The Humble Choice selections for March have arrived and are making a strong argument for one of gamings most overlooked subscription services. Joining Humble Choice costs just $11.99 a month (or $129 annually), and this month, you can download awesome games like Pacific Drive, Homeworld 3, Wild Hearts, Tales of Kenzera: Zau, and more. This months selections also include Gravity Circuit, Racine, Sir Whoopass, and Cavern of Dreams.Similar to Game Pass Ultimate, subscribing to Humble Choice offers a rotating selection of titles for you to enjoy each month, as well as discounts of up to 20% on individual titles from the Humble store (which even includes games for the Nintendo Switch). However, unlike Microsofts subscription service, Humble Choice allows you to retain any titles youve downloaded indefinitely instead of losing access to them once they fall out of rotation. In addition to the eight titles being offered as part of this months Humble Choice, being a member also allows you to access the Humble Vault, which includes over 100 DRM-free titles for you to download and keep. Like its other bundles, a portion of your Humble Choice subscription fee goes to support a charity. This month, 5% of your subscription will benefit Care.org, a humanitarian organization aimed at fighting global poverty.

Tax season is the perfect time to review your Roth IRA contribution strategy. While Roth IRAs offer incredible tax advantages, they come with specific rules that can trip up even savvy investors. After all, the humble Roth IRA is one of your most powerful retirement savings toolswhen used correctly.You have until the April tax return deadline to set up and fund an IRA for the prior tax year. This means you have until April 15, 2025 to open and contribute to a Roth for 2024. We're also in the window where you can fund your 2025 IRA at the same time. Additional contributions for 2025 can be made until April 15, 2026, and so on. Keep in mind, filing for an extension to submit your return does not extend the deadline for IRA contributions.Here key contribution guidelines to know about Roth IRAs right now, so you can maximize your retirement savings and avoid potential penalties.Rule 1: Earned incomeThe most fundamental rule for Roth IRA contributions is simple: You can only contribute money you've actually earned. This means your contributions must come from:Wages from a jobSalaryTipsCommissionsSelf-employment incomeBonusesAlimonyImportant nuances to remember:Investment income, Social Security benefits, and pension payments do not count as earned incomeIf you're a stay-at-home spouse, you can still contribute based on your working spouse's earned incomeFor students or part-time workers, your contribution is limited to your actual earned income for the yearRule 2: Annual contribution limits The IRS sets specific limits on how much you can contribute to a Roth IRA each year. For 2024, these limits are:Under 50 years old: $7,000 maximum annual contribution50 and older: $8,000 (includes a $1,000 catch-up contribution)These limits are aggregate across all your IRAs. So if you have multiple Roth or traditional IRA accounts, the total contributions cannot exceed the annual limit.Attempting to contribute more than the annual limit will result in a 6% penalty tax on the excess amount unless promptly removed. If you exceed the Roth IRA contribution limits, you have until the tax filing deadline, plus extensions, to withdraw the excess contributions and any income they earned.Rule 3: You can't contribute more than you earnThis rule is a direct extension of the earned income requirement. Your Roth IRA contribution cannot exceed your total earned income for the year. For example:If you earned $5,000 in part-time work, your maximum Roth IRA contribution is $5,000If you only earned $3,000, you can only contribute up to $3,000If you earned $0, you cannot make any Roth IRA contributionsPro tips for Roth IRA contributionsAs a rule of thumb, keep detailed records of your earned income. I know I rely on automated contributions to stay within limits, as well as make sure I'm maxing out my fund.Remember that contribution limits can change annually, so stay informed. Tax season is an excellent time to review your Roth IRA strategy. For me, this means making contributions as early in the calendar year as I can. I highly recommend getting ahead by maxing out 2025 as soon as you can, and then contributing larger lump sum right at the start of 2026. At the end of the day, compound interest is the name of the game, and early investing means more time for compounding to work.

There used to be a clear progression in home ownership: You bought a starter home when you were young, built equity, then cashed in when prices rose and leveled up to something bigger, newer, or with the features you really want. And if you bought a house that didnt live up to expectations, or if your situation changed without warning (hello, unexpected third child!), you would list the place and move to a better option.But increasingly, that seems like an artifact of a bygone age. Its easy these days to feel stuck in your current homebecause of that amazing mortgage rate you locked in years ago, the eye-watering cost of a house these days, or some other issue. If thats you, dont despair: Maybe you cant sell and move right now, and an expensive whole-house renovation or addition might not be in the cards, but theres a lot you can do with your current home to make it work for your family and lifestyle without needing to launch a Kickstarter.Work with itIf youre stuck in your current house, your first step is to assess what you have and look for ways to make it work for you. This doesnt have to involve an expensive major renovation or addition projectthere are probably a lot of resources already in your current home that youre not using to their full potential, such as:Closets are potentially versatile spaces that can become home offices, pantries, or even small spare bedrooms.Home offices dont have to be their own roomaside from that tiny closet, you can fit an office under a lofted bed, in the corner of your bedroom, or under a flight of stairs.Hallways are often overlooked as usable space, but if yours are wide enough, you can cram seating or library space and even a sleeping area into your hallways.Second (or third) bathrooms might not be in the cards if your house (and budget) are small, but if you just need a practical solution, you can actually create a usable bathroom just about anywhere in your home without any plumbing whatsoever.Storage is one of the biggest reasons people feel like theyve outgrown their homes, but you might be surprised at how much extra storage you can carve out of your house if you put your mind to it.Laundry facilities in the house are one of the greatest gifts of the modern age. If your current home lacks a washer, a portable washing machine might make things more tolerable for you until you can find a place with laundry hookups.By using every inch of your homes potential you can find ways to make it meet your needsat least for a while.Start overSometimes all you need to make a house work for you is a reset. A cluttered, crowded house can have a negative impact on your mental health in general, which will obviously affect your feelings toward your home. Rooms filled with boxes cant be used for their intended purpose, and the constant sense of disruption and unfinished business can make a home feel less than comfortable. Decluttering and organizing your home can make it feel almost new.And this doesnt have to be a monumental project requiring time off from work and an extra therapy sessionstart with one room. Clear it out completely, clean and freshen it up (a coat of paint can make a room feel brand-new), then re-imagine it. Even if it remains a storage room, making it neat and tidy will make it usable, which will make you more positive toward it and thus toward the house. Repeat for each room at your own pace, and youll slowly gain back that sense of pride, control, and ownership you had when you first bought the place.Look outwardMaybe youve explored the spare square footage and decluttered like a champ, and there are just things your current home cant give you. Space is finite, after all, and there may be no super creative solutions to give you that space or functionality you need.If youre stuck in your home for the time being, you might find contentment by looking elsewhere for whats missing in your house. No space for a workout? A gym memberships got you covered. No spot for even a tiny office? A co-working space nearby might work. If your closets are bursting, hauling seasonal stuff to a local storage unit can give you your house back. While the ideal might be to have all these things conveniently in your house, stashing them away temporarily will at least meet your needs until you can make some real estate moves.PersonalizeIts funny: You go through all the trouble and expense of buying a house, and then you work very hard to keep the place neutral for potential resale. You never use the bathtub, but you keep it because its good for resale value. You choose paint colors and design elements that are broadly in line with what most people want in a house.This can result in a house that never feels like yoursits like living in someone elses house. If youre going to be in this house for the time being, one way to feel better about it and make it work for you is to go in the opposite direction: Lean into personalizing the space. Choose colors and furniture pieces that make you happy, display your collections and art pieces, DIY whatever you want or need to in order to use the space the way you want to. If part of whats driving your desire to move is a sense of not being comfortable in your current home, working to make it as comfortable as possibleresale value be damnedmight solve the problem.

Utah has once again passed a bill that attempts to place new limits on childrens ability to access social media and other apps. The state legislature passed a bill that requires app store makers to verify the ages of users and get parental consent for the downloading of apps. Should the governor sign the bill into law, it would be (as The Verge points out) the first such measure in the country.The Beehive State has previously attempted to restrict how children can use social media. The state passed two laws in 2023 that imposed age verification and parental permission requirements onto social media companies. Those laws were later revised amid legal challenges, and a Utah judge blocked them from taking effect last fall.The App Store Accountability Act takes a different approach. It puts the burden on app stores (namely, Apple and Google) to conduct age verification and parental permission rather than individual social media platforms. Unsurprisingly, Meta and other social media companies have long preferred the app store-centric approach to age verification.On Wednesday, Meta, Snap and X issued a rare joint statement praising the Utah measure. Parents want a one-stop shop to verify their childs age and grant permission for them to download apps in a privacy-preserving way, the companies said. The app store is the best place for it, and more than a quarter of states have introduced bills recognizing the central role app stores play. We applaud Utah for putting parents in charge with its landmark legislation and urge Congress to follow suit.Apple and Google so far havent publicly weighed in on Utahs bill, though weve reached out to both for comment.Given the controversy surrounding previous attempts to impose age verification requirements on platforms, the Utah bill will likely face legal challenges if and when its signed into law. Even so, other states are likely to follow Utahs lead on this issue. At least eight more states are considering similar measures.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/utah-is-poised-to-pass-an-age-verification-law-for-app-stores-000542476.html?src=rss

We knew John Mulaney was getting his own live Netflix talk show after the success of last years Everybody's in LA, but now we have more details. Mulaney dropped a trailer for the show and reconfirmed a March 12 air date.The trailer absolutely captures the anarchic spirit of last years specials, which is fitting for a guy who has said he never wanted to host a talk show. The whole thing is basically a drone shot of Mulaney in a darkened parking lot, as he complains about filming the promo. Finally, he declares that Everybodys Live is on Wednesdays live, then puts on a pair of sunglasses. Hes also calling Everybody's Live with John Mulaney the first ever celebrity sit-down talk show.Theres probably one question on the minds of anyone who watched Everybody's in LA. Will co-host Richard Kind be returning? He sure will, along with everyones favorite delivery robot Saymo.Everybody's Live with John Mulaney will run for 12 weeks, airing on Wednesdays. Its already been picked up for a second season, which will presumably air later in 2025 or early next year. As for Netflix, its been steadily building out its livestreaming infrastructure. It aired that Mike Tyson/Jake Paul fight last year, along with Mulaneys previous show. It has also aired live coverage of golf matches, awards ceremonies and will stream its own Tudum event.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/theres-an-appropriately-ridiculous-trailer-for-john-mulaneys-live-netflix-talk-show-182510750.html?src=rss

YouTube has announced that its cheaper Premium Lite plan is getting a full rollout in the US with other countries getting it later "this year". Here's how it compares to full Premium.

Viaim's wireless earbuds can help you work (record and transcribe) as well as play.

Watch their new video breakdown.The post Important Looking Pirates breaks down Skeleton Crew VFX appeared first on befores & afters.

From Image Engine and Rodeo FX.The post Watch these Kraven the Hunter VFX reels appeared first on befores & afters.

As society becomes increasingly aware of peoples diverse needs, accessible design has become the hot topic. Years ago at Michael Graves Design, our president Donald Strum, our chief design officer Rob Van Varick, and I were reviewing student portfolios. All the designs were about sustainability. Today, we see a lot of focus on accessibility. We love it. This makes sense, because gaining empathy for your products future users is at the core of product design. The design community is ready for accessibility. Our challenge today is proving that it makes great business sense.At Michael Graves Design, we have long embraced accessible design; our North Star is activities of daily living (ADLs), a term used to describe the fundamental skills required to successfully live independently. Guided by our Delight for All philosophy, and with the ADLs prioritizing the most impactful objects to design, were dedicated to designing products that people love and products that enhance lives, regardless of age or physical ability. To do that, we look for product opportunity gapsunmet consumer needsand fulfill them with new product designs. By definition, this is pioneering, creating solutions that previously have not existed. We embrace pioneering as a cherished value that we want to share.Our true mission has been to design everyday objects in a way that works for the widest audience possible. At the same time, the products should look great and make users love them because the products enhance their lives. Brands want to make emotional connections with consumers and helping someone do something that was previously a struggle is the best way to fall in love. We understand that expanding the addressable market size is fundamental to growth and that people always want a better mousetrap. Were designing products that give equal focus to style and safety.Democratization of designMichael Graves, an esteemed architect and designer, founded our firm with a visionary mission to shift design from abstract modernism to a human-centered approach that puts the person at the center of all design decisions. This philosophy brought color and art back into the built environment, and prioritized human comfort, understanding, and joy. This approach provides cognitive accessibility. Later, Michael Graves Designs partnership with Target defined Americas expectation that great design should be affordable to everyone. Design became a corporate strategy. The democratization of design was born, and our company delivered financial accessibility. Over his last decade, after becoming paralyzed, Michael discovered the indignities the built environment imposed on people, and he became a passionate advocate among the disabled. This moved our company to focus on physical accessibility, directing the power of design to improve lifestyles and healthcare experiences for every body. Michael transformed the role of the architect in society and left the world a better place than he found it.Delight for AllNow, our mission is Delight for All, to create moments of joy through products that are visually appealing, full of character and purpose, and designed to enhance peoples lives. We take pride in being one of the most accessible design brands, creating functional, beautiful products for every body and encourage other companies and designers to do the same.Weve brought over 2,500 products to market, from our iconic teakettles to healthcare products that transform the acute care experience, to home products that prioritize universal accessibility and appeal. We create products with purpose and personality, safety, and style, so that no one has to choose between living with one or the otherthe concepts can coexist harmoniously. This approach is rooted in empathy and an understanding of how profoundly good design improves quality of life, making everyday environments more intuitive and enjoyable for everyone.Design for All led to good design becoming a cost of entry consideration for most companies. Our brand ethos is now pushing other companies and designers to consider physical accessibility from the onset of their design processes rather than as an afterthought. Once this reaches critical mass and competition is everywhere, the promise of universal design will be achieved and we want to get there together.How is this done? To design any product with a Delight for All vision, a rigorous ethnographic research process, known as Design With, is essential to the discovery of novel functional enhancements. We start each design project by generating insights based on the lives of real people. We conduct interviews and observations with a diverse range of potential users, including older adults and individuals with disabilities. By understanding the unique needs of these communities, we ensure that our products are not only aesthetically pleasing but also practical and empowering, making them suitable for every body.Human-focused ethosThis human-focused ethos guided our recent collaboration with Pottery Barn, where consumer preference testing feedback informed the designs for our new products. By prioritizing user feedback, companies can create designs that blend safety with style, showing that accessibility is as essential to great furniture design as are aesthetic considerations. Design has the power to enrich all of our lives and this collaboration allows us to make beautiful and purposeful furniture available to everyone.We also focus on collaborating with design schools and advocacy groups to raise awareness about the importance of accessibility in design, ensuring this ethos spreads. Our goal is to set new consumer expectations with products that seamlessly blend safety with style, proving to the world that accessible design makes great business sense by broadening the total addressable market.We remain committed to redefining accessible design, ensuring that innovation and empathy continues to shape a more inclusive world and want to see more brands do so with us. Accessible design is part of our ongoing mission: to create functional, accessible, and beautiful products that enhance the lives of every body, paving the way for a more inclusive world.Ben Wintner is CEO of Michael Graves Design.