Beauty Tips by Deepika Padukone

Beauty Tips by
Deepika Padukone

Deepika Padukone speaks about the secret of her radiance

Deepika Says......

My daily skincare regimen involves cleansing, toning and moisturising. Healthy skin needs mild cleansing, for which I use gentle soaps. I use products that are mild and do not strip my skin of essential proteins. I am not much of a make-up user and stick to basics like a moisturiser, lip balm and a neutral foundation.

I don¢t go for regular facials, but do indulge in clean-up sessions once in a while. Also, I am very particular about taking off the make-up before I go to bed. As a ritual, I like to luxuriate in a relaxing body massage with lukewarm coconut or baby oil every week. I think working towards maintaining a healthy body should be a priority for everyone. It is also equally important to maintain a high emotional quotient and a positive attitude towards life.

Deepika Tells.....

My daily skincare regimen involves cleansing, toning and moisturising. Healthy skin needs mild cleansing, for which I use gentle soaps. I use products that are mild and do not strip my skin of essential proteins. I am not much of a make-up user and stick to basics like a moisturiser, lip balm and a neutral foundation.

I don't go for regular facials, but do indulge in clean-up sessions once in a while. Also, I am very particular about taking off the make-up before I go to bed. As a ritual, I like to luxuriate in a relaxing body massage with lukewarm coconut or baby oil every week. I think working towards maintaining a healthy body should be a priority for everyone. It is also equally important to maintain a high emotional quotient and a positive attitude towards life

Deepika Tells how she takes time out for herself after a hectic work schedule..

I take care of myself with homemade remedies and a balanced diet. Working towards maintaining a healthy body should be a priority for everyone. I try and work out as often as possible. Since, I travel regularly, it becomes difficult for me to have a daily workout routine, but whenever I hit the gym I do cardio training and some light weights.

Thanks to my years dedicated to badminton, I have an athletic body. Also, since relaxation matters, no matter how busy my shooting schedules are, I always keep some quality time aside for family and friends.

Beauty advice for all the girls out there......

A healthy lifestyle, nutritious diet and the correct skincare and fitness regimen all go hand in hand to make possible a beautiful you today and tomorrow. I am a firm believer in skincare the natural way. I am careful about using skincare products that are the right mix of nature and science.

One should never try to go overboard on any products, as I think the more you try to be experimental with your skin, the worse it gets. Just stick to the basics of skincare and witness the splendid results. There are a host of natural effective products available that are a better bet than harsh chemically enhanced ones.

Click here to watch this video

Click here to watch this video

Healthy Eating for Kids Recipe #2

Fruity Yogurt
=============

Yogurt is a fun snack that you can mix up to suit any child's
individual tastes. It is also an excellent source of calcium and
vitamins, and even helps to boost the immune system. Instead of
buying pre-flavored (and pre-sweetened!) yogurt from the store, why
not try blending your own at home?

Ingredients:
- Low-fat plain or vanilla-flavored yogurt
- Fresh fruit, cut into small pieces
- Honey or maple syrup (optional)
- Granola (optional)

Directions:
1. Mix fresh grapes, berries, slices of pineapple, peach, mango,
kiwi, or other favorite fruit into low-fat unsweetened yogurt.
2. For a touch of sweetness, add a dash of honey or maple syrup or
a pinch of cinnamon.
3. Sprinkle granola on top for added crunch and added fiber.

You'll be amazed at how good yogurt can taste when you flavor it
yourself!

For the complete Healthy Eating for Kids recipe collection, visit
http://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=7WdRJ&m=9NvLkH.2g5iY1&b=BVyZxUjq22nDl8lOu.ji2g

male n female

Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile Dysfunction

If you've ever had trouble during sex in getting and keeping an erection through to orgasm, be aware that most men experience erectile dysfunction at some time. Your first stop needs to be your doctor for an accurate diagnosis. Don't be tempted to pay a visit to the many 'clinics' that advertise cures unless you have checked these organisations out thoroughly.

The causes could be physical, psychological, or a combination of both. They could include:

- side effects of medication
- symptom of another problem, such as diabetes
- relationship difficulties
- pelvic injury requiring surgery
- hormone deficiencies, such as low testosterone.

It might also be caused by a relatively common genetic problem, called Klinefelter's Syndrome, that often goes undiagnosed. Men affected by this condition are unable to produce enough sperm and testosterone to function normally. Men with this condition have extremely small testes and trouble having erections. The treatment is medically supervised testosterone therapy.

Male Physiology

Male Physiology

Whether or not you ever become a father, the male reproductive system is designed to help you do just that. Your male sex organs produce, store and deliver millions of tadpole-shaped spermatozoa ('sperm'), each primed to fertilise a female's egg after sex.

Many of the most dramatic physical and emotional changes you experience as you become an adult are driven by chemicals that your glands and other tissues produce, called male sex hormones or androgens. Your hypothalamus and your pituitary gland, at the base of your brain, control the release and levels of these hormones. Testosterone, which is mostly produced in the testes, is the most potent androgen in men.

Puberty
Puberty, the transition from child to sexually mature adult, usually takes between about 2 to 5 years. A growth spurt that could kick in between the ages of 10 and 16 may be the first outward sign for boys. Testosterone secretion surges, stimulating the growth of the beard, body hair, bone, muscle and prostate gland (your prostate produces some of the fluid that mixes with sperm when you ejaculate). Testosterone also fuels powerful emotional urges, most notably your sex drive and aggression.

Sperm journey
Testosterone also fosters the development of your sex organs, including your testes, where sperm is produced. From the testes, sperm move through the epididymis, which is five metres of tightly coiled tubing tucked up behind your testes. In the epididymis, sperm develop the essential ability to move or swim (become 'motile'). They are stored in the epididymis until you have an erection. In very simple terms, when you have an orgasm, muscle contractions move the sperm along a series of ducts where they collect fluids that mingle to become semen. The sperm-bearing semen is pushed out through the penis during ejaculation.

More changes
During puberty, as your glands become active, pumping out more hormones, you may grow:
- more muscular
- taller, broad-shouldered and heavier
- a deeper voice
- pubic hair, underarm hair and chest hair
- more sweaty
- oilier skin and pimples.

Along with the rest of your body, your penis and testes grow bigger and you get erections - your penis gets hard, sometimes when you least expect it. With puberty, as your sperm production begins you might ejaculate when you get an erection, releasing semen. Sometimes this happens while you sleep; it's called a 'wet dream'. It's a normal sign that the plumbing in your reproductive system works.

After age 40, male testosterone levels fall very gradually. In some older men, testosterone levels get too low, causing health problems. Older men are also more likely to suffer from conditions such as prostate disease and erectile dysfunction. Erectile dysfunction can affect young men too, but usually due to different causes.

STI (sexually transmitted infection)

STI (sexually transmitted infection)

Anyone who is sexually active could get a sexually transmitted infection (STI). You get them because of what you do, not who you are. You can't tell by looking at someone whether he or she has an STI. The safest thing you can do is assume a new partner might have an STI and use condoms to minimise your chances of getting it. Some diseases often have no symptoms or the symptoms don't emerge for weeks or even years. By then, the damage to your health by way of infertility or other more dangerous complications has been done. That's why it's essential to get regularly tested if you aren't in a long-term, monogamous relationship - assuming that both of you have been tested at the outset.

If you are diagnosed with an STI, you need to have it treated before having sex again and to tell your partner or partners to ensure that they also get treatment.

HIV / AIDS

HIV / AIDS

HIV/AIDS stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. HIV is a virus which, if untreated, may later develop into the disease AIDS.

How do you get it?
HIV is spread by exchanging infected body fluids such as blood, semen, vaginal discharge and anal mucous during sexual contact and/or sharing needles with an infected person, receiving a transfusion of contaminated blood, or between mother and infant before or during birth (perinatal HIV), or by breastfeeding. Testing of pregnant women, antiretroviral drug treatment provided during pregnancy, labor, and delivery and then to the newborn, as well as caesarean delivery where appropriate, can reduce the rate of perinatal HIV transmission.

HIV is not confined to the gay community, nor to injecting drug users or sex workers, and the infection rates among women are increasing rapidly. Of the 4.8 million new HIV infections in 2003, 2 million were women. Studies have shown that young people are at particular risk, partly because they think it can't happen to them. But about half all new infections are of people aged between 15 and 24 - that means six young people are being infected every minute. HIV is not spread by coughing, sharing eating utensils, shaking hands, hugging or kissing.

Symptoms
You can have HIV and have no symptoms. If you do have symptoms, these might be similar to those for glandular fever, including weakness, muscular pain, sore throat, headaches, diarrhoea, rash and recurrent shingles. If you develop AIDS, your system becomes vulnerable to various infections and cancers.

Testing
People who come into contact with HIV develop antibodies (something the body makes to fight germs). Blood tests can detect the antibodies three months after infection. If you have the antibodies, you are 'HIV positive'.

If you are HIV positive it doesn't mean you have AIDS, although you do carry the virus and can pass it on.

Treatment
Antiretroviral drugs can be prescribed to manage the disease, but it can't be cured. People infected with HIV who can get treatment may have a normal life span, if the right drugs are available and used correctly. The medications often have side-effects that are difficult to live with and the long-term effects of taking these drugs is not known. So, don't assume that you can take risks and avoid the possible harmful consequences. Many researchers are currently trying to develop a vaccine to prevent HIV but this is expected to take years.

Prevention
Use condoms and get tested (both) if you have sex with a different partner, or if your partner is also having sex with others. There is only a small chance that the virus can be passed on through oral sex except where there are cuts or sores in the mouth or on the genitals. Avoid taking semen, menstrual fluid or vaginal discharge into the mouth.

Consequences
It can take months or years after infection with HIV for AIDS to develop. AIDS is fatal, although better treatments developed in recent years may prolong life

Female Physiology

Female Physiology

Even if you never have a baby, your body's capacity to conceive and carry children drives many of the important physical changes you experience throughout your life. Hormones, chemicals produced by your glands or other tissues, control these changes and others, such as the emotions you experience as you mature into adulthood.

Puberty
Puberty, the transition to sexual maturity, usually takes between 2 to 5 years. Girls usually start puberty between ages 12 and 15, but sometimes as young as 8. During puberty the female sex hormone oestrogen fosters the growth of the sex organs: the ovaries, Fallopian tube, and uterus. This is when your ovaries - your reproductive glands - start to fully function by releasing a mature egg each month. The lining of your uterus (or womb) builds up each month, ready to support a fertilised egg. The egg is carried into your Fallopian tube but if no sperm fertilizes that egg, the uterine lining sheds, mixed with blood, during your mnestrual period. Among other changes, oestrogen also makes you:
- grow tall quickly
- develop breasts
- grow pubic hair and underarm hair
- get broader hips
- perspire more
- get oily skin, and maybe pimples
- grow coarser hair on your legs
- have vaginal secretions.

Pregnancy
If you get pregnant, your body undergoes many more, dramatic changes, regulated by a variety of hormones. This includes the growth of the placenta within the uterus. The placenta acts like a spongy lifeline carrying nutrients, gases and wastes to and from the embryo. Externally, the most obvious changes to your body include the expansion of your abdomen to accommodate the foetus, weight gain and bigger breasts.

Menopause
Menopause is when you stop menstruating and usually occurs between ages 42 and 56. Your ovaries start producing less oestrogen in the years leading up to your last period and your menstrual cycle may become unpredictable - irregular, lighter or heavier, until they stop altogether. This lead-up to menopause is called perimenopause. You might also experience symptoms like hot flushes, weight gain, night sweats and mood swings, although some women have no such problems. For those who do, treatments to ease the symptoms include HRT (hormone replacement therapy) and natural therapies. Without the protective effects of oestrogen, after menopause women may be more vulnerable to other health conditions, such as osteoporosis (thinning bones) and heart disease.

Sometimes serious health problems may cause a young woman to experience early menopause, also called premature ovarian failure. This is when a woman stops ovulating, or producing eggs, or ovulation may become infrequent and unpredictable. Health problems that might bring on early menopause could include causes such as dysfunctional ovaries, difficulties with the pituitary gland, which releases hormones, radiation treatment or chemotherapy.

SAFER SEX

SAFER SEX

Unless you're in a long-term, monogamous relationship or doing it on your own, there's no such thing as 'safe sex'. But there is 'safer sex' and you need condoms to do it. Sometimes people confuse safer sex with contraception because condoms do both. Safer sex is about minimising the risks of getting or spreading sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Contraception is about preventing pregnancies. Using anything other than condoms, such as being on the Pill, isn't safer sex.

The case for condoms
Condoms are the best way to help prevent you from getting STIs, which have health impacts ranging from smelly discharges to infertility to death. Condoms are portable, discreet and relatively cheap compared to the huge cost in potential consequences of not using them. And they come in different colours and textures ...

Condom cop-outs
Condoms sometimes get loaded with relationship or other issues that stop people from using them. Issues like:
- We're monogamous. Using condoms would be saying I don't trust him (or her)
- Sex is spontaneous. Having condoms looks like you're planning it
- It's not my responsibility
- I know I don't have an STI. I feel fine
- I know my date doesn't have an STI. He (or she) looks too healthy (or good-looking)
- I can't talk about this before sex, it's a turn-off
- It's embarrassing to talk about using condoms
- It gets in the way of a good time

If you cop out on condoms, that's a choice. But if you make that choice, don't tell yourself it's about trust issues or because 'it won't happen to me'. If that were true, STI rates wouldn't be so high.

Performance Anxiety

Performance Anxiety

The brain is a major sex organ. It controls both sex hormones (female,Male) and sex thoughts. And what you think can make sex pleasurable - or a bit of a worry. Worry in the form of performance anxiety is a more likely cause of erectile dysfunction in younger men than physical issues, although the latter shouldn't be dismissed.

Physical causes in young men can include too much alcohol, not enough rest (fatigue), and smoking because it narrows the arteries that pump the blood that drives the erection. There are also possible genetic causes. That's why you need to visit your GP to get an accurate diagnosis and, if required, a referral to the right expert. Don't waste time and money on dodgy sex clinics or 'cures' ordered over the Internet. The real cure could start with good communication with your doctor, a therapist and your partner. Definitely don't leave your partner in the dark. It could make him or her feel rejected and make it all seem worse than it is.

Maybe you're anxious during sex because:
- It's your first time
- It's your first time with that partner
- You find using condoms awkward
- You're worried about whether you're doing it right
- Your partner isn't having an orgasm
- Your partner is having an orgasm and you're not
- You think your penis is too small
- Your partner's parents are coming home any moment!

Practicing putting condoms on before you're with a partner will give you confidence. Taking your time during sex and communicating to ensure you're both comfortable will take the pressure off. Talking to qualified experts can set you straight about the rest. If it's a bit embarrassing, maybe you could start by calling a sex advice helpline.

Sex - Knowledge Base

Infertility

Yunani and Ayurvedic have been using honey for years in medicine to strengthen the semen of men. If impotent men regularly take two tablespoon of honey before sleeping, their problem will be solved. In China, Japan and Far-East countries, women who do not conceive and to strengthen the uterus have been taking cinnamon powder for centuries.

Women who cannot conceive may take a pinch of cinnamon powder in half teaspoon of honey and apply it on the gums frequently throughout the day, so that it slowly mixes with the saliva and enters the body.

A couple in Maryland, America had no children for 14 years and had left hope of having a child of their own. When told about this process husband and wife started taking honey and cinnamon as stated above, the wife conceived after a few months and had twins at full term.

40 Things to do everyday

40 Things to do everyday

1. Take a 10-30 minutes walk every day. And while you walk, smile.
2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
3. Sleep for 7 hours.
4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.
5. Prayer more & more u gain energy.
6. Read more books than you did in 2007.
7. Make time to practice meditation, and prayer. They provide us
with daily fuel for our busy lives.
8. Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
9. Dream more while you are awake.
10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that
is manufactured in plants.
11. Drink plenty of water.
12. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
13. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
14. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with his/her
mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
15. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead
invest your energy in the positive present moment.
16. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are
simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade
away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
17. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a
beggar.
18. Smile and laugh more.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
20. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
21. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
22. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
23. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their
journey is all about. Don't compare your partner with others.
24. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
25. Forgive everyone for everything.
26.. What other people think of you is none of your business.
27. GOD ! heals everything.
28. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
29. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will.
Stay in touch.
30. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
31. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
32. The best is yet to come.
33. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
34. Do the right thing!
35. Call your family often.
36. Your inner most is always happy. So be happy.
37. Each day give something good to others.
38. Don't over do. Keep your limits.
39. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
40. Please Forward this to everyone you care about.

BUDGETING TIPS & TRICKS

BUDGETING TIPS & TRICKS
CURB OVERSPENDING THIS FESTIVE SEASON
Festivals bring endless joy and happiness. But often due to over indulgence, our budgets tend to go haywire, thus inducing tension and confusion in these festive times. Follow these simple tips to curb over spending this festive season. 1. Use non electrical and energy saving decorations This festive season, do away with all those high voltage electrical lights around your home. Instead, you can opt for beautiful hand painted, colourful diyas or various shaped candles. Place them all over your home for a warm festive feel. This will help you save on those high electricity bills and celebrate in an eco friendly way as well. 2. Opt for Homemade Sweets Instead of buying fattening, expensive sweets for family and friends, opt for homemade sweets. Get all the women in the family to help out. This way, you will not only save money but also bond while making these healthy, fresh sweets. 3. Buy Gifts at wholesale shops or Do it yourself It is cheaper to make a list of all your gift items and then head to a wholesale or a discount store and pick up all the gifts that you want. Another option, if you are creative enough, is to personally make specialised gifts for your friends and family. Remember to recycle old gift wrapping paper while packing the gifts, only if they are in a presentable state of course. 4. Shop at least a month in advance If you need to buy gold jewelry, clothes, shoes etc, it is better to do so at least one month prior to festivals as you will surely get it at cheaper rates then. During festivals, prices of all the items increase enormously. 5. Have a pool-in party at home Instead of spending money on dinners at extravagant and over crowded restaurants, opt for pot luck parties at home, where everyone brings along one dish. Work out in advance who brings what, so that no item is repeated. This way you can save money, chill out with friends for longer and have a variety of food to indulge in. Remember, grand and special celebrations do not necessarily mean a lot of expenditure. It means the right spirit and a bit of planning. So, go ahead and indulge and yet stay in your budget!
DO UP YOUR DREAM HOUSE WITHIN YOUR BUDGET!
You have always dreamt of a fabulous house with a blend of style and comfort to live in. But you want to achieve all of this within a budget. For this, your approach to doing up your dream home needs to be well planned, thoroughly detailed and carefully strategized. Here is some help: 1) Fix a budget and get into the finer details The first step while deciding to do up your home is to fix an approximate budget. While doing up your home there are bound to be unexpected financial demands, so always keep a margin. Work out all the minute details in advance. Designing style, Furniture, Techniques, Paints, Wood Finishes, Enamels and the like, everything should be planned in advance. 2) Compare before you commit Take different estimates from varied contractors and go with the best estimate given to you. You can also approach labourers directly and pay them a daily wage which will save on the contractor's fees. You can save a significant amount by purchasing the raw material in bulk yourself as many contractors tend to add more to the original amount. However, ensure that you are not sacrificing on quality. 3) Opt for pleasant and functional utilities While doing up windows, doors or even bathrooms, it is fine to go in for utilities that look good but they should also have effective functioning. Opting for garage sales or wholesale markets for cost-effective furniture and utilities will help save costs. 4) Do it yourself If you have a relatively frugal budget, you can opt for doing certain things yourself - like painting or wall papering the house yourself, painting cartons to create colourful storage space for your kid’s room, drawing cartoons on their walls and so on. 5) Be a creative minimalist Instead of going for an expensive sofa, opt for mattresses on the floor, cover it up with a lively bedcover and throw lots of cushions and a matching rug around. Instead of a table, use an old trunk and cover it with a decorative table cloth. Don’t clutter the drawing room with too many decorative pieces but just place an elegant lamp in one corner for creating a pleasant ambience. Make colourful bead curtains and use them as room dividers to add colour and charm. Flaunt minimalism, it’s classy and it’s in! Remember, nothing, definitely not money, can chain your dreams. Go ahead and plan to achieve the maximum in the money you have.
5 SECRETS FOR SURVIVING INFLATION
India's annual inflation rate has touched a 13-year high of 11.05 percent, raising the prices of food grains, vegetables, petrol, gas and more, thereby affecting all of us. To help you retain your lifestyle and to survive these inflation ridden times with a smile, here are a few time-tested tips: 1. Divide and rule Plan a budget by dividing your earnings into specific amounts for all essentials like food, rent/house maintenance, daily commuting, entertainment etc. Try to divide your earnings in such a way that you are left with some extra money every month, which should be deposited in a savings account to serve as your contingency fund. 2. Shop smart While shopping for grocery, first buy all the essential items like food grains, vegetables, fruits, oil etc and then if your budget allows, go ahead and buy those indulgent food items like cheese, exotic dressings, snacks, ice-cream etc. Also, always keep you eyes open for smart package deals, one day discount deals and festive offers. 3. Curb wastage Do not waste food, gas, oil and electricity. Cook food in only the required quantities. Don’t leave food, milk or water to boil endlessly to avoid wastage of gas. Save electricity by switching off lights, fans, computer, TV and air conditioner when not in use, at home as well as at work. 4. Opt for public transport or car pool Keeping in mind the steep hike in petrol, public transport rather than your mode of transport, makes more sense. You can also opt for car pool with your neighbours while sending your kids off to school, going to the market, commuting for work, etc. Also, make it a habit never to unnecessarily leave the car‘s ignition on. 5. Creatively modify your lifestyle Instead of spending money on the gym, go for a run in the evening after the sun dips. Instead of going to a theatre to watch a movie, rent a DVD and watch it in the comfort of your home. Instead of going to expensive clubs or pubs, have a chilled out pot-luck dinner at home. Get creative. Dim the lights, play music, arrange for yummy bites and there is nothing you will miss. Set limits and curb your spending fantasies and you will be able to survive inflation.
SAVE MONEY ON TRAVEL TICKETS
So you've checked out the best value for money vacation hot spots, booked the best economical hotel rooms available and planned a budget for this vacation. But while most of us meticulously plan out a budget for our vacations, few of us bother about saving up on travel tickets or transport. Saving up on travel tickets could mean that you get to spend more on your precious vacation. So here are a few tips to help you do just the same: 1. Check out different websites Doing a bit of research on the net for the cheapest airfares may help you save hundreds or even thousands of rupees. Check out 'different airline's websites', their 'special offers' and even 'discounted travel websites' to compare prices as these can help you avail some of the cheapest airfares. 2. Book in advance Booking travel tickets in advance will provide you with wider and better opportunities as you may be able to get special travel vouchers or discounted tickets. Settle for only the best. But do remember to read the fine print. 3. Be a bit flexible Many of the websites have special offers only on particular dates, so be willing to alter the date of your arrival or departure if you can, as this may help you save on costs. Also check out airfares to smaller airports as these are often cheaper than landing at major international airports. 4. Consider the option of connecting flights Taking connecting flights may seem annoying, but this can immensely help in cutting travel costs. So do check out this option, especially if you are planning an international vacation. 5. Vacation Packages with travel costs Most tourist packages include the cost of travel. Some times the travel agencies are able to get you better deals on tickets as they indulge in bulk booking. Be sure to check with the travel agency on how much of your money goes towards travel tickets. For all you know, you might be saving big bucks travelling with them. So this vacation be smart and avail the best and cheapest travel tickets so that you can splurge more on your actual vacation. Happy vacationing!

BUDGETING TIPS & TRICKS
CURB OVERSPENDING THIS FESTIVE SEASON
Festivals bring endless joy and happiness. But often due to over indulgence, our budgets tend to go haywire, thus inducing tension and confusion in these festive times. Follow these simple tips to curb over spending this festive season. 1. Use non electrical and energy saving decorations This festive season, do away with all those high voltage electrical lights around your home. Instead, you can opt for beautiful hand painted, colourful diyas or various shaped candles. Place them all over your home for a warm festive feel. This will help you save on those high electricity bills and celebrate in an eco friendly way as well. 2. Opt for Homemade Sweets Instead of buying fattening, expensive sweets for family and friends, opt for homemade sweets. Get all the women in the family to help out. This way, you will not only save money but also bond while making these healthy, fresh sweets. 3. Buy Gifts at wholesale shops or Do it yourself It is cheaper to make a list of all your gift items and then head to a wholesale or a discount store and pick up all the gifts that you want. Another option, if you are creative enough, is to personally make specialised gifts for your friends and family. Remember to recycle old gift wrapping paper while packing the gifts, only if they are in a presentable state of course. 4. Shop at least a month in advance If you need to buy gold jewelry, clothes, shoes etc, it is better to do so at least one month prior to festivals as you will surely get it at cheaper rates then. During festivals, prices of all the items increase enormously. 5. Have a pool-in party at home Instead of spending money on dinners at extravagant and over crowded restaurants, opt for pot luck parties at home, where everyone brings along one dish. Work out in advance who brings what, so that no item is repeated. This way you can save money, chill out with friends for longer and have a variety of food to indulge in. Remember, grand and special celebrations do not necessarily mean a lot of expenditure. It means the right spirit and a bit of planning. So, go ahead and indulge and yet stay in your budget!
DO UP YOUR DREAM HOUSE WITHIN YOUR BUDGET!
You have always dreamt of a fabulous house with a blend of style and comfort to live in. But you want to achieve all of this within a budget. For this, your approach to doing up your dream home needs to be well planned, thoroughly detailed and carefully strategized. Here is some help: 1) Fix a budget and get into the finer details The first step while deciding to do up your home is to fix an approximate budget. While doing up your home there are bound to be unexpected financial demands, so always keep a margin. Work out all the minute details in advance. Designing style, Furniture, Techniques, Paints, Wood Finishes, Enamels and the like, everything should be planned in advance. 2) Compare before you commit Take different estimates from varied contractors and go with the best estimate given to you. You can also approach labourers directly and pay them a daily wage which will save on the contractor's fees. You can save a significant amount by purchasing the raw material in bulk yourself as many contractors tend to add more to the original amount. However, ensure that you are not sacrificing on quality. 3) Opt for pleasant and functional utilities While doing up windows, doors or even bathrooms, it is fine to go in for utilities that look good but they should also have effective functioning. Opting for garage sales or wholesale markets for cost-effective furniture and utilities will help save costs. 4) Do it yourself If you have a relatively frugal budget, you can opt for doing certain things yourself - like painting or wall papering the house yourself, painting cartons to create colourful storage space for your kid’s room, drawing cartoons on their walls and so on. 5) Be a creative minimalist Instead of going for an expensive sofa, opt for mattresses on the floor, cover it up with a lively bedcover and throw lots of cushions and a matching rug around. Instead of a table, use an old trunk and cover it with a decorative table cloth. Don’t clutter the drawing room with too many decorative pieces but just place an elegant lamp in one corner for creating a pleasant ambience. Make colourful bead curtains and use them as room dividers to add colour and charm. Flaunt minimalism, it’s classy and it’s in! Remember, nothing, definitely not money, can chain your dreams. Go ahead and plan to achieve the maximum in the money you have.
5 SECRETS FOR SURVIVING INFLATION
India's annual inflation rate has touched a 13-year high of 11.05 percent, raising the prices of food grains, vegetables, petrol, gas and more, thereby affecting all of us. To help you retain your lifestyle and to survive these inflation ridden times with a smile, here are a few time-tested tips: 1. Divide and rule Plan a budget by dividing your earnings into specific amounts for all essentials like food, rent/house maintenance, daily commuting, entertainment etc. Try to divide your earnings in such a way that you are left with some extra money every month, which should be deposited in a savings account to serve as your contingency fund. 2. Shop smart While shopping for grocery, first buy all the essential items like food grains, vegetables, fruits, oil etc and then if your budget allows, go ahead and buy those indulgent food items like cheese, exotic dressings, snacks, ice-cream etc. Also, always keep you eyes open for smart package deals, one day discount deals and festive offers. 3. Curb wastage Do not waste food, gas, oil and electricity. Cook food in only the required quantities. Don’t leave food, milk or water to boil endlessly to avoid wastage of gas. Save electricity by switching off lights, fans, computer, TV and air conditioner when not in use, at home as well as at work. 4. Opt for public transport or car pool Keeping in mind the steep hike in petrol, public transport rather than your mode of transport, makes more sense. You can also opt for car pool with your neighbours while sending your kids off to school, going to the market, commuting for work, etc. Also, make it a habit never to unnecessarily leave the car‘s ignition on. 5. Creatively modify your lifestyle Instead of spending money on the gym, go for a run in the evening after the sun dips. Instead of going to a theatre to watch a movie, rent a DVD and watch it in the comfort of your home. Instead of going to expensive clubs or pubs, have a chilled out pot-luck dinner at home. Get creative. Dim the lights, play music, arrange for yummy bites and there is nothing you will miss. Set limits and curb your spending fantasies and you will be able to survive inflation.
SAVE MONEY ON TRAVEL TICKETS
So you've checked out the best value for money vacation hot spots, booked the best economical hotel rooms available and planned a budget for this vacation. But while most of us meticulously plan out a budget for our vacations, few of us bother about saving up on travel tickets or transport. Saving up on travel tickets could mean that you get to spend more on your precious vacation. So here are a few tips to help you do just the same: 1. Check out different websites Doing a bit of research on the net for the cheapest airfares may help you save hundreds or even thousands of rupees. Check out 'different airline's websites', their 'special offers' and even 'discounted travel websites' to compare prices as these can help you avail some of the cheapest airfares. 2. Book in advance Booking travel tickets in advance will provide you with wider and better opportunities as you may be able to get special travel vouchers or discounted tickets. Settle for only the best. But do remember to read the fine print. 3. Be a bit flexible Many of the websites have special offers only on particular dates, so be willing to alter the date of your arrival or departure if you can, as this may help you save on costs. Also check out airfares to smaller airports as these are often cheaper than landing at major international airports. 4. Consider the option of connecting flights Taking connecting flights may seem annoying, but this can immensely help in cutting travel costs. So do check out this option, especially if you are planning an international vacation. 5. Vacation Packages with travel costs Most tourist packages include the cost of travel. Some times the travel agencies are able to get you better deals on tickets as they indulge in bulk booking. Be sure to check with the travel agency on how much of your money goes towards travel tickets. For all you know, you might be saving big bucks travelling with them. So this vacation be smart and avail the best and cheapest travel tickets so that you can splurge more on your actual vacation. Happy vacationing!

WIDE HORIZONS

WIDE HORIZONS
IMPROVE YOUR LIFE THROUGH THE POWER OF CHANGE
You are probably one in three people who often utter the much popular phrase, "Oh! I hate change!”Although it might seem like change could turn your whole world upside down, the benefits of welcoming the same remain unmatched. Read on to find out how and why change is good for you... 1. Helps you explore and expand You will never know what lies beyond unless you embrace change, allow yourself to step outside your present environs and explore. Confining yourself to what you have right now is myopic and will lead to stagnation, so learn to look beyond the boundaries. 2. Allows you to grow Who you were yesterday is very different from who you are today and who you will be tomorrow. Change may shock you but it also forces you to accept and then adapt and hence learn from the entire experience, only bestowing you with more confidence for the future. For youngsters especially, adapting to change is the best and the fastest way to grow. It helps them take charge and gain confidence, thus transforming them into mature adults. 3. Throws up a million new opportunities Change gets you out of your comfort zone but also places you face to face with numerous new possibilities. And do remember that opportunity knocks just once. If you absolutely refuse to acknowledge its presence, you might be missing on a better tomorrow. 4. Provides a fresh perspective You may think that you live a perfect life and there couldn’t be anything more. But once you experience something different and better through the process of change, you will be able to analyze and evaluate the present and the past and differentiate the good from the better. 5. Empowers you to break barriers If you peep into your past, there will be things that you are so glad you did, or things that you thought you would never have done. Incidentally, these will also be the same things that you were averse to, before you were coerced into doing them. Unless the experience scarred you for life, you’re good to go this time as well.
AGE GRACEFULLY: WELCOME THE AUTUMN OF YOUR LIFE!
To Age gracefully you do not have to DO anything. In fact, you have to do LESS. You have to learn how to relax, how not to struggle to be younger than what you are and stay in tune with the natural process of living. If you understand this basic rule and learn to evolve with time, the experience of aging can be beautiful for you. Here is some more insight to help you relish the process of experiencing the different hues of life as you grow older: 1. Accept your age: With an inner acceptance of our age, we also accept how we look. And that self-acceptance reflects on our face as self-confidence. Mark Twain must have been a happy old man, for he said, "Wrinkles are merely indications of where smiles have been." 2. Exercise to stay physically fit: Exercise is known to benefit any age group, even centenarians and it is never too late to start. Regularity in a chosen exercise program, a balanced diet of fruits and vegetables, and regular medical checkups are essentials you can't ignore. Moderation, regularity, rest and activity are the four check points for balance. 3. Laugh like the laughing Buddha: The inner space where you look out from is what shapes your outer life. Even if the body becomes older, the mind and the soul within can remain fresh and young. So clean your mind of negativities and erase those repetitive patterns of cribbing and complaining. Make humour and laughter your best pals to lighten up your life. 4. Dig deeper: Be it relationships, friendships, interests or hobbies; take a deeper stance in life. Don't get bogged down by minor conflicts, superficial problems or mindless competition. Realize that you are above all this now and enjoy the fruits of all your hard work. 5. Sit down to do nothing: Aging is caused by the body's response to stress. Being an automatic response, stress cannot be controlled. However, there is one mind-body technique that goes directly to the root of the stress response: Meditation. Meditation lowers biological age. From Vipassana to Dynamic, (sitting to dancing), there are many techniques you can experiment with.
HOW KINDNESS IS GOOD FOR YOU Tanya Munshi
In this fast-paced life, kindness is often forgotten. Kindness is the simplest emotion as humans that we can offer to a person, an animal or a plant. But did you know being kind is also good for you, not just the person you are being kind to? Being kind to someone boosts your self-worth and makes you feel important. Positive acts like kindness generate a sense of well being, or the ‘the feel good factor’, which in turn uplifts your spirits and keeps you optimistic. Staying happy boosts your self esteem. Being happy in turn reduces stress levels in your body. This in turn helps you to stay healthy since being happy boosts your immune system. Since stress is the root cause for several illnesses, sheer kindness can drive the stress and tensions away. Kindness is the cure for depression. Once depression is removed, other health problems like eating disorders, ulcers, acidity and sleeplessness all go away.
HOW TO SLEEP BETTER Tanya Munshi
You wake up grumpy and irritable, with a heavy head and no mood to learn or take up a new task. It's not a hangover, its how you feel when you don't get your regular dose of sleep. Sleep has deeper, long term health benefits. So think before you stay up late often. Benefits Of Sleep Your brain shuts down its tasks of all its emotions, decisions and interactions. So when you wake up in the morning, you are fresh to handle a new day. It helps you to deal with stress in everyday life. It gives you energy and boosts your immune system. Lack Of Sleep It makes you less attentive in class/work as it directly affects your nervous system. It can lead to poor memory and poor performance. It can make you moody and irritable. Develop Health Habits Quit smoking and alcohol, as nicotine can disturb a normal sleep cycle. Exercise daily for better blood circulation in your body. Try not taking a nap during the day as this may disturb your sleep cycle at night. Get a health check up done; maybe you're low on iron, vitamins and minerals. Taking multi-vitamins may help, but do consult the doctor first. Drink water at least two hours before bed time. This will prevent you from waking up frequently to visit to the bathroom at night. Never take sleeping pills, especially without consulting your doctor. In fact, it's best to do without pills. How To Sleep Better Try and maintain a regular sleep routine. Make it a point to hit the sack by a particular time daily. Ideally, you should get 7-8 hours of sound sleep. If you don't get enough sleep one night, compensate it the next night. Eat a light diner; this will prevent you from feeling uneasy and aid digestion. Don't sleep immediately when you lie down. Practice relaxation and calming exercises. You could also listen to soothing music or read a light book. Drink a glass of warm milk or warm water with a teaspoon of honey before going to bed. This will induce sound sleep. If you have a lot of tension then write them down in a book and sleep. This will prevent your worries from creeping into your sleep.