If you’re looking for a pet that suits you and your lifestyle, the pooch experts at Petbreeds.com suggest breeds that are low maintenance, shed minimally, are easily trainable, and get along well with kids and other dogs:

• Labrador retriever. There’s a reason these dogs are among the most popular breeds in the country. Known to be loyal, intelligent, obedient, and easy to train, they are deservedly a top choice, especially if you have, or plan to have children.
• German short-haired pointer. These favorites are also low maintenance dogs that are easy to train. However, they’re also very active and require a lot of exercise to stay healthy, so they’re a good choice for active owners.
• Intelligent and playful companions who like their exercise and don’t require a lot of grooming. If you enjoy long neighborhood walks, these dogs will make the perfect companion.
• Brittany spaniel. These loyal, intelligent pups are popular favorites among first-time pet owners because they’re loving, obedient, and great around children.
• Originally a Hungarian sporting dog, Vizslas are great exercise companions who are affectionate, friendly, and easy to train"and they don’t shed much.
• Like Vizslas, these sleek dogs are a loyal, low-maintenance, easy-to-train breed, but they tend to be shy around children and other dogs.
• Boston terrier. If you’re a couch potato, a Boston terrier may suit you well. These pups are friendly and loyal. They don’t require a lot of exercise, and they won’t shed much on your couch.
• Australian cattle dog. If you’re into cuddling, this breed will greet you with open arms at the end of a long day. They’re a wonderful first dog, easy to train, although they do enjoy regular exercise and require regular grooming.
• German Pinscher. These dogs are active but very obedient, and are especially adorable as puppies. They rarely shed and training them is usually easy and fun.
• These fluffy, adorable little dogs of the Bichon type are one of the most loving and sociable breeds. They may take a little more time to train, but their cheerful demeanor will turn first-time pet owners into dog owners for life.

Are you interested in learning more about real estate? Feel free to contact me directly.

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There is perhaps nothing more synonymous with luxury than a penthouse apartment.

Here are a few advantages you can expect by living in the height of luxury!

Extra Spacious

The penthouse is almost always the largest residence in the building.

Rooftop Terrace

Penthouse residences usually boast a private rooftop terrace that you can escape to high above the city.

Far-Ranging Views

If youre looking for a dwelling that captures breathtaking views of the cityscape, this is where you want to be.

Extra Natural Light

Often designed with taller ceilings and bigger windows, penthouses let in an abundance of natural light.

Status Symbol

It may not be important to you, but it goes without saying that penthouses are a status symbol.

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Although most healthy people will quickly recover from a foodborne illness, some can develop chronic, severe or even life-threatening health problems. To keep your family safer from food poisoning, the FDA recommends following four simple steps: clean, separate, cook and chill.

Clean

• Wash your hands with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds before and after handling food and after using the bathroom, changing diapers and handling pets.
• Wash your cutting boards, dishes, utensils and countertops with hot, soapy water after preparing each food item.
• Consider using paper towels to clean kitchen surfaces. If you use cloth towels, launder them often in the hot cycle.
• Rinse all fresh fruits and vegetables under running tap water, and scrub firm produce with a clean produce brush.
• With canned goods, clean the lids before opening.

Separate

• Separate raw meat, seafood and eggs from other foods in your shopping cart, grocery bags and refrigerator.
• Use one cutting board for fresh produce and a separate one for raw meat, seafood and eggs.
• Never place cooked food on a plate that previously held raw items unless the plate has been washed in hot, soapy water.
• Dont reuse marinades used on raw foods unless you bring them to a boil first.

Cook

• Color and texture are unreliable indicators of safety. Using a food thermometer is the only way to ensure the safety of meat, poultry, seafood and egg products for all cooking methods. These foods must be cooked to a safe minimum internal temperature to destroy any harmful bacteria.
• Cook eggs until the yolk and white are firm. Only use recipes in which eggs are cooked or heated thoroughly.
• When cooking in a microwave, cover food, stir and rotate for even cooking. If theres no turntable, rotate the dish by hand once or twice during cooking. Allow standing time, which completes the cooking, before checking the internal temperature with a food thermometer.
• Bring sauces, soups and gravy to a boil when reheating.

Chill

• Use an appliance thermometer to ensure the refrigerators temperature is consistently 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below and the freezers temperature is at least 0 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Refrigerate or freeze meat, poultry, eggs, seafood and other perishables within two hours of cooking or purchasing. Refrigerate within one hour if its above 90 degrees Fahrenheit outside.
• Never thaw food at room temperature, such as on the countertop. There are three safe ways to defrost food: in the refrigerator, cold water and the microwave. Food thawed in cold water or the microwave should be cooked immediately.
• Always marinate food in the refrigerator.

According to the FDA, signs of foodborne illness include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and flu-like symptoms, such as fever, headache and body ache. If you think you or a family member has a foodborne illness, contact yourhealthcare provider immediately.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

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Fraud Alert
This is a free alert you can place with one of the three major credit reporting bureaus: Equifax, Experian or TransUnion. Once the alert is placed with one bureau, it will pass on to the other two.

A fraud alert is a notice put on your credit report, warning prospective lenders that youre the victim of identity theft. Lenders who see this warning should take extra steps to verify your identity before giving credit to someone claiming to be you. For example, a bank may try to contact you in various ways to verify your identity before approving you for new credit.

An initial fraud alert lasts for 90 days. It can be renewed for another 90 days after the first alert expires. It can also be extended for seven years if youve been the victim of identity theft.

Credit Freeze
Also called a security freeze, a credit freeze is an extra step beyond a fraud alert that can offer more protection. It can cost $2 to $12 to start, lift or remove a credit freeze, though most states require it to be free for identity theft victims.

A credit freeze does what the name implies"it freezes or locks access to a credit file against anyone trying to open a new account or get new credit in the persons name. Its more severe than a fraud alert. If you think your information or credit cards have been stolen and youre at high risk of fraud, a credit freeze may be worthwhile.

But that protection comes with a price. It also shuts out companies that you may want to do business with, such as lenders, insurers and cellular service providers that may want to check your credit report. To get around that, you have to temporarily lift the freeze with a PIN and set a date for the freeze to be reinstated automatically.

Credit Lock
A credit lock is similar to a credit freeze and should be easier to use. Its offered by a credit reporting company and allows users to lock and unlock the account online easily instead of having to verify their identity each time a lift or security freeze is done.

Credit locks usually require an annual fee, typically around $60. A credit lock lasts for as long as you pay the annual fee. The lock only works for the credit reporting company that you start it with. Credit locks must be initiated with each company if you want all of your information to be locked.

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Follow these steps to give your living room a redefining makeover…

Identify Focal Points

Find the feature that immediately draws your eye and build around it.

Mind the Windows

Windows seriously impact the energy of a room. Use lighter curtains that allow natural light in while still providing privacy.

Add Plants

An indoor tree can be a stylish fill to an unused space and bring the outdoors in while purifying the air.

Lighting

Recessed lighting and wall sconces can transform an area to a bright and uplifting space.

Declutter

Get rid of all the extra stuff. Keeping tables and shelves clear will feel more inviting.

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Overdraft Fees
These are often charged in response to bounced checks or a debit charge when the customer doesnt have enough money in their account to cover a transaction. The average amount consumers overdraft by is about $24, according to the CFPB. But most banks charge about $34 in fees for each overdraft.

To avoid these fees, dont sign an opt-in form from your bank, which allows it to cover a transaction that you dont have enough money for in your account. The CFPB is trying to change the consent forms for overdraft service to make the fees more clear to customers.

Overdraft fees on checks and online bill payments will remain on the updated form, but consumers can opt out of receiving overdraft protection for debit cards and ATM usage.

Overdraft Transfer Fees
This related fee can be charged to automatically transfer funds from another account to your checking account to prevent a check from bouncing.

Typically $10, the overdraft transfer fee can be avoided by setting up low-balance alerts for your checking account. You can then do the transfer yourself if the balance gets low on your checking account so that an overdraft doesnt occur.

ATM Non-Network Usage Fee
If you cant find your banks ATM, or at least an ATM in your banks network, then you could be charged around $2 to $3 per ATM transaction. Some ATM operators also charge a fee of up to $10.

Avoid this by staying in network or getting cash when you pay with a debit card somewhere.

Paper Statement Fee
For $1 to $5, some banks charge customers to mail them a monthly statement. It sounds crazy, but it happens.

To avoid it, opt out of getting a paper statement mailed to your home and view them online for free. Upgrading to a different bank account may allow the fee to be waived.

Excess Activity Fee
Federal rules limit certain withdrawals and transfers from savings accounts to six per month. Exceeding that could result in a fee of $5 to $20 per transaction.

Avoid it by making savings account transactions in person at your bank or an ATM. Those arent limited by the regulations.

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Get Help and Make a Plan
First, realize that organizing a garage is a task that will take a lot of time and effort. Set aside at least two consecutive days and find people to help you. Dividing the work among several people and multiple days will make it more manageable and less stressful, which means you will be more likely to get it done.

When organizing your garage, you need a plan. You can work out the details and make changes along the way, but having a general idea of what should go where and which items you can get rid of will help you avoid feeling frustrated and overwhelmed.

Look around and take stock of what is in the garage. Make a list of categories that you can use to organize items. You will want separate areas for tools, car care equipment, paint, seasonal items, sports equipment and other belongings. If any items can be safely and conveniently stored inside the house, that will make it easier to organize the rest of your possessions in the garage.

Decide where to put each category of items based on how often you use them. Frequently used tools should be stored in a toolbox or hung on a wall. Lawn and garden equipment should be easily accessible. Seasonal items can be put in an out-of-the-way place where you can still get to them without too much trouble.

If the garage does not have shelves or cabinets, installing some can make organizing much easier. You can purchase shelves and cabinets at a home improvement store and install them yourself or assign the job to one of your helpers.

In the process of organizing the garage, you will likely come across things that are broken or that you no longer use. Either throw them out or donate them. If you have a lot of trash, consider renting a dumpster. Designate an area for items to donate.

Make Sure Everyone Is on the Same Page
Communication is vital when working with a team on a large project such as organizing a garage. Before you get started, discuss the plan. Listen to others’ suggestions, make any changes you consider reasonable, then settle on a final plan and be sure that everyone understands it. Making signs to indicate where various types of items should go can help the group avoid confusion, arguments and wasted time.

Get Started
Looking at a messy garage every day can be frustrating and overwhelming. The problem won’t take care of itself, so the best thing is to come up with a plan and tackle it head-on. Get some friends or family members to help you make the process more manageable.

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If you’re like many people, you tend to do at least a little work from home.

Dont let an outdated office hold you back.

Give your home office an upgrade by splurging on something inspirational. Something that excites you.

Next, focus on lighting. The best bet is to set up your work station by a window.
And be sure to incorporate lamps into the space. They will come in handy when working after hours.

Set yourself up for further success with a good storage system.
While papers should be stored out of sight, they need to be accessible.

Lastly, create a signal to let people know when youre in the zone.

By upgrading your work space, youre destined for success.

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1. Know your risk. Certain factors can increase your risk, including smoking, kidney disease, high cholesterol, hypertension, diabetes and a family history of early heart disease. Many risk factors can be prevented or managed by making lifestyle changes.

2. Eat healthy. Build your diet around vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts, plant-based proteins, lean animal proteins and fish. Make smart choices like limiting refined carbohydrates, processed meats and sweetened drinks. Use the nutrition label on packaged foods to cut back on sodium, added sugars and saturated fats, and avoid trans fat.

3. Stay active. Move more"its one of the best ways to stay healthy, prevent disease and age well. Adults should get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity each week. If youre already active, you can increase your intensity for even more benefits. If youre not active, get started by simply sitting less and moving more.

4. Watch your weight. Stay at a healthy weight for you. Lose weight if youre overweight or obese. Start by eating fewer calories and moving more. You can check your body mass index (BMI), and if you need help, talk to your doctor about a weight loss plan.

5. Live tobacco-free. If you dont smoke, vape or use other tobacco products, dont start. Theres no such thing as a safe tobacco product. If quitting tobacco is a challenge for you, ask your doctor to help you kick the habit using proven methods. And try to avoid secondhand smoke, too!

6. Take your medicine. If you have a health condition, your doctor may prescribe statins or other medications to help control cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure. Take all medications as directed. But dont take aspirin as a preventive measure unless your doctor says to. If youve never had a heart attack or stroke, a daily aspirin may not help you at all and could cause problems, including risk of bleeding. If youve had a heart attack or stroke, your doctor may want you to take a low dose of aspirin to reduce your risk of having another.

7. Be a team player. Your doctor is one of the best resources to help you reduce your risk of heart disease or stroke. Work together on your prevention plan and to address current health conditions. Ask questions, and be open about any challenges you may face in trying to make healthy changes. Stress, sleep, mental health, family situations, tobacco use, food access, social support and other issues can all affect your health and well-being.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Not quite salmon, not quite rose and a far cry from traditional Barbie pink"millennial pink can best be described as a soft, subtle pink with some gray tones and a slight hint of peach. Its hard to miss if youre browsing the racks for trendy clothes or checking out the newest paint colors.

At your hardware or home maintenance store, check out Victoriana or Precocious by Benjamin Moore or Everythings Rosy by Behr. If the hues appeal, and youre ready to add their subtle vibe to your home dcor, here’s few fun tips to maximize the colors sunshine-like qualities:

Mix it up. Paint the whole living room or bedroom pink, or paint just one wall pink and accent with white or other pale neutrals and a touch of black. Framing neutral artworks with simple black frames are a good way to help a pink wall sing.

Add bolder pinks. Accenting millennial pink walls with deeper pink vases, lamps, bed linens, furniture and/or pillows can make the overall look of the room both relaxing and cohesive.

Try it on a door. Want just a dash of millennial pink? Paint a door this color to create an eye-catching architectural statement without overwhelming the room. Switching out the hardware to something with a black or bronze finish can be a perfect punctuation mark.

Use it as an accent color in your guest bathroom. You can add personality to a white bathroom with rosy pink towels, soap trays and other fun accessories. Try a blush pink for small accents, then top off the look with a few fresh pink blossoms in a pink vase to make the small space stand out.

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Whether you have a charming backyard, sizable balcony or spacious rooftop, there are plenty of opportunities to grow your own produce in the city.

Maximize Your Space

Using raised beds and implementing square foot gardening, where each square foot of garden holds a specific plant, will maximize space and efficiency.

Containers are equally well suited to growing vegetables in confined spaces and can provide a unique aesthetic to your garden with beautiful planters.

What to Grow

Stick to vegetables that require a soil depth of less than a foot, like lettuce, spinach, eggplants, radishes and beets.

Vegetables that can grow vertically using support systems, such as tomatoes and squash, are another way to maximize space.

Bring in the Soil

Even if you have a backyard, its a good idea to buy organic potting soil thats rich in nutrients and can retain moisture to keep your plants healthy.

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Here are some things to consider before setting up a subscription service:

Why do you want it? If you’re saving time, and not much money, through a subscription service, it can still be worthwhile. Avoiding a trip to the grocery store can be enough savings in time to make up for the extra cost of having dinner packages arrive at your doorstep that you cook, for example. If the subscription also saves you money, all the better.

But what if you’re buying something you don’t really need, or just want to try something out that everyone else you know is trying?

That’s okay if you can afford it and are sure you’re only going to give it a shot for a month before deciding if you’re going to cancel. But don’t give in to peer pressure or the joy of buying yourself a regular gift each month if it’s something you don’t need or can’t afford, as this could lead to more debt and unwanted items cluttering your home.

Research the service. Read the fine print on the service’s website before signing up. Are you required to buy something every month? How much notice do you need to give to cancel? How easy is it to change an order? Is customer service easy to contact? Will you pay shipping costs? Tax?

In addition, read customer reviews on Yelp or other review sites you trust. At the very least, Google the name of the subscription service you’re considering and see what people are saying about it.

Evaluate each delivery. Your credit or debit card will automatically be charged for each delivery, so you may not notice the cost until your credit card or bank statement arrives in the mail, making the box of fun stuff you receive seem like a free gift.

It’s not. Remember that you’re still ultimately paying for it, which means that you should evaluate the benefit of the subscription every time one arrives. Are the contents still worth the cost to you? If there’s an inkling in your mind that it’s not worthwhile, then it’s time to move on.

Don’t forget to cancel. If a subscription box isn’t of value to you anymore, take the final step and cancel your membership.

Unsubscribing should be easy enough. Log in to your account and unsubscribe. Remove your credit card number and move on. Most companies should only require a few days before your next shipment goes out to cancel, though some require 30 days.

Do whatever you need to do to cancel, then enjoy the savings.

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