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Keeping air travel safe for your pet begins long before the plane leaves the ground. If your dog or cat is traveling in cargo, get them acclimated to the kennel they’ll be staying in to avoid injuries from biting or scratching at the cage. Stop solid food at least six hours before the flight and consult with your vet before giving pets any sedatives. Source Link

We all know there are fake online product reviews, but how can you spot them? Beware of reviews with generic phrases that could be used for almost any product and look for ones that describe specific features or how the item is used. And look out for reviews that are overly glowing or very negative but without any details to back them up. Source Link

Buying school supplies is an expensive annual rite for parents but there are ways to save. Check your kid’s closet or backpack first to see if there are unused pencils, markers or scissors, and never buy everything from a single store. Instead, shop for sale prices at several retailers. And don’t bring your child along because studies show that most parents spend more on school supplies when kids are with them. Source Link

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

Follow these steps to check your internet speed and see if you’re getting what you’re paying for. Close down Zoom or any streaming audio or video websites or apps and stop any downloading. Run tests at different times of the day for an average and remember that home internet speeds are only guaranteed at the router because WiFi quality can vary widely. Source Link

You probably know the average body temperature as 98.6 degrees, but science says it’s changing. That standard dates back over 150 years and improved lifestyles since then have led to an average that’s now about 97.9 degrees. Average body temperature readings can vary depending on the time of day, and your age, medications and health conditions. Source Link

Keeping your family connected in a weather emergency or natural disaster takes some planning and a few simple tips. Enter key contacts into the phones of all your household members and have a point of contact outside of your family that everyone can reach. And in a public emergency, send a text rather than calling to have a better chance at connecting. Source Link

Where there’s a will, there’s a better way to protect your family and make sure your wishes are carried out when it comes to guardianship for children or how to give away your possessions. Review your will annually and after big life events like a divorce or when children become adults. And consider a living will that lists the care you do or don’t want if you become seriously ill. Source Link

Try this “handy” way to measure your fitness. Grip strength is important, so time yourself to see how long you can hang by your hands from a pull-up bar. Less than 30 seconds is beginner level but you can improve that by walking while carrying kettlebells or dumbbells. A good score is carrying 70 percent of your body weight for 90 seconds. Source Link

You can use stronger passwords by remembering these rules. Choose one with at least 12 characters in a mix of upper and lowercase letters and symbols. Never reuse a password and don’t change a password unless you have to, because frequent changes lead to simpler, easy-to-guess passwords. And use a password manager that can create and save passwords for you. Source Link

What’s in your ears can help you get better sleep. Meditation using a mobile app can help ease you into slumber and get you back to sleep if you wake up overnight. And research has shown that listening to sounds of nature can trigger a relaxation response in the brain to help you get to sleep. Source Link 

You can save time on laundry by knowing how often to wash parts of your wardrobe. Items that touch your skin like underwear, t-shirts and socks should go into the wash after every use. Sleepwear can go three to four nights between washings, and pants can be worn two or three times as long as there’s no dirt or stains. But wash those jeans as few times as possible because every washing damages the fabric. Source Link

Many people hold their phones the wrong way and that can put more strain on the hand. Keep the wrist straight or slightly bent and don’t use a tight grip that adds more stress. If you have a phone that’s big for your hand try using voice dictation instead of typing, or don’t hold the phone at all. Instead, prop it on a stand and place it near eye level. Source Link

Sometimes it’s what you don’t do that can make your workday more productive. For example, don’t load up that daily must-do list — keep it to five items. Don’t skip breaks that can help you stay on track mentally. And don’t be afraid to schedule downtime every day when you can think big without a deadline. Source Link

Your car budget can benefit from buying small and renting big. If you only need to haul items a few times a year, purchase a smaller car and rent a truck or minivan for those times when you need the extra cargo space. You’ll spend less on gas, insurance and car costs by driving a smaller vehicle day in and day out versus a big truck. Source Link

Here’s a time-saving tip that might just save a life. Have your basic personal health information available to paramedics as quickly as possible, including your name, blood type, allergies and any medications you take. This information can be on a piece of paper in your wallet and posted on the fridge in your home. Some smartphones also allow you to store health information for quick access by emergency crews. Source Link