📅 June 2025
If there’s one thing you take away from this guide, let it be this: smart tools don’t have to be complicated to make a real difference.
This free kit walks you through 7 of my favorite tools that make life smoother at home, on the road, and online. We’re talking easy wins in:
- Home automation
- Car upgrades
- Digital life hacks
These are tools I’ve personally tested and recommend because they work and pay for themselves within weeks.
FiliTech is an ad-free site. I don’t run pop-ups or banner ads because I want this space to be clean, honest, and focused on helpful recommendations. Some posts may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you buy through them—always at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I’ve personally used, trust, or genuinely believe will provide value to you.
The best technology fades into the background and just works.
—Douglas Adams (adapted)
Prefer to keep this list handy? Grab the free PDF at the bottom of this post.
1. TP-Link Kasa Smart Plug Mini
Turn traditional electronics into smart devices with ease. Control devices remotely, set routines, and track energy usage right from the app. It’s a must-have for cutting down on wasted power and automating your routine.
2. FIXD Car Health Monitor
As a car guy in tech, I recommend this bluetooth dongle for its ease of use and simplicity. It plugs right into your car’s OBD2 port and instantly translates check engine lights into real info. Run diagnostics before you head over to the mechanic so you can walk in knowing exactly what’s going on and avoid getting upsold on things you don’t need.
3. TP-Link Kasa Smart Bulb
If you’re already using Kasa products, this bulb fits right in. Set schedules so your lights turn off automatically, helping you save electricity and create the perfect lighting for any time of day. I choose Kasa smart bulbs because they are reliable, easy to control, and integrate seamlessly with other Kasa devices.
4. Tile Mate Bluetooth Tracker
If you’ve ever torn apart your place looking for your keys or wallet, this little tracker is for you. Tile Mate lets you ping your stuff from your phone, or your phone from your stuff. Perfect for those “where did I put that?” moments, only to realize you were holding it this whole time. Tile Mate is also the only tracker with a built-in SOS button for emergencies or unsafe situations, so you can quickly alert your emergency contacts if you encounter yourself in an unfortunate situation.
5. Acorns → Invest spare change automatically
Acorns rounds up your purchases and invests the difference, so you grow wealth without thinking about it. If you’re like me and have a hard time saving money, this app is perfect for you. Just set it and forget it. Before you know it, you’d be surprised at how much you’ve accumulated over time.
Quick note, I’m not affiliated with Acorns, just a big fan, so I may earn a small commission if you join using my link.
6. Rakuten → Shop and earn cash back
Rakuten makes it easy to earn cash back just by shopping at your favorite stores. I’ve used it for years to save on everyday essentials and large purchases. If you have an American Express card, you can turn your cash back directly into Membership Rewards points.
I’m not affiliated with Rakuten, but I may earn a small bonus if you join using my link. You’ll get a sign-up bonus too, so it’s a win-win!
7. ChatGPT
ChatGPT is probably the most accessible, well-known, and intelligent AI tool today. I personally use it to simplify legal documents, like terms & conditions, understand complex bills, and plan itineraries. Recently, I’ve found it surprisingly helpful for decoding those confusing parking signs that make no sense at first glance.
🎁 Want More?
Every week I send out:
➡️ 1 new tool
➡️ 1 time-saving hack
➡️ 1 insight worth acting on
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👉 Prefer offline? Grab the PDF version for later (opens in Google Docs)