TikTok trends can often be misleading, dangerous, or just nonsensical, but sometimes they're genuinely useful, or at least fun. A new TikTok trend, where people check out their old homes on Google Street View, is more of the latter. Looking up how your favorite places have changed over the years is a nostalgic treat, and while you've been able to do it for a while, it's great to see more people discovering it (just be careful about posting your home address online).At the heart of all this is a lesser known feature that lets you view photos from the past. You can think of it like the internet archive, but for places. While some people might want to revisit their childhood neighborhoods that have since been demolished, others could use this feature to look at how their neighborhood changes in various seasons, or see how important landmarks have changed over time.How to view past photos in Google Street View Credit: Pranay Parab Google Street View has allowed you to 'go back in time' since 2014, but as the feature regains popularity, it's worth going over it once more. This feature works best on a desktop browser, although you can also access it on the Google Maps mobile app.Open Google Maps and search for any address that works with Street View.Click (or tap) the Street View icon near the bottom of the page (it should be a small thumbnail showing the current Street View photo).On desktop, in the top-left corner of the Street View page, you'll see a widget that shows the current address and the date. Click the See more dates link. If on mobile, open Street View in full screen and tap into the picture to find the See more dates link.This opens a pane in the bottom of the page. Scroll through the available dates and select a photo to view it. For some locations, images are available as far back the late 2000s, which really allows you to see how they've evolved. I used this feature to view the changing seasons on the Golden Gate Bridge, where the landmark disappears into clouds on some days. I also had fun looking up the World Cup stadium in Brazil and even Apple Park. Who needs a TARDIS when you have a smartphone?

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.If you're looking for earbuds that wont fall out mid-workout, the Anker Soundcore Sport X10, now priced at $49.99 (down from $79.99), might be worth a look. According to price-trackers, this is the lowest price these earbuds have ever hit, and they come highly rated4.0 out of 5 and an excellent verdict from PCMag. Available in black or oat white, these earbuds have rotatable ear hooks (that twist 210 degrees) and come with extra ear tips in various sizes so you can adjust them for a personalized fit. That said, if you wear glasses, the ear hooks might interfere with your glasses arms and their placement. Anker Soundcore Sport X10 $49.99 at Amazon $79.99 Save $30.00 Get Deal Get Deal $49.99 at Amazon $79.99 Save $30.00 The sound profile of the Soundcore Sport X10 leans bass-forward, courtesy of its 10mm dynamic drivers and Ankers BassUp technology, but its still balanced enough for casual listening. Pair that with Bluetooth 5.2 support for wireless connectivity, a surprisingly good noise-cancellation performance (for the price), and an IPX7 rating, and youve got a solid pair of audio gear that's ready for even the most intense workouts. (A heads up, though, that the charging case doesnt share this durability rating.)The on-ear controls of these earbuds are located on the top of each earbud, preventing the discomfort of accidentally pushing them further into your ears while making adjustments. These controls are customizable via the app, where you can also toggle between ANC (active noise-cancellation), transparency, and off modes, fine-tune the sound with an eight-band EQ, and explore extras like breath-training exercises. Battery life is decent, with Anker estimating eight hours per charge and an additional 24 hours from the case. Your mileage may vary depending on listening volume and how often you use ANC. If youre considering alternatives, the Jabra Elite 3 at $42.30 is another solid option.

We may earn a commission from links on this page.Due to the weather in many parts of the U.S., January's home maintenance tasks are often limited to indoor areas, as its usually more difficult to do outdoor projects like painting. Also, because you will probably be spending more time indoors during the colder parts of winter, keeping the inside of your home safe and comfortable should take priority. Here are all the home maintenance tasks you should handle in the month of January.Check your indoor ventsIn the winter, vents in your kitchen and bathroom can get a workout, with holiday cooking and houseguests adding to your regular use. Remembering to clean your vents, check or replace filters, and do any minor repairs that are needed are important steps to keeping your indoor air quality at healthy levels. To perform maintenance on vents, you can unscrew the cover from the housing and vacuum the dust out of the slats. If you have a washable filter, you can remove it and follow the manufacturer's instructions for cleaning. If the air filter in the vent is a disposable type, you can replace it. While the vent cover is open, inspect the interior parts and check for any damage.Check your tub and sink caulkingOnce a year, its a good idea to check the caulking around your tub and sink. If you notice that its beginning to peel or develop cracks, it's a good idea to remove the old caulk with a putty knife and replace it. Using a tube of caulk and a five-in-one tool, seal around the edges of your sink, your tub, and between the tub and tile to keep water from getting onto your walls, running into cracks, and causing unseen damage. You can also opt for a caulk repair tool kit that comes with removal tools as well as shaping tools.Perform an annual Wi-Fi security updateGiven the convenience of using wireless internet and connected devices, it might not occur to you to update your device lists and passwords every once in a while. Let January be your time to take a few minutes to check your current list of connected devices to ensure that old devices you arent using dont have access to your home internet, and also make sure that there arent any unfamiliar devices using your wifi. You should also take a moment to update passwords for your home internet and other connected devices to keep your network more secure. While these steps might seem small, they can help you to protect your personal data.Clean out washer drain filters and dryer ventsJanuary is an excellent time to clear all the gunk out of dryer vents and washing machine drain filters. You might not even realize you have a filter for your washers drain until it gets clogged and backs up into a fresh load of laundry. Washers that drain onto a utility sink or basin often have a screen to prevent lint from clogging the drain. It can get full of lint and stop draining, so taking a second to empty it can save you a lot of hassle. Some washers also have a screen built into the drain mechanism thats meant to be removed and cleaned; you can locate that on the back side of your washer, near where the water drains through the hose. Your dryer vent should be inspected and cleaned out at least twice a year. This can be done by removing the connection from the dryer on the indoor end and the vent cover on the outdoor end and using a vent cleaning brush to remove any lint build-up from inside. When youre finished cleaning it out, reattach the hose and the vent cover.Start a home maintenance calendarJanuary is the perfect time to begin a home maintenance calendar if you dont already have one. While home maintenance calendars used to be mostly paper files, you can also opt to keep a digital file. Your calendar can include important maintenance dates, like when your furnace filters need to be changed next, when you need to recharge your fire extinguishers, and your next planned chimney cleaning. Other items to include can be things like maintenance records and phone numbers for maintenance professionals so that you will have all the information you need in one place in case you need a repair. Keeping track of filters and important cleanings will help you to plan ahead for maintenance and remember when its time to take care of certain chores.

Called Havenn Tiny Houses, this Australian brand focuses on sustainable design and affordable luxury. They provide a versatile range of tiny homes that offer modern features with an eco-friendly touch. Called the Vesta Tiny Home, this house is compact yet it packs a punch. It measures 6.2 meters long and 3.9 meters high and features a simple yet clever single-level layout. It boasts a smart multi-purpose design for the living room, which can be transformed into a basic bedroom when needed. The house is perfect for individuals or couples seeking to escape from their hectic city lives and embrace an off-the-grid, nature-centric lifestyle. It is a low-cost and low-maintenance home that is an excellent option for those who want to dip their toes into the world of downsizing without completely committing.Design: Havenn Tiny HousesThe home is also blessed with a spacious and well-designed kitchen. It features a contemporary cooking area that most bigger models lack. The bathroom is also quite elegant and well-equipped. The tiny home is designed to be modern and stylish, even though it can only host one or two guests. The multi-purpose living room is equipped with a built-in bookcase which integrates a queen-sized Murphy bed. The living room is like any other basic living room during the day, but at night it can be converted into a bedroom. A large window offers lovely views of the surroundings, while open shelves offer storage space.The living room leads to the kitchen/dining area seamlessly. A little skylight is placed near the entrance, allowing natural light to stream into the home. The kitchen includes a foldable table and a few chairs near the window. The kitchen is quite open, and well-equipped for a tiny home. It contains a lovely stone countertop and built-in cabinetry, a full-size fridge, and a spacious pantry. It also incorporates an electric oven, a two-burner gas stove, a washer/dryer, and a range hood.The bathroom is amped with premium materials and golden fixtures. The entire home is quite elegant and overall, with a sense of spaciousness running through it. Certain eco-friendly touches were added to the home like an eco-friendly composting toilet in the washroom. Solar panels and generators have been added as well, and a rainwater harvesting system too. The system helps store and filter water. There are different off-grid options for different models. It isnt well-suited for large families but will work well for single owners or couples. The home is priced just under $50,000, and potential buyers can choose from a whole range of optional extras like appliances, accessories, and furniture.The post Self-Sufficient Tiny Homes Living Room Can Be Converted Into A Bedroom first appeared on Yanko Design.

The Shah Jahan Mosque is a 17th-century central mosque in the city of Thatta, Pakistan. The mosque was built during the reign of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, who bestowed it on Thatta as a token of gratitude, and is heavily influenced by Central Asian architecture a reflection of Shah Jahan's campaigns near Samarkand shortly before the mosque was designed. It is notable for its geometric brick work, a decorative element that is unusual for Mughal-period mosques. The mosque is unusual for its lack of minarets although it has a total of 93 domes, the most of any structure in Pakistan. This photograph depicts an interior view of one of the Shah Jahan Mosque's secondary domes, showing its octagonal structure, with blue-and-white tiles arranged in stellated patterns to represent the heavens.Photograph credit: Alexander SavinRecently featured: BathymetryCinnamon hummingbirdArthur SullivanArchiveMore featured pictures

The US Treasury Department suffered a major security incident after a China state-sponsored hacker broke into the third-party remote management software it uses, as reported earlier by The New York Times.In a letter to lawmakers seen by The Verge, the Treasury Department said BeyondTrust, the company behind its remote management software, notified the agency of a breach on December 8th.The threat actor stole a key used by BeyondTrust to secure a cloud-based service used to remotely provide technical support for Treasury Departmental Offices (DO) end users. With the key, they overrode the security to remotely access those users' workstations and some unclassified documents they maintained.The Treasury Department said it worked with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the FBI following the attack, which has been attributed to a China state-sponsored Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) hacker. The compromised BeyondTrust service has been taken offline and there is no evidence indicating the threat actor has continued access to Treasury systems or information, US Treasury Department spokesperson Michael Gwin said in a statement to The Verge.RelatedThe attack seems to be linked to a security incident BeyondTrust disclosed earlier this month, impacting customers using its remote support software. At the time, BeyondTrust attributed the attack to a compromised API key for its remote support software, adding that it immediately revoked the API key, notified known impacted customers,and suspended those instances the same day. The Verge reached out to BeyondTrust with a request for comment but didnt immediately hear back.Treasury takes very seriously all threats against our systems, and the data it holds, Gwin said. Over the last four years, Treasury has significantly bolstered its cyber defense, and we will continue to work with both private and public sector partners to protect our financial system from threat actors.

Time zones: EST (UTC -5), CST (UTC -6), MST (UTC -7), PST (UTC -8), AST (UTC -4), NST (UTC -3:30)ResponsibilitiesWorking Solutions is looking for individuals who consider themselves "social experts to contract for a one-of-a-kind opportunity. This remote role will use social media chat (no phone or video needs!) to assist TurboTax customers with concerns or product support. For this opportunity, contractors must live and work in Canada and be able to pass a fluency assessment.In this role, the social expert will:Respond to customer concerns and inquiries via social media and digital channelsUse soft skills to empathize with customers while keeping a professional demeanorWhy join the WooHoo! Crew? There are many perks to contracting with us:Work from home: Say goodbye to commuting hassles and hello to the convenience of working from home.Work when it's convenient for you: Flexibility is the name of the game. Schedule your own hours and enjoy the freedom of creating a schedule that works best for you.Gain experience in different industries: Expand your skillset and broaden your horizons while providing exceptional customer service.Supportive environment: Were there to help so you can focus your efforts on bringing top-notch service to the customers we serve.Earnings PotentialEarn up to $18.60 USD per hourAll currency is listed and paid in USD.ScheduleThis is a seasonal contract that runs through Tax Day 2025.Flexible schedule opportunities - you create your own schedule within program hours.Monday - Friday 8:00AM - 5:00PM CSTSkills NeededMust be bilingual in French and EnglishSincere desire to assist the customerTech savvy and avid computer userAbility to multi-task and navigate multiple systemsCommunicate with a friendly tone and professional demeanorWork Environment Requirements:Quiet, uninterrupted spaceOrganized desk areaTechnology RequirementsPersonal computer (no tablet)Broadband internet connection, recommended at least 10 MBPSWired internet connection (no wi-fi or mobile internet)Windows 10 or Windows 11 operating systemValid antivirus software installed, running and up to dateMac users: Mac acceptance is limited to Intel-based machines with Windows 11 installed via Apples Boot Camp utility.Important InformationContractors must successfully pass a criminal background check.Contractual Relationship: The relationship between you and Working Solutions is a contractual relationship. You will remain an independent contractor for the duration of this program assignment. Working Solutions will not be responsible for withholding taxes on your earnings while contracted with Working Solutions. When you receive your contract, you will be asked to agree to have no claim against Working Solutions hereunder or otherwise for vacation pay, sick leave, retirement benefits, Social Security, workers compensation, health or disability benefits, overtime, unemployment insurance benefits or employee benefits of any kind. Learn more about what it means to be an independent contractor.

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When to watch the Detroit Lions vs. San Francisco 49ers?Monday, Dec. 30, at5:15 p.m. PT(8:15 p.m. ET).Where to watch:The Lions-49ers game will be shown on ABC, ESPN and ESPN Plus. See at ESPN Plus Tonight's game for $11 per month ESPN Plus See at ESPN Plus See more details See at Sling TV Carries ESPN or ABC for $40 or $45 per month Sling TV See at Sling TV See more details See at YouTube TV Carries ESPN and ABC for $83 per month YouTube TV See at YouTube TV See more details See at Fubo Carries ESPN and ABC for $80 per month Fubo See at Fubo See more details See at Hulu Carries ESPN and ABC for $83 per month Hulu Plus Live TV See at Hulu See more details See at DirecTV Stream Carries ESPN and ABC for $87 per month DirecTV Stream See at DirecTV Stream See more details The Lions have a huge game against the Vikings next week that will determine the NFC North title and top seed in the conference, which brings with it a first-round playoff bye and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. But before the Lions host the Vikings, they must make a trip out west to San Francisco for a largely meaningless game against the 49ers. The Niners have been eliminated from the playoffs, and a win or a loss tonight does not alter the stakes for the Lions next week against the Vikings. But, hey, it's the last Monday Night Football game of the year!The Lions and 49ers kick offtonight at5:15 p.m. PT(8:15 p.m. ET) on ABC, ESPN and ESPN Plus.Looking for the ManningCast? The Manning brothers have the night off; Peyton and Eli won't return until next month for a Wild Card game.If you don't have a cable or satellite TV subscription, you can watch Monday Night Football tonight with a live TV streaming service. Jared Goff and the Detroit Lions take on the San Francisco 49ers tonight in the last Monday Night Football game of the season. Michael Reaves/Getty ImagesHow to watch MNF without cableYou can watch the game tonight with a live TV streaming service. The good news for football fans is that ABC and ESPN are available on all five major streaming services. You can also watch on ESPN Plus.Another option is to use an over-the-air antenna connected to your TV to watch on ABC. The best part about antennas is that there are no streaming or monthly fees required, although you will need to make sure youhave good reception. You'll be able to watch tonight's game on ESPN Plus along with two games next week. A pair of week 18 games will be played on Saturday -- Browns vs. Ravens and Bengals vs. Steelers -- and you'll be able to watch both on ESPN Plus. Those two games will also air on ABC and ESPN.You can also catch the last ManningCast of the season on ESPN Plus when the Manning brothers return for a game duringWild Card weekend in January.ESPN Plus costs $11 a month (or $110 a year). Read our full review of ESPN Plus. See at ESPN Plus Sling TV/CNET Sling TV's Sling Orange plan includes ESPN but not ABC, and the Blue plan includes ABC (in only in a handful of markets) but not ESPN. Each plan costs $45 a month in the areas with ABC and $40 elsewhere. The combined Orange-and-Blue plan costs $55 or $60 a month. Read our Sling TV review. See at Sling TV Sarah Tew/CNET YouTube TV costs $83 a month after a recent price hike and includes ESPN and ABC. Right now, the first three months are discounted to $60 a month.Plug in your ZIP code on YouTube TV's welcome page to see which local networks are available in your area. Read our YouTube TV review. See at YouTube TV Fubo Fubo's basic Essential plan costs $80 a month and includes ESPN and ABC. Fubo is currently offering the first month for $45. You canclick hereto see which local channels you get. Read our Fubo review. See at Fubo Hulu Plus Live TV costs $83 and includes ESPN and ABC. On its live news page, you can enter your ZIP code under the "Can I watch local news in my area?" question at the bottom of the page to see which local channels you get. Read our Hulu with Live TV review. See at Hulu Directv stream DirecTV Stream's basic $87-a-month plan includes ESPNand ABC. You can use its channel lookup tool to confirm that ABC is available where you live. Read our DirecTV Stream review. See at DirecTV Stream All of the live TV streaming services above allow you to cancel anytime and require a solid internet connection. Looking for more information? Check out ourlive TV streaming services guide.

Your payment history is the biggest factor in determining your credit score, but along with total credit available, mix of credit types and credit history, there's another critical component of your credit profile that you need to be aware of -- your credit utilization ratio.Representing the percentage of your total available credit that is currently in use, credit utilization can impact anywhere from 10-30% of your credit score. And if your credit limit is relatively low, it shouldn't cost you too much to bring down the ratio to build up your credit score. This story is part of 12 Days of Tips, helping you make the most of your tech, home and health during the holiday season. If you're not sure exactly how the credit utilization ratio works, don't worry. We'll help you understand the impact of the ratio on your credit score and provide you with tips and tools to reduce your credit utilization and increase your credit score. For more, check out these secret tips for keeping a credit score above 800 or learn about the three major credit bureaus and how they operate.What is a credit utilization ratio?Your credit utilization ratio is the percentage of your available credit that you are using. For a basic example, if you have one credit card with a $1,000 limit, and your current balance is $200, your credit ratio is $200 / $1,000, or 20%.VantageScore will consider only revolving credit, or credit card accounts, in the calculation of your credit utilization ratio. FICO will consider your credit ratio as part of its "Amounts Owed" category, which is how much debt you have in total.It's important to remember that VantageScore and FICO monitor your total credit utilization (using balances and credit limits for all your credit cards) as well as the ratios for each of your individual accounts. If your overall ratio is moderately low, but you have one card maxed out, that could bring your credit score down.Perhaps more important is that credit bureaus don't calculate your credit utilization ratio using your current credit card balances. They calculate it using the account balances that your credit card issuers report to the credit bureaus. Each issuer has its own system, but the reported numbers are often the balances from your monthly statements.Even if you're paying off your credit card balances every month, if you have a high credit ratio at any time during your billing cycle, it could hurt your credit score.What's a good credit utilization ratio?"It's commonly recommended that your credit card balances are kept at or below 30% of your assigned credit limit," Bruce McClary, senior vice president of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling, told CNET.According to CBS News MoneyWatch, a credit utilization ratio of 50% or higher could ding your score 50-100 points, and a maxed-out ratio of 90% or more will potentially lower it by 100 points or more.While 30% or less credit ratio is the general guideline, those who want excellent credit scores will need to keep it even lower. According to credit rating company Experian, "If you're focused on having excellent credit scores, a credit utilization ratio in the single digits is best.""The truth is, the lower your balances the better. The more you carry, the more it might lower your score," Todd Christensen, education manager at Money Fit, told CNET.But you shouldn't aim for a credit ratio at 0%. Experian also says, "the only way to be sure you have 0% utilization all the time is to refrain from using your credit cards at all," which could result in an issuer closing your account, reducing your available credit and increasing your ratio.How can I lower my credit utilization ratio?Since credit ratio is an expression of money borrowed divided by credit limit, the main ways to decrease that ratio are to lower your debt and increase your credit limit. Here are the best ways to accomplish that.Pay your credit card bill twice a month, or even moreCredit card companies report your balances to credit bureaus on a regular basis, and that number often comes from your credit card statements. Even when you're paying off your credit card bill every month, if your statement shows a balance that's a high percentage of your credit limit, your credit score will suffer.If you use your credit card frequently, consider paying it off twice a month, or whenever your balance approaches 30% of your credit limit. Online credit card accounts make it easy to make or schedule as many payments as you'd like, and you can set up notifications (see below) for your balances.If you've got a $1,000 limit and spend $900 a month on your card, a 90% credit utilization ratio will almost certainly ding your credit score. If you pay it off as your balance hits $300, or three times a month, your credit score shouldn't be hurt by a high ratio.Create credit card balance notificationsMost credit cards now let you create alerts online for your account, including the amount of your balance. These can be emails, text messages or alerts through your credit card's website.To protect your credit ratio, set up a notification for whenever your balance reaches 25% of your credit limit. That balance level will give you some padding to make sure that you stay below the recommended 30% ratio.Ask for a higher credit card limitIncreasing your credit limit will help reduce your credit ratio because the amount you owe is now a smaller percentage of the maximum you can borrow. It's easy to request a credit card limit increase -- just call the phone number on the back of your card and talk to a representative.Before you ask for a higher limit, however, keep a few things in mind. This strategy only works if you don't increase your balance owed. If a higher limit is going to tempt you to spend more, you might want to reconsider.Also, ask your credit card representative if the company will run a hard credit check before approving your request. Although a higher limit will help your ratio, a hard inquiry could ding your credit score by five to 10 points for a year or so.Keep old credit cards and use them a littleIf you have older credit cards that you don't use much or at all, don't cancel them. You'll only reduce your overall credit availability and hurt your credit ratio, as well as your average age of credit.However, if you don't use a credit card at all, the issuer may cancel it for lack of activity. Instead, use old cards sparingly, such as a purchase every few months, in order to keep your accounts open and your total available credit high.Once you know the principles behind credit utilization ratio you can use these tactics to decrease your ratio and bolster your credit score.For more, check out our best credit cards for building credit.