Does the word “Razr” make you instantly nostalgic for the flip phones of the early aughts, like it does for me? If so, good news: 20 years later, you can get an all-new version of Motorola’s latest Razr, the Razr+, for $549.99 (originally $999.99). This deal, from Woot, works out to a whopping 45% discount and is the lowest price I have seen for this phone.

If you have Amazon Prime, you get free shipping; otherwise, it’ll be $6 to ship. (Heads up, though: Woot only ships to the 48 contiguous states in the U.S.)

The Razr was my first phone, and getting a flip phone during the height of The Matrix movies felt like a fashion statement (the commercials were very Matrix-inspired). But Motorola has continued and come a long way since the original Moto Razr V3, all while keeping the flip phone aesthetic that the Razr is so well known for. And the good news is that the Razr+ isn’t just for looks: This unlocked device (8GB RAM, 256GB, 32 MP camera) garnered “excellent” reviews from the likes of PCMag when it came out in 2023.

The Razr+ has three screens: one visible while it’s closed and two when you flip it open. The two screens that show when the phone is open function as one long screen (like a traditional smartphone). The outside display screen (when the phone is closed) is, in my opinion, a big selling point: You can almost do anything with the outside screen that you can when you have the phone open. The outside screen is very customizable, too, making it an alternate way to use your phone quickly if you don’t want to open it.

Flip phones are definitely not as cool as they were once in the early 2000’s, but there seems to be a comeback with Samsung releasing the Galaxy Z Flip 5 last August. If you’re ready to get back in on the flip phone craze all these years later, the Razr+ is a great choice, and this is the best time to get it at a bargain.

Freezing temps led to my kids’ school being closed most of last week, and none of us were prepared for them to have so much unexpected time at home. I had my normal workload to keep up with, but they had nothing structured on the slate. We did our best—I met my deadlines, and they ended a few days with their eyes bloodshot from countless hours of building in Minecraft.

Still, with a little planning, I was sure we could have made this extra free time constructive in a different way. Child psychologist Dr. Emily W. King recently wrote about the value of helping kids make the most of free time in her newsletter Learn with Dr. Emily. “Free time allows children to feel what it’s like to be bored, which gives them a chance to work out their differences with siblings and lets them solve their own problems. Free time encourages independence, increases social skills, and builds resilience,” King wrote.

Helping them will also help you—when kids are better used to dealing with boredom and amusing themselves, it can free you up to get more done yourself, and ensure that the time you spend with them is more rewarding and less frustrating. Here are some of her tips for helping kids manage their free time.

Don’t call it “free time”

“Free time” sounds like a luxury to you, but to kids, it’s too wide open, especially when it’s not really “free” (since they’d probably choose an activity like watching YouTube for sex hours straight). Instead, using the phrase “free choice” might work better for your child.

Help your kids come up with a menu of enjoyable activities they can do independently, anytime they are at home. For my kids, this menu might look like:

• Have a Lego building challenge (keep a list of prompts handy)

• Draw and paint (start with a Google search for inspiration, but don’t get too caught up in using the device)

• Create an obstacle course

• Pretend they are camp counselor at stuffed animal camp

You and your child will know what activities they can get the most independent mileage out of. Having a prepared menu will save you both from boredom panic that can lead you to lean too heavily on screens to keep them busy.

Have a routine for days off

If going completely unstructured doesn’t suit your child, a loose written schedule can provide enough structure to keep them moving through a day off from school.

King suggests something like this, posted where everyone can see it:

• Morning List (e.g., get dressed, brush teeth, feed the cat)

• Breakfast

• Morning Activity

• Snack

• Free-Choice time (provide a menu with 3-5 options)

• Lunch

• Afternoon Activity

• Snack

• Free-Choice time

• Dinner

• Night time List (e.g., bath/shower, brush teeth, stories)

The morning and afternoon activities should be something you plan, like running an errand, doing a few chores, going to the library, going for a walk, or prepping something to eat. 

Help them get started

You may not be able to tell your child, “It’s free choice time, see ya later!” You’ll need to do what you can to help them get started if you want them to be successful.

“Some children will need for you to get them started on an activity, be reassured when something is a small problem they can solve on their own, or be reminded when it’s okay to come get you for help,” King wrote. “Remember, you are teaching them how to be independent, so encourage and praise their successes.”

Consider differing developmental readiness

It’s magical when siblings can entertain each other for hours without discord or intervention—but keep in mind that one child may be ready for independence, while another may not be.

“While exposure to free time is very beneficial for children who are ready to be independent, already have a solid understanding of their social world, and who are able to trust that they are not in danger when something unexpected happens, free time can be difficult for children with weaknesses in executive functioning, emotional regulation, and social skills,” King wrote.

If your child has trouble with free time, you could be dealing with a larger underlying problem:

• They are too anxious to play alone.

• They become distracted too easily to stick with an activity for long enough.

• They claim boredom, but may really be facing indecision.

• They need you to constantly feed them ideas and be interactive during all activities.

“Children with executive functioning weaknesses often struggle to plan their play, begin their play, and sustain their attention long enough to stick with their play,” King wrote. “This might look like a child who complains of being bored when you see lots of things for them to do or the child who loses interest quickly. Some children struggle to come up with ideas for play and this sometimes has to do with an executive functioning weakness in visualizing their play plan and getting started.”

While in these moments you may feel pressured to put down whatever you’re doing and play with them, children who become too reliant on parents won’t have the chance to strengthen skills like resilience and independent problem-solving, she added.

If your child struggles with free time, try to keep a routine even when there is not a lot going on. This plan could come in handy on snow days, unplanned weekends, or during long breaks like spring break, summer, and winter break.

Whether you’re still trying to hold down those New Year’s resolutions or you’re just generally trying to stay on top of your productivity, we could always benefit from some accountability checks. You can do these yourself, sure, but having a little outside help from a well-made app can make a big difference.

For one-on-one accountability: FocusMate and Supporti

A major component of productivity is planning your day, so if you’re planning on doing a certain task, like clearing your inbox or consolidating notes, try using FocusMate to get paired with an accountability partner who’s working at the same time. You get put into a video chat with the person, both share what you’re working on, and then get cracking. This relies on the principle of “body doubling,” or the idea that people work harder when someone else is around. If you’ve ever pushed yourself at the gym because you’re surrounded by other people or invited a friend over to sit on your couch while you clean, you get it. FocusMate lets you set up three sessions a week for free, but if you want unlimited sessions it’ll be $9.99 per month or about $84 per year.

Supporti is similar, but instead of matching you up for quick focus sessions, the app matches you with a longer-term partner. You goals will be similar and you’ll commit to supporting each other through the work. You communicate with each other through the app daily, checking in on your goals and sharing your progress, plus honest feedback on theirs, and vice versa. At the end of seven days, you can pick a new buddy if you want to. It’s $15.99 per month or $129.99 per year. 

If you want an accountability group: Flown

Flown hosts group sessions that function like virtual study groups, allowing you to work “alongside” others who are also trying to get things done. From the comfort of your home, you can surround yourself with people who are working on their tasks at the same time, giving you the same feeling you’d get if you were at a coffee shop, in a library, or working in a large group of people. There are virtual quiet rooms to join in the day and coworking sessions you can join with smaller groups of people for an hour or two, led by facilitators. There’s a 30-day free trial, but even after that expires, you can join free sessions on Fridays. If you’re really feeling it after the trial (which doesn’t require you to put down your card info), it’s $25 per month, $228 per year, or $900 for a lifetime membership. 

If you just need a personal push: Loop Habit Tracker

Maybe you don’t need a virtual coworking space, but just need a way to track your own progress and push yourself. Loop might be your answer, as it provides a platform for tracking progress, scheduling work, and getting helpful reminders via notification. You enter your progress into the app and get a Habit Score, which is based on how often you do what you set out to do. Gamification is a major motivator for some people, so if all you need is to see a number go up, up, up, try Loop, which is free for up to seven habits and $9.99 per month if you want to track more than that.

If you work best under someone else: Boss as a Service

The idea behind Boss as a Service may be funny to those who work for demanding bosses already, but could be a godsend for someone who has their own business, works for a non-communicative manager, or takes online classes. Essentially, you pay the app to act like your boss, expecting your work on a deadline and following up with you to make sure it’s getting done. This will heighten the urgency behind your work, especially since you need to provide your “boss” proof that you’ve gotten your work done. In real life, a boss can discipline or fire you for not getting work done, but since the app can’t do that, it vows to “not stop bugging you” about a deadline if you miss it. It’s $25 per month, $60 per quarter, or $200 per year.

If you’re working with a team: Tability

Virtual groups of strangers are one thing, but what about when you have a task that requires contributions from everyone on your established team, whether at work or in a group project at school? Enter Tability, which breaks down tasks at different tiers, from company-wide goals to specific team-related tasks, then tracks the progress on each one. Everyone on the team checks in, which will update the progress that each user can see. The pricing is per-person and per-month and comes at basic, plus, and premium tiers. Basic functionalities include a strategy map, initiative planning, reporting, and sharing and will cost $4 per person per month; $5 per person per month gets you that plus check-ins, data sources, and more; $8 per person per month adds on a cascading map, advanced access controls, an audit trail, and 24/7 support.

If you want real stakes: Forfeit

Forfeit has an interesting premise that isn’t for the faint of heart: You put down money (between $1 and $50) and if you fail to accomplish the goal you tie to it, you lose that money. Succeed and you keep it. A member of the app’s team will review evidence—like gym selfies, recordings of yourself working, or whatever else—to make sure you met the goal you set. You pre-determine what you’ll do, like, “I’ll send a time lapse of myself reading before 11 a.m. tomorrow or forfeit $10.” According to the company, there’s been $901,000 staked across 74,000 sessions with a 94% success rate—meaning most people are motivated to keep their money and don’t lose it. You don’t have to pay for the app in the traditional sense, but you do pay if you fail to accomplish your goal. Forfeit can keep that money or you can opt to have it given to a charity or even a group of friends using the app. 

WASHINGTON, Jan. 22, 2024 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA is investing $207 million in renewable energy and domestic fertilizer projects to lower energy bills, generate new income, create jobs, and strengthen competition for U.S. farmers, ranchers and agricultural producers.

OneAir Elite is a smart way to extend your travel budget, and it’s on sale for $79.97 right now (reg. $790) until January 21 at 11:59 p.m. PT. OneAir is a deal-alert service that lets you know when great flight deals are available—it tracks millions of fares in real time, lets you set destination-specific alerts, and lets you book destinations based on your budget. You just select your preferred departure airports (up to ten of them) and wait for OneAir notifications via email and mobile notifications. A lifetime Elite Plan offers access to Business, First, Premium, and Economy flights, and the membership can easily pay for itself with one great trip deal. OneAir Elite also offers discounts for hotels, ground transportation, entertainment, and activities.

The OneAir app is available on iOS and Android, and a lifetime subscription to a OneAir Elite Plan is on sale for $79.97 right now (reg. $790) until January 21 at 11:59 p.m. PT, though prices can change at any time.

I couldn’t believe I had to wait two additional months to see my primary doctor after rescheduling an appointment last year. But I discovered that what I find extraordinary (and annoying) is now the norm. The average wait for an appointment with a physician for new patients is 26 days, according to a 2022 survey of 15 metropolitan areas. 

Technology has a solution for this problem: telehealth appointments. These services utilize a network of doctors and medical professionals to see you and prescribe medications after an initial consultation and some lab tests. But which of these services is right for you? Here is a rundown of some of the most popular pharmacies and what they offer. 

LillyDirect

Shortly after its weight loss medication, Zepbound, was approved last November, drug manufacturer Eli Lilly created LillyDirect. Through that service, you can get the new injectable weight loss drug, the company’s migraine injection treatment (Emgality), and several formulations of insulin.

Cost: Prices and payment options depend on the telehealth provider, plus medications

What’s covered by insurance? Medications might be covered depending on your plan.

Ro 

You’ve likely seen Ro’s commercials during sporting events, which makes sense as they specialize primarily in men’s sexual health. After speaking with a doctor or nurse practitioner in Ro’s network about your symptoms, they will likely prescribe you a generic version of any number of popular prescriptions used to treat hair loss, fertility, erectile dysfunction, eczema, weight loss, and herpes. They also offer multivitamins, testosterone support, and other over-the-counter items. 

Cost: A telehealth consultation is free.

What’s covered by insurance? Ro doesn’t accept insurance for their generic versions of their sexual health products, but they list their prices here.

Hims/Hers

Much like Ro, Hims has generic prescriptions and supplements for sexual wellness (including toys) and hair loss, but they also offer medications to address mental health. Their sister store, Hers, offers many of the same products, with many targeted toward women’s needs.

Cost:  An initial telehealth consultation is free.

What’s covered by insurance? Hims/Hers doesn’t accept insurance for their generic versions of their sexual health products.

Henry Meds

While most services will use a network of pharmacies to fulfill your order, Henry works with third-party compounding pharmacies to process a patient’s prescription for insomnia, testosterone, diabetes, and weight loss. Their offerings have the same active ingredient as Ozempic and Rybelsus in oral form and tirzepatide (Mounjaro’s active ingredient) injections, all claimed to be FDA-approved, for a lower price than their competitors. 

Cost:  Prices vary depending on treatment and include medication

What’s covered by insurance? Henry Meds does not accept any insurance.

LifeMD

LifeMD puts you in touch with a primary or urgent care physician through their app or website and can send any prescribed medications (unless they’re controlled substances) to your door or pharmacy. It will also send a nurse to your home to complete any necessary lab work, or you can visit any member of their network of testing facilities. 

Cost: Plans start at $99 without insurance

What’s covered by insurance? Medications might be covered, but they also offer a prescription discount program. 

EverlyWell 

EveryWell offers telehealth visits for everyday symptoms like rashes, stomach upset, headaches, and cold-like symptoms with a licensed board-certified nurse practitione. It also sends any necessary prescriptions to the pharmacy of your choice. EverlyWell also offers a service called EverlyWell+, which sends medical tests, ranging from food sensitivities to STDs, to your doorstep.

Cost: $59 for a consultation without insurance, but insurance plans are accepted.  

What’s covered by insurance? Prices for consultations vary with your insurance plan.

Plush Care

PlushCare offers telehealth and prescription services for wellness visits, mental health, urgent care, sexual health, weight loss, and pediatric care within its app. You can even book same-day appointments seven days a week. 

Cost: $16.99 monthly, with the first month free, plus copay for doctor appointments if insured. Appointments are $129 for the first visit and $99 for monthly visits afterward if uninsured. Medication costs are not included.

What’s covered by insurance? Medications might be covered depending on your plan. 

Amazon Pharmacy

Amazon Pharmacy simply wants to replace your local pharmacist. Tell them your medications and where you get them; they’ll work with your pharmacy to deliver them to your door. Prime members get free two-day delivery.

Cost: Depends on your prescription and if it’s covered by insurance. 

What’s covered by insurance? Amazon Pharmacy accepts most insurance plans. 

Samsung announced the new lineup of Galaxy S24s earlier this week, with a big emphasis on AI features. All three phones, the Galaxy S24, Galaxy S24+, and Galaxy S24 Ultra, are available for preorder with a release date of Jan. 31. There are multiple places trying to lure you with deals to order the new Galaxy phones from their store, offering gift cards and even storage upgrades on them. But if you want to cut through the noise, Samsung and Amazon are the only ones you should be paying attention to.

Order from Amazon for the best gift card deals

Amazon, like Best Buy and Samsung, gives you the upgrade to the 512GB for the same price as the 256GB. Although they don’t offer trade-in deals, they do offer the best deals on gift cards. Here’s what you can get for each phone:

• Galaxy S24 Ultra $1299.99: $200 Amazon eGift Card. Use code “FEA7SP3UFDJN”

• Galaxy S24+ $999.99: $150 Amazon eGift Card. Use code “MJ93PYFCJHOJ”

• Galaxy S24 $799.99: $50 Amazon eGift Card. Use code “TTYSDPOR7WPL”

You must click the “redeem” button under the price to get the Amazon eGift card or use the promo code at checkout.

Order from Samsung if you have trade-ins

If you have phones, tablets, or watches that you can use for trade-in, Samsung will give you the highest trade-in credit from a reputable store. The trade-in credit goes directly towards the cost of the phone. Here’s a full breakdown of each phone’s deal:

• Galaxy S24 Ultra $1299.99: Up to $750 trade-in and $150 Samsung credit ($120 instant savings towards the phone and $30 for accessories from the Samsung store).

• Galaxy S24+ $999.99: Up to $650 trade-in and $125 Samsung credit ($120 instant savings towards the phone and $5 for accessories from the Samsung store).

• Galaxy S24 $799.99: Up to $550 trade-in and $75 Samsung credit ($60 instant savings towards the phone and $15 for accessories from the Samsung store).

If you’ve played around with generative AI at all, you know how impressive it can be, moral scruples aside. ChatGPT can generate pages and pages of text, while DALL-E can piece together an illustration from a simple request. (Whether those results are made up or stolen is another story.)

But perhaps nothing has impressed (and scared) me more in the age of AI than music generators. Sure, it’s cool ChatGPT can write an essay or a poem at the drop of a hat, but I had a bot write me a song with vocals and lyrics in seconds. The future is going to be wild, people.

Suno is a little too good at generating short songs for free

While many AI music generators are arriving on the scene, so far I’m most impressed by Suno. This bot is developed by a team of musicians and AI experts out of Cambridge, Massachusetts, and you can tell the people behind it know what they’re doing when you try out Suno for yourself. My first attempt was what scared me the most: Feeling a bit cheeky, I asked Suno to generate me an old school hip hop track about the horrifying implication of high quality AI-generated music. Suno processed the request, then spat this out.

Obviously, this wouldn’t pass as a “real” song, but it’s too closer for comfort. I don’t like how naturally the AI was able to rap out, “But hold up, listen closely, AI be posin’ a danger/Creativity replaced by a mere stranger.” Reader, it sent a shiver down my spine.

These songs are usually about 30–60 seconds long (although you can extend them if you want), and you aren’t able to request specific artists (copyright issues, etc.) But you can get creative, and go ultra specific in your requests to see what Suno generates.

How to generate your own AI songs for free

You can use Suno’s site to generate free songs without issue. You’ll just need to create an account, then enter the description for your song in the “Song Description” box before hitting Create. Suno gives you 50 “credits” a day for free. That basically means five requests a day, as each request generates two different versions of a song, taking five credits each. If you want to get a bit more granular, you can hit “Custom Mode,” which lets you enter custom lyrics (Suno recommends eight lines, or two verses, for the best effect), the style of music, and the title of your song.

If you want to extend the song further, you can click the three dots next to your song, then choose Continue From This Clip. Here, you can make an extension of the song in Custom Mode, then hit Continue to generate.

However, if you’re a Copilot fan, you can generate songs directly in Microsoft’s AI bot without needing to make a Suno account. First, open up Copilot in the browser of your choice (it used to be a Microsoft Edge exclusive), then sign into your Microsoft account. From here, click the Plugins menu and make sure the Suno plugin is enabled. Then, enter your song request in the text field and send it off. While Suno generates your song, Copilot will return AI-generated search results about the genre you requested, which is…fine, I guess? With Copilot, you also get five Suno requests a day.

You can share your track easily using the share button, which copies the link to your clipboard. You can also download it if you want it on-hand: On Suno’s site, click on the three dots next to your song, then choose Download Audio. In your browser, you should be able to right-click on the track, then hit Save Audio As. (This works in Microsoft Edge, in my use.)

Just remember: Suno owns everything generated on its service, even though it offers you the option to download the songs for later use. Just don’t accidentally generate the next viral pop hit.