Every crime has a setup. In five recent cases, scammers turned online breadcrumbs into jackpots. I want you to know how to make sure you’re not their next payday. ❤️🩹 Your relationships Scammers stalk grief like predators. A Pennsylvania widow was conned out of her entire life savings, over $200,000 plus her home, by a […]
“Alexa, what’s new?” Oh, just about everything. Amazon just dropped a truckload of new gadgets, including smarter speakers, sharper sound and security tech that practically thinks for you. Don’t worry, I’ve translated all the techie stuff into plain English, so you know what’s worth your money. 🔊 Alexa gets bass (and smarts) Meet the Echo […]
Remember Knight Rider? The 1980s TV show where a detective teams up with his sidekick, a talking car named KITT. This snarky, futuristic AI on wheels could leap over obstacles, drive itself at high speeds and sniff out bad guys from miles away. Or how about The Love Bug? Herbie, the VW Beetle, had a […]
You mention Antarctica once. Just a throwaway joke near your phone, “Wouldn’t it be cool to go freeze my face off?” Suddenly, your phone, laptop, smart TV, smart speaker and even your fridge are pitching you parkas like it’s QVC Arctic Edition. 🥶 Chances are, you were hit by ultrasonic cross-device tracking. This high-frequency sound […]
This isn’t a ripped-from-the-headlines new Netflix series. This really happened in a quiet neighborhood called Litchfield Park that’s about a 20-minute drive from Phoenix, Arizona. Christina Chapman, 50, looked like your average middle-aged suburban woman. But inside her humble home? A secret cyber ops center built to help North Korean IT workers buy equipment and […]
Here’s something smart to start your week. Get a free, private second phone number you can use from your smartphone. It’s perfect for keeping your personal number personal. With Google Voice, you get a real U.S. phone number that rings to your cell, computer or tablet. You can call, text, screen calls and get your […]
“Hey, Kim, This isn’t tech. I’m the one keeping the peace, at work, at home, with friends. I smooth things over and manage everyone’s moods. It’s exhausting, but if I stop, I’m scared everything unravels. What should I do?” — Megan from Cincinnati Welcome to the unpaid role of feelings manager, Megan. It comes with […]
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 […]
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. Let’s bust five of the most common myths I hear all […]
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. The guy really committed to the bit. Keirans got caught only after […]
With more than 500 million Alexa-enabled devices sold worldwide, odds are you’ve got one sitting on your counter or desk, quietly glowing, always listening. Ever mutter something like, “I need new jeans,” and suddenly your phone’s serving up Levi’s ads? Creepy coincidence or hot mic in action? Alexa is always in listening mode, waiting for […]
Ever get one of those weird texts that says something like, “Your package is waiting” or “Click here to unlock your cash reward”? We all have. Most people figure it’s just a scammy mass text from some sketchy website. You can’t be so sure anymore. What if I told you those shady texts didn’t come […]
You’re sitting on a gold mine made of random facts and questionable life skills. I’m talking about things you know, say gardening, budgeting, baking, fixing stuff, navigating tech, prepping, accounting, car repairs, parenting, teaching, you name it. With a little help from ChatGPT (or your favorite chatbot), turn that know-how into a book and sell […]
“Hi, Kim, I save all my passwords in my browser. So why do I need a password manager? Thanks for your newsletter. I can tell it’s a lot of work. The quality every single day is incredible.” — Robby in South Carolina Thanks for your question and kind words, Robby. Now, l get this question […]
Big news: Apple’s latest gadgets are now live on Amazon. Whether you’re due for an upgrade or just love shiny new tech, I pulled them all together so you can see what’s actually worth your money. Let’s bite in. 🍎 Apple’s fresh lineup AirPods Pro 3 ($249): My old AirPods are jealous. Noise cancellation is […]
You’ve probably seen this pitch from your insurance company: “Drive safely and save. Sign up for our smart driving program today!” You’ve got a squeaky-clean record, so what’s the harm, right? Before you sign up, let’s pop the hood. 😳 What they’re tracking These programs use an app on your phone or a gadget in […]
Let’s talk about something no one thinks about when booking a flight: where your travel info really goes. An investigative bombshell from 404 Media just uncovered that the Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC), a company owned by the biggest U.S. airlines, has been giving federal agencies access to passenger records. No, I’m not talking about flagged […]
I bet you imagine the internet as a magical cloud floating wirelessly between satellites and Wi-Fi routers. Nope. It’s mostly underwater. Nearly all of your “in the cloud” traffic actually travels through fiber-optic cables laid along the ocean floor. These thin strands of glass are buried in some places and simply resting on the seafloor […]
You’ve probably seen the sales pitches. “Get blazing-fast Wi-Fi 7 with internet speeds like you’ve never seen before. Just $600 for a new state-of-the-art router!” Let me save you money. 🤑 The reality check Yes, Wi-Fi 7 is fast. Theoretical speeds reach up to 46 Gbps. That’s 46,000 Mbps, compared to Wi-Fi 6, which tops […]
I set up my 401(k) back when I worked for AT&T and truly never looked at it again. I picked a few funds and stocks, hoped for the best and trusted that everything was on track. It worked out for me. But now? With AI peeking over my financial shoulder like a nosy aunt, I’m […]
