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For a columnist and national radio show host focused on technology, you may be surprised how often I’m asked about money.
It is sensible. We spend a ton of cash on gadgets, and there is at all times something latest and glossy. Before you spring for a latest phone, give yours this deep clean. You’ll be surprised what a difference it makes.
Once you do upgrade, don’t let your old tech sit around. Sell it and make some money. Tap or click for sites higher than Craigslist for offloading computers, phones, wearables and more.
Let’s keep the savings train running. Listed here are five mistakes you may be making that can cost you.
1. You forget to cancel before the free trial ends
Free trials are great to binge a season of a show or catch a movie — but only in the event you remember to cancel before you are charged. It is easy to inform yourself you will remember, but most of us don’t.
Listed here are a couple of rules to recollect:
- When you don’t use the service much in the course of the trial period or feel the value shouldn’t be well worth the service, cancel immediately. Usually, you’ll have access for the rest of the trial period.
- Once you enroll, put a reminder in your phone or calendar app per week or so before the trial expires. Schedule a backup reminder, too, the day before the trial ends.
2. You pay for a bunch of apps
Speaking of recurring subscriptions, possibly you signed up for an app that only charges a couple of dollars a month. “Sure,” you thought. “I’ll meditate every single day, so this is completely price $2.99 a month!”
Streaming Mobile Apps
(iStock)
Over time, those monthly fees add up. You must often check to see what you’re paying for and be certain that you continue to need it.
To see all of the apps you’re paying for in your iPhone, do that:
- Open the App Store app and register in the event you aren’t already.
- Tap your profile picture or initials, then tap Subscriptions.
- Select the app you would like to cancel and select Cancel Subscription.
To see all of the apps you’re paying for on an Android, do that:
- Open your device’s Settings app.
- Tap Google > Manage your Google Account.
- Select Payments & subscriptions.
- Under Subscriptions, you will note an inventory of apps you pay for and the subsequent date you will be charged.
- To cancel, tap Manage subscriptions, then select the app subscription you would like to remove. Select Cancel subscription at the underside of the page.
SAVE EVEN MORE: 5 apps that can prevent money on stuff you’re already buying
3. You skimp where you shouldn’t
Being low cost will be expensive. It’s easy to search out charging cables that only cost a couple of dollars, but don’t expect them to last long.
Even worse, low cost charging cords will be dangerous. One girl woke as much as her bed in flames after her charger caught fire. When you’re looking for a phone charger or alternative cable, get an official or certified cable. On the subject of third-party options, select a good company like Anker or Belkin.
Etsy.com, $60 Battery and phone chargers might be probably the most mundane-looking pieces of technology. But they haven’t got to be.
(Maleigha Ornelia | Blingspirations)
4. You’re paying for Photoshop and Word
Normally, you get what you pay for. Sometimes, though, talented developers create useful apps that work just in addition to the preferred paid software.
Consider LibreOffice, Focus Author, or Google Docs for an alternative choice to Microsoft Word. Get direct links to those and other options here.
Photoshop is powerful, but you would possibly not need the whole lot it offers. Canva makes it easy to make quick photo edits and graphics. GIMP is a solid Photoshop copycat. Tap or click here for the professionals and cons of all the favored Photoshop alternatives.
Bottom line: Do your research before you shell out money on an expensive program. Listed here are nine free software copycats that work higher than expensive programs.
5. You forget to examine for promo codes
When you’re shopping online without using a browser extension or third-party site to provide help to rating discounts, you’re paying an excessive amount of.
- Capital One Shopping provides easy coupon codes that immediately apply to your cart at checkout.
- The Camelcamelcamel extension track price drops on Amazon, so that you haven’t got to maintain refreshing.
- The Honey browser extension can provide help to seek for coupons across greater than 30,000 web sites. It might probably also auto-apply discounts right while you take a look at.
You’ll be able to even set a Google Alert if there’s a particular product you wish. That is price it in the event you’re making an enormous purchase. To do this:
- Go to Google.com/alerts and login in the event you aren’t already.
- Within the search box, type within the product name and a word like “sale” or “discount.”
- Click the pencil icon to edit the alert. Here, you’ll be able to select how often you would like to receive alerts, sources, etc.
- To complete, click Update alert.
Keep your tech smarts growing. Take heed to my podcasts, too.
PODCAST PICK: Apple Watch video calls, $30 smart TV trick, free cable perks
Do you forget to update your passwords? Now, Google Assistant can maintain that for you. Plus, TikTok will start sharing ad revenue with creators and the brand new Apple Watch band adds video calling. On this episode, you will learn find out how to turn your old TV into a wise TV for $30. I’ll also share one of the best free perks you get together with your cable subscription.
Take a look at my podcast “Kim Komando Explains” on Apple, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player.
Take heed to the podcast here or wherever you get your podcasts. Just seek for my last name, “Komando.”
What digital lifestyle questions do you might have? Call Kim’s national radio show and tap or click here to search out it in your local radio station. You’ll be able to hearken to or watch The Kim Komando Show in your phone, tablet, television, or computer. Or tap or click here for Kim’s free podcasts.
Copyright 2022, WestStar Multimedia Entertainment. All rights reserved. By clicking the shopping links, you’re supporting my research. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases. I only recommend products I think in.
Study all the newest technology on The Kim Komando Show, the nation’s largest weekend radio talk show. Kim takes calls and dispenses advice on today’s digital lifestyle, from smartphones and tablets to online privacy and data hacks. For her every day suggestions, free newsletters, and more, visit her website at Komando.com.
