Home

Month: July 2018

  • Amazon Prime Day and the 5 Best Deals

    Amazon Prime Day and the 5 Best Deals

    Its that time of year again, no Not Rex Manning day, its Amazon Prime Day. This glorious holiday comes July 16th and will bring with it a slew of Amazons best deals. I like to celebrate Amazon Prime Day hardcore, I make raviolis and throw confetti on my bushes. It the time of year to spoil yourself and get killer deals on all the toys you’ve been looking at all year.

    Prime Day starts at 3 p.m. ET (noon PT) on Monday, July 16. It runs through 11:59 p.m. ET on Tuesday night, July 17.Technically, you must be an Amazon Prime subscriber to take advantage of Prime Day deals… but some vendors may offer discounts to all shoppers. Lets take a look at the 5 best Amazon Prime Day deals.

    1.Amazon Echo Show- $130

    This is the first of the big deals from Amazon pre-advertised to build up the hype. The Echo Show for $130. That’s a full $100 off the regular price and the biggest discount to date for Amazon’s screen-equipped smart-home companion.

    2.Discounted Amazon Prime Day Amazon Media Service

    Yes, for all Prime member you can subscribe to Amazon Music, Audible and discounts on Amazon Movie Rentals.

    Four months of Amazon Music for $1. Another extended trial for newcomers only, Amazon Music rivals Spotify and similar services by offering unlimited access to some 40 million songs. After your first four months, you’ll get billed at the standard $7.99 monthly rate unless you cancel.

    3 months of Audible for $4.95 per month. The standard subscription rate for Amazon’s audiobook service: $14.95 per month. Right now, Prime subscribers can get the first three months for $4.95 each, a total savings of $30. Interestingly, there’s nothing to indicate this is for new subscribers only, so if you’ve tried Audible in the past, you may be able to get this deal.

    $2 movie rentals. Amazon has a slew of newer movies you can rent, via Prime Video, for $1.99 apiece

    3. Amazon Whole Foods

    You can get a Free’ Amazon Voucher – just spend $10 in Whole Foods between July 11-17th and you’ll get a $10 Amazon voucher. Effectively, that’s your money back!

    4.Amazon Cube- $18 a month for 6 months

    This is some inside info you can only get here at goodfind.guru. The new Amazon Cube will go Amazon Prime Day crazy with the same release day deal. For $90 or $18 a month for 6 months get the latest and greatest in the SmartTV devices. Alexa enabled and totally advanced with every streaming option you could want. For all of us kicking our selves for not jumping on it last month on the release day take advantage now.

    5. Cauldryn Fyre Mobile – $90

    This Vacuum Bottle, Temperature Controlled Mug, Boiling Battery Vacuum Bottle that Brews Coffee or Tea as well as Boils Water and Maintains the Perfect Temperature all Day will be a featured at a 40$ off Amazon Prime Day deal. Need

  • Worlds Collide in Fortnite’s Fifth Season

    Worlds Collide in Fortnite’s Fifth Season

    Fortnite’s fifth season is now live, following the introduction of a real-world ARG. Recently, the game’s Durr Burger mascot was found in the California desert, having apparently slipped there from the game’s world. Now that the fifth season has kicked off, it seems a number of objects from various places and times have been pulled into the game. Viking ships, giant statues and more now litter the game’s map. In fact, the map has changed pretty dramatically as a result of the rifts.

    News Areas, New Faces in Fortnite’s Fifth Season

    Moisty Mire, everyone’s favorite swamp, has been turned into a sprawling desert. In addition, a number of other changes on the map’s surface have occurred thanks to the rifts. Two new named areas are now in the game: Lazy Links and Paradise Palms. Lazy Links, a resort with a pool, replaces Anarchy Acres, which is no great loss, as Fatal Fields is nearly the same area. Moisty Mire, however, is now the desert locale of Paradise Palms.

    Several new skins are also introduced in the new Battle Pass. The slick-looking, paint-tagging vandal Drift and the Viking Huntress are both unlocked right away with the battle pass, and many more skins away in higher tiers.

    Golf Carts, Rifts and More

    The newest vehicle in the game, the All-Terrain Karts, can seat up to four players and give a considerable speed boost. While Shopping Carts were a cool addition for duos last season, the ATKs give squads of four a new way to travel! The top of the cart functions as a jump pad, too!

    Additionally, the rifts that developed in the sky at the end of last season have now fallen to the earth. If you jump in one, you’ll be teleported elsewhere on the map, where you can then paraglide to safety. This is a great trick for eluding would-be attackers!

    Fortnite is available for free on PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch and iOS.

  • Apple Music Now Beating Spotify in the US

    Apple Music Now Beating Spotify in the US

    While Spotify might still have a few million more users than Apple Music worldwide, Apple has taken the lead in the US. This comes after Apple was a bit late to the streaming scene, as Spotify had a few years of head start. How did Apple manage to overtake the biggest music streaming service in the world?

    Big-Name Collaborations

    Names like Drake, Frank Ocean and Taylor Swift command a bit of attention. Apple wisely has signed deals with these artists to stream their albums on Apple Music first. In fact, hip-hop and R&B artists see much more success on Apple Music than on Spotify. Drake, for instance, topped the music-streaming charts when Scorpion launched this Summer. J. Cole’s album, K.O.D., saw nearly double the streams on Apple Music than on Spotify. That’s a big deal, as hip-hop and R&B make up nearly a third of all music streaming.

    Beyond just the exclusivity, a number of artists have their own radio shows on Apple’s Beats One radio station. That station, you could guess, is available only through an Apple Music subscription. Drake, Deadmau5, Billie Eilish and more artists have their own shows, and their legions of fans follow them to the service. When you’ve got a following as big as Drake, your name alone can carry a service.

    Beats One

    Speaking of Beats One, it’s the crown jewel of Apple Music and the key to its success. DJs like Zane Lower and Ebro Darden bring a human touch to the proceedings. That same human touch is notably missing from the algorithm-driven Spotify radio service. The interviews, exclusive content and world-first premiers on the service are all quite compelling for diehard music lovers. While more casual listeners may be content with Spotify, those who want more human content are attracted to Beats One.

    Apple Music Has the Install Base

    Another big plus for Apple’s service is the install base of Apple devices. Many people already have iPhones, Macs and the like, and as such they are more likely to try Apple Music. Siri commands can pull up Beats One and the service has iTunes integration. What’s more, Apple CarPlay is the perfect ecosystem for Beats One Radio to shine.

    While Spotify is still leading by a wide margin in the global market, Apple has secured the American listeners. Time will tell whether Apple manages to pull in the foreign demographics, or if they keep their focus here at home.

  • Movie Roundup: The Coolest Moment from Ant-Man and the Wasp

    Movie Roundup: The Coolest Moment from Ant-Man and the Wasp

    If you haven’t seen Ant-Man and the Wasp yet, consider this your spoiler warning! Major spoilers for the plot of the newest entry in the MCU are ahead! If you haven’t seen it, bookmark this page, go see it, and come back. We’ll wait here for you! For those of you who have already seen it, let’s get down to business. Today we’re going to walk it back and discuss the coolest moments from the movie, from the funny to the touching to the downright awesome!

    Hope’s Fight with Sonny’s Men

    A defining moment early in Ant-Man and the Wasp introduces audience to how badass the Wasp is. One of the best uses for Pym Particles, other than shrinking and growing, is whooping ass. Shrinking down to dodge bullets and thrown knives, Hope evades Sonny’s thugs easily. She then grows back to full size and lays the hurt on them, landing punches just as she finishes returning to full-size. This scene culminates in the appearance of Ghost, and Scott’s attempts to help Hope defeat the newcomer. Ghost’s powers are contrasted with Scott and Hope’s in visually stunning ways, as they phase through each other and shrink to dodge attacks.

    Luis and the “Truth Serum”

    The Drunk History-style storytelling gag from the film’s hilarious sidekick, Luis, returns in the sequel. And to great effect! When bad guy Sonny Burch ambushes Luis and co. at Ex-Conn, he shoots Luis full of something that totally isn’t truth serum. Then, Sonny asks Luis where Scott is, resulting in a free-wheeling, hilarious segment. Luis explains, in detail, how Scott got to where he is, emotionally at least. The scene helps flesh out Scott and Hope’s relationship as much as it makes the audience laugh and break an otherwise tense sequence.

    Scott Goes Big

    The massive chase scene in the third act culminates with Scott going bigger than he ever has. Growing well beyond 60 feet tall, Scott easily dispatches Sonny and takes the micro-sized lab back from him.  However, the strain of being so massive rapidly drains Scott of his energy, and he passes out and falls into the water of the San Francisco Bay. The resulting chaos and Ghost’s sudden appearance push the film into a fast-paced climax as the heroes race to save Hank and Janet from the Quantum Realm.

    Coolest Ant-Man and the Wasp Moment: Scott’s Uncertain Fate in the Quantum Realm

    After the main conflict has been resolved, Scott’s house arrest is lifted and his relationship with the Pym family is restored. What’s more, Team Ant-Man seems to be on good terms with Ghost, going so far as to help her healing process. Scott is sent to the Quantum Realm by the Pym family to harvest healing particles for Ghost in the post-credits scene. After gathering the particles, Scott radios back to the team, signaling them to pull him back to full-size. However, he’s greeted by static.

    The camera then pans to show us what remains of the Pym family: ashes on the wind. Thanos’ victory in Infinity War has occurred, trapping Scott in the Quantum Realm and leaving us with questions. How will Scott return to the real world? What roll will Ant-Man and Ghost play in Avengers 4? And will the Quantum Realm be the key to undoing the damage Thanos has done? We’ll find out next year, when Avengers 4 comes out!

  • Samsung Galaxy J3: Is It Worth Getting?

    Samsung Galaxy J3: Is It Worth Getting?

    Samsung dominates in the world of luxury, high-end smartphones. Their Galaxy series is renowned for being great, even if they’re relatively expensive. In order to combat the image of their phones being for high-end users only, their budget friendly Galaxy J series is priced much lower. However, is the newest J3 worth it, even for the reduced price tag?

    The Price

    The first consideration for a budget phone, of course, is price. In that respect, you can rest assured that this phone is inexpensive. It runs between $210 and $130, depending on where you’re getting it. If that sounds really cheap that’s because it is: most phones cost at least double that to carry modern tech. That’s the trick with the Galaxy J3, though; it doesn’t sport modern tech.

    Performance

    This phone is slow. Glacially so, in fact. The processor feels like something from 2010, as apps and basic functions lag and struggle to keep up with the user. Launching apps is sluggish, web pages populate slowly and even returning to the home screen has noticeable lag.

    The camera doesn’t fare much better. Indoor photos are fuzzy and light sources appear to have a blue haze clinging to them. Outdoor shooting is passable, but nothing to get excited about. The screen does the phone no favors here either. It looks alright, but not good. The battery life is the one redeeming feature of this stinker, lasting around 14 hours on a full charge.

    Samsung Galaxy J3 Bottom Line

    Needless to say, you should skip this phone. It surpasses the threshold of “budget phone” and dives head-first into the realm of “bad purchase.” If you’re in the market for a phone in this price range, look into something like the Moto G6 Play. It runs for $200 or so and sports a much better processor and camera. Neither are particularly impressive by modern standards, but they beat the heck out of the J3. In fact, if you’re not worried about $50 extra, the Moto G6 is a great budget option for $250.

    In either event, steer clear of the Samsung Galaxy J3. It’s not worth the price, even with how low that price tag is. The Samsung name alone can’t save this mediocre phone from being just that: another terrible budget Android phone.

  • 10 Chilling Solutions to the Fermi Paradox

    10 Chilling Solutions to the Fermi Paradox

    The Fermi Paradox refers to an understanding of the observable universe that appears inherently paradoxical. Put forth by Enrico Fermi, a physicist, the paradox holds that the evidence of extraterrestrial life is incongruous with the likelihood of its existence. In simpler terms, the universe is very big and very old, and there are tons of planets that could support life as we know it. However, there is absolutely no observable evidence of any intelligent life in the universe outside of our own. This paradox, then, begs the question: where is everyone? If we’re alone in the universe, why? And if we’re not, why can’t we find anyone? Today, we’re looking at ten chilling possible answers to these questions.

    Virtual Reality is Better Than Real Reality

    Humans are just now beginning to develop virtual reality that proves entertaining over a long period. However, imagine a sufficiently advanced alien race that has created virtual reality that is indistinguishable from actual reality. Such a species might find it is much more interested in exploring virtual realms than the real world. Much like the plot of the movie The Matrix, a sufficiently detailed virtual world would be indistinguishable from the real one. As such, it might be the case that advanced life forms are out there, they’re just floating in sensory deprivation tanks and living in a virtual utopia.

    The Universe Is a Simulation

    Along a similar line of thinking is the theory that our universe itself is a simulation. While scientists and philosophers debate the point, it makes sense: a brain floating in a jar couldn’t tell this world from a dream. Indeed, our world may very well be entirely simulated, and we could be programs in that system. Thus, the lack of life in the universe would be by design: the simulation is only interested in humans. Why this would be the case, however, is unclear. Our universe is unfathomably massive, and we will never explore even one percent of it.

    Intelligent Life is Very Rare

    The Fermi Paradox is constructed under the assumption that intelligent life would arise if conditions like those on Earth were present on another planet for long enough. Maybe, however, that assumption is wrong. Maybe so many more things must fall in place before intelligent life can evolve and prosper that it’s a mathematical impossibility. Humans may be truly, utterly unique in the universe. The entire vast, cold reaches of space are quiet and uninhabited, making us the sole species that comprehends the cosmos.

    No One Else Has Made It This Far

    Maybe we aren’t alone at all, but we’re by far the most advanced species to arise in the galaxy. Perhaps we are unique in our ability to leave our own atmosphere, and other intelligent species haven’t pieced that together. Or, perhaps, they simply don’t care to. This solution holds that humans are the only intelligent life that wants to rocket away from the safety of home and explore the dark, quiet cosmos. Why would any other species want to do the same, when they would have no evidence of our existence, either?

    The “Sustainability” Solution

    Perhaps expanding throughout the stars isn’t all that easy to do. We’ve assumed, up to this point, that colonizing planets would be like colonizing countries on Earth. However, what if it’s too difficult to amass the resources to travel between stars? Perhaps other species have tried to expand, only to collapse under the pressure. Keeping food stores and fuel reserves high could very well be the bottleneck to space exploration.

    Aliens are Commonplace but Unseen

    Maybe aliens are everywhere. Not on Earth, of course, we’re not suggesting your neighbor is from Mars. No, maybe aliens are common in the galaxy, but we just don’t know what to look for. We tend to use radio signals to communicate, and we’ve assumed aliens would, too. However, it’s possible that aliens are just too far away for us to intercept their signals. Out of a range of a few hundred light years, radio signals become gibberish. Or, even more likely, advanced alien life doesn’t use radio waves at all. It’s possible that we simply haven’t thought of the kinds of communication they use. As such, messages could bounce past Earth every day and we would have no clue.

    The “Zoo” Hypothesis

    On the same track as the previous solution, the Zoo Solution holds that aliens see us. We just don’t see them. This solution posits that maybe aliens are observing us, unwilling to make contact. They’ve perceived our species as primitive, and as such want to simply watch us develop. Or, perhaps something more sinister is going on. Perhaps an advanced race is acting as zookeeper for all intelligent life, monitoring advancements. This zookeeper could be stymying attempts to explore the galaxy in order to protect its own interests. This could explain why we see no evidence of intelligent life in the galaxy.

    The Vast Time Frame of the Cosmos

    The galaxy is old, and the universe is even older. Both will be around for countless epochs to come: we simply can’t fathom the cosmic scope of time. It’s possible that we’re not separated from alien civilizations by distance, but instead by time. Perhaps great empires have risen in the galaxy, only to collapse in eons past. We haven’t seen any evidence of their great empires because they’re already crumbled to dust. Perhaps, a million years from now a fledging Solar empire will find odd artifacts of our civilization and wonder who we were.

    Aliens are Too Violent to Progress

    There are a host of theories referred to as “great filters,” loosely defined as things that stop life from achieving interstellar travel. One such filter would be war. Humans are warlike in some ways, and rational in others. Our odd evolutionary niche as something between predator and prey gives us an odd relationship with violence. However, complex life is generally carnivorous, or at least omnivorous. As such, we could presume that intelligent life would generally be at least somewhat aggressive. What if that same spirit that drives living things to advance is the one that drives them to destroy each other? It’s quite possible that intelligent life has simply bombed itself out of existence before taking to the stars. It’s not unreasonable: humanity still has a chance to do so with nuclear war. Only time will tell if we manage to colonize other planets and visit distant stars before we destroy ourselves.

    The Fermi Paradox isn’t Really a Paradox

    The most unsettling answer to the Fermi Paradox is that it isn’t a paradox at all. What if we’ve simply been looking for the wrong things? Alien life may just be too truly alien to detect. Perhaps alien species don’t communicate in ways we would even perceive as communication. Perhaps life can develop in ways we don’t understand, and that life values things we don’t understand. It could be that attempts at contact have been made but have gone unnoticed. Maybe if we just knew what to look for, we might find out that alien life is closer than we could have expected.

  • Microsoft Surface Go Early Impressions

    Microsoft Surface Go Early Impressions

    The Microsoft Surface Pro is easily one of the finest two-in-one tablets in the world. As such, it’s surprising that Microsoft has struggled to create a smaller version of the tablet that impresses. The Surface Pro is pretty big, all said, coming in at nearly 13 inches. The new Microsoft Surface Go, due out on August 2nd, seeks to take what makes the Pro great and just put it in a smaller package. Does it succeed where others have failed, or is it the device Microsoft’s been trying to make?

    Pricing and Unboxing

    First things first, let’s talk price. The Surface Go starts at $400 for a configuration with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. That’s a big more expensive than the iPad, which comes in at $329, and both tablets come without a keyboard or a stylus. The lack of the Surface Pen and Type Cover in the box isn’t surprising, but it’s still disappointing.

    That said, the Surface Go has a pretty big leg up over the iPad: USB-C. Apple has stubbornly stuck to the Lightning Cable, eschewing the industry standard. As such, they’ve left their tablets and phones in the past as every other device makes the switch. Not to mention, the Surface Connect port gives you a way to connect to external displays while charging your device. This is something Apple doesn’t seem to be bothered by: if you want to charge and send a signal, you need a dongle to split the single Lightning port.

    Design

    The Surface Go is really just a smaller Surface Pro. That’s not supposed to be funny: it’s almost uncanny. Microsoft has managed to scale down the exact tablet they’ve had for years into a more compact size. Of course, there’s a slight dip in performance that you would expect from a smaller device. However, the features and apps are all still intact, just running on a smaller screen.

    This newer, smaller tablet is also a bit softer, design-wise. The corners are rounded, and the feel is generally more appealing. It seems that the smaller Surface has been designed with students in mind primarily. The tablet fits into a bag easily and feels great in one hand. The optional Type Cover and Surface pen make it even better, as it can be converted into a laptop-like configuration. Taking notes with either the keyboard or the pen is easy and intuitive.

    Microsoft Surface Go Early Impressions

    While it’s early yet, it seems like the Microsoft Surface Go is an ample competitor with the iPad. Not only that, it’s a worthy inheritor of the Surface name, and a great buy for the money. If you’re looking for an affordable tablet that can convert into a laptop, this is a great option. However, it is somewhat lacking in regards to power, but it makes up for it in usefulness.

  • Best High Yield Online Savings Account

    Best High Yield Online Savings Account

    After years of low interest rates, there is a pricing war happening for online savings accounts. Long gone are the days of 0.01% APY. If you are willing to open an online savings account (which is FDIC insured), you can now easily get a 1.85% APY or higher.

    Interest rates are only increasing online: traditional brick and mortar banks continue to pay very low rates. A typical savings account at a big bank only pays 0.01% APY. The best online banks offer perks like no minimum balance, ATM access and much higher interest rates than the average savings account. Here are the best online savings accounts (and this post is updated regularly).

    1. High Rate: Goldman Sachs Bank USA – 1.85% APY, no minimum balance (but no ATM access)
    Our advertiser Marcus by Goldman Sachs, the consumer bank of Wall Street giant Goldman Sachs, offers a 1.85% APY on deposits. There is no minimum balance and there are no transaction fees. Upon opening the account, you can deposit funds via electronic transfer, wire transfer, or deposit by check. You can get access to your funds via electronic transfer or wire transfer. Goldman has been investing heavily in Marcus, its online consumer bank. Marcus is already offering some of the best savings accounts and personal loans in the market, and further expansion is expected. The savings account has consistently been paying one of the highest rates in the market. With a 1.85% APY, you can get one of the highest rates in the market from a well-known brand. The maximum deposit is $1,000,000 and deposits are FDIC insured up to the $250,000 limit.

    2. High Rate: Synchrony Bank – 1.85% APY, no minimum balance (and ATM access)
    Synchrony Bank pays a healthy 1.85% APY. There is no minimum balance requirement and no monthly fee. In addition to the great rate, you can get an ATM card. Most internet-only banks require you to transfer funds electronically, which can take a few days. If you ever need quick access to your funds, the ATM card makes access easy. You might not recognize the Synchrony brand, but it is a large, well-capitalized business. Synchrony used to be a part of General Electric (GE), and was spun out as a separate company. Unfortunately, the digital experience is not the best and there is no app.

    3. High Rate: Barclays Bank – 1.85% APY, no minimum balance
    Online Savings Account from BarclaysBarclays is a large, old British bank, based in London and with more than 325 years of history. Although Barclays is huge in the United Kingdom, it is a challenger brand in the US. Barclays offers savings products with highly competitive rates. These deposits are used to fund their rapidly growing American credit card business. The online savings account has a 1.85% APY with no minimum balance to open and no monthly fees. Your deposits are FDIC insured up to the legal limit. The Barclays website has a good look and feel. And you can have the confidence of keeping your money with one of the world’s largest and oldest universal banks.

    4. Top Choice: Ally Bank – 1.85% APY, no minimum balance and you can get a free checking account
    Online Savings Account from Ally BankAlly is a bank without branches that has consistently been paying high interest rates on savings accounts. Ally has no minimum balance requirement and will pay 1.85% APY. Even better, you can open a free checking account (also with no minimum balance requirement). This makes access to your savings account incredibly easy – because you can transfer funds online (or via the app) and have immediate access via checks, debit cards and ATMs. With an Ally account, you will have access to their full suite of expanding (and market-leading) products.

    5. High Rate: American Express National Bank – 1.80% APY, no minimum balance (and no fees)
    High Yield Savings Account from American Express National BankOur sponsored advertiser, American Express National Bank, offers a Personal Savings account, which earns a 1.80% variable APY. The account charges no monthly fees and requires no minimum deposit, making it an affordable account to open. You must fund your account within 60 days of applying for the account, and the FDIC insures your deposits up to $250,000. Overall, the account is a great option for anyone who wants the flexibility of earning a high interest rate on a sum of money you’ve stashed away, minus the withdrawal restrictions of a certificate deposit.

    6. Highest Overall Rate: Northfield Bank – 2.25% APY, $0.01 minimum to open
    Northfield Bank is headquartered in Woodbridge, NJ and is mainly a brick-and-mortar bank with locations in Staten Island and Brooklyn, NY and New Jersey. However, they are currently offering an online savings account, which they have named the Platinum Savings Account, with an incredible 2.25% APY. The APY applies to balances below $100,000. If your balance exceeds $100,000 the APY will drop to 0.90%. While you’ll only need a penny to open the account, you’ll need to maintain an average daily balance of $2,500 per statement cycle. If the average daily balance falls below $2,500, you’ll be charged with an $8 fee. If you currently have an account with Northfield Bank, you won’t be able to open this account as they require new money only. This bank does have a mobile app, so you can conveniently manage this account on the go.

    Note: Northfield Bank is primarily a brick-and-mortar institution that is trying to offer online options to consumers nationwide. A little patience may be required when filling out the online application and funding the account. If you’re not comfortable with depositing funds with an institution that is learning its way through online banking, we recommend choosing a more established online bank found within this list. We would be remiss, however, if we didn’t include this incredibly high-rate online savings account to this list.

    7. High Rate: Vio Bank – 2.10% APY, $100 to open
    Vio Bank is the online division of MidFirst Bank, a national private financial institution. MidFirst Bank has over $15 billion in assets. Vio Bank was recently created and launched strong with a High Yield Online Savings account offering 2.10% APY on all balances. You only need $100 to open the account. You can fund the account via ACH. There are a few limitations to keep in mind: incoming ACHs take anywhere between two to five business days to post and the online bank may place a hold your ACH for two or three business days. When you’re ready to transfer funds out of the account, you’ll be limited to $2,000 per outgoing ACH. You’ll also be limited to transferring an aggregate monthly total of $6,000 via outgoing ACHs. As is with every other savings account, you’ll also be limited to making six withdrawals per monthly statement cycle. The good news (aside from the high APY) is that Vio Bank doesn’t charge a monthly maintenance fee. You’ll have to do all of your banking online for the time being as this online bank doesn’t currently have a mobile banking app, but according to the website, it’s coming soon. Fortunately, Vio Bank’s website is mobile friendly so it should be fairly easy to do your online bank from a smart phone.

    8. High Rate: Salem Five Direct – 2.05% APY, $100 to open
    Salem Five Direct is the online bank division of Salem Five Cents Savings Bank, a community bank based in Salem, Massachusetts. Salem has been around for more than 150 years and all deposits are insured by the FDIC up to the legal limit. You only need $100 to open this account, and there are no monthly maintenance fees. However, they do have a few limitations to be aware of. First, according to their online banking agreement, Salem Five Direct limits the dollar amount of their External Transfers to $5,000 per transaction, $5,000 in aggregate per day, and $20,000 in aggregate per month. So, if you decide to have more than one account with them, like their money market account, they’ll look at the aggregate amount of External Transfers conducted from both the savings account and money market account. Second, account holders are limited to six withdrawals per statement cycle due to Federal Regulations. If you exceed the six withdrawal limit, they’ll charge you $10 per additional transaction. Finally, the web and mobile experiences are not great. But, if you give them a call (which we have done), you will get friendly service from a community bank. While this bank does offer one of the best rates for an online savings account, we want you to be aware of their limitations.

    9. High Rate: Citizens Access – 2.00% APY, $5,000 minimum balance amount
    Citizens Access is the online division of Citizens Bank. This division was recently created to provide the best savings rates to consumers. While the online division is brand new, the bank its backed by isn’t. Citizens Bank has been around for a while and has grown to have over $122 billion in assets. While you need to deposit and maintain a minimum balance of $5,000 to earn the 2.00% APY, you’ll be funding an account that comes with no fees. If your balance happens to fall below $5,000, the APY will drop to 0.25%. One downside to this online-only bank is that they don’t currently have a mobile banking app. This means that you’ll have to do all of your banking through their website. Luckily, their website is mobile-friendly.

    10. High Rate: Utah First Federal Credit Union – 2.25% APY, $50 minimum balance amount
    Utah First Federal Credit Union was established in 1935 during the Great Depression by German immigrants in Salt Lake City, Utah. They were trying to bring their families to America but were having trouble acquiring the funds they so desperately needed. So, with just $115, this resilient group built a credit union so that they could say ‘yes’ to those in need within their community. While this credit union had a humble beginning, they currently hold over $377 million in assets, have multiple locations in the state of Utah, and serve many more through a co-op network. Anyone can become a member by donating $5 annually to the Community of Volunteers of Utah. Once you become a member, you can open a Dedicated Savings Account with a $50 deposit to start earning the 2.25% APY.

    11. High Rate From A Credit Union: Alliant – 1.80% APY, $5 to open and ATM access.
    People love credit unions. Because credit unions are owned by their members, you can get a higher interest rate on your savings (and lower interest rates when you borrow). Alliant is one of the best credit unions in the country, offering some of the best rates on your savings. In addition, Alliant has a great website and digital experience. Anyone can join the credit union and you only need $5 to open the account. Be aware, however, that when you go to apply for this account, Alliant will pull a soft credit inquiry for all applicants. Alliant also mentions that if you have a credit freeze, you won’t be able to apply unless you temporarily release the freeze.

    Runner-Up: For Small Balance Savers – Digital Federal Credit Union – 5.12% APY up to $1k
    Primary Savings from Digital Federal Credit Union (DCU)Digital Federal Credit Union (DCU) currently offers a nice account for people who are just starting to save. You can earn an APY of 5.12% with their Primary Savings Account. You will only earn that rate on deposits up to $1,000. Once you have more than $1k, you should consider other accounts on this list. It is a credit union – and your deposits are insured by the NCUA up to the legal limit. Anyone can join the credit union by donating to one of their participating organizations such as Reach Out for Schools, which has a membership fee of $10. You’ll be able to join one their participating organizations when you go to open your account with DCU. DCU is also part of a nationwide CO-OP network that allows their members to have access to shared branches and surcharge-free ATMs throughout the U.S.

    How to Find the Right Account For You
    Take a moment to calculate how much you could earn using our free saving account comparison tool. Enter your zip code and how much you have to save and you’ll see the best savings accounts for you and save more this year. If you have a large balance, the tool might find better options than the no minimum balance options we’ve listed here.

    If you are willing to lock your money into a longer term, consider a certificate of deposit. You can find the best CD rates here.

    Your money deserves more than 0.01%. At that rate you’re basically giving a free loan to the bank, not a favor they’d return to you!


  • Best Credit Cards in 2018

    Best Credit Cards in 2018

    From huge sign-up bonuses to generous rewards, there is a lot of factors to consider when you are choosing a credit card. The best credit cards will pay you cash back, offer luxury perks, provide travel rewards, and help you quickly pay off existing balances.

    Our experts analyzed  credit cards to find the best credit card offers  Today, we’re going to take a look at some of the best credit cards for various rewards and purposes. Without further ado, let’s look at the best credit cards in 2018! Explore our top picks and start getting rewarded.

    Best Credit Cards in 2018

    Citi Double Cash Card

    The best credit card for flat-rate cashback, the Citi Double Cash card is a good deal if you keep your monthly balances at zero. You earn one percent cash back on every dollar you spend, which is pretty standard. The cool thing? The 18-month, zero-percent interest period on balance transfers made in the first four months.

    Hilton Honors American Express Ascend Card

    As for the best hotel rewards card, this Hilton Honors card is the way to go. You get all the expected benefits for Hilton hotels, but you also get rewards points for normal purchases! That’s literally win-win. Oh, you get access to certain airport lounges, too! Who could pass that up?

    British Airways Visa Signature Card

    This card is easily the best for airline rewards. While Americans might question what they’d do with a British Airways card, don’t get hung up on the name. You can book American Airlines flights through Avios, so there’s no need to worry! Besides, the rewards you get with this card are stellar, no matter who you fly with.

    Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express

    The best tiered-reward cashback card, the Blue Cash Preferred offers a number of really great benefits for cardholders. The first, and most obvious, is the tiered cashback. It offers 6 percent cashback on purchases made in grocery stores, which makes it a very easy to use reward card. You buy groceries, right? Then this is the card for you!

    Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

    The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is by far the best travel rewards card. If you spend a good deal of time traveling, this is the card for you. You can spend the reward points you earn through the card on hotel and airline rewards, or in the Chase portal. As for how you get points, you get two points per dollar you spend traveling or dining while traveling. Well, that’s hard to beat!


  • TOP 3 RUNNING SHOE RETAILERS

    TOP 3 RUNNING SHOE RETAILERS

    Running relieves stress, strengthens your immune system and keeps you in shape! In the U.S. alone, more than 64 million people went jogging or running in 2016. Even with all the great benefits and growing popularity running can also cause a lot of extra stress on your feet, legs, and back. This is especially true if you are not wearing quality running shoes. 

    Trying to find good running shoes isn’t always easy, but these three running shoe retailers will help you find the best possible shoes to keep you running for as long as possible.

    TOP 3 RUNNING SHOE RETAILERS

    These top 3 retailers provide not only get great running shoes but also help you save by having better prices than most other retailers. The top three running shoe retailers are Finish Line, Running Warehouse, and Road Runner Sports. All three of these retailers offer the latest running shoes from well known brands like Nike and Adidas. They also offer lesser known brands if you are interested in trying new brands or prefer a particular fit or style. For those experienced runners  who know a certain brand and shoe is perfect, you can find those shoes at a much lower price at these top retailers.

    Do these retailers only sell shoes?

    No, you can find many running and athletic accessories as well as athletic clothing in all three places. Their deals include items like socks, insoles, headbands, hats, shorts, and other apparel that makes running more comfortable and keeps you stylish.

    What kind of shipping cost can be expected?

    Running Warehouse offers free two-day shipping and free returns. You can opt to have a package of one to four pounds shipped overnight for $9.99. Road Runner Sports also offers free shipping. Finish Line’s shipping is a bit more complicated. If your package contains only new, non-sale items and the subtotal comes to over thirty dollars, they offer free shipping. If the order includes any discounted items, either sale or discontinued, there is a flat rate shipping charge of seven dollars. Some of their premium shoes are not included in either deal.

    What about returns?

    Finish Line offers returns up to 45 days. You only need to go online and pick the item you wish to return from your purchase history. You then receive a return label to print out and return your item free. Running Warehouse offers a full 90-day money back guarantee and will give you a return label to use for free shipping. Road Runner will refund any returns on new items within sixty days. For exchanges, VIP members can exchange new or used footwear within ninety days. For those who are not members, the exchange on new or used footwear is within forty days.

    What is the Road Runner VIP program?

    Road Runner offers a program that normally costs $28.99 a year, although they often run specials that allow new members to get their first year as low as $1.99. VIP members get access to deals not available to the general public. They also get a guarantee that they will get the best price anywhere in the country on a certain pair of shoes, a ten percent discount on all items at all times, a full ninety days to try shoes, socks, and insoles and a guaranteed return if they aren’t what you want.

    How to find the right shoe for you

    WHAT IS PRONATION, AND WHY DOES IT MATTER?

    Picking the right shoe for your running style is as important as the retailer. That is why you should understand pronation and how it impacts your shoe selection.  Pronation is part of the natural movement of the human body and refers to the way your foot rolls inward for impact distribution upon landing. Understanding your pronation type can help you find a comfortable running shoe.

    • Underpronators (supinators) need a lot of cushioning to avoid impact injuries
    • Neutral pronators can wear a wide variety of shoes
    • Overpronators should look for support or structured cushioning shoes
    • Push Off: pressure on smaller toes on outside of foot
    • Injuries: plantar fasciitis, shin splints, ankle strain
    • Foot type: high arches

     

    CHECK WEAR PATTERNS ON YOUR SHOE

    For Underpronators/Supinators:

    The outside of your running shoes show the most wear. If you put your running shoes on a flat surface, you may notice a slight outward tilt.

    For Neutral Runners:

    The soles of your running shoes show wear in an S-shaped pattern, from the outer (lateral) heel to the big toe. If you put your shoes on a flat surface, you may not notice any tilt

    For Overpronators:

    Extra wear on the inside of the heel and under the ball of the foot, especially the big toe. If you put your shoes on a flat surface, you may notice an inward tilt.