Slap on the wrist: Verizon, AT&T and T‑Mobile will pay $10.22 million to a group of states to settle claims of false advertising. Their ads promised unlimited data plans and free phones, but guess what? Restrictions applied, conditions had to be met, and hidden fees lurked in the fine print. Check your bills.
House swapping is hot right now – Do it the right way
Want to try out a new city or travel over the long term for cheap? You need to know about home swapping. There are dozens of home-swapping groups on Facebook for everyone from women over 50 to vegans who like baseball. But it’s not for everyone, and you have to do your homework.
Swap smart
My advice: Eat the fee the first time and use a third-party site to see if home swapping is for you. (I’ve got options and costs below.) You can try it by yourself to avoid fees, but be sure to do your due diligence and create an agreement.
🚩 Secrecy is the biggest red flag. If the other party refuses to video-chat on a platform like FaceTime or sign a formal agreement, move on. Ask about security systems and anyone else who has access to the property while you’re staying there, too.
What about your home?
If you’re a renter, check your rental agreement for restrictions and rules around subletting. And if you own your home and still owe on your mortgage, see if your loan agreement lets you rent your place.
Take precautions. Have a plan in place for unexpected maintenance problems and a local contact for your swapper to reach out to about plumbing issues, TVs or pests.
Lock any closets and rooms off-limits to guests, and store all your valuables in a portable safe (this one’s $19).
Insurance is part of this convo, too. Ask if your renter’s or homeowner’s policy extends to anyone you swap homes with. You may need additional coverage.
🦺 Guardhog and Pikl specialize in insurance just for home sharing. Who knew?
Arrivederci, beaches
When you’re getting started with home swapping, going through a vetted third-party website is your safest bet. Here are a few to check out:
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
Delete these apps to keep your phone fast and safe
It’s a fact: your devices work better when running lean. An excess of useless apps and files consumes storage space and slows everything from opening programs to browsing the web.
When was the last time you gave your computer a good going-over? You probably have stuff on that hard drive you completely forgot about or never use. One of the simplest ways to boost a PC or Mac is by clearing out some space and removing the files you don’t need to store locally. Tap or click here to speed up your computer in three steps.
Here’s how someone knows you’ve blocked them on social media
Social media is an effective tool for staying in touch with friends and family. Facebook is the most used platform, with 2.8 billion users worldwide. Are you locked out of your social media account? Watch out for scammers promising to help.
Kids are using a handy smartphone feature to cheat on tests
A video uploaded to TikTok has caused a bit of a debate about whether technology can or should be used in the classroom. More specifically, the problem is with a new feature included in iPhone’s latest operating system update.
These are the banned Google Maps locations you can't see
Navigation apps are great, especially if you are getting back into traveling as restrictions ease. They not only guide you to your destination but can show you hot spots and points of interest along the way.
This isn’t to say that there aren’t drawbacks. These apps use your data and if you’re not careful, they can contribute to hitting your limit and also slow your phone down. Tap or click here to read about five types of apps that are guilty of this and how to stop them.
Scientists say these foods could help fight COVID-19 infection
We’re a few days into 2021 and the COVID-19 pandemic is still raging on. Vaccines have started rolling out to healthcare and frontline workers, but it will likely be a few months, if not more before it’s available to the general public.
Travel safer with new Google Maps pandemic alerts
It can be pretty difficult to figure out how to travel safely in the midst of a pandemic, which is precisely what we’re dealing with right now. Getting from one place to the next used to be a simple process, but thanks to the COVID-19 restrictions, it’s important to know things like how crowded a subway platform is or when public transportation is actually running since schedules have been limited.
Hitting the road? Check this COVID-19 road restriction map
All 50 U.S. states have begun the process of reopening, but that doesn’t mean that things will be completely “back to normal” in short order. Social distancing and public health measures are still being enforced by businesses and local authorities, which means the world we’re about to reenter will look quite different from how things were in the past.
10 steps to take with your iPhone now that we're starting to leave home
Coronavirus restrictions are easing or lifting across the nation, and before long you’ll get back to at least some of your normal routines. Soon, you may even leave your home on a semi-regular basis for work or school, depending on where you live.
Amazon vs. Best Buy vs. Target vs. Walmart: Which has the best shipping?
You are online shopping and thinking you are getting a great deal. You have found so many great gifts for all your friends and family. You click the checkout button all ready to pay, and then you look down and see the shipping fee. It’s enormous. Many of us have been in that situation. But this year, you may be able to limit or even get rid of that shipping cost. Which retailer is the best?
7 best beaches of the world
For a relaxing vacation, it’s hard to beat a sunny destination. What’s better than sipping your favorite beverage while catching some rays? The sand, the sun and the clear blue ocean with a nice warm breeze, it’s simply paradise! But how do you know which beaches are duds, and which are worth visiting? I’ve rounded up seven of my absolute favorites!