Yuck! But … cool

Drop the drop shippers: On Etsy, the whole purpose is to buy something handmade. If you’re not sure what you’re getting is legit, check if it’s genuine or mass-produced junk by doing a reverse image search. Click on the item’s image, then drag and drop it into Google Images. Major red flag: You see the exact same thing on other sites.

🖥️ 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).

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Sold on Amazon that can injure or kill you. Amazon may or may not notify you, so log in to check if any of your past orders have been recalled. Use the Your Recalls and Product Safety Alerts page now to see if something you bought could harm you.

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Giant skeletons are one of the Home Depot’s hottest items, selling out within hours every Halloween. They’re a spooky $299 (paywall link), but I’ve got a budget-friendly alternative: Human-sized skeletons for just $40. They’re so humerus!

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

Take a cue from Carmen Sandiego: Amazon, Nike, Zara and tons of other big retailers have different country-specific versions of their sites. Prices can vary significantly based on where you’re shopping from, and you can still get your items shipped to your house. Btw, you may need a VPN to access a different country’s website without it redirecting to the USA.

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.

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.

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.

🐶 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.