BusinessVoice News Network

Most of us know you don’t give chocolate to a dog, but what other common foods are a no-no for Fido? Grapes and raisins can damage their kidneys and garlic and onions are also poisonous. The same is true for macadamia nuts and avocados and alcoholic drinks are also dangerous for dogs. Source Link

How can having more credit improve your credit score? A big part of that number is based on how much of your available credit you’re using. You can have a lower percentage of utilization by opening a new credit card or asking for an increase in credit limit for a current card, just don’t use that extra credit for additional spending. Source Link

Here are two fast ways to remove an old sticker on something. Scrubbing with a damp Magic Eraser sponge can quickly get rid of a price sticker or label. You can also grab a hair dryer and use a blast of hot air to loosen an edge and make the sticker easy to peel off. Source Link

Can your old toothbrush reinfect you after a cold has cleared up? Experts say you can’t get the same cold virus again, but it’s still a good idea to change your toothbrush every three months. Things like towels, bar soap, bedding, lip balm and even makeup applicators can spread germs to others who share them. Source Link

You can make home DIY more affordable by tackling those small tasks that make a bigger impact. Painting an accent color on the back of a built-in bookcase, retiling a fireplace and painting the mantle, or replacing a light fixture can make a real design difference. And wallpapering a small space such as a bathroom or laundry room is an affordable DIY project. Source Link

When you need to evacuate your home fast you want your important documents ready to go. Use a fireproof home safe you can carry to store Social Security cards, birth certificates, driver’s licenses, passports, marriage licenses and divorce decrees. Or keep the originals in a bank safe deposit box. Source Link

If you really want to remember something, skip the keyboard and break out the pad and pen. Testing showed that note takers in lectures who used paper instead of a laptop did better when recalling concepts. Researchers say you’re using your brain to process information when taking notes by hand, instead of simply transcribing words by typing. Source Link

Saving for an emergency fund can be easier with the “1-3-6” method. Work out your monthly spending on living costs, transportation and food and set up a separate bank account with automatic transfers for the fund. Aim to save a month’s worth of expenses over one year, then go for three months and then six months by reducing discretionary spending. Source Link

Professional home renovations often carry a big price tag but you can cut those costs with a few simple steps. The demo needed for the project may be something you can do or save money by buying your own materials. And phasing-in the purchase of new appliances could cut the up-front cost of a kitchen renovation by thousands of dollars. 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

A lost or broken smartphone can turn your life upside down, so take a few simple steps to stay connected to your digital world. A sturdy case can lessen the risk that a drop could disable your phone. Use cloud backup for your contacts and photos, and enable location services but adjust the access that apps can have to your location in the settings for privacy. Source Link

Try these hacks to make better use of household tools you already have. A vegetable peeler can shave thin slices of onion faster than slicing and the hole in that spaghetti spoon helps you measure one portion. And wedging the teeth of a staple remover into a key ring can make it easier to slide on a new key. Source Link

Your water bottle needs to be cleaned every day to keep you safe from germs. Start by choosing a metal or glass bottle with a wide mouth that makes cleaning easier. Bottles with a straw collect less bacteria than those with a slide top. And don’t use a disposable plastic bottle because the ridges in it make cleaning difficult. Source Link

A free online tool will help you fight back quickly when you’re the victim of identity theft. The website IdentityTheft.gov run by the Federal Trade Commission helps you create a personal recovery plan and the paperwork needed to undo the effects of identity theft. It also offers advice on specific kinds of fraud, like credit card theft. Source Link

Can the “work-life” balance we strive for on the job also be a goal when you’re on vacation? Set aside a portion of every vacation day for downtime like a nap, lounging by the pool, reading or doing puzzles. Make mealtimes more leisurely beginning with breakfast and trim that “must-do” list because you’ll still have a great vacation even if you don’t see everything. Source Link

Your kitchen drain is no place for disposing of fats from cooking, so try these alternatives. Line a bowl with foil, pour the grease in it, let it cool and then toss out the wrapped foil. You can do the same “pour and toss” with a resealable plastic bag. Or pour grease into an empty can, let it harden and put the can in the trash. Source Link