BusinessVoice News Network

Sleep experts say using your phone or tablet before bedtime is a no-no, but there’s an exception to that rule. You should do things that help ease you into sleep, and if using an app on your phone or even clearing an email inbox is relaxing, you can make it part of your pre-bedtime routine. Source Link

Odds are you moved your child out of a car booster seat before they were ready. A study found that four out of five parents ditched the booster seat before a child was big enough to ride with just a seat belt. And three out of four parents didn’t know that kids need to ride in booster seats until they’re at least 4-foot-9-inches tall. Source Link

Many of us have a desk drawer full of old dead phones but be careful they don’t come back to life in a bad way. Old batteries can swell up and may catch fire, so remove any phone like this and dispose of it safely. If you plan to keep an old phone as a backup, charge the battery to 50% and then turn the phone off and check that charge every six months. Source Link

These classic first aid moves need some updating. Do pinch your nose but don’t tip your head back with a nosebleed because that lets the blood run down your throat. Skip the ice or butter and use cool water to treat a burn. And don’t rinse off a tooth that’s been knocked out. Put it in a cup of milk and take it to the dentist. Source Link 

No one wants to pay a parking ticket that’s dropped on your windshield by a scammer who’s trying to steal your credit card information, so don’t use the contact web address on the ticket. Instead, go to your city’s official parking website where you can look up any tickets using the car’s license plate number. Source Link

You can spend less money and help your clothes last longer by not using dryer sheets. They use a waxy substance that makes clothes feel softer but also can build-up and damage a garment and your dryer. The better choice is a reusable wool or plastic dryer ball or make your own by crumpling a piece of aluminum foil into the size of a tennis ball. Source Link

It’s a popular Halloween prank and there’s a right way to clean up after a tree’s been toilet papered. If it’s dry, you can pull the paper down with a long pole or use a leaf blower to remove it from taller branches. And don’t delay, because if it gets wet, you’ll have to live with a TP’ed tree until all that paper dries. 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

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

Location is the key to getting the best performance from your home router. A wired connection near your workspace is best, and WiFi works better with fewer walls between you and the router. Move the router out into the open and use the 5 gigahertz channel for faster speeds when you’re closer and 2.4 gigahertz when you’re further away from the router. Source Link

A few easy steps can make that next airline flight go smoother. Get to the airport early but instead of sitting at the gate, take a walk around the terminal for exercise but avoid the overpriced restaurants and bars. And take it slow if you want to enjoy a drink on the plane. The low cabin pressure means less oxygen and one drink in the air can equal two on the ground. Source Link

The gut microbiome affects everything from your immune system to brain function and you can help to keep it balanced with a few simple steps. Drink plenty of water, get more fiber and avoid ultra-processed foods with lots of added sugar and sodium. And rather than taking probiotic supplements, eat probiotic-rich foods like plain yogurt, kimchi and sauerkraut. Source Link

How can you put five minutes to good use to improve your mood? Try focused breathing or meditate by silently repeating a word or phrase. Five minutes of brisk movement can help too and you can recharge by unplugging all devices for five minutes and let your mind wander. Source Link

There are warning signs when scammers steal your child’s identity for credit fraud. Keep an eye out for any bills or credit card offers addressed to them. If debt collectors are calling about your child, someone might have made credit purchases in their name. And always add a credit report freeze for every child to prevent any stolen information from being used. Source Link

Your paycheck is showing that new raise but be sure to pay yourself first before upping your lifestyle. Your savings plan should grow with every raise so you’re putting away more money for that home down payment or saving for retirement. And consider switching to a high-yield savings account to earn more interest on your savings. Source Link

If you’d rather not have your digital life harvested for sale by data brokers there are some steps to shut it down. Begin by making your Facebook, Instagram and X accounts private and then go to privacyrights.org to search for data brokers that allow you to remove your information from their service. Source Link

Election anxiety is real for many people but there are ways to ease your worries. Use social media sparingly, maybe just a few times a day. Substitute with pastimes like reading a book, or taking part in personal hobbies. And have respectful discussions with people on the other side. Don’t preach but do listen to understand their perspective. Source Link

It’s Medicare enrollment time when scam artists are calling and here’s why you should hang up on them. Medicare will never call to confirm your address or say they need to send you a new Medicare card for next year. And Medicare cards do not have an embedded chip, so don’t fall for someone claiming they need to send a new chip card to you. Source Link