Besides playing games, getting email, texting and taking quick photos, my smart phone has a bunch of cool features that actually help me save paper. Now, saving paper in and of itself is very cool to me. But more so, storing important items on my phone makes my life so much easier! No coupons floating around getting lost or forgetting my shopping list at home.
2. No Need for Weekly Store Sales Fliers Many stores will price match another store's sales price. This may not work everywhere, but I was able to show the clerk at Walmart the sales flier on my phone to get that price matched.
3. No Printed Receipts Many stores are using electronic receipts. Among them are Sears, Apple, and Verizon. No losing the receipt and if you need to make a return, no losing the receipt!
4. Online Purchase Pickups Have you ever used Groupons, Best Buy in store pickup or bought movie theater tickets online? Ask if you can show your electronic receipt rather than printing it. I have done this at several locations.
5. To Do Lists There are so many note pad type apps. I have several ongoing lists for grocery shopping, To Do, to buy, Wholesale Clubs, you name it.
6. Electronic Coupons I always have the latest coupons by using the Michael's and JoAnn apps. I just hand the clerk my phone. No more printing the coupons from my email.
7. Redeem Store Points When you recycle ink cartridges at Staples they give you $2 in Staples credit, which you have to wait to use, then print the coupon, which expires in a couple of months. It is a pain! I recently installed the Staples app. It isn't the most user-friendly but I was able to use my staples rewards with it! No printing necessary.
Airlines are also offering electronic boarding passes. I don't travel often enough for this to make a difference, but I have a friend who travels weekly and swears by it.
Now only if solar chargers were more affordable......
What are your cool smart phone tricks?
This post has been shared at: Healthy 2Day Wednesday, Simply Natural Saturdays
Now only if solar chargers were more affordable......
What are your cool smart phone tricks?
This post has been shared at: Healthy 2Day Wednesday, Simply Natural Saturdays
I use my phone for many of the same things. I love how many stores are sending receipts to emails and such now and coupons on apps. It's great.
ReplyDeleteMe too Lisa! Once I got used to it, I really love doing more and more electronically.
DeleteNow that I have an iPhone4, I found myself using it more and more for everything. I saw the sign for the new Staples app at the register and haven't had time to download it. As a GS leader, I bet having Michael's coupons would be handy, too!
ReplyDeleteOh yes the Michael's app would be very handy! I don't do as much crafting as I used to, so I was out of the habit of always having a Michael's coupon. Now I don't need to worry about it.
DeleteThose are all great tips! I am trying to go more paperless with my phone and really appreciate the businesses that make it easy!
ReplyDeleteSo do I Brenna! I hope more and more jump on board.
DeleteI don't have any additional phone ideas - those are great ones - but since you mention ink - have you ever tried refilling cartridges? I just, for the first time, had a bunch refilled at LittletonPC. It was fast, inexpensive, and the guys there were super nice. (I'm not affiliated with them at all, just a happy customer!) The service they use, InkSpot, looks like it has a website with lots of interesting "green" links, too.
ReplyDeleteI have re-filled ink cartridges. I used to fill my own, then started having a hard time finding the kits and I print much less often. I have tried the refill service at Costco and so far so good. I did however have a glitch with my printer recently - I was getting an error that the cartridges were "incompatible". I had been using the refilled cartridge for quite a while without any trouble so not exactly sure if it was the cartridge or not.
DeleteGood to know about Littleton PC! I have heard good things about their service and I think I may need to be paying them a visit with my laptop. I'll bring my empty cartridges too!
You know ... often people think that the newest and greatest techy gadgets are such a waste but, as you've shown, this particular one can save us a lot of paper. I love that companies are accommodating them, too, by making coupons, shopping lists, receipts, etc., smart phone friendly. Thank you for this post!
ReplyDeleteGadgets can certainly be a waste if you are always upgrading to the latest and greatest without any thought to recycling or reusing. But this particular gadget has made my life easier. It took a while to let go of the paper, but it is so freeing!
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