Sick of QuickBooks? There’s a better way!

Stop fighting with spreadsheets and trying to figure out what the heck you did with last year’s inventory list. I have the solution — my sponsor, NetSuite by Oracle.

You get visibility and control of your financials, inventory, HR, planning, budgeting, and more — all from one easy dashboard. Don’t just take my word for it — over 37,000 businesses already use NetSuite.

Lower IT costs, less work and higher profits? Yes, please. Right now, you can get started with NetSuite with no payments and no interest for six months. (Big deal alert: It’s never had an offer like this before!)

Take a free tour of the software at Netsuite.com/Kim.

The best budgeting and finance tools for home and business

The Mint budgeting app has been folded into Credit Karma, owned by Intuit. It’s been around since 2006, so it’s a shame to see it go. Worry not! There are other options out there.

Don’t just blindly choose the first app that pops up when you search for budgeting apps. There are several factors to consider when selecting the one that fits your needs best.

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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.

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

Cheaper phone bill, please: Not everyone has unlimited data. If you use Chrome on iOS, here’s an easy way to lower your data usage. In the lower right corner of Chrome, tap the three dots > Settings > Bandwidth > Preload Webpages > Only on Wi-Fi. Done!

💸 Amazon’s new budget battleground: Say hello to Amazon Haul, their latest venture geared toward selling ultra-cheap items (think under $20). Why? Because Shein and Temu are mopping the floor with Amazon. With Haul, expect to find items like $2 earrings, $10 blenders and, yes, even a $20 wedding dress. (Pro tip: Don’t walk down the aisle in that!) Don’t expect Prime’s speedy shipping, either; your order will take one or two weeks since it’s coming from China. Heads-up: You can only shop Amazon Haul through the Amazon app for now.

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

Master Excel with these 5 genius tricks

You can’t keep track of everything on paper. Excel can play a significant role in your daily workload. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro user, there’s much to learn — like these five useful Excel tricks.

Want to become an Excel expert? It’s a good strategy for small business owners who want to grow this year. After all, you’ll generate tons of data. Speaking of which, here’s how to stop third parties from selling your data.

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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.

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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.

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.

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!

🏠 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.

Small business owners, it’s time to upgrade

If your company is growing, you may need more than just Microsoft Excel to keep track of everything. You need high-quality finance software that gives you the complete picture. With our sponsor, NetSuite by Oracle, you can:

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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.

Would you let ChatGPT write your wedding vows?

Picture this: It’s the night before your wedding and you’re frantically trying to pen your vows. You know, the most important exchange you’ll have with your sweetheart on the most memorable day of your lives! No pressure.

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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. 

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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. 

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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. 

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The true cost of cash advance apps

Need money to pay bills in a pinch? Many rely on cash advance apps to make it to their next check. While these services offer a helping hand, you could wind up in a jam if you’re not careful.

A recent study took a deep dive into 15 of today’s most popular cash advance apps. The scoop? An advance might cost more than you bargained (or budgeted) for. 

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