Plus, I unleash the secrets to effortlessly bring your business online. Learn the ultimate hack to share grocery lists for events. But that’s not all – get ready to capture breathtaking photos while hiking the Appalachian Trail with the ultimate photo gear recommendations. And wait, there’s more – I’ve got puns that will have you rolling on the floor with laughter
The $15 gadget that cuts your electricity bill
It’s only March, and we’re nearing 100 degrees in Phoenix. I’m already sweating, dreading my power bills. It got me thinking about the stuff in your house that’s sucking up electricity 24/7, even when it’s turned off.
Phantom power may not seem like a big deal, but those little energy leaks can add hundreds of dollars a year to your power bill. The fix? A smart plug. It’s one of the cheapest smart home upgrades you can make, and it starts saving you money the second you plug it in.
💡 Smart plug 101
These tiny devices go between your wall outlet and whatever you’re powering — a TV, lamp, fan, coffee maker, you name it. Connect it to your Wi-Fi, then you can control the power from your phone or with your voice, using Alexa or Google Assistant.
You can set timers, monitor energy usage or just kill power completely when you’re not using something. Sweet.
💸 Here’s how it saves you money
- Shuts off phantom load: Stops electronics from quietly draining power all night. Your TVs, microwave, game consoles, chargers and even that Keurig that only brews one cup a day are guilty.
- Scheduled shutdown: Automatically turns off items like heated blankets or air purifiers after bedtime or when you leave the house.
- Remote access: Forgot to turn something off? Don’t want to get your butt off the couch? Open the app and do it from anywhere.
- Energy monitoring: Some models show exactly how much electricity a device uses, so you know what’s worth unplugging.
🔌 Best budget smart plugs (all under $20)
I did the hard work to tell you which ones are best and for what purpose. These are Amazon’s Big Spring Sale prices. So get ’em now before the sale is over!
Kasa smart plug (2 for $14, 25% off): Plug it in, download the app and setup is basically done. Works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
Amazon Basics (2 for $14, 15% off): Super simple setup on this one, too. Good buy if you have Echos around the house.
EIGHTREE (4 for $20, 33% off): Sleek round design, and compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
Your Wi-Fi was part of 2.7 billion records leaked
© Andrew Angelov | Dreamstime.com, © Denisismagilov | Dreamstime.com
I bet you’ve never heard of Mars Hydro. It’s a company headquartered in Communist China that makes Internet of Things (IoT) devices. Their speciality? LED lights and hydroponics equipment.
Security researcher Jeremiah Fowler (I had him on the show about other breaches, and he’s a smart, standup guy) was digging around and found they had a massive 1.17TB database online for anyone to see. There was no encryption and no password required.
Bring a Trailer $1B car blog, Clever smart plug hacks & $10K/mo dream job travel blogging the world
⚡️ 3-second tech genius: Reboot your router once a month for better speeds. Pro tip: Plug it into a smart plug (7% off) and schedule auto reboots.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
Shopping guide: Ben's best-reviewed products of 2021
Over the past year, I’ve reviewed dozens of products, from battery chargers to motorized standing desks. While not every new gadget managed to wow me, quite a few made a positive impression.
They might do the same for you. There could even be a few that would make an excellent gift for someone you know — especially those who are difficult to buy for.
Deal alert: This all-weather outdoor smart plug is under $20 right now
Amazon
Automating your backyard is a game-changer. It’s hard to go back to the old-fashioned way when you can control outdoor devices with a remote control or even just your voice.
A helpful gadget like the Kasa Outdoor Smart Plug is an easy way to use landscape lighting, swimming pool pumps or holiday lights in a snap. It’s weather-resistant and has a Wi-Fi range of up to 300 feet. Our team’s product review expert, Ben Bradley, used a Kasa smart plug to keep his dogs safe.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
Warning: Hackers can crack these cheap smart plugs and worm into your network
Connected devices and smart gadgets can turn an ordinary home into a technological heaven. Switching on all the lights in the house has never been so easy. Remotely turning up the cool breeze from a connected fan is bliss. Tap or click here for 11 smart home gadgets you’ll actually use.
Borrow this trick from pro broadcasters to stop work-from-home interruptions
Eight months after the pandemic was officially declared, many Americans are still working from home. The same goes for most of Kim’s staff, myself included.
If working from home is something you’re interested in, there are all kinds of occupations if you know where to look. Tap or click here for an extensive list of ways to make money from home.
Kim just saved $480 on Echo Show so everyone in the family can keep in touch with Mom
Amazon
If you’re a Prime member who loves getting deals on smart gadgets, Prime Day i slike Christmas. Amazon is offering some serious discounts on its devices, which means you can grab these electronics for a steal if you move quickly. Tap or click here to see some of our other top picks for Prime Day.
Amazon's top-selling items will surprise you
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Amazon had a record-breaking year in 2019. Prime Day was the biggest in the company’s history, with millions of transactions taking place around the world. In addition, Black Friday and Cyber Monday came and went with stellar results, with the latter being the biggest shopping day in the company’s history.
Making your household items smarter
Even things you own that aren’t already smart, don’t have to stay that way. An inexpensive smart plug can make your dumb appliance, lamp or hair dryer smart. Kim gives some tips on inexpensive ways to start upgrading your home to a smart home.