BusinessVoice News Network

Arranging a funeral can be a time when costs take a back seat to emotions, but you have rights regarding what you’re charged. Federal law requires every funeral home to give you a General Price List with every item and service they offer and charges must be itemized. And don’t be rushed into arranging a funeral because there’s no set time for how long you can wait after someone dies. Source Link

Getting 10,000 steps a day is considered the gold standard for fitness but you can log a lot fewer and still lengthen your life. A study found that heart health starts to improve with as few as 2,300 steps a day and your risk of dying from any disease starts to decrease with only about 4,000 daily steps. But the more steps you take, the bigger the benefit. Source Link

The carpet in that new home probably needs to go if the former owner was a smoker. Researchers found that tobacco smoke clings to carpet fibers long after smoking has stopped, and ozone generators that purify air and surfaces can’t remove it completely. This so-called “third-hand smoke” can linger for years and sometimes transform into a new type of dangerous contaminant. Source Link

You might save yourself a call to the tech help desk with these easy fixes. Powering down a wireless mouse or keyboard that’s not working could solve a broken connection to your computer. You might speed up a slow computer by removing applications from Startup or getting rid of unnecessary browser extensions. And check to see if Caps Lock is on when that password you’re typing doesn’t match. Source Link

Get ready to be creeped out by what you’re carrying around on that smartphone. A study found that phones often have allergens, bacteria and fungi on the screens that we touch all day long. An alcohol wipe worked well to get rid of those bugs but cleaning your phone screen with a dry cloth didn’t make a dent in the dirt. Source Link

You may not need a special brain training program to improve your memory because a century-old game might work just as well. In a study, people who completed crossword puzzles scored better in memory testing than those who used special apps or programs. The process of completing a crossword puzzle exercises the part of the brain connected with memory. Source Link

Decluttering leaves you with stuff you need to get rid of, but should you sell or donate? Sites like eBay and many other online sales platforms could net you some cold cash, but consider how much work it will take and whether a small profit is worth it. And remember that selling sites will report total annual sales of more than $600 a year to the IRS as income. Source Link

When it’s time to roll up a sleeve to get your vaccination shots, which arm you choose might make a difference in effectiveness. Researchers found that people who got their flu shot and Covid vaccination in the same arm were more likely to develop powerful immune cells that fight viruses. Source Link

Does eating no food for a time beat counting calories as a way to lose weight? Researchers found that intermittent fasting yielded a similar weight loss as seen in those who used calorie counting and portion control. The advantage for intermittent fasting may be its simplicity, because all you need to do is watch the clock and avoid eating. Source Link

Beyond style, finding the right shoes for you comes down to the fit and the build. Different brands use different molds when making their shoes, so try on a few to find the one that’s best for you. A specialty shoe store can do measurements, and most people have one foot slightly bigger than the other, so start by trying on that shoe. Source Link

Smartphones are blamed for causing driver distraction, but you can use some phone features to increase safety behind the wheel. Both iPhones and Android phones allow you to block calls and notifications while driving, and in-car systems that work with a phone can also help limit distractions. And some apps can use the phone’s forward-facing camera to alert a driver to a possible collision. Source Link

Those blue-light-filtering glasses sound like a great way to reduce eye strain when working with screens, but the science doesn’t match the hype. Researchers found that blue-light glasses probably don’t prevent or relieve eye strain. What can help is using eye drops and following the 20-20-20 Rule – every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break to look at something 20 feet away. Source Link

The long weekend is a favorite getaway and these tips can help you save on your mini-vacation. Book your rental car as far ahead as possible to get the best rates but consider waiting to find last-minute deals on unsold hotel rooms. The same strategy might also work with a short-term rental property that still has an opening a few days before you plan to leave. Source Link

Looking for an alternative to help you kick the soda habit? If you like the fizz, try sparkling water with a lemon twist, lime twist, crushed raspberries or a teaspoon of vanilla extract. Cola fans can switch to iced redbush tea to get the same taste and if you like ginger ale you can make your own with seltzer water, freshly grated ginger and a half-teaspoon of the natural sweetener stevia. Source Link

You can make it easier for your child to be ready for the arrival of a new brother or sister. With toddlers, you can read picture books about new babies but preschoolers need more involvement. Encourage them to help plan for the new baby, let them play with their old baby toys before they’re handed down and assure them they won’t be loved any less because of the new sibling. Source Link

Being bored can boost your creativity and brain power but only if you do it the right way. Don’t confuse relaxation with boredom, which can happen when you’re doing a familiar activity that requires no thinking or you’re just sitting quietly. The key to reaching boredom is letting your mind wander without stimulation from anything like music or a screen. Source Link

A vacation from work can help you reset and do a better job when you return and the same is true for your phone. Restarting ends background processes, clears the cache and RAM, and speeds up things. Some people never turn off their phones, so make it a habit to hit “restart” at the beginning of each day. Source Link

You can get the most out of your air conditioning with the help of a garden hose. Spray down the outdoor condenser unit to remove any dirt or debris that might stop it from pushing out the hot air. A regular hose and nozzle does the job but don’t use a power washer because that strong stream can damage the tiny ventilator fins in the condenser unit. Source Link