Download This Tax Prep Checklist for Stress-Free Filing

Tax season can reduce even the most organized individuals to stressed-out procrastinators. And if you're anything like me, you're not exactly the most organized individual in the first place. The complexity of gathering documents, understanding deductions, and meeting deadlines creates anxiety that many of us dread each year. But with a well-designed tax preparation checklist, I've been able to turn my taxes into a manageable (maybe even even satisfying?) task well before the April 15 deadline. Here's how you can, too.

A tax preparation checklist serves as your personalized roadmap through the filing process. Luckily, I've create this template to get you started. It includes sections for personal information, income documentation, deductions and credits, a tax preparation timeline, and a final verification check-list. All you need to do is to download it or make a copy in Google Docs for your own use. Here's how to make the most of this checklist, or build your own from scratch.

Gather personal information

Start with the basics. Your checklist should include spaces to confirm you have:

• Social Security numbers for yourself, spouse, and dependents

• Birth dates for all dependents

• Last year's tax return (helpful for reference)

• Bank account and routing numbers for direct deposit

Identify your income sources

List all potential income sources to ensure nothing gets missed:

• W-2 forms from employers

• 1099 forms for self-employment, investments, etc.

• Income records from gig work or side hustles

• Alimony received

• Rental property income

• Social Security benefits

• Unemployment compensation

Document potential deductions

This section often represents the biggest opportunity for tax savings:

• Homeownership documents (mortgage interest, property taxes)

• Educational expenses (tuition, student loan interest)

• Medical expenses exceeding threshold amounts

• Charitable donations with receipts

• Business expenses for self-employed individuals

• Retirement contributions

• Childcare expenses

Organize by timeline

Structure your checklist with time-based sections:

• January: Collect arriving tax documents (W-2s, 1099s).

• February: Organize receipts and deduction documentation.

• March: Schedule appointment with tax professional or prepare software.

• April: Complete final review and file.

Include verification steps

Add verification checkpoints to ensure accuracy:

• Compare this year's return to last year's for consistency.

• Double-check math and entries.

• Verify all Social Security numbers.

• Confirm all required forms are signed.

• Make copies of everything for your records.

Making the most of your tax prep checklist

While the template provides a comprehensive starting point, your personal tax situation may require additional items. Customize your checklist so that it suits your tax needs. Review last year's return to identify recurring items specific to your finances.

Digital vs. physical organization

Choose the system that works best for you:

• Digital: Use a spreadsheet, note-taking app, or dedicated tax software.

• Physical: Create a folder system with labeled sections for each category.

• Hybrid: Scan physical documents and organize them in digital folders.

Begin early

The biggest tax preparation mistake is waiting until the last minute. Begin organizing as soon as all your documents first arrive, and you'll avoid the mid-April stress entirely.

Review and improve annually

After filing, take a few minutes to note what worked well and what didn't. Add a "Notes for Next Year" section to your checklist to remember adjustments needed for the coming tax season.

The bottom line

A personalized tax preparation checklist transforms tax filing from a dreaded chore into a methodical process. By breaking down the complex task into manageable steps, you'll not only reduce stress, but potentially identify additional deductions you might otherwise miss.

Again, here's my downloadable template for you. Feel free to add or remove items based on your financial circumstances and filing requirements. With this system in place, you'll be able to approach tax season with confidence rather than anxiety.

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15 of the Best Movies About Sticking It to Massive Corporations (Including 'Erin Brockovich')

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Corporations are a driving force behind almost every part of American life—including the movies we watch. It sometimes feels like they hold all the power, and, actually, they kinda do. But if the power of capitalism can’t be overcome, it can at least be checked once in a while. And it can be extremely satisfying to watch a crusader standing up for the rest of us.

Here are 15 movies about heroes defying big corporations, most of them at least inspired by true events. Usually, reality is at least as wild as what made it to the screen. As The Constant Gardener author John le Carré observed in the afterward to (and the end credits of the film adaptation of) his almost entirely fictional novel:

Nobody in this story, and no outfit or corporation, thank God, is based upon an actual person or outfit in the real world. But I can tell you this. As my journey through the pharmaceutical jungle progressed, I came to realize that, by comparison with the reality, my story was as tame as a holiday postcard.

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Erin Brokovich (2000)

Real life provides plenty of examples of individuals standing up to corporations—with varying degrees of success. This is one of the more inspiring ones: Steven Soderbergh's crowd-pleasing legal drama was a box office triumph and an Oscar season contender, and it made a star of its titular real life activist. Julia Roberts plays Brokovich, who in 1993 was an unemployed single mother who couldn't keep out of her own way. Given a pity job as a paralegal by the man who served as her lawyer in an injury case, she stumbles onto some troubling medical documents while researching a real estate case. It soon becomes clear that Pacific Gas and Electric Company is hiding something in Hinkley, California—specifically, they've been dumping chromium-contaminated waste into several ponds around the town, and cancer incidents are way up in the region. It's here that Erin's dogged determination (and utter refusal to keep her mouth shut ,even when she'd be better off to do so) come in tremendously handy for the people of Hinkley, who now have an unlikely champion. You can stream Erin Brokovich on Netflix or rent it from Prime Video.

Erin Brokovich (2000)

at Prime Video

at Prime Video

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Dark Waters (2019)

Dark Waters, from director Todd Haynes, kicks off with farmers discovering that their livestock are dying by the hundreds from exposure to waste in the water produced by a local DuPont chemical plant—which is just the beginning, as cancer rates among humans are also unexpectedly high. Mark Ruffalo stars as lawyer Robert Bilott, who takes on the farmers' case. It's based on the New York Times Magazine article "The Lawyer Who Became DuPont's Worst Nightmare" by Nathaniel Rich, and Haynes and company do a masterful job of dramatizing the high-stakes legal battle, as well as the problem of buy-in—parties to the legal action become pariahs in their community because many would rather take their chances with cancer than risk losing a big employer. This all happened within the last decade, so many of the issues related to so-called "forever chemicals" (those that never leave the bloodstream once exposed) are very much ongoing, and will only become more prominent in the current era of deregulation. You can rent Dark Waters from Prime Video.

Dark Waters (2019)

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The Insider (1999)

Michael Mann's account of tobacco industry shenanigans did only middling business at the box office, but nonetheless earned seven Oscar nominations—including one for Best Picture. It comes at the story from a smart, sideways angle: The focus is on the 60 Minutes piece that broke wide open the story of big tobacco's malfeasance over the risks of smoking—a story that made clear that these companies knew the true dangers of smoking, and lied about it to keep their customers addicted. In the movie's largely accurate telling, CBS producer Lowell Bergman (Al Pacino) coaxes former tobacco-company chemist Dr. Jeffrey Wigand (Russell Crowe) to reveal what he knows, only to face pushback from fearful executives and threats from the tobacco industry. The narrative makes clear the high cost of telling even the most straightforward of truths. You can stream The Insider on The Criterion Channel or rent it from Prime Video.

The Insider (1999)

at Prime Video

at Prime Video

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Even the Rain (2011)

In 1999, a group of investors lead by the American company Bechtel invested in a dam near Cochabamba, Bolivia. The thus contained water was then sold back to the locals at vastly higher rates. The resulting protests saw tens of thousands of people take to the streets. In director Icíar Bollaín's wildly ambitious film-within-a-film, a crew, led by director Sebastián (Gael García Bernal), comes to Cochabamba to make a movie based on Christopher Columbus' first voyage. His thoughtless executive producer Costa (Luis Tosar)stirs up trouble with his lack of consideration for the locals as the water protests simmer in the background. Weaving in themes that consider the long history of colonization, the film isn't shy about drawing clear lines between past and present. You can stream Even the Rain on Netflix.

Even the Rain (2011)

at Netflix

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Five Reasons You Might Qualify for Lower Car Insurance Premiums

Like homeowners insurance, auto insurance is getting significantly more expensive: Data show that policy costs rose 11% last year, likely due to factors like climate change, rising accident rates, and higher repair costs. Under certain circumstances, you may be able to offset or at least keep your car insurance premium stable, if not reduce it.

If you go through any of the following life changes, it may be time to call your insurance company about lowering your policy premium.

You've moved

A move is a major life transition—and one that could impact your auto insurance policy for the better in a few ways. First, insurers factor where you park your car into your rate, so living in a lower density or safer neighborhood can potentially save you some money. Moving also gives you the chance to bundle your renters or homeowners insurance policy with your auto policy if you haven't already, which typically reduces the cost of both. Finally, moving can change your driving habits, which we'll get into next.

You're driving less

Let's say your move has put your closer to work, or you've changed jobs or begun working remotely more frequently, or another shift in your routine has cut the number of miles you drive on a regular basis. Insurance companies consider annual mileage when calculating premiums, so a significant drop could save you some money.

Your family size has changed

If you've had a teenager on your policy who now has their own vehicle or own policy and no longer lives at home, removing them from yours can save you a significant amount of money on your premiums (potentially cutting the cost by half). On the flip side, combining your policy with a new spouse's could reduce the cost per person.

You've taken a defensive driving course

One of the many discounts available on auto insurance is for taking a defensive driving course—in fact, some states require insurers to offer this discount. Typically, these discounts are good for several years before you need to retake the class. Discounts range from 5% to 20% off your premium.

Your coverage is about to renew (or expire)

Re-upping your policy won't save you money specifically, but it is a good time to call your current insurer about options for reducing your premium as well as to shop around for cheaper options.

Other ways to lower your car insurance premium

Even if you don't have a life change that could qualify you for a lower insurance premium, there are other ways to reduce the cost of your policy:

• Increase your deductible: Raising your deductible (the amount you'll pay out of pocket before your policy kicks in) can lower your premium. Most policies have a $500 deductible, but bumping that up to $1,000 can potentially save you 25% on your policy cost, according to Consumer Reports. However, you'll want to consider whether you have an emergency fund to cover the added potential cost.

• Decrease certain types of coverage: Collision and comprehensive coverage may be optional in your state, and dropping one or both can reduce your policy premium. Collision may be an unnecessary expense if your car's value is especially low (and if your premium is more than 10% of that value).

• Ask about discounts: Many insurers offer policy discounts for things like setting up autopay or paperless statements, paying your premium upfront, maintaining a clean driving record, and bundling with other policies.

• Drive a cheaper car: This may not be a change you can make immediately, but when you're in the market for a vehicle, consider a make and model that's cheaper to insure.

• Look for usage-based policies: Usage-based insurance calibrates your policy to your real-life driving habits, so low-risk drivers pay less. However, this typically requires you to have a tracking app that sends data to your insurance company, which raises privacy concerns, and risky driving can actually increase your policy cost.

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This Simple Text Document Could Replace Your Calendar App

Gina Trapani, founder of the website you're reading right now, popularized a plaintext format for to-do lists way back in 2006 (please excuse any weird formatting on that nearly 20-year-old article). Called Todo.txt, it is used by many people to this day, in part thanks to an ecosystem of applications built around the format.

I recently stumbled on Calendar.txt, by author and teacher Tero Karvinen. It's a text document based on a similar philosophy—a stripped down, just-the-basics take on your overloaded calendar app. It's a concept worth considering. We're at least a decade into the "using a separate app for everything" era, and sure, a lot of those apps are pretty great. I've spent years recommending software-based tools for everything from managing tasks to making drinks, and I don't plan to stop anytime soon.

But not everyone needs a bespoke app for everything they do. Productivity is personal, and everyone has different needs. I've known several highly technically competent people who still use paper day planners to track their appointments and tasks—a simple notebook is flexible in a way that no app can match.

One line of text per day

I view plaintext tools like Calendar.txt in a similar light. This specific tool is about as simple as it gets: It uses one line of text for every day. You can download a pre-made file with lines for dates that stretches through the year 2033, or you can just make your own.

Every line starts with the date, followed by the week number, followed by a three-letter week name. The idea is that you write your appointments after that, by simply writing the time, followed by the name of the event. Events are simply added, in order, to the line.

So, for example, a line for today, with one appointment/task (me cleaning the house this afternoon) would look like this:

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2025-03-06 w10 Thu 14 cleaning the house

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There are many shortcomings to this approach. There's no built-in tool for reminding you of events, for one thing, and there's no way to invite others to your appointment. But this simple approach might work for you.

And, as todo.txt demonstrated two decades ago, there are benefits to using plaintext files. Plaintext is versatile, can be opened on any device, and your files won't disappear because some software company decides it wanted to change its priorities. If you're familiar with the command line, you can use existing tools in all kinds of interesting ways. For example, the calendar.txt documentation shows how you can use grep, a tool for searching text documents, to pull up today's appointments:

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grep 2025-03-06 calendar.txt

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You could use the same command to search for events by the day.

Credit: Justin Pot

Again, this approach won't seem useful to everyone—especially if you never open the command prompt—but not every tool needs to be for every user. Only you can decide which tools work best for you.

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Everything New in Google’s March 2025 Pixel Drop

The first Pixel Drop of 2025 is here—quarterly upgrades coming to Google's phones, tablets, and watches include improvements to Gemini Live and other AI-powered functionality (like scam detection for calls and texts), health and safety features, and camera and connectivity updates.

Here's everything in the March drop, rolling out now.

Gemini upgrades

As with the December Pixel Drop, much of what's new for Pixel this month is powered by Google Gemini. Gemini Live is getting smarter with the ability to automatically switch between 45 languages in conversation without having to change your language settings. Multimodal capabilities for adding images, files, and YouTube videos to conversations are expanding to Pixel 6 (and newer) as well as Pixel Fold devices, and live video and screen sharing are coming to Gemini Advanced.

If you have a Pixel 9 phone with Gemini Nano, you'll soon get real-time Scam Detection that alerts you to malicious calls. The on-device, AI-powered feature identifies conversation patterns typical of scammers and gives you an on-screen prompt to end the call. Scam Detection is also available in Google Messages for anyone with a Pixel 6 or newer located in the U.S., Canada, or the UK. If the AI suspects a scam text message, you'll see a warning to report and block the number.

Also in the AI category: Pixel Screenshots is getting a new suggestions feature and integration with work profiles, while Pixel Studio will be able to generate images of people based on a description of the person or scene.

While many Pixel features remain limited to users in the U.S., Pixel Screenshots, Pixel Studio, Pixel AI weather reports, and Pollen tracker in the Weather app are being rolled out for those in Germany and Japan. Recorder App AI summaries will also be available in Japanese (on Pixel 9 only) as well as in English.

New health features for Pixel Watch

Pixel Watch 3 wearers in the U.S. will soon have access to Loss of Pulse Detection. This feature detects if the wearer's heart stops beating, and then calls emergency services with an automated message if you remain unresponsive (your device must have a cell connection). The feature was recently cleared by the FDA and is expected to roll out toward the end of the month. Pixel Watch 3 is also getting on-device menstrual tracking and more accurate step counting for atypical walking patterns, such as pushing a cart or hiking with poles.

Finally, Auto-bedtime Mode, which turns off your watch face and disables notifications when you fall asleep (and back on when you wake up), is expanding to Pixel Watch 2.

Improved connectivity

Google is releasing several safety-oriented connectivity features, including a Find My Device beta that shares your live location with family and friends. Satellite SOS—which lets you contact emergency services even if you don't have a cell or wifi connection—is expanding to Pixel 9 users in Hawaii, Alaska, Europe, and Canada, and satellite texting is now available for U.S.-based Verizon and T-Mobile customers.

Camera and video upgrades

A new feature called Connected Cameras lets you link your Pixel 9 to another Pixel phone (6 or newer) or GoPro camera (HERO10 Black or newer) to stream video from multiple angles directly to Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat. Dual Screen Preview on Pixel Fold is adding support for video recording as well as Add Me for those on Pixel 9 Pro Fold.

Additional accessibility and quality-of-life upgrades

Pixel's speech-to-text Recorder app is getting another update: The app will now automatically transcribe audio recordings, such as lectures, transferred from an older device or Pixel Watch to your current phone. And Gboard has a new Voice Toolbar so you can easily access voice-to-type without opening the full keyboard.

A new Modes menu is coming to the Quick Settings panel, allowing you to switch between modes for driving, bedtime, do not disturb, and other customizations simply by swiping down.

Finally, new actions for audio coming to Pixel Watch include fast forward, rewind, and the ability to adjust playback speed and control the playback queue.

How to get new Pixel Drop features on your device

To check if these updates are available on your Pixel phone or tablet, go to Settings > System > Software updates.

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What to Start Seeding and Planting in March

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After a long winter of planning, strategizing, and buying seeds, you can finally start to plant this month. Most of that planting will happen inside, beginning the seedlings that will eventually move into your spring and summer garden. All the seeding tools like trays and heat mats come out of storage for a cleaning. As excited as you may be, it's important to exercise some restraint: You don't want to start all your seedlings at once. This is a game of timing. March only sees us starting a few spring seedings, as well as some seeds that take a long time. Everything else will get started next month.

Once you start seeding for yourself, you can also lean into succession planting, which means that instead of planting everything at once—and then being done at the end of the summer—you plant throughout the spring and summer, and your harvests are staggered. For instance, it would be nice to have radishes ready to eat for a number of weeks, not a flush of them all at once. You can do this with lettuce and beans and flowers and all kinds of "short" crops (so called because they can be grown in less than 90 days).

Onions, potatoes, and asparagus

While it might not feel like these items are related, they are in the simplest way: You won’t be putting seeds in the ground. Onions you'll purchase from a nursery in a bundle of 25 or so five-inch starts, ready to go into the ground. (These are keeping onions, not scallions.) They go into the ground in long troughs you dig in the dirt.

Potatoes will look like, well, potatoes, but you can cut each potato into many pieces, so long as each piece has at least one eye. Cut them the night before planting, and then allow them to heal over by leaving them out on a tray in the open air. These pieces get planted in your potato bed about a foot apart, then covered with compost and mulch.

Asparagus come as crowns from your nursery, which look like sad desiccated roots when you buy them. But rest assured, these roots, once planted, produce actual asparagus. You plant them in a trench, not unlike roses, and they will make a perennial bed, coming back spring after spring. Asparagus needs three years of growth before you can harvest any spears, so while you could grow this plant from seed, buying these two- or three-year-old crowns gives you a jump start.

Every kind of pea

If you do one thing this month, it should be getting peas into the soil. The best news is that peas are incredibly hard to screw up. You stick the seeds (which are large and easy to work with) in the soil. There are two kinds of peas to consider. Sweet peas, which are inedible and toxic but gorgeous and sweet-smelling, and their edible brethren can all be directly seeded outside right now. Plant both, but keep them separate, so you can tell them apart. For edible peas, make sure to plant shelling peas, snap peas, and sugar peas. You can, if you want, give them a head start by growing starts inside, and they’ll generally be ready to plant out in two weeks. Plant a second bunch of peas two weeks after the first so you have a spring succession. Peas need a structure to climb, so plant them on an arch or trellis. Best of all, both edible and sweet peas give your garden early color. 

Fast-rotation crops

There are certain crops I have going constantly all season, like lettuces, radishes, scallions, and carrots. I make sure that as soon as the ground is workable, I am putting out a short row of radishes and scallions. I seed a few lettuces each week at this point, and all of this can take place outside. Carrots aren’t fast, but you can get a number of successions in during the summer, and they’ll germinate easier while you have a lot of rain. Get a row of them in every few weeks, starting now. 

Strawberries

Heed my cry: You never, ever need to buy strawberry plants. They multiply like tribbles, and you likely have enough from last year to relocate to anyplace you need them this year. You need to thin them yearly anyway so that each has at least six to eight inches around it. Even if you somehow do not have the supply, someone in your neighborhood does. Remember you want both June-bearing, which produces the sweetest berries but only for a short time, and ever-bearing, which produces bigger berries for the whole summer.

Short spring crops

Inside, I’m seeding cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, kale, spinach, kohlrabi, and chard to go outside as soon as they’re ready, since they’re all cold-hardy. Spinach, in particular, loves the cold. Outside, I'm seeding beets and more kohlrabi into the ground. (The kohlrabi I'm seeding inside will go out in a few weeks, and have a later harvest date. This is a great example of succession planting.)

Long summer crops

Two crops that don’t get enough attention this time of year—but must be planted now in order to have enough time to mature by winter—are parsnips and Brussels sprouts. Both of these crops take the entire spring and summer to grow enough to be ready by fall. Plant parsnip seeds directly in the soil outside now, and pick up Brussels sprout starts at the nursery.

Summer crops

Some summer specialties require a longer nurturing stage, like tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants. But you absolutely cannot put them outside without protection like Agribon or a greenhouse until temperatures are 50 degrees at night, and that can be a long time from now. Your planting date will be determined by your growing zone and last frost date—all things you can easily google. You’ll have to house, feed, and water these babies until then. Every moment they’re in your care, they are susceptible to pests, virus, fungus, and interference from family pets. You may see professionals getting their seeds in now—I’ll start mine in late March—but I have a greenhouse to move them to. Many people wait until April, and you shouldn’t feel anxious about doing so.

Peppers first, then tomatoes, and finally eggplants. They’ll go into 50-cell trays to start, two seeds per cell. Within the first few weeks, I'll have ruthlessly cut the weaker seedling from each cell so the stronger seedling can thrive (do not try to separate them to save them both; learn to let go) and will be up-potting them into four-inch pots by the time they’re six weeks old. I don’t seed other summer crops like pumpkins, corn, or beans until late April or May. 

Flowers

What I do try to get an early start on now is flowers. I want as many as possible, and as big and healthy as possible before I put them in the ground. I start with the earliest flowers now—snapdragons, poppies, Bells of Ireland, larkspur, dianthus, bachelor buttons, Love-in-a-Mist, and celosia. These are the most stubborn to grow and are spring-hardy, so the early start is warranted. You’ll be able to move them out relatively early in the season to make room for zinnias and sunflowers, which will be seeded later in the season. I plant these in trays of 72 or 128 cells.

No matter how eager you are to plant all winter, when March hits, it often feels like you're behind. I assure you, you have time. It's still early, and if you don't have time to seed, you'll still be able to purchase starts at the nursery.

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What People Are Getting Wrong This Week: Measles Myths

A recent outbreak of measles in West Texas has resulted in 159 cases of the disease in the state so far; 22 victims required hospitalization, and one has died. In response to the deadly outbreak, some Texas parents seem to be considering hosting "measles parties" instead of vaccinating their kids. Misinformation about measles can have deadly consequences, so here's a look at some ways people are getting measles wrong.

Myth: Measles vaccines are potentially dangerous

While a small percentage of people suffer side effects from the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, they are almost always mild. The most common is a fever that hits between 5% and 10% of those vaccinated. About 2% to 5% develop a mild rash, and about 1 in 4,000 develop something more serious. The "side effects" of contracting the disease itself, on the other hand, are much worse: Nearly 100% of people who contract the disease develop symptoms that include fever, red eyes, a sore throat, and a blotchy rash. About one in 300 people who get measles will die.

Myth: The measles vaccine gives people measles

The belief that measles outbreaks are caused by the measles vaccine is growing in certain circles, helped along by advocates like Children's Health Defense, the anti-vaccine advocacy group founded by Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

The measles vaccine works by introducing a weakened form of the measles virus into the body to trigger an immune response. So the theory goes, people who have been injected with the measles vaccine are infecting others with the disease. But while the measles virus can potentially be detected in people for up to four weeks after a shot, it is extremely unlikely for the virus to be be transmitted to anyone in that weakened form—which is significant, given measles itself is among the most contagious diseases. As for the Texas outbreak specifically, to make sure, all cases have been tested, and they've all been declared to be the result of "wild" measles. No one got it from vaccine "shedding," because that doesn't really happen with the measles vaccine.

Myth: The measles vaccine is linked to autism

The vaccine for measles has been around since 1963. It has prevented countless cases of the diseases and has long been proven safe and effective. But people are still hesitant to take it and/or give it to their children. The belief that the measles vaccine, or any vaccine, can cause autism is one of the reasons. A recent survey conducted by the University of Pennsylvania's Annenberg Public Policy Center, found that 24% of Americans believe there is a link between vaccines and autism, and 3% aren't sure.

The supposed link between autism and vaccination is based on two flawed studies that have been thoroughly and overwhelmingly debunked. To put it simply, if you listen to the science, there's no there there. Vaccines for measles are safe and effective, and they prevent the disease and thus save lives. If enough people get vaccinated, we can eliminate measles from our country (in fact, the World Health Organization did declare it eradicated in the U.S. back in 2000, though as lower vaccination rates have recently resulted in more frequent outbreaks, that designation is at risk). It's really as simple as that.

Myth: Measles can be cured or prevented with vitamin A

The idea that vitamin A can be used to treat measles has a grain of truth of it, but it's a small grain. Studies conducted in developing nations indicate vitamin A can help prevent complications in severe measles cases, and that children with low amounts of vitamin A tend to develop more severe cases of measles. But in the United States, where few children have such nutritional deficiencies, it's unclear whether there's any benefit to giving vitamin A for measles. Some doctors' position is "why not?" but vitamin A is not part of the measles treatment protocol in the U.S., let alone a recognized cure or preventative measure. It's definitely not a substitute for vaccination.

To prevent measles cases in the current outbreak, public health officials are encouraging people to get vaccinated. One cool thing about the measles vaccine: As the Texas health department points out, a dose can still be given within 72 hours after you are exposed to the virus to lessen the severity of the disease if you do get sick.

Myth: Measles can be prevented by "natural means"

The only "natural" way you can prevent the spread of measles is by staying away from other people if you are infected with it. Measles doesn't care if you eat healthy food and work out. It's extremely contagious—according to the CDC, "if one person has it, up to 9 out of 10 people who are nearby will become infected if they are not protected." Being a generally healthy may result in a better outcome if you are infected, but not getting infected in the first place (by being vaccinated) is an infinitely healthier choice.

Myth: Measles parties can help kids gain "natural immunity"

While surviving measles will protect you from reinfection, this "natural" immunity offers no more protection from the disease than vaccination, and, again, it's much riskier: About three out of every 1,000 people who get measles die (a tally that sadly included a child in Texas amid the current outbreak) and more suffer life-changing complications. As Dr. Ron Cook, chief health officer for the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Lubbock, put it in a press conference, "We can’t predict who is going to do poorly with measles, being hospitalized, potentially get pneumonia or encephalitis, or potentially pass away.

"It’s a foolish thing to go have measles parties," he added, I imagine with a pained sigh.

Myth: The current measles outbreak is normal

Deadly measles outbreaks are unusual in the U.S. Until this year, we hadn't had a child die from measles since 2015. Heck, measles has been considered eliminated from both North and South America since 2000. Since 2000, our measles outbreaks have been small and sporadic, started by travelers who brought a case in from overseas. Quick action from the CDC and from local health authorities has usually managed to get things back under control. But low rates of measles vaccination make it easier for these small outbreaks to spread to larger areas, and we may be looking at a new and growing problem.

Along with Texas, this year measles cases have been reported in Kentucky, California, New Mexico, Georgia, Alaska, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, but there are less than 200 cases total, so it's unclear if the current wave is the beginning of a larger problem. But it isn't good. The fear is that the current climate of vaccine hesitancy and reduced vaccination rates will lower the percentage of immunized people enough that measles will reestablish a foothold in the U.S. According to the CDC a vaccination rate of 95% is needed for "herd immunity" but we're slipping below that magic number. Fourteen states have fallen under 90 percent.

Myth: You can't get measles if you've been vaccinated

The vaccine for measles is extremely effective (and safe) but it's not 100% effective. It's "only" 97% effective. No one knows why a small number of people get measles even though they've had shots. On the bright side, vaccinated people who suffer from "breakout" measles tend to have milder cases.

Myth: There's nothing we can do about rising rates of measles

The sudden spike in measles cases is alarming, but it's nothing compared to a measles outbreak that occurred in the early 1990s. That one was much worse, but it also provides historical evidence of how to combat a measles outbreak.

Even though the vaccine was nearly 30 years old at that point, there were 27,000 cases of measles in the U.S. in 1990. Low-income communities in New York City were hit hardest, although outbreaks were also reported in Philadelphia, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Houston. The root cause was the same as with the current rash of the disease: Not enough people were being vaccinated. In 1990, the CDC estimated that about half of all inner-city toddlers in New York City had not been vaccinated by their second birthday, mostly because the vaccine was difficult to get or difficult to afford.

The response from city, state, and federal government included wide-ranging public outreach programs, mobile immunization centers, the creation of the federal, congressionally approved Vaccines for Children Program, pro vaccine messages flashed in Times Square, and even Michelangelo from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles emerging from a sewer to encourage kids to get vaccinated. In short, we really threw everything we had at pro-vaccine, anti-measles messaging. And it worked: Vaccination rates climbed above 90% in New York. Whether a similar effort would work in today's climate of distrust and misinformation is an open question, but at least there's evidence vaccination has worked to contain an outbreak once before.

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These Exercise-Friendly JBL Earbuds Are $40 Right Now

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If you've been looking for a solid pair of workout earbuds that won’t slip out mid-burpee, the JBL Endurance Peak 3 is down to $39.95 on Woot (originally $99.99) this month (or until they sell out). That’s a steal for earbuds that scored an Editor’s Choice from PCMag for their workout-friendly design and secure fit. This deal includes a one-year JBL manufacturer warranty, and if you’re an Amazon Prime member, you get free standard shipping (otherwise, it'll cost you $6).

JBL Endurance Peak 3 True Wireless Sports Headphones

$39.95

$99.99 Save $60.04

$39.95

$99.99 Save $60.04

These wireless earbuds come with ear hooks that wrap snugly around your ears, ensuring they stay put even during the most intense sessions. And unlike some other hook-style earbuds, these reportedly don’t clash with glasses frames (an underrated feature for anyone who wears specs). That said, the ear hooks double as a power switch, turning off when the tips magnetically touch the body of the earpiece—that's useful in theory, but it can be frustrating if you’re just taking them out for a quick break. Also, the touch controls take some getting used to since the panels have a larger surface area than most earbuds.

Sound-wise, JBL packs a punch with 10mm dynamic drivers that cover the full frequency range from 20Hz to 20KHz (with fully customizable EQ settings in the companion app), delivering a sound profile with strong bass that stays clear of distortion, even at top volume. If you’re an Android user, you’ll appreciate Google Fast Pair for easy setup, though the earbuds stick to basic AAC and SBC codecs—no AptX support here, notes this PCMag review. They do, however, boast an impressive IP68 rating, meaning they’re fully dust-proof and can survive full submersion in water for over 30 minutes. Rain, sweat, or a quick rinse under the tap? No problem. Battery life is another win, with JBL estimating 10 hours per charge, plus an additional 40 hours from the charging case (your mileage may vary depending on usage). So unless you’re planning to run an ultramarathon, you should be covered.

Note: Woot does not ship these earbuds to Alaska, Hawaii, or PO box addresses.

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Use TikTok's 'Rage Cleaning' Trend to Get Your Place Spotless

Creating and sticking to a cleaning schedule is difficult, but only because life is difficult. Finding time to clean can feel impossible sometimes, especially when you've had a stressful day at work, with your family, or just in general. But what if you could harness that negative energy and turn it into cleaning power? That's the idea behind TikTok's "angry cleaning" trend—also known as "rage cleaning"—and if you're as grumpy as I am, you mind find it helps you get your home a lot cleaner.

What is TikTok's rage cleaning trend about?

I see the terms "angry cleaning" and "rage cleaning" all over TikTok, but quickly realized they describe something I already do: When I'm annoyed or upset, I start to clean—usually something that requires a little oomph, like scrubbing or vacuuming. It turns out I'm not alone.

There are a few benefits at work here. Pouring your negative energy into cleaning can distract you from whatever is annoying you, providing a menial task you can accomplish without a lot of active thinking. It lets you physically work out your negativity, especially if you're really putting some muscle into whatever you're doing (cleaning the oven is a good option here). It also gives you a positive end result that can lift your spirits and make you feel motivated: After cleaning for a while, your head will feel clearer and you'll have a cleaner home to show for it.

How to incorporate angry cleaning into your routine

I'll stop short of recommending that you wait to clean until you're upset; you should still try to follow a cleaning schedule and stay consistent with your efforts to tidy up. Additionally, I don't recommend intentionally pissing yourself off so you can work up the motivation to scrub all those dirty pans.

When the opportunity to rage clean arises naturally, however, it pays to find the right outlet. Choose an arduous task like cleaning the bathroom grout so you can really put your back into it and physically work out your anger. It needn't be something truly strenuous. For instance, I like folding laundry when I'm mad because I get to slap the folded garments down on the pile with a bang. Whatever works!

This isn't really the time for something that takes brainpower, like decluttering. Angry cleaning is most effective when you can focus on feelings over thoughts, so stick to mopping the floor extra hard. I'm generally a proponent of cleaning your home in small bursts, so tap into that thinking to bust through one annoying, laborious cleaning task while you're good and pissed.

I'm not saying rage cleaning will fix whatever is bothering you, but it can help you let off some steam and will allow you to think a little more clearly afterward—and in a neater space to boot. Challenge yourself to work quietly on one task, see it through with no distractions, and reevaluate how you feel afterward. Think about what's bothering you, or just focus on cleaning, but don't take any steps to address what's wrong until you've finished your project and given yourself a little time alone and a bonus jolt of accomplishment. Your problems, and your to-do list, might both feel a bit more manageable afterward.

What to keep in mind when rage cleaning

I'll add a few more notes here, as someone who's now watched what feels like a million of these TikTok videos and who also does enjoy cleaning up when negative emotions are afoot. First, don't just channel your rage into cleaning to make it more effective, but make sure you're also using that time to yourself to calm down the anger. That looks different for everyone, sure, but on TikTok, you'll see examples of people lighting candles or putting on some music they enjoy. Ideally, by the end of an angry cleaning session, you'll feel better—which will help you address the cause of your annoyance more effectively, too.

Second, if you're feeling mad all the time, it's really not good, whether you're able to turn that into productive rage cleaning or not. Obviously, it's more important to deal with the root cause of your problems than constantly use them to clean. Just wanted to put that out there. In the meantime, though, make sure you're taking note of when you're feeling the inspiration to angry clean. If, say, you hang up every phone call with your mom in a bad mood or consistently get frustrated after a weekly meeting at work, reorient your cleaning schedule to make sure you're harnessing that energy. If one of the parents at your kid's 6 p.m., Tuesday dance class enrages you, 8 p.m. on Tuesday sounds like a great time to give the kitchen its weekly cleaning, right? Let it work for you, not against you, and your home and emotions will thank you.

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Four Savings Strategies to Try Instead of a 'No-Buy Month'

If you're trying to get your finances back on track—and who isn't?—you're sure to see "no-buy months" and "low-buy years" all across social media. No-buy challenges ask participants to eliminate all non-essential purchases for a set period. While the concept seems straightforward, these challenges often fail because they don't address the psychological aspects of spending or provide realistic frameworks for long-term financial habits.

I've written before that sticking to a budget can feel a lot like sticking to a diet. A strict approach is not only too difficult to maintain, but it can backfire. The all-or-nothing mentality is frustrating and demoralizing, and you might wind up abandoning your financial goals. And like trying to cut out all carbs on a random Tuesday, it's sure to lead to some sort of binge. The solution? Some sort of moderation.

Let's take a look at several alternative saving strategies that offer more sustainable paths to financial wellness without requiring complete, all-or-nothing spending freezes.

Use "cash stuffing" to curb your spending

This method involves dividing physical cash into different envelopes or containers for specific spending categories. Common categories for cash stuffing include groceries, entertainment, restaurants, gas, rent, etc. The key here is you can only spend money in a certain category from its designated envelope. Once the envelope is empty, that’s that for the month.

Cash stuffing works because it forces you to be more intentional (deciding how much money gets allocated into your envelopes) and more disciplined (you can’t put more money into the envelope once it runs out). I also love how it eliminates the abstract nature of transactions. It's always helpful to see immediate visual feedback on your remaining budget.

Use category-specific spending challenges

Instead of cutting all discretionary spending, focus on reducing expenditures in one problematic area, such as dining out or clothing purchases.

How to implement:

• Identify your highest unnecessary spending category.

• Set a specific, reasonable reduction goal (like cutting restaurant visits in half).

• Track your progress without eliminating the category entirely.

Get mindful with "slow shopping"

This approach emphasizes thoughtful consumption rather than impulsive buying or complete abstinence.

Key principles:

• Implement a mandatory waiting period (24-72 hours) before making non-essential purchases.

• Research alternatives, compare prices, and consider second-hand options.

• Ask yourself meaningful questions about each potential purchase's value and necessity.

Create your own values-based budget

Rather than focusing on restriction, the values-based budget aligns spending with your personal values and priorities.

Some steps to follow:

• Identify what truly matters most to you (family experiences, health, education, etc.).

• Allocate more resources to high-value categories.

• Naturally reduce spending in areas that don't align with your core values.

The bottom line

The most effective saving strategy is one you can maintain consistently. Experiment with different approaches to discover which creates sustainable financial habits without triggering feelings of deprivation or eventual spending rebounds.

Remember that financial wellness isn't about never spending money—it's about spending intentionally on what truly matters while building security for the future.

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The Best Movies and TV Shows to Watch on Prime This Month

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I've scoured the February releases on Amazon's Prime platform to find the best new and new-to-streaming movies and shows. My pick for best of the month is Holland, a thriller starring Nicole Kidman that reminds me of The Stepford Wives. There are also the final season of Bosch: Legacy, and don't sleep on Anora; it's excellent.

Holland

Nicole Kidman stars in an off-kilter thriller from director Mimi Cage. Kidman plays Nancy Vandergroot, a teacher in the idyllic town of Holland, Michigan, where everyone is way into their Dutch heritage and they smile at each other with straight, white teeth. But (as you'd probably guess) something sinister lurks beneath the surface of this town, and Nancy is about to take a big bite into a rotten apple. If you're into strange suspense, check out Holland.

Starts streaming March 27.

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The Wheel of Time, season 3

If fantasy is your sort of thing, check out Prime's sprawling sorcery and orcs (sorry, "trollocs") series The Wheel of Time. The show is returning for a third season, and the White Tower is really in peril now. Right off the bat, Liandrin is revealed as a Black Ajah in front of the Hall of the Sitters. Later, Rand, Moiraine, Lan, Egwene, and Aviendha embark on an epic journey to the Aiel Waste. If you haven't seen the first two seasons or read Robert Jordan's 14(!) Wheel of Time novels, there's no better time than now to dig in.

Starts streaming March 13.

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Bosch: Legacy, season 3

The third and final season of hard-boiled police procedural Bosch: Legacy sees retired LAPD homicide detective turned private eye Hieronymus "Harry" Bosch (Titus Welliver) confronted by his daughter Maddie (Madison Lintz). Last season, Maddie learned that Bosch may have killed the man who previously kidnapped her. This season, the investigation into the kidnappers' death could bring ruin to Harry, Maddie, and Honey "Money" Chandler (Mimi Rogers), who's running for Los Angeles district attorney.

Starts streaming March 27.

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Anora (2024)

Director Sean Baker's radical empathy shines in Anora, a romantic comedy about a sex worker who hooks up with the son of a Russian billionaire, to the great displeasure of his family. In other words, this is not Pretty Woman. Mike Madison turns in a brilliant, nuanced performance in the main role of a film that revels in life's gray areas. Anora refuses to simplify the complexities of love, money, and power in 2025, while refusing to ignore the humanity of its characters. There's a reason this movie killed at Canne and critics love it.

Starts streaming March 18.

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Picture This

Picture This is a romantic comedy starring Bridgerton's Simone Ashley as Pia, a talented photographer who receives a surprising prediction: both true love and success will follow from the next five dates she goes on. With her sister's wedding looming, Pia's family busily lines up potential suitors giving Picture This's character actors (including Ted Lasso's Phil Dunster) a chance to shine. But when Pia's ex Charlie (Hero Fiennes Tiffin) returns, things get complicated.

Starts streaming March 6.

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Last month's picks

Clean Slate

This Amazon original series was dreamed up by the late, great Norman Lear, a man who was known for spinning comedy gold from hot-button social issues with grace. Clean Slate stars actress and trans activist Laverne Cox as Desiree, who returns to her hometown after decades of living in the city. She's been gone for so long, her father, played by George Wallace, doesn't recognize her, mainly because she used to be his son.

Starts streaming February 6.

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Reacher, season 3

Universally praised action series Reacher returns for a third season. Based on Lee Child’s seventh Reacher novel, Persuader, season 3 sees former military operative Jack Reacher going undercover for the DEA in New England and facing off against a character played by Olivier Ritchers, the seven-foot bodybuilder called “the Dutch Giant" in muscle-show circles, and Zachary Beck, played by Anthony Michael Hall, the six-foot tall American actor called "The Geek" in 16 Candles.

Starts streaming February 20.

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House of David

No matter what you think of this "God" person, the Bible contains a lot of great stories, including that of David, who, like Madonna, needs no last name. This faith-based series begins with the fall of King Saul and the anointing of his successor, David, a teenage outcast who seems to have no business being king of anything. But David embarks on a personal journey of discovery and eventually (spoiler alert) becomes the greatest king of Israel. God, as they say, works in mysterious ways.

Starts streaming February 27.

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Invincible, season 3

Both critics and fans love superhero cartoon-for-adults Invincible; the rotten tomato scores for season 1 are 98% and 93% respectively, and one critic called it "the Game of Thrones of the Superhero genre." If you're unfamiliar, Invincible is based on Robert Kirkman’s comic and tells the story of 17-year-old Mark Grayson. Mark is just like any teenager, except his dad is Omni-Man, and he's developing super powers. Season 3 sees Mark meeting up with tons of villains, including Powerplex, voiced by Aaron Paul, The Elephant, voiced by John DiMaggio, and the merciless leader of The Order, Mr. Liu, voiced by Tzi Ma.

Starts streaming February 6.

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My Fault: London

My Fault: London is a British romantic drama based on the novel Culpa mía by Mercedes Ron. It tells the story of Noah, played by Asha Banks, whose mother marries a rich British man and drags her daughter from Florida to London (oh no!). Despite the tony Notting Hill address, things in the UK don't go great for Noah, especially when she meets Nick, played by Matthew Broome, her mother’s new husband’s privileged and snobby son. But, surprisingly, love blooms between the the extremely attractive couple, who then must navigate a chaotic life of partying in Ibiza and driving around in cars worth a million dollars each.

Starts streaming February 13.

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The Best Movies and TV Shows to Watch on Netflix in March 2025

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I've pored over Netflix's release schedule to bring you the best movies and TV shows premiering on the service this month. My must-watch of the month: The Electric State, a comedy sci-fi movie starring Millie Bobby Brown, Chris Pratt, and adorable (but maybe deadly) robots. I'm also psyched for Chaos: The Manson Murders, a new film from documentary GOAT Errol Morris (The Thin Blue Line, Mr. Death), and I'll be checking in on Everybody’s Live, a talk show hosted by John Mulaney that's streamed live.

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The Electric State

Based on the acclaimed graphic novel by Simon Stålenhag, The Electric State is a sci-fi comedy set in a retro-future version of America in the years after a war between humans and robots nearly wiped out humanity. Most people, understandably, don't trust robots, but main character Michelle, played by Millie Bobby Brown, is traveling with a pair of mysterious 'bots, searching for her lost brother. Also on hand: a drifter named Keats, played by Chris Pratt. The Electric State's big stars and intriguing premise make it a must-watch.

Starts streaming March 14.

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Chaos: The Manson Murders

Legendary film-maker Errol Morris turns his always-revealing lens on the Manson Family murders in this provocative new documentary. Not satisfied with "official" explanations of Charles Manson's motives and strange personal charisma, Morris ties the crimes to a larger narrative involving the CIA, LSD, Jack Ruby, The Beach Boys, and who knows what else. Chaos: The Manson Murders features interviews with experts, living witnesses, and archival footage of the Manson clan, combined by a master of the craft.

Starts streaming March 7.

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Everybody’s Live with John Mulaney

Netflix is entering the talk show world with Everybody’s Live with John Mulaney, a weekly live show hosted by Mulaney, who also serves as co-showrunner, and executive producer. If his first Netflix live show, John Mulaney’s Everybody’s in LA, is the model, expect eclectic celebrity guests, phone calls with the viewing audience, and the spontaneous magic that only working live brings. At a recent press event, Mulaney promised, "We will never be relevant. We will never be your source for news. We will always be reckless. Netflix will always provide us with data that we will ignore.” Sounds promising.

Starts streaming March 12.

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Million Dollar Secret

British comedian Peter Serafinowicz hosts this Netflix reality show in which 12 cutthroat competitors travel to an opulent mansion to try to get rich. One contestant finds a million dollars in their room. They get to keep it, but only if no one else discovers their secret. The combination of exotic locations, intricate schemes, a hilarious host, and a contest with a million dollars on the line sounds like reality-show gold to me.

Starts streaming March 26.

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With Love, Meghan

Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, has her own reality show. According to Netflix, in With Love, Meghan, Markle "challenges us to pursue joy over flawlessness—to revel in the small, meaningful touches that may make a loved one’s day." Right away, Your Grace. The show features a mix of practical how-tos and conversation with guests like chef Roy Choi and Mindy Kaling that take place in Markle's kitchen, garden, and even her beehive. I love beehive talks!

Starts streaming March 5.

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The Leopard

Based on the best-selling novel by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa, The Leopard is set in late 19th century Sicily and tells the story of the redshirt army's attempt to conquer the Italian island. It's the last days of the European aristocracy, and Don Fabrizio Corbera, the Prince of Salina, realizes that his family's lives of privilege and frivolity are at their end, so he must forge new alliances and make difficult choices so they can survive in the modern world.

Starts streaming March 5.

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Delicious

This Netflix original from Germany tells the story of a wealthy family unraveling during their summer vacation in Provence. After they hit a woman with their car, the family agrees to take her on as their maid. It seems like kindness, but it's anything but: Each member of the family secretly wants something different from this beautiful young woman, leading to consequences that spin out of control and shatter the facade of their perfect lives.

Starts streaming March 7.

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Plankton: the Movie

Who doesn't love Plankton from Spongebob? This animated Netflix original finally gives the little copepod with big dreams a starring role. As you'd probably expect, Plankton is trying to destroy the world, but his plans are complicated when domestic problems inspire his sentient computer wife Karen to destroy the world without him. Don't despair, Squidward fans: favorite Spongebob characters like Patrick and Sandy will appear in Plankton: The Movie, and so will the voice actors who bring them to life.

Starts streaming March 7.

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American Manhunt: Osama bin Laden

Remember Osama Bin Laden? This suspenseful documentary tells the story of how he was tracked, caught, killed, and had his corpse dumped in the sea. Featuring rare archival footage and interviews with the CIA agents who were there, American Manhunt: Osama bin Laden gives viewers an inside look at one of the most complex and extensive manhunts in history.

Starts streaming March 10.

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Adolescence

The dramatic question at the center of four-part Netflix series Adolescence is "What would you do if your teenage son was accused of murder?" Stephen Graham plays Eddie Miller, whose 13-year-old son Jamie, played by Owen Cooper, is arrested for the murder of a teenage classmate. To illustrate the provocative premise, each episode of Adolescence is presented as a single, continuous shot, so both film nerds and drama fans should put this on their watch list.

Starts streaming March 13.

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The Twister: Caught in the Storm

Tornadoes are the most visually interesting natural disaster, and this documentary takes full advantage of their awesome cinematic power. The Twister: Caught in the Storm tells the story of the massive tornado that tore apart the town of Joplin, Missouri in 2011 through interviews with survivors and tons of harrowing footage shot by people who were right freakin' there when disaster struck.

Starts streaming March 18.

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The Residence

If you like a good whodunit, check out The Residence. Uzo Aduba plays Cordelia Cupp, a brilliant but eccentric detective tasked with solving a murder that takes place during a state dinner at the White House residence. Everyone is a suspect: the staff, the guests, maybe the president himself. With a killer on the loose in the halls of power, Cupp must navigate a complex web of politics and personalities if she's going to crack the case.

Starts streaming March 20.

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Gold & Greed: The Hunt for Fenn's Treasure

Forrest Fenn was a strange old rich guy who buried a chest full of gold somewhere in the Rockies, published a poem full of cryptic clues to its location, then invited everyone on Earth to try to find it. This Netflix original documentary examines the decade-long treasure hunt that followed. As you'd probably guess, it got way out of hand: Searching for Fenn's treasure ended up costing people their families, their jobs, and even their lives.

Starts streaming March 27.

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Survival of the Thickest, season 2

Comedian Michelle Buteau is the co-creator and star of Survival of the Thickest, an ensemble comedy that earns high praise from critics. Season 2 of Thickest finds main character Mavis Beaumont, a large and in charge fashion stylist, in Italy, rebuilding her life, chasing her dreams, looking for love, and scoring designer swag. Series regulars Tone Bell, Tasha Smith, and Marouane Zotti will return, and we'll meet new characters played by Anderson .Paak, Deon Cole, Sandra Bernhard, and more.

Starts streaming March 27.

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The Life List

If you're in the mood for a rom com, check out The Life List. Sofia Carson stars as Alex Rose, a young woman on a quest to check off all the items on a bucket list she made when she was 13. By following through on entries like "go all out in a mosh pit" and "do stand-up comedy," Rose opens her world, but one of the entries is "find true love," and you know that's gonna drive this heartfelt, emotional romantic comedy.

Starts streaming March 28.

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Last month's picks

Zero Day

This is the first time Robert De Niro has starred in a TV series, so Netflix is going big with Zero Day, a political drama/thriller series detailing the aftermath of a deadly cyberattack. De Niro plays respected former President George Mullen, who's heading up the investigation of an information attack that killed thousands of Americans. Mullen must navigate a world of shady tech moguls, government power brokers, and his own past if he's going to prevent a second, even deadlier cyber-disaster.

Starts streaming February 20.

Kinda Pregnant

In this Netflix original romantic comedy, comedian Amy Schumer plays Lainy, a woman who is so jealous of her pregnant friend, she straps on a fake stomach and tells everyone she has a baby on board too. Her mountain of lies grows with her fake belly, but things get really complicated when Lainy meets the man of her dreams. If you're into Schumer's brand of comedy or just like a little frothy rom-com action, check out Kinda Pregnant.

Starts streaming February 5.

La Dolce Villa

Just in time for Valentine's Day comes La Dolce Villa, a Netflix original rom-com set in a romantic Italian village. Scott Foley plays Eric, a businessman who's lost his mojo, who travels to Italy to stop his daughter from wasting her money restoring a crumbling villa she bought for a Euro. Along the way, he rediscovers his lust for life, laughter, beauty, and love. I bet the old Villa actually isn't such a dump after all. La Dolce Villa also stars Maia Reficco, Giuseppe Futia, and Violante Placido.

Starts streaming February 13.

Home Improvement, Seasons 1-8

If you're in the mood for comforting nostalgia, you could do much worse than Tim Allen's iconic late 90s/early aughts series; it's the ultimate, mildly amusing, totally mindless family sit-com. Allen plays Tim Taylor, host of home improvement show-within-a-show Tool Time and patriarch of a suburban Detroit family that has all kinds of sit-com style dilemmas. The Taylors' mix-ups and lighthearted hassles fill up eight seasons of episodes, so feel free to binge them all at once while pretending it's 2004.

Starts streaming February 1.

Space Jam (1996)

Speaking of comforting nostalgia, 1996's cartoons-meet-basketball comedy Space Jam is coming to Netflix. The movie pairs ancient sports superstars like Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, and Charles Barkley with ancient cartoon superstars like Bugs Bunny, Yosemite Sam, and Daffy Duck, and then has them play basketball on another planet. Somehow, this weird concept works and results in a movie that's great fun and superior in every way to the recent reboot.

Starts streaming February 1.

Celebrity Bear Hunt

In this reality show version of The Most Dangerous Game, professional survival guy Bear Grylls hunts a group of 12 celebrities in the jungles of Costa Rica. Sadly, the cast is made up of British celebrities like Shirley Ballas, Mel B., and Boris Becker, and losing contestants aren't gunned down like rabid wildebeests when Grylls catches 'em; but still, Celebrity Bear Hunt puts privileged people in uncomfortable situations (always good TV), and the scenery is beautiful.

Starts streaming February 5.

Grimsburg

In this Fox cartoon for adults, Jon Hamm voices hardboiled detective Marvin Flute. Flute has cracked some of the most complicated and dark cases in history, and now he's returning to his home town to tackle his most puzzling mystery: his own family. Judging from the trailer, Grimsburg looks pretty funny with sharp writing and a talented voice cast, so I'm going to give this one a shot.

Starts streaming February 5.

Sweet Magnolias, season 4

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