Technology
10 things to stop paying for to save money now
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Money can start to feel tight faster than you expect. It is not always one big expense. More often, it is a series of small charges that quietly add up over time.
When that happens, it is easy to think you need a major reset. You don’t. In many cases, the fastest way to create breathing room is to stop paying for things that are not adding real value to your day.
That is where this list comes in. These are 10 common expenses you can cut back on right now. Start with one or two, and you will likely notice the difference quickly.
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VIRAL GROCERY SHOPPING METHOD PROMISES TO SLASH SPENDING: ‘WAY EASIER, WAY CHEAPER’
Cutting back on recurring costs like delivery apps, gym memberships and bottled water can create quick financial breathing room. (David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
1) Daily ‘treat’ habits that quietly add up
That quick coffee run or snack feels harmless. It takes a minute and gives you a boost. Over time, it adds up fast. A $6 drink every weekday can reach around $1,500 a year. You don’t have to cut it completely. Just change how often it happens.
Tech tip: Use your banking app’s spending insights to see how much you’re actually spending in this category. Most major banks now auto-categorize purchases.
Quick step: Open your banking or credit card app, then go to transactions or spending insights. Use the search bar and type “coffee” or filter by a category like “dining” or “food and drink.” Most apps will show how much you’ve spent over the last month.
Seeing the total makes it easier to cut back without guessing.
2) Convenience spending you barely notice
Convenience costs more than it seems. Delivery apps, one-click checkouts and saved payment methods make it almost too easy to spend. That is when purchases start happening without much thought.
Tech tip: Remove saved cards from your favorite shopping apps. Making yourself enter your payment details each time can help slow down impulse buys.
Quick step:
- iPhone: Settings > Wallet & Apple Pay > select a card > Remove Card
- Android: Open the Samsung Wallet app > tap All or Menu > Payment cards > select a card > tap More (three dots) > Remove card. (Settings and menu names may vary slightly depending on your software version.)
- Google Pay (Android): Open Google Wallet app > tap your card > three dots (top right) > Remove payment method
- Apps (Amazon, DoorDash, Uber, etc.): Open the app > go to Account or Profile > tap Payments, Wallet or Payment methods > select a card > tap Edit or Remove. (Menu names may vary slightly depending on the app version.)
A small pause at checkout can stop a purchase you did not really need.
3) Subscriptions you forgot you had
Streaming services, apps, cloud storage and free trials that turned into charges. Most people are paying for at least one thing they rarely use.
Tech tip: Your phone already tracks this.
Quick steps:
- iPhone: Settings > your name > Subscriptions
- Samsung Galaxy (Android): Open Google Play > Profile icon > Payments & subscriptions > Subscriptions (Menu names may vary slightly depending on your device and software version.)
You’ll see everything in one place and can cancel in just a few seconds.
4) Storage you never visit
Storage units feel temporary, but the monthly charge sticks around. If you have not used those items in a year, you likely do not need them.
Tech tip: Sell items quickly using apps like Facebook Marketplace or OfferUp instead of letting them sit.
Quick step: Take photos on your phone, list items in minutes and price to move.
Turning unused items into cash is better than paying to store them.
7 FOOLPROOF WAYS TO SAVE MONEY IN A TOUGH ECONOMY
Small daily purchases, unused subscriptions and convenience spending can quietly drain your budget faster than expected. (Douglas Rissing/Getty Images)
5) Gym memberships you are not using
Signing up feels productive. Showing up is what counts. If you are not going, it becomes a recurring charge with no benefit.
Tech tip: Replace it with free fitness apps or built-in phone features.
- Apple Fitness: Basic tracking is free with iPhone
- YouTube: Free workout videos are easy to find
- iPhone: Open the Health app > tap Steps to track your daily movement
- Samsung: Open the Samsung Health app> tap Steps (or install it if needed)
Quick step: Set a daily step goal in your Health or Samsung Health app and start there.
Consistency matters more than where you work out.
6) Bottled water and repeat small buys
This one slips under the radar. Buying a drink here, a snack there or a bottle of water on the go does not feel like much in the moment. But over time, it turns into a steady drain on your budget. If you have access to clean tap water, you are paying for something you already have. The real issue is not the item. It is the pattern. These are repeat purchases that happen automatically.
Tech tip: Use your phone to break the habit before you leave the house, not after you are already out.
Quick step:
- iPhone: Open the Reminders app > tap New Reminder or the + sign > type “Bring water bottle” > tap the (i) icon > set it to alert you at a specific time or when leaving your home location > Click the blue check mark in the upper right of the screen.
- Samsung: (Menu names may vary slightly depending on your device and software version.)Option 1: Open Reminder app (Samsung Reminders) > Create reminder > add “Bring water bottle” > set time or location.Option 2: Say, “Hey Google, remind me to bring my water bottle when I leave home.”
Catching the habit before you leave helps you avoid spending later.
7) Premium gas your car does not require
Many drivers pay extra for premium gas without needing it. If your car is designed for regular fuel, premium will not help performance.
Tech tip: Look up your car’s fuel requirement online in seconds.
Quick step: Search: “Does [your car model] require premium gas” or check your manual digitally.
Using the right fuel can save you money every time you fill up.
8) Upgrading your phone too often
New phones are appealing. The upgrades feel important. In reality, most changes are minor, and your current phone likely still does everything you need. The biggest issue most people run into is not performance. It is battery life. That is often fixable.
Tech tip: Check your battery health and storage before deciding to upgrade. Those two things usually explain why a phone feels “old.”
Quick steps:
- iPhone: Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging (look at Maximum Capacity)
- Samsung: (Menu names may vary slightly depending on your device and software version.)Settings > Battery > Battery usage > tap Diagnostics or Device care > check battery status
Battery health above 85% means you are in good shape. Keep your phone. Around 80% or lower means the battery is wearing out. Replace the battery instead of upgrading. Still running slow after updates and clearing storage? It may be time to move on.
HOUSING EXPERT WARNS PRE-PANDEMIC AFFORDABILITY LEVELS MAY NEVER RETURN IN AMERICA
Saving money often starts with fewer automatic charges, fewer impulse buys and better use of the tech you already have. (Juanmonino/Getty Images)
9) Lottery tickets and quick-win promises
It is easy to justify a few dollars here and there. But over time, it adds up, and the odds stay the same.
Tech tip: Set up an automatic transfer instead.
Quick step:
- Go to your bank app
- Set recurring transfer (even $5 a week) to savings
You turn a habit into something that actually builds money. Plus, small, steady savings will always beat relying on luck.
10) Buying out of habit, not need
Scrolling and buying can become automatic. Most purchases are not planned. They happen in the moment. That is how small, unplanned spending starts to add up.
Tech tip: Turn off push notifications from shopping apps. Fewer alerts mean fewer chances to buy on impulse.
Quick step:
- iPhone: Settings > Notifications > select app > toggle off
- Samsung: Settings > Notifications > App notifications > toggle off notifications for the app you wish to stop receiving notifications from (Menu names may vary slightly depending on your device and software version.)
Fewer alerts mean fewer chances to spend without thinking.
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Kurt’s key takeaways
You don’t need to cut everything. Focus on the expenses that are not adding real value. Saving money does not always come from doing more. Often, it comes from doing less. Less automatic spending. Fewer impulse purchases. Fewer charges you forgot about. Technology can either make spending easier or help you stay in control. It depends on how you use it. Start small. Stay consistent. That is where the real change happens.
So here’s something worth thinking about: Which app, subscription, or habit is quietly costing you money every month without you realizing it? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.
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Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
Technology
All the news about Ferrari’s polarizing Luce EV
Ferrari released the first interior images of the company’s first all-electric supercar, called the Ferrari Luce (“light” in Italian). This is the second time the Italian automaker has teased the Luce (formerly Elettrica) without showing us the actual car, or even a silhouette. But the interior images should suffice given the bold-faced name of the designer: Jony Ive.
Ferrari decided to outsource the work of designing the Luce’s interior to Ive and his partner Marc Newson, who together run the design shop LoveFrom. Ive, obviously, is well known for his work as Apple’s former chief designer, overseeing such iconic products as the iMac, iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. Now he’s turning his attention to a vehicle from Ferrari — and perhaps, in the process, giving us an idea of what an Apple car could have looked like, had the tech giant decided to pursue its secretive Project Titan instead of spiking it.
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Technology
Your health app may be failing you
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Healthcare has moved onto your phone. That sounds convenient until you are staring at a login screen, trying to refill a prescription, book a telehealth visit or figure out why your insurance portal will not load.
For many older adults, this shift has created a new kind of health problem. It is called low digital health literacy, and it can affect much more than your patience.
Digital health literacy means having the knowledge, access and confidence to use online health tools. That includes apps, patient portals, prescription refills, telehealth visits, benefit websites and digital forms.
New research from CVS Health on Medicare-age adults found that many seniors want to use digital health tools. However, they often hit roadblocks that make care harder to manage. Those roadblocks include confusing portals, privacy concerns, outdated devices, spotty internet and hard-to-follow health information.
HOW TO HELP OLDER RELATIVES WITH TECH OVER THE HOLIDAYS
That can lead to missed appointments, delayed care, prescription problems and more stress for people already managing health challenges.
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SCAMMERS EXPLOITED MOM’S FEARS TO STEAL HER ENTIRE LIFE’S SAVINGS
Older adults are increasingly managing healthcare through apps and online portals, but confusing systems and security concerns are making digital care harder to navigate. (Jaap Arriens/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Why digital health literacy affects your care
Healthcare companies, insurance plans, pharmacies and doctors’ offices now rely heavily on digital tools. You may need an app to check test results. You may need a portal to message your doctor. You may need a website to understand your benefits.
That works well when the tool feels simple. It becomes a problem when the tool creates more confusion than clarity.
The CVS Health research found that digital health literacy challenges appeared across several common areas. Many older adults struggled to navigate health information online. Others worried about whether websites or apps could protect their personal information. Some lacked reliable internet or newer devices. Many simply felt unsure about what to click next.
That uncertainty matters. When someone cannot access a portal, understand a benefit or complete a refill request, digital care becomes a barrier instead of a shortcut.
Why seniors need better digital health support
One of the most important findings is encouraging. Older adults are not rejecting technology across the board. In fact, the research found that 86% of respondents were open to digital health engagement. Many were willing to learn. They just wanted tools that matched their comfort level.
That point challenges a common assumption. The bigger issue is design. Many people want to use digital health tools, but the experience often feels confusing. A person may use a smartphone every day and still struggle with a health portal. Health tasks can feel more stressful than everyday online tasks because the stakes are higher. A wrong click can feel risky. A confusing message can raise anxiety. A failed login can delay something important.
Common digital health problems older adults face
The research points to several pain points that will feel familiar to many older adults.
1) Confusing portals and health websites
Many people feel overwhelmed when trying to find health information online. They may not know which portal to use, where to check benefits or how to fix an error message. This gets harder when each doctor, pharmacy or insurer uses a different system. One login handles test results. Another handles prescriptions. A separate website shows insurance coverage. That creates a lot of digital homework.
2) Passwords and login problems
Simple tasks can fall apart at the login screen. Forgotten passwords, two-factor codes and account lockouts can stop someone from getting the care information they need. Security matters. Still, a login process that feels impossible can push people away from digital care entirely.
3) Privacy and scam concerns
Many older adults worry about sharing personal information online. That concern makes sense. Health accounts can contain sensitive details, including medications, diagnoses, insurance information and payment data. Scammers also target older adults with fake medical messages, bogus pharmacy alerts and phishing emails that look official. As a result, some people hesitate even when a real health message arrives.
4) Old devices and weak internet access
Digital health tools assume people have reliable internet, updated phones and working software. Many do not. Older devices may run slowly or fail to support newer apps. Limited internet access can make telehealth frustrating. Cost can also stop people from upgrading devices or paying for faster service.
Why telehealth still feels risky for some seniors
Telehealth became familiar to many people during the pandemic. The research found that many Medicare respondents had previous telehealth experience and saw its convenience. Still, some remained skeptical. The biggest concern was whether telehealth could actually address their health problem.
That hesitation makes sense. A video visit may work well for a follow-up question, medication discussion or minor issue. It may feel wrong for a new symptom, pain that needs an exam or anything that feels urgent. The takeaway is simple. Telehealth works best when patients understand when to use it and when to ask for in-person care.
GOOGLE’S AI UNLEASHES POWERFUL SCAM-BUSTING FEATURES FOR ANDROID
New CVS Health research found many Medicare-age adults want to use digital health tools, but outdated devices, login issues and privacy fears remain major obstacles. (Gabby Jones/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
How AI could change digital health literacy
AI is starting to appear in healthcare tools. It may help explain benefits, answer basic questions and guide people through online tasks. Used well, AI could reduce frustration. It could translate confusing health language into plain English. It could help someone find the right next step faster.
However, AI also creates a new challenge. People need to know when they are dealing with AI, what the tool can do and when they should ask for a real person. That human backup is important. For healthcare, trust often depends on knowing help is available when something feels confusing, sensitive or serious.
How to use health apps safely
If you have ever felt stuck inside a health app, you are not alone. Digital health tools can help you manage care, but only when you know how to use them safely. Here are the key things to know.
1) Keep a written list of your health logins
Keep a secure list of your main health websites and apps. Include your doctor portal, pharmacy account, insurance account and telehealth platform. A password manager can make this much easier. It can store strong passwords, fill them in for you and reduce the chance that you type your information into a fake site. Check out the best expert-reviewed password managers of 2026 at CyberGuy.com.
On iPhone running: Go to Settings > General > AutoFill & Passwords. Turn on AutoFill Passwords and Passkeys. Then choose the password app you want to use. Apple says Password AutoFill can fill saved passwords and passkeys from the Passwords app or supported password apps.
On a Samsung phone: Settings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer
Go to Settings > Security and privacy > More security settings > Passwords, passkeys and autofill > Preferred service. Choose Samsung Pass, Google or your preferred password manager. If you do not see that path, open Settings and use the search bar at the top to search Preferred service.
2) Go straight to the official website or app
If you get a text or email about your health account, avoid clicking the link. Open the official app from your phone’s home screen. You can also type the website into your browser yourself. This one habit can help you avoid many phishing scams. If a message says your account has a problem, do not use the link in that message. Go directly to the health app, pharmacy app, doctor portal or insurance website.
3) Turn on two-factor authentication
4) Ask for human help when you get stuck
You should not have to guess your way through healthcare. If a portal confuses you, call the provider, pharmacy or insurance plan directly using the number on your card or the official website. Ask them to walk you through the task slowly. You can also ask whether they offer in-person help, phone support or printed instructions.
5) Use telehealth for the right kind of visit
Telehealth can work well for follow-ups, prescription questions, some mental health appointments and simple care needs. For new symptoms, severe pain, breathing trouble or anything that feels urgent, ask whether you need in-person care. When in doubt, call a medical professional.
6) Check app permissions
Health apps may ask for access to your location, camera, microphone, photos or notifications. Some permissions make sense. Others may not be necessary.
On iPhone: Go to Settings > Privacy & Security. Tap the item you want to check, such as Location Services, Camera, Microphone or Photos. Tap the health app you want to review. Choose the safest option that still lets the app work. Apple says this area lets you review which apps can access features such as the camera, microphone and location.
To check notifications on iPhone, go to Settings > Apps > [name of health app] > Notifications. Turn Allow Notifications on or off.
On a Samsung: Settings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer Go to Settings > Apps > tap the three dots in the upper-right corner > Permission manager. Tap a permission, such as Location, Camera or Microphone. Tap the health app you want to review. Choose Allow only while using the app, Ask every time or Don’t allow, depending on what you want the app to access.
To check notifications on Samsung, go to Settings > Apps > [name of health app] > Notifications. Turn notifications on or off.
7) Keep your phone and health apps updated
Updates can fix bugs and close security holes. They can also make apps work better with your doctor, pharmacy or insurance portal.
On iPhone: Go to Settings > General > Software Update. Wait for the screen to check for updates. If an update appears, tap Download and Install and follow the instructions.
To update apps on iPhone, open the App Store. Tap your profile picture in the top-right corner. Scroll down to App Updates. Tap Update next to the health app or tap Update All.
On a Samsung phone: Settings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer Go to Settings > Software update > Download and install. If an update appears, tap Install now and follow the instructions.
To update apps on Samsung, open the Google Play Store. Tap your profile picture in the top-right corner. Tap Manage apps & device. Tap Updates available. Tap Update next to the health app or tap Update all.
For Samsung apps, open the Galaxy Store app. Tap Menu in the bottom-right corner. Tap Updates. Tap Update all to update everything, or tap the update icon next to one app to update it by itself.
8) Add strong antivirus software
Strong antivirus software can help protect you from scam links, fake websites, malicious downloads and other online threats. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe. This matters because health accounts can contain personal details, insurance information and prescription data. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices at CyberGuy.com.
9) Watch for scam warning signs
Be careful with messages that create panic. Scammers may say your benefits will stop, your prescription has been canceled, or your account has been locked. Look for spelling errors, strange links, urgent demands and requests for payment. Real health organizations should never pressure you to share passwords or one-time codes. If you are unsure, stop and call the company using a phone number from your card, bill or official website.
How to help a loved one use health apps
Many older adults want support, not someone taking over the whole process. If you help a parent, spouse or friend, sit beside them and let them do the clicking when possible. Explain what each step means. Help them save official websites as bookmarks so they can return safely later. Also, slow down. Healthcare already feels stressful. Technology can make that stress worse when someone feels embarrassed or rushed. A little calm help can build confidence over time.
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1.7 BILLION PASSWORDS LEAKED ON DARK WEB AND WHY YOURS IS AT RISK
Telehealth and online prescription systems can simplify care, but many seniors still struggle with passwords, portals and scam risks tied to digital health platforms. (Gabby Jones/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Kurt’s key takeaways
Digital health tools are now part of everyday care. They can save time and make routine tasks easier. Yet they can also leave people behind when the design feels confusing, or the support disappears too quickly. The best health technology should make people feel more in control. That means simple logins, clear instructions and an easy way to reach a real person when something goes wrong. For older adults and the families who love them, digital health literacy has become a practical safety skill. It can affect whether people book appointments, refill medications and feel safe using online care.
When your healthcare moves onto a screen, who should be responsible for making sure you can actually use it? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.
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Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
Technology
Did the Pope use AI to write about the dangers of AI?
It’s possible that AI was used to write parts of Pope Leo XIV’s latest encyclical about AI’s impact on humanity. An analysis by Linch Zhang posted on the forum LessWrong found certain paragraphs of Magnifica Humanitas to be between 40 percent and 100 percent written by AI, according to the popular AI detector Pangram.
The document includes known traits that appear in AI-generated writing, such as a higher use of the word “genuinely” — which crops up in writing by Anthropic’s Claude — than previous encyclicals, Zhang says. Another person ran the text of the document section by section through Pangram, finding that 62 percent of its first chapter was flagged as AI generated. When The Verge ran roughly 2,000 words of the document through Pangram, it estimated that 46 percent was AI-written.
AI detection isn’t foolproof
Still, other portions register as being written by humans. Zhang notes that Pangram flagged some sections as “essentially 0% AI.” The first 20 paragraphs of the last four encyclicals, when run through Pangram, had a 100 percent confidence of being human written. And a transcript of Pope Leo’s speech, run through Pangram, was also rated as 100 percent human.
AI detection isn’t foolproof. Different AI detectors can display different results, and even when there’s consensus there’s no guarantee they’re correct. But Pangram is generally respected among AI researchers. In March 2025, Pangram said it estimated its false positive rate of reporting human-written work as AI-generated “to be approximately 1 in 10,000.”
Encyclicals are lengthy letters published by the pope, meant to impart teachings that address important moral and social challenges of the time, according to The New York Times. This encyclical is the pope’s first, with the most recent one written by Pope Francis in October 2024. It’s also the first to focus on AI and its wide-ranging influences, with Pope Leo notably presenting it alongside Christopher Olah, a co-founder of Anthropic.
The Vatican didn’t immediately reply to a request for comment.
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