The Propeller

Tech: Confessions of a Laptop Neat Freak: Cleaning Your Laptop I’ll admit it, I treat my laptop like a beloved pet. I don’t just mean in the “I carry it everywhere” sense. I mean I get oddly protective if someone sets their coffee too close, and I’ve been known to glare at anyone who dares to […]

Life: When Man Controlled Nature: The Niagara Diversion of 1969 In the summer of 1969, engineers undertook an extraordinary and ambitious project at one of the world’s most iconic natural landmarks, Niagara Falls. Specifically, the American Falls section was “turned off” for several months in a daring attempt to study and stabilize the geological foundation beneath

Tech: Stop feeding Microsoft Copilot and ChatGPT Junk (do this instead) I know this guy who hates tech. He literally PRINTS his emails.  But he ended up becoming the go-to Microsoft Copilot and ChatGPT expert… for his whole retirement community. A few months ago, we were at a Tech Meetup, and he was rolling his eyes every

Life: 21 Pieces of Career Advice They Don’t Teach You in School I’ve had the chance to wear a lot of hats over the years – DJ, tech guru, entrepreneur, pilot, board member, TV Star (It was a cable access show, but I was the Star!) and occasionally, the guy who fixes what someone else broke. Through

Life: The Man Who Changed the World with Rubber… and Died with Nothing In 1830, a man from Connecticut sat in prison, not for a crime, but for debt. His name was Charles Goodyear, and while the world called him a failure, he called himself a dreamer. Goodyear had become obsessed with something most people ignored: natural

Finance: 2025 Tax Bill Explained – The Big Beautiful Bill President Trump signed the “Big Beautiful Bill” Friday. I reviewed all the tax specific changes so that you can be informed about how it impacts your wallet. If you have any questions about the changes, feel free to reply to this email. Let’s get into it.

Entrepreneur / Life: What The Bear Can Teach Us About Life and Business If you haven’t watched The Bear yet, you’re missing one of the most intense, heartfelt, and brilliantly crafted shows on television. Set in a chaotic Chicago kitchen, the show follows Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto, a world-class chef who returns home to run his late brother’s sandwich shop. It’s

Tech: Don’t Plan Your Trip with Google Planning a trip? DON’T START WITH GOOGLEI Let Microsoft Copilot or ChatGPT do all the work. Flights. Hotels. Budget. Activities. It can plan everything for you. Here are 5 prompts to make Microsoft Copilot or ChatGPT your personal travel agent: Full Itinerary BuilderPrompt: Plan a 7-day trip to [destination] with a mix

Finance: Check your Social Security Statement Yearly For years, I ignored my Social Security statement. I figured it was something to worry about “later.” But a few years ago, I finally took the time to check mine, and I was surprised by how helpful it was – and how easy it was to access. Your Social

Investing / Financial Independence: Step Up Basis Bob made a very expensive tax mistake. Doctors told Bob that he only has a year to live… What did Bob do? He decided to gift a house to his only son before passing away. The house is worth $2,000,000 that he acquired back in 1970 for $50,000 in