AskMen.com - Haunted hotels

Have you ever heard of a ghost who plays the same, creepy tune on the piano over and over? What about a ghost who pinches the bottoms of unsuspecting guests? If you’re looking for a little paranormal activity this Halloween, then consider booking a room at one of the haunted hotels below. While many hotels and inns claim to be haunted, the ghosts lurking in these 10 places are particularly rowdy. Yes, they roam the hallways and scare the guests like most ghosts do, but they also make things levitate, ride invisible horses and buggies, and get fresh with the guests.So if you’re up for a little ghostly adventure, head to one of the hotels on this list. But do keep in mind that when you turn off the lights, you might not be alone.
Number 10
Myrtles PlantationSt. Francisville, Louisiana The ghost at Myrtles Plantation is so well-known that she even has a name: Chloe. Chloe is said to roam around the grounds of this Louisiana-based hotel, and many guests have claimed to catch her image on camera. Myrtles’ ghostly reputation has been reported in The New York Times, Forbes and on the Travel Channel. Catch one of their legendary mystery tours on Friday and Saturday evenings.Height of fright: Near the grand piano, a ghost is said to continuously play the same melody.
Number 9
Ancient Ram InnWotton-under-Edge, EnglandThe owner of the Ancient Ram Inn has come face-to-face with its ghosts: He claims to have been pulled out of bed by cold, hairy hands. His own daughter reports to have seen a creature that looked like a large black cat. But the Ancient Ram’s ghosts don’t limit themselves to haunting the owner and his family. Guests have heard strange knocking, doors slamming during the night, and have smelled some very strange odors permeating the hallways.Height of fright: Beware of the Bishops Room. Here visitors reported that their beds levitated and that winds have ripped artwork from the walls.
Number 8
Stanley HotelEstes Park, ColoradoThe hotel’s original owners -- the Stanleys -- haven’t quite accepted their demise. According to reports, a ghostly couple haunts the lobby, the billiard room and sometimes plays a tune on the piano. But there must be a few other ghosts loitering in the hotel, as there are reports of children’s voices being heard when none were around.Height of fright: Room 217 inspired Stephen King to write part of The Shining when he stayed there. Also, the entire fourth floor is said to be teeming with ghostly activity.

The Plough InnNorth Yorkshire, EnglandThe original owner as well as the maid of The Plough Inn both died in a fire back in the 1940s, but they never really left the building. According to some visitors, the maid’s spirit comes by at night to fluff their pillows. Other visitors have reported to seeing a woman in a long black dress meandering in the hallways. Some guests have even caught orbs of light on camera. Height of fright: The attic, where ghost hunters are said to have identified ghosts in 2004.
Number 6
Dalhousie Castle HotelBonnyrigg, ScotlandDalhousie Castle’s ghost is known to most visitors as The Gray Lady. According to legend, The Gray Lady is the ghost of the mistress of the house's original master. She was imprisoned in the castle by his wife and died there. The Grey Lady glides up and down the staircases, makes bizarre noises and sends out cold bursts of air.Height of fright: Steer clear of the corridors at night, where The Grey Lady is said to roam freely.
Number 5
Dragsholm Slot- HotelSealand, DenmarkThere are three regular ghosts that are said to haunt this hotel: a former maid of the hotel who comes by to check that everything is in order, the daughter of the former owner who died tragically but still wanders the hallways at night, and a prisoner who was captured there.Height of fright: The courtyard where ex-prisoner the Earl of Bothwell is reported to ride in his horse and carriage every night.
Number 4
Langham HiltonLondon, EnglandTo the unsuspecting visitor, the Langham Hilton is simply a posh London Hotel. But to many who have spent the night there, the Langham is one of England’s most haunted buildings. According to legend, a BBC announcer who was staying there awoke to see a fluorescent ball in his room change into an Edwardian gentleman. This ghost is seasonal, so head to the Langham in October to catch a glimpse of it.Height of fright: The basement, where the ghost of Napoleon III is said to have settled down for the rest of eternity. Yes, they even have ghosts in Canada...

Number 3
Ballygally Castle HotelBallygally, Northern IrelandAccording to the tale, Lady Shaw was running through the castle trying to escape her husband when she jumped out of a window and fell to her death. Clearly, she was not ready to leave the building because, to this date, she is said to loiter the premises. Another ghost named Madame Nixon also calls Ballygally her home. Guests identify Madame Nixon by the sounds of her dress rustling when she walks.Height of fright: All of the guest rooms are haunted. Lady Shaw likes to tease the guests by knocking on the doors of their rooms and running away.
Number 2
Story InnStory, IndianaThe ghosts at Story Inn go beyond the usual haunting. Yes, they roam the hallways like most ghosts do, but Story’s ghosts also have attitude: One ghost was seen fixing her nails and another is said to have pinched a guest's bottom while she was in the throes of a romantic evening.Height of fright: The Blue Lady Room, named after the blue light next to the bed -- when you turn it on the ghost appears.
Number 1
The Fairmont Algonquin ResortNew Brunswick, CanadaThe Fairmont Algonquin is not your usual seaside resort. Rebuilt in the early 1900s after being destroyed by a fire, the Fairmont has a colorful history. According to Fairmont legend, a woman apparently died of a broken heart in the hotel after she was left at the alter by her fiance. She has never quite left the Fairmont and guests have reported seeing her roam the hotel with her wedding dress still on.Height of fright: Near the elevator, where guests have reported to having been greeted by an older bellman, and the hotel does not, in fact, have a bellman that fits that description.

8 More Ways To Deal With Work-Related Stress

You’ve tried everything and nothing seems to help. Your boss gets on your nerves more than ever and if that stinking secretary misspells your name one more time, you swear you’ll go postal. Taking off where we last left off on conquering stress, let’s run through some more tricks that can bring down your blood pressure and put some serenity into your mind.
what’s driving you nuts?Depending on what the source of your stress is, you’ll know how to cope with it. Sometimes it’s just one little thing, like your power-tripping boss, while other times it’s an accumulation of things that just add up to stress and unnecessary nervous energy.Here are eight more tips to deal with different types of stress.
1- Maintain a clean environmentA cluttered workplace breeds a cluttered mind. Your job is probably stressful enough on its own without the added worry of anything else. In such environments, external factors that can contribute to increased levels of stress should be kept to a bare minimum. In today’s hectic world, it’s essential to feel as comfortable as you can be throughout the day. So try to keep things in order as much as possible. Not sure where to start? Here are a few ideas that can get you on your way:
Wipe down your work area with some disinfectant.
If you work at a desk, reduce clutter by using the filing cabinets and folders for what they were intended.
Stop scribbling all your notes on tiny bits of paper; designate a book (or a text file on your computer) to gather up all of your notes. This way, you’ll never have to stress about where you left that important contact information.
Tray dividers are always a good investment to help you organize your to-do items.
Keep your computer organized. A computer is no different than a real work environment -- treat it as such.
Once everything is in its place, add a little life with a plant. The therapeutic values connected to nature transcend the concrete walls you work behind.Really, maintain that temple we call a body and attain some “serenity now"…

2- ExerciseYet again, this infamous word keeps coming up in topics of body and mind. Without getting to the obvious reasons why you should exercise, or why you stopped, let’s look at how you can incorporate exercise into your daily routine without hitting the weights.
Try different methods of commuting. The simple act of walking to the nearest bus stop and using your legs to get there can help a lot.
Take the stairs once in a while. Elevators are great… for moving office equipment! Don’t be one of those people who waits in the lobby forever just to get to the second floor.
Got an hour for lunch? Eat fast and get outside. A brisk walk to burn off some of those calories can do wonders for your afternoon burnout.
3- Keep a balanced dietEver notice that about an hour after lunch you’re as productive as a mule in a county fair? That massive bowl of pasta you had in the employee cafeteria is most likely to blame. The biggest problem nowadays is that we starve ourselves throughout the day and once the clock strikes noon, we’re running to fill up on carbs. Not the best idea! Here’s a tip: Try snacking throughout the day to keep your body nourished evenly from breakfast until supper time. Stay away from junk! Bring a few fruits, a yogurt, some nuts, and you’re good to go. As for lunch, try to keep it light. If you must have the bowl of pasta, make it a small bowl with a side of salad.
4- Anger managementDo you clench your fist every time that hag walks by your desk to keep an eye on your progress? Daydreaming of going postal? Anger management might be what you need. Some people don’t know how to cook; others don’t know how to manage anger. Put the pride aside and see if there’s someone that can help you cope. The big corporate bosses of today are aware of this phenomenon called “I hate my job and this stinking company” and offer in-house counseling services to appease the uprising. You might want to take them up on that offer.
5- LaughterDoes anybody remember laughter? Nothing relieves stress as quickly and entertainingly as laughter. A great sense of humor is always welcome in a sterile work environment. Applying that ideology to our everyday dreadful routines can be the fresh outlook you’ve been dying to adopt for ages.Get those issues off your chest and break up your day, month or year…
6- CommunicateA lack of communication will almost always lead down a road you don’t want to be on, especially if you’re on the butt end of things.It can be hard to do, but next time you have an issue with someone get it off your chest. Let your colleagues or manager know about it. They are human too, and don’t always see themselves for who they really are in the workplace. A friendly conversation expressing your emotions can do a world of good and can make things a whole lot better around the office.
7- Take the breaks available to youToo often people work right through their breaks because they have too much work to do. Why are they torturing themselves? When your break arrives, take it! Don’t just stop working. Get up, stretch and get the hell out of the office. Even if it’s just for 15 minutes, getting away for a while and changing scenery can help reduce stress and give you a better perspective on your day. Overworking yourself will only have negative repercussions in the future. After all, that’s why they came up with the concept of a break.
8- Use personal days as personal daysEvery once in a while we have to take a day or two off to recharge our minds. Use those days wisely. It’s easy to think ahead and compile those free days off into one big lump and call it an extension to a vacation, but those days are there for a reason: because you need them.Using these “get out of work for a day” cards can help you manage your life a little better and, in turn, manage stress a little better.

Top 10 Foods That Relieve Stress

You keep fighting with your girlfriend, you haven't taken a vacation in eons and you're starting to wonder if you should just pitch a tent in the parking lot outside your office building. When you get back from the office, you're too exhausted to cook, so you order a pizza. After dinner, you're beat, but you know you're just going to lie awake in bed thinking about that never-ending Johnson report. That night, you barely get a wink of sleep (as usual), and you spend the next day chugging double espressos to avoid falling asleep in the boardroom.Sound familiar? There are many things wrong with this picture, not the least of which is your lack of a stress-relieving social life. But that's another story. When it's crunch time, we tend to engage in all sorts of unhealthy habits that further increase our stress levels. That pizza? Bad idea. If your anxiety is spiraling out of control, food should be your ally, not your enemy. With that in mind, here are 10 foods that will help relieve your stress.
Number 10
AlmondsThese crunchy little dudes are great stress relievers: they're packed with vitamin B2 (riboflavin), vitamin E, magnesium, and zinc. B vitamins and magnesium are involved in the production of serotonin, which helps regulate mood and relieve stress. Zinc has also been shown to fight some of the negative effects of stress, while vitamin E is an antioxidant that destroys the free radicals related to stress and heart disease.However, you should only eat a small handful at a time since almonds are high in fat. Although it is mostly healthy fat of the unsaturated variety, it could still make you pack on the pounds.
Number 9
FishMost types of fish are replete with all-important B vitamins, particularly the renowned stress fighters B6 and B12. In fact, B12 is one of the most important vitamins involved in the synthesis of the "happy" brain chemical serotonin; a vitamin B12 deficiency can even lead to depression.For lunch, try a tuna salad or sandwich (with light mayo). A good dinner option is grilled salmon or mackerel with a side of leafy greens and whole-grain rice; see below for more on the stress-fighting benefits of these foods.
Number 8
BroccoliYet another food that is chock-full of stress-relieving B vitamins, broccoli has the added benefit of containing folic acid, which is also part of the B vitamin family. Folic acid helps relieve stress, anxiety, panic, and even depression.Try broccoli as a simple accompaniment to fish or chicken, or toss it into a stir-fry along with a few other vegetables and some beef or shrimp.
Number 7
Whole-grain rice or pastaIt's a good thing carbohydrates are finally back in style now that everyone has realized those low-carb diets were a bunch of hooey; carbs boost serotonin levels and thus have a calming, soothing effect. While all carbs will give you this kick, stick to whole-grain bread, rice and pasta.Simple carbs like white bread and pastries will only give you a momentary boost followed by a crash, and they will make you pack on the pounds. On the other hand, whole grains (complex carbs) are digested more slowly and will thus keep you feeling fuller -- and conceivably happier -- for a longer period of time.A small portion of brown rice or whole-wheat pasta as a side dish for dinner should give you the boost you need.That big steak might actually calm you, as will these other stress-busting foods...
Number 6
SushiAside from the benefits of fish described on the first page, the seaweed in maki (rolls) also has anxiety-fighting properties. It is packed with stress-relieving magnesium, as well as pantothenic acid and vitamin B2 (riboflavin).Pantothenic acid is crucial, as it contributes to the health of the adrenal glands, which play a vital role in stress management. In times of stress, a deficiency in pantothenic acid can lead to feelings of anxiety and increased vulnerability to infection, illness and chronic fatigue.So be Mr. Fancy Pants and take your girlfriend out to a swank sushi resto; this might relieve your stress in other ways, too.
Number 5
MilkIn addition to those kung fu-fighting vitamins B2 and B12, milk also contains antioxidants that help destroy free radicals associated with stress.Have some skim milk with your cereal for breakfast or pour yourself a tall, cold glass and use it as an excuse to scarf down a few chocolate chip cookies. Uh, not too often.
Number 4
Cantaloupe and cottage cheeseCantaloupe is an excellent source of vitamin C, which is crucial in combating stress. In fact, prolonged periods of stress deplete levels of vitamin C in the adrenal glands, so it's important to consume foods that contain high levels of it.Since cottage cheese is a good source of vitamins B2 and B12, mixing it with cantaloupe for breakfast or a midday snack will help you banish your feelings of anxiety.
Number 3
BeefAh, another great reason to indulge in a big slab of beef -- it will chill you out thanks to the iron, B vitamins and zinc it contains. Of course, beef does contain unhealthy saturated fat, which increases your risk of coronary heart disease and other illnesses.To get around this problem, pick the leanest cuts of beef you can find; look for the word "round" or "loin" in the name, such as top sirloin, top round, and tenderloin.
Number 2
Fortified breakfast cerealThese days, many breakfast cereals are fortified with a slew of essential vitamins and minerals, so they can be a great one-stop source of stress-fighting B vitamins, folic acid, vitamin C, and fiber.Two good brands to try are Whole Grain TOTAL and Fiber One, or you can check out my "Best Breakfast Cereals" article for more options.
Number 1
BlueberriesThese little blue miracle workers are jam-packed with antioxidants and vitamin C, which are potent stress busters. As an added bonus, they're low in calories, so they won't make you blimp-like.Blueberries are also a good source of fiber, which can help relieve the cramps and constipation that can occur in times of stress. Mix the little suckers with some cottage cheese or eat them on their own as a snack or dessert.

Top 10: Exercises For Back Pain

If you don't suffer from back pain, there's a good chance that someone in your family or your workplace does. In fact, back pain is one of the most common work-related injuries; it is the second leading cause of missed workdays after the common cold. But people with physically demanding jobs that require heavy lifting aren't the only ones at risk; working in front of a computer in the same position all day is also a major risk factor for developing back problems.There are many ways to prevent non-accidental back injuries, such as making sure your workstation is user-friendly, taking breaks to stretch or walk around, and lifting weights to strengthen your back muscles.However, if you are part of the 70% of Americans who suffer from some form of back pain at one point in their lives, there are exercises you can do to relieve the aching.Keep in mind that the back is a very sensitive area and that performing inadequate exercises could have serious consequences. If you are experiencing more than mild to moderate pain or are unsure about any of these exercises, consult a doctor for advice.The following exercises, which mostly concentrate on the lower back since this is the most common site of pain, should be performed every day or at least every second day. Choose five or six exercises to do per session and rotate through the 10 on subsequent days. They should be done on a firm but soft surface, such as a carpet or a yoga mattress. And remember: If an exercise hurts, stop immediately.
Number 10Spread eagleLie on your back with your arms stretched above your head, palms facing up. Make sure not to bend your neck so you don't strain it and pay attention to your lower back throughout the exercise. Tilt your pelvis toward the sky and push your belly in, so the entire surface of your lower back is touching the floor.Simultaneously reach above your head with your right hand and push down (into the "air" below your foot) with your left leg. Hold the position for four seconds, then change sides (left hand up, right leg down). Repeat three times on each side.
Number 9Pelvic liftLie on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor. Keep your legs together and cross your arms over your chest. Tilt your pelvis up and push your lower back to the floor, then slowly lift your buttocks off the floor as far as you can without straining. Maintain the position for five seconds, then lower your buttocks to the floor. Repeat three to five times. Breathe normally throughout.Twist and make like a cat to relieve back pain...

Number 8Hip twistLie on your back with your arms stretched out to your sides. Bring your right knee up toward you so that your thigh forms a 90 degree angle with your chest and bend your knee so that your lower leg is parallel to the floor.Keeping your shoulders stuck to the floor, slowly lower your knee to the left until it touches the floor. Relax for five seconds, then slowly bring your leg back to rest beside the other one. Repeat three times with each leg.
Number 7Knee to chestLie on your back and clasp your hands together behind one of your knees. Keeping the opposite leg flat on the floor, pull your thigh toward your chest. Maintain the position for 15 seconds, then switch legs. Repeat three times with each leg.
Number 6Cat and camelGet down on all fours and keep your neck straight so that you are staring at the floor. Slowly turn your face toward the ceiling while allowing your lower back to "sag" comfortably into an arch; don't push or force it. Next, arch your back in the opposite direction, contracting your abs and pushing your lower back toward the ceiling while lowering the top of your head toward the floor. Make sure that all movement is initiated and controlled by your lower back. Repeat three times in each direction.
Number 5Tail wagGet down on all fours and look down at the floor. Keeping your shoulders still, slowly push your right hip as far as you can toward your right shoulder. Then, slowly return to the starting position and repeat the exercise on the other side, pushing your left hip toward your right shoulder. Repeat three times on each side.

Number 4Hip extensionGet down on all fours and keep your neck straight so that you are staring at the floor. Simultaneously lower the top of your head toward the floor while bringing your right knee in toward your head. Then, tilt your face up toward the ceiling and extend your leg out behind you until it is parallel to the floor. Return to the starting position and repeat with your other leg. Repeat three times on each side.
Number 3Rag dollSit in a chair with your feet flat on the floor and your knees shoulder-width apart. Look straight ahead and relax your neck and shoulders. Slowly curl your neck, then your upper back, then your lower back forward until your chest is between your thighs. Let your palms rest on the floor and hold for 10 seconds. Straighten up by doing the same movement in reverse, lifting your head up last. Repeat three times.
Number 2Upper back stretchSit on a stool with your head and back flat against a wall. Lift your arms over your head and hold for five seconds. Try to make your shoulders touch the wall while keeping your back flat, and hold for another five seconds. Lower your hands to the starting position. Repeat three times.
Number 1Side bendStand up straight with your arms at your sides and your feet shoulder-width apart. Lower your right shoulder to the side, running your hand down the outside of your thigh and bending your entire trunk at the waist as far as you can without straining. Hold for five seconds and slowly straighten up. Repeat three times on each side.

Overlooked Investing Basics

We have all heard the basics of investing over and over: You have to start early, you need to be diversified, you need to take advantage of your 401(k), and so forth. Those are good tips and should be heeded, but they do little to help you with your investing knowledge or your success as an investor, whether you’re a rookie, a dilettante or a seasoned stock market veteran.First, let me say that investing in the stock market is not without its risks. Before going “all in,” you should consider some lower-risk and more stable investments, such as mutual funds or index funds. When you enter the world of investing, it is wise to always have an emergency fund and to recognize that any money that you play the market with can disappear.So, with the standard disclaimer out of the way, here are a few overlooked investing basics that can benefit investors of all levels.
Buy and sell, but don’t holdWhen it comes to stocks, you are buying, selling or holding. Sometimes, these stances are referred to in vague terms, such as “underperform” or “overweight.” Nonetheless, you can boil them down to the same basic three, which are indicative of action and decisiveness. Once you have made a commitment to investing, lying in the weeds -- or holding -- will only make you susceptible to fear and greed, which may hinder your chances of success. It is best if you develop a course of action and stick to it.The reality of investing is such that you should always be buying or selling -- never holding. The only reason to invest in a stock is because you feel it will go up, and if it is going up, make a point to buy more. Sure, you may have to wait for your next paycheck to have some extra money available, but as long as the prospects are good, take action and give yourself more upside opportunity. Conversely, if your investment looks sour, it’s best to move on and sell your position -- even at a small loss -- rather than sweat it out and watch your stash slowly deteriorate. Once you have committed to investing in a stock, buy it -- do not wait for a ”better” price that may never come.
Act like an ownerWhen you buy stock, you become part owner of the company that you’re investing in, a fact that is often forgotten. A famous quote from Warren Buffet is particularly suitable here: “Buy a business, do not rent stocks.”Ask yourself the same types of questions you would as a business owner when you’re investing in stocks. Such as: Is the stock treating you the way you would treat yourself as an owner? Does the business make a good product? How does it stack up against the competition? Does the business make money?Nobody goes into business to lose money, so when you start investing, you should have the same mentality and act accordingly. Granted, you won’t be running the day-to-day operations of the company, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t think that you do. Take a look at the statement of cash flows, which is broken up into three parts: operating, investing and financing. It might be obvious, but it is ill-advised to invest or hold when a company has negative cash flow from operations and investing activities, but positive cash flow from financing activities. This means that the business is losing money, the business is spending more money as it tries to grow, and it is getting its money from loans and selling stock to investors.
On a more positive note, think about what the business is giving back to you as an owner. Does the company pay dividends? Does the company buy back shares? These frequently overlooked investment basics are two great ways to reward owners, as dividends are actual cash payments to the owners, and share buybacks help make your block of shares a bigger percentage of the pie (in contrast to making your share worthless by continually handing out more pieces of the company). Remember, there is only so much to go around.
Thinking about expensive stockBerkshire Hathaway, Warren Buffet’s company, is worth about $110,000 per share -- a price tag that may scare you away from investing. A common misconception is that to find success in investing, you have to find stocks that are cheap (from a few dollars to a few cents). Sure, if you only have $1,000, you can not buy a share of Berkshire. You could, however, buy 100,000 shares of a stock trading at $0.01, but what are you really buying with that $1,000? How much of the pie are you getting with that stash?Consider the company's number of shares outstanding -- the total number of pieces the company is broken up into, minus the treasury stock -- and figure out the percentage of the pie you own. Furthermore, it is important to understand how that price per share, no matter how high or low, relates to the key indicators of a company’s health, such as money in the bank, cash flow, earnings, and book value.Take book value, also called shareholders’ equity, of a company, which is the difference between assets and liabilities. On the stock market, companies often trade above their book value, which is an indicator of the base worth of a company in the event of a bankruptcy. Without simplifying too much, if you really wanted a TV that was worth $1,000, would you rather pay $2,500 or $10,000, which are 2.5 and 10 times the book value, respectively? The answer should be obvious.Of course, companies that are more exciting or growing faster, tend to have higher multiples because people are willing to pay more for something that is newer and more exciting. Keep in mind that some companies have negative book value, which means it has more debt than assets. Price-Earnings ratio (P/E) is also a common indicator. Basically, a P/E of 30 means that you are paying $30 for every $1 the company earns, and it would take 30 years to get your money back. Imagine P/E’s of 100 or 10, and think about where the best place may be to put your dollar.The above illustrates an often-overlooked investing basic: The actual price of a stock is far less important than things like what the company makes on a per-share basis. So, when you see a stock that has a high price tag, it may be a better deal than a company trading for pennies.
Know your placeThe stock market is often referred to as a living, breathing organism. There is some truth to that as it is reflective of the buying and selling habits of millions of investors, mutual funds, pension funds, money managers, and traders. The market is there to help find a balance between buyers and sellers, and that balance ensures that stocks are priced right where they need to be at a certain point in time.
Initially, it seems that opportunity abounds because stocks can easily be overvalued or undervalued. But, before thinking that every stock is underpriced or overpriced, remember the sheer volume of activities that position the stock where it is. You may be smarter than a handful of investors on an individual basis, but it would be tough to outsmart the entire group.Larger stocks, such as Wal-Mart and Coca-Cola, are followed by many people and analysts. This results in the availability of more information to more people, which helps them make informed decisions and helps find a balance in the stock market. In smaller companies, there may be less coverage or public knowledge, but you may be in the hornet’s nest with other investors that have a far superior knowledge than you when it comes to the particular stock or the industry it is in. New investors get into trouble when they feel they are smarter than everyone else. Even professional money managers have problems with this; over the course of several years, only about 5% of all mutual funds and money managers do better than the stock market in general.As an investor, you can save a lot of red ink if you recognize your place and realize that there is a world of knowledge out there that is already priced into the stock market.
Do your homeworkThe simplest way to get into the stock market is to buy an index fund, which is basically buying the entire financial market. So, if the stock market goes up, your fund will go up. However, people are lured by great wealth and often believe that they can do better than the masses and outperform the market. It’s not easy and there are no guarantees you can ever do it, but there are some things you can do to position yourself.For starters, do your homework. To know more than the next guy, you’ll have to learn about the industry and study the trends so that you can formulate an idea on where the industry is going. Learn about the company’s competitors and its dependencies, such as oil if the company needs it to make the product. You’ll also want to consider the price fluctuations of resources such as oil.Investors often stand the best chance to garner information and become an expert as a function of their jobs. For example, if you’re in the construction purchasing department, you likely have an idea of what companies are out there and the demand cycle for their products better than a psychiatrist would. Your profession is a great place to acquire specific knowledge (not insider information) that is not readily available to someone who is not in your field. Leverage that knowledge and you might put yourself in a position to succeed.
crash the stock market partyEven if you cannot outperform the stock market and are a lowly clerk for a company that makes washing machines, live the dream: Be an owner, buy stock in companies that do what you understand and know, start a portfolio, and enjoy the learning process. Even if you don't make millions overnight, brush up on these overlooked investing basics and take advantage of the opportunity to have fun while you expand your knowledge of an industry or company.

Make A Good First Impression

Making a good first impression is important for building relationships with other people. In business, a positive first impression is crucial for forging profitable, sustainable, long-term partnerships to help build the business and keep it thriving. Why is it, then, that I meet so many people in business and everyday life that seem to be clueless as to the importance of making a good first impression? Whether intentional or not, there is no excuse for blowing a first business meeting with someone.
business firstThe other party might not want to do business with you -- it is part of the game, after all -- but it shouldn't be because you present yourself as a brute and make your organization look like a horde of cavemen. Be it face-to-face, over the phone, via fax, e-mail or videoconference, it is very important to come across in a positive light, especially the first time around. We've all met people that we instantly "like" and want to get to know more or do business with. Most of the time, these people follow a few basic rules that make their first impression a strong one. I've compiled a quick list of six easy tips you can use to make a strong first impression, each and every time.
first impression tips
Dress to impressWe've all heard this old saying, but it does hold a good amount of truth. Although today's business environment is much more casual than it was even 10 years ago, it is still important to dress the part. The key here is to dress modestly and appropriately for the gathering you will be attending. There is no need to wear the latest Brioni suit, but do make sure that your clothing is clean and fits well. The last thing you want is to give off a negative impression before you even open your mouth. If you look sloppy, people will assume that you and your business are sloppy as well.
Speak clearlyI cannot emphasize this point enough. Be sure to communicate clearly with the people you are meeting. Few things are more annoying than having to listen to someone without understanding what they are saying because they garble their words. Focus on speaking at a moderate pace with a well-modulated voice. Do not be afraid to enunciate properly. Also, using proper grammar when speaking and avoiding slang is expected if you are to make a good first impression. Remember: If people can't comprehend what you are saying, they will disregard you and your organization. Furthermore, be polite and courteous at all times.

Use the person's name frequentlyTake a minute to think of some of the people you met recently. If you encountered someone who used your name from the get-go, you will likely agree that it made the conversation much more personal.Furthermore, it shows the other person that you were paying attention from the very beginning and that you give them enough importance to memorize their name. A bonus is that by using their name immediately, you will be more likely to remember it and impress them even more should you run into them a second time.
Avoid jokesHumor is generally a good thing -- if used prudently. A light crack or simple joke can do wonders to lighten the atmosphere and set the mood for a gathering. Unfortunately, if you are not careful and crack an off-color joke, the effect will be the opposite. You may end up facing a group of hostile people that have already put an "X" on you because of your poor choice of wit. I suggest avoiding jokes on the first encounter. If you really must make a wisecrack, go with something short and conservative so as to not offend anyone. You don't want to be remembered as "that offensive fellow."
Be a good listenerBeing a good listener is not as complicated as most people think it is. When having a discussion with someone, make sure to let him know in a subtle manner that you are paying attention to what is being said. Don't be afraid to nod your head and chime in with the occasional "I see" or "I understand," or any other verbal cue that shows the other person that you are indeed listening attentively. Also, feel free to ask questions (preferably non-threatening ones) if you are unsure of what the other person is trying to communicate. Finally, do not interrupt when someone else is speaking. Interrupting someone in mid-sentence is extremely rude and will count as one strike against you in just about any social setting. Proper etiquette is suggested at all times.
Let the other person be the center of attentionPerhaps the most important tip to follow when making a first impression is to avoid hogging the spotlight. Let the other person be the center of attention. The worst mistake you can make is talking incessantly about yourself. You will come off as a selfish person who is only interested in himself, rather than appearing as someone who could help others further their business. Ask the other person about himself and let him bask in the spotlight. You will not only appear to be gracious, but you will also learn more about the person you are dealing with. Pay close attention to the conversation; those little details may be useful in the future.

Banish Back Pain

Are you reading this article with your back hunched, shoulders slumped forward and abs sagging? In correct posture, your head should be neutral, meaning your chin shouldn't be angled up or down, but straight ahead. Your shoulders should be down and back away from the ears and your thumbs should point forward or out to the side. Your abdominals should be tight, not “sucked in.” Which direction is your rear pointing? An anterior pelvic tilt causes an increased arch in the lower back and may present the illusion of sagging abs. A posterior pelvic tilt causes the back to flatten, giving that sunken-butt appearance. Lower back pain and neck/shoulder pain are very common. Bad posture causes back pain and will affect your ability to do back pain relief exercises. Read on to learn how you can banish back pain for good.
Strengthen the “right” abs The abdominals consist of four separate muscles. The deepest muscle, the transverse abdominus (T.A.), runs horizontally and serves as a girdle for the internal organs, and it also supports the back. Learning to isolate the T.A. is very important. One way to do this is to stand with your back against a wall. In a neutral position, there should be a slight space between your lower back and the wall. When you tighten the T.A., your stomach will flatten, but your back should remain in neutral. Don’t suck in your gut or shrug your shoulders. Hold this position for 5-10 seconds. A more advanced version of this back pain exercise is performed in a quadruped position (on your hands and knees). Performed correctly, this ab strengthening exercise can help you banish back pain.
Pelvic tilt/cat-cow The cat-cow stretch is a good exercise to help banish back pain; it loosens the hips and relieves tension and stiffness in the back. On your hands and knees, lift your head and make your back concave for the cow pose. Then arch your back, tighten your abs and tuck your hips underneath you for the cat pose. You might find you have more hip motion in one direction than in the other. Perform this exercise often, but be careful not to strain yourself. Make the motions smoothly and slowly, and don't snap your hips in one direction then the other.
Tight hamstringsTight hamstrings are a common cause of back pain because they attach to the pelvis and any tightness affects the low back. The hamstrings become inflexible and weak if you’re stuck at a desk all day, if you sit during a long commute or if you are an inactive man who just doesn't stretch as often you should. A good exercise to banish back pain is to stretch the hamstrings lying supine. A seated stretch can cause strain on the lower back if performed incorrectly. Using a towel, belt, stretch cord or dog leash, hook one foot in the cord and keep the other foot flat on the floor. Pull the involved leg straight up in the air, until a stretch is felt in the back of the thigh. Hold this position for 20-30 seconds and repeat this three times for each leg. Extend the opposite leg if you can for a deeper stretch. Again, this isn't a motion that can be performed harshly and you shouldn't be overextending your leg or causing pain. You should only feel a slight burning in your thigh indicating a good stretch, not pain.
Hip flexor stretchWhen your quadriceps and hip flexors are tight, in conjunction with weak abs, they pull your pelvis forward, causing pain in your lower back because the quadriceps crosses the knee and hip joint. Kneel on your right knee with your left leg bent and your left foot flat on the floor in front of you. Lean forward and squeeze your right buttock as you do so. You should feel the stretch down the front of your thigh, and into the front of the hip. Switch sides. Kneel on a pillow or towel if your knee bothers you. This stretch to banish back pain can also be done while you lie on your stomach.
Trapezius stretchAs you're reading this, drop your shoulders. Did you realize they were up? Many people hunch their shoulders due to stress, tension or just as a learned posture. A constant slumped-over posture puts the trapezius muscle in a constant stretch position, which over time causes the muscle to tighten up to protect itself.Stretching the trapezius on a regular basis will help relieve some tension and help prevent headaches. Attempt to bring the right ear to the right shoulder, keeping in mind that your shoulder should not come up to meet your ear. Hold this position for 10 seconds and repeat it 10 times. Hold onto the edge of the chair with your left hand for a deeper stretch, and remember to do both sides.
Open your chestThe pectoral muscles, or "pecs," tighten up when the shoulders are carried forward all the time, and as a result of doing too many bench presses and pushups. In a corner, put your forearms against the wall. Lean forward, pushing your chest toward the wall. Feel the stretch across the front of your chest and shoulders. Hold this position for 30 seconds and repeat three times. If you do not have an empty corner, the stretch can be performed one arm at a time in a doorway. Don’t lean too far forward; it should be a stretch, not painful.
Scapular retractions/rowsThe muscles between the scapulas (rhomboids) are most responsible for keeping the shoulders in proper alignment. In a seated or standing position, squeeze your shoulder blades together. A maximum contraction will make the shoulder blades touch. Do not shrug your shoulders and do not arch your lower back. Try this exercise to banish back pain in a prone position as well. Place a pillow or a rolled-up towel under your forehead to keep your neck and spine in a straight line. Lift your shoulders off the surface, squeezing your shoulder blades together, then reach for your feet with your fingertips. Squeeze for five seconds and repeat 20 times. This exercise is the precursor to seated or bent-over rows performed in the gym.
back pain be goneThese stretches to banish back pain can be performed every day, at any time. After about three weeks of consistent stretching, you'll see an improvement in your posture and experience less back pain. However, if you continue to feel back pain, visit your doctor or physical therapist.

Top 10: Hotel Pools

No.5 - Hotel Ritz
Paris, FranceWhile the Hotel Ritz has always been famous, it wasn’t until Pamela Harriman, U.S. Ambassador to France, suffered a stroke while swimming in its pool that the pool itself became equally famous. Aside from its odd publicity, however, the pool is breathtakingly beautiful in design, with neoclassical features such as murals and pillars at every turn. As you can imagine, there’s nothing more refined than swimming here, though we do suggest you avoid wearing baggy board shorts and canon bombing other guests.

No.4 - Delano
Miami, U.S.A thing of architectural beauty, the pool at Miami’s prestigious Delano hotel is every inch designer Ian Schrager’s creation. At once kitsch and glamorous, the shimmering waters are lined by towering palms from one end to the other, which, incidentally, stretches quite a long way. There’s also a table in the middle of the shallow end, meaning hungry swimmers can order food and beverages as they splash about and top up their golden tans.

No.3 - Banyan Tree
Seychelles, Republic of SeychellesHotel pools don’t come more tropical than the 23-meter infinity one at the Banyan Tree resort on the island of Mahé. Bordered with gorgeous teak decking, the dark-green pool overlooks Intendance Bay and its surrounding greenery, making for a truly spectacular setting indeed. Naturally, poolside guests here are waited on hand and foot with ice-cold drinks and local delicacies galore.

No.2 - Bellagio
Las Vegas, U.S.As with everything else in Las Vegas, the six pools at the Bellagio are ridiculously over-the-top. Built in an al fresco Mediterranean style, the azure-colored pools are complete with steps, gardens, columns, private cabanas, and an exquisite garden cafe, with stone fountains crowning each pool’s center. What’s more, the pools are heated so that guests can use them come rain or shine.

No.1 - The Beverly Hills Hotel
Los Angeles, U.S.While Hollywood stars come and go, the palm-lined pool at The Beverly Hills Hotel in L.A. always remains. This hotels pool has appeared in countless movies and TV shows, and the classically shaped rectangle of blue water that stretches out before the pink-hued hotel has become a favorite among sun-worshippers and power-lunchers everywhere. Completely renovated in 1995, the pool is now better than ever, with 21 crisp white cabanas scattered about its fringes, each equipped with TV, phone and fax, underwater music, frozen towels, sunglass cleaning, full dining, and pretty much anything else you want taken care of.