NEWS UPDATE: Series I savings bond yields come back down to earth.

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Image of Series I Savings Bond

The initial interest rate on new Series I savings bonds was 9.62%. through October 2022.The current rate through April 2023 is 6.89%. Still an attractive rate compared to bank savings rates.

A Series I savings bond is a security that earns interest based on both a fixed rate and a rate that is set twice a year based on inflation. The bond earns interest until it reaches 30 years or you cash it, whichever comes first. While the limit per person is $10,000. a year, it’s still a great deal compared to insured savings accounts or money market accounts. More information here.

Update – AB 1139 Defeated

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Thanks to everyone who contacted their representatives to help defeat the bill. One of the reasons for the bill authored by Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego) was to ensure that non-solar customers did not end up paying more at the expense of solar customers. This is a worthy goal however the bill as written would have penalized solar customers, effectively stopped new residential solar installations and would have a negative impact on climate change. Most of the bills provisions would have benefited the big power companies with no guarantees of consumer benefits.

Stop California utilities from blocking the sun.

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UPDATE The bill was defeated however SCE continues to lobby California legislators to quash residential solar.

Senate Report Cover Sheet Image

Too Much Netflix?

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With so much time in lockdown and most film and TV production halted, many viewers have reached to bottom of the streaming barrel.  With the election quickly approaching consider this 966 page REPORT OF THE REPORT 116-XX SELECT COMMITTEE ON INTELLIGENCE UNITED STATES SENATE ON RUSSIAN ACTIVE MEASURES CAMPAIGNS AND INTERFERENCE IN THE 2016 U.S. ELECTION VOLUME 5: COUNTERINTELLIGENCE THREATS AND VULNERABILITIES.

RUSSIAN ACTIVE MEASURES CAMPAIGNS AND INTERFERENCEDownload

Quarantine Activity 3 – Organize and Secure Your Passwords

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POST UPDATE Last Pass experienced a serious security breach resulting in users passwords potentially being exposed. I no longer recommend using LastPass.
LastPass logoWho has time to undo years of poor password hygiene?  You do now.

Cleaning up and securing your passwords is a great COVID19 quarantine activity.

This activity involves:

  • Signing up for LastPass
  • Collecting all your old password notes and account emails
  • Deleting any accounts that do not bring you joy
  • Setting secure passwords for all remaining accounts

LastPass website

Quarantine Activity # 10 -Digitize your Photos and Slides

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Photo Scanning Image

Gather all your decades-past photo albums and shoeboxes of family snapshots and send them out to be scanned.

  • Easier to Access and Share
  • Protection from loss due to fire
  • Covid19 friendly

Scan My Photos Website

Special Offer Signup

Online Specials

I have used ScanMyPhotos.com several times for both prints and slides.   They are not the least expensive however the quality is goo and they are local – in Irvine.  They run specials on a regular basis – sign up for their newsletter and order when there is a 33-40% off offer.  I generally get the highest resolution they offer with no other options.