Author: Dave Funguy

Shop with Your Brain: A Basic Guide to Smart Shopping

Post author By Dave Funguy
Post date July 24, 2020

Have you ever seen something in a store and felt like you had to buy it? Do you purchase items without thinking about it? Have you ever made a large purchase only to regret not long after?

These are mistakes that people make every single day. It’s easy for modern shoppers to purchase items that they don’t want or need.

If you’ve been looking to make a change for the better, you should try to start smart shopping. Continue reading if you’d like to learn how to save money at the mall and make smarter purchases.

Prioritize Your Purchases

The first step to shopping smart is prioritizing. This means that you have to figure out which purchases are essential and which ones can wait for another time.

As an example, if you only have $300 of spending money for the next week, you should prioritize food and other essentials over frivolous things like clothing and entertainment.

Technology is Your Friend

Every smart shopper worth his or her salt knows that they have to utilize the internet. There are several programs and websites, like online shopping directories, that you can use to make shopping easier, faster and less expensive.

For those that don’t know, online shopping directories are digital tools that shoppers can use to find incredible deals, learn about in-store sales and access useful information.

Online shopping directories are easy to use and can be accessed from your smartphone or computer. Additionally, these programs are non-sponsored; this means that all of the information that you receive is 100% objective.

If you’re tired of overspending on essential items, you should take a look at the latest flyers from Shopping Canada — you can use these flyers to save a bundle the next time you go shopping.

NEVER Grocery Shop on an Empty Stomach

Everyone has done this at least once; you go to the grocery store with your stomach growling, and before you know it, you’ve purchased way more than you need.

Not only is this a waste of money, but the excess food takes up additional space in your fridge. This makes it harder for you to keep your fridge organized and tidy.

Instead of hitting the supermarket after work (when you’re most likely hungry), you should purchase your groceries after you’ve had a meal. Studies have shown that buying groceries on an empty stomach leads to impulse purchases, and can also cause shoppers to crave high-calorie foods.

Consider Buying Used Goods

If you’re looking to save a few dollars, you need to think about purchasing used items. This is a cost-effective way to save on items like:

Cars
Kitchen appliances
Entertainment items (T.V.s, gaming consoles, etc.)

Additionally, buying used items is noticeably better for the environment. This is because it reduces the amount of waste that ends up in dumps and landfills.

Smart shopping is easier than it sounds; start with the tips mentioned above, and before long, you’ll have created your own techniques that you can share with your friends and family.

Entertainment

The Best Pandemic Movies to Watch When You’re Bored During the Pandemic

Post author By Dave Funguy
Post date July 15, 2020

About one third of the global population is under lockdown restrictions in order to control the spread of the novel coronavirus. That means about 2.6 billion people’s lives are indefinitely paused and are currently spent inside their homes. Without the options to go to work, out for coffee, or be closer than 6 feet to another person, a lot of people have found that they have a lot of extra time on their hands. Although being stuck at home can get monotonous, the internet has filled the social hole as the world waits out the pandemic.

It’s All About Streaming

Thanks to streaming platforms that provide videos, podcasts, and music, biding time during the lockdown is a little bit easier. One of the easiest ways to kill time is to have a movie marathon. All you need to do is get comfortable, some snacks, water to keep you hydrated, and a subscription to a streaming service!

The Best Movies to Watch When Bored at Night

If you feel like you’ve exhausted all of your movie options and are looking for other movies to keep you busy, you can really set the mood with fun late-night movies about apocalypses and pandemics. They’ll reassure you that you’re in a better pandemic-influenced world than the fictional worlds ravaged by unnaturally fast zombies and incurable contagious diseases.

Dawn of the Dead

George A. Romero’s second film based on his books shows the effects of a contagion that couldn’t be controlled in its early stages and follows a group of survivors in a post-apocalyptic world.

Here are two suggestions on how to watch this movie:

Watch the original 1978 version and then the 2004 remake
Watch the Night of the Living Dead film series in entirety

Train to Busan

Instead of showing the chaos all over the world, the movie develops its main characters in a way for the audience to emotionally invest themselves in their quest to survive devastation on a train full of people.

You can follow up by watching the animated prequel, Seoul Station, that was released a year after Train to Busan. There are plans to release the third movie, Peninsula, in August 2020.

This Is the End

If you’re looking for less zombies and violence, watch Seth Rogen, James DeFranco, and many other stars satirically playing themselves surviving in an apocalyptic world after a sudden reaping during a house party.

Warm Bodies

A bit of apocalyptic romance, an eternal zombie who goes by the name, ‘R,’ is doomed to wander the empty, desolate airport with other zombies and then he meets a girl. You know the rest!

The Flu

After an outbreak of a deadly virus kills its victims after 36 hours, the Bundang district goes into complete chaos as authorities try to prevent the illness from spreading to Seoul.

Bonus: Kingdom

Not a movie, but a series of episodes in a period piece set in Korea, follows a scorned heir as he tries to rescue his kingdom from blood-crazed zombies – binge both seasons!

Tech

Google Is Now Offering Its Cloud Gaming Service Stadia for Free

Post author By Dave Funguy
Post date July 7, 2020

Events at the start of the new decade caught the whole world off guard with the unpredictable coronavirus outbreak that spread across Asia to Europe and then all the way to North America in the matter of weeks. Unprepared governments and ill-equipped hospitals scrambled to contain the spread of the virus, but it became a pandemic. Now, approximately one third of the global population is under lockdown and staying home and only leaving for essentials such as groceries.

Unprecedented Entertainment Trends

As a species, the ever-increasing human population is always susceptible to a contagion. But because humans are also a social species, gatherings are a vital part of our lives. The restaurant, auto, travel, and gambling industries especially have taken a hard hit with lockdown restrictions in place. In the age of the Internet and Big Tech, however, new industries are blooming and prospering. Sidestepping aside from the global toilet paper crisis, industry demands for virtual meeting apps, online shopping, and delivery services increased dramatically and thus, as a result, caused these industries to prosper.

One of the Big Tech players Google saw an industry to take over that fit well with the timing of the pandemic in the cloud-gaming industry. People have taken to the Internet to make virtual connections in place of physical ones as the majority of the population stays home. The popular game-streaming platform Twitch saw a 20% jump of traffic since late January. Google took note of the industry growth and chose to make a big, strategic move.

Controller, Console, and Cash Free

Google Stadia is free now in a select few countries and users can sign up for the cloud-gaming service. Initially, Stadia came at price of $130 and early buyers would receive a limited-edition Stadia game controller to use across screens. But the controller is just an extra because you can play on anything that launches Google Chrome like a laptop, tablet, or PC without it as well as play on Pixel and most Android smartphones. Now for 14 countries, anyone can access Stadia Pro at no cost for two months.

In the grand scheme of the $160 billion video game industry, cloud-gaming services amounts to just a small fragment, yet has the potential to grow exponentially. The ingenuity of the lack of hardware in cloud-gaming gets over needing an entire console to power the game with capable corporate servers somewhere else. Eliminating the console saves users the expensive upfront costs for video games and the time it takes to start playing.

Google’s Got It Going On

With online gaming backed by the World Health Organization to #PlayApartTogether, waiving the initial costs of Google Stadia provides millions of people staying home during the pandemic another means of social connection. This way Google has more sign ups than previously anticipated as it would have been limited to those who chose to pay the initial $130. The two month free-trial gives ample opportunity for the many users who play video games at night and day to stick around and continue their subscription.

Home

Spruce Up Your Home with These 3 Upgrades

Post author By Dave Funguy
Post date June 19, 2020

With the warmer weather upon us, more people are walking, more people are jogging, and that means more people are seeing your home. If you haven’t already, start looking at ways to improve your property’s curb appeal, especially if you’re looking to sell your home in the next year. These upgrades are cost-effective and are a great ROI for building your home’s value.

Upgrade Your Windows & Doors

As a homeowner, you should know that new windows are often the first thing people see when they approach your home. So, make sure that old windows are replaced and that the new ones complete the look of your property. With so many options out in the market nowadays, it is entirely possible to change the property’s overall aesthetic just by switching out the style of windows used.

Picture windows have become more popular as homeowners realize their many benefits. This style of window allows for much more natural light to come into the home, which provides natural heating, and they give picturesque views without having to expose yourself to the elements.

Adding fixed windows to the edges of the front door is another look that has been growing in popularity amongst homeowners. Sidelights are placed on the sides of the door, and transom windows are those affixed horizontally to the top of the door. When you upgrade your door at Centennial Windows & Doors, be sure to ask about sidelight options. When you trust a professional team of end-to-end installers, you’ll know that your new energy-efficient doors and windows will bring you more light and keep your utility bills down.

Create a Garden Space

Many homeowners don’t realize that having a garden space is multipurpose. It’s known to increase curb appeal, it’s therapeutic, and it helps to save the environment. It might even inspire you to do some landscaping work and get back in touch with nature.

Some people value their alone time in the garden so much so that they create a sort of sacred space among the greenery. If you’re looking for a door that gives you the best possible view of your back garden or terrace, garden doors or big, bright patio sliding doors are a great touch.

Illuminate Your Space

Add a little glimmer to your home so that your property can shine at night. A popular trend in landscaping nowadays is uplighting, where fixtures are placed at ground level, and their beam points upwards. You can have the spotlight illuminate specific features of the home or the shrubbery surrounding the property.

Many homeowners mix different types of lighting to create an ambiance and moonlighting appears to be showing up more and more lately. Moonlighting is when light fixtures are placed in high places or high up in trees to form a soft moonlight effect. Not only does it light up more of the area, but it also creates a very romantic and captivating image.

Boosting curb appeal ultimately means boosting your home’s value. The best part is that these upgrades are affordable and don’t take up too much time. You can make a big difference on your property with just a bit of shrewd investment!

Finance

Save Money with Online Contests

Post author By Dave Funguy
Post date June 5, 2020

COVID-19 has put a damper on the lives of many people all around the globe. In some form or another, it’s been a challenging time for almost everyone. Several people have lost their jobs or have had significant hours cut back.

The silver lining is that people are coming together and proving that life perseveres, even in times of duress. People are navigating through “new normal” daily routines, and discovering ways to stay safe while also keeping mindful of finances. Right now, because of economic uncertainty, it’s critical to saving money.

Did you know that you could enter online contests that will save you money on everything from food to video games? There are free online giveaways of all sorts posted every day. Online contests are an easy, fast, and free way for you to win exciting prizes without ever having to leave your home. If money is tight these days, taking up an online sweepstakes hobby might be the perfect, lucrative distraction!

Let’s take a look at some examples of recent online giveaways. You’ll see how entering them is both rewarding and straightforward.

Del Monte $50 Gift card Giveaway

Staying healthy is so important right now. Since so many people are staying at home and perhaps not as active as they’d typically be, eating the right foods is crucial to physical as well as mental health during this time.

If you have kids, you probably already appreciate Del Monte for its natural and healthy snacks. Even if you don’t have kids, you know that Del Monte is an excellent source of nutritional fruits and vegetables.

Del Monte has been providing delicious fruit treats for 130 years! And, if you follow their Instagram and Facebook pages, you’ll find that they also offer exciting giveaways on the regular. Last month, they offered a $50 gift card to one lucky winner, and they also give away items such as kitchen appliances, food products, and more.

Follow them to enter future giveaways!

SleepOvation Sweepstakes

Do you find that you’re not sleeping very well these days? Or perhaps you notice usual back and shoulder pain. It’s likely because of new, heightened stress you might be experiencing right now. For a good night’s sleep, you should consider a brand new, chiropractic-approved mattress and pillow.

Founded in 2015, SleepOvation intends to give sleepers the ultimate luxury and comfort of sleeping on 700 individual and responsive mattresses in one. In May, the company offered three individual prices worth almost $1950: one mattress, and two separate pillow prizes worth over $100 each. SleepOvation products are built upon decades of scientific research, and each bed is designed to soothe hundreds of pressure points in the body.

Contestants had to be 18 years of age or older, follow the company on social media (and then tweet or post about the contest), and refer a friend to their site. Just a couple of simple steps to a brand new mattress or pillow! This contest is over, but be sure to follow them on social media because they regularly offer exciting giveaways.

Enter online contests for your chance to save money and win big.

Food

Easy Meals to Make if you are Bored

Post author By Dave Funguy
Post date May 29, 2020

Easy Meals to Make if you are Bored

If you’ve ever found yourself bored at night, and you want to do something different you can always make a meal!

There are “bored night” meals to make at home if you don’t feel like going out to the grocery store, because they have ingredients from pantry staples you are sure to have on hand.

Here are some easy meals to make when you’re bored:

1. Casseroles are Always Easy

Casseroles can be made by a formula, so they can be made with what you’ve got:

1 cup main ingredient – which is the protein, which can be meat or tofu

1 cup second ingredient – which is the vegetables, like celery or mushrooms

1-2 cups starchy ingredient – which is potatoes, noodles, rice, etc.

1 ½ cups binder – which is something thick and saucy, like canned cream soup, sour cream or pureed foods

¼ cup “treat” – which is anything you like, such as olives, almonds, etc.

Seasoning – which are herbs or spices you like, or blends like Italian seasoning

Topping – which is cheese, bread crumbs, etc.

Combine the foods you chose from each category, and put in a buttered 2 to 2 ½ quart casserole dish. Cover and bake at 350F for about 50 minutes. It is done when the top is browned and there is bubbling around the sides of the dish.

2. Soup is Comforting and Simple

Soup can be made by formula, too:

Vegetables – Vegetables create the foundation for your soup. The classic vegetable mix is one onion, 3-4 stalks of celery and 2 carrots, but use whatever vegetables you want. A can of tomatoes is a classic addition, too.

Protein – If you’re using meat, 1-2 pounds is good. It will taste better if you brown it beforehand. If vegetarian or vegan, a block of tofu or can of beans is good.

Grains or noodles – These add substance and texture. Grains can be cooked along with the soup, but pasta should be cooked separately beforehand to avoid over cooking.

Liquid base – Water can always be used, but you can also use various broths. Vegetable broth for vegetarian and vegan soups, and beef or chicken broth for meat-based soups. Of course, you could still use vegetable broth for meat soups.

Herbs and spices – Use herbs and spices that reflect your own taste and preferences.

Once you have all the ingredients together, cook it to the consistency that you like!

3. Use Rice to Make Rice Pudding for Dessert

Ingredients

3 cups white rice, cooked

3 cups milk

2/3 cup sugar

2 tablespoons butter

½ cup raisins

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Zest of 1 lemon, grated

1 teaspoon cinnamon, divided

Method

Combine cooked rice, milk, sugar and butter in a medium saucepan. Add raisins and vanilla.

Cook for 25 minutes until most of the liquid is absorbed. Mix in lemon zest and 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon. Spoon pudding into a serving dish and dust with remaining cinnamon.

Serve either chilled or at room temperature

These ideas will give you something to do, and provide a meal, too!

Entertainment

How to Stay Entertained in Coronavirus Self-Isolation

Post author By Dave Funguy
Post date May 27, 2020

You might be one of the many people right now practicing social and physical distancing to stop the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). The world has received recommendations from leading health officials and governments to stay at home to help flatten the curve of the virus.

It’s a challenging and unpredictable time, and you might find yourself feeling anxious, depressed, and alone. No one should feel obligated to be the most productive human being right now, but staying active does help to distract yourself from those feelings and makes the time go by much faster. Being inside 24-7 away from friends and loved ones isn’t easy, mainly because no one knows when this quarantining period will end. However, what many people forget is that staying indoors can be fun!

If you’re feeling worried about what’s happening, or if you’re on the verge of tears because of boredom, read on to discover activities that will keep you entertained during your self-isolation period.

Learn How to Crochet

This is the perfect time to learn a new hobby — and why not start with the relaxing practice of crochet? Crocheting allows you to focus on something simple, repetitive, and soothing. And because of those reasons, it’s been known to ease anxiety, insomnia, depression, and stress.

To get started, find an online store that sells the best yarn and knitting tools. Purchase several different types of yarn to see which one you like best (worsted or bulky, for example), and a good set of needles.

You can find online tutorials and patterns, and the best part about crochet is that you can do it anywhere! So if you’re watching TV, listening to a podcast, or on a Zoom call, get those needles out and next thing you know you’ll have made a pair of quarantine slippers for all of your friends!

Go Through Your Closet

What better time than now to sort out your old clothes? With all this time, you can finally go through your closet and compile bags of old clothes to donate when the time is right. As all the old stuff comes out, you can also organize what’s left for a clean and tidy closet. If you dig far back enough, you might even find that dress you thought you lost years ago!

Bake Bread

You may have already heard friends talk about their quarantine bread baking adventures, and that’s because it’s an engaging and rewarding activity to do at home! Similar to crocheting, baking bread is a great distraction, and the act of doing so is soothing and calming.

A more accessible type of bread to make is sourdough. It doesn’t require yeast, but it does require a little bit of patience. All you need is flour, water, and homemade sourdough starter (which is super simple to make).

It’s an incredibly fulfilling process to make homemade bread, and it’s one thing you won’t have to worry about purchasing at the grocery store. Also, homemade bread is much better for you because there are no added preservatives or chemicals.

Staying inside doesn’t have to be boring. Keep yourself busy by crocheting, organizing, and baking!

Entertainment

Six Netflix Series to Binge on Boring Nights

Post author By Dave Funguy
Post date May 22, 2020

Six Netflix Series to Binge on Boring Nights

Nights can seem long if you don’t have anything to entertain you, but never fear!

We’ve taken a look at the most popular Netflix series previews in 2020, and here are the best Netflix series to binge for boring nights:

1. Tiger King

Tiger King is a series to watch, if only because you will need to see it to keep up with conversations and late-night comedy joke references and memes.

This docuseries features Joe Exotic, a zookeeper who collects and breeds wild cats, which, be warned, can be seen as cruelty.

He describes himself as a “gay, gun-carrying redneck with a mullet” and is just one of many colorful characters.

2. Queen Sono

This is the first African series to be featured on Netflix. It is the story of a female South African spy who keeps Africa safe from terror and criminal operations while dealing with post traumatic stress disorder and personal difficulties with drugs, alcohol and sex addiction.

This might be one that you save for the best late-night Netflix series to binge on boring nights!

3. Gentefied

This dramatic comedy series is about family, community, and relationships, and the two Chicano writers of the series give it authenticity.

Three Mexican-American cousins want to live the American Dream, but they see how that dream threatens their neighborhood, their immigrant grandfather and the family taco shop.

The community in the series is Los Angeles, and the series deals with themes like identity and class, as well as generational issues, like translating memes for parents.

4. Medical Police

This series is about two American physicians that are stationed at a pediatric hospital in Sao Paulo, Brazil. They accidentally discover a virus that threatens civilization itself.

From there, they are recruited as secret government agents, and while working to find a cure as soon as possible, they discover a conspiracy linked to the outbreak.

However sinister that sounds, this series still offers comedy, while being a thriller that is action filled, as well as a love story with an element of mystery.

This is brought to you by the same people who produced Childrens Hospital, so if you liked that, you will probably like this.

5. Unorthodox

This series is based on the New York Times bestselling memoir by Deborah Feldman, also named Unorthodox.

It is partly a coming of age story of a 19-year-old Jewish woman who rejects an Ultra-Orthodox community and arranged marriage and partly a thriller.

She moves to Berlin, and has to learn to live in the secular world. The thriller part is when her husband travels to Berlin, under orders from their rabbi, to try to find her, while she finds out secrets of her family’s past.

6. Cheer

This is a docuseries that follows a competitive college cheer squad from a small Texas town as they work to win a national title, with a focus on the head cheer coach, who demands perfection.

There are so many bingeworthy Netflix series, you are sure to find one that you will love!

Entertainment

Your Nights Won’t be Boring with these Entertainment Ideas

Post author By Dave Funguy
Post date May 15, 2020

Your Nights Won’t be Boring with these Entertainment Ideas

Nights can seem so long when you can’t think of what to do. If you want to have fun on boring nights, or find ways of putting fun into getting things done, we can help you with some entertainment ideas.

Here’s what to do when you’re bored at night:

1. Play Video Games

You can play video games, either solo or with others in multi player online games if you want to be more social. There are so many genres and games that you can switch it up when you want a change.

2. Watch Shows and Movies

The sheer variety of shows and movies can keep you continuously entertained. Or you can watch in order to learn things, like with documentaries. The possibilities are endless.

Technology like Netflix Party allows you to watch in synch with others!

3. Make Art

Work on art to improve your current skills, or go out of your comfort zone. Take up painting. Write poetry. Color in a coloring book. Draw something.

Gain more skills by watching how-to videos and practicing what you learn, or help others by making a how-to video yourself.

4. Listen to Different Music

Give different music a chance. Try a style you never listen to, like world music, classic guitar or Dubstep.

5. Dance

Put on music that you like, and move! Just do what is fun, without worrying about how you look. If you have kids, let them join in. They love it!

6. Create a New Recipe

Take stock of what food you have in your fridge and pantry and try developing a recipe from what you have on hand.

7. Organize your Closets

It might be hard to get started, but once you do, it can be really fun. Go through old clothes, and enjoy the memories.

Take clothes you no longer need to a charitable organization to sell to someone else who will enjoy them. You’ll get rid of clutter and get organized!

8. Play Dress Up

When you’re going through your closet, you can set aside some of the clothes to dress up with. Mix and match clothes you hadn’t tried before. Put on a fashion show.

9. Look Through Old Photo Albums

A great way to get nostalgic and remember good times and people you might not have seen in a while. You can also look back at your Facebook timeline.

10. Rearrange Your Furniture

You will feel like you have a whole new home! You might find that a new arrangement that will help you make the most of the space that you have.

11. Look at Your Life Goals

Having time gives you a chance to look at your life goals. Instead of losing sleep thinking about poor decisions, learn from what you have done and take that energy to make a list of life goals.

Putting goals in writing makes them more concrete, and making a plan to reach those goals is more productive than worrying about them.

Try these ideas and you won’t be bored!

Lifestyle

How to Prepare for a Video Interview

Post author By Dave Funguy
Post date May 13, 2020

How to Prepare for a Video Interview

Currently, the entire world is facing new challenges presented by COVID-19 (Coronavirus). To prevent the spread of the virus, many people are self-isolating on the advice of leading health and government officials. It’s difficult to maintain a sense of normalcy when everyone is confined inside. However, as time passes and individuals adapt to this temporary new way of life, people realize that life does go on, and if we all stay safe, we can do almost anything from the comfort of home!

The world does indeed continue to spin, even if things are a little challenging right now. People are still working, and this means that people are also hiring. Employers are looking to find the right executive to join their team — whether that means hiring someone on virtually or waiting until the time comes to once again open the office doors. Are you up for a new executive position? Or are you on the hunt for one? If you have an interview coming up, it’s very likely going to be held online.

Are you prepared to sit in front of your computer at home and engage professionally with potential employers for a couple of hours? If you’ve never done it before, you must prepare for not only the actual interview questions, but also an entirely new interview format.

Take a look at these tips on how you can nail your upcoming job interview from home.

Don’t Be Camera Shy

If you’re not used to it, looking at yourself on camera while talking can feel unnatural and awkward. However, interviews conducted on platforms such as Skype or Zoom requires all parties to use their front-facing camera. You’ll see yourself as well as anyone else involved in the interview on your screen.

To prepare yourself, engage in mock-interviews with friends or family members to get used to seeing yourself on the computer screen. When the day of the interview finally arrives, you will hardly notice anyone else but the interviewers.

Maintain Eye Contact

Even though it’s difficult not to stare at yourself when an image of your face is directly in front of you, don’t do it! Like any other interview, maintain eye contact with the interviewers as much as possible. They’ll notice if you don’t look at them while speaking. It won’t look very professional if you’re staring at yourself the entire time.

Enter the Interview like Any Other

Just because you’re in the comfort of home with access to notes and other helpful aids, doesn’t mean you should take advantage of that. It’s OK to keep a couple of notes on hand if you need it, but people can tell if you’re clicking through websites and shuffling through papers. It’s incredibly unprofessional and shows that you’re unprepared.

Dress accordingly and always wear clothing that makes you feel confident and powerful. Wear a freshly pressed blazer and a sharp outfit to match. We won’t tell on you if you keep your slippers on, though.

A job interview conducted online is just as crucial as one held in the office. Executive positions remain the same, wherever they happen to be during this unpredictable time — so, remember to camera ready!