Here’s a better idea. Make your resolutions now and upgrade your life before New Year’s. And all you need is your smartphone. Don’t believe me?

Let’s look at three of the top 10 resolutions from the past year and how you can upgrade your life over the next month with the help of your phone.

1.  Lose Weight

Wearable tech is huge, and fitness freaks are investing in everything from the obvious (Fitbits) to the less obvious (these smart socks). Naturally, after Thanksgiving turkey and Christmas cookies, everyone wants to shed a few pounds early in the year—but what if you did yourself a favor and simply avoided putting them on? Your smartphone can help.

Many phones now come with built-in health features. And while you’ve likely ignored them until this point, you can use these to track your exercise. Your phone is also the perfect place to download apps like MyFitnessPal (free, Android and iOS), which lets you keep a journal of food intake on-the-go, keeping you honest when you reach for one more glass of eggnog.

2.  Get Organized

Smartphones are organization machines, offering built-in calendars, note-taking tools and any number of to-do list apps. Do yourself a solid and clean out your phone so it can organize things smoothly.

You’re likely to have some downtime post-holiday. Put it to good use! Look through your apps to see when you last used them and which ones you don’t need. For instance, I have an annoying app that’s been nagging me for weeks about my phone’s lack of memory; I can delete it and kill the proverbial two birds with one stone.

When you’re done, you’ll have a nice, spiffy phone. And if your phone doesn’t “upgrade” itself once it’s clean, you may want to start the New Year with a new phone.

3.  Spend Less, Save More

January is a fantastic time to start a budget and look for new ways to save. One option? Change your phone plan. With carriers moving away from the subsidy contracts, your monthly plan could get cheaper—if you avoid buying a new phone.

If your phone is in good condition, see how much you could save switching to one of these new contract-free plans. It may only be a couple dollars a month, but every little bit adds up. You could also look at the early termination fee for your plan and see if it’s cost-effective to cancel. This calculator can help you estimate how much this would be (check with your actual phone carrier before proceeding).

If you need a new phone, buy a certified pre-owned device. The phone will cost you less money, as will your monthly plan. Even better: you’ll own the new phone outright. See if you qualify to trade-in your existing handset, too. That way, you’ll have extra money to put toward your new phone, upgrading your savings and your life.

The post Upgrade Your Life Before the New Year Begins Ryan Lane appeared first on Gazelle The Horn.

Well, not anymore. Wireless carriers are moving away from contracts that subsidized prices, and thrifty shoppers will face a dilemma. The analysis says that forking over $700 for your phone upfront is actually a smart way to save money in the long run, but parting with that much cash at once will surely hit your wallet—and psyche—harder right now.

Before you buy that new iPhone 6s for full price, think about whether you want or need it. Here are a couple questions that can help you tell the difference.

Does Your Current Phone Still Work?

I remember when I upgraded to a Galaxy S3. I was coming from a Droid Eres, one of the first Droids and a “smartphone” by name only at that point. It didn’t keep a charge, wouldn’t load web pages and couldn’t even play podcasts. Upgrading was like going from night to day.

I then went from a Galaxy S3 to a Galaxy S5, primarily because I’ve been conditioned to want a new phone after two years. Don’t get me wrong: the S5 is a nicer, faster phone with a better display. But I could have kept using my S3, which was slow but far from broken.

If your phone is like mine was—working but lagging—look for other ways to boost its performance before upgrading. Buy a new battery to give it more life. Get an SD card and offload some apps to speed things up. Invest in a cloud storage account and move your photos and videos there. These options are a cost-savings in the long run.

Do You Need the “Newest” New Phone?

If your phone is broken, you’ll likely feel the temptation to upgrade to the latest version. But you might not need it – or want to pay the price.

Instead of upgrading from an iPhone 4 to an iPhone 6s, jump to the iPhone 5 or iPhone 6 instead. Prices on older handsets drop when new versions come out, and you can save a lot of money. Your new iPhone won’t have all the minor bells and whistles of the latest handset, but you’ll cash-in on the biggest benefit of upgrading – saving.

To save even more money, consider buying a certified pre-owned iPhone. It’s guaranteed to work like a new phone, but will only cost you a fraction of the price.

The post A New iPhone 6s Now Costs $650. What Should You Do? Ryan Lane appeared first on Gazelle The Horn.

I turned to my brother-in-law, who knows far more about these things, and he pointed me to a website that met my price range and specifications. The problem? All their computers were refurbished. So I questioned: Was it worth spending money on a used item?

After researching the vendor, I got over my concerns—and saved a lot of money in the process. If you’re looking to buy used electronics, answer these three questions to ensure you’re getting good value.

1. How Are the Reviews?

It’s easy to find reviews of a service through the company’s website, Google search and the Better Business Bureau. Don’t just look at its overall star rating, though. Take the time to read the positive and negative reviews. The former may not make sense, while the latter may actually complain about something like UPS losing the package and not the product itself.

Expand your search when looking too. Fake online reviews certainly aren’t unprecedented, so use additional research methods. Do a Google “news” search to see if the coverage of the company indicates any problems. And be sure to message your connections on social media. A good or bad review from someone you know and trust is much more valuable than one from “techguy999” (no matter how authoritative that screen name sounds like).

2. What’s the Return Policy?

A big selling point for buying refurbished is saving money. However, if the product doesn’t work, it could end up costing you money instead—especially if the vendor offers a poor return policy. Find out if you’re buying something “as is,” or if “all sales final.” If so, you may want to stay away.

Instead, look for a company that stands behind its product. Check out its return policy to see if they allow you to return the item if it doesn’t work correctly (they better!) or even if you’re just unhappy with the device. For instance, if you want to buy a used iPad or used iPhone, Gazelle offers full refunds if you return the item within 30 days of purchase.

3. What Exactly Are They Selling?

One common worry with refurbished items is that you’re buying something that was previously broken. However, that’s not always the case. “Refurbished” can mean many different things, including demo units, open box items, and yes, products that were previously defective.

If your item falls into that last group, look for information on how the vendor addresses it. Is the item “factory refurbished,” which means it likely went back to the manufacturer and retains its original warranty? Or does the vendor certify their products through a rigorous inspection to ensure you receive a quality product? Such measures can help you feel more comfortable with your purchase.

Have you bought refurbished electronics before? How were your experiences?

The post 3 Questions to Ask Before Buying Used Electronics Ryan Lane appeared first on Gazelle The Horn.

New items for your child come at a high price. So, how do you know when to avoid buying new? With kids growing up as fast as they do and parents overrun with hand-me-downs, here are three things you should never buy new for your child:

1. Clothes

If you haven’t found out already, kids’ clothes are pretty expensive. But that’s because you’re lucky if your child even gets to wear an outfit more than once before growing out of it.

Instead of investing in these items, see if your friends or relatives have bins of their kids’ old clothes that are taking up space. You can also check out local garage or consignment sales and thrift stores. Odds are the items you’ll find there were worn only a few times, so the quality should still be good.

2. Toys

Everything is a toy for a child. Everything. In our house, we have two giant bins of stuffed animals, books and other gadgets that make noise when blown by a slight breeze. My son will peer into these bins, grab something to play with for a few moments and then roam around to find something different.

To date, his favorite toys have included a metal shelf, an empty tin of Danish butter cookies and my cellphone. Hint: You won’t find any of these in Toys “R” Us. What you will find are new, expensive toys that your child may or may not use. You can take that chance, or you can take hand-me-downs. Just remember: pretty much any “toy” is “new” to your kid.

3. Portable Electronics

You know that blanket or stuffed animal your child carries around? You know how devastated he’d be if he lost it? You’d likely feel the same way if you gave him a cellphone or tablet and he left it somewhere, but that’s just what happens—a lot.

According to a survey conducted by Gazelle, nearly 70% of parents indicated that a child in their household has broken or lost at least one phone. Lesson learned: If you have a slightly older, yet still irresponsible, child, don’t buy new. Unlike clothes or toys, you may not have a used cellphone or tablet kicking around to pass along. But you can do the next best thing by purchasing a used or certified pre-owned one inexpensively.

What new items have you bought for your kid that you shouldn’t have?

Image courtesy of Pixabay.

The post 3 Things to Never Buy New for Kids Ryan Lane appeared first on Gazelle The Horn.

My wife and I trek from Boston to New York each summer to visit her family. Ever since my son was born, those treks have been, well, eventful. There was the trip he ruined multiple outfits, for instance, or the time he screamed for four hours in a row.

This summer is going to be different: I’m giving my son an iPad. That once costly, adult gadget is now a useful tool in avoiding my son’s meltdown. If you’ll be road-tripping with your kids, here are the reasons you need to get one now:

1. Screen Time Isn’t Just Distracting, it’s Useful

You have every right to worry about how much time your children spend agape in front of the TV, iPad, iPhone, etc. One valid reason to limit screen time is because children should be outside playing. Well, that’s not really an option on the highway.

In addition, research suggests that letting your kids watch The Walking Dead won’t actually turn them into a zombie. (But, seriously, don’t let your kids watch The Walking Dead.) You also don’t have to give them the iPad for the entire trip. Make it a reward for good behavior and your child might behave before he even puts a finger on the tablet. Try pre-loading it with educational apps for a more effective trip.

2. You’re in Control

If your car features a DVD player, you may be inclined to simply pop in some movies and call it a day. And that may work perfectly well. However, an iPad offers even more entertainment options, and in the car, more entertainment is better.

Download interactive games they can play on their own. Check out this list of 25 apps for kids, which covers everything from educational alphabet games to storybook illustrations. You’ll not only keep your children engaged outside the iPad, but you can also take part in the fun as well.

3. Your Kids Will Love It

If your kids don’t get to use the iPad at home very often, they’ll relish the chance the play with it in the car. If your child already uses the tablet a lot, you can take things up a notch by getting them their own device. And you can bet they’ll REALLY love that.

If you’re worried about the cost, look into getting them a refurbished or used iPad. Kids can be less than careful with your expensive electronics. By opting for a quality used device, you can cut down on the costs and save your sanity.

4. Relish in a Peaceful Journey

Let’s finish things off by talking parent-to-parent here. Road trips are long and challenging experiences—with young children or otherwise. If you can do anything to make them easier on yourself, even for just part of time, you deserve to. Letting your child use a tablet on the journey or buying them a used iPad could be just that.

Do you give your children an iPad for car trips? How has it worked out?

Image courtesy of Flickr.

The post Why You Need to Pack an iPad When Road-Tripping with Your Kids Ryan Lane appeared first on Gazelle The Horn.

Not surprisingly, among his favorite playthings is my smartphone, which I constantly leave out on our couch or coffee table. I cringe whenever he grabs it and quickly run through my options, which all seem likely to trigger a meltdown.

After a few mishaps, I’ve taken precautions to protect my smartphone from my son. If you’re in a similar situation and simply can’t put your stuff away (what new parent has the energy for that?), consider doing the following:

1. Invest in a Strong Case

Whether you have an iPhone or a Galaxy, you’ll want to opt for the most rugged case you can find. Think function, not fashion. Plastic, padding and extra protection are your friends. Cases targeted to outdoorsmen are always a safe bet. After all, your child may be just as dangerous to your smartphone as anything you’ll encounter in the wild.

2. Get a Glass Screen Protector

Cracked screens can hurt your wallet and your hands. If you have kids playing with your handheld, you’ll definitely want to protect your smartphone with a durable screen protector. While plastic options may prevent scratches, investing in a tempered glass protector instead is the strongest and best choice for your smartphone.

3. Give Them What They Want

Since my son is a little over a year old, the only phone he needs is one with Elmo on it. If your child is older, consider buying him or her a used smartphone. You don’t need to connect it to your data plan, and can let your son or daughter play games and download apps over Wi-Fi (just be sure to lock them out of in-app purchases).

Buying a used smartphone is the way to go if you choose this route. Remember, kids are destructive, so don’t spend hundreds of dollars on a new device. A used or refurbished cellphone gives them all the benefits of having their own device, while also keeping them away from yours.

How do you protect your smartphone from your kids?

The post Keep the Kids Away: 3 Tips to Protect Your Smartphone Ryan Lane appeared first on Gazelle The Horn.