How do student loans affect your credit report?
Written by: Shannon McNay Insler
The last thing that college students and recent graduates might think about is how their student loans can impact their credit reports in particular and their …
10 important things to know about the new tax law
Written by: Robert D. Flach
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act passed in December of last year has drastically changed the United State Tax Code. For tax years 2018 through 2025, when …
How to make your air conditioning smart with apps and Alexa
Written by: Alistair Charlton
Summer may be winding down, but it’s not over just yet. At GearBrain, our attention is still focused on keeping the smart home cool and comfortable. …
5 examples of toxic corporate behavior
Written by: Heather Hanson Wickman
Suffering has become a hallmark of the modern workplace. In my work as a coach and consultant, I’ve listened to employees talk about coercion, being forced …
14 smart home devices to save you money
Written by: Alistair Charlton
As fun as it is to switch lights on with your voice, activate your robotic vacuum cleaner and talk to the postman through a video doorbell, …
The Google Home starter kit: 6 Google Assistant devices to kickstart your smart home
Written by: Alistair Charlton
If you’ve recently bought a Google Home smart speaker — or the Home Mini or Home Max, for that matter — then you probably know how …
How to deal with a terrible college roommate
Written by: Myles Ma
Your freshman college roommate is often the first and most important relationship you form at school. But it’s a crapshoot. This person might become a lifelong …
Why electric cars are so expensive, and how the tide will soon turn
Written by: Alistair Charlton
It’s all about the trickle-down effect. A glance at the prices of electric cars will quickly tell you something — they are all expensive. The latest vehicle …
The best young chef in every state
Knowing who’s who in the culinary scene can make a big difference when planning a trip or looking for a new favorite restaurant. Watching new chefs …
Let Google Home help you sleep with these soothing ambient sounds
Written by: Alistair Charlton
At GearBrain we have have already talked about how Alexa and other smart home gadgets like Philips Hue lights can be used to wake you up …
A beginners guide to disability insurance & pregnancy
Written by: Logan Sachon
Why do pregnant women need disability insurance? Because complications aren’t as uncommon as you might think – one in four pregnancies have complications that can cause …
How the WeWork experience is revolutionizing the workplace
Written by: Jeff Revoy
When we consider an office, we traditionally think of it as a physical space: a building or floor in one and the tables, chairs, filing cabinets, …
How often does my credit report update?
Written by: Shannon McNay Insler
Credit reports are the foundations on which credit scores are measured. Even though there are multiple credit scoring companies (and multiple formulas for each type of …
How to make calls and send SMS text messages with your Google Home
Written by: Alistair Charlton
This is your complete guide to making phone calls and sending text messages on your Google Home smart speaker, by talking to the Google Assistant. Making …
8 money moves for when you expect one baby … but find out you’re having two (or three)
Written by: Brian Acton
Planning for the financial impact of a single baby is challenging. But if you just learned you’re having twins, triplets or more, you may be wondering …
6 ways to pamper your pup for National Dog Day
Written by: Taylor Milam
It’s safe to say life wouldn’t be as wonderful, or active, without your dog. For all the love they give, dogs don’t ask for much in …
The dos & don’ts of buying at a wholesale club
Because I write about smart shopping, you’d think that I’d be adept at shopping in all forms. Not always! As a new member of Costco, it …
Review: Free app turns your phone into a telescope
Written by: Amber Wang
Ever wonder what constellations the stars form at night? Curious how the ancient Greeks decided that there was a person beaming back from a couple of …
5 things to throw on the grill that aren’t meat
Written by: Taylor Milam
Nothing says summer like barbecue, fun tunes, your favorite people and a relaxing night in the backyard. But after barbecuing all summer, you’re probably getting tired …
10 things I learned living out of my super bike for 3 months
Written by: Sue Hollis
Maybe you think I’m crazy. You wouldn’t be the first. Sometimes I think I’m crazy, and I actually rode Voodoo for three months. Who? Oh, of …
How long do negative items stay on my credit report?
Written by: Shannon McNay Insler
How long do negative items stay on my credit report? This is the question anyone in need of credit might ask if bankruptcy, collections accounts, or …
How much does it cost to turn the average house into a smart home?
Written by: Alistair Charlton
Most people’s idea of a smart home is adding a device that can control lights, plugs and door locks. But what if you wanted to make your …
4 times when it’s right to bundle your home & car insurance
Written by: Patrick Howard
Most carriers don’t sell strictly homeowners, or strictly auto insurance, and nothing else. So if you go to a company for a car insurance policy, there’s …
Millennials in the workplace: What do they love?
Written by: Jeff Revoy
When conducting a job search, millennials often scroll down to see the perks a company offers before reading the general description. They’ll likely search for the company on …
6 smart light platforms for transforming your home
Written by: Alistair Charlton
Along with smart speakers like the Amazon Echo and Google Home, a common first step into the smart home world is lighting. These LED bulbs connect …
How to keep your job when you’ve totally screwed up
Written by: Myles Ma
Alejandro got his first job out of college in 2009 as an associate buyer at a grocery store warehouse in Louisiana. He was responsible for ordering …
How smart voice assistants will help make us trust autonomous cars
Written by: Alistair Charlton
Autonomous driving, attractive software and assistants like Alexa are rewriting the rules of how we drive. A decade ago, if an automotive engineer talked about a …
A workplace meditation room can increase your bottom line
Written by: Jeff Revoy
Managers like to see the numbers before investing in new tools to improve their business and get the most from their workforce. So, here is a …
What do I need to dispute a credit report?
Written by: Shannon McNay Insler
So, you’ve read your credit reports and found something that isn’t right. What do you do now? Get ready to file a dispute. There’s no reason …
Saturday Night Live writers pen new Alexa Skill
Written by: Lauren Barack
Amazon’s Alexa has a new tool designed to keep burglars away — perhaps with a few laughs. Away Mode is an Alexa Skill that’s designed to …
