The Bay is having a one-day flash sale on luggage today, Wednesday May 16, from now until 6 p.m. EST.

It's not as if smartphones were bidding good-bye, but their popularity has been sinking lately.

Thus a report by British international marketing research company, Intersperience.

Why? Simply because the technology hasn't been keeping up with the Joneses, such as tablets, laptops, PCs, and other such paraphernalia.

What's going on? Simple: smartphones' access speed to the Internet hasn't slowed down, but all the other equipment has found ways to speed up. And since we live in the era of institutionalized impatience, the dip in smartphone popularity has been inevitable.

Life's tough. And dangerous. Even when you go on vacation. Why? Forgot to shut the windows? Or turn the bathtub faucet off?

No. It's the high-technology you own that's causing you wrinkles.

It doesn't have to.

High-tech devices and their use anywhere, even in the midst of a five-star resort, can bring untold troubles upon you. Especially if you resort to using your credit cards and communicating with others, using WiFi services you're not familiar with.

Here are some basic instructions to keep your mind at ease (and your devices safe).

A little extra money is always a good thing.

When I was a kid, I remember my Dad getting frustrated by my continued requests for things - he would ignore me for awhile, and then would say - so who's going to pay for that?

With summer holidays soon upon us, parents are feeling the burden of their children's wants and desires for summer, but does it have to be just Mum and Dad paying for everything?

Families who want to help kids understand the value of a loonie or toonie can make a plan to help everyone lean how to save money, and create a family slush fund.

Small businesses must have had it up to here with all the paperwork they've got to go through to be able to open their doors – and keep them open afterwards, so long as there is enough custom.

All that at a time when the prevailing thought is we should have gone paperless long ago.

Enter BizPaL. That's an online business permit and licence service that saves time spent on paperwork and helps entrepreneurs start up faster.

While general readers might question the need for licences and permits in the first place, they exist. And so long as we do not raise a revolution against them, might as well make the process as efficient as possible.

Save 30 per cent on women's fashion at the Bay. There's also a 50 per cent discount on women's dresses. Happy shopping!

The working world is going through major changes - its not just the compartmentalized world of Dilbert anymore.

For most of us the path of our career led us from the mosh pit of cubicles to want the hallowed ground of our own office, with four walls and a door.

But with the continuing advances in technology and the changing views of how work is accomplished, is a cubicle or office even necessary?

Do we still need to label our scissors and staplers and have a permanent place to set up shop?

According to Marcia Mayhew, there's a new way to view the office - it's all about multipurpose and shared spaces to gain the innovative advantage.

This week's recall report includes many household items:

Health Canada and Church & Dwight Canada have issued a recall for the Spinbrush PRO Clean Sonic recharge toothbrush.

The toothbrushes can possibly can cause injury due to fire, shock or burns due to the base overheating while charging.

Church & Dwight Canada have received seven reports from consumers of toothbrushes overheating, but there have been no reports of injury.

The recall is limited to toothbrushes sold between February 2010 and October 2011, with lot numbers DD9355 to 9365 and DD0002 to 0122.

Consumers are asked to contact Church & Dwight Canada to return the toothbrush at 1-888-709-4100 for a full refund.

Now's the time to stock up for your kids at Old Navy. The store is offering an 15 per cent on all kids and baby clothing. Just enter the code ONSAVE15 at the checkout.

The sale is good from now until May 16.