11 Apps We’re Thankful For

When I first thought about what to write for this blog, I thought given the timing (Thanksgiving holiday) I’d write about what I’m thankful for and what others on my Academy team are thankful for. I quickly learned that many of their answers were similar thus making for a very repetitive blog post. So, I decided to change direction and do something a little more light-hearted and asked them a different question: what smartphone apps are you most thankful for? Yeah, we don’t NEED apps, but they sure as heck make our lives just a little bit easier. And, maybe after reading this, you’ll download one of these apps and make your life easier!

An app I’m particularly thankful for is the Chase Mobile app. This is not a new app and I’m sure other banks have similar features but I love that you can transfer money or check your account by simply signing into the app. But, my favorite thing about this app is that you can cash a check within minutes of someone handing it to you. No more bank lines? Yes, please.

Here are some other FREE apps that we are thankful for (and you might be too after reading this):

AMAZON APP: Hate stepping foot in a shopping mall around the holidays? With the click of a button, it’s all yours. And it can be yours, all yours, the same day (and delivered free) through Amazon Prime.

CAMSCANNER: This one is perfect for on-the-go. You can easily take a picture of a printed document and it will scan it from your phone and turn it into a PDF file. You can then email it or do whatever you need to with it.

FLIPBOARD:  Life gets busy and if you want to stay in the know, try Flipboard. It’s like a magazine for your phone except it’s tailored to everything you like. From keeping up to date with news to the next up and coming graffiti street artist, Flipboard will let you know what’s going on in the areas that are of interest to you and you barely have to lift a finger.

GOOGLE PHOTOS: Let’s face it, we’ve become a society obsessed with photos. This app auto syncs with your iPhotos and also acts as a back-up for them. It can create animations, story books and styled photos automatically from any uploaded pictures. What will they think of next!

oneSAFE: “I never forget my password” said no one ever. This app stores confidential information like passwords so you never find yourself repeatedly trying to enter a password until you get locked out of that account. Sound familiar?

petMD SYMPTOM CHECKER: If dogs and cats could talk it would be so much easier, right? Well, until they start speaking (barking doesn’t count) or we decode pet speak, we luckily have another option. This mobile app self-diagnoses what’s potentially wrong with your pet.

SLACK: This desktop and mobile app not only reduces email but it also brings all of your communication together in one place. It has real-time messaging, easy file sharing capabilities and channels for different discussion topics. It’s great for working in a team environment.

VIVINO: Calling all winos! All you have to do is take a picture of a wine bottle and it will pull up reviews, ratings and pricing. You can also buy that wine from your phone or see where it’s being sold nearby.

WAZE: It’s the way to go. Seriously though. This social and community-based traffic and navigation app let’s you type in your destination and then provides the fastest route to travel based on real time traffic submissions from other users.

WHATSAPP: Have a friend or family member living in another country? This app allows you to text that person without being charged any crazy fees. Staying in touch just got a whole lot easier.

What apps are you most thankful for? Tell us below in the comment section.
Happy Apping! And, most importantly, Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.

Kelly Murphy
Practice Building Consultant
American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc.
9444 Balboa Avenue, Suite 300
San Diego, California 92123
Phone: (800) 846-1555
www.aaepa.com