Author name: Jenny Nicole

NEWS

Why are People Choosing Signal over WhatsApp?

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When it comes to IM apps, it is all about privacy in 2021. And recently when the Facebook-owned WhatsApp, the most popular messaging app, revised its privacy policy. Not everyone was happy. With the new update, the app’s supposed to share more and more of a device’s data with Facebook. So, literally what happened is that people started looking at alternative apps for secure messaging. And that is when they came across Signal. Signal Is Not a New Messaging App To everyone’s surprise, the Signal IM app was first released back in 2014. But somehow everyone missed its presence. Even though its competitors (WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger) were using its end-to-end encryption technology for a while already. How Did It Blow Up So Fast? Many might assume it was all thanks to the company, Signal Foundation’s, stern stance on keeping one’s data and identity private while using their services. But, it actually started becoming a mainstream replacement for WhatsApp when Elon Musk casually endorsed the Signal messenger app in one of his tweets. It was right after Facebook came up with the new invasive policy for its messaging apps. So, naturally, people caught on to the hint right away. Why is Signal Messenger Better than WhatsApp? It’s actually in its name and that is Signal “Private” Messenger. This means: Data is end-to-end encrypted and the messages sent or received are encrypted before sending into the virtual paths of the internet. Messages, no matter in text or any other form, are encrypted and locked even when stored on the device. The company cannot look into any collected data or know where it came from. Its backups are encrypted as well. The app is an open-source project, so researchers can analyze its code to know whether there’s a security or privacy breach in place. It uses Vanishing Messages, allowing a user to send self-destructive messages to their contacts. The time limit for the message(s) to disappear can be set as per the user’s needs. Signal enforces a screen protection protocol that prevents anyone to take screenshots of messages sent or received through it. It does not allow previews when you tap on the multitask or recent apps button on Android devices. So, even if someone picks up the phone and try to look through recently opened apps, they will not find a thing about the messages appearing in Signal. Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp recently introduced disappearing messages and only follow end-to-end encryption. Other than that it is all in the open when someone uses these Facebook family apps. What is the Company Getting out of It? The Signal Foundation is nothing but a non-profit organization, surviving on donations, and way small in size when compared to a tech giant like Facebook. However, the company is only interested in keeping their user’s data private and secure. For them, privacy is not an option but rather the only way to do things. According to Signal, in 2016, the Eastern District of Virginia subpoenaed them to disclose information about their users. And all they could provide in return was: The date and time a user registered with their app The last date when a user was active on the app As they do not record anything else. No information regarding contacts, groups, or messages is stored. So, one can expect them to always prioritize bettering their tool as a niche secure messenger app under all circumstances. Nothing more or less. Is Signal App Really Secure? Considering all the protocols it follows, one thing is for certain, the app does not purposefully collect its user’s personal data. Privacy covered. It allows a user to put their password on the app so not just anyone can access it. Security checked. However, even with all that, Signal users aren’t completely anonymous. To sign up on the Signal Messenger app, users require a phone number and that number then becomes their identifier. Every App Has its Downsides There is no application or software out there that is without its flaws. And, Signal is no exception. As users have complained about its Contact Joined Notifications that pop up whenever someone in a user’s contact list joins the app. If a user only has a few contacts saved on their phone, then this could be a great way to know when a friend or acquaintance installs the app. But, some people have scores of contact numbers stored in their contact list. So, they may find these constant alerts a bit annoying. Do not worry though, because an option is available for the users to disable these notifications on their Android phone or iPhone.

NEWS

6 Ways Social Media is Affecting Teenagers and their Mental Health

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Social media is the way teenagers communicate in today’s age. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat, this is where they interact, form friendships and, in severe cases, bully others or get bullied themselves. It can be good or bad, but no one can deny the fact that social media plays a major part in a teenager’s life today. However, most people will be focused on the bad aspects. Because these are still kids that we are talking about ranging between the ages of 13 and 17. How Is Social Media Bad for a Teen’s Mental Health? To a developing teen’s brain, social media can be harmful in plenty of ways. Some of its most prominent negative aspects can be highlighted as: Teen Depression Inciting depression in teens can very well be the worst impact of social media. According to a study, teenagers that used social media platforms were more likely to be diagnosed with depression. The more the usage, the more their mental health got affected. It clearly states that 14- to 17-year-olds that used social media for more than seven hours were twice as likely to had found themselves depressed, got treated for it, or took medication for their mental health issues.   Some researches link the use of smartphones for a longer duration as one of the causes of increased teen depression cases in recent years. So, as they checked their networking websites or apps more than a few times, they increased the time they look at their device screens. In turn, spending most of the time, deprived of face-to-face interactions and other healthy activities like sports, etc. Low Self Esteem & Anxiety Feelings of depression, loneliness, and sadness do not come alone. A teenager’s excessive social media use can lead them to having low self-esteem. Being involved in no real worldly interactions, their developing minds do not learn how to catch verbal and facial cues. As they spend most of the time in front of a screen, teens can find it hard to speak their minds in a social gathering. Leading to all sorts of anxiety disorders and deteriorating self-esteem. Irregular Sleep Schedule (Insomnia) Another way increased use of social media is affecting teens is pushing them “to be around” all the time. When interacting digitally, the merit of having a device to keep at their side is what’s actually working against them. The networking apps are available on their phones and they can access them anytime. Even when they are supposed to be sleeping. In the Journal of Youth Studies, a study was published regarding teens that said one-fifth of the teens just had to wake up during the night to check their social media. Meaning the availability of networking apps interrupts their sleep schedule and creates all sorts of issues for their health associated with sleep deprivation or irregular sleep patterns. And we know a good night’s sleep is a must for anyone—even more so for a growing teenager. Feelings of Jealousy Jealousy or envy are very strong emotions and have driven people in the past to do the most horrible of acts. For a teen, these very same feelings can be a recipe for disaster. Social media gives them access to look at other people’s lives, especially people their own age, experiencing or possessing something they do not. This constant comparison can leave them feeling less fortunate than others. Forcing them to either isolate themselves from society or in most cases, act mean towards the other “more fortunate” people. Yes, it’s envy or jealousy that becomes the very reason we see bullying or cyberbullying among teenagers. Unfriending Culture Networking sites have a great way to connect friends and family members. However, if things go awry, they leave you no choice but to unfriend a person you no longer want to be in contact with. This action can speak louder than anything else. So, when teens unfriend or unfollow their friends, the repercussions of this action go beyond the virtual world. This can mean the end of their friendship for real.  Now, few studies support while others deny that having friends on social media actually helps a teen’s social life and mental health. So, nothing concrete can be said for the time being. Addiction to Social Media Many teens are on networking sites just to garner attention and acceptance from the people around them. Being the cool kid in class, or having a big friend circle, is every teenager’s wish. However, on social media, this concept has pushed young minds to pursue strange and dangerous ways to get other people’s attention or “likes” as they call it. May it be YouTube, Facebook, or Instagram, everybody wants to get a high number of likes on their post. And this drives them to use these sites, more and more, creating an addiction towards social media. In the end, it’s all about parents connecting with their children to help them engage in real life activities. So, they can finally focus on things other than their computer or phone screens.

Child Monitoring

Your Child Might Have a Gaming Addiction – Get Ahead of it!

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Everything in moderation is commonly believed to be good for you. We cannot say everything but at least gaming is no exception to that rule. With a smartphone in every tweens hand, mobile gaming has become quite the trend today. Their excessive obsession with highly addictive games raises an alarming concern. Is this good for your young ones? Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) identified gaming addiction as a part of their official medical disorders. Parents must already be wondering whether their child is suffering from it or not. There is no denying the fact that gaming addiction in teens is a legitimate concern. At the same time, American Psychiatric Association (APA) does not rule gaming addiction as a mental health issue based on the insufficient facts supporting this claim. However, more studies are being conducted into this field so a connection between the two may well be established at a later time. Who knows? Gaming Isn’t All Bad! Mobile and video gaming are often portrayed as huge obstacles between kids and their studies. However, playing video games is not all that bad: Thinking on their Feet While playing video games, most of the time, one needs to make split-second decisions to achieve victory. Discerning smart plays in an instant can help them develop quick decision-making skills and coping with sudden changes to attain any goal. Enhancing Cognitive Functions Contradicting many popular beliefs, mobile gaming can help improve several cognitive skills in the growing tweens. One can learn to be more attentive to their surroundings, memorize, reason, and percept better while playing. Developing Hand-Eye Coordination Studies have shown to increase eye-hand coordination in teens when they played shooter games. In this genre, a player has to be mindful of other players’ positions, speed, aiming correctly, and many other variables. Processing all this as it happens forces the brain to learn proper hand placements and movements over the keyboard, mouse, or whichever controller being used. Picking Up Problem-Solving Abilities The best use of video and mobile games might just be that young ones can develop their problem-solving skills while playing strategic role-play games (RPGs). Is Your Child Addicted to Mobile Gaming? Parenting is a taxing job. As a parent, you have to worry about your child’s general wellbeing, studies, social life, and whatnot. Now, this increasing gaming fever among teenagers is another cause of concern. If your young one spends hours upon hours looking down into their smartphone’s screen, then it might be time to address the matter. But don’t worry, apps like XNSPY are available for you to keep an eye on your children and their gaming activities. If you fear they are missing out on their studies or not following their sleep schedule. You can just disable those specific apps using the app-blocking feature on your chosen intervals. All the Negative Effects Jumping in at the right time to save your children from gaming addiction can spare them from going through all the negative aspects. Some of them are: Aggressiveness Due to the violent nature of many games, children often become prone to aggression. A combined analysis of over 100 research papers has led to this conclusion that playing violent video games can evoke increased aggressive behavior in some cases. Health Problems Whenever someone sits in one place for longer periods, it cannot be good for their health. It affects growing tweens more than anything. Digital gaming compels one to avoid physical exercise and look at display screens that may lead to obesity and nearsightedness, to say the least. Getting Poor Grades in School Playing games all the time and neglecting schoolwork can only mean bad grades. Over time, doing poorly in tests can even result in a lack of interest in their studies altogether. Having No Social Circle Another adverse effect of gaming addiction can lead your child to have no social life. Having no friends as a teenager makes it even harder for them to fit in when they become adults. So, it’s best to talk to your children if you think they might be addicted to gaming. Always better to tackle the problem before it gets out of hand.

Events & Deals, Infographic

Unique New Year celebrations around the world [infographic]

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New Year has also always been a way of people brushing off their struggles of last year and hoping for a better year ahead. Some people believe if you start your year with celebrations, it will bring a happy year, while many of them spend praying and staying in their families. All the countries have different ways to celebrate the New Year. Many countries have traditions that they practice during New Year’s Eve. (https://driventheatre.com) Some of these places have specific dishes that they have over the New Year’s dinner, while some of them get fast food to give themselves a rest. The US tradition of celebrating the New Year is the final ball drop at Time’s Square. However, many of us may not know about the history behind this ball. The time’s square ball took place in 1907 for the first time. And since 1907, the ball drop didn’t happen for two years; 1942 and 1942. Just like that, most people are unfamiliar with the weight of it. It weighs almost 6 tons and consumes 360 million glasses of sparkling wine. While many Americans spend their New Year’s Eve looking at the Time’s Square Ball, other people are busy doing what they love. For more New Year facts and stats, kindly check our infographic below:

Events & Deals, Infographic

This is how Christmas is celebrated across the world [infographic]

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Just a few counting days to the most magical day of the year are left. This time of the year comes with all the great things – family, friends, fun, and great food.  People all around the world wait for Christmas all year. At Christmas, countries all around the globe, with or without a Christian majority, celebrate it with their ideas. Their old traditions and activities during this time make Christmas so exceptional. The decorations and traditions people follow are admirable during this period. (https://otbsd.com/) Buying gifts is one of the most practiced tradition in America. According to a study, “The US consumers plan to spend an average of $942 on Christmas gifts this year – $57 more than last year. More than one-third say their gift-buying will top $1,000, one-third higher than last year’s top spenders.” For more interesting Christmas facts and stats, check out the infographic below:

Events & Deals

Cyber Monday: Not the final nail in your savings!

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It’s hard not to treat yourself to the biggest discounts of the year that start off with Thanksgiving and quickly move over to Black Friday, Cyber Monday/Cyber Week, and then Christmas. While it’s not just the best time of the year to get yourself those things that you have always wanted to, but it’s also that time where you end up with stacks of stuff that you may or may not need. If you are impulsive, you could end up with unbearable sums of credit card bills. And while you might have the epiphany later that it wasn’t all worth it, the regret won’t do you any good. As someone who has savings, you need to be extra careful with how you spend. It’s hard to resist a new 4K TV deal at 80% off or a new iPhone with the lowest monthly payments. As consumers, we have certain traits. Most of us are holding off our purchases till the end of the year for Cyber Monday and other subsequent holiday sales. However, some of us just go bonkers and burn their cash on things that don’t really need. So, if you come in the latter category of buyers, then here’s a quick guide for you for the next year’s sales. 1.         Make a list of things you want Apart from the necessities, you can hold off your purchase for literally everything that you plan on buying. For instance, a new pair of shoes, or a new TV, smartphone, laptop, etc., most people keep themselves from buying all that until the end of the year. Before the year-end sales, ask yourself what you want to purchase or upgrade for the year, so you don’t end up buying something that you wouldn’t even use, like a drone camera or a camping kit. Just saying. 2.         Sign up for newsletters Always sign up for products that you plan on buying based on your list. You can’t give your attention to every other sale announcement. By signing up for your favorite brands, you could have early access to many products, and can save yourself from falling for impulsive buying. 3.         Set a spending budget No matter how much you would like to control yourself, you could end up spending more than you should. That is why setting aside a spending budget really helps. It will (emotionally) hurt you every time you’ll go above the limit. Also, make a collective spending limit for all your winter spending, i.e., for all Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Cyber Monday, plus Christmas sales.

Events & Deals, Infographic

15 ways to prepare yourself for 2020’s Black Friday Sales

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Behold, because it is time for the biggest sale of the year; The Black Friday Sale. Be prepared to put your game face on because those deals will not last long. This year, the Black Friday date is on November 27th. It can be an exciting opportunity to score some good deals. However, it can be a stressful day for many if you have not prepared for it. Therefore, to make sure that you make the most of the day, here is a list that can guide you to prepare yourself for the biggest shopping day of the year. Pre-plan what you need. Buy a newspaper and read about all the local sales going on. This way you will get an idea about where you want to go and reduce the feeling of panic. Make a list of all the things that you want and the ones that you need. Once you have shopped for all the necessary things that you need, you can feel relaxed and look out for all the things that you want. Doing this would also prevent impulse buying. Look out for online coupons. Most retailers release special coupons for Black Friday. Make sure to search for coupons from all your favorite retailers before the big day. You can save up so much by using these coupons. Check Facebook for Black Friday themed pages. These pages feature giveaways for fans. For example, a page plans a giveaway when it reaches 20,000 fans. Familiarize yourself with store policies. Before the big day, make sure that you go through all your favorite store’s policies about price guarantees, returns, refunds, and price matching. Look out for Night Owl discounts. If you try to shop online in the pre-dawn hours of Black Friday, you would often find “web only” deals as early as Thanksgiving Eve. Many stores also open on Thursday at midnight with early bird promotions in the hopes of making money before the competition begins. Once you are done with your research and have your shopping list in your hand, we would advise you to leave your credit and debit cards at home. Bring cash to the sale so that it is impossible to deviate from the budget you have set. However, there are some advantages of bringing your credit and debit cards as well, as they give you cashback opportunities and rewards. Wear comfortable clothes. If you decide to shop by going to the stores physically, then you must be prepared to stand in a long cue by dressing up in your most comfortable wear. Be sure to put on warm clothes and shoes that you will be comfortable standing all day. Make sure to pack lots of masks and sanitizers with you to prevent catching an infection in the crowd. Wake up early. The best sales typically happen early in the morning. With the social distancing rules, stores are only allowing a fixed number of people inside at one time. That means that you might have to wait a lot for your turn if you reach the stores late. The best time is to arrive from 4 am to 5 am. There is an app for everything. If you have a smartphone, it can come to your help on Black Friday. You can download free apps on your phone like, TGI Black Friday and Black Friday Survival Guide. These bring Black Friday news and sales right to your phones. Keep a few snacks and drinks handy to keep your blood sugar levels up and to stay hydrated. This way you can prevent wasting time by going to the food court. Make sure to tag a friend along. Two people are always better to hunt down bargains than one. Having a friend with you would also allow you to take bathroom breaks while one person saves your space in the line. Check if your favorite stores are making their Black Friday sale prices available online. Because of the current pandemic, many retailers are encouraging online shopping. It is safe, convenient, and easy to manage. What is better than staying in your pj’s with your favorite cup of coffee and shop at home? Shop for gift cards. Do you have hard-to-please family and friends? Are you confused about what to get for them? Buying gift cards in one go is a lot easier than wandering in aisles and searching for the perfect gift for your loved ones. A gift card would save you the hassle and also let your friend select the best gift for themselves. Trust us, your friends will thank you for it. Avoid unsafe situations. Stampedes are frequent on Black Friday that can cause injuries to people. Avoid the hustle and stay back until the crowd settles. Keep your valuables close. Keep your cash, cell phones, and cards in an inside pocket of your clothing to avoid theft. Be careful in parking lots. Angry and distracted drivers are everywhere on Black Friday, so it is up to you to ensure your safety. Get gift receipts for every returnable purchase. You can ask for regular receipts as well that you can use for budgeting purposes. You might want to remember how much the item cost without having to go through your bank account statement.

Events & Deals, Infographic

How to Celebrate Thanksgiving in COVID-19?

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This that time of the year again! Yes, thanksgiving is around the corner. A magical time where you not only get a chance to spend time with your family and friends, but it gives you the opportunity to be thankful for all the blessings in your life. It gives you a perspective to look at your life positively. But, this year things might be a bit different from past celebrations. According to research, the risk of celebrating thanksgiving traditions, such as having family dinner, is high. So, like everyone else, you might be wondering too how you’re going to celebrate Thanksgiving this year. Many of us will be spending the day away from our friends and families due to world pandemic and its effects. But that doesn’t mean you have to sit alone at your dinner table with some leftovers. Well, you still have a lot that you can do on this holiday. You need to think outside of the traditional box. Maybe a new dinner menu? Or a new family tradition? There’s always something that we have secretly wanted to do for Thanksgiving, isn’t it? This might be the time for it! And if you want to continue the old comforting traditions, you may do that a well. Regardless of the ways, if you want a safe thanksgiving, you need to follow some precautions. Here are a few of them that will help you have a safer holiday: If you are hosting a family dinner, try to avoid close contact gestures. Avoid shaking hands and hugs. You could greet them verbally instead. You could wear a mask around the people you don’t live with to reduce the spreading risk of the virus. Ask the guests to avoid going in and out to the areas where you are preparing food. Make sure all the guests wash their hands with disinfectant soap for 20 seconds before eating the food. You can also use hand sanitizer (60% alcohol) if the soap isn’t available. Try to keep your mask on while serving food to the guests. Make healthy food and beverages for your guests. Use fruits, vegetables, and healthy drinks to maintain good health. If there are reusable items like a tablecloth, seat covers, and napkins, disinfect and wash them after the event. Now, let’s talk about the ways you can spend time with your family this thanksgiving in a safer way. Try to scale it back Well, no one wants to be alone on Thanksgiving. You can have a family dinner or lunch with your friends. But the only thing that can help you have more fun is the minimum number of guests you have over. Scaling out the number of people is probably the best for you and everyone else too. Try to keep the guest list as small as possible. Having dinner with your family is the best way to reduce risk. Plan a virtual grand dinner You may not be able to visit your grandparents this year, but you can still have the thanksgiving dinner together. Thanks to the advanced technology, you can have a virtual family dinner this year. You can decide on the same menu or cook dinner and spend it with all your friends or family if they live close to your house. You can divide the dishes among the members and prepare the grand dinner. Once the dinner is ready, you can use dinner chatrooms and apps to get you all connected. You can play games or have a walk down memory lane through these meetings. Virtual meetings can help you enjoy this year on the most memorable day. You can celebrate all your family traditions without any separation. Spend time with your household This year may affect the grand gatherings, but it has also shown us the importance of the real family, how your family can help you get through the difficulties, or how you can stay happy even in such depressing times. Well, this year can be a way to thank your family. You can spend time with your kids and tell them how much you’re thankful for them. If you are struggling to keep up with your kids, take this as an opportunity to talk to them. Show your family how grateful you are to have them. Go for an after-dinner walk Continue the tradition and go out for a walk with your family. Appreciate the surroundings and try to teach your kids the same. If your kids are going out alone with their friends, try to keep track of their location using parental monitoring app like XNPSY. This way, you enjoy your time while ensuring your child’s safety. Its features like geofencing allows you to mark particular areas as unsafe and get alerts if the child goes in or near the marked location. Donate to the people in need This year may be different for many families all around the world. Due to the COVID-19 outspread, many countries and the people living in them were affected by the economic downfall. Consider helping others by volunteering or donating something that may be useful for them. You can contact different fundraising organizations and ask them how you can contribute. You can also keep a check on your old neighbors and try to offer them your time by helping them with their errands.

have a safe and fun Halloween in 2020
Events & Deals, Infographic

How to have a safe and fun Halloween in 2020

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No doubt Halloween will be different across the world this year, with a lot of parents thinking to keep their kids home due to the COVID-19. However, many of them will dress up and take part in Halloween celebrations.  According to the CDC, “Many traditional Halloween activities can be high-risk for spreading viruses but, there are several safer, alternative ways to participate in Halloween.” So, let’s focus on safety measures and enjoy Halloween.

Events & Deals

Top five things to do this Father’s Day

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The COVID-19 pandemic has shaken the way we live our lives to the very core. The way we celebrate, the way we mourn, the way we meet, and the way we express gratitude have all changed significantly. However, this does not mean we entirely give up on our traditions. In this article, we will list the top five things you can do this Father’s Day to make it more memorable for him. It does not matter whether you are in another part of the world or living with him under one roof, we will be providing all the options to choose from! Plan the day and spend time with your family Since Father’s day is an auspicious day for all proud fathers, one must plan the intricacies of it before time. The perfect day should start with having a perfectly cooked breakfast with the family with the rightly brewed coffee/tea (depending on the preference). Do not forget to include children into the plan, as they bring liveliness to every activity. One must also remember that the meal should be complemented by letting your husband know how much you value him, and how his ideas and guidance have shaped the children. This should be followed by making an effort to make whatever he likes in his lunch and dinner, and since we all are respecting social distancing, if your children do not live with you, make sure to take them on the video call, so that they can be part of the celebration as well. And lastly, when the day is about to end, make sure to remind him, that 18th June is not the only day that should be celebrated in his gratitude but every day is his day! (Lorazepam) Create personalized items A personalized touch is very important to make sure that your partner feels loved, and empathy engulfs them. Therefore, if you are unable to travel or send some extravagant gifts, make a mental note of the following: Handmade card planned with kids. Voice note via WhatsApp, or a video message via Skype (with kids of course) Handwritten letter expressing years of love, and affection (Encourage your children to write as well) Participate in joint activities and let him take charge If you are living together, take note of the following activities. Your family, especially your partner, will enjoy it. Jogging together Board games (Ludo, Carom board, chess, card games) Cook something together Talk about your shared experiences, how you feel about him, and what is in the future. Talk about his favorite hobbies. Make sure to let him win/lead the conversation Take him out for outdoor activities but only if it is safe Hiking/picnic Kite flying (if it is legal in your area) Go out for a drive Due to a difference in smart lockdowns, activities may differ. Give gifts that will melt his heart Create a collage of images that showcase each year spent together. Do not forget to include images of the kids! Getting something he would never have bought for himself. Inviting his old school/college friends for dinner. Getting him a Netflix account so that he can enjoy all the amazing movies & TV shows without any hassle. Purchase a gift card for him so he can buy his favorite item.

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