How To Kick the Snooze Button Habit:

• Waking up several times interrupts and fragments sleep, which means you’ll cycle back and forth between light, non restorative sleep and being awake, which isn’t restful.
  
• It can leave you feeling tired and groggy when you finally get out of bed.
  
• It reinforces bad sleep habits
  
• On top of not feeling rested, alert and at your best, the sleep expert points out that consistently not getting enough sleep can raise the risk of weight gain, cardiovascular disorders, metabolic disorders and even dementia.
  
• Fortunately, you can break the sleep-snooze cycle by:
  
• Making sure you’re getting enough sleep to feel truly rested, which is between seven and eight hours a night for most folks.
  
• Sticking to a consistent sleep schedule, which Auckley notes is easier if you time to rise to when your internal body clock starts to wake you up.
  
• In the morning, try to resist hitting snooze and get up as soon as your alarm goes off.
  
• Getting morning light exposure as soon as possible when you wake up, which helps keep your internal clock in sync and improves alertness.
  
• Have a positive morning ritual to look forward to, whether it’s enjoying freshly made coffee on your porch or catching up on sports scores.
  

Things You Are Still Wasting Your Money On:

ATM Fees
In 2025, paying ATM fees is almost a fool’s errand. With so many online banks offering free ATM withdrawals and brick-and-mortar banks offering a large network of free ATMs or ATM fee reimbursement, paying several dollars a month is seemingly avoidable. Simply put, there’s no reason to waste money on fees just to access your own cash so even if it takes planning ahead, make sure you omit this expense.
Bottled Water
Shockingly, people continue to spend money on bottled water, even given both the financial and environmental downfalls. If you don’t trust your tap water, even the cost of installing a filter or having one in your fridge can make it worth your money in the long run. Stop paying for something you can essentially get for free and invest in a quality reusable water bottle for when you’re on the go.
Brand-Name Medications
Unless you’re specifically advised by your doctor, opting for brand-name medications over their generic counterparts is a pointless expenditure. Generic drugs have the same active ingredients and undergo the same quality control as their branded counterparts. Switching to generics can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars annually without compromising on health.
Cable TV Subscriptions
The world has moved on from traditional cable television, but many are still holding onto it — along with its hefty bill. Streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+ offer customizable viewing options for a fraction of the price and even bundling options. If you’re still paying for a bloated cable package, it’s time to cut the cord and switch to more budget-friendly entertainment options.
Extended Warranties
Retailers love to upsell extended warranties, but the truth is, they’re seldom worth it. Most products are built to last for at least the length of their original warranty, and by the time they break, chances are you’d be looking to upgrade anyway. Instead of shelling out for extended warranties, set aside a small emergency fund for when things really go wrong.
Fast Fashion
Cheap, trendy clothing may seem like a good deal, but fast fashion is a money pit. These clothes are usually poorly made and fall apart after just a few wears, forcing you to constantly replenish your wardrobe in a never-ending cycle for your closet and nearest landfill. Instead, invest in quality, timeless pieces that last longer. You’ll not only save money but also reduce your environmental footprint.
Premium Gas for Non-Luxury Cars
Unless your car specifically requires premium gasoline, you’re throwing money away by filling up with it, especially when gas prices are already so high. Modern engines are designed to run efficiently on regular unleaded gas, and using premium won’t give you any added benefits in performance. Stick to regular gas and watch your fuel expenses drop in what you pay at the pump.
Overpriced Online Shopping on Amazon
Name-brand phone chargers, headphones, and other items can cost up to three times as much on Amazon when compared to other retailers or the product’s own website. Check reviews before you add something to your cart as many will let you know if it’s worth the cost. Don’t be afraid to shop around, as varying sticker prices could shock you.
Unused Gym Memberships
In 2025, no matter your fitness resolutions, there’s no reason to pay for a gym membership you’re not using. With the explosion of online workout platforms, free YouTube fitness channels, and affordable apps, staying in shape no longer requires an expensive gym pass, particularly if you don’t go regularly. If you’re still paying for a membership you rarely use, it’s time to cancel and explore the world of free digital fitness.



What ER Doctors Bring On Vacation:

• Anti-nausea medication - “Always pack Zofran, just in case,” said Dr. Cedric Dark, associate professor of emergency medicine at Baylor College of Medicine. “The feeling of nausea and vomiting is one of the most hated things you could ever imagine and there’s nothing over-the-counter that is that helpful.” Zofran is only available by prescription, but it dissolves under your tongue, so it works even when you can’t really keep anything down.
• A bug zapper - Dr. Dark says standalone mosquito traps or a mosquito zapper racquet like the one he uses are must-haves for traveling somewhere tropical, where the insects can carry serious diseases like West Nile virus, Zika virus and dengue fever.
• Tweezers - They’re a fix for the far more simple, but common problem of splinters, and that’s why tweezers are a travel essential for Dr. Joy Crook, associate professor of clinical emergency medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
• Compression socks - The CDC warns that traveling for more than four hours by air, car or bus raises the risk of developing blood clots, but wearing compression socks can help lower that risk. That’s why they’re a go-to for Dr. Erin Muckey, associate professor of emergency medicine at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School.
• A portable charger - Dr. Eric Adkins, an emergency medicine physician at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, points out that you can’t call for help or look up where the nearest pharmacy or hospital is with a dead phone battery, so he packs a portable charger.
• A carbon monoxide detector - Dr. Crook says this is a recent addition to her travel bag, since several stories of travelers dying from carbon monoxide poisoning have happened this year alone.
• Melatonin - Not sleeping well can weaken the immune system, which can make you more likely to get sick, but melatonin supplements can help “reset your internal clock,” according to Adkins, so you can snooze.

Second Date Update: Dalia and Reggie go to the Mountain Winery to see Chris Isaak. She loved every minute. He has disappeared...was it her dancing?