In today’s globalized world, phone and video calls are indispensable means of business communication. However, many make communication errors that can affect their reputation and professional relationships. In addition to paying attention and responding politely, you should try to master the skills required for handling client concerns on calls. If you want your calls with clients and colleagues to be smooth and productive, here are a few common errors to avoid during business calls. Being unprepared Not preparing before answering or making a call is one of the most serious mistakes to avoid. Looking up the company or individual, you are calling, gathering relevant data, and making a list of key points to discuss are crucial steps in making business phone calls. Not doing your due diligence could make you seem less confident and unable to effectively convey your message. Not introducing yourself Failing to introduce yourself can confuse people and make them uncomfortable continuing the conversation. So, mention your and the organization’s name at the start of the conversation to ensure everyone on the call knows who is on the other end. Not focusing on the discussion Talking too often, zoning out, and not paying attention to the conversation are signs of ineffective communication.

Food allergies are unpredictable and can have mild to severe symptoms, such as bumps, rashes, choking, or breathing difficulties. One approach to managing food allergies is through adopting an elimination meal plan. This plan involves temporarily removing certain foods from your regime to identify which ones are causing your symptoms. There are several types of food-elimination nutrition plans for allergies. This article will discuss the most common ones that are used by individuals. Food elimination nutrition plans for allergies Traditional elimination plan The traditional elimination meal plan involves removing common allergenic foods from your meals for a while, typically for two to four weeks. These foods often include dairy, soy, wheat, corn, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish. After this period, one food is reintroduced, and any reactions are noted. Then, you repeat the same for other foods. The traditional elimination nutrition plan is typically used for people with conditions such as eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), which is caused by an allergic reaction to certain foods. This condition may manifest as chest pain, heartburn, abdominal pain, vomiting, trouble swallowing, and stunted growth in children. Modified elimination plan The modified elimination plan is similar to the traditional one but more restrictive.

In the rush of filing taxes, it can be easy to overlook deductions that could help you save money. Tax deductions are expenses you can subtract from your taxable income. Knowing which expenses can be claimed as deductions is the key to limiting the hard-earned money you owe the government. From student loan interest payments to health expenses, here are some of the most overlooked tax deductions you should know: How do deductions work? Tax deductions lower the amount of tax you owe. A standard tax deduction—a single deduction of a fixed amount—is determined by your filing status: single, married, head of household, or filing jointly. You can claim the standard deduction without providing additional documentation or expense receipts. In contrast, itemized deductions are specific expenses you can deduct from your taxable income, such as clinical expenses, charitable contributions, and mortgage interest. Most overlooked tax deductions Job hunting expenses If you are looking for a new job in your existing field, you may be able to deduct expenses such as those incurred in resume preparation, traveling for interviews, and career counseling services. Charitable contributions Many know that cash donations to charity can be claimed as deductions but often overlook non-cash contributions like clothing or household items.

Disheartening as it is, child abuse and neglect is a rampant issues in the country. According to the CDC, 1 in 7 children experienced abuse and neglect last year. Therefore, it is essential to recognize the early warning signs of child neglect to tackle this problem at its roots. This can take more than one form and manifest as physical, emotional, educational, or medical neglect. Here are some early warning signs to watch out for: Poor appearance and hygiene This may include the child being smelly or dirty, hungry, not being given money for food, having unwashed clothes, having inappropriate clothing for the weather, or having frequent or untreated nappy rashes (in infants). Health and development problems These issues may include anemia, poor muscle tone, prominent joints, medical or dental issues, missed medical appointments, poor language or social skills, recurring infections, repeated accidental injuries caused by a lack of supervision, skin issues such as sores, rashes, flea bites, scabies or ringworm, thin or swollen tummy, tiredness, untreated injuries, and growth issues. Housing and family issues Some of these warning signs may include the child living in unsuitable housing conditions, such as no heating or running water, being left alone for long periods, not having a curfew or bedtime, or taking on the role of carer for other family members.

The goal of a side hustle is to earn extra money to support one’s lifestyle. With the current economic scenario, people are constantly looking for sources of income besides salaries. It provides greater financial security and the freedom to pursue one’s interests while maintaining job security. The most important aspect of a side hustle is that it is exciting enough to keep one interested. Here are some of the most creative side-hustle ideas for 2023. Best side hustle ideas for 2023 Online surveys Filling online surveys is one of the simplest and most popular side hustles to get started with. Although it might not be the highest-paying job available online, it can be a great place to start learning about time management and balancing two careers, which may eventually lead to finding something more significant. For each survey, people can earn between $1 and $20. Writing blogs Starting a blog can be a fantastic option for people with a creative side who want a voice and a creative outlet. Most blogs generate a little money at first, but as their readership and reach grow, they generate more and more money. Bloggers can earn roughly tens of thousands of dollars per month.

Menopause is a normal aspect of a woman’s aging process. The transition period generally begins four years before one’s last menstrual cycle, between the ages of 45 and 55. This phase may be accompanied by symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, lower metabolism, and sleep problems. However, keeping one’s body nourished can help combat some of these symptoms. Some healthy foods to eat to manage menopause symptoms are listed below. Milk Milk and other dairy items such as cheese and yogurt are excellent sources of nutrients like calcium, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, and vitamins D and K, which are essential to keep the bones healthy. They also contain an amino acid called glycine, which can help improve sleep quality in menopausal women. Some studies have also linked dairy intake with a reduced risk of early menopause by up to 17 percent. Soy Soy and other soy products contain phytoestrogens, which act like a weaker version of the hormone estrogen in the body. Since the rate of production of estrogen declines during and after menopause, consuming soy products such as soy milk, soybeans, edamame, tofu, miso, and tempeh, can help manage the intensity of symptoms like hot flashes in menopausal women.

Nasal polyps is a respiratory condition in which a benign growth develops along the line of the sinuses. This growth, while benign, starts to affect airflow and breathing. If an individual suffers from chronic inflammation, they are at high risk of developing nasal polyps, and can be triggered by common environmental allergens. However, some foods help fight off nasal polyps, so let’s take a look at what can be had with this condition. Mushrooms This is a superfood for fighting off nasal polyps because of its selenium content. Selenium is an essential antioxidant that is found to reduce inflammation in the body. This is especially helpful during any flare-ups caused by nasal polyps. Some other foods, which are also rich in selenium, include fish like cod and halibut, Brazil nuts, and some specific types of red meat. Turmeric Turmeric is known for its vast variety of health benefits, and one of these is its anti-inflammatory properties, which help those dealing with nasal polyps symptoms. You can add turmeric to most curry recipes and even consider adding it to some warm milk. However, make sure that you only add a pinch of it, otherwise too much turmeric can add a bitter taste to the food.

Home improvement is a perpetual endeavor; no matter how many upgrades you get and change the carpets, paint, or furniture, there may always be some scope for improvement. Additionally, as needs evolve, it might be necessary to change a few things around the house. While some projects may require professional services, others could be easy DIY tasks you can take up. Here are 5 easy home improvement hacks that you can try: Use Washi tape on doors Without the right kind of lighting in the room or the hallway, plain white doors can look dull. But you can fix this issue with a simple DIY hack using Washi tape. The tape comes in multiple colors, sticks to the surface with ease, and leaves no residue, so there is no damage to the door. You can get creative with the designs and patterns, with the white door as the perfect blank canvas. With this hack, you get the chance to change the pattern as many times as you want. Experiment with wall colors You don’t have to call a professional to transform a space when paint can do the job. Experiment with colors and try a few samples to see what works best for each room.