BusinessVoice News Network

There are plenty of reasons why giving kids an allowance is a good thing. It teaches them how money comes with responsibilities to save and be charitable and it helps them distinguish between needs and wants with what they can afford. And successfully managing money from an allowance can build a child’s self-confidence. Source Link 

Unclogging a toilet without a plunger requires two simple tools – dish soap and a big bucket of hot water. Squirt a good amount of dish soap into the hot water and pour that into the toilet at a steady pace. Don’t stir up the water and be patient because the technique may not eliminate the clog instantly. Source Link

What’s the right way to pet a dog you don’t know? Remember that dogs depend on smell so offer your curled hand for a sniff before you touch them to avoid any bitten fingers. If the dog seems comfortable, try a friendly scratch under the chin, but avoid patting his head or touching a strange dog’s belly, even if they roll over. Source Link

Avoiding injury when you’re a weekend athlete takes a week-long effort. Get at least ten to 15 minutes of stretching or strengthening each day to help prime your body for weekend activities. And eating a healthy diet all week long with plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean protein will give your body the nutrients it needs to perform. Source Link

People who are always running late might try these tips to get back on-time. Use analog clocks to give you a visual cue of passing time and set multiple alarms for when to start preparation, as well as departure time and arrival time for an appointment. Figure out exactly how long it takes to get somewhere and then build in extra time, and plan what to do if you’re early to eliminate that excuse for leaving later. Source Link 

Most of us don’t know how to look for signs of oral cancer, but it can be as simple as saying, “Ahhh.” White or gray batches in your mouth or throat that you can’t scrape away could be a warning sign, just like a sore on your lips or mouth that doesn’t heal within a few weeks. Difficulty swallowing and new hoarseness in your voice should also be checked out by a dentist. Source Link

Don’t get fooled by these car care tips that could hit you hard in the pocketbook. Overfilling your tires won’t improve mileage but will give you a rougher ride and wear out the tires sooner. Taking more than 30 seconds to warm up your car before driving wastes gas. And don’t drive with less than a quarter-tank of gas because that makes your fuel pump work harder and wear out faster. Source Link

Making new friends can be hard when you’re an adult but a few simple steps might smooth the process. Start conversations and let others share about themselves; join a new club or organization, or create friendships with friends of friends. And take a tip from actors doing improv and say “yes” to show you’re open to wherever the encounter takes you. Source Link

Being a couch potato doesn’t mean you can’t see health benefits from taking more steps per day. Researchers found that people who were sedentary for more than 11 hours a day gained the same health benefits from walking as more active people did. And that benefit began with as little as 2,200 steps per day. Source Link

Be sure to mind these rules of the sky if you want to be a good fellow passenger on your next flight. The middle seat gets both armrests; don’t recline in economy seats and don’t grab the back of seats while walking down the aisle. And stand up when someone needs to get past you and into the aisle. Source Link

A healthy late night snack is one that satisfies hunger but doesn’t keep you awake. Combining protein and carbs can boost the brain chemical that helps with sleep, so try cereal with low-fat milk or yogurt and melon. And cheese and whole grain crackers is a classic snack that will top you up and help you get to sleep. Source Link

Many items for an emergency survival kit are probably around your house now. Binder clips can secure a tarp or hold a rope to a tree and zip ties make great hangers for things that need to stay off the ground. Dental floss can serve as a snare line or sewing thread and duct tape has lots of uses, from patching holes to serving as a great fire starter. Source Link

If you’re tasting chocolate in your head and it’s making you hungry, try putting the other senses to work to combat food cravings. Picture an image of some place or something you enjoy that’s not food or look at actual photos that you load to your phone. You can also counter the real aromas of food with a whiff of perfume or scented oil carried in a small vial. Source Link

You can combat procrastination by committing to a schedule rather than a deadline. The idea of being “in the zone” is a myth because the best way to get work done is to commit to a schedule and stick to it, even if you don’t feel like it. Maybe you can only spend a few minutes on a task, but that’s better than skipping it altogether. Source Link

Cracking your knuckles is a common habit that’s often discouraged because people believe it can cause arthritis. But studies have shown that knuckle cracking is not associated with an increased risk of injury. It may be annoying for others, but cracking your knuckles isn’t likely to cause any long-term damage. Source Link

Having the hottest smartphone isn’t a good thing when you’re talking about temperature and not popularity. If your phone feels warm to the touch, start by removing the case and don’t store it in the sun or have it directly touching your body. Some things that can overheat a phone are shooting video, playing graphically rich games, or using your phone as a mobile hotspot. Source Link

Medicare fraud is a major problem and there are ways to spot a scam before you get taken. Medicare will not make an unsolicited contact to verify your information and watch out for an offer of free medical supplies that asks you to give up your Medicare number. And never let anyone but your doctor review your medical records to recommend services. Source Link

What are some tell-tale early signs of hearing loss? You might be asking people to repeat themselves often during a conversation, or you can’t hear background noises such as birds chirping, leaves rustling or a beep from a kitchen appliance. And ringing in your ears can be a sign of hearing loss because that’s how the brain compensates for a deprivation of sound. Source Link