Now that you’ve dealt with your taxes for the year – you can throw some stuff out...

If you’re wondering which papers, receipts and documents you need to hang onto after your taxes are done...

...the IRS has a few tips:

1. Normally, tax records should be kept for three years.

2. Some documents — such as records relating to a home purchase or sale, stock transactions, IRA and business or rental property — should be kept longer.

3. In most cases, the IRS does not require you to keep records in any special manner. Generally speaking, however, you should keep any and all documents that may have an impact on your federal tax return.

4. Records you should keep include bills, credit card and other receipts, invoices, mileage logs, canceled, imaged or substitute checks, proofs of payment, and any other records to support deductions or credits you claim on your return.

5. For more information on what kinds of records to keep, check the IRS Recordkeeping for Individuals at IRS.gov, or call 800-TAX-FORM.

It’s a beautiful day for a walk. Don’t forget your ski poles!

What’s up with the ski poles? 

Nordic walking is catching on as a chic and effective exercise trend – no snow required. Bernd Zimmermann, president of the American Nordic Walking Association, says it’s easy to do, safe, affordable and effective – and it’s catching on. Nordic walking is better for your health than regular walking because it engages the upper body and gets you breathing more fresh air. You’ll also burn up to 40% more calories walking Nordic style.

Before you dust off your old ski poles – you might want to consider investing in the real thing. Nordic walking poles come with interchangeable tips to grip different types of terrain. They’re made of lightweight aluminum or carbon and range in price from $25 to $200.

Excuse me – but your aura is showing...

You’re probably aware of your aura... 

That space around your body that helps you sense what’s near, good and bad. Biophysicists have proven we all have one. They vary in size and some are more sensitive than others. Pamala Oslie, author of “Life Colors,” says our auras all have a color. Even if you can’t see yours, your color will probably ring true. Here’s the list:

• If you’re strong-willed, confident and passionate, your aura is RED.

• Love to help out and inspire others: VIOLET.

• Fun-loving, creative optimists are YELLOW.

• If you’re sensitive, nurturing and a sucker for stray animals, you’re BLUE.

• Practical, patient and detail-oriented types are TAN.

• Stubborn, strong-willed workaholics are GREEN.

I have a proposal for you...

If you’ve got a good idea – DON’T call it an idea...

I have a proposal for you. Did that get your attention? It should. According to Daniel O’Connor, author of “Say This Not That,” a proposal holds a lot more weight than an idea. An idea is easier to dismiss than a proposal. A proposal is concrete and implies you’ve given it a lot of thought, as opposed to an idea which may have just struck you.

When you’re ready to make your proposal, try to come up with four options. Present your favorite proposal in the number three position. The third option is usually the most appealing to the person you’re hoping to convince.

If you’d like to enhance your love life – have some asparagus...

Add some asparagus to that grocery list. It’s in season now – and at it's freshest... 

Mark A. Stengler, author of “The Natural Physician’s Healing Therapies,” says asparagus is a nutritional powerhouse. Not only is it chock full of potassium, folate, fiber and vitamin K, it could even enhance your love life. The Chinese believe asparagus roots can spur feelings of compassion and love – and in traditional Indian medicine, asparagus is used to strengthen the female reproductive system.

Yard sale season is here! The most profitable time to have yours...

If you’re ready to tackle some spring cleaning, you may be thinking about having a yard sale to sell some of that clutter...  

Hold off a few weeks. The best time to have a yard sale is at the beginning of the month. That’s because a lot of people, including military and retirees, get that check around the 1st. It’s the same reason so many stores schedule their big sales and promotions at the beginning of the month.

Another good trick is to hand every person who approaches your sale a bag. People feel uncomfortable holding an empty bag and will be more determined to find something to put in it.

Generic brands aren’t as big a bargain as they used to be...

Buyer beware! 

If you automatically grab the generic brand to save some money – double check the price. A brand new study found the cost of generic foods is rising at about twice the rate as national brands. In some cases the generic prices have surpassed the name brands. National brands also go on sale more often and offer more coupons. When comparing prices, make sure to take the count or net weight into consideration. 

If you’ve got a new car – you probably don’t have a spare...

Newer model cars have a LOT more room in the trunk...  

That’s because they’re skipping the old-school standard spare tire and jack. In their place, you most likely have a cheap air compressor and sealant kit, at best. Those may be fine for minor punctures through the tread. But if the puncture is large or is in the sidewall, help will be needed. You really need to take a few minutes to go over tire issues in your owner’s manual with any family members who will be driving the car.

You can buy "run-flat" tires that allow you to drive on them for a while after they've been punctured. They are not always easy to find as they account for less than 1% of the tire market. Plus, they are more expensive than regular tires. 

Have you ignored your dog today?

Most of us smother our dogs with attention and affection – but ignoring them once in a while could benefit both of you...  

Dog trainer Mikkel Becker says a little cold shoulder treatment can be very effective at curbing some obnoxious canine behavior. A dog that jumps on humans to say hello is a perfect candidate. If they get a big reaction from that, positive or negative, you can count on it every time – and some people HATE that. Mikkel says to ignore the jumping and try as hard as you can not to react. Wait until the dog calms down and sits – and then pour on the praise and affection. 

Ignoring your dog can work with some other common annoying behavior, such as using their mouths too much and even barking. It will take some patience on your part. The dog won’t understand the cold shoulder at first. It’s the positive attention they get when they stop that helps it sink in.

A guy walks into an interview...

Should you let your sense of humor show during an interview?
Yes! That job interview can be a serious and stressful situation – but go ahead and chuckle. According to a survey by Accountemps, 8 in 10 bosses say they actually look for a sense of humor in potential hires. 

That doesn’t necessarily mean you should open the interview with a joke or polish your monologue. The humor they are looking for is the ability to lighten up or laugh at awkward moments - or if the situation calls for it. A quick wit and a healthy sense of humor can be an important asset in team environments or leadership roles.

Find some grass - and inhale! Why that’s good for you...

Ahhh, the smell of freshly cut grass...  

In an Australian survey, more women chose the smell of freshly cut grass as the happiest over any other scent. There’s scientific data that helps to explain that phenomenon. Inhaling freshly cut grass can actually make you feel happier by halting the brain’s production of the stress hormone cortisol. Just a few deep breaths of grass will keep those levels low for up to a few hours.

Even if your company doesn’t have a personal phone policy at work – your co-workers do. Here are the rules...

Could you please NOT play games on your mobile phone at work? 

That’s a request from the guy or girl sitting next to you. It’s distracting – and it’s the number one pet peeve of co-workers regarding cell phone use in the workplace. Here are a few more phone policies they’d like to activate:

• Refrain from checking Facebook and Twitter – or constantly changing your status. If you do check, please don't react to everything you see out loud - we're working.

• Turn it OFF for meetings. We’re all missing “important” calls – so can you.

• If you must make a personal call – find someplace private. We don’t want to hear you scolding your kid or making a doctor’s appointment.

• Don’t walk around the office wearing the Bluetooth. A: You look like a jerk. B: We keep thinking you’re talking to us.

If you’d like to eat less – there’s a trick that REALLY works...

If you’re trying to lose weight, eating less is an obvious approach....  

There’s a simple trick that can help you accomplish just that. Eat with your non-dominant hand. It will probably feel a bit awkward – and it should. When we eat with our other hand, we slow down. When we slow down, we feel satisfied sooner and eat less. 

Participants who tried this in a University of Southern California study actually consumed 30% fewer calories over the course of a day – which really adds up. If you’ve already mastered eating with your other hand, consider giving chop sticks a whirl.

Are you a worry wart? If so, do it right...

Don't worry now, worry later!

Having worries and concerns on your mind can have a negative impact on everything you do throughout the day...  

Margaret Whrenberg, author of “The Anxious Brain,” says some people can be consumed with worry – and there is an effective technique called “worry containment” that can really help. 

You’ll need to schedule a worry time - late in the day works best for most people. Set aside a solid 5 minutes at that time to do nothing but worry. Dr. Whrenberg says this technique can do wonders at freeing your mind of worrisome thoughts throughout the day, knowing you’ll have time to focus on specific issues and solutions later.

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