Do you ever feel like you could spend 40 hours a week just managing your life? Bring your schedule under control with these apps.

Work... exercise... family catch-ups... medical appointments, we all have endless to-do lists. And just when we think things are under control - the car breaks down!

As modern life gets busier, technology is keeping the pace, offering innovations to help us stay on top of things.

The following apps and tools are handy for the time-poor, whether you’re a busy professional, a multi-tasking student or a flat-out working parent.

Google Calendar

Photo courtesy: iTunes

Never miss an appointment again with the help of Google calendar. Download this app on every screen you ever look at and make anyone else in your house do the same.

Schedule work commitments, yoga classes, the kids’ soccer and even your own ‘time out’. Share each event with your significant others so that they get the same reminders and won’t be able to schedule something else that interferes.
The best thing about Google Calendar is that it’s free and can sync across devices including tablets, laptops and smartphones.

It's worth noting that Google isn’t the only calendar in town: Apple and Microsoft also have their own cross-platform calendar solutions, and there are plenty of third party options from independent services.

Cost: Free

Android app: https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/google-calendar/id909319292?mt=8

iOS app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.calendar&hl=en

Jamie Oliver’s 20 Minute Meals

Photo courtesy: iTunes

Don’t you wish someone would just tell you what to cook and how to do it? Hello Jamie Oliver’s 20 Minute Meals app! Regularly updated with new, family-friendly recipes, the app gives you a shopping list as well as step by step audio and visual instructions to help you get dinner on the table, pronto.

The app assumes that you have got your pots, pans and utensils out ahead of time and that you are somewhat prepped and ready to go with your ingredients. But even if you blow out your cooking time to half an hour, it’s a winner on weeknights when you just want to get everybody fed.

Cost: $6.99

Android app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zolmo.twentymm&hl=en

iPhone app: https://itunes.apple.com/en/app/20-minute-meals-jamie-oliver/id318926433?mt=8

ASAP

This isn’t strictly an app, in fact it’s just a phone number – for your own on-demand personal assistant. You can text the ASAP team and ask them to find you a cleaner, book you a flight, or even deliver that box of donuts you’ve been craving (if you live in CBD Sydney).

They charge a small fee, but it’s a lot cheaper than a full time personal assistant and can be an absolute life saver if you realise in the middle of a stressful working day that you have forgotten to organise flowers for your mother’s birthday!

Cost: Varies

Visit http://getitasap.com.au or text 0437 825 625.

Supermarket Apps

Photo: iStock

Both of Australia’s major supermarket chains offer apps to help simplify your shopping. The Coles app saves you time by showing you which aisle you’ll find products in and by displaying weekly specials. It lets you create shopping lists and has hundreds of recipes to give you inspiration.

Cost: Free

Android App: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.coles.android.shopmate

iOS App: https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/coles/id529118855?mt=8

If even the thought of visiting the supermarket is too overwhelming, the Woolworths app is a great solution. It lets you scan items by barcode, order them and have them delivered to your door. You can create lists, access recipes and then add the ingredients directly to your virtual trolley, and also find items within a particular store. The Woolworths app has an Apple watch version to make your weekly shop even more convenient.

Cost: Free

Android app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.woolworths&hl=en

iOS app: https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/woolies-the-fresh-food-people/id448267836?mt=8

Choremonster

Photo courtesy: Choremonster press kit

Choremonster is your hope at making chores fun.

By giving kids points that go towards real rewards like ice cream or camping trips, it can help inspire them to actually do their round-the-house jobs on a regular basis.

Sometimes making your kids get started on their chores is half the battle. If they are excited by the novelty of Choremonster then you’re cutting out a lot of stress. This app, with its cute interface, is described as a ‘must have’ for busy families and has thousands of positive reviews on the iTunes store.

Cost: Free

Android app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.choremonster.cmandroid&hl=en

iOS app: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/choremonster-make-chores-fun/id532344230?mt=8

Headspace

Photo: iStock

Sometimes the most important part of coping with your busy life is taking time to decompress. Pace yourself and calm your mind with the highly-rated Headspace app or website.

Pitching itself as ‘the gym for your mind’, Headspace teaches you meditation and stress reducing mindfulness, starting with a daily ten minute practice. As your progress, you can choose sessions based on your mood and your lifestyle.

Cost: Free for ten sessions, then around $18AUD per month.

Android app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.getsomeheadspace.android&hl=en

iOS app: https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/headspace-meditation-techniques/id493145008?mt=8

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