Once again it's time to check out some ads that may make you scratch your head, wag your finger, or perhaps even chuckle.
That is our Mouse Print* story this week.
Your Phone Has an "Expiration Date;" How to Find It
Some brands of smartphones have more limited lifespans than others in that updates to the operating system and security patches end at a date certain. This story and the website mentioned in it (endoflife.date) list the expiration date for many popular brands and models of cellphones. Of course, your phone will not actually stop working when it reaches the "expiration date."
As more people abandon traditional cable TV and move to streaming services, a funny thing happened. Their total monthly bill started getting out of hand again. Here are tips from the Wall Street Journal to show what you might be paying for some of these services and how to find and switch to less expensive options.
Consumer Beware
Is This Anchorman Trying to Scam You?
Ian Hanomansing, an anchorman and reporter in Canada, discovered that his likeness from real video reports he has broadcast was manipulated with artificial intelligence to scam people.
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Until October 24, Kohl's and Kohls.com are offering an extra 50% all clearance prices. This becomes one of the lowest prices of the year on these leftovers with a lot of summer clothing and other goods.
Buy 10 General Mills Products, Get $25 Back
If you buy 10 General Mills products (see participating items) in ONE transaction and at a participating store (see list at top of prior link), you can get a $25 online rebate (via PayPal, Venmo, or a digital Visa card). Make purchases by October 31, and submit your receipt here by November 30.
Credit card late fees are pretty high - often over $30. Now there is a proposal to cap them at $8 or 25% of the minimum balance due. There is also a plan to allow a 15-day grace period before the late fee can be assessed. Here's how to avoid late fees and learn more about these proposals.
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