Category: Tech Geek

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Protect Your Apple® iPad® 10.2″ (7th Gen 2019) with a SaharaCase

This post was created in partnership with SaharaCase. I was not financially compensated for this post but did receive a sample for review purposes. As always, all opinions are entirely my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that support me!

We love Apple products in our house but the owner of our only iPad is a ten-year-old boy. He’s a boy and ten so that means if we want his iPad to last longer than a day a high-quality case is a must. I protect any device meant for our boys from day one, otherwise, I might as well just throw it in the trash. Been there. Done that. Recently, we’ve been testing out a SaharaCase Folio Case (in teal and black) with our son’s iPad, and here’s what we found.

First A Little About SaharaCase

SaharaCase makes extremely protective cases in a slim package. No longer does thin mean fragile. Their cases are designed to shield the most vulnerable parts from breakage, including the screen.

[click_to_tweet tweet=”Protect your iPad from accidental dings and the inevitable breaks kids WILL cause with a Sahara Case! @SaharaCase #ipadcase #ipadaccessories ” quote=”Protect your iPad from accidental dings and the inevitable breaks kids WILL cause with a Sahara Case! “]

Easy to Use

Let’s face it — my son can be a pig at times. His iPad gets all gunked up and we have to remove his case often to clean it.

Some cases make this almost impossible.

Sure, they may protect your device well but they hold your iPad hostage if you ever want to clean it or change cases. It’s a pain.

The SaharaCase folio case couldn’t be easier to use. The iPad presses easily into the form-fitting case and can be removed just as easily too making cleanup a breeze.

Great Protection

This folio case is great at absorbing shock damage with its dual-layer construction and raised edges.

It could take a tumble down the stairs and come out shining like new at the end (which ours probably has).

All of the cutouts (which match perfectly by the way) including the camera are raised too!

Great Extra Features

My son’s favorite features are the ‘wake-sleep function’ and the ‘tri-fold stand’.

Opening the SaharaCase folio case automatically wakes up your iPad and closing it (with its magnetic closure) puts it to sleep.

He thinks this is so cool and I love that it helps extend his battery life. Without this feature, his screen undoubtedly would be left on and it would die faster.

Anyone else’s kid into Roblox? Well, my son loves watching Roblox and other video game channels on Youtube (exciting I know).

This case allows him to watch his videos practically anywhere with hands-free viewing.

However, I prefer when he folds it down into a typing stand and does school work on it but that’s just me.

Overall, it’s a great sleek case that will do your iPad justice. The black/gray and teal/gray colors work for males or females and it also has a spot to secure your Apple pencil.

Best Buy also has a pink and blue version too if those colors suit you better.

My only wish is that they bundled this case with a glass screen protector. My boys are great at cracking screens somehow. So just save yourself the headache and buy some when you purchase this folio case or go for one of their other cases that have a built-in screen protector.

We opted for a glass screen protector and our iPad still fit perfectly snug into the folio case and it gave us more peace of mind.

Are you ready to try this awesome SaharaCase folio case?

Great! Head to Best Buy and check it out today!!

How do you keep your iPad safe?

August 18, 2020
4 Best Gaming Resolutions for Kids in 2020

There are loads of cool games available these days. Children can play so many types of games it’s insane, including; action, adventure, puzzle, RPGs, sports, and many more. For the younger crowd, there are also games revolving around their favorite characters, including; Spider-Man, Mickey Mouse, Pokémon, Sonic, among others. The choices are endless, with video game consoles, mobile games, and PC gaming all available at your fingertips. Here are some gaming resolutions to help your child get the most fun out of their gaming experience. After all, with so many choices available, your child could be missing out on a hidden gem or an element of fun, and thus these gaming resolutions will help your kids embrace more fun (within reason).

Play a multi-player game at least once a week

There are lots of cool games available, which boast a two-player option. You should encourage your child to take advantage of these because it means that they can either play with you or their friends.

This is good because not only does it enhance the level of fun that they have, but it also promotes social interaction as well. This is very important for the development of young children.

Set a time limit of only one hour per day

This is more of a strict gaming resolution because it limits the amount of time they spend gaming. However, as a parent, you know spending all of your time gaming is not good. Kids need variety plus it’s debatable whether or not video games are good for your health.

Not to mention, in the end, it will make gaming more fun because they will look forward to that hour each day. They will be counting down the minutes and have to savor every moment.

Use homework as an incentive

This is a great way to make sure your child does their homework. Make it your child’s responsibility to complete their homework without you pestering them. If they do it, then they can earn extra gaming time.

It is a win-win situation; your child gets to play more games, while you get the insurance that their homework has been completed.

Play a game beginning with a different letter every day

This is a great way to make sure the fun never dies. When your child plays a game today, tell them to find something which begins with an ‘A.’ When they play tomorrow, they can then pick a game that starts with a ‘B’ and so on.

This keeps an element of excitement alive and them busy at the same time. It will take them a while to find a game that they want to play, especially since they can choose from online computer games, mobile games, and video games.

In addition to this, if your child is younger, it helps them with learning the alphabet and introduces them to new words as well.

If you use the four gaming resolutions given in this article, your child will have fun in a responsible way. And, maybe learn something too. Happy gaming!

June 8, 2020
How to Save Money on the Video Games Your Kids Have to Have

Video games can be incredibly awesome ways for your kids to pass the time on dreary days, and even meet new people online that share their interests. The only problem is that video games can be expensive, especially during the holiday season. But before you start giving up buying groceries to buy video games, there are a few ways that the resourceful dad can get her kids the games they want without spending a ton of money.

Use a Game Rental Service

In most cases, your kids want video games that they have never played. They have seen the awesome commercials on the television, but they have no clue what the game really is.

The cheapest way to avoid buying brand new games that your kids lose interest in after a couple of hours is to get a subscription to a video game rental service. You can get games in any format you need at a low monthly rate. Plus this gives your kids a chance to try the games before you buy them.

Take Advantage of Downloads

Playing free games online is a great way to save money. If your kids have to have that newest game the day it comes out and renting the game is not good enough, then you can get the PC download version of the game and save more than half off the retail purchase price.

It would be best to get a bigger drive to take full advantage of game downloads due to the substantial storage space required by modern games. As games become more graphically advanced and immersive, their file sizes increase, too. Internal storage on computers may quickly fill up, limiting the number of games that can be downloaded and stored locally.

An external hard drive offers additional storage capacity, allowing you to expand the game libraries without constantly uninstalling and reinstalling games. Even when the worst happens, you can use data recovery services to get back your downloaded files.

Trade Video Games

If you have a game that your kids no longer want, then you could try and see how much the local video game store will give you for the game. The chances are pretty good that you will only get offered a fraction of what you paid for the game.

A smarter move is to find a good video game trading website and offer to trade that game to someone with a game your kids want. You only pay for the postage, and your kids get a new game to play.

You can also set up a network of local parents to swap games with as well.

Buy Used Games

It could be argued that the market for used video games is almost as large as the new game market.

Your favorite online auction website has pages and pages of used video games for sale. There are also websites dedicated specifically to the process of buying and selling used video games.

These websites can save you money when you purchase used games, and you can also use these sites to sell your kid’s old games and get a lot more than the retail store down the street would give you.

If your kids love video games, then you need to be creative with how you buy games. There are plenty of ways to get the games your kids want without spending a small fortune.

“Some trees flourish, others die. Some cattle grow strong, others are taken by wolves. Some men are born rich enough and dumb enough to enjoy their lives. Ain’t nothing fair.”

– Red Dead Redemption

What is your favorite video game?

January 17, 2020
5 Ways to Save Money Using Technology

Technology has a lot more to offer than many realize. Although it’s mainly used for entertainment, did you know that it can also save or make you money? Shopping online is one example of how you can save some bucks.

There’s not much overhead cost for online retailers compared to your local store. This sometimes enables them to offer larger discounts. Another way shopping online can be helpful when it comes to savings is the ability to easily and quickly compare prices across several different websites. The days when you have to rely on paper fliers or visit multiple stores to check prices are gone.

Luckily, it’s easier than ever to find a great bargain; a simple Google search is all it takes. To help you out a bit more, here are five ways to save money using technology.

1. Earn Cash Back On Your Purchases

If you are an online shopper or plan on becoming one, Ebates is a great website to keep in mind. You can join for free, and they actually pay you for signing up. New members receive $10 when they make a qualifying purchase of at least $25.

Ebates gives you cashback for purchases made at specific websites, all of which are popular and well-known. The percentages of cashback vary and also change over time. For example, they currently offer 6.0% cashback on Overstock.com purchases, whereas it used to be only 3.0%.

Ebates also has a variety of coupons that can help you save even more on your purchases. If you’re looking to earn some cash, you can do so by taking part in Ebates’ referral program. After you’ve made over $5, you’ll be eligible to receive your payment in the form of either a check or through PayPal.

A particularly appealing feature of Ebates is that you don’t have to remember to visit their website each time you want to purchase something online. You can install the Ebates Cash Back Button, and it will automatically let you know if the website you are viewing is eligible, as well as allow you to activate cash back without having to visit their site in a separate tab or window.

I would recommend that you also take a look at FatWallet, as they are very similar to Ebates and sometimes offer a higher percentage of cashback when you shop on certain websites.

2. Invest In Energy Efficient Gadgets

Modern gizmos can save you money because they are energy efficient. Look for the Energy Star label when you’re picking up your next electronic.

Energy Star-certified products typically use around 30 percent less energy than required by government standards.

Whether you’re buying a brand new TV, appliance, or even light bulb, most gadgets are now Energy Star certified and can save you money compared to your old ones.

Newer electronics are a worthwhile investment; it won’t take long for you to save the amount you spent on the product just by having a lower electric bill.

3. Save Money With Software

Anti-Virus Software

Surprisingly, some programs can help you save some money. One of the most important and widely recognized programs for your computer is the good old anti-virus (McAfee or Norton sound familiar?). Not everyone knows it, but paying for anti-virus software is completely unnecessary.

Did you know that you can get your anti-virus program for free? Well, you can, and not just for your computer. You can also get free anti-virus apps for your smartphone and tablet, all of which will provide the same quality of protection as a paid service.

Of course, paid services sometimes offer some additional features that can be useful, but those are usually a matter of preference rather than necessity. The free anti-virus programs will protect you just as well and without the cost.

Virtual Private Networks

Another program that can save you money is a VPN (Virtual Private Network).

The VPN adds extra protection that your anti-virus program does not, such as encrypting your entire connection to the internet. Encryption is a sort of code that hackers don’t typically attempt to crack unless there is a serious incentive that would make the effort involved worthwhile.

That makes the average person with an encrypted connection very unappealing to them. It takes far too long to crack the code. Plus, it can cost them money because a powerful computer is required to successfully hack into a secure connection (keeping their equipment running for over 24 hours can start racking up their electric bill).

A VPN can save you money in three ways. It will prevent hackers from obtaining your personal information (identity theft isn’t cheap), prevent you from spending additional money if one of the websites you subscribe to happens to be blocked wherever you travel (such as Netflix or Hulu), and allow you to call long distance for free or a reduced rate over programs such as Skype.

A VPN can do all of this because it is a remote server that you connect to. Therefore, websites will “read” your location as being the VPN’s rather than your own. This makes it easy to see if you are located in Canada when you are actually in the United States.

A VPN typically costs somewhere between $5 and $15 per month, but you can find one for free. In my opinion, the best free VPN available right now is CyberGhost.

Business Specific Software

As well as the two options we just spoke about, if you own a business, then there are going to be specific pieces of technology that will make your life ten times easier and save you money.

For example, it might be something like employee scheduling software for restaurants, which saves you a lot of hassle, but you can also get some pretty good deals on things like this if you know where to look.

You can also purchase for a long period, and that takes the price down. The same can be said for other types of business-specific software; you’ve just got to look!

4.Coupon Savings

The internet has brought us lots of things, including tons of coupons that weren’t commonly found before. You no longer have to sort through flyers to find savings on your favorite products. Now, you can just look online.

The easiest way to find coupons is to either check Coupons.com or the website of the specific product you’re interested in. Manufacturers will sometimes send you coupons if you take the time to email them as well.

5. Use Apps To Your Advantage

There are several apps available on your smartphone that can save you money.

Skype is one of them, as you can make free calls (voice or video) to other Skype users. Another one is Textfree, which lets you both text and call others free of charge.

Lastly, there are also a handful of coupon apps (Ibotta being one) that can help you keep some money in your pocket. Check your phone’s app store; you’ll be surprised at what you can find!

Technology can bring not only savings but also ways to earn money as well. When finances are tight, take a look at what your computer or smartphone has to offer. You might find that there are more savings to be had than you would have ever imagined.

January 17, 2020
Help Ensure Online Child Safety with the kidSAFE Seal Program
Parents want to keep their kids safe online, protecting them from inappropriate content, dangerous predators, or unsafe online interactions. Monitoring your child’s online activity is essential, but how do you ensure that your child’s activity is safe? The kidSAFE Seal Program makes protecting your children as they surf the web easier than ever.

Simply by looking for the kidSAFE Seal on kid-friendly websites, parents can know their children are visiting sites that follow practices to keep their kids safe and secure.

Supplementing your current online safety procedures with the kidSAFE Seal Program allows you to protect your kids when they’re on the web. Together, kidSAFE, open lines of communication, and parental controls can make the Internet a kid-friendly environment.

How the Program Works

The kidSAFE Seal Program reviews the safety practices of child-friendly websites. Sites that comply with five core safety rules can earn a kidSAFE Certified Seal.

To acquire a kidSAFE Certified Seal, websites must comply with five safety rules:
1. Chat and community features must be safely designed.
2. The site must feature rules and education on online safety.
3. Must have procedures to handle safety issues
4. Offer parental controls
5. Must feature age-appropriate content, advertising, and marketing
Websites and their products can boast their kidSAFE certification if they meet these important standards.

Websites can secure the kidSAFE+ Seal by further complying with additional privacy rules modeled after the federal Children’s Online Privacy Protection Rule. These additional standards include asking neutral age questions, establishing parental notice and consent procedures, and having a COPPA-compliant privacy policy.

Websites that meet these additional standards will have the kidSAFE+ Seal on their websites and products.

What the kidSAFE Seal Program Means for You

Websites that display the kidSAFE or kidSAFE+ Seal have gone through a rigorous, independent review of their safety practices. When you and your child log onto a kidSAFE website, you know that you are using a website that meets a high standard of online safety.

While kidSAFE does not conduct a review of the site’s content, such as its age-appropriateness, you can rest easy knowing that websites displaying the kidSAFE Seal were designed with child-friendly safety features in mind. When your child logs onto an approved website, you know that the chat and community features are secure, and the site has established procedures in place should a threat to safety or security occur.

Even more, you know that the website has parental controls in place, and moderators are accessible to handle any problems or complaints.

How to Find kidSAFE Websites and Products

Tap into a searchable directory of products by visiting the kidSAFE website. Here, you can scroll through the always growing list of websites and products that have earned the kidSAFE Seal.

By clicking on any site in the directory, you can learn specifics about what features the website offers. Within the kidSAFE directory is a certification page for each site that has earned a kidSAFE Seal.

If you do not see your child’s favorite website on the list, you can submit it. Afterward, kidSAFE will add your suggestion to its list of products to review. The kidSAFE Seal Program directory will continue to grow, so check back regularly for updates as more products are reviewed.

Advantages of the kidSAFE Seal Program

The Internet can be a fantastic resource for your children. It can enhance their technological skills, create bonds with family and friends, and supplement their education. However, the Internet also poses dangers, and, as a parent, it is up to you to protect your children.

Make sure the Internet remains a helpful resource for your children by trusting the kidSAFE Seal Program. The searchable directory allows you to assess a website’s safety practices quickly. Paired with your assessment of the website’s age-appropriateness, the program keeps your children on sites that make their safety and security a priority.

The program is an additional way to protect your children when they’re surfing the web. Maintaining open lines of communication with your children and closely monitoring their online activity are the first steps in ensuring online safety. The kidSAFE Seal Program serves as another measure of protection for your children when they are online.
January 17, 2020
Home Security Tips for On-the-Go Dads

As a dad, you probably worry about a whole lot of things at home, especially if you are working away for most of the day. Setting up security cameras around your house can provide you a set of virtual eyes. This way, when you are gone, you can still see what’s going on in and around your house.

You know how paranoid you can get leaving your kids home alone or with someone, say a babysitter, with whom you haven’t yet established that certain level of trust.

And with all the reports about home break-ins in some areas, setting up better home security is something that you should consider.

But setting up security cameras at home isn’t the be-all-and-end-all of securing your home. There are other more practical things you can do to make your home a safer place for your kids when you have to leave them alone or with other people, or when you are leaving your home empty when you need to go somewhere.

Below are some home security tips for dads on the go:

Invest in outdoor lighting

Sufficient outdoor lighting is an effective intruder deterrent. Your home’s doors, windows, and dark corners outdoors should be installed with lighting equipment so there’s no place for burglars to hide.

If you want this lighting to be truly effective, it needs to be bright and have the correct motion control on it. That way, you can be sure that it will be trustworthy and keep your home secure.

Keep the doors locked

This one is a no-brainer, but something some dads tend to take for granted or forget, especially when they are in a hurry. If you’ve got someone to double-check the doors for you, say your wife, that’s fine.

But what if she leaves for work earlier than you? And don’t just lock the doors.

If possible, invest in double locks for all your doors. This will make your home less inviting for intruders.

Also, when you leave, make sure your garage door fully shuts. It’s very common for something to accidentally block it from closing, and it opens right back up.

So, watch it actually close, which will only add a few seconds to your leave time.

Remember to lock all the windows

Some suggest that you should keep ground-floor windows locked, but what about the windows upstairs? Skilled intruders can easily climb up and sneak in through the windows upstairs.

It’s fairly easy to slide a window open, even for a small child. For added protection, you can set up special window bars so you can leave the window open to let fresh air in without you having to worry about anyone trying to slip in.

Use social media responsibly

It’s quite a common pitfall among active social media users, but posting your work schedule or the times when you’re not at home on Facebook is so tempting for intruders.

For all you know, someone could already be monitoring each of your Facebook or Twitter status updates for information that could give away your whereabouts.

Hide your keys in places only you should know

Hiding keys under the flower pot, beneath the doormat, or on top of the door frame is pretty obvious. Everyone does that, and that’s a dead giveaway.

Instead, hide your keys somewhere only you should know, like inside your bag, so you can bring them along with you.

Trim the bushes and trees around your home

Bushes and trees are lovely. Burglars think so, too. They are perfect hiding places for intruders.

Trim the bushes or replace them with plants that don’t grow too thick.

January 17, 2020