🚨 $60 outdoor speaker steal 🚨 The Sims 4: Free! 🚨 Nintendo Switch: Save $54
Plus: The best secret freebies at your local library
Game time!
🎮 Every holiday season the Nintendo Switch proves to be one of the hottest gift items, and every year it’s in short supply. So act now: Top-rated eBay seller Nationwide Distributors has the Nintendo Switch OLED model for $296 when you apply promo code COUNTDOWN22 at checkout. Reg. price: $350. This is actually the second-lowest price on record for this latest-and-greatest Switch. It’s new, not refurbished. (Pro tip: For a limited time, that same code is good for 20% off a wide variety of new and refurbished gear.)
🎮 I hesitate to mention this because it’s a colossal time-suck, but EA now offers The Sims 4 absolutely free. This immensely popular life-simulation game is available for Windows via the EA and Origin apps; for Mac via Origin; on Steam; and for most PlayStation and Xbox consoles. Just be warned: There are a zillion expansion packs you’ll probably want, and those aren’t free.
🎮 Mark your calendar: Starting tomorrow, Oct. 20, you can snag Fallout 3: Game of the Year Edition (Win) for free from Epic Games. An oldie but goodie, this open-world RPG makes a great addition to any game library.
DISCLAIMER: Some of the links included herein are affiliate links (usually those in bold type), meaning if you make a purchase via one of them, I may get a small commission. I promise you, now and forever, that I won’t choose deals based on whether there’s an affiliate option available.
The best secret freebies at your local library
It’s been awhile since I extolled the virtues of public libraries. As if an endless supply of free books and magazines (both print and digital) wasn’t awesome enough, many libraries offer a wealth of lesser-known perks. Some examples:
Free mobile hotspot Whether to pack for an internet-situation-unknown trip or to work around a temporary outage at home, you can check out a mobile hotspot for free, unlimited internet access. For exactly how long depends on the library, but usually the loan period is a week or two. Amazing!
Free or discounted museum and/or zoo passes Here in Michigan, the Michigan Activity Pass can be checked out for free or discounted museum access as well as discounted zoo tickets. See if your library offers something similar.
Maker spaces Want to dabble in 3D printing or scanning? Convert old VHS tapes to digital format? Sew a button? Learn to play synthesizer? Many libraries now offer so-called maker spaces where you can access all kinds of equipment. Ask for kid-friendly STEAM and activity kits as well.
Free movie streaming Many libraries provide access to Kanopy, a streaming service that’s home to thousands of movies. A lot of them are what I’d call “films,” meaning documentaries, foreign stuff, classics, etc., but you can also find some mainstream titles. See if your library offers Kanopy and/or Hoopla, another streaming service.
Bottom line: It’s time to visit your local branch, either in person or online, to see what amazing perks are available these days.
Pack this superb portable Bluetooth speaker for your next trip or outing and save 25%
Recently I tested EarFun’s new UBoom L portable Bluetooth speaker and came away impressed. It’s small and reasonably lightweight (1.4 pounds), but capable of surprisingly big sound. It’s waterproof (for real; I dunked it) and good for up to 16 hours on a charge. There’s a microphone built in for hands-free calls. And you can pair, er, a pair of them for true stereo.
As part of EarFun’s 4th Anniversary Sale, you can get the UBoom L for $60 (reg. $80) with promo code E4AS300.
I tried the UBoom L with a variety of source material and found that it produced clear, well-balanced sound with just about everything. Using the EarFun companion app or an on-speaker button, you can toggle between indoor and outdoor audio modes, though I found I preferred the latter in both environments. (It’s “bigger” and “thumpier.”) There’s also a low-latency mode if you want to use this for games or video.
There are similar speakers available from the likes of JBL, Soundcore, and Tribit, many of them in the same price range. I can just say from personal experience that I like the EarFun UBoom L, especially at this price.
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