Advances in technology have changed the way many of us live our lives. For better or for worse, there are pros and cons to these technological advancements. However, one thing is certain, this year we have had to rely on technology more than ever before. In this article, we’ll be looking at why you should be embracing technology and the five apps you should know about.

It can be daunting to make changes to the way you usually carry out your day-to-day tasks, but the user-friendly and efficient nature of most of today’s mobile apps mean anyone can get to grips with them. Of course, that’s not to say that we should rely on technology for everything. But, for the most part, technology can open a whole new world of possibilities .

Embracing technology

In a recent retirement webinar, one of our financial advisers, Tina Winter, shared some of her tips for making the most of retirement. From her years of experience working with people planning for retirement and during retirement, Tina learned how important it is for people to grasp technology – both for communication and learning purposes.

Here we expand on why you should be embracing technology.

Staying connected

For a large portion of this year, we have needed technology to reach friends and family. We all know it’s not quite the same as seeing your loved ones face to face, but it has brought us all together during a difficult time.

In our previous blog on how to live life to the fullest and avoid regrets, we identified one of the most common regrets as not staying in touch with friends. It’s easy to lose touch, even more so now we are encouraged to stay home. But, reaching out and staying connected is incredibly important.

Making life easier

Advancements in technology increase efficiency and productivity. It’s hard to imagine what we did before Google, which holds every answer at our fingertips. In a similar vein, if you have a problem and you need a solution, there’s likely an app for it. You can tune your guitar, do your shopping, and track your exercise – there’s an app for nearly anything and everything.

Learning and development

Aside from giving us hilarious animal videos and social media, smartphones are one of the greatest advancements in learning technology. With so much that is free, learning has become accessible to everyone with a phone.

There are so many mobile apps that can enhance your knowledge, from learning languages on Duolingo, to apps for a whole variety of subjects such as Udemy or Khan Academy and YouTube for quick online tutorials.

5 apps you should know about

We’ve already looked at tech to help you manage your finances, so here are five unique apps we think everyone should know about:

SkyView

With this app, you can see stars, planets, satellites and constellations day or night, without having to fork out a penny for a telescope. Just point your phone to at the sky, and SkyView will show you where the sun, moon, planets, and stars are. If you like stargazing or you’re just interested in seeing more of the universe, SkyView is out of this world.

PictureThis

It’s the ‘botanist in your pocket’. For all our fellow plant lovers, this app can be your go-to plant encyclopedia and identifier. Simply, take a picture of the plant in question and the app will be able to tell you what plant it is, with 95% accuracy. It’ll offer fun facts, a care guide and how to manage pests and diseases. A super handy app for anyone ranging from a keen gardener to someone that isn’t sure whether it’s a weed or a plant they are digging up.

Too good to go

If you love good food, an unmissable bargain and helping the planet, then this is the app for you. Everyday shops, restaurants and cafes have leftover food that often goes to waste. But what if you can interject and rescue this perfectly good food at a reduced price? You’ll be helping reduce food waste while getting delicious food at great prices.

Good on you

We talk a lot about being more sustainable, but we have yet to share some of the must-have apps that will help you make more sustainable choices. With this app, you can check the ethical credentials of any of your go-to fashion brands. Each brand is rated based on their labour, animal, and environmental policies. And if you don’t like what you see, the app even offers ethical alternatives.

National Trust

As December is nearing and the nights are drawing in, don’t let the colder weather hold you back from exploring some of the beautiful outdoor spaces near you. It’s so important to get outside in nature. Not only for fresh air, but also for a change of scenery and to clear your head. The great outdoors truly is good for the body and mind.

You can find the best spots to visit on the National Trust app, which also lets you know what’s open near you, whether you need to book ahead and what you can expect from your visit. And, as you will be doing a lot of walking, why not track your distance with Map My Walk.

All in all, technology is great, but with an overabundance of information and resources, it’s easy to get lost. Ask yourself first, what would you like to achieve, what are your hobbies and what are your priorities/concerns? From here, you’re just a quick search away from finding the apps that can help you manage the life you want to live.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss your finances or an existing financial plan, then please get in touch with us and speak to one of our financial planners.