The Perfect Credit Card

Still looking for the perfect credit card? Well, I've found another great credit card comparison site. It's called dealsforcreditcards.com.

What's great about this site is it doesn't just list various credit cards. It also provides reviews and editor's picks to help you find the best offers.

The site also divides credit cards into some unique categories. Looking for a card tha accommodates balance transfers? Want the most frequent flier miles? You can filter out sites that don't meet these criteria. DeaslforCreditCards offers info on eighteen unique types of cards. Some examples include student cards, rewards cards, customizable cards, gas cards, and low interest cards. There's even a section for people with bad credit or no credit at all!

DealsforCreditCards also offers the unique option to sort cards by credit issuer. In today's challenging economy, it's a smart idea to pick an issuer you trust to back your credit line. The site also offers amazing insight with its dedicated articles forum. I especially liked this article on cash back cards. It really sheds light on the cash vs. points debate.

Speed Reading

Whether you're a student with a ton to read or managing a text-heavy desk job, learning to effectively speed read can save you a lot of time. The key to speed reading is to retain as much information as possible even while you breeze through the words on a page or screen. Even slow readers can master this art by using one of the proven speed reading out there. First, though, you may want to check your skills with an online speed reading test.

Speed reading was actually first popularized after the U.S. Airforce demonstrated they could train people to read words more quickly without eliminating comprehension. In the 1940s, Harvard Business School jumped on board and tested the use of films to improve reading time. Then, in the 1950s, the first widely popular speed reading technique, the Wood Method, was introduced. The premise was simple, by using your finger as a pacer, you can help move your eyes more quickly across a page of text.

There are two components to speed reading: faster eye movements and quick information processing. For the first part, you can try the basic "finger pacer" technique, but you may get better results by training your eyes with special exercises. In speed reading lingo, the goal is to decrease "fixation time," or the time you spend looking at each section of text. You'll also want to enhance your ability to move from one line's end to the next line's beginning.

As for the comprehension component, the most important thing to do is establish a purpose before reading. This means knowing what information you want to pull from the text as you breeze through it. Also, you should try to focus on blocks of words. With practice, you'll see how easy it is to break the "one word at a time" habit most of us grow up with.

The best speed reading programs do cost money. You can either learn by reading books about the technique or by using specialty software. Many software options are available online for download. One top seller is RocketReader, which also offers a free trial. Other great options can be found on this review.

For some free tips, check out the following:

• Spreeder
  
• Wikihow
• StudyHalle
  
• Glendale Community College Article
  

Think you're getting good at speed reading? Check out the World Championship Speed Reading Competition! The top readers there can reach up to 2,000 words per minute.

Mange Your Money with Buxfer

Keeping track of your budget online is one of the most effective ways to keep your finances on track. Of course, several sites have popped up as big winners in the financial management biz, but that one that truly stands out to me is Buxfer. It simplifies the sign-up and login procedure, helps you track IOUs with friends, and shows you exactly where your money is going. Plus, its security is guaranteed and backed by McAffee. Need more info? Here's the top reasons you should use Buxfer:

1. Sign up with your existing ID from AIM, Facebook, Yahoo, Google, and more!
2. Stay up to date with mobile, iphone, iGoogle, and Facebook updates.
3. Automatically update your info by linking (securely) to various accounts.
4. Keep track of group finances (split bills, clubs, IOUs, etc.)
5. Pay bills online in fewer steps.
6. Download / upload from other money programs.
   
7. Cheap upgrade for cash-flow projections.
   

Energy Boosting Nutrients

Let's face it, we could all use a little extra energy some days. While caffeine might seem like a great, momentary solution, you'll feel much better if you up your energy levels everyday. How? By getting enough of these essential vitamins and minerals:


Iron - 18mg of this mineral per day helps your body get the oxygen it needs and produce energy. Unfortunately, if you don't eat a lot of red meat, you may be missing out on this nutrient. A lack of iron can lead to fatigue, dizziness, and even depression.
How to get it: beef, kidney beans, lentils, spinach

Magnesium - This mineral might not be mentioned often, but it's essential for muscle function and stable energy. Magnesium can also relax nerves, strengthen bones, and regulate blood sugar.
How to get it: pumpkin seeds, salmon, black beans, spinach

Potassium - The 4,700mg of potassium your body needs each day plays a vital role in muscle contraction and regulates mineral balance. It's especially important if you work out and sweat a lot. A lack of potassium can not only weaken your muscles, but it also affects your mood making you irritable and tired.
How to get it: potatoes, avocado, spinach, winter squash

Vitamin E - Nearly 30% of all people aren't getting enough vitamin E in their diets. You need 15 milligrams per day to protect your heart and immune system. It also helps you absorb other nutrients and digest food comfortably.
How to get it: olives, nuts, seeds, fortified cereal (like Total)

Zinc - You need only 8mg a day, but most people don't even get that. It's great for regulating metabolism, blood sugar, and energy levels.
How to get it: green peas, beef, shrimp, low-fat yogurt

A MySpace Credit Card?

There are a lot of credit cards available, and most come with some sort of incentive or reward. From points to airline miles to cash back, you can truly find it all. Who would have imagined, though, that your credit card could come with MySpace incentives?

Well, Citibank imagined just that. Its new MySpace-themed wallet accessory (called Citi FOWARD) offers rewards like music downloads and access to special events. It also provides discounts, although few specifics regarding what kind are offered on their site.

MySpace card users earn points for purchases related to pop-culture (like music, DVDs, and books). They can also earn credit for good credit behavior and by performing acts of community service.

One great feature about the MySpace card is its attempt to teach young people good spending habits. If you pay your bill on time and stay under your credit limit, you can reduce your APR. Plus, good habits earn you 100 bonus points each billing cycle.

Best time for Exercise

There's a lot of debate over what time of day is best to workout. Some people say you should hit the gym first thing in the morning to rev up metabolism and burn off fat stores. Others think you should workout in the afternoon, preferably before your midday meal. Then, there's a new study that says 4pm to 7pm is prime time for fitness. Let's look at the top reasons to exercise in each time slot:

Morning:

• Surveys show people who exercise first thing are more likely to stick with their routine.
  
• Helps boost energy levels and wake you up.
• Air pollution and temperature are lower in the morning.
  

Afternoon:

• Lunch hour worokouts boost mood / energy for the rest of the workday.
• Great opportunity to recruit a fitness buddy from work.
• Boosts metabolism before your next meal.
  

Late Afternoon / Evening:

• Lung capacity appears to be best during this time.
• Muscles are completely warmed up, which reduces injury risk.
• Relieves stress and promotes sounder sleep.

Ultimately, you want to pick the exercise time that's right for you. Try to keep it consistent, though, because your body adjusts to your workout schedule. Also, avoid working out when you're starving or right before bedtime. Both can have negative effects on your body.

Tips for Holding Better Conversations

We converse with other people every day, but have you ever stopped to think about how good you are at this vital interpersonal skill? Think about it, the most successful and most popular individuals are those who can carry on a conversation with almost anyone. With this in mind, here's a few tips to make you a more successful conversationalist.

1. Don't Compare - A lot of us have this nasty habit of responding to every statement with a comparison from our own lives. For example, someone says "Man, I have a ton of work this week," and you respond with "Me too! I've got 2 reports, a presentation, and a ton of meetings." This shows the other person you aren't truly interested in hearing what they have to say.
   
   
2. Be Concise - When you're asked a question, don't just ramble on or launch into a lengthy story. Consider what was asked and respond appropriately without hogging the conversation.
   
   
3. Avoid Controversial Topics - Sure, a good debate is great among friends, but when you're talking to someone new, try to avoid touchy subjects. It's best to get to know someone before you make them defend their views.
   
   
4. Selective Eye Contact - Maintaining eye contact is an important conversational skill, but don't stare down your companion. Remember to break eye contact occasionally to avoid being intimidating (or simply creepy)
   
   
5. Restate Key Points - Show your genuine interest by restating important points your partner makes. Don't sound like a clone, though. Paraphrase and summarize to show you understand.
   
   
6. Let the Conversation End - Look, you can't talk to everyone for hours on end. When the conversation seems to be waning, let it end on a positive note rather than drawing it out and potentially boring your companion. If you want to talk more, be sure to exchange contact information.