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Avoiding Travel Problems

Travel apps and websites make modern travel easier than ancient times, but problems can still arise. Below are tips and resources to help you solve travel problems and have an enjoyable trip. Be resourceful to solve problems you encounter along the way. Tips Adapters – bring a gadget bag with adapters and chargers for smartphones and other devices. Baggage – put a tracking device and contact information inside and add distinguishing marks on exterior. Budget – set aside money for emergencies, entertainment, hotels, meals, tours, and transportation, Currency – purchase foreign currency before departure; research ATM networks in advance. Distractions – avoid distracting calls, notifications, and texts, especially in public areas. Flights – arrive early, enroll in flight notifications, and remain in boarding areas. Health – wash hands, wear compression socks, and use hand sanitizer while in transit. Insurance – purchase insurance to cover canceled flights, health emergencies, ...
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Using AI at Home

Artificial Intelligence apps  can provide assistance,  entertainment, and organization to personal life. Below are some uses for AI at home and resources for implementing them.   Uses for AI Agents - create an AI agent to automate, organize and streamline.  Assistants - use Amazon, Alexa, Apple Siri, Google Gemini to control devices,  communication, companionship, entertainment, and reminders.   for communication, companionship, entertainment, and reminders.  Calendars - use AI to assign, track and prioritize tasks for family members. Decisions  - use AI to analyze information for decision making. Notes  - use AI to record, transcribe, and organize notes. Productivity - book  flights, file taxes, schedule meetings and act as smart assistants. Recommendations - use AI for recommendations for meals, movies, travel, etc. Research - use AI to answer questions about careers, health, repairs, etc. Routines - use AI to create to...
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Cooking at Home

Cooking at home is less expensive, more convenient, and healthier than dining out. Stay healthy by dining at home and inviting friends to cook and dine with you. Below are tips for preparing healthy meals at home and links to apps, articles, books, and websites for more help. Tips Batches - prepare meals in batches to freeze in meal sized portions and serve in future. Cooking - bake, grill, steam, or stir-fry instead of frying. Fats - use foods containing good fats like avocados, chia, eggs, and fish. Fiber - improve gut health with fibrous foods like grains and vegetables. Ingredients - stock kitchen with fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Oil - cook with virgin olive oil; avoid oils made with corn and canola. Planning - use a meal planning app to organize meals for the week. Portions - use portion control to avoid over eating;  Ratio - 50% of plate should be vegetables, 25% protein, and 25% grains. Seasoning - reduce salt and sugar; add basil, cilantro, parsley, and p...
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Cutting Costs

Following are strategies for cutting the cost of living. For additional help, consult the apps, articles, books, forms, videos, and websites at the end of this article.   Strategies Advisors – ask your accountant, banker/broker, and insurance agent for money saving ideas. Downsizing – downsize cars and residences to reduce cost of ownership. Drinking – drink more water and less alcohol for health and thrift. Energy – reduce energy costs with LED lights, smart thermostats, and weatherproofed windows. Entertainment – cancel or reduce cable TV; substitute streaming for live concerts. Learning – attend free educational programming offered by bar associations, colleges, and libraries. Rewards – switch to a credit card that offers money back and other benefits. Shopping – buy in bulk, comparison shop, and limit purchases to budgeted items. Subscriptions – check credit card statements to eliminate unnecessary services and subscriptions. Travel – take vacations during of...
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Buying Travel Insurance

Travel insurance protects against financial losses caused by travel emergencies. It can pay for problems caused by interruptions and health emergencies. Coverage can reimburse travelers for non-refundable trips, pay hotel expenses caused by flight interruptions, and help with increased transportation costs caused by airline bankruptcy. Below are tips for purchasing travel insurance and resources with more information.   Tips Alternatives – contact your credit card issuer to determine coverage for lost luggage and canceled trips. Bankruptcy – request a credit card refund within 60 days of purchase of airfare and tours. Cancellation – most policies limit coverage to unforeseen events and exclude “cancel for any reason.” Claims – determine requirements and timing for filing claims, appeal denials with insurer and regulators. Limitations – check policy for dollar limitations, excluded items, and persons covered. Providers – check the insurer’s list of covered providers before buy...
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Group Chat Etiquette

Below are texting tips for group chats from a Reader's Digest article.  For a deeper dive, read the entire  RD article . Also see articles about managing texts , silencing chats , and  texting etiquette ,  typical problems ,  tips for emailing . Group Chat Tips Departure - exit conversations when busy and alert others that you are leaving. Discussion - stay on subject and don't rush the conversation. E-mail  - consider using email instead of texting unless immediacy is essential. Group - limit the group to people who know each other and share same interest. Individual  - use one-on-one texting for messages directed to an individual. Overload - don't flood the group with messages.  Privacy - turn off notifications to avoid distracting yourself and others nearby. Participating  - participate in the conversation and leave the group if not interested. Replies  - don't reply all when your message is intended for one person. Terminating ...
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Saving and Sharing Photos

Following are strategies for preserving digital photos from an article about saving photos . For more tips, read articles about digital picture frames , managing photo libraries ,  organizing photo files ,  sharing photos  and storage alternatives . Regularly Backup Your Photos Create duplicates of your photos and store them in multiple locations, such as external hard drives, cloud storage, or online photo sharing platforms. This way, even if one source fails, you still have access to your cherished memories. Utilize Cloud Storage Services Take advantage of cloud-based storage solutions like Google Drive or Dropbox to store your photos. These services offer automatic syncing, ensuring that your photos are securely backed up and easily accessible from any device. Organize and Tag Your Photos Properly categorize and tag your digital photos, making it easier to search and retrieve specific memories. This saves time and minimizes the risk of misplacing or losing photos. Main...
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Managing Stress

Below are tips for reducing stress to improve your health and sense of well-being.  For more guidance, consult the articles, books and videos list below. Tips Boundaries - set boundaries at home and at work; enable focus mode on smartphones. Caffeine - drink water and caffeine-free beverages. Coping  - reduce exposure to news and social media. Computing - reduce screen time on computers, smartphones and other devices. Diet - eat a nutritious diet and avoid processed foods. Exercise - do aerobic and strength training several times a week. Mindfulness - take yoga classes, keep a daily journaling, and practice mindfulness. Organization - get organized and avoid procrastination. Socializing - spend time with family, friends, and pets. Therapist - consult a healthcare professional if you need help managing stress. Articles Damage Caused by Stress   Eliminating Stress from News FAQ's About Stress Ways to Relieve Stress .  Books Physical and Mental Wellness Stress-Free L...
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Staying Healthy

Poor health is avoidable with daily exercise and nutritious food. Use the following tips to set goals for nutrition and exercise. See the resources at the end of the article to make the goals a habit. Tips Aerobics – exercise, jog, or walk briskly every day for healthy bones, heart, and muscles. Beverages – drink more water and less alcohol and caffeine. Calories – control weight by reducing portions; seek professional help if unable to attain desired weight. Foods – eat more fruit, nuts, and vegetables; avoid meat, processed food, saturated fats, and sweets. Seasonings – reduce salt and use oregano, pepper, and turmeric to flavor food. Snacks – snack on fruit, nuts, and vegetables to suppress appetite at mealtime. Standing – use a standing desk or walk every hour to improve posture and reduce back pain. Strength – lift weights several times a week for healthy arms, back, chest, legs, and shoulders. Vitamins – consult your healthcare provider about taking vitamins; spend t...
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Texting Etiquette

Assure your texts are noticed by others. Limit texting  to time sensitive matters and avoid group messaging. Use email when attaching articles, documents, or photos. See below for additional texting tips and resources for more help. Tips Content - don't use texts to convey bad news; limit to time sensitive matters. Etiquette - don't text in front of other people. Group - Avoid group texts because they are too distracting. Length - Keep messages less than 30 words. Notifications - use settings to turn of alerts for senders contacts twhen appropriate. Response - respond with 20 minutes to avoid anxiety; don't ghost your friends. Unknowns - use settings to create separate messages from unknown senders. Articles Abbreviations Etiquette Management Privacy Responses Security Tips  Workplace Texts Books Communicating at Work Guide to Texting Texting Tips
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