ICYMI: Top sellers of 2024, so far

October 20, 2024

This is a list of my newsletter readers’ most-loved products. If you didn’t pick ’em up, what are you waiting for?

MiracleWipes (13% off, $12.97) get your electronics squeaky clean without streaks or fuzzies.
USB data blockers (under $10 for a 4-pack!) let you safely charge your devices while traveling or in public.
The Pink Stuff is a miracle cleaning paste you can use on just about anything.
Wall charger, surge protector and extender with five outlets and four USB ports.
Uniball pens (33% off a 4-pack) that won’t let anyone erase what you wrote on a check, helping to prevent check fraud.

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

Tags: charger, cleaning, data, deals, devices, fraud, shopping

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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.

Continue reading →

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.

🖥️ OLED monitor sales will jump 181% this year: There’s one big difference between OLED and LCD; with OLED, each pixel emits its own light for deeper blacks and richer colors. Plus, OLED screens have faster response times, which reduces motion blur and ghosting for better streaming and gaming. I took the time to select picks for a budget 27-inch option (22% off!) and a high-end 39-inch model (43% off, dang).

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.

🐾 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.

🐶 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.