Rick's Daily Tips

Review: Qinlianf 5-Outlet Surge Protector and 4-Port USB Wall Charger

Posted on April 23, 2025

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Note: The links in this post are affiliate links.

Have you ever considered the convenience of having a 1680 joule surge protector plus a 4 port USB charger built right into one standard 120 volt electrical outlet? If so, this is exactly what you need and it won’t cost you a small fortune.

I’ve been using several Qinlianf 5-Outlet Surge Protector and 4-Port USB Wall Chargers in my home and office for years and I’ve recommended them several times as the featured tech gadget in my newsletter, but it just occurred to me this morning that I have never written a formal review of them. Well, here you go… [Read more…]

Scam alert: Beware this dangerous ‘DocuSign’ email scam

Posted on April 22, 2025

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As you probably know by now, scammers love using the Internet to perpetrate frauds and trick innocent people into doing things that are harmful to their devices and/or their financial lives.

Some scams come and go, but others seem to hang around forever while occasionally changing up the tricks they use from time to time to keep us all off guard.

One such persistent scam targets folks who use the popular DocuSign “online agreement” service.

[Read more…]

How to safely invest in the stock market as a beginner

Posted on April 22, 2025

Investing in the stock market can seem intimidating for beginners, but with the right approach, it can be a rewarding way to grow your wealth.

Whether you’re looking to build long-term savings or explore online trading, understanding the basics is crucial. This guide will walk you through the essential steps to invest in the stock market safely and confidently. [Read more…]

What is a Debt-To-Income Ratio?

Posted on April 22, 2025

If you’ve ever applied for a loan, you may have heard the term “debt-to-income (DTI) ratio.” This is an important number that lenders use to understand how much of your monthly income goes toward paying off debts. It helps them assess whether you’re likely to be able to repay a loan.

Whether you’re applying for a mortgage, car loan, or even a title loan 100% online, your DTI ratio plays a big role in how much money a lender is willing to lend you, and at what interest rate.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what DTI ratio is, how it’s calculated, why it matters, and how you can use it to make better financial decisions. Understanding your DTI ratio can not only help you secure better loans, but it can also give you a clearer picture of your financial health. [Read more…]

How to force a Windows program to always ‘Run as Administrator’

Posted on April 20, 2025

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One of the most irritating things about Windows is how you are frequently prompted to run some programs as “Administrator” even when YOU are the administrator.

This makes sense if you have multiple users on the same PC, but not if you are the only person who ever uses it.

If this irritates you as well, it’s easy to coax Windows into running any program as Administrator by default. Just follow these simple steps: [Read more…]