Rise and shine

July 12, 2024

Wake up with a smile on your face!

The new Amazon Echo Spot (44% off) is sweet if you’re looking for an alarm clock-slash-smart speaker with tidbits of useful info to start your day.
Gradually wake up with a sunrise clock and sound machine, on sale now for $30. It’s not connected to the internet, so it’s significantly cheaper and more privacy-oriented than “smart” alternatives.
This 10% off alarm clock projects the time and temp in an eye-friendly red light. It has the forecast, too.
An alarm clock that doubles as home decor with a 6-inch mirror surface; get it on sale for $13.
OK, so you just want an old-fashioned alarm clock. This back-to-the-basics battery-powered option is 10% off.

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

Tags: Amazon, battery, home, internet, privacy

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6 safe smart gadgets for a high-tech nursery

Putting smart speakers in your living room is one thing, but if you’re going to have a connected device in your nursery, you need to know it’s secure.

Case in point: A popular baby monitor that allowed hackers to spy on live video of parents and their babies. Yeah. Scary. This isn’t the place to be cheap, folks. I found these top-rated, ultra-safe smart devices to make those early days a lot less stressful.

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How to score cheap stuff (to keep or resell)

How often do you buy a bunch of stuff online, planning to only keep your favorites? I shop for clothes this way, for sure — and I’m not the only one. Returns cost retailers $743 billion last year.

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Things NOT to buy on FB Marketplace

I love saving money as much as the next person, and buying big-ticket items used is a good way to do it. Facebook Marketplace is a super easy way to score deals near you … but there are certain things you should stay far away from.

Hot take: Compressed air isn’t worth the money. The cans run out so fast! I like this high-powered blower instead.

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

Don’t trust Amazon reviews: More proof is out that Amazon sellers are trading cash and free products for five-star ratings. Some even pay for negative reviews on competitors’ pages. Tips to spot the fakes? Language and timing. Look for multiple reviews using similar phrasing with no details.

Do you know when your phone expires?

All phones have expiration dates but they vary brand to brand. To save you the trouble, I put together a list of all phones and their expiration dates. Just search ‘phone expiration.’

Cheap crap as far as the eye can see: Amazon is taking aim at cheap Chinese retailers Temu and Shein (paywall link). Its new site will sell unbranded fashion wear and household products directly from China with no reroutes through U.S. warehouses. Expect deliveries within nine to 11 days.

Foldable Macbook could be coming soon

Do you need your laptop to fold up this small? Could be pretty neat — a laptop in your pocket!

Thermonator: The flame-throwing dog

How is this legal in 48 out of 50 states? You can purchase one of these robo-dogs for just under $10,000. It’s a pass for me.

Cybertruck frunk almost chops off fingers

The Cybertruck front truck (“frunk”) has a safety feature that looks mighty unsafe to me.