I have to admit, I’m a bit of a dinosaur when it comes to keeping up with the latest technology. However, I got my first tablet for Christmas and I’m starting the sometimes painful process of learning how to make the most of it. Here are some options I've found for online tools and apps to help keep you organized and efficient (many of them are available across multiple platforms, but check each site for specifics):
Evernote – it’s tagline is "Remember Everything." Evernote is a way to tap into all those random pieces of information you don’t want to forget. Save the photo of the label on a bottle of wine you loved at a restaurant, access entire webpages of an interesting website you’ve visited, scan in a business card of someone you want to remember, retrieve notes you took at a meeting, etc. All your information is available from any device you use with internet connectivity and it can even retrieve what you want based on text within a recipe or note you saved.
Cardstar – this app will store your merchant loyalty cards on your phone so you won’t miss out on points or discounts when you’re shopping.
Splashtop Remote Desktop – if you travel for your job but your company doesn’t store its documents in “the cloud,” try this app. It allows you remote access to another computer while you’re away from the office.
Beat the Traffic – if you have an iPhone, iPad, or Blackberry this app is available for you. This sends you automated alerts of traffic incidents specific to the customized routes you take and the times you commute so you can avoid high traffic areas and beat the traffic. Although it has a yearly membership fee, you can try it out for free for two weeks to see if the time it saves you is worth the money.
LastPass – this tool is a password manager that makes web browsing easy and secure. It’s free to use on all your computers and can be accessed from anywhere at anytime.
Remember the Milk - this app lets you manage your to-dos and tasks from anywhere that sends you reminders with email, text, or InstantMessaging.
iRecycle – this app is managed by Earth911. It can tell you how, where and when to recycle just about anything. Using your current location, ZIP code, address or city, get access to vital details for collection points such as Web site, phone number, directions, hours of operation and other materials collected.
Green Shine – if you have an iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad, this app helps you to replace almost the full range of commercial cleaners with gentle, environmentally friendly, healthier and safer homemade alternatives. Green Shine contains environmentally friendly solutions for more than 100 everyday housekeeping tasks from simple window cleaning to stain removal.ea
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House Maintenance Schedule – android users can check out this calendar app to log the date of routine maintenance done to your home, and to remind you about the due date of the next maintenance. As a reference, it also has an easy-to-follow, month-to-month guide for maintenance work needed by your home. So you will always know when to do a task, and what to do to keep your house in good shape.
Grocery Gadget – this shopping app is designed to simplify serious shopping. Using a combination of a mobile app and online portal helps you save time and money at home, and at the grocery store.
Remember to contact Sheila if you're stuck, stumped, or stymied by an organizing challenge!