Starting a podcast or know someone who is? Check out Rob’s tips here.
The art of the upsell
Did you hear United Airlines is going all-in on a new, premium, expensive business class? Private check-in, a fancy lounge with sit-down dining, nice pajamas and a mattress pad, extra food on the plane, and (my favorite) press a button and someone will whiz over with champagne. Cha‑ching.
What about when you’re buying a regular ticket? Those are pricey, too — especially with the “extras” that used to be standard. Airlines have all kinds of sneaky upselling tricks. Let’s be smart and save money together.
Upsells you’ll most certainly run into
- Priority boarding: Pay extra to be early on the plane. If you have a disability or health condition that means you need more time, you can get that for free. Just ask.
- Travel insurance or flight protection: It’s 4% to 10% of the ticket price. Check if your credit card offers this instead. Most of mine do. If you’re not sure, call the number on the back and ask.
- Wi-Fi: Bet on spending anywhere from $3 to $30. If Wi‑Fi is a must for you, check the cost ahead of time. JetBlue offers it free for all passengers (nice). Frontier offers no movies, TV or Wi‑Fi, period.
- Flexible tickets: You’ll pay more if you want to be able to change flights later, but keep in mind you’ll still probably pay a change fee of at least $50.
- Boarding pass printing: This is big for budget airlines. Spirit wants $2 at the kiosk. Frontier charges $25 if you need an agent to help you. Ouch.
So, what can you do about it? Here are practical tips for the booking and travel process.
Screen saver: Don’t rush through the purchasing confirmation screens. Slow down, read thoroughly and make sure you know what you’re getting.
🤑 Pro tip: You’ll generally find the lowest prices if you book on a Sunday and travel on a Wednesday.
“Premium economy” is an oxymoron: Airlines push you to expensive seats by slicing cabin classes into more categories. Depending on the airline, it just means boarding a little sooner.
On some airlines, like American, you’ll get bigger seats (that fully recline, in some cases), better food and beverage options, priority boarding, and lots of room for you and your stuff. OK, that’s probably worth it.
Seat assignments: Before you shell out, check SeatGuru.com. Enter your airline and flight number to see a map of the best seats with the most legroom.
💺 Pro tip: If you ask at the gate, the person at the desk may be able to switch your seat assignment, especially if you’re traveling with a partner or kids. Here, it really pays to be nice.
Do the math: Most U.S. airlines increased their checked baggage prices this year by $5 to $10, and it’s worse for your second checked bag. The exception? Southwest, which still includes two checked bags in its ticket prices.
Handy hidden features on Instagram, X and Facebook
If you’re one Facebook argument away from lighting your social media accounts on fire, I don’t blame you. But before you log out for good, I’ve got a few hidden features that’ll make using your social media accounts stink a little less
✈️ I download the official app for every airline I fly: Here’s a pro tip. Look for the live activities feature in your app of choice. This generally gives you a countdown until boarding time and a real-time view of your gate and seat info in case anything changes at the last minute. Nice.
How to take the best fireworks pics
They’re dazzling, but capturing them on your phone can be tricky — follow my top tips to get stunning shots.
You need to give a sheet: If your job applications go ignored, you could be applying for “ghost jobs” — listings for positions that don’t really exist. Companies use them to trick staff into thinking help is on the way or, worse, to scare them into feeling replaceable. The tip-off: These roles linger around without any updates.
In 2019, an app surpassed a huge milestone of 400 million downloads worldwide, offering features like daily to-do’s and audio tips. Was it an app for … A.) Fitness, B.) Video editing, C.) Reading the Bible or D.) Learning a new language?
$11 tip
For a nonexistent burger. A guy with way too much time on his hands ordered a burger from McDonald’s, then removed everything from the list of ingredients. His DoorDasher came through: “You’re gonna get an empty box. You good with that?”
Justin the robot barista
There’s just no way I’m going to tip a robot.
How to avoid 4th of July traffic
This Independence Day, nearly 61 million people are expected to be on the roads, a record high. If you want to avoid getting stuck in traffic, here are some tips on when to drive.
AI is stealing your voice from the internet
It’s easier than ever to copy a real human voice. Just think about all the harm that could cause. Scary stuff, folks. Pro tip: Set all your online accounts to private.
How to make money in podcasting
We talk with Rob Walch from Libsyn about the current state of podcasting and get his top tips for starting your own podcast. Plus, X makes your ‘likes’ private, SoftBank uses AI to make angry customers sound calm, and nobody likes being called a bot.
Friday fun: Draw Logos from Memory is a quick browser game when you need a brain break. Pro tip: Click the little circles under each section to get more colors.
Security tip: Send unknown calls to voicemail
Do me a favor and send unknown callers to voicemail. If it’s someone who really needs you, they’ll leave a message or call back.
Tips for better iPhone battery life
Phone dying too fast throughout the day? Try one or all of these tips for more juice.
🚨 Do it right now: The National Security Agency (NSA) has a hot security tip: Power off and restart your phone weekly. Sounds like a “duh,” but it works to combat zero-click exploits and spear phishing. More tips (that I’ve been giving you for years): Keep your OS updated, and disable Bluetooth and location services when you don’t need ‘em.
⏸️ 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.
🏠 Pro moving tip: Never pack the bottle opener … You can now buy a tiny home on Amazon that comes complete with doors, windows and even bathroom fixtures. What a time to be alive. Here’s one for $26,000!
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
Make bank: Vintage rugs in good condition are big sellers online. Pro tips: List the dimensions, call out imperfections like fraying and staining, and state upfront whether the rug comes from a smoke- or pet-free home. These are key phrases!
Apple Watch who? Oura’s smart rings just got smarter with two new heart health features. The first compares your cardiovascular age to your real-life age and offers tips for improvement. The second estimates your VO2 max — the oxygen your body can use during intense exercise. Content Queen Allie wears one and loves it!
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.