Windows 11 tips and tricks you didn't know you needed until now - Fox News

You've got questions?  I'm a tech expert with the answers.  We recently got a question from Wayne from Burgettstown, Pennsylvania. Here's what he asked:

"I would like tips on using Windows 11. Thanks for the nice articles – Wayne"

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It's been about 20 months since Windows 11 was released, and its capabilities are pretty impressive. However, many of you may not even realize just how much the program has to offer. Here are nine of my best tips and tricks for Windows 11 users.

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Microsoft has released Windows 11 with a lot more features. (CyberGuy.com)

 Credit: Microsoft

9 tips and tricks for Windows 11 users

1. Use the Night Light Schedule

This is a great feature for someone who uses their PC for long hours at a time and finds it beneficial to rest their eyes from the constant white light. Here's how to turn on the Night Light Schedule:

How to turn on the Night Light schedule

• Go to Start
• Select Settings
• Click System
• Select Display
• Click Night light
• You can easily adjust the Strength of the Night Light function by moving the slider from left to right to suit your preference
• Turn on Schedule night light by toggling On
• Select either Sunset to sunrise, or Set hours (To set hours enter custom times for the night light to turn on and off)*It is important to note that if you want to use Sunset to sunrise, you must turn on location services. To do this - click where it says Location settings in blue and toggle On Location settings. Also, toggle On Let apps access your location. Then tap the left arrow in the upper right corner to take you back to the Night light settings
• *It is important to note that if you want to use Sunset to sunrise, you must turn on location services. To do this - click where it says Location settings in blue and toggle On Location settings. Also, toggle On Let apps access your location. Then tap the left arrow in the upper right corner to take you back to the Night light settings
• Then when you are ready to enable the Night light feature - tap Turn on Now

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You can set the time on Windows 11 to adjust the light. (CyberGuy.com)

2. Enable Focus Mode

When you're trying to work on a project, it can be distracting when you're constantly receiving notifications. That's why Windows 11 allows you to enable Focus Mode, where you will still get notifications without them directly alerting you or making noise. 

How to turn on Focus mode

• Select Start
• Select Settings
• Click System
• Click Focus Select session duration - click the - or + to increase or decrease the time Decide if you want to - Show the timer in the clock app, Hide badges on taskbar apps, Hide flashing taskbar apps, or turn on do not disturb - if you do want to enable any of these, just check the box beside it
• Select session duration - click the - or + to increase or decrease the time
• Decide if you want to - Show the timer in the clock app, Hide badges on taskbar apps, Hide flashing taskbar apps, or turn on do not disturb - if you do want to enable any of these, just check the box beside it
• Then select Start focus session

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Screenshot instructions on how to turn on Focus Mode. (CyberGuy.com)

3. Save your battery life with Sleep Settings

You always want to make sure you get the most battery life out of your computer, and adjusting its sleep behavior can help preserve that battery life immensely. 

How to adjust your Sleep Settings

• Select Start
• Go to Settings
• Click System
• Select Power & battery
• Scroll down and click Screen and sleep 
• Then select how long you want your device to wait before turning the screen off. Here are the options: On battery power, turn off my screen after When plugged in, turn off my screen after On battery power, put my device to sleep after When plugged in, put my device to sleep after
• On battery power, turn off my screen after
• When plugged in, turn off my screen after
• On battery power, put my device to sleep after
• When plugged in, put my device to sleep after

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Screenshot instructions on how to adjust the Sleep seettings. (CyberGuy.com)

• You can adjust each time frame by clicking the Never dropdown and selecting a time limit

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Screenshot instructions on how to change the settings so that your computer doesn't fall asleep. (CyberGuy.com)

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4. Use Live Captions

Live captions will give you live subtitles for a video on the spot, as opposed to only having closed captions where they were already present for certain videos. Those who need captions can strongly benefit from this setting.

How to enable and customize Live Captions

• Select Start
• Click Settings
• Select Accessibility 
• Scroll down and under Hearing select Captions
• Toggle On Live captions
• Under Caption Style, you can choose how you want your captions to appear on the screen by clicking on where it says Default (copy)

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Screenshot instructions on how to enable and customize Live Captions. (CyberGuy.com)

• Once you click on where it says Default (copy) you can select between White on Black, Small caps, Large text, or Yellow on blue

MORE: HOW TO BACK UP YOUR WINDOWS COMPUTER

Screenshot instructions on how to change the caption style. (CyberGuy.com)

5. Enable Camera protection

Windows 11 gives special protections for each app on your computer that can prevent your camera from being used with apps that don't need camera access. 

How to enable Camera protection

• Select Start
• Go to Settings
• Click Privacy & security 
• Scroll down and select Camera under App Permissions
• Turn on Let apps access your camera, and then you can choose which apps can access your camera or not

Once you have turned on camera protection, apps will need to ask your permission before they can access your camera. If you don't want an app to access your camera, you can deny the request.

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Screenshot instructions on how to enable Camera protection. (CyberGuy.com)

6. Turn on Clipboard history

On Windows 11, you can copy multiple items at once and view your clipboard history so that you can decide what to paste. As a refresher, clipboard history is a feature that allows you to see and access the items that you have copied or cut in the past. You can use it to paste multiple items without having to copy them again or to paste something that you copied earlier. 

How to turn on Clipboard history

• Go to Settings
• Click System 
• Scroll down and click Clipboard 
• Toggle on Clipboard History 

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Screenshot instructions on how to turn on Clipboard history. (CyberGuy.com)

• Once enabled, you can press Windows key + V to view your clipboard history and select the item that you want to paste

7. Use the snipping tool

The Snipping tool allows you to take screenshots or screen recordings of either your full screen or a section of your screen. 

How to use the Snipping tool

• Go to Start
• Search for Snipping tool
• Select the application
• Click the camera icon if you want to take a picture
• Click the video recording icon if you want to record your screen
• Click +New when you're ready to begin, and adjust the parameters to fit the section of the screen you want to capture/record
• Save or send your items by clicking the icons in the top right

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Screenshot instructions on how to use the Snipping tool. (CyberGuy.com)

8. Turn on autocorrect

You can enable autocorrect on your Windows computer as well to avoid any embarrassing typos in emails and social media posts. 

How to turn on autocorrect

• Go to Start
• Go to Settings
• Select Time & language 
• Click Typing
• Turn on Autocorrect misspelled words and Highlight misspelled words 

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Screenshot instructions on how to turn on the autocorrect feature. (CyberGuy.com)

9. Change the size and style of your mouse pointer

If you're someone who struggles to see the pointer on your computer screen or to see where it's landing exactly, you can adjust its size. 

How to change the size and style of your mouse pointer

• Go to Start
• Go to Settings
• Click Accessibility 
• Tap Mouse pointer and touch
• Choose a pointer style (white, black or inverted) or adjust the size to make your mouse bigger on the screen

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Screenshot instructions on how to change the size and style of the cursor. (CyberGuy.com)

• You can also customize the color of the mouse pointer by clicking on the custom icon pointer and selecting the color of your preference  

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Screenshot instructions on how to customize the color of the cursor. (CyberGuy.com)

Kurt's key takeaways

Windows 11 has a bunch of cool features and settings that can really amp up your experience. You've now got options like tweaking your display settings to make everything just right, activating focus mode for those times when you need to buckle down and get things done, and taking advantage of tools like live captions and the snipping tool. It's all about customizing and optimizing your Windows 11 experience to fit your needs and preferences. So go ahead, give these tips and tricks a try, and see how they can make your Windows 11 device work even better for you.

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What other lesser-known features or hidden gems have you discovered in Windows 11 that you would recommend to fellow users? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact

For more of my security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter

Copyright 2023 CyberGuy.com.  All rights reserved.

Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on "FOX & Friends." Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

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A Trick for Better Summer Salads - Cup of Jo

This time of year, I’m so tempted to just throw a simple green salad tossed with lemon juice and olive oil alongside whatever main I’m serving for dinner every night. When greens are so fresh and flavorful, why make life more complicated? Well, I’ll tell you why: Because the addition of a little dynamic duo — cheese and fruit — takes your salad to the next level, with very little energy expended. Here are four of my favorite combos:

Strawberries + Feta

“You can always, always, always rely on feta to make a gorgeous salad out of practically any summer fruit,” says Emily Nunn, author of the wildly popular Department of Salad newsletter. “The salty, slightly creamy tang is perfect with watermelon or cantaloupe, stone fruit (peaches, plums, nectarines), tomatoes, or all the berries.” Personally, I am partial to the way feta pairs with the sweet acidity of strawberries. Try: Toss gem lettuce with cooled roasted beets, strawberries, torn mint, crumbled feta, scallions, and crushed pistachios. Dressing: In a small jar or measuring cup, shake or whisk 1/4 cup lemon juice, 1 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1 1/2 teaspoon honey, salt and pepper. Once mixed, shake or whisk 1/3 cup olive oil into jar in steady stream until emulsified.

Blueberries + Goat Cheese

The tang of goat cheese has always benefited from a touch of sweetness — think how often you see it paired with things like honey, jam, or dried fruit — so it makes sense that it’s a natural partner to summer blueberries. (Shown are July Maine blueberries, but I’m not holding you to that high a standard.)  Try: Toss romaine (or mixed greens), goat cheese, blueberries, scallions, and toasted pecans. Dressing: In a small jar or measuring cup, shake 1/4 cup sherry vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon sugar, salt and pepper. Once mixed, shake or whisk 1/2 cup oil into jar in steady stream until emulsified.

Peaches/Nectarines + Blue Cheese

Juicy stone fruits — peaches and nectarines, in particular — are a classic match for a savory, pungent blue. It sounds strange, but mold loves sugar! You just want to make sure you have the ripest fruit you can find — an unripe, tart slice of nectarine or peach doesn’t work here. Try: Toss together tomatoes (any kind, but cut into bite size pieces if not grape or cherry), chunked peaches, and crumbled blue cheese. Greens: optional. Dressing: A little olive oil, salt, and pepper.

Figs + Halloumi (or Parm or Blue or Almost Anything)

There’s a reason why fig jam has been appearing on cheese plates across the internet and IRL in the past decade: Figs pair well with almost all flavors from sharp (Parm) to stinky (blue) and, as Ripe Figs author Yasmin Khan reminded last year, to salty (halloumi, above). “For me, the best food combinations are as much about texture as flavor,” says Khan. “In a fig and halloumi salad, the contrast between the sweet, sticky fruit and the salty, squidgy fried cheese gives you the perfect mouthfeel.” Try: Yasmin’s salad! Or arugula with crumbled blue cheese, quartered ripe figs, scallions, chives. Dressing: In a small jar or measuring cup, shake or whisk 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 1/4 cup white balsamic vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon sugar, salt and pepper. Once mixed, shake or whisk 1/2 cup oil into jar in steady stream until emulsified.

P.S. A potato salad trick and the only five salad dressings you need.

(Photo of figs and halloumi for Ripe Figs by Matt Russell.)

32 COMMENTS

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Tips for Tipping in Mexico - Mexico News Daily

The bagger at the grocery store, the man helping you park outside the store, waiters, the porter at the airport who helps with your baggage, the receptionist checking you in at the front desk, the maids cleaning your room every day, the woman in the ladies’ bathroom handing you toilet paper. And there’s that ubiquitous tip jar sitting on counters everywhere. 

Who should be tipped? When? How much?

You might see a charge labeled “IVA” on your final bill, which is Mexico’s 16% value-added tax. That goes to the government, not the waitstaff or owner. (Shutterstock)

The tipping landscape has changed so much in recent years that many of us are experiencing what’s been dubbed “tip fatigue.” It seems that everyone wants a tip (propina in Spanish), even without direct or personal service.

Trying to figure it out in another country is even more overwhelming, with a different culture, currency, language and customs. Mexico’s informal, cash-driven economy adds another layer to an already confusing set of expectations—you can’t assume, for instance, that waiters will ever see the tip you add when paying with a credit card (it is better to leave the gratuity in cash if you can.)

Sure, there’s lots of information online—from reputable places like TripAdvisor, Frommer’s, Rick Steves, Lonely Planet, etc.—but recommendations differ widely as to what’s proper and expected, and don’t necessarily cover the fine points of tipping in everyday life, like what to tip the baggers at nearly every Mexican grocery store.

Veteran travelers and agencies say a good rule of thumb when traveling is to budget for gratuities as you would in your home country—unless you’ve learned otherwise. That means 15% to 20% in restaurants, where workers rely on tips for a good portion of their take-home pay. (Bartenders should be tipped 10-15% of the entire bill or $20 pesos per drink.) Some countries though, have very different parameters; this world map shows estimated international tipping norms, based on Tripadvisor data, for restaurants, hotels and taxis.

Tipping taxi drivers is not customary in Mexico. (Taxistas Cancún)

Once you arrive at your vacation destination, prioritize getting small bills and change so you’re prepared to tip, in cash, in the local currency. Ask at the front desk; they should be able to help you. Don’t think a gratuity in US or Canadian dollars will be more appreciated; it won’t. In Mexico, foreign coins are useless—there’s no way to exchange them—and if you give bills, by the time someone pays the conversion fees at a casa de cambio for an already-low exchange rate, there’s not much left. 

“It’s really about what a person’s time is worth,” explained Jamie Alexander, Business Development Manager at PVPVR Real Estate, one of the largest rental agencies in Puerto Vallarta. “When you’re in a foreign country, x-y-z may not be possible, to know where to go or find these things or communicate properly or get a fair price. Service people are local nationals, and they know what things should cost.” 

A host of those service workers—drivers, waiters, bellhops, parking attendants, tour guides, housekeepers, the concierge, drivers—are all helping you enjoy your vacation by taking care of the pesky details you don’t want to deal with, so be prepared and be generous. 

“If 15-20% is standard in the U.S. or Canada, why is it that in Mexico—where the wages are a tenth of what they are up north—you would tip less?!” Alexander said. “Tip with your conscience; if anybody deserves a tip on your extravagant meal, it’s the waiter while you’re on vacation in Mexico.” 

Tipping by card does not guarantee that your tip will make it to your server – cash is often the best way to say thank you. (Blake Wisz/Unsplash)

For full- or part-time foreign residents, it’s a little different; we’re in this kind of situation daily. Those seniors bagging at the grocery store receive no salary and work for propinas only. How much should they be tipped—whether or not they do a good job? And must you allow them to pack your groceries?

It’s these kinds of gray areas that leave us scratching our heads. In this case, watch what locals do and follow suit or tip a little more just because you can; a few pesos or up to $10 pesos is sufficient. 

Here are some other tipping guidelines to consider while in Mexico:

• Porters: $20 pesos per bag; more for heavy, unwieldy golf or surf bags.
• Bellhops: $20-$50 pesos per bag.
• Valet parkers: $20-$50 pesos at drop-off or pickup.
• Cab drivers: In Mexico, tipping isn’t customary.
• Tour guides: $150-$200 pesos a day per person, above the tour cost. 
• Small, owner-run business? No need to tip more than you’ve already paid, unless you feel they went above and beyond somehow.
• Public restroom attendants: $5 pesos per visit.
• Home delivery people (water, groceries, drugstores, Amazon): $5-$10 pesos.
• Gas station attendants: In Mexico, these folks clean your windshield, check your tires and fluids, as well as pump your gas. A $10 peso tip says thank you. 

Many Mexicans, such as parking attendants, work informal jobs and rely on tips as income. (Chris Havler-Barrett)

Tips for hotel or vacation rental housekeeping should be left each day, as schedules change and it won’t be the same person every time.

“We’re always asked about tipping the maid: “When is too little too little?”  said Alexander, who suggests $100-$200 pesos per person per cleaning. 

Some types of service are time- and energy-consuming and can’t be easily categorized. Alexander tells stories of vacationers forgetting bathing suits and phone chargers, entailing frantic trips to the mall by a concierge. For that kind of “over the top” specialty service, tip well: You’re sitting by the pool drinking a margarita while they fight traffic and stand in lines. How much are those hours—and headache—worth to you? A tip of $250-$500 pesos would be appropriate.

In an all-inclusive resort, tips are usually built into the price. But if someone has made your stay extra-special, a 10-15% tip will show your appreciation. 

“The old adage is true: time is money, time is worth money,” Alexander continued. “How much is your time on vacation worth to you? Would you rather spend 30 minutes in an Uber to get to the mall to buy something, trying to communicate in a language you don’t know? Or would you rather relax on the beach or by the pool and have someone do this errand for you?”

Janet Blaser is the author of the best-selling book, Why We Left: An Anthology of American Women Expats, featured on CNBC and MarketWatch. She has lived in Mexico since 2006. You can find her on Facebook.

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Watch: Teen makes skateboarding history with 720 trick - BBC

Australian skateboarder Arisa Trew has become the first female skateboarder to land a 720 - a trick which involves making two full rotations in the air, in a competition.

The 13-year-old pulled off the move in front of a roaring crowd in Utah.

Coach Trevor Ward said skateboard legend Tony Hawk, who invented the trick 35 years ago, gave Trew some tips ahead of the competition and was in the crowd to witness the achievement.

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A Trick for Better Summer Salads - Cup of Jo

This time of year, I’m so tempted to just throw a simple green salad tossed with lemon juice and olive oil alongside whatever main I’m serving for dinner every night. When greens are so fresh and flavorful, why make life more complicated? Well, I’ll tell you why: Because the addition of a little dynamic duo — cheese and fruit — takes your salad to the next level, with very little energy expended. Here are four of my favorite combos:

Strawberries + Feta

“You can always, always, always rely on feta to make a gorgeous salad out of practically any summer fruit,” says Emily Nunn, author of the wildly popular Department of Salad newsletter. “The salty, slightly creamy tang is perfect with watermelon or cantaloupe, stone fruit (peaches, plums, nectarines), tomatoes, or all the berries.” Personally, I am partial to the way feta pairs with the sweet acidity of strawberries. Try: Toss gem lettuce with cooled roasted beets, strawberries, torn mint, crumbled feta, scallions, and crushed pistachios. Dressing: In a small jar or measuring cup, shake or whisk 1/4 cup lemon juice, 1 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1 1/2 teaspoon honey, salt and pepper. Once mixed, shake or whisk 1/3 cup olive oil into jar in steady stream until emulsified.

Blueberries + Goat Cheese

The tang of goat cheese has always benefited from a touch of sweetness — think how often you see it paired with things like honey, jam, or dried fruit — so it makes sense that it’s a natural partner to summer blueberries. (Shown are July Maine blueberries, but I’m not holding you to that high a standard.)  Try: Toss romaine (or mixed greens), goat cheese, blueberries, scallions, and toasted pecans. Dressing: In a small jar or measuring cup, shake 1/4 cup sherry vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon sugar, salt and pepper. Once mixed, shake or whisk 1/2 cup oil into jar in steady stream until emulsified.

Peaches/Nectarines + Blue Cheese

Juicy stone fruits — peaches and nectarines, in particular — are a classic match for a savory, pungent blue. It sounds strange, but mold loves sugar! You just want to make sure you have the ripest fruit you can find — an unripe, tart slice of nectarine or peach doesn’t work here. Try: Toss together tomatoes (any kind, but cut into bite size pieces if not grape or cherry), chunked peaches, and crumbled blue cheese. Greens: optional. Dressing: A little olive oil, salt, and pepper.

Figs + Halloumi (or Parm or Blue or Almost Anything)

There’s a reason why fig jam has been appearing on cheese plates across the internet and IRL in the past decade: Figs pair well with almost all flavors from sharp (Parm) to stinky (blue) and, as Ripe Figs author Yasmin Khan reminded last year, to salty (halloumi, above). “For me, the best food combinations are as much about texture as flavor,” says Khan. “In a fig and halloumi salad, the contrast between the sweet, sticky fruit and the salty, squidgy fried cheese gives you the perfect mouthfeel.” Try: Yasmin’s salad! Or arugula with crumbled blue cheese, quartered ripe figs, scallions, chives. Dressing: In a small jar or measuring cup, shake or whisk 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 1/4 cup white balsamic vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon sugar, salt and pepper. Once mixed, shake or whisk 1/2 cup oil into jar in steady stream until emulsified.

P.S. A potato salad trick and the only five salad dressings you need.

(Photo of figs and halloumi for Ripe Figs by Matt Russell.)

30 COMMENTS

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Treasury Bonds vs. TIPS Ladders vs. Annuities: Which Strategy Is Best For Retirement Income? - Yahoo Finance

Treasury Bonds vs. TIPS Ladder vs. Annuities: Which Strategy Is Best For Retirement Income

Generating enough income in retirement to meet your spending needs is crucial. While Social Security provides inflation-protected retirement income, it's simply not enough for many retirees.

If you need help planning for retirement, consider working with a financial advisor.

John Rekenthaler, director of research at Morningstar, recently evaluated three other ways to generate guaranteed retirement income – Treasury bonds, TIPS ladders and annuities – to see which is best. The answer? It all depends on inflation and life expectancy.

Guaranteed Retirement Income Options

Treasury Bonds vs. TIPS Ladder vs. Annuities: Which Strategy Is Best For Retirement Income

Retirees seeking guaranteed sources of income have to look beyond Social Security and pensions.

According to the Social Security Administration, the average monthly benefit check in May 2023 was worth approximately $1,700. Pensions, meanwhile, have gone from being commonplace to increasingly rare. There were more than 100,000 defined benefit plans in existence in 1975, but that number dwindled to less than 46,000 by 2020, Department of Labor data shows.

The three retirement income options that Morningstar recently evaluated include:

Treasury bonds. Debt instruments issued by the U.S. Department of Treasury, these bonds are long-term securities that take up to 30 years to mature. Until then, Treasury bonds pay a fixed interest rate twice a year.

TIPS ladders. Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities or TIPS are another kind of U.S. government investment. TIPS, however, are designed to protect against rising inflation. While the interest rate is fixed, the principal or face value of a TIPS bond is indexed to inflation. As the principal value increases with inflation, your interest payments will increase as well.

A TIPS ladder is a strategy for building a portfolio of bonds with varying maturity dates. The idea is to hold a TIPS bond that reaches maturity every year over the course of your time horizon, protecting the purchasing power of your money during that time.

Single-premium immediate annuities. Also known as SPIAs, these insurance contracts turn a lump sum of cash into a series of guaranteed periodic payments that start typically within one year of purchase.

Treasury Bonds vs. TIPS Ladder vs. Annuities

Treasury Bonds vs. TIPS Ladder vs. Annuities: Which Strategy Is Best For Retirement Income

Retirement strategies that rely on Treasury bonds, a TIPS ladder or single-premium immediate annuities can all be good ways to generate guaranteed income. The best option, however, often hinges on inflation and a retiree's life expectancy, according to Rekenthaler.

Using a hypothetical 20-year retirement – the approximate remaining life expectancy of a 65-year-old woman – Rekenthaler assessed how each strategy would perform under different rates of long-term inflation. To do this, he calculated the growth of $100,000 invested evenly in each strategy over a 20-year period.

Under moderate annual inflation (2.4%), he found that Treasury bonds would generate nearly $127,000 after 20 years while the TIPS ladder would deliver almost $118,000. Annuities, however, would only generate approximately $113,500.

If inflation averaged 5% per year over the 20-year period, the TIPS ladder strategy would outperform Treasury bonds and annuities by 29% and 32%, respectively. Meanwhile, if inflation hovered at just 1% per year during that time, Rekenthaler found that Treasury bonds would generate $155,000 – significantly more than an annuity or TIPS ladder strategy.

But what if a retiree lives longer than 20 years? Assuming moderate inflation (2.4%), Rekenthaler found that annuities become the best income option over a 30-year period – delivering $153,000.

"The annuity under that inflation assumption surpasses the TIPS ladder during Year 21, then Treasury bonds in Year 25," he wrote. "Should inflation be pleasantly low, annuities will also prosper, although they will take another few years to catch Treasury bonds."

Bottom Line

Retirees looking for guaranteed income beyond Social Security may consider strategies that rely on Treasury bonds, TIPS laddering or annuities. Morningstar's John Rekenthaler found that over a 20-year time horizon, Treasury bonds are best if inflation remains low or moderate. A TIPS ladder generates the highest return if inflation averages 5% per year. An annuity, on the other hand, is best if a retiree ends up living more than 20 years.

Retirement Planning Tips

• Retirement planning can be complicated and confusing but a financial advisor can help guide you through the process. Finding a financial advisor doesn't have to be hard. SmartAsset's free tool matches you with up to three vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can have a free introductory call with your advisor matches to decide which one you feel is right for you. If you're ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.

• How much money do you anticipate having saved by the time you retire? SmartAsset's retirement calculator can help you estimate how much your savings will be worth when your golden years arrive.

• Social Security remains a vital component of many people's financial plan for retirement. SmartAsset's Social Security calculator can help you get a sense of how much your benefits will be worth.

Photo credit: ©iStock.com/svetikd, ©iStock.com/JohnnyGreig, ©iStock.com/charin kingmaiklang

The post Treasury Bonds vs. TIPS Ladders vs. Annuities: Which Strategy Is Best For Retirement Income? appeared first on SmartAsset Blog.

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The Keurig Trick To Get More Flavor Out Of Your Coffee Pods - Tasting Table

If you've got a nice big mug or portable flask for your coffee, your first instinct may be to press on the highest-ounce setting on your machine. And while that will likely fill your cup, what you're getting is a more watered-down coffee. After all, each K-Cup pod holds the same amount of coffee grounds, so your brew only gets weaker the more water your Keurig dispenses. In order to achieve a more robust flavor and stronger serving of coffee with quite literally the press of a button, opt instead for the smallest-sized setting to use less water and get a more concentrated result. Of course, this might mean that your larger container won't be filled up but don't worry — this trick is two-fold.

The second step? Simply grab an extra pod and do it again. Instead of one large serving of watered-down joe, you'll get the same quantity with two smaller shots of stronger, more concentrated coffee. Sure, it takes an extra few seconds, but the amplified taste will be well worth it.

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