upgrades Archives

The $15 gadget that cuts your electricity bill

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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.

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

The truth about Zillow’s Zestimate

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🙋‍♀️Raising my hand … Hello, everyone. My name is Kim, and I am a Zillow junkie.

I have saved every home I owned, own now and would like to own. It’s fun to track what Zillow thinks the places are worth in what they call a “Zestimate.”

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Labor Day tech upgrades

💻 My pick: Laptop screen extender (26% off)

What a view! Your laptop just grew two extra screens. Perfect for travelers, gamers or anyone pretending to multitask during video calls. Yea, you!

🖥️ Dual monitor stand (32% off, two-pack): No more hunching. This riser lifts your screens to eye level. Your neck will thank you.

🔌 Cable management box (39% off, two-pack): Cord chaos? Not anymore. Just pop on the wood lid, and act like you’ve always been this tidy.

⌨️ Redragon wireless keyboard (26% off): Creamy keys, hot-swap switches and a control knob will make you feel like a power user.

🎒 Laptop backpack (14% off): One built-in USB port + 17 pockets + 45 color options = 4.8 stars and 8,500+ happy reviewers.

⚡ More deals, more power: The sale’s just getting started. Hit my Amazon page for the whole parade of Labor Day tech steals.

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

Is your phone expired?

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No matter how well you treat your smartphone, it won’t last forever. Here’s how to tell when it’s time for an upgrade.

⚡ Watt the heck? Electricity prices rose 6.5% nationwide so far this year, and in some states, like Maine, they’re up a whopping 36%. Major culprit? Data centers. Their sky-high energy demands (thanks, AI) are hiking rates and triggering billion-dollar grid upgrades that we get to fund. Ohm my gosh!

Back to cool starts here: I’m loving my Raycon Everyday Earbuds Classic, especially when I’m on the treadmill or when I walk my dogs. They’re packed with upgrades like active noise cancellation, multipoint connectivity and all-day comfort. I use mine every day. Get 20% off sitewide today!

5 hidden fees costing your small business money

Starting your own business can be exciting, but it often comes with a rocky road ahead. Those rocks will cut into your wallet through several expenses. Miscalculating the daily costs of running a company can hurt you in the long run.

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Free online financial calculators to get debt under control, plan for retirement and see your net worth

If you need help managing your money, you’ve come to the right place. We have tons of financial tips for investors and small business owners. Case in point: Here are 10 free spreadsheet templates to help you get a handle on your money.

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Genius hacks for under $25

💰 No need to spend a fortune. Just a few small upgrades with big payoffs.

💻 Work smarter, not hunched: This laptop stand (36% off) keeps you from twisting into a human pretzel.
💡 Dim the distractions: Block those pesky blinking lights with these LED blackout stickers (20% off).
💊 Dose of organization: Perfect for travel, this daily pill organizer (10% off) fits everything from meds to fish oil tablets.
🚛 Moving made easy: These reusable bags ($26, six-pack) with handles and zippers can haul up to 65 lbs.
🫧 Small bathroom? No prob. A floating shelf (33% off) adds two tiers of storage right above your toilet.

⚡ Blink and you’ll miss it: Amazon’s lightning deals are live today but gone in minutes. Snag your faves, and check out my storefront for more good stuff.

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

Lug nutty

🚘 Save yourself stress (and a tow truck bill) with these upgrades.

🪫 Dead battery? Skip the AAA wait. This jump-starter (20% off) doubles as a power bank for your phone.
✨ See the light: Drive safely at night with a headlight restoration kit (10% off). No tools needed.
🛒 Grocery hero: Hang your bags on these headrest hooks (45% off, four-pack). 4.6 stars & 62,000+ reviews.
😎 Sunglass HQ: Magnetic suede holders (20% off, two-pack) keep your shades steady on bumpy rides.
🛻 Fold and go: This trunk organizer (24% off) is sturdy when you need it, folds flat when you don’t.

🛠️ ICYMI: I rounded up the best DIY tools that’ll make you look like a pro. Check your inbox, then cruise over to my Amazon shop for more.

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

Sleep surveillance: Is your Fitbit saying you’re waking up at night more than usual? It’s not because you’re broken, sleep tracking just got “more accurate.” Translation: Fitbit is clocking every micro-wiggle like it’s the NyQuil NSA. Google says this is step one in a whole series of sleep upgrades, rest assured.

Staple of the team

📝 These nifty upgrades go a long way.

Turn any space into a mini-office with a portable lap desk (13% off).
When you’re at your desk, kick your feet up on an ergonomic footrest.
Keep your tech tidy with a valet tray (12% off) that charges ’em wirelessly.
More ports, less stress. This USB C hub (24% off) simplifies your dongles.
Scan and upload your notes to the cloud with a reusable spiral notebook.

💻 Privacy, please: Keep prying eyes away with a laptop screen for your MacBook or PC (10% off).

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

Black Friday deals under $25

😎 Because giving good gifts shouldn’t burn a hole in your pocket.

Electric salt and pepper grinders (20% off, $19) are a fun kitchen upgrade for the cook who has it all.
A new Crock-Pot (50% off, $25), because every family still has that crusty 30-year-old one that shows up at all the parties.
These memory foam slippers ($16) look like Uggs but are a quarter of the price.
Turn on the coffee machine before leaving bed with a voice-controlled smart plug (48% off, $13). So good.
This vitamin C serum ($21) is so popular, it’s almost always sold out! Grab it while it’s 56% off.
A lighted vanity mirror (53% off, $19) will help them reflect on how good their skin looks. 😏

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

Smart ways to make more money and find new customers

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Small business owners must build trust, set trends and share their customers’ values. Connecting with customers is one of the most important ways to make money.

Success starts close to home. Before connecting with customers, you must build strong bonds with your teammates. Tap or click here for five leadership secrets every small business owner should know.

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How to stay safe on public Wi-Fi

You don’t leave your front door unlocked. So why would you use public Wi-Fi networks without protection? Defend your private data from cybercriminals in public places with these five tips.

If you listen to The Kim Komando Show and Kim’s podcasts, you know about digital dangers. Accessing the internet via public Wi-Fi networks can heighten these risks even more.

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Best early Amazon Prime Big Deal Days sales

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Amazon’s big Prime Big Deal Days sale isn’t for a couple of weeks, but there are already a ton of bargains to be had. By popular request, I’ve included a bunch below.

🛑 FYI: To score these deals, you’ll need a Prime membership. Use this link for a 30-day free trial.

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

How to sell your iPhone safely

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Ready to upgrade to the iPhone 16? Here’s your guide to selling your old iPhone and getting the most out of it!

Master Excel with these 5 genius tricks

You can’t keep track of everything on paper. Excel can play a significant role in your daily workload. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro user, there’s much to learn — like these five useful Excel tricks.

Want to become an Excel expert? It’s a good strategy for small business owners who want to grow this year. After all, you’ll generate tons of data. Speaking of which, here’s how to stop third parties from selling your data.

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5 free resources to grow your business

Entrepreneurs and small business owners need all the help they can get. When you’re a self-starter, you’re constantly on the go, multitasking and doing all you can to grow your company quickly. Luckily, there are a ton of free small business resources that can help you along the way.

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Top reason to upgrade your phone to iOS 18

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If you’ve got an iPhone, Apple’s latest iOS 18 update is free — and here’s why you should upgrade now.