Use #10: Back-up mobile

Use #10: Back-up mobile
Getty Images

We may not be super-secret spies, (at least we aren’t…what you do is your business) but that doesn’t mean there won’t be a time when you’re grateful for a burner mobile. Once you unlock the old phone from your plan you can get a new sim card and enrol in a pay as you go plan which can be as low as $10 a month. An old phone with a cheap day to day plan can be useful to take to places you’re worried about damaging or losing your new phone or to give to younger children when they may need a way to contact you.

Learn how to talk to your kids about online safety. 

Advertisement

Use #11: Find your car

Use #11: Find your car
Getty Images

Keep your old smartphone on a very cheap plan hidden in the back of your vehicle (make sure you keep it charging). Not only is it good to use your old mobile phone as backup in case of an emergency, but you can also track your vehicle if it ever gets stolen.

Use #12: Take some photos

Use #12: Take some photos
Getty Images

Most smartphones and tablets work as compact cameras, too. Let younger children practise taking photos on old mobile phones then learn to edit shots by downloading an app like Snapseed. Don’t forget to back up those photos to another device later.

Check out these impressive iPhone hacks you never knew you needed, like finding a way to take more photos when your storage is full.

Use #13: Digital photo frame

Use #13: Digital photo frame
Shutterstock

Now that the phone has been used to take some incredible photos, use it to display them! Get a mobile phone stand and display your old smartphone with your favourite photos – whether you took them or not – running through on a slideshow.

Use #14: Time to recycle

Use #14: Time to recycle
Shutterstock

Whatever you do, don’t throw those old phones in the bin. There are many recycling options out there, such as Mobile Muster in Australia, RE:MOBILE in New Zealand and Lalamove in Malaysia, that ensure your phone will be recycled correctly and safely, without impact to the environment.

Sign up here to get Reader’s Digest’s favourite stories straight to your inbox!

Source: RD.com

Never miss a deal again - sign up now!

Connect with us: