Tips

The $55K FaceTime car scam

Even smart shoppers can get taken; here’s how to make sure you don’t.

Your smart thermostat is basically a nosy roommate

Charles in San Antonio asked, “Kim, I have one of those smart thermostats. It must collect a lot of my data. Where does it all go?” Buckle up, Charles, because your thermostat might know more about you than your best friend, your doctor or your cat. If you’ve got a Nest, Ecobee or any of […]

Good post + bad timing = zero likes. Let’s fix that.

Are your carefully crafted social media posts getting the same amount of attention as a tree falling in the forest with no one around? As the French say, that’s no bueno.

Check your kid’s phone for this app now

Briana from Houston is like so many moms I know. She’s busy, loving and doing everything she can to raise smart, safe kids in a digital world that changes faster than you can hit “update.” She told me that when her 12-year-old daughter asked to download an app called Zepeto, it seemed harmless enough. Create […]

Bring your old phone back from the dead

We’ve all got one (or five): that old smartphone buried in a drawer, sitting there like a digital paperweight. You don’t use it, but you don’t toss it either because maybe someday it’ll come in handy. Today is the day to let your old phone defend your castle as a security camera. No new tech, […]

One setting you’ll use all the time

Ever stumble across a setting and think, “Wait, why didn’t I set this up sooner?”  Turn your phone into a shortcut machine with this hidden feature. Let me introduce you to Back Tap.  This Android and iPhone feature lets you double- or triple-tap the back of your phone to trigger actions like turning on the […]

Read this before your laptop or e-bike becomes fireworks

Maybe this photo is a little bit dramatic. BUT, electronics are exploding.  Everything from your phone to your e-bike runs on lithium-ion. While batteries are small energy wonders, they’re also tiny explosives just begging for an excuse to ruin your day. Or your house. Or your entire block. As temps rise, so does the risk, […]

LinkedIn secrets for success

LinkedIn isn’t a graveyard, it’s a garden. Water it with useful posts and watch opportunity grow (yep, even in 2025).

Your tech is about to get expensive

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. 

Easy ways to tidy up your tech

We all love a clean house, but what about your digital life? Clutter builds up fast: old contacts, forgotten files, 127 versions of the same photo and a desktop that’s basically an overflowing junk drawer. That doesn’t just hog storage, it slows down your tech and drains your focus.  Let’s tackle it, step-by-step. I’m here […]

Turn on this phone setting before it’s too late

Oh, that familiar quick pat of the pockets and the spike of panic when you realize your phone is no longer on your person. Maybe it’s in the car. Maybe you left it at the coffee shop. You open Find My Phone.  It’s too late, you might as well be looking for a TI-84 calculator. […]

Get paid to stand in line for someone else

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 […]

Tech how-to: Delete your DNA data

You can freeze your credit. Change your password. Replace a stolen phone. But there’s one thing you can’t ever change: your DNA.

Try these April Fools’ tech tricks on friends and family!

Freak out your friends and family with fun April Fools tech tricks.

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. Phantom power may not seem like a big deal, but those little energy leaks can add hundreds of […]

Tech how-to: Delete apps the right way

I just swiped through my apps and found, uh, six I’ve never used or haven’t opened in months. Yep, it even happens to me. You have grand plans to meditate, organize your to-dos, fix your pics, whatever, and you download an app for the job. But then, the romance ends. You should know that it’s […]

The secret meanings behind emojis

Emojis are your digital body language, and just like in real life, one wrong move can send the totally wrong message. 😬 The right emoji adds personality, sarcasm or a playful tone. But some of these tiny icons carry hidden meanings you might not realize. Use the 🍆 emoji to talk about dinner? Yikes. Definitely […]

The truth about Zillow’s Zestimate

Can you trust it? And if you’re selling, how can you make sure it actually reflects your home’s true value?

Why you need a second phone number

I have a second number on my phone. You should, too. Your main number? Keep that locked down for the important stuff — your bank, doctor’s office and family. But when you’re ordering takeout, signing up for a one-time deal or making an online purchase, why give out your real number?  That’s where a second […]

Insurance rates rising, here’s what you can do

My car insurance just jumped 32%. No, I didn’t get into an accident or rack up a few speeding tickets. Since 2020, car insurance rates have skyrocketed by 37%, and in 2024 alone, they climbed another 16.5%. Some states saw hikes of over 50%! Even if your ride isn’t fresh off the lot, you’re paying […]