Apps that help lazy moms like me beat traffic

You’ve been there. You forgot to buy some sprinkles and frosting that your daughter needs for school tomorrow, or the printer just ran out of ink, and you are printing an important document for a meeting.

There are times when you feel that your relationship with your husband or kids could get better if only you had time to do yoga or do something for yourself.

Wouldn’t it be easier for us moms if we could do everything? But no, because of the worsening traffic situation, we would be lucky to be able to squeeze in 20 minutes of brisk walking to the grocery.

Nowadays, crossing from Glorietta to Central Square, a mere 3.5 kilometers, can take about 30 to 45 minutes by car; it’s faster if you run it.

But humans are a resourceful lot, and we have come up with some hacks to make our lives easier.

Here are some of my life hacks that keep me from plucking my eyes out.

1. Head Space

Meditation is one productivity hack that most entrepreneurs swear by. This practice enables you to free space in your head to be able to absorb and focus on your task every day.

Before, you would need to go to a center or find a meditation teacher to guide you with this practice.

With this app, though, meditation is anywhere. The app has a wide range of meditation programs from kids’ to experts’. All you need is your phone and earphones.

2. Learning apps such as Dualingo or Masterclass

I always wanted to learn how to speak French, and to write better. For the longest time, I was procrastinating because I didn’t seem to have the time.

This year, I bit the bullet and downloaded Dualingo to start learning French.

I’m also checking on an online creative writing course/app so that I can tick that off my bucket list as well.

3. Zoom.

I used to be one of those who couldn’t survive without face-to-face meetings, and wanted all my employees in the office all the time.

This has limited our chances of getting good talent because our office is in the freaking province of Parañaque, and soon, in the suburbs of Alabang.

So, I have learned to be flexible, and started hiring on a flextime scheme. Soon, I’m even signing in some people who work from home.

Although I still require some face-to-face meetings, the rest of the coordination is done online via Zoom Meeting, an app that allows you to meet with several people—even with people in other parts of the world, and share your computer screen as well, if you need to make a presentation.

4. Honest Bee

S&R is the devil, and you can never leave there without overspending.

I thought I was smart that I would just send my yaya with a finite amount of cash, but this made me miss out on the credit card reward points that I use for traveling.

Problem solved when S&R, Rustan’s, and Shopwise have become a part of the Honest Bee system.

Now, I get to do the grocery with a finite budget, plus the credit card reward points which I use to rack up my miles.

5. Lalamove or Grab

Want to buy something in Quezon City? Need to purchase medicine in Mercury drug or forgot to buy supplies required by your kid for school tomorrow?

Lalamove and Grab Padala have saved my beautiful behind from disastrous slip-ups that would trigger my never-ending guilt-tripping inner voice.

6. Shopee or Lazada

When my two older kids were younger, a party would never be complete without a trip to Divisoria. It was such a guilty pleasure of hoarding things you think you needed.

Nowadays, everything is a click away with Shopee or Lazada. Just be sure you have enough shipping time especially if the item comes from China. And, yes, I always choose cash on delivery.

7. Facebook groups like the Yummy home directory

I love to cook, but sometimes, I would rather spend an hour in the parlor than slave away to make paella that half of my kids’ won’t eat.

Good thing in the south, there are a lot of homemakers that are compassionate enough to share their home-cooked meals and/or sell their home-grown veggies to lazy neighbors like me.

Have a life hack? Share it with us! Follow @Chicdriven on Facebook or Instagram and post it with a hashtag #chicdriven #lifeinbulletpoints. We’ll send a lucky sender a Chicdriven goodie bag.