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  • Should You Rent or Buy Your Home? The Age-Old Question

    Should You Rent or Buy Your Home? The Age-Old Question

    Should you rent or buy your home? It’s a question people have been asking for years, especially in crowded and expensive cities. Even out in the suburbs, though, it can be difficult to decide which is the right choice. Renting is cheaper in the short term, though owning gives you an asset you can later sell. Which is the better option?

    Should You Rent or Buy Your Home?

    The Case for Renting

    Renting has some upsides. For one, it is less expensive over the short term. When you want to rent a property, you put a deposit down of about two months rent, then you pay a monthly fee to stay there. Your landlord pays for maintenance, upkeep and any repairs that need to be made. You also don’t have to pay property taxes, as you don’t own the place.

    By not owning the place, you’re free from a lot of responsibility. It’s sort of like living at your parents house: it’s cheaper and everything is taken care of. You have no maintenance to worry about and just need to manage your living space. For people who are a little short on money or simply not staying in any one place for long, renting keeps you really freed up.

    For people who are younger and don’t have as much money built up, this can be a very attractive proposition. That goes double for people who travel often and don’t want to be tied to one spot. Owning a home is a big responsibility, and largely tethers you to the spot. Unless you have a lot of money to keep a place up while you’re not there, it’s not practical to own a home and travel all over at the same time.

    On the Other Hand…

    On the flipside, if you rent a place, you can’t really do anything with it other than, you know, live there. If you have a dog or cats, you might pay extra for that. You also lose every penny you pay on the rent into the landlord’s pocket. The upkeep of the place, and timely payment of your rent, does nothing to increase your assets or financial security.

    Also, remember, the landlord isn’t running a rental property out of kindness. They’re making a profit on you. You pay more, by design, for the space you’re renting than it’s worth. The landlord has to make money, right? Which means, by definition, you have to lose money in the long run for this arrangement to be profitable.

    That’s not to say landlords are jerks or anything, but to illustrate why renting might not be right for someone in the long term. If you plan on investing in your future and settling in to one place, owning is likely the better situation for you.

    Why Own

    Owning a home has some notable upshots, namely that you’re investing in your future financial assets. Any money you pay into your mortgage is debt being alleviated from you. Any money put into repairs, upkeep and enhancements on your own home comes back to you by way of equity.

    If you own your own land, you can build what you want on it (within the laws of your municipality), have who you want over and own a dog or cat without paying more. Generally speaking, it makes you the master of your own destiny.

    Owning Considerations

    It’s not all upside, though. You usually need to go into quite a bit of debt, via a mortgage, when you buy a home. You also take on the burden of paying property taxes when you own property. That means that, in the short term, owning is much more expensive.

    It would also be unfair to not mention the price of upkeep on a home. When something breaks, it’s up to you to fix it. If the plumbing gets backed up, or if the electrical wiring is shot, you’re on the hook for those repairs. It’s hardly fun, but that’s the way owning a property works.

    Bottom Line

    However, these costs are largely mitigated by the equity your home gets as you live there over the years. Assuming you plan to stay in a home and keep it up over time, you should be able to at least break even when you go to sell.

    Alternatively, if you plan on living the rest of your days in a location, the home’s equity could be a great boon to your children after you’re gone. That way, you leave them with either a home or a financial windfall.

  • Does Certified Pre-Owned Mean You Get a Better Car?

    Does Certified Pre-Owned Mean You Get a Better Car?

    Buying used can help you really keep the costs down on a vehicle. However, how can you be certain that the vehicle you’re purchasing isn’t a lemon? How can you know what the vehicle has been through? Certified pre-owned vehicles are often considered the safer pick when it comes to buying used, as they typically pass inspections and history checks by the auto dealership.

    That said, you can never be one-hundred percent certain when it comes to used cars. While CPO cars tend to be a safer pick than straight-up used car from someone you don’t know, they’re not going to be as safe as a brand-new car. If you really want to spend more and get a car that will last longer, a brand-new one is the one you want.

    However, if you want to be safer than a straight-up used car but save money compared to a new car, CPO cars are the happy middle ground. But does that mean certified pre-owned means you get a better car than buying used?

    Certified Pre-Owned

    How Cars Get Certified

    Auto dealers differ from place to place but, generally speaking, CPO cars have to pass a number of inspections. Depending on the dealer these could be more or less strict, but they typically involve checking a number of systems. Brakes, steering, belts and the like are all usually checked out and certified.

    Another aspect of CPOs that can make them a safer pick than regular used cars is that they have a clear history and background. Maintenance records, accident reports and the like help to paint a picture of what, exactly, has happened to the vehicle in the past. That way you can rest assured knowing exactly what issues the car has had in the past.

    The Benefits

    Generally speaking, CPOs are going to be cleaner vehicles that were well taken-care of and have few, if any, issues. Dealers normally only take in rather new vehicles with very low miles as certified pre-owned. That means that, essentially, CPO cars are marketed as “good as new.”

    Dealers tend to offer a number of benefits to those who buy CPO vehicles, too. If you need repairs on the vehicle or something goes wrong with it, it’s usually covered by an extended warranty from the dealership. The warranty alone can often be well-worth the extra money you spend on CPO, depending on the vehicle and what you’re looking for.

    The other upside to CPOs is that dealers often offer things like rental cars in the event the vehicle is in the shop, free satellite radio, and even reduced lease rates. Generally, these upsides are all there to keep the CPO deal an attractive option for dealers.

    The Downsides

    CPO vehicles aren’t without their downsides. For one, any used vehicle runs the risk of having some unforeseen issues. Most notably, though, CPO vehicles tend to be rather expensive. While not as pricey as brand-new vehicles, they tend to be markedly more expensive than regular used cars.

    Generally speaking, many car experts find that CPO vehicles are often a bad value compared to buying regular used cars. If you know what you’re looking for in a used car and know what warning signs to look for, regular used can be a better value than CPOs. This can vary based on the dealership and where you’re buying the used vehicle, but it generally bears out to be true.

    If you save up a bit of money and set it aside to cover repairs then you can use that to cover the things the extended warranty that a CPO would normally cover. That way you not only save money by not buying the expensive extended warranty, you can use the money you save to put towards any repairs that might come up. If no repairs need to be done, you simply pocket the savings!

    Conclusions

    So, do you get a better car when you buy certified pre-owned? Yes and no. You’re likely going to get a car with less miles, a clearer history and an extended warranty. While these are all great upsides, they’re also things you spend a pretty penny for. As such, while the CPO vehicle is likely a great car, it’s probably a bad value.

    If you want to save money and buy a used vehicle, consider a getting a regular used vehicle. If you get it inspected by a mechanic you trust and set aside money to cover repairs you’ll likely get more value for your money.

  • Are AirPods Worth it in 2019?

    Are AirPods Worth it in 2019?

    Apple has gotten itself a reputation for making stylish technology that just works. The iPod ushered in the digital era of music, the iPhone invented the smartphone market, the iPad did the same for tablets, and the Apple Watch kickstarted the smartwatch craze.

    The Apple AirPods, likewise, started a new fascination with wireless earbuds. Are the new 2019 versions of the AirPods worth the price of entry, or just smoke and mirrors from Apple?

    Apple AirPods 2019

    What’s New?

    So, as you may or may not know, there are new 2019 versions of the AirPods on the market. You might be asking, what’s the difference? Visually, they look undisguisable from 2016’s original models. As it turns out, there’s not a whole host of differences. However, there are a few meaningful quality of life upgrades.

    Firstly, you can now throw the charging case on a wireless charging pad. This allows you to easily charge up your AirPods on the same pad you charge your phone, making everything easy. The wireless charging case is an upcharge to $200, from $159 for the normal case, however.

    Secondly, there’s a new H1 chip with these earbuds that replaces the old W1 chip. Apple states that this new chip was made with headphones in mind, making these even more convenient and quick to respond than the first generation.

    What’s Good?

    These are great wireless earbuds in a lot of ways. When you take on out, your music pauses automatically. You can use double-tap gestures to skip songs without pulling out your phone. The sound quality is great, the earbuds feel comfortable and they’re super reliable.

    The battery life is high for wireless earbuds. You’ll be able to easily set these up with iPhone or Android, and they couldn’t be easier to use. In short, they just work, using some of that classic Apple magic.

    What’s Bad?

    These earbuds don’t work well in noisy environments, as they do a poor job of stopping incoming noise. They also don’t fit terribly well into some people’s ears. They can only connect to one device at a time, which can be frustrating for multitaskers.

    Finally, they’re expensive at $159 for the lower price-point and $200 for the wireless charging case. There’s also a bit of a pause when using Siri, but that’s got as much to do with Apple’s underdeveloped Siri technology as it does the AirPods.

    Bottom Line

    Apple faithful will still love these wireless earbuds. Those who are concerned about losing these tiny, expensive headphones should still steer clear. You know if these goofy-but-stylish, high-tech earbuds are for you just by glancing at them. They’re excellent, but they’re not for everyone.

  • Which Offers Better Sound: Analog or Digital?

    Which Offers Better Sound: Analog or Digital?

    The long-running debate over digital versus analog recording and playback has long divided music fans. Digital recording has been referred to as compressing and simplifying the sound of music. Analog recording and playback has been derided as outdated and inaccurate, mixing too much noise into the sound. Which one is truly the best way to experience music?

    Analog or Digital?

    Signal to Noise

    Analog recording and playback involve using physical media and storing information in a way that is physically visible. Digital recording, however, uses binary code, ones and zeroes, to encode sound in the form of digital text. Both forms require specialized methods to facilitate playback.

    In the case of analog, you need a machine that can read the physically encoded information. The most famous example of this is the needle of the record player interpreting the grooves of a record as sounds. Likewise, digital recordings require software to enable playback. Much like the needle reading the record, digital media players interpret the code as sound.

    Pros and Cons

    When sound is recorded, something is inevitably lost. There exists no perfect recording technique. However, there are some distinct strengths and weaknesses of both digital and analog. Digital has the issue of compressing sound, potentially distorting it, and being corrupted in slight ways.

    Analog, on the other hand, has more chances to introduce noise. Those who have used record players have doubtless heard the slight hisses and pops that are introduced by using physical media to store sound information. Fans of analog media have dismissed digital recordings as sounded “cold” and “distant,” unlike the “warm” and “intimate” sounds of analog.

    Digital recordings, however, can be transmitted easily over the internet. Streaming music services allow instantaneous acquisition of new songs, and digital is easier to transfer and edit.

    A Case for Audiophiles

    In fact, research has shown that increasing knowledge of recording techniques has led to digital recordings offering such high fidelity that it’s indistinguishable from an untouched master. Thanks to new software techniques in reading data, digital sounds can be rendered in perfectly accurate and crisp ways.

    What this doesn’t account for, of course, is the irreplaceable tactile feel of holding a record. The warmth of the sound of vinyl is undeniable. In short, there are a lot of reasons to love analog, even if it isn’t as accurate or convenient as digital. It’s got soul, and that counts for something.

  • Jeff Bezos Wife to Get 4% of Amazon in Divorce

    Jeff Bezos Wife to Get 4% of Amazon in Divorce

    MacKenzie Bezos, wife of Amazon owner Jeff Bezos, has announced that her divorce from the billionaire is complete. In the agreement, she’ll be getting a 4% stake in Amazon’s stock. That staggering number makes her one of the richest people on the planet, bringing her net worth to around $35 billion.

    MacKenzie Bezos Gets Huge Cut of Amazon

    The Divorce

    Amazon’s stock has fluctuated slightly since the divorce filing became public. However, the announcement of the divorce’s finalization had little impact on Amazon’s stock yesterday.

    The Bezos’ divorce came about in part due to scandals involving Jeff Bezos’ affairs with Lauren Sanchez. After the divorce filing in January, the normally private Jeff Bezos had his private life at the center of unfolding scandals. Adding to the chaos, Bezos has also struck out at the National Enquirer over alleged blackmail of photos he sent to Sanchez during his affair.

    National Enquirer Controversy

    The controversy erupted when Bezos penned a piece for Medium that alleged he was being blackmailed. The National Enquirer threatened to release nude photos of him if he didn’t end an investigation into how they acquired his texts to Sanchez.

    Reports have indicated that Sanchez’ brother, Michael Sanchez, is the one who leaked the messages to the Enquirer. Michael Sanchez has been a longtime source for the tabloid. Sanchez himself has denied being the source of the leaks.

    MacKenzie’s Assets

    The 4% share of Amazon that MacKenzie will be taking with her will still have its voting privileges overseen by Jeff. The $35 billion in worth this gives MacKenzie makes her one of the 30 wealthiest people on the planet. Meanwhile, Jeff Bezos maintains his spot as the richest man on Earth, worth a staggering $115 billion.

    That puts Jeff Bezos a solid $10 billion higher than Bill Gates, who remains the second wealthiest man on Earth. Surprisingly, Bezos retains this title even after giving up 25% of his shares in Amazon.

  • Is 5G Going to be That Big a Deal?

    Is 5G Going to be That Big a Deal?

    Verizon unveiled their first public test of a 5G network yesterday in Chicago. This occurred well ahead of the April 11th target date. However, the question remains: is 5G going to be that big of a deal? Today we’re going to look at what the experts are saying about this new network connectivity standard.

    5G Phone Speeds

    What is 5G?

    In simple terms, 5G is simply the next step in wireless connectivity. It’s not some new type of connectivity, it’s just significantly faster than existing technology. The current wireless infrastructure works on 4G LTE, a standard that was unveiled in the early 2010’s. 5G is a new standard that is promising to be between 10 and 100 times faster.

    If phone manufacturers are to be believed, 5G will be the biggest shift in smartphones yet. The speeds are promised to be so good that some people will have faster internet on their phone than in their home. Verizon has stated you could expect “typical speeds of 450 megabits per second, with peak speeds of nearly 1 gigabit per second, and latency less than 30 milliseconds.”

    More than Just Phones

    There’s more going on with 5G than just fast phone speeds, though. 5G speeds will enable new uses of technology, such as remote surgery for isolated regions. Remote surgery will allow doctors in remote regions to contact doctors who can walk them through a surgery step-by-step using technology and robotics.

    Another example of 5G uses outside of phones will be for city planning. Cities will be able to link their traffic lights via a 5G network and make sure they all stay synced up. This will allow for traffic to flow much more easily.

    When Will This Arrive?

    5G speeds are being tested now in limited markets, specifically in Chicago. As 2019 rolls on, more 5G tests will be seen in other large cities. As for a nationwide rollout, it might be late 2020 before all areas in the US have 5G coverage. For the time being, you don’t need to futureproof: 5G phones won’t be on sale until later this year.

  • Where to Find the Best Prices on Tires

    Where to Find the Best Prices on Tires

    Everyone who owns a car dreads that sound of a tire popping. What’s worse than the unexpected expense of needing a new tire? Overpaying on that tire, that’s what. If you’re looking to save some money on your next set of tires, then you’ve come to the right place. Here are the best places to find low prices on tires.

    Where to Find Low Prices on Tires

    Wal-Mart

    Wal-Mart has an auto center with great prices on tires of several name brands. If you’ve turned your nose up at the thought of shopping for tires at Wal-Mart, okay, fair. But are you here to look like a big shot or to save money on tires? Well, if you’re looking for a good deal, then Wal-Mart is a great place to start.

    They’ve also got great prices on maintenance and tire changing, if you need that service. So, next time you’re in the market for getting your tires changed, keep Wal-Mart in mind.

    Firestone

    While Firestone’s tires aren’t the least expensive tires in the world, they are rather inexpensive for their quality. Firestone’s tires have great traction, are quite durable and stay good for way longer than your average tire. All of that comes with a notably low price tag.

    Firestone will also change your tires for you and rotate them when you buy a full set. While they charge a small service fee, it’s quite reasonable. The mechanics there are friendly and knowledgeable, and bring a lot of professionalism to their jobs.

    OnlineTires

    If you want to save money on tires while shopping online, shop at OnlineTires. This site allows you to compare prices at a glance. The best thing about shopping online is that you get the best of both worlds. Not only can you compare prices and inventory, you can do your research all while you’re shopping.

    No worrying about driving out to the shop, having to deal with salespeople or not knowing what you’re looking for. All you have to do is just find the best online deal and wait for your new tires to arrive! There’s nothing to it.

    The only downsides to online shopping are that you have to put the tires on yourself, and you have to wait for them to arrive. If you’ve got a flat and need a new tire right away, online shopping might not be ideal.

  • Best Wireless Routers for 2019

    Best Wireless Routers for 2019

    When you rely on your internet for your entertainment, your work or just your leisure time, you want the best. Maybe you’re paying for the best internet money can buy but your devices still seem sluggish. Maybe it’s your wireless router. Today we’re looking at some of the best wireless routers that money can buy.

    Best Wireless Routers for 2019

    Google WiFi

    Google’s proprietary WiFi router, the aptly named Google WiFi, is great for people with large homes. The puck-shaped router can be set up in a net-style array, and will cast your wireless signal across a larger space. Just set up a router in each part of your house that you want to cover and Google WiFi will do the work.

    This mesh technology tends to work better than simple range boosters. The reason for this is that Google’s tech uses the smaller WiFi receivers as satellites for the signal, catching it and amplifying it in the area nearby. This makes it easier to cover dead zones in your home.

    ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AC5300

    If you want the best of the best, you want the Rapture GT-AC5300. Asus’s entry in the crowded high-end router market was made with performance in mind, and the price shows it. The hefty $400 price tag might incite some sticker shock, but it more than makes up for this with its strength and features.

    The incredibly speedy Rapture router was literally made with gaming in mind. The through-put is blisteringly fast, and you’ll experience no trouble connecting. There’s tons of I/O ports for the gamers out there, and a great management console for customizing your experience. If you take gaming seriously, this huge router is for you.

    Asus RT-AC66U B1 Dual-Band

    Another entry from Asus, this router is much less expensive. Coming in around $100, the RT-AC66U is great for all-purpose internet use. It’s speedy, but not blisteringly so. It sports four LAN parts and three non-removable antenna. The signal strength is solid and the throughput is fast enough for general gaming and streaming.

    The only drawbacks to this snappy little router are its sub-par file transfer speeds and its clunky, non-removable antenna. However, thanks to its low price point and easy set-up, this is an easy router to recommend. If you’re not looking to spend a lot of money but still want a great router for all your internet needs, this is the one you should be looking at.

  • Dealing with an Alcoholic Loved One

    Dealing with an Alcoholic Loved One

    Alcoholism affects millions of people every year in the United States. If you’re dealing with an alcoholic loved one, it can seem incredibly hopeless and difficult. Figuring out how to help them, and how to help yourself, in such a situation can be heartbreaking. Here are a few of our tips for navigating this heart-wrenching situation.

    Dealing with an Alcoholic Loved One

    Is the Person an Alcoholic?

    Diagnosing a drinking problem can be difficult. Some people drink heavily with friends around but might not be alcoholics. Other people hide their drinking well but are actually in the grips of alcohol abuse. People who are consistently thinking about drinking, getting alcohol, or recovering from hangovers might be alcoholics.

    Other warning signs include people shirking responsibilities to drink, drinking against the wishes of loved ones, and drinking even though it’s impeding physical and psychological health. Some of the most telling symptoms of alcoholism include withdrawal symptoms when not drinking and a very high tolerance for alcohol.

    How to Talk to an Alcoholic

    What do you say to someone who is abusing alcohol? Express concern for them. Tell them you care about them, and that you’re worried about what drinking is doing to them. Make the person aware that you’re not attacking them, but that you’re concerned for their health.

    Offer to help them cut back on their drinking. Tell the person that you could even give them a hand finding professional help, if they think they need it. Keep your tone non-confrontational. You’re not accusing them, or trying to tear them down. You’re trying to help.

    What Not to Do

    Don’t make excuses for the person if they’re missing their responsibilities. Don’t cover their responsibilities for them, and don’t try to help hide their drinking. You also need to make sure you never drink with someone who has a drinking problem. If you perform any of these behaviors, you’re enabling the person.

    When to Walk Away

    If a person continues to self-destruct with alcohol despite your best attempts to help them, don’t beat yourself up. There’s nothing you can do if someone doesn’t want your help. If the person is causing harm to themselves or others, contact the authorities.

    Otherwise, if they simply won’t work with you, it’s better that you walk away than watch them circle the drain. You need to live your life for yourself, not for the people around you. Wish them the best, tell them to reach out if they want help. And then, you need to live your own life.

  • Overcoming Dentist Anxiety

    Overcoming Dentist Anxiety

    If you have anxiety about going to the dentist, the very words “dentist’s office” can cause your skin to crawl. The sound of a drill powering on makes you nauseous. Your head spins when you think about cold, metal instruments hitting your teeth and gums. How do you overcome dentist anxiety?

    Overcoming Dentist Anxiety

    Complications

    Not going to the dentist is so much worse than simply biting the bullet and going. The kinds of complications that can occur as a result of improper dental hygiene are numerous and unsettling. Gum disease can lead to an increase in risk for heart attack, stroke and other types of illness. In short, you don’t want to avoid the dentist.

    How can you get over an irrational fear, though? It’s not like you think the dentist is going to try to hurt you on purpose. You’re logically aware that the dentist is only going to try to help your oral health. However, that doesn’t stop you from not wanting to go.

    Causes

    Many people have a fear of the dentist due to prior experiences being negative. Botched procedures, painful dental surgeries and unfortunate mishaps can all contribute. Some people with PTSD also find it very difficult to relax in the dentist’s chair, whether they are veterans or survivors of abuse.

    Dentists who operate carelessly can inadvertently cause phobia. Many careless dentists will simply assume everyone has the same pain tolerance and won’t do enough to ensure the patient is comfortable. As such, many dentist phobics feel the way they do due to lack of control when in the chair.

    People with strong wills who hate being out of control of a situation will experience the strongest dental anxiety. These are usually people who are made nervous by the idea of being sedated or operated on, as well.

    Dentists Who Accommodate

    The issue of dental anxiety is so prevalent that many dentist’s offices accommodate those who experience it. They will take steps to make sure patients are comfortable and don’t feel like they’re going to be hurt. Often, these dentists learned such techniques from operating with small children.

    If there are no such dentists in your area, consider contacting a local dentist direcly. Tell them that you experience a dentist phobia and would like to ask them if they might be able to accommodate your specific situation. If they aren’t, don’t be afraid to be assertive. Don’t let them do anything or start any procedures that you don’t like.