Ditch the Gadgets and Gain Your Independence

Our Declaration of Independence gives us the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. My cell phone ensures every day is Independence Day. I have been liberated from having to carry my laptop, Ereader, camera, and a GPS. I don’t have to visit the bank to make a deposit. I am able to leave the client files home. I pursue happiness without so many gadgets. Fewer gadgets equal less stress.

Some of my favorite free apps that ensure everyday is Independence Day so that I can continue my pursuit of happiness are below.

1. Social media - I can check in using Swarm, post my Tweets and chat with my Facebook friends around the globe using their various apps. I pin on Pinterest, network on LinkedIn and stay in touch with those in my circles on Google+.

2. Contact Management- I recommend using ABBY BCR Lite and Bump - both of these apps allow me to enter the contact information from either a business card or a person's phone. This saves me time from having to manually enter the information. It also eliminates the need for me to put the card on my rolodex and I don't risk losing the card or the contact.

3. Dropbox - In order to avoid the risk of losing files on a hard drive or thumb drive my business uses Dropbox. Dropbox allows me to upload files and share them with specific team members. I no longer have to carry client folders with me or worry about getting a phone call and not having their information handy. Dropbox allows me to view the files on my phone. There are various other file management apps you can download.

4. EReader - there are free apps for both the Kindle and Nook available for download to your phone. I thought it would be horrible to try and read a book on my phone but I find it is actually very convenient when I am waiting and don’t have a “real” book with me.

5. Magazines or News - I admit to being news junky. I love being able to read Entrepreneur, FoxNews, Time, and News & Weather from my phone. I can stay abreast of current events without turning on the tv or radio. I save money and help the environment by cancelling the magazine subscriptions that come to the office.

6. Banking - USAA has an app for the phone that allows me to take a picture of my check and make a deposit into my bank account. How cool is that? I love it. I have two business bank accounts and I purposely keep the one with USAA for depositing checks so that I do not have to make time to go to the local bank. I can transfer money from my account to others as needed – no trip to the bank. This app saves me time and gas while providing me faster access to my money. I also earn interest more quickly.

7. Music - I can now leave the iPod home. I can listen to music from various radio stations such as K-Love or I can use Pandora, Amazon MP3 or other various applications. Again, I can leave the laptop, MP3 player or iPod home; one less gadget to replace when it goes kaput. Right now my favorite app is SyncTunes. The podcasts I have on iTunes can be enjoyed on my phone. I use this especially when driving on long trips where I keep losing my connection to K-Love.

8. Camera & Video - if your phone has a camera which it probably does you can now leave the camera home. My phone actually has a higher pixel than my camera that now functions as a paperweight. I use to own a Flip but my phone also can record a video so again no need to drag around one more gadget. The camera can also upload the photos or video to my social media accounts. I can send the photos to my friends' phones or email accounts. Again, this is saving me time. We all know how time consuming it can be to find the cords and docking station to transfer photos off the camera or how annoying it is to find that you did not save them the memory card.

9. Video & TV - there are various apps you can download to watch TV. Long ago I ditched the cable and use HuluPlus and Amazon Prime. I love traveling and being able to access my favorite shows from my phone. Especially when staying at a home that does not have a TV in the bedroom. Again, allowing you to leave the laptop or portable DVD player home.

10. Navigation - my phone also came with the navigation app, Navigation allows me to leave my GPS home. I can either type or speak my destination. Being able to speak my destination is much safer than trying to type and drive.

11. Square - This is my favorite app. I use Square to take debit and credit card payments. This is a great resource for those who need to accept payment when away from a cash register or who only occasional take a debit or credit card payment.

This is just a short list. I did not mention the availability of checking email or playing games. Technology is always changing. As business owner we must stay abreast of trends and find ways to save time and money. Upgrading one gadget can eliminate at least half a dozen other gadgets. Learning to maximize your cell phone can save you money and save your shoulder. Your briefcase will no longer be weighted down with gadgets.

As you embark on your 4th of July holiday weekend I challenge you to ditch the gadgets and maximize your cell phone capabilities.