Quick TipsThroughout this tax season, I've observed a major trend. First, I saw that PayPal was partnering with a service called April to deliver a free tax filing option to users. Mere days later, OnePay announced a similar initiative with the same provider. And now, Robinhood is jumping on the bandwagon, launching its own offer with...
Travel Product ReviewsUpdated on February 19, 2026 When packing for a trip, there are a few things I can’t leave home without. At the top of the list (among the numerous chargers and cables I need for my various devices these days) is a comfortable hoodie. Not only is this a must while flying or driving, but...
Quick TipsThis morning, while I was hanging out with my dog Rigby, she started acting a bit... weird. First, she seemed a bit dazed, and then, when she tried to stand, she couldn't. Thankfully, after a couple of minutes, she was completely back to normal — but I was obviously worried about what had just happened....
Travel Product ReviewsUpdated on February 11, 2026 For years, I've been a regular user of Solis mobile hotspots and have used them for several international trips (and some domestic). Of course, as the years have gone by, my Solis 1 device has grown a bit old. While it still works just fine, it has been discontinued and...
Travel Product ReviewsI've previously gone on record as saying that I end up finding a number of interesting products via Instagram ads. And today's item is no different. Just last month, I was served an ad for a hoodie from Comfrt that boasted some intriguing features. So, since I had a couple of upcoming trips at the...
Travel Product ReviewsUpdated on February 9, 2026 When I turned 16 years old and got my driver’s license, one of the gifts my father gave me was a AAA (American Automobile Association) membership. In 2013, following a short lapse in membership, my wife and I decided that our road-tripping ways would make having AAA a smart idea....
Quick TipsBack in 2019, I purchased my first Solis (then known as Skyroam Solis) international hotspot device. Since then, though, the company has rolled out a number of new models — and that pace has really hastened over the past couple of years. That continued this month as preorders for their new Solis Tag device opened....
PetsUpdated on February 4, 2026 Pets have always been an important part of many American families. Yet, I don’t think I’d ever really considered the idea of purchasing insurance for a dog or cat until I learned that Lemonade was adding it as an option. Cut to a mere month after when my wife and...
Travel Product ReviewsUpdated on February 3, 2026 When my wife and I moved to Springfield, Missouri more than a decade ago, one of the selling points (or at least what kept it in the running) was that there was a nearby airport that served a decent number of destinations. Unfortunately, while it is convenient, flying out of...
Quick TipsBack in my day, Starbucks had a program where, after a certain number of purchases, you'd earn Starbucks Gold status and get a fancy card to flaunt. When I worked at a movie theatre that had a Starbucks across the parking lot, I was among the first of our team to collect my Gold Card...
Travel TipsEach January, the Wall Street Journal puts out its list of the best and worst domestic airlines during the preceding year. Mind you, these aren't just subjective rankings or tier lists. Instead, their scorecards incorporate several pieces of data, from on-time arrivals to cancellations and mishandled baggage to involuntary bumping. So, which airline topped the...
Quick TipsIf you're a frequent traveler, you've probably seen ads on Instagram of YouTube videos for Manta's sleep masks. These high-end and creative sleep masks certainly look appealing — but it was another one of their products that, ironically, caught my eye: their white noise machine. As I've written about before, I've come to love my Bose...