BusinessVoice News Network

These tech upgrades can increase your home’s value and improve your life. Installing a doorbell with a built-in security camera or a WiFi programmable thermostat are projects that most DIY’ers can handle. Adding smart outlets lets you program individual lights, or go with a full system of automated devices that use Amazon Echo or Google Assistant. Source Link 

The old standard of an oil change every three months or 3,000 miles doesn’t fit for today’s cars that use synthetic oil, but how often do you need to change it? Your owner’s manual gives you a precise number, but typically it’s between 6,000 and 10,000 miles. And many cars take the guesswork out of it with a warning light on the dash that tells you it’s time for an oil change. Source Link

Who’s a good candidate for an FDA-approved hearing aid sold in stores? You might benefit if you have mild to moderate hearing loss, where speech seems muffled; if you struggle to understand TV or phone calls, or ask people to speak louder. But see an audiologist if you have sudden hearing loss, ringing in both ears, or pain or dizziness. Source Link

How do you celebrate July Fourth with a bang but without the danger? Leave fireworks displays to the pros. The Consumer Product Safety Commission says there’s been a steady annual increase in people who were treated for fireworks injuries and about one out of three fireworks that were tested had problems such as bad fuses or too much explosive materials. Source Link

Summer is salad time but make sure you’re having one that’s good for you. A taco salad can pack as much fat as a cheeseburger and a chef’s salad is often loaded with processed meats with nitrates and cheese that’s high in saturated fat. And that Caesar salad is topped with a heavy, creamy high-calorie dressing, so order it on the side and use it sparingly. Source Link

A stress headache can be your body triggering the natural “fight or flight” reaction but you can stop that cycle. Try deep breathing, mindfulness meditation, and mind-body exercises like tai chi or restorative yoga. A quick trip to the outdoors is another option because 10 minutes in nature has been shown to reduce stress and improve well-being. Source Link

Do you want your credit card to be a rewarding experience or a real deal? It depends on how you use it. Rewards credit cards are good for people who pay off their balance each month and those who carry a balance are better off with the lowest interest rate. A survey found that nearly
half of Americans don’t understand the basics of credit cards. Source Link

Most of us don’t know how to look for signs of oral cancer, but it can be as simple as saying, “Ahhh.” White or gray batches in your mouth or throat that you can’t scrape away could be a warning sign, just like a sore on your lips or mouth that doesn’t heal within a few weeks. Difficulty swallowing and new hoarseness in your voice should also be checked out by a dentist. Source Link

Remember these numbers to build a better to-do list – one, three, five. Pick the biggest job of the day and put that number-one on the list. Then choose three smaller, but still important tasks, and complete the list with five small items that you can finish easily. This technique lets you avoid the need to sort your to-do list by time or urgency. Source Link

A spray-on sunscreen can be less messy and more convenient, but how can you tell if you’re using enough? Keep applying a sunscreen spray until your skin glistens and then smooth it in, even if it’s a “no rub” product. Don’t spray sunscreen near your face; spray it on your hands and rub them on your face, and still wear a hat to keep the sun off your head and neck. Source Link

Using social media safely is something you need to teach your kids starting early. Show them how to spot misinformation, bullying, and hate speech, and warn them not to compare themselves to others’ online personas. Explain the importance of keeping personal information private, but don’t paint social media as all bad because it can be a useful tool for self-expression. Source Link

A trip to the park with the kids can be healthy and fun for all. You can push a stroller or lay out a blanket for infants to practice tummy time, let toddlers and preschoolers climb, swing and run at the playground, or get into the game with older kids by riding bikes, kicking a soccer ball or throwing a Frisbee. Source Link

Fear of getting a shot is real for children but there are ways to ease those worries. The youngest kids can understand there’s some pain from a needle poke but it can help your body not get sick and older children can follow a deeper explanation of how vaccines work. But try not to talk too much about it before the shot and don’t let your anxieties show. Source Link

You can make a meal, go for carryout or eat at a restaurant, but you can also replay some of the greatest hits out of the fridge. A survey found that the average American’s weekly diet consisted of five home-cooked meals, three takeout meals, three restaurant visits and three leftover meals. But one out of four people said they never eat from yesterday’s menu. Source Link

More people are seeing pay raises, but how do you get one if you have to ask for it? Make a list of specific accomplishments, consider negotiating perks and benefits and find out how your salary compares to others in a similar job. And time your pitch to approach the boss right after you’ve done well on a project or taken on new responsibilities. Source Link 

There are probably some real germy hotspots in your home that rarely get cleaned. Like a toothbrush holder, the coffee maker water reservoir, inside a soft-sided lunch box, or the knobs or buttons on kitchen appliances. And pull out the garbage disposal rubber flange for a good cleaning because germs there can spray into the air every time you use it. Source Link

Selling things on Facebook or Craigslist might mean wading through a swamp full of scammers. They might insist on using PayPal or Venmo and then send you a fake payment confirmation to get the goods for free. Or they offer to pay with a check that’s over the amount and you keep the balance, and then the check bounces. The safe way to avoid a scam is to deliver items in-person with cash payment. Source Link 

You can save on grocery bills by making your perishable food last longer. Layer a refrigerator crisper bin with paper towels to absorb moisture that can make spinach or lettuce go bad. Wrapping cheese in parchment paper can fight mold and get that milk out of the door and into the back of the fridge to keep it fresh longer. Source Link