Louisiana Country, South Louisiana Electric Cooperative Association, May 2026

Louisiana Country

Happy Spring

ACCOUNTING

COMMUNICATIONS

MEMBER

SAFETY

Board

President Michael

Vice

Secretary/Treasurer

Power Life Safel y May is Electrical Safety Month

Every May, Electrical Safety Month serves as a vital reminder of the importance of preventing electrical hazards at home. Electricity powers nearly every aspect of modern life, but if handled improperly, it can pose serious risks, including injuries and property damage.

The Association of Louisiana Electric Cooperatives understands the risks associated with improper electricity use, which is why we’re committed to reminding you to stay vigilant and practice electrical safety year-round. By following key safety practices, you can reduce the risk of electrical hazards and ensure your family stays protected. Here are five essential tips for powering up safely at home:

surge protection, so read the product label carefully. Surge protectors can lose effectiveness over time and should be replaced when damaged or outdated.

1. Be vigilant. Regularly inspect your home’s electrical system, including smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, for signs of damage or outdated components. Electrical fires can start silently and out of sight, making functional smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors essential for early detection. Test alarms monthly, and replace batteries annually. Ensure you have alarms installed in key areas of your home, including inside and outside of bedrooms.

3. Practice safe use of power strips. Avoid overloading electrical outlets with power strips that exceed the outlet’s capacity. High-energy devices, such as heaters, microwaves and hair dryers, should be distributed across multiple outlets. Overloading an outlet with “busy” power strips can lead to overheating and create a fire hazard, so be sure to check the power strip’s wattage rating before plugging in items.

2. Use surge protectors. Safeguard your sensitive electronics and appliances with surge protectors. These handy devices help divert excess voltage away from your electronics, reducing the risk of damage or electrical fires. Not all power strips include

4. Don’t mix water and electricity. It may seem obvious, but accidents involving water contact with electrical items happen. Always keep electrical appliances and devices away from water sources, such as sinks, bathtubs or swimming pools. Make sure your hands are dry before touching any electrical switches, devices or appliances. Ground fault circuit interrupters should be installed in areas where water and electricity are typically in proximity, including kitchens, bathrooms and outdoor outlets.

5. Educate family members. One of the best ways to ensure the safety of everyone in your household is to talk about electrical safety. Teach children not to play with electrical outlets or appliances, and ensure they understand the potential dangers of electricity. Create and practice a home fire escape plan that includes electrical safety precautions in the event of an emergency.

Practicing electrical safety at home is essential for protecting your family, property and peace of mind. Remember, electrical safety isn’t just a one-time effort— it’s a year-round responsibility. Taking these steps can help ensure a safer, more secure home for you and your loved ones. 

Avoid overloading electrical outlets with power strips that exceed the outlets’ capacity. PEXELS PHOTO BY ZION

Getting Ahead of Wildfires

As the threat of wildfires increases nationwide, electric cooperatives are working to mitigate the risk of fires and protect their local systems and communities. Co-ops are:

• Deploying advanced technologies, such as power line sensors and advanced imaging cameras, to help detect fires or conditions that lead to them.

• Proactively managing vegetation near power lines and other electrical equipment to decrease the volume of fuel and slow the spread.

• Advocating for smarter land management policies like the Fix Our Forests Act that would allow co-ops to better maintain power lines on public lands and reduce wildfire risk.

SOUTH LOUISIANA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION

P.O. Box 4037, Houma, LA 70361

2028 Coteau Road, Hwy. 660, Houma, LA 70364

985-876-6880

Amelia branch office: 2903 Lake Palourde Road Morgan City, LA 70380 985-631-3605 www.sleca.com

STAFF

Matthew Peters | General Manager

Brett Ledet | Assistant General Manager and Manager of Engineering

Shannon Soudelier | Operations Superintendent

Sandi Click | Manager of Finance

Jordy Bourg | Manager of Purchasing

Abigail Hover | Manager of Member Services

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

David Luke | President | 985-855-4106

Roger Dale DeHart | Vice President | 985-860-1078

Larry Daigle | Secretary | 985-870-1121

Terry Trahan | Treasurer | 985-804-7335

Ivan Acosta | 985-397-3341

Trevor Benoit | 985-498-0602

Sandra Boudreaux | 985-859-3526

Abby Rivet LeBlanc | 985-665-6974

Betty Jean Doyle | 985-709-4396

Lloyd Gibson | Board Adviser | 985-209-3765

Volume 43, Issue 3

Louisiana Country (USPS 473-180) is published bimonthly by the Association of Louisiana Electric Co-ops Inc., 10725 Airline Highway, Baton Rouge, LA 70816, in partnership with Pioneer Utility Resources.

Annual subscriptions: Members $2.79. Nonmembers $5.

Postmaster: Send form 3579 to 10725 Airline Highway, Baton Rouge, LA 70816.

Periodicals postage paid at Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70821, and additional mailing offices.

Spring Into Savings

As the days grow longer and the temperatures warm, spring is a season of opportunity to take a fresh look at your energy use. At South Louisiana Electric Cooperative Association, we are always looking for ways to help our members save money while continuing to enjoy the comfort and convenience of reliable electricity.

Spring is the perfect time to prepare your home for the warmer months ahead. Simple steps—such as servicing your air conditioning unit, replacing air filters, and sealing air leaks around windows and doors—can make a noticeable difference in your home’s energy efficiency. These small improvements can help your system run more efficiently, reducing energy consumption and lowering your monthly bill.

As you begin to spend more time outdoors, consider using natural ventilation when possible. Opening windows on mild days allows fresh air to circulate and gives your cooling system a break. Additionally, using ceiling fans can help maintain comfort while using less energy. Remember to set them to rotate counterclockwise during warm months.

Outdoor projects are also common this time of year. If you’re planning any digs or improvements around your home, remember to call 811 before you dig to ensure underground utilities are properly marked. Safety is always a priority.

At SLECA, we remain committed to providing safe, reliable and affordable power to our members. We encourage you to take advantage of the season by making small changes that can lead to big savings. Together, we can make this spring energy-efficient and cost-effective. 219684001

Thank you for allowing us to serve you.

SLECA o ices are closed Monday, May 25, in observance of Memorial Day

SLECA Sweepstakes

Did you know SLECA gives away cash just for reading Louisiana Country In each issue, four account numbers are randomly selected using a computer program and hidden in articles on SLECA’s pages (6, 7, 9, 16, 18 and 19). If you see your account number, call SLECA and win $25 cash or have the money applied to your bill. If you are not reading Louisiana Country from cover to cover, you’re missing out on great articles and the chance to win money.

Statement of Nondiscrimination

South Louisiana Electric Cooperative Association is an equal opportunity provider and employer. If you wish to file a civil rights program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, found at www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, or at any USDA office, or call 866-632-9992 to request the form. You may also write a letter containing all of the information requested in the form. Send your completed complaint form or letter by mail to U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, D.C. 202509410; by fax to 202-690-7442; or by email to program.intake@usda.gov.

ENERGY SCAMS TIPS TO AVOID

If you receive a call from someone stating you have overpaid your energy bill and that you should provide your banking information or a credit card number to receive a refund, hang up because it’s likely a scam.

If you overpay your bill, your cooperative will apply the overpayment credit to your account balance or mail a check. They will not call and request your banking information to issue the refund.

Source: Utilities United Against Scams

Buffy Simmons and Melissa Bonvillain Retire

South Louisiana Electric Cooperative Association proudly recognizes the retirements of two dedicated employees, Arleen “Buffy” Simmons and Melissa Bonvillain. 98027002

Both women have made a lasting impact on SLECA and our community. They will be greatly missed, and we wish them all the best in their well-deserved retirement. 

Arleen “Buffy” Simmons

Buffy accepts a decorative accolade from General Manager Matthew Peters in commemoration of her retirement after 43 years of service as supervisor of billing, where her accuracy, leadership and commitment played a vital role in daily operations.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF SLECA

Melissa Bonvillain

Melissa accepts a decorative accolade from General Manager Matthew Peters in commemoration of her 39 years of service as manager of member services. She is known for her strong leadership and dedication to serving our members with care and professionalism.

Spinning Tails, Not Tales

Harness the best of spinnerbaits and worm fishing

By John N. Felsher

Since the dawn of fishing, anglers have been spinning tales, even an occasional true one. But now they can tell stories of spinning tails that catch more bass.

One hot Louisiana day many years ago, Dad wanted to make a quick fishing trip in the morning before the scorching heat became too oppressive. Of course, I wanted to fish from dawn to dusk, but Dad had the driver’s license. We headed to a pond that everyone called the Ol’ Swimming Hole, but it held big bass.

On hot summer days, swimmers jumped off the bank about 3 feet above water at one corner of the rectangular pond. Next to the bank, a sandbar came up to the shoreline. That’s where Dad and I launched our pirogue into the pond.

We fished for several hours that morning with nothing to show for it. As the morning heat began to rise, swimmers came to cool off. Then, my dad uttered those dreadful words I never wanted to hear.

“We haven’t caught anything all morning,” he said. “Let’s go.”

My immediate standard response was always, “One more cast, pleeeeeaaaassssse!”

Without waiting for Dad’s approval, I

tossed a bright red worm equipped with three exposed hooks and tipped with a propeller on the nose. The worm landed beyond a submerged sandbar that ran parallel to the shoreline. The bait slowly sank to the bottom in the trough between the bar and the bank. Then, I reeled steadily to slowly turn the propeller.

As the lure slipped up the back side of the sandbar, something grabbed it. After quite a fight, I finally lipped a bass weighing nearly 6 pounds. Instantly, red harness worms became my new favorite bait. That fish remained my personal best largemouth for another 30 years.

Long before many people even heard the term Texas-rigged worm, anglers used prerigged harness or propeller worms. They came with two or three hooks protruding from the belly of a straight worm linked together with fishing line. On the nose, a straight wire held several colored metal, glass or plastic beads and what looked like a miniature aircraft propeller.

Few bass anglers still fish with prerigged worms, if they can even find one. Anglers might find some on dusty shelves in the back of old tackle shops, at country general stores or maybe a flea market. However, these worms began to make a comeback of sorts. Now called a tail-spinner worm, it’s a straight worm or similar soft-plastic enticement with a propeller screwed into the tail rather than the nose.

“I started using tail-spinner worms in tournaments and caught a lot of good fish on them,” says Keith Poche, a professional bass angler born and raised in Natchitoches. “I take a simple straight plastic worm or stickbait with a little weight to it. To the back of the worm, I attach a No. 1 or 2 spinner blade with a swivel and a split ring.”

In the old days, most harness worms came prerigged with wire weed guards that snapped over the hooks. Today, most people insert their hook points barely into the plastic worm body. When rigged weedless, a tail-spinner worm can go through most types of entangling cover to get down where lunkers lurk. Some people attach a small split-shot to the line about 12 inches in front of the nose to add casting heft or to fish it deeper.

“I typically throw it weightless with a 5/0 extra-wide gap hook,” Keith says. “I insert the hook into the plastic to make it weedless. I can throw a tail-spinner worm into grass, wood, fallen trees, brush piles or anything else, and it won’t hang up.”

A tail-spinner worm somewhat combines the attributes of spinnerbaits, crankbaits, wacky worms, soft jerkbaits and Texas rigs. The propeller creates vibrations and flash like traditional spinnerbaits, but with a more lifelike silhouette.

When big bass feel the vibrations or see the flash, they investigate. They see something that looks like helpless natural forage, so they attack. Since the worm feels lifelike, a bass might hold onto it longer than a spinnerbait.

“It’s a very versatile but subtle bait,” Keith says. “It’s a finesse technique that combines a spinnerbait with the look of a worm. The blade is just big enough to give off some flash, but not too bulky to chase fish away. The spinner draws attention to the bait and allows a person to fish it a lot faster than a Texas rig. With it, I can cover a lot more water than just working a standard soft-plastic stickbait.”

Because they sink slowly when rigged weightless, tail-spinner worms work best in shallow water with abundant cover like stumps, fallen trees and weed beds. They also work around flooded brush, dock or bridge pilings, riprap or similar places where bass feed in the shallows or near the surface.

Toss it into a sweet spot and let it sink. Steadily reel it just over the bottom or higher in the water so the propeller turns. Occasionally pause the retrieve to let the bait sink a few feet. When passing a stump, log or other object, let the worm sink to the bottom before renewing the retrieve. Bass commonly hit worms as they fall with the propeller still spinning. Some people hop it off the bottom.

“I usually fish the worm in water 5 feet deep or less,” Keith says. “I look for little ditches with slightly deeper water in the back of pockets. Bass use these ditches to migrate into and out of the shallows. I also look for dark spots that could indicate submerged stumps. Let the bait fall, and then slowly start retrieving it to make the blade spin. I’ll bump it forward a little and then let it fall again. Bass hit it aggressively.”

Unlike the old prerigged worms, anglers can easily change colors or propeller sizes on a tail-spinner rig. Experiment with different colors, configurations and retrieves to see what bass want that day. 

Tammany Trace trailheads are vital to Northshore culture Community Connections

Story and photos by Colette Boehm

Tammany Trace includes scenic bayou overlooks and long stretches of piney woods and moss-draped oaks. Since its inception in 1992, this 31-mile trail has served as a ribbon, tying together communities across St. Tammany Parish.

Today, the rails-to-trails path is popular with cyclists, runners and walkers, offering a combination of easy accessibility, remote beauty and scenic views. But beyond its popularity for outdoor recreation, the trace’s trailheads combine outdoor recreation, art and local culture in Abita Springs, Covington and Mandeville.

The trailheads are favorite spots for many locals, offering a variety of opportunities for community connections

and outdoor fun. These spots are central to the culture and hubs of activity for these towns. They host weekly farmers markets, local art installations, entertainment venues, special events and more.

Culture in Covington

In Covington, a converted depot serves as a trailhead and visitor center. The center features rotating art exhibits, and the site includes a campanile, bandstand and amphitheater. Here, residents enjoy free concerts, arts and crafts markets, festivals and a lunchtime farmers market on Wednesdays. On Saturdays, a market is held just down the trail on the nearby grounds of the Covington Police Department.

The Wednesday and Saturday markets feature locally grown fresh produce,

prepared food and live music. Patrons may also find free samples from a participating local chef.

Jennifer Loos, proprietor of Bear Creek Road, has been operating her home-based bakery in Covington for 11 years. She transitioned from working in commercial kitchens to better balance her family life, and she finds the Covington Saturday Farmers Market to be not only an excellent retail venue but also a community gathering place. She is a vendor each weekend and, like many other regulars, her business is a favorite among local patrons.

Kristen Clinton, who grew up in Mandeville, now lives in Covington and visits the Covington market every weekend with her daughters. In addition to stopping at the Bear Creek booth for waffle mix, they have many other favorite vendors, as well.

“We love the cheese man, Mr. Jesse,” Kristen says. “And then we get waffle mix and a muffin. The waffle mix, we get it every single week. We love it. And the red bean lady over there and the mushroom man. And we always get a balloon, too,” she adds with a smile.

Balloons are a common sight throughout the grounds, as children play while parents shop or stop to enjoy the live music performed under the gazebo.

“They also have all of the fundraiser walks and other events at the trailhead,” Kristen says. “Last weekend, there was a music festival there. There's always stuff going on here.”

Mandeville Meetups

Saturdays in Mandeville bring the weekly Trailhead Community Market at the town’s park and renovated train depot, with more than 80 vendors participating. The Mandeville Trailhead and Cultural Interpretive Center are adjacent to the trace and host the Saturday markets as well as free Friday evening concerts and other

special events. The market spaces here offer more than local produce and food. Vendors include craftspeople, entrepreneurs and artists. There are jams and juices, salsas and tamales, plants and paintings.

Nicole Gillies, local artist and owner of Serendipitous Designs in Mandeville, has been exhibiting at the market for 16 years. She sees both loyal customers and longtime friends there.

“This is a really tight-knit little community, and I see a lot of the same people,” she says. “I've had repeat customers for years. We have some people that I see who come out every Saturday. This is a staple for them. My son grew up out here. He’s in college now. At 3 years old, he was out here sitting underneath the table. Now, every time he comes home from college, he comes back out and helps.”

Nicole also welcomes visitors who stop by her booth while they’re out enjoying the Tammany Trace.

“We get a lot of bikers,” she says. “We get a whole lot of people from Fontainebleau State Park too, because we’re the first stop.

Obviously, some of them will ride all the way to Covington, because you can do the whole thing, but we get a lot here.”

The depot site also includes cultural exhibits, a tower and an amphitheater, where live music is enjoyed by patrons relaxing and viewing from a shaded, grassy area next to the trace. The amphitheater also hosts the Mandeville Live! spring and fall concert series.

Check Out Abita Springs

The Abita Springs Sunday-morning market adds to the variety of activities at this unique trailhead. The one-room Abita Springs Trailhead Museum celebrates the history and culture of Abita Springs with exhibits and photographs. It is open Friday through Sunday, and volunteers are quick to brag about their town and the park that is home to the trailhead.

The park features a historic two-story pavilion, under which rests Princess Abita, a statue commemorating the healing waters the town is known for. There is a water fountain for collecting

that fresh Abita water and a Spirit Stick totem on the site, honoring the town’s history and Choctaw symbology. The trailhead park boasts a playground, splash pad and picnic area.

During the Sunday markets, Gallo D’Oro Farm’s Dan Rinderle, who along with his wife owns a local restaurant, sells his sauces, dressings and vegetable preserves. Garlic, green beans, okra and more fill his table at the market.

“We are a farm—a little 5-acre farm in Abita Springs,” he says. “We grow just enough crops to do what we do here and

then supply what we can for the restaurant. In season, for instance, like if you come and get eggplant, it's fresh off the farm. My wife and daughter make the jellies. Everything else on this table, I make.”

Dan, too, sees local folks each week who have become dedicated customers. He even fills special requests for them.

“Somebody asked me to make honey mustard this week, so I brought it,” he says. “Somebody asked me to make a big jar of carrots.”

These requests come from neighbors and locals who consider markets like these an

important part of what makes the trace’s trailheads so central to life here.

These are also the spots for many popular annual events. From the Not Your Mama’s Gumbo Cook-off in Abita Springs to the Shamrock Sprint and the Rockin’ the Rails Concert in Covington, spring events are only the beginning of a yearlong calendar filled with activities that bring out residents and attract visitors.

Many of those visitors find the outdoor community centers when traveling the trace during a stay at Fontainebleau State Park. This 2,800-acre treasure in Mandeville is Louisiana’s most visited park and, via the trace, is connected to each of these Northshore communities.

The trace’s headquarters in Mandeville is at the Koop Drive Trailhead, which is also a popular local spot for recreation and relaxation. This is home to the Kids Konnection Playground, which is built with inclusion in mind. It includes special features that allow children of all abilities to play together. A green caboose, which serves as the trail’s headquarters, sits on a preserved piece of railroad track and is surrounded by the playground.

In nearby Lacombe, the trailhead is not so much a town center as it is a meditation center. Located in a remote area, this spot is considered one of the trail’s most scenic locations.

A converted railroad trestle, complete with drawbridge to accommodate boat traffic below, spans Lacombe Bayou. The trailhead, with its covered picnic areas on the bayou and a comfort station, provides a picturesque spot for a relaxing break.

Where Community Meets Economy

While the trailheads serve as community hubs, the trace itself has become an important part of St. Tammany Parish’s economy. Bike shops are located near both the Mandeville and Covington trailheads and offer repairs and deliveries for cyclists in other areas. The local restaurants and shops within walking distance of the trail see traffic from cyclists year-round.

It is clear to see the abandoned railroad corridor from 1992 has become an integral part and a recreational centerpiece of the Northshore communities of St. Tammany Parish.

The miles of asphalt, remodeled railroad trestles and repurposed depots now connect communities, residents and visitors in new ways.

Those out for fitness, a scenic ride, a family outing or immersion in local food and culture, find Tammany Trace offers the perfect locations for connecting outdoor enjoyment with community charm across St. Tammany Parish. n

We Need to Know

Are you on a life-support system?

South Louisiana Electric Cooperative Association is updating its records for life-support equipment needs and appreciates your cooperation in providing this information.

To maintain quality service or perform important maintenance or construction on our electric distribution system, it’s sometimes necessary to plan a brief outage to protect the safety of SLECA’s lineworkers. As members know, preventing outages due to weather conditions or other uncontrollable factors is impossible. Members who require life support should keep

their account up to date.

Being on this registry will not prevent service being disconnected for nonpayment.

To minimize the inconvenience to any member who relies on life-support systems or equipment, we need to know who you are and where you live. We also need to be advised any time changes are made and if the system or equipment is removed.

We appreciate your cooperation in this matter.

If someone in your home is dependent on life-support equipment, fill out this form and mail it to SLECA, P.O. Box 4037, Houma, LA 70361.

LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEM INFORMATION

Name on account: ___________________________________________________________________

Account number:

Name of person(s) on life support: _______________________________________________________________

Address: ___________________________________________________________________________________

Phone number: (home) ___________________________________ (cell)________________________________

Type of support system: _______________________________________________________________________

Do you have an emergency standby generator to operate the equipment? Yes ______ No _______

SLECA must also have a letter from your doctor on letterhead stating your condition and equipment that needs electricity.

Don’t Touch It.

By Karen Heim

Downed power lines are one of the most dangerous—and most misunderstood—hazards you can encounter. A line can look completely dead and still carry enough electricity to kill you. There’s no way to tell if a line is active by looking.

If you ever encounter a downed line, remember three words: Stop. Observe. Survive.

STOP

Assume every downed line is energized, even one that isn’t sparking or making noise. Stay at least 50 feet away—about the length of a semitrailer—from downed distribution lines and at least 100 feet away from downed transmission lines.

Keep that distance from anything the lines could be touching, too, such as fences, puddles, vehicles and trees. The same rules apply to farming and construction equipment that contacts overhead lines. 40168003

OBSERVE

A downed line energizes everything around it. Electricity travels through the ground, through water and along metal objects, such as fences and gutters.

Carefully observe the area and keep others—including children and pets—well back. Warn drivers and pedestrians to stay away, too.

SURVIVE

Call 911 immediately, then call South Louisiana Electric Cooperative Association at 985-876-6880 to report the location. Never approach, touch or attempt to move a downed line under any circumstances, not even with a stick or broom.

If you see someone in contact with a downed line, do not touch them. You could become a victim too. Call 911 immediately. Never:

• Touch a downed line—even with a wooden object or rope

• Drive over a downed line

• Step in water near a downed line

• Touch a person in contact with a line. Call 911.

• Assume a line is safe because it looks dark or quiet.

• Treat cable or phone wires differently. Assume all downed wires are dangerous.

If a line falls on your vehicle:

• Try to drive clear of the line if you can do so safely.

• If the vehicle can’t be moved, stay inside and call 911. Warn others to stay at least 50 feet away. 40479003

• If you must exit the vehicle due to fire or imminent danger, cross your arms tightly to your chest, and jump clear so you don’t touch the vehicle and ground at the same time. Hop away with both feet landing together like a bunny, or shuffle like a penguin without lifting your feet or spreading them apart. The farther away you can get, the safer you will be. Do not return to the vehicle.

We’re already on our way. When a line comes down, SLECA crews respond no matter the time of day. Report outages and downed lines anytime at our Houma office, 985-876-6880, or our Amelia office, 985-631-3605. 

Smooth Streaming

Tips for seamless entertainment

Whether it’s music, movies or games, streaming and interactive online content is a part of daily life for many. With a little care and planning, you can have the smoothest experience possible.

Also, keep in mind the professionals with your service provider are always ready to support you, answering questions and offering information needed to make the right choices. Here are a few items to consider:

Anticipate how you will use your streaming services. When assessing internet needs for streaming, consider the number of people in your household and their activities. Will there be remote work, gaming or multiple streaming services involved? Once your internet use patterns are understood, make sure your internet plan matches your needs.

Take into account the amount of devices. Don’t overlook the number of devices connected to the Wi-Fi network. It’s common for households to have various smartphones, tablets and smart appliances online simultaneously. Remember, each connected device consumes bandwidth, which can affect the performance of all your devices.

Assess your Wi-Fi coverage. Slow streaming can sometimes be attributed to Wi-Fi issues rather than insufficient bandwidth. Evaluate the placement of your router, and consider investing in a mesh Wi-Fi system to ensure comprehensive coverage throughout your home. This can significantly improve streaming performance, especially in larger homes or areas with signal dead zones.

Understand streaming. Streaming involves the continuous transmission of media content from an online server to a digital device. It can include a wide range of content, from livestreams to recorded movies and TV shows. At times, it can seem like an endless stream of content possibilities. However, there are potential bottlenecks, so consider cataloging all the streaming services in use—including online gaming—to make sure you have the internet connection and Wi-Fi setup that’s right for you.

3. 4. 5.

Stay informed about advancements in technology. Streaming technology has rapidly evolved, revolutionizing how we consume media. Stay informed about advancements in streaming services and internet technology to make informed decisions about your streaming setup. For example, image resolution for some movies is now much higher than just a few years ago and requires a faster connection to enjoy.  1. 2.

Use Caution With Cash Apps

While mobile payment apps like PayPal or Venmo make it easy to send and receive money online or through an app on a phone, scammers are also waiting to take advantage. This service becomes an intermediary between your money and whoever is on the other end of a transaction, which can create an added layer of security.

But if a scammer tricks you into sending money, it’s hard to get it back. The Federal Trade Commission notes the risks and offers tips for staying safe.

 Don’t send a payment to claim a prize or collect sweepstakes winnings.

 Never give your account credentials to anyone who contacts you.

 Protect your account with multifactor authentication or a personal identification number.

 Before paying, double-check the recipient’s information to make sure you’re sending money to the right person.

 If you get an unexpected request for money from someone you recognize, speak with them directly to make sure the request is valid—and not a hacker who got access to their account.

If you find unauthorized payments or think you paid a scammer, immediately report the transaction to the service providing the payment app. Instructions should be available on the service’s website. Also, report the scam to reportfraud.ftc.gov.