Opt out of advertiser tracking

March 11, 2024

Ever wonder why you see certain ads on your phone or computer? It all has to do with companies that track what you do online and what you buy. They use tokens to show you ads, which is called interest-based advertising.

The Digital Advertising Alliance (DAA) has a tool for you to decline letting these companies follow you around online using your email address or phone number. Yep — by using this tool, you can stop those personalized ads and tracking.

Don’t worry, the DAA is a legit organization and doesn’t use your email address or phone number for anything other than the opt-out process, and the hashed versions are automatically deleted after 30 days.

I opted out with my primary email address and cell number.

Opt out for free here. You’re welcome. Where else can you get this valuable intel?

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AI showdown: I put 3 chatbots to the test

As I scour 35 to 40 websites a day to make sure I’m up to speed on the tech world, I’m seeing a common theme: drama. There’s a lot of it in the AI world right now, and unsurprisingly, it’s mainly humans causing the buzz. While everyone from Elon Musk to The New York Times is busy suing OpenAI, I’m just focused on whether these AI chatbots actually work.

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10 surprising side hustles to make some extra cash

“Kim, how can I make money from home?” I’ve been getting this one for years and years. And guess what? Between new apps and the rise of the gig economy, it’s never been easier to make an extra buck.

Entrepreneur (paywall link) gathered some weird and wonderful side hustles, plus real examples of regular folks who make a pretty penny. Don’t worry, no Uber on this list — but I did include an option for those who love to drive.

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Email etiquette: It’s not always what you say but how it’s received. “Per my last email” means “Uh, can you read? I already said that.” Most people who write, “I might be mistaken, but …” actually mean “You can’t really be saying something that dumb, right?”

Free filing: The IRS is testing a free tax filing tool called Direct File in 12 states. Finally! Of course, there’s a catch: It’s only for folks in certain areas with specific incomes. Want in? Check here to see if you’re eligible.

Kids should not use this app: This week, Mary asked about Wizz, a chat app aimed at teens. It was removed from the app stores after reports of perverts using it to send pics and messages to kids. Check your kid’s phone for Wizz and remove it ASAP.

Print ninja: On Windows, press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box. Type printmanagement.msc and press Enter. This opens the Print Management console, where you can see all the printers installed on your system, driver info, print queues and more. It’s a powerful tool beyond the basic print dialog settings. Nice move.

Alt + Tab: A keyboard shortcut pro Windows users know. Use it to cycle through your open programs quickly. On a Mac, it’s Cmd + Tab.

AI in your business: If you’re trying to figure out how to use AI in your business, take a free test drive at Oracle.com/Kim. Oracle has the GPUs, processing power and expertise you need. Def worth checking out!

Talk to me: If you use the ChatGPT app on your iPhone, you can now get the AI bot to read its answers aloud. It’ll save you some time, but use it with caution on the subway … unless you want everyone to hear your existential debates with AI.

I helped a listener find $25,000: And I didn’t even get a cut. Maybe you can discover money, too. Find the link for your state’s treasury website with the National Association of Unclaimed Property online. If you have a frequently misspelled name or variations, search for those, too. And don’t forget former names or nicknames!