I routinely use photos to illustrate stories on Living on the Cheap, but I rarely use my own. Instead, I use some subscription-based sites, or I search for royalty-free websites that offer free downloads of a photo that corresponds to my article topic. The Internet is full of stock photo sites that … [Read more...] about Great sites for free photo downloads
Tech Talk
Customize your Zoom meetings with backgrounds from TV, sports and more
Do you cringe every time you have to attend a Zoom meeting because of your "natural" background? You might not want to share the view of your kitchen after lunch. Or your webcam may give other meeting attendees a look at your bedroom or your family photo wall. You can add some privacy (and … [Read more...] about Customize your Zoom meetings with backgrounds from TV, sports and more
Staying connected with Skype, Zoom, Facetime and Google Hangouts
This article was written by Kate Oczypok of DC on the Cheap, Valerie Cannell of Columbus on the Cheap and Jody Mace of Charlotte on the Cheap. Our country is currently facing some unprecedented times. If you are feeling a bit lonely, or perhaps starting to work from home and unsure of how to stay … [Read more...] about Staying connected with Skype, Zoom, Facetime and Google Hangouts
How to stream on your TV
Picture it -- everyone pushing and shoving to get a good look at your little computer screen so they can watch YouTube, Netflix, Hulu or Amazon Prime. If you need a little more elbow room now that everyone is home or if you would just rather watch on a bigger screen, here’s what you need to know … [Read more...] about How to stream on your TV
Tech tools and apps for seniors
The stereotype is that older people are leery of technology and lag behind their digital native grandchildren. But statistics from the Pew Research Center find that 82% of 65- to 69-year-olds use the Internet, and two-thirds have home internet connections. Seniors aged 80 and older are slower to … [Read more...] about Tech tools and apps for seniors
10 things to do before a hurricane comes
Hurricane season is officially under way, and if you live anywhere near the coast, that means it's time to stock up on bottled water, batteries and non-perishable food. But those aren't the only things you need to do before a hurricane approaches. The beginning of the season is a good time to review … [Read more...] about 10 things to do before a hurricane comes
Free coding classes and apps for kids
As a parent who graduated in the '80s, I found the list of classes looked like a foreign language: Learn to Run Linux, The Easy Way with Scratch, Learn to Build with Unity, Explore with Arduino. To me, they all sounded intriguing, but would my son agree? After reading through the list, … [Read more...] about Free coding classes and apps for kids
6 holiday shopping apps to score deals and stay organized
Back in the day, holiday shopping prep was looking through the circulars from the Sunday paper, making a list of gifts you had to buy, and then heading to the mall. You had high hopes that the items on sale would still be there when you arrived, and depending on how late in the season it was, you … [Read more...] about 6 holiday shopping apps to score deals and stay organized
Echogear Outlet Shelf organizes phone-charging spot
Like everybody else, I plug in my electronics wherever I can. My smartphone gets a corner of the dining room table, where they share space with yesterday’s mail and whatever junk I haven’t gotten around to putting away. When I expect guests, I crawl under the table, unplug my devices and stash them … [Read more...] about Echogear Outlet Shelf organizes phone-charging spot
Setting up your perfect home office: what you need
If you are lucky enough to work at home full time, or just get an opportunity to work from home occasionally, do not underestimate the value of a great home office. A well-planned home office can lead to endless productivity and success. A poor work environment, on the other hand, can lead to … [Read more...] about Setting up your perfect home office: what you need
When is the right time to upgrade your laptop?
Sluggish performance, increased errors, and the dreaded Blue Screen of Death are all indicators that your laptop is nearing its end of life, but how do you know when it is time to pull the plug and invest in something new? A new laptop can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to well over … [Read more...] about When is the right time to upgrade your laptop?
The best travel apps and websites to save money and score deals
Nothing can take away the excitement of getting ready to go on a trip, except maybe the packing, planning, getting lost, language barriers, flight delays, etc. The good news is you don’t have to let those potential hurdles stand in the way of an awesome, well-deserved getaway if you find the right … [Read more...] about The best travel apps and websites to save money and score deals
Automate your digital life with IFTTT
IFTTT is a web and smartphone app that is all about automating small tasks to save you time in your day-to-day life. IFTTT stands for “If This Then That,” and works just like it sounds. By creating a trigger and a follow-up action with one of the 367 supported services, you can automate everything … [Read more...] about Automate your digital life with IFTTT
Apps to organize your new year
Heading into the New Year means new resolutions — but can you really keep them all? We've found some great apps to help you organize and manage your life. These apps might just help you keep those resolutions after all. And if not, at least they'll help you get organized. Google … [Read more...] about Apps to organize your new year
How to choose the best desktop, laptop, or tablet computer under $500
If your computing needs have changed or your current computer is performing poorly and will cost more to repair than buying a new computer, it is time to purchase a new one. But which type of computer offers the most bang for your buck? What benefits do you get with a tablet computer or laptop? Is a … [Read more...] about How to choose the best desktop, laptop, or tablet computer under $500