SOUND OFF: Ear Buds vs Headphones

Photo Credit: Natesh Sood

Living in the 21^st century, we are surrounded by the distracting noise of everyday life. Every once in a while we need to plug into our tunes and let the music take us away. We are taken away by two methods of listening: ear buds, and headphones. Which is the better choice?

Honestly, both, it all depends on lifestyle and personal preference, but it doesn’t hurt to know the pros and cons for both.

Ear Buds

Photo Credit: Nikki Lee

            Pros

·      Flexible

·      Easy to conceal or hide away

        Easy to store

Cons

·      Easy to lose

·      Uncomfortable at times due to abnormal shape

·      Sound escapes easily

·      Higher chance of hearing loss

Headphones

            Pros

·      Fashionable

·      Better with noise cancelation

·      Often quite comfortable with padded muffs

·      Better sound quality

Cons

·      Bulky

·      Hard to hide away

·      Little airflow around ears (depending on which one you buy)

Photo Credit: Nikki Lee

Depending on the activity or lifestyle, one would choose one over the other. For example, a teenager at school in a classroom may use ear buds because it’s easy to hide away from the watchful eye of the teacher. On the other hand, a musician may prefer headphones because of the better sound quality and noise cancelation ability. Either one works in either situation, it just depends on the person.

Nowadays, listening to music often means bumping up the volume to dangerous levels. In the long run, it causes damage to a listener’s hearing, which may become permanent.

According to the American Osteopathic Association website, James E. Foy, DO, an osteopathic pediatrician from Vallejo, California, states the following about loss of hearing in teens.

“Today, 1 in 5 teens has some form of hearing loss - a rate about 30% higher than it was in the 1980s and 1990s - which many experts believe is due, in part, to the increased use of headphones.”

On that scary note, the best advice given by experts and parents alike would be to turn them DOWN! Nothing wrong with rocking out but rocking out safely prevents permanent hearing loss at thirty years old.

#RockItSafe

Sources:

 Hearing Loss and Headphones - Is Anyone Listening? (n.d.). Retrieved August 9, 2015, from http://www.osteopathic.org/osteopathic-health/about-your-health/health-conditions-library/general-health/Pages/headphone-safety.aspx 

 Sood, N. (2009, July 7). Gadgetell Guide: Should I buy headphones or earbuds? Retrieved from http://www.technologytell.com/gadgets/48700/gadgetell-guide-should-i-buy-headphones-or-earbuds/ 

COUPONS.com: The Reliable Way to Save

What would the world be like without coupons? Well, normal actually but that's besides the point.

A year ago, I saw a story on the news about "extreme couponing." This is the act of someone with an obsession with coupons and saving every nickel and dime that they can through discounts and coupons. The story didn't too much interest me until the news reporter quoted the results of a study done with coupons. Studies show that the average American can save up to $10,000 a year from coupons. WOW right? What could YOU do with ten large in your pocket?

actual printed coupons from the site

With high hopes and plans for my piece of the pie, I began researching coupon sites. I joined several online sites but in order to actually receive the coupons, they wanted you to either purchase a product or take a million surveys. After that, I felt it wasn't worth the save and I gave up.

One day I found Coupons.com through an ad somewhere and I decided to check it out. The set up was easy, all I had to do was register and download its printer access attachment. Afterwards, I just browse coupons by category, and hit print. It's that easy!

My mother runs an in-house business where she takes care of state hospital clients so food and household supplies usually costs a fortune. I use coupons.com to print coupons that helps her save money. After calculation I help save her anywhere from $30 to $60 a month! I don't know about you but that's extra money towards a bill, or pair of shoes.

If you're on the go, Coupons.com now has a downloadable app that allows you to pick your coupons and have them sent to your email so you can print them anywhere!

SmartSource, Redplum, and P&G coupon booklets usually
found inSunday newspapers.

The only negative to Coupons.com would be the inability to print the coupons in black and white. The downloaded attachment overrides your printer and forces the printer to print the coupons in color. I've researched it and according to other forums, there's not much you can do to change that.

If you're not computer savvy or don't have access to computer and printers, P&G, Redplum and SmartSource coupon booklets in weekly newspapers remain a great alternative. The positive, you save a lot of money on ink!

Coupons.com has been a great help for me and my family for two years now. Its easy, it's mobile, it's awesome!