\n \n \n “. concat(self. i18n. t(‘search. voice. recognition_retry’), “\n
With inflation the highest in 40 years, we are paying more every day. Much more.
From emerging fuel and grocery prices to computers and cars, our wallets are under pressure and many economists expect us to possibly feel the effects for some time.
And you can bump your application expenses up to that list, too, paying 25. 1% and 6. 5% more for gas and electricity, respectively, according to data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The good news is that the generation can save you money, both in the short and long term.
TALKING TECH NEWSLETTER: Sign up to receive our consultant for the most sensible tech news of the week
Smart apps that provide loose facilities (which you’d pay for otherwise), shopping on online marketplaces rather than retailers, and devices that can lower your energy bills, here are some random examples of technologies that can relieve some of the pressure.
Did you know that you can use your phone or pill to make calls and send sms for free?
TextNow (iOS, Android) even provides you with an incoming phone number (based on the city of your choice). This is a moment line or a “burner” number on your existing smartphone.
All calls and texts are Wi-Fi free, but TextNow also offers a SIM card for just 99 cents, and then cellular service is also available for calls and texts (supported through ads). Data plans start at just $8. 99/month.
Those looking to save money on gas, on the other hand, download and install apps like GasBuddy or Nexit, either of which may stumble upon the lowest costs on fuel, and Nexit is also a convenient navigation app to advise you to your destination. road trips.
Book a hotel for a summer getaway? My two favorite apps, which I use in combination for all bookings, are Hotels. com and Pruvo.
In addition to a “secret price” feature that offers members reduced prices, the Hotels. com rewards program includes a “stay 10 nights and get the next one for free” offer. He can’t beat him.
Pruvo, on the other hand, may find greater value for your hotel, after booking it electronically. That is, use any app or site you like to book the hotel electronically, and then send the confirmation email to save@pruvo. com. If the hotel lowers the room rate, a very common event, according to Pruvo, you’ll be told how much you’ll save and explained how to cancel the original reservation and return the e-book at the lower rate. The only problem is that you want to have the option to cancel your room to begin with.
Instead of paying retail prices, when was the last time you shopped online on a peer-to-peer marketplace or online classified ad site?
You’ll be surprised how low the prices are, for both new items and “already appreciated” items.
“At eBay, you have the option to buy used and refurbished parts that are particularly less expensive than new parts,” says Bradford Shellhammer, vice president of customer service at eBay. “In fact, in a recent study, 73% of others said they bought second-hand for this reason. “
Shellhammer says eBay offers qualified refurbished products (with guaranteed authenticity), so shoppers “can be confident in the parts they buy, [more] eBay also offers other shipping features, adding loose local pickup to give shoppers the features to get what they want, at full possible value.
BUY ONLINE: How to make your packages and locate the most productive offers
By participating in the circular economy, “consumers can also help the environment by reducing waste and ending the life cycle of goods that would otherwise end up in landfills,” Shellhammer adds.
Online classifieds sites, such as Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and NextDoor, are also great for buying products at a lower price, as well as for promoting your unwanted items, cash in your pocket (and tidying up your house in the process).
If you have to shop retail, “cash back” apps, coupon sites, and browser extensions that can help you keep more of your own money.
Did you look at your hands, as if you were watching a horror movie, when you opened the last invoice of the application?It’s also scary.
Electricity and fuel prices are skyrocketing, however, there are a few things you can do, from disconnecting appliances when not in use (to decrease “vampire power”) to investing in smart plugs (to program timers and electric power usage schedules). ) to increase your home’s energy with solar panels.
HIGH ELECTRICITY BILL? Save with power take-offs, power strips, LED bulbs and thermostats
One of the smartest investments you can make is a Sense home energy monitor ($299), a small device that connects to your home’s electrical panel (managed through an electrician), which then gives you real-time data on how much your devices are consuming. — from soft bulbs and microwaves to set-top boxes and appliances.
“It can be tricky for homeowners to manage energy in their homes because their monthly bill doesn’t give you a lot of information about how, when and where electric power is used,” says Mike Phillips, CEO and co-founder of Sense.
“For example, more than 20 percent of the electrical energy used in your home goes to things that you think are off,” Phillips adds. inactive. “
Sense allows you to see your monthly expenses and where you’re headed, to avoid surprises, and is compatible with many smart devices like Philips HUE lamps and TP-Link smart plugs, to help you increase (and reduce) power consumption. .
The Sense app also allows you to set up alerts, such as getting notified if you leave the iron on for more than an hour, which can also be dangerous.
Do you have mendacity of aging devices around? There are loose apps that can turn it into a different, home device.
For example:
The Presence app can turn an old iPhone, iPad, or Android device into a Wi-Fi surveillance camera. Log in to Presence on your new phone and you’ll be able to see what happens at home when you’re not present (including what your pets are doing).
With the Universal Remote or SURE app, your old phone or tablet can serve as a universal remote control for many smart TVs.
Apps like Alarm Clock for Me (for Apple devices) or Early Rise Alarm Clock (for Android) turn an old pill into an alarm clock for your bedside table.
Finally, subscribing to video streaming facilities can load, whether it’s Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney, or Apple TV, to name a few, but think about flexible AVOD facilities, which mean “ad-supported video-on-demand. “content.
Some of the most popular features come with Vudu, Tubi, Roku Channel, and IMDb TV, as well as YouTube, Crackle, and Popcornflix, each of which offers thousands of episodes of TV screens and videos for free, as long as you’re in conditions for down. some ads.
Book lovers can also save a package. Instead of spending $10 to $15 on an e-book or paperback, or $25 on a hardcover, why not borrow loose books from your local library?
Apps like Libthrough via OverDrive make it very easy. All you need is a library card and a device to play the content.
“One of the most productive concepts for all readers is to notice the virtual available at your local public library 24/7,” said Steve Potash, founder and CEO of OverDrive. “Libby, the library’s reading app, is the gateway to a lifelong loose source of the most popular e-books and audiobooks for readers of all ages and interests. “
Follow Marc on Twitter @marc_saltzman for his “Technical Tip of the Day” posts. Email them or subscribe to their Tech It Out podcast. The outlook and reviews expressed in this column are those of and do not necessarily reflect those of the United States. TODAY.
This article was originally published in USA TODAY: Save Money on Fuel and Other Expenses with This Technology