Progress Hacks

Get more done, faster and enjoy life more!

Reduce Identity Theft

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theftHopefully you never have to go through this situation.  Unfortunately, you cannot entirely control whether you will become a victim of identity theft.  However, there are some steps you can take to minimize your risk.

  • Limit the number of credit cards and debit cards you carry in your wallet.  You should carry no more than two cards.
  • Do not use debit cards for telephone or online purchases.
  • Always take your credit card and debit card receipts with you. Never toss them in a public trash can.
  • Never write your social security or drivers license number on your checks.
  • Memorize your social security number and don’t carry the card in your wallet.
  • Keep your wallet and/or purse secure at all times.
  • Use a locked mailbox for mail delivery.
  • Watch thte mail when you expect important financial items like a new credit card or new checks.
  • Guard your personal information.  You should NEVER provide your social security number to anyone unless its good reason.
  • Be suspicious of telephone solicitors. Never provide your personal information to anyone.
  • Delete without replying to any suspicious email requests.
  • Use online banking to pay bills whenever possible.
  • Shred all personal and financial information.

How To Cut A Garlic

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garlic

Did you know that there are three ways to use garlic in cooking:

  1. For a mild garlic taste, use it whole.  Smack it with the flat side of a knife to open it up and put it in the oil.  Some fish the clove out before serving the dish.
  2. For a medium garlic taste such as in sauteing, slice it razor thin.  You do not need to use a razor, buy you get the idea.
  3. For maximum garlic flavor, finely chop it so that it disperses throughout the food.

Two final points:  Avoid garlic presses.  Avoid dried garlic powder…save that for your pizza.

How to get rid of mice?

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How to get rid of mice?

mouseA mouse is a small rodent which has a pointed snout, small rounded ears, a body-length scaly tail and a high breeding rate. The best known mouse species is the common house mouse.  If you see one mouse, guess what…they are not alone.  There is always more than one.  Inspect the area and check to see if there are any openings.  Remember, mice can squeeze into any small hole due to their body structure.   Look for mice tracks or mice droppings.  Get rid of all human and pet food that the mice may be feeding on.   Set mouse traps or place mouse bait all around.  If you can’t seem to control the problem, call an expert.

yellowstar TIP: Put your trash cans as far away as possible from your home. Mice smell it and get attracted to your house.

A few steps which the EPA recommends are:
Seal cracks and holes in the house that can allow mice to enter.
Remove food sources that may attract them, such as trash, pet food or fallen fruit from trees.
Get a housecat.
Capture mice with live traps and move them far from the home.
Use snap traps with sensitive triggers that are more likely to kill quickly.
Glue traps are unlikely to kill mice quickly, but can be effective. Keep them in place for at least five days so mice become accustomed to them.
Repellent sound devices may or may not work, but are designed to annoy mice with a high-frequency sound that humans can’t hear.
Poison bait boxes can be used as a last resort.

How to get rid of bed bugs?

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How to get rid of bed bugs?

bedbg

Bed bugs  feed exclusively on blood. Cimex lectularius, the common bed bug, is the best known, as it prefers to feed on human blood.

Getting rid of bed bugs is NOT an easy job and cannot be done 1-2-3.   According to the EPA, bed bugs are challenging pests to get rid of, since they hide so well and reproduce so quickly. Plus, the egg stage is resistant to many forms of treatment, so a single attempt may not be sufficient to complete the job.   It can take weeks to a month to get the situation under control.

First, you need to investigate and find out the extent of the bed bugs.  Collect one and make sure you are indeed dealing with bed bugs.  If it is positive call someone who is trained in this type of procedure.  If you live in an apartment, call your landlord right away.

Second, keep the Bed Bugs from spreading.  What this means is remove everything from the room and place in a sealed plastic bag to be treated.  Items that cannot be treated should still be placed in a sealed bag and left for a period of time.   If you cannot treat your furniture, discard and destroy it right away so no one will bring it home.  Rip covers/remove stuffing, etc. and call the garbage company right away to pick up.

 

Killing Bed Begs – Always make sure your  methods are safe.  Heat treatment using a clothes dryer on high heat or cold treatment can also be succesful.  Leave the itmes in the freezer for four days. Reducing the number of bed beds is a given but getting rid entirely is unlikely.

Look for EPA registered pesticides.

How to Get Rid of Acne?

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How to Get Rid of Acne?

acne

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

No one likes to get pimples.  They are ugly and hurt and simply get on our nerves.  There are many ways to treat acne but the number one thing to remember is use only oil-free based products for your skin.  This includes face washes, makeup foundation, oil-free SPF.  Again, the key word here people is OIL-FREE ! 

                        yellowstar TIP: In a pinch, top your pimple with a white opaque toothpaste. This will help dry it out quicker. 

Changing your lifestyle can also help with acne.  Yes, it can.  Exercising, drinking 8 glasses of water a day, and getting plenty of rest is key to an acne free life.  Relax your body. Wash your face and exfoliate. Treat your current acne with benzoyl peroxide.  Benzoyl peroxide works by reducing the amount of bacteria and causing the skin to dry and peel.

 

What is appropriate to wear to a funeral or wake?

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What is appropriate to wear to a funeral or wake?

funeral

 

A wake or a funeral is an occasion where people show respect to the deceased and their family and friends.

So what things should you consider when visiting a wake or attending a funeral?

yellowstarTIP: An easy way to remember what to wear is dress how you would when going to church.

 

  1. Wear something conservative.  Most western cultures wear black, but navy and often dark colors can be just as tasteful and neutral.
  2. Always cover shoulders and knees.  No tank tops and shorts.
  3. Do not wear flip flops, boots or sporting gear.
  4. Make sure you show respect by wearing polished shoes, no scuff marks please.
  5. Avoid sundresses.  Wear what you would if you going on a job interview.
  6. Do not wear loud colors like neon green or yellow.
yellowstar Extra Tip: What to Say?  Nothing you will say will bring their love one back but you can simply say “I’m sorry”; “I’m sorry for your loss”; “My condolences”

 

For Men – Again you can dress as if you are going to church or going to a job interview.  You can wear black, grey or navy blue suit with a white shirt and tie.  Sports jacket with pants or navy sweater and pants.

For Women – Dress as you are going to church or going for a job interview.  Conservative, professional and tasteful. Some women prefer to wear a suit, dress or skirt and a blouse. Some colors apply for woman too such as black, grey and navy.

For Children – The rules for children can be applied the same.  Children should feel comfortable and dressed also in dark colors.  Always bring a change of clothes for infants in case of spit up or food stains.

 

 

How to Cure Bad Breath

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How to Cure Bad Breath

badbreath

No one wants bad breath!  Bad breath is caused by bacteria buildup in your mouth.  Its very important to always keep your mouth clean.  You should brush your teeth twice a day. Once in the morning and once before you go to bed at night.  And, after every meal you should also brush and rinse with mouthwash.  This gets the food particles out of your mouth.  Brushing your tongue is also important.

Smoking is not good for your health or your breath.  Quit Now.

Visit your dentist for your yearly appointments.  Every 6 months is ideal when scheduling an appointment.

 

Always drink lots of water.  Water is good for you skin, your body, your mouth and your breath.  It cleans out bacteria.

 

The Most Popular Boys Names for 2015

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The Most Popular Boys Names for 2015

babyboy

According to US World News, here are the top 10 baby boy names:

1. Jackson
2. Aiden
3. Liam
4. Lucas
5. Noah
6. Mason
7. Ethan
8. Caden
9. Logan
10. Jacob

 

Check Out These Healthy Apps

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Check Out These Healthy Apps

smartphoneLooking for the right app that can help with your diet and a healthier lifestyle? Find recipes and menus.  Now you can download them right on your smartphone.  Of course some are free and some have a small fee but all are very useful.

Here are some good ones:

  • Atkins (atkins.com) This is a low carb diet and is a free app.  It tracks your carbs ,protein, fat, and fiber.  It also plans a shopping list and provides recipes.
  • SugarChecked (sugarchecked.com) Download the app which costs 99 cents and simply scan the barcodes of items you want to buy.  It lets you know if there are added sugars and sweetners and recommends healthier menus, recipes and products.
  • Kumu (getkumu.com); This app is $19.99 per month but provides a real person to guide you via texts and live video chats.   There is a week free trial.

 

Small Wood Projects for Beginners

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wood projectsYou would be surprised at what a single pair of hands can achieve. Woodworking is a craft that doesn’t require a lot, but gives a lot in return. You just need basic tools and if you follow the advice, you’ll be able to produce some amazing pieces. With these five small wood projects, you’ll have a lot of fun, and who knows, you might end up earning a few bucks at it.

Wooden Sofa Cup Holder

This is one of the easiest small wood projects, but is also one of the most useful. Literally, you just need to measure three pieces of wood to fit the sofa arm and put them all together in the shape of П. Then cut a hole in the mid part and you have a place to place a warm cup, without getting up.

Smartphone Stand

The next project is simple but brilliant. You just need a single wood block, a saw (or a drill) and sandpaper in order to make a dock for your cell phone or iPad. Measure the mobile device you plan to use with this deck and drill a hole in the wood the size of the phone. When you are certain that the mobile device will fit, you’re only a step away from finishing this small wood project. The final step is using sandpaper to make sure there won’t be any scratches left on your phone.

Picture Frame Made of Sticks

Making a picture frame is probably the easiest and one of the least time-consuming projects. All you have to do is to find four sticks that will make a rectangle slightly bigger than the photograph you’re planning to frame. Tie together the sticks or use glue and you’ll have an artsy wooden picture frame.

Wooden Buttons

wood projects2This is one of those small wood projects that makes you say “why didn’t I think of that?” It’s simple, easy, and most importantly it’s pretty useful. Everyone needs buttons and the ones made of wood look really awesome.

Add a personal touch to your clothing by making your own buttons out of fallen branches. Choose a branch that’s slightly wider than your regular plastic buttons and peel off the bark. Cut the branch into 1/8’’ pieces. Puncture two small holes through every piece with a small drill and the project is completed.

Wooden Bottle Crate

The last of our small wood projects need a bit more effort than the rest, but it seems it’s the most rewarding. For less than $20, you can make a crate, with dividers for 12 bottles (or as many as you like). You’ll have to get pine boards, birch panels, some screws, glue and a hemp rope.

Saw and drill are the only tools that you’ll need for this. Basically, this whole project is done in two steps – making a box and making the divider. The first step is easy, while for making the divider you’ll need to interlock the tabs. Once you’re done with that, just place the divider into the box.

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