myblogolife

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CNET and Whirlpool have teamed up to give you a chance to win a Whirlpool Washer and Dryer!

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Got Student Loans? Gradible Wants to Help You Repay Them

If you’ve been searching high and low for a way to reduce your student loan debt without living in a van, set down your keys and grab your computer. We have a solution for you.

It’s called Gradible.

Gradible is an innovative and relatively new company created by three entrepreneurs to combat the United States’ trillion-dollar student loan problem. The founders understand that not only do students rely heavily on loans to attend college, but the cost of higher education is skyrocketing at an alarming rate.

So what exactly does it do?

Gradible pays college students and grads to perform certain tasks. Some are quick, like posting to Facebook, and others are more time consuming, like writing a well-researched blog post. You choose how much you work and which tasks you complete — and you don’t have to go through an extensive interview process or wear a suit for this job. (I recommend yoga pants.)

I took Gradible for a test-drive to see whether it lives up to its promise, and I’m about to share my best advice. If the site sounds like an interesting way to reduce your student loan balance, here’s how to get started.

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How Does Gradible Work?

Anyone in the United States with student debt, whether public or private, is eligible. You can be a current student, a graduate or even taking time off from earning your degree.

Gradible will give you $5 just to signup and confirm your email address. Once you’re logged in, you can start to complete tasks. Gradible awards you with “LoanCreds,” which you then redeem against your student debt. 10 LoanCreds equal $1, and you’ll earn between 5 and 500 LoanCreds for completing each task.

What are Your Initial Gradible Tasks?

Here’s what to expect from your initial tasks when you sign up.

Complete a survey. The first one is easy, a simple survey with a few questions that help the Gradible team learn more about you. They’ll ask you what type of work you’d be best suited for (like posting to Facebook or creating a blog post). They’ll also ask about your interests (finance, reading, writing, etc.).

Write a short essay. It sounds painful, but don’t worry, it’s not. You went to college, after all! All I had to do was write 300 words about student loans, likely so the team could get a feel for my writing style and ability to write clearly and succinctly.

Upload an ad to Craigslist. This one should be a breeze for any college grad. They asked me to go to Pinterest, find a particular photo and upload the photo to Craigslist with a description (it was an advertisement for a company).

Completing these three tasks took me less than 20 minutes, and I earned approximately $10 towards my student loans.

Speed isn’t everything, though; completing tasks well and thoroughly will open up the doors for more job opportunities. Basically, the better you are at following directions, the more jobs you’ll be able to complete.

Writing jobs pay the most, according to the company’s website. My best tip is to treat your work for Gradible with the same concentration and respect that you give your full-time job. The team loves it when people follow directions and do great work, and they will reward you with more opportunities.

Is the Pay Worth Your Time?

Are you wondering whether this type of work is even worth your time? James Foster, the blogger behind Debt Free Homestead, has been working for Gradible for months and shared some of his experience with me.

“Overall, I feel the pay is very fair,” said Foster, when asked whether his time investment was worthwhile. “While you could probably make more money by doing this type of work at a full-time job, it is definitely worth it if you are completing tasks in your free time, or even as a secondary income stream.”

James works full time, so he can only work on Gradible tasks in the evenings. However, those hours have paid off! So far, he has earned $250 using Gradible. During October 2014, he’s worked even harder to complete tasks and is projected to make over $200 for this month alone.

Why Gradible Works for Me

I finished college in December 2008, and despite graduating from one of the country’s best schools, I had no job prospects. Instead, I went to graduate school and took out more loans.

Slowly, over the last few years, I have brought my student loan balance from $39,000 down to around $33,000. Still, each month I have to make a decision about whether to use extra cash to pay student loan debt, add to my savings account, or make a purchase for my children.

For me, the best part about Gradible is that instead of paying me in cash — which I could then spend on something unnecessary — Gradible pays my loan provider directly. I have no choice but to reduce my student loans one task at a time.

A Simple Business Model

Gradible’s model is simple: You work. You get paid. You instruct the company to apply the funds to your student debt.

There’s no way to change your mind or allocate your income to another savings goal. Every task you complete goes toward reducing your balance — as well as building your resume, especially if you snag one of the higher paying jobs like writing an ebook.

If you’re interested in giving Gradible a try and reducing your student loan debt, sign up for an account here. Plus, they give you 50 “LoanCreds” (50 credits = $5) when you sign up and confirm your email!

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Fly into a spectacular firework display over West Palm Beach, Florida to see fireworks like you've never seen them before.

YouTube user Jos Stiglingh filmed a fireworks show from the air using a GoPro camera and a drone, and the footage is incredible.

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Just uploaded DJR Infected Mix, listen now!

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Happy Friday the 13th!

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Confirmed: You can get Google Glass!

Google just announced that it will allow anyone in the U.S. over the age of 18 to buy Google Glass this Tuesday (April 15) – but shop quickly! It will be available starting 9am EDT for a limited time.

Unfortunately, Google says spots are limited. Given the level of hype Glass has received, it’ll be tough to secure a pair.

If you’re interesting in fighting for this $1,500 face computer, you can try buying Glass via this link on April 15.

On the up side, Google plans to throw in its new designer frames.

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The Heartbleed Bug is a serious vulnerability in the popular OpenSSL cryptographic software library. This weakness allows stealing the information protected, under normal conditions, by the SSL/TLS encryption used to secure the Internet. SSL/TLS provides communication security and privacy over the Internet for applications such as web, email, instant messaging (IM) and some virtual private networks (VPNs).

The Heartbleed bug allows anyone on the Internet to read the memory of the systems protected by the vulnerable versions of the OpenSSL software. This compromises the secret keys used to identify the service providers and to encrypt the traffic, the names and passwords of the users and the actual content. This allows attackers to eavesdrop on communications, steal data directly from the services and users and to impersonate services and users.

For more information go to http://heartbleed.com/.

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LIFE AFTER PI (Official)

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Dr. Joseph Mercola, a leading natural health expert and osteopathic physician, talks about natural ways to help improve your vision naturally and why you should avoid eyeglasses, lasik surgery, and other potentially harmful eye treatments. Read: The Bates Method for Better Eyesight Without Glasses

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Seen in Bergen Beach, NY.

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The challenge was to create the most collaborative, creative environment possible. The result? 4,400 square feet of undulating, unbroken awesomeness to keep people and ideas flowing.

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This should be interesting...

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Just uploaded Fusion Episode 3 to Mixcloud. Listen now!

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Limited time

$5 all you can eat pancakes at IHOP.

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Google is bringing Android to your car

Google has announced that it's joining forces with Audi, GM, Honda, Hyundai and Nvidia to create the Open Automotive Alliance. In other words, car meet Android, Android meet car.

According to Google, the new alliance is "aimed at accelerating auto innovation with an approach that offers openness, customization and scale". The announcement confirms rumors which circulated last week, suggesting Audi was working with Google on an Android project and with the help of chipmaker NVIDIA, the group aims to bring Google's Android operating system to the auto industry on a large scale.

In a blog post, Patrick Brady, Director of Android Engineering, writes:

Wouldn't it be great if you could bring your favorite apps and music with you, and use them safely with your car's built-in controls and in-dash display? Together with our OAA partners, we're working to enable new forms of integration with Android devices, and adapting Android for the car to make driving safer, easier and more enjoyable for everyone. Putting Android in the car will bring drivers apps and services they already know and love, while enabling automakers to more easily deliver cutting-edge technology to their customers.

There is not much information about how the Android experience really will be in a car. On it's official site, OAA has written, "We're working with our partners to enable better integration between cars and Android devices to create a safer, car optimised experience. We're also developing new Android platform features that will help the car itself to become a connected Android device."

But Google isn't the only one heading for the automobiles, tech giant Apple has been heading in that direction too for a while now. Last June, at its 2013 developers conference, Apple announced plans to integrate iOS into the car dash, and now has the support of BMW, Mercedes-Benz, GM and Honda.

Clearly, it remains to be seen whether Apple or Google will dominate with their in-car system. But either way, it will be refreshing to finally have a real slice of technology at the wheel.

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Razer introduces modular computer concept

Building your own computer is generally reserved for the hardcore geeks. But with Razer's Project Christine, it's as easy as playing with Legos, active mineral cooled Legos that is.

Project Christine is basically a simplified modular desktop PC. The tower's spine contains all the PCI slots, and each different oval-ish bar coming off of it is its own component. Video cards, SSDs, CPUs, what-have-you. They're all mix and match with a few simple snaps.

Not only do the modules automatically integrate into the computer, each module is also set up to utilize active mineral oil cooling, so when you plug it in, your coolant solution is automatically taken care of making this bad boy whisper quiet. This also means that the component hidden in each model can be factory overclocked by default, for extra performance.

But as exciting as this future is to imagine, it won't be here for a while if ever. Razer currently isn't even making Project Christine right now, just gauging interest.

Even if it never comes out though, these are the kind of crazy designs the PC gaming industry needs to keep itself fresh and to continue to stave off those console peasants. Let's just hope it all pays off.

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The seventh Installment of the Ultra-Popular Fast and Furious Franchise will use some of Actor Paul Walker's existing footage in addition to new scenes written by Screenwriter Chris Morgan as tie-ins so that Mr Walker's Character, Brian O'Conner, can retire "In a way that Universal hopes will satisfy Fans." The Franchise will then continue without the Brian O'Conner Character. Fast and Furious 7 will come out in theaters April 10, 2015.