How to Break Out of a Rut

WHEN YOU BEGIN to lose joy in your work and find the day-to-day grind not fun anymore, you might want to quit at that moment. This is seldom a practical solution. You may have to stick it out for a few more months or even for a year or two because of your personal obligations such as financial security, mortgages, debt and children. In the meantime, there are ways to bring new vigor to your relationship with your job…

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Who Will Win the 'Honeymoon is Over' Derby?

Romance and Affection fade quickly as Immediate Child and Mortgaged Up the Ass come on strong. Which horse are you betting on? Read more»

• The Top 16 Best Hotels in the World
Planning your next luxury vacation? From Florida to Tanzania, here are 16 superfantabulous places. Line up grandma (or the babysitter) now, and check with the chief to see which one she'd like to visit. Source: Travel & Leisure
• Cap'n Scruffy - Episode One: Why Me?
America's #1 canine video blogger!
• The Secret Lives of Elevators
Elevators are extraordinarily safe—far safer than cars. But elevator lore has its share of horrors: strandings, manglings, fires, drownings, decapitations. The intricacies of elevator phobia, snapping cables, the industrial designers of elevators, and more. Source: The New Yorker
• SLIDESHOW: Top 10 Deadliest Mountains
These legendary peaks have attracted adventurers over the centuries. But extreme weather, perilous crevasses and even mystical spirits can turn expeditions into fatal endeavors. Frostbite, lack of oxygen, broken bones, subsisting on melted snow, hexes and curses, collapsing ice pillars, and more perilous tales. Source: Men’s Vogue
• The Scariest Runways in the World
A normal landing at Paro airport in Bhutan involves alarms blaring, too-fast descent speed, and nauseating twists and turns through the hills. With a slideshow, and more dangerous airports. Source: Travel + Leisure
• Worst Masters Meltdowns of All Time
Golfers choke, miss, melt down, and generally screw up. A slideshow including Greg Norman, Scott Hoch, Roberto De Vicenzo, Blazing Ben Hogan, Arnold Palmer, Ken Venturi, Ed Sneed, Hubert Green, Ray Floyd, and Len Mattiace. Source: Time/CNN
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5 Scientific Theories to Make Your Head Explode

Imagine how big the universe is. Now get this: Recent evidence suggests that it's billions of times bigger than that. And that's just one of five widely accepted scientific theories that are really, really crazy, when you think about it. Source: Cracked Read more»

• Get Ready for the New Generation of 'Superbugs'
Researchers are racing to find a way to kill a new generation of deadly antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which have moved out of the ICU and into the population at large. One of the most promising avenues of research involve infecting the bacteria with even smaller organisms called macrophages. Source: The New Yorker.
• Making Sense of Isaac Newton
He probably didn’t get bonked on the head by an apple. But Newton did have unusual experimental methods, like sticking a needle into his eye socket to see what would happen. He believed he could turn lead into gold and obsessively read the book of Revelation. Newton’s nothing like the story we’ve all been told. Source: Vanity Fair
• How to Tie a Bowline
Step by step, illustrated instructions. A bowline knot, also known as a bowline hitch, makes a fixed loop at the end of a rope or string. The loop can be secured over an object like a post or passed through a ring or hole before the knot is tied. These instructions will guide you in making a simple bowline knot with string. Source: wikiHow
• How to Think Straight about Risks You Face
Our brains are terrible at assessing modern risks. Here's how to think straight about dangers in your midst. Ten ways we get the odds wrong, including fearing snakes instead of cars. Source: Psychology Today
• How to Tell If Someone Is Lying to You
You can see it in their body language and how they speak: liars are more likely to say things like, “to tell you the truth.” Four other giveaways: shifty eyes, higher vocal pitch, perspiration and heavier breathing. Source: MSNBC
• How Gunpowder Changed the World
After Chinese alchemists accidentally discovered gunpowder, it became the basis for almost every weapon used in war from that point on, from fiery arrows to rifles, cannons and grenades. Gunpowder made warfare all over the world very different, affecting the way battles were fought and borders were drawn throughout the Middle Ages. Source: Live Science
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Time to Ditch that Airline Credit Card?

Airlines keep changing the terms of their frequent flier programs. Unless you're a very big spender, there's a decent chance that the mileage-awarding credit card you use is no longer worth the annual cost. Answering five simple questions can help you determine whether you'd be better off switching to a cash-back card, a generic points card, or a hotel points card. Source: New York Times Read more»

• How to Prosper in a Bear Market
Don't let the grim economic forecast get you down. Rethink your investment strategy, and you'll come out on top. Raise cash, invest in companies that produce necessities rather than luxuries. and don't forget to give gold a look. An SMD exclusive.
• Save Big $$$ on Junior's College Textbooks

Used textbooks are a lot cheaper, obviously. but that's no longer the only way to go. It's possible to download electronic versions of popular books for up to 50% less. And there are some very helpful price-comparison sites. Source: Wall Street Journal

• 4 Pricing Tips to Make Your Home Sell FAST
The right price lets you find a buyer in today’s tough real estate market. Expert pricing strategies you can use to price your home to sell. When buyers look at numbers, they make judgments in a fraction of a second. Take care when setting a price and be sure it’s sending the right signal to buyers. Source: The Wall Street Journal
• Best Online Retirement Calculators
Most retirement questions boil down to one of 5 biggies, such as: How long will your money last? Should you get a Roth IRA? Use these retirement calculators to learn about nest eggs, annual income and investment strategies. These calculators were chosen for giving the best answers with the least hassle. Source: CNN Money
• 11 Financial Tasks Made Easy
Some essential financial tasks never seem to get done. Here is the easiest way to accomplish each of them. Simple moves for starting a 529 savings plan, writing a will, preparing for disaster, increasing your odds of winning a college scholarship, and seven more must-dos. Source: Kiplinger
• One Thing NOT to Do with Your Tax Refund
Making it easy for taxpayers to send their tax refund to a retirement account sounds like a smart way to save for the future. But it may bring unexpected headaches. Why Bank of America does not allow customers to direct-deposit IRA contributions. Source: The Wall Street Journal
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Watch Out for Risky Food-Drug Interactions

Grapefruit, cranberries, guacamole, and mango can affect the action of popular drugs. Ditto for tea, green, leafy vegetables, and even cough drops. Not all doctors are good about warning their patients--so here's what you need to know to protect yourself. Read more»

• 6 Ways to Get Better Care from Your Doc
Tell the truth--even if it's embarrassing to do so. Follow orders. Don't expect special treatment just because of whom you know. Be careful the way you treat the staff--no sharp words no matter what the issue. If you're waiting for test results, don't assume that no news is good news--call to find out. Source: New York Times
• Most Reliable Blood Pressure Monitors
Best to pick one of the automatic models that uses a cuff around the upper arm, as models that use a wrist cufff tended to be less reliable, according to Consumer Reports. And guess what: One of the most reliable models is also among the cheapest. it's sold at Wal-Mart. Source: WebMD
• Eat Fish to Cut Risk for Vision Loss
Lots of guys develop macular degeneration as they get older. The retina disorder can cause vision loss and blindness. But eating oily fish like salmon, tuna, or mackerel, every week can cut the risk significantly, according to a new study from England. White fish, not so much. Source: Science Daily
• What YOU Should Do about PSA Screening
New government guidelines suggest that most men 75 or older skip PSA screenings. But what if you're 35, or 45, whatever. Answer: It depends. Read on to find out just what it depends on.
• Don't Put Up with Snoring--Get Help
Doctors used to make light of snoring. Now, explains Dr. Bruce Yaffe, it's clear that snoring is often a symptom of sleep apnea, a serious disorder linked to weight gain and heart attack.
• Is Dangerous Plaque Clogging YOUR Coronary Arteries?
The key to preventing heart attack, explains Dr. Bruce Yaffe, is to prevent the buildup of fatty deposits inside the coronary arteries. But how can you know for sure what's going on in there? Your doctor can peek inside using a new kind of X-ray test.
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New Way to Share Music Online

SimplifyMedia lets Mac and PC users listen to music files on other computers, via the Net. You can enjoy songs on your home computer while at work. Or have a listen to songs on friends' computers while they are online. It's safe, legal, and free. Download at simplifymedia.com. Source: Macapper.com Read more»

• 10 iPhone Apps and Tools to Check Out
Listen to the radio. Use online chat. Track major-league games. Turn your iPhone into a remote. All these and much more are among the hundreds of applications for the new Apple iPhone. Source: All Things Digital
• 7 Tech Trends Smart Guys Simply Ignore
Some of these are just not necessary, others aren't fully developed. From social networking sites to virtualization, what trends you can take a pass on for now. Why you should remain leery of trends like radio frequency ID, Facebook, green technologies, and more. Source: Business Week
• 50 Cool Things to Do with Google Maps
Some of these are just not necessary, others aren't fully developed. From social networking sites to virtualization, what trends you can take a pass on for now. Why you should remain leery of trends like radio frequency ID, Facebook, green technologies, and more. Source: Business Week
• Picking the Best Popcorn Popper
Popcorn is the snack to beat all snacks. It's tasty, high in fiber, and you can season it with everything from butter and salt to wasabi. Compared to microwave popcorn, homemade is less expensive, lower in calories, and free of spooky chemical additives. Six popular poppers are tested and rated here. Source: Slate
• New Device Helps Keep You Safe in Remotest Areas
Boating, camping, hiking, off-road motorcycling, snowmobiling, they’re all fun to do, and they all carry considerably more risk if you’re on your own—break a leg, sprain an ankle, get bitten by a snake or a spider, and suddenly you may not be able to get out without assistance. The Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) offers risk mitigation for adventurous people. How it works and who should get one. Source: gizmag
• Secrets of Clutter-Free Email
Too much email piled up in your inbox? Step one is to create a file called “Backlog.” Dump all of the old stuff there and give yourself a fresh start. Here are simple instructions on how to tackle the backlog, start an empty inbox habit, and use a three-folder organization method. Source: Unclutterer
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Viagra Helps Turn On Depressed Women

Prozac and similar antidepressant medications can impair sexual response in women who take them. That means less interest in sex and more difficulty in achieving orgasm. But a new study shows that Viagra can help counteract these effects, boosting women's interest in sex. Source: Los Angeles Times Read more»

• 6 Sex Mistakes Some Guys Make
Don't assume you know what she wants--or what sex feels like for her. It just doesn't feel the same as it does for men. Don't assume that just because she's wet, she's aroused. And stop worrying about HOW she gets an orgasm. Anything goes--intercourse is only the most obvious option.
• How to Get What You Want from the Missus
A happy wife will satisfy you sexually, watch her spending, show kindness to you and your extended family, raise your children well, and take care of you when you’re old. A wife who feels underappreciated will seek revenge. An SMD Exclusive
• Quiz: How Well Do You Really Know Your Partner?
Relationship experts Drs. John & Julie Gottman offer insight into a satisfying marriage. One of the most important components is the quality of the friendship. Do you know your partner's inner world? What irritates her most these days? Fill in the dots on this quiz and see how you score. Source: The Gottman Institute
• User's Guide to Prostitution
Everything you need to know about prostitution, including what makes it so special, why men like Elliot Spitzer risk it all for professional sex, how to become a prostitute, how blowjobs fuel the demand for prostitutes, and where it is legal. Source: The Huffington Post
• Want More Sex? Pitch in with Housework
The key to orgasmic bliss for her? Deep relaxation. And a clean kitchen. Foreplay is cleaning up, taking out the garbage and making the kids’ lunches as part of your daily routine. When guys do more around the house, they’ll find that women have more energy and desire inside the bedroom. Source: MSNBC
• 10 Secrets for BETTER SEX
Ten suggestions for keeping your sex life hot, including getting it on after a workout and finding her G-spot. There are a million and one positions to try. And you can invent your own—just find a new way to put your penis in her vagina. Source: AskMen
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4 Ways to Save Your Job in a Slow Economy

Meet with your manager regularly to make sure you are on the same page regarding your performance. Don't complain--high-maintenance workers tend to alienate the powers that be. Stay busy, and forget about that three-week vacation. If you are fired, consider asking whether you can stay on at a lower salary. Source: SmartMoney magazine Read more»

• Simple Ways to Improve Your Powers of Persuasion
When someone objects to something you've said, try not to become defensive. Listen carefully and try to initiate a real dialogue. Don't whine. Don't overpersuade, by listing 101 reasons why you're right. Most of all, listen carefully. Most people will tell you what they need to hear in order to be persuaded. Source: Fortune
• How to Build a Web Site for Peanuts
For $10 and about eight hours, you can get your business's web site up and running. Low-cost and even free hosting companies are now available, and you can copy and paste much of the HTML you need to add calendars, shopping carts, etc. Plus--cheap ways to drive and monitor traffic to your site.
• Better Delegating: Four Key Strategies
Entrepreneurs frequently block their own success by micromanaging and trying to tackle too many enormous tasks on their own. Galvanize your business ideas by taking calculated risks and investing in the knowledge of those close to you. Sound advice from Romanus Wolter, AKA “The Kick Start Guy.” Source: Entrepreneur
• How to Be Happily Self-Employed
Many people would like to be self-employed but fear the risk—with good reason. Within five years, half of new businesses are out of business. The key to success is to do the opposite of what they teach in business school: don’t innovate. Replicate. An SMD Exclusive
• Do You Have What It Takes to Be a Good Leader?
Are you a good leader? What do your management style and business philosophy say about your leadership strengths? Take this ten-question quiz to see how you score and find out if you’re on the path to success. Source: Fortune
• Smart Ways to BULLETPROOF YOUR JOB
Downsizing is in the immediate future of many companies. Besides the obvious no-no's—completing projects late, griping noisily about the boss—here are seven strategies for deflecting a pink slip. How to toot your own horn and other smart ways to keep your name off the layoff list when the ax falls. Source: Money Magazine
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Is It Safe for Kids to Use Cell Phones?

Recent studies suggest the possibility of a link between cell phones and cancer, especially for young people. Until the safety issue is settled, you might consider limiting kids to land lines. If your child does have a cell phone, make sure it's a low-emission model. Encourage texting instead of talking (it keeps the phone away from the head), and make sure the phone is stored away from the body, such as in a backpack, when not in use. Source: Best Life magazine Read more»

• Best Colleges in the U.S.? Think Again!
What's the best college in the country? Princeton. Next in line are Cal Tech, Harvard, Swarthmore, and Williams. The new ranking, by Forbes magazine, contains some even bigger surprises, including West Point, which is next on the list.
• Beware the Happiness Police
Children need practice coping with adversity in order to develop the resilience they’ll need to face problems later in life. Yet millions of dads are 'cheating' their children by trying too hard to shield them from emotional upset.
• Neighbor's Building a McMansion--What Now?
Unless you're developing or buying a McMansion, you're probably no fan of them. Can you prevent a monstrosity from being built on your street? They’re worse than merely tacky. Learn how a McMansion can hurt your neighborhood, what you can do to prevent it, and when to call in a lawyer. Source: The Street
• The Discipline Dilemma
How can you and your wife work as a team to set clear, consistent standards for your kids? How do you avoid sending mixed messages or letting them play one of you against the other? Eight guidelines to bear in mind.
• Teaching Kids How to Garden
Let go of the sweet fantasy of your child tending a bean from seed to stalk or being struck dumb with wonder as you explain photosynthesis. The adult's dream garden quickly comes into conflict with the child's natural energy. Practical advice you can use, from how to create a controlled mess to choosing plants that grow quickly. Source: Slate
• How Much Allowance to Give Your Kids
How much money should you give your children? That depends on how much you can afford and what things cost where you live. A good rule of thumb: give enough for your child to be able to buy a few candy bars or a toy without having to hoard for weeks, but not so much that they're able to buy every new video game the minute it hits the store. An age-by-age suggested allowance chart and more advice for parents. Source: Dolans
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