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  • Online Furniture Stores that Beat Physical Retailers

    Online Furniture Stores that Beat Physical Retailers

    Furniture shopping can be fun, but stores are often crowded and most people don’t really have the time to actually go looking for furniture. Now, don’t get us wrong: we all love a good trip to Ikea. That said, there’s definitely a lot that goes into furniture shopping.

    Everything from the selection to bringing the furniture home to setting up can be a great big hassle.  But thanks to the internet, shopping for furniture and home decor has never been easier. With all these stylish and affordable goods at your fingertips, it’s very easy to decorate and style your home. It’s a new dawn for everyone who loves beautiful designs, and there are several great places online to shop for new furniture.

    If you’re looking to shop for new furniture and avoid the physical retailers, consider these online furniture stores. After all, online shopping is always a great alternative to going to brick and mortar stores to shop!

    Online Furniture Stores

    Blu Dot

    Blu Dot is an interesting retailer from a design perspective. They were originally founded back in 1997, and their focus has always been on design. The two architects and sculptor who started the site have always tried to make the furniture designs modern, striking and accessible all at once. This shows in both their web design and their furniture design!

    With a stated goal of bringing good design to as many people as possible, it’s easy to see why they’re so highly recommended. The mix of materials, styles and sensibilities at play with their furniture is always neat to see. If you like a more off-the-wall look, this is for you!

    Wayfair

    Wayfair is one of the most customer-friendly online furniture stores out there. While you might spend hours on other sites just looking for the right piece of furniture, Wayfair cuts through that like a knife. The “Shop This Look” feature allows you to create a cohesive interior décor that will wow any guest.

    It doesn’t stop there, though. You can filter results based on custom price ranges, and the search functionality is exceptional. The search results are highly accurate and almost always exactly what you’re looking for. They even offer free shipping on items over $50! That’s a hard deal to beat.

    Apt2B

    If you’re looking to furnish a smaller space, such as an apartment, this is the retailer for you. Apt2B specializes in smaller furniture for apartments and town homes, furniture that maximizes smaller spaces. The furniture is designed with an eye for space economy, bringing big style to small furniture.

    Thankfully, that big style doesn’t make for a big price tag: the prices are all rather reasonable. The range on display is upscale and modern, and even the hippest of buyers will love what they have to offer.


  • Which Mattress is the Best?

    Which Mattress is the Best?

    Everything circles back around to sleep. If you’re not sleeping well, everything else slips into being worse. Your physical well-being, your mood, everything. It all comes back to whether you’re sleeping well. With that in mind, today we’re looking at mattresses to find which is the best mattress.

    If you’ve been looking to find a good new mattress, this is the article for you. Today we answer the question: which is the best mattress?

    Hybrids

    Constructed from a combination of latex, memory, polyurethane foams, coils, and / or other materials, these mattresses usually are designed to maximize certain benefits, while also minimizing certain cons. For example, a latex + memory foam hybrid is able to deliver great bounce, cooling, and responsiveness via the latex, but also provide great pressure relief and support from the memory foam.

    Best for: Sleepers who want the best of all worlds. Great bounce, support, comfort, and cooling. A good all around option that is a very good choice for the majority of sleepers.

    Memory Foam
    Just like it sounds, these mattresses only consist of memory foam. Memory foam mattresses are known for their great support, pressure relief, and body contouring. Historically, memory foam has had a bad reputation as “sleeping hot”. However, many newer more advanced memory foams have been designed with superior cooling properties, creating a much cooler mattress than traditional memory foams.

    Best For: Sleepers who want great hug, body shaping, contour, pressure relief, and support. There is a wide spectrum of foams classified as “memory foam” and not all memory foams are created equal. A good option for sleepers who want a more pronounced hug than many hybrid or latex mattresses offer.

    Coils
    One of the most popular and widely used mattress types. Coil (aka innerspring) mattresses have one or more layers of spring coils (generally steel) that provide the support and comfort. As technology advances, the number, types, and layers of coils change. A larger number of coils typically means better comfort and support.

    Best For: Sleepers who want a more traditional coil / spring feel, great bounce, cooling, and strong edge support.

    Pillow-top

    Falling into an array of categories (coil, latex, memory, hybrid, etc.), pillow-top mattresses have a layer of soft material either stuffed or sewn into the cover. This works to add extra comfort and cushion for the sleeper.

    Best For: Sleepers who prefer a softer and more cushion comfort. If you enjoy a cloud-like type of support and comfort most pillow tops will offer the best sleeping surface for you.

    Contenders for Best Mattress

    #3. Purple
    Purple mattresses are luxurious and excellent. If you’re a fan of memory foam-style mattresses, you’ll love purple. The Purple Mattress has Smart Comfort Grid technology that keeps pressure on your body to a minimum. This ensures you awake comfortable and well-rested! If you find you often awake with painful pressure points from your mattress, this is for you. This mattress retails for $999, but you can often find it on sale for less. Purple’s website often has sales, as does Amazon!

    Also, a plus for Purple is their return policy. If you don’t love the mattress, you can send it back within 100 days for a full refund. These mattresses are made in the US, and they’re also covered by a ten-year warranty.

    #2. Sleep Number
    Sleep Number is well-known for their unique, adjustable design. If you’re not familiar with them, it works like this: each bed has a controller that allows you to choose a number. That number, your Sleep Number, represents how soft or firm you prefer your bed to be. The best part is, Sleep Number also offers beds that can be adjusted on both sides. That means if you prefer firm and your partner prefers soft, you can get the best of both worlds!

    You can also adjust the angle of the bed, allowing you to choose your preferred sleeping posture. You can even adjust the bed enough to watch TV or read while in bed! These mattresses are in the under-$1000 range, usually coming in between $700 and $900.

    #1. Saatva
    Saatva mattresses are made from all-natural, organic cotton. They also offer mattresses for $999 and offer a great set-up bonus. The cost of a mattress includes free delivery, setup and removal of your old mattress. Talk about full-service! Saatva mattresses are made in the US and Canada, meaning you know you’ll get quality construction.


  • The Best Solar Power Companies

    The Best Solar Power Companies

    Nowadays, many consumers have turned to solar energy for the sake of the environment and for their wallet.  This renewable energy source has globally proven to be cheaper than power from the grid, saving customers hundreds or thousands of dollars per year on their energy bill.

    Solar energy is known to require little maintenance and according to research, solar energy has the least negative impact on the environment compared to the other sources of energy.  Solar energy also has proven to be more reliable as well, since it can be deployed anywhere.

    Solar panels and solar contracts have an average lifespan of 20 years. To help you make the smartest, long-term decision, we’ve compiled top solar power companies and highlighted their respective benefits. Below, you can compare unique cost savings, equipment monitoring, tax breaks, and contracts that require little to no money down. Whichever company you choose, you’ll experience greater energy savings and the perks of environmentally-friendly living. Read on to learn about the best solar power companies that can help you!

    Best Solar Power Companies

    Sunrun

    Sunrun has been helping homeowners save on energy bills since 2007. This solar provider has often been named as both the best and largest solar company in the United States. Sunrun covers over 17 states in the US including South Carolina, Nevada, California and Colorado. You can also choose from flexible payment options that allow you to put as little as zero down. Sunrun provides for four payment plans; Brightsave monthly (which is a 20-year lease with monthly payments), BrightBuy (where you purchase the solar power in full), BrightAdvantage (which is a solar loan with zero down and is a great way to finance your solar panels) and Brightsave prepaid (where you pay for the entire solar lease in full right from the start).

    The great thing about Sunrun is that, regardless of the plan you choose, you are guaranteed backup storage, workmanship warranty as well as a 10-year roof warranty. With Sunrun you are also able to monitor your solar home’s productivity through a innovative app. If your solar panels generate more power than you use, Sunrun will return credits to you.

    When you decide to use Sunrun, it sends a representative to your home to evaluate your solar eligibility. Within three weeks, the company creates a design for you to approve, and after you give your consent, Sunrun begins applying for permits. Permit wait times depend on your local government. Once permits are approved, installation can begin.

    SolarCity

    Solarcity is a solar power company that is known for having the most affordable solar panel plans while still backing its work with guarantees and strong warranties. This solar company benefits greatly from the research and technology that is provided by Tesla – its sister company. Solarcity has services that are available for government planners, homeowners and businesses in about 21 states all across the United States.

    A lot of solar companies just offer solar panel installation but Solarcity additionally offers clients the ability to go off the grid through its back up power supply which ensures that your premise will always have power regardless of any blackouts. Powerwall – a backup power supply that allows you to always have power regardless of city blackouts. Unlike a portable generator Powerwall allows you to access clean power in emergencies. In addition to its Powerwall, Solarcity also offers a 10-year warranty that covers 10 years of necessary maintenance.

    Tesla recently revealed the new solar roof – a surprisingly affordable set of roof tiles with solar cells. To anyone looking at them from the street they will seem like a normal set of roofing tiles. The solar cells are only visible from above so they can use the sun to power your home. They even come in four different, chic-looking styles to help you match the look of your home. SolarCity is the only solar company that can install the solar roof. If you’re wondering about the dependability of these tiles, rest assured knowing that they are stronger than average roofing tiles.

    Vivint Solar

    Vivint Solar is also one of the best solar power companies. Vivint made its debut as a home security and home automation company in 1999 and has transitioned into a top solar company. Vivint Solar offers four payment plans in addition to warranties and solar panel performance monitoring. This solar contractor can help you save money on your utility bill while decreasing your impact on the environment. With operations in 16 states, it has the third largest coverage in the United States.

    In addition to solar panel installations, Vivint Solar does offer backup battery storage. This company’s solar power warranties include a 25-year performance warranty. The inverter is also covered by a 20-year workmanship warranty. Vivint will fix or pay for any damage it might cause to your property or belongings. This company offers four different payment plans: Solar Purchase, Solar Loan, Solar PPA, and Solar Lease. Regardless of which plan you choose, Vivint Solar will maintain and monitor your solar panels. These plans are also transferrable, should you decide to sell your home. Some of these plans also include product and power output warranties. Should the system fail to function or if it functions inefficiently Vivint Solar will take care of it.

    After you have set up a consultation with Vivint Solar, they will set up a time to meet with you. At this meeting Vivint will go over how solar works where you live and explain the benefits of using solar panels. After that comes an on-site survey, where they will look around your home for about an hour to evaluate your home’s solar eligibility. Designs will be drawn that best accommodate your house.


  • Best Medicare Supplemental Insurance

    Best Medicare Supplemental Insurance

    If you rely on Medicare for your health care, you might have found that Medicare doesn’t cover everything. For those on a fixed income, it can be extremely difficult to afford medication or any additional health care costs not covered by Medicare.

    If you are in a difficult situation where the health care bills are piling up, consider Medicare Supplemental Insurance. Medicare Supplemental Insurance is insurance that can help cover what Medicare doesn’t. We analyzed several plans with our experts and today we are breaking down the Best Medicare Supplemental Insurance!

    Best Medicare Supplemental Insurance

    Information About Supplemental Insurance

    An important note: in order to get supplemental insurance, you must have both Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B. Part A covers inpatient, and Part B covers outpatient care. Anoter factor to consider is Supplemental insurance only covers one person. Additionally, as long as you’re paying your premiums, Medicare supplemental  insurance can’t drop you, no matter what medical issues you may begin to suffer from.

    Supplemental insurance won’t always cover everything Medicare doesn’t.  Supplemental insurance is not going to cover all expenses. Things like vision, dental, prescriptions, long term care and private nursing are also not typically covered. Finally,  supplemental insurance must be acquired within the first sixth months of you turning 65 and you must already be on Medicare to qualify.

    United Healthcare Insurance Company

    The United Healthcare Insurance Company is endorsed by the AARP, and for good reason. This company offers a great deal of benefits for those on Medicare. They have a 94 percent user satisfaction, which is stellar. They also offer coverage that can be combined with a Medicare Part D plan. Those with this policy can visit any doctor that accepts Medicare! United Healthcare allows you to choose from a wide variety of plans, coverage, deductibles and benefits so you have coverage to fit your health needs and your financial situation.

    State Farm

    State Farm is another option for supplemental insurance. State Farm Medicare Supplement Insurance is designed to cover the gaps in Medicare, helping to pay deductibles, coinsurance and copayment amounts not covered by Medicare. State Farm also provides you the flexibility to choose between different plans to meet your individual needs and budget. They are a well-respected agency and are renowned for their high customer satisfaction ratings “Like a Good Neighbor, State Farm is There” tagline is very true. State Farm insurance might be able to cover hospital or medical services your Medicare won’t pay for as well.

    Humana

    Humana offers Medicare supplemental insurance that covers Medicare Part A and B. Humana’s policy covers coinsurance for medical expenses, co pays, hospice care and hospitalization, skilled nursing facility care, and blood work. Additionally, the Humana plan also covers copayments for outpatient services. Remember, this is in addition to your Medicare coverage, so getting this extra coverage could save you a lot of money when you have expensive outpatient services. Particularly if you have frequent doctor’s visits, you may find yourself saving a ton with this supplementary policy.


  • Best Credit Cards in 2018

    Best Credit Cards in 2018

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

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

    Best Credit Cards in 2018

    Citi Double Cash Card

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

    Hilton Honors American Express Ascend Card

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

    British Airways Visa Signature Card

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

    Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express

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

    Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

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


  • Sizzling Hot Tub Deals

    Sizzling Hot Tub Deals

    Getting the right hot tub is harder than it looks. Hot tubs are also an interesting market, for a number of reasons. When you go to buy one, you could go through several different avenues.

    You could purchase one through a warehouse retailer like Costco, you could go through a luxury store or even a specialty hot tub retailer. If you’re looking to save money on buying a hot tub, it can be difficult to know where to start. We are here to help though, here’s how you can save money on a hot tub!

    BEST HOT TUB DEALS OF 2018

    Costco

    Costco is a massive, warehouse-style retailer. Those who wish to shop there have to have a membership, but it offers some pretty good discounts for those who do. You can buy wholesale amounts of common groceries. However, there is another reason to be a Costco member: their great deals on hot tubs! They offer great prices on luxury hot tubs, so they’re worth looking at for deals.  For instance, they currently carry the Evolution Spas Oxford 121 Jet Spa which holds up to 7 people for 8,999.99.  This spa has a full body lounger and 4 captain’s chairs with neck and shoulder jets. Costco might not be your first instinct, but it should be!

    Overstock

    Overstock is a wholesaler who focuses on saving users money by selling overstocked items. That’s a pretty standard business strategy, and it might seem like it’s not that good of a deal. However, there are a number of great savings to find. One of the biggest discounts comes through overstocked hot tubs! That’s a thing, believe it or not. New users can sign up and even get 15% off of purchases! Some items are on sale for as much as 70% off, which can really save you some money on a hot tub. One good affordable idea is the Goplus Portable Inflatable Bubble Massage Spa Hot Tub for only $341.99, which normally retails around $400. This hot tub can help save on space too. A much fancier version is a 7 person, 56 jet premium acrylic lounger spa with Bluetooth stereo system with subwoofer and backlit LED waterfall for $5876.99. Great for families or parties, this hot tub can be paid off in 24 months and has free shipping.

    Amazon

    Amazon is a pretty well-known name in the world of online retailers. If you’ve been considering a hot tub, Amazon is actually a great place to look. They have a very wide selection of options, letting you browse to your heart’s content. The best part is, if you have Amazon Prime, you can get free shipping! That can help you save some serious money on a hot tub, as shipping is often a huge expense in shipping luxury items. The Coleman Inflatable Miami Spa has a suggested retail price of $499.99 but can be bought online for $349.99 with free shipping. You can keep it put up at home and take it out when you need it or when you want to bring it on vacation. For $3.999, you can get a 50 jet with a full body lounger and seating for up to 6 people.

    Conclusion

    There are many kinds of hot tubs and several options with each. Hot tubs are also sold in a unique market, in that they may be purchased through a warehouse kind of store, a chain that specializes in hot tubs, or a local store that specializes in luxury products for the home. You will also need to decide where you are going to set up the hot tub and what size you need, depending on how many people you expect to use it. It’s surprising how affordable it can be to have a hot tub, especially if you find a good deal.


  • Best Patio Furniture Deals

    Best Patio Furniture Deals

    There’s nothing quite like sitting on the back porch, enjoying a cold drink on a mild afternoon. You’ve got a good book in your hands and a cool breeze in your hair. That is, of course, if you have nice patio furniture to make this a reality! Let’s check out the best patio furniture deals!

    Many people are looking to purchase new patio furniture for the deck; however, trying to find brands that are both made well and within the budget can be a challenge. Qualities of patio furniture that people need to consider include the size, the style, and durability, and the price. Fortunately, there are plenty of options to choose from and many of these include some fantastic deals as well. The top 3 patio furniture retailers are Forever Patio, Harmonia Living, and Alfresco Home.

    Best Patio Furniture Deals

    Alfresco Homes
    Alfresco Homes is a well-known brand in the world of outdoor furniture. Their prices are quite reasonable for how modern and stylish their furniture is! They have a wide variety of materials, including resin, marble, aluminum and more.

    Their pieces span a wide range of decorative options, including woven wicker, resin, cast aluminum, and marble mosaic garden pieces. They regularly come out with inspiring, cutting-edge designs that set the bar high for the rest of the industry. For those who are looking for inspiration with their outdoor furniture, take a look at what Alfresco Home has to offer.

    If you’re looking for sturdy outdoor furniture, Alfresco is a great choice. They often have great deals on their website, where you can shop for a ton of different types of furniture. They’re one of the better options when it comes to high-end outdoor furniture!

    Forever Patio

    With a name like Forever Patio, you can expect their patio furniture to be rather durable! Their high-quality furniture pieces are rated quite highly and will typically withstand even heavy weather conditions. If you’re looking for durable furniture, Forever Patio is a great choice.

    The Forever Patio brand has developed an impressive track record over the years of providing excellent, quality furniture for a good price. They have a large collection to choose from, so every family should be able to find something that they need. They span everything from bar tables to daybeds and everything in between. They have stylish designs that can fit any scheme and the furniture is made in a detailed way. Finally, the name fits the furniture. Their durability is famous throughout the industry and their furniture is known to withstand all different types of weather.

    The best thing about this brand is that they are rather affordable for how durable their products are. Whether you’re getting a table and chair set, a day bed or a bar table, you can rest assured they’ll be sturdy. Check out their site to see what kinds of deals they have going on!

    Harmonia Living

    If you’re looking for wicker furniture, Harmonia Living has a great range to choose from. While wicker is known for its tendency to unravel, Harmonia takes steps to make their furniture more durable. Their furniture all uses High-Density Polyethylene Wicker, which is sturdy and scratch-resistant. It also has the benefit of being less likely to unwind than traditional wicker!

    The problem that many people have found with wicker furniture is that it has a tendency to unwind over time; however, this is not a problem with this famous brand. Harmonia Living uses a different kind of wicker called High-Density Polyethylene Wicker, which is resistant to scratches, resistant to ultraviolet radiation, and environmentally friendly. All of these qualities mean that the furniture is going to resist unwinding, allowing it to last for years.

    Harmonia Living often has deals on their various furniture ranges through their website. If you’re looking for a great set of wicker patio furniture, check them out! You’re sure to find some great deals on wicker furniture!


  • 7 Ways to Fly for Cheap

    7 Ways to Fly for Cheap

    Cheap airfare, it’s something we’re all looking for. Finding decent prices on flights can be difficult though. It is human nature to want to travel, to explore your horizons and see new places, or perhaps, to return to the places you once knew.

    Whether you want to visit home or see an exotic location, airline travel is fast, but costs a lot of money. What is the best way for finding cheap airline tickets? How do you even start? Whether you are traveling for work, for vacation, or to visit family or friends, finding cheap airfare can help you save on what’s often the largest expense of your trip.

    If you’re trying to take a trip and keep finding it difficult to get a decent price, you’re probably looking for some new travel hacks to help you save some money. Well, the good news is that we’re here to help. Let’s talk about the best ways to fly for cheap! Read more below to learn about who is offering the best rates at an amazing price $73 and $39 for one-way flights!

    Best Ways to Fly for Cheap

    Compare Airfares

    Airfares vary widely, and discount airfare is out there for those who know where to look. The most important thing is that you make sure to compare airfares. The rates offered by one airline may be much higher or lower than the rates of another. If you use one of the popular travel sites, you can easily compare airfares from different airlines.

    Also, if you have any flexibility in your schedule, try putting different dates into the sites’ ticket finders to see if that makes a difference. For example, currently, Southwest Airlines is offering flights as low as $73, and Delta is offering flights as low as $39 during the holiday season.

    Use Reputable Flight Search Engines

    Some flight search engines actually get a cut from airlines when they help generate sales. That means that you could search for “budget flights” and have normal or even premium flights show up. In order to counter this, use reputable search engines that don’t mislead you. Great options are Skyscanner, Momondo, AirWander and JetRadar. Like we said previously don’t be afraid to shop around to find the best price.

    Get Tickets Early

    Get your tickets early — but not too early. You may think it would be smart to buy tickets six months in advance, but in fact, getting tickets more than five months before you need them may keep you from getting the best fares. Aim for two to four months in advance, if possible. If you can’t plan that far in advance, at least try to avoid the two-week period right before a flight, when ticket prices tend to go up.

    Specialty sites like “air fare watch dog” provide a medium for you to search for deals between two specific locations, and also can send you alerts when prices drop to a much more affordable rate. This is perfect for those who know where they want to travel, just are not too concerned about when. They can snag a great deal and plan their trip once they get that informative e-mail from the website.

    Airport Selection

    Fly in or out of airports that are not in your destination city. If you are flying into New York City, you may be able to get cheaper fares at the Newark airport than you would in New York City’s JFK Airport. If you are going to or from San Francisco, try the Oakland or San Jose airports. Many other cities also have airports that are nearby but outside of the city limits. Flying out of an alternate airport isn’t even necessarily a hardship. For example, If you are going to some parts of Manhattan, ground transportation may get you there faster from Newark than from JFK.

    You will benefit on price, though, because not as many people will think of using the other airports, so the seats won’t sell out as quickly. Always think in terms of supply and demand when trying to find cheap airfare.

    Non-Direct Flights

    Accept a little inconvenience in exchange for a cheaper price. You may be able to save money on long trips by taking routes where you change planes rather than taking a non-stop flight. If you’re not in a hurry, you don’t need to pay a premium for the faster route. Try traveling lighter to avoid the luggage fees that so many airlines are charging now. Be creative in figuring out how to get by with fewer things on your trip.

    Incognito Mode

    Lock up your search history tight and don’t look back. When you start looking at flights and trips, make sure you’re in incognito mode. When you search for flight prices, sites use cookies to track how many times you’ve looked at the flight. Each new time you look, the price goes up. Why? Well, to get you to buy as soon as possible so you “lock in the lowest price.” Yeah, it’s dirty, but you can fight back!

    By browsing incognito, you won’t have any cookies tracking you. This allows you to bypass this dirty trick and get a better price for your flight!

    Find the Cheapest Days to Book

    Try to fly on a Tuesday or a Wednesday, if possible. Those are often the cheapest days of the week. If possible, avoid Fridays and Sundays, when rates tend to go up. Flying right before a major holiday, like Thanksgiving or Christmas, is going to be very expensive. But if you are able to fly on the day of the holiday itself, you can usually pick up some very cheap fares because not many people want to fly then.


  • The New 5G Network Will Evolve the World Part 5

    The New 5G Network Will Evolve the World Part 5

    Wow what a week it has been, we found out a lot about this new 5g network. You now know we are on the cusp of the next big jump in human evolution. We know now how, where, when, who and why of the new 5G Network. Yes, we open Pandora’s box and now our fall down the rabbit hole is reaching an abrupt end. So what is next? Next? The future of the new 5G network.

    In this 5th part of the 5 part break down we are going to take a Snow-white like look into our futures. 5G connectivity is coming, and faster then you would expect. We know when and we know what it can do, and where it will take us. Let’s talk about the real fun stuff, where we will take the new 5G Network. Here is the 3 big theoretical things we will discuss and try to grasp as we think of what we can do with this extreme capabilities. Time Travel, Space travel, and Medical operations/Cyborgs.

    Space Travel

    First up Space travel, This is already In place. NASA’s Ames Research Center is teaming with the often sinister-sounding Machine-to-Machine Intelligence Corporation (m2mi) to create a global networking system using small satellites they call “nanosats.” The organizations say their nanosats will be developed with a fifth generation (or 5G) communication system — which includes VoIP, video, data, and wireless transmissions. This will in increase the data and earth bound communications of vessel ships that we send for colonization. Keeping in contact with earth will be crucial to the survival and thrival of exploration colonies.

    Elon Musk, Yes!, Elon Musk has been batting around the idea of a “space internet” for years, initially proposing it as a way to connect SpaceX’s Martian colonists. In the near-term, the system can be adapted to deliver easy, continuous access to base stations around Earth, providing simple connectivity to the planet’s most remote communities. A proposal filed in November shows how the system would actually work: 4,425 satellites in non-geostationary orbit traveling in a tightly choreographed ballet 700 miles above the surface of the Earth, keeping at least one satellite 40 degrees above the horizon at nearly every spot on Earth. This is set for implementation with the new 5G network.

    The big take away here is that we are already working with the new 5G network in space, when we get this tech and connectivity in the hands of the next generation they are going to find ways to take us further, faster and deeper in to space then we can comprehend. Not to mention the first Hotel in space will provide WiFi via the 5G network.

     

    Cyborgs On the New 5G Network

    With super-efficient, super-fast technology like 5G, wearables should start to take on a whole new role in our lives. Large batteries will be a thing of the past and it’s a good thing too, this will power cybernetic human components. The idea of a cyborg — a human-machine hybrid — is common in science fiction and although the term dates back to the 1960s it still generates a lot of curiosity. Our merger with machines is already happening. We replace hips and other parts of our bodies with titanium and steel parts. More than 50 000 people have tiny computers surgically implanted in their heads with direct neural connections to their cochleas to enable them to hear. In the testing stage, there are retina microchips to restore vision and motor implants to give quadriplegics the ability to control computers with thought. Robotic prosthetic legs, arms, and hands are becoming more sophisticated.

    The dawn is approaching and that day will bring human enhancements not just medical replacements. We will see people upgraded perfectly working eyes and ears for cyberneticly enhanced options. At some point it will be beneficial for human to have artificial enhancements, leaving un enhanced humans inferior to their upgraded counterparts. See the extinction of Homo- Neanderthals if you need to know what happens next. It will not take 1000s of years this time, I would say 3-4 generations.

    Time Travel

    Time travel — moving between different points in time — has been a popular topic for science fiction for decades. Not all scientists believe that time travel is possible. Some even say that an attempt would be fatal to any human who chooses to undertake it. General relativity also provides scenarios that could allow travelers to go back in time, according to NASA anyways.

    The equations, however, might be difficult to physically achieve, especially with the limits of our computer and networking power. While time travel does not appear possible — at least, possible in the sense that the humans would survive it — with the physics that we use today, the field is constantly changing. However if you take the advances in quantum theory and extrapolate the vast capabilities of the new 5G network some kid somewhere trying to power his next gen Xbox will make a huge time paradox discovery that will baffle and change and evolve the world forever. Yes there is it, The new 5G network will evolve the world.

  • Tech Throwback: Nokia 5100 Series

    Tech Throwback: Nokia 5100 Series

    Its that time of the week 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. A stroll down memory lane with the phone everyone and everyone’s mom had. The Nokia 5100 series

    The Original Nokia 5100 Series

    Nokia 5100 Series is a Nokia GSM mobile phone model that was consuming the US market in 1998.  The main culprit of this explosion of tech was The Nokia 5110 was rugged, had excellent battery life, and featured an 84 by 48 pixel monochrome LCD with four LED back lights, operated by the Philips PCD8544 display controller.  This was also one of the first mobile phones to feature the game Snake. It became one of the most popular phones of its era. The Nokia 5110 was discontinued in 2001, replaced by other smaller and lighter device

    It Was Free!

    The big reason for the massive success of this Nokia 5100 series is the fact the carriers where forcing down out throats for free, or $.01 with a 2 year contract. Great right? will not so much the $250 subsidy cost built in to the cost of your plan at $25 a month was hardly a good deal. We didn’t care, everyone had one and everyone else was envious.

     

    Customization of  Faceplates

    The Nokia 5100 series was one of the first mobile telephones with a replaceable faceplate. Nokia called them “express plates” . This was a concept they incorporated into several other consumer-oriented cellphones aimed at the young adult market, allowing users to customize their device. I was big on this, I was the guy that would “pimp out your phone”. People across town would pay me to make their phones “da bomb”. With about $3 in parts from china I could replace your phones face plate with a glow in the dark face, add a light up led antenna and a vibrating clear battery and add a few of the hottest ringtones. It was all the rage of 1999- 2001 and I would charge up to $50 for this service. It was a new century and I was flush with success.

     

     

    The Final Though

    Basic as fudge. Nokia 5100 series, It’s the original basic. Text was a coming soon feature, it could call and program up to 50 numbers in your phone book that is it. Not only could you make or receive a call anywhere you are but because of its success and desirable price point every one could. Thus the cell generation was born and like that answering machines died over night. Tune in next week when we talk about the tape based answering machine.