Beneficial Apps to Jumpstart Off the New Year

We often set goals in the new year as we look back on the past. Here are some beneficial apps to help you accomplish your goals.

Helpful Apps for Focusing on the New Year

The end of one year and the start of a new one is often a time to reflect on the past and think about the future.

For some families, that may mean looking at long-term goals, such as helping their young adult move from high school to college or vocational school, finding employment, or settling into an independent living situation.

For others, it could mean looking at things like adopting a more organized schedule, getting finances in order by creating a budget, setting aside more money for monthly savings, or establishing more healthy habits through nutrition or exercise.

Whatever starting a new year means for you, BridgingApps has created an app list with a variety of apps to help jumpstart your new goals!

Beneficial Apps to Jumpstart Your Goals

The Future Focus App List features apps for productivity such as Gmail- Email by Google and Google Calendar: Get Organized; both are favorites of ours because they are completely FREE and having a Google account gives users access to a whole suite of productivity apps.

Apps to help you get your budget in order for a big purchase or help your teen or young adult start learning how to budget their money from a part-time job or allowances, such as YNAB and Rocket Money- Bills & Budget, are included in this list as well.

Lastly, there are apps to help you stay healthy or get healthy if that is one of your goals. Apps such as ActivityTracker Pedometer can help you track steps and distance along with calories burned, while SmartGym: Gym & Home Workouts uses the equipment you have available to create workouts just for you, which is great for those of us who need adapted workout programs or have limited access to gym equipment.

Enjoy exploring this new app list, and keep an eye out for more apps to be added throughout the year!

Gmail- Email by Google

By Google

Gmail is a free email service by Google, offering fast and secure email management. With features like inbox organization, powerful search, and integration with other Google services, it helps users stay connected and productive. The app supports multiple accounts, notifications, and attachments for an easy and efficient experience.

Free • Offers In-App Purchases

BridgingApps Review: https://search.bridgingapps.org/apps/gmail-email-by-google 

Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/gmail-email-by-google/id422689480?uo=4

Google Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.gm

Google Calendar: Get Organized

By Google

Google Calendar is an easy-to-use calendar app that helps you stay organized. It allows users to schedule events, set reminders, and manage appointments. With features like event color coding, smart notifications, and integration with other Google services, it keeps your daily tasks and plans in sync.

Free

BridgingApps Review: https://search.bridgingapps.org/apps/google-calendar-get-organized 

Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/google-calendar-get-organized/id909319292?uo=4

Google Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.calendar 

YNAB

By You Need A Budget LLC

YNAB (You Need a Budget) is a budgeting app designed to help users take control of their finances. It focuses on giving every dollar a job, planning ahead, and breaking the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle. With real-time syncing and easy-to-use features, YNAB helps users set goals, track expenses, and create a more organized financial future.

Free • Offers In-App Purchases

BridgingApps Review: https://search.bridgingapps.org/apps/ynab-you-need-a-budget 

Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ynab/id1010865877?uo=4

Google Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.youneedabudget.evergreen.app 

Rocket Money- Bills & Budgets

By Rocket Money

Rocket Money (formerly Truebill) is a personal finance app that helps users track their subscriptions, manage expenses, and save money. It identifies recurring charges, offers budgeting tools, and provides insights into spending habits, making it easier to take control of your financial life.

Free • Offers In-App Purchases

BridgingApps Review: https://search.bridgingapps.org/apps/rocket-money-bills-budgets 

Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/rocket-money-bills-budgets/id1130616675?uo=4

Google Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.truebill

Web App: https://app.rocketmoney.com/

ActivityTracker Pedometer

By ActivityTracker Pedometer

ActivityTracker is a simple and efficient pedometer app that tracks your steps, active calories, distance, active time, and floors climbed, all without draining your battery. It syncs with Apple Health and provides daily, weekly, and hourly insights to help you stay active. The app also offers customizable goals and progress notifications to keep you motivated.

Free • Offers In-App Purchases 

BridgingApps Review: https://search.bridgingapps.org/apps/activitytracker-pedometer 

Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/activitytracker-pedometer/id993667592?uo=4

Google Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bitscoffee.ActivityTracker

SmartGym: Gym & Home Workout

By Mateus Abras

SmartGym is a versatile fitness app offering personalized workout plans for both home and gym settings. It includes features like customizable routines, HIIT support, exercise tracking, and integration with Apple Watch. Users can track progress, set goals, and access over 690 exercises with images and animations. The app also supports personal trainers with tools like augmented reality posture analysis.

Free • Offers In-App Purchases 

BridgingApps Review: https://search.bridgingapps.org/apps/smartgym-gym-home-workouts 

Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/smartgym-gym-home-workouts/id922744883?uo=4

Check out the BridgingApps App Search Tool to search for apps, create lists, and even share them.

BridgingApps, a program of Easter Seals Greater Houston, is a community of parents, therapists, doctors, and teachers who share information about using mobile devices with people who have special needs.

Amy Fuchs is the Program Manager at BridgingApps and a former special education teacher. Amy Barry is the Digital Marketing Lead at BridgingApps and mother of five children.

Cristen Reat is a co-founder of BridgingApps and a mother who found success when using a mobile device with her younger son, who has multiple disabilities.

We share a passion for using mobile technology to enhance the lives of people of all ages with disabilities.

Helpful Apps

• Apps to Kick Off the New Year
• Hot off the Press! New and Retooled Apps!
• Break It Down Tech Tools for Task Analysis
• Life-Changing Apps for People with Disabilities
• Tech Tools to Encourage Healthy Habits for Kids

Helpful Articles

• How Can My Child Be Independent?
• Where to Go if Your Child Needs a Job or Help with Post High School Education
• Teaching Financial Independence The Building Blocks of Financial Literacy
• Financial Planning: For Those Who Are at the Starting Line
• Parenting Your Young Adult Through Their First Employment Experiences
• Benefits of Special Diets for Special Needs Children
• Focus on Color

This post originally appeared on our January/February 2025 Magazine