How to Cut the Cord with a Digital Antenna

Often we overlook that a lot of the programs we like are on CBS, NBC, ABC and FOX, which do not need a cable television or satellite agreement whatsoever. Now you're most likely stating, "Yeah, except I DVR everything ". Well, we have a remedy for that in a couple of paragraphs listed below.

Utilize a HD Antenna to obtain Your Local Channels

While it might look like a step back, over-the-air tv has a big part in the cord-cutting way of life. For almost a decade now, the outdated rabbit-ears that used to let people access to nearby channels have been practically rendered useless.

The analog signals these aerials used to get have been substituted with a digital. You can see your local area broadcast channels in impressive 1080p quality with a low-cost HD antenna.

Which Antenna Should You Get?

If you're a cable television or satellite customer, it's most likely been a while since you connected an antenna and searched for nearby TV signals. If you do not have an antenna laying about, you can employ this convenient TV signal locator software. 

It not simply provides you a listing of stations that may be gotten at your address but strength of signal statistics and which direction you need to target your antenna for optimum reception.

Let's use this TV signal statement, which is based upon my residence . Notification the following:

• It spit out 28 distinct signals reaching my home
• A lot of these signals are identical channels due to the fact that networks transmitted from all kind of various locations. Nowadays antennas are strong to pick them up.
• It's color coded:
• Green indicates I can get these stations with basically any HD antenna. The distances are just about 20 miles from my home since these stations are transmitted in Atlanta
• Yellow indicates you'll most likely need to user a higher quality antenna or position it in a more desirable place (the attic) to obtain these signals. 
• Red indicates I 'd most likely require a roof-mounted antenna
• Gray indicates best of luck, it will be tough to pick them up

The directional graph shows me exactly where to direct the antenna to get these stations

I'm receiving all the primary broadcast networks (CBS, NBC, ABC, FOX, PBS, CW) in green, so I can ignore the yellow and gray.




When you obtain your signal report employing a website like TV Fool, see which color classification your local area networks fall within. This color code represents the kind of antenna you would probably require to get the channel. 

Remember, where the antenna is located and the number of obstacles lie in between the antenna and the open air will affect the antenna's efficiency. As a rule of thumb, the more elevated the antenna and the less obstacles, the greater the signals you will get.

After obtaining some signal locator information, the next concern you have to address is how strong of an antenna do you require.

Passive HDTV Antennas

To get the channels transmitting nearest to your address, a basic passive antenna ought to be enough. In operation, these antennas are the nearest relatives to the outdated "rabbit-ears" from the analog signal times. 

In look, nevertheless, the majority of these antennas resemble flat, plastic business folders. This flat form has actually shown to be rather useful in getting digital channels from the air; however it likewise implies you have to be deliberate in how you target them.

Application is easy. You connect the antenna into the coaxial plug-in in the rear of your TV (or analog-to-digital converter if your TV was made prior to 2007), install the antenna to a wall or window, scan for channels, and you're ready to proceed.

A few of the leading units like the Channel Master CM-4001HD and the incredibly reliable AmazonBasics Ultra Thin 35 mile HD Antenna may be gotten online for under $20.

Amplified Digital TELEVISION Antennas.

If the broadcast signals you are attempting to get are a bit further away or your antenna has a small number of walls or other obstacles in between its position and the outdoors, the subsequent step up from the passive antennas is an amplified antenna. 

A lot of these antennas are comparable in construction to their passive equivalents, however they need electrical power (either through USB or an AC adapter).

This added electrical power can frequently be the increase required to turn an in-and-out signal on a passive antenna into a crystal clear and crisp one. 

It is worth bearing in mind that in many cases, passive antennas can in fact surpass their powered equivalents if there is extreme noise hindering a signal. This often tends to be the exception instead of the rule however.

Not unexpectedly, the inclusion of power comes with an extra cost; nevertheless, it will not break the bank (specifically when compared with the expense of the cable-box leasing you've been shelling out for!). A few of the best units like the Mohu Curve 50 and the Clearstream Eclipse are rather inexpensive at under $75.

Inevitably, antenna elevation and placement are still the most essential issues in getting the most ideal signal quality, despite having the additional electrical enhancement of an amplified antenna.

Outside HD Antennas.

If you reside far from the closest broadcast towers, outside antennas are the best choice. 

These antennas are created to stand up to the weather and provide the greatest reception possible, without the structural and electrical obstacles that can hinder the efficiency of their indoor cousins.

For outside antennas, the very same guidelines apply: higher is a better choice, and active is generally more powerful than passive.

Costs for outside antennas differ typically based upon size and strength. You can purchase serviceable units such as this one by 1byone for as little at $29.99, or bigger, more powerful units like this one from Channel Master for just under $150.

Both of these outside, roof-mounted choices will get greater reception than indoor antennas. Nonetheless, if you're under 30-35 miles away from the broadcast towers, you're very likely alright with the ease and low price of an indoor version.

Investment Ideas: 3 Lucrative Ideas For Your Finances

There are two types of people in this world: those who wait for things to happen and those who put themselves in the position to make great things inevitable. Many people are simply okay with going to work, collecting their paychecks, and letting their money sit around without any real plan for it. 

This is a lost opportunity to make your money work for you and put yourself on the path toward obtaining real wealth. There are countless ways to put your money to use, but below are our top 3 favorite ways for growing your finances.

Stock Market

The simplest suggestion on our list is also the most proven one. Investing in the US stock market has made millionaires out of everyday people. 

The S&P 500 has consistently produced profits over long-term time frames and for those willing to be patient, it has provided a nest egg well above those letting their cash sit in their bank accounts. 

If you don’t believe us, take a look at any 20 year period of the S&P 500 and you are guaranteed to find that you would have made a hefty profit by simply depositing your money and never looking at it again. 



Opening an account is easy; all you need to do is create a Vanguard account, deposit enough money for an S&P 500 ETF, and watch your money grow.

Real Estate

Investing in real estate has been the source behind the wealth of some of the world’s most elite business minds. Some people prefer a more tangible investment vehicle where your project is felt and seen, as opposed to just some numbers popping up across a trading platform. 

Anybody can get into real estate as long as they are willing to put in the time, make the relationships, and come up with the funding to invest in a business that requires large upfront costs for potentially huge profit. 

Funding can come from many sources, family, friends, commercial loans like those offered by LCNB National Bank, etc. One you gather your funding and perform your research on what type of real estate is right for you, the only thing left is getting to work and making money.

Start-Up Investing

Start-up investing is the most risky of the three ideas, but it has the potential to make you the most money in the fasted amount of time if you find that one diamond in the rough. 

The basics of start-up investing come down to finding a company in need of capital, investing a sum of money in exchange for a percentage of the company, and one day, the company will be worth much more than you paid for it and you will earn the percentage of the company’s new value once sold. 

With that said, most companies don’t make it very far and as they go down, so does your investment. 8 out of 10 businesses fail within 18 months, so it is important to invest with caution and only part with money you can afford to lose. 

But, if you find that one that defies the statistics, you set yourself up for a lucrative windfall.

The options on how to grow your money are virtually endless. Everyone’s risk profile and access to capital is different, so what you decide to do with your money is always up to you. 

The above options give you an idea of what options exist across the risk spectrum and what potential gains await. In any case, always be looking for ways to help your capital increase because the only thing better than steady finances is growing finances.

Mitigating Mistakes: How to Handle a DWI as a Responsible Adult

Driving while intoxicated (DWI) is a serious crime that can result in expensive fines, a suspended driver’s license, mandatory DWI classes and significantly higher insurance rates. 

There’s also the possibility of jail-time, although that is rare for a first offense. Although you likely wish you hadn’t gotten behind the wheel in the first place, there’s no way to change the past. 

All you can do is move forward and improve your situation. Here’s the best way for you to handle a DWI charge responsibly.

Hire a Lawyer

You have a few options when it comes to how you handle the legal consequences of your DWI charge. 

You can simply plead guilty right away and put yourself at the mercy of the court, which is a bad move. You can go with a public defender who is probably overworked. Or you can hire a skilled DWI attorney, which is by far the best option.




Your DWI attorney will give you the best chance at success in your case. If you’re lucky, they may find something in your favor, such as the police officer not having probable cause to suspect you of DWI in the first place. 

Even if your lawyer can’t get the charges dismissed, they can negotiate the best deal for you.

Attend DWI Classes

If you got a DWI, it means that your drinking caused you to behave recklessly and irresponsibly. While the DWI itself may seem like a wakeup call, you should still enroll in DWI classes for two important reasons.

The first reason is that the court will probably require you to take DWI classes as part of your punishment. Failure to do so could result in jail-time or other penalties. The second reason is that DWI classes can help you make better decisions in the future. 

Don’t just go to your classes to get credit for doing so. They’re a good learning opportunity, and it’s smart to pay attention.

Work on Getting Your Driver’s License Back

Your license will most likely end up suspended after you’re found guilty of DWI or possibly before, depending on your state, and it could be suspended for six months, one year or longer. 

You can get it back in as little time as possible by complying with any terms the court sets for you. This will typically include taking those DWI classes and paying off your fines.

You may be able to start driving again sooner if you agree to have an ignition interlock device installed on your vehicle. 

With an ignition interlock device, you must blow into it before you can start your car, and sometimes while you are driving, as well. Check with an Austin DWI lawyer to see if this is an option.

Understand That a DWI Can Be an Emotional Rollercoaster

A DWI is a major life event that can affect people in a variety of different ways. It could leave you feeling depressed and ashamed of yourself. 

Or, you could feel angry at the fact that you have a suspended license, especially if you need to drive for your everyday commute.

What’s most important if you experience any intense emotions after your DWI is that you understand that things will turn around. 

Even though a DWI can be a major hassle to deal with, if you do your part, you’ll be able to get your life back in order.

It’s a bit of a shock when you’re charged with DWI, and it can leave you wondering what to do. Stick to the steps above and you can resolve your DWI as painlessly as possible.

5 Ways To Make Money Using Your Mobile Phone

When you take a look at the world today, you can see how much it has been shaped by technology. Next to changing the way people live, work, and play, it has also affected the way some people make money. 

Next to serious ventures such as taking up an online business, working as a freelancer, or being a blogger with a huge following, there is also a wide variety of micro-jobs that you can do by using certain online apps, that aren’t necessarily a way to earn for a living, but if you know how to use them, they can help you get some extra cash.

Gather info from stores as a Field Agent

First, you have to download the Field Agent app, make your own agent profile. Your jobs will appear in the apps “job list” or you can track them from the “map view”. And what are you going to do? 

You are going to help businesses improve their customer service by gathering information, photos, and videos from stores and other places via your smartphone. 

For example, you may have a hob to go to a store, take a photo of a product, and then answer some questions about it. The money you’ll earn per job is between $3 and $12.

Take surveys

Companies like to learn what you think about various things that matter to them, in order to create statistics and improve various business aspects. 

Most often, they will gather information from the customer base that they have, but there are other ways that they do this too. 

In fact, there is a lot of websites that will pay for you to take surveys. Every business cares about your opinion during their development phase, and they will pay because it will help them know what to focus on.

Become a Tasker in your area

If you’re a good handyman, cleaner, mover, and the like, you can use the Task Rabbit app to find local jobs, with the ability to choose the rates and schedules that you are comfortable with. 

The first thing that you need to do is register, and then you will get an invitation to attend a local Tasker orientation or onboarding session. 

You can then begin doing the tasks by downloading the app and receiving notifications about potential jobs near you. Discuss details with your client, do the job, submit the invoice, and get your money.

Shopping rebates

There is a variety of apps and sites out there that can help you get your money back after you shop. While it’s not really a way of earning money, it can help you save more. Ebates is the most popular shopping rebate app/site. 

When you purchase something from their site, they get a commission from who made the product. But, instead of keeping it, they send you a piece of the commission, and a PayPal payment every quarter. Some rebate apps require you to keep receipts that you have to scan.

Drive people around

We asked the professionals at Personal Digital what their favorite way of making money via your smartphone is, and they suggested using an app like Uber or Lyft to drive people around. 

First you need to register and get accepted, and you have to meet requirements such as being 21+ old, owning a car, and having a car insurance that is valid. You also have to pass a background check. 

After that, you can earn money as a driver – up to $35 an hour with Lyft, and about $19 per hour with Uber.

In summation

In today’s world of technology, there is a wide variety of ways that you can make money, be it a real business or a way to get some extra cash. 

There is a wide variety of apps and ways out there that can help you earn money. Try some of the 5 listed in this article and see how they pan out.