We’re gonna need a pencil over here

Mike wrote in to ask me for stud finder recommendations. I told him to look in the mirror. Then, I asked around and found three I can confidently recommend.

• Old reliable: The price is steep (29% off, $52.95), but this one’s 13 sensors track stud locations and 13 LED lights show you the center and edges of your studs. It reads depths up to 1.6 inches and runs on two AA batteries.
• Cheap: Find the edges of wood and metal studs with this no-frills model from Craftsman. It scans up to a 0.75-inch depth and requires a 9V battery (not included). It’s 9% off ($10.97).
• Magnetic: Run this little guy ($11.95) along the wall, hit the metal stud, and pop! goes the super magnet. This is the one for me. Maybe for you, too?

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When you want to treat yourself to a latte at home, foamy milk is a must. Here are three excellent milk frothers good for coffee, tea or anything else you want to sip.

• Handheld: The Milk Boss ($9.99) makes quick work of a cup of milk and also works great for mixing up matcha and protein powders.
• Manual: Do your own milk frothing with “10 to 100” pumps of the plunger in this stainless steel model ($18.97), which, by the way, is pretty enough to sit out on the table.
• Automatic: All it takes is one button to warm your milk and get it foamy with this electric frother ($33.99). Or skip the heat and make cold foam for iced lattes.

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Look at that, back to its roots! We picked out some great reads on sale for great prices.

• Guy Kawasaki’s “Think Remarkable” is 39% off. He shares his insider knowledge from 40 years spent working with companies like Apple, Google and Wikipedia. Amazing book.
• “The Mitford Affair” (61% off) is un‑put‑down‑able historical fiction about the famous (and real!) Mitford sisters during World War II.
• Nab a summer’s worth of beach reads all in one go with the “A Court of Thorns and Roses” box set by bestselling author Sarah J. Maas for 50% off. Warning: They get steamy.
• Tom Selleck is getting rave reviews for his frank and funny memoir for fans of “Magnum PI,” “Blue Bloods” and “Three Men and a Baby.” Grab it at 47% off!
• Nobel Prize winner Daniel Kahneman’s “Thinking, Fast and Slow” has sold over 2.6 million copies. If you haven’t read this book about how we think, snag it now.
• “The Algebra of Wealth: A Simple Formula for Financial Security” was an instant bestseller. Sounds like a great graduation gift to me!
• Read the book “Oppenheimer” was based on: “American Prometheus.”
• And a pick for you, me and everyone: “Dad Jokes: The Good. The Bad. The Terrible.”

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I have a new plant on my desk at work — a little pothos. I can’t let it sit there parched all weekend, so I went looking for a solution. Found some good ones!

• Water pots: These ingenious little plastic pots ($13.99 for five) have a water reservoir at the bottom, a cotton wick that sucks up the water and a watering hole for top‑ups.
• Electric: Be an indoor irrigator with this automatic watering system (40% off). This seemed like overkill for my little pothos, but maybe not for your indoor garden or a big plant!
• Bulbs: Fill up these pretty hollow glass lollipops ($13.99 for two), flip ‘em over quickly, stab them into the soil, and your plant will slowly siphon out the water. This is the one I got!

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It’s patio season, which, unfortunately, also means bug season. Dun-dun-dun. I rounded up three great products to keep bugs at bay.

• Coils: Place these citronella coils ($10.75 for 24) strategically around you. Lemme tell you, they work.
• Racket: A little sadistic, sure, but catching the mosquito that keeps buzzing your ear is so satisfying. Grab a mini one (33% off) and go for the kill shot.
• E-diffuser: Make your patio a mosquito-free zone with a portable electronic diffuser ($26.50). The cartridges are scent- and smoke‑free.

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

• Rug grippers: Put these grippers on all your rugs, whether they’re on hardwood floors or tile, to help keep the rugs from moving or causing a fall. This pack of 16 grippers is on sale for $7.99, 69% off the regular price ($25.99).
• Outdoor solar lights: Light up the night with these waterproof lights for just $26.99 — 85% off (they’re normally $180!). Solar-powered for up to 12 hours, their elegant design is perfect for the patio or walkways.
• New pillows: Sleep like you’re in a luxury hotel with this cozy pillow set from Cozsinoor for $32.99, 72% off their original price of $120. Designed to perfectly balance and support your neck and back, these pillows come with a cooling cover that hot sleepers will love!
• Car vacuum: Get rid of all the dirt, grime, food and who-knows-what-else in your car. This bestselling vacuum is now $25.99 — that’s 80% off the regular price of $129.99.
• Bedroom update: Whether it’s for your room or the guest room, I really like this lightweight soft cotton quilt that includes two pillow shams for $43.10, a whopping 80% off (originally $219.99).

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Got vinyl? You need a USB-based turntable that connects to your PC or Mac’s USB port. Just hit “record” and bring those records into 2024, ready for your phone, smart speaker and more!

• Low: This retro-looking beauty has built-in stereo speakers, RCA outputs for connecting additional speakers, a Bluetooth input to turn it into a Bluetooth speaker, and USB outputs so you can record your LPs as MP3s. Best of all, it’s 39% off (only $42.99!).
• Mid: This one has a slightly more modern look — white marble! — and the sound quality on the built-in speakers is a step up from the bargain pick. It also has Bluetooth input so you can play music on it from your phone, along with USB input and output options. It’s $129.98 (don’t forget to click the 15% coupon!).
• High: Audio-Technica is one of the biggest names in sound, which means a big price point but also big sound quality. This player ($279) doesn’t have a built-in speaker (audiophiles would never do a two-in-one!), but it does have RCA and Bluetooth outputs for connecting it to your own speakers or sound system and a USB output for ripping your LPs.

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I love having a really good camera on my phone, but I don’t always want my phone with me. That’s why I’m glad cameras still exist — and they’re totally back in with the younger crowd.

• Disposable: Kind of surprised they still make disposable cams but also thrilled they do. I used to love giving Ian one of these when he was a kid and seeing what he’d captured. Maybe I’ll give this one to Barry! It’s 16% off ($14.29).
• 35mm: For a reusable option, you can’t beat the price of the Sprite 35‑II from Ilford ($23.99). Lightweight and light on the wallet. Don’t forget the film!
• Digital: The marketing copy on this baby: “Shoot decent images with ease.” Love the honesty. A decent digital camera! Nab it now for 20% off ($39).

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I’m a big fan of lighting. I was clicking through Amazon, looking for something to brighten up a dark corner, and stumbled onto a new-to-me category: Bathroom novelty lights.

• Vanity light: This string of 10 LED bulbs attaches to your mirror with adhesive strips. With 10 brightness levels and three color temperatures, give your bathroom a dressing-room vibe. They’re 20% off ($11.92).
• Roll light: A battery-powered nightlight ($12.89) that cleverly replaces your regular toilet paper spindle. It’s motion-activated and shuts off automatically after two minutes.
• Rim light: Hang this little light over your toilet rim and never wonder if the seat is down again. It’s motion-activated, and you can cycle through its 16 colors or choose your favorite. A two-pack is 37% off ($13.77).

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