💸 Duh, it works: A money-saving strategy is all over TikTok, promising to save you over $5,000 in less than four months. Take 100 envelopes and number them from 1 to 100. Each day, deposit an amount matching the envelope number. Envelope No. 1 gets $1, the one labeled “2” gets $2 and so on. Maybe next, someone will go viral talking about savings accounts! You know, where you put money away with interest.
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
Don’t make these 5 big mistakes when buying electronics on Amazon
Shopping on Amazon can be a great way to save money on otherwise expensive tech. Tap or click here for quick and easy ways to save money when filling your cart. Just avoid the most common mistakes people make when buying electronics on Amazon.
This tech mistake is costing you money every single month
It’s easy to overspend on consumer tech or make a purchase that won’t last long. For example, you don’t need to pay for Microsoft Office and shouldn’t waste money on cheap chargers. Tap or click for five ways you’re wasting cash on tech.
Quick and easy ways to save money shopping on Amazon
Even if you’re not an Amazon fan, you can’t deny how easy it is to find just about anything you want. That includes, of course, gifts.
There’s also account security to consider. You should remove your Amazon public profile, for one. Tap or click for five security steps every Amazon shopper should take.
Streaming costs inching up? Cheapskate secrets you need to know
Tech companies don’t seem to share when you can save money using their products or services. For example, if you’re traveling or have a second home, you’re not using your home internet service. Tap or click for a money-saving trick your ISP doesn’t want you to know.
Money-saving secret your cable and internet provider doesn't want you to know
When you’re driving, spotty cell coverage is a drag. Music, GPS, and calls just won’t go through. Here’s a quick guide to boosting your service no matter where the road takes you.
What about a travel pro tip if you prefer to fly to your destination? You can see which flights include the most legroom with the right tools. I tell all my tall friends about this trick. Tap or click here for the secret — it’s No. 5 on the list.
Save big bucks if you book your flight this day of the week
There’s no doubt about it. Flying is rough these days. Rules and delays aside, flights are way more expensive, too.
If you want to save, what’s the best day to book a flight? For years, the answer was Tuesday. Not anymore. Plus, it pays to know what day of the week is best to fly along with how far in advance to purchase a ticket. Keep reading for money-saving travel tips.
Are you overpaying for the internet? Find out now
Reliable internet may be something you take for granted, but even the most basic plans represent a financial hardship for low-income households.
Free internet service is available in some cases. Here’s the criteria to qualify for free internet.
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.
Payday loan ads are all over social media - Here's how they're skirting the rules
It has been a tough few years for many Americans. Unfortunately, trying to stretch every dollar to buy the necessities has become the norm. Some might look into a second or third job to pay the bills.
This is precisely the type of person that payday loans are targeting. Promising quick cash without telling the whole story of the loan costs, these advertisements have been popping up on social media platforms like TikTok.
3 ways to fax documents without a fax machine — for free
Faxing seems archaic, but occasionally you may need to send one. Many businesses and organizations use them for communication. Take doctor’s offices, for example.
Sometimes, you need to share essential documents and email isn’t an option. That’s because faxes are much more secure. In comparison, email inboxes can come with spam, viruses and blocked messages. Tap or click here for our take on the best secure email providers.
Money-saving tool you need before you start holiday shopping
Have you ever had the strange feeling of being watched when you’re browsing online? Well, the truth is you are. Shopping sites track you.
In some cases, you may see prices for certain things go up every time you check. A rental car might be $50 per day the first time you check prices, but it bumps up to $55 when you go back to book it. The same thing happens with hotels and airline tickets.
8 proven ways cheap people lower their monthly internet, cable, and streaming bills
The average American will pay $32,400 for internet access throughout a lifetime. This number, calculated by researchers at Reviews.org, doesn’t even include today’s big dogs. I’m talking about your cable, streaming, cellphone and other subscriptions.
Have lousy Wi-Fi? Upgrade to a mesh system ($46 off if you hurry)
If there’s one place you should have a consistent, speedy network, it’s your home. From streaming music and movies to attending virtual classes, meetings and even doing your job, this is where you have full control. A single router works great if you live in a small one-room apartment, but what about multiple rooms and floors?
Netflix for Android just got a big upgrade - here's how to use it
Streaming services make it easy to get all of the content you’re looking for without the high cost of a cable subscription. They’ve really come in handy during the pandemic.
But while there are plenty of streaming services to choose from, you may not know which one works best for you. There are tons of different options, from Netflix to Hulu and even lesser-known services that recently rolled out. Want to save even more money? Tap or click here for money-saving streaming pro tips.
5 new smart ways to save on Amazon
Amazon is already one of the best places to shop online, but did you know you can save even more money if you know where to look?
Amazon shoppers, especially Prime members, have access to benefits like premium credit cards, subscription orders and other unique ways to save. Tap or click here to see how to get even more out of your Amazon account.
The No. 1 holiday app, ElfYourself, is back with new dances
The holiday season is in full swing and things may look a little different this year. But no matter what’s going on in the world one tradition is back and better than ever. Of course, we’re talking about the fun holiday app ElfYourself.
Money-saving tip: eBay just launched a certified refurbished store
You don’t have to spend big money to get reliable tech. Plenty of companies offer discounts on used or refurbished gadgets that work just as well as brand new items. In fact, some of these companies even offer extended warranties for pre-owned merchandise.
7 steps you can take now to lower your internet bill
Your social media feeds are no doubt clogged with hoaxes and misinformation that spread all too easily. Tap or click here for rumors going around Facebook, so you don’t get tricked into sharing them.
On the other hand, your bank account is feeling the strain from all those streaming services you’ve signed up for. Tap or click here for the money-saving advice the streaming services don’t want you to know.