Q&A: Squeeze more life out of an old phone
Q. My iPhone 5 is starting to run slowly, but I’m not ready to upgrade. What can I do?
A. Here’s a little tech trick you can use to get it to run faster. Running a quick restart will give it a boost. Just hold the “Home” button until you see the message “Slide to Power Off.” Then hold the “Home” button again for about five seconds. This will refresh your phone’s homepage and reload your apps so they’re run better. Click here for six more iPhone tricks you should start using.
Protecting your kids’ online
Q. I’m worried about what my kids are doing online. I don’t want to spy, but want to know they’re safe. What can I do?
A. One of the easiest things you can do is change the browser your kids are using when they surf the web. I recommend trying Yippy. It’s a browser that’s specifically designed to block adult content. Plus, Yippy doesn’t collect personal information that could be compromised by hackers, so your kids also have privacy. Click here to learn more about Yippy and other browsers that don’t track you.
Troubleshooting computer problems
Q. Whenever my computer acts up, my IT guy tells me to reboot before he’ll even look at it. Why is that?
A. It may sound too simple to be true, but the reality is that rebooting can really fix the issues you’re experiencing. This is because many computer issues are temporary glitches that are resolved when your computer restarts. Of course, rebooting won’t fix everything. If you have an issue with your hardware or have a virus, count on additional troubleshooting. Next time, before you call your IT guy, check out these tips for troubleshooting common computer problems.
More ways to make money at home
Q. I heard you talk about Uber on your radio show as a way to earn extra money. Are there other ways, too?
A. To make money at home, be honest about what you’re good at. If you’re artistic, you can sell handmade items on Etsy, or even Handmade at Amazon. If you like taking photos, you can sell your photography on sites like Imagekind or FineArtsAmerica. There are also sites like Fivrr where you can pick up little jobs that people need, like writing social media posts or business data entry.
Keeping track of all your bills
Q. My son just moved out of the house, and I’m trying to teach him about managing money. I don’t want him to ruin his credit. Help!
A. Parents want to look out for their kids in every way possible, but as kids grow up, we can’t always be there to hold their hands. Luckily, when it comes to learning to be responsible with money, there’s an app that can help your kids out. It’s called Prism. It lets you store the details of all of your bills and their due dates in one place, and it even sends reminders so your payments won’t be late.
Finding deals online
Q: There are so many places to shop these days. How can I tell I’m getting a good deal?
A: Finding great deals is actually easier than ever if you’re using technology to your advantage. Set Google Alerts for your favorite brands and include keywords like sale, discount, closeout, etc. If you set an alert, Google will email you when it finds something online that matches your search term. You can also compare prices from other retailers at the click of a button.
On the Kim Komando Show, the nation's largest weekend radio talk show, Kim takes calls and dispenses advice on today's digital lifestyle, from smartphones and tablets to online privacy and data hacks. For her daily tips, free newsletters and more, visit her website at Komando.com or send her an email.