If you have less-than-perfect credit, you may find landlords denying your rental system. They might say yes to your program if you set up auto-payment of rent. Offering to have your rent automatically deducted from your bank account can also help. You should already bepaying your bills automatically, so now you have another reason. Some banks charge for this service, soshop around for the best rates. Check out the link for other tips on how to rent a house or apartment with poor credit....

Customers might be more likely to accept your bid if you use an exact price. They attempt to haggle you down another $500. What would happen if you quoted them a price of $5,180? I bet your client would be happier. A specific number has greater meaning because it looks like you calculated your cost exactly. $5,180 looks like an unrounded number with no padding. It’s quirky for sure, and it’s no guarantee you’ll get the job....

Recruiters are always on the prowl for new candidates to fill their client’s vacancies. Create an email addressing the job opportunities that would be of interest to you. Track your interactions with recruiters and develop those encounters into relationships. Creating a response like the one Glassdoor suggests keeps you open to new opportunities. A quality recruiter’s likely to read your response and tailor the pitch to your specific needs. Check out the link for a template of the suggest response....

Meditationcan be very beneficial, but most of us struggle to find the time. Next time the phone rings, take a few breaths before you answer. Over at Inc. they’ve got some “stealth” meditation tips from Sharon Salzberg. One tip is to use the phone as a cue to be mindful of your actions. They explain: “Don’t pick up the phone on the first ring. Let it ring three times and breathe, and then you pick it up....

When you think of a library, most people think of a quiet place to study. If you want to get work done and spread out, you go to a coffee shop. Newer libraries offer the same amenities as coffee shops, and sometimes even more. The Wi-Fi is fast and I can bring food and drink in with me. Many libraries, including my local library, have an on-site coffee shop too....

Upgrade to leather today for under $8. There are a few with similar prices. We don’t expect it to last long. It’s not on sale today, but it is bundled withthis wireless routeron Newegg. These would be perfect for an outlet behind your nightstand, at your desk, or in the kitchen. [Amazon] Update:Sold out at $20, but you might get them for $25. Amazon has it today for $81, which is the lowest price they’ve ever offered....

We all understand the importance of social skills, but charisma can be a tough one to adopt. Lifehack.org recommends focusing on presence. “Presence” is being fully invested in the conversation, even when you’re not leading it. Lifehack explains why this works: Everyone wants to feel important. When you have an awesome idea, don’t you want people to listen? I would recommend being selective with this trait. Lifehack offers some other charisma boosting tips below....

Brewing tea is pretty easy: put the bag in, let it steep, take it out. Instructables user suvinks solved this problem by creating a little tea brewing machine. The build here uses an ATTiny, a small servo, and a buzzer.

Stretch your budget by focusing on some core, monochrome outfits. One surefire way to look cheap is to pile on a ton of different colors and patterns. Of course, this doesn’t mean you canneverwear colors. Feel free to experiment, but save money by building on a more neutral, flexible foundation. 9 Ways to Make Your Clothes Look More Expensive & Fashionable| Money Crashers Photo byBrooke Raymond.

Both versions of the app are free, and include basic protection for anyone who installs them. Just install it, tap the lock to secure your gadget, and you’re good to go. The app offers basic protection for some of the web’s most prevalent trackers for free. Hit the links below to give the app a try.

The video above, from our friends atTekzillashows you how it’s done. Any Bluetooth gadget will work, and you might select it from the built-in menu. Walk back, and it’ll unlock so you’re able to get back to work. HandyLock is free, and you could download it at the link below.

The new iPhone 6 and 6 Pluscome out today. Over on Quartz, designer Scott Hurff shows how reachable the new phones are. The same goes forany larger phone. Hurff has a ton of data and insights over on Quartz if you want to see more. How to design for thumbs in the era of huge screens| Quartz

Evena three-second distractioncan negatively affect your productivity. Phone calls require you to abandon what you’re doing and divert your focus elsewhere. Eliminating the interruption of phone calls just makes sense. I’ll definitely respond there. I’m cutting out work phone calls to avoid constant disruption. Once someone texts you,use MightyText to reply from your PC. In fact, I haveset up Gmail as a productivity hubso that texting and email happens from it....