Writer/editor; Columbia Journalism School graduate; written/edited stories about tech, social media, boating, business, personal finance, food/beverage/travel, fitness/running, and more.
7 essential things to know before you file your 2020 tax return
The coronavirus pandemic triggered many changes in the U.S. economy and the employment landscape. Many U.S. residents lost their jobs, others transitioned into the so-called gig economy, and many others shifted to working from home. Taxpayers may have cashed unemployment checks and/or received money due to the federal pandemic relief packages. And, sadly, many Americans got sick and incurred unforeseen medical bills.
New York state officials finally support covering your face in public
New York state health officials are catching up to other health authorities in the region, country, and the world and now support the wearing of masks in public to help slow the spread of the coronavirus. The specific terminology used is actually "cloth face coverings" because officials stress that medical-grade N95 respirators and surgical masks, which are scarce, should be reserved for health-care workers and first responders.
A $250K grand piano and 10 other ridiculously expensive things you can buy from Costco
Costco.com, which, if you haven't really explored, is kind of a bonkers website. Costco is apparently not just for working folk looking for deals on clothes, produce, lightbulbs, and rotisserie chicken. It's a platform for some stuff that's just bananas.
Running with a donkey opened Christopher McDougall's eyes about partnerships with animals
Christopher McDougall is a former foreign correspondent who has reported from warzones. The bestselling author's latest book is called Running with Sherman. Sherman is a donkey. I interviewed Chris about what he learned in writing this delightful book.
Is the 'Manscaped' body groomer from Shark Tank any good?
This is a review of two products from Manscaped, a brand made famous by Shark Tank and Instagram. The Lawn Mower 2.0 is specifically marketed as a trimmer for a dude’s hair, um, down there.
How to Pronounce “Corp” and “Corps”
I have worked for at least three companies that have the word “corporation” in the official name: Plenum Publishing Corporation, News Corporation and now Fox Corporation. So naturally, the companies and most folks will abbreviate the “Corporation” part to just “Corp.”
Singer and 'Stranger Things' superfan Ingrid Michaelson drops an entire album inspired by the show
Singer-songwriter and New York native Ingrid Michaelson is like many fans of pop culture who grew up in the 1980s—she digs nostalgia and found much to love in the hit Netflix series Stranger Things. And she took that passion for the show as inspiration for her new album Stranger Songs, which drops Friday, June 28.
You can now use Facebook to find a place to donate blood near you
In an effort to help fight a decline in blood donation in the United States, Facebook has launched a feature that helps connect would-be donors to blood centers in need.
Author-entrepreneur Chris Guillebeau says you can side-hustle your way to financial freedom
Chris Guillebeau is a writer, entrepreneur, and traveler who built a passionate following from his blog The Art of Non-Conformity. His podcast Side Hustle School and his companion books—Side Hustle: From Idea to Income In 27 Days and the just-released 100 Side Hustles: Unexpected Ideas for Making Extra Money Without Quitting Your Day Job—promote the idea that anyone can and should start a side hustle, a.k.a. a scalable service or other small business, in order to thrive both financially and creatively.
Measles and the MMR vaccine: facts and figures
A virus causes measles, which is highly contagious and spreads through coughing and sneezing, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
New York secrets: How lampposts help you navigate Central Park
Navigating Central Park's winding paths can be a challenge. Even seasoned New Yorkers and avid runners sometimes get confused in the 843-acre urban gem and aren't sure if they are heading to the East Side or the West Side or whatnot.
Being Thankful for Not Bearing the Burdens of Endless Wars and Being Grateful to Those Who Do
Chief Petty Officer Shannon Kent was 35. I say “was” because she is dead. The Navy cryptologic tech, who grew up in Dutchess County, N.Y., died in a suicide bombing in Syria along with 15 other people. She spoke at least six languages, had deployed overseas several times, earned many Navy commendations, faced numerous combat situations, and much more.
Tipping your cabin crew: This airline's flight attendants now keep all gratuities
The airline that pioneered tipping your flight attendant for good service is now letting them keep what you give rather than requiring them to share the cash. Frontier Airlines, based in Denver, began allowing flight attendants solicit tips from passengers through a restaurant-style payment tablet three years ago. Whatever attendants collected during a flight was pooled and then shared among the cabin crew.
8 delicious cocktail recipes to inspire your holiday celebrations
Chances are that by now most of you have attended various holiday parties where you threw back some bottled suds, mediocre wine, and mixed drinks made from rail liquor and Coke. Well, if you're luckier than that, maybe your office sprung for top-shelf booze.
Either way, I'm back with another seasonal cocktail recipe roundup to inspire you to be creative and make something delicious and fun for whatever gathering you might have lined up for Christmas, Boxing Day, New Year...
I Am Proud to Support These 34 Nonprofits (and Could You Support Some, Too?)
Every year, I try to support a few charities, causes, and other nonprofits. Usually, this means figuratively writing a few checks for relatively small amounts of money. I do what I can and am happy to do so.