Organizing in the New Year | Tech Style

Written by / Mental Clutter Coach

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    • CleverOrganizedPOV.jpgWill you be among the millions resolving to “get more organized” in
    2011? What, with all our gadgets galore {smart phones, tablets, laptops,
    desktops} you’d think it would be easier than ever!

    Unfortunately, finding the tech match can be as overwhelming as accomplishing that never ending to-do list.

    The following 3 websites – apps are solutions I just cannot live without.

    Evernote
    I often explain this site/app as the perfect “mental dumping zone”. Using virtual notebooks you classify your categories. Think of subjects such as Recipes, Grocery Lists, ideas by hobby {ex: Gardening Ideas}, or even Wishlist. Then, when you come across those sporadic ideas you would normally put on a miscellaneous Post-It note you access your Evernote account via site/app and “dump” it in there. Good bye little pieces of paper ~ hello virtual capture of your mind!
    Cost: Free

    CGCEvernote.png

    Google Calendar
    I’ll be the first to admit, I’m a Google fan. I love using their Gmail platform for all my email needs {massive love affair with my Priority Inbox!} collecting all my contacts with my Droid smart phone then accessing the information with my iGoogle account. Hands down though, life with the Google Calendar is my life saver. Creating calendars for each of my family members I can easily see where/what everyone is up to, create events for them {think athletic practices} or make changes so they can see what has happened while they were off at work or school {think drum lesson changes}. Above and beyond the family streamlining there is also the ability to “invite” others to a single event or a particular calendar, great for the involved Grandparents who want to make a game or for keeping coaches in sync on the tournament schedule. Anything can be done from the site or a smart phone with real time results! Our family would be running around with our heads cut off if it weren’t for this little addition to our lifestyles!
    Cost: Free

    CGCGoogleCal.png

    Mint
    Discovering Mint.com a little over a year ago changed everything for my finances. Again, accessed by either their site or app you can set up all your financial accounts to talk to Mint. Then the magic begins, upon signing in, all accounts are brought up to date and you can see at a glance where you stand financially. Want to know your total credit card debt? How about what your worth is compared to your debt? Or even where all your money seems to be slipping away to? No problem, Mint does it all. They even can send you a weekly update with account balances via text, mine comes on Friday evenings, so you know where you stand with your budget. In this economy, who couldn’t use a little extra information about their financial standing?
    Cost: Free

    CGCMint.png

    April Welch
    April Welch
    April Welch is a Mental Clutter Expert | Mom of 2 boys | Wife to 1 Fireman | Lover of Tutus | Horrible Cook | Loyal Friend | National Public Speaker who gives you permission to be imperfect

    Read More From April Welch
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    • http://profile.typepad.com/stephcalahan Stephanie LH Calahan aka @StephCalahan

      Great post. I use all of the tech tools you mention loving and have the exact same response and I recommend them to my clients often. Two other tools that are a must for consideration are Paper Tiger: http://www.FindInFiveSeconds.com for all of the physical items that you have that don’t go into your computer or smart phone and http://www.aboutone.com for a fantastic family management and information tool.
      To your success!
      Stephanie
      Productive & Organized – We’ll help you find your way! tm

    • http://profile.typepad.com/themommyinsider Alicia Gugel Hagan

      Great tips April! I’ve had Evernote on my laptop and iPhone for a long time but don’t use it. I think I’ll reconsider as I’m in desperate need of organizational help.

      Thanks!

    • http://profile.typepad.com/jenniferpalais JenniferPalais

      I direct my clients to these same three tools (especially Evernote!)…love them and don’t want to think what functioning would look like without them! I’ll consider my toolkit co-signed. :-)

    • http://profile.typepad.com/stephaniecoviak Stephanie Coviak

      I’ve heard a lot about Evernote and can’t wait to check out some of your tips as well as the other @Stephanie’s links. I am using http://cozicentral.cozi.com/homepage/ which I found through http://www.flylady.net/
      Cozi syncs to my Android and other family members. (My husband even uses it!) It has lists, calendar and is super-easy to use with a lot of nice features. My favorite is that you can input your info on the website faster and it automatically is sent to your phone.
      Thank you for the great ideas!
      Stephanie

    • http://profile.typepad.com/bluezoo Blue Zoo

      I am really liking the sounds of Evernote. Ive never heard of it before, cant wait to try it out!!

    • http://profile.typepad.com/recklesssarcasm RecklessSarcasm

      Great tips! Thank you! I am determined to become more organized this year. I really like the idea of Mint. I had never seen that before. I am definitely going to check it out. Also. I have heard a lot about Evernote. Checking that out as well.

    • http://profile.typepad.com/hsuperparents HSUper Parents

      I think I’m going to try using the Google Calendar. In the past, I have used the Outlook calendar.

      • http://www.facebook.com/ Ricky

        Wow! That’s a rellay neat answer!

    • http://profile.typepad.com/rehamah Rehamah

      great post….am going to check out evernote sounds like one I can really use.

    • http://profile.typepad.com/gigi9271 Gigi927

      I have never used Evernote either and it sounds awesome. One I would add to the list is AboutOne..it’s a great way to keep lots of personal information in one place.