A new year often brings the desire to be a slightly better version of ourselves — at least, that’s the hope most of us hold.
The beginning of the year is an ideal moment to recommit to goals with renewed energy and clarity. To celebrate the turn of the calendar, we’re excited to recommend nine apps worth downloading.
These are our top picks to help you manage your money, improve your health and boost overall productivity.
Money and Finance Apps
Of course we’re beginning the year with some standout money and finance apps. These tools help monitor spending, prepare for the future and curb unnecessary purchases, so you can enter the new year with greater financial prudence.
Simplifi
- Monitor your finances in a single intuitive app
- Create budgets and define financial objectives
- Customer support from the team behind Quicken
Simplifi is one of ourfavorite personal finance tools, and we can’t imagine a better way to begin the year. Built by the Quicken team,Simplifilets users track spending, build a custom budget, manage monthly bills and keep an eye on investments. Simplifi also offers insights to help you meet your financial targets more quickly.
Rocket Money
- Locate and track subscriptions
- Access a concierge service to cancel subscriptions
- Connect all your financial accounts
Formerly known as Truebill, Rocket Money is our preferred app for keeping tabs on subscription costs. Rocket Money scans your bank accounts to identify recurring subscriptions and helps you cancel services you no longer use. It also includes budgeting tools so you can keep spending under control.
Dave
- Get an instant cash advance up to $500
- Receive direct deposits up to two days early
- Find side gigs to earn extra money
The Dave app is a great option for anyone frustrated by overdraft fees. Able to provide interest-free advances up to $500 without a credit check, Dave is ideal for covering temporary shortfalls. Dave also offers budgeting assistance and resources to discover side hustles to supplement your income.
Health and Fitness Apps
We don’t just hope your finances are healthy — we want you to be healthy too. Protect your body and prioritize long-term wellness with these excellent fitness apps.
Lose It!
- Log calories and macronutrients
- Track daily water intake
- Receive pattern insights and reports
Weight loss can be daunting, but the Lose It! app is a top choice for monitoring food intake and slimming down. You can set target weights and monitor essential nutritional details like calories and macros. It’s user-friendly and free to sign up and begin using.
Calm
- Guided meditations for daily use
- Sleep stories to help you drift off
- Masterclasses to build mindfulness skills
Mental wellbeing is as vital as physical fitness. If stress is a concern, try the Calm app. Calm includes a wide selection of meditations, bedtime stories, soothing music and masterclasses designed to help you find balance. It offers a free trial but requires a subscription for ongoing access.
Reflectly
- Digital journaling to monitor your moods
- AI-driven prompts to guide reflection
- Tailored motivational content
Marketed as an intelligent journaling app, Reflectly shows how artificial intelligence can support daily wellbeing. You can record entries and Reflectly will assist you in processing emotions through thoughtful prompts and questions. It also delivers quotes and daily challenges for added encouragement.
Productivity and Organization Apps
Another vital category includes apps that enhance productivity and keep us organized. Whether you’re scheduling your day or outlining a big creative project, these tools can help structure your life.
GoodNotes 5
- Write handwritten notes on iPad with Apple Pencil
- Search through your digital note library
- Sync notes via iCloud
For creative types, GoodNotes needs little introduction as a premier digital paper app. With GoodNotes 5, you can sketch and jot down ideas. It’s ideal for students and free-thinkers alike. It performs best on iPad with an Apple Pencil but is also compatible with iPhone, Mac and Windows devices.
Structured
- Display tasks on a color-coded timeline
- Auto-import tasks from your device calendar
- Receive reminders for upcoming items
The Structured app has a straightforward purpose: break your day into manageable tasks and display them clearly. If you need assistance organizing your day, Structured is a great fit. You can create tasks, assign colors and get alerts when events are approaching. It will also pull events automatically from your device calendar.
1Password
- Store passwords securely in one app
- Generate strong passwords that meet security standards
- Get alerts for compromised credentials
We’ve stressed the importance of using a password manager, so it’s no surprise one appears on our list. Our preferred manager remains 1Password. Install 1Password across your devices and you’ll never have to worry about forgotten passwords again.
Alex Carter is a senior writer with Savinly specializing in technology.
