Tech Tips Tuesday

We know parents are caught in a never-ending whirlwind of carpools and homework and parties and practices. Luckily there are a ton of apps and websites out there designed to make your life easier, more organized or just more fun. 

Here are our top two Tech Tips this month:

My Job Chart

What it is: My Job Chart is a chore and allowance tracker that works on a points system, allowing children to earn points for chores done and then allocate those points toward their spending, saving and sharing goals. Parents can choose from a big list of chores or make up their own, and the kids log into their accounts to see their daily chores and check them off as they go.

Why it’s cool: The site links directly to Amazon.com, where kids can find things they’d like to spend their money on and add them to wish lists that automatically keep track of how many points they’ve earned toward the purchase. Once they have enough points, an alert is sent to Mom or Dad, who can then purchase the item and have it shipped directly to the house. If this seems too consumer-driven, the site also links to several charities (again you can add others), and points are earned toward donating to those as well.

What’s required: The website is free, with free apps for Apple iPhones, iPads and Android phones and tablets.

Couch to 5K

What it is: The C25K program was designed to get you from never running to completing a 5K in only nine weeks. You can listen to your own music while the helpful voice prompts you to walk, to run, and to congratulate yourself for a job well done. You follow a simple training plan that gradually increases your distance and stamina, and you can measure your progress by either time or distance.

Why it’s cool: It’s free and it’s easy, and your health is worth so much more than that. If you ever wished you had your own personal trainer, someone to tell you what to do to get in shape without killing yourself or your budget, then this app might be your dream come true. It takes the guesswork out of getting in shape, and quiets that self-defeating voice inside your head telling you to slow down, walk, or stop.

What’s required: There are several mobile apps for iPhone and Android, some free, some paid.