When SESP freshman Luci Cambria went over her texting limit, her parents didn’t smash her phone like the Christoffersen family did, but they were less than pleased. Cambria had no excuse.
Texting is hardly considered a productive use of time/money/brain cells. Nevertheless, according to The Nielsen Company, Americans 18 to 24-years-old send an average of 790 text messages a month.
So, like Cambria, you may find a need to convince your parents (or whoever pays your cell phone bill) of the importance of texting. Lucky for you, texting has recently evolved into a much more productive use of your time.
We’ll call them “texting applications” (or more appropriately “txt apps”). Basically some geniuses got together and created ways for you to manage your daily life through texting. You can now organize your diet, your expenses and the rest of your life all from your mobile.
Although these new txt apps will neither get you off of your cell phone nor lessen your phone bill, you can use them to simplify your life and convince your parents of the necessity of texting. Just tell the ‘rents that it’s not “texting,” it’s “lifestyle management.” A little euphemism never hurt anyone.
A few choice txt apps for your 21st century lifestyle:
For the cash-poor co-ed
You’re a college student paying a hefty tuition. We get it. And so do the people at texthog.com. The website allows you to keep track of your day-to-day expenses and is perfect for college students on a budget.
How it works: After signing up (for free), texthog sends you a unique, personalized email address to which you text your expenses. You can then log in to the site online and go over what you have spent. The program also allows you to set reminders and categorize your transactions so you can really grasp how much money you are spending at Norbucks each week/month/year.
Pros: twitter-friendly, online component, free
Cons: takes a while for your expenditures to upload to the website
For the calorie-counting health nut
Trying to figure out why last year’s jeans no longer fit? Tweetwhatyoueat.com is an online food diary that allows users to keep track of what they eat during a single day. The site will add up the number of calories consumed.
How it works: It works exclusively through Twitter, so you need an account. After signing up, simply send direct twitter messages to TWYE and the program will document everything you consume. No need to count calories on your fingers anymore!
Pros: online component, free
Cons: only works through twitter, you have to input the number of calories
For the trivia freak
An encyclopedia of knowledge only a text message away. Yes it‘s possible. ChaCha (24242) can answer nearly any question you ask. Having trouble with a physics problem? Ask ChaCha. Can’t decide what to be for Halloween? Ask ChaCha. And, if you want to be freaked out, you can even ask ChaCha about yourself. Simply ask ChaCha “Who is John Smith?” then wait and see what the ChaCha employees can uncover!
How it works: Simply text any question you have to the number 242242 (C-H-A-C-H-A) and you will have an answer within minutes.
Pros: free
Cons: limit on the number of questions you can ask (4 questions every 5 days), can be addicting