Jessica's Friday Five: a screen protector that helps you sleep


Hi Reader,

Earlier this week, we took our cats to the vet for what we thought would be a pretty straightforward and simple appointment. Friends, it was not. Multiple thousands of dollars later and 8 new prescriptions (!!), we are now the kind of people who have a clipboard to track pet medication schedules for the next week or so. What in the world. I have always thought pet insurance wasn't a good investment for cats, but perhaps I was wrong. Send me your tips on this front, please!

Let's get to your Friday Five!

  1. Libby app: If you're not already using the Libby app to listen to audiobooks, please let me influence you to do it. As long as your local library system is on this list, you can get free audiobooks with the app. If your library doesn't have Libby, they might have Hoopla (sometimes they have both Hoopla and Libby!) that does the same thing. A few audiobooks I've particularly loved this year are Theo of Golden, Judge Stone, and The Love Haters. Thanks to Megan L for reminding me to share this tip again - it's been a few years since I mentioned it in Friday Five, and I basically never go a day without using my Libby app.
  2. Fall Workshops: My schedule is getting pretty full for team workshops and retreats this fall, so if you'd like to have me support your team (topics, pricing, and more info are here), let me know soon! I still have capacity to add a workshop the weeks of Aug 31, Oct 12, Oct 19, and Oct 26, but am pretty booked beyond those weeks. I'd love to support your team!
  3. Blue Light Screen Protector: Last month I cracked my phone screen and felt so silly for not having put a screen protector on it to avoid that. After getting it fixed, I knew I needed a screen protector and realized that there are ones that both protect your phone screen and block blue light to help you sleep better at night. How great! I got this one, and it was so easy to install with the little installation thing they give you to make sure it goes on straight and without bubbles.
  4. Double slow cooker meal discount: Through early next week only, my Beehive code is doubled, so you get $20 off with code JESSICA. These are the slow-cooker (or flat-top) meals that we literally always have in our freezer to make dinner easy when we need it. Last night we had their tomato bisque (currently on their August menu), and it was a total crowd-pleaser. Last week we had the smash burgers on the flat top (we kept the jalapeños out because of the kids, IYKYK), and they were also quite popular with the family. I really recommend getting one of their meal packs, and you'll have some easy, tasty, quality meals on hand when you need something simple.
  5. For any high schoolers in your life: Back-to-School Success Week from TeenSHARP runs next week, August 17–20, 2–5 PM ET, all virtual — four afternoons of college-prep guidance for rising 9th–12th graders and their families. Dr. Daniel R. Porterfield of the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation kicks off Day One, and the week covers academic rigor, leadership, scholarships, and financial aid, with admissions officers and current college students weighing in. If you know a family staring down the college process this year, send them here: https://teensharpvault.com/back-to-school. This organization is run by my unbelievably talented and experienced friends, Atnre and Tatiana, and I couldn't recommend them more highly. Because they're my buds, they set up code FRIDAYFIVE for us, which gets you $100 off this experience. I don't benefit from sharing this in any way; I just love what they're up to and if I had high school kids I'd be spending my money to be in this space! They also have a free quiz to help students identify how they're doing and how they want to grow.

Bonus Sponsor Resource: 1440 Newsletter (see below!) - one of my favorite sources for a 5-min read with unbiased news. Definitely worth a try to see if you find it helpful (because it's free!). This resource is from one of our Friday Five sponsors - thank you to them for keeping this newsletter free for readers!

Last Friday's Most-Clicked Link: The fall calendar that we love, love, love.