4 Things No One Tells You About Money

Say No to Store Cards
When you're dropping a few hundred dollars at Macy's or Victoria's Secret, it's as hard to resist a pitch for a department store credit card — 10% discount! Bonus points! — as it is to swear off chocolate on day one of your period. But you must not give in. Thakor points out that store cards have obscenely high interest rates as well as outrageous penalties you risk getting slammed with. Whatever you save on your initial purchase probably won't be worth the extra fees — which automatically are added to your credit report.

Get Rid of Your Plastic Harem
One of the most common mistakes Thakor sees people make is opening up a bunch of cards thinking that it makes them look like a better credit risk. "Two cards max is ideal," she says, "Any more than that, and lenders view you as someone who has the potential to get into a lot of trouble, and they end up lowering your overall limit."

Toss Out Your Newest Cards
However, closing any random card could actually hurt your credit score. "One of the most important factors affecting your credit is the length of your credit history," says Thakor. If you're trying to lighten your wallet, it's best to sacrifice a newer card, so you don't lose all the good credit you've established with a long-time card that reveals your solid financial habits — such as paying bills on time and/or in full.

Be Careful With Student Loans
Educational debt has always been considered okay, the thinking being you'll pay it off with the high-salaried job you land once you get your degree, says Thakor. But here's the tricky part: Any student-loan debt you rack up will stay with you until you've completely paid it off — unlike credit card debt, which you can often negotiate with a lender and pay back fifty cents on the dollar, for example. Thakor advises doing everything you can to minimize college loans from the beginning: Choose a state school over a private school, or do two years at a community college and spend your last two at a four-year university.



Via Cosmopolitan

Is Stress Making You Bitchy?

If you've recently fantasized about slapping a too-slow cashier or stabbing a rude party guest, you'd better read these nerve-soothing tips, pronto.

Read more: Ways To Stop Stress - How To Eliminate Stress - Cosmopolitan


1. Schedule tasks that are making you anxious — like finishing a tough work assignment — for early in the day. If you leave them for later, you'll spend more time worrying and end up snapping at people.

2. Take a coffee break with friends or coworkers rather than going solo. A study found that getting a caffeine fix in a group lowered stress levels. But sipping coffee alone left people feeling more stressed.

3. Bookmark these sites: CollegeHumor.com and FunnyorDie.com. According to one study, anticipating watching a funny video can reduce stress hormones by up to 70 percent.

4. Practice saying the word no. Women, being social creatures, tend to feel obligated to show up for everything they're invited to. But saying yes to something when you don't really want to go leaves you bitter and annoyed. Tell people you're prepping for a presentation, then enjoy the free time.

5. Make a budget for summer travel plans, going out, and shopping. It's a drag to do and you may not stick to it, but feeling in control of your finances helps squash anxiety.

6. Lock lips with your guy. Psychologists found that even just a little bit of physical contact is enough to lower your blood pressure and make you feel calmer.

7. Do short, high-intensity workouts. Research found they have a greater effect on stress than slower-paced exercise does. So instead of an hour of yoga, hit the treadmill on high for 20 minutes.

8. Or if you're feeling too beat to work out, skip the treadmill and relax in the sauna at your gym (or take a steamy shower). A study found that pampering yourself — even for a few minutes — calms you down.

9. If you feel ready to snap — at the rude cashier or airline clerk — talk slower. When you're tense, you speak more rapidly, which changes your body's chemistry and turns you into an F-bomb-dropping machine. Talking at a calmer pace will chill you out, and you'll be more likely to get what you want.


Via Cosmopolitan

6 Times You Should Be More Of A Bitch

Experts say Nice Girl Syndrome is on the rise—and we're getting screwed because of it. Here's why you should keep a lid on your sweet side.

Some Chick "Accidentally" Cuts In Front Of You In Line
Instead Of: Silently fuming and griping about it on Twitter later…
Try: Saying, "Excuse me. You probably didn't notice, but the line starts back there."

Your Annoying Coworker Work Interrupts Your Convo
Instead Of: Sitting back and letting him ramble about last night's Dancing With the Stars elimination…
Try: Cutting him off with a statement like, "Hey, I'm in the middle of catching up with someone here. Can we talk about this later?"

A Mom Rams Her Stroller Into Your Foot—And Doesn't Say a Thing
Instead Of: Apologizing for your role in the incident (being there), and walking away…
Try: Making eye contact and shooting her a dirty look, then walking away.

A Weird Guy Starts Talking To You At Starbucks
Instead Of: Smiling politely through 10 agonizing minutes of conversation, then pretending you have to pee and bolting for the door…
Try: Saying, "It was nice to meet you, but I want to get back to my book now."

Your Boss Says No When You Ask For a Raise
Instead Of: Telling him you understand and that you appreciate him listening to you…
Try: Asking for more vacation days instead

Your Guy Keeps Leaving His Dirty Dishes In The Sink
Instead Of: Telling yourself he probably forgot—again—and washing them anyway…
Try: Reminding him that you're not his maid, and washing everything but his stuff from then on.



Via Cosmopolitan