savings Archives

AI-powered home gadgets that lower your bills

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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 before you get all drama on me and whine, “Oh, these are so hard to install,” stop right there. They’re just not.

🌡️ Smart thermostats

If your thermostat isn’t smart yet, you’re literally throwing money out the window. Devices like the Google Nest Thermostat ($239.99, 14% off) or the ecobee SmartThermostat ($129.99) learn your schedule and automatically adjust the temperature when you’re out or asleep.

The average household saves about 10%-15% on heating and cooling bills; that’s up to $145 per year! Pays for itself.

Think of it like a pet that adjusts your AC instead of pooping in your closet.

💡 Smart lighting systems

Still flipping switches? Go smarter. Products like Philips Hue Smart Bulbs ($102.11, 24% off, three-pack) and the affordable Kasa Smart Bulbs ($29.99, 6% off, four-pack) use AI to optimize lighting, significantly cutting down energy use.

The bulbs automatically detect empty rooms and dim themselves, slashing up to $75 annually from your electricity bill.

🚿 Smart water monitors

Did you know a small leak can cost hundreds a year? A gadget like the Flume 2 Smart Water Monitor ($249) detects leaks instantly and tracks your water use in real time. For a cheaper pick, check out YoLink’s Hub Leak Detection Starter Kit ($54.99, 21% off).

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

Might be owed money? Here’s how to find it (for free)

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I’ll never forget helping Robert from Virginia find $24,578 sitting in a bank account he didn’t know existed. He heard me talk about how to find hidden money on my national radio show.

Every year, I shout about this from the rooftops (and my national radio show). Lost money isn’t a myth. It’s trillions just chilling in government vaults and banker spreadsheets, waiting for someone like you to claim it.

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Savings are served

🔥 For when your kitchen’s sizzling and your storage is chill.

BBQ your favorites anywhere with an indoor/outdoor grill ($100).
Roll out a warming tray (10% off) to keep your dinner toasty.
These paper air fryer liners (19% off) make cleaning up a breeze.
Spin this turntable (23% off) to easily find what’s in your fridge.
Grab a pack of silicone trays ($37) to save your leftovers for later.

🐶 Treats with benefits: A bag of 12-in-1 chewable multivitamins ($20) supports your pup’s joints, gut and more.

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

Stop guessing and start saving: This savings goal calculator from Clark.com takes the guesswork out of saving money. Enter your desired amount, current savings and how often you plan to contribute, and the calculator will show you exactly how much you need to save each month to reach your goal. Subscribe to Clark’s free newsletter for more must-have money tips every day.

Pros and cons of online banks

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Big banks pay next to nothing on savings while online banks offer 4 percent or more. This is the way to choose if it’s right for you.

Are your cloud costs climbing? Oracle can help you save big. Get enterprise-level performance at 50% or more off for a limited time. Check to see if your business qualifies today, because smart savings and better tech start right here!

$32,000

That’s the life savings scammers stole from a schoolteacher in North Texas. They called pretending to be Chase Bank, saying his account was compromised and he needed to move his money to a “secure” one. It was all fake. The worst part? Chase only refunded about $2,000 since he wasn’t covered by fraud protection.

🤑 Piqued your interest: Want your savings to grow faster? Online high-yield savings accounts can offer 3% to 4% interest or more. Four big names I trust: Marcus by Goldman Sachs, Ally Bank, Capital One 360 and American Express. They’re FDIC-insured up to $250,000. But watch out for hidden fees, withdrawal limits and teaser rates that drop after a few months.

Vroom vroom

🚗 That’s the sound of your next trip starting strong.

Let your phone and small stuff ride shotgun with a bike bag (8% off).
Flat tires? A portable inflator (24% off) lets you skip the gas station stop.
Grab a two-pack of floor mat cleaners (5% off) to scrub away all that dirt.
Forget melting ice, a car fridge (15% off) keeps your drinks cool for longer.
This key organizer (15% off) holds up to eight of your keys and a car fob.
Feel safer while you’re parked with a steering wheel lock (28% off).

🇺🇸 Memorial Day savings: Here’s that special link to save big on the best gadgets for your ride.

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

Paying too much for cloud services? Check this out. Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, or OCI, is built for speed, power and serious savings, without the usual cloud headaches. That’s why some of the biggest AI innovators trust it. Try it for free right now.

💸 Life savings wiped: Think these scams only happen to older adults? A 26-year-old lost over $30,000 after getting a fake text from “Wells Fargo” about a $1,300 charge. He replied no, got a call and scammers convinced him to transfer his money to a new account. Poof, all gone. FYI: Banks will never ask you to move your money to stop fraud.

Online banks pay more interest

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Tired of earning almost nothing from your savings? Some online accounts now offer 3 to 4 percent or more.

🚨 Bank of America lost your data … literally: Nope, it wasn’t a cyberattack. This time, savings bond documents went missing in transit, and they had everything. Names, addresses, account numbers, SSNs and more — the full “steal my identity” starter pack. No word yet on how many people are affected, but the bank says it’ll notify you. PSA: Freeze your credit.

💸 $8.2 million in crypto seized: Give the DOJ a hand for cracking down on romance baiting. You know, scammers promise to love you forever, help you invest in bogus platforms and vanish with your money. One woman lost over $660,000 (her life savings), and the scammer still asked for another $300,000 to “improve her credit score.” Wondering if you’re getting scammed? Ask me here.

Steamy savings

🛀 Let’s face it: Your bathroom deserves a glow-up.

This suction cup caddy keeps your soaps, scrubs and shampoos within reach.
Turn your shower into a spa with these steamers to fill the air with fresh scents.
Drink or read in the tub? Grab a bathtub tray (25% off) to hold ’em while you relax.
Step out onto a bath mat (20% off) that’s slip-free and easy to clean.
Tired eyes don’t stand a chance against these under-eye masks (38% off).

💋 Treat yourself: Check out my page for more self-care picks to help you feel your best.

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

Don’t fall for this: Have a TD Bank account? If you get a text about a big pending charge, don’t click it. It links to a fake TD Bank site that looks real but steals your login info. Some folks have lost their life savings. So sad.

The ‘Case of the Mondays’ savings

✏️ I found some neat stuff to help you kick off your workweek:

Put this knitted potato (30% off) on your desk for some cute motivation.
Snag a rotating organizer ($10) to grab a pen from any angle.
Feeling chilly in the office? Warm up with a lap blanket ($35). Click the coupon for 10% off!
For my cat lovers, here’s an adorable note dispenser (33% off).
Grab a memo board ($7) to keep your notes nice and organized.

🛒 Before you check out: Hit up my page for other great things you didn’t know you needed. Happy scrolling!

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

💸 Who’s in your wallet? The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau says Capital One conned customers out of $2 billion in interest payments. They promised super-high rates for 360 Performance Savings accounts, then froze them at 0.30%. If this happened to you, file a complaint.