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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

How To #Save4Summer + D.I.Y. Mobile iSpy Game Tutorial

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and Walmart Family Mobile. All opinions are mine alone. #Save4Summer #CollectiveBias

Momma Told Me: Summer fun doesn't come free.


Summer is days away and our family is already in the swing of hectic travel plans, epic vacations, and last minute packing. We don't normally celebrate the season with so much activity, but this year I knew I wanted to make the Summer extra special since it was the first Summer Sabrina's family would be spending as Texas residents. Naturally, I insisted on booking my favorite niece for several weeks with her favorite Aunt, but I'm also not about to miss out on baby Nathan's first steps, or some serious girl time with his mother. Having an affordable, and reliable, family mobile plan with unlimited talk, text, data/web is crucial to staying in touch whether miles apart or just across the theme park.

It's no secret I'm slowly converting family close and afar to Walmart Family Mobile. Whether you were one of the first to own a smartphone, or are still hoping to upgrade to a handset that isn't considered a flip phone, Walmart makes it easy to find the perfect device at an amazing price, while taking advantage of unlimited talk, text, data, and web services as low as $29.88 per month, for the first line. In fact, just in time for the Summer they've rolled back their prices on some of the hottest devices like the ZTE ZMAX 5.7" HD Touchscreen Smartphone Phablet, with a 1.2 GHz Quad Processor and 8MP Camera for just $149 in stores. It's the perfect affordable multi-tasker for road trips, teenage scholars, social media mavens, and busy soccer moms.

Walmart Family Mobile not only offers great service, but also opens up the opportunity for extended Summer fun. With the money our family saves on unlimited mobile service we can travel more, budget less, and afford to indulge the kids in a few extra activities. And, I don't mean to brag, but our new ZTE ZMAX can also tackle the delicate subject of road trip boredom with the plethora of applications available for download through the Google Play store. But don't think I'm going to hand the phone over for hours of  Flappy Bird and Candy Crush- No way! I've actually found yet another affordable way to blend modern technology with a classic childhood time passer, i-Spy.

First, you'll need to gather your supplies; 1 Liter Bottle of Voss, or similar tall bottled, water (empty and the labels peeled off), 4 1/2 Cups of Jasmine Rice (uncooked), 2-3 Colors of Gel Based Food Color, 2-3 Zipper Plastic Bags, 1 Pair of Rubber Gloves, 3 TBS White Vinegar, 15-20 Small Beads/Charms/Knick-Knacks, a Walmart Family Mobile Smartphone. Start by dividing the rice evenly among the same number of bags as you will have colors of rice. Put on your gloves and place about 1 TBS White Vinegar and 4-5 Drops of Food Color into each Zipper Bag. Seal and knead gently to spread colors and stain rice. Add additional color as needed, though patient kneading will evenly coat without the addition of more color.

Pour your colored rice out onto a deep rimmed baking sheet and place outside in the sun for 3-4 hours. Drying time will vary depending on the weather conditions and amount of food color used, but rice is typically done when grains feel hot to the touch. Spreading the rice to a thin layer will help it dry faster.

You're going to have some down time while you wait for your colored rice to dry- and nobody wants damp rice sealed in a bottle, so go ahead and be patient. Use your unlimited talk, text, data, and web (with 1G of free 4G LTE speed) Family Mobile service to catch up on those movie times, map out your road trip route, checkout some Yelp reviews, and stay in touch with family back home. Sabrina loved how simple it was to video chat with her mother, for free, through her Google account on the ZTE ZMAX. Within minutes of setup, the device was ready to stream a clear video chat with one or multiple parties from anywhere in the U.S. Be careful, tweens and teens love this feature- I've found Sabrina 'talking to herself' several times since, when she video dials random family members! On the plus side, if it motivates kids to keep in touch with family more often, even better, right?

The ZTE ZMAX has an amazing battery life for a phone with such a large and vivid screen display. With up to 15 days of standby time and 14 hours of talk time, the ZMAX will be ready for the next step in your Mobile iSpy game no matter how you've been enjoying your Walmart Family Mobile service. In fact, you'll want to download Our Groceries and Magnifier from the Google Play app store. They're relatively small applications and free to download (supported by ads) and will really bring a modern touch to your Mobile iSpy experience.

Use the Magnifier app to capture and chronicle each iSpy bead/trinket/item individually with a photograph. Keep in mind your iSpy items should be small, but also vary in size to help generate difficulty for different skill levels. Using the Our Groceries application create a new list and title it something like 'My Awesome iSpy Game.' Add an entry to the list for each of the items you'll be finding within your game. Feel free to break them into categories by item type, size, or color. Import your images from the Magnifier application for easy reference when playing.

Next you'll want to pour your colored, dry, rice into your empty, dry, water bottle, layering it with the beads/trinkets/items you'll be finding within your game. Consider placing bigger or heavier objects towards the middle as they may tend to want to sink towards the bottom in time. Fill the bottle within an inch and a half of the cap. You want the rice to move freely but not be able to slosh about. This will be a learning process at first as you get the right ratio of air to rice. Ideally spinning the bottle will generate enough slow movement to allow for gradual 'sifting' when hunting for objects.

Go ahead and seal your bottle up tight (pack a few cotton balls in the neck if you'd like extra accident proof piece of mind.) You're finally ready to have some iSpy fun at last! Grab your Walmart Family Mobile smartphone and open the Magnifier application. This app comes in especially handy when hunting for our 'impossible' iSpy ingredient the 'black grain of rice.' Kids love magnifying and zooming in between grains to detect their next iSpy discovery.

Have children use the Our Groceries application to identify the hidden items from each category and mark them as 'found' with a simple click. One tap on the item itself will strike it out and remove it to the bottom of the list, so hunters can keep track of what they have and haven't found- especially important for completionists. Best of all, the list can be reset an unlimited number of times, since it's all digital!

While we've fallen in love with the ZTE ZMAX smartphone, on rollback at Walmart, there are many other devices sold at your local Walmart. If you're looking for a more economical device consider the stylish ALCATEL OneTouch Pop, which younger family members will love for it's trendy design and simple navigation of features. Walmart Family Mobile is also just as great for multiple lines and family plans as it is for individuals, thanks to it's contract free, post paid, service. Starting up is as easy as grabbing your favorite Walmart Family Mobile device and a $25 starter kit, today. ($25 starter kit will reflect a $25 credit towards first month's plan billing.)

• 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 http://cbi.as/ax84 or your local Walmart for current pricing.

 It's no secret we're in love with Walmart Family Mobile's range of affordable, current, smartphone devices, and the easy to use unlimited service, but the savings we've racked up over the past year alone has truly expanded our Summer opportunities. Being able to put aside the extra money each month to #Save4Summer, while enjoying reliable unlimited mobile service is priceless, just like the mobile memories we'll be capturing this Summer! What are some creative ways you beat boredom on road trips and long periods of travel?

What Daughter Says: Stop spending extra money on unlimited mobile service and save for Summer memories with Walmart Family Mobile.

Capturing #MobileMemories With Unlimted Talk, Text, Data And Web

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and Walmart Family Mobile. All opinions are mine alone. #MobileMemories #CollectiveBias

Momma Told Me: Memories make things, things don't make memories.

As you know, this year I'm actively focused on collecting memories, rather than things. Things clutter up my home, and my life, and ultimately give me a sense of panic and lack of control. In the end, memories are all we really can take away from things anyway- objects are just shrines that solicit the replay of experiences in our minds. I guess I'm lucky I live in such amazing, modern times, where memories can be captured and shared with virtually anyone, in a matter of seconds. However, it still shocks me to hear some of my family and friends aren't enjoying the same freedom to capture and share memories as I am through Walmart Family Mobile Unlimited Talk and Text 4G LTE plans.

People can be critical of our society's reliance on mobile devices- but it's a simple fact that the smartphones are connecting more people, in exceedingly dynamic ways, than any other invention before them. I've seen a father on his second tour of duty face time with his toddler back in the states, a Mother of The Bride help her daughter pick out the perfect wedding dress through photo texts and phone calls, and heard how an exhausted couple salvaged their vacation from Hell with a last minute hotel booking on their smartphone. But, let's be real, all this tech is only useful if the network is strong and the consumers can access it. Well, Walmart Family Mobile is accessible to virtually anyone with a Walmart brick and mortar nearby, and activation from online orders is just as simple as walking into the store. Check your local signal strength on their service coverage map here.

My smartphone, and Walmart Family Mobile, were there when my nephew was born last year and snapped one of the very first pictures of him and has mother. Then again, in December, it helped document and share the new family's first Christmas together for Aunts, cousins, and grandparents across the country. And, when he started crawling I received a mobile alert, a video capturing the special moments, just minutes after. While we may be in different time zones, those are some adorable pings I'm never annoyed to get!

Of course your mobile service is only as effective at capturing those memories as the device is capable. Jay and I both have Samsung Galaxy S4 smartphones from Walmart; though there are many other smartphone devices currently being featured with rollback pricing. It's hard to use 'I can't afford an upgrade' as an excuse with amazing phones like these, at such amazing prices;

• ZTE Zinger - $29.88 starting 4/15
• Galaxy Avant - $149.00 (was $199.99)
• ZTE ZMAX - $179.00 (was $199.88)
• Alcatel Fierce 2 - $119.00 (was $129.99)
• Alcatel Evolve 2 - $39.83 (was $59.88)
• LG L90- $99.82 (was $179.88)

  Brand New To Walmart Family Mobile:

• LG 450: Launch Price $29.88 
• Alcatel One Touch Pop Astro: Launch Price $64.88 
• LG Leon LTE- Price Coming Soon

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 http://cbi.as/a692 or your local Walmart for current pricing.

Memories aren't just made with family though. Memories are experiences collected through a myriad of interactions, events, an activities. This year I'll be doing a lot of traveling as a blogger and as a consumer. I've already made it to 2 SoFab U On The Road day conferences and my smartphone service has helped me from mapping the drive to the venues to connecting with my fellow attendees on mobile applications. In Phoenix I was able to capture some amazing food styling and photography tips when I chronicled a live educational seminar with Food Stylist Kim Krejca and Food Photographer Rick Gayle. When my laptop's WiFi went on the fritz I was able to keep it alive by turning my phone into a Mobile Hotspot!

Next month I'll be taking Sabrina (12) up the Pacific Coast to spend the Summer with her grandma in Oregon. We have several fun activities planned here in CA before our departure, including a trip to Universal Studios where I know the mobile app on my phone will help me schedule show times and navigate the park's map. And I know her mother will be at ease as we check in, on our road trip, with Instagram snapshots and status updates- after all, the only thing worse than a blogger with a smartphone and 4G LTE is a tween with a smartphone and Walmart Family Mobile 4G LTE service! At the end of our trip I'll be stopping in Scappoose, OR to spend some time with Momma, herself, a trip I haven't made in a year and a half. I cannot wait to reconnect with family and capture the natural beauty of Oregon!

We've certainly racked up a lot of #MobileMemories to share this year, already, and I can't wait to create and capture new ones as we head into Summer! Walmart Family Mobile has been our family's preferred smartphone service provider for a year and a half now, and their plans just keep getting better with Unlimited Talk, Text, Data, and Web 4G LTE service starting as low as $29.88 a month for the first line! I know some of you are waiting for contracts to end to make the switch; just think of all those memories you could be capturing an sharing on this great network. In fact, I'd love to hear about those Summer plans- tell me what events and activities you'll be capturing and sharing with family and friends this Summer!

What Daughter Says: Memories can be created on a moment's notice, don't be caught without service when they happen!

#MaxYourTax Refund All Year Round With Unlimited 4G LTE + Walmart Family Mobile

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #MaxYourTax #CollectiveBias

Momma Told Me: There's no season for common sense.

While many of my friends and family are springing last minute dinner invitations on me, and making extended vacation plans, thanks to their generous IRS tax refunds, I had the pleasure of paying taxes this year. Those of you familiar with me know I would never be caught unexpected in a large debt, so I naturally have been stuffing 'tax money' away all year from my at home income. However not everybody is as prepared as Momma raised me to be. One of the ways we saved money last year was through our amazingly convenient and affordable no-contract smartphone service with Walmart Family Mobile. For year we had wanted modern smartphones to help us multi-task with our busy careers, but found the data costs and hidden fees could be overwhelming.

When I signed up for Walmart Family Mobile I was sure to tell all of my friends and family. Not only was it such a painless process (I could shop the latest smartphone handsets at great prices while picking up the groceries at my Walmart Supercenter) but the rate structure was easy to understand and more than affordable. For a long time Jay envied my smartphone device until, at last, he made the switch with a brand new Samsung Galaxy S4 and unlimited talk, text, and data/web last Fall. Walmart Family Mobile proved revolutionary to our family, in 2013 we couldn't even dream of owning such new devices with 4G support, and in 2014 we were able to connect with friends and family unlike ever before thanks to our Galaxy smartphones and Walmart Family Mobile.

Unfortunately, the service and phone were almost too good- Jay found himself relying on the clear 4G coverage and smartphone's capabilities even more than his work handset. Not only could the device multitask and organize his work tasks for him, but it proved to have the stable bars he needed to stay in contact with his boss while patrolling the marina (a reminder that he works private security.) Then, one day, not wearing the belt clip phone case we had picked up for him at Walmart, his fairly new and shiny Galaxy S4 went tumbling off the docks and into the fairly deep bay waters below. While it was not my phone, I was devastated to see such a shiny new device lost.

With tax time around the corner Jay was expecting a refund, but fairly limited in current cash flow. We headed to Walmart to pick up an affordable 'frills free' smartphone handset for less than $50. The Samsung Galaxy Exhibit was still a name brand smartphone with many modern features but a lot less of a gamble should it go tumbling into the marina at work. We also switched him over to the new $29.88/month (for the first line) unlimited talk/text/data plan with 500 MB of 4G LTE data, so he could put a little extra away each month while he saved up for his replacement Samsung Galaxy S4. Of course he fully planned on putting some of that nice tax refund money towards his replacement handset too!

Now that tax season is officially here and his refund check has rolled in he'll be doing 2 things; taking me out to dinner (of course) and stopping by Walmart to pick up his new Samsung Galaxy S4. The general plan is to swap the SIM cards for service into his existing WFM Samsung Galaxy Exhibit for use at work, and transition the SIM card back into the Galaxy S4 for after work and days off. Having an affordable backup smartphone is always a great idea, but especially necessary when you work around water (as we learned the hard way.)

If you're not in the market for a Galaxy S4, need a backup handset for knocking about and work, or trying upgrade to your first smartphone device Walmart has some amazing smartphone price rollbacks just in time for tax season. Just check out these unbelievable smartphone prices for use with their no-contract Unlimited Text/Talk/Data 4G LTE plans:

• ZTE Zinger - $19.84 (was $39.88) – New price (organically weave in!)
• Nokia Lumia 530 - $49.88 (was $69.88)
• Samsung Galaxy Exhibit - $49.84 (was $99.88)
• Nokia 635 - $79.84 (was $129.88)
• LG L90 - $99.82 (was $179.88)
• Galaxy Avant - $149.00 (was $199.99)
• ZTE ZMAX - $179.00 (was $199.88)
• Alcatel Fierce 2 - $119.00 (was $129.99)
• Alcatel Evolve 2- $39.83 (was $59.88)

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 http://cbi.as/aafid or your local Walmart for current pricing.

Smartphones can be an investment but your smartphone 4G LTE plan doesn't have to be one. Lock in unbelievable low month to month rates with Walmart Family Mobile and put your tax refund to good use. Or, if you're like me and paying the IRS this month, shave a few pennies off your smartphone budget with the amazing $29.88 (first line) Unlimited Talk/Text/Data 4G LTE plan at Walmart. Best of all, you can walk into any local Walmart Supercenter today and set up you new smartphone and Family Mobile service in just minutes for instant gratification. What are some ways you're planning on putting your tax refund to good use this year?

What Daughter Says: Whether you're getting money back, or shelling it out, be kind on your wallet all year round with affordable smartphone 4G LTE plans from Walmart Family Mobile.