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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

When shopping for a new car you can figure out what you can afford by using the 20-4-10 rule. Start with a 20 percent down payment and make sure the loan is for no more than four years. And don’t spend more than 10 percent of your gross monthly income on car expenses including the loan payment plus insurance, gas, license fees and parking. Source Link

We know about coffee, but what other foods can give you that natural pick-me-up? The sugar in apples, the spice of hot sauce and herbs like rosemary and peppermint offer a natural boost. On the other hand, you can head off to sleep faster with avocados, hummus, bananas, cherries, dark chocolate or red wine. Source Link

You want a wrinkle-free wardrobe for your vacation or business trip and this simple packing tip can help. Slip each cotton and linen item into its own plastic dry cleaning bag, or use unscented trash bags or liners or tissue paper to prevent clothes from rubbing against each other and causing wrinkles. And unpack as soon as you arrive so clothes aren’t pressed together in a suitcase. Source Link

Being anxious about a visit to the dentist isn’t unusual and there are some things that can help. Tell the dentist about your anxiety so they can help ease your fears and offer the best options to reduce pain. And keep to a regular schedule of check ups so that problems can be caught before they require major work. Source Link

You want a healthy drink without sugar or artificial sweeteners but don’t like the taste of plain water, so add some natural flavor. Infuse it with real fruit, or try naturally-flavored sparkling water. You can even add a teaspoon of honey or plant-based zero-calorie sweetener like stevia to your drink. Source Link 

Simple activities may help you cope with grief after losing a loved one. This could be completing a task, getting enough sleep, dining out, connecting with a friend, or spending time with family. Research showed that these uplifts helped just about everyone, regardless of age or financial status. Source Link