Technology

How Much Time Do Gig Apps Really Save You?

Carrie Kirby — Mon, 04 Mar 2019 20:15:43 +0000

Time… where does it all go? The 2017 Annual American Time Use Survey from the U.S. Department of Labor revealed that people with full-time jobs spend more than two hours a day on chores including cleaning, cooking, and shopping.

The gig economy claims to rescue us from this time crunch with a host of apps that relieve us of the need to shop, do laundry, care for pets, or cook. But do they really save you enough time to be worth the money? Let's look at some of the chores and errands we all have, and the apps that claim to save us time by taking over those tasks.

1. Grocery shopping

Most people shop for food once or twice a week, spending an average of 43 minutes in the store each trip, plus travel time. This means having a gig worker shop for you could save you two hours each week — more if you live far from a store, your store tends to be very crowded, or you shop more than twice a week.

While grocery delivery from just one store or warehouse, in the form of Peapod, Safeway.com, or Amazon Fresh, has been around for awhile, the appeal of getting your groceries through a gig app is that you get to choose what store the items come from, and deliveries can often be scheduled in as little as an hour. (See also: 6 Ways Having Your Groceries Delivered Can Save You Money)

The cost

Instacart, Postmates, and Shipt (owned by Target) all charge a per-delivery, annual, or monthly fee for groceries delivered by gig workers driving their own cars.

For Instacart, it's $3.99 to $7.99 per order, or $99 a year.
Postmates charges $9.99 a month or $95.88 a year, or a variable per-delivery fee of up to $20 per order.
Shipt, which delivers in 257 cities, charges $14 a month or $99 a year. If you choose to tip the delivery person, include that in your cost as well.

Also keep in mind that the per-item prices you're paying through these services might be more than the prices at the store. Instacart acknowledges markups on its site. For instance, for my main store, Safeway, it says "Item prices are higher than in-store prices in your area." Shipt comes out and tells its users that it's marking up groceries from "select retailers" as a form of service fee.

Cost per hour saved

Of course, you'll still spend some time selecting groceries on these apps and placing your order, but you'll save the time you would have spent driving to the store, parking, walking through the aisles and (worst of all) waiting in line. If you pay $150 a year in fees for one of these services to save two hours per week, that's a cost of only about $1.50 per hour saved. If you only would have spent an extra hour each week shopping, you'd be paying about $3 per hour saved.

Is it worth it?

If you make more than $20 an hour, it's probably a good deal to use a gig shopping app, especially if you don't own a car or work hours that make it difficult to get to the store outside of busy hours.

2. Dog walking

Walking the dog can be fun and good exercise, but if you have a long commute to work, getting the dog out midday can be impossible. Or maybe you're just too busy to give the dog as much exercise as he or she needs.

The cost

Wag! and Rover can send a gig worker to your door on demand or on a schedule to take out the pooch, at a cost of about $20 to $30 per 20- to 30-minute walk.

Cost per hour saved

If you're only saving the time it takes to walk the dog, you're spending about $1 per minute, or $60 an hour, which makes this service a pricey way to save time. However, more people probably use these services for workday walks. If you work 30 minutes from home, that $30 fee could be saving you 90 minutes, when you consider the walk and the round-trip travel.

Is it worth it?

If you're home, probably not. No matter how busy you are, it will likely do you good and might even make you more productive to get out for a walk with your pet. But if you're at work, it may be a good deal. (See also: How to Make $400+ a Week as a Pet Sitter)

3. Food delivery

Of all purported time-saving gig apps, food delivery apps such as Uber Eats, Caviar, and Postmates (for takeout, not groceries) make it hardest to pin down the benefits. Before these apps, you could already pick up the phone and order takeout, or hop in the car and hit the McDonald's drive thru.

So what do the gig apps add to the bargain? Each has its specialty. Caviar focuses on restaurants that didn't previously offer delivery, so you're probably saving driving time, parking, and waiting in line to pick up an order from a busy spot. If you're comparing ordering through one of these services to driving to the restaurant and having a sit-down meal, it might save hours, but for those who enjoy the restaurant ambience, that might not be a win.

The least time one of these apps can save you is the time of placing an order by phone, which by my count saves only about three minutes — but since ordering on the phone is annoying, those might be the best three minutes you ever saved.

The cost

Uber Eats charges fees of $2 to $8, depending on the distance of the customer to the restaurant, plus surge pricing if applicable. Caviar charges a variable delivery fee plus an 18 percent service fee. Postmates' $9.99 a month or $95.88 annual membership covers food delivery as well as groceries; non-members pay delivery fees of $3.99 to $9.99 per order or more during surge periods.

Cost per hour saved

Let's assume that the true time saved by ordering food through a gig app is 30 minutes, the time you'd take to place a phone order for takeout and drive to pick it up. If you order once a week through a Postmates annual membership, and tip $5 on each delivery, the service is costing you $7 per half hour saved, or $14 per hour.

Is it worth it?

If you order food often from restaurants that don't offer delivery, yes. For those bored with their regular delivery spots, these apps can really spice things up. But if you prefer to cook at home, eat at the restaurant, or have regular favorites who deliver, these apps may not be worth trying for you.

4. Doctor visits

It might be a shock to learn that some doctors are embracing the gig economy. But a host of startups are making it possible for doctors to make house calls or practice telemedicine in their spare time, or as their main practice.

If you're having a heart attack or just lost an appendage, clearly convenience isn't going to be the deciding factor and you'll need to head straight to an emergency room, preferably in an ambulance. However, if you have a urinary tract infection, a rash, you need an order for a strep test, have a suspected case of the flu, or just need a prescription refill, a doctor's office, urgent care, or emergency room visit can eat up hours of your life. In some practices I've used, just calling to make an appointment can take 15 minutes or more waiting on hold.

Then there's getting to the doctor's office and sitting in the waiting room — average wait times range from 15 to 27 minutes, depending on the city and type of doctor.

In contrast, the app Doctor on Demand can put you on a 15-minute call with a freelance doctor within five minutes. Then there are apps that allow you to schedule a house call with freelance doctors, such as Heal. For simple complaints, the potential time savings ranges from one hour on an easy doctor visit to five or more hours for one of those nightmare ER waits.

The cost

Doctor on Demand charges $75 for a 15-minute consultation, and they work with a number of employers and insurance companies. Heal charges a $149 flat fee, and also accepts a number of insurance plans.

Cost per hour saved

For an office visit, assuming you pay the app out of pocket, and your insurance copay for your regular doctor would have been $20, it may cost $55 to $79 to save one hour. If you can use one of these services to avoid an ER visit, the cost might be about the same, and you could save at least two hours.

Is it worth it?

If you can use one of these services to avoid an emergency room visit for a non-emergency, it could be very worthwhile.

For office visits, if one of these programs is covered by your insurance, it seems like a worthwhile thing to try. If you have to pay out of pocket, the time-saving would be worthwhile for high earners or those with very busy doctors offices.

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This article is from Carrie Kirby of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

6 Ways to Avoid Scams When Selling Your Stuff Online

Paul Michael — Thu, 29 Nov 2018 09:00:12 +0000

These days, selling items you no longer want or things you've made has become easier and more lucrative than ever before. We no longer have to hold yard sales every week, or pay for classified ads in newspapers. With eBay, Amazon, Etsy, Craigslist, and so many other outlets available, you have the world at your fingertips. But of course, the more open you are to sellers, the more accessible you are to scammers. Know what to watch out for, and you can sell your stuff with minimal stress. (See also: How to Protect Elderly Loved Ones From Financial Scams)

1. Don't accept big bills

If you're selling on Craigslist, you have to be very careful with cash transactions. Something scammers love to do is present a fake $50 or $100 bill, and take home an item along with a bunch of change. The seller is left holding a worthless note and down a valuable possession. One way to keep this kind of damage to a minimum is to only take $20 bills and below.

However, $20 bills can be fake as well, so you have to keep your wits about you. There are many ways to detect fake notes, and if the bill has blurry text and lines, no watermark, you likely have a fake. If you're in no mood to become a detective, pick up a fake note detector kit. It costs less than $10 and will pay for itself the first time you detect a phony bill. (See also: 12 Garage Sale Items That Sell Like Hotcakes)

2. Always meet your buyer in a public place

It may be inconvenient for you to meet in a police station parking lot or at a local coffee shop, but your first priority here has to be your personal safety. You have no idea who you're meeting and what they have in mind, even if they sound wonderful via email or over the phone. Some "buyers" lure you in to steal your item, and whatever else you have on you. Some want to cause you physical harm, or worse, and have no intention of purchasing anything. If you ask to meet in a public place and they refuse, that's a massive red flag. If they want you to bring the item to an address of their choosing, you also need to steer clear of that transaction. If you can, bring a friend (or friends) and tell other people where you're going and all the details about the person you're meeting. Most of the time, it's just a regular person looking for a deal. But you really don't want to let your guard down and trust the wrong person.

3. Have evidence of the item's condition

Many people abuse the good will of online sellers to save money. One of the nastiest ways you can be taken advantage of is when someone buys a mint condition item from you, then asks for a return and a refund because "it doesn't work."

For example, let's say someone buys a high-end computer mouse from you, then they say it doesn't work and want a refund. You know it worked fine when you sold it. If it's something that costs more than just a few bucks, have evidence of the item working in the listing itself. Take accurate photos and videos, and record serial numbers. It takes just a few minutes to get this all down, and you only have to store it until the transaction is closed and everyone is happy. (See also: How I Make $800 on Month on eBay Selling Used Clothes)

4. Avoid buyers with brand new accounts

This is not to say that all buyers with new accounts are scammers. This is simply a precaution you should take to avoid getting stung. Scammers tend to get banned by eBay after a few incidents that form a pattern of fraudulent behavior. These people will just keep opening new accounts, doing a few returns for broken items, or "item not as described" before being banned again and continuing the cycle. Luckily, you don't have to weed these buyers out on your own. eBay has settings that let you block certain buyers. (See also: This Airbnb Scam Will Ruin Your Vacation — and Your Budget)

5. Be wary of requests for partial refunds

So, you sold your item and everything seems fine. Then you get an email from the buyer, saying that the item isn't in the condition they were expecting, or it's missing some parts — which you know were included. But they want to keep the item. They'd just like you to refund their money to make things right. If you're asked to do a partial refund, try and get evidence of the problem. If it's damaged, ask to see the damage. If it doesn't work as described, ask for a video. If they refuse, you know something's afoot.

If they do send pictures, you have a few choices. You can say you want the item to be returned, and will fully refund their purchase upon receipt. If they don't want to do that, they're probably trying to get a quick buck from you. Of course, sometimes these partial refund requests are genuine, perhaps due to an inaccurate listing from a new seller, or another mistake. In that case, a partial refund is something you can issue if you feel comfortable.

6. Never ship to a different address than the one on file

When you set up an account on an online selling site, you should enter a shipping and billing address. This is standard practice. If you sell an item, and receive a note asking that you ship to a different address, you should decline. On rare occasions, the person hasn't updated their shipping address from a move, or it's a gift for someone else. Too bad. Don't do it.

When you're asked to ship to a different address, it could be that the account in question has been hacked, or you will be asked for a refund because the item was not delivered to the address on file. It's just not worth it. (See also: Make Money and Declutter by Selling These 5 Unlikely Treasures)

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This article is from Paul Michael of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

8 Things You No Longer Need to Keep in Your Wallet

Dr Penny Pincher — Wed, 24 Oct 2018 08:00:12 +0000

I recently noticed that most days, I never take my wallet out of my pocket at work. I always bring my lunch, and since I don't need to pay for anything else during the day, my wallet is basically dead weight. I decided to stop carrying it around altogether.

This walletless arrangement was convenient while I was at work, but I needed to remember it when I stopped to buy groceries or gas on the way home. After ending up in the checkout line without a way to pay a few times, I decided to set up mobile payment on my smartphone to avoid needing to run out to my car every time I forgot my wallet.

After my success leaving my wallet behind, I've come to realize that if you have a smartphone loaded with the right apps, you no longer need to carry around most of the things that are in your wallet. (See also: 5 Things to Never Keep in Your Wallet)

1. Credit cards

Mobile wallets allow you to use your smartphone instead of a credit card or cash to pay at a growing number of stores and restaurants. These apps are linked to one or more of your credit card accounts and transmit a payment code via near-field communication (NFC) technology to the retail terminal. Security measures are similar to using a chip card that produces a unique payment code for each transaction.

Here are some mobile wallet apps to check out:

2. Checks

Writing a check is one way to transfer money to someone else, but there are apps out there today that allow you to send money from your bank account to anyone simply by using their email address or username. Using a money transfer app means you don't need to carry checks in your wallet anymore.

Here are some mobile payment apps to check out:

3. Coupons

My coupon collection outgrew my wallet and overflowed into a small accordion file that I keep in my car. Is there any way to replace all of these paper coupons with something more convenient? The answer is yes; there's an app for that.

Here are some mobile couponing and cash back apps to check out:

4. Store loyalty cards

I used to carry several store loyalty cards in my wallet. These cards have a barcode on the back that the cashier scans so you can get perks and discounts when you shop at your favorite stores. But since you can ask the cashier to look up your store loyalty account using your phone number, you really don't need to carry the card around in your wallet. If you want a way to use loyalty cards without looking it up with your phone number, there are smartphone apps that can carry digital copies of your store loyalty cards.

Here are a few store loyalty apps to check out:

5. Contact info and account numbers

Another thing that keeps my wallet fat is business cards and small pieces of paper with important information written down — addresses, phone numbers, travel rewards program account numbers, and my consignment store account numbers. There's no longer a reason to carry stuff like this around and risk losing it or having it stolen. There are apps that let you store digital notes and keep contact information organized and available all the time.

Here are some digital note apps to check out:

6. Insurance cards

Every six months, I get new insurance cards for my car insurance policy and put one in my wallet. I also carry cards for my health, dental, and vision insurance policies. If you're putting your wallet on a diet, you can get digital insurance cards from many insurance providers to keep on your smartphone. If you want to take matters into your own hands, you can simply take a photo of your insurance cards and show the photo when someone needs your insurance information.

7. Photos

Wallet-sized photos were made for carrying around in your, well, wallet. But it has been decades since I've shown anyone photos in my wallet — I use my phone instead. I can store thousands of photos on my phone versus only a few in my wallet. Not to mention I can take pictures with my phone, too.

Apps to check out:

8. Receipts

It can be handy to keep receipts in your wallet in case you need to return something, but this can quickly make your wallet unwieldy. Use a smartphone app instead to digitize and organize your receipts and slim down your wallet.

Here are some receipt organizer apps to check out:

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This article is from Dr Penny Pincher of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

This Is How Free Money Management Apps Make Money

Tim Lemke — Tue, 09 Oct 2018 08:00:13 +0000

There are many smartphone apps designed to help make our financial lives easier. It’s now possible to manage nearly all aspects of our money — from budgeting, to investing, to sending money and making payments — through an app. And since many of these apps are free to use, it prompts the question as to how the operators make any money.

The business model for apps varies, but there are a variety of revenue streams ranging from advertising and referrals to subscription premium services. Let’s take a quick look at a half dozen of the most common financial app categories and their business models.

1. Money transfer apps

Do you need to pay someone, but don’t have cash and don’t want to bother with a check or money order? You can use money transfer apps to make payments and transfer cash instantly. In most cases, the app links to a bank account or credit card.

Some of the more popular money transfer apps include PayPal, Venmo, Cash App, and Dwolla, though there are many others. They are usually free to use, and they make money by charging a percentage of every transaction involving a credit card. Some apps, such as Venmo, also have a social feed component that could eventually lead to advertising revenue. (See also: The 5 Millennial Money Apps Everyone Should Use)

2. Account aggregators

These apps, which often also have desktop versions, allow users to link all of their financial accounts in order to see their full monetary situation in one view. This allows for easier tracking of spending and income, and there are some handy budgeting tools. Mint and Personal Capital are two of the more popular account aggregators.

Mint makes its money from a number of different sources, including advertising, product referrals (including credit cards), and from selling users’ aggregated financial data. Personal Capital, meanwhile, gets its revenue from the management fees tied to its separate robo-advising service. It collects 0.89 percent of the size of each portfolio under $1,000,000, and less as accounts grow larger. (See also: These 5 Apps Will Help You Finally Organize Your Money)

3. Investment apps

There are a number of new apps designed to make it easier for people to invest, including some that allow users to invest with small quantities of money. Acorns, for example, will round the cost of your purchases up to the nearest dollar and invest the difference. Acorns and its competitor Stash charge $1 per month until you have $5,000 in a portfolio (and in Stash's case, $2 a month for IRA balances under $5,000). After that, both services charge 0.25 percent of your account balance. (See also: How to Start Investing With Just $100)

4. Credit score checkers

There are a number of apps that allow users to learn their credit score and get alerts for any unusual activity on their credit report. Credit Karma, Credit Sesame, and WalletHub are popular apps that are free to use, but make money from targeted advertising, loan management, and referral partnerships with credit card providers. (See also: I Checked My Credit Score in 11 Places — Here's What I Learned)

5. Billing, invoicing, and time tracking

This group includes apps such as Harvest, which allows for time-sheet tracking, billing, online invoicing, and other services. Harvest is free for one person and two projects, but $12 per month, per person for unlimited projects. Similar apps have similar charges, but also make money if you use their payment processing features or pay for other upgrades. (See also: 5 Free Accounting Tools for Freelancers)

6. Bill paying

These apps can be similar to account aggregators, but allow users to make payments. Doxo is one app that allows for bill paying and offers a “digital filing cabinet.” Bill paying is often free, but users may be charged a fee if the provider is not part of the app’s network, or you pay using a credit card. (In the case of Doxo, this could be as much as 3.5 percent.)

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This article is from Tim Lemke of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

The 5 Best Wireless Chargers

Andrea Cannon — Tue, 28 Aug 2018 08:00:10 +0000

You've upgraded your phone. Isn't it time to upgrade the way you charge it, too? Now you can charge with no wires, no frustration, and possibly in less time than you're used to.

What is a wireless charger?

Wireless chargers are portable chargers that don't require wires or cables. They're easy to use and set up. All you have to do is set your device on the charger and it will automatically begin charging. You can also continue to use your device while charging, and even answer a call without unplugging.

Wireless chargers tend to work with most Qi-enabled devices, but may not offer fast charging for your device, so you would still have normal charging times, with the added convenience.

Top 5 wireless chargers

Fast Wireless Charger RAVPower 7.5W

An Amazon's Choice Product, the Fast Wireless Charger RAVPower 7.5W features up to 10W charging for all Qi-enabled and quick charge devices. It has a phone charging LED indicator light, nonslip rubberized coating, and high-friction base pad. The safety features also include short circuit protection, overheat protection, and over-current, over-voltage, and overcharging protection. It uses HyperAir technology for faster charging speeds — up to twice as fast as traditional wireless chargers.

This includes a wireless charger, QC 3.0 adapter, and USB to micro USB cable. It has more than 900 five-star reviews and is recommended by Digital Trends and TechRadar.

Currently $29.99 on Amazon

Samsung Qi Certified Fast Charge Wireless Charger Stand

The Samsung Qi Certified Fast Charge Wireless Charger Stand includes a wireless charge stand and fast charge wall-charger. It works with all Qi-enabled devices, without the need to plug your device into a wall charger or USB port. The multicolored LED indicates charging status and proper device alignment.

This is available in a range of colors and options. It's recommended by MacWorld and has more than 6,000 five-star reviews on Amazon. It's also backed by a one-year warranty.

Currently $37.95 on Amazon

PLESON Fast Wireless Charger

An Amazon's Choice Product, the PLESON Fast Wireless Charger works with all Qi-enabled devices. It stands upright, so it can double as a phone stand. The two built-in coils offer a larger charging area. It also features temperature control, an LED indicator light that automatically shuts off after 10 seconds, and an anti-slip pad. The compact wireless charger stand also has over-voltage, under-voltage, temperature control, surge protection, and short-circuit prevention features.

This includes a wireless fast charger stand with a micro USB port and USB power cable. It is recommended by CNET and is backed by more than 3,000 five-star reviews on Amazon. It also comes with a 60-day money back guarantee.

Currently $18.95 on Amazon

Anker Wireless Charger

The Anker Wireless Charger uses cutting-edge wireless inductive technology. It has a minimalist coaster design and includes a micro USB cable. It features temperature control, anti-slip rubber coating, metal frame, LED indicator lights, and overcharge protection.

Anker claims to be America's leading USB charging brand with more than 28 million happy users. It's also backed by more than 3,000 five-star reviews on Amazon and an 18-month hassle-free warranty. The Anker PowerPort Wireless 10 is also an Amazon's Choice Product.

Currently $9.99 on Amazon

Seneo iPhone X Wireless Charger

Amazon's Choice for wireless chargers, the Seneo iPhone X Wireless Charger works with all Qi-enabled devices. It has an LED indicator light and stand-up design, so you can use it as a phone stand as well. It's available in two colors and includes a quick-charging micro USB cable. It has nearly 4,000 five-star reviews on Amazon and is backed by a lifetime manufacturer warranty. The Seneo iPhone X Wireless Charger is another Amazon best-seller from the brand.

Currently $18.69 on Amazon

And those are our recommendations for the best wireless chargers. As always, be sure to check Wise Bread's Buying Calendar to learn when and how to buy just about anything!

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This article is from Andrea Cannon of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

8 Travel Gadgets to Take on Your Next Road Trip

Nick Wharton — Wed, 08 Aug 2018 08:00:11 +0000

There's something about loading up the car, putting on some awesome tunes, and hitting the open road that appeals to everyone — young or old. It's the sense of freedom, the promise of fun times, and the relative ease that has made road-tripping one of the great American traditions. Every year when the snow melts away, families, groups of friends, and solo wanderers take to the highways for a big adventure.

Having the right gadgets with you can take your road trip to another level, whether they're for practical use, entertainment purposes, or things to keep you safe on your journey. But sometimes it's difficult to know what to pack, and what's just going to add extra weight to your vehicle. Here are eight travel gadgets you should take on your next road trip.

1. Smartphone mount

If you're going to be using your smartphone as a GPS navigation system or music player in your car, you need to do it safely, and installing a smartphone mount is the way to go. There are several that are suitable for any model of car, whether it uses a suction cup for the windshield or a clip for the air vent. Just make sure it's in a place that's easy to see, but doesn't obstruct your view of the road.

2. Coffee handpresso

A coffee handpresso is like carrying your own personal coffee machine no matter where you go, but is so small and portable that it will fit in any handbag or daypack. The handpresso allows you to create a cup of joe in minutes with minimal effort. Like a regular machine, it forces the hot water through the coffee beans to produce a delicious shot of espresso. All you need is your favorite ground coffee beans or capsules, a flask of hot water, and a bit of hand pressure, and you've got a cafe quality cup of coffee on the go. (See also: 10 Tips for Camping Cooking)

3. Solar power bank

If you're on a multiday road trip where you're doing any activities away from the car like hiking, or camping, then it pays to have a portable power source. Solar power banks allow you to charge all of your small devices like phones, tablets, and cameras with the power of the sun. There's no need to worry about running out of power with one of these on hand. (See also: The 5 Best Solar Power Banks)

4. Electric cooler

Quick and easy snacks are one of the most important elements of an epic road trip, but there's nothing worse than opening up the package of food that you've worked so hard to prepare only to find that it's gone bad. An electric cooler is the perfect solution, and there are plenty of varieties to choose from that simply plug into your car's electricity supply. They're also handy for chilling drinks to keep you cool on those long summer drives. (See also: These 15 Road Trip Snacks Make It All About the Journey)

5. Bluetooth speaker

When you're on a road trip, you're probably going to want some entertainment, both for the actual traveling and for when you've parked at each stop along the way. A Bluetooth speaker will allow you to sit around the campfire or in the hotel room listening to your favorite playlists and podcasts.

They can also be used in the car if it's not Bluetooth enabled, and will save you from flipping through radio stations trying to find something you like. Just connect it to your phone or tablet, and you've got your preferred audio at your fingertips. (See also: The 5 Best Waterproof Bluetooth Speakers)

6. Car USB charger

If you're driving a car that lacks built-in USB ports, then a USB charger that fits into the cigarette lighter is the ideal fix. You can use it to charge all of your devices while you're on the go; particularly your smartphone, which will quickly run out of juice if you're using satellite navigation.

7. Multitool

Whether it's a bottle or can opener, a screwdriver, or a knife, there's always an occasion on a road trip where you'll find yourself in need of a particular tool. With a decent multitool in your pocket, you can solve virtually any problem you come across. They come in all shapes and sizes, with hundreds of different attachments to choose from, but even the smaller keychain variety will no doubt get you out of a bind at some point. (See also: 12 Cool Travel Items for Your Summer Vacation)

8. Dashboard camera

Give yourself some peace of mind in the event of being involved in an accident when you're on a road trip with a second set of eyes. Though it's not something you ever want to happen, it pays to be prepared, and a dashboard camera can help prove the exact circumstances of a crash.

Increasingly, people are also using them to capture the scenery around them while driving that they wouldn't otherwise be able to document. Choose one with a higher memory capacity and you could make an incredible time lapse film of your entire journey once you get home.

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This article is from Nick Wharton of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

These 8 Apps Will Help You Explore the Great Outdoors

Carrie Kirby — Thu, 05 Jul 2018 08:00:12 +0000

The wind is whispering through the trees, the air hangs thick with pine fragrance, and you just whipped out your phone. Don't feel guilty about logging on when you're out in nature! There are more and more apps out there that can seriously enhance your outdoor experience, rather than distract from it — whether you need a map that still works offline, an audio guide for your earbuds, or help figuring out whether you just stepped in poison ivy or a harmless shrub. (See also: 10 Smartphone Apps That Can Help You in an Emergency)

1. Bivy

A bivy is a lightweight personal shelter you can carry around while backpacking. Consider the free Bivy app a lightweight outdoor adventure guidebook. You can pull up the app when you're in a new area looking for a good hike, climb, or paddle. Better yet, you can use the app to record and share your adventures with fellow nature lovers.

This app also tells you when you're off the track, which, in my experience, would be pretty darn useful. Just last weekend, my husband, kids, and I were trying to hike to a waterfall using directions my husband had found online. We followed the landmarks, walked the recommended distance, and never found a waterfall. We still aren't sure what we did wrong. Next time, we'll use Bivy. (See also: 10 Most Breathtaking Day Hikes in the U.S.)

2. PlantSnap Plant Identification

There are several apps out there purporting to tell you what bush or tree you're looking at through photo recognition, but PlantSnap gets the best reviews from the most users on the iTunes App Store and the Google Play Store.

The developer claims that the app recognizes 90 percent of all plant and tree species on the planet, although according to reviews, it's a bit hit-or-miss. Still, if you love to take pictures of pretty flowers and shrubs, but never know what they're called, it's worth a try at $3.99 on iTunes or free on Google Play. (See also: 6 Surprising Ways a Houseplant Can Save You Money)

3. HERE WeGo

Billed as a free city navigation app, HERE WeGo can also be useful for deep woods hikes for one important reason: It lets you download maps even when you're offline. Save your destination on the map before leaving civilization, then hike without worry that you'll lose your connection when you need it most. This feature also makes HERE WeGo handy for international travel, if you don't have a data plan abroad. (See also: 8 Ways to Save on Smartphone Costs While Traveling)

4. Just Ahead

I'm famous for missing wild animal sightings — or tripping over my own feet — because my nose is buried in a guidebook. Just Ahead allows you to keep your head up and listen to an audio guide to a number of National Parks, including Yosemite, Zion, the Grand Canyon, and more. If the price seems high for an app (the app is free but each travel guide is an in-app purchase up to $19.99), keep in mind that these tours are professionally written and narrated by experts who have written for National Geographic and other publications.

And don't worry about losing your connection out on the trail; the guide will download to your phone and keep working out of cell tower range. (See also: How to Save on National Park Visits in 2018)

5. Sky Guide or Star Walk 2

Both of these apps use your phone's GPS and the concept of augmented reality to show you the stars and other celestial bodies that hover in the direction your phone is pointed.

The reason I'm listing both is that Sky Guide (for $2.99), made by Fifth Star Labs, is not available for Android. Instead, Android users (and iOS users) can try Star Walk 2, by Vito Technology, which is available in both free and $2.99 versions.

6. Maprika

Billed as a ski app, Maprika is actually much more. It will not only help you navigate hiking and biking trails, it can even help you find the bathrooms at a theme park or guide you around a college campus. The best part of Maprika is that it shows you exactly where you are on the map, just like the big, friendly, "YOU ARE HERE" points on board maps in public places. And if you're with a group that splits up, you can track your friends (or your kids) on the map, as well. (See also: 6 Cheap Date Ideas for Nature Lovers)

7. ChirpOMatic or Bird Song ID

As with the sky mapping apps, the best app in this category, ChirpOMatic, is only available for the iPhone at $3.99. So Android users looking for the same features use Bird Song ID, for $4.99.

Sometimes referred to as "Shazam for birds," these apps let you record bird calls, then they analyze the sound and guess what bird you're hearing. Like plant recognition apps, these are used with varying success; some reviewers love them and others end up frustrated.

8. AllTrails

AllTrails is a popular map app that covers the basics you would expect, like helping you find a promising trail and giving you directions along the way. One thing users love is seeing other users' comments; a recent review can save you from trying to hike a path that's covered in snow or searching for a waterfall that dried up a few years ago. With more than 50,000 ratings on iTunes, your chances are good that another user has recently tread the path you wish to explore.

The paid Pro version (for $29.99 per year) allows you to download offline maps, create custom maps, and to create real-time map overlays, showing conditions such as heat or air quality along your route — all without the ads you'll have to endure on the free version. (See also: 7 Affordable Destinations for Nature Lovers)

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This article is from Carrie Kirby of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

8 Signs You Need a Social Media Detox

Sarah Winfrey — Mon, 18 Jun 2018 09:00:24 +0000

Everyone's on social media these days. However, some of us take it more seriously than others. And some of us have to take it seriously, because our professional success relies heavily on staying connected. Then there are people who are on their accounts all the time, even when they're trying to do other things, like hang out with actual people. But are you one of those people whose obsessed with social media? How would you even know?

If you're worried about how much time you're wasting on various platforms, here are a few signs that it's time for a social media detox. (See also: 5 Ways Freelancers Can Promote Their Work Without Social Media)

1. You feel anxious when you're not scrolling

When you're not online, do you wish you were? Do you wonder what you're missing, hope that people aren't doing anything fun without you, or just feel anxious when you can't be on social media for a while? This anxiety can be a sign that you need to take a break. You should feel more anxious about missing your real life than you do about your online one. Separating from social media for a period of time can help you realize that the world doesn't end when you're not liking posts and battling trolls.

2. The photos you see upset you

Do you regularly see photos of other people's lives that make you feel sad or envious? Do you wish you had that kind of access to fancy homes, creativity, or style? If you're constantly comparing yourself to people online and feeling like you fall short, it may be time to unplug. Take the time to remember how good your own life is. (See also: How to Keep Social Media From Ruining Your Vacation)

3. You never put down your phone

Is your phone always in your hand or nearby, even when you're supposed to be working or having a real-life conversation? If you can't stop checking social media, it's time to put the phone down and walk away. Your online social life doesn't have to interfere with your real one. Delete some of the apps off your phone until they lose their hold over you.

4. You post about your life before you live it

When you're out living your life, do you stage photos specifically for social media? Are you spending a significant amount of time thinking of pithy statements to tweet? Do you think about what to post, or when, or how, even while you're in the middle of doing something fun or actively engaged in an activity? If you think about staging your life for Facebook or Instagram before you live it, it's time to put the phone in your pocket and enjoy what's in front of you. (See also: 10 Things to Stop Doing on Social Media by 30)

5. You check social media without thinking about it

What do you do when you're bored? Do you automatically go online, just to be sure you haven't missed anything? If your first line of defense against boredom to check your social media accounts, or the first thing you do while you're waiting, you may need to take a break and find other, more meaningful ways to spend your time. Set up other things to do when you would usually check your accounts mindlessly, and take back your time, and your life. (See also: 8 Ways Social Media Tricks You Into Spending More)

6. Social media interferes with your productivity

Are you online when you should be doing something important? Do work tasks get put off or not done at all because you're scrolling and tweeting instead? If social media is interfering with your productivity, or your to-do list never gets done because you're online, make some changes today. Delete your most addictive apps and download a few task management apps instead to keep you focused. (See also: Organize 8 Key Areas of Your Life With These 17 Smart Apps)

7. You make excuses to check in often

When you're out with friends or family, do you find yourself making excuses for checking your social accounts? Maybe you tell them that it's for work, or you go to the bathroom with your phone just so you can check your notifications. If social media has such a strong pull on your life that your loved ones are calling you out and you're making excuses to stay connected, then it's high time to disconnect.

8. You're disengaging from your real life

Do you choose to be online rather than go out with friends? Sure, we all need the occasional evening in, but if you are regularly choosing social media over your friends, or choosing not to go out because you're afraid you'll miss something online, it's time to think about a break. Social media can have a place in your life, but it shouldn't frequently take the place of real-life interactions. (See also: Are You Letting FOMO Ruin Your Finances?)

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This article is from Sarah Winfrey of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Best Money Tips: How to Boost Your Wi-Fi Signal at Home

Amy Lu — Wed, 13 Jun 2018 08:30:14 +0000

Welcome to Wise Bread's Best Money Tips Roundup! Today we found articles on ways to boost your Wi-Fi signal at home, money-saving tips for your next backpacking trip, and ways to stay accountable to your health and fitness goals.

How to Turn Your Expertise Into a Side Hustle

Nick Wharton — Tue, 12 Jun 2018 08:30:33 +0000

As the old saying goes, "knowledge is power," and the rise of the internet has created many opportunities to turn your knowledge into cold hard cash. Maybe you're looking for a new career, or perhaps you're just looking to build a side hustle that will bring in a few extra bucks. Either way, selling what you know online could turn out to be a great little earner for you.

There are various ways to sell your knowledge over the internet, depending on what you are selling and the format you use. A few years ago, it might have required an advanced understanding of technology or a load of cash to get your idea off the ground, but these days, there are plenty of ways to get going with minimal upfront investment — making it easy for anyone with a computer and an internet connection to start a side hustle. (See also: How to Build a Side Business While Keeping Your Day Job)

1. Write an ebook

It used to be that if you couldn't find a traditional publishing house that accepted your manuscript, then you'd have no other choice but to pay to have it printed yourself. Luckily, ebooks have blown the publishing world wide open and have enabled almost anyone to produce and sell a story directly to readers with very few costs attached. It also means that books are extremely quick to create. You can have your ebook ready to go not long after it's written.

To go through Amazon, you can write the ebook in your normal word processing software, then format it with Kindle Create, and create a cover for it in a free design program like Canva. You can then self-publish it through Amazon's Kindle Direct Publishing.

But for wider distribution, look also at NookPress and Kobo Writing Life, which are other self-publishing platforms. For the widest reach possible, it's best to publish with all of the major players rather than sticking to a single one.

2. Host webinars

Hosting live webinar sessions allows you to share your knowledge to an audience without the need for them to be physically present. It's like a conference or seminar but done on a remote basis, saving learners the cost of travel and accommodation. The real benefit of webinars is that you can interact with your audience as you go, by allowing real-time questions or holding a Q&A session at the end. This ensures that everyone gets exactly what they want from the session.

Webinars can be simple presentations carried out on Skype or even Facebook Live, but more advanced tools will allow you to create better, more engaging seminars. Google Hangouts is free to use and has numerous collaborative features perfect for hosting web sessions.

Alternatively, there are various paid software tools such as GoToMeeting or Cisco Webex that are specifically for designing and conducting webinars. You need to have an audience large enough to make it worth your while, so it helps if you already have a following on social media or a website to allow you to publicize the event. (See also: 13 Ways to Make Money Teaching Your Skills to Others)

3. Become an online consultant

For people with a sought after skill set that businesses want to access, online consulting works extremely well. There are many reasons why businesses prefer to work with online consultants rather than those who physically come onto the work premises. These range from not wanting to upset the workforce with an outsider's presence while still benefiting from a pair of fresh eyes, to the simple reality that it's often less costly to hire an online consultant while still receiving an expert level of service.

It helps to have a niche skill that you have proven expertise in, as this will lend you much needed credibility. Getting started in online consulting can be difficult, so it's vital to use any and all contacts you already have to get your first break. Once you have your first few contracts secured, you will hopefully begin to get referrals or recommendations and see a snowball effect.

4. Provide online tutoring

Online tutoring is a great way to share your experience with people who want to learn one-on-one with an expert in their chosen subject. You don't need to have a degree in education, but you’ll need skills or knowledge in something that people are willing to pay to learn. Subjects like English, math, and science, are particularly in demand. However, it's possible to tutor online on other topics such as foreign languages (or English as a foreign language), or even learning an instrument.

There are numerous online agencies that match people with tutors in their chosen subject, so you won't have to actively search or advertise for clients. Generally, you fill out an application and they decide whether they accept you or not. Once you've been accepted and have registered, they will send you jobs as they become available. (See also: How to Earn $1,000 a Month or More as an Online Tutor)

5. Create an online course

If you have knowledge that you want to spread far and wide, and know there's an audience there to lap it up, then an online course may be the right path for you. Online courses allow you to reach more people than you could on a one-on-one basis, both from a time perspective, and also because you can sell a course much cheaper than individual tutoring.

It's a huge amount of work initially to design and build your course, but once this is done, the course should provide passive income with little to no further effort. There are various delivery methods that you'll have to select, depending on what you want to achieve. Courses that email your lessons to students are easy to set up with providers such as MailChimp, or you can put your materials out in module format with the Udemy marketplace. (See also: How I Made $400 in 10 Days by Selling an Online Course I Created)

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This article is from Nick Wharton of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

How to Stop Those Annoying Robocalls

Dan Rafter — Fri, 08 Jun 2018 09:00:18 +0000

Your phone rings, the number on the screen starts with your local area code. Of course you're going to pick up. What if it's the school nurse calling about your children? What if it's your dentist's office calling to reschedule an appointment?

Then you pick up and a recording tells you that you've won a free cruise to Alaska or that you owe money to the IRS.

Yes, you've been hit by a robocall. These obnoxious recorded messages are used by companies to persuade you to buy something you usually don't need. Not only are they annoying, but robocalls can be dangerous, too. Plenty of scammers use them to trick people into giving up their Social Security numbers, credit card digits, or other personal information. Worst of all? These robocalls are increasing, and so are complaints from consumers who have been harassed by those prerecorded pitches and scams.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to stop at least a chunk of these calls and to protect yourself from any automated scams targeting your phone number.

We're answering a LOT more robocalls lately

The Federal Trade Commission reported that in 2017, consumers filed more than 4.5 million complaints with the commission about robocalls. That ranks as the highest number of complaints in any year, and is a sharp increase from the more than 3.4 million robocall complaints consumers filed with the FTC in 2016.

The most common topic of these robocalls is debt reduction. Robocalls about vacations and timeshares were the second most common, while those about warranties and protection plans came in third. (See also: How to Spot a Hotel Booking Scam)

How to stop them

If the number of robocalls bombarding your phone has increased, you're not alone. How do you stop, or at least slow down, these intrusions? (See also: How to Protect Elderly Loved Ones From Financial Scams)

Register your number on the Do Not Call list

Your first step is to sign up for the National Do Not Call Registry, offered by the FTC. Telemarketers are prohibited from using automated dialers to call cellphones or landlines on the list, unless the owners of these numbers give them consent first.

Unfortunately, listing your number on this list doesn't stop all robocalls. That's because many of the companies or scammers behind these calls won't hesitate to ignore Federal Communications Commission regulations.

Use call-blocking apps

Once you've listed your number on the Do Not Call Registry, it's time to download call-blocking apps that can help you prevent repeat robocalls from the same number. The Mr. Number app is a popular one, and allows you to block any number that has sent you a robocall and calls from known scammers. You can also block calls from numbers not in your contact list.

There are competitors out there, including apps such as Truecaller and Should I Answer. These will help you greatly reduce robocalls.

Wireless providers understand that robocalls are a nuisance, too. So it's not surprising that some of these providers offer their own call-blocking apps. AT&T offers the AT&T Call Protect app that lets you block calls from suspicious numbers and past robocallers. T-Mobile provides its own Scam Block tool that allows cell users to block all known scam calls before they ring up their phones. And Verizon offers its own suite of call-blocking services, including call block, caller ID, and anonymous call rejection.

What to do if you still get robocalls

What if, despite the measures you've taken to prevent them, you still receive a robocall?

First, if your call is coming from a number you don't recognize, don't answer. If the call truly is important, whoever is calling will leave you a voicemail. If you do answer, hang up as soon as you realize you're dealing with a robocall.

Some robocalls will request that you hit the number "1" to speak with a live operator. Never do this. You'll just be connected with someone trying to sell you something or scam you. Others might ask that you press a certain number on your phone to stop receiving calls. Don't press that number, either. You'll usually be connected to another operator who wants to sell you or scam you.

In short, the best way to deal with robocalls that slip through is to never engage with them. Robocallers can't scam you if you don't answer. (See also: 3 Ways to Ban Spam and Stop Junk)

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This article is from Dan Rafter of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

12 Free Software Tools for Your Small Business

Samantha Stauf — Fri, 01 Jun 2018 08:30:28 +0000

Freelancers and small-business owners might not have the financial capital on hand to invest in all of the tools and apps that can help a business run smoothly. Thankfully, they don't need it — because plenty of free, open source software is available online at the click of a button.

Many of the free versions of business software cover, at minimum, the basic needs required by startups and self-employed individuals. Check out a few below. (See also: 6 Helpful Tools to Manage Your Small Business)

1. Google Drive

Google Drive is a free service that gives users access to spreadsheets, word processing, slideshows, and form software. The drive is tied to Gmail accounts. Each user has access to 15GB of cloud storage under a free account.

These free tools don't have the same level of robust options as Microsoft's suite of office software, but they offer most of the common features that small businesses will be looking for. As an added bonus, the documents are updated in real time, so it's a solid choice for companies that do real-time collaboration on projects.

Drive allows users to upload and download documents in a Microsoft format, so you will not have problems sharing documents with clients, customers, or partners who utilize Office.

2. LibreOffice

LibreOffice is a free collection of open source office tools that gives users access to downloadable spreadsheets, word processing, and presentation software. It's important that you only download the software on the LibreOffice website to avoid potential computer viruses.

LibreOffice is a pretty solid alternative to Microsoft Office. LibreOffice Writer has most of the major and minor features found in Microsoft Word. LibreOffice Calc also has similar features to Excel, but Microsoft macro and programming language can't be imported from Calc to Microsoft Excel. The presentation software (Impress) has similar compatibility issues with PowerPoint.

The bottom line is that LibreOffice is a good alternative if your business doesn't receive Excel files with macros and doesn't need to send presentations to individuals who utilize PowerPoint.

3. Evernote

Evernote is a "freemium" application (free to download and use, with additional paid features) that can be used for word processing, slideshows, note taking, and document storage. The main perk of the platform is the ability to easily store and organize various types of documents in one place.

The basic platform is free and allows users to upload 20MB of new content each month and sync it across two devices. It's a neat tool, but I wouldn't necessarily recommend it as your sole project management software. The basic freemium plan doesn't offer a robust means of sharing documents internally and externally.

4. Prezi

Prezi is online presentation software. A basic, free account allows individuals to create an unlimited number of presentations, but has no miscellaneous options, such as offline sync, privacy controls, or revocable shared links.

The tool, despite its limited scope, is worth evaluating because the presentations that can be created aren't typical, old-fashioned slideshows. Presentations are shown on large slides that offer the presenter smart capabilities like zooming in on certain details.

5. Trello

The basic, free version of project management software Trello gives members the ability to create an unlimited number of lists, cards, and checklists. Members can upload up to 10MB of files.

The free version of Trello only has two major downsides. First, basic accounts lack the ability to put the lists and cards into collections to make the system easier to navigate. Second, users aren't able to remove group members. The basic account relies heavily on the honor system and managers externally policing how individuals interact with the tool. As your company grows, you might want to invest in a paid project management and organization tool.

6. SurveyMonkey

SurveyMonkey is a survey creation tool. The free version allows individuals to create a 10 question survey. Each survey can have up to 100 responses.

Which should you use, Google Forms or Survey Monkey? Survey Monkey tends to be a tad more aesthetically pleasing, but Google Forms allow the survey to have more than 10 questions. I'd recommend using Google Forms if you regularly create long surveys.

7. Buffer

Buffer is a social media management platform that serves as a valuable marketing tool. A basic, free Buffer account allows users to manage up to three social accounts at one time. Each account can have 10 posts in the schedule queue.

Due to the limitations, I'd recommend this for businesses or individuals who don't rely heavily on preplanning a large number of social media posts. The free plan also, unfortunately, does not give users access to valuable analytics data for a more targeted social campaign.

Despite those restrictions, it can be a valuable tool for small businesses and freelancers until they can invest in a more robust social media management plan.

8. Google Hangouts

Google Hangouts allows organizations to create video calls, phone calls, and online chat forums. The tools are free and can be accessed through users' Gmail accounts.

Video and audio calls can have up to 10 active participants; individuals who video call can use screen share to give presentations, as well as share documents, websites, and videos. Google Conversations — the chat feature of Hangouts — can have up to 150 participants.

9. Slack

Slack's main function serves as a robust interface for team chat and collaboration. The free version also has the ability to make one-on-one voice and video calls, offers 5GB of file storage, and allows users to search through a history of the previous 10,000 messages.

10. Audacity

Audacity is open source audio editing software that can be downloaded on Microsoft, Mac, and Linux computers. You should only download the software from the official Audacity website.

Audacity allows users to import or record audio files. Once audio files are uploaded or recorded, they can be combined and edited. The first time a business or freelancer utilizes the software to create a piece of audio content, I'd recommend they consult one of the dozens of video guides available on YouTube. Experts of the software can, at the very least, give inexperienced recorders tips that might save them hours of work.

11. GIMP

GIMP is a free photo editing program that is compatible with most operating systems. Like LibreOffice and Audacity, GIMP should be downloaded from the official GIMP website.

It's important to note that GIMP, as an open source, community-built program, isn't as advanced as Adobe Photoshop. GIMP has basic editing functions, but lacks many of the higher quality functions present in Photoshop.

Entrepreneurs and self-employed individuals who either lack the capital to invest in Photoshop or don't require advanced photo editing software should give GIMP a try.

12. Canva

Canva is a "freemium" graphic design tool that lets businesses and freelancers create featured images and graphs that can be utilized on their websites, blogs, or promotional materials. Canva can be accessed online or by downloading the app on a variety of tablets and smartphones.

A free Canva account has 1GB of storage and gives up to 10 team members access to the software. Novice image editors can streamline the photo editing process by choosing one of the 8,000 image templates as a guide. Users can either upload their own images or purchase an image through Canva.

If you're not quite up to delving into GIMP for your photo editing needs, Canva can be easier to utilize.

This article is from Samantha Stauf of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

The 5 Best Cord Organizers

Andrea Cannon — Thu, 31 May 2018 08:00:20 +0000

How much time have you wasted untangling headphone cords? Fortunately, affordable cord organizers can keep small cords packed together, so you don't have to spend your precious time untangling bunched up cables ever again.

What is a cord organizer?

A cord organizer is a small accessory that can keep headphone cords and data cables tidy and untangled. They are small enough to be stored in your desk, car, bag, or anywhere else you may have tangled cords. If you're looking for something that can fit both your cords and larger cables, then consider a travel cable organizer instead. (See also: The 5 Best Travel Cable Organizers)

Top 5 Cord Organizers

Nite Ize Original Gear Tie

Amazon's Choice for cord organizers, the Nite Ize Original Gear Tie is very practical. The four pack of durable, rubber twist ties have a strong, bendable internal wire and soft rubber exterior that is UV resistant, waterproof, and won't scratch, mark, or ding. The colorful 3" reusable gear ties can also be used for bundling, organizing, and storing any small items. They are also easily mountable, hold their shape, and have excellent grip. The Amazon best-seller has over 4,000 five-star reviews on Amazon. They're available in a range of color options, but this multi-color option can also help you color code your headphones and cords.

Currently $2.98 on Amazon

Avantree Wire Organizer

Amazon's Choice for cord organizers, the Avantree Wire Organizer can be used to organize a range of cords and small wires. The special design easily attaches to cords and cables of all sizes, so you won't have to worry about losing them. The reusable, durable cord fastening wraps come in three different sizes and various colors to effectively organize and color coordinate any wires, cords, and cables. They have over 400 five-star reviews on Amazon and are backed by a two-year warranty.

Currently $6.99 on Amazon

BELUGA Cable Clips and Cord Management System

The BELUGA Cable Clips and Cord Management System organizers are made of environmentally friendly material and have removable 3M sticky pads on the back, so you can adhere them to any smooth surface. The pack of eight is available in a range of colors, so you can color coordinate your cords. Each silicone holder has two soft, yet tough channels, which can hold headphones, power cords, charging cables, and any other small cords or chargers. The clips are backed by more than 600 five-star reviews on Amazon and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Currently $8.95 on Amazon

CAILLU Power Cord Organizer

The CAILLU Power Cord Organizer and manager is ideal for headphones, lightning cables, USB cords, and other accessory wires. Each of the sleek, high-quality handmade leather earbud clips snaps shut with a metal button. This allows it to quickly release the headphones and keep them tangle-free. The headphone organizer is soft, compact, flexible, and can be used to easily wind all types of small cables and cords. The five-pack is available in a range of colors and backed by a satisfaction guarantee.

Currently $7.48 on Amazon

Nite Ize Curvyman Cord Supervisor

The Nite Ize Curvyman Cord Supervisor offers an easy way to wrap and store headphones. The lightweight, durable, compact plastic organizer has a unique design to keep small cords in order and tangle-free. The headphone cord wrap can also shorten long wires to keep cords close-fitting. This is available in a range of colors and comes with an attachment that allows you to clip it to your keychain or bag. The earbud organizer is backed by more than 500 five-star reviews on Amazon and a worry-free guarantee.

Currently $2.97 on Amazon

And those are our recommendations for the best cord organizers. As always, be sure to check Wise Bread's Buying Calendar to learn when and how to buy just about anything!

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This article is from Andrea Cannon of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Take Control of Your Money With These 10 Free Spreadsheet Templates

Rachel Slifka — Mon, 07 May 2018 08:31:13 +0000

While there are a ton of apps to help you automate your finances, some people prefer the old-school spreadsheet method. Spreadsheets are an excellent financial tool, because you can input your financial goals and numbers, and allow the spreadsheet to do the rest of the work. We rounded up a sample of free spreadsheet templates for every budgeting need.

1. Extended budget template

After searching for the perfect budgeting template for years, Libby Kane of Business Insider decided to create her own. This template is perfect for anyone looking to track both their business and personal spending all in one place. While it is pretty detailed, it's easy to simply delete or rename the categories that don't fit your lifestyle. (See also: 5-Minute Finance: Track Your Spending)

2. Student loan tracker

Young Adult Money's David Carlson knows a few things about student loans. After starting his blog as a side hustle to help pay off $100,000 in student loans, he credits a systemized approach to his success. You can download his student loan tracker for free by signing up with your email.

3. Income tracker

As a small-business owner, blogger Alexa Mason of Single Moms Income needed a spreadsheet to track all of her business income and expenses. So she created the income tracker spreadsheet. This spreadsheet is particularly helpful for income-earning bloggers, although you can easily swap out the line items to fit your business needs.

4. Weekly budget template

Want to break down your monthly budget even more? Try the free weekly budget template. This template can help give you a snapshot of your spending each week, allowing you to see where you can really cut back. (See also: Boost Your Savings With This Easy Budgeting System)

5. College student budget

College students have different budgeting needs than the rest of the adult world. If you're a college student, you can keep track of all of your expenses, tuition, and income all in one convenient place with Mint's free spreadsheet download.

6. Mortgage calculator

Want to make some serious progress on paying down your mortgage? This mortgage calculator from Vertex42 can advise you on pretty much anything you need to know about your mortgage rates and how to reach your payment goals. (See also: 4 Smart Ways to Lower Your Monthly Mortgage Payment)

7. Holiday spending budget

It's never too early to start prepping your holiday season budget. You know you'll have people to shop for and your budget can quickly turn into a mess if you wait until the last minute. Luckily, you can calculate all of your holiday costs with this spreadsheet from Microsoft Office.

8. Travel spreadsheet

Planning to hit the open road or head overseas in the near future? Take a gander at Lifehacker's free travel spreadsheet. It helps you to keep track of your confirmation numbers, schedule, and emergency contact info, plus, you can add all of your expenses so you get a full picture of your travel budget. (See also: How to Build Your Best Travel Budget)

9. Savings goals tracker

The best way to set and achieve savings goals is to track your progress. It's important to always understand how far you've come, and how far you have left to go. This free savings goal tracker spreadsheet from Vertex42 is the perfect tool to keep you on track.

10. Wedding budget

Weddings will always cost a pretty penny, but setting budget goals for the big day and finding smart ways to save can keep you from spiraling into debt before even uttering your vows. (See also: People Are Still Spending Too Much on Their Weddings)

For a simple, no-fuss wedding budget, check out this wedding budget work sheet template from Gail Vaz-Oxlade. This spreadsheet is completely free and doesn't require sign up.

Note: The author is a contributor at Young Adult Money but is not being paid to promote the site.

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This article is from Rachel Slifka of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

6 Ways Millennials Are Working Less and Earning More

Nick Wharton — Tue, 01 May 2018 08:30:18 +0000

The rise of the internet has been a complete game changer in regards to the new money making opportunities it has opened up. Millennials, in particular, are making money in ways that weren't possible just five or 10 years ago. Entire professions have sprung up that allow savvy entrepreneurs to cash in while actually working less than if they had a regular full-time job.

There are plenty of articles out there claiming to show you how easy it is to make millions with very little work. I want to stress that generally this simply isn't the case, and there are no legitimate "get rich quick schemes" on the internet. All of these jobs, even the ones that will eventually provide you with passive income, take a lot of work and dedication to get right, especially at the start.

However, with a bit of know-how and a lot of dedication, it's possible to break free from a life chained to your cubicle working 60 hours a week. Millennials have been at the forefront of the latest developments on the internet, and are continually inventing new ways to earn a living through it. Here are six ways millennials are working less and earning more.

1. Cryptocurrency

Cryptocurrency has been constantly in the news recently, with analysts and skeptics regularly predicting that it's on the verge of suffering a huge crash. Despite all the doom and gloom surrounding it, and some recent volatility, there are still plenty of people making money from it. There are also many different ways that people can use cryptocurrency to make money, meaning it's a versatile income stream. Essentially, cryptocurrency is a digital asset that uses cryptography as a security measure. Bitcoin is one form of cryptocurrency that has been in the spotlight quite a bit. (See also: Is Bitcoin Still a Thing?)

Simon Yu, CEO of blockchain startup StormX told Forbes, "Millennials are particularly open to embracing new technology in order to create opportunities for themselves — and blockchain, the tech behind crypto, is no different. As masters of the side hustle and challengers of the traditional 9–5 working lives of previous generations, millennials are welcoming blockchain with open arms."

Trading is probably the most well-known method of making money from cryptocurrency, but by no means the only one. Those with an in-depth knowledge of computers can actually mine cryptocurrency, although profits from this are far lower than they were previously. Buying and holding your chosen cryptocurrency is also a popular way to make profits. Rising values have sparked hundreds of stories about how early investors got rich by cashing out their holdings once their value had soared.

2. Online trading

Where trading stocks used to be relatively complicated to get into, the internet has opened it up to virtually anyone. Trading in the stock market can be a great way to make money online, and you need little more than a laptop or smartphone and an internet connection to get going. By being supremely tech-savvy and learning to trade via apps, millennials are getting more and more involved in the stock trading scene. (See also: The 5 Millennial Money Apps Everyone Should Use)

You don't need any specific skills to get started, but it's vital to research properly before sinking your life savings into any particular stock. To get going, open a brokerage account with a reputable stock broker, and then it's a case of finding the right stock that will bring you profits. It's important to know that stock trading always carries a risk, but there are lots of people doing it remotely, millennials in particular, and making it work. (See also: Beginner's Guide to Reading a Stock Table)

3. Drop shipping

Drop shipping allows people to create online stores and fulfill their orders without ever having to actually handle the inventory themselves. The orders are fulfilled either directly by the manufacturer, or another third party, freeing up the seller to concentrate solely on attracting new customers and selling products. There's no need for warehouses full of stock and you don't have to deal with postage and packaging, so you can set up and operate with extremely low operating costs.

Once a store is set up and running, it can take minimal effort to keep it going. Sites like AliExpress have been specifically created for the purposes of connecting dropshippers with manufacturers, and they make the process even simpler because you don't need to source manufacturers yourself. This type of retail suits marketing- and sales-driven individuals who don't want to be bogged down by the manufacturing and delivery fulfillment aspect of running online stores.

This trend has become particularly popular among millennials and Gen Z'ers because of internet marketing skills that have grown naturally over a lifetime of use, and it requires little in startup funds to get going.

4. Blogging

With a few minutes and a minimal amount of cash upfront, it's easy to set up your very own blog. Taking it to the next level and monetizing it will take longer, but it's possible to see a decent return on your investment within a matter of months. One of the most important steps is choosing a profitable niche, preferably one that you're already knowledgeable and passionate about so you can write about your subject with authority and enthusiasm right off the bat.

Once you've built up an audience, there are lots of income streams open to bloggers. Savvy bloggers also create numerous blogs simultaneously to maximize income. Popular moneymaking methods include: recommending products or services to your audience and receiving payments for affiliate sales, advertising on your blog, and creating and selling your own products, like e-books and podcasts.

Because of they’ve grown up creating content on social media and microblogging platforms like Tumblr, millennials are generally savvy when it comes to creating blogs, building their networks, and nurturing those digital relationships to ensure their content is shared by as many people as possible. (See also: 5 Easy Ways to Make Extra Money Blogging)

5. Online stores

Forget about renting space, filling it with products, and waiting around for customers to wander in. Online retail shops allow you to set up digitally with minimal upfront costs, and countless ways to actively drive paying customers to your store. Online stores have become big business, particularly with millennials and the rise of smartphones putting products in customers' hands 24/7.

Setting up is simple thanks to sites like Shopify or Woocommerce, which have easy-to-use templates and models that can get your online store ready to go in minutes. You can sell products you already have, or look for products to sell on both sites. If selling crafty items is more your style, you can create storefronts on Amazon Handmade or Etsy. It's then a case of promoting these stores and their products online using social media platforms. (See also: The 5 Best Sites to Sell Your Arts and Crafts)

6. Ads management

Helping companies unlock the potential of online advertising to increase their reach, and ultimately their profits, has gotten more popular in recent years. Since search engines and social media platforms turn to advertising as their main source of revenue, it has opened up endless possibilities. Facebook advertising, in particular, has become a popular way for people to make money through selling ad management services. It's possible to produce extremely targeted advertisements to a specific audience using the data they collect.

Many businesses are completely unaware of how to use online advertising, and local companies potentially may not even have an online presence, making it relatively easy to sell to them. For a monthly retainer they receive guaranteed, quality customer referrals looking to purchase their services or products.

Millennials are perfect for gigs like this, as they spend so much time on social media anyway, and have an intimate knowledge of what they and their peers connect to in terms of content.

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This article is from Nick Wharton of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread: