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Mac OS X only: Dead simple screenshot and image-sharing service Skitch, formerly in private beta, is now open to anyone to download and try out. Skitch is a Mac desktop application that talks to a webapp: sign up for a free account at Skitch.com, install the app, and publish, share, screengrab, and annotate images from your Mac instantly. Great for sharing and discussing images with friends and co-workers online, it's hard to explain just how easy Skitch is to use, so hit the play button above to see it in action. I just started playing with Skitch, and in about 15 seconds I took a screenshot of my desktop, annotated it, and uploaded it to my public Skitch page. Neat. Skitch is a free download for Mac only. (We can't wait to see this one for Windows.)
The earlier you learn solid money management skills, the better off you'll be. If you're a parent and money is on your child's mind, it's best to teach them before they exhaust their savings. The PAYjr Education Center proposes that you start teaching your child about money as soon as they're young enough to count. Give your child an allowance so that they can start making financial decisions that they can learn from. Provide them with opportunities to make money so that they can discover that their hard work pays off, but if they spend their earnings quickly, they'll have to work harder for next time. You should also teach your child about budgeting, saving their money, and about credit as early as possible. Don't shy away from family discussions, and teach by example. How do you educate your child about money management? Let us know in the comments.
Stressed out? Give yourself something to play with: a squeezable stress ball that you can use to release the tension within. The Organic Health Blog lists two recipes to create your own stress balls. The first requires a balloon and cornstarch. Pour cornstarch in your balloon and tie it closed. Viola—your stress ball has been created. The second recipe is a bit messier to prepare, as it requires a mixture of salt, flour, oil, cream of tartar, and water to create a dough-like substance. Once the dough is kneaded, stick a chunk of it inside a balloon. Then take a second balloon and mush some dough in there as well. Put the second balloon inside the first. Repeat this process with one or two more balloons to get a solid but squishy stress ball that you can even decorate when your creation is complete. Now you have a homemade stress ball with which you can squeeze your stress away.
While some people argue that Twitter is not a productive use of one's time, others strongly disagree. Blogger Maki provides a list of seventeen different things you can do with Twitter to make it worth your while. By actively engaging on Twitter, you can self-market and build your personal brand. This allows you to 
Personal development blogger Alex Shalman explains that those who have winning personalities are loved and respected. These individuals are not thinking of themselves. Instead, they have everyone's best interests at heart. So how, then, do you achieve a personality that everyone loves? Be kind and compassionate. Believe in yourself. Exhibit integrity and optimism. Have an open mind. Do not speak negatively of others. Take responsibility for your actions. Help others where you can. Be persistent, and don't give up. With a winning personality, you attract more friends and can enrich the lives of anyone who comes into contact with you. 
Do you find it difficult to get your family members to adhere to your house rules? Blogger and parent Vanessa Van Petten says that you can make your house rules stick by clearly explaining why these rules are in place. "Because I said so" is no longer a sufficient answer. Also, don't cheat. If you're going to create a rule that specifies that you cannot have a snack right before bedtime, don't let your partner or child discover you noshing late at night. You need to abide by the rules too. Additionally, write the rules down on paper to make them be more permanent. Otherwise, they might be "forgotten." Finally, reward those who follow the rules with positive reinforcement. Good behaviour deserves praise. Don't always point out the negatives. Instead, focus on the positive. What are your favorite rule-enforcing strategies? Share your best approaches in the comments.
Do you feel that you're working more than you're worth? It might be the right time to ask for a pay raise. Before you make the request, though, do your homework and ensure that your roles and activities—not your job title—are consistent with what you should be paid. If you're confident that you deserve more, build up the courage and ask, but do it with grace. Rehearse your pay-raise request and make sure that your case is articulated clearly and without negative emotions or threats to quit. Ensure that the timing is right: don't request a raise when your manager's stress is high and the workload is overwhelming. Otherwise, your request might be perceived as a distraction and may not be received well. You also need to be honest with yourself. Do you deserve the raise? Was your past performance up to par? Did you exceed expectations? If the answer is yes, it's time to take the plunge.
