BusinessVoice News Network

When you’re going to deep-clean your refrigerator, be sure you do it right. Unplug the power and leave the freezer closed but open the door wide. Remove shelves and drawers and wash these in cool water to avoid cracking them. And tackle those stuck-on messes by covering them with a warm, damp dish towel to soften enough to wipe or scrape off. Source Link

Could one less candy bar make an important difference for your heart health? Researchers say cutting just 250 calories a day — the equivalent of an average candy bar — along with moderate exercise helped obese seniors fight hardening of the arteries. The combination worked better than cutting 600 calories per day. Source Link

Call it a colorful approach to avoiding dementia. People who consumed just a half serving a day of foods high in flavonoids had a 20% lower risk of mental decline. Flavonoids are an antioxidant found in colorful fruits and vegetables like bananas, apples, pears, sweet peppers, citrus, cherries and berries. Source Link

You can easily tighten your budget by not spending money on these things. An extended warranty is rarely used, and don’t go to a gym that requires a long-term contract. Eat breakfast at home, bring your own snacks and reusable water bottle to work, look for free smartphone games and don’t pay for rental car insurance if your credit card covers you. Source Link

Your wallet might thank you if you skip that complimentary cup of coffee during your next shopping trip. In a study, people who sipped coffee while shopping spent 50% more money. The caffeine in coffee leads to a higher energetic state that can make you more impulsive and less able to control your spending. Source Link

Reducing credit card debt through a consolidation loan could be a fast way to boost your credit score. Researchers found that paying down $10,000 in credit card debt boosted scores by an average of 49 points. Taking out a loan for that money does impact your rating but you’d still come out way ahead in your overall score. Source Link

Here are some simple rules to keep school homework from overwhelming your child’s life. Create a schedule that gives kids time to relax or play right after school and then hit the books early in the evening. Allow for a break between subjects and have limits so that homework doesn’t cut into sleep time. Source Link

We screen every year for physical health risks like cancer, but what about memory issues? The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America website offers free confidential memory screening that takes less than 15 minutes. This isn’t a diagnosis but results can help suggest if you should see a physician for a full evaluation. Source Link

When buying things is what you do to feel happy, you could be investing in something better to get the same boost without costing you money or filling a closet. Commit to improving your closest relationships by sharing experiences with family and friends and freeing up time to spend together. Source Link

Your smartphone isn’t built for below-freezing weather that could shorten battery life, affect the display or even shatter the screen. Keep the phone in your pocket when you’re out and don’t leave it in a parked car in the cold. Don’t charge your phone when it’s cold and turn it off whenever possible to reduce the risk of damage from freezing temperatures. Source Link

There are some ways to be frugal that can end up backfiring on you. Avoiding the cost of preventative care like dental checkups or oil changes can cause more-expensive problems later. Signing up for a store credit card for a one-time deal could leave you on the hook for high interest charges later, and don’t let free trials become permanent monthly bills. Source Link

It’s tough to be patient when you want to lose weight now, but what’s a safe level of weight loss? People who succeed do it gradually at about 1 to 2 pounds per week, which translates into 4 to 8 pounds a month. Remember that fad diets or highly restrictive eating plans may prompt fast weight loss, but not permanent weight loss. Source Link

Good posture could reduce neck and back pain and you don’t need to balance a book on your head to improve. A few times a day, sit with your feet flat on the floor or stand up tall. Look straight ahead, bring your shoulders back and down, and slightly tuck in your chin. Now hold this position for a count of five. Source Link

A used car is a major investment for any make or model, so always do your homework before you buy. Research the car’s history for possible accidents or collisions. Take it out for a test spin to get the sound and feel of the drive and to test the AC, heater and radio. Then have a car mechanic do an independent inspection of the vehicle. Source Link 

Adopting a kitten can be exciting but consider the options before you become a new pet parent. Adopting from an animal shelter often provides you with full health checkups and necessary shots. And if you’re ready for it, two kittens adopted together can keep each other company and encourage exercise and play. Source Link 

Unclogging a toilet is a tough job that’s even harder without a plunger but there are other ways to get your flush back. Pour in a half-cup of liquid dish soap or chop up a bar of hand soap to lubricate the clogged pipe. You can follow that with a bucket of hot bath water. Pour it in holding the bucket at waist level to let the force of gravity do the work. Source Link

When your budget is hit by inflation it’s important to look for smart ways you can save money. Don’t pay a monthly service fee for a checking account or fees for using an out-of-network ATM. Review credit card statements and cancel any services you don’t use. And hit the pause button for 24 hours before purchasing something big that’s on sale to see if that excitement about getting a deal wears off. Source Link

A yard sale deal is great but some bargain items shouldn’t make it home with you. Don’t buy a baby car seat second-hand because those come with an expiration date and may not be safe anymore. Likewise, a bike helmet may have been through an accident and can no longer protect you properly. Source Link