How many times have you relied on someone for help or a favor, only to be left in the lurch? Granted, there are some people out there who are truly dependable; maybe it's a parent, a sibling you grew up with, or a best friend. But let's face it -- such people are in the minority. The fact of the matter is that most people are only out for themselves. Even when it comes to doing a favor for someone, they're cognizant of what they can get out of the relationship. Very rarely do people act for purely unselfish reasons. You might be thinking that this is a very cynical outlook on life, but it's the truth. Even my closest friends have let me down on several occasions by taking a course of action that was more beneficial to them -- at my expense. The saying, "You can't get everything you want in life" is especially valid when you're dealing with people. At the end of the day, self-gain is the driving force behind most people's decisions. If g...

There's no better feeling in the world than being self-sufficient. Does that mean being able to pay your bills, file your taxes, fix a faucet leak, buy property, and do virtually anything else without anyone's assistance? Not quite. As great as that sounds, let's face it -- not all of us are handy or conversant with all things finance. We need other people's help for certain things about which we have little knowledge and/or would rather pay others to do for us. What's more, those of us who are parents rely on our partner to help out with the kids, among other parental duties. When I say self-sufficient, I'm talking about everyday things that require no real expertise. I've spoken to people at work who admit they don't set foot in a mall unless a friend or family member is there to help them pick out clothes. Others say they refuse to hit the gym unless they have a gym buddy with them. Still others won't buy food at a restaurant unless ...