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Safe Internet Sales

Posted on by Dawn Link Posted in Internet, Safety

Safe Internet Sales

Do you buy from or sell to strangers through the internet? Here are some tips to safely help you navigate the process.

  • Check out the seller and buyer’s Facebook profile: Are there any recent posts? Any mutual friends?
  • Always communicate only through the app.
  • Meet at a public site, preferably a police station.
  • Ship if possible.
  • Is it a large item? Move to your driveway if possible, so not in your house and never be alone when meeting someone at your home or theirs.
  • Cash only. If they claim not to have cash, tell them where the nearest ATM is.

Buying and selling on the internet can be convenient and efficient, but it is important to prioritize safety to avoid scams, fraud, and other risks. Here are some guidelines to help you safely buy and sell online:

Tips for Buyers:

  1. Research: Before making a purchase, research the product, the seller, and the platform you are using. Read reviews, compare prices, and verify the legitimacy of the website or seller.
  2. Secure Websites: Ensure you are using secure and reputable websites. Look for “https://” in the URL and a padlock symbol in the address bar, indicating a secure connection.
  3. Check Seller Ratings: If you are buying from an individual seller on a marketplace, check their ratings and reviews from previous buyers. Be cautious if the seller has a low rating or a lack of reviews.
  4. Pay: Use secure payment methods such as credit cards, PayPal, or other reputable online payment systems. Avoid using wire transfers, money orders, or direct bank transfers as they offer little to no recourse in case of fraud.
  5. Avoid Public Wi-Fi: When making online purchases, avoid using public Wi-Fi networks as they can be less secure and more susceptible to hacking.
  6. Review Privacy Settings: Regularly review your privacy settings on online platforms to control the amount of personal information you are sharing.
  7. Beware of Deals Too Good to Be True: Be cautious of deals or offers that seem too good to be true, as they might be scams.
  8. Use Strong Passwords: Use strong, unique passwords for your online accounts, and consider using a password manager to keep track of them.
  9. Watch Out For Email Phishing: Be wary of unsolicited emails or messages asking for personal or financial information. Verify the legitimacy of the sender before clicking on any links or providing information.

Tips for Sellers:

  1. Provide Accurate Information: When listing items for sale, provide accurate and detailed information about the product, including its condition, size, specifications, and any defects.
  2. Use Clear Photos: Include clear, high-quality photos of the item from different angles to give potential buyers a clear understanding of what they are purchasing.
  3. Write Honest Descriptions: Be transparent about the item’s condition and any imperfections. Honesty builds trust with buyers.
  4. Communicate: Respond promptly and professionally to inquiries from potential buyers. Clear communication can help establish a positive relationship.
  5. Select Payment Methods: Choose secure payment methods that offer seller protection. Be cautious of buyers who insist on using unconventional payment methods.
  6. Ship and Track: Use reliable shipping methods that provide tracking information. Clearly communicate shipping costs and estimated delivery times.
  7. Verify Payment: Before shipping an item, ensure that you have received the payment and that it has been verified. Be cautious of payment confirmation emails that may be fake.
  8. Meet in Safe Locations: If you are selling locally and meeting in person, choose a safe and public location to conduct the transaction.
  9. Trust Your Instincts: If a transaction seems suspicious or too good to be true, trust your instincts and proceed with caution.

Remember that while these tips can help mitigate risks, no method is foolproof. Always exercise caution and stay vigilant when buying or selling online. If something does not feel right, it is best to walk away from the transaction.

I have sold several items via Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace. Some items sell quickly, and others linger. I have not figured out the rationale behind that. Timing is everything!

Photo: Pixabay

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Declutter Your Bedroom

Posted on by Dawn Link Posted in Bedroom, Jewelry

Declutter Your Bedroom

Did you know that our bedrooms should be relaxing places to sleep? It is hard to relax and do so when surrounded by distractions. Here are five ways to declutter your bedroom.

  1. Bedding – Do you make your bed before you leave your house? You might think that is an unnecessary task to do. Take a moment to think about how great it feels to walk into your bedroom and see you bed made? The largest item in most bedrooms is the bed. Having your bed made automatically sets the stage for relaxation. While we are at it, do you have any ripped or stained linens you are still using? Do not feel guilty letting go of them. You can donate to an animal shelter or give to a textile recycler. Ask for new linens as a Christmas gift this year if you are short of gift ideas.
  2. Shoes – Where do you store your shoes? Please tell me they are not just all over your floor waiting for you to trip on. As we in the northeast are facing cooler temps, now is a great time to put away all your summer shoes. Hopefully that will decrease the number of shoes you actively use. A few ways to store shoes are in shoe boxes (either original or purchased shoe boxes), using a shoe shelving unit, or using an over the door shoe pockets. If you must keep any of your shoes out in the open, please makes sure they are organized and out of the main floor space.
  3. Books – How many books do you have on your nightstand? Aim for no more than two books to eliminate the visual clutter. The rest should be in a bookcase.
  4. Laundry – Do you have a laundry basket or any kind of receptacle for your dirty clothes? Half the battle is corralling the clothes rather than throwing them on the floor. There are so many decorative styles of laundry baskets that you can purchase to match your décor. If you have room in your closet, kudos to you as you can hide your laundry and make your room more of a sanctuary.
  5. Jewelry – How do you store your jewelry? Is it scattered all over your nightstand, dresser tops, or any flat surface? Fixing this is one way to quickly tidy your bedroom. If you are a visual person, there are many jewelry organizing solutions that you can either purchase or make to display your treasured pieces. If you would prefer to have them out of sight, there are many jewelry cases or organized solutions for purchase. The key with jewelry is to make sure you put it away after you wear it so piles do not accumulate.

Peek at sites like Pinterest for creative ways to eliminate clutter in your bedroom. When the clutter disappears, you will feel a sense of calmness when you enter your room to go to sleep. Sweet dreams!

Photo: Pixabay

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Borrow, Do Not Buy

Posted on by Dawn Link Posted in Eco-friendly, Shopping

Borrow, Do Not Buy

So many people have too much “stuff” that they buy, use a few times, and then stow somewhere until a professional organizer helps them clear it out. They may even toss into the trash where it ends up in a landfill.

If you may be one of those folds, why not consider an alternative? For those items that you need only once or twice, consider borrowing from your local library’s “Library of Things”.

Many public libraries have started collections of “things” beyond traditional books and DVDs. Items that might be available to borrow from your local library include tools, binoculars, telescopes, board games, video games, birding kits, induction cook plates, wireless hot spots, or jigsaw puzzles. Some even have a seed library and exchange of packets of seeds for flowers, fruits, and vegetables.

Check out your library’s website to see what items you can borrow instead of buying.

Photo: Pixabay

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Shoo the Shoes

Posted on by Dawn Link Posted in Closet, Clothes

Shoo the Shoes

I recently worked with a client who had to move everything out of her bedroom closet so that a single-pane window could be replaced with an energy-efficient one.

This was a great opportunity to do a quick purge. Before hanging up an item, she would think of the last time she wore it and the likelihood she would wear it again. Anything she had not worn in the past few months but still loved first had to pass the “does it still fit?” test. She was able to set aside a few items to donate that someone else could put to better use.

The big space saver, however, came with the shoes. We had taken down a dozen shoe boxes stacked on a shelf. Why were they on the shelf and not the shoe rack? Because they were not in her regular rotation of footwear. These were the dressy heels she would wear to weddings, or the fun sandals worn because they were cute but not comfortable if she had to do a lot of walking. In other words, they equated to shoes she probably did not need. A couple of pairs of dress shoes fit, but she did not like wearing them. Why did she still have them? Because they were in fantastic condition and cost enough that she did not want to be wasteful. Well, they were not useful sitting in a box in her closet. Somewhere out there is a woman who would be thrilled to have them, and whose feet would be happier wearing them. She said it felt good donating them to Big Brother Big Sister.

How long did the shoe purge take? Less than 10 minutes. So worth it that you might want to consider doing the same!

Photo: Pixabay

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Are you Stockpiling Old Magazines?

Posted on by Dawn Link Posted in Magazines

Are you Stockpiling Old Magazines?

Some of us love our magazines so much that we save them. Not that there is anything wrong with that—if you have the space to store them and you look at them again.

Those of us of a certain age remember stacks and stacks of mustard-colored National Geographic magazines stored in the basement because the photographs inside were so amazing that tossing them in the trash seemed sinful.

If you grew up in the pre-Internet, pre-Google Dark Ages, you saved magazines for a few reasons.

  • For reference (school or work). Back in the day, to read back issues of a magazine, we had to go to the library, in person (!), fill out a slip at the desk, and wait for the librarian to retrieve the items from storage. Sometimes instead of a physical magazine, you were handed microfiche, a film that you viewed with a special device.
  • Our mothers saved magazines to be cut up for school projects, such as illustrating book reports. Some of us inherited the “just in case” gene.
  • Another reason we saved magazines is that they were not available at libraries. I am referring to niche magazines published for a limited readership, such as those for hobbies.

Nowadays, you can find most—if not all—magazines online.

If you find yourself with stacks of magazines that you are saving “just in case” and need to free up some space, check your local library, including the networks it belongs to, to see if the periodicals you like are stored. Also check the publisher’s website to see if you can get access through your subscription.

Why clutter up your precious space when the magazines you would be interested in looking at again can be obtain elsewhere?

Photo: Pixabay

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A Tisket, a Tasket, Store it in a Basket

Posted on by Dawn Link Posted in Storage

A Tisket, a Tasket, Store it in a Basket

Baskets are inexpensive and handy containers for organizing all kinds of stuff: clothes, toys, linens, cleaning supplies, home office supplies, bathroom supplies… you name it.

They are one of the most versatile and simplest organizers you will find.

The size of the basket limits what you can put in it, which in and of itself forces you to get organized to some degree.

Many baskets have handles so you can carry them around as needed, especially as you pick up toys from around the house. Some baskets are designed to be stacked or can be hung from a wall. Others fit nicely in a cabinet. For example, a friend stores all her dogs’ toys and gear in attractive, cloth-lined baskets that fit side-by-side on the bottom shelf of a cabinet.

Baskets come in a variety of materials, to suit your home décor: wicker (great for towels and spare rolls of toilet paper in the bathroom), wire (for office supplies or kitchen utensils), and plastic (toys, beach stuff, or cleaning supplies). I keep a plastic basket under my kitchen sink for the various cleaners and sponges I use regularly. Then, when I need to clear out that cabinet, I just must move one item, the basket, instead of a dozen cans, jars, and bottles.

What do you store in baskets?

Photo: Pixabay

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Hang it Up

Posted on by Dawn Link Posted in Closet, Clothes, Storage

Hang it Up

In addition to his athletic prowess, Boston Celtic legend John Havlicek was known for being meticulous. His wife said he hung all his clothes a half inch apart in his closet at home and folded his socks over a hanger.

You do not have to go to those extreme measures for a neat closet. You can quickly make your closet look a lot nicer just by buying a set of matching hangers. Features to look for, depending on your needs, include:

  • Thickness of each hanger: obviously thicker hangers take up more space
  • Weight/material: Main options are wood and plastic. Heavy clothing (such as winter coats) needs stronger (wooden) hangers. Nobody should use wire hangers, ever. (Who could ever forget the scene in the movie, “Mommie Dearest”, with Faye Dunaway?)
  • Notches for clothing with straps
  • Clips for pants or skirts
  • Swivel hooks
  • Fabric-lined (velvet, felt) to prevent clothes from slipping
  • Appearance: a matter of personal taste
  • Space-saving hangers that accommodate several pairs of pants, shirts, scarves, neckties.

You cannot ask for a simpler, less expensive solution to upgrading your closet than investing in a set of hangers (roughly $25-$50 for 50, depending on, well… features).

Photo: Pixabay

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How to Fold Everything, and I Mean Everything (Even the Cheese)

Posted on by Dawn Link Posted in Clothes, How To, Linens

How to Fold Everything, and I Mean Everything (Even the Cheese)

A key to reducing clutter and maximizing storage space is to fold your clothes and linens. Other items you might fold are dinner napkins (for presentation and utility), flags, and ingredients. I have curated a collection of instructions for folding everything, so you do not have to weed through the Internet to watch some longer-than-necessary videos.

Fitted sheets – Watch these two videos to choose which method is best for you. At first attempt, the method may seem very awkward. Do it a few times and it becomes second nature.

Martha Stewart

YouTube

Towels – Who knew there are so many ways to fold a towel? Here are instructions to fold towels like in hotels or luxury spas, for a towel rack, and to reduce wear and tear. I always like the way a linen closet looks when you open the door, and you feel like you are in a store with all the sheets and towels folded nicely.

Better Home & Gardens

Napkins – Now you can fold your napkins to suit the theme or mood of your gathering, impressing guests and family!

Wikihow

Socks – Did you know that folding socks takes up less space than rolling them into a ball? Here are a few different methods for folding those pesky socks.

YouTube

For collared shirts and t-shirts the question is to fold or hang? A lot depends on your space and hangers. You do not want to be walking around with those hanger marks on your shirts, so maybe, depending on your space, folding is better for knits and lightweight shirts.

Shirts, pants, dresses, especially for packing away for the off season, may be best folded.

Flags – Ever wonder how flags get to be that perfect triangle? At my Dad’s funeral a few months ago, I watched two Navy officers fold his flag, and they made it seem so easy. I think it would take me a few times to get it just right. How about you?

Ingredients – One of the funniest episodes on TV was the “fold the cheese” scene in the series Schitt’s Creek. Here is the answer to what David Rose (the character in Schitt’s Creek episode) wanted to know.

And just for fun – Want to learn Origami? This is how you make a spider and a dragon.

I hope I have added some whimsy to your day and saved you time by researching the various methods of folding everyday items. May it give you a giggle and save you space in your home.

Photo: Pixabay

 

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Do Not Leave a “Shred” of your ID in Your Trash

Posted on by Dawn Link Posted in Identity Theft, Shredding

Do Not Leave a “Shred” of your ID in Your Trash

You have been diligent about sorting through papers (good for you!), and now you have a stack of documents to discard. Wait! Do any of these contain private information, such as your name, address, phone, email, date of birth, account number, medical history, financial information, or prescription drug labels, among others? You cannot just toss these into the trash. Once something is in the trash, it is free game for anyone to take, including scammers and others who can sell your information on the dark web, exposing you to identity theft and other scams.

If you think ripping the papers in half, or in smaller pieces is good enough, have another think. Someone who wants your personal information badly enough will tape those fragments together. (Remember the movie Argo?)

You need to shred these papers. Buy a shredder, preferably a cross-cut model, and do it yourself. These are not expensive and are easy to use. Tip: if you have pets, unplug when not in use. Curious pets have been known to stick tongues in shredders. (Shudder.)

If you prefer not to own a shredder, you can take your papers to commercial businesses that will shred them for you, for a fee. Staples and UPS stores are among those offering this service.

Alternatively, you might be able to find a shredding event in your community, whereby a commercial shredding business brings equipment onsite. My bank sponsors one every spring. Some years I have too many documents to run through my shredder without it overheating, so the bank’s event is a welcome (and free) service. Other possible organizations that may offer free shredding events are The Council on Aging/Senior Center in your town or the Lions Club (for a donation to their charitable causes).

If you are closing a business where you have sensitive information (such as a medical practice), it would be worthwhile to pay a commercial shredder to come to your office, shred onsite, and provide a certificate of destruction for FACTA or HIPAA compliance.

Believe me, please: the time you spend to shredding will save you hours of time, stress, and aggravation trying to deal with any potential identity theft. How true the old adage: “An ounce of preventions is worth a pound of cure.”

Photo: Pixabay

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Prevent Travel Hassles with These Under-the-Radar Tips

Posted on by Dawn Link Posted in Travel

Prevent Travel Hassles with These Under-the-Radar Tips

In previous blog posts, I have suggested useful items to pack when traveling. Here are some additional under-the-radar travel tips for avoiding some major inconveniences, such as having your data stolen, running out of juice on your phone, and paying fees for overweight luggage.

So many items now have RFID chips for quick scanning. These chips can save you time during transactions, but they also give crooks a way of picking your pocket without making physical contact with you. RFID blocking sleeves protect your credit/debit card and passport information from being scanned by a “digital pickpocket” who is near you on the street, in a restaurant, store, or other public building. You can even get wallets and purses with RFID protection built in.

Having your phone run out of juice while you are out sightseeing is a major inconvenience. Think of all the things you need your phone for: keeping in touch with fellow travelers, taking photos, calling for an Uber, making online dinner reservations, yadda, yadda, yadda. One solution is a power bank or portable charger. Charge it up at home or in your hotel and use it to power up your phone on the go. Most hold a charge for months until used; you then simply recharge it for next time.

Another solution is taking your power cord with you and plugging it into a public USB outlet. You must be careful with these, though, as hackers can tinker with those outlets to infect your phone (or tablet) with malware, even possibly install malicious code to access and steal your data. A small, inexpensive device known as a USB data blocker can protect you. A USB data blocker is a device that lets your smartphone or tablet into USB charging ports including charging kiosks, and USB ports on gadgets owned by other people, including those on airplanes and at airports.

Taking lots of photos? Make sure they are being backed up to the cloud in case your phone is lost, stolen, or damaged.

To avoid the hassle of having your credit card or ATM declined, be sure to notify your credit card company and bank of your travel plans. Otherwise, transactions from unusual locations, especially outside the United States, might be flagged as fraud. While you are at it, find out about what ATMs you can use at your destination and what the fees are. Likewise, find out about foreign exchange fees when you use your credit card or withdraw foreign currency from an ATM.

Finally, scan and store copies of your travel documents (itinerary, passport, airplane tickets, hotel confirmations) in the cloud (iCloud, Dropbox, or other online storage app) or in the “secure notes” section of your password manager. You should also have copies of your drivers’ license, health insurance card(s), eyeglass prescription, and a list of medications in the cloud, just in case.

Shifting gears now away from electronics, are you someone who overpacks and worries about paying fees for overweight luggage? Invest in an inexpensive, portable luggage scale so you know before you arrive at the airport what your suitcase weighs and can take mitigating action. (Leave behind some clothes or shoes? Pack more into your carryon? Ship souvenirs home?) Travel experts say that we should take out at least a third of what we originally pack.

Hopefully with these tips to prepare ahead, you can enjoy a wonderful summer vacation!

Photo: Pixabay

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