Three ways your smartphone can lighten a heavy wallet

Add newsletters@cnet.online.com to your address book to ensure CNET newsletters reach your inbox.   How To       View online  |  Share on Facebook  |  Share on Twitter February 16, 2012     Sharon Vaknin Associate editor Profile Email Three ways your smartphone can lighten a heavy wallet Despite the fact that I conduct a biweekly wallet-cleaning session, my leathery companion still overflows with stuff. The phenomenon is so frustrating, actually, that it inadvertently causes me to lock up when a sales associate offers me a rewards card, a colleague excitedly gives me his business card, or a cashier hands over a 10-foot-long receipt, complete with coupons and offers. Ugh. Even though many analog items like address books are now obsolete, these other paper and plastic things have yet to join the transition into digital. To be fair, some retailers are ditching physical rewards cards and opting for a phone number instead. Apple is also paperless, e-mailing receipts instead of printing them. These retailers' switch to digital is commendable, but until more merchants become aware of the 21st century, these three smartphone apps will help lighten the load on your wallet. Get the tips | Share on Facebook        How to send a postcard with your mobile device The Touchnote app for Android and iOS takes a photo from your mobile device, prints it on a glossy postcard with a custom message, and sends it anywhere in the world for $1.49.  More | Share on Facebook          Safe, sane alternatives to e-mail If your e-mail account has turned into a time sink, consider communicating with coworkers, associates, friends, and family via text messages, voice-to-text, and other services that avoid going through a traditional inbox.  More | Share on Facebook          Transfer data wirelessly to your Android device Hunting down USB cables is a skill many of us wish we didn't have to use. It can make syncing files with Android devices a real pain, but a free app called Software Data Cable lets us transfer data using Wi-Fi.  More | Share on Facebook          How to limit random Facebook friend requests Slog through piles of Facebook friend requests from random strangers no more!  More | Share on Facebook        LATEST HOW TO POSTS   How to turn your Android phone into a police radio scanner     Unsubscribe from junk mail with PaperKarma     How to automatically update third-party software in Windows     Open ZIP files on iOS with WinZip     Set a lock code for individual apps on Android     HOW TO FORUM QUESTIONS   Best software for copying DVD to external hard drive?     Convert printer to wireless     How do I bypass system policy on my Lenovo s10-2 without...     How to add an XP network printer to MacBook Air     OTHER CNET RESOURCES     CNET.com     CNET TV     CNET How To     Latest CNET Reviews     Top 10 must-have gadgets     CNET Exclusives     CNET Mobile reviews     CNET Editors' Choice winners     Shopper.com

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