5 Free Audiobooks Websites For The Savvy Bookworm

Living on the fast-paced millennia, audiobooks combined the best of two worlds namely: text of a good book and the convenience of listening to it. It certainly saves time, effort, and money. But audiobooks are not always inexpensive. Fortunately there are websites that offer the beauty of audiobooks for free. Here are some good ones…

1. LIBROVOX

Librovox asks a group of people to volunteer different parts of the books. This is why you can listen to diverse voices in just one book. But you can search for “solo” if you prefer a singular voice for the whole book. Authors, genres, titles, and languages sort the Audiobooks. The addition of various spoken languages increased the book selection.

2. LOYAL BOOKS (PREVIOUSLY BOOKS SHOULD BE FREE)

Loyal Books offers books for all ages especially to those who love the classics. Most of the books are free because they want the company values the importance of books in our lives. The website offers audiobooks in MP3 or MP4 format. Searching for books is easy as they are organized by top 100, genre, and language. You can also search for a specific book through their “Google search bar”. Good books are easy to separate from the not so good ones because they are all rated and reviewed.

3. OPEN CULTURE

Open Culture is a neat website for educational, cultural, and historical media. From Astronomy, to Economics, and Political Science – they have it all for free. Majorly devoting on the classics, the audiobooks are arranged by genre, and are alphabetically listed following the author’s last name. Also, it allows you to download free courses from various universities in MP3 format or podcasts.

4. LIT2GO

Lit2Go is a well-organized website that gives not just a selection of poems and novels but also its background information. Most of the classic selections, such as The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Anne of Green Gables are available to download on iTunes. The audiobooks can easily be downloaded in PDF form too so that you can read along or have a guide for your homework’s.

5. PODIOBOOKS

Have you ever thought that Cyberpunk audiobook category is possible? Well it is. Podiobooks offer some of the unique books that are beyond the classics. Browse books by author, genre, new releases, title, and award-winning collections.

Image Credits: The Preiser Project via Flickr

Image Credits: The Preiser Project via Flickr

Best of all? The Podiobooks is available to navigate on your Smartphone so you can download and listen simultaneously anytime and anywhere.

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5 Free Video Editing Apps You Should Download Now

Do you want to share your beautiful memories captured on videos but think that it needs extra effects or finishing touches? Fret not because many Video Editing Apps that have a near-professional quality are available for free on iTunes and Google Play store. Check these 5 Video Editing Apps to add a personal shine to your videos…

1. SOCIALCAM

Available for IOS and Android devices

Socialcam App fuses the power of video editing and social network. It allows you to add vintage filters to your videos that you can share to your friends anywhere. You can also view the other videos uploaded in the community. What is great about this App is that it lets the users shoot at a 720p HD quality while using its HDR functionality to color-correct videos in real time. Also, you can shoot as long as you want.

2. MAGISTO

Available for IOS and Android devices

Magisto App is basically an editing shortcut right in your fingertips. All you need to do is upload a video, choose your theme and background music then, the App will do the rest. It automatically selects the best scenes to create a better video.

3. CINEFY

Available for IOS devices

Basic yet productive are the words to describe Cinefy. Cinefy App has a user-friendly interface that lets you select from over a hundred of special effects and animations that you can add on your video. You may also add your favorite song from ITunes.

4. MONTAJ

Available for IOS devices Montaj App allows you to shoot a series of 5-second clips that you may sort in a storyboard where you can add music and filter. A cool feature if you are willing to try your luck is to shake your smartphone to let the App choose a random song and filter for your video. Here is a sample:

5. CUTE CUT

Available for IOS devices

As a user myself, if I were to describe Cute Cut briefly I would say it is a handy moviemaker. The Cute Cut App guides the newbie with its pop-up help tips. Its features include: drawing on your video, changing the videos’ borders, drag-and-drop layout, and customizing your video with music effects, texture, transitions, and shadows. Not bad for a Free App!

 

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9 Budget-Friendly Ways To Look Younger And Beautiful

1. MAINTAIN A GOOD POSTURE

People who stand up straight would convey a figure that looks more attractive and smarter. Also, research show that it facilitates breathing, increases happiness, and improves concentration. Give it a try. It is a free boost anyway.

2. GET A LONG SIDE-SWEPT FRINGE

If you are ever going to get a haircut, ask your stylist for long side-swept bangs to cover any obvious wrinkles in your forehead.

3. CUT YOUR NAILS INTO SQUARE-OVALS

Square tips with rounded edges tend to look more youthful and clean. Cut your nails straight across then smooth the corners round with a nail file.

4. HAVE A FREE EYE-LIFT

Curl your lashes and finish it with mascara. Curly and thick looking lashes give you an instant eye-lift that makes you seem alert and younger. For best results, wash your curler with hot water or blow-dry it for at least three seconds before using it.

5. SWITCH TO CREAM

Face powder can produce fine lines and lifeless look. So, switch to BB or CC cream instead. It will give a natural radiance to your glowing skin.

6. GO FOR BERRY LIPS

Go for a color that softens your lips by being not too nude, sheer, and bright. A berry hue is just right. Also, it is universally flattering for all skin complexions. Try Clinique’s Berry Blush Butter Shine Lipstick for S$16 or Broadest Berry Chubby Stick Lip Balm for S$17.

7. TRY MIXING IT UP

Pair two solid color or two patterned clothing together to give a bold and youthful statement. For example you may pair a floral skirt print with a striped blouse.

8. WEAR CLOTHING ARTICLES THAT FIT

My mother is one of the women who buy one size larger so that the clothing is more comfortable but it is less flattering. Whether something is too tight or too loose, the result remains constant: looking larger that you really are. So, shop and wear clothes that fit you well.

9. RENEW YOUR EYEWEAR 

Image Credits: Ansel Edwards via Flickr

Image Credits: Ansel Edwards via Flickr

If you do not want to wear contact lenses, a new color of frame shape will take years off your face. A frame shape that you may try is the modern take on the cat-eye. The upward tilt has a lifting effect. For the colors of the frame, warm hues exude youthfulness.

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How To Land Your Dream Job Without Spending A Dollar

Landing your dream job or any job can be a challenging task. But, it is definitely worth the effort. Throughout the process, you will have to tap into your creative mind and stay motivated. Here are 6 tips that can help you…

1. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF FREE ADVICE FROM THE EXPERTS

Job portals or online classified ads such as Jobstreet and Monster have articles that can teach you how to make a professional Curriculum Vitae (C.V.) wherein your qualifications are presented efficiently. For example, it is recommended to have no more than a page for every 10 years of experience.

2. MAKE YOUR C.V. EYE-CATCHING

Your C.V. will stand out from a pile of other candidates if you add a sparkle of creativity. Use Adobe Photoshop for retouching your photos or Prezi.com for making an interactive presentation. As much as possible, make the content specific and concise.

3. MAXIMIZE YOUR ONLINE JOB SEARCH

If job portals have no listings that match your qualifications, then submit your C.V. to the employers’ websites directly. Most websites have “Careers or Jobs” tab on the home page. By doing so, you are actively pursuing new openings.

4. SEEK AND YOU SHALL FIND

Aside from researching for job openings online, go outside and talk to your friends, family, church-mates or fellow spinning classmates…they might just have a position for you. But, you shall never ask a person you just met for a job; ask them for career advice and contacts. The more people you share your goals to, the greater your chance of scoring a lead.

5. RESEARCH

Research the companies that interest you. Find out about their job operation, products, and services. If you are acquainted with some of the employees in the firm then, ask them about the skills that are valued most when hiring and the job opportunities that are available at the moment.

6. WORK YOUR WAY IN 

You will never know if you’re suited for the company unless you try it yourself. Even though there are no current full-time positions available, consider internships, freelance, and volunteering opportunities.

Image Credits: Kevin Dooley

Image Credits: Kevin Dooley

This will benefit you because big companies tend to hire within and the experience will fill the gaps in your C.V.

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Boost Your Savings With An Entry-Level Salary

Surviving expenses as a fresh graduate in your first “real-world” job without anyone to depend on can be tough at times. Living from paycheck to paycheck, you will need to find strategies to help you save more. Aside from budgeting, here are 6 ways to boost your savings on an entry-level salary

1. PACK YOUR LUNCH

After going to grocery, prepare your meals for the week. Packing your own lunch will not only help you save but it is also healthier. This strategy has worked for me very well before and has reduced my meals to S$5-10 a day.

2. TAKE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

Being in a country with an efficient transportation system, I do not see the reason why there is a need to take a cab in short distances. Buy a Public Transportation card (EZ-Link card) that you can use for trains and buses to save more. If you still want to drive via car, then carpool with your coworkers who live nearby.

3. MAKE YOUR OWN COFFEE

Your daily sip on Starbucks could be costing you a lot. Brew your own coffee for free instead. You can either make your coffee in your house before you leave or in your office during lunch breaks.

4. ATTEND INEXPENSIVE FUN EVENTS

Save without compromising fun by going to free or inexpensive events. You can search for free museum days, charity concerts, and outdoor films. There are some community events and workshops that charge as little as S$2 so keep your eye on those.

5. NETWORK WHILE YOU PARTY

Socializing with other people can widen your resources and potential business partners. But, it does not mean that you should splurge on drinks. Indulge on drink deals as much as you can during happy hours to save more.

6. BUNK WITH ROOMMATES

Living alone with an entry-level salary is not ideal. So, find friends or co-workers who can split the rent finances with you.

Image Credits: Robert Judge via Flickr

Image Credits: Robert Judge via Flickr

You will not only have a load off but you will also enjoy an awesome company of people who can go with you while you attend free events, happy hours, and great sales.

Don’t think it is possible? Then read how a Singaporean saved $20,000 in a year: http://goo.gl/7cUIC1

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