Good old-fashioned robocalls are out in full force, too. If you pick up your phone and see an incoming call from this number, don’t answer. Here are proven ways to get the gifts you want while staying on your budget.
1. Get a discount on brand new tech
To do that, visit the Trade-In page and choose the category for your device. You can browse by device and model to see what kind of credit you’ll get. Speaking of Alexa, she can do a lot more than tell you the weather. Use the digital assistant to schedule meetings, set reminders and lots more. Tap or click here for 21 Alexa commands you’ll use over and over.
2. Request their wish lists now
They can do this through their accounts or your shared family account. To set up a wish list: To share a wish list:
Navigate the list page. From the homepage, hover over Accounts & Lists > Your Lists.At the top, click Send list to others.Choose View Only or View and Edit. The second option allows someone to add or remove items.Share by copying the link or via email.
Pro tip: New lists are Private by default, but you may have wish lists connected to your profile that are available to anyone who stumbles upon them. Tap or click here and scroll down to No. 3 for steps to secure your wish lists.
3. Use up dwindling gift cards
Find the claim code, usually 14 or 15 characters long and typically contains letters and numbers.Go to Redeem a Gift Card.Enter your claim code and select Apply to Your Balance.
4. Use coupon codes to save even more
You can even set a Google Alert if there’s a specific product you’re on the hunt for. Tap or click here and scroll down to “Keep track going forward” for simple steps. Tap or click here for the complete list and direct links to discounted pricing. Now, let’s address spoilers. You don’t want to waste time and cash on a big surprise that gets ruined before you open gifts.
6. Hide your searches
There’s nothing worse than when our tech blabs on us. Take pesky targeted ads. Say I buy my husband a watch. There’s a good chance we’ll both start getting ads for it since we share an IP address. Tap or click here for a simple trick to stop that: Incognito mode. You can turn off browsing history altogether, too. At the top of that page, click Manage history. Toggle Browsing History off.
7. Hide your orders, too
Once you hit buy on a present, you can keep that under wraps, too. Hover your cursor over Account & Lists > Your Account and click on Orders. Find the order you want to hide and click Archive Order. This will remove the item from immediate viewing within your order history. It’s important to note; archived orders can still be viewed by going to the Your Account page and selecting Archived Orders. PRIVACY 101: 8 ways Google constantly invades your privacy — and how to fix it Bonus Tip: Digital Life Hacks: Smart digital tips you need to know Check out my podcast “Kim Komando Explains” on Apple, Google Podcasts, or your favorite podcast player. Over the years, I have made it my mission to share quick tips and advice to make your digital life easier. These are all those clever hacks you won’t find buried in a user manual. In this episode, my team and I share smart new tech know-how, from a safer way to share passwords to turning your handwritten notes digital. Listen to the podcast here or wherever you get your podcasts. Just search for my last name, “Komando.” What digital lifestyle questions do you have? Call Kim’s national radio show and tap or click here to find it on your local radio station. You can listen to or watch The Kim Komando Show on your phone, tablet, television, or computer. Or tap or click here for Kim’s free podcasts.
