BusinessVoice News Network

Amazon will help you recycle small consumer electronics for free instead of tossing them in the trash. Any brand of cellphone, e-reader, tablet, chargers, cables, keyboards, mice, and even video game consoles are on the list of accepted items. You provide a box and Amazon gives you a free shipping label for drop-off at any UPS Store. Source Link

Cleaning your glasses isn’t something you should do with a shirt tail or sleeve. Cloth, paper towels, napkins, tissues and toilet paper can scratch lenses. Use a microfiber cloth, but skip the household glass cleaner and your hot breath which can damage lenses or make those smudges worse. Plain water or a lens cleaning spray will do the best job. Source Link

Many people will agree that flying these days can bring you to tears, and it’s not just the stress of it all. The air pressure inside a plane at cruising altitude is similar to when you’re a mile or more above sea level. That reduces the oxygen in your blood and combined with the effects of dry air can heighten emotions and make it more likely you’ll cry during that sad in-flight movie. Source Link

You can avoid home WiFi problems starting with your router. Update the firmware, create a strong WiFi password and change the router’s default administrator password. Turn off remote access, create a guest network to keep visitors and smart home devices away from your personal devices, and consider buying a new router if yours is more than three years old. Source Link

Using an air fryer can save time and make meals with less oil, but is it an economical choice for cooking? The power bill to run an air fryer might be only half of what you’d pay for natural gas or electricity to cook the same dish. And there’s more savings because you don’t have to use energy to preheat an air fryer before cooking. Source Link

Road rage is all too common and you can help yourself from becoming that person who’s always angry at other drivers. Don’t drive if you’re upset and keep the car comfortable with the right air temperature and some soothing music. And give other drivers some grace and the benefit of the doubt if you get cut off. Remember times when you’ve done the same thing without thinking. Source Link

Why is chicken noodle soup a superfood for when you’re sick? The clear warm broth hydrates and can soothe a sore throat, and those noodles provide carbs to fuel your body. Chicken is high in protein, and carrots, celery and onions that are rich in vitamins and minerals can boost immunity and help with digestion. Source Link

Here’s a simple three-step question with an answer that might help you save money. Before you buy something, ask yourself whether you “need it, love it, like it or want it.” Purchase what you need and love, and skip the things you only like or want, because you’re probably just buying them for instant gratification. Source Link

A will isn’t just for distributing physical assets because your digital life also needs to be dealt with after you’re gone. Create a list of all social media, email, cloud photo storage and other online accounts you use and include usernames and passwords. A password manager is an easy way to do this and you can give the manager’s master password to your digital executor. Source Link

How does shoveling snow increase the risk of heart attack or sudden cardiac arrest? Shoveling is mostly arm work and that’s more taxing on the heart and many people hold their breath while lifting heavy snow, which raises your heart rate and blood pressure. When you’re shoveling snow, start gradually and pace yourself, cover your mouth and nose to warm the air you breathe and push or sweep snow rather than lifting and throwing it. Source Link

You can raise kids who are smart about money by starting early. Point out prices on a menu or on sales receipts at the supermarket and explain the costs of living like paying for a house, a car, and utilities. And use that magic word “no” to teach budgeting and demonstrate the difference between wants and needs. Source Link

It might seem at odds with common sense, but it’s better to brush your teeth before you eat first thing in the morning. That’s because the acid in foods can soften tooth enamel and you could damage that enamel by brushing too soon. If you want to eat before you brush, wait at least 30 minutes to do it. Source Link

Staying light on your feet could help keep your body in shape and your brain sharp as you age. Studies have shown that physical activity like dancing helps people remain independent as they age. Dancing requires balance, strength, endurance, concentration and memory for choreography and all of that can be good for mind and body. Source Link

History can affect your homeowners insurance costs in several ways. The age of your home makes a difference, especially if you have things like original wiring or an older roof. A history of previous insurance claims could increase the premium. Your credit history may also be a factor, because those with a lower credit rating could be paying more for home insurance. Source Link

There are lots of approaches to starting a conversation the right way. Begin with a simple icebreaker about the place or event you’re attending, or mention the weather. You can also ask a question to give the other person an opportunity to be helpful. Avoid any topic that’s offensive, controversial or uncomfortable and truly listen and express interest in what the other person is saying. Source Link

You’re buying home security cameras, but where should they go? Install cameras at your ground-level doors inside and out, high in the corner of a room and high up outdoors for the best look at any intruders. And don’t worry about hiding them because seeing a security camera could be a great deterrent for a thief. Source Link

There are ways to spot “shrinkflation” when food companies give you a little less but for the same price. Focus on cost per ounce or number of items in a package, like paper towel sheets. Don’t be fooled by labeling like, “new and improved” or “family-size” and be willing to shop for sales at other stores or switch to store brands to get the most from your grocery dollar. Source Link

If you’re a night owl, you may be prone to what researchers are calling “midnight mind.” The wee hours are when the brain is tuned for sleep and that makes it more difficult to manage behavioral problems like unhealthy eating, overthinking and obsession, risk-taking and even substance abuse that can happen when we’re up late. Source Link