Former Arizona Senator Jeff Flake has become the latest high-profile Republican figure to announce they are supporting Harris in November. Flake said Sunday that he wants to back a presidential candidate who represents “a new generation of leadership based not on grievances of the past, but hope for the future.”
Flake’s support for Harris arrives three days after former Kansas senator Nancy Kassebaum said she is endorsing Harris in the race against Trump.
Kassebaum issued a statement Thursday alongside former GOP Kansas state senator Sandy Praeger and retired federal judge Deanell Reece Tacha confirming their endorsement. The trio said the decision to back Harris over Trump presented a “stark choice” but not an easy one.
“No candidate is perfect, and we do not pretend that we subscribe to all the policy positions taken either by the national parties or any individual candidates,” they wrote.
“However, we fervently believe that we must do our part to try to build a brighter future, which is why we will be voting for Kamala Harris and [Minnesota Governor Tim Walz] in this election. We believe they most closely align with the aspirations of Kansans and reflect our rich history of working together ‘to the stars through difficulty.'”
Newsweek has contacted the campaign teams of Trump and Harris for comment via email.
A host of prominent Republicans have also voiced their support for Harris and rebuked Trump in the race.
These include more than 100 former members of Congress and national security officials from previous Republican administrations who signed a letter earlier in September calling Trump “unfit to serve again” as president.
Those who signed the letter include former Illinois congressman Adam Kinzinger, Olivia Troye, a former homeland security and counter-terrorism adviser to ex-vice president Mike Pence, and former CIA and FBI director William Webster.
Other former Republican members of congress who signed the Harris endorsement letter are Dan Miller of Florida and Oklahoma’s Mickey Edwards.
Ex-Wyoming congresswoman Liz Cheney, who along with Kinzinger sat on the House Select Committee investigating the January 6 attack, has likewise endorsed Harris.
“In our nation’s 248-year history, there has never been an individual who is a greater threat to our republic than Donald Trump,” Cheney said in a statement. “He tried to steal the last election using lies and violence to keep himself in power after the voters had rejected him. He can never be trusted with power again.”
There are also a host of GOP political figures who formed the “Republicans for Harris” coalition to help the vice president win over voters across the country.
These include John Giles, mayor of Mesa in Arizona, and former Arizona state representative Robin Shaw.
Former secretary of defense Chuck Hagel, former secretary of transportation Ray LaHood, and ex-treasurer Rosario Marin are also working to help Harris in the race.
Learn how to effectively clean a baking sheet and remove baked-on grease and stains.
I don’t know about you, but cleaning a baking sheet is one of those chores my husband and I put off more than we should. Big, cumbersome, and greasy, baking sheets can be a pain to clean and dry off.
To make the job a bit easier, we tapped two experts for their best tips on how to clean a baking sheet to make the process a little less agonizing.
Meet The Expert
Jennifer Behar is a baker and the founder and CEO of Jennifer’s Homemade in Miami, Florida.
Missy Stefanik is a senior product manager at GoodCook Bakeware and Food Storage.
Before Getting Started
There are so many reasons why it’s important to thoroughly clean your baking sheets. “Old oil can go rancid and will make your food taste bad, and is generally bad for you,” explains Jennifer Behar, a baker and founder and CEO of Jennifer’s Homemade in Miami, Florida. “Starting with a clean surface is important for food safety and for taste.”
Another thing to consider when it comes to a dirty baking sheet is uneven heating. “Residual baked goods on the pan can lead to uneven surfaces, resulting in hot spots and uneven heating which can lead to burning or uneven baking,” explains Missy Stefanik, a senior product manager at GoodCook Bakeware and Food Storage.
You also need to think about the type of pan you are using and cleaning. According to Stefanik, aluminum pans are not safe for the dishwasher, which will result in handwashing only. Nonstick baking sheets offer a little more flexibility and can be put in the dishwasher. However, dishwasher detergents can degrade the quality of the nonstick coating, leading to quicker wear and tear. This will result in needing a replacement pan earlier.
“For optimal results and longer-lasting bakeware, it is best to wash by hand with warm soapy water and towel dry,” says Stefanik. “The good news is that most nonstick coatings offer premium release functionality, making cleaning a pan by hand easy.”
Step 1: Rinse the baking sheet with water to remove any loose food particles.
Step 2: Dry off the baking sheet with a clean towel or paper towel.
Step 3: In a small bowl, mix ½ cup of baking soda with 2-3 tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide. If the paste isn’t a similar consistency to toothpaste, add more hydrogen peroxide until you get the right consistency.
Step 4: Spread the paste evenly over the surface of the baking sheet. You can use your hands (with gloves) or a spoon to apply it.
Step 5: Behar recommends letting this sit for at least 15-20 minutes to soften up the debris and make scrubbing easier.
Step 6: Use a scour pad to scrub the baking sheet.
Step 7: After you’ve fully scrubbed the entire baking sheet, rinse it under warm water.
Step 8: Dry the baking sheet with a clean towel or paper towel.
Method 2: Baking Soda and Vinegar
Step 1: Rinse the baking sheet with water to remove any loose food particles.
Step 2: Dry off the baking sheet with a clean towel or paper towel.
Step 3: Sprinkle baking soda over the surface of the baking sheet.
Step 4: Pour or spray (using a spray bottle) white vinegar over the baking soda. Don’t be alarmed when the vinegar reacts with the baking soda. It will create a fizzy action that’ll help lift the grime from the baking sheet.
Step 5: Behar recommends letting this sit for at least 15-20 minutes to soften up the debris and make scrubbing easier.
Step 6: Use a scour pad to scrub the baking sheet.
Step 7: After you’ve fully scrubbed the entire baking sheet, rinse it under warm water.
Step 8: Dry the baking sheet with a clean towel or paper towel.
Method 3: Baking Soda and Dish Soap
Step 1: Rinse the baking sheet with water to remove any loose food particles.
Step 2: Dry off the baking sheet with a clean towel or paper towel.
Step 3: Sprinkle baking soda over the surface of the baking sheet.
Step 4: Pour a small amount of dish soap directly onto the baking soda-covered areas. Another way to do this is to mix dish soap and baking soda together in a small bowl to create a paste. Then, apply that paste directly to the baking sheet.
Step 5: Behar recommends letting this sit for at least 15-20 minutes to soften up the debris and make scrubbing easier.
Step 6: Use a scour pad to scrub the baking sheet.
Step 7: After you’ve fully scrubbed the entire baking sheet, rinse it under warm water.
Step 8: Dry the baking sheet with a clean towel or paper towel.
How Often To Clean Baking Sheets
You should gently clean your baking sheet with dish soap every time you use it, then do a heavy-duty cleaning (with one of the steps above) every few months for home use, according to Behar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use steel wool or abrasive cleaners to clean a baking sheet?
According to Stefanik, it is not advised to use steel wool or any abrasive cleaners because they will damage the nonstick coating, resulting in needing a replacement pan and uneven baking surfaces
Can I use oven cleaner on a baking sheet?
“I am sure oven cleaner can be used on baking sheets, but the chemicals are very strong and you are using a baking sheet for your food, so I prefer a more natural cleaning method,” says Behar.
How do I prevent future grease buildup on my baking sheet?
Behar recommends using parchment paper on a baking sheet when she is baking or cooking on a baking sheet. “It protects the baking sheet and it makes for easy baking,” she says. “Cookies and other baked goods lift right off without sticking, and as an added bonus, clean-up is usually a breeze.”
You might be surprised how often you’re overpaying on Amazon and elsewhere.
Big stores like Amazon know that no one has time to price shop through dozens of sites, so there’s often no incentive for them to offer bargain prices.
I typically hate browser extensions with a fiery passion, but if you don’t have Capital One Shopping installed yet, do yourself a favor and grab it.
When you shop online (on Amazon or elsewhere) it will:
Auto-apply coupon codes to potentially help save you money
Compare prices from other sellers to help make sure you’re not missing out on a better deal
Here’s a quick example of how it works:
Savings will vary, this is just an example, of course.
Whenever there’s a discount available, you’ll see this little savings alert pop-up. For example, here you could get $32 off this airfryer (which you’ll get back in gift cards).
3. Paying off credit card debt on your own (when some companies are willing to help).
If you’ve got $10k+ in unsecured debt (think credit cards, medical bills, etc), you could use a debt relief program and potentially reduce it by around 23% (on average).
Here’s how to quickly see if you qualify for debt relief:
If you aren’t using an ad blocker yet, I am begging you to try one. I am not exaggerating when I say it will change your life.
A good ad blocker will eliminate virtually all of the ads you’d see on the internet.
No more YouTube ads, no more banner ads, no more pop-up ads, etc. It’s incredible.
Most people I know use Total Adblock (link here) – it’s $2.42/month, but there are plenty of solid options.
Ads also typically take a while to load, so using an ad blocker reduces loading times (typically by 50% or more). They also block ad tracking pixels to protect your privacy, which is nice.
99% of people don’t have one, and it’s typically a huge mistake.
Sure, you can manage things on your own if you want to, but most people don’t have the time to actually do things right. There are huge benefits to having somebody pay attention to your money all the time.
People with financial advisors tend to beat the market by ~3%/year (according to a 2019 Vanguard Study). That can make a huge difference over time.
But more important: a good advisor will handle ALL of the annoying retirement stuff & bizarro tax implications you would have never thought of
If you don’t know a financial advisor personally, use a comparison site (like WiserAdvisor) and find somebody near you that has good reviews.
The average American has ~$6,500 in credit card debt. And almost nothing is more expensive than debt (particularly credit card debt).
If you want to start saving, think about using a personal loan to swap your high-interest debt for lower-interest debt.
The basic idea: find a lower-interest personal loan and pay off your credit card with that loan money. Personal loan interest rates are typically far lower than credit card interest rates.
If you’re interested, here’s a free 3rd party service (Bankrate) where you can compare different personal loan options.
This may come as a surprise, but there are apps that will pay you to try new mobile games.
Freecash is one of our favorite apps to use to test new games, and getting started is easy.
Download the app, select a game from the ‘Earn Page’, complete the designated offer (typically takes 5-10 minutes), and then cash out via Apple Pay, gift cards, etc. when you’re ready.
Whenever you play a free phone game, you generate ad money for the game developer. Then, Freecash passes some of that revenue back to their users.
You probably won’t become a millionaire from this, but why not make some extra cash instead of playing for free.
8. Home repair bills (let a company pay them for you instead).
Picture this: your trusty furnace suddenly throws a tantrum in the dead of winter, leaving you shivering and facing a repair bill that could cost you way more than you anticipated.
If you had a home warranty, you could be covered the next time something breaks down. It’s like having a safety net for your home (think plumbing, electrical, appliances, etc).
If you don’t have one yet, use a free resource like AmericanHomeWarranty.org to find a good warranty provider in your area and check their reviews.
Bonus: home warranty companies usually have qualified, pre-vetted maintenance and repair workers ready to get the job done (which is one less thing to worry about).
We’re all guilty of scrolling through social media and playing mobile games to pass the time, but what if you could use your mobile to make a little side cash instead?
There’s this site, Kashkick (link here) that will actually pay you to answer surveys or download and try out apps/games. Some users have been known to make up to $250.
All you have to do is sign-up and fill-in your profile, pick surveys, games, or other offers to complete, then once you’ve earned $10 you can withdraw your rewards (to PayPal etc).
If that sounds interesting, Kashkick could be a low-key way to fill your time and earn a little extra cash.
10. Not investing in real estate (start with as little as $20).
It’s no secret that millionaires and billionaires love investing in real estate, but for the rest of us, buying property has been prohibitively expensive (if not impossible, for some).
Times have changed. There are a few amazing real estate startups that allow you to buy shares of rental homes for as little as $20/share (Ark7 is one of my favorites).
They take care of the property management and collect rent checks for you. Then, on the 3rd of the following month, your share of the property’s profit is distributed to your account.
It’s an interesting way to build yourself a little rental home empire (without spending like a magnate).
11. Missing out on $1,000+ a year because you weren’t in the loop.
The internet is huge, which means there are amazing money-making opportunities that pop up almost every day.
But most of them expire or sell out so fast that the public doesn’t have a chance to hear about them.
For example: back in September, there was a company offering $2,500/month for someone to literally watch shows on Netflix. Unsurprisingly, the role was filled so fast before most people knew it existed.
What if you could get access to great deals/money-making opportunities before other people do?
I spend every day looking for great ways to save/earn money, and whenever I find something really lucrative, I send out a text to our Betterbuck VIPs list first. (You can join it below, it’s 100% free)
It’s a great way to get tips about time-sensitive opportunities and deals before the rest of the country has time to hear about them.
Cleaning a toilet is an essential part of a bathroom cleaning routine, helping to eliminate and prevent the formation of germs and unsightly stains. And almost no stains are more unsightly than ugly rings that form in the toilet bowl.
You might be relieved to hear that if toilet bowl rings are a common problem in your household, it is most likely not a result of anything that you’re doing wrong when cleaning the toilet. These rings are most often caused by minerals in the water supply, especially in areas with hard water.
This guide explains what causes toilet bowl rings, how to remove the stains depending on the severity of the buildup, and how to prevent it from happening in the first place.
What Causes Toilet Bowl Rings?
Toilet bowl rings are typically the result of mineral deposits building up on the surface of the bowl. This buildup might appear brown or green and is caused by the calcium, iron, lime, and magnesium found in the water supply, particularly in areas with hard water.
When removing mild staining from mineral buildup, distilled white vinegar will break down hard water deposits without requiring harsh chemical agents or a lot of scrubbing. To remove deeper, more persistent stains, use a mild abrasive paste to gently break down and scour away mineral buildup. Bon Ami, Bar Keepers Friend, and The Pink Stuff are mild abrasives that are particularly effective at removing mineral and rust stains from hard, nonporous surfaces.
While mineral deposits are usually the culprit when unsightly rings form in a toilet bowl, bacterial formation is also common. If the ring appears pink or light orange, it is Serratia marcescens, a bacteria that thrives in damp environments and commonly forms on grout, around drains, and along toilet water lines. Commercial bathroom cleaning agents and everyday household products like distilled white vinegar will eliminate and remove S. marcescens stains.
How to Remove Toilet Bowl Rings Using Vinegar
This method for removing rings in toilet bowls is best suited for stains caused by mineral buildup.
Step 1: Soak Paper Towels
This mostly hands-off method is the easiest way to remove mild mineral deposits from toilet bowls. Start by soaking several paper towels in distilled white vinegar. The acid in the vinegar will break down the mineral buildup.
Step 2: Place Paper Towels in Bowl
Lay the vinegar-soaked paper towels in the toilet bowl, overlapping them as if you were doing papier mâché. Wear household gloves to protect your hands from the toilet water.
Step 3: Soak for 30 Minutes
Allow the paper towels to sit undisturbed for 30 minutes or longer to give the acidic vinegar time to break down the mineral deposits.
Step 4: Remove Paper Towels
Remove the paper towels from the bowl and throw them away.
Do not flush the paper towels.
Step 5: Scrub Bowl and Flush
Use a toilet brush to scrub the bowl, which will help to scour away any residual staining that has been loosened by the vinegar poultice. Flush the toilet to empty the bowl.
How to Remove Toilet Bowl Rings Using Commercial Cleaners
This method is intended to remove stains caused by mineral buildup. Consider using Bon Ami, Bar Keepers Friend, or The Pink Stuff, which are commercial cleaners that work well to remove toilet bowl rings.
Step 1: Turn Off Water Valve
Turn off the toilet’s water valve and flush to empty the water bowl.
Step 2: Apply Cleaning Agent to Wet Sponge
Bon Ami and Bar Keepers Friend are powder cleansers that create a thick scouring paste when mixed with water. To do this, apply the powder to a wet sponge and squeeze a few times to wet the powder, mix the powder in a small bowl with water to make a paste, or apply the powder directly to a wet surface. The Pink Stuff is a cream formula that can be applied directly to a wet sponge.
Regardless of which product you use, wear household gloves to protect your hands, as the products can be irritating and drying to the skin.
Step 3: Scrub the Mineral Buildup
Use the sponge to vigorously scrub the mineral deposit stains, applying more cleanser as needed as you work.
Step 4: Wait 20 Minutes
If mineral stains remain after you scour the bowl, apply more cleanser and allow it to sit undisturbed for 20 minutes to allow the mineral deposits to break down.
Step 5: Scrub Bowl and Flush
Use a toilet brush to scrub the bowl, removing any remaining cleanser or stains. Flush the toilet to rinse the bowl.
How to Remove Pink Mold from Toilet Bowls
Step 1: Apply Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Commercial toilet bowl and bathroom cleaners are formulated to eliminate bacteria commonly found in toilets, including S. marcescens. Additionally, any product—including distilled white vinegar—that can be used to eliminate mold and mildew can also effectively kill S. marcescens. Apply the cleaner to the bowl, covering any areas where S. marcescens has formed.
Step 2: Allow to Sit
Allow the product to sit, following the manufacturer’s guidelines found on the packaging for proper exposure time. If you choose to use distilled white vinegar, use the paper towel method as previously described, allowing 30 minutes for the vinegar to work.
Step 3: Scrub Bowl and Flush
Use a toilet brush to scrub the bowl, removing any remaining cleanser or stains. Flush the toilet to rinse the bowl. If you used paper towels, remove them from the bowl and throw them away; do not flush paper towels.
How to Prevent Toilet Bowl Rings
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and that is particularly true when it comes to keeping toilet bowl rings from forming. The best way to prevent toilet bowl rings is to clean your toilet regularly—experts recommend cleaning a toilet or toilets in primary bathrooms at least once a week.
Toilets that are used less frequently, such as guest baths, still need to be cleaned even when not in regular use, in large part to prevent mineral and bacterial buildup from causing rings in the bowl. If you live in an area with hard water, clean a secondary toilet every other week; if you live in an area where mineral buildup isn’t as much of a problem, cleaning the guest bathroom monthly should suffice. However, if you notice toilet rings appearing in less frequently used bathrooms, clean them more regularly.
If you live in an area with hard water, installing a water softener can reduce the formation of mineral deposits in a toilet bowl. However, using white vinegar in a toilet tank to prevent mineral buildup in the bowl is not recommended, as the acid can break down the toilet’s rubber parts.
Want to create a video for all the world — or just your friends — to see? Newer smartphones allow you to take high-quality video that used to mean buying a bulky camera.
Smartphones have become the Swiss Army knives of technology, going way beyond making and receiving calls while you’re on the go.
Yes, they’re often described as a minicomputer in your pocket. But you also have a radio, a flashlight — even a level for when you’re doing handiwork around the house.
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As smartphones added new features throughout the years, people began relying on them to take pictures, be their address book, wake them up in the morning and manage their appointments. Nearly 9 in 10 people age 50 and older own a smartphone, according to a 2024 AARP Research report.
But your smartphone can do much more. Here are 19 additional ways to use your iPhone or Android device and how to tap into those capabilities. All of the features are either baked into your phone already or available as free downloads from Apple’s App Store or the Google Play store for Android.
Tip: Sick of fumbling with your phone? Some of the functions here can be launched just by talking to it. For iPhones, say “Hey, Siri,” or just “Siri,” then state your command. For Android phones, say “Hey, Google,” or “OK, Google,” then your command.
1. Battery tester for remote controls
Both: See if the batteries in your TV remote controls have enough power to do their jobs. Launch the Camera app and switch to the front-facing selfie camera, though in some cases the rear camera also works. Point your remote control at the camera, then press and hold any button on the remote. If all is well, you’ll see a pinkish-purplish light flickering from the tip of the remote control, the infrared beam that sends signals to your TV and other tech gear. Replace the remote control batteries if the flickering light is especially dim or you don’t see any light at all.
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2. Calculator
Both: Open the Calculator app. You can perform basic math functions when holding the phone vertically. Rotate the phone on its side to summon a scientific calculator that can give you square roots, sines and other more advanced actions.
3. Document scanner
iPhone: Open the Notes app. Tap the icon in the lower-right corner. Tap the camera icon at the bottom of the screen and select Scan Document. Place the document in view of the camera. If your device is in Auto mode, your document will automatically scan. To manually capture a scan, tap the shutter button or one of the volume buttons. To adjust the edges of the scan, drag the corners to fit your document, then tap Keep Scan or Done.
Android: On recent Samsung Galaxy smartphones, open the Camera app and position the document you want to scan in the center of the viewfinder. Tap the yellow “T” button that appears, which places a yellow border around the document. You can drag corners to adjust your scanning area. Tap Scan on the upper left. If satisfied, tap Save it, if not, tap Retake. Scanning capabilities are also built into Google Drive, which is preloaded on some Android phones and also available for the iPhone.
iPhone: You can receive Amber Alerts, extreme weather alerts or public safety alerts from your local government without watching TV. These are turned on by default when you get your device. To turn them off, tap Settings | Notifications, then scroll to the very bottom of the screen to see toggle switches for various government alerts.
Android: Open Settings | Notifications | Wireless Emergency Alerts. You can choose which type of alerts — from extreme threats to public safety messages — that you would like to receive.
5. Flashlight
iPhone: Tap the Flashlight icon found in the Control Center — on newer phones, access by swiping down from the upper-right corner of your home screen; on older phones, swipe up from the bottom edge. Tap again and hold to bring up its brightness controls.
Android: On Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel phones, drag your finger down from the top of the display and tap the on-screen Flashlight button.
Learn more live and online
AARP’s free online classes can help you learn more about your smartphone, its capabilities and its apps.
• Senior Planet from AARP has live courses that can help you choose and use the best phone for you.
• AARP’s Virtual Community Center has a Tech Help area with interactive events that include smartphone use.
6. Foreign language translator
iPhone: You can translate text, voice or a conversation through Apple’s Translate app. To translate text or your voice, tap Translation and select one of more than a dozen languages to translate between. Tap Enter Text, and type the words you want to translate. You’ll see results in real time. Tap the microphone icon instead to speak a phrase you want translated out loud. Tap the button with the arrow to play the audio translation. To translate a conversation between two people, tap Conversation | microphone icon and speak in one of the two languages. If you tap the circled icon with three dots in the upper right-hand corner of the display, you can also tap Auto Translate to initiate a conversation in which the phone automatically detects when you start and stop speaking. Tap the Camera button to have the phone translate what it sees.
Android: Download Google Translate from the Google Play store, if it’s not already on your phone. Launch the app. Tap the button showing the language you are using and then the one in which you wish to read a translation. Google has been leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to add new languages to Translate; at last count, the app can translate 243 languages. Enter text or tap the microphone button to speak the phrase. If you tap Conversation | Auto, the app can listen for both languages. Tap the Camera button inside Translate to enable the app to translate what it sees.
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7. GPS navigation system
Both: Google-owned Waze, Google Maps and Apple Maps — all free — are the leaders in this category, but you can download more than 50 alternatives to help you get where you are going. Some are specialized, including AllTrails, Maps.me, Organic Maps: Offline Maps and OsmAnd. AllTrails and Organic Maps include trails you can use while biking off road.
Both: Open the Clock app. Tap Timer. Also in the app (may vary on Android phones): Set an alarm, run a stopwatch or check the time in cities around the globe.
9. Library
Both: Hoopla and Libby are popular free apps that allow you to borrow e-books with your library card. You can also download free books from Project Gutenberg that you can read with a Kindle or other e-reader apps.
10. Magnifying glass
iPhone: Open the Magnifier app. It’s automatically loaded on phones with up-to-date operating software. If you don’t see it on one of your home screens, go to your App Library at the end of your set of home screens and look in the Utilities folder. You can zoom in on small type and adjust the brightness and contrast to make it more legible. Swipe up to find other controls.
Android: Open the Camera app. Use your fingers to “unpinch” — move your fingers apart rather than closer together — to magnify fine print.
11. Metal detector
Both: You’re unlikely to uncover a buried treasure. But you can visit the App Store or Google Play to fetch any number of metal detector apps, some that play sounds or vibrate when your phone approaches needles, pins or other metal objects you may have inadvertently dropped, including precious rings or earrings. The apps leverage the magnetometer built into most modern smartphones. While many are free, they also typically have ads. In our tests, quality and usability were mixed.
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12. Pedometer
iPhone: The pedometer built into your iPhone’s Health app automatically counts the steps you take while your phone is in your pocket, in your hand or strapped to your arm. To check how far you’ve gone, click on the Health app, click the Summary tab and scroll down to Steps. Keep your phone with you when you walk.
Android: If your phone has the Google Fit app, open it and tap Home | Steps and then Day, Week or Month to check out your steps data. On Samsung phones, you can track your steps through the Samsung Health app.
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13. QR code reader
iPhone:QR codes are plastered practically everywhere these days: on ads, tickets, websites and more. Open the Camera app and choose the rear-facing camera. Make sure the QR code appears in the viewfinder. If the code is recognized, you’ll see a notification that shows the website you’ll go to. Tap the notification to open the link associated with the code. If you’re not having any luck, visit Camera Settings and make sure the Scan QR Codes setting has been enabled.
Android: Open the Camera app and point it at the QR code. Tap on the notification that appears if the code is recognized, which will typically take you to a web page. No luck? On a Pixel phone, make sure the Camera scan suggestions setting has been flipped on inside the Camera setting. On a Samsung Galaxy, the setting appears as Scan QR code.
14. Radio
Both: You can download free apps that stream on-the-air stations from around the world or special online-only stations. The list of free radio apps is long and includes Audacy, iHeartRadio, Pandora and TuneIn. You also can listen to podcasts , including Today’s Tips from AARP.
15. Tape measure
iPhone: Open the augmented-reality-driven tape measure app. Tap the Measure icon at the bottom of the screen. Point your phone camera at the object you want to measure, lining up a circled dot on your screen with the starting point. Tap the plus + button. Move your phone to the end of the measurement and tap plus + again. The app also includes a level function.
Android: Several third-party apps are available. Samsung’s Quick Measure app, preloaded on some smartphones, works similarly to iPhone’s app.
16. Video camera
iPhone: Open the Camera app. Swipe in either direction so the Video option appears in yellow above the red Record button. Tap the red button to start and stop. You can also shoot in slow motion by swiping so that Slo-Mo is selected, and on some models apply a Cinematic style that adds depth-of-field effects to blur backgrounds while keeping the main subject in focus.
Android: On a Samsung Galaxy, swipe so Video is above the white and red Record button. Tap the red Record button to start and stop. Tap More for additional shooting modes, which may include slow motion, super slow motion and pro video options that allow you to adjust the camera’s exposure settings.
17. Voice recorder
iPhone: Open the Voice Memos app. Tap the red Record button to start and stop. On a specific recording, tap the icon with three horizontal lines≡ for options that include changing the playback speed or skipping pauses.
Android: Free voice recording apps are available in the Google Play Store. Hitting the red Record button on the Google Recorder app built into Google’s Pixel phones automatically generates a searchable transcript.
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18. Weather forecaster
Both: Launch the Apple Weather app on an iPhone or fetch any of the fine third-party choices on iOS and Android whether you’re concerned about a big chill, searing heat wave or whether to carry an umbrella. Some will tell you what to expect hour by hour.
19. Your wallet
iPhone: The Apple Wallet app allows you to use Apple Pay or any of your credit or debit cards in digital form, and you can add boarding passes, movie tickets, rewards cards and, in select states, digital driver’s licenses to the mix. To start, enter one or more of your payment cards. In a store, hold the phone near the payment terminal and either double tap the side button on an iPhone with Face ID to authenticate with facial recognition, or on a model without Face ID, lightly press the Touch ID fingerprint sensor on the Home button. You will see a circled check mark and the word Done when the transaction is complete.
Android: If your phone doesn’t have Google Wallet, download the app from the Google Play store. You can add boarding passes, coupons and payment cards and transact via Google Pay. At retail, unlock the phone with your face, fingerprint, passcode or other methods depending on the model. Next, place your phone near the terminal until you see Done and a check mark on the screen.
A home warranty is a yearly protection plan for your home’s systems and appliances. We spend about two-thirds of our time in our homes, and over time, the systems and appliances we rely on most will inevitably break down—like your heating and AC system, refrigerator, water heater, and washer/dryer. But when you warranty, you can look on the bright side because your covered items are protected.
AARP members save $36 on an American Home Shield® home warranty. And for a limited time, we’re giving you an additional $100 off.
*Available to new American Home Shield members only; discount cannot be applied to previous purchases. Not valid in conjunction with a real estate transactions or renewal. Discount only available for single-family home under 5,000 sq.ft. (includes condos and townhomes). Coverage may not be available in all areas.
AARP member benefits are provided by third parties, not by AARP or its affiliates. Providers pay royalty fees to AARP for the use of its intellectual property. These fees are used for the general purposes of AARP. Some provider offers are subject to change and may have restrictions. Please contact the provider, American Home Shield, directly for details.
AHS: 866.819.3917
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Need maintenance records before I buy? No. American Home Shield does not require you to provide maintenance records or have a home inspection before you purchase a plan or to be eligible for covered repairs.
My stuff is old. Does that matter? No, it does not. You can get an American Home Shield Home Plan no matter how old your home’s system or appliances are.
Can I cancel anytime? Yes, you can cancel at any time. If you cancel your contract within the first 30 days of your coverage, we’ll refund your contract fees minus any service and claims incurred by American Home Shield. If you cancel your contract after 30 days, you’ll receive a pro-rated refund of your contract fees for the rest of the contract term, minus an administrative fee of up to one month’s payment (where permitted by law) and any service or claims costs incurred by American Home Shield. Terms may vary by state.
Whether to haggle is a question that looms large for consumers, especially when mobile apps make price comparisons simple and online discounts are readily available.
Although downloading a coupon code is easy, asking for a break in person may conjure up feelings of fear and dread. Nobody wants to be shot down or feel embarrassed, but not asking can leave money on the table.
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“Haggling has always been the case for some kinds of goods, but increasingly there are more things to negotiate face-to-face,” says Linda Babcock, a professor of economics and head of the Social and Decision Sciences Department at Carnegie Mellon University. “Businesses that are not online are more open to haggling than they used to be.” With that in mind, here are eight categories in which it absolutely makes sense to open your mouth and ask for a deal.
1. New cars
When it comes to cars, negotiating a better price is expected and tends to pay off. As of May, the average discount off the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of a new car was $616. That is much lower than the $2,573 discount seen in May 2019, according to data from Edmunds. Still, in 2022, people were paying as much as $700over the MSRP.
Pro tip: Think about more than the MSRP when negotiating, says Jaime Peters, an assistant dean of accounting, finance and economics and assistant professor of finance at Maryville University. “In addition to the price, you might think about other things that are important to you that the seller may be able to throw in.”
2. Houses
As interest rates rise, homes sit on the market longer, which means you can haggle for a better price. That’s particularly true the longer the house is on the market. Just like with cars, doing your due diligence can go a long way in saving you money. That means understanding the local market, how long houses are for sale and what the average price is for similar homes. Armed with that information, you can make an informed and hopefully lower offer.
Pro tip: Make sure you do comparison shopping before making an offer, Babcock says. You can do that online or with a trusted real estate agent. The last thing you want to do is insult the seller with an offer that’s too low.
3. Furniture
Furniture stores have taken a hit from the pandemic and the ease of buying online. That gives you a shopping advantage, particularly if the item you want has been at the store for a while, Babcock says. Retailers want to move older inventory to make room for new furniture and may be willing to give you a deal. At some stores, salespeople and managers have the discretion to reduce prices even if they are discounted. However, they won’t offer unless you ask.
Pro tip: “You have to have an attitude that while I might not be successful, what do I have to lose,” Babcock says. “Really nothing. They might say no, but if you don’t haggle, it’s a no for sure.”
4. Mattresses
Comfort and achieving a good night’s sleep are usually the main focuses when shopping for a mattress, but saving money should be as well. You can save cash to the tune of about $245 just for speaking up. Consumer Reports recently polled about 4,000 consumers and found only 23 percent tried to negotiate when shopping for a mattress. Of those who were brave enough to speak up, 60 percent were successful, saving a median of $245. And it wasn’t just at brick-and-mortar stores. Sixty-eight percent of people who haggled with a sales representative online got discounts. To score the best deals, consumers in that survey asked for discounts and were willing to walk away if they couldn’t get money off.
Pro tip: “When negotiating, you have to think about who has the power and is able to negotiate,” Babcock says. Typically cashiers are not empowered, particularly if you are in a big chain store. Negotiating tends to be more successful in smaller, independently owned retail locations.
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Loyalty has its rewards when it comes to your mobile phone bill and internet. The wireless carriers and internet providers don’t want to lose you and will often give you deals and discounts to retain your business. But you have to ask.
Go in armed with knowledge about how much you pay and what you would like to pay before calling your provider. You may find you are shelling out serious cash for bells and whistles you don’t need or use. Let the provider know you are thinking about leaving. If you aren’t happy with the company’s response, ask to speak to someone in the retention department. Its job is to keep you as a customer, and staffers may be willing to give you a discount to achieve that or throw in perks you’ll actually use.
If you aren’t getting anywhere, hang up and try again later. Every customer service rep is different. A bad experience with one may be a great time with another.
Pro tip: “It’s important to plan for what you can negotiate. Know what your options are, what you care about,” Peters says.
“You get what you pay for” couldn’t be truer when it comes to home improvements, which is why homeowners are encouraged to get several estimates before deciding on a contractor. Once you find one you like, there is room to haggle for a better deal, especially if you get the work done during a down period for the industry. Your contractor may be willing to charge a lower price because business is slow. Make sure you are reasonable when asking for a discount. You don’t want to insult the person with an unrealistic counter price for the work.
Pro tip: “People often think negotiations are a push-pull competitive exercise. You want more, I want less; the more I win, the more you lose,” Peters says. “While that might be the case, more often than not, the parties have a lot of different interests. We should view this as a problem-solving experience in which both parties want to reach an agreement that can be mutually beneficial.”
Sure, the contractor may give you 10 or 20 percent off, but if that means more work will come her or his way in the future, that discount is worthwhile. “A lot of negotiations aren’t simply one shot,” Peters says.
7. Retail items
Haggling for a deal at a national chain will be an uphill battle, but at smaller, independently owned stores, it could be a winning strategy. Store managers, owners and even salespeople have more freedom to negotiate with you. They don’t have a corporate office to answer to and are more motivated to close a sale. That strategy can be effective if the item you have coveted has been on the shelf for a while. Before you start the negotiation, make sure you know the price of comparable items.
Pro tip: “Sometimes asking when the price will be marked down or when they are having a sale can be really successful,” Babcock says. “The older the inventory, the more open they will be.”
8. Car Insurance
Most states require car insurance but when it comes to getting the best rate, Peters says this one is worth haggling over if you are working with an insurance carrier that uses agents. “Insurance is a massively competitive business, typically based on actuarial tables and demographics,” Peters says. “Even if you are happy with your carrier and agent it is prudent to shop your insurance coverage around every two or three years at the least.”
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Pro tip: Peters says to get a competitive quote from an alternative provider and present that quote to your current agent. “It can be surprising how quickly they find new ways to reduce the cost. These savings can save several hundred dollars a year,” she says.
If negotiating isn’t your thing …
Haggling may not be up your alley, but the more you practice, the better you’ll get at it. Babcock has her students try to negotiate every week, starting out with something small and building up. “Go to a flea market or garage sale. Negotiations are completely expected and usually quite successful,” she says. “You’ll get some experience and confidence and can go up from there.”
The SBAZ Yahoo Group is a place residence of SaddleBrooke use to discuss, recommend (or not) various service, medical, restaurants and personel establishments. In reading the SBAZ group discussions over the last year or so it became evident there were problems finding this information in the archives. This site is an attempt to remedy that by being a place that is easy to search and find competent support services for our community.
To find someone to do a service click on the category of interest in the left sidebar menu. the menu will slide down showing cervices associated with that category. Some services will also slide down providing a finer granularity for that service. For example under the ‘Medical’ button there is a service ‘Joint Replacements.’ Clicking that will slide down a further refinement of ‘Hip’, ‘Knee’, and ‘Shoulder’. Selecting one of those will then open a table of providers in this main area.
To obtain more info on a particular provider, click the ‘Info’ button and a modal will open giving more information as well as reviews. If you have registered with the site you will be able to add a review from this screen.
If your shipping label prints incorrectly due to a printer error, you can reprint it immediately after the print from the Mail tab or later from the History tab in the Stamps.com Online app. Stamps.com will reprint shipping labels for no additional charge.
The reprint process for ecommerce shipping labels differs somewhat. Please review our Reprint Ecommerce Shipping Labels article for details.
Print On Options
When processing a reprint, you must use the same print material used on the original print. For a list of compatible print materials, refer to our Print On Options.
Reprint From Mail
Reprint shipping labels from the Mail tab:
Online
PC Software
Click Reprint, which appears at the top of the page after your initial print. Do not change any print details, such as mail class or weight, or leave the page. Any changes to print details disables the Reprint feature and you will need to request a postage refund.
Check the box to certify that the misprinted postage will never be used.
Click Continue.
Select the correct printer and paper tray, then click Print in the Reprint Postage window.
Reprint From History
You can also reprint shipping labels from the History tab when using the Stamps.com Online app if your account is on a subscription plan that supports this feature.
Subscription Plan Requirement
This feature is not available for all subscription plans. If you would like to use this feature but cannot access it as described here, you will need to upgrade your plan.
Visit our plan pricing page to see what features are available with our current plans. To upgrade your plan, go to the profile menu in your account and choose Manage Account > Subscription Plan.
Reprint Timeframes
When reprinting from the History tab, each Stamps.com carrier has a specific window for processing reprints. Please review the table below to ensure you are within the reprint timeframe window for your carrier.
Carrier
Reprint Window
USPS
24 hours
UPS
90 days
Fedex
Reprint requests can be made within 12 hours of the original print or until 11:59:59 PM of the print date.
DHL
90 days
All other carriers
90 days
Note
Once the reprint window for your carrier has expired, you will no longer be able to request a reprint. To submit a refund for your print, see Request a Label Refund.
To reprint shipping NetStamps from the History tab via Stamps.com online:
This will send the label to your printer to print again.
Go to the HISTORY tab.
Select the print you want to reprint and click Reprint.
Click Reprint in the Reprint Label window.
Select the correct printer and paper tray, then click Print in the Reprint Postage window.
