Photo Via
When I talked about writing this post, I got some serious LOLs from friends and family. I’m not exactly what you might call “tech savvy.” In fact, I just got off the phone with the Comcast dude because I didn’t have a signal on my TV, only to have him so eloquently let me know that I’ve had it on the wrong input the past 3 days. Sweet.
So, while my people belittled my tech-related skills, I kindly reminded them that although I’m no techie, I am an connoisseur of finding short cuts and making my life easier. After much playing around on my phone, and consulting those I do consider to be knowledgeable in the tech world, I’ve rounded up some of the best apps circulating the mobile platform. From health and fitness, to entrepreneurism, and many industries, topics and hobbies in between, I hope you give these a try and save your self some time, energy and money.
1.Healthy Out
Hey, remember me? Your Health & Fitness Editor? Of course I’m going to start off this list with an app that optimizes both your social life, and your nutritional intake.
Confession: I love eating out. I love connecting with friends, drinking wine, and eating enough carbohydrates to run a marathon. However, not the biggest fan of the calories associated with such wonderful occasions. Enter Healthy Out: an app that allows you to pinpoint a restaurant of interest, and find the absolute healthiest options, even customizing it to your dietary restrictions.
So basically now we live in a utopian society where I can hit my favorite restaurants with my lovely friends, and not become morbidly obese after doing so. Wins all around.
2.Evernote
Crushing on your career instead of boys? This app is for you. It’s a hybrid of LinkedIn, Google Docs, and email, allowing you you to connect, collaborate and stay organized through the app’s many features. With Evernote, you’ll be able to make to-do lists, attach and share files, keep documents organized through a detailed filing system, chat with others, share projects and agendas, as well as track expenses, plan travel and more.
3.ParqEx
This app is the airbnb of parking. It was created to alleviate the major anxiety that goes along with trying to find a parking spot in a big city; even if you can find one, that’ll be $87 and your soul for three hours of parking please. ParqEx is unique in the way that it connects those in need of a spot, with individuals that have one at their disposal and aren’t utilizing all of the time. In this way, it allows the spot-owner to capitalize on their hard-earned spot, and make some extra cash while they’re not using it.
Note: this app is only currently available in Chicago.
4.The Skimm
It’s cool to be smart, it’s cool to be informed, and it’s definitely cool to have your own opinion. Between, working full time, blogging and freelancing on the side, working out, trying to maintain a social life and a long distance boyfriend, TV, and as a byproduct the news, has been the first to go for me. The Skimm is an incredibly easy way to get the DL of current events in the world on a need-to-know basis. My favorite part? It also happens to be hilarious, and has become a fun part of my mornings (…if there is any fun part of mornings).
5.Shyp
If you want a serious time and money-saving life hack, here’s the app for you. Shyp analyzes the market to find you the absolute lowest shipping rate to send your package anywhere- and even sends a professional to pick it up for you, and then packages it so you don’t have to. The New York Times literally referred to this app as “magical.” If an established news publication is using HP terminology to describe an app, you better download Shyp on to your phone pronto.
6.Retail Me Not
Anyone else have great intentions when you run an errand, but end up stopping at 34 of your favorite stores and end up in cardiac arrest when you check your bank account the next day? Well, my fellow shopaholics, you are so very welcome for this public service announcement. Retail Me Not is an app designed with your credit card in mind- it offers thousands of coupons to different stores, and even utilizes geo-targetting to make sure you’re getting the best deal at all the stores around you. Shopping just got a whole lot more dangerous.
7.Geocaching
Not only am I giving you endless life hacks with this app list, I’m even providing you with a brand new idea for date night. Or a girl’s night. Or whatever.
Geocaching has turned a pirate’s game into a real-life adventure. There are millions of geocaches hidden around the world, and your mission, should you so choose to accept is to find as many geocaches as you dare. This app not only GPS tracks you (again, creepy for a cause), but helps lead you to the hidden treasures- and by treasure, we really mean every day items turned geocaches- and engulf you on a scavenger hunt journey you were sure couldn’t happen in the confines of a city. Not gonna lie, this is my absolute favorite app on this list.
Adventure is out there! (Now go find it)
8.Companion
I hope every lady out there already knows and has downloaded this app, but just in case, I’m telling you that you absolutely need to.
I recently read an article about all the things that girls have to think about that guys just never will, and at the very top of that list, was getting home safe. At the end of any girl’s night, “text me when you get home safe” has replaced “bye! see you tomorrow!” And for good reason. With this app, it allows you to never walk home alone by connecting you with family, friends or even campus police. All you do is enter your destination and select the contact you’d like to virtually accompany you home that evening.
Download it, use it and stop walking home alone!
9.Everest
Another app for all you goal diggers: designed for those trying to reach their personal “Everest,” this is an app that provides a community who supports your various goals and holds you accountable to them. Are you wanting to hit the gym five times a week? Find a new job or pursue a new hobby? Everest allows you to share your goals, break your goal down into doable metrics, encourage and support others’ goals, and vice versa. Think of this as the ultimate social network catered exclusively to people who want to get shit done.
