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Don't make these tech buying errors – Expert money-saving advice
Amazon hit record sales in July during its Prime Day sale — $12.7 billion. Incredible to think it all started selling books online out of a garage. I really think Prime Day should be on the 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 11th, 13th, 17th, 19th, 23rd, 29th or 31st.
Anyway, we all want to save a buck, but watch out, or you get into mistake territory and cost yourself even more money.
The problem: You forget to cancel before the free trial ends
Streaming services are hiking prices this year, and it’s too much to ignore.
The fix: When you sign up, put a reminder in your phone or calendar app a week or so before the trial expires. Schedule a backup reminder, too, the day before the trial ends.
The problem: You skimp where you shouldn’t
Cheap charging cords can be dangerous. One girl woke up to her bed in flames after her charger caught fire. This weekend, on my national radio show, I talked to an NYC Fire Chief about just how bad the battery fires have gotten year after year.
The fix: If you’re shopping for a phone charger or replacement cable, get an official or certified cord. The same goes for bargain e-bikes and other tech that can do real damage if the lithium-ion battery goes up in flames.
The problem: You fall for the marketing
There’s always something newer, better, smaller, larger, more powerful and faster to buy. Usually, it’s just hype. Sorry, I don’t think foldable phones are ready for prime time yet. And the new iPhone? Eh, most people probably don’t need it.
The fix: If whatever tech you’re considering upgrading works fine, don’t get caught up in the vicious cycle.
The problem: You’re buying used from who-knows-who
This simple trick can save you hundreds of dollars a year on streaming
When cord-cutting was all the rage, the driving force was to save money. Why pay hundreds of dollars monthly for cable when you can get great shows and movies through streaming services?
The problem is the savings didn’t last long. Streaming services like DirecTV Stream, Netflix and Hulu always increase prices. Tap or click here for details on some recent price hikes.
Want to shed some pounds? Don’t fall for these weight loss scams
Overwhelmed by your New Year’s resolutions? We can help you get started with a critical one: improving your cybersecurity. These five tech resolutions will carry you through this year and beyond.
Losing weight is among the most common resolutions and, unfortunately, scammers are waiting to pounce. The crooks know that January and February are the best times to trick people into buying phony products or signing up for fake newsletters.
Tech smarts: 5 silly ways you’re flushing money down the toilet
For a columnist and national radio show host focused on technology, you might be surprised how often I’m asked about money.
It makes sense. We spend a ton of money on gadgets, and there’s always something new and shiny. Before you spring for a new phone, give yours this deep clean. You’ll be surprised what a difference it makes.
Ancestry.com: What you can do with a free trial and how to cancel once it's over
Genetic testing illuminates your past and present. By rubbing a cotton swab on the inside of your cheek and mailing it off to a company, you can learn which countries your ancestors came from. You can even pinpoint risk factors for different genetic conditions, which can help you make healthier decisions in the future.
Do this now before your Gmail account is deleted
Google’s Gmail is a behemoth when it comes to email providers. It has billions of users worldwide who log in daily to check their emails, set up meetings and track calendar entries. You also need a Google account when you set up an Android phone or download apps from the Play Store.
5 killer Amazon promotions: Free Prime, Amazon Music and more
Every year, Black Friday and Cyber Monday are typically the best days to save big at Amazon. But it’s not just about the deals on tech and other gifts on your shopping list. You might not know it, but Amazon offers promotional add-ons that end up saving you even more money, like the list below.
Millions will get HBO Max for free - find out if you qualify
After months of waiting, the time has come. Another powerhouse enters the streaming wars on Wednesday, May 27. Welcome, HBO Max.
With a solid existing subscriber base and an impressive library, HBO isn’t holding back. It’s looking to upend the industry and take over competitors like Netflix, Disney+, and Apple TV+. Tap or click to find out which of these streaming services is best.
This app acts as a burner credit card to help you cancel free trials
“Click here for a free trial!” Who hasn’t seen these words pop up on their screen? Everyone has signed up for a free trial before, and we all know we need to provide our credit card information so if we like the service, we can just let the free trial lapse and we’ll automatically subscribe.