Sort Your Stuff Before Life Sorts You

A couple weeks ago, I wrote about Apple’s new Passwords app and how it’s the most underrated feature in iOS 18. If you haven’t read that post yet, here’s the short version: it’s finally easy—and secure—to share passwords with your family. You can pass on everything from your Netflix login to your Coinbase account, without texting screenshots or sticky-noting passwords to the fridge.

That app solves one major part of your digital legacy: access.

But what about context? What about the full picture of your financial life, assets, liabilities, insurances, safes, docs, subscriptions, and, let’s be honest—random corners of your physical and digital empire?

That’s where Quicken LifeHub comes in. It’s like a digital binder for your life—not just your logins, but the what, where, and why of everything you’ve built.

The Problem Nobody Wants to Talk About

We all assume we’ll “get around” to documenting our stuff. But let’s face it, we’re usually the only ones who know where all the digital skeletons (and treasures) are buried.

And if you’re like me, you’ve probably given your spouse vague instructions like:

“If anything happens to me, it’s all in Google Drive under the folder named ’Important’… or maybe ‘Stuff’… try both.”

Now imagine trying to untangle that when emotions are high and time is short.

LifeHub: The Missing Piece of Your Digital Estate

Quicken LifeHub isn’t a will or legal trust—it’s a companion tool. Think of it as your master cheat sheet for life. It guides you to document:

• Bank accounts, investments, loans, and credit cards

• Property, vehicles, insurance, and retirement plans

• Subscriptions, memberships, and utilities

• Health info, pet records, personal mementos

• Safe deposit boxes, deeds, tax returns—you name it

And the best part? It does it with structure and security. You can share access with specific people, limit what they see, and update things as life changes.

Real Talk: This Isn’t Just for Boomers

I’m in my 50s. I fly small planes. I run businesses. I invest in stocks, crypto, and startups. I’ve got domain names, cloud accounts, tax folders, and insurance policies spread across apps and hard drives.

Even if you’re younger, if you’ve got any financial or digital footprint (and you do), LifeHub gives you a clean, structured way to map it all.

Apple Passwords + LifeHub = Digital Peace of Mind

Use Apple Passwords to share access. Use LifeHub to share understanding.

Together, they cover the two most stressful post-death scenarios:

1. “I can’t get into Dad’s accounts.”

2. “I got in, but I have no idea what any of this means.”

LifeHub even reminds you of things you may not think about—like listing your Venmo balance, vehicle title, or backup email account. It’s like being gently nagged by a very organized future version of yourself.

Take 30 Minutes This Weekend

Seriously. Block off 30 minutes. Set up LifeHub. Fill in what you know. Share it with your spouse. Then breathe a little easier knowing you’ve taken a thoughtful step.

Because planning for the future isn’t just about money or legacy—it’s about not leaving behind a mess.

Your loved ones deserve clarity. And you deserve peace of mind.

How Long Should Your Gadgets Really Last?

I recently had to retire an old friend.

A 2014 iMac, originally purchased by someone else and later adopted by my wife, finally hit its limit. After five faithful years in our home, it couldn’t run the latest version of macOS anymore. No Sonoma. No Sequoia. It was time.

I replaced it with a shiny new M4 Mac mini. It’s incredibly fast, quiet, and sips electricity like a hummingbird. But it also got me thinking: Why did that 10-year-old iMac feel just fine until the software outpaced it?

Here’s the thing: hardware lasts. Especially on the Apple side of the universe.

From my experience, a MacBook or iMac easily gives you five to seven good years, more if you’re not pushing the limits. iPhones? At least four, maybe five. Apple Watches? Three if you’re lucky, but they’re the exception.

Compare that with the average Windows laptop lifespan—often bogged down by clunky drivers, bloated software, and declining performance after year two. Or Android phones, which might never see an OS update beyond their first birthday.

Apple’s secret sauce is simple: vertical integration. They control the hardware, the software, and the user experience. That means your gadgets not only age more gracefully—they stay useful longer.

But here’s the paradox.

While your iPhone 12 might still be snappy and take great photos, the moment Apple announces the iPhone 16 Pro Max with its LIDAR 2.0 and AI-powered photo mood filters, you feel like your camera is a potato. Each year, the camera upgrade alone gives you a little FOMO. And to be honest, it’s not a bad trade-off—memories do get sharper every year.

But for computers? Tablets? Unless you’re editing 8K video or designing rockets, even a 5-year-old MacBook Air handles email, Zoom, Google Docs, Netflix, and 100 browser tabs just fine.

The bigger story here is how fast software moves compared to hardware. Features get smarter. Apps get heavier. And eventually, no matter how solid your device is, it gets left behind—not because it failed, but because the OS left it behind.

This fast march forward has shaped our disposable mindset. But maybe it’s time to resist that just a bit.

Buy better. Use longer. Know when to upgrade only when it gives you tangible benefits.

If you stretch your hardware for 5+ years, that’s a great ROI. And if it still works but can’t run the latest software, consider repurposing it—turn it into a media hub, donate it, or set it up as a homework machine for the kids.

Not everything has to be latest-gen all the time. In a world that upgrades every year, sometimes the smarter move is to stand still.

Now the M4 Mac mini should last 10 years. At least until the software leaves you us no choice.

Keep Your Cuppa Warm with Ember

There's nothing quite like starting your morning with a steaming cup of chai, rich with spices and robust English breakfast tea. Picture this: you're on your backyard porch, savoring each sip, surrounded by birdsong. But then, reality hits, and you have to dive into your morning emails and messages. After 45 minutes of intense digital correspondence, you reach for your cup, only to find it cold and unpalatable. Ugh.

For years, my daily routine included reheating my forgotten cup of chai in the microwave—a hassle, to say the least. That was until I discovered the game-changing Ember mug, a sleek solution designed to keep your drink perfectly warm for hours.

Ember: The Mug That Redefines Warmth

Ember isn’t just any mug; it’s the epitome of smart drinkware. With a built-in heating element, it keeps your beverage warm for up to 4-5 hours. This means my chai stays hot and enjoyable until lunchtime, transforming my mornings.

Ember Mug v1

The Ember mug stands out with its superior build quality. Made from a special ceramic material with an aquaphobic coating, it’s incredibly easy to clean—just a quick rinse, and it’s spotless. No residue, no fuss. Plus, it comes with a sleek charging base, ensuring your mug is always ready for action.

Smart Temperature Control

One of Ember's coolest features is its temperature control via a mobile app. Pair the app to your mug using Bluetooth, and you can monitor and adjust your drink’s temperature to your preference. It’s an effortless way to ensure your drink is always at the perfect warmth.

Worth the Investment?

You might wonder if all this technology is necessary for a mug. Isn’t it easier to just reheat your drink in the microwave? Sure, that's practical. But once you experience the consistent warmth Ember offers, you’ll see the difference. It’s a significant quality-of-life improvement, turning each sip into a small pleasure. After a few days, using any other mug feels like a step backward.

More Than Just a Mug

Ember’s lineup includes a smaller cup, a tall tumbler, and a travel mug. I personally use the 10 oz regular mug and the 12 oz travel mug. Both have revolutionized my hot drink routine. The regular mug, after five years of daily use, still looks brand new. The travel mug, a Christmas gift from last year, keeps my green tea perfectly warm throughout the day. These mugs are built to last and truly enhance your drinking experience.

Ember Travel Mug

Final Thoughts

Whether for yourself or as a thoughtful gift, an Ember mug is a fantastic addition to any hot beverage lover’s life. Once you try it, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without it. Get yours today, or add it to your next gift list—you won’t be disappointed, and soon, your whole family will want one too.

Professional Video Conferencing Hack: Get a stand

Now that everyone is a Zoom video star, there are times when you need that professional static steady shot of your quarantine face. Too many meetings are beset by jittery video as participants try to adjust their phone, tablet or laptop cameras in unwieldy positions, often looking like the nauseating shots from the Blair Witch Project.

The easiest way to get a professional looking steady video shots is just to invest in a good stand for your mobile device. The one that I really like is this CamKix Tripod that also comes with a BlueTooth remote control. The stand can accommodate various phone sizes and fits my iPhone 11 Pro Max comfortably. That's the widest device that will fit this stand.

For your tablet such as an iPad or iPad Pro, there is the Viozon iPad Pro stand. It has two clamps for a small and a large iPad size. I am using this with my 12" iPad Pro and it almost looks like a cute little iMac.

Once you have these stands, all your video calls will be steady as a rock and you can sit comfortably anywhere. Not only that, now you can get a straight on face shot without the camera looking up your nose hairs or your double chin.

These stands also double up as viewing stands to binge watch your favorite Netflix show. My wife now prefers the iPad Pro on the stand over the large TV in our living room. She can sit outside in the yard or her favorite chair in our bedroom and binge away.

Often, the simplest solutions are the best ones.