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FTS: Highrise City celebrates this... Summer of Gaming Season With New DLC!
New Survey - Wants VS Needs: Ease the fight for entertainment and wants!
According to a Mind & Money Connection survey, people are refusing to give up certain expenses even though they are considered non-essential.
The top expenses include:
- 'Treat Yourself' Purchases (like morning coffee) - 30.1%
- Health & Wellness (gym memberships, therapy, etc.) - 29.3%
- Media & Entertainment (streaming, music subscriptions) - 26.9%
- Experiences (movie tickets, concerts, theme parks) - 26.7%
- Social Activities (dining out, clubs, sports) - 22.5%
I can understand the desire to maintain certain health/wellness, and some extras to add normalcy during tough times, but there are options worth considering.
For those who want to hold onto non-essentials, I suggest exploring more affordable alternatives:
- Amazon Prime provides good entertainment value in addition to free shipping
- Amazon offers monthly payment plans
- Amazon provides TV/Film, Games, Music, and More in one service
- Grubhub orders are free through Amazon Prime - Free streaming services like FreeVee, Pluto TV, Tubi
- Buy good coffee to make at home
- Free-to-play gaming options, discounts/bundles and games you already own
- Thrift stores and second-hand shops for clothing
- Travel or enjoy a nice affordable staycation
The key is to budget and do your research, get creative with free/low-cost options, and prioritize covering essential expenses first. Resources like the $30 Now Home Internet service can help make entertainment and work accessible if you need to cut a cost.
Remember, there are also assistance programs in the U.S. for the less fortunate. With discipline and a good plan, you can hopefully get through this challenging time and establish a budget. For saving, Paypal actually has a saving account option that provides you with 4.30%, so if you plug a small amount of money into it on a consistent basis you can benefit.
Lastly, Rideshare drivers, you can make $1200/year without additional work by signing up for a tablet to entertain your passengers. There is no charge for you and tips may increase due to the added entertainment.
Spring + Summer Time Fun... Suggestions!
Spring & Summer are my favorite seasons, but no hate on the other two seasons.
Outside of Spring Break trips and Summer Vacays... gaming is still in full effect, but how will things play out for you and yours? I know gas is through the roof right now, but it doesn't put a pause on all the fun. So if you aren't getting away, consider some local fun.
If you're not a fan of Groupon, you also have Trip Advisor... which serves up more than just hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars. You also have access to restaurants + things to do. You can literally use these sites for an awesome staycation where you are.
You could even walk around Walmart and find some free entertainment. Just kidding, but not completely, you just never know when the crazy will emerge.
You don't even have to go out every other week during these seasons, because an empty bank account is less fun. Consider free fun, parks, outdoor activities, and learning how to cook or make new recipes for meals, desserts, and even beverages. A home-cooked meal doesn't have to suck or leave you desiring takeout. There are literally chef's teaching courses on Udemy... that can help expand your mind and your abilities when it comes to the kitchen. Grab some food and get it in!
You can go average, larger, or massive with your slide and dial up the fun. If you think I'd be on the sideline with one of these within reach, you'd be sadly mistaken! Enjoy life while you have the time!
Fun it up, and that definitely includes gaming on a console or PC. I'd probably recommend the Xbox Gamepass first and foremost if you just want to play a variety of games. Granted you will not own them once your pass expires, but the monthly fee is low enough to keep you playing the latest games. For console, I'd have to recommend the Nintendo Switch, especially with Nintendo Switch Sports... so you can get everyone in on the fun! Parents, avoid the Nintendo Switch "Lite" version if you're aiming for multiplayer fun on the same system.
One of the games I'm currently playing on Xbox Game Pass (in the spirit of Spring & Summer) is... Windjammers 2! If you're not familiar with the game, check out the included gameplay below.
ACCELL USB-C to 3 HDMI Multi-monitor Hub... Reviewed!
ACCELL's USB-C to 3 HDMI Multi-monitor Hub... is a pretty useful device for anyone looking to connect multiple displays and today... I have the pleasure of reviewing it.
I actually opened it up while at a resort this past weekend, but we were sort of wrapped up in pool and beachside fun + gaming + snacks + food and other yaddas! There was a dude playing the Simpson's theme song on his electric guitar too... but I had no more juice to record it. Its safe to assume we had a blast!
Oh yeah... speaking of snacks, I had some glazed cinnamon apple fritters this past weekend that was just... oh my God. Those things were delicious and fresh from the bakery... but I digress.
Anyway, if you have a USB-C output and you want multiple monitors... this type of hub really comes in handy (whether you're working with a desktop or laptop). This is something gamers, game developers, and other businessmen + businesswomen... can benefit via desired display solutions. Its portable with no external power cords required, and I appreciate the fact that there are vents on it because some devices get super hot with no place for that heat to escape.
Clearly, you can connect three monitors with this device but... if your graphics card has two USB-C outputs... you can double the awesomeness with six monitors (using two hubs). They do note that... the max number of displays is based on the number of display pipes your video card has, so you'll have to refer to the manufacturer to see where you stand... if you don't know.
When using my laptop I definitely miss using multiple monitors because they're fantastic for productivity, but this hub gives me the option of adding more. If you have to travel and need this type of hub... I'd recommend portable monitors vs the standard ones. Even if you don't travel that often... get some good quality portable monitors if you can, trust me... you'll thank me later. Standards might be good for a home set up, but... you just never know when you'll end up on the go. You can get a laptop, this hub, and at least two portable monitors in a backpack or briefcase... to keep the productivity at a maximum at your destination.
For those of you unfamiliar with multiple monitor setups, you can mirror or extend your desktop displays. Mirror mode gives you the same display on each monitor, while extended desktop gives you a long desktop and lets you use the monitors individually... as seen below.
The ACCELL USB-C to 3 HDMI Multi-monitor Hub features:
- Multi-Stream Transport (MST) protocol (Check to see if your source device is compatible)
- Compatible with Thunderbolt 3
- Data bandwidth up to 5.4 Gbps per lane, 21.6 Gbps total
- Can simultaneously display 2 Ultra HD resolution
- Compliant to HDMI 1.4b, HDCP 1.3
- Advanced WideEye SerDes Technology capable of receiving data over a long range
Just a heads up... if you're planning on getting something like this with dreams of connecting three 4K displays, you won't be able to pull it off. Sorry... it's time for the cons. The hub can handle two 4K displays + one 1080p monitor, and if you have Mac OS... you will only be able to mirror three monitors (Mac OS doesn't support MST technology). So the hub does have limitations, but... I don't think they're deal breakers because you don't have to go 4K. I don't know about you, but I'd prefer my monitors to have the same resolution... so this gets a shrug from me (I don't have 4K monitors).
A plus about this hub... that I like about USB hubs, and others... is the ability to just unplug the hub. If I have to move a desktop or take my laptop on the go so I can eat and work... I like the ability to just unplug a hub and not a bunch of individual cords. I know its not a wow, but just as easy as I can detach it... I can reattach it without looking for each port to connect everything. This doesn't even have anything to do with a lack of ports... its just something I like because it's super convenient.
Price wise, this comes in at $144 on the main site but... if you click on their Amazon buy button you can totally get it for $120. If you want or need something like this, and more productivity means more money... the option is here. You may wonder why you should get this hub over comparable hubs, but... look closely at what they offer so you don't end up with a product that struggles. This hub has Advanced WideEye SerDes technology that not only allows you to receive data over a long range but... this works well for the lower quality HDMI cables as well. So keep an eye on what these devices offer, and I've seen others (i'm not calling any out) that have no mention of this.
Overall, the Accell USB-C to 3 HDMI Multi-monitor Hub... is a nice portable device that makes good use of one USB-C port. This is great for desktops, but even more so for the slimmer laptops with limited ports. Plus... there are no worries necessary when it comes to the hub just going out on you after purchase, because if it does... it comes with a 2-year limited warranty.
FTS: Aqua Moto Racing Utopia
