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7 stupid lies we tell ourselves about money

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mario mirror mustache

1. “I want to make passive income”

I love when people say this because you can tell they have no idea what they’re talking about. It’s kind of like trying to identify people with bad taste: Just go to the local Hometown Buffett. They’re all there.

I hate to say it but most of us don’t need to focus on passive income, we need to focus on improving our active income — our jobs. How? By becoming more skilled, solving more problems for our bosses, and basically out-hustling co-workers.

A lot of people don’t like to hear this because it means that instead of reaching for some dream of $500/day in passive income, they actually have to do some work right now at their jobs. But your job is the most likely place you can significantly increase your income.

Solution: Get better at your job and negotiate your salary. Here’s how:

 

SEE ALSO: 6 productivity hacks that tripled my income

2. “If I just try harder, I can save more.”

The truth is, we all know we need to save money, exercise more, call our family regularly … but there are serious barriers to doing all of these.

There is significant research indicating that simply trying harder will not help you get started investing.

Solution: Automate your finances so you’re not dependent on your willpower.

• Personal finance is not about more willpower, including specific details on my automation system for your finances & a 12-minute tactical video
• The psychology of passive barriers (why we can’t seem to do things we “know” we need to do)



3. “I’m going to start keeping a budget”

Do you guys remember when I made fun of stupid frat-boy business ideas, the worst one being when a bunch of dudes get together and decide to start a t-shirt company?

This is like that, only for grownups. At some point in our lives, each one of us will get motivated and decide, “Yes! I’m going to track my spending.” This will last about 10 minutes until we realize it’s (1) really hard, (2) we don’t like ourselves when we objectively analyze our spending, and (3) it’s much easier to do nothing than to subject ourselves to the pain of budgeting.

In fact, I am going to quote a very wise man on this one: myself. Here, directly from my book, are my thoughts on budgeting:

“Create a budget!” is the sort of worthless advice that personal-finance pundits feel good prescribing…Who wants to track their spending? The few people who actually try it find that their budgets completely fail after two days because tracking every penny is overwhelming. Amusingly, in a 2007 survey by bankrate.com, 75 percent of Americans said they have a budget—which is complete nonsense. “There’s probably a lot of wishful thinking in this response,” says Jared Bernstein, director of the Living Standards Program of the Economic Policy Institute. “It’s probably more accurate to say that three-quarters think they should work on a monthly budget.” My kind of man: exposing the delusions of people everywhere!”

Solution: Create a Conscious Spending Plan that will let you spend extravagantly on the things you love, as long as you cut costs mercilessly on the things you don’t.

• Conscious Spending: How my friend spends $21,000/year going out
• Full Conscious Spending Plan (with specific recommendations on percentages for each category) is available in my book



4. “My friend goes on vacation 4x a year and he makes less than me!”

Your friend is either a highly skilled practitioner of Conscious Spending, or an idiot. What’s funny is this becomes more true as you get older, yet we get even more jealous. Think about it: How many times have you heard one of your parents ask the other one, “Why can’t we go on vacation like they do?” without understanding how their spending breaks down?

Odds are, they’re not conscious spenders, but rather overspenders.

The single-best book on this is the Millionaire Next Door, where we learn surprising facts about the average millionaire: 80% are first-generation affluent, invest 15%-20% of household income, buy used cars, and rarely buy expensive watches or suits. They’re the ordinary neighbors who are saving money instead of spending it on a new Mercedes.

Solution: Would you look at a bunch of blue whales for advice on losing weight? Then why would you look at your ordinary friends, who are making ordinary money decisions, and will end up with ordinary results — not having enough money — as role models? Refocus your financial aspirations to people you value and their conscious decisions, not showy displays of wealth from people who are poor role models. If you suspect they can’t afford it, they probably can’t.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Jon Stewart is coming back to TV to talk politics — here's what he's been up to

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Jon Stewart Stephen Colbert

Ever since Jon Stewart left "The Daily Show" last summer, there has been a huge need for his brilliant political satire, especially amidst this crazy election cycle.

Stewart has mostly been off the grid and spending time with his wife and kids. Stewart, though, has stopped back on TV on and off, but hasn't really discussed politics.

That could change soon.

On Monday night, Jon Stewart will make an appearance on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert." We are uncertain about what exactly he'll be doing but given that it's in the middle of Republican National Convention coverage, there's a strong chance he'll be sharing an opinion or two.

Here's how Jon Stewart has been keeping busy since leaving "The Daily Show":

Jon Stewart left "The Daily Show" in August 2015. He left by warning his audience that "bulls**t is everywhere."



He left the show to Trevor Noah. Noah has received mixed to negative reviews as he continues to try and find his voice. Taking over for Jon Stewart isn't easy.



While likely not very hands on, Stewart is still credited as a producer on "The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore," which follows "The Daily Show" in the 11:30 p.m. slot.



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Here's what a serving size of each of your favorite foods looks like

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Portion Sizes 3 Oreos

When's the last time you ate just two Oreos?

Yeah. Me neither. Yet that is the standard Food and Drug Administration serving size listed on the back of the package. In other words, eating two of these cookies will give you the caloric equivalent of a standard snack — 140 calories, or about the same as:

  • Two apples
  • One piece of (lightly) buttered toast
  • 10 cups of spinach

In May the FDA announced that it was updating these serving sizes, or, in agency parlance, "reference amounts customarily consumed per eating occasion," so that they would better reflect how much of each item people actually eat. Those changes go into effect in summer 2018.

Read on to see what the standard serving sizes of your other favorite foods look like now:

SEE ALSO: 9 important foods you should be eating but aren't

DON'T MISS: Fat isn't nearly as bad for you as we thought — and another ingredient is likely worse

Bear Naked Go Bananas Granola: 1/4 cup

Granola is commonly touted as a health food, but in reality it's pretty high in sugar, carbs, and calories and not very high in protein. A quarter-cup serving has:

150 calories
7 grams of fat
18 grams of carbohydrates
3 grams of protein



Twizzlers: 4 twists

This movie snack is fat-free but still pretty high in calories. Just four sticks have:

160 calories
0.5g fat
36g carbs
1g protein



Skippy Creamy Peanut Butter: 2 tbsp

Despite being a classic sandwich ingredient and go-to snack, peanut butter is pretty high in calories and fat, with two tablespoons of the spread having:

190 calories
16g fat
7g carbs
7g protein



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

How to land a job when you're pregnant

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pregnant

Looking for a job is never easy. Throw in a pregnancy while you're at it, and it becomes so much more complicated.

In most cases in the US, it's illegal to discriminate against women because of pregnancy, and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission advises hiring managers against asking about pregnancy in a job interviewbecause it could be regarded as evidence of intent to discriminate.

Sadly, these laws exist in part because, whether it's deliberate or not, people tend to discriminate against mothers (and expectant mothers).

"Motherhood triggers assumptions that women are less competent and less committed to their careers," reads a report from LeanIn.Org and McKinsey & Company. "As a result, they are held to higher standards and presented with fewer opportunities."

The report points to a study out of Cornell that found employers tended to discriminate against mothers in the hiring stage.

As part of the study, researchers sent employers fake, almost identical résumés with one major difference: some résumés indicated that the job applicant was part of a parent-teacher association.

While male job candidates whose résumés mentioned the parent-teacher association were called back more often than men whose résumés didn't, women who alluded to parenthood in the same way were half as likely to get called back than women who didn't.

The study participants also rated mothers as the least desirable job candidates and deemed them less competent and committed than women without children or men.

So what can you do to better your odds of getting the job when you're expecting?

SEE ALSO: 9 scientific ways having a child influences your success

DON'T MISS: 9 things hiring managers should never ask about in a job interview

Look for the right job

The first thing to do in a job hunt, for any job seeker, is to find a job and employer that's a right fit for you. When you're about to become a mother, however, what you value in a job may change.

"I can say with certainty that having a child will turn your world – and your priorities – upside down," says Amanda Augustine, career advice expert for TopResume, who is a new mother herself.

As you review various job listings, she suggests considering what will matter most to you and your family, like a shorter commute, the organization's parental leave policies, insurance and benefit packages, and their openness to telecommuting and other flexible work arrangements.

It's worth noting that to be eligible for unpaid parental leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act, a law that provides certain US employees with up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave a year, you're required to work for your employer for at least 12 months. Some companies that offer paid parental leave have a similar policy.

Thankfully, a little online research can shed some light in these areas. Working Mother comes out with a comprehensive annual list of the best companies for working moms that details benefits, advancement programs, and more. And sites like Glassdoor and Fairygodboss crowdsource real employee reviews about things like benefits, pay, and parental leave policies.



Don't mention your pregnancy during an interview

"The worst thing you can do is start each interview or cover letter by mentioning your baby bump," Augustine says.

If it isn't obvious yet, she says there's no need to mention your pregnancy at all during the interview.

"Remember, the conversation should be focused on learning more about the role and discussing your qualifications, not your family plans," Augustine says.



Redirect

If an employer does ask you about your family plans in the preliminary interview stage, the National Advocates for Pregnant Women suggests redirecting the discussion to the heart of the employer's concern.

For example, you could respond, "If you're wondering whether I'm able to meet the demands of the job, the answer is, yes, I am."



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

How to choose the right Kindle for you

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The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships so we may get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

Kindle OasisSo you've decided to give e-books a shot. While you'll never completely part with your dog-eared coffee-stained paperbacks, it's time to dip your toe in the digital world. Welcome. 

The best e-reader's out there are Amazon's line of Kindles. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if you think "Kindle" every time someone mentions e-books — heck, I do.

But there are four Kindle models to choose from, each with their pros and cons. Hopefully this guide will help you make the right choice. Happy (e)reading!

 

 

SEE ALSO: How the Amazon Echo won me over and became the center of my smart home

SEE ALSO: Amazon’s Fire TV Stick is fast, cheap, and great for Prime members

The Kindle

The Kindle is Amazon's baseline model and it's perfect for people who just want to read. It lacks the high-resolution screen and back lights of its older siblings, but there's still a lot to like about this device. 

It's the second lightest, so if you're going to be slipping it in and out of a beach bag, you won't have to worry about a lot of extra weight. Speaking of the beach, all Kindles have an e-ink screen that won't have the same sun glare that makes reading on a tablet in those conditions almost impossible. 

The Kindle is capable of holding thousands of books, has weeks of battery life, and comes in both black and white. If you can live with having to have a light on to read at night and don't want to spend a lot of money, Amazon's basic Kindle would be a good choice for you.

Amazon Kindle, $79.99, available at Amazon

 



The Kindle Paperwhite

One step up from the standard Kindle, the Kindle Paperwhite is capable of doing everything its baby sibling can, and more. 

With almost double the screen resolution, text will look indistinguishable from a printed page. Built-in back lighting means you won't have to flip on your lamp to read at night, and you can get a version of the Kindle Paperwhite with built-in 3G networking.

That last bit is important if you want to download a book at the airport without having to log into their WiFi. If you're not a huge fan of the cell phone companies, you don't have to worry; the Kindle Paperwhite has unlimited free access to 3G data. 

It's a little bigger and heavier than the standard Kindle, but if you want to read at night and buy books anywhere you should consider the Kindle Paperwhite.

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (WiFi only), $119.99, available at Amazon



The Kindle Voyage

Simply put, the Kindle Voyage is the ultimate version of the Kindle Paperwhite. 

It has two additional back lights to more evenly distribute light on the screen, and a light sensor on the front to detect the room's brightness. Based on the sensor's reading, the Kindle Voyage's backlight can adjust to provide the perfect reading experience in more circumstances. But a light sensor isn't the only hardware trick the Kindle Voyage has up its sleeve. 

Built into its side bezels are buttons, that can be pressed to turn the page without you having to swipe. This is kind of a throwback to earlier Kindle models where there was no touchscreen, but building them into the part of the Kindle you're already holding was a good choice. The Voyage is also available in WiFi only or WiFi + 3G configurations.

The Kindle Voyage is ideal if you're already committed to the Kindle. It's a pretty big step in price, but you'll be able to read your entire Kindle library more easily than ever.

Kindle Voyage (WiFi only), $199.99, available at Amazon

 



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The secret parks and waterfalls of New York City

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Greenacre Park Midtown Manhattan

For those who live and work in Midtown Manhattan, it can be tough to find relief from the traffic and constant crowds of people.

Luckily, there are plenty of hidden parks scattered throughout New York City that can offer a quiet place to escape from the noise and heat of the city.

Whether it's a shady spot to cool off or a huge waterfall that is actually able to drown out the constant car horns, these parks have plenty to offer anyone who needs a break — and they may also provide a new spot to eat lunch or get a coffee.

For anyone who spends time between 40th St. and 51st St., these parks may become your new favorite spot. 

Here's where to find them.

1. E 48th St. and 1st Avenue

This waterfall is located right outside 100 United Nations Plaza. It's home to multiple waterfalls that wind around the corner of the building, and offers stone benches and a view of the East River.



2. E 43rd St. and 2nd Avenue

This indoor park is only open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., but it's worth a visit. The park is inside the Ford Foundation building and has a small pool, winding brick paths, and tons of foliage. 



3. E 51st St. and 3rd Avenue

This waterfall inside Greenacre Park is so loud, it's impossible to hear anything outside the park — which means it offers a great escape from the city. With multiple levels of seating and a refreshment stand, Greenacre Park might be the best-kept secret in Midtown.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

These are the best cars of 2016, according to Consumer Reports

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Mazda Miata MX 5

Every year, Consumer Reports and its team of automotive experts test and scrutinize virtually every car sold in the US. Of those cars, a select few stand above the rest and join the vaunted group of vehicles known as Consumer Reports' Top Picks.

To become a Top Pick, a car must excel at the publication's track tests, offer average or better reliability, perform effectively in government or industry crash tests, and return high owner-satisfaction scores in Consumer Reports' surveys. 

This year's Top Picks cover a wide variety of models ranging from small roadsters to full-size pickup trucks. In total, 10 cars were chosen, with seven from Japanese brands, two from American brands, and one from a Korean brand. 

So here they are, Consumer Reports' Top Picks of 2016.

SEE ALSO: The Cadillac ATS-V is a car BMW shouldn't ignore

Best Midsize car: Toyota Camry

Price as tested: $24,089 - $32,603

Why it's on the list: The Toyota Camry has long been one of America's most popular and trusted family sedans. And the latest generation is not different.

"The solid Camry delivers year after year of outstanding reliability, which when combined with impressive crash-tests results, make it a near-perfect sedan," Consumer Reports wrote.



Best Subcompact Car: Honda Fit

Price as tested: $19,025

Why it's on the list: Although the publication criticized the Fit for its excessive road noise and harsh ride, Consumer Reports found the subcompact's great fuel economy, nimble handling, and great interior space to be truly impressive. 



Best Compact Car: Subaru Impreza

Price as tested: $21,345 - $22,345

Why it's on the list: The Subaru Impreza is back on Consumer Reports' Top Picks list once again. So what did the publication like about the sedan?

Well, what didn't they like about the Impreza: Consumer Reports praised the Subaru for its ride, handling, interior space, intuitive controls, safety tech, great crash-test results, its all-wheel-drive system, and the cargo-hauling ability of its hatchback variant. 



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

7 things no man should ever wear in the summer — and what to wear instead

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suit

As far as dress codes go, summer is a tricky time.

Men, especially, have a tendency to go too far to the relaxed end of the spectrum, getting themselves into trouble by dressing inappropriately.

We've created a list of seven items that should be best avoided, as well as exactly what they should be replaced with in the warmer weather.

These seven simple upgrades will take your summer wardrobe to the next level.

SEE ALSO: Why you should never tuck your shirt in when you're wearing shorts

DON'T: Wear a Hawaiian shirt to work.

Hawaiian-style aloha shirts in subtle patterns and colors are trending these days, taking over the sidewalks and bars with their pronounced style. One place they're not taking over: the office.



DO: Wear a solid button-up in short sleeves.

But just because the patterns of Hawaiian shirts are too much for the office doesn't mean short-sleeved shirts themselves are. These days, offices are casual enough in the summer to allow for short-sleeved shirts, without running afoul of established dress norms.

Make short-sleeved shirts a staple of your work and weekend wardrobe this summer. Just make sure you follow our guide to looking good in a short-sleeved shirt.



DON'T: Wear sandals.

Sandals — either with (shudder) or without socks—are completely unacceptable for men. Your toes and feet should be covered at all times while indoors, even in the summer. 

We've said it before, and we'll say it again: wearing open-toed shoes is disgusting unless you're on the beach, or going to the beach.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The 11 best US cities for first-time homebuyers

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greeley colorado

The housing bubble burst nearly a decade ago, but many people have still not recovered from it — and many people's attitudes toward buying homes are still quite negative and cautious.

In 2015, the National Association of Realtors reported that only about a third of buyers of primary residences were first-timers, below the historical average of about 40%. And according to a recent Gallup poll, 38% of those who don't own a home in 2016 don't plan to buy a home in the foreseeable future.

But many people are still buying homes, and as millennials grow up and settle down, they will have to as well.

With this in mind, the personal-finance website WalletHub has ranked US cities for new homeowners.

WalletHub looked at 300 US cities and ranked their attractiveness for first-time homebuyers based on three key dimensions: affordability, real-estate market, and quality of life.

To determine the ranking of each of these aspects, as well as a city's overall score, WalletHub looked at 19 "relevant metrics"— such as housing affordability and cost of living for the "affordability" ranking; foreclosure rate for the "real-estate market" ranking; and recreation, weather, and crime rate for the "quality of life" ranking.

It used data from the US Census Bureau, the Council for Community and Economic Research, Zillow, the FBI, the Insurance Information Institute, Renwood RealtyTrac, and WalletHub research.

You can read the full report and rankings here.

Below are the top 11 cities for first-time homebuyers along with their overall scores (out of 100) and rankings in affordability, real-estate market, and quality of life.

11. Salt Lake City

Total Score: 62.80

Affordability Rank: 11

Real-Estate Market Rank: 95

Quality of Life Rank: 75

Data from WalletHub



10. Lexington, Kentucky

Total Score: 62.84

Affordability Rank: 45

Real-Estate Market Rank: 57

Quality of Life Rank: 36

Data from WalletHub



9. Centennial, Colorado

Total Score: 62.98

Affordability Rank: 122

Real-Estate Market Rank: 33

Quality of Life Rank: 7

Data from WalletHub



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This globe-trotting power couple wants to help you 'escape the desk'

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Victoria McEwan and Elaina Bird set out to create a life for themselves that didn't revolve around work. Now, they're helping others "Escape The Desk" and embrace the unknown with their lifestyle blog and YouTube channel called The Freedom Travelers.

Their backgrounds criss-cross the globe almost as much as they do now. McEwan was born in the US but raised in England, before moving to Australia. Bird was born in Australia, but has lived in the US and England.

Now based in Australia, the power couple has explored more than 39 countries together, and plans to keep adding to the list, sharing pictures, videos, and travel tips along the way.

McEwan (left) used to do marketing communications. Bird worked in senior management in marketing and events.



They met at work, and have been together for three years.



“It was when we got together that we decided that we wanted our lives to be different,” McEwan said. “We both really enjoyed our jobs, but we wanted more from life than just being at work.”



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How to master the fine art of flattery

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Likable

Flattery, as Cicero would describe it, is the handmaid of the vices.

It's also been decried, according to historian Willis Goth Regier's "In Praise of Flattery," as "that filthy science,""the worst of vices," and the "prostitution of empty praise."

But flattery, historically and continually, serves a vital purpose — indeed, that's the difference between flattery and praise. Flattery is when praise seeks a reward, as Regier puts it. And it is considered by some "the most useful of all arts."

As we know, another person's ego can be your foe. In her book, "No One Understands You And What To Do About It," social psychologist Heidi Grant Halvorson explains that when someone feels threatened by your potential superiority and success, their egos can run amok and cause them to downplay your successes and even distance themselves from you.

Flattery, however, can be the great vanquisher — if used correctly.

The rules for flattery, or affirmation as Halvorson calls it, are threefold:

SEE ALSO: 16 simple social skills that will make you more likable

DON'T MISS: Most people think they're smarter, more attractive, and more virtuous than everyone else — here's what our brains do when someone suggests we aren't

Your compliment should be truthful

Yes, we know honesty is a virtue, but there's also a pretty practical reason for this.

Humans have this innate desire to be seen by others as they see themselves — this desire is called self-verification.

According to Halvorson, people become really uncomfortable when they get compliments they don't feel they deserve, so it's important your affirmations match up with their own sense of reality.

Having direct evidence of your compliment can help it seem more genuine



Flattery doesn't have to come in the form of a direct compliment

While you could explicitly praise someone's words or deeds, this might feel too forced for some, and Halvorson says flattery might come easier to them in the form of a question.

The goal is to ask anything that would get the other person to think about what makes them and their lives so meaningful.

Questions could include, "What are some of your proudest moments?" or "I don't quite understand this — could you help me?"



You could probably afford to do it more

Too much flattery can offend, but Halvorson says there's a good chance you're not in any danger of this.

In her book, she dedicates an entire chapter to how much less we communicate than we think we do — in short, it's a lot less.

So while you may think your colleague knows how much you admire her work, unless you outright say it, and often, she probably hasn't a clue.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

8 photos of mobs that prove the entire world has lost its mind over 'Pokémon GO'

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If there's a Vaporeon nearby, watch your back!

Chances are if you're near a rare Pokémon, there's a massive crowd of eager "Pokémon GO" players right behind you.

Hard to believe a mobile game has created that level of insanity? Let the photos of these insane mobs speak for themselves.

Well while we're on the subject: A massive crowd rushed to Central Park after a Vaporeon spawned there over the weekend.

RAW Embed

A Vaporeon is one of three species an Eevee can evolve to. Since it can be hard to collect enough Eevee to evolve in the first place, and you're not guaranteed to turn it into a Vaporeon, you can imagine why fans hopped on the chance to catch one!

It's definitely worth checking out the 40-second video of this insane crowd.



In general, Central Park tends to draw large crowds because it's filled with Pokéstops!

My own personal Pokémon trips have gotten me everything from a Haunter to a Charmander, so these mob dashes to Central Park won't be dying down anytime soon.



Squirtles aren't an easy catch, so a massive crowd gathered in Bellevue, Washington when one appeared.

RAW Embed

As you can see, a guy pretty much tackled his friend to get one. This is another moment worth watching on video.



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7 ways successful people get things done

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young person speech sitting worker girl woman smile smiling

The reason productivity is such a popular topic is because so many of us want to accomplish more than we seem capable of. Sometimes that comes down to checking off more items on a to-do list.

But that's typically the smaller stuff. What about when you have something big you want to accomplish? It might seem impossible, or something that would take forever. However, telling yourself that it won't be possible is giving up on your dreams, and that's a terrible thing.

Instead of throwing in the towel, you could try some of the basic techniques that successful and productive people regularly use. There's no silver bullet (never is). Taken together, though, these ideas can move you, one step after the other, toward what you want to achieve. It's not impossible; it's just going to take some work. And you'll feel amazing afterward.

SEE ALSO: 11 habits of highly successful people

Know why you want to do it

People set big goals all the time: get an advanced degree, lose weight, learn a musical instrument, train to run a marathon. Goals, even big ones, run the risk of being intellectual — an idea in the head. To succeed, you need to involve your heart and make the process emotional. One good way to invoke emotions is to think deeply about why you want to attain the goal. It's important to arrive at an honest answer.

Maybe it's to satisfy a parent who is impossible to make happy. Maybe you were never good at athletics and want to show yourself that you can be. The degree might represent a more secure financial life. Look hard at the reason and remember it.

You could even find yourself recognizing that the goal isn't worth chasing (like trying to please the implacable parent).



Plan it out

Big goals aren't something you achieve overnight. They can take weeks, months, and even years. Such a span of time and scale of achievement needs a fully conceived plan of attack, not a simple to-do list. Break the big goal down into smaller ones and then even smaller pieces. Consider how some depend on others and arrange the sequence so, by the time you undertake all the pieces, you'll have obtained what you wanted.



Write it down

Some people swear by writing down their goals as a way to make them concrete. That might be so. More important is to write down the plan and all the parts you need to accomplish on a calendar or planner, in a notebook or log, or some other form that you'll come across every day. You need regular reminders because it's easy enough to forget to pick up the bread and milk on the way home. Keeping track of this important complex goal isn't going to happen all in your head, Bunkie.



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The CIA officer’s guide to blending in overseas

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Oscars zero dark thirty jessica chastain

First, let me offer a caveat (intelligence-report writers love caveats): The title of this article is a bit misleading.

It is not always possible to completely “blend in” when you are an American traveling overseas (or, conversely, a foreigner traveling to America).

That is the first thing to realize when and if you do choose to travel overseas, and if you are concerned with appearing like a clueless tourist, ready to be mugged.

Fear not. There is nothing wrong with standing out a little, and embracing your tourist-hood.

The secret to traveling overseas and maintaining a low-ish profile is to be smart about it, so that you are a sophisticated tourist, aware of his or her surroundings, and not aimlessly stumbling about a foreign country snapping selfies and waiting to become a victim.

With that goal in mind—being a smart traveller—this author humbly offers the following advice and tips, based upon my multiple years spent living and traveling overseas. These things will make you just a little bit more prepared—a little bit more sophisticated—in your travels.

SEE ALSO: FORMER NSA DIRECTOR: America is ‘really good’ at stealing data from other countries

Plan an itinerary and study area maps

Nothing will give you more confidence in traveling to a new place like doing some map study and trip planning. You should know the area to which you are planning to travel, such that if plopped down in the middle of a chosen city, you will at least be oriented and familiar with your surroundings. If you also have an itinerary planned out—even a rough one—you will be less likely to find yourself disoriented and at a loss as to what to do next in this new foreign place.



Learn a little bit of the language

First off, find out what language they speak in the country to which you are headed. If you are going to Belize, you are in luck, because English is the lingua franca. If you are traveling to Italy, learn a little Italian. At least be able to say “please,” “thank you,” “how much does it cost,” and “where is the bathroom?” Those are the important ones. It is also good to know if the average person on the street speaks English (many in Germany and Sweden do, for example), or if most won’t know your language at all (the case for most foreigners traveling here to America). Making an effort to speak a little of the local language can go a long way to endearing yourself to the natives.



Dress wisely

One of the most common mistakes Americans make when traveling overseas is to dress like they are going on a safari. If you are traveling to Paris, you do not need hiking shoes, a Camelback, and a floppy hat. Yes, you might be walking all over the city, so wear some comfortable shoes, but you do not need to have enough hydration for a day trekking through the Sahara. Dress like you would if you were headed downtown to see a movie. Dress normally, for God’s sake.

Going one step further, if you do not want to stand out as an American (for security reasons)—a wise decision in lots of countries—then leave your American flag shirts, sports jerseys, and other identifying T-shirts at home. In many countries, people dress more formally than we do here in America. Shorts and a muscle shirt are not always the best idea if you are looking to blend in.



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A career expert reveals 2 quick fixes that will instantly boost your résumé

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group work young professional people job listen presentation Career expert and Levo League consultant Maxie McCoy has read quite a few résumés over the years — and she has some opinions about what works and what doesn't.

She recently worked with Microsoft and MOO on a project called Land Your Dream Job. McCoy helped to design résumé templates and provided career advice geared toward young professionals.

McCoy talked to Business Insider about her two major pieces of advice for young people seeking to boost their résumé game. She said:

1. Include more numbers

2. Write something you'd actually want to read

When it comes to including statistics and data, it's all about providing hiring managers with evidence that you're right for the job.

"It's one thing to tell recruiters and hiring managers what you've done," McCoy says. "It's another to prove it to them with specifics. Providing hard numbers, growth percentages and scale will go a long way. For example, if you've managed a university newspaper, don't just say that. Say, I've managed my university newspaper of 20 writers which was circulated to a student body of 100,000."

Making your résumé truly readable may be tougher for some people. Job applications are a chore — nerve-wracking and boring at the same time. Still, you've got to put yourself in the shoes of the hiring manager. They don't want to have to pore over résumés brimming with incoherent babble; win them over with clear, strong language. "Cut the fluff," McCoy says.

"And get rid of the jargon. Hiring managers can see right through it. I'm always amazed at how many resumes cross my desk that actually make zero sense. Use words that sounds like you and that are specific and straightforward," she concludes.

SEE ALSO: I asked an expert to look at my résumé — here are the 9 mistakes she found

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: A couple quit their corporate jobs to travel the world, and started a luxury travel site along the way


These are the 15 most expensive sneakers in the world, which sell for up to $20,000 per pair

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nike back to the future

Sneakers have some of the most passionate collectors, and a vibrant $1+ billion resale market.

That market is so good that when Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert wanted to create a stock market for physical goods, he chose sneakers as a starting point. The result is StockX, which Gilbert cofounded with CEO Josh Luber.

The Detroit-based startup tries to bring stock-market style pricing to sneakers. (You can read our full profile of StockX here).

But one thing we were really curious about was simply which sneakers fetched the highest prices, on average. So we asked StockX. The startup provided Business Insider with a list of the 15 sneakers with the highest average sale price on StockX. They range from Yeezys to "Back to the Future" replicas to Jordans.

Here they are:  

SEE ALSO: Why Cleveland Cavs owner Dan Gilbert cofounded a 'stock market for sneakers'

No. 15: Lebron 10 Celebration Pack — $3,550

Link.



No. 14: Nike Air Yeezy 2 Pure Platinum — $3,552

Link.



No. 13: Jordan 5 Tokyo T23 — $3,791

Link.



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10 weird Pokémon we want to see in 'Pokémon GO'

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Despite being a global phenomenon, there's still a ton that could be done to make "Pokémon GO" even better. Even though it already has the bulk of the original 151 Pokémon in its database (minus the legendaries, for now), there could always be more.

Pokemon GO

There are about 600 existing Pokémon who aren't in "Pokémon GO." Everyone has their favorites, so don't take this list as definitive; ideally, all of them will be in the game someday and everyone will be happy! This list also favors more obscure Pokémon over the ones people have already been asking for since the game launched, like legendary Pokémon and Ditto.

Slowking

Slowking will almost certainly make its way to "Pokémon GO," as his first two forms (Slowpoke and Slowbro) are already in the game. Just give us the ability to hit "Evolve" on Slowbro! This evolutionary line is the best because it's just a weird pink thing putting a shell on his tail and then moving it to his head. Long live Slowking.



Cofagrigus

Cofagrigus is a living sarcophagus whose limbs look like those elastic, sticky hand things that come in capsules out of vending machines. There isn't really much more to say about it, other than look at that thing.



Trubbish

Trubbish is an adorable, happy little trash bag Pokémon. What's not to love? That's a Pokémon that accepts its place in the world and is absolutely stoked about it! I want this little guy to show up whenever I walk by a garbage dump.

Unfortunately, putting Trubbish into the game means putting its evolved form, Garbodor, in there too. Garbodor is huge and way less happy-looking, and I don't like it nearly as much.



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Everything you need to know about the next big ‘Tomb Raider’ game coming to PlayStation 4

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The newest "Tomb Raider" game is coming to PlayStation 4 in the very near future — October 11, to be exact! In addition to the base game that game out for Xbox One last year, there will be a whole mess of new stuff, too!

lara croft tomb raider

The name of this year's game is "Rise of the Tomb Raider," and it follows in the footsteps of the last series entry — an origin story of the game's main character, Lara Croft.

Here's everything you need to know.

If you're not up to date on your "Tomb Raider" news, the series received a huge reboot back in 2013, which serves as an origin story for the heroine we all know and love.



The sequel to 2013's "Tomb Raider" is called "Rise of the Tomb Raider," which follows Lara as she hunts for the lost city of Kitezh in the Siberian wilderness.



Thus the parka:



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6 reasons the new 'Ghostbusters' actually works

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There may be no movie from the last several years that has been under a microscope as much as the new "Ghostbusters." Fewer people were worried about new "Star Wars" movies. Many believed that the "Ghostbusters" should never have been touched by another filmmaker, and the fact that the new version was such a radical departure from the old only re-enforced many of those opinions.

The new "Ghostbusters" isn't perfect. Almost nobody is saying it's better than the original. Except that the two films are so different it's honestly difficult to really compare the two. The new "Ghostbusters" is really impressive. As a movie in its own right, it works. In a few cases, there are even things that it does better than the original. The rest of the time, it makes a concerted effort simply to do things differently, so that it can walk its own, completely independent path, separate from its franchise predecessors.

 

A totally different tone

From practically the opening line of "Ghostbusters,” it's made clear that this is not your father's, or possibly your, "Ghostbusters.” Jokes about an anti-Irish security fence or P.T. Barnum's plan to enslave elephants would never have had a place in Ivan Reitman's movie. The original "Ghostbusters" is certainly a funny movie, but the style of humor is very different.

Paul Feig makes it evident that they're not making the same movie here, and they do it before a single female Ghostbuster ever shows up on the screen. The trope of the beautiful, but idiotic, secretary, is a trope of many films, but it wasn't in the first movie. Chris Hemsworth's entire performance is there to do something very different.



It's a real ensemble cast

While both teams of Ghostbusters have four members, the original was only barely an ensemble cast. What it really was, was a Bill Murray movie with Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis as supporting characters, and then Ernie Hudson showed up midway into the film. The new "Ghostbusters" gives all of their players a chance to shine, and it does so from the beginning. The team comes together much earlier in the reboot and while Kristen Wiig's character is the one that brings us to the party, once we're there, we follow the entire team as a group. Four distinct characters gives us four kinds of comedy from beginning to end.



Kate McKinnon

While the movie does have a solid ensemble cast, there is one standout who needs to be addressed. We're not the first to sing the praises of Kate McKinnon's performance, and we won't be the last, but goddamn is she impressive. She's quirky, and funny, and she rocks out in the best "Rhythm of the Night" related dance scene since "The Last Dragon.” This is Jillian Holtzmann's world now, we're all just living in it. Men love her and women want to ... actually, women love her too, we're fairly certain. We're even going to let the fact that she doesn't know Debarge from Devo slide.



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12 tips for talking about money in a job interview without making it awkward

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how much money

Talking salary with a hiring manager during your job search can feel awkward.

It seems like there's never a right time or place to broach the subject. "You don't want to wait too long, but the last thing you want to do is bring it up too early and annoy the hiring manager," says Lynn Taylor, a national workplace expert, author, and leadership coach.

"Prospective employers are not jumping at the chance to divulge salary ranges because they typically want to leave their options open. If they were to immediately blurt out that the position pays between $80,000 and $100,000, they know you're not going to shoot for $80,000," she explains. So how do you navigate the timing of the big money question?

"If you're hearing the advice that you should absolutely wait until the second interview to talk pay, or that you must find out in the first phone conversation, consider this: There are no rules, just variables," says Taylor.

Here are some steps you can take to determine when and how to bring up salary:

SEE ALSO: What to say when a hiring manager asks, 'How much money do you currently make?'

Figure out if the employer is even interested in you

Before you bring up money, try to get a better sense of how interested the employer is in you.

"Pay close attention to the length and quality of your initial email or phone screening," says Taylor. "Ask yourself: How long did the initial phone call last? Was there laughter? Did the email reveal enthusiasm? These are initial indicators of how aggressive you can be."

If you feel fairly certain there was no chemistry and a job offer isn't in the cards, hold off on the salary discussion. 

 



Consider your level of experience

If you're fairly new to the job market, say entry level, this is one more factor to consider, Taylor says.

"At this point in your career, it's more customary to hold back on salary discussions before you enter the job interview versus being a mid-manager with five to 10 years experience."

 



Know the risks of bringing it up too early

It's no secret that money is important to most people — but you don't want the hiring manager to think that's what drives you, or what's most important to you.

Bringing up salary too soon can send the wrong message, so if you really love the position and know deep down you'd take it regardless of the pay, it might not be worth bringing it up until the very end.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider
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