Lifehacker

When you have a lot of tasks to accomplish on a given day, there are a few different approaches you can take to kick-start your productivity. You can eat the frog"-that is, get your hardest, most demanding responsibility out of the way before anything else. On the other hand, you could bang out something especially...Read more...

I can tell you already what you can expect for Black Friday-when you see a good early deal for something on your list, you should jump on it, as items will sell out. Best Buy is one of the few major retailers who have already put out their plans, which includes this TCL 65" Q5 4K QLED Smart TV with a $200 discount,...Read more...

Vines climbing the side of a house can look totally charming; something about them implies there is a roaring fire inside that house and a plentiful supply of tea and biscuits. They're also a way of merging with the natural world around you, even if your house is located in a suburban subdivision. And climbing vines...Read more...

After much speculation, Apple revealed it's hosting a new event this Monday, Oct. 30 at 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT). The only thing the company has told us about this presentation is its name, Scary Fast," in addition to including the Finder face in the announcement above, suggesting this event will be about the Mac.Read more...

If you want to read but can't find the time, Headway summarizes best-selling content into bite-sized reads or podcasts-and through Oct. 31, a lifetime subscription is on sale for $49.97 (reg. $299.95) with no coupon needed.Read more...

It's been just over five weeks since Apple launched iOS 17, introducing a series of new features and changes we've been digging into ever since. After a handful of minor updates, we have our first major update since iOS 17: iOS 17.1. While it doesn't add nearly as many features to the mix as 17.0, this new update adds...Read more...

Technology is supposedly getting smarter all the time. The sudden rush of AI services and products like ChatGPT has reinvigorated the conversation around the capabilities of sophisticated, connected algorithms that can automate our lives, but it's just the latest in a trend that started years ago with smart"...Read more...

Time to cozy up indoors: Netflix is dropping several anticipated dramas in November. At the beginning of the month, there's the four-part miniseries All The Light We Cannot See (November 2), an adaptation of Anthony Doerr's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name. Set during WWII, the story follows a blind...Read more...

This month on Prime Video brings the second season of the animated adult superhero series Invincible. Based on Robert Kirkman's graphic novel, the first half of the season will stream on November 3, while the second is expected sometime in 2024.

Consumer projectors have come a long way: They used to be much larger in size and cost thousands of dollars, but now, you can buy a projector that can go anywhere with you, without breaking the bank. There are a lot of options on the market, but these are my picks for the best portable projectors available today.

Now that so much of our work happens on websites, it's hard to find native apps designed for Macs. If you spend a lot of time on an obscure website, or a custom-made work portal, you might want to create a dedicated app for it-something that works as well as (or better) than Safari, shows you notifications, and has a...Read more...

The EVE II Bluetooth Transmitter and Receiver allows you to add Bluetooth capabilities to a device that doesn't already have it-and it normally costs $59, but has been temporarily marked down to $45.99.Read more...

AirPods are often lumped into the larger Apple ecosystem, and for good reason: They're easy to set up and connect to an Apple device, whether it's an iPhone, iPad or Mac. However, you aren't limited to using AirPods with Apple products. While only devices from Apple will support this near-instant setup, you can...Read more...

Choosing an ethernet cable for your home network seems straightforward, but there's more to it than you might think, especially if you don't know what all the different names and numbers mean. If you just go with the highest numbers, you could end up spending too much money on something you don't really need....Read more...

Simple, charming, and romantic cottagecore style is a design aesthetic that embraces country living on a sustainable scale. Advocates of the style purport that it's not just a style, but a way of life. Embracing handcrafted decor and giving a nod to traditional looks, cottagecore interior design lends itself easily to...Read more...

As good as Google Maps is, not every location is perfectly mappable in the app. Sometimes, where Google thinks you want to go might be miles away from where you actually want to go (this happens often to anyone trying to find the entrance to a national park). Or a new attraction might not be listed at all. This is...Read more...

This Black Friday will be on Nov. 24, and I can tell you already what you can expect. Some retailers, like Best Buy, have already put out their plans, and Amazon has already begun their own early Black Friday deals on electronics. It's important for you also to have a plan so you don't end up overspending. If you...Read more...

As Halloween approaches with frantic, last-minute wig purchases, and candy binges, you may find yourself overextended and undernourished. You need some real food, but the spooky times don't have to stop. Get some of your creepy energy back with these unnerving spiderweb eggs.

There are some clever groupings today, and I thought this one was a delight to solve-but if you're stumped, I don't blame you. (I never said it was easy.) If you're looking for the Connections answer for Wednesday, October 25, 2023, read on-I'll share some clues, tips, and strategies, and finally the solutions to all...Read more...

Dollar Flight Club has a dedicated team that unearths deals on flights, mistake fares, and other opportunities to help members discover the best options for upcoming trips or impromptu vacations. From now until Oct. 31, members can get a lifetime subscription to a Premium plan for $39.97 or Premium Plus+ plan for...Read more...

You know something has become popular once some version of it is available for purchase at Starbucks. This was true with cake pops, and it's true with their sous-vide egg bites, which have been wildly popular ever since they were introduced in 2017. I've been making sous-vide egg bites with my immersion circulator for...Read more...

No matter how you choose to carve your pumpkins and what you choose to do with them, you're going to end up with a mess. Pumpkin guts are-all at once-stringy and solid, wet and dry, and squishy and hard. You have to get your hands in there to scoop them out, then manually pry the seeds from the mush. You're going to...Read more...

Being self-employed gives you the freedom and flexibility to be your own boss. However, one major drawback of being your own boss is securing your own affordable health insurance.Read more...

Eggs and toast tend to be my breakfast of choice. Any number of food companions can join the party, but that savory, protein-carb partnership is always holding court. That being said, the toast in this union changes from day to day depending on what's in my freezer, and lately, that's been crumpets. Most people think...Read more...

When they aren't working perfectly, toilets let you know by hissing, squealing, banging, and moaning loudly. Odd toilet noises have a number of causes-from water-flow issues caused by debris and clogs in your plumbing to failing tubes and valves in and around your toilet-which is why it's important to identify the...Read more...

Nintendo's Pro Controller for Switch is great, especially if you find the Joy-Cons to be a bit small for extended gameplay. But whether you prefer the larger Pro Controller or the convenience of the Joy-Cons, they both have something in common: a lack of speakers. As such, any accompanying gameplay sounds must come...Read more...

If you are still using the same email address for everything, it's time to diversify. Don't make the mistake I made for too long, clogging up one inbox with absolute nonsense unrelated to the things you actually want to receive and read. You likely already have separate emails for your job, school, and personal life,...Read more...

Want to make a jack-o-lantern last until Halloween and beyond? Carving pumpkins is a quintessential Halloween act-but anyone who's ever attempted it knows that once a pumpkin is carved, its lifespan is nearing its end. Squirrels will eat them (though there are ways to prevent that), and unless you're careful, your jack...Read more...

Apple's Focus feature lets you reduce distractions on your iPhone when you need to, well, focus. A Focus can be used to block notifications from everyone except your significant other, or to automatically enable Do Not Disturb (DND) the moment it's bedtime. And you can use Share Focus Status" to make this feature...Read more...

The PlayStation 5's DualSense controller is one of the best console controllers on the market. Not only does it offer a similar size and setup to Sony's long-standing line of controllers, but it offers a ton of different features for you to take advantage of. While you can play PS4 games on the PS5 using the DualSense...Read more...

Every year, I make turkey gumbo with my leftover Thanksgiving bird, and every year I complain about stirring the roux. Roux is not difficult to make: Combine equal amounts of fat and flour, whisk until smooth, then cook, stirring continuously-and I do mean continuously-until it reaches the color you desire.

If you have a big project in front of you that you're working on mostly on your own, you can tune in to a podcast to keep you company while you work. Hearing from others who have attempted their own repairs can be highly entertaining, and sometimes you can get some good tips from more experienced renovators. Get some...Read more...

Nintendo is the Apple of video game brands. They don't often put their products on sale, so when they do, you'd better jump. Earlier this year, Woot sold limited quantities of the White OLED Nintendo Switch for $310. Then, during Prime Day, some third-party sellers at major retailers (including Walmart) sold the white...Read more...

Cash is king, even if the jury is still out on how much you should carry on you at any given moment. What's not up for debate is how frustrating it is to walk up to an ATM and have to authorize a charge for $2 or $3 for the privilege of accessing your own money. Yes, you can go to one of your bank's ATMs to avoid the...Read more...

iPhones are, by design, pretty easy to set up and use. But while it's almost second-nature to turn on your new iPhone, it's not clear how to shut it off. You press and hold the power button, expecting some kind of shut down option, but it just triggers Siri. As it happens, there are a few different ways to turn off or...Read more...

For those who like to travel, an affordable mobile data plan might make sense. Right now through Oct. 31, this aloSIM Mobile Data Traveler lifetime eSim plan offers $50 in credit for $21.97 and is advertised to work with networks available in more than 170 countries.Read more...

So much gardening advice is based around four-season climates, but a sizable contingent of the United States is only now entering ideal gardening weather. If you live in a desert region, guidelines about how to prepare your garden beds for the colder months probably aren't helpful, but advisories over what to do with...Read more...

Modern smart TVs offer ways to connect to your favorite streaming services, but the results are often disappointing. Not only are the built-in solutions less than ideal out of the box, they quickly become outdated. That's where a dedicated streaming device comes in handy. You have your choice, too, with devices from...Read more...

Max has a handful of original series worth streaming in November, starting with season two of the Issa Rae comedy Rap Sh!t, which stars KaMillion and Aida Osman as estranged friends turned rap partners (November 9) followed by season two of Julia, the comedy-drama based on the life of Julia Child (November 16). At the...Read more...

I'm no good at carving pumpkins, but I'm quite skilled at making delicious things out of them, like mini crustless pumpkin pie and beer-brined pumpkin seeds. Still, I usually end up at least one Jack-o'-lantern, because that's what people do this time of year (and because I need those tangy, salty pumpkin seeds). I...Read more...

My introduction to crossword puzzles was through cheating. My grandfather would sit in his recliner with a pen and a folded-up newspaper, and from time to time, he'd throw out a question to another person in the room-including, when I was old enough, occasionally me. Soon I was sitting on the arm of the chair, helping...Read more...

After a string of tricky puzzles, we have an easy one for once! Or at least I thought so. If you're looking for the Connections answer for Tuesday, October 24, 2023, read on-I'll share some clues, tips, and strategies, and finally the solutions to all four categories. Along the way, I'll explain the meanings of the...Read more...

This massage gun, which has features like heat, an adjustable head, and different massage tips, is on sale today, Oct. 23,for $49.97, down $80 from its original price.Read more...

As I've said before, having a good sound system to replace your TV's sad speakers will improve the dialogue on your TV a lot, in that you'll actually be able to understand what people are saying. Currently, Woot is giving you an opportunity to upgrade your sound system: You can buy a new LG High Res Audio Sound Bar...Read more...

Unless you are a fan of pouring buttermilk over cornbread (a classic Southern treat), or do a lot of enriched baking (or chicken frying), you probably don't keep liquid buttermilk stocked in your fridge. Fortunately, you can buy buttermilk powder, and access its creamy, tangy flavor without worrying about spoilage.Read more...

Google's Pixel Watch 2 and Samsung's Galaxy Watch 6 are two of the best smartwatches on the market right now. But when it comes down to it, you're likely only going to choose one to buy, and that decision begs questions: How exactly are these two watches different? Are there features that make one stand out over the...Read more...

There are loads of simple white bread recipes out there, many of which yield multiple loaves worth of dough. Whether you're a seasoned bread baker, or trying your hand at yeast breads for the first time, sometimes you just want one small loaf of bread. Here's a recipe for a single, mini loaf of bread with a short...Read more...

In these interesting economic times when unemployment is low because everyone has, like, four jobs (but still can't afford rent), you have to get creative. The good news is that no matter how chaotic things are out there, some fundamental economic rules always apply, like the fact that you can often substitute sweat...Read more...

In today's fast-paced world, as glaring screens and blaring social media notification demand our attention, the allure of a cozy podcast offers a soothing respite. Picture yourself nestled under a warm blanket, a steaming cup of your favorite drink in hand, and the gentle voice of a host guiding you through a world of...Read more...

Saving for retirement is a crucial part of everyone's financial planning. I've recommended before that dividing your money into multiple accounts helps you see all your saving goals separately. A big part of that is taking advantage of retirement-specific accounts in order to invest in your future. So, how can...Read more...