Simplify your life with a little technology

(ARA) - If you are like most people, every year the list of to-dos, appointments and demands grows bigger. Children's schedules, office appointments, scheduling conflicts can all be a little overwhelming at times.

A little technology can go a long way in getting your life in order while saving time and minimizing stress. Technology expert Omar Wasow, named by Newsweek as one of the "50 Most Influential People to Watch in Cyberspace," offers the following tips for getting organized:

Go on an e-mail diet.
Save time by unsubscribing from every electronic mailing and commercial list that you never read. Next, when reading new messages, delete or respond to every message as soon as it's opened. Leaving messages to be dealt with later will only create a new source of stress. Finally, give yourself a "computer curfew" and plan to check your e-mail at certain times of the day. By setting limits, e-mail will be less likely to take over your entire day.

Bank in a way that fits into your life.
It used to be that you needed to make sure managing your day-to-day money fit into your bank's schedule. Now, you can have a bank branch in your pocket through your mobile phone. Easy-to-use technology, such as Bank of America's Mobile Banking service, ensures your financial life fits seamlessly into your everyday routine. This convenient banking tool gives you immediate access to your finances and allows you to check your balances and transactions, pay bills, transfer money, locate ATMs and more. With enhanced security features and no financial information ever being stored on your mobile phone, you can transact with confidence.

Consolidate family schedules.
If you've got a busy family with multiple competing schedules, try combining all family activities and schedules into one online calendar. Each family member, even children, can have a private calendar that is pooled into a shared group calendar and can be updated by individual family members. Make sure you pick a program that synchronizes with any current calendar software you may be using such as Outlook or iCal. If you have a family member who needs gentle reminders for appointments, find a program that sends out e-mail notices to your loved one's account.

Eliminate the clutter.
Clutter and mess around your house can be a recipe for unnecessary stress and cause you extra time and hassle. Don't spend another minute rummaging through a closet or tearing through a pile of paperwork. First, declutter by selling your unwanted items. Online classified sites make it easy to make a little money and find a new home for those things you don't use. "To get the best prices for your goods, be sure to post clear, well-lit photos and offer straightforward and relevant detail about your listings," Wasow says.

Take it one step further and eliminate paperwork. With bill pay and e-Bills from Bank of America's Online Banking you don't have to wait for the bill to come to you and instead, can pay all your bills online at one time. By allowing you to set a schedule to pay any amount, bill pay can help you to avoid needless paperwork and simplify your life by ensuring your bills will be paid on time.

Save time - shop online.
Fit errands more easily into your busy lifestyle by shopping online for clothing, groceries, appliances and more. Online grocery stores now offer great service, selection and time savings. Determine your favorite local supermarket with an online storefront, and use the shopping list features that make it easy to re-order your staple items. Not only will online grocery shopping save time, it can also save money by helping you avoid impulse buys, giving you discounts as a "preferred" customer, allowing easy bulk buying and giving free shipping with larger orders.

With just a few clicks and a little technology, you can stay organized, reduce stress and simply live life the way you want.

For more information on Bank of America's Mobile Banking and Online Banking, go to www.bankofamerica.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent