Author: TECH

Social Security is always a big topic among retirees and those getting close to retirement. So what changes should you be aware of for 2026? Here are the seven most important new things to know about this key federal benefits program. Top of mind each year for retirees is the annual cost-of-living adjustment. Yes, there’s a substantial COLA increase this year: 2.8%. Last year’s increase was 2.5%. The current rate of inflation is 2.7%, but the vast majority of senior citizens said in an AARP survey that a 3% COLA wouldn’t be enough to cover their expenses. For the average…

If you’ve ever had an interaction with a narcissist, you know how these people make everything about them.  They might start off as sweet and charming, but over time, you realize that it was all a lie, and they wanted you to be comfortable before they start manipulating you. Things like love-bombing, gaslighting, and other forms of manipulation come naturally to these people, and often you might fail to realize it.  In some cases, once we realize that we are dealing with a narcissist, we leave them. However, in unfortunate cases, we can’t leave because they are family or work…

Happiness is a page away. Okay, it’s not that simple. Reading books on happiness won’t automatically make you happier. However, they can help you define happiness, reframe what it means for your life, and shift your focus to pursue it. Maybe reading a book really can make you happier.  The Best Books on Happiness Image Credit: kinn_studio via Shutterstock.com. As a happiness life coach, I’ve read my fair share of books on the subject, and I can help you find the perfect volume to explore your own version of a happy life. One of these wonderful books on happiness can…

Social Security February Payments: The Social Security office has already finished sending out all payments for January. These payments were sent on five different days. Now, before January ends, the agency is getting ready to start giving out payments for February.The first people to get money for February 2026 will be those who receive Supplemental Security Income, also called SSI. They will be paid on Friday, January 30. Normally, SSI payments are sent on February 1. But in 2026, February 1 falls on a Sunday. Because of this, the payment is sent earlier on the closest working day. More than…

An estimated 40% of the general population has at least some fear of flying, with 2.5% harboring a clinical phobia of getting on an airplane. However, travelers’ stress keeps Beni the llama and Captain Jack the alpaca busy.The camel-adjacent cousins work at the Portland International Airport as part of the airport’s animal therapy program. Every few weeks, they venture from their full-time farm roles at Mountain Peaks Therapy to reduce stress levels in the busy airport.A llama and alpaca from the herd at PDX. Photo courtesy of Mountain Peaks TherapyAlthough still filled with the same bustling TSA checkpoints and chatty…

Courtesy of DC Snow Heroes / The Mayor’s Office of Community Affairs (via Instagram) After low winter temperatures battered multiple regions of the country with snow, heroes in Washington, DC, stood up to be accounted for. With major thoroughfares taking priority for District plows and employees, the ‘DC Snow Heroes’ hit the blocks, shovels in hand, to clear sidewalks for the elderly, the young, the disabled, or even just the overwhelmed. Organized by the mayor’s office, Serve DC is a volunteer program that includes a special segment whose mission it is to shovel snow and clear ice—both of which had…

Follow these tips What’s the story Maintaining good posture is essential for overall health and well-being. It can prevent back pain, improve breathing, and enhance confidence. However, many people struggle with posture due to sedentary lifestyles or lack of awareness. Fortunately, there are simple habits that can be easily incorporated into daily routines to improve posture. These habits require minimal effort but can make a significant difference over time. Practice wall angels daily Wall angels are an easy exercise to improve shoulder mobility and posture. Stand with your back against a wall, feet slightly away from it. Keep your arms…

Darla Hueske – via Unsplash Farming adaptations have seen Canada’s farmers turn out record harvests in the middle of a 5-year drought. Truly unsavory conditions, like oppressive rainfall followed by an immediate return to drought, would typically have left the wheat on Simon Ellis’ fields shriveled and worthless. Instead, plump grains were ready to be scooped up by his combine. He contributed the extra grain—almost all of which will be exported abroad to developing countries—to a national harvest total that tops any on record despite a drought that started in 2020. Spring wheat yielded 58.8 bushels per acre this year,…

Company Logo Key opportunities in the Mental Health Clinical Trials market include leveraging digital-first study models to reduce participation burden, maximizing venture funding in psychedelic therapies, and harnessing AI-enabled platforms for operational efficiency. Geographic expansion and prioritized regulatory pathways further propel market growth. Dublin, Jan. 29, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The “Mental Health Clinical Trials – Market Share Analysis, Industry Trends & Statistics, Growth Forecasts (2026-2031)” has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com’s offering. The Mental Health Clinical Trials market is projected to expand from USD 3.56 billion in 2025 to USD 3.85 billion in 2026, eventually reaching USD 5.65 billion by…

Per the Social Security Administration’s official payment calendar, January’s benefits have now been sent out, across five separate distribution dates. Before the month is over, however, the agency is due to make a start on its payment schedule for February.Who gets paid first for February 2026?On Friday, Jan. 30, recipients of Supplement Security Income (SSI) will be the opening SSA beneficiaries to pick up their February payments. The program’s more than seven million beneficiaries would typically get their money on Feb. 1, but as the month begins on a Sunday, payment has been brought forward to the nearest working day.…