BusinessVoice News Network

You know to keep tabs on our credit report, but other records could affect your chances of getting a new job. Doing a background check on yourself could uncover mistaken arrest warrants or ID theft that led to a suspended license. But you need a professional background check and not the kind offered to consumers online. Source Link 

You have two things to heat in the microwave and they both won’t fit on the tray, so think about cooking at a different level. Use a mason jar or other glass piece of kitchenware to prop up the second container of food and cook both together. Just remember that you’ll probably need to increase cooking time. Source Link

Gut health is an important part of overall health and there are things you can do to keep that microbiome in good shape. Instead of popping a pill, eat foods that are rich in probiotics like plain yogurt, kimchi or sauerkraut. Get your daily quota of fiber and stay hydrated, and avoid ultra-processed foods with huge amounts of added sugar and sodium. Source Link

There are many ways you can show support when a friend or family member is dealing with a cancer diagnosis. Send handwritten cards that they can save and look at later. Be a good listener and connect them with support communities. And instead of asking what they need, tell them how you’ll help, whether that’s with household chores or starting a fundraiser to defray hospital bills. Source Link

Stocking a freezer with meat when it’s on sale can be a great way to save money, but how long will it keep? Steaks, chops, bacon, chicken breasts and hot dogs can be good for six months, and ground meat up to four months in a freezer at zero degrees. You can freeze meat in its original packaging but overwrap it with foil, plastic wrap or put the package in a plastic bag. Source Link

Your brain might benefit from a vacation getaway that doesn’t involve travel. In a test, people who stayed off social media for a week gained about nine hours of free time and improved their mental well-being. Other research has shown that taking a brief break from TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter can ease symptoms of depression and anxiety. Source Link 

What can you do with an old USB stick? Load it with portable applications that can be used on any PC without installing them. Create a rescue kit with apps that find malware or help recover from common computer problems. You can even load a complete portable operating system onto a thumb drive that can be used without needing to change a computer’s current setup. Source Link

Here’s how to win the battle to fit everything in that carry-on bag. Make a packing list and then pare it down, especially with toiletries you won’t use. Fold bulky items and use packing cubes or plastic compression bags to leave you more space. Stash small items inside shoes or boots that you pack, and wear as many layers of clothing on the plane as you can, including a bulky coat to save space in your bag. Source Link 

It doesn’t take a lot to safeguard your privacy online. Switch to a web browser like Brave or DuckDuckGo that doesn’t log your every move and use the Duck forwarding service to strip out trackers from your emails before you open them. And use a VPN on your phone or tablet to protect your sensitive data when you’re connecting to WiFi away from home. Source Link 

You’re making a healthy choice by eating at the salad bar but don’t ruin it with unhealthy toppings. Mounds of shredded cheese and croutons or crispy noodles can add lots of calories and skip the taco or bread bowl. Grated cheese, fresh avocado or a spoonful of nuts or seeds can soup-up that salad without ditching your diet. Source Link

What kitchen tool comes in handy at Christmas or anytime you’re opening a gift? A can opener can make quick work on the edges of those rigid plastic cases. Line up the can opener along the edge, ensure a tight grip, and turn the opener as you would with a can to safely open that packaging. Source Link

A sticky household staple should also be part of any home emergency kit. Duct tape along with plastic sheeting can be used to cover a broken window, patch a leaky roof, or build a makeshift shelter. Duct tape can also mend torn clothing, or a hole in a shoe or glove, patch a leaking hose on your car’s engine or even reinforce a sprained ankle or keep a bandage in place. Source Link

High-tech and old-fashioned tools can help you lose weight and keep it off. Using a diet app to track the food you eat and writing a weekly meal plan can help to keep you disciplined. If you can’t plan ahead a cooked rotisserie chicken is a good choice for a quick meal and stock up on fresh fruits and nuts to help at snack time. Source Link

When lawn care season is over, be sure to stow that mower correctly. Clean the deck with a garden hose to remove all grass and use a paint scraper on that caked-on crud. Remove the battery if it’s electric or run the gas engine until the tank is empty, and then add some stabilized fuel and run it again to prevent damage from old gas sitting in the engine all winter long. Source Link

When you can’t wait for that beer or soda to get cold, a hack that uses a paper napkin can speed up the process. Wet the napkin before wrapping it around the drink’s container. Now set the beverage in the freezer for 15 minutes to enjoy a frosty drink in a fraction of the time. Source Link 

When you raid your kid’s Halloween haul for a sweet treat, try to avoid candies that are tough on your teeth. Caramels, taffy and gummy candies stick around in your mouth, giving them additional time to cause tooth decay and sour candies contain sugar and acids. Healthier choices include Three Musketeers bars, peppermint patties and peanut M&Ms. Source Link 

The perfect internet speed for your home depends on what you do and how many people use it. Typical internet use like web browsing, social media or email may require only 5 megabytes per second, while streaming video or online gaming each need another 10 megabytes of speed. Doing all of this at the same time with multiple users shows how your need for speed can multiply. Source Link

When it comes to a safe sleeping space for your baby, bare is best. The way adults sleep is not safe for young children who need a firm, flat surface in a crib, bassinet or play yard. Keep stuffed toys, pillows and blankets out of that sleeping space to reduce the risk of suffocation. Instead, dress your baby to be comfortable sleeping without covers. Source Link