Old School: Wisdom From Grandma & Grandpa

Common sense, hard-won lessons and the way our grandparents did it, from the people who lived it. Still works.

The BRO Code. What to do, what not to do, and a few laughs on the way.

A projector replaces a TV only if it survives Saturday at noon

Most projectors look great at 9 p.m. with the lights off. The ones worth swapping your TV for look good at 1 p.m. with the blinds open.

GuideMoneyRay OkonkwoNov 7, 20266 min

The tax bill that ambushes self-employed men every April

Nobody withholds for you when you work for yourself. Here's the arithmetic on quarterly payments, the safe harbor, and a separate account that does the work.

Ask BRO

Give me something to do with my kids this weekend

Ask it

GuideOutdoorsWes DunbarNov 7, 20266 min

Leave Your Own Rod in the Truck

Fishing with your kid works best when you don't fish at all. Here's the gear, the water, and the pace that get a kid hooked on the sport.

CancerDefying.com — The research, protocols and reading in one place

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Skills6 min read

Fix the fuel first, then adjust the carburetor

Most small engines that won't start or run right don't need a screw turned. They need clean fuel. Here's the order to work in, and how to set the screws when they do.

Poll

When did you last ask for a raise?

StoryHistoryMarcus ValeNov 6, 20265 min

A Poor Man's Quarter Section Cost Eighteen Dollars and Five Years

The Homestead Act handed ordinary families 160 acres for a filing fee. The land was cheap. Getting to keep it was the hard part.

GuideStyleDean ShawNov 6, 20265 min

Fix the collar that curls and the cuff that slides

Most collar and cuff trouble comes down to a quarter inch of fit or one missing piece of plastic. Here's how to find yours and fix it.

Shirts.com — Design it with AI. Wear it this week.

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$Do the watt-hour math before you buy any backup power$

GuidePreparednessWes DunbarNov 6, 20266 min

Do the watt-hour math before you buy any backup power

A generator is the wrong first purchase for a medical device. Two phone calls and one multiplication problem come before it.

Quiz

Is your money actually in order?

Six questions. No email required, no sales pitch at the end.

$Do the walk-out math at the trailhead, not at mile six$

GuideSurvival & Self-DefenseWes DunbarNov 6, 20266 min

Do the walk-out math at the trailhead, not at mile six

Most people guess wrong about how far and how long the walk back is, and they all guess in the same direction. Here's how to get it right before you need it.