Mwandishi

Kaitlin Mahar

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My career as a savvy shopper began long before I joined Wirecutter in 2022. When I was growing up in Connecticut, my family spent countless hours clipping coupons and bargain-hunting. We couldn’t splurge on the coveted must-haves flaunted by my peers, so we mastered the art of balance: avoiding both overpriced brand-name items and the cheap alternatives that quickly fell apart. At 18, I began working as a beauty-product tester at Unilever—and over six years I somehow ended up experiencing only one allergic reaction that required medical attention.

After graduating from the University of New Haven, I relocated along with my partner and our two cats to Southern California, where I worked as a content creator and then as a freelance writer focused on service journalism. Now back on the East Coast, in New Jersey, I remain dedicated to guiding others through an overwhelming sea of choices to find what truly works best for them.

My career as a savvy shopper began long before I joined Wirecutter in 2022. When I was growing up in Connecticut, my family spent countless hours clipping coupons and bargain-hunting. We couldn’t splurge on the coveted must-haves flaunted by my peers, so we mastered the art of balance: avoiding both overpriced brand-name items and the cheap alternatives that quickly fell apart. At 18, I began working as a beauty-product tester at Unilever—and over six years I somehow ended up experiencing only one allergic reaction that required medical attention.

After graduating from the University of New Haven, I relocated along with my partner and our two cats to Southern California, where I worked as a content creator and then as a freelance writer focused on service journalism. Now back on the East Coast, in New Jersey, I remain dedicated to guiding others through an overwhelming sea of choices to find what truly works best for them.

Stories by the Author

Collage of outdoor gear: top left shows a teal sleeping pad on a blue background, bottom left shows a light blue dome tent with an open door on an orange background, right side shows three hooded long-sleeve shirts in dark green, orange, and blue laid out on a yellow background.

Majina ya Vyombo vya Habari

New York Times: Wirecutter: REIs End of Summer Sale

REI’s Labor Day sale is for everyone members and non-members, campers and glampers, nature lovers and jet-setters.

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August 31, 2026

Collage of outdoor gear: top left shows a teal sleeping pad on a blue background, bottom left shows a light blue dome tent with an open door on an orange background, right side shows three hooded long-sleeve shirts in dark green, orange, and blue laid out on a yellow background.

Majina ya Vyombo vya Habari

New York Times: Wirecutter: REIs End of Summer Sale

REI’s Labor Day sale is for everyone members and non-members, campers and glampers, nature lovers and jet-setters.

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