Spindrift Associates Times

  In our last post, we talked about how switching to 5G Home Internet can be a total game-changer for your budget. But why stop there? If you really want to optimize your monthly spending, it’s time to look at the other "invisible" costs that hit your bank account every 30 days. From your pocket to your pantry, here are four more high-impact ways to save. 1. Ditch the "Big Three" Cell Carriers Most people stay with the major carriers (Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile) because they think they need to for reliable service. In 2026, that’s simply not the case anymore. The Move: Switch to an MVNO MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators) like Mint Mobile , Visible , or US Mobile lease the exact same towers as the big guys but sell the service for a fraction of the cost. The Savings: While a single line at a major carrier can easily top $80/month, many MVNO plans start as low as $15 to $25/month . The Truth: You’re getting the same 5G coverage; you're just not pa...

Let’s be honest: between rent and utilities, the "fixed" part of your monthly budget can feel a bit... heavy. While those essentials are non-negotiable for keeping a roof over your head and the lights on, your other monthly expenses don't have to be set in stone. If you’re looking to boost your savings without moving to a smaller floor plan, here are a few smart ways to trim the fat from your monthly spending. 1. Rethink Your Connection: The 5G Pivot Most of us default to traditional cable or fiber internet because it’s "what we’ve always done." However, 5G Home Internet has become a game-changer for apartment living. The Savings: Traditional ISPs often hike prices after a 12-month "introductory" period. Many 5G home plans offer flat rates (often $25–$50/month) with no hidden equipment fees. The Perk: No wires, no technicians drilling holes in your walls, and you can take it with you if you move to another unit in the building. 2. The "Ghost Po...

Highlands, NJ (April 2024) – Craving stunning waterfront views, a vibrant community, and a charming small-town atmosphere? Look no further than Highlands, New Jersey! Renting an apartment in this idyllic borough unlocks the door to a lifestyle unlike any other. Immerse Yourself in Coastal Charm: Unobstructed Ocean Vistas:  Wake up to breathtaking sunrises over the Atlantic Ocean or unwind on your balcony with panoramic water views. Many Highlands apartments boast these incredible vistas, putting the beauty of the Jersey Shore at your doorstep. Beachside Bliss:  Step out your door and onto the sandy beaches in minutes. Enjoy kayaking, paddleboarding, fishing, or simply soaking up the sun. Experience a Vibrant Community: Walkable Downtown:  Ditch the car! Most Highlands apartments are located within walking distance of the charming downtown area. Explore a delightful mix of shops, art galleries, fresh seafood restaurants, and cozy cafes, all with a friendly, small-town v...

 Recent advances in 5G technology have led to more choice than ever for apartmenet residents. Wireless carriers including T Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T now offer home internet delivered by the same connectivity  that powers cell phones. Unlike cell phones, however, the 5G signal is converted to a local wifi network that connects users on the home network. Latencies and speeds can rival those achieved over cable and even fiber connections in some cases. Many 5G internet users enjoy a considerable savings over traditional cable or fiber connections. When shopping for internet service for your next apartment, be sure to consider 5G internet service in addition to traditional cable and fiber. In addition, if you have been limiting yourself to buildings that have a fiber connection meet your connectivity needs, it might be possible to consider buildings that don't have fiber to the premises. 

 We recently came across an interesting problem that was causing the internet to disconnect at seemingly random times in a resident's apartment. These problems are frequently caused by electrical noise entering the cable system and less frequently by poor signal coming to the property. We started by inspecting the interior woring. All conections were good, splitters were of good quality, and unused outlets were properly terminated. This inspection didn't reveal any possible causes for the dropping internet. We checked the main tap for the property and found it to be in good condition and properly grounded. The modem status showed upstream and downstream power levels and signal to noise ratio within limits. We were left wondering what could be causing the intermittent connection issues that the resident was experiencing.  Having ruled out the possibility that noise was entering the system from the resident's wiring, we began to think about what else could be sending electric...

We all love fast internet. You might be surprised to learn that making a few changes to your network can make it even faster and more secure. An easy way to upgrade your broadband experience is to change the DNS server settings. DNS stands for domain name system. Domain name servers, DNS servers for short, translate common domain names into the IP addresses that point to specific websites. DNS servers can have some variation in the speed in which they complete IP address lookups. So, changing DNS servers can increase the speed that web pages display on your computer. In addition, some DNS servers provide filtering that can help to protect your network from malicious domains and objectionable content. Typically, internet service providers rely on their own DNS servers by default. These servers might not provide the fastest or most secure experience.  Google public DNS is a good DNS server for many users. However, it doesn't provide protection from malware or objectional content. An...

 Highlands, Monmouth County, New Jersey. Highlands will get into the holiday spirit with its annual tree lighting in Huddy Park. The tree lighting will take place on December 3, 2021 at 6 pm. All are welcome to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus. There will be entertainment, hot chocolate, and buggy rides. Start your holiday season in Highlands. 

HIGHLANDS, MONMOUTH COUNTY, NJ The Borough of Highlands and the Highlands/Atlantic Highlands Municipal Alliance will serve a free Community Thanksgiving Dinner at the Robert D. Wilson Community center, 22 Snug Harbor Avenue on Wednesday, November 24 beginning at 6:00 PM, while supplies last. Due to safety precautions being taken because of COVID-19, the meal will be served via carry- out only. Meals will be delivered to PTAK Towers and delivery will also be available to those who are home-bound. The meal will consist of a traditional Thanksgiving dinner complete with turkey and all the trimmings. The Turkeys are being prepared by the Highlands Fire Department. There will be plenty of traditional favorites including stuffing, gravy, cornbread, mashed potatoes, dinner rolls, cranberry, mixed vegetables, pie and ice cream. “Local folks giving back to the community is what this time of year is all about. Let’s take this kindness and pay it forward...

 The eviction moratorium is coming to an end. Several courts have found the nationwide order to be unconstitutional, while improving health conditions no longer support the need for stopping evictions to limit the spread of disease. Rent relief measures have so far been insufficient. Further, many tenants have realized that the moratorium will not last forever and have already moved or "self evicted," leaving thousands of dollars of rent unpaid. Working from home or simply spending more time at home has led to an increase in damage, wear and tear, and utility costs for housing providers.  Tenants and housing providers alike have been left scratching their heads as to why more help has not been provided to the industry, especially when other industries have been given loans and grants to maintain and even grow their businesses. We continue to see an unmet need in supporting housing providers who have been asked to house the American public for free. How will it all end?  T...

With hopes of waning pandemic concerns, the Highlands Business Partnership plans for a nearly full event calendar in 2021. Events such as the annual Clamfest, Twin Lights Bike Ride (in cooperation with Bike New York ), and Oktoberfest are all planned to take place this year. Absent will be the St. Patrick's Day Parade which normally takes place in March. However, a Guinness Run is scheduled for March 6. Despite improvements in Covid-19 cases, everyone should follow safety precautions including wearing face masks and social distancing as well as receiving vaccination at the earliest opportunity. Stay tuned for more information.