You know those girls that have it all together? Well, with these iPhone tools, you’ll be one of them. Once you go App, you’ll never go back.
1. Evernote
Use Evernote to store grocery lists, random reminders, packing checklists, books you want to read, usernames and passwords, cool quotes — basically every miscellaneous thing you need to remember. It’s way better than using iPhone Notes, since everything you write on your phone automatically syncs to your computer, and vice versa. Evernote also lets you take snapshots of web pages that never go away, even if the original page is edited or deleted.
In action: You’re on your laptop, looking for some cheap, healthy, dorm-friendly recipes. There’s a great one for cranberry pecan salad, so you clip it to Evernote. Checking out the ingredient list reminds you that you’re out of oatmeal, so you swipe over to your running grocery list and add steel-cut oats. That afternoon’s Trader Joe’s run is super easy, thanks to your bullet-point list of everything you need.
2. Wunderlist
While traditional to-do lists are always an option, digital versions are faster, neater, and way harder to misplace. Wunderlist allows you organize your to-do lists into various categories and set due dates, reminders, and sub-tasks. Once you’ve done something, you click the check box, and it gets completed with a really satisfying whoosh!
In action: It’s 5 p.m., and you’re halfway through your second episode of Scandal. Your iPhone beeps. You had added “write first draft of Sociology paper” as tonight’s task. Goodbye Kerry Washington, hello Word.
3. Chains
Maybe you’re trying to kick your diet soda habit, or eat a little healthier, or make your bed each morning. With Chains, you get a separate chain for each goal. For every day you follow through, a link gets added to your chain. It’s a visual, super-effective way to motivate yourself to stick to your resolutions.
In action: You had promised yourself that you’d start going for a daily morning jog. These past few weeks, you’ve pulled yourself out of bed, laced up your sneakers, and ran for twenty-five minutes, but this morning you’re really not feeling it. You are this close to turning off your alarm and going back to sleep … and then you remember how good it will feel to keep that “Daily Run” chain unbroken. Next thing you know, your sports bra is on and you’re out the door.
4. Mint
Since most collegiettes primarily use a credit or debit card, it can be hard to keep track of money habits. There’s nothing like putting a wad of cash down on the counter to remind yourself that shirt isn’t free. But Mint handily logs all of your transactions, puts them into categories like groceries or school supplies, tells you when you’re over the budgets you’ve set, and gives you the ability to set goals, like, “save $200 by February.” If you like to shop, having a money nanny is one of the best things you can do for your bank account.
In action: Your friend texts you asking if you want to go to square-dancing at the Grad on Thursday night. You’re excited to wear your new boots and maybe meet a cute cowboy, but when you check Mint, there’s only have $3 left in your monthly “Going Out” budget. You go to a free Salsa Club meeting instead.