I did everything right. I did well in high school, went to a great university, graduated with a degree I could be proud of and I even got a job!

That pays next to nothing.

A few months before graduating, I decided to try something totally new and went to work for a non-profit. Although I know I’m doing great work for a worthy cause, giving back to society in my current position doesn’t make near enough to be “big ballin” as they say.

So how do I pay my bills AND go out for happy hour? Welcome to the hustle a.k.a. doing freelance work to make some extra cash.

Figure out what you’re good at: Write down five hobbies/interest and five skills. Do you love fashion or cooking? Do you like to run or make pottery? Are you organized, articulate, web savvy, etc? It can be anything, just write it down! Read More »

Any shared activity among a couple is likely to bring that couple closer together. Hobbies such as painting, gardening, cooking a meal together, or taking a weekly jog together could all romantically benefit relationships. This rule idea applies to couples both in and out of the bedroom where, ironically enough, sadomasochistic (S&M) type of activities are shown to promote bonding.

The New Scientist is reporting that S&M (including spanking, bondage, and flogging), although stressful at first, could bring couples closer together.

In a study, researchers at Northern Illinois University measured the stress hormone cortisol in 13 men and women at an S&M party. “During S&M scenes, cortisol rose significantly in those receiving stimulation, but dropped back to normal within 40 minutes if the scene went well”. At another event, testosterone was measured in 45 men and women and reportedly “increased significantly in receiving women only”. This fluctuation in hormones is understood to help women cope with the stressful nature of the activities.

In both studies, hormone levels returned to normal in couples who enjoyed the experience. The couples who reported the party as a success also “reported an increases in relationship closeness”. These new findings show that “when sexual intercourse is consensual it is not stressful – even if it is extreme sex”.

Not ready for nipple clamps, whips and chains? Don’t worry about it, an activity as simple as cleaning the apartment together could promote closeness withing a couple. Then again, nothing brings a couple closer together than a pair of handcuffs.