February 28, 2023

You can de-clutter your life by remembering the three Ps -- paper, phone and purge. Toss paper records more than a year old but keep financial files for seven years and sign-up for paperless billing. Put phone apps in folders by category and leave only a handful of favorites on the home screen, and purge your home of stuff you don’t need by donating, selling or tossing it. Source Link 

Most people wouldn’t brush with a good burgundy, but researchers say the antioxidants in wine can prevent bacteria from sticking to the gums. That’s what causes plaque, cavities and gum disease. And that same bacteria can enter your bloodstream to increase the risk of heart disease. Source Link 

What can you do with an old USB stick? Load it with portable applications that can be used on any PC without installing them. Create a rescue kit with apps that find malware or help recover from common computer problems. You can even load a complete portable operating system onto a thumb drive that can be used without needing to change a computer’s current setup. Source Link_

February 27, 2023

 Why not buy name brand items on Amazon? Because it’s often a bad deal. Costco’s Kirkland brand, along with Ikea and Trader Joe’s products are often marked up in price by Amazon resellers, and some may even be counterfeits. You can buy many name brand products from retailers directly online and skip the Amazon up-charge. Source Link 

Letting your toothbrush air dry is how you keep it clean at home, but that’s not always possible while on vacation. The solution can be using a resealable plastic bag that keeps your toothbrush separate from everything else in the luggage. When you get to your next destination, open the bag and let your brush air dry. Source Link 

Every 11 seconds, an elderly American suffers a fall. To reduce your risk, talk to your doctor and review medications that can make a fall more likely. Have your vision and hearing checked once a year because these can affect balance; remove home hazards like loose rugs and add grab bars in the bathroom, and find an exercise program that helps build your stability. Source Link 

February 24, 2023

 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 

Cleaning your glasses isn’t something you should do with a shirt tail or sleeve. Cloth, paper towels, napkins, tissues and toilet paper can scratch lenses. Use a microfiber cloth, but skip the household glass cleaner and your hot breath which can damage lenses or make those smudges worse. Plain water or a lens cleaning spray will do the best job. Source Link 

Many people will agree that flying these days can bring you to tears, and it’s not just the stress of it all. The air pressure inside a plane at cruising altitude is similar to when you’re a mile or more above sea level. That reduces the oxygen in your blood and combined with the effects of dry air can heighten emotions and make it more likely you’ll cry during that sad in-flight movie. Source Link

February 23, 2023

 What can you do when your phone battery never makes it through the day? You’ll save power by reviewing Location Services to limit apps that can use GPS and by turning off background refresh for apps that don’t need it. You can also conserve your battery by disabling push notifications for email, Facebook and Twitter. Source Link 

When you’re aiming to reorganize and reduce the stuff in your home, don't purchase these things before you purge. Baskets, bins and dividers are great for organization but don't buy new ones until after you've sorted. Otherwise, you'll find yourself filling those new containers with things that should be going. Source Link_

You're hearing a song you can’t get out of your head -- and you’re not alone. Nine out of 10 people say they often have “earworm” songs playing on endless repeat. Researchers think earworms are triggered by experiences that connect you to the song. The remedy may be finding a mentally demanding task that keeps your brain busy. Source Link

February 22, 2023

 Here’s a quick list of familiar food myths. All fat is not bad, canned and frozen fruits and vegetables can be just as nutritious as fresh, plant-based milks are not more healthy than cow’s milk, and eating soy-based foods will not increase the risk of breast cancer. And roasted, baked or air-fried white potatoes eaten with the skin on are a healthy, affordable food. Source Link_

You don’t need to have a little one at home to put baby wipes to good use. They’re great for cleaning computer keyboards, removing makeup and wiping away excess nail polish, cleaning switch plates, removing latex paint from your hands, and cleaning stains from clothing and carpet.. A baby wipe can even sub for a Swiffer sheet the next time you sweep. Source Link_

Could people who suffer with anxiety and depression get a boost by being kind to others? Those who started adding small acts of kindness into their day showed an improvement in symptoms and better feelings of social connection. Being kind to others may help people with mental health symptoms stop being preoccupied with suffering. Source Link_

February 21, 2023

 You want a snack but don’t want all those calories? You can stay under 100 calories with a salty treat like 2 tablespoons of guacamole and 5 tortilla chips, or get some crunch with 3 cups of air-popped popcorn. Satisfy a sweet tooth with 2 tablespoons of frozen yogurt sandwiched between 2 graham crackers or get tart with 6 ounces of no-fat lemon yogurt. Source Link

Your dishwasher needs some help getting things clean and the solution may be in the soft drink aisle at the grocery store. A monthly acid bath using unsweetened powdered lemon Kool-Aid can help remove lime scale, soap scum and other stains. Put one package in each detergent cup and run the empty dishwasher for a complete cycle. Source Link_

It’s time to thin out the massive Camera Roll on your phone, but where do you start? Begin by ditching all of the multiples or mistake shots. Now review the rest and give each a quick “Yes” or “No” and send the losers to the trash bin. And don’t forget about pictures from previous phones that may be hanging around in your cloud storage account. Source Link_ 

February 20, 2023

 If it seems like you’re always hungry before bed, take a look back at what you ate earlier in the day. Skipping any meal may have your body coming up short by bedtime and meals without a mix of carbs, protein and fat won’t fuel you enough. If it’s just a craving, you can indulge yourself as long as you don’t eat too much and if it’s more than an hour before bedtime. Source Link 

Your garbage disposal isn’t made for all kinds of food scraps. Egg shells, onion skins, coffee grounds, potato peels, nuts and corn husks are some of the things that can make it past those blades and block a drain pipe. And run cold water while you grind because hot water can melt foods that might harden into a clog while in the disposal. Source Link 

Some small steps can stop the build-up of big clutter in your home. Wash dishes as soon as you use them . Sort mail as soon as you receive it and stand over the trash can to throw away the junk. Clean off countertops every night and pick one day a week when you’ll declutter a single drawer, kitchen cabinet, or closet shelf. Source Link

February 17, 2023

 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 

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 

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

February 16, 2023

 Here’s what you shouldn’t be doing when you create a password. Skip the pet’s names, sports teams, places you’ve lived and birth dates and don’t bother adding a “1” or an exclamation point to the end because those are easy for hackers to beat. A strong and long password would use the first letter of each word in a sentence and vary them between lower case and upper case. Source Link 

Resistance training can be an important part of any weight loss plan. It lowers the percentage of body fat in healthy adults and builds muscle that burns more than twice as many calories as fat does. Weightlifting also speeds up metabolism, improves testosterone levels for men and boosts bone density in women. Source Link_ 

More screen time for kids at age 2 can mean more problems with communication and daily living skills by age 4. That’s from researchers who say the wild card is more outdoor play time. Youngsters who spent more time playing outdoors improved their daily living skills but it didn’t alter the negative effects of screen time on communication skills. Source Link_ 

February 15, 2023

 Household dangers for pets go beyond that leftover chocolate bar and some kinds of flowers. Experts say a tiny Lego piece can also look like a treat to your dog but will be big trouble if he eats it. And be sure you don’t have any twist ties, rubber bands, cotton swabs or dental floss laying on the floor. Source Link 

Is it a bad habit or a secret to better comprehension? Doodling can keep your mind active when you’re listening to something that’s boring. In a study, people who doodled while hearing a boring phone message remembered 29 percent more than those who sat still and listened. Source Link_ 

You can cut clutter by identifying things you don't use and there’s an easy way to do that with a roll of masking tape. Put a piece of tape on each item and take it off the next time you use it. After six months, anything that still has tape on it probably can be sold, donated or recycled. Source Link_ 

February 14, 2023

 There are ways to stay safe when you’re exercising outdoors in winter. Let temperature and road conditions set your pace and try running at mid-day when it’s warmest. Use a heart rate monitor to watch for any cardiac stress and warm-up indoors before going out for a run. Source Link 

Giving a child an allowance can be the foundation for a lifetime of smart money management. Having their own money forces kids to think about how to spend it and learn the difference between needs and wants. And using an allowance for savings, donations and spending can teach self-reliance in kids. Source Link_

You should think twice before scanning a QR code with your phone. Scammers are using fake QR codes for rip-offs that range from bogus parking meter payments to fake online portals for bill payments and even romance scams. Always confirm that a QR code is legitimate before scanning it and avoid any that come in an email you weren’t expecting. Source Link_

February 13, 2023

If the fingerprint reader on your smartphone is a bit finicky, try this tip to improve performance. Most phones allow you to register more than one finger and you can use that to scan the same finger more than once. Having multiple scans of the same fingerprint can improve the performance of the sensor. Source Link

How can something that goes into the recycling bin help you save money on your water bill? If your home has older-style toilets with a full flush rather than low-flow, fill an empty gallon-sized milk jug with water and place it in the toilet tank. This will reduce the amount of water needed for each flush and cut your utility costs. Source Link

It’s one step that could save you from skin cancer. A full-body exam to look at all of your bumps, moles and birthmarks is the best way to find out which are benign and which might put you at-risk for skin cancer. But this isn’t a DIY job, so make an appointment with a dermatologist for the exam. Source Link

 

February 10, 2023

 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 

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_

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_

February 9, 2023

 Who says the tools to improve your health have to carry a price tag? Meditating to reduce stress and improve sleep doesn’t cost anything, and you’ll find plenty of free workout videos on YouTube. You can improve your mental health with a pen and paper by journaling and drinking free tap water instead of soda is more healthy and will save you money. Source Link 

Living like it’s the old days before we had cell phones might be a good way to deal with today’s distractions. Smartphones can interrupt you with constant notifications, so turn those off whenever possible. While you’re at it, put away that phone for occasional breaks throughout the day because just the sight of it can raise anxiety and prompt you to pick it up. Source Link_

To sleep or not to sleep – that’s the question on an airline flight. An overnight red-eye is a good time to sleep and watching a movie or listening to music can sometimes help you doze off. If you can sleep when you arrive, bring some work on the flight to occupy your brain. Either way, pack some good earplugs or noise-canceling headphones to reduce distractions. Source Link_

February 8, 2023

 Here’s how to be a power shopper at the thrift store. Check both the men’s and women’s sections because items can be placed incorrectly and pay attention to tags, dates and colors to find special sale prices. And give everything a second look in your cart on the way to the checkout to be sure you didn’t miss any damage. Source Link 

Daydreamers rejoice – that so-called bad habit might just be good for you. Giving your brain an occasional break has been shown to aid in problem-solving, boost creativity, improve learning, increase productivity and inspire you to be kinder to others. Just 2 to 5 minutes of daydreaming a day can help you recharge. Source Link_

This trick will help you cut clutter by managing the in's and out's of things in your home. With each new thing that comes to stay, you’ll get rid of one other thing. Having a designated “outbox” for the items you’ll donate or give away helps you keep the habit. Source Link_

February 7, 2023

You can ease travel anxiety by putting your hands to work. Channel nervous energy by knitting, coloring, doing needlepoint, writing letters or postcards, or journaling. You’ll use the time you’re spending in transit in a creative and fulfilling way that can make it feel less stressful. Source Link_

You might find your purpose in life with help from an Japanese practice. Ikigai focuses on four things – what you have a passion for, what you’re good at, what you do that the world needs, and what you can be paid for. The intersection of these four elements can reveal a path to more happiness for you and more service to others. Source Link_

Here’s a way to get to sleep faster -- make tomorrow’s to-do list tonight before you head off to bed. Testing showed that people who wrote a to-do list for the next day before bedtime were able to fall asleep more quickly. But researchers say the findings may not apply to those who suffer from true insomnia. Source Link 

February 6, 2023

 Here’s a one-two tip for better car maintenance and you don’t have to pop the hood to do it. First, be sure you read the owner’s manual to know the maintenance needs of your make and model. And while you have that manual open, learn the meaning of all those dashboard warning lights because some require immediate attention. Source Link 

How can you undo the damage when clothes are shrunk in the wash? Soak it for up to 30 minutes in a sink or tub with lukewarm water and a cupful of baby shampoo to loosen fibers. Gently squeeze the water from the clothing and lay it on a flat towel and roll it up and squeeze more. Place it on another dry towel and gently stretch back to preshrunk size and allow the item to air dry. Source Link 

It can be a challenge to save enough for a down payment on a home, so help yourself with a few well-placed pats on the back. Break up the total into smaller goals and reward yourself when you reach each one. If you need to save $30,000 total, consider treating yourself to a nice meal with every $5,000 saved. Source Link 

February 3, 2023

 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 

 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

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 

February 2, 2023

 Timing is everything if you listen to music as a part of studying. Researchers say listening to music before you start reading can help with recall. But listening to music while you study is a distraction, no matter what kind of tunes you prefer. Reading in silence helps your mind focus on comprehension. Source Link_ 

The air you breathe at home can affect your everyday health, so be sure it’s as clean as can be. House dust can be loaded with allergens and airborne chemicals, so dust and vacuum once a week with a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter. And use a fireplace sparingly because burning wood indoors can lead to serious respiratory problems. Source Link_

Your grammar school skills may help you spot an email scam. Misspellings of words or misplaced punctuation can be a tip-off and a misspelled email address from your bank or another business is a warning sign. And beware of an email that includes a link to update your personal information. Source Link 

February 1, 2023

 Follow this simple rule to reduce clutter in your home – touch it once. Clutter often comes from holding on to things that need action, so stand by the recycling bin with your handful of mail as you sort it or sign kid's permission slips as soon as they come. This can cut down on paper clutter and take-upstairs clutter. Source Link_ 

A few changes in what you buy can be good for the planet and save you money. Instead of single use plastic water bottles, sandwich baggies and straws, find non disposable products you can wash and reuse. Store documents in the cloud instead of printing them and send e-greeting cards to save money on paper cards and postage. Source Link_

Dry skin and winter go hand in hand but you can beat the itchy red attack with some simple steps. Use an ointment-based moisturizer with oils like a night cream that can create a protective layer on the skin and take shorter baths and showers in warm and not hot water. And don’t depend on your water bottle for help because drinking more water doesn’t hydrate your skin. Source Link