My life is not always fun and games, reality hits sometimes and I have to adult. People are always asking me how I manage to get so much done. I have to completely be honest, it is a lot of smoke and mirrors. I try to utilize technology as much as possible to get shit done. If I have a problem that I can’t figure out, I usually see if there is an app for that. I have included 5 of my most used apps on my phone that help me simplify my week.
The FitBit App
The first one being my Fitbit. I know that you might think a FitBit is merely a device that counts your steps. I am hear to tell you that it is so much more than just a fitness band. It also has a pretty powerful app.
- I use it as my alarm clock and it wakes me in the morning. I now prefer a device vibrating on my arm to wake me up opposed to the loud annoying cries of my cell phone alarm. (Yes you can still hit snooze button)
- It lets me know when I have a phone call or a text message when my phone is in my purse. This is really helpful at work when I don’t want to have my phone out but still want to be connected with my world.
- It sends me calendar reminders so I don’t forget to do shit.
- And it literally tracks all of my needs. I keep track of how well I am sleeping, my weight, my food and water intake, and my when my next period will start. (sorry for the TMI)
- Oh ya it also tracks my workouts
I know you are wondering why if I want it to do all of that, I don’t have an Apple watch. The FitBit Charge 3 is water resistant (you can actually swim with it on), it holds a charge for around 5-7 days (depends on how many alarms and notifications you have) and it is far less expensive ($139 on Amazon and the app is included). Besides that I am a practical person and it does everything I need.
The GreenLight App
When I first found this app I was trying to solve a few problems. My first was that my kids were constantly opening up piggy banks to count their money and leaving money all over the place. Second, they never had money on them when we were out, so if they wanted to buy something I had to front them the cash. Usually forgetting to take it from them when I got home. The third was that when it came time to pay their allowance, I never had cash and when I did I had to them make change to pay it out.
Now my boys each have a Greenlight card (6 and 9 is a little young but I keep them in my wallet for now) Within the app I have the ability to set up a direct deposit for their allowance. It also has the feature to create spend, save and give accounts which you is also helping them actually save money. If they receive money as a gift they now give it to me to add directly to their spend account.
There are a lot of features with the app that I don’t even take advantage of currently. You can create specific chores and pay based on the chores that get done. If you have older kids and they have possession of the card, you can limit what they spend their money on or how much they spend each day. You can also get notifications when they spend money.
I have included a referral link if you want to try it out and we both receive $10 in our account.
The Emeals App
Dinner is a huge chore in our house. I get home from work too late to make a complicated meal and my husband is usually taking the boys to their various sports practices. At the end of the day we still like to sit down and eat a meal together most nights. Out of necessity we started ordering meal kits like Hello Fresh or Plated, so we didn’t eat fast food for dinner. Though they are very convenient they are expensive at the end of the day. Around $79 dollars a week for 2 meals for 4 people.
Emeals is not a meal kit delivery service, it is a meal planning service. In a few easy step you can plan your meals and purchase the groceries. I usually do this from my couch while watching tv.
- Go through the app pick the meals that you want to prepare that week and add them to your shopping list.
- Go through your shopping list and see if you already have some of the ingredients in your house. (No reason to buy something you don’t need.)
- Send it to your favorite shopping service within the app. (Instacart, Amazon Fresh, Walmart, Kroger and Shipt)
- Within the grocery app the items have already been selected you can go through and make any modifications. At the same time you can add your additional grocery items to the list for delivery or pickup based on the shopping service your selected.
Below is one of the meals that I have made. Dinner is usually a feeding frenzy at our house so I didn’t have the opportunity to take more.
Click on this link if you want to try it for 14 days free.
The Walmart Grocery App
Until a couple weeks ago Walmart would not be my store of choice. I had tried grocery shopping there because it is down the street from my house, and I did not like how the grocery area was laid out. One day I noticed the grocery pickup area was pretty hopping. So I decided to try it out.
It was life changing! I selected a 6-7 pm pick up time so I could pick up the groceries on my way home from work. At 5:50 they text me to let me know my groceries were available. I notified them when I was on my way, and the app tracked my location, and notified the store when to bring my groceries to me. I pulled into a designated spot and within minutes an associate had my groceries ready to load them in my car. (I know it seems a little creepy, but the convenience won)
Click on this link if you would like to receive $10 off your first order
Ink Cards
Ink Cards is an app that I have been using for a while. I know we live in an age where everything is done digitally. Sometimes you need to send a physical thank you note, sympathy or birthday card.
I can send a card quickly and easily in just a few minutes. I avoid going to any stores or the post office.
- Find a card within the app
- You can easily personalize it with a photo from your phone
- Add a quick message
- Select your recipient’s name (it should already be in the contact list if you have sent one before, if not it is easy to add new recipients)
- Review your order and send.
They mail the card for you and you never have to buy a stamp. I can’t tell you the last time I bought a stamp and don’t plan on doing it anytime soon. I also use this app for my Holiday cards because it is so easy. You will also receive a confirmation when the card has been received.
