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Adpocalypse survival guide
“Kim, I am so sick and tired of all the ads on websites. It feels like they’ve gotten worse since ChatGPT is taking away site traffic from Google. How do I block the annoying ads?” — Terry in Ohio
Terry, you’re right. Websites are loading up with more ads than ever.
Pop-ups, auto-playing videos, banners that dance around while you’re just trying to read a recipe or check the news. It’s digital chaos.
Why? Because many sites are losing tremendous ad revenue in the 60% range from fewer clicks and fewer visitors. So they’re cramming in even more ads, hoping to squeeze out one more buck before you give up and close the tab.
But you don’t have to live like this. Here’s how to shut down the noise.
🔧 Start with your browser
Fight back, one browser setting at a time.
Chrome:
- Click the three dots (top right) > Settings > Privacy and security > Site Settings
- Scroll down and block pop-ups and redirects
Safari (Mac):
- Safari > Settings > Websites > Content Blockers
- It tries to get rid of pop-ups, trackers, auto-play videos and more
Firefox:
Virtual party list
🥳 Hosting or heading to a get-together? Let’s get the fun started.
- 🎁 Wrapping, handled: This double-sided organizer (28% off) keeps your gift bags, ribbons and bows tidy.
- 🍷 Pop, pour, press: All with a four-in-one wine opener (15% off) that aerates and seals when the party’s over.
- 🍫 More like fun-do: NutriChef’s electric fondue pot (8% off) makes gooey goodness in minutes.
- 🚀 Vibes in overdrive: Bring the night sky indoors with a galaxy light projector (19% off). 4.4 stars and 7,000+ reviews.
- ⛺ “No adults allowed” zone: From playing to reading, this kid’s canopy (28% off) gives ’em a cozy space to do it.
🛍️ Still stumped? I got you. An e-gift card is a great last-minute idea. And don’t forget, more gift-worthy finds are on my Amazon store.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
Kim’s picks under $50
I dug through the Prime Day treasure chest to find the best gadgets, home helpers and little luxuries, all under $50. And yep, some are even under $10. Let’s jump in.
Prime perk alert: Amazon is giving Prime members a $15 credit just for uploading a photo with Amazon Photos. Just add one pic through the app, and boom, free cash. It’s already included in your membership, so don’t miss it! While you’re at it, click this secret link for more Prime Day deals.
⚡️ 3-second tech genius: If you want to see where an image came from, go to images.google.com. Click the camera icon, upload the file and run a reverse image search. Nice.
GoFraudMe: Scammers’ latest ploy is fake fundraisers exploiting a real tragedy. A woman’s husband was killed with a hatchet on vacation, and bogus GoFundMes popped up using his story. GoFundMe pulled the pages, but it’s a brutal reminder: Always verify before donating.
AI targets tattoo artist jobs
A new machine promises faster, cleaner, less painful ink, and it’s heading to a shop near you.
$500 million
That’s the deal Apple just signed with MP Materials, which operates a rare-earth mine in the U.S. The company will soon produce magnets for iPhones and other high-tech gear. Why? Apple wants to cut back on communist China’s grip controlling about 70% of the world’s critical minerals.
💰 Find the subscriptions you forgot about: I use Rocket Money, an app that finds all your recurring subscriptions and lets you easily cancel anything you don’t want. The first time I logged in, it saved me $435!
Pixar almost deleted Toy Story 2
Toy Story 2 was nearly lost to a single keystroke, until a backup saved the day. Here’s why your files need a rescue plan, too.
🧨 Pentagon goes promptcore: We need this. The Pentagon is writing jumbo checks (up to $200M each) to OpenAI, Google, Anthropic and, yes, xAI, to build agentic AIs for war. The Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office says this is about speeding up military decision-making and “mission workflows.”
I found your next favorite gadgets
🧠 Upgrading your tech game shouldn’t melt your brain (or your wallet).
- 🔌 Running out of ports? Plug in a five-in-one USB-C hub (50% off). Whoa, 4.6 stars and 185,000+ reviews!
- 🖼️ Memories on a loop: Printing pics? Send ’em straight to this digital photo frame (14% off).
- 🐶 Fetch this steal: Keep tabs on your doggo 24/7 and fling treats with a 360° dog camera (56% off).
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
China’s spherical spybot is terrifying
It rolls like a tire, fires nets, and sprays tear gas. Plus, NASA lost pricey footage, Hertz nickel-and-dimes with tech, and McDonald’s big password problem. What’s your childhood home look like now? Google Maps lets you time travel. Let’s go!
Charlie Chaplin’s in theaters after 100 years
Charlie Chaplin famously rereleased his 1925 silent classic The Gold Rush in 1942 with new narration and edits, believing it would connect better with modern audiences. Now, thanks to film archivists and AI, the silent masterpiece has been painstakingly restored. The 4K version just premiered at Cannes and hit 250 theaters worldwide.
🙄 Sick of Comcast? Two guys in Michigan got so fed up with the service that they started their own internet company. It’s all fiber (read: reliable), with no data caps or contracts, and it’s already in about 1,500 homes. The twist? Comcast caught wind and started calling ex-customers with discounts and new unlimited deals. Shocker.
🖱️ Windows trick: A secret button on the taskbar minimizes everything you have open. Look in the bottom-right corner of your screen. It’s a small silver line. Click to clear your screen, click again to bring your windows back. Faster than closing them one by one.
Make $80K a year renting out your yard — July 12th, Hour 1
I talk to a guy who makes big money with his unused space through the Neighbor app. Here’s how you can do it, too. Plus, the demise of Google, Apple vs. p*rn, and the first foldable iPhone. Also, how sending out a smiley face could save your relationship.
Your A+ checklist
🔔 School’s almost back in session. I’ve done the homework for you.
- ✍️ Jot this down: Snag a set of gel pens (20% off, six-pack) for journaling, note-taking or doodling during class.
- 📑 Get out of a bind: These ring binders (20% off, four-pack) double as cheat sheets. You didn’t hear that from me.
- 📝 Note to self: One college-ruled notebook (41% off, six-pack) per class = zero confusion.
- 🛏️ Dorm-approved: Drift off after that 2 a.m. study sesh on silky-soft bedsheets (18% off).
- 📦 Bin there, done that: Stackable storage bins (25% off, two-pack) tell your roommate, “That’s mine.”
💯 Extra credit: There’s a whole backpack’s worth of back-to-school deals waiting for you on my Amazon page.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
Read your Kindle sideways: Prefer a wider view? While reading, tap the screen and hit the Aa formatting button. Go to Layout, then under Orientation, choose the Landscape icon. Handy if your iPad habits are hard to shake.
🔌 Belkin bricks tech: Say goodbye to 27 models of its Wemo smart home devices, including some sold as recently as 2023. After January 2026, they’ll lose app access, Alexa integrations and cloud features. Warranty users might get partial refunds. Everyone else? Straight to e-waste. Your “smart” hardware’s about to get real dumb.