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  • Electronics Black Friday Sales You Can’t Miss

    Electronics Black Friday Sales You Can’t Miss

    Black Friday is the time of year to hit all the best sales on electronics you may have been holding off on. Even if you’re not shopping for gifts, you might want some of these deals just for yourself! If you’re looking to save some serious money on video games and electronics, try some of these great Black Friday sales.

    Black Friday Sales on Electronics

    consoles
    GameRevolution

    PS4 Bundle

    One of the best sales out there this year is a huge discount on a PS4 bundle with Spider-Man. The standard PS4 usually goes for $300, but on Black Friday the console and $60 game will be bundled together for just $200. That’s $160 in savings! It’s hard to beat a deal that good. You’ll be able to find this bundle at several stores, such as Best Buy, Target and Wal-Mart.

    The PS4 is likely nearing the end of its life-cycle, but that doesn’t mean it’s out of surprises yet. There are some stellar exclusives on the system, including God of War, Horizon: Zero Dawn and Bloodborne. Spider-Man is the latest in a long string of excellent AAA exclusives Sony has been releasing, and we don’t expect that momentum to slow any time soon.

    Nintendo Switch Bundle

    The Nintendo Switch has been on the market for nearly two years now and it’s showing no signs of stopping. This little hybrid console has reignited interest in Nintendo as a whole, making huge waves in the gaming industry. Last year the system was too new for Black Friday sales, but this year it’ll be discounted.

    A bundle with a Nintendo Switch console and Mario Kart 8: Deluxe will be on sale this Black Friday for just $300. That’s a $60 savings over buying them separate. Additionally, expect to see the console by itself discounted to $250 at most retailers during the sale.

    Xbox One X

    The mega-powerful Xbox One X, with 4K graphics and awesome framerate, is going to be on sale for $400 this Black Friday at some retailers. Target is one such retailer, who will begin the discount price on Friday. If you or someone on your shopping list wants to play Microsoft exclusives like Sea of Thieves and Halo, this is the perfect gift for them!

  • Best Details you Missed in Red Dead Redemption 2

    Best Details you Missed in Red Dead Redemption 2

    Red Dead Redemption 2 has been out for a few weeks now and has made some huge waves in the gaming world. This deep, engrossing Wild West adventure may be one of the best video games ever made. Odds are you’ve missed a few awesome details from this huge world, so here are just a few of the best details you missed in RDR 2. Warning: mild spoilers await!

    Details you Missed in Red Dead Redemption 2

    rdr2
    Rockstar Games

    Gun Detail

    While this is a slower-paced game, especially by AAA standards, a huge emphasis is still given to action and shooting. What you may have missed are great little details about guns and shooting. For instance, when you use a revolver, when you hit the right trigger to fire, Arthur has to pull the hammer back before he lets a bullet rip. You can manually rock the hammer back with a half-press of the trigger. Similarly, after firing a rifle, you have to load a new shell in before firing again.

    Other little details, like engravings and wood grain, as highlighted in gunsmiths as customization options. It’s still neat to see Arthur cleaning the dirt off of his guns when you manually maintain them, though.

    Animal Decomposition

    If you kill a wild animal in this game and leave it on the side of the road, it will slowly decompose. When you return to the area after a few in-game days, you may see a deteriorating body. After a few more days, you might find nothing more than a pile of bones. The same goes for when you carry a slain beast back into town on your horse. If you tarry for too many days, it’ll fetch a lower price as it decomposes.

    Arthur’s Well-Being

    If you skip sleep and eat infrequently, Arthur will begin to look haggard. You’ve likely noticed that your avatar’s hair and beard grow at a natural rate, and you can style his hair unless you grow it out long enough. Similarly, if you overeat and don’t get enough exercise, you’ll see Arthur begin to put on weight.

    The same, interestingly, goes for your horse! If you give your companion too many treats, it’ll get fat and become slower on the open road. Keep that in mind while you’re adventuring!

  • Gotta Play ‘Em All? Pokémon Let’s Go Review

    Gotta Play ‘Em All? Pokémon Let’s Go Review

    It’s been quite some time since a major Pokémon release came to home consoles. The latest Pokémon main series entry, Pokémon Let’s Go Pikachu and Pokémon Let’s Go Eevee, have arrived for Nintendo Switch. Are these more casual-focused entries worth their price tag, or are they just pandering to the Pokémon Go craze?

    Pokémon Let’s Go Review

    pokemon-lets-go
    Nintendo

    Graphics

    As much as some people will tell you graphics don’t matter, they really do. These are video games after all, and the visual element is the most striking. The Let’s Go games look absolutely wonderful on the Nintendo Switch. Brightly-colored, well-drawn models navigate sleek landscapes and the titular Pocket Monsters look better than ever. Battles are bright and frenetic, with strong moves having a ton of flashy on-screen effects.

    Of special note are the wonderful little sprites that indicate your Pokémon in menus and at the Pokémon center. The series’ iconic sprites would have been sorely missed, so it’s nice to see them making an appearance this time out.

    Gameplay

    The major sticking point for some long-time veteran trainers is the updated gameplay of this new entry. The traditional random encounters with wild Pokémon are gone, as are battles with them. Instead, you see wild critters on the overworld screen and can choose to encounter them. When you do, you play a Pokémon Go-style minigame where you throw a ball and try to catch the creature.

    This is a fun, if gimmicky, mechanic. While the ball-throwing with motion controls is very unreliable, it feels fine in handheld mode with normal controls. That said, we’re hoping future releases ditch the ball-throwing mechanic and bring back wild battles. We’re okay with the Pokémon being on the overworld screen, though. Random encounters should stay out of modern RPGs in our opinion.

    Trainer battles are the same as in core games in the series, with the exception of some deeper mechanics from past entries. In all, this version is heavily simplified. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, making this a great jumping-on point for newcomers.

    Bottom Line

    The bottom line is that Pokémon fans the world over and going to love this game. It’s a bit simplified and the series still has a long way to go in terms of tightening the core gameplay. The gorgeous presentation and nostalgic music make this one worth checking out, though, so we can recommend it to even passing fans of the franchise. Now, get out there and capture some cute creatures!

  • Tired All the Time? Here are the Best Natural Ways to Increase Your Energy

    Tired All the Time? Here are the Best Natural Ways to Increase Your Energy

    It’s not normal to feel tired and exhausted all the time. No matter how rough your job is, a healthy person shouldn’t always feel like they’re about to fall over. If you feel this way, you might be making it through your day only with help from coffee and energy drinks. Here are some natural ways to increase your energy. These methods are way better for you than energy drinks, too.

    Best Natural Ways to Increase Your Energy

    Eat Better

    Stop eating junk food, stop drinking soda and cut processed sugars out of your diet. Processed foods are worse than just being bad for you, they drain your energy. If you’re always filling up on empty calories and junk then you’re not getting the nutrients you need. Similarly, if you drink to excess often then your body will rarely be getting good rest.

    You get out what you put in. If you put good, clean food into your body then you’re going to just feel better. That’s really all there is to it! While fatty junk foods might taste great, are they worth your health?

    Work Out More

    This one goes hand in hand with the previous point. If you’re eating better then you can start working out to up your natural energy. By building up your muscles and getting into better shape you’re naturally going to just feel better. If you’re constantly eating junk and letting yourself laze about all day then you’re absolutely going to have lower energy.

    Consider getting a workout buddy to keep you committing to hitting the gym. People naturally work harder when their friends are keeping them accountable. While you’re at it, consider quitting any harmful lifestyles you may have with the help from your gym buddy. This includes smoking and heavy drinking.

    Get More Sleep

    This one sounds like a no-brainer, but it bears pointing out. If you’re eating better and working out more, the final pillar of good health (and natural energy) is good sleep. Sleep at least eight hours every night and try getting to bed (and getting up) earlier. It might sound lame to go to bed at 10 PM, but when you awake at 6 and crank out a great workout before work, you’re going to feel so much better.

  • Stop Your Headache the Natural Way: Best Natural Headache Remedies

    Stop Your Headache the Natural Way: Best Natural Headache Remedies

    A really intense headache can ruin your whole day. If you’re suffering from serious headaches and don’t want to take medicine, there are a few natural remedies you can try for relief. Today we’re going over some of the best natural headache remedies.

    Best Natural Headache Remedies

    Lavender Oil

    Along with basil and peppermint oil, lavender oil is great for headaches. Essential oils are often used in aromatherapy in conjunction with massage therapy to help relieve headaches and general aches and pains. Some people like to apply a bit of oil to the temples, and others use a diffuser to get the oil into the air. Either way, try these natural oils for headache relief and see if they can help you.

    Butterbur Herbs

    Butterbur herbs, as well as feverfew, have been shown to help headaches and migraines. Consider adding these herbs to food, or simply taking them in pill form. Many holistic health shops sell extract from these herbs. You can also find capsules with extract of these herbs that you can take. The best part is that these herbs are all-natural, so you don’t have to worry about taking potentially harmful medicine.

    Magnesium

    Foods rich in magnesium are an excellent way to naturally combat headaches. Examples of such foods are beans, broccoli, whole grains, seeds and nuts. If you don’t have a lot of these in your diet, consider adding them. Alternatively you could take a magnesium supplement to help your levels stay high. Many people who suffer chronic headaches have low magnesium levels, so keep magnesium in your diet to try to stave them off.

    B-12 Supplements

    Another natural headache remedy comes in the form of B-12 supplements. If you don’t have high amounts of B-12 in your diet you may find yourself suffering from headaches.  This vitamin is commonly found in sesame seeds, fish and almonds. Alternatively, if you don’t like any of those foods you can opt to take a vitamin B-12 supplement in capsule form to keep your levels from dropping too low.

    While none of these remedies are a surefire cure, they will certainly help you in the right direction. Don’t hesitate to contact a doctor in the event of continued, extreme migraines.

  • Dry Skin Got You Down? Try These Top Home Remedies

    Dry Skin Got You Down? Try These Top Home Remedies

    The winter months play havoc on dry skin, making it feel scaly and itchy. If you struggle with dry skin you’re likely looking for relief that you can administer at home. Today we’ve got a list of some of the top home remedies for dry skin to help you through these dry months.

    Dry Skin Home Remedies

    Coconut Oil

    Coconut oil is very popular in cooking and it’s also a great ingredient in lotions for helping dry skin. Consider using coconut oil-infused products to help moisturize. That’s because coconut oil has emollient properties that help restore skin cells and moisturize very well!

    Oatmeal Baths

    Grandmothers will always recommend oatmeal baths for dry skin. And they’re right to do so, it turns out. Colloidal oatmeal contains antioxidants that are amazing for your skin. Taking an oatmeal bath and then using a traditional moisturizer can help reduce itchiness and inflammation. Make sure you use the moisturizer, though, as you’ll need to lock in all the good stuff the oatmeal bath brought to your skin.

    Mineral Oil

    Mineral oil, or petroleum jelly as it is alternatively called, adds a thin layer of protective film to the skin. The film is thin and locks in moisture and keeps out common irritants. Mineral oil is particularly effective when used in conjunction with other moisturizing products! Moisturize first, then apply the mineral oil.

    Wear Gloves

    It might seem straightforward, but wearing gloves is one of the best ways to protect the skin on your hands. When you’re doing household chores that would get your hands wet or expose them to cleaning products make sure you wear gloves! This goes double for when you work outside in cold temperatures. Make sure you have a nice pair of insulated gloves to keep your hands warm in the winter.

    Antioxidants

    Consider taking in more antioxidants to encourage healthy skin. Foods that are high in antioxidants include carrots, lentils, blueberries and tomatoes. These will help your skin keep from getting dried out as easily and encourages healthier healing of dry skin. Additionally, foods rich in omega-3, like salmon, are great for encouraging healthy skin.

  • What Your Exterminator Won’t Tell You

    What Your Exterminator Won’t Tell You

    Bugs are the worst. When the weather is hot they’re everywhere. When the weather is cold they rush into your home. Here are some great tips for dealing with bugs that your exterminator won’t tell you about. If there are insects bugging you, try some of these tips!

    Tips Your Exterminator Won’t Tell You

    Homemade Roach Trap

    Cockroaches are unsettling little bugs. If you want to deal with them yourself, use a banana. No, seriously! Get a jar and rub petroleum jelly around the inside of the rim. Then put a banana down inside the jar and put the trap near where you’ve seen roaches. The banana will attract the roaches and then the petroleum jelly will keep them from climbing out of the jar. Then you can just dump the little jerks outside, far from your house.

    Trash Etiquette

    If you’ve got flies around your trash can outside then you need to take a few steps to prevent them from being attracted to it. First, get a can with a tight, well-fitting lid. Second, make sure you’re washing your trashcan out regularly. One every couple of weeks is a good pace! Finally, don’t hesitate to put some borax in your trash can after you wash it to keep it from smelling appetizing to flies.

    Fix Plumbing Problems

    Many bugs are attracted to water. If you’ve got slight plumbing leaks, damp areas or particularly dark and quiet regions in your house, many bugs consider that an open invitation. Make sure your plumbing is all repaired and up-to-date. Also, make sure you keep your basement and the area under the sink both dry and inhospitable for common pests!

    You Can’t Get Them All

    Some people want to have houses spotless and completely free of all bugs. This isn’t quite feasible, however, as some bugs are nearly impossible to keep out. Fleas and bedbugs are going to come in on your clothes. Mites and gall flies are so tiny they’re hard to even notice. Just make peace with the fact that you can’t get them all out of your house and you’ll be much happier!

  • Are You Spending Too Much on Paper Towels?

    Are You Spending Too Much on Paper Towels?

    It can be hard to find good deals on common grocery items. If you’ve got a big family you may find yourself spending way too much on disposable items. Paper towels are a notable example of items that you might be spending more than you need to on. Here are some of the best deals you can find on paper towels to help save your family money!

    Best Paper Towel Deals

    While you might not think about your spending on things like disposable napkins often, every dollar counts. That goes double for people with big families. It’s important to make every purchase as economically as you can to make your money go further!

    Target

    Bounty is a well-regarded name brand of paper towels for a number of reasons. Thankfully, Target has a really great price on this absorbent and excellent product. Believe it or not, Target is selling 8-packs of these paper towels for $14.50. It’s worth noting that these are double-sized rolls, and Bounty paper towels are very economic in use. Bounty advertises this 8-pack as equivalent to 20 normal rolls of paper towels! That’s a huge value.

    Sam’s Club

    It should come as no surprise that one of the best places to buy in bulk is Sam’s Club. Right now you can find a 15-pack of Member’s Mark brand paper towels in Sam’s Club for a little over $18. If you have a huge family and need to keep a ton of paper towels on hand then this is the deal for you! It’s hard to find a deal this good outside of a member store like Sam’s Club. If you don’t have a Sam’s Club membership, however, you’ll need to get one to take advantage of this deal.

    Lowes

    It might sound weird but Lowes is actually a great place to find deals on cleaning supplies. For instance, they have a 9-pack of Seventh Generation available for just under $18. That’s not just nine normal rolls, either, it’s 9 jumbo-sized rolls. Seventh Generation’s jumbo-rolls have 120 sheets per roll, making this an incredible deal. This eco-friendly brand also uses unbleached paper towels made from renewable sources, so you can feel good about this purchase!

  • Should You Buy an LG V40?

    Should You Buy an LG V40?

    The newest phone from LG, the LG V40, is here and making waves. Is it worthy of all the hype surrounding it? Or is it a lame entry into the packed Android market? Today we’re going to take an in-depth look at this new smartphone and tell you whether it’s worth your hard-earned money.

    LG V40 Review

    Design

    First things first: this is a smart-looking phone. All-glass designs are a favorite of ours, and this phone feels great in the hand. In fact, it’s probably one of the best-feeling LG phones we’ve seen. The screen is huge and vibrant, and, unlike other premium phones, the LG V40 still has a traditional headphone jack.

    The V40 also sports the industry-standard water resistance and wireless charging capabilities. While these features are unsurprising, they remain as convenient as ever. If you’ve been waiting to upgrade your smartphone you’re going to be impressed by these quality-of-life upgrades.

    Cameras

    The five (yes, five) cameras are the star of the show here. While the Pixel 3 and iPhone XS are impressive for snapshots, the LG V40 is a real photographer’s smartphone. The wide-angle lens is unparalleled for sprawling vista shots. The lighting and colors in bright shots are absolutely stellar. There are low-light options, great portrait settings and more. If you love snapping photos and like a ton of options, this is the phone for you.

    Pricing

    The V40 runs between $900 and $980 in the US, depending on where you go to get it and which carrier you choose. That makes it comparable in price to most premium smartphones like the Galaxy Note 9 and iPhone XS. It is a tad bit less expensive than those phones, but not by much. While it might cost a bit less, you don’t sacrifice on power or speed.

    Bottom Line

    If you’re an Android fan who wants a great phone for taking pictures then you’re going to love the V40. However, casual shutterbugs might find the multitude of settings a bit overwhelming. Compared to the Note 9 and Pixel 3, this is a solid phone. You won’t be disappointed in this phone for the price, and we can fully recommend it (especially for photographers).

  • If You Have Type 2 Diabetes You Need to Avoid These Foods

    If You Have Type 2 Diabetes You Need to Avoid These Foods

    Type-2 diabetes affects as much as ten percent of the adult population of the United States. If you’ve recently been diagnosed with diabetes it can be scary to figure out what you should do. Always listen to your doctor’s advice and follow medical guidelines. While you’re at it, make sure you avoid these foods.

    Foods to Avoid if You have Type-2 Diabetes

    Milkshakes

    As much as you may love them, you need to avoid milkshakes. The classic milkshake is full of carbohydrates, sugar, calories and fat and is absolutely terrible for people with diabetes. There’s also not a version of this classic that doesn’t have these things. Even non-dairy milkshakes are loaded with sugar and fat, so just avoid them altogether.

    Biscuits and Gravy

    Southerners love this traditional breakfast, but diabetics need to stay away from it. This dish has your entire daily allotment of saturated fat if you’re diabetic. That’s not to even mention the calories and salt content. If you really want a similar dish, consider tofu sausage replacement, low-sodium biscuits and vegan gravy! Still, keep in mind that this is a heavy dish and don’t go crazy on it.

    Fried Chicken

    Fried anything is bad news for diabetics. We know that comprises about half of all American cuisine, but, trust us, it’s bad for you. Your body will thank you for avoiding fried chicken, French fries and corn dogs. Cards, sodium, fat, cholesterol and calories are a few of the alarmingly-high bad things found in most fried foods.

    Snack Cakes

    Companies like Twinkie and Little Debby make pre-packaged snack cakes that are downright awful for diabetics. Sugar, sodium, white flour and tons of preservatives comprise most of these snack cakes, all of which are awful for anyone, especially a diabetic. Here’s the good news, though: you can make your own pastries at home and restrict the amount of sugar, fat and other harmful things that go into them. That way you can have your cake and eat it too!

    In general, remember that your condition is serious and you need to heed your doctor’s advice. If something feels wrong, don’t hesitate to contact a medical specialist. Eat healthy, be careful and stay safe!