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Time Business News
4 hours ago
- Time Business News
All About iPhone Data Recovery
Smartphone is a new tool in the information world; it contains all kinds of data, as well as a huge load of personal and professional data, which is so often used as an iPhone, so recognizable in the labor market as an iPhone due to its excellent technology and security capabilities. But then, accidents do occur- someone can delete a file, a computer can break-down, we forget passwords. That is where iPhone data recovery comes to the rescue. The iPhone data recovery is a process of restoring information lost, deleted or inaccessible on an iPhone, iPad or an iPod Touch. The data loss may be caused by accidental deletion, issues in updating the iOS, factory resetting, any physical damage, and/or by mistakes in jailbreak. Fortunately, most of the lost data can be unconsciously restored using modern tools and techniques of the restoration. Factors on why data gets inaccessible on iPhone are many. Examples of some of the most common ones are: Deletion by mistake: There is a case where photos, messages, and contacts can be mistakenly deleted when users manage their data. Software problems: iOS updates may fail or the system may crash or the application may come to a glitch all of which may lead to loss of data. The device may corrupt the internal memory upon dropping the device or water damage. Jailbreaking bugs: Trying to eliminate iOS limitations can make the phone unstable and result in data loss. Forgotten Passcodes: If you forget your password, it can deny you some of the important files. With iTunes or Finder Backup: In case you have ever created a backup of your device in iTunes on Windows or macOS Mojave and earlier with Finder in macOS Catalina and later, you will have the opportunity to restore everything with the iTunes or Finder backup. The technique erases the existing information on your iPhone and replaces the same with the backup contents. Restoring with iCloud Backup: When you are setting up a new phone, connected to your iPhone, which has been synced with iCloud and you have enabled automatic backups of your device the data can be restored, which will be selected during the setup process, signing in using your iCloud account. It proves to be useful when establishing a new iPhone or following factory reset. Third-Party Software: Third party software is the ideal solution when you lack a backup. Applications such as iMobie PhoneRescue and Gbyte Recovery may be used to scan the phone and recover lost files, especially photos and text messages and other WhatsApp chat messages, call history, and so on. There are programs which even give an overview of recoverable files, without buying it. Turn on iCloud backup or make regular back ups of your iPhone to the computer. Avoid jailbreaking your gadget unless you really need it and you are absolutely aware of the dangers. Start to act promptly when data is lost. The delay you take, the higher the chances of overwriting the deleted files. Recovery programs should be trusted and positively reviewed in order to avoid malware or continued harm. Data recovery on iPhone is a crucial facility in our digitalized live. Irrespective of whether you have lost your data because of a human error, a system malfunction, or even a physical damage, lost files may be retrieved effectively. You can keep your valuable information safe and accessible by being able to know your recovery options as well as put prevention in place. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Boston Globe
4 days ago
- Boston Globe
Boston city employee facing accessory charges in connection with fatal shooting in Roxbury
Her since-deleted LinkedIn page had said she works as a housing supervisor for the commission and that she received a criminal justice degree from Salem State University. A spokesperson for the commission said Friday that the agency 'is aware of the pending criminal charges against the employee. This person has been placed on unpaid administrative leave.' Advertisement Payroll records show she was hired by the commission, an independent public agency run by a board appointed by the mayor, in 2019. Her current title is housing coordinator, the commission said. Her charges were A statement of the case against Cherisme said she drove Charles Dixon, 40, in her gray Infiniti on April 19 to the area of the Nubian MBTA stop. They got out of the car and Dixon began arguing with Ellis Santos, 36, on the sidewalk, according to the statement. As a crowd began to form, Cherisme and Dixon got back in the car, the statement said. Advertisement As Cherisme drove away, Dixon allegedly fired a gun at Santos from the front passenger seat, missing him but hitting two bystanders and killing one of them, Andrew Owens, officials said. Dixon last month pleaded not guilty to murder and weapons charges and is being held without bail, records show. Santos allegedly returned fire, striking the Infiniti, and is facing weapons charges, according to court records. After the shooting, Cherisme dropped Dixon off where she had initially picked him up, the statement said. A couple of hours later, early on April 20, Cherisme 'walked into the Boston Police Department' and told detectives she was standing on the sidewalk during the shooting, the statement said. She allegedly told police that Santos was the 'primary aggressor,' and that she didn't recognize the person he argued with since everyone wore masks, the filing said. 'It was not until investigators received video surveillance footage of the incident that they learned that Santos was not the primary aggressor and that the defendant had actually driven the man later identified as Dixon, who was not wearing a mask during any of the interaction,' the statement said. On May 5, Cherisme spoke to State Police investigators with her attorney present after receiving a 'proffer letter' indicating her statements wouldn't be used 'directly against her' unless she lied, the filing said. During that session, she gave authorities a phone number that she said she used to call and text Dixon, the cell phone that she said she used to reach him, and her iCloud account information, records show. She consented to an extraction of her phone's data as well as a search of her vehicle for forensic evidence, telling investigators it hadn't been cleaned or tampered with since the shooting, according to the statement. Advertisement Virtually all those statements were false, authorities allege. 'With respect to the phone number she provided for Dixon, it was not a real phone number,' the filing said. 'Her own phone records, obtained by subpoena, revealed the actual number by which she contacted Dixon the night of the shooting. The number she provided appeared nowhere in her records.' In addition, the phone she gave detectives wasn't the one she was using at the time of the shooting, as she claimed. Rather, it was purchased on April 22, 2025, three days after the shooting, the statement said. And the iCloud account she provided had no data from the time of the shooting and 'appeared to have been created days after,' the statement said. There was also a glaring issue with the Infiniti, according to the filing. State Police observed 'a through-and-through bullet hole in one of the doors to the vehicle, with no corresponding exit hole elsewhere,' the document said. 'This would indicate that the projectile should still be within the vehicle.' Yet it wasn't. 'A thorough search of the vehicle, including the partial disassembly of some components, was conducted, and no such projectile was located in the vehicle,' the statement said. 'This item, of significant evidentiary value, must have been removed from the vehicle prior to the search.' A request for comment was sent to Mayor Michelle Wu's press office Friday. The Middlesex District Attorney's office is handling Cherisme's case because she 'has a family member in law enforcement in Suffolk County,' a spokesperson for that office said. Advertisement One of the defendants in the case is related to 'a BPD officer,' a spokesperson for the Suffolk office said. City payroll records indicate that someone with the same last name as Cherisme is employed as a Boston police criminalist. Andrew Ryan of the Globe staff contributed to this report. Travis Andersen can be reached at
Refinery29
4 days ago
- Business
- Refinery29
A Week In Seattle On A $139,967 Salary
Welcome to Money Diaries where we are tackling the ever-present taboo that is money. We're asking real people how they spend their hard-earned money during a seven-day period — and we're tracking every last dollar. Today: a grant officer who makes $139,967 per year and who spends some of her money this week on egg freezing medication. If you'd like to submit your own Money Diary, you can do so via our online form. We pay $150 for each published diary. Apologies but we're not able to reply to every email. Content warning: This diary details fertility struggles. Occupation: Grant officer Industry: Federal government Age: 35 Location: Seattle, WA Salary: $139,967 (government job) and up to $7,200 (side hustle #1) and then also up to $67,200 (side hustle #2). Both of these side hustles are new, I got them to help me weather impending unemployment. (Just a quick note about my salary and why I've only listed my main income: The side hustle amounts are the maximum amounts afforded through my contracts, but payout depends on how many hours I work, which is rarely the full amount each week. Basically, for the purposes of this diary, I don't want to inflate my salary too much. I'm also going to be dropping side hustle #2 soon.) Assets: Checking account: enough to cover monthly credit card bills; HYSA (3.75% APY): $14,796; retirement: $212,905 ($196,329 in my Thrift Savings Plan, the retirement plan for federal employees, which is a combination of Roth and traditional 401(k), and $16,576 in a Roth IRA); car value: $26,000; home value: $940,300. Debt: Beyond the mortgage that my parents and I share ($486,682 left), I am debt free. Paycheck Amount (biweekly): $3,123.38 from work; up to $300 from side hustle #1 (depending on hours); up to $4,800 from side hustle #2 (depending on hours). Pronouns: She/her Monthly Expenses Housing Costs: My parents and I co-own a house. I pay $2,750 of our $3,760 a month mortgage. Our arrangement is this: My parents paid a hefty down payment to get the monthly mortgage low enough to be within reach for me to pay. I pay as much as the mortgage as I can, and they cover the rest. We meticulously track what we each put into the house, and will break out any proceeds from a future sale proportionately. For them, it's a way to grow their own money (and have a place to crash when they visit) while helping me build wealth. I hope to be able to cover the full monthly mortgage payment someday soon, whether through Airbnb income once we finish the basement, joint income through marriage, or making more money in my next gig… Whichever comes first ;-) Loan Payments: $0 Retirement: $472 (in anticipation of being laid off, I lowered my contribution to meet my agency's 5% match criteria and no more; this used to be $1500). Health Insurance: $174 Dental Insurance: $28 Cell Phone: $40 Water/Sewage/Trash: $110 Electricity: $100 Wifi: $55 Spotify: $13.23 Google Storage: $2.11 iCloud: $3.17 NYT Subscription: $4.09 Egg-Freezing Storage: $70 Ridwell: $18 Union Dues: $34 Strength-Training App: $20 Charitable Contributions: $500 (combination of church, local food bank, and my parents' non-profit) Savings: $800 Car Insurance: $953 (every six months). Annual Expenses Home Insurance: $786 (my parents pay this). Prime Subscription: $139 Alaska Airlines Credit Card: $95 State Park Pass: $30 National Park Pass: $80 Vehicle Tax/Registration: $458 Was there an expectation for you to attend higher education? Did you participate in any form of higher education? If yes, how did you pay for it? There was definitely an unspoken expectation. Doing well in school was always given a high value in my family, and I embraced that value. I was a very studious kid and put a lot of pressure on myself to excel in school. For college, I got a full-ride community service scholarship at what would have otherwise been a very expensive private university. I also received a full-ride scholarship through my local Rotary Club to attend grad school abroad. For both, my parents covered housing, books, food, and any other needs I had while in school. Growing up, what kind of conversations did you have about money? Did your parent(s) educate you about finances? I cannot remember explicit money conversations growing up, but I can see now as an adult that my own philosophy around money certainly flows from my parents'. We were upper middle class, had everything we needed, but my parents were never flashy with the money they had in the way that some people in our area were. They were frugal in funny ways. For instance, my dad is famous for his 'uniform': white polo and khakis. He has a few pairs of both but otherwise doesn't wear anything else. And my mom will sit patiently on the phone for hours to navigate things like erroneous health care bills just to save a few bucks. On the flip side, they were also very generous. My dad always kept cash on hand to give to anyone who asked; they often treated our friends to meals or experiences; they hosted big, abundant meals for family; and, on top of their full-time day jobs, they started a non-profit that does solar energy projects for hospitals and schools around the world. If they spent big money — like to purchase one of the early hybrid-technology cars in the early 2000s — it was for something that flowed from their values, like environmentalism or education, or on experiences that enhanced our quality time as a family. What was your first job and why did you get it? I started babysitting for neighbors around 12, but I got my first hourly job at 14 scooping custard at a Midwest burger chain. The job was less about financial relief for my parents and more about my getting workforce experience and staying occupied in the summer. Did you worry about money growing up? I wouldn't say I worried about money growing up; my parents provided us everything we needed and more. But I was aware that we didn't have as much as other people in our social circles. My brothers and I attended Catholic school K-12, which is not cheap, and so many of our friends were kids whose parents could also afford to send them to private school. My two best friends in grade school lived in legit mansions and had multiple vacation homes. I have a diary from 6th grade with multiple entries that toggle between jealousy for what my friends have and gratitude for what I have. So while I was never worried about my family's financial security, the question of 'What is enough?' bounced around in my head at a young age. Knowing more now about my parents' finances, I can see that my parents could have afforded more luxury and convenience, but chose to be relatively thrifty, generous, and values-driven with their resources. I admire this approach and try to practice it in my own life. Do you worry about money now? I do, especially with the level of job insecurity in the federal government right now (more on that in my diary below). After the November election, I started to dial back expenses, lower my retirement contributions, track my monthly budget more closely, and seek a side hustle, anticipating the layoffs to come. Even outside of these unpredictable times, I'm always worried that I'm not saving as much as I should (for retirement, for emergencies, etc.). At what age did you become financially responsible for yourself and do you have a financial safety net? At 23, when I moved to DC after grad school for my first job. If I ever got in a bind, my parents would definitely be able and willing to help out, but I don't ever want to get to the point that I need to ask. Do you or have you ever received passive or inherited income? If yes, please explain. When I moved to DC, my parents gifted me a car that they had been wanting to get rid of. They also bought me the car I have now a couple years ago (which cost $30,000). This past year, my mom gifted me close to $30,000 to cover three egg freezing treatments. Apart from really wanting me to give her a grandchild some day, she went through IVF back in the 1980s to get pregnant with me, so is very invested in this journey for me. And as I mentioned above, my parents and I co-own a house that I would've never been able to afford on my own. I'm incredibly grateful for my parents' generosity and know I'm super lucky. Day One: Monday 7 a.m. — I wake up to my alarm and when I un-silence my phone, I see that I have over 100 text messages from East Coast colleagues. About a month ago, DOGE cut a lot of positions at my agency (including mine) and terminated many of our grants overnight. These developments happened so quickly and chaotically that it has been hard to get reliable information on what's happening, and our text thread provides some clarity and solidarity. 7:30 a.m. — After morning skincare routine (plain water rinse, Honest Beauty Vitamin C serum, Purito Seoul face lotion, and Trader Joe's face sunscreen), I make some breakfast (Bob's Red Mill protein oats, a dollop of plain Greek yogurt, cashews, chia seeds, diced Granny Smith apples, cinnamon, a drizzle of maple syrup and a sprinkling of flaky sea salt), take my morning supplements, and give myself my morning shots. I'm on my second week of stimulation meds, preparing for egg retrieval and freezing next week. This is my third cycle, so I can mix the meds and poke myself on autopilot at this point. 8 a.m. — While I'm eating breakfast, I check email and see that the consulting job I'm about to start (side hustle #2) has agreed to the hourly rate I requested, which is much higher than they originally offered. This was my first experiment in 'asking for what I'm worth' and I am blown away it worked! I'm on paid leave from my government job for two months before my position is eliminated. I will receive some severance and annual leave payout, but it won't last me long. Having what could functionally be a 40 hour a week temp gig if I need it is a huge relief. 8:45 a.m. — Drive to my monitoring appointment with my fertility doctor. The clinic is in a suburb of Seattle and the drive takes 45 minutes with traffic, so I'm grateful for the flexibility in my schedule at the moment. My doc is pleased with the interval growth (i.e., the rate at which my follicles are growing) she sees on the ultrasound. I only have about 11 follicles that look like they will be big enough for retrieval, which is on par with my last two cycles. I have relatively low AMH for my age, so my body doesn't have as many follicles to recruit. In my last two cycles, only eight of the dozen-ish follicles had eggs that were retrievable, and seven of the eight eggs retrieved were mature enough to freeze, so I have 14 eggs on ice at this point. The stats say that you want about 20 to have a strong chance of having one baby in the future, so here I am, on cycle #3, trying for that magic number. 10 a.m. — I get home and listen to Ezra Klein talk about our country's constitutional crisis while I walk around the neighborhood. I am not allowed to vigorously exercise while on stim meds, which is hard for a gal whose mental health depends on running. Long podcast walks in an unusual spate of Seattle sunshine have been a saving grace. 10:30 a.m. — My boss (who still has a job) calls to check in on my job hunt and shares how bleak it feels to be one of the only ones left in the crater of the bomb DOGE set off. 11 a.m. — I take stock of my inventory of jobs to apply for this week and send LinkedIn messages to a few old acquaintances. Government people don't really use LinkedIn much, so my networking skills are rusty, but I'm trying. 12:30 p.m. — I eat a delicious mix of leftover potato salad from the Easter feast I attended yesterday, chicken salad, arugula salad, a clementine, and a handful of my kryptonite, Trader Joe's chocolate pretzels. While I'm eating, I see that based on today's lab results, my doctor wants me to order more meds. I submit a payment to the pharmacy (my mom is paying for half of my medication costs this round, which she has already covered, so this one's on me). I take my lunchtime supplements and struggle through the daily NYT games. $894 1:30 p.m. — I pack up some snacks and head to the office of my church a few blocks away. After the election in November, I saw the writing on the wall and took a job as an operations coordinator at my church (side hustle #1). This comes with the perk of getting to use their beautiful light-filled office space whenever I want. I'm much more disciplined at the job hunt in this environment than at home. I complete three job applications and get a call from a job connection I made a couple weeks ago at a construction company where my friend works. This connection and I really hit it off, and he tells me that he will soon have a position opening that might be a good fit for me. I'm excited at the sound of it, but also… Construction?! Not at all aligned with my public sector/non-profit do-gooder career thus far. I have a minor identity crisis after the call. 5 p.m. — Go to my acupuncture appointment. I've been doing fertility acupuncture to increase blood flow to my ovaries to hopefully improve the quality of the eggs retrieved. During the session, I have a delightful nap on the table. I pay my copay; insurance covers the rest. $25 6 p.m. — Stop by Trader Joe's ($6.57) and Safeway ($10.28) across the street to pick up some odds and ends I forgot on my weekend shopping run (chocolate pudding, whipped cream cheese, microgreens, pita crackers). $16.85 7 p.m. — Cook one of my staple soups: coconut-ginger lentil soup with spinach. While that's simmering, I food prep some turkey burgers and roast some broccoli for the week. 8:30 p.m. — Finally sit down to eat a bowl of soup with toasted bread, adding a dollop of sour cream and microgreens on top to feel fancy. I nearly choke on my food because I am bawling my eyes out during the finale of From Scratch. 9 p.m. — Administer evening shots, put compost bin and Ridwell items out for pickup tomorrow, and water my house plants. 9:30 p.m. — I do my nighttime skincare routine (La Roche-Posay face wash and Cocokind retinol and moisturizer), read Leif Enger's So Brave, Young and Handsome, and fall asleep by 10:15 p.m. Daily Total: $935.85 Day Two: Tuesday 7 a.m. — Wake up and listen to a morning meditation designed for people going through IVF, but it works just as well for egg freezing. This morning I visualize welcoming the hormones in as strange but friendly gardeners who tend to and prune my eggies for optimal growth. 7:30 a.m. — Turn on NPR on my kitchen radio while I do some morning chores: washing sheets, unloading the dishwasher, administering morning shots, taking supplements. I eat breakfast (carbon copy of yesterday) and read the latest issue of Bon Appetit magazine, earmarking a pork stir-fry I want to try. I then go on a short 'sensory walk'; something that a pop psychologist I like recommended to help decrease anxiety and regulate my nervous system. I am not allowed to 'think' on my walk, only notice as many things about the natural world as possible. This morning I notice that the lady across the street is selling succulents from her garden again and I break the 'no-thinking' rule to make a mental note to find her later and purchase something. 9 a.m. — Work on some tasks for my church job for a couple hours, mostly scheduling volunteers and purchasing things we're low on (all paid for with my work credit card). 11 a.m. — Break for lunch (more leftover potato salad, turkey burger, arugula salad, grapes, and chocolate pretzels), take mid-day supplements, play NYT games. My medication shipment arrives and I inspect and refrigerate the meds. 12 p.m. — Walk to the office space at church and hunker down for more job apps. 2:30 p.m. — Take a break to follow up with a plumbing company about lining my sewer. I live in a house built in the 1940s with an aging concrete sewer pipe that needs to be lined with plastic piping (a more expensive job than it seems like it should be) before it collapses on itself (an even more expensive job to repair). I snack on a protein bar and a clementine while I contemplate whether it's worth it to be a homeowner. 4:30 p.m. — As I leave the office, I get a notice that the audiobook Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art is ready to borrow from the library. I start listening on my walk home. 5 p.m. — I list a bunch of stuff on Marketplace, including a dresser I found on the side of the road and zhuzhed up a bit with round oversized drawer pulls. Someone messages immediately and agrees to buy it for $300, which makes me wonder whether furniture flipping could be side hustle #3?? I also see that someone responded to a post I made on my neighborhood's community blog asking for (free) help repairing a bluetooth speaker. I've had this dinky speaker for 10 years and it died out of nowhere last week. I figured there'd be a neighbor out there who might want to tinker with it! 6 p.m. — Eat a quick dinner (leftover soup, Trader Joe's crackers with guac, and a pudding with some peanut butter mixed in), take evening supplements, and head to the local beachfront park to meet up with a friend, A., and her baby, J. 7:15 p.m. — Another friend, L., joins. Hilariously, L. is wearing her wetsuit because she misinterpreted my text. I asked her to watch the sunset with me, she thought I asked her to swim at sunset with her. We both got into open-water swimming in the Puget Sound this winter, so this miscommunication is not totally out of the blue. We hang out until the sun sets behind the Olympic Mountains (the Pacific Northwest is freaking majestic, if you've never been). She does a plunge and I head home. 8:30 p.m. — Administer evening shots, do bedtime skincare routine, read, lights out by 10 p.m. Daily Total: $0 Day Three: Wednesday 6:15 a.m. — Wake up, make my usual breakfast, administer morning shots, take my supplements, and pack up my skis. I learned how to ski this winter and rented gear instead of buying to make sure I liked it. The rental shop is 30 minutes further than my doctor's appointment, so I decide to make the trip after my appointment this morning. 7:30 a.m. — Arrive at appt. Ultrasound is normal. Get my blood drawn by my favorite angel nurse. 8:30 a.m. — I fill up with just enough gas to get me out and back from North Bend. There's a gas station near my house that has the cheapest gas I've been able to find in town, so I don't want to overpay for a full tank. I listen to Breath while driving. So far, I'm learning that mouth breathing is really bad for you. I concentrate on breathing through my nose the rest of the drive. $8.73 9 a.m. — I arrive at the coffee shop that is attached to the ski rental place. The shop doesn't open until 10 a.m., so I order a decaf cortado and start responding to an intense family text thread to coordinate a trip with my parents and brothers and their kids to my SIL's family's lakehouse in Arkansas. I send my résumé to an old college friend so he can do an internal referral for a job I've been eyeballing. $5.09 11 a.m. — I return my skis and drive an hour home. I chat on the phone with a colleague who still has her job the whole drive. 12 p.m. — Eat lunch (dregs of potato salad, turkey burger, broccoli, microgreens, crackers and guac, and a glass of Trader Joe's orange-peach-mango juice), take lunchtime supplements, and play NYT games. 12:30 p.m. — Go on a sensory walk. 1 p.m. — Do an intense session of personal grocery planning for next week and for a church event on Sunday. I'm in charge of building a massive charcuterie table to feed 150 adults and kids. I already have most of the materials, but will need to do one last Costco run tomorrow. 2 p.m. — Chat with someone who I found on LinkedIn who has the same role at a company at which I applied for a job. She gives me super helpful insight into the role (and as she does, I feel the energy drain from me… Something my career coach told me to pay attention to!) and offers to recommend me to the hiring manager. 3 p.m. — Spend an hour preparing a cover letter and résumé for a job app, only to find out that it isn't posted anymore. I send a message to a random recruiter at the company who I found on LinkedIn to see if there's any chance I could still submit. Shoot your shot. 4 p.m. — Give my car a much needed vacuum, spray down my mats in the backyard, and chat with two neighbors who are also dinking around outside. 5:45 p.m. — Meet up with my partner, M., to head to our biweekly couple's counseling session. M. and I have been dating for two years and are starting to have more serious conversations about the future. We started going to counseling a couple of months ago for some help with specific dynamics and communication patterns that we both want to be smoother before we decide to take the next step. I order salads for both of us through my Sweetgreen app on the way so they're ready for pickup when we get there. M. venmos me for what he thinks is half, $15, even though these salads cost an obscene $17 each. I swallow the $2 extra. I love you, Sweetgreen, but damn. $20.19 6:30 p.m. — We eat our salads and head to our appt. 7 p.m. — We meet with our therapist and work on rehearsing a recent interaction in a more productive way. My therapist charges me for our session, since my insurance allows me to submit for reimbursement. We've been receiving roughly $150 back for every $250 we spend per session. But until I get my reimbursement check in the mail, I pay the full amount and M. venmos me for his half. $125 8 p.m. — We drive back from our session, chatting about what was helpful from the session and what wasn't. We're both still undecided about whether we jive with our therapist, but want to give her a fair shake. 9 p.m. — I fill up with gas at my cheap(er) gas station, administer evening shots, shower, nighttime skincare, and am asleep by 10:15 p.m. $62.81 Daily Total: $221.82 Day Four: Thursday 6:15 a.m. — Wake up an hour before my alarm. Listen to another IVF meditation. This time I visualize my follicles vibrating and glowing with energy. 7 a.m. — Turn on NPR to catch me up on the day's news, make my usual breakfast, take morning supplements, administer shots, and pack up a cooler to haul groceries throughout the day. 8 a.m. — Head toward my fertility acupuncture appt. I'm going to a different acupuncturist today because my regular acupuncturist is visiting family in China. The new acupuncturist's office is right next to one of the better budget grocery stores in Seattle. My neighborhood doesn't have one, so I always take advantage when I'm close. Next week, I'm planning to take a meal to a friend who is solo-parenting while her husband is abroad and to host my next-door neighbor so we can talk cost/logistics of dealing with the shared portion of our sewer line, so I'm going to make one big throwback pot of (wait for it…) homemade beef stroganoff for both. I get egg noodles, ranch seasoning, and sour cream for the stroganoff, and other staples (tuna packets, brown rice, arugula, tomatoes, bell pepper, cucumbers, apples, clementines). $26.92 9 a.m. — Have my acupuncture appt. It's so interesting to see how different acupuncturists practice. This one leads me in a guided meditation while I'm on the table. It's pleasant. I pay my copay. $25 10:30 a.m. — Drop off some jeans at Madewell so they can fix a broken zipper (I am always popping zippers, not sure why!). Thankfully this service is free. While I'm there, I try on some things. I am perpetually on the hunt for an everyday jean short, and I find it in their new summer line. They're perfect for my lanky legs and big booty, but $90 is pricey for jean shorts. I ask the store associate if there are any sales coming up — she says no, so I ask if federal employees get discounts. She feels bad for my/our situation and offers 15% off. I also use a store credit from a return long ago, bringing the price down to a more reasonable amount. $41.25 11:30 a.m. — I need to post up somewhere to have a call with my career coach. When I found out I was getting laid off, I searched Google for 'free career coaching for Feds' and found so many people on LinkedIn offering pro bono services. I'm blown away by the kindness and solidarity. I land at a bagel sandwich spot with a great patio to soak up the sun. I get an everything bagel with salmon lox, veggie cream cheese, salmon roe, and pea shoots. The price tag makes me SO sad. You'd think that seafood would be cheaper in Seattle since we're so close to the source. $17.66 12 p.m. — My career coach cancels last minute, which I'd normally be annoyed by, but it's free, so I can't complain! I repurpose my time by ordering a decaf iced latte from the bakery that shares this patio and doing some research for an upcoming weekend away with M. A friend is lending us her family's cabin near Leavenworth, a quirky German town in the southern Cascade Mountains. I make a restaurant reservation, research trail runs, and find an outdoor spa that has hot tubs, saunas, and cold plunge pools. M. and I went to Japan last year and got very into public bath culture, and take advantage of anything resembling it in the States. $6.62 2 p.m. — I make a Costco run for the remaining charcuterie items for my church event (purchased on work credit card), and pick up some chicken meatballs for myself while I'm there. $14.99 3:30 p.m. — Unpack groceries at home and call my parents to discuss the sewer lining project. We decide that they will foot the $15,000 bill up front and I will reimburse them for half once I have a next job. For home maintenance things like this, we aspire to split costs in this way. 6 p.m. — Get ready and head to a fundraiser for a local non-profit that friends of M. and me are involved with. We chow down on a fajita bar and then bingo starts. The prize is a $500 gift card to one of the most untouchable restaurants in Seattle. I've always wanted to go, so I purchase more bingo cards than I was intending. We don't win, but our friends who just had a baby do, so we're happy they get to treat themselves to date night. $50 9 p.m. — Head home, administer evening shots, take nighttime supplements, read a page of my book before crashing at 10 p.m. Daily Total: $182.44 Day Five: Friday 6:15 a.m. — Wake up to my alarm and do a fertility meditation. 7 a.m. — Meet with Career Coach #2 (I'm open to all the free help I can get!). 8 a.m. — Administer shots, take vitamins, prepare my usual breakfast (but make it to-go) and hop in the car for an ultrasound/bloodwork appt. One of my toxic traits is eating meals while driving. Every New Year's, I commit to building more margin in between daily transitions, especially for meals, but I haven't cracked the code yet. It's not that I lose track of time, it's that I think I can get more done in the time allotted than is actually feasible. One friend calls me a 'time optimist'. 8:30 a.m. — See my doctor. Everything is still progressing as expected, with 11 or so follicles still looking viable. 9:45 a.m. — Get home, clean the house a bit, and do some lunch prep. My friend L. and her two-year-old A. are coming over for lunch. I make Mediterranean bowls for us, with white rice, chicken meatballs from Costco, a cucumber-red pepper-red onion medley, and TJ's tzatziki sauce. 11 a.m. — It's super nice outside, so we eat on my sunny patio. This is a new friend; we met through mutual friends who connected us because we're both from the same hometown. She feels homey and we have a lot to talk about, and get some pretty decent adult conversation in before her kid needs some attention. We float in and out of chatting about meaningful things and helping him count the number of rocks his dump truck unloads. 1:45 p.m. — My friend leaves, I clean up, and my energy zaps. The hormone meds are really taking it out of me. The theme of this week is give the body what it needs, so I lay down for a snooze. 3:30 p.m. — I walk to church to print songbooks for this week, and do several church admin tasks while I'm there. 6:30 p.m. — Printing done. I walk home, eat another soup dinner, administer shots and take supplements, and do some life admin. I book a haircut and regular maintenance for my car next week. Maintenance will be free because I bought a three-year maintenance package when I got my car in 2022. I thank my past self for her foresight. I also book a sauna and cold plunge session for after my procedure next week, which my naturopath recommended to help my body shed the extra hormones. There's a wood-fired barrel sauna on wheels that parks itself on a beach near my house so patrons can cycle in and out of the sauna and cold-plunging in the Puget Sound. I utilized this service HEAVILY during the winter, and it worked wonders to fend off the winter blues. I text a friend to see if she wants to join. I also sign up for a free trial at a local gym. I won't be able to run right after my procedure, but I'll be able to start doing gentle cardio, so just need access to an elliptical for about a week. 8:30 p.m. — I start watching Normal People. I have been very drawn to English and Irish dramas lately (Bad Sisters, Adolescence), so I'm hoping this will continue to scratch the itch. It does not disappoint. 10:30 p.m. — After a couple episodes, I do my nighttime routine and put myself to bed. Daily Total: $0 Day Six: Saturday 7:30 a.m. — I wake up to my alarm, do a fertility meditation, have my usual breakfast, congratulate myself for eating breakfast at my kitchen table, and hop in the car to go to my appointment. 9 a.m. — My follicles look good, but doc is a tad worried about my bloodwork. My LH (ovulation hormone) is spiking so she wants me to administer a medication that will keep me from ovulating prematurely. She decides we should retrieve on Monday. 9:45 a.m. — I pick up the ovulation blocker meds at a pharmacy around the corner. $48 10:15 a.m. — I drive back to Seattle. Mount Rainier comes into view as I drive over Lake Washington and it is pure magic. I have some time to kill before a shop I need to go to opens at 11 p.m. I call a friend, S., who lives nearby and see if she's home. She is, and tells me to come over. She makes tea and I get to hear about her and her family's recent trip to Bend, OR. I make a mental note to add Bend to my list of places to explore out here in the PNW. 11 a.m. — I go to a store in my neighborhood that sells bulk home goods by weight. You can bring your own containers or buy them in the store. Shopping here is part of my journey to reduce the amount of single-use plastics in my life. I need body lotion, and have the option of normal lotion or a lotion bar. I've never tried the bar, so I decide to give it a shot. $17.66 12 p.m. — I get home and make a lunch of arugula, farro and parm salad with a turkey burger on top. I administer my new meds and start an application for passport renewal. Mine expired last month, and M. and I have been talking about taking advantage of my funemployment to go somewhere, so I want to be ready. 2:30 p.m. — M. comes over and helps me stage my passport photo. We then head to my local waterfront park and go on a one-mile walk (about all my body can handle at this point) and talk and nap and snuggle in the sunshine at the beach. 6 p.m. — M. leaves and I head to my friend A.'s house for our weekly Sabbath meal. Sabbath is a new practice to me as of last fall, and it has been really lovely. I'm learning to see it as an invitation to slow down, refrain from work and engagement with technology and commerce, reflect on God's presence throughout my week, and delight in things that bring me joy. I try to practice it Saturday afternoon to Sunday afternoon, but even setting aside just Saturday evening has been a nice habit shift. The friend I do it with is single-momming by choice, so I'm in charge of making dinner at her place while she gets baby J. ready for bed. Tonight will be easy, because I'm feeding us leftover charity event fajitas. They both cheer me on as I administer my 'trigger' shot — the shot that will prepare my eggs for retrieval. My friend went through many rounds of IVF before J. came along, so she has been a wonderful companion throughout this process. 8 p.m. — We pray and eat and talk about our weeks and lives. 10 p.m. — I head home, do my bedtime routine, and crash. Daily Total: $65.66 Day Seven: Sunday 7:30 a.m. — I wake up, do meditation, make some licorice tea, and read in bed for an hour. 8 a.m. — I take my last shot, woohoo! I decide to celebrate by making Kodiak cake blueberry pancakes with chicken sausage and mango-peach-orange juice. It hits the spot. 10 a.m. — I drive to a coffee shop around the corner to conduct some business. I sell an alarm clock to someone on Facebook marketplace and drop off my broken speaker to the neighbor who has agreed to fix it. I love the informal and sharing economies. 11 a.m. — Back at home, I start to prep materials for the charcuterie board at church. I cut veggies, wash fruit, and slice cheese. 1:30 p.m. — I head to church to start to set up. I've never done this before, and perhaps ambitiously think that I can after watching a few YouTube videos. What I pull together turns out way better than I expected; humbly, it is a work of art. 4 p.m. — Church service. M. joins. 5:30 p.m. — After the service, folks graze and I get lots of compliments (and even a request to do this for pay at a baby shower!). Before M. leaves, we game-plan the transportation plan for my appointment, as he is my post-anesthesia designated driver. 7 p.m. — Come home, clean the kitchen, write some thank yous to my doctors and nurses for retrieval day tomorrow, and watch an episode of Normal People. 9 p.m. — I get hungry; the cheese board didn't quite cut it for dinner. I'm feeling protein-deprived, so I fry up a weird nightcap of chicken meatballs. 10 p.m. — I do my nighttime routine and settle in for bed. I set multiple alarms on multiple devices because I do not want to miss my wake-up for my procedure. I also remove my water bottle from my bedside table so I'm not tempted to drink it in the middle of the night and violate the empty-stomach surgery requirements. I fall asleep saying a little prayer that tomorrow goes well… Wish me luck! Daily Total: $0 The Breakdown Conclusion 'This was an abnormally spendy week due to the egg-freezing medication. My wallet and my schedule will appreciate the coming relief from egg freezing costs (medication, acupuncture, supplements, gas for appts). I'm noticing that I'm drinking coffee and eating out a bit more than I normally would, given the flexibility of my days while I'm on paid leave. As a budget foodie, I normally prefer to save restaurant money for a restaurant I really want to go to, not for casual food to eat on the go. Depending on how long my unemployment lasts, I may need to rein that in a bit. Otherwise, my spending this week was pretty normal.' And an update… 'Since I wrote this diary, a lot of life has happened! I had my egg retrieval, and the outcome was not good. My doc was only able to retrieve four eggs, which was incredibly disappointing for both of us. Her theory is that it might take my body more time than 'average' for the egg to release from the follicle wall in order to be retrieved, hence why I had so many 'blank' follicles. She felt so bad that she offered me a fourth cycle completely free, which, as you've seen from the price tag, is so generous! I've already completed that fourth cycle, and we were able to get eight eggs this time, so I now have 26 eggies in the freezer and I'm content with that :) I also got a full-time job offer from that construction company (starting salary of $160,000 and a $5,000 signing bonus), and I decided to take it. I'm scared about what such a hard, weird pivot in my career will mean, and whether I'll ever be able to find my way back to public sector work, but I'm trusting that it'll be ok. Because I'll have a full-time job, I'm planning to drop side hustle #2 soon. I was able to negotiate a start date in the fall, which means I'll get to have a mini sabbatical this summer to rest and travel, and I couldn't be more pumped. Thanks for following along!'
Mint
4 days ago
- Mint
Apple's iOS 26 update will add a much loved MacBook feature to your iPhone: Know all about it
Apple's big plans with iOS 26 haven't exactly been off to a smooth start, with the company facing widespread mockery on social media due to the new Liquid Glass redesign, while the long-promised AI features in iOS still remain undelivered. However, beyond the gloomy news, Apple is bringing some new apps to the upcoming operating system, one of which will introduce a long-awaited MacBook feature to iPhones this September. iPhones and iPads running iOS 26 will be greeted with a new Preview app, using the same name as Apple's popular PDF and image viewer on MacBooks. The new Preview app will offer an option to view PDFs and images saved on iCloud, on the device, or from other file sources. The app will allow users to browse PDFs, making it easier to keep documents organised and accessible in one place. Users will also be able to edit PDFs and images directly within the app, with options to resize, rotate, and adjust files as needed. It includes a built-in document scanner for quickly digitising paperwork, along with a PDF AutoFill feature to fill out forms. Users can also create new images within the app, either starting from scratch or using content copied to the clipboard. On MacBooks, opening a PDF or image from Finder automatically launches it in the Preview app. With iOS 26, your iPhone and iPad will work similarly: opening a PDF or image from the Files app will now launch it directly inside the new Preview app by default. The interface won't look exactly like the Mac version. Instead, Preview on iOS 26 uses the new document browser design that Apple introduced with iOS 18, which is already used in apps like Pages and Keynote. This means it will feel consistent with other Apple apps while still bringing Mac-like Preview functionality to your iPhone. iPhone SE (2nd generation and later)
Geeky Gadgets
5 days ago
- Geeky Gadgets
Mastering Apple Calendar, Notes and Reminders for Daily Efficiency : Beginner to Pro
Have you ever felt like your productivity tools are working against you instead of for you? With so many apps and systems available, it's easy to get overwhelmed by complexity or distracted by shiny features that don't truly serve your needs. But what if the solution was already in your pocket? Apple's built-in productivity tools—Calendar, Notes, Reminders, and Mail—offer a seamless, integrated ecosystem designed to simplify your workflow and keep you focused on what matters. Whether you're planning a project, managing your daily schedule, or juggling personal and professional priorities, these tools are more powerful than they might appear at first glance. In this guide, Brooke Tierney explains how to transform Apple's native apps from basic utilities into a streamlined productivity powerhouse. From syncing tasks across devices with iCloud to linking notes directly to calendar events, we'll explore practical strategies to help you stay organized and efficient. Along the way, you'll learn how to bridge gaps between apps, uncover hidden features, and tailor the system to fit your unique workflow. By the end, you might just find that the simplest tools are often the most effective—when used to their full potential. Apple Productivity Tools Overview Optimizing Calendar and Reminders The integration between Calendar and Reminders is a key feature of Apple's productivity ecosystem, allowing you to manage your schedule and tasks in one place. This synergy ensures that your to-dos and appointments are always visible, helping you stay on top of deadlines and commitments. Key features include: Scheduled reminders that automatically sync with your calendar, eliminating the need to switch between apps. Shared reminder lists that can be linked to calendar events, such as a packing list for a trip or a grocery list for a planned dinner. By combining tasks and events, you can maintain a clear overview of your daily priorities. For example, adding a reminder like 'Submit the report' ensures it appears alongside your calendar appointments, keeping important tasks front and center. Combining Notes and Reminders The collaboration between Notes and Reminders allows you to centralize your information and tasks, making it easier to track actionable items. This integration is particularly useful for projects or detailed plans where tasks and supporting information need to be linked. Key functionalities include: Assigning deadlines or reminders to specific sections of a note, such as setting a due date for a project milestone outlined in Notes. Linking notes to reminders, allowing quick access to detailed information like meeting agendas or research documents. For instance, if you've drafted a project outline in Notes, you can set reminders for key deadlines directly from the app. This ensures that all relevant details are consolidated in one place, reducing the need to search for information and helping you stay focused on your objectives. 2025 Apple Productivity System Watch this video on YouTube. Enhance your knowledge on Apple productivity systems by exploring a selection of articles and guides on the subject. Bridging Calendar and Notes The connection between Calendar and Notes enhances your ability to manage time and information effectively. By attaching notes to calendar events, you can ensure that all necessary details are readily available when you need them. This feature is particularly beneficial for meetings, where linking a note with an agenda or discussion points to a calendar event can save time and improve preparation. Time-blocking enthusiasts can also benefit from this integration. By linking notes to specific time blocks in your calendar, you can minimize context-switching and maintain focus during work sessions. For example, attaching a note with research materials to a scheduled time block for writing ensures that everything you need is at your fingertips. Integrating Mail with Calendar, Notes, and Reminders Apple Mail's integration with Calendar, Notes, and Reminders allows you to manage communication alongside your tasks and events, creating a more cohesive workflow. This connectivity ensures that important emails are not overlooked and can be easily incorporated into your productivity system. Key integration features include: Dragging and dropping emails into Calendar to create events or link them to existing ones, making sure that key details are captured. Adding emails to Reminders for follow-ups or actionable tasks, such as responding to a query or scheduling a meeting. Converting email content into Notes or hyperlinking emails within notes for easy access to relevant information. For example, if you receive an email with meeting details, you can drag it into your calendar to create an event or add it to Reminders to ensure follow-up. This seamless integration reduces the risk of missing important communications and simplifies task management. Tips for Maximizing Apple's Productivity Ecosystem To fully use Apple's native productivity tools, consider these best practices: Use the share button to move content between apps effortlessly, reducing manual input and saving time. Enable iCloud syncing to ensure your data is always up to date across all your Apple devices. Take advantage of split view on iPads for drag-and-drop functionality, simplifying multitasking and improving efficiency. These strategies can help you create a more efficient workflow, allowing you to focus on what matters most while minimizing distractions and inefficiencies. Strengths and Limitations Apple's productivity tools offer a robust and cost-effective solution for managing tasks, events, and information. However, they are not without limitations. Some features, such as linking apps or creating shared links, may require manual effort, and the tools lack certain advanced functionalities found in third-party apps. Despite these drawbacks, the system's strengths often outweigh its limitations. Key advantages include: Pre-installed and free on Apple devices, eliminating the need for additional software. Seamless syncing across the Apple ecosystem, making sure a consistent experience on all your devices. Regular updates from Apple that enhance functionality and usability over time. For Apple users, these tools provide a reliable and accessible way to stay organized and productive, making them an excellent choice for those seeking a cohesive productivity system. By understanding and using the full range of features offered by Calendar, Notes, Reminders, and Mail, you can create a workflow that is both efficient and tailored to your needs. Whether you're managing a busy schedule, coordinating projects, or simply keeping track of daily tasks, Apple's productivity ecosystem offers the tools you need to stay on top of your responsibilities. Media Credit: brooke tierney Filed Under: Apple, Guides Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
