In today's fast-paced world, the demands on our time and energy are greater than ever. Speaking from my own experience and perspective as a woman raising a family, managing a household, and managing a business - career women and entrepreneurs often find ourselves juggling multiple roles.
With the constant barrage of new technologies and apps promising to make our lives easier, it's easy to become overwhelmed and lose sight of what matters, or of which solutions might actually be helpful rather than just adding to a bottomless list. So I've set out to explore how we can simplify our everyday tasks using low-tech solutions that are both accessible and efficient.
Throughout my quest for a more balanced and organized life, I've tried and tested a variety of simple apps and tools - although I am generally a fan of “analog” solutions, I’ve found a few that have proven to be invaluable in streamlining my daily routines. By sharing my experiences and tips, I aim to empower busy women like myself to harness the power of low-tech solutions to make life more manageable, organized, and efficient.
In this short series, we will explore various aspects of household management, from grocery shopping to financial tracking and bill payment. I’ll share my personal insights and recommendations on the low-tech tools and strategies that have worked for me, as well as actionable advice to help you implement these solutions in your own life.
The Benefits of To-Do List Apps
Instead of using separate apps for grocery lists, household management, and kids' activities, I recommend using a single to-do list app for multiple purposes.
By using a single app, you can:
Keep all your lists in one place
Share lists with multiple people
Easily update and modify lists
Use the app in unconventional ways
My Preferred To-Do List App: Todoist*
There are many options available, but of those that I’ve tried my personal favorite so far is Todoist. It offers a free version with a certain number of lists, making it accessible for anyone to try out. Todoist allows you to create tasks and subtasks, share lists with others, and even assign tasks to specific people.
Using Todoist for Various Household Tasks
There are several ways I utilize Todoist to streamline my household:
Grocery shopping: Organize your list by aisles, and share the list with your partner or other household members. As items are added or checked off, everyone will have the most up-to-date list and can access it from anywhere, making shopping more efficient. No more leaving the list at home or forgetting to add items to it when you’re on the go.
Packing: Create a packing list for each category or family member and check-off items as they are packed. These lists can then be unchecked and repurposed again for the next trip. This repeatable system ensures that nothing is forgotten on trips.
Sharing tasks with a nanny: Share a list with a caregiver to coordinate tasks for your child, ensuring everyone is on the same page even if you’re not in the same place.
Shopping: Add items to a shopping list as they come to mind, and review the list before making purchases. This can prevent impulsive buying and will also be accessible when you’re already out and about running other errands.
Chores: Assign chores to family members, or create a list of tasks for everyone to choose from. This can help divide responsibilities and ensure that household tasks are completed.
Do you use a simple to-do list app in other ways not listed here? Let us know in the comments below!
Next week we’ll explore ways to better utilize your digital calendar app to help you manage your time and various household activities.
*LK Consultants does not receive any kickbacks from Todoist for mentioning them in this post.
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