Blog Posts by Woman s Day

woman and her dogBy Kim Tranell

Perceptive Pooches

Your dog might not be able to talk to you about your bad day at work, but when he lays that little snout on your lap, you sense he just gets it. How much do we really know about what's going on behind those puppy-dog eyes? "A dog's mind is roughly equivalent to that of a human two-year-old's," says Stanley Coren, PhD, author of The Intelligence of Dogs. "But dogs also have the social consciousness of a teenager." Put that together with a keen sense of smell, and dogs might be getting a basic read on everything from simple emotions to serious changes in your body chemistry. Read on for eight fascinating facts about the human-dog connection. Photo by iStock.

1. Dogs sense sadness.

You swear your dog acts extra-tame and attentive when you're down in the dumps. Is it all in your head-or are your emotions registering on his radar? In a study published in the journal Animal Cognition, dogs did, in fact, approach people who appeared to be upset more

Read More »from 8 Surprising Things Dogs Can Tell About You

By Woman's Day Staff

Make Christmas extra-special this year with these stylish decorations

Original article appeared on WomansDay.com.

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Read More »from Holiday Table Decor Ideas

couple talking about moneyBy MP Dunleavey

Speak Up

You're well aware money talks, but did you know it also pays off to talk about money? Find out how to have a constructive conversation about finances. Photo by Getty Images.

WHAT'S THE PAYOFF?

Healthier family finances and less relationship strife

WHY YOU SHOULDN'T AVOID IT

While talking about money is stressful, not talking about it leads to even greater conflict, which is why money issues are a top source of marital misery. Getting financially in sync can help you work together toward mutual goals, which will make you both happier.

1. Agree to Have a Real Conversation

Most couples "talk" about money in a drive-by style-as they're deciding to buy something, when the bills come in, or when there's not enough cash on hand for something one of you feels you need. You open a credit card bill and the next thing out of your mouth is, "You spent how much? You need to be more responsible!" These little money bombs can be hurtful and

Read More »from Top Tips for Talking About Money with Your Husband

woman adjusting thermostatBy Laurie Lee

Stay Warm and Save

Dropping temps mean higher heating bills, right? Not always. A few simple strategies can keep you and your family warm and toasty while keeping costs down. Photo by Getty Images.

If your heating bill is through the (uninsulated) roof, a home energy audit might be the answer. This professional consultation, which can be anything from a basic walk-through to using an infrared camera to identify heat loss zones, will leave you with a prioritized to-do list of areas to insulate or other ways to save thousands of dollars in the long run. The service can cost $500 and up, but some utility companies offer free or discounted audits, so call yours first to check. If your home's in pretty good shape, do your own "audit" to check for likely heat loss areas; find a guide at energystar.gov.

Boost the View

Energy Star-rated windows are tops for holding in heat, but at $300 or more each, installing them may not be in the budget. Instead, add

Read More »from Trim Your Winter Heating Bill

By Pamela Brill

Get Gifts for Less

Odds are the children in your life (your actual kids as well as the overgrown one you're married to) have already made it plain which games and gadgets they desperately want this holiday. And you, of course, want to grant their wish lists-without spending a lot. With a little planning, you can. Check out these smart ways to save on the toys that will make them smile widest. Photo by Getty Images.
Related: Check out the 10 things you should never say to your kids.

Reap the Rewards

Pharmacy chains and supermarkets aren't the only stores with loyalty programs. Members of Toys "R" Us's Rewards "R" Us get members-only shopping site discounts and other money-saving perks during the holiday season. LEGO's VIP program uses a point system that gives you $5 off for every 100 points you earn.

Get Gift Cards at a Discount

Check out GiftCardGranny.com, which sells cards for toy and electronics retailers like Target, Toys "R" Us, Sears, Walmart,

Read More »from Holiday Toys and Games for Less

child cheating in a classroomBy Margot Gilman

It's 10 P.M. and your seventh grader still has a history test to study for and five chapters of Huckleberry Finn to read with essay questions to answer. This evening, soccer practice kept her busy until seven, and she's exhausted because she's been up since 6 A.M. putting the final touches on her science fair display board. Getting a bad grade or handing in work late isn't an option-this is an indisputable fact of life in your household. Would it be so terrible then, she wonders, to ask her best friend if he could copy her homework or to write some important historical facts in ink on the palm of her hand? Photo by Getty Images

The temptation to cheat in school is nothing new-it's existed ever since children and schools first made each other's acquaintance. But it seems that the high-pressure, competitive environment of today's classrooms is pushing more and more kids to resort to academic dishonesty. In a study by the Josephson Institute Center for

Read More »from 8 Sneaky Signs Your Child May Be Cheating in School

man and woman kissingBy Sasha Henriques

Beyond the Boudoir

One of the best ways to liven up your sex life? Switch things up. And what's more out of the ordinary than getting intimate outside of the bedroom? Enticing sexual opportunities abound throughout your house, but you may not know where (or how) to get started. Check out the best ways to get busy in each area of your home. Photo by Thinkstock.

The Bathroom

Yes, even washing up can lead to getting down and dirty. "In the shower, face each other and elevate one of your legs on a raised surface, like the side of the tub or a shower bench, as he slides inside," says Amy Levine, sex coach and founder of Ignite Your Pleasure. For deeper penetration, bend your body forward from your hips, so your hands can touch the tub, while your partner stands behind you. If shower sex sounds too slippery, Diana Wiley, PhD, a Seattle-based sex therapist, recommends using the toilet. "Straddle him as he sits on the toilet seat (the cover can be up or down).

Read More »from The Best Sex Positions for Every Room in the House

woman screaming in officeBy Margot Gilman

We've all entertained fantasies about telling a lying, lazy or downright mean boss that she can take this job and do you-know-what-with-it, but dreamland is exactly where such musings must stay. Whether you're leaving of your own volition or being asked to go, how you handle yourself can have serious repercussions for you for years down the road. By age 44, the typical American worker will have changed jobs about 10 times, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and a negative parting can haunt your future job-hunting efforts, says Alexandra Levit, a workplace consultant and author of Blind Spots: 10 Business Myths You Can't Afford to Believe on Your New Path to Success. Sure, revenge tastes sweet, but if you're leaving a job anyway, you might as well end on a high note. To make sure you do-and pave the way for long-term professional success-don't do the following. Photo by Thinkstock.

1. Get emotional. A supervisor's mistreatment is painful to live

Read More »from 10 Things Never to Do when Leaving a Job