Welcome to your Saturday tech soup, friends! When was "Black Friday" first used in the U.S. to refer to the post-Thanksgiving shopping day? Was it … A.) 1951, B.) 1966, C.) 1975 or D.) 1980? You’ll find the answer at the end.

😎 Now, I have a sponsor a day that keeps these free newsletters coming your way. I’d like you to check out ExpressVPN. What you do on the internet is your business. Thank you, and let’s get your tech IQ up a few points! — Kim

Honesty time: I planned to knock out my Christmas list early this year. Yeah, that didn’t happen. (I’m busy writing this newsletter for you every day, OK?!)

The Black Friday-to-Cyber-Monday weekend mishmash is excellent for finding bargains, but locating what you want in stock and at the lowest price can be challenging.

I’m here to save you from all the clicks, countdowns and headaches. Here are the best ways to get the lowest possible prices — starting with a new tool from our ol’ frenemy, Google.

Google’s new price search tricks

Google says 23% of people procrastinate on gift-giving because it’s difficult to find deals (no kidding). Try this:

• Go to Google and type in shop deals (or just click that link).
• A different type of search page will pop up with categories (laptops, cameras, watches and more) you can explore.
• Look for nifty lil’ tags that say “43% off,” “Low price” or “Usually $500” to give you an idea of what’s a good deal.

If you know you’re getting your nephew a Chromebook for college, type “shop deals Chromebook” and Google will show results focused on Chromebooks. It’s not a perfect system, but it’s sweet when you’re first looking for a specific product.

🐝 Truth bee told, it’s the best

I use Honey on anything I buy online. To get started, download the Honey extension in your browser. After you install, choose an item you want Honey to watch and go to the product page on the merchant's site.

To add an item to your Droplist, click on Honey’s “h” icon. Scroll down in the Honey Tips window and click Add to Droplist. If an item has multiple options (size, colors, condition, etc.), pick one. Then click Save Item, and Honey will track that product. I give Honey a high‑hive.

Try Camelcamelcamel for Amazon deals

What a name, right? Camelcamelcamel exists solely to track Amazon deals. Sign up for a free account, and you can follow the price and get alerts for any product on Amazon.

You know me. I have more money-saving tips that won’t fit here. Head to my site for savings smarts.

🤗 Shout out to John in Sisseton, South Dakota, for asking me how to know if you’re getting the lowest price. Need my help? Drop me a line. I aim to please!

It’s something new every day with this guy: Apple, IBM and Lionsgate pulled their ads on X (I still think of it as Twitter) after claiming Elon Musk agreed with antisemitism posts and pushed support for white pride. No, I’m not going to repeat all that stuff here.

💰 You aorta know this: UnitedHealthcare is now denying patients coverage on an AI-based algorithm that’s accurate 90% of the time. The insurance giant is kicking people off rehab programs their Medicare Advantage Plan should cover. If you got denied, appeal that decision.

🇺🇸 Anti-American garbage: Osama bin Laden’s 20-year-old letter attempting to justify the 9/11 terror attacks is all over TikTok. People who weren’t even born in 2001 are reading and buying into the evil insanity. The best way to counter these lies is for us who know the truth to post it to TikTok.

How to prepare for a solar flare: Ask the prepper in your family this Thanksgiving what they'll do if there's a major solar flare. These flares can disrupt electronic tech and radio waves. Surge protectors should safeguard your gear, and having extra batteries and an emergency kit handy is wise in case of a blackout.

💃 Proof I read every single comment you leave: "Kim, cut out the stupid 3 letter abbreviations. You are not cool or groovy with them. Grow up and stop the language abuse!" Here’s my fun video reply. (Ahem, everything in tech has a three-letter abbreviation, buddy. And yeah, I am groovy!)

I make the complex world of tech simple and approachable. From explaining the latest gadgets in plain English to offering easy-to-follow cybersecurity advice, I’ve got you covered.

👉 Get my podcasts today!

Step into my office: Inside the CarePod, you can get your blood drawn, a blood pressure reading and a strep throat test … without a human doctor or nurse present.

🤑 I’m saving you money again: Do expensive cables last longer and hold up better than the cheap options? Find out. Spoiler: It depends!

No cap: Congrats, old-timers — Gen Z is the latest scam target. Share this with the young people in your life.

Slow your role: So you finally upgraded your router! Speedy internet bliss. But don’t forget to take this step with your old one.

🕵️ I’m makin’ a list: And here’s the tech that ends up on Mozilla’s Naughty List. Some are data hogs, others have suspect terms and conditions, and a few are just plain spies.

A virtual private network, or VPN, is a great place to start. A VPN encrypts your data and hides your IP address, giving you an extra layer of protection from snoops, advertisers and Big Tech companies looking to profit off you.

Some VPNs slow your connection or, worse, track your internet activity and compromise your security. Not ExpressVPN.

ExpressVPN’s servers run on RAM, or volatile memory, that’s cleared each time the server is reset — meaning they don’t save your data. You can connect in just one click from a Windows PC, Mac, iPhone, Android, iPad, you name it.

🚨 Deal alert: Get an extra THREE months free since you subscribe to my newsletter.

🔒 Attention Metamates: If you have a Facebook or Instagram account, pay attention. Meta changed its two-factor authentication (2FA) rules to automatically “trust” any devices you've regularly used its apps on over the last two years. Disable this. Open Settings, click Account Center > Password and Security, then click Two-factor Authentication to turn it off.

This feature blows me away: Imagine you’re on vacation and your security cams pick up someone prowling through your home. Now, with SimpliSafe,* a live agent can talk to your intruder and tell them the cops are on their way. Go to SimpliSafeKim.com to protect your home and your family for 50% off — for a limited time. The site makes it simple to find the right system for your needs.

Quick sharing tip: Want to share a specific section of a webpage? In Google Chrome, highlight the text, right-click your selection and choose "Copy link to highlight." Paste in that link, and it'll send your recipient right to that spot. Magic!

📴 Quick Android refresh: Hold the power and volume-up buttons simultaneously to do a soft reboot. Think of it as a fast way to end processes and speed up your phone.

This, not that: Don’t want curious fingers swiping around your iPad? Activate Guided Access. Just triple-click the home button once in the app you wish to lock onto, then triple-click again to exit and enter your passcode.

Oh, stop your pining!

The answer: B.) 1966. That year, the term "Black Friday" was first used by police in Philadelphia to describe the chaos on the day after Thanksgiving, when hordes of shoppers and tourists flooded the city before the big Army-Navy football game. You can use this fun fact to win a few Thanksgiving bets with family and friends!

Speaking of bets … A man in a nursing home tells a woman, “I bet you can’t guess how old I am.” The woman responds, “I bet I can if you drop your pants.” He does, and the woman says, “You’re 96.” Amazed, the man asked how she knew that, and she said, “You told me at breakfast.” (I heard you laugh!)

💛 Be sure to click this link to learn more about the VPN I use and recommend, ExpressVPN. I’ll see you bright and early on Sunday with the best newsletter in the USA! Thanks for letting me in your inbox. You’re amazing! — Kim