The classic puzzle game Minesweeper is now on Netflix. This colorful, reimagined version features an ocean-like setting where you find underwater mines in locations around the world. No in-game ads, no in-app purchases and no extra cost to play.
Ask Kim: 'Is my new online friend tricking me?'
I got a call from Jim in Sacramento about a new friend he met on Facebook. She messaged him out of the blue and they hit it off (just friends, he’s married). Now, she’s introduced him to her aunt, who happens to be great with crypto.
“The aunt showed me three trades where I made 15% with a $500 investment in 10 minutes while I watched on WhatsApp. I have lost no money at this point. Before I give the aunt $10,000, I wanted to know your thoughts.”
I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news
This is a classic pig-butchering scam. I know it all seems like things just fell into place, and that’s the point.
How am I so sure? What’s happening here is following the exact script these criminals use. I’ll outline it for you.
- Cold outreach: It starts with a random text, friend request, DM or comment. They’re friendly and chatty.
- Feeding time: They want to know about your life, maybe send you photos and tell you about what they’re in. After a while, money comes up. It’s usually under the guise of an investment opportunity.
- Fattening the pig: This is where money changes hands — but only a tiny amount. They’ll ask you to test with a small investment. Surprise, your money is growing already!
- Slaughter: Now you’re convinced and have invested even more. At this stage, victims can be in for tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars. You may realize something is wrong and ask to remove your money. It’s way too late.
Jim, you’re the pig, and you’re getting greedy. Keep it up, and you will be slaughtered.
🚩 Red flag 1: A random woman messaged you out of nowhere and wanted to be friends. Sorry, but that never ends well.
🚩 Red flag 2: This stranger just happens to have a relative who has made it big in crypto. Who shares that with someone they just met? I wouldn’t.
🚩 Red flag 3: The initial investment went gangbusters.
You need to walk away. Document everything first, though. Take screenshots of your conversations, the websites these people have directed you to, bank statements, all of it. This is important evidence if you try to get your cash back and everything hits the fan.
Then, it’s time to unfriend and block your new pal.
Play on, player
Summer is playtime. I wrangled up a few great beach or outdoor lawn games for hosting, travel or just weekend fun.
- Keep it classic: This bocce ball set is 19% off and comes with its own carrying case.
- Get the kids off their screens: This game set is a party in a box for the younger members of your summering crew, with four games in one. Select the size for kids ages 3 to 7 or 5 to 10.
- Light up the night: A lightweight, light-up flying disc is good for parties that go past sunset, which is pretty late these days! Woo, it’s 15% off.
- Backyard bowling: An outdoor (or indoor, for rainy days) bowling set for 22% off. Strike!
- Tabletop playing: Give your feet a rest from the other games and play a hook-and-ring game (15% off).
- Create your own course: Most putting games are pricey, but this set of two putting cups is a steal on sale for $8.99. Get a bunch and create your own 18.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
Stop squinting to read the text on your phone: Instead of messing around in your settings, do it the easy way: Find the text you want, pinch your fingers together, then spread them apart (the classic zoom-out motion). Works in messages and most other apps. You’re welcome!
You sweep me off my feet: The classic puzzle game Minesweeper is now on Netflix. This colorful, reimagined version features an ocean-like setting where you find underwater mines in locations around the world. No in-game ads, no in-app purchases and no extra cost to play. Check out the trailer here.
It’s the classic IT line: “I gotta debug your computer” But did you know it originated with an actual bug? Engineers troubleshooting a computer malfunction found a dead bug on the circuit board. Was it a … A.) Cockroach, B.) Fly, C.) Moth or D.) Silverfish?
1 hour a week
Of phone usage leads to a 10% higher risk of cardiovascular disease. So, uh, yeah, that’s pretty much all of us, right? This is a classic example of correlation, not causation. Using a phone doesn’t impact your heart directly, but too much sitting on your butt sure does.
Don't trust ANYONE
There’s a classic theft tactic making the rounds once again. If someone approaches you with an “emergency” and asks to borrow your phone, don’t do it. I’ll explain why.
For the outdoorsy mom
Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 12. Today, gifts for the mom (or anyone else) who loves hiking and camping.
- Top-of-the-line Darn Tough hiking socks in a pretty floral print.
- She can keep her seltzer (or chardonnay) cool with this trendy Stanley tumbler ($20).
- A classic “it’s for you but really for me” gift: Stainless steel skewers for roasting marshmallows around the campfire.
- A lightweight cork massage ball to pop in her daypack for after-hike muscle aches.
- A long-lasting power bank with a solar panel for battery top-ups. It’s 39% off!
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
$22,000 price tag
For a 22-year-old Camry with 17,000 miles. That’s only a few grand off its original retail price. The 2002 commuter classic sold on Bring a Trailer, an auction site for “vintage and classic” cars. Feel old yet?
50 years ago
Ernö Rubik invented the “Magic Cube.” Today, some 500 million sales later, the Hungarian professor says he never expected the Rubik’s Cube to become a classic puzzle. The world record for solving it by a “speed cuber?” 3.13 seconds. No, it wasn’t me.
How did the founders of Uber come up with the idea for the company? Was it … A.) From the memorable taxi ride in the 1954 classic film “On the Waterfront,” B.) Because one of the founder’s fathers drove a shuttle service van, C.) Based on a pair of Ivy League grads who moved to Silicon Valley, or D.) Sparked by waiting for a taxi in Paris on a snowy night?
👜 This season’s hottest bag? A $3.99 Trader Joe’s insulated tote that folks are reselling for up to $100. Since launching on June 4, it’s completely sold out in stores across California. Ah, the classic “limited-time” in-store exclusive strikes again. Social media can hype up anything, including this lunchbox.
🐷 He got butchered: A 75-year-old Midwestern man is broke after giving $715,000 to a sly romance scammer. It started with a LinkedIn message but quickly turned into a classic “pig-butchering” scheme. The crook promised huge returns on investments. Hit this link to read the texts between the man and his fraudster. So very sad and so very avoidable.
Author and Austinite Nick Gray had the crazy idea to combine a blind date with a vacation — his treat. He went viral when he posted his proposal on X, and over 400 women applied. Where did he take the lucky lady: A.) Rome, B.) Tokyo, C.) Las Vegas or D.) Sydney?
Which movie holds the record for the most expensive sealed, original VHS tape ever sold? Is it … A.) “The Goonies,” B.) “Back to the Future,” C.) “E.T.” or D.) “Ghostbusters”?
🛌 True story I have to share: A friend was having trouble with his teen son playing video games too much. He decided to take the door off the kid’s bedroom. When his son came home and asked what was going on, he told him, “Son, we’ve updated the privacy policy in our home.” Classic.
There’s a new theory making the rounds on TikTok all about generational texting. The claim is that your texting technique is a solid tell for your age. So, how does Gen Z text? Is it with … A.) One thumb, C.) Two thumbs, C.) Two thumbs and an index finger, or D.) An index finger?