Organizational Products to Streamline Your 2012

2012 is upon us and as I sit at a desk covered with papers, business cards, gadgets, and various items our kids have so kindly left behind, I know that my goal is to get organized in time for the new year!  I’m taking a take-no-prisoner type approach to every piece of paper, business card, and receipt as I sort into piles, digitizing some, tossing others, and archiving the rest.  

It’s out with the old, in with the new and I’m hoping that my New Year’s resolution for a clean work space lasts at least until I start tackling taxes.  Here are some of the products I’m using to organize my desk, life, and home.

Sarah Kimmel's Organized in 20 Days
makes home and personal organization easy 

Organized in 20 Days eBook for Nook and Kindle ($5.99)— If you’re in need of some serious organization, Sarah Kimmel from The Organized Mom will help you take control of your house and life and develop habits to keep you organized to save time and money.  Organized in 20 Days provides a different area to tackle each day. There is a day dedicated to each room in your home but also a day to establish routines, organize contacts, tackle paperwork, come up with a meal plan, and deal with the household budget. Each day’s tasks are manageable, with helpful tips that provide guidance and the motivation for getting organized!

Her Point of View Binder can be customized
using Franklin Planner products

Her Point of View Binder (starting at $69.95)—   As tech savvy as I am, I’m a sucker for a good paper calendar that I keep next to me while working so I can create my blog’s editorial calendar as I think about or hear of new topics to share.  I’ve switched from free month-at-a-glance printable PDFs from the internet and am keeping track of my writing on a Simplicity Two Page Monthly Calendar with Tabs ($9.95) in a gorgeous leather Her Point of View Binder from Franklin Covey.  With pockets for business cards and a zipped section at the back, I have everything I need tucked neatly inside and even room for notes on a Classic Botanica Notepad ($10.95). Save 20% and Get Free Ground Shipping on Orders over $75. Use Code 21240.

Wire-Bound Planners ($24.95)— If you’re a minimalist but need a portable solution, Franklin Planners are considered to be some of the best quality paper planners on the market. With thick high quality thick paper, I never have to worry about this month bleeding through to the next month on the other side and with a variety of formats, there’s a calendar to suit everyone’s needs.  For example, the Botanica Wire-bound Weekly Planner is perfect for thos who enjoy less bulk and want to get organized with a fresh floral design. There’s space for tasks and room for recording notes or appointments. The brightly striped Simplicity for Moms Wire-bound Weekly Planner includes ingenious spaces for Moms to easily keep track of their schedule plus the kids' classes, doctor's visits, games, car pools, etc. in a slim format that also includes forms for the kids' critical information that can be easily grabbed at a moment's notice.

Cozi (free)— As much as I love my paper calendars, the tech savvy side of me has found Cozi to be a lifesaver.  Cozi is a free service that syncs seamlessly the web version on your home computer, the mobile app on an iPad, with Outlook, and also on iPhone, Blackberry, or Android phones.  Color coding activities or appointments is easy. Cozi automatically enters holidays and also finds and add school calendars and applying all relevant dates to the correct child with a simple click of a mouse. For additional information about Cozi, visit my post on My Life Scoop.

Internet Notes keeps a multitude of passwords
and other online information organized

Internet Notes by Galison ($7.95)— This handy notebook is a low profile place to keep your passwords, usernames, email addresses, online purchases, etc.  While it might be very low tech, the likelihood of it being deleted, stolen, or raided by hackers is pretty slim.

Keep a record of all valuables in the Valuables.doc Kit 

Valuables.doc Kit (on sale for $9.99)— Keep a consolidated record of valuables in home for insurance purposes in one handy place.  Categorize information according to 8 categories- jewelry, artwork/collectibles, family/living room, kitchen, dining room, bedroom, basement/attic, and other in this sturdy 150 page binder with organized sections and pouches for photo documentation.

Closet Dividers keep clothes organized

Closet Dividers Set of Big Dots ($11.95 for set of 6)— Clothes are easy to find with these closet organizers when they are arranged by age or type. Available in orange, pink, red, and green.

Purse Perfector makes it easy to switch purses
without leaving important items behind

Purse Perfector ($54)— Being a purse lover has its downsides whenever you make the switch to a new bag and leave needed items behind. The Purse Perfector handbag organizer allows you to keep everything you need neatly organized in the various compartments and to switch bags quickly and easily.  Purse Perfector has two main sections- one tall and another shorter one- that zip together and apart to accommodate different size bags. With plenty of pockets, there’s a space for everything including your wallet, pens, glasses, business cards, lipstick, and more!

The large squares in the See it Bigger Plan Ahead Planner
allow multiple appointments to be listed daily

See it Bigger 2012 Large Monthly/Weekly Planner from Plan Ahead ($8.99)— Desktop calendar lovers will appreciate the large format of the See it Bigger planner. Each 12-month planner features larger space allotted for each day, perfect for writing in multiple tasks and appointments. The weeks at a glance and monthly overviews are easy to read without requiring style mavens to compromise on style, size and features. Laminated monthly tabs makes it easy to find what you’re looking for quickly.  Additional features include spaces for emergency contacts and important information such as a password log, contact pages, and a two-year reference calendar.

Samples were provided for review purposes but all opinions are my own.

Must Have iPad Accessories on Houzz.com

If you're already done setting up your brand new iPad 2, it's time to shop for accessories that will keep your new gadget protected, away from prying eyes, fun for the kids during long waits, and geeked out.  20 of my favorite accessories are featured in my Houzz ideabook.

Tech Savvy Mama's Picks: iPad Accessories

I am compensated for my ideabooks on Houzz but am not required to share them on my personal site.

eBay Old Gadgets to Declutter & Defray Costs of New Ones

If you were given the gift of shiny new devices this holiday season and are wondering what to do with your old ones, eBay them!  

You may think that your first generation iPod Nano is a brick, the 10 MP digital camera is too grainy to be useful, your old laptop is too slow, the broken iPhone 3G may not have any value, that old ink for your previous printer is worthless, and be tempted to rid your house of the cable clutter from cords that have been long separated from their devices BUT you’d be surprised about how much value these items hold for others.

Did you know:

• Even broken iPhones are highly sought after for their parts, regardless of what model they are.

• Cords and cables are one of my favorite things to find on eBay because they always cost a mere fraction of the price that big box and name brand retailers want for them.

• We bought our kids older model digital cameras because we wanted them to have decent cameras but ones that we wouldn’t be devastated when dropped.  In fact, for very little money both cameras are still going strong.

I buy cables from eBay for a fraction
of what they would cost from a big box retailer

eBay is a wonderful way to declutter your home and make room for the new and shiny gadgets you received as a gift or self-purchased since money made from the sale helps defray the cost by putting it back in your pocket.

If you’re new to eBay, check out my 5 Quick Tips for Selling on eBay and 7 Photo Tips for eBay Listings that include tips from eBay staff and seasoned eBay sellers who make a sizable income from regular sales.  eBay’s Tech Selling Guide is an incredibly useful resource to teach sellers which products, accessories and brands are in demand, how much cash they could make on tech and electronics they might otherwise have thrown out, what items sell when, price ranges, and selling histories.

Put money back in your pocket through eBay sales

Potential buyers are always trolling eBay for hard to find items or have set up alerts to notify them of when certain items are listed.  All it takes is for one person to find your item and place a bid or select Buy It Now to make a sale!

What gadget do you have in your home that you might consider listing to put some money back in your pocket?

 I am part of the eBay Parent Panel and am compensated for my participation in the program.  All opinions about my eBay experience are my own.

LG Nitro: 5 Apps to Maximize Display, Camera & Speed

If you’re giving yourself or a loved one the gift of a new Android phone for the holidays, the LG Nitro is an incredible choice thanks to a gorgeous display, fast download speed, and an 8 MP HD camera.  LG Nitro contains a True HD IPS Display that features a 16:9 Aspect ratio for widescreen entertainment, sharper and crisper images, amazingly accurate colors. Since it is exclusively available on AT&T’s 4G LTE network, you can experience, download, and share HD content faster than ever. 

If the LG Nitro will be your entré into the Android smartphone world and you’re wondering how to maximize the specs of this phone, here are 5 must- have free apps to download from the Android Market that will allow you to stay connected to your social networks in real time, share photos, view movies, and find information quickly.

• YouTube— The high pixel count of the LG Nitro’s True HD IPS Display provides crisp images and accurate colors makes watching YouTube videos even better. With an incredibly efficient display for optimal power consumption, watch even more videos without the worry that your battery will die in the middle of the hottest must-watch viral sensation.

• PicPlz — With an 8 MP HD camera and 329 pixels per inch with real RGB, photos taken with the LG Nitro are gorgeous.  Use PicPlz to share them as-is or add retro styling using the different filters before uploading them to Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, Tumblr, Posterous, Foursquare, and more.

• Google Maps with Navigation— This free app that is only available for Android will have you kissing your old old-school GPS goodbye while saving trees thanks to paperless navigation.  Google Maps Navigation provides turn-by-turn directions just like a GPS device and re-routes you around traffic. When you arrive at your final destination, the app displays a Google street view image that looks exactly as it does in real life thanks to the crisp image on the screen.  Other smart features that make this app a must-have include the ability to speak your destination and also type in a business name even if you don’t know the address. 

• Yelp— Maybe you don’t always know where you’re going but Yelp can help you find anything quickly.  Whether you are looking for the best eats, most talented barista, or recommendations for a dentist, Yelp allows you to become a local even when you’re traveling. The user generated reviews are easy to read from any angle or distance and images are always crystal clear.  The LG Nitro makes it easy to move seamlessly through town with Google maps zooming in and out to quickly find your destination thanks to the dual-core processor.

• TweetDeck— Keep up with your followers, update those following you, and stay social on the go. Tweetdeck allows you to watch your tweetstream in real time thanks to the fast browsing speed of the LG Nitro and AT&T’s 4G LTE Network.

LG Nitro

Loading up a sleek new LG Nitro with a host of helpful apps that capitalize on the phone’s incredible true HD IPS Display features is a great holiday gift idea for yourself or others.  For more information about the LG Nitro, find out more at www.NitrobyLG.com

This post is part of a sponsored campaign with LG and Technorati.  All opinions are my own and images are courtesy of LG.

Tips for Modeling Digital Citizenship from FOSI CEO Stephen Balkam

As part of an ongoing series this week about online and mobile safety, Family Online Safety Institute CEO, Stephen Balkam, is here to provide tips to help keep your family safer online. In my recent interview Stephen talked about mobile safety, Facebook, factors to consider if you’re thinking about giving your child a cell phone, and limiting screentime and safe online gaming over winter break.  Today he’s providing tips on how we, as parents, can model good online behaviors.

Tech Savvy Mama: How can parents model good digital citizenship?  

Stephen Balkam: This year FOSI and Pew released a study on teens’ experiences on social networking sites and one of the most heartening findings was that parents are the number one source where kids learn about what is appropriate and inappropriate digital behavior. This means that parents can and should take a very active role in modeling good digital citizenship.

Parents should strive to spend quality time with their kids in which they aren’t distracted by their gadgets. We can’t expect our kids to pay attention and not text while we are talking if we text and talk as well.

Parents should also talk to their kids about how they read terms and agreements every time they download an app or sign up for an online account.

Finally, parents should respect age limits and restrictions of certain sites and not assist their children in accessing sites that they deem inappropriate.

 

This is part of a series of posts from my interview with Stephen Balkam, CEO of FOSI.  Additional topics from this week included:

•             Mobile safety for iPod Touch and cell phones

•             Strategies parents can use to help keep kids safer on Facebook

•             Factors to consider if you’re thinking about giving your child a cell phone

•              Advice for monitoring screen time and tips for online gaming

No compensation was received for this post or in the series.

Limiting Screentime & Safe Gaming Over Winter Break- Tips from FOSI CEO Stephen Balkam

As part of an ongoing series this week about online and mobile safety, Family Online Safety Institute CEO, Stephen Balkam, is here to provide tips to help keep your family safer online.  In my recent interview Stephen talked about mobile safety, Facebook, and factors to consider if you’re thinking about giving your child a cell phone.  Today he’s sharing how to monitor screen time and ensure safety when playing online games.

Tech Savvy Mama: Since winter break is coming up and kids are likely to be spending more time playing the new games they received for their gaming systems, what advice do you have for parents about monitoring screen time and ensuring that they play networked games with those that they know?

Stephen Balkam: In our house we keep our computer in a public place. I can’t stress how important it is for kids to understand early on that the Internet is a public place. That messaging should be supported in the home as well. I would also try to encourage parents to set limits or ratios for how long their kids can be “connected” vs. engaging in another activity they enjoy. If parents position alternate activities in a positive way, then children won’t feel like you are taking away screen time.

It’s also incredibly important for parents to read the terms and agreements and understand how the games work. That way, parents understand how their kids are connecting and can effectively use any parental controls available. In September FOSI released a study conducted by Hart with the great news that most parents are aware of parental controls. But, the research also suggested that online gaming was an area where few parents were implementing controls. Finally, this is another time where keeping digital tools in an open space in your house is useful. This way parents can see who their kids are connecting with and ask them about how they know the person.

This is part of a series of posts from my interview with Stephen Balkam, CEO of FOSI.  Additional topics this week include:

•                Mobile safety for iPod Touch and cell phones

•                Strategies parents can use to help keep kids safer on Facebook

•                Factors to consider if you’re thinking about giving your child a cell phone

•                Ways to model digital citizenship.

No compensation was received for this post or those in the series.

39 Clues: Rapid Fire eBook Series Begins 12/25 (giveaway)

I admit to being completely addicted to The 39 Clues series despite being well outside the target demographic for the series.  I’ve loved following the main characters, Amy and Dan around the world as they search for clues in a treasure hunt and fans of the series will be thrilled to learn Scholastic is releasing a week-long series of eBooks on December 25 in support of the series.

Beginning on Christmas Day, The 39 Clues: Rapid Fire will release a different top secret eBook short story daily, leading up to an explosive finale on December 31!  Beginning with The 39 Clues: Rapid Fire Legacy, all eBooks are available to download on your eReader, tablet, smartphone, or computer— making them perfect for reading while traveling over the holidays!

I’m excited about the new eBooks not only because it continues the adventure, but because they will motivate even the most reluctant readers thanks to a fast, fun adventure format that include lots of geography.  There’s also a hidden code component to the eBooks as well as the original series where exclusive cards and medals help readers solve the mystery along with Amy and Dan.

To celebrate the eBook series release, I have an incredible giveaway! 

Win The 39 Clues Boxed Set 

containing Books 1-10 worth $129.90!

TO ENTER: Visit The 39 Clues site and share 1 thing about the series that would appeal to a reader in your home— whether you or your child by Wednesday, December 28 11:59 EST.  You must leave your email address or Twitter handle in your comment for the entry to be valid. (1 entry)

For additional entries, complete the required entry above and do any of the following:

• Daily Tweet: @TechSavvyMama & @Scholastic have a great #39Clues #giveaway- box set of books 1-10 worth $130! Enter: http://www.techsavvymama.com Include the permalink to your tweet in your comment along with your email address or Twitter handle. (1 entry/day)

• Share your favorite adventure series in your comment and include your email address or Twitter handle. (1 entry/day)

• Complete the Tech Savvy Mama reader survey if you haven’t completed it as part of my Xbox, Nintendo DS, Roku, Striiv or Kalso Earth Shoes giveaways.  Those who have not completed the survey will receive 2 entries- 1 for the survey, 1 for leaving a comment below saying you completed the survey.  If you have completed the survey as an optional entry for another giveaway, leave a comment to let me know you’ve done so and you’ll still get 1 entry into this giveaway.  Please note that all responses will remain anonymous. If your comment is selected, I will check to make sure you really did complete the survey.  If you just comment below without completing the survey, your entry will not be valid. (1 or 2 entries) 

For official sweepstakes rules, click here. All entries must be received by Wednesday, December 28.  Winner will be selected from valid entries using Random.org and must respond within 24 hours or risk forfeiting their prize.

About the 39 Clues

The 39 Clues begins with the death of Grace Cahill, the last matriarch of the Cahills. Her heirs are called together to learn that she changed her will minutes before she died and are given a choice to receive million dollars or a clue. The clue is just one of 39 hidden around the world that when put together, will reveal the hidden secret of what makes the family so powerful—a reward beyond measure. The Cahill descendants battle it out in this exciting race around the globe, with readers hot on the heels of the main characters, Amy and Dan.

Links:

• Official Website: http://www.the39clues.com/rapidfire
• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/the39clues
• Twitter: http://twitter.com/scholastic

I received the box set in exchange for this post, however, I previously purchased many of the books in the series personally.  All opinions are my own.  Images courtesy of Scholastic. 

Right Age for Cell Phone? FOSI CEO Stephen Balkam shares factors to consider

As part of an ongoing series this week about online and mobile safety, Family Online Safety Institute CEO, Stephen Balkam, is here to provide tips to help keep your family safer online.  In my recent interview Stephen talked about mobile safety and Facebook.  Today he’s providing factors to consider if you’re thinking about giving your child a cell phone.

Tech Savvy Mama: One question that I am commonly asked by fellow parents is what is the right age for a cell phone.  I tend to think that it is a decision that differs for every family.  What factors should parents think about as they consider the possibility of getting their child a cell phone as a holiday gift?  Are there certain features to look for such as options provided by carriers?

Stephen Balkam: I would agree that the right age for a cell phone differs by family, but mostly by child. Some 15 year-olds maybe be less mature and responsible in their digital use than a 10 year-old. Parents really need to consider their children’s understanding of the digital space, their willingness to stay in open communication with their parents, and their willingness to follow rules.

In regards to choosing options provided by carriers, parents definitely need to research what controls are available from each carrier and the carrier’s policy and track record of information security.  Setting time limits on a child’s phone is a particularly helpful parenting tool.

This is part of a series of posts from my interview with Stephen Balkam, CEO of FOSI.  Additional topics this week include:

•                Mobile safety for iPod Touch and cell phones

•                Strategies parents can use to help keep kids safer on Facebook

•                Advice for monitoring screen time and tips for online gaming

•                Ways to model digital citizenship.

No compensation was received for this post or those in the series.

Joining Silver Spring Patch

I'm joining the Silver Spring Patch team as a contributor to share tech tips and tricks with DC Metro readers!  

If you aren't familiar with Patch, think of it like a local newspaper but in digital form.  Patch sites are all over the country but drill down to provide you with the news that is relevant to your neighborhood.  

To find the Patch site for your area, click here for your daily dose of local knowledge.

I am a paid contributor for Patch but was not required to share my new gig on my personal site.  

Facebook & Social Networking Tips for Parents from FOSI CEO Stephen Balkam

As part of an ongoing series this week about online and mobile safety, Family Online Safety Institute CEO, Stephen Balkam, is here to provide tips to help keep your family safer online.  Yesterday’s topic dealt with mobile safety and today we’re taking about Facebook. 

Tech Savvy Mama: We know that Facebook Terms of Service prohibit kids under the age of 13 for signing up for an account however, research shared at this year's annual FOSI conference demonstrated a staggering number of kids lie about their age to gain access to online content.  Are there strategies that you can recommend to parents to help keep their kids safer while using Facebook?

Stephen Balkam: I am personally friends with my teenager on Facebook and I’ve found that to be very helpful. Actually, accepting me as her first friend was a contingency for my teen joining the site.

It is very hard for kids to fully grasp the idea that potentially everything they put on the Internet is permanent. Rather than trying to communicate this, ask them if what they are putting online is something they would share with their grandparents, another respected adult, or at a school assembly! This can really put it into perspective for kids.

Also talk to kids about the reality of the Internet – not all people are who they say they are. Remind your kids that they should know every person that they connect with on a personal level. This is also important messaging to use to discuss how they should interact with others on social networking sites. Kids need to remember that there is a real human, with real feelings, behind the Facebook profile. Facebook, and the Internet generally, is NOT the place to say or do things you would not normally say or do in person, including teasing or even bullying another person.

We do know from some of FOSI and Pew’s recent research that most kids have witnessed mean or cruel behavior on these sites. It’s best practice for parents to ask kids about their experiences online. If they are witnessing mean behavior or are the victims, asking them about their experiences might make them more willing to come clean about a bad situation.  Also, show them how they can report bad or troubling posts on Facebook and other social networking sites.

This is part of a series of posts from my interview with Stephen Balkam, CEO of FOSI.  Additional topics this week include:

•                Mobile safety for iPod Touch and cell phones

•                Factors to consider if you’re thinking about giving your child a cell phone

•                Advice for monitoring screen time and tips for online gaming

•                Ways to model digital citizenship.

No compensation was received for this post or in the series.

Mobile Safety Tips for iPods from FOSI CEO Stephen Balkam

If you're giving the gift of an iPod Touch or a mobile phone this year, they are incredibly powerful devices due to the amount of content that can be easily accessed.  Last year when I attended the Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI) Annual Conference, CEO Stephen Balkam talked about how for $200, kids could go into a store and purchase this mobile device with limitless content.   

I recently interviewed Stephen and asked him about everything from the power of mobile content on iPods, keeping kids safe on Facebook, the right age for a cell phone, monitoring screen time and online friendships (especially over winter break), and the best way to model digital citizenship.

Stephen’s responses were fantastic and rather than present them all at once, I’m going to share one a day over the course of the week.  

Today's topic?  Mobile safety on iPod Touches and cell phones!

Tech Savvy Mama: Last year at FOSI’s Annual Conference I remember you talking about how the iPod Touch was a highly powerful mobile device because of the type of content that could be accessed.  With many parents putting iPod Touches under the tree, what recommendations do you have for them about mobile safety?

Stephen Balkam:  It really comes down to communication and fostering an open exchange. First, parents need to discuss with their kids the ramifications of downloading an app or accessing a certain site. Even young kids can understand at some level that mobile devices store personal information and that personal information can get sent other places.

Besides that, remember that parental controls are a good backup. Look into which controls are available. Most devices allow you to lock certain apps or restrict capabilities including placing time limits or placing a block on downloading apps or accessing certain websites

Given that the holidays are a time when kids will probably receive digital devices, it’s an incredibly important time for parents to visit or revisit the online safety discussion. FOSI provides a safety contract for both parents and kids that we think is extremely useful in beginning the discussion. The contract is available in English and Spanish at http://www.fosi.org/resources/internet-safety-resources-for-parents.html. You’ll also find our top Internet safety tips for parents and kids available there. 

This is part of a series of posts from an interview with Stephen Balkam, CEO of FOSI.  Additional topics to follow this week include:

• Strategies parents can use to help keep kids safer on Facebook
• Factors to consider if you’re thinking about giving your child a cell phone
• Advice for monitoring screen time and tips for online gaming
• Ways to model digital citizenship.

No compensation was received for this post or those to come through the series.

Dangers of Button Batteries in Small Tech Devices

We know that technology requires batteries and while we love the fact that our devices are getting smaller and more portable, they rely on smaller coin size button-type batteries that are hazardous for young children. Commonly found in remote controls for MP3 players, they are also in other devices such as singing or talking greeting cards or books, flameless candles, car keys, bathroom scales, and calculators, button batteries are very dangerous. These batteries can get stuck in a child’s throat and can cause serious burns in the esophagus in less than 2 hours.

3,400 reported cases of ingestion (many more went unreported), 19 serious injuries, and some deaths were caused by button batteries in 2010.

Due to the danger of button batteries, Safe Kids Worldwide and Energizer announced a critical partnership to share life-saving information with parents and caregivers about the potential risks of swallowing coin-sized button batteries. The formation of The Battery Controlled by Safe Kids and Energizer shines a light on this growing issue and provides easy steps parents and caregivers can take to prevent injuries and deaths to children.

What can you do to keep your child safe?  

Here are some tips to be mindful of especially as new devices make their way into your home as holiday gifts:

• Take the pledge to keep button batteries and devices that use them out of reach if the battery compartments aren’t secure.

• Know what to do if your child swallows a battery.  Go to the emergency room right away.  Don’t let your child eat or drink or induce vomiting and, if possible, provide medical personnel with the type of battery or what kind of device the battery came from.

• Tell others about this hidden danger. Visit The Battery Controlled website for additional information, like them on Facebook, follow them on Twitter, and check the hashtag #BatteryControlled for Tweets.

This post was sponsored by Energizer as part of their Battery Controlled initiative.