September 30, 2020

 The Centers for Disease Control has an online Coronavirus Self-Checker that can help you decide when to seek testing or medical care. This mobile-friendly tool asks a series of questions to provide recommended actions and resources. Go to cdc.gov and search “coronavirus self checker.” Source Link 

A morning routine can help you have a better day. Doing something routinely after you wake up calms the decision-making part of your brain that also controls anxiety. Your routine could be eating the same thing for breakfast or waking up, exercising or walking the dog at the same time every day. Source Link 

It’s a question you should never answer if you hear it in a phone call from an unknown number. Scammers will ask “Can you hear me?” to get you to answer “Yes” and a recording of that one word could be used to approve unauthorized charges. Don’t respond but hang up immediately and don’t answer calls from unknown numbers. Source Link 

September 29, 2020

 Here are some everyday ways to help kids learn about managing money. Teach them comparison shopping or coupon hunting at the grocery store and calculate the real value of discount offers when you buy multiple items. And make savings a part of any allowance, gift or money they earn for work. Source Link 

The 20/4/10 rule can show how much car you can afford. If you make a 20 percent down payment and take out a four-year loan, your monthly car expenses should be no more than 10 percent of your monthly gross income. That total includes the loan payment and cost of gas and auto insurance. Source Link 

What’s the best way to wash fruits and vegetables? Smooth-skinned fruits like apples or pears can be rinsed with water and dried with a clean towel when you bring them home but other items should be washed just before eating to prevent bacteria growth. And submerging leafy vegetables in water might increase the risk of contamination. Source Link 

September 28, 2020

 Making fitness a habit takes some lifestyle changes. Decide what you’ll cut back on, like TV watching or web surfing, to make the time to exercise. If you go to a gym or workout at home look at what time of day fits best for you. And find ways to add exercise to everyday life such as walking with the whole family. Source Link 

Shopping online is easy - and maybe too easy to avoid overspending - so here are some simple savings tips. Follow your favorite retailers on social media for discount offers and take advantage of deals through your credit card provider. You can also limit spending by purchasing a gift card for the amount you can afford and use only that for shopping. Source Link 

Moms-to-be needn't worry about a risk of autism for their baby from the flu shot. A large, new study has confirmed that an expectant woman's flu shot doesn't increase the risk of autism in her child even if the vaccine is given during the first trimester of pregnancy. A flu shot is vital because pregnant women have a higher risk of pneumonia if they get the flu. Source Link

September 25, 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 

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 

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 

September 24, 2020

 It’s a sellers market for used cars so how can you get the best deal for under five figures? Look for a 7- to 11-year-old car that’s been conservatively driven with a good maintenance history and check review sites for models that have repair problems. And line up your own financing beforehand so you can shop like a cash buyer. Source Link 

A morning routine can help you have a better day. Experts say doing something routinely after you wake up calms the decision-making part of your brain that also controls anxiety. Your routine could be eating the same thing for breakfast or waking up, exercising or walking the dog at the same time every day. Source Link 

Maybe the only thing worse than being unemployed is to also face a big income tax bill next spring. That’s why the IRS is reminding people that unemployment compensation is taxable and you’ll want to have some tax withheld now. You can file IRS paperwork with your state unemployment office to set up withholding. Source Link

September 23, 2020

 Here are three things that can help you teach adult children to be responsible about money. Make sure they understand the long-term burden of big student loans when choosing a college. Resist the demand for a storybook wedding and be clear about how much you’ll contribute and don’t keep paying your adult child’s bills with money you could be saving for retirement. Source Link 

What kind of exercise can help you live a longer life? How about any kind. A 20-year study found that any exercise can help but stretching and volleyball were uniquely tied to a lower risk of early death and fitness activities such as walking, cycling and aerobics were also beneficial. Source Link 

You can stock your kitchen with helpful gadgets from the office supply store. Those classic orange-handled scissors are great for opening food packages and binder clips can seal up freezer bags. A black sharpie marker can label those bags using masking tape for plastic containers and a dry erase board is great for keeping a shopping list. Source Link 

September 22, 2020

 It’s a fact -- 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 

Don’t waste your grocery budget by storing fresh produce improperly. Broccoli goes in the fridge in a closed produce bag, as do carrots, eggplant and zucchini and store spinach in a closed produce bag lined with a paper towel. Tomatoes are stored on a counter and not in the fridge and onions should go in a cool, dark spot. Source Link

It’s using the carrot instead of the stick to help you lose weight -- try bribing yourself to shed those pounds. You could put a dollar in a jar that's the money you saved by eating less and then buy yourself a non-food item at the end of every month. Testing showed that adults were willing to eat less for the chance to win a prize like a gift card. Source Link 

September 21, 2020

 Don’t get fooled by these car care tips that could hit you hard in the pocketbook. Overfilling your tires won’t improve mileage but will give you a rougher ride and wear out the tires sooner. And don’t drive with less than a quarter tank of gas because it makes your fuel pump work harder and wear out faster and replacing it could cost up to $700. Source Link

Email is a prime target for hackers who want to get to sensitive information and you can protect yourself by using different email accounts. Use one for banking and credit cards, another for shopping and another for social media. This way, a breach involving one account doesn’t endanger all of your digital life. Source Link 

What’s in your ears can help you get better sleep. Meditation using a mobile app can help ease you into slumber and get you back to sleep if you wake up overnight. And research has shown that listening to nature sounds can trigger a relaxation response in the brain to help you get to sleep. Source Link 

September 18, 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 

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 

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 

September 17, 2020

 Drinking too many calories is a problem for some people who try to watch their weight. Start by making water, black coffee or tea your default drink. Beware of any beverage that gets most of its calories from sweeteners, whether real or artificial and keep smoothies to the smallest size with only non-fat yogurt or milk and real fruit but no added sugar. Source Link 

Grocery shopping by color can be your first step toward a healthier heart. Choose foods with lots of color by starting in the produce section to stock up on a rainbow of fresh fruits and vegetables. And avoid white in bread, potatoes and rice and check labels for added salt and sugar that can be found in many processed foods. Source Link 

If you suffer from allergies you might find relief by doubling up on laundry days. Sheets and pillowcases can hold allergens as well as dirt, sweat and skin oils. The best advice is to wash your pillowcase every week and always change your sheets after you’ve had a cold. Source Link 

September 16, 2020

 Time to bust some popular myths about your cyber privacy. Your emails aren’t always secure unless you use a service like Gmail or Yahoo that encrypts by default. Private browsing can’t shield your activity from the boss or from your internet provider. And turning off GPS on your phone doesn’t make you untrackable because there’s still a record of cell towers and WiFi hot spots that you’ve used. Source Link 

Most people don’t think about foot care until they’re in pain but some common problems can be prevented with a few simple steps. Always wear water shoes around public swimming pools and in showers at the gym to avoid viruses that can cause nail fungus or athlete’s foot. Wear socks and tights made from breathable fabrics and if shoes hurt the first time you try them on, don’t buy them. Source Link 

Looking for a natural way to a whiter smile? You can brush once a week with a paste made from baking soda or use a five-to-one mix of water and apple cider vinegar as a mouthwash. Rubbing your teeth with orange or lemon peels is another whitening method and brushing with activated charcoal can absorb plaque and compounds that can stain your teeth. Source Link 

September 15, 2020

 Everyone benefits when elementary school students get their annual flu shot. A study found that an increased vaccination rate among grade schoolers was associated with fewer flu hospitalizations for people of every age. Health experts say this year’s flu shot will be even more important as the nation continues to battle coronavirus. Source Link

We know what most buyers love about a home, but what do they hate? Having converted spaces like a man cave in a garage or a home office in a dining room are turn-offs. And too many personal items visible like photos on walls can make it hard for potential buyers to visualize the home as their own. Source Link

Eating healthy by choosing whole grain foods isn’t easy when product labels can mislead you. Terms like "multigrain," "contains whole grains," "honey wheat" and "12-grain" can look like healthier options even if the product is mostly refined flour. Only foods labeled “100-percent whole grain” are just that. Source Link

September 14, 2020

 Should financial planning be a family affair? Conversations with kids about financial goals and values often go unspoken but it’s better for it to be a continuous discussion. Using your family’s values and long-term financial goals as a guide, you’ll be better equipped to sometimes say no or settle for less than the best. Source Link

Social media is for sharing but you may not want the whole world to know. Check settings on Facebook to see if your posts are all Public meaning anyone can see them. You can also adjust Privacy settings to hide any photos from public viewing and stop any tagged photos from linking back to you. Sources Link

Being an impromptu teacher and getting your job done from home takes some special tricks like these. Plan for recess by giving kids a 5-minute break after 25 minutes of work and prep lunches ahead of time to make the mid-day meal easier for you. And if kids are too rowdy have them do exercises until they decide that school work would be easier. Source Link

September 11, 2020

 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 

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 

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 

September 10, 2020

 Paying with a credit card is convenient but there are times when you should pass on pulling out the plastic. Don’t use a credit card when purchasing something on a public computer or making a charity donation on the street or when the card leaves your view to complete the purchase. And don’t use a credit card to buy something you can’t afford. Source Link 

The sandwich is a lunchtime classic, but what if you want to skip those two slices of bread? Try wrapping ingredients in a whole-grain pita, tortilla or lettuce leaves. Scoop the seeds out of a cucumber, zucchini, tomato or bell pepper and stuff it with a salad mix or pack hard-boiled egg whites with cubes of meat. Source Link

Conquering bad habits takes some planning for alternatives. Avoid triggers like walking past a bar, seeing an ashtray or browsing the dessert menu. Replace a bad habit with a better one and give yourself concrete reasons to make a change, like more years with family if you quit smoking or having more energy after you lose weight. Source Link 

September 9, 2020

 Taking walks to explore the outdoors may be an antidote for anxiety in dogs. Researchers say getting your dog moving and more physically active could go a long way toward easing general fears. Dogs that rarely experienced new situations and environments were more likely to have apprehensive behavior. Source Link 

It turns out there’s a physical reason why faking a smile can make you feel better. A study found that smiling triggers certain facial muscles and that can trick your brain into feeling more positive. A forced smile can stimulate the emotional center of the brain which releases neurotransmitters to encourage happiness. Source Link 

Could fresh breath also protect against coronavirus? Scientists say using antiseptic mouthwash may be an effective way to reduce the spread of COVID-19 because it can kill the virus in the mouth and throat. Mouthwash isn’t a treatment option and won’t protect you against infection but it can reduce the risk that an infected person will spread it to others. Source Link 

September 8, 2020

 It’s a daily routine that can yield a better smile and maybe even lower your risk for cancer. Researchers found that those who don’t brush or floss regularly and end up with gum disease were at higher risk of developing stomach or throat cancer. Inflammation caused by gum disease might be one factor that increases cancer risk. Source Link 

What do people with the best memories have in common? In a survey, they were people who have fewer than two alcoholic drinks a day, watch less than 1 hour of TV daily, read lots of novels and do crossword puzzles. Many also eat plenty of fish, drink coffee or tea and keep a journal. Source Link 

If working from home is becoming a literal pain you can take these steps to make it more comfortable. Make sure you’re using a chair with armrests that can keep your wrists level with your desktop and raise your laptop so you aren’t looking downward at the screen. Use a pillow or towel to raise your seat and another behind your back for lumbar support. Source Link 

September 4, 2020

 Your child doesn’t have to be in school to begin to learn the value of money. Little ones can use a piggy bank to show how to build up and divide their money into spending, long-term savings and giving. And older kids can help create a grocery list using real prices with a fixed dollar amount to spend. Source Link 

If your dog doesn’t seem to listen to you it might not be stubbornness at work. Hearing loss in dogs can be common and warning signs include sleeping through loud noises and different barking habits as well as not responding to verbal cues. The good news is that dogs often adapt to the change and you can help by using more visual cues. Source Link 

What are the signs to look for in a good car salesman and how do you spot a bad one? A bad salesman tries to size you up with questions about what kind of vehicle or payment you had in mind, ignores your concerns about price and may not even offer a test drive. A good salesman listens to you, knows their product inside and out and never lies. Source Link 

September 3, 2020

The pandemic has some people looking into their webcams and not liking what they see. Plastic surgeons have reported a significant uptick in the number of facelift procedures. Some say their patients aren’t happy with how they look on-camera in virtual meetings that have become the norm for many who are working from home. Source Link 

How can you keep a social media life from interfering with your work world? Use automation tools to write posts on your own time and schedule them for later publication. Have separate personal accounts that make it clear you’re not speaking for the company and remember that any post can be set for friends-only viewing. Source Link 

Visiting an urgent care center instead of the emergency room can save you time and money. You should go to the ER only if you have any sign of a stroke; persistent chest pain, trouble breathing or loss of consciousness; high fever with a rash; a serious fall or injury involving the head or eyes; bleeding that won’t stop; a serious burn or a sudden, severe headache or loss of vision. Source Link 

September 2, 2020

What could you do with an extra $1,500 a year? That’s how much food the typical family throws away but you can reduce that waste with simple steps like checking to see what you already have before you grocery shop and understanding that “sell by” dates don’t mean you can’t eat it later. And freeze and save leftovers that you don’t eat within a few days. Source Link 

Skin cancer is the most common type and you can stay on-guard by remembering your A-B-Cs and D-E-Fs. Look for a mole that’s asymmetrical, has a border with ragged edges, a color that's uneven, a diameter larger than a pencil eraser or is elevated or raised. If you see any of these in a monthly self-check then it’s time to visit a dermatologist. Source Link 

If you’d like to cut back on red meat but love your hamburgers there’s a growing alternative. A large Portobello mushroom cap has the shape of a beef patty and great texture and flavor when grilled. That shroom burger also has more nutrients, including copper, selenium and many B vitamins. Source Link 

September 1, 2020

 To make cars safer you may need to be voice-free as well as hands-free. Researchers say mental distractions can last as long as 27 seconds after drivers use voice-assisted technology to dial a number, change music or send a text message. Even a quick 2-second glance at your smartphone or vehicle infotainment system can double your risk for a crash. Source Link 

There’s a kitchen gadget that’s a time and money saver and is good for your health. A vacuum sealer inhibits bacteria growth and can keep foods fresh for longer. You can also use a vacuum sealer to prepare your own meal kits by combining seasonings with individual portions of an entree that can go from the freezer to the oven or grill. Source Link 

The long weekend is a favorite getaway and there are ways to save on your mini-vacation. Book your rental car as far ahead as possible to get the best rates but consider waiting to find last-minute deals on unsold hotel rooms. The same strategy might also work with an Airbnb that still has an opening a few days before you plan to leave. Source Link