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Month: October 2018

  • Five Things to Consider When Buying a New Cell Plan

    Five Things to Consider When Buying a New Cell Plan

    Your cell phone and cell plan is a huge purchase and the center of all of your communication, and primary social tool. No longer are they for making calls in an emergency, they are now our most used possession. When we become so dependent on these devices, the cost tend to creep up and rise out of control.

    To help you save on this important cost, we are going to break down the cost and some tips when looking for new cell service. Whether you want to upgrade to a new phone or lower your monthly cost, we will take a look at all the dos and don’ts. Here are the five things to consider when looking for a new cell plan and the no contract cell phone plans as well.

    First Things First

    First off you need to decide on the phone you want to use. There are a lot of options and they update constantly. There are 3 options to consider here, iPhone, Android, non-smartphone or feature phone as they are called today. I don’t recommend buying a feature phone to anyone. You may think it is easier, it is not. A feature phone will lacking functionality also has a more cumbersome operation process. The smartphone is easier to operate and easier to customize to only use the features and functions you want.

    Do You Need a Flagship Device?

    As far a smartphones go you have the iPhone or an Android. The iPhone’s are more powerful, easier to use, more reliable and last longer. The Androids have more advanced feature sets and more customizable. Apple and Samsung make the 2 main device but there are a slew of other brands when looking in to Android. LG, HTC, OnePlus, Motorola all make new top of the line phones every year. You can get a great android device for half the cost of the premium Samsung Flagships.

    iPhone?

    This is always my recommendation. Due to their reliability, durability and ease of use and cost of ownership being much lower. The average iPhone will last 3.5 years, stay current and cutting edge. Isn’t the cost very high? Not really, The highest end new iPhone is the most expensive device on the market, but last year’s models or cheaper models like the XR are available. There is always an iPhone for any budget and they are always the best option in their class. Even today you can purchase an iPhone 7 for less than $450.

    No Contract No Cry

    Wait! $450? Aren’t phones supposed to be free! I never paid for a phone before… No they have never been free, and yes you paid a lot more for your free phone then you think. This brings me to my next point. Contracts. Don’t do them. Years ago the iPhone 7 that is selling for $450 with no contract would have been free with a 2 year contract. The cost of the subsidy was built in to your cellular plan at an average of $40 per month. Did you do that math? Your free phone cost you $960. Your best option is to find the phone you want and purchases at full price.

    The New Cell Plan

    This lead me to my last tip, by bringing your own phone you can get the best price on your plan. No longer do you have to worried about prepaid or postpaid. You can pick the plan you want and the carrier you want. Verizon and AT&T are the premium providers, with better, faster and more extensive coverage. They mock each other plans so cost are just about the same. Sprint and T-Mobile are your bargain carriers, cheaper and service will have holes and speed issues. You may not notice but odds are you will. Their new cell plan will run you a few dollars less.

    The Next option is to go with non-carrier 3rd parties. MetroPCS, StraighTalk, Cricket, Boost. These are providers that don’t have a network of their own and instead piggy back on the Carriers network. While these can be the cheapest option, they do not receive the same level of coverage. Even though they are using the same network, they are at a much lower priority and do not share in with the roaming agreements the major carriers have in play. So while you may get to use T-Mobile’s network, you will be out of service when it is not available. With a direct T-Mobile service you would jump on to one of the other networks. This is something you want to evaluate when buying a new cell plan.


  • Best Deals on Cat Litter

    Best Deals on Cat Litter

    If you’ve got a furry feline friend, you’re well aware of how expensive they can be. Between their food, toys and litter they can make a serious dent in your wallet! Thankfully, you can find some great deals on cat litter! We’ll show you how.

    Best Deals on Cat Litter

    Arm & Hammer

    If you’re a fan of the Arm & Hammer brand of cat litter, their site is a great place to save some money. If you go there now you can get $2 off of Clump and Seal litter. Their website is a great source of savings that change out rather frequently. If you’re the type of person who is constantly having to buy more litter, this is a good way to keep your costs down!

    Coupons.com

    Coupons.com is a rather straightforward concept. It’s a website full of coupons! They have a number of great deals and offers on a wide variety of brands. Unlike some deal sites, their deals change over time with regularity. If you’re looking to shop around for the best deals and don’t care what brands you get, Coupons is the best way to go.

    Lozo

    Lozo is a website like Coupons.com that allows you to find great deals on a variety of products. In the case of cat litter in particular they have some pretty great deals. The best part is, they offer a number of coupons on other cat products, too! You can find discounts on treats, toys and food as well. That’s a great way to keep your costs down while taking care of your furry friends!

    Petsmart

    Petsmart has both online and physical stores, and both offer great deals on cat litter. You can select from a really wide variety of options, so you’re able to find one that works best for your kitties. While your there, you can also check out great deals on food, toys and treats! You’ll need a place to stock up, and Petsmart isn’t a bad choice!

  • Best Deals on Christmas Cards

    Best Deals on Christmas Cards

    The holiday season can sneak up on you before you know it. Christmas will be here in a blink of an eye and you need cards for your friends, family, and even your boss. The last thing you want to do is scramble to find Christmas cards at the last minute.

    You have too much to do during the holiday season and finding the right cards for the people in your life should not be a frustrating task. Going to your local shopping center, you may find that their selections of Christmas cards are sparse. You might also find yourself paying a lot more than you wanted to! Finding deals online is a great idea and many sites offer stylish and affordable cards. If you work a little ahead of time, you can find some great deals on Christmas cards!

    Creating holiday memories should be treasured with a special card that expresses the season. Knowing where to look for discounted holiday cards as well as quality business and photo cards gets you one-step closer to making the Christmas season a special one.

    Best Deals on Christmas Cards

    Zazzle

    If you’re looking to create a more traditional Christmas card for your extended family, you can do so online. Zazzle is a site that allows you to build your own custom Christmas card! You upload your own photo, and then add banners and messages to your liking. Snow, Christmas ornaments and the like are a few favorites. You can even include personalized Season’s Greetings! This is a great alternative to a professional photographer that lets you keep up with your family around the holidays.

    Cards Direct

    Cards Direct is a website that allows you search for Christmas cards based on profession. If you’re a professional in a highly networking-based business, like sales or direct marketing, this is a great option. If you’re able to connect with clients and coworkers over a themed Christmas card, you’ll make even better impressions on them! People are generally friendlier and kinder around the holidays, so making a good impression with a Christmas card is really important. Consider Cards direct for Christmas-themed business cards this year!

    Current Catalog

    Current Catalog is a website worth checking out if you’re looking for discount Christmas cards. They have great deals on bulk cards that you can send to friends and family. While these cards aren’t quite as personalized as the other options in this article, they’re much more budget-friendly. If you have a large family or long client list, consider buying in bulk. That way you’re able to mail or deliver Christmas cards to everyone on your list! It’s a great feeling to know that everyone has gotten your best Season’s Greetings!


  • Tech Throwback: The Apple Lisa

    Tech Throwback: The Apple Lisa

    I like to take a look at where I’ve been to evaluate where Im going. Technology is cyclical after all… wait no its not. That said I still like all the feels that come rushing back like a flood of nostalgia every time I get my hand on the tech I grew up with. I’m going to go back periodically and take a looking at the stuff that used to blow our hair back and get our minds rolling. Some of these device blew up and changed the world, some where ahead of their time and some just fell flat and became colossal failures. Today’s throwback is the legendary, Apple Lisa.

     

    The Apple Lisa

    The machine named after Steve Jobs out-of-wedlock daughter was the first commercial computer to offer a graphics user interface. Breaking free from the text-command paradigm and initiating a more user-friendly, point-and-click experience.

    Apple Lisa’s $1,000 price tag and slow OS killed its vibe on the consumer market, even though it still commanded a number of advanced features that became conducive to the future of computing. On that checklist: co-op multitasking, protected memory, data corruption protection, built-in screen saver, and much more.

    Released in January 1983, the Lisa featured a rather advanced hardware at the time, it was equipped with a 16/32-bit Motorola 68000 CPU, 1MB of RAM (expandable to 2MB), two 871K floppy drives, and an integrated 12” monochrome monitor with a resolution of 720 X 364 pixels, an optional external 5MB hard disk, and an input device almost never seen before: a box-shaped single button mouse.

    Lisa’s Software The real story with the Lisa was the software it ran. The Lisa operating system included features like protected memory. This was absent from the Macintosh operating system until the launch of Mac OS X eighteen years later. Under the hood, it ran on a file system that supported hierarchal directories, making it ideal for organizing files on the Lisa’s internal hard drive.

    Lisa had two main modes. The first, named The Apple Lisa Office System, included seven GUI applications for users.  LisaWrite, LisaCalc, LisaDraw, LisaGraph, LisaProject, LisaList, and LisaTerminal.

    The FInal Thought

    I wish I could get my hands on an original Lisa, but I have not been able to locate one. There are only 20 to 100 Lisa 1s left in the world. A rare, seldomly turned on original lisa is being auctioned off starting at $55,000. The Apple Lisa was a passion tech project from a man who’s passion projects yielded a monumental advancement of mankind. Unfortunately it was not a massive success, but  it did  spawn many that followed. There is a little bit of Lisa in all the Apple products we have loved since.

  • Todays Quick Apple News Look

    Todays Quick Apple News Look

    Apple is always up to some fantastic things, Making headlines and straight surprising us with out of the box ideas. Apple News is plentiful and fascinating so here is a quick look at a few things Apple is up to today. Also it help as you are reading these to do so in Walter Cronkite’s voice.

    In Italy

    Italy’s anti-trust watchdog said on Wednesday it was fining Apple Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co Ltd  5 million euros each following complaints they used software updates to slow down their mobile phones. WE know that that is not the case, once they update software it increases the power usage for the new features and functionality. It is not the software that is slowing down the phone, it is the lack of power needed to run the software, make sense? Apple was also smacked with an additional 5 million euro fine for failing to give clients clear information about how to maintain or eventually replace handset batteries.

    Mac Updates

    WE found 3 new device registrations in Europe this past week. Apple has registered the devices with the EU ahead of the Oct. 30 Event. The three new Mac models likely relate to new versions of the Mac Mini and iMac. We are expecting a significant spec update to the Mac Mini, which has not seen any attention in 1469 days, and at least processor bumps to the rest of the Mac line.

    The new cheap laptop is still a complete head scratcher. The rumor mill is divided on what to expect. No one knows exactly what the product looks like, and how much it will cost. Personally I think it is safe to assume a 13-inch Retina display in a design similar to the current 12-inch MacBook, although probably not as razor-thin or small for cost reasons.

    Apple TV Service

    We are hearing some chatter that Apple is planning to launch a subscription TV service. We don’t have a lot of details just yet but it appears  the service will roll out to over 100 countries. It would, presumably, compete with the likes of Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Sling TV and YouTube TV.  We can expect the service in the first half of 2019 in the US. It will, however, be available only to owners of Apple devices. Apple will be airing original programing with this service as well. This could get interesting.

     

    The Final Apple News Thought

    Everyday these guys are innovating, mesmerizing or out right improving the world for all of human kind. For a quick Apple news update come back to goodfind.guru. Check out what they will be doing next.

  • Best Places to Buy Christmas Decorations

    Best Places to Buy Christmas Decorations

    Decorating your home for the holidays is a festive tradition for many folks. It’s never too early to start thinking about Christmas decorations! After all, it’s the happiest time of the year.

    Many stores that offer Christmas decorations and ornaments don’t start stocking their shelves with seasonal products until a month or two before Christmas, and when they do, their offerings are often limited. Plus, fighting through shopping crowds isn’t a pleasant experience by any means. But you can get a head start on your holiday decoration shopping by looking online.

    You’ll avoid the crowds, have a greater selection, and the ability to browse as long as you like without any pressure. Looking for twinkle lights? Pine scented candles? Unique ornaments and tree toppers? If you’re looking to pick up some new Christmas decorations for your family to enjoy, look no further. Today we’re discussing the best places to find Christmas decorations online!

    Best Places to Buy Christmas Decorations

    Hobby Lobby

    Hobby Lobby is well-known for their wide selection of decorations. They’re well-stoked any time of year, but especially around Christmas. You can find ample amounts of Christmas decorations to fill your home, from Nativity pieces to gorgeous wreaths. If you’re a fan of shopping in person, Hobby Lobby has a ton of physical stores you can visit to shop.

    If you’re fonder of shopping online, you can shop Hobby Lobby’s website and find great deals on Christmas decorations. In either even, you’re sure to find a great number of gorgeous decorations that your family will love!

    Target

    Target is great one-stop shopping for Christmas. They have everything from ornaments for trees to decorations for your home. Christmas lights, a favorite this time of year, are in ample supply at Target, too! They even have inflatables for decorating your yard. Everything from Santa to snowmen can be found in inflatable form!

    Target’s retail locations are plentiful and welcoming, unlike some of their competition. The staff is generally quite friendly and helpful, and you can find a wide variety of decorations in person. However, they also have an excellent online store for those who would rather shop from home. If you prefer having it right away, though, don’t hesitate to shop in person!

    Overstock

    Overstock is a website that, you guessed it, specializes in selling overstocked items. You can bet that there is a ton of overstock on Christmas decorations! If you’re looking for a good website to go to for decorations, we highly recommend Overstock. They often have great deals on fantastic decorations, and they offer free shipping with their Club Rewards program.

    If you’re the type that prefers online shopping to physical retailers, we have to recommend Overstock. You’re sure to find great deals on all the Christmas décor for your home this holiday season! Don’t forget to use their great search tools and robust filtering options to find exactly what you need.


  • Whats Up With the HTC Blockchain Phone?

    Whats Up With the HTC Blockchain Phone?

    HTC is releasing blockchain version of HTC’s U12+ flagship, featuring a 6-inch QuadHD+ display with 18:9 aspect ratio, Snapdragon 845 chip, 6GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, 16-megapixel dual camera, 8-megapixel dual selfie camera, IP68 rating, 3,500 mAh battery, and Android Oreo. It has all the specs, pretty standard. What is interesting, and what Id like to take a deeper look into the is the blockchain tech HTC is packing in to its new HTC blockchain phone.

    What is Blockchain?

    For those of you that are unfamiliar, blockchain is an is an undeniably ingenious invention. Blockchain is allowing digital information to be distributed but not copied. Blockchain technology created the backbone of a new type of internet. Originally devised for the digital currency, Bitcoin, (Buy Bitcoin) the tech community is now finding other potential uses for the technology. Information held on a blockchain exists as a shared — and continually reconciled — database. This is a way of using the network that has obvious benefits. The blockchain database isn’t stored in any single location, meaning the records it keeps are truly public and easily verifiable. No centralized version of this information exists for a hacker to corrupt. Hosted by millions of computers simultaneously, its data is accessible to anyone on the internet.

    HTC BlockChain

    AS for the blockchain tech in the phone The phone contains a wallet that’s kept in a secure area “protected from the Android OS,” according to a press release, which can be used to hold the keys to your cryptocurrency and tokens like CryptoKitties. HTC also made a social key recovery mechanism in case your phone is lost, stolen, or you misplace your key information. You’re able to keep the recovery details with a few trustworthy friends, who must then download a key management app. HTC will then use a secret sharing algorithm to send the info to your friends, which you can then piece together if needed. The phone is also being opened up for third-party developers to make their own key apps and wallets.

    HTC says one of the purposes of a HTC blockchain phone is to allow users to control their data. But as long as this is an Android phone, some of that data still flows to Google.

    The Final Thought

    Another interesting development is that this phone can only be purchased with crypto currency. Being a blockchain phone, the Exodus 1 can be purchased only for crypto. 0.15 Bitcoin or 4.78 Ethereum will get you a phone. That’s $958 and $950, respectively, but the prices will change by the time I finished typing these words. That’s how crypto works. The HTC Blockchain phone can be purchased via the early access program.It  will be available in 34 countries including the US.

  • Best Internet Monitoring Programs

    Best Internet Monitoring Programs

    It can be hard to parent effectively in the age of information. The internet is a big, unregulated place full of things kids probably shouldn’t see. While the simplest solution is to simply keep young children away from the internet, that’s an unlikely solution. That’s where these internet monitoring programs come in!

    Best Internet Monitoring Programs

    Net Nanny Review

    This service is so well-known that its name is almost synonymous with internet monitoring programs in general. This service costs $40 a month, which makes it a bit on the pricier side. However, it works across multiple platforms and offers control directly from an app. If you have Android, that is! Sorry, iPhone users.

    Net Nanny allows you to choose from a variety of filters to stop access to tons of different types of content. Most monitoring services prevent access to nudity or violence, of course. Net Nanny lets you increase the granularity of what is filtered, however. This allows you to rest easy knowing your children’s particular fears or phobias are being filtered out.

    Symantec Norton Family Premier Review

    Norton, well-known for their antivirus software, also has a well-regarding internet monitoring service. This service is highly recommended, due to its high-quality web interface and strong filtering tools. You can monitor and filter access from all devices that are connected to a network. This allows you to keep your children safe no matter what device they’re using.

    The only downside to Norton’s service is that it isn’t available on Mac. If your household doesn’t own a Mac, however, you have nothing to worry about. Another notable shortcoming is a lack of strong social media controls, but you can always just ban social media sites outright to avoid the problem. What 8-year-old needs Facebook, anyway?

    Qustodio

    A well-made and easy-to-use tracker, Qustodio works across Macs, Windows and mobile devices. It allows for strong filtering and monitoring tools, as well. It has a somewhat outdated web interface, but that’s outweighed by the strength of its monitoring and filtering. If your house has a wide variety of devices, from iOS to Android to Macs and PCs, this is the best monitoring program for you.

    The only notable downside to Qustodio is its relatively high price. The service runs $50, which is a touch expensive. However, it’s well-worth the robust monitoring and peace of mind it offers.

  • Best Ways to Fight Fleas

    Best Ways to Fight Fleas

    Few situations are more annoying to pets and their owners than a infestation of fleas. Fleas are mean, evil, awful little bugs. They get into your carpets, lay eggs and stick around for interminable lengths of time.

    Quickly becoming a problem, fleas can infest homes in very short amounts of time, posing health risks and frustrating living conditions for both people and their pets.  All the while, they pester your animals, making them itchy and uncomfortable. What’s worse, some pets even have allergic reaction to the pests!

    While there are many products that can be used to combat flea infestations, it’s vital to choose the right products that are appropriate for severity of your pet’s flea problem — otherwise you’ll end up wasting time and money as the flea problem gets worse. Today, we’re looking at the best ways to fight fleas.

    Best Ways to Fight Fleas

    Flea Collars

    Flea collars are a great first line of defense to keep your animals safe from the tiny pests. Using a combination of pesticides that are harmless to animals and scents that disgust fleas, these collars have a high success rating. While your animal might not like having to wear an odd-smelling collar, it will help them avoid the worst of the flea infestation! This is just one part of the fight, however.

    Flea Sprays

    Spraying your carpets and furniture for fleas is another effective strategy. A number of high-quality flea sprays are sold in pet stores and online. Such sprays not only kill fleas but also help to kill their eggs. The trouble with fleas is that you will often think you’ve rooted them out, only for another round of eggs to hatch. The eggs can go dormant for months at a time before being activated by vibrations in the carpet.

    As such, spraying in often-unused rooms is advised. That way, any hidden, dormant eggs can be killed by the spray. This prevents the eggs from reactivating when you or a pet enters a low-traffic room!

    Diatomaceous Earth

    Also known as D. Earth, this naturally occurring mineral deposit works wonders as a pesticide. If you’re having trouble with a particularly nasty flea infestation, consider this mineral. Make sure you purchase food grade diatomaceous earth, as it’s pet safe. Sprinkle it around your carpets and near the thresholds of your doors and windows. Earth works by compromising the lipids in fleas’ exoskeletons. The chemical interaction causes the fleas to become dehydrated, as their bodies can’t lock in water anymore. As such, they die of dehydration shortly after contacting the mineral. Don’t worry, though, the mineral doesn’t affect anything bigger than a small bug. The worst it can do to a pet is dehydrate them slightly, so just avoid getting it on your animals if you can!

    Flea Pills

    Flea pills for pets generally have the highest success rates for preventing and treating fleas. Pills come in chewable tablets or capsules that must be swallowed, usually with food. These oral medications for fighting fleas require a vet prescription, and usually fight flea adults or eggs, but rarely both at the same time. Flea pills, like other medications, come with side effects; it is essential for pet owners to ask what these side effects may include. The two most popular feel pills include Capstar and Comfortis, and both start working within hours of being administered.


  • Monday Movie Reveiw: First Man

    Monday Movie Reveiw: First Man

    Hooray, Its Monday. That means like most of you, and the rest of the free world, I got to hit the theaters over the weekend. I like to do this every weekend. I wanted to take a little bit of time to tell you my experience at the movies. Just a minute to shed a little insight and perspective on Hollywood’s latest hit. Seeing a great movie in the theater can be a life altering experience. It can also be an easy way to waste a couple of hours and 30 bucks. My hopes is that with a quick review, from this self proclaimed movie connoisseur, I can save readers a few hours. Or better yet, possibly change a few more lives. I went to First Man this weekend.

    First Man is a look at the life of the astronaut, Neil Armstrong, and the legendary space mission that led him to become the first man to walk on the Moon on July 20, 1969. It is a A visceral, first-person account, based on the book by James R. Hansen, the movie will explore the sacrifices and the cost—on Armstrong and on the nation—of one of the most dangerous missions in history.

    First Man 82 % Life Altering

    Being a child born and raised on the Space Coast I fell in love with NASA, Cape Kennedy and sending stuff to space. I was 5 years old and in kindergarten when I watched live in the sky the challenger explode. Blasting people in to space with less computing power than the apple watch strapped to my wrist is a very dangerous and challenging task. Just seeing this first person account of this was amazing and awe inspiring. NASA truly achieved greatness and an accomplishment in mankind’s existence. Its something we have grown to accept and be complacent with, First Man Brings it all back

     

    Movie For Movies Sake

    Apart for the amazing content of the story, they did an adequate job of bringing it to the big screen. Im not sure if Neil Armstrong was as dull and unflappable, and emotionless as Gosling portrayed him, If he was RG did a phenomenal job. The movie drags along frequently, and I never truley got to appreciate any of the characters. I feel this was a disservice to them. Some tragic things happen to important people in this story, but due to lack of character building you move on quickly. Maybe that was the point, The Rocket must launch anyways? Needless to say this was not Apollo 13, and RG is no Tom Hanks.

    The Final Thought

    First Man gets a 82 rating. Most of that is just due to how awesome it was to blast people to the moon in the 60s. The men, the ingenuity and the sacrifice it took to do this is worth my $15 at the movies everytime. I still stand in my front lawn and watch every rocket launch. Ill go everytime they make a NASA movie.