The One, True GPS

Somebody I know needs a GPS for a trip, but doesn’t want to use phone navigation software. Do I have something that works directly with the Global Positioning System satellites? Why, yes I do. A now-idle Garmin nüvi 58 that I bought six years ago, along with a nice beanbag dashboard mount, for getting around greater Phoenix.

After repurposing a 32 GB microSD card to make it possible to update the maps, the Garmin is now ready to go.

Fun fact: The Internet and the Global Positioning System were both created with American taxpayer dollars, under the auspices of the Defense Department, formerly the War Department. Reminding you and all Americans to take the right route and DON’T BE A SUCKER!

That Does Not Commute

Today’s big thrill, after a prostate check during my annual physical, was getting a new case for my Pixel 4a. With the phone now being an ancient model from two years ago, Best Buy has the OtterBox Commuter on clearance for $17.

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/otterbox-commuter-series-for-google-pixel-4a-black/6422287.p?skuId=6422287

I don’t commute anymore, but my pal Denro and I will be seeing Joe Sinnott’s family this weekend in New York. The OtterBox case works well with the Topgo phone holder I have in the car. I’ll probably use the Waze app for navigation.

How Much is Free Advice Worth?

I don’t follow personal finance gurus, like PBS favorite Suze Orman, and not because her sales pitch is directed mostly at women. The inspirational self-help tone, with its “pay yourself first” catchphrase advice, isn’t for me. Here’s an Orman podcast with another cutesy slogan.

The Freakonomics podcast has a related discussion. What do academic economists think about personal financial advice? After all, the spending decisions made by consumers, in the aggregate, are what drive 70% the economy.