Email etiquette

Email etiquette: It’s not always what you say but how it’s received. “Per my last email” means “Uh, can you read? I already said that.” Most people who write, “I might be mistaken, but …” actually mean “You can’t really be saying something that dumb, right?”

Tags: Email etiquette


Airlines collect a lot more data than you realize

The future of flight is here and it’s not jetpacks — it’s in-air surveillance. If you thought the most invasive thing that could happen on a plane was the person in front of you reclining, I have some bad news, friend.

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3 quick and easy ways to speed up your browser

Gotta be honest. I don’t have a lot of patience for spinning wheels and loading progress bars. I’m busy! I know you are, too, so let’s fix your slow browser.

Whether you’re a Chrome lover or a Firefox fan, you’ve got options. These tips are fast and easy, too. You can thank me later — and use all your saved time to do something else … like forwarding this email to a friend! 

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Free filing: The IRS is testing a free tax filing tool called Direct File in 12 states. Finally! Of course, there’s a catch: It’s only for folks in certain areas with specific incomes. Want in? Check here to see if you’re eligible.

‘Hey, have you landed yet?’

Don’t wait for them to call or text. There are better ways, friend!

  • My favorite option is FlightAware. Type in the flight number and you’ll see where that plane is in the sky. You’re not limited to tracking their flight; you can even see if rain might delay them with the weather radar overlay. Try it on the web or your phone.
  • Flightradar24 is fun. Open your camera and point it at any airplane. You’ll see its flight number, departure point and destination. It’s powered by ADS-B receivers and can get signals from the aircraft. Download it here.
  • For the basics, Google Flights gets the job done. Search for a flight number on Google and a box with details like arrival time and gate info will pop up.

Is the Amazon Influencer Program worth it?

Want to make extra money while the kids are at school? Need to save for an upcoming vacation? Say hello to the Amazon Influencer Program. Today, 37% of Amazon’s traffic is driven by influencers. That’s a lot of eyes and ears!

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No loans, no monthly payments: An easier way to tap your home equity

We’ve all been there — you’re watching HGTV and suddenly you’re deleting walls and installing Moroccan tile in your mind. But unless you’re cash-ready for that reno, you’re considering tapping your home equity. 

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SSN sharks: The FTC says Americans lost over $126 million to Social Security scams last year. Reminder: The real SSA won’t slide into your DMs, rush you or threaten to suspend your SSN. Stay sharp, folks.

Don’t buy a Surface tablet: Microsoft is dropping the first “AI PCs” on March 21. The OLED Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6 are decked out with next-gen processors, upgraded displays, and all the AI bells and whistles. Copilot essentially turns everything you do on the PC into something you can search for later. Feature or flaw? That’s up to you.

Bon appetit: GE Appliances’ Cookcam AI recognizes your dish and automatically sets the cooking mode. Surprise, it’s not even an upsell! If you have a GE Profile or Café model equipped with in-oven cameras, it’s a free software update. What’s on the menu? Turkey, cookies, pizza, cakes and brownies for now.

Quick cybersecurity step to take now

Spyware is malicious software that works quietly in the background, tracking almost everything you do. These sneaky downloads leave digital clues if you know what to look for.

FYI: If you see a name you don’t recognize, search for it online to see what turns up. Sometimes, these programs and background processes are legitimate and of no concern, even if you don’t know the name.

If you use a PC:

  • Open the Task Manager by holding down Ctrl + Shift + Esc. Under the Processes tab, you’ll see the apps and background processes running on your PC.
  • To close an app or process, right-click and hit End task. Check again later to see if it’s running again.

If you use a Mac:

  • Hit Cmd + spacebar to open Spotlight Search. Then, type Activity Monitor and press Enter. Check over the list for anything you don’t recognize.
  • Double-click to close out a program or process, then hit Quit.