When we drink coffee, the caffeine in it can stimulate our stomachs and change how quickly food moves through our digestive systems. This is the reason why a few minutes after drinking coffee, you often need to take a trip to the bathroom. The thing is, this stimulation also affects how our bodies digest and absorb medications. Coffee can influence the effectiveness of certain medications by either decreasing or increasing their absorption or metabolism in the body.
Antidepressants
Coffee can reduce the absorption of certain antidepressant medications like fluvoxamine, amitriptyline, escitalopram, and imipramine. Coffee can also enhance the usual side effects of caffeine, leading to insomnia and heart palpitations. It is recommended to avoid caffeine while taking this medication – perhaps talk to your doctor about coffee drinking, including the possibility of including decaf.
Antipsychotic Medicine
Antipsychotics are used for people who suffer from certain mental health problems, including schizophrenia and major depressive disorder. They function by either inhibiting certain neurotransmitters in the brain or blocking their receptors. Coffee can make the body absorb less of antipsychotic medications like phenothiazine, clozapine, haloperidol, and olanzapine than it usually would. Many of these medications are metabolized or broken down by the body differently in the presence of coffee. It is important that these medications are taken only with water.
If you’re like me and sometimes have to pause to remember how to write a check when it’s time to pay rent, bills or other expenses, we’re here to help.
Many believe the heyday of writing checks has passed. When you consider various alternative payment methods that might be used, it does seem that check writing is old hat. Other payment methods are greener, by saving you the hassle of filling out a check and reordering more when they run out. Many companies offer online bill-pay, including automatic payments so you can set it and forget it. Using a debit card instead of writing a check will also create an automatic record of your transactions, so you don’t have to worry about doing that yourself.
When you’re filling out a check — in pen, don’t forget! — take care to use each field correctly so you don’t have to start over and waste checks. Always write legibly and use both numbers and letters where indicated, so there’s no question about how much you want your bank to take out of your account and who it’s going to.
Here’s where everything goes.
Date. Put the date you’re writing the check in the field in the upper right corner. That will tell the person who’s receiving it when you wrote it. If you need to postdate a check, write in a future date that will indicate when it can be cashed. You may need to do this if you’re sending a check earlier than when it’s due and you don’t have the funds to cover it at the exact moment, or just don’t want the money taken out until it’s time.
Payee. Next to where it says “pay to the order of,” write the name of the person or business that will receive the check.
Check amount (numerical). Here’s where you write the amount the check is for in digit form. Fill the entire box so no one can add extra numbers and increase the amount the check is for. For example, if you’re writing a check for $250, you can write $250.00 to fill the entire box and make sure there’s no confusion about the exact amount.
Check amount (text). Below the payee line and to the left of where it says “dollars,” write out the amount the check is for in words. Writing it out in both words and numerals ensures there’s no confusion over the amount. You want to fill in the entire line here, too. If you’re writing a check for $250, you’d write, “two hundred and fifty and 00/100.” Instead of writing out cents, you would put the cent amount slash 100. In that case, if you’re writing a check for $15.50, you’d write, “fifteen and 15/100.” The “dollars” part is already printed on the check so no need to write that out.
Memo. This is where you write what the check is for. It’s not legally required, but will help you track your check if there are any issues. Get as detailed as will be helpful for your own records.
Signature. Finally, sign your check on the line in the bottom right corner to indicate you agree to pay the amount above to the person or company you’ve designated to receive it. The check isn’t valid until you sign it, so don’t forget this step.
Record your check
After you’ve written your check, it’s a good idea to record it in your check register. You can use the register that comes with your checks, a spreadsheet or any other method that works for your money management system.
Your records should include:
Check number
Date the check was written
Payee, or who you wrote it to
Amount
A memo detailing what the check was for
Tips for writing checks
Both before and after you write a check, it’s important to make sure it’s secure so you don’t fall victim to bank fraud. Here are a few tips to make sure your check is safe.
Use pen. Fill out your check in blue or black permanent ink instead of pencil. That will ensure no one can change the fields after you fill them out.
Never sign a blank check. Putting your signature on a blank check essentially gives anyone in possession of it free rein to withdraw as much money as they want. That’s why we recommend only signing your check after it’s totally filled out.
Void all mistakes. If you make an error, write the word “void” across the check. Then tear it up and throw it away so it can’t fall into the wrong hands.
A rendering of a Brightline West high-speed train. Groundbreaking for the Las Vegas-Southern California project is set. Photo by Trains.com
The Brightline West project is about to get its official kickoff.
While various surveying and other preparation work has been in progress for several months, a formal groundbreaking ceremony is set for Monday in Las Vegas at the planned site for the high-speed project’s Las Vegas station. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Brightline founder Wes Edens, along with other federal officials, state officials from Nevada and California, and local figures, are slated to attend.
The Las Vegas Review-Journal was first to report the event; Brightline had extended media invitations previously, but on a “for information only” basis.
The 218-mile route will mostly follow the right-of-way of Interstate 15 between Las Vegas and Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., where it will offer a connection to Metrolink commuter rail service to reach downtown Los Angeles and other Southern California locations.
“This is the physical action that we’ve been waiting for, for decades,” Clark County Commissioner Michael Naft told the Review-Journal. “… It will boost our economy, provide efficient transportation alternatives and continue the success of all that we have worked for.”
The Brightline West route. Image by Trains.com
The project has advanced where most other high-speed proposals have floundered by obtaining necessary environmental clearance and lining up significant funding. The most recent environmental milestone was approval for the 49-mile segment between Rancho Cucamonga and Victorville, the original planned terminus. Victor Valley is still planned as the high-speed route’s only intermediate station.
Brightline West is projecting a travel time of 2 hours, 10 minutes between Las Vegas and Rancho Cucamonga on the electrified route, with trains operating at up to 200 mph. The company has said it expects construction to take four years and has a goal of opening the system in time for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
When looking for new glasses, identifying your face shape and which frame styles complement it best are key in finding your perfect pair. To help you in this, first, identify your face shape. Is it more oval, square, heart-shaped, round, etc. Check yourself in a mirror, then look at the chart below.
Use this chart when purchasing sunglasses also.
Need help with your face shape?
The best way to determine what face shape you have is to look in the mirror or take a picture of yourself and then examine these four facial features:
The length of your face
The width of your forehead
The width of your cheekbones
Your jawline
It may also help you to pull back your hair or wet your hair down first before examining your face.
You’ll want to pay attention to what part of your face is the widest as well as the longest. By taking note of the widest and longest parts of your face, you can easily determine what type of face shape you have or if your face falls into more than one shape.
Once you’ve determined the length and width of your features, you can then make an educated guess on what type of face shape you have by comparing your features to the descriptions above.
Shopping at Costco can save you money on everything from food and electronics to vacation packages and home services. But you could end up losing money or having personal information misused if you fall for the many scams that target members of the popular warehouse chain. Whether it’s an email, text, website or online ad, you must be cautious about what you respond to.
1. Imposter Costco Websites
Whether you clicked a link or found it on the search results, you might land on a website that closely resembles Costco’s and advertises special sales. But if you check the URL, you’ll see something other than Costco.com. Rather than placing an order on such scam sites and potentially losing money, navigate directly to Costco.com to shop on Costco’s website.
2. Giveaway and Special Offer Scams
Some scammers send emails or texts or post social media ads directing you to take a Costco survey or enter a sweepstakes. They often claim you’ll win a gift card, TV, loyalty award or some mystery prize. However, Costco’s website cautions that these offers are scams, and a close look could verify that the sender or website isn’t the retailer. Don’t respond or give any information.
3. Fake Costco Membership Emails
Fake Costco member emails come from scammers who might want your login information. You may be prompted to click a link to renew your membership, redeem a reward, confirm an order or view special Costco deals. The sender could have an unusual email address or trick you with a spoofed Costco address. The safest move is to check your Costco account for any updates and ignore suspicious requests.
4. Overcharge Reimbursement Scams
If you get a text that Costco wants to reimburse you for an overcharged amount, you’re dealing with another popular scam. The text often refers to a receipt and has a link that might request your banking details. You wouldn’t receive this kind of notification from Costco since overcharges should be automatically reimbursed. Ignore the text and call Costco about any concerns.
5. Package Delivery Scams
The scammer actually claims to be the United States Postal Service rather than Costco with this scheme. It can involve a text or email about an issue delivering a Costco package, which you might have not even ordered. It could ask you to log in to a fake Costco website to update your address, which results in the scammer having your account details. Your order’s status on the warehouse chain’s real website would indicate any real issues, so check there if in doubt about any communications you receive regarding deliveries.
6. Costco Job Scams
Fake jobs are popular scams that trick Costco shoppers. You might get a job interview email advertising an unusually high hourly rate for a Costco role. Another scheme impersonates the human resources department and offers you a job if you pay money first. Don’t fall for these since Costco’s website states you won’t receive unsolicited employment offers or be charged a fee to get a job.
There were some 465,000 children reported missing in the US in 2016. Every day, all around the world, children go missing. In partnership with others, The Global Missing Children’s Center works to protect children from going missing or being abducted by providing resources on prevention as well as the appropriate actions to take in the event a child does go missing.
Tips for parents and caregivers:
Teach them their number.
Make sure your child knows his or her full name, home address and telephone number. Include this contact information in their backpack, coat, etc. Teach your child not to share this information with anyone he or she does not know without your permission.
Take a picture
Get into the habit of taking an updated picture of your child each year. This should be a head and shoulder forward-facing photograph with the hair down and no makeup or face paint.
Be prepared when in crowds.
It is important to be prepared when going into crowded places. Dress your child in bright, recognizable clothing that is easily seen if he or she should get separated and be sure to designate a central location where your child knows to meet you if he or she gets lost.
Practice safe social media.
Talk to your children about the risks of sharing too much information on social media. Explain how “checking in” on social networks and sharing location information or routines can have negative consequences.
Listen and ask questions.
Listen if your child says someone makes him or her feel uncomfortable. Ask questions to better understand why. It is important for children to learn to trust their instincts.
Resource: The International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children
When you find yourself in a rut, it’s often unclear what needs to change.
It can feel confusing to pinpoint where you’re at versus where you want to be. To get a clear idea of how to build a meaningful life, you first need to clarify what exactly needs to change.
You may have a good-paying job, a loving family, and a supportive partner. On paper, your life looks great, but somehow you still feel unfulfilled. You go through the motions, but something is missing.
Sometimes in these cases, implementing change seems overwhelming. One problem piles on top of the next, and it feels like every day you constantly have to put out fires. When nothing goes right, you may feel frozen and scared to make the next move.
Here is an infographic that may help you find the way.
Lake Geneva, Wisconsin is home to some of the most expensive homes in the Midwest. Some date as far back as the Great Chicago fire, when business tycoons like P.K. Wrigley (of the chewing gum Wrigley’s) built mansions on the lake while reconstruction of their Chicago homes destroyed by the Chicago Fire, were completed. After completion, the Lake Geneva homes were used as summer homes, some which are still in the Wrigley family possession today.
On a recent boat tour, I snapped photos of many of these homes, most which would cost between $5-20 million dollars each. Not bad for a summer residence. Here are a few of these beauties:
Wrigley Estates
Stone Manor
Driehaus Estates
Sold for $36 Million, the most in Wisconsin.
Alta Vista
And various other summer homes whose names escape me:
Would you like a million-dollar steamboat at your pier?
If you are ever in the Chicago area, you might enjoy a boat cruise around Lake Geneva, less than 90 miles from downtown Chicago. There are 1 hour, 2-hour, lunch, dinner, sunset cruises and a special mail cruise in the morning featuring actual mail delivery by a very agile young delivery person.
The best part, I think, is all 22 miles around the lake is available to walk on paths provided by the mansion owners, some reluctantly. That’s right, you can walk in back of allof these homes as long as you stay on the path next to the lake.
I don’t imagine P.K. Wrigley would ever have thought it possible, but thanks to the city of Lake Geneva and Walworth County, path walking happens every day.
How many of these top picks are your go-to brands?
What are the most trusted brands in America? For the sixth year, Reader’s Digest teamed up with research firm Ipsos Connect to find out. This time, we asked more than 3,500 Americans which brands they rely on in 40 categories of household, pet, health and wellness, and travel-related products. Here are the winners.
Household Cleaning Product: Lysol
Lysol products are distributed by the Reckitt Benckiser Group. They run the gamut from liquids to wipes to sprays—all top sellers.
Why Americans Love It: “I’ve used Lysol Spray and trusted it for as long as I can remember.”
Laundry Detergent: Tide
Tide, manufactured by Procter & Gamble, has been helping Americans (and people worldwide) keep their clothes clean since 1946.
Why Americans Love It: “I’ve always had clothes that smell great after using Tide.”
Disinfectant Wipes: Clorox
The Clorox Company is an American company, based in California. They are committed to complete transparency when it comes to what’s in their products, helping to boost that trust factor.
Why Americans Love It: “It offers different size packages to suit my needs. Clorox also offers a variety of fragrances that I like.”
Contact Lens Solution: Bausch & Lomb
The company makes two different formulas for soft lenses, another four for gas permeable contacts, and eye drops for both lens types.
Why Americans Love It: “I have tried other cheaper brands and they have not been as effective as Bausch & Lomb.”
Eye Care: Visine
Called Vispring in some countries including Greece and Spain, their drops remove redness by shrinking blood vessels on the eye.
Why Americans Love It: “My eyes felt instant relief after just one drop.”
Footcare: Dr. Scholl’s
The company now offers custom, 3D-printed inserts made from foot scans users can take themselves with their cellphones.
Why Americans Love It: “Dr. Scholl’s has a wide variety of foot care needs and I can always find what I need to care for my feet.”
Sun Protection: Coppertone
There are no excuses to skip sunscreen, especially now that Coppertone offers one with a built-in shimmer and a lotion designed to help you tan safely.
Why Americans Love It: “Coppertone has been around a long time and works well.”
Lip Care: Burt’s Bees
Burt’s Bees is a personal care products company. A subsidiary company of Clorox, they describe themselves as “Earth friendly” and take pride in creating products without harsh chemicals to nourish your skin as naturally as possible.
Why Americans Love It: “I love Burt’s Bee because it’s natural, and it has a good fragrance.”
Soap and Bodywash: Dove
The company has partnered with the Girl Scouts on their Self Esteem Project, which aims to help young people build body confidence.
Why Americans Love It: “Dove is very moisturizing and great for people with sensitive skin. It lathers very well. It is affordable and can be found everywhere.”
Anti-aging Skincare: Olay
Retinol—commonly known as Vitamin A—is the main ingredient in the latest iteration of the Olay Regenerist moisturizer, one of the company’s top sellers since debuting in 2003.
Why Americans Love It: “I am almost 51, and have been using Olay since I was 16. I literally do not look over 35. I tell everyone to use their products.”
Body Lotion: Aveeno
Aveeno is known for its oat-based skin care, and continues to produce new products with the hero ingredient oat to nourish and soothe skin.
Why Americans Love It: “Aveeno is cleanly made and it works well.”
Sleep Aid: NyQuil
NyQuil is part of the Vicks family of brands, a trusted brand that has been helping people feel better, sleep better, and find relief from the common cold and other ailments since the late 1800s.
Why Americans Love It: “Nyquil helps me feel better, faster.”
Allergy Relief: Claritin
The company also offers a free service called Blue Sky Living that sends members personalized allergy forecasts.
Why Americans Love It: “Claritin is an old, well-known, and reputable brand. I’ve taken this on and off through the years. I know I can depend on this for relief.”
Cold + Flu Remedy: NyQuil
Manufactured by Vicks, maker of vapor rubs, Nyquil Severe with Vicks VapoCOOL is liquid medicine with the added effect of soothing vapors.
Why Americans Love It: “Nyquil and Dayquil are critical to optimal functioning while I’m sick.”
Headache/Pain Reliever: Tylenol
With redesigned packaging, the bottle caps are now easier to open while also generating minimal plastic waste.
Why Americans Love It: “I trust Tylenol. It takes care of my family.”
Back-to-school shopping season is well underway, and after a fun-filled summer, kids are likely anxious about hitting the books again. To make the transition easier for them—and you—take the time to shop for a selection of stylish back-to-school supplies.
