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How to Meditate

April 23, 2022 / / 0 Comments

When we meditate, we inject far-reaching and long-lasting benefits into our lives: We lower our stress levels, we get to know our pain, we connect better, we improve our focus, and we’re kinder to ourselves. Let us walk you through the basics in our new mindful guide on how to meditate.

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We welcome you to our Mindful guide to meditation, which includes a variety of styles of meditation, information about the benefits of each practice, and free guided audio practices that help you learn how to meditate and incorporate meditation into your daily life. Keep reading to learn more about the basics of this transformative practice that enables us to find more joy in daily living.

What is Meditation?

A brief explanation of the practice.

How do you learn to meditate? In mindfulness meditation, we’re learning how to pay attention to the breath as it goes in and out, and notice when the mind wanders from this task. This practice of returning to the breath builds the muscles of attention and mindfulness.

When we pay attention to our breath, we are learning how to return to, and remain in, the present moment—to anchor ourselves in the here and now on purpose, without judgment.

The idea behind mindfulness seems simple—the practice takes patience. Indeed, renowned meditation teacher Sharon Salzberg recounts that her first experience with meditation showed her how quickly the mind gets caught up in other tasks. “I thought, okay, what will it be, like, 800 breaths before my mind starts to wander? And to my absolute amazement, it was one breath, and I’d be gone,” says Salzberg.

Why Learn to Meditate?

A selection of benefits that are associated with meditating.

While meditation isn’t a cure-all, it can certainly provide some much-needed space in your life. Sometimes, that’s all we need to make better choices for ourselves, our families, and our communities. And the most important tools you can bring with you to your meditation practice are a little patience, some kindness for yourself, and a comfortable place to sit.

When we meditate, we inject far-reaching and long-lasting benefits into our lives. And bonus: you don’t need any extra gear or an expensive membership.

Here are five reasons to meditate:
  1. Understanding your pain
  2. Lower your stress
  3. Connect better
  4. Improve focus
  5. Reduce brain chatter

How to Meditate

Meditation is something everyone can do, here’s how.

Meditation is simpler (and harder) than most people think. Read these steps, make sure you’re somewhere where you can relax into this process, set a timer, and give it a shot:

1) Take a seat

Find a place to sit that feels calm and quiet to you.

2) Set a time limit

If you’re just beginning, it can help to choose a short time, such as five or 10 minutes.

3) Notice your body

You can sit in a chair with your feet on the floor, you can sit loosely cross-legged, you can kneel—all are fine. Just make sure you are stable and in a position, you can stay in for a while.

4) Feel your breath

Follow the sensation of your breath as it goes in and as it goes out.

5) Notice when your mind has wandered

Inevitably, your attention will leave the breath and wander to other places. When you get around to noticing that your mind has wandered—in a few seconds, a minute, five minutes—simply return your attention to the breath.

6) Be kind to your wandering mind

Don’t judge yourself or obsess over the content of the thoughts you find yourself lost in. Just come back.

7) Close with kindness

When you’re ready, gently lift your gaze (if your eyes are closed, open them). Take a moment and notice any sounds in the environment. Notice how your body feels right now. Notice your thoughts and emotions.

That’s it! That’s the practice. You focus your attention, your mind wanders, you bring it back, and you try to do it as kindly as possible (as many times as you need to).

How Much Should I Meditate?

Meditation is no more complicated than what we’ve described above. It is that simple … and that challenging. It’s also powerful and worth it. The key is to commit to sitting every day, even if it’s for five minutes. Meditation teacher Sharon Salzberg says: “One of my meditation teachers said that the most important moment in your meditation practice is the moment you sit down to do it. Because right then you’re saying to yourself that you believe in change, you believe in caring for yourself, and you’re making it real. You’re not just holding some value like mindfulness or compassion in the abstract, but making it real.”

Recent research from neuroscientist Amishi Jha discovered that 12 minutes of meditation, 5 days a week can protect and strengthen your ability to pay attention.

Meditation Tips and Techniques

We’ve gone over the basic breath meditation so far, but other mindfulness techniques use different focal points than the breath to anchor our attention—external objects like a sound in the room, or something broader, such as noticing spontaneous things that come into your awareness during an aimless wandering practice. But all of these practices have one thing in common: We notice that our minds ARE running the show a lot of the time. It’s true. We think thoughts, typically, and then we act. But here are some helpful strategies to change that up:

How to Make Mindfulness a Habit

It’s estimated that 95% of our behavior runs on autopilot. That’s because neural networks underlie all of our habits, reducing our millions of sensory inputs per second into manageable shortcuts so we can function in this crazy world. These default brain signals are so efficient that they often cause us to relapse into old behaviors before we remember what we meant to do instead. 

Mindfulness is the exact opposite of these default processes. It’s executive control rather than autopilot and enables intentional actions, willpower, and decisions. But that takes practice. The more we activate the intentional brain, the stronger it gets. Every time we do something deliberate and new, we stimulate neuroplasticity, activating our grey matter, which is full of newly sprouted neurons that have not yet been groomed for “autopilot” brain. 

But here’s the problem. While our intentional brain knows what is best for us, our autopilot brain causes us to shortcut our way through life. So how can we trigger ourselves to be mindful when we need it most? This is where the notion of “behavior design” comes in. It’s a way to put your intentional brain in the driver’s seat. There are two ways to do that—first, slowing down the autopilot brain by putting obstacles in its way, and second, removing obstacles in the path of the intentional brain, so it can gain control. 

Shifting the balance to give your intentional brain more power takes some work, though. Here are some ways to get started. 

  • Put meditation reminders around you. If you intend to do some yoga or to meditate, put your yoga mat or your meditation cushion in the middle of your floor so you can’t miss it as you walk by. 
  • Refresh your reminders regularly. Say you decide to use sticky notes to remind yourself of a new intention. That might work for about a week, but then your autopilot brain and old habits take over again. Try writing new notes to yourself; add variety or make them funny. That way they’ll stick with you longer. 
  • Create new patterns. You could try a series of “If this, then that” messages to create easy reminders to shift into the intentional brain. For instance, you might come up with, “If office door, then deep breath,” as a way to shift into mindfulness as you are about to start your workday. Or, “If the phone rings, take a breath before answering.” Each intentional action to shift into mindfulness will strengthen your intentional brain.

Some Basic Meditations

These are some meditation practices to get you going.

A Basic Meditation for Beginners

The first thing to clarify: What we’re doing here is aiming for mindfulness, not some process that magically wipes your mind clear of the countless and endless thoughts that erupt and ping constantly in our brains. We’re just practicing bringing our attention to our breath, and then back to the breath when we notice our attention has wandered.

  • Get comfortable and prepare to sit still for a few minutes. After you stop reading this, you’re going to simply focus on your natural inhaling and exhaling breath.
  • Focus on your breath. Where do you feel your breath most? In your belly? In your nose? Try to keep your attention on your inhale and exhale.
  • Follow your breath for two minutes. Take a deep inhale, expanding your belly, and then exhale slowly, elongating the out-breath as your belly contracts.

Welcome back. What happened? How long was it before your mind wandered away from your breath? Did notice how busy your mind was even without your consciously directing it to think about anything in particular? Did you notice yourself getting caught up in thoughts before you came back to reading this? We often have little narratives running in our minds that we didn’t choose to put there, like: “Why DOES my boss want to meet with me tomorrow?” “I should have gone to the gym yesterday.” “I’ve got to pay some bills” or (the classic) “I don’t have time to sit still, I’ve got stuff to do.”

If you experienced these sorts of distractions (and we all do), you’ve made an important discovery: simply put, that’s the opposite of mindfulness. It’s when we live in our heads, on automatic pilot, letting our thoughts go here and there, exploring, say, the future or the past, and essentially, not being present in the moment. But that’s where most of us live most of the time—and pretty uncomfortably, if we’re being honest, right? But it doesn’t have to be that way.

We “practice” mindfulness so we can learn how to recognize when our minds are doing their normal acrobatics, and maybe take a pause from that for just a little while so we can choose what we’d like to focus on. In a nutshell, meditation helps us have a much healthier relationship with ourselves (and, by extension, with others).

3 Guided Meditations for Beginners

Guided meditations are an excellent tool for beginners, as they provide a focal point and gentle instruction to help you connect and let go of self-judgment.

Try this 3-part guided audio series from Mindful Editor-in-Chief Barry Boyce:

How long would you like to meditate? Sometimes we only have time for a quick check-in, sometimes we can dip in a little longer. Meditating helps build awareness, fosters resilience, and lower stress. Try to make meditation a habit by practicing with these short meditations from our founding editor Barry Boyce. Find time to site once a day for one month and see what you notice.

1-Minute Meditation

  • 2:36

A short practice for settling the mind, intended for doing in the middle of the day, wherever you are out in the world.

10-Minute Meditation

  • 10:28

A longer practice that explores meditation posture, breathing techniques, and working with thoughts and emotions as they surface during mindfulness practice.

15-Minute Meditation

  • 15:54

A practice that explores sitting in formal meditation for longer periods.

More Styles of Mindfulness Meditation

Once you have explored a basic seated meditation practice, you might want to consider other forms of meditation including walking and lying down. Whereas the previous meditations used the breath as a focal point for practice, these meditations below focus on different parts of the body.

Introduction to the Body Scan Meditation

Try this: feel your feet on the ground right now. In your shoes or without, it doesn’t matter. Then track or scan over your whole body, bit by bit—slowly—up to the crown of your head. The point of this practice is to check in with your whole body: Fingertips to shoulders, butt to big toe. The only rules are No judging, no wondering, no worrying (all activities your mind may want to do); just check in with the physical feeling of being in your body. Aches and pains are fine. You don’t have to do anything about anything here. You’re just noticing.

Body Scan Meditation

  • 25:41

A brief body awareness practice for tuning in to sensations, head-to-toe.

Begin to focus your attention on different parts of your body. You can spotlight one particular area or go through a sequence like this: toes, feet (sole, heel, top of foot), through the legs, pelvis, abdomen, lower back, upper back, chest shoulders, arms down to the fingers, shoulders, neck, different parts of the face, and head. For each part of the body, linger for a few moments and notice the different sensations as you focus.

The moment you notice that your mind has wandered, return your attention to the part of the body you last remember.

If you fall asleep during this body-scan practice, that’s okay. When you realize you’ve been nodding off, take a deep breath to help you reawaken and perhaps reposition your body (which will also help wake it up). When you’re ready, return your attention to the part of the body you last remember focusing on.

Introduction to the Walking Meditation

Fact: Most of us live pretty sedentary lives, leaving us to build extra-curricular physical activity into our days to counteract all that. The point is: Mindfulness doesn’t have to feel like another thing on your to-do list. It can be injected into some of the activities you’re already doing. Here’s how to integrate a mindful walking practice into your day.

Walking Meditation

  • 8:58

A mindful movement practice for bringing awareness to what we feel with each step.

As you begin, walk at a natural pace. Place your hands wherever comfortable: on your belly, behind your back, or at your sides.

  • If you find it useful, you can count steps up to 10, and then start back at one again. If you’re in a small space, as you reach ten, pause, and with intention, choose a moment to turn around.
  • With each step, pay attention to the lifting and falling of your foot. Notice movement in your legs and the rest of your body. Notice any shifting of your body from side to side.
  • Whatever else captures your attention, come back to the sensation of walking. Your mind will wander, so without frustration, guide it back again as many times as you need.
  • Particularly outdoors, maintain a larger sense of the environment around you, taking it all in, staying safe and aware.

Introduction to Loving-Kindness Meditation

You cannot will yourself into particular feelings toward yourself or anyone else. Rather, you can practice reminding yourself that you deserve happiness and ease and that the same goes for your child, your family, your friends, your neighbors, and everyone else in the world.

A Loving-Kindness Meditation

  • 17:49

Explore this practice to extend compassion to yourself, those around you, and the larger world.

This loving-kindness practice involves silently repeating phrases that offer good qualities to oneself and others.

  1. You can start by taking delight in your goodness—calling to mind things you have done out of good-heartedness and rejoicing in those memories to celebrate the potential for the goodness we all share.
  2. Silently recite phrases that reflect what we wish most deeply for ourselves in an enduring way. Traditional phrases are:
    • May I live in safety.
    • May I have mental happiness (peace, joy).
    • May I have physical happiness (health, freedom from pain).
    • May I live with ease.
  3. Repeat the phrases with enough space and silence between them so they fall into a rhythm that is pleasing to you. Direct your attention to one phrase at a time.
  4. Each time you notice your attention has wandered, be kind to yourself and let go of the distraction. Come back to repeating the phrases without judging or disparaging yourself.
  5. After some time, visualize yourself in the center of a circle composed of those who have been kind to you, or have inspired you because of their love. Perhaps you’ve met them, or read about them; perhaps they live now or have existed historically or even mythically. That is the circle. As you visualize yourself in the center of it, experience yourself as the recipient of their love and attention. Keep gently repeating the phrases of loving-kindness for yourself.
  6. To close the session, let go of the visualization, and simply keep repeating the phrases for a few more minutes. Each time you do so, you are transforming your old, hurtful relationship with yourself, and are moving forward, sustained by the force of kindness.

Beyond the Beginning

What to know and where to go when you’ve started.

Frequently Asked Questions About Mindfulness Meditation, Answered

When you’re new to meditation, it’s natural for questions to pop up often. These answers may ease your mind.

1) If I have an itch, can I scratch it?

Yes—however, first try scratching it with your mind before using your fingers.

2) Should I breathe fast or slow or in between?

Only worry if you’ve stopped breathing. Otherwise, you’re doing fine. Breath in whatever way feels comfortable to you.

3) Should my eyes be open or closed? 

No hard-and-fast rules. Try both. If open, not too wide, and with a soft, slightly downward gaze, not focusing on anything in particular. If closed, not too hard, and not imagine anything in particular in your mind’s eye.

4) Is it possible I’m someone who just CAN NOT meditate?

When you find yourself asking that question, your meditation has officially begun. Everyone wonders that. Notice it. Escort your attention back to your object of focus (the breath). When you’re lost and questioning again, come back to breathing again. That’s the practice. There’s no limit to the number of times you can be distracted and come back to your breath. Meditating is not a race to perfection—It’s returning again and again to the breath.

5) Is it better to practice in a group or by myself?

Both are great! It’s enormously supportive to meditate with others. And, practicing on your own builds discipline.

6) What’s the best time of day to meditate? Whatever works. Consider your circumstances: children, pets, work. Experiment. But watch out. If you always choose the most convenient time, it will usually be tomorrow.

7) What if I get sexually (and physically) aroused by thoughts in my head?

No big deal. Meditation stokes the imagination. In time, every thought and sensation will pop up (so to speak). And come back. Same old story. Release the thought, bring awareness and receptivity to body sensations, and bring attention back to your chosen object (the breath, in this case). Repeat.

8) Do you have any tips on integrating pets into meditation practice?

While meditating, we don’t have to fight off distractions like a knight slaying dragons. If your dog or cat comes into the room and barks and meows and brushes up against you or settles down on a part of your cushion, no big deal. Let it be. What works less well is to interrupt your session to relate to them. If that’s what’s going to happen, try to find a way to avoid their interrupting your practice.

How to make Pancakes- Easy to do steps

April 23, 2022 / / 0 Comments

How to Make Pancakes at Home in Nigeria: Step-by-Step Guide

How to Make Pancakes, Diet, or Nigerian pancakes, is one of the world’s most popular recent trending meals. It is valued by millions of people every day.

It’s simple, quick, and delightful ~ check out YouTube videos on How to Make Pancakes at Home in Nigeria

Nigerian Pancake Recipe, is a snack and a delightful breakfast meal bundled into one.

Everyone enjoys a delicious Nigerian pancake, young and elderly alike. Nigerians love it thereby making it a popular snack.

How to Make Simple Pancakes  – Nigerian Pancake Recipe

It’s shallowly fried rather than deep-fried like most Nigerian treats. To put it another way, you fry in the same way that eggs are.

I grew up eating mostly homemade Nigerian traditional foods, especially Nigerian Pancakes for breakfast.

The African Pancake is a simple but delectable dish.

The African pancake, like most pancakes, is made out of “dry ingredients” such as flour, leavening, and sugar, as well as “wet ingredients” such as milk, egg, and butter.

How to Make Pancakes in Steps

Nigerian pancakes are often created with pancake mix, flour, eggs, evaporated or powdered milk flavor, pepper, onions, and you can also add carrot, green pepper, and nutmeg.

Trust natural ingredients to take the pancake to the next level and make it taste delicious.

Though some people believe that adding onions and pepper to fried pancakes makes them taste local – are you one of them? Please let me know in the comment section below.

Other spices and ingredients can be included in addition to the aforementioned ones; it all comes down to personal preference.

Do you know that some people explore pancakes without using eggs, baking powder, flour, milk, or other ingredients?

Nigerian fluffy pancakes are simple to prepare. You may make the batter the night before, keep it in the fridge, and fry it the next morning for a quick breakfast.

Here’s a simple Pancake recipe from scratch that you’ll love. Enjoy!

How to Make Nigerian Fried Pancakes at Home: Pancake Recipe

Breakfast recipe for Nigerian Pancakes – step-by-step instructions on how to cook pancakes in Nigeria (6 steps)

Ingredients

  • 2 cups Flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/3 cup or 5 tbsp sugar
  • 2 Eggs
  • 1/3 cup Margarine
  • 1½ cups Milk (3 tablespoons powdered milk)
  • ¼ teaspoon grated Nutmeg
  • Some Chopped pepper
  • Some Chopped Onion
 Method
  1. Firstly, measure out the flour and baking powder and then, sieve them together into a bowl. Grate the nutmeg into the flour.
  2. Secondly, melt the margarine, beat the egg, and then, mix the milk in water.
  3. After that, mix all the wet ingredients, then, add sugar into the wet mixture to dissolve.
  4. Fourthly, pour the liquid mixture into the flour and blend well. Add the pepper together with the onion and then, mix.
  5. Now, allow the pancake batter to rest for about 10 minutes before frying in small quantities till golden brown.
  6. Finally, serve warm.

FAQs and Answers

Is baking powder necessary for pancakes? 

Is it true that baking powder cannot be used to make pancakes?

Yes, you can do so by following this recipe. Even if you don’t use baking powder, you can make a fluffier pancake by mixing beaten eggs into the batter.

What happens if you don’t add baking powder to your pancake batter?

These no-baking-powder soufflé pancakes are unbelievably light and fluffy! Whipped egg whites replace baking powder in the pancakes, giving them a light and airy texture.

In pancakes, what is the purpose of salt?

In cake recipes, the major purpose of salt is to bring out the flavors of the other components. As the components merge, it brings out the depth and complexity of the other flavors.

Salt balances the sweetness of cake batters, but no perceptible salty flavor should be allowed.

Is it necessary to use baking powder when making pancakes? Is it true that baking powder cannot be used to make pancakes?

Yes, you can do so by following this recipe. Even if you don’t use baking powder, you can make a fluffier pancake by mixing beaten eggs into the batter.

What happens if you don’t add baking powder to your pancake batter?

These no-baking-powder soufflé pancakes are unbelievably light and fluffy!

Whipped egg whites replace baking powder in the pancakes, giving them a light and airy texture.

Why do pancakes in restaurants taste better?

This is due to a chemical reaction that occurs when the liquid ingredients in a batch of batter are warm or at room temperature.

They create a chemical reaction by boosting the temperature of the gluten in the wheat, giving the ‘cakes a too bouncy quality.

What increases the fluffiness of pancakes? What makes pancakes fluffier?

When chemical leaveners like baking powder form bubbles in a cooked pancake, the gluten network captures them, allowing the pancake to rise and stay fluffy while yet maintaining its structure

What’s the secret to making great pancakes?

Pour your choice amount of batter (I use a four-ounce ladle) onto a dry, hot griddle or pan, flip once set bubbles appear around the edges of the pancake, and finish cooking for a few minutes on the other side. Transfer to a platter and serve.

In pancakes, what role does milk play?

Aside from flavor, the aim of milk in a pancake recipe is to dissolve the wheat and other ingredients while also providing a liquid structure

This implies that any liquid will suffice.

What happens if you forget to add baking soda to your pancake batter?

The absence of baking soda stops the cake from rising, however, baking powder can be substituted.

Baking soda is a salt that adds lightness and fluffiness to cuisine. Use a baking soda replacement if you don’t have this product on hand.

Your cake will not rise if you don’t use it, and it may turn out flat.

Baking powder or baking soda: what makes pancakes fluffy? Baking powder vs. baking soda

The baking powder is commonly used in pancake batter because conventional pancake batter lacks the acid necessary to activate baking soda.

This fluffy pancake recipe, on the other hand, calls for both baking powder and baking soda. The acid in the buttermilk activates the baking soda.

In pancakes, what role do eggs play?

Due to the lack of gluten in pancakes, the additional structure required to hold the bubbles and allow the pancake to rise is provided by eggs.

The yolk’s fat adds richness and taste to the dish. However, too much egg will make the pancake dense and custard-like, while too little would make it drier and biscuit-like

In pancakes, what is the most important ingredient?

Flour

The main ingredient in any pancake is flour. It gives the framework.

Because some flours absorb more moisture or produce more gluten (which ties the structure together), the structure changes

What is the science behind pancakes?

(For the acid/base reaction, use buttermilk and self-raising flour.)

Carbon dioxide (CO2) gas is produced when lactic acid combines with the bicarbonate in self-raising flour.

As the batter cooks, gas bubbles are trapped in the batter, resulting in a fluffy pancake.

What was the most expensive pancake?

Chef Matthew Downes of Manchester, England’s Opus Restaurant, has developed the world’s most expensive pancake, costing $1,300.

Pancakes with Scottish native paradise lobster, Russian Beluga caviar, Hulle Verge truffles, Scottish mussels, and langoustines are prepared by the chef.

Why does the first pancake turn out to be a flop? Why does the first pancake fail?

“As the metal heats up, it expands on a molecular level, so as you wash the warm pan, you’re seasoning it,” says the author.

You’re filling in those minuscule fissures so that the wet pancake batter doesn’t soak into the holes and stick to the pan, causing tearing and uncomfortable flips.

Is it possible for dogs to eat pancakes?

Yes, dogs can eat pancakes, to put it simply. There should be nothing in the pancake batter that might damage them.

"How

Thank you for taking the time to read How to Make Pancakes at Home. Go ahead and start cooking! Enjoy the offering

How to Make Money Online-25 Ways to Make Money Online, Offline, and at Home

April 23, 2022 / / 0 Comments

Make money with a side gig and learn how long it will take to see the extra income, whether it’s freelancing online, driving passengers or selling your stuff.

Want to make money, but you’re not sure where to start? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

And you’re not alone. More than one-quarter (27%) of Americans earned extra income from side gigs last year, according to the Report on the Economic Well-Being of U.S. Households in 2020, released in May 2021 by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

NerdWallet rounded up 25 legitimate ways to make money — at home or out and about — and listed each option based on how fast you can get started and get paid. While most people prefer fast cash, don’t discount the “slow” gigs, as they may pay more in the long run.

How to make money online

Making money online is the sweet spot people look for in the gig economy. Whether you aspire to be a six-figure social media influencer, or are just looking to supplement your regular income with some internet gigs, we’ve found some viable options.

A man makes money online with freelance work.

1. Pick up freelance work online

Make money online through websites such as Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer.com. These sites offer opportunities to do a variety of freelance jobs, such as writing, programming, design, marketing, data entry, and being a virtual assistant. Fluent in a second language? Check sites such as Gengo or One Hour Translation, or drum up business through a site of your own. No matter what kind of freelancing you do, keep track of the going rate for the kind of work you provide so you know if you’re charging too much or too little. Total time: It can take a while to get your first gig.

Setup: 24 hours.

How easy to start: Easy, if you have the expertise.

Age threshold: 13+ but varies by site.

Payment speed: Varies by the site.

Need to know

Requirements

 Back to top

Money wins start with game plans

Find ways to save money with your cash, cards, and bank accounts all in one place.

2. Test websites and apps

Another way to make money from home is on sites like UserTesting.com. You get paid for your thoughts on how well — or not so well — certain websites and apps worked. You’ll have to pass a short test to be accepted, then you’ll be paid $10 for each 20-minute test, which involves a recording and answering four follow-up written questions. Or you could earn up to $120 to participate in a video conversation with a customer after your test.

Total time: Approval time can vary.

Setup: Less than an hour.

How easy to start: Easy, if you have the tech gear and complete a sample test.

Age threshold: 18+.

Payment speed: Seven days.

Need to know

Requirements

3. Pick up tasks on Amazon’s Mechanical Turk

Even in the age of automation, some jobs still require a human touch. Companies often outsource those jobs via services like Amazon’s Mechanical Turk. As a “worker,” the tasks you’ll be assigned can be tedious — tagging images, transcribing videos, classifying receipts — and can take anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours. Temporary employers or “requesters” set the price for each task and get to approve the finished product before paying you. That can leave room for scams, so do your research. Join a community like the MTurk Crowd forum, or the MTurk and Turker Nation subreddits, which can steer you away from shifty dealers. These communities and fellow “workers” can answer questions and give a realistic idea of how much money you can expect to make. Read more about Mechanical Turk is a way to make quick money online.

Total time: Several days to find out if you’re approved.

Setup: Depends on the task you choose.

How easy to start: Easy if you have certain skills.

Age threshold: 18+.

Payment speed: You get paid following work approval, which can take up to 30 days.

Need to know

Requirements

4. Take surveys for money

You can make money from home by taking online surveys, but don’t expect to be rolling in the dough. Survey sites don’t typically offer a big payoff, and many sites are more useful for earning gift cards than cash. Some of the more popular survey sites include Swagbucks and Survey Junkie. Read our analysis of a dozen survey sites to find out which one is best suited for you.

Total time: It will take a while.

Setup: Just minutes.

How easy to start: Very. Just register and begin.

Age threshold: 13 to 18+.

Payment speed: Varies by the site.

Need to know

Requirements

 Back to top

LISTEN: The Smart Money podcast answers the question, “How do I get my hands on some money?”

5. Make money from your blog as an affiliate

If you’re a blogger who gets decent traffic, you could make money by joining an affiliate network. Affiliates (that’s you) get paid when someone clicks through from the website to the partner site and buys something there. Some bloggers make a lot of money this way. Read more about affiliate marketing and other ways bloggers can make money.

Total time: It can take quite a while to build an audience.

Setup: With blog templates, building a site is easy.

How easy to start: Starting is not that difficult. Creating regular content may be another matter.

Age threshold: Any.

Payment speed: A month or two, on average.

Need to know

Requirements

6. Sell your wares on Etsy

Have a penchant for woodworking, jewelry-making, embroidery, or pottery? Sell your goods on Etsy, the go-to site for artisans selling home goods, art, and knickknacks. Etsy boasts almost 82 million active buyers and grossed over $10 billion in merchandise sales in 2020, according to the website. 

Total time: It might take quite a while for customers to find you.

Setup: Can be quite involved.

How easy to start: Leaning toward “hard” on the difficulty meter.

Age threshold: 13+.

Payment speed: From the next day to seven days after a sale.

Need to know

Requirements

7. Get advertising revenue from your blog or YouTube channel

Turn your cat videos into cash videos. If your YouTube videos or blog posts draw a big audience, you may be able to make money from advertising. With Google AdSense, businesses pay to advertise around your content. The service is free, but there are requirements you must meet. Total time: It can take several weeks to get up and running.

Setup: Not that hard.

How easy to start: Depends on how good you are at producing interesting videos.

Age threshold: 18+.

Payment speed: Could take a long while to earn the first payout; then monthly.

Need to know

Requirements

8. Become an Instagram influencer

Companies are using Instagram influencers — people with large, dedicated followings on the platform — to rep their products. You can get in on the action by applying for opportunities via a marketing platform like Open Influence or AspireIQ, or by contacting the brands you want to work with. 

Total time: You’ll need to stick with it.

Setup: Quick and easy.

How easy to start: Not that easy. It’s a very competitive platform.

Age threshold: 13+.

Payment speed: Varies on partnerships.

Need to know

Requirements

9. Monetize your Twitch channel

Gaming could be a way to make money from home if you have a steady following on Twitch, the go-to site for gamers. Broadcasters can receive donations from viewers and even get a share of subscription and ad revenue if they reach Affiliate or Partner status. 

Total time: This can be a long game.

Setup: Quick and easy.

How easy to start: Easy to start; takes a while to build a following.

Age threshold: 13+.

Payment speed: Monthly.

Need to know

Requirements

10. Sell your photography

Turn your photographs into cash via sites like Fine Art America, which lets you upload your images to sell as prints, T-shirts, phone cases, and more. Other marketplaces for photographers include SmugMug, 500px, and PhotoShelter. Some sites require a subscription but may provide features ranging from cloud storage to password-protected galleries and a customized website.

Total time: Buyers need to find you — and like your work.

Setup: Just a few hours.

How easy to start: If you have a library of photos, you’re on the way.

Age threshold: Any.

Payment speed: Depends on your sales platform.

Need to know

Requirements

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How to make money from home

Some side hustles don’t even require you to leave the house. Or if it does, it might just be a short walk around the block with a furry friend. Working from home requires a little creativity and a stick-to-it spirit.

Here are some excellent ideas for work-from-home gigs:

11. Become a dog walker or dog sitter

Love dogs? Make money by becoming a dog walker. Apps like Wag and Rover offer on-demand dog walking, so you can pick up walks when your schedule allows. If you have space (and your landlord’s permission, if you rent), you could offer overnight dog boarding. Read the fine print if you sign up for these services

Total time: Building a client base may take some time.

Setup: Takes about a week or so.

How easy to start: Love pets? You’re good to go.

Age threshold: 18+.

Payment speed: Two days to a week.

Need to know

Requirements

12. Sell unused gift cards

Make extra money by selling unused gift cards on a site like CardCash or GiftCash. These websites say they will pay you up to 92% of the card’s value. On CardCash, you can also trade in your card for one you’ll use. Total time: Depends on the popularity of the gift card.

Setup: Easy.

How easy to start: The more gift cards you have to sell, the better.

Age threshold: Old enough to have a credit card.

Payment speed: Varies by sale method.

Need to know

Requirements

13. List your spare bedroom on Airbnb

Renting out your home or spare bedroom on vacation rental sites is another way to make extra money. Be prepared to spend some money to clean and keep up the property, replace home goods and pay toward service fees. And scrutinize your rental agreement before you get started.

Total time: Demand drives success, and that depends on your location.

Setup: A listing can be created and live in hours.

How easy to start: If you have a place to rent, it’s a simple process.

Age threshold: 18+.

Payment speed: About one day.

Need to know

Requirements

How to make money offline

There are online and at-home ways to make extra money — and then there’s a third alternative: offline. This version of the gig economy may require a little more legwork, but the upside can be substantial. Here are offline ways to make money:

14. Sell your gently used clothes

A woman makes extra money by selling her clothes.

Selling clothes you no longer wear is a quick way to make some money. Start with local consignment shops for faster cash or use sites like ThredUp and Poshmark to find buyers. If you go the online route, be sure to take clear, well-lit photos of your pieces and research similar items to set competitive prices. 

Total time: Varies by sales channel.

Setup: Easy and fast. You can simply go to a consignment shop or fill a box with clothes and send it in.

How easy to start: Easy. Cleaning out the closet may be the hardest part.

Age threshold: Any.

Payment speed: Varies by sales channel.

Need to know

Requirements

15. Trade in old phones, electronics for cash

Have an old phone, iPad, or gaming system lying around? Sell it on a site like Swappa or Gazelle. Check out Amazon’s trade-in program, which pays participants in Amazon gift cards — and eBay, too. If you’re in a rush, try an ecoATM kiosk, which offers cash on the spot for your device.

Total time: Lots of options, so your time spent will vary.

Setup: A breeze.

How easy to start: Easy. Have phone, cell phone.

Age threshold: Any.

Payment speed: Varies by where you sell.

Need to know

Requirements

16. Get a babysitting gig

Everyone from college students to recent retirees can make money by watching other people’s children. Word-of-mouth referrals from friends and family are still a great way to get started, but you can also create a profile for free on Care.com or Sittercity to expand your reach. Note any specialized skills, such as CPR certifications, to make yourself more marketable.

Total time: Online setup takes minutes; neighborhood referrals may take a while.

Setup: Just minutes.

How easy to start: Getting the word out is the main thing.

Age threshold: Very young if you’re using referrals. 18+ online.

Payment speed: When the parents come home.

Need to know

Requirements

17. Rent out your car

City-dwellers often don’t use their cars for days or weeks at a time. That idle time can translate to extra money with services like Getaround and Turo, which let you rent out your car by the hour or day. You take home the majority of those earnings, while Getaround or Turo takes a cut for protecting your car while it’s being rented.

Total time: Demand for your car will depend on the local market.

Setup: It takes about a half-hour to set up an account.

How easy to start: With an appropriate vehicle, it’s easy.

Age threshold: A valid driver’s license and 21+.

Payment speed: Varies by the site.

Need to know

Requirements

18. Sign up for TaskRabbit

If you enjoy putting together Ikea furniture or standing in long lines, you may be cut out for doing tasks for others. Websites like TaskRabbit can connect you with people who need help with a variety of things, such as moving, cleaning, delivery, and handyman services. The site also offers several virtual and online tasks, such as helping with a research project or data entry. 

Total time: Local demand for your skills will determine the time you spend.

Setup: A couple of hours, then some time for approval.

How easy to start: Easy, though you’ll need to do some research.

Age threshold: 18+.

Payment speed: A few days after a job.

Need to know

Requirements

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19. Become a private tutor

Parlay your math, science, foreign language, or test-prep expertise into a lucrative side gig by becoming a private tutor. You can tutor people online or in person. What you charge can depend on your experience, expertise, and what’s in demand. To get started, see what types of tutors are needed on Craigslist or create a profile on sites like Tutor.com or Care.com. You can also advertise your services at local schools and community centers.

Total time: Varies by subject matter.

Setup: Can be a bit involved.

How easy to start: Students will have to find you, and that might take a while.

Age threshold: Any.

Payment speed: Usually pretty fast; often right away.

Need to know

Requirements

20. Drive for Uber, Lyft

Join Uber or Lyft (or both) and make money by driving passengers around. Just don’t forget to factor in gas and maintenance costs. You need an eligible car in good condition and must agree to a background check and a review of your driving history. 

Total time: Depends on your market demand.

Setup: A few weeks.

How easy to start: Not difficult, but you’ll need the right type of vehicle.

Age threshold:  Licensed to drive in your locality with one year of licensed driving experience.

Payment speed: Very fast. Either instantly or within days.

Need to know

Requirements

21. Make deliveries for Amazon, Uber Eats

Take advantage of the growing delivery trend and sign up for a service like Instacart, Uber Eats, Postmates, DoorDash, or Amazon Flex. You get paid per delivery, in most cases, and can even earn tips. A car isn’t always required — Postmates and, in some cities, DoorDash, lets you use a bike or scooter to make deliveries. However, a background check almost always is part of the deal. Learn more about how to get started with Amazon Flex, Uber Eats, and Instacart.

Total time: Depends on your market demand.

Setup: About a week.

How easy to start: Easy, if you have dependable transportation.

Age threshold: 21+.

Payment speed: Varies by the vendor.

Need to know

Requirements

22. Find work as a house sitter

If you’re willing to watch someone’s home — and maybe feed the pets, water the plants, and take out the garbage — become a housesitter. Tap your network for referrals or try out HouseSitter.com, which connects homeowners with housesitters. People often make $25 to $45 a day, according to the company’s website.

Total time: Depends on your market demand.

Setup: Minutes — or more if you try to drum up business by referrals.

How easy to start: That can depend on the need in your area.

Age threshold: Varies by the site.

Payment speed: At the end of a gig.

Need to know

Requirements

23. Sign up to be a mystery shopper

Businesses often want to know how they’re performing from a customer’s perspective. Sign up to be their eyes and ears. You can apply online via sites like IntelliShop, BestMark, and Sinclair Customer Metrics. Just beware of scams and do thorough research before signing on.

Total time: Varies by the site.

Setup: Applying takes little time, but approval can take a while.

How easy to start: Relatively easy if you have required transportation and tech.

Age threshold: May vary by site, but typically 18+.

Payment speed: Varies by company.

Need to know

Requirements

24. Find seasonal work

Need a gig for a few months? Try something seasonal, like being a lifeguard, shoveling snow, or working at a retailer during the holidays. Employers typically staff up a month or two before their busy season, so plan to get on their payroll. Check storefront windows, Craigslist, and local classifieds for seasonal opportunities.

Total time: Varies by the job.

Setup: Job searches and interviews can take weeks.

How easy to start: Not difficult, particularly if you have skills that fit your market.

Age threshold: Minimum age depends on the job.

Payment speed: Varies by company.

Need to know

Requirements

25. Put your drone to work

The market for drones is expanding. Companies hire out work like aerial inspection, photography, and land mapping. So if you’re already a drone enthusiast, why not make extra money with your aircraft? You first need to register it with the Federal Aviation Administration and obtain certification from them for commercial use. Then, you can apply for gigs as a drone pilot. 

Total time: Depends on demand.

Setup: You’ll need to make time to pass a test. And then find clients.

How easy to start: If you already have a drone, you’re likely qualified.

Age threshold: 16+.

Payment speed: Varies by company.

Need to know

Requirements

Watch out for making money scams

The internet is full of opportunities to make money online or from home, but many are questionable, if not outright scams. Be wary of any “opportunity” that asks for an upfront fee, wants you to pay for certification, or requests your Social Security number or any financial information, such as your credit card number.

Still unsure if an opportunity is legit? Look for community forums, like those on Reddit, for unfiltered reviews and complaints. (Workers on TaskRabbit, Uber, and Lyft, for example, each have their subreddit.) Also, check if the company has a Better Business Bureau profile. The BBB assigns ratings based on reported complaints, business transparency, and other factors.

How to lose weight fast-These Science-Backed Tips Can Help You Lose Weight Sustainably

April 23, 2022 / / 0 Comments

Weight loss is not the answer to every health problem, but if your doctor recommends it, there are tips to help you lose weight safely. A steady weight loss of 1 to 2 pounds per week is recommended for the most effective long-term weight management.

That said, many eating plans designed to help you lose weight leave you feeling hungry or unsatisfied, or they cut out major food groups and are not sustainable. These are major reasons why you might find it hard to stick to a healthier eating plan.

Everyone has unique needs and different eating styles and tips may work better for you than someone else.

You may find you can lose weight by following a low-carb diet or a diet that has a focus on whole foods, but some general principles apply when you’re trying to lose weight.

Here are some science-backed tips to help you lose weight that include healthy eating, choosing carbs carefully, and that aim to:

  • reduce your appetite and hunger levels while keeping you satisfied
  • produce consistent weight loss over time
  • help improve your metabolic health at the same time

If you want to lose weight quickly, some of these tips may help, but quick weight loss is rarely sustainable. Focusing on long-term health and habits that you can stick with over time will help improve your health and are more likely to result in lasting weight loss.

How to Lose Weight in 3 Simple Steps

1. Cut back on refined carbs

One way to help lose weight quickly is to cut back on sugars and starches, or carbohydrates. This could be with a low-carb eating plan or by reducing refined carbs and replacing them with whole grains.

When you do that, your hunger levels go down, and you generally end up eating fewer calories With a low-carb eating plan, you’ll utilize burning stored fat for energy instead of carbs.

If you choose to eat more complex carbs like whole grains along with a calorie deficit, you’ll benefit from higher fiber and digest them more slowly. This makes them more filling to keep you satisfied.

A 2020 study confirmed that a very low carbohydrate diet was beneficial for losing weight in older populations 

Research also suggests that a low carb diet may reduce appetite, which can lead to naturally eating fewer calories without thinking about it or feeling hungry 

Note that the long-term effects of a low-carb diet are still being researched. It can also be difficult to adhere to a low-carb diet, which may lead to yo-yo dieting and less success in maintaining a healthy weight.

There are potential downsides to a low-carb diet that may lead you to a different method. Reduced calorie diets can also lead to weight loss and be easier to maintain for longer periods.

If you opt for a diet focusing instead on whole grains over refined carbs, a 2019 study correlated high whole-grain intake with lower body mass index (BMI) 

To determine the best way for you to lose weight, consult your doctor for recommendations.

SUMMARY

Reducing refined carbohydrates may help curb your appetite, lower your insulin levels, and help you lose weight.

But the long-term effects of a low-carb diet are not yet known. A reduced-calorie diet could be more sustainable.

2. Eat protein, fat, and vegetables

Aim to include a variety of foods at each meal. To balance your plate and help you lose weight your meals should include:

  • a protein source
  • fat source
  • vegetables
  • a small portion of complex carbohydrates, such as whole grains

To see how you can assemble your meals, check out:

  • this low carb meal plan
  • this lower calorie meal plan
  • these lists of 101 healthy low carb recipes and low-calorie foods

Protein

Eating a recommended amount of protein is essential to help preserve your health and muscle mass while losing weight 

Evidence suggests that eating adequate protein may improve cardiometabolic risk factors, appetite, and body weight 

Generally, an average male needs about 56-91 grams per day, and the average female needs 46-75 grams per day, but many factors influence protein needs. Here are guidelines to help you figure out how much protein to eat without eating too much

0.8g/kg of body weight

  • 1-1.2g/kg of body weight for people 65 and older
  • 1.4-2g/kg of body weight for athletes

Diets with adequate protein may also help you reduce cravings and snacking by helping you feel full and satisfied 

Healthy protein sources include:

  • meat: beef, chicken, pork, and lamb
  • fish and seafood: salmon, trout, sardines, and shrimp
  • eggs
  • plant-based proteins: beans, legumes, quinoa, tempeh, and tofu

Vegetables

Don’t be afraid to load your plate with leafy green vegetables. They’re packed with nutrients, and you can eat very large amounts without greatly increasing calories and carbs.

All vegetables are nutrient-rich and healthy foods to add to your diet, but some vegetables, like potatoes, sweet potatoes, winter squash, and corn, are higher in carbs.

These vegetables are considered complex carbs because they contain fiber, but you may want to be mindful of serving size when adding these vegetables to your plate.

Vegetables to include more of:

  • broccoli
  • cauliflower
  • spinach
  • tomatoes
  • kale
  • Brussels sprouts
  • cabbage
  • Swiss chard
  • lettuce
  • cucumber
  • peppers

Healthy fats

Don’t be afraid of eating fats.

Your body still requires healthy fats no matter what eating plan you choose. Olive oil and avocado oil are great choices for including in your eating plan. Nuts, seeds, olives, and avocados are delicious and healthy additions, as well.

Other fats such as butter and coconut oil should be used only in moderation due to their higher saturated fat content

SUMMARY

Try to assemble each meal with a protein source, healthy fat source, complex carbs, and vegetables.

Leafy green vegetables are a great way to bulk up a meal with low calories and lots of nutrients.

3. Move your body

Exercise, while not required to lose weight, can help you lose weight more quickly. Lifting weights has particularly good benefits.

By lifting weights, you’ll burn calories and help prevent your metabolism from slowing down, which is a common side effect of losing weight 

Try strength training three to four times a week. If you’re new to lifting weights, a trainer may be able to help you get started. Make sure your doctor is also aware of any new exercise plans.

If lifting weights is not an option for you, doing some cardio workouts such as walking, jogging, running, cycling, or swimming is very beneficial for weight loss and general health.

Both cardio and weightlifting may help with weight loss and offer lots of other health benefits.

SUMMARY

Resistance training, such as weightlifting, is a great option for losing weight. If that’s not possible, cardio workouts are also effective.

Choose what’s sustainable for you.

What about calories and portion control?

If you opt for a low-carb eating plan, it’s not necessary to count calories as long as you keep your carb intake low and eat mostly protein, fat, and low-carb vegetables.

If you find yourself not losing weight, you may want to keep track of your calories to see if that’s a contributing factor.

If you’re sticking to a calorie deficit to lose weight, you can use a free online calculator like this one to estimate your calorie needs.

You can also download free, easy-to-use calorie counters from websites and app stores. Here’s a list of 5 calorie counters to try.

Note that eating too few calories can be dangerous and less effective for losing weight. Aim to reduce your calories by a sustainable and healthy amount based on your doctor’s recommendation.

A note on calorie counting

Counting calories may be a helpful tool for some, but it may not be the best choice for everyone.

If you are preoccupied with food or your weight, feel guilt surrounding your food choices, or routinely engage in restrictive diets, consider reaching out for support. These behaviors may indicate a disordered relationship with food or an eating disorder.

Talk with a qualified healthcare professional, such as a registered dietitian, if you’re struggling.

You can also chat, call, or text anonymously with trained volunteers at the National Eating Disorders Association helpline for free or explore the organization’s free and low-cost resources.

SUMMARY

Counting calories isn’t usually needed to lose weight on a low-carb eating plan. But if you’re not losing weight or on a reduced-calorie eating plan, calorie counting may help.

9 weight loss tips

Here are 9 more tips to help you lose weight:

  1. Eat a high-protein breakfast. Eating a high protein breakfast could help reduce cravings and calorie intake throughout the day 
  2. Limit sugary drinks and fruit juice. Empty calories from sugar aren’t useful to your body and can hinder weight loss 
  3. Stay hydrated. Drink water throughout the day and aim for half your body weight in ounces 
  4. Choose weight-loss-friendly foods. Some foods are better for weight loss than others. Here is a list of healthy weight-loss-friendly foods.
  5. Eat more fiber. Studies show that eating fiber may promote weight loss. Find fiber in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and these other high-fiber foods. 
  6. Drink coffee or tea. Caffeine consumption may help boost your metabolism. No need to go overboard on caffeine though and be mindful of adding sugar to these drinks 
  7. Base your diet on whole foods. They tend to be nutrient-rich, more filling, and less likely to cause overeating than processed foods.
  8. Eat slowly. Eating quickly can lead to weight gain over time while eating slowly makes you feel more full and boosts weight-reducing hormones 
  9. Get good quality sleep. Sleep is important for many reasons, and poor sleep is one of the biggest risk factors for weight gain 
  10. While these 9 tips are a good starting point, they’re not the only things that impact weight loss. Try to reduce stress, and move your body. Read more about natural tips for losing weight here.

SUMMARY

Eating whole foods, higher protein, fiber, and less sugar can help you lose more weight. Don’t forget to get a good night’s sleep, too.

Sample meal ideas for fast weight loss

These sample meal plan ideas are low carb, which limits carbs to 20–50 carbs per day. Each meal should have protein, healthy fats, and veggies. These meal ideas are just suggestions, as everyone has different needs and food preferences.

If you’d prefer to lose weight while still eating complex carbs, add some healthy whole grains to your meals such as:

  • quinoa
  • oatmeal
  • whole wheat flour, bread, or pasta
  • brown rice
  • rye
  • barley

Breakfast ideas

  • poached egg with sliced avocado and a side of berries
  • spinach, mushroom, and feta crustless quiche
  • green smoothie with spinach, avocado, and nut milk and a side of cottage cheese
  • unsweetened Greek yogurt with berries and almonds

Lunch ideas

  • smoked salmon with avocado and a side of asparagus
  • lettuce wrap with grilled chicken, black beans, red pepper, and salsa
  • kale and spinach salad with grilled tofu, chickpeas, and guacamole
  • BLT wrap with celery sticks and peanut butter

Dinner ideas

  • enchilada salad with chicken, peppers, mango, avocado, and spices
  • ground turkey bake with mushrooms, onions, peppers, and cheese
  • antipasto salad with white beans, asparagus, cucumbers, olive oil, and Parmesan
  • roasted cauliflower with tempeh, Brussels sprouts, and pine nuts
  • salmon baked with ginger, sesame oil, and roasted zucchini

Snack ideas

  • cauliflower hummus and veggies
  • healthy homemade trail mix with nuts and dried fruit
  • kale chips
  • cottage cheese with cinnamon and flaxseeds
  • spicy roasted chickpeas
  • roasted pumpkin seeds
  • tuna pouches
  • steamed edamame
  • strawberries and brie

How fast will you lose weight?

You may lose weight more quickly in the first week of a diet plan and then lose weight at a slower but more consistent rate after that. In the first week, you typically lose a mix of both body fat and water weight.

If this is the first time you are making changes to your diet and exercise habits, weight loss may happen more quickly.

Unless your doctor suggests otherwise, losing 1–2 pounds per week is usually a safe amount. If you’re trying to lose weight faster than that, speak to your doctor about a safe level of calorie reduction.

Aside from weight loss, a low carb diet can improve your health in a few ways, though the long-term effects are not yet known:

  • blood sugar levels tend to significantly decrease on low carb diets triglycerides tend to go down 
  • LDL (bad) cholesterol goes down
  • blood pressure improves significantly 
  • Other diet types that reduce calories and increase whole foods are also associated with improved metabolic markers and slower aging. Ultimately, you may find a more balanced diet that includes complex carbohydrates is more sustainable.

SUMMARY

You can reach your weight loss goals by incorporating a low carb or low-calorie diet into your life, but the speed of weight loss depends on the individual.

General weight loss can sometimes improve certain markers of health, such as blood sugar and cholesterol levels.

The bottom line

By reducing carbs or replacing refined carbs with complex carbs, you’ll likely experience reduced hunger levels. Feeling hungry is often why it’s difficult to maintain a weight loss plan, so it’s important to find a way of eating that leaves you feeling satisfied.

By incorporating a sustainable low carb or lower-calorie eating plan, you can eat healthy food until you’re full and still lose weight.

Losing weight quickly may be your goal, but it’s important to think about the long run. While you may lose water weight quickly, fat loss takes longer, and developing sustainable weight loss may take longer than you’d like.

How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days- Movie

April 23, 2022 / / 0 Comments

Andie Anderson (Kate Hudson) writes how-to columns for Composure Magazine, the most successful women’s magazine in the country. After a co-worker is dumped by her latest boyfriend and succumbs to a bad case of the weepies during a staff meeting, Andie volunteers to write a column to help other women avoid the same mistakes. Her piece, “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days,” will show readers what they should not do in a new relationship. She hopes that this piece will convince editor Lana Jong (Bebe Neuwirth) that she’s capable of taking on more important projects, including writing about political issues.

Meanwhile across town, Benjamin Barry (Matthew McConaughey), an ambitious ad executive, is sick of being stuck with beer and sports promotions. He has his eye on a big account for a large diamond merchant. To prove that he can write pitches for women, he bets his boss (Robert Klein) that he get a new woman to fall in love with him; he promises to bring her to a party in just 10 days.

Andie and Benjamin meet in a bar and take it from there, each with a hidden agenda and each confident that the mission will be completed successfully. Of course, this plot contrivance illustrates the modern day phenomenon that everything in the lives of upscale professionals is peripheral to making it big in the workplace. Romantic relationships play second fiddle, and many of them are riddled with deceit. The other thing working in favor of this fabricated storyline is that it allows us to watch what it would be like for a man to exhibit the kind of equanimity usually only demonstrated by seasoned Buddhist practitioners. Benjamin proves to be very good at staying unruffled. He takes the good with the bad and is forced to set aside his preferences for this and that.

Andie serves up a smorgasbord of actions designed to send Benjamin running. During the dramatic final minutes of a Knicks basketball game, she asks him to get her a soda. After he cooks her an elaborate lamb dinner, she announces she is a vegetarian. She leaves countless messages on his answering machine and talks to his mother behind his back. She gets him a dog who then pees all over his apartment. She stocks his bathroom with feminine hygiene products, insists on going to a chick flick festival, and then barges in on his poker night with the guys.

Donald Petrie directs this spiffy romantic comedy based on a clever screenplay by Kristen Buckley, Brian Regan, and Burr Steers. Kate Hudson, who was so endearing in Almost Famous, is perky and funny as the ambitious journalist who is surprised by her own feelings toward the man she is deliberately spurning. Matthew McConaughey is a hoot as a self-absorbed male who learns that love means exhibiting patience, self-sacrifice, and the willingness to bear all things. The screen chemistry between these two is convincing. How to Lose A Guy in 10 Days explores sexual politics in many winning and funny ways and proves that equanimity in a man is a great aphrodisiac.

The special edition DVD contains an audio commentary with director Donald Petrie, cast and crew interviews, deleted scenes, and featurettes on mapping out the perfect movie and the perfect movie location.

Spiritually Literate Readings of

How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days

Disposable Relationships. We live in an age of disposable relationships. Teenagers and young adults expect to run through a succession of boyfriends and girlfriends. Some take great pride in the variety of affairs they’ve had in a year. Fifty percent of marriages don’t last because, among other things, couples don’t seem to be committed to the vows made in front of their partners, family, and friends. It’s almost as if the gaming principle has taken over contemporary relationships where playing the field and winning (self-gratification) are all important.

In How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, Andie, a women’s magazine columnist, and Benjamin, an ambitious ad executive, are players who want to be winners at work and number one in their relationships. They are perfectly willing to deceive and use their partner to achieve their self-centered goals. Nothing commendable about this but it does hit the mark as a telling depiction of modern day sexual politics.

Equanimity Practice. As part of his campaign to win a big diamond account, Benjamin is willing to do anything to stay in a romantic relationship with Andie for ten days, concluding with a party where he must show her off to his boss as a woman madly in love with him. To accomplish this goal, he is willing to endure anything and everything she does that rubs him the wrong way. Although the writers probably didn’t have the spiritual practice of equanimity in mind when they wrote the screenplay, this quality of being unruffled by troubles is exactly what Benjamin demonstrates.

Wayne Muller in Legacy of the Heart writes: “Equanimity is the ability to experience the changes in our lives, circumstances, and feelings and still remain calm, centered and unmoved. The image most often used to illustrate the quality of equanimity is that of a mountain. The mountain sits there as the sun shines on it, the rain drenches it, it is covered by snow and struck by lightning. Through it all, through all the changing conditions, the mountain remains unwavering.”

Benjamin is a mountain as Andie besieges him with the worst things she can imagine to do to a lover. Throughout it all, he is patient and accommodating. His motto: Every situation is workable. Imagine what would happen in relationships if more lovers practiced equanimity. Imagine what would be possible if marriage partners remained unruffled in the face of disappointments and difficulties. Be a mountain and know that every situation in life is workable. Those are pretty good lessons to learn while laughing along with this romantic comedy.

How to know if you are pregnant- Week by week, Month by Month

April 23, 2022 / / 0 Comments

What happens in the first month of pregnancy?

Pregnancy is divided into 3 trimesters. Each trimester is a little longer than 13 weeks. The first month marks the beginning of the first trimester.

What’s gestational age?

Pregnancy timing is measured using “gestational age.” Gestational age starts on the first day of your last menstrual period (LMP).

Gestational age can be confusing. Most people think of pregnancy as lasting 9 months. And it’s true that you’re pregnant for about 9 months. But because pregnancy is measured from the first day of your last menstrual period — about 3-4 weeks before you’re actually pregnant — a full-term pregnancy usually totals about 40 weeks from LMP — roughly 10 months.

Many people don’t remember exactly when they started their last menstrual period — that’s OK. The surest way to find out gestational age early in pregnancy is with an ultrasound.

What happens during week 1 – 2?

These are the first 2 weeks of your menstrual cycle. You have your period. About 2 weeks later, the egg that’s most mature is released from your ovary — this is called ovulation. Ovulation may happen earlier or later, depending on the length of your menstrual cycle. The average menstrual cycle is 28 days.

After it’s released, your egg travels down your fallopian tube toward your uterus. If the egg meets up with a sperm, they combine. This is called fertilization. Fertilization is most likely to occur when you have unprotected vaginal sex during the 6 days leading up to — and including the day of — ovulation.

What happens during week 3 – 4?

The fertilized egg moves down your fallopian tube and divides into more and more cells. It reaches your uterus about 3–4 days after fertilization. The dividing cells then form a ball that floats around in the uterus for about 2–3 days.

Pregnancy begins when the ball of cells attaches to the lining of your uterus. This is called implantation. It usually starts about 6 days after fertilization and takes about 3–4 days to be complete.

Pregnancy doesn’t always happen, even if an egg is fertilized by a sperm. Up to half of all fertilized eggs pass out of your body when you get your period, before implantation is complete.

What are the signs of pregnancy?

For a lot of people, the first sign of pregnancy is a missed period. Most pregnancy tests will be positive by the time you’ve missed your period. Other early pregnancy symptoms include feeling tired, feeling bloated, peeing more than usual, mood swings, nausea, and tender or swollen breasts. Not everyone has all of these symptoms, but it’s common to have at least 1 of them.

What happens in the second month of pregnancy?

The ball of cells turns into an embryo at the start of the 6th week. The embryonic stage of pregnancy lasts about 5 weeks. This is when all the major internal organs start developing.

What happens during week 5 – 6?

  • The embryo is less than 1/5 inch (4–5 mm) long.
  • A very basic beating heart and circulatory system develop.
  • Buds for arms and legs develop.
  • The neural tube begins forming. The neural tube will later form the brain, spinal cord, and major nerves.
  • The bud of a tail develops.
  • The umbilical cord begins developing.

What happens during week 7 – 8?

  • The embryo is 1/4 to 1/2 inch (7–14 mm) long.
  • The heart has formed.
  • Webbed fingers and toes develop.
  • The arms bend at the elbows.
  • External ears, eyes, eyelids, liver, and upper lip begin forming.
  • The sex organs are the same — neither female nor male — in all embryos until the 7th or 8th week. If a gene triggers the development of testes, the embryo develops as a biological male. If there isn’t a trigger, the embryo develops ovaries and becomes biologically female.

What are the symptoms of pregnancy in the second month?

Pregnancy symptoms often become very noticeable when you’re 2 months pregnant.  Common discomforts like breast tenderness, feeling very tired, peeing more often, heartburn, nausea, and vomiting usually get worse. Your body produces extra blood during pregnancy, and your heart beats faster and harder than usual to carry the extra blood.

What happens in the third month of pregnancy?

The embryo becomes a fetus when you’re 3 months pregnant. The umbilical cord connects the fetus to your placenta and uterine wall. External sex organs also start to develop.

What happens during weeks 9 – 10?

The embryo develops into a fetus after 10 weeks. It’s 1–1.5 inches (21–40 mm) long. The tail disappears. Fingers and toes grow longer. The umbilical cord connects the abdomen of the fetus to the placenta.  The placenta is attached to the wall of the uterus and it absorbs nutrients from the bloodstream. The cord carries nutrients and oxygen to the fetus and takes waste away from the fetus.

What happens during weeks 11 – 12?

The fetus is now measured from the top of its head to its buttocks. This is called crown-rump length (CRL).

  • The fetus has a CRL of 2–3 inches (6–7.5 cm).
  • Fingers and toes are no longer webbed.
  • Bones begin hardening.
  • Skin and fingernails begin to grow.
  • Changes triggered by hormones begin to make external sex organs appear — female or male. The fetus begins making spontaneous movements.
  • Kidneys start making urine.
  • Early sweat glands appear.
  • Eyelids are fused.

 

What are the symptoms of pregnancy in the third month?

Many of the pregnancy symptoms from the first 2 months continue — and sometimes worsen — during the third month. This is especially true of nausea. Your breasts continue growing and changing. The area around your nipple — the areola — may grow larger and darker. If you’re prone to acne you may have outbreaks.

You probably won’t gain much weight during the first 3 months of pregnancy — usually about 2 pounds. If you’re overweight or underweight you may experience a different rate of weight gain. Talk with your nurse or doctor about maintaining a healthy weight throughout your pregnancy.

Miscarriage

Most early pregnancy loss — miscarriage — happens in the first trimester. About 15 percent of pregnancies end in miscarriage during the first trimester. 

What happens in the fourth month of pregnancy?

Your 2nd trimester begins during your 4th month of pregnancy, starting on week 14.

What happens during weeks 13 – 14?

  • ​​​​​​The fetus has a CRL of about 3 inches (8 cm).
  • The biological sex of the fetus can sometimes be seen by looking at external sex organs on an ultrasound.
  • Hair begins to grow.
  • The prostate gland begins developing in biologically male fetuses.
  • Ovaries move down from the abdomen to the pelvic area is biologically female fetuses.
  • The roof of the mouth is formed.

What happens during weeks 15 – 16?

  • The fetus has a CRL of about 4.5 inches (12 cm).
  • Hundreds of thousands of eggs form in the ovaries of biologically female fetuses.

What are the symptoms of pregnancy in the fourth month?

Some of the early signs and symptoms of pregnancy go away when you’re 4 months pregnant. Nausea usually lessens. But other digestive problems — like heartburn and constipation — may be troublesome. Breast changes — growth, soreness, and darkening of the areola — usually continue. It’s common to have shortness of breath or to breathe faster. Increased blood flow may lead to unpleasant pregnancy symptoms, such as bleeding gums, nosebleeds, or nasal stuffiness. You also may feel dizzy or faint because of changes in your blood and blood vessels.

What happens in the fifth month of pregnancy?

When you’re 5 months pregnant, your fetus develops soft body hair and a greasy coating that helps protect the skin.

What happens during weeks 17 – 18?

The fetus has a CRL of 5.5–6 inches (14–15 cm).

What happens during week 19 – 20?

The fetus has a CRL of about 6.5 inches (16 cm). Lanugo — a fine downy hair — covers the body.  The skin is also covered with vernix caseosa, a greasy material that protects the skin. A uterus forms in a biologically female fetus.

What are the symptoms of pregnancy in the fifth month?

People usually feel fetal movements for the first time during the fifth month. It may feel like flutters or butterflies in your stomach. This is sometimes called quickening.

The pregnancy symptoms of the fourth month continue this month. Heartburn, constipation, breast changes, dizziness, shortness of breath, nose bleeds, and gum bleeding are common. Your breasts may be as much as 2 cup sizes bigger by now.

What happens in the sixth month of pregnancy?

During the 6th month, your fetus starts to develop blood cells, taste buds, eyebrows and eyelashes.

What happens during week 21 – 22?

  • The fetus has a CRL of about 7 inches (18–19 cm).
  • Bone marrow starts making blood cells.
  • Taste buds begin to form.

What happens during week 23 – 24?

  • The fetus has a CRL of about 8 inches (20 cm).
  • Eyebrows and eyelashes usually develop between weeks 23 and 26.

What are the symptoms of pregnancy in the sixth month?

Pregnancy symptoms from the fourth and fifth month usually continue. Shortness of breath may improve. Your breasts may start producing colostrum — tiny drops of early milk. This may continue throughout the rest of your pregnancy.

Some women have Braxton-Hicks contractions when they’re 6 months pregnant. They feel like a painless squeezing of the uterus or abdomen. This is the uterus’s way of practicing for labor and delivery. Braxton-Hicks contractions are normal and not a sign of early labor. But check with your doctor if you have painful or frequent contractions or if you have any concerns.

What happens in the seventh month of pregnancy?

Your 3rd trimester starts during your 7th month of pregnancy, on week 28.

What happens during week 25 – 26?

  • The fetus has a CRL of about 9 inches (23 cm).
  • The fetus develops more and more fat from now until the end of pregnancy.

What happens during week 27 – 28?

  • The fetus has a CRL of about 10 inches (25 cm).
  • Eyelids are usually fused together until about 28 weeks.

What are the symptoms of pregnancy in the seventh month?

Your uterus continues to expand when you’re 7 months pregnant. Back pain is common. Pregnancy symptoms from earlier months continue. Dizziness may lessen.

What happens in the eighth month of pregnancy?

During your 8th month of pregnancy, your fetus is about 11 inches long, and the lanugo (the fine, soft hair that covers your fetus’s body) begins to fall off.

What happens during week 29 – 30?

  • The fetus has a CRL of about 10.5 inches (27 cm).
  • Testes usually begin descending into the scrotum from the abdomen between weeks 30 and 34 in a biologically male fetus. This is usually complete by 40 weeks.

What happens during week 31 – 32?

  • The fetus has a CRL of about 11 inches (28 cm).
  • Lanugo starts falling off.

What are the symptoms of pregnancy in the eighth month?

You may feel tired and have a more difficult time breathing as your uterus grows upward. You may get varicose veins — blue or red swollen veins most often in the legs — or hemorrhoids — varicose veins of the rectum. Hemorrhoids can be painful and itchy and can cause bleeding. You may also get stretch marks where your skin has expanded. Braxton-Hicks contractions, heartburn, and constipation may continue. You may urinate a bit when sneezing or laughing because of pressure from your uterus on your bladder. Hormones may make your hair appear fuller and healthier.

What happens in the ninth month of pregnancy?

When you’re 9 months pregnant, your fetus’s eyes and pupils are more developed, and it has more body fat.

What happens during week 33 – 34?

  • The fetus has a CRL of about 12 inches (30 cm).
  • The eyes have developed enough for pupils to constrict and dilate when exposed to light.
  • Lanugo is nearly all gone.

What happens during week 35 – 36?

  • The fetus has a CRL of about 12.5 inches (32 cm).
  • The fetus is considerably fatter, and the skin is no longer wrinkled.

What are the symptoms of pregnancy in the ninth month?

The growing fetus places more and more strain on your body when you’re 9 months pregnant. Common pregnancy symptoms at this time may continue through the end of pregnancy. These symptoms include fatigue, trouble sleeping, trouble holding urine, shortness of breath, varicose veins, and stretch marks. Some fetuses drop down into the lower part of the uterus during this month. This may relieve your constipation and heartburn, which is more common earlier in pregnancy. But some fetuses don’t drop down until the very end of pregnancy.

What happens in the tenth month of pregnancy?

When you’re 10 months pregnant, your fetus reaches its final stage of development and you give birth.

What happens during week 37 – 38?

  • The fetus has a CRL of about 13–14 inches (34–36 cm).
  • The fetus has a firm grasp.

What happens during week 39 – 40?

You will probably give birth around this time.

  • The average newborn baby weighs 7–8 pounds and is between 18–22 inches (46–56 cm) long with legs extended.
  • Almost all of the vernix and lanugo are gone.
  • It’s common for newborns to have some lanugo that disappears over the first few months of life.

What are the symptoms of pregnancy in the tenth month?

By the end of your pregnancy, your uterus has expanded from your pelvis to the bottom of your rib cage. Pregnancy symptoms in the tenth month largely depend on when the fetus drops down into the lower part of your uterus.

Shortness of breath, heartburn, and constipation usually improve when the fetus drops. But the position of the fetus lower in your pelvis causes frequent urination (peeing) and trouble holding urine (pee).

Your cervix will begin to open — dilate — to prepare for delivery. This may happen a few weeks before delivery, or it might start when you go into labor. You may feel sharp pains in your vagina as your cervix dilates.

After your newborn is delivered, the placenta and other tissues also come out of your body. This is called the afterbirth.

How to Knit – for complete newbie

April 23, 2022 / / 0 Comments

When people find out I am a knitter, they have one of several reactions: “Hey, so am I!” “Cool, will you make me a sweater?” or, by far the most frequent, “Oh, yeah, I learned once but was terrible and stopped.”

I’ve been knitting for over 20 years, and teaching friends, co-workers and strangers for about 10. It’s part of who I am, and it’s how I make sense of the world. I even wrote a book about it.

Still, when I hear that last response, I try not to blab on and on about how soothing and anchoring knitting is, nor do I spew statistics about how needlework has been proven to reduce stress hormones, or how it can help kick addiction, and even potentially prevent low-level memory loss.

I do, however, want to dispel the notion that some people aren’t “crafty” and therefore can’t knit. Anyone can! It doesn’t take some special crafting gene, and you don’t need superhuman dexterity (or even a lot of patience). You just need to follow a few basic rules and, most important, you have to want it.

 

That sounds … simple. So why do so many people give it up?

Who really knows! People quit lots of things for lots of reasons. That said, there are a couple of common, easily avoidable mistakes that make new knitters (and their teachers) stumble.

Pop culture and general wisdom will tell you that your first project should be a scarf. Do not do this! Scarves take forever to finish, they show errors very obviously and, most of all, nobody really wants one. For a lot of people who quit early on, “I gave up on knitting” actually means “I gave up on knitting a scarf I grew to hate.”

Instead, after you’ve mastered the basics of knitting — don’t worry, we’ll get to that — try your hand at a hat. They take far less time, mistakes are much less obvious and hats are beloved by everyone who has a head. They’re more complicated, but that means you’ll learn more on your first real go-round.

Another reason new knitters give up is that projects can sometimes drag on, so try to give yourself a deadline for your first: maybe you’ll want to wear the completed item on an upcoming trip or to give it to someone for their birthday.

Last, accept that it’s O.K. to be bad at something when you’re first starting out. As adults we so rarely try things we’ve never experienced before, and there’s truly something liberating in sucking for a week or two before finally getting the hang of it.

How to get started with materials

First, acquaint yourself with your local yarn store (your LYS). Smaller, independent shops tend to be more personal — though generally more expensive — while big box stores like Michaels and JOANN are often less pricey and less intimate.

If going to a physical location isn’t an option, you can order your materials from an online store like WEBS, which stocks an enormous variety of yarn, needles and notions at all price points, or Knitpicks, which carries its own affordable house brands. If at all possible, touch your yarn before you buy it, because not only are you going to spend an inordinate amount of time with it, you’re also going to want to actually like the end product.

For those first few projects, generally you’ll want yarn that’s medium-weight, otherwise known as worsted — not as thin as dental floss nor as thick as rope — and make sure to read its label to figure out which size needles you should buy to go along with it (generally sizes 6 to 9). Don’t worry too much about your first needles; the size is the important thing, and what they’re made of (bamboo, aluminum, plastic) and how they look (straight versus circular) is more a matter of preference than anything else.

You’ve got all your stuff. Now what?

It’s time to figure out what kind of student you are.

If you learn best in an in-person or group setting and don’t mind potentially spending some time and money, contact your LYS to find out when and how they teach beginners. Sometimes the price of admission is just buying the materials there, and often it’s more for longer, more intensive courses.

A lot of local libraries, religious institutions, and YMCA-type establishments offer knitting groups, and online databases like Meetup.com can be a great way to find circles or even just teachers in your area as well. And if you learn best one-on-one, find a friend, family member, neighbor, or member of a community group who’s willing to go over the basics with you.

If you prefer to learn on your own and you’re willing to invest some cash, check out a fee-based online course like those offered by Craftsy, which provides video tutorials and step-by-step instructions for students of all levels. You can preview each instructor’s videos to see if you like their vibe, their speed, and their voice — an important thing, especially because you’ll have to rewind at least a few times before you get the steps down.

If you prefer to learn from a book, I recommend “Stitch ‘n Bitch: The Knitter’s Handbook” by Debbie Stoller; this is the book that taught me everything my grandma didn’t, from seaming to sweaters, and it’s all written out in simple, easy-to-understand language.

Finally, you can buy preassembled kits of materials that come with directions for beginners. I like the ones sold by We Are Knitters, but fair warning: Kits like these can cost more than it would be to buy the materials à la carte. Still, they’re designed to go along with their accompanying pattern, and the quality is generally high.

If you’re not willing or able to spend money, there are plenty of free online resources, although, without some structure or oversight, the risk of quitting can increase. The videos from KnittingHelp.com are clear and well-paced, and I often send students there when they panic in the middle of the night and text me asking how to pick up a dropped stitch. As with Craftsy, it might take some digging around to find an instructor that you like.

Time to sit down and get started

Congratulations: You’re ready to knit!

Block out a chunk of time in your schedule to put some initial time into whichever learning method you prefer. It should be at least a couple of hours with minimal interruptions at first (although soon you should be able to knit and listen to a podcast or watch TV). When you’re first starting, try to do multiple sessions in a short period — a good beginner’s pace is about three times per week.

Give yourself time to learn the following techniques: casting on, the knit stitch, the purl stitch, decreasing, increasing, and casting off. Each of these will take some trial and error, but once you know them, you’ll be able to make most beginner patterns. (And don’t forget to take breaks to stretch your hands.)

Once you’re comfortably underway and looking for inspiration, sign up for an account on Ravelry. It’s a knitting social network with 5 million users (including me). There are also phenomenal (and often free) patterns, sortable by difficulty and popularity; a full database of yarn; forums to help new and experienced knitters alike; and galleries of other users’ projects, modifications, triumphs, and failures. Ravelry is also the perfect place to show off your work, as is Instagram and Facebook.

Now get to it, and enjoy your new favorite hobby! The best part of knitting isn’t what you make by yourself, but how it ties you to other people. So please feel free to email me with questions, frustrations, brags, and anything, or find me on Twitter at @alanna and Instagram at alannabean (where you can also take a look at a bunch of my craft projects).

 

Common but weird knitting terms to know

LYS: Abbreviation of “local yarn store.” Fair warning: some LYSes can keep strange hours, so it’s best to call before stopping by for the first time.

U.F.O.: Unfinished object. Some projects are destined to be UFOs forever, lying around half-knitted until you finally decide to frog them.

Frogging: Giving up on a project and ripping out the stitches. So named because the sound it makes, supposedly, is “rip-it rip-it rip-it.”

DPNs: Double-pointed needles. These are what you’ll use to knit round items with small circumferences, like sleeves and socks, but don’t worry about them right now — they’re often daunting to beginners because you need to work with four or five at a time. You’ll get there eventually.

Casting on: Getting the first row of stitches onto the needle. Sometimes trickier to learn than knitting itself.

Casting off: When you’ve finally, blessedly reached the end, and you have to get the stitches off the needle such that they don’t immediately unravel.

Blocking: The step that comes after finishing a project when you steam, dampen, or gently manipulate the fabric so that it assumes the shape and drape you’d like it to.

Gauge swatching: The step that comes before starting a project during which you knit a small bit of fabric with the needles and yarn you plan to use to calculate exactly how many stitches per inch you’re getting since it can vary so much from person to person.

How to Jump-Start a Car :Easy to do steps

April 23, 2022 / / 0 Comments

If your car battery has died, you may be able to use jumper cables to jump-start it with the help of some good Samaritan’s vehicle. If you can safely use jumper cables on your vehicle, make sure that the battery on the good Samaritan’s vehicle has at least as much voltage as your own. As long as you hook up the cables properly, it doesn’t matter whether your vehicle has negative ground and the other vehicle has positive ground, or your vehicle has an alternator and the other vehicle has a generator.

How to jump a car©iStockphoto.com/Jari Hindström

If either vehicle has an electronic ignition system or is an alternatively fueled vehicle, the use of jumper cables may damage it.

To safely jump-start, follow these steps:

  1. Take out your jumper cables.
    It’s a good idea to buy a set of jumper cables and keep them in the trunk compartment. If you don’t have jumper cables, you have to find a kind stranger who not only is willing to assist you, but who has jumper cables as well.
  2. Place both vehicles in Park or Neutral and shut off the ignition in both cars.
    Engage both parking brakes as well.
  3. Attach one of the red clips to the positive terminal of your battery.
    It has “POS” or “+” on it, or it’s bigger than the negative terminal.
  4. Attach the other red clip to the positive terminal of the other car.
  5. Attach one of the black clips to the negative terminal on the other battery.
  6. Attach the last black clip to an unpainted metal surface on your car that isn’t near the battery.
    Use one of the metal struts that holds the hood open.
    The cables should look like this.
  7. To jump start a car, you'll need to make sure you connect the jumper cables in the proper order.
  8. Make sure to connect jumper cables in the proper order.
  9. Start the working vehicle and let the engine run for a few minutes.
  10. Try to start your vehicle.
    If it won’t start, make sure that the cables are properly connected and have the other person run their engine for five minutes. Then try to start your car again. If it still won’t start, your battery may be beyond help.

If the jump works and your car starts, don’t shut off your engine! Drive around for at least 15 minutes to recharge your battery. If the car won’t start the next time you use it, the battery isn’t holding a charge and needs to be replaced.

How to Invest in Stocks-Easy to do steps

April 23, 2022 / / 0 Comments

Investing in stocks is easier than beginners might think — all you need is an online brokerage account to get started.

Investing in stocks: The basics

Investing in stocks means buying shares of ownership in a public company. Those small shares are known as the company’s stock, and by investing in that stock, you’re hoping the company grows and performs well over time. When that happens, your shares may become more valuable, and other investors may be willing to buy them from you for more than you paid for them. That means you could earn a profit if you decide to sell them.

Investing in the stock market is a long game. A good rule of thumb is to have a diversified investment portfolio and stay invested, even when the market has ups and downs. One of the best ways for beginners to get started investing in the stock market is to put money in an online investment account, which can then be used to invest in shares of stock or stock mutual funds.

With many brokerage accounts, you can start investing for the price of a single share. Some brokers also offer paper trading, which lets you learn how to buy and sell with stock market simulators before you invest any real money.

» Don’t have a brokerage account? Learn what it is and how to open one.

How to invest in stocks in six steps

1. Decide how you want to invest in the stock market

There are several ways to approach stock investing. Choose the option below that best represents how you want to invest, and how hands-on you’d like to be in picking and choosing the stocks you invest in.

A. “I’d like to choose stocks and stock funds on my own.” Keep reading; this article breaks down things hands-on investors need to know, including how to choose the right account for your needs and how to compare stock investments.

B. “I’d like an expert to manage the process for me.” You may be a good candidate for a Robo-advisor, a service that offers low-cost investment management. Virtually all of the major brokerage firms and many independent advisors offer these services, which invest your money for you based on your specific goals.

C. “I’d like to start investing in my employer’s 401(k).” This is one of the most common ways for beginners to start investing. In many ways, it teaches new investors some of the most proven investing methods: making small contributions regularly, focusing on the long-term, and taking a hands-off approach. Most 401(k)s offer a limited selection of stock mutual funds, but not access to individual stocks.

Once you have a preference in mind, you’re ready to shop for an account.

2. Choose an investing account

Generally speaking, to invest in stocks, you need an investment account. For the hands-on types, this usually means a brokerage account. For those who would like a little help, opening an account through a robo-advisor is a sensible option. We break down both processes below.

An important point: Both brokers and robo-advisors allow you to open an account with very little money.

The DIY option: Opening a brokerage account

An online brokerage account likely offers your quickest and least expensive path to buying stocks, funds, and a variety of other investments. With a broker, you can open an individual retirement account, also known as an IRA, or you can open a taxable brokerage account if you’re already saving adequately for retirement in an employer 401(k) or another plan.

We have a guide to opening a brokerage account if you need a deep dive. You’ll want to evaluate brokers based on factors such as costs (trading commissions, account fees), investment selection (look for a good selection of commission-free ETFs if you favor funds), and investor research and tools.

The passive option: Opening a robo-advisor account

A robo-advisor offers the benefits of stock investing but doesn’t require its owner to do the legwork required to pick individual investments. Robo-advisor services provide complete investment management: These companies will ask you about your investing goals during the onboarding process and then build you a portfolio designed to achieve those aims.

This may sound expensive, but the management fees here are generally a fraction of the cost of what a human investment manager would charge: Most robo-advisors charge about 0.25% of your account balance. And yes — you can also get an IRA at a robo-advisor if you wish.

As a bonus, if you open an account at a Robo-advisor, you probably needn’t read further in this article — the rest is just for those DIY types.

3. Learn the difference between investing in stocks and funds

Going the DIY route? Don’t worry. Stock investing doesn’t have to be complicated. For most people, stock market investing means choosing among these two investment types:

Stock mutual funds or exchange-traded funds. Mutual funds let you purchase small pieces of many different stocks in a single transaction. Index funds and ETFs are a kind of mutual fund that tracks an index; for example, a Standard & Poor’s 500 fund replicates that index by buying the stock of the companies in it. When you invest in a fund, you also own small pieces of each of those companies. You can put several funds together to build a diversified portfolio. Note that stock mutual funds are also sometimes called equity mutual funds.

Individual stocks. If you’re after a specific company, you can buy a single share or a few shares as a way to dip your toe into the stock-trading waters. Building a diversified portfolio out of many individual stocks is possible, but it takes a significant investment and research. If you go this route, remember that individual stocks will have ups and downs. If you research a company and choose to invest in it, think about why you picked that company in the first place if jitters start to set in on a down day.

The upside of stock mutual funds is that they are inherently diversified, which lessens your risk. For the vast majority of investors — particularly those who are investing their retirement savings — a portfolio made up of most mutual funds is a clear choice.

But mutual funds are unlikely to rise in a meteoric fashion as some individual stocks might. The upside of individual stocks is that a wise pick can pay off handsomely, but the odds that any individual stock will make you rich are exceedingly slim.

4. Set a budget for your stock market investment

New investors often have two questions in this step of the process:

How much money do I need to start investing in stocks? The amount of money you need to buy an individual stock depends on how expensive the shares are. (Share prices can range from just a few dollars to a few thousand dollars.) If you want mutual funds and have a small budget, an exchange-traded fund (ETF) may be your best bet. Mutual funds often have minimums of $1,000 or more, but ETFs trade like a stock, which means you purchase them for a share price — in some cases, less than $100).

How much money should I invest in stocks? If you’re investing through funds — have we mentioned this is the preference of most financial advisors? — you can allocate a fairly large portion of your portfolio toward stock funds, especially if you have a long time horizon. A 30-year-old investing for retirement might have 80% of their portfolio in stock funds; the rest would be in bond funds. Individual stocks are another story. A general rule of thumb is to keep these to a small portion of your investment portfolio.

5. Focus on investing for the long-term

Stock market investments have proven to be one of the best ways to grow long-term wealth. Over several decades, the average stock market return is about 10% per year. However, remember that’s just an average across the entire market — some years will be up, some down and individual stocks will vary in their returns.

For long-term investors, the stock market is a good investment no matter what’s happening day-to-day or year-to-year; it’s that long-term average they’re looking for.

Stock investing is filled with intricate strategies and approaches, yet some of the most successful investors have done little more than stick with stock market basics. That generally means using funds for the bulk of your portfolio — Warren Buffett has famously said a low-cost S&P 500 index fund is the best investment most Americans can make — and choosing individual stocks only if you believe in the company’s potential for long-term growth.

The best thing to do after you start investing in stocks or mutual funds may be the hardest: Don’t look at them. Unless you’re trying to beat the odds and succeed at day trading, it’s good to avoid the habit of compulsively checking how your stocks are doing several times a day, every day.

6. Manage your stock portfolio

While fretting over daily fluctuations won’t do much for your portfolio’s health — or your own — there will of course be times when you’ll need to check in on your stocks or other investments.

If you follow the steps above to buy mutual funds and individual stocks over time, you’ll want to revisit your portfolio a few times a year to make sure it’s still in line with your investment goals.

A few things to consider: If you’re approaching retirement, you may want to move some of your stock investments over to more conservative fixed-income investments. If your portfolio is too heavily weighted in one sector or industry, consider buying stocks or funds in a different sector to build more diversification. Finally, pay attention to geographic diversification, too. Vanguard recommends international stocks make up as much as 40% of the stocks in your portfolio. You can purchase international stock mutual funds to get this exposure.

How to Install PIP on Windows ?

April 23, 2022 / / 0 Comments

Prerequisite: Python Language Introduction

Before we start with how to install pip for Python on Windows, let’s first go through the basic introduction to Python. Python is a widely-used general-purpose, high-level programming language. Python is a programming language that lets you work quickly and integrate systems more efficiently.

PIP is a package management system used to install and manage software packages/libraries written in Python. These files are stored in a large “online repository” termed as Python Package Index (PyPI).

pip uses PyPI as the default source for packages and their dependencies. So whenever you type:

pip install package_name

pip will look for that package on PyPI and if found, it will download and install the package on your local system.

Download and Install pip:

pip can be downloaded and installed using the command-line by going through the following steps:

  • Download the get-pip.py file and store it in the same directory as python is installed.
    Downloading and storing get-pip file
  • Change the current path of the directory in the command line to the path of the directory where the above file exists.
    Changing directory path
  • Run the command given below:
    python get-pip.py
    and wait through the installation process.
    Executing the command
  • Voila! pip is now installed on your system.

Verification of the installation process:

One can easily verify if the pip has been installed correctly by performing a version check on the same. Just go to the command line and execute the following command:

pip -V

Verification of pip

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