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Your tech is about to get expensive
ChatGPT
If you’ve been thinking about upgrading your phone, laptop or maybe finally grabbing that gaming console, here’s your sign: Do. It. Now. Not “next paycheck” now. But now.
🚨 Thanks to a fresh batch of tariffs, tech prices are about to go full popcorn ceiling, high and not looking cute.
What’s happening?
As of April 2, 2025, President Trump rolled out hefty tariffs targeting electronics imported from three countries that, spoiler alert, make tons of our gadgets.
Here’s the breakdown: Chinese goods now face a 54% tariff, Vietnam is hit with 46%, and India gets 27%.
Most of our electronics come straight from these countries.
Translation: The next wave of iPhones, laptops, TVs and consoles will cost more before they even hit the boat.
But how much more?
Grab a stress ball.
- The base model iPhone 16, currently $799, could jump to around $1,142. And the iPhone 16 Pro Max? Try nearly $2,300. Nearly all iPhones are made in China.
- Around 80% of laptops (and tablets) sold in the U.S. are made in China. With that 54% tariff, you’re looking at about $350 added to your next laptop.
- Most gaming consoles are built in China and Vietnam. Prices could jump 58%, meaning a $500 console could soon cost you $790. Nintendo already delayed preorders for the upcoming Switch 2 because of tariffs.
- Tariffs on Chinese-made e-bikes soared to 79%.
⏰ Why you need to act now
The tariffs only apply to new imports. What’s in stores and warehouses right now was brought in before the tariffs hit. But once that inventory is gone, up go prices.
Get paid to stand in line for someone else
ChatGPT
When I saw this, my first thought was, “That’s strange.” But I hate standing in lines. And what if you physically can’t do it but need to?
Then yesterday, I read a story in the WSJ (paywalled) about what a nightmare DMVs are right now with everyone scrambling to get a new ID. Starting May 7, you need a REAL ID to travel. The lines are wrapped around the buildings by people who need it. (I’m one of them!)
💵 A dollar here, a dollar there: It seems like every subscription is more expensive than when I signed up. Use the Rocket Money app to see what you’re paying for. I do! They’ll even cancel a subscription for you if it’s not worth the money anymore.
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.
The truth about Zillow’s Zestimate
🙋♀️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.”
Feeling lucky? Try it today. Download the DraftKings Pick6 app today and use code KIM for new customers to play $5 and get $50 in Pick6 credits.
🛍️ Set up shop: Turn your followers into customers with an Instagram shop. You’ll need a Business profile, which you can create during setup. Just go to the Facebook Shops page, click Get Started and follow the steps. Once approved, tag products in posts, so your followers can buy them easily. Buy my shirt, my ego and the dream I had when I posted this.
💵 A dollar here, a dollar there: It seems like every subscription is more expensive than when I signed up. Use the Rocket Money app to see what you’re paying for. I do! They’ll even cancel a subscription for you if it’s not worth the money anymore.
💸 Turn your hobby into a side hustle: Think your hobby is “just for fun”? Think again. People are raking in cash from crafts, collectibles and even quirky skills — all thanks to social media. The Hobby Letter shows you real ways to turn what you love into likes, followers and extra income. It’s free, fun and full of ideas you’ll want to steal. Sign up for free!
💸 Unused subscriptions? Fix that on Amazon. Hover over Account & Lists and click on Memberships & Subscriptions. You’ll see what’s active there. Pick the one you want to cancel and hit Cancel subscription > Cancel my subscription to confirm. Stop paying $7.99/month for “what even is this?”
🎶 DJ, hit it: No need to pay for Amazon Music. Link your music service to your Amazon Echo. Open the Alexa App > More (three lines) > Settings. Under Alexa Preferences, tap Music & Podcasts > Link New Service (+) > choose your provider and follow the prompts. Now just say, “Alexa, play [song] on [Apple Music, Spotify, etc].”
📦 Prime, who? Score free shipping without signing up for Amazon Prime. Just add at least $35 worth of goodies to your cart and pick “Free Amazon Shipping” at checkout. That way, you can save $14.99 a month for something fun instead. So good to know!
💰 Struggling with debt? Ask your favorite chatbot to pretend to be your creditor to practice your pitch. Just say, “Imagine you’re my creditor. Let’s role-play negotiating an [adjustment, extension, etc.] to my payment plan, and then critique my strategy.” Leave out private info when chatting with the bot.
💵 A dollar here, a dollar there: It seems like every subscription is more expensive than when I signed up. Use the Rocket Money app to see what you’re paying for. I do! They’ll even cancel a subscription for you if it’s not worth the money anymore.
Got this question from Sharon in Chicago: “How much can I make selling books on Amazon?” Be careful how you price your books. For e-books priced between $2.99 and $9.99, you’ll get 70% in royalties. Anything above or below that range drops your royalties to 35%. For paperbacks, you’ll get 60% of the list price (minus printing costs, which depend on page count, size and color). What a novel way to make a living!
☁️ Save on: Want to cut your cloud costs in half? See if your company qualifies to get Oracle’s Cloud Infrastructure for 50% off now at Oracle.com/kim.
💵 A dollar here, a dollar there: It seems like every subscription is more expensive than when I signed up. Use the Rocket Money app to see what you’re paying for. I do! They’ll even cancel a subscription for you if it’s not worth the money anymore.