Tag: home

 🛍️ Best Amazon Black Friday deals

Before you fall down the Black Friday rabbit hole, let me save you hours and frustration.

Smart mirrors for your bathroom are here

I remember the first time I saw a bathroom mirror with a built-in TV. I was at a ski lodge in Vail and called Barry to come see it.

Holiday-ready home upgrades

I know you like to save money and think of me as your secret elf. Consider this your cheat sheet to a cozy, stress-free season. ✨ Dyson V9 cordless vacuum (55% off) Suck it, dust bunnies. Tackles carpets, hard floors, and converts to a handheld in seconds. I love to vacuum but only with this […]

Identity theft starts small and ruins big

Last month, a friend of mine, we’ll call him David, got an alert from his identity protection service. It wasn’t a $2,000 charge for a new TV. It wasn’t $10,000 worth of phones in another country. It was a $48.50 bill opened in his full legal name for a utility company in a city he’d […]

5 places to find AI jobs to do at home

I’ve been really trying to help you get a handle on how you can use AI in your career.  But what if you only want a work-at-home gig? I got your back, too. It’s not all sunshine and dollar signs. Here’s what’s working and what you need to watch out for. 👩‍💼 Amanda: Kitchen Table […]

Pawns, kings and queens

Barry and I play chess a few times a month, and he’s always completely floored when I win. Why? He plays everyday on Chess⁠⁠.com, and I only play with him. Here’s a business success I bet you didn’t see coming, I know I didn’t. Chess. Yes, the game that’s been around for about 1,500 years […]

The best locks for every door

From your front entrance to your hotel room, I narrowed it down to the standouts. ✅ My pick: Yale’s Assure lock (20% off) unlocks when your hands are full and automatically latches up for you. Fingerprint scanner? Works in just half a second. Plus, manage two-factor authentication and biometrics right from the app. No need […]

How not to explode

Lithium-ion batteries are everywhere, powering your phone, laptop, iPad, toothbrush, e-bike, EV and power bank. We love them because they’re compact, rechargeable and efficient. But when things go wrong? They go really wrong. Fires caused by lithium batteries are becoming more common and more dangerous. A small phone battery can ignite a couch. Now imagine […]

Slay your vampire electronics

Since Halloween’s in the air, let’s talk about something spooky: vampire electronics. These everyday gadgets quietly suck electricity (and money) when you’re not using them. They’re called “phantom loads” or “standby power,” and they’re everywhere from your cable box to your soundbar to your printer. Even when they’re “off,” they’re drawing power.  The Department of […]

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 […]

When you’re everyone’s unpaid emotional support intern

“Hey, Kim, This isn’t tech. I’m the one keeping the peace, at work, at home, with friends. I smooth things over and manage everyone’s moods. It’s exhausting, but if I stop, I’m scared everything unravels. What should I do?” — Megan from Cincinnati  Welcome to the unpaid role of feelings manager, Megan. It comes with […]

Read this before you renew your car insurance

You’ve probably seen this pitch from your insurance company: “Drive safely and save. Sign up for our smart driving program today!” You’ve got a squeaky-clean record, so what’s the harm, right? Before you sign up, let’s pop the hood. 😳 What they’re tracking These programs use an app on your phone or a gadget in […]

Tractors, TVs and tyranny

Picture this. A farmer is out in the fields when his $300,000 John Deere tractor shuts off with an error code. He knows what’s wrong. But he can’t touch it. An authorized (pricey) technician must come to his farm, unlock the tractor’s operating system and fix it.  You see, the farmer doesn’t own the right […]

Vacuums gone rogue

Remember when robot vacuums were basically remote-control bumper cars with anxiety? They’d bounce around, get stuck under the couch and scare the cat. These days, they claim to do it all – vacuum, mop, empty themselves and learn your floor plan better than your dog has. Here’s the thing no one wants you to know: […]

Don’t just freeze, fight back

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 […]

Schools spy on kids even at home

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. A new study from UC San Diego uncovered what’s really going on with those […]

🚗💨 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. […]

AI meets true crime

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. The address traced back to James Shaffer, a convicted rapist already serving time […]

Kim’s weekend warrior toolkit

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 […]

Kim’s picks to outsmart break-ins

Your home should be your safe place, not a bull’s-eye.  I’ve tested every kind of security gear you can think of, and these are the real deal. No monthly fees. No gimmicks. Just solid, reliable protection for your front door, your mailbox, your garage and everything in between. 1. 🔒 Seven-in-one smart lock ($80, 43% […]