Top 7 Mistakes People Make on Dates

Top 7 Mistakes People Make on Dates - Paul Carrick Brunson left a successful career as an investment banking analyst to run his own nonprofits. Now he's a life coach and matchmaker.

Brunson, the author of "It's Complicated But It Doesn't Have to Be: A Modern Guide to Finding and Keeping Love," appeared on "Good Morning America" today to talk about "flow dating."

It's a style of speed dating created by Brunson in which daters use games and activities to break the ice and ease anxiety.

Brunson said he has found that people learn more about someone when they have to move and work on activities, rather than just talking over dinner.

Indeed, he said that dinner could be the worst first date. People learn about each other through action, but getting to know a prospective romantic partner at dinner can feel too much like an interrogation.

The most important thing to do on a first date is to learn whether the other person meets your most important criteria. For example, if one person wants children but the other person doesn't, that's a deal-breaker, Brunson said. And if one person smokes but the other is asthmatic, that, too, is a deal-breaker.

Top 7 Mistakes People Make on Dates

Brunson shared the top 7 mistakes he has seen people make when they're out on dates:

1. Showing up late without a call or a text

Now, if you're going to be later than five minutes for a date and don't call or text, it's a fail on your part. Showing up late starts the date off terribly and might even set the tone. It conveys a lack of importance on your part. We prioritize what's important in our lives by how much time (and money) we dedicate to it. That being said, either aim to arrive on time or just call the moment you realize that you're going to be late.

2. Dressing inappropriately

Underdressed, overdressed, or inappropriately dressed equals pretentious, not fun or easy. On a date, especially right after work, many women often forget to dress sexy. Your business causal outfit is not hot. Conversely, don't wear close to nothing. Just because he's salivating doesn't mean he "likes" your attire. Lastly, if the date is an activity like a hike, forgo the heels and mini-dress because you think they look cute. Always dress appropriately. This, like a lot of the things that I'm going to advise, also applies to men.

3. Having poor eye contact and a fake smile

Poor eye contact plus fake smile equals not confident and/or stalker alert. The saying goes, "Eyes are the windows to our souls." If you limit eye contact because you're looking away, you simply don't look confident. Also, fake smiles are fairly easy to spot. Too many inauthentic smiles and you enter the "looks like a stalker" category. Eye contact should be focused on the person with whom you're talking. Be sure to mix in a few nods and eye blinks. The rule of thumb is that short single nods are most effective, it shows that you're listening. Double or triple nods make it seem as if you're trying to speed the person up.

4. Using your cellphone on date

One of the biggest mistakes made on a date is using your cellphone or placing it on the table and glancing at it every time you get a message. This can show that you are disinterested in your date. When you're on a date, please keep your cellphone in your purse or pocket. Your date deserves your full attention.

5. Being rude to others

If you're rude to others, it shows that you have poor social skills and aren't nice. Nothing makes a date want to run away like a rude and impolite person. If you're on your date and the waiter forgot the extra lemon wedges ... and before the waiter is out of earshot, you shout "Stupid M****..." Hmmm ... that ain't nice. It will make your date wonder how you will treat him or her in a relationship. As in life, treat everyone the way you would want to be treated.

6. Talking about your ex

By making frequent mentions of your past relationships, you might be conveying that you're not over the ex. Living in the past is extremely dangerous. If you can't stop talking about how great the old flame was or how you enjoyed the things you both did, chances are you still wish you were in that moment. Do yourself (and your date) a favor by admitting you're not yet ready for a new relationship.

7. Not knowing BBR!

It's the B.B.R. - The Belly Button Rule. This is my favorite rule and one I talk about in-depth at my coaching sessions. It is the most telling and compelling of all body language tactics. The direction our belly button faces reflects our attitude and our emotional state. When we face our navel toward someone, we're subconsciously saying we're interested in the person or the conversation. Face your navel away, and you're saying "get me the hell out of this." Most people do not know this rule, so learn it, master it, and you'll be able to better read and control your interactions. Not listening shows disrespect and is the most passive-aggressive form of disrespect. Listen to your date.

Web-Extra Dating Tips From Paul Carrick Brunson

1. Start a Personal Ritual of Forgiveness

Many of us harbor past hurt and regrets. An effective way I've managed this is by not pushing these emotions away but harnessing them and moving on as a smarter person. Try writing a letter (you don't have to send it) to get out all your feelings. Or even a journal. Any way to give yourself a regular outlet for all your emotions, regrets and worries.

2. Create a Daily Mantra

Your belief system is everything so it's important to train it. Identify an inspirational quote or saying that you repeat to yourself each day. Here's one of my favorites: "I was born with potential, I was born with goodness and trust, I was born with ideals and dreams, I was born with greatness, I was born with wings, I am not meant to crawl so I won't, I have wings and I will use them and fly." -- Modified from Rumi

3. Commit to Befriending One Inspirational Person

Surrounding yourself with better people is the fastest way to change your life. The power of social media is that it allows us to connect like never before. Try dropping a line to your favorite blogger, pastor, author, etc. You might just find they respond.

4. Get a Love Mentor

Different from a friend, a mentor is a guide and a teacher. There are professionals you can hire but there are also many people in our communities qualified and willing to take this role in your life. Be diligent about your search, look for someone who shares your values and walks their talk. ( ABC News Blogs )

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Can happiness be found online?

Happiness can be found everywhere, including social networks and on blogs.

Can happiness be found online? -- The question means little to millions living in poverty with neither electricity nor electronics. But there are also millions now weaving the Web 2.0 ever more tightly into their social fabric -- witness the booming popularity of Facebook and other social networking sites -- so the question seems worth asking.

Enter the "Virtual Happiness Project" in the Netherlands, which explores the relationship between the Web 2.0 (in particular) and happiness.

Though the final report hasn't been released yet, the project's global survey results and experiments suggest something that a lot of Facebook users already sense: social interaction is a driver for happiness, and the Web 2.0 is a valid way to experience it.

Jim Stolze, a writer and researcher involved with the project, says the Internet has become our "new global campfire," the place where we gather to argue, laugh, talk, learn, love, turn strangers into friends, and to get a sense of belonging.

"We are a social species and we need to interact in order to feel alive," he says.

As happiness research over the past half century or so has shown, belonging is a strong a predictor of happiness.

Psychology courses introduce students to Maslow's "hierarchy of needs," a pyramid diagram created by the American psychologist Abraham Maslow.

The project suggests the pyramid's middle levels of "love/belonging" and "esteem" can be met by services like blogs, Facebook, Twitter and other elements of Web 2.0, like comments sections below news articles or YouTube posts.

But as with anything there are perils tempering the benefits of heavy Internet usage. Stolze warns the Internet can cause stress in users who don't take control of the experience.

"The attitude that they treat the medium with," he says, "defines the happiness they experience."

People who feel they "rule the Web" are happier than those who feel like "they are ruled by the Web," he says.

"The first group sees the long tail as a brilliant place to cherry pick for the best results, and the second group immediately experiences stress because they can't look at all the results."

Staying in control

At this month's TED conference in California, Stolze gave some light-hearted but probably sound advice for making sure you're in control of your Internet life.

Among the tidbits dispensed: Don't take your Blackberry into the bedroom. Accept that there is more information than you can possibly look at. Human filters of information (like your Twitter network) often beat machine filters (like Google). Know when to go online and when to go offline -- sometimes a face-to-face talk is needed.

Ignoring the latter is a possible sign of Internet addiction, a growing problem in many parts of the world.

At clinics like the Illinois Institute for Addiction Recovery at Proctor Hospital, patients (especially online gamers) are challenged to look at sacrificing some of the "high" they get out engaging in their addictive behavior (a boost in self-esteem, a sense of belonging, an ability to forget about real-world problems) because of the consequences of the negative aspects.

These can include loss of personal relationships, conflict with family members, and the threat of job loss. Of course it's important to distinguish between addicts and healthy users, which make up the vast majority.

"As far as people using networking sites such as Facebook or Twitter to derive happiness, that is not uncommon," says Shannon Chrismore, a clinical coordinator at the clinic.

"Many people can use these sites for their intended purpose -- to remain in contact with people and/or to develop personal relationships."

But perhaps even healthy Internet users get "addicted" -- and are aware of it -- to at least some degree.

As part of a playful experiment, Stolze, a blogger and Twitter user with hundreds of followers, decided to spend the month of December completely offline, during which time he worked on his upcoming book "How to Survive Your Inbox" (written in Dutch).

Feelings he experienced went from "phantom limb" strangeness in the first week to anger and regret in the second to peace of mind in the third. Without the online distractions, he says, "I had tons of energy and have never been more productive than in that single week."

In the fourth week there was anticipation but also a sense of growing anxiety about losing that sense of quietness and ability to focus.

Life without the Internet, he decided after the experiment, was not for him. Life without email, though, was a blessing.

A lot of us, not just Stolze, are wondering what it would be like to unplug for a while. That in itself is interesting. Twenty years ago the idea that millions would be so absorbed in the Internet might have seemed unlikely and bizarre.

A T-shirt of Stolze's reading "The Internet was closed so I thought I'd come outside today" wouldn't have struck a chord the way it does now. And virtual happiness -- and unhappiness -- wouldn't have been considered real. ( cnn.com )

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Respect for minorities’ rights is an essential part of democracy

Respect for minorities’ rights is an essential part of democracy - After decades of espousing a doctrine of multiculturalism and national diversity, Western societies are discovering that they have stifled themselves with their own ideals.

In simplest terms, where is the borderline between tolerance and the preservation of those values that turned Europe into a pilgrimage site for millions of immigrants?

Even more bluntly, why can women walk in London or Washington, D.C., in full Muslim dress, called the niqab, and this will be defined as tolerance, while walking in a tank top in many Middle East capitals is forbidden out of “respect for national tradition”?

That is certainly a simplistic angle; in reality, the problem is more expansive, namely, whether it hasn’t been an egregious mistake for Westerners to show infinite tolerance toward other identities while letting their own be diluted. Aren’t those foundations and values under threat, which shaped the very identity of Western society, a society that is so attractive and, at the same time, to some, repulsive?

Multiculturalism will be one of the topics of the Yaroslavl Global Policy Forum this September. While the United States hasn’t confronted the issue as acutely as, say, Europe, different aspects of multiculturalism and the co-existence of various societies will likely become very important to Americans over the next decade.

Following France and Switzerland, Germany and Great Britain are beginning to recognize their conundrum.

Last fall, Chancellor Angela Merkel acknowledged the utter failure of multiculturalism in Germany. In February, speaking at the Munich Conference for International Security, British Prime Minister David Cameron also lamented “the doctrine of state multiculturalism,” under which Europeans “have encouraged different cultures to live “separate lives, apart from each other and apart from the mainstream.” In his words, instead of providing “a vision of society” to which other communities wish to belong, Europeans “have tolerated” even those who live “completely counter” to Western values.

Europe is increasingly coming up against extremism, not in hazy far-off regions, but at home, within its borders. Cameron said that many “point to the profusion of unelected leaders across the Middle East and say, ‘Stop propping these people up and you will stop creating the conditions for extremism to flourish.’ But this raises the question: If it’s the lack of democracy that is the problem, why are there so many extremists in free and open societies?”

A number of explanations can be given as to why many new immigrants do not integrate into Western societies, triggering a backlash of xenophobic feelings. One factor is the entrenched social infrastructure of Europe that complicates quick assimilation. Another involves an unspoken sense of national superiority that results in a condescending attitude toward immigrants - “By letting you in and allowing you to live and work, we have granted you a great favor.” The same bias exists in Russia toward emigrants from former Soviet republics who cannot obtain legal status and work.

Immigrants have long been an intrinsic part of any strong, prosperous power. They realized all the hardships that a new homeland conceals even as they aspired to a new life, and were equipped to endure and overcome them.

Now, for the first time in history, newcomers enjoy all the privileges Western society offers, including welfare entitlements. Yet they also have every opportunity to preserve their former way of life.

Investigating the flow of emigrants from Latin countries to the United States, Samuel Huntington wrote in his book “Who are we?” that this is the first wave in American history without the need to learn English or embrace an American lifestyle. This is not just because of the number of immigrants, but the technology that allows constant contact with immigrants’ homelands.

The result is paradoxical. Twitter, phones and television enable some to live apart from society. The alienation of ethnic communities grows as they are no longer compelled to assimilate.

Respect for minorities’ rights is an essential part of democracy. Those who are different from most, whether ethnically, sexually or politically, must feel free and secure. Recently, this respect has turned more into a demand that new minority groups be allowed to live apart: A certain path is cleared so that they don’t feel obliged to learn a new language. They can invite their relatives, even those who will receive welfare benefits when they can’t, or refuse to find a job. And women are allowed to become isolated at home in their narrowly defined traditional roles.

The Western world has a considerable number of residents who remain foreign in their values with no respect, nor responsibility, toward their new home.

Ongoing turbulence in the Middle East could ignite a refugee crisis in Europe. As many as 2 million refugees could flee, causing new concern about the ability of institutions to cope and the willingness of these new Europeans to embrace a Western lifestyle. It again begs the question: Can the interlinked world avoid a “clash of civilizations,” and if so, at what price? ( rbth.ru )

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Australia gay safe sex ads reinstated amid furore

Australia gay safe sex ads reinstated amid furore - Safe sex advocates claimed a victory over Australia's Christian lobby on Wednesday when their HIV campaign posters featuring two men hugging were reinstated at bus stops after an intense online backlash.

The black and white posters, in which one man has his arm draped across his partner's chest and is holding a condom, are part of the Queensland Association for Healthy Communities "Rip and Roll" campaign promoting condom use.

The ads were withdrawn by billboard company Adshel after it received a string of complaints, but the company later reversed this decision, saying it had unwittingly been targeted by the Australian Christian Lobby.

Dancers take part through streets - Dancers take part in the 32nd Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade through the streets of Sydney in 2010. Safe sex advocates have claimed a victory over Australia's Christian lobby when their HIV campaign posters featuring two men hugging were reinstated at bus stops after an intense online backlash

"This has led us to review our decision to remove the campaign and we will therefore reinstate the campaign with immediate effect," Adshel chief executive Steve McCarthy said in a statement.

Healthy Communities executive director Paul Martin said that Australians were generally supportive of gay rights, and that he had been heartened by the public backlash against the decision to remove the posters.

"Most people don't have a problem with gay people," he said.

By late Wednesday some 40,897 people had joined a Facebook page called "Homophobia -- NOT HERE" created by one of the men featured in the posters, and protesters had held an afternoon rally outside Adshel's Brisbane office.

Australian Christian Lobby Queensland director Wendy Francis said she had personally complained about the ads because she had objected to what she said was the sexual nature of the posters.

"They show two young homosexual men in some sort of act of foreplay," she said. "It's talking about a sexual act and I don't think that's appropriate for the general public."

But Queensland State Treasurer Andrew Fraser rejected her comments.

"Check the calendar, it's 2011," he said. "I think we should call it for what it is and this is basic homophobia."

Healthy Communities said that more people were diagnosed with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, in 2010 than at any time since the mid-1980s and it was therefore important to discuss safe sex. ( Agence France Presse )

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Will This Doom Your Retirement?

Will This Doom Your Retirement? - Some statistics are bad enough on their own. When you pair them up, they can get really ugly:

• According to a Sun Life Financial survey, "Over 90% of Americans either have no idea how much they will spend on health care in retirement, or underestimate the costs; three-fourths have no plans to meet health care costs."

• According to Fidelity Investments, an average 65-year-old couple retiring now will spend about $230,000 on health care in retirement.

In short, not only do you likely have no idea what health care will cost during your retirement, but it'll also likely cost a whole lot.

More bad news

Rather than thinking about their retirement budget, many folks are probably just putting some money aside and hoping for the best. That's a reckless move. Per the 2011 Retirement Confidence Survey, 67% of Americans have less than $50,000 socked away for retirement.

Let's be generous and say that you have $50,000 in your nest egg at the moment, and you're only 50 years old. If you add $5,000 to that every year until age 65, and it all grows at 8% annually, you'll end up with around $305,000. (Try it yourself with your own actual numbers, via this handy calculator.) In that scenario, you risk retiring with just $75,000 to spend on non-health-care expenses. Yikes!

Worse still, that example includes a lot of estimates and assumptions. You may well have less than $50,000 socked away. Your investments may grow at an annual average rate of 5%, not 8%. Your ultimate health-care expenses may cost you $300,000 or more. And even if they cost you $0, that $305,000 may still be far less than you need.


But fortunately...

If you're heading to the kitchen now to stick your head in the oven, stop. All is not lost.

To fix your situation, you can start by saving more every year. Conventional wisdom has long suggested saving 10% of your income, but some experts now suggest 20. If you can swing more than that, consider doing so.

You can also work a few more years. Retire at age 70 instead of 65, and you'll have five more years of saving, investing, and not tapping your nest egg. It may also mean five more years of health coverage from your employer.

Delaying starting Social Security payments can boost them a lot. Start them at age 70 instead of 66, and your checks will be 32% fatter! That will turn a $2,500 payment into a $3,300 one, and an annual sum of $30,000 into nearly $40,000 -- a rather meaningful difference.

You might also examine your investments and perhaps adjust them so that you can expect to earn more. If much of your money is sitting in CDs earning close to nothing, you might consider blue-chip dividend stocks, which can pay you 3% or 5% or more annually. You can also consider downsizing your home, taking on a part-time job, looking into a reverse mortgage, and other options.

Finally, you stand a good chance of lowering your ultimate health care costs by taking good care of yourself. You'll reap the double benefit of prolonging your life and your nest egg ( fool.com )

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Not getting enough sleep? Turn off the technology

Not getting enough sleep? Turn off the technology - Dependence on televisions, cellphones and laptops may be costing Americans dearly -- in lack of sleep.

The national penchant for watching television every evening before going to sleep, playing video games late into the night or checking emails and text messages before turning off the lights could be interfering with the nation's sleep habits.

"Unfortunately, cell phones and computers, which make our lives more productive and enjoyable, may be abused to the point that they contribute to getting less sleep at night leaving millions of Americans functioning poorly the next day," Russell Rosenberg, the vice chairman of the Washington DC-based National Sleep Foundation (NSF), said in a statement.

Nearly 95 percent of people questioned in an NSF study said they used some type of electronics in the hour before going to bed, and about two-thirds admitted they do not get enough sleep during the week.

Charles Czeisler, of Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, said exposure to artificial light before going to bed can increase alertness and suppress the release of melatonin, a sleep-promoting hormone.

"Technology has invaded the bedroom," Czeisler explained in an interview. "Invasion of such alerting technologies into the bedroom may contribute to the high proportion of respondents who reported they routinely get less sleep than they need."

Baby boomers, or people aged 46-64 years old, were the biggest offenders of watching television every night before going to sleep, while more than a third of 13-18 year-olds and 28 percent of young adults 19-29 year olds played video games before bedtime.

Sixty one percent also said they used their computer or laptop at least a few nights each week.

And a propensity to stay in touch means that even people who have managed to fall asleep, are being woken up by cellphones, texts and emails during the night.

"One in 10 kids report they are being awoken by texts after they have gone to bed. People don't turn off their Blackberries," said Czeisler, adding that much of this is happening at the expense of sleep.

Generation Z'ers, 13-18 year olds, were the most sleep-deprived group, with 22 percent describing themselves as "sleepy," compared to only nine percent of baby boomers.

Sleep experts recommend that teenagers get 9 hours and 15 minutes of sleep a night but adolescents in the study were only averaging 7 hours and 26 minutes on weeknights.

"I am the most concerned about how little sleep 13-18 years are getting," said Czeisler. "Kids today are getting an hour and a half to two hours less sleep per night than they did a century ago. That means that they are losing about 50 hours of sleep per month," said Czeisler.

Americans' lack of sleep is negatively impacting their work, mood, family, driving habits, sex lives and health, according to the NSF.

All age groups are coping by consuming caffeinated drinks -- about three 12-ounce (354 ml) beverages per person -- per day, and taking naps, sometimes more than one during the day.

"Parents should get these technologies out of the bedrooms of kids if they want them to do well (in school)," said Czeisler. (Reuters)

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Tax Guru: tie the knot and pay less tax

Tax Guru: tie the knot and pay less tax - The tax system already favours the institution of marriage – and the Coalition may deliver further tax breaks in the Budget .

It is hard to believe, but barely 20 years ago married women were not treated as real people by the tax system, merely adjuncts to their husbands.

It was the husband's responsibility to complete a tax return showing income for both himself and his wife, and she was obliged to provide him with the information to do so. The law was brought kicking and screaming into the 20th century on April 5 1990.

Norman Lamont, who, as chancellor, piloted independent taxation, did so with the following words to Parliament: "Independent taxation is bound to mean some couples will transfer assets between them with the result that their total tax bill will be reduced. This is an inevitable and acceptable consequence of taxing husbands and wives separately. We expect income splitting."

Once married, Prince William and Kate Middleton will be able to transfer assets between them tax free

This gave a blessing for couples to save tax by relatively straightforward planning. The rules specifically allow spouses, and civil partners, to transfer assets between themselves without it being treated as a disposal for capital gains tax or inheritance tax, provided the recipient is UK domiciled.

The starting point is to ensure both spouses use up their income tax personal allowances. From April, this will be £7,475 for people up to 65, £9,940 for pensioners between 65 and 74 and £10,090 for those aged 75 and over. If one spouse is working and one is at home with the children, it makes sense for investments to be held in the name of the non-working spouse. This will apply to bank and building society deposits in particular and any property they own that is let.

From next month the amount of income you can earn before you become a higher-rate taxpayer drops from £43,875 to £42,475, but there will be a £35,000 band available to each spouse with only 20pc income tax applying. So, if you have one spouse paying higher-rate tax and the other not earning or a basic-rate taxpayer, it makes sense for investments to be transferred to maximise the income taxed at basic rate. In this example, shares come into the picture because dividends can suffer higher-rate tax, effectively at 25pc of the cash dividend.

What applies to income applies similarly to capital gains, because everybody has an annual capital gains exemption, currently £10,100. If sitting on shares with a profit of £20,000, it may make sense to give half to your spouse before they are sold so you use both annual capital gains tax exemptions.

How about single premium insurance policies, often referred to as bonds? The tax rules are complicated, but when you finally cash in the bond or draw more than the 5pc per annum allowed, the excess will be subject to income tax if you are a higher-rate taxpayer. Assigning a policy to a basic-rate taxpaying spouse can save a big tax bill and if the proceeds push them into higher rates of tax, ''top slicing relief'' is available to reduce the liability.

A particular problem can affect pensioners. This is because they can pay a higher tax rate if their income exceeds the age-related allowance limit which, for next year, will be £24,000. It means that a pensioner earning between £24,000 and £28,930, (£29,230 at age 75 and over), will pay an effective tax rate of 30pc on their income because of the way their personal allowances are reduced.

The same principle applies if one spouse is earning between £100,000 and £114,950, because here the effective tax rate becomes 60pc as personal allowances are phased out altogether.

You need to pay particular attention to joint bank accounts. HMRC will treat the income from these as equal unless steps have been taken legally to change the basis on which the account is held. Joint accounts are useful for older couples because if one dies, the other one can still access it, whereas individual accounts are only accessible once probate is granted. So, if you want a joint account, but for your spouse, for example, to have 90pc of the income, you should have a deed to evidence that the legal basis of ownership has changed. This new basis can then be used for tax purposes on completion of HMRC form 17.

Avoid the temptation to give an asset to your spouse on the understanding that, if you want it back, it will be returned, as Norman Lamont made clear: "Provided that the gift of assets between husband and wife is free from conditions and is a complete and irrevocable transfer of the underlying capital as well as the income, we see absolutely no case for imposing a tax penalty on the income of those assets."

One of the disadvantages of marriage is that a couple is only allowed one principal private residence CGT exemption at a time, although, as I explained two weeks ago, it is possible to have a degree of doubling up using the election and the three-year rule. On the whole, however, the tax system favours marriage and it is thought that the coalition Government is generally favourable to further improvements, some of which may be announced in the Budget on March 23. ( telegraph.co.uk )

READ MORE - Tax Guru: tie the knot and pay less tax

Prince William and Kate Middleton could afford to buy 'just a caravan'

Prince William and Kate Middleton could afford to buy 'just a caravan' - Prince William and Kate Middleton could barely afford to buy a caravan if they depended solely on their salaries, a high street bank reveals today.

More accustomed to the surrounds of St James Palace, Prince William’s RAF salary of £37,170 means the couple could only obtain a mortgage of £142,000, according to the Spanish banking giant Santander.

It found a selection of properties valued at this amount across the country, many of which it described as ‘less than regal’.

Prince William and Kate Middleton could afford to buy 'just a caravan'

They include a two-bedroom bungalow in Windsor which is a rebuilt mobile home, measuring just 50 square foot, and a parking space close to Westminster. The money could also buy them a one-bedroom flat where they first met.

However, if they traveled further north, they could consider a two-bedroom semi in Glasgow.

Experts described the prospect of getting a foot on the property ladder as “daunting”.

Nigel Lewis, of property website FindaProperty.com, said: “If William and Kate were an average young couple, without the additional sources of finance they enjoy in reality, they’d be able to find comfortable if modest homes in most areas of the country.

“If they wanted to live in London or the South East however, this would be much more of a stretch. It’s clear from the findings that what a modest budget will afford varies considerably between regions, which is why it’s always helpful if there is a bit of flexibility in terms of where and when people hope to buy. For those that are prepared to shop around, there are still some real bargains to be had, even if the overall budget isn’t vast.” ( telegraph.co.uk )

READ MORE - Prince William and Kate Middleton could afford to buy 'just a caravan'

Rising status of women linked to more smoking

Rising status of women linked to more smoking - Millions of women in developing countries risk disease and early death in the coming decades as their rising economic and political status leads them to smoke more, researchers said Tuesday.

An analysis in 74 countries found that men are five times more likely to smoke than women in countries with lower rates of female empowerment, such as China, Indonesia, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Uganda.

In countries with relatively high female empowerment, such as Australia, Canada, Norway, Sweden and the United States, this gap is small and women smoke almost as much as men do.

In countries with relatively high female empowerment, such as Australia, Canada, Norway, Sweden and the United States, this gap is small and women smoke almost as much as men do

Douglas Bettcher, director of the World Health Organization's (WHO) tobacco free initiative, said the findings showed the need for authorities to act quickly to curb smoking rates among women, particularly in poorer countries.

"The tobacco epidemic is still in its early stages in many countries but is expected to worsen," he said in a statement with the study, which was published in the WHO journal Bulletin.

"Strong tobacco control measures such as bans on tobacco advertising are needed to prevent the tobacco industry from targeting women."

Tobacco kills up to half its users and is described by the WHO "one of the biggest public health threats the world has ever faced." The annual death toll linked to tobacco is more than five million, experts say, and could rise beyond eight million by 2030 unless action is taken to control smoking.

According to the study, it is estimated that men smoke nearly five times as much as women worldwide, but the ratios of female-to-male smoking prevalence rates vary dramatically.

In China, for example, 61 per cent of men are reported to be current smokers, compared with 4.2 per cent of women, while in many rich nations roughly equal numbers of men and women smoke.

Women's empowerment is measured by the United Nations Development Program using data such as representation in parliament, voting rights and comparisons of male and female income.

"Our study makes a strong case for implementing gender-specific tobacco control activities ... such as more higher tobacco taxes, more prominent graphic health warnings, smoke-free laws, and advertising and promotion bans," said Geoffrey Fong from the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada, who led Tuesday's study.

Fellow researcher Sara Hitchman said authorities should look closely at "the ways in which the tobacco industry is capitalizing on societal changes to target women, such as marketing cigarettes to women as a symbol of emancipation."

The researchers also said a useful step could be to monitor how price and tax measures affect uptake of smoking among women in countries where tobacco is not yet widely used by them.

"Further research into patterns of uptake could help governments take more effective action and reduce adoption rates for smoking among women in the future," said Hitchman. ( Reuters )

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Top Ten heart healthy foods

Top Ten heart healthy foods - Think heart disease is a man's disease? Think again. While men's rates of heart disease have declined over the past few decades in many countries, women's have been climbing steadily and continue to rise. Nutritionist Michelle Gelok tells you how you can reduce your risk by adopting a healthy diet.

Avocados are rich in folate and potassium, two nutrients essential for heart health

1. Avocado

Once banished for their highfat content, avocados are making a health food comeback. While it's true that avocados are high in fat (one medium avocado has a whopping30g of fat!) it's actually their fat content that is responsible for their many health benefits. Avocados are rich in monounsaturated fat, the type of fat that can lower total and LDL (bad) cholesterol, and raise HDL (good) cholesterol levels. What's more, avocados are also rich in folate and potassium, two nutrients essential for heart health.

Need to know: One medium avocado delivers over 300 calories, so a little goes a longway. Keep portion sizes to a minimum, for maximum health benefits. Add diced avocados to salads, or serve on wholegrain toast with coarse sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.

2. Dark chocolate

Chocolate lovers rejoice! Dark chocolate doesn't just taste good, studies show it can also boost heart health. Dark chocolate contains flavonoids, compounds with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-clotting properties. Studies show consuming as little as 7.5g of dark chocolate per day can lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of a heart attacks and strokes.

Need to know: The heart health benefits of chocolate are limited to dark chocolate, and don't include milk or white chocolate. Choose dark chocolate that contains at least 70 per cent cocoa for the most health benefits, and avoid chocolate that contains added ingredients, such as nougat or caramel. Keep portion sizes small to avoid extra calories and weight gain - both of which can cancel out chocolate's heart healthy benefits.

3. Salmon

Salmon tops the list of heart healthy foods, thanks to its exceptional omega-3 fatty acid content. Omega-3 fatty acids help reduce blood pressure, triglycerides, blood clots and can also protect against irregular heartbeats. Studies show that consuming fatty fish, such as salmon, as little as one to two times per week is enough to lower the risk of dying from a heart attack by over 30 per cent.

Need to know: The British Heart Foundation recommends eating one to two portions of oily fish each week. People who have had a heart attack should aim to increase this to two to three portions per week. For the most health benefits, steam, grill or bake salmon, instead of frying it.

4. Lentils

Lentils are an exceptional source of fibre, which helps keep heart disease at bay. In fact, of all the beans and legumes, lentils outrank them all when it comes to fibre; a half cup (175ml) serving of cooked lentils delivers a whopping 12g of fibre, half the daily recommended intake for women. They're also packed with folate and magnesium, two nutrients essential to heart health. Studies show that a diet rich in legumes, such as lentils, can lower the risk of heart disease by up to a third.

Need to know: Compared with other dried beans and legumes, lentils are perhaps the easiest to prepare thanks to their small size. Boost your intake of fibre-rich lentils by adding them to soups, stews and salads.

5. Soy milk

Studies show substituting animal protein from meat, poultry and dairy with protein from soy foods, such as soy milk, can reduce total cholesterol, LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglycerides. What's more, soy foods can help boost HDL (good) cholesterol, lower blood pressure and keep blood vessels healthy.

Need to know: When added to your diet in combination with other known cholesterol-lowering foods, soy's effect becomes even stronger. For the most health benefits, choose a soy milk product that is fortified with vitamins and minerals and contains at least

6. Flaxseed

Flaxseed may be small in size, but it delivers big benefits when it comes to heart health. Flaxseed contains three heart-healthy compounds, alpha-linolenic acid (an essential omega-3 fatty acid), lignans (a type of antioxidant) and dietary fibre. Together, these compounds help protect against heart attacks and strokes by lowering blood lipids, maintaining healthy blood vessels, and decreasing inflammation. Studies show eating as little as two to six tablespoons (15g to 50g) of milled flaxseed every day for six weeks can significantly decrease your overall and LDL (bad) cholesterol.

Need to know: Flaxseed has a very hard shell, which means they can pass through the body undigested if eaten whole. Grinding flaxseed enhances its digestibility and increases its nutritional value. Purchase milled flaxseed, or grind your own in a clean coffee grinder. Ground flaxseed has a shorter shelf life than whole flaxseed and is best stored in an airtight container in the freezer. Add ground flaxseed to hot or cold cereal, cookies, muffins and low-fat yoghurt.

7. Oats

Few other foods outshine oats when it comes to heart health. Oats is an excellent source of soluble fibre, which helps lower total and LDL (bad) cholesterol. Studies show that consuming just 3g of soluble oat fibre per day, equivalent to one and a half cups (375ml) cooked oatmeal or half a cup (175ml) uncooked oats, can lower total cholesterol levels by up to 23 per cent. What's more, oats help stabilise blood glucose levels, which may benefit people with diabetes.

Need to know: Adding oatsto your diet couldn't be easier,try adding it to your favourite cookie or muffin recipe, stirringit into a bowl of low-fat yoghurt, or enjoying a bowl of warm oatmeal sprinkled with honey and fresh berries.

8. Kale

Green leafy vegetables, such as kale, can be a lifesaver when it comes to heart disease, including heart attacks and strokes. Studies show high intakes of fruits and vegetables can offer protection, but green leafy vegetables seem to offer the most protection. One study found eating just one serving of green leafy vegetables every day reduced the risk of heart disease by 23 per cent.

Need to know: When it comes to green leafy vegetables, the darker the colour the more nutrients it contains, which is why kale is one of the most nutritious green leafy vegetables around. Kale is low in calories, fat-free and packed with nutrients and disease-fighting antioxidants. Kale's sturdy leaves make it a welcome addition to soups, stir-fries and salads.

9. Tea

The heart health benefits of tea are hard to beat. Not only is tea calorie-free, it's packed with disease-fighting antioxidants. Studies show that both green and black teas are effective at warding off heart disease. One study found that older adults who drank at least one and a half cups (375ml) of black tea per day were 43 per cent less likely to suffer a heart attack than non-tea drinkers. Likewise, studies show that drinking at least half a cup (125ml) of green tea every day may reduce the risk of high blood pressure by nearly half.

Need to know: The health benefits of tea are limited to green and black tea, and don't include white or herbal tea. For maximum health benefits, steer clear of tea with added sugar, such as bottled iced tea.

10. Pistachios

Pistachios are a no-brainer when it comes to heart health. Not only are they packed with heart-healthy antioxidants, amino acids and unsaturated fat, they also contain more potassium, a mineral essential for proper heart function, than any other nut. Studies show that a diet rich in nuts, such as pistachios, can help protect against heart disease by lowering the risk of heart attack, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

Need to know: While pistachios contain the least amount of calories per gram than any other nut, they should still be enjoyed in moderation. Replace other, less healthy foods in your diet with pistachios, but remember to limit yourself to a 30g (1 ounce) serving per day (about 45 nuts, or a small handful). ( gulfnews.com )

READ MORE - Top Ten heart healthy foods