His Favorite Sport

"Solo sportsmen, like runners and swimmers, 1 savor their independence and relish spending a lot of time alone," says relationship-skills coach Steve Nakamoto, author of "Men Are Like Fish: What Every Woman Needs to Know About Catching a Man." Men who are fans of mainstream team sports, like football, basketball, and baseball, 2 tend to be competitive -- on the field and in all aspects of their life -- and they like to hang with their entourage. As for the guy who's just not into sports at all, 3 "he's an independent thinker, usually on the sensitive side."

How Long He's Been Hanging With His Friends

A guy who has been friends with the same posse since he was 10 years old can certainly claim 4 loyalty as one of his strong suits. But "you better like what you see, because he's probably not great with change," says dating coach Liz H. Kelly, author of "Smart Man Hunting." "And be patient, because it will take a while for you to win his trust." If your date has buddies from all areas of his life -- i.e., college, the gym, work -- don't be afraid to drag him to your cousin's wedding. 5 "He has no problem schmoozing strangers and adapts to new situations easily."
Credit vs. Cash

A guy who likes to flash his plastic 6 craves status. "He may be ambitious and confident. He'll reach his financial goals," says Rob Ronin, PsyD, a licensed clinical psychologist and registered financial consultant. "If he always pays in cash, 7 he's self-sufficient and independent," which might make him a difficult dude to corner. And if his wallet is dry? 8 Here's a guy who's dependent on others to take care of him.

His Bad Habits

Gambling men 9 are risk-takers, which can make them a lot of fun. "But their over-the-top optimism that they'll come out ahead makes it difficult for them to face reality," says Mitchell Parks, MD, assistant professor of psychiatry at Vanderbilt University, in Nashville. "Hard-core smokers 10 tend to be anxious," says Dr. Parks, so it can be hard to pin them down for couple-time. And if he's a boozer, 11 he could be hiding his insecurity behind his buzz.

His Communication Style

When your date opts to email you -- rather than call -- 12 he could be a hard nut to crack. "The fact that he chooses a communication method that allows him to edit what he says signals that he might not want to show his true self," says Jeff Bryson, PhD, professor of psychology at San Diego State University. An IM addict 13 craves your nonstop attention and needs that instant assurance that you're there for him. And the phone fan? 14 He might be a little old-fashioned and likes to do things by the book. But, according to Bryson, "he's not afraid of intimacy."

The Clothes You Wear That He Prefers

If your fave T-shirt and jeans or a cute little sundress do more for him than your slinky black number, 15 you're dating an earthy, laid-back guy who likes equally laid-back, low-maintenance chicks. A man who's wowed by a woman who likes to get dolled up in high-end designer duds 16 places a high priority on prestige. "He'll probably make a lot of money, but it also might play too important a role in his life," says Los Angeles clinical psychologist Nancy Irwin, PsyD. And a guy who wants a Carmen Electra-sensual girl on his arm 17 is looking for an ego boost. "He places a lot of value on being admired and envied."

How He Deals With Traffic

If he constantly weaves in and out of cars, tailgates slowpokes, and glares at other drivers, 18 "it's pretty clear that he has a problem with aggression," says Leon James, PhD, professor of psychology at the University of Hawaii and author of "Road Rage and Aggressive Driving." While a forceful personality might take him far in the workplace, it could be difficult to deal with this argumentative guy in a relationship. If he's able to exude Zen-like calm when stuck in gridlock, 19 "he's likely to have more self-control."
What He Orders in a Restaurant

A meat-and-potatoes-type guy 20 is usually steady and dependable, says image coach Dianne Daniels, author of "Polish and Presence: 31 Days to a New Image." "But he's also a little unadventurous." If your date goes for exotic dishes, 21 "you're with someone who makes spontaneity a priority and could easily get bored with the status quo."

Neat Freak or Messy Man

A guy who puts his dirty socks in the hamper is one thing; a guy who color-codes them in his drawer is something else. 22 "This man is way too fastidious to have fun," explains Daniels, "and he'll expect you to be just as neat." A mildly messy man 23 is looser and more open-minded. But if the inside of his shower has never seen a scrub brush, 24 he may be immature or just plain lazy.

Favorite TV Shows

Take note if he parks himself in front of one sitcom after another. 25 "Here's a guy who uses humor to defuse stress," says TV producer Hedda Muskat, author of "Dating Confidential: A Single's Guide to a Fun, Flirtatious and Possibly Meaningful Social Life." This can be a good thing, because he won't hold a grudge against you or lose his cool. But it also might be hard to get into a serious conversation with him, which can be frustrating. "The more you try to discuss something important, the more evasive he will become," says Muskat. A couch sleuth who's fascinated by CSI-type shows, on the other hand, 26 is analytical and thoughtful. "He prides himself on his problem-solving abilities and will be there for you when you need support," says Muskat.

His Birth Order

"The oldest child 27 is usually a responsible, take-charge kind of guy," says Nancy Fagan, author of "Desirable Men." If your babe is the baby of his brood, 28 "he's likely to be creative and a little rebellious." As for a middle man: 29 "He's a sensitive soul who needs loads of attention."

How He Approaches PDAs

When you're out in public and he's all over you like a rash, 30 "he's either trying to show you off or marking his territory, both of which are signs of insecurity," says Nakamoto. A guy who's allergic to body contact in public is 31 unsure about his feelings for you or your feelings for him. "PDAs are statements of togetherness," says Nakamoto. "If he has doubts, he'll keep his distance physically."
Whether He Always Drives or Wants You To

"A guy who doesn't automatically assume driving rights 32 is likely to let you steer the relationship at least some of the time," says Kelly. A man who hogs the wheel -- even in your car -- 33 is sweetly old-fashioned at best and, at worst, could be a control freak.


The Guy's Grooming MO

A guy who checks out his reflection in every store window you pass is obviously vain. But, interestingly, 34 it's also a sign of a dude who's intent on succeeding. "Presentation is everything to this kind of man," says Sheenah Hankin, PhD, author of "Complete Confidence." "He sees it as a measure of his self-respect and success." 35 The low-key, less conceited guy might be less ambitious, "but he's easier to connect with emotionally because he's not as superficial," says Hankin. "What counts on the inside matters more to him."

If He Looks You in the Eye

"A man who doesn't make eye contact during conversation 36 may not be trustworthy," says speech coach Diane DiResta, author of "Knockout Presentations." "Meanwhile, if his eyes bore into yours as he's talking, 37 he might be trying to intimidate you." But a smoldering gaze -- you know what that looks like -- 38 means he's immensely fond of you.

His Speaking Style

If your man moves his mouth a mile a minute, 39 you're with a spontaneous, high-energy guy who may be a little too self-absorbed. "Fast talkers get so wrapped up in making a good impression that they don't pay attention to their audience," says DiResta. Slow talkers 40 typically play it safe. "The way they deliberate every word before it comes out of their mouth is indicative of how they approach life: They look before they leap." So although you shouldn't expect a lot of surprises, at least you'll know he means what he says.

Things You'll Only Learn With Time

Your speedy profiling skills won't reveal these tidbits from psychotherapist Katherine Woodward Thomas, author of "Calling in 'The One'."
How loyal he'll be: Wait and see if you're shown the same allegiance as his buds are.
If he's a man of his word: Will he really keep those promises he made to you early on?
His little quirks: Time reveals the small details that really make a person tick.
If his parents' split haunts him: His broken home may have issued him some big-time emotional baggage.

__________________________________________________________________

The best and worst french fries

Worrying about calories seems silly after you've consented to a French fry grease-fest, but sometimes you can't help it. During one such conflicted experience, I wondered if some fast-food fries were less hard on the body than others. Looking at the nutritional facts of some common French fry purveyors, I found that you can, indeed, save some serious calories if you know which fries to buy.

I looked at these seven:
-Arby's Curly Fries
-Burger King's French Fries
-Carl's Jr.'s Natural-Cut Fries
-Dairy Queen's French Fries
-Jack in the Box's Natural Cut Fries
-McDonald's French Fries
-Wendy's French Fries

Notes: The numbers below are estimated reports by each restaurant's official website at the time of this article.



Calorie-wise:

The Best
Dairy Queen wins with 2.69 calories/gram
Jack in the Box is close behind with 2.71 calories/gram

The Worst
McDonald's it is, with 3.25 calories/gram

Those stats may sound like just a few calories' difference, but that's a 21% difference, which adds up since a large serving tends to be around 190 grams.


But there are other stats to look at...



Here's the zero trans fat team:
Burger King
Carl's Jr.
Dairy Queen
McDonald's
Wendy's

This one is the trans fattiest:
Jack in the Box


How about saturated fat?


The Best
Dairy Queen (0.018g saturated fat/gram of fries)

The Worst
Arby's (0.037g saturated fat/gram of fries)


Also remember that a good deal in dollars, doesn't translate to your diet, and a "large fries" means something different to everyone:

Large Fries Serving Sizes
McDonald's: 154g
Carl's Jr.: 184g
Wendy's: 184g
Dairy Queen: 186g
Arby's: 190g
Burger King: 194g
Jack in the Box: 236g

____________________________________________________________________

Wikipedia Mulls Adding More Editorial Control PC World

The English language Wikipedia will test a new policy of checking user contributions to certain high-profile entries before publishing them.

If approved permanently, this policy would be at odds with Wikipedia's "laissez-faire" approach towards fact-checking that, while controversial, is nonetheless key to its massive popularity.

Wikipedia lets anyone instantly publish changes to most of its encyclopedia entries, except for some articles that are subject to constant malicious edits. Depending on the case, Wikipedia places different limits on who can edit these entries and to what extent.

Now, the English-language Wikipedia will begin testing a new process that, unlike the existing protection policy, would let anyone edit an entry but places their contributions in a holding queue pending approval from a user Wikipedia considers a "trusted editor" based on the person's participation on the site.

A version of this policy, called Flagged Revisions, is in place at the German-language Wikipedia.

The decision to test Flagged Revisions on the flagship English-language Wikipedia was prompted by changes to the entries of U.S. senators Edward Kennedy and Robert Byrd that incorrectly stated the men had died.

"This nonsense would have been 100 percent prevented by Flagged Revisions," wrote Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales in his "user talk" page.

A poll of Wikipedia users showed that 60 percent support applying Flagged Revisions to certain entries, according to Wales. Contributions would be held for approval at most for one week, but ideally "a lot less," he wrote, adding that Flagged Revisions will be tried out "for a time-limited test."

Launched in January 2001, Wikipedia, written and edited by volunteer users worldwide, is by far the most popular encyclopedia on the Web. It receives about 97 percent of the visits U.S. Web surfers make to online encyclopedias, according to Web monitoring company Hitwise.

Wikipedia is free and carries no advertising. Its parent organization, the nonprofit Wikimedia Foundation, recently held a successful fund-raising drive for the $6 million it needed to operate Wikipedia until the end of June.

Wikipedia is often criticized for what critics perceive as a free-for-all attitude towards user contributions, something that has landed it in hot water at times but that is central to its popularity and growth. The site's philosophy is that its community of participants will police itself, correct mistakes, stamp out malicious activity and engage, when necessary, in discussions that lead to consensus over site policies and encyclopedia topics.

The English-language Wikipedia, for example, has over 2.7 million articles, and was, along with other smaller Wikimedia-backed sites, the 10th most popular site in the U.S., with 58.3 million unique visitors, in December, according to comScore.

The Wikimedia Foundation didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

___________________________________________________________________

8 unusual collage scolarships

Young people just don’t appreciate how easy they have it these days. Back when I was in high school, only the smartest or most athletic students were candidates for any type of college scholarship. Not anymore. Today’s students don’t have to be the best and the brightest to score some scratch – they can parlay a hobby, goofy talent or even a genetic luck of the draw into scholarship money. Take a gander at some of the more unusual opportunities that are available for eight subsets of the population (but first get the heck off my lawn.)

1. Dessert Enthusiasts

Is your sweet tooth serious enough to pursue a future as a pastry chef or chocolatier? The American Association of Candy Technologists offers an annual $5,000 scholarship to students enrolled at an accredited university who plan to major in food science and have a demonstrated interest in confectionary technology. Sounds like a great opportunity to expand both your waistline and your bank account!

2. Duck Callers

OK, this contest may border on the goofy, but the top prize is $1,500 in scholarship money, so if you’ve got a knack for calling ducks we say you’ve got nothing to lose but your dignity (and travel fare to Arkansas). The Chick and Sophie Major Memorial Duck Calling Contest is open to any high school senior in the U.S. Participants have 90 seconds to demonstrate their best hail, feed, comeback and mating calls. The top three placers also receive commemorative jackets, so get quackin’, er crackin’, because $1,500 isn’t exactly chicken feed. (Me, I’m still looking for that ever elusive Bad Pun Scholarship.)

3. Fire Safety Experts (or literate people with decent luck)


fire-safety.jpgFire sprinkler systems save lives, and they might just save your neck if you’re sweating that college tuition bill. The American Fire Sprinkler Association scholarship program is not based on financial need; all interested students need to do is read an essay about fire sprinklers and then take a 10 question multiple choice test. Get this – the test is “open book.” You can print out the essay before taking the test! Each correctly answered question enters you into a drawing for a $2,000 scholarship, so if you ace the test, you’ll have ten chances to win.

4. Bagpipe Majors at Carnegie Mellon

One of the least competitive scholarships in the U.S.it’s not unusual for there to be zero applicants is the Carnegie Mellon University Bagpipe Scholarship. It offers $7,000 per year to a student who intends to major in bagpiping. (Andrew Carnegie loved bagpipe music, you see, and even brought a personal piper with him from Scotland when he emigrated to the U.S.) On the plus side of this offer, you get a kilt subsidy. On the minus side, class is held in the basement of the building due to the vehement complaints from neighboring classrooms upstairs. (Sorry, no link available. Yeah, like any of you would’ve clicked on it anyway.)

5. Creative Students at David Letterman’s Alma Mater

Because David Letterman was a C student at Ball State University, he established a scholarship at his alma mater that is awarded to telecommunications majors based strictly on the creativity of a submitted project, rather than a student’s GPA. The top prize is $10,000; previous winners have included a satirical script based on the novel Pride and Prejudice and a stop-action animated film of a penguin climbing a beer bottle.

6. People Looking for Unique Prom Attire

If you don’t mind looking like a dweeb (a sticky dweeb, to boot) at your high school prom, you could earn yourself a $3,000 scholarship check from the folks who make Duck Brand Duct Tape. You and your date simply need to fashion your prom outfits completely out of duct tape and then submit a color photo for consideration. Oh, and you have to actually wear those outfits to the dance, too.

7. Aspiring Children’s Television Stars



fred-rogers.jpg
The Academy
of Television Arts & Sciences awards three $10,000 scholarships annually in the name of the late, great Fred Rogers to college students pursuing a career in children’s media. Remember all those puppet shows you used to put on in the garage? Maybe that was an early indicator of your special talent…you are special, y’know.

8. Twins Who Don’t Hate Each Other

If you happen to be a twin and don’t mind spending an additional four years with your sibling, several schools offer scholarships for twins. Morris Brown College in Atlanta, Georgia, waives tuition for one twin when both enroll, Lake Erie College in Painsville, Ohio, offers half-off tuition for each twin, and Wilson College in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, has 45% discounts available on tuition for female twins only.

__________________________________________________________________

25 medical mistakes to avoid

We’ve all heard the horror stories of a surgeon operating on the wrong leg or leaving a sponge inside. But in reality, most medical mishaps are due to a series of errors, not a single doctor’s blunder. And believe it or not, you play an important part in preventing them. “Very few medical mistakes are caused by a doctor just not paying attention,” says Henry Lodge, MD, a New York–based physician and coauthor of Younger Next Year for Women. “Most have to do with something falling through the cracks—and that’s where what you do matters.”

There are important steps you can take to make sure you’re getting the best care possible, from calling to check up on test results to being bare-faced honest with your doc. Read on to find out what experts say are all-too-common mistakes patients make.

1. You don’t check the expiration date on your medications.
A week or two probably won’t matter, but “over time the chemicals in the medication can change, making them less effective and possibly even dangerous,” says Sandra Adamson Fryhofer, MD, an internist and clinical associate professor of medicine at Emory University in Atlanta.
Take action: Add your medicine cabinet to your spring-cleaning list.

2. You don’t factor in wait time for an appointment.
It’s important that you don’t go too long between screenings—which may mean you need to schedule appointments months, even a year, in advance. “Many mammography centers are actually closing because of insurance reimbursement issues,” says Jahangir Rahman, MD, an assistant clinical professor of medicine at the Columbia University Medical School in New York. “Some women are waiting upward of 6 months for an appointment.” That means you may actually end up going 18 months between screenings instead of 12.
Take action: Pick up phone. Dial. It’s that easy.

3. You’re not honest with your doctor.
We know it’s hard to ’fess up to unhealthy habits
like smoking, drinking a little too much and being a couch potato, but spilling the truth can make a big difference in your care. “Your doctor’s not there to judge; she’s there to help you be the healthiest you can be,” says Dr. Fryhofer.
Take action: If you don’t feel comfortable telling your doc about your bad habits, write them down for her.

4. You don’t specify who should have access to your health records.
The HIPAA law keeps prying eyes away from your private info, but it also means you’re on your own when it comes to simple tasks like picking up a prescription—unless you specify who else can be trusted.
Take action: Tell your doctor who can have access and ask that he put a note in your file.

5. You ask for antibiotics at the first sign of a sniffle.
We know we’ve said it before, but doctors say that patients just aren’t getting the message: Antibiotics don’t work for a cold. No matter how unbearable that runny nose or sore throat may seem, chances are it’s a virus, not a bacterial infection. And if you take antibiotics when you don’t really need them, you’re helping fuel a widespread increase in drug-resistant bacteria.
Take action: If you develop a persistent fever, or have discolored phlegm or sinus pain, you probably need antibiotics. Otherwise, don’t ask for them.

6. You wait for your doc to say it’s time for a test.
How can you catch diseases in the earliest, most treatable stages? Screen for them at the right time, says Aage Møller, MD, a professor in the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences at the University of Texas, Dallas. The big three screenings for women: Pap (18 and up, earlier if you’re sexually active), mammogram (annually starting at 40, earlier and perhaps more often if you have a family history of breast cancer), and bone density (50-plus). If you’re 50, you’ll need a baseline colon cancer screening, too. And you should be getting your blood pressure and blood sugar levels tested at all regular checkups (at least every 3 to 5 years).
Take action: Ask your doctor when you should get these tests and if you need any others. Don’t expect her to remind you.

7. You assume no news is good news.
“Test results often get lost. No news could mean that your doctor never got a copy of your lab work or report,” says Janet O’Mahony, MD, a clinical instructor in the department of medicine at the University of Maryland.
Take action: Ask when your doctor will get results, and call to follow up.

8. You’re a really obsessive Googler.
“The Internet is great for getting timely information, but you can also be tricked into thinking that something like a migraine is untreatable brain cancer,” says Kimberly McMillin, MD, a physician at Baylor Medical Center in Garland, Texas.
Take action: Stick to well-respected websites like MedlinePlus.gov or MayoClinic.com. And be sure to talk to a health care professional about the info you find.

9. You take your medicine at any old time.
Timing can have an important effect on certain medications. For example, if you don’t take low-dose hormonal birth control pills at roughly the same time each day, they may not work. Having a set routine also means you’re less likely to forget your meds altogether.
Take action: Plan on taking your multivitamin or other daily medications either first thing in the morning or before you go to bed at night.

10. You don’t have any health insurance.
“People with insurance get more preventive care, which translates to fewer complications from serious health problems,” says Caroline Dorsen, MSN, a family nurse practitioner and an instructor at New York University’s College of Nursing. Plus, you never know when you’ll have an emergency, and when you’re healthy is the easiest time to get an insurance company to cover you.
Take action: At the minimum, invest in a catastrophic policy (which costs anywhere from $900 to $3,000 a year). “Right now, close to 50% of bankruptcies in the U.S. are related to medical bills,” says Dorsen.

11. You bargain-hunt for prescriptions.
This often results in multiple pharmacies filling your prescriptions, which isn’t a smart idea. Using one pharmacy insures that the pharmacist knows every medication you’re on and can catch dangerous interactions before they happen.
Take action: Stick with one pharmacy, or at least take a list of all your medications and show it to the pharmacist every time you get a prescription filled.

12. You don’t keep your personal health records up to date.
“Be a little obsessive,” Dr. Lodge says. “If everyone paid more attention to his or her medical records, we could reduce a good deal of errors.”
Take action: In a safe but easily accessible place,
keep an up-to-date list of all of your medications, immunizations, allergies and past reactions, and be sure to bring it with you to every doctor and pharmacy visit. If you get a test like an MRI, X-ray or EKG, ask your health care provider for a copy of the report and then take it with you if you go to a specialist.

13. You don’t have a living will.
The legacy of Terri Schiavo is the lesson that everyone—no matter her age—should have a legal document that makes her wishes known in case she becomes terminally ill or permanently unconscious, notes Dr. McMillin. “I have a living will that specifies exactly what I want and expect. I have a copy with my primary care doctor, one at home in a safe and one in my personal file, and my husband and family members know my wishes.”
Take action: Call your local hospitals or senior center; some provide free living will seminars.

14. You don’t tell your doc everything you’re taking.
“Many vitamins, minerals, herbs and other over-the-counter remedies can interfere with prescription medications,” says Dr. Fryhofer. Also, knowing that you take certain OTC meds regularly (say, for heartburn) can clue your doctor in to when you might need the prescription-strength version instead.
Take action: Write down all of the meds and OTC supplements you take on a regular basis. Better yet, bring the bottles or labels to your appointment.

15. You don’t look at your prescription before you leave the pharmacy.
Scary stat: Roughly 2 million adverse drug reactions happen each year, causing about 100,000 deaths.
Take action: Keep a copy of your prescription and check it against what’s written on the bottle. It’s also a good idea to look up what the actual pill looks like (do a search at pdrhealth.com) before you go to the pharmacy. Then check that what’s in the bottle looks the same as the picture.

16. Your stress levels are out of control.
Sure, everyone’s got stress, but managing it is key to preventing it from taking a toll on your health. “Stress is the forgotten risk factor,” says cardiologist Michael Ozner, MD. “Study after study links chronic stress to heart attack and stroke.”
Take action: When you feel the pressure, practice deep breathing. Close your eyes and focus on relaxing your muscles, starting at your feet and working your way up through each body part. Breathe in and out through your nose as you focus on a single word (like peace).

17. You share meds with other people.
It may seem harmless, even virtuous, to give your sneezy, wheezy cousin a pill from your allergy prescription, but health care experts say you shouldn’t play pharmacist. “Sharing with a friend exposes that person to risks and may potentially interact with something he or she is already taking,” says Dorsen.
Take action: Keep your prescription pills to yourself (but be generous with your tissues!).

18. You double up on meds.
If you forget a dose, twice isn’t necessarily nice. “Medicines are prescribed to keep a steady amount in your bloodstream,” explains Dorsen. “Taking too much at one time can give you an upset stomach and possibly even create toxic levels of the drug in your body.”
Take action: Ask your doctor or pharmacist if it’s safer to double up or just skip the dose.

19. You go to your doctor’s visit empty-handed.
You don’t stock up at the grocery store without a list, so why take a chance on your checkup?
Take action: A week or so before your appointment, write down all of your questions and concerns. Call the doctor’s office and ask if you can fax it over so they can put it in your file. Your doctor may have a chance to look it over beforehand, but bring a copy on the day of the appointment anyway.

20. You put off doctor appointments.
Work, family, friends—who has time to squeeze in a doctor’s visit? You do. Especially if you’ve spotted something suspicious or have new symptoms. “Waiting even a few months can mean something like cancer that’s in an early, treatable stage has now progressed,” says Dr. McMillin.
Take action: Get yourself to your doctor as fast as you can if you think something might be wrong. And don’t skip regular checkups—they’re an opportunity to catch a condition early.

21. You don’t know your family health history.
“Almost every condition has a genetic link, so knowing what your relatives dealt with is an important clue to your own health risks,” say Dr. Rahman.
Take action: Map your family medical history. Start with yourself, your parents, your grandparents and your siblings. Note any diseases (cancer, including type; heart disease; diabetes; stroke) and if possible the age of diagnosis. You can even do it online: The Surgeon General’s office offers an easy personalized (and private) mapping tool at familyhistory.hhs.gov. Take a copy to your next doctor’s appointment, and keep another in your files (be sure to update it every few years).

22. You give up too soon when you’ve filed an insurance claim.
Let’s face it: Insurance companies try to pinch pennies, which often means you’re the one left holding the bag on a claim you thought should have been paid in full.
Take action: Call to follow up on any claims that are denied (the sooner you do this, the better), and ask to speak to a manager if necessary, says Dorsen. Keep track of whom you speak with and when so you can put your concerns in writing.

23. You don’t finish a round of antibiotics.
Stop too soon and you not only risk the infection reoccurring, you’re contributing to bacterial resistance, says Dr. Fryhofer.
Take action: Don’t toss the bottle until it’s empty.

24. You don’t have a primary care doctor.
Many women rely on their gynecologist for primary care, but your ob-gyn is really focused on your reproductive health, so she may not be paying as much attention to other things like your cholesterol. And if you have urgent, non-ob/gyn symptoms, you may end up having to go to the ER.
Take action: Visit an internist, general practitioner or family medicine physician at least once a year.

25. You haven’t gotten vaccinated since you were a kid.
Grownups need a shot in the arm, too. “All adults need a one-time booster for whooping cough (pertussis), which you can get in a tetanus-pertussis combo shot called Tdap,” says Dr. Fryhofer. (After the one-time booster, you still need the tetanus shot every 10 years.) If you’re 60 or older, experts also recommend the shingles vaccine.
Take action: Stay up to date on your vaccines. Then reward yourself with a lollipop.
__________________________________________________________________

10 careers that earns 30$ per hour

In just 60 minutes, you could earn enough to pay for a tank of gas, the cable bill, gym membership, or dinner out. Thirty dollars still covers some of life's essential costs. Earn that much in just one hour on the job, and you have enough to build a comfortable life.

The latest U.S. Census Bureau figures put the median household income in the U.S. at $50,233. A $30-per-hour job brings in $62,400 before taxes, or 20% more than the national median. For many people, this extra margin is just one promotion or one credential away. To boost your economic security, consider these 10 careers with salary data as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics:


Database Administrator Mean Hourly Wage: $33.78 Salary: $70,260

Database administrators perform a vital role in our information economy, managing the database systems that help companies store, process, and access data effectively. Job growth is stunning in this high-demand field as well -- the profession is expected to grow 37 percent through 2016. Continuing education is a must to keep up with evolving technology, but entry requirements are modest. You can launch this $30-plus-an-hour career with an associate's degree in database administration or information technology.

Registered Nurse Mean Hourly Wage: $30.04 Salary: $62,480

Historic demand for registered nurses is inspiring many people to reinvent themselves as health care practitioners. Nursing is projected to generate more new jobs than any other profession -- an estimated 587,000 positions through 2016, which represents a 23% increase in a decade. To take advantage of this boom, head to nursing school for your bachelor's degree in nursing (BSN). Accelerated programs are available for career changers who already have a bachelor degree in another field.

Technical Writer Median Hourly Wage: $30.18 Salary: $62,780

Technical writers interpret engineering and scientific information for a lay audience, producing product documentation, user manuals, project proposals, and scientific reports. Most writers come to the field with a college bachelor's degree in a communications or liberal arts field. Some colleges offer specialized certificate programs in technical communication, which incorporate IT literacy training.

Fashion Designer Median Hourly Wage: $34.22 Salary: $71,170

Fashion design has the reputation as an all-or-nothing labor of love -- you begin as a starving artist and ultimately attain celebrity stature designing haute couture. In fact, the majority of fashion designers -- 3 in 4 designers -- work secure, salaried jobs for apparel manufacturers. What these artists give up in suffering and glamour they make up for in a solid and stable paycheck. A job as a salaried fashion designer starts with an associate's or bachelor's degree in fashion design.

Accountant Median Hourly Wage: $30.11 Salary: $62,640

Accountants should have no trouble finding work as businesses throughout the economy sort through the financial rubble of the credit crisis. Mounting federal regulation will also contribute to demand for trained accountants. Accountants working for accounting and bookkeeping services earn upwards of $30 per hour. These employers hire trained professionals with a bachelor's degree in accounting or finance.

Environmental Scientist Median Hourly Wage: $30.71 Salary: $63,870

Environmental scientists will be the heroes of the coming era, developing much-needed strategies to redress environmental damage to soil, water, and air. The field is expected to grow 25% in response to new federal regulations and funding, as well as private investment. A bachelor's degree in earth sciences will get you started in this fascinating and important field. Many scientists go on to a master's degree to secure the best opportunities.

K-12 Curriculum Designer Median Hourly Wage: $30.87 Salary: $64,220

Curriculum designers are at the forefront of educational research, developing new instructional materials and strategies to improve the quality of education in our nation's schools. The job typically calls for a graduate-level degree in the field, such as a master's degree in education (M.Ed.).

Dental Hygienist Mean Hourly Wage: $31.21 Salary: $64,910

To make about the same amount of money with a two-year associate's degree, enroll in a dental hygiene program. Dental hygienists work alongside dentists to promote oral health and hygiene. Hygienists enjoy distinction as one of the nation's fastest growing occupations, with 30% growth expected through 2016.

Detectives and Criminal Investigators Median Hourly Wage: $30.05 Salary: $62,500

Solving crimes is all in a day's work for these criminal justice professionals. Criminal investigators can build their skill set by completing an associate's degree in criminal justice, where they take courses in crime scene investigation, criminal investigation procedures, and more. The Bureau of Labor Statistics rates job opportunities as "excellent."

Television Producer Median Hourly Wage: $31.66 Salary: $65,850

Producers coordinate the television features we enjoy, from sitcoms to dramas to the nightly news. To build the necessary skill set, producers enter the field with an associate's or bachelor's degree in mass communications or broadcast media.

A tight economy hasn't stopped employers in these ten fields from hiring qualified grads. With the right degree, you can upgrade your career and find job security in the form of a $30-an-hour paycheck.

____________________________________________________________________

Why men cheat

What makes men cheat? Marriage counselor M. Gary Neuman dug through past research on male infidelity and found that most answers came from the wife's point of view. Wouldn't it make more sense to ask the guys? he thought. So for his new book, The Truth About Cheating, Neuman surveyed 200 cheating and noncheating husbands to get at the real reasons behind men's infidelity — including what cheating men say could have prevented them from straying. Here, some of his findings:

48% of men rated emotional dissatisfaction as the primary reason they cheated.

So much for the myth that for men, cheating is all about sex: Only 8 percent of men said that sexual dissatisfaction was the main factor in their infidelity. "Our culture tells us that all men need to be happy is sex," Neuman says. "But men are emotionally driven beings too. They want their wives to show them that they're appreciated, and they want women to understand how hard they're trying to get things right." The problem is that men are less likely than women to express these feelings, so you won't always know when your guy is in need of a little affirmation. "Most men consider it unmanly to ask for a pat on the back, which is why their emotional needs are often overlooked," Neuman says. "But you can create a marital culture of appreciation and thoughtfulness and once you set the tone, he's likely to match it."

66% of cheating men report feeling guilt during the affair.

The implications are a little scary: It isn't just uncaring jerks who cheat. In fact, 68 percent of cheaters never dreamed they'd be unfaithful, and almost all of them wished they hadn't done it, Neuman says. Clearly, guilt isn't enough to stop a man from cheating. "Men are good at compartmentalizing feelings," Neuman explains. "They can hold on to their emotions and deal with them later." So even if your husband swears he would never cheat, don't assume it can't happen. It's important for both of you to take steps toward creating the marriage you want.

77% of cheating men have a good friend who cheated.

Hanging around friends who stray makes cheating seem normal and legitimizes it as a possibility. The message he's subconsciously telling himself: My friend is a good guy who happens to be cheating on his wife. I guess even the best of us do it. You can't simply ban your husband from hanging out with Mr. Wandering Eyes, Neuman says, but you can request that they spend their time together in an environment that offers less temptation, like at a sporting event or a restaurant for lunch rather than at a bar or club. Another strategy: Build your social circle around happily married couples that share your values it'll create an environment that supports marriage.

40% of cheating men met the other woman at work.

"Oftentimes the woman he cheats with at the office is someone who praises him, looks up to him, and compliments his efforts," Neuman says. "That's another reason why it's so critical that he feel valued at home." Luckily, there's a clear warning sign that your husband is getting a little too cozy with a colleague: If he praises or mentions the name of a female coworker more than he would a male counterpart, your antennae should go up — and it's time for the two of you to set boundaries about what is and isn't okay at work, Neuman says. Is it acceptable for him to work late if it's only him and her? Can they travel together to conferences? Have dinners out to discuss a project? Ask him what he'd feel comfortable with you doing with a male colleague.
Only 12% of cheating men said their mistress was more physically attractive than their wife.

In other words, a man doesn't stray because he thinks he'll get better sex with a better-looking body. "In most cases, he's cheating to fill an emotional void," Neuman says. "He feels a connection with the other woman, and sex comes along for the ride." If you're worried about infidelity, focus on making your relationship more loving and connected, not on getting your body just right or mastering new sexual positions. (But know that sex does matter — it's one of the key ways your guy expresses his love and feels close to you, so be sure to keep it a priority.)

Only 6% of cheating men had sex with a woman after meeting her that same day or night.

Actually, 73 percent of men got to know the other woman for more than a month before they cheated. This means that you may have time to see the warning signs before infidelity occurs you might even see it coming before he does. Keep an eye out for these common signals: He spends more time away from home, stops asking for sex, picks fights more frequently, or avoids your calls. Your gut reaction may be to confront him, but most men will deny even thinking about cheating especially if nothing physical has occurred yet. Instead, Neuman suggests, take charge of what you can control your own behavior and take the lead in bringing your marriage to a better place. Don't hesitate to show your appreciation for him, prioritize time together, and initiate sex more. Give him a reason to keep you at the front of his mind, Neuman says. And be open about how you feel about what's going on between the two of you (again, without mentioning any third parties). Try, "I think we've started to lose something important in our marriage, and I don't want it to disappear." In the meantime, commit to keeping tabs on your relationship and doing what it takes to keep it working for you.

__________________________________________________________________
HDTV doesn't look good

I seem to regularly report on the statistic that, to a large portion of home video viewers, high-definition video doesn't look any better than their old, standard-definition TV. Many commenters who've dropped thousands are outraged -- outraged that viewers could be so oblivious to the obviously superior video quality offered by HD sets and HD sources like Blu-ray discs vs. their old broadcast TV and DVDs. But just as many seem steadfast in their assertion that the new stuff just doesn't look any better than the old. Now here's one possible explanation for the discrepancy between the two camps, courtesy of the Daily Mail: Bad eyes. According to the UK's Vision Express, a third of adults and children either need glasses or should obtain an improved prescription of their existing glasses or contacts. In Britain, 60 percent of residents haven't had an eye test in the last 12 months, with 79 percent of Scots running around unknowing whether or not they're functionally blind. Because the improvement of HD vs. SD is relatively small (in comparison to, say, the jump from VHS to DVD), even a small problem with your eyesight might account for the inability to discern any quality improvement. I can buy that argument. Food for thought next time you find yourself at a big box store shopping for a new TV: Perhaps your first stop after you buy an HDTV shouldn't be the Blu-ray bin but rather one of those in-store opticians for some hot new specs.

____________________________________________________________________
World's Tallest and biggest

The World's Tallest Casino (sort of)

Unsurprisingly located in Las Vegas, the Stratosphere Hotel & Casino boasts a 1,149-foot-tall observation tower and restaurant, making it the tallest free-standing tower in the United States. While you can be shot straight up 160 feet in the air, or ride a mechanical arm over the Tower’s edge, there are no actual games in the tower itself.

The World's Tallest Bar

On the 87th floor of Shanghai’s Jin Mao Tower–literally “Golden Prosperity Building”–is the appropriately titled Cloud Nine. In February 2001, cocktail-sipping patrons observed Han Qizhi, a 31-year-old shoe salesman, climb the 1,214 foot tower barehanded.

The World's Largest House

Indisputably, the Sultan of Brunei’s Istana Nurul Iman is the world’s largest residence. Really more of a palace, this structure boasts an impressive 2,152,782-square-feet of space, comprised of 1,788 rooms (including 257 bathrooms), and is home to the Sultan's car collection, including 165 Rolls Royces. (It easily dwarfs Buckingham Palace's 828,818 square feet). Unfortunately for non-royals, the Sultan’s palace is only open three days a year for the Islamic festival of Hari Raya Aidilfitri, marking the end of Ramadan. However, in 2009, Indian multi-billionaire Mukesh Ambani is scheduled to complete construction on the world's largest house.

The World's Largest Ancient City

Built in the mid-15th century, Machu Picchu is located 7,875 feet above sea level in the Urubamba Valley in Peru. A gorgeous collection of 150 structures, including temples and residences, the city was abandoned approximately 100 years after its founding and not re-discovered until the early 1900s. Machu Picchu was named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007.

The World's Tallest Memorial

Erected in 1940 by the Spanish dictator Francisco Franco, the Benedictine Abbey of the Valley of the Fallen boasts the largest Memorial Cross in the world. Located 28 miles northwest of Madrid, the 492-foot structure towers above a basilica and crypt carved out of a granite ridge, and boasts spectacular views of both the surrounding valley and the outskirts of Madrid.


The World's Tallest Monument

Commonly known as the “Gateway to the West” the St. Louis Arch, designed by renowned architect Eero Saarinen, marks the starting point of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The arch is surrounded by a 91-acre national park along the Mississippi River and stands 630-feet-tall. Visitors can take a four-minute tram ride up one of the “legs” of the arch to the observation deck at its center for spectacular views of St. Louis.


The World's Tallest Hotel Never Actually Completed

Destined for greatness, the Ryugyong Hotel in Pyongyang, North Korea, stands at 1,083 feet, was supposed to boast 105 floors and 3.9 million-square-feet of floor space, and was meant to have seven revolving restaurants. Not surprisingly this towering pyramid’s construction was put on hold in 1992 when North Korea confronted more pressing matters. What remains is the pyramid itself, but it lacks windows and fixtures and has been deemed unsafe for human occupancy.


The World's Tallest Hotel Not in Dubai

Though eclipsed both by Dubai’s Rose Tower and Jumeirah Emirates Tower, the Baiyoke Tower II in Bangkok, Thailand, nevertheless boasts 88 floors and 673 guest rooms. The 997-foot Tower is located in Bangkok’s Ratchathewi district known for its shopping and its 1.5 mile long artificial lake.


The World's Tallest Dam

Construction began on the Nurek Dam (984 feet) in 1961 while the central Asian nation of Tajikistan was still a republic within the Soviet Union, and was completed an efficient 19 years later. The dam provides 98 percent of Tajikistan’s electrical needs and was one of the first to be constructed with an asphalt central core of cement forming an impermeable barrier along the Vakhsh River.


The World's Largest Man-Made Islands

Perhaps no structure on this list more embodies the original impulse behind the tall building pure human hubris than Dubai’s Palm Islands. Composed of three separate islands, Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, the entire construction will add nearly 330 miles of beach front to the city of Dubai. Parts of Palm Jumeirah are currently open for development, with the remaining islands to be completed in the next 10-15 years. When finished, the three islands will contain over 100 luxury hotels while Palm Deira itself will be almost as large as Paris.

__________________________________________________________________

10 questions never to ask in an interview

1: Talk to Each Other Happily married couples typically say their relationships work better when they can sit down and gab one-on-one, like thinking, feeling adults. But who's got time for that? Actually, anybody who sleeps at night, if you follow the lead of Julie and Thom and their nightly visits to their "igloo." "It all started one winter night years ago, when Julie had had a really bad day," says Thom, 33, a marketing director in Columbus, Ohio. "We were huddled under the covers of our bed, and Julie was describing how all the people who made her day miserable were 'bad polar bears' and how she didn't want any of the bad polar bears coming into the bedroom and how the bed was our refuge from them. You realize how embarrassing it is to admit this, right? Anyway, that's when we started calling the bed the igloo."
"The igloo is a place to retreat to," says Julie, 31. "It's our little sanctuary; only nice things happen in the igloo."

Eventually Julie and Thom began holding a powwow in the igloo at the end of every day, making a nightly excursion that Julie says has become a vital part of their five-year relationship. "It's funny, because I always thought that when you lived with somebody, you'd automatically know everything that was going on," she says. "But we find that if we don't take that time to connect with each other, it's really easy for life to get in the way. The igloo offers one of the few times in the day where there's not a whole heck of a lot else going on, so you're able to focus on each other in a deeper way."

#2: Flirt

Most couples realize that getting intimate every night isn't possible, let alone a worthy goal. Indeed, a 1994 University of Chicago survey of Americans' physical intimacy habits found that only about a third of adults have physical intimacy more than once a week.

That doesn't mean, though, that you can't at least talk sensually every day, and that's the approach that Ed and Stephanie have taken in the more than six years they've been together. "It's funny," says Ed, a 33-year-old San Francisco cab driver, "because we know plenty of couples who fight, a lot, about how often they have physical intimacy. The wife's upset because all he ever wants to do is get intimate. But this has never really been a problem with us, and I think it has a lot do with the fact that we're always talking sensually to each other."

"Absolutely," says Stephanie, a 32-year-old massage therapist. "We're always complimenting each other, tossing out fantasies, telling each other we're appealing. He gets to feel like he can have sensual feelings, and I feel like I don't have to have physical intimacy all the time to appear attractive.

Let's put it this way: The way I see it, physical intimacy is like chocolate cake. After five days of eating chocolate cake, even chocolate cake doesn't taste that great." "Right," Ed says, "but after five days of talking about chocolate cake, that cake tastes really good."

3: Get Stupid Together

Bob and Angie are ashamed to admit that the daily ritual that brings such joy to their 12-year marriage is none other than reality TV. That's right. They lived and died with "Survivor." They've adopted "Big Brother." "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" They do. "Honestly, I think we just need to be dumb for a while," says Bob, 37, a shoe designer for Reebok in Boston. "We're both very into our careers. And when you're at work, with any job there's going to be a certain amount of professional stress. You like to come home sometimes and, for that lousy hour or whatever, kick back and relax."

Or as Angie, 36, a marketing executive, says, "Life is serious enough, isn't it? Sometimes you need to do something stupid. And if you can't be stupid with your husband, who can you be stupid with?"

4: Declare Your Independence

So hold on, then: Is domestic joy found in partners smothering each other in obsessive daily rituals? Hardly. In fact, Tessina says that sleepwalking through a series of hollow routines (although probably an apt description of your day job) is worse for your relationship than having no routines at all. The solution, she says, is to also make a daily habit of getting away from each other.
The point, naturally, is not to make space for each other in that I-can't-wait-to-get-away-from-you sort of way but to pursue your own hobbies and interests. It's a distinction that Joe tried hard to make to Lori during their delicate pre-engagement negotiations four years ago.

These days, Lori and Joe are practically poster children for the power of independence. Joe, who works for a nonprofit agency, spends his nights taking painting classes, building youth centers, and recording his guitar sessions. Lori, a college professor, spends hers directing community-theater musicals and indulging in trashy movies on cable television, a passion that Joe (go figure) doesn't seem to share.

"It all brings a freshness to our relationship because we both continue to grow as people," Joe says.

5: Share a Spiritual Moment

In another University of Chicago survey, this one of married couples, 75 percent of the Americans who pray with their spouses reported that their marriages are "very happy" (compared to 57 percent of those who don't). Those who pray together are also more likely to say they respect each other and discuss their relationship together.

Not to say that prayer is a cure for all that ails you. But whether they're talking about a simple grace at dinnertime or some soul-searching meditation, couples routinely say that a shared spiritual life helps keep them close. And as Doug and Beth say, even couples who are on different sides of the theological fence can benefit from praying together daily.

"We have been married for seven years, but praying together is something we didn't start doing until about a year ago," says Doug, a 32-year-old Salt Lake City biochemist. "In the past, whenever we faced big decisions, we'd have discussion after discussion about them, but we'd never really come to a resolution."

"I soon found that praying together brings out a real sense of selflessness and humility," Doug says. "When you're praying for each other, not yourself, you're focused together and speaking from the heart on a whole different level. I would never have predicted this for us, but it really works." "As bad as any problem may seem at that moment," agrees Beth, "prayer always helps us see beyond it. It doesn't have to be a long-drawn-out scripture reading, just a few minutes a day. When we pray, it brings another level of honesty to our conversations. I think it's the most intimate thing you can do with another person."

Now they pray together every night, once the "urchins" are in bed, which puts them in the company of the 32 percent of American married couples who say they pray together regularly. It also puts them in the company of Julie and Thom, when the other couple isn't holed up in their igloo, of course.

"It's pretty short and not at all scripted," says Julie about their giving thanks before each meal. "We just join hands and let it rip. Whether we're asking for forgiveness or giving thanks, saying it out loud holds a lot of power.

"Besides, regardless of religion or spiritual preference, I think that most marriages require a ton of faith," Julie sums up. "You've got to believe that somehow the two of you are going to make it through things. You've got to believe that you're being blessed with this person. And even if the power we feel just comes from the strength of our love, even if we don't believe that it's God who is helping us, I still think that it's good to acknowledge that there's a force between the two of us that's helping us out."

____________________________________________________________________________

Best foods for better weight loss

Losing weight is not about starving you and subsisting on seltzer. Eat too little and the only place you'll feel lighter is your head. Plus, research shows that any pounds you lose will likely come back--plus more. One of the healthiest ways to shed pounds for good is to eat power foods that are naturally filling, nutrient-packed and, yes, proven to help you peel off pounds. Pile your plate with these prize possessions!

Steak

Women on a diet that included red meat lost more weight than those eating equal calories but little beef, according to a study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. One reason: The protein in lean cuts of steak helps you keep muscle mass during weight loss, and muscle incinerates more calories than fat, so you will shed more stubborn pudge. Try it: Grill or broil a 4-ounce serving of top round or sirloin; slice thinly to top a salad, or mix with veggies for fajitas.

Eggs

The breakfast staple can trim off inches all over. Research from the Louisiana State University at Baton Rouge found that women on a low-calorie diet who ate an egg with toast and jelly each morning lost twice as many pounds as those who had a bagel breakfast with the same number of calories but no eggs. Turns out, egg protein is particularly satisfying, so you likely eat less during the course of the day.
Try it: Enjoy a morning omelets or frittata, or top your lunchtime salad with hard-boiled eggs.

Lentils

These beans can help banish belly bloat and reduce your belt size. Chock full of protein and soluble fiber, lentils can stabilize blood sugar levels and prevent insulin spikes that cause your body to create excess fat, especially in the abdominal area.
Try it: Toss lentils in soups, salads or pasta sauce. Or try this delicious Lentil Pilaf with Turkey Sausage.

Pomegranates

Low in calories, this fruit gets high marks for taste and nutritional content, thanks to a healthy dose of foliate, fiber and disease-deterring antioxidants.
Try it: Skip the juice and snack on the seeds instead. Toss them into salad in place of nuts. Or try these Pomegranate and Cranberry Bellinis from Giada DeLaurentiis (one of her holiday fives).

Chiles

Some like it hot, and for good reason. Eating spicy numbers will spike your metabolism, courtesy of a compound in chilies called capsaicin, which helps the body burn extra calories for 20 minutes after you eat them. Bonus: It can be downright painful to inhale a plate of chilies, so you'll eat slower, allowing your brain adequate time to register that it is full and prevent overeating.
Try it: Sample the savory entree that chef Nigella Lawson shared with SELF.

Quinoa

It might be hard to pronounce (it's KEEN-wah), but eating quinoa offers a simple way to ward off the munchies. The grain is teeming with fiber (2.6 grams per 1/2 cup) and protein to keep you humming and hunger-free for hours.
Try it: Replace the rice in stir-fries with quinoa.

Parmesan

Say cheese! Women who had one serving of whole milk or cheese daily were less likely to gain weight over time, a study in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition finds. Dieters who ate low fat varieties of dairy did not experience the same benefit. Why? Whole dairy may contain more conjugated linoleum acid, which could assist in the fat-burning department. And since Parmesan is so flavorful, you only need a few sprinkles to gain maximum flavor without compromising its pound-shedding power.

Try it: Grate Parmesan over veggies such as broccoli or asparagus, or pair a 1-ounce portion with an apple.

__________________________________________________________________

How to keep thousands in your pocket

Given the recent turmoil in the financial markets and the prospect of a continuing economic downturn, 2009 may be the year you finally make good on your resolve to start an emergency fund, pay off credit-card debt or beef up your retirement kitty. Our guidelines on cutting your expenses and saving on taxes are guaranteed to put money in your pocket -- and your savings accounts.

1. Get your spending under control by using a free online budgeting Web site, such as Mint.com. This secure site tracks your checking, credit-card and investment accounts and offers money-saving tips, such as where you can cut costs or get a better rate on your credit card. Other free sites, including Wesabe and Geezeo, offer similar budgeting tools, but focus more on their online communities where users share strategies.

With the meat and potatoes of your finances laid out, it will be easier to see where you can trim the fat. For example, assuming that you and your significant other pay the average $33 per person for a restaurant meal (according to a recent Zagat survey) and $7 per ticket for a movie, one fewer date night a month will save you a total of $960 per year.

2. Set up a flexible spending account to help pay for medical expenses. If your employer offers this benefit, you can stash pretax dollars in the account and use the money to pay for out-of-pocket bills, including physician co-payments, prescription drugs, eyeglasses and braces for the kids' teeth. You can even spend the money on over-the-counter medications, such as antacids and pain relievers.

A flex account can save you hundreds of dollars in federal, Social Security and, in most states, state income taxes. For example, if you're in the 25% tax bracket and you put $1,450 in your account -- the average contribution for 2007 -- you'd save $546 for the year, assuming a 5% state income tax and 7.65% for the FICA tax. Plus, you can tap the entire amount at any time, even if you've contributed for only a couple of months.

Under the use-it-or-lose-it rule, you could forfeit any money left in the account at the end of 2009. But many companies now offer a grace period until March 15 of the following year. In fact, if you have money left over from 2008, treat it as a bonus to help pay for a major expenditure in early 2009.

3. File a new Form W-4. If you got a tax refund for 2008, adjusting your withholding will fatten your paycheck for 2009. With an average refund of about $2,400, you could be entitled to three extra exemptions. In the 25% tax bracket, that could boost your take-home pay by $2,625 per year.

4. Raise your insurance deductibles. Increasing the deductible on your car insurance from $250 to $1,000 can save up to 15% on your premiums -- or about $125 per year on an average premium of $829. Upping the deductible on your homeowners policy can slice your rate by about 25%, or $191 on an average premium of $764.

5. Cut the cost of credit. If you tend to carry a monthly credit-card balance, go with a low-interest-rate card, such as Wells Fargo's Prime Rate card, with a 5% interest rate and $19 annual fee. For gasoline or travel perks, try the BP Visa card or >Simmons First Visa Platinum Travel Rewards card.




If you'd rather pocket a cash rebate, consider the American Express Blue Cash card. You'll get a 1% rebate for gas, groceries and drugstore purchases, and you'll get 0.5% back on everything else. Big spenders can bump up those rewards to 5% and 1.5%, respectively, after dropping $6,500 for the year. Charging $15,000 worth of everyday purchases would save you $490.

6. Open an online savings account, such as the one at www.fnbodirect.com, which was recently paying 3.25%, or about $100 a year on a $3,000 deposit. You can open the account with just $1, and there are no monthly fees or minimum-balance requirements. To avoid the temptation to spend all the money that's now lining your pockets thanks to our first five tips, set up an automatic monthly transfer from your checking account or arrange to have part of your paycheck deposited directly into your new rainy-day fund.

7. Bump up your 401(k) contributions. Already have an emergency stash? With stocks on sale, now is a great time to build -- or rebuild -- your retirement kitty. For 2009, the contribution limit for 401(k) accounts rises to $16,500, and you can add another $5,500 if you'll be 50 or older by the end of the year. Contributions aren't subject to federal or state taxes, so loading up on the full $16,500 would save you $4,950 in taxes for the year, assuming a 25% federal tax bracket and a 5% state income tax.

Can't afford the maximum contribution or want to use part of your savings for something else? Try to kick in at least enough to capture any employer match.

________________________________________________________________________

Fast growing Careers

These days, it's almost impossible to open a newspaper or turn on CNN without hearing one dreaded word over and over: recession. Our economy has suffered 2.7 million job losses since December of 2007, and experts predict the situation will get worse before it gets better. It can be a scary time to enter the work force or to be newly unemployed. However, there are some bright spots on the horizon.

Losing a job can offer you the chance to re-evaluate your professional wants and needs, pursue a long-held passion, or further your education. And while the overall economy is suffering, certain industries continue to grow offering exciting career opportunities for a wide range of experience levels. Here are some of the fastest-growing careers for those considering a change.

Physical Therapist Assistant

What could be more rewarding than helping injured and disabled patients get back on their feet With a mean average salary above $40,000, you can get back on yours, too.

Job Outlook: Physical therapist assistants are expected to grow in number by 29 percent over the next eight years.

Career Training: Most physical therapist assistants earn a two-year associate's degree. Some states require an additional license to practice.

Salary: $44,340 is the average annual salary for a physical therapist assistant.
Dental Hygienist

One perk of this job is a flexible schedule. Many dental hygienists work just two or three days a week. Evening and weekend schedules are also frequently available.

Job Outlook: The Bureau of Labor Statistics calls this one of the fastest growing careers, with 30 percent job growth expected by 2016.

Career Training: All fifty states require dental hygienists to be licensed. Additionally, an accredited associate's degree in dental hygiene is often required.

Salary: A dental hygienist can expect to make about $64,910 annually.

Network Systems and Data Communications Analyst

Techies, rejoice. Computer science careers are growing faster than almost any other field, and growth is expected to continue as technology rapidly advances. After all, companies need someone to test, analyze, and design their computer systems. With the right career training, that could be you.

Career Training: A two-year associate's degree in computer science or information technology is necessary for many positions. A bachelor's degree in computer science, information science, or management information systems may be preferable for more advanced positions in this field.

Salary: $70,760 is the mean average salary for this job.

Social Worker

Opportunities abound for social workers today. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts "much faster than average growth" as social workers are called upon in all areas. Schools and hospitals are in need of social workers, as are public health organizations and private practices.

Career Training: A bachelor's degree in social work is usually the minimum requirement. Psychology and sociology majors might also be useful for entry-level positions. A master's degree in social work is often preferred for clinical work and in health settings.

Average Salary: Depending on what type of social work you practice, annual earnings can range from $39,380 to $47,170.

Entrepreneur

Believe it or not, a recession can be the best time to start your own business. According to Forbes magazine, recessions provide a great platform for those with a solid business idea. Costs are low on everything from supplies to labor, and digital technologies make it easier than ever to work from home. "There is a rock-solid base for expansion once better times return, as they inevitably will," reports Forbes.

Career Training: Online courses, or an associate's or bachelor's degree in business education or business administration can be great preparation for running your own business.

Average Salary: Earnings vary greatly, of course. With small business ownership, the sky's the limit.

A crucial part of any job search is to know what your strengths are. Take the time to evaluate the talents and skills that you have to bring to a new career. And finally, don't hesitate to go the extra mile. Make looking for a job your new full-time job. It may not be easy, but with smart planning and persistence, you can find a new career, maybe even one that makes you happier and allows you to grow to new professional heights.

__________________________________________________________________________

uncover sexy abs without crunches

Bathing suit season is a bit far off, which means it’s the perfect time to start developing the flat, sexy tummy you swear you’ll work on every year. Even if you loathe crunches, you’ll love the following easy, no-equipment moves. Work a few of these moves into your exercise routine three times a week (easing them in minimizes soreness), and then after two weeks, do them all together in one session. Then don’t be surprised if you find yourself surfing the web for bikinis, preparing to reveal your sleek new abs surfside.

Plank pose

Balance on toes and forearms (or palms) for up to a minute, pulling belly button to spine and keeping back straight.

Standing bicycle

Stand with feet hip-width apart, knees slightly bent, hands clasped behind head and elbows pointed out to sides. Straighten left leg as you lift right leg, knee bent, thigh parallel to floor. Keeping knee lifted and steady, twist torso toward right. Return to start. Repeat on other side for one rep. Do 10 reps.

Side winder

Stand with feet hip-width apart, knees slightly bent, hands clasped behind head and elbows pointed out to sides. Lift right leg to side, knee bent, thigh parallel to floor. Keeping knee lifted, bend torso to right side, bringing elbow and knee toward each other. Do 10 reps; switch sides; repeat.

Seesaw

Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, hands on hips. Lift right leg, knee bent, thigh parallel to floor with foot flexed. Straighten right leg, pressing heel toward floor, as you lean torso backward. Return to knee lift position and repeat five times. Switch sides and repeat.

Forward bend

Stand with feet hip width apart, knees slightly bent, arms overhead with palms facing in. Lift right leg, knee bent, thigh parallel to floor. Keeping knee lifted and arms raised, bring torso and knee toward each other as close as you can. Return to start; switch sides and repeat for one rep. Do 10 reps.

See a video of these moves in action, then sign up to make over your abs in one month with our Flat Abs Fast plan.

__________________________________________________________________

States with worst jobless rates