Many Happy Returns: 5 Tips for Getting What You Really Want This Holiday (excerpt)
Even the most appreciative of recipients get something they really can’t use. Whether it was an article of clothing in the wrong size, a tasteless item of décor, or a foodstuff that you’re allergic to, a touching sentiment can sometimes be more trouble than it’s worth. If you have your heart set on returning your holiday gift for something more suitable, following these five simple tips can make it a bearable experience.
Don’t open it! Unless a restocking fee of up to 20% sounds like a good idea, keep that box sealed in its original factory condition, if possible. While it may not always be possible to tell if you will be keeping your gift until after you open it, many electronics, appliances, and collectibles loose value after their seal has been broken. (The same rule goes for excessively shaking, poking, or bending items.)
Go early. Don’t mess around with returning your gift item. If you’re certain it won’t work out, get back to the store ASAP. Find out what time the store opens and get there as early in the morning as possible. Lines start forming in the customer service areas of many big box stores within hours after opening. By taking your enthusiasm for a new gift and putting it towards an early morning return trip, you can avoid hassles and look forward to more time with the right gift!
Bring a receipt. This might seem like a no-brainer, but it surprises me how many people have a receipt, yet fail to bring it. While many stores will do a limited number of returns for people without receipts, they are getting strict with their policies. In an attempt to recoup some losses and avoid fraudulent .......
(excerpt - full text can be found HERE.)
I Don't Remember Ordering This! 3 Basic Steps to Prevent Online Email Fraud
What do you do if you have received a suspicious email from a reputable company that you often do business with? Many online users are finding their inboxes packed with strange messages from Ebay, PayPal, their banks, credit cards, and even schools and hospitals. If you are receiving requests for information or further action that you don't feel comfortable with, use the steps outlined below to help sort out the spam.
1. Don't click it, use impressions - Impressions are used to tell the link location of an item without clicking through. A link in the body of a text email may look reputable at first. But if you wanted to see where the link will take you without clicking, just point your cursor over the word and the location will show up at the bottom of your brower window. If you don't see anything at the bottom of your browser window, then your window may not be maximized (opened as large as it can.) Click the Box in the middle of the three icons at the top right-hand corner of your screen. (There should be one to minimize, open full screen, and close or X). If the link starts with anything other than the source it claims to be, don't click. For example an Ebay buyers warning may say that it is from Ebay, but when you check the impression, it may say that it is from http://sales.site.XX.hpgjs (not an official ebay site.) 2. Don't reply - This is self explanatory. Replying to the message lets the sender know that you are out there, and checking your emails. Since they are randomly spamming millions of emails (not knowing which emails are still in use), replying is an invitation for more trouble. While it is tempting to let them know that you don't appreciate the emails, this will only encourage more activity. If you have a yahoo account or something similar, you can hit the "This is spam" button, and it will send it to the trash and flag the sender as a spammer.
3. Don't unsubscribe - This is for reasons similar to above. If they offer a link to remove you from further mailings, they are wanting to know that you are an active user. Don't take the bait.
The moral to the story is that if you are in doubt, you can do without. If you just can't let the email go without taking some action, call your bank or other institution and verify that the request is bogus. Just remember that they aren't picking on just you. The senders of fraudulent email send out millions of emails a day; it's nothing personal.
(Free article... please use freely with credit to Linsey B. Knerl)
Pink Eye and the Small Guy: Get the Facts about Conjunctivitis (excerpt)
My son woke up screaming. Running into his bedroom, I was shocked to see both his eyes matted shut with some crusty green stuff. “I can’t see, Mama!” I dashed to the bathroom for a moist, wet washrag and began removing the matter from his puffy pink lids. It was gross. It was pinkeye.
What is it? Pink Eye, or Conjunctivitis, is inflammation of the conjunctiva, the clear membrane that covers the white part of the eye and the inner surface of the eyelids. While it is horrifyingly gruesome to look at, and can be painful for the sufferer, it is no more dangerous than a cold. While normally associated with the viral or bacterial infections that accompany it, pink eye can also be caused by irritants or allergies. With proper treatment and careful hygiene, you can nip it in the bud and get on with your life.
Where did it come from? Highly contagious among children (and adults), pink eye is spread by viruses or bacteria in much the same way colds and flus are shared. Coughing, sneezing, and sharing utensils are all effective ways to give it to your friends. (Two children playing a game of “Let’s Lick the TV Screen” can also spread it around.) It is important to note that pink eye from allergies or irritants is obviously not contagious. Unfortunately, we have never been lucky enough to get that kind of pink eye.
What does it look like? Gooey discharge from the eyes can be green, yellow, or white. The eyelids can swell to an alarming size and be pink and purple, as well as puffy. The eyeball itself can be rather red, as blood vessels tend to expand. Your young one may want to rub or scratch at the itchy, painful eye, but try to remind them that this only makes things worse! Not only will it aggravate the condition, but it makes their little hands a carrier for infecting others.
What do we do now? Once you have come to the conclusion that you might have pink eye, get to a doctor. Avoid contact with others until treatment has been started. Your child may be put on an oral antibiotic for any accompanying condition, such as an ear infection. More than likely, however, an antibiotic eye drop will be all that is needed to begin the healing process. Your doctor might suggest limited contact (no school) for 24 hours following the initial treatment.....
(excerpt - full text can be found HERE.)