gifts Archives

See when your gift list items hit the lowest price

I love shopping online. I don’t have to leave the house. I don’t have to be nice to anyone. I don’t have to put on a bra (guys, same thing for you and pants!). There are already Christmas, Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales on every site now, but finding what you want at the lowest price is tricky. Fear not! I’m here to save you from all the clicks, countdowns and wasted money.

🐝 Truth bee told, it’s the best

I use Honey for anything I buy online. To get started, download the Honey extension for your browser. It automatically scans websites for promo codes. Nice. But it goes a step further — you can also make Honey tell you when the price drops on something you’re watching.

When you’re on a site, click on Honey’s orange “h” icon, then click Watch for Price Drops. If an item has multiple options (size, colors, condition, etc.), pick one, and click Save Item. Honey will now track that product.

Here are steps for how to install and use Honey.

💰 Shop smarter, not harder

Capital One Shopping works the same way as Honey. Install the browser extension, and it gets to work, automatically searching for coupon codes and better prices on the items you’re shopping for.

🐪 Try Camelcamelcamel for Amazon deals

What a name, right? Camelcamelcamel exists solely to track Amazon deals. It’s particularly helpful this time of year, when you can see something just got marked up so they could put it on sale.

I like the website version best. Paste any Amazon product link into the search box at the top to see how its price has fluctuated over time.

You need to make an account if you want to follow the price and get alerts if the item you have your eye on goes on sale.

Let me shop for you

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Mark your calendar! The best day to buy holiday flights

Attention, travelers: I have good news! Despite a record-setting summer for travel prices, winter isn’t looking so bad — if you know when to book.

Luckily, you have me. I’ve been to 36 countries, and I’m still itching to see the rest of the world. I’ve learned lots of ways to save over the years.

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Gadget gifts galore

🏴‍☠️ Upgrade your loved ones’ lives (and your gift-giving reputation) with a tech treasure.

One charge on a Kindle Paperwhite lasts 12 weeks. Pair that with the three free months of Kindle Unlimited, and whoever’s getting this gift had better have some PTO saved up.
Amazon’s brand-new Echo Pops come in purple now?! I’m sold. It’s under $40, and the speakers are darn good.
OK, this is sweet. Sony’s compact waterproof speaker (under $50!) can go anywhere in any weather and gets 16 hours of playtime on a single charge.
Your pet-obsessed pal needs a Furbo dog camera (14% off) to watch Fifi while they’re at work.
An external CD/DVD drive (under $30!) is perfect for the DVD lover in your life. This way, they can play disks on their laptop, which is way easier than digging through every streaming site. Bonus: They can rip those audio CDs, too!
Take movie night anywhere with a 4K outdoor projector. Click the coupon box for $40 off!

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Stock your car: Emergencies happen and you’ll be glad you were prepared. Consider an emergency kit and a jump box. Excellent gifts for new drivers, too!

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Alexa-ly what you need: The Echo Show 21 ($399) has a big 21-inch 1080p display, better sound than previous models and is Wi-Fi 6E ready. If you prefer a smaller model, there’s the upgraded Echo Show 15 ($299). Both include wall-mounting equipment. If you want a countertop stand, that’s an extra $100. Both make great gifts for any Echo lover.

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5,000% jump

In Google searches for “tonies set.” They’re the hot Christmas gift for little ones. Tonieboxes are $99 screen-free wireless speakers. To start a story, pop a Tonie doll on top (that costs extra). The starter set with Disney princesses is $154, dang. How do I get a Kim Komando Toniebox?

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10 surprising side hustles to make some extra cash

“Kim, how can I make money from home?” I’ve been getting this one for years and years. And guess what? Between new apps and the rise of the gig economy, it’s never been easier to make an extra buck.

Entrepreneur (paywall link) gathered some weird and wonderful side hustles, plus real examples of regular folks who make a pretty penny. Don’t worry, no Uber on this list — but I did include an option for those who love to drive.

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Scammers are coming after your kids and teens

What comes to mind when you think of someone getting scammed? A grandma on the phone with some jerk? If so, this will probably surprise you.

The total money lost by teens in online scams grew by nearly 2,500% between 2017 and 2022. Victims under the age of 20 lost a staggering $210 million in 2022 alone.

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Useful gifts under $20

🤑 Because who doesn’t love lots of bang for the buck?

The first aid kit they’ll actually use. Slip one into every stocking. Hopefully, they’ll never have to use it.
Pimple patches are all the rage. These look like little stars and come with a mirror compact. The teen in your life wants this but is embarrassed to tell you.
A suction phone case mount (under $15!) sticks to walls and mirrors for prime picture-taking. Get it for the butterfingers in your life!
Two words: Jar openers. They’re under $10 and so helpful, it doesn’t even matter they’re a little boring.
Cooks can never have enough stovetop spoon rests (under $15 and 30% off!). This one looks like a little crab. It made me LOL!

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Slam-dunk gifts under $20

🤫 Good enough to grab one for them, one for you. I won’t tell.

For foodies obsessed with the perfect smashed burger, this steel press is the key.
Hoodies like these cozy Hanes cotton ones work for any age and any style. They come in a ton of good colors, each for $14!
Mr. Fix-It will be thrilled with a pair of flashlight gloves so he can see under the sink, car or wherever.
Wood and metal brainteaser puzzles (10% off) make a good family gift and they’re perfect for that person who can never keep their hands still.
Bath bombs are so 2021. Grab a six-pack of shower steamers (19% off) to stuff into stockings or give to your favorite person who could use an at-home spa day.

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The internet made me buy it

🎄 These viral products are exactly what you’re missing. They make excellent, really practical gifts, too, just sayin’.

Electric lighters (38% off) work when it’s windy out and never need stinky lighter fluid.
Pick up a rapid egg cooker (under $20), whip up some deviled eggs and be the most popular person at the holiday party.
Make your own cappuccinos with a milk frothing wand, on sale for $8. Slam-dunk stocking stuffer!
Stop drinking warm wine you left sitting for too long. Get a personal wineglass chiller.
A light therapy lamp will have you dreaming of summer. Get $10 off if you click the coupon box.
There’s never enough room when you’re cooking. Add a magnetic stove shelf (13% off) for oil and seasonings.

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A trick from the Komando brain

🧑‍🎄 I get stocking-stuffer shopping done early so I can focus on the bigger gifts later. (I won’t tell anyone if you get one of these for yourself!)

Guys, give your gal a jewelry cleaning stick to shine up her rings. It’s small enough to carry around and it’s under $10.
For the caffeine lover in your life, grab a five-pack of dark chocolate-flavored coffee bites for about $9. Each packs as much caffeine as one-third of a cup of coffee.
No-show socks are out; these $10 flat no-show inserts are in. They slip into any shoe and are machine washable.
This Grandmother’s Journal (39% off) is such a sweet gift. It’s a way to get her to write about her life so the whole family can remember her stories for years to come.
A cute scarf as low as $6 (57% off)? Yes, please. It’s extra long, so it can pull double-duty as a blanket.

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3,000-plus parts

Make up the new walking, talking Buzz Lightyear robot. For a whopping $599, you can recreate the “Toy Story” franchise’s scenes and missions. That’s a lot of money for a toy the kiddos will use for a week and never look at again. I know what you’re thinking: “My bathroom scale is nicknamed Buzz Lightyear. When I step on, it goes to infinity and beyond.”

Last-minute Father’s Day gifts

This wireless 3-in-1 charging station is sweet and works with iPhone 8 models all the way up to iPhone 15.
For the handy dad, a laser tape measure he’ll play with like a kid on Christmas. (Be sure to click both coupons for a total of 20% off!)
A cool Carhartt insulated bag is perfect for the office, the lake, the car or anywhere else he goes.
No one likes warm beer or soda. Love these freezer glasses that’ll keep his beverage of choice ice cold.
OK, I want this … Press the Dad Joke 3000 to hear, yep, a dad joke (20% off!).
A smart dashcam on sale for $39.99, and check the box for another 10% off!
A phone stand with a built-in Bluetooth speaker so he can watch his shows and hear the dialogue.

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For the self-care mom

Mother’s Day is around the corner. Today, I’ve hand-selected some gifts for the mom who loves relaxation, meditation and treating herself — or the mom who never makes time for it!

A mulberry silk pillowcase will keep her hair shiny and skin crease-free, plus it feels great (15% off!).
These glam and fuzzy no-slip house slippers are 47% off. Dang!
Most heating pads look clinical, but this plush plug-in model is printed with daisies.
Daily meditation cards, with prompts for mantras and breathing techniques. They’re 36% off.
This ceramic essential oil diffuser doubles as cozy mood lighting, and it’s 23% off ($22.99). Add a high-quality essential oil blend like Plant Therapy’s Blissful Dreams ($13.99).

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For the outdoorsy mom

Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 12. Today, gifts for the mom (or anyone else) who loves hiking and camping.

Top-of-the-line Darn Tough hiking socks in a pretty floral print.
She can keep her seltzer (or chardonnay) cool with this trendy Stanley tumbler ($20).
A classic “it’s for you but really for me” gift: Stainless steel skewers for roasting marshmallows around the campfire.
A lightweight cork massage ball to pop in her daypack for after-hike muscle aches.
A long-lasting power bank with a solar panel for battery top-ups. It’s 39% off!

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Gifts for every mom

Mother’s Day is coming up quickly — Sunday, May 12. I’m sharing a series of slam-dunk gifts for all the moms in your life. Today: Gifts for the mom who loves to read.

If Mom uses a Kindle or other e-reader or tablet, this comfy pillow stand (12% off, $21.99) is a total game-changer.
Pair it with this remote, which lets her turn the page while cuddled under a blankie. It’s a whopping 67% off.
For physical book lovers, grab a rechargeable book light with three color temps and dimming. It’s only $9.99.
These lovely bookplate stickers (gold foil!) will help her keep track of her personal library ($6.99 for 60).
A little tabletop bookshelf to help her organize the stack of books by her bed. This one is 18% off ($26.99).

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Feeling random

Cool stuff I found for cleaning, chilling and last-minute gifts:

Pastel plastic baskets for cords, chargers and everything else.
Keyboard wrist rest and mousepad that looks like a cotton candy cloud. Cute!
Tiny pink sound machine for white noise on the go. OK, it comes in other colors, too.
For when your smartwatch is out of juice, a silicone wristband you can jot notes on with a pen.
Professional ultrasonic cleaner for jewelry and glasses.

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Arts and crafts for the whole fam

I’ve picked out a few gadgets to help bring out your artistic side. (They make great Easter gifts, too!)

This 3D-printing pen isn’t just for kids!
A digital painting brush for trying your hand at a Hockney-esque masterpiece.
A miniature pottery wheel for throwing tiny cups.
A USB-powered lightbox drawing pad for tracing (it counts!).
These toddler tablets are incredibly fun for everyone. Doodle with a stylus, then erase with a button.

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Valentine’s Day gifts for your man

Wi-Fi smart weather station because he always wants to know
Charging station for his tech since you always steal his
Nice bag for all his toiletries
A jerky bouquet (elk, buffalo and venison) sure beats flowers
Fancy chocolates for his sweet tooth
Put your face on a pair of boxers — so funny!

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