BusinessVoice News Network

Keeping a loved one with dementia safe means thinking about meals, wheels, bills and pills. Plan meals that don’t require using an oven or stove and keep them from driving but arrange other dependable transportation. Monitor finances to ensure they pay their bills and don’t fall victim to a scam and manage medications with a pillbox that can prevent accidental overdosing. Source Link

What does that dream mean? One in which you’re falling could have to do with a fear of losing control, and dreams about being late may be a sign of worry over a challenge you’re facing in life. And nightmares can represent something you need to know but are pushing away. If a dream keeps coming back it could be your mind trying to send you a message that you’re not hearing. Source Link

Here’s how you can create a store of non-perishable foods as part of a home emergency preparedness plan. Start with dry or canned beans, whole grains like quinoa and rice, and pasta. Peanut butter is a good source of protein and canned tomatoes, tuna, chicken, pasta sauce, green beans and corn, along with evaporated milk can provide many meals. Source Link

The latest infant sleep guidelines could be a lifesaver. The nation’s pediatricians say babies should sleep on their backs on a flat surface and never in bed with mom or dad. Parents should keep soft toys, pillows, blankets or other bedding out of a crib or bassinet and not rely on special baby monitors to prevent sudden infant death syndrome. 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 affect your rating but you’d still come out way ahead in your overall score. 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 percent 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

Can the formula “20 over 40” help keep you out of the hospital? In a seven-year study of people over the age of 40, those who got 20 minutes of daily exercise cut their risk of hospitalization for things like pneumonia, stroke, diabetes complications and severe urinary tract infections. The numbers line up with recommendations to get 150 minutes of moderate activity each week. Source Link

Teaching your child healthy eating habits when they’re young can pay lifelong dividends. Help them understand the body’s cues for hunger or fullness and not to eat because you’re bored or doing something else like watching TV. Use child-sized plates to gauge how much food they need for a meal, keep junk food out of the house to avoid temptation, and have them get 60 minutes of physical activity each day. Source Link

That new TV you bring home to your young family should have a life-saving accessory. A tip-over kit lets you anchor the TV to the wall so it won’t fall on a small child if they climb up. And avoid displaying or storing items like toys and remotes near a TV where kids might be tempted to climb up to reach them. Source Link

If your entire life is on your phone, do this before you hand it over to someone to fix a cracked screen or replace the battery. Log out of all online accounts and delete your browser history and consider doing a complete encrypted backup and a factory reset to protect all your personal information. And look for a reputable repair shop with good online reviews. Source Link

“White coat syndrome” is when your blood pressure spikes every time you visit the doctor, but there are ways to help prevent it. Sit quietly and take deep breaths for a few minutes before the reading is taken, or bring someone with you because squeezing a loved one’s hand can reduce stress. And monitor your blood pressure at home to compare to readings at the doctor’s office. Source Link

A 529 plan is a state-sponsored way to pay for a child’s educational expenses with savings that are free of federal income taxes. The money can be used for elementary, secondary or college costs, and up to $10,000 can go to pay off existing student loan debt. You’ll pay a 10-percent penalty and face federal taxes if you withdraw money from a 529 plan for non-educational use. Source Link

You can stock your kitchen with helpful gadgets at the office supply store. Those classic orange-handled scissors are great for opening packages and binder clips can seal up food bags. A black sharpie marker can label freezer bags and write on masking tape for plastic containers and a dry erase board can be used to keep a shopping list. Source Link

The gut microbiome affects everything from your immune system to brain function and you can help to keep it balanced with a few simple steps. Drink plenty of water, get more fiber and avoid ultra-processed foods with lots of added sugar and sodium. And rather than taking probiotic supplements, eat probiotic-rich foods like plain yogurt, kimchi and sauerkraut. Source Link

You can add utility companies to the list of those being impersonated by scammers who want to steal from you. The imposters will call and threaten to cut off service unless a payment is made immediately. If this happens to you, hang up and call the utility company directly and never provide payment information in response to this kind of call. Source Link

Google is ready to help find a price for that vintage item you’re hoping to sell. Open the Google Lens app on your phone and snap a photo of it or choose a picture that you’ve already taken. You’ll get listings of similar items for sale along with price. You can also use the search bar to enter a product name, serial number or keywords to describe the item. Source Link

If your dog could talk he might tell you to stop patting him on the head. Animal experts say dogs prefer chin or chest scratches and don’t like it when you stare directly into their eyes. Dogs usually hate the smell of those cute outfits you make them wear but they love your scent and will cuddle with one of your shoes or a piece of clothing. Source Link

There are plenty of uses for a used tea bag. Dried tea leaves can be a natural deodorant for a litter box or garbage can or sprinkle them on carpeting before you vacuum. Soak hard-to-clean dishes in water with a used tea bag to loosen grease and grime, clean leather shoes by buffing them with a damp tea bag, or use one as a cold compress to take the sting out of insect bites and burns. Source Link