How-to Track the Status of Your Tax Refund
Looking forward to that hefty tax refund? You can track its progress online…

“How to Track the Status of Your Refund”
via Kiplinger

The Unhealthiest, and Healthiest, Fries in America
Which French fries have the most calories? The most saturated fat? The highest salt content? Check this list, and find out what you should eat instead.

“America’s Worst French Fries and What You Should Eat Instead”
via Yahoo Health

10 Home Office Storage Solutions
Whether it’s financial statements, files, or office supplies, find a storage solution that works for you.

“10 Home Office Storage Solutions”
via How Stuff Works

Green Gadgets for 2010
Eco alternatives to Styrofoam, smart plugs, and recycling programs top the list at the Greener Gadgets 2010 Conference held in New York.

“Greener Gadgets 2010: All About Energy Efficiency”
via Re-Nest

Guide to Urban Hiking
Just because you live in the city doesn’t mean you can’t “hike” the “great outdoors.”

“The City Girl’s Guide to Hiking”
via Eco Salon

Do you go and go and go and only stop when you’re completely wiped? Do you just have too much to do to get to bed on time? Do you try and sleep, but can’t turn off your mind? If so, it’s time to kick insomnia in the butt. Adequate sleep is necessary for both your physical and mental well-being. Lack of sleep has been linked to weakened immunity, depression, irritability, forgetfulness, and even an increased risk for high blood pressure, heart disease, cancer, obesity, and diabetes. Though the amount of sleep a person needs varies per individual, experts advise to get between 7-9 hours per night. Less than 7 hours puts stress on your body, which causes inflammation. Inflammation can lead to major illnesses, such as cancer and heart disease.

10 Relaxing Herbs to Help You Sleep

• Ashwagandha
Grown in India and North American, Ashwagandha is an Ayurvedic herb used to help the body deal with stress. If stress is keeping you awake at night, try a supplement that contains this herb.

• Chamomile
This well-known herb is often used in teas, but can also be found as an essential oil for use in baths or applied to the skin. If taking chamomile in tea form, be sure to avoid drinking it at least 2-4 hours before bedtime, otherwise you’ll risk a full bladder call at midnight!

• Hops
Though most often associated with brewing beer, hops are also a powerful sedative. According to The Herbs Place, hops are particularly useful for treating insomnia caused by stress, anxiety, and an overactive mind. Hobs are used in many over-the-counter sleeping aids.

• Lavender
The scent of lavender calms the nervous system. Use the essential oils in a bath, diffuser, as massage oil, or simply inhale.

• Lemon Balm
A member of the mint family, lemon balm has been used since the Middle Ages to treat tension, mood disorders, insomnia, and more. Drink it as tea, or use as an essential oil.

• Magnolia Bark
The bark of the magnolia has long been used in Eastern medicine to treat a variety of disorders, including anxiety and insomnia. Look for it in capsule form, or as an extract.

• Passionflower
Passionflower is often considered the herb of choice as a natural sleep aid. It promotes a restful, relaxing sleep without grogginess or other side effects. It is also not addictive.

• Skullcap
Take orally or use as an essential oil to treat insomnia related to tension, exhaustion, depression, or stress.

• St. John’s Wort
St. John’s Wort is a popular herb used to treat a variety of disorders including depression and insomnia. The plant grows naturally throughout much of the world, especially in northern California, southern Oregon, and Colorado. The flowers and leaves can be dried and ground into a power to form supplements. It can also be found in tea, and as an essential oil.

• Valerian
Backed by strong clinical studies, Valerian has been proven to significantly improve sleep quality, and latency—the amount of time it takes to fall asleep. Valerian has been used for centuries, and is considered a safe alternative to prescription sleep aids.

How-to Turn Off the Mind
If your mind starts racing the minute your head hits the pillow, the following tips will help you quiet your thoughts and fall asleep.

• Stop
You’re probably thinking about something that’s causing anxiety. Stop. Focus on something happy and positive.

• Write it Down
Write down what’s on your mind, and what’s bothering you, an hour or two before bedtime. Work it out then, not when you’re trying to fall asleep.

• Stretch
Try gentle stretches or yoga before hitting the sack. Working the tension out of your body can also help put your mind at ease.

• Breathe
Take a deep breath, and let it out slowly. Focus on breathing in and out, and nothing else.

• Count Sheep
When all else fails, count sheep. When your mind is busy watching those creatures jump a fence, it won’t have time to think about everything else in your life.

General Tips
• Keep the temperature in your room cooler. 65 degrees or less is optimum for sleeping.
• Wear light, comfortable clothing that doesn’t restrict your movement at night.
• Don’t drink caffeine at least 6 hours before bedtime
• Don’t eat at least 4 hours before bedtime.
• Eliminate light. If a streetlight shines in your window, buy heavy drapes, for example.
• Buy a new mattress. If you’re uncomfortable, how are you to sleep?
• Try to stick to a set bedtime and wake time.

Fuel Saving Plug-in Device Cuts Consumption by 18%
Plug the Current Regulating Fuel Efficiency Booster into your vehicle’s DC outlet, and the device will regulate the engine’s fuel injection and ignition system to improve gas mileage.

“How to Save up to 18% of Fuel?”
via Random Good Stuff

How-to Find Deleted Web Content
You see something online, but don’t save it because you figure it will be on the website forever. Only it’s not. The website owner deletes it. Gone forever, right? Maybe not. Learn how to check your browser’s cache for deleted content.

“Recover Recently Deleted Web Content Via Your Browsers Cache”
via Lifehacker

Safe Online Access for Kids
Worried about what your kids may find online? Plenty of controls exist to help you monitor and restrict your child’s online activity.

“Does Google Buzz Worry Parents? Here Are Alternatives”
via PC World

Kiplinger’s Emerging Markets Picks
Where should you be investing money? Consider emerging-markets stocks, which have outperformed many of the most popular indexes.

“Emerging Markets Picks”
via Kiplinger

Speedy House Cleaning Shortcuts
By investing in the right supplies and learning a few tricks of the trade, you can shave your hours off your housecleaning time.

“Housecleaning Shortcuts”
via Bottom Line Secrets

Clear and effective communication is essential to all relationships. Whether the relationship is with your spouse, children, friends, co-workers, students, or a service representative at your phone company, the ability to communicate well with each and every person in your life, and with whom you encounter, is a tool that will serve you well and faithfully. This article will teach you the Dos and Don’ts of effective communication.

Dos
• Envision yourself having the conversation beforehand. This will help you prepare, especially if the conversation is difficult.

• Face the person you are communicating with. Maintain eye contact as much as possible, and as much as is comfortable.

• Think about what you want to say, and how to say it, in a way that the person will understand and appreciate.

• Anticipate the person’s response, and think about how you will handle objections, concerns, or other adverse reactions.

• Know the goal of the conversation. When you sit down, state why you are having the conversation, and what you hope to accomplish by having the conversation.

• Organize the conversation. Choose a flow that is clear and easy to follow, and will naturally lead from one point to the next.

• Be specific. Choose exact points and examples to illustrate what you’re saying.

• Use points and examples that your particular audience will more likely understand. If your audience can personally connect with what you’re saying, they will be more open to listening, and will better comprehend what is being said.

• Pay attention to your body language, as well as the body language of the other person. According to Self Growth.com, body language, including tone of voice, facial expressions, and manner, is 93% of communication!

• Adjust your choice of words, and the tone of the conversation, according to the other person’s body language and verbal reactions.

• Show that you are listening through appropriate responses at appropriate times.

• Keep track of the conversation, especially if it’s with a client. Take notes each time you talk to them, and keep the notes in a folder for future reference.

• If the conversation gets heated, take a time-out and come back to it. But always come back to it! People will respect you more, and you will respect yourself, if you can work out a difficult situation.

• Own your mistakes. Take personal responsibility and admit when you’re wrong.

• Know when to end it. A conversation can only go on so long…

Don’ts
• Don’t watch TV, cook dinner, style your hair, or tinker with your engine while having a conversation. Eliminate all distractions. Focus only on the conversation.

• Don’t drift off into la-la land and start thinking about what you need to do tomorrow, or what you wish you were doing now instead. Respect the other person, and the process. In turn, they will respect you.

• Don’t make “knee-jerk” responses. If something angers or frustrates you, take a deep breath and think about an appropriate reaction that will further the conversation rather than stall it.

• Don’t get defensive until the other person has finished making their point. Once you know their argument, you can respond appropriately.

• Don’t interrupt when the other person is speaking. If necessary, make a note of your point and come back to it. If it’s extremely urgent your point be made right away, politely ask the other person if you can interject for a moment.

• Don’t turn everything into an excuse to talk about yourself. Take turns contributing to the conversation.

Easy Fixes for Common Internet Annoyances
Looking for quick solutions to phishing, ads, and CAPTCHA requests? Look no further. PC World’s got answers.

“15 Internet Annoyances and How to Fix Them”
via PC World

Electronically Free File Your 2009 Income Taxes
The IRS Free File program allows you to file your 2009 income taxes online for free.

“A Fast Free Way to File Your Federal Income Taxes”
via Get Rich Slowly

DIY Natural Mouthwash
These three recipes for mouthwash are quick, easy, natural, and inexpensive!

“How to Make Mouthwash”
via Ultimate Money Blog

Black Box Sanitizes Without Soap and Water
If you work in and industry where keeping your hands (and other extremities) germ free is a constant job, you may want to take a look at the Black Box. This handy contraption uses plasma gas to sterilize.

“Black Box Cleans Hands and Feet in Seconds”
via Coolest Gadgets

Where to Find Cash Rebates for Appliance Trade-Ins
Interested in trading in that 1970s clunker for something more energy efficient? The Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency can help you.

“Cash For Appliances: Find Incentives Available in Your State”
via The Daily Green