Science is a mental toolbox for solving problems. 【小题1】. And they are powerful and useful in everyday life. Today, we open the toolbox: how scientists think, and how you can borrow their tricks.

•Start with an open mind. Being open-minded means that when we are asked a question, scientific thinking requires us to admit that we often simply don’t know the answer.【小题2】. If the evidence changes and you don’t change your mind, that’s not a good spot to be in.

•Accept uncertainty. Scientists always accept that there are things they don’t know, and things they simply cannot know for sure.【小题3】. It allows you to make better decisions because you’re taking the uncertainty into account. Science says it’s OK to wait for evidence before coming to a conclusion.

•【小题4】. Go and do your research. Pull together all the data—stuff that agrees with your argument and stuff that refutes（驳斥）it. Consider everything, rather than focusing on a single point. Then, for each piece of data, consider the quality of the evidence.

• Develop a hypothesis（假设）. A hypothesis is a theory about the world—a guess. Ask yourself: Which of my theories best explains the data I have gathered? Start with the most likely explanation and test it.【小题5】.

When it comes to youth, the most exciting bit is usually when parents give us pocket money.

While the amount of pocket money I get isn’t usually fixed (固定的), I always ensure that the first thing I do with it is save. I have learnt to set a third as the fraction (小部分) to save, whatever the amount I get from my parents as pocket money. I always take this money to the bank, where I have managed to open a fixed account. The fact that it is a fixed account means I cannot remove money from it anyhow. This strategy has made me slowly and steadily understand the culture of saving.

I then usually buy some books. These are mainly documentary magazines, which I read during my leisure time. It is actually one of my hobbies. I have made it a culture of some sort, to always buy at least a documentary magazine, each time I get my pocket money. I find documentary magazines to be quite interesting and an important source of information. I am a lover of general knowledge. I love knowing about everything, how and why things are the way they are.

The remainder of the money goes towards others. These include my family and friends. I use it to fulfill the promises that I might have made to any of them. I may buy some gifts for them or give them some kind of surprise. Such gifts and surprises for them usually fill me with satisfaction, since they make them happy. I always feel good to see them happy. After all, what is life all about?

In a nutshell, pocket money has taught me how to make wise spending decisions. I know how to handle and spend my cash, whatever amount it might be. I therefore believe that even if I get the chance to handle even larger amounts in future, I won’t be dazed.