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7 quick tech fixes that’ll make you feel like a genius
It’s Saturday, which means two things:
- Your to-do list is calling.
- You’re already avoiding it by checking your email. I see you.
So let’s channel that procrastination energy into productivity. I’m talking about the satisfying kind where you fix stuff in under a minute and feel wildly accomplished.
Here are tech issues you can squash today. No tools, tech support or curse words required.
1. Fix your smart TV
Screen flickering? Wonky colors? Do this: Unplug the TV from the wall, then press and hold the TV’s physical power button (not the remote!) for 60 full seconds. Plug it back in. Magic. Yes, you’ve seen this before. It worked for so many of you, it’s here by popular demand.
2. Fix a laggy Fire Stick
Menus crawling like it’s 1997? Hold the Select and Play/Pause buttons together for five seconds. This soft reset won’t erase anything, it just shakes off the digital cobwebs.
3. Fix a Bluetooth device that won’t pair
Unpair it, toggle Bluetooth off and on. Still moody? Go nuclear: Tap “Forget This Device” in settings, restart both gadgets and re-pair. Think of it as couples therapy for your tech.
4. Fix slow internet (without calling your provider)
Unplug your modem and router for 60 seconds. Dust the vents while you’re at it. Plug the modem in first, wait, then the router. You dodged 40 minutes of elevator music.
DIY made easy
Got a honey-do list a mile long? Start here.
🔦 Whoa, that’s bright: Philips flashlight ($44, 30% off)
Don’t wait for a power outage to wish you had one. This zoomable beam packs 2,000 lumens and a rechargeable battery that also charges your phone. You’ll never fumble for candles again.
🧰 The ultimate gift set: A full 276-piece toolbox ($100, 21% off) and a power drill? You betcha. Wrap this up and make someone’s Christmas morning.
Your pipe’s winter coat: Slip on a two-pack of outdoor faucet covers ($6, 40% off) before the first frost. Way cheaper than a plumber visit.
👟 Solid grip, no fuss: Tracking in dirt? A pack of 100 disposable shoe covers ($8, 47% off) saves you from having to whip out your mop.
Tiny fix, big win: These rubber chair leg caps ($10, 17% off) stop your furniture from scratching your beautiful floors. 16 in a pack = enough for four chairs.
✅ For your inner Mr. or Ms. Fix-It: See 25 more gadgets that made my “home helper” list over on my Amazon page.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
For whom the bell tolls unpaid
You’ve probably seen it: a text that says something like, “You have an overdue toll balance. Click here to avoid late fees.” It looks official, urgent and believable enough to make you think maybe it’s legit.
😅 Hide old YouTube videos: Keep those cringey family vlogs to yourself by making them private. Go to your Profile > YouTube Studio > Content, and change Visibility to Unlisted. They’ll disappear from search and recommendations, and only people with the link can watch. Memories preserved, pride intact (and the kids will thank you).
What your scrolling says about your bank account: Ever caught yourself scrolling bad news before bed? That might say more than you think. A viral creator claims constant scrolling is both a bad habit and a class signal. Overworked, burned-out folks escape online, while the wealthy and trust-fund types scroll the wine list. We all cope how we can. Here’s something to think about: Tablets were replaced by scrolls. Scrolls were replaced by books. Now we scroll through books on our tablets. Wild.
Is the world going mad for ChatGPT?
Over 100 million people use it every day. Now research warns it’s quietly fueling a mental health crisis.
The Amazon outage that broke the internet
Amazon’s cloud crashed and took half the internet with it. Snapchat, Ring, Venmo, even banks went dark. I’ll break down what happens when the web’s backbone fails. Then I talk to one business owner who caught scammers stealing her online brand. Plus, the Louvre heist, a New Jersey “UFO” update, and a smart ChatGPT trick.
On the hunt: I tried all the job sites, word of mouth and even talking up job openings on my shows. It didn’t work. But I’ve had great success finding really wonderful, hardworking people on LinkedIn. Post a job for free right now using my link.
The scariest scam yet: real-time voice cloning
Not long ago, faking someone’s voice took real effort. Time’s changed. Hear about a new system that allows anyone to mimic your voice in an instant.
👻 Now you see it: Boo! Threads dropped “ghost posts” that vanish after 24 hours, and only you can see the likes or replies, which show up as DMs. Meta says it’s for “unfiltered thoughts.” Finally, a feature for people who can’t stop deleting their posts.
💅 Your ‘feel-good’ tool kit
Here are your shortcuts to looking alive again (you’re welcome).
🪞 Magic mirror on the go: Travel makeup mirror ($10, 38% off)
Your makeup’s only as good as your lighting. That’s why I love a portable, rechargeable LED vanity mirror. Perfect for dingy hotel rooms or when you’re rushing before a Zoom call.
😌 Drop the dullness: TruSkin’s Vitamin C serum ($39, 20% off) handles dark spots and fine lines. You’ll look like you actually got eight hours of sleep.
Feeling congested? Grab a pack of Beekeeper’s Naturals nasal spray ($18, 30% off). Propolis, saline and xylitol tag-team to clear your head.
💦 Floss like a boss: Dentists swear by Operan’s water flosser ($23, 19% off). Four nozzles and modes blast away gunk, even on your tongue.
Porcelain throne upgrade: Once you hook up a bidet attachment ($53, 45% off), you’ll wonder how you ever cleaned up without a warm, self-cleaning wash.
🛍️ Because you deserve it: Treat yourself (without emptying your wallet) and browse today’s top steals, all four stars and up.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
That ‘free space’ in your closet might be worth hundreds or more
Let me guess, you’ve got a few mystery boxes in the garage, a closet that could double as a thrift store, and a drawer of random chargers for devices you haven’t seen since the Obama administration.
We all hold onto stuff we might use again but never do. That clutter? It could be worth real cash and might come in handy for Christmas and holiday gifts.
🤖 Lead smarter, not harder: You’ve asked for book recommendations, and here’s one. AI’s here to stay. Geoff Woods’ book The AI-Driven Leader shows you how to harness AI to make faster, smarter decisions. Each chapter is packed with real-world examples, prompts and tips you can start using today. A must-read to help you stay tech ahead and not fall behind.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
Apple’s family problem: A mom with legal custody says her ex used Apple’s Family Sharing to spy on and control their kids, track locations, set screen limits, even block apps during her custody time. As you can imagine, Apple’s hands are tied. Turns out, only the account “organizer” holds power, leaving the other parent locked out, even with a court order. Share this with someone you know who is recently divorced.
Speed up your startup: If your computer feels slow when it first turns on, too many apps might be launching in the background. Go to Settings > Apps > Startup to see what’s set to open automatically. Look for anything marked “High impact,” and toggle off what you don’t need (like Microsoft Edge). It’ll free up some memory.
Meta’s AI trains on your private photos
Facebook wants to scan your camera roll. Yes, the pics you never posted. Creepy? Plus, one caller wants to stop his kid from looking at naughty things on the internet. Then I get into Amazon’s robot army, why being mean to AI work, and how to pay less for subscriptions.
How to clean up your camera roll fast
Is your phone begging for more storage? AI host Mara’s got the quick way to ditch duplicate pics on iPhone and Android. Plus, a NordicTrack recall, a 3-year-old hero with Face ID, and the coolest new iOS feature you didn’t know you needed.
🎃 Keep tabs on Halloween night: Worried about the kids heading out after dark? Slip an AirTag or Tile tracker into their costume or treat bag, so you’ll always know where they are. Add a few glow bracelets to their wrists for extra visibility on the roads. Peace of mind for you, more candy for them.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.