| How to Fall Safely Posted: 30 Nov 2016 04:00 PM PST Falling can pose a serious risk of injury, even if it is only from a standing height. Depending on your age, health and fitness levels, the severity of those injuries can vary. However, there are a few techniques that anyone can use if they find themselves falling to help reduce the impact and prevent injury. EditFalling Properly - Protect your head. The most important body part that you need to protect in a fall is your head. Head injuries can be very serious, even deadly. Make sure you prioritize protecting your head as you fall by properly positioning it.[1]
- Tuck your your chin down, lowering your head.
- If falling down, face first, turn your head to the side.
- Bring your arms up to head level for additional protection. Put them in front of your head if falling forwards or behind your head if falling backwards.
- If you are taking anticoagulants or blood thinners and fall and hit your head, this may result in a dangerous and life threatening bleed inside your skull. Call your doctor, who may tell you to go to the hospital for a CT scan.
- Turn as you fall. If you are falling either straight forward or straight backwards, try to turn your body so you land on your side. Falling directly on your back can cause serious injury to it. A frontal fall can cause damage to the head, face, and arms. By landing on your side you can reduce the chance of injury from high distances (for example, one way vertical paths).[2]
- Keep arms and legs bent. It may be tempting to try and catch yourself fully as you fall with your arms. However, landing with your arms straight out and absorbing the full force of the fall with them can cause injury. Try keeping both arms and legs slightly bent as you fall.[3]
- Landing fully on your arms in an attempt to catch yourself can break both your wrists and arms.
- Stay loose. Tensing up during a fall can increase the chances of sustaining an injury. The tension in your body won't allow for the absorption of force from the fall. Instead of spreading the impact out over a flexible body, the parts that were kept taught are more likely to break instead of going with the motion.[4]
- You can try breathing out as you fall to help keep your body relaxed.
- Roll out of the impact. If you are able, a good technique to dissipate the force of a fall is to roll into it. By rolling, you send the energy of the fall into the roll, rather than having your body absorb the impact. Since the technique is difficult, you may want to practice falling and rolling at a gym or somewhere with padded and cushioned floors.[5]
- Start in a low squat position.
- Lean forward and place your palms flat on the ground in front of you.
- Push off the ground with your legs and move your weight forwards.
- Your legs will go over your head.
- Keep your back rounded and gently try to land on a shoulder.
- Let the momentum carry you through the roll and back up onto your feet.
- Spread out the force of the fall. A big part of falling safely is to spread out the force of the impact over a large area of your body. Falling on a single point will result in that area taking most of the damage. By spreading out the impact, you reduce the chance of serious injury to a single part of the body.[6][7]
EditPreventing Falls - Wear proper footwear. If you work or walk in an environment where slipping hazards are present, you will want to wear slip-resistant shoes. These shoes are specially designed to grip surfaces and prevent falls, even if those surfaces are slick or wet.[8]
- Most footwear of this type will be labeled as "slip-resistant."
- Pay attention when you walk. As you walk, pay careful attention to the speed at which you are walking and where you're stepping. The faster you walk or run, the more likely you are to fall, especially if the ground is suddenly or surprisingly uneven. By slowing down and being aware of the environment, you can lower the chances of falling.[9]
- Be careful walking or running in any areas where the ground may be uneven.
- Pay attention when taking the stairs and always use the hand rail.
- Use proper safety equipment. If you are performing any task that requires the use of a ladder or similar device, always practice proper safety. Read over any operation manual or safety instructions to make sure you are using the device properly.[10]
- Always check to make sure any ladder or step stool is secure and is in good working order.
- Never ride on a vehicle unsafely. Always enter or mount a vehicle slowly and carefully.
- Create a safe environment. Whether at work or at home, take a few steps to create a safe environment that removes the most common tripping hazards. Making frequently used rooms and spaces safe from trip hazards can greatly reduce your chances of falling. Review the following list for some helpful tips:[11][12]
- Always close drawers after you are done with them.
- Don't leave cords or wires in walkways.
- Keep the area well lit.
- Walk slowly over slippery or dangerous areas, taking small controlled steps.
- Consider relocating if you live somewhere with steep stairs and falling is a concern. Otherwise, make sure you have handrails or a banister.
- Use non-slip bath mats in the tub and bathroom and consider installing a grab bar in the tub.
- Remove small throw rugs or use double-sided tape to make sure they don't flip up or slip.
- Improve your strength and balance with exercise. Weak legs and muscles can increase your chance of falling. Gentle exercises like Tai Chi can improve strength and balance, making falls less likely.[13]
- Be aware of medications that might affect your balance. Some medications can cause dizziness or drowsiness, which could increase your chances of a fall.[14] Talk to your doctor about your medications (sometimes the interaction of several medications might lead to these side effects). She may be able to prescribe you something else.
- Always protect your head first.
- Try practicing how to fall in a safe environment, such as a gym with floor mats and pads.
- When falling from high places, a regular forward roll is dangerous - you could break your spine or collarbone or hit your head. Instead, try doing a shoulder roll, where you roll across your spine instead of directly along it.
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| How to Stop Spending Too Much Money Posted: 30 Nov 2016 08:00 AM PST Do you find yourself spending your paycheck or your allowance as soon as you get it? Once you start spending, it can be difficult to stop. But overspending can lead to piles of debt and zero savings. Stopping yourself from spending money can be difficult, but with the right approach, it's possible to stop spending money and save it instead. EditAssessing Your Spending Habits - What Non-Essentials are You Spending a Lot On? When you are not living within your means, the first thing to examine are things that you do not really need. Unlike fixed expenses (essentials like rent, utilities, and other payments) which remain the same each month, discretionary expenses are nonessential and are easier to cut back on. [1]
- Ask yourself: Am I spending too much money on these discretionary expenses? Are you finding it difficult to pay bills because of going on vacation, for instance? Or do you really need the designer shoes or the latest gaming system?
- Check for things you do not use. This may mean a gaming site subscription you have not used in months, or a gym you do not go to, or cancelling cable because you watch everything online.
- There are admittedly a few grey areas, such as a gym membership or a nice wardrobe that may be necessary for your professional career. These may not need cutting, but worth scrutinizing.
- Review your spending for the past quarter (three-month period). Look at your credit card and bank statements as well as cash expenditures to see where your money goes. Take note of even little things like a coffee, a postage stamp, or a meal on the go.[2]
- You may be surprised by how much you end up spending in just one week or in one month.
- If possible, look at data compiled over the course of a year. Most financial planners would review entire year of expenditures before making recommendations.
- Discretionary expenses can end up taking up a large percentage of your pay cheque or allowance. Recording them will give you a sense of where you can cut back on your spending.
- Take note of how much you spend on wants versus needs (for example, drinks at a bar versus groceries for the week).
- Figure out what percentage of your expenses are fixed versus discretionary. Fixed expenses remain the same each month, while discretionary expenses are malleable.
- Keep your receipts. This is a good way to track how much you spend on certain things every day. Rather than toss your receipts, keep them so you can record exactly how much you spent on an item or a meal. This way, if you end up overspending for the month, you can pinpoint exactly when and where you spent your money.
- Try to use less cash and instead use your credit or debit card, which can be tracked. Credit card balances should be paid in full each month if possible.
- Use a Budget Planner to assess your spending. A Budget Planner is a program that calculates how much your expenses are for a year and how much your income will be for a year. It will then tell you how much you can afford to spend in a given year, based on your expenses.[3]
- Ask yourself: Do I spend more than I earn? If you are dipping into your savings to pay for your rent every month or using your credit card to pay for shopping sprees every month, you are spending more than you earn. This can only lead to greater debt and less savings. So, be honest about your spending every month and make sure you only spend as much as you earn. This means factoring in money every month for expenses and savings.
- You can also use budget apps to help track your spending on a day to day basis. Download a budget app to your phone and record your purchases right after you make them.[4]
EditAdjusting Your Spending Habits - Create a budget and stick to it. Determine what your basic expenses will add up to every month to make sure you don't spend money you don't have. These likely include:[5]
- Rent and utilities. Depending on your living situation, you may be splitting these expenses with a roommate or a partner. Your landlord may also pay for your heat, or you may pay for your electricity every month.
- Transportation. Are you walking to work every day? Biking? Taking the bus? Carpooling?
- Food. Factor the average amount per a week for meals for the month.
- Health care. It is important you have health insurance in the event of an incident or accident, as paying out of pocket will likely be more expensive than being covered. Do some research online to find the best insurance rates.
- Miscellaneous expenses. If you have a pet, this could be where you determine how much pet food will be for the month. If you and your partner go for a date night once a month, factor this in as an expense. Account for every expense you can think of so you do not spend money without knowing exactly where it is going.
- If you have any debt payments, add these to your budget under necessary expenses.
- Go shopping with a goal in mind. A goal could be: new socks to replace your holey pairs. Or, replacing your broken cellphone. Having a goal when shopping, especially for discretionary items, will stop you from spontaneous purchases. Focuses on one essential item when shopping also gives you a clear budget for your shopping trip.[6]
- When food shopping, look at recipes beforehand and make a grocery list. This way, when you are in the store, you can stick to the list and know exactly how you are going to use every ingredient you buy.
- If you have a hard time sticking to a grocery list, try online grocery shopping. This will allow you to keep a running total of your purchases and be aware of exactly what you are spending.[7]
- Don't get sucked into sales. Ah, the irresistible lure of a deal! Retailers are counting on their customers to get sucked in by the sales rack. It's important to resist the temptation to justify a buy just because its on sale. Even big discounts can mean big spending. Instead, your only two considerations when shopping should be: do I need this item? And does this item fit within my budget?[8]
- If the answer is no to these questions, it may be best to leave the item in the store and save your money on an item you need, rather than want, even if its on sale.
- Leave your credit cards at home. Only take the cash you need, based on your budget, to get through the week. That way, you will have to walk away from an unnecessary purchase if you have already spent all your cash.[9]
- If you do end up taking your credit card with you, treat it like a debit card. This way, every cent you spend on your credit card feels like money will have to pay back every month. Treating your credit card like a debit card means you won't be so hasty to whip it out for every purchase.
- Eat at home and bring your lunch. Eating out can get very expensive, especially if you're spending $10-$15 a day, 3-4 times a week. Limit your eating out to once a week and then gradually, to once a month. You should notice how much money you save when you buy groceries and cook for yourself. You will also appreciate a nice meal out for a special occasion that much more.[10]
- Bring your lunch to work every day, rather than shell out money for lunch. Take 10 minutes at night before bed or in the morning before work to make a sandwich and a snack. You will notice you save quite a bit of money every week by just bringing your lunch.
- Do a Spending Fast. Test your spending habits by only buying what you need for 30 days or one month. See how little you can spend in one month by focusing on buying things you need, rather than things you want.[11]
- This will help you determine what you consider a necessity and what you consider a nice to have. Beyond the obvious necessities like rent and food, you may reason that a gym membership is a need because it keeps you fit and feeling good. Or a weekly massage to help with your bad back. As long as these needs fit within your budget and you can afford them, you can spend money on them.
- Go DIY. DIY or Do It Yourself is a great way to learn new skills and save money. There are many DIY blogs and books out that allow you to recreate expensive items with a limited budget. Rather than spend money on an expensive piece of art or a decorative item, make it yourself. This will allow you to create a custom item and stay within your budget.[12]
- Websites like Pinterest, ispydiy[13], and A Beautiful Mess[14] all have great DIY ideas for household items. You can also learn how to recycle items you already own and make something new with them, rather than spend money on a new item.
- Try doing household chores and activities yourself. Shovel your walkway yourself, instead of paying someone else to do it. Get the whole family involved in outdoor chores, like mowing the lawn or cleaning the pool.
- Make your own household cleaning items and beauty products. Most of these products are made of basic items you can buy at your local grocery store or health food store. Laundry detergent, all purpose cleaner, and even soap can all be made by hand, by you, for cheaper than store prices.[15]
- Put money aside for a life goal. Work towards a life goal, like traveling to South America or buying a home, by putting aside a set amount of money in your savings account every month. Remind yourself that the money you save by not buying clothing or going out every week will go to a bigger life goal.
EditGetting Help - Understand the characteristics of compulsive shopping. Compulsive shoppers often cannot control their spending habits and become emotional spenders. They "shop till they drop" and then they keep shopping. But compulsive shopping and spending generally makes a person feel worse, rather than better, about themselves.[16]
- Compulsive shopping usually affects women more than men. Women with compulsive shopping issues usually have racks of clothing with the tags still on them. They will go to the mall with the intention of buying just one item and come home with bags of clothing.
- Compulsive shopping can be a seasonal balm for depression, anxiety, and loneliness during the holiday season. It can also occur when a person feels depressed, lonely and angry.
- Recognize the signs of compulsive shopping. Do you go on weekly shopping sprees? Do you continually spend more than you can afford?[17]
- Do you get a certain rush when you go shopping and buying things you don't need? You may feel a certain "high" when buying many things on a weekly basis.
- Notice if you have large amounts of debt on your credit card or multiple credit cards.
- You may also hide your purchases from concerned family members or partners. Or you may try to cover up your spending by taking on a part time job to supplement your spending habits.
- Individuals who have a compulsive spending problem will likely be in denial and have a hard time admitting they have a problem.
- Talk to a therapist. Compulsive shopping is considered an addiction. So talking to a professional therapist or going into a support group for compulsive shoppers are both important ways you can address the issue and work to resolve it.[18]
- During therapy, you may identify the underlying issues behind your compulsive spending and acknowledge the dangers of over spending. Therapy can also offer healthy alternative ways to cope with your emotional issues.
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| How to Make a Fleece Tie Blanket Posted: 30 Nov 2016 12:00 AM PST You've admired fleece tie blankets and throws because they are soft, warm, and comforting. What's not to like? But maybe you feel you have the room/ability/physical capability to make one. Here are some instructions that will help you get around many obstacles that people may find limiting. - Select your fleece blankets. Use two different fleece patterns or two solid fleece blankets that complement each other. Alternately, use a pattern on one side and a solid color on the other.
- Try different combinations. Some patterns that don't seem they would go together actually complement each other quite well. You never know what will look good until you try it out in person.
- Purchase anywhere from 1.5 to 3 yards (1.3-2.7 meters) of each fleece. 1.5 yards makes a decent size throw, 2.5-3 yards (2.3-2.7 meters) makes a nice twin size blanket.
- Spread out the material. Spread it out so that the softer or more brightly colored sides face out, matching both up at one end and the sides as far as they lay flat. Trim if needed.
- Consider the area you have available to spread out your material. If you don't have room to spread out the whole material or you can't physically crawl around on the floor, you can adapt by using a kitchen table or available floor room to cut and tie your fleece.
- Consider how you will measure the cuts to make the ties. They don't have to be exact. When cutting against the nap (usually the narrower end) the strips need to be a little longer (about 4-5 inches/11-14 cm) than along the long sides, (about 2.5-3 inches/7-9 cm) because they don't stretch as much while tying.
- Cut out a rectangle from both corners with a pair of scissors (see tips). Make sure you are cutting through both pieces of fleece.
- Use something rectangular in shape to measure. If you have trouble seeing the graduations on a ruler, a card cut to the right measurements (for instance 3"x5"/9x14 cm) is easier to use to make corner cuts even and strips uniform in length. Use the long edge of the card for the longer strips and the short edge for the shorter ones.
- Start cutting strips. Cut strips of approximately 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) from each corner down the end and the sides for as long as the material lies flat.
- These strips don't have to be exactly uniform, but they should be approximately the same size. Small irregularities will not be noticeable in the finished product.
- An easy way to measure is by using your thumb. If your fingers are larger, use the width of your thumb, if your fingers are smaller, use from tip to first knuckle.
- Tie the corner strips together. Using a simple knot, attach the bottom layer to the top layer.
- Tighten the knot. If you have trouble getting the knot tight due to arthritic or weak fingers, hold the end of one tail of the knotted pair with one hand and slide the fingers of the other hand up to push the knot tighter.
- Tie the strips at the end between the two corners next in the same way. Don't worry if the fleece puckers.
- Flatten the fleece out. Use flat hands to stretch and smooth the material so it lies flat again.
- Tie the strips down each side for the length of the blanket. Flatten as needed.
- Fold the tied portion up. Move the fleece down so that more of the material lies flat (trimming if needed) and repeat steps #6 through #8 until about 2/3 of the blanket is tied.
- Turn the blanket around. Spread the blanket out so that the remaining end is flat.
- Trim end and sides as needed. Repeat from step #5 until blanket is finished.
- Notice how all those little imperfections seem to magically blend into the pattern.
- Fold blanket, place into gift bag(see tips), and tie handles together with ribbon.
- Give it someone who will appreciate it, or give it to yourself and make good use of it.
- Finished.
- People often think that if they can't follow the instructions perfectly, they can't attempt a project. Luckily this is a project that is very forgiving.
- When choosing patterns, try to make it a pattern that will reflect something the person receiving the blanket likes. For instance, give someone a blanket with their favorite sports team, favorite cartoon or movie character, pattern of dogs, cats, etc, or something you know will go well with a specific bedroom or living room color scheme.
- Make sure your knots are tight. They can easily be retied, but if it's for a gift, you want it to be together entirely when you gift it.
- Cuts don't have to be completely straight to look good at the end, but the straighter and less jagged the better, so take your time.
- If you have trouble cutting through the material, try using a pair of kitchen poultry shears instead of general use or sewing shears. Whatever type you use, make sure they are not dull.
- If your hands are painful, try soaking them in warm water for a few minutes prior to beginning work on the blanket.
- If you have trouble keeping both pieces of fleece to lay flat and not bunch up underneath, you can use a couple of dinner plates to keep the underside flat while you lay out the top, and then place the plates on top while you cut to keep the material from sliding around.
- If your store doesn't have a particular pattern in stock, they may be able to order it in from another outlet. It can't hurt to ask, but be prepared to wait at least a couple of weeks.
- For an environmentally friendly option, use a reusable bag from any store instead of a gift bag and colored string instead of ribbon.
- Be sure that you find fleece that are of similar nap, weight, or quality. Different quality (usually you can tell by the price, but if in doubt, ask your store clerk) cloth tends to stretch and shrink differently during tying and washing.
EditThings You'll Need - The proper amount of fleece for the size blanket you wish to make.
- An area at least as wide as the narrowest part of the cloth.
- A ruler or card cut to preferred measurements.
- A pen or pencil to mark the card to your measurements.
- A pair of sharp scissors.
- An equal measure of self-esteem and patience.
- Two dinner plates.(opt)
- A gift or reusable store bag.(opt)
- Ribbon or colored string.(opt)}}
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