Momma Told Me: 5 Ways To MAX Your Summer With Your Smartphone

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5 Ways To MAX Your Summer With Your Smartphone

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser, Walmart Family Mobile. All opinions are mine alone. #SummerIsForSavings #CollectiveBias #WFM1
Check out these awesome ways to put your smartphone's data plan to use this Summer- I bet you've never thought of #4 and #5! #SummerIsForSavings #WFM1 #AD
Over the past few weeks we've shared our enthusiasm over the start of Summer, and how we plan to rock it with a series of mini day trips and extended road trips. 

This year Jay has Wednesdays and Thursdays off as his 'weekend' so we'll be planning many mid week trips where we can take advantage of reduced traffic and reduced rates on things such as museum passes and hotel stays. Because, let's face it, no matter what your budget is the best way to truly MAX your Summer is to stretch your buck as far as it will go. The Summer adventures certainly never stop coming, so you should always make sure your suitcase, and your wallet are ready for whatever lies around the corner.

Hopefully you caught some of our ingenious travel hacks for fuss free Summer travel in one of our posts last week. Today we're going to talk a little bit about how to put one of your most valuable tools to work for you, your Smartphone. As Walmart Family Mobile customers we're already ahead of the curve with their new $49.88 PLUS Plan powered by T-Mobile's nationwide 4G LTE network, which features Unlimited Talk, Text, & Data which includes up to 13GB of 4G LTE then 2G* service.
Mystery Spot, Santa Cruz, CA
Having an affordable and reliable talk, text, and data plan is a no brainier for modern families- with an impressive selection of name brand smartphone handsets in stock, such as the LG L59 Grace (now on rollback for $99.99) Walmart is your destination to keep the entire family connected this Summer. And, thanks to Walmart Family Mobile's no contract, activation fee free, easy to switch plans it's never been easier to get Summer ready. When you purchase a new Walmart Family Mobile phone it automatically comes ready to use on the network, there are no hidden start-up or activation fees. You can also choose to bring your current phone or handset on over the the Walmart Family Mobile network monthly plans, it's as easy as purchasing a one time SIM Card activation kit!

We rely on our smartphones heavily when on vacation, and Summer is no exception. As much as Sabrina loves using her phone to stay in touch with her friends and share her adventures on Instagram, we use our Unlimited date to search out the most affordable gas nearby, hunt last minute deals on hotels, and sort through reviews for local cuisine. (---Includes up to 13GB of 4G LTE† data then 2G*)
That's why my first tip to MAX your Summer with your smartphone is to Stay Connected through an affordable no contract plan such as Walmart Family Mobile's new Unlimited  Talk, Text, & Data which includes up to 13GB of 4G LTE then 2G* for just $49.88 a month. With 13GB of 4g LTE speed data you'll truly unlock the Summer potential of your smartphone in whole new ways. 1 of those ways being a direct perk of using the plan- customers on the $49.88 PLUS Plan receive a free VUDU◊ movie rental credit valued at $7.00 each time they renew their service. (Since the plan is no contract, that's monthly- or, every month you continue to use the service.) How's that for instantly MAXing your Summer's entertainment potential?

-----Limited time offer. Available for lines active with the PLUS $49.88 plan only. VUDU◊ enabled device and account required for digital viewing. Customers must be 18 years or older to open a VUDU◊ account. Movie rental only available in the USA. Free movie rental provided in the form of a movie rental code to the value of a $7.00 VUDU◊ credit. Movie rental code allows for selection from available movies for rent.  May not be readily redeemable on all new releases. Code will be delivered within up to 24 hours of the effective account renewal date. Must be used within 30 days of receiving code. Offer is non-transferable. Limit 1 per customer. Additional terms and conditions on VUDU◊'s website: http://www.vudu.com/termsofservice.html

Disclaimer: All prices for phones and plans included in this post are accurate as of the date of posting; however, these prices are subject to change. Please refer to this page or your local Walmart for current pricing.
Put your smartphone's data to good use and find local boarding kennels, dog walkers, puppy playdates, and more! Download the DogWalk app to track and map your dog's walks and discover other pups hangouts! #SummerIsForSavings #WFM1 #AD
With all that data you're going to want to download every application under the sun. Help keep your phone free from getting bogged down with memory issues and consider handing the less responsible (smaller) family members an old smartphone handset. They can download apps on WiFi at food stops or hotels, and even tether to your phone's data services for use on the go. Of course you're going to want some practical applications for your own use, which brings us to my first genius way to utilize your phone and data- organizing your dog/s.

Your smartphone has a plethora of services available to you as a dog owner, from real time tracking for dog's with identity chips to reviewing and locating a local boarding kennel when it comes time for an extended vacation. However one of my favorite ways to utilize that big data bucket is through an application called Dog Walk. It's essentially a community for dog owners to map, track, and share their walks with other dog owners. Discover dogs of similar breed, neighbors, or even mark your favorite trail and upload pictures. It's a great way to explore your community, or even discover a new one while traveling this Summer!
Believe it or not we don't schedule all of our Summer events. Sometimes we simply block out a day or two and dive into local listings and events the very same week or day to find an unexpected adventure. BandsInTown (available on Apple and Android devices) offers an interactive map of entertainment events, sorted by theme and community. You'll find Summer blockbuster tours as well as lesser known local groups at dive bars. It's the perfect travel companion when you're looking for a night out on the road and want to truly experience the local culture.
The Waze application has an option to disable your phone when your car reaches a certain speed, to discourage texting while driving during Summer travel! #SummerIsForSavings #WFM1 #AD
Of course your phone can and will be used as a priceless navigation device this Summer- getting to and from your destination is half the fun but nobody wants to be stranded or just plain lost. Max your navigation potential by expanding beyond Google Maps and exploring reliable and established navigation applications such as Waze. Many driving and navigation applications now give you the chance to view flyovers for a myriad of attractions from local street art to food truck routes. Even more importantly apps such as Waze give you the option to disable your smartphone while your device is in excess of a certain speed, so you and your traveling companions stay safe and alert while on the road.
Us your smartphone's data bucket to track allergy conditions while traveling, water consumption, and even UV exposure! #SummerIsForSavings #WFM1 #AD
Speaking of safe, I bet it never occurred to you to use your phone as a mobile UV meter. Many smartphones rely on real time weather stations to convey the current and forecasted weather but did you know there were apps to track everything from your UV exposure to the air quality? These types of applications are usually small (minimal memory and storage space needed), as they perform one or minimal tasks, and can often be rooted to your phone's dashboard as a widget for quick viewing. Track your water consumption, allergy alerts, and sun exposure to ensure your Summer continues to rock on without a hitch.
Don't just use your smartphone to read reviews on local restaurants, track star maps and even identify edible mushrooms and plants while forraging this Summer! #SummerIsForSavings #WFM1 #AD
Lastly, and we touched on this a little earlier, your smartphone can connect you a variety of delicious food. From hotel delivery options in NYC to the best Chicken Kung Food in downtown L.A., discovering new eats is one of the best aspects of Summer travel. When I visit Momma up in Oregon each Summer I even pull my phone out on the trails for a foraging application. The Northwestern Coast is rich in thick forest covered in delicious mushrooms from the unsightly and large Lobster Mushroom to the dainty and delicious Chanterelles. Of course, much like that greasy spoon you passed by into town on your road trip, no everything is quite edible. Staying connected during Summer travel can prove priceless, steel gut aside.
So there you have it, my 5 ways to MAX your Summer with your smartphone and the Walmart Family Mobile plans powered by T-Mobile's nationwide 4G LTE network. Learn more about the phones and easy to start/stop no contract plans offered at Walmart here and follow Walmart Family Mobile on Twitter @FamilyMobile for more ways to rock your Summer. Now, tell me, what are some of your favorite ways to put your phone's data plan to good use during the Summer? 






*Please always refer to the latest terms and conditions at myfamilymobile.com.
†To get 4G LTE speed, you must have a 4G LTE capable device and 4G LTE SIM Card. Actual availability, coverage, and speed may vary. LTE is a trademark of ETSI.

28 comments:

  1. I think that sundae needs to be a part of my summer plan! Seriously though, discovering new eats is one of our favorite ways to put our data to good use while on vacation #client

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  2. That phone deal sounds pretty sweet! We all have cell phones to stay connected, and with five of us in the family, it's not cheap!

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  3. And my son is begging for a phone but he's a little young yet. When he does get to that age I will definitely be considering this because it's got a great price and I am in control of how much he uses it.

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  5. My favorite way to maximize the use of a cell phone during summer is to make sure to have a waterproof cell phone case. Between the beach, the pool, and everywhere else, you have to have a waterproof case, to keep the sun, surf, and sand off your phone.

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  6. Being connected is the most important for us! I love those data plans- great prices!

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  7. These are great photos. It is a good idea to book mini trips during the week to beat the crowds. I will have to check out Walmart for a new phone.

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  8. My Son needs a new phone. There are so many great apps that can help you save some cash. Walmart has a huge selection of mobile phones.

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  9. Smart phones definitely have lots of capabilities that they never used to have. This looks like the perfect plan to have!

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  10. I love that this phone is very inexpensive. I love that you are having fun this summer and that donut looks amazing!

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  11. My boys need need new phones I was just checking out these deals earlier tonight

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  12. This looks great! I need to check it out for my son!

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