Use a dedicated password manager like 1Password or Bitwarden, not the password manager built into your browser.
The Good Lock vs. The Great Vault.
I used to save all my passwords in my web browser. It was convenient, but I learned a scary truth: if someone gained access to my unlocked computer, they had the keys to my entire digital life. A dedicated password manager is a true digital vault. It’s heavily encrypted, it works across all my devices and browsers, and it can store more than just passwords—like credit card info and secure notes. The browser’s manager is a decent lock on your door; a real password manager is a Fort Knox vault with a guard.
Stop paying for multiple streaming services you don’t watch. Do rotate your subscriptions on a monthly basis instead.
The Streaming Subscription Shell Game.
I was subscribed to Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, and Disney+, and my monthly streaming bill was approaching the cost of an old cable package. I realized I was only actively watching one or two of them at any given time. I started a new strategy: I rotate them. I’ll subscribe to HBO Max for a month, binge the one show I want to see, and then cancel and switch to Hulu. It’s a simple shell game that saves me a huge amount of money and ensures I’m only ever paying for the content I’m actually watching.
Stop using the default Mail app on your computer. Do use a more powerful client like Superhuman or just the Gmail web interface.
The Clunky Mailbox vs. The Supercharged Command Center.
The default Mail app on my computer was a slow, clunky, and feature-poor experience. It felt like a relic from a bygone era. I finally ditched it and just started using the Gmail web interface. It was faster, the search function was a million times better, and it integrated seamlessly with my calendar. For those who want more power, a client like Superhuman can turn your email into a productivity command center with keyboard shortcuts and AI features. The default app is a functional mailbox; modern clients are a mission control for your communication.
The #1 secret for protecting your privacy online that tech companies don’t want you to know is using a browser like Firefox with Enhanced Tracking Protection.
The Invisibility Cloak You Already Have.
I used to think that being tracked across the web by advertisers and data brokers was just an unavoidable part of using the internet. I felt powerless. Then I switched my web browser to Firefox and turned on its Enhanced Tracking Protection to the “Strict” setting. It was like putting on an invisibility cloak. Suddenly, thousands of third-party trackers were being blocked automatically, without me having to do anything. My web browsing was faster, and I had the peace of mind of knowing I had taken a powerful, simple step to reclaim my privacy.
I’m just going to say it: You probably don’t need to pay for an antivirus program anymore; Windows Defender is good enough.
The Free Bodyguard That’s Already on Your Computer.
For years, I paid an annual subscription for a well-known antivirus program, believing it was the only way to keep my computer safe. It was constantly nagging me with pop-ups and slowing down my system. I learned that the built-in security software that comes with modern Windows, Microsoft Defender, has become incredibly robust and effective. It runs quietly in the background, updates automatically, and provides excellent protection against viruses and malware without costing a dime. I’ve been using it for years and have never had a problem.
The reason your computer is so slow is because of all the bloatware that came pre-installed on it.
The Uninvited Guests in Your New PC.
I bought a brand-new, powerful PC, and I was so disappointed when it felt sluggish right out of the box. The problem wasn’t the hardware; it was the bloatware. The manufacturer had pre-installed dozens of unnecessary trial programs, games, and utilities that were constantly running in the background, consuming my memory and processing power. I spent an hour uninstalling all of these uninvited guests, and my new computer was suddenly as fast and responsive as it was supposed to be.
If you’re still paying for cloud storage, you’re losing out on the free tiers from Google, Microsoft, and Dropbox.
The Free Digital Attics.
I was paying a monthly fee for a cloud storage service that I was barely using. I didn’t realize that the major cloud providers all offer a generous amount of storage for free. Google Drive gives you 15GB, Microsoft OneDrive gives you 5GB, and Dropbox gives you 2GB. For most people’s basic needs—backing up important documents and photos—this free storage is more than enough. By spreading my files across these free “digital attics,” I was able to cancel my paid subscription and save myself a monthly bill.
The biggest lie you’ve been told about Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) is that they make you completely anonymous online.
The Cloak That’s Not Truly Invisible.
I started using a VPN, thinking it was a magic bullet for complete online anonymity. I thought no one could see anything I was doing. The reality is that a VPN is a powerful tool for privacy, but it does not make you anonymous. Your internet provider can’t see your traffic, but the VPN provider can. And websites can still use cookies and browser fingerprinting to track you. A VPN is like drawing the blinds on your house; it’s a crucial layer of privacy, but it doesn’t make your house disappear.
I wish I knew about the power of text expansion software for automating my typing when I was a student.
The Magic Snippets That Saved Me Hours.
I used to type the same phrases over and over again—my email address, my home address, a common response to an email. It was a small but constant waste of time. I discovered text expansion software. It’s a simple utility where I can create a shortcut, or a “snippet.” Now, when I type “;email,” it instantly expands to my full email address. I have snippets for everything. This simple tool has saved me from typing hundreds of thousands of keystrokes over the years. It’s an automated assistant for your fingers.
99% of people make this one mistake with their software: not enabling two-factor authentication.
The Digital Deadbolt You’re Not Using.
I had a strong password for my email account. I thought it was secure. Then a hacker was able to steal my password from a data breach on another website and get into my email. I learned the hard way that a password is not enough. Two-factor authentication (2FA) is the digital deadbolt for your accounts. It requires a second code, usually from your phone, in addition to your password. It means that even if a hacker has your password, they can’t get in without your phone. It is the single most important security feature you should enable everywhere.
This one small action of unsubscribing from email newsletters you never read will change your digital life forever.
The Magic Button That Stops the Flood.
My email inbox was a constant source of stress, flooded with hundreds of promotional emails and newsletters every day. I would spend ages deleting them, only for them to be replaced by more the next day. The solution wasn’t better organization; it was elimination. I took an hour and ruthlessly clicked the “unsubscribe” button at the bottom of every single email I didn’t truly want to receive. The next day, my inbox was almost empty. It was a feeling of pure calm. It’s the most effective way to reclaim your inbox and your sanity.
Use a note-taking app like Notion or Obsidian to build a “second brain,” not just a simple text file.
Your Brain Is for Having Ideas, Not for Storing Them.
I used to have my ideas and notes scattered across a dozen different text files and notebooks. It was a chaotic, disorganized mess. Then I discovered modern, linked note-taking apps. These apps allow me to not just take notes, but to connect them together, creating a web of my own knowledge. It’s like building a personal, digital “second brain.” I can capture, organize, and retrieve information with incredible efficiency. It has freed up my real brain to do what it does best: think and create.
Stop paying for Microsoft Office. Do use Google Docs or LibreOffice for free instead.
The Free Office That’s Just as Good.
I was paying an annual subscription for Microsoft Office, mostly just to use Word and Excel. I thought it was a necessary cost of doing business. The reality is that for 99% of what most people do, the free alternatives are just as good, if not better. Google Docs and Sheets are fantastic, cloud-based, and collaborative. And for those who want a more traditional, offline experience, LibreOffice is a powerful and completely free open-source suite. The days of Microsoft Office being a mandatory purchase are long gone.
Stop using your social media feed as your news source. Do subscribe to a reputable news organization instead.
The Algorithm Is Not a Journalist.
I used to get most of my news by scrolling through my social media feed. I thought I was staying informed. I was actually just living in an echo chamber, being fed a diet of outrage and misinformation that was algorithmically designed to keep me engaged, not to inform me. I finally subscribed to a few, reputable, non-partisan news organizations. The difference in the quality and the depth of the information was astounding. A real news subscription is an investment in being a well-informed citizen, not just a well-engaged user.
The #1 hack for a cleaner inbox is to use the “unsubscribe” link aggressively.
The One-Click Solution to Inbox Clutter.
My inbox was a raging river of promotional emails I never read. I would just delete them every day, but the river never stopped flowing. I was treating the symptom, not the cause. The solution is the beautiful, powerful “unsubscribe” link at the bottom of every single one of those emails. I started a new habit: if I’m not going to read it, I unsubscribe immediately. It takes two seconds. It’s the most effective way to turn off the firehose of junk mail and to reclaim your inbox for the emails that actually matter.
I’m just going to say it: The user interface on most smart TV operating systems is terrible. You’re better off with a dedicated streaming device.
The Dumb Stick That Outsmarts Your Smart TV.
I paid extra for a “smart” TV, excited to have all my streaming apps built-in. The reality was a frustratingly slow, clunky, and ad-filled interface. The apps were rarely updated, and they would crash constantly. I finally gave up and bought a simple, dedicated streaming stick, like a Roku or an Apple TV. It was a revelation. The interface was snappy and intuitive, the apps were always up-to-date, and it was a thousand times more pleasant to use. The “smart” part of my TV was a dumb, poorly-designed afterthought.
The reason you hate online ads so much is because you’re not using an ad blocker.
The Internet You Forgot Existed.
I had just accepted that the modern internet was a chaotic, seizure-inducing mess of pop-up ads, auto-playing videos, and giant banner ads that made it impossible to read an article. I thought this was just the price of admission. Then a friend installed an ad blocker on my browser. It was like I had been transported back to a cleaner, calmer, and faster version of the internet that I had forgotten existed. Websites loaded instantly, and I could actually read without being visually assaulted. It is an absolutely essential tool for a sane online experience.
If you’re still using an old, unsupported operating system, you’re risking your cybersecurity.
The Digital House With an Unlocked Door.
I was still using an old, but familiar, version of Windows on my computer. I would just ignore the update notifications. I didn’t realize that I was living in a digital house with an unlocked front door. When a company stops supporting an operating system, it means they are no longer releasing security patches for newly discovered vulnerabilities. This makes your computer a wide-open, easy target for hackers and malware. Running a modern, supported operating system is one of the most fundamental and important things you can do to protect yourself online.
The biggest lie you’ve been told about “free” apps is that they are actually free. You are the product.
The Price of “Free” Is Your Privacy.
I used to download every “free” app that looked interesting. I never thought about how the company was making money. I learned the old adage of the internet: if you are not paying for the product, you are the product. These “free” apps are often harvesting a huge amount of your personal data—your location, your contacts, your browsing habits—and then selling that data to advertisers and data brokers. The price of that “free” game is a comprehensive, and often invasive, look into your private life.
I wish I knew how to use regular expressions (regex) for searching text when I started working with data.
The Search Superpower.
I used to spend hours manually searching through text files and spreadsheets, trying to find specific patterns of data. It was a slow and error-prone process. Then I learned about regular expressions, or “regex.” It’s like a super-powered version of a find-and-replace tool. It’s a mini-language that allows you to search for complex patterns, not just simple words. Learning the basics of regex was a game-changer that automated a huge portion of my data-cleaning tasks and saved me hundreds of hours of manual labor. It’s a true digital superpower.
99% of people make this one mistake with their digital photos: not having a backup strategy.
The Memories Stored on a Ticking Time Bomb.
I had years of precious, irreplaceable family photos stored on my computer’s hard drive. I always told myself I’d back them up “later.” Then, my hard drive crashed without warning. Everything was gone in an instant. The feeling of loss was devastating. I learned the hard way that a hard drive is not an archive; it’s a ticking time bomb. The 3-2-1 backup rule is the key: three copies of your data, on two different types of media, with one copy stored off-site. Your memories are too important to be left to chance.
This one small habit of reviewing your app subscriptions once a month will change your finances forever.
The Leaks in Your Digital Wallet.
I signed up for a free trial of a new app and completely forgot to cancel it. A year later, I realized I had been paying a monthly fee for a service I hadn’t used in 11 months. It was a small but significant leak in my digital wallet. I now have a simple, monthly habit of reviewing all my active subscriptions on my phone. It takes five minutes, and it has saved me a surprising amount of money by helping me to find and cancel the “zombie” subscriptions that I had completely forgotten about.
Use a cloud backup service like Backblaze for your computer, not just a physical external drive.
The Automated, Off-Site Insurance Policy.
I was dutifully backing up my computer to an external hard drive that I kept on my desk. I thought I was safe. Then I had a fire in my apartment. The fire destroyed my computer, and the external hard drive that was sitting right next to it. I had lost everything. I learned that a true backup must be off-site. A cloud backup service is an inexpensive, “set it and forget it” solution that automatically backs up your entire computer to the cloud. It’s a fire-proof, theft-proof insurance policy for your entire digital life.
Stop using public Wi-Fi without a VPN.
The Coffee Shop Hacker You’ll Never See.
I used to log onto the free Wi-Fi at the coffee shop or the airport without a second thought. I had no idea how dangerous this was. Public Wi-Fi is an open, unencrypted network, which is like having a conversation in a crowded room—anyone can listen in. A skilled hacker sitting at the next table can easily intercept your passwords and personal information. A Virtual Private Network (VPN) creates a private, encrypted tunnel for your data, making you invisible to snoops. It’s an essential tool for any public Wi-Fi user.
Stop buying digital copies of movies. Do know that you’re just buying a license to watch them.
The Movie That Can Disappear From Your Library.
I was building a large, digital library of movies on a popular platform. I thought I “owned” these movies forever. Then the platform lost the licensing rights to one of my favorite movies, and it just disappeared from my library. I was shocked. I learned that when you “buy” a digital copy of a movie or a book, you are not actually buying the file; you are buying a revocable license to access it. The company can, and sometimes does, take it away. The only way to truly own a movie is to own the physical copy.
The #1 secret for learning a new software program is to watch tutorials on YouTube, not just fumbling through the menus.
The 10-Minute Video That Saves You 10 Hours of Frustration.
I used to try to learn a new, complex software program by just clicking around and fumbling through the menus. It was a slow, frustrating, and inefficient process. I learned that the fastest and most effective way to learn is to just go to YouTube and watch a “beginner’s guide” tutorial. In just 10 or 20 minutes, an expert can walk you through the core features and the basic workflow. It’s a small, upfront investment of time that will save you from countless hours of frustrating trial and error.
I’m just going to say it: Most software “updates” are designed to add features you don’t need and make the program slower.
The Bloat of the “New and Improved.”
I used to get excited when I saw a new software update was available. I thought “new” meant “better.” More often than not, the “update” would just add a bunch of confusing new features that I would never use, it would change the user interface for no good reason, and it would make the program run slower on my older computer. The incentives of the software company—to constantly add new features to justify a subscription—are often not aligned with the user’s desire for a simple, fast, and stable tool.
The reason your phone’s battery life is so bad is because of social media apps running in the background.
The Vampires in Your Pocket.
My phone’s battery could barely make it to the end of the day. I thought the battery was just getting old. I finally went into the battery settings and was shocked to see what was using all the power. The biggest culprits were the social media apps, which were constantly running in the background, fetching new content, and tracking my location, even when I wasn’t using them. I disabled the background app refresh and location services for these apps, and my battery life nearly doubled overnight. They are true battery vampires.
If you’re still paying for a separate calendar app, you’re losing the integration of the free Google Calendar.
The Calendar That’s Already the Center of Your Universe.
I was paying for a fancy, standalone calendar app. It was beautiful, but it was an island. It didn’t talk to my email or my other apps. I finally just fully committed to using the free Google Calendar. The deep integration with Gmail, where it automatically adds your flight information and reservations, and its ability to seamlessly sync with virtually every other app and service, makes it an incredibly powerful and convenient hub for your entire life. For most people, its power and ubiquity make a paid alternative completely unnecessary.
The biggest lie you’ve been told about food delivery apps is that the “delivery fee” is the only extra cost.
The Hidden Fees on Your Burger.
I used to think that the delivery fee was the only extra cost when I ordered from a food delivery app. I was wrong. I did a comparison. I looked at the price of an item on the restaurant’s actual menu, and then I looked at the price of the same item in the app. The app’s price was often 20-30% higher. The apps are not just charging you a delivery fee; they are also marking up the price of every single item, and they are charging the restaurant a huge commission. It’s a web of hidden fees.
I wish I knew about file-syncing services like Dropbox or Google Drive when I was constantly emailing files to myself.
The Magic Folder.
I used to live in a state of constant, low-grade panic about my files. I would work on a document on my desktop, and then I would have to remember to email the latest version to myself so I could work on it on my laptop. It was a nightmare of version control. A file-syncing service was a complete revelation. I now have a “magic folder” that is exactly the same on all my devices. I can work on a file on my desktop, and it is instantly and automatically updated on my laptop. It’s a seamless, thought-free system that has saved my sanity.
99% of users make this one mistake with their privacy settings: accepting the defaults.
The Default Is Not Your Friend.
When I would get a new app or a new device, I would just click “agree” and accept all the default settings without a second thought. I was in a hurry to just start using it. I learned that the default settings are almost always designed to benefit the company, not the user. They are designed to maximize the amount of data they can collect from you. Taking an extra five minutes to go through the privacy and notification settings and to be intentional about what you are sharing is a crucial step that most people skip.
This one small action of clearing your browser’s cache and cookies regularly will improve its performance.
The Digital Dust Bunnies.
My web browser would get slower and slower over time, and websites would start to act buggy. I thought it was just getting old. The problem was the accumulation of digital dust bunnies. My browser’s cache and cookies were full of old, temporary files that were slowing things down. I started a simple habit of clearing my cache and cookies once a month. It’s like giving your browser a fresh start. It’s a simple, two-minute maintenance task that can have a noticeable impact on your browser’s speed and performance.
Use a screen-capture tool like ShareX or Snagit, not just the basic Print Screen key.
The Screenshot Superpower.
I used to use the basic Print Screen key to take a screenshot, and then I would have to open an image editor to crop and annotate it. It was a slow, multi-step process. A dedicated screen-capture tool is a massive productivity booster. With a simple keyboard shortcut, I can capture a specific region of my screen, add arrows, text, and highlights, and then instantly copy it to my clipboard or save it as a file. It turns a clumsy process into a lightning-fast workflow.
Stop using your work computer for personal tasks.
The Computer That Isn’t Yours.
I used to treat my company-provided laptop like it was my own personal device. I would use it for personal browsing, social media, and online banking. I learned that most companies have monitoring software installed on their devices. They have the ability to see your browsing history, your emails, and in some cases, even your keystrokes. It’s important to remember that a work device is the property of your employer, and you should have no expectation of privacy on it. Keep your personal and professional digital lives separate.
Stop hoarding thousands of unread emails. Do declare “email bankruptcy” and archive everything.
The Liberation of a Clean Slate.
My inbox had over 10,000 unread emails. It was a source of constant, low-grade anxiety. It was a to-do list that I could never complete. I finally decided to declare “email bankruptcy.” I selected all the emails in my inbox, and I hit the “archive” button. They were all gone, moved to an archive where I could still search for them if I needed to. The feeling of starting over with a clean slate was incredibly liberating. It allowed me to create a new, healthier relationship with my email.
The #1 hack for a faster internet experience is to change your router’s DNS settings to a faster service like Cloudflare (1.1.1.1) or Google (8.8.8.8).
The Internet’s Phone Book.
My internet felt sluggish, even though I was paying for a fast connection. I learned about DNS. Every time you type a website address, your computer has to look it up in a “phone book” called a DNS server. The default DNS server provided by your internet service provider is often slow and unreliable. I changed the DNS settings on my router to a free, public DNS service. It took five minutes, and it was like I had installed a faster phone book for my entire home network. Websites started to load noticeably faster.
I’m just going to say it: Subscription-based software is a raw deal for consumers.
The Software You Rent, But Never Own.
I used to buy a piece of software once, and I would own it forever. Now, almost all major software has moved to a subscription model. I am no longer a customer; I am a subscriber. I am forced to pay a monthly or annual fee, forever, just to continue using the tools I need for my work. If I stop paying, I lose access to the software and, in some cases, to my own work. This model is a massive financial win for the software companies, but it is a raw deal for the consumer.
The reason you can’t find your files is because you don’t have a consistent naming convention.
The File Name That’s a Secret Code.
My computer was full of files with names like “report_final_final_v2.docx.” It was a chaotic mess, and I could never be sure which was the most recent version. I finally created a simple, consistent file naming convention. I use the format “YYYY-MM-DD_ProjectName_Version.ext.” It’s a simple, logical system that automatically sorts my files chronologically, and it makes it so much easier to find what I’m looking for. A good naming convention is the foundation of a sane digital filing system.
If you’re still using your ISP’s webmail interface, you’re losing features and a professional look.
The Email That’s Stuck in 2005.
I used to just log in to my internet provider’s website to check my email. The interface was clunky, it was covered in ads, and an email address that ends in “@comcast.net” doesn’t look very professional. I learned that I could set up my ISP’s email account in a modern, powerful, and free email client like Gmail or Outlook. This gave me a much cleaner interface, a world-class spam filter, and a host of powerful features, all while still using my old email address.
The biggest lie you’ve been told about cloud computing is that it’s inherently secure.
The Cloud Is Just Someone Else’s Computer.
I used to think that by putting my files in the cloud, they were automatically and magically secure. I learned an important truth: “the cloud” is just a marketing term for someone else’s computer. While the major cloud providers have excellent security, a huge number of data breaches are the result of simple user error, like a weak password or a misconfigured setting. The security of your data in the cloud is a shared responsibility. You still need to use a strong, unique password and two-factor authentication.
I wish I knew about RSS feeds for following blogs and news sites without algorithms.
The Chronological Internet You Can Control.
I was tired of the social media algorithms deciding what I should read. I was missing posts from my favorite blogs, and my feed was full of rage-bait. I rediscovered RSS. It’s an old, simple technology that allows me to subscribe directly to the websites I care about. I use an RSS reader app, and it gives me a simple, chronological feed of all the new articles, free of any algorithm. It has allowed me to curate my own, personal, and much calmer online reading experience.
99% of people make this one mistake when canceling a service: not getting a confirmation email.
The Zombie Subscription That Comes Back to Life.
I called to cancel a gym membership, and the person on the phone said, “Okay, you’re all set.” A month later, I was charged again. I had no proof that I had canceled. I learned a crucial lesson: you must always get a written confirmation of your cancellation, usually in the form of an email. That confirmation email is your proof. Without it, it’s just your word against theirs. It’s the one, final step that ensures a canceled subscription stays dead.
This one small habit of logging out of websites when you’re finished will improve your security.
The Open Door You’re Leaving Behind.
I used to just close the browser tab when I was done using a website, like my online banking. I was still logged in. I learned that this can be a security risk, especially on a shared computer. By taking the extra three seconds to actively log out of a website, you are closing and locking the door behind you. It’s a simple habit that ensures your session is fully terminated and your account is secure.
Use a virtual machine to test out new software safely, not your primary operating system.
The Digital Sandbox.
I wanted to try out a new piece of software I had downloaded, but I was worried it might contain a virus or mess up my computer. I learned about virtual machines. A virtual machine is like having a complete, separate computer that runs in a window on your main computer. It’s a safe, isolated “sandbox” where you can test new software, open suspicious files, or even run a different operating system, without any risk to your main system. If something goes wrong, you just delete the virtual machine.
Stop clicking “I agree” on terms of service without at least skimming them.
The Contract You’re Signing Without Reading.
We are presented with a massive wall of legal text, and we all just scroll to the bottom and click “I agree” without reading a single word. We are signing a legally binding contract, and we have no idea what we are agreeing to. While you don’t have to read every single word, taking 30 seconds to skim for keywords like “data,” “third parties,” and “arbitration” can give you a much better sense of the rights you are signing away. It’s a small act of digital due diligence.
Stop paying for a PDF editor. Do use free online tools for simple edits instead.
The Free Editor That’s Good Enough.
I needed to make a simple change to a PDF file—to sign a document or to combine two files. I thought I had to buy an expensive subscription to Adobe Acrobat Pro. I learned that for most simple, everyday PDF tasks, there are a host of high-quality, free online tools that can do the job just as well. Websites like Smallpdf or iLovePDF allow you to edit, convert, and sign PDFs for free, right in your web browser. Don’t pay for the professional-grade tool when the free version is all you really need.
The #1 secret for a secure password is length and randomness, not just complex characters.
The Power of the Passphrase.
I used to think that a secure password was one with a bunch of complex symbols and numbers, like “P@ssw0rd1!” I learned that these are actually relatively easy for a computer to crack. The single most important factor in a password’s strength is its length. A long, random, and memorable passphrase, like “correct horse battery staple,” is exponentially more secure and much easier to remember than a short, complex one. Length trumps complexity, every single time.
I’m just going to say it: Your smart speaker is always listening.
The Assistant That’s Also a Spy.
I love the convenience of my smart speaker. But it’s important to be clear-eyed about what it is: a sophisticated, internet-connected microphone, made by one of the largest data-gathering companies in the world, that you have willingly placed in the most private spaces of your home. While it’s only supposed to record after you say the “wake word,” there have been numerous instances of it recording by mistake. It is a device that is, by its very nature, always listening. It’s a trade-off of privacy for convenience that we should all be conscious of.
The reason you get so much spam is because you’re using your primary email address to sign up for everything.
The Email Address You Give to Strangers.
My primary email inbox was an unusable swamp of spam and marketing emails. The problem was that I was using my one, important email address for everything—from online shopping to signing up for a newsletter I would only read once. I created a second, “disposable” email address. I now use this address for all my non-essential sign-ups. My primary inbox is now a clean, calm space reserved for important, personal communication.
If you’re still using a pop-up blocker from 2005, you’re losing the power of modern ad blockers like uBlock Origin.
The Pop-Up Is Just the Tip of the Iceberg.
I had a simple pop-up blocker and I thought I was protected from ads. I was wrong. The modern advertising ecosystem is so much more invasive than just pop-ups. I switched to a comprehensive, open-source ad blocker like uBlock Origin. It doesn’t just block pop-ups; it blocks banner ads, video ads, and most importantly, the invisible third-party trackers that follow you around the web. It’s a much more powerful tool that not only cleans up your web pages but also protects your privacy.
The biggest lie you’ve been told about AI is that it’s going to take your job tomorrow.
The Hype vs. the Reality.
The headlines are full of scary predictions about how Artificial Intelligence is going to take all our jobs. The reality is that while AI is a powerful and transformative technology, it is not a magical, sentient being. The current state of AI is a tool that is very good at specific, narrow tasks. It is much more likely to be a co-pilot or an assistant that will change the way we work, rather than a wholesale replacement for human thought and creativity, at least for the foreseeable future. The hype is far ahead of the reality.
I wish I knew that most paid software has a free and open-source alternative.
The Software That’s Built by the Community.
I used to pay for all my software—my photo editor, my video editor, my office suite. I had no idea that for almost every major piece of paid software, there is a powerful, high-quality, and completely free and open-source alternative. GIMP is a fantastic alternative to Photoshop. DaVinci Resolve is a professional-grade video editor. LibreOffice is a full-featured office suite. These are powerful tools that are built by a global community of developers, and they are available to everyone for free.
99% of parents make this one mistake with their kids’ devices: not setting up parental controls.
The Unfettered Access to the Entire Internet.
I gave my child their first tablet, and I just let them have at it. I was shocked when I saw the inappropriate videos they had stumbled upon on YouTube. I had made a classic, and dangerous, mistake. I had given them a powerful, unfiltered portal to the entire internet without any guardrails. Modern operating systems all have robust, built-in parental controls that allow you to set time limits, to filter content, and to approve app downloads. It’s an essential, non-negotiable step for any parent.
This one small action of creating a “throwaway” email alias for new sign-ups will change your digital life forever.
The Email Address That’s Not Your Real Address.
I wanted to sign up for a newsletter, but I didn’t want to give them my real email address and end up on a dozen marketing lists. I started using a service that allows me to create unique, “throwaway” email aliases. I can create a new, random email address for every single service I sign up for. All the email is still forwarded to my real inbox, but if I start to get spam from one of those services, I can just turn off that specific alias. It gives me complete control over who is allowed to email me.
Use a clipboard manager to save your copying and pasting history, not just relying on a single-item clipboard.
The History of Your Copied Thoughts.
I used to live in a state of constant, low-grade “clipboard anxiety.” I would copy a piece of text, and then I would be terrified of accidentally copying something else before I had a chance to paste it. A clipboard manager is a simple utility that has been a complete game-changer. It runs in the background and saves a history of everything you’ve copied. I can now go back and find a link or a piece of text that I copied hours or even days ago. It’s a simple tool that has saved me from a huge amount of rework.
Stop buying e-books. Do use your library’s free e-book service like Libby instead.
The Library in Your Pocket.
I love to read, but my e-book habit was getting expensive. I was buying several new books a month. Then I discovered Libby. It’s a free app that connects to your local library card and allows you to borrow e-books and audiobooks for free, right on your phone or e-reader. I now have access to a virtually unlimited library of books, and it hasn’t cost me a single penny. It is one of the greatest and most underutilized free resources in the digital world.
Stop using the notes app on your phone for sensitive information.
The Unencrypted Sticky Note.
I used to use the basic notes app on my phone to jot down everything, including sensitive information like passwords or account numbers. I thought it was private. I learned that these simple notes apps are often not encrypted, and if someone were to get access to my phone, that information would be completely exposed. For any truly sensitive information, a dedicated, encrypted password manager or a secure notes app is the only safe place to store it. A basic notes app is just a digital sticky note.
The #1 hack for getting a student discount on software is to keep your .edu email address active.
The Email Address That Keeps on Giving.
When I graduated from college, I thought my .edu email address was going to be shut down. I was surprised to learn that many universities allow you to keep your email address active for years, or even for life. This is a golden ticket to a world of discounts. A huge number of software companies and online services offer significant student discounts, and the only thing you need to prove your eligibility is a valid .edu email address. It’s a simple hack that has saved me hundreds of dollars over the years.
I’m just going to say it: The “metaverse” is a solution in search of a problem.
The Clunky, Virtual World Nobody Asked For.
I’ve seen the demos of the “metaverse.” It’s a clunky, low-resolution, virtual world where we are all supposed to have meetings and go shopping as legless avatars. I have yet to see a single compelling use case for this technology that isn’t already better, easier, and more enjoyable in the real world or on the 2D internet. The metaverse is a classic example of a technology that is being pushed by a few massive companies, not one that is being pulled by any real consumer demand. It’s a solution in search of a problem.
The reason your favorite app is now terrible is because it was acquired by a larger company.
The Kiss of Death from a Tech Giant.
I used to love a simple, elegant to-do list app. It did one thing, and it did it perfectly. Then it was acquired by a big tech company. The app quickly became a bloated, slow, and confusing mess, as the new owners tried to cram in a dozen new features that I didn’t need. It’s a classic story in the tech world. A big company buys a small, beloved product to either kill a competitor or to absorb its users, and in the process, they destroy the very thing that made the product great in the first place.
If you’re still manually updating your software, you’re losing out on the convenience and security of automatic updates.
The Update That Happens While You Sleep.
I used to have to remember to manually check for updates for all my different software programs. It was a tedious chore that I would often forget to do, which left me vulnerable to security risks. I went through all my apps and enabled automatic updates. It’s a “set it and forget it” feature that has been a huge quality-of-life improvement. I no longer have to think about it. The software just updates itself in the background, ensuring I always have the latest features and, more importantly, the latest security patches.
The biggest lie you’ve been told about online reviews is that they are all genuine.
The Five-Star Review That Was Bought and Paid For.
I used to trust the five-star reviews on an online product page. I thought they were all from real, happy customers. I learned that the world of online reviews is a swamp of fake and incentivized reviews. Companies will pay for five-star reviews or will offer free products in exchange for a positive review. You have to learn to be a skeptical reader. Look for detailed, balanced reviews, and be wary of a product that has nothing but short, generic, five-star raves. The truth is often in the three-star reviews.
I wish I knew about IFTTT (If This Then That) to automate my digital life sooner.
The Digital Dominoes.
I used to spend so much time on small, repetitive digital chores. I wished my apps could just talk to each other. Then I discovered IFTTT. It’s a simple, free service that allows you to connect all your different apps and services together to create automated “recipes.” I now have an applet that automatically saves any photo I’m tagged in on Facebook to my Dropbox. I have another that sends me a text message if it’s going to rain tomorrow. It’s like creating a set of digital dominoes that automate the boring parts of your life.
99% of people make this one mistake when their computer is acting up: not trying a simple restart first.
The Oldest Trick in the Tech Support Book.
My computer was acting slow and buggy. An application was frozen, and I was about to start a deep dive into my system settings. I was frustrated and ready for a long battle. I remembered the first and most important rule of tech support: “Have you tried turning it off and on again?” I did a simple restart. The computer booted back up, and the problem was completely gone. A restart clears out the computer’s memory and fixes a surprisingly huge number of common, everyday problems. It should always be your first step.
This one small habit of organizing your digital files into folders will save you countless hours of searching.
The Digital Junk Drawer vs. the Filing Cabinet.
My “Downloads” folder was a chaotic wasteland of thousands of files with random names. Finding anything was a stressful, ten-minute search. I finally took an hour and created a simple, logical folder structure for all my digital files. Now, when I download a file, I immediately move it to its proper home. The five extra seconds it takes to file it correctly saves me from countless hours of frustrating searching down the road. It’s the difference between a digital junk drawer and a perfectly organized filing cabinet.
Use a video editor like DaVinci Resolve (which has a free version), not an expensive one like Adobe Premiere, for most projects.
The Hollywood-Grade Editor That’s Free.
I wanted to get into video editing, but I was intimidated by the high cost of a subscription to a professional program like Adobe Premiere. I discovered DaVinci Resolve. I was shocked to learn that the free version of this software is an incredibly powerful, Hollywood-grade video editor that is used on major motion pictures. For 99% of what a YouTuber or a hobbyist would ever need to do, the free version is more than powerful enough. You don’t need an expensive subscription to get professional-level tools.
Stop using your Facebook login to sign up for other services.
The Key to Your Entire Digital Kingdom.
The “Log in with Facebook” button is so convenient. It’s a one-click way to sign up for a new service. It’s also incredibly dangerous. By using this feature, you are linking your accounts together. If your Facebook account is ever compromised, the hackers now have the keys to every single other account you have linked to it. And you are also giving that third-party app a huge amount of access to your personal information. It’s a convenience that comes at a huge cost to your security and your privacy.
Stop paying for a music streaming service if you only listen to a few artists. Do buy their music directly from a platform like Bandcamp.
The Support That Actually Supports the Artist.
I was paying a monthly fee for a music streaming service, but I realized I was only listening to the same handful of my favorite, independent artists. I also learned that these streaming services pay the artists a laughably small fraction of a penny per stream. I canceled my subscription and started buying the music directly from the artists on a platform like Bandcamp. The artists get a much larger share of the money, and I get to own the music forever. It’s a much more direct and meaningful way to support the musicians you love.
The #1 secret for avoiding phishing scams is to never click a link in an unexpected email.
The Email That’s a Trojan Horse.
I got an email that looked like it was from my bank. It said there was a problem with my account and that I needed to click a link to verify my information. It looked completely legitimate. I was about to click it, but I remembered the golden rule. I opened my web browser and manually typed in my bank’s web address myself. My account was fine. The email was a sophisticated “phishing” scam designed to steal my login information. Never, ever click a link in an unexpected email, especially if it’s about a sensitive account.
I’m just going to say it: The algorithm is not your friend. It’s designed to keep you engaged, not informed.
The Junk Food Diet for Your Brain.
I used to just passively scroll through my social media and video feeds, letting the algorithm decide what I should see next. I thought it was showing me what was important. I learned that the algorithm has only one goal: to maximize my engagement and to keep me on the platform for as long as possible. It does this by feeding me a diet of outrage, controversy, and addictive content. It is a junk food diet for your brain. To be truly informed, you have to actively seek out information from a variety of reputable sources, not just passively consume what the algorithm serves you.
The reason you’re paying for so many subscriptions is the “set it and forget it” business model.
The Silent Drain on Your Bank Account.
I looked at my credit card statement and was shocked to see how many small, recurring subscription charges I had. A streaming service I never watched, a magazine I never read, an app I hadn’t opened in months. The entire subscription business model is built on the “set it and forget it” principle. Companies know that once you sign up, you will likely forget you are even paying for it. A regular, monthly audit of your subscriptions is the only way to fight back against this silent, and very profitable, drain on your bank account.
If you’re still using Microsoft Paint for image editing, you’re losing the power of free tools like Photopea or GIMP.
The Photoshop in Your Browser.
I needed to do some basic photo editing—to crop an image or to remove a background. I thought my only options were the primitive Microsoft Paint or an expensive subscription to Adobe Photoshop. I discovered Photopea. It is a completely free, web-based photo editor that runs in your browser and has almost all the power and features of Photoshop. For any basic to intermediate photo editing task, these powerful, free tools are a revelation. The gap between the free and the professional tools has almost completely disappeared.
The biggest lie you’ve been told about learning to code is that you need a computer science degree.
The University of the Internet.
I wanted to learn how to code, but I was so intimidated. I thought I needed to go back to school and get a four-year computer science degree. I learned that in the world of programming, your skills and your portfolio are what matter, not your degree. There is an incredible wealth of high-quality, free and low-cost resources online—from YouTube tutorials to platforms like freeCodeCamp—that can take you from a complete beginner to a job-ready developer. The university of the internet is open to everyone.
I wish I knew that a good file search utility like “Everything” for Windows could find any file instantly.
The Search Bar That Actually Works.
I was constantly frustrated by the slow and often ineffective built-in search function in Windows. I would be searching for a file that I knew was on my computer, and it would take forever to find it, if it found it at all. I downloaded a free utility called “Everything.” It was like I had installed a super-powered search engine for my own computer. It indexes all your files and can find any file or folder, instantly, as you type. It is a simple, free tool that has saved me countless hours of frustrating searching.
99% of people make this one mistake with their Wi-Fi: still using the default network name and password from their ISP.
The Welcome Mat for Hackers.
When the technician installed my internet, he left the Wi-Fi network with a default name, like “Linksys123,” and a password that was printed on a sticker on the router. I never thought to change it. I learned that this is a huge security risk. The default passwords for many routers are easily available online, which makes it incredibly easy for a hacker to get into your network. Taking five minutes to change your network name (SSID) and to create a strong, unique password is one of the most important things you can do to secure your home network.
This one small action of backing up your phone before a major software update will change your life forever.
The Insurance Policy for Your Digital Life.
I saw the notification for a major new software update for my phone, and I just clicked “install” without a second thought. Something went wrong during the update, and my phone was completely wiped. I lost years of photos and contacts. It was a heartbreaking and completely avoidable disaster. I learned a crucial lesson: before any major software update, you must back up your phone. It’s a simple, 10-minute insurance policy that protects your entire digital life from a catastrophic failure.
Use a podcast manager app to listen to your favorite shows, not just streaming them from a website.
The Netflix for Your Ears.
I used to just go to a podcast’s website and stream the latest episode. It was a clunky and disorganized way to listen. A dedicated podcast manager app, like Pocket Casts or Overcast, was a game-changer. I can subscribe to all my favorite shows in one place, the new episodes are downloaded automatically, and the app has powerful features like the ability to trim silences and to create playlists. It’s like having a Netflix for your ears, and it turns a passive listening experience into a curated and enjoyable one.
Stop letting apps track you across other apps and websites.
The Stalker in Your Pocket.
I was shopping for a pair of shoes on a website. Then I opened my social media app, and I was immediately hit with an ad for those exact same shoes. It was creepy. I learned that this is because I was allowing apps to track my activity across other apps and websites. I went into my phone’s privacy settings and turned off this tracking feature for all my apps. It’s a simple switch that dramatically reduces the amount of data that advertisers have on you and makes you feel a little less like you have a stalker in your pocket.
Stop buying new software without searching for a discount code first.
The 30-Second Search That Saves You 20%.
I was about to buy a piece of software online. On a whim, I opened a new tab and did a quick search for “[Software Name] discount code.” I was surprised to find a handful of valid codes. I tried one, and it instantly saved me 20% on my purchase. It was a 30-second search that saved me a real amount of money. Before you click the “buy” button on any piece of software or online service, always take a minute to search for a discount code. You’ll be surprised at how often you find one.
The #1 hack for a better video streaming experience is to use an ethernet cable instead of Wi-Fi.
The Wired Connection Is King.
My 4K movies were constantly buffering and dropping in quality, even though I had a fast internet connection and a powerful Wi-Fi router. The problem was the Wi-Fi itself. It’s susceptible to interference and congestion. I finally ran a simple, inexpensive ethernet cable directly from my router to my streaming device. The buffering problems vanished instantly. A wired connection is always faster, more stable, and more reliable than a wireless one. For high-bandwidth activities like streaming and gaming, the wire is king.
I’m just going to say it: That “lifetime deal” on a new piece of software probably means the company will be out of business in a year.
The Lifetime That’s Shorter Than You Think.
I used to be so tempted by those “lifetime deals” for new, unproven software. It seemed like such an amazing value. I bought a few, and the result was always the same. The software was buggy, the support was non-existent, and within a year or two, the company would go out of business, and my “lifetime” license was worthless. I learned that a sustainable software company is one with a sustainable business model, which is usually a subscription. The “lifetime deal” is often just a desperate cash grab from a company that is not long for this world.
The reason you’re getting so many unwanted notifications is because you clicked “allow” without thinking.
The Permission You Gave and Forgot.
I was being driven crazy by the constant, intrusive notifications popping up in my web browser. I thought I had a virus. The reality was that at some point in the past, a website had asked, “Do you want to allow notifications?” and I had just clicked “allow” without thinking. I went into my browser’s settings and was shocked to see a long list of websites that I had given permission to send me notifications. I revoked all of them, and the peace and quiet was glorious.
If you’re still using a to-do list app that doesn’t sync across your devices, you’re losing your mind.
The One List to Rule Them All.
I had a to-do list on my work computer, a different one on my phone, and a few sticky notes on my desk. It was a recipe for chaos, and I was constantly forgetting things. A good to-do list app must be able to seamlessly sync across all your devices. I need to be able to add a task on my phone when I’m out and about, and to see that same task on my computer when I get back to my desk. A single, unified, and always-in-sync list is the only way to have a trusted system.
The biggest lie you’ve been told about digital minimalism is that it’s about owning less technology.
The Intentionalist, Not the Luddite.
I used to think that digital minimalism meant I had to get rid of my smartphone and live in a cabin in the woods. I was wrong. Digital minimalism is not about owning less technology; it’s about being more intentional with the technology you own. It’s about a ruthless curation of your digital life, keeping only the tools and the apps that provide a huge amount of value, and getting rid of all the distracting, low-value noise. It’s not about becoming a Luddite; it’s about becoming an intentionalist.
I wish I knew about the “dark mode” option in most apps to save my eyes at night.
The Switch That Soothes Your Screen.
I would be using my phone in bed at night, and the bright, white screen was like a spotlight in my dark room. It was straining my eyes and making it hard to fall asleep. I discovered “dark mode.” With a simple switch in the settings, the app’s interface changes from a bright white background with dark text to a dark background with light text. It is so much more comfortable and less jarring to look at in a low-light environment. It’s a simple feature that has made my late-night reading so much more pleasant.
99% of people make this one mistake when setting up a new device: not going through the privacy settings.
The Data You’re Giving Away by Default.
I got a new smartphone and I was so excited that I just blew through the setup process, clicking “agree” on everything. I had just, by default, given the manufacturer and a dozen different apps a huge amount of access to my personal data—my location, my contacts, my photos. I learned that you must always take an extra 10 minutes to go through the privacy settings on a new device. It’s a crucial step that allows you to be intentional about what data you are sharing and to take back control of your own personal information.
This one small habit of closing unused browser tabs will free up your computer’s memory.
The Tab Hoarder’s Epiphany.
I was a chronic tab hoarder. I would have dozens, or even hundreds, of browser tabs open at all times. I thought I might need them “later.” My computer was slow, and the browser was constantly crashing. I learned that every single one of those open tabs is consuming a small amount of my computer’s precious memory and processing power. I started a new, simple habit: if I’m not actively using a tab, I close it. My computer is now so much faster and more stable.
Use a recipe manager app like Paprika, not just a folder of bookmarks.
The Digital Cookbook That Goes With You.
I used to have my recipes scattered everywhere—in a folder of bookmarks, in a physical binder, in screenshots on my phone. It was a disorganized mess. A recipe manager app was a revelation. With a single click, I can save a recipe from any website, and the app will automatically format it and strip out all the ads and the long-winded stories. I can create meal plans, generate a shopping list, and have my entire recipe collection with me on my phone or my tablet in the kitchen.
Stop using Google for every search. Do try a privacy-focused search engine like DuckDuckGo.
The Search Engine That Doesn’t Follow You.
I used to use Google for everything. I didn’t think about the fact that every single search I made was being tracked, cataloged, and used to build a detailed profile of me for advertisers. I switched my default search engine to a privacy-focused alternative like DuckDuckGo. The search results are just as good, but they have a simple and powerful privacy policy: they don’t track you. Ever. It’s a simple, free switch that allows you to take back a small, but significant, piece of your online privacy.
Stop paying for a resume builder. Do use a template in Google Docs or Canva instead.
The Free Template That’s Just as Good.
I was trying to create a new resume, and I was tempted by the dozens of online resume builders that promised a beautiful, professional-looking resume for a monthly fee. I learned that I could get the exact same result for free. There are hundreds of high-quality, professional resume templates available for free in Google Docs and in design tools like Canva. With a little bit of customization, you can create a stunning resume that is just as good, if not better, than what you would get from a paid service.
The #1 secret for a successful software implementation is user training, not the software itself.
The Powerful Tool That No One Knows How to Use.
My company spent a fortune on a powerful, new piece of project management software. It was supposed to revolutionize our workflow. It was a complete failure. No one used it because no one knew how to use it properly. They had just thrown the tool at us without any training or support. I learned that the success of any new software has very little to do with the features of the software itself. It has everything to do with a proper implementation and a commitment to user training. A powerful tool is useless in the hands of an untrained user.
I’m just going to say it: The constant push to be “connected” 24/7 is a drain on your mental health.
The Tyranny of the Always-On.
I used to feel a sense of pride in being “always on.” I would answer emails at 10 PM and on the weekends. I thought it showed I was dedicated. I was just burning myself out. Our brains are not designed to be in a constant state of connectivity. We need time for deep, disconnected rest and focus. I started setting firm boundaries. I now have a clear “off” switch at the end of the day. The world does not end if an email goes unanswered for a few hours. That disconnection is essential for long-term mental health and creativity.