Credit: Google
It was time to buy my first smart phone. I wanted to enter into the whole smart computing world. I planned to cancel the expensive contract that provided few benefits, and decrease my monthly cell phone expense. After considerable research, I decided on a Google Android LG prepaid smart phone from VirginMobileUSA. Sexy phone; great value.
Find a Young Tutor
I had no idea how to use the smart phone. I felt dumb and inept, but I was not going to let it defeat me. When in tech doubt, I’ve learned to find myself a young person. They just seem to know, while my Droid was not intuitive to me.
I headed over to my favorite bookstore to find a 20-something who would show me smart phone basics — how to turn it on and off, make and answer calls, and how to move around this sensuous-feeling device.
My young tutor showed me how to access the Android Market, which is where you find and install apps (applications are smart phone programs to get tasks done); the Swype keyboard, and helped me get comfortable with the touch screen.
The LG Olympus V owner’s manual was printed in a font too small to read. What’s up with that? I later learned that the manual is online in a PDF format.
The Android Market
Visit the Android Market to find free and paid apps to manage your money and your life. There are bank apps, financial calculators, brokerage apps, tip calculators, taxes and car mileage trackers. Just about everything you need or want is in the Market. Here are some favorites:
7 Free Android Money Management apps
- Mint.com Personal Finance – Easy way to manage money. See all your accounts in one place.
- Easy Envelope Budget Aid – EEBA is a personal/household finance app for money management and budget tracking.
- Droid Wallet – Money Manager app that lets you track all of your expenses and income to see what you have for extra spending.
- MoneyTracker Free – Keep track of your expenses, know money amount at each of your accounts
- Pageonce – Money & Bills – Automatically organizes and tracks your money and bills.
- CWMoney Expense Track – Record daily expense, income and money. a personal finance manager
- Square - Accept credit cards on your Android device with no contract, monthly fees, or merchant account required.
See which apps work best for you. If it doesn’t, uninstall and find an alternative. Many of the free apps have paid versions that contain no onscreen ads. The ads can be annoying and take up space on the small screen.
Questions? Community? Click on the Android Forum online community for answers and connection.
I’ve had my phone for almost three months. Now I leave the laptop and notebook in the office because the important stuff is accessible from my smartphone. I even see better on the mobile screen. I love my Droid! When you’re ready to make a change, consider a smartphone. It’s a wonderful world.
Hugs and happiness,
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