The streaming market is more crowded than ever — and every one of them wants your money. If you subscribe to Netlflix, Hulu, Disney+, Apple TV or some combination of these, your monthly bill might be enough to make you rethink all these options. That’s why you need to look at the bottom line. In this Digital Life Hack, Kim has 9 insider tips to help you save big money and still get all the content you want.
5 must-have features for home security
© Igor Mojzes | Dreamstime.com
Throwing up a sign that reads, “Warning! Beware of dog!” isn’t strong enough security for your home. You actually need a system that will protect your most prized possessions, whether you’re home or away.
Every good security system watches your windows and doors, but you need more. Disasters like freezes, floods and fires could cost your home. We recommend our sponsor, SimpliSafe. If you’re thinking about home security, there is no better time, because SimpliSafe Home Security is offering my listeners their best deal of the year!
This week, you’ll get 30% off ANY new SimpliSafe system — plus a FREE HD security camera! Go to SimpliSafeKIM.com today to get 30% off your system plus a FREE security camera. And make sure to order soon, as this is a limited-time offer. Don’t know what to look for in a home security system? We’ve got you covered.
1. Fully secure
Let’s face it, criminals don’t clock in from 9 to 5. They could be looking to break into your home at all hours of the night, whether you’re out of town, on vacation or peacefully sleeping in bed. That’s why it’s important to have a security system that offers 24/7 protection and can handle any threat at any time.
With its 24/7 alarm monitoring system, SimpliSafe is always there, ready to alert police when your home needs help.
Here’s how it works: A sensor detects a break-in, your Base Station sounds as it alerts SimpliSafe’s 24/7 monitoring. Then, a SimpliSafe security specialist calls you. If you don’t immediately cancel the alarm, police are dispatched.
2. Reliable
When it comes to protecting your home, you need a system that’s reliable and won’t fail during emergency situations like a bad storm or power outages. Your system needs to keep working at all times, even if you’ve lost your Wi-Fi connection.
Burglars aren’t deterred by severe thunderstorms, so it’s important your home security keeps working. With SimpliSafe, you don’t have to worry. If the power fails, your system won’t. During a blackout, a back-up battery kicks in and protects you for a full 24 hours.
Disasters won’t take down your protection, either. SimpliSafe has six monitoring centers and all of them protect your home. This means there is no single point of failure. Even if a burglar smashes your keypad, don’t worry. SimpliSafe will still alert the police.
There’s even a plan in place if you lose your Wi-Fi connection. SimpliSafe took its built-in cellular connection, put it on the strongest networks and reinforced it with Wi-Fi. Rest easy, your home is always secure.
Comparing TV streaming devices: Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast
Which streaming player is best? Kim breaks down the options and tells you why you may want to choose one device over the others. Whether you’re looking to cut the cord and ditch cable, or just get access to even more content, this complete guide to the top streaming devices can help.
Teen sexting
Making sure you teach your kids about online safety is important but you can never be too careful. This can come down to even the way they talk to their friend through text. Here is what to watch out for.
How to remove your personal data from broker sites and protect your privacy online
You might be shocked to see how much of your personal info is floating around online. But it doesn’t have to stay that way. We’ll show you how to keep your private information locked down and how to remove it from data broker sites that store and sell your details.
How to spot spy cameras in your vacation rental: Common hiding places | DIY Security
We’ve all heard stories of people finding hidden cameras in vacation rentals. If you’ve ditched hotels and prefer to book accommodations through sites like Airbnb and VRBO, how do you ensure your privacy isn’t being violated? In this DIY Security tip, Kim reveals common hiding places for surveillance cameras, plus shows you how sneaky hosts could conceal monitoring devices.
Why you never see brilliant blue fireworks
What’s in a firework? I’m sure you know some of it at least — a bit of gunpowder, a dash of color-changing chemicals, and a propellant to launch them into the air, right? Well, the chemistry behind fireworks is a lot more complex. Even tiny details like color are fragile enough to restrict firework makers. Now, see why blue varieties of fireworks are a rare breed to see.
Notre Dame: an exclusive first look at restoration work
Notre Dame’s tragic fire was a shock to the entire world. The centuries-old cathedral lost its magnificent gothic spire and roof in the aftermath of the blaze, but thanks to the efforts of the Paris FD, the structure of the building was saved. Now, restoration has finally begun — and everyone is excited to see Notre Dame restored to its former glory. Get a sneak peek at what’s coming in this insider video.
30 amazing colorized photographs from the 1800s
The 19th century may seem like a distant era of the past, but in the grand scheme of things, it’s not that long ago. After all, we had working cameras back then — even if they weren’t able to shoot in color. Now, thanks to the miracle of computers, we can see the subjects of these photos as they were in life. Will you take a step into the past?
Forget cats vs. dogs! Who would win, cougar vs. wolf?
Cats and dogs are traditional rivals for household dominance. Though some get along just fine, “fighting like cats and dogs” is so common that the image has become ingrained in popular culture. Now imagine that fight but taken to the extreme — with larger, meaner wild forms of our furry companions. Don’t worry, no animals were harmed in the making of this video, but this hypothetical match up puts two apex predators to the test.
Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas (1999)
Finally, one for the kids. Mickey and his friends tell three Christmas stories: “Donald Duck: Stuck on Christmas,” a reminder that Christmas is so special because it only comes once a year; “A Very Goofy Christmas”, which finds Goofy trying to teach his son the joys of Santa Claus; and “Mickey & Minnie’s Gift Of The Magi”, which recreates the classic tale with the Disney icons.
There’s a deadly oasis in the Sahara Desert
In the desert, any patch of green may seem like a lifesaver, with water and shade. But for some places in the Sahara Desert, an oasis may not be so for all who travel there. For underneath the lush exterior, something more sinister waits.
‘The Tudors’ (Netflix)
This series is set in England during the Reign of King Henry VIII in the 16th century. “The Tudors” follows the young king as he has to deal with conflicts inside and outside of his kingdom. If you decide to check out this series, you might recognize familiar faces such as Henry Cavill from “Man of Steel” and Natalie Dormer from “Game of Thrones.” This title is available to stream on Netflix.
Komando Dash Cam Pro now with Night Vision!
The new Komando Dash Cam Pro now has night vision! Record video from your card in HD 1080p, even at night. Have the evidence you need in the event of an accident or capture still images from a beautiful scenic drive. Get your Komando Dash Cam Pro in my shop today!
Block unwanted robocalls
Unsolicited robocalls have become a bit of an epidemic lately. A recent study shows that the number of spam calls has been rising across the country at an extremely rapid pace. Here are 3 ways to help stop them!
How to manage devices for Apple Music
If you’re an Apple Music subscriber, you might be running into a snag. In this Komando.com Flash Tip, we help you avoid reaching your device limit to keep the music playing.
Check out this weird Swiss sport that's a cross between baseball and golf
Unless you’ve spent some time in Switzerland, you probably have never heard of “Hornussen.” It’s this weird sport that looks like a mix of baseball and golf, and you play it with this really long, whip-like stick. Watch this video to see how it’s played.
ULTRA-RARE footage of the most famous fighter pilot ever
If you’re interested in history or aviation, you cannot miss this footage. It was just posted online, and I’ve never seen anything like it. It’s from 1917, and it’s an up-close and personal look at the most legendary combat pilot who ever lived, the infamous Red Baron, Manfred Von Richthofen. Watch the extremely rare, extremely old footage and relive history.
Watch the beautiful, controversial body image video that created a firestorm online
When you’re sitting at home on your computer or tablet, it’s so easy to add your commentary to the popular issues of the day. That’s one of the things I love about the Internet. But there’s a dark side. I’ve been on the receiving end of some outrageous online comments so I can relate to this woman. Watch her excellent video about body image and cyberbullying.
Watch an old-fashioned scythe DESTROY a modern weed wacker in a race
It seems like in our endless quest to improve our lives with technology, we sometimes end up just making things worse! Exhibit A: the scythe. It’s thousands of years old, but we still can’t make a handheld machine that cuts grass as fast! Watch an experienced landscaper go head-to-head with the British scythe champion.