Your Connected Life: How to Make the Most of It

We're all connected, and today that means even more than it has in the past. Mobile, data, wireless, smart thermostats - it can seem as though every part of your life is connected. How do you get the most out of the Internet of Things? Here are some great tips and tricks to help you maximize your connectivity while still preventing information overload.

Your Connected Life: How to Make the Most of It

• There's an app for that. From bubble levels to speedometers and pulse meters to instant makeovers, there's an app for just about anything you could imagine these days. You can easily organize your life, set up reminders, pay your bills, manage your bank account and keep track of your fourth grader's school assignments remotely, making it much easier to stay on top of things and much harder to lose a vital planner or set of notes, because many apps backup information to the cloud. By shopping smart, you can get a TV, thermostat, ceiling fan or refrigerator that you can control or link to your smartphone, tablet or other mobile device.

• Embrace minimalism. Cutting clutter from your life can make a big difference, from less time spent cleaning to a more peaceful environment at home or in the office. Digital media, such as music, books and games, helps to cut the clutter at home by keeping all your favorites close at hand, whether you're lounging in the backyard or halfway around the world. Try to find apps that take care of multiple areas of your life, such as Evernote's ability to deal with organizing finances, business notes, doctor's appointments and your favorite vacation photos.

• Enjoying your connected home. Keep an eye out for items that allow you to connect your home and make it  more convenient. Smart thermostats are one hot option and a step above the programmable thermostats of the past in that they learn from your behavior, cranking up the air when you get home from your hot yoga class on Thursday evenings. Refrigerators have touch screen displays that allow you to access favorite recipes or look up new culinary delights. Have frequent guests from out of town? Install an outdoor light fixture that lets you turn it on when work runs late or a lock set that lets you open the front door remotely when your college-age daughter locks herself out of the house at midnight - again.

• Dealing with information overload. Remember, a connected life is meant to make your life easier, so if you think an improvement will give you too much to keep up with, you may want to think twice before investing in it. If you have an app that you only use to keep up with March Madness, give yourself permission to ignore it the rest of the year. Stressing over how much energy your furnace or air conditioner is using? Turn off the automated feed and know that you're already saving energy by having it in place. Just because the information is available doesn't mean you have to look at it.

• Get into gadgets. Much like apps, there's a gadget for everything these days as well. From Inspector Gadget glove phones to Fitbit bracelets that track your sleep and exercise, the range of gadgets available to take your connected life further can either improve your lifestyle or clutter it up. Stick to gadgets that meet your needs or fill a void in your life, and make sure to look at reviews before sinking money into tech that may be more trouble than it's worth.