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Showing posts from July, 2020

Save Money, Live Luxuriously with Yacht Co-ownership

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( NewsUSA ) -Are you a yacht owner who wants to enjoy time on the water, but doesn’t want to keep up with the work and expense of full-time ownership? Consider shared (fractional) ownership through a cooperative instead. It offers "all of the luxury and none of the hassle" according to yacht co-op and management company Saveene.Many yacht owners or would-be owners hesitate at the additional expenses of luxury boating beyond the purchase of the boat itself, such as cleaning, upkeep, marina fees, and paying a crew. Saveene offers options for fractional purchases that are flexible and cost-saving. The more fractions you purchase, the more yacht usage you have.For example, a 10 percent purchase equals approximately 4 weeks of yachting time each year; 20 percent entitles you to 8 weeks.Other advantages of fractional ownership include:– Flexibility. Saveene fractional owners can purchase up to 10 fractions per yacht, and Saveene helps them sell these fractions if they choose or o

Five Steps to Safeguard Your Senses

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( NewsUSA ) – Whether we’re reading a favorite book, taking in the smell of fresh-cut grass or savoring an old family recipe, we use our senses every day to experience and understand the world around us. But while it’s clear that our senses are an important part of our lives, they’re often something we take for granted.The difficult reality of sensory loss is no more apparent than on the demographic that experiences it most: seniors. Nearly 83 percent of older adults in the United States are living with at least one diminished sense, according to a new survey by Home Instead, Inc. The current COVID-19 pandemic has only intensified isolation and loneliness for those experiencing sensory loss, making it harder for those without assistive technology to stay connected with their loved ones."As we age, it’s normal to experience some changes or decline in our five senses," says Lakelyn Hogan, gerontologist and caregiver advocate at Home Instead Senior Care. "Early detection

The Barcode Story: Its Past, Present, And Future

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( NewsUSA ) – Whether you’re buying online or shopping in a store, there are many modern shopping conveniences available today that can be traced back to the debut of a seemingly simple technology – the first barcode scan.With a powerful impact on global commerce, the barcode is used by millions of people everywhere, every day.However, its creation required decades of collaboration with grocery industry leaders to establish its design, use, and ultimately cement its place in retail. This year, we celebrate the definitive moment in history when 45 years ago, the first Universal Product Code (UPC) was scanned – a milestone that led to unprecedented economic opportunities and the variety of shopping options we enjoy today. The Barcode’s Origins Few shoppers today remember a time when product prices were manually entered at a cash register. Before checkouts featured barcodes and scanners, long lines snaked throughout the supermarket and shoppers waited impatiently. Grocery stores were de

A Better Way to Buy and Own A Home

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( NewsUSA ) – Whether it’s your first house or your fourth, buying a home is exciting – but also stressful. Questions plague homebuyers: Can we afford it? How much do we have to put down? Do we have enough to avoid incurring the dreaded PMI (Private Mortgage Insurance)? For homeowners looking to refinance, it becomes a question of, should we or shouldn’t we? What’s the down side? Does refinancing make sense in the long term? In the past, consumers had only one option – taking on more debt. In addition to monthly payments with interest, this debt came with increased discomfort and the fear that “if we couldn’t afford it, we could lose the roof over our head.” Now, there may be another answer. Home co-investing offers a new alternative – a better way to buy and own a home. Home co-investing is a new category that works in partnership with homebuyers and homeowners to invest in the long-term appreciation of a home’s value. Whether you’re a homebuyer seeking to finance a new purchase or

How to Protect Your Data in a Connected World

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( NewsUSA ) – The phrase ‘six degrees of separation,’ suggests that only a minuscule measurement is what divides one person from another. Today, the Internet of Things (IoT) has decreased those degrees dramatically, connecting us not only to each other, but to everything from our fitness trackers to our coffee makers. Consider this: according to a recent report by the Federal Trade Commission, the number of Internet-connected devices tops 25 billion worldwide. And that number is expected to double in the next five years, according to experts cited in the report. In a world where everyone and everything is connected, digital security is a must-have, just as important as the lock on your front door or the keys to your house. “Technology is revolutionizing the way consumers use cars, homes, work spaces and everyday items,” Rep. Darrell Issa, R- Calif., told USA Today in a recent interview. “These devices raise both opportunities and questions about regulatory policy, spectrum space, pri

Enhance Pool Safety: Help Protect Your Family From Electric Shock Drowning

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( NewsUSA ) – Before you open your pool for the season or whenever you close it down, you should be aware of a hidden danger. Faulty wiring or damaged electrical cords used to connect electrical equipment near the pool or from the pool lighting can cause the water to become energized. When swimmers come into contact with this “leaked” electrical current in your pool, it can cause loss of muscle control, rapid or irregular heartbeat or even electric shock drowning (ESD). Electrical shock drowning can occur in treated water. Many pools and spas now feature lighting, digital entertainment systems, automated sensors for maintenance, and other integrated comforts or technologies. The presence of these devices in and around water can increase the risk of injury. Mild tingling sensations and numbness in the limbs or extremities are the first telltale symptoms of ESD.”Electricity is extremely dangerous in water and improperly installed, maintained or damaged electrical connectivity can leak

Don’t Sweat The EPA’s 2020 Freon Phaseout This Summer

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( NewsUSA ) – As temperatures rise and air conditioners begin to blast, educated homeowners have no need to fear the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) 2020 Freon Phaseout.January 2020 marks the EPA mandate to end production of Freon (also known as HCFC-22 and R-22), the primary refrigerant chemical used in residential air conditioning units that has been found to have a significant contributing effect on ozone depletion and global warming.While this is good news for environmentally conscious consumers, what does this mean to homeowners?In short, you can still opt to keep your older system that requires Freon. However, this can pose a problem should your unit need even minor service, such as a small leak. Technicians will have limited access to R-22 or use recycled versions until supplies dwindle. Further, a shortage means increased prices. Alternatively, homeowners would need to hire a technician to replace the outdoor unit and indoor coil to accommodate the newer R410A, which

Choosing Schools – All Kids Learn Differently

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( NewsUSA ) – Well, actually, it’s both … the charm of hummingbirds is most certainly apropos and "a charm" of hummingbirds is actually factual! Yep, that’s right, the collective noun for these unique creatures – just like a gaggle of geese or a flock of birds, is a charm of hummingbirds. Since the definition of the noun ‘charm’ is "the power of giving delight or arousing admiration," one doesn’t need to be a wordsmith to see how right that is. Hummingbirds are charming. And there are over 330 varieties of the species, Trochilidae, which is their biological family name and they’re found in the Western Hemisphere. When one sees a hummingbird, it’s a stunning, stop-in-your-tracks sight. Their brilliant throat color is actually a result of the iridescence in the arrangement of their feathers, not color pigment. Light level, moisture, angle of viewing and other factors all influence just how bright and colorful their throats may appear. Perhaps you’ve heard them, too

What Parents Need to Know About Kids and E-Cigarettes

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( NewsUSA ) – Did you know that 1 in 4 high school students uses e-cigarettes? Nationally, 5.3 million middle and high school students use these products, which means that even if your children are not using e-cigarettes, they almost certainly have friends who are. Rates of youth e-cigarette use more than doubled between 2017 and 2019, to the point that the U.S. Surgeon General declared the problem an “epidemic.” Parents need to understand how prevalent e-cigarettes are – and the serious health risks they pose to young people – in order to protect kids from this growing threat. Many of these products look like pens or flash drives, and they can be disguised as watches or tucked into the sleeve of a hoodie. These disguises help kids hide them from parents and teachers, but just knowing what to look for puts you one step ahead. E-cigarettes are also sold in a huge variety of kid-friendly flavors, from gummy bear and banana ice to mango and mint. Studies have found that most youth e-cig

Orange You Smart? Florida Orange Juice Is Good for You

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( NewsUSA ) – From busy parents to picky toddlers, the struggle to get enough fruit and vegetables into our diets is real. In fact, many Americans don’t consume the recommended amount. A glass of Florida Orange Juice is a convenient and delicious way to help bridge the gap. According to a recent survey, more than half of parents say it’s difficult to feed their children a nutritious meal and two-thirds say it’s a struggle to find options that are both nutritious and convenient. For some, breakfast is the most challenging meal of all. Florida Orange Juice can help. An 8-ounce glass of 100-percent orange juice counts as a serving of fruit, providing important nutrients such as vitamin C, potassium and folate all with no added sugar. Plus, it’s convenient to take on-the-go when the morning meal gets lost in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. For children, the recommended daily serving of 100-percent orange juice is 4 to 6 ounces. The vitamin C in 100-percent orange juice may play a

The Smart Home and Our Connected Life

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( NewsUSA ) – Almost everything today is digitally connected …whether at home or on the go. Connected technology saves you time with everything from smart phones to smart homes!Tech Lifestyle Expert Carley Knobloch has partnered with KillerApps.com and four brands for a look at some great smart tech for 2019 that will help simplify your life.First up … a laptop is a must! Made for today’s mobile multi-taskers, the thin and light Yoga C630 combines the power and productivity of a Windows 10 laptop with the always-on, always-connected mobility of a smartphone thanks to integrated 4G LTE and Wi-Fi support. Powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 850 Mobile Compute Platform, the Yoga C630 gets up to 22 hours of local video playback and features a natural pen-on-paper experience on its vibrant 13.3-inch FHD IPS touchscreen display with optional Lenovo Pen and Windows Ink.Next, to stay connected at home, Orbi Voice is a smart speaker integrated with Amazon voice assistant, Alexa and uses the Qua

Automated Containers Make Organic Urban Farming Feasible

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( NewsUSA ) -The future of agriculture can be found in commercial containers, in which plants can be grown hydroponically.Hydroponic farming has many benefits, including saving the resources involved in soil cultivation and avoiding the uncertainty of weather conditions, according to Seedo, an innovator in the field of commercial growth containers.Approximately 40 percent of the costs of produce in large city supermarkets are used to cover logistics and shipping. Commercial containers such as those from Seedo would expand the potential for urban farming to anywhere, anytime. Plants can be cultivated 24/7, regardless of location.For example, the automated urban farm is ideally suited to the growing market for medical cannabis and medical cannabis products. Seedo is the technology behind the world’s first automated medical cannabis farm, which will yield significantly more plants than traditional controlled greenhouses.Another opportunity for the Seedo technology is to improve the agri

Book Reveals How to Have 300 Percent More Retirement Income

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( NewsUSA ) – In these times of market uncertainty, investors are looking for alternatives, and one company, SmartWealth, has their backs.SmartWealth is a coaching and training organization that teaches people how to retire safely by in- vesting wisely.The key to financial security and success, according to Jeffrey D. Sokol, the founder of SmartWealth who predicted the current market collapse, is locking in stock market gains, without risking the client’s money in the market, a proposition that many people find risky even at the best of times."Investing in the stock market directly with 401(k)s and mutual funds has proven to be a massive risk to the retirement accounts of millions. There is a simple way to lock in stock market gains, without having to suffer losses," says Sokol."Our methods are proven and efficient … the wealthiest billionaires in the world have the same rule book you do, they just had a better coach."Mr. Sokol is also the author of two books, &qu

Sanitize Your Nose: Help Protect Yourself and Others from Infection

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( NewsUSA ) – Most people know that practicing good hand hygiene, such as washing or sanitizing the hands regularly, can help reduce the risk of infection. However, many are overlooking a key culprit in the spread of germs: the nose. Together with hand hygiene, sanitizing the nose is a simple step than can help prevent the spread of germs and enhance overall health.The moist, hairy skin inside the nostrils is the perfect environment for potentially dangerous germs to grow and multiply. The nose is like a revolving door for germs, allowing them to enter and exit the body. Sneezing, coughing or touching the nose can spread infectious germs to others. In turn, touching the nose – which a person does more than 100 times a day on average – can also spread germs from the hand to the nose. But sanitizing the nose interrupts the cycle of contamination between the hands and nose and can help reduce the spread of germs that cause infection.Sanitizing the nose, also referred to as nasal decolon

Three Ways Millennials Can Start Saving More Money

For too long, Millennials have gotten a bad rap about money and their ability to save for a rainy day or retirement. However, a new “Relationship With Money” survey by financial services firm Edward Jones found that not only do more Americans born between 1981 and 1996 consider themselves “savers” than those in their parents’ Gen-X cohort (48 percent vs. 46 percent), but that Millennials also were better at socking away emergency funds (75 percent vs. 66 percent). That’s right. The same Millennials whose motto could be “Why buy a car when you can Uber?” “This debunks the myth that Millennials aren’t as financially focused as other generations,” says Edward Jones investment strategist Nela Richardson. And the survey isn’t some outlier. It’s supported by other research. The Federal Reserve Survey on Consumer Finances found that while Millennials are deep in debt, more than 42 percent have retirement accounts, the highest share for those under 35 years of age since 2001. Part of what’s d

Finances During A Pandemic

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( NewsUSA ) – Sponsored Content -Now that the initial shock of the pandemic has started to wear off, it’s time to take a step back and really start planning. Everyone is living through an unprecedented time. The uncertainty surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic is enough to rattle even the strictest saver. Things may feel that they are all out of your control, so focus on what you can control. First things first. Listen to healthcare professionals and follow guidelines to protect yourself and others. If you are financially impacted by Covid-19 for any reason, there are steps you can take to help minimize that impact.Even if you have not yet been financially impacted by the current state of events, it is vital to either reassess your household budget or create one if you have not already. Involve your family in this as much as you can. Just letting your family know you are thinking about the crisis and how you will respond can be enough to help ease some of the anxiety around the unknown.

How to Mourn Your Old Normal and Adapt to The New

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( NewsUSA ) – Deaths from the novel coronavirus COVID-19 have surpassed 110,000 in the United States and mourning the losses of these lives is important. In addition, we are also mourning lost habits and ways of life that are casualties of the coronavirus.Going out with friends, hugging a grandparent, even opening a door in a public place are on hold. Some of these changes were temporary. However, even as states begin to open up, changes in how we interact with each other and the world will likely continue for far longer."We need to grieve the ways of life we have lost," according to William Glover, Ph.D., president of the American Psychoanalytic Association (APsaA)."Mourning is hard work," Sigmund Freud once wrote in his essay, "Mourning and Melancholia." What makes mourning so hard is having to give up attachments – whether to people or to a way of life – that can’t be replaced. Letting go of what we have lost helps us move on with our lives, although

Company Steps Up to Keep Health Care Workers Healthy

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( NewsUSA ) – As the ongoing spread of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) reshapes American lives by the day, and sometimes by the hour, the health and stability of the nation’s essential work force, namely our health care workers and first responders, remains paramount.To keep themselves and their patients safe, these workers, who may have potentially been exposed to this deadly virus, may have to stay home until they are tested, losing valuable time on a now critical job.Here’s where organizations such as xymbio are stepping up to the challenge. xymbio, an infectious disease testing company, has offered the use of its high-speed testing program to help run tests on health care personnel and first responders to keep them healthy and return them to their demanding roles as soon as possible.The Las Vegas based company, uses industry leading technologies from ThermoFisher and operates under the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) guidance issued by the Federal Drug Administration and highe

Keeping Your Family’s Quarantine Cool This Summer

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( NewsUSA ) – As the coronavirus pandemic rapidly turned the "new normal" household into hubs for all daily activities, Summer 2020 now means moving parents’ offices, kid’s camps, vacation destinations, and virtually everything under one roof.Although this dynamic could forge family bonds, it can also ignite the already heated stresses and struggles facing many Americans during this difficult time – making optimal home climate control a critical key to keeping their cool as temperatures heat up this season.Recent studies show how our increased togetherness can significantly disrupt domestic bliss. In fact, research suggests that people forced to live in quarantine conditions face a greater risk of anxiety, depression, anger, irritability, insomnia and post-traumatic stress symptoms.And, despite feeling close to their children during the pandemic, 61percent of parents say they have shouted, yelled, or screamed at them at least once over the past two weeks, according to a Un

Three Ways to Stay Connected to Your Senior Loved Ones While Social Distancing

After more than 45 days in lockdown, it’s no surprise that many people are going a tad stir-crazy. But it’s far worse for seniors: Not only have visits from their kids and grandkids been suspended, but there’s the extra stress that comes with the nagging suspicion that they’ll be advised to remain on lockdown long after younger people begin trickling back to work and the world starts opening up again. In fact, the AARP Foundation has even come up with this dire comparison: Prolonged social isolation, for those aged 50 and older, “is the health equivalent of smoking 15 cigarettes a day.” Fortuitously, some of the niftiest technology offers solutions both to keep us connected and protect against some of the miscreants taking advantage of the situation. • Health Checks. If you are worried that all of the anxiety is harming your loved ones’ overall well-being, the machine-learning algorithms that analyze activity data as part of Alarm.com ’s Wellness solution can provide you with the

Unlock Your Home Equity with A Home Co-Investment

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( NewsUSA ) – Owning a home is a huge investment, and once they’ve owned long enough to build up equity, many homeowners opt to leverage the equity for other uses. But if you’re on the fence about taking on another monthly loan payment, an option that may be right for you is co-investing.With a home equity loan, you borrow against the equity in your home and receive a lump sum of money that you have to pay back each month over a specified term – commonly 15 years. The interest rate is usually fixed, but is typically higher than your primary mortgage.Co-investing offers an alternative to traditional home equity loans. In a nutshell, the co-investing company pays the homeowner an upfront amount, with no repayments for a set number of years, or until the home is sold, whichever comes first. There may also be an option to buy the company out, after a minimum restriction period passes. This option can be ideal for a homeowner who wants access to cash without the added financial burden of

How Your Business Can Survive The Coronavirus

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( NewsUSA ) – As the world has hit the metaphorical panic button during the rise of Coronavirus (Covid-19) cases worldwide, the daily reality for people and businesses is rapidly changing.Practically overnight, businesses have been forced out of the comfort zone of face-to-face contact, now having to heavily rely on digital platforms. Businesses, especially, are struggling with figuring out how to survive by using digital communication techniques.With the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and government officials emphasizing "social distancing and mandatory nonessential business closures," technology such as live video conferencing, chat boxes, and email will be the basis for millions of Americans for their jobs, schooling, and everyday communication. So, with so many players in the game, how can businesses continue to function successfully?Higher Images, a 20-year-old full-service digital marketing agency located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is helping organ