Welcome to your Wednesday, friend. Smart privacy hack! Next time you’re at the grocery store and they ask for your loyalty card, punch in 867-5309 with your area code. Yep, Jenny’s number! You’ll still snag those discounts without the need to hand over your real info. And if that song’s now playing in your head … well, you’re welcome. 😏🎶

🤖 Feeling like everything is AI or a Big Tech algorithm? Nope, it’s me, real-human Kim here! I personally pick, write and review every single thing in this free newsletter just for you. Need a hand with something? Drop me a note right here. I’d really love to help you out. — Kim

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 number comes in. It keeps your personal line free from spam, telemarketers and who-knows-who selling your info.

Why have one?

🔹 For privacy – Meeting new people? Selling something online? A second number keeps strangers from having your real one. It’s especially useful for dating apps or marketplace transactions.

🔹 For work-life balance – Some people reserve an extra number just for business calls or VIP contacts. This way, when you turn it off, work stays at work.

How do you get a second number?

You don’t need a second phone to get a second number. Here are the easiest ways to set one up:

📱 App-based services – Virtual phone number apps are affordable, easy to manage and don’t require a separate SIM card.

• Google Voice – Free with a Google account. You get a U.S. number, and calls can go straight to voicemail when you activate Do Not Disturb. Works internationally for Wi-Fi calling to U.S. numbers.
• Burner – Lets you create and swap numbers as needed. Plans start at $10/month, and you can manage multiple lines. It’s mobile only.
• Hushed – Purchase temporary or long-term numbers. Plans start at around $7/month for pay-as-you-go or $5/month for unlimited talk and text. Available on mobile only.

📡 Carrier add-ons – Verizon, for example, lets you add an extra number to your existing plan for around $10/month. 

What do I use? Google Voice. 

No matter which option you choose, having a backup number is a simple way to protect your privacy and cut down on unwanted calls. Once you start using one, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without it!

😂 I’m really good at smartphone advice. You could say I’ve found my calling. (OK, let’s see you write better jokes for free!)

🌸 Tomorrow’s the first day of spring! Time to kick off your cleaning.

• Fix those little “oops” moments on your walls with a handy repair pen (17% off).
• From your floors to ceiling fans, this six-piece washable duster does it all.
• Steam your way to spotless surfaces with a multi-surface steamer (22% off).
• For tight spots, this three-pack of crevice-cleaning brushes (50% off) has you covered.
• Skip the car wash (Go ahead, sing it out loud!). Just attach a foam gun (20%) to your garden hose and let it shine.

📱 Ring, ring: Got a smudgy phone screen? This spray and wipe kit (23% off) will leave it looking crystal clear.

🫨 Gone phishing: If you use Gmail or Outlook, watch out for deceptive emails asking for sensitive info or trying to trick you into clicking a malicious link that takes over your computer. Make a mistake and the hackers will hold your PC or data hostage until you pay a ransom. This one’s spreading, so watch out!

Malware alert: Skip the free file converters. You know those handy PDF-to-DOC or WebP-to-JPEG tools? Hackers are stuffing them with malware to steal your personal and financial info. They’re showing up in search results and ads. Play it safe: Stick to Adobe Acrobat or Microsoft Office instead.

TikTok on the clock: The latest plan to save TikTok by April 5 comes with a big catch (paywall link). Oracle is the front-runner, but it will only take a small stake to look after your data. The app’s algorithm? Surprise, surprise, China will still control it. The algorithm is what makes TikTok tick.

✅ From Ed in Florida: “Kim, I want to get away from Google. If I sign up for StartMail, will it import all my email and contacts?” Yup. You can transfer your entire mailbox, including messages and contacts, with zero downtime and 100% security. So easy! Save 60% with my special link.*

Are you autoplaying me? If you have a Roku, you might’ve seen annoying video ads pop up before you get to your home screen. You can’t even skip them. Roku says it’s just a test. Sure.

🛠️ Bricked no more: Great news if your Chromecast recently stopped working. Google’s rolling out an update that should fix it. If your second-gen Chromecast or Chromecast Audio got bricked, check the Google Home app to update it there.

Microsoft is paywalling Notepad and Paint: If you don’t have a Microsoft 365 subscription ($9.99/month), in Notepad, options like Rewrite, Make shorter, Make longer, Change tone and Change format will be grayed out. Over in Paint, the Image Creator will be blocked. Seriously, who uses Notepad or Paint anyway?

🖼️ Hue here among us can Saturate me: Google’s new Gemini AI Flash 2.0 Experimental mode lets you edit images by simply asking. Want to add or delete objects, change scenery or zoom in and out? Just type it in, and boom, done. Don’t worry, Photoshoppers, you get to keep your job for a while. I used it to create an image of me, on a dolphin, in Hawaii at the end.

Imagine waking up to an intruder in your home. Scary, right? A burglary happens every 30 seconds in the U.S., and homes without security systems are three times more likely to be targeted.

That’s why you need SimpliSafe.

✅ 24/7 peace of mind – Professional monitoring protects your home day and night. Agents can stop intruders in real time.

✅ Easy setup – Install it yourself in minutes or opt for professional installation. 

✅ No contracts – No long-term commitment or hidden fees.

✅ Backup protection – Stays secure even during power outages or internet disruptions.

✅ Comprehensive security – Protect against break-ins, fires, and floods with advanced sensors and cameras.

💬 Forget to text back? Mark a text as unread, just like an email. This helps you remember to reply. On iPhone, just swipe right on a conversation to mark it as unread. For Androids, tap and hold the message, and then select Mark as unread from the menu.

Facebook’s newest snoop: Meet Link History, which Facebook says is a handy tool for saving your browsing. Privacy concern? Absolutely. FB tracks and sells all your clicks. Here’s how to turn it off: Open the Facebook app, tap Menu > Settings & privacy > Settings > Browser, and toggle off Allow link history.

🚘 Safety must-do: Check the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s recall page to see any safety recalls for your vehicle. Just enter your VIN in the search field. If none show up, you’re good to go. You can also download the SaferCar app (iOS & Android) if you’d like that better.

Want to improve Apple Maps? A new app called Maps Surveyor lets you take pictures of street signs and roadside details on assigned routes. But there’s a catch: You’ll need to have the Premise app installed first. That’s a platform that rewards people for completing small tasks. So yes, you might get paid!

📍 Friend finder: Meeting up can be tricky if your friends use different phones. If you all have Facebook, use Messenger to share your location. Open the Messenger app, then create a chat group with your crew. Tap the plus sign, then Start Sharing Live Location. You can do this on Google Maps, too.

📱 Your phone’s secret weapon: Just ask! Instead of tapping and swiping, let your voice assistant do the work. Just say: “Hey, Siri, open my Wi-Fi settings” (iPhone) or “Hey, Google, find my last photo” (Android).

You can launch apps, send texts, set reminders or even find out where you parked, all hands-free. Give it a try! I once asked Siri for a joke. All it did was turn on the selfie camera. (I saw you smile!)

StartMail keeps your emails 100% private: No tracking, no reading, no ads. Plus, you can import all your emails and contacts with zero hassle. Take back your privacy now and save 60% with my special link!*

🙏 Hey, you. Are we friends on social media? I’m not mad … Just disappointed. Come say hey. I’m on Instagram, X, YouTube, Facebook and everywhere else, too! I’ll be back tomorrow with the inside scoop about Zestimates in the best newsletter in the USA! — Kim