With countless emails alerts, social notifications, phone calls and budget reminders begging for our attention daily, it can be difficult to feel organized and in control. Where there is clutter, there is chaos. The good news is that we have several digital tools at our fingertips, designed to make our lives more organized and manageable. Don’t delay, start utilizing them today!
In a digital age where we’re being bombarded with content left and right from various platforms, it can be challenging to decipher what’s important and keep track of it for future reference. Whether you’re browsing your social news feed or conducting in-depth research for your career, Pocket (free for Android/iOS) will allow you to easily save and store those links you stumble across (that you’re dying to read) but simply don’t have time to. Their motto? “When you find something you want to view later, put it in Pocket.”
Dropbox
Dropbox is a lifesaver in terms of organizing your photos, files, videos and documents. When you add a file to your Dropbox, it will automatically backup and sync to the app, giving you the opportunity to access the file from any device. It can accommodate large file sharing, even with those people who don’t have an account. A Basic Dropbox account is free and includes 2 GB of space. While you can pay for more storage, it’s wise to earn more space by referring your friends to the app. Basic accounts earn 500 MB per referral and can earn up to 16 GB, while Plus accounts get 1 GB per referral and can earn up to 32 GB.
IFTTT (If This, Then That)
Do you love wondering “What if?” Were you obsessed with shaking your Magic 8-Ball for life’s answers as a child (or adult, no judgement)? IFTTT employs the formula “If This Then That” to connect hundreds of apps in one place, including Spotify, Dropbox, Twitter, Google Calendar, WordPress, Instagram, MailChimp, FitBit, Amazon Alexa, various home automation apps and more. Utilizing what they call “Applets” and plugging in “recipes,” the free tool can trigger actions within your connected channels to alert you of specific calls to action. With so many recipes, the potential for creative organization is endless. Some recipe examples include:
- If I post a picture on Instagram, then save the photo to my Dropbox account
- If I am tagged in a Facebook photo, then save that photo to my camera roll
- If the temperature reaches over 80 degrees, then send me a reminder to apply sunblock
- If someone follows me on Twitter, then send them an automated “Thank You” response
- If I post a Tweet, then share it as a Facebook status update
- If I favorite something in Pocket, then generate a Tweet
(If you find yourself wanting to ask your Magic IFTTT app, “Will this tool make my life easier?” We can assure you – it is certain.)
Trello
Are you one of those people who is crazy about color coding and gets that organizational rush from checking off a completed task? Visual organizers, rejoice! Trello allows you to visually track the progress of your tasks utilizing a card-based layout with color coding capabilities. You can create “cards” to organize your ideas. Within each labeled card you can attach files, coordinate with team members, create task lists, input checklists to mark off as you go and more. Trello aims to help you get organized in a fun, flexible and rewarding way, with free and priced options.
Mint
Okay, okay – it’s time to talk money. Budgeting is incredibly important for any individual or business, but when the numbers get complicated, many people can lose sight of their finances and overspend. You know, that whole “Where does my money keep going?” conversation. Mint connects with your bank accounts and pulls data about your spending and income, organizing it into helpful categories and making it simple to define and stick to a budget. They won’t ask you to shell out for it, so get this free app before your next purchase. Their motto? “When you’re on top of your money, life is good. We help you effortlessly manage your finances in one place.”
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