BusinessVoice News Network

Drinking too many calories is a problem for people who are trying to watch their weight. Start by making water, black coffee or tea your default drink. Beware of any beverage that gets most of its calories from sweeteners, whether real or artificial and keep smoothies to the smallest size with only non-fat yogurt or milk and real fruit with no added sugar. Source Link

Certain visual problems could be a warning sign of Alzheimer’s disease. Difficulty writing, judging whether an object is moving or stationary, or having trouble easily picking up a dropped item could signal the impending arrival of Alzheimer’s. These tasks can become difficult even if a person’s eye exam comes out fine. Source Link

The 20-5-3 rule could be a stress reliever and all you need to do is go outside. To improve feelings of well-being, spend 20 minutes in an urban park or other green space three times a week, and five hours each month in a semi-wild place like a state park. But do this without tech distractions because people who looked at their phones during a nature stroll did not see any of the benefits. Source Link

It’s a twist on the old suggestion to beat sleeplessness by counting sheep. If you suffer from insomnia caused by stress, try counting every breath in and out 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

These long standing myths about water don’t wash in the face of scientific study. Moderate use of caffeinated drinks will not make you dehydrated and few people exercise hard enough to need a sports drink instead of plain water. And drinking water only helps with weight loss if it’s used as a substitute for sugar-sweetened drinks. Source Link

How can you resist those “buy one, get one free” or “free gift included” offers when shopping? Ask yourself whether you’d spend the money without a gift and whether it’s cheaper elsewhere. Focus on the bottom-line cost because it’s only a deal if you needed that second item or free gift in the first place. Source Link

Think about all the things in your wallet that you’d have to replace should you lose it and pare down what you carry with you. Never carry a Social Security card, keep store membership cards in the glove box of your car and only carry one credit card. And throw away any old receipts because those could have useful information for an identity thief. Source Link

What are some habits that can keep you from becoming a victim of cyber crime? Only use trusted apps with two-step verification whenever possible and never conduct any financial business while you’re on public Wi-Fi. Use a password manager to create strong ones that are easy to work with and don’t store credit card information on a website. Source Link

Maybe math has never been your strong suit, but it doesn’t mean your kids have to struggle. You can start them early with counting games like tallying the number of spoons and forks in a drawer, counting items as you unpack groceries, or looking for a certain number on the pages of a book. And resist talking about your dislike of math in front of your child. Source Link

You can avoid being ripped off at the auto shop by doing a little work of your own before your car needs some. Shop around for a mechanic by asking friends or checking online reviews and take your car in for a small service to see if you’re comfortable there. And don’t be afraid to have your car towed somewhere else if you feel like you’re being cheated. Source Link

Parents who hang on next to the crib until the baby falls asleep may be sabotaging themselves. That’s because if your baby sees you there as they drift off to sleep they’ll expect you to be there every time they wake up during the night. Putting a baby to bed while awake helps your infant learn to fall asleep without you in the room. Source Link 

The average American throws out hundreds of dollars worth of food each year, so how can you stop wasting and lower your grocery bill? Creating a weekly menu will help you match activity plans with food shopping. Leftover fresh produce can be frozen for use in smoothies, sauces or casseroles. And remember that “sell by” dates are about quality and not safety. Source Link

When you have a financial goal in mind, think about it more often and you may be closer to reaching it. A survey found that people were able to increase their savings by up to 73 percent when they envisioned themselves succeeding. Using something like a vision board could help you get closer to that dream vacation or retirement savings goal. Source Link

When the health care you need isn’t an emergency, take time to explore all the options. Look for information from trusted sources like websites of medical organizations and have a thorough discussion with your doctor about what’s best for you. And remember there’s nothing wrong with getting a second or third opinion about how to proceed with treatment. Source Link 

Many of us lose track so make it a seasonal habit to check what you’re spending on monthly digital subscriptions. Every three months look at your bank or credit card statements to see what charges are there and if you’re still using that service. It’s easier to do this checkup if you have all your streaming service charges on one account. Source Link

Consumer fraud can happen in many ways. Experts say never send money from an unexpected request in a phone call, email or text and don’t believe Caller ID because scammers can fake it. Do an online search of a company or product name and the word “review” or “complaint” and avoid wiring money or paying with a reloadable card that doesn’t have built-in fraud protection. Source Link

A solution to late-night snacking might be found in the early morning. People who eat breakfast are less likely to overeat later and getting more protein and fiber during the day can limit those midnight refrigerator raids. And turn off the TV, tablet and cell phone earlier because more screen time can lead to mindless eating. Source Link

You can reduce the risk of an electrical fire in your home with a safety check every six months. Make sure all bulbs in lamps are the proper wattage and that all electrical outlets and switches feel cool to the touch. Flip circuit breakers to see if any are stuck, check for damaged power cords and unplug all bathroom and kitchen small appliances when you’re not using them. Source Link