interview websites recommend is naming your supposed ‘weak points’ but making them sound positive. Take a moment to laugh at the idea that someone’s only claim to shame is that they’re a workaholic, or that they are too detail-oriented, or that they take copious notes at meetings.

While I agree that interviewers should stay away from this question, because, let’s accept it, how honest can a person be when he wants a job that you might never hand him if he were to tell you that he’s a procrastinator, I use the time I saved in point 2 to tell a detailed story when asked this question. It works, and I’m not sure whether the additional detail convinces the interviewer that I’m telling the truth, or whether he just bores of me and proceeds to the next question.

4. Show how you are better than most people/other interviewees
I know, easier said that done. But this is where your research about the needs of this company comes in. if you know that the company is currently facing so-and-so problem, which you might be expected to help tackle if you are taken aboard, why not give your interviewer some ideas about how you’d go about handling the situation? This is guaranteed to blow him away even if the other applicants for the post are better qualified and more experienced than you are.
The most important way to really crack an interview is not on this list, but it’s also the most important way to succeed at life: be confident. If you haven’t perfected this skill, check out where the closest personality development school in your locality is located.
Often, the people who get the best jobs act like they believe that they can do the impossible and so should you.

Monthly Predictions June 2012 for all the signs

2012-06-04T03:49:00.001-07:00

Monthly Predictions June 2012 for all the signs

Aries

The cosmic configuration this month induces a bit of lethargy in your life. Despite your best efforts, people and circumstances will seem to be unresponsive. You will reap the fruits of the independent lifestyle you have been leading, for better or worse. Ganesha says the best thing to do now is to bide your time till things start looking up towards the end of the month. All you can do right now is introspection and preparing for demanding times ahead. For students, though, this is a good time to expand their intellectual horizons, and those involved in higher studies will benefit most. This is not the time to take risks of any kind, so avoid speculation or it may drain your resources, and also avoid diets and lifestyle that may cause health problems. The dates to watch out for any important tasks this month are 3, 4,12, 13, 23.

Taurus

This month will be reasonably good for you, especially from the financial standpoint, but you will have to tide over a mini-crisis caused by the lunar eclipse on the 4th. You will not only receive support from funds of family members, but even professional financiers will be ready to chip in to give a boost to your ideas of implementing new projects. Though health will be good, there is a definite risk of accidents and injuries, so Ganesha warns you to be careful while driving. Your vehicle too may need to be repaired or replaced. Existing relationships will be under stress while marriage plans must be postponed. You will develop an interest in spirituality, perhaps even change your religious practices, but the changes will be all for the better. The dates to watch out for any important tasks this month are 6, 15, 16, 24, 25.

Gemini

A very good month awaits you. Though there will be minor setbacks, they will be offset by positive developments. With your confidence level rising, everything around you seems to be conspiring in your favour. People will look up to you with respect. You will achieve your financial targets and thus will be able to afford all the goodies you have been eyeing for some time. Your financial fortunes will get even better from here on. There will be no problems on the health front; you will have enough energy to accomplish all your tasks, but Ganesha advises you to get enough rest to recoup your system. Relationships will prosper and new bonds will get stronger. You will enjoy the ecstasy of love, but put off marriage plans for slightly later. The dates to watch out for any important tasks this month are 9, 17, 18, 27, 28.

Cancer

Change is the operative word this month. And it is accentuated by the lunar eclipse on the 4th. You may expect changes in job, health and even in your sartorial sense. The change in health may be for the better or for the worse, but it will definitely affect the way you approach the issue. It is a good thing you are developing a bent for spirituality, as the practices associated with it like yoga and meditation will help improve your health. A change of job is foreseen, but Ganesha advises you to hold out for a better opportunity. The one thing that can change everything in your life is a financial windfall, and even that is on the cards. This is also a good time to have fun and share your good fortunes with your friends and family. The dates to watch out for any important tasks this month are 2, 10, 11, 20, 29.

Leo

This is when you begin to take charge of your life. You will be in control of events revolving around you. People will turn to you for motivation, and if you lead from the front positively, you will reap positive results, or else the results may not be that good. It is up to you, says Ganesha, but there is no need to get bogged down for fear of making mistakes. The important thing is to learn from them and move on. Some of you would have already achieved your goals, and if such is the case, it is the right time to sit back, ponder about how you could have done things better, and chalk out your goals for the future. You will feel more creative, so channelise your energies accordingly. The dates to watch out for any important tasks this month are 3, 12, 13, 22, 23.

Virgo

While on the career front you will make considerable progress, with increments and promotions on the cards, there may be some disturbances on the home front. In fact, the family disputes may be serious enough to warrant that you put some of your professional responsibilities on hold. Besides, the lunar eclipse on the 4th may add to your woes, by adversely affecting your health. However, Ganesha assures you that it will improve by the last week of the month. Travel plans need to be postponed in view of the risks foreseen this month. You also need to get a better perspective of your financial situation before taking any major decisions regarding it. Home PCs or other gadgets need upgradation. The dates to watch out for any important tasks this month are 5, 6, 15, 24, 25.

Libra

There are going to be important changes taking place in your career this month. Though initially these changes may not be much to your liking, Ganesha assures you that in the long run you will realise how favourable they were. The lunar eclipse and other planetary configurations also will favour you, though briefly they may dent your self-confidence. You may also experience frequent temperamental changes, but this phase too will pass by the end of the month and you will begin to feel more stable. There may be some disturbing events in the lives of your family members, but nothing to seriously worry about. A marriage in your social circle will lift your spirits and you will get back to work after that with renewed vigour. The dates to watch out for any important tasks this month are 9, 17, 18, 27, 28.

Scorpio

This will be a financially rewarding month for you, both directly and indirectly. There is the possibility of an inheritance of wealth. Besides, your spouse or some other member of the family may land up a far more lucrative job or there may be an increase in business profits, and they may shower their riches on you. Changes may be expected, says Ganesha, in the lives of students as well as grown-ups. Students may change their stream of studies or school/college, while adults will experience a sort of transformation of faith by abandoning old beliefs and adopting new ones. There is a risk of accidents or a breakdown due to fatigue this month, so you need to drive carefully and take care of your health by getting enough rest. The dates to watch out for any important tasks this month are 2, 10, 20, 21, 29.

Sagittarius

In some ways this is a strange month with strange experiences in store. The death of near and dear ones may come in your dreams, and you too may actually have a close shave with death. You need to exercise caution, especially when it comes to matters of health. Though no signs of illness or diseases are foreseen, Ganesha says you need to conserve energy, exercise regularly and get a good 8 hours of sleep at night. And avoid reckless driving or doing anything that might harm you physically. Love and marriage are in the air, which raise your spirits. You will make more friends and expand your social circle. Money too will not be a problem, because your wealthy partners will share their riches with you. The dates to watch out for any important tasks this month are 3, 4, 13, 22, 23.

Capricorn

This month's lunar eclipse, following close on the heels of last month's solar eclipse, continues to effect changes in your life, though not all of them will be negative. You will feel the impact of the eclipse for weeks before and after the actual event. By far the most important gain you will make during this period is developing a spiritual bent of mind. You might take on a spiritual master, change you belief systems, or it may be something as drastic as changing your religion altogether. You may find you loved ones behaving in a strange way. However, Ganesha says it is not your relationships with them that are causing problems but the setbacks, also perhaps influenced by the eclipses, that they are facing. The dates to watch out for any important tasks this month are 6, 15, 16, 24, 25.

Aquarius

Back-to-back eclipses – the solar eclipse last month and the lunar eclipse this month – have a significant impact on the career of most of you. A change of job or nature of responsibilities is on the cards. Some may be offered better opportunities, others may be presented the pink slip. Minor changes in health may cause major anxiety, but Ganesha assures that it will be nothing to worry about and the effects will soon wane, and you will feel healthy again. Things begin to look up towards the end of the month as you will enjoy partying, socialising and will learn a lot about yourself through new friends. On the financial front too you will be successful, but take care not to let those around you exploit your fortunes. The dates to watch out for any important tasks this month are 8, 9, 17, 18, 28.

Pisces

This month's lunar eclipse in a way replicates the effects of last month's solar eclipse. Especially on the professional front, there will be significant changes. There will be major changes in the staff structure and strength of your company, forcing you to adapt yourself to the new circumstances all over again. On the domestic front, too, you may have to face problems. Not only you but most of your family members will become more irritable, and a rift between your parents may widen to such an extent that one of them may choose to separate. The financial front, thankfully, will be stable, but Ganesha advises you to keep off speculative transactions. In fact all activities involving risk both for you and your family members must be avoided. The dates to watch out for any important tasks this month are 2, 10, 11, 20, 21.

Do you really need a credit card?

2012-06-01T05:34:00.000-07:00

Lately a lot of consumers have been asking whether they really need to carry a credit card. It seems just as easy to get by on cash, and all the identity theft and shady lender practices making headlines aren't reassuring. Also, the outcry against big banks and practices like debit card fees and swipe fees put off consumers who felt taken advantage of. By Jill Krasny | Business Insider

We tapped two of our favorite credit experts, Bethy Hardeman of CreditKarma.com and John Ulzheimer of SmartCredit.com, to weigh in on the pros and cons of carrying plastic. Do you really need a credit card? Here's what they had to say: Why you need a card

Travel arrangements. "It's hard to travel with cash all the time," said Ulzheimer. Reserving a room a car rental are tough enough with one and using a debit card instead can be a recipe for theft. There's also a certain kind of relief that comes with knowing you can travel anywhere in the world and still be protected if there's an emergency.

Protection and security. You'll get a lot more security with a credit card than you will with cash or a debit card. Once the cash is gone, it's gone. And debit cards, which are linked to your banking account, can easily help a crook to your wallet if the card is lost or stolen. As Ulzheimer pointed out, with a credit card, all it takes is a simple phone call to prevent further loss and identity theft.

Financing a home or a car. It's getting tougher and tougher to take out a mortgage these days, and like it or not, lenders will be checking your credit report. If you haven't got a card, there won't be a credit history to speak of, and you'll have a much harder time proving to lenders you're responsible with money.

Because you think you should have it. "You shouldn't get one just to get one," said Hardeman, who added that "it's worse to get an auto loan just to get an auto loan. Taking out a lot of debt, even if you have the cash to pay out of pocketm isn't a good idea because you'll likely be paying interest on it."

You're not planning to buy a home (or a car). "It's really up for the individual to decide," Hardeman said. "But if at some point you're going to need these things, the credit card is the best way to do it."

You impulse shop. "Clearly, if you're irresponsible or undisciplined, you can find yourself getting into a lot of debt quickly unless you can write a big fat check," said Ulzheimer, but "there comes a point in your life where you do need the convenience of plastic."

You too can create your own Designer Home

2012-05-31T05:31:00.000-07:00

With real estate growing like never before, the scope for interior designing is also increasing. The field is emerging as a very lucrative profession

The courses available for interior designing vary accordingly. Anand Ramakrishnan, Lecturer, School of Interior Design, CEPT University, said, 'There is lot of options which a student can pursue to build a career in interior designing

.

Bachelors, diplomas, masters degree etc are available. But, a student needs to be aware of the shortened versions of the course to ensure he gets a proper degree and a platform for building a good career.' He further said that the fee of the institutes offering such courses vary depending upon the institutions and even the city.

'Also, the package offered to a fresher from the field depends upon the firm, city, nature of work and other factors. Still a student can expect to earn somewhere between 10,000-12,000 or even 20,000-25,000 as a starting pay,' he added.

The course is accessible for students in different durations. A post-graduate programme of two years, bachelors degree, integrated courses and six-month diploma are available for the students, and hence the aspirants get options to choose from.