Charges you forgot about: Amazon Subscribe & Save is handy when it’s stuff you want and annoying when it’s stuff you just forgot to cancel. From Your Account, select Memberships & Subscriptions or Subscribe & Save Items to see a list of your subscriptions, costs and renewal dates.
Your smart speaker can help in an emergency — here’s how
Medical alert systems ain’t cheap. There’s the price of the hardware ($50 to a few hundred), the charge to set everything up (set aside $100 for that) and a monthly fee of $20 to $40 for the ongoing service. All for a little button on a necklace? It’s highway robbery.
Here’s the good news: With the right settings and subscriptions, your smart home assistant can help you call or contact your loved ones in an emergency. Before you rely on one, though, there are a few things you need to know.
I researched the best emergency services for Alexa and Google Home — and what they’ll cost you.
Free: The “Drop In” feature on Alexa
It’s nothing fancy, but if you’re an Alexa user, you can call another Alexa-enabled speaker directly like you would with an intercom system.
- Cost: Free!
- Features: When enabled, the person on the other end doesn’t need to answer or accept the call for you to talk to them!
How to set it up:
- Open the Alexa app on the phone of the person who you want to drop in on.
- Tap Devices.
- Select Echo & Alexa, then select the device you want to Drop In on.
- Tap Settings > Communications.
- Select Drop In, and then select which permissions to enable or disable.
How to use the Drop In feature:
- Open the Alexa app on your phone and tap More > Communicate.
- Tap Drop In at the top of the screen.
- A list of devices will appear that you’re permitted to Drop In on.
- Tap the device you want to communicate with.
Affordable: Alexa Emergency Assist
With this home security feature, you can say, “Alexa, call for help,” and an urgent response agent will call for first responders.
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 way to cancel your subscriptions
Considering canceling your card on file to reset your subscriptions? Before you do, there are a few steps you should follow.
Microsoft will start nagging you to sign up for an online account. While it’s handy for backing up data and managing subscriptions, remember — you’re also letting them peek at your data. Switch off the prompts by going to Settings > Privacy & security > General and deselecting everything.
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.
I saved $456.76 in 5 minutes using an app that finds subscription services
Do you ever look at your monthly bills and wonder where some of those crazy numbers come from?
I’m willing to bet some of those costly digits come from subscriptions you’re signed up for. Do you use all of them enough to justify the expense? That’s money automatically being taken out of your account every month or year.
⚡️ Check how much you’re paying: Everywhere you turn, it’s a buck or more a month. Check your subscriptions for increases with what I use: Rocket Money.
Save some cash: If you’re trying to get a handle on all your streaming services and other subscriptions, use Rocket Money. It helped me save $532 a year by canceling services I wasn’t using and had forgotten about. So smart!
Want to drive? First, you must subscribe
Automakers say car subscriptions could earn them $1,600 a year. Plus, news on the Kaiser Permanente health breach, phony Verizon invoice emails, and a Waymo going haywire in San Fran.
Double-edged deal: The Telegram app is offering free premium subscriptions when you send 150 two-factor authentication texts on its behalf. Why? Because it’s expensive to do it themselves. The catch: Everyone you send a 2FA text to gets your real phone number. Just pay the $5 for Premium, folks.
Phones that emit the most (and least) radiation
Is your phone making you sick? Kim and Andrew have the lowdown. Also, there’s a new streaming service that could have you cancelling your subscriptions. Beware of a new scam at gas stations targeting your credit card. Plus, answers to your burning questions!
You're underestimating your subscriptions
The real price of streaming
A recent survey found that fifty percent of us pay for streaming services we don’t use. Here’s how to track all of your forgotten subscriptions.
You're paying too much for subscriptions
FBI beta app warning, robotaxi rendezvous & realistic city simulation
Plus, some states are offering incentives for e-bike owners. We chat with Alex Fitzpatrick from Axios about the benefits available. Want to clear phone clutter? We’ve got an easy method. Learn how to track your subscriptions, and don’t miss Allie’s review of her new Pixel Tablet.
The death of ownership
How many subscriptions are you already paying for? Here’s why you can’t use what you buy without a monthly fee, in just one minute.
Is your car tracking you? Here's how to find out and put a stop to it
Whether you drive a classic or a 10-year-old car, safety should still be your chief concern. Here are five ways tech can modernize your old car.
New cars are computers on wheels. Don’t believe me? The average vehicle nowadays has over 1,400 microchips in it. Because your car is connected, it can also collect a lot of data about you. Your car is like your phone, computer or tablet now — always listening.
Save big on subscriptions with your library card
Got a library card? I’ll tell you how to access a range of free subscriptions in my one-minute podcast.