April 30, 2020

More people working from home means more opportunities for cybercriminals but you can protect yourself. Lockdown your WiFi with a strong password and consider setting up a separate network for work activities. And take a close look before clicking on any email even if it appears to be from the office. Source Link 

What foods can have a long and healthy life on your shelf? Vinegars, honey, vanilla or other extracts, sugar, salt, corn syrup and molasses will last virtually forever as will white flour and white rice. Unrefined grain products like whole-wheat bread can be frozen to greatly extend their useful life. Source Link

Disinfecting is a must but be sure to do it right. Bleach will do the trick but only if you let it sit on the surface for at least four minutes. Using 60-to-90 percent alcohol can neutralize germs in 30 seconds. Source Link 

April 29, 2020

If you haven’t been driving much there are some simple steps to get your car ready for the road again. Check all fluids that might go bad and check tire pressure as well. In the future keep the gas tank full and invest in a battery maintainer to keep it charged during long idle periods. Source Link 

It might seem fun to post your old high school graduation photo on social media but think twice about it. A photo like that might include information about when and where you graduated and those details could put a hacker one step closer to stealing your identity. Source Link 

Fending off the side effects of self-isolation can include some of your favorite indulgences. That morning cup of coffee might be a calming routine and getting a little extra sleep won’t hurt. And you can boost your mood with scheduled calls to friends and family. Source Link 

April 28, 2020

There are many ways to avoid germs while you’re grocery shopping. Besides sanitizing your shopping cart, antibacterial wipes can clean door handles on freezers and coolers. Disposable gloves can safeguard you during checkout when you should avoid germs by paying with a card instead of cash that someone else has handled. Source Link 

With spring allergies you can begin your battle to breathe easier in the bedroom. Keep your sleeping area allergen-free by washing blankets and sheets on a weekly basis and put pillows in the dryer at a very hot setting. You can also use an allergy-proof cover that completely contains your mattress and box spring. Source Link 

If you have a car with keyless entry you may want to keep the fob in your freezer when the vehicle is parked in the driveway. A thief can use a device that boosts the signal from a keyless fob to unlock a car door. Putting the fob in your freezer will block it from transmitting a signal to open the door. Source Link

April 27, 2020

Fitness may be key to long-term weight loss. Researchers found that overweight or obese people who were fitter to start with lost more weight in the long run. People with very poor fitness might benefit from additional exercise support to reach higher levels of moderate to vigorous activity that can improve long-term weight loss. Source Link 

Most homes have two built-in bacteria busters. The sanitize cycle on a dishwasher can disinfect pet bowls, scrub pads and some plastic kid’s toys. And using your dryer on a high heat setting for 30 minutes can wipe out microorganisms on clothing as well as germs on stuffed animals and throw blankets. Source Link 

A pet could be more than a companion for a senior. Studies have shown that the responsibility of caring for a pet can give older people a sense of purpose and combat loneliness and even depression. Having a pet has been linked to other health benefits including a lower risk of heart disease. Source Link 

April 24, 2020

Here’s a “handy” way to stop eating to relieve stress, anxiety or boredom. When you feel like eating, try doing something with your hands like a crossword puzzle or knitting to preoccupy yourself until the urge passes. Finding ways to manage your underlying stress and anxiety will also help. Source Link 

What can you do when the pleasure of eating ice cream brings on the pain of a brain freeze? Try pressing your tongue against the roof of your mouth to warm the spot where nerves can trigger that icy pain. You can avoid a brain freeze my eating cold foods toward the front of your mouth and by eating more slowly. Source Link 

Is the best late-night snack really a bowl of cottage cheese? Researchers found that cottage cheese before bed had a positive effect on metabolism and overall health, promoted muscle recovery, and didn’t end up as body fat. If you don’t have a taste for cottage cheese, try any helping of 30 grams of protein about a half-hour before bedtime. Source Link 

April 23, 2020

Clean hands are important now but you should also be practicing another kind of hygiene. “Information hygiene” means cleaning out those tweets and posts that claim to have the answers about coronavirus. Be sure to check the source of online information and stick with credible ones like the CDC or World Health Organization. Source Link 

Need some ideas for how to keep older kids occupied at home that doesn’t involve a screen? Create your own scavenger hunt using pictures of objects that are hidden around the house. Get them cooking with a made-from-scratch meal or perfect their handwriting skills by composing letters to residents in a nearby nursing home or retirement community. Source Link 

Try these simple steps to avoid credit card debt. Remove “one-click” pay options on shopping websites to prevent impulse buys and pay as you go by opening the card app and making a payment to cover your purchases every day. Better yet, pre-pay your credit card for however much you’ve budgeted for expenses for the week. Source Link 

April 22, 2020

Having trouble distancing yourself from junk food while staying at home? You can avoid stress eating by setting a schedule for meals, work and relaxation and not eating in the room where you’re working or relaxing. And be sure to plan healthy meals so you won’t grab the first thing you see when hunger pangs hit. Source Link 

In hard times, tapping your 401-k might seem like an easy way to get quick cash but there are better choices. Using a credit card or a home equity line of credit is smarter if you plan to pay it off sooner. Money pulled from a 401-k is taxable income and might cost you 20 percent of that withdrawal on this year’s taxes. Source Link

Mindfulness could come easier to older people and help us cope with challenges as we age. Mindfulness is paying attention to the present in a non-judgemental way and researchers think it may develop naturally with time and life experiences. Researchers say certain characteristics of mindfulness appeared to be much more common in older people than in younger people. Source Link 

April 21, 2020

These could be the five keys to a happier, healthier life. A study found that people who had emotional stability, determination, control, optimism and conscientiousness suffered from fewer chronic diseases, had less depression, less social isolation and were more likely to be financially stable. Source Link 

If you don’t have immediate financial needs, what should you do with a stimulus check? First, it could be seed money for an emergency fund or used to pay off high-interest debt. You can also invest carefully, remembering that those who kept retirement accounts intact during the Great Recession saw them recover and grow substantially over the past decade. Source Link 

You probably don’t need to worry about catching coronavirus from takeout food. Health regulations make restaurants some of the cleanest places you’ll find but there are extra steps you can take. If it’s a cold meal you could put it in the refrigerator for a day or reheat a hot meal in the microwave because heat and time are both things that can kill the virus. Source Link 

April 20, 2020

Your resume may need reworking to keep up with what employers want to see today. Scrap the objectives statement at the top and replace it with online links to examples of your work. Ditch that Yahoo, AOL or school email address that makes it look like you’re living in the past. And use a clean font type with a pop of color to make your resume stand out. Source Link 

How do you make smart financial choices in the face of furloughs and layoffs? Be proactive and reach out to creditors if you can’t make a payment instead of just ignoring the bill. Continue to monitor your credit report because identity theft can increase. And take advantage of any assistance programs because every dollar counts. Source Link 

It looks baby aspirin won’t help a health scourge of older people. Taking a daily low-dose aspirin wasn’t shown to reduce the risk of cognitive decline or prevent dementia. A low-dose aspirin regimen has not been effective to prevent things like heart disease or stroke in healthy people but can help patients avoid a recurrence. Source Link 

April 17, 2020

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 or grab a quick nap so you’ll be rested and ready to complete the workday. Source Link 

You might beat jet lag with help from your smartphone. The trick is to avoid or get more light at certain times and shift your body to the new time zone. There are apps that set a schedule based on where you’re going, your sleep pattern and whether you’re a morning or evening person. What doesn’t work is fasting before a flight or taking a sleeping pill on takeoff. Source Link 

There are many reasons why you should keep your home WiFi network secured with a strong password. Freeloaders could slow down your streaming, send you over a data cap or even use your WiFi for illegal activity that’s blamed on you. If you need help changing the password, consult the owner’s manual for your WiFi router or contact customer service for a cable modem. Source Link 

April 16, 2020

More baby tears now might mean less crying later. Infants who were left to cry a few times had shorter bouts of crying at 18 months. It’s important for parents to know the different kinds of crying like hunger or needing to be changed and find opportunities to help babies learn to self-regulate during daytime and nighttime. Source Link 

There are lots of ways to help your favorite small business stay afloat in tough economic times. You can continue to pay for services even if you’re unable to use them, buy beauty products from your favorite spa or salon or pick up a gift card for a restaurant. And help with positive reviews on social media or through word-of-mouth. Source Link 

Avoid these pitfalls to have a great online grocery shopping experience. Understand the timing for pickup or delivery and be ready to book ahead for busy times like holidays and look for special codes and discounts that are often available. And carefully check your order before you hit “send” to prevent any surprises when you’re unpacking those groceries. Source Link

April 15, 2020

How many steps does it take to lengthen your life? The more the better. Researchers found that people who walked 8,000 steps a day were two-thirds less likely to die compared to less-active people. That’s doable for many who might take the stairs instead of the elevator or look for every opportunity throughout the day to walk more. Source Link 

When you’re in panic mode about your finances taking a good look at three things might help. Calculate your net worth including all cash, savings, investments, retirement and health savings accounts minus your debts. Create a disaster budget with the bare minimum and add back in any spending you can afford and stop outsourcing work by doing your own cooking, cleaning and other household services. 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

April 14, 2020

What’s the best way to spend a 15-minute break to make your day go smoother? A study found that workers who spent a quarter-hour on a leisurely walk through a nearby park and focused on the natural surroundings were able to concentrate better when they got back to work. If you can’t find any green space for a break, you could try meditation in a quiet place for 15 minutes. Source Link 

Many people are being forced to cancel upcoming special events like a wedding and there are some ways to make it easier. Contact vendors immediately and learn about options like committing to fewer guests, carrying over a deposit to a future date or getting a refund if no future dates are available. And be open to virtual versions of your event and share it with more people and still stay safe. Source Link 

You know your computer can benefit from an occasional shutdown but try this before simply hitting the “power” button. For most newer computers a “restart” is the same as “shut down” with one advantage. A restart ends all programs and clears the memory and processor immediately without needing to create a large file that the computer must reference on the next start-up. Source Link 

April 13, 2020

You can’t always control what you touch but you can keep those hands as clean as possible by washing with soap and water. Hot or cold will do fine but be sure to work up a good lather by scrubbing well including between fingers and rubbing your fingernails on the palm of your hand. Count to 20 before you stop washing and dry with a clean towel. Source Link 

If you’re not getting a refund this year, you’re doing your taxes the right way. You should adjust withholding so tax refund money goes to your paycheck instead of Uncle Sam. Using that extra money to pay more on a credit card bill or to invest in a 401-k can earn more for you instead of being a zero-interest loan to the IRS. Source Link 

Soaking in the bathtub may be relaxing and do your heart good. A long-term study showed that frequent tub baths were associated with a lower risk of hypertension which is a major factor in heart disease. People who took a daily warm or hot bath ended up with a 25 percent lower risk of heart attack and stroke. Source Link 

April 10, 2020

Does your “healthy” snack list include any of these nutritional no-no’s? Dietitians say baked chips are so low in fat you can eat plenty of them before you feel full. Pretzels have no nutritional value and store-bought smoothies are often loaded with sugar. And read labels for granola or cereal bars to choose one that’s high in fiber and lower in sugar. Source Link 

Want an effective exercise that won’t make you break a sweat? Studies have shown that Tai Chi may improve the fitness of the heart and lungs and could be as effective as jogging to help lower the risk of death. Experts say the slow, mindful movements of Tai Chi work on the sympathetic nervous system to reduce stress hormones that can take a physical toll on our bodies. Source Link 

More than half of dogs and cats are overweight or obese, so how can you tell if your pet is tipping the scales too much? If their belly is dragging near the ground or you can’t feel the ribs it’s time to put less in the food dish. You can also substitute fresh snacks like baby carrots or green beans instead of store-bought treats that can be high in calories. Source Link 

April 9, 2020

Quitting smoking can make room fast in a tight budget and the health benefits also start quickly. Within 20 minutes of that last cigarette, your blood pressure returns to normal levels and after 8 hours the deadly carbon monoxide gas in your bloodstream is cut in half. After 2 days the risk of heart attack is substantially reduced and you should notice that breathing is easier after 3 days. Source Link 

Doing more cooking at home can mean more leftovers but be sure to store those extra meals safely. Divide large amounts of food into shallow containers that are tightly sealed or wrapped and stored in the refrigerator or freezer within two hours of cooking. Label and package foods in amounts that you’re likely to use at one time. Source Link 

We often need more support during uncertain times and the way you offer it can be important. Researchers found that messages which validated a person’s feelings were more helpful than being critical or diminishing the concerns. The key is to avoid telling someone how they should feel and encourage the sharing of emotions. Source Link 

April 8, 2020

How can 300 be a magic number for your heart? Researchers found that people who cut 300 calories per day from their diet had better heart health with lower blood pressure and lower levels of bad cholesterol and triglycerides. You might cut those calories by saying “no” to second helpings, swapping fresh fruit for a sweet dessert or through intermittent fasting. Source Link 

Working from home times two requires some special steps so both of you can get the job done. If you’re in the same room, keep physical workspaces separate and don’t interrupt each other to chat while working. Give a heads-up as soon as possible if you need to be on a call and look for some things to share each day like taking a walk or having lunch together. Source Link 

If you need a “stay at home” playlist the Library of Congress has some selections to recommend among the latest additions to its National Recording Registry. Dr. Dre’s “The Chronic” Tina Turner’s “Tiny Dancer” and “Cheap Trick at Budokan” from 1978 made the list along with the Village People’s “YMCA” and the theme song from “Mister Rogers Neighborhood.” Source Link 

April 7, 2020

Your spring cleaning can extend into the refrigerator. Now is a good time to empty the fridge and clean all surfaces with a mixture of mild soap and water. Toss those half-empty condiments and don’t store milk, yogurt or cheeses in the door. And keep the eggs in their original container in the middle of the fridge. Source Link 

Staying active might keep your brain in better shape as you age. People with the most physical activity had less shrinkage of the brain and had a “brain age” four years younger than the rest of the body. And that might help prevent or slow the progression of dementias like Alzheimer’s disease. Source Link 

It turns out that money may buy happiness, but only if it’s in a certain kind of purchase. Testing found that people who purchased experiences like tickets to an event or a restaurant meal felt happier the next day than those who bought items. That happiness from an experience was higher regardless of the kind or the cost. Source Link 

April 6, 2020

If you’re hoping for a sneeze-free spring it’s time to identify the airborne enemy. Spring allergies can be caused by a number of things so see an allergist to find out what’s causing yours. And begin taking your allergy medication as soon as possible -- even if you’re not sneezing yet -- to make it more effective. Source Link 

We’re all a bit more anxious these days and it turns out there’s an app for that. Researchers found that daily use of a mindfulness training app made it easier for people to reduce their body’s fear reactions. It’s believed that mindfulness training can help the part of the brain that enables us to let go of certain mental reactions such as fear. Source Link

How much is too much to drink and drive? Maybe less than what the law says. A review of national records found that 15 percent of alcohol-related traffic deaths occurred with drivers who had been drinking but were below the legal blood alcohol limit. In just over half of these cases, it was a passenger and not the driver who died. Source Link 

April 3, 2020

Looking for an activity that can bring together family members near and far? A family book club can make love for reading into a shared experience either in-person or by Skype or FaceTime. Consider a variety of books to introduce you to new topics or genres and let each family member take a turn at selecting the next book to read. Source Link 

Playing some of your favorite games might be a great way to improve brain health for older people. Memory games like Match or Simon or word games like Scrabble or electronic versions of games like Jeopardy, Wheel of Fortune, Family Feud or Trivial Pursuit can exercise that most important muscle and be fun for young and old alike. 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 

April 2, 2020

Social distancing at home is just the first step in keeping healthy during a pandemic. You can also do a daily home workout with exercises like jumping jacks, lunges or jogging in place and cook heart-healthy meals with canned or frozen fruits and vegetables, frozen meats and whole-grain pasta. And stay socially connected with friends and family via text, video chat or phone call. Source Link 

Getting the most from a workday at home takes some planning. Know what time of day you’re most productive at tackling those big tasks and set rules about when and how long you’ll check social media. Don’t sit for long periods, put boundaries on when the workday ends and try to get outside for a lunchtime run, a walk or a bike ride. Source Link 

You can give kids of all ages a financial head start. Opening a Roth IRA for them lets you grow savings that’ll be tax-free to use in retirement. And responsible teens can be added to your credit card to begin building their own credit score. Source Link 

April 1, 2020

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 

Improving your credit score can happen faster if you remember these two tips. Paying your bills on time and keeping total credit card debt under 30 percent of your limit accounts for about two-thirds of your credit score. Doing both of these diligently might help your credit score begin to climb within six months. Source Link 

Don’t be in a rush to kill viruses on surfaces in your home. Spray or wipe the cleaner on and let it dry instead of wiping it off immediately. A solution of one-quarter cup bleach in a gallon of cold water can be an effective and affordable cleaner but be sure to use it when you mix it because it’s disinfecting power fades with time. Source Link