15 Favorite Apps That Make My Life Better
When I recommended the “favorite apps” to a woman in the gym locker room today I knew to this post was way overdue.
Our phones are perhaps the one thing we always have with us. So, it makes sense that we would use try to optimize that fact as much as possible. For me, this looks like a variety of apps that I feel make my life better in some way.
Understand that it feels like I have hundreds of apps on my phone, but these jumped out because I have an authentic appreciation for them in some unique way. My favorite apps, if you will. To me, this one one level deeper than a much longer posts of useful apps.
So, without further ado…
15 Favorite Apps
1. ToDoist – organize app
Todoist is at the TOP of my favorite apps list. Not sure if everyone is like this- but I am a list maker. I get it from my mother. I also happen to be a list loser. Meaning, I actually write lists and then lose them, or forget to take them, or they get lost in a binder full of other a lists.
Get it out of your head.
In any case, ToDoist holds all of my checklists in a phone that I always have. It even lets me share list with other people like my mom. For instance, when I got visit, I can create a new folder for us to share tasks related to my trip. Things to bring, things to buy, places to eat, airline information… it’s cool to have it all in one place. And that place not be my brain. Amen?
I can set up recurring items to appear on my checklists and I still get the satisfaction of the swipe. I even have things like “make your bed” show up daily and I so I always get something scratched off my list that day. Anyway, I love this organization app. It truly is helping me feel that I have a little bit of a better handle on my life.
You can try the Todoist app here, free for 2 months.
2. Evernote – notes app
Legit favorite app #2. Organizational apps like these help me in a real way. Though I didn’t mean to make this whole post about my mom (she’s #1!) but these first two apps, I recommend to the point of recommending them to my mother. No higher award than that.
Evernote is different than Todoist because it is more like a notebook than a checklist. Dig it?
Funny thoughts. Gift ideas. And voice memos.
You see, Evernote is more like a virtual scrapbook of ideas, photos, in-the-moment voice memos and more. You can manually link ToDoist and Evernote together, because they compliment each other. They definitely do not serve the same function. Though that would be nice.
Are you still using paper?!
For me, this is also a way to go paperless (or at least much less paper) and much more efficiency. I can draft a blog post in here. Put recipes in here. Copy and paste hashtags that I like to use on Instagram frequently in here. The possibilities are endless and with this app. Plus, I can organize my many ideas and thoughts with tags, folders and priority. After a while of this- we may actually get organized!
And don’t forget you can also share folders with your mom. Aww.
Get one free month of Evernote premium here.
3. Audible – audio app
I have always loved reading. Once my mom (wow, really?) got me hooked at a young age, she couldn’t get me to stop. No like I literally got in trouble for reading and not sleeping.
Oh take me back to that simpler time…
Ain’t no shame in my bookworm game.
So, I would absolutely love to read many more books than I currently do but, other things in my life have taken priority. The good news is that the Audible app gets me so much more solid information than I would otherwise.
Listen while you walk.
My favorite thing about this audiobook app is that it is an efficient use of my time. I am listening to The Art of the Deal currently on my daily walk with the dog in the morning. Then, when I go to the gym, I go through my daily 30-minute Pimsler Spanish lessons. I’m on level 3, so the struggle is real.
I believe that Audible deserves to be on my favorite apps list because it really makes my life better. Every day, I have the opportunity to fill my head with the world’s best and most creative minds. I collect new and exciting information, thoughts and ideas from brilliant people. This is good food for my brain.
Road trips – stop being bored; start learning.
By the way- Audible is amazing for long road trips. If you want a book to really blow your mind, try listening to Mere Christianity by CS Lewis on a long road trip. It is so thought-provoking and not just saying that because I’m a Christian. CS Lewis didn’t start off a Christian. He started off an atheist. Just trust me- the audiobook is fascinating no matter who you are.
Start your new account with a free Audible audiobook by clicking below.
4. Bible – faith app
This YouVersion Bible app is truly life changing. Well, the Good News of The Bible is the life changing part! Amen?! I love that at the touch of my fingertips I can follow along in church sermons, get daily devotionals delivered, make verse graphics and go through a number of free online studies- like the one I went through recently The Battlefield of the Mind.
Talk to me, Jesus.
One of my favorite aspects of this app is having the option to flip between the different versions of The Bible in an instant. Different versions gives me different perspectives and I think God can use that to connect with us.
Also YouVersion has this cool function to highlight a Bible verse that you like, and it will automatically help you create a custom graphic to download and/or share online.
Grab the totally free YouVersion Bible app here.
5. Spotify – music app
When I’m not listening to Audible, I’m probably listening to Spotify. As I write this post I have Beethoven’s Classics playing in the background.
Sure, Spotify has the hottest songs by the coolest artists but I am already finding that I am either getting too old or too conservative to enjoy those playlists. The lyrics are jaw-dropping. If you can even understand what they are saying.
There is so much more to Spotify.
I digress. What I am loving about this music app is all the options as far as musical moods go. Some of my favorite playlists are moods like Concentration, Workout, Nature Sounds, Jazz- you get the idea.
Obviously you can also create your own custom playlists which means a well prepared person could be both the hostess and the DJ of her own house party- should she so choose.
Sign up with your family and save. Get Spotify here.
6. Facebook Messenger – video chat app
One of the reasons I’m all about Facebook Messenger is because it runs on Wi-Fi. As I am currently living in Mexico, my cellular service is… unreliable. I won’t be able to get my family and friends to use WhatsApp just to chat with me so Facebook Messenger it is.
Even Grandma has Facebook.
Second, most people have a Facebook account. So they are ready to have phone calls and video chats. That gets it on the favorite apps list. It’s SO nice to see a friendly face when you are out traveling alone. If I must walk someone through the setup process, it’s usually a success. I use the voice option to send people voice messages so often that I can’t believe anyone would send long text messages anymore. Oh, maybe except to choose their words carefully- which…
Better service?
What I also think is groovy about Facebook Messenger is that I have been able to interact with brands directly through their Facebook page. I have made reservations, affirmed that a restaurant is dog-friendly and felt comforted knowing that someone was going to be looking out for an foreigner, like me. I think I even get better service this way- though I can’t prove it.
7. Airbnb – lodging app
Though I don’t use Airbnb every day, it has saved me many times. And so I include it on my favorite apps list. The concept behind Airbnb is that the app that facilitates between owners with living space available and travelers looking for a living space in that location. Options range from bunk beds in a shared room to 16 room mansions.
Hire a local.
The site has said since expanded to include activities, tours and experiences in your chosen area. For the most part, I find that I get more bang for my buck at an Airbnb locations than at a comparable hotel. Many of the rooms include refrigerators or small kitchens which helps to cut down on dining out expenses.
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8. Duolingo – language app
Shout out to Duolingo. I just really think this app is so awesome especially considering its price. Free. I do find myself resisting the daily use of it, but I think that is just because Spanish is hard.
Free favorite apps.
I really am overwhelmed at how much they offer regarding a variety of languages for absolutely nothing! You have the option to upgrade and not see ads but so far I have stayed at the free version.
A friend recently told me that her daughter wanted English lessons and I suggested she work on her daily discipline first with this app.
The discipline is everything.
I don’t know if someone could fully learn Spanish this way but I am finding it is a nice compliment to the other tactics I am employing to learn the Spanish language.
9. Snapseed – photo app
One of the questions I get asked quite often is what camera I’m shooting my photos with and/or what app I’m using to edit my photos.
Lighting. And filters. And edits. Oh my.
I’m mainly including Snapseed in my favorite apps list because people ask me so often. Also Google has resources online but I think you’ll just have to play with the adjustments to get the hang of it and develop your own style.
Get the Google Snapseed app here.
10. TripAdvisor – travel app
I use TripAdvisor all the time here in the Yucatan Peninsula because it is the most used form of customer reviews that I have found so far. Of course, when I really want to research a place, I cross check it with other sites like Google and Facebook. In my experience, for foreigners in Mexico – TripAdvisor is the best app for trying to discover what to do and where to go in a new town.
Follow me on TripAdvisor here.
11. Sprout Social – scheduling app
Not everyone will need a scheduling app for your social networks, but if you do- this is a great one.
Social Marketing is NOW.
If you are a business owner, entrepreneur, artist, promoter or for whatever reason you have an online presence – you should consider getting some sort of scheduling app like SproutSocial. This social scheduling app also creates reports with insights on your followers, fans and audience. By scheduling your posts, you can work in batches and manage your time more efficiently this way.
Get the Sprout Social app here.
12. Tabata – workout app
Perhaps a bit random for my favorite apps list… or not. The Tabata Timer: Interval Timer Workout Timer HIIT app is a simple interval timer meaning you can easily create interval cycles.
Go hard for 50 seconds, rest for 10 seconds. Repeat.
The workout favorite app has many other functions but I have only used the timer aspect to assist in high intensity training. There is something really freeing to me about having the timer tell me when to stop and meanwhile, I go all out on something. Like a shark is chasing me.
With the Tabata timer I like to create super sets of exercises and then give myself 10 second breaks between the exercises. If you want a super quick but efficient workout give HIIT a go. And something about the timer bell that makes me feel very Rocky Balboa.
Get your Tabata Timer: Interval Timer Workout Timer HIIT here.
13. PomoDone – time management app
All my life people have told me that I have a problem focusing. Of course, no one could tell me how to fix that, but that’s another post.
Meanwhile, I work in blocks.
What I love about the PomoDone app is that it’s based on the Pomodoro technique which is a time management philosophy. This essentially says we work more efficiently in short bursts of time with mandatory breaks.
Work hard. Play hard.
If I know that I need to do something and I need to knock it out, I set up my PomoDone app. Procrastination and self sabotage, like to get me when it comes to time management and this app keeps me on target. I can also use this app to integrate with another like Todoist for a streamlined workflow. Something about the clicking of the timer seems meditative and helps to keep me focused. Like the Tabata exercise app above- knowing that the time is predetermined, somehow helps me to be more efficient and objective with the project at hand.
14. TikTok – video app
After all this organization and discipline talk- it’s time for some giggles and laughs. I know that this ticktock app is not for everybody but it is definitely one of my favorite apps. The app allows its users to mix, create, collaborate and interact with other users through a variety of artistic forms, filters and songs.
Your inner child wants you to dance.
Even if you don’t post these videos online for everyone to see, you can still save them to share privately. Any time I’ve made a video with someone else, we had an absolute blast being silly.
Don’t take yourself too seriously.
-lots of people
For me, it’s important to be creative and expressive and sometimes super silly. But maybe that is just one girl’s opinion. If you do decide to start playing with TikTok, you can follow me.
15. Vivino – wine app
Shopping for wine can feel more like gambling. How should I know if this wine tastes like the one I had at the restaurant?
The Vivino wine app makes shopping for wine feel much more like a game than a stressful intelligence test. Use the app to scan the wines that you have in front of you at the store, or restaurant and get instant reviews and information about that wine.
Wine not make more educated decisions?
Compare prices and get automated suggestions. Share your favorites with friends through the app. Drink more wine. Responsibly.
That’s it, y’all.
In the comments below I would love to hear what are your favorite apps? Which apps make your life better?
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