By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
How to get the best prices on airfare using tech tools and travel hacks
142df283bc5e5d7aab3c25fad8c48d21a518c29fb4136bc67e1e6d8679e8b6f2
There's no need to hold off on your dreams of jet-setting around the globe. Keep expenses in check by using fantastic websites that do all the work for you. - photo by Amy Iverson
Wanderlust is contagious. Seeing friends amazing travels on social media gives us the itch to seek adventure. But its too expensive, right?

While travel can be pricey, those seeking to see the world should be ready to strike when they see a good deal. With the airline reservation requirement that allows cancellation within 24 hours without penalty, theres no reason to hold back.

But remember, there are tricks to ensure your next opportunity to explore the globe is right around the corner.

Visit these websites.

The Flight Deal will only post a fare if it costs less than 6 cents per mile. That would mean, for instance, it wont post a round-trip, nonstop flight from New York to Paris unless its less than $435. The deals are so good, they usually dont last long.

Secret Flying finds great fares and posts details on its website. Unique to this site is that it posts open-jaw flights, meaning you dont fly in and out of the same airport. This is a great option for when you dont just want to stick around in one place. Its especially helpful when traveling abroad to cover the most ground possible and not be forced to backtrack.

Also fantastic are the error fares that show crazy-low prices because of technical glitches or human error. Travelers need to book these fast with a credit card and hold off on booking any other travel arrangements until theyre sure the airline will honor the fare.

Sign up for email price alerts.

Skyscanner says it works by using a unique proprietary technology that connects people directly to everything the travel industry has to offer. Whatever it is, it works. This should be a go-to for low prices on flights, hotels and transportation.

Google Flights is a must. Sometimes Im game for anything. I love that I can put in dates (like my kids fall break) and then discover places I could fly to and the price tags that go with them. Its also a great tool if you know you want to travel to Maui within the next six months but are flexible on dates. Put the parameters in and wait for Google Flights to alert you when the fare drops.

Follow this account on Twitter.

Airfarewatchdog has people stalking airline websites in case a fare sale pops up. They let you in on promo codes and check by hand to make sure there are actually seats available at the great price.

Follow this account on Instagram.

Flights From Home shows amazing fares from only a handful of areas (Southern California, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Denver, San Francisco, or Portland). But lucky you if you frequently fly out of one of those locations.

Flights From Home tells you what airline is offering the deal for which dates and then lets you know step by step exactly how to book it. It will even do Instagram Stories with easy-to-follow tutorials to show you how to find these smoking-hot deals.

Watch the fees.

If you think youre getting an amazing deal on some budget airline like Frontier, check the fine print. Some airlines charge you for even bringing a carry-on, and more for checked baggage. Often, you can get a flight on a more comfortable airline at a comparable price when you take all the baggage fees into account.

Since most airlines now charge for checked bags, isnt it time you learned how to fit everything in a carry-on? You will never have a lost bag, you save time by skipping the baggage areas altogether and you are less encumbered by large luggage. Heres the Travel Channels pack hack video.

Time is money.

Ill say it one more time: Join TSA Precheck. Click here for my full reasoning, but suffice it to say you get to skip the long security lines and never have to take your shoes off again. You get all this and more for five years for the low, low price of $85. Seriously, sign up now.

With all these opportunities to get flights for really good prices, there is no excuse to put your travel dreams on hold. Just be smart and use all the tools at your disposal to make sure your wanderlust doesnt break the bank. Happy travels.
Its toxic: New study says blue light from tech devices can speed up blindness
93cbd7a5475cccd1cee701424125d3abaa9b4beaa58d3663208f656cbbbd7661
A new study from the University of Toledo found that blue light from digital devices can transform molecules in your eyes retina into cell killers. - photo by Herb Scribner
It turns out checking Twitter or Facebook before bed is bad for your health.

A new study from the University of Toledo found that blue light from digital devices can transform molecules in your eyes retina into cell killers.

That process can lead to age-related macular degeneration, which is a leading cause of blindness in the United States, according to the researchs extract.

Blue light is a common issue for many modern Americans. Blue light is emitted from screens, most notably at night, causing sleep loss, eye strain and a number of other issues.

Dr. Ajith Karunarathne, assistant professor in the UT Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, said our constant exposure to blue light cant be blocked by the lens or cornea.

"It's no secret that blue light harms our vision by damaging the eye's retina. Our experiments explain how this happens, and we hope this leads to therapies that slow macular degeneration, such as a new kind of eye drop, he said.

Macular degeneration is an incurable eye disease that often affects those in their 50s or 60s. It occurs after the death of photoreceptor cells in the retina. Those cells need retinal to sense light and help signal the brain.

The research team found blue light exposure created poisonous chemical molecules that killed photoreceptor cells

"It's toxic. If you shine blue light on retinal, the retinal kills photoreceptor cells as the signaling molecule on the membrane dissolves," said Kasun Ratnayake, a Ph.D. student researcher working in Karunarathne's cellular photo chemistry group. "Photoreceptor cells do not regenerate in the eye. When they're dead, they're dead for good."

However, the researchers found a molecule called alpha-tocopherol, which comes from Vitamin E, can help prevent cell death, according to Futurism.

The researchers plan to review how light from TVs, cellphones and tablet screens affect the eyes as well.

"If you look at the amount of light coming out of your cellphone, it's not great but it seems tolerable," said Dr. John Payton, visiting assistant professor in the UT Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. "Some cellphone companies are adding blue-light filters to the screens, and I think that is a good idea."

Indeed, Apple released a Night Shift mode two years ago to help quell blue lights strain on the eyes, according to The Verge. The screen will dim into a warmer, orange light that will cause less stress on the eyes.