Podcast 1739: Thanksgiving with the Cheapskate

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator color=”black” border_width=”3″][vc_single_image image=”11549″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” title=”Show Notes Hour 1″][vc_column_text]Rick Broida is a columnist for CNet who has worn the title of Cheapskate proudly for the past 10 years!

Throughout the year he is on the hunt for the best deals that can be found.  Black Friday and Cyber Monday have been two post Thanksgiving days when stores have traditionally lowered prices with hopes of ending the year on a profitable note.  In fact, however, Rick knows and can lead you to great deals all year long.  This weekend he will lead you, our faithful friends, to the very best deals available in the hidden corners of the Internet.

Listen to Rick Broida 10th Anniversary Cheapskate


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MiTechNews Headlines for Nov. 18, 2017

 

Listen to MiTechNews Headlines 11-18-17

Listen to Mike Brennan and Matt Roush on their podcast: M2 TechCast, live, Mondays at 3PM on PodcastDetroit Network.[/vc_column_text][vc_separator color=”black” border_width=”3″][vc_column_text]

Show Notes

Hour 2

The second hour of our show is dedicated to answering your questions.

If you are listening over the Michigan Talk Radio Network or to our Podcasts (subscribe through iTunes) send us an email.  Today it’s a holiday crew here to serve you: Foster is behind the controls producing the show, Gary is aboard the Shared Adventure moored in the Ft. Lauderdale, FL marina and Shane Hamelin is helping out in the studio with his expert technical advice.

Timely Advice

The Best Apps for the Thanksgiving Cook

1)      Grocery Gadget Shopping List: “With this app, you can write grocery lists, compare prices, find coupons, and share with friends and family. So if someone has a specific allergen request or a must-have ingredient for their pumpkin pie, you can be sure and have it for them. This great find will make your grocery shopping much less anxiety-ridden—and it will mean you won’t have to run to the store again for all the things you forgot!”
2)      Food Network: “This is a great app for cooks everywhere, whether you are a beginner making your first turkey or a chef who has been preparing Thanksgiving dinner for decades. The recipes are easily searchable and they also offer honest reviews that can help you tweak your dish to perfection.”
3)      Paprika Recipe Manager: “With this app, you can easily store and organize all of your recipes in the same place. You can scan or manually enter recipes, and you can make them accessible on other devices—so everyone in the family can stop asking you for Aunt Martha’s pecan pie recipe!”
4)      Pinterest: “This one might not be immediately obvious as a holiday app pick, but it is a one-stop shop for everything a host needs to know! From ideas for centerpieces to fun craft ideas to keep the kids busy while the turkey cooks, this app is a must for anyone who wants their holiday to be as beautiful as possible.”
5)      BlackFriday.fm: “You won’t have to worry about Turkey Day making you miss out on any Black Friday deals with this app! The deals on this app are searchable and carefully organized so whether you are looking for a Dell Inspiron or a new winter coat for your granddaughter, you can stay on top of all the best deals of the season.”
Thanks to Tech expert and CTO of SRV Network, Inc. Karl Volkman

 Listen to Holiday Websites

Susan Tompor is a season writer for the Detroit Free Press and often highlights digital issues.  We thought that her recent article “Don’t be taken in by fake web sites” was particularly important to share today.
What are some ways to steer clear of the fraudsters this holiday season? Here are a few tips:
No. 1: Watch how you celebrate the holidays via Facebook or Twitter.
It sounds odd. But, seriously, hackers can use social media profiles to figure out passwords, according to the American Bankers Association. Do you need to post the dog’s name with his or her holiday photo? Or post a family portrait that’s taken in front of your house with the address right there for everyone to see?
No. 2: Fake retail apps could trick you during the holidays.
Industry experts are warning of apps that impersonate well-known retailers, such as Payless ShoeSource, Torrid and Dillard’s. After media reports, many fake apps have been quickly taken down by Apple.
But experts say it’s sort of like the game whack-a-mole. One fake app is taken down, another one crops up, according to experts at Branding Brand, which works with retailers to launch and maintain apps.
Consumers can use a retailer’s app to get access to exclusive sales or limited products. Or apps can be helpful in buying online and then picking up the item in the store. But you don’t want a fake app.
Chris Mason, president, CEO and cofounder of Branding Brand in Pittsburgh, said it’s difficult to know the intention of the con artists launching the fake apps. But some may use apps to install malware or trick you into providing personal information, maybe when you think you’re opening up a credit card with that retailer.
Some clues to a fake app: Does the app have any reviews? If there are no reviews, that’s a red flag because someone just created that app, Mason said.
Or are any words misspelled in the description of the app?
“They’ll misspell words like sneaker, if it’s supposed to be the app for the Finish Line,” Mason said.
No. 3: Watch your statements during the holidays.
Go online and check your all credit card activity even more frequently during the holidays, said Bill Hardekopf, CEO of LowCards.com.
“Don’t wait for your statement at the end of the month,” Hardekopf said.
Fraudsters can get a hold of credit card information, even if you don’t shop online, so keep an eye out for possible problems. Once you report the loss or theft, the Federal Trade Commission notes that the law says you have no additional responsibility for charges you didn’t make. Your liability for each credit card lost or stolen is limited to $50 in the event of fraud but a number of card issuers have zero liability policies.
To avoid that possible problems, you want to alert your card holder quickly once you spot trouble.
If you suspect that the credit card was used fraudulently, you may have to sign a statement under oath that you didn’t make the purchases.
No. 4: Take care so the box arrives — and isn’t stolen.
Unfortunately, the holidays are filled with stories of someone snatching packages off porches.
Crooks aren’t always high-tech. So it’s good to know whether your friend or family member will be home or away for the holidays. Is there a way to alert them that a package will be arriving?
Shippers and retailers often allow you to track your package and notify you of delivery. Once notified of a delivery, make sure that you are able to retrieve the package.
No. 5: Hit the yoga mat to calm down before spinning into an online shopping frenzy.
Every great deal that you spot online or via a text or e-mail is not a bargain. Instead, you could be looking at a phishing expedition.
“Stop. Think. Have lunch. Sleep on it,” warned Peter Cassidy, general secretary for the Anti-Phishing Working Group.
“Slow down in every way.”

Listen to Avoiding Holiday Fraud

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Have a question for our tech experts? Use the form below to leave us your problem and we’ll get you some answers this week.

Remember: The only dumb question is the one you don’t ask!  ;-b

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