The absence of a wedding ring isn’t a tell-tale sign that cutie you’re crushing on is single. So here’s eight definite ways to tell if he’s single, you know, because we don’t want you to be embarrassed or heartbroken. And if you have any signs to add, let us know in the comments.

1. His Ikea cart is loaded with dishes and pots.

2. He’s in the frozen food aisle buying Hungry Man dinners. The rest of his cart is filled with beer and cereal.

3. He’s standing in front of the washing machine at the laundromat, confused look on his face, clearly wondering why there’s only a card slot, not a coin slot.

4. He still works out.

What are four other ways to tell if he’s probably single? Click here to find out.

So what do these single men look for in a woman, anyway?

Not sure if he’s really single? Find out if you’re the other woman.

Hottest Celeb Pics Of The Week

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The absence of a wedding ring isn’t a tell-tale sign that cutie you’re crushing on is single. So here’s eight definite ways to tell if he’s single, you know, because we don’t want you to be embarrassed or heartbroken. And if you have any signs to add, let us know in the comments.

1. His Ikea cart is loaded with dishes and pots.

2. He’s in the frozen food aisle buying Hungry Man dinners. The rest of his cart is filled with beer and cereal.

3. He’s standing in front of the washing machine at the laundromat, confused look on his face, clearly wondering why there’s only a card slot, not a coin slot.

4. He still works out.

What are four other ways to tell if he’s probably single? Click here to find out.

So what do these single men look for in a woman, anyway?

Not sure if he’s really single? Find out if you’re the other woman.

Hottest Celeb Pics Of The Week

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What better way to celebrate the birth of this country than to get your best girlfriends together and have a good time? There are many ways you could spend this holiday with your family, but still spend some quality time with your girls. Here are some quick and easy plans that could add a spark to your 4th of July:

1. Have a BBQ with your family and the girls. What better way to combine your plans than by having a barbecue? Have your friends bring their families, too and while they’re occupied, you can bond with the girls. Hot dogs, hamburgers, summer treats, streamers, drinks, and even the nation’s colors, red, white, and blue. What more could you ask for? Maybe your girls will even bring some of their guy friends over – the fireworks don’t only have to be in the sky!

2. Have some poolside drinks and enjoy the weather in style. Seriously, what’s summer without warm weather and the use of a pool? Getting the cocktails out is a definite perk, as well. Relax with your friends and enjoy the time – maybe get some red, white, and blue pool rafts and enjoy your drinks out on the water!

3. Take a trip to the beach. Make the 4th of July special by getting out the bathing suits and enjoying the summer breeze! You and your girls can have some cocktails, catch some rays, and maybe even play some beach volleyball (maybe some guys will join you!). Have the time of your life with your partners in crime – maybe you’ll even get to see the fireworks from the beach and get to enjoy the day with more than just your friends!

Firework Safety Tips For 4th of July

4. Find some fun locations to watch the fireworks. Mix it up a little bit! Check out a waterside venue if you’re not normally near one. Go to a beautiful woodsy area if it’s new to you. Take a road trip with the girls and be adventurous! If you want to know some of the best ranked fireworks destinations, check out this link.

5. Enjoy the 4th by clubbing it up. Check out the hottest bars and festivities in your area and wear your best patriotic gear. You can never go wrong by celebrating with drinks and the girls!

Be independent ladies this 4th of July and make sure to make the most of your summer holiday plans! What are some events with the girls that have made your past 4th of July’s special? Post them below in the comments.

Summer Lovin’: What Makes It A Blast?

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Sure, love is grand, but going solo can be sweet. Check out our top 10 reasons being single is not so bad — in fact, it can totally rock.

1. Try on guys like you’d try on clothes

Let’s face it: We all have different interests, personalities and styles. Would you want to own the same wardrobe as your bestie does? Probably not. For that reason, it’s best to experiment with different wardrobe pieces to find the perfect fit. I’ve yet to find “the one” perfect piece or perfect man… but isn’t shopping fun?

2.Be a social goddess

Feel free to devote your free time to making plans with different friends — guys and girls — for happy hour, coffee, concerts… Check out new bars and flirt with potential new interests whenever you’d like. The best part is, you never have to consult anyone else’s calendar.

5 reasons he’s afraid to commit

3.It’s exciting

Sure, relationships are great, but does anything beat the fun of getting to know someone? You know, when you first feel that spark of attraction? The real pleasure is in the chase, the flirting, the fun first dates, the getting to know a new person, and the dreaming about the possibilities. That never gets old. A new relationship is fresh and exciting.

4.Freedom

Relish it: You are in control of your life and time. You can date and have relationships with whomever you wish, without getting too emotionally involved. You can pursue different passions, hobbies and interests. You can connect with who you are and your innermost feelings, thoughts and self. You can be as adventurous as you wish and see where your heart takes you. This is the only time in your life you’ll ever be able to do this.

READ MORE HERE

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3 Ways To Tell If He’s Into You

In a groundbreaking report released Monday by a leading economic research group, social scientists turned a spotlight on the financial challenges facing an often overlooked group of women, many of whom could not take an unpaid sick day or repair a major appliance without going into debt.

Among the most startling revelations in the wealth data is that while single white women in the prime of their working years (ages 36 to 49) have a median wealth of $42,600, the median wealth for single black women is only $5.

“The popular image is [black women] spend too much, which is the reason they are running up credit card and consumer debt, but the cost of living has risen faster than income, and they need to go into debt for basic daily necessities,” said Meizhu Lui, director of the Closing the Gap Initiative. “It’s compounded because unemployment is twice as high in the black community than it is in the white.”

For all working-age black women 18 to 64, the financial picture is bleak. Their median household wealth is only $100.

“That means half of [black women] have a net worth of more than $100 and half have a net worth of less than $100,” Ms. Lui said. “So that gives you an idea of how far in debt some women of color are.”

(Wealth, or net worth, measures the total of one’s assets — cash in the bank, stocks, bonds and real estate; minus debts — home mortgages, auto loans, credit cards and student loans.)

“There are excuses and circumstances that have evolved in society, which put black women where they are,” said Esther Bush, executive director of the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh. The recession has hit single mothers especially hard.

In Pittsburgh and across the country, the financial burdens of single parenthood fall mostly on women, but black women are more likely to endure the work and responsibility of raising children on their own. They are more likely to be the backbone of their families and communities, with greater responsibilities to support struggling friends and families. READ MORE HERE!

4 Ways To Stop Buying Things You Don’t Need

Money Tips For Your 20’s, 30’s & 40’s

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Ever heard of saving the best for last? Good things come to those who wait? We’re here to tell you those cliches are the total truth! Here’s why it’s great to be single while all your friends are tying the knot.

1) You can live drama-free. It’s inevitable: Couples have lots of fights about weddings and wedding planning. If you don’t get engaged until you’re older and wiser, you’ll be able to handle drama better and you’ll dish out smaller amounts of it. (At least, in theory.)

2) You can prolong your youth. Married women will tell you that once they tie the knot, they start to feel old. They stay in more and socialize less. So enjoy the opportunity to still feel young—the youngest of all your friends.

Is this the formula that will get you married?

3) You will get your money back—and more. Think marriage is light years away? Great! In 2015—or whenever you tie the knot—your friends will be older and more established, which means they’ll most likely be able to afford better gifts. Score!

4) You can save for something big. While your friends are blowing their savings on a caterer, florist and wedding planner, you can put your extra funds toward a fancy vacation—or a better bridal gown someday.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE

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Why are 42% of black women still single?

By Hashim Warren

As a single woman you know there’s only two choices for you on Valentine’s Day – sink in sadness because you don’t have a date, or completely flee the love carnival erupting around you.

Well that’s not true for the modern woman, where single no longer equals lonely. Just because there’s no man in your life doesn’t mean you have to miss out on all the fun! Follow these 3 easy tips and you’ll be able to enjoy a magical February 14th, even though you’re not in a relationship.

Tip #1: Discover Real Romance

Did you know “romantic” doesn’t just describe the love affair between a couple? The dictionary let’s us know that anything with a “mysterious or fascinating quality or appeal” is romantic, as well as anything that’s “adventurous, heroic, or strangely beautiful”.

Why limit your doses of romantic experiences to the times when you have a man in your life? Instead, use Valentines Day as a boost, as a reminder to indulge in things that make your eyes wide and your heart swoon.

How to survive Valentine’s Day if you’re single

Take a one day vacation to the prettiest part of your city. Try an exotic dish you’ve never tasted before. Get up early to watch the sunrise and smell the morning air.

What’s a romantic activity that you’ve been sitting on, waiting for a man to do for you? This Valentine’s Day is the time to make it happen yourself! Do something that will delight you, no matter who is standing next to you.

The single girl’s guide to a Happy Thanksgiving

Tip#2: Practice The Art of Love

You may not have known the true meaning of romance, but I’m sure you know that love is bigger than the affection between a couple. Valentine’s Day’s could be a 24 hour festival of love for everyone, including yourself if you allow it to be.

Who do you love; who do you appreciate deeply? Valentine’s is your day to connect with your special friends, and express your love to your family. Choose a fellow single lady who you enjoy spending time with, and plan your romantic adventure with her!

Learning to express affection to the different people in your life satisfies a deep need you have for belonging, and even sets you up emotionally for the next man you’ll date. You can use your Valentine’s to stretch those heart muscles.

Tip #3: Ask Your Cool Friends For Ideas

We’re leaving the 3rd tip up to you, the Hello Beautiful audience! Leave a comment telling us how you would plan a magic Valentine’s Day, without a man on your arm. And remember – this is only for all the single ladies!

3 guys that will get the single girl through the holiday season

By Shamika Anglin

Valentine’s Day for some is a reminder of failed relationships and an even bigger reminder that you’re still single. We women can point out the flaws of every man we’ve been with but never stop to realize we are the common denominator. Could it be the type of woman we are that keeps our Valentine’s Day so lonely?

There are four types of women no man can stay around too long, if you can relate to any of the descriptions below, you may just be one of them.

Ms. Deranged

If you’ve somehow gained access to your guys Facebook account then yes, you are Ms. Deranged. It is a rule of thumb that if you have to snoop in your relationship then more than likely you shouldn’t be in it.  So if you have done this, and got caught, you shouldn’t be surprised if he went running for the hills. No one likes their privacy invaded and it’s an instant turn off!

Ms. Stage 5 Clinger

If you’re a stage 5 clinger, this may sound familiar: you get hooked fast, and it isn’t long before you’re blocking your number and resending text messages more than once to get a response. Honestly, this kind of behavior is downright scary. You don’t like when it’s done to you so why do this to your man?

7 mistakes single women make

Ms. Independent

Men love a woman who can take care of her own, and you should never feel bad for doing this. However, no man wants to feel as if anything he can do you can do better (even if that is the case). The ego of a man is fragile and making him feel as if he has no purpose can leave him feeling useless which will then cause him to leave you. Swallow your pride and let a man take care of you for a change, you might just like it!

Ms. Doormat

Ms. Doormat treats every guy she talks to like he’s her boyfriend, even when the title has not been given or a commitment been made. She gives her all to prove she’s girlfriend material. Men prey on this kind of woman because it’s easy. Ms. Doormat usually gives her “man” the message that to be her mate he doesn’t actually have to prove his worth. No man wants a pushover and he will soon move on to a woman that gives him a challenge. Hopefully he’ll do this before you invest the many years most doormats put in before realizing he won’t change.

Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be lonely, no day of the year does. But in order to find Mr. Right you should ask yourself “am I one of these types of women?” If you’re answer is yes, you just might be the common denominator that’s ruining your relationships and Valentine’s Day. The solution is simple, make a few changes. In the meantime, this V-day show yourself some love or hang with the girls. For now it’s just as great.

Dating resolutions for 2010 that you should keep

“For millions of black women, many blessed with brains and beauty, finding the right man is proven elusive. Are their standards to high or are the pickings to slim?”

ABC News “Nightline” did a piece on why so many successful Black women are single, and if they need to lower their standards in regards to requirements for finding a mate.  Some points raised during the show:

42% of black women have never been married, that’s doubled that of never married white women

There are 1.8 million more black women than black men

Take the available black men, eliminate those without a high school diploma, those without a job and the number of black men between the ages of 25-34 that are incarcerated that leaves only half of those black men that’s eligible to pop the question.

Watch the video:

Top 10 hookups of 2009

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3 men you never thought you’d like

Check out Jennifer Lopez’s newest single, “Louboutins,” off her sixth studio album, “Love?”

The song, produced and written by Tricky Stewart and The Dream, was rumored to be Brandy’s first while she was still on Epic Records.

The album is slated to drop some time next year, but Lopez is scheduled to perform the new single at the American Music Awards this Sunday.

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VIDEO: Toni Braxton ft Trey Songz “Yesterday”

J.Lo Sues Ex-Husband For $10 Mil Over Sex Tape

We just got our hands on Whitney’s Houston’s comeback single “I Didn’t Know My Own Strength.” Her voice sounds amazing.  Welcome back Whitney!!!!

Take a listen and tell us what you think:

Whitney’s album to drop in September

Bobbi Kristina cusses out her mom

Your girl Bey is at it again! She has just released her 7th video to her latest single “Broken Hearted Girl.”  Again, I know it’s a recession, but I’m sure Beyonce isn’t even familiar with what it’s like to live through one, so what’s really good with all of these black and white videos? Maybe I’m asking for to much, but this video was pretty lame, very reminiscent of “Halo”, “Flaws and All” and a couple of other simple videos she has made.  Disregard my rant, I am a Beyonce fan, I promise, I just have high expectations of her! Check it out for yourself below!

Learn why Beyonce keeps putting out singles instead of having children!

Anyhow, do you agree that Beyonce needs to add some spice to her videos?

Beyonce is caught Lip-synching!!

The sweetest time in adulthood is when you live alone. You’re out of the parents house and can afford not to have roomates. It will be a while before you even let the thought of moving in with a gf/bf or getting hitched enter your mind.

For the time being, you enjoy waking up and not having to tell anyone “good morning” or wait to get into the bathroom. Your dishes can sit in the sink for days. That used empty glass you drank from two days ago, just go ahead and pour your morning cup of orange juice in it. You know you’re the only one who used it and you know where your mouth has been.

You walk around naked, scratch your ass, leave a mound of dirty clothes on the floor.

Life can’t get any better. Until…READ THE REST HERE!

And if you can’t get enough of the SG stuff follow me onTwitter.com/The_Single_Girl

I never claimed to be an expert. That’s where a lot of dating and relationship bloggers get it wrong. I write about topics that come up with my girlfriends, the many men I‘ve dated or my brutally honest homeboys (who I group together under the character Manny). What a lot of so-called relationship columnist aim to do is save you. They put on a red cape and think the words they write will make your life better. Not the case with …Says The Single Girl.

What I do is present a different way of viewing things. I say what you wish you could. With STSG it is what it is.

Being a woman of color in the dating blogging game I‘m determined not to sell a bill of goods or ask my readers to join hands or get on our knees and pray for marriage, the white picket fence and 2.5 kids.

I never question why we are single. I know why I‘m single. I‘m single because I‘m not ready to do the things that make it easy for a man to be in my life. I‘m a little dramatic, not quite ready to play house, and like variety. It took me a long time to discover that answer. I implore you to do that same.

If you’ve stumbled across …Says the Single Girl in hopes of befriending an Amen Choir, keep looking.

What you won’t find here is my sob story, tales of my dates gone wrong or love lost.

You are going to love me one day, hate me the other, wish you had my “balls” the next and call me out in the street for a brawl on another.

I will guarantee this, you will be entertained!

- STSG

…Says the Single Girl is the latest blogger to join the HB Family

Catch her on HB every Monday and Wednesday!

For an unfiltered dose of STSG check out www.saysthesinglegirl.com!

If you’re single on Valentine’s Day, you might get caught up in the hype and feel depressed on this lover’s holiday because you’re unattached. Valentine’s Day is not just for couples, it is for all of us.

(From chiff.com)

The following are more ways that single men and women can enjoy Valentine’s Day without worrying about the pressures and pitfalls that often come with the holiday:

1. Do not define yourself by your relationship status. Your relationship status is not your identity.

2. If you are single because of a recent loss, allow this to be a day of grieving. Do not pretend that it’s not a hard day. Get support and sympathy.

3. Realize that Valentine’s Day is a commercial holiday. It is not about love and relationships; it is about selling flowers, candy, and diamond jewelry. Think of all the money you are saving.

4. Plan well in advance to do something that will not place you in the path of billing and cooing couples. Even if you usually like dining out alone, do something else on Valentine’s Day.

5. Get together with people who do love you – friends, family members, the people who already have relationships with you.

6. If you are single and you don’t want to be, start now to think about what is in the way of you creating the relationship you want. Find ways to work on becoming the person your dream partner would fall in love with. Start therapy. Take up yoga. Begin to volunteer. Create art. Make meaning. Act to change the world. It is into the fullest lives that love is most likely to fall.

7. If you are single and you like it, now is the time to affirm your choice. People who never marry or partner have close, loving, emotionally intimate relationships and lives worth living. Do not let a couple-driven culture define your choice as something wrong.

How are you spending Valentine’s Day?  Sound off in comments!