Get smart on the cheap

October 14, 2024

🌟 It’s time for you to know the pleasures of sitting on your butt and letting tech do the heavy lifting.

Smart plugs (20% off) transform a lamp, fan, humidifier or anything else. Click the coupon box for an extra $4 discount.
Control the lights using just your voice with these Govee color-changing smart bulbs. (There’s a $3 coupon here, too.)
Save money and energy with a smart thermostat.
This doorknob lets you in the house using only a fingerprint.
Upgrade your sprinklers (25% off!) to keep the lawn green without overwatering. It all happens automatically.

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

Tags: Amazon, deals, shopping, smart home

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Do you need the latest and greatest phone?

Shiny, new things sure have their appeal — take the brand-new Apple iPhone 16. But are the newest flagship phones and laptops worth the extra premium you pay to get them?

Most of the time, and for most people, no. There are a few good reasons why. If you’re tempted by a new smartphone that costs more than a mortgage payment, keep reading. I’ll help you figure out what’s right for you.

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Sellers, beware of this new eBay scam

People are buying high-ticket items on eBay, filing returns, then sending back thank-you cards instead of the product. Sellers are reporting the scam (with proof the return label is on a tiny envelope) but get stuck in an endless appeals process. Good luck getting eBay on the phone to help. I’d steer clear for now.

Need a new computer? Knowing the minimum requirements for what you do helps. For using the internet and watching movies, a 1.3 GHz processor and 2GB to 4GB of RAM is fine. If you do anything more intensive, go for a 3.5 GHz processor and at least 8GB of RAM.

🐾 Amazon hack: Amazon’s new AI chatbot, Rufus, can help you find things to buy and answer product questions. People are using it to find cheaper versions of popular name-brand items. Pro tip: The bot won’t help if you ask for “dupes” (paywall link). Rephrase your request, like asking for “leggings similar to Lululemon pants.” You’ve gotta be smarter than the bot!

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

$8,999 tiny home

For sale on Amazon. With shipping and tax, you’re $11,000 away from a nice, new mother-in-law suite, gym, library, man cave, fancy “she shed” — you name it. You really can buy anything on Amazon. I love this idea!

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

30% of shoppers

Say return fees are more annoying than jury duty and the DMV. I agree — I was just charged a 20% restocking fee when I tried to return a few sweaters. Check the policy before you buy, and just know many retailers will waive those fees if you go to a physical location.

🐶 Your best friend’s best friend: Content Queen Allie was telling me about how much her pup, Nova, loves her BarkBox subscription. It shows up in the mail monthly (or however often you want), packed with treats and toys. There’s a standard option or the Super Chewer box if your pup tears up soft toys.

So smart: Instead of just one smart plug, upgrade to a smart power strip. This one is 40% off and has six outlets you can control individually. Looks like a home office home run to me.

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

EVs are cheap right now: You can score the Hyundai Ioniq 5 for $259 a month or lease a Nissan Leaf for just $20 a month (paywall link). How the heck? Dealer incentives. Leased EVs are classified as “commercial vehicles,” qualifying them for a full $7,500 tax credit, which gets passed on to you.

Speaking of Temu and Shein: Their cheap wares are for sale on Etsy, a site meant for vintage and handmade goods. Sellers are breaking the rules by listing mass-produced items, sometimes at 10 times the original price. Don’t get duped: Do a reverse image search to see if the same product pops up elsewhere.