You can catch it in your favorite podcast app for free — or pay a few bucks to listen commercial free. Score!
Sky-high car insurance rates? Blame it on all the tech in our cars
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My car insurance just went up 32%. Did I have an accident or get a few tickets? Nope. Across the U.S., the average full-coverage car insurance bill went up 25% last year. In some states, it was closer to 40%. Geez.
The main reason? Today’s high-tech vehicles cost way more to repair. You don’t need to own a high-tech car to feel the pinch, though; it’s hitting everyone.
Driving up costs
Modern cars are packed with dozens of sensors and endless lines of computer code. Combine that with the rising cost of replacement parts and repairs, and voila — soaring auto insurance rates.
No wonder the average collision insurance claim jumped 64% between 2018 and 2022. In 2023, auto insurance rates climbed 20%, the biggest increase since 1976.
The rate increases are slowing a bit, but there’s no telling how tariffs could impact that. About 60% of car parts used in repairs are imported from China.
Let’s look under the hood
In 2018, Toyota redesigned its uber-popular Camry. The number of parts in the front bumper alone increased from 18 to 43. Most are related to advanced driver-assist features.
The upgrades also mean a front-end collision repair is 43% more expensive. It’s not just driver-assist jacking up costs.
- Many new cars have LED headlights, which cost around five times more than halogen lights to replace.
- New cars contain more aluminum. Compared to steel, aluminum is lighter, provides better gas mileage and offers more protection in a crash, but it’s harder to fix and more expensive.
- EVs take 20 days on average to repair. That’s 40% longer than traditional vehicles and $500 more expensive for labor.
Smart ways to save
I make it my business to find the best ways to save. Then, I pass them along to you. Let’s do this.
Surveys that can make you a ton of cash (really!)
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People always call the show and ask, “How do I make money with online surveys?” I tell them two things: First, you’ll probably earn gift cards instead of actual cash, and second, those gift cards could be worth $50 with the right sites.
3 podcasts to fall asleep to
You’re in your pajamas, ready for bed, but can’t fall asleep. Try this trick: listen to a podcast.
79%
Of people 12 and older have listened to audio online in the past month. That’s about 228 million Americans, a record high. The number jumps to 90% for folks 12 to 34. About 73% listen at least once a week. Yay, you’ll love my weekly podcasts and daily tech update on Apple and Spotify.
Our favorite cleaning products to get your home sparkling
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Over the next couple of days, the team and I are sharing what you’ve been asking me for all month: Shopping picks! The goal is to take all the dread out of checking all your people off your list.
Some of you will think this is weird, and others will shout, “Me too, Kim!” I love getting my house sparkling clean after Thanksgiving. I put on some tunes, scrub every corner and then the house is ready for Christmas decorations. Here are some tools to make it easier.
A Thanksgiving letter from Kim
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Hello friends,
I hope you’re having a great Thanksgiving Day spending time with the people you love and eating delicious food. Along with watching the parade, having good conversations and slipping into a turkey coma, don’t forget to take a moment to reflect on your own life. I’m sure that there are many wonderful things you are thankful for.
1 billion people
Watching podcasts on YouTube. Their monthly numbers blow Spotify and every other streaming service in the podcast game out of the water. Yup, you can watch my show there!
$900,000 watch
On Zuck’s wrist when he announced Meta went MAGA and put an end to fact-checking. He was wearing the Greubel Forsey Hand Made 1; only a few are made each year. His collection includes a $90,000 De Bethune, a $141,000 Patek Philippe and a $12 Seiko. Next week, I’ll wear my favorite watch on my podcasts and show it to the camera. Spoiler: It’s a Rolex a big daily TV host wears, too.
Are the "golden years" of podcasts over?
NPR just cancelled a podcast thought to be untouchable. What’s next for others? Here’s my take in one minute.
Cruel TikTok scam, Seattle vs. social media, Airbnb update
Plus, teens are diagnosing themselves with serious illnesses they found on TikTok, get better sleep with these podcasts and signs your phone or computer is infected with a keylogger. Oh, and men, stop putting your smartphone in your pants pocket!
Horrible sleepers: Get Z's with these 4 podcasts
Can’t sleep at night? Turn on one of these podcasts. Here’s how they can help you get a good night’s rest, in one minute.
Tech tip: How to find anyone’s email address online
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Keeping up with your inbox feels never-ending some days. Between work, your personal life, and all that spam, you might have hundreds of emails to sift through.
Is junk mail getting you down? Do something about it. Spending a little time once will save you from clicking “trash” all day. Tap or click for five simple ways to stop spam.
Subscribe vs follow podcasts
Ever wondered why you can both subscribe to and follow podcasts? Aren’t they the same thing? Here are the differences, in 60 seconds.
5 silly mistakes putting your online privacy and security at huge risk
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There are so many online scams and tricks out there I can’t cover them all on my website and national radio show. I make it my duty to inform you of the tactics bad actors use to fool you.
A great podcast was the episode when I dove into the mind of a hacker. Tap or click to listen to an episode of my podcast, Kim Komando Today, with an IBM social engineer. She spills the secrets hackers use to scare and confuse people.
Top 5 best true wireless earbuds for music and podcast lovers
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Wireless earbuds are convenient and offer outstanding sound quality. But with so many on the market, it can be difficult to distinguish one brand from the next.
The top earbuds offer a better fit, sound, and improved noise-canceling capabilities for music lovers everywhere. Tap or click here for the best portable Bluetooth speakers.
Smart trick to get all the perks of an Echo Show for less money
Amazon
Everyone loves their Amazon Echo Show. Regardless of generation, you can access all your smart gadgets, listen to your favorite podcasts and music, get the local weather forecast and use tons of Alexa-friendly apps.
Best apps of the year, quick tech tips, Twitter bans these photos
Relive 2021 with the top songs, podcasts and apps of the year. Plus, a change to Twitter could put an end to certain types of bullying — if it’s actually effective. And a special way to make guests feel at home using a piece of tech you already have in the house.
Where Spotify beats Apple Music – and where it doesn't
Apple Music grew in popularity when programs like Napster were making paying for music less than favorable. Since then, no other music platform has been able to beat them out. That is until Spotify entered the market.
Introducing our brand-new podcast, Tech Refresh
Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to check out this episode of our brand new podcast, Tech Refresh. The talented team at Komando.com dives into the week in tech news and all things digital. Plus, an old favorite is back: Brand New or Not True! See if the crew can stump Mike with a mighty convincing fake tech product. Check it out, and let us know what you think at podcasts@komando.com.