Our phones are practically an extension of our hands at this point.
We have everything on them.
Pictures, banking apps, calendars, notes…
And, of course, screenshots we took three years ago and have no idea why we still have.
I recently changed my phone, and transferring everything made me realize just how much of my life is stored on that tiny device.
But beyond the fun stuff, there are certain things I believe every woman should have saved on her phone because life has a way of asking you for information at the exact moment you don’t have access to it.
And sometimes, being prepared can save you stress, money, or even keep you safe.
Here are seven things worth having on your phone.
7 Things Every Woman Should Have Saved on Her Phone
1. Emergency Contacts
Your husband, mum, sister, best friend, or whoever you normally call in an emergency is probably already saved.
But that’s not enough.
You should have the numbers you might need when something goes wrong, for instance, your doctor, your children’s doctor if you’re a mum, your bank’s customer service or fraud line, your insurance company, roadside assistance, a trusted mechanic, your children’s school…
Because emergencies have terrible timing.
Your car will not politely break down at 11 a.m. beside your mechanic’s workshop.
No. It will choose 8:37 p.m., at an inconvenient time, and your battery is at 12%.
That’s not the time to start digging through old WhatsApp conversations to find someone’s number.
Save important contacts properly too.
Not “John.”
John who?
Save “John Mechanic.”
“ABC Bank – Fraud.”
Make life easy for your future panicking self.
2. Important Medical Information
This is one of those things you hope you never urgently need, but you should have it anyway.
Your basic medical information should be somewhere accessible on your phone.
Your blood type, if you know it.
Medication allergies, important medical conditions, medications you’re currently taking, and emergency contacts.
If your phone allows you to add emergency medical information accessible from the lock screen, set it up.
Because if you’re ever unable to speak for yourself, some information could be useful to the people trying to help you.
I also think it’s wise to keep your medications written down somewhere, especially if you take several.
And if you have health insurance, keep the important policy information somewhere secure and accessible too.
3. Important Financial Numbers
Please don’t read this and start saving your ATM PIN as MY ATM PIN!!! in your Notes app.
Your bank account numbers, passwords, PINs, security answers, and other sensitive login information should be protected properly, and other details you might need if your card or wallet gets stolen.
Because when something happens to your money, you want to move quickly.
You don’t want to discover that your card has been compromised and then spend thirty minutes trying to figure out how to contact your bank.
And while we’re here, learn how to freeze your cards from your banking apps if your bank offers that feature.
Hopefully, you’ll never need it.
But if you do, you’ll be glad you know exactly what to do.
4. Secure Copies of Important Documents
There are certain documents you don’t carry everywhere but are always asked for when you’re nowhere near home.
Your passport, driver’s license, insurance documents, vehicle information, birth certificates, marriage certificate, and children’s important records if you’re a parent.
I like having secure digital copies of important documents because you never know when you’ll need to quickly confirm some information.
But please notice the word secure.
Don’t dump every sensitive document into an unlocked photo album and call it preparedness.
Your phone can be lost or stolen too.
Use a strong passcode, biometrics, encrypted storage, or whatever secure document-storage option works for you.
5. A List of Your Wins and Accomplishments
Now, this one is completely different from the others, but I love it.
Keep receipts of your greatness.
Seriously.
Create a note or folder to save what you’ve accomplished.
Maybe a lovely email someone sent about your work, a project you’re proud of, a compliment that meant something to you, a difficult thing you did even though you were scared….
Human beings have very selective memories.
You can accomplish 15 amazing things and then make one mistake on Wednesday and suddenly decide you’re useless.
Go and check your records.
This is also useful professionally.
When it’s time to update your CV, negotiate your salary, apply for something, write your bio, or talk about your achievements, you won’t be sitting there trying to remember what you’ve done with your life.
And on the days when your confidence is somewhere in the gutter, it’s nice to have evidence that you’ve survived difficult things and done things you’re proud of before.
Sometimes, you need your own receipts.
6. Your Phone’s Safety Features
You carry this little device almost everywhere.
You might as well know how it can help you in an emergency.
Learn how your phone’s emergency SOS works and how to share your location with someone you trust when necessary.
This is very useful when you’re traveling alone, meeting someone new, or going somewhere unfamiliar.
I’m not saying everybody needs to know where you are every second of the day.
But there should be people in your life who can find you when it matters.
Your phone has hundreds of features you’ll probably never use.
At least learn the ones that might help you someday.
7. Proof of Major Purchases and Warranties
If you spend serious money on something, keep the receipt.
PCs, phone, jewelry, expensive handbag, appliances, etc.
Anything you may need to insure, return, repair, resell, or make a warranty claim on.
Take a picture of the receipt or save the digital copy.
Keep the warranty details.
If there’s a serial number, save that too.
Because that tiny piece of paper they give you at the shop has a special spiritual gift for disappearing the exact week you need it.
And proof of purchase is important if something gets stolen or damaged and you need to make an insurance claim.
Create a folder for major purchases and put everything there.
You don’t need to photograph the receipt for every piece of chewing gum you buy, but if replacing something would hurt your pocket, keep the evidence that you bought it.
Your phone shouldn’t only be where you keep cute pictures, social media apps, and 8,000 screenshots you’ll probably never look at again.
Let it make your life easier too.
The best time to organize important information is when everything is fine.
Not when you’re standing somewhere stressed, searching your phone and muttering, “I know I saved this thing somewhere…”