Oh, sheet: Excel’s =COPILOT() feature writes formulas for you. But here’s the catch: Microsoft says it’s not accurate, not reproducible and shouldn’t be used for finances, legal docs or … well, Excel’s entire job that’s continually regressing.
Think you’re paying $139 for Amazon Prime? Think again
ChatGPT
When’s the last time you checked how much Amazon is pulling from your bank account? If you guessed around $100 a year, you’re in for a surprise. You could be spending over $300 annually without realizing it. Let’s break it down.
🧓 Back in my day…
When Amazon Prime launched in 2005, it was a sweet deal: $79 a year for free two-day shipping. That price held until 2014, when it jumped to $99. Then $119 in 2018. By 2022? We hit $139 a year, and I’m predicting it now: Next year, it’ll go up to $159.
Oh, and that’s just the base price.
Now there’s a $9.95 delivery fee for Whole Foods orders, a $36 annual upcharge if you want Prime Video without ads, and sky-high grocery minimums for Amazon Fresh (originally $35, now $100). Want more?
- Amazon Music Unlimited: $99/year
- Audible: $14.95/month
- Amazon Kids+: $5.99/month
- Kindle Unlimited: $11.99/month
- Streaming add-ons (HBO Max, Paramount+, etc.): $7.99 to $20.99/month each
That $139 membership? It’s just an appetizer.
✅ Here’s how to check what you’re paying:
- Go to Your Prime Membership to see if you’re billed monthly or annually.
- Then check Your Subscriptions for all those sneaky add-ons like Kindle Unlimited, Music, channel bundles and more.
- From your account, click Memberships & Subscriptions or Subscribe & Save Items for a full list.
(Pro tip: The layout may shift depending on the browser, the app or which way the tech winds are blowing that day.)
🤑 Easy ways to save
- Amazon Family: Share your Prime perks at no extra cost.
- Pay annually: It’s $40 cheaper than month-to-month.
- Gas savings: Get 10¢ off a gallon at 7,000+ stations.
- Grubhub+: Unlimited $0 delivery fees for as long as you’re a Prime member.
- Rx savings: Discounts on prescriptions at almost 60,000 pharmacies.
- Amazon Photos + Shutterfly: Get 45% off regular-priced orders and free shipping if it’s $35+.
- Prime for Young Adults: Half off & a six-month free trial.
- EBT/Medicaid: Get Prime for just $6.99/month.
- Prime Visa: If you shop a lot on Amazon, this card gives you cash back to help offset the cost. Bonus: Get a $50 gift card when you’re approved.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
Stop overpaying for subscriptions: I use Rocket Money to track all my recurring payments. It shows everything in one place and makes it easy to cancel the ones I don’t need anymore. The first time I used it, I saved $435! Start saving today!
📶 Don’t trust public Wi-Fi: Scammers can set up “evil twin” networks that look like your coffee shop’s or airport’s Wi-Fi. Once you connect, they can intercept everything you type, from social media logins to credit card info. Always ask staff for the exact network name, and use a VPN to encrypt your internet traffic. My pick is ExpressVPN.
🔍 Hide your Facebook from Google: Stop search engines from linking to your profile when someone looks up your name. Go to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Audience and visibility > How people find and contact you. Then toggle off Do you want search engines outside of Facebook to link to your profile?
Write an FAQ page with AI: Got an online biz? Let ChatGPT draft your FAQs. Prompt it with: “You’re an e-commerce expert. Write a list of FAQs with simple answers for my [insert product/service] using [insert details]. Cover use, shipping, returns and common concerns.” Now do a quick edit and add anything the bot left out.
⚡️ 3-second tech genius: On Windows, you can hide your desktop icons for privacy. Just right-click the desktop, go to View and uncheck Show desktop icons. On Mac, click Finder > Settings > General, and uncheck what you don’t want on the desktop. Wish I could clean my closet this fast.
No more password headaches: NordPass securely stores all your logins and fills them in instantly, so you never have to remember a password again. Stop struggling with passwords, sign up today and save 52%!
Find forgotten 401(k) money: There’s $2 trillion sitting in old retirement accounts. When companies close, merge or lose touch with former employees, those funds go unclaimed. The good news? The Department of Labor runs a “Lost & Found” where you can check if any of it is yours. Worth a peek.
📧 Take back that Gmail oops: Sent the wrong message? Click the Gear icon in the top-right > See all settings > under General, find Undo Send and set the Send cancellation period to 30 seconds. Next time you slip up, just hit Undo in the bottom-left.
Update apps on Windows fast: No need to check each one manually. In the Search bar, open Command Prompt, right-click it, and choose Run as administrator. Then type “winget upgrade” and hit Enter. You’ll see apps with updates and maybe a few you can delete.
⚡️ 3-second tech genius: Want to find your phone? Say, “Hey, Siri, where are you?” (or “Hey, Google”), and follow the sound. Magic. 🔍📱
Hiring? Don’t waste time on the wrong candidates. LinkedIn connects you with qualified pros fast. Right now, you can post your job for free. Tap into the world’s largest professional network and find your next great hire today!
🍏 Lock iPad to one app: Want to stop yourself (or the kids) from exiting an app by mistake? Turn on Guided Access. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Guided Access and toggle on. Open an app, triple-click the Home button, tap Start and Set a Passcode. Now you can’t leave the app. To exit, triple-click again, enter the Passcode and tap End.
Drop your phone in water? A bag of rice won’t help. Turn it off immediately to stop short circuits, then dry it with a microfiber cloth. Remove the case and SIM card, let it air-dry for 24 to 48 hours, and see if it powers back on. PSA: Don’t use a hair dryer. It pushes moisture deeper inside.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
😎 Miss me this weekend? If you didn’t catch my national radio show, I’ve got you. Enter your ZIP code into my station finder to see where to tune in next weekend, or grab the podcast and listen whenever it works for you. Your earbuds will thank you.
⚡️ 3-second tech genius: Download a PDF? Make sure the file name ends with .pdf. If it says .exe, delete it immediately. That’s an executable program and malware in disguise. Yikes.
Cellphone bill too high? Mine was. I switched to Consumer Cellular. Same nationwide coverage, half the price. Two lines for just $60, plus save $25 with code KIM25. AARP discounts, too. Check it out now. You’ll be glad you did.
🌐 Check website permissions: Some sites may have access to your webcam or microphone without you knowing. In Chrome, click the View site information icon left of the address bar, then go to Site settings to review permissions. On Safari, open the Safari menu > Settings for This Website > Permissions to do the same.
Got an FSA or HSA? You can use those funds on Amazon for OTC meds, Fitbits and more. Just go to Account & Lists > Account > Your Payments > Add a payment method > Add an FSA or HSA card. Enter your info, hit Add your card, and you’re set. Here are all the eligible items. So smart.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.