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 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 […]
“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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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: […]
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 […]
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 […]
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. […]
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 […]
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 […]
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% […]
Most people hop on real estate sites just to see their dream house or check local sales prices. That’s cute, but if you know where to click, these sites cough up more secrets than your drunk aunt at Thanksgiving. 🏠 Homes.com, The Mortgage Peep ShowThis one is crazy. Search an address, scroll down far enough […]
⚠️ Warning: This story contains details about sexual assault that may be disturbing. I know two women who were raped by an Uber driver. That’s not hearsay or a story I read online. They trusted the ride, believed the app was safe and paid the price in the most horrific way possible. Now, The New […]
Want to globe-trot like a baller but on a budget? Enter home swapping: the Airbnb alternative that doesn’t cost a mortgage payment per night. It’s just what it sounds like. You stay in someone’s house, they stay in yours, like Freaky Friday with better Wi-Fi. There are entire Facebook groups dedicated to this, from “Women […]
First about this image. I asked AI to “make a pic of me watching a movie,” and somehow it nailed my husband, our two goldens (even Bella the puppy!). But there’s something off. Can you spot it? At the end of the newsletter, rate it, then drop your guess, name and email. I’ll pick five […]
There’s one voicemail I’ll never delete. It’s from my mom. She’s been gone for almost four years, but every so often, I play it back. It’s nothing dramatic, just her voice asking if I could buy her a gallon of milk on my way home. (In her Brooklyn accent, “Kim, make sure it’s 2%, not […]
That’s my childhood home above at 111 Washington Avenue, South Amboy, NJ. I was about 10 when I knocked out my front tooth on the swing set. There was also the day when I made the very bad decision to throw a snowball at a passing police car while the officer had his windows open. […]
Every time my energy bill arrives, I swear it looks more like a ransom note: “$412 or the AC gets it.” But guess what? Some good (actually smart) tech can help liberate you from this hostage situation, with real savings. Here’s your Kim-approved guide to the best smart home tech that pays for itself. And […]
Picture this: You’re worth millions in crypto. You think your money’s safe because it’s digital, anonymous and locked up behind a strong password. But there’s one security hole you didn’t count on, your physical body. That’s exactly what happened in a terrifying case out of New York City. Two men allegedly kidnapped a crypto investor […]
