How to Choose a Hairstyle That Is Right for Your Age

As we get older, our faces and features change a bit. Some experts even say that the bones in your face actually change shape, and of course there are the subtle changes brought on by sagging and wrinkles. In addition, your hair texture can change as you get older, with your hair becoming thinner and finer.

As your face ages, it’s important to change your hairstyle accordingly. A style that looked good on you at the age of 27 may not work at all when you’re 48. (And what looks good at 48 may not look good at 74!)

So here are some tips and ideas on how to choose a hairstyle that is right for your age.

1. Teens

This is a great time to experiment! There’s no need to go all-out with color; you’ll be coloring your hair soon enough. But it is a great time to experiment with daring cuts and fun up-dos and braids.
This is a time for finding yourself and discovering a style that works for you.

2. Twenties

By the time you hit your mid-twenties, you’ve got your own sense of style. Even though it may change later, you probably have a good idea of what fits you. For women this age, long or short hairstyles work fine, but experts recommend choosing a style that hugs and frames the face like a pixie or bob, or even an uneven cut with one side longer than the other. Long hair is perfectly fine for this age, but a simple style without a lot of “fluff” looks especially good.

2. Thirties

There’s a trend toward thirty-somethings wearing long hair, and for good reason. It’s a youthful look, and if you choose a past-shoulder-length style with layers, you can wear it up or down. During this decade, eyes and cheekbones can be emphasized with bangs that are quite youthful looking.

3. Forties

Think vertical – cuts that are shorter on the sides and back with some tousled body on the top help lift the face and balance your facial features. And there’s no rule that says you have to go short after 40. The flowy, layered look looks youthful without being awkward. It adds volume and body, too.

4. Fifties

Once again, you don’t have to go super-short. In fact, that can look a bit severe. Shoulder-length is fine, and angled cuts with layers soften your facial features. Another caution about going short – thinner hair can look even thinner if it’s quite short. So think mid-neck or shoulder-length with gentle angles and layers.

If you do go short in your fifties, it’s a good idea to go with a chic, tousled, lifted style like a casual spike. Again, you want to avoid anything severe, but go with lift to draw attention to your eyes and away from wrinkles and imperfections around your neck and jaw.

5. Sixties

This is a great time for a layered bob that’s jaw-length. To help round out your face, have the stylist round out the bob with some loose layers. You can also go shaggy at this age, with casual layers all over. Part your shaggy hair on the side for a youthful sweep that is age-appropriate. And once again, you can go long, even past the shoulders, with feathered layers and bangs that blend in to the side layers.

6. Seventies

Seventy is the new 40! Short and shaggy is a great way to go, with top-heavy styles with soft spikes. The layered bob can work at this age, too, but go for a more horizontal, fluffy bob in a loose triangle form. Soft bangs and feathery layers can apply like they did in your sixties, but side-swept bangs help soften your face.

There’s a beautiful, sexy hairstyle for every age. Find one that’s right for you!

Carpooling: Share the Ride to Save Money

There’s little doubt that carpooling, when planned, can save you a lot of money. In fact, some sources estimate you could save between $650 and $1,000 annually (based on a 32-mile round trip commute in a vehicle that gets less than 23 miles per gallon, with each gallon costing around $3.65). The more people you have in your car, the more you save because the more you’ll be splitting vehicle costs.

Here are some tips and suggestions for carpooling and saving money.

1. It’s Not as Hard as You Think
It’s easy to assume that coordinating a carpool takes too much time and effort. But you can look around and join an existing one, which means you can take advantage of their experience. If you can’t find an existing carpool, starting one up may be as simple as asking around at work or at your child’s school functions.

2. Extend the Life of Your Car
If you do all your own commuting, the miles will add up on your car pretty fast. But if you carpool, you’re using your car far less and dividing up the miles between your friends’ and coworkers’ cars. In addition, your friends may pitch in for repairs and maintenance (and you can do the same for their car) so everyone is riding in a safe car. The cost of tires, oil changes, and other maintenance can be split, especially if you’re in a carpool where one person does most of the driving and uses his or her vehicle most of the time. (It’s a good idea to have an agreement on this subject for everyone to sign before starting your carpool.)

3. Social Time
Many people enjoy socializing on their way to and from work or school. Carpooling is a chance to talk about your day and discuss what your plans are. It can be a way to make new friends and get to know your coworkers. This might be a good chance to network, too.

4. Parking
Parking costs are high and space is scarce. The problem is decreased greatly when you carpool. Everyone in the car can split the cost of parking, whether you pay upon entering the parking area or pay each month and have a parking pass.

5. Smaller Carbon Footprint
Clearly, you’ll save fuel and produce fewer emissions when you use one car instead of 3 or 4 cars. Even if you use a larger vehicle to transport multiple people, it’s still a savings.

Carpooling is a great way to save money on parking, car maintenance, fuel, and other areas.

Car Friendly Snacks Ideas

If your family is like many around the country, then you may feel as if you practically live in your car. From driving children to their practices, classes and appointments to long road trips and commutes, you can spend a lot of time in the car. Eating meals and snacks in the car, however, can be messy and sometimes even dangerous. Additionally, many on the go snacks are just plain unhealthy. The following car friendly snack ideas will help keep your car clean and your children happy and healthy.

#1 Sliced Fruit and Vegetables

Most children enjoy fruits and certain vegetables. It’s certainly a healthy snack. Discover what your child enjoys and create a few snack packs to take with you when you’re in the car. A little lemon juice on fruit will help prevent browning. Cut the slices small so they’re not a choking hazard for little ones. If you’re going to be in the car for a longer time, consider adding protein to the snack. Cheese slices or cubes are a good bet and will help your child stay full and energetic for a while.

#2 Dried Fruit and Nuts

If your children don’t have a nut allergy, then a homemade blend of dried fruit and nuts is a great option. It’s packed with fiber, protein, and vitamins and minerals. Additionally, the snack is quite filling so you don’t need to pack much of it. Cashews, pecans, and walnuts are a nice change from peanuts. Dried cranberries, apricots, apples, and bananas are fun too.

#3 Jerky

Head to your supermarket’s health food section and you can often find a wide variety of jerky that is free from many of the chemicals traditionally found in this product. You can also find a huge variety of jerky, from turkey to wild boar. Jerky is rich in protein and makes a nice snack for the car. Be sure to pack something to drink because jerky is often high in sodium. You can also buy a food dehydrator and make your own low sodium jerky at home.

#4 Energy Bars

There are a few energy bars on the market that are healthy and taste great. Look on the ingredients list to make sure it’s not packed with added sugars and fats. You can also make your own energy bars and customize the flavors for your personal tastes.

#5 Mini Sandwiches

Finally, consider making a few small sandwiches ahead of time. You can customize the sandwiches to each family member’s preferences. If your children are young you can cut the sandwiches into shapes – who can resist a flower-shaped ham and cheese? These small snacks often work perfectly for both short and long car trips and they provide a well-rounded meal.

A little planning and preparation can help you make family car travel more enjoyable. Choose healthy options in small packages.

Bulk Shopping – Sharing the List and Splitting the Cost

Bulk shopping is a tempting thing, especially when you do the math and realize how much cheaper things can be when purchased in large quantities. But one problem that may prevent you from going the bulk route is storage – if you can’t use that much of something in a reasonable amount of time, you’ll need to find a way to store it. Otherwise, you end up wasting it and defeating the purpose of shopping in bulk.

Another possible problem with bulk shopping is membership fees. How can you be sure you’re going to offset the cost of the fees with the savings? And then there’s the time – do you have time to go to one of these huge bulk stores and load up?

Whether you have some of these problems facing you or not, there are ways to take advantage of bulk shopping by sharing the list and splitting the cost.

1. Share Membership Fees
If you have a group of friends or coworkers who are interested, you can split the bulk warehouse membership fees. Depending on the warehouse rules, this may mean that only one person officially has a membership, and only that person can do the shopping; but others pitch in to cover the fees and then give their shopping lists to the official member.

It may also mean that you can get a group rate and everyone has a membership; it just depends on the warehouse rules. In addition, if your office does not offer a group rate, see if your human resources manager would consider it.

2. Share the Shopping List
Only one or two people need to do the shopping for the group. To make things fair and offset the costs of fuel and car mileage, the “shopper” should be allowed to pay a smaller portion of the membership fee. Or you can rotate shoppers. Once a month (or however often you need to make a bulk shopping run), all the members get together and make a master shopping list. Then they all pay the shopper for their goods, either before or after the trip to the store.

3. Share the Items
Splitting large quantities is another great way to save money, whether you’re a member of a warehouse or just know someone who is. You simply pay for your portion, and it’s likely to be a lot less money. This also solves the storage problem – you can get the bulk rate without having to be responsible for storing all the merchandise.

With a little creative thought and a frugal approach, you and your colleagues can save a great deal by buying in bulk and splitting the cost.

Empty Nest Syndrome: Transition Tips

When your last child leaves home, many people (particularly mothers) feel a sense of emptiness and loss. This can escalate into depression if not dealt with. As you learn to go from “Mom” to “you,” some transition tips might help. Here are some ideas for how to cope with empty nest syndrome.

1. It’s Okay to Be Sad

Don’t let anyone make you feel weak or inadequate because you feel sad at this critical time. You’ve identified as a “mom” for so many years that it’s hard to make the change. You’re still a mom, of course, but now that your children aren’t at home, you don’t have as active a role in their lives. It’s only natural to feel a bit blue as this transition occurs. Be gentle to yourself.

2. Establish Communication

Before your children leave home, it’s important to establish how and how often you will communicate. Get a cell phone for texting, and/or set up a social networking site or, if you don’t have one already, an email address. If you prefer telephone communication, establish a time when you will connect by phone.

It’s important to determine not only the method but also the frequency of communication. You don’t want to feel like you “never” heard from your kids, but your kids need to be independent and not feel like you’re “hovering.” Decide on a communication schedule that you’re both comfortable with.

3. Think of the Positive Aspects

Spend some time focusing on the good things about your last child leaving home. You won’t have to cook as much or as often, for instance, and you won’t need to buy nearly as many groceries. You have more freedom, and can spend time “dating” your spouse or, if you’re single, you can date more freely.

You don’t have to make room for your kids’ friends to pile in for parties or visiting, and you don’t have to juggle vehicles with a teenager. If you take a little time to think about it, there are lots of positive things about having your house to yourself again.

4. Find Your Identity

It’s hard to go from being Mom to being You. You don’t have to go back to being the way you were before you had kids – that would not be possible anyway. You’re older and more experienced, so you’ve changed. Discover who you are by going back to school, taking up a hobby, or redecorating the house.

Is there something you always wanted to do but never got around to doing while your kids were at home? Now is the time to write that book, take that vacation, or whatever you have been wishing to accomplish all these years.

It’s not all sadness when your last child moves out. Give yourself time and space to feel sad, and transition into a new and exciting you.

How to Make Your Own Scary Halloween Music

Few things are spookier than having scary music playing at your Halloween party or during trick-or-treat. What’s even better is to customize it!

With today’s software, you can make your own scary music mix, and even add sound effects. Here are some tips on how to make your own scary Halloween music.

1. Search Your Own Collection

Depending on your age and music tastes, you might have some spooky music among those old cassette tapes and CDs. Look for movie soundtracks or something ethereal and ghostly. You might even run across Michael Jackson’s “Thriller”!

2. Scary Movies and TV Shows

Look for the theme songs or soundtracks for shows like “The Munsters” and “The Twilight Zone.” Classic scary movies like “Halloween” and “Friday the 13th” have great soundtracks for the holiday. Feel free to choose more obscure shows and movies if you want something really unique.

3. Sound Effects

It’s fun to make your own Halloween sound effects recording. Here are some ideas for a sound effects recording you can play along with (or instead of) your Halloween music. Just use a CD or tape recorder for these spooky sounds.

* Create a thunderstorm with uncooked rice, a cookie sheet, and a big piece of poster board. As you sprinkle the rice onto the cookie sheet to sound like rain, shake the poster board hard (or have someone else do it) to make a thunder-clap, then gradually slow your shaking do it sounds like an echo. A piece of sheet metal is even better.

* Wind sounds are easy to make if you have a carpet and a heavy punching bag. Drag it along the floor and you’ll hear the rushing and high-pitched notes of a wind storm. You can also blow into a kids’ microphone, the non-electronic type that’s usually very inexpensive.

* Bats flying sound spooky. Make your own bat recording by opening and closing an umbrella quickly.

* Blow into a glass of water with a straw to create the sound of a boiling cauldron.

* To make a heartbeat sound, try getting a drum and stuffing a towel into it, then beat with padded sticks to get the rhythmic thump-thump sound.

And finally, you can certainly download lots of great sound effects online. Just make sure it’s legal.

4. Put It All Together

If you don’t want to make your own music, you can buy a Halloween music CD at your local retailer or even dollar store. Once you have your sound effects done and your music ready, play them both together and see if you have the spooky effect you hoped for!

Tips for Living with a Roommate

It is exciting to begin a roommate relationship. It usually signifies a new chapter of life: starting college, beginning a career job, resuming single life after a divorce, or something involving travel.

The excitement can turn to dismay quickly without rules, however. Here are some things to address upfront to avoid heartache in a roommate situation.

Privacy

Drawing clear boundaries on what is to remain off-limits to roommates (and their guests and their cameras) is essential; don’t assume that everyone has the same moral compass that you have. Things to call “off-limits

Setting Realistic Expectations for Your Child

Children will do what is expected of them. If you set high expectations for your children, they will generally live up to those expectations. Expect very little of them and they will give you very little. As a parent, it is important to find the right balance of setting expectations that are high without setting your child up for failure or causing undue stress on them when they are unable to reach those expectations. Here are a few things to consider when setting those high expectations for your child.

Your child is an individual. Look at your own child’s strengths and weakness, interests and talents. Set your expectations based on the individual. There are many charts, averages, statistics and data that are out there to tell you what the average child of a given age should be able to do, but no child is simply average. They are all unique. Most children do not fit neatly into any given mold and their unique abilities should be considered when you are setting high standards for them. Consider developmental norms along the way, but remember that your child is one of a kind.

Don’t set your expectations based on yourself. You may have been lousy at math as a child, so you subconsciously expect your child to be lousy at it too. Your child will undoubtedly live up to that expectation. This really relates to looking at your child as an individual. It is important to avoid setting expectations that are too low simply because something was difficult for you as a child.

Give clear expectations for the long term and set milestones along the way. Show your child what is expected for the future. Perhaps going to college is a long-term expectation, but be sure to break the long-term goal into short-term goals along the way. For example, strive to maintain good grades and complete homework assignments regularly. Celebrate the short-term achievements and allow your child to enjoy the success. They will learn that they are able to reach the expectations that have been set for them.

Don’t create an all-or-nothing attitude. While it is important to set high expectations for your child, let him (or her) know that falling a little short of them doesn’t mean he is a failure. When you reach for high standards, you still make great progress, even if you don’t exactly hit the mark. The work that took place while reaching for those standards is valuable in itself. Praise your child for the effort and the accomplishments reached along the way.

Parents who set high expectations, communicate those expectations clearly, and encourage their children to reach for them along the way do a great service for their children. Their children learn that they can do more than they may think, hard work pays off, and they are loved no matter what they do.

Set the Halloween Mood with Scary Stories

Creepy music and ghoulish decorations are great for Halloween, but there’s something about a scary story that really sets the mood. Story-telling to set the spooky mood is an old tradition that’s fun to incorporate into your Halloween celebrations. However, there’s a certain knack to making it effective.

Here are some tips and suggestions on how to set the Halloween mood with scary stories.

1. Write Your Own

This is your chance to get creative. Start early so you have time to write it out and make any changes you need. If you’re artistic, you can even do illustrations. For theme ideas to get you started, you can look at some of the classic scary tales and base your story on a similar theme. Here are some ideas for themes and topics:

* “Something scary that was never found” makes a frightening theme. Whether it’s an alien from outer space, a “devil baby,” or a disembodied hand that comes to life, it really sets the mood when you imply that “it” is still out there and could show up any minute. As the story writer, you can create whatever creepy “on the loose” being you want.

* Sasquatch or Big Foot stories are very entertaining and eerie, and since the existence of Big Foot has never been proven or disproven, your story can have a realistic edge.

* Personal stories can be great, because they make it so real for the listeners. Feel free to embellish, of course, with creative details; but it gets your audience’s attention when you start your story with, “This really happened to______.” So if you, a friend, or a family member have ever had a scary or unexplained experience, now’s your chance to share!

* Murder mysteries are fun to write and read, and you can find templates and examples online to write your own. It’s always especially scary when these end with “and they never found the murderer.”

* Keep it pretty short – 10 to 20 minutes max.

* Consider your audience – adults can handle scarier stories than kids can. For scary children’s stories, you might want to have a “happy ending” and keep the gory stuff to a minimum.

2. The Unexplained

The internet and local library are full of stories about unexplained sightings of aliens and supernatural beings. These are appropriately spooky, and again, because they remain unsolved, they have that edge of “it could happen.”

3. True Crime/Mysteries

Throughout history there are mysteries and murders that were never solved. Jack the Ripper is a famous one, but there are many others. Comb your library and the internet for true crimes that were never solved.

Now you’re ready to set the mood with some seriously scary tales.

Spooky Ideas for a Halloween Haunted House

If you’re going to create a haunted house for your Halloween celebrations, a little creativity can go a long way. Here are some fun and scary ideas for a Halloween haunted house.

1. Themes

Deciding on a theme for your haunted house can help direct your decorations and costume. Some ideas for themes and appropriate decorations include:

* Prison – make the rooms along your hallway into prison cells. Make prison doors and walls by mounting the ends of wooden dowels on strips of wood. Spray paint gray.

* Hospital – wear a white doctor’s coat with fake blood smeared on it and hang a stethoscope around your neck, and make one of your bedrooms into an operating room.

* Graveyard – using plywood and stone spray paint, you can create your own tombstones. Make your front door look like a wrought iron gate.

* Mad Scientist’s Lab – wear a lab coat spattered with fake blood and create creepy specimen jars using plastic and rubber “critters” submerged in clear jars. Fill jars with colored water.

* Morgue – make some cardboard or plywood coffins, and stuff clothing to make “bodies” (use a scary mask or skull for a head). Use red velvet to make the coffin liners. You can also make mummies to put into the coffins by putting crumpled newspaper together in a body shape using masking tape, then wrap with toilet paper or gauze. (You don’t have to make separate legs since they will be wrapped together.)

* Circus – with the freak show and creepy clowns that go with haunted circuses, you can have a ball with this one. You can be the frightful ring master as the host or hostess, and if you have a pet who doesn’t mind being dressed up, you can have an animal participant.

* Maze – drape black cloth over plywood pieces to create a maze through your house. Have scary scenes throughout, and station people (or yourself) at various places to jump out and scare people, or slip out and silently follow them.

Here are some more ideas for your haunted house.

2. Rotten Walls

Get large sheets of cardboard and paint them to look like rotten walls with peeling paint, or stained cement.

3. Jack-o-Lanterns

Put glow sticks in jack-o-lanterns for safety and for a colorful, ghoulish glow. Place them around your house, in the windows, and on the front porch.

4. Cobwebs

Make sure your rooms have lots of fake cobwebs in the corners.

5. Bathtub Horrors

Put a fake body in your bathtub with fake blood splattered about to startle party goers when they head to the bathroom.

This should get your creative juices flowing so you can have a fun and scary haunted house this Halloween!

Scary Halloween Costumes You Can Make Yourself

There’s nothing quite like a super-scary Halloween costume. It’s even more fun if you make it yourself! Whether you’re an adult or a kid, homemade costumes can be fun (and shocking!). Check out these ideas for scary Halloween costumes you can make yourself.

1. Head in a Jar

This is one that looks professional but it’s actually really easy to make. It works best for kids because of their short stature. Here’s how you make it.

Use cardboard to cut out fake shoulders. You’ll want to attach sideways cardboard panels to the top of the “shoulders” to make them look three-dimensional – or you can use shoulder pads that you’ve cut out of a coat or shirt. Then you place the cardboard shoulders on top of your child’s real shoulders, behind his or her head, and attach them by cutting 2 holes in the bottom and running a strap or piece of cloth through the holes and under your child’s arms.

Place a long, thin coat over the fake shoulders. Stuff the coat’s arms with old t-shirts or whatever you have on hand. Then pin thick gloves to the ends of the arms. Button the coat around your child’s neck, so only his or her head shows.

Take an empty plastic bin (like the kind that pretzels come in) and cut out the back and the bottom. You may want to cut out the center of the lid, too. Fit the jar over your child’s head and place the gloves under the jar (use tape if you need to), so it looks like your child is carrying his or her own head.

Variation: cut a hole and part of the back out of an aluminum baking dish for a head on a platter.

2. Zombie

Zombies are all the rage these days, and it’s not hard to put together a costume. Go for ripped, torn clothes (it doesn’t matter what kind of clothes at all – you can use anything from a nightgown to jeans to a formal dress). Spot them with fake blood and smudge them with charcoal pencils or chunks.

Check your backyard grill – smear your zombie get-up with ashes and charcoal for a great look. With a little improvising, you can use eye shadow, lipstick, and charcoal to create bruises and “wounds.” Make sure you get those characteristic dark under-eye circles.

3. Psycho Victim

Slash through a shower curtain to make it look torn and tattered, then splash on some fake blood or red paint. Wrap it around yourself and just add a shower cap.

4. Classic Bloody Mary

This one is super-simple but really scary looking. Dress in white and go outside or to a place where you can pour fake blood without making too much of a mess. Just pour about 2 cups of the fake blood over your head and shoulders, and let it dribble all over. Wear whatever shoes you’ll be wearing so they will get a dose of fake blood, too. That’s all there is to it – easy but scary!

Hopefully, these ideas will give you some inspiration to make your own scary Halloween costume.

Rent Out a Room for Extra Income

If you have an extra room, you might have considered renting it out for extra income. Have you wondered about the pros and cons? What kind of renter are you looking to have in your home? These and other questions are important to answer before you embark this way of making money.

Here are some things to consider before you rent out a room for extra income.

1. Taxes
No one likes to talk about taxes, but it is something to be considered when you rent out a room of your home. It’s not all bad news – you may be able to deduct the expenses related to the rental from your income tax. But rental income will need to be reported to the IRS. If you’re lucky, these two aspects of taxes on room rental will even out.

2. To Whom Will You Rent?
This is a question to consider very carefully. Here are some thoughts on your prospective renters.

-Family can be a good choice, because you know what they’re like (at least in theory). But family may be a bit too “relaxed” about paying the rent, or spend more time in your house with you than in their rented room.

-Friends are another choice, because you know them well and might like to offer them a place to rent.

-Background checks are a good idea if you rent to strangers.

-Familiarize yourself with the fair housing laws in your area, so you know what’s required of you regarding the acceptance or rejection of potential renters.

-It’s not just the young who need rooms these days, although renting to a college student is a great idea. Elderly people are potential renters, too, as are recently-divorced people. So it’s a good idea to be open to looking to demographic areas you might not have considered before.

3. Clear Boundaries
It’s a good idea to be upfront with any renter, whether they are friends, family, strangers, or what-have-you. Be clear about what you expect – is it okay if your renters “hang out” with your family, or do you want them to be in their own space? How much access, if any, do you want your renters to have to your house? Can the renters come and go without using the main entrance to your home? It’s better to figure these details out before rather than taking a “wait and see” approach.

4. What Should You Charge for Rent?
If you are not sure what you should charge, look around at the prices of similar rooms in your area. Here are some things to consider when decided the amount of rent to charge:

-Is your room furnished?
-Does the room have its own bathroom? If so, is it a full bathroom?
-How big is the room?
-How much closet space is there? If a large closet is present, it could be used as a small room.

Renting a room for extra income is not a bad idea; just make sure to do your research.

Praising Kids for Effort, Not Intelligence

At some point, you will be in awe of something your child has done. You will be fascinated as you watch him (or her) put together a toy and figure out the way it works. Or you will have a conversation with him that leaves you shaking your head in amazement over his brilliant insight and vocabulary.

It would only seem natural to tell your child how smart he or she is, but think twice before you do. Some research has shown that simply praising a child’s intelligence can actually do more harm than good.

It seems counter-intuitive, doesn’t it? Of course your child should be told how smart he is. It will build his confidence and make him believe that he is smart enough to do anything. While you know that to be true, studies have shown that kids who are often told that they are intelligent tend to give up on difficult tasks more easily and struggle more when something doesn’t come easily to them.

Think of it this way. If you were always told that you were really good at something and received praise and accolades for it, you wouldn’t ever want anyone to find out that you really may not be as good at it as everybody thinks. The energy it would take to maintain that belief would be astounding!

Children who are told that they are intelligent have the same reaction when they face something that is difficult for them. They don’t want anyone to find out that they are not as intelligent as everyone thinks. They have been told that they are intelligent for doing things that have come easily to them, so they can mistakenly start to believe that if anything is difficult for them, they must not be as smart as everyone thinks.

They may also mistakenly believe that because they are smart, they do not have to put forth much effort. If given the option, they will do things they know they can do well rather than something that may be beneficial to them.

They will often avoid trying something new for fear of not being able to do it well. It is easy to see where these thoughts can hurt children in school and other areas.

This doesn’t mean that parents shouldn’t praise their children. They should. They should praise the effort and process a child puts forth rather than the innate intelligence a child has. There is a huge difference between, “Great job! You’re so smart!

Physical Fitness Tips for Women 35 Years and Older

Let’s face it – after the age of 35, remaining slim and fit is a little harder than it used to be. Maybe it isn’t actually harder, but you have to make a deliberate choice about it rather than it being effortless. And that’s the good news: with a little planning and dedication, you can be physically fit over the age of 35.

Here are some physical fitness tips for women 35 and over.

1. Walking

As lackluster as it may sound, walking is still one of the best exercises out there. For one thing, walking does not require any special equipment (except good shoes). For another thing, walking is both aerobic and weight-bearing, so it burns calories and helps build bone density. This is of particular concern for women nearing the age of menopause, when bone density tends to decrease.

2. Get Plenty of Sleep

Your body slows down if you don’t get enough rest, and that includes your metabolism. If you are sleep deprived, your body is constantly seeking rest, so to speak, and you will feel sluggish and slow. It’s hard to work out and burn calories when you just want to take a nap! So get between seven and eight hours a sleep each night, as experts generally recommend.

3. Seek Out Daily Exercises

When you were younger, your body burned more calories without you having to do anything. Just sitting and reading a book burned more calories at the age of 23 than it does now that you’re over 35. To make up for this, older women can find ways to sneak exercise into their daily routines so that you burn more calories just going about your business. Here are some tips:

* If you are at your computer a lot, rig up a makeshift standing work station by putting your keyboard or laptop up on boxes or books. Then move while you type or read online – bend your knees, stand on tiptoe, or so tiptoe “stair steps” as you stand.

* Park far away from the grocery store entrance (or the entrance to wherever you’re going) to get in extra walking.

* While you’re cooking, hold on to the edge of the counter and do squats, or do lunges on your way between the stove and the fridge.

The key is attuning yourself to “down time” and making it active time, even if it’s just a few minutes.

4. Don’t Limit Yourself to Machines

If you work out at a gym, experts recommend that you not limit yourself to machines only. This is because of joint wear and stress, which you want to avoid at any age, but it’s especially important when you’re over 35. Injuries take longer to heal and your tissues take longer to repair themselves than they did when you were younger.

With a little planning and awareness, you can be physically fit at age 35 and beyond.

Left Brain/Right Brain Activities

There has always been interest around the whole idea of left brain versus right brain and how people learn. In a nutshell, the left side of the brain is responsible for logical, analytical thinking. It is used for language, including reading, writing, and speaking, and critical thinking and reasoning.

The right side of the brain is the emotional, intuitive side that is engaged in imaginative, subjective thinking. Since the initial research from the 1960s was brought into the mainstream public, people have been fascinated with figuring out which side of the brain they favored and how they learned best.

As research has continued and developed, it has become more clear that when the brain is functioning properly, the communication between the two sides of the brain is seamless. While people may favor one side over the other and prefer activities based on one side, learning is most effective when activities that engage both sides of the brain are used.

So how does this impact learning activities and teaching for children? Even if a child favors activities that relate more strongly to one side of the brain, the best learning experiences come from a variety of activities that allow for logical, analytical thinking and also utilize imaginative, creative thinking.

For example, think about a field trip to a historical site. The left-brain learner will be reached through listening to lectures about the time period, researching the architecture and people of the community, discussing some of the concepts and ideas that are relevant to the period and thinking of implications of the site.

The right-brain learner would enjoy role-playing activities, creating artistic representations of the site, listening to the music of the time period and thinking about the emotions the people of the period may have felt. These activities can be used in conjunction with one another to appeal to a large group of kids or to give an individual child a well-rounded experience.

The important thing with looking at left-brain versus right-brain tendencies in children is to understand that both sides are necessary in different situations and work together to help with different learning scenarios. With a little bit of planning, activities that engage both sides of the brain can take place to fully educate a young mind into a creative, analytical, logical, wonderful person.

Ideas for Creating Privacy in Cramped Spaces

Privacy and shared bedrooms are words that are seldom used together. A major threat to privacy is often not the official roommate, but visitors to the room. However, with a bit of ingenuity, a bit of planning, and a good dose of friendly cooperation, roommates can create some reasonable privacy in a cramped space.

There are three main topics that call for privacy: personal belongings, phone conversations, and live visitors.

#1 Personal Belongings

Each resident needs to be sensible about how they store or display personal items.

Don’t have social security numbers or credit card numbers on the bulletin board. A locking drawer for personal papers, passports, journals and correspondence is a good idea. A lockbox kept in a bedroom closet could serve the same purpose.

Lingerie, prescription drugs, and other personal items should be kept in the appropriate places, not left out in the open.

Having visual cues as to which side of the room belongs to each person can reduce inadvertent snooping by visitors. This can be accomplished by something as simple as color-coding each person’s side with complementary colors. Hanging a curtain or placing a screen, where space permits, will also make it obvious as to who belongs on which side.

#2 Phone Conversations

There’s something about hearing only one side of a phone conversation that makes it easy to eavesdrop, even when you don’t want to. Arranging beds and dressers to create semi-private areas may provide a bit of shield for private phone calls. If it is not appropriate to step out into the hallway to talk, you may agree in advance to either put on music headsets or leave the room during your roommate’s personal calls.

#3 Live Visitors

The only way to ensure true privacy for a romantic encounter is to have your roommate gone for the night.

When one of you wants to have a friend/date stop by for a casual visit, it will save awkwardness if you discuss it ahead of time. It may be safer to have the roommate stay around, especially if you don’t know the other person well.

Still, it is nicer for all if they do not have to directly watch kissing and hugging. A room divider or screen would be helpful in times like this. So would having arranged the beds and desks or dressers so that there is a partial visual barrier. If one of the beds is on risers or is lofted, that limits direct eye contact also.

If it possible to set up curtains around your bed, mimicking the four-poster or canopy look, that adds a mysterious, romantic flair to your room. It also serves as a bit of a privacy filter.

Final Thought

You can always check out other rooms in your dorm for ideas, or ask your Resident Advisor for advice. He or she has seen all kinds of combinations and can let you know what is practical and easy given the furniture and room dimensions. Remember: it is in the R.A.’s best interests for their students to get along and to be happy and safe, so don’t be afraid to ask!

How to Save Money by Buying Second-Hand Items

With few exceptions, buying used items is cheaper. But some items lend themselves to second-hand purchase better than others. So there’s a bit of an art to saving money by buying second-hand items.

Here are some things to consider and watch out for when you buy used.

Second-Hand Sales Are On the Rise
Sources are clear: second-hand sales are increasing, while increases in overall retail sales of new items are lagging. Ironically, the poor economic situation has much to do with this boom in used-item business. So if you’re selling used items, it’s your market!

Another factor in the increase in second-hand sales is the internet. Entire sites are dedicated to selling used items, and even major online retailers like Amazon offer used options for appropriate merchandise.

What are the Best Items to Buy Second-Hand?
Let’s take a look at what items are best bought used.

1. College textbooks are definitely good candidates for being purchased second-hand. All the information is there, and you can often sell them again when you’re finished. Textbooks are the sort of thing that is intended to be used only once.

2. Vehicles
Given the immediate depreciation that occurs when you drive a new car off the sales lot, it makes sense to look for a used vehicle when you want to purchase. Of course, the usual cautions apply – make sure the car is in good shape and that you are protected in case of a bad purchase. But overall, it makes sense to go for second-hand when it comes to a vehicle purchase.

3. Baby/Child Clothes
Babies and children grow so quickly that they don’t wear any given outfit for very long. Yard sales and second-hand stores like Goodwill are good places to look for these items.

4. Furniture
Unless you are browsing at a very high-end antique store, buying used furniture can be a good move. Wood furniture that does not have stains and dust (like upholstered furniture can) is a good idea. Tables, wooden or metal chairs, china cabinets, hutches, bookshelves, end tables, and similar items are good choices to buy used.

What Items are Best Purchase New?
There are some things that you really shouldn’t purchase used. Here are some of them.

1. Mattresses
Don’t purchase these used, unless you want a lot of accumulated dust and possibly bed bugs.

2. Upholstered Furniture
While it’s not always a bad idea, purchasing upholstered furniture is not an automatic good deal. Even if it’s not stained, dust, pet dander, and questionable dirt can be hidden in the stuffing.

3. Baby Items
Because of safety recalls, baby items like cribs and car seats are not advisable for second-hand purchase. Baby bottles are not a good choice, either, for sanitation reasons.

Use a little common sense and keep an eye out for bargains, and you can save a lot of money buying things second-hand.

How to Save Money by Bartering Services

The concept of bartering goods and services is not new. In fact, this method of commerce goes back to the days before currency, probably because it’s very simple and equitable. Today, though, it’s a little trickier. Done right, bartering can save you money and reduce business costs.

Here are some tips and ideas on how to save money by bartering services.

1. All Commerce is Barter
When you think about it, when you buy something with money, you’re trading one thing (money) for something else (goods or services). So keep that in mind as you take part in bartering.

2. Remember That Time is Money
When you are considering trading your services for something, it’s good to have a general idea of what your time is worth per hour. If you consider your time to be worth, say, $25 per hour, and someone needs a job done that will take you 4 hours, then you can reasonably trade something that’s worth about that much.

3. Keep Your Ears Open
If you have something that needs to be done and you can’t afford it or are unable to do it for various reasons, listen to what people are saying. Someone might need childcare or help with their elderly relative; someone else might need a pet sitter or a house painter. Are any of those things skills that you have? If so, offer to help that person in exchange for their help. That person might have just the skill you need.

4. Make a List
Some people are natural list-makers and some people aren’t, but when it comes to bartering, making a list is a good idea. In fact, you could make two lists: one that itemizes your skills and another one that notes the skills of others. Keeping these lists helps you be prepared, and seize those bartering opportunities.

5. Have Courage
It can be hard for some personality types to approach others about bartering. But remember, you are willing to offer something of value, too, so there’s no need to feel uncomfortable. You’re not asking for something for free.

6. Consider Advertising
Go ahead and make some noise about being available for barter. It can be something of a side business; you could even advertise in the newspaper. Tell friends and neighbors, distribute flyers, form co-ops, and so forth. All of these are great ways to connect with others who have similar interests and needs.

Bartering is a legitimate way to obtain needed goods and services. You may discover skills and abilities you haven’t had the change to use before.