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Ten unlikely but proven diet tips

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Struggling to shed those few extra kilograms? Leading UK health and fitness magazine, Men’s Health, has compiled a list of 100 weight-loss tips proven to get results. Here are our favourite diet tricks from the lengthy list that will help you shrink your waistline and reach your weight goals.

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Did you know training with a friend can help you get better weight-loss results? Hit the gym with a friend or train in a group and you’ll see fat fall from your waistline faster.

It can be difficult to stay motivated when exercising alone, but when you have a buddy pushing you to get fit it’s easier to stay on track and vice versa for your training partner.

People who train with friends lose a third more weight than if you go on your own, Men’s Health reported.

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Not willing to forgo alcohol on your diet? A daily glass of red wine can stop you putting on fat, especially around your belly. Resveratrol from the grapes inhibits the development of fat cells around your waist.

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Sex burns 630 kilojoules every 20 minutes and releases a hormone that increases your metabolism. So it’s time to undress and ruffle the sheets.

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No matter how stressful your day is or how booked up your diary may be, you need to take your lunch break away from your desk. You’ll consume 1050 fewer kilojoules in a day than those who eat as they work. Plus, it’s good practice to also go for a short walk during your lunch break. Not only will it help you reach your weight goals, it will also help you stay focused and see better more productive results in the afternoon at work.

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Soy proteins interact with receptors in our brains that tell us we’re full. Just don’t drizzle too much as soy sauce is high in salt. And if you’re wheat intolerant it’s a good idea to avoid as most contain wheat.

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They also suggest taking a calcium supplement. You’ll lose 2.6 percent more fat than those who don’t.

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Eating chillies is great way to fast-track your weight-loss goal. They assist in speeding up your metabolism to help you lose weight. They’re also high in vitamin C, potassium, magnesium and iron.

Men’s Health said the reason the magazine listed con carne in their top 100 is because an enzyme in kidney beans tells the body to break down stored fat instead of carbs for energy, while mince boosts your metabolism.

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Dust off the dinner table, people, and stop eating meals on the couch in front of the TV. The distraction of what’s on the box postpones the point at which you stop eating. Eating at the dinner table can cut 3.5kg of weight gain each year.

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Aside from making your sandwiches a little soggy, tomatoes have been found to make you feel fuller for longer and also keep hunger pains a bay. The fruit suppresses the hormone ghrelin, which is responsible for hunger pangs.

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Cinnamon spice is a powerful metabolism-raiser. Half a teaspoon a day is enough to burn an extra kilo a month.

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A good strong laugh for 10 to 15 minutes a day increases weekly energy consumption by up to 1200 kilojoules. Got any jokes anyone? For more tips and tricks, visit the UK’s Men’s Health website.

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How to lose weight without trying!

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Trying to lose weight? The little things you are doing in your day may be contributing more to your weight loss than you realise. Here are the top 13 ways to lose weight through everyday activities without even realising it!

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Vacuuming the floor can help you lose up to 500 kilojoules. Who would have though cleaning would have been so beneficial!

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Using a push lawnmower (not a ride on!) can help you to lose 800 kilojoules. And the harder you push the more you will benefit!

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Ditch the car and walk your kids to school. This not only helps you lose up to 600 kilojoules but will teach your kids a good lesson!

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Depending on how hard you are working, having sex can help you lose between 400 and 600 kilojoules.

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Mopping can help you lose up to 500 kilojoules and it’s also a great way to help you tone your shoulders and arms.

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Sometimes you don’t need to do anything at all! Simply sleeping can help you lose 120 to 150 kilojoules per hour.

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Get working in the garden and you could lose 400 kilojoules if you’re raking leaves and moving around.

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Putting the washing out to dry can help you lose 300 kilojoules. This can increase depending on the number of loads you do.

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Kissing your partner passionately will help you lose around 20 kilojoules per kiss. And we aren’t talking about just a peck on the cheek!

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Do you find cleaning windows a pain? It’s because you are working the muscles in your arms to get the job done and losing around 750 kilojoules at the same time. The harder you rub the windows the harder the work-out.

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Use the stairs in your home as much as you can. Plan your cleaning around running up and down the stairs.

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Take your work-out to the kitchen and ditch the electric mixer! Beating and whipping up ingredients get the arm muscles working. The same thing goes for kneading dough

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When you’re doing your housework work-out have your favourite music going. It will make each task a little more fun!

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How to keep your brain young!

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Keeping yourself feeling young on the outside, will help you to feel young on the inside. Michael Merzenich, a neuroscientist at the University of California San Francisco, says our brains start slowing down at 30-years-old, but studies show you can train the brain to be young again by doing activities that challenge and excite you.

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Practice what you know as you get older and teach others in the process. This will help to stimulate your brain and pass on your years of knowledge.

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Mind stimulations through puzzles and word games will keep your mind active and busy. Neurologist David Bennett of Rush University Medical Center in Chicago says the brains of those who practice brain stimulation decline at a slower rate.

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Eating foods rich with antioxidants such as fruit and vegetables will help boost your brain and keep it healthy.

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Learning something new will excite your brain and get it thinking differently. If you do the same thing day in, day out your brain will not be stimulated as much as it should be.

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Daniel Amen, the medical director of the Amen Clinics in Newport Beach in California says learning a new language really pushes the linguistic and memory centres of the brain. It also gives you something new and exciting to think about and a good excuse to go on holiday!

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Studies have found that exercise is not only important for you physical health but for your mental health as well. Mark McDaniel, of psychology at Washington University in St. Louis, says exercise may forestall some kinds of mental decline.

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Say no to stressful situations and learn how to laugh. Taking things too seriously can have a bad effect on the brain. Choose to laugh instead and let the chemical dopamine, which is released when you laugh, help you feel good!

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Spring clean your body and your pantry

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Spring is here and this is the time to give your body, fridge and pantry a good spring clean. For the next month it’s a great idea to cut out the usual suspects: coffee, caffeinated tea, alcohol and wheat-based bread. Whether you are intolerant to wheat and/or gluten or not, if you are typical of most people and follow a western diet of toast, muffins and biscuits, sandwiches and pasta, you will benefit from cutting wheat from your diet. Just by omitting a few of these foods for a few weeks, you can give your body a rest and open the door to a wider variety of nutrients.

Choose seasonal fruits. They are cheaper and in the curious way of nature, they provide exactly what are body needs at this time of year. Include: strawberries and blueberries, blood oranges, and papaya.

Veggies form an important part of our “spring cleaning” as they contain lots of fibre, which acts like a broom in the bowel cleaning out any debris. Spring veggies include: snow peas, asparagus, mushrooms, green beans and silverbeet.

With these close to hand you are 40% towards a healthy spring cleaning meal. No pantry should be without: 100% rye bread, Rolled wholegrain oats, quinoa, long grain brown rice, and corn/brown rice cakes. Also stock up with sodium reduced tamari, and legumes such as chickpeas, red lentils and herbal teas.

Proteins are made up of amino acids, which play an important role in detoxification. With that in mind remember that every meal must contain some quality protein such as: free-range eggs, turkey breast, white fish, salmon and tuna (canned is OK too ) tofu and natural, low-fat yogurt.

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Last but by no means least, don’t forget your good fats. These are found in: olive and chia oil, avocado, unsalted nuts and seeds, raw nuts and seeds (e.g. pumpkin and sunflower seeds) and oily fish.

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Let’s face it, we’re all busy and the likelihood that you will make a new recipe every night is low. So we’ve picked three ideas for breakfast lunch dinner and snacks that you can enjoy over the month. For the rest of the time just go into your newly stocked fridge and pantry and create!

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QLD and NSW 2011 Firefighters Calendar launch

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You would think that those responsible for one of the biggest-selling calendars in Australia would have more of a celebrity status. But the 28 firefighters chosen to be part of the 2011 Firefighters Calendar have still established their own kind of stardom and it’s all in the name of charity.

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How to handle a break-up

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Keep your spirits up and you mind clear by doing daily activities that relax you. It can be as simple as making yourself a cup of tea and reading a book, to taking a yoga class or having a massage.

A break-up or divorce can make you feel insecure and stressed out in more than one area of your life. Try to stick to a routine as much as possible. Having an organised work and social life will help you deal with the changes taking place in your love life.

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Give yourself permission to take time out and get away from it all. You may not feel as productive as normal, and you should remind yourself that it’s ok to feel that way. Take your time and focus on healing, re-evaluating your life and re-energizing your soul. The Hilton Sydney have great getaway packages specifically suited to breakups! Read more here.

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If you feel as though you have not only lost your partner, but your social network as well, focus on making new friendships. Make a start by taking a class in something you enjoy, volunteer in a program or join a club.

Remember a divorce or breakup not only marks an end, but also a new beginning! This is the perfect time to try something new and do something for you! Start to enjoy life in the moment and try not to dwell on the past.

It’s time to call on those who love, support you and make you feel good about yourself. Surround yourself with those who will really listen to you and have a positive attitude. Avoid those who you feel will judge your situation or tell you want to do.

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Don’t be ashamed to get outside help during a break-up. Consider seeing a counsellor or joining a support group if you feel that it would help you to feel and cope well with the situation. It’s important to have a person who you feel comfortable opening to.

A break-up or divorce can be a very stressful time, but you shouldn’t rely on bad food or excessive alcohol to help. This is an unhealthy choice and won’t help you in the long run. It’s important to focus on healthy ways to deal with how you’re feeling, by experiencing new things and spending time focusing on yourself.

The long term focus of going through a divorce or break-up should be moving on. It’s ok to talk about your feelings but try not to dwell on the negatives or continue to analyse the situation. Becoming too caught up with negative feelings will make it harder to move on.

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How love can keep you healthy!

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Kissing your partner releases calming brain chemicals called neurotransmitters that help to sooth the mind leaving you stress-free!

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Women in loving marriages have a lower risk of heart disease than those in high stress relationships the University of Pittsburgh found. The National Longitudinal Mortality Study, which has been tracking more than a million subjects since 1979, shows that married people also live longer and have lower cancer rates.

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Dog owners have lower blood pressure and suffer from fewer serious medical conditions research published in the British Journal of Health Psychology suggests.

Doctors at the University of North Carolina say that hugging can dramatically lower blood pressure. They also found that hugging boosts blood levels of oxytocins, a relaxing hormone.

Kissing can help to combat tooth decay by stimulating saliva flow. “After eating, your mouth is full of sugar solution and acidic saliva, which cause plaque build up. Kissing is nature’s own cleaning process”, Dr Peter Gorden, from the British Dental Association said.

Researchers from the Standford University say that the intense feelings of passion can act as a powerful painkiller. Students involved in the study who were exposed to a burning sensation were soothed dramatically when pictures of their girlfriends or boyfriends were flashed in front of them. “When people are in this passionate, all-consuming phase of love, there are significant alterations in their mood that are impacting their experience of pain,” Professor Sean Mackey said.

A study by the University of Iowa found that ovarian cancer patients with a strong sense of connection to others and satisfying relationships had more vigorous “natural killer” cell activity at the site of the tumour than those without these social ties.

A 2002 study found that men who had sex two or more times a week cut their risk of having a fatal heart attack by half.

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Locking lips can stop the ageing process according to Fitness consultant Claire Potter. “Kissing helps to tone your cheek and jaw muscles, so they’re less likely to sag,” she said.

The American cancer society says that each time a woman gives birth her risk of developing ovarian cancer lessens. Her risk of developing breast cancer also decreases by 7 percent.

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50 ways to save a fortune

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Take your own water or soft drink to work, bought in bulk at the supermarket instead of the vending machine. Better yet, refill.

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Stock up. The mid-week dash to the service station for milk and bread will almost always cost you extra.

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Most banks charge fees for transactions at other ATMs. Just one transaction a week can cost you $104 a year! Use your bank’s teller machines, or deal directly with the bank.

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Car pool for school pick-ups. You’ll save money over the month by slashing little trips around the neighbourhood.

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Buy olives, chicken and bacon from the deli counter rather than pre-packaged. Be wary of buying individually packaged portions of anything. They cost more.

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Turn off the lights in any rooms you are not using and choose low-wattage light bulbs to save energy and money.

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Have two entrees when you go out to dinner, rather than a main and entree.

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Use sites such as www.bigpondmovies.com or www.quickflix.com.au to have DVDs delivered to your door. Most charge about $10 a month for four movies.

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Buy a VoIP handset or use Skype for calls via the internet. VoIP is about 75 per cent cheaper than a normal phone, and Skype is free.

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At OzRecycle, www.ozrecycle.com.au, you can pick up stuff for free!

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Pack your own snacks when you fly. Airport food is ridiculously expensive.

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Clean the air filter in your dryer. It works more efficiently and saves energy. If you have dimmers, turn your lgihts down.

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Make your own pet food. Mix rice, some cheap meat and leftover vegetables and cook them into tasty meals. Freeze and save.

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Buy food for work lunches at the beginning of the week and take your lunch to work with you every day, snacks included.

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Buy your Christmas gifts now and at the mid-year sales. Remember, there are no bargains in the two weeks leading up to Christmas.

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Check out student deals. These can range from cheap prices on movie and show tickets to lower prices on software such as Windows.

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Download free out-of-copyright classic books at www.gutenberg.org

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Pay in cash. Many retail stores are willing to slash the price by 10 per cent. Just ask.

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Outsource less. Wash your car and your pets youself, mow your own lawn, iron your own shirts and do your own cleaning. Good workout and big savings!

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Get your theatre tickets in the hour before a show begins and you’ll get a massive discount. Have alternative plans in case you miss out.

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Grow your own vegies and herbs.

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Buy your wine online and in bulk. This works out to be cheaper than buying single bottles at the local bottle shop.

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Almost everything is cheaper on a Tuesday. Take flights, buy petrol, go to the theatre, eat out, have a hair cut… it’s even cheaper to buy a car on a Tuesday.

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Don’t drive your car almost empty, as you’ll lose fuel through evaporation. And don’t forget to use those supermarket discounts.

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Get printer cartridges refilled rather than shelling out for brand new ones every time.

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Earn rewards points through companies such as www.rewardscentral.com.au by buying online, and for filling in surveys.

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Join a gym in winter, when gyms have a slump in membership. Two-for-one deals or reduced membership costs can save you hundreds. Or buy an exercise DVD and do it youself at home. Check out eBay for cheap gym memberships, too.

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Pay your mortgage fortnightly, and pay a little extra. Even if it’s only $10 extra a week, you can save tens of thousands over the life of a loan.

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Turn your heater down to 18 or 19 and put on a jumper. Invest in some door snakes, and curtains for windows and doors.

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Use a payment portal such as www.postbillpay.com.au to pay your bills. It cuts down on stress and late fees.

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Pay off your credit card in full each month. The interest you save could buy you a new pair of jeans.

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Use travel sites to research holidays, but always check with the airline to see if you can get a better deal – minus the extra booking fee.

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Skip dessert and coffee when eating at restaurants.

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Shop for hot weather items when on holiday somewhere cool. There will always be discounts.

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Get clothes repaired and shoes resoled instead of throwing them away and buying new ones.

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Decrease your car insurance as your car gets older and loses its market value.

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Get an insurance broker. For a small fee, they can get you the best price on a range of insurances.

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Use the internet. From free party invitations to discounts on hotels, you can get a deal on almost anything if you look hard enough.

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Don’t shell out for extended warranties. You rarely need to use them, so they’re not worth the extra money.

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Have a games party and exchange your old games for theirs. Or have a clothes swap night.

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Do you really need all that bandwidth? If you just use it to surf the Net and check emails you can probably do with a cheaper plan.

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Cinemas have “cheap Tuesdays”. Take in your own food and drink.

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Use email instead of SMS on your mobile phone.

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Meet your friends earlier on a night out and take advantage of Happy Hour.

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Borrow from the library instead of buying new books.

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Make sure you claim all your deductibles at tax time.

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Don’t shampoo twice, it’s a waste of money. Use half as much laundry powder, too.

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Get a better phone plan. Even if you save $10 a month, that’s $120 at the end of the year. Why not have it in your pocket instead of theirs?

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Stop drinking boutique beer. You will halve the cost of a night out.

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Buy pharmacy products at a discount chemist, and generic brands of prescription drugs.

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Watch hundreds of hours of free TV on your computer – FIXPlay has a catalogue featuring full-length top TV shows for your viewing pleasure.

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Sophie Monk appears painfully thin at film premiere

It looks like Sophie Monk’s been on a break-up diet following the split from her cosmetic surgeon boyfriend, who she devastatingly caught in bed with another woman.

The 30-year-old Australian singer, who’s now pursuing an acting career in Hollywood, appeared painfully thin at the premiere of The Sorcerer’s Apprentice in LA on Monday night.

Her freshly dyed brown hair couldn’t distract eyes from her jutting shoulders and very fragile-looking arms.

In an interview with 2DayFM last week Sophie confided that upon discovering her ex cheating on her, she began shaking and stormed out of his home before returning to confront the pair.

“I walked back in and went, ‘What’s going on?’ and actually had a conversation,” Monk said.

“I spoke to the girl. She was in shock. I didn’t know her. She was innocent. [Then] I spilt coffee on his car very strategically.”

Sophie Monk (Snapper)

Sophie looking healthier before the split

Sophie also dated Benji Madden from US band Good Charlotte between 2006 – 2008

Australian Aria Awards 2001 – Bardot

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Late motherhood

The risk of miscarriages and fertility problems increases with age in both men and women, says geneticist Dr Judy Ford, author of a new e-book Starting your family after 30. But that doesn’t mean parenthood isn’t possible for older couples.

To increase your chances of a successful conception and healthy pregnancy — particularly after age 35 — it’s important to optimise your nutrition and lifestyle.

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