(Feature Impact) Today’s wireless plans offer far more than connectivity alone, and choosing a provider involves more than simply comparing monthly rates and upfront phone costs. When balancing factors like nationwide network reliability and data performance needs against pricing, device compatibility and member benefits, finding the right fit for your needs and lifestyle can help simplify your daily routine while unlocking additional savings and experiences.

The experts at T-Mobile – which offers industry-leading, benefit-packed plans; exclusive experiences; and the largest 5G Advanced network voted No. 1 in network quality by J.D. Power – recommend evaluating several key factors before switching providers or upgrading plans:

Think About Your Lifestyle

If you work remotely, reliable high-speed connectivity is a must-have. For families, bundled savings or streaming services included as part of the plan may help seal the deal. Frequent travelers may prioritize international plan perks, in-flight Wi-Fi access or vacation discounts carriers can provide. As wireless providers expand their offerings beyond traditional phone service, look for the one that best complements how you live, work and travel, providing value across your everyday life.

Compare Pricing Beyond the Base Number

The lowest advertised price doesn’t always translate to the best value. Evaluate any taxes, fees, autopay requirements, device payment plans and subscriptions or bundled perks included with the plan you’re considering. A slightly higher monthly plan with more included benefits may save you money over time compared to paying separately for streaming services or delivery memberships that may be folded into the plan.

Keep Coverage Top of Mind         

No matter how attractive a plan’s cost may look on paper, coverage remains one of the most important considerations when choosing a wireless provider. Before signing on with a provider, use a coverage map to check how strong the coverage is where you live, work and travel most often, particularly if you live in or frequently commute through rural areas.

Don’t Overlook Member Benefits

Wireless providers increasingly compete on customer perks. While rewards programs shouldn’t outweigh network reliability or pricing, they can add meaningful everyday value. In celebration of 10 years of the T-Mobile Tuesdays program, which provides weekly perks simply for being a member, the wireless provider is proclaiming June as “Member Month” with its biggest lineup of always-on benefits, limited-time perks, experiences and sweepstakes.

“From day one, T-Mobile Tuesdays has delivered meaningful value and relevant benefits that fit naturally into everyday life,” said Allan Samson, chief marketing officer, T-Mobile. “We’re always looking for new ways to give our customers more of what they love. Member Month is our biggest celebration of that commitment yet.”

The month-long initiative includes additional savings at Shell stations, free Dashpass by DoorDash for families juggling busy schedules, in-flight travel benefits when summer plans are in full swing and experiences that give members something to look forward to.

To compare plans and learn more about the value, perks and experiences that go beyond wireless, visit T-Mobile.com.

SOURCE:

T-Mobile

(Tiffany Miller) The summer of childhood had a different quality to it. The days felt unscheduled, the weeks unhurried, and the season itself stretched on in a way the calendar did not quite explain. A new survey from ThriftBooks, the largest independent online bookseller of new and used books, found that many readers believe the endless summer feeling is gone, and that the one thing most associated with getting it back is also the thing they feel least entitled to do.

It also found that nearly three-quarters of U.S. adults who read say summer moves faster now than it did when they were growing up. And 76% say reading is the one thing that slows it down.

Summer used to feel different

Part of what shifted it was the screen. About 60% of readers say screens take away from the feeling of summer. The associations most tied to childhood summers — being outdoors, family time and reading — have quietly faded into the background. What replaced them is a season that feels more scheduled, more managed and harder to slow down.

Reading slows it down. Guilt gets in the way.

Reading holds a complicated place in that picture. Fifty-three percent of readers fell in love with reading during childhood, and the emotional connection between books and summer runs deep. Fifty-six percent say reading makes summer feel like it lasts longer, and most agree it helps them slow down in a way other forms of downtime simply do not.

But wanting to read and feeling permitted to read are different things. Seventy-four percent of readers say they sometimes or often feel that reading for pleasure is only allowed after everything else is done. That hesitation often looks familiar: a book left on the nightstand while the dishes get done, a chapter saved for when the to-do list clears. The single biggest obstacle is not a shortage of time but the sense that reading is not productive enough to justify: 27% say the main barrier is feeling like they should be doing something more useful instead.

A generational divide

That tension runs deepest among younger readers. Gen Z enters summer more optimistic about reading than older generations, but also more burdened by it. Seventy-seven percent of Gen Z say reading makes summer feel longer, compared with 44% of Baby Boomers. Yet it is younger readers who are most likely to feel they need to earn the time first.

Why it matters now

The findings suggest summer often feels shorter because schedules and distractions leave less room to slow down. For many readers, books may be one of the simplest ways to bring back the endless summer feeling.

Methodology

ThriftBooks commissioned Atomik Research to conduct an online survey of 2,000 adults throughout the United States who read three or more books per year. The margin of error is plus or minus 2 percentage points with a confidence level of 95%.

Fieldwork took place between April 13 and April 17, 2026. Atomik Research, part of 4media group, is a creative market research agency.

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock

SOURCE:

ThriftBooks

(Feature Impact) As the days lengthen and warm air has you ready to get your patio furniture out of storage, that means it’s time to give your yard a fresh start. With a little planning now, you’ll be rewarded with a fuller, greener and easier-to-maintain outdoor space once spring is in full bloom.

1. Start With a Clean Slate
Winter leaves behind plenty of debris, including fallen branches and matted leaves. Before you start planting, take a walk around your yard and tidy up:

• Rake moisture-trapping twigs and leaves that can cause fungus
• Remove dead plants or spent annuals from flower beds
• Sweep or power wash patios and walkways

2. Tune Up Tools
Digging into yard work only to find rusty shears or a squeaky mower can prolong the task. Instead, ensure your tools are in good working order:

• Sharpen blades on lawn mowers, shears and pruners
• Install fresh string on trimmers and weed eaters
• Replace old fuel or clean air filters on gas-powered tools

3. Assess Your Lawn
Early spring is ideal for noticing how winter treated your grass. Dethatching and aeration can go a long way toward helping grass absorb nutrients. Set the stage for lush growth once warmer weather arrives by looking for:

• Bare patches that need reseeding
• Weeds making an early debut
• Compacted soil where water pools instead of soaking in

4. Give Plants the Right Start
Now’s the time to prep beds for new life. Before you plant:

• Loosen soil and mix in compost for nutrients
• Add mulch around perennials
• Plan your planting based on sun and shade patterns

5. Hydrate Wisely
Strong roots start with proper hydration. Even before sprigs pop up, early spring can be dry as the sun gets higher. Remember to:

• Water flowerbeds if rainfall has been scarce
• Check irrigation systems for damage
• Mulch lightly after soil warms to lock in moisture

Getting your yard ready early in spring isn’t about perfection; it’s about setting yourself up for outdoor enjoyment all season long. Find more tips to get your yard in shape at eLivingtoday.com.

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock

SOURCE:

eLivingtoday.com