How to Improve Your Finances on Your Morning Commute

This is a guest post from Anum Yoon. I think you’ll like her suggestions on ways to make your daily commute actually benefit your finances.

I love that these ideas work for students as well as for people going to jobs.

Note that two of these ideas work only when you are not driving (a benefit of taking public transit). You can still use them while waiting in line, at a doctor’s office, etc.

How to Improve Your Finances on Your Morning Commute

Many people consider their commute one of the worst parts of their day.

Sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic and dealing with bad drivers, either after just waking up or being at work for the entire day, can be a miserable experience. For many people, it’s also a necessary one.

People’s commute times vary, but regardless of the time consumed there are several ways that they can  have a more productive commute. The tips below are a good place to get started.

1.  Listen to Your Audio of Choice

Regardless of whether you’re driving your own vehicle or taking public transit, car speakers and headphones can accommodate any type of audio you desire.

Some people like to rock out to their music early in the morning and after work so they are jolted with energy.

But in my personal experience I benefitted the most by listening to financial audio books. It’s not hard to become engrossed in learning about topics you’re interested in, and it really helps make the commute go by faster.

Whichever audio format you personally like most, embrace it during your commute and make our interests relating to personal finance an ongoing learning experience.

2.  Use Your Phone

Those taking public transit can use their phone in any capacity since their attention is not vital to reach their destination.

This opens up several lanes of productivity. They can respond to email, read the news, call a friend, work on expense reports. Essentially they can do anything they can on a computer thanks to constantly advancing smartphone technology that makes the web and information very accessible.

I don’t take public transit all the time, but when I do, I always try to use that time to update myself on the latest business news. Take advantage of apps for financial news to make browsing more convenient.

3.  Play Brain Games

Some days, I can’t bring myself to be “actively productive” during my commute. But once I realized that I was literally wasting time by not doing anything, I wanted viable alternatives.

Web sites like Luminosity offer many games that can  improve your cognitive abilities. Sharpening these skills before stepping into work or class can potentially improve your entire day’s productivity. Games like these can help train memory and attention.

Forbes reported on a study that found video games as having the potential to improve brain and cognitive function–at least in the case of those designed for mind enhancement specifically, as in the case with games on Luminosity. Playing games your commute can be productive, as long as the games have brain-building enhancements built in.

[Maggie here: Neither I nor Anum have any affiliation with Luminosity. Click here for a review of Luminosity on PC Magazine.]

Commuting Is a Hassle

Commuting may be a hassle, but it’s also essential for many workers and students throughout the country.

By utilizing the tips above you can make your commute both informative and productive. You may actually become more financially savvy.

And you might look forward to the many hours spent each week as you travel to and from your destination.

Anum Yoon is a personal finance blogger who found her passion for money management through her extensive travels around the world. She’s been using her experiences as a global citizen to offer fresh insights on how to be smarter with money. You can catch her latest updates on her blog or read her latest ramblings on Twitter.

Do you listen to audio books? Play brain games? How do you use your commute time?