Think you have the best smartphone signal there is? You still have to deal with call drops. Here’s how T-Mobile and Space X want to change that, in 60 seconds.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
9 quick and easy ways to save money on tech
I’m a cheapskate. There, I said it. I go digging for ways to save money in my tech life, and I’m happy to pass them along to you, too.
1. Use a tool to find coupons: Searching online leads to codes that don’t work or, worse, malware-infected sites. I like Honey. It runs in the background to look for deals on what you’re already buying. CamelCamelCamel will alert you if there’s a price drop on something you’re eyeing on Amazon.
2. Try free versions of expensive software: Unless you absolutely need Microsoft 365, don’t waste your money. I’ve recommended LibreOffice, the free, open-source office software suite, for years, and it just got a major update. It works on Windows, Mac and Linux.
3. Check your phone provider perks: T-Mobile includes free Netflix, Apple TV+ and Hulu (with ads). Verizon customers get the Disney bundle, Walmart+, Paramount+, Apple One, Netflix and Max.
4. Get something for nothing: Open Facebook or Nextdoor and search for “buy nothing” and your town or city name. Pick the one closest to you. Voila, you’ve just found a group of folks who give things away for free. You can offload stuff you no longer need and pick up a thing or two. Freecycle is another good option.
5. Use one of my favorite Amazon tricks: If there’s something I want but am not ready to buy, I add it to my cart, then click Save for later. Every now and then, scroll that list. When an item goes on sale, you’ll see it there.
6. Cancel what you’re not using: I use Rocket Money* for that. It’s an app that quickly finds all your recurring subscriptions and lets you easily cancel those you no longer want. The first time I logged in, it saved me $360! Why Barry had three paid weather apps, I’ll never know.
7. Trade your email for discounts: Brands email special deals to their newsletter subscribers. If there’s a brand you love, go to their website. Trust me, they want you to sign up, so the forms will be front and center.
8. Get paid to play: Apps like Swagbucks let you take surveys, play games, watch videos and scan grocery receipts to earn rewards. You can cash ‘em out for gift cards starting at just $1 or save up to $250 to receive that amount of cash in PayPal deposits. There’s also a $10 welcome bonus. Download on Android or iOS.
9. Shop refurbished or open-box items: Amazon Warehouse is an excellent source for video games, appliances, power tools, cameras, school supplies and electronics. You can use your Prime benefits for free shipping, and there’s a good return policy. Just check the item’s condition so you know what you’re getting. Apple sells refurbished gear, too.
🤣 What do you call a cheap wig? A small-price toupee. (You laughed!)
Don’t get left behind – Stay tech ahead
Award-winning host Kim Komando is your secret weapon for navigating tech.
- National radio show: Find your local station or listen to the podcast
- Daily newsletter: Join 575,000 people who read The Current (free!)
- Watch: On Kim’s YouTube channel
- Podcast: “Kim Komando Today” – Listen wherever you get podcasts
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
Money tight? 14 great things you can get for free
There’s always something new to spend money on regarding tech. Here’s a secret some companies don’t want you to know: You can get a lot without spending a dime.
Speaking of money, I hear from people all the time who want to cut Netflix, Hulu, and other expensive streaming services. Did you know that mobile carriers offer free streaming service subscriptions as part of their plans? Here’s what T-Mobile, Verizon and AT&T are offering.
Satellite puns never land: For the first time ever, a T-Mobile smartphone used a Starlink satellite to send an emergency alert. The message traveled 217 miles into space, got picked up by a Starlink satellite and was sent back to Earth in seconds. Look for a full cellular satellite system with SpaceX this fall.
Use this trick to stop spam texts on your Android phone
Spam messages are no longer confined to your email inbox. They can now show up on your phone as text messages. Spam messages can range from harmless and annoying to invasive and dangerous.
Carriers and smartphone developers offer built-in tools to combat spam. You can block calls and filter numbers from unknown senders if you have an iPhone. You can even report spam messages as junk. Tap or click here to learn more.
Best places to find movies, books, audiobooks and music without spending a dime
Money is tight for everyone nowadays, and it’s nice to stretch your dollar as far as possible. You may have free perks from your cell provider that you don’t even know about. Here’s what you can get from Verizon, Sprint and T-Mobile.
Check before you travel: A Florida man was hit with a whopping $143,442.74 phone bill from T-Mobile for roaming costs when traveling in Switzerland. He thought he was covered. Nope. They reversed the charges. Pro tip: There’s a $50-per-month T-Mobile travel plan to prevent stuff like this. Most providers have something similar.
📵 Network meltdown: A massive outage across AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile left about 80,000 folks without service yesterday. No calls — a total mess. In a pinch, text 911, use Wi-Fi calling if you need to reach someone, or try data roaming. The cause? Still a big question mark. I share my hunch on the video podcast.
Listener question: Is 5G wireless service as secure as wired cable service?
Although 5G is rolling out all over the country, there’s uncertainty about the fifth generation of mobile technology. Some people worry about it causing cancer. Others are concerned about security.
Rick from Seattle, WA, called “The Kim Komando Show” with cybersecurity concerns. He said T-Mobile recently made 5G cellular internet service available in his city. He asked, “Is 5G wireless service as secure as wired cable?” Good question! We’ve got you covered, Rick.
You could be getting $360 in free stuff each year from your cell provider
Your mobile carrier does more than provide you with service. Some include tools to help you avoid spam and scams by blocking unwanted calls and texts. Tap or click here for more ways to avoid scams and spam.
But wait, there’s more! Major carriers are throwing in free limited-time or permanent subscriptions to streaming services as long as you keep your unlimited plan active.
How to block annoying scam calls so you don't lose money
The phone rings, and as soon as you say hello, the person on the other end starts babbling about saving money on car insurance. Don’t say anything! They could be recording your voice, which they’ll use to impersonate you. If you do speak up, avoid saying this one word.
37 million customers exposed in T-Mobile data breach
Hackers go after big companies for all the juicy customer data they can provide, and no organization is safe.
Just last month, DraftKings suffered a data breach. Here’s what to do if you have an account with the online sports betting service.
Paying too much for your cell phone every month? Do this
Think about just how much you rely on your phone this time of year. You call and text loved ones, you look up gift ideas and shop online, and your favorite map app gets you where you need to go.
That’s why I love T-Mobile and am proud to say they’re a sponsor of my national radio show. T-Mobile has America’s largest, fastest and most reliable 5G network.
How to block 'Scam Likely' and other scam calls on your phone
Most can relate to the anxiety an unknown phone caller can evoke. When you see “Scam Likely” on caller ID, this feeling can instantly become frightening. Tap or click here for details on the top scam calls and what you can do to get them to stop.
Get a free Samsung Galaxy S22 if you hurry - Here’s how
If you’ve been putting off upgrading your phone because new models are just too expensive, it’s time to consider switching carriers. It’s a smart way to score a deal on a pricey piece of tech.
We found a great offer we had to pass along: Switch to T-Mobile and you can get a Samsung Galaxy S22 for free with 24 monthly bill credits when you switch to their Magenta MAX plan. That’s a $799.99 value. Plus, get a Galaxy Watch4 with 24 monthly bill credits with activation of a Watch line.
The biggest mistake I made buying a new phone
When Apple, Samsung or Google announce a new smartphone, it’s big news. The latest iPhone, Pixel or Galaxy phones are status symbols in their own right. Though there are more manufacturers, these are among the most popular in the U.S.
Kim's pick: My favorite video doorbell to keep an eye on what's happening out front
If you want to secure your home, video doorbells are a no-brainer. They’re a great way to get a little extra peace of mind. You can check in to ensure your front porch is safe if you’re at the office or the grocery store.
This powerful 5G phone rivals the big names - and you can get it free
Smartphones are an investment. Flagship models can easily run more than $1,000.
What if you want the features of a powerful smartphone without the hefty price tag? You have to do a lot of research on the specs that matter.
These family plans will save you money — even if you aren't family
Think about all the subscriptions you’re signed up for. Do you use all of them enough to warrant the expense? That’s money automatically being taken out of your account every month or year.
Some of your subscriptions may have started as free trials but are no longer free. Then there are apps you pay for that can be substituted for ones that don’t cost anything to use. Tap or click here for five mistakes you’re making that cost you money.
Money-saving tip: Get 50% off your wireless bill with this 55+ plan
There’s no denying it: Money is tight for most of us. A new study from Civic Science shows 60% of Americans are “very concerned” about inflation — and there are no signs of price hikes stopping any time soon.