Using Time Wisely

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Social Media Platforms: Which ones are your favorites?

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Photograph Credit: Flickr (Simmi Behal)

Currently, Using Time Wisely is only available on Facebook. With Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, Tumblr, LinkedIn, YouTube, and other social media platforms, I would like to branch out of my comfort zone.

However, I’m not sure where to go. Which social media platforms are your favorites?

Other than Facebook, what added social media platforms would you recommend for Using Time Wisely? I’m looking for platforms that you find beneficial. Any tips you have to offer are greatly appreciated!


Junk Facebook Account

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If you follow any deal sites (e.g., www.Freebies4Mom.com,  www.thekrazycouponlady.com,), you probably sign up for lots of newsletters, coupons, and advertising. The junk e-mail account, from either Yahoo! or Gmail, handles all these additional items. Though you can get great printable coupons from manufacturer’s web sites, you may need to access the coupons from a Facebook account.

To keep my personal and business Facebook pages separate from coupons, sweepstakes, and freebies, I have created a parallel Facebook account for my junk e-mail account. Jenny Martin from www.southernsavers.com wrote a great post on “How to create a blank Facebook profile.” I recommend following her tutorial to create your own.

Photograph Credit: Flickr (Dan Taylor)

If you have already used your personal Facebook page for coupons and such, then I recommend the posts at www.freebies4mom.com written by Heather Hernandez on these Facebook tips: Learn to Spot the Spammy Apps, Remove Applications You’ve Allowed, and Get your Newsfeed Back.

Having a junk Facebook account removes all concern about privacy when registering and allowing web sites access to my profile. I do not keep ANY personal information on my junk Facebook profile; therefore, companies can look all they want. They will not gain any of my personal information from this account.

In using time wisely, my junk e-mail and Facebook accounts keep my personal, business, and coupons separate. Now you can differentiate yours as well.

Question: Was this helpful? What other tips would you like to see?

Junk E-mail Account – Part 2 of 2

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Photograph Credit: Flickr (Keri J.)

Setting up a junk e-mail account keeps my personal items separate from coupons, deals, and newsletters. Last week, I explained why I have this account and how to setup a junk e-mail account in Yahoo!. In Part 2, I walk you through setting up a junk e-mail account in Gmail, another favorite free e-mailing provider.

To setup a junk e-mail account in Gmail:

1. Type www.gmail.com into your Internet browser

2. On the right side, click “Create an Account.”

3. Register for your new account

4. Fill in your name

5. Choose an e-mail name for this account – Remember your Desired Login Name. You will need this information to log back into your account.

6. Select a password and security question and answer

7. For the recovery e-mail address, I use my personal e-mail account. If I should forget the password to this account, I can reset it from my personal e-mail account.

8. Add your personal information

9. Complete the word verification

10. Read the Terms of Service

11. Click “I accept. Create my account”

12. Gmail will then congratulate you and send you a confirmation e-mail to your recovery e-mail account.

To go to your account:

1. Click on “Show me my account”

2. The site will redirect you to your new account

3. Your 3 welcome e-mails will be in your account

To log back in to your Gmail account:

1. Type www.gmail.com into your Internet browser

2. On the right sidebar, type your username and password, and click “Sign in”

3. The site will direct you to your account

Task completed! When you need to supply an e-mail address, you can now use this account to keep your personal e-mail account clutter-free. 🙂

In using time wisely, I save lots of time by having a junk e-mail account. Keeping a clutter-free inbox is an on-going task made a little easier when the important information comes to my personal account and the other items sit in a junk account. If you prefer separate accounts, then creating a Gmail junk account might assist you in using your time wisely.

Question: What is your favorite e-mail account provider? Please add your answer by clicking the “Leave your Comment” button.

Junk E-mail Account – Part 1 of 2

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Photograph Credit: Flickr (Keri J.)

In using time wisely, I have setup my personal e-mail account for family, friends, payment notifications, daily deals (i.e., Groupon.com), and other information I desire to know quickly.

Since I keep my personal e-mail account open on my computer and laptop, I check my e-mail 5 or more times a day. I update this account each day by keeping it clutter-free.

For more tips on keeping your inbox clutter-free, you can read my four-step series: Step 1, Step 2, Step 3, and Step 4.

Since I request free products, print coupons, play sweepstakes (every once in a while), and submit rebates, I prefer to use another e-mail account for these items. When I request free products, I usually am also subscribing to a free newsletter and updates from that company.

To keep my personal e-mail inbox clutter-free, I use a junk e-mail account for correspondence that does not need my immediate attention. Then I check this junk e-mail account about once a week, deleting unnecessary items and reading items of interest.

My current personal and junk e-mail accounts are with Yahoo!, but I also like Google’s Gmail accounts. So, in Part 1 of this two-part series, we will setup a junk e-mail account in Yahoo!. In Part 2, we will use Gmail for a junk e-mail account. You can choose one or both depending on your needs.

To setup a junk e-mail account in Yahoo!:

1. Type www.yahoo.com into your Internet browser

2. Under the Search bar on the right side, click “New here? Sign up”

3. Register for your new account

4. Fill in your name and personal information

5. Choose an e-mail name for this account – Remember your Yahoo! ID. You will need this information to log back into your account.

6. For the alternate e-mail account, I use my personal e-mail address. If I should forget the password to this new account, I can reset it from my personal e-mail account.

7. Verify the code

8. Click “Create My Account”

9. Yahoo! will then congratulate you and send you a confirmation e-mail to your alternate e-mail account.

To go to your Yahoo! account:

1. Click on “Continue” after Ready to experience Yahoo!?

2. Your welcome e-mail will be in your account.

To log back in to Yahoo!:

1. Type www.yahoo.com into your Internet browser

2. Under the Search bar on the right side, click “Sign in”

3. Type your Yahoo! ID and password, and click “Sign in”

Now when you need to give out your e-mail address, you can use this account and keep your personal account clutter-free. 🙂

Having a junk e-mail account assists me in using time wisely. By keeping my accounts separate, I save time and energy getting the most important information in my personal account and using the junk account for items that are not time sensitive. If you struggle with a clutter-free inbox, then a junk e-mail account may be a solution for you.

Question: What do you think about having separate e-mail accounts? To add your answer, please click the Leave your Comment button.

Customer Service: Publix

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Photograph Credit: Flickr (Otherstream)

Happy Hump Day! In our area of South Carolina, many students returned to school today. With the hustle and bustle of getting up early, eating breakfast, packing lunches, getting pictures, and arriving on time, many moms will be exhausted by 10:00 a.m. If you are feeling this way, hang in there. It will get easier!

To bring a smile to your face, I get to share a great customer service experience. Do you remember when I asked for your customer service stories? Well, a friend (let’s call her Melinda) posted her experience on Facebook, and I was floored with the customer service shown to her. After corresponding with her, Melinda has agreed to let me share her story with you.

The Situation

After a Monday morning workout, Melinda used her time wisely to stop by Publix (grocery store) on her way home. Without her 4 children in tow, she was able to gather her items and proceeded to the checkout counter. While the cashier was scanning her items, Melinda realized that she was without her wallet. (Oh, no!) Without panicking, Melinda told the cashier that she could not pay for the items, so the cashier called for her manager to void the transaction.

The Solution

When the manager arrived at the register and heard that Melinda was without her wallet, he responded, “Oh, she comes in all the time. Go ahead and finish her order. She can take it home and come back later and pay.”

WOW!

This manager understands customer service!

    • He knew that Melinda, a loyal customer, would come back to pay – which she did.
    • He knew that it would take more time to restock the items and have her come back to shop again.
    • He knew that a little kindness goes a LONG way.

The Aftereffect

Free publicity. Melinda hopped on Facebook to share Publix’s incredible customer service. Her friends commented, and the story is now posted on Using Time Wisely to continue spreading the word of Publix’s great customer service.

Trust. From this example of customer service, I know that Publix is concerned about their customers. As a shopper, Melinda was a person first and then a customer. This manager knew this mama had mouths to feed and extended kindness in her time of need. The manager trusted Melinda, and in turn, I trust Publix.

Loyalty. I love shopping at Publix!

    • Their staff is always available, helpful, and friendly.
    • Their store is clean, organized, and accurate (10 items or FEWER).
    • Their image is honest, kind, and trustworthy.

As this manager resolved a customer service situation, his act of kindness to Melinda in her time of need has increased my trust and loyalty in Publix where “shopping is a pleasure!”

Question: Do you have a great customer service story to tell? If so, contact me. I would love to share your experiences and praise the company for their customer service!