As we wrap up the new year, I'd like to talk about your credit health. Yup, that really is a thing. I've posted about ways to save money and how to get on track with a healthier lifestyle. Now it's time to talk about the elephant in the room...your credit score. If we are going to start off a new year revising bad habits, why not start with reviewing what is in your credit report. 

With that, I present....

http://www.creditkarma.com

Credit Karma was founded in 2007 by a gentleman named Ken Lin (he's the CEO as well). He wanted a credit site that did not charge consumers to monitor their credit. 

So what can this app do for you? 

• Provide truly free credit scores
• Provide free credit reports
• Provide free credit monitoring
• Personalized recommendations to reduce debt and maintain healthy credit.
• Provide free membership. No credit card required (unlike most sites)
• Provide a safe and secure environment to monitor credit 

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/credit-karma-mobile-free-credit/id519817714?ls=1&mt=8

This app was developed out of need. The majority of credit monitoring sites, including the major credit bureaus, asks for credit card information. Typically users have to pay to check their credit. They are also automatically signed up for a monthly monitoring subscription that they must cancel or continually be charged for. Credit Karma does not require a membership and is completely free. 

Identified need: 

• Credit monitoring is so important. Many people do not know their credit score and neglect to find out what is driving their score. When it comes to purchasing a home or even a new car, your credit score can mean the difference between a high or low interest rate. The higher the rate, the more you pay. 
• Most people do not use cash any more. Cards and phone scanners are the new method of payment. This means that our personal information is available and can be abused if it ends up in the wrong hands. That is why it is so important to know what is in your credit history and dispute anything that is incorrect. 

Who is the target audience for this App?

The target audience is anyone who is of age to be opening credit accounts. Even older teenagers can start monitoring their credit as soon as they begin working. The sooner, the better. Do not wait until a major life milestone is approaching (like buying your first home) because it can take months to correct mistakes on your credit.

How might the Apps benefit the audience, community, nation, world?

Like I mentioned before, this app is beneficial to everyone. There are so many cases of identity theft nowadays and people need to be vigilant about protecting themselves from fraud. Credit Karma is free and can help consumers identify errors in their credit and even instances of fraud. 

Do people actually like it? 

Yes, yes they do. Users realize the importance of maintaining credit health and are jumping on the bandwagon. 

Users also downloaded: 

The burning question...is it user friendly? 

This app is easily recognizable by the blue and white circular logo. The design is simple and easy to view on any screen. Each aspect of your credit is displayed on a separate page that you can easily swipe back and forth from. There are several layers of security to ensure that only the intended user is able to gain access. 

So do yourself a favor and go download this app! Look for the logo in the app store: 

I seem to be posting a lot about saving money. However, I'd like to switch gears and talk about a fitness app. New Year's is coming and we all know what that means...RESOLUTIONS!
Yup, those promises we make ourselves every year that are supposed to change our lives for the better. Sure, they are good (in theory) but who REALLY sticks to them? By February, we've all but forgotten them. 

So...in order to kick off the New Year, I'd like to introduce you to a little app called: 

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/

This little beauty was created back in 2005 by a man names Mike Lee. Mr. Lee was getting ready for his beach wedding when a personal trainer told him that he needed to count calories. That was the catalyst for Mr.Lee creating MyFitnessPal. This app will hold users accountable for everything they eat (provided you log it). It helps users plan goals and stay on track. 

So what's all the fuss about? 

• The main purpose of this app is to keep track of the amount of calories you are consuming (accountability!).
• The app has an extensive nutritional database that allows users to search millions of foods that can be added to daily personal nutrition logs.
• Users can also search exercises and add them to their daily logs as well.
• You can set goals and log in weight and measurements as well. You can even share your success with other users! 

This app was created out of need. The developer needed to get in shape for his wedding and he needed an application that stored nutritional information and helped make dieting easier. So many people need an app like this to help with accountability when it comes to eating right.

• In today’s society, so many people are eating on the run. Many times this equals poor food choices. This app helps users keep track of the calories they are consuming.
• Many users have claimed that this app has been the key to success with weight loss. It opens your eyes and allows you to truly see what you are consuming and how much you really should be eating. 

So what can it do for you? 

This app will benefit any user. The best part is that no matter where you are in the world, you can search the database and find almost any food. If it does not exist in the database, users can enter the nutritional information and make it available to other users. This means that the database keeps growing!

Other users of this app can find friends and support them through their fitness journey. Having a strong support group is so important when it comes to making strides towards a healthier way of life. 

How do users rate it? 

I'd say users LOVE it! (I know I do) 

But what other apps are users downloading? 

Is it user friendly? 

This app has a very clean and user friendly design. The large blue logo of a person exercising makes it easily identifiable. The contrast between the light background and dark lettering makes it very easy to see onscreen.

I particularly like this app because it is so user friendly. It would be very simple for anyone to navigate, even if they did not have a lot of technical experience.

Just look for the logo in the app store: 

So

In keeping with the money-saving motif, I have reviewed yet another cash saving app. Tis the season to shop, shop, shop so why not save a little green while you're at it. So what is this app, you ask? Why, none other than...

http://shopsavvy.com/

So what is this app all about? With ShopSavvy, users can do the following: 

•   Scan or Search for products to find the lowest prices
•   Read product details and see how much you can save right away.
•   Enable alerts on any search and get notified whenever there are new deals              just for you. 
•   Browse the comprehensive list of sales from hundreds of the top retailers and big brands, updated in real time.
•   You no longer have to flip through weekly ads or spend time researching the best deals on the internet. All of the best deals are at your fingertips!
•   The app not only provides you with pricing for local stores, but it also provides with you on-line prices for various companies as well.

http://www.topapps.net/android/top-apps-for-motorola-droid-mini.html/

Did the App development come out of a need or desire?

NEED! Who has time to clip coupons and research the best deals at every store? The developer actually won an award for this application and it became basically an overnight success. Everyone is looking to save money and apps like these are in demand. 

Identified need:

  In today’s society, who has time to clip coupons? It is very time consuming and frustrating. Couple that with having to pour over weekly circular ads and you will find yourself pulling your hair out!

  This app allows consumers to easily search sales and find coupons, all while on the go.

  You can even scan a products bar-code and find out if you are getting the best deal at the store you are standing in. Maybe the best deal is not even in stores...it may be better to buy it on-line. This app will provide you with all of the information to make the best decision.

Anyone who shops can benefit from this app! We all find ourselves in a store, shopping for something. Why not save money while you are at it! 

So how is this beneficial to you? 

This app saves consumers money and instantly compares prices in stores and on-line. You can search for the best deals anytime, anyplace.

Not only can you search for savings at the store you are at, you can also view deals at nearby stores. The app even provides a map to pinpoint the location of each store. It does not get much easier than that!

So how do consumers feel about this? 

I'd say it is well received! 

What other apps are available from the maker of ShopSavvy? 

And what are other people downloading in addition to ShopSavvy? 

But is it user friendly? 

This app has a fairly clean design. The large green and white bar-code scanner makes the app easily identifiable. The contrast between the light background and dark lettering makes it very easy to see on a phone screen. The pictures are nice and bright as well and the application itself is fairly user friendly. You do need to play around with the app for a while in order to become familiar with everything it has to offer. 

Bottom Line??

Download this app! Save yourself time and money. Look for the logo in the app store: