Gas Prices are on the rise. War looms overseas. Politics is abuzz non-stop, and everything is getting more expensive. We’re on our phones and laptops constantly, so let’s fix a few things, shall we? I’ll be discussing things when it comes to iPhone and the Windows operating system. (Thar’s what I use)

Notifications

Peace of mind is just a button press away. You don’t NEED to check your phone that often, so let’s talk about it.

- iOS: Settings – Notifications

Display As: Stack

Notification style:
- I’ll list a few things I’ve changed to give you the mindset I have. This depends on each person’s use case.

a. Amazon: Off (I rarely get packages)

b. Discord: Off (I game on my computer and I’ll check as need be)

c. Facebook: Off (That family notification isn’t time sensitive. It can wait.)

d. Google Maps: Off (If I use it, it remains on-screen for directions anyways)

e. Instagram: On (but sound off)

f. Messages: On (all on)

g. Messenger (FB): On (but sound off)

h. TikTok: Off (There’s nothing time sensitive there)

i. Venmo/Cash App/Zelle: On (but sound off, I only need to know when I’m getting paid)

Having the notification show up on your phone is one thing, having it emit a sound or vibration for someone posting a meme on IG is unnecessary. Shut that off, you’ll see it when you see it.

On Desktop, different story. Go to Windows – System – Notifications. Ask yourself: “Is this typically associated with something time sensitive?” If the answer is no, shut that shit off.

On the Web (Desktop), I want you to go an download this add-on/extension:

Firefox: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-CA/firefox/addon/ublock-origin/
Chrome/Edge/Brave: https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/ublock-origin-lite/ddkjiahejlhfcafbddmgiahcphecmpfh?hl=en&pli=1

That is THE Ad-Blocker to have. End of story. Period. There is nothing better. It’s an Open Source project on Github (anyone can check the code to make sure there isn’t anything malicious) and it’s updated and maintained by volunteers. This add-on/extension is recommended by tons and tons of people and rightfully so. Go and uninstall any other ad blocker you have. This is considered the GOAT. You’re welcome in advance.

Next, also for Desktop download this extension/add-on:
Chrome/Edge/Brave/Firefox: https://socialfixer.com/download.html

This extension literally adjusts Facebook in so many different ways, I find it practically perfect. Right now, I have my feed set up to strictly show me my Friends, “People who I may know”, and certain groups I’m a part of on FB. That’s it.

You can also:
               1. Hide posts that contain certain keywords or phrases
               2. Hide Sponsored Posts
               3. Hide Suggested Posts
               4. Hide “Shared Memories”
               5. Hide Spoilers
               6. Hide Stories
               7. Hide Reels
               8. Hide “Related” Stories and Pages

Next Download is this (Desktop): https://sponsor.ajay.app/

A big YT channel just posted a new video? And now you’re annoyed by the paid sponsored AD in the middle of it? It’ll automatically block it. Enjoy. Oh and the regular YT ads are also blocked thanks to UBlock Origin earlier. You’re welcome.

Last Extension: https://github.com/aymyo/antigram-extension

Scroll down on the site and there will be a Chrome extension link. Also, just take the name of the extension and you’ll find it for Firefox too. This can hide sections for Instagram on the desktop, mainly removing the “suggested” posts and providing a following feed instead of a “for you” feed. A no BS feed where you can only see the people you follow.

Storage

Go to my previous blog post about Camera settings. Stop wasting storage space, but I got more info for you.

- iOS: Settings – General – iPhone Storage

o There’s a recommendations section. One of them probably involves adjusting photo storage size. Just keep it normally and manually go through it. It’s not worth.

o Review Large Attachments: Check your attachments from Messages app. Don’t care about the attachment? Just get rid of it. Don’t overthink it.

o iOS also tells you the last time you used an app. If it’s been 6 months or more. Just get rid of it. You’re not using it. Lastly, If it doesn’t show a date, it’s been quite a while. If you’re not sure if you need it. Just swipe to the left on the app on the list and hit offload. It keep the settings of the app but the app is uninstalled. If you really need it just re-install.

o If there’s an iOS update waiting, install it. It’s taking up space waiting to be installed.

- WhatsApp, within the app has a storage section. Be sure to check that. Other apps potentially have storage sections. Mostly social media and media related apps.

- Photos App, there’s a Utilities section and check out Duplicates. Just hit select and merge all. Save that space.

- Photographers: I’m gonna say this once. You do not need to keep every single RAW image. I have albums of maybe 250 images max from previous events. Use your storage space for future events. You are truly not often going through old albums and referring back to previous images.