Problem: Article: Eventually, most kids stop using bikes with foot brakes and start using ones with hand brakes. Hand brakes give the rider a little more control by allowing them to choose which wheel to brake with. To use a hand brake, simply squeeze the metal bar in front of either hand grip. The back wheel brake usually slows the bike down more gradually, while the front brake slows the bike down more quickly — be careful not to use the front brake too hard or you might go over the handle bars! Though every child learns at their own pace, in general, most kids are capable of learning to use hand brakes after about six years of age. Just like most kids eventually start using hand brakes, sooner or later, most kids eventually learn how to ride a bike with gears. Gears make it easy to go very fast, climb steep hills, and maintain a "cruising" speed without pedaling hard. To use gears, simply push the lever or switch near the hand grips in either direction. You should notice it suddenly get easier or harder to pedal — the harder it is to pedal, the faster your pedaling will make you go. Again, every child learns at their own pace. Most kids from ages 9-12 are capable of using bikes with gears after a little basic training. Standing up while you pedal instead of using the seat lets you push on the pedals extra-hard, which makes this a great way to get up hills or gain speed very quickly. In addition, you have to be able to stand up on your bike to do lots of bike tricks (like the bunny hop below). You may find that it's tricky to balance at first or that your legs get tired quickly when you first try to stand up while pedaling. However, with a little practice, it's not hard to build up the strength and balance you need to master this skill. When you're comfortable biking on clear, even surfaces like streets, sidewalks, and fields, try biking on an off-road trail. You'll find that this is a little different than biking on a road — it's usually slower, bumpier, and requires you to watch the path in front of you more. However, off-road biking can be a great way to exercise and see parts of the wilderness you haven't seen before, so give it a shot! When you feel confident riding your bike at any speed and in any location, try learning a few easy tricks! For example, you can try doing a bunny hop by working up to a slow speed, standing up, and pulling up on the handle bars as you push off of the ground and throw your weight upwards.  In the air, lean forward to level out so that you hit the ground on both wheels. When you get good at this, you should be able to pull off a small "hop" which is great for getting you up curbs without stopping. Don't be discouraged if you fall or "wipe out" a few times when you're trying to learn the bunny hop and other tricks. Minor nicks and bruises are part of the process of learning — you can't learn without making a few mistakes!
Summary: Try a bike with hand brakes. Try using a bike with gears. Try standing while you pedal. Try biking off-road. Try doing a bunny hop.

Problem: Article: If you have funds to invest, it's important to understand why you want to invest in gold in the first place. Make sure it's the right thing for you. Understand that gold mainly serves as a repository of value and as an investment hedge. Common reasons for investing in gold include:  Gold is always in high demand. It is a tangible product that can always be passed on without concerns for its desirability. Contrast this with antiques and collectibles, which are subject to fluctuations in fashion and style trends. Owning gold can protect you from inflation or currency fluctuations. Countries often invest in gold when economic growth starts to decline. The more debt-laden an economy, the more it may have to pay for gold. Gold can be another "string to your bow" when you seek to diversify your investment portfolio. Diversification is another reason to own gold. This is a cornerstone of sound financial management. Gold is an excellent vehicle for protecting wealth over a long period of time (provided you store it securely). During a period of civil instability, gold is a way to protect assets. It is portable, easy to hide, and can give you something to hang on to when everything else is crumbling.
Summary: Decide why you're interested in investing in gold.

Problem: Article: When the voice in your head sounds like Eeyore, it's pretty hard to get pumped up. But when it's saying things like, "9 AM -- BE AWESOME. 10 AM -- Dominate gym class LIKE A BOSS. 11 AM - Rock the chemistry test," it's pretty hard to not feel like the Energizer bunny. So get to training your head for energy. It's here to pump you up, even if it doesn't sound much like Arnold Schwarzenegger. The idea here is to A) talk to yourself in exclamation points -- with enthusiasm, with excitement -- but also B) talk to yourself positively. It's very hard to get enthusiastic about failing or things not going your way. So to energize your thoughts, think brighter. There's a reason we wear black to funerals! Turns out wearing bright colors can make you happier and more energized. In other words, hyper! So if you were thinking of going goth, sorry. You'd be better off going Rainbow Brite. Looking at bright colors can do it, too. It's as if the bright colors cue your brain to get ready for fun and excitement. No wonder adults get tired -- they're constantly around blacks, blues, and tans. They need a little orange in their lives! Okay, that's probably the funniest thing you could do. But really, getting wet at all alerts your system, waking up all your senses. Showers can actually get your metabolism going! So go splash some water on your face or go puddle jumping -- it's all good! It also wipes away stress, almost literally. So if you're feeling worried about something (which can be a total drag), aim for the water. Maybe life should be one giant pool party, huh? If prom were to happen every day, it wouldn't be special. Very few people would get excited and the buzz it cultivates just wouldn't be there. But when dressing up (even if it's not prom) rolls around only once every so often, it creates this intangible excitement that you can't help from feeling energized about. So take this Friday night to get dressed to the nines! You don't have to put on a prom dress or tux to see this effect. Just throwing on nice clothes can put you in a good mood, especially if your friends are doing it too. When it comes to effects like these, there's definite power in numbers! Turns out plopping yourself down in front of the TV is more than just relaxing -- it's energy-zapping and turns you into a vegetable. You end up not wanting to do anything but sit there and the cycle just gets worse. So if there's a show you absolutely have to watch, watch it, but then get up off your butt! Instead, try playing games -- even if it's just Words with Friends on Facebook! It's the same relaxing stuff, but it keeps your brain entertained and just plain going -- instead of zoning out and shutting down like it does when you crawl in front of the tube. We've sort of touched on this already, but let's lay it on the line: it's super hard to be hyper when you're down in the dumps. When you think of a sad person, are they running about, flailing their arms, screaming for the hilltops, and being, well, unstoppable? No. Never. So if you want to get hyper, you'll need to beat those nasty thoughts into submission. There's no room for worry, regret, or sadness here. You need a reason for that pep in your step! So whatever makes you happy, do it. Dance naked in your living room. Spend the night baking 3,197 sugar cookies. Play online chess for 4 hours and then do your homework. If it gets your endorphins going, it's good.
Summary:
Energize that voice in your head. Wear bright colors. Play in the rain. Dress up. Limit your TV usage. Get happy.