As the holiday season approaches, Apple enthusiasts could look for deals on top products by the brand, including its AirPods. One can explore the entire range of AirPods, from the modest AirPods (2nd Generation) to the high-tech AirPods Max headphones, and find the most suitable variant for all their listening needs. To help one select the best option, here are some distinctive features of noteworthy AirPods and deals that one would not want to miss: AirPods and AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) The main difference between regular 2nd Gen AirPods and the Pro variant is that the latter offers a customizable fit and a host of additional features. The regular AirPods 2nd Generation can last up to 5 hours, while the advanced Pro version can offer up to 6 hours of listening time on a single charge. With charging cases, the time extends to 24 hours and 30 hours, respectively. Both variants come with a Lightning Charging Case, while the AirPods Pro 2nd Gen case has an added lanyard loop, which makes it easy to carry anywhere. The Pro model also features slimmer dimensions and improved touch controls than its counterpart and is also water and sweat-resistant. Additionally, it offers high-quality noise control and cancellation. A notable addition to the Pro variant is the ability to apply noise cancellation to one AirPod even when the other is removed. The new “accessibility” section allows users to customize how they want to utilize the touch sensors, enhancing the overall user experience. The retail prices for the AirPods 2nd Generation and AirPods Pro 2nd Generation are $129 and $249, respectively. However, here are some deals worth considering: 1. The AirPods 2nd Generation are currently available for just $99 on Amazon and Walmart. 2. B&H Photo Video website is currently offering 23% off on the 2nd Gen AirPods, making it a deal worth following up on this shopping season.

Whether it is the holidays, a birthday, or any special occasion, giving a gift can bring joy for both the gift giver and the receiver. Often, buying gifts for someone is not all that difficult, as long as one is confident that the person will like them. However, sometimes it can take effort to figure out what to buy, especially if the person has everything or their likes and dislikes are highly specific. To make things easier in such situations, here are a few thoughtful gifts for someone who is hard to buy for: 1. RFID-blocking card wallet An RFID-blocking card wallet would be just right for those looking for practical gifting ideas. These wallets come fitted with electromagnetic shields. This ensures the safety of contactless payment cards, passports, and IDs with RFID chips. It is super-useful in protecting against digital theft. 2. Neck massager pillow Another highly functional and thoughtful idea is gifting a neck massager pillow. If someone already has one, it’s not a problem. This is because no one can have too many neck massager pillows. Having several pillows for home, office, car, or travel is not a bad idea. Thus, one can buy a compact, portable neck massager pillow with heating functions. This will provide relief from muscle tension and aches. 3. Journals and planners A well-designed and unfussy planner or journal can also make an excellent gift for people for whom it is hard to buy. After all, everyone uses journals and planners for work and personal purposes. Also, if someone already has planners and journals, an extra backup will save them the trouble whenever they need a new one. 4. Tea or coffee gift box set If one knows the person well enough to figure out if they like tea or coffee, an assorted gift box set can make for a wonderful gift.

Get ready for the joyful sound of jingling bells and the sweet smell of pie filling the air with Christmas right around the corner. It is also time to start wrapping presents and placing them under beautifully decorated trees. To honor this customary practice, one should choose the right gifts by considering the recipient’s preferences and balancing visual appeal with functionality. Further, one can avoid the following gifts that are most likely to be returned: 1. Scented candles Although scented candles are among the most popular Christmas gifts, one may end up choosing a scented candle with an extremely strong fragrance or a specific one that the recipient does not like. This makes the gift less appealing to the receiver. Here, gifting a scent diffuser could be a better move, as one can let the receiver pick fragrances to add to the diffuser. 2. Glassware and crockery An expensive crockery or glass set has long been the go-to Christmas present, as it perfectly integrates esthetics and utility. However, having become so overwhelmingly popular gifts, glassware and crockery sets are usually either returned or regifted. Alternatively, they may end up on the recipient’s kitchen shelf for years on end without being used even once. 3. DVDs and DVD players At one point, DVDs and DVD players were perhaps the best gifts one could find. But over the years, online streaming platforms have taken over, making DVDs redundant. So, gifting someone a DVD or DVD player today may not be the best idea. 4. Shoes The perfect pair of shoes is an indispensable accessory to complete the look. However, knowing the recipient’s exact shoe size is crucial for ensuring that the gift is not returned or exchanged. Moreover, it is not always possible for one to know exactly what the receiver likes in terms of the design and type of shoes.

Shopping addiction is a compulsive behavioral condition marked by an overwhelming desire to buy things. It is also known as oniomania, which can have a considerable impact on one’s finances, ultimately causing emotional distress. There are ways one can cope with shopping addiction, from therapy to financial counseling. Still, before one can find help, one needs to understand the signs of a shopping addict and how they differ from a shopper who enjoys occasional retail therapy. Signs of shopping addiction Emotional reactions to the activity Frequently, compulsive individuals with unhealthy shopping tendencies experience nearly extreme emotions while engaging in this particular activity. For example, they may go on a shopping spree to beat the feelings of depression, anxiety, or stress, usually making more impulsive purchases. After buying the items, they experience relief or euphoria, which is soon followed by deep regret or shame. Eventually, these emotions cause problems with their relationships and finances. Inability to let go Shopping addicts are unable to treat the activity as a casual outing or stress buster. They find it difficult to roam around a mall or a shopping center for leisure and get consumed by the thoughts of shopping and money. They also find it challenging to let go of the constant urge to make purchases, which can even worsen anxiety or compulsiveness. Loss of control and lying Compulsive shoppers may find it difficult to stop thinking about what they want to buy and lose control when they find items of interest. They may lie about or hide their purchases and get things they don’t need. Inability to pay off debts Compulsive shoppers often find it hard to pay off their debts. They may open new credit cards without paying off the existing balances, thus creating a vicious cycle of growing debt, constant financial instability, and distrust among lenders.

Most people depend highly on their laptops for various reasons, like using them for work, gaming, watching movies, and everything in between. For these reasons, choosing the right laptop is vital, as it must be compatible with what it is used for. For instance, buying a gaming laptop when one purely uses laptops for watching movies or working on Excel is a mistake. There are a few other mistakes, as mentioned below, that one can avoid: 1. Not testing it before buying Trying out a product before buying it is a must, especially if one plans to invest a substantial amount. It is always best to test out a product, in this case, a laptop, to understand how it works and whether it is easy to use. Those who are planning to buy a laptop online because they are getting a good deal should definitely visit a physical store and check out the laptop first before making a purchase online. This way, they make an informed decision and get to save quite a bit by buying online. Most stores always have a display or a trial piece that customers can test. 2. Assuming the product size and weight don’t matter It is very important to know how big or compact a laptop is, as users will have to carry it around. If the device one purchases is too bulky, one will find it difficult to carry it around or fit it into their backpack. On the flip side, a laptop should also not be too small, especially if one wants to use it for gaming, watching movies, or editing content. All of these activities are not enjoyable on a small screen. So, when purchasing a laptop, it is important to consider its bulk, size, and features. One can think of what tasks and activities they purchase to make a better decision.

Online retail stores have made scrolling through hundreds of products easy. The purchasing process is also unbelievably quick. Some items can be delivered to one’s doorstep by the end of the day, if not sooner. However, online shopping has its downsides, like security concerns and impulse purchases, requiring one to be extra careful when they visit any website. So, here are five mistakes that one could easily avoid to have a pleasant online shopping experience. Opening unknown retail outlet links Multiple websites might claim to sell products for 50% off their retail price, including premium smartphones. If this sounds too good to be true, it probably isn’t. One should shop from a well-known company that lists its address and phone number to enjoy additional peace of mind. Passing up cashback Ignoring cashback deals could mean missing out on substantial savings. One should sign up to retail websites that offer cash rebates or subscribe to a third-party app that offers similar benefits. Shoppers could accumulate these points to get substantial discounts on future purchases or to earn rewards. Overlooking return policies When one shops for something like clothes, there’s a good chance they might want to send it back for a different size. So, the individual should check the website’s retail policy and return window and understand if the process is free or chargeable. Most reputable websites have a return period with free shipping for at least one week. Failing to check the policy could lead to one buying the wrong item and losing money because they cannot return it. Failing to compare prices Many rush to purchase if a website says a particular deal is ending. However, this often results in individuals paying more. One must compare prices across multiple retail stores and take their time to find the best deal.

Buy now, pay later (BNPL) is a quick payment method that allows users to purchase products or services without paying for them in real-time. The lending BNPL-partnered company covers the cost at the time of purchase, and the user then repays the amount in installments to the company over the next few pre-determined months. While the BNPL scheme sounds like an ideal method of financing, it has its pitfalls. Making mistakes while dealing with it can quickly add up, costing more than initially anticipated, and spiral one into a financial pit. Here are some common mistakes to avoid: Not reading the terms and conditions The BNPL schemes have specific terms and conditions, and skipping the details before signing up can damage the pocket. For example, even though BNPL has no interest, one may incur late fees in case of missed or delayed payments, which can also affect one’s credit score. Therefore, it’s crucial to read the BNPL’s fine print thoroughly. Overusing BNPL schemes Using services like BNPL to make impulse purchases is always tempting since it comes with no upfront cost. This can often lead people to overextend their finances. To avoid this situation, one should utilize BNPL mindfully to make valuable and anticipated purchases like a work laptop or household appliances. It’s best to leave out impulsive buys like clothing or leisure gadgets or set a budget for them separately to manage finances better. Not knowing BNPL limitations Another issue is that people may look at the bright side and forget to adhere to the limitations of BNPL. For example, the plans do not offer purchase protection the way a credit card company might. Purchase protection is important when one makes an online payment, but the parcel doesn’t arrive. One should know how one’s BNPL company handles or retrieves the money in case of such issues.