Articles written by Andrew Allen

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About me - Andrew Allen

Interests: Photography, Teaching and Playing Guitar, Running, Reading, Writing

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Personal Finance > Credit Cards Should teens have credit cards?: 11 of 60

Ah credit cards, that ubiquitous accompaniment that goes along with any person of status. Might as well start early on building credit, eh? While some can handle the responsibility that comes with a credit card, the vast majority of people whether adult or teenagers do not pay off their balance each month. Studies have estim...
Relationships & Family > Tips for Marital Happiness Should couples live together before getting married?: 24 of 81

Certainly, most people do not think a close relationship will end, so what's wrong with sharing this ultimate intimate act with that special someone? Although we might like to think otherwise, studies have shown that 39 percent of those who cohabitate before marriage break up. Of those cohabitators who do get married, 72 per...
Personal Finance > Retirement Who can set up a Roth IRA?: 2 of 6

Perhaps you've heard of Roth IRAs but don't know a lot about them. Are you eligible? What does setting one up entail? A Roth IRA (Individual Retirement Account) refers to a retirement plan which grows tax free. This differs from a 401(k) in that money placed into a 401(k) is funded by pretax dollars from a person's paycheck....
Sports & Recreation > Running Base training for distance running: 1 of 3

When looking to begin training for a 5k or a distance farther than this, there are several things to keep in mind. The training schedule should be a guide to work from not a slave master. Life happens, so the schedule can be adjusted accordingly and as what works best for you is determined. The first phase should be base tra...
Sports & Recreation > Running Marathon training guide: 2 of 5

People who run marathons are crazy. Seriously. 26.2 miles is an extraordinarily long distance. Up to 20 miles is reasonable but beyond that begins the insanity. If however you still insist on running one, let me adequately prepare you for what is to come. You should begin training a minimum of 18 weeks prior to the race. Run...
Health & Fitness > Fitness & Exercise Tips Running on a treadmill vs. running outdoors: 9 of 20

Running on a treadmill has the benefit of a more cushioned ride with lessened strain on one's body. A treadmill can be built with a shock absorption system which dissipates jolts and pounding, rather than them being absorbed by the legs and joints of the runner. Additional benefits of running on a treadmill include the abili...
Arts & Humanities > British Literature Book reviews: 1984, by George Orwell: 6 of 13

This classic story of Orwell's imagined future in 1984 written during the 1950s is a stark warning against totalitarian systems of government. In the story the government is headed by a shadowy figure titled Big Brother. This popular reference to "the man" or other monitoring organization originates in this story. The basic ...
Sports & Recreation > Training & Equipment How to get started with distance running: 3 of 6

One of the most important things to consider if interested in distance running is a person's present physical condition. Getting a doctor's clearance prior to beginning a program should be first on the agenda. Next, the runner should make certain they have a good pair of comfortable running shoes. Shoes can make or break a r...
Personal Finance > Financial Planning Book reviews: Financial Peace, by Dave Ramsey: 2 of 4

I've read Financial Peace a couple times before but this time was in conjunction with going through Financial Peace University. Both the book and the course have some great information on personal finance. The driving principles behind Ramsey's philosophy are live on a budget, pay off debt as quick as possible, build an emer...
Arts & Humanities > American Literature Book reviews: A Walk in the Woods, by Bill Bryson: 1 of 2

This is a memoir of sorts of Bryson's journey on the Appalachian trail in the late 1990s. He and a long lost, somewhat crazy buddy from high school hook up and make plans to tackle this 2100 mile behemoth going from North Georgia to Katahdin Mountain in Maine. Though quite out of shape, they embark upon the hike and have goo...