Latest news with #LibbyandHoopla
USA Today
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Enjoy audiobooks anytime, anywhere with Libby, Hoopla or Spotify: Video
What do you think: does listening to an audiobook count as reading? Some people have very strong opinions on this topic. I used to think it did not count. Until I started listening to audiobooks. I can dive into a new world while brushing my teeth, driving or cooking dinner. That's not so easy to do with physical books when you need a hand to hold the book and eyes to read the words. And the best part is: it's so easy to find a vast digital library of audiobooks entirely for free. Watch this video to see where you can find free audiobooks. Best app for free audiobooks Libby and Hoopla have virtual libraries full of audiobooks, e-books and more. All you need to access these platforms is a library card. The selection and quantity of books depends on your specific library system. This could mean there's a smaller selection of audiobooks than some paid services offer. Similar to visiting your physical library, popular books might be checked out by someone else, so you'll have to wait for them to be returned. Fortunately, audiobooks still have due dates and the app tells you where you are in line and gives you an approximate wait time. This may not be ideal for someone looking to listen to the hottest new release immediately, but it's great for the casual reader who is okay with waiting. If you're interested in the classics, many of them are old enough now that they are part of the public domain. This means you can download those audiobooks for free on sites like Librivox or find them in the libraries of popular e-readers like Apple Books or Kindle. Speaking of e-readers, their libraries also offer free audiobooks. However, they may not have some of the popular titles you're looking for. Shop top-rated related products: Audiobooks on Spotify Spotify and Audible are two very popular paid audiobook options. Unlike Libby and Hoopla, the titles on Spotify and Audible can be accessed on-demand, meaning you don't have to wait for someone else to return the title before you can dive right in. Audiobooks aren't accessible on all Spotify subscription plans, so you may need to upgrade to access it. Subscribers get access to 15 hours a month of audiobook listening time, according to Spotify's website. Audible's subscriptions model allots a designated amount of books for you to enjoy within either a month or a year, depending on the plan you purchase.
Yahoo
04-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Money Experts Share 7 Finance Resolutions That Paid Off the Most
Setting financial resolutions at the beginning of the year is one of the savviest money moves you can make. There are so many ways to go about it, but at the same time, it can be hard knowing what will be the best for long-term success. Learn More: 3 Things You Must Do When Your Savings Reach $50,000 Dave Ramsey: For that reason, it's a genius idea to take our cues from professionals. Below, money experts share their finance resolutions that paid off the most. 'One of the most impactful financial resolutions I made was to prioritize saving and investing over impulsive spending,' said Kevin Shahnazari, founder and CEO of FinlyWealth. By committing to a consistent savings plan, he not only built an emergency fund, but also created opportunities for wealth growth through investments. 'This resolution transformed my financial landscape, allowing me to focus on long-term goals rather than short-term gratification.' Find Out: A personal example of the above resolution's effectiveness was Shahnazari's decision to automate his savings. 'By setting up automatic transfers to my savings and investment accounts each month, I removed the temptation to spend that money elsewhere,' he said. Shahnazari noted that this simple yet powerful strategy has resulted in significant growth in his savings and investments over time, showcasing the importance of discipline in financial management. Additionally, Shahnazari resolved to continuously educate himself about personal finance: 'By dedicating time to reading books, attending workshops and engaging with financial communities, I gained invaluable knowledge that informed my decisions.' He continued, 'This commitment to learning has proven beneficial, enabling me to make smarter choices regarding investments and budgeting.' Overall, Shahnazari said setting financial resolutions focused on saving, investing and continuous education has profoundly impacted his finances. 'As I often remind others, financial success is not about how much you earn but how wisely you manage what you have,' he concluded. Thomas Maluck, Certified Financial Education Instructor and owner of Financial Flock, said one of his most impactful resolutions had to do with budgeting and entertainment. He said he made a point of going back through his credit card statements and tracking how much his bookworm habit was adding up. 'I used to be pretty indulgent about purchasing reading material, from ebooks to comics to used book sales,' he said. 'Turns out, a quick purchase each week was costing me over $1,000 per year.' He knew quitting completely wasn't a wise solution, so he looked for low-cost alternatives. 'My local library offers an amazing collection, in addition to their Libby and Hoopla apps,' Maluck noted. 'I also found a low-cost subscription to GlobalComix, a multi-publisher app that was running a Black Friday sale. Being honest with myself over a planned indulgence instead of multiple random expenses has saved me plenty ever since. Retail therapy doesn't have to break the bank!' 'I decided to build long-term wealth instead of chasing quick financial outcomes by making long-term wealth goals my key money resolution,' said Bhavin Swadas, finance expert and owner of Mine My Deal. 'Before this year, I saved randomly without developing specific plans for retirement or future investments.' At the start of this year, he decided to establish a defined retirement plan through regular contributions to his 401(k) and the creation of an IRA. 'The outcome of my investment portfolio improvement tools has brought me financial comfort, because I am building a solid future base of financial security,' Swadas said. He noted that the proven power of having small consistent investment habits results in powerful long-term financial growth, which helps people achieve greater financial goals. According to Swadas, finding different approaches to saving money daily became another resolution that delivered results. '[Wholehearted dedication] to Mine My Deal ownership established early that smart purchases matter,' he said. 'But this year, I aimed to find deals actively both for work expenses and personal spending.' He established saving 20% of his monthly expenses through combined service optimization alongside discounted service terms and existing promotional offerings. 'My decision brought about significant cost savings, which I used to increasing my savings and investing funds,' Swadas noted, pointing out that passive deal investigation surrounding insurance and utility costs (along with smart shopping practices) also made a noticeable impact on his finances. Emergency savings developed into an effective third financial goal after making it a top priority, according to Swadas. 'Understanding the value of emergency savings was nothing new for me, but putting this necessity first granted me instant benefits,' he explained He noted that consistent income allocation resulted in both financial security and protected me from unexpected costs. For Swadas, an emergency fund functioned as a valuable protection against unexpected costs so he could concentrate on developing other financial domains. More From GOBankingRates 4 Subtly Genius Moves All Wealthy People Make With Their Money 4 Unusual Ways To Make Extra Money That Actually Work This article originally appeared on Money Experts Share 7 Finance Resolutions That Paid Off the Most
