Unless you grew up under a rock, you have heard of Silly Putty. It’s the oh-so-bendable and stretchable goo that every kid loves to play with. But this classic toy’s history probably isn’t what you think.
Review: Best drones for any budget
It’s official, folks: Barry and I are expecting … a drone in the mail! Whoops, did I give you a heart attack? 😅
Yep, Barry bought a fancy-pants drone. And you know me, that means I’ve been scouring the web comparing drones and deals for the past week!
Drones aren’t just for real estate glamour shots and secret prison drop-offs (yeah, that actually happens). You can use them to capture hi-def event footage, fly alongside you on the go or even discover ancient ruins — yep, scroll down to watch the video in Web Watercooler!
Ready to add “drone pilot” to your list of hobbies? I’ve got a list of the best ones for any budget. And by the way, don’t just buy a cheap $50 to $100 drone. You get what you pay for, and drones at that level are junk.
To get you off the ground
The cheapest quality drone worth your money is just under $300: The DJI Mini 2SE. The screen is your cellphone. It can be hard to see in bright sunlight, but that’s not a deal breaker.
- Pros: You’ll get 31 minutes of flight. And, at nearly 24 MPH, its wind resistance is higher than most pricier options. Like all DJI drones, it also has a “return to home” feature that automatically sends it back to its base.
- Cons: No obstacle avoidance (watch out for that tree) and no “follow me” feature, which means you’ll be making all its moves manually.
Bottom line: How good are you at walking and piloting at the same time?
For a few more bucks …
The Holy Stone HS720R is a good option for $319.99. You’ll use your cell for this screen, too.
- Pros: It does follow you as you move. You’ll get 26 minutes of flight time with 4K video — a much higher pixel density than the DJI Mini 2SE’s QHD.
- Cons: No obstacle avoidance, and the wind resistance is lower than others on this list at 17 MPH. It’s also above the 250g FAA weight limit, so you’ll need to register it here.
Bottom line: Great for a calm day, but don’t go storm-chasing with this one.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
Fire up the TV: Here’s what to stream in April
Don’t want to waste precious time looking for something to watch? Let me point you straight to the good stuff! Here’s everything new this month that’s worth a stream.
Hello, black leather, bullets and Keanu: All three “Matrix” movies are on Netflix this month. If that’s not your bag, “Happy Gilmore” with Adam Sandler is always a hole-in-one. Or treat the kids to “Hotel Transylvania” (and then “Hotel Transylvania 2”).
For the outdoorsy mom
Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 12. Today, gifts for the mom (or anyone else) who loves hiking and camping.
- Top-of-the-line Darn Tough hiking socks in a pretty floral print.
- She can keep her seltzer (or chardonnay) cool with this trendy Stanley tumbler ($20).
- A classic “it’s for you but really for me” gift: Stainless steel skewers for roasting marshmallows around the campfire.
- A lightweight cork massage ball to pop in her daypack for after-hike muscle aches.
- A long-lasting power bank with a solar panel for battery top-ups. It’s 39% off!
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
VHS tapes worth $, AI predicts your death & hobby drone spying
Plus, True Classic CEO Ryan Bartlett started his company with just $3,000; since 2019, it’s made more than $250 million. I talk to him about the tactics he used to kickstart his journey. Also, subscription fee overload and must-do tips for your next visit to the mechanic.
Here’s something to get nostalgic about — the first banner ad on a website appeared in 1994. Was it for … A.) AOL, B.) Apple, C.) AT&T or D.) Intel?
The fascinating science behind optical illusions and perception
That image is playing tricks on you. It’s a classic optical illusion — and scientists finally understand what’s happening.
Above, you can see two gray bars between the black lines. They sure look different. But nope, they’re the exact same shade. So, why does the gray bar surrounded by black look darker than the gray bar with white on each side?
The best eBay treasures to sell
A recent analysis of over 17 million sales on eBay uncovered the best-selling items to make extra cash. I bet you have a few of these products stashed in closets — or maybe your parents do.
If you want to make a few bucks, check out the list below and start scavaging.
What makes the world's most famous symphony special?
Dun, dun, dun, dunnnnn! You know just how powerful those beginning chords are if you just heard the classic start to Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5. So, why does this music make us feel a certain way and what went into the famous composer’s most remarkable work?
For the birds
Don’t you just love watching and listening to your neighborhood birds? Here are a few tools to help you get closer to nature, whatever that looks like for you.
- Bird feeder that sticks to your window with suction cups — love this.
- An affordable trail camera for keeping an eye on your backyard visitors.
- Smart bird feeders with cameras can run for $300! If you already have a Ring camera, combine it with this case to make your own.
- The Audubon Society’s pick for starter binoculars for birding newbies.
- Speak bird with this classic red Audubon bird call.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
🕹️ Old-school brain break: Get in a quick game of Atari Breakout without downloading a thing. Type Atari Breakout into Google and hit Enter for a fun, playable version of the classic.
Kid-proof your outlets
Surge protectors of a different kind, by request from a reader, Jancie, who’s prepping for her first grandchild. Hooray!
- The classic two-pronged safety cap. Easy to put in, annoying to take out, perfect for a quick fix.
- Replate your outlets with these self-closing covers, and never wonder if the plugs are safe again.
- Another plate replacement, this one with a double-lock box to cover outlets even when in use.
- Power strips are plugs, too. Keep yours in this tidy lockbox.
- This sleek two-outlet childproof cover doubles as a plug for an 8-foot extension cord, keeping the outlet in action.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
Unique clocks to spring for
I know you can just glance at your phone for the time. But what fun is that?
- Just like the one I stared at during high school math class with Sister Margaret, minus the ticking (and the ruler slaps on my wrist).
- This super-modern clock has LED lights that illuminate words to tell the time — “IT IS ONE O’CLOCK.”
- The Kit-Cat Klock is a midcentury classic. Purr-fect.
- A minimalist cuckoo clock with a gentle tweet … tweet.
- It’s a clock, it’s a nightlight — it’s a nightlight clock.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
Lesser-known medicine cabinet must-haves
- Keep your prescriptions stored away from curious kiddos (and nosey guests!) with a lockable medicine safe.
- Everyone needs a thermometer, like this classic under-the-tongue digital model for under $10.
- These versatile hot or cold gel packs relieve everything from muscle strains to stubbed toes.
- Cut won’t stop bleeding? Put this first-aid powder on it. (If you’re on blood thinners, you definitely need this.)
- I love these menthol-infused pain relief patches. Crick in the neck, begone!
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
Here are all the cars that now qualify for the full $7,500 tax credit
Almost every major car manufacturer now offers electric vehicles or at least hybrid alternatives. If you’re feeling the pressure to get an EV, there’s no rush! Here’s why it’s a good idea to wait.
The IRS’ new guidelines again cut back on the number of electric vehicles that qualify for a $7,500 tax credit. The number of qualifying models is shrinking yearly, and the list is shorter than ever. Here’s what you need to know.
Miss classic TV? Relive hits from decades past with this fun site
If you’ve ever struggled to sleep at night, you probably already know that late-night TV is fantastic for one reason: nostalgia. If you are scrolling through channels after hours, you’ll be lucky to find a selection of shows that reminds you of your youth. Tap or click here for tips on buying your next TV.
The world's tallest egg drop
Many of us did the classic egg drop science experiment in school. This is where you build a contraption to protect an egg from a steep drop. But what if you took that to the next level and created something to protect the egg if it fell from space? That’s precisely what one engineer tried. Did he succeed?
Have one of these phones sitting around? It could be worth big bucks
Shockingly, your phone that’s a few years old might be considered vintage. An unopened first edition iPhone recently earned a bid of over $39,000, and more than a few older smartphone models appear to be attracting similarly-interested collectors (and their pocketbooks).