Tech upgrades under $10

August 11, 2024

Little things can make a huge difference.

A criminal with the right gear can copy the signal from your key fob. Toss it in a Faraday bag (two for $8) to block them out.
Earbuds get crusty. Use an $8 kit to keep yours gunk-free without damaging the speakers.
Can’t remember keyboard shortcuts you want to try? Slap a cheat-sheet sticker on your computer. Here’s one for Mac; this one’s for Windows.
Are they watching? Know for sure with a $7 cam cover you can use on a phone, tablet or computer.
I keep my phone on a stand (46% off!) when I’m working at my desk. Nice in the kitchen, too.

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Tags: computer, Microsoft Windows, phone, tablet, tech, upgrades

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9 gadgets to keep you safe and secure

Staying safe and secure can feel like a full-time job. That’s why you have me! Below, I’m sharing nifty gadgets to keep your personal information, devices and even your car safe from prying eyes and sneaky thieves.

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Should you splurge on a Copilot+ AI PC?

Anymore, every company (and their mother) seems to be slapping “AI” on their product marketing and charging you a boatload. Microsoft and its new line of Copilot+ PCs are no exception.

Let me give it to you straight: Microsoft is pushing these laptops hard, but in this case, what they sell isn’t exactly what you get. If you’re considering buying one, read this first.

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Upgrade for the aux: Tired of cables? This adapter lets you go wireless with CarPlay so you don’t have to clutter your console with a three-foot USB cord. Love that.

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

Oh, no, Ozempic: Counterfeit versions of semaglutide weight-loss drugs are easy to find online. Researchers got their hands on three. Of those, the dosages didn’t match the labels, and one was contaminated with bacteria. Btw, three other sites scammed them entirely. Get the real deal from your doc.

$4,500 hiking pants

That makes you feel 30 pounds lighter. MO/GO (short for “mountain goat”) pants have an electric motor at the knees that absorbs the impact on downhill trips and helps you feel stronger going uphill.

📚 Catfish on the menu: Lame AI cookbooks are taking over Amazon’s bestseller list. Take “The Complete Crock-Pot Cookbook for Beginners.” Red flags: The author is wearing mismatched earrings, it’s riddled with typos, the recipes are weird, and there’s filler like “What is Crock-Pot?” Before you buy, read the one-star reviews and check the preview images.

🚨 Don’t buy pills on eBay: Some SKALD diet pills on the platform tested positive for meth in a random drug screening. Watch out for brands like PhenQ, Govvi WOW! and Phentamene XT, too; they could be fake or tainted with banned ingredients that cause heart attacks … or worse. Talk to your doc instead.

🚗 Airbag scam: If your airbags go off, shady garages will replace ‘em with cheap ones (or none at all). You won’t know until it’s too late, and those airbags can injure or kill you. If you have a used car or are thinking about buying one, go to Carfax and plug in the vehicle identification number (VIN). They’ll tell you for free if your car’s airbags have ever gone off.

🏠 If you can’t build it, Prime it: With housing prices through the roof, Amazon’s doubled down on selling tiny homes. This two-bedroom cabin has a huge porch and looks like any modern Airbnb. Pay $35,000 and it’ll show up on your doorstep (or future doorstep) in less than a month.

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

9 a.m. Monday or Tuesday

For the best Goodwill deals (or whenever your local thrift store opens). People tend to drop off donations over the weekend after cleanouts or garage sales. That means you’ll find a better selection on mornings early in the week. Should I start featuring a thrifting segment? I’d call it secondhand news.