If you need to take some cash out – look for one of these ATMs...

The next time you’re looking around for an ATM machine – keep looking until you find one in a bank...

ATM’s located inside a bank are much safer than freestanding machines. Banks have multiple security features and scammers and crooks know that. Freestanding ATM machines are a LOT easier for thieves to tamper with.

If you need to make a cash deposit, avoid non-bank ATMs at all costs. There have been instances where machines in public places have been altered by scammers who will be happy to take that cash or information you deposit.

Those loud TV commercials are about to get quieter...

The days of a blaring commercial interrupting your favorite TV show are about to be over...

The FCC is passing regulations that limit the volume levels of TV commercials and even dole out penalties to broadcasters that bombard us with loud ads between shows. We have the CALM act to thank for it all. That’s the Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation act which was passed by Congress last year.

Under CALM, televised ads’ volume levels can’t exceed the loudest part of the show they’re in – and the loudest part of the ad can’t be sustained through the whole thing.

If you’ve got a pet – and allergic guests coming over, do this first...

If you’re expecting allergic friends or family for the holidays...

...there are a few things you can do to your pet and your house to keep everyone a little more comfortable:

• Take a bath. Washing your pet with a mild, pet-safe shampoo will significantly reduce the amount of allergens.

• Plug in a HEPA air filter in common areas and in a guest bedroom if necessary.

• Clean your house two days before guests arrive. That gives any allergens rustled up into the air some time to settle.

• Set up a pet free zone in the house after you’ve cleaned – especially in any potential guest sleeping spots.

It’s a good idea to always have allergy medication on hand if you’ve got pets. That way any guest with an unexpected reaction will be able to find some relief without an inconvenient or late-night run to the store.

Which browser do you use? Now let's see if that's the best choice...

Most of us use one of three browsers – Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome or Microsoft Internet Explorer...

A new study by Accuvant found Chrome to be the best choice when it comes to security features. Firefox came in last of the 3 and most vulnerable to web-borne threats. Chrome performed best in Sandboxing - the method a browser uses to limit access and data exposure on your computer.

Browsers are constantly changing and improving in order to compete with each other – and Accuvant has not yet rated some other less popular browsers like Safari and Opera.

If you’d like to catch the flu – I’ll tell you where to go for that...

If you haven’t gotten vaccinated for the flu yet – it’s not too late...

Flu season runs through May. If you’d rather tempt fate, here are a few of the most likely places to find the flu:

• Day care and preschools are the perfect playground for the flu virus - which loves to share.

• Doctor’s offices are high-risk zones. If the waiting room is small, crowded or not split into well and sick areas – consider waiting outside. Don’t forget to use hand sanitizer on your way out.

• The store has a nice selection of germs. People shop no matter what at this time of year. Skip using a cart if possible and use your own pen to avoid public pens and surfaces at the checkout.

If you wind up with the flu anyway – quarantine as much as possible at home to avoid spreading it. If a child is sick – designate a few easy to clean toys for them to use until they’re feeling better. TV remotes, phones, computer keyboards and mice used by the patient will be covered in cooties – so share accordingly.

Hey guys! If you’d like to be more attractive to women – have some celery...

Did you know certain foods can actually make you more attractive?

It’s all about pheromones. Those are chemicals we excrete that can actually change the behavior of those in close proximity. According to Dr. Manny Alvarez, certain foods cause males to emit scents or hormones that make them more appealing to women. Here are three attractive choices:

• Celery: It contains a compound used in sprays and colognes that stimulates sweat glands and is believed to act as an aphrodisiac for women.

• Truffles: They contain androstenone and androstenol – hard to resist.

• Parsnips: They pack a one-two punch of pheromones and boron, which helps you metabolize estrogen while enhancing testosterone levels.

Even good liars make some obvious mistakes...

If someone’s just not acting like themselves – they could be lying...

Men’s Health has a list of behaviors that are dead giveaways in lie detecting:

• Inconsistent behavior: If someone who is normally mellow seems agitated or animated, or vice versa, that’s a red flag. Listen for changes in speech pattern too.

• Steady gaze: It’s natural for people to look around or shift their gaze as they think and contemplate. A gaze that is TOO constant or steady is a hint they are either not listening or trying to gain your trust – both signs of insincerity.

• Mouth service: Coughing or clearing the throat frequently – and other gestures that involve covering the mouth too much is common behavior from someone with something to hide.

If you’re watching your weight – here's a delicious appetite suppressant...

If you’ve got a diet resolution in your future, or are just trying to keep your weight in check – have plenty of honey on hand...

In a recent study, women who sweetened their breakfast with honey had higher levels of appetite-suppressing hormones than those who used sugar or artificial sweetener. Those who used honey on their food or in beverages also reported feeling more satisfied and lasted a little longer in between meals.

If you’re buying perfume for someone this Christmas – here's some advice...

Hint hint.

Perfume is a fantastic gift for someone who wears and enjoys it...

It’s also really personal. In order to pick the right perfume for someone else, there are a few things you should take into consideration first. The safest bet is to buy perfume you know they already wear. This might require some snooping or asking around – but it will be well worth the effort.

If you’d like to find a new fragrance for the recipient, put that at the TOP of your shopping list. The perfume counter should be your first stop. Stores and malls are flooded with fragrance and your sense of smell will be the keenest before you venture too far in. Ask for help from a perfume expert behind the counter and describe some of the scents you think you are looking for. You’ll want to narrow it down to just 3 or 4 before you start spraying. Once you start sniffing, your olfactory system will get overloaded. To be really sure – take a walk outside and then come back in a few minutes to give the likely choice one more whiff.

Are you expecting a holiday bonus this year?

If you’re holding your breath for that holiday bonus this year – 60% of you shouldn’t bother...

CareerBuilder.com has some holiday perks statistics to share:

• 40% of employers will be giving holiday bonuses this year. That’s up from 33% last year.

• 3 out of 10 say they’ll be giving holiday gifts.

• 58% are planning a holiday party this year – up 6% from last year.

It seems most employees that were surveyed feel it’s better to receive than to give. Only 22% say they plan on giving gifts to co-workers or bosses.

If you’ve had enough “ho ho ho” already,try this phrase instead...

For some people, high expectations, money woes and other holiday hazards can take a lot of the joy out of the season...

If you fall into that category, you might want to consider replacing “ho ho ho” with “no no no.” John Sharp, a psychiatrist at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, says saying “no” can be a be a big relief and more productive than stretching and spending more than you have, only to feel like it’s still not enough. To avoid the holiday blues, make sure you’re getting plenty of sunlight exposure and make every effort to keep your schedule as normal as possible. Spreading yourself too thin, skipping sleep and pushing the envelope are common pitfalls to those prone to holiday depression. Spending, eating and drinking more than normal can also be a recipe for disaster and a not-so-happy New Year.

If you’re prone to getting heartburn, here's some relief...

There’s a good chance you’ll fall victim to heartburn at some point over the next few weeks...

Rich foods, overindulging and large meals can take a toll on anyone. Heartburn can be serious if left untreated. If you get it more than twice a week, you might have GERD. It’s something you’ll need to talk to your doctor about – but there are a few things you can do in the meantime that can make a big difference:

• Eat smaller meals

• Don’t lie down after you eat

• Avoid fatty or fried foods, tomatoes, alcohol, chocolate and caffeine

Some home remedies can offer relief for heartburn. Chewing sugar-free gum for 30 minutes after a meal stimulates the salivary flow rate and cuts down on acid. Baking soda helps too, by neutralizing the acid. Have a teaspoon with a glass of water. If you like licorice, you’re in luck. Licorice has natural stomach healing properties – just make sure to eat that in small doses because too much can have some serious side effects like high blood pressure.

Did you get stuck in the slowest line – again?

If you’d like to pick the line in the store with the best odds of moving – there’s a formula for that...

It was developed by John D.C. Little – and it’s fairly simple. First, you’ll need to determine the average wait time in any given line. To do this, take the number of people in the line and divide that by their arrival rate. If there are six people in the line and two shoppers are joining per minute – the average wait time will be three minutes.

Long lines aren’t necessarily the worst. A single-file line leading to more than one register actually moves much faster than separate lines for each cashier. Any delay in the multiple-line system stops that line completely, while a glitch in the single-line system is only a problem for one unlucky customer.

Gift cards are convenient – but they’re not necessarily a good idea…

Gift cards are still the most popular gift out there – but you need to know the downsides before you give them out...

Consumer Reports says 25% of us still have unused gift cards left over from last year. If you’d rather not risk your gift being lost, stolen, forgotten or unused – consider giving an actual gift or cash instead.

Beware of reloadable cards or those not marketed as gift cards. They often have some tricky terms and conditions and sometimes even some fees – not things you want to burden someone with as a gift. Bank-issued cards often fall into this category. The safest gift-card bet is one from a retailer that you know the recipient shops at on a regular basis.

If you’re struggling with procrastination or nervous energy, head to the bathroom...

If you’re feeling stressed out or overwhelmed – go and splash some cold water on your face...

It really does work. Cold water helps to regulate body temperature. It slows the heart rate and can do wonders at reducing anxiety. Cold water is actually really good for us in bigger doses too. Chilling the whole body in frigid water propels blood towards your organs to keep them heated, which boosts function and immunity.

If you shiver at the thought of taking an icy plunge with the local Polar Bear Club – you could get the benefits in your own shower if you can stand it. Let the water run cold for about 30 seconds, then switch back to warm. It’s stimulating, really good for your circulation and people with cold shower routines get sick a LOT less than the rest of us.