Lifehacker

If you’re in a committed romantic relationship, your partner should be your first priority—but not your only priority. Maintaining healthy, mutually supportive friendships with people you aren’t having sex with is great for your mental and emotional health, not to mention your relationship.

Most of us rely on our smartphones to wake up in the morning. Unless your battery really sucks, we don’t encounter a Home Alone situation very often. But when your alarm isn’t reliable, and you have someplace important to be, you have a big problem. and that is what going on with Android’s Clock app, as a new bug…Read more...

You move into a new place and discovering that one of your roommates is a hottie: It sounds like the setup to an adult movie, but it can happen in real life. Like hooking up with a coworker, acting on your attraction to a roommate might be ill-advised, all things considered, but horniness tends to supersede intellect.…Read more...

A bullshit concept from the incel world has been leaking into mainstream culture, so it’s time we explain. I’m talking about the idea of a “sigma male,” who supposedly exists in relation to “alpha” and “beta” males.Read more...

Highlighting the rampant harassment on Twitter is now a cliche; we all know it’s a breeding ground of abuse and cyberbullying. Thankfully, the company seems to be finally listening to its userbase’s calls for better anti-harassment tools with a new “Safety Mode” feature.

This week, the kids are spreading a tic-disorder through social media, pretending to get arrested, and using furry-porn to fight COVID disinformation. Everything is extremely normal.

When you live with someone, you share your stuff. You both use the smart speaker to listen to music around the house, and you both use the smart lights to show off to your friends (“look, I can turn them blue!”). The point is, you all use the same smart devices, and it’s about time you tied those devices to the same…Read more...

Starting Oct. 1, monthly SNAP food assistance benefits will go up by an average of $36 per person, the largest increase in the program’s 46-year history. Here’s what you need to know about how to qualify for increased food assistance—which you can get even if you’re a student.Read more...

You may not think about it all that often, but that cardboard salt container in your kitchen (the one with the handy metal spout) is pretty useful. Not only does it allow you to more easily pour out all that fine salt (without using a spoon, which can introduce unwanted moisture), it can also be put to use even after…Read more...

Lately, my toddler has been putting all sorts of items in the dryer. He sees me putting clothes in it, and he wants to help, but he still hasn’t figured out that only certain items are meant for the dryer. The result is that I have to check very carefully before turning the dryer on, as I’ve discovered everything from…Read more...

Like every other piece of technology, the iPhone gets slower with time. Sure, it might easily coast by for 4-5 years, given the quality of Apple’s hardware, software, and security updates. But your phone will never feel as speedy after five years as it did on day one.

Chloé Zhao’s Academy Award-winning Nomadland is inspiring a new wave of tourism to unlikely locations in South Dakota, including the Reptile Gardens animal park and the cowboy-themed Wall Drug Store, both featured in the film.

There was a time, before smartwatches, when I briefly got really into swimming. I learned to read the pace clock at the pool at my local Y, and I would count strokes in my head to keep tabs on whether I was using good, efficient form. I brought my workouts to the pool on index cards inside ziploc baggies.Read more...

An expanded COBRA subsidy that temporarily covers 100% of your healthcare premiums due to unemployment is ending Oct. 1. The program lets you to keep your former employer’s healthcare plan for at least 18 months, but normally you have to cover the full cost, which many people find too expensive. With the subsidy…Read more...

Veterinarians and auto mechanics have a lot in common. They both fix urgent problems for people who often have no idea what’s going on—and are never happy to get a big bill.

With the rise of increasingly convenient features such as street-level 360º photos available on Google Maps and other competing mapping services, there’s always a risk your personal data will be captured in a publicly available photo in a way you’d rather avoid—whether than means the outside of your house or the…Read more...

As medical and recreational use are being legalized in states across the country, it feels like so much about cannabis consumption is changing quickly. Some things, however, are still the same as they’ve ever been. For instance, you still aren’t supposed to cross state lines with weed—even if you got it legally with…Read more...

Two hundred dollar wireless earbuds are great. Until you lose them.Read more...

Google’s latest wireless earbuds, the Pixel Buds A-Series, are a great choice for both Pixel users and Android owners who don’t want to break the bank. These Pixel Buds come with automatic updates, so, in theory, you never need to worry about missing important fixes. If you want to check for updates yourself to make…Read more...

Apple introduced Touch ID on the MacBook Pro in 2016, alongside the controversial (but surprisingly versatile) Touch Bar. Since then, the sensor has made its way to the MacBook Air and even the iMac, thanks to the magic of the Magic Keyboard. If you bought a Mac recently, chances are you have this button, and you…Read more...

Setting up autopay for your credit card payments is a great way to avoid accidental late fees and penalties, but there’s an additional trick that can help with your credit score. By paying off your balance in full before the closing date—the day your debt balance is reported to the credit bureaus—you can ensure that…Read more...

We’re rapidly entering the era of 4K as the standard resolution, and new 4K content is available on YouTube every day. Unfortunately, you can’t watch these videos offline in full resolution using YouTube’s standard options.

When Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine was approved in August, it was only approved for ages 16 and up as a two-dose series. But since fully-approved vaccines and medications can be used “off label,” many of us started wondering if providers could administer the vaccine to children or give boosters to people who wouldn’t…Read more...

Long-time Mac users are likely familiar with the secrets of the Option key. It can reveal hidden menus and other handy features in one click, like the ability to expand nested folders. If you’re someone who’s relatively new to Macs, or if you’ve never bothered to explore your keyboard much, today’s a good day to…Read more...

Renters frustrated by headlines about the hot housing market that make it seem like this is their last chance to buy property won’t exactly be comforted by reports that rent payments are currently exceeding average monthly mortgage payments. But comparing the costs of owning versus renting on a monthly basis isn’t…Read more...

“Picky” eating isn’t just for kids. There are plenty of adults who steer clear of certain ingredients or dishes for a variety of reasons. Whether you grew up somewhere without many diverse cuisine options, were raised in a culture or religion that kept you away from particular foods, or just straight-up hate olives,…Read more...

If you’ve ever felt a rush of intense emotion—whether a positive one, such as a surge of happiness, or a negative one, like a rush of anger—then you’ve probably also experienced the crash that comes when those emotions abate. Although we usually think of exhaustion in physical terms, it can also be mental. If you’ve…Read more...

If you’re running or hiking alone, it’s always smart to let somebody know your plans and when you expect to be back. Better yet, apps with location sharing can allow your partner or friend to know exactly where you are at any moment. But there’s a way to go even beyond that: Use Strava’s Beacon feature, now available…Read more...

Hurricane Ida has devastated Louisiana and is threatening a “once in a lifetime flooding event” in the Northeast in the next few days—a grim reminder of the importance of getting a flood insurance policy if you don’t have one already. There’s a waiting period for new policies, which means that if you get coverage…Read more...

In this digital age, why do we still have physical IDs? I don’t need my credit card when I can use Apple Pay; I don’t need my MetroCard anymore with Express Transit; but still, I need to bring the whole wallet with me anywhere that requires a driver’s license. Luckily, it looks like that’s changing with iOS 15, as…Read more...

We often use the words “loneliness” and “isolation” interchangeably, and in the past year or so, many of us have become all too acquainted with both of them. However, it’s possible to be isolated but not lonely, or lonely but not isolated. And both have a significant impact on our physical and mental well-being.

Some plants just aren’t cut out for cold weather, but a surprising number of perennials are perfectly capable of surviving a frigid winter—at least with the right protection. As the temperatures start to cool down, it’s important to take a few simple steps to insulate your plants and soil from the cold season ahead.…Read more...

The ride home from school can feel like a battle of wills with my oldest son. When I start the car, he’s a bundle of ecstatic energy. But when I begin asking him about his day, his smile vanishes, and he locks his mouth up like a safe. The remainder of the trip is more nerve-wracking than an episode of Law and Order …Read more...

One of the most exciting features that Apple announced at WWDC 2021 was Universal Control. This feature lets you seamlessly switch the cursor and keyboard between multiple Macs and iPads. In fact, it’s so seamless, there’s no setup necessary. You can glide your cursor from one device to another, simply by pushing it…Read more...

An inconvenient side effect of a power outage, especially one that extends for days at a time, is the inability to charge your devices—especially those that can operate without wifi and connect you to the rest of the world. If your smartphone battery is dying and you find yourself without power, you’ll want to do…Read more...

Aside from your checking account, is there a good place to put your emergency cash so that it won’t be eaten up by rising inflation? Unfortunately, with interest rates being so low, the pickings are slim, but you do have a few options: money market accounts, high-yield savings accounts, and CDs. Here’s a look at how…Read more...

The COVID-19 vaccines have become somewhat notorious for their side effects: fatigue, sore arm, maybe a fever. In a few rare cases, there are more serious complications, like inflammation of the heart. So is it riskier to get a vaccine or to take your chances with COVID itself?Read more...

Google Chrome version 93 has just launched for both desktop and Android. These monthly updates can bring a mixed bag of new features, tweaks, and changes for developers, but version 93 has several enhancements worth knowing about for users too, including enhancements to Chrome Web Apps on desktop, changes to the…Read more...

Ever wondered why your AirPods Pro’s battery level almost always hovers around 80 percent? This is because Apple automatically enables a feature that reduces battery aging—and as a consequence, slows down the charging speed significantly once your AirPods Pro’s battery is 80 percent charged. If you’re in a hurry to…Read more...

The FDA cracked down on disposable, flavorful vapes last year, and although you can still find Puff Bars and their counterparts all over, the likelihood that you’re getting a sketchy counterfeit is increasing. The mystery of what’s in the phonies makes them even more dangerous than the original nicotine delivery…Read more...

Last week, the Supreme Court struck down the CDC’s latest extension of the eviction moratorium, which was supposed to last through Oct. 3. That means millions of renters now face eviction, although some states have their own eviction bans still in place, and rental assistance is available—despite a delayed rollout in…Read more...

September is when we start winding down our garden for the year, but there is still time to plant vegetables now to enjoy later in the fall. Based on where you live, the vegetables you can plant now will vary—but even in the colder zones, there are more options than you may realize. Some are fast-growing vegetables,…Read more...

There isn’t always a handy pullup bar around, especially if you have a home gym without a good place to put one. I happened upon a solution in my own garage, and it’s one that can also help in some commercial gym situations: Use a barbell.

Wrestling isn’t just for grandmas anymore. (My grandma was really, really into pro-wrestling when I was a kid. I assume that is the norm.)

If fear and anxiety have gained a hold on your life, you know they can feel like they’re consuming everything. You can medicate or meditate, read self-help books, or try to push through on your own—but it’s always best to admit when you need help, then seek it out.

Changing jobs comes with a lot of hope, but also a lot of risk. No matter how many questions you asked before accepting your job offer, there are always unexpected aspects, not to mention an uncomfortable learning curve. Although many of these may be relatively benign, some of them may be far more frustrating than you…Read more...

Labor day is rapidly approaching, and while I am always down to eat 30-50 feral hot dogs, the late summer drag has invaded my kitchen. I am weary of summer vegetables and run of the mill barbecue and cookouts. I can’t be bothered to make pasta salad. I want comfort food, but not the same old.

Summer is rough on grass. After a few straight months of heat, sun, foot traffic, and often not enough rain, it’s totally normal to see some dead spots. Dead grass is uglier than it is dangerous, but if you’re sick of looking at it, here’s a quick and dirty guide to replanting grass where it’s needed.Read more...

We love to joke that no one uses their smartphone to actually make calls in 2021. And even if that’s kind of true, we obviously need these devices to be able make and take calls. When that functionality is thrown into jeopardy, our phones start to be a lot less reliable and a lot more frustrating. That’s why it’s so…Read more...

The Messages app on the iPhone has never really played all that nice with the Photos app—if someone messaged you a picture and you wanted to find it again later, good luck. That’s all changing in iOS 15 with the new Shared with You integration in the Photos app, plus the addition of a real save button for photos…Read more...