If you’ve never experienced good audio in your living room, you might not realize how bad your TV’s speakers really are. The good news is that it’s actually easy to improve the audio coming from your TV—and perhaps the quickest and easiest (if not the cheapest) ways is to get a soundbar. And if you have a Roku TV, the expense won’t even be that bad, because right now you can pick up the TCL Alto R1 sound bar for $49.99, or a full 75% off the original $199.99 price.

Recommended products:

• TCL Alto R1 sound bar $49.99 (was $199.99)

A powerful soundbar for Roku TVs (and Roku TVs only)

This is the lowest price the soundbar has reached according to Camelcamelcamel’s price history. But if $50 price sets off your alarm bells, here’s what your money gets you.

First, let me emphasize again that this soundbar is only compatible with Roku TVs. And that doesn’t mean you can install a Roku TV stick on your Fire TV and expect the soundbar to connect (it won’t). Another important point is that your TV must be on for the soundbar to work, so you can’t, for example, connect it to your phone and expect it to work.

The soundbar measures 2.5 by 31.5 by 3.9 inches and should easily fit under most TVs. It connects seamlessly to Roku TVs (setup should take less than five minutes). Once it’s connected, you can control it with your Roku TV’s remote and connect other Bluetooth devices to it through the TV’s menu, and you can pair it with another Roku wireless speaker, like the Roku Wireless Bass. You can read the full “excellent” PCMag review here.

Source: LifeHacker – This Roku TV Soundbar Is 75% Off Right Now

Please don’t use your vacuum to suck up pine needles from your Christmas tree or wreaths this year. You can cause major problems for your device and end up making the situation worse. I have a few ideas to clean up those dry, crunchy needles without busting up your vacuum—plus a foolproof method for preventing the mess in the first place.

Why you shouldn’t vacuum pine needles

I’ve never had a real Christmas tree, but I have had bunny rabbits, which means I’ve had a lot of hay in my home and, for our purposes here, that’s similar enough to pine needles that I can say a vacuum is not the answer. Step away from the vacuum.

Long, inflexible debris quickly clogs the head and pipes of your vacuum, making it difficult for anything to pass through. You can see an example of how this looks in this TikTok video. At best, you’ll end up constantly detaching the head from the machine and shaking it all out over a trash bag to clear it out, which is tedious and makes clean-up take forever. At worst, you’ll eventually impact your filter, busting up the vacuum entirely. 

If you are going to use a vacuum, make sure it’s been cleaned out beforehand, just to give the needles and all the dust that will clump around them some space. Traditional vacuums are way better than robot vacuums, too, as those little guys are simply never going to be able to handle this. 

What to clean pine needles with instead

Hopefully, you won’t use a vacuum to clean your pine needles at all. You do have some other options. Try these:

• A broom with rubber bristles can remove pine needles from carpet’s grooves much easier than traditional, stiff bristles, so try the FURemover pet hair carpet rake ($12.98), which is designed to do just that (and can be used year-round to eradicate dog and cat hair, too).

• A rubber squeegee broom is also a good option for quickly corralling pine needles, as it won’t let them slip through like traditional brooms would. Here’s one for $9.69.

• An ultra-wide, long-handled lint roller ($26.98) for your carpet and furniture will pick them up easily, too.

Preventing a pine needle mess

The simplest way to prevent a messy Christmas tree situation is to utilize the big plastic bag it came in to begin with. When you’re putting your tree up, do it with the plastic wrapping still on, then roll it all the way down the tree and lay it around the base while it’s still secured to the trunk. Put your tree skirt over the bag to hide it and when the end of the season arrives, lift the skirt gently and shake it into the plastic bag hidden below. 

Then, pull the bag back up the tree before taking the whole thing down. Secure it at the top and you’ll be good to go, able to haul that sucker out without leaving needles behind. 

Source: LifeHacker – How to Clean up Christmas Tree Pine Needles Without Wrecking Your Vacuum

Time is running out to get your Christmas list sorted and have everything arrive by the big day. But worry not, you’ve still got time. As a tech deals writer, I have a good idea of what people like and can find them for their best prices, like these tech stocking stuffers under $150 or these Amazon devices that will arrive before Christmas.

Beats Studio Buds— A pair of noise-cancelling earbuds

Beats by Dre is a popular headphone brand that was recently bought by Apple, making them connect even more seamlessly for Apple users, though they also work with Android devices. The Beats Studio Buds are Beat’s noise-canceling earbuds and you can get them 47% off, currently at $79.99 (originally $149.95). They have an IPX4 water resistance rating, meaning they can withstand sweat, but you’ll want to avoid hopping in the shower with them on. They have built-in mic for phone calls and you get eight hours of non-stop listening and a total of 24 hours of battery life with the charging case. These make a great gift for anyone who goes to the gym or needs a little peace and quiet during the work day.

A great game for the gamer

If you have a gamer on your list, you have several options. For Nintendo Switch players, Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is currently $59.95 (originally $69.99), matching the lowest price it’s ever been. This is the latest Zelda game and the winner of the 2023 Best Action/Adventure game from The Game Awards and is considered one of the best Zelda games released so far. You can check out more deals for Nintendo Switch games here. If the gamer on your list is a PC gamer, I recommend this Alan Wake 2 deal for $26.79, which also brings you Alan Wake Remastered. The sequel won many awards at the 2023 Game Awards. Just keep in mind this game is very scary and for a slightly older audience.

A JBL Bluetooth speaker

A Bluetooth speaker will work for most people, especially if they use their phone speakers to play music. The JBL Charge 4 is a great Bluetooth speaker with a steep 51% discount, currently $89 (originally $179.95). The Charge 4 is completely waterproof and lasts for 20 hours of uninterrupted playtime. These speakers pack a powerful punch and will make a great gift for anyone who likes to go outdoors or host game night at their home.

Amazon’s latest Fire tablet

Amazon recently released the 13th-generation Amazon Fire HD 10, which has some notable improvements over earlier models and a much sleeker design. You can expect a faster processor than the previous model, 3GB of RAM, 32GB of storage, and 5 MP cameras in the front and back. And, of course, you can use it to read, watch, or listen to your favorite apps. You can get the Fire HD 10 for $89.99 (originally $139.99), which is the second-lowest price it’s been since its release.

A kitchen or bedside companion, the Echo Show 8

You can think of the Echo Show 8 as an Alexa speaker with a screen. If you have someone on your list who could use a kitchen companion to display recipes or a bedside companion to help them get up in the morning (or wind down at night), grab the second-generation Echo Show 8 for $24.99 (originally $129.99). Keep in mind this is well-priced because the third-generation Echo Show 8 is already out.

A Kindle e-reader for the bookworm

There’s bound to be a bookworm on your list, and if their bookshelves are taking up too much space at home, consider gifting them a Kindle e-reader for $99.99. I am a big fan of Kindles; they are very small (they fit in large pockets), have an insane battery life (I’m talking weeks without charging), can store thousands of books are fairly affordable, and you can get free books on them from your local library. This particular Kindle is the latest one available and gets you 16GB of memory with a screen that you can manually adapt to nighttime reading.

Source: LifeHacker – The Best Tech Gifts under 0 That Will Arrive in Time for Christmas

The latest Windows 11 security update has done more than just make the operating system more secure. According to several reports on Microsoft’s forums and social media, the security update also caused Windows users to experience wifi issues. If you’re affected by this issue, you can easily fix it.

How to fix broken wifi in the December Windows 11 update

According to the various reports made on Microsoft’s forums, the issue appears to be related to the 802.11r standard, which allows for fast roaming between access points on certain Qualcomm and MediaTek adapters. The issue was first noticed in the Windows 11 KB5033375 security update, which started rolling out on Dec. 12. According to some users, there are a couple of steps you can take to resolve the issue and get your wifi working again.

The first possible solution is to disable 802.11r for your access point. You’ll need to figure out what brand of router or access point you have, then look up specific instructions for that device. However, if you aren’t familiar with your router and working within its online systems, this solution may be a tricky one to try.

The second (and easiest) solution is to simply uninstall the update until Microsoft resolves the issue. This is not ideal, as security updates of this nature are designed to help shut down exploits that bad actors can use to gain access to your system. Unfortunately, there isn’t really an alternative at this time.

To remove an installed Windows 11 update, open the Start Menu, select Settings > Windows Update > Update History, and then find the update that you want to uninstall. Select it and choose the Uninstall option to remove the problematic patch. Alternatively, you can always uninstall an update by using the command prompt. To do this, type wusa / uninstall /kb:KB5033375 to remove the security patch completely.

Source: LifeHacker – How to Fix Your Messed-up Wifi After the Latest Windows Update

Have you been injured by misleading advertising? Did you think you could split an iPhone subscription with your family, only to find you could not? Do you like money? Then you may be eligible for compensation.

Apple recently settled a class action lawsuit for $25 million. The case doesn’t attack Apple for slowing down old iPhones, or allege that Apple stole medical technology; rather, this one focuses on Family Sharing, Apple’s feature that lets you share certain subscriptions and perks with close friends and family.

The argument goes like this: Apple advertised Family Sharing as a means to share the cost of a subscription. However, third-party developers actually had the option to opt-out of this subscription sharing feature. So someone might subscribe to a platform they find on the App Store, thinking they can split it with up to five other people, only to find they’re stuck with the bill all by themselves.

Apple, for their part, says they’ve done nothing wrong. However, they did agree to the multimillion dollar settlement anyway. Considering their market cap is currently north of $3 trillion, this is hardly a speeding ticket for the company.

How much money can you claim?

If eligible, you are entitled to at least $30. However, the final number depends on the total number of people who file a claim in this case. The total share per claimant could reach as much as $50. As for the lawyers, they’ll receive up to $10 million. Seems fair.

How to make a claim in the Apple Family Sharing lawsuit settlement

The eligibility for the lawsuit settlement is actually pretty open. In order to claim your share, you simply need to have been enrolled in a Family Sharing group with at least one other person between June 21, 2015 and Jan. 30, 2019. In addition, you need to have been a U.S. resident at the time, and have purchased a subscription to a non-Apple app. So long as you meet those qualifications, you can claim your share.

You may be contacted directly if you are affected. If so, you will be given a PIN you can use as part of your claim, which you can file for online. However, you can still make a claim without the PIN, provided as you’re okay doing so by mail. Either way, you can begin the claim process at this link.

If you make a claim, you relinquish your right to sue Apple over this action. If you’d prefer to leave that option open in the future, you won’t be able to receive money at this time.

Source: LifeHacker – Claim Your Part of This Million Apple Settlement

Cash may increasingly seem like a relic of a bygone age (less than 10% of Americans use cash as their primary way of paying for stuff these days), but paper money is still useful. Sure, it’s almost impossible to live a cash-only life these days, but when emergencies hit and the power and data connections shut down, cash is still king. Even if you rarely use cash, chances are you have a debit card linked to your bank accounts and use it at an ATM from time to time.

ATMs are pretty reliable and secure as long you take some basic precautions and stay abreast of the clever scams people employ to rob you. But like any machine or computer, ATMs can malfunction—and when they do it’s often much more than a simple inconvenience, because it involves your money. Bounced checks, late fees—the consequences of getting screwed over by your ATM can be disastrous. You can’t necessarily predict when an ATM is going to ruin your day, but you can be aware of what can go wrong and how to deal with each scenario. Here are all the ways an ATM can screw you over—and what to do about it.

When an ATM give you the wrong amount of cash

The primary way people use ATMs is to withdraw cash from their accounts. Usually, this is a pretty straightforward process: You insert or tap your card, punch in your personal identification number (PIN), and follow on-screen instructions to choose the account you’re accessing and the amount of money you want.

If that particular ATM is in the mood to screw you, one of two things happens next: You don’t get any cash, or you get too much cash. While the latter situation might seem like cause for celebration, chances are your bank will figure out what happened eventually and you may be hit with penalties for keeping the cash—or have your account closed entirely. So whether it’s zero cash or just an incorrect amount of it, you need to take a few steps:

• Document the incident. Note the time, take photos of any messages on the screen and your receipt, assuming you got one. If there are several ATMs in the location, note which one it is. Gather all the information you can.

• Report the incorrect amount. If you’re at your bank, go inside and inform the staff immediately. If not, call your banking institution right then and there and report the problem. Your bank is required by law to investigate your claim, though you may need to fill out a form and submit any documentation you have. Try to stay by the ATM until you’ve completed reporting the incident, in case it’s caused by a scam (see below).

It can take several weeks to resolve these kinds of errors, unfortunately. Your bank may credit your account, but they’re not required to do so until the end of the investigation, so you might need to make some short-term plans.

When an ATM messes up your deposit

Another way an ATM can mess up your life is when you use one to make a deposit—either by eating your cash or checks and not crediting your account, or by miscounting the deposit amount. This isn’t just infuriating—it can lead to a long list of problems, from unpaid bills to missing payroll for a small business. Here’s what to do if it happens:

• Count everything. This might seem crazy, but a surprising number of people don’t count cash before depositing it into the machine, assuming it will count the bills for them. Some folks also don’t make a note of check amounts, again relying on the ATM’s optical scanner to accurately count everything for them. Don’t be lazy: Know precisely how much money you’re depositing.

• Document & report. Again, your best first action is to take photos and record all the details—time, place, specific machine, and amount of your deposit. Then contact the bank by going in to find an employee or calling immediately.

The bank will investigate the incident, but make sure they review the security camera footage, which can confirm your presence and the fact that you made a deposit. Banks aren’t always willing to go through this trouble for smaller amounts of money, so be ready to push a bit.

When an ATM eats your card

Many ATMs have gone contactless, with the ability to tap a chipped debit card or your phone to access your accounts; others have chip readers that you insert your card into and immediately retract. But plenty of them still have the old-fashioned mechanism that sucks your card in, reads the magnetic strip, and then spits it back out. Which gives that ATM the opportunity to ruin your day by eating your card.

On a scale of getting screwed by an ATM, this is pretty low, of course, but it’s still a pain to deal with. Your obvious first step is to contact the bank to report the problem. At that stage you’ll have two choices on how to proceed:

• Request a new card. You can have the bank cancel the eaten card and send out a replacement. This is the safest choice, as it prevents anyone from using your card if they happen to get access to it before the bank can retrieve it (say, if the ATM decides an hour later to spit it back out). If you go into the bank in person you can probably get a new card immediately, but if you have to call it can take seven to 10 days to get that card, and you won’t have a debit card during that time.

• Retrieve the card. You can also ask your bank to simply retrieve the card when they next service the ATM, and send it to you or hold it for you to pick up. This can be a much faster and more convenient choice, but you do run some (small) risk of the card being intercepted before the ATM is serviced next.

When an ATM is an unwitting party to fraud

Finally, ATMs are pretty secure, but they’re still prime targets for fraud. A lot of that fraud relies on age-old scam techniques that have nothing to do with your ATM, but there are a few ways a compromised ATM can be forced to screw you over:

• Skimmers and shimmers. Thieves can place fake card readers on ATMs that read the magnetic strip or chip information, then pass it through to the ATM. As a result, you still complete your transaction but the thieves have all they need to duplicate your card. Before you insert or tap your debit card, physically examine the reader—try to pull it off the machine, and look for any physical inconsistencies in color or texture.

• Traps. A “trap” is when a thief sabotages the ATM so that cash being dispensed gets stuck in the machine, or your card gets stuck in the machine. When you leave the area, the thief disables the trap and retrieves either your cash or your card (or both). This is why it’s a good idea to remain by the ATM until you’ve reported an eaten card or lack of cash from a withdrawal, so at least you have a record of the problem.

• Cameras. Always cover the keypad when entering a PIN. Scammers often set up tiny cameras in ATM kiosks to film keypads. If they use a fake reader to duplicate the card and get your PIN from a camera, your account is officially compromised.

• Tapping. One way thieves access ATMs that allow you to just tap your card is to simply wait until you leave. Many ATMs that allow tapping leave the transaction open until you manually end it—if you just walk away after getting your cash, the thief simply walks to the machine and makes as many withdrawals as possible. Adding salt to the wound: Because you left the screen active, some banks may balk at reimbursing you, claiming you authorized the transactions. Always make sure you terminate your session at an ATM before walking away.

Source: LifeHacker – Four Ways an ATM Can Ruin Your Day (and How to Protect Yourself)

As inflation drove consumer prices up to dizzying heights in 2022, many households cut back on discretionary spending in order to afford essentials like fuel, food, and rent. Even more so than other grocery items, egg prices skyrocketed last year, and continued to soar in early 2023. (The only silver lining from that inflation-ridden hellscape was the advent of the word “eggflation.”)

While inflation has remained sticky across the economy, the most recent consumer price index (CPI) report shows promising year-over-year price index drops in some goods and services categories. Let’s take a look at where you may be feeling some welcome relief—in the grocery store aisles, at the gas pump, and more.

What prices have deflated since last year?

Deflation is the opposite of inflation: it’s when prices fall instead of rise. Here are some of the biggest drops among foods, other goods and services.

Foods:

• Eggs: -22.3%

• Lettuce: -10.2%

• Apples: -5.8%

• Tomatoes: -4.4%

• Fresh vegetables: -3.1%

Other goods:

• Fuel oil and other fuels: -19.3%

• Smartphones: -14%

• Laundry equipment: -12%

• Telephone hardware, calculators and other consumer information items: -11.2%

• Major appliances: 10.6%

Services:

• Airline fares: -12.1%

• Car and truck rentals: -10.7%

• Public transportation: -8.1%

• Wireless telephone services: -2.8%

Bottom line

Even with the prices of the goods and services above dropping, others are still going up. The most recent CPI report showed that overall, prices were up 3.1% in November, down from a 3.2% year-over-year rise in October. As inflation slow down, it doesn’t hurt to remind yourself how to see through inflation prices to figure out what actually constitutes a good value.

And while national averages provide helpful guidance, prices can vary locally. Download apps like GasBuddy to pinpoint cheap gas close by, and pay attention to regular grocery store specials. Whenever possible, the easiest way to save on groceries is by buying in bulk. Consumer spending is only one factor driving inflation and deflation. For many household expenses, inflation remains unrelenting—but selective price drops can provide some limited relief.

Source: LifeHacker – Eggs, Gas, and Other Prices That Are Actually Deflating

Christmas miracles don’t happen very often, but for gamers, this one will surely make them believe in the magic of the season. The Xbox Series X has seen some discounts since Black Friday, but none better than its current deal: You can get the Xbox Series X for $349 (originally $499) from Amazon or Walmart, which is by far the cheapest it’s ever been since its release.

The best deal on the Xbox Series X yet

The best deal for the Xbox Series X during Black Friday was Dell’s deal, which got you the Series X for $449.99, along with a $75 Dell gift card. You could think of it as a $75 discount if you were planning to purchase any Dell products. But Amazon and Walmart’s current deal is even better, according to Honey’s price history, with no limitations. This deal might not last for long, as is generally the case with these kinds of sales. Another good deal—if you’re interested in the Diablo series—is the Diablo IV bundle for $399.99 (originally $499.99).

The Xbox Series X is the most powerful Xbox of the two, with 1TB of memory and the ability to play games with discs as well as Blue Rays and DVDs. If you’re interested in the slimmer and cheaper Xbox Series S, the best deal is still from GameStop’s $25 discount when you pick up your products in person. You can essentially get the Xbox Series S for $225, which is the cheapest and best deal available. That deal would also be ready before Christmas. Unfortunately, the PS5 hasn’t seen similar deals like the Xbox. The best deals come from bundle deals with, essentially, a free game.

Source: LifeHacker – You Can Get the Xbox Series X for Its Lowest Price Ever in Time for Christmas

When a company, like Apple, releases a product, like the Apple Watch, you expect them to sell it for a while. But unfortunately for Apple, the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 won’t be on shelves for much longer.

It all stems from an extended patent infringement legal battle between Apple and Masimo, a medical technology company. Masimo sued Apple in 2020 over 10 patents it believed the company infringed on. Then, back in January, a U.S. judge agreed Apple had infringed on one of these patents, specifically a pulse oximeter patent for recording blood oxygen levels. Apple has included a blood oxygen sensor on all Apple Watches since the Series 6 (minus the SE), so it wasn’t clear how widespread this ruling’s affects could be on Apple.

Following an order from the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC), however, the situation is now clear: Apple will stop selling the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 on its website starting Thursday, Dec. 21 and will pull the watches from its retail stores after Dec. 24. You can see Apple’s full statement to 9to5Mac below:

A Presidential Review Period is in progress regarding an order from the U.S. International Trade Commission on a technical intellectual property dispute pertaining to Apple Watch devices containing the Blood Oxygen feature. While the review period will not end until December 25, Apple is preemptively taking steps to comply should the ruling stand. This includes pausing sales of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 from Apple.com starting December 21, and from Apple retail locations after December 24.

Apple’s teams work tirelessly to create products and services that empower users with industry-leading health, wellness, and safety features. Apple strongly disagrees with the order and is pursuing a range of legal and technical options to ensure that Apple Watch is available to customers.

Should the order stand, Apple will continue to take all measures to return Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 to customers in the U.S. as soon as possible.

The Biden administration does have until Dec. 25 to veto the ruling, if it so chooses, but as it stands, the latest two Apple Watches are leaving Apple’s stores.

If you want to buy one of these Apple Watches from Apple, you’ll need to do so immediately. That said, third-party stores will be able to continue selling their stock of the watches, so they’ll likely be available for some time following Apple’s deadlines. However, the ruling blocks imports of the wearables going forward, and as they’re made outside the U.S., Apple will not be able to replenish its stock of watches. Once third-party stores sell out, they’re gone until this legal situation is sorted out.

Source: LifeHacker – New Apple Watches Are Being Pulled Off the Market Soon

By the time you hit 30 years old, you’re probably feeling some societal pressure to have reached certain financial goals. Save a year’s salary. Be debt-free. Have an excellent credit score. While financial planning at any age is a good idea, pegging certain money benchmarks to turning 30 is completely arbitrary. Let’s take a look at why you shouldn’t hold yourself to age-based money goals, and what you should be focusing on instead.

Finance is not one-size-fits-all

Personal finance is deeply personal and depends on your individual situation. Someone living paycheck to paycheck shouldn’t have to compare themselves to a friend living off generational wealth. There’s no universal standard for how much you should have amassed in investments or retirement accounts thus far based solely on crossing into a new decade of life. The priorities that serve someone else may not make practical sense for you.

For example, aggressively paying off student loan debt straight out of college made sense for your friend who graduated with an engineering degree. But if you have credit card debt with a 20% APR, it’s likely best to direct extra payments to credit cards first before rushing to tackle lower interest education debt.

Likewise, guidelines stating you should have one year’s income in savings by age 30 may not fit someone who lived at home after college to build savings faster or someone else who changed careers later, resulting in an income reset.

Set these financial goals for yourself

What matters more than arbitrary age targets is to keep growing your financial literacy. So while there are no one-size-fits-all personal finances rules, there are certain standards you could try to hold yourself to. At 20, 25, 30, and beyond, here are some key financial plans to have in place.

Track your spending and know where your money goes

Even if you don’t understand big money topics, you should at least understand your own money. Outline your monthly income and expenses to get a clear picture of your cash flow. Look for areas where you can save, whether it’s cutting out unused subscriptions or eating out a little less. Here’s my guide to conducting a spending audit on yourself.

Build an emergency fund

As we’ve previously advised, the typical rule of thumb is to aim for six months’ worth of living expenses in your emergency fund. When you’re figuring out that number, factor in expenses such as housing, food, utilities, insurance, transportation, and debt payments. Non-essential expenses like vacations, entertainment, or dining out don’t belong in your “emergency” calculations.

For emergency funds, the money should go into an easily accessible account savings account (aka not a retirement-specific account) to cover issues like medical bills or car repairs.

Pay down debt

If there’s one thing tanking most of our financial pictures, it’s debt. Don’t let a fear of debt stop you from making a plan to pay it down. Here’s our guide to getting organized to pull yourself out of debt. One place to start is by listing out debts by interest rate, paying what minimums you can, and putting any extra funds towards the highest-interest debt first. Again: What’s important here is to at least have a plan, even if you can only afford to take baby steps right now.

Start saving for retirement

Retirement may seem forever away in your thirties, but starting to save now is key. Take full advantage of any 401(k) match from your employer. Open a Roth IRA to supplement workplace retirement accounts. Consult a retirement calculator to find out how much you may need to have saved, but to reiterate: There’s no magic number. No matter your age, you can still take advantage of compound interest, too, even with a small initial investment. What matters is that you start to save and invest ASAP.

Update insurance needs as your life situation evolves

Insurance feels unnecessary when you feel invincible. But protections for health, auto, renters or homeowners, disability, and life are services you hope to rarely use, but are invaluable when you need them. here are more types of insurance than you’re ever likely to need, but some of them are absolutely essential.

The bottom line

Everyone’s money situation is different. Stay proactive by making informed money decisions for your situation, not chasing some false ideal of financial achievement. What you really need is to keep acquiring financial literacy, so that you can keep making sound decisions. Consistent saving and working towards financial goals matters more than some random net worth number. This race has no set finish line.

Source: LifeHacker – These Are the Financial Milestones You Should Actually Hit by Age 30

Apple AirPods is the most ubiquitous name in wireless audio—but not all AirPods are created equal. Apple currently sells four models of AirPods, which is actually the company’s overarching brand name for all of its wireless headphones and earbuds. Which means it can get confusing: If someone in your life asks for “AirPods” as a gift, which should you buy?

Three of the four models are in-ear wireless earbuds, while the fourth is an over-the-ear pair of headphones. Each has its particular set of features, pros and cons, and, of course, price point. Let’s take a look at all the AirPods Apple currently sells, and how much each costs.

Recommended products:

Pick up any of the AirPods listed here on Amazon:

• AirPods Pro (2nd generation): $249, on sale for $199.99

• AirPods (3rd generation): $169, on sale for $139.99

• AirPods (2nd generation): $129, on sale for $99

• AirPods Max: $549, available for as low as $479

AirPods (2nd generation)

The 2nd generation AirPods are identical to the original AirPods in look and shape, so if you prefer that long-stem, this is the pair for you. This model also has an H1 chip, so you get classic features like automatic switching between Apple devices and higher sound quality. However, compared to the Pros or the AirPod 3, these are a little simple, which is why it’s the most affordable pair of AirPods at the moment. The AirPods (2nd generation) costs $129, currently on sale for $99.

AirPods (3rd generation)

The third-generation AirPods are the best bet for anyone who want some of the newest AirPods tech Apple has to offer, but doesn’t like the silicone tips of the Pros. These one-size-fits-all AirPods are sweat and water resistant, but not dust resistant. You get an H1 chip and spatial audio, but miss out on active noise cancellation and a few other AirPods Pro features. The AirPods (3rd generation) is priced at $169, but are currently $139.99.

AirPods Pro (2nd generation)

The second-generation AirPods is the best pair of in-ear wireless headphones that Apple makes right now. This model has an H2 chip and supports cool features like Conversation Awareness, Adaptive Audio, and Personalized Volume. You also get the benefit of spatial audio and active noise cancellation, which can be your best friend at concerts and other loud environments, plus you can adjust the volume level from the stem. The AirPods Pro ships with a case that supports wireless charging, and is also dust, sweat, and water resistant. Plus, there are interchangeable silicone tips, so you can find the right fit for your ear shape. All of these features are yours for $249, but you can find them on sale for $199.99 currently.

AirPods Max

The AirPods Max is the only over-ear headphone in Apple’s AirPods lineup. It’s also the most expensive AirPods model at $549 (but you can find them for as low as $479). Unfortunately, the AirPods Max hasn’t been updated in a while, and still has the older H1 chip, as opposed to the H2 in the AirPods Pro. It misses out on Adaptive Audio and other newer features, but you do get active noise cancellation and spatial audio. It offers a similar level of sound quality as the AirPods Pro 2, but will appeal to those who prefer an over-ear design over earbuds.

Source: LifeHacker – The Four Types of AirPods (and How Much They Cost)

When it comes to VR devices like the Meta Quest headsets, the biggest draw by far is gaming. But did you know you can also use your headset to get some work done? Thanks to the recent launch of certain Microsoft Office apps for Meta Quest headsets, you can now work on a Word doc, crunch some numbers in an Excel spreadsheet, or put together a presentation in PowerPoint, all in VR. These Office VR apps are just the beginning for Microsoft: The company recently released an Xbox Game Pass app, and is working on other VR apps, like Teams.

Products to consider:

Looking to pick up a new Meta Quest headset? You can buy the Meta Quest 2, 3, or Pro on Amazon:

• Meta Quest 2

• Meta Quest 3

• Meta Quest Pro

Requirements to use the Microsoft Office apps

Before you start diving into Microsoft Office, there are a couple of requirements to consider. First, you’ll need a Microsoft account if you don’t have one already. Next, you’ll need a Quest headset; the apps are available on the original Oculus Quest, Meta Quest 2, Meta Quest Pro, and the newly released Meta Quest 3. Lastly, you need to make sure you have an internet connection since these versions of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint run via the cloud.

Getting started with the Microsoft Office apps

Once you’ve sorted all that out, you’ll need to download the Word, Excel, and PowerPoint apps from the Meta store. The apps are fairly small in size (under 2 MB each) so storage shouldn’t be much of a concern. After you’ve gotten the apps downloaded, each app will take you through the setup process of signing into your Microsoft account. It’s worth noting that you don’t need a Microsoft 365 subscription to use the new apps in VR, but Microsoft will still try to push you to subscribe via ads in the app.

Using the Microsoft Office apps in VR

Using each of the Word, Excel, and PowerPoint apps was fairly straightforward for me. Signing into the apps was easy, and if you sign into your Microsoft account in one app, you’ll be automatically signed into the other Office apps. Upon opening one of the apps, a window running the web version of that Office app will appear. You can resize the windows by dragging on the sides with your controllers, or you can change your distance using the shortcut on the Quest universal bar. (Look for the icon near the bell/notification icon on the left.) The biggest hitch I encountered was long loading times when I opened a new, blank document. Some speed bumps are expected with any new app release, so this wasn’t too shocking.

To actually start working on documents, you can use your Quest headset’s controllers and the virtual on-screen keyboard. If that’s a little too wonky for you, you can pair a physical Bluetooth keyboard and mouse to do your work. To pair a keyboard and mouse to your headset, go to Settings, then Devices, then choose Pair, then put your mouse and keyboard into pairing mode. Once they’re paired, you’re good to go.

Source: LifeHacker – You Can Now Use Microsoft Office on Your Meta Quest Headset for Some Reason

While buzzing coming from a light bulb isn’t usually dangerous, it certainly is annoying. There are a few reasons a light can make that irritating buzzing sound—and there are a few things you can try to fix it.

Tighten the bulb

The most common reason for a light to make a buzzing sound is if the bulb is loose. This can happen with any type of light bulb, but is most commonly associated with fluorescents. With fluorescent lights, the ballast that controls the flow of electricity to the bulb can also become loose and cause buzzing. The easiest way to address this is to just turn the light off, tighten the bulb, and then turn the light back on. Take care, especially with incandescent bulbs, to let it cool down before touching the surface of the bulb to avoid burning yourself.

Replace the ballast

If adjusting the bulb in your fluorescent light doesn’t work, it might be that the ballast has gone bad. This can cause a vibration in the fixture that will make a buzzing sound. The ballast is an electromagnetic resistor that regulates the flow of electricity to the fluorescent tubes. To fix this, you’ll need to turn off the breaker that goes to the fixture and remove the cover over the ballast. Then, you will need to undo the wires and remove the affected ballast. Make sure to leave enough wire—at least three inches—to wire in the new ballast. Then, replace the ballast and reconnect the wires, following the color coding on the fixture. You can reassemble your light and turn the breaker back on to test your repair.

Update the dimmer

For LED bulbs, a common cause of buzzing is a dimmer switch that’s meant for an incandescent bulb being used with an LED bulb. This incompatibility can cause the electronic components in an LED to vibrate, making a buzzing sound. To address this, you will need to replace your dimmer switch with one that’s compatible with LED lights. You should consult the packaging of your particular LED bulb, but CL, ELV, and LED+ dimmers are compatible with most LED bulbs.

Other common problems with LEDs

If your LED light is buzzing and there’s not a dimmer in sight, chances are that it’s caused by loose wiring. If that’s the case, you can swap out the bulb, or you might need to flip the breaker off to investigate the light fixture itself. If all the wiring looks to be snug, it could be that the type of LED bulb you’re using isn’t compatible with the fixture it’s in. Check the package to see if you’re within the recommended wattage for the bulb. It’s also possible the bulb is defective, so try swapping it for a different one to see if the buzzing stops.

When to contact an electrician

In rare circumstances, a buzzing sound can come from the wiring in a switch or connection in your home’s wiring. If you hear buzzing coming from the wiring or the switch as opposed to the light itself, you should turn the breaker off that powers that wiring and call an electrician. Such buzzing can indicate a dangerous short that could pose a fire risk.

Source: LifeHacker – How to Fix a Buzzing Light Fixture

Two weeks ago, I got a new Apple Watch to replace my old one, which has spent the last year or so of its life in my junk drawer, save for a few days it spent in the no-man’s-land of my bedside table. The old one, it goes without saying, has become very dirty. I got the new one after coming to the conclusion, for the 137th time in my life, that it’s time to “get it together” and start taking my health seriously, so I’ve been wearing it to work out and sleep for a whole fortnight. It, too, got dirty, but in a different way. 

What better opportunity, then, to test out two methods of cleaning a smart watch?

Smart watch cleaning method #1: Soap and water

The method that cropped up most in my research on cleaning smart watches involved mild soap and water, so that’s what I decided to try for my old watch. I read that if the device is waterproof, you can actually dunk it in a bowl full of warm water and a drop or two of dish or hand soap. I used Mrs. Meyer’s, but you can use any mild soap as long as you don’t overdo it with the drops. I do not know if my old watch is waterproof and I do want to try to sell it, so I opted to use a soft cloth to rub the soapy water on the face and sensor instead of dunking it. As far as I can tell, there is no good reason to submerge your fancy tech. 

Before doing any kind of washing, remove your watch band, just to make it easier on yourself. You should also power off your smart watch (since mine was dead, I didn’t bother). I buffed the tiniest bit of soapy water around the machine with the cloth and, sure enough, everything came off fine, including a large streak of unidentified gunk that I think was spray paint from many moons ago. I used a dry section of the cloth to wipe it again, removing excess dampness.

I ran into an issue when I peeked in the little troughs where the watch band connects to the device itself. They’re tiny, just millimeters across, but they were remarkably dirty inside. My cloth wouldn’t fit and for a moment I wondered if this was why some people were plunging theirs into bowls of water, but when I folded a wet wipe in half and pulled it tight, I could easily slide the corner I’d made into the groove and it did the trick. If there’s truly nasty crust in yours, try a paper towel dipped in your soap-and-water solution. 

Smart watch cleaning method #2: Isopropyl alcohol

For my new watch, I repeated the trick of sticking a wet wipe in the grooves that hold the band, but used a q-tip dipped in 70% isopropyl alcohol to spot treat the grosser parts, which looked and felt kind of oily. Where the older watch was dirty because of its retirement in the junk drawer, this one was dirty because of lotion and sweat; alcohol is better for oily messes than water, obviously, so before you clean, consider what sort of streaks you’re tackling. Also know that before I did this, I read a lot of online debate about whether or not it’s a good thing to do, but felt confident enough after reading that little dabs are safe. Don’t use a cloth sopping wet with alcohol. 

If your watch is extremely dirty, try soap and water first. The alcohol should only be dabbed quickly on the exterior, then left to air dry. If you have any of those little alcohol pads, they’ll be perfect for this. Never let alcohol touch leather bands and try not to let it in any ports or holes, either. 

Since this watch wasn’t as dirty, alcohol worked fine. In both instances, I was a little worried about streaks, but after letting both air dry, there were none to report. 

Other things to keep in mind when cleaning a smart watch

I wanted to find some grime in the ports and holes on my watches, but I couldn’t. While I think this says something sort of nice about who I am as a person, it doesn’t help me much when I’m trying to find the best cleaning methods. From what I’ve read, if you do have visible gunk in the tiny holes on your watch, gently (very gently!) try to dislodge it with a soft toothbrush or blow on it at an angle. If it’s small or not blow-able, wipe gently with a dry cloth. There really aren’t any holes big enough on an Apple Watch to cause problems, but if your device has some, be careful not to push the icky stuff further inside.

Consider getting in the habit of running a damp cloth or paper towel over your watch after you sweat a lot or before you put it on the charger, too, to stop it from getting quite so dirty before its next real cleaning. Never use too much water, even if it’s waterproof—it should be dry before you power it back on, charge it, or wear it.

You should also clean your watch band regularly, but how you do that will depend on what it’s made of. Most of mine are fabric, so they go in the washing machine, but rubber ones can be cleaned with soap and water or disinfectant. If it’s leather, wipe it with a dry cloth, then use a drop of gentle soap (like hand soap) on a damp cloth to rub any messy spots. Use a clean, damp cloth to wipe away any soap residue and let the leather air dry, then hit it with some leather conditioner.  

Source: LifeHacker – How to Clean Your Smart Watch Without Ruining It

Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol is the greatest story about Christmas ever written—even better than the one with Mary and Joseph and the manger. The 1843 tale of a miser browbeaten by self-righteous ghosts is (probably) the most filmed story of all time. Dozens of cinematic adaptations of A Christmas Carol have been released in theaters and on TV since Scrooge; or Marley’s Ghost came out in 1901. Hundreds or thousands if you count re-imaginings and very special episodes of sitcoms. But which version is the very best?

I’ve carefully considered every major theatrical and TV adaptation of A Christmas Carol and rated each in terms of holiday spirit, Dickensian whimsy, and Scrooge-osity to arrive at the definite, no-argument-possible best-to-worst list of Christmas Carols.

To rank Christmas Carols, you have to decide what A Christmas Carol is to you. My criteria for inclusion: It has to be full-length (at least around an hour long); it has to have been released widely, either in theaters, on network television, or through a larger streaming service, and it has to be fairly close to a direct adaptation—modernizations, re-imaginings, sequels, and that episode of The Six Million Dollar Man don’t count (sorry, Scrooged fans.) Using those criteria, I’ve winnowed the Scrooges down to the 16 you see below, ranked from best to worst, along with where you can stream each one.

A Christmas Carol (1984)

One in eight children has a child anxiety disorder, according to the National Institutes of Health, and it can take a lot of patience from parents to help their kids find some calm. The good news for moms and dads is there are plenty of quality products that can help reduce anxious feelings and offer comfort. Here’s a list of my favorite items to help decrease stress and ease busy young minds. 

Compression bed sheet

This compression sheet is an excellent alternative to weighted blankets if they don’t work well for your child. Its stretchy, breathable fabric lightly snuggles your child, allowing them to stay calm throughout the night. While some of the reviews state it can be challenging to get this sheet on their bed, most parents agree that’s a small price to pay so their child can get a good night’s sleep.  

Noise-reduction headphones

Too many noises can increase anxiety in children. Purchasers of these headphones rave that they’re perfect for reducing sound in loud environments, and wearers could still carry on conversations with parents when they are up close. They also sport soft ear cushions and are fully adjustable for your child’s comfort. 

Chewigems

When anxiety hits, the fingernails are usually the first to go. These dog-tag-shaped silicone pendants offer a sanitary alternative to your child’s digits, giving kids the stimulation they crave while looking cool enough to avoid teasing from others. They can also be easily cleaned with hot water or in your dishwasher.

Warm Pals weighted stuffed animal

Stuffies bring a smile to any child’s face, but studies show that they also help kids experience big emotions and feel support. These Warm Pals help those children who suffer from anxiety with their weighted grain-filled stuffing and its calming lavender smell. They can also be warmed or cooled down if your child is sensitive to temperature.

Indoor sensory swing

Besides being very cool to have in your house, the motion of this indoor swing can soothe an anxious child. This easy-to-install product, which can hold up to 220 pounds, offers kids a calming experience with a durable fabric that will nestle your youngster. 

Sound machine

I don’t know what I would have done if my sons hadn’t had a white noise machine to put them to sleep. Even now, their room is so relaxing, keeping out the roaring engines of the traffic outside our home. This model sports 25 sounds, has a timer, and functions as a night light to give kids extra comfort.

Trifold easel art set

According to Verywell Family, anxious kids should have plenty of art supplies handy because drawing, coloring, and painting can help them cope with big feelings and emotions. This 185-piece art kit has everything an artist needs, from oil pastels, watercolors, markers, and paper. It also includes a double-sided easel, allowing young Monets to take this kit anywhere and view the inspiration for their next masterpiece. 

Monster Stomp game

What child hasn’t wanted to stomp out their fears? That’s the object of this award-winning role-playing game for those over 4 years old. When players stomp the monster they created with the modeling clay included with the game, they have to talk about the other monsters in the world, such as the dark, disease, and other things that scare them, giving anxious kids a sense of control over what they worry about the most.

Emotions magnet

My sons have a version of this magnet in their classrooms because it helps them build self-awareness, and the more conscious a child is of their emotions, the more they can process and manage how they respond to those feelings. By silently announcing if they are happy, anxious, or sad, families can be open to discussing why they feel the way they do.  

Yoga cards kit

Any kind of exercise is excellent for reducing stress and anxiety, and yoga in particular can be a mood booster that helps kids feel better about their bodies. There are many ways for kids to access yoga classes, whether it’s YouTube videos aimed toward young ones or joining you for a session. However, these illustrated cards can go with them anywhere, so if they want to practice their sunflower pose in the park or child’s pose in the living room, they’re easily accessible when they need to destress. 

Recommended products to help reduce your child’s anxiety:

• Compression Bed Sheet: $24.99

• Noise Reduction Earmuffs: $13.69

• Chewigems: $24.74

• Warm Pals Weighted Stuffed Animal: $25.95

• Indoor Sensory Swing: $89.99

• Sound Machine: $23.99

• Trifold Easel Art Set: $22.99

• Monster Stomp game: $19.95

• Emotions Magnet: $9.99 

• Yoga Cards Kit: $9.99

Source: LifeHacker – These Are My Favorite Products to Help Anxious Kids

If you’re looking for the Wordle answer for December 18, 2023 read on. We’ll share some clues, tips, and strategies, and finally the solution. Today’s puzzle is on the harder side, but not too tricky; I lucked out on my third guess. Beware, there are spoilers below for December 18, Wordle #912! Keep scrolling if you want some hints (and then the answer) to today’s Wordle game.

How to play Wordle

Wordle lives here on the New York Times website. A new puzzle goes live every day at midnight, your local time.

Start by guessing a five-letter word. The letters of the word will turn green if they’re correct, yellow if you have the right letter in the wrong place, or gray if the letter isn’t in the day’s secret word at all. For more, check out our guide to playing Wordle here, and my strategy guide here for more advanced tips. (We also have more information at the bottom of this post, after the hints and answers.)

Ready for the hints? Let’s go!

Does today’s Wordle have any unusual letters?

We’ll define common letters as those that appear in the old typesetters’ phrase ETAOIN SHRDLU. (Memorize this! Pronounce it “Edwin Shirdloo,” like a name, and pretend he’s a friend of yours.)

Only two common letters today. Of the others, we have one that’s middlingly common and one that appears near the end of the alphabet.

Can you give me a hint for today’s Wordle?

I hope you have a sense of humor; it’s kind of silly. 

Does today’s Wordle have any double or repeated letters?

Yes, there is a doubled consonant.

How many vowels are in today’s Wordle?

There is one “real” vowel, and one “sometimes” vowel.

What letter does today’s Wordle start with?

Today’s word starts with F.

What letter does today’s Wordle end with?

Today’s word ends with Y.

What is the solution to today’s Wordle?

Ready? Today’s word is FUNNY.

How I solved today’s Wordle

ARISE: no hits. TOUCH: just the U. So I’m supposed to come up with a word that only has U as a vowel, and it can’t be in the middle?! If I put it in the second spot, how would I even fill up the three slots that follow? That’s when I realized this is prime time for a word like BUZZY or GUPPY. I go with FUNNY–N’s are always a good pick, and I hadn’t used one yet–and lucked out. 

Wordle 912 3/6

⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜
⬜⬜🟨⬜⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

A primer on Wordle basics

The idea of Wordle is to guess the day’s secret word. When you first open the Wordle game, you’ll see an empty grid of letters. It’s up to you to make the first move: type in any five-letter word. 

Now, you can use the colors that are revealed to get clues about the word: 

• Green means you correctly guessed a letter, and it’s in the correct position. (For example, if you guess PARTY, and the word is actually PURSE, the P and R will be green.)

• Yellow means the letter is somewhere in the word, but not in the position you guessed it. (For example, if you guessed PARTY, but the word is actually ROAST, the R, A and T will all be yellow.)

• Gray means the letter is not in the solution word at all. (If you guessed PARTY and everything is gray, then the solution cannot be PURSE or ROAST.)

With all that in mind, guess another word, and then another, trying to land on the correct word before you run out of chances. You get six guesses, and then it’s game over.

The best starter words for Wordle

What should you play for that first guess? The best starters tend to contain common letters, to increase the chances of getting yellow and green squares to guide your guessing. (And if you get all grays when guessing common letters, that’s still excellent information to help you rule out possibilities.) There isn’t a single “best” starting word, but the New York Times’s Wordle analysis bot has suggested starting with one of these:

• CRANE

• TRACE

• SLANT

• CRATE

• CARTE

Meanwhile, an MIT analysis found that you’ll eliminate the most possibilities in the first round by starting with one of these:

• SALET

• REAST

• TRACE

• CRATE

• SLATE

Other good picks might be ARISE or ROUND. Words like ADIEU and AUDIO get more vowels in play, but you could argue that it’s better to start with an emphasis on consonants, using a starter like RENTS or CLAMP. Choose your strategy, and see how it plays out.

How to win at Wordle

We have a few guides to Wordle strategy, which you might like to read over if you’re a serious student of the game. This one covers how to use consonants to your advantage, while this one focuses on a strategy that uses the most common letters. In this advanced guide, we detail a three-pronged approach for fishing for hints while maximizing your chances of winning quickly.

The biggest thing that separates Wordle winners from Wordle losers is that winners use their guesses to gather information about what letters are in the word. If you know that the word must end in -OUND, don’t waste four guesses on MOUND, ROUND, SOUND, and HOUND; combine those consonants and guess MARSH. If the H lights up in yellow, you know the solution.

One more note on strategy: the original Wordle used a list of about 2,300 solution words, but after the game was bought by the NYT, the game now has an editor who hand-picks the solutions. Sometimes they are slightly tricky words that wouldn’t have made the original list, and sometimes they are topical. For example, FEAST was the solution one Thanksgiving. So keep in mind that there may be a theme.

Wordle alternatives

If you can’t get enough of five-letter guessing games and their kin, the best Wordle alternatives, ranked by difficulty, include:

• Wheeldle, which lets you play one puzzle after another

• Dordle and Quordle, which ask you to play two (Dordle) or four (Quordle) puzzles at the same time, with the same guesses. There is also Octordle, with eight puzzles, and Sedecordle, with 16.

• Waffle, which shows you several five-letter words, scrambled in a grid; you play by swapping the letters around until you solve.

• Absurdle, which changes the solution after each guess, but needs to stay consistent with its previous feedback. You have to strategically back it into a corner until there is only one possible word left; then you guess it, and win.

• Squabble, in which you play Wordle against other people with a timer running. You take damage if you spend too much time between guesses; winner is the last one standing.

• Antiwordle, in which you are trying not to guess the day’s solution. You’re required to reuse any letters that you (oops) guessed correctly, so the longer it takes you, the better you are at the game.

Source: LifeHacker – Today’s Wordle Hints (and Answer) for Monday, December 18, 2023