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Think you’re paying $139 for Amazon Prime? Think again

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When’s the last time you checked how much Amazon is pulling from your bank account? If you guessed around $100 a year, you’re in for a surprise. You could be spending over $300 annually without realizing it. Let’s break it down.

🧓 Back in my day…

When Amazon Prime launched in 2005, it was a sweet deal: $79 a year for free two-day shipping. That price held until 2014, when it jumped to $99. Then $119 in 2018. By 2022? We hit $139 a year, and I’m predicting it now: Next year, it’ll go up to $159.

Oh, and that’s just the base price.

Now there’s a $9.95 delivery fee for Whole Foods orders, a $36 annual upcharge if you want Prime Video without ads, and sky-high grocery minimums for Amazon Fresh (originally $35, now $100). Want more?

Amazon Music Unlimited: $99/year
Audible: $14.95/month
Amazon Kids+: $5.99/month
Kindle Unlimited: $11.99/month
Streaming add-ons (HBO Max, Paramount+, etc.): $7.99 to $20.99/month each

That $139 membership? It’s just an appetizer.

✅ Here’s how to check what you’re paying:

Go to Your Prime Membership to see if you’re billed monthly or annually.
Then check Your Subscriptions for all those sneaky add-ons like Kindle Unlimited, Music, channel bundles and more.
From your account, click Memberships & Subscriptions or Subscribe & Save Items for a full list.

(Pro tip: The layout may shift depending on the browser, the app or which way the tech winds are blowing that day.)

🤑 Easy ways to save

Amazon Family: Share your Prime perks at no extra cost.
Pay annually: It’s $40 cheaper than month-to-month.
Gas savings: Get 10¢ off a gallon at 7,000+ stations.
Grubhub+: Unlimited $0 delivery fees for as long as you’re a Prime member.
Rx savings: Discounts on prescriptions at almost 60,000 pharmacies.
Amazon Photos + Shutterfly: Get 45% off regular-priced orders and free shipping if it’s $35+.
Prime for Young Adults: Half off & a six-month free trial.
EBT/Medicaid: Get Prime for just $6.99/month.
Prime Visa: If you shop a lot on Amazon, this card gives you cash back to help offset the cost. Bonus: Get a $50 gift card when you’re approved.

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

The secret science squad in your pocket

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Think your phone is just for calls, texts and scrolling? Think again. You’re carrying around a secret lab in your pocket.

The accelerometer that flips your screen when you turn it? That’s what your fitness app uses to count steps. The barometer that helps your weather app? It can tell if you’ve climbed a flight of stairs. And the gyroscope that powers AR games? Aim it at the sky, and it points out planets.

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Plug in and chill out

🪄 You don’t need a magic wand to organize your digital life, just these:

📚 Glow with the flow: Clip on this reading light (29% off) for bedtime page flipping that won’t bug your partner.

🛋️ Lap of luxury: Work, study or stream in comfort with a memory-foam laptop pillow (5% off).

📺 Tangled TV wires? Poof, this in-wall cable kit (14% off) hides them like they were never there.

📁 For your eyes only: An encrypted USB flash drive (21% off) shields your files from keyloggers.

📸 Snap and go: Transfer photos in seconds with a pocket-size SD card reader (23% off).

💻 From laptops to desktops: I’ve rounded up 20 computer recs that actually keep up with you over on my Amazon shop.

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

Emergency phone access can save lives

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Your phone holds your life, from photos to banking apps. If you trust someone, give them access for emergencies or quick help. Here are three easy ways to do it safely.

🕶️ Talk to the wrist: Meta’s new smart glasses, called Hypernova, are coming in September for about $800. They’ve got a tiny screen in the lens for things like texts, maps and photos, no phone in hand. You control it with a wristband that reads your gestures like magic. It’s all fun and games until you swipe left on your grandma.

1,500 years

That’s how long ago engineers in Tajikistan built a hidden aqueduct system. Ancient designers used ceramic pipes and waterproof mortar to serve a fortress city long before flush toilets were a thing. And yes, it still impresses modern-day scientists. Click through the photos, and you’ll see why.

🤳 Fix blurry phone photos: If tapping to focus isn’t working, your lens is probably dirty. After all, your phone lives in your pocket, collecting dust and grime. Folks, don’t reach for your T-shirt. Go with proper lens wipes that are scratch-free and streak-free. I found a pack of 200 for under $10.

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

📸 Pixelate photos on iPhone: If your device has Apple Intelligence, you can hide someone’s face in the background or info on a receipt. Open the Photos app, choose an image, and select Edit > Clean Up. Zoom in, circle the area you want hidden, and your iPhone will do the rest. Tap Done to save.

Data today, gone tomorrow: Back it up before it backs out on you. Total Drive automatically saves your photos, videos and important documents in the cloud, safe and sound. Simple, secure, and yes, I trust it with my own files. Get 10TB for just $18.

A big hit by a fake band

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Spotify’s top artist is 100% AI, from the songs to the photos. Here’s what to know.

🎨 Need stunning photos? I’ve used Dreamstime for years, and for good reason. Whether you’re building a website, designing a presentation or just need the perfect pic for social media, Dreamstime has millions of royalty-free images that won’t break the bank.

Siri and I are in a toxic relationship. I ask, she lies, I forgive: Apple finally gave up making their own AI. Thank goodness! Instead, GPT-5 will power Siri, Writing Tools and Visual Intelligence starting next month with iOS 26. Your iPhone might actually know what you meant. Soon, Siri will analyze photos, translate in real time and help write texts that don’t sound like you drafted them in the drive-thru.

Use AirDrop to share from your iPad: Quickly send photos, docs or links to nearby Apple devices. For example: In Photos, select what you want, tap the Share icon and choose AirDrop. Nearby devices will show up under People. Tap the one you want. It’ll ding on their end, and they’ll be asked to accept.

✝️ This gave me chills: Scientists just analyzed the Shroud of Turin under high-powered UV light and found serum halos around the bloodstains. This is proof the body wasn’t washed before burial, exactly how Jesus would’ve been prepared according to Jewish tradition. This could be the most compelling evidence yet that Christians were right all along. See the photos and full story here.

Fake pics, real charges: A student was hit with a $9K damage bill after her NYC Airbnb host claimed she cracked furniture and peed the bed. But the “proof”? AI-edited photos. Airbnb initially sided with the host, then backpedaled fast after a newspaper got involved. Full refund issued, host slapped with a warning. PSA: Take inside and outside videos of any rental property.

Personalize your Chromebook: Right-click your Desktop and select Set wallpaper and style to change up the look. Pick an accent color, choose a wallpaper or add your own photos. You can also move the shelf. Right-click it, select Shelf position and choose Left, Bottom or Right.

✅ Back it up, or risk losing it. Total Drive is offering a great deal! Total Drive automatically backs up your precious memories, family photos, graduation videos and all your important documents. Everything’s safely stored in the cloud. It’s simple, secure, and yes, I use it, too! Get 10TB for just $18 with this limited time offer.

⚡️ 3-second tech genius: Saying “cheese” in photos can make your smile look stiff. Try “yoga” instead. The soft “uh” at the end helps your face relax for a more natural look.

😁 Look better in photos: Never face the camera head-on. Instead, turn your body about 45 degrees, shift your weight to your back foot and lean your torso slightly forward. It’s a simple trick for a more flattering pose. The source? Oh, just 20+ years of broadcasting and looking fabulous!

☁️ Back it up, or risk losing it forever: Total Drive backs up your precious memories like family photos, graduation videos and all those important documents, automatically. All safe in the cloud. It’s simple, secure, and yes, I use it, too! Get 10TB for just $18.