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Don’t just freeze, fight back

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Ashley in Washington asks:

“Kim, do I really need identity theft protection? I used to have LifeLock years ago and dumped it because they constantly were selling me other things. I heard you say on your radio show that you use NordProtect now. Why? How is any of this different than freezing your credit? Love your show and newsletter!”

You’re asking a smart question, Ashley, and you’re not alone in wondering. Let’s break it down.

🥶 Do the credit freeze

Freezing your credit is smart, and I recommend everyone do it. A credit freeze keeps criminals from opening new accounts in your name. And heck, it’s free!

Here’s how to do it at the four credit reporting agencies.

Equifax: Visit Equifax.com or call 1‑888‑298‑0045.
Experian: Visit the Experian freeze center or call 1‑888‑397‑3742.
TransUnion: Visit TransUnion’s website or call 1‑888‑916‑8800. (Argh, they just got hacked, btw. Details below in the Web Watercooler section.)
Innovis: Visit Innovis or call 1‑866‑712‑4546.

Once you’ve placed the freeze, you set a PIN or password to temporarily lift or remove it. Make sure you keep this info in a safe place.

But that’s just one layer of protection. It does nothing when thieves get into your existing bank accounts, credit cards, email, or if your Social Security number or medical records end up on the dark web.

🛡️ Full-scale identity protection

I used LifeLock years ago, too. They were the first big name in ID theft protection. But like you, I got tired of the upselling and prices increasing.

You sign up, then every alert or feature seems to require “upgrading” to yet another tier. It’s like joining a gym where they charge you monthly and then $10 per dumbbell. No thank you. And LifeLock isn’t cheap. Their top plans can run $30 or more per month per adult.

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Schools spy on kids even at home

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School is back in session, but here’s something no one told you at orientation: Your kids may have more eyes on them than just their teachers’. Even if you don’t have kids in school, you really need to know about this.

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Labor Day sales on getaway gear

⚡ My pick: International power adapter (20% off)

Your passport to charging. Juices up to five gadgets at once in 150+ countries. One less thing to stress about at the gate.

😴 Memory foam neck pillow (20% off): Long flight? Sleep like you’re in first class. Comes with an eye mask, earplugs and a handy bag.

🧳 Hanging toiletry bag (33% off): Bye-bye, messy counters. Zips up and can hang on towel racks, doorknobs or hooks like a mini shelf.

🧼 Antibacterial soap sheets (17% off): Pocket-size and TSA-friendly. These are perfect for camping or those icky highway rest stops.

🌬️ Vacuum storage bags (44% off, 16-pack): Overpackers, I got you. There’s even a hand pump included for your trip home. Neat.

✈️ Before you take off: Travel smart, not heavier. See the full list of Labor Day travel steals on my Amazon storefront.

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

Schools spying on kids at home?

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Back to school means more than just books and homework. Parents, check your kids’ devices now for school-installed spyware that uses AI to monitor texts, searches, and online activity, even at home, and may be watching your entire family. Here’s what you need to know.

🏈 Free NFL on YouTube: This year, YouTube is streaming the first Friday game between the Chiefs and Chargers on Sept. 5 at 8 p.m. ET. You can watch on the YouTube home page or the official NFL channel. Bonus: month-to-month NFL Sunday Ticket plans. New fans: $85/month. Returning fans: $115/month with YouTube TV, or $145/month on YouTube. New is better, obviously.

58%

That’s how many American homes are too messy to charge an EV. We could unlock millions of home chargers if folks just cleaned out their garages. Instead, most are less “charging station” and more “where clutter goes to die,” hoarding broken printers, forgotten hobbies and a suspicious number of extension cords.

🍏 Lock iPad to one app: Want to stop yourself (or the kids) from exiting an app by mistake? Turn on Guided Access. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Guided Access and toggle on. Open an app, triple-click the Home button, tap Start and Set a Passcode. Now you can’t leave the app. To exit, triple-click again, enter the Passcode and tap End.

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

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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.

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AI meets true crime

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In late November 1987, Nashville police got a call about a revolting stench on Charlotte Avenue. What they found under a dirt-floor crawl space shocked even the most hardened crime scene veterans: two decomposing bodies, buried and forgotten beneath a broken-down home.

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Refreshing Labor Day finds

💖 My pick: Hair dryer with diffuser (34% off)

Salon power at home … without the small talk. Cuts drying time and comes with three attachments for all your hairstyles. So smart.

👂 Electric ear cleaner (45% off): Safer and easier than cotton swabs. Plus, it’s FSA/HSA eligible. Here’s how to use your funds.

👕 Portable handheld steamer (47% off): Get rid of wrinkles in minutes. No clunky ironing board needed. Over 125K glowing reviews.

👞 Shoe deodorizer inserts (9% off, two-pack): No perfumes or chemicals. Just reusable bags to freshen up your sneakers, boots or gym bag.

🐾 Cat & dog grooming brush (46% off): Gentle on pets, tough on shedding. Press the self-cleaning button to pop out the fur.

🛍️ New deals just dropped: Grab the latest Labor Day steals here and check out my Amazon page for even more. A few clicks could save you big.

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

Cooking up Labor Day steals

🧊 My pick: Countertop ice maker (17% off)

Forget frantic gas station runs. This cranks out 26.5 lbs of cubes in a day. Plenty for parties, road trips and your iced coffee (or tea) addiction.

🍱 Meal prep containers (20% off, 50-pack): Hosting a cookout? Load these up with leftovers, and send your guests home full and grateful.

🔥 Air fryer paper liners (30% off, 400 pcs): Heat-proof, nonstick and BPA-free. Translation: less scrubbing, more snacking.

🍽️ Stainless steel tongs (27% off, two-pack): Silicone tips mean no scratches on pans. They have 4.8 stars from 33,000+ rave reviews.

💦 Rotating water filter (29% off): Goodbye, icky chlorine taste. Hello, fresh-tasting water straight from the tap.

😎 Summer’s almost over: Shop these Labor Day markdowns while they last. I’ve rounded up even more winners on my Amazon shop.

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

My pick for home security: Keep your home safe without the hassle. SimpliSafe installs in minutes, no wires or contracts, and comes with HD cameras, sensors and 24/7 monitoring. Get 50% off your new system today!

🎙️ Finding her voice: I love this. Only eight seconds of fuzzy ’90s home video, that’s all it took for AI to bring back Sarah Ezekiel’s real voice after 25 years with motor neurone disease. Her kids had only ever heard her speak through a robotic voice. Until now. This is what AI gets right. Changing lives in ways we never imagined.

Are schools spying on your kids at home?

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Your kid might be under 24/7 school surveillance, even at home. George, your AI host, breaks down how student safety tools like GoGuardian and Gaggle track everything from late-night YouTube binges to unsent messages. Plus: a $750 PayPal password dump, biometric TSA fast lanes, Steph Curry’s AI jump shot coach, and five cool science experiments hiding in your phone.

💡 Pick the right light: Shopping for bulbs? Avoid LEDs over 5000K. Those bluish “cool white” ones can feel sterile and trick your brain into thinking it’s daytime, making it harder to sleep. Instead, go for “warm white” bulbs between 2700K and 3000K. They’re easier on the eyes and make your home feel cozier.

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

Don’t live in fear: Get the best home protection with no wires or contracts, and setup takes just 30 minutes. You’ll get sensors, HD cameras and 24/7 monitoring. Right now, get 50% off a new system when you sign up for a professional monitoring plan.

📱 Customize your Android home screen: Long-press an empty spot until the menu pops up. From there, you can change the Wallpaper, apply a new Theme, add Widgets, or change Settings like the Home screen layout. You’ll also see a (+) icon you can tap to add another home screen page.

Secrets that lurk in home listings

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Want the dirt on your neighbor’s house? See what they paid, what they owe, and more. Here’s where to look.

Kim’s weekend warrior toolkit

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Before you call in a handyman, hang on a sec. I know home repairs can feel like one big headache. But with the right gear, you can save yourself hundreds, maybe thousands and still keep your cool.

I did the heavy lifting and put together this great list of tools that are smart, compact, and ready to swoop in and save your weekend. Let’s nail this.

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Clean up your iPad dock: Go to Settings > Home Screen & App Library > Dock. Toggle off Show App Library in Dock and Show Suggested and Recent Apps in Dock. FYI: You can still open the App Library by swiping all the way right, and recent apps will likely be on your Home Screen already.