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You don’t need to drop $1,000 or more on a new phone when a little DIY maintenance can revitalize your current one. Start with a thorough cleaning of the screen, body and case using a microfiber cloth. For the inside of your phone, delete unused apps, and old emails and text messages, and consider doing a factory reset to start fresh with your operating system. Source Link

A few easy steps can make that next airline flight go smoother. Get to the airport early but instead of sitting at the gate, take a walk around the terminal for exercise but avoid the overpriced restaurants and bars. And take it slow if you want to enjoy a drink on the plane. The low cabin pressure means less oxygen and one drink in the air can equal two on the ground. Source Link

It’s easy to eat smarter with these simple tips. Olive oil has less fat but more calories, so coat that cooking pan using an olive oil spray. Winter squash and sweet potatoes are both orange vegetables but squash has the same fiber and half the calories. And a large banana can help you feel full better than a cup of strawberries. Source Link

Many of us have a desk drawer full of old dead phones but be careful they don’t come back to life in a bad way. Old batteries can swell up and may catch fire, so remove any phone like this and dispose of it safely. If you plan to keep an old phone as a backup, charge the battery to 50% and then turn the phone off and check that charge every six months. Source Link

An innocent internet search for that famous pop star or actor could leave a computer stuffed with malware from links that look like the real thing but aren’t. The good news is that the Google, Bing and Yahoo search engines have safety settings that let you set limits to prevent those sketchy links from appearing in listings. Source Link

The basement may be your go-to storage spot, but there are a few things that should never be kept down there. Rolled up rugs and carpeting are a perfect home for bugs and can absorb moisture and odor. The same goes for wood furniture and upholstered items. And fur and leather clothing, books and toys need to be in sealed containers to prevent damage. Source Link

Your dentist wants you to know a few things to help keep your mouth healthy. Your gums should not regularly bleed while flossing, and skip charcoal toothpastes that won’t whiten your teeth but could make them more sensitive to hot and cold. And don’t self-medicate with alcohol or drugs if you’re nervous about an appointment because the dentist can provide what you need for a pain-free visit. Source Link

Sharing time with your long-distance grandchildren doesn’t have to be a phone call or a FaceTime session. You can work on projects together, whether that’s drawing in a shared sketchbook or building the same hobby items. You can also read the same books and then discuss them with your grandchildren. Source Link

There are times when shelling out for phone insurance is a smart buy. If your phone costs over $1,000 and you tend to drop it or have kids who play with your phone, it might be worth the extra fee on your monthly bill. But first check to see if your credit card includes phone insurance when you pay your bill with that card or invest in a sturdy phone case. Source Link

Fake charity scammers want to tug on your heartstrings and your wallet, and here are some red flags to watch for. They may call from a local number for a false sense of security or claim that you’ve donated before, and may never say exactly how the money is being used. And beware of scam charities with names that sound like a well-known one but aren’t quite right. Source Link

You don’t need a closet full of them, but your feet will thank you if you don’t wear the same shoes every day. That can cause fatigue and pain because you’re always using the same areas of the foot for support and walking. Have a few pairs of comfortable shoes and rotate them throughout the week. Source Link

Losing your luggage is no fun, but you can reduce the odds of being separated from your travel belongings. Use a luggage tag with up-to-date contact information and label the inside of the bag as well. Remove old baggage tags that might confuse handlers and make your bag stand out with a distinct luggage tag, belt or ribbon to prevent someone else from mistakenly grabbing it. Source Link

You can beat the battle of the bulge as a host or a guest at a holiday party. If you’re hosting, offer healthy fruit and vegetable dishes or bring a vegetable dish if you’re a guest. And remember that a holiday party shouldn’t be an “all you can eat” challenge. Take smaller first portions and go back for seconds only if you’re still hungry. Source Link

Why should you add a crumpled wad of aluminum foil to every load of dishes? For more sparkling clean silverware. When it’s placed in the cutlery tray, that ball of aluminum foil interacts with the chemicals in the dishwasher detergent to remove tarnish on silverware. Source Link

Here are some side hustles for introverts who don’t want face-to-face contact with customers. Renting items on sites like Poshmark or selling things you make on Etsy don’t involve much interaction and blogging is also a solo gig. You could even make some extra cash taking online surveys that you do solo from the comfort of home. Source Link

When you want to begin your workday right, avoid the urge to multitask. Testing has shown that trying to tackle several things at once right off the bat can set you back for the rest of the day. And don’t start with small talk because that can derail your focus on important tasks at the beginning of your workday. Source Link

Just like a dryer, your washer has a filter that needs to be cleaned regularly. In most top-loading machines, the filter is in the center of the agitator, on the top rim of the washer tub, or at the end of a drainage hose. Front loaders have the filter on the front or back of the machine, and high-efficiency washers typically don’t have a filter. Source Link

Most cellphones have lots of duplicate photos on them and they’re easy to find and delete. On an iPhone, select Albums in the Photos app, choose Duplicates, select All and tap the Trash icon. With an Android phone you can use the “Files by Google” app to select Clean, tap to Confirm Junk Files and then Clear. Source Link