Secrets of Mind and Reality

Tips on How to Save Money

With the economy in the doldrums, many people are being forced to cut back on spending in nearly every area of their lives. It’s not just extra expenses like entertainment or clothing that folks are worried about; the budgetary restrictions extend to groceries, gasoline, and utilities as well. So now it’s more important than ever to learn how to save money and build up an emergency fund that can tide you over should you run into a financial catastrophe.

You’re probably wondering if it’s even possible to build up your savings account when you’re already barely scraping by as it is. Well, the answer is yes — but you will definitely have to make sacrifices along the way. In the long run, however, these lifestyle changes will be worth it, as you discover the peace of mind that comes with having cash in the bank.

Before you can learn how to save money, the first thing you have to do is find out exactly where you’re spending it. Keep meticulous records that show every penny you earn and spend for at least a month, and then put your findings into a spreadsheet. From there, you can figure out which expenses are fixed (like your mortgage or car loan) and which are variable (like food, cable, or your cell phone plan). Once you’ve identified the variable expenses, try to cut them down by at least 10 percent, either by buying fewer potato chips and soda or by going with basic cable instead of premium. Sacrifices, remember? Then, go out and deposit that savings into your bank account.

Another basic tip for those learning how to save money is to take something out of every paycheck. Most experts recommend that you immediately put 10 percent of your check into the bank without touching it, but that might not be possible for some people. If you’re having trouble making ends meet or if you have a mountain of high-interest credit card debt, then obviously you’ll have to adjust these numbers accordingly. Most books that talk about how to save money make it sound like this “pay yourself first” rule is the cornerstone of budgeting, but it rarely works that way in the real world. Just put away as much as you can from each paycheck, even if it’s as little as $25. That sum could still come in handy at some point.

Those who have mastered the art of how to save money will tell you that setting specific goals and limits is the key to success. Don’t just say that you’re not going to go out to eat “as much”. Instead, say that you will only go out once a month. Don’t say that you’ll “spend less” on clothes. Instead, give yourself an exact limit, such as $50 per month. Knowing precisely what your goals are will give you less wiggle room to fudge the numbers or make excuses when the going gets tough.

Now that you’ve got some ideas for how to save money, the next thing to do is get started. Don’t keep putting it off, because financial security is worth a lot more than that leather jacket or hot pair of pumps!

How to meet women? Easy. The right ones? Still easy!

It seems surprising how many men find it difficult to meet women. If you are one of those who wonder how to meet women, read on and see how you can make it easy on yourself and meet women who are attractive, fun and interesting, with interests compatible with yours. Think that’s a tall order? Not really.

Come the weekend, you decide to go out on the town with some of your buds and meet some women. If you usually hit the bars, you’re looking in the wrong place. However, it’s one of the most common places men seek out. That’s not how to meet women. Even the ‘upscale’ bars can be pretty noisy and sometimes rowdy places. Women go out for a night with the girls and seldom are looking for men they really want to get to know. While you might find some attractive women, they’ll probably be put off by you and the guys, each trying to look more debonair than the next. Showing up in a bar by yourself just makes you look like you’re on the prowl, or perhaps even some dangerous stalker type! If you want to know how to meet women, forget the bar scene!

So where do you go? We’ll assume you want to meet women with whom you’ll be compatible. The best way to accomplish this is by going to places where you’d have a good time all by yourself. If you love going to museum exhibits, doesn’t it make sense that women who enjoy museum shows will also be in attendance? If there’s an exhibit this month of various painters of the Impressionist period (your favorites), you might just hit the jackpot, meeting a woman with a similar passion. Strike up an intelligent conversation and you may end up with a fascinating dinner partner for the evening.

Maybe you’re the outdoorsy type. Whether you like to jog, bike, roller skate or ski, your choices are obvious. Get your sports equipment out of the closet and get to where the action is. Women also enjoy each of these activities. That’s how to meet women with a built-in compatibility factor.

Maybe you’re not the sporty type. You like to read, listen to classical music and generally lead a quiet sort of life. Find the local coffee house that caters to your tastes. These coffee hangouts are busy day and night, attracting women who are just your type. Unlike bars, these coffee houses aren’t considered ‘pickup’ places. It’s much easier for you to get by with a conversation opener, such as, “I couldn’t help noticing …”

Knowing how to meet women and where to meet them, is really easy. You just have to know where to look. Match up your interests with the right venue and you’ll meet some women who interest you – and it will be mutual.

How to lose weight is the topic of many a lunchtime conversation these days. There are more weight loss plans than you can shake a stick at, but the incidence of overweight and obese Americans doesn’t jive with the number of weight loss programs from which we can choose. So what’s the problem? Is it simply a lack of discipline on the part of would-be dieters? Can the fault be laid at the door of genes, or a slow metabolism? Perhaps the lack of success many dieters experience may be partially explained as a little of each of these possibilities.

However – dare I say it – in many cases, it’s too easy to use these possibilities as a way to excuse ourselves from the bottom line. This is not to say that dieting is easy. The trick to learning how to lose weight is in getting the right mindset, prior to beginning your diet.

Much like quitting smoking, you’ve got to have a commitment to following through and a plan of attack. You’ve got to psych yourself up, with all the reasons why you want to lose weight listed in black and white, posted in a conspicuous place. Tape a copy on the frig, on the bathroom mirror and on the scales. Using this technique, you’ve got the motivation squarely in your face. What remains is how to lose weight without feeling deprived, starved or sorry for yourself. Success is the objective.

Think of this: have you ever known an overweight vegetarian? If you decided to become a vegetarian, you’d discover how to lose weight quickly and effortlessly. Vegetables have very few calories. While a strictly vegetarian diet may not be your cup of tea, front loading your meals with substantial quantities of vegetables is one of the secrets of how to lose weight. There are so many herbal seasonings and salt substitutes available, so you can really dress up the taste, while feeling full to boot. Begin your meal with a large course of vegetables and a glass of flavored water. A dash of lemon juice will add a spark of tangy flavor, as well as aiding in digestion. You can even put some butter on the veggies to really make the whole deal enjoyable. Allow 10-15 minutes after you’ve eaten the first course before moving on to the second course.

A second course of fish, chicken or other lean meat provides your protein. Waiting 10-15 minutes after finishing the first course gives your stomach a chance to say “Ah, yes, now we’re talking!” You may even feel a bit full to move on to the protein. That seemingly stingy 4-6 ounce portion of meat may now seem difficult to finish. Go ahead. You can do it. Refill your water glass. Eat slowly and enjoy every bite.

Still hungry? This is doubtful, but there’s an easy remedy. Have seconds on vegetables. Have a banana for dessert. Slice an apple and give it a sprinkling of cinnamon mixed with Splenda(TM), a sugar substitute with zero calories. High fiber fruits and vegetables will fill you up, guaranteed.

Whole grains and fruit for breakfasts, a big chef’s salad for lunch and lots of water throughout the day. Elegantly drawn out dinner feasts. These are the foolproof secrets on how to lose weight and keep it off.