Online Features
Family Living
Car care tips that can extend the life of your vehicle
(BPT) - There is no truer saying than, “Take care of your car and it will take care of you.” Taking care of your vehicle should be at the top of your priority list when you rely on it to transport you, your family and friends. You don’t have to be a mechanical expert to take care of your car, you just need to be aware o...
by
ARA
Site 1
full story
Five tips to improve your financial health in 2013
(BPT) - Creating better financial habits tops many New Year’s resolution lists every year. If it is on your list for 2013, there are a few steps you could consider to help you pursue your goals. According the Fall Merrill Edge Report , 77 percent of mass affluent Americans – those with $50,000 to $250,000 in investabl...
by
ARA
Site 1
full story
Tips for being safe in the dark with your outdoor equipment
(BPT) - In dark corners and spaces where the sun doesn’t shine – or has gone below the horizon for the night – the most useful tool in the world is a light. Having a light source helps keep you safe from tripping, running into objects and causing injuries. Safety is a big concern for those who enjoy the outdoors, esp...
by
ARA
Site 1
full story
Insight and inspiration for GED seekers
(BPT) - More than 39 million Americans 16 and older lack a high school diploma, according to the 2010 U.S. Census. And while a new survey indicates their reasons for dropping out range from lack of parental support to becoming parents themselves, those seeking a second chance at an education often find hope in General E...
by
ARA
Site 1
full story
Packing, eating and reheating: Food safety from the store to the table
(BPT) - Today’s busy families are always on the go, which means less time for shopping, preparing and eating food. However, there is one thing you can’t skimp on no matter how fast you’re going, and that’s food safety. From grocery shopping to reheating leftovers, you can use several tips to ensure that the food you eat...
by
ARA
Site 1
full story
The six most common identity theft risks at tax time
(BPT) - Tax time is always tough. Whether you will owe or anticipate a refund, plan to do your own taxes or pay a professional to do them for you, preparing and filing your taxes can be a tedious task. It can also be a risky one: the information needed to prepare your taxes is a treasure trove for enterprising identity ...
by
ARA
Site 1
full story
The 10 'never-break' rules of good credit
(BPT) - Some rules are meant to be broken – like the one about not wearing white after Labor Day. Others should remain sacrosanct, such as the rules of good credit. Those are the kind of rules that can make life easier and happier when you follow them – and help ensure your finances stay in good order, too. Unlike fash...
by
ARA
Site 1
full story
Swimming: Not just for summer anymore
(BPT) - It’s dark. It’s cold. Heading to the pool might be the furthest thing from your mind. While summer is the time of year for playing at the beach, pool parties and outdoor water sports, the colder months are actually a great time to start swimming. “Swimming is a low-impact exercise that depending, on the intensi...
by
ARA
Site 1
full story
How to make your proposal perfect
(BPT) - You’ve picked the perfect ring. You’ve practiced the words you’ll use when you propose. But you know she would be livid if you asked her on the big screen at a sporting event. Making an engagement truly memorable will win you points for a lifetime each time she retells your engagement story. These tips will hel...
by
ARA
Site 1
full story
Advice for families coping with an older driver's changing abilities
(BPT) - As we age, and watch our loved ones grow older, it’s important to think about – and plan for – a time when we may no longer be able to drive. But how do we decide when it’s time to transition from driver to passenger? In our busy suburban communities driving is essential to an independent lifestyle, and the dec...
by
ARA
Site 1
full story
How to achieve 4 common financial goals
(BPT) - Whether it’s the new year, a new job, a new baby or simply the right time to get your finances order, the process usually starts with setting some goals. The first step in the process of achieving your financial goals is to recognize what needs to be done to put yourself in the position you want to be in. Once...
by
ARA
Site 1
full story
GRAPEVINE, Texas (Reuters) - The Boy Scouts of America approved a proposal on Thursday to end a ban on openly gay scouts that has been in place throughout the organization's 103-year history, the group said in a statement. The vote by more than 1,400 members of the group's National Council came amid intense lobbying by gay-rights activists and members of conservative organizations. The change does not remove the organization's ban on gay adult leaders. (Reporting by Marice Richter; Editing by Cynthia Johnston)
By Jeff Mason WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama said on Thursday he directed Attorney General Eric Holder to conduct a review of Department of Justice guidelines for investigations that involve journalists and report back by early July. Obama has come under criticism for his administration's pursuit of journalists who have reported leaked material. In recent weeks, it emerged that the Justice Department seized Associated Press phone records as part of a probe into leaks about a 2012 Yemen-based plot to bomb a U.S. ...
GROZNY, Russia (Reuters) - The father of a Chechen immigrant killed during questioning over his links with one of the Boston Marathon bombings suspects said on Thursday he plans to travel to the United States where he thinks his son was tortured and killed. Ibragim Todashev, 27, was killed by a federal agent in his apartment complex when he became violent during questioning over his ties to Tamerlan Tsarnaev, the older of two brothers suspected of planting two bombs at the marathon on April 15. ...