A smart plug can add some brains to virtually any device you plug into it. You'll be able to control lamps, coffee machines, and any other household item you want. You can even pair smart plugs with your virtual assistant to control them with your voice.

Do you remember the last time you set foot in a bank? I can’t remember, either. Handling our money matters online is so convenient, but you still have to watch out for a huge mistake when depositing checks from your smartphone.

Sure, it’s easy to take the photos and wait for the “processing” message, and then you’re good to go, right? Don’t write it off just yet.

• Don’t get rid of that paper check immediately. The time it takes for a deposit to clear can vary based on factors like the amount, how long you’ve been with the bank and the status of the payer’s account.
• Set a reminder for 14 days after the deposit. Just use your favorite reminder app to set it up, then put that paper check in a safe place while you wait.
• Once it clears, don’t just throw it away. Shred it so sensitive account details aren’t at risk of falling into the wrong hands.

💸 Check out more about this big online banking mistake here.

Speaking of photos, when you’re sharing holiday photos with your family, it’s easy to get an error message because you tried to send too many at once. My sponsor, IDrive, can help, and you can get a great deal right now through this link. 🤳

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Many of us have some of the most important information stored on our computers. If you have ever had a computer crash, you know it can be extremely frustrating. You can lose all your data. If you don't back it up, it will be gone forever. We have the perfect solution so this will never happen to you.

Grab your phone and download the Komando app. It's a super easy (and free!) way to keep up with the latest news, hear my podcasts and more.

You probably have thousands of photos on your phone eating up space, and you want to preserve those memories. IDrive is the perfect solution for backing up and protecting all your precious photos and videos. Use it to back up all your devices: PCs, Macs, servers, iPhones, Android phones and more. Sync everything to one account.

IDrive is like an insurance policy for your data. Plans start at less than $7 a month.

This is the most "online" war we've ever seen. We're inundated with photos, videos and posts on social media around the clock. How do you tell what's real and what's not? It's harder than ever, but there are more tools and tips than ever, too. I'll walk you through how to make sure you're sharing smarter.

Here's a little secret: Many of the flashy tech upgrades aren't worth your money. Companies spend millions in marketing and advertising to convince you otherwise, of course. Instead of shelling out for something just a little bigger or faster, spend your money where it counts. I have a list of 10 gadgets and gizmos that will actually make a difference in your everyday life.

The internet is full of junk. We find the good stuff for you, from helpful tools to get stuff done to the best apps and websites out there.

Even though you may not carry as many keys as you used, there are probably a few you can’t part with. For years, News Director Ben has carried a clever key organizer made by KeySmart that tidies up your set. Now the company just released a new organizer that also holds one of Apple’s AirTag trackers so you’ll never lose your keys again. Is it worth it?