January 31, 2022

 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 

You want them to stay tasty but is there a right way to store tomatoes? Probably not. Researchers used a group of expert taste testers to try tomatoes that were stored in the refrigerator or on a kitchen counter. There wasn’t a real difference in flavor but tomatoes will taste better when stored for a shorter amount of time. Source Link 

Are you guilty of any of these common mistakes when handling your money? You build up a rainy day fund but neglect to budget for retirement savings or you buy food in bulk only to throw half of it away. Or maybe you use a store credit card for a discount on purchases but then make a minimum payment and get hit with high finance charges. Source Link 

January 28, 2022

 “Zoom Fatigue” is a real thing. Researchers say excessive amounts of close-up eye contact can cause stress and mental overload and online meetings keep you sitting and looking at yourself all the time. Solutions include doing away with full-screen mode and not seeing your own camera and taking breaks from video during a meeting to move around. Source Link 

When a job gets to be too much, you might be tempted to take a hike -- and you should. Testing showed that a workday walk helped to improve mood and relieve job stress. A 30-minute walk during the lunch hour three times a week made workers less tense, more enthusiastic and better able to cope. Source Link 

The 5-4-3-2-1 technique of grounding yourself is a quick countdown to a calmer mind. In stressful moments, acknowledge five things you can see around you; four things you can touch; three things you can hear; two things you can smell and one thing you can taste. Grounding helps you focus on the moment and avoid anxious thoughts. Source Link 

January 27, 2022

 A credit freeze to stop identity thieves is a good idea for everyone in your family, including the kids because their names could be used to open bogus accounts. All three major credit bureaus allow a parent to request a credit freeze for a child. You’ll need to mail a copy of their birth certificate and Social Security card to set it up. Source Link 

What orange-colored produce that’s best for your eyes? Here’s a hint - it isn’t carrots. Studies have shown that eating oranges may greatly reduce the risk of developing macular degeneration that’s a common cause of blindness in older people. The flavenoids you get from an orange a day can protect against eye disease. Source Link 

You can put your organizing skills to work to make your medicine cabinet safer and easier to use. Toss out expired over-the-counter meds and dried-out makeup and prioritize the shelves to put the items you use most often on the lowest one. And forget the name and move all medicines to a cool, dry shelf in a closet or cabinet outside of your bathroom. Source Link

January 26, 2022

 How can a kitchen timer help to keep your home clean? If you avoid chores, set a timer to find out just how long you spend washing a few dishes or picking up some clothes. Seeing how little time it takes to do a chore may encourage you to do those things right away and not let them pile up into a big job. Source Link 

Some simple hacks can help your health without a lot of effort. Improve your balance by standing on one foot when brushing your teeth, and wash bed linens once a week to get rid of bacteria and fungus that can make you sick. Use colored plates if you want to eat less white bread or rice and satisfy that sweet tooth with natural sugars in fruit instead of candy. Source Link 

Shoveling snow can be safer if you follow these tips. Be sure to take breaks while clearing a driveway or sidewalk and try to push snow instead of lifting or throwing it. Just two minutes of shoveling snow can increase your pulse and blood pressure to the highest rates of a treadmill test and hundreds of people die each year from heart attacks after shoveling snow. Source Link 

January 25, 2022

 You don’t need an evening class or an online course to become a more valuable employee. Focus on improving communications with the careful crafting of emails and overall attention to detail. Get more organized by using to-do apps or keeping your work area cleaner. And be a team player by reaching out to co-workers to help them when you can. Source Link 

Can going without a coat in winter make you sick? Viruses may survive and reproduce more easily in the cold, dry air of winter and when your nose is cold it’s easier for those viruses to grow in nasal passages. But feeling cold doesn’t cause a cold and your best defense is wearing a face mask along with that parka. Source Link

Natural disasters strike in every season and being prepared year-round can help when the worst happens. Have a supply of shelf-stable food and water, along with a flashlight with fresh batteries. You’ll also want some cash in case ATM’s and credit card readers are down. Create a folder with copies of insurance policies and ID’s and pack a whistle to attract help. Source Link

January 24, 2022

 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 

You want them to stay tasty but is there a right way to store tomatoes? Probably not. Researchers used a group of expert taste testers to try tomatoes that were stored in the refrigerator or on a kitchen counter. There wasn’t a real difference in flavor but tomatoes will taste better when stored for a shorter amount of time. Source Link 

Are you guilty of any of these common mistakes when handling your money? You build up a rainy day fund but neglect to budget for retirement savings or you buy food in bulk only to throw half of it away. Or maybe you use a store credit card for a discount on purchases but then make a minimum payment and get hit with high finance charges. Source Link 

January 21, 2022

 You can step off, speed up or dive into a new exercise plan. Start by scheduling a daily walk and find other ways to take more steps each day. You can also pick up the pace with things like house cleaning to make it more of a workout or take a water fitness class that lets you exercise with less resistance. Source Link 

You can clean your house like a pro, but are you making some of these rookie mistakes? Don’t use the same cleaning rag throughout the home. Instead, have one for each room. Feather dusters spread dust around and a microfiber cloth with cleaning solution is a better choice. And work from the highest points down so dirt doesn’t fall back on your clean spots. Source Link 

Getting kids in the habit of doing chores starts early. Toddlers can learn by helping to put away toys and books or put dirty clothes in a hamper. Preschoolers can make a bed on their own or help clear the dinner table. And by the age of six many kids can feed pets and help pull weeds and water plants. Source Link 

January 20, 2022

 Why is chicken noodle soup a superfood for when you’re sick? The clear warm broth hydrates and can soothe a sore throat and those noodles provide carbs to fuel your body. Chicken is high in protein and vegetables like carrots, celery and onions are rich in vitamins and minerals that boost immunity and help with digestion. Source Link 

Having a cell phone can take a big chunk out of your budget but there are ways to save money. Most carriers offer a discount for paperless billing and autopay and you could skip the insurance and buy a good phone case instead. And ask yourself if you really need a phone priced over $1,000 when a mid-range model will do, or look for a pre-owned phone for even more savings. Source Link

Beating bad habits takes some planning. 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 

January 19, 2022

 Peanuts and potato chips might be a tasty nighttime snack but your bladder would beg to differ. In a study, people who cut down on salt had half the number of nighttime trips to the bathroom. Those who consumed more salt had twice the average in overnight potty breaks. Source Link 

When you’re overweight you might avoid seeing your body in a mirror but that may be one way to help you lose those extra pounds. Researchers found that looking in the mirror encouraged overweight people to engage in more healthy activities. They say looking at your reflection seems to reduce anxiety and body dissatisfaction, while improving self-awareness. Source Link

It’s not brain surgery and you don’t need to be a rocket scientist to have top intelligence. In fact, a study found that neurosurgeons were below average in memory recall speed. Overall, aerospace engineers and neurosurgeons were equally matched with others in most measures of brain power. Source Link 

January 18, 2022

 Sunlight is an important wake-up call for your body. Getting 15 to 30 minutes exposure to sunlight in the morning and in the afternoon without sunglasses is recommended. In one study, those who worked near a window all day tended to sleep longer and better. Source Link 

With the Big Game coming up and more TV’s being sold, it’s a good time to remind everyone about furniture safety in homes with young children. Be sure to use an anti-tip-over kit to secure the TV to a wall so it can’t be pulled down onto a curious child. The same is true for dressers or any furniture that a child could climb. Source Link 

Here’s a pop quiz - what’s the value of everything in your home? It’s a good idea to document your belongings room-by-room and your smartphone can make the job easier. Take a video of each room that you can pause to make note of everything that’s there. You should also have individual photos of big-ticket items like electronics. Source Link 

January 17, 2022

 You can make life at the keyboard easier by avoiding these common computer mistakes. Keeping tabs and windows open that you're not using can slow down computer performance and the same is true if you have a lot of programs that run at startup. And remember that the fastest fix for a problem is often a simple reboot of your computer. Source Link 

Separation anxiety is common for pets and there are ways to ease those meltdowns. If the anxiety starts when you grab the keys, do it a few minutes before you leave and they’ll learn to relax. Or you can distract your pet with a treat stashed inside a play toy that will keep them occupied when you head out the door. Source Link 

We think about spices as something that can turn up the heat in food but they might also dial down inflammation in the body. Testing has shown that heavy meals prepared with a combination of spices such as ginger, thyme, oregano, cinnamon, red pepper, cumin, rosemary and basil triggered a lower inflammatory response in the body. Source Link 

January 14, 2022

 How can you know if you’re having a “silent” heart attack that happens without any of the typical symptoms? A silent heart attack may include indigestion, feeling like you have a strained muscle in the chest or upper back, or prolonged, excessive fatigue. Diagnosis after the fact is important because having a silent heart attack increases the risk of heart failure. Source Link 

Tin foil isn’t just for cooking or leftovers. Fold a 12-inch long sheet of heavy-duty tin foil into six layers and cut with a pair of scissors to sharpen them or line an ironing board cover with tin foil to press both sides of an item at the same time. And a ball of crumpled tin foil can be used with soap and water to scrub burnt-on food from pots and pans. Source Link 

When it comes to eating, size and speed are two factors that could have you tipping the scales even more. In a study, people who were given more food ate as much as 43% more when the portion size was increased by 75%. And those who ate faster or took bigger bites also tended to eat more food. Source Link

January 13, 2022

 What does it cost to build a beginner’s home gym? How about less than $100? Start with a good mat for floor work like yoga, Pilates, ab exercises and push-ups. Get a stability ball for balance work and crunches. And for strength training, pick up a resistance band and a set of hand weights. Source Link 

They’re dark purple and wrinkled and could be the perfect snack when you’re watching your weight. In one study, eating prunes helped people control appetite better to consume fewer calories and lose more weight. Nutrient-rich prunes may be better than other snacks because they can make you feel full faster. Source Link 

When it’s time to clean up your act on that laptop make sure you have the right tools to get rid of the grime. Start with short sprays of canned air to blast away crumbs or dirt in the keyboard and any dust that’s blocking the cooling vents. Then use a dry microfiber cloth to remove smudges from the screen and add a bit of water to that cloth to wipe down the case. Source Link 

January 12, 2022

 One important part of a good night’s sleep needs to be replaced every year or two. A pillow past its prime loses firmness and that can cause neck and shoulder pain. To test yours, hold out your arm and drape the pillow across it. If it hangs down on each side, it’s time for a new one. Source Link 

It isn’t just big loud noises that can frighten a pet. The everyday beeps and rings in your home can upset them and many pet owners misread the signs of this fear as playfulness. You can take steps to help them by changing out batteries in items such as smoke detectors more often and removing your pet from a room where loud noises often occur. Source Link 

Don’t depend on kitchen tools when you’re doling out liquid medicine. A dinner spoon or measuring set for cooking won’t be as accurate. Always use a measuring teaspoon or syringe that’s made for dispensing medicine and never try to guess at the right amount by eyeballing it. Source Link 

January 11, 2022

 Try these tips when your New Year’s resolution is to spend more wisely. Drop a premium cable channel or streaming service you don’t watch anymore, or eat dinner at home one more time per week or brown-bag your lunch one day a week. And look for used clothing, games, books or sports equipment before you buy new. Source Link 

If you’re waiting a long time to warm up your car before driving in cold weather, you’re wasting time and could be harming your vehicle. Waiting 30 seconds before driving is all that today’s cars need. Idling longer wastes gas and puts extra fuel into the combustion chamber, which can get into your cylinder walls. Source Link 

Meal delivery or takeout can be a convenient alternative when you want a night off from cooking but making healthy choices from an online menu can be a challenge. Avoid items that have the words “fried,” “crispy,” “creamy” or “breaded” in the name and tend to be high in saturated fat. Instead, look for terms like “baked,” “grilled,” “roasted,” and “steamed.” Source Link 

January 10, 2022

 If you need a fast budget overhaul try compiling a financial report card. Separate your living expenses into two groups -- “need to have” and “nice to have” -- and cut as many of the “nice to have” expenses as possible. Focus on essentials like your mortgage, utilities, groceries, and car payments and look for savings in internet and phone plans, cable service and subscriptions. Source Link 

You can accurately track your blood pressure at home with the right equipment and techniques. Use a device that measures with a cuff on the upper arm and don’t smoke, drink caffeinated beverages or exercise within 30 minutes before taking a reading. Sit quietly for about five minutes beforehand and be sure to have an empty bladder for the most accurate reading. Source Link 

Your car’s key fob may do a lot more than unlocking the doors and trunk. Many have a feature to roll down all of the windows at once or fold in your side mirrors. And if you park your car outside you can have the fob nearby at night and use the panic button to sound the horn to scare off any home intruders. Source Link 

January 7, 2022

 Few people look forward to jury duty and scammers are using that to try to cheat you. Victims get a phone call saying they’re up for jury duty that day but can avoid it by paying a fee. Real jury duty issues are handled by mail and no court threatens you with imminent arrest. If you get such a call, hang up and call the court directly to confirm that there’s a problem. Source Link 

There’s no upside to sharing your bed with your baby. A study found that bed-sharing did nothing to boost mother-infant bonding and increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome, even when parents are careful. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends room-sharing with an infant but not bed-sharing. Source Link 

You can protect your pet from fleas and ticks using pills, chews, collars, sprays, dips, shampoos, powders and liquid products, but which one is right for your dog or cat? Get your veterinarian’s advice before using any product, especially for weak, old, medicated, sick, pregnant or nursing pets. And don’t use flea and tick control on kittens or puppies unless the label says it’s made for them. Source Link 

January 6, 2022

 Doctors have some New Year's resolutions that could see you through the year 2022 and beyond. The American Medical Association suggests that you resolve to learn your risk for type-2 diabetes, know your blood pressure and take antibiotics exactly as described. You can also pledge to eat less processed food and learn how to manage stres. Source Link 

If you use flameless battery-powered candles in a home with young children watch out for this safety risk. The tiny button batteries that power those candles can be swallowed and cause internal injuries. Some flameless candles are packaged with loose batteries and others have battery compartments that can be easily opened by small hands. Source Link 

With more people shopping online, more scammers are trying to steal from you. It’s a red flag if you’re unfamiliar with a company and its ad shows up in your social media feed, and a super-low price might get you a counterfeit or pirated product. You can check out unfamiliar websites with review services at bbb.org or ScamAdvisor.com. Source Link 

January 5, 2022

 If joining a gym to get in shape is one of your New Year’s resolutions, be sure to have the best deal for your exercise dollars. Always get a one-day or one-week free trial before you become a member and ask for one free training session. And beware of the smoothie bar because they’re usually overpriced and have lots more calories than you need after a workout. Source Link 

When should small children go without a coat in winter? When they’re in a car seat. Puffy coats or snowsuits can flatten on impact during an accident and loosen the seat straps so that your child slips out. Dress children in layers and use a blanket or coat over the car seat after they’re safely strapped in. Source Link 

Keeping a loved one with dementia safe means thinking about meals, wheels, bills and pills. Plan meals that don’t require using an oven or stove and keep them from driving but arrange other dependable transportation. Monitor finances to ensure they pay their bills and don’t fall victim to a scam and manage medications with a pillbox that can prevent accidental overdosing. Source Link 

January 4, 2022

 This winter driving tip is simple and effective – look where you want to go rather than watching the bumper of the car ahead. Looking at a spot in the middle of the lane ahead gives you more reaction time. Your peripheral vision will still catch any unexpected braking or road debris. Source Link

These days, not picking up the phone won’t stop debt collectors from trying to contact you. They can also text, email or send you a direct message via social media. You can opt out of texts and emails and contact through social media is not allowed in a public post. Debt collectors are also limited to seven calls per week. Source Link

Why should you skip the tablet and grab a book when reading to your toddler? Testing showed that young children paid more attention to parents when sharing a paper book and were less likely to act out. Holding a real book was less distracting than using a screen that may encourage a child to play with it. Source Link

January 3, 2022

 There are some simple steps you can take to avoid becoming a victim of online scammers. Beware of opening document files attached to emails that might include hidden hacker code and keep your router’s firmware updated for the latest protections. And consider using a virtual credit card that generates a one-time-use number for every online purchase. Source Link 

Think your email account may have been hacked? Check your “Sent” and “Drafts” folders for emails you didn’t write and search for terms like “password reset” in your emails for changes you didn’t make. And look at your read emails to see if any of these are ones that you haven’t opened. Source Link 

What goes into picking a safe PIN? Avoid your birth date, a year in the 1900s, or an obvious numerical sequence. You can go with the birthday of a close friend, the date of your favorite holiday, or the current time and change your PIN periodically, especially when you hear about a data breach. Source Link