The Strip

THINGS I WISH MY KIDS WOULD ASK ME

Editor's note: Barry Courter has a 22-year-old son who recently graduated from college and an 18-year-old daughter who is a senior in high school.

Q: Dad, what are some things to think about when looking to rent an apartment?

A: Try to figure out your needs and wants and the extra costs. Does it have laundry, is it close to work or school, and does it offer free parking? Check and then double-check utility costs. These can kill your budget. Try to think long-term, like whether you plan to be there awhile or if you will outgrow it. Ask if the landlord is quick to fix things. Check on your neighbors also. Living next to college students can be as bad as living next to Gladys Kravitz (look her up).

-- By Barry Courter

TOP 10 GAMES

Game Informer Magazine ranks the top games for February.

  1. "Star Wars: The Old Republic," PC

  2. "The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim," PS3, Xbox 360, PC

  3. "Resident Evil: Revelations," 3DS

  4. "Jak and Daxter Collection," PS3

  5. " Xbox 360

  6. "Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning," PS3, Xbox 360

  7. "The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword," Wii

  8. "Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception," PS3

  9. "Rayman Origins," PS3, Xbox 360, Wii

  10. "Final Fantasy XIII-2," PS3, Xbox 360

CLICK ON THIS

Whether you have an old bicycle that needs repairing or you need something to make for dinner, there is help on the how-to website Instructables (www.instructables.com). Sign up through the site or log in with your Facebook account and begin browsing the unlimited guides, practical for everyday life. Some of the ideas shared on the site include a sled made out of items found around the house, a Bluetooth handset, homemade chipotle hot sauce and a test-tube spice rack. The site serves as both a database for these instructional videos, recipes, guides and more as well as a social networking community. Everyone who logs into the site can upload his or her own instruction manuals and comment on pre-existing Instructables. Members also can post questions on how ings they can't find on the site. Instructables range in level of difficulty, some being very simple while others require a higher level of technique. With six categories and dozens of subcategories, there is an endless amount of cooking, building and creating to be done.

PHONE STRESS

Smartphones are marketed as tools that make your life better. They deliver soothing music, stream hilarious video, help you navigate and keep you connected in a fast-paced world. But according to a new study, the devices also serve up more stress. Research conducted by the British Psychological Society found that users become more stressed because of their fixation over messages including email and social networks. Some users are so anxious for new messages they experience phantom vibrations or alerts.

-- McClatchy Newspapers

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