Technology is amazing. It can be your very best friend. Because of technology, we can visit all corners of the world through our computers, talk face-to-face to people overseas with our smartphones, and so much more. If you know how to think creatively, you can get more from the technology you have, and make your life easier at the same time.
Here are 7 technology hacks that will make life easier for you and your family.
Hiding Wires
There’s not much more unsightly than all of those wires draping across the desk or table and onto the floor. If you have a night table with a drawer, drill holes in the back so cords don’t show and make a charger station inside the drawer so they are out of sight and safe.
Speaking of wires. Learn how to coil your own phone cord. It takes a pencil, duct tape, hair dryer. and about 5 minutes of your time.
Post-it Clean-up
Computer keyboards seem to be a magnet for dust. No worries though! When your keyboard is dirty, you can use a Post-it to clean it. Using the sticky side, just stick in between the keys and peel off; so long dust!
Unplug It
When your technology is not in use, unplug it. It’s safer, warding off electrical fires, and it saves money on your electric bill, too. For sure do this any time you are traveling.
Make a Ruler
Take a picture, in real size, of a ruler with your smartphone. Then if you need to measure something you can just bring up the picture on your phone.
Learn Keyboard Commands for YouTube
It’s easy; 0 to 9 lets you skip through the video. The numbers do not refer to the minutes in the video, so if you want to start halfway, press 5 for 50% (please note, you can only use this function when the video is paused, not while it’s playing). Also the J, K and L keys work too. J is rewind. K is pause, and L is fast forward. Cool, huh?
© Kianlin | Dreamstime.com – YouTube Photo
Stay Private
If you often allow your kids to use your laptop for homeschooling or gaming, you can easily keep everything else private by making a special user account just for them. Then, when your kids are looking for various files they won’t see your personal stuff.
Separate Emails
You’re always being asked to sign up for various newsletters and email lists, and now you can get organized by using this neat trick if you use Gmail. If your email address is xyz@gmail.com, you can turn it into a new address that goes to the same box, by adding a plus sign and other letters. So, for example, the next time you sign up for a newletter, give your email address like this: xyz+newsletters@gmail.com. Emails will still go to your original Gmail inbox that is before the plus sign, but, now you can use folders to segment these emails to their own box.
I can’t wait to hear if you try any of these neat tips to make your life easier. Do you have a technology hack that works well? Tell me about it in the comments!
