Magneti Marelli is in the business of making cars better without drivers knowing. As a group of quiet achievers, they shouldn’t be mistaken for a quaint little Italian company operating out of Nonno’s shed though.

For almost a century the sheer talent of Magneti Marelli has seen the company grow from a subsidiary of Fiat alongside its founding engineer, Ercole Marelli, into a fully fledged technological powerhouse servicing the world’s biggest car makers.

With a current annual turnover of €7.3 billion and over 40,000 employees worldwide, Magneti Marelli have continued to push the boundaries of road going innovations whilst having one foot firmly planted in the world of top tier motorsports.

The underlying question still remains though: What makes Magneti Marelli such a vital part of our future?

We’ll let five of their most revolutionary innovations do the talking.

The First To Implement LED Lighting In Cars

With over one third of Magneti Marelli’s business coming from the automotive lighting segment, it’s little surprise the amount of R&D that has been committed to this area.

The real milestone for Magneti Marelli however arrived in 2007 when it became the first company in the world to implement a mass-produced full LED headlamp into a production car.

Setting the benchmark for both driver safety and pure aesthetic design, the use of LED technology in vehicles would soon follow suit from manufacturers across the world.

This incredible innovation meant that the intensity of the emitted light was on par with that of natural daylight – a key requisite for the human eye to properly distinguish where the road meets the edge of the roadway at night.

Add to this the extended lifetime of an LED unit when compared to traditional Xenon lighting, the faster activation time of LEDs (crucial in emergency braking situations) and the reduction of fuel consumption and emissions and it’s proof that this is one area that Magneti Marelli paved the future for.

Alfa Romeo’s latest Giulia proudly operates on Magneti Marelli’s most advanced lighting system to date.

Revolutionary Infotainment

As another first that was delivered to the automotive world, Magneti Marelli succeeded in implementing an open-source platform for in-vehicle infotainment devices. What on Earth does this mean for the average driver?

One step closer to the ultimate “connected car”. Connectivity via portable devices such as smartphones and tablets are paramount these days when travelling beyond the comforts of home. Magneti Marelli realised this importance early on and made it a mission to be at the forefront of automotive communication no matter where a driver ventures in this world.

Think high-quality multimedia entertainment, full integration with consumer electronic devices, digital hi-fi audio management and a flexible platform which can continually communicate with other software and update itself with the latest features and apps.

Automated Manual Transmission

Born from the laboratories and race tracks of Formula One, Magneti Marelli was responsible for a new form of vehicle transmission called the Automated Manual Transmission (AMT). The goal was to create an ultra efficient transmission which could deliver uninterrupted power to the wheels whilst satisfying the areas of ride comfort and fuel consumption.

The team succeeded with the AMT’s electronically controlled hydraulic clutch system which can allow drivers to change gears without using the clutch. As a result, the revs will never drop between gear shifts, resulting in consistent power delivery without the drop off effect of a traditionally aggressive manual shift. Juttering between gear shifts is also eliminated in this case with the AMT.

As an innovation first introduced in 1997 in the Ferrari 355 F1, Magneti Marelli’s AMT continues to evolve both in performance and reliability.

KERS & Hybrid Power Units

In the domain of modern racing and the increasingly stringent regulations towards fuel consumption, a new technology had to be developed in order to stay competitive.

Enter KERS, the Kinetic Energy Recovery System which turns a vehicle’s mechanical braking energy into electric energy. This stored electrical energy is captured and stored via on-board batteries which can later deliver a boost of power to the car at the push of a button. Think of it as a hit of adrenalin for your motor vehicle for the price of nothing.

Magneti Marelli didn’t stop at just developing a KERS system. To reinforce their design wholistically, they also engineered components designated for the mass production of hybrid and electric engines. All of these components benefitted directly from the company’s participation in Formula One as the foundation for high powered electric motors which were also lightweight and easy to install.

Synaptic Damping Control

Extending their electronic capabilities beyond the cockpit, Magneti Marelli have also stamped their name on a proprietary suspension system they like to call Synaptic Damping Control.

With sensors attached to various points of the vehicle’s suspension, the SDC is able identify and process the vast array of driving conditions before adapting the right amount of suspension feedback to create a seamless ride hinged on safety, comfort and handling.

Secrets Between Race & Road Car

The post Inside The Incredible Automotive Innovations Of One Italian Company appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

The lounge is decorated with CCTV cameras, there’s no pool, and the Presidential Suite boasts “the worst view of any hotel in the world” – but if that sounds like your dream holiday, Banksy is your man. The elusive British artist has just unveiled his latest ambitious project: the Walled Off Hotel.

The 10-room, fully functioning guesthouse is located in Bethlehem, in a neighbourhood the artist’s website describes as “bustling.” But these are no ordinary accommodations, because the hotel is set directly next to the controversial wall built by Israel in the occupied West Bank.

“It’s exactly one hundred years since Britain took control of Palestine and started re-arranging the furniture – with chaotic results,” Banksy said. “I don’t know why but it felt like a good time to reflect on what happens when the United Kingdom makes a huge political decision without fully comprehending the consequences.”

Each room in the Walled Off Hotel looks onto the wall’s bleak concrete slabs, and the upper floors sit eye-to-eye with the Israeli watch towers that preside over the city. Inside, Banksy’s trademark style permeates ever corner of the space.

In one room, a riot guard and a protester battle with feather pillows on a wall above the bed. In the lobby, a classical bust statue is choked by a cloud of tear gas. A plastic chimpanzee bellboy guards the entrance. The project was completed in total secrecy over a 14-month period, reportedly surprising even Palestinian officials when its doors opened for business.

Though the venture seems to make a strong statement, Banksy says the hotel offers “a warm welcome to everyone from all sides of the conflict and across the world.”

“The Walled Off Hotel is an entirely independent leisure facility set up and financed by Banksy. It is not aligned to any political movement or pressure group,” reads the website. “The aim is to tell the story of the wall from every side and give visitors the opportunity to discover it for themselves. We offer an especially warm welcome to young Israelis. Absolutely no fanaticism is permitted on the premises.”

Miraculously, this is not just an art installation – the Walled Off Hotel is a real hotel, operated by the local community. Guests will be required to put down a US$1000 deposit at check-in to protect the artwork from theft or defacement. Travellers on a budget can skip the deposit if they stay in the hotel’s barracks-style bunk beds instead.

Non-residents can also experience parts of the project. Anyone is welcome to visit the museum and art gallery, as well as the piano bar, during certain hours.

The Walled Off Hotel will begin taking reservations on March 11 and plans to remain open for the full centenary year.

The post Banksy Opens A Dystopian Hotel With The 'Worst View In The World' appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

This story was originally published on Gizmodo

On Sunday, we learned Donald Trump eats his steak well-done with ketchup. If you’ve ever eaten steak – in Trump’s case, an expensive, tender piece of New York strip – you probably know that well-done with ketchup is simply not the way to go.

The president should give medium-rare a try, not only for the sake of his palette, but because eating overcooked meat may increase your risk of cancer according to almost 50 studies.

A 2010 meta-study from the NIH reviewed 47 epidemiological studies examining the link between heterocyclic amines (HCAs), which are found in overcooked meat, and certain cancers.

While such research frequently gets overblown, the majority of the studies found that, emphasis ours,”high intake of well-done meat and high exposure to meat carcinogens, particularly HCAs, may increase the risk of human cancer.”

Trump’s affection for steak cooked wrong and bad is well-documented. “It would rock on the plate, it was so well done,” his longtime butler mused to the New York Times last March.

I still maintain the real reason you shouldn’t eat this stuff is because it tastes better if you cook it less and don’t drown out the flavour of the meat with ketchup. But if you needed another reason, now you have one.

Gizmodo explores the smart design, breakthrough science and awe-inspiring tech shaping your future.

Follow Gizmodo on Facebook and Twitter.

The post Cooking Steak This Way Is Bad For Your Health appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Here’s a tip. Men can now get their hands on a “smart condom” which is promising to be the next revolution in sexual intercourse.

Developed by British Condoms, the new i.Con is actually a ring designed to slide over any conventional condom at the base. Its job? Just self-deprecating tasks like counting the number of thrusts you’ve made, the calories burnt in a session and the all-important girth size. So it’s basically a sports watch for your penis.

The i.Con smart condom works with an implanted nano chip which is connected to a stack of sensors in the ring to do all of the number crunching in real time. Once the deed is done, the data is sent to the i.Con app on your smartphone via Bluetooth. Alternatively users can connect the smart condom directly to their device for data transfer and charging via a micro USB port (take that, new Macbook).

What exactly i.Con wants people to do with their prized sex data is anyone’s guess, but we’d assume it’s more for motivational purposes than banter material for the in-laws. i.Con even offers the option for users to anonymously share their results with other i.Con users worldwide.

Besides the aforementioned parameters, i.Con’s smart condom stipulates that it can also measure the speed of thrusts, sex durations, average skin temperature, different positions conducted and the presence of STIs like chlamydia. Whoa.

Without any evidence from the team at i.Con on how it plans to achieve this, one can only assume it as marketing spin.

Adam Leverson who is the lead engineer on the project told Metro that “Not only have we innovated the world’s first Smart Condom Ring that’ll measure pretty much every aspect of performance in the bedroom, but now I’m pleased to confirm that it will also have built-in indicators to alert the users to any potential STIs present.”

Those worried about wearing a ring need not as the designers claim that it’s super comfortable and lightweight to a point where users “won’t even know it’s there”. And yes, the smart condom is also adjustable to suit any girth.

The post This Smart Condom Measures Your Performance & Detects STIs appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

How long can you go without looking at your phone? Be honest.

How about your email? Or Instagram? How long can you wait before checking out the latest viral video or meme? How often do you binge-watch content on Netflix?

It’s harder and harder to remember what life was like before we were surrounded by technology, and though you may think the transition was smooth, it turns out our brains are having a hard time adapting to the digital age.

Studies have found that our tech obsession has changed the way we read and comprehend, shortened our attention spans and our patience, and impaired our ability to remember things without Googling. And that’s not all.

Cognitive neuroscientists have identified five brand new brain disorders that were born out of our technology addition. No, this is not an episode of Black Mirror.

Nomophobia

Arachnophobia, agoraphobia, claustrophobia, and now: nomophobia. Nomophobia entered the lexicon in 2012, and is defined as “fear of losing or forgetting one’s mobile phone, or of being outside of the phone’s signal area.”

No-Mobile Phobia… nomophobia… get it?

In one U.K. Survey, 73 percent of respondents felt panic when they misplaced their phone. For another 14 percent, that panic spiraled into full-on desperation. Research into this fear is new so it’s possible nomophobia isn’t bad for our long-term health (but let’s be honest here, does that sound healthy to you?).

Technoference

Every single one of us has experienced – or been guilty of – this at least once. Our devices are an increasing source of interruption during our leisure time, conversations, and meals with significant others, friends, and family. Researchers have dubbed these interruptions “technoference.”

Higher technoference correlated directly with lower relationship and life satisfaction in a 2014 study. “We would still hypothesize that when partners experience what they perceive to be an interruption due to technology, their views of the relationship are likely to suffer, especially if these interruptions are frequent,” Brandon T. McDaniel, one of the study’s authors, told The Week.

Another study found that smartphones are even interfering with our sex lives. Some participants admitted to rushing sex to answer a phone call or check a notification, and a whopping 40 percent said they’d postponed sex because of smartphone use.

The Phantom Ring

We don’t need to tell you what this is. You know all about the phantom ring, which refers to the perception that one’s mobile device is ringing or buzzing when it’s not.

The phantom ring is such a problem that one man studied it for his dissertation. Of the 320 adults he polled, two-thirds reported experiencing the phenomenon. Several other studies had similar findings.

Fictional rings are pretty benign as problems go, but they’ve had a big enough impact for the Macquarie Dictionary to name “phantom vibration syndrome” as its 2012 “Word of the Year.”

Cyberchondria

You’ve heard of hypochondria, but how about cyberchondria? Think of cyberchondria as the tech-savvy cousin of hypochondria – it specifically refers to people who research and diagnose their own illnesses online.

Almost all of us have looked up the occasional malady, but it becomes a potential psychological issue if the person is already prone to hypochondria. It’s easy to obsess when information on every disease and disorder under the sun is at your fingertips.

“For a number of reasons, most medical professionals aren’t too happy about the self-diagnosis trend,” wrote psychologist Mary Aiken at Quartz. “It isn’t simply a matter of loss of control or an undermining of their authority through online medical searches — it can mess with the diagnostic process, because the results can suggest rare or morbid conditions to patients, which in turn can prompt the appearance of new ‘symptoms.'”

Truman Show Delusion

The 1998 film The Truman Show saw Jim Carrey play a character who inhabits a simulated reality and whose entire life is broadcast on TV to legions of fans. Truman eventually discovers that his world is not real and decides to escape. The Truman Show Delusion, however, is the false perception that one’s life is being broadcast.

Joel Gold, a professor of psychiatry at New York University School of Medicine, was first to identify the syndrome in 2003. He believes it’s a direct result of an overly connected, entertainment-obsessed, social media-driven culture that feeds the most narcissistic aspects of our character.

Now might be a good time for that digital detox you’ve been thinking about.

The post Technology Addiction Is Responsible For 5 New Brain Disorders appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

They say that wagons and ‘sexy’ don’t play well together but Porsche is hoping to turn this around with their latest 2018 Panamera Sport Turismo.

As an extension to the growing Panamera family, the new model will officially arrive at the Geneva Auto Show this March in five different variations: Panamera 4, Panamera 4S, Panamera 4S Diesel, Panamera 4 E-Hybrid and the Panamera Turbo.

The differences between the new and old models are especially noteworthy. The Panamera Sport Turismo now features three rear seats as opposed to its predecessor’s 2+2 seat layout. That’s pretty good considering it’s a fine balancing act between sporty performance and maximum passenger comfort under the Panamera name. Those who’d prefer more space can still opt for the four seat configuration though with two electrically adjustable individual rear seats.

Another cool feature on the Stuttgart family mover is an adaptive roof spoiler. Yep. Active aero…on a wagon. The Panamera’s roof extends out to perform double duties as a spoiler which can alternate between three settings based on the car’s speed and driving mode. It works as well with up to 50kg of downforce added to the rear axle when it’s called upon. Try using that as a selling point to the significant other.

Under the bonnet of the luxury sports saloon resides a choice of power units with up to 550hp on offer on the Turbo Sport model. Elsewhere it’s all about the mileage with consumption figures coming in at 7.9 L/100 km for the Panamera 4 Sport Turismo, 8.3 L/100 km for the Panamera 4S Sport Turismo, 6.8L/100 km for the Diesel Sport Turismo, 9.5L/100 km for the Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo and 2.5L/100 km for the Panamera 4 E-Hybrid Sport Turismo.

“For Porsche, the Panamera Sport Turismo is a step forward into a new segment, but retains all of those values and attributes that are characteristic of Porsche”, says Michael Mauer, Director of Style Porsche.

Australians keen to get behind the wheel of one will need to hold out until November this year with pricing as follows:

Panamera 4 Sport Turismo $232,800
Panamera 4 E-Hybrid Sport Turismo $255,800
Panamera 4S Sport Turismo $318,100
Panamera 4S Diesel Sport Turismo $325,900
Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo $391,000

The post 2018 Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo Is Not Your Average Family Wagon appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

If the home is where the heart is then the living room is where the all-important aorta resides, and no self-respecting man can call his house a home – or a crib, pad, digs – without a banger of a cool living room. 

Much like the feminine form, a woman’s living room is generally (and please note we are well aware of our stereotyping) full of curves and colour. A masculine living room by contrast should be decorated with straighter, more angular elements.

Where a feminine living room is bursting with elegantly patterned throw pillows, floral arrangements and sentimental knick-knacks, the male equivalent embraces simplicity, functionality and comfort.

Here’s how it’s done cool living room ideas.

Furniture For Extra Impact

A dude’s living room should be furnished with wood, leather and metal. Big and comfortable should describe the couch, and a statement floor lamp must reside in at least one corner of the room. Metal coffee tables and graffiti murals are a couple of other masculine favourites.

Unleash The Wood

We talk a lot about wood here at D’Marge, and for good reason. Whether it’s in your pants or furnishing your living room, wood is good! Symbolic of strength and raw masculinity, and touting solidity and longevity in spades, wooden furniture is available in all styles.

From shabby chic (light-coloured, untreated wood) to highly sophisticated (dark, polished hardwoods), wood can adorn the living room via coffee tables, bookshelves, picture frames, or polished floorboards. Make yourself a wooden sofa for all we care (but don’t blame us when you realise it’s the most ridiculous piece of furniture that ever existed). If you go down the hardwood floor route, add warmth and texture with rugs – a quality hide rug would be awesome.

Exposed beams are the pinnacle of wooden wonder, so show off those bad boys if you’re lucky enough to have them over your head.

Leather It Up

Leather is so obviously masculine it should make at least one appearance in every man’s living room. As well as boasting sleek and stylish characteristics, a sumptuous leather couch or recliner will be the centrepiece of the room.

Some sensitive types recoil from the feel of leather on their skin, particularly when settled in for a Netflix marathon on a 40+ degree summer day, in which case smaller leather accents are recommended. For example, a leather-topped coffee table (with hidden storage – bonus!) might be more your style.

Be A Mid-Century Mad Man

The creators of Mad Men have a lot to answer for, namely, the resurgence of mid-century interior design. Achieve the look with antique of new pieces of furniture, a wood-panelled feature wall, clean bold lines and standout light fixtures or lamps.

Colours, Hues, Shades & Tones

There are no rules when creating your ultimate living room, but a muted colour palette will work best to create a masculine atmosphere. Black, grey, brown or deep blue accent colours all work well when combined with a neutral base palette.

Earthy tones of brown and green, and even a hint of black, are encouraged. Whatever colour scheme you choose, stick with three or fewer colours (e.g. a white base with accents in shades of blue and grey) to create a cohesive result.

In terms of patterns, get the masculine vibe with stripes, plaid or simple geometric designs.

Think Big

Men are often accused of thinking with their, erm, appendage, so take the same approach to your living room by including a oversized piece of furniture or large art work to act as a focal point for the room. A phallic shaped sculpture might be a tad too obvious, so consider and pair of mounted antlers, a huge couch, large statement rug, or massive flat-screen TV.

Sleek Refinement

Masculine interiors have come a long way from the days of untreated wood and scruffy simplicity (although there is still room for this aesthetic when done right). Today’s modern man can pluck his eyebrows and have a pedicure after a session at the gym if he so pleases.

When it comes to designing your ultimate living room, there’s no need to deny your extravagant side. In fact, 21st masculine design is synonymous with sleek refinement and sophistication. 

Tech

If you live with your mum or your missus, you’ll be familiar with that uniquely feminine tendency to conceal game consoles and other tech favourites. Reclaim control of your consoles with a living room that celebrates, rather than hides, your electronic devises.

The post Masculine Living Room Ideas That Will Transform Your Home appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Sparsely populated but easily accessible, New Zealand is a dream destination for visitors craving escape.

The country possesses stunning natural beauty, from raging rivers and placid lakes, to jagged mountains and rolling pastures, to active volcano zones and laid-back beaches. Adventure abounds in a wide variety of death-defying escapades and athletic pursuits. Māori history is honoured and native culture infuses much of modern day life.

Though nature is the main attraction of New Zealand, the country’s city life is also vibrant. Auckland and Wellington boast beautiful harbours. Christchurch and Dunedin cling fiercely to their colonial heritage. Napier and Nelson are home to some of the nation’s most memorable art and architecture.

With such a wealth of options on offer, there are New Zealand holidays to suit every type of tourist. Find your ideal itinerary below.

For The Adventurer

Much has been written about New Zealand’s endless supply of adventure (including by yours truly here at D’Marge). The country is a veritable smorgasbord of opportunities to get your adrenaline pumping, most famously in the South Island’s Queenstown.

Your choices include, but are not limited to: skydiving, whitewater rafting, quad biking, boating, ziplining, bungee jumping, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, snorkelling, diving, kayaking, cycling, paintballing, archery, clay target shooting, skiing, surfing, road tripping, paragliding, and even touring a live volcano. If you can name it, someone somewhere in New Zealand is doing it.

Be sure take maximum advantage of your surroundings by exploring some of the country’s most unique adventures. A few of our favourites include trekking the nine Great Walks, tramping across the Franz Josef Glacier, and voyaging through the sublime glowworm caves.

For The History Buff

New Zealand is a young country by some standards, but its history is rich and rewarding to discover.

No visit to the country is complete without experiencing Māori culture. Rotorua is a hub of today’s indigenous life, and hosts multiple cultural experiences like traditional dances and meals. Popular destinations include the villages of Whakarewarewa, Tamaki, Ohinemutu, and Mitai, as well as the Māori Arts & Crafts Institute in Te Puia.

The Hamilton and Waikato region has also been a significant area for the Māori for centuries. Sites of historic importance abound throughout the region, including the official residence of the reigning Māori monarch. Come during February for the Kawhia Kai Festival, an annual celebration of traditional Māori food and culture.

For The Culture Vulture

Fancy yourself a patron of the arts? Satisfy your highbrow needs at the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, the largest art institution in the country, or a performance of the Royal New Zealand Ballet. Other top cultural offerings include the Auckland Museum, Te Papa, Canterbury Museum, Otago Museum, and the eccentric World of WearableArt & Classic Cars Museum.

When it’s time for entertainment of a slightly lower brow, visiting a Lord of the Rings filming location is a must. Over 150 real New Zealand sites were used to bring Middle-earth to life, along with carefully constructed sets. Cinemaphiles can book multi-day tours that visit a variety of locations or choose their favourite to explore in depth. Hobbiton is hands-down the favourite for Tolkien fanatics.

For The Foodie

Flavours speak louder than words when it comes to experiencing a new country, city, or culture. New Zealand’s culinary scene is booming, with plenty of lamb and seafood on the menu.

Kiwi gastronomy has roots in the British culinary tradition, so don’t miss trying the fish and chips and the pies while you visit. More modern iterations of classic New Zealand fare draw influence from Californian and Australian cuisine. The country’s meat and shellfish are especially high quality, as are the dairy products and stone fruit.

To sample Māori food, look for a hangi – a traditional meal in which the food is slowly cooked using heated rocks buried in a covered pit. The earth oven is used to prepare meats (pork, beef, lamb, shellfish, fish), a variety of vegetables, and even puddings.

A gourmand’s New Zealand holiday would be incomplete without a visit to wine country. The nation is one of the world’s top producers of Sauvignon Blanc, and is also known for its Chardonnay and Riesling. Palates that prefer red should sample the Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, and Pinot Noir.

The North Island’s main wine regions are Northland, Auckland, Waitkato, Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay, and Wairarapa. The South Island’s are Marlborough, Nelson, Canterbury/Waipara Valley, and Central Otago.

For The Romantic

Grab your loved one and make your New Zealand holiday an adventure-for-two. The country is well-stocked with romantic resorts and hotels (including one so remote it can only be reached by helicopter) and the stunning scenery is guaranteed to set hearts a-flutter.

Heat things up with a visit to one of New Zealand’s natural hot pools. Hanmer Springs, Glacier Hot Pools, and Queenstown’s Onsen Hot Pools are a perfect way to unwind (bonus points if you throw in a massage).

A more adventurous couple can soar to new heights together aboard a scenic helicopter flight or a hot air balloon. Try the gondolas in Queenstown, Rotorua, or Christchurch if you prefer to be closer to terra firma. And if you love the sky but can’t bear to let your feet leave the ground, visit the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve for some of the clearest stargazing on earth.

For The Lad(s)

All bets are off: it’s a lads’ holiday and you plan to go big. Along with risking a limb or two at the standard adventure spots, gather the boys to watch the All Blacks perform their pre-match haka and prove why they’re rugby legends.

Try your hand at sport at one of New Zealand’s superb golf courses. We named Cape Kidnappers one of the best in the world. Kauri Cliffs, Paraparaumu, Tara Iti, Titirangi, Wairakei, Millbrook, The Hills, Kinloch, and Jack’s Point are also top options.

The post Epic New Zealand Holidays For Every Type Of Traveller appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

In a perfect world, you’d be Scrooge McDuck-ing into a pool of money every morning.

But it’s not that world, and even if it was, you’d learn pretty quickly that belly flopping into a heap of coins is a painful way to start a day.

The realities of managing finances look drastically different. Figuring out how it all works is a source of stress for many, and since most of us didn’t have a school class to explain it, we’re left with trial and error.

Today we’re hitting the cosmic fast-forward button. A decade in the future (or two, or three, or four…), what will you know about money that you don’t know now? What lessons could you teach your younger self?

The sooner you face these brutally honest truths, the sooner you’ll be on the path to financial success.

Saving Without A Plan Isn’t Good Enough

Imagine you’re planning a trip. The first thing you do is pick a destination. You don’t worry about things like how you’ll get there, or whether you’ll stay in a hotel or an Airbnb, until you know where you’re going.

It seems obvious when it comes to travel, but we rarely apply the same logic to our financial lives. Before you can effectively decide what to do with your money, you have to determine where you want to go. Set specific financial goals for yourself, then rank them in terms of importance.

Only after you have a clear picture of where you want to end up can you figure out what steps will get you there.

You Don’t Get What You Don’t Ask For

Let go of the idea that you should be paid well because you “deserve” it. Successful men don’t get what they deserve – they get what they ask for.

Always be negotiating the best possible deal you can, whether that means inquiring about a discount, applying for a job that feels like a stretch, or requesting a higher starting salary instead of a raise down the line.

Mindless Spending Matters

A protein shake here, a fancy coffee there, a string of drunk purchases on Amazon… it’s all too easy to spend money mindlessly, and even the small purchases can have a big cumulative effect.

Think carefully about the unnecessary ‘little’ expenditures in your life. If you eliminated them, how much would you save per week? Per month? Per year?

Remind yourself regularly that every bit of cash that leaves your pocket could be put towards your savings goals, or a retirement fund, or paying off your credit cards, or a smart investment. Align your spending with the bigger picture.

Debt Doesn’t Disappear On Its Own

Short of finding an enchanted lamp and asking the genie, there’s no way to make debt magically disappear. It’s essential to create a plan for getting out of the red.

Start by assessing exactly how much you owe. Once you know the figure, decide which method you’ll use for tackling it. Your first option is to pay the debt with the highest interest rate first, so it has less opportunity to rack up additional costs. The second option is to start with the smallest debt first, pay it off, then use the momentum to tackle the next biggest, and the next biggest, and so on.

Either method can be effective, as long as you’re making some kind of progress towards your goals. Remember that the longer you wait to pay down your debt, the more you’ll owe thanks to interest accrual.

The Unexpected Isn’t Unexpected

No matter how hard you try to be smart about your spending, you will encounter unexpected expenses. And here’s the kicker: somewhere in your brain, you already know this.

You know you might go over budget on a holiday, or wind up in a doctor’s office, or get a parking ticket, or spend a little more on Christmas presents than you planned. Though you may not be able to anticipate the exact form they’ll take, unexpected expenses are actually pretty expected.

Budget accordingly.

Spending Now Can Save You Later

It’s tempting to buy the generic brand, or the 12-pack of socks made in a sweatshop in Asia, if you’re trying to save.

Lowering upfront costs can be the right call sometimes (though let’s skip the sweatshop labour, gentlemen), but you’ll often save more over time if you invest in the beginning. Don’t be afraid to spend on quality if it means it will last longer and you like it more. This is especially important with bigger ticket items like cars, appliances, and furniture, and even applies your splashier sartorial purchases.

Don’t be afraid to invest in things that have value. Along with saving you money in the future, it will help make you a more conscious, considerate spender.

You Must Pay Yourself First

This is a golden rule of personal finance. ‘Pay yourself first’ means putting money towards the essentials before throwing it at discretionary purchases. Those essentials include savings, debt, retirement, investments, and your emergency fund. After that, pay your bills. And after that, you’re free to spend the remainder on whatever whims arise.

Paying yourself first helps remove the temptation to fall into bad spending habits. You may be able to remove it even further by setting up automatic transfers into savings or retirement accounts every time you’re paid.

You Need Less Than You Think

This may be the hardest truth of all for the modern man. We’re constantly bombarded with advertisements urging us to spend more, with excessive displays of riches on television and Instagram, with ‘get rich quick’ schemes online. Our culture is obsessed with amassing wealth.

Reality check: many things you think you can’t live without are luxuries to much of the world (or even to your grandparents). Companies want – no, need – to make you feel discontent with what you have. It’s the only way they stay in business.

Research has found that money can increase your happiness up to a point (famously marked at US$75,000 a year in 2010), but no further. More money beyond that point has no effect on your emotional well-being.

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