Lifehacker

YouTube is great, except for the annoying, unskippable ads. And, after the introduction of YouTube Premium, it seems like the number of unskippable ads for free accounts keeps going up. If you don't want to sit through three ads just so you can watch your video, it might be time to try a different approach.Read more...

September and October are always the best months for fans of horror movies, as the lead up to Halloween brings all sorts of blood-splattered delights into your local theaters (and into your streaming devices).

These days, every flagship smartphone, be it Android or iPhone, can connect to the 5G networks each major US carrier has built over the last few years. All this new 5G technology was supposed to usher in a new era of super high-speed mobile connections where we could download giant files in mere seconds and stream 4K v...Read more...

No matter what dietary restrictions you may have, or ingredients you avoid, you deserve a slice of cake. But vegan baking often requires stabilizers and other ingredients that most people don't have in their pantries. Cake mixes, however, are usually egg- and dairy-free; it's the added eggs and/or butter that get...Read more...

Consumerism today looks very different than it looked 10 years ago. Most people wouldn't head out to a store to, say, buy a water bottle-they'd just order it on Amazon or some other online store. This means that many American households, at any given time, have at least one order pending delivery. Unfortunately,...Read more...

My entire house is smart:" I remotely control when lights turn on and off, when plants get watered, when humidifiers and air conditioners turn on, and even what I listen to as I go to sleep. There are few things as satisfying for an 80s kid as speaking commands into the air and having stuff magically happen. But...Read more...

I have yet to meet a pancake I didn't like. Crispy or soft, fluffy or flat, savory or sweet-they all stack up for a satisfying breakfast. I'm part of the rare plain pancake-eating species. Maybe it's because I like snacking so much. A plain pancake with no toppings means I can walk around and do things while I...Read more...

If you're looking for the Connections answer for Tuesday, September 12, 2023, read on-I'll share some clues, tips, and strategies, and finally the solutions to all four categories. Beware, there are spoilers below for September 12, NYT Connections #93! Scroll to the end if you want some hints (and then the answer) to...Read more...

I have a confession to make: I spent the first ten years of my adulthood ignoring all official correspondences from the government, including jury duty notices. I didn't really consider myself part of The Matrix, and figured the court wouldn't want me on a jury anyway. There were no negative consequences for me other...Read more...

The best way to clean your TV today is not what it was a few years ago. The internet connectivity and delicate LCD screens of today's TVs are a far cry from the sturdy boxes that once took up so much space in our living rooms. One thing those old bricks had going for them was they were easy to clean without fear of...Read more...

If you're still paying monthly fees to rent cloud storage and aren't happy with it, consider this lifetime plan with Koofr where you can can get lifetime access to 1TB of cloud storage on sale for $159.99 right now (reg. $810). You can use it from all of your devices and upload files of any size.Read more...

I love waffling premade convenience foods, fromfrozen pound cakes, tohoney buns, to mozzarella sticks, to the humble Uncrustable. The waffle maker doesn't just cook food, it sears and smooshes it, creating divots and ridges that translate into greater available surface area for browning (and flavor). And let me tell...Read more...

Amazon's recent BOGO video game deal must have been a success, because now they've announced round two of it. They have added hundreds more games to their buy one, get one free" deal, available for a limited time-more than 500 of them, according to their site, although the exact number available will vary by region....Read more...

You uphold the social contract every day by not piling your bags into the seat next to you on a crowded bus or melting down on someone who gives you a little attitude at the grocery store. But there are still places where even the most dutifully polite citizens run the risk of violating unspoken etiquette rules. The...Read more...

TikTok loves a banana smoothie. In a few minutes of scrolling you can see smoothie recipes, banana-freezing tips (peel it first!), and video after video of people with visible abs loading bananas and other fruits into a blender in their kitchen. But wait! There's a new genre of smoothie content, now warning us to never...Read more...

Winter is coming, and you may already be anticipating trading some of those cold, snowy days for time spent on a sunny beach in Puerto Rico. If so, right now is a great time to book travel to the rich port" territory: Currently, flights to Puerto Rico are about half the average price from many major airports around...Read more...

From student loans, to medical bills, to simply putting food on the table, so much of managing your finances can feel like it comes down to getting by day-to-day. Retirement, meanwhile, feels like a distant dream. How can you even think about maxing out your 401(k) or Roth IRA when you can barely afford rent?

If want to remain as anonymous as possible while still keeping in contact with the broader world, consider buying a burner phone. It'll cost a little cash, but keeping yourself a little less connected is worth it for many reasons, whether you want to avoid a mobile contract with a big company or you have...private reas...Read more...

One of the most complicated relationships in our lives is the one we have with money. There's so much money out there in the world-so much that it's actually pretty difficult to figure out an exact total-and yet you probably don't feel like you have enough of it. Even if you're pretty comfortable financially, you're...Read more...

It is, once again, time to warn friends and family not to buy an iPhone right now: Apple is set to announce the brand new iPhone 15, in addition to other Apple products and software updates. If you want to be among the first to see these devices and learn what makes them tick, you'll want to check out the event live...Read more...

It's summertime, people, and that means heat rash, going to work even though it's a really nice day, and grilling hot dogs! The humble frankfurter may have been invented in Germany, but it has become a distinctly American food-according to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council, in 2020, 944.3 million pounds of hot...Read more...

There was a time when I was obsessed with dulce de leche-filled pastries. The single reason that mania ended is because I moved away from the bakery named after the ingredient. If you haven't had the pleasure of enjoying the custardy, sweet, caramel-y substance, I've got just the excuse for you to try it: Alfajores....Read more...

Sitcoms have traditionally had a reputation as one of the lower art forms: canned laughter and stock scenarios full of goofy characters who have only a modest resemblance to real people. While there's some truth there, the best shows in the genre have always bent the rules in interesting ways. Netflix doesn't have the...Read more...

In class and in meetings, jotting down what you're hearing is key-so it's worth it to figure out the best ways to take notes. You want to be able to review what was said, commit it to memory, and use it going forward, whether on tests or in your job. It sounds easy, but can actually be pretty challenging. Think of all...Read more...

This kitincludes a 10-inch touchscreen with a built-in dashcam that mounts to your rearview mirror, a backup camera, and all required installation materials, and it's on sale for $95.99 right now (reg. $120).Read more...

I'm a Disney Adult, and I don't care who knows it. I live in Disney t-shirts, I was nearly a friend of Tinker Bell" (that's a euphemism for playing a character in the parks"), I have been to Disney World at least 100 times, I go on a Disney cruise once a year, I once won the Disney Princess half-marathon while...Read more...

If you've noticed that sometimes there's food still stuck to things when they come out of a cycle in the dishwasher, you should check the water pressure switch before you give up on your appliance. The adjustment is simple and can improve the results you get when you use your dishwasher. Here's how to adjust the water...Read more...

If you're trying to make the jump from premade keyboards to more custom-built enthusiast keyboards, you've probably found yourself staring at long wait times, expensive component costs, and limited stock. So, when I heard that Razer was making a hot-swappable keyboard, I was intrigued by what the company was trying to...Read more...

If you're looking for the Connections answer for Monday, September 11, 2023, read on-I'll share some clues, tips, and strategies, and finally the solutions to all four categories. Beware, there are spoilers below for September 11, NYT Connections #92! Scroll to the end if you want some hints (and then the answer) to...Read more...

You don't have to be young, or even young at heart, to appreciate chicken nuggets. At their best, they're tender, juicy pieces of chicken, tucked in to a well-seasoned, golden, and crunchy batter. At their worst, they're still pretty good. Nuggets and tenders are usually made with white meat, with tenders making use...Read more...

This time of year, gardeners have to make hard choices. Rain and overnight chills present risks to your vegetables on the plant, but you also want to be sure you're giving every single tomato and cucumber the chance to ripen before picking. But what if you can have the best of both worlds? Here are the garden staples...Read more...

On May 11, 2023, the federal declared the COVID-19 public health emergency over, and with it, the Postal Service program that provided free at-home COVID tests for US residents. But though the free tests are no longer available, that doesn't mean it's now impossible to be tested for COVID without paying for it. But...Read more...

If you own a phone, chances are Dynata has called you at some point asking if you would be part of a survey. Given the prevalence of scams and spam calls these days, you'd be forgiven for assuming Dynata was no different from robocalls claiming to have important information on your vehicle insurance," but Dynata...Read more...

When it comes to home decor, mirrors can be a secret weapon. In the right locations, they can make small rooms look bigger, brighten dark spaces, and make your home look expensive without having to spend a lot of money. But you (usually) can't simply pick a random spot on a wall to hang a mirror and always reap the...Read more...

Young people entering the workforce are often told to fake it til you make it," and act like they know what they're talking about, even when they don't. While that's not always the best advice, it's also not a great idea to veer too far in the other direction, and make it clear that you're just starting out. To...Read more...

A clean, properly functioning exhaust fan is the best way to keep your bathroom dry and mold-free. Unfortunately, not all homes have this feature, and if you live in a rental, or remodeling your bathroom to add an exhaust fan isn't in your budget, you'll have to find other ways to prevent your bathroom from staying...Read more...

Being a free spirit who goes with the flow" and doesn't plan for trips or activities is often seen as a valid (and fun) way of living. But many of us simply can't live that way; we know there are benefits to thinking ahead. For one, if you can allow yourself to dream of snowy slopes while it's still sweaty outside,...Read more...

When we think of cork, the cylindrical stoppers in wine bottles probably come to mind first. But the sustainable material can also be used in other ways throughout a home, including as flooring, wall paneling, and in light fixtures-not to mention for a range of home repairs. With this is mind, why throw away your...Read more...

Contrary to what we see on most home transformation TV shows, everyone's not on the same page when it comes to home design. One person could walk into a postwar bungalow and fall in love with the original bathroom with pastel pink fixtures and tiles, while the next person who views the home sees it as a dealbreaker.Read more...

Being confined to our homes in the early days of the pandemic made many people rethink how they utilize their space. Desks, tables, counters, and other flat surfaces became makeshift home offices and classrooms, and guest rooms were used to isolate sick members of a household.Read more...

If you're looking for the Connections answer for Saturday, September 9, 2023, read on-I'll share some clues, tips, and strategies, and finally the solutions to all four categories. Beware, there are spoilers below for September 9, NYT Connections #90! Scroll to the end if you want some hints (and then the answer) to...Read more...

Hot honey is a condiment with staying power. Popularized by brands like Mike's and Trader Joe's years ago, this tangy, sweet, and spicy sauce brings the zing to fried chicken, grilled meats, roasted vegetables, pizza, biscuits, and cheese plates. It may seem too delicious to DIY, but don't let Dave fool you-hot honey...Read more...

School has started again for the fall 2023 semester, which means it's time to look into what student discounts are available to you. You go to college to secure an education that will get you a better-paying job in the future, and while it's pricy now, your student status can actually net you decent discounts from a...Read more...

Being lactose- and dairy-sensitive is not a walk in the park-either avoid dairy, or understand it comes with a hefty caveat. My partner is an Italian-American who hesitates to eat cheese. When I offer him a dessert with whipped cream, he just about laughs in my face (before crying into his oat milk ice cream)....Read more...

Payday 3 is slated to drop Sept. 21, 2023, but that doesn't mean you need to wait until then to play it. Developer Starbreeze Studios is running a new, open beta test for the online multiplayer heist game, but you need to act fast if you want to take advantage of it.

When I was a kid, my mom would occasionally make chicken satay. This herby, nutty, spiced chicken on a stick" was a favorite of mine and my siblings. Sadly, satay was only for special occasions (and, being the youngest, I still harbor a suspicion that I didn't get as many as they did). Happily, these days I can make...Read more...

Fall is majestic. Don't get me wrong, I live in anticipation of summer and the growing season, but fall is the season that never lets me down. In the Pacific Northwest, where I live, fall is marked by a different smell in the air, a return of cloud cover, and pops of color from the pumpkins turning orange on the vine....Read more...

Welcome to Training Diaries, a new Lifehacker series about my journey to the 2023 TCS New York City Marathon. This series will cover all the ups, downs, and hill repeats on my journey to the biggest marathon in the world. Leading up to race day on Sunday, Nov. 5, we'll go over proper fueling, injuries and setbacks,...Read more...

If anything could get me to believe in a higher power (and the fact that they have a sense of humor), it's the existence of eggs. They're a perfect food (that we get from the butt region of a mostly flightless bird). The high-protein white, coupled with a luscious, vitamin-packed yolk makes it a versatile, nourishing...Read more...

If you want to watch NFL football in 2023, but you don't want to pay anything, there's good news and bad news. The good news is that there are a ton of games you can watch for nothing. The bad news is you can't watch every game. And even if you want to pay, different games are spread over a number of different...Read more...