This is a sponsored post from U.S. Cellular. All opinions are my own!
It is my most favorite time of year! The holiday season – and I say holidays as anything that comes from the week of Thanksgiving right through New Years. However, this time of year also tends to stress me out – a lot.
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My to-do list seems incredibly long right now, but knowing that I can utilize technology (like my iPhone) to make my life easier is something I am definitely excited about!
I am happy to have a reliable network through U.S. Cellular that makes these hacks a huge help during this very busy season.
Using Your Phone Camera to Alleviate Holiday Stress
Take a picture of where you parked your car – Do you do this? It seems so easy, and definitely something I need to start doing. I have definitely had many instances of when I forgot where my car was parked.
Scan or photograph passport, identification and itinerary – Save the images for offline access and e-mail them to your personal account. It is always important to have extra copies of these important documents when you travel!
Take pictures of your fridge and pantry when grocery shopping – I love to make grocery lists, but I almost always forget to put something on the list. Having a picture of what my fridge looks like helps me to remember when I need a condiment or other item that I may not always put on my list.
Other Features on your Smartphone to Simplify the Holiday Season
Charge your phone on airplane mode – My husband is notorious for not keeping his phone charged, and then needs it charged in very short periods of time. Charging in airplane mode allows him to charge his phone faster by eliminating apps or services running in the background.
Track a master to-do list in the notes feature – While I love paper lists, it is so easy to misplace them, or for my kids to decide to turn them into their newest art creation, so keeping a list on my phone is wonderful. Also, it helps when I am out and about looking at gifts to jot down ideas that I can think about later.
Use location based reminders – It is easy to forget to make a stop when I am out with the kids and running a bunch of errands. But with the Reminders feature in iOS or Google Keep on Android you can set a notification to sound when you are a near a specific destination.
What tricks do you use to make life easier during the holidays?
CourtneyLynne says
December 2, 2016 at 12:35 amOmg I would of never thought of taking a pic of where you parked!!! I don't know why hat never crossed my mind. Genius
Krystel Seijo says
December 1, 2016 at 7:56 pmTips are FANTASTIC. I've used the picture of where you parked before. Another tip I just found was take a pic of an index card with your information (Name, Number, Address) with your camera so that if it gets lost, it can be returned.
Brittany Muddamalle says
December 1, 2016 at 6:10 amI love these tips! My smartphone has been a huge lifesaver for me. I take pictures of everything from my parking spot to grocery lists!
Angie Church says
December 1, 2016 at 12:06 amlove your great tips useful in several areas of life. Thanks for sharing
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Debbie-jean lemonte says
November 30, 2016 at 9:58 pmWow! These are some cool ideas. I didn't know charging in airplane makes it go faster. And that Google Keep app? On it!
Angela Campos says
November 30, 2016 at 7:12 pmGreat ideas ! I love the one about the pictures of items in refrigerator, definitely going to do this. Anything to simplify things.
Kendall Rayburn says
November 30, 2016 at 6:15 pmTaking photos of where you park is such a good idea! It's so easy to forget!
Christina Aliperti says
November 30, 2016 at 10:32 amYou had me at easier. the holidays can be rough and these hacks will really save me.
Taylor Mobley says
November 30, 2016 at 7:01 amThis is awesome. I always take pictures of my fridge and pantry. That way I make sure I don't forget anything. LOL!!! It is easier than bringing a list!!
Julie D says
November 30, 2016 at 4:17 amWhat an absolutely genius idea to take pics of your fridge and pantry before going shopping! I can never remember if I have a particular dressing or other condiment!
Theresa's Reviews says
November 29, 2016 at 10:21 pmI like the idea of taking pictures of the items in your fridge. This is a great way to remember whether you have the essentials at home or not.
Amanda @ Old House to New Home says
November 29, 2016 at 9:15 pmI love to take pictures of the items my daughter picks out at the store for her Christmas list! It keeps all the ideas in one place and then I won't lose her list!
Rose Sahetapy says
November 29, 2016 at 8:01 pmTaking picture of where we park our car is something I've never thought of, but it's definitely something worth to do. It happened many times we forgot the exact spot where we parked our car. Love all these ideas!
Cassandra @ Powered By BLING says
November 29, 2016 at 6:05 pmThese are great tips and I have to say I do almost all of them! Great minds think alike.
Ashley Brooke Nicholas says
November 29, 2016 at 5:57 pmThese are amazing tips! I need to bookmark this post for the holidays for sure!
Reesa Lewandowski says
November 29, 2016 at 4:09 pmGreat reminders! I need to start taking pictures of my lists, etc. Thank you for the reminders.
Crystal Mendez says
November 29, 2016 at 3:52 pmI like to take a picture of my grocery list before I leave the house, never fails–I'm at the store and realize I forgot my list. But I have it on my phone so not all is lost! lol
Roxanne Ferber says
November 29, 2016 at 3:39 pmGreat idea to use the location based reminders! I am a paper list maker, but sometimes that extra back up from technology really helps!
galatealily says
November 29, 2016 at 1:47 pmThe holidays are meant to be enjoyed, not thinking of ways to make it 'easier'. Be grateful for everything you have in your life, and not so much on what you don't have. Cheers!
ana de jesus says
November 29, 2016 at 12:01 pmScanning your passport and itinerary is a good shout! I am always so disorganized so these tips would definitely help xx
Sara Geffrard says
November 29, 2016 at 10:13 amSomething helpful hacks you shared here. I learned something new with the location based reminders!
Cynthia @craftoflaughter says
November 29, 2016 at 4:12 amI am a paper and planner girl although I do use my phone to find the best prices. Taking pictures of where you park is brilliant.
Jana Bailey says
November 29, 2016 at 4:01 amAnything to make the holiday season easier is great, you want to be able to enjoy the season too!
Angela Tolsma says
November 29, 2016 at 2:28 amI love that you mention taking pictures of where you park! I've been doing that for yours! It came in so handy when in at Mall of America and we got lost! I've never charged my phone on airplane mode, totally going to have to try that!
Kecia says
November 28, 2016 at 11:45 pmThe Notes app on my iPhone are filled with to-do lists and shopping reminders for the holidays. It's so convenient and I don't have to worry about misplacing the paper if I wrote it all down.
Missy says
November 28, 2016 at 11:28 pmI love the easy tips with the camera on the phone! I think taking photos of the parking spot is genius! I am always forgetting where I park or have to reeeeeally make a mental note about it. This is much easier!
Mimi B says
November 28, 2016 at 5:20 pmI take photos of where I park all the time! It's helped me quite often. I also use notes in my phone. I make lists and update them over the year. We do group emails for everyone so we can stay in touch with what we're doing for the holidays.
Terri Steffes says
November 28, 2016 at 2:59 pmOooo! I love the Reminders idea! I have to charge on airplane mode, too. Constantly letting my phone get too low.