Smart trick to get all the perks of an Echo Show for less money

Everyone loves their Amazon Echo Show. Regardless of generation, you can access all your smart gadgets, listen to your favorite podcasts and music, get the local weather forecast and use tons of Alexa-friendly apps.

Use it to watch your favorite videos, upload your best pictures, cook along with top chefs on YouTube or video chat with friends and family.

But what if you don’t own an Echo Show? Just turn your Amazon Fire tablet into your own Echo Show. Here’s how.

1. Add a dock

Made for Amazon, Wireless Charging Dock

If you already own a Fire tablet, pick up this great wireless charging dock. It allows you to use Alexa and Show Mode while your tablet charges. Power your tablet in either portrait or landscape mode and enjoy fast charging, which powers your device up to 80% in less than two hours. And with such a large screen, you can see the display from across the room.

Promising review: “If you spring for the Fire Tablet, add this! Keeps it charged and visible! I set my Kindle Fire 8plus on ‘Show Mode’ when I’m not using it for other things. It works great to give me [the] weather, control a lamp [and] show me upcoming events. Get this to get more from your device!”

2. Don’t forget a simple but functional stand

Amazon Basics Multi-Angle Portable Stand

This portable stand is ideal for tablets, smartphones or e-readers that stand four to 10 inches high. There is a removable rubber pad along the bottom to keep it from slipping or sliding across various surfaces. The durable zinc-alloy body holds up to 11 pounds and can be folded flat for easy transport. Enjoy your tablet’s Show Mode on this stand, which is available in black or white.

Promising review: “A game changer. My 10-inch Kindle with docking unit has gotten too heavy for my arthritic hands. This stand allows me to set my Kindle in portrait view for reading at the dinner table … The stand holds the Kindle firmly in place and can be angled for easy viewing. The docking unit can remain plugged in by my easy chair. Convenient.”

Own a business? 3 places to run ads

Digital marketing makes advertising your business more accessible than ever. But that doesn’t mean it’s easy, especially if you’re diving into online advertising for the first time.

Along with where to advertise, you have to put a ton of thought into who your primary audience is and what ad types you want to use. You’ll also have to consider analytic capabilities, targeting strategies and — of course — the dreaded budget. It’s time to dust off your spreadsheets and get ready to look over every number.

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The government doesn’t want you to know these Dark Web secrets

The Dark Web is a mysterious place. Once you leave the relative safety of the traditional internet, things can get pretty scary. But, you might not know there are things on the Dark Web that the government is working to keep confidential. The secrets might just blow your mind.

Your ISP is watching — Here's what it knows about you

You probably know by now that your internet service provider watches what you do. After all, a tiny bit of surveillance helps these companies provide the best services possible. But many ISPs collect data beyond their scope, according to a new report from the FTC.

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How to turn your old TV into a smart TV for under $30

Everyone seems to want to jump on the streaming bandwagon these days. Tap or click here for nine streaming service pro tips to save money. But what if you don’t have a smart TV?

That’s when you should turn to these discrete gadgets that plug straight into your TV’s HDMI port. Setup is simple, and you can access all the streaming services you love. 

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The one thing that kept airlines afloat

COVID impacted a ton of industries, and airlines were no exception. People traveled less, and that meant less income. But there’s a surprising way airlines make money, and it only became clear during the pandemic.

Free check to see if your router has been hacked by criminals

The internet is a crazy place. Not only do marketers and advertisers follow your every move, but there are also hackers and scammers lurking in the dark corners, ready to pounce on your personal information.

At least marketers and advertisers want to make money off of you. The hackers and scammers we’re talking about want to flat-out steal your money by hijacking your personal information.

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8 tax deductions that may save you some cash in 2022

Spring is just around the horizon. Soon, the snow will melt from the landscape and flowers will pop up left and right. Tax season is also popping up, so it’s time to take out your paperwork and prepare for drudgery.

Here’s some good news, though. You don’t have to brace yourself for Uncle Sam snatching away your hard-earned money. Tax deductions can do you a world of good if you qualify for them, that is.

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Don't make the same mistake that cost me $90K

I’ve been a small business owner for 25 years. Along the way, I’ve had some great successes, along with my fair share of mistakes.

Sometimes those mistakes are easy to recover from. You recognize what went wrong, regroup and try something new. And sometimes you realize, “Uh oh. This is something I can never let happen again.”

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What's on the Dark Web? These are the top 5 sites in 2021

When most of us think of the Dark Web, our mind goes straight to the worst-case scenarios. We think of assassins, poison, illegal drugs and creepy red room videos. But these hidden corners of the internet aren’t all darkness and depravity. 

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The insider pro trick to find any photo on your phone in seconds

Our phones are jam-packed with photos. Pick 25 at random, and I bet only a handful are decent photos you want to keep around.

Duplicates and the shot right before the good one make up a lot of that junk. Clearing it is easy with the right tools. Tap or click for simple ways to find and delete all your duplicates.

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5 budgeting worksheets to keep you on track in the new year

Managing your money can be challenging if you do it alone. First off, you’ll need solid mathematical skills to crunch the numbers yourself. A single miscalculation could throw a wrench in your financial plans if you go down that route.

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8 ways travelers can save time and travel safer

Many people shelved their wanderlust during the pandemic. Now that things are back to normal, it’s time to start exploring life again. If you’re dreaming about a big vacation, you’re not alone.

A study by Expedia says 37% of American travelers are planning international and domestic trips next year. As they say, go big or go home — but no matter where you go, you should prioritize your safety. Tap or click here for five tips to keep you safe while you travel.

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9 popular routers are at risk - See if yours is on the list

Your router is arguably the most critical component in your internet network. It serves as the primary point where all wireless devices connect and download information. A vulnerability in the router’s software could spell disaster. Tap or click here if you are sick of slow Wi-Fi speeds.

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New Alexa features: Sound detection, refill medications and more

Smart assistants are there to make your life easier and more enjoyable. They can help you with simple tasks such as setting the thermostat or impressing your guests on movie night by setting the mood via lighting.

Amazon’s Alexa is built into all Echo devices and is compatible with numerous other smart devices. Though she’s one of the most popular smart assistants out here, Alexa isn’t perfect and does have her quirks. Tap or click here to check out how to solve five common Alexa problems.

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Money-saving tool you need before you start holiday shopping

Have you ever had the strange feeling of being watched when you’re browsing online? Well, the truth is you are. Shopping sites track you.

In some cases, you may see prices for certain things go up every time you check. A rental car might be $50 per day the first time you check prices, but it bumps up to $55 when you go back to book it. The same thing happens with hotels and airline tickets.

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3 clever ways to cut your business expenses

American entrepreneurs are in for a huge year. Nearly 4.5 million new business applications were filed in 2020, the highest number on record and up almost 25% from the year before.

Whether you’re starting your own company or have been your own boss for years, the fact doesn’t change: The money you bring in has to exceed what you spend. In other words, when you own a business or work for yourself, profit is king.

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Most dangerous thing you can do if you're new to crypto

Investing in crypto can be exhilarating and scary at the same time. Massive fluctuations in the price of Bitcoin have had many glued to the trading boards. If you invested just $10 in Bitcoin in 2010, that would be worth approximately $10.3 million today.

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5 common VPN issues and how to fix them

VPNs, or virtual private networks, are typically set and forget services that don’t require a lot of troubleshooting. Unfortunately, this doesn’t mean there aren’t problems with VPNs you might have to address from time to time.

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Hiring? How to write job postings to attract better candidates

If you’re looking to hire new talent, one of the best places to put your job opening with our sponsor, LinkedIn. It has nearly 800 million members, which means you have access to an enormous pool of talented workers. Employers like you love it for its detailed features that let you weed out poor matches and hone in on the best possible candidates.

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