You Only Have 2 Days Left to Order Your Free At-Home COVID Tests. Here's How

You Only Have 2 Days Left to Order Your Free At-Home COVID Tests. Here's How

For the most up-to-date news and information about the coronavirus pandemic, visit the

WHO

and

CDC

websites.

Time is running out to get your free at-home COVID-19 test kits because the US federal government is ending its program soon. USA Today first reported on Aug. 26 that the decision was made due to a limited supply of tests. This comes just as the fall season approaches and as students start the new school year.

Over the weekend, US Postal Service updated its page for at-home COVID tests with an announcement that says the "order for free at-home COVID-19 tests program will be suspended on Friday, September 2, 2022."

The last day to order free COVID tests is Friday, Sept. 2.

USPS/Screenshot by Peter Butler

In January, the government launched CovidTests.gov, a website that let households order four free rapid antigen COVID-19 tests shipped by the US Postal Service. The site added four more free tests in March, and then another eight more in May. 

If you haven't received any tests, you can still get all 16 free tests, but you'll need to act quickly. Luckily, it only takes two minutes to order your tests. See below to find out how to get test kits, when they'll arrive and what to do if you have problems. 

How to get free COVID-19 tests

You only need to provide the US Postal Service with a few bits of information to get your free test kits. You won't be asked to provide any credit or debit card details, as both the tests and the shipping are free. Here's how to get your free test kits. 

1. Visit special.USPS.com/testkits. You can also get there via covidtests.gov.

2. Enter your contact details and shipping information.

3. Click Check Out Now.

4. Verify that your information is correct and select Place My Order.

All orders will be shipped via First Class Package Service.

People who can't access the website or who have trouble ordering online can call 800-232-0233 to order their free tests.

How can I track my order?

Once you place your order, you should receive a confirmation email. When your package ships, you'll receive email notifications providing you with shipping updates, including a tracking number and estimated delivery date. Note that for the third round, you'll receive two packages that'll likely arrive on different days, so look for two confirmation emails with your tracking numbers.

Once you receive it, you can either click the tracking link or copy and paste the tracking number into the Postal Service's website's tracker.

More free COVID-19 test kits are coming.

Sarah Tew/CNET

How many test kits can I get? 

According to the USPS, each residential household is eligible for three rounds of free at-home rapid antigen COVID-19 tests, for a total of 16 kits.

Only one person per address will be able to place an order for the free tests, even if you have multiple people living in your home. 

Can I choose which brand test I get? 

No, there isn't an option to choose which brand of test you will receive. All tests are rapid antigen tests authorized by the Food and Drug Administration, like iHealth.

When will the test kits arrive? 

Tests are typically sent out within seven to 12 days of an order being successfully placed and are delivered by the USPS within one to three days of shipping.

iHealth COVID-19 rapid antigen tests are supplied for free via USPS.

Angus Mordant/Getty Images

What if I haven't received my first or second batch of test kits?

The USPS says its site has had some difficulties recognizing certain residential addresses, especially apartment buildings, multifamily homes and residences connected to commercial properties. 

If you have had issues placing an order, you can file a service request online or call the USPS Help Desk at 800-ASK-USPS.

Is it OK to use a test kit that was left outside?

According to the FDA, manufacturers have ensured that the tests remain stable at various temperatures, "including shipping during the summer in very hot regions and in the winter in very cold regions."

But a test may be damaged by being left outdoors in freezing temperatures or being used immediately after being brought inside from freezing temperatures. 

The ideal temperature to store rapid antigen COVID-19 test kits is between 59 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit. 

The FDA has warned about the effect of extreme heat on COVID tests, saying that, "long exposure to high temperatures may impact the test performance," but also recommends simply confirming the test line on the kit. 

"As long as the test line[s] appear as described in the instructions, you can be confident that the test is performing as it should," the FDA site says.

The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.

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Wordle on first try wordle in 1 try better words for finished words that mean done or finished other words meaning finished finish your homework finish your champagne houston

Finished Your Wordle For the Day? Try These Puzzles Next

Finished Your Wordle For the Day? Try These Puzzles Next

If you're still playing Wordle and need even more puzzles to keep the mind ticking, there are a ton of games worth your time.

Wordle asks players to figure out a five-letter word in six or fewer guesses (get some tips here). After each guess, the game shows gray blocks for wrong letters, yellow blocks for right letters in the wrong spot and green blocks for right letters in the correct spot. It's addictive, but after you solve the daily puzzle or use up all your guesses, you have to wait until the next day to play again.

You've likely already learned some tips, tricks and lessons from the popular word game, so why not apply your newly honed problem-solving skills to other puzzles, too? After all, Wordle isn't the only game in town. Here are 24 other puzzle games to play.

Multiple word Wordle spinoffs: Quordle, Octordle, Dordle and Sedecordle

Are you up for a challenge? If you love Wordle and want a puzzle game that takes more brain power, you'll want to check out Quordle, Octordle, Dordle and Sedecordle. Each of these four word games look very similar to Wordle, but add more rows, columns and words to solve. Dordle requires you to solve two words at once. Quordle, four at once. Octordle, eight, and Sedecordle a whopping 16. Good luck. 

You can play Quordle, Octordle, Dordle or Sedecordle on any web browser.

Word Master

This Wordle remake gives you six tries to guess a five-letter word but with a slight tweak. Word Master uses gray, yellow and green blocks in the same way as the original. How is it different from Wordle? Word Master offers unlimited games so you don't have to wait 24 hours.

You can play Word Master on any web browser.

Hello Wordl

Hello Wordl -- another Wordle remake -- gives you six tries to guess a word and uses the same colored blocks to track your progress. In addition to unlimited games, Hello Wordl also lets you change the number of letters in the word you're guessing. Guess a four-letter word or use the in-game slider to go all the way up to an 11-letter word. You still get six chances to guess no matter how long a word is, though.

You can play Hello Wordl on any web browser.

Lewdle

Before you play Lewdle, the game's content advisory reads, "Lewdle is a game about rude words. If you're likely to be offended by the use of profanity, vulgarity or obscenity, go play Wordle instead!" Translation: It's Wordle, but with bad words. The words range from mild -- like poopy -- to words that would make a sailor blush. However, despite the numerous bad words the game pulls from, slurs are not included. Like Wordle, you get six tries to guess a five-letter word; gray, yellow and green blocks are used in the same way; and there's only one puzzle per day. Go forth and let the bad words flow!

You can play Lewdle on any web browser.

Absurdle

Absurdle bills itself as the "adversarial version" of Wordle. While Wordle nudges you in the right direction with each guess, Absurdle "is actively trying to avoid giving you the answer," according to the game's website. Absurdle doesn't pick a word at the beginning of the game for the player to guess. Instead it uses the player's guesses to narrow its list of words down in an effort to make the game go as long as possible. The final word might not even include a yellow letter from one of your earlier guesses either. You can guess as many times as you want, which is helpful, and the best score you can get is four guesses. Have fun!

You can play Absurdle on any web browser.

Crosswordle

Sure, Wordle is fun, but what if there was a crossword element to it? Enter Crosswordle. In this Wordle-inspired game, you have to figure out two words of varying lengths that intersect with each other like a crossword puzzle. The gray, yellow and green color blocks are the same, and there's one puzzle a day. However, it looks like you can guess as many times as you want until you either get the words or give up. Unlike other Wordle-based games, Crosswordle lets you create your own custom Crosswordle puzzle to share with your friends. Here's one I made. If Crosswordle wasn't hard enough, the Settings page shows the developers are working on a Hard Mode.

You can play Crosswordle on any web browser.

Antiwordle

Tired of seeing those green blocks plastered all over your social media feed? Give Antiwordle a shot. Where Wordle wants you to guess a word every day in as few tries as possible, Antiwordle wants you to avoid the word by guessing as many times as possible. When you guess, letters will turn gray, yellow or red. Gray means the letter isn't in the word and can't be used again, yellow means the letter is in the word and must be included in each subsequent guess and red means the letter is in the exact position within the word and is locked in place. If you can use every letter on the keyboard and not get the word right, you win. It sounds easy, but I've found this version of Wordle to be much harder than the original.

You can play Antiwordle on any web browser.

Lordle of the Rings

Lordle of the Rings is for the Tolkien fan who wants in on the Wordle fun. The gray, yellow and green blocks are here, and players have six tries to guess a five-letter word from the main Lord of the Rings text. Possible guesses include places like Rohan, well-known characters like Frodo and Smaug and lesser known characters like Turin, Hurin and Idril. There's only one puzzle a day, but you can play that puzzle more than once in the same day if you want.

You can play Lordle of the Rings on any web browser.

Primel

If you are more of a numbers person, Primel is for you. In this game, you get six tries to guess a five-digit prime number. The gray, yellow and green color blocks are back, and you only get one puzzle a day. What makes this game even more frustrating though is the game only accepts prime numbers as guesses, so that alone is difficult. Throw in the Wordle aspect and you're sure to be scratching your head.

You can play Primel on any web browser.

Nerdle

Nerdle is another option for people who are more into numbers. This time though you have to guess the math equation and solution. You get six chances to guess the equation and solution, and the equation must be mathematically sound, too, so don't forget PEMDAS. After each guess, numbers or symbols that are in the correct spot will be green; numbers or symbols in the wrong place in the equation will be purple; numbers or symbols not in the equation will be black. After you finish one puzzle, you have to wait eight hours before the next one. Here's a hint: The "=" sign is always in the puzzle. You can thank us later.

You can play Nerdle on any web browser. 

IYKYK

IYKYK is a combination of Wordle and the card game #CultureTags and was made by the same team behind #CultureTags, too. In this game, you are given an acronym and have to figure out the acronym in three guesses or less. You are given the first letter of each word, how many letters are in each word and a hint after your second guess, and the green, yellow and gray blocks make an appearance here, too. While this game is based off #CultureTags, the acronyms used in that game aren't repeated in IYKYK. 

You can play IYKYK on any web browser. 

Worldle

Don't like words or numbers? Give Worldle a shot. This geography-based Wordle spinoff gives you six tries to guess what country or territory is shown. Instead of gray, yellow and green blocks marking letters or numbers after each guess, you see distance, direction and proximity percentage, like a game of hot and cold. For example, if you guess Chile, Worldle might show you 13,557 kilometers and an arrow pointing northeast with 32%. This means the correct country or territory is 13,557 km to the northeast of Chile and there is a 32% proximity rate. Translation: You're cold. There's only one puzzle a day, and there are options to make the game harder by either not showing the country or rotating the country shown randomly. 

You can play Worldle on any web browser.

Heardle

Can you guess a song just from listening to the first few seconds? Heardle is for you. In this game, a song is chosen from a list of popularly streamed artists, one second of the song is played and you have to name the song. You have six guesses, and more of the song is unlocked with each wrong guess. You can skip a turn, too, and that also unlocks more of the song. Once you've solved or missed the puzzle, a timer will show how long until the next puzzle.

You can play Heardle on any web browser.

Name That Ride

Are you a gearhead who can tell the difference between a '55 and a '57 Chevy Bel Air? You should try Name That Ride. In this game, you have 20 seconds and six guesses to name the vehicle in the picture, as more of the image reveals itself. When you think you know what vehicle is in the picture, you click Guess -- which pauses the timer -- and type in your answer. There's a preset list of cars, so even if you aren't sure of a car's year, you can make an educated guess.

You can play Name That Ride on any web browser.

Lookdle

Lookdle is similar to Name That Ride, but this game has you guess which famous person is shown in a pixelated picture. You get five guesses, and with each wrong guess the picture comes more into focus. There is also a preset list of names you can choose from, but the list doesn't have every famous person in it. That can be good since it narrows down who can be in each picture, or it can be bad because who you think is in the picture might not be an option. 

You can play Lookdle on any web browser. 

Framed

If you know what movie is showing by seeing a few frames, then give Framed a try. In this game, you have to guess the name of a movie from a series of frames. You have six guesses, and with each wrong guess you are shown a new frame from the movie. You can click back through the frames to re-examine them as well. In my experience, the frames go from pretty innocuous to more specific. Like other games on this list, there is a preset list of movies to guess from which could help narrow down what the movie is without using a guess.

You can play Framed on any web browser.

Words With Friends is a classic, and it's still a popular word game.

Zynga

Words With Friends

What kind of list of word games would this be without this classic? Words With Friends plays like a virtual game of Scrabble and is still popular more than a decade after its original launch. You and your opponent, either another person or the computer, get letters and make words on the board for points and whoever has the most points at the end wins. 

You can download Words With Friends from the Apple App Store, Google Play Store or play it in any web browser.

Word Forward

Word Forward is like Boggle but with power-ups and tools to help you. You play on a five-by-five board of letters and try to make words with those letters. When you make a word, the used letters vanish. You keep going until you clear the board. If you get stuck, you can use your power-ups and tools to eliminate some letters or jumble the board to replace the letters with new ones.

You can buy Word Forward in the App Store, the Play Store, the Nintendo Game Store for the Nintendo Switch or on Steam.

Wordscapes gives players letters and asks them to fill in a crossword puzzle with those letters.

Google Play

Wordscapes

Wordscapes is a mix between Boggle and a crossword puzzle. You are given a bank of letters at the bottom of your screen and there's a crossword puzzle at the top. You make words with the letters in your bank and fill out the crossword with them. Once you complete the puzzle, you're rewarded with a nice landscape picture.

You can download Wordscapes from the App Store or the Play Store.

Kitty Letter

Kitty Letter is a word game from the creators behind The Oatmeal and Exploding Kittens. In the game, you unscramble letters to make words which then turn into armies of cats. What do the cats do? They attack either the player or computer you are playing against, as well as defend your home. It's an absurd tower defense game where your words create legions of cats willing to fight on your behalf.

You can download Kitty Letter from the App Store or the Play Store.

SpellTower

In SpellTower, letters rise from the bottom of the screen and you have to assemble words as quickly as possible. Each word you make eliminates the used letters, and if any letter reaches the top of your screen the game ends. It's like Tetris in that regard. There are also 10 other game modes, including Search Mode, where you try to find the longest word using specific letters. 

You can download SpellTower from the App Store or the Play Store. You can also get it on Apple Arcade -- there's a subscription fee for the service, but you'll get this and other games ad-free and with in-app purchases already unlocked.

For more word game fun, check out CNET's Wordle tips, the best Wordle jokes and how to play past Wordle puzzles. If you haven't downloaded Wordle yet, here's how you can do it today.

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5 Grounding Techniques to Manage Anxiety

5 Grounding Techniques to Manage Anxiety

While we wish we could give you a foolproof guide on how to get rid of anxiety fast, the reality is that anxiety is a health and, just like a cold or arthritis, getting relief usually comes from continually applying treatment instead of a one-and-done fix. The good news? We can show you how to calm anxiety right where you are. If anxiety is a pervasive part of your life, talking with a primary care doctor or therapist can go a long way. 

We'll start simple first. If you want to learn how to deal with anxiety, you've come to the right place. 

Read More: 6 Best Teas for Anxiety and Stress for 2022

Can you really get rid of anxiety? 

You might have come here to learn how to get rid of anxiety fast. However, anxiety isn't an old item you can just toss to the curb. If you live with anxiety, you might be dealing with a diagnosable mental health condition that will likely be a part of your life long-term. It can take many forms -- like social anxiety or a phobia. In any case, learning how to deal with anxiety means figuring out how anxiety affects you personally.  

To find out if you're living with generalized anxiety disorder, the most common type of anxiety, Mental Health America has a free online screening tool that you can use. 

Whether you want to figure out how to get rid of social anxiety, GAD, panic attacks, phobias or another way that anxiety is impacting your life, it starts with learning your triggers. That means identifying your symptoms and what causes them, so let's start there. 

JLco - Julia Amaral/Getty Images

What are the symptoms of anxiety? 

The symptoms of anxiety depend on the type of anxiety affecting you. The five most common types are:

• GAD
  
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder 
  
• Panic disorder
  
• Post-traumatic stress disorder 
  
• Social anxiety disorder
  

If you want to learn how to get rid of anxiety, it's worth doing some research to find out what type could be affecting you and the symptoms it causes. Talking to a doctor can help, too. 

That said, since GAD is the most common form of anxiety and many of its symptoms apply to other anxiety disorders, we look at those here. Before we dive in, you should know that anxiety looks different for everyone. Symptoms vary and it can be challenging to tell if you're living with a diagnosable anxiety disorder or whether you just need new tools for dealing with stress. 

Ultimately, knowing what symptoms to look for can help you decide if it's time to talk to your doctor. Anxiety can manifest both physically and mentally so let's look at both. 

Physical symptoms of anxiety :

• Headaches
  
• Fatigue
  
• Stomach aches
  
• Excessive sweating
  
• Nausea and digestive problems
  
• Sleep problems
  
• Achy or tense muscles
  

Psychological symptoms of anxiety :

• A pervasive sense of worry that you can't control
  
• The consistent feeling that something bad will happen
  
• Overthinking and imagining the worst outcome
  
• Restlessness
  
• Irritability
  
• Decision-making problems
  

What is a panic attack?

Panic disorder is the kind of anxiety that causes panic attacks, which are marked by the sudden onset of symptoms like:

• A racing heart
  
• Difficulty breathing
  
• Sweating
  
• Dizziness
  
• Trembling
  
• Numbness or tingling
  
• Chills or hot flashes
  

Panic attacks happen quickly but usually go away within five to 20 minutes. 

Keep reading: How to Stop and Prevent an Anxiety Attack  

How to get rid of anxiety in the moment 

While we can't promise to show you how to get rid of anxiety for good, we can equip you with grounding techniques. Having these tools at the ready can help you through challenging times, so let's dig in. 

Acknowledge you are feeling anxious

Naming something can make it feel less scary. When you're having a panic attack, knowing that it is a panic attack -- and that it will pass -- can go a long way.

Similarly, if you live with GAD, knowing that what you're feeling is part of a health condition, not a reflection of how the world actually is, can help you feel more grounded. Talking to someone about what you're feeling, whether it's a friend or a doctor, can also help to provide anxiety relief. 

Practice breathing exercises 

Breathing is one of the most powerful calming tools. Between the added oxygen and the stimulation for your parasympathetic nervous system, breathing can work wonders. Plus, breathing techniques are free and you can do them anywhere. 

As you learn how to deal with anxiety, it can be helpful to memorize some breathing exercises you can do anytime, anywhere. Slow, diaphragmatic breathing is a great place to start. Putting your hands on your stomach can help you learn this skill, but you don't necessarily need to do that if you're in public. 

Read more: 5 Easy Breathing Exercises to Relieve Stress and Relax 

10'000 Hours/Getty Images

Try the 5-4-3-2-1 method while anxious

Grounding yourself makes a big difference when you're feeling anxious. To do that, you can use the 5-4-3-2-1 method:

• Look around and spot five individual things.
  
• Touch four things near you. 
• Acknowledge three things you can hear. 
• Identify two smells.
• Check in with your mouth for one thing you can taste.

By tapping into your senses, you're bringing yourself back to the present moment and anchoring yourself there. Don't be afraid to walk around to get all 5-4-3-2-1 things named. Take your time and use this as a way to help yourself relax.

Distract yourself 

It's easier said than done, but distraction can be a useful tool. Try to reposition your mind from a place of worry to focusing on something you enjoy. Go for a walk somewhere nice, listen to music you love, show your pet some love, get yourself a beverage to enjoy, chat with a coworker -- whatever works to distract your mind.  

Journal through situations

Studies show that journaling can help as you're learning how to calm anxiety. You could freewrite, jotting down whatever comes to your mind. Getting it out of your head and down the page can help with letting things go. Or you might try to journal about what you're grateful for since that can shift your mind to more positive thoughts. 

More tips to help

If you're still hunting for how to deal with anxiety when it affects you, we have some more calming life hacks you can try out. 

When do I need treatment for my anxiety? 

Even though there's no immediate fix to get rid of anxiety once and for all, you can learn how to help anxiety when it impacts you. The tools we just laid out can build the arsenal you can turn to whenever you need anxiety relief.

Be mindful of how often you turn to that toolbox. Most of us deal with anxious feelings from time to time. If you're leaning on these tools to get you through the day on a regular basis, you may benefit from professional help.

Signs treatment may help your anxiety:

• Your anxiety is a daily obstacle 
  
• You've stopped doing things you used to enjoy because you feel anxious
  
• You worry through most of every day
  
• You continually feel physically unwell
  
• You always assume the worst outcome
  
• You experience panic attacks
  

Getting relief could mean talk therapy, medication or something else. But if all of this sounded familiar, know that help is waiting. Talk to your primary care provider or find a therapist in your area or online. Mental health experts are your best bet if you want to figure out how to treat anxiety that continually affects you. 

The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.

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Should i get mortgage preapproval what is preapproval for a mortgage how to pre approved for mortgage how to get a mortgage preapproval should i get mortgage preapproval need pre approval mortgage requirements for mortgage preapproval get preapproval online mortgage is preapproval for a mortgage required mortgage preapproval means

Mortgage preapproval: Everything you need to know to get preapproved

Mortgage preapproval: Everything you need to know to get preapproved

Buying a home -- especially for the first time -- is a complicated process. One of the first and most significant steps of buying a home is getting your mortgage preapproval. It's proof that you've lined up the financing you need to close on the home. Without a preapproval letter, most sellers aren't going to take your offer seriously.

Although some lenders have tightened their standards due to the pandemic, it's usually not too difficult or complicated to get a home-loan preapproval. Let's look at how it works.

What does it mean to be preapproved for a mortgage? 

A mortgage preapproval is a letter from a lender indicating that you are tentatively approved for a loan. It typically includes a maximum loan amount, interest rate and any other relevant terms or information. 

Significantly, getting preapproved for a mortgage doesn't guarantee you will actually get a loan -- or the specific rate and terms on offer. Rather, it's a statement from the lender stating its intention to lend and the terms involved, assuming the information you've provided about your income, employment and financial situation is accurate. It also assumes that there will be no significant changes to your financial situation or credit score -- losing your job or taking out another loan, for instance -- as these could impact the terms or even disqualify you.

"Many housing markets across the country are struggling with inventory, increasing demand substantially," said Jefferson Watters, a loan originator for AmeriSave Mortgage Corporation. "A preapproval demonstrates a commitment from the buyer and tells sellers that the buyer is completely qualified to purchase their home. In most cases, if a seller has two equal offers on the table, with the only difference being that one buyer is preapproved, the seller will almost always choose the preapproved offer."

Preapproval vs. prequalification: What's the difference?

When you start looking for a mortgage, another term you might come across is "prequalification." Though home loan preapproval and prequalification are often used interchangeably, the process and terminology varies among lenders. 

In some cases, prequalification is based on your answers to a few initial questions and a soft credit check (where a lender checks your score but doesn't pull a full report that could impact your credit). It usually doesn't include details about loan amount, interest rate or terms. As such, it's less authoritative than a preapproval -- but it's a good way to get an initial idea of whether you're in good enough financial shape to qualify for a mortgage.

"A true preapproval will verify assets, income and the ability to repay the loan," Watters said. "Some lenders will offer a preliminary prequalification letter, but this only shows a borrower qualifying based off of the information they submitted in their application."

When you're ready to make an offer on a home, you'll want to have an official statement from a lender -- or, better yet, multiple lenders -- that you can get the financing and terms you need to close on the deal. Whichever term your lender uses, make sure you have it before you make an offer.

When should you get preapproved?

When you apply for preapproval, your lender will first gather some basic financial information from you and pull your credit report. In most cases, that means a hard inquiry on your credit, which could affect your credit score. Given this, you shouldn't apply for preapproval until you're serious about buying a home. This will both protect you from impairing your credit score unnecessarily and ensure that your preapproval is valid when you're ready to make an offer; a home-loan preapproval letter is typically only good for 30 to 60 days.

Having multiple preapproval letters from a few different lenders will only strengthen your hand. And if you get multiple inquiries for the same type of credit within a short period of time, the credit bureaus will usually treat those as one inquiry and avoid knocking your credit score.

How to get preapproved for a mortgage 

The process for getting a mortgage preapproval is fairly straightforward, and the better prepared you are, the more smoothly and quickly it will go.

Step 1: Review your financial situation

Before you apply for preapproval, it's a good idea to assess your current financial situation. 

Pull your credit report: Under normal circumstances, you're entitled to one free report from each bureau every 12 months, but you can now get a free credit report every week through April 2021. (Note that pulling your own report doesn't impact your score.) Review your credit history to make sure everything is accurate; you can reach out to lenders and the credit bureaus to make corrections if need be. 

Calculate your debt-to-income ratio: A key factor in getting prequalified for a mortgage, your DTI ratio represents your total monthly debt payments as a percentage of your monthly income. Most lenders won't offer a loan that will put your DTI above 43%. So, if you currently have an auto payment of $300, monthly minimum credit card payments of $65 and a monthly income of $5,000, your lender will only approve you for a mortgage with a monthly payment of $1,785.

Step 2: Submit your documents

For an official prequalification, lenders won't simply take your word for it when it comes to your income and liabilities. You need to show proof. Each lender may have different requirements, but here are some documents and information you will usually need to submit for yourself and anyone else on the loan application:

• Your employment history (and contacts for verification)
• Pay stubs from the last 30 days
• Bank statements from the last two months
• W-2s and possibly tax returns from the last two years
• Insurance agent contact information and declarations
• Outstanding debt information (your lender can usually just pull this from your credit report)
• Business financial statements and tax returns (if you're self-employed)
• Expected down payment (this affects your loan terms, interest rate and potential private mortgage insurance)

Self-employed individuals may have to provide additional paperwork to demonstrate proof of long-term income. Additional documents required often include:

• Profit and loss statements
• Business licenses
• Tax returns and bank statements from the past two years
• Balance statements

Not all lenders will require all of this information for preapproval, but you'll need to provide it at some point before your loan becomes official. And having all of it prepared may speed up the process.

Step 3: Lender review of credit and documentation

Next, your lender will review all of your documents, pull your credit report and seek to verify all of your information. This may include calling current and previous employers to verify your employment and wages, confirming outstanding loan amounts and investigating unusual transactions on your bank statements. Normally, this process should take no more than a few days.

Step 4: Get your home loan preapproval (or rejection) letter

Once your lender has completed its review, you'll receive the verdict. If there are no serious issues, you'll receive a preapproval letter indicating your maximum loan amount, estimated interest rate, loan type and terms. You'll want to give this letter to your real estate agent so they'll have it ready to submit with any offer.

What to do if you're declined for a preapproval

There's always a chance you won't get preapproved for a mortgage. But don't be disheartened. One rejection doesn't mean you can never get a mortgage. Especially during the pandemic, some lenders have tightened their standards for credit scores, down payments and more. But that won't last forever.

"We've been seeing these restrictions starting to soften as the market starts to recover and the economy becomes more accustomed to a completely virtual way of life," Watters said.

If you do get rejected, be sure you try applying with another lender. If one lender denied you for a credit score of 690, you can probably find a lender that's still qualifying borrowers for a conventional loan at 620 and above.

If you apply with a few lenders and still can't get preapproved, don't lose heart. Under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (PDF), your lender has to tell you why your application was denied. It may have been your credit score, or it may be that you haven't been at your current job long enough. Whatever the reason is, now you know what to work on so you can get preapproved in the future.

What are the pitfalls?

Getting approved is usually pretty straightforward, but there are opportunities for things to go sideways. Here are a few things to avoid.

Applying when you're not really ready: If you already know your credit isn't great or you have too much debt, don't waste time applying for preapproval (and hurting your credit even more in the process). Make a plan to rebuild your credit to enhance your chances in six to 12 months from now.

Assuming your terms are final: Again, getting preapproved for a mortgage is not the same as officially having your loan underwritten and secured. Your terms can change. For instance, unless your rate is locked for 30 or 60 days, your final rate may vary, albeit slightly. If any information you provided wasn't accurate, that could change your final terms, too.

Taking on new debt between preapproval and underwriting: For that matter, your own financial choices can change your loan terms or derail the loan altogether. Once you're preapproved, it's time to wait on any big financial changes. That means no changing jobs, no new credit cards, no major purchases such as a new car.

Waiting too long after preapproval: Your loan preapproval is usually only good for 30 to 60 days. Once you have a letter, it's time to start house hunting and getting ready to make an offer. Otherwise, you may have to restart the process.

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Millions can't pay their car loans. Here's what to do if you're one of them

Millions can't pay their car loans. Here's what to do if you're one of them

If you've skipped a car payment or two recently -- or you worry you might have to miss an upcoming one -- you're not alone. Due to the coronavirus recession and record levels of unemployment, over 7% of all car loans in the US are currently in some sort of deferment program, according to recent data released by credit reporting agency TransUnion.

Typically, missing a car payment can damage your credit score or even lead to the bank repossessing your vehicle. However, in the wake of the recent economic turmoil brought on by the coronavirus pandemic, most lenders have streamlined their financial hardship programs and are willing to be a bit forgiving if you just ask for help.

But just like the help available with rent payments and unemployment benefits, you do have to ask. The worst thing you can do is ignore the problem and assume it'll work itself out on its own. (Scroll to the end for what else you should absolutely not do.)

Here's a look at the most current information and resources we could locate to help you deal with your car payment. We'll continue to update this story as new details emerge.

First, see what assistance your lender has to offer

You'll want to know what kinds of programs your bank, credit union or other auto loan provider may have available to you. Also, if there are any state laws that might offer some protections against repossession, you'll want to find out about those, too. 

Here are the most comprehensive resources we've been able to turn up to help with both. (If you don't see your lender on any of those lists, try contacting the company directly through its website or app.)

As businesses like this soda and candy shop in Asheville, North Carolina, start to reopen, you can bet repossession companies will be back to work, too.

Sarah Tew/CNET

Most repos occur after two or three months of no payments

If you've fallen behind (or you think you're going to fall behind) on your car payment for 90 days or longer, you may very well be at risk of having your car repossessed. Your lender may be more lenient if you've never missed a payment before, but the more often you've been late in the past, the sooner they might attempt repossession. 

One way around this, however, is a deferment or forbearance program.

What are auto loan deferment programs and how do they work?

Under normal circumstances, most lenders will report a late payment to the credit bureaus once it's at least 30 days overdue, and they'll typically come to take your vehicle away after you've missed three or more payments in a row. 

A deferment or forbearance allows you to skip between one and three payments with no late fees or penalties. After the deferment period ends, either your monthly payment will either go up slightly or your loan will be extended by about the same amount of time as the deferment.  

On the downside, interest will continue to accrue during the months you skip your payment, so you'll end up paying more for your vehicle in the long run. But on the plus side, your missed payments will not show up as negative marks on your credit report, so your credit score shouldn't take a hit.

How to talk to your bank about your options 

Most lenders' programs have been streamlined to be pretty simple to apply for. Fill out a form, possibly attach some documentation (termination letter, layoff notice, etc.), send it off to your lender and wait for an approval confirmation. If your bank doesn't have it set up that easy and you have no idea where to begin, the legal services website DoNotPay has a chatbot that can help you draft a letter to your lender.

That said, you can probably handle this on your own. Just be honest and forthcoming about your situation and realistic about how much time you'll need to get back on your feet. Generally speaking, banks would rather work with you and retain you as a customer than leave you stranded without a vehicle.

Ford is currently offering to pay six months' worth of new vehicle payments when you purchase a new car from the company.

Wayne Cunningham/CNET

What normally happens when you miss a car payment?

In most states, a lender, like your bank, can start the repossession process the day after you miss even just one payment, but most companies give their customers a grace period. Often the lender won't even charge a late fee until the payment is at least 10 days late, and most won't report it to the three major credit bureaus until it's over 30 days late. 

If you go past 30 days delinquent -- and especially if you miss the next two payments in your loan cycle as well -- that's where you start treading into repossession, or repo, territory. 

How repossession works 

In most cases, your lender will contract with a third-party agency that specializes in repossessions. That company will use whatever information it can get -- your home and work addresses, for example -- to track down the vehicle and tow it to a secured, usually gated lot. It does not need your car keys to take your car. 

The repo company will then charge your bank for towing the vehicle, as well as a daily storage fee, usually around $25 to $75 per day. Unless you happened to have left your keys in the car, the repo company will also contract a locksmith to make a new set of keys -- then charge your bank for that service, too. When all is said and done, you'll owe anywhere from a few hundred to over a thousand dollars in charges, which you'll still be liable for whether you get your car out of repo or not. 

If you quit paying your car payment, eventually a vehicle recovery service will come tow your car.

Andrew Hoyle/CNET

Are car repossession companies even open right now?

The auto repossession industry never quite figured out whether repo companies, many of which laid off dozens of employees early on in the pandemic, were even allowed to operate in areas under strict shelter-in-place orders. The Association of Credit and Collection Professionals, a lobbying group for debt collectors, has argued that debt collection is an essential service, but lawmakers have yet to chime in.

However, as most US cities are far along in the process of reopening and orders shuttering nonessential businesses have mostly been lifted, you can probably bet that repo companies will be up and running as soon as they can be.

Your rights vs. the bank's rights 

In pretty much every instance your bank does not need a court order to attempt to repossess your car. You can view a list of every state's specific automobile repossession laws here, but generally speaking, your lending institution (or a company it hires) has the right to come onto your property and take the car so long as no one commits a "breach of the peace."

That means its representatives can't break into a locked garage, through a locked gate or otherwise use physical force against you or your property to take possession of your vehicle. They can, however, follow you to work, for example, or the grocery store, and wait until you leave your car unattended. 

How to get your car out of repo -- and what happens if you don't 

What if it's too late and your car has already been repoed? Many states have laws on the books about how long and under what conditions lenders must allow you the opportunity to get your vehicle back, but the terms aren't exactly favorable, especially if you're in the kind of financial situation that led to repo in the first place.

Generally, the law only compels lenders to release your car if you pay off the loan plus any towing and storage charges that have accrued. In practice, however, most lenders are willing to give your car back if you can at least catch up with your late payments (and, of course, even up with the repo company as well). 

One option if you're struggling to pay your car payment is to try and sell your car for cash to pay off the loan, but that won't work if you owe more than the car is worth.

Sarah Tew/CNET

If you leave your vehicle in repo, either because you can't afford to get it out or you just decide it's not worth it, you're still not completely off the hook. The bank will likely auction off your car to the highest bidder, then apply the revenue from that sale to your remaining balance, including repossession charges. If that doesn't cover your entire debt, the bank can come after you for the remainder, including handing your account over to a collection agency and reporting the delinquency to the credit bureaus. 

You have a few wild-card options as well 

If you're at risk of having your car or truck repossessed, there are other options available besides deferment, but none quite as simple or easy. You could do what's called a "voluntary repossession," where you contact your lender and indicate your desire to turn your vehicle over to it. Your credit will take a hit and you'll be liable for any outstanding debt the bank fails to recoup at auction, but the overall impact to both your credit score and pocketbook will be less than if you wait for the bank to forcibly repo your car.

You can refinance your car for a lengthier loan term with a lower monthly payment, but that will only work if you've already paid off a substantial amount of the principal. If you've only had your car loan for a year or two, you might actually still owe more than it's worth. Also, your credit has to be good enough for a bank to underwrite a new loan for you, which may or may not be the case anymore. 

You could also try to sell your car on the open market, or trade it in for something less expensive, but again, with the economy now in a full-blown recession, neither of these options seems very compelling.

What you absolutely should not do 

Whatever you do, don't try to hide your car from your bank or the repo company. For one, you're probably not going to beat them at their own game, and the longer it takes to find it (and the more difficult you make it), the more they're going to charge you for their services in the end. 

Stop! Don't just sit back and wait until the bank repos your car. Be proactive and ask and your lender may be able to help.

Shara Tibken/CNET

And don't just stop paying your loan and hope for the best. Whether or not lawmakers decide the repo industry performs an "essential" function, or if the repo man has to wait for a treatment or vaccine like the rest of us before getting back to work, eventually your delinquency will catch up with you. With banks demonstrating some compassion right now for those who've suffered financial hardship, you might as well take advantage of one of their relief programs while you can. 

Chances are if you're worried about making your car payment, you have other bills keeping you up at night, too. Here's what you need to know about rent relief during the pandemic, as well as what assistance is available if you have a mortgage. For taxes, credit cards and everything else, here's what other financial help is available.

The editorial content on this page is based solely on objective, independent assessments by our writers and is not influenced by advertising or partnerships. It has not been provided or commissioned by any third party. However, we may receive compensation when you click on links to products or services offered by our partners.

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Counting Your Macros: What They Are and How to Calculate Them

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Counting Your Macros: What They Are and How to Calculate Them

This story is part of Health by the Numbers, CNET's deep dive into how we quantify health.

For some people, tracking your daily diet can be a helpful way to make sure you're getting the right amount of fuel each day. Trying to track every single calorie might not be your best bet, though. Instead, consider tracking your macronutrients -- that's basically a fancier word for the major nutrient groups that your body needs, which are carbohydrates, fats and protein.

There are many benefits to tracking macros instead of calories. First, you'll have a more balanced diet by focusing on eating a variety of nutrients that give your body energy and help your digestive system work. Not only can this practice help you reach your health goals faster than focusing on calories alone, this method of food logging can also help you understand which types of food make you feel good or bad, which foods improve your athletic performance and which foods help you focus or make you drag. Counting macros can also help you shift your current eating habits to healthier patterns for the long-term.

You'll need to learn how to read a nutrition facts label for this approach, but the benefits far outweigh the time you'll spend grasping the concept of a macro diet. 

Read also: What's in a Calorie, and Why That Matters More Than the Number

What are macronutrients?

Macronutrients are molecules we need in large amounts, also known as the main nutrients we need to simply survive. Micronutrients, in contrast, are substances required in much smaller amounts, such as vitamins, minerals and electrolytes.

The three macronutrients are carbohydrates, proteins and fats. Despite fad diets, you do need all three: Cutting out any one macronutrient puts you at risk for nutrient deficiencies and illness.

The three macronutrients are carbohydrates, proteins and fats.

Hudzilla/Getty Images

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates give you quick energy. When you eat carbs, your body converts them to glucose (sugar) and either uses that sugar immediately or stores it as glycogen for later use, often during exercise and in between meals. Complex carbohydrates — like starchy vegetables and whole grains -- also promote digestive health because they're high in dietary fiber.

Protein

Protein helps you grow, repair injuries, build muscle and fend off infections, to name a few functions. Proteins are made of amino acids, which are the building blocks of many structures in your body. You need 20 different amino acids, nine of which are essential amino acids, meaning your body can't produce them on its own and you must obtain them from food.

High-protein foods include poultry, beef, fish, soy, yogurt, cheese and other dairy products. If you stick with a plant-based diet, some starches, vegetables and beans are also good sources of protein.

Fats

Dietary fat is required for your body to do its many jobs. You need fat to absorb the fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E and K), to insulate your body during cold weather and to go long periods of time without eating. Dietary fat also protects your organs, supports cell growth and induces hormone production.

How many calories does each macronutrient have?

Each macronutrient corresponds to a specific calorie amount per gram: 

• Carbohydrates have 4 calories per gram
• Proteins have 4 calories per gram
• Fats have 9 calories per gram

How many macros should I eat?

There's really no answer to this question: Every person is different, and as such, every person's preferable macronutrient intake will be different. However, the federal dietary recommendations suggest this macronutrient ratio:

• 45% to 60% carbohydrate
• 20% to 35% fats
• Remainder from protein 

The federal suggestion is based on the fact that carbs serve as the body's main fuel source, and are the easiest macronutrient for the body to convert from food into energy. The metabolic processes for fat and protein are much more complex and take longer, which wouldn't serve you well when you need quick energy.

Your macro ratio depends on your health and fitness goals, as well as how your body responds to particular foods. For example, many people thrive on a low-carb diet, but the thought of a low-carb diet for myself makes me shudder. I perform at my best when I eat about 50% carbohydrates.

Similarly, you may do well on a high-protein diet, while someone else might experience digestive discomfort from consuming too much protein.

Note that some people, especially those on the keto diet, count net carbs instead of total carbs. To get net carbs, subtract the grams of fiber from the total grams of carbs. Why count net carbs? Our bodies don't digest fiber, so it doesn't get absorbed by the small intestine and doesn't provide your body with any energy. In that sense, calories from fiber don't really count. 

How to calculate macronutrients

Now you know what macros are and how many calories they have. Next, you'll need to do some math. That's because your intake ratio is written in percentages but nutrition information is provided in grams. I'll use my macro intake as an example.

1. First, you need to know how many calories you eat (or want to eat) each day. I eat roughly 2,300 calories per day.

2. Next, determine your ideal ratio. I like to eat about 50% carbs, 25% fat and 25% protein.

3. Then, multiply your total daily calories by your percentages.

4. Finally, divide your calorie amounts by its calorie-per-gram number.

Here's how I would calculate my calories for each macronutrient:

• Carbs: 2,300 x 0.50 equals 1,150. I eat 1,150 calories worth of carbs each day (hello, extra slice of toast).
• Protein: 2,300 x 0.25 equals 575, so I get 575 calories worth of protein.
• Fats: 2,300 x 0.25 equals 575. I also get 575 calories comprised of dietary fat. 

To calculate the actual gram amounts: 

• Carbs (4 calories per gram): 1,150 divided by 4 equals 287.5 grams of carbs.
• Protein (4 calories per gram): 575 divided by 4 equals 143.75 grams of protein
• Fat (9 calories per gram): 575 divided by 9 equals 63.8 grams of fat.

 If you don't like math, don't fret. The internet is home to a range of macronutrient calculators that will do the math for you.

The best macro calculators

Price: Free, but you must provide your email address to get your results.

IIFYM stands for "If It Fits Your Macros" -- a phrase and popular hashtag used by the macro-tracking community to refer to their flexible dieting approach.

This calculator is one of the most comprehensive available. It collects lifestyle and health information that many calculators don't, such as how active you are at work, what kind of cravings you have and whether you have any medical conditions.

The IIFYM calculator takes into account your daily routine and other important factors. 

Price: Free

Healthy Eater's macro calculator calculates your macronutrient ratio based on your age, gender, height, weight and activity level. You can customize your ratio based on whether you want to reduce your weight, lose 10% body fat, maintain or gain weight.

I like this macro calculator because you can see your ratio in terms of all day, three meals, four meals or five meals.

This macro calculator uses your lean body mass (LBM), basal metabolic rate (BMR) and total daily energy expenditure (TDEE) to calculate an accurate ratio. 

Legion Athletics

Price: Free

The Legion Athletics macro calculator is another very detailed calculator. It takes into account your weight, your body fat percentage, and your activity level. From there, this calculator determines your lean body mass, basal metabolic rate and total daily energy expenditure.

The upside to this calculator is that you get a more accurate ratio because it considers more factors. The downside is that you need to know your body composition before using it.

You choose whether you want to gain, lose or maintain your current weight, and you can use the sliders at the bottom to adjust your ratio if the automatic recommendation isn't ideal for you.

Tracking your macros

Your macro numbers aren't very helpful if you don't put them to use.

"Tracking macros" refers to the process of logging all your meals throughout the day and breaking down your macro ratio to ensure you're eating according to your goals. It sounds scary, but again, the web comes to the rescue with a slew of digital macro-tracking programs.

The best macro trackers

Price: Free or $20 per month

The free version of MyFitnessPal doesn't allow you to enter gram amounts for macros, only percentages. If you're comfortable with percentages only, then MFP is a great free option because of its barcode scanning feature and massive database of foods and drinks.

The MyFitnessPal dashboard breaks down your macronutrient intake with a helpful pie chart. 

MyFitnessPal

With a premium subscription, you can track by gram amounts and percentages, and you can see macro breakdowns for each meal and snack. A premium subscription also gets you extra features like food analyses (quality of what you're eating), food timestamps (when you eat what) and weekly reports.

MyMacros Plus is another great app with a large food database and barcode scanning feature.

You can also track your body weight and enter custom foods for homemade recipes so you don't have to log the individual ingredients. My favorite thing about MyMacros Plus is that it's usable without the internet, so you can track macros even when you're offline.

Tip: Food databases are helpful, but they often include multiple entries with different information for the same item, which can get confusing. It might be easier to manually log the macronutrients in your meals instead of relying on the food database. 

Cronometer offers a detailed dashboard and reports feature to easily track macros.

Cronometer

Price: $50 per year. Free version available.

The Cronometer tracker tracks vitamins and minerals in addition to macros. It also allows you to track important biometrics, such as blood pressure, cholesterol, sleep, mood, pulse and more — but you first need this information on hand to use the features.

If you do have access to that information, Cronometer provides insight into long-term trends and a clear snapshot of your overall health. While Cronometer is impressive, it can be a bit overwhelming if you only want to track macros, and not the rest of the metrics it offers.

Why should I track macros?

Know that you don't need to track macros to be healthy, lose weight, build muscle or reach any other health goal. The only time you actually need to track macros is if your doctor told you so.

In fact, logging your every bite can be frustrating and time-consuming, but it's worth noting that you'll get pretty good at eyeballing portions if you make tracking a habit.

Tracking macros can definitely be useful for some things, such as preparing for a bodybuilding show or optimizing athletic performance. It can also be helpful if you want to implement "flexible dieting," or the practice of eating any foods you want, as long as they fit into your macronutrient ratio. 

Counting your macros may also be the key to finally eating less processed foods, as processed and packaged foods tend to be high in fats and carbs (and not often high in protein), and adding in more superfoods. Many people who want to create a calorie deficit to lose weight prefer tracking macronutrients instead of counting calories, as it takes the emphasis off of weight loss and shifts the focus to nutrition. This is helpful for creating long-term healthy habits.

Additionally, many people enjoy tracking macros because it helps them understand what types of foods work best for their bodies. Give it a try to see if it works for your lifestyle, but don't feel like you ever need to track your macros. 

More for your nutrition and wellness

The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.

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