Top Apps to Save You Money for Your Daily Routine

 

One major perk of owning a smartphone is that you have access to apps that can save you money for every part of your day. From grocery shopping to picking up prescriptions from the pharmacy, your apps are crucial to spending as little as possible. According to U.S. News and Kiplinger, the apps below can help you do just that. Consider some of your weekend activities:

Get those groceries – 9 a.m.

First weekend errand? Grocery shopping.

 

Must-have app? Grocery IQ.

 

Not only is this app an organizational tool, as it allows you to build customized grocery lists, identify your favorite products and check off items as you shop, but it can also save you money. The coupon gallery gives you the option of clipping, printing and emailing coupons to yourself and to others.

Fill that gas tank – 10 a.m.

Low on gas? Arrow is approaching “empty.”

 

Must-have app? GasBuddy.

 

GasBuddy detects your current location and finds the closest gas stations with the cheapest prices. Why drive around aimlessly in search of an affordable fill up when you can have the research done for you?

Shop ‘til you drop – 11 a.m.

Is it time to treat yourself to a new outfit and shoes to match? Obviously.

 

Must-have app? ShopSavvy.

 

Select your favorite stores and products while ShopSavvy does the rest. You’ll receive an alert when there’s a sale and if you identify a particular item, the app will inform you of where you can purchase it for the lowest price. That’s one shopping companion you should never leave behind.

Feasting at lunch – 12 noon

Did that shopping make you hungry? Starving.

 

Must-have app? Groupon.

 

Groupon partners with countless businesses so that you can enjoy products and experiences for a fraction of the cost. Simply apply your location and the app will spit back tons of dining discounts in your area—you’re bound to find something that will satisfy your taste buds.

Pharmacy prescription pick-up – 2 p.m.

Are your sinuses acting up? Happens every summer.

 

Must-have app? GoodRx.

 

This app allows you to search for a specific medication and compare prices at pharmacies near you. For additional savings, you have access to special coupons and discounts so that you don’t have to empty your pockets for your medications.

Relaxation time – 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

There’s no app for that.

Family dinner outing – 5 p.m.

Dining with the kids? It’s a Saturday night tradition.

 

Must-have app? Kids Meal Deals.

 

Isn’t it a pleasant surprise when you find out that the restaurant you’re at offers free dining for children? With Kids Meal Deals, you don’t have to wait to be surprised. The app compiles all of the restaurants in your area where kids eat free.

There you have it – a collection of some of the most valuable apps to keep your wallet full and make your day a little easier. Which ones would you use?

The Latte Effect: How much could you be saving?

 

Do you regularly spend a few dollars on everyday things that you could probably live without? We’re all guilty of it but we tend to ignore the bigger picture. Think about it: if you saved the money you spent on small, day-to-day purchases, you could quickly save up a large sum of money that could be better used to benefit you down the road.

 

Get familiar with the latte effect – the idea that unconscious spending on small things each day adds up to a vast amount over time.

Change your spending habits

While a dollar here and there may seem trivial in the scheme of things – as you can see, those dollars accumulate quickly. That’s not to say, however, that you should cut out all of life’s little luxuries. Pleasures such as medium lattes, manicures and lunches out can be enjoyed in moderation. It’s all about balance and discipline with your finances.

 

Think about your everyday purchases – do they provide long-term value? The answer will help you put your priorities in order and see where you can redirect your money.

 

How much could you be saving? Track your daily expenses to discover where you can cut back.

Hype vs. Help: New safety features in cars

 

Advances in car technology have made it difficult to choose what add-ons you really need and which are excessive or worse yet, dangerous. We’re all for innovation, but we want to help you find out what new safety features are all hype and which ones can actually help protect you on the road. Whether you’re in the market for a new car or you’re simply curious about the newest safety features, check out our assessments of some of the most cutting-edge car technologies.

Front crash prevention

Front crash prevention includes features that both warn you when a front end collision is imminent and automatically apply the brakes to help you avoid a crash. New crash avoidance technologies, such as front crash prevention, are already reducing insurance claims from at-fault drivers. This safety feature is quickly becoming an available option in all new cars, but it can vary in effectiveness. Check the make and model of the car you’re considering on the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) safety ratings to find out if it has a superior front crash prevention system.

HELP Less “bang” for your buck.

Voice activated texting

Phone related driving accidents are responsible for a growing number of car crashes. Texting while driving is the number one offender, but taking your eyes off the road for any reason is extremely hazardous. Hands-free car technology that allows you to keep your eyes on the road may seem like an advance in car safety, but studies have shown that voice activation systems cause mental distractions that can slow down a driver’s reaction times.

HYPE Use your head. Texts can wait.

Lane departure warning

Lane departure warning technology alerts you when you’re about to veer out of your lane unless your turn signal is on. This feature has progressed recently to include Lane Keep Assist, which automatically corrects your car’s course to keep you centered on the road. It might sound like a self-driving car, but the steering wheel movements are very subtle and can be overridden at any time.

HELP What’s not to like?

Rain sensing wipers

Windshield wipers are a critically important car safety feature, but why change something that doesn’t need improving? With the flick of the wrist, windshield wipers are as easy to operate as power windows. Rain sensing wipers use infrared lights to detect if your windshield glass is dry – something the human eye can do just fine. If you aren’t able to spot when it’s raining, you probably shouldn’t be driving in the first place.

HYPE If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

Touch screen controls

Similar to smart phones, touch screen car consoles also require you to take your eyes off the road to operate. Touch screen car controls can be difficult to use and some even come with highly distracting features like an integrated web browser. Limited touch screen functionality, like GPS, can be useful, but conventional knobs and buttons make it easier for you to keep your eyes on the road.

HYPE Overly complicated touch screens are distracting.

Backup cameras

Cameras that allow you to see what’s in the blind spot behind your car are useful for parking, but more importantly they can save a life. Accidents that result from backing up cause an average of 292 deaths per year. Backup cameras are especially useful on larger vehicles, such as SUVs, where the blind spot might be large enough to hide a small child from your view.

HELP Another pair of eyes can only help you see better.

The World’s First Ever “Self-Cleaning” Car Unveiled

 

That newly washed car look never sticks around for long. The exterior loses its shine after one rainy day drive and it’s time to head to the car wash. However, with the recent advances in car paint technology, you may not need to.

 

Nissan recently developed a self-cleaning car prototype that uses nano-paint technology to repel mud, rain and dirt. While nano-coating has been used on items such as mobile phones to diminish fingerprints and resist water, this is the first time it’s being used on an automobile.

How exactly does it work?

The technology, called Ultra-Ever Dry, builds a layer of air between the paint and the environment that shields the vehicle’s finish from muddy water and road spray. The dirt simply rolls off the surface. Engineers at Nissan Technical Centre Europe are testing whether the paint can withstand various weather conditions. Depending on the results, this feature could become an after-market addition.

What are the benefits?

The upside is obvious – fewer trips to the car wash means one less errand to run resulting in more money saved. A typical full-service automatic car wash can range from $15 to $30 depending on the services, type of vehicle, protectants, polishes and waxes used. According to Autos.com, most companies charge from $6 to $22 more for larger cars.

 

If grime-resistant paint becomes available, it will likely carry a steep price. Would you buy the self-cleaning car if you could avoid doing the dirty work?

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Hybrid, Electric, and Natural Gas Cars: What are the Pros and Cons?

More hybrid, electric and natural gas vehicles are taking to roads. Can you tell the difference between them? Each has advantages and disadvantages, based on cost, fuel, maintenance and size. If you’re considering an alternative to the internal combustion engine, this chart may help you understand the upsides and downsides of each type of vehicle:

What is a hybrid car?

A vehicle that uses two or more distinct power sources to move – for instance, gasoline engines and electric motors.

 

Click here for the full aritcle including a list of Pros and Cons...