Safety first

January 25, 2025

🔐 These gadgets are no-brainers to bring on your next trip to protect yourself and your stuff.

Major security flaws have compromised a huge portion of keycard hotel locks. Easy fix: This doorstop with a built-in alarm (2-pack for $14).
Traveling with valuables? Bring your own safe. Hotel rooms don’t always have one. This portable option is on sale for $21.
Whether you’re traveling abroad or just going out at night, take a personal alarm. This sleek option is 20% off and fits on your keychain.
Only one in four U.S. homes has a carbon monoxide detector. Bet your Airbnb doesn’t. This one’s 32% off!
Two words: Fanny pack. Wear it across your chest like I do and call it a “cross-body.” This one’s inexpensive and looks great.

🛍️ Miss window shopping? I do mine on Amazon. Hit this page for my “I didn’t know I needed that!” picks.

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

Tags: Airbnb, Amazon, deals, safety, sale, security, Travel safety

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Amazon Haul: It’s like Temu in the Amazon Shopping app

AboutAmazon.com

Can you guess how much money super-cheap Chinese retailer Temu raked in last year? The answer is about $54 billion, and the latest numbers show almost half that total came from American shoppers.

It’s hard to resist inexpensive stuff shipped right to your door, even when you end up with hilarious fails like this. Want a way to score Temu-like deals without giving Communist China all your personal data? Meet Amazon Haul, the new online destination for dirt-cheap finds.

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Hearing aids 101: How they work and Kim’s top tech pick

Last year, my husband Barry got sick. We thought it was just a cold, but then, the strangest thing happened: He lost hearing in one ear because of a virus. After months of waiting, endless consultations and a lot of research, we learned how common this is.

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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.

📦 One person’s return … is another’s “new” purchase. Amazon lets items that pass a quality check be resold as “new,” even if they’ve been opened. Look for the letters “LPN” on the packaging. That’s a telltale sign it’s been reprocessed. Hit up Amazon’s customer service pronto for a replacement.

Cracking the case: You can buy mystery bundles of unclaimed mail starting around $40. The boxes could contain anything from knock-off Chanel bags and fake IDs to total junk. Florida-based Fundelivered has sold over 90,000 bundles in the last three years. I wanted to buy one, but they’re sold out. What a great business idea, right?

Practical gifts everyone will love at $10, $20 and $50

Amazon.com

Thank goodness I’m almost done shopping! I’m here to help you be a hero on Christmas morning at whatever budget floats your boat. Psst, if you need stocking stuffers, use this link.

⁉️ “Hey Kim, I still need to find the perfect gift for …” Worry not! I have hundreds of ideas for you right here. You’ll get it done in a jiffy with my picks!

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We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

Most popular gifts: $10, $20, $50 and splurges

Amazon.com

If it’s not if they sell out … it’s when. This is me giving you permission to buy yourself something, too. Happy shopping!

✅ Hit this link for hundreds of my great ideas for guys and gals of any age.

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We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

Samsonite's lightest suitcase completes a groundbreaking journey to the edge of space

The travel brand catapulted a suitcase 130,000 feet through the atmosphere to demonstrate its strength, and they captured the whole thing on video.

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

Apple.com, hear.com

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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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.