cable Archives

Clean up your cables

👊 Fixing the cord mess is easy with the right gear.

Wiring across the floor can be a tripping hazard. This floor cord-management kit is 24% off and hides everything nicely.
An under-the-desk cable tray is perfect for tables, desks without storage compartments and even bookcases.
These cable ties (14% off) aren’t just ugly pieces of plastic! Use ‘em over and over again.
A cable concealer hides cords along the wall, across the floor or attached to furniture.
Some outdoor equipment comes with excessively long power cords. Roll them up in an easy-to-use storage wheel (29% off).

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

🖨️ Print from your iPhone or iPad: If you have an AirPrint-compatible printer, open your doc and tap the Share button. Scroll to Print > Printer Options > Print. FYI: Both devices need to be on the same network, either via Wi-Fi or an ethernet cable connected to your router.

Free TV is coming back

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Think cable TV is a thing of the past? Gen-Z is rediscovering the joys of free TV and realizing that cutting the cord might not have saved them money after all.

HDMI cable data grab: Security researchers found a new way hackers can spy: Electromagnetic radiation. By feeding signals into an AI model, they can reconstruct everything on a screen with 70% accuracy — enough to decipher passwords. The good news? It’s incredibly hard to pull off and requires a signal-capturing device inside your home.

How many minutes of ads are shown per hour of traditional TV? Is it … A.) 8 minutes, B.) 10 minutes, C.) 12 minutes or D.) 14 minutes?

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👍 Finds you’ll use time and time again

12-pack of streak-free cleaning cloths ($7): No home ever has too many microfiber cloths, just sayin’.
Cable organizer bag (over 50% off): Tangled charging cables are the worst! A compact organizer keeps everything tidy.
LED desk lamp with USB port ($16): Brighten up your workspace with a stylish lamp. This one has adjustable brightness levels and a USB port for charging. Sweet.
Herb scissors with 5 blades ($10): Perfect for snipping parsley, basil, cilantro, mint — you name it.
Self-adhesive cable clips ($8): Another easy way to keep your cord mess in check.

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

Keychains that double as ...

I love it when things are functional. For this list, I put together a few keychain goodies I’ve bought that fall into this category!

A universal charging cable, complete with USB, USB-C, micro-USB and Apple Lightning adapters.
An emergency Advil stash for under $9.
A seatbelt slicer and safety hammer for escaping a wrecked car.
An eyeglass repair kit (51% off).
An Apple AirTag holder (26% off). Ta-da! Now you won’t lose ‘em.

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

🪭 Amazon fan faves under $10

Warning: You’re going to want them all.

Hand massager (20% off): Better circulation, less stiffness, and soothing for arthritis and joint pain.
Condiment containers: Never spill a drop of salad dressing again!
Cargo net for your car (47% off): Keep your trunk neat and organized.
Hat organizer (38% off): Store your ball caps vertically. Genius!
Magnetic cable managers: Silicone so you can use them again and again.

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

Why cutting the cable was all BS

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What started as a way to dodge high cable bills has turned into a tangled mess of streaming subscriptions, each with its own costs.

USB cable pro tip: I’ve given this tip before, but I always get a slew of people with the wow face. Grab any USB cable sitting around your house. See that symbol on one side? It’ll face upwards if you’re plugging it in horizontally, and if you’re plugging in the USB cable vertically, the USB symbol should face you.

Cord management made easy: Get some stickers — labels you write on, color-coded dots or colored foil star stickers. Affix the same label or colored sticker to the cable and the port on the device. When you plug in the cord, simply match the cable’s sticker to the port.

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

Solutions for hiding ugly cables and more

You see ‘em and you want ‘em gone. Your wish has come true!

Cover that wall outlet with this smooth, flat panel, which comes with an attached extension cord. Just plug and go for 23% off.
This handy box organizes unsightly wires. Put your extension cord inside and voila! It’s 17% off right now.
Clamp this cable tray to the bottom of your desk, and say goodbye to crawling underneath to plug in and unplug your cords. Plus, it’s 20% off!
Get rid of that unsightly grease stain you’ve been staring at on the floor. This industrial cleaner wipes out heavy dirt, grease, food and other stains on lots of different surfaces, and it’s 49% off.
Stop staring at the TV (cords). This wall cord hider is on sale for $9.99 and conceals all those wires to your wall.

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

Organization on sale!

You already have cumin. Organize your spices with a slip-proof stand that’s easy to clean.
Brooms, rakes and shovels, oh, my! Keep them tidy with a tool tower rack, now 24% off.
Stop buying cream of mushroom soup! You have 11 cans already. See ‘em all with a stackable can rack that’s 28% off.
Manage cords and cables on your desk and even in your car with these cable clips. A 16-pack is under $7 right now.
Keep your cleansers, soaps, sponges or whatever organized under the sink with heavy-duty metal shelves, now 20% off!

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

Cleanup time: Look around. Do you see USB or other charging cables starting to fray? Toss them. You’re just asking for trouble — specifically, a fire. The Apple Lightning cable and Amazon Basics USB-C cable are both solid options.

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

Listen on your stereo

Pam in Fort Lauderdale wrote to me to ask if there’s a cheap, easy way for her to play music from her phone on her home stereo.

📻 Heck yes, there are, Pam. Each one works a little differently. Follow the included instructions and you’ll be rockin’ in no time.

Super affordable: Connect this receiver ($23.99) to your stereo’s audio port, give it some juice via a USB cable, and then push one button to pair it with your phone. Easy-peasy.
Pricer but better sound: Audiophiles, this one is for you. A Wi-Fi connection will give you better sound than a Bluetooth option. The WiiM Mini audio player ($89) is worth the money.
Get smart: Some Echo models, like this refurbished 4th-gen Echo Dot (34% off, $58.99), can connect to your stereo with a 3.5mm aux cable. That’s pretty sweet.

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

📺 Like cable … but different: Comcast’s new Xfinity StreamSaver bundle gets you Netflix, Apple TV+ and Peacock Premium for $15 a month. Before you get too excited, it’s the basic versions of Netflix and Peacock — in other words, lots of ads. But if you’re already on the basic plans, it’s a $10 monthly savings.

⏸️ Cheapskate pro tip: You can pause your internet and/or cable package if you’re going to be out of town for a while. So much better than paying full price. Get steps for your provider here. Bonus: You don’t need to turn in your cable boxes.

Longest phone cables you can buy

Extra-long phone cables live in the tiny overlap of things that make both a hilarious gag gift and something the recipient will use and appreciate every single day.

Longest Lightning cable: For all pre-iPhone 15 models. Pick an outlet in the kitchen, then walk your phone way over to the couch with this 26-foot nylon-braided Lightning cable. Right now, it’s $18.99 with the 5% off coupon.
Longest USB-C cable: With 20 feet of braided nylon, you can plug in your charger next to your bed and bring your phone out to the balcony to FaceTime. After clicking the 5% off coupon, it’s just $14.99.
Longest multiport cable: For $15.50, divided households (iPhone and Android) that can make do with just a 10-foot stretch should get this cable, which has three charging options: Lightning port, USB-C and micro-USB.

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

💸 Cable confessions: The FCC is cracking down on cable and satellite companies. Say goodbye to hidden fees in your bill — now, they must tell you the total cost upfront. Goodbye forever, “broadcast subscription” and “regional sports assessments” fine print. Check your cable bill for any refunds.

Watch free movies on YouTube (legally)

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Remember when ditching the cable saved you money? Here’s how to stream top hits for free.