General

I'm a big believer in the old Boy Scout motto: be prepared.

That's why I always pack a prepaid modem in my travel bag, just in case there's no Wi-Fi available wherever I end up. This happens more often than you might think.

Through tomorrow, and while supplies last, you can get the T-Mobile Jet 2.0 prepaid 4G laptop stick for $19.99 shipped. Props to reader Harvey for sharing this deal.

Like the aircards of old, the Jet 2.0 plugs into your Mac or PC, endowing it with high-speed Internet access -- in this … Read more

This is an update of a deal I posted about a year ago.

Much as I love my TiVo, I despise the monthly subscription fees that go along with it. It can literally cost you a couple hundred bucks per year. As Dr. Smith would say, "Oh, the pain!" (Don't get the reference? Ask your parents. If they watched cheesy 60s sci-fi, that is.)

A much cheaper option over the long haul: Ceton's InfiniTV 4 products, which can turn a Windows PC into a pretty sweet DVR.

For a limited time, Newegg has Ceton InfiniTV 4 USB for $169.99 shipped. … Read more

For anyone who's actually trying to save money (what a concept, right?), today is going to be a tough one. I've got five -- count 'em, five -- deals, each one better than the last.

As always, these are available while supplies last -- and supplies don't always last long. They're in stock as of this morning, and the prices are accurate as of this morning. That is all.

1. Acer ultrabook So I'm thinking about a new laptop. The one I'm using now is OK, but has a smaller screen (11.6 inches) … Read more

Need a high-speed Internet connection to go from here to there? Stringing Ethernet cables through walls, floors, and ceilings is not my idea of a good time.

Fortunately, you can use the existing electrical wiring in your house. No, really! All you need is a couple plug-and-play wall adapters.

Usually they're pretty pricey, but not today: While supplies last, Newegg has the TP-Link TL-PA210KIT HomePlug AV Powerline Adapter Starter Kit for $29.99 shipped. That's after applying coupon code EMCXVVW262 at checkout. (As with most Newegg coupons, you need to be a newsletter subscriber to use this one. … Read more

The words "deal" and "Apple product" rarely appear in the same sentence, which is why I continue to be fan of buying refurbished Apple gear whenever possible.

While some refurbs prove to be junk, Apple gives you like-new hardware -- complete with a same-as-new warranty. It's the only way to go.

But how do you know when a particular product hits the Apple Store? Short of checking online every day, there's no easy way. Until now: RefurbMe catalogs all the latest Apple Store refurbs and can notify you when price and/or availability changes.… Read more

Cancel your date. Put down the remote. And for heaven's sake, enough with the books already! It's time to get gaming.

Bundle newcomer Focus Multimedia has the Bundle Stars Magic Number indie game bundle for $5.07. It includes eight Windows titles with a combined value of $109.88. You're literally paying 63 cents per game.

When you click through to the bundle page, don't be surprised to see six games and two "mystery titles." According to a Focus Multimedia rep, those titles are due to be unlocked...later today! And I've got … Read more

This is an update of a deal I posted last summer.

Juggling is meant for circus folk, not home-theater owners. Yet that's exactly what you're doing if you have more than one device and, ergo, more than one remote.

Regular Cheapskate readers know I'm a fan of Logitech's Harmony series of universal remotes. One of the better models, the 700, has a list price of $119.99 (or used to -- it's been discontinued). Ouch.

For a limited time, and while supplies last, TigerDirect via eBay has the refurbished Harmony 700 universal remote for $59.99 shipped.… Read more

I've been an Amazon Prime customer for nearly a year now, meaning it's time for me to decide whether to continue subscribing to the program.

In case you're unfamiliar with it, Prime works like this: For $79 annually, you get unlimited movie and TV streaming, one free borrowed e-book per month, and automatic two-day shipping on nearly everything you buy (with no minimum dollar amount).

Awesome deal, right? Maybe, and maybe not.

Let's start with the streaming. Amazon has vastly expanded its movie- and TV-show libraries over the past year, to the point where I'd … Read more

Any self-respecting geek or cheapskate has no doubt had his eye on the Nest Learning Thermostat, the sexy (yes, sexy!) programmable thermostat that learns your heating and cooling habits and uses that knowledge to lower your bills.

Alas, you have to spend money to save money: the Nest sells for a rather steep $249. But not today: Lowe's has the Nest Learning Thermostat for $198 shipped, plus sales tax where applicable. And you can do a little better still if you start your purchase at TopCashback, a rebate site that's currently offering 6 percent back on Lowe's orders. … Read more