Helpful Notes to Keep With You (and Apps to Help You Store Them)

Last Updated on February 1, 2025

You’re in the shoe aisle, ready to impress your daughter with a new pair of shoes—but then it hits you. Is she a size 7, 9, or 10? Without her size, your triumphant moment is now a guessing game. Sound familiar?

Thankfully, your cellphone (or a trusty notepad) can help you combat “mommy brain” and save the day.

Use Your Cellphone as a Reliable Backup

If your memory isn’t as sharp as it used to be, keeping notes on your phone can make life so much easier. Here’s why:

• Convenience: Your phone is always with you.
• Versatility: You can type notes or snap photos for quick reference.
• Reliability: No more second-guessing your memory.

For those who prefer analog solutions, a small notepad works too, but you’ll miss out on photo notes.

Essential Notes to Keep

Here’s a list of helpful information to store in your phone or notebook:

Household and Family Essentials

• Clothing and shoe sizes for every family member.
• Height and weight of family members (helpful for doctor visits or forms).
• Printer ink cartridge numbers and brand.
• Air filter sizes for your home.
• Light bulb sizes and types for fixtures.
• Window measurements for curtains and blinds.

Personal Information

• License plate numbers for all your vehicles.
• Prescription details for family members.
• Water filter brand and size.
• Pet information: rabies certificate, microchip, and registration numbers.

Shopping and Gifting

• Wish lists for family members (track gifts year-round).
• Favorite wines or products to repurchase.

Electronics and Appliances

• Serial and model numbers for all appliances and electronics.
• Cable placements for electronics before moving or disconnecting cords.

Photo Notes You’ll Want to Keep

Photos can be a game-changer for storing quick, visual information. Here are some great photo note ideas:

• Where you parked in a large lot.
• Recipes from magazines in waiting rooms.
• Room photos to match décor or colors when shopping.
• Temporary ads (e.g., billboards or TV) to follow up on later.
• Paint can lids for color matching.
• Baggage claim tickets.
• Travel itineraries.
• Haircuts you like for future reference.
• Business hours for stores with unusual schedules.

Best Apps for Note-Taking

1. Evernote

• Why It’s Great: A versatile app for notes, photos, PDFs, and more. It’s free, powerful, and syncs across all your devices.
• Key Features:
  • Store notes in various formats: text, photos, PDFs, videos, and audio.
  • Search notes with keywords or tags—even handwritten text in photos!
  • Access your notes on your phone, computer, and tablet.
• Best For: People who want an all-purpose note-taking solution.
• Cost: Free with premium options starting at $7.99/month.

2. CamScanner

• Why It’s Great: Perfect for photo notes, this app converts photos into PDF documents, making it ideal for receipts, documents, and more.
• Key Features:
  • Produces clear, high-quality images.
  • Easily organizes scanned documents into folders.
  • Free version available; Pro version ($4.99) integrates with Evernote.
• Best For: Photo-based notes and document scanning.
• Cost: Free with a Pro version for advanced features.

3. Notion

• Why It’s Great: A highly customizable app that combines notes, task management, and databases in one platform.
• Key Features:
  • Organize notes with headings, tables, and checklists.
  • Share and collaborate with others.
  • Syncs across multiple devices.
• Best For: People who want a mix of notes and planning tools.
• Cost: Free for personal use, with premium options for teams.

4. Google Keep

• Why It’s Great: A simple, lightweight app integrated with your Google account. Perfect for quick notes and reminders.
• Key Features:
  • Color-coded sticky notes for easy organization.
  • Add photos, checklists, and voice memos.
  • Syncs seamlessly across all devices.
• Best For: On-the-go note-taking and reminders.
• Cost: Free.

5. Microsoft OneNote

• Why It’s Great: A digital notebook that organizes notes into sections and pages.
• Key Features:
  • Draw, type, or clip content from the web.
  • Supports handwritten notes with a stylus.
  • Integrates with Microsoft Office.
• Best For: Students and professionals using Microsoft products.
• Cost: Free with optional premium features via Office 365.

6. Apple Notes (iOS/Mac only)

• Why It’s Great: A simple yet powerful app pre-installed on Apple devices.
• Key Features:
  • Create checklists, sketches, and attachments.
  • Collaborate on shared notes.
  • Syncs with iCloud across all Apple devices.
• Best For: Apple users who want a clean and seamless experience.
• Cost: Free.

7. Todoist

• Why It’s Great: Combines task management with note-taking, making it great for organizing your to-do lists.
• Key Features:
  • Create projects and add notes to tasks.
  • Set reminders and due dates.
  • Integrates with Google Calendar and other apps.
• Best For: Busy people who want to blend task lists with notes.
• Cost: Free with premium plans starting at $4/month.

8. Simplenote

• Why It’s Great: Minimalist and distraction-free, Simplenote is perfect for plain text notes.
• Key Features:
  • Tag and search notes for easy access.
  • Automatic syncing across devices.
  • No ads or unnecessary features.
• Best For: Fans of simple, straightforward note-taking.
• Cost: Free.

9. Bear (iOS/Mac only)

• Why It’s Great: A beautifully designed Markdown-powered app for writing and note-taking.
• Key Features:
  • Add rich formatting, images, and links.
  • Organize with hashtags and tags.
  • Syncs across Apple devices.
• Best For: Writers and creatives who love an aesthetic interface.
• Cost: Free with premium ($1.49/month or $14.99/year).

10. Zoho Notebook

• Why It’s Great: A visually appealing app with customizable “notebooks.”
• Key Features:
  • Add text, photos, and audio to notes.
  • Cloud syncing with offline access.
  • Ad-free and easy to use.
• Best For: People who love a colorful, organized interface.
• Cost: Free.

11. GoodNotes (iOS/Mac only)

• Why It’s Great: Designed for handwritten notes, this app is perfect for those with tablets or styluses.
• Key Features:
  • Annotate PDFs and documents.
  • Organize notes into digital notebooks.
• Best For: Tablet users who prefer handwriting over typing.
• Cost: $8.99 (one-time purchase).

12. Obsidian

• Why It’s Great: A powerful app for connecting and organizing notes like a personal knowledge database.
• Key Features:
  • Store notes as Markdown files.
  • Create a web of linked notes for better organization.
• Best For: Researchers and writers building long-term archives.
• Cost: Free for personal use.

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Which App is Right for You?

• All-Purpose and Powerful: Evernote, Notion, Microsoft OneNote
• Quick and Simple: Google Keep, Simplenote
• Photo and Scanning Needs: CamScanner
• Creative Notes: Bear, GoodNotes
• Task-Oriented: Todoist
• Visual and Fun: Zoho Notebook

Protect Sensitive Information

When it comes to securing sensitive information like credit card numbers, passwords, IDs, and other personal data, using a reliable password manager or encryption app is critical. Here are my top recommendations:

Password Managers

These are highly secure apps specifically designed to store and organize sensitive information like passwords, credit card details, and more. They use encryption to ensure your data stays safe.

1. Dashlane

• Why It’s Great: Intuitive, secure, and packed with features like a password generator and dark web monitoring.
• Key Features:
  • Securely stores passwords, IDs, and payment information.
  • Alerts you if your data is compromised in a breach.
  • Syncs across all devices.
• Cost: Free for basic features; premium plans start at $4.99/month.

2. LastPass

• Why It’s Great: One of the most popular password managers with strong encryption and a user-friendly interface.
• Key Features:
  • Stores passwords, notes, and payment details.
  • Auto-fills login credentials on websites and apps.
  • Allows for secure password sharing.
• Cost: Free plan available; premium plans start at $3/month.

3. 1Password

• Why It’s Great: Excellent for families and teams, with strong encryption and secure storage for sensitive files.
• Key Features:
  • Organize information into vaults for different users or categories.
  • Share encrypted data securely with family or team members.
  • Emergency access for trusted contacts.
• Cost: $2.99/month for individuals; $4.99/month for families.

4. Bitwarden

• Why It’s Great: An open-source password manager known for its transparency and affordability.
• Key Features:
  • Fully encrypted storage for passwords and other sensitive data.
  • Syncs across devices and platforms.
  • Self-hosting option for advanced users.
• Cost: Free plan available; premium plan is $10/year.

Encryption and Secure Notes Apps

If you want to store sensitive information beyond passwords (like documents, ID photos, or other private data), these apps are great options:

1. mSecure

• Why It’s Great: Simple, intuitive, and secure storage for everything from passwords to sensitive notes.
• Key Features:
  • AES-256 encryption for your data.
  • Cloud sync or local storage (your choice).
  • Customizable categories for easy organization.
• Cost: One-time purchase of $29.99 or $1.99/month for premium features.

2. SplashID

• Why It’s Great: One of the oldest secure information managers, with a focus on simplicity and cross-platform use.
• Key Features:
  • Stores passwords, account details, and sensitive notes.
  • AES-256 encryption for maximum security.
  • Syncs between devices or allows for local-only storage.
• Cost: $1.99/month for cloud sync or $19.95/year for full features.

3. Keeper Security

• Why It’s Great: A robust password manager with additional encrypted file storage capabilities.
• Key Features:
  • AES-256 encryption with zero-knowledge architecture.
  • Stores passwords, sensitive notes, and file attachments securely.
  • Dark web monitoring to alert you if your data is compromised.
• Cost: Plans start at $2.91/month.

Bonus Tips for Securing Sensitive Data

• Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Wherever possible, enable 2FA on your apps and accounts to add an extra layer of security.
• Back Up Your Data Securely: If you use cloud services, make sure they’re encrypted and trusted.
• Avoid Using Public Wi-Fi for Sensitive Transactions: Use a VPN to secure your connection when accessing private data on public networks.
• Regularly Update Your Passwords: Change your passwords periodically and use strong, unique combinations for each account.

Save Time and Stay Organized

Using your phone or a note-taking app ensures you’ll always have key information at your fingertips. Whether you’re shopping for shoes or trying to remember paint colors, you’ll save time, reduce stress, and make life a little easier.