Hey there, it’s Noah Fletcher! If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years, it’s that time is your most precious asset. I’m a tech junkie, sure, but above all, I’m a firm believer that technology should make life easier. Over the last decade of writing about all things tech, I’ve discovered tools that can help busy folks like us reclaim valuable minutes—and even hours—each day.
You might think saving time is as simple as choosing the right gadget or app, and while that’s partially true, it’s really about finding tools that fit your lifestyle. Consider this article our little coffee chat, where I unpack some of the best ways to save time with technology and sprinkle in tips from my personal experience. Who knows, maybe these solutions will free up enough time for you to start that book club or take a spontaneous trip!
Before we jump into the "how," I want to quickly talk about why this matters so much. There was a time—before smart home gadgets and time-tracking apps—when I was juggling deadlines, family commitments, and the occasional attempt to maintain a social life.
Sound familiar? What changed for me wasn’t just buying the latest apps; it was the realization that investing in tools designed to simplify my life gave me something priceless back—time to breathe and be myself.
Okay, philosophy over—now, on to the nitty-gritty.
Does it feel like you spend more time planning your day than actually living it? Yeah, that used to be me too. I’ve always had a love-hate relationship with schedules, but once I started using apps designed to streamline planning, it was a game-changer.
My Must-Have Tools for Staying Organized
Rize is one of my absolute favorites when it comes to productivity. I remember testing it out for a tech review—it tracks how much focus time you actually have versus how much you’re context-switching. Spoiler alert… I was switching tasks way more than I thought! Now, I use it to pinpoint my productivity sweet spots and block out distractions.
Then there’s Notion. Oh, where do I begin? Think of it as the Swiss Army Knife of organization. I use it to organize my tech-writing projects (like this article!) and keep track of big ideas for renovating my smart home setups. The best part? It’s perfect for both solo users and teams. If you collaborate with others, Notion makes sharing ideas and updates a breeze.
Buzz Bite: Research suggests listening to focus-specific music can increase productivity by up to 15%. Give it a try the next time you're in work mode!
Having both tools in my corner has made me more productive and less overwhelmed—a win-win.
Cooking meals was another area where I constantly felt squeezed for time. Years ago, I used to slap together something quick and call it a day. Then I discovered a couple of life-savers.
Personal Favorites for Culinary Simplicity
Paprika isn’t just some fancy name—it’s a go-to app for saving recipes. What’s cool is how it categorizes your groceries by supermarket aisles and even helps you time things out mid-cooking. I once pulled off Thanksgiving dinner without breaking a sweat, thanks to this app.
And then there’s Mealime. I first tried this app on a whim when I had back-to-back meetings and barely any energy to grocery shop or plan meals. Long story short, it didn’t just save me time—it saved me from junk food. You pop in your dietary preferences, and Mealime basically plans your whole week of eating. Bonus feature? It connects with InstaCart and Amazon Fresh for grocery delivery. Total game-changer.
Buzz Bite: The average person can save nearly 1.5 hours a week by meal planning. Apps like Paprika and Mealime make the process almost automatic.
For anyone whose fridge is stocked with "mystery Tupperware," these two apps take the guesswork out of meal prep. You’ll thank me later.
If you're thinking, “Noah, I work so much—how can I lighten that load?” trust me, I feel you. What helped me was outsourcing tasks that didn’t need me. That’s where virtual assistants and smarter workplace tools come in.
Business Tools I Swear By
nTask has been my secret weapon for managing bigger projects. Whether it’s tracking deadlines for a series of tech write-ups or brainstorming blog ideas, nTask keeps it simple and structured. Don’t worry, you don’t have to be a project manager to get the most out of it—it’s designed for anyone who wants to stay on top.
Now, Fancy Hands, on the other hand, is like hiring an assistant without any HR headaches. Need a reservation made or research done? Maybe you forgot to send that email? Just delegate it here. It’s honestly saved me from moments of forgetfulness more times than I can count.
Alright, confession time. I’m sometimes that guy who gets sucked into a YouTube spiral when I should be writing. Irrelevant cat videos will tank anyone's productivity, but apps like these have helped me reclaim my focus.
Stay on Track
Todoist is always on my phone, and I love how intuitive it is—perfect for people (like me) who rely on cross-platform syncing to stay organized.
Then there’s IFTTT (If This Then That). This app showed me how much time I can save by automating small, repetitive tasks. For example, I have it set to auto-save articles I highlight online into a Notion library. Automating these little things frees my mind for the bigger stuff, and honestly, that’s priceless.
Talking about money isn’t always fun, but managing it? Absolutely essential. The good news is there are apps that simplify this stuff big time.
My Go-To Finance Tools
I’ve been using Simplifi by Quicken since it launched, and I can’t recommend it enough. The automatic expense categorization? Brilliant. The app literally gave me a wake-up call about some unnecessary subscriptions I completely forgot about. (Goodbye, unused streaming services!)
Then comes PocketGuard, another fantastic app. I especially love its "In My Pocket" feature. It shows me how much I can actually spend worry-free after accounting for bills, goals, and savings. Think of it as a financial safety net in an app.
Getting your steps in or hitting your workout goals? Hard to do when you’re strapped for time. But fitness apps have come a long, long way.
Fitness Apps On My Phone
Nike Training Club is the app I turn to when I want no-nonsense advice about getting in shape. The workouts are versatile—I use it for quick 20-minute routines when I’ve been stuck at my desk for too long. Bonus points for the free premium content.
Buzz Bite: Just 30 minutes of exercise a day not only boosts physical health but improves focus, memory, and mood—win-win!
Or, if you’re into fun fitness tracking, FitOn might be more your speed. I love the community aspect (you can join real-time classes!) and how it connects to fitness wearables. Even the free version offers a ton of value, and it’ll motivate even the most workout-adverse person to give it a go.
One topic I think we don’t explore enough is how impactful a smart home setup can be for saving time. I’ve gradually built out a smart home for my family, and honestly, I wouldn’t go back.
From smart thermostats that adjust automatically to cleaning robots like the Roomba that keep the floors clean (even after my kids drop crumbs everywhere)—a connected home is a time-saver’s dream.
The tools I mentioned might not be one-size-fits-all, but I truly believe there’s something in here for everyone. Whether it’s staying productive, managing meals, or even just handling the daily grind, the right tech can feel like an extra pair of hands.
At the end of the day, it’s about buying back time to do things that actually matter—whether that’s spending time with your family or indulging in your favorite hobbies. And hey, if a tech nerd like me can reclaim lost hours, so can you! Who’s ready to take charge of their day?
Stay curious, and as always—embrace the tech, but don’t forget to enjoy the moments it gives you back. Cheers! 🕒
