Product review: BRITISH M Hot Curling Ceramic Brush 33mm

 

The word "hot" in the name of the brush made me think that this brush heats up to curl hair using its ceramic barrel. But this is just a regular brush; you can not turn it on or make it hot. I do not see how it reduces hair drying time on its own. You need to use it with a hair dryer, just like any brush. The name is confusing, and I was disappointed it was not what I expected it to be.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★☆☆

Review of BRITISH M Hot Curling Ceramic Brush 33mm

Product review: Label Weavers 72 Pre-Cut Sew-on Woven Name Tapes Labels Laundry Labels for Nursing Home

 I am happy with these labels. These sew-on labels are fabric ribbons with embroidered lettering. Iron-on labels are faster to attach, but they do not stay on for a long time. These labels are for a nursing home, so I cannot observe when iron-on labels come off in the laundry. These sew-on embroidered labels work much better in many respects.

I had several choices of fonts when customizing, and I selected the font that appears as the top example in the stock photo. Even though the labels are thin, the writing is very clear. The labels are embroidered on a fabric ribbon. Because it is a ribbon, the edges do not unravel. Because the ribbon is fabric, it is easy to sew by hand. Because the lettering is embroidered rather than printed, it does not get washed out.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★★    

Review of Label Weavers 72 Pre-Cut Sew-on Woven Name Tapes Labels

Product review: MediCleanse First Aid Sterile Saline Wound Wash

 I purchased this cleaning spray for the medical first aid kit in the car. While hiking a few years ago, I scraped my leg, and without having a way to clean it, I got an infection which, when it finally healed, healed with an ugly scar. A cleaning spray would have made the whole experience a lot better. Lesson learned. The cleaning spray is a saline solution that comes out under pressure to clean without touching the wound.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★☆  

Review of MediCleanse First Aid Sterile Saline Wound Wash

Product review: JIMEJV Mini COB Flashlight - Bright light with aweful quality control

 

The COB flashlight I received was defective. The case covers half the charging port, so it is impossible to recharge the light. Because the case is not attached correctly, it is also very difficult to turn the light on and off as it does not align with the internal mechanism.

I can't recharge it, and turning it on and off takes dozens of tries. When I finally managed to turn it on, the case got very hot while I tried and tried pushing the on/off button mechanism to turn it off.  Poor quality!

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★☆☆☆☆    

Review of JIMEJV Mini COB Flashlight

Product review: SoulmaaSkin LIPS CARE SERUM - sticky lip balm

 

The lips serum is very liquid and comes in a small glass bottle with a dropper. It feels very sticky on my lips and tastes very unpleasant. I had to wash my lips after about a minute because I hated how the serum felt and tasted.

The serum comes in a small bottle (10 ml, 0.60 fl oz) but is packed in a tall box with a large false bottom. It creates a bad first impression.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★☆☆☆☆

Review of SoulmaaSkin LIPS CARE SERUM

Product review: H&R Block tax software (formerlly known as Taxcut ) and comparison to TurboTax

 

Amazon changed how you find software downloads. It used to be located under Digital Content. But H&R Block software download did not appear there this year. This year you need to click "View your item," a button on your order, next to the "Buy it again" button. The "View your item" link takes you to the download page for H&R Block software and its product code.

I have been using H & R Block tax software for many years, and despite minor complaints here and there, it meets my needs best. I keep using H&R Block because it does what I need and has always been cheaper than TurboTax. I buy the Deluxe version of H&R Block because it covers the mutual fund's sales, cost basis calculations are included (Schedule D, capital gains and losses), the form for Foreign Tax Credit from mutual funds is present (Form 1116), as well as stock sales. It also includes Schedule C (profit or loss from business) and Schedule K1 (K-1 S Corps) if you report personal tax gains or losses (i.e., not as a Corporation). You must buy the Premium software version to get this functionality in TurboTax.

INSTALLATION
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
* Other than finding where Amazon relocated the downloads, I had no issues installing the software.

* Does H&R allow the installation of the software on two PCs?
No. The license agreement that one needs to accept during the installation says this:

"Software copies. You may only install and use the software on one computer. You may copy the software for backup and archival purposes only, as long as the original and each copy are kept in your possession and control.

Upgrades. You must first acquire a valid License to the software to receive and use any Software upgrades. After you acquire and install any Software upgrade, you may only use the upgraded version of the software. You will no longer use the prior version other than for backup or archival purposes if you need to reinstall the software."

Under limitation, it also states that the software is for use by you and your immediate family members. You cannot sell, rent, loan, or transfer the product to someone else.

PRICE
~~~~~~
If you are looking for the best deal, Amazon often runs very attractive promotions on Black Friday and a few other times between now and April. You can get notified about price drops by checking camelcamelcamel site, which can send you emails when the price drops by the amount you specify. During the last tax year, the price fluctuated between $22 and the list price of $44.99, dipping below $30 several times. It also qualifies for digital credits for No-rush Prime shipping.

* WHAT IS INCLUDED
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Using tax software includes two fees - one to use the software and the second one to e-file the returns with IRS. This package includes the cost of using both the Federal tax return and State return for one state (if you need to file taxes in two states, you will need to buy the second state software at full price).

This package also includes the cost of 5 free Federal e-files, but it does NOT include the cost of an e-file for the state return. Note that there is no limit on how many returns can be printed on paper for either Federal or State returns, so you can print and mail any number of returns you desire.

* The state forms are not available as I write this review. The state form will be available on January 3, 2023. You can enter an email to be notified when it becomes available.

When the state forms become available, the state software can be downloaded directly from the H&R Block application from the first screen of the state tax preparation. There is no extra fee.

All updates of both federal and state software are free.

PROBLEMS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

* If you bought an electric vehicle and installed a home charger, you can file Form 8911 to get a 30% credit for the alternative fuel vehicle refueling property you placed in service during the current tax year. H&R Block has a form for electric vehicle purchase credit but DOES NOT have the 8911 form for the charger. The interview does not include the charger question.

* I ran into an issue trying to save my return as PDF995 (i.e., as PDF). Reinstalling PDF995 software (it comes with H&R Block software) did not help. When I looked under Print Settings, it showed PDF995 as the default printer. I had to change the default printer to my actual printer, and then I successfully saved the return as PDF995. I am sharing this tip in case someone else runs into this issue.

* ANNOYANCES
~~~~~~~~~~~~

* H&R Block wants to sell you more services. It refers to this as personalized services, and if you select it will provide you info about software deals (which are never as good as Amazon deals), services, and consultations. Fortunately, you can say "No, thanks," but it requires you to pay attention to opt-out if you want to avoid marketing emails.

* H&R Block starts the interview process with an annoying up-sell pitch, recommending an upgrade from Deluxe to Premium even when it is not necessary. I think they should have determined if the person would genuinely benefit from the Premium version first. That would have been useful. As it stands now, it is just annoying.

What is the difference between Premium and Deluxe? The Premium version offers advanced tools for self-employed and rental property owners: cost basis of home sales, dividends, gifts, and inheritance assets. It has advanced schedule C guidance to maximize deductions for self-employment income. And finally, it has guidance for rental property income and expenses. The rest of the Premium package is the same as the Deluxe.

Note that the Deluxe package has support for self-employed income as well as stock sale cost basis calculations. Schedule C is a complete schedule - expenses, depreciation, and all that through an interview process. The difference between the Premium and Deluxe versions is that you can use Deluxe you report gain or loss on your PERSONAL taxes (i.e., not as a Corporation).  

* GENERAL
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

* When you start the software, the first step (after validating your product code) allows you to import old data from the previous year's return. You can load H&R Block software, TurboTax, or a PDF copy of the 2021 return. Importing the old tax return saves a lot of typing as a lot of information is transferred from the old form.

* Since many of my numbers are not final, I use the H&R feature that allows me to mark entries as "tentative" (right mouse click, then select "mark entry as tentative" from a drop-down list).

H&R Block keeps track of all tentative entries and displays them during a "check" step which is typically invoked at the end of the interview but can also be invoked by itself at any time. The check step lists all entries marked as tentative, so it is easy to update them.

* To combat stolen-identity tax returns, H&R Block asks you to provide a state-issued ID number. It is not required but highly encouraged.

* I like DeductionPro, which helps suggest reasonable prices based on the condition of the donated used clothing items. It is nice not to have to come up with what is reasonable on my own.

* The final tax return can be saved in a PDF format for future reference. I always do that so I can re-print an old return without running an old copy of H&R Block (especially when a new computer may not even have an old H&R Block installed). It is a good idea to make a backup on DVD or another form of backup, in case the computer where you did the return crushes.

* H&R Block can print forms when an Ethernet connection is disconnected. In 2014 TurboTax introduced a requirement that the data had to be sent to Intuit's servers to be formatted for printing. H&R Block does not have this requirement.

* If you owe taxes, there are three options for payment: electronic withdrawal from your bank (free), mailing a check (free), and paying by credit card from a secure website (not free). IRS does not charge a fee, but the sites that provide this service do. Several websites provide this service with a "convenience" fee. If you search for "pay taxes by credit or debit," you will see the detailed fee schedule on the irs.gov website.

* Can I download an old version of H&R Block software purchased on Amazon?

Yes. Amazon allows you to download the software purchased on Amazon as long as you have an Amazon account. There is no extra charge for downloading old software. The first download I bought on Amazon was in 2009, and I tested that I could still download it. The software appears under the Downloads and Codes section of your orders.

Note that if you purchased the software directly from the H&RBlock site, they add on a charge for "extended download service." Amazon does not charge for this service.

* Does the application provide a feature to confirm IRS/state agency tax acceptance status?

Yes, once you submit your return, there will be a button on the first page to request a status check. The resulting status will be displayed on the first page. You can request status updates multiple times.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.  

 

Ali Julia review ★★★★☆

Product review: Ginger Lily Farms Botanicals Plant-Based Liquid Laundry Detergent

 ⭐ I like:
1. Light scent while the detergent is in the bottle; no scent after the wash. Excellent.
2. Cleans well, although we do not have heavy staining

★ I do not like:
1. Price
2. A gallon container is hard to handle while the bottle is full; I over-poured it the first time. I moved the content into an old Tide laundry jug.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★☆

Review of Ginger Lily Farms Botanicals Plant-Based Liquid Laundry Detergent

Product review: TearRestore NeutraWipe Hypochlorous Eyelid Wipes for Dry Eeyes

 

Each wipe is 7" x 4.5" in size.  Each wipe is individually wrapped in a foil-lined envelope.  The wipes have good wetness: not dripping wet and not too dry.  They do not sting my eyes and do a good job cleaning.  I have used a good number of eyelid wipes because I have dry eyes, and these wipes rank high among the ones I have tried in the past.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Review of TearRestore NeutraWipe Hypochlorous Eyelid Wipes

Product review: WDF 50 Pack 14 Inch Food Trays Disposable (video review)

 

 I purchased 14" x 10" food trays. They came in a pack of 50. The trays are made of thick paper; the paper is made of sugar cane fiber. They do not have any scent. The finish of the tray's surface feels a bit rough to the touch, but the liquids do not soak through.

I like their size, and their sturdiness meets our needs.  

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★☆    

Review of WDF 50 Pack 14 Inch Food Trays Disposable

Product review: Spunspon Facial Sponges Compressed Natural Cellulose Sponge

 

These sponges are 3" x 2.5" in size. They are less than 1/16" thick when dry. They expand to about 1/4" thick. These are the typical cellulose sponges that are reusable many times and can be disinfected in a microwave.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★☆    

Review of Spunspon Facial Sponges Compressed Natural Cellulose Sponge
 

Product review: BITOSEE Refillable Retractable White Out Correction Tape

 

 This is my second white-out tape dispenser. The first one I used is from Bic and covers writing in one stroke. Bitosee does not work as well; it requires many strokes. The Amazon description said the package includes 2 dispensers and 2 carrier tapes for replacement. I did not get the extra replacement cartridges. Disappointed.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★☆☆☆

   

Review of BITOSEE Refillable Retractable White Out Correction Tape

Product review: Compressed CGR 6 Pk Pop-Up Cellulose Kitchen Sponges

 

These sponges arrived compressed (only 1/8" thick) and expanded in 3/4" after they were soaked in water. If you don't have a lot of room for supply storage, it is nice that they take up so little room while they are not being used. I can also see this helpful for camping, when you must be very thoughtful about what you take.

Once the sponge expands, it is very much like any other cellulose sponge. These sponges are the right size for washing dishes or cleaning counters. Unlike other expandable sponges I got in the past, these sponges are slightly uneven (i.e. not plum angles) when they expand. They don't stink.

Ali Julia review ★★★★☆

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Review of Compressed CGR 6 Pk Pop-Up Cellulose Kitchen Sponges

Product review: ZHIWHIS Portable AM FM Radio with video

 

The best feature of this radio is its small size and light weight:
3.3"L x 1.8"W x 0.5"D and weight of 1.6 oz

The worst feature of the radio, is the user interface. Almost every button has three functions. The instructions are sparse and incomplete. It was hard to figure out was how to preset stations. What the instructions do not say is that you need to press the memo button twice; otherwise, it does not save the setting. Do not press that button for too long because that will delete the preset. The interface is the worst part of the radio. It is too complex for my elderly mother.

When the radio can tune the station, it sounds clear. Tuning can be improved by moving around the earbuds cord, which serves as an antenna. Overall, I thought tuning capabilities were acceptable, even though not outstanding.

The radio runs on a built-in rechargeable battery. You cannot remove the battery; you have to recharge the battery in the radio case. A built-in battery is slightly less convenient than having the radio run on a standard AAA or AA battery, which can be switched as soon as it runs out of juice.

Ali Julia review ★★★★☆ 

  You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Review of ZHIWHIS Portable AM FM Radio

Product review: Ionic Hair Dryer with Powerful AC Motor

 

 This is a powerful dryer with two attachments. It generates a strong warm flow. The dryer came with terrible instructions. It is a thick book, but only two or three pages in English. The instructions are minimal. My issue is that after I attached the curly hair attachment, I cannot take it off. There are no instructions on how to do it, and all my attempts have failed.

The hair dryer weighs 17.75 oz. The hair dryer is 5" wide (the barrel front to back) and 7.5" tall (the handle and the dryer barrel height).  I liked that it has a Ground Fault Interrupt (GFCI) protected plug.

Ali Julia review ★★★★☆ You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Review of Ionic Hair Dryer with Powerful AC Motor

Product review: MLKIN Portable Super Absorbent Cotton-Super Absorbent Potty Pads

 

 The MLKIN strips are very narrow. Each strip is 2.5" wide and 10".

The cotton pads absorb small amount liquid well. They become dry but still pliable. However, if the pad encounters a large amount of liquid it falls apart becomes a pile of sticky pulp, which is hard to clean up.

Ali Julia review ★★★☆☆

  You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Review of MLKIN Portable Super Absorbent Cotton-Super Absorbent Potty Pads

Product review: Saavy Naturals Gift Basket For Women Gift Set

 

The Savvy basket was a disappointment. It contains ten pieces, and I only liked four of them.
Below are the details of why the basket was a disappointment.
1) The packaging was messy, unattractive, and very wasteful. The cardboard tray had crumpled brown paper
covered with paper shreds. It did not look gift-suitable.  
2) The sugar scrub leaked, so the inside was sticky around that area. The scrub was not properly closed, and the seal was only attached to one small area, the rest was opened. The scrub package was either defective
or a returned product. Two body scrubs are included.
3) The soaps were 3.5" x 2" bars. They were discolored on one side. They looked unattractive, and the
I did not care for how they smelled. Two soaps included.
4) The bath bombs are large, 3" in diameter. They work fine, but their scent was not pleasing to me. Scents preferences are very personal; there is no defect in the bath bombs, and I just did not care for the scent. Two bath bombs included.
5) The package includes two body creams and two body washes. I liked the body washes best. Each tube is 7/14 inches long, not counting the cap.

Given the price, I expected better from the Saavy gift basket.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★☆☆

Review of Saavy Naturals Gift Basket For Women Gift Set
 

Product review: Air Compressor Tire Inflator with auto shut-off by OneAmg

 

OneAmg has several good features but one massive flaw. The flaw is that the light yellow readout is very hard to read on the gray background, even in the shade. The PSI, BAR, KPA, and KG/CM² are so small and faint that I could not see them at all, even with reading glasses. I think this inflator is for young people with keen eyesight.

Here are the good features:
1. Quick-connect valve. Once I had a tire inflator with a nut that had to be rotated to connect to the tire. This was painful, especially in the winter. It was hard to do in gloves, and touching metal when it was freezing outside was painful. Lesson learned, I only buy inflators with quick connect.

2. Auto shut off. I need to be able to set the desired PSI pressure and have it stop automatically at that level. I do not want to keep retesting with a separate gauge.

3. I am looking for a long power cord so it can easily reach my SUV's front and back tires. This inflator has a power cable that is approximately 10 feet long. Long enough. The Air hose is 21.5 inches.

4. The size of this inflator is smaller than my old units. It is 7.5"L x 7.5"W and 2.75" thick. It weighs 31.30 oz. The airflow speed is 35 liters per minute, which is decent.

Things that could be better:  
1. Hard to read display, light yellow on gray background, very low contrast and hard to see in the shade, invisible in the sun.

2. The inflator had no carrying case. It would be nice to have a case where I can store extra fuses, connectors, and the unit itself.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★☆☆

Review of Air Compressor Tire Inflator by OneAmg

Product review: KIDINIX Adjustable Height Standing Desk sit stand computer table

 

I have been using the desk for over a week for work. Which means I use it 8-10 hours a day. The mechanism that raises and lowers the desk works very well: it is smooth, and I can adjust to be at a perfect height when I am standing. When I am sitting, the desk is a couple of inches too high for me. I would have preferred it to be 2 or 3 inches lower, so it would be at the height of a keyboard tray, and my arms could be at a 90-degree angle for the proper ergonomic position. I am thinking of taking off the wheels to make the desk shorter. The top of the desk is not as sturdy as I hoped; with a big monitor on top of it, it has a bit of a shake when I type. Not terrible, but not as steady as I would like.

The top of the desk is 29.82" wide × 18.89" in depth
The height can be adjusted from 29.3" to 45."
The desk weighs 25.8 pounds.
The wheelbase is 23.82" × 19.29."

The desk is made of wood and steel. The adjustment mechanism is located on the underside of the desktop (right front).  I have to press it when I move the desk up or down. The wheels have breaks. The wheels are pretty big (2.36") and move okay on the carpet. The load capacity is 33 pounds. I have a 29" monitor and a full-size keyboard/mouse on the desktop. The 18" laptop did not fit next to the large monitor, so I had to keep it on the small rolling table next to this one, as I like working with two monitors active.

Bottom line: This desk allows me to vary sitting and standing, quickly changing positions throughout the day. My back is happier when I don't sit all day.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★☆

Review of KIDINIX Adjustable Height Standing Desk

 

Product review: Geologie Dark Under Eye Duo - Eye cream and sunblock

 The seller combined several products under one item. I am reviewing "Geologie Dark Under Eye Duo," which includes a tiny bottle of eye cream and a small tube of sunscreen. When I write this review, the duo of products is priced at $80.

I like:
1. The sunscreen goes on clear
2. It is practically unscented
3. It is based on Zinc Oxide
4. The eye cream is unscented
5. The eye cream is not greasy and is absorbed well

I don't like:
1. The price
2. After one week of use, I do not see any difference in the under-eye area. Perhaps it takes longer. However, with a high price tag, I expect fast and noticeable results.
3. SPF 30.  My dermatologist recommends I use a high SPF sunscreen, so I use this one for short outings.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★☆☆

Review of Geologie Dark Under Eye Duo

Product review: BHR Wall Calendar 2023-2024 Wall Calendar 14" wide

 

This calendar is not pretty, but it is practical. I used to order beautiful Lang calendars, which are not only practical but decorative, but they got so expensive that last year I went with this less pricey option and decided I like them enough to re-order this year. This calendar has no images; calendar info is printed on one side of a relatively thin paper (compared to the textured thick paper of Lang calendars). But the finish of this calendar is flat (i.e., not glossy), so it takes well to pen and pencil for notes.

The calendar is 14" wide and 11" long. Each calendar square is 1.75" x 1.375", and it has space on the reverse side of the page.  

The calendar has a metal hang inserted into a spiral that holds the pages and works very well. It is the most significant improvement over the Lang calendars. The metal hanger is sturdy and easy to hang and flip pages. It also has a hole on the bottom of each page, so if you want, you can hang it using that hole and have extra space for notes at the top of the calendar. Given how much I like the spiral hanger, I am not using the alternative hanging option, even though the calendar came with an extra sticky back hanger.

Bottom line: not attractive but practical and works well.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Review of BHR Wall Calendar 2023-2024

Product review: Metene AGM-513S Test Strips for Diabetes

 

 

This item contains 100 strips. I purchased these strips in August 2022, and they expire in May 2024. The glucose monitor is not included. I own a Metene AGM-513S glucose monitor, which works with these strips.  

My last glucose test crept into the pre-diabetes area, and I wanted to keep track of my glucose level. I thought the strips and the monitor worked well. Instructions were clear, and everything worked smoothly once I figured out how much blood I needed to do the test.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★★  

Review of Metene AGM-513S Test Strips for Diabetes 

Product review: Duru Extra Coarse Bulgur (food review)

 

I use Bulgur in stews (works great in an Instant Pot) and tabbouleh salads.  I thought this Bulgur had a nice nutty flavor.

Bulgur Wheat comes in four different grinds: fine, medium coarse, coarse, and extra coarse bulgur. A fine or medium grind is good for salads and baked goods, and medium or coarse grinds are better for pilafs or stuffings.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★★    

Review of Duru Extra Coarse Bulgur

Product review: Krediz One Power Readers Glasses, Flex Focus Optic Lens - exposed as a marking scam

 

I thought these were progressive lenses by another name, but they are not. I own progressive lens glasses, and when I hold them next to the computer screen, I can see how the font changes in several bands depending on which part of the lens I am looking through. Krediz glasses have the same power over the entire lens, and the font on the screen remains the same from top to bottom.

My eye doctor never mentioned this type of lens, so I began looking for an explanation of how these lenses work. I found the answer in 16 WNEP ABC investigative report posted on YouTube, where these exact glasses (same box) were analyzed by Northeastern Eye Institute, located in Scranton, PA. The bottom line is that the glasses have one power (+2.5) and do not adjust. It is the person who needs the eyeglasses adjusts by how they look through them; there is no magic. If the person needs glasses with power around +2.5 they adjust the angle by how they look through the glasses or how they place glasses on their nose. Since I usually wear +2.5 power in my reading glasses and about +1.5 power in computer glasses, I can make Krediz glasses work for me. They are fine for reading and slightly blurry for working on the computer screen, but I could improve my vision of the text on the screen by moving how close I am to the screen.

Bottom line: these glasses work fine if you need +2.5 power, but do not pay any more than you would for regular reader glasses. These glasses do not do anything special; the claims are just a marketing angle.

I use Bulgur in stews (works great in an Instant Pot) and tabbouleh salads. I thought this Bulgur had a nice nutty flavor. Bulgur Wheat comes in four different grinds: fine, medium coarse, coarse, and extra coarse bulgur. A fine or medium grind is good for salads and baked goods, and medium or coarse grinds are better for pilafs or stuffings. Ali Julia review Review of Duru Extra Coarse Bulgur You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★☆☆☆

Review of Krediz One Power Readers Glasses - Flex Focus Optic Lens

Product review: SVINZ Hearing Aids, sound amplifier for hearing impaired

 

 These hearing aids have controls to amplify sound, but unlike more expensive hearing aids, they amplify sound at all frequencies simultaneously. These hearing aids cannot be tuned to the specific hearing loss of a person as people typically lose hearing differently at different frequencies. This means the sound feels less natural. However, my mother's hearing is better using them. She lost the more expensive hearing aids almost immediately, so these less expensive hearings are a good option.

The package includes two hearing aids, a charging station that doubles as a storage box, extra domes, a power adapter, a type C charging cable, and a cleaning brush.

The hearing aids are shipped with protective tape over the contacts; you need to remove them before the hearing aid starts charging. The hearing aids were shipping totally discharged, indicated by one blue dot on the charging box. It took a couple of hours for the hearing aids to be recharged. Note that all lights turn off after a short period, and you need to press a button on the back of the charging box to see the current charging status. If you see four blue LEDs, the hearing aid is fully charged.

The control buttons on the hearing aids are tiny and hard to use for someone who is elderly. My mother is not able to use them on her own. However, when I can help her put them on and turn them on, it improves her hearing, which is helpful. We got the hearing working without whistling, although the sound has some echo. Note that the hearing aid makes the voice of the person wearing the hearing aid really loud, which my mother finds disturbing.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★☆

Review of SVINZ Hearing Aids

 

Product review: Peermax Drop Smart Eye Drop Guide - Not a good guide

 I found this guide hard to use. It is harder to compress the bottle; it is harder to dispense just one drop, and it is harder to get a drop to fall into the eye.

The guide works with bottles with pointy tips, as the tip has to be inserted into the opening. The guide is not well suited for bottles that have blunt tips. See attached photos that show how my different drops work with this guide. Overall, I lose a lot of eye drops because they roll down my cheeks instead of falling into the eye. Given the price of eye drops and the insurance limit on how many bottles the insurance allows during a three-month period, I don't think I will continue using it as an eye drop guide.   

However, I found that it is useful for holding eye drop bottles upside down on the vanity overnight (when they are almost empty), so I can get the last few drops in the morning and not waste the last bits of the medicine.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★☆☆

Review of Peermax Drop Smart Eye Drop Guide

Product review: ALIENTABI 0.4 Gallon Handheld Pump Sprayer

 

The sprayer works well. It generates a steady spray after a few pumps. The power of the spray can be changed by turning the ring on the nozzle. When the sprayer does not spray, it means the pressure is too low, and I need to pump the handle to build up the pressure.

⭐ This sprayer does not have a relief valve. The pressure is relieved by unscrewing the top and needs to be done very carefully to avoid getting splashed by the content spray.

⭐ This sprayer does not have a hands-free operation. This sprayer does not have a mechanism that leaves the sprayer spraying without holding down the lever, like some of my other sprayers.

⭐ Oddness: the bottle came with some water at the bottom. Not sure if the manufacturer tested every unit (which seem unlikely) or if this was a return (more likely). However, the sprayer worked fine, so if it was a return, it could have been one of the issues I mentioned earlier.

⭐ I liked that it came with an extra nozzle. Sometimes nozzles get plugged up, and the extra nozzle will extend the life of this sprayer.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Review of ALIENTABI 0.4 Gallon Handheld Pump Sprayer
 

Product review: Kauri Eyeglass Cleaner Tool Microfiber Cleaner Soft Brush

I received five brushes. The clamp on the lenses on both sides and clean the glass. The tool did a reasonable job. Is it better than using an eyeglass cleaning cloth? No.

⭐ If the shape of the eyeglasses were not round, the edges did not get cleaned. Using the cleaning cloth, this is not an issue.
⭐ I could not feel how strong I was pressing on the glass, whereas using a cleaning cloth, I do
⭐ It takes more room than a cleaning cloth. The size is significant if you need to clean your glasses somewhere other than sitting at your desk.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★☆☆

Review of Kauri Eyeglass Cleaner Tool Microfiber Cleaner Soft Brush
 

Product review: OUTLAW TACTICAL Lens Cleaner Spray, glasses cleaner (video review)

 

 I like:

⭐ Large bottle
⭐ No strong scent
⭐ Cleans well

I do not like:

⭐ Not totally sold on the gel vs. liquid; it leaves more smears on glass than the liquid. Maybe I need to use less.  But results are good after some extra polishing.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Review of OUTLAW TACTICAL Lens Cleaner Spray

Product review: Fullicon Pill Reminder, 6 alarms a day

 

This product is a timer with up to 6 alarms per day. I was a bit disappointed that it maxed out at 6. I would have liked to see at least eight alarms.

The alarm works on two AAA batteries. Batteries are not included.

Documentation could have been better. It is easy to set the time of the day, but you have no control over the time of the alarm. The alarm goes off precisely on an hour. There are 24 buttons, and each button stands for the time of the day in the military notation (alarm number 16 means the alarm will go off at 4:00 pm). To set the alarm at 4 pm, you must turn on alarm #16. Documentation does not explain this at all.

To stop the alarm, you need to push the stop button; otherwise, it will continue to make a noise twice more after five minutes pause.

This reminder can be used for medications or for people who need to get up due to back problems when working while sitting down. The limitation is the number of alarms per day. When I purchased it, I thought I could set all 24 alarms simultaneously if that's what I needed.

The cover is difficult to open. I do not close it all the way; otherwise, it is difficult to push the stop button in time. By the time I manage to open the cover, the beeping stops on its own. This tight and difficult-to-open cover is not well designed for the elderly who might have arthritis or weakness in the fingers.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★☆

Review of Fullicon Pill Reminder

Product review: Tullofa Calendar 2022-2023 wall calendar 15" wide

 

 This calendar is not pretty, but it is practical. I used to order beautiful Lang calendars, which are not only practical but decorative, but they got so expensive that last year I went with this less pricey option and decided I like them enough to re-order this year. This calendar has no images; calendar info is printed on one side of a relatively thin paper (compared to the textured thick paper of Lang calendars). But the finish of this calendar is flat (i.e., not glossy), so it takes well to pen and pencil for notes.

The calendar is 15" wide and 11.5" long. Each calendar square is 1.75" x 1.75", and it has space for notes on the right-hand side.

The calendar has a metal hang inserted into a spiral that holds the pages and works very well. It is the most significant improvement over the Lang calendars. The metal hanger is sturdy and easy to hang and flip pages.

Bottom line: not attractive but practical and works well.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Review of Tullofa Calendar 2022-2023