11 Ways the Internet Can Work for You
- Say goodbye to annoying “hold” music; say hello to online appointments
- How to save time and secure your identity with online banking
- Get your tax returns in record time by e-filing your state and federal taxes
By now, just about everyone knows how to send e-mail or use a search engine to find information. But if you’re not a member of the digital generation, you might still be ignoring some of the Web’s most useful applications. Get informed! Even if you’re not a technology junkie, these ideas and shortcuts can help you streamline your busy schedule.
Stop Waiting for the 6 o’clock News
The Internet has many advantages. One of its greatest attributes is instant access. If you need tomorrow’s weather report, check out the National Weather Service. If you need the latest news or traffic information, those reports are available online too. So don’t waste another minute hanging around for televised updates. And quit buying bulky newspapers. With today’s technology, you can even sign up to receive weather alerts and school delays via e-mail or text message.
Make Your Plans Online
When you’re booking a flight, a hotel, or even a dentist appointment, you’ll often spend dozens of precious minutes listening to that awful hold music. But now you don’t have to! Get familiar with travel sites like Expedia.com or Travelocity.com. They’re easy to use, and faster than any phone reservation. Some hair salons and doctor’s offices are also offering online bookings. These services make appointments easy to remember, since they often include reminder e-mails and printable details.
Discover Paperless Banking
Even firm traditionalists have to admit: there’s nothing more convenient than online bill paying options. You can transfer money between your accounts, even if your bank is closed. You can easily track your payments and account history. And in less than 5 minutes you can pay all of your monthly bills – without writing checks or wasting money on stamps. Best of all, online banking is safer than the old way. Your paper statements can’t be stolen from the mail, and you can set reminders to ensure that all accounts are paid on time.
“Face” the Facts
Facebook is here to stay. Your friends, your coworkers, your kids – even your mom is on Facebook. If you haven’t joined yet, you’re missing out on some useful data. When you have big news, one status update can inform all the important people on your list. Likewise, when you need a favor or a bit of advice, you can ask all of your contacts with one simple post. Facebook also helps you to remember big days and important events – so you’ll never waste time apologizing for a missed birthday.
Check Your (Online) References
Who wants to carry a heavy dictionary or thesaurus with them at all times? Don’t bother. Whether you need help for school work or an office assignment, online resources are faster and more thorough. You can find everything you need at Merriam-Webster.com. To gain a general idea about a concept or an unfamiliar reference, check out Wikipedia.com. Just be careful not to draw absolute conclusions, since Wikipedia isn’t 100% error-proof.
Monitor Your Kids’ Academics
Check with your kids’ teachers, and see if grades or progress reports are available online. Many teachers are taking advantage of the online medium, to help keep parents in the loop. They may send project reminders via e-mail, maintain web sites about class activities, or use Twitter to post updates. Your son or daughter no longer has to be the middle man, passing notes between you and the teacher.
E-file Your Taxes
Filing your taxes online has many benefits. Firstly, the automatic fields are designed to alert you if one of your entries doesn’t match your other data. And most of the required fields provide helpful links that can explain more about the question being asked. You can save yourself a trip to the post office. And, better still, you can expect to get your refund a lot faster.
Secure Your Files
Your computer is storing plenty of valuable data. From your school assignments to your music library, your files are too important to be wiped out by a virus. Take advantage of online computer backup services. Services like Carbonite.com are available to safeguard your hard drive. For around $55 per year, you can protect all of your important documents – including photos and financial files.
Shop Online
As online shopping gains popularity, more and more stores are offering e-commerce as an option. For most of the items you buy, you don’t need to drive around and adjust your schedule to meet limited store hours. Instead, you can shop from the comfort of your own home, even at midnight! It’s also easier to use coupons or gift cards online, because you don’t have to worry about stashing all the extra paperwork in your wallet. And, some sites will even alert you when other products – by writers or musical artists you enjoy – become available.
Don’t Rack Your Brain
If you’re attempting something for the first time, or if you just need a better way to get yourself organized, try working from a list. Lots of busy parents have had success with SimplyChecklists.com. It sounds basic, but the list subjects range from things you’ll need on a camping trip to tasks you should complete before moving. Most of the lists can be customized to meet your needs, too. Take the guesswork out of your chores, and borrow a list or two.
Condense Your Surfing
You’d have to be online all day to keep up with 5 or 10 of your favorites blogs. Instead, view the updates in one location by using a web-based aggregator like Google Reader. You will not have to waste time visiting each blog separately to see if there are any new posts. And, the ready-made-list makes it easier for you to share timely, interesting items with your friends and associates.
Jennifer Applin is a freelance writer and will soon be the mother of six young children born within a 5-year span. Her writing focuses on strategies for busy parents to juggle it all.
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