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Chirpy Tips

Chirpy’s email safety tips

Email has revolutionised the way we communicate, but unfortunately, it has also opened a door for scammers and hackers to dupe people into giving up everything from access to their personal computer to their bank account logins. To help Chirpy Members stay safe online, here are a few important tips for avoiding scams and viruses in your inbox.

If you get an email from an unrecognised sender

If you don’t know the person or company an email has come from, the safest course of action is to delete it. If you do open it, remember:

  • Don’t believe any tall stories, like claims that you’ve won the lottery, are the long-lost heir to a fortune, or are in legal trouble.
  • Don’t click on any links, as these could take you to a website that installs malware, spyware or ransomware on your computer.
  • Don’t open any attachments, as these can contain viruses.

If you get an email from a well-known company

Some email scammers pose as familiar companies like banks or telephone providers to trick you into giving them your login details. If you ever get an email that looks legitimate (it might even have company banding on it) that is asking you to click a link and enter your username and password, don’t do it. Genuine companies will never ask for your password via an email. If you want to verify the content of a business email, search the company in Google and contact them via the email address or phone number on their public website (not the details they provided in the email) to confirm that they were the sender.

If you get an email from someone you know

It still pays to use caution when you get an unexpected email from someone you know, as their computer could have been infected with a virus that emails copies of itself to everyone in their address book. If their email is asking you to open an attachment or click on a link, reply to them to find out if it’s a genuine message before you click on anything.

Telltale signs to look out for

Other warning signs that you are dealing with a scam email include:

  • Poor spelling, grammar and wording. Scam emails are often poorly-written.
  • The “from” address does not match the company the email claims to be from. It could be a completely random address or a mis-spelling of the real company name.
  • The branding looks wrong or unprofessionally-applied (distorted or pixellated logos, etc.).
  • The message is trying to rush you into taking some kind of action.

If you need more information or want to report an email scam, contact https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/ for assistance.

Do wrinkle creams really work?

It’s an unfortunate consequence of getting older – your skin makes less collagen and elastin, becomes thinner and drier, and is less able to defend itself against external damage. The result is wrinkles. Your genetics, your lifestyle and environmental factors will determine when you get wrinkles and how many there will be. But once you have them, is there an easy, non-surgical way to get rid of them?

Billions of dollars are spent every year on creams and serums that cosmetics companies say will help you reduce your wrinkles – but do they work? The answer is… kind of. Topical creams may help you to reduce the appearance of fine lines by hydrating your skin and making it plump up a little. Dermatologists recommend using products containing Vitamin C or Retinol.

Vitamin C is an antioxidant that can help reduce the damage done to your skin by free radicals in the environment, slowing down the ageing process.

Retinol is derived from Vitamin A, and it stimulates your skin to make more collagen and new blood vessels, improving skin tone and the appearance of fine lines.

Other ingredients which can help the appearance of your skin include hyaluronic acid, glycolic acid and alpha-hydroxy acid.

However, it pays to bear in mind that there is no magic bullet. While creams may slightly improve the appearance of wrinkles, they are unlikely to get rid of any deep lines, they may take up to three months to show results, and if you stop using them, their effects will wear off.

Other things you can do to ensure your skin stays as smooth as possible are:

• Use a high-rated SPF on your face to prevent premature ageing caused by UV radiation.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Eat foods that are rich in antioxidants, beta-carotene and good oils like tomatoes, dark leafy greens, berries, oily fish, nuts and avocados.
• Limit your intake of refined sugar.
• Stop smoking.

Ten tools every household should have

Even if you don’t consider yourself particularly handy, you often run across small DIY tasks around the house that you don’t want to pay someone else to fix. Here’s a quick list of the ten tools that every household should own for basic home maintenance.

Retractable tape measure – for any project where you need a precise measurement, from hanging pictures to preparing wallpaper. Also great for measuring how much the grandkids have grown when they visit!

Claw hammer – for inserting or removing nails.

Small cordless power drill – not only for drilling holes but it also doubles as a multi-head screwdriver, with the right attachments.

Set of Allen keys – helpful for assembling and disassembling kitset furniture, fixing bicycles, un-jamming waste disposal units, and can even be used as a lock-pick.

Roll of duct tape – strong, all-purpose tape that can be used for running repairs on just about anything that is ripped or cracked.

Adjustable crescent wrench – handy for tightening bolts on furniture, bikes, loose taps, etc.

Spirit level – for making sure things are even. Note, you can get an app on most smartphones that has this function, but it may not be as accurate as the real thing.

Pliers – for when you need to get a good grip on something. Get a pair with a wire stripper included for extra versatility.

Utility knife – fantastic for breaking down cardboard boxes, cutting wallpaper, and can be used as an emergency pencil sharpener.

A set of jewellers’ screwdrivers – these tiny screwdrivers are indispensable for getting into gadgets, like strings of battery-powered Christmas lights, automated toys, watches, laptops, etc. If you like tinkering with tech, you’ll definitely want a set.

How to pick the perfect length for your skirt or dress

If you were in your prime in the 60s and 70s, then you were probably the proud owner of a mini or micro-mini skirt – maybe several!

While I think we can all agree that super short mini skirts and dresses are off the table as we enter our own 60s and 70s, it can be hard to choose an appropriate hemline that still makes us feel smart. Are there hemline rules to go with certain ages? Is it still okay to wear your skirt above the knee?

The good news is that you can wear any hemline you like and look fantastic, by following a few simple guidelines.

Firstly, pick a skirt shape that suits your body type

  • If you are apple-shaped (widest around the middle) then a high-waisted, flaring skirt that starts at the thinnest part of your torso and skims over your tummy is a good option.
  • If you are pear-shaped, with wide hips, then you should go for A-line skirts that highlight the slimmest part of your waist.
  • If you are hourglass-shaped – curvy but thinner at your waist – then a pencil skirt will look good on you.
  • If you are rectangular (a similar width around your waist, tummy and bottom) then you can wear most styles, but an asymmetrical hemline or a trumpet hem will help to create extra shape.

Next, choose your hemline

The most important element when choosing how long to wear your skirt is the shape of your legs. If your skirt’s hem cuts across the widest parts, which are usually mid-thigh or mid-calf, it will make them look wider and shorter. The secret is to have your hem sit across the thinnest parts of your legs – either just above or below your knee or a little way above your ankle. Also, take into account how tall you are – skirts that sit just above the knee will help to visually elongate short legs. If in doubt, go with a skirt that falls just below the knee, which is considered the most universally flattering length.

Try the scientific method

If you want to get technical, there is a mathematical formula for working out the ideal hem length for your height. It uses something called the “golden ratio” (or “phi”) which is a proportional measurement that occurs in nature, art and architecture – from pinecones to human bodies to the Egyptian pyramids. To find your “golden measurement” get a metric tape measure and record the length of your body from your shoulder to your toe (include the height of the shoes you intend to wear). Divide that number by 1.618 and whatever the result, that is how far your hem should be from the top of your shoulder.

How To Survive Allergy Season

It’s here once again, that telltale sheen of yellow dust on the car windscreen. Allergy season is upon us. The first pollen of the season usually comes from trees, especially pines, and is followed by weeds and grasses as the weather starts to warm and plants begin to pollinate.

If you’re prone to sneezing, itchy, watery eyes and irritated skin during allergy season, here are a few tips to minimising the effects of pollen.

  • Avoid going outside in the morning, when pollen counts tend to be higher, especially on windy days.
  • Stay indoors during thunderstorms. While normal rain tends to clear pollen from the air, violent thunderstorms rupture the pollen into tinier, finer fragments that disperse easily on the wind.
  • When outdoors, wear glasses or sunglasses.
  • Wear a mask when mowing the lawn.
  • Keep your windows closed at home and in your car. If you’re using the car’s ventilation system, set it to recycle the air instead of drawing it in from outside.
  • If you’re holidaying, opt for seaside locations, where pollen counts are normally lower.
  • Make sure you’re not growing any trees or plants in your garden that you’re particularly allergic to.

If seasonal allergies are making you really miserable, see your GP, who may be able to prescribe you a non-drowsy antihistamine tablet, nasal spray or eye drops.

How To Use Less Plastic

Plastic is a hot topic right now, with an estimated 1.15 to 2.41 million tonnes entering the ocean each year from rivers. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, a huge amalgamation of plastic debris floating in the ocean, now covers an area of 1.6 million square kilometres – or three times the size of France.

Even when plastic is disposed of responsibly by the consumer, many countries are struggling to recycle it. Much of America’s “recycled” plastic is not magically transformed into something new and useful but shipped to developing countries where it often ends up as landfill.

So, what do we do with all our waste plastic? The simple solution is to create less of it in the first place. But that’s easier said than done when practically everything you buy is either made of plastic, wrapped in it or both! But it’s a great idea to start somewhere – so we’ve got a few tips on ways to use less plastic.

Take a reusable coffee cup with you

Many cafes will happily put your coffee into your own reusable takeaway cup rather than use a disposable one with a plastic lid.

Say no to cling film

Unlike plastic wrap, aluminium foil is recyclable – if it’s clean. Or you can wrap your food in beeswax wraps, which are reusable, compostable, and look really cool!

Take your own bag

Even in places where single-use plastic bags are banned, heavier ones are often still permitted, but shops will happily put your shopping into your own cloth or jute bag.

Try loose-leaf tea

Did you know most tea bags are sealed with plastic? A good alternative is to use a tea infuser with loose leaf tea. It’s a great opportunity to try all sorts of exotic blends that don’t come in bags!

Shop in bulk bins            

A lot of bulk-bin shops encourage you to use your own containers, and you might even find it saves you money because you’re only paying for the product, not the packaging.

Try bars, not bottles

Many liquid soap products like body wash and shampoo and even dish wash come in bar alternatives. Choose brands that are wrapped in waxed paper, not plastic.

These are just a few of the ways that you can start to cut down on the amount of plastic that comes into (and goes out of) your home. If you have any other tips, we’d love to hear them and how you’ve put them into action at your place!

Chirpy Tips: Try These Clever Lifehacks

Here are some tips to make life easier!

Retrieve small items easily: Have you ever dropped something tiny on the carpet, like a screw or the butterfly off the back of your earring, and you can’t find it? Secure a nylon stocking (or any other thin fabric) over the end of your vacuum cleaner hose and wave it across the floor. The suction will hold small items against the stocking until you pluck them off.

Easy-peel hard-boiled eggs: Just put a teaspoon of baking soda in your egg-boiling water to raise the PH of the eggs, which helps the shells slide right off.

Never lose the end of the sticky tape roll again: Stick a plastic bread bag tag to the end of the tape to make it easy to locate and pull away from the roll. Plus, that’s one less bit of plastic going into landfill!

DIY cooler pack: If you need something to keep a picnic cold that won’t drip everywhere, wet a kitchen sponge and put it in a zip-lock bag, then freeze.

If your iPhone is almost out of battery: Charge it extra-quick by putting it into aeroplane mode (it’s usually the first option under your name in Settings). You should be able to charge it up to 50% in as little as 45 minutes.

Get rid of stinky shoe odours: Pop two or three dry tea bags in each shoe for 24 hours. The tea bags will absorb odour and dampness.

Clean up the last little bits of a broken glass: Moisten a piece of bread and use it to wipe up the pieces, then wrap it in a paper towel and throw it away. The texture and stickiness of the damp bread help it to pick up the little particles easily.

Stop your bathroom mirror from fogging up: Clean it with shaving foam. Just wipe a little on the mirror, clean it off with a soft cloth, and enjoy fog-free mirrors for a couple of weeks.

Chirpy Tips: How To Read For Free

Do you fancy something new to read but can’t make it to the shops or the library?

If you have a tablet or smartphone, then you’ve got access to thousands of electronic books that you can read for free. Project Guttenberg has 58,000 books that you can download or read online. These are usually older works for which the copyright has expired, enabling them to be offered without charge. Most New Zealand libraries offer e-book lending services that enable you to “take out” a book for several weeks, just as you would check out a physical book. Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington Libraries use an app called Libby. Whangarei, Hamilton and Dunedin libraries lend e-books through Borrow Box.

Check your local library’s website to find out how you can borrow e-books and audiobooks directly from your tablet. Some of them offer your favourite magazines, too!