Apple Will Now Let You Lease Your Next iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple Watch

Apple products are famously expensive, and they’re only getting pricier. The ongoing memory crisis has only put pressure on companies like Apple to raise prices, which could dissuade users from upgrading their current devices. Maybe that’s why apple is now inviting consumers to skip buying its products altogether. While you can pay full price for any of its products, the company is now rolling out "Apple Upgrade," a new program that lets you lease a new iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple Watch. Apple Upgrade is a partnership with Klarna, the company best known for its "buy now, pay later" model — only this time, you're not buying anything. How does Apple upgrade work? The company offers 12 and 24-month leasing plans for iPhone and Apple Watch, and 24 and 36-month leasing plans for Mac and iPad. Pricing depends on the product and specification, but Apple says you can lease products starting at $11.99 a month for Apple Watch or iPad, $17.99 a month for iPhone, and $24.99 a month for Mac. Once your lease term is up, you have three options: Upgrade to the latest version of the device; buy it with a one-time payment; or return the device and exit Apple Upgrade. iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, Apple Watch SE, MacBook Neo, Mac Mini, iPad (A16), and Apple's Studio Display are not eligible for Apple Upgrade, so you'll need to buy these products at full price.

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Dad Turned Weekly Library Trips with His Daughter into a Beloved Community Event

When Khari Arnold (above, center), of Atlanta, Georgia, decided to take his 4-month-old baby girl to the library, he had no idea that he had planted the magic bean that would grow into a giant beanstalk of brotherhood, known simply as the Library Dads. Arnold founded the group after his weekly outings with his daughter Ariah became a keystone in his relationship with her. Not only did the weekly library trips become their special time together, Ariah showed signs of developing early literacy skills that are vital to success in all walks of life. Arnold thought other dads might want to find camaraderie in the activity, and began inviting other fathers to participate. Now when the dads descend on the local library, Arnold’s mission and message is clear for all to see: dads show up. The Library Dads events are free, but often fill up quickly.

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Philadelphia Cream Cheese Now Comes In Lactose-Free

If you have a lactose intolerance that has forced you to forego Philadelphia Cream Cheese, you’re in for a big surprise. Kraft Heinz has announced that it’s releasing a lactose-free cream cheese made with the same milk and cream as the original. Philadelphia Lactose Free uses a lactase enzyme to help make the product easier to digest for people who are sensitive to lactose, allowing consumers to enjoy the real dairy cream cheese without the discomfort or tradeoffs. The new product also has no added preservatives, flavors or dyes. The company said the cream cheese is equally suited to the original for spreading on bagels or incorporating into cheesecakes. The new cream cheese will be available at major retailers nationwide starting in August in the brand’s brick form.

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How You Can Lose Your Social Security Benefits

Social Security benefits aren’t as guaranteed as death and taxes, and there are a few ways you can lose or reduce your payments. While reducing payments isn’t the same as losing benefits entirely, you could lose money that’s rightfully yours. Here's how you could lose or lessen your benefits, according to experts.

CLAIM BENEFITS EARLY

If you choose to claim Social Security benefits when you’re eligible (age 62) but before your full retirement age, you will permanently reduce your benefits by as much as 30% below what you would get if you waited to begin receiving benefits at your full retirement age (66-67, depending on the year you were born). Let’s say you were born in 1962 and are 62 years old. If you start receiving Social Security today, the average $1,907 benefit would be reduced to about $1,335. The longer you wait to claim Social Security benefits, the greater the amount will be. 

MAKE TOO MUCH MONEY IN EARLY RETIREMENT

If you want to work after you retire, you can expect a smaller Social Security check. If you are below your full retirement age in 2026, the most you can earn from a job before your Social Security benefits are reduced is $24,480 per year. If you reach your full retirement age during 2026, the limit is $65,160 before the month you hit that age, and once you reach full retirement age, there's no limit on your earnings. 

GET REMARRIED

If you’re receiving benefits based on the earnings record of an ex-spouse, you will lose those benefits if you remarry. However, you will always have access to your own benefits or the benefits of your new spouse.

GO TO JAIL

Your benefits will be suspended if you are incarcerated for more than 30 days, but they will resume the month following your release. If your Social Security benefits are supporting others in your family, don’t fret. Your spouse or children will still receive benefits as long as they’re eligible.

While claims that Social Security will run out of money are exaggerated, the administration’s trust funds are expected to reach a shortfall in the next decade or so, and this has many people concerned. According to the Social Security Administration, benefits are expected to be payable in full on a timely basis until 2037, when the trust fund reserves are projected to become exhausted. At the point where the reserves are used up, continuing taxes are expected to be enough to pay 76% of scheduled benefits. Still, it will be another decade before that happens, and those in the know say Congress won’t let Social Security run dry.

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