Tag: home

The spy in your rental car

Stop syncing your contacts with a rental car. Even one button tap can share way too much.

I’m cheating on ChatGPT

I’ve been making ChatGPT fight Google Gemini, and man, one of them is getting smoked.

Free gift in the mail? It’s a scam

Ever get a weird Amazon box and think it’s a gift? Think again.

Data detox: How to wipe your info in 2026

While you’re busy filling your cart, retailers are filling their databases with your personal data.

Best Black Friday gifts for him, her and the kiddos

Grab gold rings, smart speakers and more genius buys for the whole family

Porch pirates are hacking tracking numbers to beat you home

Someone dressed as a trash bag to steal packages? That actually happened.

Holiday crowd-pleasers the whole family will love

Before the turkey hits the table, check out these gadgets, games and sweet DIY kits. They’ll make your Thanksgiving way more fun.

 🛍️ 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 […]