10 ways to use technology

[suguhopes]

Technology is the buzzword in today's world. Everywhere you go,
everything you begin, it steps in and has to be appropriately
handled.

So if you have brought IT into every part of your life, how do you
apply it effectively to get ahead with your finances? Not quite the
usual things to do, they should still be worthwhile.

1. Secure your PC
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In the near future, you will, perforce, share more personal
information of every kind with that box of yours than with anyone or
anything else on the planet. So keep the lowlifes out with anti-virus
and anti-spyware programs. You don't want to share your account
passwords with the rest of the world, do you?

2. Talk over the comp
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With everyone you care to know having a machine at home and an always-
on connection to boot, it makes sense to load a Voice over Internet
Protocol (VoIP) software such as Skype that allows you to talk over
Internet lines and keeps your phone bills down, especially the
international calls.


3.Go solar
========

Abundant. Free. Nobody can keep the sun out of your life. Use it and
avoid big power and fuel bills. Incur the initial costs of setting up
solar heating and lighting systems. Your power and fuel savings will
cover the installation costs in three years or so.

4. Ride, don't drive
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Fossil fuels will get dearer and fuel bills bigger. So ride�bicycle or
bus or train�if you can. Renewable energy tech is likely to be
deployed on public transport before personal vehicles. So you can cut
your carbon footprint too.


5. Get a tech career
===============

Despite whatever anyone says about IT companies getting hit by a
strong rupee or the sub-prime crisis, it is still one of the best-
paying industries. With 1's and 0's likely to continue ruling your
life more and more, there's no way you can lose.

6. Network
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Websites, phone, email, Internet messaging, SMS, there's no shortage
of ways to stay connected. Being on people's top-of-the-mind recall
list opens up opportunities you never thought of. Don't forget it's
people who still make the world go round.

7. Automate banking
===============

The banks have gone and fixed their end. Time you fixed yours. Most
people lose money either because it lies idle in savings accounts or
due to penalties from delayed payments. Creating a sweeper account to
deploy idle balances and automating payments improves the payback.

8. Milk that mobile
==============

There are more uses than talking. Tell your bank and card issuer to
update you on big transactions or alerts on payments due. That way you
can keep track of the bits that add up.

9. Surf, surf, surf
==============

With the Internet, at any time, someone, somewhere in the world is
likely to have a deal going on whatever it is you want. Don't forget
to check the import duties before a buy.

10. Dump tech
===========

Most people pay a lot for tech they'll never use, e.g. Microsoft
Office. Even for unbundled products, people pay more because it is the
best', though it would be 'outdated' tomorrow. So, know your actual
needs before buying a tech product.

N.Sukumar
Research Analyst