The new look for 2025
Welcome to our new look monthly tips where we are pleased to share a plethora of tricks and tips that are relevant to such things as technology, travel, managing your daily life, and much more.
So just come aboard, sit back, take a deep breath, and enjoy!
If you wish to contact us then please do not hesitate to write to us at info@sterlingcreations.ca and we promise to respond within 2 business days as long as technology allows us to do so.
Give us your feedback, comments, suggestions, and thoughts!
For it is only through you and with you that we are able to do this!
Table of contents –
1. From our 10 tips on technology series
2. From the pages of Donna’s travel diary
3. A bit of this and a bit of that from Donna’s did you know diary
4. From the scam watchers
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From our 10 tips on technology series
Hello everyone:
Welcome to my 10 tip series where each month I’ll be sharing 10 tips on various pieces of technology.
This would include tips on popular screen readers, office software, and browsers.
If you have any suggestions on what you would like me to share then by all means! Write to me at donnajodhan@sterlingcreations.ca.
For this month:
Here are 10 practical tips to help you master Excel:
1.
Start with the Basics: Familiarize yourself with Excel’s interface, including the ribbon, cells, columns, and rows. Understanding the layout is key to navigating the program confidently.
2.
Learn Essential Formulas and Functions: Begin with simple arithmetic formulas, then progress to functions like SUM, AVERAGE, MIN, MAX, and COUNT. This foundational knowledge will streamline your data analysis.
3.
Master Keyboard Shortcuts: Using shortcuts (like Ctrl+C for copy, Ctrl+V for paste, and F2 to edit a cell) can significantly boost your efficiency.
4.
Practice Cell Referencing: Understand the difference between relative, absolute, and mixed references. This knowledge is critical for building dynamic formulas that update correctly when copied to other cells.
5.
Explore Data Formatting: Learn to format cells, rows, and columns to improve readability. Experiment with number formats, conditional formatting, and cell styles to enhance your spreadsheets.
6.
Dive into Data Analysis Tools: Get comfortable with features such as sorting, filtering, and using PivotTables. These tools can transform raw data into insightful summaries.
7.
Use Online Tutorials and Courses: Supplement your learning with free online resources, video tutorials, and Excel courses. Websites like Microsoft’s support pages and other e-learning platforms offer guided lessons.
8.
Practice with Real-World Projects: Apply what you learn by working on personal projects, such as budgeting, tracking expenses, or analyzing data sets. Practical application reinforces your skills.
9.
Learn Advanced Functions: As you progress, explore more advanced functions like VLOOKUP, HLOOKUP, INDEX/MATCH, and logical functions such as IF, AND, and OR to tackle more complex problems.
10.
Stay Consistent and Experiment: Regular practice is crucial. Challenge yourself with new tasks, experiment with different features, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes—they’re a great way to learn.
Using these tips will help you build a strong foundation in Excel and develop skills that can be applied to a variety of tasks and industries. Happy learning!
Good response
To contact me please send an email to info@sterlingcreations.ca
I’m Donna J. Jodhan (sight loss coach and accessibility advisor)
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Important tips from the travel table
From the pages of Donna’s diary
A hot air balloon ride
And as I reflect on this once in a lifetime experience, I can only thank God for this privilege and to my dear friend Jilla for having helped to make my dream come true.
O yes! And on a cool spring day in June 2024 Jilla and I rose gently into the Lucerne Switzerland skies.
The sun blessed us with its golden rays. The air was fresh and cool and our 2 escorts confidently guided us over the landscape of Lucerne.
Jilla and I chatted quietly and she described so many things to me.
Cattle grazing in the fields, people looking up and waving at us, and those beautiful mountains, Churches, and o so much more
We traveled for about 12 miles at about 5000 feet and at a speed of 1200 kilometers.
Our escorts sat behind us and chatted between them occasionally engaging with us.
For me? I felt as if I had died and gone to Heaven!
Or rather, that I was actually in Heaven!
Talk about an accessible hot air balloon ride and this was one that was truly accessible for me.
The crew was friendly, welcoming, and so very helpful from start to finish.
They took care of every need and requirement.
Their assistance was flawless.
O what a dream come true for me!
Thank you everyone!
I’m Donna J. Jodhan enjoying my travels.
To learn more about me as a sight loss coach and author visit
http://www.donnajodhan.com
On your next trip you could enrich your down time with some of my audio mysteries. Take them with you wherever you go!
In the car, on the plane, on the bus or train, at the beach, anywhere!
And now you can listen to Donna’s weekly podcasts!
Ask donna – a plethora of tips from a sight loss coach along with book and product reviews!
Dining with donna – recipes and time saving tips for the kitchen!
Your mental stretch with Donna – how to recharge, renew, and get going! Save yourself from those dramas, traumas, and stress!
Visit www.donnajodhan.com/youtube
and subscribe for free
Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and at author_jodhan
And like me on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan
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A bit of this and a bit of that from Donna’s did you know diary
August 2025 monthly tips
A bit of this and a bit of that from Donna’s did you know diary
Award winning sight loss coach, author and advocate
You can contact me via email at donnajodhan@gmail.com
Practical and natural!
Welcome to my Donna’s did you know diary for this month and pleased to share the following with you.
Here’s what I learned for this month.
1) About cottage cheese
Cottage cheese contains loads of protein.
2) About covering your fingers when slicing cheese
Did you know that if you do not cover your fingers when slicing cheese,
Your fingers can spread bacteria to your cheese?
3) About coke, seven up, and ginger ale
Coke contains the most sugar.
Seven up is next
And ginger ale contains the least amount of sugar.
4) How to preserve avocadoes after you have cut them
Squeeze a bit of lemon juice on them.
5) About bananas, rice, apple sauce
Any of these 3 can be used to help stop a Diarrhea
6) A tip about using scented body wash or soap:
Scented body wash or soap is harsher on the skin than unscented body wash or soap.
7) When storing grapes in your fridge:
Make sure that they remain on the vein.
For if they don’t and drop off, they will wilt and soften.
8) And what are some of the more difficult odors to get rid of when you do your laundry?
Smells of sweat, urine, and musty smells.
9) All about the benefits of smiling!
Each time you smile you improve your own mental health by driving stress away.
You also improve the mental health of those around you.
10) Some helpful tips on water
1. By some estimates, about 75 percent of people in the U.S. are “chronically dehydrated.”
2. Perhaps one-third of people in the U.S. have a sensation of thirst so weak that it’s often mistaken for hunger.
Maybe this is why one study revealed that a glass of water will shut down nighttime hunger pangs for most people.
3. Even a small amount of dehydration can slow a person’s metabolism down.
For this reason, lack of water is the primary cause of fatigue during the day.
4. A 2 percent drop in body water can cause fuzzy short-term memory,
difficulty with basic math,
and trouble focusing on a computer screen
or on a printed page
(by the time a person feels thirsty, the body has already lost about 1 percent of its water volume).
5. Drinking sufficient water every day decreases the risk of colon cancer, bladder cancer,
and very possibly other cancers.
The American Cancer Society recommends drinking at least 8 cups of liquid a day.
It’s obvious that proper water intake can eliminate or ease a whole host of common health problems.
This shouldn’t be surprising, since our bodies are up to 75 percent water.
Water plays a role in almost every body function,
carrying nutrients and oxygen to every cell,
helping us to breathe,
cushioning and protecting our vital organs and joints,
converting food into energy, and removing waste.
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From the scam watchers
Donna J. Jodhan is a world renowned advocate, author, blogger, sight loss coach, dinner mystery writer and producer, entrepreneur, law graduate, and podcast commentator.
Donna has been in the business since 2000 and her many roles have allowed her to recognize that there is a growing need for consumers and clients to be made aware of some of the most dangerous and popular scams.
Donna herself has been unwittingly scammed over the years a few times and now she is using her skills, experience, knowledge, and expertise to help others avoid pitfalls and heartache.
And as a vision impaired professional and person she is ready to help you stay ahead!
Donna knows only too well how much we all need to work overtime to protect the most vulnerable from those unscrupulous scammers!
Please read her latest suite of scams and she would love to hear from you with your own feedback.
Below is an overview of three scam types that tend to emerge or intensify during the summer month of August. This information is meant for consumer awareness and protection:
1. Travel & Vacation Rental Scams
Overview:
As many people plan vacations during the summer, scammers may post fraudulent listings or travel deals on social media and less-regulated websites. These scams lure potential travelers with attractive prices or “exclusive” offers for hotels, rental homes, or vacation packages that don’t actually exist.
How to Protect Yourself:
• Always book through reputable platforms or directly with trusted providers.
• Verify the legitimacy of listings by checking reviews and contacting the property owner or service directly.
• Be wary of deals that require immediate payment or ask for payment via untraceable methods.
2. Back-to-School Financial Aid or Scholarship Scams
Overview:
August marks the start of a new academic year, and scammers often target students and families by posing as legitimate scholarship organizations or financial aid offices. They may claim to offer guaranteed grants, scholarships, or low-interest student loans, but only in exchange for an upfront fee or sensitive personal information.
How to Protect Yourself:
• Verify offers by checking directly with official school or government websites.
• Never pay a fee to secure a scholarship or financial aid package.
• Consult with your school’s financial aid office if you’re unsure about an offer’s authenticity.
3. Social Media Giveaway & Contest Scams
Overview:
During August, there’s often an uptick in online promotions, contests, and giveaways—especially on social media. Scammers may impersonate well-known brands or celebrities, advertising fake contests that require participants to provide personal data or even a small “processing fee” to claim a prize.
How to Protect Yourself:
• Double-check the source by visiting the brand’s official website or verified social media profiles.
• Avoid sharing excessive personal information, particularly if an offer seems too good to be true.
• Report any suspicious activity to the platform or appropriate consumer protection authorities.
Final Note:
Scammers continuously update their tactics, so staying informed and cautious is your best defense. For the most up-to-date information and further guidance, refer to trusted sources such as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or your local consumer protection agency.
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Contact info:
Visit our websites at www.sterlingcreations.ca
www.donnajodhan.com
www.sterlingcreations.com
Email us at info@sterlingcreations.ca
Or call us at 416 491-7711