WHAT WORKS FOR ME
Recommendations, without the hype.
These are the tools, products and services I actually use, have used, or am actively testing. Some have affiliate or referral relationships. Plenty don’t. Either way, I’ll tell you what I like, what I don’t and who I think they’re actually useful for.
The stuff that works for me.
HOW THIS WORKS
A recommendation has to earn its place.
This is a personal working library, not a store. Every item needs context before it earns a place here.
This page changes as my tools and habits change.
I USE IT
If I currently use something, I’ll say so and explain what it is doing for me.
I’VE USED IT
Sometimes I have moved on. That does not erase what I learned or what it may still be good for.
I’M TESTING IT
An experiment is an experiment. It should never read like a settled recommendation.
I’LL TELL YOU WHEN I GET PAID
Affiliate links, referral relationships and partner programs are disclosed plainly.
A commission doesn’t make something good. And the absence of a commission doesn’t make something less worth recommending.
MY CURRENT STACK
The things earning their place right now.
A rotating selection of the tools, products and services earning their place in my life right now. Click through for the context, not a sales pitch.
HighLevel
The CRM and automation platform I actually use.
EXPLORE HIGHLEVEL →Affiliate link: I may earn a commission if you purchase or sign up through this link.
Read my HighLevel experience →Starlink
Reliable internet where I could not rely on traditional options.
USE MY REFERRAL LINK →Referral link: I may receive a reward or credit if you use this link. Current eligibility and terms apply.
Read my Lake Tyee experience →Pro-Ject Juke Box E
The turntable that got me listening to records again.
BROWSE PRO-JECT ON AMAZON →Amazon affiliate link. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. The linked product or search may include versions different from my setup.
Dyson Supersonic
Expensive. Also ridiculously good.
VIEW ON AMAZON →Amazon affiliate link. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. The linked product or search may include versions different from my setup.
goodr sunglasses
Finally, sunglasses that fit my big head.
USE MY REFERRAL LINK →Referral link: I may receive a reward or credit if you use this link. Current eligibility and terms apply.
Semrush
Research and visibility tools I use to make better decisions.
EXPLORE SEMRUSH →Affiliate link: I may earn a commission if you purchase or sign up through this link.
Read how I use Semrush →Gusto
Payroll and people operations that stay straightforward.
USE MY REFERRAL LINK →Referral link: I may receive a reward or credit if you use this link. Current eligibility and terms apply.
Read my Gusto experience →Epson EcoTank
The printer that makes everyday home-office work less annoying.
VIEW ON AMAZON →Amazon affiliate link. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. The linked product or search may include versions different from my setup.
beehiiv
JasonFox.me / The Next Chapter newsletter
EXPLORE BEEHIIV →Affiliate link: I may earn a commission if you purchase or sign up through this link.
Read why I chose beehiiv →HubSpot
JasonFox.me: CRM comparison content
VISIT OFFICIAL SITE →Official site; no tracked link.
Rank Math
TMG WordPress SEO
EXPLORE RANK MATH →Affiliate link: I may earn a commission if you purchase or sign up through this link.
QuickBooks Online
TMG accounting
EXPLORE QUICKBOOKS ONLINE →Affiliate link: I may earn a commission if you purchase or sign up through this link.
Formidable Forms
TMG forms
EXPLORE FORMIDABLE FORMS →Affiliate link: I may earn a commission if you purchase or sign up through this link.
WP Rocket
TMG / WordPress performance
EXPLORE WP ROCKET →Affiliate link: I may earn a commission if you purchase or sign up through this link.
Read my performance-stack article →Imagify
TMG image optimization
EXPLORE IMAGIFY →Affiliate link: I may earn a commission if you purchase or sign up through this link.
Cloudflare
The DNS, security, and edge layer I use across every website I run.
EXPLORE CLOUDFLARE →Fluent Forms
WordPress forms comparison
VISIT OFFICIAL SITE →Official site; no tracked link.
The SEO Framework
WordPress SEO comparison
VISIT OFFICIAL SITE →Official site; no tracked link.
Tesla
Tucson life, road trips and EV ownership
USE MY REFERRAL LINK →Referral link: I may receive a reward or credit if you use this link. Current eligibility and terms apply.
WeWork
Seattle / Tucson remote-work story
USE MY REFERRAL LINK →Referral link: I may receive a reward or credit if you use this link. Current eligibility and terms apply.
Stitch Fix
Staying sharp without spending time shopping
USE MY REFERRAL LINK →Referral link: I may receive a reward or credit if you use this link. Current eligibility and terms apply.
Dixxon Flannel
Personal style
USE MY REFERRAL LINK →Referral link: I may receive a reward or credit if you use this link. Current eligibility and terms apply.
Vista Clara Coffee
Snohomish coffee; Costa Rica memory; ships to Tucson
VISIT OFFICIAL SITE →Dyson vacuum
Tucson home
VIEW ON AMAZON →Amazon affiliate link. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. The linked product or search may include versions different from my setup.
Alexa / Echo / Echo Show
Tucson smart home
VIEW ECHO DOT ON AMAZON →Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. These links open the named devices; versions may differ from my setup.
VIEW ECHO SHOW 11 ON AMAZON →VIEW ECHO SHOW 5 ON AMAZON →Ring
Tucson home security; integrates with Alexa
VIEW ON AMAZON →Amazon affiliate link. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. The linked product or search may include versions different from my setup.
American Express
Personal travel / business cards
BLUE CASH PREFERRED REFERRAL →Referral link: I may receive a reward or credit if you use this link. Current eligibility and terms apply.
Prime Visa
A card in my current mix for Amazon purchases; terms and rewards can change
USE MY REFERRAL LINK →Referral link: I may receive a reward or credit if you use this link. Current eligibility and terms apply.
LA Fitness
What Works for Me: fitness
USE MY REFERRAL LINK →Referral link: I may receive a reward or credit if you use this link. Current eligibility and terms apply.
U-Pack
The long-distance moving service I used for my Seattle-to-Tucson move.
EXPLORE U-PACK →Built by Kind
I partner with Built by Kind for real estate WordPress websites. I make the introduction; Jeff scopes and builds the site directly with you.
REQUEST AN INTRODUCTION →Referral relationship: I partner with Built by Kind and may benefit financially from introductions. Jeff scopes and builds the site directly with you.
Purple Premier 4 mattress
Our Premier 4 gently holds us without that sinking feeling. We still compare every hotel bed to it after more than five years.
EXPLORE PURPLE →Affiliate link: I may earn a commission if you purchase through this link.
These cards come from the existing recommendation library. Some destinations may be compensated; check the relationship label beside the recommendation and the full disclosure for details.
CURATED RECOMMENDATIONS
What has earned a closer look.
A smaller, more useful starting list. Each recommendation needs a real use case and a reason to pause before buying. Links to my articles provide more context; direct paid links are identified beside the recommendation.
Business & Real Estate
HighLevel
I use HighLevel for CRM, follow-up, and automation in my real-estate operations. Best for an agent or team willing to define ownership and a repeatable contact process; the software will not create that process for you.
Explore Highlevel →Affiliate link: I may earn a commission if you purchase or sign up through this link.
Read my HighLevel experience →Gusto
We use Gusto for payroll at The Madrona Group. It is worth comparing when a team needs a defined payroll workflow; confirm state coverage, plans, and your accountant’s process.
Use My Referral Link →Referral link: I may receive a reward or credit if you use this link. Current eligibility and terms apply.
Read my Gusto experience →QuickBooks Online
QuickBooks Online became a better fit as the brokerage’s accounting needs grew. It still requires disciplined bookkeeping and professional advice.
Explore Quickbooks Online →Affiliate link: I may earn a commission if you purchase or sign up through this link.
IDX Broker
We use IDX Broker for property search on real-estate websites. Search works best as part of a broader site and lead-response plan; confirm MLS coverage and implementation costs.
Read my IDX discussion →Editorial article
beehiiv
I use beehiiv for The Next Chapter newsletter. It supports an ongoing reader relationship, but it cannot create the writing habit or audience by itself.
Explore Beehiiv →Affiliate link: I may earn a commission if you purchase or sign up through this link.
Read why I chose beehiiv →Websites & Technology
Formidable Forms
We use Formidable Forms for WordPress lead-capture forms. It offers flexibility, but setup and maintenance still matter.
Explore Formidable Forms →Affiliate link: I may earn a commission if you purchase or sign up through this link.
Imagify
I currently use Imagify in our WordPress image workflow. Image optimization needs visual checks and a sensible upload process.
Explore Imagify →Affiliate link: I may earn a commission if you purchase or sign up through this link.
WP Rocket
We use WP Rocket for WordPress performance work. Cache settings and exclusions must be tested against real pages and forms.
Explore Wp Rocket →Affiliate link: I may earn a commission if you purchase or sign up through this link.
Read my performance-stack article →Semrush
I use Semrush for SEO research and visibility decisions. Research is useful only when it becomes a plan and published work.
Explore Semrush →Affiliate link: I may earn a commission if you purchase or sign up through this link.
Read how I use Semrush →Creator Tools
Descript
I currently use Descript in my video and audio workflow. It is worth comparing if you produce content often; check current features and price against your own process.
Visit the official Descript site →Official site; no tracked link.
Everyday Favorites
goodr sunglasses
I currently wear goodr sunglasses and like their fit. Fit is personal, so try the style that works for you.
Use My Referral Link →Referral link: I may receive a reward or credit if you use this link. Current eligibility and terms apply.
Stitch Fix
I currently use and love Stitch Fix; it helps me spend less time shopping. The convenience can be useful, but fit and styling are subjective.
Use My Referral Link →Referral link: I may receive a reward or credit if you use this link. Current eligibility and terms apply.
Home & Tucson Life
Tesla
I currently drive a Tesla and love it. Charging, incentives, and referral terms vary by place and time.
Use My Referral Link →Referral link: I may receive a reward or credit if you use this link. Current eligibility and terms apply.
AdvoCare
We have used AdvoCare products for years.
Visit the official AdvoCare site →Official site; no tracked link. Sarah does not earn from sales. I have applied to AdvoCare’s influencer program, but I am not approved and do not earn from this link.
Purple Premier 4 mattress
Our king-size Purple Premier 4 still has the gently supported feel we chose after trying dozens of beds. We love it, though I sleep a little warm and see some sagging on my side.
Explore Purple →Affiliate link: I may earn a commission if you purchase through this link.
Travel & Outdoors
Starlink
I have used Starlink at Lake Tyee, where other internet options were limited. Check service, speed, price, and eligibility for your location.
Use My Referral Link →Referral link: I may receive a reward or credit if you use this link. Current eligibility and terms apply.
Read my Lake Tyee experience →BROWSE WHAT WORKS
The whole list, organized around real life.
The library is growing deliberately. These are the categories I am using so it stays useful instead of becoming an endless product grid.
BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE
CRM, client service, accounting, payroll, website search, and publishing tools.
WEBSITES & TECHNOLOGY
Forms, image optimization, performance, SEO research, and the WordPress stack.
CREATOR TOOLS
Video, audio, writing, and the equipment used to make useful content.
EVERYDAY FAVORITES
Clothing, sunglasses, shoes, and things that make routines easier.
HOME & TUCSON LIFE
What I actually use around the house and in Arizona.
TRAVEL & OUTDOORS
Remote-work connectivity, travel, and getting outside.
WHY IT WORKS FOR ME
The recommendation is only useful with context.
I don’t care much about finding the product with the longest feature list. I care whether it solves the problem I bought it to solve. Sometimes the cheaper option wins. Sometimes I pay more because something saves me time. Sometimes I buy something everybody loves and think it’s terrible.
WHAT DIDN’T EARN ITS PLACE
What I stopped using belongs in the story too.
Sometimes the most useful recommendation is what I left behind—and why. Bench is the first story: The Madrona Group used it for six years before we changed course. I’ll explain what it did well, what stopped fitting and what I would consider before making the same switch.
Future comparisons will include the Sierra Interactive-to-HighLevel switch and other decisions where the context matters more than a simple review score.
A QUICK NOTE ABOUT AFFILIATE LINKS
Clear about the relationship.
Some links on this site may be affiliate or referral links, which means I may earn money if you purchase or sign up through them. Using a link generally does not add to your cost, but check the provider’s current terms. I do not recommend something because it has an affiliate program; if there is a financial relationship, I will tell you.
READ THE FULL AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE →TOOLS + SYSTEMS
A tool isn’t a system.
What Works for Me is about individual products and services. BUILD is about how those pieces fit together into something that actually works.
EXPLORE BUILD →THE NEXT CHAPTER
I’ll tell you when something earns its place.
One email a week about what I’m building, learning, investing in and figuring out between Seattle and Tucson.