BusinessVoice News Network

Remember the acronym “FORD” when you’re stuck without a topic to make small talk. F is for Family and you can ask about relatives. O is for Occupation – dig deeper into their job. R is for Recreation and can cover favorite hobbies, activities or books, movies or TV. And D is for Dreams – ask about what they dream of doing some day. Source Link

A “fake” credit card number could be a tool to avoid a real online hack where you foot the bill. Many banks and credit card companies offer virtual cards that use a different number but link to your account. You can use a virtual card to make purchases online and if the number is stolen, you simply deactivate it. Source Link

It’s time to forget the old advice to, “feed a cold and starve a fever,” because treating both requires adequate nutrition. Fever is the body’s natural defense to fight infection and all immune responses like this require the energy you get from eating. Comfort foods like chicken noodle soup can provide nutrition and keep you hydrated. Source Link

This five-second rule might uncover a balance problem for older adults. If you can’t stand on one foot for at least five seconds, you’re at higher risk for falls. The longer the better and getting up to 30 seconds is great. You can build balance by alternating standing on each foot for as long as you can while brushing your teeth. Source Link

Thrifty shoppers know the early bird gets the deals in a second-hand store and that means shopping early in the day and early in the week. Many thrift stores restock the floor after getting more donations during the weekend, so plan your shopping trip for a Monday or Tuesday to get the first pick of new items for sale. Source Link

Make laundry day easier on you and your clothes with a shortcut that’s built into many washers. The “express cycle” has a shorter wash time and a high-speed spin cycle for quicker drying. And that shorter wash cycle can lengthen the life of clothes because it means less time that items are rubbing together in the washer. Source Link 

If you’re adding a child to the family phone plan, think inexpensive and take control. Offer them a hand-me-down iPhone or a low-cost Android device. Establish ground rules like you get all passwords and can check their phone at any time. And set up parental controls on the phone for kid-safe searches and to limit what apps they can download. Source Link

You can have more success with your workouts with these trainer tips. Don’t race through a workout because that bad form can lead to injuries and shorten your routine instead of skipping it if you’re tired or rushed for time. And dress the part in exercise wear that makes you look good and feel comfortable. Source Link

When should a senior citizen hang up the car keys for good is a question that can be answered with the help of a primary care physician who understands their health conditions, capacities, and challenges. Vision, thinking skills and physical function all play a part and families should start the discussion early before a driving mishap forces the issue. Source Link

Getting enough vitamin D every day can be a challenge when winter weather blocks the most natural source of it. Instead of depending on exposure to sunshine, try eating more foods high in Vitamin D, like fatty fish, egg yolks and foods that add vitamin D. If you use a supplement, choose Vitamin D3 that’s absorbed more easily by your body. Source Link

When you ask, “How was your day?” your child may only say, “Fine” or “Okay”, so try these other questions. For young children, ask about stories they read in class or something they learned today. Tweens and teens might respond to, “What’s the most unexpected thing that happened?” and most kids can probably tell you what was their favorite part of the day. Source Link

Healthy eating doesn’t have to be complicated. Fresh, frozen, canned or dried fruits and vegetables all make meal preparations easy. And fruits, vegetables and whole grains provide you with nutrients and dietary fiber that can help lower your risk of developing cancer. To eat more of these, start by filling at least half of your dinner plate with fruits or vegetables. Source Link

Billions of spam texts are sent every month and here’s how you can handle yours. Sign-up for your carrier’s spam-blocking protection and see if your provider lets you forward spam texts to “7726” to auto-block them. And never reply to a spam text asking them to stop because this verifies they have a working number and you’ll get even more spam. Source Link

Before you exercise, just say “no” to some common fitness myths. Instead of stretching, do warm-ups first to get the blood flowing. More reps with a lighter weight can be just as effective as a heavier lift to build muscle, and skip that ice bath after every workout because it could counteract the body’s natural process of repairing muscle. Source Link

Is it smart to turn clothes inside-out before washing? Some say it protects the fabric outside to make it last longer and gets to body odors on the inside. The downside is that it’s less effective on external dirt and grime and may damage delicates. You can save a step using this method by turning your clothes inside-out as you take them off. Source Link

Your cell phone could be carrying more germs than a toilet seat but there are ways to clean it up. Keeping your phone out of the bathroom will help along with an occasional cleaning with a microfiber cloth or a solution of water and rubbing alcohol. And wash your hands frequently because that’s how most germs make it to your phone. Source Link

It’s easier than you think to pack a healthy lunch for your kids. Concentrate on basics like whole-grain bread, lean meats and lettuce and tomato for sandwiches. Add raw vegetables and a low fat-low sugar dipping sauce and favorite fruits for snacks. If kids buy lunch at school, remind them that hot dogs or mac and cheese should just be occasional foods. Source Link

Some of your home improvement tools might work well in the kitchen. A straight ruler can cut dough for a lattice crust and self-adjusting pliers make a great nutcracker. Painters tape is a durable label for freezer leftovers and comes off clean months later. And office binder clips can hold open a cookbook while you’re working from a recipe. Source Link