(BPT) – The bath serves a variety of uses, from a functional room to a serene sanctuary, a storage facility to a salon. And, whether you enjoy it yourself or share with the family, every bathroom is in need of one major thing – organization. To help keep your bath feeling more serene and less insane, follow these eight ideas to help improve your organization, maximize space and even add a bit of style.

1. Supersize your shower

You don’t need to remodel – or even use a tool – to increase the size of your shower space. Simply swap your straight shower rod with a curved version. Moen offers a variety of curved shower rod options, including a new Tension Curved Shower Rod that adds up to 5 1/2 inches of elbow room without using any elbow grease for installation. The no-tool, no-drill feature makes it ideal for showers featuring ceramic tile. For more space and functionality, Moen’s Double Curved Shower Rod adds up to 7 inches of elbow room, with two rods to hang multiple shower curtains or towels.

2. Take back the tub

From shampoo and shower gel, duckies and boats, the bathtub often needs to store a variety of items. While shower caddies or shelves are great solutions, you can also make your own. Reuse your straight shower rod – but install it across the back wall of the tub. Next, use shower rod hooks to hang a variety of plastic baskets, creating instant storage for each member of the family.

3. Maximize with dual-function

Dual-function products are perfect for smaller baths, since they offer added benefits without taking up more space. Update your current toilet paper holder, towel bars and in-shower shelves with newer versions that integrate grab bars. Moen offers stylish grab bars that feature paper holders, towel bars and two shelf designs – all in a variety of finishes to help you update these bathroom basics while adding storage, safety and style.

4. Clean closets

If you have a closet in your bathroom, fully utilize its storage potential. Use labeled – and preferably see-through – bins on the floor and for higher-up shelves to keep smaller items neat, organized and easily accessible. Designate the middle shelves for frequently used linens. Finally, the inside of the closet door can be a potential location for added storage space. Hang a shoe rack and you’ll instantly have a dozen pouches to hold smaller items.

5. Hidden helpers

While space underneath the vanity offers room for storage, this area is a glutton for disorganization. Remove everything and toss any items you don’t need. Next, use baskets or bins to create places for everything. Don’t forget that the back of the doors can also be added locations to install hooks or shelves

6. Shelves for storage

Don’t limit the vertical surfaces of your bathroom for mirrors and decor (especially if you don’t have a closet) – try installing wall shelves. Choose from a variety of options – from smaller, decorative shelves that can hold perfume and toiletries – to larger hotel shelves that provide the perfect storage location for towels.

7. Get hooked

It’s one of the major pet peeves in the bathroom: towels and clothes on the floor. Solve this problem by installing robe hooks. They are inexpensive, easy to install and come in a variety of styles and finishes to match your bathroom. If you share your bath with children, be sure to install a few lower on the wall, within reach of little hands.

8. Hotel inspiration

The next time you’re staying in a hotel, take note of the amenities offered – and incorporate them into your bathroom for added functionality and organization. Did you love using the wall-mounted, magnifying mirror? Enjoy the convenience of storing the hair dryer on the wall? These same bath accessories are available for your home – so install and enjoy.

With a few simple projects, your bathroom can achieve maximum organization, use of space and style. For more information on Moen bathroom accessories, visit www.moen.com.

Regarding car insurance for women, women are generally a lower risk to insure than men but will, in due course, have to pay the same premiums, in Europe at least, thanks to the EU Gender Directive in December 2012.

If a man and a woman approach a car insurance agency, looking to purchase cheap auto insurance, odds are the lady will be able to leave the place with a less expensive car insurance rate than the estimate the man is going to be given.

Women motorists have usually been shown more cost-effective insurance because, studies reveal they are in fact a lesser potential for having an incident whilst driving when compared with menfolk.

Statistics show that ladies drive more cautiously and not quite so aggressively as males engage in. In addition, they are given a lesser number of traffic tickets and make use of vehicle protection devices like seat belts with greater regularity than men do.

Accordingly car insurance companies command from males a higher rate than they command from females. Given that males are a greater risk, insurance firms determine they are more likely to have to pay a compensation claim on a man’s policy.

It’s no mystery that female motorists are found to be the safer and more rational car owners than males. In the past few years reports indicate that ladies have been proven to submit fewer recompense claims on insurance than males.

The damage in a collision caused by women motorists is less extensive in most cases. Consequently, their claims following the accident are usually reduced. That is why the usual women’s car insurance rates are likely to be thirty percent lower than that of males with the same statistical data.

Although no obvious changes appear to be produced in America or Canada, recent laws in a number of countries has made it unlawful for car insurance agencies to command alternative premiums for menfolk compared to women.

Menfolk are in a position to take advantage of these sorts of rates, also, as long as they are able to master some of the driving patterns of womenfolk. Such as:

Shop for a safe automobile.
Safe automobiles will get cheaper car insurance prices rather than those regarded as unsafe, like customized cars, and protection won’t just involve seatbelts, airbags, and child resistant locks. A safe automobile will also possess anti-theft systems.

Buy a modest automobile.
Modest automobiles are probably not going to be stolen, and automobiles that are less likely to be stolen are unlikely to end up being hard on the pocket to insure. You don’t have to invest in a minivan to receive cheap car insurance proposals, however buying a sports car won’t work in your favor, either.

Take care of your automobile.
Looking after your automobile means not depositing your automobile in environments where it may well get harmed or stolen. Drive your automobile as if you come with a little bit of sense, don’t urge it to the brink.

Leave your automobile in a carport whenever it’s not being used.
Should you not have a garage, look into leasing garage space locally for those who have one within walking distance, or, installing a strong outdoor light close to where your car is left.

Drive responsibly.
Driving responsibly covers staying within the speed limit, paying attention to road signage and traffic lights, and adopting the normal rules-of-the-road altogether.

When you drive responsibly, you’re going to avoid traffic tickets and car accidents, and while there are none of these particular marks on your driving record, car insurance businesses view you as a safe motorist.

Your labors do not pass without notice. Responsible drivers with spotless driving records get cheaper car insurance prices.

So, when a man heads out to spend a saturday at the hometown car dealers, he will need to have reliable cars on his checklist rather then showy street machines.

To end up making matters even more attractive for women, they’re able to reap the benefits of on-line insurance agencies offering bargains in particular dealing with women car owners. By using internet based insurance, women can currently experience substantial reductions annually.

Although females typically used to pay less than men for car insurance, you may have seen an increase in the cost of car insurance for women as insurers bring prices in line with those of men, due to the EU Gender Directive in December 2012.

(BPT) – When it comes to home improvement, Americans have embraced doing it themselves – in a big way. Among homeowners who plan to make improvements, 64 percent say they will do it themselves, according to American Express’ Consumer Spending and Saving Report. Yet one area of home improvement continues to give even adventurous and confident DIYers pause – bathroom renovation.

“Many people who don’t think twice about installing flooring or cabinetry or even tiling on their own, still feel they need a professional to upgrade their bathrooms,” says Gray Uhl, director of design for American Standard. “However, with the availability of easy-to-install products, like no-tools toilets and Speed Connect faucets, bathroom upgrades are well within the abilities of most do-it-yourselfers.”

Upgrading or adding a bathroom continues to be a winning home improvement for owners, whether they intend to sell or stay in their homes. A mid-range bathroom remodel recoups more than 65 percent of its cost at the time of resale, according to Remodeling Magazine’s Cost vs. Value report. An upscale bathroom renovation returns more than 58 percent.

If you’re considering remodeling a bathroom, here are quick, easy ways to spruce up your bathroom yourself, and still end up with professional quality results:

Start small: the power of bath accessories

When you think of bathroom accessories, towels and toothbrush holders likely come to mind. But anything that enhances the look of your bathroom decor can function as an accessory. Simple moves like swapping out dated cabinet hardware (or adding it where there was none) can help transform the look and feel of the bath.

Switching out a boring mirror with a beveled option can turn a functional background element into something eye-catching. Or, dress up an existing mirror by adding a frame. It’s easy to find mirror framing kits online or in your favorite home improvement store.

Keep thinking creatively when it comes to accessories, and imagine what you could do in the shower area. If your shower is a tub/shower combination, replacing a standard straight curtain rod with a curved one not only creates an elegant appearance, it can give you more elbow room while you’re using the shower.

If you have a shower stall with a door, consider swapping a plain glass door with a decorative one. Home improvement stores often carry a variety of designer options that are frosted or have a pattern. A new shower door can make an old shower look fresh and bold.

Style and function: replace toilet and bathroom faucet

The toilet, sink and faucet are essential elements that can be beautiful as well as functional. Replacing dated, inefficient models with newer options can give a bathroom a whole new look – and improve its usability. Easy-to-install products make updating these important bathroom fixtures simple and speedy.

Replacing a faucet can be a challenge when there are so many moving parts to contend with – not the least of which is the drain. Typical bathroom faucets can have as many as 14 parts to connect. American Standard’s Quentin bathroom faucet collection features a Speed Connect pre-assembled drain that requires no special tools or plumber’s putty.

Products like the American Standard Champion line of high efficiency toilets (HETs) blend powerful performance and water savings with easy installation. The WaterSense-certified Champion HETs use 20 percent less water than standard toilets without losing any flushing power. Available in tall height and elongated or round-front models, these toilets offer practical features like a slow-close seat that eliminates loud slams. Plus, their permanent EverClean antimicrobial finish inhibits the growth of stain and odor-causing bacteria, mold and mildew on the surface. Made for fast, easy installation by DIYers, Champion toilets that feature the EZ-Install kit include everything do-it-yourselfers need to install the toilet without the use of special tools or difficult bolt-cutting.

Added bonus: Buy a Champion and be a champion, joining a campaign by American Standard to raise awareness that almost half the world lacks a safe way to go to the bathroom. For every Champion toilet sold in the U.S. and Canada during 2013, American Standard will donate a hygienic latrine pan to a developing country to help raise the global standard of living through safe sanitation. Learn more at www.FlushForGood.com.

(BPT) – Like many couples who share a bathroom, one Arizona couple was frustrated by the space that was compromised by a swinging bathroom door. The open door swung into the bathroom vanity and took up too much space in a very traditional bathroom.

The couple turned to Board by Board, an Arizona kitchen and bath design company, to give their bathroom more space and an updated, clean design. Board by Board created a design that would incorporate a sleek, contemporary double mirrored sliding door with Wall Mount Hardware.

“The interior wall next to the swinging door had a built-in vacuum system that prevented us from using a traditional pocket door,” says Christie Board, kitchen and bath designer. “I had seen wall-mounted doors in magazines and have always loved the idea of incorporating this design into a remodel project.”

One of the challenges of using wall-mounted doors was finding the “right” door. Since this was a master bathroom, the door needed to fit the clean decor of the bathroom and the master bedroom.

After much searching, Board found a one-panel door and took the door to a glass company to have the door fitted with double-sided, full-length mirrors. Finding the right door was like finding a puzzle and putting the right pieces together, says Board. And the result was a simple design solution that looked ideal in both the bathroom and bedroom.

Board chose to use a valance for the door tracks on the wall mount hardware because she believed that the cleaner look would fit nicely with the master bedroom.

To handle the double-sided mirrored sliding door, Board used 2610F series Wall Mount Sliding Door Hardware. The mirrored door brings a “cool” looking design element to each room. The Arizona couple is thrilled that the bathroom door conflict is solved with such a beautiful design.

The 2610F wall mount hardware features a heavy walled-aluminum door track that is precision extruded for smooth operation and can hold up to 200 pounds of door weight. The convex rail design provides single-point hanger wheel contact for low “feather touch” roll resistance. And designers and do-it-yourselfers love the box track design that prevents rollers from jumping the track.

Board has used the Wall Mount Hardware a few times since this bathroom design and mentioned that she is getting ready to do this in her own home. However, Board is going to go with the exposed wall mount, rather than the valance because she wants a more contemporary look.

“I have used Johnson Hardware products in home remodeling projects and have always had fantastic results,” says Board. “This was a cost-effective, space-saving, simple solution and I will continue to use this brand in the future.”

(BPT) – Winter lingered far too long this year. It was cold, it was blustery, and many of us were left wondering if it would ever end. Now summer is here – and it’s time to get outdoors.

Instead of being forced to labor through the same old spring chores, use this abbreviated spring as an excuse to stay outside. Fire up the grill, dust off the patio furniture and envision relaxing on a cool night around an outdoor fireplace.

Your vision

Think of an outdoor fireplace as the functional focal point of your backyard or patio. It can anchor your landscaping, accent your decor, and extend your outdoor entertaining season. It can also be a missing link to your ultimate outdoor living room.

In fact, outdoor spaces are the No. 1 desired amenity by homebuyers, according to a 2011 National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) study. Second on that list is a fireplace. And according to the 2011 Marshall & Swift Residential Cost Handbook, outdoor gas fireplaces can add $3,500 on average to home values.

English: Outdoor fireplace-Outdoor barbecue Español: Quemando sarmientos en chimenea para asar (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Where to start?

For many of us, big, blazing bonfires just aren’t practical. And they’re not safe or permitted in many residential areas. Modern outdoor gas fireplaces can provide that rustic outdoor ambiance, with the safety and convenience suitable for today’s homes.

The Heat & Glo Carolina is a great place to start. It comes in two sizes and has enough heat output to warm a quaint porch, or a large backyard patio.

The Carolina is unique for having FireBrick technology: a patented material which is molded into detailed brick styles and increases heat output by as much as 25 percent. It works similar to cast iron, capturing radiant heat and spreading that heat outward, warming friends and family around the fire. Flip a switch on the wall, or press one button on its remote and this fireplace is ready for company.

Another route

For those looking to add some flare to the backyard, the Twilight Modern does just that. This see-through, indoor/outdoor fireplace installs directly into an exterior wall and creates a two-for-one fireside experience.

When the unit isn’t running, it acts as a hurricane-rated window. Turn it on, and crisp flames rise through colored glass. The result is an artistic appearance with solid heat output – perfect for relaxing inside or socializing outside.

The Twilight Modern is completely sealed and uses Direct Vent technology, expelling 100 percent of exhaust outside of the home. No venting or chimney is required.

Take control of your summer

This summer season, make the most of your backyard or patio. Extend your living into the outdoors and increase your home value. An outdoor gas fireplace creates another way to enjoy the great outdoors, and another way to accent your home.

Visit www.fireplaces.com to search and compare outdoor fireplaces and connect with your local dealer.

(BPT) – It’s got all the hallmarks of a great home improvement – adds value, enhances livability and beauty, and creates a perfect gathering spot for family and friends. So why wouldn’t you add a swimming pool to your outdoor living space?

From the belief that it costs too much to operate a pool to the misconception it will go unused, myths about pool ownership abound – and they likely dissuade some homeowners from making this valuable home improvement. If you’ve been considering adding a swimming pool to your outdoor environment, here are five common myths that simply don’t hold water.

Myth: Pools are too costly to install.

Reality: A swimming pool is a significant home improvement investment, there’s no denying it. However, the cost of a pool will depend on many factors, including the size of your yard, the dimensions of the pool and the materials you choose. When compared to other significant discretionary expenditures such as a family vacation – which costs the average family nearly $4,800 for one week of fun each year – a pool can be a high-value investment that pays for itself in just a few years. Of course, finding the right installer is key to a positive, cost-effective purchase. The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals (APSP) offers an online member locator to help consumers find an APSP Certified Professional in their area.

Myth: It’s difficult and costly to maintain a pool.

Reality: Long gone are the days when operating a pool pump could cost almost as much as running your central air conditioning during the summer. Pool pumps and filtration systems are more energy efficient than ever, saving money on electricity costs. Plus, improvements in filtration system and purification chemicals mean you’ll need less product to keep a pool sparkling throughout the summer. In fact, when it comes to pool maintenance, 63 percent of pool owners say maintaining correct water chemistry is no -trouble at all, according to an APSP survey.

Myth: Pools are not energy efficient.

Reality: Modern pool pumps require much less electricity to operate than you might think. Energy-efficient pumps can use up to 30 percent less power to operate. When compared to other household sources of electricity consumption, swimming pools are a small percentage of a home’s overall energy use. What’s more, these systems can be even more cost effective when solar powered. Accessories can help conserve energy, too. For example, using a solar cover on an in-ground pool when it’s not in use can help the water retain heat and keep debris out of the pool, which means less work for the filtration system – and you.

Myth: A pool won’t enhance my home’s value.

Reality: Buyers like homes that have swimming pools: Among people who purchased a home with an existing swimming pool, an eye-opening 78 percent said the presence of the pool contributed to their decision to buy the house, according to the APSP survey. Depending on where you live, a pool may enhance your home’s appeal to prospective buyers even more – especially if you live in a region with very hot summers or a year-round temperate climate.

Myth: If we get a pool, we’ll never use it.

Reality: People who own pools say they spend a lot of time in them, and it’s quality time. Seventy-six percent of pool owners say they are extremely or very satisfied with their pools. They also consider it a great place for gatherings, and believe that having a pool entices their family to spend more time together in their own backyards. Owners say they use their pools for relaxation, entertainment, celebrations and exercise, and 96 percent say they are satisfied with their pools.

To learn more about how fun pool ownership can be, visit the APSP’s website at www.apsp.org.

(BPT) – Many women cite a number of external factors that can trigger sensitive skin flare-ups, including harsh ingredients, weather and makeup. What they may not know is that lifestyle choices can also influence the health and appearance of their skin.

Different lifestyle factors, including diet, fitness and stress management can affect skincare in addition to the facial skincare products used. -Simple, a line of facial skincare products that is perfect even for sensitive skin, recognizes this, and therefore, takes a holistic approach to skincare by focusing on the link between all of the factors that impact skin.

Simple is launching The Simple Advisory Board, a panel of leading industry experts who offer advice for a complete approach to skincare. Board members are sharing tips to help achieve natural, healthy-looking skin all year long through a balanced, holistic lifestyle approach.

* Dr. Debra Luftman is a Board Certified Dermatologist who believes that healthy skin can have a positive impact on overall health. She also firmly believes skincare does not need to be complicated to be effective.

Top tip: Sooth tired eyes with a cool home remedy

Sometimes when eyes are feeling tired or irritated, the wakeup call they need might be found in the refrigerator! Chill spoons in the refrigerator and place them over your eyes for an instant soothing sensation and an immediate, chilly jolt back to life. Dr. Luftman says, “your eyes will feel cool and look refreshed, the blood vessels around your eyes will shrink and eye circles will appear to vanish!”

* Trainer-to-the-stars, Kacy Duke – whose client list reads like a red carpet who’s who – is one of the most sought-after personal trainers and fitness consultants in the world, in addition to being one of the founders of Equinox Fitness Clubs.

Top tip: Get moving and get skin fit

Exercise can be hard to fit into busy schedules and often takes a back seat to other priorities. On the days when you cannot make it to the gym, find alternate ways to squeeze in some movement so your daily routine can help you pick up the slack. Take the stairs over the escalator, get off the bus a few stops early or jump around the living room to your favorite song. By finding ways to move – even on non-gym days – you promote better blood flow and circulation, which show in the health and beauty of your skin.

* Gita Bass is no stranger to the stars. She’s credited with creating amazing looks for many celebrities on and off camera and is the talent behind numerous editorial photo shoots and advertising campaigns.

Top tip: Take it all off (makeup that is) before hitting the sheets

One of my top tips for a great make-up look is to start with the proper base: prepping your skin. If your skin is smooth and even, then your makeup is halfway done, which makes getting ready for a night out much easier. Just because you look amazing for a special date or dinner with friends doesn’t mean that you can forget about your skin once you get home (even if it’s past your bedtime). The best way to ensure your skin achieves a natural, healthy glow is by getting into the routine of cleansing before bedtime. Overnight, skin needs oxygen to repair itself, and sleeping in make-up can clog pores, causing breakouts and puffy eyes. Gita’s favorite way to cleanse gently and rid skin of impurities before sleep is with the new Simple Foaming Cleanser.

* Ellie Krieger is a “New York Times” bestselling author and host of the Food Network and Cooking Channel’s hit show “Healthy Appetite.” A registered dietitian, Krieger holds a master’s degree in nutrition from Columbia University. Her success can be attributed in part to her unique way of offering real life advice without any of the gimmicks and crash diets that permeate today’s trends.

Top tip: Put tomatoes to the test

Fine lines are a natural part of aging, but you can help combat them with the right diet. Tomatoes, in particular, contain an antioxidant that is proven to reduce skin cell damage, which can often lead to fine lines. Try an easy spinach salad with chopped tomatoes. Go the extra mile and top your salad with almonds or sunflower seeds. The vitamin E found in these nuts and seeds can help further protect against cell damage.

* Dr. Josie Howard is a board-certified psychiatrist with a practice dedicated to general adult psychiatry. She specializes in psychodermatology, an area of medicine that focuses on the relationship between stress, emotional well-being and skin health.

Top tip: Say it with a smile

Any level of emotional stress we experience can readily be detected on our face, whether it is seen through breakouts, irritation, blushing and of course, frowning. When we smile, we look better, less tired and more refreshed. An added benefit of smiling is that our brains interpret this as a signal that we really are happy and content. Moreover, smiling can help others react to us in a more positive way, which can lead to better and less stressful interactions (or a better and less stressful experience). For more information about Simple and tips from the Simple Advisory Board visit www.simpleskincare.com. While there, check out the Simple Sense diagnostic tool to receive a personalized skincare routine that includes lifestyle tips.

(BPT) – As the warmer weather is upon us, it brings many new activities: baseball, picnics, beach time and – best of all – garage sales. People are purging what they don’t need or no longer want. It’s the perfect opportunity to turn their trash into your treasure.- From outdated odds and ends to forgotten furniture, there is a wealth of worthy items just waiting to be found, re-imagined and re-purposed.

Pretty in paint

Rusty metal, chipped paint, colors from another decade – they are common sights for the garage sale shopper. But when you look beyond these imperfections – and at their spray paint potential – you’ll soon find some diamonds in the rough.

Metal products, such as tables, chairs, garden tools or even watering cans, can receive an easy and instant update with Rust Protector spray paint from Krylon. The product, available in a variety of colors and finishes, dries in just eight minutes. As you create your new masterpieces, you won’t have to worry about grass, leaves or other particles getting stuck in your fresh coat of paint. Plus, the paint provides the ultimate protection against rust, keeping your new treasures looking amazing, regardless of the elements they face.

If it’s color you desire, look no further than Krylon’s new ColorMaster spray paint with bold, bright or basic hues to update your new findings. Turn blah and bland wood chairs, dusty and drab dressers or awful accessories into amazing furniture or accents with the extensive line of color and finish choices. Covermax technology provides premium coverage and brilliant color. It’s a new formulation that achieves better hide without relying on shading or fillers that can darken or wash out colors. The result is hues that are clean and crisp.

Garage Sales (Photo credit: Mark Turnauckas)

New uses for old things

The key to finding items at garage sales is to look at how they can be used in new and different ways. Don’t view that dusty, broken typewriter or vintage camera as mechanical pieces you have to fix, but rather as interesting design elements to be admired on bookshelves and mantels.

Even old books can add a level of sophistication to your home. Grab a handful in coordinating colors to stack on a dresser or end table for instant eye appeal. Buy an old ladder and prop it against the wall to drape blankets. You can even spray paint an old coffee mug rack to create a fabulous jewelry organizer to hang all your favorite accessories. The possibilities are endless.

Turning up treasures

If your main reason for getting giddy over garage sales is to make a quick buck, you’re not alone. Valuable items could lurk at every turn, and they are just waiting to be snatched up by eager buyers.

Before you head out to garage sales, however, do your research and read up on collectibles. Generally, pieces with high nostalgia will fetch a higher price tag. Think classic lunch boxes, comic books, sports memorabilia or board games – things you loved as a kid that never seem to go out of style. You can also enlist the help of a collectibles expert, who can tell you everything you need to know.

As you head outdoors this summer on a hunt for some bargain fixer-upper or forgotten gems, keep your eyes peeled and your mind open. The perfect addition to your home is right around the corner.- You just have to use your imagination and bring it back to life. For more information on Krylon products or project ideas, visit www.krylon.com.

Executive Summary

There is much to be said about business owner Mark Cuban. Many people really don’t know his full story though. I for one believed he was born into the money he has, but after reading this book, I found out that he has worked hard to get where he is and is truly deserving of the success he has had in his life.

In this book, Mark Cuban goes through many of his old blog posts to give many young entrepreneurs help. At the beginning, he tells the story about how he first got started. Mark had his first business when he was just 12. He wanted a new pair of basketball shoes, so he went door to door selling trash bags until he had enough money to buy the shoes. Then, while he was in high school he started a company selling powdered milk. Obviously, that one didn’t work out, and it was at this point that Mark realized the importance of having a good product. He later went on to go to school at Indiana University where he majored in computer science and opened up a bar with a friend. That didn’t last long thanks to selling drinks to minors and such. After college, he wanted to finally get paid to learn. He held many different jobs to the point where his parents thought he would never have a stable career. He then moved to Dallas to live with a buddy of his and eventually, after a lot of hard work, he started a business that would later make him extremely rich. It was called MicroSolutions.

This is about the midway point of the book, and the rest of the content was strictly his blogs. These blogs discuss many of the key thoughts he has when making big business decisions and some of the big influences he has had in his life.

Mark talks about taking the path of the least resistance which is a whole concept about making your product easily accessible. This is something he felt very passionate about (like many other things in this book). Another key aspect of the book was the value he put on his customers. Mark felt that being a good salesman was all about effort and making your customers happy. He always felt one of the most important things was to walk in his customer’s shoes for a second to see how he would view his company. This gave him insight that he could not gain anywhere else. An example of this is the fact that he never sits in the expensive seats in the Maverick’s basketball stadium. He is constantly sitting in different places without security, so he can get the full feel of how it is to be a fan of the team. He encourages the fans to come give him feedback such as the lines are long or the beer is warm.

Another thing that Mark really tried to emphasize was the fact that you only had to be right once. He has failed numerous times in his business endeavors, but no one remembers him for that now, because he succeeded that one time to get him on the map. If you ask anyone today who he is, most people would say the owner of the Dallas Mavericks. They couldn’t tell you what he did before then or if he was even successful or a failure. None of that matters once you make it. It’s simple as that.

Perhaps the main point of the book that I feel Mark Cuban is trying to imply is that business is very much a sport. It has all the characteristics. It is very physically and emotionally demanding just like a sport. There is even a great amount of competition like any sport. In fact, there is even more competition in business. In sports, you know exactly who your competition is because you play against them. You have practice to help define who you are. In business, you never know who you may be competing against, and once you start, you’re thrown right into the mix without any warm-ups. There is always someone out there trying to take away everything you’ve built up, and that’s what Mark wants you to realize. Business is a 24×7x365xForever competition. If you put in the effort, you have the best chance of getting the results you want.

In conclusion, this book really is a great read that flows great. Anyone could find some lesson they can learn whether they are a business owner or not. At $2.99, this book truly is one of the best bangs for your buck. I’d recommend you try it out to better yourself and your business.

The Ten Things Managers Need to Know from How to Win at the Sport of Business

1. Business is a sport

Just like any sport, business is a competition. In fact, it is a never ending competition, and it is even more exhausting. There is always someone out there who is trying to knock you out of business, and you must always keep that edge to stay out in front.

2. The only thing in life you can control is effort

You never know what each day may bring you. It may be fortune or it may be problems, all you can control is the amount of effort you give each and every day. If you put all you have into your business, you are more likely to see the results you want.

3. You only have to be right once

It only takes you being right once to be a successful businessman. No one ever remembers your failures after you have proven to be successful. Mark Cuban gives examples about all of the times he’s failed, but no one can ever seem to recall him ever failing in business.

4. Know which battles to fight

Part of being a businessman is knowing which battles to fight. Expansion is great, but if you are not event succeeding at the core part of your business, you should not be worried about expanding. This is a sign of you giving up. Always fight the battles that deal with your core competencies, or you will never make it long as a company.

5. Don’t lie to yourself

If you are going to succeed, you have to be able to be honest with yourself. The worst evaluator of you is yourself. You tend to have complete bias and usually seem to ignore your weaknesses and exaggerate your strengths. Be true to who you are, because it’s impossible to change. Just be yourself and surround yourself with other skills you may be lacking to ensure success in your company.

6. Connect with your customers

Your customers own you. Whether you realize it or not, you would not be here if it wasn’t for them. Spend time in their shoes to see what makes them happy and make sure you keep them that way. Every day you have to re-convince your customers that you are their best option. Don’t run the risk of ignoring them, because in the Internet Age, unfavorable news about your company can become viral.

7. It’s ok to be a whiner

The media tends to put down on people that whine, but Mark Cuban argues that it should be the opposite way. Whiners bring out the real problems that companies might not know they have. It’s an effective way for change, and it can bring out initiative in people who may have lost it or needed a little encouragement.

8. Take the path of least resistance

The path of least resistance is all about the ease of access to a product. People sometimes don’t realize it, but a lot of our actions are influenced by the fact that it’s just easy to do it. This is essential for your company. You want to have the path of least resistance when in comparison to your competitor, because if you don’t have it, your customers will purchase their product instead.

9. If you can sell, you can get a job anytime, anywhere

Sales are completely undervalued these days. I’m not even talking about smooth talking sales people either. Sales is all about having a passion for your product, a strong work ethic, and to want your customers to be completely satisfied. It is something that everyone can learn, and it’s something that will ensure that you will never have to worry about being let go from your job.

10. Take “No” for an answer

It’s perfectly ok for someone to not want your product. I’m not saying give up right away when he says no, but don’t push them to the extreme. For every minute you waste on that customer, you could be convincing someone to buy your product. If your product is really that good, he is the one missing out and not you. This will help avoid appearing as if you and your company are desperate for business.

Full Summary of How to Win at the Sport of Business

Intro

Mark Cuban is a successful entrepreneur and business owner. He currently runs many small businesses such as HDNet and Broadcast.com along with the well-known NBA basketball team, the Dallas Mavericks. In his book, he tries to help current and prospective small business owners succeed in their respective fields. Since this book is actually a collection of blogs, I will summarize most of the blogs, but I may choose to skip of few for sake of repeating myself too many times. Most of the blogs begin to repeat themselves, because Mark put what he felt were his best blog posts in the book. Obviously he felt some areas were just that important. Without further ado, here is the summary of Mark Cuban’s How to Win at the Sport of Business: If I Can Do It, You Can Do it.

Part One:

The Dream

Mark Cuban begins his book by taking a look at when he first graduated college. He graduated from Indiana University with a degree in computer science and couldn’t wait to go to work. He was tired of spending money to learn, so he opted not to go further his education. Getting paid to learn was his goal after graduation. Mark could finally get paid to learn, and he was not going to pass this up. He could never hold a steady job, because he found he got bored with them quickly. While he did have many jobs right off the back, he always reminded himself that he was there to learn and not to make a career out of it. He spend time working in a bank in Pittsburgh, and then, on a whim, decided to move to Dallas, Texas to move in with a few buddies of his from Indiana.  The first months he spent broke, sleeping on his friends’ couch, and drinking his life away. One night, he decided to create a list of dream careers he might possibly want one day, and it helped inspire him. He had a dream, and now all he needed to do was to have a little luck and make it come true. After a few months of this and while working as a bartender, he finally had a breakthrough and got a job for a computer software company in the area named, Your Business Software. Mark will still admit to this day that he got lucky getting the job. No one else was really pursuing it, so he was their only option. Now, the partying never stopped, but he really began to shine in this company. He knew he had to work hard if he wanted to succeed, and he began to study the software material every night. Mark was an intelligent guy, and he realized that his customers and his coworkers didn’t know much about the software. Computer software was fairly new at this time, but Mark realized that if he knew each and every thing about each package he could outshine the rest of the employees. Mark began to really succeed and gained a huge clientele base, but he made one decision that would eventually cost him his job. Instead of going to open the store one morning, he went to close a deal with a big business in the Dallas area. When he got to work that morning after closing the deal, he thought his boss would be impressed with him. Instead, he was fired on the spot. This was a pivotal moment for Mark, because in this instant he realized he wasn’t cut out to be someone else’s employee. He wanted to be an entrepreneur and set out to become one. The name of the company is what he created first, and afterwards, Mark called many of his old customers to inform them that he was beginning his own company. This was such a risk and he really had to tell a few white lies to even get his first customers. He didn’t have a phone, an office, or even a computer, so how was he to make it as a business owner. Thankfully, a man named Martin Woodall, who owned Hytec Data gave him some space in his office. Mark would work day and night trying to make money for his company, and he just loved every minute of it. He realized that this was what he wanted to do. The first year he made $15,000 and a few years later he was making $85,000. Martin had become his partner, and he even had a secretary. He had truly come a long way from where he was just a few years ago. He explains that Martin was the perfect partner, because they were opposites. Mark was the one who was sloppy and take risks, and Martin was the anal one who kept everything organized and straight. Then, he learned one of his most valuable business lessons. When Martin was going to make deposits at the bank one day, they discovered that their secretary, Rene, had whited-out the company’s name and put her own. She had stolen $83,000 from the company, and there was nothing they could do about it. Although, Mark knew what he had to do. Right after finding out, he went back to work. He knew that this was the only way to come back from such a loss. He realized things are going to happen to you, and the best way to go about it is to keep chugging on. Mark learned from his past mistakes and now knew he would never make that one again. Mark always told himself that it was ok to make little mistakes, just not big ones. Mark really brought a passion to his business and was constantly researching to find ways to be better than his competitors. He knew they were too lazy to do the same, so he would beat them by outworking them. Of course, the company I’ve been talking about is MicroSolutions. This was Mark’s real breakthrough. At 24, he became a successful businessman through hard work, and he explains to the reader that, if he can do it, you definitely can.

Part Two:

My First Lessons Learned

Mark was always looking for ways to improve his company and not just through books and magazines but from watching others in do business. He learned many valuable lessons from watching some of the other technology companies during his time. There was this one company called PC Limited that he became a customer of because of their great advertising techniques. It was a company started in Austin, Texas in one guy’s dorm room. He was so impressed he even wrote a letter to the owner, Michael Dell. Yes, the same Dell from Dell Computers. He later realized that Michael never needed his encouragement; that was just one of many genius things he would do on his way to the top. Mark also described an event in Las Vegas that all the computer people go to where Bill Gates actually stole his girls at the Microsoft party. Now, he says Bill Gates was dancing his butt off, but he didn’t want to embarrass him in this book since he’s a big fan. There he learned that money can make anybody handsome. It wasn’t just this that he thought was so intriguing when it came to Bill Gates. At the time, software was expensive. WordPerfect and Lotus 1-2-3 were the top programs and cost around $495.00. Microsoft, led by Gates, decided to take three lowly software products; Excel, Word, and PowerPoint; and create a suite that they would sell for $99. The most important part was that these products could only be used on Windows operating systems. This meant if you bought a computer with Windows, you got the cheaper software package, and saved close to $300. This not only made Microsoft rich, but it also brought in some good business for MicroSolutions as well. He explains to very important lessons he learned from these experiences. Number one was to ask yourself how someone could preempt your product or services. No product is perfect, and if there are good competitors in your market, they will try to abuse you. Be honest with yourself and identify your weaknesses to know where your problems may come from ahead of time. The second lesson was to always run your business like you would be competing against the “big boys” in your industry. No matter what their relationship is to your business, you have to assume at some point you may be competing with them. Cuban says, “If you are ready to compete with the big guys, you are ready to compete with anyone else.” Watching the best taught him more about how to run a business, and it also taught him some personal lessons as well.

The Sport of Business

In this section, Mark describes how business is just like any sport. Business is real competition. In sports, you know who your competitors are, and it’s extremely exhausting if you’re at the top of your game. This does not compare with business though. Business is even more exhausting than sports, because you have no scheduled games, no practices that define it, and it doesn’t have any set rules. It’s a never ending competition that lasts 24/7/365 x Forever. Business is the ultimate competition. You spend all your time researching on how to make your company better. The reason you do things is always because you are trying to improve. Success is about having the edge and whether or not you have the guts to use it. Everyone plays the sport, but only a small percentage is actually good at it. Every day someone has an idea and starts a business to compete against and beat yours. Somewhere in the world there is always a person trying to make a company that will take away everything you have ever worked for. This is why business is a sport.

The Only Thing in Life You Can Control: Effort

At this point in his career, MicroSolutions was growing, but it really wasn’t living up to the expectations of Cuban. The technology and computer market were begin to struggle, and this is when Mark used his sports connection to come up with a very important lesson. Mark realized that you cannot control what will happen to you, but like in sports, you can always control the amount of effort you put in. This meant going back to what made him successful in the first place. He would be working around the clock and made a commitment to no longer lie to himself about his effort. It wasn’t about just getting hours, because you can just sit in your office and say you worked for X amount of hours. It was making use of his time and creating and meeting goals. This is the best way to measure effort according to Cuban. The requirement to make a business succeed is effort. You either give it all you got and get results, or you don’t. It’s that simple.

You Only Have to Be Right Once!

This is a theme that was very common throughout the book. Mark definitely felt that this was important for business owners, because he, himself, is a living example. He started companies and failed before he ever made it big. All you have to do is succeed once, and you’ve made it. It’s the “beauty of the business world” as Mark states. No one ever asks him about all the things he failed at. They don’t care and never will. Every failure he had was used as a learning block for the next time around. Mark had unlimited time and effort to give, and that provided a great formula for future success. Everyone will say how lucky you are, but you actually create your own luck. You worked hard to succeed, so let them all say how lucky you are. You know deep down it was never luck and it took years and years of experience to get where you are today.

You Can Drown in Opportunity.

Here, Mark tries to explain that you need to know which battles to fight and to always fight one battle at a time. There is only 24 hours time and so much attention you can give to one area. You want to use this time to focusing on winning your core business, because this will pay off more than anything else. He adds that in a sports perspective, you are getting the fundamentals right first and then you can add on to your base skills before taking the trick shots. If you don’t focus on these core competencies when you are struggling, you are either running away or giving up. You core business comes first, and then, afterwards, you can focus on outside business.

Don’t Lie to Yourself!

What Mark wanted you to get out of this is to be yourself and to know your strengths and weaknesses. The worst evaluator of you is yourself. When you do a self evaluation, you always seem to be biased, because you believe you are better than what you really are. Be honest with who you are and what you can bring to the table. Mark gave the example of when he was starting MicroSolutions. He tried to convince himself that, even though he was sloppy and extremely unorganized, he would become a detail-oriented person when it came to his business. What he found out is that you can’t change who you are, and for this reason, his business struggled in some aspects. What he went on to do was find the perfect partner to counter balance himself. Martin Woodall was very anal and conservative which was exactly what Mark needed to be successful. Individually he was limited, but together they were a great team. So don’t lie to yourself, and if you’re weak in a certain area, find someone who is strong in it. A lot of times it’s not about knowing everything, but surrounding yourself with people who collectively can bring a lot to the table for your business.

Connecting to Your Customers

This blog brought to attention how important customers are to your company. You must act as if your customers own you, because technically, they do. If not for them, you would not have a business to begin with. One great quote he used was “you have to re-earn your customers each day.” It’s all about appearance for you customers. They value down-to-earth businessmen who they can approach if they have a concern and feel connected to. By doing this, you find some of the best feedback customers can give. Mark gives example of sitting in the cheap seats at Mavericks games just so he can experience how it is to be in his customers’ shoes. The owner who doesn’t listen to this feedback will only hold his company back in the long run. In the internet age, there are so many ways for your customers to get bad reviews out there. It can even go viral which is the last thing you want to do. Just remember that it is always easier to be proactive than reactive. It will save you from facing a lot of problems in the future.

It’s OK to Be a Whiner!

While whining seems to have a bad rep about it, Mark Cuban argues that whining is the first step to solving a problem. It shows you where you have a problem. Whining can bring people to take the initiative to make things better, and what’s not great about that? In the media, it’s seen as a negative thing, but Mark argues that it’s because they feel they can’t change anything themselves. They are content with how things are no matter how bad they are. It’s good to be a whiner, because you can’t change things for the better by bringing problems to light.

The Path of Least Resistance

This was quite possibly the most important blog I found in the whole book. It drives home a concept that you really don’t think about off the top of your head, but some of the most successful businesses as of late have mastered it. This concept is that people tend to follow the path of least resistance. People tend to do what is the easiest. For example, if Broadcast.com were to play a game on their radio station that was being nationally televised on a weekend, no one would listen to their station, because it is easier to watch the game on TV. However, if they were to broadcast an out of market game during the middle of the week, they would get many listeners, because the people would be able to listen on their computers at work instead of having to leave to find a TV. In this instance, listening on the radio would be the path of least resistance. Google is an example of a company who perfected this. They one-upped Yahoo! by providing an easier way of searching through their search engine. On yahoo, you had to go through many links on their website just to get to the search bar. Google’s website pops up with a simple box and Google above the name. The path of least resistance is Google, and it shows in their financial statements as well. This is important for you company to provide. You must make your product the easiest to experience and to obtain. In conclusion, make your product easier to buy than your competitors, or you will find that customers will buy from them instead. Everyone follows the path of least resistance.

If You Can Sell, You Can Get a Job – Anywhere, Anytime

The title of this section is actually a section of a blog. I felt it was the most important message of the blog, so it was what I wanted to focus on. Mark even states that he would take the high school student who is motivated and can sell over any MBA student who can’t. Selling is not just smooth talking though; it’s about putting yourself in your customer’s shoes and making them happy. The recurring them in his lists of what makes a good salesperson is a strong work ethic and a great amount of care. Sales are the most important part to any company. Without sales, no business can be successful. It is extremely undervalued in college these days. The best part is that anyone else can learn to become a great salesperson. All it takes is effort and care for the company and customers. Once you excel at sales, getting a job anywhere is easy. It gives a reason for your company to always want to keep you around.

Taking No for an Answer and Other Business Mistakes

Taking no as an answer is perfectly acceptable. It’s not something a lot of business people realize. Mark lays out many reasons why you should accept when someone says no. When you get a no, you simply thank them for their time and ask if they would mind sharing what they didn’t like. If the response is still negative, give up and move on. Every second you spend wasting on this person is time you lose actually making a sale. If you have a good product, there will be someone out there who will want it. The mistakes you run into when you push someone to change their mind can be devastating. You might come off as being desperate which impacts your brand as a salesperson and the brand of your product. It can also show as a sign of fear or laziness. You are working hard enough and don’t want to dedicate time to find the person who will buy your product. When someone says no, they are the ones missing out. You know you have a great product and find someone who agrees with you.

Conclusion

Mark Cuban ends his book with his Twelve Cuban Rules for Startups and the Twelve Cuban Mantras for Success. These rules are just a recap of what he had previously stated in other parts of the book. With all of the tips listed above, Mark gives you all the insight you need on beginning on improving your very own business. I recommend this book to anyone for a quick read that really flows well. It’s full of hilarious stories, great examples, and helpful advice. It’s definitely a book I will read again.

The Video Lounge

This clip is a short interview with Mark Cuban. He explains what got him started in business and a valuable lesson he learned with one of his first products. He later goes on to explain the title of the book and how he sees what business really is to him. I really like how explains that if you want to succeed follow your efforts and not your dreams.

Personal Insights

Why I think:

• The author is one of the most brilliant people around…or is full of $%&#, because:

I feel that Mark Cuban really is one of the most brilliant business owners around. He uses some great concepts, and he knows how valuable effort can be for you business. Mark has a lot of great, real-life insight on exactly what it takes to run a business. After reading his book, I feel like he has completely figured out the sport of business.

• If I were the author of the book, I would have done these three things differently:

1. Mark had too many repetitive blogs, and I really would have liked to hear some different stories/examples. I do understand that he felt some concepts were just that important. Personally, I just wanted to hear more of the details, but he wanted to make the book connect to anyone and everyone.

2. I would have put more effort into actually writing the book instead of just collecting blogs. The book is great, but I felt like it could have had more to it than just 80 pages. Mark could really write a best seller if he put his mind to it.

3. While he did make a lot of connections to sports, I wanted to hear him talk more about his ownership of the Dallas Mavericks. It was mainly why I was interested in the book, and I felt the title misled me to think this. He did explain a good bit about his other business endeavors, but he also never explained why he sold MicroSolutions when he was so passionate about it.

• Reading this book made me think differently about the topic in these ways:

1. I think it’s safe to speak for everyone when I say that I’ve never heard anyone compare business to sports. It really helped me grasp concepts, because he made great connections with traits in sports. It truly is the ultimate competition like Mark Cuban states.

2. It never really hit me that people choose the easiest route until I read this book. Even when I first read it I didn’t believe it. Mark did a great job of convincing me that the best way to beat your competitors and be successful is offer the path of least resistance. You make your product easier to get than there’s.

3. Before reading this book, I never really considered becoming an entrepreneur. I was afraid of failing because of the high risk involved. Mark really convinced me to maybe give it a try one day. With a lot of hard work and a little luck, you can be successful as a small business owner.

• I’ll apply what I’ve learned in this book in my career by:

1. Putting everything I have into my job. As I have found out from reading this book, hard work can take you a long way. Now, I may never become the owner of the Dallas Mavericks, but that would be a bit unrealistic for me to assume. I will work hard to learn everything I can at each job though.

2. Getting paid to learn. People tend to forget that you should always be learning, and I don’t want to fall into that category. Learning is something I know I will have to do every day. I know I personally am a fast learner, so hopefully, I can outperform others with my work ethic and willingness to learn.

3. Always choosing the path of least resistance. This is really the chapter that hit home for me. It’s such a basic concept yet it’s why some of the more recent successful companies have made it big. I want to follow in their footsteps on creating something easy and fun for everybody.

• Here is a sampling of what others have said about the book and its author:

All of these reviews had a lot in common. They took the same quotes from the book such as how business is a sport and how the only thing in life you can control is effort. They also mention that this book is really a bang for your buck. This is great advice for just $2.99, and you can even get the information for free if you go check out Mark Cuban’s personal blog website. They all recommend this book to anyone looking to start their own business. There were not even any negative reviews to be found from any book critics.

Bibliography

Cuban, Mark. How to Win at the Sport of Business: If I Can Do it, You Can Do It.  New York: Diversion Books, 2011. Print.

Nesvig, Ben. Book Review – How To Win At The Sport of Business by Mark Cuban. Retrieved from http://www.bennesvig.com.

General Review. Book Review – How To Win At The Sport of Business By Mark Cuban. Retrieved from http://www.thefirstmillionisthehardest.net

Fear, Michael. How to Win at the Sport of Business by Mark Cuban (Review). Retrieved from http://www.under30ceo.com

Schawbel, Dan. How to Win at the Sport of Business by Mark Cuban. Retrieved from http://www.forbes.com.

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Contact Info

To contact the author of this article, “A Summary and Review of How to Win at the Sport of Business by Mark Cuban,” please email cody.oldendorf@selu.edu.

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About the Publisher

David C. Wyld (dwyld@selu.edu) is the Laborde Professor of Management at Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, Louisiana. He is a management consultant, researcher/writer, and executive educator. He also serves as the Director of the Reverse Auction Research Center (http://reverseauctionresearch.org), a hub of research and news in the expanding world of competitive bidding. His blog, Career News 24/7, can be viewed at http://wyld-about-careers.blogspot.com/.

(BPT) – It’s easy to understand why we all love flip-flops: They’re cute and comfy, keep your feet cool in warm weather, and are great for showing off that fab pedicure you just got. But no matter how much you adore your flip-flops, they shouldn’t be all-occasion footwear. Sometimes, they can lead to sore feet or even severe injury.

“Flip-flops are hugely popular, but it’s important to remember they’re not appropriate for everyday wear or for all occasions,” says Dr. Matthew Garoufalis, a podiatrist and president of the American Podiatric Medical Association. “Every spring and summer, podiatric offices see an influx of patients with injuries and ailments directly related to wearing flip-flops at the wrong time or wearing the wrong flip-flops altogether.”

The secret to safely enjoying flip-flops through summer is two-fold, Garoufalis says. First, find the right style, and second, know when to wear flip-flops and when to wear something else.

How to choose flip-flops

Some styles of flip-flops may cause blistering and pain, and increase your risk of injury in certain situations. It is possible to find a better flip-flop. The APMA offers some tips:

* Look for high-quality, soft leather, which will minimize the risk of blisters and other skin irritations. Vinyl or rubber styles are more likely to rub your foot the wrong way. Check out the APMA website for footwear products that have earned the organization’s Seal of Acceptance. The seal indicates that a team of APMA podiatrists have evaluated the product to ensure it promotes normal foot function and health.

* Choose a flip-flop with soles that bend at the ball of the foot. If you can bend the sole completely in half or wring it like a wet rag, the sole will not provide proper support.

* The thong part of the flip-flop should fit comfortably, neither too loose nor too snug. Straps that are too tight could rub and cause blisters. Too loose straps may result in you losing the shoe at a critical moment – resulting in injury. Consider a flip-flop with extra padding on the part of the strap that fits between your toes.

* Your foot should fit perfectly on the sole. Your heel should not hang off the back, nor your toes off the front.

* Dispose of worn flip-flips, no matter how much you loved them last year. Old shoes lose their ability to support and protect your feet, and it’s easy to find a new pair to replace old ones.

* Still not sure which flip-flop is the right choice? Start with APMA Seal Accepted pairs at APMA.org/Seal.

When to wear flip-flops

A shoe style that was once relegated to beach or poolside is now considered acceptable in a variety of settings. It’s not uncommon to see people wearing flip-flops to the mall or grocery store, when they’re out for a stroll, or even in the office. Flip-flops have even made inroads into the bridal scene, with some comfort-minded brides wearing them for their weddings and receptions.

Deciding whether wearing flip-flops is socially appropriate for the occasion is up to you, but there are some times when you should not wear them for safety reasons.

* When doing yard work – such as mowing the lawn or working in the garden – it’s best to wear shoes that cover and protect your entire foot. Flip-flops don’t offer sufficient support or protection.

* For long walks, opt for a good walking shoe. Even the sturdiest styles of flip-flops don’t offer sufficient arch support and shock absorption for extended walking.

* Playing sports calls for the right footwear. Choose a shoe that is designed for the sport you’re playing. Flip-flops don’t offer adequate support or protection for hard play and may come off your foot at a crucial moment. They might lose you the game at best, and leave you with a foot or ankle injury at worst.

Finally, put away your flip-flops when the weather is bad. “This one may seem obvious,” Garoufalis says, “but some people continue to wear their flip-flops even when the temperature drops, rain falls, or snow is on the ground. Wearing flip-flops in bad weather puts you at risk of injury if your foot slips out of a wet shoe or even frostbite if temperatures fall too low.”