August 31, 2022

 Cleaning up after your dog does their business can be easier with these tips. Save those fast food cardboard French fry boxes because they make great disposable poop scoopers when you walk the dog. Or spread non-toxic squirrel repellent on the parts of your yard that you don’t want your dog to use as a bathroom. Source Link_ 

If you’re a night owl, you may be prone to what researchers are calling “midnight mind.” The wee hours are when the brain is tuned for sleep and that makes it more difficult to manage behavioral problems like unhealthy eating, overthinking and obsession, risk-taking and even substance abuse that can happen when we’re up late. Source Link_ 

Amazon will help you recycle small consumer electronics for free instead of tossing them in the trash. Any brand of cellphone, e-reader, tablet, chargers, cables, keyboards, mice, and even video game consoles are on the list of accepted items. You provide a box and Amazon gives you a free shipping label for drop-off at any UPS Store. Source Link_

August 30, 2022

 When you’ve forgotten the phone charger on vacation, turn on the TV. The USB port on many hotel room TVs can double as a charging station, but it will be slower. The better solution is to buy a separate charger that’s kept in your suitcase so you never forget to pack one. Source Link 

Need a reason to switch to automatic bill payment? How about this -- missed payments are the number-one reason why a credit score can drop. And while you’re setting up those automatic payments, take a moment to check your credit report because mistakes there can also damage your credit score. Source Link 

You can make a long weekend feel like a real vacation. Plan ahead for what you want to see and do so you don’t waste time making choices and try something new rather than that same short trip. Don’t check email or do any work for your job and unplug from social media to focus on what’s happening now. Source Link 

August 29, 2022

 Powering down a computer and restarting it can fix many performance problems but be sure to do it the right way. Don’t hold down the Power button; select the restart option on the Power icon from the Start menu on a PC. If you’re a Mac user, select the Apple icon in the top left corner and press restart. Source Link

Older Americans may need a refresher on using antibiotics safely. A survey found one-third of respondents mistakenly thought that antibiotics could effectively treat colds or the flu. Of those who had leftover antibiotics about two-thirds saved them for use later. You should always see a doctor and get a new antibiotic prescription if it’s needed. Source Link

Keeping your kitchen healthy takes more than tossing out the mystery leftovers in the back of the fridge. You should change your cleaning sponge often because even microwaving it won’t kill all of the germs. And throw away a cutting board that has lots of cracks where bacteria can survive a good cleaning. Source Link 

August 26, 2022

 Not everything in a thrift store is a smart buy. Do pick up cheap sweaters because you’ll save big on retail prices for something you might wear a few months of the year. Don’t buy shoes that may have stretched out to the former owner’s foot shape and could be uncomfortable. Bargain hunt for baby clothes but avoid used toys that may not conform to safety standards. Source Link 

To start a good conversation with someone new, avoid questions like, “What do you do?” or “Where are you from?” Instead, get them talking with an opener like, “What’s your story?” or “What makes you smile when you get up in the morning?” or “What’s the most important thing I should know about you?” The goal is to make the conversation about the other person. Source Link 

For better self-esteem, look for ways to build on your strengths instead of just fixing the weaknesses. Discover what skills make you feel best about yourself and find activities to stimulate that. If it’s critical thinking, go to lectures or take a class. Creatives can start a new project and or you can strengthen perseverance by taking on a new responsibility on a short timetable. Source Link 

August 25, 2022

 Less light near bedtime can mean more sleep for kids. Exposure to bright light can short-circuit the hormones that help you sleep, so keep room lighting dim during a bedtime story or when preparing children to go to sleep. Keep hallway and bathroom lighting dim and shut off any devices with screens at least one hour before bedtime. Source Link 

Here are some ways you can be a five-star hotel guest. It’s customary to tip your housekeepers based on the cost of your room, starting at a dollar a day. And keep your cool with the front desk when there’s a problem because yelling won’t help. Ask for assistance before you fire off a scathing online review because most issues can be resolved quickly. Source Link 

If there’s a long-term caregiver in your life, you can support them in several ways. Financial aid can be a GoFundMe page, help with paying rent or a car loan, or a gift card. You can handle day-to-day tasks for them like cooking and cleaning, or give the gift of listening to hear their concerns without judgment or interruption. Source Link 

August 24, 2022

 Could a $25 security gadget that fits on a key ring prevent your Gmail or Facebook account from being hacked? The YubiKey plugs into your computer like a thumb drive and must be in place for you to use these services. No one can impersonate you if they don’t have the YubiKey device that’s linked to your account. Source Link 

There are ways to spot “shrinkflation” when food companies give you a little less but for the same price. Focus on cost per ounce or number of items in a package, like paper towel sheets. Don’t be fooled by labeling like, “new and improved” or “family-size” and be willing to shop for sales at other stores or switch to store brands to get the most from your grocery dollar. Source Link_

The school lunch menu has some changes as kids go back to classes. Look for more whole grains and less sodium in dishes, while keeping flavored low-fat milk that was to have been phased out this year. And those “free school lunches for all” that came with the COVID pandemic will now be free only for those who qualify based on family income. Source Link

August 23, 2022

 The world of Google apps is a lot more than Gmail, Search and Maps. Google Arts & Culture can show you the world’s greatest works and turn your selfies into the look of famous classics. Google Lens uses your camera to translate text on any object, sign or label into another language. And Sound Amplifier can fine-tune your earbuds or headphones for world-class listening. Source Link_

You can give up that fight with your elementary schooler over daily showers or baths. Health experts say most kids between 6 and 11 years old only need a bath or shower a few times a week. The exceptions are when they’re really dirty, develop body odor or have been swimming in a lake or ocean. Source Link

A simple flip of a switch may save you from being hacked at home. Turn off your computer when it’s not in use and do the same with your router, which should be located in a central part of your home and further away from the street where someone might cruise by looking for home networks to invade. Source Link 

August 22, 2022

Does it seem like you’ll never be able to tame that overflowing Camera Roll or Photo Gallery on your phone? Try tackling it one day at a time. Sort through one day, one week or one month of photos while you’re watching TV or turn on your favorite podcast and sort pictures until you finish an episode. Source Link 

Bubbly water might be a good alternative to sugary soda, but is it healthy? Sparkling water or carbonated beverages without added sugar or other artificial ingredients can be a good choice but sparkling water that’s not natural does have acids that can erode your teeth. And be mindful about drinking sparkling water with a meal rather than by itself. Source Link 

Want a “set it and forget it” way to invest in your retirement account? Aim for a target. Most plans let you choose a target-date fund that’s pegged for the year you expect to retire. Your target fund is adjusted annually to the proper mix of stocks and bonds to give you the best returns now and safety from major losses as you get closer to retirement. Source Link  

August 19, 2022

 When you need time away from your phone, use these built-in settings to help you disconnect. On an iPhone, turn on the Screen Time setting, select apps and add Downtime periods for every day or a custom schedule. On an Android phone, you can do the same with Digital Wellbeing to set how much time you can spend in an app. Source Link

How can you speed up your metabolism to burn more calories? Evenly-spaced meals let your body avoid the starvation mode that stockpiles calories and staying hydrated helps you burn more calories. Watch alcohol intake because it diverts the liver from burning fat and get enough sleep to regulate the hormones that affect hunger. Source Link 

A favorite household cleaner can also stop hard water stains in your dishwasher. Put a cup of white vinegar in a dishwasher-safe bowl on the top rack for each load to prevent stains. You can also use vinegar the same way with a cup in the top rack to clean an empty dishwasher while running a hot water cycle. Source Link

August 18, 2022

 You’re buying home security cameras, but where should they go? Install cameras at your ground-level doors inside and out, high in the corner of a room and high up outdoors for the best look at any intruders. And don’t worry about hiding them because seeing a security camera could be a great deterrent for a thief. Source Link_ 

Setting new goals can help you stay on-track for lifelong fitness. Identify an area that needs work, like cardio endurance or flexibility, and focus on that. You could master an activity that’s new to you, like running, swimming or cycling, or exercise for a good cause by signing-up for an event like a 5K run or a bike ride for charity. Source Link 

Finding the right financial planner starts with determining what help you need. Is it specific to one area, like taxes, investments or retirement planning, or every aspect of your finances? Then interview them to ask about their typical client, their approach to helping clients, what technology they use, and how they earn money from the services they provide. Source Link_

August 17, 2022

 Lip and tongue piercings may do more than change the look of your mouth. Researchers found that many people with oral piercings had deep pockets and gaps around their teeth and receding and bleeding gums. About 5 percent of young people have oral piercings and four out of five of them are women. Source Link_

Here’s how to create the only password you’ll ever need to remember. Write down four words – a color, a name but not yours, a place and a day of the week. Add some capital letters and one number and a special character. Practice remembering it once a day and make this your master password for a manager app that creates unique passwords for every account. Source Link_ 

Keeping your kitchen healthy means more than tossing out those mystery leftovers in the back of the fridge. You should change your cleaning sponge often because even microwaving it won’t kill all of the germs. And throw away a cutting board that has lots of cracks where bacteria can survive a good cleaning. Source Link 

August 16, 2022

Try these exercises when you’re looking for an easy, affordable and effective plan. Yoga and Pilates can improve physical and mental health at any age. And these low-impact exercises can be done at home for free without needing any equipment. Source Link 

Here’s how to pick a seat on an airline flight with better odds to stretch out with no one right next to you. Solo flyers should choose an aisle or window seat in the back of the plane because that’s where middle seats are often left empty. If you're traveling as a couple, pick the window and aisle seats to increase the chance of having an empty seat between you. Source Link 

Inflation might make it cheaper to dine out than cook that meal at home. Restaurants can buy food products wholesale and lock in lower prices through long-term contracts and that means less inflationary pressure on menu prices. Inflation at the grocery store is running about 50 percent higher than the increased cost of eating away from home. Source Link_

August 15, 2022

 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 

August 12, 2022

 There’s a simple way to remember when to add recipients to an email with a “CC” or a “BCC.” If everyone knows each other it’s okay to use a “CC” that shows all of the email addresses. If you’d rather keep those addresses private and not shared with other recipients you should use a “BCC.” Source Link 

Before you quit your job, consider some key questions beyond the basics about wages and benefits. Is the workload manageable and sustainable? Do you have a trusted community at work? How have you tried to make the job better and how does all of this fit into your life? And keep in mind that a job change isn’t always the way to happiness. Source Link 

Cutting the salt in your diet is easier said than done, but what if a single kind of spice could help? Researchers working with older adults found that adding a small amount of chipotle seasoning made it hard to tell the difference between high-sodium and low-sodium meals. Adding other spices such as basil, garlic powder and black pepper didn’t work as well. Source Link 

August 11, 2022

 Planning ahead can help you put the brakes on emotional eating. Keep a food journal to understand what triggers the binge and be prepared with healthy snacks. You can also exercise, enjoy your favorite TV show or talk to someone instead of reaching for extra calories to help you cope. Source Link 

If you’re prone to dialing calls with your derriere, you might blame it on the voice that lives in your smartphone. Using helpers like Siri or Google Assistant can make a butt dial more likely, so check the sensitivity settings. And always turn on your lock screen by hitting the power/sleep/wake button before you slip that phone into your hip pocket. Source Link 

The latest infant sleep guidelines could be a lifesaver. The nation’s pediatricians say babies should sleep on their backs on a flat surface and never in bed with mom or dad. Parents should keep soft toys, pillows, blankets or other bedding out of a crib or bassinet and not rely on special baby monitors to prevent sudden infant death syndrome. Source Link _

August 10, 2022

 There are some telltale signs that you might be a victim of identity theft. If a merchant refuses your check or that monthly bill you’re expecting never comes in the mail, or you get a new credit card you didn’t apply for, your personal information may be compromised. The best defense is to always keep a close eye on bank statements and bills. Source Link 

Try this tip to take the hassle out of packing your own food for an airline flight. Remove the food from carry-on bags and place it in a plastic bin for security scanning. This can speed up the screening process because the food items are easier to identify outside your bag. Source Link 

You might be wasting your money if you’re a big fan of taking vitamins. A government preventative medicine task force found that a daily multivitamin may slightly reduce cancer risk but there’s not enough evidence to say that supplements can help prevent heart disease or cancer. And beta carotene supplements may increase the risk of lung cancer and heart disease. Source Link 

August 9, 2022

The dog days of summer are a good time for a refresher on skin safety in the sun. Wear a sunscreen with SPF 30 or above and reapply every two hours when outdoors. Avoid the sun during peak mid-day hours and wear a hat that covers your face. And keep a sun shirt or jacket in your car for protection if you suddenly decide to spend time outdoors. Source Link 

Canceled flights are becoming the new normal, but what are you owed if you’re left at the gate? You’re entitled to a full refund if you choose not to rebook a canceled flight. A significant delay, like six hours or more could also entitle you to a full refund, but not if you accept any airline compensation and proceed with your trip. Source Link 

The garbage can is not the place to put coffee grounds because they can be used in many ways. Coffee grounds in an open jar can deodorize a fridge or a gym bag when tied up in a sock. Coffee grounds can scrub off caked-on food in pots and pans, and you can use them in the garden as fertilizer or to attract worms to make healthier soil. Source Link

August 8, 2022

  You’re trying to keep your home clean but don’t do it this way. That cutting board should be soaked in a bleach solution and not washed with soap and using a dry rag for dusting just spreads dirt into the air. Follow the grain on stainless steel to remove smudges for good and don’t wash windows on a sunny day because the cleaner dries quickly and leaves streaks. Source Link 

The plumbing aisle at the home store has a product that does some DIY magic. A split piece of foam pipe insulation can corral a tangle of power cords under a desk or baby-proof the edge of a coffee table. And a short piece of pipe insulation can plug that gap between the seat and the center console in your car to keep keys and other things from dropping through. Source Link 

Getting the best price on a prescription takes some planning and a bit of research. Always ask your doctor if there’s a generic or cheaper alternative to a pricey brand-name drug and then use a website like WellRX.com or GoodRX.com to compare pharmacy prices and find discounts. You can also look into a patient assistance program from the drug maker to lower the cost. Source Link 

August 5, 2022

  You can get a lot of housework done with just 60 seconds of effort. In one minute you could freshen a smelly sink by putting lemon peels through the garbage disposal or wipe down door handles and light switches. Take a minute to declutter a coffee table; refold clothes in a messy drawer to make more room, or quickly clean dirt and crumbs from furniture using a lint roller. Source Link 

A new scam has authorities warning you to keep track of your credit report. It’s called “credit parking” when bad collection agencies put a fake past-due bill in your name hoping you’ll pay it to restore good credit. Check your credit reports regularly and always before you apply for a job or look for a loan to clear inaccurate information before it causes problems. Source Link 

You hate getting them but resist the urge to type “Stop” or hit the “unsubscribe” link on those junk texts and emails. Doing this tells spammers that your phone number or email address is active and ready for more bogus offers. The best move is to report a text or email as spam and then delete it without responding. Source Link 

August 4, 2022

  Taking a midday nap can be a smart choice and not just because you get more rest. A study found that napping in the afternoon may actually boost mental agility. But it needs to be a conscious effort to sleep because people who dozed off in the afternoon from being tired didn’t see the same benefits as those intentional nappers. Source Link 

The best tool to chart the progress of your weight loss plan may not be that bathroom scale. Use a tape measure to track your waist size or try on a tight pair of pants every two weeks to know if you’re dropping pounds. If you do use the scale make it a weekly weigh-in on Friday morning because most people eat more on the weekend. Source Link 

Hand sanitizer can do more than disinfect your digits. It can clean silver or eyeglasses, remove hairspray from a mirror; substitute for deodorant or work as a dry shampoo; pretreat stains on clothing and clean your mouse and keyboard. And putting hand sanitizer over the sticky ends of a band aid makes it come off painlessly. Source Link 

August 3, 2022

  If there’s something in your life that you want to try, commit to a month of doing it every day. That could be starting a new hobby or something practical like putting things away after you use them or cleaning one drawer, rack or shelf each day. Making a 30-day pledge means there’s an end date in sight and performing an activity day after day builds a good habit. Source Link 

It could be the $100,000 answer -- how can good grades in high school pay off for your child? Many colleges offer merit scholarships based on grade point average and in some cases that can be a $25,000 a year discount on tuition. The best time to talk to your child about maintaining a high GPA is the summer after 8th grade and before they start high school. Source Link 

Want to reduce the stress that comes from having too many things to choose from in your closet? Try working with just a handful. Whatever it is, having lots of choices can make you less happy because the decision-making is stressful. Instead, pare down your choices to three or four and give away the rest. Source Link

August 2, 2022

  The diet you need may mean cutting the fat out of your household budget and building more financial muscle. Start with a detox to quickly pay off new debt, then add good habits like avoiding impulse online purchases. And begin regular workouts to automate your savings and contribute the maximum to retirement accounts. Source Link 

Burning 300 more calories with exercise can help in a healthy eating plan, but what does it take to do that? Try 27 minutes of running, 33 minutes of yoga or a 44-minute bike ride. Clean the house for two hours, walk 18 holes on a golf course, run the stairs for 18 minutes, or play pickup basketball for a half-hour. Source Link 

Looking for alternatives to the all-seeing eye of Google? Switch your search engine to DuckDuckGo or Dogpile and browse with Mozilla Firefox or Brave. Start messaging with Signal, try alternative email services like Mailfence or Proton Mail and browse YouTube videos without leaving a trail by using Hooktube. Source Link 

August 1, 2022

  When you want to commit something to memory, try doing nothing. Studies have shown that a 10 to 15 minute break after a learning session helped people retain information better. But the break time must be just that -- a complete break from thinking -- so no doing errands, checking emails or surfing the web. Source Link 

Are you guilty of these bad habits when cooking on a stove? You fill a pan to brimming and don’t give ingredients room to breathe and cook properly. You don’t fully preheat a pan before using it or use a non-stick pan to sear or consistently cook foods. Or you move your food around too much while cooking and it doesn’t have time to develop a better texture and flavor. Source Link

How can you give your brain a boost in just 15 minutes? Lace up some comfortable shoes and step out. Researchers found that a quick, light jog can leave you feeling more energetic, lift your spirits and make your thinking more effective. Compared to simply resting, movement can improve your mood and brain function. Source Link