Lifehacker

The US Consumer Products Safety Commission is bad at stealing people's stoves, but it's great at blowing up mannequins. In advance of the Fourth of July, the CPSC today demonstrated some of the ways you can be injured or killed by fireworks on DC's National Mall, using styrofoam dummies in place of humans. Carnage...Read more...

It seems like everyone is obsessed with Outshine Fruit Bars, the inexplicably smooth popsicles studded with bits of whole fruit. I am particularly smitten with the lemon and lime varieties, which taste like perfect frosty lemonade on a stick.

There's no substitute for immersing yourself in a new culture, but there are modern tools that can help you learn a new language. Through July 14, a lifetime subscription to Babbel Language Learning is available at only $179.97 (reg. $399) with no coupon required. That's $200 savings on a plan that's helped more than...Read more...

I love coleslaw of all kinds. I love sweet slaw, tangy, vinegary slaw, and hot slaw that's been dressed with a little pepper jelly. What I don't love is watery slaw. If you've ever observed coleslaw that's been sitting out for a few hours, you know what I'm talking about. The mixture of cabbage and carrots starts out...Read more...

Some jobs suck because they're just not what you want to be doing; others suck because the workplace culture itself is a mess. It can be hard to tell if your workplace is toxic or if you just really hate it for your own reasons, but there are ways to parse it out.

Brick is a hardy, durable building material that conveys a sense of classic design and old-school charm. At the same time, it's super tough and requires relatively little maintenance. That makes brick desirable for folks who are house-hunting, and also makes exposing brick walls inside your house almost irresistible...Read more...

The Ultimate Microsoft Office Pro 2021 for Windows, Windows 11 Pro and Degoo Premium: Lifetime 1TB Backup Plan offers a lifetime license to Microsoft Office staples, a license to Windows 11 Pro, and a 1TB lifetime backup plan to Degoo Premium. You can get this exclusive deal for just $79.97 (reg. $537) during Deal...Read more...

A negative professional review can come as a shock if your bosses aren't communicative on all the other days of the year-or it can be expected, depending on how things have been going for you at work. No matter how you feel about it, you should respond to it in writing, though, for a few different reasons.

There's nothing quite like air travel to showcase the best and the worst that humanity has to offer. On the one hand, some humans figured out how to fly a plane through the sky. One the other hand, more than one hundred years since we took to the skies, we still can't seem to figure out how basic human decency while...Read more...

Another season of Charlie Brooker's Black Mirror is in the books, and given that it was four years between the fifth and sixth seasons, it's unclear when (or if) we'll see more. While Brooker's series is, by far, the buzziest sci-fi anthology of the modern era, it's certainly not alone. The format proved itself at...Read more...

Aspartame, a sweetener in Diet Coke and other low-calorie foods and drinks, is reportedly about to be named a possible carcinogen" by the World Health Organization. That sounds bad, right? But it doesn't mean that Diet Coke is likely to actually give you cancer. Let me explain.

In the age of digital nomads and remote work, you may be able to take longer trips than you used to. Maybe you've always wanted to spend the summer at the beach, but you're worried about the property you'd leave behind. The next time you plan to leave town for an extended period of time, here's what you can do to...Read more...

Have you noticed the world getting a little more obsessed with mushrooms lately? Maybe you steer clear of wild mushrooms entirely because you don't have a clue what's delectable, what's psychedelic, and what's deadly-but it's not a bad idea to start studying up on the mushrooms around you. The following resources can...Read more...

Everyone is into pickleball these days, and you've probably noticed. What started as a sport for your grandparents has quickly become one of the most popular ones across the country. According to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association, the number of people playing pickleball grew by 159% over three years to 8.9...Read more...

It's cool if you are unaware of the Biden administration's nefarious plot to steal your stove-it isn't a real thing that's happening on Earth. It's the kind of news" you're probably used to ignoring, but the idea of Joe Biden's consumer protection brownshirts confiscating cooktops is a big enough fear to a lot of the...Read more...

If hot summer days always have you running extra fans, you should try this EvaChill EV-500 personal air conditioner. During Deal Days"-our version of Prime Day-you can get one in white or gray for $69.97 (reg. $99) now through July 14.Read more...

Few things cause excitement the way a strawberry shortcake does. It's a damn good party pleaser. But if you're in a situation where you actually have to feed a party, individual shortcake assembly can be cumbersome. Instead, consider the self-serve strawberry shortcake casserole. It's significantly less work, but...Read more...

Summer is here, and once more, higher-than-average temperatures are expected pretty much everywhere, which is fun. That means a lot of people are dreaming of air conditioning in their homes-but there are some drawbacks, especially if you lack a central air conditioning system. Window units can often seem precarious,...Read more...

Five cases of locally-acquired malaria have been reported in the U.S., the CDC says-one in Texas and four in Florida. Malaria is a serious, mosquito-borne illness that was eradicated in the U.S. in the 1950s. It's concerning to see signs that it may be making a comeback.

One of my favorite niche insults is, He's the kind of guy who always orders his steak rare, no matter the cut." (This type of guy also considers vermouth a sign of weakness, but that's a different discussion.) There's nothing wrong with having a preference, and a rare steak can be a beautiful thing. But some pieces...Read more...

Hard-boiled eggs are a perfect food. They're great for bulk cooking and meal prepping. They keep for days in the fridge, they're satisfying, hand-held, filling, and you can adjust the cooking time for a yolk that's gelatinous and runny, firm and velvety, or somewhere in between. However, there is the small issue of...Read more...

This past week, Paramount+ caught flak for making like Max and Disney+ and removing content so its parent company could take a tax write off. This included nixing Paramount+ Originals like Grease: The Rise of the Pink Ladies (which only finished releasing new episodes on June 1) and, most controversially, rescinding...Read more...

There are cheaper options than a brand-new computer. If you need to run demanding apps, stick with an appropriate high-spec machine, but if you just need a laptop to browse, respond to emails, or get a little work done, this 2015 MacBook Pro is on sale for $262.99 (reg. $399).Read more...

Porn is fun, and a great way for us to explore sexual pleasure by ourselves or with a partner, but mainstream pornography is also problematic. It's often catered to the male gaze, offering depictions of women in degraded or dehumanizing ways, and is usually exploitative of both the performers and production team, with...Read more...

The American death industry is a racket. Everything is overpriced. The average coffin will cost between $2,000-$5,000, and according to some sources, the cost of a cremation averages between $4,000 and $7,000 per body-and that's not including the memorial service. But you don't have to settle for an overpriced burial...Read more...

Some restaurant dishes are hard to replicate, but a great truffle pasta isn't one of them. Instead of shelling out upwards of $50 for a single serving of fettuccine tartufo, why not whip up a family dinner that's bursting with the fabulous fungi for a whole lot less? Here are a few options to making a high-end truffle...Read more...

When I was a kid, my science fiction-loving dad decided we were going to watch 2001: A Space Odyssey. I did not understand this long, complex, boring movie. I certainly did not appreciate it like he did. As a result, I thereafter refused to experience some of his favorite other movies, TV shows, and music. Only in...Read more...

Having a big shade tree in your yard can provide a cooler hangout spot in the summer and cut back on the AC bill. But choosing and planting the right tree so it will grow to full height and provide the shade you want can be tricky. Some trees that are hardier and better suited for this than others, and there are some...Read more...

If you're bringing cold drinks to the beach or barbecue this summer, don't pack the cooler with boring Cokes and 7-Ups. Mark yourself as a person of distinction by shoving some old-timey sodas in the ice instead. These obscure, regional, and forgotten soft drinks were good enough to refresh your grandpa, and they're...Read more...

Okay, history nerds. You might have aced your social studies tests in school and have enough facts at your fingertips to teach a class in U.S. history, ancient civilizations, or the history of the modern world. But how deep does your knowledge go?Read more...

If you paid attention to my pleas for peas last year, you might be reading this after a morning snack of fresh-off-the-vine peas, with a pile of discarded pea shells nearby. Those extraneous pods make for fantastic compost, as they're full of nitrogen, but if you'll indulge me, I'd like to suggest you take them in a...Read more...

If you're one of the more than 7 million people in this country who are unbanked," you know how hard it can be to live a modern life without a bank account. While the rise of financial apps like Paypal or Venmo has expanded our financial options, it's exceedingly difficult (and expensive) to navigate life without at...Read more...

If all you've ever known of peas is mushy peas or canned peas, you've never really tasted peas. The cool, crisp orbs you pop out of pods fresh off the vine are a completely different vegetable (not taxonomically speaking, but they might as well be).

The roof is one of the most important aspects of your home. If your roof fails you, it kicks off a domino effect of water, structural, and possession damage that makes your comfortable space uncomfortable, unattractive, and potentially dangerous if mold takes root. When it's doing its job and keeping us dry, we tend...Read more...

Money can be awkward to talk about, but that awkwardness comes at a hefty price. Financial boundaries are guardrails that you put in place to protect your money. And it's not just about protecting your cash-it's about ensuring you have a comfortable, healthy relationship with money.Read more...

In videosreleased this weekend, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.-a man who has compared childhood vaccines to the holocaust and is also running for president for some reason-lifts weights on a sunny beach. He appears to be lifting 115 pounds. He has fans who believe this is impressive, and that he can do so says something...Read more...

By October, I am no longer precious about preservation. By that time of year I am just throwing shit in jars. End-of-season harvesting is exhausting, and I am ready to settle into the fall and winter, where I get to enjoy the literal fruits of my labor and have friends ooh and ahh over my wall of colorful jarred goods.

We've all got busy schedules, which means we have to make time for the things that are most important to us. If you're not an avid reader but you still want to benefit from the wisdom in the top self-help and business books or non-fiction bestsellers, FlashBooks Business Book Summaries and SumizeIt Book Summaries...Read more...

We love Costco around here, but if there isn't one near you-or you won't use the perks it offers enough to justify the higher membership fees-Walmart-owned Sam's Club is a totally viable option for all your bulk buying needs. Especially when you can get a year-long membership for 50% off.Read more...

Fruit seasons are short. Strawberries are out for a few weeks, then cherries fill the shelves, followed closely by ripe nectarines and peaches. Forty-five seconds later, they're all gone and we're left with apples (again). In order to cram as much summer fruit into my tum-tum as possible, it helps to have a few novel...Read more...

If you want to learn a new skill, you have plenty of options online, but watching YouTube videos and reading tutorials doesn't work for everyone. If you don't do well with completely self-guided learning, you might benefit from a more traditional online class.Read more...

If you received a refund from SmileDirectClub in the last few years due to dissatisfaction with their invisible orthodontic aligners and agreed to keep it confidential, you no longer have to stay quiet about it. In a settlement announced last week, SmileDirectClub customers who were previously unable to discuss their...Read more...

Consider the underestimated grape leaf. Each year, grape vines are cut back, and turn brown and woody, then emerge vivaciously fresh with green shoots in the late spring. These vines grow aggressively each year, taking over any structure they can. The grapes are the focus, but the leaves shouldn't be overlooked. They...Read more...

Half the fun of buying a little drink from Starbucks lies in the customization options. Their seemingly endless supply of flavored syrups lets you create a bespoke treat, and treating yourself is important. But treating yourself can also get expensive, especially if you're doing it at Starbucks, so it's worth...Read more...

You might not be familiar with thequenelle, but she's commonly found in restaurants and, well, she's kind of a big deal. Chefs quenelle lots of things, and for good reason. Even if you don't give two hoots about fine dining, making food at home that looks good is still important. Because you deserve it.Read more...

We're still weeks away from my first summer tomato, and it feels like I just got all my tender summer starts and seeds in, but I know better: I can't put away the seed-starting trays because fall and winter planting are right around the corner, and I need to be thinking about them now.Read more...

There's a corner of TikTok for every person and interest out there, including woodworking, but it can be tough to figure out what you can trust. Some purported TikTok woodworking hacks" will leave you scratching your head, especially when the shortcut is more complicated than the original task at hand or the video is...Read more...

As much as we might like to stay at home with our pets-or take them with us everywhere we go-there are times when we have to leave them alone and unattended. This leaves plenty of opportunity for them to get into trouble, intentional or not, unless common household hazards are minimized.

Within days of beginning your search for a home, you'll start encountering all manner of tricky and pedantic real estate terms. Two of the most confusing are twin home" and duplex." They sound like they are interchangeable terms for the same kind of residence. But they aren't.

If you love your lawn, fine, but maybe hear me out: Lawns are the worst. Even if you don't mind the watering, mowing, and chemicals, most lawns-including yours-are terrible.