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Showing posts from March, 2020

COVID-19 prevention

Advice from Stanford University Taiwan experts provide a simple self-check that we can do every morning:  Take a deep breath and hold it for more than 10 seconds. If you do this successfully without coughing, without discomfort, stiffness or tightness, there is no fibrosis in the lungs; it basically indicates no infection. In critical times, please self-check every morning in an environment with clean air. Serious excellent advice by Japanese doctors treating COVID-19 cases:  Everyone should ensure your mouth & throat are moist, never dry. Take a few sips of water every 15 minutes at least. Why? Even if the virus gets into your mouth, drinking water or other liquids will wash them down through your throat and into the stomach. Once there, your stomach acid will kill all the virus. If you don't drink enough water regularly, the virus can enter your windpipe and then the lungs. That's very dangerous. * Snopes says this is fake news ! Please copy a...

Budgeting 101

Budgeting is the key to feeling financially secure. It may seem like common sense but here are four main steps to making a budget. Know your Income : Your gross income is how much your boss told you you’d make. Your  net income  is the money left over after deductions (things like income tax, Social Security, health insurance premiums, and your 401(k)). This is the amount deposited in your bank every pay period. Set Goals : Do you want to pay off a credit card? Save up for a trip to Australia? Save up for a home? Start with one big goal and write down the magic number that corresponds with it. Fixed expenses : Calculate your fixed, necessary monthly expenses. These are your “need it” expenses that stay fixed month-to-month. That includes rent, utilities, and transportation. Tracking : For a month, break down everything you spend that’s not a fixed expense. These are your “want it” expenses. That includes clothes and travel. Be specific so you know exactly where you’...