We love to rock out. We love rocking out in the pool, on the street, in the shower, and on our bikes. From ballads by our girl Taylor Swift to beats by The Black Keys, Frank Ocean, and Fun, this year has been a banner year for rocking out. That’s why when Bing asked us to share how we geekily prepare for the Grammys, we were more than happy to oblige.
Do Your Research
Bing’s search tool is like your everyday search on steroids. A search for your favorite artist on Bing serves up the latest news, videos, song previews, photos, fun facts, and more. If you’re not sure where to begin, head to MSN Music’s Grammys spotlight to get the latest scoop on this year’s nominees, video moments from past shows, and, of course, tons of photos from red carpets past.
Create Collaborative Playlists
Now that you’ve done your homework, it’s time to create some sweet Grammy-inspired playlists. Invite fellow music lovers to add to your mix by creating a collaborative playlist on Spotify. Rock out to it during commercial breaks and any Grammy categories you wouldn’t mind skipping.
3. Get Social: Head back to Bing for a more social Grammys experience that includes your Facebook friends and top experts from Twitter. Sure, you’ve seen the snapshot bio but what about checking out what your friends think? By connecting Bing and Facebook, you’ll see all the mentions of Taylor Swift, for example, among your Facebook friends right on the search page. Quickly and easily see concert photos, lyric quotes and more from your friends! So cool.
And while you’re at it, maybe you should update your Facebook page with your predictions for winners this year? Bing’s research shows that the most searched nominees often win those gilded gramophones. So far, the most searched song of the year is Call Me Maybe, the most searched record of the year is Thinkin bout you by Frank Ocean, and the most searched across ALL categories is the one and only Taylor Swift. Will she be the big winner? We’ll have to wait until Sunday night to find out!
4. Learn the Song Lyrics: Flex your song-lyric-knowing skills by challenging friends to Name that Tune over text with Emoji! Use emoji icons to illustrate the hottest songs of 2012, and give serious props to whichever of your friends can name the song first.
Channel Your Inner Rapper
Did you know that you can use your phone to style yourself into Lil Wayne? Be Like Lil Wayne helps you add bling, grills, hats, tattoos, and more to any photo of you or a friend. Definitely a fun way to try out a new look. And if you’re not up for the diamond-studded teeth, what about setting up a Lil Wayne Photo Booth at your Grammys party? Grab your phone, hang up a backdrop, and have your friends pose it up with Weezy.
Bonus! Dress Like Carly Rae Jepsen or Psy: We couldn’t resist including a throwback to Halloween 2012 :)
Your relationship with your finances is one of the most important relationships you'll ever have, and you can't avoid it. That said, for many of us, the pandemic only added to our financial stress. If you find yourself feeling frazzled, just remember that financial insecurity isn't a net-worth issue — it's a mindset issue. And, we happen to have plenty of advice on how to turn your money mindset around so you can take charge of your funds once and for all.
To start, feeling secure begins with a strong foundation, and there's no better time than now to get started stacking the bricks. It's easy to get swept up in the January "new year, new me" mentality, but really? Any time is the right time to get yourself in order. You don't need to wait for a new year, a new moon, the right moment, or a sign from above. You don't even have to start on the first day of the month — you just need to start.
Introducing NerdWallet: A Safe and Reliable Money App
To help with that, we've put together a list of the just-right-for-you ways that NerdWallet can help you monitor your financial outlook. Haven't heard of them yet? NerdWallet is a personal finance company that helps consumers make smarter financial decisions. Their website and app let you compare different financial products, find articles and tools to make financial decisions with confidence, and keep tabs on your finances (hey there, credit score, I see you!) all in one place. Plus, NerdWallet has over 75,000 glowing reviews in the App Store (and a 4.8 star rating) if you want to read up on any more testimonials.
Tim Chen, NerdWallet's CEO and co-founder, started this financial journey in 2009 after his sister needed help finding a credit card. Even with an economics degree and a Wall Street background, it took awhile for Tim to find the right recommendation (so don't feel too bad when it takes you a while, too). Their mission is to bring clarity to all of life's financial decisions.
So it's safe to say that NerdWallet is a pretty good sherpa for your journey, too.
Get the most from your money
Did you know that the money you park in a savings account can lose value? Harsh, but true. If your money isn't earning interest that's on pace with inflation it will actually be worth less to you in the future. And if the bank charges fees? Forget about it. Make sure you're earning the interest you deserve and come out on top. NerdWallet has researched dozens of financial institutions to help consumers find the best options. The hard work has already been done for you, so you can just select the account that works best for you and your nest egg.
Keep an eye on everything, securely
Once everything is set up, tracking and managing your finances is what will keep the money machine running smoothly. You can create an account either through the site or the app and link your bank accounts, then keep tabs on all your finances in one place. Get a clear picture of your saving and spending, get insights into how to master your money, and even build your credit score all in one place.
Get extra credit points
Do you have the best credit card for your lifestyle? Some cards give cash back on every purchase, ones with travel perks, and ones that charge way less interest than you're paying now. NerdWallet takes the guesswork out of choosing the right credit card with simple side-by-side comparisons of different credit cards so that you feel confident choosing the right one. Whatever you want to do, NerdWallet can help you find the best credit card to get it done.
Know your options for settling down
Mortgage rates are pretty low and it looks like they're going to stay that way for awhile, so buying a home might be the move sooner than you think. But there's so much more to a mortgage than just the interest rate! To help you choose a mortgage lender, NerdWallet has in-depth reviews on multiple lenders in a mixture of categories so you get the home loan with the mortgage rate, term, and fees that's right for you.
Settle an old score
NerdWallet helps you monitor your credit score for free and helps you see how little things (like raising the limit on your credit card or paying your bills on time) can increase your score. NerdWallet partners with TransUnion® to provide your VantageScore® 3.0, based on information in your TransUnion® credit report. Your score and credit report information are updated weekly. But that's not even close to all:
- They provide you with tips from experts on how you could build or optimize your credit score
- You'll get a detailed look at your credit score and all the factors that go into it—your payment history, credit utilization, the age and type of accounts, balances, and any recent inquiries
- The credit simulator tool gives you an idea of how your credit score would change if you applied for a new credit card, closed your oldest credit card, or got a new auto loan
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When it comes to managing your money, safe and reliable is where it's at. Establishing a healthy relationship with your finances begins when you take control and practice habits that build wealth. Signing up just takes a few minutes. Set your intentions to build a solid financial foundation, it will only strengthen your relationship with your finances. And don't be afraid to get a little nerdy while you're at it.
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