upgrades Archives

Kim’s 25 top Labor Day deals

Euhomy, Insignia, Dreamegg, Levoit

You know I can’t resist a good sale. Amazon’s Labor Day best weekend deals are finally here, and I did some digging so you don’t have to.

Here’s a link to everything on sale, if you want to explore. Have fun!

😋 Slice, dice and everything nice

Food chopper & spiralizer (48% off): Four tools in one, like a Swiss Army knife, but for your veggies.
Cold-press juicer (20% off): I’ve seen these at fancy health shops. The reverse function helps prevent clogging.
Reusable salad container (50% off): Meal prep lifesaver. The airtight compartments keep your fixings separate.
Nonstick baking pans (50% off, three pieces): Cookies slide right off. Grab them before your holiday baking spree hits.
Food prep gloves (33% off, 600-pack): That’s one for every “I don’t want to touch raw chicken” moment this year.

🤖 Tech these out

Insignia Smart Fire TV (42% off): Whoa, $125 off! Alexa’s built in, so you can binge-watch without lifting a finger.
WiFi range extender (64% off): Bye, dead zones. Finally, no more family fights over who’s hogging the signal.
USB-C cables (33% off, five-pack): One for the car, one for the couch, one for the office… and still extras if you lose any.
Magnetic power bank (30% off): Go from 0% to “ready” in no time. It’s MagSafe compatible for iPhones, too.
Apple AirPods 4 (30% off): I sure wish I’d snagged mine at this price. The battery lasts up to 30 hours. Perfect for my busy life.

🧼 Secret weapons for clean freaks

Cordless vacuum (20% off): If your vac sucks (or doesn’t), this one runs for 50 minutes without a power cord.
Humidifier & diffuser (37% off): Your plants, skin and sinuses will all thank you. Doubles as a soft-blue night light.
Electric air duster (22% off): Three speeds to blast the crud from your keyboard, car vents or PC.
Microfiber cleaning cloth (36% off): One cloth to polish all your screens without leaving scratches or lint.
Leather care kit (31% off): Basically, the fountain of youth for your old leather. Non-toxic and scent-free.

🏠 Home sweet upgrades

Surge protector outlet extender (50% off): Too many plugs, not enough outlets? This gets you six and four USB ports.
Draft stopper (43% off, two-pack): Stop cooling the whole neighborhood. Seal that draft and save some cash.
Wood floating shelves (43% off, set of two): Adds storage and makes your walls look like a Pinterest board.
Space-saving closet hangers (30% off, six pack): Squeeze in more outfits without needing another closet.
Cabinet strap locks (20% off, 12-pack): No drilling, no stress. Because “baby-proofing” shouldn’t be a hassle.

🛏️ From lights out to wake-up

Sunrise alarm clock (40% off): Comes with 29 soothing sounds (like ocean waves) and wakes you with a gentle glow.
Sleep headphone (35% off): Looks like a headband, but delivers surround sound while you catch some zzz’s.
Memory foam pillow (25% off): Ease that shoulder and neck pain so you wake up in a great mood.
Cooling pillow cases (35% off): Hot sleepers, now you won’t have to flip your pillows all night long.
Bed sheet fasteners (33% off): The secret hotels don’t tell you to keep corners from popping off at 2 a.m.

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

Cheap ways to make your old tech better

ID 164132612 © Alessandro Biascioli | Dreamstime.com

Reading this on a 6-year-old iPhone 11? It’s well past the average smartphone lifespan of 2.5 years … and I’m impressed you’ve hung onto it this long. Btw, Apple typically provides iOS updates for five to six years after a model’s release.

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Soothe operators

😌 Life’s hard. These five upgrades make it softer.

🔥 Your sole mate: Give your tired toes the TLC they’re begging for with a heated foot massager (26% off).

🛏️ Hot sleeper? These pillowcases (34% off) are cool on one side, cozy cotton on the other.

🧠 Wraparound relief: Freeze away tension with this migraine relief cap (10% off). 4.6 stars & 4,600+ reviews.

🛁 Soak it up: Your hair and skin will feel silky after a bath filter (16% off) kicks out all that bad gunk.

🗑️ No fuss, no smell: This touchless trash can (13% off) opens with a wave. Fewer of those “ew” moments.

🛍️ Skip the doomscrolling: Take a scroll through my Amazon store for more self-care goodies. You’ll thank me later.

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

Battle of the betas: Be the first to try Motorola’s and Samsung’s AI features, now in beta. Motorola’s upgrades include notification summaries and meeting transcriptions; Samsung’s update includes call transcriptions, AI writing tools and a revamped camera interface. The betas are open for Razr, Edge and Galaxy S24 smartphones. Have fun! Just remember, beta software glitches out sometimes.

🤖 Gemini gets beefy: At tomorrow’s Google I/O conference, I expect to see the next-gen Gemini Ultra and two heavier subscription tiers. Also coming: AI agents that browse the web for you (finally someone to blame for your weird search history), shelf-worthy Android tweaks and some spicy fake podcast upgrades. Also on deck: XR smart glasses collab with Samsung.

Sky-high car insurance rates? Blame it on all the tech in our cars

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.

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Fix your website! 4 ways to get more people to your site using SEO

A savvy business owner knows the value of website optimization. In today’s cutthroat digital marketplace, an SEO-friendly website with solid keyword research, meta tags, good page speed and backlinks helps you stand out. If you want to know how to improve search engine rankings for small business websites, you’ve come to the right place.

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Ditch the couch

🌻 Only outdoor upgrades that’ll make your neighbors jealous.

😎 Look cool in the sun: These retro aviators (30% off, three-pack) bring the ’70s swagger and UV protection.
🦟 Tick off ticks, literally: Keep your pets and yourself safe from bug bites with some tick control tubes (5% off).
🚰 One nozzle to rule them all: This garden hose sprayer (10% off) has seven settings. 4.1 stars with 6,000+ reviews.
🧹 Tame your tools: Store up to 58 of your garden gadgets with an organizer rack (20% off).
🍽️ Grill it your way: Flat on one side, ridged on the other, this reversible pan (26% off) has range.

🔥 Ditch the lighter fluid: Light up your charcoal with a fire starter kit (25% off) faster than you can say “medium rare.”

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

Sip happens

😋 Only food and drink upgrades that slap.

An automatic dispenser ($20) does the pouring for you.
These metal straws (22% off) come with a carrying case.
Get a coaster set (10% off) for no more rings on your table.
Dull blades? This sharpener (30% off) makes them like new.
A sandwich cutter (30% off) slices crusts and seals edges.
Keep your snacks fresh with a container set (20% off).

🎁 Got your Father’s Day gift? Shop my ultimate gift list now, so it shows up by this Sunday.

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

Bed-ly in need of sleep

😴 Here’s your A-list of bedroom upgrades for top-tier zzz’s.

Wake up without bedhead with a two-pack of sleep bonnets ($13).
Can’t reach your nightstand? Grab a handy bedside caddy ($16.49).
These cooling gel pillows ($46) are great for back and side sleepers.
Guests coming over? This air mattress (20% off) has a built-in pump.
A four-pack of bedsheet organizers (40% off) keeps your linens tidy.

🌃 Cosmic dreams: Turn your ceiling into a starry sky with a galaxy projector (44% off) that looks like a cute astronaut.

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

👍 Tech upgrades $10 or less

Score! Little things can make a huge difference.

A criminal with the right gear can copy the signal from your key fob. Toss it in a Faraday bag (two for $10) to block them out.
Earbuds get crusty. Use an $8 kit to keep yours gunk-free without damaging the speakers.
Can’t remember keyboard shortcuts you want to try? Slap a cheat sheet sticker on your computer. Here’s one for Mac; this one’s for Windows.
Are they watching? Know for sure with a $7 cam cover you can use on your phone, tablet or computer.
I keep my phone on a stand while working at my desk. Nice in the kitchen, too.
I’ve got a whole page packed with goodies under $10.

✅ Not tech, but I take two scoops of collagen a day: It’s good for bone density, makes your nails and hair stronger, and can help smooth wrinkles. Use this link for 45% off* if you want to try it, too.

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

Sleeping bag = nap-sack

😴 Hey, sleepyhead. These bedroom upgrades will help you wind down.

Scroll hands-free with a phone holder that mounts on your nightstand.
Some dusk-to-dawn night-lights (9% off) give your room a soft glow.
This galaxy projector (40% off) brings the night sky indoors.
Drift off to your favorite tunes with a sleep mask with built-in Bluetooth.
Got neck pain? Rest easy on an ergonomic memory foam pillow.

🛍️ Hang on: Organize your closet and shave minutes off your morning routine with these metal hangers for pants and skirts.

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

🧬 Evolution ain’t finished: Scientists think we’ll look a lot different in 1,000 years. Theories include darker skin, better-looking faces from selective dating, smaller brains, freakishly long arms, shorter statures, and big eyes made for low gravity and dim light. Oh, and let’s not forget the biohacking and cybernetic upgrades. Here are a few pics.

All bright and shiny

☀️ Hello, sunshine! Let’s brighten your day with a few little upgrades.

I don’t like dark hallways and stairwells. These night-lights look nice and cost less than $10 for eight. Click the extra coupon!
Guys and gals, bags under your eyes make you look older. Swipe on some gentle under-eye cream (44% off).
Now, use some redness-banishing eye drops (8% off) so you’ll look like you got a great night’s sleep!
Do you floss every day? Uh-huh, sure. A water flosser (40% off) is easier and keeps your teeth sparkling.
White taper candles with no smell ($15 for 20) are my go-to for dinnertime.

Just in case you need it: A bestselling ice and snow scraper to toss in the car. Stay safe!

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

Jobs at stake: In the coming weeks, OpenAI is expected to announce Ph.D.-level bots capable of handling complex human tasks. This is what Mark Zuckerberg mentioned recently on Joe Rogan’s podcast. AI upgrades this year could replace mid-level software engineers and write their own code. We’re moving far beyond single command prompts, folks. Good thing you’re here so you’re in the know.

Small-biz tip: Don't overlook this digital danger

Are you the type of business owner who forgets about ex-employees as soon as they’re gone? Failing to remove former employees’ access to your systems and data could lead to security breaches. Don’t let poor offboarding practices be the weak link in your cybersecurity chain.

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Why you can’t access some sites while you’re on a VPN and what to do

Let’s say you’re browsing the web with a VPN. You’re protecting privacy, so you’re confident hackers and advertisers can’t track you. Then you try to go to a site, and it just won’t load.

This can throw a wrench into productivity when working. Or it can ruin your mood when trying to have fun online.

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Hiring or looking for a job? Upgrade your LinkedIn profile to stand out

When most people find themselves unemployed or are looking for a career change, they head to a job board. But have you heard of LinkedIn? It’s a social media platform with a twist.

LinkedIn also offers excellent options for those looking to hire employees who don’t want to wait for a sea of faceless applications to pour in. It provides prospective employees unique ways to stand out and gives companies a fresh way to look for new talent. Tap or click for smart things you should be doing with your LinkedIn profile.

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Reader question: 'What can I use instead of QuickBooks?'

If you’re a business owner, you don’t need us to tell you that running a business is tough. Don’t let QuickBooks and spreadsheets slow you down, making things more complicated than necessary. It’s time to upgrade to our sponsor NetSuite.

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3 security steps every small business needs to take right now

Business accounts can be hacked as easily as personal accounts. Imagine all your hard work being held at ransom by a hacker or your data falling into the hands of someone who can sell it to the competition.

You need to secure your business as best you can, and here are three crucial tips to get started. This tip is brought to you by our sponsor, NetSuite.

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