12 Must Have Apps for a Busy Mom

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At Walmart a few weeks ago, I pulled out my dinky little non-smart cell phone, and the cashier was aghast.

"I don't think I've ever seen such an old phone!"

Thanks, Mr. Cashier.  Did I just hear an offer to buy me a new phone?  No?  Okay, moving on then.

What the cashier didn't see though was my tablet sitting at home next to my favorite chair.  It doesn't have a data plan, but it does have Wifi capability.  So while I may be old school in public, at home I'm rocking my favorite apps.

You know how it goes...you grab your phone (or tablet in my case) to check something and then when you put it back down a few minutes later, 4 hours have magically passed.

Or maybe that's just me.

Smart phones and tablets can definitely be time wasters, but they can also be time savers and make your life a whole lot easier.

Here are 12 apps that I can't live without.  

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1. Timehop (Free)

Connect your social media accounts with Timehop, and it'll show you what you posted on that day for each year you've had that account.  I love looking back at things I posted about the kids that I'd forgotten about.

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2. Chatbooks (Free)

When you connect your Instagram and/or Facebook to Chatbooks, it automatically adds any photos you upload to either website into a book.  You can edit the captions, remove or add pictures and customize the books.  When a book is full (60 pictures), Chatbooks will automatically mail it to you.  The app is free, but the books cost $8 apiece.  

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3. Motivated Moms ($7.99 a year)

This app isn't free, but it is SO worth the money!  Motivated Moms or Momo is a checklist for household chores that include regular and extra daily tasks each day so that you are slowly deep cleaning your house all year long without it being a big chore.  You can customize it for your household and even assign chores to different family members.   

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4. Netflix (Free)

Okay, this one could technically be classified as a time waster, but I like to watch something on Netflix while I'm doing something else such as folding laundry or cleaning the kitchen.  You have be a subscriber of Netflix to use the app (plans start at $7.99 a month), but the variety of tv shows, documentaries, and movies that it has makes it worth it.  We have Netflix instead of cable tv and feel that it's a much better deal.

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5. Pandora (Free)

I absolutely love Pandora!!  You can customize radio stations for your tastes and listen as much as you want.  There are a few ads to listen to periodically, but much less than you'd hear on the actual radio.  

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6. Lose It (Free)

I use this app to track my weight loss.  Every once in a while, I like to track calories to make sure I'm staying on track, and Lose It makes it easy to do that.  You can set goals, connect with friends and family, create challenges, and even scan the barcode on food to enter calories. 

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7. Our Daily Bread (Free)

Hubby and I have been doing the Daily Bread devotional for years now, so when we found out that it has an app available, we were excited because we're the type of people who lose things all the time (such as a small monthly devotional book).  You have the option to read the devotional and its accompanying Bible passage in the app or you can listen to it instead. 

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8. Photo Grid (Free)

I use the Photo Grid app to create collages, edit pictures, and add words to pictures.  It's super easy, and you can share your edited pictures directly to social media.

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9. iRewardChart ($3.99)

This is an app where you can customize a chore chart for each of your kids and add your own rewards for them to work towards.  I don't use this all the time, just when we need to shake up our regular routine.  I like that it keeps track of how close each child is to earning a reward so I don't have to.  There is a free version of iRewardChart where you can add 1 child and up to 4 tasks, but if you have more than 1 kid, the purchased version is worth it. 

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10. Checklist (Free)

I'm kind of really addicted to checklists.  I'm the type of person who writes things on a list that I've already accomplished just so I can have the satisfaction of crossing them off.  I tried out several different checklist apps before I settled on this one because of how easy it is to use.  

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11. CCleaner (Free)

 I use CCleaner to clean up my tablet periodically.  It even reminds me when it's been a while since my last clean so I don't forget to do it.

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12. Walmart Savings Catcher (Free)

Save your receipts from Walmart because you may get some money back!  While you're in the Savings Catcher app, scan the barcode on your receipt.  The app will then compare the prices you paid with advertised prices from other stores in the area.  If it finds a price lower than what you paid, it refunds you that amount.  

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12 must have apps for a busy mom and most of them are free!

 

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Are there any apps that you can't live without or that have made your life easier?  Share them in the comments so I can check them out too!

This post is linked up at: 1. Missional Women 2. Called to Mothering