If you are anything like me, your phone never leaves your side. My cell phone isn’t just for making phone calls, but also listening to music, texting people, paying my bills, taking photos, calculating the tip on a meal, and more.
I admit it, I probably rely a little too much on my cell phone. However, there is a reason for that. The apps that are available on our smartphones now are transforming the way we gather information and use technology for good.
Here are the apps you need to have on your phone or your missing out.
1. Charity Miles
Studies have shown that millennials are one of the most charitable generations, despite having lower overall incomes than the generations before them. That is one of the reasons that companies are moving to a charity model of MEGE, or making everyday giving effortless. Charity Miles does just that. All you have to do is open the Charity Miles app before your next walk, run, or bike, and Charity Miles will donate funds to the charity of your choice based on the distance you move. No matter what you are passionate about Charity Miles has you covered: from ASPCA and Save the Children, to the Wounded Warrior Foundation and the World Food Program. So turn your every day exercise into philanthropic giving and get to moving with Charity Miles.
2. Overdrive
As someone living in Los Angeles, I spend far too much time in traffic. Overdrive has allowed me to explore the magic of Hogwarts, listen to Michelle Obama telling me her life story like my best friend, and learn tips about the newest marketing strategy all from inside my Toyota Carola. If you have a library card, you can rent audiobooks for free from your local library via Overdrive. Yep, you heard me, free. If you are someone who wants to get your feet wet with audiobooks without having to commit to buying them, Overdrive is for you. Overdrive can turn your boring Monday commute into an adventure. Plus you are supporting your local library.
3. Albert
While I have long talked about the benefits of using Mint and Trim to save money, Albert takes it to a whole new level. Not only does Albert use a series of algorithms to help you save money, but Albert also has the option of connecting you with an Albert Genius. An Albert Genius is a financial planning professional who can help you directly through the app, whether it is building you a budget, recommending a more robust savings plan, or telling you how to get the most bang for your buck with a rewards credit card. If you haven’t downloaded Albert yet, you are missing out on the best way to manage your money.
4. Acorn
Growing wealth in your twenties can feel hard. With the struggle to pay your bills, spend time with friends, and pay for every day expenses, saving for retirement can seem like a burden. Acorn solves that problem. When you link your credit cards to Acorns, Acorns automatically rounds up the funds for you and invests them. While you wont necessary feel the impact of 20 cents here or 87 cents there, it quickly adds up in your Acorns account. Watch your money grow without a second thought by downloading the Acorns App today.
5. Flipboard
We live in an age where we are constantly inundated with news and staying up to date can be a burden. Flipboard aims to solve that problem by curating a magazine of content just for you. When you sign up for the Flipboard app you pick from a list of keywords including topics like foreign policy, mindfulness, technology, health, etc. Based on your selections, Flipboard creates a magazine of news directly for you on those topics. So take that extra time you have on the metro each morning and download Flipboard to make yourself a little more knowledgeable at your next dinner party.
What apps do you think everyone needs on their phone?