Tag: shopping

How AI tricks you into spending more (and what to do about it)

AI is the new pushy salesman, and it doesn’t breathe, sleep or blink.

🎁 Gifts under $50? You betcha!

Holiday shopping stressing you out? Skip the gift-card trap. I’ve rounded up 10 amazing gifts, all under $50, that bring joy, wow, and are easy on the wallet. Let’s jump in. 🔪 Titanium tough, easy clean Slice your meat on one side of this cutting board (43% off) and your veggies on the other. Nonstick […]

🛣️ Your driver’s license is worth more than you think

Your driver’s license has two jobs: ID and moneymaker. But sadly, not for you.

Stop saving passwords in browsers, seriously

I got an email from a listener named Jim K., and it’s the kind of note that sticks with you. “I checked Have I Been Pwned and found one account breached twice, another nine times, and another five times. I keep my usernames and passwords in Notes. I don’t let websites store my credit card […]

For whom the bell tolls unpaid

You’ve probably seen it: a text that says something like, “You have an overdue toll balance. Click here to avoid late fees.” It looks official, urgent and believable enough to make you think maybe it’s legit. That text is part of a very sophisticated scam run by Chinese criminal gangs, and they’ve already made over […]

The loyalty trap: That free coffee cost you everything

Let me tell you something that’ll make you look at your “loyalty perks” apps and programs a lot differently.  You think you’re getting a deal along with points, rewards, a freebie here and there. But what you’re really signing up for is a machine that’s collecting, analyzing and monetizing you. I studied a new report […]

🚗💨 Your ‘smart’ car could be days away from going dumb

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. […]

F​​our payments and a data leak

Buy now, pay later (BNPL) apps are everywhere. See something shiny? Tap tap, and BAM, you own it in four “easy” payments. Zero interest, no credit card shame spiral. What a dream, right? But here’s what they’re not telling you: While you’re breaking up your payments, they’re also breaking up your data and sharing it […]

This is worse than spam calls

Most people have never heard of companies like Mobilewalla or Gravy Analytics, but they know you.  The FTC just clamped down on these two for secretly vacuuming up people’s real-time location data without consent. Not just estimated neighborhoods or passing GPS flickers.  We’re talking exact coordinates, tied to your phone’s unique ID, showing where you […]

Bin stores let you hit the jackpot

I hit up a bin store the other day. It’s where returned and overstock items find a second chance. I spotted a sealed 2-by-2-foot mystery box for 10 bucks. Naturally, I had to buy it. What was inside?  Four pairs of men’s black socks, a cat bell, two potato peelers, an iPhone stand and a […]

How to get a job as a mystery diner

Want to get paid to eat for free? Here’s your perfect side hustle.

Mac and Windows how-to: Add widgets to your desktop

Right on my Mac desktop, I can check my mouse battery (38% and dropping), see where my son Ian is (at work), get the latest weather update (hello, sunny Phoenix!), and even keep track of time with a world clock. Widgets are like mini windows into your favorite apps, giving you instant info without the […]

How to land the best flight deals

Score the best deals on airfare and more, plus my VIP experience secrets

Practical gifts everyone will love at $10, $20 and $50

Stumped on what to get a few people on your Christmas list? I’ve put together winners for every budget.

Most popular gifts: $10, $20, $50 and splurges

Here are this season’s top wished-for gifts, sure to please everyone on your list!

How to find and stop hidden fees

When the advertised price goes up with every click.

Don’t make this big mistake e-commerce companies often make

Want to grow your business? We all want things to be free, but homegrown spreadsheets lead to expensive mistakes. Try this eCommerce solution.