February 28, 2020

There are some simple ways to avoid wasting money. Don’t transfer a balance to a “zero interest” credit card unless you really plan to pay it off before that rate climbs high and check your phone bill for extra charges that might sneak in without you knowing it. Make a list before every shopping trip to avoid overspending and don’t forget to return unwanted items for a refund. Source Link 

It doesn’t matter what kind of music you listen to because any of it may hurt creativity. Testing found that instrumental music, songs that had lyrics and even familiar songs all negatively affected creativity. But you don’t need total silence because the typical noises heard in a library had no effect on creativity. Source Link 

There’s a handy reason why bedtime stories for kids work better with a real book instead of a tablet reader. A study found that children and parents often battled to hold the tablet and that took away from the experience. Other research has shown that toddlers can become focused on tapping or swiping an e-reader screen and didn’t pay as much attention to the story. Source Link 

February 27, 2020

If you’re a parent panicking about your teen spending too much time on their phone, you can relax a bit. A review of dozens of studies found almost no evidence that smartphone use causes problems like depression, anxiety or lost sleep. Researchers say a phone is often just a mirror that reveals the problems a child would have even without it. Source Link 

Could drinking whole milk help to prevent weight problems for kids? A study found that children who drank whole milk instead of low-fat or skim milk had a 39 percent lower risk of being overweight or obese. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends switching kids to low-fat or skim milk at age 2. Source Link 

True love might smell like a well-worn t-shirt. In a test, people who went to bed with one of their partner’s t-shirts used as a pillowcase reported having better sleep. The shirts were free of any perfumes or other artificial scents. The calming effects of their partner’s smell worked as well as taking melatonin supplements for sleep. Source Link 

February 26, 2020

Water plays an important role in weight loss but don’t fall for some of the myths. Drinking more water than you need won’t help you lose weight because that only burns a few calories. But drinking a glass of water before you eat is a good idea because sometimes people will eat when they’re actually thirsty and water has zero calories. Source Link 

What are some habits that can keep you from becoming a victim of cybercrime? Only use trusted apps with two-step verification whenever possible and never conduct any financial business while you’re on public Wi-Fi. Use a password manager to create strong ones that are easy to work with and don’t store credit card information on a website. Source Link 

Most of the best ways to put money into your house and get it back in higher value are on the outside. Renovations that build curb appeal, like a new garage door, window replacements, new decking or improved siding offer the biggest return on investment. A new kitchen may not match a buyer’s tastes and bathroom remodeling didn’t even make the Top 10. Source Link 

February 25, 2020

Taking a hard line without any input from your children can backfire for parents who want to keep kids on the straight and narrow. A study found that super-strict parents who don’t give their children a chance to speak their minds are more likely to raise kids who are disrespectful and delinquent. The key is to give children a voice, but not a vote in setting the rules for behavior. Source Link 

Could that fitness tracker on your wrist help predict if you’re coming down with the flu? It might if it tracks your resting heart rate. Researchers found that a resting heart rate can rise by about eight beats per minute for every two-degree increase in body temperature. And that could be a sign of fever that’s a key symptom of the flu. Source Link 

If notifications on your phone are too distracting there are ways to cut down on the digital chatter. In your Settings look for a Notifications tab that lets you go app by app to shut off any unwanted reminders and take advantage of the “Do Not Disturb” feature for times when you need quiet. And when you install an app think twice before automatically allowing it to push notifications to you. Source Link 

February 24, 2020

That fizzy drink probably isn’t doing any favors for your smile. Carbonated beverages get their fizz from acids that can wear away your tooth enamel. Sipping a sparkling drink is worse for teeth because it exposes them to acids for even longer than a quick swig. Source Link 

Forgetfulness is common as we get older, but how can you tell if it’s just aging or the onset of Alzheimer’s? If memory loss makes it hard for you to handle your daily tasks or you’re really struggling to do things like follow directions in a familiar recipe or keep track of bills the way you used to do, those could be warning signs of memory problems. Source Link

Tax time may be the best time to form a healthy savings habit. That’s because many people who find it difficult to save from their paycheck will be getting a refund check from Uncle Sam. Plan to sock away some of that money to start an emergency fund and follow up with automatic withdrawals from your pay. Just $10 or $20 per check can help build a financial cushion for you. Source Link

February 21, 2020

Using autopay is an easy way to handle your bills but some of them should be paid manually. Infrequent bills like a subscription, membership or semi-annual auto insurance premium might slide by without you knowing it. And bills that can fluctuate monthly like an electric bill could leave you overdrawn if you don’t know it’s higher. Source Link 

You need to do more than a factory reset when you’re selling or giving away that old smartphone. Be sure to remove the SIM card that links the phone to your carrier and an SD card you may use for extra memory. And sign out and unlink the phone from all online accounts so no one can use the device in your name. Source Link 

Make sure you’ve tidied-up your tech before you check out of that Airbnb rental. Sign out from any online accounts or streaming services that you used during the visit to prevent the next tenant from borrowing your account. And consider using a VPN or virtual private network with your phone, tablet or laptop because you never know about security on someone else’s WiFi. Source Link 

February 20, 2020

There's an online way to help you fight back quickly if you’re the victim of identity theft. The website identitytheft.gov run by the Federal Trade Commission features an all-in-one tool that will provide the necessary paperwork to undo the normal effects of identity theft and offers advice on specific kinds of fraud, like credit card theft. Source Link

The road to being happier can take many paths that all lead to the same goal. You can volunteer to help others or a friend. Count your blessings by writing down everything that’s good in your life. Get exercise regularly to help keep depression at bay. Forgive and forget to free yourself from negative thoughts and challenge your inner critic when it takes control of your mood. Source Link 

Never mind that apple -- an egg a day won’t cause heart problems, they say. A study with more than 177,000 participants found that eating one egg per day didn’t increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Researchers found no association between having a daily egg and blood cholesterol levels. Source Link 

February 19, 2020

These could be the secrets to staying slim without a strict diet or strenuous exercise. Get busy in your own kitchen, listen to your stomach and enjoy what you eat. Research has shown that found that many people who are slim enjoyed high-quality food cooked at home and followed their internal cues to eat only when hungry and stop when satisfied. Source Link 

Are you guilty of making one of these password mistakes that hackers love? Like not using enough special characters or forgetting to vary between upper and lower case letters or reusing the same passwords or using ones that are just slightly different. And hackers love it when you ignore news about website security breaches that may have compromised your information. Source Link 

Can binge-watching your favorite TV shows be bad for your teeth? Those marathon sessions on the couch often include plenty of sugary drinks or red wine with acids that aren’t good for your smile. Try flavored water and air-popped popcorn that’s easy on the salt and butter and maybe swap the fast-food delivery for a binge break to cook a healthy meal. Source Link

February 18, 2020

When you’re feeling sick, the last thing you want to do is a workout, but it could be the best thing for you. Exercise boosts your heart rate to promote healthy blood flow and opens up your lungs and releases feel-good endorphins. Just set your exercise level to what you can tolerate and know that uncontrolled coughing is a sign that it's time to take a break. Source Link

You feel like you’ve aced that job interview but don’t blow it with any of these post-interview mistakes. Instead of pestering them later ask during the interview when the employer plans to make a decision. Don’t change your salary expectations after the interview because you think you have the job and don’t follow the interviewer on social media to seem more friendly. Source Link 

If you’re worried about privacy when using your smartphone you can take some steps to blur that digital trail. Check which apps have permission to use location tracking or your camera or microphone and turn off what’s not needed. You can shut down Google’s ability to track your web and app activity or use a browser like Firefox or Brave that doesn’t track your history or searches online. Source Link 

February 17, 2020

If you’re changing jobs or moving, it might also be a good time to break a bad habit. A study found that people in the midst of a major change were also more likely to change their ways. The disruption that occurs with life transitions might open the door to other changes that are hard to make. Source Link

Good habits are healthy too when it comes to your prescriptions. Always know what each medication is for and use automatic refills to avoid the risk of running out. Make a list of all your medications including eye drops, ear drops, nasal sprays, vitamins and dietary supplements and share this list with all your providers, including your eye doctor, dentist or mental health professional. Source Link 

It’s a special query that most of us have -- a password recovery question that needs to be hard to guess for someone else. One study found that using your father’s middle name, your first phone number or your favorite teacher is harder to guess. Or go way out and answer a name question for a person with that of an animal. Source Link 

February 14, 2020

Could a weight-loss technique improve your budget’s bottom line? In a financial fast, you spend three weeks making no unnecessary purchases and make no purchases at all one day a week. Experts say it can help reset your spending priorities and uncover how much you could be saving. Source Link 

What are the do’s and dont’s of using public WiFi? Don’t work with personal financial information because anyone on that public network might be able to see it. Do protect all your data by using a VPN or virtual private network and don’t skip app updates because those might patch any gaps that make it easier for hackers to target you online. Source Link 

We’re always hearing that it’s important to get enough sleep, and here’s an easy way to see if your slumber is sufficient. On the weekend, don’t set an alarm and sleep until you wake up on your own. If that’s longer than your typical shuteye, adjust your weekday routine to get that much sleep every night. Source Link 

February 13, 2020

These simple steps can safeguard your money while on vacation. Use two wallets for cash with one in a bag or purse and the other in your pocket and keep credit cards separate from the cash Stick with small bills in the local currency to avoid conversion fees or mistakes when paying and don’t use public WiFi for any banking or other financial business. Source Link 

There’s strength in numbers and variety when picking a good password. Use longer passwords like a full phrase with upper and lower case letters and throw in some symbols and numbers. A password manager can do this for you with every app or website login and all you need to do is remember the master password. Source Link 

Many people share a login for streaming video sites but what if it’s a stranger who’s piggybacking on your account? Settings for Netflix, Hulu and Amazon allow you to see a list of devices that have connected and you can delete any that you don’t recognize. You can also log out of all devices and change your password to keep those deadbeats off your account. Source Link 

February 12, 2020

If your New Year’s resolution to lose weight is lagging, it’s time to step on the scale. Studies show that daily weight measurement is an effective way to keep the pounds from piling on. Seeing that number prompts people to make small changes in behavior every day, whether it’s eating less or exercising more. Source Link 

Your hands do lots of work including using your phone so you want them to be strong and there are some simple exercises for this. Squeeze a ball in your palm as hard as you can for a few seconds and repeat ten times. Make a gentle fist and wrap your thumb across your fingers. Hold for one minute, release and repeat. Or place your hand flat on a table and raise and lower each finger separately for a few seconds. Source Link 

Steroid creams can do a great job to relieve itching but watch out for products that aren’t made for over-the-counter use. Inspectors found many stores that were selling foreign-made prescription-strength hydrocortisone cream that can have side effects like thinning your skin or leaving stretch marks. Only one-half-percent hydrocortisone is approved for over-the-counter sales. Source Link 

February 11, 2020

To wash or not to wash? It’s an important question when you’re preparing food. Washing raw poultry, beef, pork, lamb or veal before cooking is not a good idea because bacteria in raw meat can be spread to other foods, utensils and surfaces. And washing store-bought eggs removes a coating added by egg processors to protect against bacteria. Source Link 

If you’re having someone else prepare your taxes, make sure you’re not being “ghosted.” The IRS says ghost tax preparers are those that don’t sign a tax return even though they completed it. That’s illegal and in many cases, there are other problems like incorrect deductions and schemes in which your refund is sent to the preparer’s bank account. Source Link 

It’s the stuff of folklore but is it true that stress can turn your hair gray? Scientists studying mice found that stress could activate nerves that are part of the fight-or-flight response and permanently damage parts of a hair follicle that produce color. The same research could yield new insights into how stress affects other parts of the body. Source Link 

February 10, 2020

If you own a car that’s less than 10 years old it probably takes care of this maintenance chore for you, but don’t expect it to work forever. The TPMS or tire pressure management system alerts you to low air pressure in a tire. It runs on a battery that lasts between five and seven years and is not replaceable, so you’ll need a new sensor for each tire. Source Link 

Break out the nutcracker because a favorite variety might be just what your gut ordered. Eating a daily helping of walnuts as part of a healthy diet may promote the proliferation of good gut bacteria that boost health and may help modify certain risk factors for heart disease. Walnuts are rich in fatty acids, bioactive compounds, and fiber that serve as food for beneficial gut bacteria. Source Link 

Why can’t some people get rid of the clutter in their homes? Maybe loneliness is to blame. Experts say people who feel lonely are more likely to form attachments to objects so it’s harder to donate unwanted items or drop them in the trash. And this could make it difficult to empty out a house or apartment. Source Link 

February 7, 2020

The bathroom scale may not be the best way to see if your diet plan is working. Health experts say things like water weight can throw off that measurement. What’s a better way to track your progress? Use a tape measure on your chest, waist, hips and thighs once a week and see if your clothes are beginning to feel loose. Source Link 

A heart attack isn’t always the sudden chest-clutching event that many people imagine, especially for women who have fewer heart attacks than men but more “silent” ones that are damaging but only detected after they occur. Nausea, sweating, shortness of breath and pain in the neck or jaw are all symptoms that require immediate attention. Source Link 

Neck pain is common if you spend lots of time hunched over a desk, stuck in traffic or browsing your phone, but you can get relief with some simple stretching exercises. Lower your chin to your chest as far as it can go without pain and hold for 20 seconds. Turn your head right without moving your shoulders and hold and then to the left. And try rolling your head in a semi-circle. Source Link 

February 6, 2020

So what’s the magic number on the scale for a weight loss that others will notice? Researchers using before and after photos found that an 8-pound weight loss can be seen in someone’s face. But it took 16 pounds of weight loss before people said a dieter looked more attractive. Source Link 

When do you start dreading Monday mornings? Maybe on Sunday afternoon. A survey found that the average time that people begin to worry about the workweek ahead is 4 pm on Sunday. And many get a head start on the job because the average person said they work at least three hours off the clock during the weekend. Source Link 

If you can warm-up to the idea of washing your clothes in cold water for less time Mother Nature and your wardrobe might thank you. A study found that using cooler water and shorter wash cycles is better for the environment and can help your clothes last longer. Source Link 

February 5, 2020

Cranberries have long been touted as a natural cure for urinary tract infections, but don’t head to the juice aisle for relief. The cranberry juice you find at the grocery store doesn’t have enough cranberry in it to be effective. Cranberry capsules may work and there’s some evidence that foods rich in probiotics may also help prevent UTIs. Source Link 

It’s a sobering statistic -- about 40 percent of gun owners surveyed said they don’t lock up their firearms at home, even if they have kids. About the same percentage keep at least one gun loaded in their home. Research has shown that storing firearms locked and unloaded reduces the risk of unintentional and self-inflicted gunshot injuries among young people by over 70 percent. Source Link 

Being hunched over your phone isn't just a bad look -- it’s also bad for your body. Problems with headaches, digestion, breathing and even fatigue can be associated with bad posture. Besides less phone browsing, adjusting the height of a computer screen, using a stand-up desk or just standing up to stretch at least once every 30 minutes can help to straighten things out. Source Link 

February 4, 2020

Here’s something worth remembering -- drinking red wine may help prevent memory loss. The same antioxidant found in red grapes that promotes heart health may also have positive effects on the part of the brain that controls mood, learning and memory, maybe even opening the way to treatments for diseases like Alzheimer’s. Source Link 

Are you a digital hoarder? You’re not alone. Just over half of people surveyed said they’ve never deleted any files, apps or other content from their devices. About four in ten people actively avoid deleting photos or videos and one-third say they have files on their devices that are more than 10 years old. Source Link 

When you need to take someone’s temperature, all home thermometers don’t measure up the same. Earwax can interfere with the accuracy of an ear thermometer and pacifier thermometers and fever strips are not recommended. A digital thermometer placed under the tongue is the gold standard but doesn’t work as well in the armpit. Source Link 

February 3, 2020

What can make up for a day of sitting? How about an hour of exercise? Research shows that exercise has a more powerful effect in helping the heart than sitting does in harming it, so one hour of physical exercise could counteract the effects of sitting six to seven hours a day. Too much sitting has been linked to obesity, heart disease and high blood pressure. Source Link 

You change bedsheets to keep sleep time feeling fresh but do you know the right way to clean a mattress? Using a vacuum cleaner with an upholstery attachment or soft brush is a fast way but you can also sprinkle a box of baking soda on the mattress and leave it to sit there for a day. If you can flip your mattress, remember to do it every three months. Source Link 

They say it’s the small things that count and that’s true when it comes to budgeting. Most of us worry about the “pop” of big expenses like when an appliance breaks down unexpectedly but those “streams” of smaller spending can have an effect on your budget too. For example, a $5 latte every workday equals $1,000 a year that you could save to afford a new refrigerator. Source Link