For most purposes, mobile phones have made cameras, clocks, computers, and many devices redundant. With their ever-expanding capabilities, mobile phones today have also become increasingly vulnerable to online threats like nasty, damaging cyber-attacks and data pilfering. As per a 2022 study, mobile phones face more than 60 percent of digital fraud via stolen passwords and phishing attacks. To stay clear of these, one needs to avoid making some of the following mistakes: Installing fake apps on smartphones Scammers can create apps that look legit but are just viruses or other threats disguised as actual mobile applications. To avoid this threat, one needs to complete software and security updates regularly, provide personal information only if it is necessary, check customer reviews for any app before installing it on their phone, and verify applications they want to download from the app store for duplicates. Fake apps are among the most common smartphone threats, and taking these simple precautions can prevent a person from exposing themselves to a cyber-attack or another kind of online fraud. Not being careful during online shopping Most people choose eCommerce apps on their phones to make purchases. However, online shopping sites can contain threats too. For example, an individual may fall into the trap of giving away their card details to scammers via the aforementioned fake or fraudulent shopping apps. Other than that, one may share the password of their shopping apps with their friends, thereby landing themselves in trouble. For this reason, one must only buy goods and services from trusted shopping sites and apps. Additionally, it is wiser not to save one’s payment details on such sites. Opening links/attachments in shady emails Emails from vague, potentially illicit sources need to be directed straight to the “spam” or “trash” folder on smartphones as they can cause data loss and software damage.

Financial planning is a complicated endeavor that does not stop with simply opening savings and certificate of deposit accounts. You need an expert who can advise you on the best investment and diversification strategies for building a solid portfolio to secure your financial needs. But before hiring a good advisor, it is essential to understand how the process works and how to proceed from here. These questions can be a starting point. Here are the five questions you must ask a financial advisor: What are your qualifications? Financial planning is a vast topic with several areas of specialization in practice. So, you need to understand whether the advisor provides assistance for financial planning in general or focuses on a specific aspect of portfolio building. Primarily, they practice with a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) qualification approved by federal regulatory authorities and guidelines for safe practices. What is the range of services you offer? Their experience will vary depending on the type of services provided, ranging from planning for retirement to tax mitigation strategies and real estate trust services. Some CFPs work as fiduciaries, ensuring they keep your best interests at heart when planning and strategizing your finances. You must also check to confirm any disclosures on the record of previous misconduct or legal sanctions imposed on their range of services. Do you work for a commission or a fee-only structure? Fees for professional services are one of the primary modes of payment for a CFP. But financial advisors can use multiple payment structures. So, you will have to confirm this before hiring them for a single session or keeping them on retainer. Discussing fee-only structures to avoid confusion and conflicts at the time of payment is better. You will also want to confirm “all-in costs,” as ambiguity in these terms can create hassles during payment.

Embarking on a therapeutic journey is a significant step toward self-discovery, healing, and personal growth. However, finding the right therapist and establishing a productive therapeutic relationship requires open communication and clarity. To make the most out of your therapy sessions, it’s essential to ask your therapist the right questions. These questions will help you gain a deeper understanding of the therapeutic process, establish mutual trust, and align your goals. Let’s discuss a few of them. What experience do you have in treating my specific concerns? Checking the therapist’s experience and expertise is essential. Knowing they have helped people with issues similar to yours will go a long way in calming your doubts and intrusive thoughts. Inquiring about their experience in treating similar cases can provide reassurance and confidence in their ability to support you effectively. How do you approach confidentiality and privacy? Confidentiality is a cornerstone of therapy, promoting a safe and trusting environment. Discussing the therapist’s approach to confidentiality, including any limits or exceptions, you can ensure that your personal information remains private. Understanding these boundaries will foster a sense of security and enable you to share openly without fear of judgment or disclosure. What are the goals and expectations of therapy? Clearly defining the goals and expectations of therapy is crucial for both you and your therapist. This question allows you to align your desired outcomes with the therapeutic process. Together, you can establish realistic goals and discuss the anticipated duration of therapy, ensuring that you are on the same page and working towards meaningful progress. How will we measure progress or success in therapy? Progress tracking is essential for gauging the effectiveness of therapy and providing a sense of accomplishment. You can actively participate in your healing journey and celebrate milestones by discussing the therapist’s approach to measuring progress, such as self-assessment, goal-tracking, or feedback.

Credit cards have made transactions incredibly convenient, as users can choose to pay later for any purchase. Such flexibility ensures that one’s purchasing power does not depend on one’s bank balance. Today, several credit card companies offer attractive benefits on purchases, including cashback and reward points, and have emerged as highly lucrative for users. However, one needs to exercise some caution while using credit cards. So, here are some credit-card habits to avoid: Applying for many cards at once Users often have multiple credit cards to split large expenses so that there is sufficient credit available for each card. However, applying for multiple credit cards successively can trigger multiple inquiries, which can negatively impact the credit card holder. So, it is best to avoid applying for multiple credit cards simultaneously. Not making timely payments Delaying credit card payments repeatedly can affect one’s credit score, which can cause problems with securing loans. In most cases, banks either reject loans or charge high-interest rates for those with poor credit scores. Many employers also reject candidates with a negative credit report. Paying credit card bills on time can help improve one’s credit score. Frequently paying through EMIs Equated monthly installments (EMI) allow users to repay credit card debts flexibly in parts over a specific time frame. Most credit card companies offer EMI options for users’ convenience. However, EMIs entail monthly interest in addition to the principal amount, leading to overspending. The best bet is to apply for an EMI only in case of large expenses. Closing a credit card Closing a credit card can affect one’s credit history, especially if the card is old. For example, if one owns two credit cards with credit histories of three and four years, the total credit history comes to seven years. But closing the card with four years of credit history would reduce this total to three years.

Being new to crypto trading does not necessarily mean one must make all the mistakes to experience and learn. Why not start smart as a beginner? For this, it is essential to be thorough with the common mistakes to avoid when selling or investing in cryptocurrency. Knowing what they are can help potential crypto traders begin their crypto journey on an informed and solid footing without incurring unnecessary losses. 1. Buying because the price is low Low prices may not always hint at a bargain. Sometimes, the prices are low for a reason. So, being wary of the coins with falling user rates is crucial. Many developers formulate a project and leave it after a few years. Consequently, the coin has not been updated, a common reason for its low price. So, one of the mistakes to avoid when selling or investing in cryptocurrency is buying without research, merely because the price is low. 2. Failing to pick the right crypto exchange platform Before one starts trading, one must research and choose a reliable cryptocurrency exchange. Sadly, many beginners rush into this step, which later proves to be a costly mistake. So, when selecting an exchange, look for the following features: User-friendliness and simplicity Low fees Vast selection of coins Good asset prices Useful trading features Regular review of security terms Personalized and reliable support Good educational content Secure and authentic 3. Diving in without much study One cannot learn trading by watching a few tutorials online or reading eBooks. To be well-versed in the skill, one must acquire in-depth knowledge before investing. So, it is vital to spend time learning the basics. One must know the following: What it entails Its types Risks involved How it works One can find several resources and courses online to equip oneself before taking the plunge.

Refrigerators are an important appliance in any household. From storing groceries and staples to leftovers, it is quite difficult to imagine life without this essential piece of tech. With varying needs in each home, they are also available in several different styles. At the same time, they can also be a pricey investment. That is why the holiday shopping season may be the best time to buy one. Based on last year’s deals and discounts, here are the ten refrigerator deals one can look forward to on Black Friday in 2023. French door refrigerator These fridges have two doors on top and a freezer door on the bottom. This allows customers to have ample refrigerator and freezer space for all their groceries, including full-sized pizzas, casseroles, and platters. These are ideal for homes that need more fridge space than freezer space. Additionally, the shelves and compartments in these refrigerators are adjustable, allowing users to customize the space based on their unique needs. Some units may also come with external water and ice dispensers. Some of the top deals on French-door refrigerators on Black Friday last year came from brands like: 1. Some Kenmore French-door refrigerators saw massive discounts last year. One of their 26.1 cu. unit (originally $1939), retailed for just $1099 on Black Friday. Watch out for similar deals on Kenmore fridges this year as well! 2. LG offers great options for Energy Star-certified French-door refrigerators. Their 26.2 cu. Smart unit hosted a $650 discount last year, bringing its retail price down to $1799.99. Side-by-side refrigerator These fridges have two doors that open from the center – one for the fridge, and the other for the freezer. In comparison to French door refrigerators, side-by-side fridges have a slightly better freezer capacity. With reduced door swing clearance, they are also ideal for narrow spaces.

These days, we use our smartphones, tablets, and laptops for everything and anything. But, these devices aren’t very useful without the power of the internet. As a result, many individuals sign up for Wi-Fi services in their homes. These services are affordable and convenient. However, there are times when our routers don’t work correctly, leading to slower internet speeds and other problems. Here are a few Wi-Fi issues and how to fix them. Constant router crashing Having a router that constantly restarts can be frustrating. You could lose your network during a work call or when watching an exciting movie. If you face this issue, consider giving the router a full reset. All you need is a paper clip to hold down the tiny reset button on the router for 30 seconds. Then configure the device again to ensure it works efficiently. Dropping connection Connection drops may occur during certain times of the day or when you use specific appliances, especially microwaves. Many microwaves that run at 2.5GHz frequency can interfere with the network connection. You could face the same issue with older microwave models without a shield. This issue can also be a result of interference from other networks. For example, the connection may drop if your neighbor has the same network with heavy usage during certain times. But you don’t need to look for a new Wi-Fi provider in your area just yet. Try changing your router’s channel or perform a factory reset to remedy this. Devices not connecting to the Wi-Fi Sometimes, your laptop or computer may not be able to connect to the Wi-Fi network. One way to resolve this issue is to reset your Wi-Fi router to the original factory settings. If this doesn’t help, try using an ethernet cable to connect your laptop or desktop directly to the router.

You may have been too eager while starting your decluttering journey. However, the process can be exhausting, and you might end up making a few mistakes. This can be detrimental, as the process then becomes even more lengthy and unnecessarily exhausting. So if you’re starting your decluttering journey, or are stuck and wondering what to do next, this article is for you. Continue reading for a list of common decluttering mistakes to avoid. Using numerous containers This decluttering mistake is at the top of the list because it is the most common blunder people make. Using a number of containers to hold your possessions may not fix the problem. Doing so only adds to the clutter and worsens it. Unfortunately, this strategy wastes time and money, because it adds to the problem rather than addressing it. Completing everything in a single weekend Decluttering a complete house requires a lot of time and effort. Many begin a whole house decluttering project, anticipating finishing it all on a day off from work or over the weekend. However, this may not be the right strategy. Chances are that the weekend might be over and you’ll still have rooms and boxes to sort through, not to mention the presence of large stacks of belongings in the middle of your home. So, make a strategy to declutter your home over certain durations of time, and not one or two days. Not using garbage bags Garbage bags can be one of the most useful tools for decluttering. However, not using them effectively can lead to clutter and disorganization. When using garbage bags, make sure to label them clearly so that you know what’s inside. This will help you keep track of what you’ve thrown away, what you’ve donated, and what you’ve kept. Decluttering can be a difficult task to finish, and it’s easy to give up.

Heavy periods are called menorrhagia in medical terms. Many menstruators often experience heavy periods in certain months of their menstruation cycle. It is quite normal to have heavy flow once in a while. Despite being infrequent, heavy flow can cause discomfort and inconvenience. It can disrupt carrying on routine everyday activities. However, there are ways to deal with heavy periods. Here are a few simple hacks to cope with a heavy flow. Keep sanitary products everywhere One of the ways to make it easier to cope with a heavy flow is stocking up on sanitary products. Ensure to buy the bigger sizes so that there is never any chance of running out. From sanitary napkins to tampons and menstrual cups, make sure there is enough backup for everything. Keep these in all the handbags that are used on a regular and not-so-regular basis. Ensure to keep extra supplies in the drawers at home and work, the bathroom, the bedroom, and every single bag. Wear period underwear Period underwears are an essential element that many are not aware of when it comes to dealing with a heavy flow of the menstruation cycle. Period underwear can come in handy for those struggling to wear extra-large menstruation pads. These are very comfortable with their expansive and stretchable design and sizing. Moreover, these are made of absorbent fabric that gives an added layer of protection without any extra bulk. Make a period first aid kit During menstruation, a first aid kit can be immensely helpful. For those days of heavy flow, it is wise to stock up on some extra paraphernalia to deal with the intense cramps and pain. The kit can contain painkillers, hot water bottles, ice packs, and non-decomposable comfort food. Making two or three kits for heavy flow days is recommended:

All homes require water as long as it flows through pipes and the drainage system. However, if there are hidden water leaks, they might result in severe damage if not repaired on time. While obvious signs such as water stains make it easy to spot the leak, it is sometimes insidious, making it challenging to find and fix. Here are 4 ways to find hidden water leaks and take remedial action in time. Check the water bill Most households get a water bill that is fairly consistent every month. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, a household of four persons will generally use 12,000 gallons per month. Exceptions are warmer weather or when lawns and gardens have to be watered regularly. However, if the water bill suddenly becomes unusually high, it may be a sign of water leakage. Even a small leak, like a faucet dripping steadily, can cause about 10,000 gallons of water to be wasted per year. Thus, monitoring the water bill is a useful practice to keep a check on water leaks. Conduct a water meter test Another effective way to find hidden water leaks is a water meter test. To do this, turn off all the faucets, showers, and water sources around the house. Once this is done, check the readings in the water meter. If there is a water leak, the meter will keep on running. The change in readings may not be obvious immediately, especially if it is a slow-running leak. So, it is recommended to check the meter after a couple of hours. Look for patches of greener grass For homes with lawns and yards, checking for grass patches that are greener than the rest is a helpful hack to look for hidden leaks. If a part of the lawn is more lush and green than the rest, it may be because of leakage in one of the buried water lines.

This year’s biggest Black Friday specials will likely offer some of the most substantial cuts ever across a wide range of popular businesses and brands. Stores are working hard to offer seasonal items and avoid supply chain problems. While major shops are expected to offer great bargains, it is essential to buy with local businesses, especially in the post-pandemic era. Based on the discounts offered last year, here’s a look at what you can expect this year. Nordstrom Nordstrom could offer up to 50% off hundreds of selected goods from leading brands, as was the case last year. Longchamp items, such as the Le Pliage Cuir Leather Shoulder Bag, were discounted by 20-30%. Kiehl’s skincare sets The Daily Hydrating Skincare Gift Set was discounted at $48 (original value $66), which includes full-sized versions of two Kiehl’s classics: Ultra Facial Cream with Squalane and the renowned Avocado Eye Cream, suitable for everyone. Home Depot Refrigerators Home Depot previously offered up to $900 off refrigerators. Refrigerator discounts of up to $900 are available at Home Depot on some of the greatest brands in large appliances. Shop for Black Friday deals on Samsung, LG, and Whirlpool appliances. Amazon Amazon has some of the best discounts, and the Black Friday sales are chock-full of must-haves! Coach Outlet You could get up to 70% off Coach Outlet bags, wallets, shoes, and more, plus an extra 25% off sitewide. You could also enjoy free shipping on orders of $50 or more. Home Depot Dishwashers Whether you’re searching for a low-cost dishwasher or an upgrade to one with all the latest features, Home Depot is expected to offer up to 30% off a wide selection. Kohl’s With its online Black Friday deals, Kohl’s brings its A-game. In the past, we’ve seen a much lower free shipping requirement, thousands of deep discounts, and $15 Kohl’s Cash for every $50 bought.

As a dog owner, one of the biggest concerns to tackle is fleas and tick infestation. These parasites feed off the pets’ blood, causing excessive scratching and irritation. There is a variety of flea and tick repellents in the market. However, it is necessary to be aware of natural remedies. The following article lists some of the most effective treatments to manage flea and tick infestation in dogs at home: Clinical options Before discussing natural remedies to manage flea and tick infestation in dogs, it is also important to be aware of clinical treatment options. Simparica® This is one such option that prevents flea and tick infestation in dogs. The FDA-approved oral treatment option can be given once a month which remains effective for up to 35 days. Other treatment options Other options include Bravecto® and K9 Advantix®, where the latter is a topical treatment used on a monthly basis, and the former is an oral treatment option used once in three months. Bravecto® can also be used for getting rid of heartworm. Foods to eat Experts say that fleas and ticks are likely to attack weak and unhealthy animals. If your dog is given healthy and nutritious foods, fleas and tick infestation won’t be a problem. Make sure your dog’s meal comprises of fresh whole foods and unprocessed proteins. Nutrients such as B vitamins, probiotics, sulfur, omega-6 fatty acids, and omega-3 fatty acids are essential for their health. These nutrients can be acquired from foods like meats, organ meats, fatty fish, flaxseed, poultry, eggs, broccoli, cauliflower, and more. Natural home remedies Essential oils The topical application of essential oils is one of the best natural remedies for treating fleas and tick infestation in dogs. It’s best to use essential oils like lavender, peppermint, lemongrass, cedar oil, or eucalyptus oil.