Audit Risk

One percent of tax returns are audited each year. Will yours be one of them? 

It’s peak season for tax audits. 1 in 100 of us will be targeted and here are a few things that scream “pick me” on your return:

* Generosity: If you donate one-third or more of your income to charities, they WILL take a closer look.

* Dependents: Those who claim people other than their children as dependents may trigger a double-take.

* Self-employed: The IRS will assume you’re cheating by claiming expenses that are not business related.

* Numbers: Lots of round numbers or double zeros may warrant some scrutiny.

* Social media: The IRS will check you out. If it’s obvious you live beyond your means, you could be asking for it.

Cutting Lemons

You’re probably cutting your lemons all wrong. 

The next time you cut a lemon, turn it lengthwise. Ian Knauer, gourmet food expert, says we can triple the juice from cut lemons if we do it right. The same goes for limes. First, you’ll need to be sure that citrus is at room temperature. If it was in the fridge, warm it up in the microwave for a few seconds. Then, cut it lengthwise and squeeze. An average lemon yields about 2 tablespoons of juice when cut the short way. You’ll get about one-third of a cup of juice from a lengthwise lemon half. That’s three times as much!

Hotel Must

The next time you book a hotel room, there is one thing you MUST do.

If you’ll be checking into a hotel room any time soon, don’t forget to ask for an upgrade. Only 28% of travelers do that and the rest of us are missing out. Hotel guests that ask for a room upgrade score one almost 80% of the time. Even if there is not a bigger or better room available, you may wind up with other perks such as free or reduced Wi-Fi or parking rates.

To increase your chances of a hotel upgrade, ask for a late check-in. Arriving later gives the front desk a better idea of which rooms and amenities are available. Ask for your upgrade with a smile and try to do it out of earshot of other guests. They are less likely to give stuff away while others can hear.

Killer Clots

If you’re not worried about blood clots or deep vein thrombosis - you should be. Did you know you’re at risk of deep vein thrombosis? DVT kills millions of Americans each year and according to Dr. Geno Merli, of the Jefferson Vascular Center in Philadelphia, it can happen to anyone, at any age. DVT is a potentially fatal condition where blood clots form in the deep veins, usually in the legs. If these clots break free, resulting in a pulmonary embolism. 

Risk of DVT is elevated in people who are immobilized for any length of time and in those receiving chemotherapy or with a family history. Regardless of your risk factor, it’s important to take precautions to reduce your odds. Dr. Merli suggests you flex and extend the feet and knees if you’ll be sitting or lying down for more than two hours. Be sure to drink a lot of water and try your best to keep your weight in check.

Too Tipsy

If you got a bit too tipsy, the glass might be to blame. Drinking on an empty stomach is a bad idea. Drinking from a curved glass could be a problem too. Scientists have determined some culprits that could make that cocktail go straight to your brain:

* Curvy glass: We tend to drink beer faster out of an angled beer flute than from a straight-sided glass. The same goes for other specialty glasses like martini.

* Diet soda: Mixing alcohol with diet soda can cause a rapid spike in blood alcohol levels as compared to regular soda.

* Delicious drink: If you’d rather not overdo it, go with a drink you don’t like, not a drink you love. It could significantly slow your intake.

* Low-fat diet: Go ahead and have some bar snacks with that drink. A shot of fat will slow your alcohol absorption rate.

* Age: Older people have less body water and a decreased metabolism which can send that drink right to their head.