As women, we can do it all, can’t we? Happy home, successful career, nice body.
Well, that might be a lofty, unrealistic goal — and we know it — but we still try to get there by finding ways to make things easier.
Enter: technology. There are many mobile apps on the market that serve as indispensable tools for staying on top of tasks, getting organized, and even setting aside time for ourselves.
Erika Salloux, certified professional organizer and CEO of Living Harmony, LLC, is a master of productivity and time management. She recommends many apps for her clients, as well as ones she uses herself, like the Evernote app.
Evernote is a note-taking and file organization platform. Salloux uses it specifically to carry around documents on her phone that she needs on the run, like boarding passes or itineraries.
She also uses Fasts Lists, a robust list-making app that helps make grocery shopping easier. “I create shopping lists by store and store layout, and it lets you create categories within the lists,” she says.
Jaclyn Zukerman, founder and director of NextOnScene media company, juggles many clients, meetings, podcast shows and events. She says, “To keep my life on track, I use the Awesome Calendar Lite for my daily scheduling, which syncs to my Gmail.”
The highly customizable app helps Zukerman create to-do lists and reminders and to schedule upcoming events.
But, lists aren’t the only thing we’re interested in. Here are 10 of our favorite apps that can help you tackle each day with ease.
Todoist
This highly visual task management platform lets you keep track of everything in one place. You can create tasks and set due dates (or recurring due dates), and organize each task by priority level and project category. You can also add family members, roommates or colleagues on the app and delegate specific tasks to them. Todoist can be synchronized across all devices so you can keep track of your projects wherever you are, even if you’re offline.
Free; premium upgrade for $3 per month
Evernote
Using Evernote is like carrying around a digital notebook everywhere you go. If you’re the type of person who jots down ideas or random thoughts that pop into your head throughout the day, you can capture it through a note, voice recording or picture. You can also attach documents on the app, which synchronizes across all your devices.
Free; optional premium plans
Freedom
Everyone knows how distracting social media sites can be, or how tempting it is to check your email every five minutes. But, when you need to stay online or use your computer to get work done, this app blocks any digital distraction you want, when you want, to stay focused. Start blocking sessions as you go, or schedule when you want your websites to be blocked in advance. This could mean hours of uninterrupted work — heaven.
$2.42 per month for a year
Mint
If you have trouble keeping track of the due dates to all your bills, or you tend to overspend your monthly budget, check out the Mint app. It organizes your finances for you, tracks your bills, sends you alerts to pay them, lets you create budgets, and tracks your spending. It provides the tools to take control of your money, including keeping an eye on your credit score and investments. Mint also provides money management tips, based on your own personal finances.
Free
Sleep Cycle
Sleep is an important part of our health, happiness, and productivity, and this conscientious app helps you master how well rested you are by analyzing your sleep cycle and then waking you up at an optimal time in the morning. By helping you wake up gently during your “light sleep” phase, you can wake up feeling rested and ready to start the day without all the grogginess.
Free
Postmates
If you’re looking for a game changer, this one is it. Instead of spending precious time driving to the grocery store or waiting in line at a restaurant, you can have your food delivered straight to you. Most deliveries get to you in under an hour — including a booze run, in case you’re holding an impromptu gathering. Pay through the app, including gratuity, so there’s no fumbling around for your wallet either.
Free; $7.99 per month for a year of free delivery
Fast Lists
If you prefer to do your own grocery shopping, use this favorite to create shopping lists. You can edit these lists, save them into specific categories, and re-use them again and again. You can tick off completed items for that satisfactory feeling of accomplishment, and create sublists within to keep you even more organized.
Free
CardStar
Marie Kondo might be a fan of this app that keeps your wallet and/or purse devoid of retail rewards cards. Simply scan the barcode of each card, or enter the membership number, and you’re all set to get rewards straight from your device, i.e. all in one place. This app also makes it easy to track rewards, points or savings from your favorite stores.
Free
Awesome Calendar Lite
This fun and user-friendly step up from the calendar app already on your phone can sync to your Gmail, automatically inputting any invitations or appointments. You can keep your busy life organized by adding to-do lists, reminders and subtasks for specific calendar days. You can also color customize and add fun stickers for specific events.
Free
Calm
Meditation is a powerful way to regain control over an over-scheduled life. Calm not only offers over 100 guided meditations, it also features various music tracks to keep your brain focused or to lull you to sleep at night. Users can also choose from a library of Sleep Stories, an adult version of bedtime tales that gently guide you toward slumber.
$59.99 per year