🎬 Plot twist: “Here” follows Tom Hanks and Robin Wright across a 60-year span, de-aged entirely by AI. A few years ago, this wouldn’t have been possible without Marvel-level budgets. Now? They’re pulling it off for $50 million. The trailer gave me goosebumps!
Best dashcams for 2024
Fourth of July is right around the corner, and we’re in for record-breaking holiday traffic. Some 71 million people are expected to travel over 50 miles during the week — the most on record.
I don’t mean to be a downer, but record-setting travel also means record-setting accidents, crashes and road rage. And being a defensive driver isn’t the only way to protect yourself on the road.
You should have a dashcam
Imagine if this happened to you. An Oklahoma City driver laid on his horn when an SUV started drifting in his lane. Things escalated quickly. The SUV driver swerved to block the honking driver, then pulled a gun and shot him.
Thankfully, the victim made a full recovery and his dashcam recorded it all. Police identified and arrested the gunman, and justice was served thanks to that footage.
I’ve said it for years: The police have dashcams for good reason and you should, too. They record what happens in front of your car, behind your car and in your car.
Key cam considerations
Let’s start with the obvious: The ability to record footage. If you’re in an accident and not at fault, it’s easier to prove if you have it on tape.
Better dashcams can detect crashes and send out an emergency response, and some can even notify you with a beep if you stray from your lane. Nice upgrade for an older car! Some also have parking mode with break-in sensors that sound an alarm and record the whole thing.
🔏 Privacy tip: Pay attention to the user agreement no matter what model you buy. Opt out of anything you can, like third-party sharing.
These 3 dashcams check my important boxes
You want a dashcam that comes with a mount, records in high-def (at least 1080p), has night vision built in, has an app you can use to check your footage, a wide-angle lens and built-in GPS. Here are three that fit the bill:
Insurance rates are through the roof - and you can blame AI
There’s a good chance you’ve been hit with insurance rate hikes — and it’s not just you. Within the past year, about a third of us have been hit with increases to the tune of 17%.
Insurance companies blame it on rising costs for car parts, replacement cards and all those expensive claims.
Protect your noggin
🚴🏼 Do you ride a bike or ski? I do and wanted to pass this along: Your helmet should include a Multi-directional Impact Protection System (MIPS). MIPS helmets are a bit more expensive, but in a crash, they absorb all the shock so your brain doesn’t.
- Budget option for my fellow bike riders.
- This one (17% off) includes front and back headlights, plus blinkers.
- For kids who love to ride their bikes (25% off).
- Kiddo helmet/goggle combo for the slopes.
- Perfect for the entire snowboarding family.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
Everyone should have an antenna: This is a no-brainer if you’re a sports fan and your favorite games are on local channels. Here’s a solid option that includes a DVR, and this one gets the job done on a budget. Try this site to see what channels you can get at home.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
Let AI budget and make your grocery list
Grocery prices got you down? I’ll show you how AI can help you plan meals, save money, and make grocery shopping easy.
Havana good time: Millennials say they’re overwhelmed by booking trips online. Instead, they give a real, breathing travel agent a budget and a few dream destinations, and they let them handle the rest. It doesn’t come cheap, though — think $15,000 or more. Gotta get those pics for the ‘gram!
Meeting schedule packed? Use these Google Calendar tricks for easier planning
Let me put it this way. If you’re not using Google Calendar (it’s free), you’re missing out. Here are some things you can do with it.
Personal appointments and events: Beyond birthdays and meetings, manage personal commitments from school dates and doctor’s appointments to spa days.
The best time to book a cruise to save money
There are two types of people: Cruise people and people like me who would rather do anything else. Don’t get me wrong, I get the appeal. Being stuck on a boat for days on end just isn’t my thing.
For all the friends who have tried to convince me otherwise, this one is for you. We rounded up info on the best times to book to score a hot new cruise or a great deal on a last-minute trip.
Best smart bulbs
You don’t need to spend an arm and a leg to make your house (and your lighting) a little smarter. I found options for any budget. Seriously, one is under $5.
- High end: Wait, $29.97 for two lightbulbs? People do it gladly when it’s the Philips Hue. These top-of-the-line smart bulbs have a stellar glow. Control them with Alexa, Google Assistant or the Hue app.
- Bargain: Give the smart bulb a whirl with a basic Alexa-compatible bulb from Sengled. At 61% off ($3.93), it’s a total steal.
- Nightlight: The Echo Glow is a multicolor smart lamp that works with Alexa and makes a perfect nightlight. And right now, it’s 33% off ($19.99).
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
🏠 Real estate therapy: Browsing Zillow is the new way to manage stress (paywall link). Some folks look at homes within their budget, imagining what could be. Others browse properties worse than their current digs to feel grateful. I have my old homes and rentals saved so I get alerts when they change hands. It’s fun to track!
⚠️ Still using a Netgear WNR614 N300 router? It’s hit end-of-life status and won’t get any more security patches. It already has six scary vulnerabilities, including storing passwords in plain text. You’ll need a new one. Here’s an affordable option for medium-sized homes and a budget mesh system for larger homes.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
Control smart home devices with Google Home or Amazon Echo
You don’t need a big budget to create a smart home. These smart speakers can help you set up your own command center.
Tech on a budget: You don’t have to spend $200 or more for high-quality earbuds. Raycons have studio-quality sound and a whopping 32 hours of battery life, and they fit comfortably in every ear with precise fittings. Grab ‘em for 20% off (and free shipping!) at BuyRaycon.com/kim.
Air purifiers for every room
It’s spring, which means it’s allergy season (and no, I’m not pollen your leg). Here are five great air purifiers to keep what you’re breathing in fresh and clean.
- Great budget purifier for smaller spaces, like your home office.
- A highly rated model for bedrooms of all sizes.
- This Coway model is considered top-of-the-line for larger or open-plan spaces.
- This Clorox-brand purifier is perfect for a bigger living room or even a whole floor if you have multiple stories.
- Even your car can get a refresh with this portable option (20% off!).
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
Do diet apps work? Pros and cons of 5 popular options (MyFitnessPal, WW, Noom, Lose It!, Fooducate)
Many focus on getting healthier at the start of the year as part of their resolutions. Tap or click for simple tech resolutions you can keep. But if you want to truly be healthy, it’s an all-year event.
There is so much misinformation about eating healthily, the right amount of exercise and the best ways to lose weight. Thankfully, there are tools to help you get fit in whatever way you want.
Here are the cities with the highest Airbnb fees
Here’s one major problem with the rental platform Airbnb. You go online, find a property with a price that works for you and book it — only for the total cost to skyrocket. What gives? Here’s a trick to avoid getting hit with those hidden fees.
Best apps to save you from an expensive home or car emergency
Can having the right apps on your phone save you money, time and hardship? We think so. Our favorite apps keep our lives on track regarding everything from the ordinary to the extraordinary.
Even if you’re rarely caught behind the eight ball, staying on top of it all can be made much easier with a little planning or perhaps a bit of extra support.
Here are the best used phones for $100, $300 and $500
If upgrading to a new phone and not keeping your old one, you could be looking at a nice payday. Here are some tips to get the most bang for your buck for your old electronics.
Perhaps you need an upgrade but don’t want to shell out for a brand-new phone. No problem! There are excellent used phones out there to fit any budget. Here are some of the best for each price point.
8 things that are cheapest to buy in February
It’s no secret that consumer prices fluctuate with the seasons. Every month brings new deals that you can count on yearly. February is no exception. With excellent sales and blowouts for holidays like Presidents Day and Valentine’s Day, you’ll be sure to save big on select goods.