When ransomware cripples a hospital, it’s not the building or equipment that suffers — it’s the patients who are denied.
Money-saving secret your cable and internet provider doesn't want you to know
When you’re driving, spotty cell coverage is a drag. Music, GPS, and calls just won’t go through. Here’s a quick guide to boosting your service no matter where the road takes you.
What about a travel pro tip if you prefer to fly to your destination? You can see which flights include the most legroom with the right tools. I tell all my tall friends about this trick. Tap or click here for the secret — it’s No. 5 on the list.
If you’re heading off for a long trip, spending time in a seasonal home, or otherwise away, here’s a smart way to save money: Pause your cable and internet. Yes, you can do this and keep many of your service’s perks.
Here’s why canceling isn’t your best option
When you’re going on an extended trip, there’s no reason to pay for internet service back home. You might think canceling and reactivating is the way to go. That’s a bad idea.
- You’ll often face a cancellation fee.
- Canceling your service is frustrating and takes time. You’ll likely be bombarded with questions about why you’re canceling and offers to keep you. And once you’re through with everything, you’ll have to take time to return equipment to your provider.
- You’ll often pay an activation fee to reactivate your previous service or sign up with a new one.
- Resuming service takes time, too. You’ll need to set up your plan, payment, and equipment.
The good news is many ISPs and cable/satellite providers allow you to pause your service, which is much more convenient. Below I gathered info on some of the biggest providers in the country. If you don’t see yours, check its website or call them.
NOTE: Before pausing any service, speak with a representative to ensure you won’t lose any special pricing or features. For example, if you’re on a price-for-life rate and pause your plan, you might lose that rate when you restart it. You don’t want to give up a great rate that you’re locked into to save a few bucks while on vacation.
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Comcast Xfinity
Xfinity’s Seasonal Convenience Plan lets you put your TV, internet, and voice services on hold while you’re away. You keep your equipment, phone number, and Comcast.net email address, which you can still access during the hold.
If you upgrade to Seasonal Internet Access, you’ll still be able to control your smart devices at home while you’re away, too. There’s no reconnection charge, and you won’t need a service call when you return.
Spilled wine or coffee? Use this site to find out how to remove any stain
Spending more time at home means more upkeep. You’re using your appliances more often, dirty dishes can pile up, and your bathroom gets grimy. Tap or click here for some of our other favorite domestic solutions.
If you frequently find yourself Googling the best way to remove unfortunate spills, stains and grime, we’ve got good news. There’s a site for that. Read on to check out this incredible resource you’ll want to bookmark immediately.
Tidy your tech: Best cable organization and cord management options
Everyone seems to own laptops, smartphones, desktop computers, Internet of Things devices and so much more. It’s great to be connected, but what isn’t great is all those tangled cords.
Thankfully, there are tons of organizing tools to choose from. Whether you want to hide those cables swinging from your TV or move the wires out of your way on your computer desk, we’ve got the right organizers for you.
How to make money from your car, home, RV and other stuff you own
We could all use a little extra money, but who has the time to pick up a part-time job? The solution is simple: Make passive income by renting stuff you have. Use these apps to earn money without working.
This peer-to-peer marketplace app helps you make money by renting trailers, home improvement tools, adventure gear, heavy equipment and other products you aren’t using. Whenever you list an item, the Equipment Protection Plan covers you against damage and loss for up to $25,000.
Grow your small business: 4 free ways to learn digital marketing
You can have the best product in the world, but that won’t mean anything if you don’t know how to market your business. To attract customers to your site, you must arm yourself with marketing strategies. Luckily, there are tons of free ways to learn digital marketing.
Stop renting your modem and buy one instead - Here's why
Anyone who has ever set up at-home internet knows the importance of a modem and router. You may not know how many options you have when shopping for these gadgets, though. Many folks just rent a modem/router combo from their internet service provider since the costs of buying one can seem too high.
Tech how-to: Create your own custom QR codes
When you entered a restaurant years ago, you received a paper or laminated menu, and that was that. Since then, many establishments have adopted QR code menus. Scan the code and view the menu. This concept has moved to retail establishments and service providers like doctors, mechanics and universities.
12 useful things under $20 that are well worth the money
Everyday life can be stressful, but there are ways to make things a lot easier. All it takes is an extra gadget here and there, and suddenly challenging tasks become simple.
Turn to Amazon, the most convenient place to buy everything we need. Tap or click here for the top Bluetooth speakers to take on the go.
Photography tip: How to shoot a winter landscape
If you consider winter the most beautiful time of year, you might want to capture it on camera. That can be tough when you’re new to photography, though. There are all sorts of harsh elements for a newbie to balance, especially the intense light caused by snow reflecting the sun.
8 proven ways cheap people lower their monthly internet, cable, and streaming bills
The average American will pay $32,400 for internet access throughout a lifetime. This number, calculated by researchers at Reviews.org, doesn’t even include today’s big dogs. I’m talking about your cable, streaming, cellphone and other subscriptions.
Streaming service comparison: Netflix vs. Hulu vs. Disney+ and more
If you’re ready to drop cable and fully embrace streaming services, look no further. We’re here to help you find the best streaming service for your needs. Whether you’re looking at Netflix, Hulu or HBO Max, you’ve got a lot of research to do.
How to build the ultimate Windows Flight Simulator setup
Taking a leisurely flight is now easier than ever — even in the midst of a pandemic. You’ll just need to dig up the right equipment to make it happen. No, we’re not talking about masks and luggage. While you need both of those things to fly on a commercial flight, you won’t need them where we’re going.
7 photography myths you should stop believing
Whether you’re an amateur shutterbug or a semi-pro photographer, you probably have some strong ideas of what makes a photo (or a photographer) good.
Maybe you think it’s all about the right equipment or the right software. Photoshop isn’t the only tool in town, though. Tap or click here for some free alternatives that may have all the features you need.
Tech how-to: Make phone calls from your computer
It’s tough living far from people you love, but telephones make that distance much more manageable. Unless you live very far away, then telephones can make that distance expensive.
Roaming and long-distance charges and using up tons of your allowed minutes can make phone calls really expensive. Click or tap here to learn how to make calls when you have terrible cell reception.
Small biz advice: Get the expert tech help you need
As of December, more than half of Americans were employed by small businesses. There’s no question the impact the coronavirus has had on those businesses, and all their employees.
It’s an unprecedented time, and if you own or work for a small business, you’re navigating new territory. So how do you stay afloat when everything is changing? With the right resources.
5 ways to keep your home office from becoming a fire hazard
So many of us are working from home these days that our work desks have transformed into highly personal spaces. And just like the rooms we live in, we’ve filled our desks with all manner of equipment, accessories and doodads.
5 things that will help your business grow
Every business owner wants their business to thrive, but it seems each new day comes with a new challenge to overcome. In a world that runs on ever-changing technology, it’s important to recognize tech is a critical ingredient in the recipe for building and sustaining successful growth.
What makes a smart thermostat smart?
Smart homes are becoming one of the fastest rising areas of tech happening right now. With smart plugs and virtual assistants, it seems like the possibilities are endless. This smart technology can do more than make your life more convenient. Smart thermostats can use data and artificial intelligence to save you more money than you think, and you won’t believe what’s possible.
Best things to buy before and after Christmas
We all know there can be some incredible deals leading up to Christmas. Black Friday and Cyber Monday especially offer huge savings that are difficult to turn down. But many people might not be aware that there are some deals that come after Christmas that can be even bigger money savers. Here are some of those deals that you might get now, and some to wait until after Christmas to take advantage of.