Blog Posts by The Daily Muse

Renter's red flagAt one of the apartments I used to live in, the landlord posted a billboard-sized advertisement on the side of the building that read "Cheap & Tacky 2 Beds" followed by his name and number. He wasn't lying-these apartments were in fact totally cheap and tacky. The only thing he could have said to be more honest would have been, "Cheap & Tacky 2 Beds with Irregularly Functioning Laundry Facilities."

Unfortunately, landlords aren't usually so open. So it's up to you-the renter-to know what to watch out for before signing a lease. When you're apartment shopping, keep an eye out for these commonly overlooked red flags.

1. Noise, Noise, Noise

If possible, view an apartment over the weekend, so that your prospective neighbors are more likely to be home. Then, take some time to just listen. Can you hear loud footsteps or voices from nearby apartments? This can be a sure sign of thin walls. Is the apartment above you filled with rambunctious children? Do your windows face out to a

Almost every waking moment, you're making a decision. Do you want to eat eggs or toast? Wear the blazer or the cardigan? Take the stairs or the escalator?

And that's just the easy stuff.

While each decision by itself may sound simple, the seemingly endless stream of decisions-and the pressure to make the "right" choice for each one-can really deplete you of time, energy, motivation, and even happiness. A recent New York Times article thrust this daily struggle into the spotlight (NPR chimed in, too): On any given day, we have a finite amount of mental energy and willpower to make choices. And by the end of an especially decision- or action-packed day (or week, or month), even choosing what to eat for dinner can seem like a struggle.

So how are we to save our decision-making energy for the big stuff, like choosing a job or planning for the future? Changing the amount of daily choices in your life isn't necessarily an option-and in most cases, you do want to be able to pick! But

Grocery Shopping for 1Grocery shopping for one can be tricky. When the only person you have to satisfy with your grocery list is you, it's easy to buy impulsively or buy too much. And on the flip side, how many times have you tried to just buy the bare essentials-only to find yourself having to make daily trips back to the market?

I was always an over-buyer, which resulted in a lot of wasted food (and wasted money). In fact, I'm still surprised that, now that I'm shopping for two, I spend basically the same amount as I did when I was shopping just for myself. (I also buy the same amount of ice cream, but that's a different issue.) But with some careful planning, it is possible to shop solo in a way that's both economical and less wasteful. The big secret: You should spend just about as much time preparing for your shopping trip as you do in the store.

Here's your plan of action to get in and out of the supermarket, and come home with the right amount of food for just you.

1. First, Shop at Home

Let's face it-we all have those sugary, salty, or fried foods we crave. And we know they aren't exactly the pinnacle of health, but that doesn't make us want them any less. So I decided to consult a few of the best nutritionists in search of food substitutes that might even satisfy Paula Deen (or, well, at least her doctor).

And guess what? They're out there. And in addition to being healthy, they're super tasty, too. Best of all, once you get in the habit of eating healthy, your body stops craving the unhealthy or fattening stuff so much. (Yes-these days I can visit a bakery and salivate for fresh pineapple over the chocolate croissant!) No matter what you're craving, try out one these tasty food swaps, inspired by one of my favorite nutritionists, Renata Petecka.

Food Swaps PastaIf You're Craving: Pasta

Try: Zucchini Pasta

Even if you got stuck with migraines in the genetic jackpot, you might not know this: June is National Migraine Awareness Month. And so today, I'm dedicating this column to the ladies of the migraine. (And, yes, it's mostly ladies. Migraines happen to "three women to every one man," says neurologist and headache specialist, Dr. Larry Robbins, MD. Lucky us.)

Why is this month so greatly needed? After all, if you're a migraineur, you're already abundantly aware of those incapacitating episodes of pain coupled with symptoms like nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and sound, blurred vision, or dizziness that last for hours (or days). This month is to let the general public know that these (often) debilitating episodes are more than "just headaches"-and the hope is that increased visibility will lead to more research and better treatment.

And as any migraineur will tell you, treatment is a very tricky topic. Take it from Heather Hefner, 29, who started the "War on Headaches" blog

Recently a girlfriend of mine asked me to have dinner. "I'm thinking of leaving my job," she said. "I think it's just time to go, and I thought you would know what to do."

And I did! I immediately started thinking of open positions I had heard of and which of my contacts might be a relevant introduction. I was rattling off names and next step strategies when I noticed the look on her face.

She didn't have to say a word, but I knew I was moving too fast. When friends need help, our instinct is to do whatever we can to "fix" the problem. But, when it comes to something as big, personal, and stressful as looking for a new job, this isn't always the best approach. Instead, it takes listening to her, understanding where she is in the process, and employing a whole lot of tact. Read on for some smart strategies for really helping a friend with her job search.

1. Listen First

Speak up! Promote yourself! Network!

It seems like most of the advice out there on how to succeed at work is really great-for extroverts. In fact, much of how the modern workplace is set up is really great for extroverts: Ideas are developed in brainstorming sessions. Offices are increasingly designed with open floor plans. People are encouraged to speak up at meetings.

So, what if you're an introvert?

As an introvert myself-someone who recharges, feels most energized, and works best alone-I've had to navigate jobs that included frequent public speaking, meeting with new people, and performing customer service. And while I've largely had to learn by trial and error, it turns out there are specific strategies that introverts can employ to work effectively (and stay sane) in an extrovert's world. I sat down with Susan Cain, author of the New York Times bestseller Quiet: The Power of Introverts, to learn more.

Find the Right Job

Walking into our first premarital counseling session, my fiancé, Trevor, and I were nervous-more nervous, in fact, than we'd ever been going into a job interview. What if our counselor told us we couldn't get married? That we weren't compatible enough?

But that's not the point of premarital counseling: You and your intended have already made the decision to get married, and after a few years of dating, know each other well. The point is to take a look at the expectations you're bringing into your marriage, learn how to communicate them, and figure out how to successfully merge them.

Which, if you think about it, is the same goal you have when you're working with a team at work. Everyone brings different backgrounds, experiences, and expectations to the table-and you have to figure out how to make them work together in order to get the job done. So, why not use some of those same relationship-building skills with your boss and co-workers? Here are the three biggest lessons I've