The alarming news was that my Google account storage hit 15G. I’m still uncertain why that was a trigger. But it was for this type A.
I have a funny relationship with my wallet. I’ll spend $2,500 on a killer chandelier or Prada purse, but I’ll ask for the discount. It wasn’t always that way, but I learned how to negotiate. It’s as simple as making the ask or conducting a Google account storage review.
Storage Wars
I was determined not to pay for backup storage, unlike the $100 monthly fee my husband thought was appropriate for IMHO dumb stuff at our Public Storage unit in downtown Seattle. The same place under video surveillance, keypad check-in, and nightly security checks allowed a thief to steal all our silver valued at $20K. Turns out the now convicted thief was a smart one renting a storage unit on our floor that allowed him to steal conveniently from all our units at his convenience. Unfortunately, we didn’t retrieve our silver nor receive any retribution. Since the high-value stuff is long gone, we’re now paying for a ton of books and kitchen stuff that is probably worth only $100. That’s what happens when you move from a 3-bedroom home with high square footage and a 3 bay garage to a 2-bed downtown Seattle condo. Stock tip, invest in storage companies because some people care to hold onto their stuff. Even if it’s not worth anything.
I segue back to my main point, my need to purge.
Innocently I checked the request to back up my phone photos earlier this year to the cloud on my Google phone. Anyone else have a Google phone? I shout the merits, but people hold on to the AT&T and Verizon wallet suckers. We have 2 phones with a Gig of storage and unlimited messaging for $55/month with no usurious LD charges for global travel. Now I realize the backup photo storage plan was a brilliant scheme by Google to max out my storage space. Why? To lure me into opening my wallet to purchase monthly storage.
I’m not cheap, but I know about cost containment. Instead of shelling out $20/year for a supersize 100G account, I figured I should investigate my storage culprits.
Digital Cleanse
It was a combo of those dang phone cloud photos, and 9K gmails featuring picture and video attachments from well-meaning friends. So, what did I do for the past 2 days? I went on an editing diet. Let’s say I’m slimmer in data down to 9G of storage. If it was only that easy to lose weight with delete keys. Someone should create an app for that.
How did I manage the process? I, of course, Googled it. The G is a central theme in my life, from waking me up in the morning to telling me answers to my random daily queries and playing my music.
You can search by typing “before: 2019” (or any other year) for gmails. Once you see the results, you can check the “all” box and the trash can icon to purge. I went from 9K to 2K.
Then within Google storage settings, they have several categories to consider. My Google photos are the main culprit. The storage view offers a glimpse at large-size photos/videos that you can trash. I created folders for unique items to download to my PC and reminisced on trips to Croatia, France, Spain, Mexico, and staycations in Seattle and Austin. Then went on the elimination diet. I almost lost 50% weight going from 15G to 9G. Oh, it feels good! Ready for the beach.
Next came Google drive, whereby I reviewed every file in Docs and Sheets. Another cleansing took place. I’m now looking at 8G.
Spring cleaning and cost savings, clean up your digital junk drawer. Please do it!
