Tech-Savvy Tips……Okay, hear me out. I’m not a tech blogger. I’m just… me. A girl from Queens who accidentally sent a selfie meant for my BFF to my boss once (true story, but that’s for another day). But somehow, over the years, I’ve collected these digital hacks that actually save me from daily chaos. They’re not “life-changing” like those TikToks promise, but they’re the small stuff that makes me feel like I’ve got my digital life together—even when my real life is, um, a mess.
You know that feeling when your phone’s at 3% battery, your laptop’s overheating, and your AirPods are somewhere between your tote bag and the couch cushions? That’s basically my brand.
So this one’s for us—the modern girls who are juggling jobs, relationships, group chats that never end, and the constant guilt of having 167 unread emails.
1. The Magical “Second” Email Hack
I swear by this. You ever sign up for something “just to try it” and then, boom, your inbox is full of spammy newsletters you didn’t ask for? Years ago (like, college years) someone told me to make a second email just for sign-ups.
Best. Move. Ever.
I’ve got my “real” email that I actually check (the one I give to work, friends, my kid’s school, etc.), and then I’ve got my “junk” email that catches all the marketing nonsense. So when I need that Sephora birthday reward or some random coupon code, I just log into the junk one.
(Also, I read a blog on this ages ago — can’t find the original, but this one from Cupcakes & Cashmere’s life hacks section is kinda similar.)
2. My Phone Is My Wallet (But Also Not)
This is gonna sound like an ad but it’s not: Apple Pay has saved me so many times it’s embarrassing. Like the time I literally forgot my wallet at the Target checkout line? Apple Pay. Or when the MTA vending machine “ate” my MetroCard? Apple Pay.
But—and here’s the twist—don’t keep all your cards stored digitally. My friend Kelsey had her phone stolen on the 7 train (Queens girl problems), and because she had everything saved, it was a nightmare.
So now I do a hybrid: my main debit card on my phone for emergencies, but I still carry a real, physical backup card in my bag.
(Internal link idea: link to your previous blog about “Affordable Dupes For High-End Beauty Products” — maybe a mention like “same energy as when I find a $10 dupe for a $50 serum.”)
3. Screenshot. Everything.
This one’s obvious but also not. I screenshot stuff like a maniac: receipts, train schedules, boarding passes, recipes, directions, even my grocery list if my Notes app isn’t syncing.
Once I was at JFK trying to show my boarding pass on the airline app and—yep—no WiFi. Screenshot saved me from missing my flight.
Pro hack inside the hack? Make a photo album in your phone called “Screenshots” and actually move them there. It’s like a tiny digital filing cabinet.
Also, I once found a list of “genius phone organization tricks” on Apartment Therapy’s small-space living section. Totally random but it inspired my screenshot album idea.
4. The 2-Minute Google Doc Trick
This is probably my favorite hack because it’s so low-key. Anytime I’m doing something important on my phone—writing notes, brainstorming, even shopping lists—I open a blank Google Doc instead of Notes and Tech-Savvy Tips.
Why? Because Docs auto-saves and syncs across everything. I’ve lost so many iPhone notes over the years it’s tragic. Like my genius middle-of-the-night idea for a side hustle involving frozen bagels? Gone forever.
Now, my Docs are my backup brain. I even wrote part of this blog post on my phone while waiting for my son at JPL (don’t ask).
5. Airplane Mode = Superpower
I use Airplane Mode for everything except flying.
Need your phone to charge faster? Airplane Mode.
Need a break from the chaos of constant notifications but can’t trust yourself to just not check? Airplane Mode.
My favorite use though? Taking videos or photos at concerts without my phone randomly trying to upload them mid-song. I swear it makes your battery last longer too (though maybe that’s just me).
6. Group Chat Survival 101
Oh my god, group chats.
I’m in, like, seven at once. The PTA, my siblings, two friend groups, and one “just memes” thread that’s been going since 2019. It’s a lot.
Mute is your friend. You don’t have to leave (which is basically a digital way of starting drama), but you can mute notifications for 8 hours or even forever.
And use the search bar. Nobody does this but it’s amazing—type a word or name into your group chat and boom, the thing you’re looking for is there. Like that time someone dropped the party address at 2 a.m. and you’re scrolling like a lunatic? Search saves you.
(Internal link: “Remember my post about ‘Funniest Music Video Reactions That Broke the Internet’? Same group chat energy.”)
7. Password Chaos = Solved
I used to be the “one password for everything” girl. Then I got hacked. Not like “mildly inconvenient” hacked. Full-on “my PayPal was buying something in Lithuania” hacked.
Now I use a password manager. It’s not glamorous but it’s honestly the best digital hack I’ve got. It generates strong passwords, stores them, and autofills. I like 1Password but there’s also LastPass.
And yes, it feels weird to store all your passwords in one place but it’s safer than reusing the same one.
8. Download Now, Regret Later about Tech-Savvy Tips
Okay, last one because my coffee’s getting cold.
Download important stuff before you need it. Maps, playlists, movies, whatever. I once tried to stream “Mean Girls” on a Megabus with no WiFi and I swear I’ve never been so mad.
Now, I pre-download like a grandma prepping for a snowstorm.
Quick List Recap about Tech-Savvy Tips
- Second email for spam
- Apple Pay but keep a backup card
- Screenshot everything
- Google Docs > Notes
- Airplane Mode for non-planes
- Mute group chats
- Use a password manager
- Download before you go
