Can You Have Too Many Apps?

These days our smartphones can do just about anything from texting, making calls, telling us the weather, posting to social media, and even giving us instructions on how to cook. To use these devices to their full potential we typically are downloading numerous apps. But can you have too many apps on your phone? 

For the most part downloading apps will not slow down your phone. To get to the point of making your smartphone, like Android or iPhone, slow down you'd have to download more than 500 apps, which seems unlikely for the average person. You may encounter a problem with the speed or battery life of your phone if you keep these apps open and running. Certain apps need access to the phone's RAM which will slow down your phone while running. Just remember to close out of apps when you're done using them. 

The question then arises if you really need all those apps. It's fun to download the newest, greatest thing but are you actually using it? Instead of searching through pages upon pages of apps, organize your apps based on folders.

When an app has remained unopened for a year, it's time for the app to go. Having de-clutter remorse? It's easy to restore apps. Just visit the app store on your iPhone and click apps not on this device. You can reinstall with the touch of a button. You can do the same thing on a Android in the "My Apps" section of the store.

How to Find a Farmers’ Market Near You

Shopping at farmers' markets is a great way to pick up seasonal, locally-grown fruits and vegetables. Often times, this produce costs less than what you'd find in grocery stores. The USDA has created a great search engine to help you find local markets in your area. The website allows you to search based on zip code, produce available, and payment accepted. If you're the owner of a farmers' market, you can sign up to be a part of the USDA National Farmers Market Directory. Next time you're looking for local produce, check out the website

· USDA National Farmers' Market Directory [U.S. Department of Agriculture]

What is a Federal Depository Library?

A Federal Depository Library allows you to access Federal government Information free of charge. Anyone is welcome to visit one of these libraries. Find out where your local library is here. With the help of the librarians, you can learn about health, business, science, technology, the military, and more. These libraries house many maps, books, journals, and periodicals, including historical publications from the early republic. You can also look for government information resources online. If you need help using the online services, the librarians are trained to assist you. Go see what you can learn at a Federal Depository Library today. 

Federal Depository Library [U.S. Government Printing Office]

Tips for Finding an Internship

In many cases, internships are a now an expected staple for college grads to have on their resumes. Though it may seem like drudgery, internships are a great opportunity to explore possible careers, get much needed on-the-job experience, make valuable contacts, and possibly snag your first job.  For finding (and getting) a great internship in the vast sea of competition, here are some tips:

Use your college’s career center
That’s what it’s there for. Many students overlook the career center as a resource, but their help can be invaluable. Talk to a counselor, tell them what you’re looking for, and look through whatever books and resources they have available. As you describe what you're looking for, they can help you hone in on who to contact, how to contact them, and when to apply.

Talk to alumni and other professionals
Ask your career counselor about the college’s alumni network and reach out to alums with careers that interest you or individuals who live in the area where you’re looking to move after college. Also, don't overlook your parents, family, or friends – talk to anyone who may have an “in” at a company you’re interested in. People are surprisingly willing to help out college students with jobs and internships, so capitalize on their willingness and generosity.

Check company websites
Before hitting up generic search engines, check specific, desired companies’ websites for internship listings. Even if they don’t specify having internships, write a professional inquiry to human resources or a particular division to express your interest. Once you've submitted your inquiry or resume, follow up with a phone call to confirm they received your information.

Five Essential Contemporary Documentary Filmmakers

You can learn a lot about the world by watching a great documentary film. Interested in learning more about this fascinating film genre? Here are five skilled practitioners of the art of documentary filmmaking whose work you should know.
 
Ken Burns
Ken Burns is a filmmaker with a range of interests, having produced engaging films on topics ranging from the Civil War, the history of baseball, jazz, and America's national parks. Burns uses photographs and other archival footage to bring the past to life. His work has won multiple Emmy awards and garnered two Oscar nominations.
 
Steve James
Steve James is known best for his ambitious and important documentary Hoop Dreams. That film chronicles the lives of two Chicago-area high school students with basketball ambitions. James followed that award-winning film with several other projects, including documentaries like Stevie and The Interrupters.
 
Michael Apted
An acclaimed filmmaker, Michael Apted has created a variety of award-winning documentary work. Most impressive is his Up Series, a project following the lives of several British children from different backgrounds. The first installment of the series was made when the children were seven years old; Apted has revisited them every seven years since, producing in the process a catalogue of films that chronicle how people change — or don't — across the years.
 
Kavery Kaul
Born in India, Kavery Kaul is a documentary filmmaker who has received a variety of honors, including fellowships from the New York Foundation for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts. Kaul's best known films include Long Way From Home, One Hand Don't Clap, Back Walking Forward, and Wild at Art.
 
Errol Morris
Best known for his ambitious engagements with difficult subjects, Errol Morris is a documentary filmmaker who also occasionally writes for the New York Times. Morris's best-known works are The Fog of War, a sustained interview with former Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara, and The Thin Blue Line.

Best Sparkling Wines for Under $20

Want to put some fizz into the party, but can’t spend top dollar?  These scrumptious sparkling wines taste a lot glitzier than their price tags, and they’re available in most large liquor stores:

Louis Bouillot Perle de Vigne, France
$19

With a name meaning "Pearl of the Vine," this Crémant de Burgundy lives up to the hype with its delicate yet rich finish of sharp Granny Smith apples.

Greg Norman Estates Sparkling Pinot Noir/Chardonnay, Australia
$18

This Aussie gem tastes twice as expensive as its price. It has a frothy head; fine bubbles; notes of complex citrus, red berry, yellow stone fruit, and biscuit; and a silky smooth richness. The Pinot Noir grape dominates the blend.

Trapiche Extra Brut, Argentina
$15

Hand-crafted in the Andean foothills, this lively sparkler shows typical Chardonnay aromas of apples and pineapples with a toasted bread note. Added regional varietals Semillon and Malbec help to create a full, crisp character.

Mondoro Sparkling Asti, Italy
$15

Produced from white muscat grapes grown in the Asti region of Northern Italy, this sweet wine has a delicate, refreshing character that pairs well with desserts or soft fruits.

Verichon & Clerc Privilège Blanc de Blancs, France
$12

Blending Chardonnay, Chenin, Ugni Blanc, and Colombard grapes in the méthode traditionnelle, this Brut blanc de blancs has a rich fragrance of hazelnut and toasted grain, with hints of poached pears and buttered toast that linger over a long-lasting finish.

What to Eat Before Playing a Sport

Eating a healthy diet will give you the best foundation — but what should you eat the day of your big game? Check our tips.

  • Give yourself time to digest. The best time to eat is two to four hours before you play. 
  • Focus on carbohydrates. Before the game you want to eat a meal high in carbs and low in fat and protein. Try to avoid any spicy foods or foods that could irritate the stomach. 
  • Eat a small meal, about 500 to 700 calories. A larger meal could slow you down during the game. 
  • Drink plenty of water. Start drinking water two hours before the game.
  • Avoid foods with a lot of fat like hamburgers, hot dogs, French fries, eggs, steaks, and nuts. 
  • If you're playing multiple sports games eat a snack between games, not a meal. Good snacks include low fat yogurt, banana, or peanut butter crackers. 

Five Apps To Make Instagram Better

Instagrammers know how to hashtag, take interesting pictures, and add just the right filter. But maybe that's not enough. Many new apps are emerging designed to upgrade your Instagram experience. Check out our five favorite apps for iPhone!

PicStitch
Make a collage of your favorite pictures. You can choose your layout, size of pictures, and edit each picture before completing the collage and importing it to Instagram. 

Instake
Like a picture on Instagram and want to save it to your phone? Instead of taking a screen capture, just download the picture with Instake. Just tap the picture to download to your camera roll. 

Afterlight
Before adding a filter in Instagram, edit your photo with Afterlight. Change the lighting of your picture or add one of the 27 adjustable filters. You can add unique frames and then import the picture to Instagram.

A Beautiful Mess
Personalize your photo with text, custom filters, and doodles. Add borders or text bubbles to your photo.  

Camera+
Upgrade your phone's camera with the Camera+ app. Take the best pictures using the apps features like a stabilizer so you get a steady shot, digital zoom to get close without losing quality, and grid to perfectly frame your pictures. You can even edit pictures in the app. 

Basic Money Management Tips from MyMoney.gov

It can be a little headspinning at times to manage your personal finances, with details like bills, pay stubs, W-2s, 401(k)s, and the like making it hard at times to see the big picture. Even so, managing your money doesn't have to be overwhelming, and MyMoney.gov aims to help you see the big picture.

The site's a creation of the Federal Financial Literacy and Education Commission, and works to help further the mission of helping people understand their personal finances. To make the process a little easier, MyMoney.gov breaks its advice down into five basic elements, the "MyMoney Five." Here are the basics:

  1. Earn: Know the details about your pay and benefits, including any withholdings, deductions, taxes, and non-monetary compensation.
  2. Save: Make saving a habit, so you can plan for future expenditures and be prepared for unanticipated expenses.
  3. Protect: Protect yourself by monitoring your credit report, purchasing adequate insurance (including renters' insurance), keeping an emergency fund, and maintaining proper records of your finances.
  4. Spend: Shop wisely! Make a budget, be a comparison shopper, and work to live within your means.
  5. Borrow: Be wise about borrowing, too. Understand details like interest rates, keep track of what you've borrowed, and pay your bills on time.

You can learn much more about the MyMoney Five at mymoney.gov.

5 Ways to Cut 100 Calories

Deciding to go on a diet can be a big commitment. All of a sudden you have to exhibit self-control over all the temptations you encounter. Say goodbye to those office donuts. Instead of forcing yourself to change the way you eat, which can be nearly impossible, make small, healthier choices throughout the day, and watch the pounds melt away. You'd be surprised how just swapping one food for another can cut up to 100 calories without sacrificing taste.

Watch Your Beverages
Our drinks have a sneaky tendency to add hundreds of calories a day to our diet. That regular soda you drink with lunch and dinner adds up. Try cutting down your soda intake. Swap your soda with a glass of sparkling water. Instead of drinking a full glass of orange juice in the morning, cut it down to half a glass or switch your regular orange juice to one with half the sugar. Switch your milk from whole milk to 2% or skim, and use less cream and sugar in your coffee.

Drink Water
Speaking of water, drink more of it. If you take the time to drink a six to eight ounce glass of water before lunch and dinner, you'll find yourself eating less at meals. The water takes up space in your stomach, so you'll feel fuller longer, and you'll automatically reduce the amount you eat, and the calories you take in.

Control Your Condiments
Those dipping sauces and dressings can be adding a lot of unnecessary calories to your day. Instead of using ketchup or mayo switch to mustard, or go half and half. That way you'll still get the taste, but with less calories. Instead of pouring ranch all over your salad ask for dressing on the side, or go with a lighter option like oil and vinegar. Opt for hummus and salsa instead of heavy dips like spinach and artichoke.

Monitor Your Portions
We've all heard that the portion sizes in America have grown tremendously over the years. Well, it's true, and remember, you don't have to eat everything on your plate! Be more conscious of the amount of food you're eating, and try only eating half of your bagel in the morning. Cut your sandwich in half — eat the first half, and then check in with your body. Are you still starving? Probably not. Save the other half for your next meal. You'll save money and calories.

Don't Super Size
Fast food is convenient. When you're always on the go, it's hard to find the time to cook a meal. You don't have to eliminate the drive thru from your life just make better choices. Go for a regular cheeseburger instead of a quarter pounder. Better yet, choose a grilled chicken sandwich. Skip the large fountain soda for a small or a bottle of water. Just these small changes can have big results over time!

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