close Amazon shopping enthusiast in Texas shocks husband with porch full of packages Sarah Ferman Baker of Texas recently participated in Amazon Prime Day without her husband's knowledge. Watch the pure panic on husband Jamie Baker's face when he counts 17 delivery boxes on his front porch! (Ring) Did you know if you turn an Amazon shipping bag inside out, theres a strip you can pull to reseal it for returns? Good to know when a holiday gift arrives and its nothing like the picture online.Enter to win a $500 Amazon gift card. No purchase required.There are all kinds of little tips and tricks that can make the busiest time of year a little easier to manage. Ive got your back.DONT SCAM YOURSELF WITH THE TRICKS HACKERS DONT WANT ME TO SHAREShoppingHo-ho-hope your packages arrive on time:Gmails package tracking now includes real-time updates. On your phone, tap Menu > Settings. Look for General settings(Android) or Data privacy(Apple) and toggle on Package tracking at the bottom.Hide-and-seek:Youre shopping online for your kiddo or spouse and they walk in. Quick! Hide your open browser windows. On a PC: Windows key + M. (Use Windows key + Shift + Mto reopen.) On a Mac: Cmd + Option + H+ M. Phew, no spoilers. A person is pictured online shopping during the holiday season. (iStock)Amazons secret 20% discount: Send your old tech to Amazon through itsTrade-in Program and get a gift card for the value. Theyll take just about anything it doesnt even need to work. But if you trade in Amazon gear like a Kindle, eero or Fire TV Stick, youll get 20% off a new, qualifying device.Drop the drop shippers:On Etsy, the whole purpose is to buy something handmade. If youre not sure what youre getting is legit, check if its genuine or mass-produced junk by doing a reverse image search. Click on the items image, then drag and drop it intoGoogle Images. Major red flag: You see the exact same thing on other sites.BIOMETRIC DATA: IS IT SAFE TO HAND IT OVER TO ANY COMPANY THAT ASKS?At homeFocus! Blurry pics are a bummer. Sometimes your phones cam picks the wrong spot. For a quick reset, tap the area on your screen you want to be the clearest. Easy and effective. No ruined family photos this year.Related:Trick to take the best family portrait without a photographerIm B-side myself: Make a playlist with your fam so youre not bickering over the music on Christmas morning. ForSpotify, open the app, then head to Your Library and select the playlist. Tap the three dots in the top right > Share to send it. InApple Music, go to Library> Playlists> three dots(upper right) > Share Playlist. Jingle all the way! An Amazon courier delivers packages as a DHL van is seen behind on April 04, 2024 in Berlin, Germany. (Sean Gallup/Getty Images)Family visiting? Keep your steamy romance novels on lock by creating a passkey for your Kindle. Tap the three dots (upper right) and go to Settings> Device Options> Device Passcode. Your passcode can be up to 12 digits long. Thats hot!Related:Its smart to lock your computer down, tooOn the roadFlying away? Ubers got three new features to make your airport trips easier. The first, UberXXL, gets you a bigger car with extra trunk space for groups. The second, UberX Share, allows you to pay 25% by sharing a ride with someone heading your way. Its available now at select airports. And finally, with Uber Reserve, you can have a car waiting for you when you land.3 SECURITY AND DATA CHECKS YOU SHOULD DO ONCE A YEARSynced your phone to a rental car?Wipe your data so the next driver doesn't get your texts. On the cars infotainment system, go to Settingsand look for a factory reset option. Every cars system is different, so check the manual or ask the rental company if you cant find it.Over the river and through the woods: See the best time to leave for Grandmas house (or anywhere else) without arguing. InApple Maps, press the Nowbutton on the left to open a calendar. InGoogle Maps, tap the three dots at the top right. For both, select Leave/Depart at or Arrive by and hit Done. An Uber logo is pictured. (Getty Images)Track your luggage with your airlines app: Open the apps Menu> Track my bags. The naming will vary depending on the airline. Enter your reservation or tag number, and youll get updates along its journey.Or use a tracker:For me, this is the most reliable option.Apples AirTags are ideal if you have an iPhone, Mac or iPad.The Tile 2-pack is Android compatible and has a tracker for your luggage and one to slide into your wallet.Related:Theres one place during your travels an AirTag wont workGet tech-smarter on your scheduleAward-winning host Kim Komando is your secret weapon for navigating tech.National radio:Airing on 500+ stations across the US -Find yours or get the free podcast.Daily newsletter:Join 575,000 people who read the Current (free!)Watch: OnKims YouTube channelPodcast: "Kim Komando Today" - Listen wherever you get podcastsCopyright 2025, WestStar Multimedia Entertainment. All rights reserved.