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November 14, 2024

In Google searches for “tonies set.” They’re the hot Christmas gift for little ones. Tonieboxes are $99 screen-free wireless speakers. To start a story, pop a Tonie doll on top (that costs extra). The starter set with Disney princesses is $154, dang. How do I get a Kim Komando Toniebox?

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Tags: gifts, Google Search, kids, shopping, toys

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Secret to trying a laptop out at home

Here’s a tech-savvy tip most people overlook: Just like returning clothes that don’t fit, you can often return a laptop if it’s not the right fit for you. The key is understanding the seller’s return policy. I’ll break it down so you don’t end up with an expensive doorstop.

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How to take Apple’s hearing test – and what to do if your hearing loss is more than mild

Apple really pulled off a great feat. You can now test your hearing with your AirPods Pro 2 and an iPhone running iOS 18. It’s a groundbreaking feature, FDA-approved and perfect for catching mild to moderate hearing loss early.

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'I bought a house on Amazon'

A YouTuber bought a $39,000 house on Amazon and made this unboxing video, which just hit 7.5 million views. The 26-year-old was not pleased when he realized he couldn’t plug in anything. You guessed it: He didn’t read the entire product description. “Please hire an electrician for American standard wiring.” D’oh.

Productivity life hacks

🫡 These will help you get your shlife together.

Ever heard of “text neck?” Staring at a computer can cause it, too. Get a monitor stand riser and fix your posture.
The sun is off partying in Cabo for the winter. Use a sunrise lamp (18% off) to help you wake up.
This cube timer is gravity-sensing so you can just flip it over to start it. How cool is that?
Save some trees and get a reusable notebook (15% off). Take a damp cloth to the pages and it’s like nothing ever happened.
Pop these mop slippers on and clean your floors “Risky Business”-style.

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eBay trick: Whether it’s a baseball card or a used car, there’s an excellent tool to determine its worth. Search for an item on eBay. After getting your search results, go to Filter and scroll to Sold Items. Tap or check the box to enable this filter. Now, you’ll only see listings for items that actually sold.

Great goodies to check out

🏁 Here are some things I bought recently you might like, too!

The other day, I set my curling iron down on a tube of toothpaste. A hair tool organizer would’ve saved me from that disaster.
Stop rooting around in the junk drawer and get a battery organizer.
Life hack: Hang up holiday wreaths using a cord bundler (a 6-pack is $11).
Cheapo sweaters don’t age well. Try $50 cashmere you can toss in the washer.* Don’t tell Ian, but I’m getting him a cashmere hoodie for Christmas.
A desktop vacuum cleaner (25% off) erases all evidence of your scarfing down three granola bars at your desk. It’s under $12, too.
You know you need a Tupperware organizer. ‘Nuff said.

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🔌 This is a good find: Lots of generic phone chargers don’t meet established safety and quality testing guidelines. Consumer Reports did a ton of testing, and this cheap Amazon cord works as well as the expensive USB-C cords.

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The perfect pair

🥜 Better than peanut butter and jelly … almost.

An air fryer and fancy French fry seasoning. Now all you need is a bag of frozen fries.
A pizza-cutting blade (27% off) and grease-absorbing sheets for your next game-day slice.
Viral Korean cleansing foam followed by a snail mucin moisturizer (26% off). You’ll practically glow.
Reusable overnight oats containers and cute collapsible bento boxes. No more ordering expensive breakfast and lunch.
A time-marked water bottle and a 90-day personal planner so you don’t lose complete control over your life before the holidays.
A silicone microwave mat (50% off!) and an Angry Mama microwave cleaner, because scrubbing a dirty microwave stinks.

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Cozy season is upon us

🍁 These are great to gift yourself … or, you know, someone on your gift list.

Put up stained glass window film (18% off) and never worry about your neighbors judging you for watching nine hours of “Judge Judy.”
Add pizazz to your football-watching with a TV backlight (under $30). Woo, get $10 off if you click the coupon box!
Too cold to get out of bed? You need a lap desk.
Missed the northern lights? This cube (17% off, under $20) projects them onto your ceiling for some funky cosmic ambiance.
With a cute candle warmer, your favorites last longer than if you burn them all day. Don’t miss the 15% off coupon.

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This, not that

🤩 Upgrades and swaps you won’t regret.

This 2-in-1 olive oil sprayer (20% off, under $10) saves you money and cleanup time and won’t gum up your pans like Pam.
These reading glasses look stylish while you stare at the daily crossword for two hours. Way better than the generic ones from the drugstore.
Ditch harsh ceiling lights and bask in the glow of a sunset lamp for under $20. Right now, it’s 33% off and you’ll get another 5% off if you click the coupon box.
Stop hovering over the stove, waiting for the water to boil. Use this fast-heating electric kettle (14% off) instead.
The Clean Ball (20% off) rolls around inside your purse or bag to catch all the nasty stuff, like the granola bar crumbs you keep ignoring.

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.