Distracted Driving Awareness Month aims to limit the distractions of technology in the 21st century Talking or texting on a cellphone while driving is taboo almost everywhere across the country. Thirty-nine states now ban texting while driving and 10 states prohibit any use of a cellphone without a hands-free device. But that doesn’t mean drivers are using their phones any less. In fact, smartphones are more popular ...
Ease travel worries with three simple tips (BPT) - Traveling has its fair share of challenges, from never-ending lines to unexpected layovers and uncomfortable flights. Fortunately, by incorporating just a few expert tips, traveling can be less stressful whether you are jetting off for business or pleasure. New York City lifestyle expert, Justine Santaniello, ...
Give your home a fresh look with color (BPT) - A fresh coat of paint can give any room an instant lift, making it a great solution for converting a space from drab to fab. Though neutrals reign as America’s most popular paint choices, the National Home Color Survey from Sherwin-Williams shows people are becoming bolder with color. Three-in-four homeowners i...
Salty snacks reduce stress (BPT) - Stress affects everyone and can cause problems at work, home and with health. Researchers have found that stress is a leading cause of illness, affecting as much as 20 percent of the population. Economic factors, such as a recession, have also been shown to significantly increase population-wide stress levels. ...
Tech talk: Understanding 'the cloud' and what it can do for you (BPT) - News headlines, commercials and chatter between colleagues – recently there has been a lot of hype around “the cloud,” but the term can be complex and confusing. What exactly is the cloud, and furthermore, what does it mean for you and the way you use technology? Although the concept feels relatively new, it’s s...
More beauty, less beast in your lawn and garden (BPT) - A tale as old as time, true as it can be ... insects, weeds and poor fertilization are the beasts that take away from the beauty of plants and flowers in our lawns, gardens and even homes. To maintain a home and landscape your neighbors envy, interiors and exteriors should remain pest-free, and plants should be ...
Is it time for a financial checkup? (BPT) - For most of us, checkups are a regular part of life. Dental visits, auto maintenance appointments and even glances in the bathroom mirror all help us catch potential problems and assure that all is – or will be – well. What’s true of teeth, engines and grooming is also true of finances: regular checkups are reco...
Easy solutions to backyard problems so gardeners can focus on fun (BPT) - For time-stretched gardeners who prefer to enjoy their backyards rather than work in them, several new products make outdoor living easier. Each offers a thoughtful solution to a common outdoor living problem, providing time-saving help to gardeners, gadget geeks and all who love to focus on fun outdoors. * ...
Select the right insurance for your home-based business (BPT) - Home-based businesses are booming. About 36.6 million businesses operate from U.S. households, according to the Home Based Business Institute. And the Small Business Administration notes that 53 percent of all small businesses located in the U.S. are home-based, with those numbers expected to grow substantially...
Protect yourself from summer's backyard pests (BPT) - Warm weather is here for the next few months, and that means you’ll be spending more time outdoors with family and friends – and more time with summer pests. Mosquitoes, fire ants, bees, wasps and yellow jackets are some of summer’s worst bugs. And those pests can be more than a mere nuisance. In 2012, the Cent...
Selling your home? Make it more appealing to buyers (BPT) - You’ve made the decision to sell your home – now you want to position yourself for a quick and successful sale. What’s the most important thing you can do to entice buyers? “The most important thing you can do is to make your home look welcoming when people drive by,” says Kimber Powell, Realtor and sales manag...
Free birth control gives women more choice (BPT) - Thanks to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) also known as “Obama Care,” an estimated 47 million women are gaining access to all FDA-approved methods of birth control free of charge. This new law provides access to birth control methods that may have been too expensive for many women with private health insurance p...
