It's well-known that Google services work really well. They are simple, minimal, and extremely effective. This doesn't just apply to the world of technology, you can use some of Google's tricks in your own home to save money. Read on to find out more.
Equipment:
Computer with high-speed internet access
Google account
Google Docs
Google Picasa
Google Voice
Google Mail
1. Gmail
Gmail is simple the most streamlined and best email system available. I've been using it for years, ever since it came out, and it just keeps getting better. Instead of having to check multiple email accounts, I only check my Gmail account. It's configured to fetch the emails from all my other accounts and to copy them into my main Gmail account. If you're wondering on how to do this, just go into the settings tab and follow the easy instructions listed under POP3 email account.
Depending on how many emails you get, this might seem overwhelming. However, using labels and the magical Archive button, you can easily deal with tens to hundreds of emails a day without a problem. The big idea is to keep your inbox almost empty. I never have more than 20 messages in my inbox. As soon as I've replied or addressed an issue, the email is archived. If you use your labels right, you can easily find your emails again. If you didn't know, labels are like tags or folders for Gmail. It all boils down to the same thing. The other reason I do this is that I use the remaining emails as a simple to-do list. Once something has been addressed, I archive it.
The main thing that you'll save using Gmail is time. Logging on is easy. Once you've streamlined the way you address your emails, you can check you email only a few times a day, instead of immediately needing to be notified when you get any. I check email only 2-5 times a day, no more. I don't use Google Notifier or Alerts or Google Chat while my Gmail window isn't open. Why? You save a lot of time by doing so and most of the time, emails aren't that urgent.
Also, you'll never have to delete an email again. Think about it. Never. Right now, Gmail users get 7.4GB of free storage for their emails and attachments. This number keeps growing. This also means that you can store quite a number of files in your Gmail account. From music files, to larger documents and presentations, it's a cinch.
2. Google Voice
If you haven't managed to get a Google Voice invitation or account, you should. What Google did so well for email with Gmail, they are doing it again to phone calls. A few years ago, it seemed ludicrous to go without a phone. Nowadays, it's something quite easy and straightforward. What really helps out here is the full integration you get by using Google Voice with Gmail. You've probably used Skype before. Google Voice just streamlines this and makes it easy to replace all voice-based communications using your computer. If you replace your landline with Google Voice, all that's left is to make sure that you have a pay-as-you-go cell phone around for emergencies. Other than that, you'll be ready to go to save $30 to $100 a month using Google Voice. You can even voicemail many different people now with one single message now.
3. Google Picasa
Not too long ago, Google announced cheap plans to store data in the cloud. By using Google Picasa as a way to archive your family's photos, you'll be able to save almost everything in the cloud. Google offers different online storage plans that will go great for many users. Most users will be happy with the smaller or free plans.
This archives your photos online and effectively protects them from loss. It's a perfect way to back them up. The added perk of having all of your photos in the cloud is that you can access them and share them from anywhere. You don't need to have that big USB external drive with you to share photos, or a flash drive. You just need access to the internet.
4. Google Docs
Google Docs might seem like an redundant service, what with most computers having MS Office, but that's not the beauty of Google Docs. The great thing about Google Docs is that once again, you can keep most of your documents online, meaning that they can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection. But that's not all: you can share docs with other people. This means that you can share documents with other people in your home, family or roommates.
I use Google Docs for many things. When I had roommates, we tracked all of our household expenses using Google Docs. It was simple and we could easily update it. We even tracked shared groceries this way. It's a simple system, but extremely effective, way better than leaving notes on a fridge or asking people to pay the utilities. Simply posting them into a Google spreadsheet does the job, no fuss no muss.
The other thing that you can do is schedule chores easily. You know that all of your kids are connected and that they probably can use Google better than you can. Scheduling chores for the whole family makes things easier and you simply get things done a lot quicker. There's just something cathartic to being able to cross something off a list. Kids enjoy it, and adults do so too. This works well for families and roommates, as it simply cuts down the time wasted on discussions and arguments.
Additional Notes:
And don't forget. All of these services can be taken mobile thanks to Google Mobile!
Want more smart tutorials for getting things done around the home? (Images: Leslie Wong, Dan with a CC license, Manfrys with CC license)
© 2010 Apartment Therapy
Just a note with Google voice - you actually do need to have some sort of phone connected to make and receive phone calls through your Google voice number. If you don't use the phone very much, or do most of your "conversating" while at the office, you might be fine without a phone or with a prepaid plan, but considering that my mom now calls me via Google voice (she loves to talk), I find it best to have at least a dedicated cell phone plan (like my iPhone). Also noteworthy is the fact that Google voice can also manage SMS text messages, allowing all received messages to go to your GMail account, which in turn, allows to you to choose a limited (if necessary) text message plan for your iPhone account. Boo Yah.
view dvturner's profile
Let's also not forget that if you *do* have a cell plan, you can choose the cheapest one with the fewest minutes, and add the Google voice number to your "network" of free callers (get a plan that has that feature, of course!)... and then you'll never use the minutes, no matter who you call!
Derek mentions that you can have your texts sent to GMail, but even better is to have them sent to Skype and jailbreak the phone so that you can run Skype or Fring in the background... then the messages popup just like regular texts! :-D
It's also awesome to setup Google Calendar to remind you of meetings and events. Since the reminder can be text, email, or popup, or a combo of those, you can have it buzz your phone and use GMail to auto-respond to a mail reminder to everyone else involved, either via their email, or via the email-to-text address their provider gives them (Google for the address syntax)... or probably with a pre-recorded voice message if you're clever! ;-)
view jadestar's profile
Is this an ad? Is this person a freak? The enthusiasm behind this just creeps me out. I presently have 1695 items in my Gmail inbox, 864 of which are unread. And that's not counting the 100's of messages automatically diverted to folders through the use of labels and archiving. The more you archive, the harder it is to search. Oh, that feature that forwards all your mail to one box DOESN"T ALWAYS WORK. That's right, I appeared to be working fine until one day I went to one of my other boxes and wham! found a group of email that hadn't been forwarded, including several very important ones! Even if Google was reliable, how does this save money, as promised in the headline? (I won't bother to deride the kids-will-do-chores-if-there's-a-Google-docs-to-do-list fantasy. My boyfriend, who has 2 kids, is still LHAO, as they say.) The only whiff of saving money here ahs to do with abandoning the landline, which requires the stars to align just so to make economic sense.
view kushkush's profile
Google is great for lots of things, but is anyone else just a bit concerned about placing so much of your life in the hands of one company? I am a bit, though I do use Goggle's calendar, as well as another web-based one through work. Backing up is essential, but the idea of backing up my photos, documents and more all with one company exclusively just does not seem wise to me.
view veni's profile
All of this looks great. I just feel really reticent about having my docs and files and photos sitting in a cloud somewhere, its maintenance and security in the hands of someone other than myself. Does anyone else feel like that? I know there are privacy clauses and agreements, etc. but mistkaes happen and that's my whole life.
view my_tigerlily's profile
I echo the other posters. This seems to be a Google Ad, not a hack. although I loved the idea of using Google Voice and Skype to beat the system. You guys are great!
Cloud privacy and reliablity are still evolving. Until then, I doubt that all but the earliest innovators will risk their data and identity without backups. And if you have backups, why use the cloud?
view MoniqueDC's profile
I also echo you. Plus, I almost never use my gmail account because I totally hate the way one has "discussions" instead of individual messages, I even failed to understand that I have new messages! Since I'm quite experienced in computers and internet, I thought that not being able to solve this in the first minutes of trying means bad design.
view tulpoeid's profile
@tulpoeid, you can turn off the "discussion" feature in the settings tab of Gmail.
Also, I have to say... while this post didn't really tell you how to save money, and could have been more objective about using online apps in general, online applications really have made life more streamlined for me, both personally and professionally. And yes, since I've started taking care of finances online, I've avoided numerous fees and such by being able to manage money online.
view eaevansmd's profile
This is starting to be unnerving. I still can't find how to turn off discussion (or "conversation", whatever) and I'm honestly trying.
Oh well, the day I get to work for google I'll fix that :)
view tulpoeid's profile
I think most people would agree that saving money is something “easier said than done”. Personally, I believe it’s a mind-set that needs to be developed by creating good money-saving habits.
Here are some things I’ve done to help change my spending habits:
- Cook more at home ( Eating out is very expensive especially
if you do it a couple times a week
- Try shopping online ( You can find better deals than in the
store and you save on gas (I recommend HYPERLINK
"http://www.shoptivity.com" http://www.shoptivity.com)
- Pay the full balance on credit cards each month ( Interest
charge is like giving away free money
- Don’t forget to pay yourself ( Set up an online savings
account (they pay higher interest than a normal savings
account)
- Set a budget and goals ( It’s good to have your goals
written down so you see them everyday and don’t lose focus
on your ultimate objectives
Again, saving money requires a lot of patience and hard work. However, you’ll thank yourself later on in life. Good luck everyone!! =)
view Ellen80's profile
How did they get a blue-jay in their living room?
view wingfeathers's profile