You wake up to start your day and the lights automatically dim on, the window blinds open, the coffee pot starts brewing and the thermostat is adjusted — all before getting out of bed. Is this heaven? No, it’s just a smart home. Wouldn’t it be nice to have certain aspects of your life automated? Thanks to smart home hubs you can do so affordably and easily. What is a hub exactly? Read on to learn more about how they can be the brains of your home and work with a growing list of products within each room…

Are you one of 70 million Americans who suffer from hypertension, or high blood pressure? If so, you’ll want to monitor your blood pressure from home. We’ve done the research and given you our picks for the best home blood pressure monitors with accuracy ratings, cuff sizes, pricing and more to help you make a potentially life-saving choice…

There’s nothing worse than losing your WiFi connection. Whether you’re in the middle of a project or streaming your favorite TV show, when the WiFi stalls, the claws come out. (And by claws we mean a frustrated household.) Time to upgrade your home network? Whole-home WiFi is a must for many families, and these solutions deliver fantastic performance and peace-of-mind to your entire home… 

DIY home security systems are all the rage these days, but how do you know which one is the best fit for your home and lifestyle? Piper Home Security is one of the most popular self-monitored security brands, with no monthly fees and home automation features among its biggest selling points. And the newer model, Piper nv, leaves its Classic model in the dust when it comes to video quality and night vision. But how does Piper stand up against the competition? Read our Piper Security reviews for the need-to-know info…

iSmartAlarm has created some buzz about self-monitored security systems (systems that you monitor yourself via notifications sent to you and using your network of contacts – no need to pay a monthly fee for a central monitoring station or enter into a multi-year contract). Not only does iSmartAlarm include multiple camera options, but it also has stellar customer service — two things often overlooked by companies providing home security. We’ve tested iSmartAlarm ourselves and take you through our installation experience. Read on to learn more about this DIY home security system…

Installing a home security system used to mean signing a contract with an alarm company, a big installation nightmare and paying monthly fees. Canary is trying to change the face of the home security industry with its sleek new all-in-one device…

Is Amazon Prime worth it? What does Amazon Prime get you? To Prime or not to Prime? These are the questions many of us have grappled with before. Amazon Prime certainly has its devoted members for many reasons (many people on our team being some of them), and there are a ton of benefits that go beyond free shipping and video streaming. Here, we’ll help you work through Amazon Prime benefits and cost to see if the membership makes sense for your budget…

Looking for a holistic view of your personal finances? Personal Capital gathers all of your finances into one easy to use service. Personal Capital specializes in two things: personal financial aggregating and advisory service to manage your money. The free service specializes in investment planning, which it does a great job at. With the ability to track every aspect of your finances you get (what Personal Capital calls) a 360° View of Your Financial Life…

Should you use Personal Capital or Mint for your personal finance needs? Depending on your financial goals you may choose one over the other. More specifically, do you want help with budgeting and spending? Or are you looking to plan ahead for the future? Your answer to these questions will determine which company is best for you…

Uh oh, you’ve heard about the data hacks and credit card breaches – identity theft is serious business and a security threat for each and every one of us. But now it’s time for you to learn more. Our LifeLock review includes the pros, cons, key features, pricing, customer testimonials and more to help you decide if the cost of LifeLock is worth it…

A while back my husband came home and told me to use cash (instead of my debit/credit card) anytime I fill up my car with gas. I was curious as to what spurred this request. It turned out, he had heard about criminals stealing peoples’ credit card information by placing skimmers on pumps at the gas station. It seems like we aren’t safe anywhere these days. However, identity theft protection services like IdentityForce can help monitor your personal information and warn you about suspicious activity. Learn how this company can help keep your financial information safe in our IdentityForce Review…