Just because CES is over doesn’t mean we’re not still oohing and ahhing over all the new gadgets and gizmos that were announced last week. We’ll continue highlighting the best of CES for the next few days here on Brit.co, and this next installment is all about easing your daily commute.
At CES this year, Urb-E and Faraday Bikes both announced new innovations to two-wheeled transportation. Urb’s e-vehicle is a ridiculously compact motorized scooter, and Faraday’s Porteur aims to be a beautiful, functional electric bike.
First up, the scoop on Urb-E’s e-vehicle. This super compact electric scooter folds up, making it small enough to fit in between your legs while sitting on a train, bus or car. This compactness also makes it easy to bring in anywhere you go.
Urb-E’s got plans for public charging stations, but for now you’ll charge at home. One battery charge gets you 20 miles of movement, which is great for commuting in a city. In terms of speed, the max is 15 mph, which is also city-friendly.
The part we love the most? The fact that you can customize your scooter with sleeve inserts in the colors of your choice. Oh, and those sweet LED lights ;)
The price point is speculated at $1,500 a pop — we’ll know more when the Kickstarter campaign launches in the next few months. Stay tuned!
Next up, The Faraday Porteur. Dubbed “the ultimate modern utility bike,” the Porteur is a beautiful electric bike, made with design top of mind.
There’s a motor on its front wheel and batteries stored inside the frame, making it look like a regular city commuter bike rather than a bulky electric bike.
It has a 350-watt motor, which works to about three times typical human power. Naturally, that measurement is slightly subjective, but we’re all about getting a little power to boost us up all the crazy hills in San Francisco.
The great thing about the Porteur is the fact that it operates as a regular commuter bike when you want it to, and simply gives you a little extra power when you need it. The battery isn’t bulky, which means its not adding a ton of weight for regular biking. The Porteur is available for pre-order for a cool $3,500. Definitely an investment.
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.
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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:
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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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