Keep Your Passwords Safe

I don’t know about you, but I’ve about had it with all the website hacks and having to change my password so many times that I don’t even remember what they are anymore. I hate having to click on that “Forgot Password?” link. The worst is when you need to check something real quick or get into an account, like your bank account, when you’re on-the-go, but have totally forgotten what you’ve changed it to and then have to wait for them to send you an email (maybe right away or maybe tomorrow or the next day). Stop changing your passwords because you forgot them, by setting up one master password through F-Secure Key that will keep track of all your other passwords and keep them totally safe, even from the company.

Haven’t you always wished that you could just have the same password for everything? Well, you can now, making your sign-ins way easier and less stressful. Since all your passwords for all your many accounts should be totally unique, it’s not easy to remember more than a few and then not them confused with each other. The issue most of us have is not so much remembering, but the fact that our passwords are too simple, so we can remember them. That means it’s easier for hackers to figure them out, too. The longer and more complicated your password, the harder it will be to break them. Use a combination of upper case, lower case, numbers and special characters.

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Did you know you should periodically change your passwords? Apparently, that’s a thing. Cyberspace sleuth and pro Clifford Stoll has said to “Treat your password like your toothbrush. Don’t let anybody else use it, and get a new one every six months”. I guess I’ve been doing it wrong, as I’ve had the same passwords for many things for years. Here are some tips on creating a stronger password:

• Establish an appropriately long password. 8 characters are good, but 10 or more is better. 
• As I said above, make sure you include at least one lower case letter, one upper case letter, one number and one special character.
• Avoid using names, including all or part of your user name.
• Avoid sequences, such as 1234 and abcd or the opposite, like 4321 and dcba. 
• Avoid real words, unless you mix them up with numbers and special characters, but don’t use the number zero for the letter O, as these are easy to crack. 
• Avoid personal info, like birthdays, addresses, phone numbers, etc. 
• When changing your password, make it completely different, not the same with a number or letter tacked onto the end. 
• Never ever give your password to anyone, even if they are from the company (or say they are) and ask for it. This is a hacker scheme and often come in the form of phishing emails. Whenever I get an email saying I need to change my password, I go directly to the website and never click through the link in the email, just in case. Some phishing emails are very convincing.

Sounds annoying, huh? With F-Secure Key, you can make your passwords as difficult as possible and never have to worry, because it auto-fills your passwords for you or you can cut and paste them. It also remembers your emails, PINs and other important info you need for logging in. You can use it on all your devices and have the ability to lock them with your F-Secure Key password to keep them safe from others.

F-Secure Key is free on one device. The PREMIUM edition syncs all your devices and costs just over $1.50 a month. For being my awesome readers you get two PREMIUM months of service for FREE! Cool, right?

CODE: PREMIUMKEYOFFER14

Instructions:
Go to F-Secure Key download it FIRST from your IOS or Android device.
If using Android: Go to Menu-Help- Enter PREMIUM VOUCHER
If using iOS: Help Menu- Promotional Code
*Once you redeem offer on your mobile device PREMIUM will work on your PC/Mac as well

Think of how much time you’ll save by not having to rack your brain to remember passwords or wait for emails that sometimes never come. I love this service and the fact that when I’m at home and on vacation, I never have to worry about getting into any of my accounts, while still keeping them safe from hackers, which is always an even bigger threat when using questionable Wi-Fi. Am I right?

Want to connect with F-Secure Key? Find them on Facebook | Twitter | YouTube

Disclosure: This is a a sponsored post. I have been selected as a brand ambassador for F-Secure, however, all opinions are 100% my own.

Planning for Holiday Travel

It's getting to that time when you will want to start planning your holiday travel, especially if you are traveling over Thanksgiving, because the longer you wait to book your airfare, the more expensive it'll be. Want to learn all the secrets to saving big bucks on your holiday trips? Then check out my ebook. For just 99 cents, I give you all the ways to sneak savings out of your planning and how not to lock yourself in the garage with a bottle of wine because your family is stressing you out. So, not only will you save on your trip, but also on this fantastic info. (Remember, you can download this book even if you don't have a Kindle. The Kindle app is free on iTunes and Google Play and works on all your web-enabled devices.)

Closer to the holidays, I'll be posting some new reviews and lists of fabulous travel gifts that can be ordered and shipped or easily slipped into your carry-on, so you don't have to check a bag just to bring your presents with you on the plane.

If you like this ebook, make sure to check out my ebook for summer travel savings, too!

Travel Hair Care Tips

When you travel, if you want to travel light, there are some things you have to change. While it can be easy to get caught up in routines, and it's important to keep some of them intact wherever you go, sometimes you need to switch things up to fit your travel lifestyle. We don't compromise on our strict carry-on only policy unless it's coming back from vacation and checking a bag with our too-many-purchases is less expensive than shipping back the spill over. That being said, we are always looking for ways to pack less and lighter. Now, I'm not willing to have a bad hair day in exchange for more packing space if that's my option, so I'm betting I'm hardly the only one. Want to look your best while still keeping everything in your small bag? 

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Decant your fave products into smaller containers

This seems like a no-brainer, but some people are still trying to pack full-size products and checking their bags because of it. I'm not going to pay an extra $35 for my shampoo to fly, especially when I'm not going to need a giant bottle of it for a week or two. Washing your hair everyday isn't good for it, unless you're spending all your time in the pool or ocean and need to get the chemicals out. Either way, a 3oz bottle should last you more than two weeks, even with everyday shampooing. Make a run to Target, pick up a selection of travel bottles and jars if your fave products don't come in smaller sizes and decant, decant, decant. Only need a smidge? Use contact cases for things like moisturizer that you need very little of.

Make use of dry shampoo

If you don't know how to break out of the shampoo everyday rut, try a dry shampoo. You can find small spray bottles at your salon or in the hair care aisle of your favorite drugstore. Make your own at home and save money. it's easy. Here's how.

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Switch to shampoo bars

This is a favorite in my travel bag. I save room in my 3-1-1 for more important stuff, like contact solution and moisturizer, by packing a solid shampoo and conditioner. I buy mine from Lush, but they have them at Basin and several other places. They work like soap, but come in a variety of ingredients for different types of hair, just like regular shampoo. A bonus is that they last for a really long time, so you won't have to refill your shampoo after every trip like you might now. Another bonus: no spillage. I hate that.

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Downsize to travel-size hair appliances

Bringing your hair appliances from home is a good idea, since you know how they work and will make you feel better about yourself if you're used to using them all the time. I travel with a straightener by Conair, but not the same one I use everyday. It's large and bulky. Instead, I've opted for the smaller, travel-size one. It actually works better and takes up a heck of a lot less space in my carry-on. I have one that has a rounded edge, so I can use it to straighten or curl. I love a multi-purpose tool. More and more companies are making mini versions of their popular hair care appliances, and it's smart to invest in them, plus you can always keep it packed in your bag, so you don't forget it.

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Don't bother taking a blow dryer

I know this is a controversial one. I tend to take showers at night and let my hair air dry, or spritz in some beach spray (see below), so I can scrunch and go, but I know there are people who swear by blow drying. I'm not one of them, because I'm lazy, but sometimes I use one. That said, almost all hotels and even many vacation rentals supply hair dryers for their guests. Save room in your bag and leave yours at home. If you must bring one though, try to find a travel version, so you aren't taking up half your carry-on with an unnecessarily large device.

Instead of a curling iron, use sea salt spray for beach curls

I've discovered the beauty of beach curls/waves. I like it, because I can jump out of the shower, spray this in, scrunch it up and get on with my day. So much easier than taking out the curler, waiting for it to heat up and meticulously curling strand after strand. It saves me time, which I am grateful for. It can also work on dry hair, but I've been less successful with that. I'd say to just spray your hair with water first and then add the sea salt spray for best results.

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Use sunscreen

Don't forget that your hair is just as susceptible to sun damage as your skin. Rub some sunscreen in your palms and run your hands through your hair to avoid leeching your color. This also adds a bit more needed moisture too. If you're worried about it not blending in, dilute it with a little water. If you wear a part in your hair, make sure to dab some sunscreen there as well. There's nothing worse than a burnt (and eventually peeling) scalp. 

Go au naturale

Put your clothes back on, because I'm still talking about your hair. If you're okay with saving time in the morning with tools and unneeded products, feel free by leaving your hair as it naturally is. Don't curl your straight hair or straighten your curly hair. You might find you don't hate it.

Do you have travel hair care tips that save time or luggage space?