Household helpers

October 27, 2024

🤗 I love finding little things to make life easier!

Is the dishwasher clean or dirty? Mystery solved with this bestselling sliding sign ($6.99).
So cool — erasable, reusable food labels so you don’t have to guess what’s in that container of leftovers in the fridge ($8.99).
Did you feed the dog or cat? Never forget again with a little tracker that goes on the fridge ($7.95).
Picture an electric toothbrush powerful enough to scrub the grout. It comes with a bunch of cleaning heads for different chores ($29.99).
Keep loaves of bread from getting moldy and stale with a storage container that dispenses one slice at a time ($16.49).

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Tags: cleaning/cleanups, deals, organization, shopping

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Do you need the latest and greatest phone?

Shiny, new things sure have their appeal — take the brand-new Apple iPhone 16. But are the newest flagship phones and laptops worth the extra premium you pay to get them?

Most of the time, and for most people, no. There are a few good reasons why. If you’re tempted by a new smartphone that costs more than a mortgage payment, keep reading. I’ll help you figure out what’s right for you.

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Sellers, beware of this new eBay scam

People are buying high-ticket items on eBay, filing returns, then sending back thank-you cards instead of the product. Sellers are reporting the scam (with proof the return label is on a tiny envelope) but get stuck in an endless appeals process. Good luck getting eBay on the phone to help. I’d steer clear for now.

Take a cue from Carmen Sandiego: Amazon, Nike, Zara and tons of other big retailers have different country-specific versions of their sites. Prices can vary significantly based on where you’re shopping from, and you can still get your items shipped to your house. Btw, you may need a VPN to access a different country’s website without it redirecting to the USA.

🐾 Amazon hack: Amazon’s new AI chatbot, Rufus, can help you find things to buy and answer product questions. People are using it to find cheaper versions of popular name-brand items. Pro tip: The bot won’t help if you ask for “dupes” (paywall link). Rephrase your request, like asking for “leggings similar to Lululemon pants.” You’ve gotta be smarter than the bot!

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

12 feet tall

Giant skeletons are one of the Home Depot’s hottest items, selling out within hours every Halloween. They’re a spooky $299 (paywall link), but I’ve got a budget-friendly alternative: Human-sized skeletons for just $40. They’re so humerus!

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

$8,999 tiny home

For sale on Amazon. With shipping and tax, you’re $11,000 away from a nice, new mother-in-law suite, gym, library, man cave, fancy “she shed” — you name it. You really can buy anything on Amazon. I love this idea!

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

30% of shoppers

Say return fees are more annoying than jury duty and the DMV. I agree — I was just charged a 20% restocking fee when I tried to return a few sweaters. Check the policy before you buy, and just know many retailers will waive those fees if you go to a physical location.

Need a new computer? Knowing the minimum requirements for what you do helps. For using the internet and watching movies, a 1.3 GHz processor and 2GB to 4GB of RAM is fine. If you do anything more intensive, go for a 3.5 GHz processor and at least 8GB of RAM.

🐶 Your best friend’s best friend: Content Queen Allie was telling me about how much her pup, Nova, loves her BarkBox subscription. It shows up in the mail monthly (or however often you want), packed with treats and toys. There’s a standard option or the Super Chewer box if your pup tears up soft toys.

So smart: Instead of just one smart plug, upgrade to a smart power strip. This one is 40% off and has six outlets you can control individually. Looks like a home office home run to me.

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.