Caught in a data breach? How to reclaim control of your credit and identity »

(BPT) - By the end of the first quarter 2014, more than 200 data breaches compromised millions of consumer records, according to the Identity Theft Resource Center, which keeps track of reported data breaches. Stunned? Data breach stats are even more staggering if…

Safety tips to prevent summer fun from becoming a summer scare »

(BPT) - As the days get longer and warmer, kids and adults alike have plenty of reasons to get outdoors. With all the playtime comes extra dangers everyone needs to be on the lookout for. No family wants to have summer fun turn into a…

Simple tips to keep busy families organized »

(BPT) - These days parents are expected to be everywhere at once. If you're a parent, you know how stressful it can be to try and make the soccer game, the dance recital, prepare dinner for your family and work an eight-hour day. Just keeping…

Beyond games: Tips for tapping tech for education »

(BPT) - We know kids love technology for fun - video games, movies, keeping in touch with friends - it's easy to spend hours glued to the screen, wasting time. But there's also plenty technology can do to enrich learning and help kids develop new…

5 outdoor living trends that instantly turn a drab deck into a beautiful oasis »

(BPT) - Warm weather means more time to spend outside enjoying gentle breezes and sunshine-filled days. Is your deck or patio ready for months of outdoor fun? If your outdoor space is a bit drab, there's no need to fret. The year's top trends in…

Make the most of summer: 4 easy ways to go boating »

(BPT) - Many Americans felt the effects of a long winter but now it's finally time to start planning for summer fun. So what can you do to make the most of the summer months? Flipping through a celebrity magazine, it's easy to spot stars…

Eight ways to get the most out of your trip to the farmers market »

(BPT) - When spring arrives, leaves, flowers and robins aren't the only signs of warm weather to reappear. Spring also heralds the return of farmers markets. A trip to the market is a great opportunity to indulge in fresh healthy produce and to expand…

Expert advice for spring kitchen redesigns that you’ll love forever from designer Nate Berkus »

(BPT) - When your spring cleaning is accomplished and the room sparkles, do you still feel as if something is missing? All the cleaning in the world can't hide worn countertops, outdated appliances or uninspired cabinetry. If spring cleaning your kitchen is starting to feel…

New home innovations help consumers weather the storm »

(BPT) - Storms and wet weather not only impact our life's activities they can also have a disastrous effect on our homes, both inside and out. New technologies and products that help homeowners manage the damaging effects of weather with reduced stress are in high…

Great-looking, flavorful veggies are also good for your eyes »

(BPT) - After a long, cold winter, it's time to celebrate the start of summer with outdoor picnics, activities with friends and family, and by enjoying fresh, seasonal foods. As you put together your menu for your upcoming summer celebrations, you may not realize just…

How to be a sun-savvy super hero for your family »

(BPT) - Summer days lead to cherished family memories - whether they're spent splashing in surf and sand or picnicking in the park. Parents have a knack for creating magical summer moments for their kids. During these times they can also set an example for…

Three bad-mouthed building materials you won’t believe are really eco-friendly »

(BPT) - More homeowners are keeping Mother Nature in mind when undertaking a renovation, addition or new construction. They're seeking building practices and materials that are energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. If you're among these groups, you may choose to avoid construction materials you've come to…

Make two company – not a crowd – in the master bath »

(BPT) - The saying is that you shouldn't marry the person you can live with, but the person you can't live without. But while you may be ready to share your life with someone, you may quickly realize you aren't willing to share everything, and…

The key to managing stress: identify causes and find simple solutions »

(BPT) - If there is one aspect of life in the modern world that affects all of us, it's stress. In fact, it's so prevalent and can have such a serious effect on our health, that April has been named Stress Awareness Month. Yet despite…

No sweat: Secrets to staying cool in the kitchen and eating well this summer »

(BPT) - Summer is on the way and for the next several months, heavy clothes and winter boots will be on hiatus. So too will ovens in kitchens across the country as home cooks avoid running an appliance notorious for raising the temperature. But if…

How small and medium-sized businesses can stay competitive with larger companies »

(BPT) - Some of the latest changes in technology are making it easier for employees to connect with clients and conduct business both day and night, which makes it easier for small and medium-sized businesses to compete against larger companies.

Just a few years ago, unified…

Groundbreaking new technology helps those with hearing loss who aren’t satisfied with hearing aids »

(BPT) - If you've been living with hearing loss for a long time, it can be hard to believe there is anything new out there that can help - even if you've tried the most advanced hearing aids. You may have found that hearing aids…

Tips for transforming a dated NYC condo into a hot property »

(BPT) - When a New York City family relocated to California, they called celebrity designer and NBC's American Dream Builders contestant Erinn Valencich to help sell their Manhattan digs.

Their condo was in a great location near Manhattan's famous High Line, but the interior needed a…

Caring for spring and summer skin »

(BPT) - Dry skin can be a challenge at any time of year, even as spring and summer increase the humidity in the air. As the largest organ of the body, the skin should be well cared for and protected.

If dry skin is neglected, it…

Protect kids from dangers lurking online »

(BPT) - Every day, millions of Americans turn to the Internet for news and entertainment and to shop. Over the years, Americans have come to trust the Internet so much, that they regularly share information about their daily lives through social media sites and with…

Career and technical training give students a competitive edge »

(BPT) - In a few weeks, high school students around the U.S. will close one chapter of their lives and enter another as they graduate and move on to continue their education or enter the workforce.

Approximately 90 percent of students who spent their high school…

5 ways to jump-start your credit score »

(BPT) - It's a common financial predicament for most 20-something-year-olds: You need credit to get credit. But even if you're older and have been through some credit-wrecking havoc in your life, you could face the same issue.

'The only way to build a credit history is…

Parents: How to pick the right cost-effective technology device for your child’s learning »

(BPT) - When it comes to education, Americans may hotly debate testing, grading and teacher accountability, but one topic that finds wide-spread support among educators, parents, legislators and students is the value of technology in the classroom. With a majority of teachers reporting in a…

Doors opening wide for women to serve in the Navy »

(BPT) - What's it like being a woman in today's Navy? Challenging. Exciting. Rewarding. But above all, it's incredibly empowering. That's because the responsibilities are significant. The respect is well-earned. The lifestyle is liberating. And the chance to push limits personally and professionally is an…

Four eco-friendly car tips to get you back on the road »

(BPT) - You put your vehicle through a lot this winter, but spring is finally here and that means you can enjoy driving once again.

If you're ready to get out on the road, these environmentally friendly tips can make sure your car is ready for…

Stopping the drain: Innovative technology helps conserve water throughout the house »

(BPT) - Four hundred gallons - that's how much water the average American home uses in a day, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Is it any wonder? You turn on the tap to get a drink and run the water until it feels cool,…

Increase your home’s curb appeal and value with simple outdoor improvements »

(BPT) - First impressions happen at the curb. A good first impression raises the value of your home and pride in home ownership. If you are considering listing your home, it's important that its curb appeal entices potential buyers to come inside and see more.…

Beat the heat and save some green with these warm weather energy saving ideas »

(BPT) - There are plenty of reasons to be excited that winter is finally over. Among them: no more slick roads, heavy jackets, freezing temperatures or dry skin. Spring's arrival also means an end to those expensive heating bills you paid all season. But just…

Bathroom organization styles that work smarter – not harder »

(BPT) - Hairdryers, toothbrushes, combs, hair brushes and picks. Shaving utensils, makeup, styling products and perfumes. The collection of grooming and beauty tools cluttering the bathroom vanity can quickly overwhelm everything, making the space unusable for guests and creating difficulty in finding the tools you…

6 steps to control your blood pressure »

(BPT) - A routine doctor's appointment often involves a health professional checking your blood pressure. The screening is not painful or stressful and typically takes less than a minute to measure. However, the results of this simple test may identify a condition that, when managed,…

Go green with eco-friendly outdoor living spaces »

(BPT) - Warmer weather means days spent in the backyard with barbecues, pool parties and neighborhood gatherings. This year, create a more satisfying and sustainable outdoor living space that you'll feel extra good about by going 'green.' With some expert advice, it's easier than you…

Guilt-free desserts to please the whole family »

(BPT) - Dinner is over and your family is craving something sweet to end the meal. There are plenty of delicious options to satisfy even the biggest sweet tooth while keeping your family's balanced diet in check. Best of all, these desserts can be made…

Turn your home into a smart home with these simple technology upgrades »

(BPT) - Homes are more technically advanced than ever before, providing homeowners with sophisticated sound systems, high-tech security capabilities and interactive entertainment systems. The good news is that you don't have to be a techie to turn your home into a smart home.

Not only is…

5 simple tips to prepare your home for flood season »

(BPT) - After a winter of frigid temperatures and record snowfalls, the nation now faces the spring thaw and long, rainy months. Flood season is officially here - is your home ready for it?

Floods are the most common natural disaster in the United States. Over…

Is your child eating kid-friendly foods that support overall health and wellness? »

(BPT) - It's 3 in the morning and your child is awake complaining of aches and pains. You take his temperature, give him some water, and sit with him to encourage rest. Parents commonly experience long nights like these, and it can be tormenting when…

Picking the right camp for your kids »

(BPT) - As the classic Gershwin song lyrics go, 'summertime and the livin' is easy' isn't always the case if you're a parent trying to determine what to do with your kids when the final school bell rings. More than 10 million kids from coast…

Education insight: 5 tips for conquering college later in life »

(BPT) - Today's college students are breaking the stereotypical mold. Older students are no longer intimidated to conquer college later in life, and many colleges see students in their 20s studying alongside students in their 30s, 40s - even 60s! If it's been a long…

Stay cool by going green this summer »

(BPT) - If the thought of a scorching summer without adequate cooling sounds tough, think about the strain an overworked air conditioner unit places on both your household budget and the environment. Around two-thirds of all American homes have an air conditioner unit, amounting to…

Children’s health concern: Every minute poison control answers a call about young kids getting into medicine »

(BPT) - Most parents and grandparents know that keeping medicine out of children's hands is important. But every minute a poison control center answers a call about a young child getting into medicine, and every 8 minutes a child goes to the emergency room for…

5 tips for fighting grime: The squeaky-clean truth about the dish pit and commercial dishwashers »

(BPT) - Numerous pieces of equipment are required for busy restaurant kitchens to run smoothly, and one of the hardest-working machines in any kitchen is the commercial dishwasher. Critical to both restaurant flow and sanitation, this piece of restaurant equipment can make or break the…