【推荐1】Disposing of (处理) unwanted items in our lives often means simply throwing them into the garbage or recycling bin—or, if they’re still useful, giving them away. It’s different with old credit cards, which should be destroyed so nobody can use them fraudulently (欺诈地).     1     Here’s how to get rid of an old card.

Contact the issuer.

If closing the account is your goal, you’ll have to call the number on the back of your card and ask to do so. If your card is a rewards card, remember to first redeem (兑换) points or cash back.

Cut up plastic cards.

Sharp scissors will do the job here. “We recommend that consumers cut through the EMV chip, then further cut the card a few times along the short side, and dispose of the sections in more than one trash bag (垃圾袋),” says Sarah Grano, a spokeswoman for the American Bankers Association.     2    

Send back metal cards.

    3     Contact your issuer. “Typically, you can mail it back for disposal. For example, when American Express sends a replacement card, it also sends an addressed return envelope to mail back an old metal card for destruction,” says Heather Norton, spokeswoman for American Express. Check back on your account.     4     You generally won’t be responsible for fraudulent charges anyway. Be cautions with debit cards and other plastic forms where fraud could result in financial losses.

Closing an account can hurt you.

Closing a credit card account can lower your credit rating. That’s because credit scores consider your “credit utilization ratio”, or how much of your available credit you’re using. And when you close an account, you have less available credit.     5     Closing an old card decreases the average age of your accounts.

【推荐3】Have you ever argued with a friend, and said or done something you regretted? Sometimes it can be hard to put things right, especially when feelings have been hurt. Apologizing can understand why you fell out in the first place.     1    

Why do we argue?

You might think your football team is fantastic but your friend disagrees; or you don’t want someone joining in your game. Sometimes, especially if you’re angry, things can be out of control and you’ll say or do something you regret.     2    . Arguing and disagreeing with others occasionally is normal — we all do it — but it’s important to resolve your differences afterwards so bad feelings don’t get worse. This is where an apology can help.

    3    ?

We all make mistakes, and apologizing is a way of admitting we’ve got something wrong and will try not to do it again. Dr Jennifer Thomas, a psychologist, believes an apology needs to show the other person that we’re genuinely sorry. Meanwhile, we accept responsibility for our actions and want forgiveness.

What if it’s not my fault?

Sometimes another person may pressure you into taking the blame when it’s not your fault. If you feel this is happening, you had better communicate with them.     4    . If you still can’t agree, you could ask a parent or teacher to help you resolve the problem.

Does apologizing always work?

Sorry on its own might not always be enough, so try to ask the other person how they felt while you were arguing. Explain your side too, and make it clear you’ll try not to repeat the same mistake again.     5    . It may take time for someone to understand and forgive. Even after you’ve said sorry, you could still feel bad but you can feel good about trying to fix things and promising yourself to do better next time.