There are somomeasy ways you can keep track of those finances. A lot of us will make a resolution to save money and set a budget in the new year. And there are some apps out there to keep you in check. Tory meiborg from world trend financial is here. What should you look for when you go through the process of selecting an app to use . The financial apps, its like any ottr app, its all about, theres there a l l of great tools, but how often will you use it, how accessible is it . How easy is t forou to understand . The greatest app in the world doesnt work very well if yyre just not comfortable accessing it. So there are a lot of options out there for apps . Theres a ton of them. Theres a few that separate into two categories. Theres the ones that are comprehensive, the most famous one is mint. Theres one called a money, money. Money strand . Moneystrand, which is one i like a little bit better. Those do everything. They alert you they let you know when transactions go through on your account, they link all your accounts together, theyre very comprehensive. It can be a very powerful tool. They can also be a little intimidating for people. Those two are the big comprehensiv e tools. And what about the one called spend light . Yeah, so then theres tools that strip away some of the features of the more comprehensive ones, make them easier to use. Spend light is one that foces solely on the budget. Not alerts, not payments, those type of things. So it works y y can easily track your budget on the go, so you can spend money and see how much you have left that month, you can isolate certain projects or certain spending categories if you want to focus on those, for holiday spending, for example,e, would be a good budget category. That one works very well for that. It might be a good reality check for some people who buy coffee every day. Im not talking about myself. Then checkbook, is the most basic app there is. It is electronic version n a check register. Any time you write a check, make an atm deposit, pay for anything with a debit card, you manually enter a transaction into an app that looks very similar to your check book register. Id say the genius of it is its simplicity. For those who dont want to make a complete jump in, but it does give on the go access information. What about bill guard . Bill guard is ononof my favorites, ive mentioned it before when n weve talked about it. When you tend to subscribe to things, or auto subscribe, they renew every year, whher it be a magazine subscription, or a gym membershihi or some other tool online, you almost forget, you dont use them anymore, you keep getting charged for them, they get lost in the shuffle, this app aually identifies vendors using crowd sourcing, analytics, data, knows what vendors tend to do that, then flags them so you get to review them each month, see if can eliminate. And one last one you wanted to mention, shop savvy bar code. So shop savvy bar code and other bar code apps, there are several of them, i think of it as when im in the store, i can scan the bar code, and it will tell me not only what it cost at that store, but then compares other local retailers, and online. So i can see if im getting the best price on them. So there are a lot of options, kind of dependent on what your goals are. It sounds like simple might be t t way to go for a lototf people . Simple, but you also have to keep in mind, this is personal data, so you want to protect the data. As far as someone hacking in and getting access to all the information, thats as s sure or more secure than the online sites through your bank, but obviously you run the problem of misplacing your phone, or the phone getting into the wrong hands, so you just want to be careful of that. Well make sure you check out these apps esppially if youre settttg that t solution for the new year to save a little money and make a budget. Tory meiborg, thank you so much. Thank you. Driving to and from family for the holidays often means a lot of time in the car. There are stretches you can do stay alert. Our fitness expert, feryl york shows us how to make travel more manageable. Thanks for joining us for todays fitness gment. Have you evevenoticed when n ure in the car on those long travels that your body just feels as if its exhausted, like its been tough a very, very long workout. Thats a very, ry common, common thing to happen. And with all the traveling that we do, it just makes sense to fit exercise in wherever we can. So starting with the upper part of the body great idea to use isometric exercises to try to strengthen posture muscles while were traveling. Now i reccomnd doin this if you are stopped or if youre a passenger of course, that would be safe. I always want you to remember safety is first. The first thing you can do if youre sitting inour car or vehicle, youre going to think about pulling your shoulder blades bacacand down think about pushing them into the car seat. Take your elbows and gently push them into the to bring your arm this direction. The seat will actually stop you. If done appropriately, youll feel the muscles in the back of your shoulder blades and the backs of your arms engage. So again, shoulder blades back and down pressing gently into the seat. It doesnt take a lot of extra effort to feel those muscles engage. A word of caution about isometric exercises you want to make sure that youre breathihi as youre performing this exercise and all exercises. Its very easy to hold your breath with thitype of contraction. So counting g tloud, things like that, are great ways to make sure youre breathing while exercising. Number 2 if im the passenger, i can use my right arm against the door of the car agagn, posture, shoulder blades back and down and now, im resisting this movement where my arm is going away from my body. Im pressing into that door. The that resistatae. If done appropriately, youll feel your muscles engage. Now thing thing that i think is most important with trave is to make sure youre actually making stops and getting out of the car about every two or three hours. Getting out, Walking Around the car and just reversing that position that youve been in for a long period of time. Two stretches that will help you in those situations. Youre out of the car, youve walked around a little, maybe youre at a rest stop youre going to bring one foot in front of y y or you cocod even prop it up onon maybe on a aarea of the car you feel safe on, and youre going to sit your hips back, just to stretch that hamstring. Youve been sitting with your knee bent for a period of titi and that makes that muscle tight. The next one, youve been sitting again, with that seating position, this muscle in the front of the hip gets tight. So hanging onto the c c for balance, and d leg, hanging onto your pant leg or shoes to gently get that stretch in the front of your hip will allll you to lengthen botot of those muscles groups that get tight when traveling. Safe travels to you and thanks for joining us today. Im feryl york, your fitness expert. As family and friends gather to celebrate Christmas Today and the holidays this weekend, you may be looking for something fun to do. Heress look at some Holiday Events happening in eastern iowa. Christmas day free christmas dinners st. Marks United Methodist church4700 johnson ave. Nw cedar rapids noon 2pm st. Pauls United Methodist church1340 third ave. Se cedar rapids noon 2pm december 27 Free Community supperpe lutheran crch 5pm 6pm december 26th Winter Wonderland snow globe activitynation al Czech Slovak Museum library 1400 inspiration place sw cedar rapids 11am 3pm saturday movie matineeraymond`briggs the snowman Cedar Rapids Public Library 450 5th ave. Se 1pm family storyrymecor alville Public Library 1401 5th st. 10 30am 11am story timewaterloPublic Library 415 commercial st. 10 30am 11am well have another list of events happing thihi weekend d ming up in our next half hour. The naughty list. Children try to avoid it before christmas. But still ahead, well explain why one boy was so scared, and how santas soothing words were a great gift. Nats of singing and well share the musical talents of the Jefferson High School meistersingers as they sing christmas carolol our colors of christmas from this year. Stay with tv nine. This is the bartels family. Were wishing all of our families and friends back in iowa a Merry Christmas and a happy new year. Meteorologist kaj omara has our Christmas Day across iowa today. It may worth of rain or snow showers on us this afternoon, especially the farrer north you go. Highs should remain in the 30s. Christmas day will be quiet across iowa with the potential for 40degree highs. Our next storm system arrives this weekend with temperatures generally in the 40s again on saturday, and a cold round of rain possible. Well be cooler and drier forunday. Enjoy your day, and a weak wave of low pressure will drift up and a weak wave of low pressure will drift up and across iowa today. It may generate a few hours worth of rain or snow showers on us this afternoon, especially the farther north you go. Highs should remain in the 30s. Chchstmas day will be quiet across iowa with the potential for 40degree highs. Our next storm system arrives this weekend with temperatures generally in the 40s again on saturday, and a cold round of rain possible. Well be cooler and drier for sunday. Enjoy your day, and fe travels a weak wave of low pressure will drift up and generate a few hours worth of rain or snow showers on us this afternoon, especially the farther north you go. Highs should remain in the 30s. Christmas day will be quiet across iowa with the potential for 40degree highs. Our next storm system arrives this weekend with temperatures generally in the 40s again on saturday, and a cold round of rain possible. Well be cooler and drier for sunday. Enjoy y yr day, and safe travels in todays techbytes, deadline narrowing for sprint and verizon customers. If youre one of them and you Unauthorized Third Party charges knownn as cramping you have less than a week until new years eve to submit paperwork seeking a refund. Santas epic annual journey is now over. He traveled around the world under thehe watchful eyes of norad. It all started with a mistake, 06 years ago actually when a sears ad gave kids a number to call santa and it went straightt a top secret phone at norad. Finally, the internets latest viral sensation, this may look like a group of festive snowmen. But theres a cute pan t hidden among the crowd. Since the picture was posted on facebook earlier this month, its been shared more than 172,000 times. I wasted an entire day trying to find the i have asthma. One of many pieces in my life. So when my asthma symptoms kept coming back on my longterm control medicine, i talked t tmy doctor and foununa missing piece oncedaily breo prevents asthma symptoms. Breo is for adults with asthma not well controlled on a longterm asthma control medicine, like an inhaled corticosteroid. Breoeoont replace a rescucu inhaler for sudden breathing problems. Breo opens up airways to help improve breathing for a full 24 hours. Breo contains a type of medicine that increases the risk of death from asthma problems and may increase the risk of hospitalization in children and adolescents. Breo is not for people whose asthma is well controlled on a longterm asthma control medicine, like an inhaled corticosteroid. Once your asthma is well controlled, your doctor will decide if you can stop breo and prescribe a different asthma control medicine, like an inhaled corticosteroid. Do not take breo more than prescribed. See your doctor if your asthma does not improve or gets worse. Ask your doctor r 24hour breo could be a missing piece for you. See if youre eligible for hey this holiday, u. S. Cellulars giving you 15 gigs`of data for just 70 but t wanted a pony. [ gasps ] youre getting data. Ponysized data . U. S. Cellular sized data. 15 gigs of good, strong data you can actually use because it works in the middle of anywhere. Id like 100 youre getting 400 promo cards yes switch to u. S. Cellular and get 15 gigs of data for just 70. One of the many holiday traditions this time of year includes christmas carols. We asked the cedar rapids Jefferson High School meistersingers to share their talents with us. And n n they perform carol of the bells and sing ye noel, noel. Jefferson high school meistersingers perform for the last few weeks, kids have visited santa r pictures and to t tll them what they want for christmas. But one picture is making its way around the world online because of one boys fear of being on the naughty list. Brodyarter shares his story, and santas ft of acceptance. The magic of christmas. Captured in a photograph. Family says six year old, landon johnson, is a silly, fun loving little boy. He was born with autism. But like most little boys. Landon loves santa. When we get presents and he told me what he wanted for christmas, and i told him i loved him and he was a good boy, and he walked out and his mother was waiting. And while we were waiting for pictures to print i turn around and landon has gone back and i was just like, what is he doing . He came back and he said, santa, he says, im autistic. it was sothing thatatris kringle wasnt expecting to hear that day. But led to a memorable experience for everyone involved. But santa took his hands. And landon was really y ally excited and hee took his hands, this is all i saw was just him massaging his hands. Massag ing his hands. To calm the little boy down. After he said he was wowoied his autism may have put hihion the naughty list. After that he said its okay to be yourself. christmas is about love and joy. And thats what i try to bring to all the children and people that i i meet. And its an honest pleasure to do that. Naomi put this picture of santa and landon on facebook. Along with a thank you to the mall. And once it was posted. It was quickly shared throughout cyberspace i woke up this morning and i had 12,000 notifications on facebook. Just people people sharing it with messages. Telling me my sons a blessing. Enco uraging people half way around the world. It just said merry christuas from down under. . Spreading Holiday Cheer and the magic of christmas. That theres actually that magic still there. Theres magic still there. I mean thats what Everyone Wants this time of year they look for and hope for that magic. Coming up in our next half hour, well see how the very same santa shared his love with a sick little girl. And a little boy fighwing a mystery disease at uihc willllet to spend his christmas at home. And while the holidays are a great time to spend with family and friends, they can also be stressful. Weve t some ways you can kick back and relax. And heres a look at some of our colors of christmas this friday, december 25th. Thnks again for joinininus this rning. We have more holiday treats for you this morning with ways to kick back and enjoy the holidays, food, music and more. Liam young will be home for christmas. Hes the twoyearold from louisburg, wisconsin who nearly died from a disease doctors called a mystery. After about two months of fighting, liams healthy enough to spend christmas outside of the hospital. Kcrgtv9s Forrest Saunders was there when liam headed home. Two year old liam young is tiny, but also mighty. Hes just won the biggest battle of his life, the fight to survive. Nat monday. He headed home for christmas for a few days after spending a whopping 59 of them fighting an unknown illness in the hospital. Angela, his mom, couldnt have asked for much more this year. I am overjoyed. This is literally the only thing i wanted for christmas and i got it. Doctors sufferingrom a nasty infection that theyve been unable to identiti. When the little guy was first checked out at a hospital in dubuque, liam seemed like he had a bad case of the flu. His nurse came in, kind of looked. She walked back out. I heard her in the hallway say we need the doctor in here right now. From there, things got much worse liam was flown to uihc, where his heart stopped and had to be restarted. After, doctor found it wasnt pumping enough oxygenated blood to the rest of his body. Liams vital organs started shutting down. His skin developed bruises and blisters. Liams fingers and toes started turning black, many had to be removed. He wasasn danger of dying very quickly. To be honest, we are still working hard to try to preserve as much of him as we c. But, its still a lot of work. Doctors have treated liam with a bunch of antibiotics, blood transfusions, skin grafts and more. Meanwhile, support for liam poured in from arnd the country. Cut hospital bills. Then theres this. People have been donating gifts to liam and his siblings, to make sure they have somhing to open this year. Nat liam doctors say liams over the worst of it and ononhe road d recovery. Hell have to comemeack for a surgery, monday but. Thats the furthest thing from his mind right now. Christmas is coming, and tiny, mighty l bm is home for the holidays. While many people enjoy the holidays, this time of year can also be overwhelming. To keep your spirits up now and after your familil leaves, heree a little advice from an expert. Nicole the stress of the holidays can ruin even the happiest of family get togethers. To help you keep calm and celebrate, Cynthia Vaske from unitypoint saint lukes joins us. Cynthia, what are soso of the big stressors this time of year . Cynthia money. Definately, over spending getting together. Trying to schedule meetings with families, you and trying to make all of those schedules work with everyone, and then, you know, children. Managing childrens expectations. You know theyre all excited, almost like a sugar high, you know, its ristmas, ohh. I cant wait to open our presents. And so, just kind of managing where you need to be, how much are you going to spend, who youre going to spend it with, those are the challenges. Nicile and its all in good fun. Cynthia it is. Nicole and wewere doing this because we love e ech other, and want to give each other something, but you have to find that balance. So given that, what are some of the ways you can destress and make these things managable during this time of the year. Cynthia well i think you have to start with expectations. Because we have this idealized view of christmas, that its this magical time of year, which it can be, if you manage your own stress. Sometimes familieieare very rigid about the traditioiol celebration, and i think if we flexibility, and just kind of roll with, you know, children nap times, or anything that takes place, you know, people arriving late. We dont have to sit down to eat at tpat certain time. 12 12 you know, i think if youre just more flexible, and just kind of gogoith whats ening around you, that will help. 12 20 and then of course you know, sleeping, eating, and just taking more time, you know, not that rush rush rush, not waiting until, you know, 4 oclock on Christmas Eve to finish your christmas shopping. Nicole right hahahaha. Cynthiaathat would be helpful. Nicole so if youre noticing someone in your family, say you, yourself perhaps are fine, youve learned to go with the flow, and manage your expectations, but you see someone in your family dealing with all this stress. What are some of the thinin you cacado to help them out . T . Cynthia well, you know i think you can say, is there something i can help with . Casseroles so that can cut down on n ur stress of preparing that large dinner. Or do you want me to, in the case of children, do you want me toick something up, im going to target, you want me to pick anything up p r you . 13 11 you know, just offering to help. Even by offering to help, they might get the idea that you can see that theyre really stressed. 13 21 nicole even offering to do the dishes, something thats just so small can make a big difference like that. So lets talk about the back side of the holiys, because once the family packs up and leaves, youre l lt with an empty house, maybe some decorations and a lot of wrapping paper, what are some ways you can kind deal with that let down you can feel after the holidays . Cynthia well i think its remembering juststow fun it was, d keeping those memories in your mind, and then just kind of relaxing and lftting everything be for a while. You dont have to take everything down the next day. You know through the weekend and just kind of relax. 14 01 i think its kind of reflecting on what fun, what a fun time you had is important, because it is, your house is full of children who are happy, and eveveone is celebrating the season and all ofofudden its quiet. And no one is there, and that is hard, that is difficult. 14 22 its important to get back to reading that great book that you had, or watching that tv s sw, or getting out anan exercising. Nic ole some great advice to manage stress this time of year. Cynthia vaske thanks so much for coming in. Cynthia youre welcome. Theres no denying foodods a major part of the holidays. Families and friends gather over a large traditional meal. But one chef shows us there are some options besides yr turkey, ham and stuffing. Greetings im exexetive chief jojothan nelson, and were at the diamond jo casino in dubuque iowa. And today were homemade pta for you at our famous woodfire grille kitchen. With all good papata, you start off with good ingredients. Today were just using some nice, fresh, all purpose flour, some whole eggs, a little olive oil, and some whole milk. Were just going to blend it all togetr. And athe woodfire grille, we add a little truffle powder, a little turmeric, some fresh dill, and a little food colorininafte r we get our pasta kneaded, were going to roll it in a ball and toss it in a cooler to rest. After our dough has rested in the cooler for about an hour, were going to proceed to ll it out. Were just going to flatten it out, give it a little dust of flour, and run it thrgh our pasta machine after o5r pasta is rolled out, we have this slick little tool to cut it out into going to put this on a rack to rest for about two hours before boiling. After our pasta has been sliced and rested for a while, were going to poach it off for about 3 to 4 minutes in some good salty water. The important part about pasta is you want to make sure the water tastes like the sea. At woodfire grille, one of our favorite dishes to do with our homemade pasta, is a beef strogananf. We take our cooked pasta, toss it with a little mushroom crme fresh, we add some beautifully braised short ribs, some roasted mushrooms, and were going to top it with some freshly grown micro radish. I hope you enjoyed watching our beef visit us at woodfire grille to enjoy this dish and many more of our seasonal favorite if youre looking to get out of the house and do something with family and friends this holiday weekend, theres plenty happening in area. Heres a look at some of t t holidayayvents you can enjoy. December 26 murder mystery dinner murder on 34th streetcedar ridge winery distillery 144141arak road swisher 6p6p 9pm tickets 50 dec 26winter Farmers Market colts center 1101 central 7am noon multiple days dec 26 27 snoohoe family fun indndn Creek Nature Center 6665 otis rd. Se cedar rapids 10am 3pm 5 8 dec 26 27 brucemore holiday mansion tours 2160 linden dr. Se cedar rapids sat. 10am 3pm s s. Noon 3pm tickets 3 7 dec 25, 26 27 reflections in the park Louis Murphy Park 1700 South Grandview ave. Dubuque 5pm 10pm 10 at gate dec 25, 26 27christmas lights s ur trolleys of dubuque 5pm admissioo fee dec 25, 26 27gingerbread fair Vesterheim MuseumBruening Visitor Center 502 w. Water st. Decorah 9am 5pm dec 25, 26 27holiday display its beginning to look a lot like christmas the musc man square 308 s. Pennsylvania ave. Mason city fri 1pm 8pm sat sun 1pm 5pm 6 adults, 3 children many of the eveves in this particular list may go beyond this weekend. Check with these events llt. The movie its a wonderful life taught us every time a bell rings, an angel gets its wings. Well show you how a ringing bell is also giving one little girl wh cancer hope this christmas. Ts of singing loooo of what child is this s the Iowa City West High School choir shares their talents with christmas carols. And herers another look at soso of our colors of christmas. Stay with tv nine. This is the bartels family. Were wishing all of our families and friends back in iowa a Merry Christmas and a happy new year. Hey this holiday, u. S. Cellulars giving you 15 gigs of data for just 70 but i wanted a pony. [ gasps ] youre getting data. Ponysized data . U. S. Cellular sized data. 15 gigs of good, strong data you can actually use because it works in the middle of anywhere. Id like 100 youre getting 400 in promo cards yes switch to u. S. Cellular and get 15 gigs of data for just 70. Across iowa today. Y. T may generate a few hours worth of rain or snow showeron us this afternoon, especially the farther north you go. Highs should remain in the 30s. Christmas day will be quiet across iowa with the potential for 40degree highs. Our next storm system arrives this weekend with temperatures gegerally in the 40s again on saturday, and a cold round of rain possible. Well safe travels a weak wave of low pressure will drift up and a weak wave of low pressure will drift up and across iowa today. It may generate a few hours worth of rain or snow showers on us this afternoon, especially the farther north you go. Highs should remain in the 30s. Christmas day will be quiet across iowa with the potential for 40degree highs. Our next storm system arrives this weekend withthemperatures generally in the 40s again on saturday, and a cold round of rain possible. Well be cooler and drier for sunday. Enjoy your day, and safe travels across iowa today. It may generate a few hours worth of rain or snow showers on us this afternoon, especially the farther north you go. Highs should remain in the 30s. Christmas day will be quiet across iowa with the potential for 40degree highs. Our next storm system arrives this weekend with temperatures generally in the 40s again on saturday, and a cold round ofd rain possible. Well be cooler and drier for sunday. Theres a special santa in grandville, michigan, that brought so much of hope and joy to children. In our last half hour, we told you how he soothed the fears of a young boy with autism, telling him hes not on this years naughty list. Now Kate Nadolski shows us how this very same saint nick helped a five Year Old Girl find hope in her fight against cancer. Its a lot more than justst bell. But a sign of hope for 5 yearold madison pagel. I love you. She was diagnosed with brain she went through a full year of treatment, surgery to take the tumor out, and they put her in remission for just 9 months. Gettin g spinal taps and mris every 3months. They family was shocked to learn that it wasnt overer she relapsed with 2 new brain tumors. She had another surgery. And now shes on what they call a targeted therapy. And its a clinical trial. Tests and hospital visits are e norm for the papal family and the holidays prove to be no different. Christmas time is very stressful on me, we were trying to take it as a blessing, that everyday is given to us, but its also hard that you want to give tm the world. But y you cant. Tracy pagel, maddies mom, says a recent trip to rivertown crossings mall reminded them what christmas was all about. She loves santa. She has always loved santa. Osually you see kids start screaming, but that was never her. And t tts exactly who stepped in. Doing what he does best. He grabbed her hand and said heres a bell. Every time you ring that me, mrs. Claus, and all the elves in youre going to beat cancer, and i know that. A message that wont be forgotten. Hes amazing. Just to have that much compassion. You may think santa gets around on a sleigh, but in broussard, louisiana, hes upgraded to a golf cart. Every night since thanksgiving, the gallagher family has jumpedednto this dedeed out golf cart to spread christmas cheer to their neighborhood. The family says it started when they were decorating the yard. The kids started to put lights on the golf cart, and before you know it, rudolph, olaf, santa and more were on display for the nightly rides. People in the neighborhood love it. Hey hey buddy Merry Christmas ceylon williams neighborhood resident i think its absolutely precious, the kids lolo it, i mean everybody comes out every single night. I dont t ow what were going to do when january gets here, its been great Mark Gallagher santa its been a lot of fun. Its been something ive just been able to jump in with my kids, and my family, and bring Holiday Cheer to a bunch of people especially my the gallaghers say theyll wrap upheir adventures today. Zcursorzz well have a choir help us get in the Christmas Spirit this morning. Thats up next. First heres some of our colors of christmas from across eastern iowa. Stay with tv 9. Meteorologist kaj omara has thank you for joining us this christmas morning. G. To get in n e spirit one more time, here is Iowa City West High Schools choir performing a christmas medly of joy to the world, angels we have heard on high and what child is this . Weve put all oururhoir performances this mornini on kcrcrdotcom. Have a merrrr christmas. Iowa city west choral students perform carols. Joy to the world angels we have heard on high hey this holiday, u. S. Cellulars giving you 15 gigs of data for just70 but i wanted a pony. [ gasps s youre gettiti data. Ponysized data . U. S. Cellular sized data. 15 gigs of good, strong data you can actually use because it works in t middle of anywhere. T, youre getting 400 in promo cards yes switch to u. S. Cellular and get 15 gigs of data for just 70. Pl 400 in promo cards stay with us s r g joy to the world good morning, america and Merry Christmas. Your family around the tree we