Continuing with this month’s theme of self-growth, I decided to share some apps that help me be more productive. Usually, my phone is a big time suck, but there are plenty of ways it helps me be more useful. Using these apps has helped me fall asleep, save time on errands, and even save money. I have tried many and these are the ones that have lasted. Here is my list by device including iPad and iPhone.
IPAD APPS
Notability
I use this app with my Apple Pencil and iPad Pr. This is a paper app that I can use to write and draw using the Apple Pencil. I love doodling and writing. The app has a variety of colors and paper types. It even includes my favorite dot grid paper! Noteworthy also has unique features to jazz up your spreads like images, gifs, and a highlight feature. Here is a walk through video if you are interested in learning more.
Simply Yoga
This is a free app that gives a beginner yoga lesson. The lesson has increments of 20 minutes to one hour. The instructions are clear and there is a video demonstrating the movements as well. They even guide with breathing along the way as well. It is a great intro to yoga for someone, like me, who is a true beginner. It is a great way to relax before bed and begin a routine to practice some flexibility. The only downside is there are some pop-up ads before the lesson and in the side bars.
White Noise
This app saved my sleep when I was living in Vietnam. I realized the city was the noisiest place I ever lived quickly. My hotel room was the first on the second floor by the stairs leading to the lobby. Then, my apartment was sandwiched between two construction sites. So I downloaded this app and put on my full sized headphones after picking my perfect relaxing sound. I rotated between ocean, rain forest, and my favorite campfire!
IPHONE APPS
iTunes U
Brush up on whatever interests you! iTunes U offers free lectures from top universities and their faculty. When I was trying to pass the US Foriegn Service Test, I used iTunes U to listen to courses on government, international policy, and American history. There is plenty to choose from and it can be streamed easily to any Apple device.
Podcast Apps-Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and iHeart Radio
There are plenty of more than those mentioned above. However, I love using podcasts to entertain myself and learn while I walk. I have a post in 2018 and 2020 about some of my favorite podcasts. Best of all, they are free!
Walmart Grocery Pickup
This app has saved me over an hour of grocery shopping and temptations of impulse buying. I use the Walmart Grocery app every few weeks when I am short on time. Pick up times can be made up to 5-6 hours in advance depending on availability. It is free as long as purchases are over $35 dollars which isn’t a stretch for us!
Skyscanner
Skyscanner has been my go to flight search app since the demise of my favorite one in 2018. It is the closest I have found to matching On the Fly’s algorithm showing cheap flights by the day. While Skyscanner doesn’t give the price for everyday, it will give the cheapest days in a month’s view by marking the day with a green dot. You can still use it like most flight searches by changing combinations of days, trips, and arrivals in order to see a variety of prices. I scored our tickets to China for about 700 dollars using Skyscanner.
Reduce Screen Time With an App?
One app I would like to try in the near future is one that decreases screen time. I am mortified how much time I spend on my phone and social media. So, I hope to find the right app to help me put it down. There are many out there and some mentioned in this article. Does anyone out there use one of these? Which one do you prefer?
I wanted to mention this since our ultimate productivity really happens when we turn off the television, phone, tablets, and computers. Well, at least shutting off the internet function.
What are your favorite apps?
Disclosure: Some of the links above are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission is you click through and make a purchase.