Tech is expensive! Ways you’re wasting money and smart fixes to save

Look around your house. How much do you think you have spent on gadgets and tech subscriptions over the years?

With shiny new gear popping up daily and yet another streaming service there to woo you, it’s hard to stop the flow of cash. I can help. Here are all the best ways to scan without shelling out money for a scanner. You’re welcome.

Lots of quality software is free, too, if you know where to look, like these nine free copycats that work like a charm.

Before you pull out your credit card again, read through this list of mistakes that might be costing you cash and easy fixes to spend less.

The problem: You’re tempted by that expensive new phone

Tech companies hype their new releases like no other. Listen to what Apple has to say, and the new iPhone will change your life. The same goes for the latest and greatest from Samsung and all the rest.

Here’s what they don’t want you to know: The changes to today’s new models aren’t all that groundbreaking. The cameras are just a little better. There’s a bit more storage. Maybe your battery will last a few hours longer. Big whoop.

If you have a phone just a generation or two old, there’s no need to buy something new. In fact, I often tell people to buy an older generation when they want to upgrade. You can save hundreds of dollars and you’ll still get a great phone.

The fix: Make your old phone feel shiny and new again

Today, you can get several years from your device. Still, if your phone is more than a few months old, you’ll start to feel it.

I don’t mean the gunk on the outside — though I did put together a smart guide on cleaning up your tech. Here’s the best way to make your screen sparkle without scratching it.

Take a few minutes to clean up what’s inside your phone, too. Cached files, memes and screenshots, outdated contacts and other digital clutter are easy to sweep away if you’re willing to put in a little time. Get steps to deep clean your phone the right way.

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7 things to never search for on Google

You might consider yourself a tech-savvy individual who would never fall for an online scam. You regularly mark suspicious email messages as spam, and you never click anything that doesn’t seem legitimate.

Who do you think is the most vulnerable to online scams? Tap or click here to find out which age group keeps falling for them.

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3 Cyber Monday secrets retailers don’t want you to know

Black Friday may be the more well known retail holiday, but some of the season’s best deals can be found online during Cyber Monday.

Cyber Monday can feel a bit more complicated than simply standing in line at a store. But in light of COVID-19, shopping on Cyber Monday is a safer option for your health and well-being. Tap or click here to see the differences between Cyber Monday and Black Friday.

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20 things I bought on Amazon you might want, too

Here are some items that I recently purchased on Amazon. I thought maybe you could use a few of the things that I purchased, too.

For years, I’ve been printing, signing and sending sensitive, as well as financial, documents from home. It’s just dumb to throw those papers in the trash. Sure, you can tear them up, but that’s not good enough.

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Best things to buy before and after Christmas

We all know there can be some incredible deals leading up to Christmas. Black Friday and Cyber Monday especially offer huge savings that are difficult to turn down. But many people might not be aware that there are some deals that come after Christmas that can be even bigger money savers. Here are some of those deals that you might get now, and some to wait until after Christmas to take advantage of.

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