Kimberly Alt

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…

We think you’ll be interested to read our Select Home Warranty Review. We’ve discovered some information that we believe you’ll want to know before signing up for their service. We’ve read through their Terms & Conditions and found limitations that gave us pause. We also uncovered a number of negative customer reviews. Although at the end of this article you may or may not choose to go with Select Home Warranty, it may help you determine what things to look for when buying a new home warranty policy…

Got a smartphone and looking to add a higher level of security to your home? Today’s world of home security has evolved from simple entry and motion sensors to a smart collection of gadgets that can transform your home into a safe haven you can monitor and control from just about anywhere. You’ll be notified not only of intruders, but of fires, floods, carbon monoxide, and more, right as they happen. And in most cases it’s so easy to setup your kid can probably do it!…

You’re buying a new TV for your house, but after swiping your credit card, the cashier tells you your card was declined. WHAT?! You check your recent transactions and see that someone’s been using your card for the past month. Your identity has been stolen, and you feel like your world has been flipped upside down. This is when having an identity theft protection service, like Identity Guard®, comes in handy. Not only do these services alert you when they detect potentially fraudulent activity, but some even help you recover after the damage is done. How does Identity Guard® protect your identity? With so many competing services, is it your best bet?…

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…

You grab your laptop to browse the web and realize it won’t boot up. You’ve got it hooked to the charger, and yet nothing happens. Great, something’s broken. Now you need to find someone to fix it. Should you go to Geek Squad at Best Buy or should you go elsewhere? Let’s dissect Geek Squad and see if they’ll fix your device, set up your equipment or cause you more pain…

Using your phone as a hotspot is draining your battery. So, you either choose to use unsecured public WiFi or have no phone battery the rest of the day. It’s a lose – lose situation. It doesn’t have to be this way. Having access to high-speed internet is easier than you think. There are plenty of 3G, 4G and LTE WiFi options that won’t cost a fortune and are small enough to fit in your pocket so you can take them with you on the go! We also review a speedy 5G option. But, which is the best WiFi hotspot device for your needs and money?

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…

Natural disasters often happen suddenly and without warning. And man-made emergencies can be terrifying. Quickly gathering up your family and getting to a safe place should be your #1 priority, not searching for emergency preparedness supplies. That’s why we think these emergency kits can be life savers. We suggest having one at home, work and in each vehicle. Checkout some of the best emergency kits that we’ve reviewed in this article…

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…