July 31, 2017

Money may buy you happiness -- if you use it to be generous to others. A study found that people who spent money on someone they knew were happier than those who took the same amount of money and spent it on themselves. Researchers say you can get the happiness benefits whether you spend a little or a lot on someone else. Source Link
 
Think twice before you click on that link in a text message from your bank. Scammers are using texts that appear to be bank alerts to get people to visit a fake website where personal information can be stolen. If you get a text alert, go to the bank website from your browser or call them directly. Source Link
 
How can your smartphone help you declutter your house? Testing showed that people were more likely to donate an old unused item with sentimental value if they took a picture of it. Having a photo of the item served the same purpose to help people remember the moment. Source Link

July 28, 2017

When you’re getting ready to visit the doctor be sure to bring everything you need besides an insurance card. Experts say that includes a written list of any questions and copies of any online health research that you can discuss with your doctor. And consider bringing a friend or family member who can offer support, take notes and advocate for you. Source Link
 
You may not be doing your feet any favors when you slip into flip-flops. Doctors say the go-to summer footwear offers no heel or arch support and can even alter your natural stride and cause shin splints or stress fractures. They’re okay for use at the beach or at the gym, but look for a pair that offers some arch support and a cushioned sole. Source Link 
 
What are America’s favorite ice cream flavors? An annual survey found that Vanilla and Chocolate still top the best-seller list, followed by Cookies N’ Cream, Mint Chocolate Chip and Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough. Part of Vanilla’s number-one ranking is that it’s versatile and can be used ala mode, in sundaes and in floats. Source Link

July 27, 2017

So you need to lose five pounds fast for that beach vacation or summer wedding? Experts say you can lose water weight fast by cutting out all the processed foods and saying “goodbye” to processed carbs in pasta, breads, fruit juices and snack foods. Another strategy is to eat one meal with three protein-power shakes each day. Source Link

It might take only one or two minutes a day to improve your bone health. A study found that women who had one or two-minute bursts of high-intensity, weight-bearing exercise were less likely to suffer from osteoporosis. Walking with a few minutes of jogging would be one way to get that kind of exercise. Source Link

The FBI is urging parents to take care with those internet-connected playthings for the kids. Read user agreements and privacy notices to find out how data is collected by the toy and use a strong password if you can. And make sure that toys with a camera or a microphone are turned off when not in use. Source Link

July 26, 2017

Chalk up another benefit from taking daily aspirin -- researchers say it can help prevent preeclampsia, one of the most serious complications in pregnancy. Testing showed that women who took two low-dose aspirins per day reduced their risk of preeclampsia by 62 percent. Source Link
 
Channeling your inner child might give you one of the best ways to exercise and and fight the effects of aging. Experts say jumping rope is a great aerobic workout that has other benefits. Perfecting the coordination needed to jump rope can train your mind and muscles to work together and that can lower your risk for slips and falls. Source Link
 
If you plan get of glimpse of the solar eclipse next month be sure you’re doing it safely. NASA is warning that some eclipse glasses being sold don’t meet safety standards. Look for the manufacturers name and address and an ISO number on the glasses. Don’t use eclipse glasses that are more than three years old or are scratched. Source Link

July 25, 2017

Why ditch the sugar-sweetened sodas during pregnancy? Because it might help your child avoid their own weight issues. A study found that children of mothers who drank sugary sodas during pregnancy had higher amounts of body fat. Researchers say it’s part of a growing body of evidence that a mother’s habits during pregnancy can affect their child’s health later. Source Link

There’s one simple thing you can do to improve the odds that you’ll hit your retirement savings goal -- write it down. People with a written retirement plan were 60 percent more likely to increase their 401-k contributions and twice as likely to stick to their savings plan. Only one out of four people say they have a written financial plan. Source Link 

It’s mostly illegal and usually a waste of money. Products that claim to mask a license plate from the view of a red-light camera often don’t do the job. Testing found that reflective sprays and gels didn’t obscure a license plate, but a device that uses a burst of light did work. In most states it’s against the law to use anything to obscure a license plate. Source Link 

July 24, 2017

When it comes to sunscreen protection for your face, the “eyes” don’t have it. A study found that most people don’t put sunscreen on or around the eyelids. That’s an area where about 10 percent of skin cancers occur. Experts say that’s why it’s important to wear sunglasses with UV protection and a hat that can shade all of your face. Source Link
 
If you’re looking for the best deal on an airline ticket, don’t wait until tomorrow. A review of ticket pricing by the Hopper mobile app found that Tuesdays didn’t have the best deals. The analysis found that Thursdays had the cheapest prices for domestic flights and Mondays for international travel. Source Link
 
Can’t find that perfect emoji to express your feelings on your iPhone? Just wait. Apple plans to add 14 new images that have been approved by the group that sets the worldwide standard for emojis. Soon you can show your feelings with stars in your eyes, as a zombie or with a T-Rex. Source Link

July 21, 2017

Experts say plain water is better than sports drinks for your young athlete. Most children don't exercise hard enough to need a sports drink with extra salt and sugar that can put them at risk for weight gain and tooth decay. Some drinks also contain caffeine and other stimulants that aren’t good for kids. Source Link
 
Is your toddler losing sleep over that smartphone or tablet you let them use? Researchers found that for kids up to 3 years old the more they used touch screens during the day, the longer it took them to fall asleep and the less sleep they got. Every hour of touch-screen use was associated with about 15 minutes less total sleep. Source Link
 
Using food as a tool to keep kids calm can backfire in the long run. It’s called “emotional feeding” and a new study found that children who are offered junk food, desserts or other sweets to stop those tears can become overeaters who might also deal with bulimia and binge-eating later in life. Source Link

July 20, 2017

If you have trouble remembering where to store your fresh fruit and produce to make it last the longest, try this easy trick - store it where it grows. That means tropical fruits like bananas or mangoes can sit in room temperature on the kitchen counter. Apples, berries and other produce grown in Northern climates need to be in the refrigerator. Source Link
 
So what do IT professionals do to avoid being hacked? Keep social media accounts as private as possible and ask friends and family to do the same. Hover over links in emails to see if the destination address matches what’s in the text. And change your router’s name and password to make it harder for cyber-thieves to break into your home network. Source Link
 
Two out of three Americans have no control over the medical care they get if they’re unable to communicate after illness, injury or an accident. A survey found that only 33 percent of people have a written advanced directive that spells out things like whether they want to be kept alive by machines or who will make medical decisions for them. Source Link

July 19, 2017

If you’d like to improve your public speaking skills, there’s an app for that. The Orai app for iOS lets you record your voice and then reviews your speech for clarity, intonation and how often you use filler words such as “like” and “um.” It offers exercises that you can do in private including tongue twisters, developing an elevator pitch and how to use pauses for the best effect. Source Link
 
Can the pace you set on-foot offer clues to whether you’ll suffer from dementia? A study found that declining walking speed over an extended period of time predicted cognitive impairment in seniors. Researchers think the measure of walking speed could be part of screening for dementia. Source Link
 
You can avoid the post-vacation blues by taking some steps before you head off for your summer getaway. Experts say you should tie up any loose ends on work projects and be sure to set an out-of-office email message so people know you’re gone. Give yourself at least one day between your return home and going back to work and keep your schedule light on that first day back. Source Link

July 18, 2017

Here are some food hacks that can make it easier to eat healthy. You can make a lower-fat creamy tomato sauce by adding hummus instead of cream. Mix cottage cheese with your salsa for high-protein snacking and add white beans to your smoothies for a fiber-rich drink. Source Link
 
About seven out of ten Americans are considered overweight, but most of them don’t think so because there’s a new normal for what’s considered “fat.” Researchers say as more people become obese, more of them are fine with their weight because they see others with even larger bodies. That cuts the motivation to lose weight and we can gain even more. Source Link
 
Most people know that scratching an itch only makes it worse, but why is that? Scientists say the act of scratching creates pain that cancels out the itching sensation, but the brain overrides that pain and the itching returns. Experts say the best way to deal with an itch is to give the spot a slap or a rub. Source Link

July 17, 2017

So how do you raise kids who are smart about money? Experts say you can build their awareness by pointing out prices on a menu or comparing prices at the supermarket and educating them about the costs of living like paying for a house, car, and utilities. And use that magic word “no” to teach budgeting and demonstrate the difference between wants and needs. Source Link
 
When you calculate its price per gallon your printer ink is like liquid gold, so here are some tips to get the most from it. Try switching font type and size -- Times New Roman is better and Arial is worse. Use Print Preview to avoid wasting ink and paper when printing a web page. And forget the warnings and replace a cartridge only when it’s completely empty and can no longer print. Source Link
 
How can changing one word make that self-critical voice in your head become a cheerleader? Experts say swap the word “I” for “you”. Making your mental narrative sound like a friend’s advice can produce more positive self-talk and strengthen your resolve to get things done. Source Link

July 14, 2017

One out of three people say they eat lunch on the job, but there are better ways to use your mid-day break. Leave the office or take a walk for a change of scenery that will help revitalize your mind. Spend some time reading or taking an online course, and don’t pass up the chance for a brief nap to help you be rested and ready to complete the workday. Source Link
 
Could the way you think help diabetics control their disease? A study found that mindfulness training reduced fasting blood sugar levels better than traditional health-education classes. Participants learned meditation and breath awareness techniques that experts say might help people stay on-track with exercise and diet requirements to control diabetes. Source Link
 
Getting more Z’s is getting to be big business for more companies that make gadgets to help you sleep better. The $299 Zeeq pillow monitors your sleep and vibrates to nudge you into a new position if you’re snoring. And Apple has purchased a company that sells a $150 high-tech mattress cover that tracks your sleep patterns, heart rate, temperature and movement. Source Link

July 13, 2017

Need to downsize your diet without feeling the pain on your dinner plate? Some simple ways to cut 50 calories include swapping vanilla extract or cinnamon for sugar in your coffee, or making that chicken or tuna salad with low-fat vinaigrette instead of mayo. Go easy on the barbeque sauce when grilling and use an oil spritzer when you’re cooking with olive or sesame oil. Source Link
 
Using a credit card to rent a car can save you money on supplemental insurance coverage, but there are some important exceptions. Renting a car on an international vacation usually isn’t covered and a rental for more than 15 days is typically excluded. And if you choose that exotic or expensive model of car your credit card insurance probably won’t help you. Source Link
 
So what are the most misspelled words in America? A survey found that words like “beautiful” “suspicious” and “pneumonia” are the top misspelled words in a number of states. And folks in Wisconsin had the most trouble spelling the name of their own state. The same thing happened last year in Massachusetts. Source Link

July 12, 2017

That time of the month for a woman probably isn’t enveloped in a memory fog. A new study found that cognitive skills like thinking and memory were not worse during a woman’s menstrual period. It’s a widely held belief that hormonal changes occurring during a menstrual period can affect how a woman thinks and performs. Source Link
 
Could many older Americans afford to have better hearing at a fraction of the cost of buying hearing aids? Researchers say personal amplification devices that cost about $350 tested as well as $2,000 hearing aids for some seniors with mild to moderate hearing loss. The devices that are sold online and work with a smartphone using Bluetooth are not regulated as hearing aids. Source Link
 
How do your sleep habits match up to folks who are wearing a fitness tracker that measures it? Fitbit says it’s average user hits the hay about 11:30 pm and gets just over six and a half hours of sleep each night. There was a generation gap because the youngest users went to bed later but got more sleep than Baby Boomers. Source Link

July 11, 2017

We know about coffee, but what other foods can give you that natural pick-me-up? Experts say the sugar in apples, the spice of hot sauce and herbs like rosemary and peppermint offer a natural boost. On the other hand, you can head off to sleep faster with avocados, hummus, bananas, cherries, dark chocolate or red wine. Source Link
 
Dogs and cats are tipping the scales much like their owners. A new report says one out of three pets are overweight, often because owners don’t know the right amount to feed them or forget that even small treats can be big calories for a dog or cat. Like with people, those extra pounds can raise the risk of heart disease, diabetes and arthritis for your pet. Source Link 
 
Putting the ringer on silent may not be enough to keep your cellphone from distracting you. A study found that people performed worse on tests when a silent cellphone was in view. Researchers say it’s best to stash that phone away because out of sight is out of mind and you won’t waste brain power thinking about your phone. Source Link

July 10, 2017

Some people may really feel the benefits of eating fish. Researchers say rheumatoid arthritis sufferers who ate fish at least twice a week reported less joint swelling and tenderness. Eating fish can increase omega-3 fatty acids that may help with the symptoms of arthritis. Source Link
 
When it comes to how you’ll be paying the tab during your vacation, experts say you should be packing the plastic. A credit card can be frozen if lost or stolen and many cards include benefits like travel accident insurance and coverage for lost luggage or trip interruptions. Just be sure to pay off the balance completely when you’re back from your summer getaway. Source Link
 
A picture may be worth a thousand words for Millennials if that picture is an emoji. A survey found that one out of three young people felt they can better express themselves through an emoji than by using words. And two out of three said an animated GIF did the job better than words for conveying emotions. Source Link

July 7, 2017

If late-night snacking is a problem for you, the solution might begin in the early morning. People who eat breakfast are less likely to overeat later and getting more protein and fiber during the day can limit those refrigerator raids. And turn off the TV, tablet and cell phone earlier because more screen time can lead to mindless eating. Source Link

You can make the most of house hunting when you go off the beaten trail during an open house. Experts suggest heading for the basement to look for obvious signs of dampness or aging HVAC equipment or take a walk around the block to see what the neighborhood is like. And don’t be fooled by expert staging or distracted by the pleasant smell of fresh-baked cookies. Source Link

Every weekend can be an extended one by making it new. Studies show that people who had new experiences over the weekend felt like it was longer come Monday. A new experience can be a weekend getaway to a new place, trying a new restaurant or reading a new book. Source Link

July 6, 2017

Be prepared to keep kids safe during your next visit to a pool or beach. Experts suggest having towels and sunscreen nearby before your child enters the water so you won’t have to walk away to get them. And for children who don’t know how to swim, trade those floaties for a properly-fitted life vest. Source Link

If a summertime wardrobe means you’re seeing more of an old tattoo you’d rather forget, there are several ways to remove that ink. A series of laser treatments can break up tattoo pigment and dermabrasion can sand away the top layer of skin, but the FDA says there are no creams or lotions proven to be effective for removing a tattoo. Source Link

Facebook is making it easier for you to find WiFi hotspots the world over. The app is rolling out a feature called “Find WiFi” that displays a map of networks near you that can provide service when cellular signals aren’t available. The listings depend on businesses and owners to register their WiFi networks with Facebook in order to be shown. Source Link

July 5, 2017

Keeping your cool in summer heat goes for gadgets as well as people. Experts say temperatures over 95 degrees can put a big dent in battery life for your smartphone, so keep it in a cool spot and never leave your phone on a car dashboard that can heat up fast in the sun. You can also stretch battery life by removing the phone case that can trap heat. Source Link

For older adults, weight training is more about building bones than bulging muscles. The body’s natural system of renewing bone mass slows down as we age and that can lead to osteoporosis. Resistance training with weights or bands stimulates the development of bone and uses more blood sugar, which can be a bonus for people with type 2 diabetes. Source Link

Using your phone or tablet before bedtime is a no-no for many sleep experts, but there’s an exception to that rule. You should do things that can ease you into sleep, and if an app on your phone or even clearing an email in-box is relaxing, you can make it be part of your pre-bedtime routine. Source Link

July 3, 2017

Don’t become a grim statistic in your effort to celebrate July Fourth with a bang. The Consumer Product Safety Commission says 11,000 people were treated last year for fireworks injuries and in two out of three cases the fireworks malfunctioned, fell over or went off too soon. Never re-light a dud, set off fireworks one at a time and step away and don’t let kids use fireworks. Source Link
 
When it comes to better health, a senior citizen’s best friend may be one who’s on four legs. A study found that older adults who owned a dog got an additional half-hour of exercise each day. Dog ownership helped them achieve the recommended 150 minutes of moderate physical  activity per week. Source Link
 
So how much money do you need to be comfortable or even wealthy? A survey showed that the average American thinks they would need a net worth of $1.1 million to breathe easy or $2.4 million to be considered wealthy. On the other hand, about one in four people put more value in experiences and good relationships rather than a bottom line figure. Source Link