Tag Archives: how to

How to Save Verizon Voicemails using Google Voice

Posted on by
1

4-11-14     1:38pm hands-untied-from-rope

Puzzled by how to save your Verizon voicemails? Feel trapped on their network because you don’t want to lose the precious, special, or important sounds in their system? I was and did. I even tried saving them through the Verizon system but it left me with a file only that phone could read. Some people think it’s stupid that I save voicemails but it’s really important to me to be able to hear the sound of my loved ones’ voices. It soothes me, especially when I can’t be around them or if/when they die. Google Voice solves the problem.

What you’ll need:

  • Active Verizon voicemail account
  • Google Voice account
  • Phone #1 – phone that does not have a Google Voice account linked to it OR phone whose Google Voice number is not the same as the number whose voicemails you’re recording.
  • Phone #2 – a second phone that your Google Voice number rings to (cannot have the same number as the phone number whose voicemails you’re retrieving.)
  • time
  • patience

Directions:

  1. Go to Google Voice www.google.com/voice
  2. Log in if prompted.
  3. Click on the gear icon in the upper right.Screenshot 2014-05-02 21.38.16-1
  4. Choose “Settings.” Screenshot 2014-05-02 21.38.25-1
  5. Uncheck all phones but Phone #2. Note – Settings is also where you can choose a different number for your Google Voice number to ring to.
    **Remember to put the settings back when you’re finished recording! Screenshot 2014-05-02 21.39.37-1
  6. Click on the “Calls” tab and check the “Enable Recording” box.Voice Settings
  7. From Phone #1, call the Google Voice number that rings to Phone #2.
  8. If prompted when answering, press 1 to accept the call on Phone #2.
  9. Don’t hang up.
  10. Call your Verizon number from the keypad on Phone #2.
  11. Press # during your voicemail greeting and enter your Verizon voicemail password when prompted.
  12. Merge the two calls (making it a 3-way).MERGE
  13. Mute the mic on both phones to ensure only your voicemail is recorded.
    mute
  14. Press 4 on the Google # line to start call recording.
    **Make sure you hear the recording announcement.**
  15. Listen to the first message.
  16. During the message, press the keypad to minimize the numbers & then “manage conference.”kk
  17. Listen to the message.
  18. When the message is over, quickly press to control the Verizon #’s keypad, enter command (save/skip/etc.).
  19. Merge calls again before next message starts.
  20. Repeat steps 16-19 until all desired messages have been recorded.
    Note – It may take a few tries to get the timing down. I recommend trying this with one test message before recording all of them.
  21. When you are finished recording, press to control the Google #’s keypad from the calling phone.
    mm
  22. Press 4 to stop recording.
  23. Make sure you hear the end-recording announcement.
  24. Hang up both lines.
  25. Check your Google Voice account to make sure the recording showed up. It will appear as a very long new voicemail.

Congratulations! You can now download an mp3 of your voicemails or listen from your inbox. You are free to move about the globe contract free!

I really hope this helps. It took me SUCH a long time to figure out and I’m still not sure how exactly I did it. I just know I finally did. Let me know if it works for you. I know it gives me peace of mind that my memories are safe as I switch to T-Mobile.

© Michelle Routhieaux 2014

Recipe for a Day List

Posted on by
5

8/18/13     5pm

This is my day list. I use it every day. Today I updated and prettified it. If you’re trying to make one and want customized bullets, use Word instead of Publisher.

Day List 8-18-13

My day list has been so helpful for me. I have memory problems and things an average person would have no problem remembering slip my mind and run away. Like somehow it’s a trap and they finally escape. So awhile back I decided to make myself a list of things I need to do every day to remind me. I put it in a page protector (clear plastic cover) and mark off each thing with a dry erase marker as I do it. I made a space on my wall to hang it last night because I keep losing it. My day list gets me through the day. 

The day list has helped me keep up with self-care when I’m really depressed and make sure I come back to basics when I’m manic or agitated. I find that when I’m doing better I don’t need it as much and when I’m doing exceedingly bad I don’t even remember I have one. Thankfully, my psychiatrist reminds me. 

I feel accomplished when I do everything, which is pretty rare. I am grateful it reminds me what to take with me. I made it. I love it. I’m proud of myself. 

Recipe for making your own day list:

Ingredients – 1 sheet protector, 1 sheet of paper, pencil or pen, 1+ dry erase markers

  1. Think about what you NEED to do every day (not what you think you SHOULD do or what someone else thinks you SHOULD do).
  2. Write those things down in an order you are most likely to do them.
  3. Place the paper in the sheet protector.
  4. Put the list in a place you’ll see it every morning, next to a dry erase marker.
  5. Use. (Do a task, mark it off, erase marks at the end of the day.)
  6. Revise as needed.
  7. Celebrate your accomplishments!

Just a note – some people think my list is stupid. My mom doesn’t get it. She hassled me about it at first. Why do I need a list? Can’t I just remember that? Honestly, no. I’m glad I kept using it. If it works for you, do it. Let me know how it goes. :)

© Michelle Routhieaux 2013