Keep a tight rein on mobile data usage

Ah, the blessings of mobile computing and data access. Modern technology has made the RV lifestyle so much easier, especially when looking for information. Where's the nearest dump station? How do you get to that special spot in the National Forest? What's the cheapest gas or diesel in 100 miles? The list goes on and on, and the happiness is great – until you get your data charges bill.

With the demise of "unlimited data" for mobile applications, you may have been one of the many whose been stung by data overage charges. Or perhaps you struggle every month, watching your data charges like a hawk, juggling your data-plan to meet your needs, then remembering to change it again at the end of the billing month. Or maybe you're like some who simply reach the 'limit' and go cold-turkey until the turn of the bill, simply refusing to use any data.

Here are a few tips to help you "ride herd" on your traveling data-eater devices.

Watch out for automatic updates:  If your device is "app heavy" you may find the amount of data sucked can get outrageous. Go in and switch off the automatic update feature for any app that you don't need the "latest and greatest" for. If your smart phone automatically pushes email to you, turn that off too, it'll keep your battery living longer, too. When you hit a wifi hotspot where you don't pay for data, then download the mail and update the apps.

Download when? The same trick applies to getting new apps, downloading music, and especially data-heavy videos. Do it when you're tied to your home wifi system. In an RV park? Remember, you're not the only one in the park, and consequently the network. Downloading necessary data is great, but try and get by without downloading huge files.

Streaming nightmares: We first learned about just how much data streaming takes when we happened upon an NPR streaming sight. In an area where the venerable radio broadcasts weren't available, we listened to our favorite shows for several hours. Next day, our carrier had throttled us (we were then using satellite Internet service) as we'd run way over our limit. Streaming really racks up the bandwidth.

Track your data: If your device doesn't already provide for it, get an app to help you monitor your usage. Look at it every day and play back in your mind what you used your device for. It'll help train you to be a bit conservative.

What else? Look out for apps that use location data, and run it in the background. Turn it off if you don't really need it.

Alternative browsers, like Opera Mini can operate more efficiently in a slow-data environment, and save on data usage, too.

If your device allows for it, set it to block pop-up windows and turn off image loading. If you need the image, fine, call for it.

Choose the "mobile" option on Internet sites, instead of the regular Internet feed. Yes, you get less in the way of big images and animated advertisements, but then, you're the one that's paying for all that extra "stuff."

Switch off cellular data on your smart phone when you're not using it. You can still get calls and text messages (unlike "airplane mode"), but if it will prevent any of your apps from doing a "sneaky" and using that precious bandwidth without your knowledge.