If you’re going Christmas shopping – take LOTS of cash...

If you’d like to save some money while shopping this holiday season – pay in cash...

It might sound inconvenient – but that’s the idea. According to Dave Ramsey, author of “The Total Money Makeover,” when we pay in cash, we emotionally feel the pain or pleasure of each purchase. By planning ahead, making lists, and withdrawing what you’ll need ahead of time, you’ll shop much more efficiently, skip those “extra” purchases - and save a LOT of money.

You may want to use a credit card for really big ticket items – but only if it offers you some extra value with added purchase, return or warranty protection.

How many times did it take you to pass your driver’s test?

If you failed your driver’s test the first time – you might just be a safer driver...

According to a recent study, drivers who pass the test the SECOND time around are the safest on the roads. The study found the two-time-testers have fewer points on their license and are less likely to suffer road rage or be stopped by police.

First time test passers were found to have decent driving histories on average – but tend to be over-confident, take more risks and take weather and road conditions less seriously.

If it took you more than 2 tries to pass the test – buckle up. Drivers who needed 4, 5 or 6 tries to pass the test run more red lights, are prone to driving the wrong way down 1-way streets, hit stationary objects while parking and make passengers feel uncomfortable.

If you’ve got pets – here are some Christmas decorations to avoid...

You’ve probably heard that poinsettias can harm pets if eaten...

The truth is, a human or animal would have to eat a LOT for it to be a problem, which isn’t likely because they taste awful. Here are some other decorations that really could pose a hazard:

• Snow globes: If broken, the glass could obviously be an issue – but so could the liquid. It sometimes contains antifreeze which pets ARE attracted to.

• Pine needles: If ingested, they could pose a puncture hazard to the intestines.

• The Christmas tree: Make sure it’s anchored and secure if you’ve got curious pets.

• Don’t let them drink the tree water – it could contain fertilizer or harbor bacteria. Don’t use aspirin in the water either – that could be deadly if they drink it.

• Skip the tinsel – cats are especially attracted to it and it can cause major intestinal problems.

If you’re thinking about getting an iPhone or iPad for a kid this Christmas – Here's some advice...

What tops the wish list for kids age 6 to 12 this year?

iPads, iPod Touches and iPhones. Some babies and toddlers will even be learning in iStyle. Even if you’re anti-tech for young children, chances are you know a parent or two who aren’t. According to Rachel Lincoln Sarnoff, CEO of Healthy Child Healthy World, the gadgets are tons of fun and it’s no wonder kids love them. But she points out these technologies are developing faster than our ability to understand potential health impacts – and parents who gear up young children should be taking some precautions with pocket and high-tech gifts:

1. Avoid letting a child carry a cell phone on their body. Even when it’s off, it emits radiation. The backpack is a better location.

2. Have them turn it off when not in use. When signal is weak, more radiation is emitted.

3. Don’t leave that gadget on the nightstand near the bed of a sleeping child.

4. Turn off the wi-fi feature on smartphones and tablets while kids are playing games.

5. Limit handheld electronic use with kids. The younger the child, the more vulnerable they are to the effects of cell phone radiation.

Have you heard about the latest hacking scare?

This one could supposedly set your printer on fire...

As if crashing computers isn’t destructive enough – now hackers could set your printer ablaze. A research team at Columbia University has demonstrated that hackers could cause certain printers to literally self-destruct. The researchers say number of LaserJet printer models could be vulnerable. When flooded with commands, from any remote location, they could smoke, meltdown and potentially catch fire.

HP is already working on a fix to address any potential risk to their printers – but add no customers have reported unauthorized access. In a press release on their website - they say printers on a private network are not at risk – and that vulnerable models would have to be on a public network and modified by a trusted party.

If you’re not ready to quit smoking yet – try this instead...

If you’re not going to quit smoking tomorrow, try skipping that first cigarette...

A recent study found that people who could put off that first smoke for at least one hour after waking up in the morning are less likely to develop a smoking-related disease. Your body repairs a lot of the damage smoking does while you sleep – and by giving yourself another hour of healing time, in motion, is a great first step.

You might also want to stock up on orange or grapefruit juice. Smoking depletes vitamin C levels and replaces them with unnatural elements in nicotine. Drinking orange or grapefruit juice will help replenish natural C and strong or bitter citrus has been found to help a lot of smokers with cravings.

If you’d like to avoid getting sick – don’t count on hand sanitizer...

Hand sanitizer might kill the germs on your hands – but they won’t help in the flu department...



The flu and lots of other ailments are airborne viruses and are projected right past your hands with a cough or sneeze.

Another sick myth is the one about changing your toothbrush. Once you’ve defeated a particular strain, you’re immune and can’t give it to yourself again. It’s more important that you keep your sick toothbrush far away from any other toothbrushes belonging to people who haven’t caught your cooties yet.

There’s a needle-free Botox in the works...

If you’d like to lose some wrinkles but would rather skip the needles – you may be in luck...

A new Botox is expected on the market that comes in the form of a painless, topical gel. It takes a little longer to work than a Botox shot. 89% of the test patients saw a big improvement with crow’s-feet and fine lines after about four weeks and it lasts about 4 months. You’ll have to age about another year before you can sign up for the Botox gel – that’s when it’s expected to be available for you dermatologist.

Cranberry season isn’t over yet...

Now that you’ve had a few days to recover from turkey, stuffing and cranberry overload – consider keeping the cranberries in rotation for a while...

Native Americans and settlers depended on a hefty crop of cranberries to see them through the winter. Cranberries have unique medicinal qualities that help to fight infections of the urinary tract, gut and help stave off gum disease, heart disease and cancer. Their tart flavor has come in handy for centuries to liven up some otherwise bland winter grub.

For a really traditional Native American winter treat, save some cranberries for your pemmican – a dense cake consisting of cranberries, any nuts you can find and some bear meat.

They’ll be flipping the switch on the big tree in New York tonight...

The Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center in New York City may be the most famous lit tree – but it wasn’t the first...

The first known electrically illuminated Christmas tree was the creation of Edward H. Johnson, an associate of inventor Thomas Edison. While he was vice president of the Edison Electric Light Company, he had Christmas tree light bulbs especially made, just for him. He proudly displayed his Christmas tree, which was hand-wired with 80 red, white and blue electric incandescent light bulbs the size of walnuts, on December 22, 1882 at his home on Fifth Avenue in New York City.

The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree in New York has been lit since 1931 – but those lights weren’t electric until 1956. This year, the Norway spruce will be illuminated by 30,000 environmentally friendly LED lights on five miles of wire, and crowned by a Swarovski crystal star – a far cry from Edward H. Johnson’s first electric tree.

Before you put that red sweater on – make sure it’s the RIGHT red for you...

Red is everywhere this time of year – and some reds are much more flattering than others, depending on your coloring...

Here are some red guidelines for any type:





• If you’re fair-skinned with light eyes and blonde or light brown hair – you’ll look best in a paler red with a pink or blue undertone.

• Dark skin, hair and eyes look best in a strong, deep red or burgundy.

• Red heads can pull off an orangey-red better than anyone else.

• Olive skin looks best in brick-red colors.

• If you’ve got gray hair, a purple-red is your best option.

Take some time to drum today – no sticks required...

Go ahead, drum on the table, or the steering wheel - any surface will do...

A new study reveals rhythmic movements, such as drumming your fingers, is actually quite therapeutic. Drumming puts you in control and distracts you from stress and anxious thoughts. If drumming isn’t your thing – try a little air guitar. Swinging your arms and bobbing your head in time had a similar calming effect. If you need something a little more discreet to de-stress – try massaging lotion into your hands in a rhythmic motion.

Are you puffier at night than you are in the morning?

If you tend to balloon out a bit by the end of the day – some of that puff could be air...

According to Cynthia M. Bulik, author of “Runaway Eating,” in some people, up to 70% of bloating could actually be swallowed air. Take notice of how you eat and drink. There’s a good chance you need to slow down and swallow less air. It’s also a good idea to avoid gum and carbonated drinks if you tend to get bloated. Puffy foods can even puff you up – skip air-filled food such as puffed cereal whipped cream and mousses.

Cooking spray isn’t just for cooking...

If you’ve got some cooking spray, go ahead and put it to work...

Here are a few more things to spray it on:

• Spray the inside of containers for leftovers – and skip the staining.

• Give that snow shovel a few shots of cooking spray – or the bottom of your sled for a smoother slide.

• Spraying your freshly painted fingernails with cooking spray will speed the drying process and moisturize your cuticles.

• Spray your cheese grater, inside and out, for easier grating and cleanup. A coating of cooking spray on your knives can make slicing and dicing easier too.

• Give your key a shot of cooking spray and it will lubricate the inside of your lock. Spraying locks before temperatures drop can also prevent freezing.

• Cooking spray is great at removing paint or grease from hands. Work some into your hands and wash with soap and water.

Skip the instant oatmeal, treat yourself to this instead...

Aye! Eat your porridge!

If you’d like a delicious, healthy breakfast – skip the instant oatmeal and whip up some porridge instead. Porridge is native to North-Europe and a Scottish staple dish. Traditionally, it’s made with barley and other grains, boiled in water, milk or both and served hot. Technically, oatmeal is a type of porridge – but traditional porridge with a combination of whole grains is tastier with more nutrients and is sure to get your day off to a warm and satisfying start.

If you’re hoping to find “the one,” there's a scientific formula for that...

If you just can’t seem to stumble across that special someone – you may want to consider taking a more scientific approach...

Peter Todd, professor of informatics and cognitive science, says we need to establish some baseline standards to increase the odds of finding the best mate. Todd says 12 seems to be the magic number when it comes to figuring out what you want in a relationship. After dating 12 people, we’ve got enough information to help determine what we’re looking for in a long-term partner.

After 12 it’s time to consider settling, if you hope to settle down. He suggests if you’ve dated fewer than 12 people, feel free to keep looking and dating. If you’re up around 30, you’re probably either being too picky, or not really ready to settle down.

If you know someone with an iPhone, here's a great gift idea for them...

If you’re shopping for someone with an iPhone, or any other touch-screen device - a pair of touch-screen gloves are a must-have this winter...

The design of touch-screen gloves has come a long way since last year, they’re available for men and women – and the price has come down. The newer high-tech touch-screen gloves have conductive threads in the thumb and forefinger which make it possible to operate a touch-screen without having to take your gloves off. They range in price from about $15 to $40 and are available online and in some stores where gloves are sold. A lower tech version of touch-screen gloves are also available with the thumb and forefingers exposed.

If you’re planning to give someone a furry Christmas present – that’s a really BAD plan...

The adorable kitten or puppy with the giant bow and a child’s delight make for a great photo op...

But giving a pet as a present at this time of year is actually a bad idea for a couple of reasons. Adam Goldfarb, of the Humane Society, says when you bring a new pet into a household, you want to make sure it has an easy time adapting. With the hustle and bustle, decorations travel and visitors the season brings, it’s the hardest time for a pet to adapt.

By introducing a new pet into the home, you’re adding a family member to the household. It’s important not to send the wrong message to children by giving them the impression that fuzzy gift is a commodity or a toy. The addition of a family pet deserves a designated time that everyone can plan, prepare for and enjoy.

Do you prefer filtered or French press coffee? I’ll tell you which is better for you...

Go ahead, have ANOTHER cup of coffee...

The average American coffee drinker has 2 to 4 cups a day – and there’s more research suggesting that’s a good thing. Joe Vinson, coffee expert at the University of Scranton, Pennsylvania, says the ideal daily dose of coffee has yet to be determined – but the more they test the brew, the more benefits seem to drip out:

• Moderate coffee drinking, between 1 and 3 cups a day, could help reduce the risk of dementia, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Moderate coffee drinkers also have lower rates of stroke than non-coffee drinkers.

• Frequent coffee consumption, 4 or more cups a day, could help regulate blood sugar and lower the risk of type 2 diabetes. Higher coffee intake may also be credited with lower risk of cirrhosis and other liver diseases.

Experts say we’re best off with filtered style or drip coffee. Boiled or unfiltered coffee, which would include Turkish-style or French press, could raise levels of bad cholesterol. If caffeine interferes with your sleep, go ahead and enjoy some decaf – it’s still got a lot of the same health perks.

If you’re lucky enough to have a job interview – don’t blow it by asking the wrong questions...

Will I have to work overtime? That’s one of the questions NOT to ask on that job interview...

It makes you sound inflexible. A better approach is to ask what a typical workday entails. That will give you a good idea of the workload. Here are a few more questions NOT to ask:

• Is it possible to telecommute? If there has been no mention of that in the job description, skip that question. If telecommuting is a big priority for you, stick to jobs labeled as such.

• What kind of daycare do you offer? Not only does it show a lack of research on your part, it also gives the interviewer some potentially negative information.

• Do you give the day after Thanksgiving off? Even if this is a deal-breaker for you, wait until you get the job offer to discuss salary, holidays and time off.

The clock is ticking on those Thanksgiving leftovers...

If you’re wondering how much longer you have to snack on that leftover turkey and stuffing – time is up!

Assuming that food was prepared last Thursday, today is day 4 and most of it has to go. Here are the safe eating guidelines from the ADA’s Strategic Communications Team:

• Refrigerated cooked turkey: 3 to 4 days
• Stuffing and gravy: 1 to 2 days

• Casseroles and cooked vegetables: 3 to 4 days

• Fruit and cream pies: 2 to 3 days

Even if those leftovers look, smell or even taste okay – it doesn’t mean they are. Pathogenic bacteria don’t usually affect the taste, smell or appearance and can really make you sick.

Ready or not – the new lightbulbs are here...

Like it or not, the transition away from incandescent lightbulbs is about to begin...

David Brooks, owner of Just Bulbs in New York City, has some basic bulb information we’ll need to get used to. Most 100-watt incandescent bulbs will be eliminated starting January 1, 2012. The 75-watt incandescents will follow in 2013 and then the 60 and 40-watters in 2014.

Here’s some more bad news: If you’ve got dimmer switches in your house, you’ll probably need to switch those too. There are specialty CFL bulbs that work with dimmer switches – but only if you SWITCH your dimmer switches with switches designed to work with CFL or LED bulbs. These specialty switches sell for about $20 to $30 in home improvement stores. Keep in mind dimmable CFL bulbs will be more expensive than non-dimmables – so you might want to replace some of those dimmer switches with standard on/off switches.

Is outlet shopping worth the trip?

Outlet shopping is hard to resist at this time of year...

At the outlets, everything is on sale every day – but is it really worth the trip? Consumer Reports put outlet shopping to the test for quality of merchandise and savings. They spent $2,000 on name brand apparel at retail stores - then bought the same or similar items at the outlet. They found the retail quality was usually a little bit better for the same brands – but in some cases, the outlet version was just as good or superior. There was no contest when it came to savings. The outlet shopping trip saved as much as 60%. If you’ve got more than one or two name brand items on your list – it’s worth the trip to the outlets.

If you tend to keep your feelings to yourself – DON'T!

You’ve probably heard that keeping your feelings bottled up inside is not good for your health – but it can actually be deadly...

A ten year study of 4,000 men and women from Framingham, Massachusetts, found that biting your tongue is a lot more dangerous for women. Men who kept their feeling bottled up didn’t seem to suffer much – but women who 'self-silenced' during conflict with their spouse, were four times more at risk of dying.

Ernest Harburg, lead author of the study, says that how we argue can be just as important to our health as diet and exercise. We don’t need to let all the feelings out to benefit. For some people, just acknowledging there is a problem is a big step. He says let the person know you’re mad – the sooner, the better.

Washing your hands could do more harm than good – if you don’t dry them right...

The next time you’re in a public bathroom – skip the low-velocity hand dryer...

A new study found the high-velocity electric dryers are the most hygienic and effective. These are the air-jet dryers that strip water away while your hands are held still. The conventional warm-air hand dryers that require you to rub your hands together can actually bring bacteria in the skin to the surface. Most people are too impatient to let that machine dry the hands thoroughly – and any leftover moisture and bacteria is just transferred onto the next surface you touch.

Drying the hands thoroughly can be just as important as washing them. If paper towels are available, go with those – and don’t stop drying until your hands are REALLY dry.

The next time you’re in the grocery store – stock up on white produce...

When it comes to produce – white is the new green...

New research has found that people with the highest intake of white-fleshed fruits and vegetables have a lower risk of stroke – by as much as 52%! The researchers are still trying to determine exactly what protective properties the white produce possess.

Here are a few white-fleshed items to add to your shopping list: Garlic, leeks, onions, apples, pears, bananas, cauliflower, cucumbers and mushrooms.

There’s a new sleep disorder phenomenon out there – sleep texting!

If you’ve received an incoherent text in the middle of the night...

...there’s a chance the sender was sleep texting. Sleep specialist, David Cunnington, says sleep texting is a rare condition that can be triggered by stress. People who are overloaded with communications during the day are at risk of remaining “on call” even while asleep.

With the ease and availability of communicating with a smartphone, the best way to avoid sleep-texting mishaps is to turn your phone completely off at night – and keep it out of reach.

If Thanksgiving is at your house, I’ve got some nice finishing touches to add...

If you’re hosting Thanksgiving, there’s more to it than the meal...

Here are a few tricks from the professionals to warm up your house, and your guests:

• To fill your house with a welcoming aroma, burn or simmer some herbs like rosemary or cinnamon. Those scents will complement the scents of your dinner. Strong or sweet scented candles tend to compete too much with the smell of food.

• Set the mood with music ahead of time, it helps to make the house feel full for the first guests who arrive.

• Greet your guests in person and have some food and drinks set up where you’d like people to sit, stand or socialize. Otherwise, they WILL wander into the kitchen.

• Lower the lights and light some candles. That naturally puts people at ease and you want to minimize any tension that might be lingering, or arriving.

There’s a simple way to relieve stress you probably haven’t tried yet...

If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands...

Even if you’re not happy, clap your hands. Israeli researchers have discovered that clapping can be very effective at relieving stress and reducing anxiety. In their study, adults who were instructed to clap scored higher on a happiness scale than those who were not. We tend to associate clapping with childhood or an enjoyable social situation. By clapping along to a song, or just giving ourselves a nice round of applause, we can tap into some positive vibes while physically relieving some tension.

If you’d like to get a dog for protection, get a...

Having a dog can be great protection for you and your house if you have the right breed...

According to Herb Everett, of Sirius Dog Training, one of the best watch dogs you can get is a Chihuahua. He says they may be small, but they go nuts for an intruder which is a huge deterrent.

If the intruders you’re worried about have four feet or no feet, you’re best bet for breed is a Dachshund. They are the best at keeping snakes and rodents at bay. Any type of terrier will do too. Everett says terriers were bred during the time of the Plague to chase and kill disease-carrying rats – and are usually naturals at it.

If you’re wondering which wine to serve for Thanksgiving, try these...

Have you tried this year’s Beaujolais Nouveau?

It’s a Thanksgiving favorite and according to the experts, the 2011 harvest is a must-have. Thanks to unusual weather and an early harvest, it’s had a little longer to mature and is a bit less fruity and acidic. Beaujolais Nouveau pairs nicely with turkey – but so do some other wines. Here are some good options:

• Pinot Noir has subtle earthy tones that show well with the traditional flavors of turkey and stuffing.

• Zinfandel is a fuller bodied red which is a great pick to balance out some richer side dishes.

• Shiraz has a spicy edge and a classic red to serve with turkey.

If you prefer white wine – Riesling has apple or apricot tones that pair well with salty or sweet food. Sauvignon Blanc is a crisp white with a hint of citrus that compliments Thanksgiving herbs perfectly. Sparkling wines are bubbling up in popularity – they’re really versatile and add an elegant, festive touch to your meal.

Santa Claus rakes in some decent dough this time of year...

Dealing with runny noses, dirty diapers and unreasonable request deserves some compensation...

How does ten to twenty thousand for one month sound? Susan Mesco, president of American Events and Promotions, says that’s what a super-savvy seasonal Santa can sack working private or high-profile events. Santa generally makes about $20 or $30 an hour at the mall. Here are some other profitable options for some seasonal pay:

• Elf: Santa’s helpers are seasonal musts. They keep the lines moving, customers happy, take pictures and take home about $25 an hour at private events.

• Gift wrappers: The average hourly wrapping wage is $10.63.

• Seasonal Delivery: Driving and unloading trucks and handling paperwork is worth about $15 an hour.

• Snow removal: Highway maintenance workers make over $17 an hour. A 12 year old with a shovel - $10 to $25 per driveway.

If you have an extra can of pumpkin lying around – smear it all over your face.

How about a pumpkin facial?

Janice Cox, author of “EcoBeauty,” says pumpkin is really good for our skin. It’s full of antioxidants and acids that help naturally exfoliate. Pumpkin also helps to restore some much needed moisture to our dry winter skin.

You can make your own luxurious pumpkin facial mask with a few simple ingredients. Combine 1 cup of canned pumpkin puree with 2 tablespoons of vanilla yogurt and a tablespoon of honey. Smear that all over your clean, damp face and relax for 15 minutes. Rinse with warm water and keep any leftovers in the fridge – it’s good for 2 weeks.

Will you be dealing with a criticizer this Thanksgiving?

Just about every family has a know-it-all...

And that person can drive you nuts at family gatherings. Comments about how you raise your kids or what you’re wearing can eat away at your thankful disposition – but don’t take the bait! Defending yourself usually makes things worse and gives their critique more attention. Caroline Tiger, author of “How to Behave,” suggests cutting them off at the pass.

Have a confident, breezy comeback ready – something along the lines of “Don’t worry about me – I’m fine!” Say it with a smile and prepare yourself to engage in something else - you could check on something in the kitchen or strike up a conversation with someone else at the table. That will give you some time to let it go – and the know-it-all a chance to pick on someone else.

If you like cereal – I’ve got some really good news for you...

Go ahead, have a bowl of cereal...

It’s actually really good for you. A 20 year Harvard study found daily cereal eaters were significantly less likely to develop diabetes and another study found a serving of whole-grain cereal at least once a day lowers the risk of developing high blood pressure.

According to nutritionists, people who have a late-night snack habit are better off having a bowl of cereal than other snack foods. The best cereal choices are those with dried fruit and fiber with skim or low-fat milk.

Having your heart broken can actually break your heart...

If you’ve ever had your heart broken – you may have sustained some real damage...

Cardiologist, Dr. Seven Garner, explains that Broken Heart Syndrome is real – and can take a physical toll on your heart. When we experience intense emotion, our bodies produce adrenaline. That adrenaline travels to your heart and makes it beat faster. That overload can actually stun the heart and make it expand.

Women are much more prone to Broken Heart Syndrome because their hearts have fewer receptors and are more prone to overload. The symptoms of Broken Heart Syndrome can mimic a heat-attack and cause chest pain, shortness of breath and numbness in the arm. The damage to the heart should not be permanent but can take up to 2 weeks to heal.

There’s something you should eat between meals that can improve your whole day...

Before you head out for the day – pack a little cheese for the road...

Eating cheese between meals can have a really positive impact on your day. Cheese delivers a one-two punch of protein and calcium that can keep blood-sugar levels in check and even boost mental stamina. Your recommended cheese dosage is one ounce twice a day – once between breakfast and lunch and again between lunch and dinner.

If your neighbors are less than neighborly – here's some advice...

Even the best neighborhoods have crummy neighbors...

If they happen to live next to you – here are some good strategies for dealing with the Jerky Jonses:


• The careless dog owner who lets their dog run, dig, howl and dig through your trash: Try a neighborly, face-to-face approach first. Explain you’re concerned for the animal’s welfare and focus on the dog’s behavior, not the owner’s. You can notify animal-control or the police as a last, less-neighborly resort.

• The property-line fanatic: It’s best to start with a cooperative approach and walk the property together. If there are issues you don’t agree on, stay calm. Write a letter to them stating your perspective. This lets them know you’re serious. You may also want to consider having the property surveyed.

• The nosy neighbor: One approach to take with a snoop is to kill them with kindness. Be extra friendly and go out of your way to say hello or offer a helping hand. Most people feel less-inclined to snoop on someone they like. If they’re the intrusive or gossipy type, you’ll have to put your foot down. Let them know their concerns are unwarranted and you prefer to handle your family and personal life privately.

If you move your laptop around when it’s on – don’t.

Laptops are super-convenient and portable – but don’t move them around when they’re on...

There are some very finicky and fragile components in there that are working while it’s on - and if they bump into the hard drive they could be damaged. Chris Kramer, director of technical support for Micro Center, says a lot of people close their laptop and throw it in the case before the hard drive has shut down completely. He says we need to put it into “sleep” or “hibernate” manually BEFORE closing the lid – and then wait a few seconds. If you can hear the computer or see any lights – be patient. This rule applies to netbooks and Macbooks too.

When you unplug your laptop, make sure to pull the cord out by the end piece, not by the line. Tugging on that line stresses both the cord’s wiring and the contact points in the computer. Damaged cords and contacts are a really common problem and can slow or prevent your charging. They’re expensive to replace so it’s worth your while to baby them a bit.

If you’re making payments on a car loan – I’m about to save you a lot of money...

Have you considered refinancing your car?

If you’re paying off a loan on it, you could save a bunch of money. The interest rate on a five-year loan has dropped about 2% in the past 12 months. That means you could potentially save $100 or more a month. Refinancing your car loan works a lot like a home mortgage refinance – but without extensive fees. In most cases you’ll just pay a title transfer fee to the state. You might even be off the hook for a few months with your first payment once you make the switch.

We’re supposed to indulge on Thanksgiving – but let’s not get carried away...

Forget the diet and loosen your belt – Thanksgiving is almost here...

Go ahead and gobble - but if you'd like to minimize some of the damage, here are a few dishes to skip the seconds on:

• Dark meat turkey with skin has 70 more calories and 3 times more fat per serving than white meat without the skin.

• Creamed spinach is loaded with saturated fat – eat at your own risk.

• Canned cranberry sauce is like edible soda – and packed with sugar. If there’s a fresh cranberry sauce on the table, eat that instead.

• Candied yams are basically a side of starch and sugar. Have a sweet potato instead.

• The green bean casserole with fried onions on top is swimming in fat and sodium. Skip the seconds on those.

• Pecan pie: 500 calories and 37 grams of fat per slice. Cheesecake: 700 calories and 29 grams of fat. Pumpkin pie: Priceless. It’s got half the fat and calories.

Are you afraid of clowns?

Some people are afraid of heights or spiders – and a lot of people are afraid of clowns!

Coulrophobia is not that unusual. Among adults, 8% admit to having severe coulrophobia – or a debilitating fear of clowns and even jesters. That percentage is even higher in kids. Silly Billy, a.k.a David Kaye, a professional clown and children’s entertainer, says to a toddler, there’s nothing funny about a clown. He’s seen the terrified faces and opts for funny glasses with no makeup for just that reason.

There is a psychological explanation for clown aversion. The whitened face, bulbous nose and large lips all violate a child’s basic idea of how a human should appear. Children and adults alike rely on facial expressions to read others – and the exaggeration or masking of that basic communication can be confusing and downright scary at any age.

Kids who play football age differently than those who don’t...

For a lot of kids, playing football is part of growing up in America...

The longer they play the more hits they’ll be taking - and according to University of Missouri researchers, that can have a big impact on the way they age. They say former football players endure more late-life cognitive difficulties and worse physical and mental health than other former athletes and non-athletes.

The study found that former players with high-fat diets suffered the most. Pam Hinton, associate professor of nutrition, says by adopting a low-fat and balanced diet, even years after they’ve hung up the cleats, former footballers can intercept a significant amount of that accelerated aging.

When you cook with alcohol – it doesn’t all burn off...

Cooking with wine or liquor can make for some decadent and flavorful dishes. But contrary to popular belief – it doesn’t all burn off...

A study from the USDA’s Nutrient Data Laboratory, says a significant percent of alcohol remains in the dish, depending on how it was cooked:

Alcohol added to boiling water and removed from the heat: 85%

Alcohol flamed: 75%

Alcohol added to dish and stored overnight: 70%

Baked or simmered 15 minutes: 40%

Baked or simmered 1 hour: 25%

Baked or simmered 2 hours: 10%

The amounts might not sound like much - but they are considered significant for anyone trying to avoid alcohol for health or religious reasons.

You’ll be dishing out a little more cash for your Thanksgiving meal this year...

The cost of living is always on the rise – and so is the cost of Thanksgiving...

Overall, you’ll pay about 6 bucks more for just the basics this year – up from $43.47 to $48.20. Here are some specifics:

• 16 pound turkey: Up $4 to $21.57

• Gallon of milk: Up $1 to $3.66

• Pumpkin pie mix: Up 40 cents to $3.03

• Whipping cream: Up 26 cents

Of course most of us will want more than just turkey, milk and pie. The price of your potatoes, peas, stuffing, sweet potatoes, cranberries, dinner rolls and butter are all up a few cents too. You can tack on more increases for wine and coffee – and an additional buck per gallon of gas from last year to get you where you’re going.

Don't forget to add sex to your to-do list...

Sex drive is one of the first things to take a hit when life gets busy...

If your to-do list is all work and no play – it can be a big problem. Stella Resnick, author of “Heart of Desire,” says a lot of us tend to put intimacy on the back burner, or worse, on a list of chores, when life gets busy. What’s your excuse? These two top the list - and unless you address them, you’re cheating yourself and your partner of one of life’s simple, healthy pleasures:

• I’ve got a headache. If it's a true headache – intimacy may be just what the doctor ordered. Satisfying sex has analgesic properties.

• I’m not in the mood. The most effective way to address this mindset is some skin to skin contact. That releases pheromones that trigger desire.

Stella says, if the first time you think about being intimate is when you crawl into bed at night, it’s like starting a cold engine. If you can both work some intimate thought time into your day – it will be less of a leap later on.

If you think Christmas started way to early this year – you’re not alone...

Bah humbug - for now...

Stroll through any department store and you’re bound to see the halls decked and hear holiday music – unless you’re in Nordstrom. At this classic department store you won’t see Christmas decorations until AFTER Thanksgiving. Their in-store sign is making the rounds on social networking posts and getting a lot of “likes.” A tradition they started a few years ago, it reads: We won’t be decking our halls until Friday, November 27. Why? Well, we just like the idea of celebrating one holiday at a time. From our family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving. Nordstrom will be closed on Thanksgiving, and open on Friday all decked out.

Now that Black Friday is creeping into Thursday for a lot of retailers, it seems to be losing some of its mass appeal. A recent survey found about 87 percent of Americans do NOT buy the majority of their gifts on Thanksgiving weekend – and 51 percent wait until the week before Christmas.

Are you going with fresh or frozen turkey this year?

Fresh turkey might sound better than frozen – but in most cases, frozen is fresher...

Unless you’re butchering your own – frozen is the way to go. More often than not, so-called fresh turkeys have been sitting around for days. They are butchered, processed, trucked to the store and then stocked. It’s hard to know exactly how “fresh” they really are. Locally raised fresh birds are a little better – but keep in mind they’ll only last 1 to 2 days refrigerated – and need to be kept in the coldest part of your refrigerator.

Your frozen turkey will need to be thawed in the refrigerator – and you’ll need about 2 days for every 10 pounds. If you’re buying a big bird, 20-25 pounds – you’ll need to get that this weekend.

If you can’t stand the thought of your children moving away one day – you may be in luck...

Hopefully, you really like your kids – because they might be with you for a LONG time...

According to pollster Scott Rasmussen, 72% of us either know, or have, an adult child living at home. The number of males age 25 to 34 living with their parents has grown to 19% in the U.S. That’s not bad, compared to Italy. There, about 33% of men age 20 to 35 live with their mom. The study found the U.S. live-in kids aren’t just those who can’t find a job. Many of them have good jobs but due to a shaky economy, they choose to live at home to save for the future – or in some cases, help their out-of-work parents pay the bills.

Extended bonding aside, the top pet peeves of parents with full-grown birds still in the nest are lack of privacy, delayed plans such as buying a home or taking a vacation and delayed retirement.