The “hams” are there when all else fails: After Hurricane Helene knocked out power and cell service across North Carolina, tens of thousands were left without a way to communicate. Amateur radio operators turned their hobby into a lifeline, helping families send messages, request medicine, find out when stores reopened and even share a “happy birthday.” You bet they’re going to be busy dealing with Hurricane Milton.
10 things you should never buy on Amazon
Amazon has been a source of essentials, hobbies, electronics and supplies during the pandemic, and business has been booming as a result. You can find just about anything on Amazon, which is both good and bad. Need an obscure replacement part for your dishwasher? You can probably find it on Amazon. But not all products are useful, and some can be downright dangerous.
Amazon recently pulled some weight loss products from its online store after being contacted by the Food and Drug Administration. The drugs contained unlisted ingredients that could interact with prescription medications. Tap or click here for the full story and some precautions.
Amazon’s inventory is growing and changing all the time, so while you’ll always find something new, you must exercise caution when making your purchases. Check out our rundown of things you should not buy from Amazon.
1. Costco-branded (Kirkland) products
There’s nothing wrong with Costco-branded products (which sell under the Kirkland name), but be careful where you get them. Kirkland products on Amazon can be marked up or counterfeit. A 2.5-pound jar of cashews, for example, is more than twice the price on Amazon as it would be directly through Costco.
Amazon is full of fake products, and you’ll likely find some labeled Kirkland in that group. Go to a Costco store in person or shop at the company’s official site at www.costco.com.
2. Cheap charging cables/adapters
You don’t need to spend a fortune on brand-name charging accessories for your tech, but make sure they’re certified. A cheap and poorly built charger can not only damage your device but can catch fire. Tap or click here to check out some safer options.
3. Cosmetics
How well do you trust a product that you apply to your face? Knockoff cosmetics are often not subjected to extensive testing, so the side effects are up in the air. The FBI previously found some counterfeit products to contain carcinogens like arsenic, beryllium and cadmium, in addition to high levels of aluminum and even bacteria.
4. Ikea products
Ikea’s affordable furniture and household products are quite popular, which is why resellers offer them at marked-up prices on Amazon. Understandably, you would browse these items if you don’t live near an Ikea location, but it’s not worth it. You can find many of the Swedish conglomerate’s wares at its official online store, www.ikea.com.
5 smart money moves every smartphone owner can make to save some cash
Like it or not, smartphones have become a necessity for most people. They are useful for keeping up with work, school, hobbies, finances, the news and pretty much anything else you can think of. Long gone are the days when a phone is simply a phone.
170 crypto scam apps spotted stealing money - See the list
The pandemic has changed many aspects of our daily lives. Many people continue working or going to school from home and online retail is still booming.
While some picked up hobbies and learned new languages, others got into investing. Cryptocurrency was an attractive option during the pandemic, as fears of government restrictions on traditional stock trading arose. Social media threw its hat in the ring, driving more people towards crypto. Tap or click here for Kim’s crash course on digital currency.
⛳ Lawn disorder: A University of Michigan study reveals men who love golfing and gardening might have an increased risk for Lou Gehrig’s disease, or ALS — the same paralyzing disease Stephen Hawking had. Researchers suspect pesticides with formaldehyde could be the culprit. The evidence isn’t final, so don’t quit your hobbies just yet.