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This would have to be the worst time of year when it comes to boosting one’s ego - right girls? you have planned your holiday and booked the tickets, now it is time to make an all out assault on that one thing you have been putting off…buying your beachwear.

Most of us women have no illusions about ourselves; we are generally healthy but being covered up over the past winter months has safely kept hidden all those little lumps and dimples that we vowed would be gone for next time. Well, most of us discover they are still there and there is no harsher proof than that of the fitting room mirror. Yet we plough on and buy some nice sexy swimwear all the same.

Don’t worry. Take a look at the girl on the left. We might not see ourselves as that girl appears to be, but you would be surprised to know that your man probably does.  Men see what they want to see after all. So don that bikini, take a deep breath and…don’t let it out until you get back to your hotel room.

Popularity: 10% [?]

If you have been lucky enough to have been in the position to buy a home in the present economic climate then all power to you. While many people are hanging onto their homes by the skin of their teeth others have been tying themselves in knots seeking out a bank which will extend them a mortgage; it has not been an easy time but gradually house prices are coming down and it is becoming a buyers market once more.

Times certainly ain’t easy for those trying to sell their properties for a decent price though.

Okay, so once you have secured that life encompassing mortgage and bought your new home there remains the task of furnishing it so that it feels like a home and not merely a reminder of the next 25 years of financial committment. With the credit crunch ( I am getting tired of that term…someone coin a new phrase please) making things more expensive you will need to look at ways of creating your new domestic environment on a budget.

It can be done so long as you think of it as a long term project rather than trying to buy everything at once. Rather than going into debt to buy a house full of stuff - don’t pawn the future to pay for the present - consider purchasing at discount furniture outlets; even seconds can be just as good if not better than brand new stuff and much cheaper.

Start out small and go for just the basics. Plan to furnish your home over a one year to two year period. Now, I know that people today are used to having most things straightaway and with the easy availability of instant credit a fully furnished home was a reality - but then so was up to ten years of extra monthly repayments.

Just take a look at the photo below; one guy decided to furnish his home using nothing but FedEx boxes and created beds and even tables and sofa’s using them. While I don’t suggest you do the same (well, go ahead and make use of those empty packing boxes if you like) I do suggest holding back at the start - good things come to those who wait.

Bed by FedEx

Popularity: 7% [?]

As we have discussed before, there are many ways for women to make money by working from the home and one way to do this is to tap into your creative talents.  If you like designing and working with fine detail how about considering being a jewelry designer?

By taking a course, either online, distance or enrolling at a local college/university you will equip yourself with the skills to not only create designer jewelry but also learn jewelry repair, ring re-sizing, maintenance and work with precious stones and gems. Also check out your library for books on the subject.

But you may not need to undertake a course of study if you have the various basic materials at your disposal such as beads, shells, strong threading, fine chains. If you have plenty of imagination you can use these to custom make your own necklaces and bracelets which you could then sell at markets or even create a range and advertise them through classifieds or go one great step further and set up your own website. If you already know what you’re about why not conduct your own classes and teach others at your home…?

People are always after unique jewelry and you just may have in mind what someone has always been looking for.

Popularity: 14% [?]