Being a single mom should not feel like you're running a 24/7 circus—as in...you're the ringmaster, the clown, and the one cleaning up the popcorn, meanwhile there's a trail of thought that's prattling above your head MUMBLING "surely I can be more organised amidst this loveable chaos?"
Between work, kids, and that never-ending to-do list that seems to have a mind of its own, things can get a lot. Staying organized isn’t just a nice idea—it’s your secret weapon for sanity. The best part? You don’t have to do it solo. I’ve rounded up some ridiculously helpful tools to save you time, lower your stress, and make life just a little less frantic. Let’s dive in!
-SCHEDULE APPOINTMENTS, COLOUR CODE PRIORITIES AND SET REMINDERS, SHARE WITH FAMILY.
The app syncs across devices, so whether you're on your phone or computer, your schedule is always accessible. It’s like having a digital command center for your life.
COZI
-FAMILY CALENDAR, TO-DO LISTS, SHOPING LISTS, FAMILY JOURNAL, MEAL PLANNING.
The Cozi app is a game-changer for busy single mums, keeping schedules, to-do lists, and meal plans in one place. With shared calendars, reminders, and grocery lists, it helps you stay organized and time abundant and stress-free—so you can focus on what matters most!
TIMETREE
-SHARED CALENDAR, NOTES AND MEMOS, EVENT DISCUSSIONS, CO-PARENTING, WORK AND HOME TASK ORGANISATION.
TimeTree is like having a group chat built into your calendar, keeping communication and planning in one place. It’s perfect for families who rely on teamwork to get through the week.
TRELLO
-HOUSEHOLD CHORES, SCHOOL PROJECTS AND ACTIVITIES, PERSONAL GOALS
Trello uses a straightforward board and card system to help you visually manage everything on your plate. It’s great for breaking down tasks into bite-sized pieces and seeing your progress at a glance.
ASANA
-TASK ASSIGNMENTS, PROGRESS TRACKING, COMMUNICATION TOOLS
What’s great about Asana is how customizable it is. You can create projects for all areas of your life—like "Bills & Budgeting" or "Meal Planning"—and divide them into actionable tasks. Each task can have its own due date, priority level, and even subtasks if needed.
TODOIST
-RE-OCCURING TASKS, PRIORITIZE WITH EASE, INTEGRATION OPTIONS
Todoist is a simple yet powerful task management app packed with features. It’s especially useful if you have a never-ending list of things to remember and appreciate minimalistic design. Its standout feature? You can type tasks in natural language, and the app does the rest.
EVERNOTE
-MANAGE RECIPIES, TRACK SCHOOL ASSIGNMENTS, PLAN FAMILY ACTIVITIES
Evernote is one of the most versatile note-taking apps out there, and it’s a lifesaver for busy single moms. Think of it as a digital filing cabinet where you can store just about anything. The app allows you to create notebooks for different categories, attach documents, and organize all your information in one place.
ONENOTE
-AUDIO RECORDING, HANDWRITING RECOGNITION, COLLABORATION TOOLS
You can use it like this: Create separate sections for “Kids”, “Work”, “Household”, or anything else you’re managing. Under the “Kids” section, add pages for topics such as homework schedules, sports practices, or even doctor’s appointments. It’s like having a personalized binder that never runs out of pages.
GOOGLE KEEP
-COLOUR CODED NOTES, CHECKLISTS, INTEGRATION WITH GOOGLE TOOLS
Google Keep keeps it simple but doesn’t skimp on functionality. If you’re already using Google services like Gmail or Calendar, integrating Google Keep into your routine is a breeze. This app works like sticky notes but in digital form, helping you quickly jot down ideas, lists, and reminders.
MINT
-TRACK EXPENSES, CREATE BUDGETS, SET FINANCIAL GOALS.
Mint is a user-friendly app that makes budgeting feel less overwhelming. It connects directly to your bank accounts, credit cards, and bills, giving you a full picture of your money in one place.
YNAB - YOU NEED A BUDGET
-ALLOCATE YOUR INCOME, TRACK SPENDING, MANAGE DEBT.
While it may take some time to learn YNAB’s method, the payoff is worth it. It teaches you to be intentional with your money, which can help you avoid financial stress and live within your means.
PERSONAL CAPITAL
-INVESTMENT TRACKING, NET WORTH CALCULATOR, RETIREMENT PLANNING.
If you’re looking for more than just a budgeting tool, Personal Capital could be the right choice. While it does track your spending and help create budgets, it also focuses on long-term financial planning, like investments and retirement.
MEALIME
-PERSONALIZED MEAL SUGGESTIONS, GROCERY LIST, ONLINE ORDERING INTEGRATIONS.
Mealime is perfect if you’re tired of scrolling through recipes that don’t fit your family’s needs. This app offers personalized meal suggestions tailored to your dietary preferences, food allergies, or restrictions. Once you select your meals, the app creates an easy-to-follow grocery list organized by aisle, saving you time at the store. Want to avoid grocery runs altogether? Mealime even integrates with online ordering services, so you can have ingredients delivered right to your door.
BIGOVEN
-RECIPE DATABASE, CALENDAR FEATURE, SOCIAL FEATURES.
BigOven is like the Pinterest of meal planning apps. It boasts a massive recipe database with over 1 million options to help you find inspiration when you’re stuck in a cooking rut. The app makes meal planning easy with its calendar feature, where you can schedule meals for the week and keep everything organized at a glance.
One cool feature? You can snap a photo of the ingredients you already have in your fridge, and BigOven will suggest recipes to use them up.
PLAN TO EAT
-IMPORT RECIPIES FEATURE, MEAL PLANNING CALENDAR, PERSONALIZED SHOPPING LIST.
Plan to Eat takes the stress out of cooking by streamlining the entire process, from finding recipes to creating shopping lists. The app lets you import recipes from your favorite websites or manually enter family favorites, so everything is in one place. If you’re tracking your nutrition, Plan to Eat offers tools to monitor important details like calories, protein, or carbs. For single moms looking to stay organized in the kitchen, this app is like having a sous chef in your pocket.
IFTTT - IF THIS THEN THAT
-SOCIAL MEDIA AUTOMATION, SMART HOME CONTROL, REMINDERS AND ALERTS.
Imagine an app that connects all your gadgets and apps to work together without you lifting a finger. That’s IFTTT. It’s a free platform where you create "recipes" to automate tasks based on the condition "If this happens, then do that."
SMART SPEAKERS
-AMAZON ECHO, GOOGLE HOME, ALEXA
Smart speakers are so much more than devices that let you play music hands-free. For single moms, they’re personal assistants, entertainers, and even safety tools—all rolled into one.Set reminders and alarms, answer questions, voice activated calls and smart home integration.
SMART HOME DEVICES
-SMART LIGHTS, SMART THERMOSTATS, SMART PLUGS
Smart home devices bring ultimate convenience by taking care of tasks around the house without constant supervision. They’re not only time-savers but often money-savers, too—making them perfect for budget-conscious single moms.
Staying organized as a single mum isn’t just a skill—it’s a superpower! But even superheroes need sidekicks, and that’s where the right tools come in. From digital calendars and budgeting apps to meal-planning lifesavers and automation hacks, these gems help cut the chaos, save time, and bring back a sense of control. They’re not just handy—they’re total game-changers.
Feeling overwhelmed by all the options? No worries—just pick one tool that could make an instant difference. Maybe it’s syncing your life with Google Calendar or finally getting a grip on your budget with Mint. Small shifts lead to big wins!
What’s your go-to organization hack? Drop it in the comments—you never know who you might help! Happy Planning:)