The Heart of Strong Girls

What does it take to scale a mountain, free-fall out of an airplane, catch a killer wave? Are you ready to bungee jump, kayak the rapids, walk on a circus high wire? Ultimately, what are you made of? What makes strong girls?

If you look into the heart and soul of truly strong girls, what would you uncover? Passion. Courage. Determination. Perseverance. Boundless Energy. An incredible sense of adventure. Strong girls believe anything is possible. They are that rare breed of female who knows that no obstacle is too large and no dream is too big. These young women may come from different backgrounds and have very different interests, yet they all have one thing in common—they love what they do; and they'll do whatever it takes to reach their goals.

So where does their daring come from? How can you, too, feel the adrenaline rush that comes from taking risks and pushing the limits? How can you catch the strong girl fever (and maybe you already have it) and challenge yourself in ways you only dreamed about before?

Get Your Mind in Shape: Positive thinking, better known as optimism, is a strong girl's best friend. You need to mentally prepare for your risk-taking adventure. Let's face it—it's a little scary snowboarding for the first time. You need to think with courage and confidence.

Exercise Your Body: Thinking you can do it is truly not enough. Whether you are exploring the wilderness, playing football with the boy's varsity team or vaulting over a 30-foot wall with ease, you need to strengthen and stretch your body so it works for you.

Know the Risks: Only really strong girls can admit that they are apprehensive, maybe even frightened, about the prospect of challenging themselves physically and pushing themselves to the limits. A responsible, daring person is truthful about the risks and potential dangers in anything she tempts to accomplish. Honest strong girls are prepared strong girls.

Set Goals: You have heard people talk about the journey being more satisfying than the final destination? Well, it goes double for strong girls. Ask your average 13-year-old runner or fossil hunter, and they will tell you that getting to the top is "no big deal," it's what you put into it along the way that matters.
Visualize Your Dreams: Take action. Make lists. Read books. Dare to daydream. See yourself climbing the mountain, sailing the sea, floating through space. And then believe it could be you. So, strong girls have all the fun? Actually, not. There are many days when they feel discouraged, doubtful, and downright exhausted while they chase their dreams. But strong girls never give up.

Follow in the gutsy footsteps of these stupendous women.

1804: Alicia Meynell of England becomes the first female jockey.

1905: Nettie Stevens, through her study of mealworms, identifies the X and Y-chromosomes, which determine sex.

1909: Harriet Quimby becomes the first American licensed female pilot in the United States. In 1912, she is the first woman to fly across the English Channel, and the first female pilot authorized to fly U.S. mail.

1911: Annie Smith Peck conquers the 21,079-foot north summit of Mount Coropuna, Peru.

1928: Betty Robinson is the first American woman to win an Olympic gold medal in track and field (100 meters).

1932: Amelia Earhart is the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic.

1942: The first group of female pilots flies for the Armed Forces.

1948: Alice Coachman is the first black woman and the only American to win an Olympic gold medal in track and field at the 1948 Olympic Games.

1966: Joyce Hoffman wins her second straight surfing championship in Sydney, Australia.

1974: Girls are officially admitted to Little League.

1983: Sally Ride begins a 6-day mission aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger, becoming the first American woman to travel in space and the youngest American astronaut to circle the earth.

1985: Tania Aebi, 18, becomes the youngest person to sail around the world.

1995: Merrick Johnston, 12, becomes the youngest person to climb Mount McKinley.

1998: Women's ice hockey debuts at the Olympic Games in Nagano, Japan and the United States wins the gold.

PUT YOURSELF ON THE LIST OF STRONG GIRLS!

How To Overcome Shyness

"I'm done talking about being shy," says Amy. "If you've never walked in my shoes—not being able to make eye contact or express yourself when you know exactly what you want to say, then you can't possibly understand how horrible shyness really is."

"It's like being nervous times a thousand," explains Julie. "You could be in the middle of a big group, but there's this barrier that separates you from everyone else. People think you're snobby or unfriendly or bored. What you really are is so lonely, so self-conscious, so embarrassed that you never want to leave your room."

"I love it when my older sister says, 'Just get over it,' "like I'm not trying to every single day," adds Jessica. "I guess I'm just not that interesting. Dumb things fall out of my mouth. I can't blame everyone for not wanting to spend time with me."

Shy people have a tough time of it, made tougher by the fact that many things they believe about their problem are not true. Hopefully a little more knowledge will prove helpful, and you can lean how to overcome shyness.

1. No one feels like this.
Shyness is one of the most common human problems. Just poll your close friends and family members, and we bet you'll discover that most of them think they're shy now, or have been shy in the past.

2. I'm always going to feel this way.
A critical feature of shyness is a slowness to warm up. Shy people just need some more time to adjust to stressful situations, including everyday conversations and social gatherings. The good news is that shy people eventually achieve everything that everyone else does; they have boyfriends, marry, have successful careers, have children. It just takes them a little longer, once they learn how to overcome shyness.

3. Everyone's looking at me.
The truth is shy people believe they are always being evaluated by others. Because they're so focused on their own shortcomings, they don't look around to notice most people are just like 
them doing the listening, not being the social butterflies.

4. I'll never have a boyfriend.
The No. 1 problem area for shy people is starting a relationship. Introductions and developing friendships—that's the hardest part. Once again, the good news is that as soon as you get into a relationship, shyness is no longer a barrier to becoming close and intimate.

5. It's my parent's fault.
Well, here you might be right, but not in the way you think. Although shyness is not caused by family experiences or overprotective or critical parents, it might be, in part, genetically determined, a part of your inheritance. That said, genes only set the stage, you get to write your life script and figure out how to overcome shyness. Seeing yourself as a victim of your genes might free blameless you from putting yourself down.

6. Thank God for the Internet.
The Internet would appear to be a shy person's best friend, limiting the allergic reaction they exhibit upon face-to-face contact. The problem is anonymity makes it easy to misrepresent yourself, and trust is the foundation of a social life. Too much time in front of the computer can be isolating—and won't help you figure out how to overcome shyness. And because you might feel more vulnerable to instant intimacy, shy people tend to reveal too much too fast.

7. How to overcome shyness
Shyness won't just go away, but it can be helped along. To figure out how to overcome shyness, you have to stop wallowing in your own insecurities and become more aware of the people around you. It is narcissistic to believe everyone is watching and judging you. Stop thinking about what you don't do well, whether it's telling a joke or making small talk. If you listen, you'll see no one else is spewing perfection. Arrive early to get comfortable in a new surrounding. Stop focusing on how nervous you feel and focus on the other person, making them comfortable, helping them tell their story and share their feelings with you. Prepare things to say in advance. Polish your opinions.

The task is not to change who you are, just some of the ways you think. There is nothing wrong with being shy. In fact, maybe this highly-pressured world of competition to be the most successful, most beautiful, most impressive, would be better off if more of us were a just a bit shyer.

Girls' Make-Up Tips

We're sure it's not news to you that these years are the most emotionally charged of your life. Your body is developing at a rapid pace, your skin changes from day to day, and your hormones are raging. Some days it seems that everything in your world is in total flux. And when zits, braces, and frizzy hair weigh in, some girls' make up tips are much needed.

It's not a lot to ask—being comfortable in your own skin—but today's magazine covers set the beauty bar so impossibly high, it's hard to appreciate what you see in the mirror. Even if your brain understands that only eight out of three billion women look like supermodels, and if Barbie were a real woman, she'd have to walk on all fours due to her proportions, it doesn't really help you feel any better. The experts say you won't love your outside until you love your inside, but how do you do that?

An old Saturday Night Live (SNL) skit had Billy Crystal saying, "It's better to look good than to feel good." We are convinced one follows the other. Have fun experimenting with girls' make-up tips using your face as a canvas to find what colors are most flattering, then crank it up a notch and see whose reflection appears. Get to know who you are and embrace what makes you one-of-a-kind you!

Here are a few girls' make-up tips to keep in mind as you develop your daily beauty regimen. Along with making and keeping good friends, exercising, eating properly and appreciating yourself for the extraordinary person you are becoming, they just might make looking in the mirror a more pleasurable experience.

Soften your naturalness

If you want to try out something new, try this girls' make-up tip: a "makeunder." Experts believe that too often makeovers involve lots of makeup and a masking of who you really are. Play up your lips OR your eyes, not both. Loose powder adds a natural glow to your skin. Less is always more.

Spend your money wisely. Quality matters more when buying eye shadow, moisturizer, powder, and lipstick, and less when it comes to mascara, eye liner, cleansers and lip gloss. When you're contemplating trying out a new look, make sure you test the foundation, lipstick, blush and powder to make sure you choose the right color for your skin tone. When it comes to buying mascara, eyeliner, and lip gloss, it's not as important to try it out first.

People tend to judge others by the care they put into their hands and their feet. Nothing says well-groomed louder than nails that are clean and the same length. Use this girls' make-up tip: If you polish your nails, change or remove the color when it chips.

Get beyond the oppressive messages of the media and own your own look. Don't be afraid to experiment with girls' make-up tips. Style is a fabulous form of self expression. There are many different versions of beauty, from bombshell to fairy princess, Goth/vamp to girl next door. Create your own unique, individual look, one that feels comfortable in your skin.

1OO Ways To Love Your Wife (or Girlfriend)

1. Communicate with her; never close her out.

2. Regard her as important.

3. Do everything you can to understand her feelings.

4. Be interested in her friends.

5. Ask her opinion frequently.

6. Value what she says.

7. Let her feel your approval and affection.

8. Protect her on a daily basis.

9. Be gentle and tender with her.

10. Develop a sense of humor.

11. Avoid sudden major changes without discussion and without giving her time to adjust.

12. Learn to respond openly and verbally when she wants to communicate.

13. Comfort her when she is down emotionally. For instance put your arms around her and silently hold her for a few seconds without lectures or put-downs.

14. Be interested in what she feels is important in life.

15. Correct her gently and tenderly.

16. Allow her to teach you without putting up your defenses.

17. Make special time available to her and your children.

18. Be trustworthy.

19. Compliment her often.

20. Be creative when you express your love, either in words or actions.

21. Have specific family goals for each year.

22. Let her buy things she considers necessary.

23. Be forgiving when she offends you.

24. Show her you need her.

25. Accept her the way she is; discover her uniqueness as special.

26. Admit your mistakes; don’t be afraid to be humble.

27. Lead your family in their spiritual relationship with God.

28. Allow your wife to fail; discuss what went wrong, after you have comforted her.

29. Rub her feet or neck after a hard day.

30. Take time for the two of you to sit and talk calmly.

31. Go on romantic outings.

32. Write her a letter occasionally, telling her how much you love her.

33. Surprise her with a card or flowers.

34. Express how much you appreciate her.

35. Tell her how proud you are of her.

36. Give advice in loving way when she asks for it.

37. Defend her to others.

38. Prefer her over others.

39. Do not expect her to do activities beyond her emotional or physical capabilities.

40. Pray for her to enjoy God’s best in life.

41. Take time to notice what she has done for you and the family.

42. Brag about her to other people behind her back.

43. Share your thoughts and feelings with her.

44. Tell her about your job if she is interested.

45. Take time to see how she spends her day, at work or at home.

46. Learn to enjoy what she enjoys.

47. Take care of the kids before dinner.

48. Help straighten up the house before mealtime.

49. Let her take a bubble bath while you do the dishes.

50. Understand her physical limitations if you have several children.

51. Discipline the children in love, not anger.

52. Help her finish her goals-hobbies or education.

53. Treat her as if God had stamped on her forehead, “Handle With Care.”

54. Get rid of habits that annoy her.

55. Be gentle and thoughtful to her relatives.

56. Do not compare her relatives with yours in a negative way.

57. Thank her for things she has done without expecting anything in return.

58. Do not expect a band to play whenever you help with the housecleaning.

59. Make sure she understands everything you are planning to do.

60. Do little things for her-an unexpected kiss, coffee in bed.

61. Treat her as an intellectual equal.

62. Find out if she wants to be treated as physically weaker.

63. Discover her fears in life.

64. See what you can do to eliminate her fears.

65. Discover her sexual needs.

66. Ask if she wants to discuss how you can meet her sexual needs.

67. Find out what makes her insecure.

68. Plan your future together.

69. Do not quarrel over words, but try to find hidden meanings.

70. Practice common courtesies like holding the door for her, pouring her coffee.

71. Ask if you offend her sexually in any way.

72. Ask if she is jealous of anyone.

73. See if she is uncomfortable about the way the money is spent.

74. Take her on dates now and then.

75. Hold her hand in public.

76. Put your arm around her in front of friends.

77. Tell her you love her-often.

78. Remember anniversaries, birthdays, and other special occasions.

79. Learn to enjoy shopping.

80. Teach her to hunt and fish or whatever you enjoy doing.

81. Give her a special gift from time to time.

82. Share the responsibilities around the house.

83. Do not belittle her feminine characteristics.

84. Let her express herself freely, without fear of being called stupid or illogical.

85. Carefully choose your words, especially when angry.

86. Do not criticize her in front of others.

87. Do not let her see you become excited about the physical features of another woman if that bothers her.

88. Be sensitive to other people.

89. Let your family know you want to spend special time with them.

90. Fix dinner for her from time to time.

91. Be sympathetic when she is sick.

92. Call her when you are going to be late.

93. Do not disagree with her in front of the children.

94. Take her out to dinner and for weekend getaways.

95. Do the “little things” she needs from time to time.

96. Give her special time to be alone or with her friends.

97. Buy her what she considers and intimate gift.

98. Read a book she recommends to you.

99. Give her and engrave plaque assuring her of your lasting love.

100. Write her a poem about how special she is.

Learning To Love What You See In The Mirror: Teenager’s Body Image Tips

Having a poor body image is somewhat normal during your adolescent years. As your appearance changes, media images of other women may leave you with questions about how you should really look. The simple answer is, there is no one answer. Just remember that healthy bodies come in various shapes and sizes.

A Healthy Teenager's Body Image Tips

Don't judge your body parts individually
Try experiencing your body as a whole. Be aware of how much time you spend worrying about your looks—obsessing how much happier you'd be if you were taller, shorter, thinner, or if you had curlier hair, longer legs, a smaller nose—instead of doing things that you really enjoy.

Don't diet
Instead, learn about eating and exercise habits that will help you achieve a healthy body that's comfortable for you and will serve you throughout your life.

Don't try to conform to the beauty ideals promoted by airbrushed, Photoshopped, flawless celebrities
Unless you have a professional stylist and makeup artist living in your home, you may never look exactly like the people you see on TV or in magazines. Be a trendsetter and find your own style. Give up glossy fashion magazines, TV, or surfing the Internet for a week. See if you feel differently about yourself.

The Power of Positive Thinking

Have you ever ditched the idea of trying out for the school play because you were sure you weren't good enough?

Do you have to stifle the urge to strangle the captain of the cheerleaders because you feel dumpy and ugly whenever she's near?

Ever get the feeling that you were just born cranky?

Those feelings are called pessimism, and they can weaken the power of positive thinking.

The opposite of pessimism is optimism. Research shows the power of positive thinking: the more optimistic we are, the happier our lives will be.

Those who have a sunnier outlook about the future have better mental health than those who are pessimistic. Optimists show less stress and depression, have deep friendships, and demonstrate superior coping skills. It's not that they have more friends, but their relationships are close and strong. They see a bad situation as a challenge, not a setback. They benefit from the power of positive thinking.

But how do you tap into the power of positive thinking? First, you have to be more true to yourself. We've compiled a few suggestions you can try to brighten your outlook when pessimism stops by for a visit. 

1. Just do it. Don't let fear of not being perfect prevent you from trying something new. Even if you don't do as well as you'd like the first few times, keep in mind that just challenging yourself takes guts. Remember the power of positive thinking and you will find your niche.

2. Analyze your friends. If your friends are not supportive, if you don't feel good about yourself when you're with them, it might be time to explore new friendships with people who share the power of positive thinking. From art lessons or mountain biking to drama club or dance class, spending time with positive people might be a solution to the blahs.

3. Do good and you'll feel good. The feeling of personal accomplishment that comes with volunteering your time and energies for a good cause has been documented in hundreds of studies. Lending a helping hand is another good way to feel the power of positive thinking.

4. Get physical. Physical activity is a big-time spirit booster. A good workout releases mood-enhancing hormones that are nature's solution to negativity.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRIDGET KELLY !

10 Easy Flirt Tips: How to Flirt With a Girl or Guy

Flirting's a language - and just like with any other language, no one's born a fluent flirt. If you want to know how to flirt like a pro, you've got to learn the signs. Follow these flirt tips and practice till you're an expert flirt.

1. Choose Your Targets
You don't have to have a crush on someone in order to flirt. Practice flirting with random people you see every day - people who might not even be on your dating radar - on order to hone your skills. That way, you'll have some flirting experience under your belt when you approach the people who really matter.


2. Have an Opening Line
Find a reason to talk to the person. If you're in a class with them, come up with a question about an assignment. If they're standing in line behind you at a concert, ask about the band. Get creative, and be ready to respond to whatever they say.

3. Make Eye Contact
If you don't make eye contact, you'll look bored or uninterested, and that's not an impression you want to give. Too shy to look them right in the eyes? Here's a trick: look at the spot right between their eyes. It'll look like eye contact to them.

4. Come Up With a Compliment
Pick one thing you like about the way they look - like their hair, their smile or an article of clothing. Let them know in a friendly way how much you like it. It'll make them feel good and will open them up to you. (If you can't think of an opening line for tip #2, a compliment will do.)

5. Smile
You don't have to go all Bozo the Clown, but the idea is to look like you enjoy talking to them. So be sure to throw them a smile whenever it makes sense. If they shoot one back, you'll know that they like talking to you, too.

6. Flirt With Your Body
The body language you use when you flirt is just as important as what you say. Use good posture, point your body towards the person and try to find excuses to touch them. For more on how to do that, check these body language flirting tips.

7. Keep It Light
You'll get a way better response if you chat about fun, happy stuff (like your new puppy) than serious or sad stuff (like when your puppy got hit by a train). The point of flirting isn't to bare your soul or share your honest opinions about everything. It's to open the door to lots more conversations down the road.

8. Beware of Awkward Silences
Once the convo drags, it's probably gone for good. Fill an awkward silence by asking the other person a question. Can't think of one? Ask them about something they're wearing or something in your environment (like a painting on the wall, or the music that's playing).


9. Wrap It Up
If you're not interested in talking anymore, politely find an excuse to head off into the sunset. If you are interested, give them a way to get in touch with you - like your phone number or Facebook name. This is (hopefully) just your first convo of many, so save some of that charm for the next time.

10. Practice, Practice, Practice
No one's perfect at flirting the first time around. If the idea of flirting still gives you butterflies, don't worry - it just means that you need more practice. The more you flirt, the easier it'll get.

10 Ways to Get Fired from Your Job

So you've gotten yourself a job. Congratulations! Celebrate your employment however you want - but don't show up to work doing any of the 10 things below. If you do, you might find yourself unemployed before you can cash your first paycheck.

1. Disrespect It

If you're at an entry-level job, there's a good chance that you're a lot smarter than the stuff your boss makes you do, and that you normally dress a lot better than your dorky work uniform.  Who cares?  You're here to earn cash and experience, not to use your brain or look good.  Play along, because as lame as you might feel at work sometimes, it can't be lamer than getting fired.

2. Give Freebies to Your Friends

Your pals might try to benefit from your newfound employment by asking for free food and discounted goods. And why shouldn't they? If you get caught, they won't be the ones who get in trouble. When they beg you for freebies, just say no. Blame it on your ultra-strict boss (even if your boss is the coolest guy in the world). If you really want to do something nice for your friends, take them out for coffee with one of your paychecks.

3. Show Up Late, Even Once

Work isn't like school, where being tardy gets you a warning or a little detention time.  If you're late to work, your boss could fire you on the spot - especially if you're new to the job and haven't had a chance to prove your worth yet.  If you're naturally a late person, learn how to counteract it by setting your alarm clock extra-early and giving yourself way too much commute time.

4. Complain About Your Job on Facebook

Don't assume that your boss (or a coworker who's out to get you) never checks your Facebook account. People have been fired for saying that their job was boring and making jokes about their company, and someone even got turned down for a job because he complained about the company on Twitter before he was hired. Why give your boss such an easy reason to fire you? If you really feel the need to complain, do it privately.

5. Be the Weakest Link

Look around your workplace.  Are you the laziest, joking-est, most slacking-off person there?  If you are, your boss knows it too.  Step up your game by showing up to your shifts a little early, smiling a little more around the customers and never, ever letting your boss catch you hanging around doing nothing.  

6. Talk Back to Your Boss

If your boss says something that wounds your pride, it can be one of the worst feelings in the world.  But most entry-level jobs don't exactly encourage independent thought, so if you want to keep earning that paycheck, keep your mouth shut and save your venting for when you get home.  Even if you don't plan on staying at your job for long, keep your boss on your good side so you can use her as a reference on your next job application.  Yes, it might take a little acting on your part, but that's all part of working for a living. 

7. Skip Work (and Get Caught Doing It)

This should be a no-brainer, but if you play hooky from work one day, don't get caught. Stay far away from your place of work and avoid seeing any of your coworkers (even the ones who are usually on your side). And don't be like this guy or this girl who posted Facebook status updates on their sick days proving they weren't really sick.

8. Get Into It with a Coworker

You might not like all of your coworkers, but if you want to keep your job, you've got to swallow your pride, keep your head down and avoid any confrontations that could get in the way of your work.  If you do get into an argument, don't run to your boss - try to solve it on your own.  Your boss is more likely to fire anyone who's causing trouble than play babysitter to his employees. 

9. Use Your Computer for Non-Work Stuff

If your job gives you access to a computer, then never, ever use it for anything other than work stuff unless you have permission.  Even if your boss isn't looking over your shoulder, she might have installed tracking software that allows her to see exactly what sites you're looking at.  I know you want to check your email, but it's not worth the risk.

10. Give Yourself a Bonus

When you're working for minimum wage, it's tempting to give yourself some free perks (otherwise known as stealing from your employer).  You might think that after that 10-hour shift, you've earned a free sandwich or t-shirt or whatever, but try to resist the temptation.  You've agreed to work at your job for a set wage.  If you don't like it, look for a higher-paying job instead of taking it out on your current one.  Stealing is illegal, unethical and plain old trashy.

15 Ways to Save Money When You're Shopping

There's the stuff you need. Then there's the stuff you want. And then there's the stuff you didn't even know you wanted, but you're out killing time at the mall with your friends, and now you're surrounded by cool-looking stuff and you're in grave danger of blowing your monthly budget on something you could probably live without. Put your credit card back in its holster, folks. I'm here to help. 

1. Make a Shopping List.Before you run your errands, make a list of everything you plan on buying. The rule is: you're not allowed to buy anything unless it's already on your list. It'll help keep your impulse shopping to a minimum.
   
2. Only Bring the Cash You Need. You can't spend money you don't have. Before you go out, put a small amount of cash in your wallet to cover all the buying you plan on doing. If the cash runs out, your shopping spree's done for the day.
   
3. Comparison Shop. Don't be a sucker when you see a price tag. For instance, if you want a new PlayStation game, don't buy it right away. Call around to the video game shops and wholesale retailers in your area to see who has the cheapest price, and check online at sites like Amazon andDeep Discount. If you've got an iPhone, you can do comparison shopping when you're out and about with the Save Benjis app.
   
4. When it Comes to Clothes, Just Buy the Basics.You'll get way more mileage out of a plain black sweater - even if it costs more - than an '80's-style hot pink one. Before you buy something, ask yourself how often you'll actually wear it. Chances are, you're better off with a smaller number of basic pieces that you can make unique every day with layering and accessories.
   
5. Try Not to Shop Bored. The silliest purchases happen when you probably shouldn't have been shopping in the first place. If you and your friends are bored and looking for something to do, don't automatically run to the mall. Instead, find inspiration from this list of fun, free things to do with your friends.
   
6. When in Doubt, Leave the Store. On the fence about whether or not to buy something? Put it down and leave the store. If you decide later that you really, really want it, then you can go back and buy it tomorrow. But chances are, you'll be happy you saved your money.
   
7. Pick Your Shopping Friends Wisely. Not all shopping buddies are created equal. Some of them are shopaholics themselves and love it when you spend money 'cause it makes them feel better about their own purchases. Instead of hitting the mall with those friends, call up some friends who'll give you their honest opinions and won't pressure you into buying anything.
   
8. Find Cheapo Deals Online. You can usually find good shopping deals online if you look hard enough.Get deals on your favorite brands by checking their sites frequently, and sign up for Shop It To Me to get shopping deals emailed to you.
   
9. Before You Buy It, Make It. You can save a lot of money buy staying out of the shops and doing things yourself. Want some jean shorts? Turn a pair of old jeans into cutoffs. Want to decorate your room with some band posters? Draw, paint or collage one. Mom's birthday's coming up? Make her somethinginstead of buying it.
   
10. Don't Be Seduced By Sales. Novice shoppers will sometimes buy something they don't need just because it's super-cheap. Cheap or not, there's no use spending any amount of money on something you'll never use. Leave the store and come back only if you're sure you want it the next day. (If it's out of stock by then, the gods of fate have spoken to you.)
    
11. Shop Out of Season. Bathing suits are cheaper in the winter and coats are cheaper in the summer. (Unless you live in Australia, of course.) Plan your big shopping trips a couple of months in advance to find some great deals. Just don't buy any super-trendy styles that'll look dated next year.
    
12. Don't Be Afraid to Haggle. If you think you're getting a bad deal on something - because you've seen it cheaper elsewhere, or because the merchandise is flawed in some way - talk to the salesperson. It might make you nervous but if it could save you some cash, what's the harm? Here are some tips on how to be a great haggler.
    
13. See if Your Parents Will Split It.. If there's a big-ticket item you've been saving up for - like a smart phone, or a pair of boots - your parents might be willing to split the cost with you 50/50 if you make a good case for it. Here's some advice on how to talk to your parents.
    
14. Go Thrifting. Buying used is better for the environment and cheaper than buying new. Before you head anywhere else, check out your local thrift stores, vintage shops, used bookstores and CD exchanges. You can also thrift from home on sites like eBay and Etsy.
    
15. Save Your Receipts. And don't remove clothing tags or take your new goodies out of the box until you're ready to use them. Give yourself lots of chances to change your mind even after you've made your purchases.

SPRING BREAKERS!

How To Write a Resume (When You Have No Job Experience)

1. Select a simple and standardized format, nothing too fancy.
2. Use heavy weight plain white or off-white paper and avoid flashy fonts or scented sheets (You’re not Elle from Legally Blonde)
3. Make sure your contact information is accurate and up-to-date. Include a primary contact number, and a cell phone number and email address if you have them. Note: if your email address has a nickname or an overly cutesy name consider opening a free email account with some variation of your actual name, nothing ruins a resume faster than a name likesuperstud1993@freemail.com in the contact line.
4. Include an introductory paragraph of 2 or 3 sentences telling the employer about your strongest and most desirable personality traits. Tailor this to highlight those traits most applicable to the job for which you are applying. This is sometimes called an Objective Statement.
5. If you truly have no work experience don’t try to flub, instead list your volunteer work or community activities. If you’ve done work experience through a course at school make note of it here. If you’ve had odd jobs, or done things like baby sit or yard work for neighbors list it here and if at all possible get letters of reference.
6. Next list course work at school that you feel is relevant to the job. Make note of any academic achievements or awards. Explain how you think your excellent performance in these areas would benefit the employer or enhance your ability to do the job. If you can, get a letter of reference from a teacher of one of the courses you mention.
7. List your extracurricular activities of a non-volunteer nature such as sports, church or youth groups, school committees, etc. If you have a position of authority in any of these groups make note of it and describe your duties as if they were a job.
8. Finally, sell yourself by making a list of your skills, special talents, or positive personality traits.

Tips:

1. When writing your first resume never pad it or make it longer than a page; employers aren’t expecting a long work history from a first time worker.
2. You may see a lot of things on this list that appear as “don’ts” on resume and job hunting websites but remember that this is your first resume and the rules change once you have some work experience or career oriented education.
3. Don’t lie and always be true to who you are. Any deception will be very obvious to an experienced interviewer and will cost you the job.