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Hey Triple Cities, hope your week’s off to a good start! In today’s wallet-friendly edition: AI pricing rules, composting 101, and a wild home with an outdoor fireplace + lots of fun things to do for free.
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's $150 off right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Consumer pricing rules advance: New York’s One Fair Price Act would ban AI-driven pricing based on personal data. It passed the Legislature and awaits Governor Hochul’s signature, raising questions about coupons and loyalty perks -- see the pricing bill debate.
Rabies trends and risks: New York rabies cases level off, but budget cuts complicate tracking. 2025 had 379 cases vs 315 in 2024, Saratoga jumped, and human infections are rare -- check the rabies trends.
Fresh air gains recognized: Released Monday, a ranking names New York the East Coast’s cleanest for air quality in 2026 and fourth nationwide, reflecting DEC forest protection and pollution reductions for the Triple Cities -- see the air quality ranking.
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half -- this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
Watch your credit card balance drop. Here's a rare one: this card lets you skip interest charges until nearly 2028, and you won't pay a cent in annual fees to do it. On top of that, every purchase earns at least 1.5% cash back, with some categories as high as 5%. Spend a little early on and there's up to a $200 bonus waiting too -- take a look.*
An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial walk-in-the-door fee to x-rays, surgery, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could save thousands on your next vet bill with Lemonade*. Highlights this week: |
02 — From our sponsor Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC billIf your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's $150 off right now.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Local stage magic: Triple Cities’ indie theater heartbeat, Know Theatre keeps it intimate and fearless with a 2026/2027 lineup that kicks off September 11 with My First Time, rolls into the 23rd Annual Playwrights & Artists Festival in November, then drops Celtic Christmas @ Atomic Tom’s in December. Snag seats now before they vanish.
Weeknight wing fix: Whether the group chat wants wings, a trusty burger, or a spot to catch up over a beer, The Deacon's Bench keeps it classic and flavorful. Fresh, crispy wings and hearty burgers hit the comfort-food sweet spot this week, no fuss, just good times.
Treat your scalp right: When buildup, hard-water minerals, and chlorine have your hair feeling blah, Sage & Cedar Beauty Co. offers a Headspa Treatment that’s basically a scalp facial plus deep relaxation. Holistic vibes, cleaner roots, softer strands, and a calmer mind... it’s the midweek reboot you’ll actually look forward to.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
Shop for new floors without ever needing to leave the house: No showroom, no second-guessing. All from the comfort of your own home. Empire Today® has flooring experts that will bring you samples and provide you with a free in-home estimate. Trusted and backed by over 3 million satisfied customers and over 65 years of quality service. *Check out their current offers today →
Stiff necks start on flat pillows: You've slept on both arms, both sides, stacked two pillows, thrown one on the floor, and the stiffness keeps finding you, because every position ends on the same pillow that can't hold your neck. This one can: shaped to keep your neck in line however you sleep, with gentle traction through the night. If it doesn't earn its spot in 30 nights, it goes back free. *Take the 30-night test, 50% off →
Home insurance premiums jumped 12% last year alone: That's on top of years of increases that have outpaced inflation. Before you blindly renew with your current insurer, a free comparison tool matches your home with top-rated insurers so you can see quotes side by side, in about two minutes. Some homeowners find hundreds in savings, and if you don't find a better policy, you stay put knowing you checked. *See your options →
The slower you walk, the more it works: Tai Chi walking is trending online. Turns out it's centuries old — slow deliberate steps, paced breath, attention on the body. Thirty minutes a day burns fat, lifts your mood, and builds balance. No gym, no treadmill, no pounding on the joints. Take the quick quiz to see if it fits, then use code BASELOCAL for a discount on the coaching plan. *See how it works →
The upgrades that make your home feel new again start here: You don't need a full remodel to fall back in love with your space. New fixtures, a fresh coat of paint, updated hardware, the small changes that make a room feel different. It's all in one place, so a weekend is all it takes to give a tired room a fresh start. *Shop the refresh → |
Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Free events worth checking outFree things to do in the coming days and weeks. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🌱 VINES: Composting 101 8/4/26 @ Abbott Street Community Garden (Binghamton) | Tuesday (8/4) at 5:30 PM – Skip the landfill lecture and learn the basics at Abbott St. Community Garden's free, open to all Composting 101. What to toss, how to keep a pile working, and how it pays off for tomatoes and the planet, with a suggested $5 to $10 donation.
🥕 Binghamton Farmers Market @ Recreation Park | Sunday (8/9) at 11:00 AM – Binghamton Farmers Market is serving up summer Sundays with Chicky's favorites and produce so fresh it still has opinions. Crispy comfort, local greens, and the smug satisfaction of shopping small await, which totally counts as meal prep, and makes you feel wildly responsible.
🎵 Greg Neff @ Little Italy (Endicott) | Thursday (8/13) at 4:00 PM – Little Italy Endicott’s farmers market pairs heirloom tomatoes with heirloom tunes, as Greg Neff strums acoustic favorites from the 60s and 70s. With artisans, farmers, and bakers in the mix, the vibe invites lingering, nostalgia, and admitting you came for the music, not the mozzarella.
🤝 Agape Central New York’s Caregiver Connection Live! @ Southern Tier Community Center (Endicott) | Monday (8/17) at 6:00 PM – Free, in-person support for adoptive, foster, and kinship caregivers at Southern Tier Community Center, third Mondays. Kids hang out, you get a meal, talk on behaviors, school, and feelings, with facilitators who have lived it, and nobody tries to fix it with a sticker chart.
🧺 UWF Summer Picnic @ Central United Methodist Church (Endicott) | Wednesday (8/26) at 12:00 PM – Lower Highland Park is the neighborhood living room for a summer picnic, so pack a sandwich, a cold drink, and your A-game for catching up. It is a bring-your-own-lunch situation, covering everything from leftover lasagna to aspirational charcuterie. Old friends, new faces, zero fuss.
🎸 Home Brew @ Abel's Pub (Binghamton) | Sunday (8/30) at 12:00 PM – Nothing beats a free Grateful Dead tribute when the wallet needs a breather and the feet want to sway, not sprint. Home Brew rolls into Abel’s Party Pavilion with jams, harmonies, and room for your two-step shuffle. Tie-dye optional, good vibes required.
⚾ Autism at the Ballpark! @ Binghamton Rumble Ponies | Wednesday (9/2) at 5:30 PM – Whether you’re raising a stats savant or a mascot superfan, the ballpark is turning one section into a true no judgment zone for families in the autism community. Meet fellow locals, enjoy the game, and eligible families score a free family four-pack.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Heads up for pet parentsTogether with our sponsor Lemonade. Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving. As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Pet Insurance. It was too late for me, but you could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade. |
07 — Triple Cities report Weather forecastToday — High: 84°F — Low: 61°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 84. Northwest wind around 2 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 61. Southeast wind around 1 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 86°F — Low: 68°F — Precip: 11%
Partly sunny, with a high near 86. South wind 1 to 5 mph. Later: A chance of rain showers between 8pm and 11pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11pm and 2am, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. Chance of precipitation is 30%. This house is wildThis standout Endicott home sits on a lush .55-acre lot and offers more than 3,100 finished square feet of easygoing style. A wraparound front porch, back deck, above-ground pool, and custom outdoor fireplace set the scene outside, while inside brings open living spaces, a roomy kitchen, first-floor bedroom, and a finished lower level with bar and bonus room.
Take a peek inside → |
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