Time for a Digital Spring Clean: Declutter Your Devices and Save Money

Spring is in the air in New Zealand! While many of us are thinking about cleaning out the garage or tidying up the garden, have you ever thought about spring cleaning your digital life?

Over the year, our digital spaces—our laptops, phones, and online accounts—can get just as cluttered as our homes. This digital mess can slow down your devices, cost you money you didn't know you were spending, and even pose a security risk.

But don't worry! The I.T. Bear is here with a simple checklist to help you tidy up your tech, making it run smoother, safer, and more efficiently.

1. Tackle the Subscription Jungle

Do you know exactly how much you're spending on streaming services and subscriptions each month? Netflix, Neon, Disney+, Spotify, Apple Music, various app subscriptions... it all adds up!

• Your Action Plan: Go through your bank or credit card statements from the last two months. Make a list of all the recurring payments. Ask yourself: "Do I still use this? Do I still need it?" You might be surprised to find a subscription you'd completely forgotten about.

• The Benefit: Cancelling just one or two unused services can easily save you over $200 a year!

2. Clean Out Your Digital Attic (Photos & Files)

Is your phone constantly telling you "Storage Full"? A device that's packed to the brim runs slowly and can't perform updates, which are crucial for security.

• Your Action Plan: Go through the photos and videos on your phone. Delete duplicates, blurry shots, and screenshots you no longer need. For the keepers, use services like Google Photos or Apple iCloud to back them up to the cloud, which frees up space on your device. Do the same for the "Downloads" folder on your computer—it's often a dumping ground for files you only needed once.

• The Benefit: A faster phone and computer, with all your precious memories safely backed up.

3. A Quick Security Sweep

A cluttered digital life can also be an insecure one. Now is the perfect time to strengthen your defences.

• Your Action Plan:

• Passwords: If you use the same password for multiple websites, it's time for a change. Consider using a password manager to create and store strong, unique passwords for you.

• App Permissions: Check which apps on your phone have access to your location, camera, and microphone. If a game or simple utility app doesn't need that access, turn it off in your phone's settings.

• Updates: Make sure your phone, computer, and apps are all up to date. These updates often contain vital security patches.

• The Benefit: Peace of mind knowing your personal information is better protected from online threats.

Feeling Overwhelmed? The I.T. Bear is Here to Help!

We get it. Life is busy, and finding the time to do all this can be tricky. If the thought of tackling this digital declutter feels like too big a job, The I.T. Bear can do the hard work for you.

With our friendly Bear Support service, we can:

• Sit down with you and review all your subscriptions to find real savings.

• Help you back up your photos and clear out old files to speed up your devices.

• Guide you through setting up a password manager and securing your online accounts.

Don't let digital clutter slow you down. Contact The I.T. Bear today, and let's get your digital life sparkling clean for spring!