BusinessVoice News Network

Most people know that scratching an itch only makes it worse, but why is that? The act of scratching creates pain that cancels out the itching sensation, but the brain overrides that pain and the itching returns. Experts say the best way to deal with an itch is to give the spot a quick rub. Source Link 

The flashlight feature on your iPhone is handy, but what if it’s too bright for what you need? When this happens, you can dim that light with just one touch. Simply hold down the flashlight button and drag the slider up or down to control its brightness. Source Link

Browning hamburger can leave a splattered mess on the stove, so why not boil it? Put the raw ground beef in an uncovered stock pot, fill with water above the meat and set on high heat. No need to boil – just cook for about 7 to 10 minutes until the meat turns brown. Drain the water and you have cooked ground beef ready to use or freeze. Source Link

Want to see what’s heading for your mailbox before it’s delivered? That’s the idea behind Informed Delivery from the US Postal Service. The free service shows you images of the mail to be delivered to your home today. You can do this with a website, a daily email or through the USPS Mobile app for iPhone and Android. Source Link

Here’s a simple two-step tip to help you look better in any picture. Instead of facing the camera head-on, position your body at a 45-degree angle. Now put your weight on your back foot and lean your torso slightly forward. The angle and the lean-in will give you a more-flattering look. Source Link

Start simple to create a go-bag for use when you need to evacuate your home. Grab an old backpack and a few zip-top bags to hold first aid items and matches. Now pack some basics you can use, like a bath towel, protein bars or an old pair of glasses and add more as you go along. Each member of the family should have their own go-bag. Source Link

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day but don’t sabotage it with poor food choices. Be sure to get enough protein and be careful to keep your breakfast at about 400 calories. Don’t fill up on carbs, avoid frozen breakfast meals that can be high in sodium and try fresh fruit instead of fruit juice that’s high in sugar. Source Link 

Some smart bathroom updates can help you beat the battle against mold. Skip the grout and tile and use acrylic wall panels, an acrylic shower pan, or vinyl or laminate flooring. Try metal storage for soaps and bottles in the shower and choose a freestanding tub or vanity that doesn’t need to be caulked up against a wall. Source Link

Here’s how to have your phone read text on a web page out loud. With an iPhone, open a page on Safari and say, “Siri, read this page.” With an Android phone, go to Settings and under Accessibility choose “Select to Speak” to add a Play button to your screen and use it to have a web page read to you. Source Link 

The three parts of a typical auto insurance policy each do different things. Liability covers the cost of damage or injury to others in an accident while you’re at-fault, while collision coverage pays to have your car repaired after an accident. Comprehensive coverage can pay for damage to your car in non-accident settings, such as a hailstorm, flood or fire. Source Link

Here’s a colorful way to keep track of things that might come up missing, like a set of keys, a phone or a TV remote. Pick a really bright color and use a key ring and phone case in that color to make your items stand out. And put a similar bright-colored piece of tape on the TV remote so it’s easier to spot. Source Link

A few office supply products can help you organize a freezer that’s packed with food. With wire shelving, attach a binder clip so it hangs down and can hold bags of frozen food. And vertical file holders set along the back wall of a freezer can hold frozen fruit, veggies or meat for easy organization. Source Link 

A clogged showerhead can ruin your daily routine but there’s an easy way to fix it. Fill a plastic sandwich bag with a 50-50 mix of white vinegar and water and attach this around the showerhead with a rubber band. Let it soak for 60 minutes to clean out the mineral buildup and get that shower going full blast again. Source Link

You can find ways to fit in fitness at work. Every 30 minutes, do stretches to relax your neck, shoulders and fingers, or stand up and bend at the hips to touch your toes. Take a walk across the office to talk to someone face-to-face instead of calling or emailing and maximize your lunch break by including a walk or climbing a few sets of stairs. Source Link

Remember these tips when trying to tackle that pile of paper documents, records and receipts. Never discard birth or death certificates, military service, marriage and divorce records, loan payoff statements, or retirement or pension records. Tax paperwork can be scanned and saved for seven years and you can shred any receipts after you get your monthly bill statement. Source Link

You may be on your own when it comes to knowing what’s really in the skin products you use. That’s because the FDA doesn’t regulate descriptions like “hypoallergenic,” “unscented” or “fragrance-free.” A good idea is to test a product on your forearm for a week to see if it triggers a reaction. Source Link

Your freezer is a great place to find a fast meal that you make and store. Start simple by doubling a meal recipe once a week and freezing half of it. Using freezer bags will help to remove air that can dry out food. Plus, they’re easier to stack flat and take up less room. Source Link

When you want to rehearse a question before going for something like auto service, try using AI. Open your favorite chatbot and describe the problem ending with, “what could this be?” The answer should help you understand the issue before going to the repair shop and might save you from paying for work that you don’t need. Source Link