1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:01,740 Ralph: So here's the question for today. 2 00:00:02,160 --> 00:00:05,040 Do you ever get overwhelmed by clutter? 3 00:00:05,340 --> 00:00:08,100 Even in your digital, online world. 4 00:00:08,520 --> 00:00:13,230 Are you desperate for some digital organization, amidst information overload. 5 00:00:13,860 --> 00:00:16,680 If you're like me friends, you know, it feels like overload most days. 6 00:00:17,160 --> 00:00:22,049 Well, my friend you've come to the right place because that's exactly what we're going to talk about on today's show. 7 00:00:23,830 --> 00:00:42,930 Intro: Welcome to the Ask Ralph Podcast, where listening to an experienced financial professional with over 30 years of experience can help you make sense of confusing questions, current headlines, and industry trends about taxes, small business, financial decision making, investment strategies, and even the art of proper budgeting. 8 00:00:43,230 --> 00:00:50,019 Ask Ralph makes the complex simple by sharing his real world knowledge from a Christian perspective with all things financial. 9 00:00:50,260 --> 00:00:52,809 Now here's your host, Ralph Estep, Jr. 10 00:00:54,502 --> 00:00:56,602 Ralph: Welcome to our technology Tuesday show. 11 00:00:56,602 --> 00:00:58,012 I'm so glad you chose to join us. 12 00:00:58,312 --> 00:01:06,442 I just want to thank you for listening and more importantly, supporting the program I'm coming to this morning from the Estep farm in a beautiful Saggio accounting studio. 13 00:01:06,772 --> 00:01:10,462 So let me put on my podcaster hat put down those overalls. 14 00:01:10,462 --> 00:01:10,762 Yes. 15 00:01:10,762 --> 00:01:15,022 I wear overalls when I'm working on the farm and push that adding machine. 16 00:01:15,172 --> 00:01:15,472 Yes. 17 00:01:15,472 --> 00:01:17,392 Because all accountants use adding machines. 18 00:01:17,722 --> 00:01:21,172 And let's get to some financial wisdom from a Christian perspective. 19 00:01:21,692 --> 00:01:25,352 Before I get started, don't forget to subscribe to the show and join our email list. 20 00:01:25,592 --> 00:01:30,242 You do that at askralphpodcast.com . So you don't miss tomorrow show tomorrow. 21 00:01:30,242 --> 00:01:31,682 We're going to have a great discussion. 22 00:01:31,682 --> 00:01:33,632 We're going to talk about money saving tips. 23 00:01:33,872 --> 00:01:35,432 When you go to the grocery store. 24 00:01:35,822 --> 00:01:36,842 This is a tough time. 25 00:01:36,842 --> 00:01:41,642 We're all dealing with, with inflation so we can all benefit some great money saving ideas. 26 00:01:41,972 --> 00:01:45,962 I posted this question to our Facebook group and I got some fantastic answers. 27 00:01:46,232 --> 00:01:47,402 Which we're going to share tomorrow. 28 00:01:47,762 --> 00:01:50,912 We also just launched, like I talked about an insider's group on Facebook. 29 00:01:51,242 --> 00:01:55,322 We've got a lot of conversation going on out there and encourage each of our listeners to join the group. 30 00:01:55,892 --> 00:01:58,502 It's a great place to continue conversations from the show. 31 00:01:58,532 --> 00:02:00,032 Share your ideas for the show. 32 00:02:00,242 --> 00:02:05,702 Maybe you've got a question you want me to talk about on the show, discuss your triumphs and talk about your challenges. 33 00:02:05,702 --> 00:02:06,362 There'll be a link. 34 00:02:06,692 --> 00:02:08,642 To the Facebook group in the show notes. 35 00:02:09,062 --> 00:02:12,932 I don't know about you, but I often feel buried under an avalanche of digital clutter. 36 00:02:13,322 --> 00:02:20,792 Thousands of unread emails unused smartphone apps and enough browser tabs to make my head spin research shows. 37 00:02:20,792 --> 00:02:24,302 The average person spends over six hours a day. 38 00:02:24,632 --> 00:02:26,432 Consuming digital media. 39 00:02:26,852 --> 00:02:27,272 Wow. 40 00:02:27,302 --> 00:02:28,532 I didn't realize it was that high. 41 00:02:29,192 --> 00:02:29,972 But those are facts. 42 00:02:29,972 --> 00:02:30,512 Folks. 43 00:02:30,902 --> 00:02:32,612 What all that screen time is no wonder. 44 00:02:32,612 --> 00:02:37,652 Many of us suffer from information overload and even tech burnout. 45 00:02:38,162 --> 00:02:39,332 The good news is this though. 46 00:02:39,692 --> 00:02:43,112 By following a few simple decluttering steps, which we're going to handle today. 47 00:02:43,412 --> 00:02:46,682 You can reclaim your control over your digital space. 48 00:02:47,072 --> 00:02:53,342 This will create room for you to focus on what really matters rather than getting distracted by superficial content. 49 00:02:53,852 --> 00:02:55,322 My aim today is pretty simple. 50 00:02:55,592 --> 00:03:01,952 I'm going to offer you some practical tips to declutter your devices, your accounts, and your online habits. 51 00:03:02,222 --> 00:03:07,532 I'm even going to share some personal experiences, both my victories and my failures along the way. 52 00:03:08,222 --> 00:03:10,502 Well, let's get started with today's Bible verse. 53 00:03:10,502 --> 00:03:13,922 It comes to us from the book of Matthew chapter six, verse 21. 54 00:03:14,282 --> 00:03:17,402 And it says this for where your treasure is there. 55 00:03:17,402 --> 00:03:19,172 Your heart will be also. 56 00:03:19,742 --> 00:03:24,332 As Christians, we know our focus should be on heavenly treasures rather than earthly possessions. 57 00:03:24,692 --> 00:03:25,802 It's kind of a no brainer. 58 00:03:26,342 --> 00:03:28,832 The same concept applies to our digital spaces. 59 00:03:29,492 --> 00:03:35,612 What are we really treasuring when we compulsively scroll through social media or mindlessly, download more content. 60 00:03:36,212 --> 00:03:40,622 It's time for some self-examination and some simplification today, folks. 61 00:03:41,252 --> 00:03:44,222 Let's kick things off with a good old fashioned assessment. 62 00:03:45,002 --> 00:03:49,262 I believe that the best way to handle a situation is to make an honest assessment. 63 00:03:49,459 --> 00:03:54,439 So grab a notebook and pen and take five to 10 minutes scanning each device and account you regularly use. 64 00:03:54,769 --> 00:03:58,519 You want to jot down anything causing frustration, such as glitchy apps. 65 00:03:58,519 --> 00:04:01,279 You know, if you've got an app that's annoying, you write it down. 66 00:04:01,459 --> 00:04:06,199 Unused subscriptions, bloated photo albums and spammy email lists. 67 00:04:06,499 --> 00:04:09,049 Resist the urge to go down any digital rabbit holes here. 68 00:04:09,049 --> 00:04:11,569 This is just a high level scan and assessment. 69 00:04:12,169 --> 00:04:22,519 Once your assessments, complete prayerfully, review your notes, ask God what areas of digital clutter are distracting me or preventing me from living purposely listen for his wisdom. 70 00:04:22,849 --> 00:04:24,769 Then make a decluttering game plan. 71 00:04:24,769 --> 00:04:25,099 That's right. 72 00:04:25,129 --> 00:04:29,629 We're going to talk about making a de-cluttering game plan based on what he reveals. 73 00:04:30,109 --> 00:04:35,359 For me, God highlighted how much time I was wasting mindlessly scrolling, social media and newsfeeds. 74 00:04:35,839 --> 00:04:38,659 I realized I was filled with anxiety over world events. 75 00:04:38,689 --> 00:04:40,189 I truly couldn't control. 76 00:04:40,519 --> 00:04:44,329 Rather than focus on making a kingdom impact right here, where I was planted. 77 00:04:44,929 --> 00:04:50,029 So I knew deep down decreasing social media usage needed to be part of my declutter plan. 78 00:04:50,629 --> 00:04:54,649 Ask God to show you any misplaced priorities or toxic thought patterns. 79 00:04:54,989 --> 00:05:00,319 Enabled by this digital clutter it's coming at us from all directions, but now it's time to get to work. 80 00:05:00,709 --> 00:05:04,369 So I suggest tackling one device or account per day over the course of a week. 81 00:05:04,489 --> 00:05:07,549 For example, start with your smartphone on day one. 82 00:05:07,989 --> 00:05:14,239 Move to cloud storage day to hit up your email box and day three and so forth this way you take it one step at a time. 83 00:05:14,659 --> 00:05:17,569 So here are some powerful tips to guide the process. 84 00:05:17,569 --> 00:05:18,649 I'm going to give you five of them. 85 00:05:18,979 --> 00:05:19,729 Number one. 86 00:05:20,119 --> 00:05:22,519 Delete any unused apps and accounts. 87 00:05:22,909 --> 00:05:26,659 Most of us have signed up for many more services than we actually use. 88 00:05:27,049 --> 00:05:31,639 Eliminate what's unnecessary to simplify your login management and increase security. 89 00:05:31,909 --> 00:05:34,819 If you're not using an app or you're not using an account. 90 00:05:35,059 --> 00:05:39,649 Delete it it's going to help you declutter your life and it's going to improve your security. 91 00:05:39,649 --> 00:05:40,309 Number two. 92 00:05:41,019 --> 00:05:43,369 Unsubscribe from email list, not serving you. 93 00:05:43,939 --> 00:05:49,519 Even if you glance at a store's promotions once a year, is it worth being in your inbox, clutter? 94 00:05:49,909 --> 00:05:59,089 Use the unsubscribe link at the bottom of the email, or use a service like unroll.me that's unroll.me to efficiently remove yourself. 95 00:05:59,479 --> 00:06:03,019 Many of the email clients have a building link for this. 96 00:06:03,379 --> 00:06:07,909 But if you're not using the email, why bother getting it in the first place? 97 00:06:08,149 --> 00:06:08,959 Number three. 98 00:06:09,289 --> 00:06:15,439 Organize your files and photos dig into those chaotic folders, filled with screenshots and documents. 99 00:06:15,769 --> 00:06:17,209 I did this yesterday on my Mac. 100 00:06:17,209 --> 00:06:19,309 I couldn't believe how much garbage I had out there. 101 00:06:19,759 --> 00:06:21,049 Create a folder structure. 102 00:06:21,049 --> 00:06:23,989 That makes sense by topic by date or by tags. 103 00:06:24,379 --> 00:06:26,449 While you're organizing photos, delete blurry. 104 00:06:26,449 --> 00:06:27,249 Pictures or shot. 105 00:06:27,249 --> 00:06:30,079 You never refer back to in preparing for the show. 106 00:06:30,079 --> 00:06:34,429 I looked at my iPhone and I realized I have close to 20,000 photos on my iPhone. 107 00:06:34,849 --> 00:06:37,399 Clearly I need to do some decluttering, work myself. 108 00:06:37,699 --> 00:06:43,999 Number four, modify social media use for me that meant removing Facebook and Twitter apps from my phone. 109 00:06:43,999 --> 00:06:45,619 Well, at least that's what I'm going to tell you. 110 00:06:45,619 --> 00:06:51,559 I did, but I really have been limiting a log ins to once a day and hiding, not essential feeds on LinkedIn. 111 00:06:52,069 --> 00:06:58,819 You could consider an app like freedom, that block sites during work as folk times, these are a distraction. 112 00:06:59,099 --> 00:07:01,349 these are a huge distraction. 113 00:07:02,009 --> 00:07:05,399 You need to eliminate them or at least limit how much time you're using have a 114 00:07:05,399 --> 00:07:06,149 number five. 115 00:07:06,599 --> 00:07:13,799 Automate your log-ins when possible enable auto sign-in of safe sites rather than manually entering passwords each visit. 116 00:07:14,219 --> 00:07:18,089 Use a password manager, like last pass, to simplify password creation and storage. 117 00:07:18,419 --> 00:07:18,749 I did a. 118 00:07:19,049 --> 00:07:20,729 Show about a week ago on that. 119 00:07:21,149 --> 00:07:26,969 You may want to go back and check that out because I really feel like this is a great way to declutter and give yourself more time. 120 00:07:27,455 --> 00:07:30,215 If that list seems overwhelming, just tackle one step per day. 121 00:07:30,545 --> 00:07:32,855 You don't have to do this all at once. 122 00:07:33,155 --> 00:07:36,155 The truth is folks tiny progress is still progress. 123 00:07:36,155 --> 00:07:37,205 You're moving forward. 124 00:07:37,685 --> 00:07:42,575 Saving a few minutes daily through these efforts quickly adds up to hours reclaimed over a month. 125 00:07:43,115 --> 00:07:53,255 And don't just stop after a single week set reminders on your calendar, revisit device and account organization monthly, because guess what folks you're probably going to go back to those old habits. 126 00:07:53,255 --> 00:07:54,875 Again, just like your physical space. 127 00:07:55,175 --> 00:07:58,445 Your digital zone requires maintenance to prevent new clutter. 128 00:07:58,745 --> 00:08:00,035 Stay on top of it. 129 00:08:00,305 --> 00:08:02,435 And soon minimalist habits will form. 130 00:08:02,645 --> 00:08:05,375 You're going to find it out, you don't need as much clutter in your life. 131 00:08:05,665 --> 00:08:07,535 Now I'll share a funny story from a listener. 132 00:08:07,835 --> 00:08:13,385 He commented recently visited his doctor, which reminded him that no one is immune to digital disorder. 133 00:08:14,045 --> 00:08:21,935 After the normal doctor talk, his doctor confided his desktop PC was riddled with so many disorganized patient files and medical study PDFs. 134 00:08:22,265 --> 00:08:27,335 That it crashed frequently as a physician, staying organized is critical for patient care. 135 00:08:27,335 --> 00:08:30,515 So technology chaos was impeding his work. 136 00:08:30,875 --> 00:08:34,795 He said that since he knows computers, the doctor asked him to take a look at it some time. 137 00:08:35,285 --> 00:08:36,605 He was surprised. 138 00:08:36,905 --> 00:08:41,495 A brilliant doctor lacked a basic digital skills like using the computer file Explorer. 139 00:08:41,825 --> 00:08:47,705 So the next week, he sat with him and showed him how to create a folder system for different patient types and topics. 140 00:08:48,125 --> 00:08:53,945 They went through and deleted unnecessary downloads that were choking memory and backups of files already saved in the cloud. 141 00:08:54,465 --> 00:08:55,865 In just an hour. 142 00:08:56,165 --> 00:09:05,615 They transformed that mess into a streamlined system that significantly improved functionality, but most importantly, it reduced the doctor's daily frustration. 143 00:09:05,615 --> 00:09:10,355 So he can devote mental energy to medicine rather than those computer crashes. 144 00:09:10,435 --> 00:09:12,055 His patient notes to improve. 145 00:09:12,115 --> 00:09:13,945 Thanks to tidy digital hygiene. 146 00:09:14,695 --> 00:09:16,045 After de-cluttering his device. 147 00:09:16,045 --> 00:09:19,015 He took the doctor through setting up automated cloud backups. 148 00:09:19,345 --> 00:09:21,445 And password management tools as well. 149 00:09:21,775 --> 00:09:26,065 Now the doctor's file stay organized automatically and log-ins are hassle-free. 150 00:09:26,515 --> 00:09:30,655 Talk about a digital miracle, almost like a digital makeover. 151 00:09:31,495 --> 00:09:33,325 And I just want to say thank you for sharing that story. 152 00:09:33,325 --> 00:09:35,065 It's exactly what I'm talking about today. 153 00:09:35,095 --> 00:09:35,785 So friends. 154 00:09:36,385 --> 00:09:39,445 Even if a busy doctor required a digital detox. 155 00:09:39,805 --> 00:09:41,965 Where might simplification boost your days? 156 00:09:42,455 --> 00:09:48,835 Consider it an act of stewardship before God to use technology wisely and avoid that information overload. 157 00:09:48,985 --> 00:09:58,045 We are getting information from 12 different directions all the time, and we've got to be good stewards of our resources and that's our personal space and our personal time. 158 00:09:58,375 --> 00:10:00,025 And figure out how to declutter our lives. 159 00:10:00,415 --> 00:10:01,525 So I'm going to leave you with this. 160 00:10:01,525 --> 00:10:05,905 Be sure to visit our podcast page at askralphpodcast.com for more tech insights. 161 00:10:06,295 --> 00:10:09,925 Plus, I've got some great money and lifestyle advice from a biblical perspective. 162 00:10:10,285 --> 00:10:17,845 If you didn't know this, we've got over 400 episodes with wisdom to help you honor God in your personal and your professional pursuits. 163 00:10:18,175 --> 00:10:19,555 Also, please do me a favor. 164 00:10:19,945 --> 00:10:25,255 You can do that by rating and sharing this episode with anyone who might benefit from these digital organizing tips. 165 00:10:25,615 --> 00:10:31,555 The truth is this word of mouth is the best way for content creators like me to reach more people with our message. 166 00:10:31,795 --> 00:10:33,415 So I truly appreciate your help. 167 00:10:33,685 --> 00:10:36,445 Tell one or two people about it and let's watch it grow. 168 00:10:36,805 --> 00:10:41,695 So as I always say, let's stay savvy out there as we steward our finances and devices for the Lord. 169 00:10:42,145 --> 00:10:43,915 Here's to less digital clutter. 170 00:10:44,215 --> 00:10:46,315 And more focus on the things above. 171 00:10:46,615 --> 00:10:47,215 God bless you. 172 00:10:47,215 --> 00:10:48,925 Richly my friends have a great day. 173 00:10:50,625 --> 00:10:53,475 Outro: Thank you for joining us on the AskRalph podcast. 174 00:10:53,605 --> 00:10:57,245 And with a simple click to subscribe, we'll invite you back to our next episode. 175 00:10:57,425 --> 00:11:00,495 And remember, financial issues don't have to be complicated. 176 00:11:00,795 --> 00:11:01,835 Just AskRalph. 177 00:11:02,255 --> 00:11:07,865 The information contained in this episode of AskRalph is based on data available as of the date of its release. 178 00:11:07,925 --> 00:11:10,835 Sagio Accounting Plus and AskRalph Media Inc. 179 00:11:10,995 --> 00:11:14,345 is under no obligation to update this content if changes occur. 180 00:11:14,435 --> 00:11:25,085 Applying this information to your specific situation requires careful consideration of all facts and circumstances, and any information provided is not to be considered as financial, tax, or legal advice. 181 00:11:25,225 --> 00:11:29,175 Please consult your tax advisor or attorney before acting on any material covered.