BusinessVoice News Network

Good posture could reduce neck and back pain and you don’t need to balance a book on your head to improve. A few times a day, sit with your feet flat on the floor or stand up tall. Look straight ahead, bring your shoulders back and down, and slightly tuck in your chin. Now hold this position for a count of five. Source Link

A used car is a major investment for any make or model, so always do your homework before you buy. Research the car’s history for possible accidents or collisions. Take it out for a test spin to get the sound and feel of the drive and to test the AC, heater and radio. Then have a car mechanic do an independent inspection of the vehicle. Source Link 

Adopting a kitten can be exciting but consider the options before you become a new pet parent. Adopting from an animal shelter often provides you with full health checkups and necessary shots. And if you’re ready for it, two kittens adopted together can keep each other company and encourage exercise and play. Source Link 

Unclogging a toilet is a tough job that’s even harder without a plunger but there are other ways to get your flush back. Pour in a half-cup of liquid dish soap or chop up a bar of hand soap to lubricate the clogged pipe. You can follow that with a bucket of hot bath water. Pour it in holding the bucket at waist level to let the force of gravity do the work. Source Link

When your budget is hit by inflation it’s important to look for smart ways you can save money. Don’t pay a monthly service fee for a checking account or fees for using an out-of-network ATM. Review credit card statements and cancel any services you don’t use. And hit the pause button for 24 hours before purchasing something big that’s on sale to see if that excitement about getting a deal wears off. Source Link

A yard sale deal is great but some bargain items shouldn’t make it home with you. Don’t buy a baby car seat second-hand because those come with an expiration date and may not be safe anymore. Likewise, a bike helmet may have been through an accident and can no longer protect you properly. Source Link

These tech upgrades can increase your home’s value and improve your life. Installing a doorbell with a built-in security camera or a WiFi programmable thermostat are projects that most DIY’ers can handle. Adding smart outlets lets you program individual lights, or go with a full system of automated devices that use Amazon’s Alexa or Google Assistant. Source Link

Hitting your weight loss goal is great but it’s only half the battle. To keep that weight off, don’t skip exercise, choose a forever diet and increase food intake very gradually. And maintain the support network of friends, family or health professionals that helped you achieve your weight loss goal. Source Link 

The old standard of an oil change every three months or 3,000 miles doesn’t fit for today’s cars that use synthetic oil, but how often do you need to change it? Your owner’s manual gives you a precise number, but typically it’s between 6,000 and 10,000 miles. And many cars take the guesswork out of it with a warning light on the dash that tells you it’s time for an oil change. Source Link

Can you pack part of the holiday feast on your flight home for Thanksgiving? TSA officials say you can bring things like pumpkin pie or green bean casserole in a carry-on but portions will be small because it needs to be in clear, three-ounce bags. You can also pack food in checked luggage along with adult beverages as long as they’re less than 24 percent alcohol. Source Link

With the flip of a switch you might be able to spend less on heating costs this winter. Ceiling fans have a switch that lets you reverse the airflow so it’s pushing air up. Instead of getting that cool downward breeze, changing the fan’s direction pushes warm air near the ceiling down towards you. Source Link

You can save on grocery bills by making your perishable food last longer. Layer a refrigerator crisper bin with paper towels to absorb moisture that can make spinach or lettuce go bad. Wrapping cheese in parchment paper can fight mold and get that milk out of the door and into the back of the fridge to keep it fresh longer. Source Link

Doing just 10 minutes of resistance training every morning can build stronger muscles and maybe a longer life. People who did about an hour of muscle strengthening exercises each week were 29% less likely to die during a 12-year study. Cardio exercise alone isn’t enough to protect from the problems of aging. Source Link 

Which clothes should survive the cut when you’re thinning out your wardrobe? Ask yourself, “Do I wear it now or is it seasonal?” or “Do I feel confident in it?” or “Does this have sentimental value?” Consider if the clothing can be tailored to fit or passed down to someone. You might also clean and store the item or take a photo of it before you donate, sell or recycle. Source Link 

Here’s a simple step that might help you keep that weight off after a successful diet. People who maintained their weight loss spent about three hours less each day sitting. In addition to finding ways to sit less and move more, you should eat a healthy diet and monitor your weight and food intake. Source Link 

There are many ways you can show support when a friend or family member is dealing with a cancer diagnosis. Send handwritten cards that they can save and look at later. Be a good listener and connect them with support communities. And instead of asking what they need, tell them how you’ll help, whether that’s with household chores or starting a fundraiser to defray hospital bills. Source Link

Stocking a freezer with meat when it’s on sale can be a great way to save money, but how long will it keep? Steaks, chops, bacon, chicken breasts and hot dogs can be good for six months, and ground meat up to four months in a freezer at zero degrees. You can freeze meat in its original packaging but overwrap it with foil, plastic wrap or put the package in a plastic bag. Source Link

Your brain might benefit from a vacation getaway that doesn’t involve travel. In a test, people who stayed off social media for a week gained about nine hours of free time and improved their mental well-being. Other research has shown that taking a brief break from TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter can ease symptoms of depression and anxiety. Source Link