CablesAndKits Blog

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CK Daily – 3.04.2021

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Today’s Topics: Thank You for Calling CablesAndKits! | Server Hard Drives | How to Choose a Rackmount Server | News to Start Your Day

Happy Thursday!

March 4th to the rhythm of life because today is National Marching Music Day! Do we have any musicians or performers in our CK Family? Today we celebrate all the varieties of art forms that bring us “music on the move.”

“Thank you for calling CablesAndKits! My name is Shanyce, how may I serve you?”

Have you ever heard a line like this when calling us? In the world of Customer Service, our main goal is to literally “serve your face off” as we like to say around here. We are here for you! Yes, even you, who has only called us once! 

In an effort to never miss a single call, the Customer Service Team is in the middle of a transition to a new phone system that will help us serve you even better. After taking some time to research, we realized our current system was not sufficient nor up to our own standards, so we quickly decided to pivot to a better system. This new system will allow us to analyze call patterns, lower wait times (no one likes to sit and listen to hold music), and allow our remote team to stay connected and work seamlessly from their home. 

The team and I look forward to the flexibility we will receive by customizing to our customer’s needs, based on best practices, and to, of course, SERVE YOUR FACE OFF! 

I look forward to talking to ya on the phone soon!

Shanyce

Product Spotlights & Updates:

Today’s we’ll be spotlighting server hard drives. Did you know all of our server hard drivescome with an industry-leading advanced replacement lifetime warranty? We carry a wide selection of Cisco, HP, and Dell server hard drives with a variety of sizes and storage capacity. All of our hard drives are fully tested and you’ll get the same great quality as a brand new hard drive at a much lower cost. Each of our refurbished drives are wiped of previous information and are repackaged and ready to use when you receive them. Grab a few today!

How to Choose a Rackmount Server – CK Learning Center

Hosting a server on-premises at your small business comes with many advantages. It gives you full control of the server, software, and elements related to the server such as the ability to add more terminals and grant access to the right individuals inside and outside of the premises. There are several different types of servers and various form factors, however, a rackmount server is ideal for many businesses. Rackmount servers take up a small space in your building and are generally easy to install. These servers can offer increased security and require few resources to get up and running.

There are many rackmount servers out there in the market with different sizes, capabilities, and for different operating environments. Here is a quick guide on choosing the right rackmount server for your business.

Size

One of the most important things to consider when purchasing a rackmount server is size. Will you be putting the server in a pre-existing rack? Will it be free-standing? If you plan to install the server into a rack, size is critical to ensure that it fits properly. Rackmount servers are typically 19” wide and the standard height is 1.75” (1U). They can also come in larger 2U, 3U, or even 4U heights that allow more room for additional processors and other components.

Memory

For most businesses, the server manages all the computer functions including storage and sharing of files. This means that the server is responsible for storing financial and customer data, managing emails, printers, and running software. The amount of memory and storage you will need will vary depending on the specific demands you will be putting on your server. When starting out, consider a server with at least 8GB of memory, at least 1TB storage space and about 8 to 16 processor cores. Think of a core as similar to a CPU. Therefore, a 10-core processor works like ten CPUs combined.

You can always upgrade your server components later on, should you need even more capabilities. When doing so, be sure to ensure that the parts match with those already in the server. They should be from the same manufacturer and for the specified model.

Virtualization

Virtualization is the act of creating many virtual computers, each allocated a slice of the available memory, number of processors, and storage to run a specific function different from the other. A software called hypervisor distributes these resources among the virtual computers to enhance their functionality. Each virtual computer works independently.

The main hypervisors in the market are Microsoft’s Hyper-V and VMware’s vShphere. If you are running all the programs exclusively on the Microsoft platform, the Hyper-V may be a cost-effective option. However, if you need support for other operating systems such as Linux, consider alternatives like vShere or Oracle VM.

Operating Systems

The most common Operating System in servers is Windows. It has been around for a long time and has excellent features for your business. Moreover, you are likely to find many professionals who are skilled in diagnosing Windows-based server applications. However, this OS does not support non-Microsoft applications. If you are likely to use open source software, consider purchasing a server that can allow different OS through virtualization and also check other OS programs such as SUSE, Red Hat, or Ubuntu.

Your Budget vs. The Requirements

Many small and medium businesses are constrained by a lack of adequate funding. If you are in such a situation, you may be looking for the least expensive server in the market. However, it is good to strike a balance between quality and price. Make a projection of your computing power needs for the next five years and pick a server that can handle the requirements until then. It does not need to have all the storage requirements and memory for now, but the available capacity should run for at least three years. This way, you avoid the costs that come with disposing of the server and purchasing a bigger one in the near future. It may be more expensive than buying a high-capacity server today.

This article is from the CK Learning Center.

  • As of this morning, in the US, there are 8,922,245 active COVID cases, 20,003,339 have recovered and there have been 531,657 deaths. 
  • President Joe Biden has backed a plan to phase out direct payments more quickly in the $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief bill. The $1400 checks in the Senate’s version of the plan will start to phase out at $75,000 in income for individuals and $150,000 for joint filers and read fully for those who earn $80,000 and $160,000, respectively. The income caps are lower than those passed by the House. Moderate Senate Democrats had called to limit the scope of the payments as the party seeks to pass its rescue plan in the coming days. 
  • A San Francisco start-up called Ample wants to make electric vehicle battery swapping work in the United States following a history of failure by others in the space. When electric vehicles started gaining ground in the early 2010s, Tesla and a start-up called Better Space promised their customer would have the convenient option of battery swapping. Both companies failed to make swapping commercially viable. Ample now operates five battery swap stations in the San Franciso Bay Area specifically for Uber drivers. Participating drivers with supported electric vehicles can exchange a spent battery for a fully charged one in less than 10 minutes. 
  • FedEx announced on Wednesday that it will invest an initial $2 billion toward sustainable energy initiatives, including more electric vehicles and carbon capture research. The investment is part of the company’s new goal to become carbon neutral by 2040. FedEx will give Yale University $100 million to help researchers develop carbon capture technologies. 
  • American rock band Kings of Leon is getting in on the frenzy over non-fungible tokens, widely known as NFTs. The group announced they’ll offer their latest album, “When You See Yourself,” in the form of an NFT, making it among the first bands to do so. Kings of Leon is offering its album package with vinyl and digital download for a token priced at $50. It’ll be released Friday on YellowHeart and open for two weeks starting at noon. After that two-week period, no ore will be made. 
  • Plans are underway to provide a COVID-19 vaccine to thousands of teachers and staff at schools across metro Atlanta and Georgia in the coming weeks.
    Next week, employees of the Hall County School District will receive the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine at a mass vaccination site south of Gainesville. The school system is partnering with the District 2 Georgia Department of Public Health and Free Chapel of Gainesville, which is hosting the event Thursday and Friday at its campus on McEver Road. The vaccine is voluntary for the 3,400 Hall County School District employees.

CK Daily – 3.03.2021

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Today’s Topics: Being Part of the Family | SFP-10G-LR Fiber Transceiver | Are You a Workaholic? 7 Tips to Overcome It | News to Start Your Day

Happy Wednesday!

March 3rd is National If Pets Had Thumbs Day! Yes…It’s a holiday. Now just imagine if all the pets in your life had thumbs…Having a day to fathom all the many things your pet could do is both entertaining and potentially a tale (or is it a tail?) of caution! 

You’re probably curious how you ended up reading the CK Daily after all. I’m sure everyone’s journey was a little different. 

It all boils down to one thing, though. You were welcomed into this family, like I was. CablesAndKits is unlike any business I’ve ever worked with and it is such a fun and energetic bunch. People who genuinely care about total strangers, building the communities around them, and having a driven mentality to succeed. I’m glad to be a part of this family, I hope you are too.

If you’ve read this far, I’ll go ahead and introduce myself – I’m Corey Swann – the Marketing Manager for CablesAndKits. I like to be outside, from playing sports, to hiking, biking, and walking our dog, Timber. I imagine most of my stories here will reflect on a recent weekend adventure. Sometimes, though, the adventure happens right at home, and that’s a beautiful thing. May your day’s adventure be filled with joy and love. 

Corey

Product Spotlights & Updates:

Today we wanted to spotlight a transceiver module that will allow you to go the distance! What distance? The 10-kilometer distance (or 6.2 miles). The SFP-10G-LR was specifically designed for long-range data transmission and supports LC Duplex single mode fiber. It has a wavelength of 1310 nanometers, is hot-swappable, and has Digital Optical Monitoring capability for diagnostics. This module also supports fast data transmission… 10 Gigabits per second to be precise!  While this transceiver is ideal for connectivity needs in large data centers, large campuses, and Metro Area Networks, there’s no minimum distance required, so you could even use this transceiver with a compatible device for a small office. We carry factory sealed Cisco Originals, New 3rd Party, and Refurbished options available for this more than capable transceiver module! 

Are You a Workaholic? 7 Tips to Overcome It – Dave Ramsey Blog

Workaholism: Sure, it’s a buzzword in corporate America, but it’s not just a trendy word or a go-getter attitude. It’s an addiction that can seriously affect both your personal and professional life.

If you think you may be a workaholic, there’s no shame here—but let’s take a closer look at what that means and how to overcome it so you can get healthy and start truly enjoying your job.

What Is a Workaholic? 

A workaholic is someone who feels a compulsion, or an irresistible urge, to work whether they want to or not. It’s not the same as really loving your work, and it’s not the same as being overworked—it’s a legitimate addiction. To put it in more scientific terms, the American Psychological Association defines workaholism as “the compulsive need to work and to do so to an excessive degree. A workaholic is one who has trouble refraining from work.”

When you’re overworked, the problem comes from an outside source (in most cases). For example, your boss might be demanding and putting pressure on you to work overtime, or you might be trying to complete a difficult project with a tight deadline. Being overworked can sometimes go hand in hand with workaholism, but workaholism can also exist in very healthy work environments. Being a workaholic is more about your personal work habits and motivations.

Signs You’re a Workaholic 

If any of this is starting to sound like I’m reading your mail, but you’re still not sure if you meet the criteria, here are some more signs that can help you figure it out.

You spend more time at work than anywhere else. 

There are 168 hours in a week, and a full-time job should take up about 40 of them, more or less. That’s only about 24% of your week! If your work percentage is way more than that—and you’re saying no to other things like important events, sleep, errands or time with your family  so you can get more work done—there may be a problem.

You bring work home. 

“I’ll just finish a few things at home” can easily turn into another three hours of work in your home office after dinner. I get it, folks. There might be some times throughout your career when you really need to hustle and get your project done. But it shouldn’t become a habit.

And these days, it’s easier than ever to constantly check your email and work messages from your phone and not be fully present (even if you’re trying to do something fun), so the habit becomes even harder to break.

You work to avoid unpleasant feelings. 

It might seem like depression, anxiety, loneliness, unresolved conflict, and other stressful feelings can all be avoided by staying late at the office (which can make working overtime start to look really appealing). When you “leave your problems at home,” it’s tempting to avoid going back there to face them again.

But the truth is, those issues don’t just stay at your house anyway. You’re still going to feel the negative effects at work. So it’s better to deal with those issues directly and in a healthy way—by taking them out with someone or seeing a counselor—rather than trying to stuff them down and escape by working more. That’s not sustainable, and it will really take a toll on your body.

Another type of difficult feeling you might be trying to avoid is the feeling of failure. Here’s a common pattern: Work gets stressful and hectic. You don’t want to admit that you can’t finish everything yourself. You don’t ask for help because you’re comparing yourself to your coworkers who never ask for help. The work piles up, and the only way to get it all done in time is by working crazy hours.

In reality, admitting you can’t do it all is really healthy. It doesn’t mean you’ve failed—it means you’re a human being.

You work to feel positive feelings. 

One of the most dangerous things about workaholism is that it’s often rewarded. Work’s a good thing, right? When people see you working late, they might say things like “she’s so diligent” or “he’s a real team player,” and anybody would want to hear that.

But there’s a dark side to affirmation, and it’s a problem when your identity becomes wrapped up in your work. Maybe you want others to think you’re the best at your job, so you work yourself silly trying to please them and get the recognition you crave. Positive feedback can give you a shot of dopamine (in the same way that someone liking your photo on social media makes you feel happy), which can be highly addictive.

But in the long run, being a people pleaser at work will only leave you feeling burned out and resentful.

You can’t remember the last time you took a break. 

I don’t just mean a vacation. Maybe it’s been a while since you actually took a lunch break. You can often be found eating at your desk, even if the employees at your company are encouraged to step away from work to recharge their brains for a while.

Maybe your paid time off usually goes unused year after year, and you struggle with the idea of staying home even when you’re sick. And you definitely haven’t been anywhere close to a beach in a long, long time.

You get stressed when you’re not working. 

One of the reasons why you can’t seem to take a break is because when you try to, you can’t stop thinking about work. You can relax for a little while, but then your mind wanders to all the unfinished tasks or the mountain of stuff you could be getting done if you just—you know—worked a little more.

Those thoughts make you feel stressed, and the only thing that makes you feel better is doing something “productive.” (Note: This is eerily similar to how a person who’s addicted to cigarettes feels on edge if they go too long without smoking.) In reality, the quality of your work and your productivity go down if you don’t take time to rest and recharge.

You don’t like to call yourself a workaholic.

Friends, family members and even your coworkers have pointed out that your work habits are a little extreme, and that they miss having you around. They might’ve even used the word workaholic to describe you. But it’s not how you’d describe yourself. You’re not a workaholic—you’re just a hard worker. Right? Right?

Well, if several of these signs hit home for you, it might be time to face the music and start developing some healthier habits. And please hear me on this: Workaholism shouldn’t be a badge of honor, but it shouldn’t be a source of shame, either. Don’t beat yourself up if you know you have an unhealthy relationship with your work. Just be honest about it and be proud of yourself for taking the initiative to change.

7 Ways to Overcome Workaholism 

This isn’t going to be an easy, overnight fix. But the good news is, you don’t have to fight this alone! There are people and resources who can help and support you along the way as you work toward being healthy and fulfilled in your work. Here are seven ways to start overcoming workaholism:

1. Commit to fixing the problem. 

Step one for anyone struggling with addiction is admitting that there’s a problem. Once you’ve admitted it to yourself and decided that you want to change, you’ll have the momentum to put in the work to make a change. Keep the light at the end of the tunnel in mind. Imagine the less stressed, more engaged, more rested version of yourself and aim for that.

2. Talk to your boss. 

Sit down with your leader and have an honest conversation about the habits you’ve been noticing in yourself and see if you can come up with a plan to change those habits. A good boss won’t want you to have a poor work-life balance, and they won’t want you to feel overwhelmed and exhausted—especially if it’s affecting your job performance.

If there’s too much on your plate, your leader might be able to help by making sure all the work’s divided evenly among the team or deprioritizing some tasks. Or maybe they can just check in every once in a while and hold you accountable to taking a lunch break.

3. Practice setting boundaries. 

This one might be hard at first, but practice leaving work on time, not checking your work email once you get home, and not doing anything work-related over the weekend. You might need an accountability partner for this, or you might need to try putting your phone someplace in your home that’s not easily accessible.

This becomes extra challenging if you work from home—you or someone you love might need to force you to shut the computer off at 5 p.m. It might hurt the first few times, but when you push through and see that nothing bad happens as a result, that’s a step in the right direction.

4. Rest intentionally. 

Here’s another tough one: Carve out time in your schedule to rest. Seriously, put it on your calendar if you have to. Brainstorm some things you used to love to do for fun and be intentional about doing them.

Take your family outside on the weekend. Use that paid time off and book yourself a trip—or just take a few days off to rest at home (but remember that if you’re out of state, you won’t be tempted to sneak into the office).

Again, this one might require an accountability partner who can take your phone away and help you have fun. But whatever you do, make rest a priority. I promise it will make your work better, and it will help preserve your long-term health.

5. Pursue health in all areas of life. 

Speaking of health, take some practical steps toward being healthy in multiple ways, not just with your work. Make sure you’re eating well, drinking enough water, getting enough sleep, and staying active (especially if you have a desk job). Take some time to reflect and be grateful each day. And if you’re a churchgoer, join a small group or find other ways to stay connected to a community. All of those things can help relieve stress that you might otherwise cope with by working more.

6. Seek professional help. 

If workaholism feels like a bigger problem than you’re able to deal with on your own, I highly recommend seeing a trained counselor or therapist. They can help you talk through why you might be struggling with this and give you the tools you need to get better.

They can also help you process any difficult emotions you’re avoiding through work. You might even want to consider going with your spouse if there are things the two of you need to work through as a team.

7. Make sure you’re in the right job.

If you’ve been reading through these tips and thinking, Sure all of that sounds great, but that would never work with my job, then I have news for you: You might need a different job. Maybe you’re in a toxic work environment that’s been contributing to your need to achieve and prove yourself, or maybe you know your boss would roll their eyes at the idea of you taking a vacation. Seriously consider those things and know that no job is worth risking your well-being.

This article is from the Dave Ramsey Blog.

Today’s News to Start Your Day:

  • As of this morning, in the US, there are 8,969,496 active COVID cases, 19,817,532 have recovered and there have been 527,226 deaths. 
  • Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced he is rescinding the statewide mask mandate and allowing all businesses to reopen at 100% capacity. Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves similarly announced the end of county mask mandates in his state and the full reopening of nearly all businesses. Both announcements came shortly after CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky warned state officials against lifting restrictions too quickly. 
  • President Joe Biden said Tuesday the U.S. will have enough supply of coronavirus vaccines to inoculate every adult in the nation by the end of May – two months earlier than previously expected. Biden’s announcement came as the White House works to increase the production of Johnson & Johnson’s single-shot Covid vaccine. 
  • Microsoft’s Mesh cloud service will enable developers to build applications in which people can share holograms, speak with one another, make doodles, and appear as virtual avatars. The company assembled a sample app that people can use in its HoloLens augmented reality headset, but the idea is people would be able to participate through other devices, such as PCs, phones, or virtual reality headsets. 
  • Facebook CFO David Wehner on Tuesday provided insight into smart glasses the company is building with Ray-Ban, saying that the upcoming device will not be close to what the tech company hopes to accomplish with augmented reality technology. Facebook did reveal that the smart glasses will be released sometime in 2021. 
  • Lyft is seeing a recovery in ridesharing sooner than it had expected. The company recently shared that improving trends will allow it to narrow losses in the current quarter by more than expected. Lyft expects the recovery to continue into this month and show positive year-over-year growth in ridesharing volume for the second half of March. 

CK Daily – 3.02.2021

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Today’s Topics: New Voices at CK | Push-Pull Connectors | Reasons to Buy a Refurbished Server | News to Start Your Day

Happy Tuesday!

March 2nd is National Old Stuff Day! Today gives notice to all that old stuff and a push of encouragement to try something new! No more “same old, same old” anymore, pull out those old items and put them to new use!

Hello! 

I’ll start by asking who doesn’t love a totally strange message from a stranger about something completely random? Since I’m a stranger to most of you, I’ll briefly introduce myself! I’m Chris McCoy, and I have the privilege of supporting the CablesAndKits team as President. We’re excited to transition the daily email from Craig & Christin and let you all hear from others here! Our goal is to continue having conversations with you and positively impact your day. 

Chris

Product Spotlights & Updates:

The spotlight today will be on our Push-Pull Connectors, an upgraded version of the Uniboot Connector! It has a special tab that allows users to easily insert and remove the connector without accessing the boot. Fiber cables with these connectors have the same type of short boot connector as the Uniboot, but with the special push-pull tab. This connector also allows users to reverse the polarity easily. Another neat feature of these connectors is their unique design which utilizes a 2mm duplex cord for denser cable management. This also helps reduce patching footprint and minimize channel loss with high performance. We have various optical modes and lengths utilizing the Push-Pull Tab, be sure to check them out!

Reasons to Buy a Refurbished Server – CK Learning Center

As your company’s IT manager, you are required to make many decisions when it comes to selecting which technology you will utilize to best fit the needs of your company. One of the decisions you will be faced with is selecting a server that fits your needs for both price and performance. When it comes to shopping for servers, the options and price ranges are nearly endless. You might become overwhelmed and begin to think that you will have to sacrifice either price or performance, however we’ve got good news. You can have the best of both worlds by going with a refurbished server. Here are some reasons this might be the best choice you could possibly make!

Price

Of course, price is an important factor to consider when you are working within a tight budget. Although new servers may have ever-so-slight advantages over refurbished ones in term of performance, most often the differences in performance are minor but the price difference is great. Buying a refurbished server can see you save 10, 20, or even 50 percent per unit. As a smart shopper, you want to get the most out of each dollar and buying a refurbished server allows you to do just that, which means you have more money left over for other IT needs.

Performance

There is a misconception that the refurbished servers’ performance is inferior to new ones. The truth is that the performance of a server is based on the configuration (drives, memory, processors, etc) of the particular server. A new server with the same configuration as a refurbished server should perform exactly the same.

Most IT departments replace their servers, not because they are damaged but because of schedules that they follow or agreements with manufacturers. Consequently, it is possible to get a refurbished server that in excellent shape and can be used for another 5 to 10 years without any issues. Next time you need to replace your server, contact us for a refurbished server that may even see you achieve better performance, and for a fraction of the price.

Maintenance

Maintenance cost is an important consideration when buying a new or refurbished server. One major benefit of going with a server that is one or two generations behind the new ones is the availability of spare parts. Getting replacement parts for refurbished servers can be easy and affordable, reducing maintenance cost and stress that comes with trying to find the correct replacement parts.

Warranty

Many people go for new servers because they trust the brand of the server and they feel confident that they can rely on the warranty (assuming one is provided). However, most warranties offered by other companies are limited to 2-3 years and, in many cases, they even cost you extra money. We’ve got your back, though. Here at CK we offer an industry-best lifetime warranty on all of our servers. That means that if you experience trouble with the server or components in the server, we will make it right!

In Conclusion

Newer isn’t always better. We are huge advocates of refurbished servers because of the many advantages they bring. When you throw in our lifetime warranty, there’s really nothing to lose! We can help you replace your servers stress-free.

This article is from the CK Learning Center.

Today’s News to Start Your Day:

  • As of this morning, in the US, there are 8,969,496 active COVID cases, 19,817,532 have recovered and there have been 527,226 deaths. 
  • Sports drink maker Gatorade is launching its first-ever wearable device, the Gx Sweat Patch. The patch is a one-time-use wearable that analyzes sweat to provide athletes with insights about their athletic performance and hydration levels. It’s Gatorade’s latest product at a time when the sports drink marketplace is becoming increasingly crowded. The patch will sell for $24.99 and will be available online and at Dicks’ Sporting Goods. 
  • Airbnb recently informed travel bloggers that it will shut down its affiliate program at the end of March. Airbnb launched the associated program in May 2020. The program pays travel bloggers and influencers a percentage of guest and host fees for Airbnb stays and experiences they recommend and link to on their website and social media profiles. The decision to end the affiliate program comes after the company last month announced a new marketing campaign aimed at recruiting more hosts to its service. 
  • Delta reduced managers’ pay last year during the Covid pandemic and cut thousands of workers’ hours by 25%. Bonuses range from a few thousand dollars to six figures. The bonuses come as Congress moves closer to passing the third round of airline payroll support. 
  • China’s Inner Mongolia region plans to ban new cryptocurrency mining projects and shut down existing activity in a bid to cut down on the energy-consuming operation. Bitcoin mining consumes an estimated 128.84 terawatt-hour per year of energy, more than entire countries such as Ukraine and Argentina. Inner Mongolia alone accounts for around 8% of all bitcoin mining globally, more than the United States which accounts for 7.2%.
  • All 270 Apple stores in the United States are open for business as of Monday. It’s the first time that all U.S. stores are open since Apple started closing stores in response to the Covid-19 pandemic last spring. The reopening of Apple’s last closed U.S. locations in Texas on Monday marks a milestone as the United States begins to emerge from lockdowns. 

CEO Daily Update – 2.26.2021

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Today’s Topics: Goodbye(ish) | Step-Up Your Video Conferencing Game with our 1080P HD Camera! | What are the different types of QSFP+ Transceivers | News to Start Your Day

Happy Friday!

February 26th is National Tell a Fairy Tale Day! What were once oral histories, myths, and legends retold around the fire or by traveling storytellers, have been written down and become known all over the world as fairy tales! Here’s to a day full of storytelling and everyone living happily ever after!

It’s Friday, y’all! This will be my last email to you guys, at least for now. I am turning the reins of this email, now to be known at the CK Daily, over to the team at CK. I was telling someone this week how I’m trying to be open-handed with things in my life. When Craig and I started CK, we had to maintain a level of control to get things to a point where tasks, and eventually bigger things like building processes and strategic planning, could be handed over to someone else. Reflecting back on the first 10 years, I can see how I felt like having control was somehow going to make things succeed. Kind of a prideful opinion, isn’t it? Of course, I didn’t see it that way at the time.

The last year that I’ve been back in the day-to-day at CK, I’ve attempted to do things differently than before, to learn from mistakes I made. One of the joys that has come from that is seeing other people succeed. It is honestly one of my favorite things. So, I know you guys will be in good hands with the CK team. I will miss connecting here with you every day.

Thank you guys for connecting first with Craig and later with me, for being friends of CK, for being customers of CK (if not now, maybe in the future, eh?), and for letting us grace your inbox each morning. Be sure to add the new email to your safe sender’s list: [email protected] so you continue to hear from us, and I will chat with you later.

Take care, friends.

Hope you have a great weekend,

Christin

Product Spotlights & Updates:

Happy Friday! If you’re like many of us, video conferences have become a way of life lately! We use video calls for business meetings, trainings, and even connecting with family and friends! You may have a laptop with a built-in webcam, but I’d encourage you to take a second to evaluate the quality you’re getting out of that internal camera. With the amount of time spent on video calls, it might be time to go ahead and upgrade to a high-resolution external camera! We have an excellent option for anyone in the market for a 1080P HD camera at an affordable price! 

Our newest 1080P HD Webcam has it all!  It works seamlessly with Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Facetime, Skype, YouTube, and more! Here are the deets!

  • 1080P Full HD quality for a clear, crisp, lifelike picture
  • High frame rate of 30 FPS
  • Built-in Noise Reducing Microphone to cut out the unwanted distractions from background noise
  • 90° Wide View Angle to give you the wide view you’re looking for
  • Plug & Play to make it easy to use! Ready to go in less than 1 minute!

Priced at only $49.99, this camera is a no-brainer! To make it even better, as with all our products, this comes with a lifetime advance replacement warranty! Go ahead and snag yours today!

What are the different types of QSFP+ Transceivers – CK Learning Center

There’s been a rapid evolution of gigabit ethernet and a growing demand for equipment that handles this advancement. Data centers are now migrating to blazing-fast 40G, and QSFP+ transceivers as a necessary component in making sure high-speed internet stays high speed.

QSFP+ stands for Quad Small Form-Factor Pluggable Plus. A parallel and hot-swappable fiber optical module that provides high-density 40G connectivity options for high-performance computing networks and modern data centers. It has four independent receive and transmits optical channels that can terminate to another 40G QSFP+ transceiver, or can be distributed to four separate 10 Gigabit SFP+ transceivers. The QSFP+ modules, in a nutshell, connect the entire electrical circuitry of your system to an optical external network.

QSFP+ Interface: LC & MPO

There are a variety of 40G transceivers currently available on the market. However, 40G QSFP+ optics follow the QSFP MSA standard which dictates that 40G QSFP+ connectors can be either 12-fiber MPO or duplex LC. Which are the MPO and the LC. What are the differences between these two interfaces?

To put it simply, 40G QSFP+ transceivers that have an LC interface are used in transmitting data over long distances via single-mode fiber (SMF), while transceivers with an MPO interface (except for 40GBase-PLR4 and 40GBase-PLRL4) are deployed for data transmission over short distances via multimode fiber (MMF). In addition to that, MPO interfaced QSFP+ transceivers can be used in 4x10G connectivity using a breakout cable, compared to LC interfaced ones that can’t be divided into 4x10G since they use 4 wavelengths on one pair of SMF.

Let’s delve deeper and understand how 40G QSFP+ transceivers with LC interface work. From the transmitting side, 4 channels of 10G serial data streams that have different wavelengths are sent over to laser drivers. These same laser drivers control the DML or directly modulated lasers using wavelengths. Then the DML outputs are multiplexed optically to a single-mode fiber via a standard LC connector, combining as 40G. On the receiving side, the 40G signal is demultiplexed into four separate 10G streams at different wavelengths. Each single-wavelength light is acquired by a diode and amplified by a TIA and then comes out as electric data.

The working principle of a 40G QSFP+ transceiver with an MPO interface can be explained by starting from the transmitting side when it transmutes parallel electrical input signals into parallel optical signals via a laser array. The optical signals are then sent through the MPO-terminated MMF ribbon. In the other side, the receiver transforms parallel optical input signals into parallel electrical output signals using a photodetector array.

Which QSFP+ Type Is Right For You?

QSFP+ transceivers also come in several ratings. It is important to know which category best suits your network setup. As your partners in IT procurement, we are here to provide a series of cost-effective transceivers to meet your various network demands. Let’s take a look at them.

40GBase-SR4

40GBase-SR4 is probably the most widely-used and most popular 40G transceiver for short-distance transmission, mostly link lengths of 100m and 150m on OM3 and OM4 multimode fibers. It is an MPO-interfaced parallel fiber optic transceiver with a 4x10G transmission pattern. The 40GBase-SR4 can achieve simultaneous 40G signal sending and receiving with the help of four 10G SFP+ lanes in one module. You can usually see this type of transceiver being used in data centers to interconnect two switches with 12 lane ribbon cables.

40GBase-LR4

While the 40GBase-SR4 is used for short-distance transmission, the 40GBase-LR4, on the other hand, is for long-range transmission of data. Though they use the same multi-lane technology, the LR4 differs in that instead of using a single fiber strand for each lane, it multiplexes all four sending lanes onto one fiber strand and all four receiving lanes onto another single fiber strand. This transceiver type supports link lengths of up to 10kms via a single-mode fiber cable with duplex LC connectors.

40GBase-CSR4

The principle behind the 40GBase-CSR4 module is the same as the 40GBase-SR4 in which they both have an MPO interface. The difference though is that the CSR4 can be considered as an upgrade of the SR4 because it can support longer transmission of data. Up to 300m using OM3 and 400m on OM4.

40GBase-LR4L

40GBase-LR4 Lite or more commonly known as 40GBase-LR4L has the same fundamentals as the 40GBase-LR4 in that it is used for long-range 40G data transmission over a single-mode fiber cable. The difference though is that while the LR4 can support link lengths of up to 10kms, the LR4L only goes up to 2kms.

40GBase-ER4

The 40GBase-ER4 module can handle the long-distance transmission of data up to 40kms over SMF fiber with duplex LC connectors. It works by converting four 10G input channels to four CWDM optical signals, then multiplexes them into a single 40G channel. On the receiving end of the module, the single 40G input is demultiplexed into four CWDM signals, then transforms them to a four-channel electrical data output.

Conclusion

In today’s high-performance data network scenarios, 40G QSFP+ modules guarantee high-density, cost-effective, and low-power 40G data transmission. Understanding the different 40G QSFP+ interfaces, types, and applications is of prime importance when selecting the best equipment for your data facility. CablesAndKits can supply not only a wide variety of 40G QSFP+ transceivers, but also provide and help you build a reliable and easy to manage network system. With a lifetime warranty and same-day shipping, if you order by 8 PM EST, you’ll get more, and spend less.

This article is from the CK Learning Center.

Today’s News to Start Your Day:

  • As of this morning, in the US, there are 9,097,018 active COVID cases, 19,436,471 have recovered and there have been 520,852 deaths. 
  • A key FDA panel is scheduled to vote on whether to recommend J&J’s Covid-19 vaccine for emergency use, which would help pave the way for a third vaccine in the U.S. The FDA’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee plays a key role in approving vaccines in the U.S., verifying the shots are safe for public use. While the FDA doesn’t have to follow the committee’s recommendation, it often does. 
  • Beyond Meat announced that it has struck deals with fast-food giants McDonald’s and Yum Brands. Under the three-year deal, Beyond will be the preferred patty supplier for its McPlant burger, which is being tested in some markets globally. McDonald’s and Beyond will also work together to develop new substitutes for pork, chicken, and egg. Likewise, Beyond and Yum will work together to make exclusive menu items for KFC, Taco Bell, and Pizza Hut over the next several years. 
  • The House aims to pass its $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package on Friday and send it to the Senate. Democrats hope to get the bill, which includes direct payments, jobless benefits, and Covid-19 vaccination funds, to President Joe Biden’s desk before unemployment aid expires on March 14th. Proponents of the bill say still-fragile households and businesses need more support in the coming months, while critics question whether the amount of spending is necessary. 
  • Twitter announced a number of new features that the company is experimenting with, including Super Follow subscriptions, which will let uses pay to see tweets from their favorite accounts. The various new features are intended to help the company hit its 2023 user and revenue goals. Check out the most notable features here.
  • People working from home have more options for making their living abroad than ever before. In addition to the countries that initially opened to remote workers last year, new destinations have launched programs to tempt workers to ditch their home offices for tropical shores and year-round sun. What’s necessary? Employment outside of the intended destination, proof of sufficient funds to support a long-term stay, medical insurance, and negative Covid tests. Add in application fees and a few other perfunctory requirements – travelers can secure beachside workplaces through the winter of 2022. Check out the new options!

CEO Daily Update – 2.25-2021

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Today’s Topics: Spring Vibes | WS-C3750G-24PS-S | Understanding the Basics of Network Switches | News to Start Your Day

Happy Thursday!

February 25th is National Chili Day! There are so many ways to enjoy chili. Think you have the best recipe? Check out these 10 Top Chili Cook-offs and start stewing!!

Happy Thursday, friends. Man, this week has flown by. For you as well? I can feel spring in the air here in Georgia. I’ve had the windows open in the house some this week, I’m hearing birds chirp in the mornings, and the days are getting a bit longer. Yesterday felt like a nice, crisp early spring day. Our kids keep asking when they can swim. The 5-year-old even tried to convince me that she could swim in cold water, no problem. (She definitely has her dad’s desire and ability to influence a situation with the “gift of gab”.) Hopefully, just a few more weeks until we can enjoy some pool time.

Thinking just how close we are to warmer outdoor temps made me realize that it has been a whole year since the first murmurings of COVID. For us here in Georgia, our schools were closed in mid-March and about a week later we had a shelter-in-place order. What huge changes we’ve seen in just a year! On one hand, it is hard to believe it has been a whole year, yet on another, it almost feels like it has been longer than that.

How does your work and personal life look different today vs one year ago?

Thinking about change,

Christin

PS – don’t forget you’ll start seeing these emails come through as the CK Daily next week!

Product Spotlights and Updates:

The Cisco WS-C3750G-24PS-S is a Switch of many trades – it could be used in a small office environment or it could be used in a larger campus (you can stack 9 of them into one single logical unit!). The 3750G has 24 Gigabit PoE ports with a PoE budget of 370 Watts. It’s perfect for powering up IP Cameras, VoIP Phones, Access Points, and/or even certain Access Control devices, this switch is very versatile! It even includes 4 built-in SFP ports for your fiber needs as well as an RPS connector. 

This switch is also built like a tank –  fun fact – did you know this switch could still operate at temperatures as low as 23°F and as high as 113°F. If your network closet is at those temps, you have other problems… however, this switch will still be kicking. What we love about this Switch as well is that it’s affordable, reliable, multi-purpose, with Gigabit connectivity, and all the features you would need to get your network humming along. Purchase one… or even two today! They are definitely what we would call a great bang for your buck!

Understanding the Basics of Network Switches – CK Learning Center

Networking is a big topic. In fact, it’s too big for a single conversation. In order to distill such a massive concept into manageable bites, it’s best to look at one component of a network at a time. This time around, that bite is network switches. They come in many shapes and sizes, but you can navigate through the field of options pretty easily when you break switch features into three categories.

Managed vs Unmanaged

These two options have a simple trade-off. Unmanaged switches are much easier to deploy. They come with pre-configured networking protocols, security, and traffic management. They are typically plug-and-play devices that can make simple and fast additions to an existing network.

Managed switches are the opposite. They require manual configuration before they can be fully deployed. That component grants vastly superior control over security, resource distribution, and the overall functionality of the switch. The time and effort spent on deploying managed switches return a more secure, better-managed network (provided the network administrator does the job correctly).

Choosing between these configurations is not a matter of want. They serve separate roles in a robust network. Major nodes should be run by managed switches. They can do the heavy lifting. Where a network might need rapid changes, unmanaged switches shine. Since they are ultimately tied into the properly managed nodes anyway, the easy deployment makes them perfect for simple additions to the whole.

Ports

The point of a switch is to add ports to a network. When choosing, you have to consider three points. The first that comes to mind is speed. Everyone wants a fast network, and in enterprise networks, that want is more of a need. If a switch cannot match the bandwidth capacity of the greater network, then it creates a bottleneck. That isn’t always bad, but you absolutely need to consider the speed of the switch. It can range from 10/100 (fast Ethernet) to tens of Gigabits per second.

Your second consideration is the interface. Fast networks often have fiber optics carrying the workload, but fiber optic cables don’t come with a single connector type (unlike Ethernet). In a large enough network, there’s a good chance you’ll be working with a variety of connectors (ST, SC, and LC just for starters), and each switch needs to support all of the interfaces expected of it. Double-check your connectors before any purchase.

The third consideration only applies to Ethernet, but it’s widely important since most of your devices will tie into the network via Ethernet or WiFi. In particular, Power over Ethernet (PoE) adds a lot of versatility to any network switch. As the name implies, it can carry power for a device through the Ethernet line. This is ideal for endpoint devices that don’t thrive on battery power. Security cameras and WiFi repeaters are two devices that come to mind.

Housing

Switches have to be stored somewhere, and the housing design is going to have a lot of say in where you can put it. Mostly, the two varieties are stackable and standalone. Standalone switches are best when they are physically isolated. If you have a single switch working as a relay for a few devices, standalone is the way to go. Stackable is designed for networking closets and server-style housing. They can be organized more efficiently than standalones, and they can be configured in bulk. They’re a requirement for major nodes on a large network.

This covers the basics of switches. There are still plenty of additional considerations. We haven’t touched on routers, firewalls, signal repeaters, cables, or any of the other big topics, but with this overview, you should have a good feel for what you want out of your switches. When you know the ports you need, the housing style, and how a switch will be managed, the rest is just trying to get the most performance and features for your buck.

This article is from the CK Learning Center.

Today’s News to Start Your Day:

  • As of this morning, in the US, there are 9,115,541 active COVID cases, 19,341,060 have recovered and there have been 518,372 deaths. 
  • After the descent stage safely delivered the Mars rover, it flew away from the landing site and realized its carefully planned destiny. Perseverance caught the crash on camera. NASA’s Perseverance Mars Rover has provided a new image from the red planet, showing a plume of smoke from where its descent stage made surface impact with Mars. One of the rover’s Hazcams captured the image. You can check out a video of the rover being lowered from the descent stage onto the rocky planet here. 
  • Pfizer and BioNTech said they are testing a third dose of their Covid-19 vaccine to better understand the immune response against new variants of the coronavirus. They are also in talks with regulatory authorities about testing a vaccine modified to protect specifically against the new variant found in South Africa. The new vaccine is ready to be tested in an early-stage clinical trial to determine if it can be used as a booster shot against the highly transmissible strain. 
  • A rouge sheep found wandering in rural Victoria has been shorn of his heavily overgrown 35kg fleece. Nicknamed Baarack by his rescuers, the merino ram was taken to Edgar’s Mission farm sanctuary, where the fleece was removed to save his life. He was very underweight and, due to all of the wool around his face, could barely see. Watch this video of Baarack’s story here. 
  • The EU is still one of the worst-hit parts of the world by the coronavirus, with a number of nations still in lockdown or with strict social restrictions in place. The health emergency is particularly acute in the Czech Republic and parts of Latvia, Sweden, Spain, and Portugal. Give the health crisis, European leaders are not yet inclined to east travel restrictions. 
  • Netflix said it had 3.8 million paid subscribers in South Korea as of December 2020. In the last five years – from 2015 to 2020 – Netflix invested $700 million to expand its slate of Korean content and established two purpose-built production facilities in the country. The U.S. streaming giant also announced two new original films out of South Korea. 

CEO Daily Update – 2.24.2021

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Today’s Topics: Postal Trucks, School Buses & Taxies | StackPower Cables | How to plan a Staycation | News to Start Your Day

Happy Wednesday!

National Tortilla Chip Day, a day set aside for the crunchy snack loved by millions across the nation, is observed annually on February 24th! Who doesn’t love a good bowl of salsa, chile con queso, or guacamole with their tortilla chips!? Don’t like tortilla chips?…no worries, we don’t have to taco ’bout it!

Some things change and some things stay the same…for a LONG time! Think about it, for the most part, postal trucks, school buses, and taxies have looked the same for years and years, some versions dating back to the ’60s and ’70s…and in some cases, it is the exact vehicle from the ’60s and ’70s. Well…the postal service is changing all of that! They have released the new design of the new postal trucks.

I have been trying to put my finger on what they remind me of and then it hit me…they look like a truck a kindergartener would draw where parts are out of proportion.

I imagine they will be very efficient though. No problem seeing out of the windshield, up or down, in them that is for sure. Change can be very good and hopefully, it will be for them.

Speaking of change, lots of change going on around CK lately. Christin mentioned yesterday that we will be changing the name of this email to the “CK Daily”. You will get a chance to hear from a few more of the CK leaders in the process. We were talking yesterday about how we want to make sure that we continue to stay personal, transparent, fun, and “real” in these emails going forward, but we also want to give you something that you will want to read and that you find beneficial in life and business. We are pretty excited about it!

If you have any thoughts, ideas, or recommendations feel free to reply to this email and let us know.

It’s Wednesday so the week is halfway over! I hope you have an awesome rest of the week!

Jason

Product Spotlights & Updates:

If you have a 3750X, 3850, or 9300 switch, chances are that Switch has StackPower Technology. StackPower is an amazing piece of technology that allows for power supplies to be stacked as a shared and common resource. What could save you a lot of time and money is to take advantage of the zero-footprint redundancy that the StackPower technology provides. Zero-footprint redundancy basically allows you to add one additional power supply to any switch in your stack to provide power redundancy to your entire stack. That means no additional separate redundant power supplies are necessary, conserving space in your rack, and also saving you operationally on maintenance and power utilization (you don’t have to maintain a redundant power supply if you don’t have one!).   

In order to utilize the technology, you’ll need two things: A StackPower Cable and an additional power supply. Today we’ll be focusing on the StackPower cable otherwise known by its part number – CAB-SPWR-30CM. This 30-centimeter cable is the key to optimizing the StackPower technology. Don’t forget you’ll need enough StackPower cables to interconnect all of your switches in a ring or star topology (so be sure to purchase enough for the amount of switches in your stack). 

This cable also comes in a 150CM length (CAB-SPWR-150CM) and we carry them in two flavors – Refurbished and Cisco New, which both include a Lifetime Warranty!

How to play a Staycation – Dave Ramsey Blog

Who doesn’t love taking a vacation? You get to sleep in, eat delicious food, and enjoy the freedom to do absolutely nothing or absolutely anything with your day. Ah, living the dream! But sometimes a traditional vacation just isn’t in the cards (like this year thanks to COVID-19), or maybe it isn’t in the budget for you. If you fall into that camp, a staycation is a great alternative that can give you the rest you deserve without breaking the bank.

What is the Difference Between a Vacation and a Staycation?

Just like it sounds—a staycation means you’ll be staying at home (or in town) while on “vacation.” Think of it as a way to “get away from it all” by going nowhere. 

One of the biggest differences between a staycation and a vacation? Yep, you guessed it—the price tag. Although it’s possible to take a cheap vacation, they’re known for being ex-pen-sive. Did you know the average travel budget is about $2,800?1 That’s a lot of dough to drop on vacation. And you can probably tack on some more dollars if it’s a family of five. Yikes! But the good news is, you don’t have to spend that much money. A staycation is an awesome (and much cheaper) alternative.

Why do you need a Staycation?

Because we all need a break! But that doesn’t mean you have to bust your budget to do it (that’s the opposite of relaxing).

If you’re smack-dab in the middle of working the Baby Steps and wish you could swing a vacation, a staycation is a great way to have a good time while spending next to nothing. And these days, a lot of people don’t want to be near the vacation crowds anyway, so bringing that rest and relaxation to your own house sounds a whole lot better.

How do you take a Staycation? 

Treat it like a normal vacation! When you go on a week-long vacation out of state, you don’t take work with you, and you enjoy time spent relaxing and making memories with family. When you take a staycation, do the same thing.

It’s important to actually use your paid time off from work and not work from home just because you’re at home. Don’t check in or worry about what you’re missing at the office. If you truly want to relax, then treat this like a typical vacation and leave the realities of life behind. Turn off all your devices and limit the TV binge-watching—this is your chance to focus on quality time with no interruptions and enjoy not having anything looming on the to-do list. You’re on staycation, after all!

How do you make your house a Staycation?

One of the best things about going on a “real” vacation is that you have a change of scenery. When you’re on vacation somewhere else, relaxing comes easy. But when you’re trying to bring all the feelings of vacation to your own house, you’re going to have to put in a little extra effort.

Turning your humble abode into a staycation haven is going to look different for everyone, but here are a few things to help get you inspired:

  • Get out the nice sheets
  • Add a vase of flowers to your kitchen or entryway table. 
  • Put the books you’ve been meaning to read on your nightstand or coffee table (so you’ll actually get around to reading them).
  • Live in your robe, yoga pants or flip-flops (anything that says “rest” or “vacation life” to you).
  • Live outside as much as you can. 
  • Don’t turn on the news or pull up your go-to news app (heck, after these last few months we all went through, we can use a break from the news!). 
  • Put snacks and drinks out in visible places (like you’d see in a hotel room or Airbnb).
  • Eat off of the fancy dishes. 
  • Play relaxing tunes in the background. 

Staycation Ideas

1. Take a nap.
We know—what a boring one to start the list off with. But it’s easy, it’s free, and it makes a world of difference. So start your staycation off right with a little rest and relaxation in the form of a nice, long nap. How many times do you get the chance to close your eyes and catch some zzz’s in the middle of the day? You can even take a snooze outside—just don’t do it without wearing some sunblock or you’ll be sorry.

2. Have a spa day.
It might not be as glamorous as a real day at the spa, but you can still make your own home feel like a retreat. It can be as glamorous as decking out your whole face with a moisturizing face mask and cucumber slices or as simple as just soaking your feet in Epsom salt. Whatever you do, just focus on using that time to relax.

3. Take a mini road trip.
Need a little bit of adventure during the staycation? Gas prices are crazy cheap right now, so get out of the house and take a road trip to a spot just an hour or two away. Enjoy the day by exploring new sights, eating at new restaurants, and shaking off your stir-crazy ways with hitting the open road.

4. Read a good book.
How many books do you have collecting dust on the shelf? Sure, you’re always wanting to read one, but there never seems to be enough time in the day. Now’s your chance to dive into a good read—or several! Set up a hammock in your backyard or lay out a blanket under a tree and unwind with a good book.

5. Get outside.
Take a hike in the great outdoors or enjoy a peaceful walk in a nearby park. Pack a lunch for the trip and enjoy a picnic with your family, or even grab your running shoes to work in some exercise!

Did you know walking actually helps to reduce stress hormones in your body? Just getting outside for some fresh air and moving your body can really help you relax and unwind. So get that circulation going and spend your staycation stress-free!

6. Explore your city.
Are there any historic sites or popular tourist spots you’ve never been to? Most of the time, we’re all so busy with the hustle and bustle of everyday life that we don’t get a chance to take in the things that make our own local area pretty great. Use this staycation to take in the sights and sounds of your city! Get out there and visit free museums, bookstores, and that coffee shop you’re always meaning to check out.

Just make sure to do your research before you head out to double-check that wherever you plan on going is actually open again.

7. Camp out in the backyard.
Pitch a tent, light the fire pit, and make s’mores while creating fun family memories. Bonus points if you tell spooky stories and sing camp songs around the fire. When it’s time to call it a night, have everyone crawl into the tent and sleep under the stars (or you can bring the gang back inside to sleep in your comfortable beds too—we won’t judge).

8. Bring the water park to you.
You don’t need access to a pool to cool off. You can get way more creative than that. Remember Slip ’N Slides? Set one up in your backyard and get ready to beat the heat. Of course, you can always opt for a $15 inflatable pool for the kids (or you!) or spend an afternoon having a water balloon fight. And never underestimate the power of the sprinklers. Creating your own DIY backyard water park instead of the real deal can save you about $50 per person!

9. Have a movie night.
You don’t have to leave your house to catch a good flick. Rent a movie—or even better, stream one for free. Skipping the traditional ticket and concessions at the theater can easily save you $15–20 a person. This is the perfect time to tackle a marathon of movie trilogies (Back to the Future, anyone?) or introduce your kids to iconic classics for the first time. But don’t forget the snacks! Grab some popcorn, chips and candy from the dollar store, and you have all the makings for a great (and really cheap) movie night.

10. Stay somewhere new.
Before we tackle this one, let’s be clear: It’s okay to stay at your house during your staycation (and it saves major money not having to pay for a hotel or bed-and-breakfast). But if you do want to switch it up, check in to a local hotel or Airbnb for a night or two. It’s amazing how getting away to a new spot in your hometown can feel so refreshing. All you know is you’re staying the night in some new digs—is it in the Bahamas or just down the street? Who knows! It’s somewhere different, and that’s all that matters.

11. Take up a DIY project.
Do you have a DIY project that you haven’t been able to get to? Use this free time on your hands to tackle it! You’ll feel accomplished and have something to show for it by the end of your staycation. Check your local museum or art studio to see if pottery, painting or woodworking classes are being offered.

12. Plan a game night.
Monopoly, Battleship, Clue—these games never go out of style! Dust off the board games and invite your family and friends over to enjoy the simple joy of a game night. Need to add a new game to the rotation? Check out Act Your Wage!—the first player to become debt-free wins the game. And if that sounds a little too much like real life (like if you’re laser-focused on becoming debt-free right now), just play Monopoly instead. We won’t be mad.

13. Watch a theater production.
We know what you’re thinking—how in this COVID world is that kind of thing possible? The magic of the internet, that’s how. BroadwayHD is streaming a ton of Broadway shows (everything from Oklahoma! to Romeo and Juliet). And with a seven-day free trial, that’s plenty of time to watch a few things while on a staycation.

14. Go bowling.
Family bonding and bowling go hand in hand! And going to a bowling alley during the middle of the week or at off-peak times can be surprisingly cheap. A lot of bowling alleys even let kids bowl for free. Check out the deals your local alley has and strike up a little friendly competition.

15. Go out for a special meal or have it delivered.
Some people find cooking relaxing, but for others, it’s like a one-way ticket to stress-out city. No matter where you fall, it’s important to give yourself a break and take some time for a special meal that you don’t have to cook. Swing by that restaurant downtown that you’ve always wondered about, or have food delivered from your favorite burger joint.

16. Go canoeing.
If you live within close driving distance of a river or another body of water, get out there on a canoe or a paddleboard—maybe even a surfboard if you’re near the beach (lucky!).

17. Have a date night.
Even if you’re in the middle of a family staycation with two toddlers, you can still carve out time for you and your spouse to sneak in an inexpensive date. The real tricky part is going to be finding a sitter to watch the kids, but it’s doable! Ask family or friends if they wouldn’t mind babysitting for an evening so you and your spouse can have a nice dinner. You can even sweeten the deal by offering to watch their kids sometime too.

This article is from the Dave Ramsey Blog. 

Today’s News to Start Your Day:

  • As of this morning, in the US, there are 9,171,193 active COVID cases, 19,212,524 have recovered and there have been 515,034 deaths. 
  • The FDA’s staff endorsed Johnson & Johnson’s Covid-19 vaccine for emergency use, a critical step in bringing the third shot to the U.S. marketplace. The staff report is meant to brief the FDA’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee, which will meet Friday to review J&J’s request for emergency use. 
  • A new app, set to launch within weeks, could mark the first step in resuming quarantine-free international travel. The IATA travel app will allow governments and airlines to collect, access, and share information on individual passengers’ Covid-19 test and vaccination statuses. So far, 30 airlines are signed up to trial the tool through March and April. 
  • Crocs have been called the “it” shoe of the pandemic, as the clog became a closet staple for consumers seeking comfort during the more casual pandemic lifestyle. Still, the company’s stock is down more than 3% on Tuesday, amid concerns its pandemic boost could fade. Crocs CEO Andrew Rees said he is optimistic that the brand can grow with the help of new product innovations, such as sandals. 
  • A luxury SUV driven by Tiger Woods crashed and rolled over Tuesday morning in southern California, leaving the golf superstar with serious injuries, authorities and his agent said. Woods is “currently awake, responsive, and recovering in his hospital room” after undergoing emergency surgery, according to a statement posted on his Twitter account. The front end of the SUV was destroyed. Woods likely survived the single-car crash because the interior of the SUV remained intact. 
  • Kia is replacing its Sedona minivan with a new SUV-inspired model called the Carnival beginning in the second quarter of this year. The 2022 Carnival “multi-purpose vehicle,” also known as a minivan, features a boxy exterior, large front grille, and an overall design that looks more bold and rugged design. The vehicle features a host of new safety features as well as new sliding configurations for the second-row seating and an available “VIP Lounge Seating.”