
If 2012 was the year of the gif, 2013 was the year of video. It’s crazy to think Vine was ever not part of our lives and that stop motion used to be reserved for the likes of Wes Anderson. Before the year wraps up, we’re looking back at a few of our fave ways to make straight-up vids, stop motion, and gifs.
1. Spark Camera: Like the rest of the universe, we have a serious crush on IDEO. In October, their in-house Toy Lab release their first app designed specifically for adults. What sets it apart is one big thing: You can edit together several bits of video rather than having to work with one long scene. Look at Spark Camera’s reviews, it’s clear: They’ve made the adults happy.
2. iTimeLapse: Imagine you’re in Hong Kong, staying in a high-rise hotel with jaw-dropping views overlooking the bay. Imagine you have a brilliant idea to set up your phone and get a time lapse of the sunset, crazy HK light show, followed hours later by a blazing sunrise. Imagine how glad you’ll be that you spent those $2 before you left the good US of A.
3. Cinemagram: You might recall that we’re big fans of the gif-t that is Cinegram. Now, there’s more reason to celebrate it: I mean, have you seen artist Romain Laurent’s One Loop Portrait A Week?
4. Stop Motion Studio: Not only is it made by a company called CatEater (amazing), but for a limited time, it’s free. Get it while it lasts, folks.
5. Frameographer: This app really changed the iPhone stop-motion game. In fact, it was somewhat of a pioneer. We’ve talked about them in the past, and we’re still circling the wagons around them, and so should you. Get along little dogies.
6. Giffer: As the name would suggest, it’s all about the gifs. $2.99 gets you over 25 filters, but pop by their website and you’ll see why we really included it… Who knew batman had such sexy yams?
7. Fast Camera: Some say Fast Camera lets you achieve the best photo possible by snapping loads of pictures in seconds, then helping you pick the best. We say, pish posh. It’s all about making stop motion. Which is why we made our own little number.
8. Magisto: You guys. Magisto literally does all the work for you. OK, you still have to push the record button, but then the app goes to work: It’s an automatic video editor that actually works. You can start using it for free, but we recommend paying the $5 monthly subscription so you can create videos that last longer than a minute.
9. Slow Motion Photo Booth: This is totally fun and totally relevant to your life, particularly New Year’s Eve, which is when it will come in handy. If you didn’t see Super Frog Saves Tokyo’s photo booth revolution, don’t worry. We’ve recapped all the amazingness, made our own slow-mo booth, and even left some tips on how you can make your own. Happy partying.
What motion have you been reeling in this year? Press play on your comments below!
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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