BusinessVoice News Network

If there’s a DIY painting project on your to-do list, remember these tips to get the job done right. Start with a pint of paint to see if you like the color on your walls and then buy the best paint to get quality coverage that will last longer. And have the primer tinted to match your color and you’ll need only one coat of paint. Source Link

Mindfulness meditation may be helpful for a wide range of physical and mental ailments. It’s been shown to reduce chronic pain and treat addiction issues, as well as help with depression, anxiety and post traumatic stress disorder. With mindfulness meditation, you learn to focus on your thoughts, emotions and body sensations as you’re experiencing them. Source Link

A rental storage unit can do more than hold your overflow stuff from home. You could use a storage unit as a location for online meetings or to produce videos, to maintain inventory, as an art studio or to create a home gym away from home. The one thing you can’t do is use a storage unit as a place to live. Source Link

The tools of the trade in car detailing will also work when the job gets done in your driveway. Ditch the old t-shirts and cotton towels and use a microfiber cloth to dry your car and avoid scratches. Use a car wash cleaner and not dish soap and have two buckets — one for soapy water and one with plain water to rinse dirt out of your sponge. Source Link 

There are some simple steps that can help curb excessive screen time for tweens. Start by restricting their screens at meals and at bedtime and model this good behavior yourself. In testing, researchers found that using screen time as a reward or punishment for a child didn’t change their habits. Source Link

Summertime protection for your eyes involves what you wear in many ways. Start with 100 percent UV blocking sunglasses and wear a hat that also protects your eyes and face from the sun. Keep sunscreen out of your eyes by using one that doesn’t run when you sweat. And consider wearing swim goggles to protect your eyes from pool chemicals and bacteria found in lakes, rivers and oceans. Source Link

Stop and ask yourself a few questions before you share health stories on social media. Is the source trustworthy, like a major medical center or national organization? Is it a personal story that may not reflect the big picture, or does it make you feel emotional? If it does, try waiting to post because the impulse to share it might pass. Source Link 

Streaming TV subscription fees add up fast and you can save money with a little planning. Make a calendar note for when a trial subscription ends to avoid paying for an extra month, and bundle or get an annual subscription for services you know you want to keep. And if there isn’t a show you’re watching now on that service, cancel and re-subscribe later. Source Link

There’s a good chance you have a free hotspot or free public WiFi available nearby now, but how do you find it? Apps like Instabridge or WiFi Map will show you where to find a free hook-up that’s near you, and many public libraries offer free WiFi. Consider using a VPN with any free internet connection to safeguard any personal data during the session. Source Link

You can turn that messy kitchen into a clean scene in just 15 minutes with these tips. Load the dishwasher and throw a wet sponge into the microwave for one minute on high to create steam that will loosen gunk. Wipe down the sink, counters, and stove top with disinfectant wipes, use that sponge to wipe the inside of the microwave, and then sweep and mop. Source Link

Using dumbbells, barbells or weight machines are all effective ways to build muscles, but how much you lift and how you do it can determine the results. Lifting the heaviest weights with three to five reps is best for building strength. Weights that you can comfortably lift eight to ten times are best for building muscle size. Source Link

You can teach kids good money habits at any age. Explain to youngsters under 5 how money is used to support everyday activities. Kids ages 6 to 11 can earn chore money and make decisions on how to spend it on things or experiences. And teens can learn about payroll taxes and experience investing with a custodial brokerage account. Source Link

If your phone’s photo gallery is overflowing there’s a technique popular with home cleanup experts that also works on a cramped camera roll. Look at each photo and ask yourself if seeing this makes you happy or if you’d want to see it again. If you answer “no” to either question, the photo can probably go in the trash bin. Source Link

Using a fan along with air conditioning can help you feel cool without burning up your utility bill. A ceiling fan is best because it distributes air throughout a room but a pedestal, tower or table fan can also help you feel cooler when using air conditioning. Studies have shown that a room with fans and the thermostat set at 80 degrees can feel as cool as only using AC that’s set at 72 degrees. Source Link

There’s a reason why taking notes with pen and paper helps you learn better than when typing on a keyboard. Handwriting involves fine-tuned coordination between the motor and visual systems in the brain to deeply engage in ways that support learning. Testing showed that typing doesn’t offer the same benefits. Source Link

The long weekend is a favorite getaway and these tips can help you save on your mini-vacation. Book your rental car as far ahead as possible to get the best rates but consider waiting to find last-minute deals on unsold hotel rooms. The same strategy might also work with an Airbnb that still has an opening a few days before you plan to leave. Source Link

The typical kitchen or pantry will have more room for storage when you ditch these space wasters. Throw out mismatched plastic storage containers or damaged utensils you no longer use and save the kitchen cupboard space for only the number of place settings you typically use. The rest can be stored elsewhere and you can also throw away any expired pantry staples, spices or condiments. Source Link

Creating a successful fitness plan takes some work before you start that first workout. Determine what you want out of exercise, whether that’s more energy, stronger muscles or to lose weight and find exercise you enjoy so you’re more likely to stick to it. Set specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-bound goals and create healthy rewards for when you reach those goals. Source Link