Many cell phones allow you to set an alarm or a reminder at a certain time or date. Even if you don’t own one of the latest smart phones that come with killer time management applications, it is possible to use your cell phone as a time management tool (even if it’s 5 years old like mine). The following cell phone tips are usable on just about any cell phone – the only features it needs to support are alarms and reminders.

You could use your cell phone alarms and reminders to:

• Remember birthdays

My cell phone is recent enough to come with a basic calendar, which I use as a reminder of my friends birthdays. I’ve always been horrible with dates, so I even setup an alarm to warn me one day before the birthday. I set the event to be recurrent every year, so I don’t have to bother setting it up again for the next year.

• Make sure you don’t miss an important deadline

You know the kind: “How am I going to remember that!” you tell yourself. And before you realize it, you missed it. If you have an appointment or deadline you are predisposed to miss, set up an alarm to remind you of your appointment a few hours before it happens.

• Take a medication

Remembering to take a medication every day can be a real pain, especially if you are somewhat active – never home at the same time at night and sometimes sleeping all morning, it’s easy to forget. Simply set up an alarm on your cell phone to remind you to take it (especially handy when you carry your medication on you).

• Know when you’re available

You’re receiving social invitations left and right and can’t seem to figure out when you’re available? Simply mark all your events in the calendar on your cell phone. You’ll see right away if you’re available when someone invites you to an event.

• Organize your day

Respect your time budget throughout the day by setting alarms on your cell phone to warn you of different time periods. Never miss a break period again!

• Alarm clocks anywhere

Whether you’re traveling alone and dozing off at the airport, are afraid the (sometimes complicated) hotel room alarm clock doesn’t fire off, or are having a lunch nap at work, your cell phone alarm clock is often overlooked and can be used just as that – an alarm clock.

Have you found any innovative ways to use your cell phone alarms and reminders? Share your cell phone tips with us in the comments below!