Opt for a new kitchen that breaks the rules

You yearn for a remodeled kitchen. Problem is, you prefer a sleek modern look while your significant other insists on a more elaborate, classical approach. Fortunately, there's room for compromise in the form of a transitional kitchen, which was recently voted the most popular kitchen design style (chosen by 88%) among surveyed members of the National Kitchen & Bath Association.

“Transitional” is a fairly new term in the design world that harmonizes elements of both traditional and contemporary design—offering the best of both worlds. Learn more about this design approach and how you can implement it in a kitchen redo by reading my latest piece for CTW Features, available here.

Cineversary podcast traces Mockingbird's grand flight across 60 years

In Cineversary podcast episode #54, host Erik Martin learns afresh why it’s a sin To Kill a Mockingbird, as he honors the 60th anniversary of this remarkable work. Joining him this month is Chris Hite, a film professor at Allan Hancock College and an award-winning filmmaker, animator, and screenwriter of movies like FireStorm ’77: The True Story of the Honda Canyon Fire (2021). Erik and Chris pay homage to Mockingbird and explore why it’s worth celebrating six decades later.

To listen to this episode, click here or click the "play" button on the embedded streaming player below. Or, you can stream, download, or subscribe to Cineversary wherever you get your podcasts, including Apple Podcasts, 

Chris Hite

Spotify, Stitcher, Castbox, Google Podcasts, Pocket Casts, PodBean, RadioPublic, and Overcast. 

Learn more about the Cineversary podcast at anchor.fm/cineversary and email show comments or suggestions to cineversegroup@gmail.com.

Short on (ginger)bread this holiday season? Consider a Christmas loan

Need extra cash for holiday purchases or unexpected expenses that arise late in the year? Consider a Christmas loan, also called a holiday loan. This financing is a type of personal loan with a short repayment period. It can come in handy when you need funds in a pinch in November and December.

But know what you are getting into before committing to a Christmas loan. Learn how it works, what’s needed to qualify, pros and cons, eligibility requirements, who offers it, and alternatives to consider by checking out my newest article for Bills.com, available here.

When it’s time to redo the loo

Next to the kitchen, arguably the most important room in your home is also the most private and prized: the bath, where nature’s necessities and hygiene are handled in comfort and style. 

Problem is, it’s easy for the lavatory to look and feel antiquated after a few years. That’s why it pays to keep up with the latest bathroom trends and tastes—a goal shared by many homeowners, as evidenced by the finding that 84% of homeowners desire a bathroom remodel due to outdated design, per the results of a recent Fixr.com survey.

Learn more about the latest bathroom renovation trends by reading my newest article for CTW Features, available here.

Here are the vehicles that are cheapest and costliest to insure

Curious to learn which vehicles cost the most and least to insure for 2022? Insure.com has researched data among approximately 3,000 different automobiles, collected insurance quotes from seven major insurance carriers, and averaged the premiums to give you an accurate picture of what you can expect to fork over for car insurance based on particular makes/models.

This year, among the most expensive automobiles to get an insurance premium for are the Maserati Quattroporte, Maserati Quattroporte Modena Q4, and BMW M8 Competition Gran coupe. Meanwhile, the Subaru Forester 2.5I Wilderness, Hyundai Venue SE, and Honda CR-V LX were among the best bargains when it comes to car insurance premiums.

Eager to see the full list? Take a look at the least and most expensive vehicles currently to insure by reading my newest article for Insure.com, available here. 

Want to sell your home during the holidays? Read this first

Eager to sell your home before the end of the year but concerned about lower interest over the holidays? You’re not alone. Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day can be a challenging time to list, market, show and ultimately find a buyer for a home for sale.

But just because it’s the holiday season doesn’t mean your window of opportunity has slammed shut. By understanding the pros and cons of selling a house during the winter holidays and following some home selling tips, you can increase your odds of unloading that property without undue delay or a big ding to your net proceeds.

My newest article for Bankrate, available here, covers this topic like a blanket of snow.

Cineversary podcast explores why Casablanca gets better as time goes by

Kenneth Turan and David Thomson

For Cineversary podcast episode #53, host Erik Martin revisits one of the most beloved and critically acclaimed films ever made: Casablanca, which celebrates an 80th birthday this month. In this installment, he’s joined by David Thomson, a renowned film critic, cinema historian, and author of Sleeping with Strangers: How the Movies Shaped Desire; as well as Kenneth Turan, film critic for National Public Radio, former film critic for the Los Angeles Times, and author of Not to Be Missed: Fifty-Four Favorites From a Lifetime of Film. Erik and his guests return to Rick’s Café Americain to hear Sam play it again and to examine why Casablanca continues to resonate and how it has transcended time.

To listen to this episode, click here or click the "play" button on the embedded streaming player below. Or, you can stream, download, or subscribe to Cineversary wherever you get your podcasts, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Castbox, Google Podcasts, Pocket Casts, PodBean, RadioPublic, and Overcast.

Learn more about the Cineversary podcast at anchor.fm/cineversary and email show comments or suggestions to cineversegroup@gmail.com.

Is tuition insurance worth it?

Pursuing a college education involves a significant investment. Case in point: The average annual tuition for public in-state four-year universities is $10,740. Public four-year out-of-state university tuition averages $25,760 a year. Private four-year universities charge $38,070 on average, based on College Board data for the 2021-2022 academic year.

But what happens if you send your child to college and they drop out? You might get a refund, but depending on when the withdrawal happens it may not be the full amount paid for tuition, fees, room and board and other expenses. In fact, the entire amount may have to be forfeited. Tuition insurance can help protect against this situation.

Learn more about the pros and cons of tuition insurance by reading my newest story for Forbes Advisor, available here.

Where's the housing market headed in 2023? Let's find out...

We’re rounding the corner on 2022 and quickly heading toward a new year. That makes this a perfect time to prognosticate real estate matters for 2023. With mortgage rates escalating higher, home sales — and, in some areas, home prices — hitting the brakes, and increased uncertainty felt throughout the market, many homeowners, prospective sellers and prospective buyers are nervous about next year.

Eager to learn what the experts predict in 2023 regarding mortgage rates, home prices, buyer competition, housing supply, sales activity and home affordability? Check out my newest article for Bankrate (available here), which forecasts these housing market matters.

Reduce your risks of breast cancer with these tips

If you’re a woman in the United States, there’s a 13% chance you’ll be diagnosed with breast cancer in your lifetime. Fortunately, the five-year survival rate is 90%. But it remains the fifth leading cause of death worldwide.

While you can’t change your genetic predisposition to or a family history of the disease, learning the facts, taking precautionary measures consistently and early on, and making recommended lifestyle changes can alter the odds in your favor and help decrease the likelihood that you’ll ever be diagnosed with or succumb to breast cancer.

Learn more by reading my latest article for CTW Features, available here.

Cineversary podcast celebrates Nosferatu and Cat People anniversaries

David Kalat and Gregory Mank

For Cineversary podcast episode #52, host Erik Martin takes a double dip into the Halloween candy bowl by spotlighting two seminal early horror films: First, Nosferatu, which marks a 100th anniversary this year, for which he’s joined by film scholar and Nosferatu expert David Kalat; and Cat People, commemorating an 80th birthday in 2022, for which he’s joined by classic horror historian Gregory Mank, author of The Very Witching Time of Night: Dark Alleys of Classic Horror Cinema. Erik and his guests peel back the cobwebs on these macabre masterworks to explore how they remain relevant today, why they’re worth celebrating, and the long shadows of influence they’ve cast upon the horror genre.

To listen to this episode, click here or click the "play" button on the embedded streaming player below. Or, you can stream, download, or subscribe to Cineversary wherever you get your podcasts, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Castbox, Google Podcasts, Pocket Casts, PodBean, RadioPublic, and Overcast.

Learn more about the Cineversary podcast at anchor.fm/cineversary and email show comments or suggestions to cineversegroup@gmail.com.

Want to buy a car? Aim for this credit score

It’s time for a new set of wheels. But before heading to the dealership, it’s a good idea to understand how much a particular vehicle may cost and what you can afford. If you need to finance the purchase, take the time to learn what credit score to buy a car is recommended. That’s because your credit rating will determine if you qualify for a loan and your interest rate.

What’s the minimum credit score needed to be eligible for a vehicle loan? Read My newest article for  Bills.com, available here, and learn more.

Should you pursue credit card preapproval?

Eager to get a credit card but worried you might get rejected after applying? Want to take advantage of special rewards a certain credit card provides? Consider applying for a card you’ve already been “preapproved” for. Preapproval means that the credit card issuer has already screened and fast-tracked you for ultimately getting approved.

But obtaining a preapproved credit card has its pluses and minuses. Learn more about these benefits and drawbacks, worthy candidates for getting preapproved, and what happens if you are preapproved but ultimately rejected for the card. 

Get educated on this topic by reading my newest piece for Credit Sesame, available here.

Midnight Terror Haunted House expands staff and characters in 2022

In addition to writing articles, editing content, hosting a podcast, and managing various projects, I also handle public relations and publicity for a variety of clients. One of them is Midnight Terror Haunted House in the Chicagoland area, which reopens again for the Halloween season this Friday. 

Curious what's fresh and frightful about this popular haunt for 2022? Read my latest news release on the haunted attraction, available here.

TCM's Eddie Muller returns to Cineversary podcast to celebrate Out of the Past

For Cineversary podcast episode #51, host Erik Martin takes a trip down film noir boulevard to revisit Out of the Past, directed by Jacques Tourneur, which turns 75 this autumn. Joining Erik this episode is Eddie Muller, the host of TCM’s Noir Alley and author of Dark City: The Lost World of Film Noir. They navigate through this classic film’s cigarette haze and dark labyrinth of double-crosses to examine why Out of the Past stands the test of time, how it’s unique among noir fare, and why it’s worth celebrating.

Eddie Muller

To listen to this episode, click here or click the "play" button on the embedded streaming player below. Or, you can stream, download, or subscribe to Cineversary wherever you get your podcasts, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Castbox, Google Podcasts, Pocket Casts, PodBean, RadioPublic, and Overcast.

Learn more about the Cineversary podcast at anchor.fm/cineversary and email show comments or suggestions to cineversegroup@gmail.com.

What you can expect to pay for the remodel of a small kitchen

Got a smaller kitchen in need of major updates? Many kitchens in urban locations have smaller footprints, such as 10-feet by 10-feet, that are overdue for renovation. Modernizing this room can make a big difference. But that begs the question: What is the cost to remodel a smaller kitchen?

Read my newest article for Ownerly, available here, to learn more about the best strategies for remodeling a smaller kitchen and what kind of return on investment you can expect.

Understanding COBRA insurance

Worried about health care insurance coverage after you quit or lose your job? Fortunately, you can take advantage of COBRA insurance benefits, which allow you to continue your employer-based insurance coverage if you qualify.

Take the time to learn the pluses and minuses of COBRA health insurance, how much it costs, how to qualify, deadlines involved, alternatives to consider, and more by reading my newest article for Forbes Advisor, available here.

Garden glow know-how

Want a yard and garden that brightens up your disposition and spotlights safety? Consider landscape lighting on your grounds that can add instant aesthetic appeal and valuable illumination to deter trespassers.

Consider that proper outdoor lighting is a good idea to protect your home against theft while also creating an ambiance that radiates warmth and joy for the people living inside. And research suggests mental health benefits can be gained when you have a good yard design.

Get helpful tips on how to illuminate your grounds safely and effectively by reading my latest piece for CTW Features, available here.

Cineversary podcast rediscovers the magnificence of the Ambersons

James Naremore and Joshua Grossberg

For Cineversary podcast episode #50, host Erik Martin revisits the magnificence of The Magnificent Ambersons, Orson Welles’ follow-up to Citizen Kane that marks an 80th anniversary this summer. For this commemoration, Erik partners with two outstanding guests: film scholar James Naremore, author of The Magic World of Orson Welles; and filmmaker Joshua Grossberg, director of the forthcoming documentary The Lost Print. Collectively, they discuss why The Magnificent Ambersons remains a cherished cinematic work, why RKO removed 43 minutes from the film and how it significantly altered Welles’ vision, and the search for this lost footage.

To listen to this episode, click here or click the "play" button on the embedded streaming player below. Or, you can stream, download, or subscribe to Cineversary wherever you get your podcasts, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Castbox, Google Podcasts, Pocket Casts, PodBean, RadioPublic, and Overcast.

Learn more about the Cineversary podcast at anchor.fm/cineversary, and email show comments or suggestions to cineversegroup@gmail.com.

Know which drivers should be listed on your auto insurance policy

Choosing which drivers must be listed on your car insurance policy is quite important and, fortunately, easy to do.

Your auto insurance premium is partially determined by the drivers listed on your policy. While your insurer looks at more than a dozen factors that affect your insurance rates, any drivers (and their driving record) listed on your policy will absolutely push your premium up or down. The big question is, who exactly has to be listed on your policy, and how will that impact your premium? While a fully licensed teen driver certainly needs to be listed, what about a teen with a learning permit, a parent living with you, or a neighbor who borrows your truck to move?

Get helpful answers to these and other questions by reading my latest story for Insure.com, available here.

Housing market halftime is over: Here's what the 3rd quarter will look like

The third quarter of the year, which kicked off a month ago, brought a few surprises to the market – including a slight dip in mortgage rates and signs of falling home sales.

But the near-term future looks relatively predictable to many pros, who foresee slightly lower or stabilized mortgage rates, relatively high home prices, and lingering supply issues despite more inventory expected. Industry insiders are also mindful of a possible recession, which could alter prospects for the rest of 2022.

Curious what housing drifts are anticipated by those in the know? Eager to learn if buying or selling is a smart move between now and the end of September? Read my newest piece for Bankrate (available here) for valuable insights and helpful recommendations offered by different industry experts.

How buying a home can be a hedge against inflation

Americans are paying a lot more today for goods and services than just a few years ago. That’s due to inflation, a factor that can impact prices across the board – including real estate prices and mortgages.

Even though home prices are higher, purchasing a residence can be a smart move that outpaces the inflation rate. Take the time to better understand how inflation works, why homebuying may be a good inflation-proof strategy, and where inflation is headed by reading my current piece for Bankrate, available here.

Your loved one passes away and owes taxes. Here's what happens next

The passing of a loved one can be an emotionally difficult period. There are also a lot of financial matters that need to be sorted out, including any taxes owed. Which begs the question: Who is responsible for the taxes of a deceased person? When are they due? And where do the funds come from?

Take the time to learn what’s involved tax-wise after a loved one dies and what to expect by reading my first article for new client TaxCure, available here.

Cineversary podcast speaks up about The Quiet Man on its 70th anniversary

In Cineversary podcast episode #49, host Erik Martin takes an audio trip to the Emerald Isle to pay tribute to one of John Ford’s finest works, The Quiet Man, which enjoys a 70th anniversary this summer. Erik is joined in the celebration by two terrific guests: Joseph McBride, a film professor at San Francisco State University, cinema historian, and author of several books including Searching For John Ford, Billy Wilder: Dancing on the Edge, and The Whole Durn Human Comedy: Life According to the Coen Brothers; and Des MacHale, a mathematics professor at University College Cork in Ireland and author of The Complete Guide to the Quiet Man. Together, they explore why The Quiet Man remains so beloved around the world, its cultural impact, elements considered controversial today, and more.

Joseph McBride and Des MacHale

To listen to this episode, click here or click the "play" button on the embedded streaming player below. Or, you can stream, download, or subscribe to Cineversary wherever you get your podcasts, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Castbox, Google Podcasts, Pocket Casts, PodBean, RadioPublic, and Overcast.

Learn more about the Cineversary podcast at anchor.fm/cineversary and email show comments or suggestions to cineversegroup@gmail.com.

Pick the perfect printer

Documents on a screen or in the cloud will only get you so far. When you need a closer look at the text, tangible proof, a paper trail, or an image printout, a quality printer is an indispensable tool that every home should have. 

Get tips on how to select the right printer for your family's needs by reading my newest article for The Costco Connection, available here.

Staying fit safely in the summer

It's easy to get carried away on a warm day when the bright sunshine practically begs you to frolic outdoors, colorful summer foliage delights the senses and happy neighbors and passersby on the street lighten your mood. Whether you are walking the dog, rollerblading down the lane, jogging off some extra pounds, or biking through the park, before long the sun, heat, and/or humidity can wear you down and cause serious side effects if you are not careful.

Learn how to better protect yourself outdoors under the summer sun by reading my latest piece for CTW Features, available here.

Can cancer patients get life insurance?

You want to provide financial protection to your loved ones and heirs in the event of your death. Life insurance can offer that peace of mind. But if you’ve recently been diagnosed with or treated for cancer, it can be challenging to get a life insurance policy. However, that doesn’t mean life insurance for cancer patients and survivors is impossible.

Learn the facts and possibilities, and get to the bottom of important questions like: Can you get life insurance if you have cancer? Does life insurance cover cancer? What are the rules related to life insurance with pre-existing cancer? Get the answers by reading my first article for new client Forbes Advisor, available here.

Cineversary podcast rediscovers the magic behind E.T. 40 years later

In Cineversary podcast episode #48, host Erik Martin revisits suburbia circa 1982 through the lens of Steven Spielberg and arguably his best film, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, which marks a 40th birthday this month. Joining Erik for this installment is James Kendrick, a film professor at Baylor University who teaches courses on Spielberg and serves as the QNetwork.com movie critic; and Caseen Gaines, a director, educator, pop culture historian, and author of several books including the forthcoming E.T. The Extra Terrestrial: The Ultimate Visual History. Erik and his guests will examine how E.T. set a new template for sci-fi adventure films, why and how it has stood the test of time, reasons it’s worth celebrating four decades later, its cultural impact and legacy, and more.

To listen to this episode, click here or click the "play" button on the embedded streaming player below. Or, you can stream, download or subscribe to Cineversary wherever you get your podcasts, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Castbox, Google Podcasts, Pocket Casts, PodBean, RadioPublic, and Overcast.  

Learn more about the Cineversary podcast at anchor.fm/cineversary and email show comments or suggestions to cineversegroup@gmail.com.

James Kendrick and Caseen Gaines

Glass with class

Shakespeare once famously asked: What light through yonder window breaks? The answer is, not as much light as you’d like if your home’s windows are dirty or in need of maintenance.

Fact is, it’s easy to take windows for granted. While they may not appear to be dirty or in need of attention, the glass, screen mesh, and frame materials take a beating from the elements over time that can compromise the window’s operation and longevity. That’s why it’s wise to inspect, maintain, and repair your windows regularly, especially before cold weather comes around again later this year. 

Learn more by reading my newest article for The Post and Courier, available here.

Live a less stressful life by adopting these recommended financial habits

When your mind is cluttered with thoughts and you can’t focus, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. The same is true when your financial house is in disarray. Money mismanagement, disorganized finances, poor credit, and lack of financial literacy can result in stress and anxiety.

But the situation is not hopeless. You can get fiscal matters in order and learn to better manage your dollars with patience, discipline, and recommended financial practices. For helpful tips and insights from experts, check out my newest story for Credit Sesame, available here.

When it's time to say sayonara to your swimming pool

Owning a swimming pool can be a great perk that provides plenty of fun and may even increase your home’s value. But if you no longer regularly use your pool, are facing expensive repairs, or want to reinvent your yard, it may be time to have it removed. Just be prepared: The bill for demolishing a pool and the cost to fill it in can be substantial.

Weigh the pros and cons carefully, crunch the numbers, learn about the process involved, and find the right experts for the job if you’re ready to pull the trigger. For more tips, read my newest article for Ownerly, available here.

Cineversary brings out the big guns to celebrate High Noon's 70th anniversary

In Cineversary podcast episode #47, host Erik Martin turns back the clock to commemorate the 70th birthday of one of the most beloved westerns of all time: High Noon, directed by Fred Zinnemann. In this installment, Erik serves as a trusty deputy of sorts to film scholar sheriff Glenn Frankel, the Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author of High Noon: The Hollywood Blacklist and the Making of an American Classic. Erik and Glenn explore how High Noon changed the western genre, why it’s worth celebrating seven decades later, its cultural impact and legacy, and what we can learn from this study in temporal tension today.

Glenn Frankel

To listen to this episode, click here or click the "play" button on the embedded streaming player below. Or, you can stream, download or subscribe to the Cineversary podcast wherever you get your podcasts, including Apple Podcasts, Castbox, Stitcher, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Pocket Casts, PodBean, RadioPublic, and Overcast.

Learn more about the Cineversary podcast at anchor.fm/cineversary and email show comments or suggestions to cineversegroup@gmail.com.

A playground right on the premises

Kids today are often consumed with staring at a screen and spending most of their free time indoors. Many neighborhoods lack nearby playgrounds, and concerned parents have frowned on public park visits over the past two years due to coronavirus fears. So where can parents point their children toward without feeling guilty – a place where young ones can benefit from body movement, frolic with friends, and avoid electronic overstimulation?

Look no further than your home’s backyard, the ideal spot for a playground you can have built. Find out more about how to create a backyard playset by reading my newest article for CTW Features, available here.

Sweat equity

Want to lose weight, detoxify your body, and reap other significant health benefits? If so, you’re gonna wanna sauna in or near your home. Because, while you don’t want to sweat the small stuff in life, perspiring in a conveniently accessible box of on-demand heat is a big deal, say the pros.

Invented in Finland likely around 7,000 BC, the sauna hasn’t changed much over the centuries. It’s essentially still a big wooden box in which you sweat profusely for a short amount of time. But sauna technology and materials have evolved significantly, making it easier to own a personal sauna.

Learn more about personal saunas by reading my newest article or The Costco Connection magazine, available here.

The paperwork you'll need to complete for a mortgage loan

Preparing to apply for a mortgage loan? You may be curious: What paperwork do you need for a mortgage? When you apply for a mortgage loan, you’ll eventually need to supply different documents to the lender before you can get approved. Additionally, you’ll be asked to sign several other documents before and after approval.

Learn more about the documentation required as well as tips on how to keep this process moving along smoothly and effectively by reading my newest piece for Home.com, available here.

When Uncle Sam comes calling with a tax bill

You’ve done the calculations and finished your tax return. The bottom line shows that you owe money to the IRS. Problem is, it’s going to be tricky to pay this bill due to tight finances. Fortunately, you can pursue options to pay what you owe and avoid penalties.

Learn more about IRS rules for paying your tax bill and the repercussions for not doing so by reading my first article for new client Credit Sesame, available here.

Cineversary podcast sends 70th birthday wishes to Singin' in the Rain

 

In Cineversary podcast episode #46, host Erik Martin honors the 70th birthday of what most regard as the finest Hollywood musical of them all, Singin’ in the Rain, directed by Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen. Joining Erik for this installment is Turner Classic Movies host Alicia Malone, author of the newly released book Girls on Film: Lessons From a Life of Watching Women in Movies. Erik and Alicia examine how Singin’ in the Rain remains a bona fide classic 70 years later, why it still matters, its cultural impact and legacy, and what we can learn from all this genius singing and dancing today. Erik also chats with Brian Eggert, a film critic, essayist, and owner of DeepFocusReview.com, about Kelly’s unique approach to dancing on film.

Alicia Malone and Brian Eggert

To listen to this episode, click here or click the "play" button on the embedded streaming player below. Or, you can stream, download or subscribe to the Cineversary podcast wherever you get your podcasts, including Apple Podcasts, Castbox, Stitcher, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Pocket Casts, PodBean, RadioPublic, and Overcast.

Learn more about the Cineversary podcast at anchor.fm/cineversary and email show comments or suggestions to cineversegroup@gmail.com.

Trick of the tongue

“Words: So innocent and powerless as they are, as standing in a dictionary, how potent for good and evil they become in the hands of one who knows how to combine them.”—Nathaniel Hawthorne

This master of American literature sounded prescient when he uttered this quote back in the 19th century. That’s because Hawthorne seems to herald a warning in the 21st century about things he couldn’t have possibly foreseen, such as the dangers of bogus audio in the form of speech deepfakes, which employ artificial intelligence and machine learning to create convincing synthetic audio of a human speaker.

How convincing? Consider that, in a well-reported 2019 AI-powered crime, criminals used deepfake technology to mimic the voice of a company’s chief executive over a phone call where the speaker directed the transfer of around $250,000. The funds were transferred and redistributed, and no suspects were identified. Another widely-reported deepfake-enabled financial heist resulted in the cloning of a bank director’s voice and the illegal transfer of $35 million. 

Before you scoff at the idea of being fooled by a phony voice, take a moment to learn the facts as well as the risks and liabilities that threaten large and small organizations alike. And learn ways that you can help prevent being victimized by this increasingly concerning digital danger by reading my newest article for Speech Technology Magazine, available here.

Understanding the metaverse and how your business can benefit

Turns out The Matrix, Avatar, Inception, and Ready Player One were on to something more than entertaining our eyeballs. The visually dazzling futuristic virtual worlds in these stories have been translated to the real world (minus the digitally dystopian scenarios suggested, at least so far) in the form of the metaverse—which is getting lots more attention lately in the media and on social networks.

Indeed, a lot is happening in this fresh iteration of cyberspace, which represents a major leap of faith for many, including organizations looking to capitalize on the metaverse’s potential to transform business and commerce. Now’s the time to learn what it’s all about, its prospects for profitability, and if your enterprise need apply. Learn more by reading my newest article for Destination CRM, available here.

Two wheels, unlimited possibilities

Want to engage in an outdoor fitness activity this spring that's fun, fast and freewheeling? Head to your nearby bike shop or go online and pick up a new or used bicycle, which can quickly burn calories and serve as a trusty form of transportation with no fuel costs or pollution involved.

Get helpful tips on how to choose the right bike for you by reading my newest CTW Features article, available here.

Knowing the right time to slash your home's price

You’ve enlisted the aid of a skilled real estate agent who’s performed a thorough comparative market analysis to determine the value of your home. You’ve listed your home at what you both believe is an accurate price, and you’ve hosted many showings, but so far, no one has made an offer. So why hasn’t your home sold?

When you list your home for sale, setting the right asking price from the start is important. But sometimes, even if you think the list price is appropriate, your home still might linger on the market. That’s when it’s time to consider a price reduction to attract a buyer. Learn more by reading my newest story for Bankrate, available here.

A podcast that makes you an offer you can't refuse

 In Cineversary podcast episode #45, host Erik Martin commemorates the 50th anniversary of perhaps the best American film of the 20th Century, The Godfather, directed by Francis Ford Coppola, by talking with Harlan Lebo, author of The Godfather Legacy and a senior fellow at the Center for the Digital Future at the University of Southern California Annenberg. Erik and Harlan investigate why this movie still matters, ways it has stood the test of time, its cultural impact and legacy, what we can learn from the film today, and more.

Harlan Lebo

To listen to this episode, click here or click the "play" button on the embedded streaming player below. Or, you can stream, download or subscribe to the Cineversary podcast wherever you get your podcasts, including Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Breaker, Castbox, Pocket Casts, PodBean, RadioPublic, and Overcast.

Learn more about the Cineversary podcast at anchor.fm/cineversary and email show comments or suggestions to cineversegroup@gmail.com.

Get proper insurance coverage on that new car before you purchase

Few events in life are as exciting as buying and driving a brand-new vehicle. But before signing on the dotted line and taking the keys from the dealer, it's important to make sure that you have the right insurance. After all, accidents can happen anywhere and anytime -- even as you are driving your new ride off the lot. It's also smart to understand recommended coverage limits for new vehicles so that you and your car are properly protected in the event of a claim.

Read my newest article on this topic, published by Carinsurance.com, available here.