🌇 Riding off into the sunset: Verizon’s Message+ is shutting down in November. The suggested replacement is Google Messages, which really is your best bet. It supports RCS texting, the new standard that makes it easier to send pics and videos.
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
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- 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.
Free money? Yes, please! Claim these class-action lawsuits today
I don’t mean to start with something sad, but whenever I talk about class-action lawsuits, it reminds me of the day my father died back in 1997. He and my mom were about to go on a cruise in a few days when suddenly, his allergies kicked in. So, he took an over-the-counter (OTC) allergy pill that interacted with his heart medication. He suffered a fatal heart attack because of that.
Why isn't anyone talking about the Verizon outage?
Did your cell service go out on Monday? Millions of Verizon customers were left in the dark and no one’s explaining why.
🇨🇳 Communist China tapping phones: The FBI and CISA confirmed Chinese hackers have breached multiple U.S. telecom providers to tap specific Americans’ phone calls. Details are slim, but I’m sure it’s why Verizon, AT&T and others were down. PSA: If you’re running for office, use a burner phone.
80% fee increase
For Verizon bills over the last two years. The data line fee ticked up to $1.60 from $1.40, and the admin fee is now $3.50 a month, compared to only $1.95 in mid-2022. They’ve had lawsuits over these fees and have tried to hike their prices quietly. Good luck with that.
Fastest internet providers in the US – Where’s yours on this list?
Sick of slow Wi-Fi? Your provider might be to blame.
Let’s look at the fastest (and slowest) average download speeds for providers across the U.S.
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.
🇨🇳 Communist China-based hackers are the suspects: Yup, they’re the ones suspected of breaking into three major telecom companies and causing major outages — AT&T, Verizon and Lumen Technologies. Details are scarce, but the hackers probably gained access to the systems used for court-approved wiretapping and eavesdropping. Truly frightening.
Airline data breach puts podcaster Payne Lindsey in danger
True-crime podcaster Payne Lindsey, creator of Up and Vanished, was all set to fly to Nome for his latest investigation but bailed at the last minute. He didn’t tell anyone, yet somehow rumors started swirling on social media that he was there. Payne joins us to break it down, plus we’re talking Verizon outages, a couple blocked from suing Uber, and leaked MrBeast “founder mode” documents.
Calling all hikers, campers and adventurers: Soon, Starlink’s emergency services on your existing phones will be free, eliminating “dead zones” (paywall link). AT&T and Verizon aren’t thrilled; they say the tech would disrupt their mobile networks. The timing is interesting … SpaceX is waiting for FCC approval to operate its direct-to-cellular Starlink tech commercially.
Power move: T‑Mobile is shelling out $4.4 billion to acquire almost all of UScellular’s network and customers and compete with the Big Two (Verizon and AT&T). If you have UScellular or T‑Mobile, expect better 5G service across the country, especially in rural areas. UScellular customers can keep their current plan or switch to T‑Mobile.
Slap on the wrist: Verizon, AT&T and T‑Mobile will pay $10.22 million to a group of states to settle claims of false advertising. Their ads promised unlimited data plans and free phones, but guess what? Restrictions applied, conditions had to be met, and hidden fees lurked in the fine print. Check your bills.
Want to drive? First, you must subscribe
Automakers say car subscriptions could earn them $1,600 a year. Plus, news on the Kaiser Permanente health breach, phony Verizon invoice emails, and a Waymo going haywire in San Fran.
Phone(y) bills: If you use Verizon, watch out for phony invoice emails from “33mail.com.” They link you to a fake Office 365 sign-in page that could allow them to hack your account. Don’t click that link. If you get an email that looks “phishy” or has mismatched sender names and addresses, mark it as spam ASAP.
📵 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.
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.
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 '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.