Tips for Purchasing and Maintaining a Refrigerator
Tips for Purchasing and Maintaining a Refrigerator

Home appliances have made life much easier these days. These electronic equipment ensure maximum convenience in performing everyday household work and fostering a comfortable lifestyle. Major appliances like refrigerators and air conditioners are very common in households today. Minor appliances such as toasters, mixers, juicers and grinders, induction cookers, and microwaves are a must in the kitchen for an easy and comfortable living.

Major appliances like refrigerators are generally a one-time investment. A refrigerator is an essential in your kitchen. You can store food and drinks without worrying about them getting spoilt, and maximize their shelf life. However, while buying kitchen appliances like refrigerators, it is important to consider multiple factors. This article gives you an insight as to what you should keep in mind while buying a refrigerators appliances.

Your needs and the refrigerator’s capacity

You should buy refrigerators appliances, keeping in mind your home’s needs and your desired capacity. If you have a small family, your storage and preservation requirements in the kitchen will also be small. In that case, you can buy small refrigerators appliances and pack them with all the foods and drinks you have. These are small refrigerators available online as well. These allow you to store five or six bottles of drinks as well as adequate food. They usually do not come with a crisper but do have a freezer.

If your needs are bigger, you should buy a refrigerator with a greater capacity. Family refrigerators are also available online. You can conveniently store food, fruit, and vegetables on the shelves and in the crisper. There is sufficient space to store multiple bottles as well. Look for refrigerators appliances with a spacious and well-regulated freezer.

Freezer on top or bottom?

This is a big question you may be wondering about while purchasing refrigerators appliances. Choose a refrigerator with a freezer on top if you want more space to accommodate big platters, pizza boxes, or birthday cakes. If you use ice on a regular basis or a lot of frozen food, a refrigerator with a freezer on top is just perfect for you. However, you will need to bend down a little in order to reach the stuff that’s stored on the shelves.

If you do not use the freezer much, you should consider buying refrigerators appliances with the freezer at the bottom. The food and drinks inside the fridge will be within better reach as you will not have to bend down much. These refrigerators are also quite spacious. They are perfect for fresh veggies and fruit lovers as you need not bend to reach the crisper.

Check for warranty

While buying kitchen appliances like refrigerators, always check if they come with a warranty. Never buy a refrigerator without a warranty, be it big or small. Be cautious while buying online and ensure that a proper warranty card is provided with the purchase. It is always wiser to buy from trusted brands, in order to be assured of quality and durability.

Carefully consider the duration of the warranty period. Doing so is important, in order to avoid unnecessary expenses due to premature damages which may occur. The smaller refrigerators appliances may come will a smaller warranty period than the bigger refrigerators. Make a comparison, in order to make an informed decision while purchasing a refrigerator.

Maintain your refrigerator well

In order to optimize the longevity of your refrigerators appliances, you need to maintain it well. Keep it clean and do not store food for very long durations. You should get rid of water which may accumulate in the fridge. Keep the temperature in the fridge well regulated according to seasons and climatic conditions. For maintaining a fresh smell in your fridge, you should clean it regularly with a bleach solution. Do not forget to switch it off while doing so. Read the handling and maintenance instructions that come with the refrigerator, and you are good to go!

  • Few tax benefits you didn’t know existed

    While we all are worried about filing the tax returns with the best possible audits, most of us are also taking a closer look at the tax benefits and deductions. Tax deductions are important for taxpayers as these amounts can be directly deducted from the gross income. Right from getting the best investments to saving the receipts of health insurance premiums, smallest of these expenses can save you a lot more during your tax filing. Let us take a look at some of the tax deductions or benefits that you did not know that existed.

    Health insurance premiums
    Medical expenses can cost you a fortune and therefore, there are provisions that help in saving tax with the health insurance premiums. The taxpayer needs to itemize the medical expenses and mention the same during the tax auditing. In order to benefit from the health insurance premiums, the deductible medical expenses should be more than 7.5% of the gross income. If in case the taxpayer is self-employed and has paid for his or her medical expenses themselves, then the complete premium paid can be considered for claiming the tax benefit. The amount so deducted is considered from the gross income and not as an exclusion under itemization.

    Sales taxes
    Sales tax can also be deducted from the federal income tax. This provision can be a big money saver in the states that do not have arrangements for their own income tax. If you are claiming your tax benefit under the sales tax, then the item needs to be mentioned under claim deduction. One can refer to the official website of IRS to know more about the savings on big purchases and tax benefits under the sales tax.

    Charitable gifts
    These gifts make for a great money saving option under the federal income tax. It is useful to save the receipts and itemize them once the tax audit takes place. For instance, if you are baking cakes and using the funds to pay for a charitable organization, the cost of ingredients can be used as tax deductions.

    Investments
    Investments are one of the core benefits of tax refunds. Some of the tax deductions under investments include individual retirement agreements, capital losses, the sale of a home, etc.

    Other tax benefits are:

    • Cost of the babysitter
    • Lifetime learning credit
    • Unusual business expenses
    • Self-employed social security

    So, if you are looking for more information on tax benefits and deductions, visit the official website of IRS for a detailed list.

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  • 4 simple yoga poses to tighten your neck skin naturally

    Not many consider their face and neck as target areas while exercising unless their loose neck skin starts interfering with their youthful appearance. If you are looking for ways that can help you tighten neck skin, here are some effective yoga poses that you can try.

    Yoga pose 1
    You can start with a pouting stretch, as it helps tighten neck skin. To do this, you need to stick out your lower lip until it forms a pout. Then lower your jaw while keeping your face still, and your lower lip stuck out. Try to hold the pose for a few seconds and repeat the same it about ten times.

    Yoga pose 2
    While doing this yoga pose, you need to keep your head level with the floor and lips closed and relaxed. Then you need to drop your jaw and push your lower jaw forward. Try to maintain this pose for a count of 10 breaths and repeat it at least five times. With this yoga pose, you can tighten neck skin quickly.

    Yoga pose 3
    This is indeed one of the best yoga poses when it comes to firming the neck skin. For this move, you simply need to tilt your head back. Take your head back to a position so that you can look up at the ceiling comfortably. Hold the pose while keeping your lips closed and do a chewing movement. While holding the pose, you will be able to feel your neck and throat muscles tightening. Keep your head tilted for about 20 breaths and then bring it forward for a few deep breaths. Perform this yoga pose every day for about ten times.

    Yoga pose 4
    This yoga pose also requires you to tilt your head back and keep your lips closed. However, in this yoga pose, you need to bring your lips in a kissing position while keeping them closed and continuing to look up at the ceiling. Repeat this pose five times to tighten neck skin.

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  • Latest advanced smartphone from Blu

    Cell phones are not only the electronic gadgets that we use during our daily routine but also our closest companions in these modern days. We make use of the cell phones every now and then from the time we wake up till we go to bed. Some people also spend sleepless nights as they would be busy chatting with their loved ones.

    Modern-day technology has revolutionized cell phones from instruments used for making and receiving calls to the technology-driven solutions that provide enormous ways to communicate with the rest of the world. Internet connectivity on cell phones and through cell phones would be another great game changer in the cell phone market. When we look online to buy a new cell phone, there would be a huge variety of options available. We need to choose what best suits our exact requirement and budget.

    Among various brands that offer their latest models, the Blu advance 5.0 would be on top of the list because of its marvelous features. The most important feature of this smartphone is its beautiful design. At first look itself, we would fall in love with the metallic glossy finish on the front side along with a bright and clean screen that is designed for durability. Additionally, the leather-like finish on the battery cover at the backside makes it very easy to handle as the smartphone would not easily slip from the grip of our hands.

    The smartphone is powered by latest Mediatek technology. It comes with an excellent 1.3 GHz quad-core processor. The processing speed allows easy multitasking with a fantastic lag-free experience.

    A dual camera is another great advantage of this smart looking phone. For enthusiasts who like to share photographs and videos on social media regularly, a 5-megapixel camera would serve better to get pictures and videos that would be loved by the contacts as they would enjoy the clarity of the shoots and snaps due to the high resolution. Similarly, another 2-megapixel camera on the front side would be useful for talking to loved ones live during video calls and also for taking magnificent selfies.

    The Blu Advance 5.0 is powered by an Android Version 5.1 operating system that would be compatible with all latest apps. Thus, the users would be able to experience fantastic speed while downloading different apps from Google Play Store.

    Feather touch-sensitive screen with clear display, attractive black or white colors that appear fantastic and user-friendly switches and controls are some other benefits of this magnificent smartphone.

    Thus, this latest smartphone has almost everything that frequent users would look for in a good-looking and well-functioning smartphone.

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  • Things you need to know about your income tax refund status

    If you have paid more taxes than you are liable to pay, the Federal Government will issue you a refund for the same. This mistake could happen when the employer deducts your taxes incorrectly. You are advised to check whether you are eligible for a refund or not. If you are, you will be issued a check for it within 21 days.

    How to check the income tax refund status
    Once you file the return, you may check whether it has been accepted or not. You may do this within 24 to 48 hours of filing your income tax return. If you have filed the return on time and are expecting a refund, you can check its status online. To check the income tax refund status, you need to have the social security number, the filing status, and the dollar amount of the refund at your disposal. You can use the online Where’s My Refund tool, as the system gets updated every 24 hours and is the easiest way to track your refund.

    In addition to that, you can also call the IRS and check the income tax refund status over a phone call. You may have to wait for a longer duration to speak with a representative. You also have the option of using the automated phone system and following the prompts whenever you make the call.

    The refund is issued within 21 days from the day you filed the tax return online, or within 42 days from the day you filed your paper returns. In case the refund has not been issued within these time frames, you need to investigate the reasons behind the delay.

    Why is my refund not issued?
    There are several reasons why you may not have received your income tax refund by the due date. One of the most common reasons for the IRS holding back the refund is the outstanding debt for the taxpayers. If you have an outstanding debt, the refund may not be issued to you until you make the payment for the entire amount outstanding.

    You can easily check your income tax refund status online and contact a representative in case of any queries. Most refunds are issued on time and will be dispatched within 21 days from the date of filing of the return.

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  • Five of the best senior cell phone plans

    All cell phone plans these days come with high-speed internet and unlimited minutes. Both of these may not really be useful to seniors.

    They don’t let you browse use the internet or talk beyond a paltry limit. The best alternative, then, is to find senior citizen cell phone plans that are affordable, and suitable for your requirements. If you belong to the low-income category, you could get free cellphones for seniors under the Lifeline Assistance Program.

    You have a variety of smartphone plans for seniors to choose from. Here are a few.

    T-Mobile Pay As You Go: T-Mobile is one of the best cell phone service providers in the market. This carrier offers deals that suit everyone. Plus, they’ve also released mobile phone plans that are tailor-made for seniors. On the T-Mobile Pay As You Go plan, you have to pay a monthly fee of $3. You get either 30 minutes or 30 text messages in this plan. To avail this, you’ll need to have a compatible phone. Whether you bring your own phone or not, you will have to pay $20 for a sim starter kit. Also, there is no annual contract, no deposit, and no credit check.

    AT&T GoPhone Daily: One of the most trusted brand across the US, AT&T has a very convenient plan for seniors who hardly need to make any calls. The name of the plan is AT&T GoPhone Daily. The best part is that you have to pay $2 per day of usage of incoming and outgoing calls. It means that you don’t have to pay anything on the days that you don’t use your phone. This is one of the best senior phone plans. If you are using the phone for the day you get unlimited minutes and texts. You don’t even have to pay an activation fee. If you already have a compatible phone you can get a sim for $4.99. However, if you are buying the sim online you’ll have to be careful as a $25 refill card may be added. Make sure to uncheck this item while making a purchase.

    Republic Wireless 1GB: For seniors who use the internet often. Available at just $20 this plan gives you not only 1GB of data but also gives you unlimited minutes and texts and is one of the best phone plans for seniors. Republic Wireless is one of the newest service providers but has made a stand with offers such as this one. This plan has no contract but it is important to know that this is not a prepaid service.

    T-Mobile monthly basic: Yet another plan from T-Mobile that is ideal for seniors. This plan is priced at $30 per month. You get 5GB of high-speed internet and you get 100 minutes and unlimited texts. If you can make do with just 100 minutes of talk time this is one of the most reasonable cell phone plans for seniors out there.

    Greatcall WeTalk 200: Priced at $14.99, this plan gives you 200 minutes of talk time. It is important to note that you don’t get any texts or data.

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  • Popular field service dispatch software you need to know

    If you run a business that requires you to send people out in the fields for their services, then the chances are that it will be difficult to coordinate. You can maintain a planner with each employee. However, if you had management software for the same thing, it would be comfortable to manage. Opting for field service dispatch software would be expensive if you run a small business.  But did you know that you could get some of the excellent software for free?

    The fleet GPS tracking solutions enable you to GPS monitor to know the exact place where your vehicle or employee has reached. With this, you get leverage of keeping problems at bay and accommodate emergency situations in nearby areas, as your employee gets free. The overall productivity also increases a lot with the use of this software. The mentioned tracking solution may or may not be included in the free software mentioned below but will still give you a lot of other features:

    Fergus
    It offers all the essential elements of the field service dispatch software and is free for one user for an indefinite period. So if you have a startup that requires management software and everything needs to run by you, then you can use this software for offering better management services.

    Loc8
    Some of the services offered given by software are a mapping of the employee, calendar maintenance, quoting and invoicing, job management and live chat for any issues that you might face in the software. It is free and can be used by many people without having to pay anything extra, and that is what makes it one of the best field service dispatch software in the industry.

    ReachOut Suite
    You can quickly make invoice and estimates, dispatch at the required time, drag and drop scheduling for any last minute changes that you want to accommodate in your planner, work order management, and location tracking. Three people can use the software simultaneously, and if you’re going to give more access to more people, then it is suggested that you should invest in another paid software.

    ServiceM8
    You can use this software for up to 20 jobs in a month. It can track time and opening in anyone’s planner at the last minute.

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  • Pros and cons of gaming platforms

    We know that every gaming program requires a perfect gaming platform for playing. A gaming platform is essentially a computer arrangement which is perfect for playing visual games via computer. In this dynamic world, every day we come across several new and latest gaming systems that are competing to be selected as the best gaming platform. However, choosing the correct and most appropriate platform is surely quite an off-putting task as the choices are close enough to give competition to each other.

    Advantages of the gaming platforms

    • The gaming platforms launched by the software companies are mostly upgradeable. This ensures that no platform becomes obsolete with the introduction of the latest versions.
    • The gaming station also allows other varied uses rather than confining to only use of gaming platform.
    • It is an appropriate choice for playing simulation games and other real-time tactics games.
    • By using the internet, the stations can be used for playing games by multi-users.

    Disadvantages of the gaming platforms

    • Pocket pinch is quite a decisive factor as these gaming stations are very much expensive.
    • The gaming station is best for playing strategic games. But playing high-resolution sports games can be quite a challenging task for the gamers.
    • The stations provide a very limited edition of games to be played which can be a hindrance for any game lover.

    Choosing a gaming platform
    Initially one needs to settle on a choice based on the budget. In case one has recently hopped to play computer games and nothing more, a gaming station can be very costly when contrasted with a support computer game framework. Just in case, if one or his family owns a PC, a significant number of the prevalent recreations accessible for support frameworks are accessible for the PC. After all computer games are outlined and tried on a PC.

    Computer game consoles likewise, tragically have a considerably more constrained life than PCs do. Microsoft’s Xbox is the most innovatively propelled computer game framework available today, yet the cutting edge diversion support is now in progress. The best gaming platform will proceed with the cycle of supplanting their forerunners at regular intervals.

    PCs offer the facility to update equipment, with some specialized experience required, yet without replacing the whole PC. Either by including memory, storage room, illustrations cards, or even another motherboard, you can broaden the life of your PC without spending the high costs of a new PC.

    The last thought that may play into your choice of best gaming platform is the accessibility of amusements that have web-based diversion play abilities. Make sure you choose the right one.

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  • Healthy diet to control the cholesterol levels

    Maintaining a low cholesterol diet can be a challenge, especially if it means cutting down on your favorite food. However, if you have set your mind to nourish a healthy heart, there are many alternatives, which can delight your taste buds and cut down the level of LDL or bad cholesterol in your body. And remember, you do not need a doctor’s prescription to switch over to a low-cholesterol diet. Planning and maintaining a healthy diet will eliminate the need for extreme measures or visits to the doctor.

    Control portion size
    Overeating can cause an increase in your cholesterol level. It’s all about the proportion. Also, a lot of people each more to finish off their leftover food or whatever extra lying on the table. Not wasting food is a good idea; however, in such cases, one should distribute it to the needy. Once you learn when to stop eating, you can be assured of good heart health as well.

    Limit your intake of saturated fats
    Although there is no conclusive proof that intake of saturated fats can lead to heart disease, they do push up the level of bad cholesterol. On the flip side, they also contribute to the good cholesterol and cut down the level of triglycerides. The bottom line here is to reduce the intake of saturated fats including meat, milk, and cheese. You can replace them with low-fat alternatives or stick to minimum weekly intake in case of meats.

    Get rid of trans fat
    Your body can certainly do without trans fat in any form. They clog the arteries, push up the levels of triglycerides and can add to your weight. Trans fats including hydrogenated oils, processed food, bakery products, chips and other similar snacks, and carbonated drinks might be good to taste but not for health.

    Include fresh fruits
    Any healthy diet plan should include at least five servings of fruit per day. Whole fruits are much more nutritious than fruit juices. You can eat them as such or mix up a salad of three or more. Save this healthy snack for your mid-morning hunger pang.

    Add soluble fiber to your diet
    Fiber can help you to cut down the bad cholesterol in your body. Our body cannot digest these fibers but as they care eliminated from the body they carry toxic wastes along with them. You can include fiber in the form of oats, brown bread, brown rice, barley and whole fruits. Beans and lentils are also a good soluble fiber and are good for the heart.

    Include seafood in your diet
    Omega-3 fatty acids found in sardines, herrings, and Salmons can bring down the levels of bad cholesterol in your blood.

    Replace red meat with healthier alternatives
    Protein is essential for our bodies, animal protein, especially red meat can cause more harm than good. You should look for alternatives like skinless chicken and fish.

    Drink plenty of water
    Water is functioning of the various organs in our body. It aids digestion, boosts our metabolism and helps in functioning of the heart.

    Adopt healthy snacks
    Nuts are excellent for your overall health. They fill you up while lowering your cholesterol. So, make sure to include a handful of nuts in your diet like walnuts, almonds and cashew nuts are all good for your heart.

    Cut down on salt and sugars
    Cutting down on these white foods promote a healthy body. Lowering the level of salt controls your blood pressure and controlling sugar intake guards you against Type-2 diabetes.

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