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Your streaming bill is robbing you blind
On my national radio show, I mentioned that the average American spends $110 a month on streaming subscriptions. Add in $80+ for decent internet, and suddenly cable doesn’t look so evil.
My inbox exploded: “Kim, how do I lower my streaming bill?”
The short answer: You’re paying for stuff you’re not even watching. Let’s fix that.
🕵️ Start with a ‘streaming audit’
How many of these are you signed up for right now? Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Max, Peacock, Prime Video … and maybe a couple of sneaky ones like BritBox or Discovery+ you forgot about after a “free trial.”
Step 1: Check your bank or card statement for charges from:
- Google, Apple, Amazon (they love hiding subscriptions under friendly names).
- Random charges like “BILLINGSTREAMLLC” (actual scammy name I’ve seen).
- Pro tip: Use Rocket Money, they scan your accounts and flag forgotten or sneaky subscriptions.
Step 2: Open your smart TV or phone. Which apps are collecting digital dust? If it’s been more than a month since you watched something, unsubscribe. Most services save your watch history, so you can pick up where you left off later.
💸 Go full cheapskate (but in style)
You’d be shocked how good free streaming is these days. Yeah, there are ads, but you don’t get a bill.
- Tubi: Classic movies, thrillers and more ’90s vibes than a Delia’s catalog.
- Pluto TV: News, sitcoms, reality reruns and channels you didn’t know you missed.
- The Roku Channel: Solid flicks and weirdly addictive Roku originals.
- Plex: It started as a way to stream your own stuff, now it offers tons of free content.
- Kanopy & Hoopla: If you’ve got a library card, you’ve got access to tons of award-winning movies, docs and even binge-worthy TV. Free. Legit. No strings.
🎯 Question of the day
Stay cozy outside
From Halloween haunts to Friday night lights, these have you covered.
⚡ Outdoor stake timer (20% off): Let your Halloween or Christmas lights shine until dawn or just a few hours to save energy.
Extension cord covers (21% off): Waterproof latches protect your plugs from rain and snow. Fits multiple sizes.
🥑 Rechargeable hand warmers (30% off): Trick-or-treat with cute avocado-shaped heaters keeping you toasty.
Stadium seat cushion (20% off): Memory foam + adjustable straps = the best seat at the football game.
🛠️ Screen repair tape (33% off): Patch holes in minutes with this 30-foot roll. Saves you from replacing your whole door.
💡 Only bright ideas: For every season and reason, I’ve got more finds waiting for you on my Amazon shop.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
The tech myths we can’t stop repeating
Tech myths have a way of sticking around like those 99 browser tabs you keep open, harmless at first, but over time, they slow everything down. They spread in group texts, get repeated by well-meaning relatives and pop up like spammy ads from 2003.
🐝 Sweeten online shopping: Add the Honey extension to your browser and let it hunt down coupon codes across 30,000 sites. It’ll track prices on your Droplist and ping you when there’s a discount. It even tells you when Amazon sellers are overcharging. Buzz buzz, instant savings.
😳 Gullible little robots: Want AI to pick out the perfect item for you? Don’t. These new AI browsers like Perplexity’s Comet are total suckers. In tests, they clicked scam emails, typed bank logins into fake sites and even downloaded viruses if a page asked nicely. Basically, they’re your friend who still believes email from Nigerian princes. Stay away.
Why cable tv is a very sad place
Streaming dominates while traditional TV fades fast. Nielsen says cable viewers are mostly down to five channels: ESPN, a cable news pick, and a lifestyle network, proving we have left linear TV behind.
Am I crazy or has my phone been hacked?
Lilly from Indianapolis thinks her phone has been hacked. Can she prove it? Also, the Secret Service crushes a nightmare cyber plot. Plus, the dark side of Amazon Prime, AI celebrity boyfriends, and digital shoplifting. Don’t miss this!
⚙️ Unlock hidden Windows tools: On Windows 11, search “Turn Windows features on or off” to open a menu of powerful extras. Want to run Linux or Android emulators? Enable Virtual Machine Platform. Need a safe way to test unknown apps? Use Windows Sandbox. Then there’s Hyper-V that lets you create and manage virtual machines.
How scammers get free stuff from your doorstep
Think your neighbor’s package mix-up is innocent? It could be a scam to get free stuff from Amazon. Here’s how the trick works and what you should do instead.
Apple’s October drop: Rumors say we’re getting a new Apple TV 4K, HomePod mini 2, M5 iPad Pro, AirTag 2 and maybe a Vision Pro refresh. Toss in possible M5 MacBook Pros and new Studio Displays and it’s basically tech Black Friday but without the discounts.
Glow up without the markup
I’ve got your back (and face, hair and smile, too).
✂️ Nose hair trimmer (25% off): No tug, no tears. Use it in the shower or on the go, so no one gets distracted by a forest of hairs.
Hair-building fibers (40% off): Instantly cover any thinning spots. With nine shades, you’ll find your perfect match.
🧴 Cetaphil moisturizing cream (28% off, two-pack): Dermatologist-approved hydration that isn’t greasy? Yes please!
Exfoliating gloves (15% off, two-pack): Buff away dull, flaky skin and reveal that baby-smooth glow hiding underneath.
😁 Crest 3D whitestrips (35% off): Get a whiter smile in 20 minutes. Plus, 22 treatments keep the sparkle lasting for weeks.
🌟 Want more compliments? Stock your bathroom cabinet with even more handpicked beauty finds right here.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
Meet your financial evil twin
A man named William Woods spent years trying to prove he was … himself. Why? Because another man, Matthew David Keirans, stole his Social Security number and birth certificate, built a whole new life with them and lived under Woods’ identity for decades.
Reset Kindle reading time: At the bottom left, tap to see how long’s left in a chapter or the whole book. If you fall asleep or leave it open, the estimate gets thrown off. To fix it, tap the Search icon at the top, type ;ReadingTimeReset and hit Enter. It’ll say no results, but it works.
🚓 Steering clear of justice: So cops in California pulled over a Waymo car for an illegal U-turn, only to realize there was no driver. No ticket, no punishment, just a “we’ll look into it.” New law says police can fine robot cars but not until 2026. Until then, these vehicles are basically untouchable outlaws with blinkers, U-turning above the law.
🎧 DJ mode in Apple Music: Working on your Mac? Apple Music’s new AutoMix feature makes playlists flow like a club mix. Go to Settings > Playback > Song Transitions and switch from Crossfade to AutoMix. Instead of just fading tracks, AutoMix uses AI to speed up or slow down transitions for a smoother vibe.
Will I be able to sing?
Roger Love, vocal coach to Bradley Cooper and other big stars, turns me into a songbird. Yes, I sing in this show. Then, the U.S. leases China’s TikTok algorithm, sketchy routers, and Facebook Dating’s AI wingman. Plus, why some people turn to the wild world of free sperm donors on social media.
AI has ears everywhere
Today on The Current AI Podcast, George takes you inside the hidden world of ultrasonic tracking, the creepy tech that links your devices through sounds you can’t even hear. Then it’s off to the Web Water Cooler, where we talk Samsung’s swollen Galaxy Ring, Alexa’s new paywall, AI-powered scams, and even China’s pay-to-wipe toilets. In Device Advice, learn how AI now fights ransomware in Google Drive, the fastest way to cancel sneaky app subscriptions, and smart tricks for Google Docs, YouTube, and Fire TV. From smart speakers to smart scams, this episode is packed with AI, security, and gadget hacks you don’t want to miss.
My pick for home security: Over 4 million Americans trust SimpliSafe for proactive home security. AI cameras detect threats immediately, alert professional monitors and, if needed, trigger sirens, spotlights and police. It’s like having a personal security guard. Get 50% off your new security system today!
Musk vs. Wikipedia: Elon Musk says he’s building Grokipedia, an AI-powered rival to Wikipedia using his Grok chatbot. He claims it’ll fix “bias” and “half-truths.” Meanwhile, Wikipedia’s founder basically went, “Good luck, buddy.” Hey, I’m just hoping my own Wikipedia page doesn’t get “corrected” into fan fiction. (Yes, it’s real: Kim Komando).