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If you’ve been thinking about upgrading your phone, laptop or maybe finally grabbing that gaming console, here’s your sign: Do. It. Now. Not “next paycheck” now. But now.
Time for a little game I used to have on the show: Brand New or Not True.
Breaking news and tips
Get paid to stand in line for someone else
When I saw this, my first thought was, “That’s strange.” But I hate standing in lines. And what if you physically can’t do it but need to?
Then yesterday, I read a story in the WSJ (paywalled) about what a nightmare DMVs are right now with everyone scrambling to get a new ID. Starting May 7, you need a REAL ID to travel. The lines are wrapped around the buildings by people who need it. (I’m one of them!)
Roughly 70% of people won’t wait more than 15 minutes in line. And if you thought, “I don’t mind waiting,” keep reading. You can make money doing it.
⏰ Toe the line
Just like you can hire someone to put together a desk or walk your dog, you pay someone to stand in line. Simply open the app or website (like TaskRabbit or Spotblaze), and choose the “Line Sitter” or “Wait in Line” task.
Enter the time, place and any instructions. Browse workers, review their hourly rates, book and pay securely through the app (no awkward cash exchange, woo!).
It’s a great option if you have mobility issues. People also use line sitters for:
- Broadway rush tickets
- Product launches, sneaker drops and limited-edition merch
- Bin store restock days
- College admissions and registration
- Passport and DMV appointments
- Meet-and-greets, festivals and chances to meet a celeb
💵 OK, how much does it cost?
Pricing depends on your location, how long the line is and how popular the time slot is.
On TaskRabbit, most line sitters charge $25 to $35 an hour. Spotblaze has similar pricing, averaging around $30/hour.
Big cities (think NYC, LA, San Francisco) have higher rates, sometimes beyond $40/hour during peak events.
Guard what matters
🛡️ Protect your things and your peace of mind.
- A personal safety alarm (37% off) is essential.
- Put this great travel door lock (30% off) on any door.
- A fake rock (13% off) is better than the “key under the mat” trick.
- Hide your sensitive info with an identity theft roller (33% off).
- This paper shredder (23% off) runs 60 minutes straight.
👛 Safe n’ sleek: These men’s wallets (9% off) and women’s wristlets (28% off) block digital theft in style.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
Tech how-to: Delete your DNA data
You can freeze your credit. Change your password. Replace a stolen phone. But there’s one thing you can’t ever change: your DNA.
That’s why the news that 23andMe just filed for bankruptcy should set off alarms. This company collected genetic information from over 15 million people. Yours could be sold as part of bankruptcy proceedings, absorbed into a merger or leaked in a breach. You’ll never know until it’s too late.
From Lisa in Texas: “Kim, I’m done with Big Tech snooping. Is StartMail really private?” You bet! StartMail is built for privacy — no tracking, no ads, just secure email. You can even import all your old messages and contacts, hassle-free. Save 60% now with my exclusive link!
▶️ TikTok, who? YouTube wants you to watch more Shorts later this spring. They’re updating its video editor to automatically sync cuts to the beat of the music and AI stickers. Plus, no more minimum watch time. Views will be counted the second you press play. Cool, but we all know TikTok’s secret sauce is its algorithm.
Why I’m skipping Airbnb and Vrbo
With reports of hidden cams and weak enforcement, here’s why I’m done with these platforms.
👎 Downleveling: It’s the new tech hiring trend. You crush the interview … and then they offer a lower-level role than the one you applied for. Congrats! You nailed the interview for a job you didn’t want. Why? Companies have so many candidates, they’re not taking chances on anyone who doesn’t check every single box. Say no? Cool, there are a hundred others behind you ready to take it. Rude.
100
That’s how many hours MrBeast and his crew were allowed to explore the Great Pyramids of Giza. The YouTube megastar teamed up with Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and famed archaeologist Zahi Hawass to film a 21-minute whirlwind through ancient tombs, submerged chambers and more in tunnels tighter than a Mario Kart shortcut. And just because … How many Egyptians can you fit in a pyramid? A pharaoh mount. 😂
🤖 Mixed signals: Watch what you type into ChatGPT or any AI. Asking for a “detailed” answer and a “summary” can confuse your bot. Stick to positive language like “do” instead of “don’t.” AI is built for specific tasks, so saying not to do something is only helpful if you explain why. Keep it simple.
Feeling the sting of sky-high cloud costs: Here’s a smart move — switch to Oracle. Companies are saving up to 50% on their cloud bills without sacrificing performance. Want to see how much you could save? Check it out for yourself.
Fake car dealerships online
One woman lost $55K to a listing that looked totally legit. Here’s how to avoid falling for the same trick.
🧠 AI is changing radiology: Over 75% of AI software approved by the FDA for medical use is built for radiology. These tools scan hundreds of images and spot things like cancer, strokes and pneumonia (paywall link). Yep, that means doctors can catch urgent cases faster and treat patients sooner. They just have to watch out for the false reports, of course.
Verizon’s new price lock policy: With all the economic chaos going on, Verizon’s offering a three-year price guarantee on certain plans. Sounds great, right? Not so fast. This “deal” only covers the base charge. Fees aren’t included, so your bill can still go up. Oh, and they can also cut your monthly autopay discount in half. Cute, Verizon. Real cute.
🚨 Fake toll payment texts are back: And up by over 600%. Scammers are once again impersonating E-ZPass and others to steal your info and money. They’ll hit you with a text telling you to pay now or risk fines and a license suspension. Block the number, and don’t click the link. Next up: fake texts from “I-95” asking for child support.
🪀 RIP, cheap stuff: The days of filling carts with $2 eyebrow stamp kits and glow-in-the-dark toilet lights might be numbered. Global trade crackdowns (like killing the “de minimis” tax loophole) are making it harder for cheap imports from places like Temu and SHEIN to flood U.S. markets. Goodbye, weird little gadgets. You served … some purpose.
Electronics to buy before tariffs hit
A lot of your tech is made outside of the U.S. If you’re planning to get a new phone or laptop, don’t wait.
$600,000
That’s about how much a Michigan man made by selling counterfeit airbags on eBay. Authorities seized 1,600 of them, many missing inflators entirely. So basically, crash dummies were safer than some real drivers.
7:1
Yeah, so that myth is totally wrong. A new dog-age calculator says your pup’s “human years” age isn’t as easy as multiplying by 7. A 2-year-old dog is basically a full-grown adult, depending on the breed, according to scientists. So yes, your “puppy” might be old enough to refinance their student loans.
How to share your pics on the TV
Want to show off your pics? Pop them on the TV for everyone to see. Here’s how.