September 30, 2024

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 

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

September 27, 2024

 A pants hanger can double as a second set of hands when you’re whipping up a dish in the kitchen. Use the clips on the hanger to hold a recipe book open and then hang it from a cabinet handle. Now you can concentrate on your food creation without needing to juggle that recipe book. Source Link 

Contact lenses are convenient and safe to use when you follow these cleaning rules. Rub your contact lenses while cleaning them to loosen bacteria and protein build-up, never use water to clean contact lenses, and rinse the case and leave it open to air dry. And take a contact lens holiday by not wearing them for a few days if your eyes are irritated. Source Link 

A good reason to keep your phone on “Airplane Mode” during a flight has to do with what’s on the ground. When your phone is on, it’s constantly trying to connect to a cell tower and it passes over hundreds of them during a flight. This can bog down the cell network on the ground and drain your phone’s battery fast. Source Link

September 26, 2024

 Can an apple on grocery day keep the junk food away? A study found that eating an apple just before grocery shopping encouraged people to buy healthier foods. Experts say eating something healthy puts you in a better frame of mind to select healthier foods while grocery shopping. Source Link 

There’s an important difference between an allergic reaction and an adverse drug reaction. Things like diarrhea or stomach pain can be signs of an adverse drug reaction, but an allergic reaction may cause dizziness, hives, a rash, swelling of the lips or mouth or difficulty breathing. If that happens, call 9-1-1 or go to an emergency room right away. Source Link_

A top government intelligence agency has an important tip to keep your phone safe from hackers. The NSA says turn off your phone at least once a week to reset any unauthorized connections that were turned on by malware. Another tip is to turn off Bluetooth when you’re not using it to prevent another device from connecting to the phone without you knowing it. Source Link_

September 25, 2024

 Learning skills to manage money can be fun and games for kids. Playing games like Monopoly or chess can teach your child to plan ahead and play to win. And if there’s a Fortnite fan in your family, give them an allowance for in-game purchases to help them learn how to budget their spending. Source Link 

Your household cleaning can be chemical-free with things you may already have. Mix baking soda and vegetable oil into a paste to clean kitchen cabinets or use a handheld garment steamer to remove grease from a range hood. Or wet a K-cup water filter and place it in your fridge to get rid of unwanted odors. Source Link_

Keeping an eye out for behavioral clues might tell you if a younger child needs glasses. Becoming upset when watching a movie on a faraway screen or avoiding reading or other close-up work can be indications of vision problems. Frequent headaches, excessive eye rubbing and closing one eye to read can also be warning signs. Source Link_

September 24, 2024

 It’s a classic question -- should I leave my computer on 24-7? A daily shutdown could do more harm than good for an older computer because of the physical stress on components during a restart and hibernating causes more stress than sleeping. If you do a restart, be sure to follow the proper steps and don’t just switch the power off and on again. Source Link 

5 Smelly feet are no fun but there are some simple ways to avoid the odor. Battle stinky sweat by changing socks at least once a day and give your feet a chance to breathe without shoes whenever possible. And keep your feet clean and dry before you cover them with socks, shoes or slippers because trapped-in moisture helps odor-causing bacteria to flourish. Source Link 

6 Blurring the picture of your house on Google Maps may make it harder for criminals to case the place before a burglary. To do this, click on the photo of your house and then click on “report a problem” in the lower right corner. Then click on “request blurring,” select the option for “my home” and answer the questions on the page. Source Link

September 23, 2024

 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 

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 a 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

September 20, 2024

 You have two things to heat in the microwave and they both won’t fit on the tray, so think about cooking at a different level. Use a mason jar or other glass piece of kitchenware to prop up the second container of food and cook both together. Just remember that you’ll probably need to increase cooking time. Source Link 

Gut health is an important part of overall health and there are things you can do to keep that microbiome in good shape. Instead of popping a pill, eat foods that are rich in probiotics like plain yogurt, kimchi or sauerkraut. Get your daily quota of fiber and stay hydrated, and avoid ultra-processed foods with huge amounts of added sugar and sodium. Source Link 

Preparing to paint means taping off those edges for a neat job, but how do you keep from getting paint on something round like a doorknob? Wrap it in aluminum foil. It’s a snap to get a perfect fit and the foil can be removed easily after the paint has dried. Source Link

September 19, 2024

 It’s a twist on the old idea to beat sleeplessness by counting sheep. If you suffer from insomnia caused by stress, try counting every breath you take and count up as far as you can. Another technique to get back to sleep is to stare at a point on the wall until your eyelids get so heavy you have to close them. Source Link 

Putting an end to a messy house may take just 15 minutes a day. Find a cleaning task for each day of the week that takes 15 minutes or less. This could be your desk, fridge, closet, pantry, or a bookshelf, or break down the tasks of cleaning something like a bathroom into 15-minute segments. Doing this daily will make cleaning a habit. Source Link_

Managing a handful of basic auto maintenance tasks can help get your car well over 100,000 miles. Change the oil to manufacturer’s specifications, every 3,000 to 10,000 miles. Replace tires after 40,000 miles and brake pads after 30,000 miles. Shocks and struts usually need replacement after 80,000 miles and new spark plugs are needed at 100,000 miles. Source Link_

September 18, 2024

 How do you raise kids who are smart about money? Build their financial awareness by pointing out prices on a menu, comparing labels at the supermarket and explaining the costs of living like paying for a house, car, and utilities. And use that magic word “no” to teach budgeting and demonstrate the difference between wants and needs. Source Link 

How could adding one number to a password make it much harder to hack? Researchers say the number 7 is less predictable and less frequently used, so it’s harder for hacking software to crack. Adding a hyphen before the 7 makes a password even stronger, and using a 7 to substitute for an “s” makes for a rock solid password. Source Link_

Understanding how puppies play can be real work for their humans. Play-fighting helps a puppy bond with other dogs, but those tiny, razor-sharp teeth can be painful for your hand. Don’t react in anger when this happens and don’t worry when a dog uses its mouth to play with you because this is also a key way for them to communicate. Source Link_

September 17, 2024

 When you want to train your brain, put away the apps and pick up a musical instrument. Studies have found that musical training enhances verbal memory, spatial reasoning, and literacy skills. Learning to play an instrument uses information from the senses of vision, hearing, and touch, as well as fine movements. Source Link 

You might be able to save a smartphone dropped in water with some fast steps. Turn off the phone immediately to avoid damage to electronics, wipe it dry with a towel and use a vacuum cleaner hose to suck water out of openings. Putting your phone in rice can lead to a sticky mess. Instead, be ready by purchasing a special drying bag that’s made for smartphones. Source Link 

Decluttering on a weekly, monthly or annual schedule can make it easier to keep your home neat. You should declutter countertops or inside the fridge every week, but your pantry can get a monthly clean-up. Closets, paperwork and toys can be part of annual decluttering sessions, like a closet clean-up after summer, purging old paperwork after tax season, and sorting toys after the holidays. Source Link_

September 16, 2024

 It’s tough to be patient when you want to lose weight now, but what’s a safe level of weight loss? People who succeed do it gradually at about 1 to 2 pounds per week, which translates into 4 to 8 pounds a month. Remember that fad diets or highly restrictive eating plans may prompt fast weight loss, but not permanent weight loss. Source Link 

Call it the “Comic Sans” technique for total recall. Research has shown that people can remember something better that’s written in a weird font. You can also use a larger type size or put it in boldface. The harder the text is to read, the more you concentrate on it, and the easier it is to remember. Source Link 

The health benefits of stopping smoking can start just moments after you take that last puff. In 20 minutes, your heart rate and blood pressure begin to drop, and blood carbon dioxide levels normalize in a few days. And in a few weeks, blood circulation improves and lung function increases. Source Link

September 13, 2024

Can the order in which you eat the food in your meal make a difference for health? Researchers found that eating fiber-rich vegetables or lean proteins first, rather than bread or carbs may help to lower blood sugar levels. This may also help you eat less because it causes your body to secrete higher levels of the hormone that gives you the feeling of fullness. Source Link 

Using over-the-counter CBD products should be on the list of supplements you share with your doctor. That’s because the active ingredient in CBD may interact with prescription medications. Antidepressants, sedatives and blood thinners are some of the drugs that could be adversely affected by CBD. Source Link 

It doesn’t take that many more steps per day to help older adults with hypertension lower their blood pressure. Research showed that adding 3,000 steps to a typical 4,000 step-per-day routine can help protect against heart failure, heart attacks and strokes. The speed of walking doesn’t matter, as long as you walk a total of 7,000 steps per day. Source Link

September 12, 2024

 If you’re getting too many junk robocalls, the sound of silence may be the answer. When it’s a number you don’t recognize, pick up the call but don’t say anything right away. Automated calling systems often wait to hear a voice and the silence can make them disconnect quickly. Source Link 

A sticky household staple should also be part of any home emergency kit. Duct tape along with plastic sheeting can be used to cover a broken window, patch a leaky roof, or build a makeshift shelter. Duct tape can also mend torn clothing, or a hole in a shoe or glove, patch a leaking hose on your car’s engine or even reinforce a sprained ankle or keep a bandage in place. Source Link 

You might be surprised at some things that’ll cause problems when you’re going through airport security. A wrapped present may need to be unwrapped and small sports equipment like that tennis racket or pickleball paddle could be used as a weapon should go in checked baggage. And loose batteries are more likely to be confiscated, so keep them in the original packaging. Source Link_

September 11, 2024

Take care to avoid these things that can shorten the battery life of your smartphone. Using vibration for calls and notifications, giving location permission to apps that don’t need it and not using auto-brightness for your screen can drain a battery faster. And leaving your phone under your pillow at night or out in the sun can cause it to overheat and damage the battery. Source Link 

When you can’t wait for that beer or soda to get cold, a hack that uses a paper napkin can speed up the process. Wet the napkin before wrapping it around the drink’s container. Now set the beverage in the freezer for 15 minutes to enjoy a frosty drink in a fraction of the time. Source Link 

You can ditch your to-do list and instead focus on first things first. Making a list of smaller tasks to tackle right away can help build momentum for the day. And here’s a bonus tip - check off completed items instead of crossing through them on the list so you can see exactly what you’ve accomplished. Source Link_

September 10, 2024

Diet or exercise may not be key to managing your weight because the effectiveness of both depends on something else you may be shirking. Not getting enough sleep makes you tire faster during exercise and boosts the hormone that makes you feel hungry. Less than six hours a night is considered to be chronic sleep deprivation. Source Link 

A piece of colored tape might help you avoid wasting food that gets lost in the fridge. Use the tape to make a line down a refrigerator shelf and put your need-to-eat foods on one side. You can also put items that spoil faster in clear open-topped plastic trays so they’re more visible and easier to grab. Source Link_

100 percent isn’t necessarily the best score when it comes to charging the battery on your Android phone. The sweet spot for efficient charging and less stress on the battery is 80 percent. Some Samsung and Pixel models have an Adaptive Charging feature in Settings that monitors this for you, but you can also find apps that will do the same thing. Source Link_

September 9, 2024

 When clutter is a constant problem, you can fight back by creating a refuge from all the refuse. Choose one spot like a kitchen counter, a dining room table, or a bathroom vanity to keep tidy and clear. Once this clutter-free zone takes hold, consider beautifying it with something like a small vase of flowers. Source Link 

Starting with a list can help you make the right choice about giving your child that new tech gadget. Write down the pros and cons – are they tech savvy and will make good use of features that can be educational, or will the device be little more than a digital pacifier? Then set up parental controls and draw up a contract with rules for use including time limits. Source Link 

You can fight back against high food prices by watching, clicking and stocking. Watch the sales and aim to buy most of your groceries when they are on sale. Click on coupon apps to use while you shop and start stocking-up on foods you regularly use, beginning with one item at a time. Source Link

September 6, 2024

 Making meals that are affordable and healthy requires some planning that includes checking the calendar. Incorporate fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables that often cost less. You can even stock-up on these and freeze them for use later. And always plan your meals using a shopping list to avoid impulse buying at the grocery store. Source Link 

Staying on top of your credit is easier than ever with a permanent change to the rules about getting a free credit report. All three national credit reporting agencies are allowing you to receive a new report every week. The offer of free weekly reports began as an emergency measure during the pandemic. Source Link 

You can build a home gym around the kinds of activities that you enjoy. If that’s walking or running, try a treadmill or elliptical trainer. A rowing machine is great if you like cross-country skiing. A thick, washable mat is a must for floor exercises and strength training can use a simple set of resistance bands, dumbbells and free weights or a multi-station home weight machine. Source Link

September 5, 2024

 A good knife is an essential tool in the kitchen and you don’t need a drawer full of them. An eight to 10-inch chef’s knife and a serrated knife and a shorter paring knife can tackle almost any cutting task. Select a quality knife that feels comfortable in your hand and has a heavy, strong handle with a longer metal tang that goes through the end of the handle. Source Link 

Walking the neighborhood can be good exercise but consider your route to get the most benefit from it. Sidewalks are mostly flat but when you walk in the street that is angled for drainage one foot will strike the ground lower than the other and that can cause problems. If you take this kind of route, walk halfway on one side of the street and finish the walk on the other side. Source Link_

A simple smartphone reminder could be at the root of problems that keep your tween from getting enough sleep. Researchers found that audible or vibrating notifications of a call, text or e-mail increased the risk of sleep disturbance, and once that happened the youngster was more likely to stay awake. The ultimate solution is to keep smartphones out of kid’s bedrooms. Source Link_

September 4, 2024

 If every meal seems like a race to clean your plate, try these tips to slow down. Eating with your non-dominant hand can help and set down your fork for 10 seconds between each bite. And use smaller plates and bowls that empty faster to make it look like you’re full even when you’ve eaten less. Source Link

The answer to a better memorization could be in the palm of your hand – if it’s closed tight. Before you try to memorize something, make a fist with your dominant hand. When you need to remember it, clench your other hand and hold that fist because a study found that you need to squeeze for at least 45 seconds before letting go. Source Link_

Be honest and don’t be too cheap when it comes to caring for your car. Avoid buying used tires or aftermarket auto parts that might fail sooner and don’t use leak-stop products that could wreck an engine, radiator or tire. And be up-front with a car mechanic about any maintenance you’ve neglected so they know the full extent of a problem. Source Link_

September 3, 2024

 Here are some tips for keeping your kid’s home-packed school lunch tasty until the Noon hour. Toasting bread in a sandwich can help prevent sogginess and stuffing the lunchbox with paper towels can absorb moisture from items like chicken nuggets. And you can wrap the top of a banana with tape and plastic wrap to stop it from ripening in a lunch box or bag. Source Link 

Time and temperature are two factors that can help you save on energy costs on laundry day. Always choose a cold water setting for washing because today’s detergents are made to work best in cold water. And set your dryer temperature lower and run it longer to use less energy and still get your clothes dry. Source Link 

Flying with babies is challenging enough but there are ways to make the flight easier when it comes to choosing seats. If you’re flying with an infant, look for a seat in the first row of the coach section. These bulkhead seats may accommodate a bassinet provided by the airline for free that attaches to the bulkhead wall. Source Link