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You might want to cap off that next meal with a short stroll. Studies have shown that a 15-minute walk after a meal can have more health benefits than a 45-minute walk at mid-morning or afternoon. Exercise can counteract the surge in blood sugar that happens after you eat and can also aid in digestion. Source Link

Billions of spam texts are sent every month and here’s how you can handle yours. Sign-up for your carrier’s spam-blocking protection and see if your provider lets you forward spam texts to “7726” to auto-block them. And never reply to a spam text asking them to stop because this verifies they have a working number and you’ll get even more spam. Source Link

Remember the acronym “FORD” when you’re stuck without a topic to make small talk. F is for Family and you can ask about relatives. O is for Occupation – dig deeper into their job. R is for Recreation and can cover favorite hobbies, activities or books, movies or TV. And D is for Dreams – ask about what they dream of doing some day. Source Link

That “baby talk” with your infant could be key to boosting their vocabulary. In a study, two-year-olds who had a large vocabulary were more likely to start kindergarten ready to read and learn math. Reading to your baby and verbal interaction between you and your child are the best ways to build their vocabulary. Source Link

A skin rash can be a simple irritation or a warning sign of a serious problem that needs a doctor’s diagnosis. Seek medical attention if a rash covers most of your body, blisters or turns into open sores or raw skin, is painful or accompanies a fever. If you have trouble breathing or swallowing, or your eyes or lips swell up, seek emergency care immediately. Source Link

Preventative maintenance can save money all over your home. Replacing a HVAC filter regularly might prevent an expensive service call, and that regular oil change costs a fraction of what you’ll pay a mechanic to work on your car. And using an online storage service can safeguard important files that might be lost in a computer failure or house fire. Source Link

It means an early wake-up call, but booking that first flight of the day has some big advantages. The risk of thunderstorms and turbulence is lower. The flight crew is rested and ready and the plane is clean. Delays will be shorter because you’re first in-line for that route and the ticket price will be lower than a late-morning or afternoon departure. Source Link

The convenience of scanning a QR code to reach a website can have a dark side. Scammers use QR codes to link you to phishing websites, fraudulent payment portals, and downloads that infect your phone with viruses or malware. Check with the source before you use a QR code that’s in an email or is posted in a public area. Source Link

You won’t find a D-I-Y way to whiter teeth with these popular hacks. Rubbing orange peels or strawberries on your teeth can expose them to damaging natural acids. There’s no proof that coconut oil or store-bought hydrogen peroxide can whiten teeth, and making your own abrasive toothpaste from charcoal or baking soda can damage soft tissues in the mouth. Source Link

Try this tip to get Google to cover the difference if that plane ticket drops in price after you buy it. Use the Google Flights feature to book your air travel and look for the Price Guarantee check box. You’ll get a refund through Google Pay but it’s limited to three flights per year and capped at $500 in annual savings. Source Link

Activity, eating and how you stimulate your brain can all help prevent memory loss. Exercise increases blood flow to the brain, and healthy eating with plenty of lean protein and good fats will also help. And challenge your mind by learning a new language, taking up a musical instrument, or planning a day trip or vacation to a new place. Source Link

Scammers are taking advantage of the growth of smart TVs and streaming services to rip you off. If you turn on a smart TV or open an app and see an error message, don’t call a phone number or click on a web address. No subscription streaming service or device will ever ask you to pay an activation fee. Email a customer service rep and inform them of the error message. Source Link 

You don’t need an evening class or an online course to become a more valuable employee. Focus on improving communications with the careful crafting of emails and overall attention to detail. Get more organized by using to-do apps or keeping your work area cleaner. And be a team player by reaching out to co-workers to help them when you can. Source Link

Giving yourself a break when weight loss gets hard may improve the odds that you reach your goal. Practice self-compassion and talk to yourself with the same encouragement you might offer to a friend or loved one. Self-compassion doesn’t let you off the hook completely because it works hand-in-hand with accountability to reach a weight loss goal. Source Link

It’s convenient, but putting that bill on autopay can cost you more than just the monthly tab. Not having to think about paying a bill every month makes it easier to forget what you’re paying for. One solution could be an autopay “cleanse” in which you shut off all autopay. Watch for bills to see what all of that is costing you and cancel what you don’t need before resuming autopay. Source Link

Some simple hacks can help your health without a lot of effort. Improve your balance by standing on one foot when brushing your teeth and wash those bed linens once a week to get rid of bacteria and fungus that makes us sick. Use colored plates if you want to eat less white bread or rice and satisfy that sweet tooth with natural sugars in fruit instead of candy. Source Link

How do you know which streaming services are right for you? Start by tracking your TV viewing for a week to see if you need things like news and sports or kids programming. Then look for services or bundles that can save money. If you don’t mind commercials, subscribe to lower- priced plans with ads, or use free ad-supported streaming services. Source Link

To create a successful exercise routine, think about what you want from it. Maybe that’s being able to play more with your kids, go on a hike with friends, or reduce stress and improve sleep. Then use the “SMART” method to set goals that are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and fit your time in order to build a long-term exercise habit. Source Link