Bits & Bytes for Summer 2024

Celebrate Creatively This Mother’s Day There’s nothing wrong with taking your mom out to eat or sending her flowers for Mother’s Day. However, if you’d like to give her a more unique experience this year, check out these ideas. Conduct a Mother's Day interview. You’ll no doubt learn many things about her, whether it's stories about her childhood, first job, wedding day, or hidden talents. Head to StoryCorps at storycorps.org for tips about documenting your family's stories and oral history. Write mom a thank you letter. Instead of a short message in a Mother’s Day card, write a long letter of appreciation for all she’s done for you. Register for a class together. It could be floral arrangement, cooking, painting, or anything you know she’d enjoy. Plan a future trip. Spend some of Mother’s Day researching fun destinations you could visit with your mom in the months ahead. However you decide to celebrate, BBC wishes you a Happy Mother’s Day! BUTLER-BREMER COMMUNICATIONS • 319 . 276 . 4458 • but l er-bremer. com When damage or glitches happen, it can be tough to decide between device repair and replacement. Can the problem be successfully fixed, and if so, what will it cost? How do you know when it’s time to buy a new phone, tablet, or laptop? Before you make a decision, it’s helpful to consider these factors: How old is your device? On average, a phone can perform well for at least three years, and a laptop can last at least four to five years. So, if you're having problems with a newer device, it's probably worth fixing, especially if it just needs a simple repair. Don't ignore cracks, dents, or other physical damage. These are typically less expensive repairs, and fixing them sooner helps prevent bigger problems later. If your device is nearing the end of its expected lifespan, you may want to replace it. How much will the repair cost? Here’s a good rule to follow: If a repair costs more than half of what you paid for your device, it can make the most sense to get a new one, especially if it’s more than a few years old and the damage is serious. Remember, you can often trade in your old phone and apply that credit toward a new one. There are budget friendly repairs, however, that are well worth doing. For example, a phone battery replacement or a tune-up for your laptop can cost under $100, making them smart ways to extend the life of your devices. Is your device under warranty? Before you start shopping for a new device, check and see whether your current one is still under warranty. You may be eligible for a free or low-cost repair or replacement. Keep in mind that all warranties come with exceptions, including water damage, cosmetic damage (like scratches), repairs by unauthorized providers, and normal wear and tear. Should You Repair or Replace Your Device?

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