Just as it sits between burgundy and maroon, so too does Melbourne-based creative practice Articolo Studios situate itself alongside Gucci and Loewe as a design house harnessing the power of the supersaturated, seemingly supernatural, seductive hue that is oxblood. Helmed by Australian designer Nicci Kavals their recent showcase, aptly titled Accents of Oxblood, marks the studios first foray into color, and notably, the release of Rolo, a robust 12-piece lighting collection comprising wall sconces, pendants, and lamps. The survey also highlights some key elements from the new Articolo Home, a furniture collection that debuted this year to great reception.Left to Right: Rolo Wall Sconce Facing Backward; Large Table Lamp; Slip Stool; Fin Tall Side Table; Fin Short Side TableI have always wanted to do color but wasnt excited because I thought it would take away from the sophistication of the natural materials, Kavals admits. However, given its breadth and variation across models, the rich burgundy is very impressive and Im thrilled with the result.Left to Right: Flare Tall Side Table, Rolo Mini Table Lamp; Flare Short and Tall Side Tables; Rolo Wall Sconce Facing BackwardTaking visual cues from 1980s Milanese design fused with the precision of haute couture and dignity imbued by hand-construction Rolos rounded light fixtures strut their stuff boasting bold forms and fluid silhouettes that look in vogue as much as they evoke nostalgia for Europes future-retro furnishings. Simple geometries are made exquisite through venerable materials including mouth-blown glass in a pale snow finish, sophisticated powder coating options, and fine metal detailing available in brass, mid bronze, and satin nickel.Rolo Large Table LampWhats more, lamp cords are available in both subtle neutrals as well as the now-signature oxblood tone. The large family of lighting offers options for a variety of home styles and sizes to accommodate interior spaces from the intimate to expansive, and in some cases, even exteriors in need of accentuation. Options are aplenty as Kavals explores 12 permutations with one globe through the stacking, flipping, inverting, and doubling down of form to deliver such solutions.Left to Right: Rolo Large Table Lamp; Slip Stool; Rolo Medium Table LampIn conjunction with Rolos release comes Articolo Home, which extends the studios atelier-like approach to craft a capsule collection of furnishings. Each highly tailored object encapsulates quality, craftsmanship, and contemporary design all communicated through tactility.Left to Right: Rolo Wall Sconce Facing Backward; Rolo Medium Table LampThe Slip side table and stool, also available as a simple circular tray, distills a dynamic moment mid-shear as its cylindrical body is sliced at an angle leaving the seat to hang in tension. Flare is equally as elegant but much more industrial in expression. An octagonal base column intersects a flared form of the same kind to create a larger surface exposed upward. Material finish and a multifaceted design conspire when activated by light for a rigid sculpture that has a completely different relationship with its surroundings. The tables from both series will feature the new oxblood leather finish in addition to the existing earthen palette of latte, olive, and camel.Rolo Mini Table LampIn sum, Accents of Oxblood is a significant departure from the comparatively muted quiet luxury and practical chic of the brands past, indicating its sultry forward trajectory. It is a natural progression in Articolo Studios evolution, Kavals adds. And one that were really excited about launching and adding to in the future.Rolo Wall Sconce Facing ForwardDesigner Nicci Kavals of Articolo Studios with Slip StoolTo learn more about the latest from Articolo Studios and peruse existing artifacts, visit articolostudios.com.Photography by Thomas De Bruyne.

Benni Allan, founding director of EBBA, takes an investigative approach to every aspect of his practice. Born and raised in Spain, the architect was surrounded by exceptional design, but it was a visit to fellow countryman Santiago Calatravas City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia when he was 12 years old that made a lasting impression. The park is organized around large pools of water, with buildings interspersed around them that look like dystopian structures made of concrete, steel, and glass, Allan says. I was so taken aback, and I remember thinking that it was something I would end up doing.Benni Allan \\\ Photo: Salva LpezBased in London, Allan strives to reflect poetic material qualities, whether envisioning a retail store or crafting furniture. Every piece and structure is formed to have an emotional impact, much like the rhythms that serve as inspiration for him. Producing is very architectural in the way tracks are composed, he adds. If I had the opportunity, I would dedicate time to developing ways to make and play live, which is essentially creating music in real time.Today, Benni Allan joins us for Friday Five!Photo:Devon Turnbull, courtesy Lisson Gallery1. Devon Turnbull at Lisson GalleryAs someone who enjoys music and has spent most of my life going to gigs, I am very aware of the importance of the quality of sound. Theres been a major shift in the world of listening experiences, and this really came to the fore in an exhibition by Devon Turnbull at Lisson Gallery. The listening room he created was decked out with his own crafted speakers and a setup that offered an almost meditative experience.Photo: Joshua White, courtesy Carpenters Workshop Gallery2. Vincenzo De Cotiis at Carpenters Workshop GalleryI am drawn to work that explores materiality, and especially ways in which a ubiquitous material can be transformed into something so beautiful. In the work of Vincenzo De Cotiis, which was shown at the Carpenters Workshop Gallery in New York, I enjoyed the layering and texture of the material to create natural forms made entirely through an industrial process.Photo: Courtesy of Marjan van Aubel Studio3. Sunne by Marjan van AubelThe Sunne light by Marjan van Aubel is powered entirely by solar energy. Not only a functional piece, this elegant object makes us think about our impact on the world. The light was included in an exhibition at Vitra called Transform!: Designing the Future of Energy, which looked at renewable sources of energy and design responses to the climate issues of today.Photo: Courtesy Silverlens Galleries4. Nicole Coson at SilverlensI was blown away when I first saw a painting of Nicoles a couple of years back, as it reminded me of the shutters on the windows in Spain that block out the sun at the height of the day. Nicole takes common everyday objects and uses them to create intricate prints. In March she had her first solo show with Silverlens New York, titled In Passing.Photo: John Marshall for JMEnternational5. Artist Rachel JonesI was struck by Rachel Jones when I first experienced her work at a show dedicated to contemporary painters at the Hayward Gallery in London. It is no surprise that her beautifully textured forms have really seen her shine recently, including as the designer of this years BRIT Awards trophy.Works by Benni Allan:WatchHouse \ Drawing inspiration from the modernist architectural features of lobbies found in civic buildings, the project is rooted in an approach to craft an inviting, unique space whilst establishing a sense of connection to the broader building. \\\ Photo: Stle EriksenLow Collection is a series of furniture designed by EBBAs director, Benni Allan, as part of an investigation into what it means to sit and how every culture has a different relationship to the act of resting. \\\ Photo: Nina Lilli HoldenBelsize Lane \ EBBA have been appointed to work on the restoration of Belsize Lane, the house designed and lived-in by the unsung female architect Georgie Wolton. The works will involved a careful investigation into the existing structure and the overall fabric in order to bring the building back to life. The ambition is to make a building that is highly sustainable, benefiting from natural cooling and ventilation while making a home fit for the future. \\\ Photo: Riba Pix Archive & James RetiefRotaro \ Working within the unique spaces of Liberty we have created a project focused around ideas of circularity, both in terms of materials and spatial ideas. The environmental response towards fashion is a key message that translates into the overall concept for the space. \\\ James Retief

Google is making it easier to follow the rules of the roador at least know when you should pay extra attention to them. New traffic-tracking features are coming to Maps and Waze, including the ability to report police presence in Maps and keep up with events like the Olympics in Waze.Borrowing a feature from Waze, the iOS, Android, and in-car versions of the Google Maps app now let users report where police are stationed, building on an existing feature that lets you track car crashes and speed traps. Like those features, users can let the app know when theyve seen a cop, and drivers passing through the same area will then be asked to confirm it. So long as people keep confirming police presence, others will keep getting warned about it.Of course, thats a lot of poking around to be doing on your touch screen while youre driving, so Googles also making the report buttons larger.Even within the Maps app, alerts can come from both Maps and Waze users, to give you the widest dataset possible. Waze is also getting some exclusive new features, like the ability to report traffic lights that also track your speed. In addition to user reports, Waze will also use publicly available data to mark up its maps. Waze is also getting the ability to see turn-by-turn directions and other navigation instructions on the lock screen, which will come to Android this month and iOS in the fall.Already rolling out to Waze is the traffic events feature, which collects event-related traffic closures and detours on a single page. Commuters who regularly drive through impacted areas will automatically get a warning from the app once the event has started, which theyll then be able to share with others. Traffic events is live right now for the Paris Olympics.Back to Google Maps: Once youre at your destination, youll be able to get in the building a bit more easily. In the coming weeks, Google Maps will enable Destination Guidance, which will highlight your specific destination building in red and shows entrances to the building in green. The app will also light up nearby parking lots. Destination Guidance will work on all versions of the Google Maps app.

As the cost of higher education continues to soar, many families find themselves grappling with the daunting task of saving for their children's future academic endeavors. 529 plans are a popularand potentially powerfuloption for college savings. Put simply, 529 plans are tax-advantaged education savings vehicles, where the funds are for college only. However, like any financial instrument, 529 plans come with their own set of advantages and limitations. How 529 plans workA parent, grandparent, or any other individual can open a 529 account and name a beneficiary (usually a child or grandchild). The account owner can contribute money to the 529 plan. Usually states offer tax deductions or credits for contributions, though this varies by state.The money in the account is invested in mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), or other investment portfolios. Most 529 plans offer age-based options that automatically adjust the investment mix to become more conservative as the beneficiary approaches college age. The investments in the account grow tax-free at the federal level, and in most cases, at the state level as well.When it's time for college, money can be withdrawn tax-free for qualified education expenses. These typically include tuition, fees, books, supplies, and room and board at eligible educational institutions.If the original beneficiary doesn't need all the funds (e.g., they get a scholarship), the beneficiary can be changed to another qualifying family member without penalty.However, if money is withdrawn for non-qualified expenses, the earnings portion of the withdrawal is subject to income tax and typically a 10% penalty. While there are no annual contribution limits set by the federal government, states may set lifetime contribution limits, which are typically quite high (often around $500,000 per beneficiary).Starting this year, unused funds from a 529 plan can be rolled over into a Roth IRA for the accounts beneficiary without penalty. This new tax-free rollover rulea part of SECURE 2.0means you dont have to worry about the current 10% penalty on the earnings if you end up with money left over.529 plans owned by parents have a relatively small impact on federal financial aid eligibility compared to other types of assets.Finally, it's worth noting that there are two types of 529 plans: savings plans (as described above) and prepaid tuition plans. Prepaid tuition plans allow you to pay for future tuition at today's rates at participating colleges, but they're less common and have different rules.Pros of 529 plansThe primary advantage of 529 plans lies in their tax benefits. David Johnston, CFP and managing partner of Amwell Ridge Wealth Management, emphasizes that the tax-deferred growth and tax-free withdrawals are "massive benefits which magnify the longer the money is invested." This tax-advantaged growth can significantly boost the value of your education savings over time.Additionally, 529 plans offer a unique benefit for scholarship recipients. As Johnston notes, "funds equal to scholarships received can be withdrawn penalty-free." This provision ensures that families aren't penalized for their children's academic achievements.Plus, Johnston notes that recent changes have expanded their utility: "Several years ago, provisions were added to use up to $10,000 annually on non-post-secondary education costs, like grammar school or high school." Johnston explains further: "In addition to two- and four-year colleges and universities, funds can also be used towards accredited trade schools." This broadens the potential applications of 529 funds beyond traditional four-year institutions.Another lesser-known feature is the ability to change beneficiaries. Johnston states, "People also aren't broadly aware beneficiaries can be changed (i.e. funds from Child 1 can be moved into Child 2's account)." This flexibility can be particularly useful for families with multiple children.Cons and limitations of 529 plansWhile 529 plans offer substantial benefits, they do have potential drawbacks. Johnston addresses a common concern: "The worst-case scenario is there are funds left overyou saved too much." In this case, there will be that 10% penalty explained above, plus your ordinary income tax on the gains.However, he also offers alternatives to mitigate this issue: "You could hold on to the money for your grandkids, or use some of it to learn something new at a local community college." This highlights the long-term flexibility of 529 plans, even if immediate educational needs are met.Making the most of 529 plansWith rising tuition costs, strategic planning is crucial. Johnston advises, "Various calculators are available to help you determine the future cost of education, which varies greatly by in-state, out-of-state, state institution, or private school."Timing is also a critical factor: "Obviously the sooner you begin, the more you're able to take advantage of compounding." It's important to start to save early, allowing more time for investments to grow.The bottom line529 prepaid college tuition plans offer significant advantages for families saving for education, primarily through tax-advantaged growth and flexibility. However, it's important to carefully consider your family's specific circumstances and future educational needs when deciding how much to contribute. If youre a parent and are looking to set up this college savings vehicle, start looking at online tools can help you compare different plans state-by-state offerings. Heres our guide to opening a 529 for your kid.

If you find yourself on the side of the road with a flat tire, your first move is probably to pull out the spare and change it outor call someone to help you with the switch. Your car's spare may be a smaller space-saving tire meant only to get you to the shop so you can get your full-size tire repaired, but if you drive a newer vehicle, you should check whether you even have a spare on board at all. According to Consumer Reports, about 40% of cars sold today aren't equipped with any type of spare tireeven a temporary onelikely due to manufacturers' desire to increase fuel economy and decrease costs. Some vehicles don't even come with the tools needed to seal or repair a flat. If you discover that your car is one of the 40% that lacks a spare, here's how to prepare for the possibility of a flat tire ahead of time.Learn how to use an emergency repair kitIf your vehicle is without a spare, it may instead have come with emergency repair supplies to repair a deflated tire that has been puncturedthis may include tire sealant and CO2 cartridges. Take the time to familiarize yourself with the tools and read any instructions that explain how to apply sealant (which can actually be more straightforward than a tire change). If you don't have any emergency supplies on hand, you can purchase the stuff yourself, including just packets of sealant or full repair kits. A portable air compressor can also come in handy for inflating sealed flats or low-pressure tires on the go. Repair kits provide a temporary fix, and you shouldn't drive faster than 50 miles per hour or distances longer than 100 miles before getting your tire inspected. Note that tire sealant is ineffective for sidewall tears or severe flat damage, and when used, it may cost extra to be removed during the repair process. Buy a temporary spare or used tireEven if your vehicle doesn't come with a spare, it may have space to store one. You can purchase a space-saving temporary tire that fits your vehicle's make and model or consider buying a used (refurbished) full-size spare online. (Check to make sure a full-sized wheel will fit in your spare wheel well first.) Ensure you also have the tools required to change a flat, including a jack and lug wrench. Check your roadside assistance benefitsWhether or not you choose to add a spare to your vehicle, you should know how to call roadside assistance when you need it. Newer vehicles purchased from a dealership may include complimentary roadside assistance as part of the warranty or service benefits, so check before you pay for an additional subscription. Otherwise, you can add roadside assistance to your auto insurance plan or sign up for AAA.

In a recent update, Netflix retired its dedicated Windows app, and now offers a web app instead. This new "app," however is essentially a shortcut to open the Netflix website, and, as a result, you lose an important feature: downloads.The ability to download videos and watch them offline is critical for many streaming services, since it's not possible to stream your content all the time. I always have a couple episodes or movies downloaded on my devices if I want to watch something when the internet is down, or when I'm traveling without a connection.While Netflix still has downloads on iPhone, iPad, and Android, it dropped download support for Windows. It's not clear why, but you're not out of luck if you travel with your PC. As it turns out, there is a workaround to continue downloading content on Netflix for Windows.How to download movies on Netflix for Windows Credit: Pranay Parab Instead of using Netflix's official "web app," try downloading an older version of the Netflix app, as highlighted by this post on Reddit. This version still has the downloads feature in tact, so you can keep downloading your content as usual. Remember that this is only a temporary fix. Netflix could stop supporting the older version of its app anytime, rendering this workaround ineffective. However, as of this article, it appears to be working. Here's what you need to do:If your PC has already updated Netflix for Windows, you should uninstall it. Go to Settings > Apps > Installed Apps, click the three-dots next to Netflix, and select Uninstall.Next, you should turn off automatic updates on the Microsoft Store in order to stop Netflix from updating to the newest version, which, of course, removes the downloads feature. Open the Microsoft Store and click the profile icon. Go to Settings and turn off App updates.Install the older version of Netflix. To download it directly from Microsoft, go to this Adguard store page and paste Netflix's app link. When you click the checkmark, you'll see a bunch of results, but you want to download version 6.99.5 from the list. Alternatively, the Reddit thread lists download links hosted on Dropbox and Google Drive, but downloading directly from Microsoft is the preferred method.Once the app is downloaded, open Terminal on your PC and paste this command: Add-AppxPackage .Downloads4DF9E0F8.Netflix_6.99.5.0_neutral_~_mcm4njqhnhss8.AppxBundleThis will install the old version of Netflix on your PC, and you will be able to download movies and TV shows as always. Note that the Terminal command assumes that you downloaded the Netflix app package to the Downloads folder on your PC. Feel free to alter the path if it's saved elsewhere. It's also worth noting that even if you disable automatic app updates, Microsoft Store can sometimes try to update all apps on your PC. You can avoid this problem by manually cancelling the download or by keeping the Microsoft Store closed.

Despite its name, YouTubes Stats for Nerds feature isnt just for nerds. The option is turned off by default in all YouTube videos, but when enabled, a small window appears over your video with information like current video quality, buffering information, not to mention a bunch of technical mumbo jumbo. That mumbo jumbo, however, can prove to be quite useful.What each stat for nerds actually meansIf you're having a problem with playback on YouTube, or you're just curious about your video's stats, these details can be quite informative. Here's what each one means: Video ID / sCPN: The videos ID in YouTubes database and the code for your specific playback instance.Viewport / Frames: The video players resolution (not the videos resolution) and the current frame youre on.Current / Optimal Res: The videos current resolution versus its original resolution.Volume / Normalized: The current volume of the video youre watching and how much the audio is normalized. Normalization matches louder and quieter parts of the sound more closely to protect the listeners ears and speakers. The parenthesis shows how loud the video is compared to YouTubes baseline.Codecs: The medias video and audio compression codecs.Color: This shows the current color range of the content youre watching.Connection Speed: Your devices network connection. Network Activity: The data transmission from YouTubes servers to your device. The higher a videos resolution, the higher the network activity will be.Buffer Health: How much YouTube is able to buffer the video to avoid playback hitches and dropouts due to poor connection speed.Mystery Text: A long string of text whose meaning is not clear at first. More on this below.Date: The current date and time for the viewer.YouTube doesn't disclose exactly what Mystery Text is, and many have guessed at its meaning. But the top comment on a previous version of this article, posted by Raphael Chalk, broke each section down for the Mystery Text example of s:4 t:1759.84 b:1459.421-1884.549 P pbs:3354:s:4: The stream number or segment number.t:1759.84: The video's current timestamp, in seconds.b:1459.421-1884.549: Denotes the video's buffer range, in seconds. 1459.421 is the beginning of the buffer, while 1884.549 is the end. It shows how much of the video is actually buffered. P: This appears whenever the video is paused.pbs:3354: pbs stands for "Playback Session," and identifies the current session of video playback.Some of this information is neat, but most of it will look like techno gibberish for average users. That doesnt mean it isnt helpful, however. The network information is useful if youre having playback issues and cant pinpoint whats causing it.However, Stats for Nerds main use is for aiding YouTubes engineers with troubleshooting bugs. If you ever encounter YouTube problems like sudden app crashes, slow video buffering, or other issues, snap a screenshot of the Stats for Nerds window and send it to YouTube support with a bug report.How to turn on YouTubes Stats for NerdsStats for Nerds is useful, but finding and turning it on will differ slightly based on the device youre using.Desktop (Windows, Linux, Mac)Open YouTube.com in your browser of choice.Start watching a video.Right-click the video once to open the video menu.Select Stats for Nerds to toggle the overlay.AndroidIn the YouTube app, go to Settings > General > Enable Stats for nerds.Next, play a video.Tap the three-dot More button in the video player.Tap the Stats button. iOS and iPadOSOpen the YouTube appGo to Settings > General.Enable Stats for Nerds.Play a video.Tap the video, then tap settings gear, then tap Additional Settings.Tap Stats for nerds. SmartTVs, gaming consoles, and streaming devicesIn general, toggling Stats for Nerds should work the same on these devices.Open the app on your device.Start a video.Bring up the video playback controls (usually by pressing your remote/controllers default select button).Tab over and select Settings.Scroll over and select Stats for Nerds.

In the great world of kitchen appliances, the air fryer has reigned supreme for several years nowcrisping, dehydrating, reheating french fries to their former glory like no other can. But an air fryer only does its job one way, by eliminating moisture quickly, and thats not always what you want. If only there was an appliance out there that could cook my entire meal without shriveling it up. Oh, wait, there is. Its called a combi oven.What is a combi oven?Combi is short for combination. You might also see the combi oven called a combi cooker, multicooker, or combi steamer. It turns out thats a pretty apt title since it combines the functions of some cooking appliances, namely steamers, ovens, and convection ovens. Similarly to the air fryers history, combi ovens have been in use in commercial kitchens for ages. Now, what was once only made for industrial use has been shrunk down to a countertop size, and with a price tag that matches.A combi oven might have an array of cooking styles listed on the packagelike steam, air fry, broil, sous vide, sear, or braisebut the combi oven really has just one big difference from the average kitchen appliance: controllable steam injection. Ninja Combi All-in-One Multicooker $229.95 at Amazon Shop Now Shop Now $229.95 at Amazon A combi oven that offers steam control and large array of cooking styles. Anova Precision Oven $699.00 at Anovaculinary.com Shop Now Shop Now $699.00 at Anovaculinary.com Dreo ChefMaker Combi Fryer $246.99 at Amazon $359.00 Save $112.01 Shop Now Shop Now $246.99 at Amazon $359.00 Save $112.01 SEE 0 MORE How does a combi oven work?The combi ovens made for home kitchens are electric convection ovens (much like an air fryer): A fan placed in front of an electric heating element stirs up the hot air and circulates it around the chamber to drive moisture away and out the vent, and in doing so, cooks the item faster and hotter than a conventional oven. Add in the steam capabilities and you have three true functions: convection, steam, or convection with steam.Steam injection can help maintain moisture in the cooking area or introduce more. Incorporating the steam function takes the combi beyond the likes of the air fryer because now you can keep meats and vegetables hydratednay, juicy even!while also browning the outside.You may or may not be thinking, Well, Ill just put a pan of water in my air fryer. (Maybe Im the only one who thinks like that?) Anyway, Ive tried it, and its not the same, sorry. The convection winds just blow the moisture around; in this case, technology really has the upper hand. Many combi ovens have frustratingly cool features that digitally control the moisture level of your oven from the phone app, custom settings, or embedded presets for large roasts so you end up with the juiciest pork loin youve ever cooked. In a few months, Ill be roasting a Thanksgiving turkey in a combi oven just to see how it goes. Im already dreaming of how I could have the entire conventional oven dedicated to warming up side dishes at a reasonable temperature while the bird cooks away in a countertop combi. Pros and consThe pros Cooking versatility. You can cook almost anything in a combi oven. Steam rice, boil an egg, cook a whole casserole, make a souffl. Attention, bread bakers: You finally have a proof box with humidity control, and you can bake a loaf of bread with the appropriate amount of steam for once.Precision temperature control. Some models include a probe thermometer, and I recommend those if you can afford it. The probe thermometer will allow you to keep an eye on the temperature of the food youre cooking, which you can see on the digital display or an app. Humidity control. You can easily control the humidity and temperature with the digital controls on the appliance or on your phone. You can even get sous-vide-like results and moisture levels in your large cuts of meat.The cons Practice makes perfect. While the air fryer is as easy as "dump and press 'on,'" a combi oven has more functionality and more of a learning curve.The price. Well, its not as bad as it used to be. A few years ago there were very few makers dabbling in home combis, but now there is more competition and its driven the price down to a more reasonable level. Instead of spending at least $600, now you can find some models for around $200.The size. Combi ovens made for the countertop arent very big. Some models offer more cooking space than others, but if youre making a couple casseroles to feed 15 people, youre better off cooking them in your conventional oven.Combi ovens worth checking outFor a more affordable optionThe Ninja Combi All-in-one Multicooker. This appliance sits at a much more approachable $229, but the tradeoff is that it does not offer the steam control that other brands do. Instead of steam injection, the Ninja facilitates passive steaming from a steaming tray that sits on the bottom near a heating element.For cooking larger items with excellent steam controlThe Anova Precision Oven. This is a true combi oven with steam injection from a separate water reservoir; it includes a probe thermometer, and its large enough to cook big portions or large cuts of meat. With more control and functionality comes a higher price tag. This combi costs $699 but occasionally goes on sale.The Goldilocks CombiThe Dreo ChefMaker Combi Fryer. The Dreo ChefMaker offers steam injection, a probe thermometer for accurate temperature reads, app control, and has a smaller footprint than the Anova, which means it can work well in conjunction with other items in your kitchen, or serve as a great option in a small kitchen. The Dreo retails at $359, but you can occasionally (and right now) find it on sale.

When you think about the court system and lawsuits you might think about huge, big-money lawsuits that go on for years, or splashy legal conundrums played out on your favorite lawyer-themed TV show. But millions of lawsuits every year dont reach those dramatic heightstheyre filed in small claims court, where the monetary damages are low and you dont even necessarily need a lawyer.Its very possible you could find yourself in small claims court someday. If a contractor thinks you owe them money, or a neighbor claims something you did caused them harm, its pretty easy for them to pay a small feeoften less than $100and drag your ass into court. If that happens, you should take it seriously; it might be tempting to think of something like Judge Judy when you think of small claims court, but the consequences of not taking it seriously are very real. If youre being sued in small claims, heres what you need to do.Negotiate or mediateYour first step is to try to avoid the trouble in the first place. If theres been a misunderstanding or you think theres negotiating room, theres no reason not to reach out to the person suing you and try to work things out between you. Theres no prohibition against trying to work things out prior to your court date.If that doesnt work, you can suggest mediation, which brings in a trained, objective third party to try to work out a settlement. Again, theres no rule against thisin fact, many small claims courts require this step before your court appearance, and many that dont require it offer assistance identifying and engaging a mediator, so its worth reaching out to the small claims court clerk.Show upIf you cant negotiate directly, you should prepare to show up to court. Even if you dont care about losing, you shouldnt ignore a court date. Even if you need to postpone the hearing for some reason, youll need to show up for your court date to ask for that postponement. The basic rule is, unless the judge has explicitly told you otherwise, you need to show up for your court date.If you dont, there are two bad consequences:Default. The most likely result if you dont show up for your small claims court date is that the judge will almost certainly find in favor of the plaintiff by default, and will almost certainly grant them whatever they asked for. Any chance you might have had to whittle down the amount of the judgment by giving your side of things is gone.Loss of appeal. You can appeal a small claims decision just like any court decisionunless you fail to show up and a default judgment is rendered. Preserving the right of appeal may not seem too important if youre battling over a small amount of money, but why give away leverage?Abdicating any possibility of affecting the outcome in your favor is just a self-own.Be preparedOnce youve made plans to attend your court date, its time to prepare. Sure, these are small claims, but that doesnt mean this cant cost youthe value of those claims ranges from state to state, with Kentucky at the low end ($2,500 maximum) and Delaware and Tennessee at the high end ($25,000). Good for you if losing $25,000 by default is no big deal, but for most people the opportunity to at least get the amount reduced is well worth some effort.Seek advice. You dont need a lawyer in small claims court (and in many jurisdictions you cant have a lawyer represent you in small claims court), but you should review all the documents sent to you to make sure you understand what youre being sued over and what the plaintiff wants. If you dont understand, theres no rule against hiring a lawyer to advise you.Gather evidence. If the plaintiff has facts wrong, bring documentation to prove it. If youre arguing mitigating circumstances, be prepared to explain to the judge why you believe the amount demanded is too high, or why youre not the person who should be held responsible. Youll be speaking directly to the judge, so youll want to be ready to speak clearly and concisely. If you have witnessesand yes, you can call witnesses in small claims courtmake sure they arrive on time or provide a signed, written statement that you can submit.Pay attention. Finally, pay attention and do what the judge tells you to. Most small claims judges understand that you may not be familiar with the procedure; as long as youre respectful and make an effort theyll tell you what to do.

You can get Microsoft Office Pro 2021 for Windows on sale for $44.97 right now (reg. $219.99) through August 4. Office 2021 includes Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, OneNote, Publisher, and Access for one computer, which are the latest versions of the single-payment software suite before Microsoft introduced the cloud-based 365 subscription. It's a one-time download, but security and basic software updates are included. Unlike Microsoft 365, you only have to pay once with no monthly or yearly subscription needed. PCs need Windows 10 or 11, 1GB of RAM, and 4GB of hard disk space.Get Microsoft Office Pro 2021 for Windows on sale for $44.97 right now through August 4 at 11:59 p.m. PT, though prices can change at any time.