BusinessVoice News Network

When you’ve always got your mind on your money, give yourself a break by automating your budget. Experts say you can manage your money without the headaches by using direct deposit of your paycheck with automatic bill payments and automatic transfers to savings. And if you budget correctly what’s left is money you can spend any way you’d like. Source Link

It’s an old debate – should aluminum foil’s shiny side or dull side be on the outside when wrapping foods for cooking? Experts say it doesn’t matter because heat conducts through the foil the same for either side. There’s a dull side because aluminum foil is manufactured with two sheets together and the sides that touch don’t get a shiny surface. Source Link

Using an old telephone tool may be the best way to help stop today’s scourge of scam calls. Unless it’s a number you know, let the call ring through to voicemail. Even declining a call can tell a scammer that it’s a live number with a possible target. If it’s a legitimate call, the person will leave a message that’s more than a few seconds long. Source Link

Can the formula “20 over 40” help keep you out of the hospital? In a seven-year study of people over the age of 40, those who got 20 minutes of daily exercise cut their risk of hospitalization for things like pneumonia, stroke, diabetes complications and severe urinary tract infections. The numbers line up with recommendations to get 150 minutes of moderate activity each week. Source Link

Teaching your child healthy eating habits when they’re young can pay lifelong dividends. Help them understand the body’s cues for hunger or fullness and not to eat because you’re bored or doing something else like watching TV. Use child-sized plates to gauge how much food they need for a meal, keep junk food out of the house to avoid temptation, and have them get 60 minutes of physical activity each day. Source Link

That new TV you bring home to your young family should have a life-saving accessory. A tip-over kit lets you anchor the TV to the wall so it won’t fall on a small child if they climb up. And avoid displaying or storing items like toys and remotes near a TV where kids might be tempted to climb up to reach them. Source Link

Falls are a leading cause of injury in the home and you can avoid this by looking, lighting and laddering. Watch your feet when walking and don’t multitask while using the stairs. Install nightlights or illuminated wall plates to see better when you’re walking in the dark and use a ladder or step stool for reaching things on high, but never stand on the top step or rung. Source Link

Adding more vegetables to your diet isn’t as hard as it seems. Blend cauliflower or spinach into a smoothie or bake egg muffins with vegetables for an easy grab-and-go breakfast. You can even spiralize vegetables like zucchini, sweet potatoes or beets to mix with your favorite pasta sauce for a tasty meal. Source Link

It’s time to wake up and debunk some sleep myths. It matters what time of day you sleep because your body is built for rest when the sun is down. Being able to fall asleep almost instantly isn’t great and could be a sign of sleep deprivation. And your body needs 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night, so don’t make a habit of getting significantly less. Source Link

Here’s a tip that might help reduce online impulse shopping. Don’t save your credit card information on websites where you frequently shop. Having to grab your wallet to pay for an impulse purchase adds an extra step and gives you more time to consider whether you really need the item. Source Link

Creating a family password to be used in emergencies can help you avoid becoming a victim of scammers who pose as a relative in need of help. If the caller can’t provide this pre-agreed passphrase, you’ll know it’s a fraud. When creating a password, avoid any information like street names, birthdays or a pet’s name that may already be shared online. Source Link

There’s only one time of the day when you should be stepping on a scale to weigh yourself. Do it first thing in the morning after you use the bathroom but before you eat or drink anything. Any other time could include weight from food on your stomach or water weight. If a daily weigh-in makes you anxious, cut back and step onto the scale just once a week. Source Link

It’s easier to spot a scam when you remember these five P’s. Scammers pretend to be from an organization you know, say there’s a problem or that they have a prize for you. They may also pressure you to act immediately or tell you to pay in a specific way, like through a money transfer company or by using gift cards. Source Link

You can look at winter in a new light to help avoid the seasonal blues. Natural light in the living room or kitchen from full-spectrum light bulbs can improve emotional well-being and lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol. And warm-color lighting might work in the bedroom to help you calm down after a stressful day. Source Link

These hotel room hacks can make your next stay easier. That ironing board in the closet can double as a luggage stand and you can make a toothbrush holder that won’t fall over by poking a hole in the bottom of a paper cup. And pack a roll of duct tape to childproof electrical outlets or tape over a bright indicator light on a TV. Source Link

The bathroom scale may not be the best way to see if your diet plan is working. Health experts say things like water weight can throw off that measurement. What’s a better way to track your progress? Use a tape measure on your chest, waist, hips and thighs once a week and see if your clothes are beginning to feel loose. Source Link

Home buyers should beware of these red flags that warn of high maintenance ahead. Those soaring high ceilings increase heating and cooling costs and may require rented scaffolding for painting. Lots of natural stone flooring or tiny tiles takes extra work to keep clean, and a complex roof design with many angles and gables will require more maintenance. Source Link

Try these cleaning tips to help make your phone feel brand-new again. Remove the case and clean it with soapy water or a damp microfiber cloth and gently remove dust and gunk from the charging port. Finish up inside by uninstalling any apps you don’t use or reinstall space-hogging apps to clear memory and help your phone run faster. Source Link