What’s the one app or gadget that has changed your life?
Last week, I asked all of my Twitter, Facebook and Google+ followers this very question. The only rule was that they couldn’t say their smartphone (that one’s a no brainer!). It was really interesting to see the flurry of replies and I thought I’d share them here for you all to check out.
Didn’t get a chance to respond? Let us know your answer using the comments below and we’ll add them to our counts! And remember, you can’t pick your phone!
Reading + Writing
Kindle (and Kindle Fire): This device makes reading on your commute or while traveling so much easier. With the recent announcement regarding new features and improvements to the software, this might become even more of a must-have soon.
iPad: I get why this was such a popular response: The iPad is such a convenient device for doing just about anything digital without lugging your laptop around.
Gaming
Mahjong Worlds: This app brings the classic game into the digital era with fun graphics and bright colors.
Angry Birds: If you’ve never played this game, it’s kind of hard to explain. There are birds and weird green pigs… We’re not sure why, but it’s crazy addicting. (P.S. Amazing nails on the image above, right?)
Nintendo: I absolutely love the fun, retro gamingaesthetic, but let’s not forget how awesome it was to actually play Nintendo! I challenge you to a game of Mario ;) (via Brandon)
Communication
Foursquare: This is such a great app that it has even inspired custom jewelry. I love it as a way of tracking adventures or remembering an epic roadtrip.
Facebook: Keeping up with friends and family from afar is made ridiculously easy with the Facebook app.
Hootsuite: Hootsuite lets you manage your social media accounts from a single app.
Tweetbot: A well-designed app for managing your Twitter account on-the-go.
Echofon: If you use Twitter across multiple devices (iPhone, iPad, desktop…), Echofon will help you manage your activity across all of these platforms.
Pager: As much as I love my smartphone, let’s give a shoutout to this classic way to keep in touch on-the-go.
Home
Flat Screen HDTV: This takes curling up on the couch to watch some TV to a whole new level.
Litebrite: This gave us all hours of entertainment as ’90s kids. (Thanks to @stylistdiva for reminding us about this one!)
DVR: With a busy schedule, I’m not always home when my favorite shows are on. Now I can catch them whenever I have the chance. (And no commercials!)
Vitamix: Get your blend on! Might I suggest some Very Berry Mojito Slushies?
Netflix: There are actually a lot of ways to watch movies online, but Netflix is an oldie but goodie that has never let us down.
GPS: This is definitely a must-have for the directionally-challenged among us!
Office
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Pinterest: With the newly launched Pinterest apps, this one has only gotten more awesome… and more addicting!
Evernote: We’ve always loved Evernote for it’s ability to keep all sorts of information organized digitally, and now we love it even more since it’s entered the analog realm with the world’s coolest notebook!
USB Stick: Keeping important info with you wherever you find yourself is as easy as throwing one of these in your purse.
Music
Songza: This app helps you discover the perfect music for virtually any occasion, from getting ready for work to throwing an epic bash.
Pandora: Cultivate your own radio stations based on your personal taste with this app.
Walkman: Portable music is so central to our happiness on long commutes so let’s remember what we used to rock out to the Spice Girls on the bus to school! (via Ruben and Cesar)
iPod: The iPod introduced us to the ability to have a really extensive portable music library. But let’s be real, it’s really not complete without a pair of audio ear muffs ;)
Photography
Camera: It’s no secret that we love photography and portable cameras are the perfect way to capture all of our favorite memories.
Instagram: This is one of the most addicting apps of all time and has inspired a bunch of cool products related to its vintage filters and fun editing.
Hipstamatic: Another way to turn iPhone snaps into memorable photos with unique filters.
Retro Camera: There are few things that we here at Brit HQ swoon over more than a gorgeous and funky retro camera. (Get the aesthetic on your iPhone with one of these awesome cases.)
Wellness
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
- You also get free, unlimited access to your credit report
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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