This article explains how ClearPlus and TSA PreCheck stack up against each other for price, privacy, and saving time at the airport. Having one or the other is an absolute must, not just because the line is generally shorter, but it avoids the hassle of having to take off one's shoes and remove one's laptop.
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Total Wine makes it a snap to gift alcohol by same-day or scheduled-ahead delivery to anyone who lives within the delivery zone of any Total Wine store. The minimum order for delivery is $50 (if you get close, add a bottle of cava which costs very little and it's always appreciated), and the recipient will be able to schedule the delivery day and time (a 2-hour slot) for their convenience. It's a particularly nice gift if you're a guest at someone's house and drained their expensive vodka.
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If you think your doctor is better than a bot in diagnosing illness, think again. As this NYT article reports, a small study found ChatGPT outdid human physicians when assessing medical case histories, even when those doctors were using a chatbot.
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I have now had the opportunity to try the Hulu cord-cutting alternative that gets you Hulu (with ads), many channels of live tv, virtually unlimited recording, and many sports for about $85/month. The major benefit to this is about a $20-$30 savings per month over a coax cable box. If all you care about is the nominal cost savings, go for it. But, it is horrible in the following respects that plagues streaming as opposed to coax delivery: (i) changing channels is as clunky and delayed as changing streaming sources; (ii) searching channels is a headache; (iii) ad-skipping cannot be done with any accuracy; (iv) replaying stuff cannot be done with any accuracy; (v) it doesn't get all the live channels you otherwise would get; (vi) live channels take as long to load as any streaming service takes (so among other problems, you can't channel shift while your watching); (vii) there does not appear to be any way to customize the tv guide; and (viii) many other convenient remote functions (e.g., flip back to previous channel; designate where the screen boots up to) are missing.
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This The Tech Friend article sets out what book industry insiders and avid readers told me are their favorite alternatives to Amazon for e-books and audiobooks. Some of these options let you support a favorite local bookstore or cost zilch.
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As this techradar article explains, the FCC has approved the collaboration of Starlink satellite service and T-Mobile, with the result that users will have cellphone coverage in remote areas where a mobile network can’t reach.
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Amazon has begun delivery by drone of packages under 5 lbs. within an hour of the order being placed, and will soon begin scaling the service. Delivery will be to single family residences with backyards (no more porch thefts) and if any kids or pets are in the backyard, the drone will delay delivery. It will take some time, but you can see where there will be far less Amazon vans and car deliveries, the demise of food delivery services, and further competitive harm inflicted on brick-and-mortar stores and others trying to compete with Amazon.
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As this WSJ article explains, chances are you have a well-used black plastic spatula, spoon, or ladle near the stove. Scientists say it belongs in the trash. A recent study adds to the evidence that black plastic household items—like the ubiquitous spatulas we all use to flip pancakes and turn steaks—are potentially harmful to our health, and that we should avoid them when we can. Wood and stainless-steel utensils are better options, health experts advise.
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As this article explains, altruism improves happiness, reduces pain, and may be fundamental to being human.
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We do not pretend to have any clue as to what tariffs, if any, might be imposed on goods from Canada, Mexico, and China, nor the effect they might have on the price of affected imports or other things. We further understand that a 10% tariff might have a trivial effect economically while a 50% tariff might be devastating. We also understand that the world has changed over the past 10 years whereby imports from China are down substantially and those from Mexico are up substantially (indeed, Mexico now is our largest trading partner). All that said, in the event you might think it wise to pull forward your buying decisions to avoid any tariff effects, this WSJ article sets out what currently is imported from our Big Three trading partners.
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This mashed article explores the nuanced differences that sometimes are made between prime rib and rib roast, how to be sure you are getting what you want to get when buying these fine cuts of meat.
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While there's little to be thankful for on the political/governmental front, we hope you have plenty to be thankful on your personal front and hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!
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As this CNN article explains, you can get a bottle of water through TSA screening as long as the contents are frozen. This is not a trick. TSA allows fully frozen liquids to get through. If the water has started thawing before you go through security, drink the liquid that's there so the contents of the bottle are frozen. The even better practice is to take an empty non-plastic water bottle and fill it after you've passed through security.
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We know that Black Friday adverts have flooded all media, so we have seen no need to dip our toes in that soup. However, it is meet to note, as this article outlines, that there are some great Black Friday deals on travel related stuff, from flights, to hotels, to luggage, to neck pillows.
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Two of the main benefits of shopping on Amazon are speed of delivery and ease of return. That said, not having to return an item is easier than having to return an item, and often soon after ordering, you slap your head for having ordered something. One way to avoid the head slap is to decline the same day or next day delivery option and designate delivery to be several days up to a week ahead. Then, you will have time, should you change your mind on the purchase, to cancel the order and avoid having to do a return.
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How many times have you hung up the phone and slapped yourself in the forehead with the thought, "I should have recorded that call." As it turns out, recording calls on Android phones is simple, and this article will walk you through the easy settings to do so.
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There are some background tasks that run at night, and if there are any you depend on, it's good to keep your computer on all night sometimes. For most home users, that's not an issue. Thus, there are good reasons to turn off your computer at the end of the day: (i) Computers are energy hogs and turning them off saves energy and money; (ii) even though the laptop is plugged in and not running off the battery, the battery's life will be extended because it is still running cycles when the computer is on; and (iii) the re-booting refreshes many of the subsystems and is good for the hardware.
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On most newer Android phones, tap the Settings app and search settings for “Font size.” Use the sliding option to make words or everything on your screen larger or smaller. On an iPhone, open Settings → Accessibility → Display & Text Size → Larger Text. Tap the button until it’s green, and use the size options at the bottom to pick your preferred text size.
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Putting aside that it annoys some people to get emails with a signature that says, "Sent From My iPhone" or the like, there's a sound reason to delete that stuff: That advertising ID acts like a unique fingerprint for your phone. Without it, companies have a harder time tracking the websites and apps you use and where you go in the real world.
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Why you should turn them off: The Apple Intelligence summaries of text messages or pop-up notifications can be so stupidly off-base that they’ve gone viral. Apple’s AI features are only available if you have a 2023 iPhone 15 Pro or Pro Max model or any model of the iPhone 16. You also must turn on Apple Intelligence.
How? If you turned on Apple AI and regret it, open the Settings app → Notifications → Summarize Notifications. You can turn off AI-generated summaries of all your iPhone notifications, or only the ones for individual apps, like Messages.
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Why you should turn them off: Google’s artificial-intelligence-aided “answers” at the top of some search results vary in quality, from good to moderately pointless to preposterous — like mixing glue into pizza sauce. Using AI also gobbles energy and water. And some websites are worried that the AI overviews perpetuate Google’s trend of keeping you inside the company’s digital walls rather than encouraging clicking to the rest of the internet.
How? Choose the “Web” option under the search box. You’ll see only Google’s classic web links. No AI.
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There are several settings inside an Android phone and the Chrome app to tweak which will block ads and notifications you don't want to get. This article will walk you through them.
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Much pressure has been brought to bear on those wishing to buy a Tesla or subscribe to WaPo because of their kowtowing to Trump. News flash: Unlike Android which has remained fiercely independent of Trump, Apple has knuckled under: For years, through carefully choreographed dinners and meetings, Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook did something that has eluded many other corporate leaders: He developed a personal relationship with President-elect Donald Trump. Their rapport has been built, in part, by zeroing in on areas of mutual interest between Apple and Trump’s agenda. So, not only will you save a lot of money going with an Android phone, and have a more customizable and easier-to-use device, you will be on the right side of history.
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Many readers have asked us: How can I use AI in my daily life? While there's no single answer to that question, this WSJ article sets out the many ways WSJ readers and our readers are using AI, which might give you some ideas. Relatedly, this other WSJ article addresses the issue of separating the reality of AI from its hype.
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It doesn't take a Warren Buffet to appreciate the possibility that Trump 2.0 is going to usher in inflation, as Trump would put it, like we've never seen before. So, the thing to do is to take steps to protect one's portfolio in case that happens. Unfortunately, as this WSJ column sets out, it's not so simple to do. One of the standard ways to guard against it—buying commodities, especially oil—offers less protection than usual. The twin inflation risks are well understood: supply shocks and demand surges. War in the Middle East has the potential to threaten energy supplies, while tax cuts in an economy with nearfull employment ought to lift prices. The extra threats to inflation don’t fit either model, though. Tariffs and deportations would both be likely to push up inflation, but would also hit the economy. The industry with the highest exposure to illegal migrant labor is farming, so this should have the biggest effect on food prices—potentially making agricultural futures a way to protect against this. But agriculture isn’t a market for the fainthearted, with lots of volatility and a need to understand the details of each crop. The one inflation hedge guaranteed to work is Treasury inflation-protected securities. TIPS promise inflation linked returns. But they are only guaranteed to work if held to maturity. When sudden shocks lead to rate increases, as in 2022, TIPS are hit by higher after-inflation rates and can fall in value. TIPS look better today than they did in the post-pandemic inflation because they have much higher starting yields. But TIPS are better at protecting against several years of higher inflation than they are at protecting against sudden inflation increases.
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With wild swings going on in the stock, bond, and commodity markets, it is easy to feel discombobulated. As this WSJ column explains, there is no clear signal as to what one should do, and there is no shortage of mixed signals: Stocks are up, signaling an economic boom. Oil is down as if we’re headed toward a recession. Home prices are up as if rate cuts will continue. Gold is up, suggesting inflation is back. The dollar is strong as if Europe, Canada, and China are ailing (which they are). Still, something’s got to give. Core inflation is rising and has been over 3% since April of 2021. Long bonds are signaling that the Fed needs to stop cutting rates. Retail sales, adjusted for inflation, are in a three-year downtrend. Target missed its earnings target. Consumers are stretched. Record household debt has reached nearly $18 trillion. There are also record mortgages, car loans, credit card debt, and near-record student loans. Auto-loan delinquency rates are the highest since 2010. And U.S. bankruptcies are also the highest since then.
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"Greatest" is not the adjective we should have used to describe the 4th quarter of the Washington/Dallas game. Other terms such as bizarre, amazing, and the like would have been better. We apologize for any confusion.
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Say Nothing is based on a true story set in Northern Ireland during The Troubles that spans four decades, telling the story of various Irish Republican Army members. It explores the extremes some people will go to in the name of their beliefs. It is a gripping series that got a well-deserved glowing review in The New Yorker. Although women are the focus, you will appreciate Anthony Boyle as much here as you did for his portrayal of John Wilkes Booth in Manhunt and as Lt/Cpt/Maj Crosby in Masters of the Air.
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This How-to-Geek article notes the signs that an Android phone might be infected with malware, and if so, the steps to take to confirm it, and get rid of it.
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This XDA article discusses seven features that are often promoted in laptop sales, which you can do without and save money, including: an OLED screen; a high refresh rate display; a touchscreen; a massive SSD; an extended warranty; and certain add-ons (especially McAfee).
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Sticky Notes is one of our favorite and most useful apps, given how easy it is and how it syncs across one's various devices. It's where we store every piece of info we might need to access at any time from any place. If you find that the Sticky Notes windows are stuck in maximized viewing mode, the easy fix is to copy the contents of each note and paste it into a new note, and then delete the stuck note. Alternatively, if you can live with the maximized notes, just open the Notes list as the starting point. If you don't get what's being said here, it's because you're not using Sticky Notes, which is a big mistake. Once you try it, you'll never go back, and will shudder what your world was like before you started using Sticky Notes. Trust me.
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A recent post explained that filtering/blocking spam through an email desktop client (e.g., Outlook) might be ineffective, and that one should filter/block through the actual email provider's (e.g., yahoo!) portal. We are pleased to report that, having done so, in just one day, virtually all spam has been eliminated.
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Having now seen Trump's major appointments, and taking note of Project 2025, which word will better sum up the Hobson's choice we seem to be facing with Trump's second term: Authoritarianism or Incompetence?
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A semi-loyal reader style-nerd introduced us to puffer ware, not to be confused with puffy wear. Like the stopped clock that is right twice a day or the blind pig, he hit a home run on this. Available from REI and Amazon for anywhere between $25 and $100 or more, puffer wear is extremely light and takes up little room when packing to travel (some fold up into a little bag and others into their own pocket and some do both). They come as puffer vests with no sleeves (not sure what the point is) or as puffer jackets with sleeves (whose point is obvious). As you can see, they are darn good looking and stylish.
This PCWorld article will walk you through the steps to take with your router to secure your home network, including: changing your wifi name and using a strong password; enabling https; selecting wpa2; turning on the firewall; switching off unnecessary features; and more.
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Anyone who has streamed recent international terrorist dramas has noticed that Albanians invariably show up as evil-doers. We cannot explain it, but we can say, it should not turn off putting Albania on your must-see travel list. As this WSJ explains, you will be blown away by everything from its gorgeous mountains to its bucolic beaches and the medieval villages in between.
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This WSJ screed misses the point when it comes to smart appliances such as ovens, microwaves, washers and dryers, and dishwashers, arguing that they have yet to add much value to homeowners. The point of the article is that these devices have little value when it comes to communicating with the homeowner, and that's true. But the real value of their communication skill is the ability to communicate with the manufacturer that can troubleshoot problems, suggest fixes, and save you a fortune on an unneeded service call. Shame on you WSJ, shame on you.
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If Outlook is your desktop email interface, it's various "junk" options (blocking, filtering, etc.) might not work particularly if your email address is different than your actual email provider (e.g., you might have a cox.net email address but yahoo!, not Cox, actually is providing the email service). In that event, to block/filter spam, go to the email service itself (e.g., y!mail) and block/filter from there.
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If a Google Cast button shows up at the far right end of your Chrome Extension Bar, and you don't want it (I don't have a clue what it is or how it got there), here's how to remove it: Go to chrome://flags/ and click on disable in the pull down menu at the following setting: Global Media Controls for Cast start/stop.
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As the headlines put it, the DOJ has asked the judge in its antitrust case to require Google (they actually mean Alphabet because Google is not the name of any corporation) to sell Chrome. Their thinking is that Chrome makes Google the default search engine, Chrome is the dominant browser, and users are too dumb to pick another search engine. Give me a break! Putting aside that no one is buying Chrome given its lack of any substantial value as a standalone thing, the judge will not address the request until next summer. And given the right of appeal should he grant the DOJ's request, the market will have radically shifted rendering moot the requested relief. In fine, the DOJ is replicating the same mistake and assuredly will face the same outcome as it did with Microsoft and Internet Explorer 30 years ago. In itself, this trip down the yellow brick walk by the DOJ is a waste of time, but it highlights anecdotally the kind of government regulatory overreach that threw fuel on the fire to have businesses back Trump and give us the president we now have.
PS: I don't even begin to understand how Chrome was adjudicated to be an illegal monopoly. Putting aside Safari (which has about 20% of the browser market) which doesn't run on Windows, no browser has more than 5% of the browser market and only Edge has greater than 3%. Does anyone seriously believe that any of those browsers or a new browser will miraculously compete with Chrome unless the sale of Chrome results in a degraded product.
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Anker makes great accessories and they stand behind their products (e.g., Anker is my choice for a USB hub which works great and, when it failed once, they sent me a new one quickly). This engadget note has a list of excellent deals on a whole range of Anker power banks, wireless chargers, and more.
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American Airlines will enable a passenger to upgrade from economy to business/first class for an additional payment. That payment amount changes several times a day and can change by substantial amounts (ranging from very little to upgrade to an arm and a leg to upgrade). Likewise, the cost of a first class/business ticket changes several times a day and can change by substantial amounts (ranging from very little to upgrade to an arm and a leg to upgrade). Now, pay attention: The two are NOT in sync, i.e., it might cost $700 to upgrade by changing a ticket but $200 to upgrade by canceling the first ticket and buying a new ticket. Go figure.
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Everyone knows that cleaning dishes before putting them in a dishwasher is unnecessary and wasteful. So, the question is, how much food can you leave on the plate? The answer is simple, as explained, in this the kitchn article. If you can pick up any piece of food on the plate or in the dish, pick it up and put it or scrape it into the garbage can. Leaving such large pieces on dishes going into the dishwasher might cause problems for the operation of the dishwasher.
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Taking a cab or ride-share from JFK to NYC can cost $100 or more and take over an hour, and not be very pleasant. By paying only about $100 more, you can do the trip by helicopter in 20 minutes, and, let me tell you based my helicopter rides across the Grand Canyon and over Kauai, it's exhilarating.
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This article from The Aviation Geek Club explains why jets taking off from an aircraft carrier do what's called a "clearing turn," which we understand is a matter of great interest to many who have not served or were not raised as Navy brats.
Disclaimer: An earlier post criticized the interminable way the story unfolded, explaining it would have been as compelling and far better as a 2-hour or shorter movie. For the record, we wish to note we have an additional and more pointed criticism in terms of the artistry of story-telling. But we are declining to do so because it would require being a spoiler we did. So we deferred then and continue to defer now from doing so.
Bank Under Siege: An earlier post gave a lukewarm thumbs-up based on the first two episodes. While it's not a blockbuster by an means, as the plot develops this 5-part series actually gets better as it goes on. We stick by our original view that it's entertaining enough.
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Controlled folder access is a Windows feature that prevents unauthorized apps, including ransom ware, from accessing or changing files in protected folders. To enable: Open the Windows Security app, select Virus & threat protection/Ransomware protection/set the switch for Controlled folder access to On. To view or change protected folders: Open the Windows Security app and select Virus & threat protection/Manage ransomware protection/Protected folders and then select + Add or Remove. To allow an app to access controlled folders: click Allow an app through controlled folder access/Add an allowed app/choose between recently blocked apps or select Browse all apps/choose the location of the app, click Open, then click Yes.
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Some of my familial predecessors did not live that long, but others did, including my mother and her brother into their nineties, my maternal grandfather to 102 and his mother to over 103, and my ex-mother-in-law who is still going strong at 102. Here are the two lessons each of them said they lived by: (i) If they had known they would have lived that long, they would have taken better care of themselves; and (ii) everything gets better as it ages except bananas.
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There are others to be sure, but My Direct TV dropped this week and offers over 70 live, curated fast channels and is totally free. Don't let the name fool you or that it is brought to you by Direct TV. It is available on the Firestick, Roku, Apple, and other platforms.
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This cnet article has ten tips you might try to get a free seat airline upgrade. None are fail-safe, but you never know until you try, and some aren't so obvious.
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If you ask Cox to send you a replacement cable box remote, and they send the wrong one, and you ask them to send another one, and again they send the wrong one, and they send the wrong one again, you can buy one to be delivered from Walmart for $10 and ask Cox for a courtesy credit, and they will give you $15, and you can keep the batteries that came with the wrong remotes, and you can take one into a Cox store to exchange it for the correct remote to have as a backup, and then take a nice nap to recover from the ordeal.
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Each year, my readers look here for new turkey and stuffing recipes. I am particularly proud of this year's given their especially appealing presentation and crispiness (the stuffing is done by air frying).
Step 1
Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil and place a wire rack inside.
Step 2
Set the turkey, breast side down, on a cutting board. Remove the giblets, if included. Using kitchen shears, cut along both sides of the backbone, removing a strip about 2 inches wide; reserve the backbone and giblets for making stock. Turn the bird breast side up and use the heels of your hands to press down on the breast bone, flattening it slightly. Pat it dry with towels and sprinkle the salt evenly over both sides of the turkey. Transfer it to the prepared baking sheet, breast side up, tuck in the wing tips, if desired, and refrigerate (ideally on the bottom shelf, for food safety purposes), uncovered, for 1 or up to 3 days. (You'll have better seasoned meat and crispier skin the longer it is refrigerated.)
Step 3
In a small bowl, mix together the butter, garlic, tarragon, lemon zest and pepper until thoroughly combined. Gently slide your fingers under the skin of the turkey to separate it from the flesh along the breasts and thighs, being careful not to tear the skin. Don't worry about not being able to separate it fully — just do as much as you can. Using your fingers, rub half of the compound butter directly on the meat underneath the skin. Massage the skin from the outside until the butter is distributed in an even layer. Rub the remaining compound butter all over the skin of the turkey as evenly as possible. Maneuver the bird so it fits on the baking sheet, but if the drumsticks hang over the pan's edges, that's okay.
Step 4
Let the turkey sit at room temperature. Meanwhile, position a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 450 degrees. Roast the turkey for 45 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thighs registers 165 degrees and the skin is crisp and nicely browned. (Note that sometimes the herbs in the butter can burn, which mostly affects appearance and less so flavor. If this is of concern to you, tent it with foil while it finishes cooking once the desired color is achieved.) Let the cooked turkey rest 20 to 30 minutes before carving.
Stuffing: Air fry for 15 minutes covered at 350 and then uncover and air fry for 10 minutes or longer at 350 as needed until its browned and crispy.
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[Prefatory Note: So there's no misunderstanding, this post is not about politics. It's about the pathetic world of charlatans and con men and people craving to believe them and their big cons]
Whatever else might be said about the 2024 election, it confirmed that over half this country would buy anything Trump was selling. Trump won the election by selling a false picture of the economy and the impact of immigration. In reality, he will have inherited an economy that is robust, wages are up, unemployment is low, and inflation has been tamed, and illegal immigration is at a low point and the immigrants who are here are a net positive for the economy and the country. That said, if Trump is able to pull off even a few of the economic stunts (tariffs, tax cuts, etc.) and immigration stuff (deportations) he said he was going to do, the result will be serious, and perhaps catastrophic and irreversible, disruption, devastation, and decline. What will Trump then pitch to his MAGA cultists and enablers? Duh!: "I saved the country from the even steeper decline it would have suffered if the do-nothing, corrupt Biden/Harris administration had been in charge." And they'll buy it.
[PS: So there's no misunderstanding, this post was not about politics. It was about the pathetic world of charlatans and con men and people craving to believe them and their big cons]
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Most people take 2 clicks to show the desktop--a right click on the Taskbar and then a left click on Show the desktop--and 2 clicks in reverse to show the open windows. It's a snap to free yourself of that long national nightmare and do either function with just 1 click. Although barely visible, there is a sliver bar at the far right end of the taskbar (as depicted below). Click on it and the open windows will collapse, and click on it again and they will return. Is this a great country or what?
If you think paper checks are safer than online billpay and banking, think again. Or, better yet, read this WSJ article, which explains why scammers love you to use paper checks.
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Airlines are eager to sell you frequent flyer miles. I've never bought them and never will. This WSJ article does a deeper dive than I ever will into whether or not doing so ever makes sense.
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You can spend thousands of smackeroos for a new car and then find out that there are various possible glitches to connecting your unlocked phone (even if it's Android 10 or newer) wirelessly. If you monitor your bp, be sure to do so before going to the dealership for help (which you went to to have your promised spare key made 4 months after you took delivery of the car), because there's a very good chance they will have no clue and their ignorance might infuriate you. Indeed, they very well might tell you (whose certainty is matched only by how wrong they are) that your phone, being unlocked, cannot connect wirelessly. The internets has a treasure trove of information on the issue, most of which is wrong. As it turns out, the trick is to connect through your the Auto Android setting on your phone.
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Will Humble is a long-time public health enthusiast and currently the Executive Director for the Arizona Public Health Association. He has appeared frequently on Arizona Horizon, and did so Monday night. He did a short, but wonderful interview by Ted Simons (starting at the 5:45 mark) that brought into sharp focus and will answer any questions you have about what healthcare will look like when RFK, Jr. takes over as HHS Secretary.
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Throwing food waste into a kitchen garbage can not only often leads to offensive smells, but it's wasteful. With the Mill food recycler, your food waste is pulverized overnight and in the morning you have brown dust that you can use to fertilize your garden or. as we do, feed your chickens.
The Oura 4 Smart Ring does everything a fitbit and other such devices do, and a whole lot more, and you never have to bother with taking it off and putting it back on. It's a ring. It gets the highest marks from every reviewer, as the gold standard for such devices. Between the comfortable fit, discreet functionality, nearly a week of battery life, and a comprehensive Oura app experience, the Oura Ring 4 is a great alternative to a smartwatch or activity band. Although the monthly membership fee may deter some, the ever-growing collection of health and wellness features more than proves its worth, and explains why this ring has become a cult phenomenon.
We have heard the chorus of complaints from readers and others who get tired of having to touch the screen of their eBooks to turn the page. We don't get it, but we have good news for you. For $20, at Amazon, you can get a remote control page turner that enables you to turn the page by just pushing a button. Again, we don't get it, but it fits under the rubric of, "if you make it, they will buy it."
If you didn't watch Season 1 of Bad Sisters, go watch it. You're in for a treat. Season 2 looks not to disappoint in the least. It is as refreshingly weird and as entertaining as Season 1. The acting and the writing are quite good, and if you liked Sharon Horgan in Catastrophe, you'll like her again here, not to mention her writing and developing the series.
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Peyton Manning pulled off what would have been the best fake spike ever. Unfortunately, it faked out the moronic refs.
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If you're looking for a discount on your Cox service, the best place to try with is the Loyalty/Retention Department. You can asked to be transferred to it from any other department or you can reach it directly at 1-8444-227-3943. But, here's the thing, the phone answering tree does not have an apparent option for the Loyalty/Retention Department. The option to get through to it is Option 5, which is noted as "if you wish to cancel or downgrade service."
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If you qualify for an AA Advantage Bonus, and your choices are upgraded seats or frequent flier miles, and you are a Lifetime Gold Member, do NOT take the upgraded seats because you are already entitled to them. If, like an idiot, that was the bonus you chose, do not stop pressing the issue just because the first rep told you nothing could be done. Instead, call back, and you might get a helpful rep who will fix the problem or transfer you to someone who can, and in 30 seconds actually does so with a confirming email.
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As this WSJ article explains, there is no chance in the near or foreseeable future that we are going to see $25,000 EVs in this country.
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As this WSJ article explains, intermittent fasting probably isn’t the health hack you hoped it would be. More studies suggest the tactic can help you lose weight, but likely isn’t a silver bullet for other health improvements like lowering your inflammation levels or lengthening your lifespan. And some evidence suggests fasting can make it harder to build and retain muscle.
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Bank Under Siege is the film, based on a true story, of a group of armed men who occupy a bank in Barcelona in 1981. They hold 300 hostages in what first appears to be an effort to free political prisoners but the real motive could be otherwise (I won't spoil it), as the authorities and a newspaper reporter struggle against each other to figure out. It's not the best series ever, or the best bank heist movie (Quick Change, which is a classic, is our favorite), but it's certainly good enough to keep your attention.
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This XDA article sets out the reasons it is very import to have a Windows recovery USB which will enable you to recover from a malware attack or file corruption, uninstall Windows updates, re-install Windows, and more. This Microsoft support article will walk you through the steps to create one (it's not difficult).
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AI right now looks like mostly chatbots. As this WSJ piece looks at the world, the AI revolution is about to spread way beyond chatbots. From new plastic-eating bacteria and cancer cures to autonomous helper robots and self-driving cars, the generative- AI technology that gained prominence as the engine of Chat-GPT is poised to change our lives in ways that make talking bots look like mere distractions.
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We have been advocating LED bulbs for quite some time. We are distressed about the reports we have gotten from loyal readers and others that often their LED are failing far sooner than they should be. Sometimes, it is a defective bulb, especially if one tries to save a few cents going with cheaper bulbs. But, as this cnet article explains, there are other causes, at least some of which, once understood, can be remediated.
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I still don't know what bitcoin is, or what mining it means, or whether it really could be a reserve currency, or an inflationary hedge, or anything else about crypto currency (a favorite now of Trump and Musk). Nor do I have any clue what to make of this article from The Motley Fool noting the idea that bitcoin could rise 15,000% by 2045. Maybe there's a worse bet to make for anyone with a little patience who has an extra $1,000 lying around.
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This WSJ article has an excellent and thought-provoking piece on how inflation has been a substantial driver of political realignments in American history. Inflation is remaking America— again. It looms above all competing explanations for Donald Trump’s comeback. Despite the widespread belief that the worst economic cost of curing inflation—a steep recession—had been avoided, it turned out the political price had yet to be paid. The power of inflation to destroy a political establishment emerged clearly in the 1970s, when a decade of rising prices transformed American society and politics. High rates of inflation ushered in an age of neoliberal economic policies focused on free markets, free trade and globalization. Mr. Trump’s election, to be sure, marks a repudiation of this consensus. But ironically, this final break from neoliberalism came because both left and right ignored its signal achievement: decades of stable prices that insulated our fractious democracy from the pressures and strains that today threaten to tear it apart.The key point to remember, which was brought into focus in this year's election, is that however successful an administration might be in bringing down the rate of inflation, and Biden and the Fed surely were successful, doing so does not necessarily (as it did not) bring down the actual price increases. Put concretely, while a loaf of bread went from $1.20 to $1.80, average car prices for $25K to $40K, median home prices from $350K to $450K as inflation soared, those things remained at those elevated prices despite the rate of inflation having been tamed.
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This cnet article will walk you through the steps to take to lock your social security number if you've been a victim of a data breach, and other things to do in that event.
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We have previously given the highest marks to Waymo for ride sharing. We not only continue to hold that view, but our affinity for Waymo has increased now having seen their customer support in action. If the Waymo app tells you the car has arrived, but you don't see it because of a tree being in your way, if you call Waymo, you'll get a rep on the line immediately and the problem will be solved. Wow!
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A common recommendation among healthcare professionals (and mainstream health media) is to eat more fish. But with the sheer amount of seafood options available, making a purchasing decision can be tricky. This Real Simple article gives a recommendation as to the 7 healthiest fish to put onto your plate.
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This Simply Recipes article gives valuable directions as to how to wash blueberries to remove dirt and pesticides.
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As you can read all about it in this newsletter, this week, Amazon created a new section of its app, called Amazon Haul, that resembles Temu’s chaotic grab bag of products and uses the same tariff-free rule for at least some orders.
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We have long advocated wireless charging so that you can plug the charging port to prevent lint and dust from getting in. If you don't wirelessly charge, and your phone won't charge, the culprit very well might be debris in the charging port as this cnet article explains. The article goes on to explain how to easily remedy the problem.
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I love Google Keep because it's easy and easy to access on my computer, phone, and tablet, and syncs immediately and automatically across them. That said, this Android Authority article explains why one might want to use Simple Note instead of Google Keep.
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As this Android Authority article explains, Google will kill your Timeline history soon, but you still have time to save it. The article tells you how.
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This cnet article explains why cooking grease might be the worst thing to pour down your kitchen sink drain.
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It has always been thought that the casino or the bookie never loses. As it turns out, as this WSJ article explains, the house can lose when it comes to sports betting. Who knew?
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This cnet article discusses the dangers of having one's home address viewable on the internet, and how one can scrub it off and keep it off. This other cnet article addresses how to keep other private information private.
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I like Chrome and am not switching to Firefox. But, I can understand where others think differently. This XDA article gives 6 reasons anyone should forget Chrome and use Firefox.
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Re Cox: If your remote starts to be glitchy (e.g., not always responding on one click), you can buy a new one on Amazon, eBay, Walmart, and elsewhere. The price for the same model can vary dramatically (e.g., from $10 at Walmart to $25 at Amazon). If you call Cox, they might just mail you a new one for no charge. While you're at it, if you ask if any new discounts have become available to lower your bill, you just might get $5 off your monthly bill. It's not a lot. But it's something. And over time, it adds up to quite a bit. I figured it out.
Re Arizona Republic: The monthly print/digital subscription is listed at over $50/month. If you ask, you can usually get that down to $30/month. If you ask again, you might be able to get it down to $15/month. Note that you'll never know how long your discounted price will last until a new bill shows a raised amount. At that point, you will need to ask again.
Re Toyota: If they didn't have a second key to give you when you bought your car, and they tell you that you will be notified when the chip arrived so the key can be made, don't believe it. You have to keep asking. At some point, and it could be 3 months later, they will confirm they got the chip, and you can schedule to bring in the car to have the key made, and your long national nightmare of losing the key will be over.
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There is no question that professional basketball players are fabulous athletes. Relatedly the common wisdom is that basketball takes more athletic skill than golf. Illustrative of how the common wisdom can be wrong, here is the woman who did more to popularize women's collegiate and professional basketball than anyone teeing it up at The Annika LPGA Pro-Am with Nelly Korda (the number one ranked LPGA player).
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There are some indispensable Google apps, such as Flight, Maps, Gmail, Contacts, Voice, Calendar, and You Tube. I just heard about Google Shopping. I'm not sure that it fits into the indispensable category or even quite all it does. But this link gives an explanation of what it is and how it works.
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Most don't have the choice, and would just as soon have their home network be wireless. However, if you do have a choice, this XDA article sets out the advantages you might get from having a wired system. For most people, there's not a big deal difference. That said, this other XDA article outlines the things to keep in mind when building your home network.
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As this How-to-Geek article explains, Google Home is finally gaining its first Gemini AI integrations, namely the "Help Me Create" automation generator and the "AI Camera Search" function. Plus, you can now control Google Home from the Gemini chatbot app. When it comes to home automation, however, I still prefer the Vera Z-wave system because of how easy it is to program, control, and remotely access.
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I'm a sucker for anything Bob Odenkirk or Bryan Cranston is in (except Malcom in the Middle which I never saw). Odenkirk is not in The Infiltrator, but Bryan Cranston is and he turns in one of his fine performances. It's based on a true story about infiltrating in an effort to bring down a money laundering scheme involving Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar during the 1980s. The clothes and haircuts are true to the 1980s. The supporting cast is excellent, including Diane Kruger and Amy Ryan. It's not always clear what's going on, but that doesn't detract from enjoying this movie, and the tension it creates, if it's the kind of movie you like.
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When asked a few weeks ago why he decided replace Justin Fields as the starting quarterback with Russell Wilson, Mike Tomlin (Pittsburgh Steelers' head coach), explained that's why he was paid the big salary he was paid. At his presser following his team's win over the Washington Football Club this past Sunday, he was asked to compare Lamar Jackson (the quarterback his team will face next week) with Jayden Daniels (the quarterback his team just faced). He gave the perfect answer.
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As this How-to-Geek article sets out, Google has released a couple of AI features for Chrome, two of which really stood out. The first feature offers real-time protection against malicious websites and the second allows you to search your browsing history using everyday language. With the new security feature, Chrome will check sites against Google’s server-side list of known dangerous sites in real-time. It also uses AI to block attacks, provide deep file scans, and offer extra protection from malicious Chrome extensions. The article explains how to enable these features.
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A short time ago, we put up a post about the availability and low-cost of wonderful small houses on Amazon. They still look like great deals if you have space you could use one in (like a beachfront property so if it's washed away in a hurricane it's not a huge loss). That said, this NY Post article explains the importance of reading the fine print before you buy and take delivery on one.
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We were the first to discover and praise The Diplomat when Season 1 was dropped. We are not disappointed with Season 2. It's riveting and engaging. The only drawback is that it drills home why one might not be smart enough to hold a significant foreign policy position.
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As this CarBuzz article explains, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 EV, starting at $37,500 for the entry-level SE Standard Range model, is one of the safest and most affordable vehicles on the market. And it's not bad looking. While not eligible for the federal tax credit, at least for now, Hyundai is offering a $7,500 cash bonus.
This housedigest article notes some unreliable appliance brands. I wish Samsung refrigerators were not on the list. I continue to love my Samsung Bespoke for reasons stated in previous posts.
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As this ZD Net article details, if you're on a tight budget, the NUU N10 is an impressive cellphone that won't break the bank. It will work on T-Mobile and other networks but not Verizon or AT&T. However, the article notes other such budget cellphones that will work on them.
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If you haven't started Disclaimer, don't. It has a strong cast (Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Sacha Baron Cohen, and Vincent D'Onofrio's daughter), and a compelling story (which would have made for an excellent 2-hour movie or 2 episode mini-series). But, it manages to make 7 episodes seem like an unending 25 episodes, as it drones on and on and on, repeating scene after scene after scene. I know only one person who can stand to stay with it, as a result of which someone else's delay in watching Season 2 of The Diplomat has become excruciatingly painful.
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Unless you're hanging the TV on a wall, you will be setting it on a table. As can be seen below, to keep the TV upright, TVs come with 2-feet, one toward each end, or 1-foot in the middle. If you are buying a 2-footed model, be sure the table it's going on is long enough. Now, for the most interesting fact: The single-footed TVs are actually more stable and less likely to tip over than the dual-footed TVs.
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The clock is ticking for the old Windows Mail, Calendar, and People apps. Microsoft recently updated the official documentation to clarify that with the end of support, the apps will stop working altogether on December 31, 2024. In other words, even if you manage to keep the new Outlook app away from your computer, the old Mail app will lose its ability to send and receive mail in under two months.
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For anyone looking for yield, this The Motley Fool article gives an informative overview of the Vanguard High-Dividend Yield ETF vs. Invesco S&P 500 High-Dividend Low-Volatility ETF.
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As this House Digest article explains, despite the overall simplicity of using this adhesive, there are a few common mistakes people make when working with Gorilla Glue around their home, including using the incorrect formulation, not prepping the surface, or even not storing the glue properly. Understanding these mistakes — and learning what you should do instead — can help you avoid a catastrophe and ensure the application of the strong adhesive is effective.
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As this Tom's Guide article explains, white vinegar is an excellent non-toxic product that has multiple uses all around the home and it’s particularly good at removing mineral build ups caused by hard water. This is why it’s often considered as a possible substitute for chemical descalers when cleaning and descaling the best coffee makers. And while this is great in theory, it’s not always the best option. Using white vinegar to clean some coffee makers could invalidate the warranty. Not to mention obvious concerns about a vinegary taste or smell lingering in your morning cup of Joe. Anyone who followed our recommendation to buy a Zwillinger coffee maker can rest assured that white vinegar is fine to use as a descaler.
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The Neon Highway tells the story of about a washed up country singer legend (played by Beau Bridges) and a family man who never made it as a singer who went to Nashville to sell a song. Yeah, it's schmaltzy and predictable, and the casting, the acting, and the dialog were at the low end of the spectrum. It likely holds less appeal for those who haven't gone on the road trying to make it with their own music. But for those of us who have, there are worse ways to spend 1.5 hours than watching this movie. That said, there are better ways as well. It would seem to be a bit more bearable if watched in two sittings over consecutive days.
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If you've always wanted an iPad, now might be the time to jump on one. Usually selling for $329, this 10.2" model is available at Amazon for $199. That said, don't forget, as noted in a post a while back, that, if you do want to return it, you might be required to stay at home with no given time slot to hand it to the UPS driver, and then wait 30 days for the refund to show up (unless you spend hours on the phone with several reps and get an earlier refund, even where Amazon shipped you the iPad as a result of its own admitted mistake).
As this WSJ article explains, even older Americans can benefit by moving assets from their traditional IRAs to after-tax Roth accounts. Put another way, doing Roth conversions of your traditional IRAs could be a smart move, even if you’re taking required withdrawals from them.
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This Tom's Guide article says it found all of the best OLED TV deals ahead of Black Friday. OLED is considered the best picture, but even discounted, they cost quite a bit more than QLEDs and LEDs whose pictures most people find to be totally acceptable.
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This PC World article takes you through the steps of how to permanently erase data on hard drives, SSDs, and flash drives, and explains why you need to do so before giving back or giving away or selling your computer.
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Everyone hates their cable provider. Some people have switched to 5G home internet provided by the big three cellphone carriers. This cnet piece addresses both the good and the bad of T-Mobile's 5G home internet.
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My advice to avoid losing your luggage on an airplane trip is don't check it. But if you are a checker, this WSJ article explains why luggage might get lost and how to deal with it.
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I started watching The Rental because it involved an STR and one of the lead characters was played by Jeremy Allen White. I was so bored after just 10 minutes that I decided not to stick around for what clearly was going to be a creepy movie. It is the story of two couples on an oceanside getaway who grow suspicious that the host of their seemingly perfect rental house may be spying on them. Before long, what should have been a celebratory weekend trip turns into something far more sinister, as well-kept secrets are exposed and the four old friends come to see each other in a whole new light.
PS: FYI, Jeremy Allen White was the lead in The Bear.
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While life expectancy has increased over the past few decades as a result of diet, health care, and other factors, it has now reached an average of 87 and likely the increase has stopped. More people under 87 will live longer, but no more people over 87 will live longer. Even if there were a cure for heart disease and cancer, the 87-age cap would not increase because the average is not affected by those in their 50s and such who don't die sooner than they otherwise would. This is not to say that the aging process that now kills anyone who lives long enough to not die by disease or accident cannot be medically overcome, but if that happens, it's not likely going to be soon enough for anyone writing or reading this post.
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Lamar Jackson shows again why many say he will be the MVP this season.
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1. I'm likely the last to know this, but, as of 9 a.m. ET on Nov. 7, Trump had 72,643,979 votes compared to 67,959,768 votes for Harris - a lead of about 4,684,000 million votes, according to the Associated Press. The outstanding votes in the remaining states make it unlikely for Harris to overtake Trump in the popular vote even if she were to win all of the remaining votes.
2. Not surprisingly, Fox News had more viewers watching the election results come in than any other channel. Overall though, there was a 25% drop in viewership compared to 2020 election night. MSNBC beat out CNN and NBC itself.
3. Now we get to know what it feels like to have "the others" run the country and look down on us. David Brooks obviously saw this point and expanded on it in his NYT column.
4. Although there's still hope the House will flip to be Democrat-controlled, unless that happens, this time there are no apparent guardrails to restrain this lame-duck unfit psychopath. And, in all events, it will be interesting to see how and even whether the Dems in the House, particularly those in districts that are not overwhelmingly "safe," try to thwart Trump.
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Top 10 Sports Plays: If you don't have the DVR function activated in your cable box, stop reading now or plan to watch a 4-minute segment at the end of Sports Center and before Get Up on ESPN every weekday morning. But, if you have the DVR function enabled, and you want to see the the Top 10 sports plays from the day/night before, set it to do a manual record to start 4 minutes before Get Up comes on ESPN right after Sports Center, and you can set it to end at the top of the hour or a minute or two later to be safe.
Best Commentary on Weekend Sports: If you don't have the DVR function activated in your cable box, stop reading now or plan to watch The Herd With Colin Cowherd on FS1 on Mondays from noon to 3 pm ET. He's very good and his standard guests on Monday (e.g., Hasselback, Sanchez, Edelman, and that film guy) are outstanding. Obviously, no one can watch 3 hours, but that's where your ff DVR function comes in.
Best Daily Sports Talk: If you don't have the DVR function activated in your cable box, stop reading now or plan to watch PTI weekdays on ESPN at 5:30 pm ET. Again, the ff DVR function will let you skip the basketball and hockey stuff or anything that doesn't interest you.
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Lost Girls is a riveting murder mystery with a stellar performance by Amy Ryan and a supporting cast that is very good (even though we were not pleased with the casting of Dean Winters). It's based on a true story, and teaches well a lesson of perseverance. On the additional plus side, it has no violence and is touching and poignant.
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The stock market on Wednesday saw one of its biggest one day gains and the bond market (i.e., a rise in interest rates) one of its biggest one day routs. But those stock market gains were not across the board. Some sectors did dramatically better than others and some cratered. Here are a few observations:
1. The dramatic rise in interest rates reflects an expectation that we are going to be seeing significant inflation. Confirming evidence comes from the utility sector having a large sell off as did the home builders and things related to housing (e.g., the price of copper plummeted).
2. Those interest rate rises might also be seen as a reflection of a fear that the Fed will lose its independence while the federal deficits and debt explode. Powell expressly said that, under the law, the president was "not permitted" to fire him (although the law does permit the president to fire him for "cause").That said, Powell's term is up in a year which gives him additional independence in the meantime because he knows he will not be renominated, but spooks the bond market given whom Trump might nominate to replace Powell when his term is up.
3. The banks had enormous gains, in part due to the steepening of the yield curve, but more likely because they see de-regulation coming their way. Other sectors that would see profits rise by de-regulation in their sectors (e.g., the oil and gas industry) saw similar gains.
4. Tesla surged but not because EVs in general are going to blossom. Rather, it is because investors see policies coming that will benefit Tesla over its competitors. That is confirmed by the steep slide seen in the stock of other EV makers and EV charging station makers.
5. That investors were pouring money into the market as measured by inflows can be seen as their being assured that the current individual tax breaks for the wealthy will be extended and the corporate tax rates will not be raised and might even be cut.
6. Gold dropped as did the so-called "fear index" or "volatility gauge" likely because the uncertainty and violence that would have resulted if the election were contested had been removed.
7. The near certainty of tariffs, tariff wars, and trade wars drove gains in industries that would prosper (e.g.., industrials, steel, and machinery) while driving losses in sectors that will suffer (e.g., consumer staples and goods that are manufactured overseas and ocean freight firms that would bring those products).
8. The dollar gained and foreign currencies dropped in expectation of Americans spending less on foreign goods.
PS: It doesn't take a weatherman to caution not to judge what the markets will do in the future by what they did on any day or in the past.
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Earlier posts detailed the steps I've been taking to reduce incoming robo spam phone calls, which we reported to seem to have been successful. Upon further reflection on the statistical validity of my stated conclusion, we did not run a test that would have rejected the null hypothesis. Hence, it is, as a matter of statistical probability just as likely that doing nothing beyond not answering the calls would have produced the same desirable result.
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No matter how disappointed one feels about what's happened and terrified one is about what's going to happen, while it is no consolation, the disappointment Jack Smith (along with Harris) must feel and the terror in Ukraine has to be several notches up on the Richter scale.
Although it was written before the election results were known, this Arizona Republic column by Ed Montini beautifully addresses the issue of election anxiety. In the event you don't read it through to the end, here is how it concludes: "[P]eople feeling election stress do not realize how lucky they are to be doing so. They do not realize what a luxury it is when stress over the election is among their most significant concerns. I am aware of people who are not so lucky, individuals and families dealing with issues of health or trauma who would love to be worried about the election. I have been in that position myself. It is not as if those who are dealing with a personal crisis don’t care about who wins the election or how it might impact the nation. It’s just that, for them, nothing that goes on during Election Day or in the days or weeks that follow is more important than what is going on within their own family. They’ll happily talk to you about the election, too, because in times of personal crisis everyone needs a distraction. But they will never tell you how much they envy you or tell you how lucky you are. Still, I thought you should know."
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