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 among the millions of Americans who still don’t have access to DSL or cable where you live? Feel like you’re stuck in the dark ages using a dial-up internet connection? You likely have another option — satellite internet. And depending on where you live, you could get a speedy internet connection. Read our best satellite internet providers review to see how the top services compare…

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) service secures your WiFi connection and protects your online activity from prying eyes. These are important to use when you are on public WiFi where you are more vulnerable to be hacked…

You watched the Jetsons as a kid, right? Or maybe your parents did. Either way, you’ve probably figured out that your smart home isn’t complete without a robot. They’re available to take over just about any chore you’d rather exchange for another pastime. We review robots that will mop your floor, keep an eye on …

Are your home’s smoke detectors up to snuff? Are you aware that you should replace your smoke detectors at least every ten years? Nearly 62% of home fire deaths occur in homes without working smoke alarms, reports the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). If your home doesn’t have smoke alarms — or you haven’t properly maintained your home’s smoke detector system — you’re putting your family in grave danger. Our smoke alarm reviews give you all the information you need to choose the best smoke detector for your home and our recommendations…

Deciding which personal finance software to use can be a difficult and confusing task. Just as your personal finance needs vary, so too do the individual features offered by each company. When managing your money and family budgets, it is essential to have the right tool to help you understand where personal spending is occurring and how you can adjust your budget to live a better life. We’ve researched the most popular solutions and selected our best personal finance software winner. We also share the pros and cons of the other players in the market so that you can make the best choice for you…

It’s never too early (or late) to start investing in your future. Retirement plans are a smart way to help ensure you’re financially secure when you need it. Saving a little can go a long way in the long term for your financial goals…

Home security systems aren’t just for homeowners. Renters should protect their valuables, keepsakes and privacy too. You may not plan on living in an apartment forever, but that doesn’t mean you want someone going through your belongings and taking what they please…

There are two types of home security systems prevalent on today’s market: those with professional monitoring (by a central monitoring station), and those that are self-monitored (by you and your network of contacts). The former typically includes a fairly steep ($30-$75) monthly fee to cover the cost of the monitoring station, while with the latter you typically only pay for the equipment. Don’t want this added expense of monthly monitoring? Worried about false alarms and getting fined by your city? We hear ya! These are a few of the reasons that self-monitored security systems have become so intriguing. They put you in control of your system, and you have access to cutting edge “smart” technology that you can control from your smartphone. With these DIY (do it yourself) security systems you’re in charge of when the authorities are called to your home and how you secure your home…

When we purchased our home in 2016, we knew security cameras were a must. We wanted to have a way to monitor the porch to protect our packages from being stolen since we are frequent online shoppers. Fortunately, we’ve never had a break-in or a box taken from our doorstep since moving in (in part thanks to our cameras which have hopefully deterred thieves)…

Need new glasses but not excited to spend a couple hundred dollars on new glasses? We’ve got a secret that could save you big bucks! You can shop for designer frames and high-quality lenses online for a fraction of the cost (as low as $6)…