If you follow me on social media, I apologize for talking about this again!  This month, I'm in All You Magazine with a review of a new(er) fitness app: Pact.  Since I love it so much, I thought I would share more details about the app and how it has been helping me stay motivated.  I am not compensated for this review at all.

I turned 30 this past January and I am really trying to live a healthier life.  The thing is, I love to cook and I actually like to eat healthy foods--but I tend to have a hard time losing weight.  (I swear I have a thyroid issue!) Being active is pretty easy with 3 little ones, but I have been trying to get better workouts in.   I've worn a FitBit for over a year now and I love how it keeps me in check with my steps and calorie burn.

When All You was looking for people to test out a fitness app, I was all ears! I love the idea of a FREE app to help motivate me.  Last year, I tried Weight Watchers, but it was hard to fit the expense into our budget.  After a few months, I decided to switch to simply using MyFitnessPal (MFP), a FREE app which you log in your food and activity daily.  I love it because you can scan items with barcodes and it will enter the nutritional information for you.  As much as MFP was working, I missed the motivation from the weekly weigh-ins at Weight Watchers.

In the month of April, I used the Pact app and wrote a daily journal for the magazine.  Here's how it works: each week you make a "pact" for yourself.  You state how many workouts you will do, how many days you will log your food in MFP and how many fruits/veggies you will eat.  Sounds simple enough, right?  Well, if you make your Pact, you get money- woohoo!  If you don't follow your Pact, you PAY money- booo!

How do they know if you are following your Pact? It's all in the app!

• For workouts: any 30+ minute workout is counted. You can only count one per day!
• When I go to the Y, I can log into the app and it uses the location tracker to see what gym I'm at. You have to be on location and moving for 30+ minutes for it to track.  Don't even try to leave! I forgot my headphones in the van once and it told me the workout would be counted unless I am at the gym. 
• Motion tracker: you can wear your phone/ipod on your arm and do a home/outdoor working.  I love using this when I'm running around with the girls or walking to the library.
• Steps. Use your FitBit or other approved device to sync with the app.  Once you get over 10, 000 steps, it can be counted for the day.
• Food Tracking: you have to use MyFitnessPal to track 3 or more meals per day (snacks can be counted) and over 1200 calories.  
• Fruits/Veggies: every time you eat a fruit or veggie, you snap a photo of it and members of the Pact community vote on whether it counts as a serving.  It's a simple thumbs up, thumbs down system.  The food has look like it's being eaten.  For example, when I'm eating a banana, I snap a pic after I've taken a bite out.

How do you get paid? 
Pacts end on Sunday, and payments usually go through by Wednesday.  All of the money of people who DON'T make their Pact goes into a pool and is distributed to the people who DO make their Pact, so the money can vary each week.  Also, the amount paid is based on how many Pacts you make.  IE: if you do 3 workouts you'll get paid less than 5 workouts.

I will admit, the first week it took a bit of time to get used to using the app.  I had to remember to take photos of my fruits/veggies and log in on MFP.  Sometimes I'll forget to sign in at the gym, too.  I recommend keeping your Pact low the first week or two to get adjusted, especially if you didn't use MyFitnessPal beforehand.  I slowly have started adding recipes I frequently make to save time.  On the actual MyFitnessPal website, you can add recipes MUCH faster!

I've been using Pact non-stop since April and I truly love it.  It has been the motivation I needed to get back on track with my workouts and eating.  I have made over $60 and I've only had to pay once.  You can set vacations if you know you'll be too busy to track. 

Do you use MyFitnessPal? Add me as a friend! 

 (ashleigh.hofffman at gmail dot com)

Helpful App Alert: Care4Today Mobile Health Manager

I am awful at remembering to take medications.  When I was taking the birth control pill, I had to set an alarm so I would remember to take it every night (one reason why I chose the Implanon after Gabby).  Vitamins are even worse!  I keep mine next to my toothbrush and I still forget.

There's a new FREE app that will help you with this problem!  Care4Today is available for iPhone and Android.  Don't have a smart phone?  You can sign up on the website and get text alerts!

Care4Today lets you schedule all of your medications, as well as those for your family members (up to 15 people).  You will get alerts when it's time to take your pills, also when it's time to get a refill or new prescription! 

Right now the girls aren't taking any meds, but I would love to have this for vitamins in the future.  You can also schedule things like "Feed Rambo", so the poor dog doesn't go unfed.  (Has anyone else been sitting on the couch at 8pm, with the debate with your spouse: Did we feed the dog?).

Since you can link the information with your whole family, you make sure your loved ones are also taking their prescriptions.  This would be especially helpful while caring for a loved one in another location.

Need more of an incentive to take your medication on time?  When you sign up, you chose a charity which Care4Today will donate to daily when you take your meds on time!  They will donate a minimum of $20,000 to each of these charities:

• American Diabetes Association
• AIDS United
• Save the Children

What are your favorite helpful apps?

App Alert: Target Cartwheel

We are pretty new to smartphones.  I have been checking out most of the money saving apps, yet very few actually save money.  (Anyone that can help me out with this, give me some tips!).

My two favorites so far are Cartwheel and mPerks.  Another great app to use is AfullCup to check out the weekly grocery deals.

I actually have been getting a fair amount of pantry goods at Target because they are so much cheaper than Meijer.  Items like granola bars, crackers, cereal and even almond milk are great deals there.

I just noticed Cartwheel about a month ago and it is a great way to save extra money at Target.  You can combine the Cartwheel savings with their mobile coupons, Target store coupons AND manufacturer coupons.

You sign in with your Facebook page through their app.  Next you add a designated amount of deals to your cart.  There are various ways to get more "spots" in your cart. I have noticed when friends join, I get more spots.  Also, if you look at a friend's cart, you can add a spot.  The more money you save using the app will add more "perks" too.


The Cartwheel deals are always a percentage off a certain item or brand, ranging from 5%-20% .  I tend to leave my cart blank and add deals by searching while shopping.  Or while waiting to check out, I make sure do a quick once over.

Downside?  Checking out is a hassle!  Scanning my coupons, mobile coupons (which you can sign up for here) AND my Cartwheel is a bit much.

I've found a slight solution!

You can print the barcode for your Cartwheel shopping cart!  Yes, it's still something to scan, but you don't have to fumble with your phone as much.  As far as I've noticed, your barcode is always the same, so just save the slip of paper with the rest of your coupons.

This barcode also works if you don't have a smartphone.  You can add deals from your computer at home and print it off to use in the store.

While you can't really save a ton using it on grocery shopping, buying clothes and beauty/health items can add up quickly!  Make sure you always check on the restrictions!

Every little bit of savings helps and can add up quickly!

Don't forget: signing up for the Target debit card (or credit card) has many great advantages.  You can bring in a blank check and sign up for the debit card, which takes the money out of your debit card, just like if you were using your bank's card.

Using the debit card, both online and in store, gets you a 5% discount.  Plus, you get free shipping on all purchases on their website.  Great for upcoming holiday shopping!

Have you checked Cartwheel yet?  Do you have any shopping apps you love?

 

Awesome app: CamCard

I am a newbie to the joys of a smart phone.  I've had an iPod touch for years, but my new phone is a whole new level of savings.  Needless to say, I'm addicted.  Since most people know about great apps like FourSquare, I'm going to mention a new one I've found super useful. 

Side note: I was super annoyed with everyone "checking in" places and being Mayors, I did not realize how amazing FourSquare is!  I've used it for little over a week and I have gotten some great deals: 50% off an appetizer, $10 off at JcPenneys. 

It's not like I have a ton of business cards, but whenever I do get one, I seem to lose it.  There is an app for that! (Anyone watch Sesame Street?....)  CamCard Lite is a free app for iPhone or Android.  When you get a business card, this app scans it and saves it on your phone.  If you want, it will add the contact information to your phone.  It's very awesome and you never have to worry about holding onto a card. 

I'm addicted to Words with Friends (itsAshleigh is my name...try me!).

Any other great apps you love?

Key ring app

Here's the website.  You can download the app from the iTunes store.

I'm not one of those cool people with a smart phone, but I do have an iPod touch I won from one of my survey sites.  I try to use it as much as I can, but most stores don't have wireless for me to use.  I just happened to stumble upon this app a few days ago and its pretty cool!

For every key ring tag that weighs down your car keys, you can add it to this app and keep them all in one place.  I have at least 15 things on my keys, so I thought I would try this out.  (FYI- even if you do add them to this app, I wouldn't recommend throwing the key tags away, just in case!!).  You can search by area or by store name.   Here are some favorite things I have found:

• On the Border- FREE appetizer!
• Target- coupons are added randomly.  They can still be used with manu coupons, just like regular Target store coupons
• Michaels- Each week they add the 40% off coupon from the paper

Since the app is still pretty new, they don't have every store possible YET.  I think this may become something pretty cool though.  This is also available for Android!

Check it out!  What great deals came up on yours?