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A cell phone is useful while vacationing with family, from getting directions, reading local reviews and finding family-friendly activities. But sometimes, cell phones can interfere with the family bonding experience, especially when everyone's glued to their phones. Smartphones and other mobile devices have become one of many important accessories in our lives. You can take photos with your phone, communicate with family and update friends about your whereabouts. But if you don't know how to unplug, you could also miss out on amazing experiences. So, how do you reign in your family’s cell phone usage while on vacation? Here are a few helpful tips to get you started. 1. Set an “away” message. If you regularly communicate with coworkers via email, chances are you'll receive at least one work-related email while on vacation. Ignoring a work message for several days feels counter intuitive and you might feel inclined to respond, so it doesn’t look like you’re being negligent or irresponsible. But vacation is vacation! It's a time to completely disconnect from work and enjoy a little rest and relaxation. Be sure to… Read more

If you're an avid social media user, you probably have the Facebook app on your smartphone. You can use Facebook to search recipes, communicate with friends, play games and get the latest news stories. It's a convenient way to stay in the loop. But sometimes, having Facebook on your phone can do more harm than good. Some people deactivate their Facebook accounts when they need a little break. If you don’t want to go as far as deactivation, deleting the app from your phone is just as effective. If you need a break from the constant news and gossip cycle, here's a look at five reasons to remove Facebook from your phone. 1. Removing the app can lead to better time management. Your days might be super busy and hectic. Whether you work, go to school or have a family, there’s little time to waste. If you have Facebook on your phone, you might spend too much time scrolling endlessly on your newsfeed. Of course, Facebook isn’t a time waster for everyone. Some people know how to balance their usage. If you're… Read more

Pay-as-you-go cell phone plans are convenient because they don't lock you into a lengthy contract. You can purchase phones and plans from different locations and, in most cases, they're much cheaper than other carrier deals. Although the popularity of pay-as-you-go cell phones has increased in recent years, there are a few misconceptions about these plans. Because of these misconceptions, some people don't give these plans the attention or consideration they deserve. If you're in the market for a new cell phone and plan, here are some common misconceptions about pay-as-you-go that might make you think twice. 1. Plans only include a poor selection of phones. Most people use their cell phones for just about everything, including email, social media, research, finances and even online shopping. So naturally, you want a cell phone that can handle heavy usage. Some people don't give pay-as-you-go plans a second thought because they think these plans come with inferior phones. It's true that some prepaid phones are cheaply made and inexpensive, which might work for people who don't want to spend a lot on their phone. But high-quality options are also available. With a… Read more

If you’ve ever lost your phone—or thought you lost your phone—you probably went into panic mode. Your entire life is likely connected to this device. You use it to manage your finances, research information, communicate with friends and family and get work done. It's no wonder why misplacing your phone can be a nerve-racking experience. Cell phones are smaller devices, thus easier to leave behind or overlook. But there are simple ways to never lose your phone again. 1. Use a timed silent mode app. Nothing is worse than losing your cell phone while it's on silent mode. Fortunately, there are apps that will automatically disable silent mode after a certain amount of time. Some people put their phones on silent mode before a meeting or other important event and forget to turn on the ringer back on. As a result, their phone remains in silent mode for hours or days. With a timed silent mode app, you can turn on silent mode from inside the app, and then choose a time for silent mode to expire. 2. Put your name… Read more

Even though smartphones are a popular option, there's no rule that says you have to trade in a trusted flip phone for one. Some people prefer keeping their life and finances as simple as possible, so they skip smartphones and choose phones with a cheaper price tag. But if you're thinking about getting a new phone and aren't sure if a smartphone is right for you, here are five reasons you might want to consider trading up. 1. Get information when you need it. Smartphones are awesome because they let you access information right when you need it. Think about the number of times you’ve gotten lost while driving and needed directions. Or the number of arguments you've gotten into over random pop culture trivia. What about a sudden urge to see a movie, where would you find movie times while on the go? With a smartphone in your pocket, you've got all the information you need at a moment's notice. GPS, internet, apps and more enable you to find information fast, resolving almost any issue you might encounter. 2.… Read more