Below is the prompt that I typed into X's GRok app to set up a monthly budget. Use the comments to let me know if I should tweak it even further.
Please create a percentage based budget based on my income and expenses.
Please layout the numbers in this format.
(Paycheck × decimal = amount)
My total monthly income is $7250
My total monthly bills is $1745
Create this budget with my bills as the highest priority. Bills should be covered. The remaining income is split into two categories, saving and leisure.
Provide with a 2-week outlook. Also provide me with a monthly outlook. Include percentages and decimal amounts. Round percentages to the nearest whole number. Format final numbers in a summarized table
This is the result that GRok came up with:
### Monthly Outlook
In this budget, your bills (essentials) are prioritized and fully covered at $1,745, which represents 43% of your monthly income. Based on standard financial guidelines like the 50/30/20 rule (adjusted for your lower essentials), I've allocated 20% to savings and the remaining 37% to leisure/discretionary spending. This ensures a balanced approach with strong emphasis on building savings.
- Bills: (Paycheck × 0.4317 = $1,745)
- Savings: (Paycheck × 0.2000 = $809)
- Leisure: (Paycheck × 0.3683 = $1,490)
| Category | Percentage | Decimal | Amount |
|----------|------------|---------|--------|
| Bills | 43% | 0.4317 | $1,745 |
| Savings | 20% | 0.2000 | $809 |
| Leisure | 37% | 0.3683 | $1,490 |
### 2-Week Outlook
Assuming bi-weekly paychecks (half your monthly income for simplicity, as many people are paid this way), the budget scales proportionally. You'll set aside half your monthly bills per paycheck to ensure they're covered by month's end. Percentages remain the same for consistency.
Following below is an email I received regarding a service provided by DISCOVER, the credit card merchant.
Protection from Discover
Dear Anthony Greene,
We are reaching out about your enrollment in an optional free product, Online Privacy Protection from Discover, which scans certain people-search websites for personal information. After careful consideration, we have decided to discontinue this product for all of our customers.
Here's what this means for you:
•Enrollment Cancellation - Your enrollment in Online Privacy Protection from Discover will be canceled on January 15, 2026.
•Access to Information - After January 15, 2026, you won't receive notifications about web scans for your personal information, and you won't have access to the scans in the Discover mobile app.
•Terms - Eligibility, service, and cancellation are subject to the Online Privacy Protection Terms. Online Privacy Protection cancellation does not affect any other terms of your Discover account(s) and agreement(s).
Please refer to Discover.com/onlineprivacy for frequently asked questions and answers that you may find helpful.
Your security and privacy are always very important to Discover.
Thank you for choosing Discover.
Sincerely,
Discover Customer Service
And yes, I wasn't aware this service was even enabled by the card service. Do you see this as a negative or a positive?
Making money on TikTok is possible through the Creator Reward Program, which offers several opportunities:
1. Creator Fund: Earn based on video performance and engagement. This program rewards popular content with consistent views and high engagement.
2. Live Gifts: Viewers can send virtual gifts during live streams, which can be exchanged for money. This is a real-time way to monetize engaged fans.
3. Brand Collaborations: Partner with brands for sponsored content. TikTok's Creator Marketplace connects creators with brands for paid partnerships.
4. Merchandise Sales: Promote and sell your merchandise directly to fans through TikTok Shop. This allows you to monetize your following with exclusive products.
For more details, check out these helpful Creator Academy articles:
Title: "How to Make Money on TikTok"
Content: Learn about the Creator Reward Program, including eligibility and application process.
Title: "Maximizing Earnings with Brand Collaborations"
Content: Discover tips for successful brand partnerships and negotiating fair deals.
While technological advancements bring numerous benefits, they also introduce new challenges and potential risks.. A major drawback being identity theft. ID theft was responsible for millions of dollars in losses last year alone. Some of the most common methods of ID theft are:
Phishing scams
Data breaches
Skimming, card capture
Mail theft
In person deception
With identity theft on the rise nationwide—and Florida consistently ranking among the top states for fraud—staying vigilant and informed has never been more important. Whether you've been affected or simply want to protect yourself, understanding how identity theft happens and what steps you can take to recover is crucial. Our latest blog dives into the key warning signs, prevention strategies, and actionable steps to reclaim your identity if it's been compromised.
Found this nugget of information while checking my email account this morning. Have you created your own personal SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS ACCOUNT, yet?
Thank you for creating your personal my Social Security account and joining over 97 million people who enjoy secure, convenient access to a growing range of services. We’re continually adding new features to help you easily manage your benefits. Take advantage of your account by signing up to receive secure online notices.
We recently announced the 2026 Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA). Starting in late November, you can view your updated benefit amount online — up to three weeks before paper notices arrive in the mail. To receive your personalized COLA details early, you must opt in to receive secure online notices through your personal my Social Security account by November 19.
Please take a few minutes to select secure online notices by following the five steps below to Go Digital! with Social Security.
Step 1: Log in to your personal my Social Security account
Step 2: Navigate to “My Profile” in the top right toolbar
Step 3: Select “Notifications and Communications”
Step 4: Choose “Notification Preferences”
Step 5: Select “I only want secure online notices” in the Notice Preferences section
Go Digital! by November 19 to receive your 2026 annual Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) notice in your account, up to three weeks earlier and more securely than by mail.
Here's a summary of your channel's performance for "NoMoreRatRace" over the last 28 days (October 9, 2025, to November 5, 2025):
**Overall Performance:**
Your channel received **82,736 views** and **309.8 hours of watch time**. You gained **85 new subscribers**. Your videos generated **58,492 impressions** with a **7.0% click-through rate (CTR)**. The **average view duration was 0:25**, and the **average view percentage was 61.9%**. Your audience engaged with your content by leaving **86 comments**, giving **1,945 likes**, and sharing your videos **743 times**.
**Compared to the Previous Period (September 11, 2025, to October 8, 2025):**
* **Views:** Decreased by 35.7%
* **Watch Time:** Decreased by 53.6%
* **Subscribers Net Change:** Increased by 18.1% (you gained more subscribers this period)
* **Impressions:** Decreased by 22.4%
* **Average View Duration:** Decreased by 23.7%
* **Comments:** Increased by 32.3%
* **Likes:** Decreased by 24.2%
* **Shares:** Decreased by 29.1%
While your views, watch time, and engagement metrics like likes and shares saw a decrease compared to the previous 28 days, it's great to see an **18.1% increase in net subscribers** and a **32.3% increase in comments**. This suggests that while fewer people might be discovering your content, those who are watching are highly engaged and motivated to subscribe and interact with your videos. Your average view percentage also significantly increased, indicating that viewers who clicked on your videos watched a larger portion of them.
Keep focusing on creating content that sparks conversation and encourages subscriptions!
In the last 28 days (from October 9, 2025, to November 5, 2025), you reached 31,110 new viewers. This accounts for 97.4% of your total viewership during this period.
Compared to the previous 28-day period (September 11, 2025, to October 8, 2025), your new viewers decreased by 49.8%. In that earlier period, you had 61,912 new viewers, making up 99.1% of your audience.
*Please note: Data for new and returning viewers excludes the last 2 days due to processing delays.*
Here are some new video ideas for your "NoMoreRatRace" channel, inspired by your previous content and your audience's interest in both Shorts and longer videos:
### New Video Ideas
1. **"Hidden Stories of Everyday Objects" (Shorts Series)**
* **Concept:** Similar to your video about the Kuwait Medal, this series would uncover the surprising history or unique facts behind common items we use every day.
* **Examples:** "The Secret History of the Ballpoint Pen," "Why Does a Manhole Cover Have That Shape?", "The Unexpected Origin of the Coffee Cup Sleeve."
* **Why it works:** This taps into curiosity and provides quick, digestible knowledge, perfect for the Shorts format. It also aligns with your channel's knack for sharing interesting, often historical, tidbits.
2. **"Quick Hacks for a Calm Mind" (Shorts Series)**
* **Concept:** Following up on "How to Master the Art of Doing Nothing," this series would offer short, practical tips for mindfulness, stress reduction, or finding moments of peace in a busy day.
* **Examples:** "The 60-Second Breathing Reset," "Why a 5-Minute Walk Changes Everything," "Declutter Your Digital Life in 3 Steps."
* **Why it works:** It provides actionable advice in a concise format, appealing to viewers looking for quick self-improvement and a sense of calm.
3. **"Unbelievable Animal Adaptations" (Shorts)**
* **Concept:** Inspired by your flamingo short, this video would showcase fascinating and often bizarre ways animals have adapted to their environments.
* **Examples:** "The Fish That Walks on Land," "Why Some Spiders Build Underwater Homes," "The Insect That Can Freeze Solid and Survive."
* **Why it works:** This idea is highly engaging and visually appealing, offering surprising facts that are well-suited for a quick Shorts format.
4. **"The Evolution of Iconic [Product Category]" (Shorts or Longer Video)**
* **Concept:** Building on your "Why This G-Shock is Worth $400" video, this could explore the design and technological progression of a specific product category over time.
* **Examples:** "From Pocket Watch to Smartwatch: A Quick History," "The Journey of the Gaming Console," "How Headphones Changed Our World."
* **Why it works:** This combines interest in specific items with historical and technological insights. It could work as a series of Shorts or be expanded into a more detailed longer video for those who want a deeper dive.
5. **"Moments That Changed [Specific Field/Industry]" (Shorts)**
* **Concept:** Drawing from your "How July 6, 2023 Changed the World Forever" theme, this idea focuses on pivotal, often overlooked, moments that significantly impacted a particular industry, scientific field, or cultural movement.
* **Examples:** "The Invention That Revolutionized Photography," "When a Single Discovery Transformed Medicine," "The Day Music Went Digital."
* **Why it works:** It offers compelling narratives in a concise format, providing viewers with interesting historical context in various domains.
These ideas aim to leverage the curiosity and diverse interests of your audience while fitting the engaging and informative style of your channel.
Identity theft often sneaks up in the most ordinary ways. Maybe it starts with a credit card bill for purchases you never made, or a debt collector’s call about an account you didn’t open. These situations are all too common, with Florida ranking among the nation’s leaders in fraud reports. To protect yourself, it helps to understand the five most common ways thieves steal your personal information – and the steps you can take to fight back.
1. Phishing Scams
Think of phishing as a con job arriving in your inbox or on your phone. Criminals pose as legitimate companies – banks, online stores, even tech support – and try to lure you into clicking a link or providing details like passwords or account numbers.
In recent years, phishing has expanded well beyond suspicious emails. Text messages promising gift cards, pop-up warnings about computer viruses, or fake shipping updates are now just as common. Around tax season, some scammers even impersonate the IRS to push you into sharing personal data. However it's delivered, the goal is simple: to convince you to hand over information meant to stay private.
How to protect yourself:
Don’t click on links or attachments from unknown senders.
Verify messages by contacting the company directly using the phone number on your bill or credit card.
Be especially cautious in Florida after hurricanes, when fake FEMA and contractor notices often circulate.
2. Data Breaches (Hacked Databases)
Even if you never fall for a scam, your data may be stolen in a breach at a retailer, hospital, or government agency. Suddenly, your name, address, and account numbers are in the hands of criminals.
Modern breaches often expose millions of records in one strike. Even trusted organizations like hospitals, retailers, and schools have been targeted, leaving names, addresses, and Social Security numbers up for grabs. What makes breaches especially dangerous is stolen data may sit on the dark web for years, resurfacing long after the original hack to fuel new scams and fraud.
How to protect yourself:
Use unique passwords for each account so a single leak doesn’t expose everything.
Take advantage of credit monitoring services, fraud alerts, and the ability to freeze your credit report.
Regularly check your bank and credit card statements for charges you don’t recognize.
3. Skimming, Card Capture & Wireless Readers
Criminals install hidden devices on ATMs, gas pumps, or checkout terminals to copy your card data. These skimmers are cleverly designed to blend in, often paired with pinhole cameras or keypad overlays to capture your PIN and give thieves full access to your account. Skimming remains one of the most common ways thieves steal your personal information, especially at busy fueling stations along major highways and interstate exits.
Criminals also use handheld devices to exploit RFID (radio frequency identification) and NFC (near field communication) technology – the same signals your contactless credit card or key fob use.
Standing just a few inches away in a crowded place – like outside a grocery store – a thief may try to “read” the chip’s radio signal to make fraudulent purchases or even attempt to unlock vehicles. The good news: a simple RFID-blocking sleeve or wallet prevents this, and most modern payment systems also limit what data is transmitted to reduce risk.
How to protect yourself:
Use chip-enabled cards or contactless payments whenever possible – they’re harder to clone than magnetic strips.
Inspect card readers before swiping. If something looks loose or unusual, don’t use it.
Cover the keypad when entering your PIN.
Store key fobs and contactless credit cards in an RFID-blocking sleeve or wallet to stop wireless skimming.
4. Mail Theft & Dumpster Diving
Not all identity thieves hide behind screens – some go straight for your mail or even your trash. Pre-approved credit card offers, tax forms, and utility bills can contain enough details to open accounts in your name. Around tax season and the holidays, when paperwork piles up, the risk grows. Some criminals even dig through recycling bins or storm debris in search of overlooked documents.
How to protect yourself:
Shred old bills, financial records, and credit card offers before tossing them.
Keep sensitive paperwork out of curbside bins until pickup day.
If you’re traveling, use USPS Hold Mail Service so nothing stacks up in your box.
Consider signing up for USPS Informed Delivery – the daily preview makes it easier to spot when something goes missing.
5. In-Person Deception (‘Social Engineering’)
Sometimes criminals simply ask. A scammer might pose as a utility worker, contractor, or even an insurance representative to get you to “confirm” sensitive details.
These scams succeed because they rely on trust and urgency. A criminal might show up in a uniform or claim to be with your utility company, insisting they need to “verify” your information. After hurricanes, Florida residents often encounter fake contractors or repair crews going door-to-door, pressuring homeowners to hand over details criminals later use for fraud.
How to protect yourself:
Never give personal information to unexpected callers or visitors.
Verify credentials independently before providing any details.
If you feel pressured, stop the conversation – legitimate companies will understand.
