Theres a reason your purchases are getting expensive and mediocre

Theres a reason your purchases are getting expensive and mediocreTheres a reason your purchases are getting expensive and mediocreThe United States has long relied on capitalism to fuel its economy, and capitalism, in turn, depends on competition for a healthy market. But as the U.S. government has turned a blind eye to monopolistic tendencies the last few decades and companies have increasingly acquired large market shares for their products, Americas capitalistic ideals have gone by the wayside to benefit large corporations, their shareholders and few others, according to New York Times columnistDavid Leonhardt.In an environment where union-busting seems more popular than monopoly-busting, the think tank Open Markets Institute has published a report on some of the industries where a few companies control an entire product or service. From domestic airlines to coffin and casket manufacturing to smartphone operating systems, the findings are dramatic.Because a select few corporate parents dictate the economy in this country, they can drive up prices, pull down wages and perpetuate other practices that make the lives of average Americans more stressful.Due to extreme concentrations of wealth and political power, our country is experiencing severe economic inequality, stagnant household income, the collapse of business formation and innovation, and historic levels of political polarization, the Open Markets report reads.Heres a look at some of the industries that have been taken over by corporate giants.Domestic airlinesFour firms control 73% of this $140.6 1000000000000 industry American, Delta, United Continental, and Southwest. Perhaps thats why planes keep getting more crowded and uncomfortable and one-time givens such as carry-ons have now become add-ons to the price of a ticket.Social networkingAs the parent company to youth favorites such as Instagram and WhatsApp, Facebook controls an astounding 72% of the market for social networking sites. LinkedIn co ntrols another 11% and Twitter 6% of a $25.6 billion industry.Baby formula and diapersThe largest four firms that sell baby formula control 89% of the market, and the largest two firms for diaper manufacturing control 64% of the market.Cell phone providers and smartphone operating systemsThe four largest cell phone providers - ATT, Verizon, T-Mobile, and Sprint - control 98% of the industrys market, with ATT and Verizon far outpacing their competitors. Meanwhile, there are only two major firms in smartphone operating systems Google and Apple together control 99 percent of the industry.Pharmacies and drug storesWe now romanticize a time when kids would pop over to their local pharmacy for a root beer float. That culture barely exists anymore Major chains Walgreens and CVS control 61% of the market for a $270.6 billion industry.Washer and dryer manufacturingThree firms control 100% of the industrys market.CandyTwo recognizable names - Hershey and Mars - control 60% of the candy ma rket.Coffin and casket manufacturingEven death can be monopolized, and two firms control 76% of the coffin and casket manufacturing market.From necessities to lifestyle splurges, our economy is monopolized by a handful of major corporations that tischset the prices we pay and the salaries we earn. But not all is lost Were the ones with buying power, and we can elect politicians who believe in stricter regulations for corporations. The choice is in our hands we just have to learn to wield our power.

5 habits of truly happy marriages, according to a marriage expert

5 habits of truly happy marriages, according to a marriage expert5 habits of truly happy marriages, according to a marriage expertMarriagetakes work. Everyone knows this. But what many dont realize is that they might be working on the wrong things. Or even working on the right things in the wrong way.In our culture, theres so much focus on getting together rather than on being together and stayinghappy together, says Suzann Pileggi, who, along with her husband, James Pawelski, director of education at the University of Pennsylvania Positive Psychology Center, authoredHappy Together Using the Science of Positive Psychology to Build Love That Lasts.Looking at positive psychology research and binnenseeing what is it that can actually lead to ahappier marriage.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moraPositive psychology is the science of strengths and looking at what makes individuals and co uples thrive. The research shows that, if youre focusing mora on growing the nuggets of whats good, you have a better chance of having ahappy relationship. In other words, know your strengths and spend time maintaining them. Here, then, are five tips that Suzann and James say will lead to better days for you and your spouse.1. Cultivate a healthy passionThat idea of starry-eyed lovers who are forever on each others minds and obsess over each other daily? Total B.S. In fact, per Pileggi this thinking is detrimental, as it can give rise to the idea that obsessive passion is a healthy thing.In the beginning of arelationship, you cant stop thinking about your partner, you might be distracted at work, you might cancel plans with friends to see your girlfriend or future spouse, she explains. But if that continues months or years into the relationship and youre not seeing yourfriends anymore, youre not engaging in activities that you did before the relationship, and you cant focus on anyth ing else, that could be more of an obsessive passion.In order to create a healthy passion, Pileggi says to be sure to make room in your mind for your other interests and other people. Then, when you are with your partner, find ways to connect over things that you both enjoy. Its about forging a deeper bond, not trying to be competitive, Pileggi says. So dont choose something that you really like and enjoy and your wife has no interest in. The idea is to connect, not to compete.2. Embrace the upsideAt thebeginning of a relationship, positive emotions are flowing with regularity. Excitement, joy, passion are all right at your fingertips. But, as the relationship progresses and you both get more comfortable with each other, some people expect that those positive emotions will just happen without any effort. Not so.The research shows that thehappiest coupleswith the most sustainablemarriagesare the ones who actively cultivate them all the time and prioritize them as opposed to waiting a round for them to happen, she says. Because, like with anything, the newness of something, those heightened positive emotions, the level and the frequency just naturally dont occur as much as in the beginning of a relationship, the falling-in-love stage.So, couples inlong-term relationshipswho are looking to cultivate positive emotions have to ask themselves what can they do each day, what activities or actions can they do in order to keep positive emotions flowing in a marriage.Imagine if you just bought a gym membership and went once and then said, Okay, now Im going to be fit, Pileggi says. No, you work out regularly and throughout your lifetime.One activity that Pileggi and her husband discuss inHappy Togetheris a Positive Relationship Portfolio, And yes, it is actually a portfolio of pictures, mementos, and other such items that mean something in your relationship. If thats your style or not, we get it. The point of the exercise is to devote time to thinking about the hintergru nd memories, which, per Pileggi, is extremely important. However you do it is up to you.3. Savor experiencesPositive emotions and moments are fleeting. Pileggi says that its important to slow down and take time to enjoy them. Research shows that if you spend at least 15 minutes savoring something you could increase your satisfaction, she says. One way to do that is sharing secrets with one another. Ask your spouse about a favorite childhood experience, or a secret they never told anyone or big idea or dream they always had for the future. The point is this The more you open up and talk about these sorts of things, the deeper a bond youre able to create.4. Locate and focus on character strengthsWhat are your partners strengths? Do you know? Positive Psychology researchers have identified 24 character traits that people possess in different measures. Things like creativity, curiosity, zest, love of learning, leadership. Pileggi recommends taking a Character Strengths test with your pa rtner (one is availablehere).Then, once youve determined what your strengths are, you can have conversations with each other about them. From there, Pileggi says, you both can go on what she and her husband call a strength date. Sounds weird right? But the idea is sound each of you to pick a top strength and go on a date that plays to - and satisfies - both of them.5. Emphasize gratitudeIf your partner feels taken advantage of and not acknowledged, theyre not going to be satisfied, she says. And just saying thanks isnt enough.An example If your spouse gives you a schadstoff or does something kind for you, dont just thank them, but also say something like, You really know what I need and youre such a good listener. or Youre so thoughtful, and I can see how thoughtful you are with our children and the way you are at work.Its about being deliberate and specific in how youexpress appreciation for your partner.Express your thanks and express it well, says Pileggi. Which means focusing on your partner and her actions and her strengths rather than solely on the gift and the benefit to you. The end result Per Pileggi, couples who did this decreased their chances of breaking up six months later by 50 percent.This article was originally published on Fatherly.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will ersatzdarsteller your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people5 habits of truly happy marriages, according to a marriage expertMarriagetakes work. Everyone knows this. But what many dont realize is that they might be working on the wrong things. Or even working on the right things in the wrong way.In our culture, theres so much focus on getting together rather than on being together and stayinghappy together, says Suzann Pileg gi, who, along with her husband, James Pawelski, director of education at the University of Pennsylvania Positive Psychology Center, authoredHappy Together Using the Science of Positive Psychology to Build Love That Lasts.Looking at positive psychology research and seeing what is it that can actually lead to ahappier marriage.Positive psychology is the science of strengths and looking at what makes individuals and couples thrive. The research shows that, if youre focusing more on growing the nuggets of whats good, you have a better chance of having ahappy relationship. In other words, know your strengths and spend time maintaining them. Here, then, are five tips that Suzann and James say will lead to better days for you and your spouse.1. Cultivate a healthy passionThat idea of starry-eyed lovers who are forever on each others minds and obsess over each other daily? Total B.S. In fact, per Pileggi this thinking is detrimental, as it can give rise to the idea that obsessive passion i s a healthy thing.In the beginning of arelationship, you cant stop thinking about your partner, you might be distracted at work, you might cancel plans with friends to see your girlfriend or future spouse, she explains. But if that continues months or years into the relationship and youre not seeing yourfriendsanymore, youre not engaging in activities that you did before the relationship, and you cant focus on anything else, that could be more of an obsessive passion.In order to create a healthy passion, Pileggi says to be sure to make room in your mind for your other interests and other people. Then, when you are with your partner, find ways to connect over things that you both enjoy. Its about forging a deeper bond, not trying to be competitive, Pileggi says. So dont choose something that you really like and enjoy and your wife has no interest in. The idea is to connect, not to compete.2. Embrace the upsideAt thebeginning of a relationship, positive emotions are flowing with regul arity. Excitement, joy, passion are all right at your fingertips. But, as the relationship progresses and you both get more comfortable with each other, some people expect that those positive emotions will just happen without any effort. Not so.The research shows that thehappiest coupleswith the most sustainablemarriagesare the ones who actively cultivate them all the time and prioritize them as opposed to waiting around for them to happen, she says. Because, like with anything, the newness of something, those heightened positive emotions, the level and the frequency just naturally dont occur as much as in the beginning of a relationship, the falling-in-love stage.So, couples inlong-term relationshipswho are looking to cultivate positive emotions have to ask themselves what can they do each day, what activities or actions can they do in order to keep positive emotions flowing in a marriage.Imagine if you just bought a gym membership and went once and then said, Okay, now Im going to be fit, Pileggi says. No, you work out regularly and throughout your lifetime.One activity that Pileggi and her husband discuss inHappy Togetheris a Positive Relationship Portfolio, And yes, it is actually a portfolio of pictures, mementos, and other such items that mean something in your relationship. If thats your style or not, we get it. The point of the exercise is to devote time to thinking about the fond memories, which, per Pileggi, is extremely important. However you do it is up to you.3. Savor experiencesPositive emotions and moments are fleeting. Pileggi says that its important to slow down and take time to enjoy them. Research shows that if you spend at least 15 minutes savoring something you could increase your satisfaction, she says. One way to do that is sharing secrets with one another. Ask your spouse about a favorite childhood experience, or a secret they never told anyone or big idea or dream they always had for the future. The point is this The more you open up a nd talk about these sorts of things, the deeper a bond youre able to create.4. Locate and focus on character strengthsWhat are your partners strengths? Do you know? Positive Psychology researchers have identified 24 character traits that people possess in different measures. Things like creativity, curiosity, zest, love of learning, leadership. Pileggi recommends taking a Character Strengths test with your partner (one is availablehere).Then, once youve determined what your strengths are, you can have conversations with each other about them. From there, Pileggi says, you both can go on what she and her husband call a strength date. Sounds weird right? But the idea is sound each of you to pick a top strength and go on a date that plays to - and satisfies - both of them.5. Emphasize gratitudeIf your partner feels taken advantage of and not acknowledged, theyre not going to be satisfied, she says. And just saying thanks isnt enough.An example If your spouse gives you a gift or does something kind for you, dont just thank them, but also say something like, You really know what I need and youre such a good listener. or Youre so thoughtful, and I can see how thoughtful you are with our children and the way you are at work.Its about being deliberate and specific in how youexpress appreciation for your partner.Express your thanks and express it well, says Pileggi. Which means focusing on your partner and her actions and her strengths rather than solely on the gift and the benefit to you. The end result Per Pileggi, couples who did this decreased their chances of breaking up six months later by 50 percent.This article was originally published on Fatherly.

5 Times Its OK to Have an Ego at Work - The Muse

5 Times Its OK to Have an Ego at Work - The Muse5 Times Its OK to Have an Ego at WorkWhen you were growing up, were you taught that bragging is bad or that it isnt polite to talk about yourself? Instead, you may have learned that if you worked hard enough, kept your head down, and focused on your goals, people would see your sterling results and you would be duly rewarded. Well, in the professional world, things play out a little differently. Sometimes, the only way you can give a voice to your hard work and results is to speak up. Why? Your manager and colleagues may know youre a hard worker and assume you get things done. But theyre also busy with their own responsibilities, so theyre probably not keeping close track of yours. Your ich- well managed, of course- can help you fill them in. In fact, in my opinion, being able to speak to your accomplishments and competencies is just as important as your ability to do the work. Your selbst can be a great asset in your career, if you kno w how and when to use it- like in these five situations.1. When Youre Interviewing for a JobI once coached a client to say in an interview, Im really good at working with customers and I will do a great job in this role. He flinched at the suggestion, responding with, I cant really say that, can I? Yes, you can. And you should. Research shows that narcissism goes a long way in job interviews. Individuals who engage with the interviewer with a little self-promotion receive more positive ratings than those who take a modest, self-deprecating approach. Remember, managers want to hire confident employees who know they can get the job done. So before an interview, read the job description thoroughly and think about how you will perform well in each aspect of the job. Then, boldly share that information. 2. When Youre Negotiating a Job OfferIm an advocate for negotiating all job offers, but I also know that negotiating can be intimidating- because you may feel like youre asking for someth ing you dont deserve. This is where you should call on your ego to help. It will remind you that negotiations are not a zero-sum game. Yes, you are asking for a better compensation package, title, or assignment with your prospective employer- but you are also going to provide value in return for the benefits you receive.Let your ego help you talk about not only what you want as far as compensation, but also how youre going to benefit the employer by citing the accomplishments and wins youve already achieved.3. When Youre Prepping for a wertmiger zuwachs ReviewWhen I work with clients, Im always surprised at how much they think their boss knows about what they do. The reality is, your boss is busy He or she has a lot going on. And that means all the nooks and crannies of that successful project you worked on may not be as obvious to him or her as they are to you. So, call on your ego to help. When its review time, dont expect your boss to do the math. Review the results and accomplis hments you achieved, even if you think he or she is already aware of them. (Hint use this handy worksheet to get started.)Even if an accomplishment was a group effort, dont be bashful about taking credit for what you achieved within your role or contributed to the victory. Talk about what you did and how it helped make your team, boss, and organization more successful. 4. When Youre Asking for a RaiseStudies show that men tend to attribute their success to competence, while women usually credit success to good luck.If you attribute your success to luck, its going to be very difficult to ask for that raise- because you simply got lucky. Or anyone could have done it. This is a great opportunity to let your ego boost you up. Let it remind you that your accomplishments are not a matter of luck theyre the result of your critical thinking and hard work. Then, identify a measurable, quantifiable result that you helped the organization achieve. Thats a cold, hard fact you can use to negotia te your raise- and thats not about luck at all. 5. When Youre Jockeying for a PromotionYouve been toiling away at work, because you have your eye on that executive track prize. You know if you just wait patiently, when that next opening comes up, your manager will put your name forward as a candidate.But wait Your ego can help you out in this situation, too. Instead of waiting for a promotion opportunity to come up, let your ego help you make your intentions known ahead of time. Talk with your manager, mentor, or HR representative and tell him or her, My goal is to get on the executive track. Ask what it will take to get you ready for the next promotion that opens up. Then, start working on those skills. Youll be able to start preparing for the new role while building your visibility and credibility. And when the time comes, youll be ready. Sure, no one likes an egomaniac. But you dont have to be one to let your ego help you out in your career. Use it to help you identify and promot e the good work, solid results, and major accomplishments youve achieved- and watch your career benefit. Photo of man taking selfie courtesy of Shutterstock.