Convenient Gadget Alternatives for Carefree Summertime Fun

With summertime comes a variety of outdoor activities. Cookouts, trips the beach, bike rides, or simply hanging out in the backyard by the pool are some of the things that fill many of our weekends and vacation time. While fun in the sun is usually a main objective, portable entertainment and convenience is also a must. Here are some great low- cost portable solutions that are meant for convenience, and won't have us worrying about our wallets while enjoying good times.

While there is actually a small percentage of the population that refuses to own one, everyone else carries a mobile phone. Many of those phones being carried around are expensive smartphones, most without any form of replacement insurance. Rather than worrying about the elements possibly creeping their way into our phones by any means possible, consider carrying a cheap pre-paid or pay as you go mobile phone, specifically for those trips to the beach, deep sea fishing excursions, or hikes in the woods. But what about your phone number? Everyone knows your current phone number. With some call forwarding magic, your same number or even a new number through a service such as Google Voice, will have your play phone seamlessly ringing as if it were your real phone.

Social networking has proven that pictures are more important than ever. Whether it is our phone's internal camera, or a digital camera we coughed up a few hundred dollars for, it may not be the device we want to leave hidden in our shoe while taking a dip at the beach. There are many ways to take great digital pictures without risking a new scratch or some water damage to our favorite picture taking device. Close-out models are one way to go. We all know that what was popular and expensive yesterday isn't today. An even lower cost solution is considering a disposable camera. A what? Yes, they are still popular, even today. Offerings from both Kodak and Fuji for example, fall under 10 dollars, take great pictures, and are waterproof up to 50 feet. Great digital shots can be had with these cameras, while your real investment takes a break waiting for safer action in the glove compartment.

Can't go a day without your music collection? Don't want that expensive iPod absorbing some sun and salt while spending the day at the beach? Try a knock-off. Many reliable MP3 players come at the fraction the cost of the "must have" devices. Ok, so maybe they don't display album art or lyrics, but that shouldn't be much of concern while trying to acquire a tan. MP3 CD players are another solution. Yes, they still make these. Some of the very first portable CD players on the market were a few hundred dollars. Today for under $20, there are players that will play hundreds of songs off your custom made MP3 CD.