BusinessVoice News Network

Here are some tips for keeping your kid’s home-packed school lunch tasty until the Noon hour. Toasting bread in a sandwich can help prevent sogginess and stuffing the lunchbox with paper towels can absorb moisture from items like chicken nuggets. And you can wrap the top of a banana with tape and plastic wrap to stop it from ripening in a lunch box or bag. Source Link

Time and temperature are two factors that can help you save on energy costs on laundry day. Always choose a cold water setting for washing because today’s detergents are made to work best in cold water. And set your dryer temperature lower and run it longer to use less energy and still get your clothes dry. Source Link

Flying with babies is challenging enough but there are ways to make the flight easier when it comes to choosing seats. If you’re flying with an infant, look for a seat in the first row of the coach section. These bulkhead seats may accommodate a bassinet provided by the airline for free that attaches to the bulkhead wall. Source Link

Among the many ways you can avoid becoming a victim of fraud, two are simple and effective. Consider placing a freeze on your credit report with all three national agencies to prevent anyone else from using your name to borrow money. And don’t answer phone calls from numbers you don’t recognize to stop scammers from getting a virtual foot in the door. Source Link 

When a phone upgrade is in your future, be ready to wipe away the past on your old device. First do a backup through iCloud or Google and then factory reset your device. If you paired your phone with a smart watch, remember to disconnect it and then unlink and sign out of services like iCloud or Google Drive on your old phone. Source Link 

More screen time for kids at age 2 can mean more problems with communication and daily living skills by age 4. That’s from researchers who say the wild card is more outdoor play time. Youngsters who spent more time playing outdoors improved their daily living skills but it didn’t alter the negative effects of screen time on communication skills. Source Link

Pop quiz – what’s the germiest place in most bathrooms? Here’s a hint — you don’t sit on it. That shower curtain stays moist and is a perfect breeding ground for bacteria, yeast and mold. Wipe down a plastic shower curtain with an antibacterial cleaner or wash a cloth one in hot water once a week and crack a window or open the door during a shower to help the bathroom dry out better. Source Link 

More social connections in real life can help you live a happier life. Joining a club can foster a sense of belonging and protect against loneliness and isolation. And socializing with colleagues outside of work can build friendships and make work time more productive with people whose company you enjoy in and out of the office. 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 lose track of free trials that become regular monthly bills. Source Link

Buying a car or purchasing a home aren’t the only times you can negotiate a price. Call to see if you can get a lower bill for cable or satellite TV service, and do the same with your cell phone plan. Ask about annual payment discounts for insurance or streaming services. And when you open a chat with online customer service about a purchase you may get a discount coupon. Source Link

You can decorate a home to make it user-friendly for those with memory issues. Label a dresser drawer with pictures of what’s in it, or use calming tones of blue paint in bedrooms or anywhere a person relaxes. Choose dinner plates in a color that contrasts with the tablecloth to make it easier to see the food, and have family photos and vintage magazines on display to help with mood and memory recall. Source Link 

Here’s a three-word mantra that can help when decluttering a house – best, favorite or necessary. When you have too many things you use, pick out the best ones and clear out the rest. You can also hang on to favorites and what’s necessary, as long as you don’t save too many things. Source Link

Keeping air travel safe for your pet begins long before the plane leaves the ground. If your dog or cat is traveling in cargo, get them acclimated to the kennel they’ll be staying in to avoid injuries from biting or scratching at the cage. Stop solid food at least six hours before the flight and consult with your vet before giving pets any sedatives. Source Link

We all know there are fake online product reviews, but how can you spot them? Beware of reviews with generic phrases that could be used for almost any product and look for ones that describe specific features or how the item is used. And look out for reviews that are overly glowing or very negative but without any details to back them up. Source Link

Buying school supplies is an expensive annual rite for parents but there are ways to save. Check your kid’s closet or backpack first to see if there are unused pencils, markers or scissors, and never buy everything from a single store. Instead, shop for sale prices at several retailers. And don’t bring your child along because studies show that most parents spend more on school supplies when kids are with them. Source Link

Not everything in a thrift store is a smart buy. Do pick up cheap sweaters because you’ll save big on retail prices for something you might wear a few months of the year. Don’t buy shoes that may have stretched out to the former owner’s foot shape and could be uncomfortable. Bargain hunt for baby clothes but avoid used toys that may not conform to safety standards. Source Link

To start a good conversation with someone new, avoid questions like, “What do you do?” or “Where are you from?” Instead, get them talking with an opener like, “What’s your story?” or “What makes you smile when you get up in the morning?” or “What’s the most important thing I should know about you?” The goal is to make the conversation about the other person. Source Link 

For better self-esteem, look for ways to build on your strengths instead of just fixing the weaknesses. Discover what skills make you feel best about yourself and find activities to stimulate that. If it’s critical thinking, go to lectures or take a class. Creatives can start a new project and or you can strengthen perseverance by taking on a new responsibility on a short timetable. Source Link