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Community Corner

Phone Apps let you go Paperless

Put your grocery shopping list on your phone or iPad.

Paper. It's everywhere. Let these iPad/iPhone apps help you minimize the paper in your life and make your world a little greener.

 

  • SignMyPad:  We often get forms to complete via e-mail or to download from the web. First, you print it out. Then you fill it in and scan it to your computer to e-mail back. With SignMyPad there's no need for any of this. This app allows you to add your signature (using your finger or a stylus), add a date, checkbox and text. Recently, I was able to download a W9 from the web, complete it and e-mail it back to the requester all on my iPad. No paper needed. It's also a convenient way to store forms and contracts you may repeatedly use for business. Cost: $3.99
  • Zinio: How many magazine subscriptions do you have? How many do you actually read? The Zinio app offers you access to dozens of digital magazines. You pay for a single issue (generally $3.99-$4.99) or purchase an annual subscription (varies). The cost is about the same as the standard delivery subscription, but I find that I'm more prone to read the digital version and not lug around a paper copy. Since i usully have my iPad with me (and who doesn't?), I find myself reading a magazine waiting for an appointment, at Starbucks or on vacation. Many magazines have their own app for the digital version (versus purchasing through Zinio). Some magazines, such as People, Time and Sports Illustrated, offer all-access subscriptions, so you have the flexibility of having both the printed and digital versions. Cost: free for Zinio app, costs for magazine issues and subscriptions vary.  

I am always making lists. Grocery lists, errands, things I need to do. Now I use a variety of apps and have eliminated all those pieces of paper that I often misplace anyway! Plus, I can share my lists via email.  There are quite a few apps that can facilitate this; I always try the free ones first.

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  • Notes: Apple's Notes app come pre-installed on your device. I use this to keep book lists, client follow-ups and general information (like mail settings) that I may want to access quickly. It also will sync to all your devices. Cost: free.
  • Reminder: Reminder is a new Apple app that came with iOS5. It allows you to set reminders for a specific day and time, as well as remind you when you arrive or leave a location. It's useful if you have a string of errands to do although it takes a bit of time to set up. You can also mark the reminders as "completed" so they disappear from the list. Cost: free.

Having an electronic grocery list is a great elimination of paper. There are two free apps that I like for this.

  • GroceryIQ: You can make a list of favorites and reuse them for your shopping list. It allows you manually enter items or scan the UPC codes to build up your list.  The app does a great job of scanning standard items but often doesn't find local brands or specialty items. I like the scanning option especially when I'm having a family member do the shopping since I know I'll get the right type of whole wheat pretzels! Although the app organizes by 'aisles', this is also customizable and you can reorder the aisles to flow through the store. You can also mark an item off the list once you retrieve it. Cost: free.
  • ShopShop: This app is more basic than GroceryIQ. You make a list, order it and check things off when you pick them up. You can have multiple lists, but there aren't any 'favorites' or scanning of bar codes. What I like about this list is that it's quick to create and if I send it to someone, they can open it in ShopShop on their iPhone and check things off as they pick them up. Cost: free.

Hopefully, you'll give some of these apps a try. SignMyPad, GroceryIQ and Zinio are also available for Android phones.

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