5 Hidden Credit Card Fees

By Vanessa Cohen

A credit card is a fantastic convenience for most of us, allowing us the freedom to purchase that Louis Vuitton purse, even though we happen to be strapped for cash.

But there is a down side to using your credit card – those hidden credit card fees that they charge you without your knowledge. Be honest; when was the last time you really, I mean really, took a good look at your credit card bill?

Well, next time it arrives in the mail (and you know it will), open up that envelope and go over it with a fine-toothed comb because chances are that you’re being charged for things you weren’t aware of.

What should you be on the look out for? Well, here are a few hidden credit card fees you probably weren’t aware of.

Hidden credit card fees #1
Foreign exchange transaction fees
Let’s say you suddenly decided to pick up and head to Europe for a 4-day vacation, and forgot all about getting your hands on some euros before you split. Oh, that’s okay, you think to yourself, I’ll just use my credit card, it’s easier anyway.

Well, you may return home to a rude awakening when your bill shows up in the mail. While the exchange rates may not be so painful (it’s typically the best you can get), the fact that credit card companies charge anywhere from a 1% to a 4% “conversion” fee will definitely make you feel the sting of those Italian shoe purchases.

Hidden credit card fees #2
Over-the-limit penalties
If you happened to exceed your $5,000 limit when you purchased that hot little black dress you’ve been eyeing, your credit card company will let it slide. But hey, there’s a catch.

The minute you exceed your limit by even a penny, you can bet that there will be an over-the-limit fee of up to $40. So be wary of your spending.


Hidden credit card fees #3
Late payment penalties
If you make a late payment, you can definitely expect to pay late fees, but did you know that you are inadvertently giving the credit card company the right to raise your interest rates?

I’m not sure if you read the fine print of your contract, but I’m pretty sure you probably had more interesting things to read. So while you were busy finding out about Tom Cruise’s latest couch attack, you didn’t realize that a late payment gave the credit card company all the ammo it needed to raise your rates.

The worst part is that, if they find out you made a late payment to any of your other creditors, they have the right to raise your interest charges as well.

Hidden credit card fees #4
Charges for nothing
Let’s say you have four credit cards, but you only use three. You haven’t touched that other one in months. Well, guess what? The credit card company will charge you a fee for not using it.

Think about it; they have to make money somehow so if you’re not using it, they need to cash in. Most companies charge you a fee if the card has been inactive for 6 months, but some charge for even shorter intervals.

Hidden credit card fees #5
Account closure charges
So rather than just let it sit there, you think, I’ll just cancel it, that’ll solve everything, right? Wrong. Even if you wanted to cancel your card, many credit card companies now charge a “closure” fee.

Of course, not every company does this, but there are enough out there that you need to find this out before you use it for the first time.

Credit card fees

Being well informed is important, so reading your credit card agreement is pertinent to your saving a couple hundred bucks.

The next time you start thinking that platinum would make a great addition to your other cards, remember that there may be a significant price to pay.

Top 10 Lower Abs Exercises

By Dana Laurier

The biggest complaint women have about their abdominal muscles (besides having to diet and exercise to see them) is that it is incredibly difficult to target the lower abs.

Well, in what I can only call the most complete abdominal exercise series for women, this first part will focus entirely on the most effective lower abdominal exercises.

It’s no secret that everyone has a six-pack; it’s getting them to the surface that’s the hard part. Eating right and exercising regularly are a big part of seeing your abdominal muscles shine on through.

Ideally, when performing abdominal exercises, you would do them like you would any other exercise, incorporating sets and reps. And while there has been much debate about whether performing weighted ab exercises are useful, I believe that if done right, ab exercises without weights are just as effective.

So now that you’re eating lean meats, fish, and raw fruits and vegetables, it’s time to find out which exercises to include in your abdominal exercise regime to get the most out of your workouts.


Lower abs exercises #10

Decline Crunches
Lie on a decline bench and lock your feet into the footpads. Place your hands next to your ears, making sure that your elbows stay in line with them at all times. Contract your abs and raise yourself up until your chest comes close to your knees, then lower yourself slowly until you’re two inches away from the bench. Without touching, raise your body again.

Difficulty: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced


Lower abs exercises #9

Parallel Bar Knee Raises
Hold yourself up on a parallel bar by placing your elbows and forearms on the pads, and let your legs hang down. Contract your abs and lift your knees up toward your chest, tilting your pelvis as they pass your hips.

Difficulty: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced


Lower abs exercises #8
Lying Reverse Crunches
Lie on a mat and place your hands under your butt, palms down. Start off with your legs straight and bring your knees toward your chest, raising your pelvis, your head and shoulders simultaneously.

Difficulty: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced


Lower abs exercises #7
Flutter Kicks
Lie on a mat with your arms by your sides, palms down. Straighten your legs, but keep a slight bend in the knees. Your starting position has your legs off the ground by about 5 inches. While one leg remains here, the other leg is raised about 10 inches. When that leg comes down, the other one goes up – your objective is to execute a scissor-like motion.
Difficulty: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced


Lower abs exercises #6
Swiss Ball Leg Raises
Lie on a mat and place a small Swiss ball in your hands above your head. Contract your abs and bring your arms and legs into the air, transferring the ball from your hands to your feet. Lower the ball without touching the ground and bring the ball back up with your legs to transfer it to your hands.

Difficulty: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Lower abs exercises #5
Hanging Leg Raises
On a pull-up bar, let your body hang with your legs straight. Raise your knees until your thighs are parallel with the ground. Hold the position for a second then lower your legs to the starting position, remembering that your abs should be doing the work.

Difficulty: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced


Lower abs exercises #4
Bent-Knee Hip Raises

Lie on a mat and place your hands by your sides. Bend your knees, keeping your feet a couple of inches off the ground, and raise your pelvis and bend your knees toward your chest, lifting your head and shoulders simultaneously. Contract your ab muscles and hold the position for a second before lowering your body back down.

Difficulty: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced


Lower abs exercises #3
Reverse Decline Crunches
Lie on a decline bench, but place your head where your feet would normally go and hold the top of the bench with both hands. Keep your legs parallel to the floor (and off the bench), then raise them as you bring your pelvis towards your chest. As you lower your legs, make sure to keep your abs tight throughout the exercise.

Difficulty: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced


Lower abs exercises #2
Exercise Ball Pull-Ins
On a Swiss ball, place your arms in a pushup position on the floor and place your shins on the exercise ball. Pull your knees toward your chest, making sure to keep your back straight throughout the motion. Contract your abs, hold for a moment and roll back to the starting position.

Difficulty: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced


Lower abs exercises #1
Hanging Knee-To-Chin Raises
On a pull-up bar, let your body hang with your knees bent. Tighten your abs and bring your knees in toward your chest. Return to your starting position and remember that at no point should your legs swing.

Difficulty: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Abdominal muscle workout

With some dedication to your body via diet and exercise, a toned mid-section is not impossible to achieve. If you put your head and heart into it, your abs will follow.

Homecoming Hairstyles for Women

Homecomings are considered a semi-formal event. This means it's time to get your hair done, especially for the ladies. There are many hairstyles that can be deemed appropriate for a Homecoming dance. Below I will list some of best hairstyles to consider for your Homecoming Dance.

• Homecoming Hairstyles - The French Twist
  French Twist hairstyle
  
  
  This hairstyle is timeless. It goes with just about every style of dress you can imagine. At first glance it can seem rather boring, however one of the best things about the French Twist is that it can easily be spiced up with decorations. Using a beaded comb to hold the twist, or inserting flowers into edge of the twist is a great way to add some flair. Another great thing about the French Twist is that it's easy to do. A lot of celebrities do this kina hairstyle. You won't have to go to the beauty salon for this do.
  
  homecoming hair style-French Twist
  
  
• Homecoming Hair styles - Curls
  
  
  

  For those people who have straight hair that never seems to cooperate, curls are a great option. Curls don't have to be perfect to look good. Also, achieving curly locks isn't a hard task. The best way to get your straight, flat hair to have bouncy curls, is to use hot rollers. Simply plug your hot rollers in about 15-20 minutes before you plan on doing your hair.
  
  homecoming haircuts- Curls
  
  
  
  When they get hot, roll your hair starting from the top front and working your way back. When your done, give it a quick once over with your hair spray and let your hair sit. In about 20 minutes or so (depending on your rollers) your hair should be ready to come out of the rollers. Once all the rollers are out, you will have beautiful bouncing curls. Wear them down, or up, either way they will look fantastic.
  


• Barrettes
  
  
  
  If you have short hair you may find yourself wondering what you could possibly do to your hair to make sparkle for that special occasion. Barrettes and hair clips are a wonderful idea. Any of your local stores that sell hair supplies will have an array of clips that can add even the tiniest sparkle to your hair. From simple silver and gold bobby pins, to lavish barrettes that are full or rhinestones. The possibilities are endless.
  


• Homecoming Haircut - The French Braid
  
  Beautiful French Braid hairstyle
  
  
  Another classic style is the French Braid. This is another long hairstyle that can go with everything. Add some baby's breath for a more elegant look, or leave some small tendrils out in the front and lightly curl them for a timeless look. The French Braid will also stay put and won't get in your face and eyes. It's a great Homecoming Hairstyle for anyone who plans on dancing the night away.
  


• Straightening
  
  
  Curly frizzy locks got you down? Have no fear, you can buy a straightening iron for the same cost as a curling iron. Its a wonderful way to tame that curly hair for a night. Plus, once you straighten your hair, the possibilities are endless.

Always pick accents that match your dress, and a style that fits your needs.

Cool Men Hairstyle

Cool guys hairstyle

Cool guys hairstyle with bangs .

Fast Food Calories

By Meredith Thompson

Some days, there’s nothing more gratifying that sinking my teeth into a Big Mac. An hour after I’m done, however, regret sets in and I know that that entire burger will be showing up on my hips within days. And don’t even get me started on the runs.

Fast food calories are the bane of most of our existences, but they provides a convenient way to satisfy our cravings and hunger pangs. But exactly how fattening is what you’re eating and why are fast food calories the worst kind of calories?

Well, I took a penetrating look at what some of the most popular fast food joints offer up and let’s just say that, thanks to fast food calories, I won’t be venturing off to any drive-thrus anytime soon.

It’s no secret that fast food is highly processed and no good for you to begin with, but that’s not the issue here; the issue is, how fat will eating this stuff make us down the line?

Well, let’s find out.

Before we begin, however, keep in mind that a big salad can have as little as 350 calories (given that the dressing is on the side and you dip your forkful of salad into it), and almost no fat. But then, who really eats salad all the time?

Also keep in mind that no more than 10% of your daily intake of calories should come from saturated fats, and that the average woman’s caloric needs are about 1500 per day.

Fast food calories joint #1
McDonald’s
The king of all fast food chains, McDonald’s was the subject of Super Size Me, a controversial documentary about one man’s mission to live on nothing but McDonald’s food for a full month. If you haven’t seen it, you should, it will change your opinion about fast food.

But I digress. The most popular choice at McDonald’s is the Big Mac – two all-beef patties with a special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, and onions on a sesame seed bun. And of course, the meal just wouldn’t be right without its usual sidekicks.

Big Mac
Calories: 560
Calories from fat: 270 (roughly 48%)

Large French fries
Calories: 570
Calories from fat: 270 (roughly 47%)

Large Coke
Calories: 310
Calorie from fat: 0

Total calories: 1440
Total fat calories: 540 (almost 4 times more than you should be having in an entire day)


Fast food calories joint #2
Burger King
My biggest weakness growing up was the famed Whopper. It was like a party in my mouth with every bite I took, but after I discovered the following, the party ended abruptly and it’s been homemade burgers ever since.

Burger King is trying to help its clients establish a healthier lifestyle by offering fries without salt and fire-grilled burgers, but it’s rare for anyone to go to a fast food joint to make healthy choices.

Whopper
Calories: 670
Calories from fat: 350 (roughly 52%)

Large French fries
Calories: 500
Calories from fat: 250 (50%)

Large Coke
Calories: 290
Calorie from fat: 0

Total calories: 1460
Total fat calories: 600 (exactly 4 times more than you should be having in an entire day)

Fast food calories joint #3
KFC
Rumors were rampant that KFC changed its name from Kentucky Fried Chicken because of the negative connotations that the word “fried” had, but KFC denies the allegation. Nevertheless, the chicken is still fried and our waistlines are no better for it.

Two pieces Original Recipe chicken (breast & wing)
Calories: 530
Calories from fat: 252 (roughly 47%)

Mashed potatoes with gravy bowl
Calories: 690
Calories from fat: 279 (roughly 40%)

Cole slaw
Calories: 190
Calories from fat: 99 (roughly 51%)

Large Pepsi
Calories: 280
Calorie from fat: 0

Total calories: 1690
Total fat calories: 630 (over 4 times more than you should be having in an entire day)


Fast food calories joint #4
Domino’s Pizza
Pizza is an American favorite. It’s great because you can share it and put a variety of ingredients on it, to suit your personal taste. You can get thick or thin crust, and you can even decide whether or not you want to stuff your crust with cheese or pepperoni.

Yum-my. But there is, of course, the down side to this wonderful meal – it goes straight to your butt, and I mean that in two ways.

Pepperoni Feast Pizza (Serving size = 1/4 of a 14” Large Pizza)
Calories: 732
Calories from fat: 306 (roughly 42%)

Cheesy Bread (Serving = 2)
Calories: 283
Calories from fat: 108 (roughly 39%)

Large Pepsi
Calories: 290
Calorie from fat: 0

Total calories: 1305
Total fat calories: 414 (almost 3 times more than you should be having in an entire day)

Fast food calories joint #5
Taco Bell
While some argue that it is not authentic Mexican food due to the fact that you get the runs an hour after you down anything from this fast food joint, others swear by Taco Bell’s flavorful eats.
From tacos to burritos, you can find it all here, and while heartburn isn’t on the menu, it usually comes free with the meal.

Regular taco (Serving = 2)
Calories: 420
Calories from fat: 102 (roughly 25%)

Nachos
Calories: 320
Calories from fat: 51 (roughly 15%)

Large Coke
Calories: 280
Calorie from fat: 0

Total calories: 1020
Total fat calories: 153 (the entire amount you should be having in one day)

Crazy fast food calories

By cutting out just the sodas, you can save almost 300 calories per meal. But that isn’t enough. If you’re going to munch on fast food calories, try your best to do so in moderation, and even then, opt for healthier choices, like a salad instead of fries.

Taking small steps to get away from your fast food habits and fast food calories altogether would be ideal, but if you’ve been living on them for a long time, it will be difficult to break the habit. But with a little discipline, you can do it, no doubt.

Watching Women Masturbate

By Brandon Evans

My last girlfriend never admitted that she played with herself whenever the need arose. I knew she did because I found her stash of sexual paraphernalia, chief among which was her Rabbit.

Of course, I never told her I found these things because I really wanted her to come clean (pardon the pun). To make a long story short, we broke up and I never got to hear her utter those 3 beautiful words: I masturbate sometimes.

Watching women masturbate is sexy

There’s something about watching women masturbate that drives me crazy. I’m not sure what it is exactly, but I’ve come up with a couple of theories:

It proves you love sex
I’ve always known that women think about and want sex as much as the next guy, but this takes things one step further by giving me visual proof of it. And I love nothing more than a woman who loves to have sex – especially with me. Watching women masturbate only drives this point home.

It proves you know what you’re doing
You know what gets you off and, chances are, when we’re in bed, you’ll take charge if only to experience the sensation via my erection. This proves that you know your body and how to manipulate it to climax. And if your ability to pleasure yourself is so on target, there’s an even better chance that you’ll be able to get me off just right.

It’s exciting watching women masturbate
Watching you get yourself off via toys or even your own hands is incredibly arousing because your body is soft and sensual. And holding onto and squeezing your nipple with one hand while you massage your clitoris with the other is always a welcomed sight. Add to that the panting, the moaning and the writhing, and you’ve got yourself a fan for life.

Admit that you masturbate

Although my last girl never told me she did, all my other girlfriends not only admitted it, but they played for me. And often.

Of course, there is always that one guy (there’s one in my group of friends) who thinks that watching women masturbate is somehow a threat to his sexual existence, but the majority of guys would be more than willing to not only watch, but to buy you whatever it is you need to enhance your playtime.

There’s nothing to be ashamed of; in fact, I think it’s even more acceptable to discover that a woman masturbates than it is for a man. Perhaps it’s because popular belief dictates that men who masturbate are somehow deprived and depraved, but women who do so are on a journey through sexual exploration. At least that’s how the romance novels tell it.

Make it part of foreplay

The next time you’re with your guy and you’re about to get it on, let your fingers casually make their way to your clitoris and begin massaging it. After he smiles, ask him to lick you while you play.

Another incredibly sexy thing you could do is play with yourself for a while and then lick your finger. If you enjoy what you taste, you can bet he will, too.

And yet another erection builder includes you sticking your finger in his mouth and letting him wet it with his saliva and then rubbing your clitoris with it (or even inserting it into yourself).

Men love watching women masturbate

Now before you rush off to the sex shop to get yourself a new gadget, you need to understand that no man wants to see you pull out a 24” vibrator with bells, whistles and a horn.

We do, however, enjoy watching you turn on your simple buzzer or just use your hands, and moan with delight while we suck on your nipples and enjoy the experience right along with you.

And if you have yet to experience the liberation that comes with masturbation, let me be the first to say, it all comes together once you do. Most men love watching women masturbate and your man will likely smile ear to ear when you do.

Get to know yourself, become comfortable at play, and then ask your guy to join you.

9 Workplace Motivation Tips

By Jennifer Towers

Statistics show that 60% of women in the United States who work outside the home earn $1 trillion each year in aggregate. Now that’s a whole lot of dough. But how many of them really enjoy their job?

Do you like your job? Most of us don’t, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t make the best of it and adapt a workplace motivation mentality. And that’s where I come in. Workplace motivation is no easy task, I know, but with a little help and a whole lot of positivity, you can do it.

Here’s how you can make the best of your professional situation and leave work each day feeling good about yourself (and no, none of these tips include your boss and a noose).

Workplace motivation tip #1
Achieve something each day
I know I sound like Phoebe from Friends, but if you set a goal for yourself at work each day, you will eventually begin to work at peak performance and appreciate your own sense of clarity. Something as small as organizing your files can give you that sense of accomplishment.

Workplace motivation tip #2
Add some variety to your routine
Work doesn’t have to be about monotony all the time. If you work on a computer all day, take a few minutes to organize your desk or surf the Net to find out who Jessica Simpson is sleeping with now. It’s okay to have some down time and have a few minutes for yourself.

Workplace motivation tip #3
Get some autonomy on your tasks

Changes work best when you’re the one who comes up with and applies them. Maybe there’s a faster way to complete the weekly stationary purchases or perhaps you’d like to rearrange your deadlines for certain tasks. A little freedom goes a long way and it’s up to you to request it.

Workplace motivation tip #4
Ask for a more proactive role

If you’re really good at organizing events or putting together PowerPoint presentations, then ask your boss if you could take on the role and teach others how to optimize their presentations one day each week.

Workplace motivation tip #5
Get into some teamwork

Working on a project with colleagues may create a more social atmosphere and make you happier to come to work. You might make some friends and begin learning how to do certain monotonous tasks differently and in a more bearable fashion.

Workplace motivation tip #6
Mark your progress on major tasks

If you have a project that needs to get done but are avoiding it because you know it’s a big task, now’s the time to get started on it. Ask what’s expected of you, get a deadline and mark your progress as it occurs. That way, you’ll figure out how much you get done and how quickly, and it’ll help you appreciate what it is exactly that you bring to the table each day.

Workplace motivation tip #7
Pat yourself on the back

Whether you beat the deadline by two weeks or you closed a huge sale, you deserve to celebrate your accomplishments in order to stay motivated. That’s not to say that you should down a bottle of champagne and dance on the bar in your bra, but do send an email to your superior to let him know what you’ve accomplished.

Workplace motivation tip #8
Ask about incentives for extra tasks

When a dollar sign is attached to additional tasks, we tend to become better at and more motivated for the job at hand. Whenever you’re offered a new project, ask about the incentives that come with it and that will become your pot of gold at the end of the rainbow (after the major storm, of course).

Workplace motivation tip #9
Use negativity as a motivator

We all have that one person at work who keeps jabbering on about how you can work smarter and not harder, and although you fantasize about doing a negative thing or two to this particular person, you can use this negative feedback as motivation to do more, do better and laugh in the face of adversity.

Do what needs to be done

Staying motivated at the same job for years on end is tough, but if you go in with the right attitude, it is very possible to be happy and feel good about your job.

But if there are outside circumstances that simply keep you from maintaining a positive and motivated outlook at the workplace, you may want to consider hunting for another one.