As we enter the new year, are you committing to work less, exercise more, prioritize your health and relationships, or perhaps even forgo making New Year’s resolutions altogether? Many resolutions tend to fail, but as the reality of 2025 sets in, we are challenged to maintain productivity and balance. Whether you aim to meditate, streamline your work, or explore new outlets for creativity, there are apps available to support your goals this year.
Start the year with a sense of calm using the Headspace app for guided meditation sessions. From traditional meditations to mindful movement exercises and podcasts, it offers a variety of tools to help manage stress and boost self-esteem. A two-week trial is available, with an annual subscription priced at $70.
For quick and effective workout routines, FitOn is a convenient choice. Access a range of exercise options, from intense ab workouts to relaxing yoga sessions that can be done anywhere. The free version offers basic features, while the Pro version, including meal plans, is available for $40/year.
Short on time but eager to learn? Blinkist provides summaries of nonfiction books in just 15 minutes, perfect for busy schedules. Stay informed and inspired while on the go, all within a few minutes of reading.
Libby is another app catering to book lovers, offering free access to audiobooks and ebooks with a library card. Save money on purchasing titles and enjoy a wide selection of reading materials throughout the year.
When it comes to managing finances, Rocket Money (formerly Truebill) is a useful tool for tracking and reducing expenses. By identifying recurring payments and hidden charges, it helps you save money effortlessly. A free trial is available, with premium features ranging from $6 to $12 per month.
Embrace the new year with these apps to support your well-being, productivity, and financial goals in 2025.
With the money you save, consider putting some of it to work for you. Even those new to investing often find the Stash app to be user-friendly. Serving as a straightforward gateway to diversified investing, you can begin with as little as $5. The app offers easy-to-use educational tools and guides that can transform investing confusion into empowerment.
When life becomes overwhelming, Todoist can serve as your guiding light. I personally rely on it because it allows me to consolidate all my calendars in one place, keeping track of reminders and tasks from various apps. Having all my information at a glance helps my brain function more effectively, and Todoist serves as that centralized hub. While there is a free beginner plan available, the paid Pro plan costs $5 per month or $48 per year.
Connecting and creating can be enjoyable aspects of adulting, right? During moments of downtime in an airport lounge or while waiting for a meeting, I find solace in engaging with Happy Color. While it might sound simplistic, coloring is a beloved pastime enjoyed by many, and this color-by-number adult coloring book app offers a vast array of designs. With thousands of calming options, it helps me steer clear of mindlessly scrolling through negative content, which is truly invaluable. The app is free to use, with an option to remove ads for a fee.
In terms of balancing fun with responsibility, setting screen time boundaries is essential for parents. Aura simplifies this process by allowing you to easily pause internet access, monitor content, block certain websites, and essentially act as a digital guardian for your children’s devices. It is compatible with popular apps like TikTok and Roblox, functioning as a set of digital training wheels. The app offers a free trial, with a paid subscription priced around $10 per month or $120 per year.
Jennifer Jolly, an Emmy Award-winning consumer tech columnist and on-air contributor for “The Today Show,” shares her insights on these mobile apps to help you stay on track with your 2025 resolutions. The views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and may not necessarily align with those of USA TODAY. For inquiries, you can reach out to Jennifer Jolly at JJ@Techish.com.
This article was originally published on USA TODAY, offering recommendations on mobile apps to support your goals for the year ahead.
