October 17, 2025

Geocaching turns 25, and it’s never been cooler 🎉

The weekend is here, and it’s hard to believe that geocaching recently turned 25 years old. It’s still going strong with over 3.4 million caches hidden around the world. I used to do geocaching with my son Ian. It’s a lot of fun.  Whether you’re looking for a new way to get your steps in, […]

October 8, 2025

Hours left for ‘Prime Big Deal Days’

⏰ Tick, tick, tick! Prime Big Deal Days wrap up tonight at midnight. Once they’re gone, that’s it. You’ve still got time to hit “Buy Now” before it’s all over. I saved some of the best for last and pulled together 20 more gems. 😋 Fast, fun and flavorful 💦 Splash into self-care Pro tip: […]

October 7, 2025

Prime Big Deal Days: 20 genius buys you can’t miss

Prime Big Deal Days just kicked off, and the clock’s ticking. This is your last chance to score big before the holiday madness begins. I dug through the deals (so you don’t have to) and found the ones actually worth your cart space. 🧼 Let’s get your things spotless 🏠 Clever home helpers 👩‍💻 Tech […]

October 2, 2025

The privacy threat no one blocks

You mention Antarctica once. Just a throwaway joke near your phone, “Wouldn’t it be cool to go freeze my face off?” Suddenly, your phone, laptop, smart TV, smart speaker and even your fridge are pitching you parkas like it’s QVC Arctic Edition. 🥶 Chances are, you were hit by ultrasonic cross-device tracking. This high-frequency sound […]

September 29, 2025

Get a free second phone number

Here’s something smart to start your week. Get a free, private second phone number you can use from your smartphone. It’s perfect for keeping your personal number personal.  With Google Voice, you get a real U.S. phone number that rings to your cell, computer or tablet. You can call, text, screen calls and get your […]

September 5, 2025

Hidden setting lets apps spy on you through Bluetooth

Think Bluetooth is just for headphones and car calls? Think again. It’s one of the sneakiest ways apps track you, and most people have no clue it’s happening.  Even when GPS is off, your phone is constantly “sniffing” for nearby devices like AirTags, smartwatches and fitness trackers. That’s normal.  Here’s where it gets shady: Some […]

August 23, 2025

Kim’s Outlet picks: All 50% off or better

Hidden gems, big discounts, and yes, I dug through the digital outlet bins so you don’t have to. Amazon’s Outlet is packed with brand-name gadgets.  The best part? Everything here is at least 50% off. 🔊 Monster Bluetooth speaker – $30 (75% off) Crank it up in the shower, on the beach or at your […]

August 22, 2025

The secret science squad in your pocket

Think your phone is just for calls, texts and scrolling? Think again. You’re carrying around a secret lab in your pocket.  The accelerometer that flips your screen when you turn it? That’s what your fitness app uses to count steps. The barometer that helps your weather app? It can tell if you’ve climbed a flight […]

August 21, 2025

No translator, no problem

I’ll never forget the time I was in Paris, sitting at a café, staring down at a menu I couldn’t read. Out came Google Translate on my phone, and suddenly I thought, Wow the future is here. Fast-forward to this fall, and that “future” looks downright primitive compared to what Apple and Google are about […]

August 19, 2025

🚗💨 Your ‘smart’ car could be days away from going dumb

Here’s something used car dealers and private sellers won’t shout from the rooftops. The average new car has 1,400 to 1,500 semiconductor chips. And high-end EVs? Try 3,000. Those computer chips power everything from heated seats to emergency crash alerts.  The problem: When the car’s network or software support ends, so do those fancy features. […]

August 14, 2025

Your phone is tracking you even when you think it’s not

You know that little GPS icon that pops up when an app is using your location? That’s the polite part. The tip of the iceberg. The warm handshake before your phone whispers your every movement to Big Tech behind your back.  Your phone has more than one way to know where you are. Cell towers, […]

August 4, 2025

Bank app settings that actually protect your money

This is not the most exciting way to start a week. But it’s super important. Let’s talk about your banking app. It does more than show your balance. With the right settings, it can protect your money, catch fraud fast and help you avoid nasty surprises. Most people never touch the app’s security or alert […]

July 27, 2025

How to save important voicemails

There’s one voicemail I’ll never delete. It’s from my mom. She’s been gone for almost four years, but every so often, I play it back. It’s nothing dramatic, just her voice asking if I could buy her a gallon of milk on my way home. (In her Brooklyn accent, “Kim, make sure it’s 2%, not […]

July 25, 2025

🎬 Where can I watch that? These sites have the answer

You know the feeling. You want to watch a specific movie, maybe an old favorite (hello, 1999’s The Mummy) or that buzzworthy show everyone’s talking about, but you have no clue where to find it.  Instead of spending those precious moments actually watching it, you’re playing streaming detective: Netflix? Hulu? Prime Video? Is it free? […]

July 22, 2025

Your pocket scientist is smarter than you think

I read a geeky article that I think you’ll also find amazing.  Google quietly used its Android operating system to turn billions of phones into the largest earthquake detection network in human history. Your Android phone can warn you about an earthquake before the shaking even starts. It’s built right in. You can do the […]

July 19, 2025

Travel MVPs: Must-haves under $50

Traveling doesn’t have to feel like an episode of Survivor crossed with a rom-com gone wrong, and you don’t need to drop a fortune to travel like a pro.  Whether you’re hopping on a plane, hitting the open road or planning a weekend getaway, the right gear makes all the difference. Think of this as […]

July 10, 2025

Your phone is spying on you

Your phone keeps all your secrets. Where you’ve been. What you’ve typed. Even which sketchy Wi-Fi you used in 2017. It’s got the memory of an elephant and the self-restraint of a toddler with a drum set.  Let’s just call your phone “Sir Veillance.” Here’s a quick breakdown of the creepy stuff your phone is […]

July 4, 2025

Find all those subscriptions you forgot about

July 4th is all about independence, fireworks and maybe reinventing how many hot dogs a stomach can physically hold.  But financial freedom? Nothing says “I’m a prisoner of the bad side of capitalism” like paying for three streaming services just to rewatch The Office on a loop. Here’s how to break free from the subscriptions […]

June 15, 2025

Use AI to recreate a loved one’s voice

Mark in Washington, D.C., wrote in with a question that absolutely pulled at my heartstrings: “Kim, I love your newsletter and shows on WTOP 103.5 FM. My dad passed away recently, but I have all his voicemails on my phone. Is there any way to recreate his voice so my two young kids can hear […]

June 12, 2025

Duct tape fixes for the digital age

Tech doesn’t always play nice. Your laptop heats up, your Wi-Fi fizzles, and sometimes you’re just standing there, squinting at your screen, wondering where the mouse pointer disappeared to. Don’t panic. Just try these fast fixes. Each takes under a minute and requires zero tech degree … although if you pull these off in front […]