4 Free Apps to Help on the Road

Most people own a car, maybe even a couple of them. As we all know, a car can be a considerable expenditure - even more so when it comes to visiting a local repair shop, performing scheduled maintenance service, and refilling the gas tank each month. Luckily, mobile developers have taken care of us and today there plenty of handy mobile applications that will simplify much of what we do in our cars. From pointing you towards a gas station with best prices in the city to analyzing your vehicle’s computer, here are four free mobile applications that qualify as must-haves for car owners:  

Waze - Most everyone has Google maps or some other navigation system on their phone, but sometimes the traffic situation isn’t taken into account very well. Thankfully, there’s an awesome app that crowd sources information about the traffic status.

FEATURES:

• One tap navigation
• Shows alerts on your route
• Allows you to report traffic to help others
• Let’s you easily send your ETA to friends

GasBuddy - GasBuddy helps you find the cheapest gas prices with one tap. Submitting gas prices helps everyone save money on gas. GasBuddy uses gas price information provided by users to bring drivers together to support the common goal of saving money on gas.

FEATURES:

• Shows cheapest gas stations near you  
• Finds cheapest gas by city/zip/postal code
• Let’s to report gas prices to help other people find cheap gas
• Saves money every time you fill up at the cheapest stations

RepairPal - This app tells you the right price to pay for your repair, finds you a RepairPal certified mechanic in the area, tracks all your repairs, and gives you one-touch access to roadside assistance.

FEATURES:

• Gives an accurate and unbiased repair and service estimates. You’ll know the fair price to pay before you take your car to the shop.
• Helps you find a recommended repair and maintenance shop near you.
• Keeps your complete repair history with you. Record what you've done and make a checklist of what you need to do next.

CamSam- Helps to save on traffic tickets. It warns you of speed traps and red light camera warning system!

FEATURES:

• Alerts in real time of mobile radar traps
• Directional alerts for all fixed
• Automatic updates every 5 minutes
• Visual and acoustic warnings
• Indication of device type and of legal speed limit

Keep Calm and Commute On

Unless you're fortunate enough to work at home or live next door to your office, there's nothing you can do to avoid the daily commute (no, sleeping in your office doesn't work!). For those who experience heavy traffic, the commute to and from work is a nightmare, something to dread every morning and evening.

But do you really have to hate your commute? Why not find a way to make your commute just a little bit less stressful? Here are a few tips to help you out:

1. Unplug -- This may be easier said than done, but it's worth the effort! While you're sitting in your car on the way home or to the office, make it a point to ignore the annoying buzzes of text messages, Facebook alerts, or Tweets. Disconnect from all outside communication (unless you are waiting for something important), but focus on the here and now. Listen to music, enjoy a light snack, or practice car meditations. Be in the present, and keep all outside distractions until you get home or to the office.
2. Listen to audio books -- Story time! What could be more awesome than listening to an epic fantasy, twisted crime novel, or action thriller while sitting in Los Angeles traffic? Audio books will give you something to focus on as you sit and drive, taking your mind off the traffic around you. Not only is it awesome entertainment, but it's great for your brain! You can even listen to self-help or motivational books, promoting education and self-improvement while fighting the stress of traffic.
3. Leave earlier -- Who says you have to sit in L.A. traffic every day? Rush hour occurs between 7 and 9 AM and 5 to 7 PM, so those are the times you'll want to avoid driving. However, why not leave for work a little earlier? If you're out of the house by 6 AM, you can usually beat the traffic. Do the same at the end of the day (leave around 4 PM), and you'll get home before the traffic gets crazy. If your boss is okay with you shifting your schedule slightly, it will save you a lot of wasted time and stress!
4. Aromatherapy -- Aromatherapy has been proven to help you relax, so why not try experimenting with soothing scents? You can use air fresheners to flood your car with the relaxing smells of peppermint, jasmine, lavender, and lilies. If you want something stronger, you can purchase an essential oil diffuser designed specifically for car aromatherapy.

No one says you have to hate your commute! Find ways to chill out, relax, and enjoy the drive, and you'll find that the time spent in your vehicle to and from work can be some of your favorite times of the day.