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Month: July 2019

  • Saving on Back to School Shopping: Tax-Free Weekend and More

    Saving on Back to School Shopping: Tax-Free Weekend and More

    There are a number of schools of thought when it comes to saving money on school supplies. On the one hand, there’s people who just buy any and every supply under the sun and don’t even check the price tag. Other parents carefully pick and choose which items, and which brands, they’ll be sending their young ones to class with in order to save every penny they can.

    What if you could have the best of both worlds? Shopping for every school supply your kids could possibly need can be pricey, but it ensures they’re well-prepared. Likewise, saving money on supplies is great, but you don’t want your kids to be at a disadvantage in school. Thankfully, you can have your cake and eat it too with our back to school shopping tips!

    Tax-Free Weekend

    Many states offer tax-free weekends around the time back to school shopping season starts. This is usually in early August, so it’s nearly upon us in most states. Check your state online to see if there’s a tax-free weekend coming up. This is the best time to stock up on back to school supplies, though you may need to contend with a bit of a crowd.

    Of course, tax-free is only a portion of the savings you could find when you’re hitting up the stores for discounts. There are many other ways you can find some substantial discounts on your supplies, though you might need to be a bit more careful in your planning than just “I’m shopping on tax-free weekend.” Here are some other ways you can save big while you’re stocking up.

    States that Have Tax-Free Weekends

    The majority of states that have tax-free holidays are in the Southeast. The only exceptions are Georgia and North Carolina, neither of which offer any tax-free holidays. Missouri, Iowa, Wisconsin, Ohio and Connecticut are examples of non-Southern states that have tax-free weekends, as well.

    Weekly Ads

    Make a plan of attack for how you’re saving money by checking out the weekly ads for whatever stores you’re hitting up. Compare and contrast prices between places like Staples, Target and Walmart, and make sure you’re getting the best deals. Be ready to get there early on Saturday morning so you beat out everyone with the same idea as you: otherwise you might miss out on the deal altogether!

    Don’t be afraid to plan to hit multiple stores, either. If one store has a great deal on pencils, but another store has great notebook prices, you’ll want to make sure you go to both and stock up. There’s no reason to pay more in one place if you can get the same items for half the price somewhere else!

    Coupons

    If you really want to pile on the savings, you can go in for coupons. This will require even more forward planning than just selectively buying from the weekly ads, though the potential savings are tremendous. Many retailers get into price wars around this time of year, and their coupons are a big part of that. As such, you’re likely to find incredibly steep discounts on things like binders, calculators and highlighters through coupons during this time of year.

    If you’re able to find a combination of deals that are at the lowest price through both the weekly ads and through coupons, you’re likely going to need to keep track of all of the deals with some kind of list or planner. However, the prep work pays for itself when you can get out with deals as good as half off or better! Stack all of these savings with the tremendous savings you could get from a tax-free weekend and you’re looking at some serious savings.


  • Best Back to School Tech: Keys to Academic Success

    Best Back to School Tech: Keys to Academic Success

    There’s something magical about the first day back at school, isn’t there? Popping new line paper in your binder, busting out freshly sharpened pencils and getting to know all of your new classmates. In 2019, however, there’s more to it than just that: you need to have the right tech for success. What do you need to excel this year at school?

    From the best laptops for taking notes and doing research to the best entertainment devices, we’ve got you covered. Whether you’re buying for yourself before you head back to college, or you’re a student asking your folks to get you the hottest new tech, the goal is to save money while getting an edge on the coursework. Let’s take a look at some of the best back to school tech.

    Best Laptop: MacBook

    There’s nothing quite like being able to take notes at the speed you type. While writing is more direct, typing is faster by a wide margin: that’s where a good laptop comes in. Whether you’re a freshman just going into college or a grad student heading in for your doctorate, there’s nothing quite like having a good station to take notes from. What’s more, the newer MacBook models are thin and light, fitting easily in a backpack.

    The bright screen, responsive keyboard and robust suite of creative programs available to Macs are a huge draw for students, as well. If you need to edit photos or videos, record your music or other such creative endeavors, a Mac is the right tool to have on hand. Not to mention, your classmates will likely appreciate the stylishness that the Mac brings to your study time!

    Best Apps: Chegg and Calendar

    Whether you’re an Apple or Android user, the most important app in your phone for going back to school is your calendar app. There are also third-party apps for to-do lists and reminders, though both Android and Apple have such functionality baked into the core of their OS. Make sure you put your class schedule in your phone, as well as reminders for test dates, club meeting times and other extracurricular activities.

    Another important app is Chegg, an online resource that is great for students. It’s replete with resources like books, test prep, study materials and more. It’s a bit pricey, so finding someone to split the cost with could be a good move. In any event, if you need someone on your side to help you with the more free-form feel of college, Chegg is a great resource.

    Best Storage Solution: Google Drive

    Remember: store everything on the cloud as well as on your hard drive. We prefer Google Drive for this, though iCloud is great for Apple fans, too. In either case, it’s important to have cloud backups of all of your materials in case something horrible happens to your laptop or thumb drive. In the event that your hardware is destroyed or lost, you can fall back on your cloud backups.

    Make sure you also save often. There’s nothing more soul-crushing than powering through thousands of words for an essay just to have the battery die on your laptop and you lose all of your hard work. Make sure you remember the shortcut for “save document” and save often! There’s no reason to put yourself at a disadvantage when the unexpected strikes.

    Best Tablet: iPad

    It’s nice to be able to kick back and watch some Netflix or YouTube to unwind from a long day of class and studying. That’s where your tablet comes in. We’re partial to the iPad, but there are other great options out there too. In either event, tablets are great for reading articles or books while relaxing in bed or between classes, and you can even keep up with your emails and planner if you synch the tablet with your phone’s apps.

    The big screen, powerful processor and connectivity features are what make the iPad such a great companion for a college student. When it’s the end of the day and you’re just trying to kick back and enjoy yourself, the tablet is a great way to pay a couple of games or watch a bit of your favorite show before bed.


  • Saving Money on Back to School Clothes

    Saving Money on Back to School Clothes

    Having kids is expensive, there’s no two ways about it. Between their school supplies and back to school clothes, they can be even more expensive around the end of summer. If you’re gearing up to send your kids back to school, you’re probably wondering about the ways you can keep the costs down while still outfitting your little one with some sharp clothes.

    Thankfully, we’re here to help. Today we’re going over some of our tips on how you can save money while shopping for back to school clothes for kids from grade school all the way up through college. Let’s talk saving money!

    Secondhand

    There’s nothing wrong with heading down to the thrift shop and picking up some secondhand clothes for your kids. Here’s the thing about fashion: it’s what you make it. You can find some stylish and inexpensive things at thrift stores without having to even look all that hard. A little bit of creativity can go a long way towards equipping your kid with some stylish new clothes for just a few bucks.

    There are also more “boutique” style secondhand shops like Plato’s Closet that take in secondhand designer clothes. This is a great way to pick up some very stylish clothing on the cheap. Another thing to keep in mind is that buying clothes secondhand is also great for the environment! The more clothes that are bought new, the more clothes get made. These clothes can often end up clogging up landfills when people decide they’re done with them.

    When to Shop

    If you’re going to hit up big department stores, you’re going to need to know when to hit the shops to get the best deals. In particular, you’ll want to hit the stores up on Tuesdays and Fridays for the best prices. Tuesdays, for whatever reason, are the days with the lowest foot traffic in department stores. This means that employees have more free time, sales are down, and managers are more likely to mark items down to get a few sales rolling in.

    Fridays, on the other hand, are when most department stores roll out their new week of sales. It’s also when most stores get their new shipments of clothes. This means that you’re more likely to get the drop on a good deal if you’re shopping on a Friday for new clothes.

    What to Look For

    As a general rule, when you’re shopping for back to school deals, the discounts you want to see should be around 40% off or so. Any discount for less than 40% is likely closer to a “standard” discount, but you’re not looking for the average, you’re looking for better than average. Around 40%, or even higher than that, and you know you’re getting a good deal.

    Make sure you don’t fall for “buy this, get that” deals that make you spend more money than you otherwise would. These look like “deals” but actually make you buy clothes you wouldn’t have even picked up normally.

    Gift Cards

    If you really want to make sure you get the absolute best deal possible for your back to school clothes shopping, you can use discounted gift cards. Typically, you can buy discount gift cards from wholesalers that offload recycled gift cards in bulk. This allows you to save a solid percentage on your shopping without having to fuss with coupons or deal-hunting.

    That being said, when you add all of this together, and even find some coupons on top of that, it’s likely you can get out of a big box retailer for a very low amount of money while still getting great clothes for your kid.


  • What’s Cooler than being Cool? Best Coolers for Your Pool Party

    What’s Cooler than being Cool? Best Coolers for Your Pool Party

    Who doesn’t love spending time out by the pool over the summer? Or going out on a picnic, or hosting a barbecue? No matter what your favorite outdoor activity is during the summer, you need to make sure you bring a good cooler to keep all of your drinks frosty in the sunshine.

    It’s tough to decide which cooler is the best, though. The top-of-the-line coolers are quite expensive, and the budget coolers might not keep your drinks cold. How can you narrow it down and find the best? No sweat! We’re here to help. We’ve done some extensive testing (who says work can’t be fun?) and experience has borne out a few clear winners. Here are some of our picks for the coolest coolers you should pick up this summer!

    Igloo MaxCold

    As far as value goes, you simply don’t beat the Igloo MaxCold. You can often find this cooler on sale for less than $50, and that makes it one of the best values as far as coolers go. It’s got great performance, even in direct sunlight, keeping drinks cold for hours. As for the negatives, it’s not as tough or durable as some of the competition, and it’s not rotomolded. That means that the plastic isn’t quite as good at keeping the cold air in as a comparably-sized rotomolded cooler.

    In spite of its outdated and somewhat dorky design, the Igloo MaxCold is still a great value. It’s far from a looker, and it’s not going to make anyone think you’re a high roller. However, most people aren’t going to be calling you anything mean when you’re rolling up with a cooler full of cold beers. For those on a budget who still need a hard-working cooler, this is the one for you.

    Orca Classic Cooler

    For something stylish, durable and rotomolded, check out the Orca Classic Cooler. This well-designed and tough cooler comes in at $300, which is a lot, but it’s well-worth that price tag. Consider it an investment in summer fun to come! For that price, you get what may be one of the best coolers on the market, in terms of size-to-price ratio for a cooler with as good of insulation as the Orca has.

    The Orca Classic Cooler has a lot of other things going for it, too. It look great and comes in a ton of awesome colors, so it’ll be stylish on your campsite as it keeps your beers cold all weekend. It’s also rather comfortable to carry, thanks to some smart design choices that make it ergonomic and hand-friendly, even when toting it around over long(ish) distances. It’s worth noting that this cooler is set in a tie with its direct competitor, the Cabela’s Polar Cap Equalizer Cooler.

    Cabela’s Polar Cap Equalizer Cooler

    Set in a complete tie with the Orca Classic Cooler is the also-wonderful Cabela’s Polar Cap Equalizer Cooler. It’s also rotomolded, durable and great at keeping the cold in. It’s also $300, and the two coolers have very comparable amounts of storage inside. The Polar Cap offers slightly more internal space, which is a slight bump in its favor, though.

    The other major differences between these two equally-priced coolers is that the Polar Cap is a little more uncomfortable to carry. The handle design isn’t great, and it’s a bit of a hassle to lug around. Incidentally, it also sports slightly less options in terms of colors, making it somewhat dorkier by comparison. To make up for this, the Polar Cap sports some nifty bottle openers in the rubber latches that close it up. As such, it’s sort of a wash: just pick the one you like the look of better!


  • 2020 Cadillac XT6: Better than the Escalade?

    2020 Cadillac XT6: Better than the Escalade?

    How long ago did Cadillac first roll out the Escalade? If you remember all the way back to 1998, that was the first year Cadillac put that monster of an SUV on the market, for the 1999 model year. It was the first time Cadillac had really dipped their toes into the SUV market, and the results were unpredictably successful for the luxury carmaker. However, the 2020 model year is packed with a number of luxury SUVs all competing for the same buyers. It’s time for something new.

    Enter the 2020 Cadillac XT6. The newest vehicle from Cadillac is expected to be a fierce competitor in the full-sized luxury SUV world. The enormous unibody design and the transverse-mounted engine are actually shared with the likes of the Buick Enclave. Today we’re breaking down the newest luxury SUV from Cadillac. Is the XT6 better than the Escalade?

    Design

    This sure is a full-sized luxury SUV. 21-inch tires, a huge footprint, a nearly 16-foot long body and a very high seating position make this a natural fit in the category. The narrow, nearly “squinting” headlights also add to the look of a giant vehicle trying to squeeze into a non-imposing profile despite its size. Soft curves along the back and sides of the SUV also help it to look “squeezed” down to a smaller appearance than its actual dimensions.

    If you’re a fan of Cadillacs, the trademark look is here in force. The large, black front grille with the iconic Cadillac emblem stand out on the front of the vehicle, as does the smoothly-sweeping design along the side of the vehicle. This is, visually, a fit successor to the Escalade.

    Under the Hood

    This isn’t a sports car by any measure, but it drives well for a huge SUV. Despite being three rows and sporting a massive footprint and huge wheels, the XT6 handles rather well around town and on the highway. It’s not going to be winning any races, of course but it’s nice to drive as a daily driver.

    The AWD present in some options is powered by the GKN twin-clutch system, which is also seen on the Audi TT-RS and Ford Focus RS. Essentially, this gives the vehicle a great deal of control over its yaw, allowing the torque to be actively moved from side to side in order to keep the body roll to a minimum. It makes for a great-feeling ride, along with the quiet cabin and smooth transmission.

    Infotainment

    This is, in every way, a luxury vehicle. The new rotary jog wheel allows for control of the infotainment system that doesn’t require you use a touch screen. It’s much safer to not take your eyes off the road when you’re driving, so an option for controlling a touch screen without touching it is stellar. Of course, if you’re at a stop or riding passenger, you can still use the touch screen as per normal.

    Pricing and Bottom Line

    The XT6 is available at two trim levels. The first is the Premium Luxury trim, which comes in at $52,695, and comes standard with front-wheel drive, forward-collision warning, blind spot monitoring, lane-keep assist and more. The Sport trim, on the other hand, which comes in at $57,095, which comes with AWD, a more aggressive suspension and tighter steering. Both have numerous options available across the vehicle’s numerous add-ons.

    This is a solid SUV, a good replacement for the Escalade and likely another big success for Cadillac. If you’re in the market for a huge SUV with a great ride, comfortable cabin and stylish design, then the 2020 XT6 is the car for you.


  • Google Takes Aim at iPhone with Pixel 4 Features

    Google Takes Aim at iPhone with Pixel 4 Features

    Back in June, Google “leaked” their own official image of the Pixel 4. Then, they unveiled a YouTube video that showcases the Pixel’s motion sensing technology, and, most impressively, face unlocking technology. Clearly, Google’s got its eyes set on taking a piece of Apple’s pie. Let’s talk about some of the features confirmed to be coming to Google’s newest flagship phone.

    Pixel 4 Features

    Rear Cameras

    One of the confirmed features coming to the Pixel 4 is a multi-camera array on the rear of the phone. The Pixel phones have all sported rather impressive cameras over their lifespan, rivalling even Samsung and Apple for their camera fidelity. While the confirmation that the Pixel 4 is a powerhouse in terms of cameras is far from surprising, it’s still comforting.

    That multi-camera array is housed in a square-shaped setup on the back of the phone, in the top corner. This square isn’t dissimilar from leaked photos we’ve seen of iPhone 11s, which are also set to release with a multi-camera array in a square housing. As Google continues to make moves to position themselves as “Apple, but open source” its not surprising that they’re emulating the Cupertino design ethos.

    Face Unlock

    The recently-unveiled YouTube video from Google’s official account goes into more detail about the upcoming phone’s features. Notable among them is the face unlock functionality, which Google promises to be robust and responsive. The company has a bit of an uphill battle when it comes to making this technology competitive with Apple’s offering, though.

    Apple’s Face ID technology is downright astonishing. Men using the phone can shave their beards and still be identified. Women under heavy amounts of makeup can still unlock their phones. Essentially, the Face ID technology blows fingerprint scanners out of the water in terms of both security and convenience. Google’s likely trying to emulate this intersection of secure and useful with their own iteration of the face unlock feature.

    Motion Detection

    A very unique aspect of the Pixel 4 is the motion-detecting software shown off by Google in the promotional material. This “touchless” input form isn’t unlike the LG G8 ThinQ, which also allows for various inputs in the form of gestures made with the handset. Google promises functions like skipping songs, pausing videos, silencing calls and snoozing alarms will all be capable through the use of the motion technology.

    Both the motion detection and face unlock seem to be based in the Soli radar chip. This is likely why the phone has only one front-facing camera in spite of offering face unlock. The radar chip can detect distance and motion in ways that other phone chips simply can’t. Apple’s Face ID, for instance, requires two cameras to take a 3D scan of your face in order to secure unlock your device.

    Pixel 4 in Context

    It’s no secret that Google is less than pleased about the sales performance of the Pixel 3 line. There are a number of hurdles that the handset simply couldn’t overcome in order to break through for Samsung-like success in the crowded Android market. For instance, it’s only available through Google’s site or in Verizon stores, though it can operate on any network. Another thing holding the phone back is stiff competition from Samsung, OnePlus, LG and Huawei.

    The Pixel 4 will need to be exceptional to catch the eyes of Android users. By positioning themselves as the “Android iPhone,” Google’s doubling down on the boutique-style, “all in house” feel that Apple offers with their tight focus on iOS through their own devices. Hopefully, for Google, they have more in their bag of tricks this time around to make the Pixel 4 a popular choice for Android users.


  • Biggest Apple News: iOS 13 and iPad OS Coming Soon

    Biggest Apple News: iOS 13 and iPad OS Coming Soon

    Apple’s users are constantly getting excited for the next big thing in the world of technology. This year, that big thing is actually going to be two things: firstly, the much-anticipated release of iOS 13 will bring a slew of quality-of-life upgrades to the ever-popular iPhone family. Secondly, the new iPhone 11 is rumored to be bringing even more revolutionary changes to the formula started with the iPhone X’s unique redesign of the iPhone model.

    Today we’re talking about the biggest reveals from iOS 13’s developer beta and the news from the upcoming iPad OS updates. If you’re a fan of Apple, or you’re considering picking up an iPhone or iPad, there’s a number of awesome new features coming down the pipeline to look forward to. Let’s break it down.

    iOS 13 and iPad OS Context

    This might sound dramatic, but iOS 13 is a huge crux point for Apple. The Cupertino-based company has its work cut out for it going toe-to-toe with Android. Google’s smartphone OS: Google owns 90% of the market share when it comes to smartphone install base. That’s due, in large part, to Android’s place as an open system than can run on third-party smartphones.

    Apple’s iOS, of course, can only be found on Apple’s own iPhone or iPad devices. This means that, while being incredibly popular in the US, they’re far from ubiquitous in regions like China and India. iOS 13 is Apple’s big push to make their OS the best, judging from tons of oft-requested features finally making their way to the system. Let’s talk about what’s new.

    Dark Mode

    The most exciting new feature, for us, is system-wide dark mode. This means that the background of various apps and the general system menus and dialogue will be darker in tint and tone when dark mode is enabled. Apps that are already capable of operating in dark mode will be automatically switched over to that setting when you flip the system-wide switch. We’re also hoping that the setting will be able to detect sunset times and automatically switch on or off depending on the time of day.

    Why use dark mode, you ask? There are a number of benefits associated with it. Firstly, it helps conserve your battery when your screen isn’t having to illuminate so much. Secondly, it’s easier on the eyes when it’s dark out to see a darker image onscreen. Finally, it’s better for your natural circadian rhythms to not stare at a screen that lets out light the same color as the sun’s light.

    New Siri Voice

    Siri’s aged pretty poorly in light of Alexa and Google Assistant. The latter two virtual assistants sound natural and respond to a variety of voice commands, while Siri sound like a computer from an old sci-fi movie and only answers very specific commands. iOS 13 is bringing a huge overhaul to Siri to make her more competitive as a virtual assistant, both in iPhones and as the brains inside of Apple’s HomePod smart speaker.

    Better, Faster, Stronger

    General updates like speed and performance are coming in iOS 13. The race to be the fastest and easiest-to-use OS continues this year as Android is pushing ahead with Android Q, their newest OS, which promises to be the fastest Android update yet. iOS 13 promises even more security features, too, including “Sign in with Apple,” which will help to keep your personal info safe from prying eyes.

    Other great new features include customizable “Memoji,” allowing you to create your own emoji avatar and animate it with your own face. This is akin to the Animoji features found in the iPhone X back in iOS 12. Other quality of life upgrades, like blocking unknown callers, are coming to the phone as well.


  • Best Dog Food Brands for Discerning Owners

    Best Dog Food Brands for Discerning Owners

    If you’re a dog owner, you know that picking the right dog food can be incredibly difficult. There are a number of competing brands looking for your dollars, and not all of them are best for your dog. However, finding which one is the best can be stressful: you don’t want to subject your dog to food that isn’t good for them just to find out which one is the best.

    There are a number of brands that use sub-par ingredients, fillers and various other negative contents that could be bad for dogs. Ideally you want to find dog food that has no harmful igredients, above-average meat content, acceptable carb amounts and a good amount of fats when compared to proteins. Let’s take a look at some of our top picks for taking care of your dog’s dietary needs.

    Instinct Original

    Instinct Original Dry Dog Food is a great dog brand for all adult dogs and puppies, across any breed. Whether you have a tiny chihuahua puppy or a fully-grown Great Dane, Instinct Original Dry Dog Food is a great pick. The food offers a great protein-to-fat ratio, and has a good amount of real meat in the ingredients. It includes beef as well as chicken meal and white fish meal, and is filled out with peas.

    If you’re worried about your dog getting enough protein for their amount of exercise, then Instinct is a great choice for you. While most lower-quality dog food brands fill out the bulk of their food with grains or other low-nutrition fillers, Instinct is primarily composed of protein and lower on fat and carbs than most competitors. This makes it a great pick if you’re trying to keep your dog on a diet, too!

    Dr Tim’s Pursuit Active Dog Formula

    Many active people love keeping their dogs with them when they go out. It’s fun to get outside and get active with your dog: they love the exercise and you love the time spent bonding. If you’re always going on jogs, hikes and runs with your dog, they need to be getting the right fuel to help them stay in shape. That’s where a brand like Dr. Tim’s comes in. Dr. Tim’s Pursuit Active Dog Formula carries all the nutrients and protein your dog needs to keep up with an active lifestyle.

    The best thing about keeping your dog active is that it’s good for their long-term health. Everyone wants their dog to live longer and be healthier in the long run. The best way to look out for your dog’s long-term health, of course, is to help them stay active with you! This food is good for all dog breeds, and is okay for puppies if they’re from small or medium breeds.

    Victor Hi-Pro Plus

    You might not have heard of Victor Hi-Pro Plus dry dog food, but it’s a great brand for all adult dog breeds and small or medium breed puppies. The budget is right for food of this quality too: if you’re worried about breaking the bank, this is a good high-quality dog food for a reasonable price. You can rest assured knowing you’re not skimping out on your pup, as the main ingredients in this dog food are beef meal, chicken fat and pork meal.

    The fat-to-protein ratio is about 67%, making it a significant upgrade over lower-quality brands of dog food. Whether you’re switching your dog over to this food to get them on a healthier diet or starting a puppy out right, it’s hard to go wrong with Victor Hi-Pro Plus dry dog food. It’s simple, it’s quality and it’ll keep your dog in good health.


  • Hearing Loss and Loss of Cognitive Function: Why Hearing Aids Matter

    Hearing Loss and Loss of Cognitive Function: Why Hearing Aids Matter

    There are a number of people who find that they don’t want to use hearing aids, even if they have significant hearing loss. They may associate hearing aids with aging and “looking old,” or perhaps they just don’t want to mess with the technology. However, this is a mistake: if you have hearing loss, you should absolutely be using hearing aids.

    There are a number of reasons why it’s important to use hearing aids if your hearing isn’t optimal. Today we’re going to get in to the various benefits using hearings aids confers, and what detriments you incur by not using them when you need to.

    Mental Acuity

    Numerous studies have shown that choosing not to use hearing aids even when you have suboptimal hearing is a huge way to invite cognitive issues. Things like memory loss, dementia and Alzheimer’s have all been shown to be more directly impactful on people with loss of hearing. Of course, the flip side of this is that if you use hearing aids, the effects of such cognitive degeneration are slowed dramatically.

    This is likely due to a combination of factors. Namely, brain function as we age alters due to the dulling of the senses. Much like muscles, if you don’t use your brain’s functions then they’ll get weaker. We, as humans, need mental stimulation to keep ourselves sharp. The same can be said for visual stimuli, as well as touch and smell and taste. As long as you’re receiving stimulation to various parts of your brain, you’re staving off cognitive degradation.

    Social Awareness

    It’s very difficult to carry on a conversation with someone who can’t hear every other word you’re saying. Imagine how frustrating it must be for your friends or family to have to yell to be understood by you. It’s also uncomfortable for anyone if you mishear them and react as though they said something they didn’t say. Taking the time to correct your mistake, walking back the conversation and trying to be understood is a huge social embarrassment and hassle.

    An easy way to alleviate all this social stress and conversational awkwardness is to simply wear your hearing aids. They allow you to easily hear your friends and family when carrying on a conversation. You won’t miss important information, and you’ll be able to hear conversations without people having to shout at you.

    Safety

    It’s very dangerous to walk around a busy, crowded street without being able to hear the world around you. Things like rushing emergency vehicles, people shouting about potential hazards and even the sounds of fights or gunshots might go unnoticed if you’re not using hearing aids. By going out into the world without them, you’re inviting disaster. What if there’s a fire and you don’t hear the alarm going off and get stuck in the building?

    Another safety consideration regarding hearing is driving. If you go out driving but don’t wear your hearing aids, it’s much more likely that you don’t hear things like emergency vehicle sirens and the sounds of car horns blaring. By wearing your hearing aids, you’re more likely to be aware of your surroundings and react to traffic patterns around you.

    Enjoyment

    Simply hearing the sounds of birds chirping, babies crying, and wind rustling the leaves in the trees can be meditative and enjoyable. Who doesn’t love the sound of a running creek or the tides coming in and out? If you’re hard of hearing and don’t have, or don’t wear, your hearing aids, consider all the ways you’re missing out. Look out for your safety, your cognitive function and your friends and family by using hearing aids.


  • Best Smartwatches: Fitness Tracking and Keeping Time in Style

    Best Smartwatches: Fitness Tracking and Keeping Time in Style

    One of the most notable changes in wearable tech in recent years has been the shift from more sci-fi, goofy wearables like Google Glass to more practical and stylish items like smartwatches. Whether you’re a busy professional who needs a handy wrist-mounted smartphone or a fitness enthusiast looking for a good tracker, there are tons of great smartwatches for you. Let’s take a look at some of the best.

    We prioritized two things in this list: firstly, price point. The best technology is the tech you can afford, so we only included smartwatches that are a good value for the features they offer. The second consideration was style. If you’re going to be wearing a piece of technology as a fashion statement, it needs to look good. Finally, and most importantly, we considered the overall usefulness of the features on display in the individual smartwatch.

    FitBit Versa

    If your primary reason for wanting a smartwatch is to track your fitness and tell time while you work out, then the Versa is a great choice for you. It’s notably on the lower end of the price spectrum for smartwatches, coming in at a solid $200 MSRP, and available on sale for under $170 at many retailers at time of writing. The simple and straightforward UI and barebones features can make this watch feel a little lacking for some tech enthusiasts, though it makes a solid fitness tracker.

    If you’ve never owned a smartwatch, starting with the Versa wouldn’t be a bad idea. There’s not a ton of bells and whistles to keep up with, nor are there complex menus to navigate to get to your fitness data. For someone looking for a straightforward and no-nonsense smartwatch for fitness tracking, the FitBit Versa makes a great workout companion.

    Apple Watch Series 4

    The big, bold OLED face and the advanced heart monitoring functionality set the Apple Watch Series 4 apart from the competition in a big way. The signature square face with rounded corners makes the Apple Watch recognizable at a glance, and an easy status symbol for Apple faithful. A variety of stylish and functional bands are available from Apple’s own store, and numerous third-party outfitters make their own bands for the popular watch.

    Fitness features are a huge draw to Apple’s smartwatch. Advanced features for tracking heartrate over activity can even detect ECG! The watch can automatically detect workouts and track your runs, allowing you to keep track of your fitness with ease. The waterproof construction and loud speaker are also huge plusses for the stylish little smartwatch.

    Samsung Galaxy Watch Active

    In much the same way that the Apple Watch is the smaller iteration of the iPhone’s design, the Samsung Galaxy Watch is the scaled-down answer to Samsung’s own Galaxy smartphones. Much like the phones it gets its name from, it’s a solid competitor to Apple’s offering for fans of Samsung’s designs. The design is light and simple, and it’s a great companion for any fitness enthusiast. Robust fitness features like exercise tracking and great heartrate monitoring make this a stellar option for those looking for a fitness tracker.

    One of the best aspects of the Galaxy Watch Active is the price point. Coming in at only $200, it’s a fair sight more affordable than a lot of the competition, but it still offers comparable features. Many people prefer the round face, making it appear more like a traditional wristwatch. In fact, many watch faces mirror the appearance of a wristwatch, making the device more discreet and less flashy than some of the competition, too. This could be a pro or a con depending on your style.