BusinessVoice News Network

If you’re getting too many junk robocalls, the sound of silence may be the answer. When it’s a number you don’t recognize, pick up the call but don’t say anything right away. Automated calling systems often wait to hear a voice and the silence can make them disconnect quickly. Source Link

A sticky household staple should also be part of any home emergency kit. Duct tape along with plastic sheeting can be used to cover a broken window, patch a leaky roof, or build a makeshift shelter. Duct tape can also mend torn clothing, or a hole in a shoe or glove, patch a leaking hose on your car’s engine or even reinforce a sprained ankle or keep a bandage in place. Source Link

You might be surprised at some things that’ll cause problems when you’re going through airport security. A wrapped present may need to be unwrapped and small sports equipment like that tennis racket or pickleball paddle could be used as a weapon should go in checked baggage. And loose batteries are more likely to be confiscated, so keep them in the original packaging. Source Link

Take care to avoid these things that can shorten the battery life of your smartphone. Using vibration for calls and notifications, giving location permission to apps that don’t need it and not using auto-brightness for your screen can drain a battery faster. And leaving your phone under your pillow at night or out in the sun can cause it to overheat and damage the battery. Source Link

When you can’t wait for that beer or soda to get cold, a hack that uses a paper napkin can speed up the process. Wet the napkin before wrapping it around the drink’s container. Now set the beverage in the freezer for 15 minutes to enjoy a frosty drink in a fraction of the time. Source Link

You can ditch your to-do list and instead focus on first things first. Making a list of smaller tasks to tackle right away can help build momentum for the day. And here’s a bonus tip – check off completed items instead of crossing through them on the list so you can see exactly what you’ve accomplished. Source Link

Diet or exercise may not be key to managing your weight because the effectiveness of both depends on something else you may be shirking. Not getting enough sleep makes you tire faster during exercise and boosts the hormone that makes you feel hungry. Less than six hours a night is considered to be chronic sleep deprivation. Source Link

A piece of colored tape might help you avoid wasting food that gets lost in the fridge. Use the tape to make a line down a refrigerator shelf and put your need-to-eat foods on one side. You can also put items that spoil faster in clear open-topped plastic trays so they’re more visible and easier to grab. Source Link

100 percent isn’t necessarily the best score when it comes to charging the battery on your Android phone. The sweet spot for efficient charging and less stress on the battery is 80 percent. Some Samsung and Pixel models have an Adaptive Charging feature in Settings that monitors this for you, but you can also find apps that will do the same thing. Source Link

When clutter is a constant problem, you can fight back by creating a refuge from all the refuse. Choose one spot like a kitchen counter, a dining room table, or a bathroom vanity to keep tidy and clear. Once this clutter-free zone takes hold, consider beautifying it with something like a small vase of flowers. Source Link 

Starting with a list can help you make the right choice about giving your child that new tech gadget. Write down the pros and cons – are they tech savvy and will make good use of features that can be educational, or will the device be little more than a digital pacifier? Then set up parental controls and draw up a contract with rules for use including time limits. Source Link

You can fight back against high food prices by watching, clicking and stocking. Watch the sales and aim to buy most of your groceries when they are on sale. Click on coupon apps to use while you shop and start stocking-up on foods you regularly use, beginning with one item at a time. Source Link

Making meals that are affordable and healthy requires some planning that includes checking the calendar. Incorporate fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables that often cost less. You can even stock-up on these and freeze them for use later. And always plan your meals using a shopping list to avoid impulse buying at the grocery store. Source Link

Staying on top of your credit is easier than ever with a permanent change to the rules about getting a free credit report. All three national credit reporting agencies are allowing you to receive a new report every week. The offer of free weekly reports began as an emergency measure during the pandemic. Source Link

You can build a home gym around the kinds of activities that you enjoy. If that’s walking or running, try a treadmill or elliptical trainer. A rowing machine is great if you like cross-country skiing. A thick, washable mat is a must for floor exercises and strength training can use a simple set of resistance bands, dumbbells and free weights or a multi-station home weight machine. Source Link

A good knife is an essential tool in the kitchen and you don’t need a drawer full of them. An eight to 10-inch chef’s knife and a serrated knife and a shorter paring knife can tackle almost any cutting task. Select a quality knife that feels comfortable in your hand and has a heavy, strong handle with a longer metal tang that goes through the end of the handle. Source Link

Walking the neighborhood can be good exercise but consider your route to get the most benefit from it. Sidewalks are mostly flat but when you walk in the street that is angled for drainage one foot will strike the ground lower than the other and that can cause problems. If you take this kind of route, walk halfway on one side of the street and finish the walk on the other side. Source Link 

A simple smartphone reminder could be at the root of problems that keep your tween from getting enough sleep. Researchers found that audible or vibrating notifications of a call, text or e-mail increased the risk of sleep disturbance, and once that happened the youngster was more likely to stay awake. The ultimate solution is to keep smartphones out of kid’s bedrooms. Source Link