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    8 Aha! uses for your camera phone

    By | Work + Money – Tue, Aug 30, 2011 7:05 PM EDT

    From developing a photographic memory to solving "Mommy, I'm bored!" situations, that tiny lens can make life easier in a snap!

    1. CHECK YOUR LOOK
    When you don't have a mirror handy, click your own image to scan your teeth for spinach-or to see if those really large sunglasses look as glam as you thought.

    2. REMEMBER GOOD WINES
    There was a great wine at the party, and you thought for sure you'd remember the name-but no such luck. Take a picture of the label, and next time you're walking by a wine rack or perusing a restaurant's wine list, you'll have an instant memory-jogger.

    3. GIVE BETTER DIRECTIONS
    Include visuals when you text or email driving instructions to your house-such as "Turn left at this gas station" or "If you see this cow statue, you've gone too far"-to make them much easier to follow.

    4. MAKE DIY EASIER
    Show the hardware-store pros your home-repair problems by taking photos of the damaged garage door you're fixing or the tiles you want to match. If you're looking for a plumbing or auto part, text home for confirmation with a quick "Is this the right one?" photo.

    5. RECONNECT WIRES
    Has the thought of reconnecting your AV equipment's tangle of wires made you vow to avoid that area of the house at all costs? Snap a photo of the back of your TV/stereo/electronics hookup so that when you move it, you'll remember where everything plugs in.

    6. LEARN EXPERT TECHNIQUES
    Beauty-counter makeovers are great, but it's just about impossible to remember what was done once you get home. While you're there, take photos at every step so you can give yourself that professional look later.

    7. COOK LIKE A CHEF
    If you like a particular dish at a restaurant, snap a picture of the menu to remember the major ingredients for re-creating it at home. Another pic of the food itself will be helpful for your reproduction.

    8. ENTERTAIN THE TOTS
    Uh-oh, somebody's getting restless! Take pics of your kid's favorite toys (or Play-Doh or Lego creations) to scroll through and talk about when you're stuck in a boring situation, like waiting in a line or at the doctor's office.

    By Greg Robertson | Photograph by Burcu Avsar

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