If you think it can’t happen to you think again. It can and probably will. Even if you take all the right steps to protect your computer, and change your password, hackers find a way. Twice in one month they got my contact list and emailed inappropriate content to people I know. Many are business contacts so you can imagine my embarrassment. Your internet provider, computer manufacturer, and software providers will all tell you they provide excellent safeguards. In today’s world of online activity we are all vulnerable. Since we put so much personal information out there it’s available for theft. I didn’t want to change addresses, accounts, set up multiple passwords, but this last experience forced me to redo the way I operate my web activity. New tips I learned. Change your password often. Not twice a year, try once a month. Create multiple passwords. Pick a sentence, take first letters , create an acronym because if you stick with words you think you will remember, the hackers will find them. They can steal your address book, monitor your key strokes, get your personal info, and yes mess up your life. Be vigilant on line–trust me looking the other way–or waiting until it strikes-will make you wish you read my blog and followed this advice.
Seasonal Allergies
I remember the days of chronic sinus trouble. I could barely stand up due to congestion, and pressure between my eyes. I would feel like I had the flu when really I was suffering from allergies. Over the counter medicationss were brief relief, but had side effects. They made me drowsy . They dry you out. Even prescriptions didn’t get rid of the problem they only masked it. So I switched to a homeopathic routine. A Neti Pot for irrigation, saline nasal sprays to keep my nose clean and I gave up gluten, wheat and dairy. All have made a huge difference in my life. Today on Fox29 I interviewed Dr. Andrew Lipton from The Narberth Family Medicine Practice. Dr. Lipton encourages his patients to go down this path if they suffer from seasonal allergies. “Dairy, wheat, and Soy can aggravate seasonal allergies”, says Lipton. “Also wash your hair before you go to bed, wash your pet.” I asked about boosting your immune system because it helps reduce inflammation and congestion. “Vitamin C is a good immune booster, it has a drying affect without the fatigue”, says Dr. Lipton. Regular exercise, eating a healthy diet I also finds keeps the body in good shape to fight off infections. If you suffer from allergies like I do-why not give it a try?
4 Money Rules To Break
We all are concerned about money these days. Where do I invest, how can I save more, will I ever recover? Financial Expert, Joe Murray of First Financial Group, a regular contributor on Fox29 news told me today he has 4 rules we can break in 2011.
First-your 401K. The old way of thinking Joe tells me is to avoid taking loans at all cost.
Now Joe says in the current economic environment it may be the most affordable place to get money. “If you borrow from your 401K and pay prime plus 1 which is about 4.50%
when you go to pay it back, you are paying yourself back, the only negative you are out of the market for a bit.” says Joe. Second-your IRA. Joe says “it used to be recommended you convert it to a Roth, pay no taxes in the future, but interest rates are low now and with taxes where they are keep it where it is.” Third-Mortgages-Joe says “It used to be you looked for the lowest interest rate and put 20% down and pay off the loan quickly, now only put 10% down because the price of homes may still go down in an unstable market, so hold onto that extra money and invest it.” Fourth-it’s o-k to start charging on credit cards again.
Thanks Joe–I always look forward to Money Tips.