October 1, 2026Consider a Backup Phone When You Travel
As I learned during my recent trip, a broken phone can bring your travel plans to a halt. Things you take for granted, like sending texts, taking photos, viewing maps, and requesting rides, suddenly become impossible. When you're traveling and absolutely need a connection, a backup phone can be well worth the small investment.
You don't need another flagship smartphone. An inexpensive unlocked phone — or an older phone you already own — can handle calls, messages, maps, and ride-sharing apps. Before leaving, charge the backup phone, update its software, and sign in to the essential apps so it's ready to go in a pinch.
Most importantly, your backup phone needs to be able to get online. If it doesn't have its own cellular service plan, you'll need Wi-Fi when your primary phone is unavailable. For a more dependable fallback, consider a low-cost prepaid plan that works where you're going. A data-only travel eSIM can provide Internet access on a compatible phone, but it won't receive ordinary calls or verification texts sent to your primary number.
2026
| September | Think Before You Prompt |
| August | Keep Some Disk Space Free |
| July | Keep Your Laptop Cool |
| June | Don't Get Fooled By AI Fakes |
| May | Create A Legacy Contact |
| April | Review Startup Apps on Your PC |
| March | Check Your Power Adapter's Voltage |
| February | Use Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) |
| January | Try an Adjustable Desk |
2025
| December | Check Your AI Sources |
| November | Share Your Website Feedback |
| October | Use the Notes App on Your Smartphone |
| September | Stay Organized by Starting Small |
| August | Remove Unused Applications |
| July | Bring a Portable Charger When You Travel |
| June | Check the Speed of Your Ethernet Cable |
| May | Use a Wired Connection |
| April | Review Your Backup Strategy |
| March | Be Careful What You Screen Share |
| February | Call Twice to Bypass Do Not Disturb |
| January | Update Your Passwords |
2024
| December | Leave Your Phone Behind |
| November | Pack USB Adapters When You Travel |
| October | Use Dictation on Your PC |
| September | Don't Share PII with LLMs |
| August | Monitor Your Screen Time |
| July | Compress Your Backups to Save Disk Space |
| June | Don't Use an Ad Blocker |
| May | Use Your Phone to Charge Your Devices |
| April | Empty Your Trash or Recycle Bin (Automatically) |
| March | Customize Your Workspace Lighting |
| February | Hold Your Phone with Each Hand |
| January | Check Your Spam Folder Once a Month |
2023
| December | Try a Smart Doorbell |
| November | Use a Silent Mode Backup |
| October | Know the Difference Between Bytes and Bits |
| September | Check Your Internet Speed |
| August | Regularly Restart Your Computer |
| July | Scan Your Documents and Receipts |
| June | Try a Hard Mouse Mat |
| May | Use a Mouse Wrist Rest |
| April | Use an External Microphone |
| March | Give Your Speakers Time to Break In |
| February | Search to Open an App |
| January | Choose an SSD instead of an HDD |
2022
| December | Wait to Enter Your Email Address |
| November | Cancel Your Subscription Immediately |
| October | Email Files as Compressed Archives |
| September | Clean Out Your Downloads Folder |
| August | Perfect Punctuation is Not Necessary |
| July | Clean Out Your PC |
| June | Choose the Best Video Orientation |
| May | Take Digital Call Logs |
| April | Choose a Good Email Subject |
| March | Turn Off Your Smartphone Camera |
| February | Remove Tracking Parameters from URLs |
| January | Exercise More at Work |
2021
| December | Turn Off "Do Not Track" |
| November | Reduce Screen Glare |
| October | Lower Your Hands for Correct Typing Posture |
| September | Test Your Audio Before the Call |
| August | Use Multiple Browsers |
| July | Block Spam Calls on Your Smartphone |
| June | Wash Your Hands Before You Type |
| May | Fix Bright Spots on a Flatscreen Display |
| April | Wait to Upgrade (Your Hardware) |
| March | Use Your Smart TV Apps |
| February | Organize Your Photos Monthly |
| January | Use Online and Offline Backups |
2020
| December | Try Third-Party Peripherals |
| November | Change Your Scenery |
| October | Use a Power Conditioner |
| September | Select Text Using Keyboard Shortcuts |
| August | Verify Secure Websites |
| July | Begin Emails with a Name |
| June | Send Text Messages From Your Computer |
| May | Top 10 Tips for Better Video Conferencing |
| April | Add a New Line in a Message |
| March | Don't Skimp on Your Internet Connection |
| February | Try HiDPI |
| January | Perform Monthly File Maintenance |
2019
| December | Detect Fake Emails |
| November | Use LED Lighting |
| October | Use a Generic Name for Your Home Network |
| September | Keep Your Workspace Active |
| August | Drive Handsfree |
| July | The #1 Tip for Choosing Good Speakers |
| June | Monitor Your Energy Usage |
| May | Use Multiple Chairs |
| April | Don't Pay the Ransom |
| March | Store Your Receipts Electronically |
| February | Learn How to Type Faster |
| January | Free Trial? Mark It On Your Calendar |
2018
| December | Try Dark Mode |
| November | Don't Upgrade |
| October | Clean Your (Physical) Desktop |
| September | Remember to Reload |
| August | Schedule a Monthly Recharge |
| July | Use Your Function Keys |
| June | Take a Social Media Hiatus |
| May | Use Secure Email |
| April | Don't Keep All Your Photos |
| March | Make Use of Travel Lock |
| February | Manage Your Cables |
| January | Back Up Your Backup |
2017
| December | Navigate With Your Keyboard |
| November | Keep Your Files Organized |
| October | Record Call Logs |
| September | How To Use Cellular Data Internationally |
| August | Protect Your Ears |
| July | Let Electronics Dry Before Using Them |
| June | Remember to Set Reminders |
| May | Limit Your Fonts and Colors |
| April | How To Quickly Select a Web Address |
| March | Remember to Right Click |
| February | Set Your Audio Output Level Correctly |
| January | Don't Change Your Password |
2016
| December | Use Speech Recognition |
| November | Don't Drop Your Phone |
| October | Try a Laser Printer |
| September | Get Rid of Audio Noise |
| August | Use Your Lighting Wisely |
| July | Keep Your Phone Cool |
| June | Forget That Network |
| May | Consolidate Your Questions |
| April | Format Email Addresses Correctly |
| March | Let Ink Dry Before Scanning |
| February | Don't Email Passwords |
| January | Get Organized (Electronically) |
2015
| December | Bank Electronically |
| November | Don't Skimp When Buying A Computer |
| October | Charge Consistently |
| September | Use Surge Protection |
| August | Don't Drive Distracted |
| July | Restart Your Voicemail Message |
| June | Text Using Two Hands |
| May | Try a New Keyboard |
| April | Go Paperless |
| March | Take Screenshots for Reference |
| February | Read Your Email Before Sending It |
| January | Back Up Your Data Online |
2014
| December | Put Your Phone Away |
| November | Use Two Mice |
| October | Double-Check Your Email Address |
| September | Check Your Sources |
| August | Taking Photos? Look Behind You |
| July | Traveling? Bring an Ethernet Cable |
| June | Think Before You Share |
| May | Clean Your Camera Lens |
| April | Know the Difference Between Login and Log In |
| March | Don't Share Your Password (With Anyone) |
| February | Don't Get Scammed |
| January | Navigate Your Computer With Your Keyboard |
2013
| December | Find the Best Wi-Fi Connection |
| November | Don't Just Sit There |
| October | Secure Your Wi-Fi Network |
| September | Record Video in Landscape Mode |
| August | Copy Form Data Before Submitting It |
| July | Use Multiple Monitors |
| June | Rest Your Wrists |
| May | Let Your Smartphone Sleep |
| April | Think Before You Post |
| March | Use Quotes in Your Search Queries |
| February | Clean Your Screen |
| January | Include Your Name in Your Email Address |
2012
| December | Post Proper Pictures on Facebook |
| November | Take a Mini Break |
| October | Wait to Upgrade |
| September | Use a Cell Phone Headset |
| August | Don't Spill Your Drink |
| July | Pack Extra Power When You Travel |
| June | Extend Your Battery Life |
| May | Add More Memory |
| April | Video Conference Professionally |
| March | Clean Up Your Desktop |
| February | Check Your Backup |
| January | Choose the Right Printer Paper |
2011
| December | Record Better Videos |
| November | Learn Your Keyboard Shortcuts |
| October | Find Content within a Webpage |
| September | Clean Your Computer |
| August | Organize Your Files by Date |
| July | Take Fewer Pictures |
| June | Take Better Pictures |
| May | Forward Email Properly |
| April | Lower Your Display Brightness |
| March | Let Your Computer Sleep |
| February | Back Up Your Power Supply |
| January | Back Up Your Data |
2010
| December | Manage Multiple Logins |
| November | Improve Your Posture |
