Jeff Rossen

2 weeks ago | wlwt.com | Jeff Rossen

You can significantly reduce your electric and water bills by addressing "phantom energy" and using smart home technology.About 20% of your electric bill goes toward something called "phantom energy," which is power being used even when your appliances are off.In a fully "smart home," the lights go on and off when you walk in and out of each room, but automation like that costs thousands. The cheap fix: buy an Alexa Echo Dot for just $49.99 on Amazon.

2 weeks ago | wcvb.com | Jeff Rossen

Travelers can find major discounts on food, drinks, and gas through rewards programs at Wawa, 7-Eleven, and Circle K. Wawa is offering $1 hot coffee up to 24 ounces, $2 iced coffee up to 32 ounces, along with some iced teas and fruit drinks for just a dollar for Wawa rewards program members. You can find out more in the Wawa app. At 7-Eleven, texting 'SAVE' to 711711 enrolls customers in the free rewards program, and gets you 25 cents off per gallon for the next three fill-ups.

2 weeks ago | wcvb.com | Jeff Rossen

In 2025, turning thrift store finds into profit has become a popular side hustle. The key to success is knowing how to look for gems among the clutter.You can use Google Lens to help determine the value of items on the spot. Take a picture of the item and instantly see its online selling price. Negotiation is another tip for maximizing profits. Many thrift stores are open to haggling, so it's worth asking for a discount.

1 month ago | wcvb.com | Jeff Rossen

A life-saving phone feature, Emergency SOS, is already on your device, but you need to ensure it’s turned on. This feature recently saved a family lost on a hike in Colorado by connecting them with police. Here’s how to activate it on your phone. For iPhone users, go to Settings > Emergency SOS, and toggle on “Hold and Release,” “Call with Five Button Presses,” and “Crash Detection.” Update your emergency contacts and try the demo to see how it works.

1 month ago | wcvb.com | Jeff Rossen

Car insurance premiums are on the verge of a dramatic spike due to new tariffs, and experts warn the impact could hit your wallet soon. The average annual car insurance cost in the U.S. is nearly $2,300, but tariffs could raise rates by 16%, adding $387 to your yearly bill. If exemptions on cars and parts are removed, premiums could jump 19%, costing an extra $435 annually. This increase stems from higher costs for insurers to fix or replace vehicles, which they pass on to consumers.