The Propeller - Propelling you into the new week! Tips, Newsbites, and Wisdom covering Life, Technology, Entrepreneurship, Finance, and the Internet

The Propeller – June 25 – Your Tablet May Have a Virus

Half Way There
Halfway through the year, keeping up with goals you set at the beginning of the year as New Year’s resolutions can often become challenging. The initial enthusiasm and motivation may have faded, and it’s easy to lose sight of the goals we set for ourselves. However, this is a critical juncture where perseverance and self-reflection play a vital role. It’s important to take a step back, reevaluate the goals, and assess our progress thus far. Reflect on the reasons behind the goals and remind yourself of the desired outcomes. Adjustments and modifications to the original goals may be necessary, but staying committed and motivated is crucial. Break the resolutions into smaller, manageable milestones to maintain momentum and track progress. Seek support from friends, family, or communities with similar objectives to stay accountable and motivated. Remember that setbacks and obstacles are a normal part of any journey, and embracing them with resilience and determination will ultimately lead to success. Use this midpoint as an opportunity to reignite the passion, refocus your efforts, and recommit to achieving those New Year’s resolutions.

Have you been keeping up with the goals and resolutions you set in January?  Have you added new goals?  Let me know in an email… I’d love to hear!
 
A Village in the Grand Canyon
There’s a village inside the Grand Canyon.

Although many of the Grand Canyon’s visitors make a point of packing into the tourist stop known as Grand Canyon Village, far fewer realize there’s a bona fide village nestled into Havasu Canyon some 3,000 feet below. There, amid the towering limestone cliffs that surround the Havasupai Indian Reservation, live the 200-odd Native Americans who populate the remote hamlet of Supai.

For those who don’t feel like splurging on a helicopter ride, simply reaching Supai is a feat unto itself. From the nearest town of Peach Springs, travelers embark on a 67-mile drive to Hualapai Hilltop, at which point they can descend the 8-mile trail by foot or mule ride. That’s the route taken daily by the USPS, which brings in vital supplies like food while also carrying mail stamped with a unique “Mule Train” postmark. Those who complete the journey can refresh themselves at the general store and tribal cafe, or rest up for the return trip with an overnight stay at the local lodge. Many others continue along the trail to the reservation’s campgrounds and famous waterfalls.

Although the isolation brings unparalleled views of ancient landscapes and turquoise pools, it also involves an element of danger. Severe rains damaged buildings, bridges, and even parts of the lone path in and out of the village in 2010. The pandemic also forced the Havasupai to close off tourist access to their grounds from 2020 to ’22, but they reopened for business in 2023.

 
Finance: Should You Invest Your Emergency Fund?
Investing your emergency fund sounds great on the surface, but it can be a bad idea for long-term money management and basic tax implications.

Here’s why:

Investing your emergency fund is a bad idea because you always want to be in control of when you sell stock.

While investing can potentially yield higher returns, there are four primary reasons why you shouldn’t invest your emergency fund:

Risk of loss: Investments inherently come with risk. They can fluctuate in value and may result in losses, especially in the short term. If your emergency fund is invested and the market experiences a downturn, you may be forced to sell your investments at a loss to access the funds when you need them the most.

Liquidity concerns: In times of emergencies, you may require immediate access to cash. Investing your emergency fund may tie up your money in assets that are not easily liquidated. Realizing the value of your investments and converting them into cash can take time, and you might incur penalties or fees for early withdrawals.

Capital gains taxes: You’ll be responsible for capital gains taxes if you sell stock that increased in value. This means your unexpected expense forced you to sell a stock you wouldn’t have sold otherwise and increased your tax liability – a double whammy.

Opportunity cost: The primary purpose of an emergency fund is not to generate significant wealth but to provide financial security and peace of mind. The potential gains from investing your emergency fund might not outweigh the benefits of having readily accessible cash for unexpected situations.

What should you do instead? Separate your emergency fund into a High-Yield-Savings-Account, or HYSA (there are plenty of options right now that pay over 4-5%).
 
Tech: Does Your Tablet Need Antivirus Protection?

Most people mistakenly believe that only computers can get viruses. Unfortunately, this simply isn’t true—any device can get a virus. Your tablet can get viruses or malware, too. It’s important to protect your tablet from viruses and malware so that cybercriminals can’t steal sensitive information like your credit card number or passwords. Viruses can also slow down your tablet or cause pesky pop-ups, making your tablet harder to use.

You can get tablet antivirus protection by visiting your device’s app store. It’s important that you do your research to find the best one. Most antivirus software has a small yearly fee, but it’s worth it to keep your tablet and information safe.

How do tablets get viruses?
Downloading apps from third-party app stores can cause your tablet to become infected with a virus. Additionally, downloading attachments from an email or opening certain links can activate a virus. You should only download apps from credible sources like the built-in app store that came with your tablet. It’s important to never open links or download attachments from people that you don’t know.

How to tell if your tablet has a virus
If you don’t have antivirus protection on your tablet yet, here’s how you can tell if it has a virus:

  • Your tablet suddenly has new apps. If your tablet has apps installed that you don’t remember downloading, it may be infected with a virus.
  • Your tablet gets more pop-ups. Some apps and games have pop-ups to keep the content free. However, if your tablet suddenly gets a ton of pop-ups, especially in apps that don’t normally have pop-ups, your tablet may have a virus.
  • Your tablet gets slower. If your tablet’s performance has dropped, it may have a virus. For example, if apps crash or load slowly, this may be a symptom of a virus.
  • Your tablet’s battery dies quickly. Viruses can drain a tablet’s battery since they are constantly running in the background. However, if your tablet’s battery drains quickly, it could just be because the battery is old. You can try replacing your tablet’s battery to see if this solves the issue.

How to remove viruses from your tablet
If you suspect your tablet has a virus, don’t panic. Here’s how you can get rid of it:

  • Delete suspicious apps. If you notice apps on your tablet that you don’t remember downloading, remove them immediately.
  • Reset your device. Resetting your tablet to factory settings can remove a virus. However, doing so will delete all the apps and documents on your tablet.
  • Download antivirus software. Antivirus software can locate and remove viruses for you, so you don’t have to spend time figuring out where the virus is coming from on your tablet.
What I’m Reading/Listening To This Week
My goal of reading one book a week in 2023 is still underway.  I am on book number 26 this week! (I’ll be publishing a Blog post soon on my website http://www.LeonardMack.com with full reviews of all these books.)

What I read Last week:
 
The 10X Rule: The Only Difference Between Success and Failure

The 10X Rule by Grant Cardone is intended to be a motivational book that outlines a formula for achieving extraordinary success in life and business. Cardone emphasizes the importance of setting goals that are ten times bigger than what you initially think is possible and taking massive action to reach them.

The book begins by addressing the idea of average thinking and how it limits individuals from achieving their full potential. Cardone argues that thinking small and setting mediocre goals only leads to mediocrity. Instead, he encourages readers to embrace an “anything is possible” mindset and set ambitious targets that push them to their limits.

Cardone emphasizes the need for extreme levels of effort and action. He believes that success requires going above and beyond what others are willing to do. He urges readers to take massive action consistently, putting in ten times the effort, energy, and time they initially estimate.

Another key concept in the book is the importance of embracing and overcoming fear. Cardone suggests that fear is often a sign that you are on the right track and that you should view it as an opportunity for growth. He encourages readers to develop a mindset of perseverance and resilience, overcoming obstacles and setbacks on their path to success.

In “The 10X Rule,” Cardone also discusses the significance of discipline and commitment. He emphasizes the need to maintain a high level of focus and consistently work toward one’s goals, even when faced with distractions or challenges. Cardone advocates for taking full responsibility for one’s actions and outcomes, rather than blaming external circumstances.

Throughout the book, Cardone shares personal anecdotes, strategies, and practical tips to help readers implement the 10X rule in their own lives. He covers various aspects of life and business, including goal setting, sales, entrepreneurship, and mindset.

Overall, The 10X Rule offers a motivational and practical guide to achieving exceptional levels of success. It challenges readers to think bigger, work harder, and take massive action to overcome obstacles and achieve their goals.

Pick up your own copy of the print or audio book here:  https://amzn.to/3Jkhd3P

What I am reading this week:
 
 

 
I actually read this book many years ago, and remember enjoying it.  It’s time to revisit it.   Here is the description from Amazon: “Writer Rinker Buck looks back more than 30 years to a summer when he and his brother, at ages 15 and 17 respectively, became the youngest duo to fly across America, from New Jersey to California. Having grown up in an aviation family, the two boys bought an old Piper Cub, restored it themselves, and set out on the grand journey. Buck is a great storyteller, and once you get airborne with the boys you find yourself absorbed in a story of adventure and family drama. And Flight of Passage is also an affecting look back to the summer of 1966 when the times seemed much less cynical and adventures much more enjoyable.”

Read or listen along by picking up your own copy of the print or audio book here: https://amzn.to/3r0qVC0

Have a wonderful and successful week!

This is re-published from the weekly email sent by Leonard Mack entitled The Propeller. To subscribe, visit https://www.LeonardMack.com/subscribe and read it every Sunday evening.